Ch.271Sichuan (1)

The Military Governor Jin Wenqing was serving as a general of the Song Dynasty, tasked with protecting Sichuan.

He was displeased with the fact that a talent like himself was being wasted in such a remote region.

“If they made me the vanguard commander to crush the Mongol Pirates, everything would be resolved… This is all because of those incompetent officials.”

He tilted his wine cup as he spoke these words.

Jin Wenqing was behaving like someone who blamed others and wasted his time.

Perhaps because of this, he was surrounded not by those who served the country, but by people blinded by personal gain.

As a result, most were sycophants hoping to receive something from Jin Wenqing.

“You’re right, General. Since fools have gained power in the central government, a great man like yourself cannot succeed.”

“This is a loss not just for Sichuan, but for the entire Song Dynasty.”

The Military Governor smiled with satisfaction at their flattery.

Then he gestured for them to leave.

As they disappeared, women naturally entered the room.

The soldiers who witnessed this could only look on in disbelief.

“Drinking and entertainment in the military camp?”

“What if enemies attack while we’re like this?”

“Why? I almost wish the Mongols or Jin Dynasty would attack and deal with that guy somehow.”

While the soldiers were complaining, suddenly a young soldier whose peach fuzz hadn’t even fallen off yet approached.

“B-big… big trouble!”

“What’s the matter that you’re making such a fuss, rookie?”

“Did one of those sycophants around our general cause problems again?”

“Th-that’s not it! L-look over there!”

“This better not be nothing.”

The rookie’s senior stepped forward in response to the young soldier’s commotion.

Then, from a high vantage point, he spotted what the rookie had mentioned.

“Th-this can’t be.”

Sensing the gravity of the situation, the senior soldier stepped forward.

Having gained experience on the battlefield, the senior soldier immediately recognized the identity of the enemies raising dust clouds as they approached.

“It’s the Jin… Jin Dynasty’s heavy cavalry is heading this way!”

“Why are the Jin suddenly here?!”

“W-we need to do something right away.”

“Calm down. I’ll report to the adjutant first.”

After saying this, the senior soldier approached the adjutant.

“This is an emergency, sir. Jin Dynasty soldiers are coming! We must prepare for battle immediately!”

“Battle? What battle?”

“What do you mean…?”

The adjutant gave the senior soldier an incredulous look.

Then he pointed to the ongoing banquet.

“The banquet is in full swing, and because of you, I’ve fallen out of the Military Governor’s favor. Don’t disturb me while I drink penalty cups to make up for it.”

“That’s not what’s important right now! The enemy is right in front of us!”

“The walls won’t fall just because the Jin are coming. Stop talking nonsense and go back.”

The drunk adjutant waved him off dismissively.

Then he staggered back to the Military Governor’s side.

The senior soldier watched the adjutant with an incredulous expression.

“What did I tell you?”

“It seems they don’t care what happens to us.”

“Those lowlifes…”

The senior soldier nodded at his juniors’ words.

Then he turned to face everyone and muttered quietly.

“Open the gates and raise the white flag.”

“A-are you suggesting we betray the Song Dynasty?”

“No matter what, this is…”

“If we resist, we’ll just be sacrificed like expendable items. If that’s the case, it’s better to open the gates and enjoy wealth and glory under the Jin Dynasty.”

The other soldiers nodded at the senior soldier’s words.

Since the Military Governor and his adjutants weren’t responding appropriately to the crisis, only the lowest-ranking common soldiers would suffer.

Those who didn’t know this weren’t present.

Therefore, after a moment’s hesitation, the soldiers decided to follow the senior soldier’s decision.

* * *

The smell of blood spread throughout Jiannan Road.

Flocks of crows, attracted by the smell, flew over the corpses.

A complete defeat for the Song Dynasty.

Seeing this, Wanyan Shengyu looked at the fortress with an incredulous expression.

“No one would have expected this naturally fortified stronghold to fall so easily.”

Wanyan Shengyu said this while looking at the head of the Jiannan Military Governor hanging on the city gate.

Perhaps because he always ate so greedily, there was still enough flesh on his head for crows to cling to and continue pecking at.

“General, how should we handle the soldiers who surrendered?”

Wanyan Shengyu answered his adjutant’s question immediately.

“I will acknowledge their contribution and reward them. If they wish, they may serve in our army.”

Wanyan Shengyu made this decision to make an example of those who surrendered.

As mentioned earlier, the Jin Dynasty was trying to absorb Song territory by taking advantage of their chaos.

This also meant they needed to win the hearts of the Song people in Sichuan.

Therefore, Wanyan Shengyu was trying to demonstrate through actions that those who surrendered would be rewarded accordingly.

“However, if that happens, we might run short of rewards for those who surrender.”

Wanyan Shengyu nodded at his adjutant’s words.

As he said, it would take a lot of money to buy people’s hearts with rewards.

Since this wouldn’t be a one-time occurrence, it was clear that a lot of money would be needed, as the adjutant suggested.

“Don’t worry. We can take from the pockets of Song officials and distribute it.”

“Then your share, General…”

“I don’t care about that.”

Wanyan Shengyu no longer cared about wealth or honor.

He was loyal only to his country and wanted only an opportunity to make up for his mistakes.

As a result, he didn’t even glance at the pile of treasures or beautiful women before him.

“You may take your share separately. But my portion will go to those who surrendered.”

The adjutants shook their heads at Wanyan Shengyu’s words.

This was because they shared his sentiment.

“We will never forget the day we were defeated by the Mongols.”

“That’s right. I won’t yield until I have my revenge against the Mongols.”

When the general leading the army set such an example, the adjutants had no choice but to follow.

Moreover, since most of the adjutants had participated in battles against the Mongols, this sentiment was even stronger.

“I’m grateful that you’ve made such a decision.”

The general said this as he drew his sword.

Then he moved forward, eliminating the few Song soldiers who were still resisting.

The adjutants followed behind him.

“Since the general speaks this way, we can’t help but follow…”

“Sigh… I need money…”

Of course, not all the adjutants felt the same way.

Among Wanyan Shengyu’s adjutants, there were those with great material desires.

Therefore, dissatisfaction inevitably arose toward Wanyan Shengyu, who set an example by creating an atmosphere where others couldn’t claim their rightful spoils of war.

But the greater cause belonged to Wanyan Shengyu.

So the dissatisfied adjutants had no choice but to suppress their feelings.

* * *

The Jin Dynasty’s invasion of Jiannan Road.

News that the Jiannan Military Governor had died in the invasion and that the areas around Jiannan Road had all become Jin territory reached Emperor Xiaozong of Song.

Upon hearing this news, Emperor Xiaozong could only close his eyes tightly and sigh.

“While the Mongol Pirates are running rampant, the dying Jin Dynasty is counterattacking. What do you all think about this?”

No one could answer Emperor Xiaozong’s question.

This was because the damage was entirely due to Song’s diplomatic failure.

The Song Dynasty had maintained good relations with the Mongols.

In such a situation, from Song’s perspective, they couldn’t help but feel threatened by the Mongols’ rapid development.

So they had told the Minamoto clan, who were generals of Wa, that they would partially fulfill their request.

The result was disastrous.

Despite Song’s support, the Ulus conquered the islands across the sea.

And using the treaty with Song as an excuse, they created an agreement stating that no one could criticize the range of activities of the Mongol Pirates.

In any case, because of this, no one was criticizing the regional army or those leading them.

“Can none of you answer?”

No one could easily answer Emperor Xiaozong’s question.

As a result, Emperor Xiaozong was raging.

“And you all call yourselves officials of the Great Song!”

There was no change despite Emperor Xiaozong’s harsh words.

Instead of continuing to berate them, Emperor Xiaozong had no way to resolve this.

Then a young official stepped forward.

He stood before the emperor, paid his respects, and answered in a loud voice.

“Your Majesty, if you give me 100,000 troops, I can not only drive back the Jin Dynasty that invaded Sichuan but also give eternal rest to those who are dying.”

The emperor looked skeptical at the confident young official’s words.

Then he addressed him.

“The political situation is unstable due to the Mongol Pirates’ plundering. It’s difficult to mobilize a large force of 100,000 troops in such a situation.”

“Then give me 50,000.”

“Is 50,000 enough?”

“I will make it work.”

The Song Dynasty was currently in chaos.

So they needed to either deal with the Mongol Pirates or drive out the Jin Dynasty immediately.

In this situation, the young official’s words couldn’t help but sound appealing.

“Very well. I will give you 50,000 troops.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

A young official leading a large army.

This was unprecedented, causing the officials to stir.

“No matter what, it would be better to have someone with experience…”

“That’s right. His spirit is commendable, but 50,000 lives could be wasted.”

Emperor Xiaozong couldn’t help but be angry at the officials’ words.

“Just moments ago, I asked for solutions, and none of you answered. How dare you now!”

The officials could only bow their heads at the emperor’s fiery anger.

“If anyone mentions this issue again, I will behead them first.”

The officials couldn’t say anything at the emperor’s resolute order.

After confirming that the ministers had calmed down, the emperor looked at the young official.

“I will give you my sword. Your orders are my orders, and you may use this sword to punish those who disobey.”

“I will drive out the Jin Dynasty with my life.”

The official said this and bowed.

Then, with a determined expression, he prepared to head to the battlefield.