Ch.272Sichuan (2)

“It is reported that the Song Dynasty and Jin Dynasty have gone to war.”

I nodded at the messenger’s report.

“I expected the Jin would attack the Song eventually, but…”

They moved faster than I thought. However, it wouldn’t be a major issue for us either way.

“Brother. When are you coming? The rice cakes are getting burnt!”

At Munglig’s words, I waved my hand instead of answering. Then I turned my head to look at the messenger.

“I understand this matter. I will take measures later, so go back and rest.”

“Yes, Khagan.”

After the messenger left, I immediately approached Munglig. As soon as I arrived, Munglig handed me honey brought from the Mongolian steppe.

“If you dip it in this, it’s really delicious, Brother.”

“Thank you.”

I said this while accepting the nicely browned rice cake. Then I sat down beside him with a thud and spoke to Munglig.

“Eating like this after so long brings back old memories.”

In childhood, Yesugei used to wander around the steppes with Munglig. There were times when they would eat well-dried jerky and drink fermented mare’s milk.

Back then, if they were lucky, they would occasionally raid merchants from the Central Plains and get slightly sour rice cakes. Eating those grilled rice cakes and marveling at what China had to offer—that was how Munglig and I lived.

To be precise, these were the memories of Yesugei, this body’s original owner, and Munglig.

“Yes, Brother. When I recall those times, everything we enjoy now feels like an illusion.”

“Do you miss those days?”

“I can’t say I don’t.”

Munglig said this with a slight smile. Then he pointed to his white hair.

“I’ve grown old too, Brother. Of course, you’re even older.”

“You really say whatever comes to mind.”

Munglig chuckled. Then he murmured softly.

“Brother, don’t abandon me because of that.”

“Why would I abandon you? I need to keep you by my side and put you to work for the rest of your life.”

“I thought you’d say that.”

Munglig looked at me.

“I heard the Jin Dynasty has invaded the Song Dynasty.”

“Your ears are sharp.”

To this, Munglig smiled instead of answering.

“After the war with the Song ends, would you like to go hunting with me like we used to?”

“Hunting…”

“Yes. Temujin has grown up, and the other children have matured and married, so you should live your own life now, Brother.”

“That sounds plausible.”

My own life. Yesugei, what do you think?

“Alright.”

“Really?”

“Yes. If you’ll be my driver, I’ll travel the world in a ger cart with my three wives.”

Yesugei. Would you really be satisfied with that?

“I knew you’d say something like that, Brother.”

“What will you do?”

Munglig smiled as if to say it was obvious.

“I’ve already gotten permission from my wife. So don’t worry.”

Seeing Munglig’s bright smile, I felt my heart ease. Yes. This is what you want. I should give you that. That’s how I’ll repay my debt for living in your body.

Anyway, we talked a bit more about the future. Then I stood up and looked at the palace.

It was time to go back.

* * *

“Sichuan is a natural fortress. If the Jin Dynasty conquers it, it will be a serious problem.”

“That’s right. The Jin Dynasty is a nation with great potential. If they use the Song Dynasty as a sacrifice for their revival, it will be a major threat to us.”

I nodded at the officials’ words. Then I looked at the officials on the opposite side who held different opinions.

“We are of the opposite view. If Song and Jin fight, won’t we ultimately benefit?”

“The conflict between these two countries, regardless of the outcome, is advantageous to us.”

“We are simply employing the strategy of ‘using barbarians against barbarians,’ just as the Song and Jin Dynasties did in the past.”

Using barbarians against barbarians.

As I’ve mentioned repeatedly, the nomads of the steppe have suffered at the hands of the Central Plains states.

This was because a unified steppe posed a significant threat to them.

For this reason, the Central Plains states, or those holding hegemony there, made the nomads antagonize each other.

The Song Dynasty did so.

The Jin Dynasty did so.

The Ulus pushed back these two countries and seized hegemony.

Therefore, as the center of the world, China, using the divide-and-rule strategy against peripheral ethnic groups seemed natural.

“Using barbarians against barbarians…”

“It’s certainly like returning what was done to us…”

Most other officials began to agree with those opposing intervention in the war.

As mentioned earlier, this strategy was attractive to anyone who considered it.

It didn’t deplete national power or require military mobilization.

Yet it could check both actual hostile countries and potential enemy states, making it seem like a magical formula.

“Using barbarians against barbarians is merely an illusion.”

“We ultimately broke through the schemes of the Central Plains countries and seized hegemony. Therefore, we cannot assume this strategy always works.”

The officials stirred at this.

This was because the Ulus had survived despite such schemes and achieved the Mandate of Heaven.

This meant that a second Ulus could potentially emerge.

Anyway, as the debate heated up, Elunka had no choice but to step in.

“I agree that using barbarians against barbarians is illusory. However, with the Ulus currently growing in politics, society, culture, art, and various other fields, entering a full-scale war would be a significant loss.”

Elunka’s explanation was extremely rational.

Led by the House of Wisdom, society as a whole was undergoing major changes.

This was thanks to the massive investment of human and material resources.

In other words, the Ulus had already invested enormous costs in social transformation.

In such a situation, abandoning development and going to war could render these social development costs worthless.

Additionally, this situation could hinder post-war development.

If someone saw this situation, they might ask why not just stop development and go to war.

But social development wasn’t just about resource investment.

The overall atmosphere of society, the desire for change, and the desire for a better life had to come together for society to move to the next level.

Since the Ulus currently had this atmosphere, there was no need to damage the social spirit by entering a war unnecessarily.

Though I’ve explained at length, the summary is simple.

Social development is about timing. The Ulus has caught this timing well, so now is not the time for war.

“But we cannot ignore the Jin Dynasty.”

“The Jin Dynasty is ruled by an excellent monarch, supported by capable generals, administrative heads, and tens of thousands of iron cavalry.”

Elunka nodded at the officials’ objections.

“That’s why we need to devise ways to harass the enemy without mobilizing our military.”

At Elunka’s words, all the officials’ gazes turned to him.

They all seemed to be asking how such a method was possible.

“I plan to use a proxy state.”

“A proxy state…”

Modern China could be seen as a patchwork of territories thanks to nomadic peoples.

The Central Plains, or Han cultural states, had continuously expanded, not only by direct invasion but also by gaining land through being ruled by others.

The Dali Kingdom was one of the states conquered by the Mongols, an independent state that ruled what is now Yunnan Province.

Its closest neighbors were the Song Dynasty and Tibet.

Because of this, they abolished anti-Tang sentiment at their founding and actively embraced Song culture.

The Song Dynasty also had no intention of annexing them, as they served as a buffer zone between Tibet and the Song.

For this reason, the Dali Kingdom, which had maintained an amicable relationship with the Song, collapsed under Mongol invasion.

“I know it’s a state located in southern China. What do you mean by using them?”

“Using barbarians against barbarians.”

“Didn’t we just hear that this strategy alone is insufficient?”

“Correct, Gurkhan. However, this was insufficient because there was only one such strategy. With two, we could safely undertake major endeavors.”

At Elunka’s words, Munglig stepped forward with a question.

“So you mean to use the Dali Kingdom to destabilize the Jin Dynasty?”

“Exactly, Lord Munglig.”

“It seems like a good method, but will the Dali Kingdom move easily?”

“Of course it will be difficult. However, like Japan in the past, they are struggling with internal division.”

The Ulus conquered the Japanese archipelago relatively easily.

This was thanks to the conflict between the Shogunate and the Emperor.

Learning that a similar situation existed in the Dali Kingdom, both Munglig and the officials couldn’t help but be surprised.

“This is a report sent from the Tamma.”

Elunka unfolded a paper.

And in front of everyone, he slowly recited the contents of the report.

The Dali Kingdom was a country founded by Duan Siping, who was of Han origin.

Because of this, the descendants of the Duan family had ruled the Dali Kingdom for generations, building their legitimacy.

This Duan dynasty began to crack in its legitimacy due to the tyranny of the 10th emperor, Duan Xiaoxing.

As he neglected state affairs and indulged in pleasure, the powerful minister Gao Zhisheng deposed Duan Xiaoxing and installed a new emperor.

After this, the Gao family began to emerge as the de facto rulers of the Dali Kingdom.

The 12th emperor, Duan Yanyi, was assassinated by the powerful minister Yang Yizheng.

The powerful minister Gao Shengtai suppressed this, but he went on to arbitrarily depose later emperors and ascend to the throne himself.

In this situation, when Gao Shengtai fell ill, the Duan emperors were barely able to maintain their lineage through his dying wish to return the throne.

Due to these ups and downs, the emperor was wary of the Gao family.

And although he tried hard to resolve this, his movements were limited due to the influence of the Gao family.

“A country shaken by powerful ministers…”

“It’s exactly the same situation as the archipelago.”

Elunka nodded at the officials’ words.

“The current emperor of the Dali Kingdom has been trying to get help from the Song Dynasty, but due to these limitations, he hasn’t been able to progress further.”

The Song Dynasty was suffering from the Mongol Pirates.

Therefore, it was impossible for Song to help Dali.

“We will extend a helping hand to them.”