Ch.291Downfall (1)

# Song Dynasty’s Internal Power Struggle

While the Song Dynasty was distracted by internal power struggles, the Mongol army was pursuing the emperor very slowly.

The reason for their slow pursuit was that they were destroying every village they passed through.

As a result, virtually all lands except for Hunan Province, where the emperor was heading, had been reduced to wastelands.

The ability to cause such extensive damage in such a short time was due to their mobile destruction tactics.

There was a reason I was mentioning this again after having already mentioned it once before. The entire Southern Song territory had been so thoroughly devastated that there was no longer any need to deploy these mobile destruction tactics.

“Order the cavalry and the Mongol Pirates to gather here.”

“Yes, Gurkhan.”

The messenger who received my order disappeared. As soon as he vanished, ships of the Mongol Pirates began to appear one after another along the Yangtze River, as if they had been waiting.

“The Mongol Pirates are gathering.”

I nodded at Elunka’s report.

“How many Song troops have assembled?”

“It appears there are fewer than 100,000 soldiers gathered in Hunan Province.”

“100,000, huh…”

100,000 was an ambiguous number. By ambiguous, I meant that even if we defeated them, it wouldn’t be enough to change the course of the war.

A modern person might question whether 100,000 was really a small number. To such a person, I could confidently nod and say it was indeed small.

As I’ve mentioned repeatedly, the Song Dynasty at this time had achieved a population of 100 million. For such a country, 100,000 troops was a force they could replenish at any time, albeit with some exaggeration.

Of course, it would take time, but the point remains. Even if we defeated 100,000 troops, it would only delay matters and wouldn’t have enough impact to change the course of the war.

“We’ll have to deploy the Goryeo troops.”

“The Goryeo troops, sir? It would be difficult to guarantee their victory against the Song army.”

The assessment that the Song army was weak was widespread even in modern times. However, this was somewhat mistaken. The Song Dynasty had been facing nomadic empires like the Liao, Jin, and Mongols—powers that were difficult to defeat through military strength alone.

The combat power of these nomadic nations was difficult for ordinary settled nations to counter. Even Goryeo, though it had managed to repel the Liao invasion, had seen its entire territory devastated in the process.

As a result, Goryeo was also defeated in subsequent battles with the Jin Dynasty and essentially entered into a lord-vassal relationship with them.

With the emergence of the Mongols, who had overthrown the Jin Dynasty, Goryeo suffered a major defeat and was reduced to a son-in-law state. Though it was called a son-in-law state, it was essentially a dependent state, subordinate to the Yuan Dynasty in all aspects.

Thus, it was difficult for ordinary nations to withstand the military power of nomadic empires. Yet the Song Dynasty had a record of holding off both the Liao and Jin Dynasties, and had managed to resist the Mongols for a remarkable 44 years.

Therefore, it was difficult to say that the Song army was truly weak.

“That’s precisely why I intend to deploy Goryeo. If they are defeated, the Song will gain momentum and rally around the emperor.”

“All Song forces will gather under the emperor and launch a major counterattack against the Ulus.”

“That would actually be to our advantage.”

“What do you mean…”

In response to Elunka’s question, I raised my hand, indicating that I would explain later.

“We’ll discuss that later. Before that, I plan to deploy the Goryeo army to discipline Goryeo.”

Elunka nodded at my mention of disciplining Goryeo. Although Goryeo was an allied nation, they had recently shown rather unfavorable behavior in diplomatic matters.

Therefore, I intended to deliberately make them attack the Song Dynasty to completely sour their relationship with Song. Additionally, I planned to have them experience defeat at the hands of Song to make them feel the difference in power.

Discipline. No matter how friendly Goryeo might be to the Ulus, there was still clearly a hierarchical relationship.

* * *

The Goryeo fleet reached the Yangtze River under the escort of the Mongol Pirates. Upon arriving, Yoon In-cheom, the Goryeo general, couldn’t help but express his concern.

“Did the Mongols really make such a request?”

“Yes, they did.”

“Hmph.”

Yoon In-cheom wore a dejected expression. And for good reason—anyone could see this was a death trap.

“The Mongols are trying to discipline Goryeo.”

As the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Yoon In-cheom was both an excellent civil and military official. Unlike other Goryeo generals who were politically inexperienced, he had exceptional political acumen.

Because of this, he immediately understood that the current situation was very unfavorable—essentially the Mongols’ way of disciplining Goryeo.

“What do you mean, sir?”

Heo Seung, the Commissary Officer, looked puzzled at Yoon In-cheom’s words.

“It’s nothing.”

Unlike Yoon In-cheom, Heo Seung had started as a low-ranking military officer in the Dragon Guard. In that position, he unexpectedly benefited from the Gyeongin Coup, which established the coalition government of Yi Uibang and Kim Bo-dang.

This was because Heo Seung’s superior was none other than Jeong Jung-bu’s son, Jeong Gyun. As a result, Heo Seung was recommended by Jeong Gyun and immediately appointed to the position of Commissary Officer, responsible for military supplies.

Although he was from the Dragon Guard, for a mere low-ranking officer to become a third-rank Commissary Officer was essentially equivalent to a three-rank promotion.

It was nothing short of a meteoric rise. Having been promoted far beyond his abilities, he lacked the political and diplomatic sensibilities that Yoon In-cheom possessed.

“Our forces number 140,000. In contrast, Song has only 100,000, and even those are hastily assembled troops. The enemy is bound to suffer a crushing defeat.”

Blinded by ambition, Heo Seung made no attempt to hide his overconfidence.

Seeing this, Yoon In-cheom frowned.

“This won’t be resolved so easily… wait…”

Yoon In-cheom realized that what the Mongols wanted wasn’t victory.

They wanted Goryeo to attack Song so that the relationship between the two countries would be completely ruined. Additionally, they wanted Goryeo to obey the Mongols’ commands.

Both objectives centered around the battle itself. Therefore, he realized they didn’t need to fight to the death.

“You’re right. The Song army is just a rabble.”

“As expected of you, Minister. Then shall we lead our troops to fight Song immediately?”

“That’s a good idea. The enemy seems like a weak army that would collapse at the slightest touch.”

Yoon In-cheom deliberately spoke words that would provoke Heo Seung’s ambition. In response, Heo Seung, blinded by greed, looked as if he wanted to take the lead immediately.

“However, the Song army is still formidable in its own way. So we need a commander to entrust with this important battle…”

“I want to do it, sir.”

Heo Seung took the bait that Yoon In-cheom had cast. In response, Yoon In-cheom smiled inwardly while outwardly pretending to be concerned as he addressed Heo Seung.

“It could be a dangerous battle.”

“I am willing to sacrifice my life for the great nation of Goryeo. Please appoint me as the vanguard commander.”

Seeing this, Yoon In-cheom briefly feigned contemplation. Then, as if he had no choice, he looked at Heo Seung and nodded.

“Very well. I’ll trust you. Show those Song bastards just how strong the Goryeo army is.”

“Thank you, sir! I won’t disappoint you!”

Having received Yoon In-cheom’s permission, Heo Seung left the tent with joy. As soon as he left, Yoon In-cheom’s aide questioned him.

“Is it really alright to send him alone?”

“Isn’t it said that youth cannot contain their vigor?”

The Minister of the Central Secretariat raised one corner of his mouth as he spoke.

“Survival is a matter of individual fate.”

If someone was willing to put their head in a lion’s mouth of their own accord, he saw no need to stop them.

* * *

“These inferior eastern barbarians dare to raise weapons against us!”

The emperor made no attempt to hide his anger as he spoke these words.

He was currently on the battlefield, dressed in splendid armor.

Around him were only conscripted soldiers, barely holding their ground with spears.

“Even if the emperor himself leads the battle…”

“Sigh…”

Due to their long refugee life, the morale of the Song people was very low. As a result, they showed little reaction even when the emperor spoke like this.

This was understandable, as Song had not achieved any notable victories until now.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that they had been defeated in virtually every battle. Because of this, many were not confident of victory even against the army of Goryeo, which had once been their tributary state.

The emperor knew this and took the drastic step of personally leading the battle. Thanks to this, although discipline was lax, the army had not completely fallen apart and still maintained some semblance of a proper military force.

“Everyone, take up your weapons! I, your emperor, will punish these barbarians who have raised arms against the Central Plains!”

Emperor Xiaozong spoke these words as he charged forward. Several generals followed behind him.

With the emperor setting such an example and personally engaging in the front line, the soldiers had no choice but to follow. Thus, the armies of Song and Goryeo clashed.

“Die, eastern barbarians!”

“What are you saying! Chinese bastards!”

As they clashed with weapons, explosive weapons were being prepared in the rear of the Song army.

Although the entire country was burning, Hunan Province had not yet fallen within the range of the Mongols’ scorched earth operations. Thanks to this, they still had explosive weapons available for use.

“Take this!”

“Taste the explosive weapons of the Great Song!”

The Song soldiers threw small iron balls. When these fell among the Goryeo soldiers, they exploded with a loud noise, causing numerous casualties.

“Argh!”

“Ugh!”

The Goryeo army suffered heavy casualties. Surprised by this, the young commander didn’t know what to do, and the emperor didn’t miss this opportunity.

“Charge! Show these Goryeo bastards the terror of the Central Plains!”

Even ordinary soldiers could feel that the tide of battle was turning in Song’s favor. As a result, the previously passive Song soldiers began to become more aggressive.

Thus, the Goryeo army was pushed onto the defensive. At that moment, thanks to the sudden appearance of a rear support unit, Goryeo was able to retreat safely with minimal casualties.

The Song soldiers who witnessed Goryeo’s defeat wore dazed expressions. Hope of victory began to bloom in the hearts of those who had only known defeat until now.

“Did we… win?”

“To defeat Goryeo… does this mean we can defeat the Mongols too?”

The emperor noticed the rising morale among his soldiers. Taking advantage of this ripened atmosphere, he raised his sword and shouted loudly.

“Warriors of the Great Song! If we unite our strength, there is no enemy we cannot defeat!”

“Long live the emperor!”

“Long live the emperor of the Great Song!”

“Long live Song!”

Thus, the victory that Song achieved against Goryeo spread throughout the Central Plains. Hearing this, the people of Song began to gather in Hunan Province, following the hope created by the emperor.