Ch.73Xingqing (5)

Wei Xiaoyun received all the explanations from the scout.

After hearing this information, the chancellor laughed loudly with an expression that seemed to say “just as I thought.”

“Hahaha! Just as I thought. Isn’t it absurd that those pathetic nomads who only feed grass to their horses could build a dam?”

A deputy officer standing right beside Wei Xiaoyun immediately agreed with his hearty laughter.

“Indeed, sir. Wasn’t it because of their worthless skills that we first learned about the Mongols’ surprise attack on Khara-Khoto?”

When Khasar and Belgutei attacked Xingqing, most of the Western Xia soldiers guarding the place lost their lives.

However, the cavalry managed to survive thanks to the new weapon the Mongols had used.

It was a weapon that threw iron balls to scatter caltrops inside, but it was so poorly made that it malfunctioned and broke down immediately.

Thanks to this, the Western Xia cavalry were able to safely escape Xingqing and reach Western Xia.

The chancellor, knowing this background well, understood better than anyone how inferior Mongol technology was.

“To think they could block a river with such technology. Ha! How ridiculous.”

“Chancellor, then what should we do about the enemy forces over there…”

Wei Xiaoyun waved his hand dismissively at the deputy’s question.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s impossible to block a river with such pathetic technology. And even if it were possible, the Mongols would bear all the damage themselves.”

Historical records often portrayed water attacks as invincible tactics that could annihilate enemy forces in one stroke.

But the reality was different.

This was because if the water flow wasn’t properly controlled, the dam could burst and cause massive damage to nearby armies.

As a result, even countries in the Central Plains with advanced technology rarely used such water attacks successfully.

Even in battles considered textbook examples of water attacks, the side deploying them often suffered greater losses.

Therefore, it was absurd to think that the Mongols, whose technology couldn’t even compare to that of the Central Plains, could properly execute a water attack.

“Your words are absolutely correct, sir.”

The deputy officer flattered the chancellor, agreeing with his words to catch his eye.

In the midst of this warm atmosphere, a man wearing a helmet suddenly appeared.

When he appeared, the chancellor stopped laughing and looked at the man with a serious expression.

“What brings you here, Left Army Commander?”

The man bowed at the chancellor’s words and revealed why he had come.

“As a general of Western Xia, I thought I should participate when foreign enemies invade.”

“…What happened to the Minister of State was unfortunate.”

“…”

“However, now is not the time. I will call for you again when the time is right.”

It was essentially telling him to leave.

In response, the man prostrated himself and shouted loudly.

“I have not come here because of personal feelings toward the Mongols despite not being summoned by Your Excellency. I came only out of concern for our country.”

The man was none other than Zhao Yunling, the younger brother of the Minister of State.

His title, Left Army Commander, was a position responsible for the Left Army, which served as the personal guard of the Western Xia Emperor.

Therefore, it was nearly impossible for him to participate directly in the war.

“Impossible.”

“Your Excellency!”

“Left Army Commander, do not forget your responsibility. You lead the Left Army that protects His Majesty the Emperor. Do you think it makes sense for someone in your position to participate in war?”

“…”

“Your actions now would appear to anyone as motivated by personal grudges against the Mongols.”

Faced with the chancellor’s cutting words, Zhao Yunling could say nothing.

However, he remained seated, seemingly unwilling to leave.

“I understand your anger completely. When the time comes, I will petition His Majesty to allow you to take to the battlefield. But for today, please return.”

At the chancellor’s proposal, Zhao Yunling had no choice but to rise.

He looked at Wei Xiaoyun, bowed, and then retreated.

After he disappeared, Wei Xiaoyun sighed and muttered to himself.

“This is not good. Not good at all.”

The chancellor recalled the eyes of Zhao Yunling he had just seen.

Those were not the eyes of someone who would remain still.

* * *

The Emperor of Western Xia sighed as he looked at the chancellor.

“I apologize. But given the Zhao family’s significant contributions to Western Xia, I couldn’t easily stop the Left Army Commander.”

“Your Majesty has nothing to apologize for. This is entirely the Left Army Commander’s fault.”

Left Army Commander Zhao Yunling was failing to distinguish between public duty and personal matters.

The fact that he abandoned his duty to protect the Emperor’s safety was proof of this.

Yet the Emperor couldn’t fully control him because of the influence of the Zhao family within Western Xia.

Although much of Western Xia had been sinicized, its foundation lay in the clan society of the Tangut tribe, which had split from the Qiang people.

In this clan society, family lineage was naturally important.

Among these families, two stood out: the Wei family and the Zhao family.

Traditionally, the Wei family entered civil service while the Zhao family entered military service.

Thanks to the support of these two families, the Li family was able to rule Western Xia with stability.

With this background, even the Emperor couldn’t forcibly stop the actions of Zhao Yunling, who belonged to the Zhao family.

“Please appease the Left Army Commander, Chancellor.”

“I will obey Your Majesty’s command.”

Wei Xiaoyun bowed and withdrew.

After the chancellor left, the Emperor, now alone, sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair.

He looked so exhausted that even the attendant serving him was careful to observe his mood.

“I need to rest a bit.”

At the Emperor’s words, the attendant immediately approached to attend to him.

After being attended to, the Emperor carefully moved to his chamber.

While resting in his chamber, an attendant approached and carefully addressed the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, the Left Army Commander wishes for an audience. Shall I send him away…”

“No. I will see the Left Army Commander.”

The Emperor waved his hand, stopped resting, and put his official attire back in order.

After putting his attire in order and going out again, he found Zhao Yunling there in his official uniform.

“Welcome, Left Army Commander.”

“I have come to apologize for troubling Your Majesty.”

At these words, the Emperor nodded, thinking that the chancellor had successfully appeased him.

But contrary to the Emperor’s thoughts, the words that came from the Left Army Commander’s mouth were completely different.

“However, I believe the Mongol cavalry that have approached near Xingqing pose a great threat to Western Xia. Just seeing how they raid villages near Xingqing and oppress our people shows how evil they are.”

“What is your intention in saying this?”

“Your Majesty, I earnestly request that you grant me the authority to command troops.”

The Emperor began to feel a headache coming on at Zhao Yunling’s words.

This was because currently all military authority was held by Chancellor Wei Xiaoyun.

Therefore, Zhao Yunling’s request could only be seen as an unwillingness to follow the chancellor’s orders.

Of course, the Left Army Commander’s anger was understandable.

The fact that Zhao Yunchang, the heir to the Zhao family and Minister of State of Western Xia, had been defeated by the Mongols was enough to provoke Zhao Yunling’s anger.

But this was purely a personal matter.

Therefore, the Emperor reprimanded the Left Army Commander with a seemingly angry expression.

“Left Army Commander, are you saying you refuse the chancellor’s will, which carries my orders?”

This was directly related to the Emperor’s authority.

Therefore, the Emperor could no longer turn a blind eye to Zhao Yunling’s actions.

“That is absolutely not my intention.”

“Then why are you acting this way?”

“I apologize for causing Your Majesty concern. However, this is not due to my personal feelings.”

“…”

“The chancellor has received information that the Mongols are planning a water attack on Xingqing.”

“The Mongols planning a water attack…? Do you believe they possess such technology?”

“Of course not. But if there is even the slightest possibility, I believe we should eliminate it.”

The Emperor had to nod at Zhao Yunling’s somewhat reasonable words.

Whether the Mongols had the technology to execute a water attack wasn’t the important issue.

The very fact that they were preparing for a water attack was enough to provoke the Emperor’s concern.

“I only wish to lead troops to punish them in order to eliminate Your Majesty’s concerns.”

“…Is that truly all?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor nodded at Zhao Yunling’s words.

He thought that if this was the case, it wouldn’t be a major problem to allow him to command troops.

“Very well. Then I will grant you the authority to command 1,000 soldiers.”

Of course, the Emperor wasn’t so lenient as to grant Zhao Yunling a large number of troops.

Therefore, the Emperor granted command authority for just enough troops to annihilate the enemy forces attempting the water attack, as the Left Army Commander had said.

Additionally, with this scale of forces, there was little chance the chancellor would harbor resentment.

“With 1,000 soldiers…”

“I believe that’s sufficient to annihilate those attempting a water attack, but it seems the Left Army Commander doesn’t think so.”

“N-No, Your Majesty. I am grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”

Zhao Yunling bowed and then retreated.

The Emperor merely watched as the Left Army Commander withdrew.

* * *

“What can I do with just 1,000!”

With his face distorted by anger, Zhao Yunling made no attempt to hide his fury as he slammed his fist on the table.

His deputy officers nodded as if they understood the Left Army Commander’s anger.

“With only 1,000, it will be difficult to execute the strategy we originally planned to surprise attack the enemy.”

“It would be difficult even if we mobilized all the family troops.”

At his officers’ words, Zhao Yunling gritted his teeth.

In truth, attacking the Mongols who were planning a water attack was merely a pretext.

He had planned to obtain command authority from the Emperor to launch a surprise attack on the Mongols.

The reason he used such a complicated method was that currently, due to the chancellor’s orders, no troops could leave Xingqing.

Therefore, he needed the Emperor’s approval and troops to support it.

In this situation, he had received the Emperor’s approval but not command of enough troops to inflict significant damage on the enemy.

“I have no intention of giving up on avenging my brother’s death.”

“There is no other way, Commander.”

“That’s right.”

Zhao Yunling shook his head at his officers’ opposition.

“No. There is a way.”

“What…”

“We will launch a surprise attack on the enemy camp at night. And…”

A murderous intent began to swirl in Zhao Yunling’s eyes, distorted with anger.

“I will take the life of the Mongol leader.”