Ch.79Family (1)

# The Jin Dynasty’s Cavalry Commander

The man leading the Jin Dynasty’s heavy cavalry was none other than Prince Zhao, Wanyan Shunan.

“Your Highness. The Mongols have already conquered Western Xia.”

“Things have become troublesome.”

Wanyan Shunan couldn’t help but frown at the Han official’s report. There was good reason for his concern—Western Xia needed to have remained intact.

In truth, he could have helped Western Xia earlier. But there was a reason he couldn’t—it was due to problems caused by a recent localized conflict.

“If it weren’t for those Goryeo bastards…”

Under the leadership of Grand Chancellor Wanyan Liang, Jin had applied significant pressure on Goryeo. The reason for this action was that Goryeo kept pursuing neutral diplomacy, moving between Jin and Song dynasties.

Goryeo had promised to serve Jin as its superior nation and cut ties with Song, yet they kept trying to establish relations with Song. Since this was directly connected to national defense, Jin had no choice but to respond seriously.

This was because Jin shared borders with both Goryeo and Song. If attacked from both sides simultaneously, Jin would inevitably suffer great damage.

For these comprehensive reasons, Jin requested the return of the Six Garrison Districts of Gangdong from Goryeo as diplomatic leverage. It was a demand for Goryeo to return Heungwha, Yongju, Cheolju, Tongju, Gwakju, and Gwiju—all located within the Amnok River.

These were territories Goryeo had acquired thanks to their diplomatic skills during the Liao Dynasty era. From Jin’s perspective, which had inherited the title of Great Baekle of Liaodong from Liao, this was a legitimate demand. Goryeo refused, and in response, Wanyan Liang deployed Jin troops near Heungwha Garrison to conduct a military demonstration against Goryeo.

Wanyan Liang thought this show of force would make Goryeo bow down again. But contrary to his expectations, Goryeo mobilized troops with a determination that suggested they were prepared for all-out war, resulting in a temporary localized conflict at the border between Jin and Goryeo.

This forced Prince Zhao Wanyan Shunan and Prince Yue Wanyan to head to the front lines.

The Battle of Heungwha Garrison, which seemed likely to escalate into full-scale war, became deadlocked after the first battle, turning into a battle of nerves between both sides. Eventually, Goryeo yielded, and Jin stopped mentioning the Six Garrison Districts of Gangdong, bringing the brief conflict between the two countries to an end.

A meaningless battle where neither side gained anything. Though Jin could claim they had reconfirmed Goryeo’s loyalty, they suffered an even greater loss.

That loss was their ally, Western Xia.

“Those cunning Mongols took advantage while we were in chaos to commit such an atrocity.”

Wanyan Shunan didn’t hesitate to call the Mongols—fellow nomads—”Meng-go.” This was because he had completely assimilated into Han culture.

As a result, he referred to the Mongols, who shared the same roots and history as him, as “Meng-go,” meaning ignorant and foolish.

“That’s right, Your Highness. Moreover, those Mongol barbarians dared to oppress the King of Xia who received his title from His Imperial Majesty.”

The title of King of Xia was originally bestowed upon the Western Xia Emperor by the Song Emperor during the Northern Song period. Later, when Song was pushed south of the Yangtze River, the Jin Emperor, who became the new emperor of the Central Plains, bestowed this title on Western Xia again.

From Jin’s perspective, they had no choice but to move, albeit belatedly, to rescue Western Xia, which was both an ally and a vassal state.

But whether their response was too late or the Mongols moved too quickly, Western Xia quickly fell. This made the Prince of Zhao grind his teeth in frustration.

“I’ll show those vile Mongols the terror of Jin.”

With these words, Jin was boldly planning to head toward Xingqing, the capital of Western Xia, via Lizhou. The fastest route would actually have been through Da’an in Jin territory to Xingqing.

But they didn’t take that route because going through Da’an to Xingqing would expose them to Mongol forces. Although Mongol forces were weaker than Jin’s heavy cavalry, they were still cavalry, and facing them head-on could result in significant casualties.

Of course, this was just the surface reason. His insistence on passing through the territory of the not-yet-established Prince of Jin was clearly politically motivated.

Anyway, for these political and military reasons, he was leading his army through Lizhou, an area known as Jiange during the Three Kingdoms period. At that moment, a messenger on horseback urgently approached Wanyan Shunan from the distance.

“Your Highness! Big… big trouble! A large Song army has appeared near Jianmen Pass!”

“A large Song army…?”

Wanyan Shunan couldn’t help but be perplexed. While Hanzhong near Lizhou was Jin territory, Jianmen Pass and Lizhou connected to it were Song territory.

So it was perfectly natural for them to appear with troops. But the reported large scale of their forces made him react sensitively.

“I should meet with the Song commander first.”

The relationship between Jin and Song was that of elder and younger brother. Therefore, Wanyan Shunan wanted to meet them to understand why Song had brought such a large force.

The Song commander seemed to share this thought, as he immediately accepted Wanyan Shunan’s request for dialogue.

“It is an honor to meet the Prince of Zhao of Jin.”

The Song commander bowed respectfully. His manner was very polite, but his expression and behavior did not hide his antipathy toward Jin.

“Judging by your complexion, you don’t seem to genuinely welcome me. Who are you?”

“I am Xin Qiji, Pacification Commissioner of the Great Song.”

It was common courtesy in the Central Plains to introduce both one’s name and courtesy name. However, Xin Qiji looked at Wanyan Shunan as if he were an uncivilized barbarian and only revealed his name, not following Central Plains etiquette but mimicking Jin’s practice.

Angered by this, Wanyan Shunan’s face reddened as he reprimanded Xin Qiji.

“I am a prince who has been granted the title of Prince of Zhao by His Imperial Majesty of the Central Plains. Do you not know the proper etiquette toward a superior nation?”

“Not at all. I merely stated my name following the customs of the superior nation. I only followed your country’s practices, so why are you upset?”

At Xin Qiji’s smooth-talking response, Wanyan Shunan could only grind his teeth. As Xin Qiji said, no matter how sinicized he had become, his roots were still Jurchen.

So there was no falsehood in Xin Qiji’s words.

“You…”

“Please calm yourself, Your Highness. If you lose your temper here, you’ll be falling into that insolent man’s trap.”

“Tsk…”

At his advisor’s words, Wanyan Shunan glared at Xin Qiji while grinding his teeth. Despite his gaze revealing his anger, Xin Qiji responded without the slightest concern.

“More importantly, Your Highness. This is Song territory, so why have you brought such a large army here?”

“Isn’t Lizhou and Jianmen Pass your territory?”

“That’s correct. So this area is also under our jurisdiction. That’s why I’m asking why you’ve appeared with such a large army.”

“I have no reason to inform an official of a vassal state.”

“As I said before, this is our territory. I can only clear the way if you provide an answer.”

“Tsk…”

At Xin Qiji’s persistent questioning, Wanyan Shunan could only grind his teeth. He regretted not taking the route through Da’an to Xingqing.

But it was too late to undo what had been done.

“We are heading to Xingqing. We need to pass through here, so clear the way.”

At the mention of heading to Xingqing, the capital of Western Xia, a gleam appeared in Xin Qiji’s eyes. He nodded with a big laugh.

“Hahaha! I didn’t expect Your Highness to be taking the same path as us.”

“What do you mean?”

“We are moving on the orders of His Imperial Majesty of Great Song to bestow the title of King of Xia upon Bekhter, the new ruler of Western Xia.”

“What!”

At Xin Qiji’s words, Wanyan Shunan exploded in anger. He drew his sword and pointed it at Xin Qiji.

“Do you realize what nonsense you’re spouting?”

Despite the Prince of Zhao’s murderous aura, Xin Qiji answered with a smile, not even blinking.

“The title of Xia has existed throughout the long history of the Han people. What problem is there with His Imperial Majesty of Great Song, who has inherited the Mandate of Heaven, honoring the will of his ancestors by bestowing the title of Xia upon Prince Bekhter?”

“You’re insulting me and the Emperor of the Central Plains!”

“I have done no such thing.”

“You’re trying to humiliate me with your silver tongue!”

“Humiliation is out of the question. As Your Highness knows, the Jin court is aware that the Song court bestowed the title of King of Xia upon the Western Xia king, isn’t that right?”

“…”

“So we have neither gone against the will of the Jin court nor mocked His Imperial Majesty of Jin. We are merely continuing what has always been done.”

Despite Xin Qiji’s near-sophistry, Wanyan Shunan could not respond. As Xin Qiji said, the Jin court knew that Song had bestowed the title of King of Xia upon the Western Xia Emperor.

Despite knowing this, they had left it alone, thinking it wouldn’t have much impact. This was because the Western Xia Emperor had already sided with Jin.

So they had neglected it without much thought, not expecting it to come back as a dagger.

“Argh…! You…! If it’s just bestowing a title as you say, why have you brought so many troops? Isn’t this an attempt to plot rebellion against Jin?”

“You’re exaggerating, Your Highness. We brought a large force purely at the Mongols’ request. Besides, as you know, this is Song territory, so moving a large force within our own country shouldn’t be an issue.”

“The Mongols…?”

To Wanyan Shunan’s words, Xin Qiji shrugged and replied nonchalantly.

“I see you were completely unaware that Jirqo’adai has admired Song and paid tribute to Great Song?”

At Xin Qiji’s words, Wanyan Shunan sensed that further dialogue was unnecessary. So he glared at Xin Qiji and muttered quietly.

“I hope you haven’t forgotten that Song’s actions could provoke Jin’s anger.”

The Pacification Commissioner didn’t bother to respond. He simply looked at Wanyan Shunan with a smile-filled expression and bowed.