txolops Chapter 4 Saving Lives
Chapter 4 Saving Lives
Huang Rong was taken aback; she sensed that Guo Jing had changed.
But his appearance and aura remained unchanged, and he even knew things that only the two of them knew.
Guo Liqing picked up Huang Rong's clothes and helped her put them on.
He said, "Back then, the Song and Jin dynasties joined forces to destroy the Liao dynasty. After destroying the Liao, the Jin then turned to attack the Song, reaching Bianjing (Kaifeng) and capturing Emperors Huizong and Qinzong. After that, the Central Plains fell into the hands of the barbarians, and the people of the Central Plains suffered greatly. When you and I traveled around the world, we saw what kind of lives those people were living."
My father, Guo Xiaotian, escaped from the Jurchen rule and fled to Jiangnan.
Now, the Mongols have joined forces with the Song Dynasty to destroy the Jin Dynasty, a situation exactly the same as it was back then.
After destroying the Jin dynasty, the Mongols will surely destroy the Song dynasty and unify China. At that time, where should we flee to?
We could live a secluded life on Peach Blossom Island for the rest of our lives.
But where can the people of this world flee to?
After hearing Guo Liqing's words, Huang Rong was speechless.
When did her dull and taciturn Jing-gege become so eloquent?
"Brother Jing, you've changed. Before, you didn't have so many concerns about the country and its people; at most, you just wanted revenge!"
Guo Liqing shook his head. He certainly wouldn't mention the time travel, but only said, "Rong'er, people change. Last night's fall might have enlightened me. Seeing the devastation in Samarkand today has also made me see the light."
If Genghis Khan or Ögedei Khan were to invade the Song Dynasty one day, the people of the Song Dynasty would surely suffer an undeserved calamity.
But if I were the one to conquer the Song Dynasty one day, the people would suffer less.
Guo Liqing was talking about national righteousness, so if Huang Rong were to suggest living in seclusion on Peach Blossom Island, she would seem unreasonable.
Huang Rong was quick-witted. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "But even if you join the Mongols and hold a high position, will the Mongol cavalry necessarily obey you?"
Guo Liqing gave a cold laugh and said, "Indeed, so this road is still very long. Rong'er, you are clever and quick-witted, I need you by my side to help me, are you willing?"
Huang Rong pouted and said, "I only want Jing-gege who is devoted to me."
"Rong'er, my feelings for you will never change! My desire to save the world and my desire to be with you are not contradictory!"
"What if I forced you to choose between the people of the world and me?"
Guo Liqing's face darkened as he stared at Huang Rong and said, "Huang Rong, you're being a bit unreasonable!"
"You're saying I'm being unreasonable?" Huang Rong looked very angry.
After Guo Liqing finished dressing, he said to Huang Rong, "The Khan has bestowed the people of the city upon me, and some of them may be of use to me. Would you like to come with me to take a look?"
"I'm not going!"
Guo Liqing shook his head. Huang Rong is still a little girl, and she has the temper of a young lady. She will throw a tantrum if she says the wrong thing.
Guo Liqing turned around, leaving behind the words, "Then you should rest well in this residence! There are still many matters to attend to in the army. I'll come to find you later!"
Guo Liqing left, instructing his men to guard the mansion, and then led a group of men to take stock of the spoils of war.
In the western city of Samarkand, a large number of Khwarazmian people were gathered by the Mongol army.
When Guo Liqing arrived, he heard shouts and screams coming from ahead.
He rushed forward and saw a group of Mongol soldiers slaughtering people.
"Stop!" Guo Liqing immediately stepped forward and shouted.
The Mongol soldiers, used to being arrogant, were somewhat displeased when they were reprimanded, but upon seeing that the person was Guo Jing, they immediately lowered their heads and respectfully said, "Nayan!"
"Who ordered you to kill them?"
"Reporting to Nayan, it was the Great Khan who gave the order!"
Guo Liqing frowned and said coldly, "The Khan has already bestowed all the wealth and possessions of the city's inhabitants upon me, so why would he order a massacre? Whose subordinate are you?"
The Mongol soldier trembled and dared not speak.
Guo Liqing frowned, looked up, and saw Genghis Khan in the stands. He said, "I'm going to see the Great Khan. You all stay here and don't make a move!"
"yes!"
Guo Liqing arrived at the stands and strode towards Genghis Khan.
"Greetings, Great Khan!"
Genghis Khan turned around and said calmly, "Jing'er, what's wrong?"
"Your Majesty, I just arrived to inventory the treasures of the city's inhabitants when I discovered soldiers massacring civilians below. They say it was Your Majesty's order to slaughter them."
"Oh," Genghis Khan said, "These people have repeatedly obstructed me, causing me to suffer losses. Of course, I must cleanse them thoroughly."
"But didn't the Great Khan already bestow the city of Samarkand upon me? If you kill them all, I'll have no one left."
Genghis Khan smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's just a show of force; they won't all be killed!"
Guo Liqing thought to himself that the emperor's thoughts were the most difficult to fathom, so it was better to go along with him.
He pondered for a moment and said, "The Khan is right. If we don't scare them into submission, they might rebel in the future."
Upon hearing this, Genghis Khan glanced at Guo Jing, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "You lad, your trip to the Central Plains has certainly made you more worldly. But that's for the best!"
Genghis Khan liked Guo Jing because he was honest and simple, but such a personality would not last long in a high-ranking position.
When it's time to be flexible, one must be flexible. Genghis Khan was happy to see Guo Jing's change.
"Yes, the way the Central Plains people have maintained a large empire for so long is also due to their skill in using people," Guo Liqing said respectfully. "Great Khan, the Central Plains people say that the way of the king should be to use both kindness and severity. Killing these people below would just result in a pile of dead bodies, utterly useless. Keeping them alive, on the contrary, can provide value to the Great Khan!"
"So, according to you, we won't kill them?"
"No, all the members of the Khwarazmian royal family and nobles were killed, not a single one was spared. As for the others, even if they were to be killed, the methods had to be carefully considered, and they could not be treated the same way."
Genghis Khan's eyes lit up as he looked at Guo Jing. He never expected that this kid would not only learn excellent martial arts after going to the Central Plains, but also how to lead troops into battle and even govern a country.
Genghis Khan, wanting to see what he would do, said, "Very well, everyone in the city is yours to deal with."
"Thank you, Great Khan!"
Guo Liqing walked down from the stands and led a group of people down to the lower area.
Accompanying Guo Liqing down was Yelü Chucai, a civil official who served Genghis Khan.
"Your Highness, let me introduce you to the various types of people in the city," Yelü Chucai said respectfully from the side.
Guo Liqing turned to look at him and said, "Lord Yelü, 'Imperial Son-in-Law' is not an official title. Please use your official title when you are working."
"Yes. Then, following the tradition of the Song people, I will call you General Guo."
In Samarkand, the residents were roughly divided into these categories: nobles, soldiers, commoners, merchants, and slaves.
Previously, many nobles mingled among the commoners, hoping to escape during the chaos.
The Mongol soldiers couldn't distinguish them, so they simply killed them all.
Guo Liqing was very patient. He had Yelü Chucai lead people to screen the people inside one by one.
The royal family and nobles were all sent to Genghis Khan for disposal.
Guo Liqing said to Yelü Chucai, "In the past, when Khwarazm resisted the Mongols, it was mostly these nobles who were in control. The soldiers and civilians below were just following orders and had no way to resist. I hope the Great Khan will kill these nobles to vent his anger and leave these soldiers and civilians a way to live."
Yelü Chucai also opposed indiscriminate killing. He agreed with Guo Liqing's actions and conveyed his opinion to the Great Khan.
Yelü Chucai also recommended a person to Guo Liqing, named Ya Laowachi.
Yelü Chucai said, "This man is quite capable. If we leave him to manage Samarkand, we can certainly ensure the city's stability and security."
Yalaowachi was a nobleman of Khwarezm; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to become an official.
According to the rules set by Guo Liqing, all nobles must die.
Whether to keep him or not depends on Guo Liqing's decision.
Guo Liqing also knew that he had no management talent under his command, and the Mongols also lacked management talent.
If all those in charge of Samarkand are killed, the city will be completely ruined.
Guo Liqing immediately agreed, and Ya Laowachi and his son were extremely grateful to Guo Liqing.
Afterwards, Guo Liqing came to inspect the army.