txolops Chapter 7 The Plan to Conquer Western Xia
Chapter 7 The Plan to Conquer Western Xia
The attack on Khwarazm was originally intended to attack the Jin Dynasty.
Now that Khwarazm has been destroyed, the next step is to launch a war to destroy the Jin dynasty.
In the royal tent of the Mongol army, Genghis Khan summoned his princes to discuss politics.
The only people involved were Jochi, Chagatai, Ögedei, and Tolui; even top generals like Genghis Khan's brother Jebe and Chilaun were not among them.
But Guo Liqing was among them.
It's clear that Guo Liqing is being treated like a son when it comes to political participation.
Genghis Khan stood in front of the sand table, looking at the five people opposite him, and said in a deep voice: "How should we fight the next battle? Each of you, please share your opinions."
Zhu Chi spoke first: "Father Khan! The Jurchens are like spineless wild dogs! Your son is willing to lead our elite cavalry to first capture Zhongdu, then take Bianliang, and bring the Jurchen emperor to your tent!"
Zhu Chi was a burly man with a fierce look between his brows, and his eyes were full of desire for conquest and a thirst for the position of commander.
Chagatai sneered, glancing sideways at his elder brother, and slowly said, "Elder brother's bravery is well known. However, for such a major task as destroying the Jin, with your own troops, I'm afraid you'd be lucky to even capture Zhongdu. Moreover, if Zhongdu falls, Bianliang will surely be prepared."
Chagatai looked at Genghis Khan and said, "Father Khan, I request permission to lead my elite cavalry to attack Bianliang simultaneously with my elder brother's attack on Zhongdu. The Jin dogs will be unable to attend to both ends and will be destroyed in no time."
Ögedei stood to one side, his expression calm, his gaze sweeping over the sand table. He did not rush to express his opinion, as if he were weighing something.
Juchi realized that Chagatai's words meant something amiss, and quickly said, "Father Khan, your son is willing to lead the troops to attack Bianliang."
Chagatai laughed and said, "Didn't my elder brother say that we should attack Zhongdu first, and leave Bianliang to me?"
Guo Liqing watched the two arguing and couldn't help but sigh.
The Jin emperor is currently in Bianliang. Capturing the emperor would be the greatest achievement in destroying the country.
These two are vying for the greatest credit!
Genghis Khan frowned; the rivalry between his two sons had been going on for quite some time.
He raised his hand to stop them and said in an authoritative voice, "That's enough!"
Then, his gaze passed over Ögedei and Tolui and fell upon Guo Liqing.
"Jing'er, what do you think we should do?"
Guo Liqing looked at Genghis Khan, surprised that it was his turn so soon. Before he could decide, he said directly, "Your Majesty, I haven't decided yet."
"No rush, think about it slowly!"
"Father, Guo Jing has only fought a few battles, what opinions could he possibly have? I think we shouldn't make things difficult for him."
Guo Liqing looked at Chagatai; compared to Zhuchi, he was more skilled with words.
Guo Liqing smiled slightly, his mind replaying history and the original work.
Because he wasn't quite sure whether the world followed the course of history or the course of martial arts novels.
However, the novel doesn't describe this part much, so Guo Liqing could only refer to history.
Historically, Genghis Khan only defeated the Jin Dynasty and completely destroyed it, and that happened after his death.
Genghis Khan died on his way to conquer the Western Xia. It seems that before destroying the Jin Dynasty, Genghis Khan would have had to fight another battle with the Western Xia.
Guo Liqing looked at the sand table, pointed to the land of the Jin Kingdom, and said, "Although the Jin Kingdom is now at its last gasp, it still occupies the Central Plains and its foundation remains. With our current military strength, advancing from multiple directions, destroying the Jin Kingdom should not be a problem. But..."
Guo Liqing then changed the subject, pointing to the northwest part of the sand table, "There's another variable here."
Torre looked at where Guo Liqing was pointing and asked in surprise, "Western Xia?"
Torre was still young and didn't know much about this. However, he trusted Guo Jing and believed that what he said must make sense.
While Tore was waiting for Guo Liqing's reply, Ögedei, standing beside him, said, "Western Xia has already been defeated and subdued by us. What changes could there be?"
Guo Liqing said, "As long as Western Xia still exists, it is a variable. If Western Xia suddenly attacks us from behind while we are fighting against Jin, wouldn't we be attacked from both sides?"
Ögedei wanted to argue, but Genghis Khan stopped him, saying, "Jing'er is right. The location of Western Xia is a variable. However, I am prepared to have Western Xia send troops to fight the Jin Dynasty with us."
Upon hearing this, Ögedei immediately praised, "Brilliant! Father Khan is wise. In this way, we don't have to worry about the Western Xia betraying us, and we can use the Western Xia's army to wear down the Jin dogs. In this way, our Mongols will suffer fewer casualties."
"Father Khan is wise!"
Shuchi, Chagatai, and Tolui echoed his sentiments.
Guo Jing was the only one who did not agree.
Genghis Khan looked at Guo Jing and asked in a stern voice, "Jing'er, what is your opinion?"
Guo Liqing bowed and said, "Great Khan, I believe that we should first attack Western Xia to completely eliminate any worries about the rear and stabilize Hexi."
"If we can first destroy the Western Xia, there will be three benefits."
Genghis Khan asked, "What are the three benefits?"
"Firstly, by destroying Western Xia, we can eliminate any worries about the future when we wipe out the Jin Dynasty. Secondly, destroying Western Xia will deter the Southern Song Dynasty. Thirdly, if we fail to conquer the Southern Song Dynasty in the future, we can go through Western Xia, first destroy Tibet, then Dali, and then enter the Southern Song Dynasty from Dali. The Song Dynasty will surely be destroyed!"
Upon hearing this, Genghis Khan first frowned, then beamed with joy, "Excellent, Jing'er, you've thought so far ahead! You've truly impressed me!"
"You flatter me, Great Khan. It is also because of your excellent teaching!"
Genghis Khan then said, "In my opinion, we should first issue an edict to the Western Xia, ordering them to send troops. If they refuse, then we can attack them. What's wrong with that?"
"The problem is that issuing the decree would let the Western Xia know in advance. If it did not comply, it would definitely make preparations in advance for the wrath of the Mongol hordes."
If the Western Xia had prepared to defend themselves in advance, even if we wanted to destroy them, we would have to pay a considerable price.
Since the ultimate outcome is a war of annihilation anyway, why not launch a surprise attack? Destroy them with minimal losses!
Upon hearing this, Genghis Khan laughed heartily and exclaimed, "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"
He said "good" three times in a row, clearly very satisfied with Guo Liqing's proposal.
Genghis Khan walked up to Guo Liqing and said loudly, "Guo Jing, listen to my command. I hereby appoint you as the Grand Marshal of the Expedition against the Tangut (Western Xia). From this day forward, mobilize troops and generals to destroy the Western Xia for my Mongols."
"Your subject obeys!"
Genghis Khan patted Guo Jing on the shoulder and said, "Your main force only has ten thousand men. How many men did you recruit for the Samarkand army?"
"Nine thousand people."
"You handed over half of the reward I gave you last time. Now that you're leading troops into battle, I'll give you another 10,000-strong army to guard you personally. As for the rest of the troops, you can take as many as you want."
"Thank you, Great Khan!"
Torre stepped forward and said, "Anda, I'll go with you this time!"
"good!"
Ögedei also walked toward Guo Liqing and said with a smile, "Congratulations, brother-in-law. If you need to transfer troops from my troops for this campaign against Western Xia, just let me know. All my men will cooperate."
Guo Liqing cupped his hands and said, "Then thank you in advance, Third Brother!"
Ögedei Khan was indeed the successor chosen by Genghis Khan; he was quite shrewd.
Seeing that Guo Liqing was gaining power, he immediately changed his attitude.
Although Juchi and Chagatai were a little unhappy, they still congratulated Guo Liqing.
Everyone understands that if this battle is won, there will be many benefits.
After leaving the palace, Guo Liqing went to the administrative residence and found Ya Laowachi.
This old Persian man was indeed quite capable; within a few days, he had sorted out all the affairs of Samarkand, which was under Mongol occupation.
Guo Liqing entered the mansion and, as soon as he sat down, prepared to explain the next steps to him.
Several city officials then arrived at the mansion, intending to see Ya Laowachi, but upon seeing Guo Liqing, they timidly retreated.
Guo Liqing looked at him and asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"