Chapter 30

Goddess of Fortune I

On the table, a massive map was laid out, detailing the Central Plains and the distant frontier beyond the border. On the map were various models of horses and people, each adorned with small flags that bore inscriptions or numbers. Several elderly generals gathered around the table, engaged in conversation. Among them was General Yu Yingzhen.

"Can't we reinforce the troops along the border with Yao? Their influence is growing stronger by the day."

Vice-Marshal Ma Long of the Northeast Marshal's Office, who maintained a robust physique despite being in his seventies, pleaded. The head of the Conquest Military Hall, Marshal Jin Jiling, responded with a look of regret.

"If a general on the front lines makes such a request, we should comply, but we have no more troops to send. You may not be fully aware since you've only recently arrived for strategic discussions, but 200,000 troops from the Northeast Marshal's Office and 120,000 from the Central Marshal's Office are already deployed along the border with Yao. We would need to mobilize local forces through the Yingjing Royal Department, but it's impossible to send more troops from the Yulin Army."

"Then what about the Imperial Army...?"

"Hehe... Do you think the Imperial Army is meant to guard the frontier? The local forces mobilized by the Yingjing Royal Department already exceed 200,000. With a total of 520,000 troops, how can you say it's still insufficient?"

"The Northeast Marshal's Office is doing its best to prevent war with Yao. It's a stretch to threaten them with just 520,000 troops. Yao is preparing a new army of 500,000. We don't know where they will strike. The combat effectiveness of the local forces, which are mostly infantry, is far inferior to Yao's elite cavalry. If a battle breaks out, the local forces will merely fill the numbers and be of no practical use."

"Still, we can't withdraw the remaining 80,000 troops from the Central Marshal's Office in case of an emergency."

"Given the suspicious movements from Mongolia, we can't withdraw troops from the Northern Marshal's Office either."

"Then what about other areas?"

"As you know, the Western Marshal's Office must defend the trade routes in the Tian Shan region, so it's difficult to withdraw troops. Recently, there have been many bandit groups, and they are struggling to protect the many routes."

"The Southeast Marshal's Office could withdraw about 50,000 troops from the outer defenses of Nanjing and Dongjing, but that would require Marshal Zheng Nan's approval."

As Marshal Jin Jiling continued to oppose the reinforcement, General Ma Long's expression hardened.

"Do you know how many troops Yao has deployed along the border with our country? 800,000. A massive 800,000 troops are waiting to devour the flesh of Song."

"I understand your difficult situation, but the punitive expedition against Yao will begin soon. Until then, you'll have to hold the line with the current forces. Don't think we're withholding troops out of reluctance."

"Then when will the punitive expedition begin? The Emperor's approval hasn't even been granted yet. Meanwhile, elite troops are being withdrawn to the vicinity of Beijing for preparation, making the border even more vulnerable."

"It will start soon. Marshal Li Canghai, please explain."

Marshal Li Canghai, the head of the Central Marshal's Office, who stood to the left of Marshal Jin Jiling, with his white hair and long beard, cast a cold gaze around the room and began to speak.

"The main force of the punitive expedition will be 200,000 troops from the Central Marshal's Office, and 150,000 from the Northeast Marshal's Office."

General Ma Long's face turned red as he protested.

"That's only 350,000 troops. And if 150,000 troops are withdrawn from the Northeast Marshal's Office, who will defend the northeast? Are you asking the remaining 50,000 Yulin Army and the weak local forces to take full responsibility?"

"Not exactly. Once the punitive expedition begins, we will contact each royal department to select 50,000 skilled warriors from the local forces. This will bring the total to 250,000. We will mobilize 150,000 for the punitive expedition and station the remaining 100,000 as defensive forces in key areas."

"But that's still 500,000. Currently, 800,000 troops are deployed along Yao's border, and another 500,000 are in reserve. That's a total of 1.3 million. Attacking with 500,000 would be like hitting a rock with an egg."

"Not exactly. Song alone will mobilize 500,000 troops, and Zheng'an will contribute 30,000, Goryeo 200,000, and the Jurchen tribes have promised military support. The Jurchen tribes alone will contribute 300,000. This will bring the total to 1.03 million."

General Ma Long's response was somewhat sarcastic.

"An enormous army. But it will be difficult to manage effectively. How will you handle the logistics?"

"Logistics will be handled by each force. 80,000 of the Jurchen troops will advance north, 150,000 will advance centrally, and the remaining 70,000 will advance south with the Goryeo forces. The 30,000 from Zheng'an will join the main force."

Everyone nodded at Marshal Li Canghai's explanation, but General Ma Long sighed with a voice filled with regret.

"Even with a total of 1.03 million troops, I'm still worried. Yao is already formidable, and there are many issues with Mongolia. We should have cut them off at the root when they first emerged. While we were preoccupied with the Black Wind Band, it became a golden opportunity for the frontier tribes to unite. Moreover, Yao's power has grown even stronger. If we had sent mercenary forces from the Central Marshal's Office to handle the situation earlier, we wouldn't have reached this point."

Marshal Jin Jiling nodded in agreement.

"What's the point of regretting now? We relied too much on the Black Wind Band for suppressing the frontier tribes, which has led to a lack of practical combat experience among the regular troops. If this war drags on, it will not only deplete the national treasury but also raise concerns about the unification of the powerful nomadic Mongols. The best course of action now is to eliminate the growing Mongols at their root."

General Yu Yingzhen also agreed.

"That's true. The Mongols, who have grown in the harsh climate and soil, are not yet unified, but if they do, they will wield terrifying power. The most troublesome figure in the northwest is Tielin Tian, who was elected Khan. Starting as a minor tribal leader, he unified the surrounding tribes by the time he was in his forties, becoming a revered hero known as the Gray Wolf. He is the most dangerous figure."

General Ma Long looked at Marshal Jin Jiling for agreement.

"Wouldn't it be better to assassinate him?"

But Marshal Jin Jiling shook his head.

"We've tried several times, but the harsh land makes it difficult. We don't even know if the assassins have reached his location."

General Yu Yingzhen asked Marshal Jin Jiling.

"What does the Emperor think about the preemptive attack on Yao? He used to consult us on major matters, but lately..."

"That scheming minister Yan Cheng is interfering, and the Emperor hasn't made a decision yet. As you know, Yan Cheng, for some unknown reason—perhaps he has received bribes from Yao—advocates for peace with Yao. He is swaying the Emperor with sweet words, making it difficult for us to act."

General Ma Long echoed his frustration.

"It's outrageous that a mere brother of a concubine is involved in both state affairs and military matters."

Marshal Li Canghai clicked his tongue in disapproval.

"Tsk, tsk. The Emperor used to be different, but since he fell for Concubine Yan, he has neglected state affairs. At his age, he should abdicate to the Crown Prince..."

Marshal Jin Jiling interrupted him.

"Watch your words. If they are misinterpreted, you could be accused of treason."

Marshal Li Canghai, flaring up, said.

"Are you saying I'm wrong? Yan Cheng is trying to replace the head of the Jin Yi Wei with his relatives."

General Yu Yingzhen shook his head, unsure but not denying.

"Surely, Commander Zhang is a recognized loyalist. The Emperor wouldn't dismiss him..."

"None of us can predict the future. If that happens, Yan Cheng will control all the information in the court. A single mistake could be fatal."

"..."

"The end times have come. How could a wise ruler make such a grave mistake in his later years?"

Due to Yan Cheng's interference, despite all preparations, the order to march against Yao was delayed. The northeastern defenses had already been handed over to the local forces, and the Yulin Army was gathered outside Beijing, preparing for the war with Yao. At this moment, good news arrived at the Conquest Military Hall in Chongqing. Upon receiving the news, orders were issued for all high-ranking generals to assemble at the Conquest Military Hall.

On the table, the map showed that many of the models representing troops in the territory of Yao had disappeared, indicating the loss of nearly 500,000 troops. The faces of the generals were filled with joy. Marshal Jin Jiling, the head of the Conquest Military Hall, smiled and began to speak.

"Good news has arrived from Goryeo. Before engaging Song, Yao launched an invasion of Goryeo to secure their rear. However, the 500,000 troops were decisively defeated by the Goryeo general Gang Gam-chan, with only a few thousand surviving."

General Ma Long asked in surprise.

"What strategy could have reduced 500,000 to a few thousand?"

"According to intelligence, it was a highly meticulous operation."

"What kind of operation?"

"First, all civilian households along the expected invasion routes were evacuated to prevent the capture of food supplies. Then, when the enemy advanced deep into the territory, a small number of ambush forces attacked their supply lines, completely cutting off their food supply, which naturally lowered their morale."

"An ingenious strategy."

General Ma Long agreed, but Marshal Li Canghai, with a dismissive look, said.

"Not that impressive. Isn't it a strategy from the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms,' where Liu Bei's forces planned to use it against Shu? It's just that the barbarians couldn't handle it."

Marshal Jin Jiling corrected him.

"Not exactly. While many know the strategy, it's difficult to execute. It requires evacuating the living areas of many civilians, which is not an easy task. In the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms,' Liu Zhang didn't use the strategy because he was concerned about the people. In comparison, General Gang Gam-chan is truly an extraordinary figure."

"He is indeed remarkable. Choosing the most ruthless method of warfare without regard for the people's safety..."

"Hehe, don't be too harsh. They were fighting for the survival of their nation. After blocking the supply lines, General Gang Gam-chan launched surprise attacks and arson at various points, exhausting the enemy. Then, he breached the dikes along their retreat route, dealing a fatal blow. Despite the 500,000 troops, the breach of a single dike wouldn't have caused such a significant impact. The Grand Marshal of Yao, Sopaiya, continued to advance south despite the loss of supplies and constant ambushes, but his morale eventually plummeted, leading to a retreat. General Gang Gam-chan relentlessly pursued the retreating enemy, resulting in only a few thousand survivors out of 500,000."

The generals nodded in admiration.

"Goryeo has faced three large-scale invasions by Yao. For a small country to suffer such minimal losses while repelling Yao is not just a miracle. Goryeo's victory is a sign of divine assistance, and we must seize this opportunity. We can temporarily set aside our concerns about Yao and change our strategy to eliminate the growing threat of the Mongols, starting with Tielin Tian. Deploying 300,000 to 400,000 Yulin Army troops will quickly resolve the issue. After that, we will turn our forces against Yao. The Jurchen tribal leaders have already promised support, and although Goryeo is war-weary, they won't refuse our call to arms."

Marshal Jin Jiling's rough outline was met with cautious agreement from Vice-Marshal Ren Qing of the Central Marshal's Office.

"Yao is a powerful nation, and the war could last a long time. The Khitan are nomadic, and most of their men are excellent soldiers. Even if 500,000 troops are lost, they can quickly mobilize new forces, leading to a prolonged war. A long war could stir unrest among the people, which is a concern."

"A little unrest among the people is not a major issue."

"Still, a prolonged war is risky."

Vice-Marshal Ren Qing's opinion was echoed by General Ma Long.

"Agreed. With all our forces focused on Yao, a rebellion would be difficult to suppress. Even the mighty Han Dynasty fell to the Yellow Turbans. There's no guarantee that Song won't face a similar fate."

General Kong Xiangzhi, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

"Indeed. If we attack Mongolia, Yao's emperor, who is not a fool, will realize our intentions and launch a preemptive attack, causing even greater damage. Instead, why not attack Mongolia and Yao simultaneously? With Yao suffering significant losses, they will find it difficult to rebuild their forces quickly. Early victories will make it easier to persuade the weaker nomadic tribes to join us, reducing our casualties. Simultaneous battles will also shorten the war compared to dealing with Mongolia first and then turning to Yao."

Marshal Jin Jiling sighed after hearing General Kong Xiangzhi's suggestion.

"Good idea, but we don't have the extra troops to send to Mongolia."

At this, General Yu Yingzhen stepped forward.

"I will take responsibility for Mongolia. I only need 10,000 troops, 200 heavy crossbows, and infantry. The Black Wind Band is a cavalry, but with the support of heavy crossbows, casualties will be minimal. With 20,000 troops, we won't need much food. I believe the grain stored at the Mongol border will be sufficient, allowing us to focus all our forces on the front with Yao."

Marshal Jin Jiling turned to Vice-Marshal Ren Qing.

"Is it acceptable to withdraw 10,000 troops from the Northern Marshal's Office?"

"Even 50,000 would be fine."

"Understood, General Ren."

Marshal Jin Jiling nodded and addressed General Yu Yingzhen.

"Thank you, General Yu. You will be responsible for Mongolia. Take 10,000 Yulin Army troops from the Northern Marshal's Office. The remaining 190,000 will be held in reserve, so request more if needed. And if possible, conclude the Mongol campaign quickly."

"Do you have a specific use for the Black Wind Band?"

Marshal Jin Jiling looked slightly troubled.

"Actually, I have a secret operation planned with Marshal Li Canghai."

"Is it a secret from the generals as well?"

Marshal Li Canghai burst into laughter.

"Hehehe, no. I plan to conquer not only Yao but also the Jurchen. This will take a long time. During this period, I would like General Yu to prevent the movements of the frontier tribes. The Jurchen are also forming significant tribal leaders. I plan to pressure the Jurchen tribal leaders to contribute troops for the war with Yao, and after the war, I will conquer the Jurchen. In the Mongol campaign, please don't show them any mercy and ensure they never dare to invade the Central Plains again."

"Understood. But how do you plan to overcome Yan Cheng's opposition?"

Marshal Jin Jiling replied.

"I plan to send Yan Cheng to Jingling Mountain for a week."

"Jingling Mountain?"

"Yes, it's where we offer sacrifices to heaven during national emergencies. Since Goryeo has fortunately defeated Yao's army, the country will be at peace for a while, and we should offer thanks to heaven and our ancestors. I will recommend Yan Cheng to the Emperor as the high priest for the thanksgiving ceremony, which is a great honor, and the Emperor, who favors Yan Cheng, will likely agree."

All the generals were impressed.

"An ingenious plan."

"The ceremony will last four days, and the journey to and from Jingling Mountain will take about four days, giving us a week. During this time, we can intensively petition the Emperor for permission. If anyone has a better idea or suggestions, please share them."

General Ma Long suddenly remembered something.

"Ah! The Empress Yan's birthplace is in Yiyang, near Jingling Mountain. I suggest petitioning the Emperor to prepare some fine gifts for the Empress Yan's birthplace. If we also petition for Yan Cheng to bring the gifts during the ceremony, he will have no choice but to go."

"That's also a good plan. Let's use both."