Chapter 44

The Conclusion of the Tenling Plains Grand Battle

While a secret meeting was taking place in the secret chamber of the Cult of Darkness, General Yu Yongjin and his army, along with Tiejincheng, engaged in a decisive battle that could determine the fate of Mongolia. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Song was pouring all its national strength into the war against Liao. At such a time, if General Yu Yongjin's elite forces were defeated, Song would not be able to touch Mongolia until it had finished the war with Liao and recovered its national strength. However, it was not something that could be recovered in a day or two after a major war, and after a major war, the war-weariness always prevailed, making it impossible to think of invading another country until a considerable amount of time had passed.

Whether or not the rulers desired an invasion, history has shown that it was not always possible to wage war. How many young men from the Central Plains shed blood to subdue the powerful nomadic tribes in the borderlands of Goguryeo? However, Yangdi, who incited the weary people and army tired from the war with Goguryeo to rebel and establish the Sui Dynasty, forgot what he had used to seize power and provoked Goguryeo again, only to lose his head to his son, Wendi. Wendi, in turn, forgot the background that allowed him to assassinate his father and attacked Goguryeo, leading to the downfall of the country.

Whether or not one knew the history of the Central Plains, Tiejincheng, a warlike Mongol, understood that continuous warfare would inevitably exhaust them. Therefore, he was determined to do whatever it took to behead Yu Yongjin and lead this war to victory. However, for General Yu Yongjin's side, losing this war was not an option. Most importantly, they knew that if they did not eliminate Tiejincheng, who aspired to unify Mongolia and possessed the ability to do so, Song would be in danger. Therefore, he was even willing to face the resistance of his subordinates and wage a 'dirty and despicable' slaughter. His intention was to make the Mongols so terrified of the word 'Central Plains' that they would tremble in fear for the next few decades.

As the battle began, everything proceeded as General Yu Yongjin had planned. He divided his army into three units. Initially, he intended to form a single mass, but after receiving information from Katagui that the enemy would create left and right wings of 10,000 each to avoid being surrounded and to potentially surround the enemy, he changed his plan. Initially, he did not fully form the formation, but upon seeing their formation, General Yu Yongjin waved a yellow flag, instructing the 10,000 Mongol allied troops to face the enemy's left and right wings. Although there was no need to send reserve forces to the left and right wings as long as Katagui and Tegujin, the leaders of the enemy's left and right wings, were on their side, he took this measure to avoid arousing Tiejincheng's suspicion. It was also a precaution in case the enemy's left and right wings were a ruse, as suggested by General Majilu.

The allied army's formation consisted of 10,000 Mongol troops on the left and right wings, 60,000 Mongol troops in the center, and 9,000 Black Wind Corps in the rear. Since infantry was not useful in a mobile battle on such a vast plain, they were ordered to guard the main camp and prepare for any contingencies. From the start of the battle, the situation favored the allied army. The enemy's left and right wings, for some reason, did not show much enthusiasm in the fight and began to retreat, and as the left and right wings retreated, the Mongol army in the center, which was under concentrated attack, suffered heavy casualties. General Yu Yongjin, watching the battle with a pleased expression, said to General Majilu:

"Hahaha, contrary to your concerns, this will be over very quickly."

"All of this is due to the General's good fortune. Haha, you always have martial luck on your side."

"In this state, there's no need to deploy the Black Wind Corps. I brought them for nothing."

General Yu Yongjin's slightly reproachful words made General Majilu laugh awkwardly and apologize.

"Haha, I was probably too sensitive. Please forgive me..."

"Hahaha, there's no need for forgiveness. You were just trying to ensure our success."

While they were joking and watching the battle, the situation suddenly changed. As the enemy's center, which had been exposed and under concentrated attack, temporarily retreated, the Mongol allied army pursued them closely. Everything was going well until the retreating center turned around and began attacking the allied army, and the enemy's left and right wings, which had been believed to be allies, surrounded and concentrated their attacks on the allied army's flanks and rear. The Mongol allied army, now trapped, began to panic, and casualties quickly mounted. General Majilu, watching the change in the battle with a shocked face, said to General Yu Yongjin:

"It seems we are heading for defeat today. Should we retreat, or should we try to decide the battle despite the risks?"

"Hmm... Let's decide the battle now. If we lose this fight, we don't know what the Mongol chieftains on our side will do. Tiejincheng is truly remarkable, always surprising me."

"Then, how about using the full force of the Black Wind Corps to crush the enemy's left wing and then use that momentum to surround and attack the enemy's center?"

"That sounds good. Give the orders to the subordinates. However, the battle should proceed slowly to ensure that the allied tribes suffer significant losses. We need to exhaust them in this battle so that no one will dare to talk about unification again."

"Yes."

Following General Majilu's orders, the 9,000 Black Wind Corps charged to the left and engaged in a fierce cavalry battle with the enemy's left wing. The Black Wind Corps, composed of excellent warriors, were not matched by the Mongol troops. However, the battle proceeded at a slow pace, as per General Yu Yongjin's instructions, to ensure that the Mongol troops in the allied army suffered more casualties.

The battle, which began in the morning, continued until sunset, and the casualties on both sides were heavy. The Black Wind Corps suffered almost no casualties, but the Mongol troops suffered over 50% casualties in this intense battle. And in this battle, the outstanding warrior Tiejincheng, who emerged from Mongolia, was killed by someone's sword... As a result, the unification of Mongolia was delayed by about 50 years until a new hero emerged.

Even after Tiejincheng's death, the battle continued. Defeat for the Mongols meant becoming slaves, so they resisted fiercely, risking their lives. However, this did not last long. Exhausted, they scattered and retreated, and a brutal hunt for the fleeing began.

The main force in the pursuit was the Black Wind Corps. They had more stamina than the allied army because they had not exerted their full strength in the battle. The pursuit continued throughout the night, to an extent that seemed excessive, to root out the roots of Mongol unification.

The next morning, General Yu Yongjin gathered the high-ranking officers, including the thousand-man commanders, to give instructions for the follow-up operations. All the thousand-man units except five were ordered to disperse and clean up the surrounding areas. The infantry, no longer needed, were ordered to leave 1,000 men to guard the main camp and retreat to their homeland.

Before leading his hundred-man unit to the pursuit, Guoguang visited his tent. He was in a hurry because this operation might be his last in Mongolia. Once the operation was over, the Black Wind Corps would retreat to their homeland, and upon arrival, the slave Halbur would be sold. Unaware of Guoguang's anxiety, Halbur greeted him warmly.

"I'm glad you're safe."

Guoguang, who had taken off Halbur, handed him a set of black ceremonial armor he had obtained from a subordinate.

"Put this on quickly."

"Excuse me?"

"Put it on quickly. Use my pants and shoes. After you put it on, let's go ride a horse together."

"Yes."

Halbur started putting on the armor in a hurry, and the speed increased when Guoguang said he would take him on a trip. Guoguang inserted the well-dressed Halbur into the hundred-man unit without drawing attention and set off. Asking General Yu Yongjin might have been better, but if he refused, Guoguang would not be able to take Halbur away, so he acted quickly.

No one could recognize Halbur, who had only his eyes visible behind the face mask. Even if someone examined the armor closely, they would notice that there were two people with the same number, but the hundred-man unit members, who had grown fond of Halbur and were asked by Guoguang to let him go, protected him from others' eyes. It would be impossible for anyone to recognize Halbur unless they were a fortune-teller.

Guoguang's group rode north, searching for a village. Other hundred-man units were also searching for villages or scattered soldiers, but they were doing so to plunder and kill, unlike Guoguang's group. After riding north for four days, they found a small village hidden by mountains. Guoguang, preparing for any contingencies, stationed most of his subordinates around the village and entered with Halbur and a few subordinates. When they entered the village, no one came out.

Seeing this, Ma Hua said irritably:

"Has someone already been here?"

"I don't think so. If someone had been here, there would be bodies everywhere... As you know, they kill people as an example, so there's no need to bury them."

"I see."

Guoguang dismounted and stood in front of the yurt, speaking in Mongolian with a low but powerful voice that carried far:

"Everyone, come out. I have something to discuss with your chieftain."

From the yurt, murmurs could be heard, and an old man and a few men came out.

"Sir... What brings you here? Our village is small, with no food or useful girls."

Just as Guoguang was about to speak, a boy stepped forward from the back, accompanied by murmurs and a voice trying to stop him.

"The person you want is me, not these people. Take me and leave them alone."

The boy, about 15 years old, had a sturdy build and a dignified manner. Guoguang, intrigued by the boy, examined him closely and said:

"If you can't do that, then?"

The boy, unusually calm for his age, replied:

"These are innocent, simple people. There's no need to harm them, is there?"

Hearing the boy's words, Guoguang said with a mocking tone:

"You're an interesting kid. Do you think you can stop me with your strength?"

"Not really. You black demons are too strong. But no matter how strong you are, killing people for fun is wrong. Just as wolves only hunt when they are hungry, you should show mercy to them according to your strength."

"Hahaha, I've met an interesting kid here."

Suddenly, Guoguang spoke to the boy in a polite tone:

"Boy with the eyes of a dragon. I have a request for you. If you agree, I will also fulfill your request."

The boy, looking puzzled, asked:

"What is it?"

"This child is Halbur, an orphan from this war. I cherished him like a daughter, but as a Chinese, I cannot take this Mongol child back to the Central Plains. It would be better for him to stay here. Will you take care of him?"

"Is that all you ask?"

"Yes."

"But how can I trust you to leave him with me when you might leave and I might kill him?"

"I trust you. The eyes of a dragon are not something anyone can have just because they want them."

Hearing their conversation, Halbur, unable to hold back her tears, pleaded with Guoguang:

"Sir... Are you abandoning me?"

Guoguang, looking at Halbur with a sympathetic gaze, said softly:

"No. I'm just choosing the best path for you. You are a Mongol... You will be happy with your people on the Mongol steppe. Follow my advice, okay?"

"Sir... Sob."

Guoguang led the crying Halbur to the boy.

"The child's name is Halbur. She is pure and untouched. I hope you will find her a good match... She is a kind and simple girl."

"I promise."

Guoguang looked at the boy again and, just as he was about to leave, said:

"As a token of my joy at meeting a boy with the eyes of a dragon, I want to give you this. You don't have a weapon, so it might be a small help to you."

Guoguang suddenly unsheathed his sword and offered it to the boy, who shook his head, slightly flustered.

"I have no reason to accept this from you."

"Consider it a small token of my gratitude. This sword is not a great one, just a simple one for self-defense. I have a better sword for myself."

Iron was not produced in Mongolia, so swords were highly valued, and even a simple one was considered a treasure. Historically, China had banned the export of weapons and iron to nomadic tribes like the Mongols, and even cooking pots made of good iron were deliberately made with impurities to prevent them from being turned into weapons. Therefore, the sword Guoguang offered, adorned with jewels, was clearly a superior weapon, and the boy refused it without a reason. However, after Guoguang pleaded, the boy hesitated and finally accepted it.

"Take good care of yourself. We will likely withdraw from Mongolia in about a month. Leaving you alive now, a future star of Mongolia, would be almost an act of treason against my superior, General Yu, but I don't want to cut down a sapling that will grow into a great tree. If you don't act recklessly, there will be almost no one who can kill you. If we meet again, it will be by fate. Take care."

With that, Guoguang left without looking back. The boy, watching Guoguang leave, suddenly realized he had not asked his name and called out:

"What is your name?"

Guoguang, without turning back, his voice echoing across the steppe:

"My name is Guoguang... No, Mo Xiang... The owner of the Mo Hun Jian."

The boy grew into an outstanding warrior over the years, but as Guoguang had feared, he died young after drinking poisoned mare's milk at a feast hosted by a hostile tribe. His wife, Halbur, who had four children with him, named their eldest son Temujin. The unification of Mongolia, a dream passed down through three generations, was finally achieved by Temujin, taking advantage of Song's weakness.

As they moved away from the village, Ma Hua asked:

"What is Mo Xiang? Didn't you say the general's name was Guoguang?"

"..."

Receiving no response from Guoguang, Ma Hua turned to Lin Chong for confirmation.

"Lin Chong! The general's name is Guoguang, right?"

"Uh-huh."

Ma Hua said teasingly:

"Maybe he felt embarrassed calling a child Guoguang? Making up a name to call him? Mo Xiang does seem to fit the general's current demeanor..."

"..."

"Can we keep calling him Mo Xiang?"

"No!"

"Why not? It's a hundred times better than Guoguang..."

At that moment, Ma Hua heard a voice. Guoguang did not move his lips, but Ma Hua realized it was the voice transmission technique he had only heard about.

*The reason I can't is that it's my real name. If I have enemies who don't know my past, I could be in a very bad situation.*

Guoguang's reasoning was sound, so Ma Hua had no choice but to agree.

"I guess that makes sense."