Chapter 89

Thank you to Fengmi Tianxia 5 and Hanfu Xungen 588 for your rewards, and to the narrations of Pluto, Zhi Tingfeng, Wo Xiang Aotian, Guai Shen Luanli, Nandao Bu Gexing, Wentian Qingzhu, Meng Qianban, Bu Yuan Xing, Yixin Pingfan o, Qian Yuyu for your support. During the new book period, I'm seeking collections, recommendations, and clicks of all kinds.

………………………………I am the pure dividing line……………………………………

Kublai's face turned as black as carbon.

In his entire life, he had never been so angry.

"How dare he? How dare he?" Kublai growled.

Living in the world, one must abide by the rules of the world.

As the fourth prince of the Mongols, Kublai had to follow the rules of the Mongols, so he led his troops into battle, conquering cities and destroying nations, never showing mercy.

Because the Mongols revered such warriors, and only such commanders were worthy of their support.

The values of the Song Dynasty were always different from those of the Mongols. Ran Min's achievements were enough to be remembered for generations, but it was hard to find positive evaluations of him in historical records.

This was because his actions did not conform to Confucian values.

Zhao Hao was undoubtedly following the path of Ran Min.

This was a self-exile from Confucianism, even from the Han people.

If Zhao Yun had more than one son, the news of today's events would almost immediately lead to calls to depose Zhao Hao as the crown prince.

Even so, Zhao Hao's actions would still cause a stir across the land, bringing him no benefits.

But Kublai wouldn't understand; some people do things not for status or power.

Moreover, what Kublai pursued all his life was not so important to Zhao Hao.

"Kublai, the choice is yours. You can bet with this prince, whether there are more Song people or more Mongols," Zhao Hao's voice echoed, making Kublai almost vomit blood in frustration.

Nonsense, if the Mongols could match the Song in numbers, they would have conquered the world long ago.

The Mongols were invincible for two reasons: their army was indeed powerful, and they were ruthless.

They acted without restraint, without regard for consequences. For the Han people, massacres had long been extinct, but for the Mongols, such things were commonplace.

But when the Han people became as ruthless as the Mongols, the Mongols were at a loss.

This had been proven more than once in the past.

Sometimes, the Han people should abandon their so-called dignity and nobility.

All dignity is predicated on victory.

Hu Qubing used the scorched earth strategy against the Xiongnu, thus achieving the title of Marquis of Langjuxu.

Ran Min's order to kill the Hu people made the Hu people tremble in fear.

The population base was never on the same level. When the Han people bared their fangs, all enemies would tremble from the heart.

However, many things had subtly bound the hands and feet of the Han people, making them accustomed to so-called "etiquette" and forgetting their former "savagery."

Civilization has been trampled by "savagery" time and time again.

This might be a regression in history, but if it really is a regression, Zhao Hao would rather it be completed in his hands.

If one cannot even defend their homeland, what use is a rich civilization?

"Withdraw those Han people," Kublai suddenly said.

Jinlun's face changed, and he bowed. "Your Highness?"

"I said, withdraw them," Kublai's voice suddenly rose.

Jinlun was startled by Kublai's expression at this moment.

He had never seen Kublai lose his composure.

Jinlun was not a pure Mongol; he was from the Tibetan border and belonged to the Esoteric School.

He joined the Mongols because, in his eyes, they were indeed extraordinarily powerful. Whether it was Möngke or Kublai, they were ambitious and had the demeanor of a king.

In comparison, the Song Dynasty was insignificant; they had lost their drive.

So Jinlun eventually became the national teacher of the Mongols, and he had no doubt about the Mongols' unification of the world.

But at this moment, Jinlun's heart wavered.

He realized that Zhao Hao had brought too many changes to the Song Dynasty.

Perhaps it couldn't affect the overall situation now, but if the battle of Xiangyang could not be won, would the Song Dynasty transform over time?

Jinlun had no confidence.

"I cannot be a sinner to the Mongols," Kublai's tone turned calm.

Jinlun understood Kublai's words.

In the past, the Mongols never worried that the Song would use their own methods against them, but when the Song really did so, they realized they were powerless.

In war, the most innocent are the common people, and the most powerless are the common people.

And it's not just the Song who have common people.

The Mongols have them too.

Kublai could not worry about the Song's counterattack, but he had to worry about the Northern advance of the Power Sect.

The disciples of the Power Sect had even better individual qualities than the Mongols.

In a direct confrontation, Kublai did not doubt that the Mongol army would win.

But if the Power Sect broke into smaller groups and advanced north to the grasslands, targeting women, the elderly, and even livestock, the consequences would be unimaginable.

What is called a bottom line only exists when everyone follows it.

In the past, it was always the Mongols who broke the bottom line, while the Song adhered to it.

Now, Zhao Hao had brought everyone's bottom line to the same level, and the Mongols would inevitably be the cowards.

Still, the Song have more people.

Not to mention one-for-one, even two-for-one or ten-for-one, Zhao Hao would not back down in this aspect.

It's just that the many are bullying the few.

Seeing the Song civilians at the front constantly retreating, the Mongol soldiers at the back were now hesitant, no longer daring to beat and kill as they used to. A thunderous cheer rose from the walls of Xiangyang.

"Your Highness, Guo Mou is truly ashamed," Guo Jing bowed.

He was truly ashamed.

When Zhao Hao ordered the killing of a hundred Mongols, Guo Jing was furious from the bottom of his heart.

He could not accept such behavior.

If not for Meng Gong holding him back, he would have questioned Zhao Hao's decision on the spot.

But the subsequent events were beyond his expectations.

Kublai's submission was something he never thought possible.

But he could see and imagine how many Song civilians would be spared, and how many would avoid being used as the vanguard of the Mongol army from now on.

Guo Jing understood a principle: what is great benevolence, and what is small benevolence.

What he did was just small benevolence.

And some people, who bear the curse of history and are hated with clenched teeth, are truly doing great benevolence.

But for many people, even for future generations, what they admire is "small benevolence."

It must be said, this is a tragedy.

For the Mongols, Kublai is an undisputed national hero, and nothing can erase this fact.

Unfortunately, for the Han people, Ran Min's name is not even found in ordinary historical records.

Sometimes, forgetting comes at a cost.

"Guo Jing, I once said, killing to protect life. Sometimes, someone needs to stand up. Some things need to be done. If no one stands up in this era, then let me do it," Zhao Hao said solemnly.

This era needs a Wu Diaotianwang.

War has always been cruel.

PS: The next chapter will be at midnight, a Monday tradition. This week, we are 800 votes away from breaking 10,000 weekly recommendations. If we can break 10,000 today, there will be 3 updates tomorrow. Also, the next week should temporarily conclude the Divine Carving volume.

...

Previous page AD starts

Previous page AD ends