Chapter 182: Temüjin’s Shock, Iron Cavalry From The Western Liao
The blood-red setting sun hung on the horizon, plating the Drag River with a shocking crimson hue.
Cold winds howled across the empty battlefield, carrying thick bloody scents and rotten odors, swirling wildly.
The post-battle battlefield resembled a human purgatory, leaving clear wounds on this land.
Corpses of Kereit Tribe soldiers lay scattered haphazardly on the ground, layered in heaps like a twisted forest.
Countless vultures circled in the sky, emitting shrill screeches.
Wounded war horses lay on their sides, their life breaths fading bit by bit; or struggled to rise, letting out miserable neighs, only to collapse again due to severe injuries.
Li Xiao rode his war horse, slowly patrolling the battlefield.
His gaze was grave, his expression stern; the horrific scene before him seemed insignificant compared to the joy of victory.
War has always been cruel; even victory comes with countless sacrifices.
“Great Governor, no Kereit Tribe Prince Sangkun was found among the captives. It seems he escaped.” Luo Meng came forward to report.
Hearing this, Li Xiao remained calm, his gaze still fixed on the devastated battlefield, showing no surprise.
Sangkun was not only brave and skilled in combat, but also adept at escaping.
After Temüjin unified the grassland, Sangkun still led his younger brothers in defiance for many years, visiting places like Western Xia, Jin Dynasty, and Western Liao Dynasty.
He was finally killed in Gaochang.
“Dispatch troops to continue the pursuit and kill him if possible,” Li Xiao said in a deep voice.
Although Sangkun was at odds with Temüjin and keeping him might cause trouble for Temüjin, Li Xiao did not want to raise a tiger that could turn on him.
Some people should be killed when possible.
“Understood.” Luo Meng nodded.
In this battle, though Sangkun escaped, the Jin Prefecture Army achieved brilliant results.
Of the 16,000-strong army deployed by the Kereit Tribe, several thousand were killed, nearly 10,000 became captives, and only a handful of soldiers luckily scattered.
This victory, like the destruction of the Naiman Tribe, would shock the entire grassland, letting the Kereit Tribe, overlord of the grasslands, truly experience the terrifying strength of the Jin Prefecture Army.
Soon after, Li Xiao gathered the generals for a war council.
“Eliminating these 20,000 troops under Sangkun has cleared the Kereit Tribe’s forces near Yudu Jin Mountain.”
“The Kereit Tribe’s main force was taken by Ong Khan to Kuoyitian.”
“East of Yudu Jin Mountain is now an open path for our army.” In the golden large tent, Li Xiao sat at the head, speaking in a deep voice.
These intelligence came from interrogating Kereit Tribe captives.
The Kereit Tribe’s heartland defenses were empty, the perfect time for the Jin Prefecture Army to rampage.
“The Naiman Tribe is already Jin Prefecture territory. The Kereit Tribe attacking the Naiman Tribe was deliberately making an enemy of our Jin Prefecture.”
“We absolutely cannot let them off.” Luo Meng said in a deep voice.
Immediately after, Er Hu nodded emphatically: “Exactly, let’s cross Yudu Jin Mountain and raid the Kereit Tribe.”
“I’ve heard the Kereit Tribe often raids south into Western Xia, capturing many Han People back to the grassland to become slaves.”
“Though we are Liao State people, we are also Han People. Our compatriots are in trouble; we must rescue them.” Da Hu said, providing a righteous reason.
Sensing the aggressive tone in the generals’ words, Li Xiao nodded slightly; this was how an army should be.
No retreat, no fear of battle.
Always maintain a sharp, aggressive spirit.
“Reinforcements are already on the way and will arrive in three days.”
“This batch of reinforcements includes 10,000 Naiman captives.”
“I plan to divide these captives into twenty teams.”
“Each chiliarch under you will manage 500 Naiman captives.” Li Xiao said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Er Hu frowned: “Great Governor, can those Naiman captives be trusted?”
Those not of our kin are sure to have divided hearts.
Er Hu instinctively distrusted Naiman People.
Moreover, the Jin Prefecture Army had just destroyed the Naiman Tribe, killing its two great khans.
These Naiman captives had only undergone short-term reconditioning; how could they be loyal to the Jin Prefecture Army?
Li Xiao merely gave a cold smile.
“He who provides milk is the mother!”
“How much loyalty do these Naiman soldiers have for Sun Khan?”
The Jin Prefecture Army had killed all the Naiman Tribe nobles; the rest were ordinary herdsmen and slaves.
In these chaotic times, whoever gave them food and a better life would get their loyalty.
Even if Jin Prefecture had breached their homeland and taken their relatives, so what?
They had once endured the Naiman nobles’ bullying submissively; now they would similarly fear the Jin Prefecture Army’s dominance.
During Temüjin’s unification of the grassland, he plundered women from many tribes, yet those tribes’ men still fought valiantly for the Mongol Empire’s campaigns, earning great military merit.
Because women were wealth to them, tools for breeding descendants.
In grassland culture, women could even be traded or inherited.
Perhaps their original wives had been robbed too.
Moreover, though the Jin Prefecture Army took their women and daughters, Li Xiao would also give them chances to seize Kereit Tribe women as wives.
Money spent must be doubled back from others.
“Moreover, Naiman People and the Kereit Tribe are blood enemies; over the years, they’ve fought countless wars, with hatred not easily resolved.”
“Raiding Kereit Tribe women and wealth will make these Naiman captives even more dedicated.” Li Xiao said indifferently.
“Tell those captives that killing three die-hard enemies will exempt them from slavery and make them Jin Prefecture herdsmen.”
“If they capture three women, one can be theirs.”
“For three sheep seized, one will be rewarded to them.”
“Even for three gold bricks, one will be given to them.”
“Distribute everything according to Jin Prefecture Army standards.”
“As long as they have the ability, this khan does not care about origin, status, or race; rewards will be given to all.”
This distribution method is called ‘three-horse sharing of spoils,’ a Tang Dynasty-era spoils allocation system.
In short, soldiers’ seized spoils are divided into three parts: one to the treasury, one to the army collective, and the last to individual soldiers.
The early Tang Dynasty army’s combat strength was greatly due to this simple, brutal spoils system.
Once, Tang troops besieged a city, preparing to massacre and loot it.
Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, could not bear the common people being slaughtered and allowed surrender.
But the besieging Tang army refused, believing Li Shimin’s order harmed the army and soldiers’ interests.
Helplessly, Li Shimin took equivalent value from the treasury and distributed it to the soldiers, averting the massacre.
This spoils system was simple, brutal, and bloody, like unleashed beasts hard to control.
But Li Xiao did not need to worry about that.
For him, killing was the simplest way to solve problems.
Jin Prefecture’s great cause was just starting; it most needed fearless, brave soldiers; other matters could wait.
“Those captives have revealed locations of some Kereit Tribe tribes.”
“But the Kereit Tribe is stronger than the Naiman Tribe, with more tribesmen.”
“Even after losing 20,000 troops, each Kereit Tribe tribe has left many male laborers; do not be careless.”
“This raid will be by chiliarch units; keep distances between chiliarchs not too far.”
“Provide mutual support at all times.”
Hearing Li Xiao’s words, the generals responded in deep voices: “Understood.”
Three days later, Jin Prefecture reinforcements arrived in the Drag River region, bringing 10,000 Naiman captives.
Li Xiao assigned them to the various chiliarch units.
They were given only ordinary nag horses and simple weapons; they needed sufficient merit for equal Jin Prefecture Army treatment.
Then, Li Xiao led some troops to escort 10,000 Kereit Tribe captives.
Da Hu, Er Hu, and others led their units in dispersed attacks, crossing Yudu Jin Mountain to raid Kereit Tribe tribes.
……
On the vast plains of Kuoyitian, wild winds like untethered stallions tore at the army banners; the camp was filled with a somber aura.
Ong Khan had white hair and beard, a protruding belly, sat on the tiger skin chair, his waist saber swaying slightly with heavy breaths.
His gaze turned to the man in the tent, a satisfied smile flashing on his face as he nodded repeatedly: “Xitihu, the intelligence you brought is very important. Ironwood true and I will never forget the Hongjila Tribe’s friendship.”
Temüjin sat below, wearing a gray-white cape, fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest.
His gaze deep, fixed on Xitihu: “Xitihu, my mother came from the Hongjila Tribe; we are family. I, Temüjin, will always remember this timely aid.”
Xitihu was of medium build, thin-faced, the younger brother of the Hongjila Tribe leader.
Hearing this, he respectfully clasped fists in salute, smiling: “Though my Hongjila Tribe was forced to join the war, we have always supported you two great khans. I risked coming here hoping to lend you a hand.”
This time, Zhamuha rallied the Nine Tribes Allied Army to attack Temüjin and Ong Khan; the Hongjila Tribe was forced to participate.
But the Hongjila Tribe was white-skinned but red-hearted, outwardly supporting Zhamuha while secretly passing intelligence to Temüjin.
Precisely because of this, Temüjin could timely grasp the Nine Tribes Allied Army’s movements and Zhamuha’s deployments.
Ong Khan nodded lightly: “Hmph! That rat Zhamuha dares to scheme against us.”
“Xitihu, tell your brother: after defeating Zhamuha, the eastern grasslands with the richest water and grass will go to the Hongjila Tribe.”
Xitihu thanked again: “Thank you, two great khans.”
After Xitihu left the large tent, a trace of worry flashed in Ong Khan’s eyes: “Temüjin, Zhamuha’s allied army is coming fiercely this time, and they’ve sent 10,000 to bypass the stronghold for a pincer attack on us. What are your thoughts?”
This was the latest intelligence from Xitihu.
The two armies had faced off in the Kuoyitian region for a while, tense but probing.
Unexpectedly, Zhamuha was so cunning, planning a stealthy rear attack.
Temüjin said in a deep voice: “This is an opportunity granted by the Eternal Blue Sky.”
“Foster father, I volunteer to lead men to eliminate that 10,000 enemy force.”
Ong Khan nodded lightly, thinking the same; let Temüjin handle the danger while he reaped the benefits.
“But Zhamuha’s frontal army is still substantial.”
“If you take too many men, I’m afraid Zhamuha will exploit the gap; the stronghold will be in danger.” Ong Khan said with a worried look.
Temüjin’s face remained unchanged, but in his heart he cursed Ong Khan.
He then said solemnly: “Foster father, rest assured; eliminating a mere rabble requires no large force.”
“8,000 troops will suffice.”
“The Eternal Blue Sky will bless us.”
Hearing this, Ong Khan nodded satisfiedly, smiling: “Good, Temüjin, you’re a fine one.”
“Worthy son of Yesugei, fully inheriting his heroic fearlessness.”
Ong Khan saw Temüjin purely as free labor; a few flatbreads of praise would keep him fighting.
So, though Sangkun kept urging him to kill Temüjin, Ong Khan was somewhat reluctant.
More importantly, he worried about his reputation; after all, Temüjin was his benefactor and sworn brother’s son.
Just as the father-son pair enjoyed harmony, urgent footsteps came from outside; a personal guard rushed in, kneeling on one knee: “Great Khan, bad news!”
“Prince Sangkun… defeated!”
The personal guard’s voice trembled, face ashen, speaking in panic.
Seated at the head, Ong Khan dropped his golden wine cup upon hearing this.
He shot up with a clank, but his potbelly meant he lacked youthful strength; his body swayed, nearly falling.
This Kereit Tribe great khan, who had dominated the grassland for years through countless storms, now had bulging eyes full of shock and disbelief: “What did you say? Say it again!”
Temüjin also looked grave, incredulously eyeing the guard, murmuring in shock: “Defeated?”
“Sangkun had 20,000 troops!”
Though Sangkun was always at odds with him and Temüjin looked down on him, even wanting him gone.
But not now.
As Kiyan tribe leader, he knew too well what Sangkun’s defeat meant.
Not only would the Kereit Tribe suffer heavy losses, the grassland’s power balance would shatter, directly impacting the Kuoyitian battle.
“The prince’s army clashed decisively with Liao Army at Drag River and was defeated…”
“General Bilegbeqi covered the prince’s retreat and unfortunately died in battle…”
Before the messenger finished, Ong Khan slumped back into the tiger skin chair, shaking his head in shock: “Impossible~”
“How could this happen?”
“Absolutely impossible.”
“Sangkun’s forces were our Kereit Tribe’s two most elite armies of 20,000.”
“And Sangkun is no reckless man.”
Sangkun was his most favored son, with illustrious war merits over the years and few defeats.
That was why Ong Khan confidently placed him at Yudu Jin Mountain.
He never expected news of total annihilation.
“Why the defeat? What exactly happened?”
“Where is Sangkun? Is he still alive?” Ong Khan asked agitatedly.
“Prince Sangkun has withdrawn, but we don’t know his location,” the personal guard said cautiously.
Ong Khan heaved a heavy sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the worst hadn’t happened.
If something happened to Sangkun too, the Kereit Tribe would truly have no future.
Then, Ong Khan summoned the two escaped soldiers into the large tent for a detailed account of the battle.
Soon after the soldiers left, the tent’s atmosphere remained suffocating.
Ong Khan slumped in his chair, eyes vacant, as if aged years in an instant.
Temüjin’s brows furrowed like a river character, pacing the tent, boots thudding heavily, mind in turmoil.
For years, the Kereit Tribe dominated the grassland with fierce generals aplenty and elite cavalry invincible, firmly holding the overlord seat, even rivaling Jin Dynasty armies.
Yet now, routed by Liao Army like scattered flowers, nearly annihilated—this Liao Army’s combat strength was unimaginable.
It could probably match Jin Dynasty’s elite forces.
Thinking this, a trace of gloom flashed in Temüjin’s eyes.
His former ambitions seemed doused with cold water.
He sighed softly: “Even a centipede dies without stiffening. I thought Khitan People lost their edge after Great Liao’s fall, but…”
Ong Khan slumped in the tiger skin chair, shaking his head lightly: “Not Khitan People.”
“This time on the grassland, it’s just one governor under Northern Frontier’s Xiao Simo, named Li Xiao, possibly a Han Person.”
The Northern Frontier was too far from the eastern grassland; Temüjin had no channels to learn of it, only hearsay.
But Ong Khan was different; he’d even heard of the Northern Frontier and royal court wars.
He knew the name of Jin Prefecture Great Governor Li Xiao, hence the terror.
Just one governor under Xiao Simo destroyed the Naiman Tribe and annihilated Kereit Tribe’s 20,000 troops.
If Xiao Simo led Northern Frontier Army on eastern expedition, wouldn’t the entire grassland submit?
“Jin Prefecture Great Governor Li Xiao?” Temüjin sighed deeply.
Last year, Li Xiao sent men to contact Ong Khan for a joint attack on the Naiman Tribe.
But Zhamuha’s Nine Tribes Allied Army war in the eastern grassland made Ong Khan’s Naiman campaign fizzle out.
No one expected that while they fought fiercely for grassland overlordship.
Iron cavalry from the distant west, by their own power, had already destroyed the Naiman Tribe, gaining strength to conquer the entire grassland.
Thinking of this, their ambitions seemed laughable, like frogs at the well bottom.
“Temüjin, with Sangkun defeated, our army is in dire straits; Kereit Tribe will be attacked from front and rear.”
“If Zhamuha learns of this~”
Seeing Ong Khan’s dejected worry, Temüjin shook his head deeply: “Foster father, Zhamuha won’t know so soon.”
Grassland communication was very backward.
Ong Khan learned first-hand because Kereit Tribe deserters ran back to report.
Zhamuha lacked that; his focus was on Temüjin, not Naiman matters.
Relying on grassland herdsmen word-of-mouth, it would take months.
“Now, we must seal the news; Zhamuha absolutely cannot know of Sangkun’s defeat,” Temüjin said emphatically.
Ong Khan knew the urgency, murder flashing in his eyes.
“Men~”
A personal guard stepped forward; Ong Khan ordered him to kill the deserters from Drag River battlefield, strictly seal the news, and ban rumor-spreading in the army.
But the crisis was not over.
Jin Prefecture Army and Zhamuha’s Nine Tribes Allied Army still hung like sharp swords over Kereit Tribe.
“The situation is dire.” Ong Khan sat at the head, face shifting with anger and fear.
“Sangkun’s army defeated, Liao Army will surely press on; once into Kereit Tribe heartland, won’t the khanate be in danger?”
Besides Sangkun’s forces, most Kereit Tribe troops were brought by Ong Khan to Kuoyitian.
The khanate heartland was empty and very vulnerable.
Frontally, Kereit Tribe army was pinned by Zhamuha’s Nine Tribes Allied Army.
This put Ong Khan in a dilemma.
“Perhaps we can talk with Zhamuha…” Ong Khan’s voice was hoarse, eyes showing a glimmer of hope.
Temüjin’s thick brows furrowed; sensing trouble, he stepped forward urgently: “Foster father, absolutely not.”
“Zhamuha hates us to the bone; how could he easily stop?”
“He wishes for Kereit Tribe and Kiyan tribe destruction to monopolize the grassland. Seeking peace now is walking into a trap.”
He knew Ong Khan too well: timid in big matters, forgetting righteousness for small gains.
Aging Ong Khan grew more conservative, first thought on danger was retreat.
Temüjin could not let him seek peace with Zhamuha.
Without Kereit Tribe, lone Kiyan tribe could not stop Nine Tribes Allied Army.
“Foster father, instead of seeking peace with Zhamuha, better probe Liao Army’s intentions.”
Temüjin’s eyes flickered, saying deeply: “Liao Army came from afar, weary from long campaign; surely they avoid prolonged war.”
“We take initiative to show goodwill, offer provisions and livestock, state no intent to be enemies.”
“This way, perhaps avoid direct clash; after dealing with Zhamuha, build strength, then settle with Liao Army.”
From Temüjin’s standpoint, Jin Prefecture Army was too distant.
Even if Kereit khanate fell, what relation to him?
But Zhamuha’s Nine Tribes Allied Army aimed to breach Kiyan tribe and kill him.
So Temüjin must pull Ong Khan to deal with Zhamuha together.
Ong Khan was furious: “Liao Army bullied us too much, costing Kereit Tribe 20,000 troops; my son Sangkun still missing.”
“Such great hatred, you want me to endure humiliation?”
“And proactively seek peace with Liao Army?”
Temüjin shook his head lightly: “Foster father, the big picture matters.”
“Central Plains’ Han Xin endured crotch insult; defeat Zhamuha and grassland is ours—what’s a little grievance?”
He then sweet-talked Ong Khan: Jin Prefecture Army came far for loot and people, unable to fight long.
If Zhamuha destroyed Kiyan tribe, next he’d rally Nine Tribes Allied Army to wipe out Kereit Tribe.
Aiming to dominate grassland and kill us father-son.
The priorities were clear.
Without Sangkun stirring trouble, Ong Khan’s balance tipped toward Temüjin.
But he still hesitated.
“Liao Army just beat Sangkun’s army, morale high; will they accept our peace?”
Temüjin was confident: “Though victorious, Liao Army fought major battles against Naiman and Sangkun forces, surely heavily depleted; unlikely to fight us to the death.”
Ong Khan pondered, finally nodding: “Good, as you say.”
“But Liao Army bullied too much; after eliminating Zhamuha, this khan will personally lead Kereit Tribe iron cavalry to demand justice.”
Hearing Ong Khan’s bluster to save face, Temüjin outwardly agreed.
He then suggested: “Though we temporarily seek peace with Liao Army, if Liao people are too greedy, we can seek Jin Dynasty aid.”
“Jin Dynasty court surely won’t ignore if they learn Liao Army advanced into grassland to reclaim Liao State homeland.”
Both Temüjin and Ong Khan were Jin Dynasty officials.
Ong Khan’s title was granted by Jin Dynasty; Temüjin was granted ‘Zawu Huti Li.’
Zhamuha’s Nine Tribes Allied Army attacked them, key charge being collusion with Jin Dynasty, letting wolves in, betraying grassland interests.
So Temüjin would exploit the Jin Dynasty connection.
Let Jin Dynasty people deal with Liao people!
But only as last resort; Jin Dynasty eyed grassland covetously, once implementing countless ‘population reduction’ policies.
Jin Dynasty’s threat to grassland far exceeded Liao people’s.
To avoid letting wolves in, use this drive-tiger-swallow-wolf stratagem only if peace talks with Liao Army fail.
