Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 339 We're all family now!

The city of Woldu, the palace of the Zubu king.

Su Wu sat down in the center and looked around at the people below him. These people had just greeted him outside the city, so he had gotten to know them briefly.

King Tielali of Zubu was still busy serving tea and snacks. The tea wasn't very good, and the snacks were the same. Resources were extremely scarce on the grasslands, and even a great king or khan didn't live a very comfortable life...

The most significant factor was the lack of trade.

After exchanging pleasantries several times, it became clear that when one is under someone else's roof, one has no choice but to bow one's head. This is probably a true reflection of the lives of many Khans, whether they faced the Khitans in the past or the Jurchens and the Song Dynasty now.

Their attitude was excellent!
Su Wu smiled broadly and said, "I've come here not to ask you to conscript soldiers, not to ask you to pay taxes, and not to ask you to take my livestock. We could do some business, though. Fair prices, just tell me what I need, and we'll discuss it then..."

Everyone looked at Su Wu with utter confusion. They could understand the interpreter's language, but they just didn't understand...

After all, their former masters, the Khitan, were not bad, but they still had to pay dues and give gifts as required...

On the grasslands, where can you find a master who doesn't charge taxes or provide for his people? Everyone thought that after these words, the King of the Great Song Dynasty was about to start proposing his real conditions.

Seeing everyone's confusion, Qi Daili quickly said, "Gentlemen, what the king said is not false. King Xu has recently needed everyone to help transport supplies and such, but this is also paid. It can be considered that the king is hiring us. The king really does not need us to gather troops to fight!"

Qidaili is about to rise to prominence and replace Hurzahusi as the spokesperson for the Dadan tribes.

Tielali looked at Qidaili, then at Su Wu, and rose to bow: "Is what Your Majesty says true?"

Su Wu smiled and nodded: "Qi Daili's words are all true. You will do something for me, and I will pay you. In the future, you can take the money and go to Xingqing Prefecture or Datong to exchange it for grain, cloth, salt and the like. This is the important matter today, and it is my covenant with you all!"

This matter needs to be handled more formally!
Qi Daili quickly added, "Today, His Majesty has come to form an alliance with you all! At that time, you will all receive rewards from the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty and promises from His Highness the King of Great Yan. Let's see if you are willing!"

As he spoke, Qi Daili began to distribute a document. It was not very complicated, only a few hundred words long, and the main content had been explained in just a few short paragraphs.

Of the three scripts, Chinese characters are the most important, followed by Khitan script and Uyghur script.

The logic is actually quite simple: as long as one nominally accepts the Song Dynasty, these are the only conditions offered by the Song Dynasty, nothing more.

Of course, at this moment, it was also Su Wu's strategy to win over the people. After defeating the Jurchens and pacifying the grasslands, things would become easier to discuss in the future.

The core principle of many things is very simple: when you are powerful, everything is easy to talk about, and establishing rules and regulations is not difficult.

When you are weak, no matter how good the system may seem, many things are actually hard to predict.

Maintaining one's own strength first, and then designing a more reasonable system, is the foundation for long-term stability and security.

Su Wu then said to everyone, "I have come here today to form an alliance with you all. I hope you will all have your opinions! If there is anything you are unhappy about, please feel free to speak up!"

Su Wu, appearing harmless, smiled as he looked at the crowd.

The crowd read the few hundred words quickly, and one by one they looked up and exchanged glances.

Qi Daili spoke up: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, I was the first to agree to this alliance and give my full support. In the past, the Khitans came only to oppress us, and now the Jurchens have come, and you have all seen their envoys; they are also here to oppress us. Only His Highness the Prince of Yan of the Great Song Dynasty has come, truly treating us as brothers and sincerely coming to form an alliance. His Highness the Prince of Yan is so benevolent and righteous, and his army of 60,000 iron cavalry has come with great force. With our assistance, we will surely be able to defeat the Jurchens. In the future, the grasslands will be filled with good days!"

King Tielali of Zubu looked at Qidaili with a complicated expression...

Su Wu also spoke: "In the past, our Great Song Dynasty, along with the Khitan and the Liao Dynasty, ruled as brothers. The Khitan were in the north, and the Great Song in the south. For over a hundred years, we maintained peace and avoided war. Why? Because a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Later, the Khitan emperor fled to the grasslands, as you all know. A new emperor arose in Yanjing and requested our Great Song's aid. I personally led troops there. The new Khitan emperor knew that restoring his kingdom was hopeless and that he had no more troops to spare. He then wanted us to defend Yanjing and fight the Jurchens to the death. As long as we fight the Jurchens to the death and avenge the Khitan, that new emperor..." The Emperor entrusted me with the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, and I have been doing the same. I cannot fail the final trust placed in me by our brotherly nation. This time, we must fight the Jurchens to the death. You were all Liao subjects in the past. Regardless of any past grievances with Liao, who is better than the Jurchens? Where did the Jurchens come from? Those barbaric mountain people, living on raw meat and drinking blood, they see others as nothing more than slaves. My Great Song Dynasty, the Celestial Empire, inherited from Tang, how could we not be brothers? In the past, when the Great Tang existed, which of you was not a subject of the Great Tang?

This speech was quite long, but it covered three main points: building rapport, belittling the enemy, and elevating oneself.

Qi Daili just kept nodding; he genuinely agreed with these words.

However, some did not necessarily agree. For example, Dunbinai, the leader of the Menggu tribe, asked a question: "Our tribe does not belong to Dadan. Our nomadic territory stretches from the central to the northeastern part of the grasslands. Therefore, we have come here to discuss matters, not to form an alliance. Please forgive us, Your Majesty, but our tribe has many pastures in the east and north, which are closer to the Jurchen territory. We dare not easily offend the Jurchen..."

That is indeed the truth. This Dunbinai is the nominal leader of the various Menggu tribes at this very moment.

One of his many sons, named Khabul, would soon establish himself in the far northeast.

This Khabul will have a grandson named Yesugei, and Yesugei will have a son named Temujin.

However, it should not be misunderstood that the Menggu tribe was not a single-line succession like the Central Plains dynasties. Instead, it consisted of various branches and lineages, each forming its own independent entity. For example, the branch that Temujin belonged to was just a small tribe among the Menggu tribes, called Qiyan. He was not the heir of the entire Menggu, but only the heir of the Qiyan tribe.

Most other tribes are in the same situation; this is the current fragmented state of the grasslands.

Some of these so-called Khans present wield considerable power within their tribes, such as Qidaili, while others have only modest influence, such as Dunbinai…

Dunbinai is more like a representative chosen by the various Mogu tribes.

He truly had his own difficulties, and he was pragmatic, not trying to play any tricks on Su Wu.

Su Wu looked at Dunbinai and said, "You also have your difficulties, but let's make a pact first!"

Special circumstances, special treatment.

Dunbinai covered his chest and bowed his head: "Please speak, Your Majesty!"

"You are weak and powerless, and it is understandable that you fear the Jurchens. In the future, when I defeat the Jurchens and drive them out of the grasslands, the former Khitans' Linhuang Prefecture will be located on the edge of the grasslands, and you will be the one to send troops to guard it. In return, you should send one of your sons to Yanjing. This will be the true alliance. What do you say?"

Su Wu gave him territory, albeit a small one. But he also set conditions…

Dunbinai pondered for a moment, then nodded: "As long as Your Majesty defeats the Jurchens, there is nothing wrong with it. I will meet with Your Majesty on the day of our alliance!"

"Alright, but it's also a deal: if Linhuang Prefecture falls into your hands, you will be guilty of a grave offense!" Su Wu is currently in dire need of capable people.

He couldn't possibly travel thousands of miles to garrison Linhuang Prefecture; someone had to do it. Menggu was nearby, so it was Menggu who would do it. If they were victorious this time, they would completely encircle the Jurchens in Liaodong.

Dunbinai had thought about it several times just now, and now that he thought about it again, it seemed that there was no harm in it, only benefits.

If the Song people really defeated the Jurchens, Menggu would inexplicably gain a large area of ​​territory in the east. Having gained territory, he would naturally have to defend it, not only for the Song people, but also for himself.

What else is there to say? Just nod and say, "This agreement is hereby made!"

Su Wu raised his hand and signaled someone to draft a new alliance treaty.

Su Wu then looked around and asked, "Who else has something to say?"

The Khan of the Meili tribe, Huluba, uttered a single word: "That..."

He only uttered a sound, and didn't finish his sentence...

Su Wu understood that everyone knew the Song army could not stay there for long. This great battle would bring joy to some and sorrow to others. If the Jurchens were defeated, it would not only be a defeat for the Jurchens, but many other tribes would also decline.

Meng Gu did nothing and yet received the benefits. What about the others? How will the land and pastures on the grasslands be divided then?

Su Wu simply waved his hand and said, "If Hurzahusi doesn't come in three days, I will attack him. Hurzahusi's territory will be divided along the upper reaches of the Urugu River and the cities of Zhaozhou and Zhenzhou. The northeast will be given to Meiliji, the northwest to Damili, the west to King Zubu, the south to Yedugua, and the east... well, that's another story..." What do you all think?

With a few words, Su Wu first separated Hurzahusi from the group, and then calculated that Hurzahusi was unlikely to come. He was probably already heading east to find the Jurchens!

The Jurchens won't be here anytime soon, so Su Wu has to make his move.

King Tielali of Zubu nodded: "Alright, then so be it!"

Why did Tie Lali speak out first?
In truth, Hurzahus and the Zub King Tirali actually belonged to the same clan, both being Kereit.

The reasoning is the same as that of the Menggu tribes, but Hurzahus has risen rapidly recently, and Tielali cannot represent the entire Kereit. Now that Su Wu wants to fight Hurzahus, it is a timely help for Tielali. There is nothing better than this.

If the tribes under Khurjahus are scattered in the future, who will protect them? Wouldn't it be the Tielali? The Kereit tribe will then belong to the Tielali. When that day comes, he will truly be worthy of the title of King Zubu.

Tielali nodded, and Qidaili followed suit: "Your Majesty's plans are truly unlike those of the Khitan of the past, which were fair and just!"

Meili Jihu Luba Zeng nodded in agreement: "Your Majesty is just, and I, Meili Jihu, will certainly serve Your Majesty!"

Merkit, also known as the Merkit, was the greatest enemy of Genghis Khan after his first wave of rise to power.

Su Wu glanced around and asked, "Is there anyone else who has something to say?"

Su Wu used every trick in the book: coaxing, deception, enticement, sincerity, unparalleled benevolence, and bloodshed.

The leader of the Damiri tribe, Bagulu, also spoke up: "Since the Song Dynasty and the Khitan are brothers, we will naturally serve our brothers!"

Su Wu looked at Bagulu and, to be honest, among them, the one with the best and closest relationship with the Khitan was actually Damiri.

These are some of the basic facts that Qi Daili told Su Wu on the way.

Su Wu suddenly asked, "Baguru Khan, have you ever seen Yelü Dashi?"

Bakuru was taken aback upon hearing this, looked around, and then nodded: "I've met you before!"

"When did he leave from your place?" Su Wu continued to ask.

“It’s been about a month since he left…” Baguru replied.

“I have a letter to give him. If I give it to you, can you deliver it to Yelü Dashi in person? I want to invite him to join us in fighting the Jurchens!” Su Wu asked again.

Upon hearing this, Bagulu felt relieved. He had been worried that Su Wu was going to cause trouble for Yelü Dashi, but it turned out to be about this matter. That made things much easier. Bagulu simply nodded: "No problem, I will definitely deliver it. I have hundreds of my warriors from Damiri to Dashi Linya's side!"

It is evident that the Khitans enjoyed considerable prestige on the grasslands; of course, there were those who disliked them, but also many who supported them.

Su Wu then asked, "How many people are with Yelü Dashi at this time?"

“More than 10,000 people!” Baguluzhen knew, because Yelü Dashi had secretly gathered many large and small tribes for an alliance meeting in the territory of the Damili tribe.

Most of them were people with whom he had a decent relationship. When Yelü Dashi needed troops, they would contribute some, more or less. Among the large tribes, Damili gave some, Chazhala gave some, and Dilie also gave some. Among the medium-sized tribes, Dahuang Shiwei contributed the most, and others like Yexi, Nila, and Wuguli also gave some to people.

Yelü Dashi was still heading west, and he continued to gather men along the way. Su Wu estimated that Yelü Dashi now had about 14,000 to 15,000 men around him, which formed the foundation for his establishment of the Western Liao Empire.

Su Wu really wanted to bring Yelü Dashi back. He wrote the letter with great sincerity and immediately handed it to Bagolu.

Bakuru will surely be able to find Yelü Dashi and deliver the letter.

At this moment, Su Wu also had a map in his mind. Yelü Dashi must have already crossed the Khangai Mountains and arrived in the territory of the Naiman tribe.

Having finished discussing this matter, Su Wu, still having other business to attend to, asked, "Gentlemen, how about we all go and watch the battle against Hurzahusi?"

The group exchanged glances, and it was Jesus Christ's son, Kedali, who spoke first: "Very well, let's go and see the might of the King's army!"

Damiri's Huluba didn't say much more, just nodded and said, "Then let's go and take a look!"

Menggudunbinai said, "I should hurry back. I imagine the Jurchen envoy will also be visiting my tribe, so I can try to mediate..."

Su Wu smiled faintly and did not stop him.

King Tielali of Zubu immediately said, "You must come along; I also want to bring troops!"

What were they going to do with the troops? To clean up the mess and gather together the scattered tribes and clansmen. Many smaller tribes and clans also nodded in agreement, deciding to observe the situation and see what kind of person this King of the Song Dynasty really was.

Su Wu understood, so he let them see it again and said, "My army will be assembled here in three days. Please wait for three days!"

There is one last thing: everyone will gather and sign an agreement.

This alliance is just a formality; to most people, it has no real binding force.

But Su Wu didn't think so. This pretext was very important. Once this document was signed today, in the future, whether it was for a campaign, a gathering, or anything else, it would be justified!
This name is the legal system!
These people, having been scattered and accustomed to deceit and treachery for so long, seem to lack understanding!
After the alliance was signed, everyone took a copy, and Su Wu looked at it and smiled, saying, "We're all family now!"

Everyone laughed along, saying things like "we're all family"...

Wait three days!
Three days later, all the people around the city, in their tents and before the Khans, suddenly emerged, dressed in full robes...

For no other reason than Su Wu's army had finally arrived. Although they had heard about it many times, none of them had ever actually seen the so-called 60,000 iron cavalry...

Since the decline of the Uyghurs, such military might has never been seen on the grasslands. Even the Khitans of the past never had so many cavalrymen enter the grasslands. When the Khitans entered the grasslands, they always used only a few thousand or ten thousand elite troops, along with a large number of vanguard soldiers, and they were always victorious...

The reason for this is that the grasslands are far away, making logistics difficult and thus there is no need to raise a large army. Moreover, the various tribes on the grasslands are indeed weak.

Even in the past, when the Uyghurs were at their peak, although their numbers were considerable, their military might was not particularly noteworthy.

Today, a truly magnificent military might has once again appeared on the grasslands.

The countless armored vehicles, with their banners and flags that blotted out the sky, slowly emerged from the distant hills.

It seems as wide as the sky and as vast as the earth!
There was no loud roar, but the deep hum, carried by the hooves of horses on the ground, reached people's ears from Dading and even shook their hearts.

The many Khans and their retinues stared in disbelief, a nameless pressure rising from nowhere, making it hard to breathe.

Coming soon, it's near!
The horizon stretched endlessly to the left and right, filled with the hissing of metal scraping against each other, the clatter of horses' hooves, the occasional whispered conversation, and the fluttering of banners in the wind…

Intertwined, outside the city of Woldo, all was silent.

Just look at the Great King of the Song Dynasty, who came out of the city gate with a hundred or so riders following him. He walked more than a hundred paces and then stopped to wait.

The endless expanse of the sky and earth drew ever closer, and the exquisite and robust armor was a sight to behold, captivating all who beheld it.

Behind Su Wu, Wu Yong joked with the young man Zhahemu beside him, "What do you think of my king's warriors?"

Zha and Mu were completely dumbfounded: "How much is this...?"

"Didn't I tell you? Sixty thousand!" Wu Yong stroked his beard and smiled. At this moment, how could Wu Yong not feel honored?

"Is 60,000 really that much?" Zhahemu asked blankly.

"Why don't you count them one by one?" Wu Yong laughed.

Zhahemu shook his head: "So the King really has so many warriors, and there are so many masters of warriors in this world..."

“Master?” Wu Yong glanced at the interpreter; this word was certainly not translated incorrectly.

On the grasslands, everyone is a master, but most are slaves. People like Zhahemu are a minority; his grandfather was the same as the Khan's grandfather, and he was one of the few "good families" on the grasslands.

If the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rise to power in the future, their family will naturally become the masters.

Wu Yong understood everything about the grassland.

He also joked with Zhahemu: "You are really lucky. I met you first on the grassland, and you have become my king's warrior!"

Zhahemu also laughed: "Yes, the Eternal Heaven is protecting me! I will definitely achieve great things in the future!"

Wu Yong suddenly looked at Zhahemu's expectant and hopeful eyes, and a thought seemed to arise in his mind...

Over there, the Zubu Great King Tielali, Yedu Guaqidaili, along with Hulubazeng, Bagulu, Dunbinai, and a group of minor khans, were all gathered together.

Qi Daili exclaimed in astonishment, "So many..."

Iron Thorn looked around and said, "Thank goodness, thank goodness there wasn't any real collision in front of us..."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Huluba once remarked, "No wonder, no wonder this king doesn't need us to send troops. With such an army, who can stop them on the grasslands?"

However, as the army drew closer, they finally saw where Su Wu was.

Suddenly, shouts arose: "Your Majesty is mighty!"

Then the entire arena erupted in shouts of "Your Majesty is mighty!"

The king's majestic voice echoed across the grassland sky, stretching endlessly.

With a slight raise of his hand, Su Wu's voice gradually faded away.

Su Wu issued a military order: "All units, set up camp and have a good rest today. Have King Zubu bring over the sheep, pay him to buy them, and let each of you have a few pieces of hot mutton and a bowl of hot mutton soup! We must set off tomorrow!"

The order was immediately dispatched by soldiers, and the military command was relayed level by level.

Wu Yong spurred his horse and rode off; he was about to get busy, ensuring that every encampment was conducted in an orderly manner.

Many soldiers and generals also gathered there, and all went to the King's Palace.

The army consisted of over a hundred soldiers, which meant that all the officers and soldiers from more than a hundred battalions had to come and gather.

The council hall inside the Prince's mansion was packed to capacity.

Many khans were also present, and the place was packed with burly men, each with a fierce and menacing appearance...

Then look at that king. That king truly had a kind and benevolent face, spoke pleasantly, and was very easygoing...

King Tielali of Zubu shouted repeatedly, "Bring on the mutton! Quickly bring on the mutton!"

I have already made preparations...

The many soldiers and officers laughed and joked as they came and went. When they saw acquaintances, they would also exchange a few words of banter, making it quite a lively scene.

As soon as Su Wu sat down and raised his hand, everyone fell silent.

The Khans were dumbfounded; even the simplest thing... could be so astonishing!
Su Wu said, "We will go into battle tomorrow. Each tribe will be assigned a guide. Follow the guide. The map will be marked. There are more than a dozen routes from north to south. The central army's heavy cavalry will accompany me."

There were no complicated military orders or terrain; the most complicated thing was the dispersal of the nomads under Hurzahus's command.

They all need to be cleared away one by one.

Completely eliminating Hurzahus is the first bite of the pie fed to many tribes. Once they've taken this bite, they'll have trust in the people in the future. If not for anything else, but just for their own benefit, they should put in some effort.

The mutton is served on top; it's boiled mutton with just a little salt, and the taste is excellent.

Su Wu picked it up and started eating, then said, "Eat up!"

Suddenly, Yedu Guazhi Qidaili rose and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to serve you. For this expedition, I, Yedu Guazhi, am willing to lead ten thousand soldiers!"

At this moment, the Zubu King Tielali also stood up: "Your Majesty, I, the Zubu, am willing to send seven thousand men to fight alongside the Jurchens!"

“Your Majesty, Meili is eager to offer ten thousand!” Hulubazeng also stood up and said.

Of course, Bakuru also got up.

Su Wu laughed, finding it strange that the change was so swift.

But Su Wu still raised his hand to wave: "Sit down, sit down. You don't need to fight the Jurchens. Just take good care of the logistics. Logistics is a big deal. Although I still have tens of thousands of auxiliary troops behind me, the journey is long and I'm afraid it will be difficult to keep up. Also, all the sheep in your tribes, just drive more of them over and sell them. These are all things that require manpower. Just do them well!"

Su Wu refused!

The crowd was disappointed, but Qi Daili became even more anxious, saying repeatedly, "Your Majesty, whenever you need me, Ye Du Gua Ren, I will be willing to die a hundred times for you?"

Su Wu didn't answer, but simply waved his hand, gesturing for Qi Daili to sit down, while he continued gnawing on his lamb ribs.

The following day, he set off on his campaign.

This expedition is heading east, and there are no major battles to fight, so Hurzahusi will certainly not dare to lead his troops to fight.

This expedition was actually a sweep, a sweep of the territory of the Hurzahus. The Hurzahus tribes were enslaved, and their property was given a new owner—this was the custom of the steppes.

Where is Hurzahusi now?

He had already reached the east of Wugu Mountain, near the city of Talan, where the Jurchen army was gathered.

They are meeting with Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin, the commanders of the Jurchens.

A Song army of over ten thousand iron cavalry arrived from the west. They were extremely powerful, with excellent armor, powerful arrows, sharp weapons, and a large number of horses.

Moreover, they are utterly unreasonable and attack on sight, inevitably becoming a major enemy of the various tribes of the grasslands. We request that the Jurchen Shangguan Tianbing go and take charge.

Hurzahusi launched into a long, eloquent speech, tears streaming down his face.

Wanyan Zonghan frowned, and Wanyan Xiyin asked, "You mean those Song people, they fight as soon as they see you?"

Wanyan Xiyin was somewhat skeptical of this statement.

Hurzahusi nodded repeatedly: "We haven't even met them properly yet, we just bumped into each other, and we haven't even had a chance to exchange a few words. Suddenly, their army launched a surprise attack, catching me completely off guard. Right now, I'm afraid they're about to wreak havoc on my people. I beg the heavenly soldiers to come and save them quickly. I, Hurzahusi, hereby swear that from this day forward, I will be forever friendly with the Great Jin Kingdom and serve them faithfully!"

"Is this really Su Wu from the Song Dynasty?" Wanyan Xiyin was still wondering, Su Wu shouldn't have used such methods...

“Su Wu, it’s him! The King of Song!” Hurzahusi said with certainty.

Wanyan Zonghan finally spoke: "Su Wu has come here to challenge me. How can Su Wu, in this state, win people's hearts? He's gone mad... Xi Yin, tell me..."

After a moment's thought, Wanyan Xiyin immediately said, "He arrived late, so he must not have had time to gather the troops of all the tribes. We should hurry and catch him off guard!"

"Yes, that makes sense. If given some time, he could really muster tens of thousands of troops. We shouldn't delay and should leave without waiting for reinforcements!"

Wanyan Zonghan nodded.

Since they were all foreign troops fighting, the grasslands were vast and sparsely populated, with numerous tribes and even languages. Su Wu and the Jurchens were the same, and intelligence was not readily available.

Wasn't Su Wu's strategy of driving away Hurzahusi as soon as they met also a way to confuse the enemy?
Beneath the fog of war, Su Wu devised many plans...

Su Wu had planned a great battle long ago, waiting for the unexpected encounter with the Jurchens on the grasslands!

Su Wu's emphasis on this war exceeded everyone's expectations, which is why he mobilized such a large number of people!
(Brothers, muah muah muah muah muah muah...)
(End of this chapter)