Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 347 The King means... let's see him cause some trouble in the future?
As the sun rises, its fiery rays paint the sky, making the sky above the grassland seem exceptionally low, and the morning glow appear to roll right before your eyes...

Most of the soldiers and men from various tribes rested after eating mutton soup, instant noodles, and flatbread.

The campfire in front of Su Wu was still burning, and Yue Fei slowly approached from a distance, bowing to pay his respects...

Su Wu gestured with his arm: "Sit down!"

Yue Fei still paid his respects and sat down next to Su Wu.

With a sorrowful expression, Yue Fei said, "Your Majesty, I have fortunately fulfilled my mission! It's just a pity..."

As he finished speaking, tears welled up in Yue Fei's reddened eyes...

Su Wu noticed the difference in Yue Fei's expression and asked first, "Have you eaten enough?"

Yue Fei nodded...

Su Wu continued, “You are also an educated man. You understand the Han and Tang dynasties, the Central Plains, and the Han people like us. Even regarding the great principles of family and country, you are a loyal and righteous person. Let’s not talk about those grand theories. Just talk about the people on the border. Since ancient times, no one has suffered more than the people on the border. When the border is not peaceful, countless people die by the sword, and countless women are violated. This time, the people of Yanyun and Hebei, and even the capital region, what I think in my heart is that we must become strong. If we can’t even protect our people, what use is this country?”

"They say that the army's food, drink, supplies, rewards, and head wages all come from the mouths of the people. We are soldiers; having received this money and eaten this food, we must do something for the people... to die on the battlefield, to die on the battlefield..."

Su Wu sighed...

Yue Fei nodded: "Your Majesty, this humble general understands..."

Knowing this, Yue Fei still couldn't help but feel immense sorrow... Of the eighteen thousand young men who went with him, only six or seven thousand returned...

Amidst the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, wolves and vultures were still gnawing away...

"Yes, pull yourself together, take a break, head north, collect the bodies of our comrades, and clean up the battlefield..."

Su Wu didn't offer much advice, just a few words: Yue Fei was different from others; Yue Fei was loyal and righteous, and he could adjust himself.

Three battlefields need to be cleared, weapons and armor need to be taken care of, and most importantly, the horses need to be gathered up...

The battlefield was being cleaned up, and the soldiers were just waiting for a rest before heading back into the mountains.

There's another battlefield to the south; send more people there.

The army will need to remain in this area for at least three days...

Su Wu also assigned Tie Lali and others to lead the tribe's cavalry to patrol the other side of the mountain, in order to catch any who had escaped.

There are still quite a few who escaped the net, at least two or three thousand people, and they must all be hiding within this small Wugu Mountain range...

The number of heads they brought back was only around six thousand.

Su Wu still had a lot of work to do: collect the bodies, transport them back, register them, calculate the amount of reward money and compensation, and even carefully check the records of military merits to ensure a basic level of fairness and justice.

This time, Su Wu's light and heavy cavalry suffered heavy losses. Yue Fei in the north lost more than 11,000 men, while Su Wu himself lost 2,600 to 2,700 men, for a total of about 14,000 men.

Among them were cavalry from the Eastern Capital, cavalry recruited later from the Western Army, and cavalry conscripted from various units of the Western Army; all were treated equally.

Each Jurchen head cost 300 strings of cash, and the total cost of "buying" 50,000 Jurchens was 15 million strings of cash, but in reality, it wasn't necessary to buy them all...

This time, the Jurchen heads numbered over 8,500 in the north and over 7,800 in the two southern battlefields, totaling 16,300 to 14,000...

The reward is around five million strings of cash...

The basic reward should be two million strings of cash...

The compensation for the Jurchen heads is worth 300 strings of cash, so the compensation should be even higher. They risked their lives to fight for it, so how can it be cheap?

The pension had reached as much as 500 strings of cash. This was not for any other reason than that Su Wu could not be guaranteed a large-scale system for the time being, so the money was given in one go. 500 strings of cash was enough to support a family's comfortable life for many years. It was to buy the soldier's willingness to risk his life...

This single incident alone will cost Su Wu seven million strings of cash in compensation for the martyrs...

Excluding logistical supplies and fixed military pay, this campaign cost 14 million strings of cash...

How expensive!
But Su Wu was still willing to give it up. If such a war and such a victory could be achieved again, the Jurchens would be completely forgotten.

In other words, thirty million strings of cash could solve the Jurchen problem—how cheap!

The amount of money that the Jurchens plundered from Bianjing (Kaifeng) in the past far exceeded this amount.

This battle was actually quite a sad one for Su Wu...

What exactly is national governance?
The core principle seems to be quite simple: use the country's resources where they are needed, and that is good governance.

After finishing much of the paperwork, Su Wu rose and left the tent. He looked out at the vast expanse of sky and grassland, which was indeed growing ever greener…

He mounted his horse and patrolled each camp. Even if he only walked to one of the more than one hundred camps, he made sure everyone saw that Su Wu had arrived…

When they returned from this round trip, it was dusk again...

Su Wu had just entered the camp when he heard the distant sound of galloping hooves. He turned to look and saw it was the Zubu tribe, which was none other than Tielali...

Su Wu waited a while, and Tie Lali approached, his face full of anxiety, and shouted: "Your Majesty, it's terrible! The Jurchens are back!"

Su Wu instinctively thought it was nonsense...

But Su Wu asked, "What happened?"

"Your Majesty, on the eastern border, we went to patrol the area when suddenly a Jurchen force of over a thousand cavalry appeared and slaughtered us. I fought them to the death, but we were ultimately defeated. We had no choice but to return immediately to report to Your Majesty and request that Your Majesty send troops to fight them..."

Tie Lali was impatient, gesturing wildly...

More than a thousand Jurchens? On the other side of the mountain...

Su Wu frowned and thought for a moment, then he understood: Wanyan Xiyin had not gone far after Yue Fei stopped pursuing him...

What are we coming back for? We're here to meet Wanyan Zonghan on the east side of the mountain.

It seems that Wanyan Zonghan has most likely escaped.

Su Wu glanced sideways at Tie Lali, thinking, "What a useless piece of trash..."

Although Tielali did not conscript a large number of able-bodied men, he still sent five or six thousand men, who were routed by a thousand remnants of his army...

Su Wu asked, "Where are Qidaili and Hulubazeng? Why didn't you seek help from the nearest place?"

"Them? Your Majesty, I am no match for them. Their army is smaller than mine, and they have not sought reinforcements from either side... Only Your Majesty's brave warriors can defeat the Jurchens!"

Tie Lali's words make a lot of sense.

Su Wu waved his hand and said, "Enough, enough. Let's call them all back. How can we possibly catch up if we go over the mountain again?"

If Su Wu's troops hadn't been so exhausted, they wouldn't have had to send this useless snack to patrol the eastern side of the mountain...

Never mind, one more Wanyan Zonghan won't make a difference. Su Wu didn't care. What Su Wu really cared about was that two thousand people had escaped...

Tielali then asked, "Your Majesty, are we not going to pursue them?"

"Go and rest..." Su Wu waved his hand and headed towards the main tent.

Su Wu had just sat down for a moment when Tie Lali appeared outside the tent and asked to see him again.

After being summoned, Su Wu asked, "What is it?"

Tie Lali, beaming, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have prepared some gifts for you today. Please take a look..."

"What gift?" Su Wu asked casually.

Tie Cili turned back, then came back in a moment later. What gift? A long line of women filed in...

Women on the grasslands are not all rough, strong women. There are nobles and cities on the grasslands, and some of them live a life of luxury in the cities. In the past, some were even bought and sold from the cities of the Liao Kingdom.

The women who filed in were also carefully selected. Tie Lali smiled broadly and said, "Your Majesty is young and strong, and has been fighting hard for days. He must be exhausted, so we have sent some women to help him relieve his fatigue..."

Su Wu nodded and said, "Okay, thank you!"

Tielali was overjoyed: "Then I won't bother you any longer, Your Majesty, please rest well!"

With that, Tie Lali left happily.

Inside the tent, there were still many people, so they all went to look at Su Wu.

Su Wu counted them again: seventeen...

Turning to Wu Yong, he said, "Take him away and settle him properly. Record it as spoils of war. When we return, if any soldiers want him, sell him to them at half the market price..."

Wu Yong simply nodded and went to make the arrangements...

Inside the main tent, the sounds of documents and paperwork naturally arose again, as everyone continued their busy work.

Wu Yong returned, smiling, and said to Su Wu, "Your Majesty, this Tie Lali is a remarkable man!"

Su Wu also laughed: "What's so wonderful about it?"

"The wonder lies in the fact that he doesn't have much wisdom, yet he's willing to think and act, and he's quite cunning..." Wu Yong replied with a smile.

Su Wu said, "Then you should get closer to him from now on!"

"Understood, Your Majesty, rest assured, I will be very close to him!" Wu Yong understood what he meant.

Three days later, the army set off again, heading east!
The logistics and supply convoy grew larger and larger, even exceeding the number of soldiers at the front. Various units sent people to help transport supplies, and some even brought flocks of sheep to graze alongside them...

Heading east, there was no one in sight; the herdsmen and flocks of sheep seemed to have vanished. Even when they reached the city of Talan, it was an empty city...

Follow the lush riverbed eastward, and downstream lies Hedong City, the former site of the Liao Dynasty's Wugudilie Military Command.

The riverbanks are covered with such lush aquatic plants, yet not a single shepherd can be seen.

They had obviously all gone into hiding long ago.

Su Wu then summoned Tielali and said only one thing: "Quickly send men to the Wugu and Dilie tribes and tell them that I want to see their Khan in Hedong City! If he doesn't come, then my army will go to find him!" "Such a small matter, I will certainly handle it well!" Tielali seemed to feel that he had been given an important task, so he naturally worked even harder.

The army slowly marched along the river. When they arrived here, heading due south, they reached the Mogeshi tribe, and further south was Datong.

Su Wu had already entered the eastern part of the grasslands...

To the north are the Menggu tribes, to the northeast is the Chazhala, and to the southeast is the Heichezi Shiwei.

Apart from Mengu, Su Wu had never met the other Khans in the other books.

I must see them all this time.

First, meet the Wugu and Dilie tribes. When you return home, you will no longer go west. Instead, head straight for Datong. Then you will meet Mogeshi and the Heiche Shiwei. The Heiche Shiwei also have a king appointed by the Liao Dynasty, who is the Shiwei King.

These tribes all participated in the previous battle, but it was a matter of necessity.

Now that Su Wu has arrived, we must set aside past grievances and properly appease him...

Su Wu wasn't worried about the Black Chariot Shiwei. The Black Chariot Shiwei used to have the best relationship with the Khitan of Liao. Of course, they had fought each other in the beginning, but now their relationship was extremely good.

Therefore, Su Wu had the destiny of Liao, so passing through Heiche Shiwei was simple. Once Heiche Shiwei was easy, then passing through Heiche Shiwei would lead to the former Shangjing Linhuangfu of Liao, and Su Wu wanted this city!

The city was still in the southeast. At this moment, the city was very important to Su Wu. It was a crucial point in trapping the Jurchens. With Linhuang Prefecture in hand, he could also threaten Zhongjing Dading Prefecture.

And so... Su Wu's Datong was safe from then on, becoming a vital transportation route from which he could cross the border at any time and keep the Jurchens firmly under his control in Liaodong.

As for Wugudiliechazhala, let's see how they react...

Mogeshi must be kept under tight control. Mogeshi is located north of Datong, and they are the key to crossing the border. In fact, the Mogeshi tribe is not very strong...

Su Wu also had a plan: to build cities and fortresses along the line from Datong northwards, including Mogeshi, Heichezi, and Shiwei.

Instead of building the Great Wall, it would be better to build these cities and fortresses, and continue building them all the way.

Firstly, it was a fortified tactic against the Jurchens, and secondly, it was a preparation for controlling the various tribes of the grasslands in the future. The Liao people's method was not bad; they set up various military outposts on the grasslands.

Su Wu was determined to promote and develop this method.

The map was in Su Wu's mind. He kept thinking about the journey and the destination, and over the course of several days, he continued to refine his ideas.

Hedong City, it's just a short walk away.

The city is finally not empty anymore...

A large contingent of people was also lined up outside the city waiting...

Su Wu, on the other hand, was also clad in countless layers of iron armor, aiming to project an imposing presence, and thus spurred his horse toward the city.

There were people who came to greet them, needless to say, the Khans of the Wugu and Dilie tribes. The Wugu Khan was named Daiqin, and he looked to be in his thirties or forties.

Dili Khan's name was Chaganba. He was young, only eighteen or nineteen years old, and had an arrogant air about him. He even dared to secretly look up at Su Wu...

The two men were paying their respects to Su Wu. In fact, the two men were very close and had a good relationship.

The so-called Khans of the various tribes on the steppe are not always the true leaders of the entire tribe. For example, in the Kereit tribe, there are the Tirak tribe and the Khurjahus tribe.

The internal structure of Ugu and Dilie is actually more complex, with numerous factions...

Su Wu sized up the two men, who bowed and saluted. Su Wu nodded and spurred his horse toward the city.

It was still the kind of city made of earth and stone, neither tall nor wide, more like a fortified village.

Su Wu used to go into the Liao Kingdom's military headquarters.

The others followed, with Su Wu sitting in the center, surrounded by Song generals on his left and various tribal khans on his right.

Su Wu was flanked by a large group of tall, muscular, armored men holding swords...

Milk wine and milk tea are both available...

Some people were also uneasy and went around looking.

Su Wu suddenly asked, "What does 'Daiqin Khan' mean?"

Daiqin immediately replied, but still using the translator's words: "Your Majesty, this is the general's intention!"

"Oh..." Su Wu nodded and asked, "How many were killed or wounded when they went west with the Jurchens to fight against us?"

Dai Qin himself answered cautiously, "Your Majesty, over a thousand have died or been wounded..."

"Not much..." Su Wu said, while also tasting the salty milk tea, which he didn't really like.

He added, "I know you were forced into this situation. Since you two are here waiting for me, I will let bygones be bygones..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wugubu Daiqin bowed quickly and reached out to tug at the dried tea beside him.

The dried tea leaves also bowed in greeting.

It was just a small thing, nothing serious...

Su Wu observed this, and then took another look at the young man with dried tea...

On the way, I learned that this Chaganba was the son-in-law of Daiqin. Daiqin and Chaganba's father were sworn brothers, or "Anda" in the local grassland dialect.

Su Wu said, "It's good to be young, young people have ambition."

In fact, Su Wu was not very old, but his words already sounded like those of an old man.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my youthful ignorance of etiquette!" said Dai Qin.

Su Wu understood this as well. It was just a young man's resentment. In the past, the Khitans came to pay homage, yesterday the Jurchens came to pay homage, and today the Song people come to pay homage. How could a young man be content?

It seems this kid didn't go to war with the Jurchens earlier; his father-in-law treats him quite well...

Su Wu said, "Two things: Wugu Dilie, each send three thousand men to accompany the army!"

“As Your Majesty commands!” Daiqin simply bowed.

"Go and prepare. We'll camp here tonight, and you can come with us tomorrow!" Su Wu said, then waved his hand and said, "Disperse, everyone..."

Everyone dispersed.

Wu Yong frowned and said, "Your Majesty, that boy is arrogant and will surely cause trouble in the future! We must not let him live any longer!"

Su Wu smiled slightly: "If everyone were overly obedient, how could it be interesting?"

Wu Yong's mind immediately started working on this, and he asked, "Does Your Majesty mean... to see him cause trouble in the future?"

Su Wu smiled and said, "People are like wheat, they come in batches. Every few years, a new batch of people will emerge. This year's wheat doesn't know what happened last year. So, this sickle has to come to the grassland from time to time to show its power. How can we do without such unruly people?"

Wu Yong nodded: "Your Majesty is wise. Killing this one person is easy, but to go on a killing spree requires a legitimate reason!"

Su Wu also thought that he should tell Yue Fei, the Protector-General of the Beiting Protectorate, to keep a close eye on this person.

The military might of the grasslands must be maintained and displayed at all times. This is something Su Wu learned from the Khitans. Just like the former Zubu King Mogus, once his power grew, even if he didn't rebel, the Khitans would force him to rebel.

Useful methods should be learned!
The grasslands are so vast and expansive that maintaining control at a minimal cost is no easy task...

The Khitans succeeded, so we should learn from them.

With this matter settled, Su Wu headed southeast, towards Shiwei in Heichezi, and then towards Linhuang Prefecture!

Linhuang Prefecture will be a tight rein on the Jurchens. Once Su Wu conquers Linhuang Prefecture, the Jurchens will be bound by this tight rein.

At this time, Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin, who had just returned from their defeat, had been traveling day and night and had just arrived in Dading Prefecture.

The people of Dading Prefecture were shocked. The entire Jurchen people were mobilized. Many people were managing slaves to reclaim wasteland, cultivate land, and dig irrigation canals in various places, but they also immediately gathered in Dading Prefecture.

In the former Liao emperor's palace in Zhongjing, many Jurchen people gathered together.

Even Wanyan Aguda was brought out. Judging from his appearance, his death is likely imminent.

The scene was chaotic, and Wu Qimai spoke up loudly: "How could we have lost? Explain carefully, how could we possibly have lost?"

The astonishment of everyone present was beyond measure. Since the day the Jurchens raised their army, although they had occasionally suffered minor defeats or temporarily retreated, they had never suffered such a major defeat. In any large-scale battle, they had won every single one.

Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin looked at each other with their heads down. Wanyan Zonghan remained silent, while Wanyan Xiyin spoke, recounting everything in detail...

As Wanyan Xiyin spoke, the entire hall gradually fell silent; you could hear a pin drop!

After Wanyan Xiyin finished speaking, he looked around at the crowd.

Wanyan Zongwang frowned and asked, "Are the Song cavalry truly so brave and skilled in battle?"

Wanyan Zongwang didn't seem to believe it yet.

Wanyan Xiyin sighed, "This defeat was entirely due to my underestimation of the Song people; it was a defeat born of underestimating the enemy! I tried everything, but still couldn't turn the tide..."

Wanyan Xiyin was taking the blame voluntarily, so Wanyan Zonghan shouldn't be made to bear the blame.

Wanyan Zongwang then went to see Wanyan Zonghan.

Wanyan Zonghan said, "They underestimated the enemy. If they hadn't, they wouldn't have attacked like this. The Song army's skill and courage in battle exceeded expectations, almost on par with our Jurchens. Otherwise, after Xi Yin broke through their formation, the two armies would have clashed, resulting in a great victory. That's how it always has been, but this time it won't happen..."

The blame has been mostly shifted. Not long ago, Wanyan Zonghan had also performed a great service. It was he who led Wanyan Xiyin deep into the grasslands and captured the Liao emperor Yelü Yanxi...

"It seems it's true!" Wanyan Zongwang frowned even more, looked at Wuqimai, and asked, "In that case, what should we do?"

Wuqimai seemed somewhat flustered. He had only 50,000 Jurchens in total, and in one battle, he had lost more than 16,000... How could Wuqimai not be flustered by such a defeat?
He turned his head to look at Aguda, who was lying on the couch beside him...

(Brothers, my daughter is back in the hospital for a follow-up appointment. She has grade three bladder and ureter malformation. Ugh... I also have a bad cold. It's really killing me...)
(End of this chapter)