The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 234 Jin Kingdom Delegation, Blackwater City
Blackwater City was located on the northwestern border of the Western Xia Dynasty.

The surrounding area is a vast Gobi Desert, with an arid climate, little rainfall, and frequent sandstorms.

Only one river, the Blackwater River, also known as the 'Weak Water,' flows from south to north across the desert, forming two huge lakes around Blackwater City, nourishing the surrounding farmland and pastures.

And this lake is the famous Juyan Lake.

Its existence has transformed this barren land into a rare oasis.

Heishui City was built right next to Juyan Lake.
The city wall is made of rammed earth and is about 9 meters high. It still stands firm despite the erosion of time.

The city is a regular rectangle, spanning 500 meters from east to west and 400 meters from north to south; it is just a small border town.

However, it is the only way from the Hexi Corridor to the northern desert and an important transportation hub.

There is also a small border market where trade is quite prosperous.

(Location and topographic map of Khara-Khoto)

On this morning, the north gate of Heishui City was wide open, and the biting wind, carrying sand and gravel from the Gobi Desert, poured into the city, causing the large Western Xia banners hanging on the city walls to flutter loudly.

Wei Mingzhong, the commander of the Yan Army in Blackwater Town, wearing black chainmail and a gilded scimitar at his waist, rode a tall warhorse and slowly walked out of Blackwater City.

On either side stood three hundred armored cavalrymen, standing like statues, their crimson tassels on their spears fluttering in the wind.

Behind him followed a caravan of about a hundred people, with a yellow silk umbrella covering the carriage in the middle, displaying the majesty of the imperial family.

The front and rear were filled with cavalrymen wearing cowhide armor, whose armor style was completely different from that of the Western Xia army.

He wore a round, domed leather helmet with a protruding front like a brim, and fur trim around his neck on the sides and back. He also wore a breastplate on his chest.

The leather armor was studded with small iron spikes, mostly dark brown in color, and colorful strips of cloth were sewn onto the collar and cuffs to distinguish the tribes. White wolf tail fur was sewn onto the center of the back.

This team was the envoy dispatched by Emperor Wanyan Jing of the Jin Dynasty to the northern frontier.

Starting from Zhongdu, they traveled westward through Western Xia, first paying respects to the King of Western Xia, then passing through the Hexi Corridor to Ganzhou, and finally heading north along the Blackwater River to Heishui City.

The journey, with its many stops and starts, took nearly three months.

And this is only a little over halfway there. To reach the eastern capital of northern Xinjiang, we still need to travel more than 2,000 miles!

"This journey has been truly arduous."

Wanyan Yongxi, dressed in a brocade robe, lay reclining inside the canopy-covered carriage, his face full of gloom.

He was living a comfortable life in Zhongdu, but unexpectedly, he was banished to the northern frontier by an order from the emperor.

Setting off in the dead of winter, even spending the New Year on the road.

The journey was incredibly bumpy and arduous.

However, as a member of the Jin royal family, Wanyan Yongxi did not completely lose the bravery of his ancestors after entering the pass, unlike other Jurchens.

They do have some ability.

This is also why Wanyan Jing chose him as his envoy.

Once the carriage had left the city gate, Wanyan Yongxi lifted the curtain, sat high above, and chuckled at Weiming Zhongshi, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality these past few days, Commander."

"Today, we bid farewell."

"Commander, please wait."

Since the Jingkang Incident, Western Xia has become a vassal state of the Jin Dynasty. In addition to paying annual tribute, even the succession of the Western Xia emperor nominally required the Jin Dynasty's investiture.

Therefore, it was the responsibility of the local generals and officials of Western Xia to ensure the safety and provide them with proper hospitality when Jin envoys passed through the region.

"Your Excellency, once you leave Blackwater City, you will find yourself in what used to be the territory of the Naiman people, but is now ruled by the Northern Frontier people. Within a 500-mile radius, there is only the vast Gobi Desert."

"Moreover, recently, scouts from the northern frontier have frequently approached our border, which suggests that something may have happened in the northern frontier."

"Your Excellency, please be careful," said Weiming Zhongshi, dismounting and clasping his hands in greeting.

The deep, resonant voice was so loud it hurt your eardrums; it belonged to a robust, middle-aged man.

Wanyan Yongxi, having spent many years in Zhongdu, was rather plump with a fleshy face, and nodded with a smile.

"Very well, I've noted it down. I will definitely have the guards increase their vigilance."

"After I return from the northern frontier, I will have a drink and a chat with the Commander-in-Chief."

Western Xia was, after all, a vassal state of the Jin Dynasty. Although Wanyan Yongxi was polite on the surface, his inherent arrogance and disdain for the Western Xia rulers and ministers were still subtly revealed.

Watching the departing delegation, Yumei Tadashi stroked his beard, snorted coldly, and said, "Damn Jurchen swine."

Although this guy only stayed in Blackwater City for two days, he ate, drank, took, and played with women. Blackwater City was not wealthy to begin with, and Weiming Zhongshi spent all the money he managed to earn on him.

"It would be best if I died in the northern frontier," he cursed inwardly.

In this way, with the war between the northern border and the Jin Dynasty, the pressure on the Western Xia will be greatly reduced, and they may even be able to reap the benefits.

Then, he shouted loudly to the soldiers around him: "Pass down the order to strengthen the guard in all parts of the city, and all the military camps outside the city should also be on high alert."

"We must not let the barbarians of the northern frontier take advantage of this situation."

"Yes, sir!" the soldiers shouted.

Although Tadashi Akina was greedy, lustful, and fond of drinking and having fun, his ability to command troops was not so bad.

At least within the Western Xia, Wei Mingzhongshi was considered a figure of some importance.

Two years ago, the barbarians of the northern frontier successively captured Dunhuang and Shazhou, plundered 100,000 people and returned to the northern frontier, shocking the Western Xia court and the public.

At the time, Wei Mingzhongshi didn't take it seriously, thinking that the barbarians from the northern frontier were lucky not to have encountered him.

But when the news of the Naiman tribe's annihilation arrived, Weiming Zhongshi was truly horrified.

As the commander of the Yan Army in Heishui Town, he had been dealing with the Naiman people for many years and naturally understood the strength of the Naiman tribe.

However, the Naiman tribe, the overlord of the grasslands, was surprisingly and forcefully destroyed by the people of the northern frontier.

This made him ponder: Had the Northern Frontier become so powerful?

Especially recently, the cavalry of the northern barbarians have been frequently scouting around the military camps north of Blackwater City, and on one occasion even appeared outside Blackwater City under the cover of night.

This caused a strong sense of unease in Tadashi Ayana's heart.

"These barbarians from the northern frontier, do they intend to wage war against my Blackwater City?" His face was ashen.

Looking up at the tall city wall built of rammed earth, I saw traces of time everywhere.

Although it is an important town in the Northwest, it has not been repaired for a long time.

As for the reasons, they were nothing more than the corruption of the government, rampant bribery, and the court's lack of attention to the northwest frontier.

Even Tadashi Ueyama himself once stole silver from the city walls.

But now, he's starting to regret it.

"Unfortunately, if my Blackwater Town Yan Army Command were still as powerful as it was during the founding of the nation, would I have allowed the barbarians of the Northern Frontier to be so arrogant?"

Weiming Zhongshi said bitterly.

During the early Western Xia Dynasty, the official military strength of the Yan Army Command in Heishui Town was 20,000 men.

At that time, the Blackwater Army often went north to the grasslands to plunder those nomadic barbarians.

However, as time went by, the Northwest had not experienced any war for many years, and its military strength became weaker and weaker.

The imperial court did not pay attention, local generals were corrupt and lined their own pockets, and the people around Blackwater City either fled or died for various reasons.

Now, including the population of the military camp outside the city, there are only a little over 10,000 people left.

There are fewer than 5,000 soldiers available for conscription.

This filled Wei Mingzhongshi with worry. If the barbarians from the northern frontier marched south, could this small force defeat them?
"Hey~"

In the end, Wei Mingzhong sighed heavily, realizing that they were no match for the northern barbarians in open battle, and that the only option now was to defend Blackwater City to the death.

"I hope that the officials of the court can send troops to reinforce us as soon as possible."

But he knew in his heart that the possibility was very low.

Because the northern barbarians did not actually attack; it was just his guess. But why would those people in the court mobilize troops based on his guess?
Those who hold official positions all adhere to the principle of self-preservation, doing as little as possible to avoid making mistakes, and only reacting when things come to a head.

But then, it's uncertain whether Tadashi Ueyasu will be able to hold out until reinforcements arrive.

"How much food do we have left?" After returning to the commander's office, Wei Mingzhongshi asked the military advisor in charge of logistics.

"Reporting to you, sir, the seeds have only just been planted, and the grain reserves are only enough for the soldiers and civilians of Blackwater City for three months," the military advisor said with a helpless expression.

The city of Heishui is surrounded by the Gobi Desert.

Only the land around Juyan Lake and the banks of the Blackwater River are suitable for growing crops and grazing cattle and sheep.

However, the available area is limited, and grain yields are also very low.

In addition to land annexation and other reasons, in the past hundred years, the remaining population of Blackwater City is less than one-third of the original population.

But food supply remains a major problem for Blackwater City.

Especially after spring planting, during the lean season when food was scarce, the soldiers and civilians in the city suffered even more.

“Three months, huh?” Yumei Tadase stroked his chin, a dark glint in his eyes.

Once the northern barbarians march south, the people from the surrounding military camps will flock to Blackwater City, and the food supply will certainly not last three months.

“Go tell those merchants that the price of grain in Blackwater City has increased by 30%, and tell them to transport grain to Blackwater City, the more the better,” Wei Mingzhongshi said in a deep voice.

Although he could request grain from the imperial court, he knew all too well how inefficient those officials were.

By the time the officials brought the grain, the soldiers and civilians of Blackwater City had already starved to death.

Therefore, we can only place our hopes on these businessmen.

"But, sir, the army's public funds are running low," the military advisor said in a troubled voice.

"Should we do it again~"

Before he could finish speaking, Tadashi Ayana slammed his hand on the table.

With a loud "bang," the soldier jumped in fright.

"Hmph, isn't that treason and aiding the enemy?" Wei Mingzhong said with a gloomy face.

The way to join the army was to resell military equipment and supplies, and then use the money to buy food.

Tadashi Akina had done the same thing before.

The main reason was that the imperial court could not pay the soldiers' salaries, and because Blackwater City did not produce enough food, even feeding the soldiers was becoming a problem.

Left with no other option, Tadashi Ueyasu had to tacitly agree to the arms trafficking.

Although he also ate a large portion of the tribute, at least the soldiers didn't go hungry.

As for the destination of the weapons, Weiming Zhongshi also knew that it was nothing more than the northern frontier.

In particular, the wart armor, the divine crossbow, and the Great Xia sword are very popular in the northern frontier.

The trading rule in the northern frontier was to use the money looted from the Western Xia to buy Western Xia's military equipment and supplies, and then use that money to fight against the Western Xia army.

Then they go and rob money, forming a closed loop.

But now that the knife is at his throat in the north, Wei Mingzhongshi can no longer afford to aid the enemy.

Then, with a cold and stern expression, he shouted, "Use the money from my private treasury."

"Buy all the grain, no matter how much there is."

Although he was greedy and lustful, he knew this wasn't the time to be a miser. He was about to die; what use was so much money?
……

After leaving Heishui City, Wanyan Yongxi passed through two military camps with only a hundred or so people each. Continuing onward, he reached the boundless Gobi Desert.

The ground was covered with yellow soil and gravel, with only a few scattered wild grasses taking root among the sand.

However, it was not a true forbidden zone for life, because shortly after the delegation left Blackwater City, the voice of the guard commander could be heard outside the carriage.

"My lord, three cavalrymen have appeared ahead, suspected to be scouts from the northern frontier."

As a member of the imperial clan, Wanyan Yongxi served as the Deputy Privy Councilor and Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and was enfeoffed as the Duke of Lu.

Lifting the carriage curtain, a gust of cold wind rushed into the carriage. Wanyan Yongxi looked towards a hillside ahead.

About 500 meters away, three cavalrymen stood watching from a distance.

Unlike the stereotypical image of nomadic cavalry, these three cavalrymen were not wearing sheepskin or cowhide armor, nor were they wearing the iron armor of the Central Plains army.

Instead, it was a white garment with red stripes on it.

"I never expected that I would be targeted by scouts from the northern barbarians as soon as I left Blackwater City."

"Hmph~" Wanyan Yongxi snorted softly.

He arrogantly declared, "They're nothing but a bunch of savages begging for food on horseback."

"The remnants of the Khitan, who were defeated and forced to flee to the Western Regions by our Great Jin, dare to covet the Eastern Lands?"

"A bunch of arrogant fools."

"Tell those bastards that I am going to the northern frontier to do Xiao Simo a favor."

"Anyone who dares to block our way will have their head hanging on the flagpole that very night!"

Wanyan Yongxi snorted coldly, his face full of arrogance and disdain.

While in Western Xia, he could still give the Tanguts some face, but in the northern frontier, he represented the Celestial Empire.

They came to give the people of northern Xinjiang a way to survive.

If they don't know their place, they will surely face the retaliation of the Jin cavalry.

Therefore, Wanyan Yongxi, who was self-assured, had already adopted the demeanor of a great power, full of the superiority of the Celestial Empire.

"Go, open all the yellow parasols of the delegation, and let those bumpkins see what the majesty of the Celestial Empire is like!"

The delegation's carriage continued its swaying journey, and amidst the rising dust, Wanyan Yongxi pulled a fox fur coat over his legs and let out a cold laugh.

"I hope Xiao Simo will obediently listen and offer up the fattest cattle and sheep, and the most beautiful woman."

"The Tanguts may fear them, but our Great Jin will not be swayed by that!"

As the delegation traveled further and further away, the three scouts from the northern frontier followed them at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

As dusk fell and the Gobi Desert turned a blood-brown hue, Wanyan Yongxi lifted the brocade curtain and spat, "These persistent rats..."

"This is really troublesome~"

Along the way, the land was all Gobi Desert, with no houses in sight and very little water.

This cast a shadow over Wanyan Yongxi's heart.

His mission to the northern frontier also included surveying the terrain and road conditions.

Find the optimal route for the army's long expedition and a water source where the army can rest.

However, these conditions have not been met since leaving Black Mountain City.

How far is the nearest water source?

Feeling frustrated, Wanyan Yongxi asked the Naiman guide outside the carriage.

"There's a river once you cross that mountain."

A Naiman man said that when the Naiman tribe was destroyed, some people fled to the Western Xia and are currently serving the Western Xia.

"Over the mountain~"

Wanyan Yongxi silently estimated the distance between the water source they had passed earlier and this water source.

The conclusion was that if a large-scale infantry corps entered the Gobi Desert, it would be impossible to reach the next water source within a day.

Unless they carry enough water bags themselves, but that would increase the army's baggage burden.

"Whoo~"

Wanyan Yongxi sighed heavily. No wonder it was so troublesome for the Central Plains dynasties to attack the grasslands.

Unfamiliarity with the terrain is one issue, but the lack of mobility for infantry on the vast grasslands is another major problem.

Wanyan Yongxi came to a conclusion: to defeat the nomadic peoples of the Northern Frontier, the Kereit tribe, and the Mongols, he had to use a large-scale cavalry army to sweep across the grasslands.

Infantry alone would only be slowly worn down by these barbarians on the grasslands.

But just then, a cry of alarm rang out from outside the carriage: "Enemies!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wanyan Yongxi quickly stuck his head out to look outside.

About a mile away, among a mountain range, the horizon seemed to suddenly split open with a silvery slit.

Countless northern cavalrymen, clad in white armor with red trim, appeared out of the earth like ghosts and slowly ascended to the top of the mountains.

Stretching from the horizon to both sides, they lined up in a row, overlooking the Jin Kingdom delegation from afar.

The red-edged, white-background war flag with the sun and moon on it fluttered in the cold wind.

All the soldiers were dressed in cotton armor, carrying long spears, and their cheeks were tightly covered by ear guards, revealing only half of their solemn and stern faces as they gazed calmly ahead.

That playful and disdainful tone was as if they were hunting a flock of sheep.

"It's the Golden State Army! It's the Golden State Army!"

Upon seeing the army that had suddenly appeared on the ground, the Naiman guide in the delegation cried out in alarm.

He could never forget these white demons; the Naiman tribe was destroyed by these demons.

The heads of Tayang Khan and Buyiruk Khan were also cut off by these demons and hung on the flagpole, unable to return to the embrace of Ahala.

"How to do?"

"We're surrounded."

The guards in the delegation were terrified. They drew their scimitars, gripped their spears, drew their bows and arrows, and huddled together, ready for battle.

On the contrary, Wanyan Yongxi was more composed.

"Why are you panicking?"

"We are here on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty to deliver a decree to the Lord of the Northern Frontier."

He then pointed to the guard commander: "Take the Naiman interpreter and tell them our identities and purpose."

"I need to see Xiao Simo as soon as possible."

"As ordered."

The guard commander then led the Naiman people toward the distant Northern Frontier Army.

Just as they were about to approach the Northern Frontier Army, an arrow flew from afar and landed directly in the ground in front of the horse's hooves, startling the warhorse into rearing up with a neigh.

"Halt, Golden Dog."

A centurion of the Northern Frontier Army, holding a bow that had been fired but was not yet fully extended, shouted loudly.

Because a flag bearing the character 'gold' was prominently displayed on the delegation's convoy, and the armor worn by the guards was also distinctly different in style from that of the Western Xia Kingdom.

Upon hearing this, the guard commander's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red.

These barbarians from the northern frontier actually dared to call me a golden dog?

Wait, these barbarians from the northern frontier are actually speaking Chinese?

"The special envoy of the Emperor of Jin, Duke Wanyan Yongxi, has come on the orders of the Emperor of Jin to meet with His Excellency Xiao Simo, the Grand Prince of the Six Courts and the Garrison Commander of the Eastern Capital of Liao..."

On the other side, Da Hu listened calmly.

The Grand Protectorate has issued an order to conquer the Western Xia, and Da Hu, as the deputy commander of the Sixth Garrison, has been entrusted with this important task.

He led his army of ten thousand households toward Blackwater City, with the aim of gathering intelligence on the city.

Unexpectedly, they encountered a delegation from the Jin Dynasty.

"You want to see Lord Xiao?"

"These golden dogs are late," Big Tiger muttered.

It seems that the Jin people are unaware of what has happened in the northern frontier and still believe that the northern frontier is under Xiao Simo's rule.

However, Da Hu still decided to take the delegation to meet Li Xiao.

"Disarm them, and kill any who resist."

"I'm not sure," Da Hu said in a cold voice, and with a "whoosh," he drew his cavalry saber.

In an instant, the entire cavalry unit, like a moving iron wall, slowly pressed down from the high slope, surrounding the delegation.

Yellow sand swirls and banners obscure the sun.

After a two-week march, Li Xiao's First and Fourth Divisions had crossed the Gold Mountain and headed south to reach Bescher.

It is roughly the location of the Altay Province of later Mongolia.

The army set up camp by a small river.

Inside the golden tent, Li Xiao sat at a table, studying a map that was almost worn out from being flipped through so many times.

It is a topographical map of Blackwater City and its surrounding area.

Because the Hexi Trading Company traded with the Western Xia, the situation in Heishui City, which served as a trading port, was no secret to the northern frontier.

The map includes the terrain, the approximate distribution of garrisoned troops, population centers, and the locations of granaries and farmlands.

Even before the formal attack, Da Hu's scouts would continuously investigate the situation in Blackwater City, capture prisoners, and provide real-time updates on the city's conditions.

Li Xiao has made ample preparations for this war.

"First, eliminate the military camps surrounding Blackwater City, then besiege Blackwater City and completely cut off its access to the Hexi Corridor."

Li Xiao said in a deep voice.

He finalized the battle plan, which he had rehearsed hundreds of times in his mind.

There's really nothing to worry about.

The Northern Frontier Army has an absolute numerical advantage and doesn't need to resort to many elaborate schemes or tricks.

With a mighty army pressing in, Blackwater City would be nothing more than a piece of cake.

Next, they would head south to cut off the Hexi Corridor.

Just as Li Xiao was about to rest, the voice of Shouhou, the deputy commander of the Wuwei Army, rang out from outside the door.

"Reporting to the Grand Protector, Deputy Commander Li Xiang has sent someone to report."

"They captured a Jin dynasty delegation."

(End of this chapter)