Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Wanyan Zonghan had already withdrawn as planned, and before leaving, he extensively plundered the people and caused destruction.

With little left to exploit from the common people, the Jin soldiers naturally set their sights on the wealthy.

If they don't give enough food, they'll wipe out the whole family; even if they do give enough, they'll still kill a few people on the side.

Every time the Jin soldiers withdrew from a city, they would set fire to the houses inside and outside the city.

Datong, Shuozhou, Wuzhou, Weizhou, Hongzhou... all the prefectures and counties were filled with displaced people, and hundreds of thousands of people were left homeless.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the anti-Jin resistance forces recruited young men and women, who then ventured out of the mountains to cause trouble.

Moreover, the group was a mixed bag; some were genuine heroes who resisted the Jin, while others had long since become bandits.

When Zhang Guangdao led his troops to occupy northern Shanxi, the area was already in chaos.

He first recruited displaced people as laborers to accompany his army, and then sent the original laborers back to their hometowns.

Then he was busy incorporating the rebel army and wiping out the bandits who plundered under the banner of resisting the Jin – he only dealt with the big ones, and couldn't manage the small gangs at all.

Subsequently, the recruited militia were transferred back to their hometowns according to their original place of origin.

For each righteous army that returned to their hometown, one or two hundred Ming soldiers were sent to lead them.

They were responsible for guarding various cities, assisting the arriving civil officials in governing the localities, and also for suppressing bandits within the territory.

For a whole month, Zhang Guangdao stayed in northern Shanxi, busy cleaning up the mess, and had no time to pursue the Jurchens.

"Governor, the various tribes of Tanggu have sent messengers requesting reinforcements. The Western Xia army has already reached Yunnei Prefecture!"

The title of Governor-General is Zhang Guangdao's new official position, which is a wartime assignment. Li Bao is also a Governor-General now.

As for Yunnei Prefecture, which later became the Tumed Left and Right Banners, and a small area in the northern part of Yinshan Mountain.

Taking advantage of the chaos, the Western Xia army shouted slogans to help the Ming Dynasty fight against the Jin Dynasty and attempted to annex the grasslands of Tumed Left and Right Banners—and even thought of taking over Hohhot!

"Chen Ziyi, Yao Pingzhong, Wu Jie, and Guo Yaoshi, follow me to the grasslands!"

Arrangements have been made in most parts of northern Shanxi.

The newly appointed civil officials have arrived to take up their posts and help displaced people rebuild their homes.

Each county also had one or two hundred Ming soldiers and several hundred militia to maintain order and suppress bandits.

Zhang Guangdao only needs to leave one or two troops to guard strategic locations, and he will no longer have to worry. He can lead his troops to the grasslands.

Zhang Guangdao led his main force to Xuanning (northeast bank of Daihai Lake in Liangcheng County), where there were cities and farmlands developed by the Liao Kingdom, which could be used to guard against Wanyan Zonghan's sudden return.

Chapter 3446 Yunnei Prefecture

Then, Chen Ziyi was sent as the vanguard, and Yao Pingzhong led his troops to follow.

Han Shizhong had already traveled up the Yellow River and headed straight for Roufu (Guzhen Town, Tuoketuo County), the capital of Yunnei Prefecture. He arrived there before Chen Ziyi.

The nomadic tribes that refused to submit to the Western Xia flocked to Han Shizhong and Chen Ziyi.

Several days later, Han Shizhong met Li Liangfu of Western Xia.

Li Liangfu dared not attack the Ming army without authorization, so he rode over on horseback and said, "I have been ordered by the King and the Prince of Jin to lead troops to assist the Ming in attacking the Jin."

"The tribes here are all lackeys of the Jurchens, and we have already helped the Ming Dynasty conquer two of them."

Han Shizhong said, "Since we are here to help the Ming Dynasty fight against the Jin Dynasty, and now that the Ming soldiers have arrived, the various tribes of Western Xia can retreat immediately."

"Furthermore, the various tribes of Tanggu were forced to surrender to the Jin, but in fact they had already secretly submitted to the Ming Dynasty long ago."

"His Majesty has already appointed the leaders of the various tribes; you are attacking princes and dukes of the Ming Dynasty."

How could you bear to spit out the fatty meat you've already eaten?

Li Liangfu was also unable to make the decision: "General, please wait a moment, I need to go back and consult with the Prince of Jin."

Li Liangfu led his troops north, but Han Shizhong was unwilling to wait.

He left the infantry and laborers behind, taking only a few hundred cavalrymen with him, and personally went to Yunnei Prefecture.

Richard was in the city when he heard that the Ming general had arrived, so he had no choice but to lead his personal guards out of the city to greet him.

Upon meeting, Han Shizhong questioned, "This city was originally Liaodong territory, and the various tribes have already submitted to the Ming Dynasty. Yunnei Prefecture will be taken over by the Ming Dynasty."

"Since you aided the Ming Dynasty in its campaign against the Jin Dynasty, and the Jin soldiers have long since fled, why are you still occupying the city?"

When Richard saw that Han Shizhong had only brought a few hundred cavalrymen, he immediately felt an urge to turn on him and kill him.

Killing Han Shizhong was easy, but the Ming Dynasty's revenge was hard to withstand.

The Western Xia's intentions were quite clear. They had taken advantage of the Jin Dynasty's weakness to expand their territory to Baotou, and had even obtained the tacit approval of the Ming Dynasty.

So he thought of using the same trick again and taking the opportunity to swallow up Yunnei Prefecture as well.

Unexpectedly, the Ming army arrived so quickly this time—while Zhang Guangdao was still governing northern Shanxi, Han Shizhong had already sent troops.

Richard had deployed nearly 10,000 troops, consumed countless provisions, and had already fought two battles. He was truly unwilling to slink back in disgrace.

Han Shizhong added, "Ignorance is no excuse."

“The various tribes of Tanggu have already secretly submitted to the Ming, so it’s fine if you don’t know it.”

"Western Xia has made some contributions in assisting the Ming Dynasty in its campaign against the Jin Dynasty. I will report to the court as soon as possible and ask His Majesty to reward Western Xia."

"You... quickly hand over the city!"

Richard forced a smile: "General, you've traveled a long way, please come into the city for a banquet."

Han Shizhong's attitude became increasingly firm: "Yunnei Prefecture is part of the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and Roufu City is also a city of the Ming Dynasty."

"Even if there is to be a banquet, the Western Xia soldiers should withdraw first, and then our Ming soldiers will enter the city to host a banquet for you!"

Richard remained silent.

"Qiang!"

Han Shizhong drew his sword and said, "Although I only brought a few hundred cavalrymen, I will fight for every inch of land."

"If you are not satisfied, then let's have a fight right here!"

Hundreds of Ming cavalrymen raised their weapons.

They were just waiting for Han Shizhong's order to charge towards Richard.

Richard was furious, but he dared not turn against the Ming Dynasty. He ordered, "The entire army must withdraw from Roufu City!"

Including the entire northern Shanxi region, extending northward to the Gobi Desert, it all previously belonged to the Western Capital Circuit of the Liao Dynasty.

In Xijing Road, you can find almost all the ethnic groups in northern China at that time!

Han, Xi, Khitan, Dangxiang, Bohai, Shatuo, Tubo, Shiwei, Tuyuhun...

Moreover, many ethnic groups settled in northern Shanxi.

For example, one branch of the Bohai people lived in Shuozhou, Lingqiu, and Yuxian, all located south of Datong.

After more than a century of integration, the smaller minority groups have been assimilated by the Han Chinese, while the Han Chinese have also been influenced by the minority groups.

It is possible that people of all ethnic groups will turn to farming for a living, and the Han people may even go to the grasslands to herd livestock.

The clothing, hairstyles, and customs of the Han Chinese gradually began to resemble those of the Khitan people.

In terms of customs, the Han Chinese have accepted intergenerational marriage, the continuation of marriage between sisters after the death of a sister, and there are even Han Chinese who practice the custom of bride kidnapping.

Zhangbei County was then called Rouyuan County. Although the tribes scattered across the nearby grasslands were all considered to be Khitan, subtle differences could still be found.

Take the descendants of Han Chinese on the grasslands, for example. They also ride horses and herd livestock, speak Khitan, wear Khitan clothing, and have Khitan hairstyles. Even their customs have completely changed.

However, they still retain the Han Chinese inner garment, which is completely undetectable unless they take off their outer garment.

"Greetings, General of the Great Ming!"

Outside Rouyuan County, a group of "Khitans" arrived and knelt to welcome Guan Sheng, Liu Qi, and their troops.

Guan Sheng asked, "Can you all speak Chinese?"

A leader tore open his robe, revealing a Han-style undergarment underneath: "General, my ancestors were Han Chinese."

Liu Qi was educated and was deeply moved by what he read.

There's not much to say. Perhaps the first two generations were still consciously preserving the characteristics of Han Chinese clothing.

However, by the fourth or fifth generation, it had simply become a clothing habit.

Chapter 3447 A Generous Reward

Since they don't usually show themselves, they're not afraid of being treated differently by other tribes.

Another leader said, "We are not Han Chinese, but we often go to Xuande (Zhangjiakou) to sell horses."

"We can speak both Khitan and Chinese."

Guan Sheng asked, "When did the Jin soldiers abandon Rouyuan City?"

The Han Chinese descendant leader said, "We've been gone for over half a month."

"When the Jin soldiers left, they forcibly requisitioned our livestock and warhorses, and then burned Rouyuan City to the ground."

"Which way do we go?" Guan Sheng asked again.

Another leader eagerly answered, "Going east."

Guan Sheng instructed, "You can go back to graze your livestock, and also tell the nearby tribes to help keep an eye on all parts of the grassland."

"Report to Rouyuan City immediately if any Jin soldiers are discovered."

"Those who perform meritorious service will be richly rewarded!"

The tribal chiefs immediately agreed, but then refused to leave.

Liu Qi asked, "Is there anything else?"

One of the leaders said, "The Jurchens have taken many livestock. Could the general please provide some grain?"

“We won’t take it for nothing. We’ll use Malaysian horses to pay off the debt every year. After a few years, we can pay off the food debt.”

They were all poor bastards who had suffered greatly at the hands of the Jin dynasty.

It's estimated that Wanyan Zonghan knew the enmity ran deep, so he was too lazy to forcibly conscript herdsmen into cavalry.

After a moment's thought, Guan Sheng generously said, "We can exchange horses for grain, and pay it off in ten years."

"But in addition to keeping a close watch on the grasslands, you must also be ready to receive orders at any time."

"If the Jin army returns, all warriors should immediately gather in Rouyuan."

"We must especially protect the grain route at Yefuling. If the grain route there is cut off, the people of all tribes will go hungry."

"We will obey orders!"

The leaders were overjoyed and knelt down before Guan Sheng once more.

The damned Jurchens are finally gone, and the Ming Dynasty has even agreed to lend us grain, so this winter might be much easier.

After the leaders of the various tribes dispersed, Guan Sheng and Liu Qi led their troops into the city, where the houses had already been burned to the ground.

Instead of advancing eastward immediately, they waited for the garrisons in various cities of Youzhou to relocate to the checkpoints and cities along the way.

In particular, a full five thousand garrison troops were transferred to Yefuling, and even several hundred thunderbolts were left behind.

The Ming generals already knew about Wanyan Zonghan's plan.

However, not knowing where Wanyan Zonghan would attack, everyone was extra cautious, fearing that their supply lines would be cut off.

After waiting for about ten days, there was no fighting on Zhang Guangdao's side. So he sent Yao Pingzhong, Guo Yaoshi, and Wu Jie to Rouyuan City to meet up with Guan Sheng and Liu Qi.

The generals combined their forces of 40,000, led local refugees as laborers, and headed towards Huanzhou (the Mongol Plain Blue Banner).

The ethnic composition of Huanzhou is much purer, with most of the people being Khitans who migrated south in the early Liao Dynasty.

Historically, this place gradually developed into a warhorse base for the Jin Dynasty.

Genghis Khan led his army south, and the Jin Dynasty directly abandoned the area. In addition, with the addition of two or three prefectures near Huanzhou, the Mongols gained hundreds of thousands of warhorses – Genghis Khan made a fortune.

Now there aren't that many warhorses, nor that many people.

Because too many cavalrymen were transferred from Huanzhou at the end of the Liao Dynasty, the area had been ruined by Emperor Tianzuo.

In addition to the exploitation and oppression by the Jin state, Huanzhou has become sparsely populated, and the various Khitan tribes are severely lacking in young and strong men.