PFC Chapter 76 The Storm Is Brewing
Chapter 76 The Storm Is Brewing
Chapter 76 The Storm Is Brewing
Soon, the locations for the "Ningxiang" workshops inside and outside Shanzhou City were selected.
The clansmen recommended by Dorje, the headman of the Xiangwa tribe, along with several subordinate officials dispatched by Zhao Mingcheng who were skilled in craftsmanship and literate, were busily tidying up the houses, ordering utensils, and testing and improving the craft.
Zhao Mingcheng took this very seriously and often personally inquired about it.
But he always devoted more of his energy to military affairs and border situations.
The integration of Han and non-Han peoples in the Unity Battalion has begun to show results. The formation, command, and basic tactical coordination are quite well-organized, and the patrol and merchant protection tasks carried out in rotation are being completed more and more steadily.
The regular soldiers under Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu were in high spirits as their food and pay gradually increased and their rewards and punishments were clearly defined.
Overall, the Song army in the Hehuang region has improved significantly since the beginning of the year and is more than capable of handling small-scale raids.
However, in the past half month, Tong Guan's scouts and the tribes that had deeply submitted to him have been reporting some scattered but not insignificant news.
It started with a small tribe from the southern foothills of the Qilian Mountains, some distance from the area controlled by Xisheluosa, whose chieftain reported to Xiazheng.
Unfamiliar Tibetan knights were active near the deeper snow-capped mountain passes, seemingly trying to connect several tribes that had always been xenophobic and had never participated in the alliance.
Then, Tong Guan's informant planted on the Western Xia border reported that Zhuoluo and the Southern Army Command had been frequently moving supplies recently, especially arrows and grain bags, and that elite cavalry squads were frequently entering and leaving the border checkpoints, acting suspiciously.
Almost simultaneously, Zaxi Dorje of the Baicao tribe also sent someone to report that hunters had discovered unfamiliar large-scale horse hoofprints and camping traces in the distant mountains to the northwest, unlike the usual nomadic herders.
Individually, these pieces of information might all be explained: internal coordination within the Tibetan tribes, routine mobilization of the Xia army, and the presence of bandits in the distant mountains.
But when put together, especially in Zhao Mingcheng's eyes, they piece together a chilling picture.
"Unusual Gathering of Snow Mountain Tribes — Strange Movements on the Western Xia Border — Unfamiliar Cycling Journey —"
Inside the study, Zhao Mingcheng laid out several intelligence reports side by side on the table, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the surface, his brows furrowed.
Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu, Tong Guan, and Xia Zheng were all present, and the atmosphere was somber.
"My lord, could it be that scoundrel Xisheluosa, driven to desperation, trying one last desperate gamble to win over some mountain tribes and bolster his own position?" Wang Shan pondered.
Liu Zhongwu kept an eye on the intelligence reports from the Western Xia border: "The Xia army's unusual movements must be guarded against. However, we don't know if it's just a routine troop rotation or if they have other intentions."
Tong Guan affirmed, "Sir, our men saw it clearly. That movement of supplies was anything but ordinary. Especially the heavy arrowheads specifically for iron, more than a dozen cartloads were transported into Zhuoluo City at once. If there were no war, why would they stockpile so many?"
Zhao Mingcheng did not speak immediately.
He walked to the huge map of the Hehuang region and its surrounding area on the wall, his gaze shifting back and forth between the depths of the Qilian Mountains, the Zhuoluo of Western Xia, the Southern Army Commandery, and the city of Shanzhou.
An astonishing yet logical deduction gradually became clear in his mind.
Historically, after the Song army recovered the Hehuang region during the Yuanfu era, the Tibetan forces were not completely eliminated. Remnants such as Xisheluosa, with the support of the Western Xia, repeatedly caused trouble around Qinghai Lake. Finally, when relations between the Song and Western Xia were tense, they joined forces with the Western Xia, causing considerable trouble for the Song army.
However, that alliance seems to have occurred later, after Zhao Xu's death and in the early years of Emperor Huizong's reign.
Now, Zhao Mingcheng has accelerated this process, and the Fan and Xia have joined forces ahead of schedule.
Zhao Mingcheng took a deep breath and turned to face the crowd.
"I'm afraid our worst fears are about to come true. Xisheluosa has allied with the Xia Kingdom, and it's not just ordinary material support, but a substantial military alliance."
Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.
"How can you be so certain, sir?" Liu Zhongwu pressed.
"The sporadic tribal alliances are Xisheluosa recruiting soldiers and making a last-ditch effort. The unusual supply of goods on the Xia Kingdom's border, especially heavy arrows, indicates preparations for a medium-sized war."
Both occurred simultaneously, and the location and timing were so subtle—
Zhao Mingcheng pointed to the map and said, "If Xisheluosa only wanted to harass, there would be no need to go to great lengths to unite the distant mountain tribes, let alone attract such a significant allocation of resources from the Western Xia."
The only explanation is that they share the same goal and are about to join forces to launch a major war aimed at completely reversing the situation in the Hehuang region!
Xisheluosa will provide guides, some troops, and a pretext for invasion; Xia will provide key elite troops and equipment, and may even directly send troops!
Wang Shan gasped, "If Western Xia really sends troops, even just a portion of their elite forces, it will be a formidable force! Tiezi charging head-on will be extremely difficult to withstand!"
Liu Zhongwu's expression was equally grim: "My lord, with our current strength, we may be able to defend the city, but if the enemy amasses several thousand troops and attacks from all sides, or finds an opening to besiege a point and ambush reinforcements, we will be at a considerable disadvantage. In particular, the Tibetan tribes have recently submitted, and if they see the war going against them, they may well harbor rebellious intentions."
Tong Guan also put away his usual smile and said in a low voice.
"My lord, this matter is of utmost importance; we must report it to the imperial court and the newly appointed Commander Hu immediately!"
"Good." Zhao Mingcheng returned to his desk, his expression now calm and decisive. "Immediately send our intelligence and conclusions to the Privy Council and the Ministry of War via express courier, covering 600 li, and also send a copy to the Xihe Circuit Military Commission. The report must state that this is not an ordinary rebellion by the Tibetans, but rather a plot by the remnants of the Tibetan forces in collusion with the Western Xia to invade our Hehuang region. We request the court to make a swift decision, coordinate the defenses of all routes in Shaanxi, and grant the Hehuang region the authority to respond to any contingency."
He looked at Tong Guan.
"Master Tong, increase manpower to closely monitor the direction of Zhuoluo City in Western Xia, as well as key roads throughout the Qilian Mountains. Report immediately any unusual movements of large groups of people!"
"yes!"
"General Wang, General Liu, from this moment on, the entire army shall be on high alert."
The Unity Battalion reduced its outer patrols and focused on strengthening the defenses of Shanzhou City, Miaochuan, major settlements, and markets. They inspected city defenses, inventoried supplies, especially arrows, firearms, and siege stones. They sent messengers to inform the leaders of all the allied tribes to be vigilant, discipline their people, guard against spies, and gather any suspicious information.
"This subordinate obeys!"
"Lord, I will need you to put in more effort to use your old connections to find out exactly which tribes Xi Sheluo Sa has gathered, their approximate troop strength, and whether there is any definite information about the Xia army's movements."
He blindly accepted the order.
"Rest assured, sir, I will take care of it immediately."
The group accepted the order and hurriedly left.
Zhao Mingcheng sat alone in his study, spread out some letter paper, pondered for a moment, and began to write a letter to Hu Zonghui, the newly appointed military commissioner of Xihe Lanhui Road.
He sent this letter in his private capacity.
In the letter, he first briefly reported the unusual intelligence that Hehuang had recently collected, as well as his own assessment that Xisheluosa and Xixia may have formed a substantial alliance and that a major battle was imminent.
He neither exaggerated nor concealed anything, listing out all the known information and the basis for his reasoning.
Then, he changed the subject and wrote...
"————Mingcheng does not dare to speak rashly about the perilous situation to alarm people. However, the new policies in the Hehuang region, from the purchase of grain, the establishment of military farms, the alliance, the unity of the camps, and even the recent trial production of local products to facilitate trade, are all just getting started, the people's hearts are beginning to be won over, and the foundation is not yet deep."
This is like a seedling breaking through the soil, most vulnerable to the destruction of wind and rain. The allied forces of Xisheluosa and Xia Kingdom have come not with the intention of plunder, but to destroy the very foundation of my new government.
If this battle is lost, all previous efforts to stabilize the border will be in vain, and the blood of both Han and non-Han soldiers and civilians will flow like rivers. The court's worries about the west will likely be ten times greater than before. Mingcheng, being in the Hehuang region, is well aware of the risks and benefits here, and therefore has no choice but to tell you the truth, earnestly requesting the strategist to consider this carefully.
In his letter, Zhao Mingcheng explicitly requested reinforcements.
"Shanzhou City currently has troops and can barely hold out. However, if the enemy is powerful and surrounds us from all sides, or cuts off our supply lines and attacks us, we will have to come to our aid. In that case, we will need a mobile elite field force to provide support and find an opportunity to defeat the enemy."
Mingcheng earnestly requests the General to dispatch a highly skilled army from various prefectures along the Xihe Road to swiftly aid Qinghai! This reinforcement does not need to be large, but it must be elite, capable of fighting, and, most importantly, its commander must be knowledgeable in military strategy and decisive, able to work in unison with the armies of the Hehuang region. I humbly request the General to make a swift decision!
After the letter was written and sealed, it was sent out as the most urgent document, along with an official report to the court, and rushed to Xizhou.
Xizhou, the office of the Military Commissioner.
Hu Zong had only recently returned to his post and was busy familiarizing himself with the complex military and political affairs of Xihe Road, as well as cleaning up the mess left by his predecessor, Sun Lu.
He had already heard about Zhao Mingcheng's actions in the Hehuang region and greatly admired them, believing that this was the long-term solution for securing the border and ensuring the safety of the people.
I never expected that I would encounter such a difficult situation so soon after taking office.
He carefully read the intelligence analysis and Zhao Mingcheng's plea, and also reviewed the scattered reports from the Xia Kingdom's borders and various Tibetan tribes over the past few months. He pondered these matters alone in his study for nearly an hour.
Hu Zonghui was a man knowledgeable in military affairs. He had served as the military commander of Qin Feng Road and had dealt with the Xia Kingdom before. He was well aware of its military strength, especially the formidable Iron Prince.
He also understood the importance of the Hehuang region to the Xihe Road and even the entire Shaanxi defense line.
Zhao Mingcheng's judgment coincided with his intuition after considering all the information.
It is highly likely that Xishelusa will join forces with the Xia Kingdom.
If the Hehuang region is lost, Xizhou will face direct military confrontation, and the various Tibetan tribes will inevitably rebel, causing the entire Northwest situation to deteriorate rapidly.
"Zhao Mingcheng is right. This battle concerns the survival of the new policies in Hehuang and the safety of our Xihe Road. We must send troops, and we must send troops that are capable and reliable!" Hu Zonghui had already made up his mind.
Who should we send? How many should we send?
Each army along the Xihe Road has its own defense zone and must guard against possible diversionary attacks from the Western Xia from other directions.
Too many troops cannot be withdrawn, otherwise this route will be left vulnerable.
But it can't be too little, otherwise it's just a drop in the ocean.
He quickly went through his generals in his mind, and finally, one name settled on Zhong Pu.
Zhong Pu came from a military family; his grandfather Zhong Shiheng and father Zhong E were both famous generals in the Northwest, renowned for their prowess in the western frontier.
Zhong Pu himself joined the army at a young age, trained under Zhong E, and participated in the war against Xia. He was brave and resourceful, and due to his family background, he was quite familiar with the situation of Tubo and Qiang tribes. He was not just a reckless warrior.
Now that he is in charge of Hezhou and concurrently the military governor of Xihe Road, he is in his prime and capable of handling things independently.
There was also a group of veteran soldiers under his command.
"That's him!" Hu Zonghui no longer hesitated and immediately issued an order to summon Zhong Pu to Xizhou.
Upon receiving the urgent order, Zhong Pu dared not delay and rode at full speed, arriving in Xizhou in just one day and night.
Hu Zonghui dismissed his attendants and showed him the military situation in the Hehuang region and Zhao Mingcheng's letter, frankly expressing his concerns and decisions.
After carefully reading through it, Zhong Pu frowned, but a glint flashed in his eyes.
"General, I believe Zhao Fuyu's judgment is sound. The Western Xia are colluding with the remnants of the Tibetan forces; their ambitions are considerable. If the Hehuang region is lost, both our Hezhou and Xizhou will be in danger. I am willing to lead troops there to assist Zhao Fuyu in defeating the enemy!"
Hu Zonghui nodded.
"Commander Zhong, I also favor you. I will give you two thousand soldiers, composed of your old troops from Hezhou and elite infantry and cavalry drawn from Xizhou and Gongzhou."
Among them, there must be no fewer than eight hundred cavalrymen, who must be skilled in riding and archery and capable of charging into battle.
The infantry must carry sufficient crossbows. This mission is to secure the Qinghai-Tibet defense line, repel the invading enemy, and if the opportunity arises, coordinate with the Hehuang troops to annihilate the enemy's main force, or at least severely damage it, rendering it incapable of attacking again in the short term.
Remember, your troops are rushing to the rescue. Militarily, you must follow Zhao Fuyu's coordination, work together wholeheartedly, and not hinder each other. Although Zhao Fuyu is young, he has already established prestige in the Hehuang region and is well-versed in the border situation; he should not be underestimated.
Zhong Pu solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This subordinate understands! I will certainly work together with Zhao Fuyu to defeat the enemy!"
"Very well! There's no time to lose. Take my command token and go back immediately to mobilize troops. They must be assembled within three days and march towards Qinghai! I will order the prefectures and counties along the way to provide full support for provisions and equipment!"
"This humble general obeys! I will certainly not fail in my mission!"
Zhong Pu immediately went to carry it out.
Hu Zonghui immediately sent documents to the relevant prefectures and counties to give the green light to the mobilization and supply of Zhongpu tribe, and once again submitted a memorial to the court, stating that Chen Ming had sent troops to aid Huang and based on his own judgment.
Three days later, outside Hezhou City, two thousand elite troops stood in formation, fully armed.
Zhong Pu, fully armored and holding a long spear, stood at the front of the battle.
The cavalry were fierce, the infantry were strong, the banners were bright, and the armor was dazzling.
With Zhong Pu's order, the army set off, a rolling torrent of iron, speeding towards Shanzhou City in the southeast.
Where the smoke and dust rose, an indomitable killing intent was revealed.