dognovel Chapter 422 The Mongols Demand Cannons from the Han State
Chapter 422 The Mongols Demand Cannons from the Han State
In a corner of what was once the Jin Dynasty's deep palace, while the Mongol ministers were lost in their extravagant dreams, in a tranquil garden, the Mongol strategist Wan Hanzhong was bowing almost reverently to the Han Dynasty's cunning and scheming prime minister, Bu Liang. The prime minister, Bu Liang, sat leisurely in a garden pavilion, busily brewing a pot of precious tea, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil of the outside world.
"Since there's no one around, let's skip the formalities." The unpleasant voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable authority. He smiled slightly and gestured for Wan Hanzhong to come closer. "Come, try the West Lake Longjing tea I brought specially, and savor the refined charm of Jiangnan."
Upon hearing this, Wan Hanzhong didn't stand on ceremony. He casually lifted the hem of his long robe and sat down on the stone bench in the pavilion. The servant then handed him a steaming cup of tea. The fragrant aroma wafted between the two of them like wisps of smoke, adding a touch of otherworldly elegance to this meeting deep within the palace.
Wan Hanzhong took a sip of the fragrant tea, the warm liquid slowly melting on his tongue, leaving a lingering aftertaste. He put down the teacup, his gaze deep, and slowly spoke: "The Han Kingdom is currently at its zenith, its prestige formidable. Why not seize the opportunity and completely eradicate the Jin Kingdom this time, instead of showing them leniency and leaving them a chance to survive?"
Seeing this, Bu Liang silently picked up the teapot and skillfully refilled Wan Hanzhong's cup with tea. The clear liquid, once again full, seemed to carry some unspoken words. He said softly, "In truth, the Han Kingdom, this behemoth, is far from being as indestructible as it appears. The Han emperor, single-handedly, painstakingly maintains the operation of the national machinery. Without his mysterious and unpredictable divine power, the Han cavalry would likely not be able to sweep across the land unimpeded. This time, in our campaign against the Jin Kingdom, although we are determined to succeed, we have encountered unprecedented obstacles in our logistical supply lines. And the Jin Kingdom is no ordinary force either; they are secretly plotting and preparing to strike."
Wan Hanzhong nodded slightly and replied, "Understood. I will continue to assist Nazha in completing his great cause of unifying Mongolia."
He gave a light snort, his gaze deep: "Yes, everything will proceed as planned. Currently, most of the vast lands in eastern Mongolia have fallen into that guy's hands. However, according to our spies, western Mongolia is a tough nut to crack. If he wants to unify the entire territory, unless the Han Kingdom lends a hand, it's just wishful thinking."
Wan Hanzhong's brows furrowed with a hint of solemnity as he slowly spoke: "Over the years, I have never ceased sending men to search for a child named Temujin across the vast grasslands. Once we find his trail, we deal with him in secret. However, I have always had a question in my mind: why is our lord so wary of this child, willing to go to any lengths to eliminate him?"
The scoundrel, who had just been laughing and joking, suddenly became serious and said to Brother Hanzhong, "Brother Hanzhong, the lord's decision must have a profound meaning, and we should not presume to guess his intentions. This time, I will send you another 150 elite soldiers, all of whom have undergone my rigorous training and been carefully selected. Taking these elite troops to Mongolia will surely enhance your prestige and pave the way for your future endeavors."
Bathed in the silvery moonlight, the two sipped tea and discussed matters. Time passed quietly, and before they knew it, it was late at night. The stars were like pearls and jade embedded in the deep night sky.
The next day, Li Zhen, feeling refreshed, arrived at Tianjin Port with Naza and many other Mongol ministers by military helicopter. When they saw the numerous huge warships docked in the port, Naza and his Mongol ministers were dumbfounded. How could there be such large warships?
After visiting the Han Kingdom's naval forces with Li Zhen, he secretly resolved that once he unified Mongolia, Mongolia would also establish its own navy.
At that time, Tianjin did not yet have the world-famous Goubuli steamed buns. They ate lunch in the military camp. Unlike the imperial banquet the night before, these Mongolian men seemed to prefer the communal cooking in the military camp.
After finishing a large bowl, a Mongolian minister, somewhat embarrassed, held up his empty bowl and asked, "Could I have another bowl?"
Then, he quietly asked Li Zhen, "Is this what the soldiers in your camp eat every day? Did they only improve their meals after they saw us coming?"
In response to this question, Li Zhen chuckled and replied, "Of course not. Our army has its own food standards. We have a thin meal in the morning, and solid food for lunch and dinner. We also have at least two meals a week consisting entirely of meat and vegetables. If the soldiers can't even get enough to eat, who will fight so hard on the battlefield?"
Upon hearing this, the Mongol minister standing nearby immediately became agitated: "What? Your Han soldiers eat three meals a day?"
Perhaps it was because he was speaking too loudly that everyone in the mess hall turned to look at him. The Han soldier serving food nearby couldn't help but wonder: What's so strange about this? Isn't this the same every day?
That evening, the group received another warm welcome from Li Zhen. After tonight, they would return to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The first batch of supplies prepared for them by the Han Kingdom was ready and would accompany them to the Mongolian grasslands the next day.
The banquet was in full swing, halfway through, when suddenly he stood up, clutching a crystal-clear wine glass tightly in his hand. Looking sincerely at Li Zhen, he slowly spoke: "His Majesty the Emperor of Han's hospitality is truly profound and deeply appreciated, leaving us with endless gratitude. At this heartwarming moment, I dare to humbly offer a small wish, and wonder if His Majesty would be so merciful as to grant it?"
Upon hearing this, Li Zhen smiled warmly and waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities: "Your Majesty is too kind. Please speak freely. I will do my best to help you with anything I can do."
Seeing this, Naza abandoned all formalities and spoke frankly: "The iron bird we ride today is truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Its speed far surpasses that of the steeds of the grasslands, which is truly breathtaking. I dare to ask the Emperor of Han for such a treasure. Of course, we are not greedy people and are willing to exchange it for something of equal value, so as not to cause Your Majesty any trouble."
Li Zhen: "Hahaha... This iron bird is no ordinary thing. It is a gift from the immortals of my Huaxia. I think my Han Kingdom only has less than ten of them. Khan, besides this iron bird, you can get another one."
Seeing that Li Zhen refused to give it, he wasn't angry at all. He continued, "I think the cannons equipped by your Han soldiers are quite good. They are not only capable of attacking cities and capturing strongholds, but they are also like divine weapons for defending city walls. How about this?"
As soon as Naza opened his mouth, Li Zhen understood that the iron bird was just a decoy; what the other side really coveted was the cannon.
Li Zhen feigned hesitation, his brows furrowing slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke: "Well, since the Khan has spoken, how can I, Li Zhen, refuse? I'll grant you this favor."
After saying that, he turned his head slightly and looked at Yue Peng: "Yue Peng, you should start preparing immediately, select ten excellent cannons, and equip them with two basic loads of shells. Tomorrow morning, you will go north to the grasslands with the Khan's army."