Yeli and Wangrong were very confident before the battle, but when they fought with the Mongolian cavalry, they realized how terrifying it was to be dominated by cavalry. Muhuali and Tolui's troops were like two sharp knives that stabbed into the abdomen of the Xia Kingdom.
Four hundred thousand cavalrymen were enough to cover the sky and the earth.
The Mongolian cavalry, who knew that they were not good at attacking cities, went around Xingqing Prefecture, the capital of the Xixia Kingdom, and went south. They galloped through the Xixia territory, stirring up waves of fear.
Slaughtering villages, slaughtering towns, slaughtering cities …
In order to spread fear, the Mongolian cavalry resorted to all means.
Even though the Qiang people were tough, they were terrified when faced with such a crazy massacre. Villages were burned to the ground, cities were looted, black smoke filled the air, and corpses were everywhere.
Poor Xixia people. After the natural disaster, they were attacked again.
However, natural disasters were easy to hide from, but human bodies were hard to endure. Those people who had endured the locust plague with great difficulty, collected their emotions with unparalleled tenacity, and finally managed to borrow food rations for the winter with great difficulty, were slaughtered.
This was the sorrow of the world.
In this chaotic world, the people were like dogs, waiting to be slaughtered. The Xixia people wanted to live in peace, but they were pushed to the front of the war and could not stay out of it.
In this chaotic world, if they did not advance, they would die.
The Mongolians' thoughts were simple. "Xixia is worried about food, right? Then we will kill the people who eat food. "
The four hundred thousand Mongolian cavalrymen did not gather in one place. Instead, they spread out like a net, like a drop of water falling into the pool of the Xixia Kingdom, using it to spread fear.
The Xixia Emperor, Li Yuanhao, was livid. He gave the Yeli and Wangrong brothers an order to stop the Mongolian cavalry and find a good opportunity to fight the enemy's main force.
The Yeli and Wangrong brothers were generals on the battlefield. Since they had boasted in front of the emperor, they did not dare to give up. Seeing their country fall and their families in danger, the Xixia soldiers were filled with righteous indignation.
In this way, the army with righteous indignation would win.
On the 28th of November, after careful planning, the Xixia army finally blocked the Muhuali troops in the southwest, and a great battle began in the vast wilderness.
This battle showed the glory of the Xixia army.
Even though Muhuali was a fierce general and the Mongolian cavalry was only second to the Great Xia cavalry, when they faced the Western Xia army that fought to the death, they were still forced to retreat.
But, just as the Xixia army was about to launch the final encirclement and annihilation of the Muhuali Tribe, an urgent report suddenly came from the Xingqing Mansion in the capital city, saying that Tolui Tribe was already approaching the capital city. So, the army was ordered to return as soon as possible.
Just like that, all his efforts were in vain.
The Mongolian Iron Cavalry was indeed an expert in using the Great Detour Strategy. They targeted the weakness of the Xixia Army, who were eager to fight a decisive battle. They used the Muhuali Tribe as bait to attract the Xixia Army's main force.
The hidden Tolui Tribe quietly assembled and, like a divine army descending from the heavens, launched a surprise attack on Xing Qing Prefecture.
For a moment, the capital city was in a state of emergency.
The Xixia army was suddenly caught in a dilemma. If they withdrew their troops at this time and returned to reinforce the capital, they would not only waste a great opportunity to encircle and annihilate the enemy, but they might also be caught up by the Muhuali tribe.
However, if they didn't send reinforcements, the capital would be in danger.
Even if the Mongolian cavaliers were not skilled in sieging cities, Xing Qing Prefecture only had less than fifty thousand defending soldiers. As time dragged on, the Mongolian army would definitely slaughter their way into the city.
As such, the kingdom was in danger.
…
In the palace of Xing Qing Prefecture.
Li Yuanhao was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan when he saw Tolui's army charging towards the capital and the main force of the Xixia army being delayed in the southwest battlefield.
"They want to destroy my Xixia." Li Yuanhao gritted his teeth.
Li Yuanhao only had two options. One was to surrender to the Mongolian Empire, and the other was to ask for reinforcements from the Xia Kingdom.
Li Yuanhao immediately rejected the first option.
If it wasn't for the messengers, surrendering might have worked. However, Genghis Khan felt humiliated by the Xixia Kingdom and wanted to vent his anger. How could he accept the surrender of the Xixia Kingdom?
The Mongolian Iron Cavalry would not stop until Xing Qing Prefecture was destroyed.
This was the Mongolian Empire's usual method of dealing with resistance forces.
Only by doing so could they maintain the Mongolian Empire's terrifying image, destroy the enemy's will to resist, and reduce the number of sieges that gave the Mongolian Iron Cavalry a headache.
Even Genghis Khan himself had to follow this iron law.
Therefore, even if Li Yuanhao wanted to surrender, he couldn't. Moreover, with the Mongolian Empire's temperament, even if he accepted the surrender of the Xixia Kingdom, there would be endless conflicts.
Both of them belonged to different civilizations.
The only feasible option was to ask for reinforcements from the Xia Kingdom.
Li Yuanhao was also a person who knew when to yield and when to stand tall. He did not hesitate at all. He immediately contacted the envoys of the Xia Kingdom and asked them to send troops to save the Xixia Kingdom.
For this, the Xixia Kingdom was willing to recognize the Xia Kingdom as their suzerain.
Li Yuanhao certainly knew that there was no free lunch in the world. If he wanted to persuade the Xia Kingdom to send troops, he had to show his sincerity. Recognizing the Xia Kingdom as his suzerain was Li Yuanhao's diplomatic card.
In this way, not only could he solve this crisis, but he would not have to worry about the Mongolian Empire's invasion again in the future.
Li Yuanhao's plan was sound, but it was a pity that Ouyang Shuo did not fall for it.
… …
November 29th, Shanhai City.
In the imperial study, Honglu Minister Zhang Yi personally came to report the Xixia Kingdom's request for reinforcements.
"How do you think we should reply?" Ouyang Shuo asked.
Zhang Yi was startled and said, "This matter involves military affairs. It's not up to me to speak. It's up to the king to decide." Although Zhang Yi was a minister of Honglu Minister Zhang Yi, he did not lose his sense of propriety.
He knew when to express his position and when to remain silent.
"Then, just drag it on. Don't reply."
"Yes!"
Zhang Yi looked thoughtful.
Ouyang Shuo asked, "Is there any movement on the Tubo side?"
The Mongolian Empire's invasion of the border this time was not only a threat to the Xixia Kingdom, but also the Tubo Dynasty. However, for some unknown reason, the Ogedei Khaganate only threatened them and did not send troops.
Zhang Yi replied, "Reporting to the king, the Tubo Dynasty has not contacted the Honglu Minister Temple."
Ouyang Shuo nodded and said with a faint smile, "They can endure it. They won't give up until they reach the Yellow River."
There was a hidden meaning in his words.
Since the natural disaster in October, the Qin Kingdom, the Tang Kingdom, and the Song Kingdom had been living a difficult life. According to the report of the Mountain Sea Guards, the three kingdoms had been besieged by refugees. Among them, the Tang Kingdom had the most refugees.
Ouyang Shuo had sent people to spread the news that the Xia Kingdom's food supplies were piled up like a mountain. They were willing to lend a helping hand to their allies. They had clearly expressed their intention to recruit other kingdoms.
However, until now, no kingdom had responded. Ouyang Shuo's disappointment could be imagined.
Seeing this, Zhang Yi thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I think this is normal."
"What do you mean?" Ouyang Shuo was puzzled.
"Throughout the history of Huaxia, natural disasters have never stopped. On the contrary, days of abundant food and plenty are rare. The people have long been used to it. Their tolerance for hunger is beyond imagination. Therefore, even if refugees are everywhere in the four kingdoms, it will not shake the foundation of the imperial court. How can they bow to our dynasty? "
"…"
Zhang Yi's words stunned Ouyang Shuo. This time, he had taken it for granted.
"Yes, such natural disasters can't defeat a few kingdoms."
After all, as a modern person, Ouyang Shuo could not understand the tolerance of hunger of the people in the ancient society where food and clothing were the highest pursuit.
"Thank you for reminding me." Ouyang Shuo felt relieved.
"I dare not!"
Zhang Yi felt warm in his heart. He knew that the king was not in a good mood, so he took his leave.
After Zhang Yi left, Ouyang Shuo immediately issued an edict. "Tell the Southwest Theater of Operations to be ready to intervene in the battlefield of Xixia at any time, but they must not be detected by the secret agents of Xixia."
If it was last year, Ouyang Shuo might have agreed to Li Yuanhao's request. However, the situation was different now. No one could change the trend of Great Xia to unify Huaxia. At this time, it was useless to ask for a vassal state of Xixia.
Ouyang Shuo's appetite was the same as Genghis Khan's.
Xixia was a prey that had come to his door. However, he needed a little patience to subdue this prey.
…
That afternoon, in Chengdu.
Since the Shu Han Dynasty submitted, the Southwest Theater of Operations Command had been transferred to Chengdu to lead the entire southwest war. The edict that Ouyang Shuo issued in the morning had been sent to the Yamen of the High Command.
After reading the edict, Li Jing immediately understood.
As the Southwest Theater of Operations Command, Li Jing paid close attention to both the Tufan Dynasty in the west and the Xixia Country in the north. How could the battle of Xixia escape Li Jing's eyes?
After thinking for a while, Li Jing immediately contacted Li Mu, the commander of the Soaring Eagle Army, through the communication compass. "Tell the Soaring Eagle Army to immediately enter war mode and be ready to attack Xixia."
"Commander-in-chief, are we finally going to fight?"
Li Mu could not hide his surprise and excitement. Obviously, he had been waiting for this battle.
It was convenient for smart people to talk to each other.
What made Li Mu excited was not only that he was going to intervene in the battle of Xixia, but also that Li Jing had handed the mission of attacking Xixia to the Soaring Eagle Army instead of the Flying Bear Army that Li Jing personally led.
If he could take down Xixia, it would be a great contribution.
Li Mu admired Li Jing's breadth of mind.
"We still have to wait for the king's order." After a pause, Li Jing continued, "It's almost time for the promotion ceremony. General, to the Southwest Theater of Operations, there's no greater gift than taking down Xixia. You should understand the importance of this battle. Not only do you have to win, but you have to win beautifully. "
"Please rest assured, Commander-in-chief. The Soaring Eagle Army will not tarnish the reputation of the theater of operations."
Li Mu had made a military order.
Seeing this, Li Jing nodded in satisfaction. "You need to explain the supplies and make a list. The theater of operations will coordinate."
"Thank you, Commander-in-chief!"
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