1219 TWO Chapter 1219-All watching the show (1/2)
Chapter 1219 – All Watching the Show
Obviously, Genghis Khan would not be as rash as Muqali. He solemnly said, ”There's still a period of time till winter, and we do have time to send an ambassador.”
This meant he had agreed with Tolei's suggestion.
Following which, Genghis Khan said, ”Even then, we still need to prepare the troops in advance. For this attack on West Xia, Muqali will lead the main force and Tolei will assist him.”
After destroying the Turkish Khanate, the Mongol Empire had a total of 1.8 million troops split up into nine. Each group had 200 thousand troops and were arranged around the Mongol grassland.
Of the nine armies, one was Genghis Khan's personal army. Currently, they were housed in the imperial city. Jebe, Zhe Leimie, Subutai, and Qubilai all worked in Genghis Khan's personal army.
Apart from his personal army, the remaining eight worked under the four heroes and the four sons.
Bo'er Shu, Ogetai and Chilao Wen's troops were in the house of Ogetai. Jochi Khan's forces were defending the north border, Chagatai and Bo'er Hu defended the east while Tolei and Muqali defended the south.
The four princes each defended one direction.
As such, Genghis Khan was discussing this attack down south with Tolei and Muqali.
Of the 1.8 million troops, apart from the personal army, half of the rest had returned home to raise animals and were awaiting war deployment.
”Yes!”
Getting the order, Muqali was delighted.
West Xia was a place where battles were fought, and they had 500 thousand troops, so they were a strong opponent. As a result, Genghis Khan arranged for two armies to attack at once.
In comparison, although the neighboring Tibet was bigger, it only had 400 thousand troops.
Even then, Muqali was still filled with confidence.
No matter how strong the West Xia troops were, they were definitely weaker than the Mongol cavalry.
...
11th month, 18th day, the Mongol Empire ambassador arrived in West Xia.
The ambassador took a really tough stance and gave West Xia a month to hand over 60 million units of grain. If not, they would have to meet at war. They wanted West Xia to consider the matter properly.
60 million units of grain could last a million people for two months.
If one saved food and ate meat, this amount could basically let the Mongol Empire tide past the winter. Even if it were not quite enough, only a minority would suffer, and it would not be bad to the point where starvation was all over the land.
The Mongol people wanted to ask for more, but West Xia had limited land. Taking out 60 million was already asking a lot of them. Anymore and it would push them toward their death.
No one could have a good winter this time around.
Cooperating with the words of the ambassador, Muqali led his 200 thousand Mongol iron cavalry down south to line up on the West Xia border, looking really aggressive.
At the same time, Ogedai Khan set out an ambassador to Tibet to make the same request – either they provided grain, or the Mongol Empire would declare war.
The moment the news spread out, Qin, Xia, and Zhou all strengthened their border patrol.
The flames of war were about to rise once more in China.
...
Xingqing Manor, West Xia Palace.
Li Yuanhao's face was scarily dark. The Mongol Empire asking for 60 million units of grain was almost akin to asking for their lives. If they really gave it, the West Xia people would have to starve.
That was not the worst part.
The Mongols had a huge appetite. If West Xia gave them the amount as asked, they might demand more next time. This would result in a vicious cycle, where the strong turned stronger and the weak turned weaker.
Without the support of grain, how would West Xia stand up in the wilderness?
”Your majesty, we definitely cannot give this grain!” The one that spoke was Yeli Wangrong. He and his brother, Yeli Yuqi, ruled the left and right armies and were the pillars of West Xia.
”That's right.” Yeli Yuqi said, ”Once we give it, we would become their slave. What kind of authority is left? Why don't we fight them?”
Li Yuanhao's face turned dark, ”The Mongol cavalry has never faced an opponent in history. Can you win?”
Yeli Yuqi was not happy to admit defeat, ”In history, we went against Song in the south and Liaojin in the north. We had fought so many battles against the Mongols. When have we ever been afraid of anyone?”
The West Xia army was ferocious, and they did possess the ability to be proud.
Yeli Wangrong added, ”Winter is about to arrive, so we do not need to win. We just need to drag it out and defend. Once winter arrives, they will have no choice but to retreat.”
Those words tempted Li Yuanhao.