PDLP Chapter 414 Jin Emperor Wanyan Qin Seeks Aid from Wanyan Ping
Chapter 414 Jin Emperor Wanyan Qin Seeks Aid from Wanyan Ping
On Honshu Island in the Kingdom of Fusang, the majestic Fukushima Castle is facing an unprecedented crisis. Countless Jin soldiers are surging in like a tidal wave, commanding their loyal but powerless allies to launch wave after wave of fierce attacks on the castle walls.
The catapults roared, sending boulders slicing through the air as they crashed down on the city walls with overwhelming force; archers unleashed a flurry of arrows, a dense barrage of arrows like dark clouds obscuring the sun; and the heavy battering rams made the walls tremble with every impact, as if they were about to utterly destroy this ancient castle.
At this moment, the Japanese soldiers on the walls of Fukushima Castle faced a life-or-death test. Although they were brave and fearless, determined to defend this land to the death, they were also in grave danger under the enemy's fierce offensive.
Every inch of the city wall was soaked in the blood of the soldiers, and the air was thick with the stench of blood and the atmosphere of despair. Yet, even on the brink of life and death, the Japanese soldiers did not give up hope. They gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes shining with unwavering determination, vowing to live and die with this city.
"Baka! Quickly bring the weapons up here."
The Japanese quartermaster, sweating profusely, said anxiously, "General, the city's warehouses are empty of weapons."
Fu Yuan Shou angrily cursed, "Baka! How can this city be defended without weapons!"
Just as his words were still lingering, a deafening roar suddenly came from the direction of the city gate, like the roar of a giant beast. Then, the heavy wooden city gate collapsed under the merciless impact of the battering ram, revealing a bloody path leading into the city amidst the flying dust.
A commander of a Japanese-affiliated army, witnessing this scene, instantly beamed with ecstatic joy. He abruptly raised his gleaming katana and roared in a hoarse, battle-ready voice, "Kill the chickens!"
As the order was given, a tidal wave of Japanese soldiers surged into the city, their footsteps mingling with the clanging of weapons, creating a prelude to death. Immediately afterward, the Jin cavalry followed, charging into the streets with overwhelming force, their thunderous hooves and billowing dust obscuring the sky.
In an instant, shouts of battle rose from all sides of the city, and the clash of swords and the glint of blades filled the air. A fierce battle was mercilessly waged on this ancient land, and every inch of space was filled with the cruelty and tragedy of a life-or-death struggle.
After half a day of fierce fighting, all the Fusang warriors who dared to resist in the city had fallen. The remaining soldiers, witnessing this scene, lost all morale, threw down their weapons, knelt down, and chose the path of surrender. The iron hooves of the Jin army were unstoppable, cutting down enemy generals all the way. By this time, the Fusang auxiliary army loyal to Wanyan Ping had become a formidable force, swelling to 150,000 men. They had become the main force fighting against the regular army of the Fusang royal family, playing an increasingly important role in this game of power.
Wanyan Ping sat leisurely astride his warhorse, his pace unhurried as he traversed the streets and alleys, surrounded by a bustling yet orderly scene of activity. Soldiers of the vassal army were visiting the homes of the Fusang people one by one, their movements rough yet imbued with an almost ritualistic obsession, meticulously searching every inch of space. Any item that glimmered with wealth in their eyes was ruthlessly plundered, flowing into rivers of riches that flowed into Wanyan Ping's hands.
At first, Wanyan Ping couldn't help but feel a bit contemptuous, thinking that this tiny place called Fusang could not possibly hide any remarkable wealth. However, as the war progressed, he was surprised to find that the treasures and gold and silver accumulated on this land had quietly piled up into small mountains, the value of which was comparable to the Jin Dynasty's national treasury revenue for several years, which was truly astonishing.
In those Japanese kingdoms, the aristocratic class shone like brilliant stars, holding the lifeline of the nation's wealth in their hands, radiating brilliance. Although the common people lived simple, even impoverished, lives were extremely wealthy, as if the wellspring of wealth would never run dry.
Just as Wanyan Ping stepped across the threshold of the magnificent mansion in Fukushima Castle, a series of hurried footsteps broke the tranquility within. A dashing Jin soldier in golden armor rushed in, his face solemn, clutching a secret letter from the distant Jin Kingdom. He respectfully reported, "Your Highness, a messenger from the Jin Kingdom has arrived, carrying a letter personally written by the Emperor, which urgently awaits your review."
Originally, Wanyan Ping had no intention of opening the letter. After struggling internally for a moment, he finally couldn't resist his curiosity and personally opened the seal. The letter unfolded, and the words on it appeared before his eyes:
May Your Majesty be blessed with ten thousand years of good fortune and peace.
My brother's ascension to the throne of the Jin Dynasty was not his own wish, but a forced move due to the circumstances. Now, Li Zhen of the Han Kingdom has led his army north, his iron hooves ravaging our Jin territory, slaughtering civilians, and seizing cities. His momentum is overwhelming, and he claims he will destroy our Jin Dynasty in an instant. Furthermore, my sixth brother, Xu, fought a bitter battle on the border but was unfortunately defeated by the combined Han and Mongol forces, making the situation even more turbulent.
My Jin Kingdom is currently in dire straits, and I am deeply worried. Therefore, I am writing this letter to earnestly request that Your Majesty, in consideration of our fraternal bond and shared blood with the Wanyan clan, extend a helping hand to help us overcome this difficult time. The survival of the Jin Kingdom hangs by a thread. I hope Your Majesty will have mercy and grant us reinforcements to jointly resist foreign aggression, protect our Jin Kingdom's lands, and ensure the peace and tranquility of our people.
Your younger brother respectfully begs Your Majesty to make a swift decision and save our Jin Kingdom from this dire situation.
After reading the letter in his hand, Wanyan Ping crumpled it into a ball and threw it directly into the brazier beside him.
After a long while, Wanyan Ping stood up, put his hands behind his back, and looked out the window at the scenery, muttering to himself, "Jin Kingdom? From now on, this is the Jin Kingdom, my Jin Kingdom, Wanyan Ping's. Royal brother, do you really think I don't know you're not Father's flesh and blood? Humph!"
Then Wanyan Ping turned around and asked, "Where has our navy advanced to?"
A Jin Dynasty civil official respectfully reported, "Your Highness, our navy, with the assistance of the Han Dynasty navy, is currently engaged in fierce fighting with the Fusang navy in Hokkaido. According to the news sent back yesterday, our army has achieved considerable success."
Wanyan Ping: "Good! Before winter arrives, we must hurry and end this war of annihilation against Fusang."
The Jinshan Mountains, that natural barrier stretching between the Jin Dynasty and Mongolia, are actually what we now call the Greater Khingan Mountains. With their majestic presence, they silently tell the story of time. These endless mountain ranges are not only the border between the two countries, but also an inexhaustible treasure trove of nature. The mountains harbor countless rare treasures, especially precious medicinal herbs, which, like spirits of the forest, grow quietly on this mysterious land.
In this vast forest lives a group of hardworking mountain people. For generations, they have lived along the mountainsides, gathering herbs that nourish life and heal ailments based on their familiarity with and reverence for the region. Every morning at the first light of dawn, the mountain people, carrying bamboo baskets on their shoulders and wading through dew, venture into the misty depths of the mountains. Their figures appear and disappear among the lush greenery, as if they were part of the forest, living in harmony with nature.
Hidden beneath the majestic silhouette of Jinshan Mountain lies a tranquil little village, seemingly isolated from the world. However, this peace is abruptly shattered on an extraordinary day when a group of uninvited guests arrive silently, like phantoms of the night, infiltrating this peaceful land without a sound.
At that time, the Jin army was deeply mired in a shortage of troops. Their gaze swept across the vast battlefield and finally settled on this remote and simple mountain village. On this land surrounded by mountains, the villagers had been farming for generations, living peacefully and without conflict. They never expected that the shadow of war would arrive so unexpectedly, plunging their peaceful lives into a storm that was not theirs to experience.
Several Jin soldiers gathered the able-bodied men of the village together. The captain, standing tall and proud, announced in a booming voice: "By order of His Majesty the Jin Kingdom, we have come here today to recruit warriors. You must return home immediately, prepare your weapons and gear, and return to the camp with us to jointly contribute to the great cause of the Jin Kingdom."
Before he could finish speaking, a middle-aged man in the crowd frowned, his dissatisfaction evident in his expression: "What the hell? What are you guys up to? Our ancestors have lived peacefully in these deep mountains and forests for generations, year after year, never owing taxes. Why are you suddenly sending us to the battlefield to die?"