1905: Beer Hall Speaker

Page 66

Zhao Yan picked up the steaming hot mare's milk wine on the table, took a big gulp, and then said, "In this battle, which of the Mongol tribes were the first three to charge into battle? Step forward!"

As soon as Zhao Yan finished speaking, the three Mongol tribal leaders—Guide King, Background King, and Bandit King—stepped forward and knelt respectfully on the carpet. Zhao Yan had told them to stand, but these three didn't have the guts.

Although they were among the top three, they were the top three Mongolian tribes. They didn't rush in from the beginning, but waited until the situation became clear before they charged.

A smile appeared on Zhao Yan's face, and he waved his hand, saying, "Rise, and serve wine!"

The three of them stood up, each took a bowl of wine, and drank it all in front of Zhao Yan.

Zhao Yan quickly followed up with, "So who are the last three?"

No one dared to step forward, because Zhao Yan asked the question with a murderous intent, not a smile.

But it's no use if you don't admit it, because others know the truth.

Soon, the eyes of the Mongol tribal leaders turned to the three unfortunate men hiding in the corner.

Following the gaze, the fierce-looking guards of the leader dragged out the three men, who were respectively the "Idiot King," "Brainless King," and "Unhappy King" appointed by Zhao Yan.

Zhao Yan didn't waste any more words: "Retreat and execute him, then send his head to all the tribes!"

"The entire population and livestock of these three tribes shall be given to the Guide King, the Background King, and the Bandit King!"

Before the words were even finished, and before the three unfortunate men could explain anything, the butts of their rifles were swung up and smashed their teeth. Then, the guards dragged them out of the command tent like dead dogs.

Zhao Yan continued, "Gentlemen, I, Zhao Yan, have always rewarded those who have made merits and punished those who have committed wrongdoings. I hope that you will take this as a warning in the future and not let me commit any unnecessary killings!"

"Yes, Führer!"

Zhao Yan nodded, then asked, "How did yesterday's battle go?"

Li An struggled to his feet and said, “Reporting to the leader, in yesterday’s battle, we annihilated almost the entire enemy force, killing 32,000 and capturing more than 47,000. The rest fled.”

Needless to say, the number of enemies killed was significant, and nearly 50,000 prisoners were captured. This number of prisoners made Zhao Yan frown slightly. As for those who escaped and scattered, they could also be counted in the number of enemies killed, but they were not killed by them, but by God.

In the dead of winter, when the grasslands were just beginning to experience winter, they fled without supplies or baggage, some even without horses, running away on foot, which was no different from being dead!

Zhao Yan continued, "What about the spoils?"

Zhao Yan was very concerned about this issue, as it concerned the upcoming military operations.

Ang Lee became animated when he mentioned this: "Reporting to the Führer, in this battle we captured 340,000 head of cattle and sheep, 70,000 warhorses, 6,500 tons of grain and fodder, 10.6 million rounds of ammunition, 6,000 artillery shells, more than 60,000 rifles, and 44 cannons."

Zhao Yan's biggest worry dissipated. What a windfall! They had bought up all the winter supplies for the entire Mongolian-Russian coalition, even after a large amount of supplies had been destroyed or burned.

If Zhao Yan could completely capture everything, he would become rich, but that's impossible. The enemy isn't a target; if they had the chance, they would rather burn or destroy it than let Zhao Yan capture it.

Ang Lee asked, "Your Majesty, what should be done with the prisoners of war from this battle?"

This is a very difficult problem. There are too many prisoners, more than our own. After the great battle, Zhao Yan brought more than 3,300 men, and Li An's Eighth Division had only 7,000 men left. The army numbered just over 10,000, but there were nearly 50,000 prisoners.

If this were inside the Great Wall, it would be easier to handle, but this is deep in the grasslands, and it's winter. Putting aside whether we can suppress so many people, the most realistic problem is that we can't feed them!

Using such valuable resources to feed prisoners of war instead of fighting is the act of someone with a screw loose.

Zhao Yan fell into deep thought, and Li An also frowned, but the Mongol tribal kings were all overjoyed and began to show interest.

What's most precious on the grasslands? Of course, it's livestock and people. If you have enough of these two things, you're the king of the grasslands.

If Zhao Yan could distribute these prisoners to them, they could immediately transform into a large force. These are the elite of Outer Mongolia, and there are also a large number of Cossacks and Tatars among them, who are also nomadic peoples.

Soon, Zhao Yan's unfriendly gaze swept over them, and the Mongol tribal kings immediately lowered their heads and suppressed their inappropriate thoughts.

Zhao Yan knew exactly what they were thinking, but he would never do that. Why would he beat one group to a pulp and then fatten another up? What was he after? Was he after 160?

Zhao Yan quickly made a decision. He silently took out the toy car from his pocket and said, "Heaven cherishes life. Since we are on the grassland, let's follow the rules of the grassland."

Since they've drawn their swords against us, they must pay the price.

"But I, Zhao Yan, am unwilling to do those unspeakable things, so let the Eternal Heaven decide their fate!"

"By order of our army, anyone taller than this cartwheel shall be executed!"

The Mongols couldn't hold back any longer. "Is this how you use the Eternal Heaven? Is this what you call Heaven's benevolence? You're clearly saying that Heaven is dead!"

Without hesitation, Li An immediately carried out Zhao Yan's order.

But Zhao Yan added, "Sigh, I'm a kind-hearted person and can't stand seeing people killed. Let's release them all. Our army treats prisoners well, and killing prisoners is considered unlucky!"

"The Mongols are Buddhists, and I, Zhao Yan, am also kind-hearted, so let's release all the prisoners taller than a cartwheel. Releasing so many people will surely please the Eternal Heaven!"

"But they must be released with a clear conscience, understand?!"

Zhao Yan emphasized the words "pure and innocent," and Li An, not being stupid, immediately understood. "Pure and innocent" meant completely innocent, which was equivalent to letting these people leave naked.

Where is this place? What time is this? If you release them knowing they're innocent, you might as well just execute them.

But Zhao Yan simply didn't want to get blood on his hands and ask God to help him kill someone. What a ridiculous idea!

Li An's face was full of complicated emotions. Everyone looked at Zhao Yan with awe in their eyes. The leader was even more ruthless than Bai Qi.

Zhao Yan said with dissatisfaction, "Why are you all looking at me like that? I have said that I am merciful. Although they were my enemies, I still mercifully forgave and released them. I believe that Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life."

The benevolent Eternal Heaven of the grasslands will surely protect them and ensure their safe return home. Amitabha!

The people on the grasslands are Buddhists, so Zhao Yan followed suit and shouted a Buddhist chant. But the Mongolians looked at him strangely. "We believe in Tibetan Buddhism. It's ridiculous for you to chant a Central Plains Buddhist chant with me."

But no matter how much they argued, no one dared to disrespect them, and they all obediently began chanting Amitabha Buddha, indicating their agreement with the leader's benevolence.

Zhao Yan turned his gaze back to the leaders of the Mongol tribes and delivered a bombshell: "Gentlemen, the old idea of ​​Manchu-Mongol unity is no longer appropriate. The Manchus are nothing but a bunch of pigs and dogs; they are the garbage of this era."

After that, it will be the era of the Han people. You are all Han people, and you should also contribute to the rise of the entire Han nation!

The Mongol tribal leaders were dumbfounded. They all looked up, eyes wide. "You disagreed with the unification of Manchuria and Mongolia, fine, you're the leader, after all! But how come you suddenly changed my household registration? We're Mongols, when did we become Han Chinese?!"

Zhao Yan began to explain, "I'm sure everyone knows Kublai Khan, right?"

The Mongols nodded in agreement. There was no Mongols who did not know the name Kublai Khan, but their feelings towards him were complicated.

Zhao Yan then resorted to his deceptive rhetoric, bringing out his self-invented ethnic equation: "Kublai Khan was a descendant of Liu Bang, did you know that? And Kublai Khan was also your compatriot and ancestor."

Therefore, Kublai Khan = a descendant of Liu Bang; the Mongols = descendants of Kublai Khan; thus, it can be concluded that the Mongols = descendants of Liu Bang.

"So you are also pure-blooded descendants of the Yan and Han people! You are also Han people!"

The Mongols were dumbfounded. Where did Zhao Yan get this unofficial history from? How could he spout such blatant lies?

Zhao Yan narrowed his eyes and said with ill intent, "Or perhaps you disagree with what I'm saying? Hmm!"

A murderous aura suddenly arose inside the tent, and the Mongol—no, Han tribal leaders—quickly nodded in agreement with Zhao Yan's statement.

Zhao Yan raised his hand and gently stroked his beard, saying, "Gentlemen, there's no need to say such insincere things. I, Zhao Yan, am a reasonable person and an honest person!"

"This is not my statement, but Liu Bilie's. If you do not believe me, I can send you to see Liu Bilie, and you can ask him yourselves!"

As soon as Zhao Yan finished speaking, all the Han tribal leaders wholeheartedly agreed with his statement, identifying themselves as Han people from the bottom of their hearts. Not one questioned it, and not one dared to ask Kublai Khan about it.

Zhao Yan nodded in satisfaction and said, "That's more like it. We're all compatriots, we're all one family! In the future, I will also relocate more compatriots from within the Great Wall to travel and sightsee on the grasslands."

If some of our compatriots enjoy herding on the grasslands and decide to settle here, living a life of vast open spaces with you, I'm sure you would welcome them to settle down, wouldn't you?

The leaders of the Han tribes all nodded in agreement.

Zhao Yan continued, "Next, I will continue my expedition to the northern desert. You will also lend a hand, right? After all, we are all Han Chinese, and everyone should contribute!"

"Now everyone go your separate ways. I'll give you ten days to persuade more Han tribal leaders to come to the alliance and launch the campaign. Only one ethnic group and one regime are allowed on the grasslands. Do you understand?"

Zhao Yan spoke, and everyone understood what he meant. Zhao Yan wanted to take advantage of an expedition to thoroughly reorganize the grasslands. His methods and style were even more Mongolian than those of the Mongols.

But no one dared to shake their head in refusal; they could only nod, not shake their heads, otherwise they would never be able to leave the command tent.

"Go down, all of you. We should press on with our remaining strength and pursue the enemy to the bitter end. I await your good news; do not disappoint me!"

Everyone accepted the order and left, leaving only Zhao Yan and his trusted confidant Zhao Hao in the command tent.

With a calm smile, Zhao Yan saw everyone to the door. As he turned to lower the curtain, he stumbled and almost fell, but Zhao Hao quickly caught him.

"Master, what are you doing?"

Zhao Yan said in a deep voice, "Don't make a sound, remove my armor!"

After everyone else had left, Zhao Yan finally dared to show his weakness. He had endured for so long and finished explaining everything before he dared to deal with his own affairs.

Zhao Hao carefully removed Zhao Yan's coat and scale armor. The coat was covered in bloodstains and cuts, and the scale armor was in no better condition, with the plates loose.

The most serious damage was the penetration, which was also the shot fired by Umonov. The bullet pierced through the fish-scale armor, but fortunately, the kinetic energy was insufficient.

After taking off his clothes, Zhao Hao discovered that Zhao Yan's body was covered in bruises, and he had two knife wounds on his arms. The most serious wound was from the revolver bullet.

The bullet pierced through the fish-scale armor, and many of the shattered armor pieces became embedded in the flesh. Fortunately, the bullet was stopped by Zhao Yan's ribs and did not continue to penetrate into his chest cavity; otherwise, Zhao Yan would have been finished long ago.

"Send a reliable military doctor over. I won't see anyone for the next two days. If anyone asks, just say I'm too tired from the long march and am sleeping soundly."

"Remember, do not reveal anything about my injuries. You must remain as normal as ever!"

Zhao Hao couldn't bear it and said, "Master, let's retreat! You're already so badly injured, why do you want to keep fighting? Don't you want to live?"

Zhao Yan said weakly, "That's why we have to fight. We absolutely cannot let the Mongols see even the slightest bit of my weakness, or all will be lost!"

This battle would present a golden opportunity, a chance to establish a foothold in the northern deserts for at least thirty years. Emperor Wu of Han, Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhu Di all missed this opportunity.

But I've got it, do you think I can give it up? I won't be on the front lines anymore; I'll be directing from the rear. It's fine, you just need to observe and learn as much as possible.

Faced with his master's order, Zhao Hao did not continue to persuade him and obediently carried out Zhao Yan's instructions.

Chapter 120 Russia's Withdrawal

After Zhao Yan's injuries were treated by the military doctor, he rested in bed for seven days. He did not see anyone or leave his tent. Zhao Hao took care of his daily meals.

The main force outside had been dispatched to supervise the Han tribe's recruitment efforts, and no one in the camp suspected that Zhao Yan had any health problems. On the contrary, they all thought that Zhao Yan was a god. He had led an expedition of more than 2,000 miles, launched a surprise attack on 100,000 with only 5,000 men, and wiped them out in one battle. After the battle, he slept for seven days and seven nights. Such things could be considered myths.

After the great battle, nearly 50,000 enemy soldiers were stripped naked and released. These men were left to freeze to death on the grasslands, a horrific sight too terrible to bear.

After being thoroughly intimidated, none of the tribes dared to harbor any further thoughts. They clearly saw the consequences of daring to challenge Zhao Yan's authority as "Heavenly Chariot Khan." This Heavenly Chariot Khan was full of benevolence, but his actions were extremely ruthless.

The surviving troops of the Eighth Division also followed the tribes to recruit soldiers. With someone to guide them, the National Defense Army could not hide from the tribes on the grassland where they spent the winter, where they could find people, and where was the best place to spend the winter.

After a series of "conversions," a large number of tribes voluntarily went to serve under Zhao Yan.

By November 11th, Zhao Yan had assembled over 30,000 men from various tribes, which was the limit of able-bodied men that could be conscripted from the Inner Mongolian grasslands. As for Outer Mongolia, well, sorry, they had no able-bodied men left.

The people from Outer Mongolia had all become victims of the National Defense Army's swords and ice sculptures on the snowfield. Along the way, the new tribes were initially very resentful, but after seeing the tens of thousands of human-shaped ice sculptures scattered throughout the camp for miles around, they dared not have any disloyalty.

Even before meeting Zhao Yan in person, his power as the Heavenly Chariot Khan had already deeply impressed people.

On November 12th, Zhao Yan, including his elite troops, managed to muster an army of 44,000. With the help of captured Allied equipment, the army was barely able to be assembled, and its actual combat strength could only be described as so-so.

Fortunately, the allied forces left behind a lot of livestock and supplies, so Zhao Yan didn't need to ask the rear for anything this time. Once everyone was there, they could set off for battle.

That day, Zhao Yan disregarded the pleas of the tribes and forcibly launched the Northern Desert War. It was already November, and Zhao Yan's choice to launch the campaign at this time was clearly a ploy to provoke them.

The Manchu Qing dynasty's policy of reducing the Mongol population required religious support and various other measures, but Zhao Yan was so direct and straightforward, dragging them into a northern expedition in the dead of winter.

In this environment, countless Mongols would freeze to death or be tortured to death, but Zhao Yan didn't care. He wanted to use others to do his dirty work and wipe out the last breath of the northern desert in one go, so that it would be easier for future immigrants.

The army set off from Xilin Gol and entered Outer Mongolia as if it were no man's land—truly no man's land, because the original people had all been wiped out in the Battle of Xilin Gol.

Outer Mongolia was already undefended and defenseless, with only the elderly, women, and children remaining. Even among the elderly, women, and children, there were not many left, at most two or three hundred thousand people. For such a large area as Outer Mongolia, it was no different from a no-man's-land.

Zhao Yan's army arrived in Kulun (Ulaanbaatar) on December 7th. Kulun surrendered almost without a fight. It was not a city at all, but just a small, dilapidated town. Fortunately, Zhao Yan had brought a large number of livestock and fodder with him. Half of them froze to death along the way and were used as military rations. The remaining half had to be used to help the people of Kulun.

The National Defense Army was well-fed and clothed along the way, and suffered few casualties. However, the tribes accompanying the army fared much worse, losing three or four thousand men along the way, and some even deserted, most of whom also perished.

The loss of so many able-bodied men further exacerbated the already precarious population of the Mongols, but Zhao Yan was quite satisfied with the outcome.

After arriving in Kulun, Zhao Yan went to Langjuxu Mountain to offer sacrifices to the heavens. In front of all the tribes, he placed the toy car on the altar to forever guard the northern desert!

At this moment, the people of the grasslands completely submitted to Zhao Yan, and the name of Tianche Khan left a huge influence on this grassland in this winter.

Zhao Yan set up an altar at Langjuxu Mountain to offer sacrifices to Heaven, using a toy car as witness, and declared that from now on there would be no more distinction between Mongols and Han Chinese, and all of them would be Han Chinese. Zhao Yan pointed to Lake Baikal as a vow.

After invading Russia, capturing Irkutsk, and cutting off the Trans-Siberian Railway, we will surely bestow blessings upon the steppes, allowing everyone to bask in the glory of the republic and share in a peaceful and prosperous world!

Zhao Yan promised the people of the grasslands an almost perfect future. He even threatened to demolish the Great Wall, declaring that from now on the grasslands and China would be one, with no distinction between "you" and "me".

On one side is a race on the verge of extinction, with almost all of its young and strong men in Zhao Yan's hands; on the other side is the glorious Republic. Which one to choose is self-evident.

The morale of the entire army was greatly boosted, and the people of the grasslands were completely won over and won over with a combination of persuasion and encouragement.

Zhao Yan continued to lead his army north, crossing the border and invading Russian territory.

The Russians are still half-believing and half-doubting the annihilation of the Allied forces, and are repeatedly trying to confirm it, while Zhao Yan, who values ​​speed in warfare, has already launched his attack.

The entire force of cavalry, along with a large number of livestock, nearly emptied the steppe. This attack, which used the full strength of the steppe, left the Russians stunned.

Irkutsk fell almost overnight; there was absolutely no defense there, and it was helpless against the sudden attack.

On December 14, Irkutsk fell, shocking the entire country. News of the fall of Irkutsk was instantly telegraphed along the railway lines to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg.