Chapter 1301 - 320: Downfall (3)

Chapter 1301: Chapter 320: Downfall (3)

But a hundred years ago, what was it all about, my lord, could it be that you don’t know?

Back then, if not for those generals suddenly rebelling, how could our Qian’s five hundred thousand elites have been directly crushed by the Earl of North Border with just thirty thousand cavalry?

Jia Tianhua frowned and reprimanded:

"Do not speak of this again."

Opposite, Han Laowu and Yue Huan, who were sitting, didn’t show the kind of surprise one would expect upon hearing such secrets.

Indeed,

For them, one had a father-in-law who was also a regional lord, and a mentor who had once presided over the southwestern battles after being the Tattoo-faced Master. They could know things that ordinary people couldn’t.

A hundred years ago, Emperor Taizong of Qian led five hundred thousand elite founding forces on a Northern Expedition.

Because he inherited the throne as the emperor’s younger brother, and the crown prince from Emperor Taizu’s time was still around.

Thus, when the army entered the territory of Yan, several commanders directly launched a military advisory, asking Emperor Taizong to return the throne to the crown prince and hand back the fate of the nation.

Actually, when Emperor Taizong first ascended the throne, he was eager for the Northern Expedition, hoping to exchange the victory for his own prestige to suppress the military leaders since his brother rose to power through the army. He could gather the court but not necessarily the military mind.

Doing things too hastily often leads to problems. The military advisory was something Emperor Taizong never expected.

The army was already facing the predicament created by the Yan people’s scorched earth tactics. Adding to that was the military advisory, causing those loyal to the crown prince and those loyal to Emperor Taizong to confront each other on Yan’s territory.

So later generations’ rumors about how the initial Earl of North Border was such a magical commander, using alchemists and sorcerers to make his soldiers glow in battle, are all just side notes.

The real reason is when the initial Earl of North Border led thirty thousand iron cavalry in a charge, the Qian army, besides having some outer guards, was internally on the verge of infighting.

And even if there were fifty thousand pigs, they were, after all, the founding pigs brought out by Emperor Taizu.

Even if the initial Earl of North Border let loose, it would be hard to capture them all in a short time. In fact, his assault disrupted the internal standoff balance, causing both sides to think the other had made a move.

Then,

With the Earl of North Border fighting outside, the various Qian State armies internally hacked at each other, resulting in a massive defeat!

Whenever a nation is newly established, its martial virtues are often the most abundant, and its military strength is also the strongest. Yet the Qian people through this extreme chaos directly broke their martial backbone.

At the same time, they made an outstanding contribution to the Yan State.

In the nearly hundred years since, it was precisely the establishment of the Earl of North Border’s house that allowed the Yan State to subdue the Desert Barbarians, gradually suppress the threat from the West, and begin its eastern expansion.

And the great merit of the initial Earl of North Border was something the Qian people willingly delivered.

After that battle a hundred years ago, there was at least one benefit: most of the military faultfinders died in Yan State, and Emperor Taizong, blessed by heaven, though struck by arrows, returned to the country sitting in an ox cart.

The Northern Expedition was indeed a failure, but the forces left by his brother in the army also disappeared.

The following year, the crown prince set by Emperor Taizu, who was also Emperor Taizong’s nephew, died.

The third year, one of Taizu’s concubine-born sons, the one granted a royal title, also died;

The fourth year, Taizu’s youngest son drowned while on a boat, catching a cold and died.

After that, during Emperor Taizong’s reign, Taizu’s branch seemed to suffer yearly losses, and when Emperor Gaozong took the throne, this tradition of ill-fated news continued in Taizu’s branch.

Only when Emperor Renzong ascended did Taizu’s branch escape such misfortune, but not because Renzong was particularly benevolent, rather Taizu’s line had withered to the point of infertility, and after several generations of succession, Taizong’s position was stable, and to continue would appear too ugly.

Noticing the atmosphere had stagnated,

Han Laowu spoke;

"Lord Jia, I believe that at this time Qian State should engage in a Northern Expedition. To sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight may very well end with the Yan people defeating us one by one."

Jia Tianhua’s gaze fell on Yue Huan,

Yue Huan also rose and said:

"My lord, I also believe we should commence a Northern Expedition."

Jia Tianhua reached out, tapping his temple, and said: "His Majesty wants a Northern Expedition, and you all want a Northern Expedition. Could it be, that those like me, who hesitate, and those on the court who don’t advocate for a Northern Expedition, are all traitors who wish to see Qian ill?"

"I dare not!"

"I dare not!"

The three generals all bowed, apologizing.

Jia Tianhua stood up and said: "The Yan people have attacked Chu, and according to intelligence from the Silver Armored Guard, they have already laid everything on the line. But gentlemen, you must know, the Yan also have another strong army in Beifeng Prefecture.

Last time the Yan used their forces, the Barbarians didn’t act. This time, who can guarantee that the Barbarians will move?

If that Earl of North Border leads the Yan army from Beifeng Prefecture southwards, how shall our army resist?

From the three borders heading north to the capital of Yan State, it’s all open plains."

"Battle is not impossible. Our army can advance step by step, steadily and surely pushing forward," Zhong Tianlang replied, "In the end, the outcomes on the battlefield are always forged with blade and spear.

My lord, I don’t mean to target you. I have always admired you greatly;

But our Qian court has indeed too many people who engage in empty talks.