Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 339 - 32: Preparing for Battle
Fulin Country, that is the Great Qin during the Han dynasty, sent envoys to the Song Dynasty over a hundred years ago, which is the Western Roman Empire.
After some explanations, it finally became clear to the people on the city wall.
But the County Magistrate evidently did not dare to open the city gate.
This so-called Great Qin envoy mission was heavily armed, exuding a powerful aura. People felt uncertain even across the city wall; who knows if opening the gate would be welcoming thieves?
The County Captain couldn’t help but mutter, "They all say these foreign soldiers are unfit for battle, but why do these foreigners look so valiant?"
The Song Dynasty did maintain foreign soldiers at its borders, mostly consisting of Qiang and Tibetan people.
Liu Bowu quietly explained, "These Fulin people are not Qiang, not Tibetan soldiers, nor people from small countries in the Western Regions, but a major country west of the Western Regions, no less than the Green-robed Arabs."
The Green-robed Arabs are the Fatimid Dynasty.
The County Captain appeared enlightened but actually did not understand a word Liu Bowu said.
The County Magistrate, emboldening himself, cupped his hands and said, "General Ha, could you tell us where these Jin heads come from?"
"Not far from here. Our army saw these barbarians attempting to slaughter civilians and naturally couldn’t stand by, killing them thoroughly. You can take these heads to report and exchange for merit," Losa said readily.
The County Magistrate’s face changed instantly, "So, the Jin scouts are close to Qingshui County? How do we handle this!"
"That’s right, these scouts are here, and it’s likely that the central army led by the Jin Kingdom’s Fourth Prince, Jin Wushu, is not far away either. Why don’t you quickly write passage documents for our envoy mission so we can head south to meet your Great Song’s officials and deliver this letter from our emperor!"
Losa sneered internally, but his face was even more enthusiastic.
These Jin scouts, almost a full army, had been slaughtered in the jurisdiction of Qingshui County. With the Jin people’s ways, it’s certain they’d retaliate fiercely.
Such talk bound Qingshui County to them.
Even if this County Magistrate had the courage to slaughter this "Fulin envoy mission," it’s impossible that those Jin people would "forgive" Qingshui County.
...
On the city wall, everyone was at their wits’ end.
"What should we do now? The Jin army is almost upon us, the Fulin envoy mission destroyed the Jin scouts, but now they want to leave. How can we placate Jin Wushu’s anger?"
The County Magistrate was so anxious he felt like he was on fire.
Liu Bowu asserted firmly, "We can’t let this envoy mission leave. Right now, to resist the Jin people, we must rely on these foreigners!"
The County Captain immediately objected, "These foreigners claim to be an ’envoy mission,’ do you really believe they are one? What envoy mission consists entirely of soldiers without a single civil official?"
"What if they’re just saying this to trick us into opening the city gates; then, we’d both be guilty before the tens of thousands of people in Qingshui County!"
Liu Bowu hesitated slightly.
The County Magistrate said solemnly, "Regardless of whether this envoy mission is real or fake, even if it’s real, what excuse do we have to keep them here to help us fight against Jin Wushu’s army?"
Everyone looked at one another.
The County Captain suggested, "Foreigners are poor and greedy; why don’t we gather some silver coins to hire them?"
Liu Bowu shook his head, "That won’t work. While most foreigners are indeed poor, Fulin is an exception. Moreover, you see the Fulin soldiers, each wearing armor and splendid attire, clearly not a poor army. To hire them with wealth is beyond what our small Qingshui County can afford."
Everyone looked at each other, feeling a sense of despair.
Just then, Losa’s urging voice came from below the city wall, "Hurry up, County Magistrate, how dare you delay the envoys like this? If you drag on any longer, we’ll just head south straight away."
"No, we can’t let them leave!"
Liu Bowu spoke out.
"First, these Jin heads are definitely real; judging by their hairstyles, they’re not freshly cut, and they also have Jin flags, armor, and other evidence. Do the County Magistrates agree?"
Everyone nodded.
"Secondly, this envoy mission has a feud with the Jin people and is the only army we can rely on to possibly fight the Jin people. Do the County Magistrates agree?"
The County Magistrate looked towards the County Captain this time.
The County Captain reluctantly said, "Indeed, that’s the case."
"Lastly, in this Hebei region, with a hundred thousand Jin people causing havoc, is it likely that this foreign envoy mission, which provoked the Jin people, also wants to trick our Great Song city walls open to come in and plunder and kill?"
After thinking for a moment, everyone felt that it wasn’t likely.
The reason why so many thought the county was safe was precisely that they felt this county had little to offer; the Jin people might be in a hurry to chase the officials and thus bypass this small county?"
Liu Bowu asked again, "Finally, what I want to ask, County Captain, if this so-called diplomatic mission were to send troops to attack our Qingshui County, can you withstand them?"
The County Captain pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "This diplomatic mission has a well-disciplined army and can defeat the Jins. They are definitely an elite force. Our Qingshui County has only a few dozen archers and eight hundred militia; we absolutely cannot match them."
Liu Bowu said, "Then open the city gates and invite them in. Explain the benefits clearly; perhaps we can deceive this Fulin Country diplomatic mission into helping Qingshui County through this crisis."
Right now, all we can do is gamble.
The County Magistrate was still hesitant.
After all, losing the gamble would lead to huge disaster. Who knows whether the news from this so-called diplomatic mission, claiming that the Jin army will arrive soon, is true or false? Even if there’s a high chance it’s true, isn’t there still a small possibility it’s false!
In the midst of talking.
Jeanne had already stepped on the exterior bricks of the rammed earth city wall, took a few leaps, and climbed the wall in her heavy equipment.
This display stunned everyone.
Jeanne snorted lightly, "You Song people have such a vast suspicion. To break through your little town, do we need to trick your city gates open?
I’ll speak plainly, we have provoked the Jins, and they are all cavalry, extremely fast. Even if we headed south immediately, we could not escape their hooves. Thus, my master truly intends to use your small county to resist the Jins."
Just as these words ended.
Liu Bowu was the first to speak, "County Platform Sir, quickly open the city gates and invite these anti-Jin warriors into the city!"
The County Captain looked at Jeanne, eyes filled with astonishment.
This foreign female general, where did she get such outstanding Qinggong? It might not even be that famed gust of wind or cloud in the martial world, wearing such heavy armor, yet able to leap over this two-story high wall.
The city gates were finally opened.
The attitude of the County Captain and Liu Bowu was quite respectful, and they were unconditionally agreeing to Losa’s requests to create chariots and barricades, among other implements.
They arranged several large mansions left by fleeing households for Losa and his troops, and there was more than enough wine and meat.
Losa and his soldiers, of course, committed no offenses, and none of the matters the County Magistrate feared happened.
Seeing Losa off, the County Magistrate looked at the County Captain, whose face still had a hint of sycophantic smile, and said, "County Captain, we as officials of the Great Song must maintain some dignity."
The County Captain rubbed his stiff jaw; he was against opening the city gates.
But once agreed, shouldn’t one’s attitude be modest? Now, the lives of everyone in Qingshui County are in the hands of these knife-wielding warriors!
"Dignity? The two Saints have gone on a northern hunt, hundreds of thousands of troops have been defeated into chaos, countless concubines and princesses have been abused by the barbarians, the Empress and princesses of our state have been taken by the Jin dogs, what dignity are you talking about?"
After saying this, the two looked at each other.
The County Magistrate was speechless for a moment, and couldn’t even argue with the treasonous statement revealed in the County Captain’s words. The power of the Song Dynasty imperial family has mostly dissipated anyway.
The County Captain sighed softly, "In any case, serve this group of foreign ’mission’ well. Hopefully, let the tigers and wolves fight, so that our Qingshui County can gain a way to survive."
Meanwhile, Losa was discussing with Jeanne on how to deal with the Jins with specific military strategies; the initial difference was whether to rely on the city walls to defend or to go out and meet the enemy?
Each has its merits and disadvantages.
Relying on the city walls to defend, the Jin iron pagoda infantry is also very powerful, and the Jins have captured numerous Liao and Song craftsmen; their siege weapon construction skills are not weak at all.
These mere two-story city walls can hardly provide much cover, truly uncertain.
Moreover, the urban defending battle is the most brutal like a meat grinder, outnumbering us, turning warfare into war of attrition is absolutely not beneficial to Losa’s side.
"Defending the city, we can enlist the help of the Song people."
Whether Song troops are competent or not remains to be discussed.
Divine Arm Crossbow, Foot Soldier Armor,
In any case, having pig brains, no matter how strong limbs may not perform well.
But the militia in Qingshui County is absolutely incompetent to the extreme.
Counting on them to go to the battlefield is unrealistic, but surprisingly, there are quite a few good carpenters among them, when organized can
"Didn’t expect these Song people actually willing to help us."
"It shows the County Magistrates still have some backbone, without thinking of selling out the civilians to surrender to the Jins."
"Otherwise, it would be me who would break down Qingshui County, and force them to resist the Jins."
Even the Empress, that is the imperial princess, seized by the Jins, would suffer a torn gorge and die, and ordinary civilians would likely fare worse.
