Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 771 (2): The March of the Three Armies

On the twenty-second day of the first month, the Empress of Great Han, Xia Chichi, held a grand military inspection on the battlefield. There, she addressed her gathered officers and troops with a firm and determined tone.

“I know that within the court and beyond, there are many voices criticizing me and King Zhao for our relentless pursuit of war, refusing to grant the people respite. They say that even the great Emperor Wu of Han[1] never launched a northern campaign in such dire conditions, when the nation is threatened by famine. They claim that it would be wiser to focus on rebuilding the nation first, that we are rushing into war as recklessly as Emperor Wen of Liu Song did in the Battle of Yuanjia[2]. They argue that the northern barbarians would prefer nothing more than to see us make such a desperate northern advance.

“Indeed, these words come from experienced and prudent minds, and they make perfect sense... However, times have changed. The wisdom of the past can no longer serve as a guide for the present.

“If in the past you lacked a clear sense of urgency, then the Rankings of Troubled Times released just twenty days ago should have been the most clear warning—a warning directly from the Heavenly Dao. We are now in the midst of troubled times where gods and demons run rampant, where battles are no longer confined to mere mortal struggles, where divine descents span tens of thousands of li. War has transcended all past norms. King Zhao’s divine descent alone was enough to slay those on the Ranking of Earth. And if the barbarian god descends south and the one in the Kunlun Mountains turns her gaze eastward, will your heads still be on your shoulders when you wake?

“Do you expect King Zhao to remain in the capital, guarding you all like the late emperor once did? Or will you pray to the gods and Buddhas, hoping for divine protection? That will not happen. And even if it did, what of the land and the people beyond the capital? Who would protect them?

“I tell you here and now: there are no gods or Buddhas who will protect you. From the Night Emperor down, the holy cult has taken mortal form and risen as leaders of the world. They have done so not to seek divine salvation but to take up the duty of leading us to protect ourselves, with our own hands. To defend this land is the duty of you and me, not that of any god or Buddha! And if we are to speak of gods, with the Night Emperor and the Four Idols present, then we are gods!

“At this moment, we may be weak. But the barbarian god is wounded, the divine axe lost, and the Golden Horde and Tngri’s Temple are at odds with each other. Are they not also at their weakest?

“King Zhao, alone, has waged war across the land, pacifying Bashu, bringing chaos to Guanzhong, driving out Papiyas, and beheading the Dao Lord. By his hand alone, he has secured the western front beyond Hangu Pass. Should the burden fall upon him alone? Should the rest not be ours to complete?

“Now is the time! Let us seize the opportunity granted by heaven, summon the might of the entire realm, and march forth! We shall storm the Sacred Mountain, fill the Vast Sea[3], drag the barbarian god down from his temple, and hang the khagan’s severed head at the city gates! From this battle onward, our empire shall know peace for ten thousand years!

“Henceforth, I appoint the holy cult’s Venerable Vermillion Bird as the supreme commander of the three armies, leading their force to strike directly at the capital of the northern barbarians. This battle shall be won! I shall prepare a grand victory banquet in the capital, awaiting your triumphant return!”

“Victory! Victory! Victory!” The deafening roar of over 100,000 soldiers shook the heavens.

Zhao Changhe and Huangfu Qing, both clad in full military attire, stood on either side of Xia Chichi, their expressions complicated as they watched her deliver her rousing speech. They were not sure whether they were more amused or more impressed.

Because if it had been them, they would not have been able to deliver such a speech... yet, damn it, she really did have a way with words. Even their blood was starting to boil, so what more of the soldiers, whose eyes now burned with unshakable battle fervor?

Some positions, it seemed, truly required natural talent.

As the three armies set off, banners rolling like waves, stretching northward as far as the eye could see, Xia Chichi stood before Zhao Changhe, gazing into his eyes for a long, long time before finally speaking in a low voice, “Everyone says victory is certain, and we all hope for it. But everyone also knows that on the battlefield, swords do not have eyes and spears strike indiscriminately. Countless soldiers will fall, their bones left in foreign lands. Even you and Master...”

She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, “Even if we are defeated, as long as you both live, we will still have the strength to hold our ground. No matter how bad the situation gets, we will not be beyond saving. Do not let reckless passion drive you to fight to the death. I forbid you to seek mutual destruction, no matter what.”

By the end, her tone had hardened. “This is my order as the empress!”

Before the assembled officers and soldiers, Zhao Changhe gently pulled her into an embrace, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “Your husband’s life is tough. I won’t die so easily. Just wait. Before long, Timur’s head will be decorating your tent.”

Xia Chichi’s gaze was unwavering as she replied, “I don’t need anyone else’s head in my tent. I only need you.”

Huangfu Qing stood nearby, leaning on her spear with visible exasperation. What about me? I’m your master and your stepmother! Could you at least spare me a word of concern? I’m the supreme commander of the army, for heaven’s sake...

* * *

This was Zhao Changhe’s first time formally marching with a large army on a military campaign.

However, calling this expedition “formal” was somewhat misleading as many veteran commanders found it utterly unorthodox.

This might very well be the only large-scale campaign in history where an army of over 100,000 soldiers set out without requisitioning civilian laborers for logistics. At first glance, it resembled more a light cavalry force that sustained itself on the enemy’s land, living off what it conquered.

While the Han commanders found it unusual, for the enemy, this would likely lead to a fatal misjudgment.

Neither the timing of their military readiness nor their march speed conformed to conventional logic. At this moment, the Golden Horde was in utter chaos. Timur was scrambling to rally his scattered forces, never even considering the possibility that the Han army had already crossed the mountains. And he certainly never imagined that in just a few days, they would reach the heart of Monan, deep into what was once Batu’s domain.

The tribes that had once sworn fealty to Batu, only to later defect to Timur, were caught completely unprepared when they suddenly found themselves face to face with the Han vanguard, a force brimming with murderous intent, their eyes gleaming red like bloodthirsty wolves.

Xue Canghai and his Blood God Cult Army.

The ensuing massacre was brutal, so much so that it could hardly be justified under the principles of humanity. But no doubt, somewhere out in the Gobi, Batu, who had been left to fend for himself, would have been quite pleased.

The most inhumane aspect of it all? Not a single soul survived to escape and report back. Timur had no idea that an entire group of his subjugated tribes had been wiped out... The Grasslands and deserts were vast, and distances stretched beyond measure. In fact, without the use of the subterranean sky, Zhao Changhe could not pinpoint the exact location of the Golden Horde. Likewise, Timur had no means of sensing such distant events.

Yet, Timur’s instincts stirred unease within him, prompting him to send goshawks to scout the situation—only for the goshawks to never return.

These were no ordinary goshawks but special scouts flying high in the skies, many li above. And yet, Zhao Changhe’s divine sense had already reached a point where he would not even allow a bird to pass?

Timur sat in his command tent in silence for a long while before finally speaking. “What is the situation at Yanmen Pass?”

“Huangfu Yongxian has led his forces through Yanmen. This is a two-pronged northern campaign.”

“He dares to march past Yanmen? What gives him such confidence? Does he truly believe Jinbei has been pacified, that there are no threats remaining?” Though puzzled, Timur could not suppress a glimmer of satisfaction at the situation. “Send orders to all forces. Proceed according to our arrangements.”

“Yes.”

“And inform Chang’an that if they still hesitate at a time like this, then they might as well wait until Zhao Changhe turns westward again to seize their daughters for his bedchamber!”

“About that... I don’t think those in Chang’an dare to act just yet.”

“Why?”

“Three days ago, Elder Shi of the Divine Brilliance Sect led his forces out of the mountains, advancing on Hanzhong.”

“Li Shentong...” Timur murmured, falling into deep thought. After a few moments, he slowly said, “Then inform Jiuyou. If chaos is what she desires, is this not the time to act?”

1. Emperor Wu of Han, born Liu Che and courtesy name Tong, was the seventh emperor of the Han dynasty from 141 to 87 BC. ☜

2. This was a failed northern expedition by the Liu Song dynasty on the Northern Wei dynasty. ☜

3. This is another translation for Hanhai, which refers to Lake Baikal. ☜