Moma Liangshan

Chapter 344 The Core of Power, Situation Analysis

Wanyan Zonggan and Wanyan Zongwang jointly submitted a memorial, truthfully reporting the battle situation outside the city and voluntarily pleading guilty and accepting punishment. Wanyan Aguda, holding the memorial, paced back and forth in the imperial court. After a long while, he finally instructed his subordinates, saying, "Make four copies of this battle report and send them to the tents of Wuqimai, Sagai, Xibushi, and Xieye!" The subordinates received the report and left in agreement. A moment later, Wanyan Aguda ordered again, "Tomorrow at court, summon Wanyan Zonggan and Wanyan Zongwang for questioning and grant their request for a truce!" With each victory in the war against Liao, the power struggle within the Jurchen tribes intensified, and the focus of all this struggle was none other than the "crown prince position"!

The Jurchens rose to power in the region between the Changbai Mountains and the Heilongjiang River. Although they declared themselves emperors and established a state, their administrative system continued the Bojilie system from the tribal alliance period. This meant that supreme power in the Jin Dynasty was jointly held by five Bojilie. Among the five Bojilie, the "Du Bojilie" was the head, held by Emperor Wanyan Aguda; the second was the Anban Bojilie, also the crown prince, held by the emperor's younger brother, Wanyan Wugumai; the third was the Guolun Bojilie, held by Wanyan Sagai, equivalent to the prime minister of the Song Dynasty; the fourth was the Amai Bojilie, in charge of civil administration, held by Wanyan Xibusi; and the fifth was the Hao Bojilie, in charge of military and political affairs, held by Wanyan Gao. The decisions unanimously adopted by the five Bojilie constituted the Jurchen's national policy.

The next day, inside the imperial tent, the emperor and his ministers sat in order of rank. As everyone was reading reports, Wanyan Aguda spoke first, asking, "You two led an army of 60,000, fiercely battling an equally matched Liao army, yet not only did you fail to achieve any merit, but you also suffered heavy losses, losing thousands of men. If it weren't for the formidable enemy at hand, I would have severely punished you!" Wanyan Zonggan and Wanyan Zongwang quickly rose to apologize, saying, "Your subjects will certainly do their utmost to atone for their sins!" They exchanged a glance, and Wanyan Zonggan continued, "The reason Zongwang and I were defeated was not because the Liao army was too strong, but because the enemy generals were treacherous, repeatedly employing schemes and tricks that were impossible to guard against!" Wanyan Aguda sneered, saying, "So, it's because you two were too foolish that you were defeated?"

Wanyan Zonggan knew his father well and showed little fear, saying, "The Liao army outside the city numbers 60,000, commanded by Princess Yelü Yuliyan of Shu, with Yelü Dashi of Youdu, Xiao Yu of Yunzhong, and Xiao Shanbie of Shangjing as generals. While these four are not incompetent, they are not enough to cause my son and Zongwang repeated defeats." Wanyan Aguda asked in confusion, "Since the enemy has neither elite troops nor fierce generals, what caused your defeat?" Wanyan Zonggan replied, "Because of a Song county magistrate!" Everyone laughed upon hearing this, except for Wanyan Wuqimai, whose face was solemn. He asked, "Is it the Song county magistrate who serves the Princess of Shu?" Wanyan Zonggan replied, "Indeed!"

Wanyan Wuqimai was the second most powerful figure in the Jin Dynasty. Upon seeing this, Wanyan Aguda asked, "Fourth brother, have you heard of this person?" Wanyan Wuqimai replied, "Wanyan Loushi's campaign against Liaodong failed to completely annihilate the remnants of the Liao Dynasty, likely because of this Song Dynasty magistrate!" Wanyan Aguda said, "Really? Fourth brother, are you perhaps unsure whether the regret in Liaodong was indeed due to this Song Dynasty magistrate?" Wanyan Wuqimai answered, "Before this Song Dynasty magistrate arrived in Liaodong, Wanyan Loushi was invincible, slaying countless enemies. However, after this Song Dynasty magistrate appeared, Wanyan Loushi's repeated military campaigns were like striking wool—completely ineffective, resulting in futile efforts! As for later, with the Battle of Shangjing imminent, the Khitan remnants in Liaodong abandoned Liaoyang and retreated to a corner of Jinzhou. Further information about this Song Dynasty magistrate is unknown!"

After Wanyan Wuqimai finished speaking, everyone looked at Wanyan Zonggan. Seeing this, Wanyan Zonggan said, "We learned from the prisoners that this Song magistrate's surname is Wang, given name Hao, and he is not yet twenty years old. His relationship with the Shu princess is extraordinary. Most of the weapons and armor used by the Liao army are made by him." When Wanyan Zonggan uttered the words "weapons and armor," everyone present became more alert. Wanyan Aguda confirmed, "Is what you just said true?" Wanyan Zonggan said, "Our army has been attacking Shangjing for so many days, it's quite easy to capture some enemy weapons and armor. Father, you only need to order someone to bring the enemy weapons and armor, and you'll know for sure!" Wanyan Gao agreed, saying, "Zonggan is right!" Then, seeing Wanyan Aguda nod in agreement, he continued, "Guards!" Two guards on duty immediately entered upon hearing the summons. Wanyan Gao said, "Bring some of the weapons and armor we've captured recently!" The guards immediately replied, "Yes, sir!"

A moment later, various swords, spears, and arrows were brought into the main tent. Wanyan Zonggan picked out the finest sword from among the many weapons, touching the inscription on the back of the blade, and said, "Father, please look, this sword is engraved with the four characters 'Jiaozhou Ironworks'!" The eunuch took the sword and presented it to Wanyan Aguda. Then, Wanyan Zonggan selected several more weapons, all of which were inscribed with the words "Jiaozhou Ironworks"! The crowd, holding these fine weapons from Jiaozhou, looked worried. After a long while, Wanyan Aguda said, "Such a sturdy and sharp sword is truly rare!" Wanyan Gao, in charge of military and political affairs, had far more concerns than this. He shouted, "Guards! Bring out all the weapons in the armory marked 'Jiaozhou Ironworks' and present them to the Emperor!" The guards obeyed and left. Wanyan Aguda asked, "Fifth Brother, what is the meaning of this?" Wanyan Gao replied, "This sword is comparable to even Your Majesty's sword. I must determine whether this sword is used by a high-ranking Liao general or an ordinary soldier!" Wanyan Gao's intention was self-evident. If it belonged to a high-ranking general, it was not a cause for concern; however, if it belonged to an ordinary soldier, then caution was necessary!

Wanyan Sagai, not only a member of the State Council Bojilie but also Wanyan Aguda's cousin, said, "I'm quite curious why this Song magistrate would travel so far to aid the Liao Kingdom. After all, the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun are still in Liao's hands!" Imperial Uncle Wanyan Xibusi also said, "Moreover, how can a mere Song magistrate, a position so insignificant, wield such immense power?" Facing these five high-ranking individuals, Wanyan Zonggan dared not conceal anything, saying, "According to the prisoners, Emperor Tianzuo, in order to gain the Song magistrate's support, not only bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Bohai and appointed him as the Governor of Dongjing, but also intended to marry a princess of Shu to him!"

At this moment, a guard outside the tent reported, "The weapons engraved with 'Jiaozhou Ironworks' have all been selected and are right outside the door!" Wanyan Aguda ordered, "Bring them in!"