Kill!
Tongzhou City.
Tongzhou City was engulfed in flames of war.
The Mongol main force did not retreat, only their tribal and transport units were withdrawn. The main army stormed directly into Tongzhou City, while another part of the army attacked Beigukou.
It was too far to go back to Zijin Pass.
The Jurchen army was at Beigukou, why not capture Tongzhou City first, then take the supplies and split them with the Jurchens, and return to the grassland from Gubeikou?
During their siege of Beijing, they continuously dispatched transport units to transport various supplies looted from within the Great Zhou to the grassland.
“Great Khan, it's such a pity.” The head of the guard accompanying the Mongol Khan.
In front of them was a blazing granary. Tongzhou City held a large amount of grain, which they hadn't managed to burn before the city was captured.
If these provisions could be transported back to the grassland or to Liaodong, they could have a prosperous and bountiful year.
Unfortunately, they couldn't transport so much back.
Armies from various regions of Great Zhou were also on their way. Two days ago, they had fought a battle with the Beiwobing from Shandong.
These troops, used to defend against the Japanese pirates at sea, were formidable. The two sides fought fiercely for half a day, but they could only confine the other side to their camp.
Just now, they received news from the Jurchens that the eighth son of the former Emperor of Great Zhou, leading 100,000 troops from the Jiangnan region, was advancing along the Grand Canal.
Due to the fall of Tongzhou City, the army was stationed about 30 li from the city.
The Jiangnan Camp could be considered another Imperial Camp of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
It was established by the first Rongguo Duke of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Later, the second Emperor of Great Zhou moved the capital from Jinling City to Beijing, and the Jiangnan Camp lost its status as the Imperial Camp.
However, this army’s role was to suppress the entire Jiangnan region, and its strength was not to be underestimated.
This army also had about 8,000 cavalrymen.
They feared most the combination of Great Zhou infantry and cavalry. Great Zhou cavalry could protect the infantry's left and right flanks.
The infantry, on the other hand, possessed the Shenji Camp and could gradually devour the enemy by simply maintaining a stable and steady approach.
Normally, they would not dare to fight a pitched battle against the Great Zhou army.
“Pity for what.” The Mongol Khan took a sip of mare’s milk wine, looking at the smoke-shrouded Tongzhou City. “Such a fine city, such fine waterways, such fine slaves.
Grain and other supplies are just trivial goods, consumed and gone. These cities, these people, are the real treasures.
We must occupy these cities, let our descendants, like our ancestors, turn these lands into our pastures.”
The Mongol Khan had even bigger ambitions and wanted more.
The defeat at Great Zhou’s Xuanfu had shattered their invincibility.
Upon returning, they would certainly have more tribes supporting them.
The Jurchens from Liaodong had been encroaching on cities throughout Liaodong over the years, and this winter, they would surely give the Great Zhou Dynasty a surprise.
If the Jurchens didn't seize the opportunity to conquer cities in Liaodong while the Great Zhou Dynasty was reeling from its defeat.
Once the Great Zhou Dynasty recovers and regains its strength, what awaits the Jurchens would be another Chenghua Massacre.
The Great Zhou Dynasty, established on the bones of the Ming Dynasty, understood the threat posed by the Jurchens very well.
For years, the Great Zhou Dynasty had been wary of the Jurchens in Liaodong.
If the Jurchens hadn't been in the far north, in a harsh environment of barren mountains and rivers, and if the Great Zhou Dynasty hadn't been tied up with various internal affairs, they would have long eradicated them.
The Jurchens would have been exterminated long ago.
This major defeat at Xuanfu Town was due to the Great Zhou Dynasty's failure to anticipate the Jurchens’ involvement, combined with various internal betrayals and coincidental factors that led to the defeat of the Great Zhou Emperor at Xuanfu Town.
“Do we really have a chance?” The guard leader, looking at the burning Tongzhou City, standing beside the Mongol Khan.
The wealth within the Pass surpassed their imagination.
“It’s up to us.” The Mongol Khan spurred his horse towards Gubeikou. “We Mongols alone can hardly achieve it, but with the Jurchens, it's no longer a dream.
Hahahaha.”
Occupying the vast Mongolian grassland, they could freely attack Jiayuguan, Yulin, Xuanfu, and Datong.
The Great Zhou’s Three Thousand Camp cavalry had suffered heavy losses, and their infantry alone could not contend with the Mongol army on the grassland.
From this battle onwards, borrowing a famous quote from Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, "If they can come here, so can we!”
The northern border of Great Zhou would once again become a prime target for the Mongol's raids.
Meanwhile, the rise of the Jurchens in Liaodong would keep the Great Zhou occupied.
The Jurchens and the Mongols were natural allies until the Great Zhou fell.
The downfall of either party would be a devastating blow to the other.
The Mongol Khan led the main force northward at a leisurely pace.
About 30 li away, a large army was slowly advancing.
Their march was very slow.
At the same time, numerous scout cavalry were shuttling back and forth between the central army.
The Eighth Prince rode on a tall horse, flanked by generals from the Jiangnan Camp.
“Your Highness, the Mongol main force cavalry has left Tongzhou City. Based on their marching direction, it can be determined that they are heading towards Gubeikou.”
The head of the returning scout reported loudly.
“What’s the situation in Tongzhou City?”
The Mongol main force's attack on Tongzhou City instead of retreating from Zijin Pass was unexpected.
The Eighth Prince secretly rejoiced in his heart. Thankfully, his march was a little slower.
If he had been just a little faster, he might have encountered the Mongol main force.
The 100,000 troops of the Jiangnan Camp were his bargaining chip to challenge his fourth brother, who now sat on the throne.
“The Mongols carried out a brief plunder, then set Tongzhou City ablaze.
Currently, the Cao Gang and the surviving defenders in the city are trying to extinguish the fire.”
The Eighth Prince nodded, “No need to go to Tongzhou City. We'll go straight back to the capital.”