Moma Liangshan

Chapter 347 A Hero in His Twilight Years, Using the Occasion to Make New Entries

After Wanyan Zonggan left, Wanyan Aguda's complexion weakened further. After a violent coughing fit, he shakily grabbed the wine jug from the wooden table and forced down a mouthful of strong liquor. As the alcohol's effects dissipated, a faint rosy hue finally appeared on Wanyan Aguda's pale face. Seemingly exhausted, Wanyan Aguda weakly pulled on the red rope at the head of his bed, the other end of which was connected to a copper bell. It turned out that as Wanyan Aguda's health declined, speaking aloud became increasingly difficult for him. However, as the ruler of a nation, certain things had to be said in private, away from his close attendants, so he had reluctantly devised this solution.

The bell rang, and a guard immediately entered the tent, saying, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?" Wanyan Aguda said, "Summon Tayan to me!" Tayan was originally a witch from a small tribe. Six years ago, a heavy snowfall froze and killed most of the tribe's cattle and sheep. The high priest believed this was divine punishment and that a witch must be sacrificed to avoid even harsher punishment. Tayan was eventually placed on the altar, surrounded by thick piles of dry firewood. Just as they were about to be lit, Wanyan Aguda happened to be out on patrol and passed by. After inquiring about the reason, he said, "I am the Son of Heaven and know that the cold wave and snow disaster were not the witch's fault. I beg the high priest and the tribal chief to untie her!"

The Wanyan clan's unification of the entire Jurchen tribe was not based on benevolence, but on irresistible military force. No one dared disobey Wanyan Aguda's orders. However, the loss of most of their cattle and sheep needed to be accounted for, otherwise famine would soon follow. Seeing that the high priest and the tribal chief remained kneeling without uttering a word, Wanyan Aguda, of course, understood the implications. He said, "The Wanyan tribe will take care of the lost cattle and sheep. I will take the woman from the altar!" Thus, Tayan became Wanyan Aguda's concubine. Tayan was thirty-three years old when she followed Wanyan Aguda, not yet a young girl in the throes of first love. Yet, this middle-aged woman became Wanyan Aguda's most trusted confidante in the days that followed.

Ta Yan's main tent was just a hundred paces to the side and behind the main tent. Upon seeing Ta Yan arrive, Wanyan Aguda smiled slightly and gestured for the guards to wait outside. Ta Yan was intimately familiar with everything inside the tent, including Wanyan Aguda himself. Without the slightest restraint, Ta Yan sat directly on the armchair, pressed close to Wanyan Aguda's side. Wanyan Aguda seemed to have been waiting for this moment, slowly lying down in Ta Yan's embrace, finally resting his head on Ta Yan's lap, and said, "When I was young, I thought only riding on horseback was truly comfortable; now I understand that resting my head on your lap is far more pleasant than standing atop a mountain!"

Ta Yan, holding Wanyan Aguda, asked, "Have you given the Crown Prince your advice?" Wanyan Aguda nodded slightly and said, "He is my son, but not my son. He is cunning and ruthless, truly unpredictable. If one day he stands at the center of power, will it bring joy or sorrow to the Great Jin Kingdom and the Wanyan clan?" Ta Yan's face remained calm as he said, "Winter comes, and the venomous snake slumbers in its burrow; spring comes, and the venomous snake roams the mountains and forests. The venomous snake is not the king of the forest, yet it never fears the king." Wanyan Aguda rolled over and said, "Whether it's a wolf or a snake, to become a king, one must undergo countless trials. But each of these trials requires risking one's life!"

Ta Yan, with an air of self-righteousness, said, "Birth is the beginning of destiny; death is its end. If a person cannot even see through his own life and death, how can he control the fate of a dynasty?" Wanyan Aguda sighed deeply and said, "Enough, enough! I am a man nearing the end of my life, only able to skim the surface of things. As for whether he can have an epiphany, that depends on his fate!" Ta Yan was not optimistic about Wanyan Aguda's plan, saying, "You gave the Crown Prince the courage to take a gamble, but the effect is limited to that. As for the most crucial 'brothers united, their strength can break metal,' I'm afraid he will never understand!" Wanyan Aguda frowned and asked, "Why?" Ta Yan said, "Because poisonous snakes have no hands or feet!"

Wanyan Aguda's intention was for Wanyan Zonggan to understand that winning the support of his three younger brothers would mean controlling four-sevenths of the Jin Dynasty's military strength. If he could also persuade Wanyan Zonghan, he would possess absolute dominance. At that point, given the prevailing trend and popular support, even if Wanyan Wugumai was unwilling, he would have no choice but to voluntarily relinquish his right to the throne!

Hiding in a tent, Wanyan Wuqimai watched Wanyan Zonggan leave the royal court triumphantly and said, "It seems my brother is still unwilling to relinquish the throne to me!" Wanyan Wulu comforted him, "The Great Jin Dynasty's current state is not solely due to the Emperor's efforts; the Emperor's position as the most powerful ruler is not a gift from the Emperor, but rather an election by the tribal council; therefore, no one can shake the Emperor's authority!" Wanyan Wuqimai shook his head and said, "If my brother were to conquer Shangjing, there would surely be another grand ceremony of rewarding merit, and then..." "If my brother were to give us a promotion in name only, our situation would be dire!" Wanyan Loushi said slowly. "The Fourth Prince's Baishan Army and Zonghan's Lailiu Army will be responsible for attacking the western city wall, while General Wulu and I will be responsible for attacking the northern city wall. The First and Second Princes will be responsible for attacking the eastern camp. Objectively speaking, even if Shangjing is an impregnable fortress, a combined attack of 180,000 troops will eventually collapse." Wanyan Wuqimai nodded in agreement, saying, "Therefore, in the current situation, holding Shangjing is much more difficult than conquering it!"

However, just two days later, while Wanyan Wuqimai and others were still troubled and worried, news of the grain route being robbed arrived at just the right time. Wanyan Wuqimai immediately summoned Wanyan Loushi and Wanyan Wulu, saying, "This is the latest news from the rear. You two should take a look!" Wanyan Loushi and Wanyan Wulu each grabbed one end of the scroll and huddled together, reading every word. After a long while, Wanyan Loushi said incredulously, "I never expected that even with the enemy at the gates, Emperor Tianzuo would dare to send troops to harass our supply lines!" Wanyan Wuqimai nodded repeatedly, saying, "I was also surprised, but the tide has turned, and no one can reverse it!" Wanyan Loushi pondered for a moment and said, "The supply lines are under the control of the Emperor. Now that they have been intercepted, who does the Emperor intend to send to investigate?" Wanyan Wuqimai remained silent, but Wanyan Wulu said, "The Liao Dynasty's fate is sealed. Even if they send people to harass our supply lines, it will only be a small force, not a major threat. However, since the Emperor wants to postpone the conquest of Shangjing, the interception of the supply lines might be an opportunity!"

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