Chapter 59: Alliance with Western Xia (Please Vote for Recommendations)

"The Song people have a saying: 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.' I believe nothing could be more fitting at this moment," Wanyan Loushi remarked calmly.

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Zonghan's eyes lit up. He was a clever man and instantly grasped the heart of the issue. Ordinarily, such a straightforward problem would never have troubled him, but the Jurchens had always been exceedingly proud and had never considered allying with others to attack the Song.

In the past, to deal with such a weak nation by forming alliances would have been an insult to the Jurchens. Yet now, the Song army he faced was every bit as formidable as the Jin forces. Thus, joining hands with Western Xia, also a neighbor of the Song, was not a bad idea. Wanyan Zonghan was moved.

"Well said!" Wanyan Zonghan was the first to clap in approval. "It’s an excellent idea indeed. No wonder the Song encourage their officials to read extensively. It seems that reading is truly useful—there’s a saying among the Song: 'Within books, one finds beauties and golden mansions.' As I see it, within books, one also finds strategies to defeat the enemy!"

"I object!" Wanyan Xiyin was the first to rise in protest. "To need an alliance with Western Xia to deal with a mere Song is a disgrace to our Jurchen nation."

Wanyan Zonghan waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, you are being too extreme. Don’t forget, the Emperor Taizu once allied with the Song to destroy the Liao. Are you saying that was disgraceful as well?"

"I—I didn’t mean that! Don’t twist my words!" Flustered, Wanyan Xiyin fell silent. Aguda was a hero, revered and sacred in the eyes of all Jurchens—his legacy was not to be slandered.

"If we can let the Western Xia army share our burdens and reduce our own casualties, what harm is there?" Wanyan Zonghan said.

"That may be so, but how do you intend to persuade the ruler of Western Xia to send his army? You speak with such confidence, it’s as if the king of Western Xia will surely agree to join forces against the Song. Don’t let it turn out to be nothing but empty hope," Wanyan Zongwang interjected.

Wanyan Zonghan was momentarily at a loss. Only then did he realize he might have been blindly optimistic.

"As long as the terms we offer are generous enough, the king of Western Xia is no fool. He won’t pass up such a golden opportunity," Wanyan Zonghan said with certainty.

"That’s the point, then. What exactly counts as generous enough?" Wanyan Zongwang pressed. "Is it money? Or men?"

"You know, the Song pay Western Xia annual tribute. If we want to ally with Western Xia, the sum must exceed what the Song offer. Do you expect the court to give you that much money?" Wanyan Zongwang fired off several questions in quick succession, leaving Wanyan Zonghan speechless.

"Of course it’s difficult," Wanyan Zonghan deflected, "which is why I’m discussing it with all of you now."

"What’s there to discuss? It’s simply a matter of offering more money than the Song, so Western Xia will leave them and turn to us. The answer is obvious," Wanyan Xiyin said, seemingly eager to quash the idea before it took root.

"The Song are wealthy, everyone knows that. It’s their riches that have drawn our Jin cavalry all this way," Wanyan Zonghan went on. "With such a treasure trove, Western Xia will surely want a share of the spoils."

"We’ve speculated enough. Do you actually know what Western Xia wants? Have you made contact with them?" Wanyan Zongwang asked.

"Not yet," Wanyan Zonghan admitted, cursing inwardly. If he had already made contact, he would have pointed his finger in Wanyan Zongwang’s face and berated him, instead of enduring this humiliation.

"Then I suppose it falls to you to make the trip and represent our court in forming an alliance with Western Xia against the Song," Wanyan Zongwang said with a cold laugh.

Wanyan Zonghan fumed inwardly—Wanyan Zongwang was clearly trying to send him away, making himself the supreme commander of the allied forces.

"This mission requires someone eloquent and persuasive. General Xiyin would be perfect for the task," Wanyan Zonghan retorted, naming Wanyan Xiyin. As the supreme commander of the army, he had the authority to issue such orders, and he intended to show Wanyan Xiyin that offending the commander-in-chief came at a price.

"I’ll go if you wish," Wanyan Xiyin replied indifferently, "but let me say this—I don’t guarantee any alliance will be formed. If things go wrong, don’t blame me."

"Hmph, I knew you were good for nothing but failure," Wanyan Zonghan sneered. "I order that Wanyan Chang be the envoy, with you, Wanyan Xiyin, as his deputy. Wanyan Chang shall have full authority to make decisions as needed, and all personnel will be under his command."

Wanyan Xiyin was livid. He had thought to excuse himself from the mission, but Wanyan Zonghan had been one step ahead, digging a pit for him to fall into. Not only would he have to go to Western Xia, but now he was demoted to deputy envoy.

"Why should Wanyan Chang, a defeated general, lead me? I refuse!" Wanyan Xiyin protested. Since the confrontation was already out in the open, he decided to stake everything.

"What? You dare defy orders?" Wanyan Zonghan raised his head, his eyes blazing, fixing Wanyan Xiyin with a piercing stare.

The intensity of that gaze made Wanyan Xiyin’s hair stand on end. Whatever words of protest he’d intended to say stuck in his throat. He knew that if he voiced his opposition, Wanyan Zonghan would seize the chance to execute him for disobeying military orders.

With this in mind, Wanyan Xiyin sat down in furious silence, not daring to utter another word of dissent.