In the vast history of the Jin Kingdom, there is a name that once pierced the sky like lightning, and he is the Golden Vulture Technique. This anti-Mongolian hero, with his extraordinary military talent and indomitable fighting spirit, has left a deep mark on the land of the Kingdom of Jin. However, history is often more cruel than people think. The death of Jin Wushu is not only the curtain call of a hero, but also the prelude to the tragedy of a powerful family.
1. The Horn of War: The Battle of the Golden Vulture and the Khan of Hebula
In 1143, in the western part of the Kingdom of Jin, the shadow of war quietly shrouded this ancient land. Jin Wushu, the outstanding general of the Jin Kingdom, faced an unprecedented crisis. Huadu Langjun, the son of the tart lazy, betrayed his country and joined forces with the Mongol Hebul Khan to capture 27 regimental villages north of the Xiping River. This incident shook the entire Jin Kingdom, and there was an uproar inside and outside the court.
Jin Wushu, dressed in heavy armor, stood in the barracks, facing anxious faces. He is well aware that at this moment, the country of Jin is facing unprecedented challenges. He quickly ordered to mobilize 80,000 divine arm archers, these elite divisions are the pride of the Jin Kingdom and the key to fighting against strong enemies. The Golden Vulture carefully planned and organized a large army to prepare for the northern frontier to fight to the death against Hebul Khan.
The soldiers were divided into three routes, and Jin Wushu led the main force to attack the heart of the enemy formation. One route is led by an adjutant general, and the division strikes to pin down the enemy, while the other secretly marches to prepare for a surprise attack on the enemy's flank. The war drums of the Jin Kingdom shook the sky, the war horses neighed, and the morale of the soldiers was like a rainbow.
Over the next three years, the two sides engaged in protracted fighting on the northern border. The Golden Vulture army unleashed the full power of the Divine Arm Bow, a powerful weapon that rained down on the battlefield and posed a great threat to the Mongol army. Whenever the Mongol cavalry came in like a tidal wave, the Jin soldiers met with a rain of arrows, staining the battlefield with the enemy's blood.
However, the resilience of the Mongol army was no less remarkable. Ghabl Khan's tactics were varied, with his use of roundabout tactics to bypass the Jin's frontal attacks, and his use of small-scale raids to disrupt the Jin's supply lines. These tactics left the Jin army exhausted, and despite their superior courage and strong fighting ability, the prolonged war of attrition gradually weakened their strength.
In this fierce battle, which lasted for three years, the Golden Vulture showed his determination and resourcefulness as a general. Not only did he command the battlefield with determination, but he also constantly adjusted his strategy to adapt to the enemy's tactical changes. He knew that he would survive this war only if he kept adapting.
Although the Jin army suffered losses, their persistence also cost the Mongol army a heavy price. Although Hebul Khan repeatedly attacked, he was never able to completely break through the defense line of the Golden Vultures. Whenever it seemed that the Mongol army was about to break through the defensive line, the Golden Vulture was always able to mobilize his forces in time to stabilize the battle.
2. The power of the bed crossbow and the Mongol response
In 1146, a new power appeared on the battlefield of the Kingdom of Jin. Jin Wushu, an experienced general, mobilized a large number of the Song people's invented bed crossbow from the Central Plains, an important military innovation that was expected to turn the tide of the war. The bed crossbow, a powerful projectile weapon, with its amazing range and great lethality, became a sharp weapon for the Jin army against the Mongol cavalry.
The introduction of the bed crossbow immediately showed its power on the battlefield. When these massive crossbows were transported to the front line, they stood silently at the rear of the battlefield like silent beasts. Whenever the ranks of the Mongol cavalry came like a black tide, the bed crossbow would let out an earth-shattering roar, and a dense rain of arrows covered the entire battlefield. Huge arrows pierced the air with incredible speed and power, piercing through the armor of the Mongol cavalry, even the horses.
Hebul Khan, the wise leader of the Mongols, was initially deeply jealous of the power of the bed crossbow. He witnessed first-hand the devastating power of the bed crossbow on the battlefield, and the charge of the Mongol cavalry was stopped by these terrifying weapons. But as a leader with strategic vision and flexibility, Ghabl Khan was not discouraged.
Soon, he adjusted his tactics and decided to use guerrilla tactics against the Jin army. His cavalry was no longer a uniform charging line, but was scattered into small squads and attacked randomly. This flexible and changeable mode of warfare greatly reduced the effectiveness of the bed crossbow. Because the biggest advantage of the bed crossbow is the attack on dense formations, and the scattered squad combat method makes it difficult for the bed crossbow to exert its concentrated lethality.
The Jin commanders found their bed crossbows powerless in the face of this new tactic. When they tried to adjust the position of the crossbow machine and the firing strategy, the squad of the Mongol cavalry had already made a quick blitzkrieg, and then quickly withdrew. The crossbowmen of the Jin army often found that by the time they were ready to fire, the enemy was no longer within their range.
3. The turning point of the war: the internal and external troubles of the Jin State
With the advent of 1147, the war of the Jin Kingdom had been going on for several years. This protracted war gradually made the soldiers of the Jin Kingdom powerless. Not only the pressure on the battlefield, but also the internal disasters of the Kingdom of Jin swept in during the same period. Years of drought, followed by a plague of locusts, have plunged the once mighty country into extreme distress. The fields are barren, food is scarce, the people are hungry, and the people are struggling to make a living. As a result, the national power was severely weakened, and the imperial court faced unprecedented challenges.
In this situation, the leadership of the country of Kim had to rethink their strategy. After careful consideration, Jin decided to enter into peace talks with Mongolia. The state of Jin sent their envoys to the Mongol military camp with the intention of peace talks. It was a decision fraught with political and military considerations, and Kim realized that if there was no further cease-off, the country could face even more serious consequences.
The process of peace talks is both complex and difficult. The Jin state recognized the status of the Mongols in the negotiations and made Bul Khan the king of the Muguls, which was a major concession. The title of King of Mughal was not only a recognition of the military achievements of the Khan of Mughu, but also a formal recognition of his right to rule. In the agreement, Ghabl Khan made a commitment not to violate the borders of the state of Jin. This promise, at least on the surface, brought temporary tranquility to the kingdom.
Jin Wushu, an experienced general, received the honor of being crowned Taishi in this peace talk. However, despite this honor, the Golden Vulture was well aware of the instability and unpredictability of the Mongols. He knows that while the peace agreement looks good on paper, the actual security guarantees are weak. Therefore, he decided to take further measures to ensure the long-term security of the country.
The Golden Vulture began to strengthen the border defenses and build fortifications. He ordered the craftsmen to build tall and strong walls, deep trenches, and various other military defenses. These fortifications were intended to defend against a possible re-invasion by the Mongol army. Under the command of the Golden Vulture Technique, the project began rapidly. Countless workers and soldiers worked day and night, digging earth and stones, and building the city walls. There are arrow towers and lookouts on the city walls to facilitate monitoring of border movements.
In parallel with the construction of fortifications, the Golden Vulture also strengthened the military deployment on the border. He sent more soldiers to the border areas to ensure the security of the border. These soldiers were not only responsible for guarding the newly constructed fortifications, but also carrying out daily patrols and surveillance activities.
Although this series of measures has increased the financial and material burden of Jin Guo in the short term, Jin Wushu believes that it is necessary. In his opinion, only a strong defense can ensure that the Jin Kingdom will not fall into passivity again.
4. The end of the Golden Vulture and the ambition of the perfect face
The year 1148 was the last year of the life course of the Golden Vultures. This general, who was once majestic on the battlefield of the Jin Kingdom, passed away quietly after completing his masterpiece "The Record of Taizu". His death seems to be just a moment in the long history of Dajin Kingdom, and it has not caused too many waves. Jin Wushu, a veteran who devoted his life to the country, ultimately failed to witness the fruits of his hard work, and his death was almost forgotten by the entire Dajin Kingdom.
Shortly after the death of the Jin Wushu, the balance of power in the imperial court tilted significantly. Wan Yan Liang, an ambitious member of the royal family, succeeded to the throne as the new lord of the Kingdom of Jin. His ascension to power was the beginning of a disaster for the Golden Vulture family. Wan Yanliang's long-standing dissatisfaction and resentment quickly turned into action after he took real power. His target was the Golden Vulture family, a family that once enjoyed great prestige in the Kingdom of Jin.
Wan Yan Liang's first move was a blow to Wan Yan Heng, the son of Jin Wushu. One day, Wan Yan Heng's house slave Liu Jin was found to have an improper relationship with one of Wan Yan Heng's concubines. After Liujin was arrested, in order to protect himself, he sued Yan Heng for attempting rebellion. Although this accusation is absurd, under the control of Wan Yan Liang, it has become Wan Yan Heng's death sentence. Under strong pressure, Wan Yanheng was forced to commit suicide, and a generation of talents fell.
5. The tragedy of the Golden Vulture family
Over the next five years, Wan Yan Liang used various reasons and excuses to gradually deprive the members of the Golden Vulture family of their power and wealth. The female dependents of the Golden Vulture family were forced into the harem, the men of the family were placed under house arrest or exile, and the family's property was confiscated.
The other members of the Golden Vulture family did not escape their fate. They were either accused of treason, framed for rebellion, and eventually forced to go to a dead end. These family members, who were once majestic in the court, can now only wait for their fate in despair. Wan Yanliang's iron-fisted policy completely destroyed the status and influence of the Jin Wushu family in the Jin Kingdom.
The demise of the Jin Wushu family is not only the result of a political storm, but also a microcosm of the turbulent political situation in the Dajin Kingdom. The glory and decline of a generation of powerful ministers are not only the ups and downs of personal fortunes, but also a profound reflection of the experience of the entire family in the political whirlpool. Their ups and downs are not only victims of power struggles, but also an important chapter in the long history of the Dajin Kingdom.
Resources:
1. "Kim History"
2. Military History of China
3. The Secret History of the Mongols
4. "Dictionary of the Names of the Names of the Historians of the Three Dynasties of Liao, Jin and Yuan":