big song poppi

Chapter 641 0638 [Absurd! ]

The Japanese war horses captured tonight were of great use.

After the five guards got familiar with the war horses, they each rode three horses and headed straight for Hyogozu Port.

If it weren't for Fujiwara Tadamichi's surprise attack tonight, Sun Zhi would not have been so reckless, but would have returned to the harbor as planned and waited for Li Nanjia to lead his army.

But the battle tonight allowed him to fully understand Japan's strengths and weaknesses.

The weapons were outdated, the combat capability was mediocre, the morale was low, the organization was poor, and there was no military discipline at all.

Such an army is only slightly better than the former Song Dynasty's wing troops. What is there to be afraid of?
The next day.

In the evening, the vanguard of the navy stationed in Hyogo Port arrived, totaling 800 people.

As for the remaining food, fodder, supplies and artillery, they were too heavy, and there were not enough oxen, horses or vehicles, so they could only be pulled by manpower, so they had to wait for another day or two.

On the other side, Fujiwara no Tadamichi led a group of remaining soldiers and finally escaped back to Heian-kyo.

During the defeat last night, the situation was too chaotic and he ran in the wrong direction when he was escaping. In addition, he wasted some time gathering the remaining soldiers along the way.

Upon hearing the news of Fujiwara no Tadamichi's defeat, the Japanese court was shaken and the emperor and his ministers were terrified.

Four thousand men attacked and killed two hundred naval officers. The difference in troop strength was nearly twenty times, but they were still defeated and returned.

How could the Japanese monarch and his ministers not be terrified?

Originally, the power of the prosperous Tang Dynasty was still there, and the Japanese king and his ministers were already a little scared when they suddenly went to war with China. Now they suffered a disastrous defeat, which made them even more panicked.

The Japanese king and his ministers were all present in the imperial palace.

Even the Emperor Baihe, who had been retreating behind the scenes, no longer avoided suspicion and knelt on the platform in broad daylight.

Toba, who was standing by, had a blank expression on his face. He glanced at his grandfather calmly, and when he saw that his grandfather had a frown and looked terrified, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pleasure in his heart.

"The Chinese soldiers were cunning. They soaked their paper armor in advance, so they were not afraid of fire attacks... Just when they were completely surrounded, the Chinese soldiers suddenly chanted a spell and sent down dozens of thunderbolts..."

Fujiwara Tadamichi was kneeling in the hall, reporting on last night's battle.

When people heard that Chinese soldiers could bring down thunder, there was an uproar in the hall.

"absurd!"

Ping Zhongsheng refuted it.

The Taira clan was originally a samurai family, and Taira no Tadamori followed his father into battle since he was young, suppressing rebellions in the north and fighting pirates in the south. He could be said to have waded through mountains of swords and seas of fire.

He could barely accept that a Chinese soldier could defeat ten enemies with one and be extremely brave, but to say that he could control thunder was too outrageous.

Upon hearing this, Fujiwara Tadamichi frowned and asked sternly, "Does Taira-kun think that I chose to talk nonsense in order to avoid the responsibility for the defeat?"

"The Rekan-chan has misunderstood. That is not what I meant."

Ping Zhongsheng first explained, and then changed the subject: "It is just too unbelievable that Chinese soldiers can drive thunder. If this is true, how could China be disturbed by the northern barbarians?"

Yes, if Chinese soldiers had such capabilities, they would not have been harassed by the northern barbarians and would have flattened the grasslands long ago.

Thinking of this, Emperor Baihe and a group of court officials cast questioning glances.

Seeing this, Fujiwara Tadamichi stood up and said loudly: "I swear on the Fujiwara clan emblem that I will not say a single word falsely. In addition, the more than 2,000 warriors who have returned can all testify to this!"

The family emblem is the totem and belief of a family.

Swearing by the family emblem means endorsing the reputation of the entire family.

Moreover, there were more than 2,000 samurai who testified that these samurai were not retainers of the Fujiwara clan alone, but were from the other three clans and the imperial family. The truth would be clear once they were asked.

Thinking of this, Ping Zhongsheng's face changed.

The other court officials all gasped.

Could it be that Chinese soldiers could really command thunder? For a moment, the entire hall fell silent.

After an unknown amount of time, a voice emerged from the crowd: "I think that perhaps we can submit to China, and in this way, we can put an end to the war."

As soon as these words came out, everyone had different expressions.

Taira Tadamori glanced at Emperor Shirakawa secretly, and seeing his expressionless face, he knew what he was thinking, so he said, "China's appetite is too big, how can our country have so much silver and copper tribute?"

The Taira clan and Emperor Shirakawa are still on the same boat. Although they have developed rapidly in recent years, they cannot compare with the profound foundation accumulated by the Fujiwara clan over hundreds of years.

Ju Yin said in a voice: "The annual tribute can be negotiated."

He is not an ally of anyone, he simply does not want to go to war with China.

Taira Tadamori retorted, "What if China is unwilling? You all have seen the arrogant attitude of the Chinese envoys yesterday. If China refuses to give in, what should we do? Or should Tachibana-kun pay the annual tribute?"

"..."

Ju Yin immediately shut up.

At this time, the Shirakawa Emperor, who had been silent all this time, slowly spoke up: "Don't mention the peace talks anymore. The letter of credence and the declaration of war were delivered at the same time, which shows that my country has been coveting our country for a long time. It is impossible for us to easily stop the war. Besides, Fujiwara-kun led his troops to attack us last night, and we have already torn our relationship apart."

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"The so-called driving of thunder is nothing to be afraid of. After all, China is vast and rich in resources, and the craftsmen are highly skilled, with endless strange and ingenious skills. I have heard that there is a kind of puppet trick in China, which splashes fire when it is performed. I guess the Chinese soldiers are using improved puppet medicine."

Fujiwara Tadamichi frowned and wanted to retort, but after hesitating for a moment, he swallowed his words back.

When the thunder sounded, it was accompanied by the warriors' screams and wails. However, it was too dark at the time and he was too far away to see clearly what was happening.

Emperor Shirakawa took in all of Fujiwara Tadamichi's reactions and couldn't help but sneer in his heart.

This disastrous defeat caused the Fujiwara clan's prestige to plummet. How could an old fox like him miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

He pretended to comfort her and said, "Victory and defeat are common in the military, don't be discouraged, Fujiwara-kun."

These words seemed to be a soothing gesture, but in fact they confirmed that Fujiwara no Tadamichi was a poor commander.

"Hai!"

Fujiwara Tadamichi looked ashamed.

His reaction made Emperor Shirakawa very happy. After all, this idiot Zhongtong was not as experienced as his father.

Perhaps, they can regain power in one fell swoop by going to war with China.

Thinking of this, Emperor Shirakawa said solemnly: "The Chinese army will arrive soon. You should immediately dispatch your retainers and warriors to Kyoto. China has traveled across the ocean and has difficulty in logistics. It has no advantage in terms of time, place and people. As long as we hold on for a while, the Chinese army will surely be defeated!"

This was not just a consolation, he really meant it.

China and Japan are separated by a vast ocean, and it takes two months to travel back and forth, making the transportation of food and supplies extremely difficult.

It is now April and summer is approaching, when storms will arise at sea, blocking the logistical supplies of the Chinese army.

"Hai!"

The words of Emperor Baihe made all the ministers feel at ease, and they responded loudly.

After the court was dismissed, each family immediately sent people back to their fiefdoms and dispatched their retainers and warriors to the capital.

……

Two days later, Sun Zhi finally received food, supplies and artillery.

In addition to a siege gun, ten field guns were dismantled.

With such firepower, plus two thousand elite naval forces, Sun Zhi was full of confidence.

After resting for a night, he could not wait to lead his troops to Heian-kyo at dawn the next day.

(End of this chapter)