Moma Liangshan

Chapter 349 Forming Alliances and Seeking Mutual Support

In Wanyan Zongpan's view, although his uncle's four sons each held military power, once his uncle passed away, this evenly matched power would inevitably lead to the four princes fighting independently, making it difficult for them to unite against his father. Furthermore, after his father ascended the throne, reducing the power of the vassal states would undoubtedly become his top priority, and as the eldest son, he would certainly be highly valued and given the power of life and death, he would have no trouble securing the position of crown prince. However, today's cooperation with Wanyan Gao made Wanyan Zongpan feel a great threat. After all, after his father succeeded to the throne, Wanyan Gao should rightfully become the Anban Bojilie. If he were to successfully destroy the Song Dynasty, he, as the eldest son, would likely have no chance of ascending the throne.

The lack of military power was Wanyan Gao's biggest weakness. However, by now, the military structure of the Jin Dynasty had already taken shape, and it was impossible to build a new army in the short term. Therefore, Wanyan Gao had to find an ally with common goals.

Maintaining the Jurchen imperial succession system, where the throne passed from brother to brother, was not only a major benefit for Wanyan Wugumai and Wanyan Gao, but also equally important for Wanyan Sagai and his son Wanyan Zonghan. The first Wanyan tribe to rise to power in the region of Changbai Mountain and Heilongjiang River was Wanyan Wugunai. His second son, Wanyan Gulibo, was the father of Wanyan Aguda, Wanyan Wugumai, and Wanyan Gao. His eldest son fathered Wanyan Sagai, who was not only the ruler of Guolun Hulubojilie, but also the father of Wanyan Zonghan.

According to Wanyan Wugunai's last wishes, the eldest son's lineage would serve as prime minister, while the second son's lineage would inherit the throne. If the rule of succession by brother were abolished, Wanyan Sagai's lineage would find it difficult to hold the position of prime minister for long. Therefore, after much deliberation, Wanyan Gao decided to secretly ally with Wanyan Zonghan.

Wanyan Zonghan not only held military power and was exceptionally brave, but he also had a group of loyal and capable retainers under his command, a political legacy from the reign of Wanyan Wugunai, the Jin dynasty's capital emperor. Wanyan Zonghan's most capable strategist was Wanyan Xiyin, the creator of the Jurchen script.

When Wanyan Zonghan received Wanyan Gao's invitation, he was quite surprised and immediately summoned Wanyan Xiyin. After reading the letter, Wanyan Xiyin said, "Although the Prime Minister and Lord Xieye are cousins, they don't have much contact. Lord Xieye's sudden invitation to the General in the name of uncle is very strange!" Wanyan Zonghan deeply agreed and said, "Xiyin, do you think I should attend the banquet?" Wanyan Xiyin said, "The current political situation is delicate. The four princes and Anban Boji are fiercely vying for power, and the Emperor's health is deteriorating. This struggle for the throne is intensifying. We and Lord Xieye seem to be uninvolved, but in reality, we are equally deeply involved!" Wanyan Zonghan asked, "What do you mean?" Wanyan Xiyin analyzed, "If Lord Wuqimai ascends the throne, then Lord Xieye will naturally succeed Anban Boji, and the scene of today will repeat itself." Wanyan Zonghan nodded and said... "What does this have to do with us?" Wanyan Xiyin continued, "Guolun Bojilie holds a high position and great power, but since Emperor Jingzu, it has been controlled by the general's lineage for generations. However, today, Emperor Shizu's lineage is thriving and has no shortage of capable warriors, while under the Prime Minister's command, apart from the general, there is no one who can rival the four princes." Wanyan Zonghan, being both a renowned general and a powerful minister, was well aware of the implications and asked, "So, someone covets Guolun Bojilie's position?" However, Wanyan Xiyin shook his head and said, "The reason the Prime Minister can rest easy is because the general has 30,000 elite troops under his command. I merely wish to remind the general that if one day you cannot have both military power and the prime ministership, you must relinquish the prime ministership and retain military power!"

Wanyan Zonghan fell into deep thought, and after a long while said, "The inability to hold both the position of prime minister and military power is already a sign of decline!" Wanyan Xiyin nodded and said, "If the trend is inevitable, going against the tide is not a wise move!" Wanyan Zonghan laughed angrily and said, "We people are always fighting against the fate of heaven and earth. Let alone going against the tide, even if it's a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire, I, the commander, will brave it!" Wanyan Xiyin was not only highly talented, but also loved adventure. He admired strategists of the Warring States period such as Su Qin and Zhang Yi. Whether it was the Wanyan tribe's uprising against Liao or Wanyan Aguk's founding of the country and becoming emperor, Wanyan Xiyin was an important behind-the-scenes force. Undeterred by hardship, Wanyan Zonghan was determined to go against the tide. Wanyan Xiyin, far from being afraid, was filled with inexplicable excitement and said, "Lord Xiye's invitation without reason may indicate a change in the political situation!" Wanyan Zonghan nodded and said, "The Wanyan clan has achieved its current status after three generations. Whoever wants to seize this vast land must first pass through my hands!"

Wanyan Gao was always thin and frail, and standing side by side with Wanyan Zonghan, he appeared even shorter. The seasons on the grasslands were not as distinct as those in the Central Plains, but at this moment, the north wind carried a hint of chill. Wanyan Gao gazed into the distance and said, "The Emperor's health is declining, yet the four princes control most of our army. If the Emperor were to pass away one day, do you think Wuqimai would be able to rightfully inherit the throne?" Wanyan Zonghan, not expecting Wanyan Gao to be so direct, said, "Lord Wuqimai has long held the position of Anbanbojilie, and has two great generals under his command, Wanyan Loushi and Wanyan Wulu. Tell me, who can shake his position as crown prince?" Wanyan Gao replied, "Naturally, it is the Emperor!" Wanyan Zonghan frowned and said, "The Emperor is a wise ruler; he surely knows that the position of crown prince is crucial to the stability of the country and should not be acted upon based on personal preference!" Wanyan Gao continued, "Currently, the various forces in the court are mutually restraining, forming a fragile balance. But if one day the Emperor's prestige suddenly reaches a new height, would you then abolish Wuqimai's position as crown prince?"

Wanyan Gao's bluntness forced Wanyan Zonghan to take a different view, saying, "The Great Jin Dynasty was founded on military strength. If Lord Wuqimai cannot inherit the throne due to his own lack of strength, he has no one to blame but himself!" Wanyan Gao pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "The throne is inherited by the line of Emperor Shizu, while the position of prime minister is inherited by the eldest son's line. But if the skin is gone, where will the hair attach? If the succession to the throne is no longer from brother to brother, then it will be difficult for the position of prime minister to be passed on to you as well. Or, you must give up either military power or the position of prime minister!"

Wanyan Zonghan's lips trembled involuntarily as he said, "Lord Xieye has said so much, is there anything I can do to help?" Wanyan Gao laughed and said, "The four princes are too powerful to be contained. If you and I, Wuqimai, cannot work together, the future of the Great Jin Kingdom may be beyond our reach!" Wanyan Zonghan asked, "How can we work together?" Wanyan Gao said, "If Wuqimai succeeds to the throne, I will be Anban Bojilie, and you will be the Grand Marshal, establishing your own headquarters and commanding an army of 100,000, with a rank equivalent to that of the Prime Minister!"