EMHTC -Chapter 65 Is Morality Truly Such an Inconvenient Thing?

Xu Yanmiao thought for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, explaining it verbally may not be very clear. Could I direct a unit of infantry and have them face an attack from a cavalry unit?”

The Da Xia Dynasty had the means to produce barbed wire. After all, their military was equipped with steel chainmail.

Soon enough, the Ministry of Works delivered the barbed wire Xu Yanmiao had requested— portable concertina barbed wire.

As the name suggests, this was a coiled wire that resembled both a snake’s belly and a cylinder. It didn’t require stakes for installation, making it highly mobile.

The old emperor walked over and inspected it with raised eyebrows. “There are hooks and spikes, too?”

Xu Yanmiao nodded.

The old emperor hesitated, as if wanting to say something.

Xu Yanmiao inquired politely, “Your Majesty, is something the matter?”

The emperor tried to tactfully explain to this military novice, “Cavalry aren’t like rabbits that run into trees. When they see barbed wire from a distance, they’ll avoid it or go around.”

Even if the hooks and spikes could scrape off someone’s skin, it would only work if the opponent got close.

Xu Yanmiao replied politely, “You’re absolutely right, Your Majesty.”

【It’s like the French Maginot Line, isn’t it? Indeed, despite being hailed as the ‘impenetrable Maginot Line,’ the Germans bypassed it during the war. Ironically, it was the French who became complacent due to the line’s extensive coverage, leaving them vulnerable.】

【Fortunately, this is just barbed wire—it doesn’t look like an impenetrable fortress. No army would become so dependent on it as to neglect their defenses entirely.】

The officials of Da Xia: “?”

Wait—you already know it can be bypassed?

This only piqued their curiosity further.

If Xu Yanmiao understood this, why did he still pin his hopes on the hooks and spikes of the barbed wire?

Xu Yanmiao suggested, “Your Majesty, this area is too small for the cavalry to maneuver. How about we move to the outskirts?”

The emperor agreed, nodding. “Very well.”

The Mongol delegation also came along, and the emperor tacitly allowed them to observe from the sidelines.

When the cavalry began their charge, the leaves of nearby trees trembled slightly. From a distance, the sound of thunder grew louder and closer. Da Xia’s cavalry, a black torrent, surged forward like a raging flood.

The Mongol delegation was struck with fear.

Among them, the individual who had previously challenged the Ministry of Rites officials to archery and horsemanship contests was especially shaken. Feeling the vibrations in the ground and the wind and sand stirred up by the advancing cavalry, he became so overwhelmed with embarrassment that he didn’t know how to react.

“So this is…”

So this is the true cavalry of Da Xia, with such remarkable riding skills!

After his earlier wild behavior, he’d been reprimanded by his peers in the delegation. While he’d promised not to stir up trouble again, he still held contempt for Da Xia’s archery and horsemanship. Though there had been no demonstration of archery today, seeing their mastery of riding alone… he suddenly realized that those who had humored him in contests earlier might not have been Da Xia’s best riders at all.

He had been narrow-minded, like a frog at the bottom of a well.

The old emperor noticed the delegation’s shift in demeanor. With a glance, his mood brightened considerably.

“Who would’ve thought…” Below, Prime Minister Dou also noticed the delegation’s change and remarked to the crown prince beside him, “What an unexpected result.”

The crown prince’s response was a sharp intake of breath.

“!!!”

Prime Minister Dou immediately turned back to look.

In the distance, the black mass of cavalry charged forth. Against them, the infantry seemed like a lone leaf in a stormy sea, on the verge of being overwhelmed at any moment.

They held Five Thunder Divine Machines and Thunderclap Rifles in their hands. Though their faces were resolute, seemingly unafraid of the cavalry’s charge, the sight still made the onlookers anxious.

A military general asked in confusion, “Why haven’t they deployed the barbed wire yet? The cavalry must be about to make their final sprint.”

Cavalry units typically don’t rush in a single burst to attack and harass the enemy flank. Instead, they begin trotting at about 200 paces from the enemy and only make their final charge in the last 20 paces.

For light cavalry, covering 200 paces takes merely a fleeting moment (about a minute).

“No need to worry,” Xu Yanmiao reassured them. “Wait for my command—”

Xu Yanmiao focused intently on the cavalry, gauging the distance before shouting, “Deploy!!!”

In an instant, the infantry tossed out their prepared concertina barbed wire around themselves with a coordinated motion.

Three layers of barbed wire were arranged in a “品” (pin) shape, quickly blocking the path. Like a massive serpent, it sprawled out in front of the enemy cavalry.

Hooves kicked up clouds of dust, obscuring the cavalry’s vision. By the time they noticed the strange obstacles ahead, it was already too late.

“Raise your rifles—” Xu Yanmiao calmly raised his signal flag.

The infantry held their Five Thunder Divine Machines and Thunderclap Rifles. The former was regarded as “the world’s earliest revolver,” while the latter was touted as “the precursor to the Gatling gun.”

—Whether those claims were exaggerated or not, their range certainly extended beyond 100 paces.

The rifles were mock weapons to prevent accidental fire that could harm their own troops. Though the cavalry wasn’t truly hit or killed, the audience could easily imagine the scene of concentrated firepower tearing through them.

The Five Thunder Divine Machines and Thunderclap Rifles were weapons of the Northern Army of Da Xia, characterized by their speed in killing, rapid firing, and wide area of effect. However, this came at the expense of sheer power, relying instead on sustained firepower to make up for it.

In other words, these weapons were designed specifically to deal with cavalry from outside the borders.

Still, several cavalrymen managed to break through the range of the firepower.

Then their horses stepped into the barbed wire.

The atmosphere turned deadly in an instant.

The barbed wire coiled like a serpent, its barbs sinking into flesh and twisting as they tore through. Blood splattered in all directions as the horses screamed and collapsed. The riders were thrown from their mounts, only to be “finished off” by the mock Five Thunder Divine Machines and Thunderclap Rifles.

Though the rifles were fake, the barbed wire was not. Those horses’ legs were utterly ruined.

The Minister of Revenue winced at the sight, his face briefly showing distress. Meanwhile, the Mongol delegation was utterly terrified.

They shot to their feet, staring at the barbed wire and the bloodied horse hooves. The air was thick with the stench of blood, and a chilling sense of danger gripped them.

Someone served the old emperor a plate of pastries. He sat there, casually nibbling on small plum blossom cakes. After a few bites, he seemed overwhelmed by the sweetness, furrowing his brows briefly before instructing the eunuch to offer the pastries to the Mongol delegation.

“Honored envoys,” the old emperor said with a playful smile, “what’s the matter? Why have you suddenly risen? Are you hungry? Here is a plate of plum blossom cakes—fragrant and sweet…”

The Mongol delegation couldn’t have eaten a bite even if they wanted to. Their throats tightened, and a cold chill seemed to seep from their very bones. The expressions on their faces had shifted from awe to outright fear.

Exchanging glances, the envoys collectively bowed their proud heads. One of them stepped forward, addressing the emperor with a formal salute:

“Respected Da Xia Son of Heaven and Great Khan…”

—The term “Great Khan” was a title given to the supreme leader of the barbarian tribes beyond the borders. Some of these tribes had pledged allegiance to Da Xia, offering this title to the old emperor as a sign of their submission.

“Great Khan, we Mongols humbly beseech you to render justice.”

Finally, they were beginning to reveal the purpose of their visit.

The emperor’s gaze flickered slightly. “Oh? And what justice do you seek from Us?”

Hearing this, the Mongol delegation looked utterly sorrowful. “Great Khan! The Jin barbarians have gone too far! They frequently launch attacks on the smaller tribes in our region. Whenever they start losing the fight, they immediately sue for peace. But as soon as our warriors leave to report the truce, they betray us and resume their aggression, swallowing up several of our tribes in the process.”

It was a tragic situation. Unless they could completely eliminate the Jin barbarians in one decisive move, they had no choice but to endure it. After all, would it be feasible to change policies and allow border generals the authority to independently decide whether to accept the surrender of enemy tribes?

【Huh?】

The old emperor was about to respond when Xu Yanmiao’s voice caught his attention, making him instinctively look up.

That rascal is back?

【Jin barbarians? Aren’t they the same group that hunted the old emperor near Shanhaiguan?】

【But come to think of it, it was thanks to them that the old emperor had the chance to connect with the former dynasty’s soldiers.】

The old emperor: “…”

Indeed, it was that rascal. Returning only to twist the knife in his heart. Would he even want this “connection” if it were offered?

But… so it was the Jin barbarians’ doing?

The old emperor’s face darkened as he recalled his bizarre experience of having to impersonate the former dynasty’s emperor during that incident. “What exactly do you expect Us to do to help you?”

The Mongol delegation misunderstood the emperor’s dark expression, becoming even more cautious. The bold ambitions they had before arriving—plans to persuade Da Xia to cease trade with other border tribes and exclusively trade with the Mongols to control the barbarians—were shoved deep into the recesses of their minds.

“Respected Son of Heaven and Great Khan of Da Xia,” one of the envoys forced a smile, speaking in a careful tone to avoid seeming greedy, “we humbly request if Da Xia could open trade with us Mongols earlier than planned. Most of the tea from previous trade agreements has been seized by the Jin barbarians. Many in our tribes can’t even eat meat properly now.”

For the nomadic tribes, tea held a status equivalent to salt. Without tea, they would suffer from vitamin deficiencies, leading to muscle weakness. For a nomadic people, the inability to draw a bow or shoot arrows was a disastrous outcome.

The old emperor scrutinized them.

It wasn’t impossible to agree. Supporting the Mongols—albeit verbally or through trade rather than material aid—could encourage them to fight the Jin barbarians. Let them weaken each other. Once both sides were exhausted, Da Xia could step in and subdue both tribes effortlessly.

Seeing that the Son of Heaven had yet to respond, hope in the Mongol envoys’ eyes gradually dimmed, their faces turning ashen.

Desperation drove one of them to gamble. He suddenly dropped to his knees in front of Xu Yanmiao, crying out, “Lord Official! Please put in a good word for us!”

Startled, Xu Yanmiao leapt aside. “Don’t kneel to me!”

【I’m just a low-ranking official. What can I possibly do to help you?!】

The kneeling Mongol, however, was resolute in his decision. To him, regardless of this young man’s past status, anyone who could propose a strategic policy like using barbed wire to defend the nation was destined to rise in rank.

Moreover, he had noticed earlier that the Great Khan of Da Xia occasionally glanced at this young man.

This person must have an extraordinary identity!

He could be a prince!

Or even the crown prince! It’s worth asking for help just in case!

Xu Yanmiao glanced at the Minister of Personnel, who returned a helpless expression.

He looked at Prime Minister Dou, who offered a sympathetic look but deliberately avoided eye contact.

He then turned to the Minister of War, whose unwashed, pitch-black face practically screamed, “Better you than me!”

Xu Yanmiao studied the Minister of War’s face. As he thought about how to describe it, he looked up again and—

【…Why did it feel like the Minister of War’s face had grown even darker?】

Xu Yanmiao was perplexed.

【Strange, did I offend the Minister of War somehow? I don’t think so?】

【Why does his face look so dark?】

Xu Yanmiao pondered for a moment.

【Could it be that the news about his son being abducted by a barbarian chieftain’s wife and held for seven days and nights has finally reached his ears?】

【Wow, news travels fast! I only just found out about it myself!】

The Minister of War: “?”

I also just found out!!!

He quickly went through his thoughts. His eldest son was in the capital—definitely not him. His second son was visiting his father-in-law and hadn’t returned—couldn’t be him either. That left his youngest son: fair-skinned, with striking features, and as delicate as jade. He had, indeed, gone to the borderlands for a trip and even sent back a couple of poems not long ago!

Could it be—

The Minister of War’s pupils dilated in shock.

【…Wouldn’t this technically count as a political marriage?】 Xu Yanmiao’s hesitant inner voice floated by.

【After all, that chieftain’s wife did publicly declare, “Spend a few days with me, and I’ll form an alliance with Da Xia.” Although the chieftain is still alive, it’s the wife who actually manages the tribe.】

The Minister of War’s hands were trembling.

Count as a marriage?! Absolutely not!

“Loyal—” The old emperor slapped his thigh, his expression full of emotion.

Loyalty! Pure, unadulterated loyalty!

The old emperor’s thoughts wandered. He couldn’t help but wonder if any of his other ministers had good-looking sons or nephews. There were still eight of the eighteen barbarian tribes yet to submit. If… theoretically…

It might not be a bad idea…

Feeling the emperor’s fiery gaze, the ministers were instantly gripped with terror.

No! Absolutely not!

There are no handsome young men in our families!

【Loyal to what?】

Only Xu Yanmiao was confused.

After a moment of silence, the old emperor slapped his thigh again. “It’s settled! I say it’s settled! Mongols, was it? Regarding the matter of trade, I approve. However, this still needs to be discussed with the ministers. For now, you may withdraw, and you’ll be informed of the decision later.”

The Mongolian envoy was overjoyed and quickly expressed their gratitude.

Meanwhile, Xu Yanmiao had a sudden realization: 【Oh! It’s not “loyal” (忠), it’s “approved” (中)!】

【But still…】

【Is the old emperor originally from Henan? Why is he speaking with a Henan accent?】