dmims Chapter 56 The End of an Era
Chapter 56 The End of an Era
That year's Mount Hua Sword Tournament didn't last as long as in the past; it ended completely after only one day and one night.
After awakening from their immersion in the scriptures, the Eastern Heretic, the Southern Emperor, the Western Poison, and the Northern Beggar each bowed slightly to Yang Kang as disciples, and then returned to their respective residences.
Huang Yaoshi took Huang Rong back to Peach Blossom Island, the Southern Emperor continued his seclusion in the mountains, and Hong Qigong once again wandered the martial world.
However, all three promised that once they had deciphered the meaning of the scriptures on the stone wall, they would go to Shandong and teach Yang Kang all that they had learned in their lives.
Even Zhou Botong, who was notoriously unruly throughout his life, fell silent and disappeared into the mountains and fields.
After leaving Mount Hua, Guo Jing immediately rode his horse towards the Western Xia region, where Genghis Khan was located.
Guo Jing did not hesitate much about whether or not to go see Genghis Khan one last time.
At this time, Guo Jing did not experience Genghis Khan's suspicion like the Guo Jing in the original novel, nor did he lose his mother because of Genghis Khan.
Aside from his resistance and disapproval of Genghis Khan's indiscriminate killing of innocent people, he did not forget the high regard Genghis Khan had held for him over the years.
In Western Xia, news of Guo Jing's return swept through the entire Mongol camp like a whirlwind.
When Genghis Khan heard the news of their return from afar while in his golden tent, he was overjoyed and suddenly jumped out of his sickbed.
The sight shocked Tolui, who was standing beside him, and he almost thought his old father was faking illness.
People who spend every day together often find it difficult to notice changes in those close to them. Only those who haven't seen each other for a while can clearly see just how astonishing these changes are.
Guo Jing entered the golden tent of the camp, and upon seeing Genghis Khan, a wave of sorrow welled up in his heart.
"Great Khan, how did you become so thin? Even your hair has turned completely white!"
Guo Jing said with sadness and astonishment.
Genghis Khan excitedly grabbed Guo Jing's hand and told him everything he had prepared for him.
"Guo Jing, it's good that you're here."
"Come back, Guo Jing!"
"As long as you come back, back to my Mongolia, I will give you whatever reward you desire."
"Since you don't like our indiscriminate killing of innocent people, you will have full command over future attacks on the Jin and Song kingdoms."
"You will be in charge of commanding the troops to conquer all the cities. Whether to kill or spare them is entirely up to you."
"I will hand over the entire Central Plains, all the lands inhabited by Han people, to you to rule. Is that alright?"
"Guo Jing, come back."
Genghis Khan took Guo Jing's hand and spoke earnestly.
"Great Khan, why must the Mongols constantly wage war and slaughter?"
"Haven't we conquered Khwarezm and subjugated countless people across vast territories?
Guo Jing sighed softly.
"Conquering all the lands is the mission entrusted to me by the Eternal Heaven."
"If we don't fight, tens of thousands of my Mongol soldiers and civilians will starve to death every year."
"Guo Jing, I have already promised you that I will not kill innocent people indiscriminately."
Why don't you understand me?
Genghis Khan felt both anger and powerlessness.
"There are always deaths in war."
Guo Jing sighed and shook his head, having no intention of bringing up the topic again with Genghis Khan.
If he accepts this assignment and returns to Mongolia, he doesn't even know how many people will die in the war.
He also did not think that the Mongols were qualified rulers, and he feared that under Mongol rule, the Han people in the Central Plains would be worse off than under the Jin and Southern Song dynasties.
Upon hearing this, Genghis Khan's joy at the reunion immediately cooled.
He silently watched Guo Jing for a long time, and then looked at Tolui beside Guo Jing for a long time before finally sighing and lowering his hand.
"I know, you're still the same as when you were six."
"Just as foolish and stubborn. It's a pity that Jebe isn't here this time; he died on his way back."
"I won't be here next winter either."
"Tolui, Guo Jing, come with me for a walk outside."
Genghis Khan said calmly.
Upon hearing of Jebe's death, Guo Jing was overcome with grief and lost all thought of refuting Temujin.
Accompanied by Tolui and Guo Jing, Genghis Khan walked under the blue sky and across the grasslands.
Although Genghis Khan was old, he still refused the help of Guo Jing and Tolui and walked with great difficulty on the vast grassland.
"Guo Jing, would you consider me a hero?"
Genghis Khan suddenly asked a question, and Guo Jing remained silent for a long time.
He thought of the Khwarazmian people who had been brutally slaughtered by Genghis Khan during the westward expedition, and fell silent.
Guo Jing couldn't bring himself to speak coldly to Genghis Khan like in the original story, yet he couldn't go against his own conscience, so he could only remain silent.
"In the eyes of the Mongols, would I be considered a hero?"
Genghis Khan suddenly asked another question.
This time, he didn't just ask Guo Jing, but asked Tuolei as well.
"Our Father Khan is naturally the greatest hero in the hearts of all Mongols, the eternal sun!"
"You brought unity to the grasslands that had not been seen for hundreds of years, you brought a prosperous life to your people, and you gave the people of the grasslands the strength to fight against the cold winter and hunger."
"No one can deny this."
Tore immediately knelt down and said sincerely.
Guo Jing could not deny this.
"The Great Khan is naturally a once-in-a-millennium hero to the people of the grasslands."
Guo Jing said sincerely.
"That's enough, that's enough."
"As long as my people approve of my life, that is enough."
Genghis Khan smiled.
"Guo Jing, take Hua Zheng away."
"I know you married that Han woman, but what strong man in the world, with any ability, doesn't have three wives and four concubines?"
"Hua Zheng's heart has already left the grassland. If you don't want to stay, then take her with you."
Genghis Khan suddenly spoke generously.
Guo Jing was stunned. He had not expected Genghis Khan to say such a thing at such a time.
But thinking of his wife Huang Rong, who was newly pregnant, he finally shook his head and said...
"I have sworn that I will only love Rong'er in this life, and I will never love anyone else."
"I only consider Hua Zheng my younger sister."
Guo Jing refused almost without hesitation.
"When I betrothed her to you, why didn't you say you only considered her a younger sister?"
Upon hearing this, Genghis Khan was immediately enraged. He somehow found the strength to crack his whip and deliver a solid blow to Guo Jing.
Guo Jing felt guilty but did not dodge, only letting the whip leave a bloody mark on his face.
Genghis Khan glared at Guo Jing for a long time, but finally sighed and put down the whip.
"Then, let's take Huazheng to Shandong."
"I will order that she be given to Yang Kang."
Genghis Khan said indifferently.
"Your Majesty, but Brother Yang already has a wife?"
Guo Jing said in astonishment.
"He doesn't have as many flaws as you. I believe he will be very happy to marry Hua Zheng."
Genghis Khan snorted coldly.
Guo Jing remained silent upon hearing this. Genghis Khan had suddenly brought up this idea, and even he himself couldn't fathom what the other party's intentions were.
However, he and Hua Zheng grew up together since childhood. Although they did not have romantic feelings for each other, their brotherly bond was no less than that of Tolui.
He was naturally willing to accept the task of escorting a bride.
Guo Jing agreed, and Genghis Khan eagerly prepared Hua Zheng in the camp, almost like packing up goods, and handed her over to Guo Jing, instructing him to send Hua Zheng to Shandong immediately, without even sending anyone to inform Yang Kang in advance.
No sooner had Guo Jing left than Genghis Khan died in his golden tent.
In September, when Guo Jing arrived in Yidu Prefecture, Shandong, with Genghis Khan's decree and Hua Zheng in a Mongolian wedding dress, leading a long procession, everyone, including Yang Kang, was dumbfounded.
Yang Kang was momentarily unable to guess what Genghis Khan was trying to achieve with this move.
"Wonderful, wonderful."
"People often say that parents' hearts are full of love and worry for their children. It turns out that even a steppe overlord like Genghis Khan could think of his children in this way."
Qiu Chuji recalled Genghis Khan's appearance when they parted and immediately understood.
"What does this mean?"
Guo Jing asked him, puzzled.
Yang Kang, Yang Miaozhen, and the others looked at him curiously.
"Since Jing'er refuses to return to Mongolia, the conflict between Ögedei and Tolui is inevitable, and the descendants of the Golden Family will surely be stained with the blood of their own compatriots."
"The elderly, weak, women and children of the Great Ordos, no matter who wins, will probably find it difficult to survive in this internal strife."
Qiu Chuji spoke slowly.
"As Genghis Khan's only unmarried daughter, Hua Zheng's existence was a powerful banner, but she herself had no power to protect herself."
"Regardless of who wins or loses, she will inevitably become a pawn in this storm."
"Of all the people under heaven, Princess Huazheng would definitely want to marry Jing'er first."
"But Kang'er once saved Princess Huazheng. Genghis Khan may have thought that it would be easier to accept this Mongolian princess marrying you than marrying someone else."
"Moreover, if there is anyone in the world who can protect and preserve her amidst such turmoil, it can only be Kang'er."
Qiu Chuji had already seen through everything.
If we were to ask who in the world most admires Yang Kang's personal martial prowess, then Temujin, who was nearly killed by Yang Kang in the Battle of Yehuling, would undoubtedly be number one.
This admiration reached its peak after learning that Yang Kang had once saved Hua Zheng, to the point that he ultimately made this decision before his death.
After all, in the eyes of all the Mongols at this time, Yang Kang and his World Society were nothing more than warlords who occupied a corner of the country. No matter how strong Yang Kang's personal martial prowess was, it would not have any impact.
Yang Kang and Yang Miao exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing an unspoken, overwhelming joy.
They both knew that Hua Zheng's arrival was a godsend for their future plans.
Meanwhile, news of Genghis Khan's death also reached Yidu Prefecture at breakneck speed.
The old man finally died, and the shadow that had loomed over all the heroes of the world finally returned his life to his eternal heaven.
But the moment he received the news, Yang Kang felt a surge of relief, as if a heavy burden that had been weighing on him for a long time had finally been lifted.
The system panel, which had been dormant for a long time, suddenly started flashing again.
[System Prompt: Historical Scene - The First Emperor Dies and the Land Is Divided, Repeating Itself]
[Xiang Yu template integration rate: 90%]
[Contending for Supremacy: Qin Loses Its Throne, and the World Chases After It - Unlocked: For every 10% of the land conquered, the host's fortune permanently increases by 10%]
Yang Kang's double pupils flickered slightly, and the system panel fully unfolded.
[Host: Yang Kang]
[Current World: The Legend of the Condor Heroes]
[Character Template: Xiang Yu Template (90% fusion, including Overlord Body, Military Strategy, Overlord Divine Arrow, Overlord Double Pupils, Black Steed Treading Snow, Overlord Unharmed, Contending for the World)]
Martial Arts: Quanzhen Internal Energy, Nine Yang Divine Skill, Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, Innate Skill
[Note: If Heaven does not grant your request, you will suffer the consequences!]