Temujin ordered Börlüg to lead an army in attacking from the northeast of Western Xia, crossing the Yin Mountains to strike Wula'hai City on the Hetao Plain.
Of all the Yellow River's harms, only the Hetao brings wealth. Known as the Jiangnan of the Frontier, this region was immensely prosperous, serving as Western Xia's granary and a major source of tax revenue.
Wula'hai City lay north of the Yin Mountains and south of the Yellow River. It was the gateway to northeastern Western Xia. Once it fell, the Mongol army could drive straight south and threaten Xingqing Prefecture beyond the Helan Mountains.
Börlüg was Muqali's son. After his father died, he inherited both his title and troops. He had achieved countless military merits over the years and could be considered a renowned general of his generation.
Song Qingshu regretted hearing the news. Had he known this would happen, he should have dealt with Börlüg while rescuing Jin Bingyun from his home last time. Now, he could only hope Western Xia had received advance warning and would be prepared.
Temujin also sent Kublai Khan to lead another army against Shazhou, Western Xia's western gateway. Shazhou was the Dunhuang of later generations, a crucial stronghold connecting Western Xia with the Western Regions. Once it fell, the Mongol forces could sweep eastward, attacking Jiuquan, Zhangye, and Wuwei before finally joining forces at Xingqing Prefecture.
Song Qingshu's heart grew heavy at the news. Temujin claimed these deployments were feints, but if the two armies truly tore open a breach, the feints might naturally turn into a war of annihilation. Temujin was likely planning to destroy Galdan first, then conquer Western Xia.
Having analyzed the situation, he sent word to the forces under his control in the various Central Plains states. They needed to mobilize,