Chapter 275: The Respect Of The Jiannan Commanders (1/2)
Chapter 275: The Respect Of The Jiannan Commanders
But in any case, due to this unintended misunderstanding, Zhangchou Jianqiong dared not take Wang Chong's words lightly.
”As the progeny of a general, it is a good thing that Wang gongzi thinks deeply into such matters. You all need not think too much into his words!”
Zhangchou Jianqiong waved his hands to stop his subordinates before turning to Wang Chong. With a faint smile and the might of a powerful general, he said, ”It has been long since Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang surfaced in the world, but the situation that Wang gongzi spoke of has never happened before.
”Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang, one is in Erhai while the other is on a plateau. These two countries have completely different languages, customs, and even skin color. Not to mention, our Great Tang divides the both of them into two like a sharp sword. The two nations can't even communicate with one another properly, not to mention, collaborate with one another.
”The human heart is always filled with doubts. It's already sufficiently difficult for a section to work with one another, and here we are talking about the armies of two empires. Who will direct who? Who will take the lead and who will listen? Wang gongzi has never been to the battlefield before, so it's natural you are unaccustomed to such military matters.”
Zhangchou Jianqiong knocked on the table lightly with his forefinger.
”If the two countries were to ally with one another to attack Great Tang, they would have to dispatch an army of at least 200,000 men each. A combined army of 400,000, who would command them? When will they strike? How will they strike, and how will the two armies work with one another? ... Wang gongzi, you are still too young, and it's unavoidable for you to underestimate the intricacy behind such matters. That is 400,000 men, not a few hundred or a few thousand. How could they be mobilized so easily?
”Besides, even if they were to collaborate with one another, with our hundred thousand elite troops and the strategic advantage of our forts, do you think that we won't be able to fend off their offense? As long as we stall them for a sufficient length of time for the main army from the royal court to arrive, we would be able to wipe them out clean no matter how many soldiers they dispatch.
”Putting everything aside, just the army located closest to Jiannan is the Big Dipper army in Longxi. That is an army personally groomed by Great General Wang Chongsi! Even though it is currently under Geshu Han, its troops consist mainly of veteran Han soldiers who have accrued great experience facing the steel cavalry of Ü-Tsang.
”Should the situation you mention occur, the Big Dipper army would surely move. Also, the other armies along the borders could also be mobilized for that crisis you speak of. The scenario that you mentioned has never happened before in the history of our Great Tang. War is not a game. No matter how ambitious Geluo Feng is, he has to weigh his choices carefully. His Erhai Mengshe Zhao might not necessarily be able to withstand Great Tang's wrath!”
At the end of his words, Zhangchou Jianqiong harrumphed coldly as compelling power flowed through his voice. Mengshe Zhao was different from Ü-Tsang in the sense that it was a vassal state of Great Tang.
Vassal states represented nations that the lording empire could annex, but chose not to.
Before Mengshe Zhao staged an uprising, it would have to consider the consequences.
”Lord, I can't say for sure whether Mengshe Zhao can successfully ally with Ü-Tsang, but it is the absolute truth that Mengshe Zhao has intentions of staging a coup d'état, and it has sent an envoy to liaise with the Seventh Tsenpo of Ü-Tsang!”
Wang Chong's words immediately caused a stir in the room. Zhangchou Jianqiong, Xianyu Zhongtong, and the other Jiannan commanders' faces immediately twisted in shock.
”Wang gongzi, what do you mean by that? Matters regarding the military can't be spoken jokingly. Is it true that Mengshe Zhao has extended a hand of alliance to Ü-Tsang?” Zhangchou Jianqiong asked with a grim expression.
He thought that Wang Chong only wanted to trade some military insights with him; this was rather common among the scions of military clans. However, the content of Wang Chong's words had already exceeded the realm of trading insight; this was something that could possibly influence the fate of Great Tang!
It would be a huge problem if Mengshe Zhao was truly proposing an alliance to Ü-Tsang. All matters regarding the southwest of Great Tang were within his jurisdiction, at least before he entered the Bureau of Military Personnel.
If something were to happen there, everyone here would be affected.
”Not too long ago, I met a scion from Erhai. His father is an important official from Mengshe Zhao, and under my warm welcome, he confessed in a drunken state that Geluo Feng has already dispatched one of his deeply-trusted subordinates as an envoy to propose an alliance to Ü-Tsang. That gentleman bore goodwill toward our Great Tang, and he hopes not for a war to happen between our countries. I believe that was the reason why he spouted these words unintentionally.
”Nevertheless, when he came to the next day, he understood the consequences of his revelation and swiftly returned back to Erhai without even bidding farewell. It's only due to this matter that I raised the previous matters to General Zhangchou. I beg your pardon for my rudeness, I didn't mean to come out as so!” Wang Chong stated.
Those words immediately left a grave atmosphere glooming over the banquet. The commanders of the Southern Protectorate Manor glanced at one another grimly.
Even Yang Zhao, realizing the severity of this matter, looked a little appalled.
”Wang gongzi, pardon me for questioning you so, but what is the surname of the Erhai gentleman you spoke of?” Zhangchou Jianqiong asked with a deep voice.
”His surname is Chen!” Wang Chong said. Seeing that he had captured the attention of all of the commanders from the Southern Protectorate Manor here, Wang Chong apologized to them in his heart.
The matter regarding Nanzhao was no joking matter. It concerned 180,000 elites, several cities, and the lives of over a million citizens.
In order to warn these Jiannan commanders of the looming threat so that they would make preparations, he could only play some tricks.
”Chen?”
Zhangchou Jianqiong lowered his head as he fell into deep thought. He was familiar with the upper echelons of Mengshe Zhao, and recalling their names, there was indeed an influential official that went by the surname of Chen. Furthermore, he had accompanied Geluo Feng to Great Tang before.
Could the words of Duke Jiu's offspring be right? Does Geluo Feng really bear the intention of allying with Ü-Tsang to deal with Great Tang?