Chapter 517: A Private Worry! Provisions! (1/2)

After traveling several hundred li from the mountain, Wang Chong's army quickly met up with the second group of reinforcements. The commander of this force was Xu Andun, another veteran officer. With the merger of these two armies, Wang Chong's forces swelled from five thousand to around eleven thousand.

This was the first time Wang Chong's forces had exceeded ten thousand. Although it was only a difference of three thousand soldiers from his previous maximum, such a minor difference had massive ramifications. Top-notch generals followed the same principle as Han Xin: the more soldiers, the better. When one's soldiers exceeded ten thousand, a whole new set of strategies opened up. With these ten thousand soldiers, Wang Chong now had much more to work with and maneuver.

Wang Chong had managed to defeat a fierce Tibetan general like Bachicheng and his force of more than ten thousand while suffering from comparatively few casualties, so it was even easier to deal with the remaining six thousand.

The battle to come was going to be much easier!

Without Bachicheng or Xiangyang Dalu, the remaining Tibetan cavalry were only able to hold on for a short while before being easily destroyed by Wang Chong's force.

This battle was even shorter than the last one. In just two hours, it was over.

……

”Milord, your subordinate will take his leave first!”

The battle's conclusion was of no comfort to Li Siye. The battle for Wang Chong's forces had ended, but his was just beginning. But even he himself was perplexed as to what he was about to do next.

”Mm, go then. What comes next already has nothing to do with you.”

Wang Chong nodded from his horse, his expression flat and emotionless. Li Siye could spy no hesitation on him. Wang Chong appeared to fully understand what he was doing and what he needed, with no confusion in sight. This made Li Siye a little more confident in the task he was about to undertake.

”This silk bag is for you!”

Wang Chong took a small bag from his waist. From the knot tying the bag, it seemed like it had been prepared for some time.

”If you succeed in this task, the Tibetans will definitely send a part of their force to deal with you. No matter what, you must remember to not get greedy for merit, and don't let emotions affect your decisions. I've explained everything clearly in the silk bag. You have to do exactly as it says!”

Wang Chong said this with absolute solemnity.

Wang Chong had always respected Li Siye, but it was precisely for this reason that his stern expression now left such a deep impression on Li Siye.

”Yes, your subordinate understands!”

Li Siye gave Wang Chong a deep look, took the silk bag from Wang Chong and then gave Wang Chong a soldier's bow.

”Young Master, be at ease. No matter what, I will properly complete this task!”

With these final words, Li Siye waved his hand, galloping off with more than a thousand fully-armored cavalry. He left in his wake the thick scent of blood.

”Young Master…”

In the distance, Commandant Xu, Zhao Jingdian, and Old Eagle watched in confusion as Li Siye left. The mission Li Siye had been tasked with this time was extremely mysterious and set him on a completely different course from the rest of the army. Other than Wang Chong, no one knew where Li Siye was going at a crucial moment like this.

This truly left them perplexed, but even so, no one dared to doubt Wang Chong's decisions.

By now, Wang Chong's reputation had already reached a level that even Xu Shiping would find difficult to reach. A single word from Wang Chong would make Xu Shiping's subordinates immediately follow him, even if Xu Shiping tried to stop them. This wasn't because they were lacking loyalty, but because Wang Chong had used his own abilities and his three victories to win their heartfelt servitude.

At this time, there was no one left who cared about Wang Chong's age, gender, or status. Even if he lost King Song's token, no one would defy his orders.

Wang Chong had won command of this army through his absolute strength.

”All troops, move out!”

There was no time to wonder what sort of effect Li Siye's departure would have on the army. After making a sweep of the battlefield, Wang Chong issued the order and led his army to the south. With this victory, Wang Chong's path southward was finally free of obstructions. No more barriers existed between him and the Annan Protectorate army.

Time was short, and Wang Chong was determined to make no more stops.

”Does Milord have time to talk?”

The journey south was dull and lonesome. While Wang Chong was riding on his horse, occupied with his thoughts, he suddenly heard a very soft voice at his ear. Commandant Xu Andun had ridden his horse and surreptitiously approached Wang Chong. Xu Andun had nothing but heartfelt respect for the teenager next to him.

Although they hadn't known each other for long and though this youth was probably about the age of his own children, Xu Andun didn't dare to treat him as a boy. Instead, he had happily accepted him as the true commander of this army. However, it was for this very reason that Xu Andun felt that there were some things that he had to say.

”…Your subordinate has some matters that he would like to discuss with Milord.”