Chapter 518: Silk Bag! A Sheep Dead from Plague! (1/2)
Chapter 518: Silk Bag! A Sheep Dead from Plague!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
'Food is god for the people.' This era wasn't too different from that other space-time Wang Chong had come from, other than its extreme reverence for martial arts. But not even the most powerful of martial arts could increase the production of foodstuffs. Thus, when that turmoil engulfed the Central Plains and brought down calamity, the earth was covered in starving people.
Even Wang Chong's army had been limited by this and ultimately suffered defeat and death.
With such a painful lesson, Wang Chong began his preparations very early on, and Zhang Munian had been the foreshadowing for Wang Chong's plans.
The hybrid rice was already beginning to take shape, so Wang Chong had written a letter to Zhang Munian some time ago requesting that he send over provisions. As for the specific arrangements, Wang Chong had given Xu Qiqin complete authority over the matter. If the future Queen of Logistics couldn't even handle it, then Wang Chong would truly be clueless as to anyone else in this world who could resolve an army's supply problems on such short notice.
Xu Andun mentally sighed. He truly didn't believe that Wang Chong could resolve a problem that not even the Imperial Court could resolve. But he could tell from the look of Wang Chong's face that he wasn't lying. And given his status and abilities, there was no need for him to lie.
We can only think on our feet then… Xu Andun mentally said, suppressing his worries.
With the 18,000 Tibetans guarding the three passes eliminated, there were no threats to the army's march south. In truth, other than a few routed soldiers, Wang Chong's forces didn't even see any other Tibetans. As a result, the army began to pick up speed.
However, eight hundred li past the passes, the atmosphere began to grow tenser.
The joy that had come from defeating Batunlu, Bachicheng, and Xiangyang Dalu had now disappeared. The army had initially been happy and laughing, but now, even Old Eagle had a gloomy expression. An oppressive air pervaded the army, and it felt like something was hanging over their heads.
Although they had encountered no Tibetans on the road, they could see the signs they had left behind: abandoned wagons and weapons, disorderly hoofprints left by highland steeds running from the official road to the depths of the forest, and at set intervals, one could see the stoves lit by the Tibetans as they made camp.
It wasn't just one or two, not hundreds, not even thousands. It was a vast collection of campfires that stretched toward the horizon.
The scorch marks left on the ground informed these soldiers just how massive the Tibetan army was.
This was the actual Tibetan army that had routed Li Zhengyi, and the leader of this army was a Tibetan Great General called Huoshu Huicang!
Although Bachicheng and Batunlu were renowned generals, they were still just subordinates to Huoshu Huicang. Even the Tibetan cavalry that had been left to guard the three passes had been left behind by Huoshu Huicang. The deaths of Bachicheng and the others were minor losses relative to the bulk of the Tibetan army.
Wang Chong had defeated Batunlu and Bachicheng, but Huoshu Huicang was on a different level. Even a tiger of the empire like Zhangchou Jianqiong had not been able to deal with him, so how could he be as easily disposed of as his subordinates?
If they encountered Huoshu Huicang, all of them would probably die.
Most of the soldiers here had participated in that battle and had fully experienced the power of the Tibetans. It was easy to imagine what they were feeling as they once more saw the signs left behind by the Tibetan army.
”I wonder how the Annan Protectorate elites are doing?”
”I hope that their losses haven't been too bad.”
”I wonder if we'll get there in time…”
”We've only got ten-thousand-some soldiers. Can we actually be of any help?”
”We can only put our trust in Milord.”
…………
That the 500,000 soldiers of Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang were menacing the Annan Protectorate army was already no secret. When they thought about the difficulties ahead, everyone's hearts sank. Occasionally, the soldiers would subconsciously look toward Wang Chong.
With their future prospects dim, the soldiers had made Wang Chong their spiritual support. After those fierce battles, no one dared to doubt Wang Chong now. Although he was younger than all of them, Wang Chong's composure, easygoing nature, and intelligence had left a deep impression in their minds. No matter what happened up ahead, their commander Wang Chong seemed to know what he should do and how he should do it.
It was like nothing could ever knock him down or confuse him. At moments like this, this sort of authoritative aura was absolutely necessary.
Time flew by, and the army marched day and night toward the south.
The air grew more oppressive the farther south they traveled. Wang Chong had clearly sensed this change, but he said nothing.
I wonder how Li Siye is doing. Given how much time has passed, he should have reached that place by now.
On his horse, Wang Chong inexplicably began to think about the departed Li Siye, raising his head to the sky.
Hesitation and doubt were quite normal, so Wang Chong hadn't felt the need to say anything. Everyone believed that he was the primary force of this southern campaign, but only Wang Chong knew that the true primary force was the one thousand cavalry that Li Siye had left with. The important thing was that at this moment, not even Li Siye knew what he was doing or the significance of his actions. Only Wang Chong knew.
”Hyah!”
Wang Chong urged his horse onward even faster.
………
Time flowed by, and one's gaze drew away from the south, crossing countless hills and plains, headed west, to a place more than two thousand li from Wang Chong's current location. Here, horses were neighing as more than one thousand Great Tang cavalry stood in orderly ranks, their killing intent soaring into the sky as they waited.
”Someone, bring that item forward.”
Li Siye put the thin slip of paper back into the silk bag and issued an order.
Clangclangclang!
There was a clattering of metal as several stalwart figures hurriedly brought forth from the rear of the army a large iron chest, placing it on the ground. Buzz! The moment the chest was placed on the ground, a magical spell seemed to be cast over the army. The atmosphere suddenly became strange as everyone peered curiously at the chest.
Although no one said anything, their eyes completely sold them out.