Chapter 519: The Superior General Breaks the Enemys Schemes! (1/2)
Chapter 519: The Superior General Breaks the Enemy's Schemes!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Listen up! Starting from now, no one is allowed to approach without my order!” Li Siye suddenly declared.
”Milord…”
”Any who defy this order will be executed!”
Li Siye's right hand swung down, the Wootz Steel sword in his hand unleashing a stream of Sword Qi into the earth. Rocks splattered everywhere and dust plumed into the air, leaving behind a massive slash in the ground. In an instant, the crowd was silenced, the soldiers subconsciously beginning to back away.
”Yes, Milord,” someone said in a soft voice.
Li Siye had never put on airs for no reason. If he ever got serious, then it meant that the matter was of utmost importance. At this moment, no one dared to provoke him.
Young Master, is that the crucial point of the war that you spoke of to me? Li Siye thought to himself.
By now, he understood why Wang Chong had given him this chest. The sheep plague was a rare sight on the steppe, but when it appeared, it was a disaster. Unlike the people of the Central Plains, the people of the steppe had little understanding of medicine. Unlike the people of the Central Plains, they did not know to bury the bodies of sheep that died from plague.
And this was coupled with the fact that the people of the steppe were herders, their herds of cattle and sheep numbering in the tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions. Thus, once a sheep plague broke out, it was always a large-scale calamity.
The people of the steppe would turn pale at the mention of the plague.
However, because the steppes had always been the enemy of the Central Plains and because cattle and sheep constantly roamed in pursuit of new pastures, the sheep plague was a very rare occurrence. Many shepherds didn't even know what the sheep plague was. This lack of knowledge could allow someone to take advantage of the nomadic people of the steppe.
It was very clear what Wang Chong had prepared this thing for.
In the past, Li Siye would definitely have strenuously objected. But right now, the 180,000 elites of the Annan Protectorate had been routed, as had Li Zhengyi's 60,000 reinforcements. The door to the Great Tang's southwest was wide open, its almost one million civilians bereft of protection, completely exposed to the armies of Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang. At this time, if he continued to be soft-hearted and worry too much about reputation, then he would be guilty of inflexibility.
Kindness to the enemy was cruelty to oneself.
…But will this really be effective?
Li Siye mentally sighed.
Even if he understood the purpose of this object, Li Siye didn't understand how it would be useful to this war. Whether the sheep plague could inflict harm and how much harm it could inflict were matters for the future, whereas the war in the southwest was a danger close at hand. Moreover, even if he completed his mission, the Tibetan army would remain unaffected.
Would this method really be useful?
Li Siye took in a deep breath and ordered, ”Someone, give me a bag of provisions!”
”Yes, Milord.”
A soldier quickly took out a bag of soybeans and grains and handed it over. Li Siye allowed no one else to participate, personally mixing the bag of soybeans, peas, and other rations into the clump of meat.
Buzz!
After finishing this, Li Siye suddenly shook his wrist, letting out a burst of Stellar Energy. The chest closed with a thump, upon which Li Siye raised his head to look into the distance.
Form here, one could see herds of cattle and sheep scattered over the lush landscape like clouds. If one looked carefully, one could even see shepherds among the sheep herds. Their tall bodies mounted on highland steeds made them very obvious amongst the herds, even at great distances.
Only Tibetan shepherds rode horses like these while tending to their flocks.
”Since you've decided to help our enemies in the war, you're also our enemies. Don't blame me for what happens next!”
Li Siye gazed at the distant shepherds, his eyes flashing with an icy light.
”All soldiers, hear my orders. Don't let a single one of these Tibetans go!”
Li Siye drew back his energy, his entire body now exuding an aura of absolute cold.
”Yes, Milord!”
With this order, the army began to rumble forward, the more than one thousand elite cavalry picking up speed, leaving a trail of dust as they charged.
”Aaaaah!”
”It's the Tang!”
”Run!”
……
Screams came from the distance as the shepherds of Chilechuan panicked. Many people began to drive their herds in a bid to escape, but it was too late. These two countries were at war, so how could Li Siye give them any chance to escape!
Rumble!
The hooves thundered even faster!
And with the thundering of hooves, another 'battle', unbeknownst to anyone else, began in the rear of the Tibetan army.
'Before the troops and horses can be mobilized, the rations and fodder must be prepared.' This had been a principle of war since time immemorial, noted down in the books of strategy and war. However, this was a principle only on the strategy books of the Central Plains. The Tibetans and the people of the steppe had never had this problem.
Through his research, Wang Chong had discovered that the Tibetan method of logistics was completely different from that of the Central Plains.