Chapter 546: Breaking the Encirclement! The Transfer of Authority (1/2)
Chapter 546: Breaking the Encirclement! The Transfer of Authority
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
The infantry, axemen, spearmen, cavalry, shieldmen, and master archers all worked together under Wang Chong's order, steadily advancing up the mountain, piece by piece.
Unlike the previous sneak attacks, Wang Chong's method of attack was completely unexpected: a frontal assault.
He made no attempts to hide it.
To the complete surprise of the Tibetans, the Tang army of forty to fifty thousand chose to engage in a frontal assault, and the northeast corner just so happened to be where their defenses were weakest.
Through the constant sneak attacks, Wang Chong had already gained an understanding of the Tibetans' order of battle and the disposition of their forces.
The Tibetans had no secrets that they could hide from Wang Chong.
”Hurry! Time is short! We've already distracted Huoshu Huicang, so we have to pierce through the Tibetan formations as quickly as possible and bring the Annan Protectorate army out of here,” Wang Chong said.
Wang Yan, Old Eagle, Chen Shusun, and Commandants Xu Shiping and Xu Andun were gathered around Wang Chong, carrying out Wang Chong's will and pushing the army forward like an inexorable tide.
Clangclangclang!
The cry of metal against metal was ceaseless as whistling arrows, flying spears, and the clash of scimitar against sword mixed into a single clamor. To the southeast, the Tibetans were caught between two armies and had completely crumbled.
Wang Chong's attack was extremely incisive, and the place he had chosen to start his attack was where the Tibetans were weakest. His soldiers worked in perfect harmony, leaving no gaps in their defense and completely taking the Tibetans by surprise.
On the summit, Xianyu Zhongtong had already received Wang Chong's letter via pigeon, so his entire army was cooperating by attacking the northeast.
With armies pressing in from both sides, one could easily imagine the situation in the northeast.
”Flee!”
”How could there be so many?”
”It's the Wang Clan father and son! They've come back!”
”We can't stop them! Where's the Great General? Only the Great General can deal with them; only the Great General will have a plan!”
……
The Tibetans were never easy to subdue, but the situation was stronger than a man. Simultaneously confronting the attacks from both Wang Chong and Xianyu Zhongtong and the effects of the Halo of Dusk Stallion and Bane of the Battlefield had made the Tibetans easy to subdue.
The northeast lines collapsed far faster than anyone could have imagined. Wang Chong had given no time for Huoshu Huicang to return before piercing through the Tibetan lines.
”Lord Wang, it really was you!”
On the summit, everyone had been drenched by the rain. Xianyu Zhongtong was standing on the summit, and as he saw Wang Yan approach, he was at first shocked and then elated.
Xianyu Zhongtong had long known who had come to rescue him.
But he was still surprised to see Wang Yan appear at this time, even though he should have retreated a long time ago. Xianyu Zhongtong felt greatly moved that the troops led by Wang Yan had chosen to not give up on him.
”Lord Protector-General, you've misunderstood. I was not the commander of this army. It was my son, Wang Chong,” Wang Yan sternly said in response to Xianyu Zhongtong's words. Without any other words, he took a step to the side to yield the path to Wang Chong.
”Lord Xianyu, long time no see!”
Wang Chong didn't stand on ceremony. With a brush of his sleeve, he stepped forward, passing his father and appearing before Xianyu Zhongtong.
”Young Master Chong?!”
Xianyu Zhongtong's eyes went wide upon seeing Wang Chong, and an incredulous expression came over his face.
Xianyu Zhongtong had met Wang Chong before, during Zhangchou Jianqiong's banquet in the capital. Zhangchou Jianqiong had seemed to treat Wang Chong favorably and with great interest, and for this reason, Xianyu Zhongtong had a very deep impression of Wang Chong.
Moreover, Xianyu Zhongtong had some understanding of Wang Chong's deeds. What he had done in the capital, including the storm he had stirred in the court, were not things that any ordinary person could do.
And this youth seemed to have the regard of the Sage Emperor as well.
It wasn't possible for Xianyu Zhongtong to not know who he was.
Besides, the eighty thousand soldiers of the Annan Protectorate army had been saved by the Lion City that Wang Chong had constructed.
Xianyu Zhongtong was actually filled with gratitude for that Young Master Chong in the far-away capital, even though Wang Chong was still a teenager with no official rank or title of nobility.
”Young Master Chong, so it was you!”
Xianyu Zhongtong hurriedly stepped forward and clasped Wang Chong's hands, his expression extremely moved. For Wang Chong to suddenly descend from the heavens and appear was nothing less than a miracle.
Xianyu Zhongtong would have never expected this.
Wang Chong was also shocked. He had never expected Xianyu Zhongtong to have this sort of attitude. After all, he was a Protector-General of the empire, someone who stood on the same level as Geshu Han and Zhang Shougui.
Though his reputation might not be up to par.
”Lord Protector-General, this isn't the time to talk about such things. I've already lured the tiger, Huoshu Huicang, from the mountain. However, he could come back at any time. Time is short, and we have to leave immediately!”