Chapter 798: Fumeng Lingchas Unease! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
In the Western Regions, there were two massive forces. One was the Western Turkic Khaganate, and the other was Ü-Tsang. For a very long time, the Western Turkic Khaganate had been flourishing, exerting a powerful influence on the kingdoms of the Western Regions.
This was not the case for the Ü-Tsang Empire, but even if it did not have a long history of dominance over the Western Regions, its influence was still only second to the Turks.
At times, even the brave horsemen of the Western Turkic Khaganate would retreat when running into the cavalry of the Ü-Tsang Empire, regarding them with extreme vigilance.
Now that this sort of battle had taken place on the plateau, involving two Imperial Great Generals and resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of elite Tibetan cavalry, if this could not attract the notice of the kingdoms of the Western Regions, then nothing could.
Flapflap!
Countless messenger birds flew to and fro over the Western Regions, as if this news about the battle was sprouting wings and swiftly spreading to every corner.
The Anxi Protectorate headquarters also received this news. Gao Xianzhi, holding the letter, creased his brow in silent thought.
The border between Ü-Tsang and the Great Tang was extremely long, and so it was not only Qixi that suffered from Tibetan raids and invasions. The Anxi Protectorate was similarly afflicted.
But whenever Ü-Tsang attacked the Anxi Protectorate, Gao Xianzhi would always throw them back.
Gao Xianzhi didn't have many soldiers, but they were the cream of the crop, each of them able to fight against one hundred. In addition, the Anxi Protectorate army was extremely well-equipped, armed with large ballistae with frightening killing potential. Thus, the Tibetans had always been wary about attacking him.
Moreover, with Gao Xianzhi's current reputation in the Western Regions, many kingdoms would answer his call to arms. Other than the Great Tang's Anxi Protectorate army, Gao Xianzhi could also mobilize the soldiers belonging to the kingdoms of the Western Regions, and even the Tibetans had to think twice before testing that edge.
Despite all this, Gao Xianzhi had never looked down on the Tibetan cavalry, especially when they were being led by an Imperial Great General.
”Changqing, what do you think? Dusong Mangpoje isn't a weakling, and someone of Fumeng Lingcha's abilities wouldn't be able to deal him such a severe defeat alone. There's something fishy about this matter.”
As Gao Xianzhi spoke, he handed the letter to Feng Changqing.
Feng Changqing said nothing, and after glancing at the letter, he lowered his head and began to think.
”Only Great Generals can deal with Great Generals, and for the Ü-Tsang Empire's losses to be so severe, Dusong Mangpoje must have been forced to flee in utter defeat.” Feng Changqing raised his head and began to speak, his eyes clear and wise. ”For something like this to happen, the opposing side had to have at least two Imperial Great Generals, and extremely formidable ones. Fumeng Lingcha's situation clearly does not satisfy these requirements.”
”But do the Western Regions have this many Great Generals in the first place? Or did Geshu Han and An Sishun also come over?” Gao Xianzhi said.
”Haha, if it were Milord, perhaps they would have come, but they would never do so for Fumeng Lingcha. He's always had a most irascible temperament, and he enjoys flaunting his age and seniority. Those two would never be able to stand such treatment. Moreover, they have to guard their own territory. They are Great Generals, and if they abandon their duties, they will be severely punished.”
Feng Changqing smiled as he spoke.
”But if it wasn't them, who could it be? When did the Western Regions have so many experts?” Gao Xianzhi sternly said.
These words instantly caused Feng Changqing's smile to vanish, and he could sense the gravity of the matter.
Imperial Great Generals were incredibly important. They represented the most powerful fighting force in the world, and few could reach that level. Moreover, if it wasn't Geshu Han or An Sishun, it meant that there were unknown experts of the Imperial Great General level in the Western Regions.
No! They might even be stronger than Great Generals.
”Milord, Dusong Mangpoje lost in the triangular gap on the northern edge of the plateau. If I remember correctly, that area leads to the City of Steel constructed in Wushang by that youngest son of the Wang Clan,” Feng Changqing pensively said. ”In addition, our scouts sent back news that a small-scale city of steel has been built on that triangular gap, and the youngest son of the Wang Clan is currently there. It's impossible to deny that this matter is connected to him.”
Right now, the news that Fumeng Lingcha had defeated Dusong Mangpoje on the northern edge of the plateau was being spread throughout the Western Regions, but Feng Changqing felt that there was something off about this matter, that the situation wasn't as simple as what was being told to the outside world.
”Your meaning is that those two hidden Imperial Great Generals were invited by that boy?” Gao Xianzhi said with a frown.
He had always placed extraordinary trust in Feng Changqing's judgment. Although his subordinate was extremely ugly, he possessed a unique insight and a clear train of thought. He would often realize things that others often missed.