Chapter 941: Dalun Ruozans Bewilderment! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”At least six thousand!” Li Siye said.
In the Tibetan camp, it was impossible for him to get an exact count of the number killed, only make a rough estimate. Even so, that a raiding force of around four thousand was able to kill around six thousand while suffering losses of around sixty of their own was truly a major success.
”Not bad! This means that the Tibetans and Western Turks together have around sixty thousand men left. The space and methods available to Dalun Ruozan are getting smaller and smaller. We can presume that he will be even more cautious with his future operations.”
Gao Xianzhi gave a satisfied nod.
Wang Chong and Gao Xianzhi's goal in the raid on the Tibetans had been exceptionally clear: efficiently damaging their enemy's effective strength, constantly grinding away at the number of men under Dalun Ruozan's command.
In this aspect, the night raid had achieved its goal.
”What of Lord Gao?” Wang Chong asked.
Just like Gao Xianzhi did not know the specific details of the raid on the Tibetans, Wang Chong did not know what Gao Xianzhi had done. All the details, including the number of losses, were only known by Gao Xianzhi and Cheng Qianli, the highest-ranked commanders of the Anxi Protectorate army.
”Hahah, the operation turned out exactly as I predicted. Abu Muslim truly did not take a single precaution. He was too confident, so confident that he believed the mere fact that he had more than two hundred thousand soldiers meant that we wouldn't dare to attack him. So our operation went off very smoothly,” Gao Xianzhi said with a smile.
”Perhaps it wasn't just that he was too confident. He might have also believed that even if we succeeded, it would barely be an itch, something that would have no effect on the overarching situation.”
Wang Chong faintly smiled.
”If Abu Muslim thinks that this raid had no effect on the overarching situation, then he's made a grave mistake.”
Gao Xianzhi turned to one of the deputies behind him.
”Huaishun, have you finished settling down the Arabian hunting falcons? How many did we manage to get?”
”Milord, they've all been taken care of. We managed to get three in total, all of which have been handed over to the bird trainers in the army,” the Anxi deputy general known as Kang Huaishun deferentially said.
”Have the follow-up measures been enacted? Will our actions draw any suspicion?” Gao Xianzhi said.
”Following Milord's orders, we left behind three rock eagle corpses that appeared like Arabian hunting falcons at the Arab camp,” Kang Huaishun reported. ”Only pulped flesh of those three rock eagles remain, so it's very hard to differentiate them from hunting falcons. The Arabs will not be able to notice the difference. In addition, the members of the raiding party reported that the Arab camp has many hunting falcons. The loss of only three will not attract their attention.”
Kang Huaishun was also a renowned general of the Anxi Protectorate army. He had been the main commander of the night raid.
Listening on the side, Wang Chong gave a nod of approval. The primary objective of the Anxi Protectorate army in the raid against the Arabs was to steal a few hunting falcons, not kill Arab soldiers. Dalun Ruozan communicated with the Arabs through letters delivered by these fierce hunting falcons. If they could steal a few, they could intercept some of these letters.
”But there is still one problem. The Arabian hunting falcons are extremely vicious and began to shout and cry the moment they were brought back from the Arab camp. Our men have done all they could, but they can't get them to quiet down. In addition, they aren't willing to eat any of the meat we give them,” Kang Huaishun said.
If the hunting falcons could not be tamed, they could not be used. The results would be the same as if they had never been captured in the first place.
”This problem is easy to take care of.”
Wang Chong gave a leisurely grin.
”General Kang, I have a bird expert known as Zhang Que under my command. He's done a great deal of research on Arabian hunting falcons, so you can just leave this matter to him.”
”Huaishun, do as Lord Wang says,” Gao Xianzhi said with a faint smile. ”In addition, give that Arab general who led the raiding force known as Nurman to Protector-General Wang as well!”
”Oh?”
Wang Chong's eyes brightened in pleasant surprise. He thought that Xi Yuanqing had killed Nurman. That he had been captured was quite unexpected.
”Many thanks for this.”
With the war hanging over his head, Wang Chong needed to get as strong as possible, needed his Great Yinyang Heaven Creation Art to absorb the strength of more people. Only this way could he be of more help in the battles to come.
”Yes!”
Kang Huaishun bowed his head and quickly departed.
”Lord Gao! Lord Wang!”
At this moment, the new chief of the Karluks, Guli, suddenly spoke.
”There is still another matter…”
Guli's expression was hesitant, his tone uncertain. His movements immediately attracted the notice of everyone in the hall. Both Wang Chong and the Ferghanan chief Banahan turned to see what was going on.
”What's wrong, Guli?” Gao Xianzhi said in surprise.