Chapter 1051: The Assault of a Powerful Enemy! (1/2)
Time slowly passed. As the Arabs, Tibetans, and Western Turks began to move out, several eagles flew through the air, causing scouts to rush into Talas in extremely frantic states.
”Reporting!
”Bad news! The Arabs have been sighted! A force of Arab cavalry is approaching Talas at full speed. Our estimates put them at four hundred thousand soldiers!”
Several scouts had charged into the reception hall, but their reports were one and the same.
Boom!
Like a boulder crashing into a lake, the scouts' reports made everyone stand up in alarm. Although the Khorasani had already said that an army of four hundred thousand Arab soldiers was approaching, seeing it actually realized left all of them stunned.
”It's been more than a month. This day had to come eventually.”
Gao Xianzhi gave a deep sigh as he stood up from the enormous conference table, his eyes turning to Wang Chong sitting across from him.
”Mm.”
Wang Chong nodded. Though his face showed no emotion, his mind was in a complicated mood. What should have come had come. After waiting for so long, the Great Tang and Arabia would finally have their unavoidable war, but this war was different from the last one. This was the true decisive battle. Only one of Arabia and the Great Tang could emerge alive from Talas. Only one flag would wave over its walls.
”Xue Qianjun, what news has there been from the Imperial Court?”
”Milord, Su Hanshan, General Wang, and General Cui have already departed from Qixi with an army of sixty thousand and are marching at full speed toward Talas.”
Wang Chong nodded and continued, ”Have the defenses for Qixi and the City of Steel been taken care of?”
Xue Qianjun bowed and replied, ”Milord, the prefectural armies of Longxi, the Guannei Circuit, and the Hedong Circuit have already garrisoned those two areas. Although they're not enough for an offensive, they should be fine for just defense.”
”Very good!”
Wang Chong gave a slight nod, no flicker of emotion in his eyes.
”The reinforcements from all sides have arrived. This battle is unavoidable. The only thing standing between us and our reinforcements is one Dalun Ruozan and one Duwu Sili!”
As Wang Chong spoke, he took two small flags and thrust them down onto the model where the Tibetan and Western Turkic camps were located.
”Wang Chong, Dalun Ruozan isn't easy to deal with. He probably already knows about the reinforcements from Qixi. What should we do? Should we go out to receive them?”
Cheng Qianli did not dare to take Dalun Ruozan lightly. In this period of more than a month, the Great Tang had wanted to raid the Tibetans and Turks several times, but Dalun Ruozan and Duwu Sili had managed to foresee these attempts every time and prepare for them. Right now, both armies were impregnable to the Tang army. Any movement the Tang tried would be discovered in advance.
Even though Gao Xianzhi and Cheng Qianli had sent scouts to clear out the spies in the city, no matter how many they killed, more would seem to appear. In the end, they could put an end to this idea.
Until they had the absolute advantage, it was not appropriate for them to battle with the Tibetans and the Western Turks.
”There's no need!”
To their surprise, Wang Chong very leisurely waved his hand in denial.
”Dalun Ruozan won't be fighting with us. The moment he detects any sign of movement from us, he'll immediately withdraw. But if Dalun Ruozan is really intending to try something, he's probably picked the wrong target this time.
”Xue Qianjun, immediately inform Su Hanshan. Tell him that Dalun Ruozan is coming and that it's time for him to show his abilities,” Wang Chong sternly said.
The people in the hall exchanged glances, and even Gao Xianzhi couldn't help but frown.
'Su Hanshan'? They had never heard this name before, but they could see from Wang Chong's expression that he trusted this person a great deal.
”Wang Chong, this is…” Gao Xianzhi questioningly said.
”A person who will make Dalun Ruozan suffer a great loss.”
Wang Chong faintly smiled.
……
As time passed, Talas became increasingly vigilant. The training of the Mo Saber Unit and the Wushang Cavalry also intensified.
Clangclangclang!
Sparks flew through the city as thick smoke billowed into the air. One Mo Saber after another was pulled from the furnaces and placed in the hands of the Mo Saber Unit, as were suits of Meteoric Metal armor.
Several days later, there was a chorus of hammering as the final Mo Saber was finished. Once the flames and smoke had dispersed and it was formally pulled from the forge, the Mo Saber Unit was fully equipped.
A palm reached over and grabbed the Mo Saber. After carefully examining the Mo Saber, Cheng Qianli gave the nod of approval.
”Good enough. Send this equipment to the second training ground.”