Chapter 1054: The War Begins! (1/2)
”Hmph, Abu Muslim, relax. I will personally defeat this Great Tang army for you, destroy Talas, and flatten this first obstacle on your road to the east.”
Aybak coldly laughed.
”I have no doubts about the strength of the Mamelukes, but I hope that you can keep in mind that young Great Tang commander,” Abu Muslim said, his eyes emotionless. From the moment he had spotted that young figure behind the first defense line, his eyes had never left him.
”In addition, Masil and his Behemoth Army died at the hands of that Tang commander.”
These words immediately plunged the area into silence. Masil might not have been a particularly well-known figure in the Arabian Empire, but almost everyone knew about the Behemoth Army. Not even Aybak dared to claim that his Mamelukes could deal with the Behemoths with only their advantage in numbers. In a flash, the distant figure of Wang Chong seemed to gain a magnetic force, drawing to it the gazes of Aybak, Osman, and Abu Muslim.
”There is no harm in being cautious. I've already notified the eastern world's Tibetans and Western Turks. They will be of great assistance to us in dealing with the Tang. With them, we can utterly crush the Tang!” Abu Muslim said.
”There's no need for all that trouble!”
At this moment, a cold and unyielding voice spoke. The golden-armored Qutaybah slowly rode out from beneath his black hell flame banner. His eyes were cold and a bloodthirsty smile hung on his lips.
”Abu Muslim, you've truly disappointed me. You face this battle like you're afraid of your own shadow. It seems I really did overestimate you.”
Buzz!
Abu Muslim, Aybak, and Osman immediately turned to look at Qutaybah while Deputy Governor Ziyad had an extremely nasty and fearful grimace on his face. As Abu Muslim's right arm who had fought alongside him for ten-some years, Ziyad had a deep respect and admiration for Abu Muslim. In the past, anyone who dared to humiliate Abu Muslim would have long ago earned a reprisal from Ziyad for the sake of safeguarding Abu Muslim's reputation. However, no matter how dissatisfied Ziyad was, he could only swallow his anger against this man.
The Governor of War, Qutaybah!
This was the strongest governor in the Arabian Empire. He was an extremely terrifying fighter who also commanded the finest troops. Not even Abu Muslim and Ziyad could compare to him in these aspects.
In the Arabian Empire, Qutaybah possessed a strength that no one could dispute.
”I don't know about any Tibetans or Western Turks, and the Arabian Empire doesn't need such weak allies to conquer a single country. Pass on my order! Prepare to attack!” Qutaybah coldly ordered.
”But, Milord…”
Ziyad wanted to say more, but Abu Muslim cut him off.
”Qutaybah, we'll do as you say!” Abu Muslim said.
Qutaybah only glanced at Abu Muslim before turning around and vanishing into the army.
Once Qutaybah was gone, Ziyad began to angrily complain. ”Milord! Qutaybah's conduct is out of line! They've never interacted with the Tang and have no idea how powerful they are. The Tibetans and Western Turks are already on the way. Can he not even wait two days?”
Abu Muslim shook his head and slowly said, ”Ziyad, we were already defeated at Talas, thus losing the right to speak for this battle.”
Arabia was an extremely realistic and callous country. Everything was decided through strength. No matter how illustrious Abu Muslim had been before as the Governor of Iron and Blood, defeat was defeat. The loser had no right to argue.
”Although Qutaybah is brazen, his strength is unquestionable. With his soldiers going into battle and us assisting him, victory is possible even without the Tibetans and Western Turks. As long as we can conquer the entire eastern world, my private grudge with Qutaybah is immaterial. Pass on my order! Prepare for battle!”
Abu Muslim waved his hand.
”Yes!”
Ziyad struggled for a few moments before finally accepting the order.
……
While the Arabs were observing the Tang, behind the steel defense, Wang Chong, Gao Xianzhi, and the other Tang commanders were also observing this Arab army of unprecedented size and power.
”Milord! The Arabs are preparing to move!” Xue Qianjun, standing next to Wang Chong, suddenly said.
”Pass on my order! Prepare for battle!”