Chapter 1094: Qutaybahs Order! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Everyone had seen Qutaybah's strength with their own eyes. A single stream of Sword Qi from him could send thousands of steel walls flying and open up a gap for the rest of the Arab army. Thus, there was still a large chance to defeat the Great Tang.
Qutaybah was completely encased in golden armor, making it impossible to see the look on his face. Just when everyone believed that he would refuse, the War God of Arabia gave a rare nod.
”Okay! However, none of you are allowed to touch that black-robed old man with the Tang. This person can only die at my hands!”
Everyone was stunned by this request, but they quickly understood. Qutaybah was the strongest governor of Arabia, with even Abu Muslim finding it difficult to contend against him at times, but in Talas, he had actually run into someone that could oppose him and block his attacks, that elder from the east. This was unacceptable to the arrogant Qutaybah.
While Qutaybah had agreed to Abu Muslim's request, it was more out of a desire to kill that mysterious old man. But no one was foolish enough to point this out, much less object to his request.
”There is still another matter.”
At this moment, Ziyad suddenly spoke, immediately drawing everyone else's attention. Abu Muslim, Aybak, and Osman all looked over in astonishment.
”The Tibetans and Western Turks can no longer act like this. In this battle, they each sent out only one army and no other soldiers. Our Arabian Empire has already lost more than two hundred thousand soldiers in this campaign while the Tibetans and Western Turks have lost only a trifling twenty thousand. Since they wish to be allies with our Arabia and enjoy the fruits of our conquest, they cannot keep hiding behind us. If they wish to reap the harvest, they must appear on the front line!” Ziyad solemnly declared.
As the Deputy Governor of the East, Ziyad had been dissatisfied with the Tibetans and Western Turks for some time. In the first phase of this battle, if the Tibetans and Western Turks had worked together with the Arabs and attacked from the rear, the situation now would be completely different. Ziyad and Abu Muslim might have already swept past Talas.
Abu Muslim was silent, a pensive look in his eyes.
Abu Muslim finally made a decision and sternly declared, ”Inform them! We will do as you suggest!”
If it could get him victory, Abu Muslim no longer cared about the consequences.
……
”The Tang are truly too powerful. The Great Tang Emperor seems to already be paying attention to this area. He actually dispatched the Tongluo Cavalry. Another step further would be the Emperor himself participating in the campaign!”
Far away from the Arabs, Dalun Ruozan, Huoshu Huicang, Dusong Mangpoje, Duwu Sili, and the others had gathered. When speaking of the Great Tang's Sage Emperor, Huoba Sangye appeared deeply apprehensive.
In the Great Tang, the Emperor was not merely an Emperor. Even Huoba Sangye knew that the strongest expert of the Central Plains was not any Imperial Great General or some hidden expert belonging to a sect. Rather, it was the Sage Emperor concealed in the depths of the Great Tang Imperial Palace. The title of 'Sage Emperor' was enough to see his status in the Central Plains and the entire eastern world.
After all, the magnificent golden age of the Great Tang had been forged by none other than the Sage Emperor!
If that person appeared at Talas, the scene on the battlefield would probably be entirely different.
”Don't worry about such things. A sovereign cannot recklessly step onto the battlefield,” Huoshu Huicang suddenly said. ”When we were in the southwest, if Geluofeng hadn't put himself at risk, we wouldn't have been defeated so quickly! And Mengshe Zhao wouldn't be in this state where it is a complete vassal of the Great Tang and still paying an enormous compensation. Our first priority is to deal with the battle before us!”
Huoshu Huicang turned to Dalun Ruozan, his eyes brimming with concern.
”Great Minister, this battle was a grievous defeat. I sense that the Arabs will probably vent their anger on us!”
Dalun Ruozan said nothing, but his eyes brimmed with the same worry. He was in complete agreement with Huoshu Huicang on this point.
Ever since Qutaybah and the other two Arab Great Generals had arrived at Talas, the relationship between Ü-Tsang and Arabia had slowly become more complicated. Moreover, Dalun Ruozan could sense that the authority over the battlefield had inexplicably moved from Abu Muslim, who everyone had agreed upon, to the Governor of War, Qutaybah.
This meant that the alliance between Ü-Tsang and Arabia was no longer as sturdy as it was before, that there were now many more variables to consider.
”This isn't the time to ponder such things. Our alliance with the Arabs will only have meaning if we win this battle. Otherwise, Ü-Tsang will lose any hopes of contending with the Great Tang,” Dalun Ruozan sternly reminded.
No matter how complicated the situation, Dalun Ruozan was always able to extract the most crucial pieces of information from the chaos.
”I don't know if the rest of you have realized, but the greatest advantage the Arabs have in this war, their greatest strength, is not those elite soldiers, but the Governor of War Qutaybah. All of the soldiers regard him with incomparable respect, and he is the foundation of their morale. But Qutaybah seems to have encountered an opponent!”