Chapter 1095: The Next Day, Another Battle! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Great Minister, what do we do now? Must we really serve as the vanguard for the Arabs tomorrow?” said Huoshu Huicang, stepping forward.
”I feel that the greater priority is to determine if this was Abu Muslim's order, or if it was Qutaybah's or Osman's. We were only allies with Abu Muslim. If this order came from the mouth of one of those other conceited Arab governors, perhaps we don't need to treat it seriously,” Dusong Mangpoje commented, his expression serious and his eyes thoughtful.
”Now is not the time to wonder which governor gave the order. No matter which one it was, it has already obtained Abu Muslim's approval. The Arabs have taken too many losses, so they hope that by sending us onto the field, they can reduce their casualties. There isn't anything strange about that. For the sake of our alliance and to defeat our common enemy, we probably won't be able to avoid stepping onto the field this time!”
Dalun Ruozan sighed.
The current state of this battle was far away from what Dalun Ruozan had originally predicted. Dalun Ruozan was far more worried about the Great Tang than the dissatisfaction of the Arabs.
”Hahaha, Dalun Ruozan, I didn't think you would be put into difficulties by such a minor matter.” Laughing, Duwu Sili strode forward, his eyes bursting with sharp light. ”The Arabs are arrogant and conceited and look down on us; let's go onto the field and show them our strength! It's not just the Great Tang and Arabia that can be considered the strong empires of the world!”
Unlike the others, Duwu Sili appeared to not care very much about the Arab order. On the contrary, he seemed to be anticipating this conflict.
”Soldiers are trained for a thousand days to be used in a single moment. Since Great Minister finds it difficult, let the Western Turks take the vanguard tomorrow!” Duwu Sili confidently declared.
The tent was absolutely quiet as everyone stared at Duwu Sili in shock. Dalun Ruozan stared thoughtfully at Duwu Sili and then seemed to understand.
……
A night quickly passed, and a new day arrived, one of blustering winds and chilly temperatures. Outside Talas, the ground was covered in a layer of white frost, as were the two steel defense lines.
The soldiers standing behind the defense lines were shivering, clearly affected by the cold. The weather was even colder than it had been yesterday. With every day that passed, this region to the west of the Cong Mountains seemed to be growing colder. Although it was still not the season for snowfall, there was little difference to Talas.
Even the ordinary soldiers could feel the abnormal weather, but the mood in Talas remained somber and grim. The change in weather was far less important than the battle that was on the verge of restarting.
Bwoooom!
A blaring horn shattered the serenity of early morning. As everyone watched, the silent Arab camp came to life like an awakening monster, group after group of Arab soldiers surging toward Talas.
Neigh!
The neighing of horses, the shouting of men, the clattering of armor… all of it mixed together into a massive din. Four black Arabian war banners, snapping in the cold wind of the morning, began to rapidly approach the first steel defense line.
Four mighty figures rode beneath the black war banners, stalwart and dignified. At the very front of the army was a golden figure, a sun that had fallen to the mortal world, who instantly attracted everyone's notice.
”It's Qutaybah!”
”Report this to Milord!”
In front of the first defense line, the Tang soldiers trembled at the sight of this figure, all their drowsiness vanishing, to be replaced with tension. ”Hyah!” A scout mounted his warhorse and quickly rode into Talas.
”Haha, the Arabs have moved out, so now it's our turn!”
In the rear of the army, Duwu Sili squinted his eyes, sharp light exploding from them while excitement covered his face.
”Hyah!”
Duwu Sili immediately galloped forward on his black steed, rising into the air toward the battlefield. Behind him, the rows of Western Turkic cavalry roared and yelled as they excitedly followed.
Awooo!
Following close behind them were tens of thousands of massive gray wolves, even larger than men, their canines bared.
”Let's go!”
Farther back in the rear, Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huicang looked away from Duwu Sili and gave their own orders. Soon after, nearly seventy thousand Tibetan cavalry charged forward.
The air was somber while winds howled over Talas. War was once more descending.
Boom!
Not long after the Arabs moved out, there was a deafening metallic clatter from the lofty walls of Talas as its gates flew open. An energetic army with bright eyes marched out in disciplined fashion from the city.
Their armor was covered in scars and marks, but this did not make them seem shabby. On the contrary, these suits of armor exuded a tenacious will tempered through hundreds of battles. The seven stars in the shape of a ladle on their chests clearly communicated their identity.
The Divine Martial Army!