Chapter 1156: Samarkand! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Clang!
Before Wang Chong could do anything else, the Khorasani leader unsheathed his sword, flourishing it in the air before holding it out levelly before him. He slowly lowered his head, a solemn expression on his face.
At this sight, Wang Chong and everyone behind him were stunned.
”Milord, he hopes to exchange swords,” Yuan Shusong explained. ”This is a sort of ceremony in the Sassanid Dynasty, exchanging one's most precious swords to express the utmost courtesy and respect for a guest. The Khorasani regard their personal swords very highly, even more than their own lives, and they rarely perform this kind of ceremony.”
When Yuan Shusong, who was now around fifty or sixty, was around seventeen, he had traveled the world. At that time, even the Sassanid Dynasty had yet to be destroyed by Arabia. In his travels through the world, Yuan Shusong had developed a deep understanding of many of the Sassanid Dynasty's customs, and knew the unusual significance with which they regarded this ceremony.
”So that’s how it is!”
Wang Chong understood, and with a grunt, he unsheathed his Wootz Steel sword and offered it with both hands. In front of all the Tang and Khorasani soldiers, the two of them exchanged swords.
Boom!
At the moment of exchange, all the Aswaran Cataphracts behind Bahram, as well as the other Sassanid cavalry, exploded with cheers.
”Deluya, Shankuqiyasila…”
Bahram spoke once more, an expression of deep respect on his face.
”Great General Bahram says that the Arabs are the eternal enemies of the Sassanids. For killing Aybak, the foe of the Sassanids, and killing Qutaybah and more than four hundred thousand Arab soldiers, the Sassanids are eternally grateful to Milord. As long as Milord is willing to strike against the Arabs, the Sassanids are willing to follow Milord's command and be Milord's staunchest ally to the west of the Cong Mountains.”
Yuan Shusong constantly interpreted.
”Great General is too polite!” Wang Chong quickly replied. ”We have also heard of the Sassanids' situation. The Arabs are cruel and brutal, delighting in conquest and destruction. On this matter, we share a common enemy, and the Great Tang is also willing to be the Sassanids' staunchest ally in fighting against the Arabs.”
”It is enough to hear these words from General Wang!”
Bahram's eyes brightened.
As he spoke, he extended his large and vigorous right palm.
”Heh!”
Wang Chong chuckled and strongly gripped it with his own right hand.
At that moment, no one could have expected that this simple yet forceful handshake had created the strongest alliance to the west of the Cong Mountains, and it had also created the most powerful, loyal, and reliable ally the Great Tang could have between Khorasan and Samarkand.
”Hahaha…”
As Wang Chong and Bahram loosened their grips, the entire Black Forest resounded with the joyful laughter of both armies.
With Bahram and his nine-thousand-some Aswaran Cataphracts, Wang Chong's strength was bolstered. Now, Bahram had some important news to convey.
The Khorasani had learned from the personal guards that Abu Muslim had left in Samarkand that Samarkand was already beginning to gather militia. The moment Abu Muslim arrived, it was prepared to close its gates and rely on its high and thick walls to deal with the Tang.
”General has never been to Samarkand, so perhaps you do not know that the height and thickness of Samarkand's walls are on nearly the same level as Talas. If they are allowed to enter the city and gather many militia, it will be extremely unfavorable for us. The urgent task at hand is to not give them any time to rest,” Bahram sternly said. ”In addition, we have men in Samarkand who have successfully infiltrated the army, even taking control over a city gate. But Abu Muslim has always been cautious. It is almost guaranteed that when he arrives at Samarkand, he will rearrange the defenses of the city. Thus, we have to move quickly. Speed is paramount in war!
”In addition, in this war with the Arabs, how long goes General plan to stay in the area?”
A hint of deep concern appeared in Bahram's eyes.
To work with the Great Tang, the Sassanids had dispatched all their elites, even deploying the ever-hidden Aswaran Cataphracts. These soldiers were more than enough to deal with the remnants of Abu Muslim's defeated army, but once Abu Muslim had time to catch his breath and gather more Arab soldiers, the Sassanids would sustain vicious losses.