Chapter 1157: The Shocked Kingdoms! (1/2)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

After the defeat at Talas, the remaining Arabs soldiers had truly been fleeing like stray dogs. From Talas to Samarkand, the number of soldiers that had remained at Abu Muslim and Ziyad's side didn't even reach thirty thousand. Fortunately, they had Samarkand. The thought of Samarkand's thick and sturdy walls immediately caused Ziyad to calm down.

At the very least, with the help of these walls, the two of them would have a rare opportunity to catch their breath.

”Reporting!”

Ziyad had barely walked two steps, not even leaving the military hall, when a frantic voice rang out in his ears.

Both of them nervously turned their heads and saw a panting Arab messenger, his face pale and stricken with unease.

”Reporting! The second gate of Samarkand was broken through. The Sassanids, leading more than twenty thousand Tang, are in the middle of attacking the city.”

The moment the messenger entered the hall, he kneeled down, a deluge of sweat coming from his body.

”What?!”

Abu Muslim and Ziyad both trembled in shock, as if they had seen a ghost.

”How could that be? What about the lookouts? Why didn't we receive any word of such a large ruckus! Did not a single person see such a large army approach?”

Ziyad's eyes went round in disbelief. An army of more than ten thousand was so large that all except the blind could spot it, and they hadn't even gotten word of an enemy army approaching.

”Milord, the scouts sent word, but before they could approach the military hall, they were slain by the experts the Sassanids hid in the city. The Sassanid spies are currently starting fires, killing people, and stirring rebellion, and Samarkand is in chaos. Milord, we should quickly retreat!” the messenger frantically said.

The last few words from the messenger were like thunder in Abu Muslim's and Ziyad's ears, and their faces paled. The words 'Milord, we should quickly retreat' dealt an even greater shock to them than the news that Wang Chong had joined hands with the Sassanids in this assault.

The army had been defeated. Although Abu Muslim and Ziyad had recovered their strength and could now fight a battle to the death, their soldiers had no morale. Not even the recovered Abu Muslim and Ziyad could do anything about that.

The death of Qutaybah in that battle of hundreds of thousands had dealt a blow like none other to the army. None of the soldiers even dared to fight with the Tang army.

“!”

These thoughts quickly flitted through his mind, and then Abu Muslim raised his head to the dome of the hall and gave a deep sigh. This time, it seemed like there was truly no chance for them to turn the tables.

”Pass on my order! Have the entire army withdraw! Leave Samarkand for the Tang!”

Abu Muslim's voice was tinged with great reluctance, but this battle was already settled.

Ziyad stood next to him, his face a complex mixture of emotions and the look in his eyes constantly shifting.

”This general will go!”

Finally, Ziyad strode out of the hall.

A few moments later, amidst the waving of signal flags, all the Arab soldiers in the city withdrew from Samarkand as if they were clouds being blown away by the wind, and they set off for the even farther Khorasan.

……

”What? Abu Muslim and Ziyad fled so quickly?”

Within Samarkand, Wang Chong couldn't help but sneer at the news.

”I originally thought that there would be a major battle, but it seems like that's not necessary. Xu Keyi, in my name, write two letters. One is for Feng Changqing back in Anxi. Have him send some soldiers to garrison Samarkand. The other letter is for the Imperial Court. The battle is over, and the Imperial Court will need to send someone to handle the aftermath.”

With Talas destroyed, the strongest bridgehead the Great Tang had in the war against Arabia was now Samarkand. Now that they occupied this fortress, even a small number of soldiers would be enough to oppose the Arabs.

”Lord Wang Chong, west of Samarkand is flat land with few defenses. Abu Muslim won't be able to find any strong defensive positions there, so he will definitely flee all the way to Khorasan. This is the best chance for us to continue the assault, suppress Arabia, and widen our conquest!” Bahram sternly said.