Chapter 1179: Omen, Little Ice Age! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
The door opened, and Zhang Shouzhi, dressed in gray, walked in from outside.
”Lord Marquis, the appointed time has come. Your order is needed.”
After a few moments of silence, Wang Chong nodded. ”Do everything according to the plan.”
Whether or not that event took place on schedule, Wang Chong had to completely prepare himself. And the time was nigh. If that incident really took place and he was not adequately prepared, a mishap might occur.
”Understood. This old man will go and handle it.”
Zhang Shouzhi nodded and quickly withdrew. A few moments later, a clamor shattered the calm of Khorasan.
……
At this moment, the several hundred thousand Arab soldiers encamped on the other side of the river did not make a single noise. In this chilly night, the warhorses snorted out white breaths of air. The weather continued to get colder. This winter was far colder than previous winters, but to the Arab soldiers, well-trained and versed in martial arts, it was still bearable.
Although the chilly air hung heavy, the fury of the hundreds of thousands of Arab soldiers hung even heavier. At the very front of the Arab camp, all the Arab commanders were gathered, staring at the mighty walls of Khorasan. To the army, nothing was important except breaching the city and killing every Tang, Khorasani, and rebel.
Bang!
A clamor suddenly erupted from Khorasan, attracting everyone's attention.
”What's going on?”
The Head of Black Radiance, Fadi, raised his head and looked toward Khorasan.
”Milord, could the Tang be about to attack?” a deputy next to him said.
”Impossible!”
Before the deputy could finish, Firas, the Blood of Black Radiance, shook his head and rejected the notion.
”These Tang and Khorasani simply don't have the numbers to launch an offensive. Moreover, if they attack, this Tigris River will become an enormous barrier. Forcing an attack would be suicidal.”
”But, what are they doing, then?” the Empire's White Corpse, Hular, said, his expression perturbed.
The activity within Khorasan was far too bizarre. From their standpoint, the city was brightly lit by torches and lanterns, and yet the city gates remained shut, showing no signs of opening.
Time slowly passed. All the soldiers were on guard, prepared to deal with any sudden situation. And other than being brightly lit, Khorasan remained unchanged. Even that clamor swiftly faded away.
”Just what are they up to?” an Arab general muttered to himself, his words voicing the thought on everyone else's mind.
Even powerful governors like Fadi, Firas, and Hular were confused as to what exactly the Tang were scheming. If the Tang were not preparing an attack, then what had all that clamor been for?
”Pass on my order! Strengthen the guards, but have the other soldiers rest. Prepare for battle at first light!”
Fadi's order was quickly delivered to the entire army.
……
Within Khorasan, everything had calmed down.
Wang Chong remained motionless in his room. Hours passed, but the event Wang Chong was waiting for had still not taken place. Other than the plunging temperature, there was nothing strange in Khorasan.
In the midnight hour, Wang Chong's brow began to crease.
Impossible! Did I miscalculate? Might that event not be taking place?!
Wang Chong's face was calm, but his mind was gradually turning uneasy. If all had gone as expected, that anticipated event should have already occurred, but Wang Chong could see no sign of it.
His reincarnation had caused many events in the world to massively shift. King Song had not been demoted, the southwest had not been lost, and not only had the Battle of Talas not been a defeat, but a massive victory. All these things were different from his memories. Had that incident also been completely changed because of his interference?
Wang Chong's brow furrowed tighter and tighter. If that event disappeared because of his interference, then at daybreak, the Tang would have to face the hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the other side of the Tigris River, the numerous governors and generals, and the reinforcements coming up in the rear. Just as Bahram had said, opposing an entire empire with only a regional force would result in a battle of unprecedented ferocity with a very small chance of victory.
As these thoughts flitted through his mind, Wang Chong became unwittingly vexed and worried. He almost subconsciously took a cup of tea from the table and prepared to take a sip.