Chapter 1910: Arabia in Utter Disbelief! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Yes!
Arabia had mobilized all its soldiers, sending a force that could not be compared to the one at Talas. The Tang had no chance of victory.
Mutasim III squinted and said to the officials, ”You are all loyal subjects of Arabia. Once the Hierophant subjugates the east, We will richly reward all of you!”
Though he knew these dukes and nobles were all flattering and sycophantic courtiers, they had followed him for many years, and even courtiers had their advantages. Moreover, once Arabia unified the world, he would need many people to rule such a vast territory.
These courtiers were lacking in ability, but they had enough loyalty.
”Thank you, Your Majesty!”
All the nobles in the palace were elated by Mutasim III's words, and kneeled.
Whoosh!
The flapping of wings interrupted the jubilant air, and then an armored soldier quickly strode in.
”Your Majesty, a letter from the front. Please inspect it.”
Swoosh!
The hall fell silent as everyone turned their heads to look.
”It's finally here!”
Mutasim III felt his heart thumping in anticipation.
Truly, it came exactly when he was anticipating it. After so long, he had finally received news of victory from the Hierophant and the High Priest.
”Hand it over!”
Mutasim III stood up and walked forward.
Usually, a close official would read out the letter, but at such an important moment, how could he let anyone else have this honor?
Whoosh!
Mutasim III snatched the letter from the guard, but when he glanced at it, his heart thumped in dismay.
The letter was written in Arabic, but the seal at the bottom… was the Great Tang's!
Mutasim III deeply frowned, but he said nothing as he tore open the envelope and extracted the letter.
A moment later, Mutasim III exploded in rage and threw the letter to the floor.
”Absurd!”
The hall went deathly still. Everyone glanced at each other, unaware of what was happening.
News of victory from the front should have been good news, so why was Mutasim III so enraged?
In the end, it was the nearest noble who swallowed and picked up the letter with trembling hands. When he saw the contents of the letter, he finally understood why Mutasim III was so furious.
Only a few lines had been written on the letter.
'Arabia has been defeated. Surrender in three days, or else, the day the army arrives will be the end of the Arabian Empire!'
The seal at the bottom was that of the Great Tang Empire's Nine Provinces Protector-General and Supreme Marshal, Wang Chong!
This was no report of victory at all! It was a war letter from the Great Tang!
”Hmph! So it was a letter from the Tang!”
”They can't defeat the Hierophant, so they're using this method to sow chaos in the rear?”
”A lot of nonsense and deceptive words! How could Arabia lose? This is another plot by the Tang!”
”That's right! The Tang can't be trusted! Your Majesty, ignore them. Just wait in the rear and the news of victory from the Hierophant will come!”
The courtiers supported each other with their words, all of them expressing indignation and a desire to tear Wang Chong to shreds.
There was no one in Arabia that did not know the name of Wang Chong.
Naturally, no one would believe his wicked words.
Moreover, the Hierophant and the High Priest were invincible legends of the empire. When they worked together, how could they possibly lose?
Not a single person believed the contents of that letter.
Standing above, Mutasim III mentally nodded.
He naturally couldn't believe an enemy. If his foe thought that this trick could have an effect, then he was a little too naive.
”Pass on my order! Prepare a letter to the Hierophant informing him that once the army is victorious, he should personally deliver that Wang Chong's head to Baghdad!” Mutasim III spat.
”Yes, Your Majesty!” someone below quickly affirmed.
”That's right! This person can't be forgiven!”
All the nobles were united in their animosity.
This was not the first time Wang Chong had tried this. They still remembered that when they had taken Khorasan and wiped out the Sassanid Dynasty, that man's letter had also forced the Arabs to act more restrained and give up on the idea of massacring the entire city.
”Reporting!”
Suddenly, a panicked voice came from outside the hall. A moment later, an Arab general who had his garrison outside the city rushed into the hall.