Chapter 553: Yuanfeng Mountain! Wu of Hans Edict to Open Dian! (1/2)
Chapter 553: Yuanfeng Mountain! Wu of Han's Edict to Open Dian!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
A drop of water fell from the thick clouds, crossing the vast gap between sky and earth to strike the muddy ground and vanish without a trace.
This was the last drop of water from this rainstorm.
”Hurry, faster, faster!”
”Don't fall behind!”
”Hyah!”
……
Beneath the clouds, a torrent of black steel meandered forward. Black banners thrust out of this torrent of black, straight toward the sky, all of them inscribed with the dazzling word '唐' (Tang). One night and one day had passed since the battle to shake off their pursuers.
The almost one hundred thousand soldiers of Annan Protectorate army had taken no rest or sleep, all of them continuing to hastily make their way toward their destination. Even though all of them were exhausted, with even their horses panting for breath, none of them stopped, and no one complained.
At this time, everyone was running against time, fighting for the hope of survival.
”Milord, where are we going?”
In the middle of this vast army, Xu Shiping and Xu Andun rode on Wang Chong's right and left, finally unable to suppress their question.
The army had been marching since yesterday. However, the pair had realized that Wang Chong was not marching in the army in a single direction. The army had been escaping toward the northeast at the start, and nothing had been wrong with that, but this was no longer the case afterward.
Even the slowest of the officers in the army had begun to realize that Wang Chong was not leading the army back to the north.
But since Wang Chong had not said anything, no one could ask.
Even the two highest-ranked officers in the army, Wang Yan and Xianyu Zhongtong, silently approved of Wang Chong's actions. In this entire march, the two of them had not asked a single question.
”You'll find out soon,” Wang Chong indifferently said, his gaze aimed to the front. He had avoided answering the question directly.
That fast-paced battle had come to an end, and the Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army had been left far behind them. Yet though Wang Chong seemed calm on the surface, he was still just as worried as before. The Annan Protectorate army had too many infantry but suffered a severe lack of cavalry.
Although he had done his best to alter his course to confuse the Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army, this would only confuse them for a while. Given the speed of Tibetan cavalry, they would quickly catch up. As a result, Wang Chong felt like there was a dagger at his back, or maggots crawling on his bones.
It wasn't just Wang Chong. In truth, this sort of worry and unease had shrouded the entire army.
Xu Qiqin, whether my one hundred thousand soldiers can survive will depend you!
Countless thoughts flew through Wang Chong's mind as he looked up at the stubborn dark clouds.
The battle was far from starting. Although an Imperial Great General like Huoshu Huicang had appeared in last night's battle, that had only been a brief skirmish. Dalun Ruozan had still not appeared, nor had Geluofeng or the Mengshe Zhao Great General Duan Gequan and his three hundred thousand soldiers. And there were still seventy thousand Tibetans in the rear that hadn't made it to the skirmish.
The decisive battle between the Annan Protectorate army and the Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army was still a way off.
But this decisive battle was also close at hand!
Although he had already made arrangements through Xu Qiqin, he himself had no confidence as to whether they would be effective.
In his stupor, Old Eagle rode up to his side on a highland steed, an eagle perched on his shoulder, and suddenly reported, ”Young Master, we've arrived!”
Wang Chong suddenly opened his eyes and followed Old Eagle's gaze. On the horizon, beneath the dark clouds, a massive peak protruded out of the earth, towering and majestic. Upon seeing this mountain, Wang Chong exhaled and refocused.
”All soldiers, full speed! No one is allowed to stop! Those who disobey will be handled according to military law!”
As his voice echoed through the air, Wang Chong urged his horse forward, charging up to the head of the formation. Behind him, the one hundred thousand soldiers seemed like they had been stimulated, and their speed suddenly increased.
……
Several dozen zhang from the base of that imposing mountain, a horse-hitching stone had been erected. Next to it was a solitary stele that exuded an aura of endless bleakness.