Chapter 610: The Decisive Battle! A Single Phrase! (2/2)
The Tibetan and Mengshe Zhao soldiers had completely withdrawn at this point, leaving behind only a mountain covered in corpses.
”How is it?” Dalun Ruozan said with concern. Although he had fulfilled his objective, Dalun Ruozan was still not one bit happy.
Ü-Tsang and Mengshe Zhao combined had gathered an army of nearly five hundred thousand soldiers, and they had Imperial Great Generals like Huoshu Huicang and Duan Gequan at command, as well as the assistance of Geluofeng and the entire kingdom of Mengshe Zhao working the logistics network. Yet in the end, they had still reached this point where they had to rely on their advantage in numbers. Dalun Ruozan truly found this difficult to imagine.
Wang Chong, relying on his weaker army, had already pushed this Ngari Great Minister famous throughout the Tibetan Plateau to desperate straits.
”123,400 people!”
The messenger intoned a number.
Buzz!
Even though he had already mentally prepared himself, Dalun Ruozan still couldn't stop his heart from sinking upon hearing this number. The more than four hundred thousand soldiers of the Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army had actually suffered casualties of one hundred and twenty thousand soldiers. They had lost more than a quarter of their manpower. This was simply impossible to bear.
This number greatly exceeded Dalun Ruozan's bottom line.
”How could it be this many? Is this number accurate?” Dalun Ruozan said with a grimace.
The messenger lowered his head and said, ”Reporting to Great Minister: we have already taken the count five times.”
”How many did the Great Tang lose?”
”It is not possible to make an accurate count, but our estimate is that their deaths range between 23,000 and 24,000.”
Dalun Ruozan closed his eyes, not speaking for a very long time.
”Pass down my order to have the entire army reorganize. In addition, pass on my order to have Great General Huoshu Huicang accompany me in meeting the Great Tang commander.”
……
”Young Master, look—there's something going on down there!”
On the summit, Old Eagle quickly noticed activity and pointed down the mountain.
”Mm?”
Wang Chong's brow creased as he suddenly stood up.
”The battle just finished. What he does he want now?”
”Young Master Wang, can you come out for a chat?”
A resounding voice echoed over the mountain. Looking down from the summit, one could see the Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army part, and the figures of Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huicang appear once more.
But unlike the first time, Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huicang no longer seemed as easygoing and unruffled. They seemed much more solemn and respectful.
”We've already reached this state. What scheme is Great Minister planning now?”
Wang Chong circulated the energy in his dantian, his eyes shining as he fearlessly looked down the mountain.
”Young Master has become much more serious. In front of Young Master, what has Ruozan done that deserves to be called a scheme?” Dalun Ruozan earnestly said.
”Young Master has already seen the result of this battle. The water supply of the Annan Protectorate army won't be able to last three days. For the sake of Ü-Tsang, and for the sake of Young Master and the Annan Protectorate army, Dalun Ruozan wishes to earnestly discuss an issue with Young Master.”
”Just what does this Dalun Ruozan want to do?”
At this moment, even Wang Yan and Xianyu Zhongtong, who were getting their wounds treated, couldn't help but look at each other and frown. They had fought with the Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army for more than a month, but Dalun Ruozan's attitude had always been aggressive and unrelenting.
This sort of humble and self-effacing attitude was something they had never seen from Dalun Ruozan.
”There's no need for Great Minister to worry about the matter of water. If Great Minister has anything he wishes to say, he should just state it frankly,” Wang Chong calmly said.
”Young Master Wang, it is still those same words. If the Annan Protectorate army and Young Master can surrender, I can guarantee that Young Master and all the soldiers of the Annan Protectorate army will be treated appropriately.
”Although we cannot allow Young Master or the soldiers of the Annan Protectorate army to return to the Great Tang, Young Master and all the soldiers can safely reside on the Tibetan Plateau. No one will be harmed.
This is the best result for both Young Master and our Ü-Tsang. I hope that Young Master can earnestly consider this proposition. In this way, we can avoid any further senseless sacrifice.”
With these final words, Dalun Ruozan put down his feather fan, his gaze reflecting utter sincerity as he looked up at Wang Chong.
The entire battlefield was absolutely silent. Geluofeng, Duan Gequan and Huoshu Huicang, these powerhouses of the south who should have strenuously opposed this proposal, had all chosen to remain silent.
The strong would only respect the strong. At this stage of the war, the casualties of the Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army had even surpassed the Annan Protectorate army's. None of these powerhouses of the southwest had ever imagined such a thing.
The summit was quiet, everyone waiting for Wang Chong's answer.
”Chong-er, choose what you feel is right.”
”Young Master Chong, there's no need to fear. You are currently the highest commander of the entire Annan Protectorate army. Whether it's war or peace, Young Master can choose whatever he pleases.”
Wang Yan's and Xianyu Zhongtong's voices rang out in Wang Chong's ears. They did not speak too much, but the two had used their actions to amply display their support for Wang Chong.
”Haha!”
Wang Chong smiled in the gentle breeze. He raised his head and thought to himself, Is this a difficult choice? The southwest war had already reached the point where there would be no rest without death. There was no path of retreat, no choice.
The Great Tang could not lose, the Annan Protectorate army could not lose, and he, Wang Chong, could certainly not lose!
And did Dalun Ruozan really think that his victory was certain?
”Great Minister, have you heard of this saying?”
Wang Chong chuckled as he looked down the mountain.
”What?”
Dalun Ruozan's eyes narrowed. That Wang Chong could still laugh and chat about other things had truly caught him by surprise.
”He who laughs last, laughs best!”
Dalun Ruozan, Geluofeng, and Huoshu Huicang were all dumbfounded. Geluofeng had a deep understanding of the Great Tang, but he had never heard such a phrase before.
Geluofeng turned to the bandaged figure of Fengjiayi and asked in confusion, ”Jiayi, you studied in the Great Tang for many years. Have you ever heard anyone say something like this?”
”This… Your child has never heard of such a thing.”
Fengjiayi lowered his head. Everyone had been completely confused by Wang Chong.
”Hahaha, Great Minister, this war has still not reached its final moment. It's still far too early to determine who will win the prize.”
Wang Chong roared with laughter. Not waiting for Dalun Ruozan to ask any more questions, he left with a flick of his sleeve.
At the base of the mountain, the commanders of the Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army looked at each other in confusion, unable to speak.