Chapter 925: A Clash of Powerhouses! (2/2)
”You mean… the Arabs are using us to exhaust the Great Tang's strength?” Duwu Sili suddenly said.
”This isn't certain. The Great Tang placed all its heavily armored shieldmen, pikemen, and the rest of their defenses on the first defense line while their primary offensive force was used against us. This is a result of their painstaking efforts. But we can't reject your suggestion. After all, this is our first time working with the Arabs. We certainly aren't trusted allies. I presume that Abu Muslim would be all too happy to use us to weaken the Great Tang!” Dalun Ruozan lightly said.
If this battle became one in which the Tibetans and Turks made up the primary fighting force, his side would face a crushing defeat. The only ones to benefit would be Arabia or the Great Tang.
”I understand.”
Duwu Sili fell silent for a moment, and then his face completely relaxed. Wang Chong did need to be killed, but Dalun Ruozan's words were reasonable. This Battle of Talas was too special, different from any other battle Duwu Sili had fought. Too many Great Generals, too many soldiers, and too many factions had gathered around the city of Talas.
Pulling a single hair could affect the entire body. Every side had to think very carefully about their decisions.
”You understand the Great Tang more than I do. I leave this battle up to you,” Duwu Sili said.
Finally, Dalun Ruozan had obtained his approval.
Buzz!
But at this moment, a large disturbance began to rise from the western battlefield of Talas. Dalun Ruozan, Duwu Sili, Huoshu Huicang, and Dusong Mangpoje immediately turned to see what was happening.
”It's him!”
Dalun Ruozan's pupils constricted, his heart stricken with shock.
”What is this boy up to?”
At this moment, Duwu Sili, Huoshu Huicang, and Dusong Mangpoje also spotted that thin figure bursting with energy at the first defense line.
……
”Abu Muslim!” Wang Chong loudly called out from the first defense line. Watched by countless shocked eyes, he rode out on the White-hoofed Shadow toward Abu Muslim. Wang Chong had not called out this name in the language of the Great Tang, but in a rough and accented Arabic.
These words immediately drew in the attention of all the Arab cavalry. This was the first time they had heard the name of their commander coming from this Tang commander's lips.
”Wang Chong!”
Nearby, Gao Xianzhi looked in surprise at Wang Chong. He was not proficient in Arabic, but he could recognize that familiar name from Wang Chong's words. However, neither he nor Cheng Qianli understood just what Wang Chong wanted to do by going out.
Wang Chong didn't turn his head, but he gestured behind his back that the pair should rest at ease.
The retreating Arab army became tinged with turmoil. Abu Muslim and Ziyad stared forward, a sliver of emotion appearing in their steely eyes. It was not very common for a Tang commander to know Arabic.
”The Abbasid Caliphate's Governor of the East, Abu Muslim, is here. Who is it that speaks? Report your name!”
Abu Muslim lightly patted the black Sassanian steed under him into a forward trot, going against the flow of the retreating army. His speed was neither fast nor slow, but for some reason, it felt like an enormous mountain was slowly moving.
Anyone who saw him would feel like a vast wave with all the ocean behind it was approaching them.
”The Great Tang Empire's Qixi Protector-General, Wang Chong!”
As he announced his name, Wang Chong's eyes flashed, his body exploding with a formidable aura. Although he was still not at Abu Muslim's level, Wang Chong at this moment was as brilliant as the sun, the moon, and the stars, his aura no less than Abu Muslim's.
The Wang Chong of this moment finally exuded the aura of the War Saint of the Central Plains!
One was the strongest War Saint of the Central Plains and the other was the most iron-fisted governor of the west. The two most brilliant and important figures of the empires of the east and west had crashed onto the meager city of Talas like two meteors crashing into the Earth, meeting and clashing for the first time!
Never in history had such talented individuals met!