Chapter 1196: Hyderabad Mine! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”The high priest has existed for an extremely long time and is almost a living myth. I once heard that he knew many ancient secrets and truths, including about the Elam Dynasty. If you are interested in the Book of Paimon and the symbol you've mentioned, you might be able to find him and ask a few questions.”
Bahram's words caused Wang Chong's eyes to brighten. After pausing a moment, Bahram continued.
”But like all people who grasp secrets and have lived for an extremely long time, the high priest of Sindhu rarely reveals himself. Many people have heard of him, but only an extremely small number have actually seen him. Not even the Sindhi of Hyderabad know his exact location. Every time, they only hear his voice but never see his figure. Moreover, even when the Emperor of my Sassanid Dynasty wanted to see him, he was not able to get his wish.
”In Khorasan and the surrounding regions, that person is a god-like existence. Out of respect for him, no one has ever tried to meddle in Sindhu. If you wish to find him, you should go there and take a look.”
Bahram's words were like a boulder splashing into the lake of Wang Chong's mind, stirring up countless waves.
The war was over and Arabia had lost many people. No matter how muddle-headed or impulsive Mutasim III was, he would not be launching another war any time soon. With this period of peace, he might truly have a chance to take a trip to Sindhu.
Moreover, Sindhu possessed an enormous amount of Hyderabad ore. Now that Arabia had been defeated, he might be able to negotiate with the Sindhi to obtain the quota usually set aside for Arabia.
……
The coalition army quickly ratified Wang Chong's articles. Based on these rules, anyone who disrespected the Great Tang disrespected the coalition army. Bahram and the other rebel leaders embraced this article even more enthusiastically than the Great Tang had.
If the Great Tang was willing to establish this rule, it indicated that it was willing to establish a base here, which was exactly what Bahram and the rebel leaders wanted to see.
Meanwhile, with Feng Changqing present, he immediately began to display his superb skills in logistics. Through a series of decisions, he succeeded in greatly boosting the opinion of the people of Khorasan toward the Great Tang.
And as long as it could rule over the people of Khorasan, the Great Tang could similarly gain the allegiance of the people in other places.
Ten-some days later, with the arrival of the first batch of family members from the great clans, the Great Tang formally hammered its first nail into Khorasan, and everything began to travel on the right course.
At this time, Wang Chong handed over everything to Gao Xianzhi, Wang Yan, and Su Hanshan, while he himself took Li Siye, Cui Piaoqi, the Gangke King, and Zhang Shouzhi, as well as one thousand Wushang Cavalry. Setting out from Khorasan, they traveled northwest toward Sindhu.
……
After traveling for seven or eight days, the group finally entered new territory.
”This… this is Sindhu? What a barren place!”
Atop a muscular horse, Xue Qianjun took in the view before him in shock. He knew that Sindhu was a very poor place, and he knew that Sindhu was different from all the other empires, but only by stepping on its soil did he know just how 'different' Sindhu was.
Before his eyes was a black world. In the distance, tall and craggy peaks soared into the sky, their peaks like sharp swords or sabers. Moreover, their surfaces were bare and free of any plant life.
As for nearby, the ground was black mud that exuded a thick and pungent stench.
Upon entering this region, all the Wushang Cavalry, Li Siye, and the Gangke King couldn't help but cover their mouths and noses.
This was a forgotten world, and also a degenerated world. At a glance, it was like they had ventured from the human world into the domain of the god of death.
Decaying bodies could be spotted in the mud, flies buzzing around them while maggots crawled through the mud. The sight was simply unbearable.
”I truly can't believe that Sindhu would be like this!” Li Siye couldn't help but say.
”There is a saying that goes, 'Only when you see Sindhu will you know what the underworld is like'. Only when you see how tragic and wretched it is will you come to cherish all you own and count yourself fortunate to have been born in the Central Plains, in the Great Tang!”
Zhang Shouzhi trotted up from the rear. He paused as he gazed at the frightening corpses in the mud and then warned, ”In addition, Sindhu is wracked by various kinds of plagues and diseases, and miasma hangs in the air. This is partially one of the reasons it is rarely invaded. Everyone, don't be careless. Don't forget to take the pills that we prepared.”
Gulp!
Everyone immediately responded to Zhang Shouzhi's words. They took several brown pills from their medicine pouches and used water to swallow them down.