Chapter 1822: The Confucian Sects Self-Redemption! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”The Arabs seem to have a complete plan. Not long after occupying the Western Regions, they began to follow their plan and erect a massive fortress. They even brought all the craftsmen with them from Arabia. In addition, the Arabs have too many soldiers coming, and the cities and forts of the Western Regions are too crude. They might not be very comfortable with using them,” Zhang Que explained.
Wang Chong had been listening this entire time, and at this moment, he frowned.
An ambush, craftsmen, building fortifications—all of this formed a neat, orderly, and intricate plan.
Even though he had yet to see the commander, Wang Chong sensed that it was an extremely troublesome person.
”Order Su Hanshan to gather all the soldiers at the triangular pass. He simply needs to menace the Arabs for now. There's no need for him to attack,” Wang Chong sternly said.
The Arab soldiers were increasing by the minute, and meanwhile, the Great Tang suffered a great disadvantage in terms of distance.
Moreover, three hundred thousand soldiers was of little consequence to the army of millions the Arabs were sending.
In contrast, if the soldiers at the triangular gap were lost, it would have major ramifications for Wang Chong's next plans.
”How is Zhang Shouzhi doing?” Wang Chong asked.
”Following Your Highness's orders, the diagrams have already been sent to Senior Zhang. He is currently in the middle of establishing the defensive line in Qixi, but not enough time has passed. The great clans need time to transport steel modules to the City of Steel, and there is currently a severe shortage of steel!” Xu Keyi reported.
He was the one in charge of this particular matter. Wang Chong had begun to prepare against Arabia a long time ago. Although there was no war going on, Wang Chong had been sending steel modules to the west this whole time. Each module had been packed in a wooden crate and secretly moved into the City of Steel, but even so, his preparations had been greatly lacking.
The Arabs had come with an army far vaster than imagined. Wang Chong's initial arrangements could not hold against an army of 3.8 million.
Wang Chong lightly tapped on the edge of the model and firmly said, ”Don't worry about it. Start dismantling the steel fortresses at the triangular gap. You can dismantle them all, except the walls on the northern side, and use their parts for the defensive line!”
Wang Chong's firm order shocked everyone, and then they suddenly had a realization.
When Wang Chong first set up the steel fortresses at the triangular gap and at Wushang, everyone had believed that he had gone through such great efforts to deal with Ü-Tsang and the Western Turks, but now, it seemed that they had all been prepared for a situation like this.
The two steel fortresses set up at the triangular gap and the outer city of the City of Steel had been built on a particularly large scale, and people had found it strange as to why Wang Chong needed so much land. But now, everyone understood. With the steel modules from the two steel fortresses, there was enough to set up a basic large-scale defense line, even if it still wasn't quite enough to realize the entirety of the fortifications.
”Yes, your subordinate will go and inform Senior Zhang.” Xu Keyi solemnly said.
”Has there been any news from Xue Qianjun?”
Wang Chong quickly turned to Guo Ziyi.
Unlike the others, Guo Ziyi had earlier been sent overseas, so he had the greatest understanding of what was going on in the islands.
”Your Highness, the Eastern Islands have been completely conquered. We also recruited a few natives and supported a Queen Sami, placing the area under her control.
”Upon learning that the Arabs had invaded, Xue Qianjun started his way back to the Central Plains with his one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers. In addition, he also has an army of eighty thousand made up from local elites of the Eastern Islands. Although it can't compare to the Wushang Cavalry, it is still an extremely impressive fighting force,” Guo Ziyi said.
Miyasame Ayaka had come from the Eastern Islands, and though it was not as strong as the Central Plains, it was still home to many formidable warriors. It was these warriors that had given Xue Qianjun quite a lot of trouble in the conquest.
But while the soldiers of the Eastern Islands were formidable, they had no skill in battle formations. Xue Qianjun had needed only the Cutting Formation to topple their armies.
In the face of effective formations, not even the bravest of the Eastern Islands' warriors could do anything to stop Xue Qianjun's progress.
Miyasame Ayaka remained calm and emotionless as she listened to Guo Ziyi's report, as if its contents had nothing to do with her.
The people of the Ten Eastern Islands didn't have an intense attachment to their homeland, and that place was still not united. Its warriors were more concerned about their own strength and glory.
Wang Chong gave a slight nod upon hearing this.
Xue Qianjun had been recruiting soldiers throughout his campaign in the Eastern Islands. With his one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers and eighty thousand Eastern Island elites, he had an immense force of two hundred and thirty thousand. This additional force of soldiers would be a great boost to the Great Tang's power.
Wang Chong took one last glance at the model before giving his order.
”It's enough. Pass on my order! All soldiers should march to Qixi at full speed!”
Speed was paramount in war. Before daybreak of the next day, Wang Chong had gathered his men to set off for Qixi.
As Wang Chong and his men were mounting up, a crisp voice spoke into his ear.
”King of Foreign Lands, you'll definitely defeat the Arabs and drive them out of the Western Regions, right?”
Wang Chong stopped and saw a small boy of seven or eight standing in front of a house. The boy was thinly dressed but had bright eyes. He held a small wooden sword in his hand and was looking at Wang Chong with admiration and anticipation.
”Mm!”