990 Haotians Gift To The Human World Ii (2/2)
Everyone knew that if they could align with South Jin, the Tang Empire would definitely win the battle. But that was the least possible. First of all, the Tang army could hardly resume Qinghe Prefecture in half a month. Even if they could make it, they could not rebuild their navy in such a short period of time. How could they cross the river?
Most importantly, the Tang Empire and the South Jin had been feudal for generations. Even though the Sword Garret had been standing against Taoism, everyone else from their imperial family to ordinary people would never ally with the Tang.
”I suppose our main battle should be in the north.” A general made a point. In the battle against the Tang Empire many years ago, the Golden Tribe was the one who posted the biggest threat and brought the most loss to the Tang. They were also the ones who benefited the most from that battle. There was no doubt that those cruel cavalry in the gra.s.sland was the most powerful enemy for the Tang army, and therefore the first they wanted to conquer.
When fighting a battle, it was most important to keep the momentum. If one party could defeat the strongest troop of the other party, it could easily take them all. It was correct that the Tang army had chosen to confront the Golden Tribe first. However because of the previous cession of the Xiangwan Plain, the Tang army could not get enough steeds ever since. The Northern Battlefront Army alone could never defeat the Golden Tribe. They could not even expel the enemies from Qicheng Village.
”When we signed the treaty with the Divine Halls of West-Hill, the Academy promised the imperial court that even if we were to cede the Xiangwan Plain, there would never be a problem. Thus, I choose to believe them. General Xu Chi had said the same thing in his letter. So what we need to do now is to cooperate well with the Academy.”
General Su Cheng seemed a bit weary. He said, ”The thing is if we were to start the battle with the Golden Tribe, even if we could gather our national power to win them, how could we defeat the rest? Once the Divine Halls of West-Hill takes control of the South Jin, how could we resume Qinghe Prefecture?”
They had to resume the Qinghe Prefecture because as long as the local powers ruled, the Tang Empire would be humiliated endlessly. They had to slaughter the Golden Tribe as well because they must avenge their dead fellow soldiers in the wilderness. They had to take the Yan Kingdom too because for the Tang people, they stood for betrayal and the unbearable ma.s.sacre.
Namely, the Tang Empire was surrounded by danger now. The temporary tranquility in the Yuelun Kingdom was no comfort. Deep in the West Wilderness, the barbarians who had never encountered the Tang army were already a.s.sembling their warriors. Perhaps in a few months they would join the Golden Tribe and proceed southward. In the meanwhile, under the reign of Emperor Chongming, the Yan Kingdom was recovering rapidly with the help of the Divine Halls of West-Hill. The Yan Kingdom was no longer a weak power as they have the cavalry from the East Wilderness. To the south, the Qinghe Prefecture and the South Jin were also posting threats to the Tang Empire.
If there were enemies of the Tang Empire everywhere in the world, there would be no peaceful land. If the Tang people had to conquer their enemies all over the world, they would not have a main target.
”Previously we asked the disciples of Sword Garret to retreat to the Great River Kingdom. Did they ever reply?” Shu Cheng asked.
It was very clear that if the Divine Halls of West-Hill were to proceed northward they would definitely take the South Jin. According to the Tang people, they were responsible for the disciples of the Sword Garret since they had helped them.
Right then a message was delivered from the South Jin.
The Sword Garret told the Tang people that they were determined to defend Linkang until their last breath.
Why wouldn't they retreat?
Liu Yiqing answered briefly in his letter: because they were not willing to.
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