1060 The Dawn Over Here Is Quie (2/2)
For the entire human realm, the more important thing was the Tang had finished their greatest enemies for many years in the north. Now the ministers in Chang'an could spend all their energy and resources on the south. If they launch and attack before Taoism could solve their internal strife, Peach Mountain will face an insurmountable pressure.
A few days later, Situ Yilan led the cavalry of the vanguard camp to the frontlines at Qicheng Village. At that time, she and the whole Tang army were surely winning, but they were vying for a bigger victory.
During this time, the bodyguards of the Northern Battalion and a part of the West Conquering army that were moved here from the Cong Ridge braved huge sacrifices while they bit the Royal Court Cavalry like a wolf. They were ferocious, not letting go even when its whole body was soaked in blood. The Royal Court Cavalry, known for their mobility, was forced into a sluggish retreat to the north. The day before, when only half of their forces had just entered the Qicheng Village line, the Tang main force was already right behind them.
In this situation, the grassland cavalry that have retreated to Qicheng Village did not dare to depart further into the plains. It was because that would mean leaving their backs to the terrifying Tang — not even the Duoer Cavalry dared to do so — as that would mean complete destruction.
The remaining hundred thousand or so grassland cavalry camped at Qicheng Village in an attempt to stabilize the situation. After forcing a stalemate, they would try to retreat behind the lines to shake off the Tang army's pursuit, escaping deep into the plains.
But some of the tribes that only hoped to be lucky did not know that Chanyu had made a cold blooded yet the only correct decision. He wanted to use the tribes as a bait for the Tang's main force, pulling their frontlines thin. Then, he will send out ten thousand elite Duoer Cavalry, forcing his way south without anyone anticipating it!
These arrangements required the sacrifice of more than a hundred thousand grassland cavalry soldiers. If everything went well, twenty thousand Duoer Cavalry and important people like Chanyu could retreat deep into the plains successfully.
This was a cruel and seemingly unprofitable exchange, but it was necessary. Now that the Tang army had horses, it wouldn't be easy for the Royal Court to retreat to the plains. Especially now when the Tang army was apparently in a frenzy. They were a pack of wolves more ferocious than the grasslander. If the Tang army pursued them with all they have, the Royal Court wouldn't dare to turn around and intercept them. Before they could go more than 300 miles, they would have been exterminated.
When Chanyu was doing his final preparations, the Tang army surrounded the Qicheng Village. ”Surrounding” was inaccurate, because the northern plains seemed wide and borderless, accessible to them at anytime. It was the way out, purposely reserved for the Royal Court Cavalry by the Tang army, and was in fact, a dead end.
The Northern Battlefront army main force formed a stalemate against the cavalry of every tribe in Qicheng Village. But this situation did not last for long. Without any warning, the two sides began to fight fiercely again, killing each other for a time that seemed to last eternally. Both sides continued to reap each others' lives, and there was chaos everywhere.
Three days later, the imperial flag waved in the air, smoke filled the sky, and the Tang army's Commander's Barracks arrived at the south of Wei.
The Subjugation General of Great Tang, Xu Chi, has finally arrived at the frontlines. He was not late. As long as he was able to arrive before the war ended, to witness the end of the Golden Tribe, he would not be considered as late.
The surprising thing was, neither Xu Chi nor Chanyu, who was in the City of Wei, issued any direct orders on the bloody battlefield that spanned several hundred miles on the north of the continent. They watched quietly as the cavalry on both sides continued to kill, die, and wait for reinforcements from Kaiping and other strongholds.
This was a war between nations to begin with. It was impossible to end it in a day. Before the end, there would be no time for breathing. I can only live if you die, that was the essence.
So Xu Chi did not do anything. Nor did Chanyu, but they threw their young men into the fray one after another, and they will kill or be killed. Especially for the Tang army, they have already achieved a winning condition. They only wanted to cut down their enemies' remaining strength, to destroy their bloodline and country completely, which was also the essence of this war.
A few lines would not capture the bloodshed on the Qicheng Village frontlines. They would not be enough to describe the pressure on the remaining Golden Tribe troops, or the sacrifice offered by the Tang army. People would only remember that this siege that lasted a short few days have taken more lives than those on the Plains of Guhe.
Unlike the other strongholds like Kaiping and Qu City, the City of Wei, supposedly the true battlefield, was peaceful, void of the scent of blood, or the killing rush of cavalry, not even a single sound of a horse's hoof.
The Golden Tribe Royal Court was here, and so was the Tang army Commander's Barracks, but their battle seemed so far away.
Xu Chi looked at the ashen dusty city from telescope before frowning subtly and falling silent.
”Those who still can fight are thirty thousand Duoer.” An advisor explained unceasingly, ”From our calculations, at least ten thousand Duoer remain around the perimeter of Wei. Is Chanyu really planning to guard the city?”
Among the Qicheng Village, the City of Wei was the smallest dusty city. There was a saying that grasslander are bad at guarding cities. The small city could never accommodate twenty thousand cavalry. Now the Duoer Cavalry camped at the plains north of the city, but did not retreat before the Tang army arrived. Did they really plan to fight to their deaths here?
Xu Chi looked at the Dusty City, and suddenly said, ”They are going south again,”
The officers in the Commander's Barracks all looked up in surprise when they heard this.
Right after experiencing a traumatic defeat, would the grasslander calvary dare to go south again? Even if the Duoer Cavalry were to penetrate the defenses of the main force, what could they do after they reach Xiangwan Plains? Could they be aiming at Chang'an?
Suddenly, someone noticed a problem.
”The Commander's Barracks' defenses are too thin, we should call General Situ as backup!” An advisor said hurriedly, ”If the Duoer really attacked us, the safety of the Commander's Barracks would be a big concern. Moreover, once chaos ensues, we might just let Chanyu escape! ”
”We have no need of such unnecessary acts.” Xu Chi looked at the dusty city, and thought of that person's promise. He asked, ”Where do you think the Duoer will attack from?”
”If they circled around the city, it would be a waste of the horses' strength, and it would be easy for our arbalesters to shoot them down. If I were Chanyu, I would choose to come through the city if I wanted to create a chaotic situation and head south.
Xu Chi said nothing more as he turned his back and walked to the camp to take a short nap. He had not slept a wink in a few days, so he was completely exhausted.
As for Chanyu's plot or long-term plan, and his admirable decisiveness and vigor. Since he had already seen through he, he did not feel worried, because that person had promised that there will be no problem.
Xu Chi slept well that night. When he woke up, the sky was not fully lit yet. It was the darkest hour before the dawn. He arose and washed up, and emptied a bowl of horse milk. Then he wore his armor and brought his horse to the higher elevated meadow beside the camp perimeter. He took down the telescope from the saddle, and looked at the dusty city again.
It was dawn, and the world was silent.
The city gates were shut tight. There was no light in there, as if it was a haunted city.
But Xu Chi knew that Chanyu's strongest men will soon burst forth from those very gates.
He appeared very calm before his men, but he was actually a little anxious. Else he would not have come here to scout his enemies so early in the morning, to sooner determine the time his foes will arrive.
The Cavalry of the Northern Battlefront army main force have been diverted to other battlefields like Kaiping, and Qu City. The Commander's Barracks stood alone against the Golden Tribe Royal Court. How would they stand against the attack of ten thousand Duoer Cavalry?
Xu Chi had always thought he could completely trust that person. But as he looked at the dusty city before the quiet dawn, he felt uneasy.
The city walls were low, the archers platform above the gate was 30 feet away from the ground. When the morning light came, those with better eyesight could even clearly see the hardy grass growing from the cracks in between the dirt.
When Xu Chi was watching the dusty city, there was someone watching him from the city walls.
The Golden Tribe national master stared at the camps of the Tang army Commander's Barracks on the meadow afar. He looked on as the war horses were feeding on straws while bowing their heads. He confirmed the information relayed by the Royal Court Cavalry, and his aged face did not regain its peace.
The Tang camp was quiet. As the battle at other strongholds continued bitterly, the Royal Court Cavalry were defending on their last legs. Joining the dots, he could tell that Xu Chi had already known Chanyu's intentions. Why was he still so compliant?
The national master did not want to calculate the success rate of Chanyu's risky tactics.
Since the Royal Court had their backs forced to the Abyss by the Tang, they had to struggle a little instead of just giving up like that. Wasn't the last choice the best choice?
Yes, he knew these words were from the Academy.
Xu Chi's confidence was mostly based on the Academy.
From the beginning of the battle until now, the Academy had yet to truly act.
The true aces had yet to act.
In the silent dawn, the national master looked at the sky, awaiting the presence of some people.