Free Web NovelChapter 630: Chapter 90: Blazing a Path Through Blood (Part 2)
——The battle erupts instantly!
The forward position of the Tang Army is at a relatively gentle mountain saddle outside Yingchou Creek on West Incline Mountain, easy to defend and hard to attack, it serves as a natural barrier.
With a detailed topographic map at their disposal, generals like Guo Ziyi, Gao Xianzhi, and Feng Changqing were able to choose excellent positions.
However, on this thin-aired, cold-winded plateau battlefield, terrain advantages couldn’t redeem the forward lines’ decline.
Facing the dense elite troops of Tubo.
As the resonating yak horn sounded, the entire forward Tang Army didn’t put up any struggle and began to scatter and flee.
At a glance, there seemed to be signs of collapse.
"The Zanpu is wise, the Tang Army indeed appears to be lambs awaiting slaughter now."
Watching this scene, a group of Tubo nobles couldn’t help but glorify Tsri Songtsen Gampo, their faces full of greed.
The provisions of the Tang Army were their most desired treasure.
Tsri Songtsen Gampo was no different, but compared to other Tubo nobles, he was still calm, hastily saying: "Don’t worry about their provisions yet."
"Immediately attack the Tang Camp!"
——His sight was set beyond these immediate gains.
Tsri Songtsen Gampo aimed to keep all Tang soldiers right here.
If he could achieve that, he could then swiftly conquer Kyushu!
Upon hearing this, all Tubo nobles’ expressions involuntarily changed.
Tsri Songtsen Gampo naturally understood their concerns, a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes but was quickly suppressed: "Once our army destroys the enemy, all these provisions will be your rewards!"
Hearing this, everyone was satisfied.
Immediately, they nodded without hesitation, quickly leading their troops to charge out.
....
Banners crackled in the icy winds of West Incline Mountain, while the Tang Camp lay quietly within the Eagle’s Belly Plain.
News of the forward lines’ collapse exploded like thunder, instantly reaching the central command.
In the main tent, the atmosphere was as tense as iron.
Gu Xuan’s gaze was like a torch, sweeping over the gathered generals, his voice solemn: "This battle is decisive!"
"If we can crush the elite troops of Tubo in one fell swoop, our army can march straight in and take Yellow Dragon——break through Luoxie City!"
"Generals——"
"Do you have the heart for victory?!"
Gu Yi felt an immense seriousness at this moment.
Although he felt fully prepared, the crucial nature of this battle was too significant, forcing him to confront it head-on.
The advantages of the plateau are not something the Tang Army can fully compensate for in a short period.
To maximize the utility of the information gap.
Only through the tactic of feigned defeat, before the enemy detects the Tang Army’s true strength, to directly crush them!
"Rest assured, Grand Tutor!" Guo Ziyi replied without hesitation, clasping his hands in promise, his voice booming.
The other generals echoed in unison, their fighting spirit rising.
Gu Xuan said no more, simply waved his hand.
The generals took their orders, filing out.
The entire camp instantly transformed into a precisely operating war machine, elite troops ready for battle quickly forming ranks under the generals’ command, prepared for combat.
This was the key for which Gu Xuan, sparing no effort, brought the seasoned elites under An Lushan’s command into the central forces!
Not only to eliminate future threats, but also for today’s confrontation with Tubo!
Veterans tempered by blood and fire are unmatched by new recruits in battle capabilities.
No need for extensive command from Gu Xuan, as the generals took positions, the Tang Army’s formation was quietly set.
On the surface, the camp seemed hasty, but behind the enormous boulders, in the shadow of cliff walls, and at the end of reserved passages, danger lurked everywhere!
Time flowed in the oppressive silence.
Soon, the scattered forward troops were the first to flee back to the camp, closely followed by the relentless, storming Tubo army!
Tsri Songtsen Gampo, leading the charge, seeing the Tang Camp "in panic and unprepared," felt even more disdain, fiercely swinging his hunting knife!
"Kill——!!"
Elsewhere, Tsri Songtsen Gampo might have been more wary.
But in this mountainous remote area, he confidently believed the Tang Army was battered by the "mountain’s peril" and couldn’t withstand an attack!
Rumble——!
Thunderous hoofbeats shattered the earth, interwoven with the sharp yak horn and deafening war cries, obscuring the sky and covering the sun.
The Tubo army hesitated no longer, flooding into the Tang Camp like a dam-bursting torrent!
At this very moment——
The seemingly panicked, helpless Tang Camp trampled by Tubo’s iron hooves, suddenly erupted with world-shaking fury!
"Release——!!!"
With an order, like thunder cracking!
Just behind seemingly ordinary mounds and rocky heaps on either side of the camp and at the end of the broad pathways between tents, countless heavy shield barriers instantly rose!
Between the shields, densely packed crossbows glinted with deadly cold light, long ready to fire!
"Whoo whoo whoo whoo——!!!"
The piercing sound of arrows cutting through air overshadowed the yak horn!
Thousands upon thousands of strong bows and crossbows, with ear-piercing shrieks, from sides and front at nearly horizontal angles, fiercely pierced the charging Tubo cavalry at the camp entrance!
The thin air of the plateau made this deadly metal torrent faster, delivering greater penetration!
"Thud!"
"Thud!"
"Ah——!"
The elite Tubo cavalry at the front, as if crashing into an invisible air wall.
Men and horses toppled over!
Warhorses shrieked as they were shot into pincushions, collapsing heavily!
Ferocious riders pierced by strong bolts through leather armor, iron armor, even penetrating bodies, raising puffs of blood mist!
This is the Tang Army’s advantage in equipment.
The Gu Clan never ceased cultivating craftsmen, keeping Tang Army equipment steadily updated and improved, backed by huge profits from maritime trade.
