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墨書 Inktalez
The capital of Khotan is known as Western Mountain City, located nine thousand six hundred seventy li from Chang'an. Thirty li outside the city flows a river called Shouba, which is also referred to as Jade River due to the jade found within it.
This river encircles the capital, resembling a natural moat. Because the land in Khotan is soft and unsuitable for tall buildings, the capital and its surroundings are primarily composed of low sand and stone fortresses, with many seeing the presence of temples and pagodas.
Due to the low and soft nature of the city, it is not as impregnable as those in the Central Plains. Therefore, the army is stationed along the banks of Jade River, building stone and earth fortifications to guard the bridges.
Jade River originates from Kunshan, flowing westward for one thousand three hundred li before splitting into three at Oxhead Mountain on the border of Khotan. Thirty li east of the city is known as White Jade River, twenty li west is Jade River, and seven li away is Black Jade River. Military garrisons are established along these rivers, with Bridge Fort constructed to protect the capital. The capital is filled with immense wealth and nobility, yet there are few garrisons due to the lack of walls to defend, resulting in a typical defensive structure that is tight externally but loose internally.
This information was reported by scouts to Xu Zhen. After discussions with Qibi Helix, they dispatched messenger scouts to have Asena Sher lead the Tuguhun Cavalry northward to encircle Khotan from the north, where there are no rivers to defend, presenting a weakness in their defenses. Meanwhile, Qibi Helix would lead a large army to directly attack the eastern side of Western Mountain City to cover Asena Sher's surprise assault.
The Tuguhun lies to the west of Tang's border, while Khotan is even further west. Asena Sher set off first, taking a northern route while Xu Zhen and Qibi Helix's troops had to pass through Tuguhun.
For Turquoise Hu Man, Xu Zhen's name was not unfamiliar. Although Tuguhun had long since declined and was nearing extinction, relying on Tuguhun and Tang for survival was a difficult endeavor; however, historical memories could not be erased.
When news spread that Son of Ahura, once known as Firewood Man, would pass through Tuguhun, public sentiment began to turn against it.
The Ashina Tribe and Murong Tribe vehemently opposed this move but ultimately could not change anything. This military expedition not only had Tuguhun's emissaries facilitating connections but also saw Asena Sher and Qibi Helix sharing a common ancestry with Ashina Tribe from Tuguhun. Hobono from Tuguhun found himself helpless in this situation.
Xu Zhen's Golden Armored White Elephant King was as massive as a snow mountain. This White Elephant could be called a divine elephant by King Jiri; it was far from ordinary. Its body was more than twice that of an average elephant, with some areas still covered in long hair and tusks twisted and pale—resembling an ancient Mammoth Beast—fierce and brutal. Even Turquoise Hu Man or seasoned Indian warriors accustomed to War Elephants would be struck with awe!
As this White Elephant carried Xu Zhen past, Turquoise Hu Man gazed on with hatred and helplessness. They silently watched this army pass by, seeing in their retreating figures a reflection of Tuguhun's future—a lament for its gradual decline and impending demise.
At this moment by the banks of White Jade River, only about ten people remained inside Bridge Fort. On nearby wooden towers, three or four scouts were keeping watch while the remaining garrison gathered behind Bridge Fort to welcome General Dubao who came to reward the soldiers and accept his inspection.
Dubao was indeed responsible for intercepting Qibi Helix and Asena Sher but did not expect them to escape from eight hundred camel soldiers with just one hundred personal guards while inflicting over three hundred casualties on Tang Army—showing their bravery!
Due to this defeat, Dubao faced reprimands from Vujashin. While civil and military officials celebrated at Western Mountain Castle, he was sent to White Jade River's garrison station to comfort the soldiers.
Despite this setback, Dubao maintained a cheerful demeanor because he had become a laughingstock in the kingdom due to his failure against Qibi Helix and Asena Sher; yet he still held the title of general and no one dared mock him.
A grand welcoming ceremony was still held at the garrison camp. Dubao donned fine clothes atop a spirited steed adorned in gold and jewels, carrying a treasured sword at his waist with curled mustaches resembling those of wealthy merchants rather than a battle-hardened general.
Looking at the generals of Khotan, each one is adorned in gold and silver, their bodies covered in jewels and precious stones. Khotan is indeed wealthy, and most of its citizens take pride in this, showing no need to be modest; even the soldiers in the army exhibit this same attitude.
Observing the Bridge Fort and the surrounding Watchtower, although the scouts are dressed in simple armor, they wear Iron Thumb Rings on their fingers. While the quality of the stones may not be high, they are still a rare treasure for the lower-ranking Soldiers.
These scouts gaze complexly towards the main camp, their eyes reflecting a mix of mockery and jealousy, before exchanging a few teasing remarks.
However, their smiles quickly freeze as the wooden Watchtower begins to tremble!
No, to be precise, it is the ground that shakes!
In the northwest winter, the climate is abnormally cold and dry. The biting wind sweeps through, lifting sand into the air like yellow dragons rampaging across the ground.
On the distant horizon, a Black Spot suddenly appears. This Black Spot rises slowly; it is a lone rider racing ahead, with flags fluttering behind and a warhorse carrying a mouthful of reins, its eyes covered!
More and more Black Spots emerge on the horizon, forming a solid black line!
“It’s Cavalry! Sound the Alarm Bell! Blow the Horn!”
Several lookout scouts panic and grab the massive Rhinoceros Horn Signal, blowing it urgently. The deep horn sound comes abruptly, carrying an air of solemnity and oppression. In the cold wind, it seems to mix with an endless killing intent that sends shivers down everyone's spine in the camp!
The countless Cavalry raise a dust storm as if a dragon from afar has become enraged; it erupts like a storm. The lookout scouts watch as the Cavalry surges forward like a tidal wave, filled with astonishment!
This overwhelming force of Cavalry moves with incredible speed. Just moments after the Horn sounds, they begin to charge at Bridge Fort, trampling over the wide wooden bridge. The unprepared Bridge Fort is taken almost instantaneously!
Dubao and his generals receive the warning and quickly gather the Garrison. As they exit Yuanmen, their battle formation is not yet established when Qibi Helix's Cavalry has already charged in. Although those Watchtowers are tall, they cannot withstand the onslaught of War Elephants!
“Fire arrows! Quickly fire arrows!”
Dubao may appear to be a plump merchant from the Western Regions, but he is indeed an experienced general on the battlefield. With his own forces not yet organized and the enemy's Cavalry already breaching their camp, if they do not swiftly halt this charge of Cavalry, they will be overwhelmed and scattered!
The soldiers of the Khotan Garrison, without time to organize their formation or distinguish specific troop types, rushed forward with their bows and crossbows, launching a barrage at the enemy's Cavalry unit.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The sounds of bowstrings vibrating and arrows slicing through the air were incessant, resembling a disturbed hornet's nest. A flurry of White Feathers appeared in the sky, raining down upon Qibi Helix's Cavalry!
Dubao immediately recognized the black-faced general at the forefront; it was none other than Qibi Helix, the general of the Tang Kingdom who had previously embarrassed him by escaping his ambush!
"Good! Good! Good! I thought it was that blind fool Ah Chai from the Tuguhun. I didn't expect this dog to dare return. Today, I will kill him to avenge my shame!"
A surge of boldness filled Dubao's heart as he waved his thick hands and shouted loudly, "Quick, shoot arrows! Kill them all! Kill them all!"
While the Khotan general was still roaring orders, Qibi Helix had already signaled his prepared flag-bearers to raise their banners. The messengers beside him blew their horns, and the Cavalry unit swiftly split into two, evading the incoming Arrow Rain!
Over two thousand Cavalry divided into two groups and immediately surrounded the enemy camp. The unprepared Khotan Garrison fled in all directions, blood spilling everywhere from the slaughter!
Dubao did not expect the enemy's Cavalry to be so well-organized, executing commands flawlessly and moving without hesitation. Even when dozens of their number fell to arrows from the sides and rear, they remained undeterred, displaying a high level of military discipline that was simply unmatched by the Khotan forces!
On another front in the northern part of the city, Asena Sher had already begun her assault on the Garrison outside Western Mountain City!
The Garrison troops were retreating in defeat, being slaughtered mercilessly by Asena Sher's Tuguhun Army. However, they were unaware that even Asena Sher herself did not know that despite having Tuguhun envoys mediating on her behalf and being a descendant of the Ashina Family, there was still a deep-seated hatred towards the Tang Dynasty stemming from the Tuguhun.
Thus, these borrowed Cavalry were not official troops of the Tuguhun but rather bandit groups recruited from among the people. These bandits had originally roamed freely across Kuber Prairie but had been swept away by the Tang Army and subsequently oppressed by the Tubo People. They had no choice but to lay low and turn to mercenary work.
These mercenaries were inherently unruly and fierce criminals, living by violence and brutality. However, in this line of work where only the strong survive, over time, those who remained were naturally elite fighters.
Disguising themselves as official troops, these mercenaries knew they had been abandoned by the Tuguhun and fought recklessly for their own survival.
They had naturally heard of the name Firewood Man. Initially, they were somewhat unconvinced about Asena Sher and wanted to create trouble or take the opportunity to escape. However, once Xu Zhen appeared riding the Golden Armored White Elephant King, they completely abandoned that idea.
With the thought of seeking a way to survive, the cavalry led by Asena Sher quickly broke through the blockade in the north of the city. The bandits initially held a mindset of mere survival, but once the situation opened up, they realized that there was plenty of spoils to be had from the Khotan army. The bandits' eyes lit up with excitement, and their morale soared to new heights!
Asena Sher was a fierce general from the Turkic tribe. In dealing with these bandits, what better way to win their rebellious hearts than by leading them to a great victory?
Khotan found itself besieged on all sides, with Western Mountain Castle in a precarious situation. The Defend the City army hurriedly sent people to break through the encirclement and seek help from Dubao.
However, Dubao had already been thoroughly defeated by the tribal army led by Qibi Helix. Dubao personally took to the battlefield in an attempt to turn the tide but was crushed along with his horse by Xu Zhen controlling the White Elephant King, turning them into pulp!
The garrison, unable to withstand the assault, retreated into various stone fortresses nearby. They attempted to shoot from the lookout holes of these fortresses, but the War Elephants were clad in iron armor and had tough skin; ordinary arrows could not harm them at all. The small stone fortresses could not withstand the impact and trampling of the War Elephants!
In just half an hour, under the circumstances where their commander was trampled to death, the White Jade River Garrison had no choice but to surrender!
Qibi Helix and Xu Zhen commanded their soldiers to bind and imprison the surrendered troops in their main camp, leaving only the wounded to clean up the battlefield and organize the spoils of war.
The others wasted no time and charged across the White Jade River towards Jade River!
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