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墨書 Inktalez
At that time, the court was in turmoil, with successive rebellions and suppressions following the year. After leaving Songzhou, in early March, thunderstorms were rarely seen.
The Xu Zhen ordered the Cavalry to stay behind and wait for the thunder to act, truly considering herself as Zhuge Wuhou, capable of calling the wind and rain.
Unlike the private mockery from the various military leaders, Ginger Sage saw in the Xu Zhen clad in red armor not a Zhuge, but someone who surpassed Zhuge!
As the supply convoy moved slowly forward, the main force was uneasy. Li Daozong commanded Niu Jinda, Liu Lan, and Zhi Shili to lead their troops at the rear.
After several feigned attacks by the Xu Zhen, the Tubo Army at Little Gansong Ridge had long become numb and slack. The Tang army was unable to fight back, filled with resentment and eager to vent their frustrations. If the Xu Zhen were to abandon her mission again, even Li Daozong might not be able to suppress the anger of many soldiers.
Niu Jinda and others were seasoned warriors who had seen many siege weapons, but seeing Ginger Sage's Throwing Cart, ramming vehicles, and ladders accompanying them stirred their hearts. They understood that this time they would be serious about battle; their pent-up fighting spirit began to boil over.
However, as the commander of this battle, the Xu Zhen could not be controlled by them. As fierce generals in the rear guard, they might not even have a chance to follow behind and eat dust. In their hearts, they secretly hoped for the Xu Zhen's defeat so they could step up and claim credit!
Yet the Xu Zhen remained calm and composed, exuding an air of control over the situation. Three hundred personal guards closely protected several heavily wrapped supply carts until they finally reached the narrow pass at Little Gansong Ridge.
Although the Tubo Army was disorganized and saw the Tang army retreating, they thought it was just like before. However, when they saw hundreds of Tang soldiers transporting supplies approaching, instead of being alarmed, they were overjoyed.
As these hundreds entered the narrow pass, if boulders and logs were pushed down upon them, they would be completely overwhelmed before they could even make a sound. It seemed they were coming with supplies to seek peace!
Just as the Tubo Army was about to relay this good news back to Songzhou City, they saw a Tang general at the forefront clad in red armor with a flag at his back. With a long knife in hand amidst the flames, he resembled a Blood Asura moving through the night!
The Xu Zhen narrowed her eyes slightly and raised an eyebrow. She pointed her long knife directly at both sides of the mountain pass. The soldiers behind her quickly sprang into action, pushing all Throwing Carts to the front line. Several men worked together to set them up while soldiers from behind opened heavy coverings to reveal round Iron Cannons that looked like large watermelons!
It was well known within the army that the Xu Zhen excelled in firearms. During the Tuguhun battle, she had created the Zhenwu General cannon. At that time, Zhenwu General had already been transported with Divine Fire Camp to Youzhou and Yingzhou. It seemed that when Sage rewarded and arranged for Xu Zhen's troops, he had already begun contemplating an expedition against Liaodong!
With this deduction in mind, Gao He Shu and Yin Zong along with Xie Anting—trusted aides of Xu Zhen —had arrived at Yingzhou. It appeared that Sage intended to utilize Xu Zhen for his campaign against Liao since then; he had already started planning her reemployment!
However, this was not a time for such idle thoughts. The Xu Zhen commanded from her position as soldiers meticulously loaded Iron Cannons onto Throwing Carts. They were just waiting for her command to launch an attack up the mountain!
"Finally going into battle!"
Seeing that Xu Zhen was about to take action, the Tang army's morale surged explosively after being suppressed for several days!
Although Niu Jinda and other veteran generals felt excited inside, they had to admit that Xu Zhen's tactic of raising expectations only to lower them had been somewhat extreme but extremely effective in regulating morale. It also allowed time for Ginger Sage to produce siege equipment like Throwing Carts—there were merits in this approach.
There were still some puzzling aspects. The Iron Cannon appeared heavy and dark, but from the way the Soldier moved, it seemed that the Iron Cannon was not solid.
If the Iron Cannon was not solid, it would be better to carve stones from the mountain—quick and economical—why go through the trouble of casting such a useless item?
Li Daozong noticed the confusion and dissatisfaction among the crowd, but his eyes sparkled as he gazed at the elevated Throwing Cart, as if he could see the Tang Army flag already planted atop Songzhou City!
"Control!"
The Xu Zhen commanded loudly, and the Throwing Carts gathered strength. These three hundred elite soldiers had trained for several days; although they did not know what this Iron Cannon was, they were well aware of the power of the Throwing Cart!
Seeing that everything was ready, the Xu Zhen swung her long knife, her voice booming like thunder: "Fire!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The Throwing Carts launched one after another, with the Iron Cannons tearing through the air, shrieking as they soared high and struck the mountain peaks on either side!
The Tubo Army was still secretly pleased, not expecting that their opponents would dare to attack with just a few hundred men. At this distance, Feathered Arrows could not reach them, but the Throwing Carts could. However, there were too few of these Throwing Carts, and with the mountains providing cover, their lethality was quite limited. Many in the Tubo Army looked down on this and even mocked the Tang Army's futile efforts.
However, their smiles quickly faded because those Iron Cannons exploded on the mountaintops like thunderclaps!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A blinding flash of light passed by, followed by deafening explosions. The powerful shockwaves carried fragments of Iron Cannons and shattered stones everywhere. Nearby Tubo Army soldiers were either struck in the head or pierced through their chests. Dozens of densely packed Soldiers were thrown back by the shockwave, covered in blood as they fell into the valley!
The mountain ridge at the narrow pass shook as if struck by an earthquake. Whether it was the attacked Tubo Army or the rear-guard Tang soldiers, or even those elite soldiers operating the Throwing Carts, including Ginger Sage who personally developed these explosive Iron Cannons—everyone was stunned at that moment!
Such a method truly controlled the powers of thunder and fire, astonishing heaven and earth and evoking fear among gods and demons alike!
The Tubo Army on the mountain had yet to regain their senses when they suffered heavy casualties. At this moment, they recalled the legendary Firewood Man from Turquoise Hu Man folklore—the Son of Ahura who wielded the hand of the fire god!
"Could it be… could he be… that Xu Zhen!!!"
"It’s him! He is the divine envoy of Holy Fire Cult!!!"
"Eternal Sky, what have we done! We have brought upon ourselves the punishment of fate!"
The Tubo Army finally realized the gravity of their situation, having suffered heavy casualties. The earth-shattering artillery fire showed no signs of stopping; each shell that fell claimed dozens of lives, and the number of injured was countless. The Tubo People, who were always devout, now viewed the Xu Zhen as a demon of slaughter. They dared not linger any longer and fled down the mountains towards Songzhou.
The Xu Zhen had once said that when the thunder sounded, they could charge forward. However, her cavalry was already paralyzed by fear, seeing her as a divine being, an Earth Immortal. At this moment, witnessing the mountains on both sides being flattened and debris flying everywhere, they could only marvel at such power.
Niu Jinda had suffered a great defeat here before. Although the Xu Zhen delayed her military action, when she finally did mobilize, she relied on just three hundred men and a few Throwing Carts to nearly level the entire Little Gansong Ridge. It was truly breathtaking!
Once this narrow pass was breached, the Tang army could advance directly into the city, facing Songzhou head-on. With siege engines crafted by Ginger Sage and the thunderous artillery of the Xu Zhen, capturing the small Songzhou would be as easy as turning over one's hand!
"Alas... all the credit for this battle will undoubtedly go to the Xu Zhen..." Although Niu Jinda and others were unwilling to accept it, they had no choice but to concede. Back during the Battle of Tugu Hun, the Zhenwu General created by the Xu Zhen was regarded as a crucial weapon by the current Sovereign and had been transported early to You and Ying provinces. Now she had produced such awe-inspiring thunderous shells; who in the Tang Army would dare to underestimate her?
After this battle, surely there would be no more obstacles in the Xu Zhen's military career!
Zhi Shili, originally a Turkic defector like the Tubo People and Turquoise Hu Man, knew little about machinery. Tonight, witnessing the might of the Xu Zhen's artillery left him deeply shaken and unable to calm his heart for a long time. When the main forces gathered, he hurriedly approached to pay his respects to the Xu Zhen.
Unlike Niu Jinda's arrogance or Liu Lan's impulsiveness, Zhi Shili was rough yet open-minded due to his foreign background. He held no resentment towards the Xu Zhen and cautiously inquired about the name of her artillery shells.
The Xu Zhen exchanged smiles with Ginger Sage, both aware that this artillery had already intimidated three armies. However, they had not yet named it. The Xu Zhen humbly left this matter to Ginger Sage.
Ginger Sage did not wish to take credit away from her; after some modest exchanges, the Xu Zhen pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Now that February is ending, everything should emerge with thunderous vibrations; insects awaken and scurry out. However, we have yet to see Spring Thunder rain. Since tonight's thunder has shaken the heavens, let us name it Awakening of Insects!"
"Awakening of Insects!"
Upon hearing this name, Ginger Sage clapped his hands in approval and laughed heartily. To name something mortal after celestial timing and seasonal significance—truly, the Xu Zhen possessed great vision!
Zhi Shili thought for a moment and found it clever; he admired Xu Zhenzhi's intellect even more.
As more Tang troops gathered behind them and passed through the narrow pass, they began to wipe out the remaining Tubo Army stationed at the fortress along their way. It was like breaking through bamboo; by midnight they were already facing Songzhou City!
For the Tang army, Songzhou City was nothing more than a ramshackle place. With Ginger Sage's siege engines and Jingzhe Thunder at their disposal, it became even less defensible. Many soldiers felt an urge to rush in and fight for military merit.
However, Niu Jinda regretted having previously tried to harm the Xu Zhen by pushing her into this vanguard position. Yet upon reflection, he realized that if it weren't for her collaboration with Ginger Sage in creating Jingzhe Thunder, they would have lost countless troops and resources trying to capture Little Gansong Ridge under different leadership.
At this moment, Xu Zhen led the army to conquer cities and establish great military achievements, which were earned through hard work and effort. Everyone was in awe, and although Niu Jinda was reckless, he could not help but admire Xu Zhen's intelligence.
Seeing their Lord once again impressing everyone, Zhou Cang and the others naturally felt proud. They were just waiting for Xu Zhen to give the order so they could lead the army to attack the city, making Lord Xu Zhenzhi's name once again shock the court and the public!
However, as Face gazed at the slowly brightening lights of Songzhou City, Xu Zhen hesitated.
After considering for a moment, she returned to her headquarters and visited Li Daozong, stating directly, "Chief Steward, I am unworthy and fortunate not to have disgraced my mission. I have taken Mountain Fortress, but when it comes to besieging cities, I am not as experienced as the generals here. Therefore, I must decline this responsibility. Generals Niu Jinda and Liu Lan are both highly respected and seasoned warriors; it would be better if they took on the arduous task of breaching the city."
As soon as Xu Zhen finished speaking, there was a moment of astonishment in the military tent. Just when it seemed that a tremendous military achievement was within reach, Xu Zhen actually chose to step back, showing humility and generosity!
Li Daozong's eyes lit up with appreciation as he smiled. At this moment, Xu Zhen truly understood the way of governance in court. If she had claimed all the credit for herself, Niu Jinda, Liu Lan, and even all the officers in the army would likely spread tales of her arrogance and greed.
But now that the military achievements were shared among everyone, loyalty would naturally belong to Xu Zhen!
"Good! Good! Haha!"
Li Daozong laughed heartily. The entire Tang army camp finally swept away the oppressive atmosphere of previous days and erupted into a joyful and intense atmosphere. Everyone was eager to go into battle and achieve merit, their morale soaring into the night sky!
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