Chapter 365: Sudden Plunge (Even When Night Falls I Want to Sleep zzz, Adding More)

Dawn had not yet broken, yet Fang Chongyong was already awake from his sleep, and he heard the sound of a bell being struck inside Dayun Temple.

When golden wind meets jade dew, it surpasses countless things of the mortal world.

The Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya in Fang Chongyong's arms slept soundly. She had truly been exhausted the night before, recklessly squandering her youth in excitement, relying on her youth and vigor, sinking irreversibly, pursuing endless pleasure.

Although the Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya kept acting tough, as if she were experienced in that regard, she was in fact a complete novice.

The Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya not only lacked any experience, but also could not control her agitated emotions; after being confused and enamored, she burned like kindling set alight, raging without end.

After Fang Chongyong guided her to behold the beautiful scenery of a new world, she fell completely into the trap. The extreme pleasure and stimulation were followed by extreme fatigue and weariness.

Gently stroking the smooth back of the Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya in his arms, Fang Chongyong felt a flood of emotions.

What a rush! It's absolutely horse‑riding exhilaration!

With great power in hand, one can have a stunning beauty like the Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya in one's arms! Take whatever one desires at will!

A true man cannot go a day without authority; the benefits that power brings are countless! Not to mention a "prize" like the Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya—without authority in hand, one could never obtain her in a lifetime.

Even a temporary hold would be lost quickly.

Women of this sort seem to have "for the strong" written all over them. They have always been the exclusive possessions of the strong.

Fang Chongyong carefully contemplated his current sense of satisfaction and found that bodily pleasure was secondary; the greater psychological fulfillment came from possessing women of social standing such as "princesses" and "holy maidens."

Thinking that way, Ji Ge also doesn't have it easy; playing with beauties is truly exhilarating, and a normal healthy man finds it hard to resist, especially during the lull after long campaigns.

Fang Chongyong let out a light sigh; he is no saint either—last night he had fun as well, with no psychological burden of what should or shouldn't be done.

Projecting his own feelings, he thought how exhilarating and soul‑stirring last night was, and admired Ji Ge's astonishing resolve.

Fang Chongyong knows that with his current temperament, if he had Ji Ge's authority, his body would be worn out on women's wombs within a few years.

Ji Ge's number of women exceeds his by more than a thousand times!

Moreover, besides palace beauties like the Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya, the Great Tang has many more; Ji Ge can enjoy their service with a flick of his finger. Such women are like poisonous honey—ordinary men cannot endure, and over time even an iron body turns to mush.

Probably, in Ji Ge's younger years, his body was exceptionally robust, allowing him even in old age to have the energy to indulge.

He really needs to practice restraint from now on.

Fang Chongyong couldn't help muttering to himself.

Just as his mind wandered, someone knocked lightly on the door outside the side room, as if afraid of disturbing his pleasures.

"Who?"

Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice, already dressing quickly.

"Jiedushi, Che Guangqian requests an audience, saying there is urgent military intelligence!"

From outside came He Changqi's hesitant voice.

"Ask him to wait; this Jiedushi will arrive shortly."

Fang Chongyong responded with a word.

The Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya, lying on the mat, had been awakened by the noise; she glanced at Fang Chongyong, stretched out her white‑lotus‑like arms, squinted and murmured, "My dear, kiss me quickly, then you may leave."

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong was startled.

The scene seemed familiar, but Anaye usually said something like "Get out, don't bother me."

He couldn't help reflecting that different women are like different books; even if you open to the same page number, the contents may differ vastly.

Fang Chongyong bent down and kissed the Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya fiercely, holding the kiss for a long time before parting. Only then did he rise lightly, exit, and, guided by He Changqi, entered a meditation hall within the temple.

Upon entering, he saw Che Guangqian anxiously pacing back and forth in the room, like ants on a hot pan! The other commanders were lined up, heads bowed, lost in thought.

"Jiedushi, the situation is dire; Gao Xianzhi was ambushed by the Great Tang army in Dongcao City, fought a bitter battle without victory, and after losing troops and officers, withdrew to Zhezhi City."

"But before he could react, an elite detachment of the Great Tang army bypassed Zhezhi City, rushed east for several hundred li, and launched a surprise strike on Dalosi City! Gao Xianzhi left only a thousand men there. When our forces departed, the Great Tang troops were still besieging the city, which was already on the brink of collapse."

"The junior commander believes they cannot hold it much longer! The battlefield has suddenly shifted; please, Jiedushi, make a decision!"

Che Guangqian, panting, said that the hardships of this journey were beyond words.

Upon receiving the secret report, he raced at breakneck speed toward the Tang main camp in Broken Leaf Town. After arriving, he learned that Fang Chongyong had gone to Dayun Temple and had to rush here to report the military situation in person, without a moment's rest.

He had previously gone near Ashibulaicheng to scout for news and gather intelligence; initially he only heard that Gao Xianzhi suffered a minor defeat at Dongcao City, which was unexpected. After all, no commander in the Western Expedition believed that Gao Xianzhi's single unit could defeat the Great Tang troops.

But just as Che Guangqian was preparing to send someone to deliver this "not very important" intelligence back to Broken Leaf Town, news arrived that the Great Tang army had rushed several hundred li to launch a sudden attack on Dalosi City!

Che Guangqian, who had studied military texts since childhood, instantly recognized this as the classic "surround a point and strike the relief" tactic, intended to lure Gao Xianzhi into a rescue.

If Gao Xianzhi were to rescue Dalosi, the Great Tang army would have many ways to strike him en route.

If Gao Xianzhi does not rescue Dalosi, Zhezhi City will become an isolated fortress, and the next step is the Great Tang army surrounding it on all sides.

Given the Great Tang's troop strength, both strategies can operate simultaneously; all the ploys are laid out in the open.

Thus Che Guangqian could not attend to other matters, hurriedly mounted a swift horse and rode nonstop toward Broken Leaf Town, his robe's inner thigh torn from the ride.

The Tang troops near Ashibulaicheng belong to the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army's main force, the most elite unit of the Western Expedition. However, its commander is currently attending a conference in Broken Leaf Town and is not with the army.

In this state, they are still a short distance from being ready to mobilize for expedition.

Preventing Dalosi City from falling may be very difficult.

"Jiedushi, the junior commander believes that even if the Great Tang now captures Dalosi City, their foothold will still be unstable.

If we launch an expedition now, it would be like a half‑cross attack, achieving double results with half the effort.

Please, Jiedushi, decide!"

Che Guangqian suggested calmly.

"No, you must go immediately to Samojian City and deliver this Jiedushi's handwritten letter to Abu Muslin, warning him that if he does not withdraw from Dalosi City and Kang Nation at once, the Great Tang will assemble three hundred thousand troops to sweep Hezhong Prefecture.

Also, briefly explain that the Great Tang has already prepared to name this place Hezhong Prefecture for unified administration."

Fang Chongyong spoke forcefully.

Hearing this, the commanders waiting in the meditation hall were stunned.

Having Abu Muslin retreat is like suggesting a tiger eat grass—what's the difference?

If you tell him to retreat, will he actually retreat?

"Jiedushi, the Arabs… they wouldn't be so foolish, would they?"

He Changqi asked with a doubtful expression, essentially voicing the confusion that everyone present felt. Many matters are laid out plainly; when great powers contend, there is a tyrannical, unreasonable side.

When strong powers clash, there is often no retreat.

It's not like the relationship between Fang Chongyong and Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya; the latter takes off his clothes and serves the former on the bed, attaches to him, receives his protection, and thus their conflict is resolved.

Since the Great Tang cannot retreat in the Stone Kingdom, the black‑clad Arabs have even less room to withdraw; there is no possibility of one side attaching to the other.

Fang Chongyong letting Abu Muslin pull back his troops is like a chicken talking to a duck.

"Show them what you cannot, demonstrate strength through weakness, just follow that, and also probe the Arabs' strengths and weaknesses."

"War is a contest of wit, force, and courage, not a reckless charge fueled by hot blood."

Fang Chongyong patted Che Guangqian on the shoulder, signaling him to go handle the business quickly.

After Che Guangqian left, Fang Chongyong instructed Duan Xiushi: "Send someone to the Ningyuan Kingdom, inform King Dou Zhongjie, prepare to gather troops, and join the Tang army in striking the Arab forces at Dalos, but obey orders and don't set out immediately."

The Ningyuan Kingdom was formerly called Bahanna, located over a hundred li northwest of Juzhan Ti City, with its capital at Kese City.

Although it is a small, sparsely populated nation, it is the only steadfast ally among the small states west of Congling for the Great Tang.

The name 'Bahanna' is a phonetic transcription, sometimes rendered as 'Baha Duo', 'Jing', or 'Funa'; in any case it lies in the Ferghana Basin of Central Asia, and the exact name is irrelevant.

Initially, the Ningyuan Kingdom constantly followed the Tang army across Central Asia, never shirking hardship. Especially when Ji Ge was in power, its ties with the Great Tang were extremely close.

To set a model in the region, Ji Ge deliberately bestowed the surname of his mother, the Dou clan, upon the Ningyuan king and renamed Bahanna as the Ningyuan Kingdom.

This was a hint to the Ningyuan Kingdom that they are the 'cousin nation' of my imperial majesty!

After arriving at Suie Town, Fang Chongyong deliberately avoided contacting the Ningyuan Kingdom to lull Abu Muslin.

In fact, based on path‑dependent empiricism, as long as the Tang high command has not contacted the Ningyuan Kingdom, it indicates that the Tang will not launch a large‑scale campaign west of Congling soon; otherwise even the steadfast foot soldiers would have been informed.

This is also one of the reasons Abu Muslin dares to deploy troops against Dalos.

Of course, rumors such as "Fang Chongyong and Gao Xianzhi are at odds, with the former trying to trap the latter to death" have also reached Governor Hu Luoshan of the black‑clad Arabs through various channels.

Many factors intertwine, leading Abu Muslin to be convinced that this Western Frontier envoy of the Great Tang will resolve the dispute with the Arab Kingdom through peaceful negotiation.

"Go deliver the orders, what are you standing around for?"

Seeing Duan Xiushi not moving, Fang Chongyong scolded with a displeased expression.

"Jiedushi, are we just staying idle like this?"

Duan Xiushi asked in disbelief.

Fang Chongyong offered two tactics, both diplomatic. If Duan Xiushi cannot see that the man before him is the Western Frontier envoy and simply does not wish to confront the black‑clad Arabs, then he need not serve as a marching staff officer and would be better off mixing among the lower ranks of the Tang army.

"Abu Muslin still has defenses; if we strike forcefully, he will retreat."

Gao Xianzhi's troops still possess considerable fighting strength; if we break the siege, they will think we are meddling for glory.

"Better to wait until they are exhausted, then we take the stage and finish the remaining acts in one go."

Fang Chongyong, keeping his patience, explained to his subordinate generals. His strategy, summed up in eight characters, is "conserve strength, strike later to gain the upper hand."

Actually, Gao Xianzhi's side is manageable; the trouble lies with Abu Muslin.

If Abu Muslin sees that the Western Expeditionary Force can fight even better than Gao Xianzhi's troops, might he quickly withdraw to Mulucheng, lie low for a year, and emerge after the Tang army leaves to stir up trouble?

One must admit, given Abu Muslin's mastery of military strategy, this possibility is high. If he cannot win, he simply refrains, returns to his base and waits for an opening— a tactic any cool‑headed commander would adopt.

There is a saying, "eradicate evil completely." Since Fang Chongyong has decided to deal with the Arabs, he must finish all necessary tasks in one go!

If we don't show weakness, how can we lure Abu Muslin into a trap?

"Oh, I understand!"

Jiedushi repeatedly lulled Abu Muslin, making him think you are the peace‑faction within the Tang army, unwilling to draw swords in the Stone Kingdom.

When the crucial moment arrives, we can strike in one surge to eliminate the Arab main force!

"Gao! Or is it you, Jiedushi, who is the highest!"

He Changqi couldn't help but give Fang Chongyong a thumbs‑up, while the other generals cast contemptuous glances at him.

Who wouldn't be a Zhuge Liang after the fact? Fang Jiedushi has explained everything; even a fool knows what's going on. If you have the ability, step up and explain when Jiedushi hasn't spoken!

In fact, Fang Chongyong's actions also present an opportunity to curb Gao Xianzhi, to suppress his arrogant swagger.

After all, last night he thoroughly dealt with Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Thus Character: Jinsikaiya, and even if trapping Gao Xianzhi to death breaches principle, making him suffer and learn who the real big brother in the Western Regions is remains necessary.

But it was done conveniently.

In fact, the generals under Fang Chongyong have long been weary of Gao Xianzhi constantly flaunting himself like a green onion, partly out of jealousy of his achievements.

"Whether Gao is high, I, Jiedushi, don't know. But when the time comes to use troops, don't lose your nerve before the Arabs."

Fang Chongyong gave He Changqi a sneering chuckle.

"Jiedushi, rest assured, I will never be weak; when the time comes, watch this junior officer slaughter all around!"

He Changqi pounded his chest in assurance, shouting energetically.

Fang Chongyong looked around at the generals and saw they all wore eager, ready expressions; well, the morale was usable.

"You all must be ready to obey at any moment, cannot leave the main camp, stay on guard at dawn, do not slack, disperse now."

…

On the ramparts of Zhezhi City, Gao Xianzhi gazed at the distant smoke drifting toward him, his expression turning grim. He still does not know the news of Dalos City's fall. Of course, even if he did, there is no remedy.

Holding Zhezhi City still offers hope; if we march to rescue Dalos City, it would be hopeless, and everyone would die en route.

"Vice Protector, the Arabs come with ill intent. In the battle at Dongcao City we failed to win, and the Arabs' audacity has risen."

Si Yuanqing, standing by Gao Xianzhi, said with a helpless tone, somewhat regretful.

If we were to break the Arab camp at Dongcao City again, I fear the Arabs would not dare to leave the city, let alone launch a hundred‑mile siege.

The so‑called battle of Dongcao City never saw Gao Xianzhi and his Anxi troops reach the city; before the main force arrived at the banks of Yao Sha Water, they encountered a well‑prepared Arab army, vastly outnumbering the Anxi light cavalry.

They hadn't even crossed the river, let alone reached Dongcao City, since that city, like Juzhan Ti, lies on the south bank of Yao Sha Water.

Initially, Gao Xianzhi led a charge from the flank, found the enemy heavy infantry stubborn and unyielding, so he seized an opportunity and withdrew his troops. He gained no advantage and even lost some men and horses.

Now that I think back, I feel rather regretful. Though the losses in this battle were not great, they gave the Great Arab army tremendous courage and confidence!

Today the Great Arab army struck decisively, which is the aftereffect of that previous battle we did not win.

"Prepare to defend the city."

Gao Xianzhi gave the order, and his expression returned to calm, with not a trace of it evident.

On the battlefield, whether upright or fallen, it's merely a death; what could possibly inspire fear?

(End of chapter)