Chapter 366: The Adventures of Gao Xianzhi

The main force of the black‑clad Great Arab army surged toward Zhezhi City, but they were not in a hurry to assault it. Abu Muslin ordered the army to camp on the banks of the Zhezhi River (the Qierqike River); the troops encircled Zhezhi City on three sides, leaving the eastern side open, apparently intending to let Gao Xianzhi slip away with his troops.

Siege warfare in the Western Regions differs from that in the Central Plains. Here the "cities" are mostly castles, occupying very little ground yet towering and hard to scale; they have strong defenses but poor internal sustainment.

At the same time, the outer walls are extremely low, often just wooden palisades, which cannot stop a thunderous strike by a siege army.

Traditional siege engines such as siege towers, ladders, and battering rams are of limited use, and the desert lacks hardwood for their construction. They prefer the Roman‑derived technology of building crossbow cannons and catapults to strike the defenders on the walls.

Thus, plundering the surroundings, besieging the castle, cutting off supplies, directly killing the garrison, and even sending missionaries to undermine morale have become the primary methods of siege here—a combination of tactics.

As a former important governorate of the Sassanid Persian Empire and the foundation of the Abbasid Dynasty, the Khorasan region possesses strong and elite forces, and Abu Muslin commands many capable generals.

In terms of both numbers and quality, the army ranks among the very best within the black‑clad Great Arab realm.

When the Arabs first rose, they employed a tribal military system, essentially the same as that of the Turks.

Later they adopted the Byzantine Empire's military district system, creating a feudal military district structure that blended tribal elements.

When Abu Muslin helped the Abbasid Dynasty rise and replace the Umayyad Dynasty, he relied heavily on the former Sassanid Persian military system, reforming the rebel forces from the bottom up—at least in Khorasan.

In simple terms, the ruler provided minor nobles with pay and equipment, requiring them to serve as heavy cavalry.

But because cash alone was insufficient to arm these mounted troops, the Khorasan governor also granted them villages and small estates, compensating their service with feudal tribute.

Ordinary peasants in the fiefs served as regular infantry under the jurisdiction of the minor nobles.

This system resembles a blend of European feudal knighthood and early Tang militia, fitting the era of numerous, intricately linked tribes in Khorasan.

After the reforms, the Khorasan military districts unleashed formidable combat power.

In this counter‑offensive, Khorasan governor Abu Muslin dispatched General Da Wu De with twenty‑thousand troops, mainly light cavalry and camel riders, carrying only dry provisions, marching swiftly around to Daros City three hundred li east of Zhezhi City, and immediately began its siege.

Abu Muslin himself arrived outside Zhezhi City with Qi Yade Sari and his elite Khorasan corps, forming battle lines to prepare the assault.

At that moment, atop Zhezhi City's walls, Gao Xianzhi wore a solemn expression, watching the encircling but non‑attacking Great Arab troops, arms crossed, deep in thought.

"Deputy Protector Gao, the Great Arab troops surround three gates and leave one open; are they trying to lure us to send reinforcements, then ambush them?"

Xi Yuanqing asked in confusion, his heart uneasy.

Zhezhi City is vast, but only the inner city—the Stone Kingdom Palace—provides real defense; the outer walls are extremely low, barely ten chi (about three meters) tall!

What use is that?

"Abu Muslin intends to drive us to Daros City and then pursue us on the road," Gao Xianzhi said in a deep voice.

Gao Xianzhi said gravely.

"Then what should we do?"

Xi Yuanqing was startled; he had thought Gao Xianzhi hadn't noticed, but the commander had already seen the situation clearly.

"The Western Frontier Army is poor at defending cities; when defending, the horses are of little use."

Gao Xianzhi seemed to be persuading himself as he continued, "Abu Muslin has surely massed heavy troops in the un‑encircled eastern side, while the northern side near the river cannot accommodate many soldiers. Issue the order: have the troops take their dry provisions, and break out through the north gate tonight!"

"Through the north? Wouldn't that mean breaking out into the river?"

Upon hearing Gao Xianzhi's command, Xi Yuanqing was at a loss for words.

Suddenly, he realized this was an opportunity—Gao Xianzhi was exploiting a blind spot in Abu Muslin's thinking!

The north is indeed blocked by rivers, more than one. Yet winter is the low‑water season; these waterways are more like ditches, and warhorses can wade through. Moreover, now that winter has arrived, whether the river surface freezes at night is another matter.

"Understood, I will arrange it immediately," the junior officer replied.

Xi Yuanqing clasped his fists in salute to Gao Xianzhi, received the order, and departed.

Below Zhezhi City, Qi Yade Sari saluted Governor Abu Muslin and reported, "Governor, the scouts have surveyed the area; within a hundred li no Tang reinforcements have been detected."

Abu Muslin seemed not to hear him, remaining silent as he stared at Zhezhi City in the distance, deep in thought.

"Tonight we will assault from three sides; the palace of Zhezhi City cannot accommodate thousands of cavalry. I will see whether Gao Xianzhi chooses to break out or to enter the palace and fight to the death," Abu Muslin said gravely, issuing the command calmly.

Abu Muslin spoke in a deep voice, calmly issuing the command.

He didn't care from which direction Gao Xianzhi broke out; his goal was not primarily to annihilate the Tang army.

Abu Muslin understood clearly that the black‑clad Great Arabs aimed to capture territory here, with land acquisition paramount. The Tang army was a "Guest Troops" that had traveled a thousand li; once they left, they were unlikely to return, a fundamental difference from the tactics of the Tujishi.

Gao Xianzhi is a general, indeed a highly capable one. Yet his abilities stop here; he lacks the capacity to campaign in the "River Central" region—according to Tang terminology, places such as Mulucheng are all called "River Central".

West of Congling, winter sunlight is weak and temperatures are moderate. Abu Muslin ordered his light cavalry to prepare a pursuit; these light horsemen are equipped with Arab lances over five meters long. He also deployed infantry archers armed with heavy arrowheads and sturdy bows, whose arrows can pierce armor within range.

Additionally, the heavy‑armored infantry, a sort of killing blade, will take the field tonight. In the desert, heavy armor is a nightmare; those wearing it feel as if they are wrapped in scorching iron blocks.

But at night Zhezhi City has no such concern.

On the eastern side, where the Tang army is most likely to flee, Abu Muslin positioned all the siege crossbow cannon units, ready to catch Gao Xianzhi off guard.

The sun slowly set, reddening the horizon, and Abu Muslin's heart seemed to burn as if scorched by something.

"Doo Doo Doo!"

A brass trumpet sounded among the black‑clad Great Arab troops, an instrument inherited from the Sassanid Persians; its blast signaled the start of the general assault.

The Great Arab army surged toward Zhezhi City from three directions like a tide!

Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!

As if sensing something, drums roared throughout Zhezhi City, accompanied by earth‑shaking war cries, as if to counter the trumpet's sound.

At that moment, the north gate of Zhezhi City flung open; Xi Yuanqing, brandishing a Masuo, charged forward, followed by dozens of broken‑formation cavalry, each clad in heavy armor, and in an instant they plunged into the Great Arab ranks.

The sight surprised the Great Arabs, and the northern formation fell into chaos.

These troops were the weakest contingent among Abu Muslin's forces besieging Zhezhi City.

They usually performed flank‑encirclement tasks on the battlefield, typically equipped with oval long shields, a straight sword at the waist, and a Duannao that could be thrown or used to stab enemies.

These men originated from quasi‑military units of the Sassanid Persian rural administration, dispersed as "local constables" and later consolidated into the army as flexible flank support units.

Abu Muslin did not expect Gao Xianzhi to be so daring, striking back as his own siege had just begun, and he certainly did not foresee that the opponent would actually…

Even he hadn't imagined it; the northern Great Arab auxiliary troops were even more unexpected.

The formation of this unit was first breached by Xi Yuanqing leading a wave of elite soldiers, creating a gap; a second wave of cavalry, led directly by Gao Xianzhi, consisted entirely of light cavalry, each with an arrow quiver on the back, a horsebow in hand, and even the horse's saddlebag filled with arrows.

They charged forward while covering their retreat with bows and arrows!

They broke the Great Food army's formation like a flood, then the Tang cavalry waded through the small river to the north and rode away. The other divisions of the Great Food army that were carrying out the siege had not received new orders, and for a moment did not know whether they should chase the Tang army or continue the old orders to keep besieging.

Abu Muslin, who was commanding the battle outside the east gate, fell silent for a long time after hearing the news, causing Qi Yade Sali beside him not to dare breathe.

"Baishui City lies between Zhezhi City and Daluosi; the commander stationed at Baishui City, Sai Yide Benhou Meide, still has fewer than ten thousand troops.

If they only defend the city, they should be able to block the Tang army's path.

Gao Xianzhi intends to turn back to Suie Town, must attack Baishui City, or bypass Baishui City to strike Daluosi.

"We will follow him slowly, press toward Daluosi; no need to chase too hastily."

Abu Muslin said leisurely to Qi Yade Sali.

"Governor, releasing the tiger back to the mountain will cause endless trouble."

Qi Yade Sali became urgent: not pursuing now, waiting to catch up will be too late!

"Gao Xianzhi has already discarded all the plundered wealth and supplies.

Countless money and provisions were spent; in the end, not only was Stone Country lost, but nothing was gained.

As long as he returns to Suie Town, even if that Western Frontier envoy does not deal with him, the troops under his command will not spare him.

Abu Muslin looked at Qi Yade Sali and spoke, his eyes sharp, exuding authority without anger.

Tactics serve strategy; what is the Black‑clad Great Food's strategy—conquering the river region or annihilating the main Tang forces?

Which is the primary objective and which is secondary?

It seemed Qi Yade Sali had already figured it out, and Abu Muslin counseled him, saying:

"Gao Xianzhi helped us loot and consolidate Stone Country's wealth; if we did it ourselves, not only would we offend people, we wouldn't even obtain so much. Speaking of which, I, the governor, should thank him.

Now most of this wealth still lies within the Stone Country palace; if we acquire it, we can reward the troops, win hearts, and what's not good about that?

As for Gao Xianzhi and his army, let them keep whatever they can; there's no need to damage our own loyal troops just to kill.

This is the difference between the governor and Gao Xianzhi: I value the big picture, while his eyes only see slaughter.

"It is the governor who thinks comprehensively; I, the junior officer, was mistaken."

Qi Yade Sali said with a respectful expression.

He found his level of thought far below Abu Muslin's, but rather on par with Gao Xianzhi's.

"Go then; after entering the city, do not disturb the civilians, and later we will take over Zhezhi City."

Abu Muslin nodded at Qi Yade Sali and said, feeling a pang of regret. In fact, he truly wished to spar with Gao Xianzhi's elite forces, but it was a pity.

……

Near a small hill by the Talas Riverbank, not far away, Gao Xianzhi and his Anxi army, who escaped eastward from Zhezhi City, were drinking at the river, refilling water skins, and eating the scant dry provisions remaining.

The larger city Daluosi lay over a hundred li to the east.

"Alas!"

Xi Yuanqing angrily smashed his helmet to the ground, his heart full of resentment.

All the massive wealth, jewels, and eye‑catching gold looted from Stone Country were gone; none of a single strand was taken out of the Stone Country palace that remained in Zhezhi City.

Of course, he could not say Gao Xianzhi's strategy was problematic, because given the circumstances, Gao Xianzhi had indeed done everything possible to lead the army out, and the timing chosen for the breakout was extremely exquisite.

Thinking of it now still makes one's breath seize.

The Great Food troops heard the sound of the bronze trumpet's general attack, and having already received orders, rushed up to assault the city.

At this moment, no matter how Abu Muslin ordered, these troops that had already surged out would need to be reorganized into a rapid‑pursuit force, requiring redeployment and even a change of gear!

When besieging, many cavalry fought dismounted in heavy armor. Once they removed the armor, found their warhorses, and set out to chase, the Tang army had already fled out of sight.

Gao Xianzhi's seemingly plain move was actually a split‑second decision born of years of military experience, truly remarkable. The breakout opportunity was fleeting—cannot be early, nor late, nor in the wrong direction.

For example, if Gao Xianzhi chose to break out eastward where the Great Food forces had the most ambush troops and even deployed crossbow cannons, their light cavalry would be stripped to the bone even if they survived.

But everyone toiled hard, their purses once bulging, now the capital is gone; who would be willing?

The worst tragedy in the world is to be alive while one's money is gone!

"Vice‑Protector Gao, lead us to kill our way back!"

Xi Yuanqing knelt before Gao Xianzhi, performing a full‑body prostration and pleading.

"Lead us to kill our way back!"

A heap of Qiu Ba knelt around Gao Xianzhi.

At that moment, a Tang scout rode in from the west, and upon seeing Gao Xianzhi, dismounted and reported: "Vice‑Protector Gao, the Great Food light cavalry is now less than twenty li away, likely even closer now. They may have infantry following; I dare not get nearer to see."

"Vice‑Protector Gao, the Baishui City on the east has also been taken by the Great Food. Their cavalry is now catching up; whether to fight or retreat, you command, the soldiers will obey without question!"

Xi Yuanqing stood up, clasped his fists, and said.

The troops had expected Gao Xianzhi to order a battle, but instead he waved his hand and said: "Bypass Baishui City, continue east to Daluosi."

(End of chapter)