Chapter 371: Sprinting Toward Victory (End of Volume)

On the north bank of Baishui City, the Badam River, now in its dry season, has run dry. Fortunately, the locals have adapted, having dug many wells in the city. In winter the water in the wells neither freezes nor drops in level.

Moreover, the small market town outside the city also has some wells from which water can be drawn, so there is no need to worry about water supply.

However, these can only meet the locals' daily needs and cannot supply a tens‑thousands‑strong army or the accompanying horses and other livestock.

Because the organization was poor at first, many Arab soldiers could not reach the well water. In order to seize the wells, they even turned on each other.

As a result, over a hundred were injured, and some even killed each other when they could not be restrained.

In desperation, Abu Muslin ordered more than a thousand light‑armed infantry to be organized solely for the army's water supply, doing nothing else but drawing water from every well in the vicinity and delivering it.

To provide water for all soldiers and for horses, camels and other livestock.

On the way back, after only a little over two hundred li, the troops under Abu Muslin had already suffered greatly.

In the earlier battles, heavy losses among light cavalry and camel troops made it impossible for the army to ride back from Daluosi to Zhezhi City.

The few remaining cavalry could only dismount and march with the infantry to save horse strength. If an enemy attack came and the horses could not move, disaster would follow.

Yet a winter desert is still a desert; marching on foot is equally a grueling task, not at all easy.

When the army reached Baishui City between Daluosi and Zhezhi City, they could go no further. Many soldiers collapsed onto the scattered rocks by the road like beggars. No matter how the officers threatened or even whipped them, they would not move another step.

In fact, the soldiers are not to be blamed; they have fought from Mulu to Kang State, then from Kang State to Shi State, then from Shi State to Daluosi, enduring many bloody battles, and now they must return on foot.

Even a body forged of iron cannot endure this!

Many soldiers on the return route, thirsty from lack of water during the dry season, suffered varying degrees of limb weakness and saw stars.

The officers had ample water to drink, but the ordinary soldiers did not; the joys and sorrows of people differ.

Faced with widespread anger, Abu Muslin had to order the whole army to camp outside Baishui City to recuperate, and after regaining strength, to enter Zhezhi City in a vigorous, victorious posture.

This also serves to better deter Kang State, Shi State and other fence‑sitters, as the saying goes, sharpening the knife does not delay the work of chopping firewood.

After completing the arrangements for the large camp outside the city, Abu Muslin, accompanied by Qi Yade Sali and other commanders, entered Baishui City to rest.

The Arab soldiers were exhausted; in fact, they were not any less weary.

At first Abu Muslin kept watch for pursuers, but the vigilance yielded no incident, and by the time they reached near Baishui City, no one thought about it any longer.

After all, the Tang army had too many opportunities to launch attacks earlier; no one can keep their nerves taut every single day of the year without a breath, right?

In fact, after defeating Gao Xianzhi, everyone below Abu Muslin did not think the Great Tang would wage war against the Arabs in such an untimely manner.

These commanders who were spirited before the battle fell into an unstoppable lethargy after the fight.

Or put another way, once the spirit relaxed, the fatigue that had been forcibly suppressed by tension returned with amplified force.

Anyway, with no great enemy west of Congling, who dares to clash with the Arabs? Relaxing a bit isn't a big deal, right?

After reaching the castle in Baishui City, Abu Muslin was so exhausted he could eat nothing, gulped a large bowl of clear water, and fell asleep immediately.

……

Near a river ditch about twenty li east of Baishui City, Fang Chongyong was organizing soldiers to dig wells for water.

The commanders had expected well‑drilling to take a long time, but to their surprise, after only two meters deep water sprang up!

It can truly be called a divine skill!

Such a feat is rare not only in the Western Regions but also in the Central Plains!

He Changqi and the others looked at Fang Chongyong with astonished eyes, not knowing why Jiedushi Fang was so capable, even aware of such a small and troublesome matter.

"Hehe, this is what you don't understand: the road is right under your nose. Don't look down on the traveling merchants and laborers; asking a few more questions and chatting a bit never hurts."

Fang Chongyong spread his arms at his waist and laughed heartily.

He bought this information at the market in Suie City from a Western Regions merchant. The merchant prized profit; even a single piece of news would not be given away lightly. In their view, everything has a price, including information.

The merchant said that south of the Badam River along Baishui City, wells can be dug anywhere. If water becomes unavailable due to an accident, one can dig a well on the spot and water will flow quickly.

In short, the groundwater here is extremely abundant, and the underground river's water level is high!

"Jiedushi, it really had to be you to step in! You even foresaw this!"

He Changqi couldn't help but give Fang Chongyong a thumbs‑up and flattered him.

Unexpectedly, Fang Chongyong waved his hand and bluntly scolded, "Hm, speaking of it, Jiedushi, I recall something. Shouldn't well‑drilling and water‑source surveying be tasks for scouts? How do you manage the scouts?"

His flattery backfired, and He Changqi retreated sheepishly, not daring to argue.

At that moment, a Tang cavalryman galloped in from the west, saw Fang Chongyong and others gathered around the newly dug well, and immediately dismounted; the man turned out to be Che Guangqian, who was in charge of forward reconnaissance!

He had previously been engaged in intelligence work, earning many merits. With the decisive battle imminent, Che Guangqian refused to stay behind gathering information and insisted on joining the army. Reluctantly, Fang Chongyong kept him close to handle military affairs.

He then assigned Feng Changqing to handle logistics.

"Jiedushi, quickly! The Arab soldiers are now collapsed by the roadside, twisted like beggars; they're probably exhausted from the journey.

Let's charge now! Opportunity won't come again!"

Che Guangqian, impatient and flustered, reported to Fang Chongyong.

No wonder he was anxious; the Arabs were now so exhausted they didn't even dispatch scouts. After hiding the horses, Che Guangqian approached on foot and observed, only to find their behavior rather erratic.

Some fought over water, some collapsed by the road pretending to be dead, and some quietly slipped into the city to shirk, leaving the outside troops behind.

The whole unit was like a duck‑released—completely chaotic!

"Charge now?"

Fang Chongyong slightly frowned, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

At this moment, he had only five thousand cavalry in his hand!

The other forces that set out from Suie Town were still behind.

The troops that captured Daluosi City also needed to clear the battlefield and set up defenses, and those men had not arrived.

Deducting forces here and there left Fang Chongyong without enough strength to launch a decisive strike against Abu Muslin from the front.

Charge, or not to charge?

"Charge, charge, charge—always charging, why not charge you to death!"

He Changqi bluntly cursed Che Guangqian!

That means there are tens of thousands of Great Arab troops, and among them is Abu Muslin's founding unit!

"Jiedushi, we now have the victory in our hands, hold steady, hold steady.

No need to rush."

He Changqi grabbed Fang Chongyong's arm and earnestly urged.

"Jiedushi, it is not the number of soldiers but their quality. War has a rhythm; now is the moment to strike a fatal blow—how can we seek stability?

Timing is far more important than manpower!

The Great Arabs will also be ready when we are; does that mean victory will be easier then?"

Che Guangqian steeled her courage, confronting He Changqi point‑blank, refusing to yield a step.

She had previously gathered intelligence on the front line, and her perception of the strategic situation was far sharper than He Changqi's.

The Great Arabs indeed deployed their reserves, appearing overconfident as if they had endless manpower. Yet, as Che Guangqian knows, the standoff between the Great Arabs and the Great Tang was previously in a very delicate balance.

Gao Xianzhi's failure only tipped the situation slightly in the Great Arabs' favor.

As long as Fang Chongyong delivers a resounding victory, it will be enough to reverse the current situation and swing it back toward the Great Tang.

The winning side can coerce the opportunistic tribes of the Western Regions, bolster its momentum, and secure abundant local supplies. Gaining the so‑called "great momentum" is not as difficult as it seems.

Gao Xianzhi's predicament lies in the sudden defection of opportunists like Kang State and Shi State, who brought in the Great Arabs to balance the situation, leaving him unable to control the field.

The Great Arabs' advantage has now been exhausted; a single great battle can cast them into the abyss.

The sooner, the better.

The later it gets, the deeper the ties between the various states and the Great Arabs, and Abu Muslin's forces will keep growing.

"What do you think?"

Fang Chongyong looked at Wang Nande and Guan Chongsi and asked, his heart wrestling fiercely. It was somewhat like the final question in "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," whether to take the previous winnings and go home, or risk it all to answer.

"Jiedushi, we have already secured the win, no need to take risks.

Once the follow‑up troops arrive, even a direct clash with the Great Arabs would be no problem for them."

Wang Nande said in a deep voice.

He harbored no personal agenda, or rather none of the generals present had any; they all wanted to win this battle.

Yet, because each one's battlefield sense, life experience, and level of learning differ, it is natural for opinions to vary.

Playing it safe is human nature, not cowardice.

"Jiedushi, I also think we should hold steady.

Guan Chongsi echoed Wang Nande.

Scanning the generals, Fang Chongyong inhaled deeply, then said firmly: "Deliver my orders; within half an hour, finish the preparations, ready to strike, and crush the Great Arabs."

Hearing this, Che Guangqian rejoiced wildly, knelt on the ground and performed a full‑body prostration for Fang Chongyong!

"Jiedushi, no!"

He Changqi and the others knelt on the ground, gripping Fang Chongyong's sleeve tightly, refusing to get up.

Winning this battle would be easy to say; if we lose, most of the effort so far would be wasted.

Even the many performances that Feng Changqing staged before Abu Muslin would become jokes.

The chance to ambush the Great Arabs comes only once.

The second time, Abu Muslin would certainly be on guard, leaving no opportunity to strike.

Moreover, five thousand cavalry charging forward would be roughly one‑fifth, perhaps even less, of the Great Arabs' strength; whether we can retreat unscathed is another matter.

What are we supposed to charge with?

"If you all unanimously deem the risk enormous, then Abu Muslin will think the same; no madman would dare do such a thing."

Fang Chongyong drew his Swift Wind Illusion Blade, pointed toward the western White Water City, and said:

"So, let us give him a little taste of the Great Tang's shock.

... to see after this battle who on this side of the river dares to leap and bound before the Tang army!"

"Go deliver the orders; anyone who disobeys shall be beheaded!"

Fang Chongyong sheathed his side‑blade, surveyed the crowd, and exuded authority without anger.

"We are willing to die for Jiedushi!"

The generals knelt and shouted in unison.

"Organize the troops! Prepare to set out immediately; the faster, the better!"

Fang Chongyong spoke with boundless heroism.

After the generals departed, Che Guangqian stood, wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve, and clasped both fists before Fang Chongyong, unable to utter a word.

"Jiedushi, this time I've placed my life in your hands; you must pull yourself together and don't embarrass me."

Fang Chongyong patted the dust off Che Guangqian's body and encouraged.

"Jiedushi, rest assured, this battle will be won; I will not misjudge. If we lose, I am willing to bring my head to meet you!"

Che Guangqian, her face alight with excitement, clasped fists in a salute and said. This trust, defying all opposition, is truly hard to come by.

"Jiedushi, what good is your head to me? Hurry and give the Great Arabs a good lesson!"

"Those who offend our mighty Han, even from afar, shall be punished; don't you understand this principle?"

"Go!"

Fang Chongyong waved his hand indifferently.

…

In winter, sunset comes early; the Great Arab soldiers, having rested enough, slowly rose, reformed their units, lazily and aimlessly searching for their assigned formations.

However, because many officers had gone into White Water City early to rest, many could not find their units.

Having been thirsty for a long time, many of them gulped down water in one go. The well water still sloshes inside their bellies. Moreover, many, after eating dry rations and drinking water, have bellies swollen as if pregnant, making walking laborious.

Therefore, in the disordered ranks of the Arab soldiers, the sound of belching from being full could be heard everywhere.

Suddenly, the Arab soldiers near the eastern side faintly felt the ground trembling slightly.

From far to near, slowly approaching, it grew louder and louder.

Then, at the mouth of the mountain at the edge of the field of vision, a cavalryman appeared, followed by a second, a third, forming ranks of cavalry that stretched as far as the eye could see.

"The Tang cavalry is coming! Run!"

In the Arab army, some sharp-eyed soldier shouted:

If he hadn't shouted that, it would have been fine; but once he did, it was like boiling water dropped into hot oil, and chaos erupted completely throughout the marching troops.

The Arab soldiers who had lost their formation began searching everywhere for their officers! When they couldn't find them, they started running wildly toward Baishui City.

Meanwhile, the officers near Baishui City sensed something was wrong, yet they couldn't find their own troops!

The Arab soldiers lying across the road, many heard the commotion but couldn't see what was happening far off, so they wandered about aimlessly, following others.

No one stepped forward to organize resistance.

But this cannot be blamed on them.

Resistance? Don't joke—if even the officers can't be found, how can we resist, who would give orders? No matter what army, even if it's elite troops, without organization it's just a scattered mess.

"Kill!"

"Kill!" "Kill!" "Kill!"

He Changqi charged to the front, his Masuo seeming to have eyes, thrusting, lifting, sweeping, turning—his moves endless; a single swing harvested a life. He led the elite troops of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army to the front, and no one could match him in a single exchange.

Wherever he passed, the Arab soldiers who could barely hold their weapons fell like wheat being cut, collapsing left and right.

Those who had hidden at the sides of the road were quickly shot by the Tang horse archers behind them, turning into hedgehogs!

The Tang cavalry charged into the Arab troops' disordered ranks like a whirlwind, as if entering an uninhabited land.

Fang Chongyong drew the Windshadow Phantom Blade, falling in at the rear of the formation, seeming like an outsider.

It wasn't that he didn't want to charge, but He Changqi and the other commanders firmly refused to let him go to the front.

If Fang Chongyong came to no harm, the army could retreat and fight again; but if something happened to him, the situation in the Western Regions would be impossible to salvage.

Thus, Jiedushi Fang rode his horse into battle, killing no one and showing no irresistible force; instead, it was like riding a donkey on a sightseeing tour.

Yet wherever he passed, rivers of blood flowed, wails filled the ground, and not a single person remained standing—truly the utmost in misery.

The Yinqiang Xiaojie Army showed no mercy, killing as many as they could.

Fang Chongyong saw a few Arab soldiers in the distance trying to form a line, but before they could steady themselves, they were smashed by the Tang cavalry's "spiked club," flesh and blood flying. The impact of the horses instantly shattered their resistance.

"Indeed, wealth and honor are sought in danger; Che Guangqian's judgment was correct."

Fang Chongyong stepped into the stirrups, hugged his arms on horseback, and watched the merciless slaughter before him. No, it would be more apt to call it a one-sided butchery; bitter water surged in his stomach.

Fang Chongyong felt he probably wouldn't eat meat for a while, although this did not hinder his role as the Western Regions Pacification Envoy in utterly exterminating the Arab forces.

"War is perilous, fighting is truly dangerous—this is literally putting one's head on one's belt to get things done."

"Ji Ge, Ji Ge, you emperor deep in the inner palace don't know shit."

Fang Chongyong laughed helplessly, shook his head, sighed with emotion, and rode his horse leisurely toward Baishui City. (End of Volume)

(Next volume: I originally intended my heart to be toward the bright moon, but the bright moon shines into the ditch.)

(End of Chapter)