Meanwhile, in the distant Black Forest to the west of Talas …
Countless birds suddenly cried out in alarm as they soared into the sky. Behind these birds was an enormous Arab army marching toward the Black Forest. Even before the army arrived, three dazzling war banners were already visible. They were a black crescent moon, a flowing river, and a blazing black hellfire.
Bongbongbong!
The war drums thundered, causing the entire Black Forest to tremble before the might of this enormous army.
"They're here!"
At the very front of the Black Forest, Ziyad suddenly stood up and looked behind him, a look of delight in his eyes. Behind Ziyad, Abu Muslim had also stood up and was motionless as he looked behind him. His expression was calm, but his eyes betrayed everything.
The Arabs desperately needed a victory in this war. Abu Muslim and Ziyad had been waiting for this day for far too long. Breaking Talas and conquering the entire eastern world had always been Abu Muslim and all the other Arab governors' most fervent desires.
As the strongest Governors of Iron and Blood of the Arab east, neither Abu Muslim nor Ziyad could tolerate losing to an infidel army in a tiny place like Talas.
"Hahaha, Abu Muslim, we meet again!"
Vigorous laughter came from the Black Forest as Governor Osman of Cairo rode out from the army on a large horse, charging toward Abu Muslim and Ziyad.
"Lord Osman, we've been waiting for you for a long time."
Ziyad heartily laughed as he rode forward to welcome him, an extremely amiable expression on his face. Ziyad had also participated in the war against the Sassanid Dynasty, and he had even worked together with Osman to kill a Sassanid Great General. Now that they were meeting, they could be considered old friends.
"Welcome!"
On the other side, Abu Muslim rode forward, his expression calm as he spoke two simple words.
"Abu Muslim, you're still the same, that scowl on your face that hasn't changed in the slightest. What, are the Tang people of Talas really that formidable? Even you aren't a match for them? "
Osman said with a smile. His eyes were filled with curiosity.
Abu Muslim was a symbol of invincibility in the Arabian Empire, and in the last few decades, there had never been a country that he could not conquer. But this time, he had not only failed to conquer, but suffered a defeat. Upon hearing this, Osman had to admit that he was quite surprised, even thinking that this was a farce and a joke.
"Osman, don't get careless. This army of the Tang people is different from any opponent we've encountered before. Their weapons, equipment, strategies, and commanders are all extremely powerful. Moreover, the martial arts of the east are completely different from ours. Masil died precisely because he was too careless."
Abu Muslim sternly said.
"Really?"
A faint voice rang out, revealing a hint of disdain and dominance.
"All the more reason for me to give it a try. I'd like to see if there is any army in this world that our Mamelukes can't conquer! "
Aybak, mounted on a large white horse, slowly approached from the rear.
"My lord!"
Ziyad's heart trembled at the sight of Aybak, and he immediately bowed.
The Mamelukes were an extremely powerful army that all of Arabia knew of. And Aybak, as the leader of the Mamelukes, possessed an extremely influential status in Arabia. Even Ziyad had to treat him with some respect.
"Aybak, since that's the case, you can try my army."
At this moment, an icy voice came from the rear, accompanied by the galloping of hooves. A dazzling golden figure mounted on an abnormally large Arabian steed slowly rode up from the rear. Translated by: Hypersheep325 Edited by: Michyrr
Qutaybah!
Osman, Abu Muslim, Ziyad, and Aybak all shivered at the sight of this figure and immediately shut their mouths. In the entire Arabian Empire, Governor of War Qutaybah commanded an army that was undoubtedly the most unique.
Qutaybah was a warmonger, starting wars even more frequently than Abu Muslim. He was an out-and-out war madman. In the Arabian Empire, Qutaybah was one of the few existences whose status surpassed Abu Muslim's. His strength and military authority were so great that even the Caliph had to think of ways to restrain him.
"This madman!"
A hint of anger flashed through Aybak's eyes, but he did not dare to say anything. The Mamelukes only had ten thousand soldiers at full strength, but the elite soldiers under Qutaybah's command were several dozen times that number. The Mamelukes were meant to break defenses, not engage in large-scale battles like this. Even if the Mamelukes could break through Qutaybah's army, they would inevitably end up in a bitter battle that would result in grievous losses.
Most importantly, Aybak was no match for Qutaybah.
In Arabia, Qutaybah was known as the War God, so one could easily imagine just how powerful he was. Unless absolutely necessary, Aybak did not want to clash with this war madman.
"Abu Muslim, you've truly disappointed me. I didn't think that someone of your strength and the assistance of the Behemoth Army and Skyquaking Army would lose to a puny eastern army of only a few dozen thousand. I once believed that you would be able to replace me in the future, but it now seems that I overestimated you. "
Qutaybah's entire body was shrouded in golden light as he ignored Aybak and turned to Abu Muslim.
Abu Muslim's brow creased as if he wanted to say something, but he decided against it. The Arabian Empire was a strictly hierarchical society, and strength spoke for everything. Abu Muslim had just suffered a crushing defeat at Talas, so he naturally had nothing to say to the mighty Qutaybah.
"Qutaybah, you will soon find out whether the Tang people are strong or weak. Since the army has arrived, it is time to break into Talas and exterminate the Tang dynasty army. Ziyad, inform the Ouzan and Western Turks to immediately move out. "
Abu Muslim turned his head and said.
"Yes, Milord!"
Ziyad came back to his senses and urged his horse away.
Flapflap! An Arabian hunting falcon took off from the Black Forest, past Talas, and into the Ouzan camp.
At this moment, the Ouzan camp was heavily guarded, and the atmosphere was completely different from before. More than forty thousand Ouzan reinforcements from the various great clans and royal districts had finally arrived at their destination and met up with Dalun Ruozan's forces. Dalun Ruozan now had nearly eighty thousand soldiers, and they were much stronger than before.
"Haha, everyone's finally here."
A smile appeared on Dalun Ruozan's lips as he held Ziyad's letter.
After waiting for so long, the moment had finally arrived. Three governors, four hundred thousand soldiers, and the strength of the Ouzan and Western Turks. In this battle, no matter what, Wang Chong and Gao Xianzhi had no chance of surviving.
"Pass on my order! The army is ready to move out!"
Dalun Ruozan lightly flicked the letter.
"Reporting!"
At this moment, the flap to the tent was thrown open and a Tibetan messenger rushed in. He got down on one knee and said, "Sir, you have a report.
"Prime Minister, the scouts in the rear have reported that a large number of Tang Dynasty reinforcements are moving toward Talas. Based on their numbers, there are at least sixty thousand, and all of them are elites. Prime Minister, please give your instructions!"
Buzz!
The tent fell deathly still, time seeming to stop. Everyone's movements seemed to freeze, and even Dalun Ruozan's expression froze, the smile on his lips instantly vanishing.
"How far are they from us?"
Dalun Ruozan asked, his brows deeply creasing. He had never expected this news.
"They're moving very quickly. They should be able to reach us in a day at most," the messenger respectfully said.
The messenger respectfully replied.
The tent instantly fell silent. Dalun Ruozan rested his chin on his hand and said nothing.
"The Tang Dynasty's reinforcements have come very quickly. It seems like that Holy Emperor of the Tang Dynasty has also sensed the danger in the northwest and sent his army ahead of time."
Dusong Mangpoje sternly said. This was the most surprising piece of news. Everyone had been preparing to move out, but the Tang Dynasty's reinforcements had arrived.
"That's not what I'm worried about."
Huoshu Huizang also spoke, his brow deeply furrowed.
"The Tang Dynasty is different from us. They have too many enemies and can't muster many soldiers. Sixty thousand elites is truly beyond my expectations. If we continue to advance and attack Talas with the Arabs, I'm worried that it won't be the Tang people of Talas who will be attacked from the front and rear, but us. "
In the art of war, the greatest taboo was to be attacked from the front and rear.
The Arabs had an astonishing ability to recover from battle. Although they had lost several hundred thousand soldiers in a single battle, they had quickly gathered another four hundred thousand soldiers. Even if they were attacked from the front and rear, they had no fear. But Ouzan only had eighty thousand soldiers. If they were attacked from the front and rear, they might be completely wiped out.
The tent was quiet. This change had come too quickly. The joy of the arrival of the Arab reinforcements had not lasted for long before Ouzan's men had to consider their own situation. In a flash, the mood in the tent became extremely grave.
"Heh!"
In the tent, Dalun Ruozan smiled and quickly came to a decision.
"It seems like we'll have to change our strategy. Let's go deal with the Tang Dynasty's reinforcements and buy some time for Abu Muslim and the others.
"In addition, inform Duwusili that it's been so long. It's about time for us to meet up."
A few moments after Dalun Ruozan's order, an eagle soared into the sky and flew toward the Western Turkic camp. Less than two hours later, the Tibetan and Turkic armies had merged back into one and were rapidly advancing in the opposite direction of Talas.
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