But even so, no one dared to underestimate these Gangke people. Even the scouts from the Qixi Protectorate sent by Wang Chong were very cautious, not daring to act rashly. The reason was very simple — their eyes. Even though their clothes were ragged and they reeked like beggars, these Gangke people had a pair of extremely fierce and terrifying eyes, like those of hungry wolves.
Anyone who saw these eyes would have no doubt that these people were extremely dangerous. They could sacrifice their lives for an insignificant target at any time, fighting fiercely with you and dying together with you.
"They really are just as the legends say."
The corners of Wang Chong's lips curled up slightly. Instead of being alarmed, he was delighted.
The Gangke people were the most marginalized small tribe in the Western Regions, and they were known as the 'filthy wild boars'. But in Wang Chong's understanding, they had another name that would resound throughout the Western Regions, the 'King of Mercenaries'!
— — This was the most vicious, most battle-hardened, most loyal, and most reliable mercenary tribe in all the countries of the Western Regions!
Just like the soldiers of the Mamelukes, they were known as the 'King of Soldiers' and 'King of Slaughter' of the Abbasid Caliphate. They were machines born for war. The Gangke people were known as the 'filthy wild boars'. They lacked water, food, and clothing. They lived in the most barren areas, and they were discriminated against and oppressed by various tribes. It was precisely this environment that created their fierce, wolf-like character.
Because of the barren resources, they had no weapons or armor, and they couldn't afford to raise warhorses. As a result, in the eyes of the countries of the Western Regions, they were weak, unsuited for war, and unsuitable for employment. Especially in the Western Regions, where cavalry was the main force, the Gangke people couldn't even afford to raise warhorses, which was extremely fatal.
As a result, no one would hire Gangke people. Because of this, the Gangke people were always struggling on the edge of life and death. In the Western Region where competition was fierce and survival was cruel, many small tribes like this disappeared every year.
But in the end, the Gangke people relied on their own tenacious struggle to survive. Moreover, they relied on one cruel and intense battle after another. Their strong and indisputable performance earned them the title of King of Mercenaries. They were loyal and reliable. Their style of fighting to the last man and never retreating won everyone's respect and recognition.
In this war, just the five thousand Wushang cavalry and the soldiers of Qixi were far from enough. Wang Chong needed a large number of mercenaries, and they had to be loyal and reliable. They were not like the Karluks. Although they were now known as the strongest mercenary tribe in the Western Regions, they would betray them at any time for the sake of a small profit. This was not what Wang Chong wanted.
The more such mercenaries he recruited, the more harm he would suffer in the end.
In Wang Chong's eyes, of the countless mercenary tribes in the Western Regions, only the Gangke people were truly reliable and could serve as his right and left arms.
"Congratulations to user for unlocking the mission 'King of Mercenaries'!"
"The Gangke people are small tribes of the Western Regions. They are known as' filthy wild boars', the future King of Mercenaries. They are despicable and live like worms on the edge of the harsh environment, but they are proud and suspicious of all outsiders. If you want to truly obtain their help, you must make them feel true respect from the bottom of your heart. They will be your most honest allies in the future, never betraying you, never becoming your enemy! "
"Mission success will be rewarded with 1200 points of Destiny Energy. Mission failure will result in a deduction of 4400 points of Destiny Energy!"
"Note: this mission is dangerous. If you let the Gangke people feel your contempt and contempt, they will become your mortal enemies for life!"
… …
Then, everything became silent. There was no more sound.
"Mm?"
Wang Chong's eyes widened as he reined in the reins, inwardly astonished.
The Stone of Destiny would actually issue a notice at a time like this … interesting.
The Stone of Destiny rarely issued missions of its own accord. In terms of strength and numbers, the Gangke people were a fringe tribe that had little sense of existence in the Western Regions. But for the Stone of Destiny to issue a mission worth 1200 points of Destiny Energy, it was clear that even the Stone of Destiny recognized the weight of this future King of Mercenaries tribe.
Mortal enemies? That's not a small price to pay!
As this thought flashed through Wang Chong's mind, he quickly urged his horse forward. Up ahead, the Qixi scout was still in a stalemate with the Gangke people, but without Wang Chong's order, these scouts clearly did not dare to act on their own. When Wang Chong reached the front, the scout very naturally moved to the side, and the filthy and disheveled Gangke people understood that Wang Chong was their leader and subconsciously raised their heads.
"We have come with goodwill …"
A voice suddenly rang out in the ears of the Gangke people. It was not Wang Chong, but the scholarly robed and elegant figure of Won Shu-young, riding a large horse. His demeanor was relaxed, causing others to subconsciously lower their guard and feel a sense of closeness. The language of the Gangke people was a minority language in the Western Regions. Other than themselves, very few people knew how to speak it. Not even Wang Chong knew how to speak it.
Although Yang Hongchang had operated in the Western Regions for many years, not even he knew how to speak it.
In the entire Tang dynasty, there was probably only one master, Won Shu-young, who was well-versed in the languages of the various kingdoms of the Western Regions.
"This is a small token of our appreciation. We hope that you will accept it!"
Won Shu-young clasped his hands and bowed, glancing at Wang Chong. Seeing the latter nod, he gestured behind him. In the next moment, a few well-built warriors of the Qixi Protectorate walked up from behind, carrying a few large bamboo baskets.
The bamboo lids of the baskets were opened. Inside were baskets of wheat flour, corn kernels, grapes, guavas, honeydew melons, and various meats.
"Food!"
Seeing these things, a few Gangke people uttered a vague sound. Their eyes lit up, obviously attracted by the food. Some of the Gangke people could not help but lick their lips subconsciously. The hostility in their eyes was reduced by a lot.
"What Mr. Yuan said was right …"
When Wang Chong saw this, he secretly nodded. Yuan Shusong was a linguist of his generation, and he was even more experienced in the Western Region. He had spent most of his life in the Western Region. He had been to every place and every tribe, and he had a deep understanding of them.
In this aspect, even Yang Hongchang could not compare.
This time, it was Won Shu-young's suggestion to use food instead of gold to communicate with them first before negotiating with them. Only Won Shu-young could take into account these detailed aspects. Reality had proven that this method was indeed effective.
"What do you want? We, the Gangke people, have nothing to offer you. "
One of the Gangke people immediately stepped forward to negotiate with Won Shu-young.
"This food is just a small token of our appreciation. It's also a gift for our first meeting. This time, we're here to ask for your help. This is our leader."
Won Shu-young spoke in a refined manner. As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Wang Chong beside him.
His unique temperament had taken effect. The rejection of the few Gangke people became weaker. They were no longer as hostile as before.
"Please tell your leader that I want to hire the Gangke people as my allies."
At this moment, Wang Chong suddenly spoke. He did not speak in the language of Middle Earth. Instead, he spoke in the language of the Gangke people. This was something that Wang Chong had learned from Won Shu-young.
"If you agree, we can provide the Gangke people with generous rewards."
Pa!
Wang Chong made a gesture and another basket was opened. However, this time, it was not filled with food. Instead, it was filled with gold. When the dazzling gold light shone out, the expressions of the few Gangke people changed. The living conditions of the Gangke people were harsh. They had never seen such a large amount of gold.
"Wait a moment. I'll go and ask the leader."
One of the Gangke people did not say anything else. He immediately turned around and left. They watched as he dashed away and entered a small tent in the distance. Wang Chong and Won Shu-young exchanged glances. Neither of them said anything. If there were no surprises, that should be the place where the King Of Gangke lived.
"I wonder if it's that person …"
A thought flashed through Wang Chong's mind as he rode the White-hoofed Shadow and gazed at the clusters of shabby tents.
Heroes were created by the times. The world was filled with crouching tigers and hidden dragons. It was not as simple as people thought. Just like the outbreak of the apocalypse, the Central Plains first discovered that the world's number one cavalryman, Wushang, was hiding in a barren mountain village in the northwest with only mountains and trees. In the Western Regions, there were also existences that made people raise their eyebrows.
Before they could truly reveal their abilities, they were looked down upon by everyone. But when a calamity swept across the world, no one could hide themselves anymore. Everyone's secrets would be exposed.
The King Of Gangke was the most legendary existence that Wang Chong knew of in the Western Regions.
Back in the day, Wang Chong was known as the War Sage. He was the most legendary existence in the Central Plains. Wang Chong had used his own life and blood to forge a legend that belonged to him. However, even though he was known as the War Sage, Wang Chong and the King Of Gangke of the Western Regions had never met. They did not have much interaction.
The reason was simple. This King Of Gangke had fallen during the early stages of the calamity.
The Gangke people were brave, fierce, fearless, and loyal. Even in the most disadvantageous of situations, they would never retreat and would fight to the last man. This was their strength and the respect of others. But at the same time, it was also their weakness. They were used by others. In the end, the entire Gangke people died in battle. Orphans and widows were also taken by other tribes after the men died. All the wealth that the tribe had accumulated was taken away.
Since Wang Chong had been reborn, he naturally would not allow such a thing to happen again. Moreover, with the Battle of Talas at hand, Wang Chong needed powerful allies who could fight fiercely and would not betray him.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The Gangke people left as quickly as they came. In just a few moments, they had arrived in front of Wang Chong's group.
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