The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was densely covered with mountains and rivers. The terrain was steep and changeable, and the topography was complex and undulating. There was the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, as well as the Jinsha River, which was only 1,503 meters above sea level.
There were majestic and precipitous mountains as well as endless river valleys and plains.
The rolling river flowed through the mountains, twisting and turning. The river valleys were covered with green grass, and tall and mighty yaks with long hair could be seen everywhere. The lake was sparkling like the blue sky, so clear that the bottom could be seen.
The top of the mountain was covered with pure white snow, but the foot of the mountain was as warm as spring.
In the middle of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, on the north side of the Himalayas, was the Tubo Kingdom's capital, Luoxie City. The Luoxie River flowed through the city and into the famous Yarlung Zangbo River in the southern suburbs.
Before the capital was moved, Luoxie City was a swamp and barren. After Songtsen Gampo moved the capital, he built a palace, repaired the river, and built temples. This laid the prototype of Luoxie City. The Jokhang Temple was built during this period.
Although Luoxie City was overcast in August, it was still considered calm.
On the 25th, the four armies of Great Xia arrived at the border of Tubo. The first obstacle in front of them was not the army of the Ashoka Dynasty, but the harsh climate of the plateau.
The four armies had never fought in the highlands before. When they suddenly set foot on the land of Tubo, they more or less suffered from altitude sickness, headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigue, breathing difficulties …
Every one of them was a killer on the battlefield that couldn't be ignored.
Fortunately, the physical fitness of the soldiers was excellent, their morale was high, and the altitude sickness wasn't severe. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to fight this war.
Every army that set foot on the Tubo border had to rest and reorganize for two days. They could only truly embark on the journey after they adapted a little. Therefore, the four armies set up row after row of transit camps at the border of Tubo.
The million-strong army was like flowing water, coming and going in an endless stream.
Seeing this, the high-spirited army of the Ashoka Dynasty, under the call of King Ashoka, took the initiative to attack the Great Xia army, setting off the first wave of fighting at the border of Tubo.
The Great Xia army, who suffered from altitude sickness, hadn't adjusted yet when they were attacked head-on by the enemy. They were a little flustered and inevitably had some casualties.
Seeing this, the Ashoka Dynasty took advantage of the victory and pursued the enemy. They announced that they would defeat the Great Xia army in one battle and completely expel the Great Xia army. They sent troops to frequently cause disturbances at the transit camps of the Great Xia army.
The Great Xia army, which was full of confidence, received a severe warning.
Seeing this, the Commander-in-Chief of the Northwest Theater of Operations ordered the four armies to use the camp at the transit station as the vanguard to stabilize their position. They were not to underestimate the enemy and advance rashly. They were to organize a counterattack after they had adapted to the highland climate.
In the eyes of the soldiers of the Asoka Dynasty, the Great Xia army's' show of weakness' was naturally seen as a sign of cowardice. Therefore, they became even more arrogant and frequently showed off their prowess outside the Great Xia camp, taking the initiative to challenge them.
The more it was so, the more strictly the Northwest War Zone Command Headquarters ordered all the divisions not to participate in the war.
…
In the blink of an eye, five days had passed.
September 1st, Shu Province, Chengdu City, Northwest War Zone Headquarters.
The military counselor, Xun Yu, came to Li Jing's room, holding the battle report that had just been presented to him. He said worriedly, "Commander-in-chief, all the officers and soldiers are very emotional now. The generals can't hold it in any longer."
Li Jing looked up and asked, "Which path is the fiercest?"
"The right wing," Xun Yu replied.
On the right flank were the 500,000 Qin soldiers led by Wang Jian.
Pagoda-Bearing King Li laughed when he heard that. "What a bunch of tigers and wolves. Fortunately, General Wang Jian is composed. Otherwise, I'm afraid they would have started a fight long ago!"
Xun Yu didn't know how to answer.
Everyone knew that when His Majesty saw off the four armies, he especially praised the Qin army. He said that the 500,000 Qin soldiers' blood was boiling and their fighting spirit was high.
Now that they had suffered a setback in the first battle, the Qin army naturally couldn't bear it.
Fortunately, Wang Jian was there. This person had fought countless battles in his life. He was wise but not violent, brave and resourceful. In history, he had retreated bravely and completely retired. He was indeed an amazing general.
Seeing this, Pagoda-Bearing King Li didn't mention it. He changed the topic and asked, "Currently, how many troops have adapted to the highland climate? How much rations and supplies have been transported to the frontline?"
Xun Yu replied, "Commander-in-chief, at present, there are a total of 350,000 soldiers in the four armies that can participate in the war. The supplies that have been transported to the frontline are also enough to support them for half a month."
"Half a month." Pagoda-Bearing King Li thought for a while and sighed. "The transportation of rations is still too slow."
"There's nothing we can do about it. The roads are too difficult to traverse. Some sections of the road can only be carried by horses or even by manpower. It's already very difficult to achieve the current results." Xun Yu explained, "So far, more than a thousand people have died or been injured during the transportation of rations. If His Majesty hadn't personally appeared, the governors would have had an opinion. It's the crucial period for sowing the second crop of rice now."
"No matter how difficult it is, we can't relax. I will personally report this matter to His Majesty." Pagoda-Bearing King Li's expression was firm, and his tone was unquestionable. He knew very well that the outcome of this battle was not due to altitude sickness, but to rations.
Rations were the lifeline of the army. They could not relax at all.
Xun Yu nodded and had no objections. He knew that the Commander-in-Chief was not only the Commander-in-Chief of the Northwest Theater of Operations, but also one of the three rotating military ministers of the Grand Council. He was deeply trusted by His Majesty, so he could naturally listen to him.
"Although it's only for half a month, it's basically enough. If we delay any longer, I'm afraid there will be changes. It will also affect the morale and be disadvantageous to the subsequent battles." Xun Yu expressed his opinion.
Pagoda-Bearing King Li nodded. He also knew that the two million troops were not the regular army of the Great Xia Dynasty. They had not been tempered by the military rules of the Great Xia Dynasty, and their discipline was still a little lacking.
If the enemy continued to provoke them like this, something might really happen.
"In that case, let the various armies choose the right time to move out. It's time to teach the enemy a bloody lesson. Otherwise, they don't know the immensity of heaven and earth and really think that the Great Xia Dynasty can be bullied." Pagoda-Bearing King Li made up his mind.
"Alright, I'll draft the order now!" Xun Yu heaved a sigh of relief.
…
Following the order from the Commander-in-Chief, the four armies quickly took action.
At the border of the West Sea Province, in the camp of the Right Wing Army.
The middle-aged Wang Jian looked at the military order that had just been sent by the Commander-in-Chief and shouted in a loud voice, "Men!"
"Yes!"
"Summon all the generals to the tent for a discussion."
"Yes, Sir!"
In less than ten minutes, the commanders of the army had gathered in the central military tent. During this period of time, the army had been holding their ground and not going out. The generals had long been bored to death. When they heard that the Commander-in-Chief was going to the tent for a discussion, they rushed over as fast as they could.
Standing at the front was the young Wang Ben. He asked excitedly, "Father, are we going to send out the troops?"
Wang Jian pressed his hands down and the tent immediately fell silent. It was clear that Wang Jian had high prestige in the army. He said in a deep voice, "On the order from the Commander-in-Chief, all divisions are to shift from defense to offense. Choose the right time to attack and take advantage of the enemy's weakness. Within a week, the four armies must take down at least one enemy city and use it as an outpost."
At this point, Wang Jian's gaze swept across the generals and asked, "Who dares to be the vanguard and lead the troops to attack Amdo City?"
Amdo City was a county and also the city closest to the Qin army's camp. According to the scouts, the Ashoka Dynasty had a total of 40,000 soldiers stationed in the city. They were not to be underestimated.
"Father, I'm willing to go!"
Wang Ben was the first to request to go. Seeing this, the other generals tactfully kept quiet.
Like father, like son. Wang Ben's prestige in the Qin army was second only to his father, Wang Jian. His great reputation and meritorious deeds were not just because of his father, but because he had real capabilities.
In the Qin army, he was used to being addressed as Young Marshal.
Seeing this, Wang Jian nodded his head. Since the first battle was bound to be victorious, Wang Ben's presence was the most reassuring to him. "Since that's the case, I order you to lead seventy thousand men and take down Ando City within five days."
The deadline given by the Commander-in-Chief was seven days and Wang Jian's demands were naturally higher.
Unexpectedly, Wang Ben was even more ambitious and said, "Reporting to Father, three days is enough!"
"There is no joking in the army." Wang Jian did not want his son to be arrogant.
Wang Ben was full of vigor, "I'm willing to make a military pledge!" He was determined to be the first to take down the city among the four armies and show off the might of the Qin army.
"Fine, I'll give you three days!"
Wang Jian did not say anything else. Since the military pledge was made, the military law must be enforced.
"Thank you, Father!"
Wang Ben cupped his fists and retreated to the side.
Wang Jian looked around the tent again and ordered, "The rest of the divisions, prepare for battle and provide support."
"Yes!"
The generals acknowledged in unison, their fighting spirit boiling.
"Go and prepare!"
Wang Jian waved his hand and the generals filed out of the tent.
In less than an hour, Wang Ben gathered his troops and with only three days' worth of rations, marched out of the camp in a grandiose manner, officially killing his way to the frontline.
The real battle of Tubo has just begun.
Not only the Right Wing Army, the Left Wing Army, the Middle Army and the Central Army have also gathered their troops and marched out of the camp in a grandiose manner. This is to vent the resentment they have suffered for the past few days and also to fight for the credit of this battle.
Who will be the first in this battle will attract a lot of attention.
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