However, to everyone's disappointment, Mo Jiazi shook his head with a bitter smile.
"General, you overestimate the School of Mohism. Although the Mohist Technique is miraculous because it can be used to turn something rotten into something miraculous, it cannot produce water out of thin air. If it was summer, I might have a way to collect a small amount of water. Although it would not be enough to get us out of this predicament, it would not cause the soldiers to die of thirst. However, it is winter now, so please forgive me for being useless. "
"Ah!"
Hou Junji was instantly disappointed. He did not expect that even the great Mo Jiazi would be helpless. This time, the army was truly in danger. Even if they managed to force their way out of the desert, they would suffer heavy losses.
The eyes of the generals dimmed. Coupled with the unbearable thirst, an irritated atmosphere filled the air.
"However, on how to get out of this desert, I have some immature suggestions. I don't know if I should say them!" Meton suddenly changed the topic.
The eyes of the generals lit up. Hope rose in their hearts. An immature suggestion was still a suggestion! It was better than them being confused. Furthermore, it came from Mo Jiazi. It was much better than most people thinking about it carefully.
Isn't this General Hou the best negative example? The generals thought to themselves. Of course, no one said it out loud.
"Mo Jiu, if you have something to say, just say it. Now that the army is in danger, even if there is only a sliver of hope, we have to try," Hou Junji said. At this point, they could only treat a dead horse as a living horse.
"That's right. Kid, don't keep us in suspense. If you have something to say, just say it. The sooner we find a water source, the sooner we can get out of this desert.
Meton nodded. "Actually, it is not unprecedented for an army to be trapped in the desert. I don't know if you have heard of it before. An old horse knows the way. "
"An old horse knows the way?" Everyone was stunned. This was a famous story. Who had not heard of it?
Hou Junji said unhappily, "Merton wouldn't think that we are illiterate people, would he? This was a story from Han Feizi. It was about the Duke Huan and Guan Zhong of Qi who attacked the Lone Bamboo Country. They were trapped in the desert after winning the battle. In the end, they were able to get out of the desert because the old horse knew the way. They dug out a nest of ants and found a water source. Now that our army has the compass created by Merton, we have not taken any detours. Furthermore, we are in the Gobi Desert, where there is no life at all. How can there be an ant nest? "
Everyone nodded. Everyone in the world knew about this story, and they naturally knew about it as well. However, they couldn't think of any connection between this and finding a water source.
"That's right. Besides, it's the first time that our horses have come to the vast Gobi Desert. We don't even have an old horse. How can we help an old horse to know the way?" Xue Wanjun frowned.
Hearing the rebuttal of the generals, Meton smiled and said, "Indeed, our army doesn't have any old horses, but we do have old people!"
"Old people?" The generals were stunned. The soldiers in the army were all in the prime of their lives. The oldest in the army were probably Hou Junji, Xue Wanjun, and Niu Jinda.
Niu Jinda said unhappily, "Merton, what do you mean? Are you asking if I, Niu Jinda, can still eat?"
In a moment of desperation, even Niu Jinda began to write.
Modun hurriedly explained, "The old man I'm talking about is not the old man I'm talking about. This is indeed the first time that we have come to the vast Gobi Desert. However, there is a general who has not come here for the first time. "
"A general?" The generals frowned and looked at each other. Suddenly, their eyes focused on Qixin Heli.
"General Qixin, you should be familiar with the Gobi Desert!" Meton looked at Qixin Heli and said.
Everyone suddenly understood what Mo Jiazi meant by an old horse to know the way. Qixin Heli was the Khan of the Qixin Tribe. Later, he led his people to return to the Tang Empire. However, before that, he was the Khan of the grassland tribe. Moreover, the Qixin Tribe was adjacent to the Gobi Desert. This Gobi Desert was no secret to him.
Qixin Heli couldn't help but be taken aback. The Great Tang had always treated him as a qualified hatchet man, and it had been the same for this western expedition to Gaochang. He had always adhered to his role, and in every battle, he had been exceptionally valiant and accomplished many feats. He had never imagined that he would be used for something else.
"Yes, I have visited Gao Chang many times with my father. I have also walked this path several times. However, that was a long time ago. The Gobi Desert has changed a lot. I cannot guarantee that the water source is still there. "Qixin Heli said hesitantly.
"No matter. Now that we are at the end of the road, we cannot give up even if there is a glimmer of hope. General Qixin, you can go and find the water source without worry." Hou Junji said decisively.
"I can go and find the water source. However, I will need a thousand cavalry. Each person will need three horses. I will also need a large number of empty water sacks to carry water." Qixin Heli said again. Three horses per person was the highest number of cavalry. Only with this speed could they find the water source and bring it back in the shortest time possible.
Hou Junji said without hesitation, "You can choose a thousand cavalry from the Qixin Tribe. This general will naturally provide you with the fastest warhorses. As for the water sacks, the entire army's water sacks have been emptied long ago. There should be enough for you."
Qixin Heli was greatly moved. His search for the water source concerned the life and death of an army of one hundred thousand soldiers. If he delayed, he might be able to bury the army in this desert. At that time, whether he went to Gao Chang or the Western Turks, he would be treated as a hero. But Hou Junji trusted him so much that he had directly allowed him to choose his cavalry from the headquarters.
"Most importantly, the water source on this trip is very far away and uncertain. It will often take several days to find the water source. Moreover, we need to ensure the strength of the warhorses. I need to bring enough water." Qixin Heli's gaze rested on the waterwheel.
Hou Junji immediately fell silent. After all, this waterwheel concerned the life and death of an army of one hundred thousand. It was of utmost importance.
"I didn't think that the Tang still wouldn't trust me!" Qixin Heli couldn't help but feel desolate. Suddenly, he heard a voice at his ear.
"You can take half of the water and use it on the road. This general will keep the other half to save the lives of the entire army," Hou Junji firmly said.
Qixin Heli suddenly raised his head and stared in disbelief at Hou Junji. Half of an army of one hundred thousand would be given water, while his one thousand cavalry would each take three horses with them. It could be said that Hou Junji had given him the greatest trust.
Hou Junji solemnly bowed to Qixin Heli and said, "This general will entrust the lives of one hundred thousand soldiers to General Qixin."
The other generals also clasped their hands and bowed to Qixin Heli.
"I will definitely not disappoint General's expectations. I will definitely find the water source," Qixin Heli solemnly said.
Qixin Heli quickly gathered one thousand cavalry and three thousand warhorses, each of them carrying empty water sacks on their backs.
After the one thousand cavalry replenished the warhorses, there wasn't much water left in the half cart. Under Qixin Heli's lead, the one thousand cavalry took the remaining water and galloped toward the north.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
