"Quick! Quick! Hurry up and finish. The imperial court's army is about to return in triumph. We must finish laying the brick road before the first batch of soldiers return! Once we're done, we can go home! "an official from the Ministry of Works said anxiously.
"Yes!" When the commoners heard that they could go home, they couldn't help but quicken their pace and speed up laying the brick road.
Su Dingfang watched the rapid progress of the brick road from Jade Gate Pass and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Previously, these people from the Ministry of Works were very slow. When the news of the army's victory over Gao Chang came, the Ministry of Works took their time to build. It took several months to build to Wuwei. There was no brick road from Wuwei to Jade Gate Pass, so the time it took to build was actually the same as the time it took to go from Chang 'an to Wuwei City.
He was responsible for escorting the provisions and suffered a lot. He urged many times, but the Ministry of Works still refused with the excuse that the money and provisions weren't in place. However, not long after, when the news of the army's victory over Gao Chang came, the Ministry of Works became anxious. They didn't even hesitate to spend a lot of money to transport red bricks from Guanzhong to Longyou. Only then did the construction of the brick road greatly speed up, especially when the news of the army's triumphant return came from Gao Chang. They didn't hesitate to spend a lot of money to recruit civilian workers.
"No wonder the Ministry of Works is anxious. Counting the days, the first batch of firearms will probably arrive soon!" Su Dingfang couldn't help but stand on Jade Gate Pass and raise his binoculars to look into the distance!
Suddenly, his eyes focused. In the lens of the binoculars, he saw a cavalryman galloping rapidly toward Jade Gate Pass. Judging from his equipment, it was the firearms' equipment.
"Could it be that the firearms' messenger has arrived?" Su Dingfang's heart stirred.
He saw the firearms' officer galloping over. When he was about to reach Jade Gate Pass, his warhorse couldn't take it anymore. It whined and fell to the ground with a plop. When he had just set out, it was the highest standard for one person to ride three horses. However, in order to call for reinforcements as quickly as possible, two of the other horses had died. The last horse probably couldn't hold on either. Fortunately, he could already see Jade Gate Pass.
The fallen firearms' officer immediately got up and continued to gallop toward Jade Gate Pass.
"Quick, go up and help!" Su Dingfang waved his hand. Immediately, another group of cavalry led an empty horse out of the Jade Gate Pass.
Very soon, the Jade Gate Pass cavalry received the soldiers from the Firearms Supervisor and brought them before Su Dingfang.
"It's very urgent. Our army was ambushed by 5,000 Tubo soldiers when we just left the Gobi Desert. General Su, please send troops to rescue the Firearms Supervisor." The Firearms Supervisor said anxiously.
"Five thousand Tubo soldiers ambushed the Firearms Supervisor!" Su Dingfang was shocked. Not to mention that 5,000 Tubo cavalrymen had quietly appeared in the rear of the Tang dynasty, it was a very serious situation. Besides, the firearms surveillance and gunpowder were the top secrets of the Tang dynasty. Now, just when Su Dingfang had shocked the world in Gao Chang, he was ambushed by Tubo, not to mention that Mo Jiazi, who was famous all over the world, was among them.
How could Su Dingfang not know the seriousness of the situation when the three were put together? He was afraid that it would cause a huge uproar.
"Men, immediately report to the imperial court. All cavalrymen are to gather immediately after leaving the pass to rescue the Firearms Supervisor." Su Dingfang roared angrily.
The appearance of 5,000 Tubo cavalrymen outside the Jade Gate Pass was a serious military dereliction of duty. It would definitely cause a huge uproar and must be reported to the imperial court. Mo Jiazi's position was unique and he was on good terms with Su Dingfang. He had to rescue him no matter what.
"Yes!" The Jade Gate Pass soldiers immediately shouted. Mo Jiazi had a special meaning to the Jade Gate Pass. Although the Jade Gate Pass was important in the past, it was only famous in the army. However, Mo Jiazi's poem made the Jade Gate Pass famous all over the world and brought about a storm to the Jade Gate Pass. Naturally, the soldiers of the Jade Gate Pass had a good impression of him.
As the drums thundered, Su Dingfang immediately led two thousand elite cavalry out of the Jade Gate Pass. At the same time, a group of couriers once again rushed towards the direction of Chang 'an City at a speed of eight hundred li.
"Quick!"
Su Dingfang spurred his horse and rushed toward the Gobi Desert. The importance of Mo Jiazi and gunpowder was known all over the world. Otherwise, Tubo would not have sent 5,000 cavalrymen to ambush the Firearms Supervisor. If he had arrived 15 minutes earlier, he might have been able to rescue Mo Jiazi.
The 2,000 cavalrymen rushed all the way. Although they were outnumbered by the Firearms Supervisor, the Tang Army was well-equipped. Although the 2,000 Tang Army might not be able to defeat the 5,000 Tubo cavalrymen, it would not be difficult to rescue Mo Jiazi. Of course, the premise was that Mo Jiazi could hold on until he came to rescue him.
"I hope the great Mo Jiazi can create another miracle." Su Dingfang thought to himself. Every time the Firearms Supervisor went out to battle, they were protected by the army and did not engage in large-scale battles. Moreover, they mostly carried firearms. Everyone knew that the power of gunpowder was invincible, but no one knew how powerful the Firearms Supervisor would be in a real battle. Moreover, Mo Jiazi was facing five times the number of soldiers, and it was an intentional fight against an unintentional one.
In addition, the Firearms Division had just traveled a long distance of two thousand li from the Gobi Desert. Their men and horses were exhausted. If it were any other unit, Su Dingfang might have already given up. However, the Firearms Division's Chancellor was a Mohist, which gave him some hope.
Su Dingfang almost used the horsepower to the limit. After a full day, Su Dingfang arrived at the battlefield. He saw the traces of gunpowder explosions from afar, as well as broken weapons and arrows. However, he did not see any corpses.
"Could it be that the battle is already over?" Su Dingfang's heart sank. If he had come late, the battle would have already ended, and the Firearms Supervisor would have been the defeated party.
"I hope Merton can escape." A cavalry general sighed. Clearly, he was not optimistic about Mo Jiazi and the Firearms Supervisor's chances.
Su Dingfang shook his head. His heart was extremely heavy. Even if Merton managed to escape, this was the boundless 2,000 miles of Gobi Desert. To the south was the 800 miles of Immensity Sea. In such hot weather, even if he managed to escape, it would not bode well for him.
"Found the Firearms Supervisor! It's in the sand ahead!" Suddenly, a scout from the front cried out.
Su Dingfang was delighted. He immediately looked in the direction the scout had pointed and raised his binoculars. Through the binoculars, Su Dingfang saw the Firearms Supervisor's formation in the middle of the sand. He also saw the Firearms Supervisor's soldiers burying the corpses.
"The Firearms Supervisor is still there!" Su Dingfang couldn't help but feel joy in his heart. If the Firearms Division was still there, then wouldn't Marquis Mo's safety be assured? But what about the Tufan cavalry? Didn't the Firearms Division say that there were five thousand cavalry? "
But when he approached the sand, he found the corpses of the Tubo cavalry lying around the sand. The number of Tubo cavalry was staggering, especially the closer he got to the sand, the more he saw. By the time he reached the sand, he saw a large sandpit in the middle of the sand. The Firearms Supervisor's soldiers were dragging the dead Tubo cavalry into the sandpit and burying them.
"Where is Merton? Where are the Tubo cavalry? "Su Dingfang asked urgently as he galloped toward the Firearms Supervisor's formation.
Xue Rengui had naturally noticed Su Dingfang long ago. He immediately came forward and said, "The Firearms Supervisor has already defeated five thousand Tubo cavalry. Lun Trinling has led a thousand cavalry to flee. Merton has led four hundred cavalry in pursuit."
"A thousand defeated five thousand!" Su Dingfang sighed inwardly. Even though he had mentally prepared himself when he saw the corpses of the Tubo cavalry, he couldn't help but be shocked by the Firearms Supervisor's strength when he heard the real battle results.
Suddenly, Su Dingfang reacted and said in shock, "What? Merton went to pursue the Tubo cavalry? "
"Yes!" Xue Rengui confirmed.
"This is simply nonsense!" Su Dingfang said extremely dejectedly. The news of the Firearms Supervisor's victory over the Tubo cavalry had made him feel relieved. But when he heard this news, he couldn't help but feel his heart tighten. Mo Jiazi had actually risked his life to pursue the remnants of the Tubo cavalry.
"How long has Merton been gone, and in which direction did he go?" Su Dingfang hurriedly asked.
Xue Rengui pointed to the south and said, "It's been a full day."
Su Dingfang looked at the boundless desert in the south. That was the direction of the Eight Hundred Li Immensity Sea. He had come in a hurry and hadn't made sufficient preparations to enter the desert. Moreover, Merton had already been gone for a day. It was likely that he wouldn't be able to catch up by now.
"Everyone, let's not stay here for long. Let's go to Jade Gate Pass to rest and wait for Merton's news." Su Dingfang looked at the wounded soldiers of the Firearms Supervisor and said in a clear voice.
Xue Rengui nodded. The Gobi Desert was incomparably hot in summer. In addition, there were many wounded soldiers in the Firearms Supervisor. They really did need to go to Jade Gate Pass to rest and reorganize.
Immediately, with the help of two thousand cavalry, the Firearms Supervisor once again set out in the direction of Jade Gate Pass.
Su Dingfang walked at the back. He couldn't help but look toward the south and said with emotion, "I hope Merton can create another miracle and return safely."
Xue Rengui nodded solemnly and said, "He definitely will."
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