Chapter 18: The Prosperous Tang Dynasty

  The Tang army marched through the mountains and valleys, where they passed through desolate and uninhabited areas, with only primitive forests and wild beasts that had never seen humans.

  These beasts may have seen humans for the first time in their lives, yet they were not afraid. They gazed at Tang Jun from a distance, occasionally narrowing their eyes. Tang Jun had never seen fearless beasts before and found it quite novel, but later on, he got used to it.

  What's more, there was a peculiar phenomenon that the Tang army initially still had the mood to shoot and kill wild beasts for fun, but later perhaps because they had been marching in the mountains for a long time and rarely saw living creatures, they no longer shot and killed wild beasts. Occasionally, they would even show kindness to the wild beasts, such as throwing green grass to the deer or throwing meat food to the tigers and leopards, which actually made these wild beasts emit a friendly roar.

  Marching in the Onion Mountains, apart from overcoming natural environment, they also had to overcome boredom, extreme boredom. They could have wild beasts for entertainment, and the Tang army was tireless in this pursuit.

  The march was very tiring, very dull and very tasteless. It can be said that it was the most tasteless and most dull march in Tang Dynasty's history, although Tang Dynasty had great military achievements, sweeping across the country, destroying dozens of countries, and fighting countless battles.

  All in all, this expedition went relatively smoothly, more smoothly than Gao Xianzhi had expected.

  It was so smooth, apart from being well-prepared and having sufficient supplies, the greatest credit goes to Li Changguo, a guide who knew the way. With him leading the way in front, the Tang army did not take any detours.

  There were several times when Li Changguo led the Tang army through mountain paths, where at first glance there was no road, and Gao Xianzhi thought Li Changguo had made a mistake. However, it turned out that Li Changguo remembered very clearly, and Gao Xianzhi was deeply impressed, secretly rejoicing that he had found a treasure, and entrusting the vanguard to Li Changguo was the most brilliant decision.

  "In another half month, we will be able to reach Teleman River!" Gao Xianzhi rode on his horse, feeling extremely pleased and said with a smile: "Teleman River is only half a day's journey from Lianyun Fortress. Once we cross the Teleman River, we can take Lianyun Fortress directly!"

  Lianyunbao was the first target of this expedition, and if it couldn't be taken down, there would be no peaceful days in the Western Regions. Because Tubo had nearly 10,000 troops stationed here, it was a thorn in Gao Xianzhi's eye, a pain in his heart, and he wouldn't feel at ease until it was eliminated!

  "Haha!"

  Bian Lingcheng's loud laughter was really unpleasant to hear, and he frowned, saying: "Deputy Commander, our military campaign has been very smooth, all thanks to Li Huo Chang's efforts!"

  He was a supervisor, born as a eunuch, relying on his inner official status, rarely using such intimate terms to address people, and yet he addressed Li Changguo as Li Huochang, which was the first time, reflecting Li Changguo's weight in the Tang army.

  "But I'm worried that it might flood," said Bian Lingcheng, his duck mouth suddenly turning into a crow's beak, and he actually mentioned an unlucky thing.

  Gao Xianzhi's body stiffened, his hands slightly numb. What he was most worried about was the Tiele River overflowing. At this time of year, it was the rainy season, and if there were to be a heavy downpour, it would trigger a mountain flood, causing the Tiele River to swell and blocking the Tang army's advance.

  "Look, the weather is great, it won't be!" Gao Xianzhi looked up at the sky and saw a bright sun hanging high, his heart slightly relaxed, and his worries buried in his heart.

  "Look at this mouth of mine!" Leng Cheng also realized that his words were problematic, although they were true, but shouldn't be said. He lightly patted his mouth as a form of punishment and didn't say anything more.

  Bian Ling Cheng's words came true that night, as the weather suddenly changed and a torrential rain poured down, flooding everywhere with mud and water.

  The most critical thing is that the Tang army marched through the mountain valleys, where water accumulates most easily. Not all, at least seven or eight out of ten, originally easy-to-march mountain valleys had accumulated shallow water, and as soon as the Tang army stepped in, they would splash up high waves.

  "Whoosh!"

  Li Changguo led the way, holding a long spear and riding a fine horse. With every step he took, water splashed high into the air, making a loud gurgling sound.

  "This awful weather!"

  Kant cursed and scolded: "The good weather has changed suddenly, it's even faster than a woman changing her face!"

  "No use scolding anymore, save your energy and hurry along!"

  Li Changguo understood his feelings and comforted him with a few words.

  Kang De stopped talking and led his horse to follow up.

  "Rumble!"

  A loud noise came from above, and a huge mud-rock flow fell from the sky, burying more than a dozen Tang army soldiers who were marching.

  During the march of the Tang army, landslides and mudslides would occur from time to time. If they were not careful, some soldiers would sacrifice their lives for the country.

  Even so, it was impossible to stop the firm and resolute footsteps of the Tang army, they continued to advance.

  It was originally thought that the rain would pass quickly, but unexpectedly, the rain grew heavier and showed no signs of stopping. In the first few days, the Tang army didn't think it was a big deal, morale was high, and their momentum was strong.

  However, as time went on, the valley accumulated more and more water, and the attacks of mudslides and landslides became more and more severe, striking a heavier blow to the morale of the Tang army. The morale of the Tang army gradually declined.

  "Soldiers, ahead is Lianyun Fortress! Let's make a bit more effort and we'll arrive at Lianyun Fortress, cutting down the detestable Tubo people!"

  Gao Xianzhi was a talented general, he knew what it meant, regardless of the heavy rain, riding a fine horse, galloping back and forth, cheering up his soldiers.

  His words were very infectious and could greatly boost morale. The originally declining morale of the Tang army finally stabilized.

  Li Changguo couldn't help but admire him, Gao Xianzhi was indeed a famous general, he didn't win the reputation of "King of the Mountains" by luck, but by his own ability.

  This was just the beginning. Later on, the morale of the Tang army finally could not withstand the harassment of torrential rains, accumulated water, mudslides and landslides, and began to slump.

  It's not that the Tang army didn't do well, but rather the natural environment was too harsh, even iron men couldn't withstand it.

  Just look at Gao Xianzhi himself and you'll know how difficult it is. Gao Xianzhi's whole body was covered in mud, from his head, neck, chest, back, abdomen, to his legs, a thick layer of mud, just like a mud man, if not for his pair of eyes still moving, he would have been mistaken for a statue.

  As the commander-in-chief of the great army, Gao Xianzhi has become a clay figure, how can ordinary soldiers not become clay figures?

  Spent the whole day soaking in the muddy water, eating in the muddy water, living in the muddy water, sleeping in the muddy water, and traveling in the muddy water. Not a moment passed without being in the muddy water. Even an immortal would not be able to withstand such torture. It's no wonder that the morale of Tang Jun's soldiers was low.

  Gao Xianzhi saw it with his own eyes, and was anxious in his heart. He used all his might to boost the morale of his troops, but it was of no use. No matter how loudly he shouted, no matter how hard he tried to rally them, the Tang army's morale just couldn't be lifted. It wasn't that the officers and men didn't want to muster their strength, but they simply had no energy left.

  "How can this be good?"

  Gao Xianzhi, a wise and resourceful man, had spent his life on the battlefield, facing countless difficulties. But never before had he been so troubled as he was now, for the first time in his life, he was at a loss for what to do.

  Looking at the exhausted Tang army, Gao Xianzhi's heart sank!

  Is it bitter?

  "It doesn't hurt!"

  "Tired?"

  "Not tired!"

  Just then, a thunderous roar burst out from the front, and the Tang army seemed to have been injected with chicken blood. Originally exhausted and on the verge of collapse due to exhaustion, they suddenly became vigorous and energetic, with endless strength and stamina, quickening their pace to rush forward.

  "What happened?"

  Gao Xianzhi watched with his own eyes, but didn't understand what was going on.

  "Vice Metropolitan Governor, look quickly! Here, in the tree!"

  A close guard with a red face, as if he had taken a strong medicine, rushed up to Gao Xianzhi and shouted loudly, causing the mountains to echo.

  Gao Xianzhi looked in the direction he pointed and saw a tree with words carved on it. When he took a closer look, he couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Good one, Li Changguo Li Huochang! You really are something! Haha! This is a great event of the Tang Dynasty!"