Chapter Thirty-Six: Blood-Stained Mountain Ridge

  Tongguan is the only thoroughfare connecting Tubo and Xiyu, its importance goes without saying, anyone with two shoulders and one head knows it, regardless of their intelligence.

  Such an important bridge, the Tang army did not destroy it, which was beyond the expectation of Zanpu Zashi, and made him extremely happy. As long as the bridge is there, the Tibetan army can enter the Western Regions, and even if they lose the small city of Balur, they can fight back again, no big deal.

  Even such an important matter, Gao Xianzhi didn't take care of it, Zeng Jingzhong really looked down on Gao Xianzhi.

  The Tubo army crossed the Tengqiao Bridge without encountering any unexpected events and soon arrived on the west bank, setting foot on the land of Small Balur. Zanpu Zashi was very relieved.

  "Quick! Quick! Quick!"

  Zhangjin Zashi stood at the head of the horse bridge, waving his arms and shaking his fists, shouting loudly to encourage the Tibetan soldiers: "In this place where birds don't even shit, it's too boring, not fun at all! Now that the Tang army has arrived, they are your best playthings! The Tang army has climbed mountains and crossed rivers, their fighting spirit has been worn away, their morale has sunk, they are exhausted to the extreme, it is the perfect time for you to slaughter them!"

  In his opinion, the Tang army would have to pay a heavy price to overcome the treacherous mountains and rivers of Congling, and even if they arrived at Yidu City, they would be exhausted.

  It must be said that although Zanpo Zhaxi was arrogant, he was well-versed in military strategy and his calculations were reasonable. In history, after Gao Xianzhi captured the city of Suoduo, he immediately sent someone to cut off the Tengqiao Bridge, not allowing the Tibetan army to enter Small Bolu, it was not that Gao Xianzhi did not know the benefits of plotting against Tibet, but rather he was powerless.

  As Zhong Jinzai had expected, the Tang army, after crossing mountains and rivers, climbing over hills and wading through waters, were exhausted. It was already quite an achievement that they could capture the city of Suo. In history, when Gao Xianzhi led the Tang army to march in the treacherous mountains of Congling for three months, the difficulties they encountered were too numerous to count; even gods would be exhausted, let alone humans.

  Now, with the addition of Li Changgui, who was familiar with the roads in Congling, under his guidance, the Tang army's marching time was reduced from as long as three months to nearly two months. Although the Tang army was exhausted, they still had the strength to fight again.

  This matter, Zhongyang Jinsi didn't think of it at all, and his guess was a big mistake.

  "The warriors of Great Tibet, when slaughtering yaks, especially enjoy listening to the yaks' mournful cries! When you slaughter the Tang army like cattle, the miserable cries of the Tang army are a wonderful melody that makes you feel elated!" Zanpu Zashi roared loudly, "The warriors of Great Tibet, the Tang army is right in front of us! They're waiting for you to slaughter them!"

  "Slaughter the Tang army!"

  "Slaughter the Tang army!"

  The words of Zanpo Zhaxi were very persuasive, the Tubo soldiers' morale was high, their killing intent surged, they pulled out their throats and let out a loud roar, shaking the sky and trembling the earth.

  "Detestable Tubo people, death is near, yet still so arrogant!"

  Li Siye clenched his right fist, and a cracking sound came from his joints. He cursed with great hatred.

  "Vent your anger on the Tubo people!" Li Changguo measured Li Siye with a glance and smiled.

  Again, Zanpu Zhasai's words stirred up the murderous spirit of the Tibetan soldiers, who were extremely pleased. He then shouted and ordered the Tibetan soldiers to quickly go and defeat the Tang army, and seize from them bright armor, top-grade shining armor, glittering horizontal swords, strong and powerful bows and arrows, comfortable boots...

  He spoke with spittle flying everywhere, the Tibetan soldiers' eyes were all red, like mad dogs, as if they would spit out their tongues.

  The Tibetans were very poor, and the Tibetan soldiers compared to the Tang army were like beggars and rich men. In the eyes of the Tibetan soldiers, the Tang army soldiers were all rich and oily. If the Tibetan soldiers were players, then the Tang army soldiers would be small BOSSes.

  "Long live the Great Tang!"

  Suddenly, a shocking and earth-shaking war cry rose up, and it could be seen that the Tang army was everywhere in the mountains.

  The Tang army's armor was bright and shiny, their morale high and fierce, their spirit soaring, each one full of energy and vitality. This was completely unlike the exhausted appearance that Zha Xi had imagined - this was clearly a fresh and vigorous army, not an exhausted one at all!

  Qiang Jin Zaxi's eyes widened in disbelief, he simply couldn't believe that Tang Jun was so full of energy.

  "Marshal, what's going on? We've been tricked!"

  Just as he was stunned, a subordinate loudly reminded him.

  It's obvious that the Tibetans have fallen into a trap, and they've charged right into the Tang army's ambush. The situation is unfavorable for the Tibetans.

  Zhang Jin saw the situation at a glance, and couldn't help but laugh. Pointing to the Tang army on the mountain slope, he said: "You see, the Tang army is scattered in groups here and there, without forming a solid formation. Do you know why?"

  After a moment's pause, he asked himself and answered: "That is because the terrain here is not suitable for an ambush! The Tang army set up an ambush here, but how can they defeat the brave warriors of the Great Tubo? The Tang army is well-trained, well-equipped, and has strict military discipline. This is not something that our great Tubo warriors can match. However, this is Congling, where there are many steep mountains and treacherous waters. Our great Tubo warriors have been climbing mountains and crossing rivers since we were born from our mothers' wombs. Are we still afraid of the Tang army?"

  He is indeed a famous general, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the Tang army and the Tubo army with one sentence.

  The Tang army was well-trained, well-equipped, and had strict military discipline. Their tactics were advanced and their methods of warfare were flexible, making them extremely difficult to deal with. However, the terrain here was not conducive to the Tang army's strengths, as this was a mountainous region where the Tang army was not skilled. In contrast, the Tibetan army was more adept at mountain warfare.

  The Tubo people grew up in the high mountains and dense forests since childhood, growing up in the treacherous mountains and evil waters. Climbing mountains and crossing ridges is their specialty. Fighting here is advantageous to the Tubo and disadvantageous to the Tang army.

  "Tongguan is in our hands, and the brave warriors of Tubo will come one after another. We can completely rely on the cover of the mountains to annihilate the Tang army!" Xiang Jinqi was a good general, and as soon as he turned his mind around, he had an idea.

  His idea was very good, it's just that this place is not suitable for ambush, and it's not advantageous to the Tang army. Therefore, Gao Xianzhi knew in history that he had the opportunity to design a plan against Tubo, but gave up and only cut off the rattan bridge.

  "Hiss!"

  However, as soon as Zang Zasi finished speaking, a burst of sonic boom sounded, and a vast expanse of flames suddenly appeared, with countless rockets weaving into a huge net of fire that swooped down towards the Tengen Bridge.

  The Tōdaiji Bridge is made of iron chains connecting the two banks, with wooden planks laid on top. It was built very solidly and securely to be fireproof; otherwise, it would not have been possible for armies to cross over.

  Even if the Tang army set fire, it would not ignite. Zhang Jinxi's mouth cracked again, and he wanted to mock a few more sentences. However, as soon as his words reached his lips, a surprising scene occurred - the rocket shot onto the bridge, and the rattan bridge, which was originally hard to ignite, seemed to catch fire like paper meeting fire, igniting upon contact.

  "This...!" Zhong Jinsi was more familiar with Tengqiao than anyone else, and he would never believe that the fireproofed Tengqiao could actually catch on fire: "How can it be burning?"

  Furrowing his brow in thought, he pondered, but couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he tried.

  Tangjun cut off the Tibetan army, dividing it into two parts, one on the east bank and one on the west bank, with no way to reinforce each other. The Tang army had not yet used a pincer movement, but had already divided the Tibetan army in two, cutting them off at the waist like a knife, the situation being extremely advantageous for the Tang army.

  "Cuckoo!"

  Zhang Jinxi's throat emitted a strange sound, as if a rooster was being strangled.

  "Long live the Great Tang!"

  The war drums shook the sky, and the Tang army charged past the fierce tigers of South Mountain, starting a fierce battle.

  The reinforcements were cut off, the Tubo army was disheartened and had no will to fight. They were no match for the Tang army, who slaughtered them mercilessly, with countless dead and wounded. Soon, the entire mountain slope was stained red!

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