Chapter 44: Accompanied by Mei (Third Update)

  There is an additional update at 10 o'clock.

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  Ziyad ibn Abihi was also a man of great talent and courage, but under the gaze of Abu Muslim, he had to lower his head and say: "This is news that has just been received."

  "Kao Xian Zhi?"

  Abu Muslin's eyebrows were tightly knitted as he enunciated Gao Xianzhi's name one word at a time.

  Gao Xianzhi's reputation in the Western Regions is extremely loud, he is a spiritual figure of the Anxi Protectorate. Although he is still the deputy protector of the Anxi Protectorate for now, with this victory, his promotion to the protector of the Anxi Protectorate is already not a problem. He is a formidable opponent.

  "What's the use of winning?" Abu Muslin relaxed his tightly knitted eyebrows and sneered, "Those poor Tibetans who are left with nothing but cow dung are so incompetent! Little Bolu is located in the treacherous mountains and waters of Congling, as long as you defend it slightly, you can be completely safe, but it was taken by Gao Xianzhi, the Tibetans are too incompetent!"

  Although it is sarcastic, it makes a lot of sense.

  The greatest enemy of the Tang army in this southern expedition was not Tubo, but the treacherous mountains and rivers of Congling. This made the Tang army pay a heavy price. Xiao Bolu is located among the thousands of mountains and waters of Congling, with complex terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack. If Tubo had taken some precautions, it could have made the Tang army return without success.

  "The Tibetans are incompetent, we cannot give them military supplies anymore." A general suggested cutting off support to the Tibetans.

  "Yes! When the Tibetans asked for our sharp curved knives, they boasted that they would hold back the Chinese, but now they have lost the Western Regions so quickly. How incompetent! We can't give them any more curved knives!" The voices of assent rose in unison.

  "No!" Abu Muslin was more cunning, although he was very dissatisfied with Tubo, but knew the benefits of allying with Tubo, and said: "We not only cannot cut off support, but also give more!"

  Glancing at the crowd, he saw that they all looked puzzled. He explained to them: "Tibet and China have two directions of enmity. The west is the Western Regions, which can be entered through the Dafen Bridge in Lesser Bolu. The east is through Shigucheng, harassing China's Hexi region, making it impossible for China to deploy more troops and military supplies to the Western Regions."

  He paused for a moment and said, "Tibet will not swallow the loss in the Western Regions. They will definitely take action at Shih-pao Castle. If we give them some more support and military equipment, the Tibetans will surely fight with the Chinese. This is extremely beneficial to us!"

  The eastern governor of the Arab Empire, the main purpose is to deal with China, against the Tang Dynasty, and the situation of the Tang Dynasty is very familiar, this statement is quite reasonable.

  As long as the Tubo relies on Shihbao City to harass the Hehuang area, the Tang Dynasty cannot send more troops and military equipment to the Western Regions. This is a great benefit to the Arab Empire, and the generals nodded heavily in agreement.

  "After Gao Xianzhi defeats the small troops of Bolü, he will surely be eager to engage in a major battle with us. We must make preparations ahead of time!" Abu Muslim was extremely clever and quickly came up with an idea, saying: "Taking advantage of Gao Xianzhi's unpreparedness, our large-scale eastward advance would be perfect. Unfortunately, these infidels are unwilling to serve the true Lord, and our rear is unstable, so we cannot launch a major expedition yet!"

  The Arab Empire's conquest speed was hurricane-like, conquering vast tracts of land in a very short period of time, with an extremely vast territory. However, it did not have time to assimilate, and the empire was full of internal contradictions and was extremely unstable.

  Furthermore, the Arab Empire's use of iron and blood to spread Islam sparked intense opposition from the people within the empire, causing instability everywhere, with frequent riots and uprisings that severely hindered the Arab Empire.

  Although Abu Muslim wanted to march into China immediately, he knew that his rear was unstable and if he marched at this time, he would definitely lose more than win.

  "You, hurry to win over Shi Guo and Ge Lu!" Abu Muslim said to Ziyad, "Shi Guo and Ge Lu are just small countries. Under the accumulated prestige of the Chinese, they have long been double-hearted. As long as we give them enough benefits, they will definitely surrender to us. Even if they don't surrender for now, once the opportunity is ripe, they certainly will!"

  This move of his is ruthless!

  The defeat at Talas was due to the betrayal of Gao Xianzhi, who left a gap open and allowed the Arab army to appear silently behind the Tang army. The Tang army was attacked from both front and back and had no choice but to retreat, ultimately suffering a bitter defeat at Talas.

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  The city of Anxi is filled with joy, for although the victory at Small Bolu was small, it was a matter of great importance. With this one victory, the Tang Dynasty will have no more worries in the Western Regions and can concentrate its forces to contend with Dashi. This is what the officers and men most want to do.

  Today's joy is not only due to the victory of the southern expedition, but also because the Anxi Protectorate will formally report its triumph to Tang Xuanzong Li Longji.

  Outside Shule City, a sea of people, Tang army and family members came, a wave of people.

  Gao Xianzhi, Bian Licheng, Feng Changqing, Li Sili, Duan Xiushi came to see off Li Changguo.

  "Changguo, this time you go to Chang'an to report the victory, it's a heavy responsibility. Whether Anxi can get more troops, money, and military equipment depends on you!" Gao Xianzhi patted Li Changguo's shoulder, instructing him warmly.

  "Vice Mayor, rest assured, I will spare no effort!" Li Changguo deeply understood the weight of his responsibilities on this trip.

  The fate of the Tang Dynasty's victory over the Arab Empire in Talas hangs in the balance. If this campaign is successful, not only can they defeat the Arab Empire in Talas, but it is also possible to march all the way west and fight their way into the Middle East.

  "Li Changguo, you have a heavy burden on this trip. If you encounter any difficulties, go find the Right Guard General." Bian Lingcheng's loud and clear voice still pierced the eardrums, but it carried a few more hints of expectation and sincerity.

  The Right Guard General was none other than the renowned Gao Lishi, who was then the First Inner Official.

  "Brave General, our brothers in the Anxi Protectorate are all looking forward to your early return, bringing reinforcements and military supplies!" Duan Xiushi walked up and patted Li Changguo on the shoulder, full of expectation.

  This is the heartfelt wish of all the officers and men of Anxi Protectorate, from Gao Xianzhi to ordinary soldiers, none of whom do not have such a desire.

  "Brother, I won't say anything else, just one sentence, come back early and have a drink with your big brother!" Li Siye tightly grasped Li Changguo's hand, very excited, with a face full of reluctance.

  He was closest to Li Changguo, and there was also the matter of Li Changguo letting him take credit for his military achievements. He and Li Changguo were not brothers, but they were closer than brothers.

  "Good brother, Big Brother is a few years older than you, but his vision is not as good as yours. This time, you will definitely succeed!" Feng Changqing hobbled over on one leg, quickly came up, gave Li Changguo a bear hug, and was full of confidence in Li Changguo.

  Everyone came forward one by one and said a few words of advice, which took a long time.

  As Li Changguo was about to leave, Gao Xianzhi came forward again and said: "Li Changguo, now that the official business is over, I have a private matter to entrust you with. I have a daughter who has been in Anxi for a long time and has not yet gone to Chang'an. Can I ask you to take care of her?"

  "This kind of thing, Li Changguo would never approve: 'As long as the deputy mayor is assured!'"

  "Miao Li, come here!" Gao Xianzhi beckoned behind him, and a stunning beauty walked over with one step at a time, each step exuding elegance.

  "It's you!"

  Li Changguo and the beauty exclaimed in unison.

  This woman was the one who had met Li Changguo twice. Li Changguo did not expect that she would be Gao Xianzhi's daughter.

  The two of them stared at each other in shock, their faces filled with astonishment.