In less than twenty days, the Zhenjiang Army suffered more than 30,000 casualties, lost four cities in a row, and its base camp, Metasequoia, was directly in danger of being surrounded by enemy troops.
However, until this time, Li Jiangyao, as the commander of the entire army, still could not fully grasp the accurate situation of the invading enemy.
This is not because he has no information, but because there is too much information, especially too much invalid information. All kinds of complicated and confusing information are pouring in, so which Turkic troops entered the battlefield in Western Xinjiang? How many troops are there? Who is the commander? Everything has become controversial and confusing.
Whether it was the Intelligence Department of the Suppressing Army, the Shenhua Family's information network, or even the Persian Empire's secret reporting team, they were all confused and at a loss as to what to do. Everyone has only one clear feeling, that is: too fast, the Turks are moving too fast!
The entire Zhenjiang Army was caught off guard by the opponent. The speed of the Turkic cavalry far exceeded the eyes and ears of all spies. The governor of Metasequoia City seemed to have suddenly become deaf and blind, completely falling into a hysterical mania.
It wasn't until Yudala, the head of the Intelligence Department, was lucky enough to avoid the Turkic army and retreated to Metasequoia City under the protection of the last local garrison, that it was the first time that the entire Zhenjiang Army truly learned valuable information about this crisis.
Facing the anxious expressions of Li Jiangyao and others, Yuduoluo, who was dusty with travels, reported in a low voice: "Sir, generals, we have initially figured out the situation. This time they are indeed Turks. Their military strength... at least... Around half a million. The exact number is not available yet, but it should be no less than this. As for the enemy numbers, with the help of our Persian friends, we currently have the following: The First Army of the Golden Tribe, the Fourth Army, and the Ninth Army , Polar Legion, Blood Guard Legion and Blood Guard Cavalry Legion, as well as the Third, Fifth and Tenth Legions originally stationed in the north and south camps. These are the main forces of the Golden Tribe. In addition, there are also the Blood Guards of the Eight Pillars of the Turks The Second and Third Wolf Army, the Ghost Dou Army, the Yunhe Army, the Yakut Independent Army of the Yelun Clan..."
Listening to Yuduoluo's introduction like a student reciting a text, the hearts of everyone present were sinking.
These numbers are more than just names. What they represent is blood, disaster, ruthless killing and death.
Perhaps only God knows what kind of terrifying force the Turkic army is.
Yuduoluo finished reporting the number and continued: "The one who attacked General Du Jian and then captured Homnitz was the Fourth Golden Army; the main force attacking Dabancheng was composed of the Polar Army and the Ghost Dou Army; Ik Lu County is in charge of the north and south camps, led by the Golden Tenth Legion. The remaining legions are advancing in four routes, and most of them have now reached the hinterland of Western Xinjiang."
Xu You frowned and asked word by word: "Who is the commander-in-chief of the Turks? Have you figured it out?"
Yuduoluo swallowed bitterly, and before he could answer, Li Jiangyao had already said coldly: "Do you still have to ask? With all the troops out, Ashina Zhijin Yujia can only fight in person."
-
"Great Khan, these are the kings of the Western Border countries and the staunchest allies of the Turkic Empire!"
Roniya, the governor of the Western Turkic Territory and Prince of the Temple, pointed to Alikjan, Tajik, Geerhan and others standing in a row in front of him, and introduced them one by one to Ashina Zhijin who was sitting in the middle. I don't know whether he forgot to mention Alik Jiang's identity as the leader of the Western Xinjiang Alliance because of negligence or intentionality.
Ashina smiled and greeted the kings one by one. His attitude was gentle and humble, making everyone feel like a spring breeze.
To everyone's surprise, this famous invincible monarch in the Western Continent and the Great Khan of the Turkic Empire actually looked so young. He was also gentle, thin and handsome, and did not have the rude, bold and domineering appearance that people imagined.
Seriously speaking, Ashina Zhijin is more like a well-informed scholar.
Alik Jiang and others couldn't help but secretly marvel, and at the same time they all believed that this Turkic Khan was indeed unfathomable.
Under the warm greetings of Ronya and Shetz, the kings took their seats on both sides in turn, and the tall Blood Guard warriors brought jars of hot goat milk to entertain everyone.
Alik Jiang held the copper bowl in both hands and said with a flattering smile: "Honorable Great Khan, you are the most loyal friend and protector of the people of Xijiang. May the Nanjin Flower God bless you forever. The Turkic army is coming Western Xinjiang brings us hope of victory, and the royal courts and people of all countries are finally looking forward to a savior!"
Ge Han, who was next to him, also quickly responded: "Who says it's not the case? The remnants of the Holy Tang Dynasty have been entrenched in the Chechi Kingdom, causing endless disasters to our Western Xinjiang. Unexpectedly, the Great Khan wiped them out with just a flick of his little finger. The disarray has really given us a bad breath! Your Majesty, glory belongs to you and to the great Turkic Empire. On behalf of Chechi, I would like to express my most sincere respect to you and the heroic Turkic soldiers." , he stood up and bowed deeply.
Seeing what Geerhan was doing, the other kings, including Alekjan, quickly stood up and saluted, showering compliments and praises on their lips.
Ashina Zhijin looked at everyone quietly with a smile on his face. After everyone closed their mouths, he raised his hand and motioned for everyone to sit down.
The kings obediently sat down again, and then neatly turned their attention to the Turkic Khan. Ashina smiled faintly and said in a calm tone: "Your Highnesses, you are too foreign. The Turks and the Western Xinjiang countries will always be the best friends. Isn't it right for friends to support each other? ?”
King Tajik of Shule nodded and said: "What the Great Khan said is absolutely true. When friends get along, we should treat each other with sincerity and help each other. If the Turks did not lend a helping hand, how could we overthrow the oppression of Shengtang and regain precious freedom? Woolen cloth?"
There was obviously something in these words. After listening to them, Alek Jiang and others showed a meaningful smile and nodded in agreement.
Temple Prince Ronya couldn't help but be slightly startled, and looked at the old Marshal Helianxiong sitting opposite him, and then turned to look at Ashina Zhijin.
The Turkic Khan's expression was still calm and calm, but his eyes were shining with a little starlight. He said softly: "His Royal Highness Tajik said very well. However, I feel that it is still a little incomplete. It should be said that freedom is valuable, but It is more important to assess the situation. Only by making the right choice and finding the right friends can you have freedom and maintain it for a long time. Otherwise, even those young people in Metasequoia City can not easily let go Is it difficult to have peace in Western Xinjiang?"
Tajik heard the meaning of Ashina's pounding on him, and immediately smiled awkwardly, claiming that it was yes.
Ashina Zhijin ignored him and changed the subject: "Before the Battle of Crescent Bay, I told Ronya and others who were about to set off that Western Xinjiang is the Western Xinjiang of the Western Xinjiang people. Today, I personally Leading millions of troops to come here, it is still the same sentence. Western Xinjiang is your Western Xinjiang. We do not want to change anything, and there is no need to change anything. The goal in the eyes of the Turks is the Holy Tang, and only the Holy Tang. This goal is completely consistent with the interests of everyone here.”
Although before this, the kings had various analyzes and speculations about the Turkic army entering the Ghost Desert in Western Xinjiang, they all had a rough idea that Ashina was probably heading towards the Holy Tang.
At this moment, hearing that the Turkic Khan personally confirmed this judgment, everyone present could not help but feel excited and filled with emotion.
You know, this is the most powerful empire in the world today, openly declaring war on another equally powerful empire. This is the most spectacular and violent collision between the Eastern and Western continents. How could it not be exciting to feel like witnessing a huge change in history?
Looking at the fascinated expressions of everyone, Ashina smiled with satisfaction, and then asked: "Do you know why I want to challenge Shengtang?"
Regarding this issue, everyone, including Roniya and other Turkic officials, looked thoughtful.
Why else? Isn’t it just for things like land, wealth, and power? Even if you are an idealist, you can only add one more thing: to realize the eternal foundation of the Turkic Empire and the grand ambition of your great Khan, Ashina.
Ashina seemed to see the answer in everyone's mind, smiled and shook his head: "Maybe it is a little different from what you think. I led the troops to conquer Shengtang, actually to protect myself."
Self-protection? The kings of Western Xinjiang looked at each other, and for a moment they were a little confused as to where the word "self-protection" came from.
"Protect our homeland, protect future generations, and protect everything our ancestors left to us, including the freedom you mentioned." Ashina's magnetic voice resounded in the big tent.
Ashina glanced at the kings of Western Xinjiang one by one. Facing their confusion, he said quietly: "The people of Shengtang always like to call us the 'people on horseback'. The deeper meaning is nothing more than They want to say that we are ignorant and backward, warlike and murderous. But what about them? They are a civilized and civilized country with friendly people and advocating peace. But in my opinion, this is purely ridiculous nonsense!"
After saying that, Zhijin Khan suddenly stood up, strode to the center of the king's tent, and continued to talk eloquently: "Are you familiar with the history of Shengtang? You know, as early as 800 years ago, they were just It is just a small tribe in the Jinhe River Basin. But with the changes of the times, that small prince has now become a huge country! The territory of Shengtang extends from the coast of the sea in the east to the snowy mountains and Gobi in the south. From the Baiyue Kingdoms to the grasslands and deserts in the north, all the places that humans can set foot on have become the boundaries of their rule! Even their own poets once wrote the heroic saying, "The blade of the sword cuts for thirty thousand miles, and the mountains and rivers are soaked with nine thousand layers of blood." ! If this can be regarded as people being friendly and advocating peace, I really don’t know how to define the word ‘conquer’!”
