eurekapd Chapter 256: Battle of Talas (Part 1) (4 Days Before the Battle)
Chapter 256: Battle of Talas (Part 1) (4 Days Before the Battle)
The army led by Liu Jing and Yu Shanshan, along with the allied forces of the Gelulu tribe, traveled all the way to Talas, day and night, exhausted and exhausted. However, they had not expected to be met with a head-on attack from the Arabs upon arrival.
The great Arab general Ziyad ibn Sari personally led 80,000 heavily armored cavalrymen, sweeping forward like a surging tide, their momentum unstoppable. Simultaneously, the Arab Empire's Khorasan Governor Abu Muslim led 120,000 light cavalrymen, charging from the rear like lightning, instantly encircling the Great Zhou army of less than 30,000 men.
On the battlefield, 80,000 heavily armored cavalrymen launched a thunderous charge, their hooves pounding the ground and their cries of battle reverberating. Meanwhile, the 120,000 light cavalrymen in the rear were like ghosts, launching relentless attacks, wave after wave, without a single lingering thought. The Great Zhou army was trapped, its situation precarious.
Fortunately, the soldiers under Liu Jing and Yu Shanshan's command were no ordinary warriors. The winch crossbows they wielded were truly devastating weapons, boasting a range of a thousand meters and capable of easily piercing even the thickest city walls. Their power was truly astonishing! Furthermore, the long-handled Mo Dao wielded by the infantry gleamed with a cold, razor-sharp edge, each swing unleashing a hail of blood. The cavalry's extra-long lances were also incredibly powerful, piercing the enemy formation like a dragon emerging from the sea, striking fear in the hearts of the enemy.
Despite the exceptional bravery of the Arab cavalry, they were still overwhelmed by the enemy, suffering heavy casualties. For a time, the two sides fought back and forth, neither side yielding, and the battle reached a stalemate.
However, as time went on, after four days of stalemate, the Great Zhou army gradually exposed some fatal weaknesses. Due to the long and arduous march, the army's food and supplies were already stretched thin. Worse still, the prolonged and fierce fighting had severely exhausted the soldiers, especially the 10,000 heavily armored infantrymen of the Modao Battalion commanded by Liu Jing, the main force. Under the relentless and fierce attacks of the enemy cavalry, many soldiers were exhausted to the point of near collapse.
Faced with this dilemma, the Great Zhou female generals were extremely anxious. If they couldn't quickly reverse the situation and break the deadlock, they feared that a tragic end awaited them, with their entire army annihilated...
At this crucial, life-or-death moment, on the evening of the fourth day, no one could have imagined that an unexpected guest would arrive at the Gululu camp, a distant yet close-by place. This mysterious visitor was a special envoy from the distant Arab Empire. He entered the Gululu camp with a heavy mission, bearing countless treasures, dazzling jewels, and precious stones.
When this dazzling wealth was displayed before everyone, the entire Geluolu tribe erupted in excitement. Chief Geluolu himself, in particular, stared with wide eyes, his heart racing, his heart instantly overflowing with joy. The glittering gold and silver bars, the dazzling pearls and gems, seemed to possess an irresistible charm, captivating his gaze.
Geluolu said to the Arab envoy: "I'm afraid the gold, silver and jewelry you gave me are not much. After all, I have followed the Great Zhou Dynasty for many years. It is really unacceptable for me to betray it now!"