The second battle between the Arab Empire and the Tang Empire officially began. Wang Shentong's men had practiced it many times, especially this kind of battle between hundreds of people. When the artillery was attacking, other troops had to make a detour and encircle the enemy before they could react.
Although he didn't know how many people were in this Arab Empire army, Wang Shentong didn't want to miss the opportunity. Two cavalrymen surrounded them from the left and right sides. Facts proved that his order was correct. This army had less than four hundred people. If he really missed the opportunity, he might let this group of people escape.
With the support of artillery and muskets, the battle lasted less than an hour. Except for more than 30 people who ran away, the rest were either killed or taken prisoner. This was considered a good start, but of course it was a small victory.
"Captain, these men can speak Chinese."
After a brief inquiry, it was found that a few people could speak Chinese. As for those who could not speak Chinese, they were watching trembling in fear. Both sides were great empires. Although they would collect prisoners and turn them into slaves on large battlefields, in such a small-scale battle, who would bring prisoners forward?
"Deal with the remaining people quickly. Take these people and relocate to meet up with our space balloon. Also, notify the two nearby patrols to move closer to us."
From the previous questioning, they already knew that the Arab Empire's army was more than 270 miles away from here. If they continued to disperse as before, they would most likely be surrounded by the Arab Empire. Now that their situation was known, there was no need for the brothers to continue taking risks.
Several Arab soldiers were knocked unconscious and carried directly onto camels, then quickly retreated. Although they fought well, they were not fools. A mere few hundred men wanted to take on the Arab army head-on. Isn't that crazy? If you are not careful and fall into an encirclement, with just a few hundred of you, you won't even have a chance to escape.
As for the more than 30 people who ran away, if Qian Que chased them, he could still catch up, but Wang Shentong did not let his men do so, because Wang Shentong knew very well that the further they went, the more Arab Empire troops there would be. They were not the troops from the surrounding areas, and these people were not in the same mind as the Arab Empire.
Several nearby patrol teams soon received the news, stopped advancing, and began to look for a place to hide. When the Arab Empire's army arrived, they would accompany them while sending news to the rear. This was also what the Tang Dynasty reconnaissance troops should do.
To be honest, these people are a bit too bold. You are just a small group of people, and you are accompanied by hundreds of thousands of troops. Once the news is leaked, you will have no chance of escape. But many people are very confident. We don’t take the initiative to provoke the Arab army. We just follow around. This desert is so vast. Can we block the surroundings?
Li Xiang was watching the musket training of his new recruits at the moment. After receiving the news, he immediately returned to the camp. Finally, the army of the Arab Empire arrived. According to the first intelligence sent back, they should have arrived in front of us long ago. Who knew that these guys ran too slowly and were delayed for many days along the way. Otherwise, the first battle would have been over.
"Li Chengyi, Chang Sunze..."
When the two heard Li Xiang's call, they immediately knelt in front of Li Xiang. These two were the youngest generals in the army, and it was obvious that Li Xiang wanted to appoint them as vanguard officers.
Li Xiang was different now. He had always led his troops to battle in person, but this time he was just commanding from the rear. He had so many powerful generals under him. Why would he bring them from Chang'an if he didn't need them? Was it to let them see the scenery of the Western Regions? Li Xiang wasn't that stupid.
"I will be here."
The two of them have been wondering in their hearts these days, wondering who will be the vanguard officer. Now Li Xiang has called them both out, and both of them want to be the main general. However, compared with Li Chengyi and Changsun Ze, it seems that he is still a little lacking.
"You two will each take 20,000 soldiers, one on the left and one on the right, and when you see the Arab army, you can do whatever you want."
Li Xiang originally wanted to let the two of them launch a feint attack, but thinking about their situation, he probably wouldn't be able to command them after they left the gate. These two were both like the Monkey King, and making havoc in the Heavenly Palace was no problem for them. If you were to sentence them to death, that wouldn't be a good idea. What's more, if you really sentenced them to death, could you watch them from thousands of miles away?
After hearing this arrangement, Cheng Chuliang rolled his eyes. These two men had 40,000 elite soldiers under their command, and they could be said to be the strongest in the army in terms of both mobility and combat effectiveness. Letting them go would be like releasing two tigers. It was estimated that by the time he led the army to arrive, there would not be much work to do except capturing prisoners.
"I obey your command."
The two men were not related to each other, and they took two different roads, one on the left and the other on the right, so neither of them would hinder the other. What's more, they were accompanied by the elite soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, and they were carrying all kinds of weapons and equipment. They were afraid that they would not encounter the army of the Arab Empire. If they did meet the army, even if it was three or five times larger than theirs, these people would dare to fight.
"Go down and prepare. I'll give you ten hours. You must lead your troops on the march within ten hours."
Li Xiang calculated the time. It would take seven or eight days to reach the place where the Arab Empire army was discovered from here, even if the army advanced quickly. There was not much time left for them.
In fact, there is no need for such a long preparation time. The elite troops under the two men have been ready long ago. They just need to go back and calculate the various supplies, and then go to the logistics department to load them, and they can set off in three hours at most.
Many people are already exhausted from training, with calluses forming on their hands. If they don't leave now, they really don't have the mood to continue training here. If the Arab Empire's army arrives, they will dare to keep them here and never let them return to their hometown...
