The Human Emperor c1-2382

by Huangfu Qi (皇甫奇)

“Now! We will begin planning for tomorrow’s battle!”

  Khatabah suddenly took several steps forward and pulled away a long Arabian carpet, revealing the intricate model beneath.

  Everyone immediately gathered around the model.

  Around an hour later, the conference ended. All the Governors and Deputy Governors dispersed, leaving behind only Khatabah and the High Priest.

  All fell quiet.

  The High Priest suddenly turned to Khatabah and profoundly asked, “Have you made up your mind? Tomorrow, must we use that thing within the cauldron?”

  “Mm! As long as we have that beast, we can sweep over the eastern world and complete that grand aspiration that no one on the continent has ever achieved! This time, I plan to leave behind no regrets,” Khatabah firmly said, his voice unwavering.

  “Mm.”

  The High Priest gave a slight nod, his black robes concealing any emotion he might have shown.

  “I merely wish to warn you that this fiend annihilated an ancient civilization by itself. Using it will require a certain price, and once the east is pacified, you must watch out for any side effects.”

  Khatabah’s face froze for a moment. He clearly understood what the High Priest was saying, but in the end, he resolved himself.

  “All of this… can wait until after we conquer the eastern world!”

  The hall fell silent once more. This time, the High Priest said no more, and everything was concealed under the veil of darkness.

  ……

  Meanwhile, in the City of Steel, the six Great Generals and King Song had gathered together for their own conference. The mood was exceptionally grim.

  “Tomorrow will be a fierce battle. The Arabs will send everything they have. Even with the steel walls and the ballistae, those two million soldiers will place immense pressure on us,” Gao Xianzhi said, his face grave.

  In front of him was a massive model upon which everyone was focused. The model had been reworked to express in excruciating detail the current terrain and situation.

  Abusi spoke up. “I also feel this way. Even though they’ve already mobilized their Behemoth Army, the Arabs undoubtedly have even more moves to be used.”

  His brow was creased and his hands slightly clenched as he examined the model.

  Though he did not possess as profound a grasp of the art of war as Zhangchou Jianqiong, An Sishun, or Gao Xianzhi, he was still a Great General who had participated in his fair share of battles, and he still had the intuition of a Great General.

  “Moreover, in today’s battle, the majority of their cavalry died to our ballistae. We can be sure that they’ll think of some way tonight to deal with the steel walls and the ballistae!”

  Abusi’s words cast a solemn mood on the room.

  The impregnable steel walls that could hold against a cavalry charge and the sharp and unstoppable ballistae were the Great Tang’s shield and spear in this war.

  Without these two things, the Great Tang’s battle against Arabia would have never been so easy. It was like Arabia without its Behemoth Army.

  “It’s not that simple. Did you see all those armored giants in the back of the enemy army? They remained in the rear throughout the entire battle. If the Arabs didn’t commit them to battle, they must have greater plans for them,” Zhangchou Jianqiong said, his brow tinged with worry.

  Zhangchou Jianqiong had made a significant contribution to today’s victory, and because he had been in the front line, he had noticed many small details. As an influential commander, Zhangchou Jianqiong was never one to focus solely on the battle around him.

  In that battle, Zhangchou Jianqiong had swept his gaze over the entire battlefield, including the rear of the Arab army, where the Arabs still had forces they had not committed.

  “Our enemy is Khatabah, a legend of Arabia. He must have certain extraordinary traits that allowed him to obtain this reputation. But I’m not particularly concerned about any hidden moves they might have,” Wang Chong said, his expression calm and unperturbed.

  The Great Tang was at its peak state, and he had his dream army. The steel defense line, the ballistae, the giant ballistae, six Great Generals, the Divine Martial Army, the Tongluo Cavalry… No matter who his opponent was or how strong they were, the Great Tang could deal with them. Moreover, Wang Chong himself had yet to make his move.

  “There’s one other matter!”

  At this moment, Wang Zhongsi suddenly spoke.

  Chapter 1850 - Analysis of the Enemy!

  Chapter 1850: Analysis of the Enemy!

  Translated by: Hypersheep325

  Edited by: Michyrr

  “I’ve just received some information. I don’t know if the rest of you noticed, but at sunset, a giant cauldron suddenly appeared at the highest point of the Arab base. It’s several dozen meters high and surrounded by thirty-some giants that protect and move it.

  “Twenty-some days have passed since the start of the war. In this time, all of our ballistae and supplies have arrived, and even the Arabs have finished bringing their catapults and Behemoths to the front. Given all this time and Khatabah’s legendary reputation, it doesn’t make sense for something to arrive so late.”

  Wang Zhongsi scanned the room.

  The hall fell silent. Everyone, including Wang Chong, pensively creased their brows.

  This truly was strange. Wang Chong had received the same report from Zhang Que, but for the moment, he couldn’t tell what was in that massive bronze cauldron.

  But regardless, this bizarre, massive cauldron did not mean anything good for the Great Tang.

  “Khatabah is no ordinary person. I sense that something that would make him so cautious as to send several dozen giants to slowly escort it cannot be a minor object. It might be a pivotal object the Arabs will use in tomorrow’s battle!” Wang Zhongsi firmly declared.

  No one doubted Crown Prince’s Junior Guardian Wang Zhongsi. As the former War God, at his prime, Wang Zhongsi had a reputation and status that far surpassed Gao Xianzhi, An Sishun, and Zhangchou Jianqiong. The giant cauldron in the Arab base had to be extremely important if it had earned his attention.

  “Is there a way to investigate what it is?” An Sishun asked. This was a battle that would affect the fate of the two greatest empires of the east and west. No mistakes could be permitted.

  “No!”

  Someone suddenly spoke. It was not Zhang Que, but Gao Xianzhi’s subordinate, Cheng Qianli.

  “After today’s battle, I rode a horse out of the camp to patrol, hoping to find something by surveying the enemy base, perhaps even a weakness. I also noticed the giant cauldron that Lord Junior Guardian spoke of.

  “When I went to take a look, that giant cauldron was guarded by several hundred thousand Arab cavalry, and the inner circle had several dozen giants. Moreover, the skies were guarded by the giant bird army and the hunting falcons. It was impossible to approach, whether by sky or land.”

  There were many commanders in the army like Cheng Qianli. Although they had not taken part in the battle during the day, they had not just sat back in the rear.

  Each one had their own way of probing the enemy camp and analyzing intelligence. With their various abilities, they made various plans and did all they could to contribute.

  “If that’s the case, this giant cauldron is even more important than I thought.”

  An Sishun frowned. During the day, he had been fighting with Zhangchou Jianqiong against the Arabs, and after the battle, he had been reorganizing his army and preparing for tomorrow’s battle, so he had not had time to observe the enemy army.

  The duties in an army were clearly spelled out. There were naturally others who would carry out such tasks.

  Several hundred thousand cavalry and several dozen giants were a formidable defense that was essentially impenetrable. This level of defense was a clear indication of just how important that cauldron was.

  The mood in the air turned grim and oppressive.

  “Leave this matte
r to me,” Wang Chong suddenly said. “Although the Arab base is tightly guarded, that doesn’t mean that there are no ways to scout it. I’ll try my best to see what’s inside that giant cauldron.”

  With Wang Chong volunteering, the matter was put to rest for the moment. Everyone trusted in Wang Chong’s abilities, and they could rest easy now that he had taken the job.

  Moreover, in previous conflicts, no matter how formidable his opponent was, Wang Chong always managed to find a way.

  “Let’s continue to tomorrow’s battle,” Wang Chong said. He extended a finger and quickly drew everyone’s attention to the model.

  “The Arabs claim an army of 3.8 million, but the number that can truly fight is 2.8 million. If we deduct the soldiers we killed during the day, they have 2.6 million soldiers left, four times more than us. This massive army will undoubtedly strike from the flanks as well as the front.

  “For this reason, in the southwest direction, we have to reinforce the triangular gap on the Tibetan Plateau to guard against any possible attacks.”

  Wang Chong then turned to the Turkic steppe to the northeast.

  “In comparison to the triangular gap, the northeast is much more difficult to defend. Although I’ve done my best, as long as they make a large enough detour, they can still deal us a heavy blow. No matter what, we can’t be encircled!” Wang Chong sternly said.

  As he described the strategic layout, he no longer exuded any of that youthful aura. His entire body exuded the energy of the Grand Marshal from the apocalyptic era. Even an extremely experienced leader like Zhangchou Jianqiong appeared to slightly dim in front of Wang Chong. The only person who could rival him was the previous War God of the Great Tang, Wang Zhongsi.

  “Leave this direction to me. No matter how many soldiers they send, I’m confident that I can break them!”

  To everyone’s surprise, it was Tongluo Great General Abusi who spoke.

  Wang Chong slightly nodded in reply. Even though Abusi only had ten thousand cavalry, a seemingly insignificant number in this war involving millions, if Abusi said he could do it, he could do it.

  “At present, we have several hundred thousand steel walls at the central army that could block an assault of one million soldiers. But these walls can only block the enemy. If we can’t wipe out their soldiers, then the war will drag on, and under the constant attacks of the Arabs, our defense line will slowly crumble.

  “We can’t place too much hope on our ballistae in this battle. Tomorrow, they will definitely be heavily targeted by the enemy. Probably around the middle of the battle, the ballistae will find it hard to exhibit their initial power, upon which we will have to rely on ourselves. No matter what, we have to be on the offensive so that we can break the main Arab force. We have to kill at least one million soldiers to have a chance at victory,” Wang Chong sternly said.

  War was not a matter of simple arithmetic. When half an army was killed, its morale would plunge, and the soldiers would begin to break in fear and panic. At that point, it didn’t matter how many soldiers the other side had. But reaching that point was easier said than done.

  “Leave that to me!” Wang Zhongsi declared. His expression was calm, as if he had volunteered for a very common task.

  “In tomorrow’s battle, I will choose the right moment to lead my army on the offensive. You don’t have to worry about anything else. I have confidence in throwing the enemy’s central army into complete disarray.”

  These words were spoken in an incredibly domineering tone. His opponent was the strongest cavalry army in the world, numbering in the millions. Only Wang Zhongsi could so confidently declare that he could break through the enemy’s central army.

  All the others were deeply shocked, but nobody doubted Wang Zhongsi’s words. If he dared to make this claim, he could naturally pull it off.

  “But before that, there are some things I need your assistance on.”

  Wang Zhongsi looked around at the Great Generals.

  “In tomorrow’s battle, the enemy assault will undoubtedly be extremely fierce. I need you to hold out against the most intense first wave. In addition, Zhangchou Jianqiong, Gao Xianzhi, I’ll need your cooperation.”

  “Mm.”

  Zhangchou Jianqiong and Gao Xianzhi nodded.

  This war for the Great Tang was not a simple defensive war. What the Great Tang wanted was not to fend off this first attack and then welcome wave after wave of invasions from the west for the next several hundred years.

  Passive defense was not in the Great Tang’s character. Aggressive assaults that knocked the opponent to the floor, branding upon them a painful lesson that their opponents would never forget, was the Great Tang’s style. This was an understanding that Wang Zhongsi, Gao Xianzhi, Abusi, and all the other Great Generals shared.

  Wang Zhongsi nodded and said no more.

  “There’s another matter.”

  As Gao Xianzhi spoke, he glanced at Wang Chong.

  “I spotted a familiar figure in the invasion force.”

  “Oh?”

  Wang Chong raised an eyebrow, a questioning look in his eyes.

  “I saw Abu Muslim amongst Khatabah’s Great Generals. He was the Arab commander in the last war, and he has a deep understanding of us. But in the first battle, he did not enter the field, which makes no sense. I sense that he will come out tomorrow. We can’t underestimate this man,” Gao Xianzhi said.

  In the Battle of Talas, all of the top Arab commanders, including Qutaybah, had been killed by Wang Chong. Only Abu Muslim had managed to escape. This person was extremely strong and had a deep understanding of the east. In the last war, if not for Wang Chong’s prompt arrival, Gao Xianzhi would have probably died at his hands.

  “Mm.”

  Wang Chong nodded. He had a very deep impression of Abu Muslim, but that was then and this was now. The war of the northwest was not Talas, and the Great Tang’s opponent was Khatabah now, not Qutaybah.

  “I’ll be careful!”

  After this, the group began to play out scenarios on the model, simulating how the assault and defense would go.

  Tomorrow’s battle not only decided whether the army would live or die, but whether the Great Tang Empire would continue to exist, the fate of the millions of people living in the Central Plains. Defeat was not an option!

  None of them dared to show the slightest neglect.

  After a long while, after calculating every possibility in tomorrow’s battle so thoroughly that even the Great Generals felt rather tired, they ended the meeting.

  Once everyone was gone, Wang Chong turned his head.

  “Senior, come in!”

  After a few moments of silence, a figure came in from outside. This man was as short as a dwarf, but he exuded pride and experience. It was none other than the Formation Elder.

  Chapter 1851 - Probing the Giant Cauldron!

  Chapter 1851: Probing the Giant Cauldron!

  Translated by: Hypersheep325

  Edited by: Michyrr

  “The conference is over?” the Formation Elder asked. His mind was not on the question, and his brows were tinged with worry.

  “Mm.”

  Wang Chong nodded.

  “Senior, have you readied what I asked you for?”

  Wang Chong’s expression was solemn, a hint of anticipation in his eyes. The conference with Wang Zhongsi and the other Great Generals was important, but for Wang Chong, the matter he had privately asked the Formation Elder to carry out was even more important than simulating tomorrow’s battle.

  “Mm.”

  The Formation Elder nodded, his brow furrowing in unease.

  “As you ordered, I only finished seventy percent of the formation so that the Arabs wouldn’t notice, but… Wang Chong, that’s something that can only influence the weather. It’s of no help in this battle. Are you sure that’s what you want?

  “If you need it, I can lay down several powerful formations, even formations from the Formation Divine Treatise. These
can greatly boost your army’s fighting power!” the Formation Elder said.

  He had pondered this matter for a very long time. When Wang Chong had given him the diagram, the Formation Elder had thought it was some formidable formation, but it had been completely the opposite of what he had expected.

  Although the Formation Elder was a member of the martial arts world, not the court, he knew just how important this battle was, that the survival of the Central Plains depended on it. When the realm was in peril, every man had a responsibility to save it. The Formation Elder was getting on in his years, but he was still a Tang. He did not wish to see the lands of the Great Tang invaded by foreigners and the people enslaved.

  Wang Chong and the others were the Great Tang’s final barrier!

  “Senior, I know that you want to help me, but it’s no good. The majority of the formations in the Formation Divine Treatise use the energy of nature. They require a long time to set up and create fierce ripples of worldly energy. Before we even finish them, the enemy will have noticed the energy ripples and won’t give us the chance to complete them,” Wang Chong sternly said.

  In the Rebellion of the Three Princes, the only reason Wang Chong had been able to use the Mountain River Formation was that his enemy had been focused on the Imperial Palace and had not placed any defenses on the outskirts of the capital. But now was different. Both Khatabah and the High Priest were top-class experts who would not give the Great Tang the time to establish a formation. Moreover, the stronger the formation, the more obvious the ripples of Origin Energy would be.

  In contrast, the formation Wang Chong had given the Formation Elder the diagram to was one for which he had minimized the chance of discovery. Moreover, as the formation was only seventy percent complete and not targeted at the Arab base, its chances of being discovered were even lower.

  The Formation Elder was quieted by Wang Chong’s words. He understood these things just as well as Wang Chong did, but this was not an enemy that could be underestimated.

  “Haaah…”

  In the end, the Formation Elder could only deeply sigh.