Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5206 Beneath the Iron Gate (Continued)

With a troubled expression, Auf asked, "Do you think it's a fight to the death, or a protracted battle?"

The Iron Gate Pass was so formidable that "one man could hold off ten thousand." If the entire army held the pass and refused to retreat, it was indeed possible to block the Tang army there. Lacking supplies, the Tang army could no longer sustain itself through war and would have no choice but to retreat.

However, the risks are also considerable.

The Tang army was too powerful and its weapons and supplies were too sophisticated. If the Tang army broke through the pass, all the Arab troops would have no chance of escape and would be annihilated by the Tang army.

If only a portion of the army is left behind, it can only serve to delay the enemy, and the Tang army will definitely break through.

Then the Tang army pursued them all the way through the canyon, but the situation remained the same. They could only flee for their lives and were eventually chased to death by the Tang army...

Maslama couldn't give an answer. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "We don't have enough soldiers or combat strength. Even if we defend the Iron Gate Pass with the advantage of terrain, it's hard to say we'll win. But if we can ask Yugu to send an elite force here so we can join forces, we'll definitely be able to defeat the Tang army."

The vast basin south of the Iron Gate Pass is Tokharistan, where the Western Turkic Khan, Yugushe, fled after being betrayed by his subordinates Ashina Helu and Ashina Buzhen. Although his power had greatly diminished, he was still the former Khan of the Western Turks and retained some strength.

Auf said irritably, "Do you think Yugushe is a fool? The Caliph once invited him to send troops to attack Suyab together, promising that he would be allowed to return to the Tian Shan Royal Court after the victory, but Yugushe didn't even reply. Now that we have been defeated in Suyab and returned in disgrace, do you think he would send troops to help us and offend the Tang Dynasty? Forget about inviting him to send troops to help us, we should thank God that he doesn't send troops to cut off our retreat!"

He paused, then sighed and said, "Besides, distant water can't quench a nearby fire. The Tang army won't give us a chance to request reinforcements. They might even launch a fierce attack first thing tomorrow morning."

Maslama's cheeks were sunken and his spirits were low. His gaze fell on the wild north, which was bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun: "The Tang people are really... like wolves and tigers! It has always been said that China is a land of etiquette, and its people are tolerant, reasonable and gentle... but this battle has shown me that they are fearless, ruthless and tenacious."

From Kesan City to here, it's hundreds of miles. One flees, the other pursues. They travel for several days, sparing no effort. The Arabs, eager to escape, are desperately running for their lives, hoping to gain a chance to survive. But the Tang people, who are chasing after them, are like a pack of wolves eyeing their prey, relentlessly pursuing them.

His unwavering will was truly unparalleled in Maslama's life.

At this point, the two suddenly realized that they had the same thought: while the Caliph needed to conquer other countries to divert domestic conflicts and increase his own prestige, why did he choose to target the Tang Dynasty instead of the many tribes and countries under heaven?
Although the Tang Dynasty and the Abbasid Caliphate were known as the "two superpowers of the time," the Tang people were not aggressive or invasive. They preferred to do business within the rules, happily trading and making money with all countries and tribes, and had almost no territorial claims.

Moreover, they had already suffered one defeat before...

Auf didn't know what to say and remained silent for a long time until the sun sank behind the western mountains before he said worriedly, "I wonder what the situation is like in Damascus now."

The 200,000-strong army represents almost the entire strength of the Abbasid Caliphate. It includes not only various coalition forces that came under the Caliph's orders, but also loyal troops. Judging from the current situation, even in the best-case scenario, no more than half of the army will return to Damascus.

Such a huge loss would almost certainly shake the Caliph's rule.

In order to stabilize the situation and appease the various tribes, negotiations with the Tang Dynasty are almost certain.

"Let's do everything we can to bring these soldiers back to Damascus. This will not only give everyone an explanation, but also give the Caliph some leverage in negotiations."

The difference between losing half the troops and being completely annihilated is vastly different, whether for pacifying internal rule or negotiating with the Tang Dynasty.

Maslama, however, was not very confident: "I hope so."

The next morning, the sky was slightly bright.

The Tang army had already packed up their camps and equipment, and were ready to go on the battlefield. Their warhorses pawed at the ground, swishing their tails and occasionally neighing. The officers and soldiers sat upright on their horses, full of energy and high morale. The fatigue from several days of high-intensity marching and fighting would not be completely relieved by a night's rest, but the desire to make a name for themselves had brought out all the soldiers' potential. They were excited, eager to fight, and ready to battle.

Wang Xiaojie drew his sword, raised it high, and shouted, "Kill!"

There was no need for pre-battle mobilization. Everyone knew what they were facing. There was no better tactical arrangement for such a treacherous terrain as Iron Gate Pass. The only option was for light cavalry to advance and suppress the enemy with arrows, take the opportunity to plant gunpowder under the gate to blow it up, and then heavy armored cavalry to charge into the canyon and fight the enemy to the death.

The deciding factor in this battle can be summed up in one sentence: When two armies meet, the brave one wins!

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

All the soldiers were in high spirits and full of fighting spirit.

Wang Xiaojie took the lead, and three thousand cavalrymen and six or seven thousand warhorses moved swiftly, sweeping across the wilderness like a dark, surging tide towards the Iron Gate Pass.

……

Auf stood on the iron gate, his face solemn as he gazed at the Tang army rushing in from the north. The sheer force of the massive charge of thousands of troops was terrifying, with dust flying everywhere and shouts like thunder. The black armor stretched out like a raging storm.

He ultimately chose to defend the Iron Gate to the death.

The Tang army's fighting strength is too formidable. If a portion of the troops were stationed here, the Tang army would likely breach the gate and break into the canyon in a short time. By then, the main force would not have been able to retreat to a safe distance, and if the Tang army caught up with them, it would be a disaster. This is because the other side of the canyon leads to the flat Tokharistan Valley, and there would not be enough time to either flee downstream along the Wuhu River or cross it.

The safest option was to defend the Iron Gate Pass to the death, using its advantageous terrain to block the Tang army from entering.

Of course, the so-called "safety" is only relative. Once the Iron Gate Pass is breached, facing the ferocious and fierce Tang army, the only outcome might be total annihilation...

Aside from the terrain of the Iron Gate Pass, its greatest advantage lies in these two massive iron gates.

The name "Iron Gate Pass" comes not only from the iron-like rocks of the mountain, but also from the two gates.
The Tang army marched forward without hesitation, their momentum earth-shattering.

As they approached the pass, Tang light cavalrymen on horseback drew their bows and nocked arrows. Countless arrows soared into the sky, tracing huge parabolic arcs as they landed on the pass. Although the Arab defenders held up wooden shields, arrows still managed to strike the soldiers through the gaps in the shields. Arrows rained down, and cries of agony filled the air.

Ouf shouted, "Don't fire arrows indiscriminately! Wait until the enemy gets close!"

This is the greatest tragedy of the Arab army's defeat and retreat. Their archery range was far inferior to that of the Tang army. Once the Tang army fired arrows from outside the range of the Arab army's arrows without getting close, this "kiting" tactic left the Arab army in dire straits and helpless.

However, unlike when they were fleeing along the way, no matter how far the Tang army's arrows could travel, they would eventually break through to the gate.

As expected, after suppressing the defenders at the pass with arrows from a distance, the Tang army quickly dispatched dozens of soldiers in iron armor, holding shields to cover their bodies, to rush towards the pass.

"Fire arrows! Fire arrows! Prepare rolling logs and stones; release them immediately when the Tang army approaches!"

Auf now understands the Tang army's tactics very well. In open field battles, they use the "Parthian tactics" like "flying kites," employing long-range archery and heavy cavalry charges. When besieging a city, they use both bows and firearms to suppress the enemy, while heavily armored infantry rush to the city walls to plant gunpowder...

The tactics are simple and direct.

However, due to the superior equipment and powerful firearms of the Tang army, they were extremely effective, and even those who knew their tactics could not defend against them.

At this moment, the only hope is that these two huge iron gates at the pass can stop the Tang army's gunpowder.

Auf was very confident about this. The two iron gates were a foot thick and two feet high, each using 1,500 catties of pig iron. The iron bolts were deeply embedded in the stone walls on both sides, making them robust, heavy, and impregnable. He thought that even the most powerful gunpowder would have difficulty shaking them.

Tang cavalry fired arrows from a distance, the rain of arrows pressing down on the defenders at the pass, who could not even raise their heads. Heavily armored infantrymen, carrying shields, charged down to the city walls.

"Push the logs and stones down!"

Instantly, dust billowed up from the gate, and huge logs and boulders fell from it. The Tang infantrymen, clad in heavy armor and unafraid of swords and arrows, could not withstand such a heavy blow. Their shields shattered, they fell to the ground, and some coughed up blood from the impact.

However, some soldiers still managed to advance to the pass, place gunpowder, ignite it, and then quickly retreat.

Auf's heart clenched, his eyes widened, and he was incredibly nervous.

Who knows if this iron gate can withstand the explosion of gunpowder...

boom!
A huge, muffled sound was deafening, and countless stones flew in all directions with the rising smoke. Auf felt the entire pass beneath his feet tremble, and then... he didn't move an inch.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"

The Arab soldiers who had just entered the pass knew that this meant the Tang army's gunpowder was useless against this formidable pass, and they immediately erupted in a frenzied cheer.

Since their crushing defeat at Kesan City and their subsequent rout, the Tang army had been relentlessly pursuing them, causing their morale to plummet and leaving them bewildered and helpless. They felt that the Tang army was fierce and invincible, but at this moment, they finally regained their lost morale.

Auf brandished his longsword wildly: "The pass is as solid as iron, insurmountable! This is the limit of Tang military skill!"

"Someone, quickly go and tell Maslama that we can hold the Iron Gate Pass! Tell him to bring his troops back immediately, and we will defend the pass together to the death and block the Tang army here!"

"If everyone works together and holds the pass, the Tang army will surely be defeated!"

"When I return to Damascus, I will certainly speak on your behalf before the Caliph!"

The morale of the Arab army soared as a result.

Not far away at the foot of the mountain, Wang Xiaojie gazed at the Iron Gate Pass, where the smoke from the rising gunpowder had dissipated and the Iron Gate remained unharmed, his face as calm as still water.