Chapter 1269 – The Front Path Is Broken

Their attempt to breakout was a trial by fire. After the enemy surrounded and blocked them, the 40 thousand Qin troops attempted to breakout, trying to get as many of them to survive as possible.

At noon, the army finally managed to escape.

After breaking out of the encirclement, Wang Ben looked around at the small number of soldiers left and pain flashed within his eyes. Of the 70 thousand boys that had set out together with him, only 20 thousand remained.

"Brothers, let's go home!"

The enemy was still chasing them, so Wang Ben did not have the time to get all emotional.

For the following two days, one side fled as the other side chased as they shifted toward the Tang-Tibet ancient path. 10th month, 23rd day, at 2pm, Wang Ben's forces finally arrived at the castle.

"Open the gates, quick, open up, we are the Great Xia Army!"

The Qin soldiers kept on shouting, but the castle gates showed no signs of budging. When they raised their heads, they only saw the Mongol soldiers standing on the city walls, not replying as they mockingly looked at Wang Ben and his men.

Wang Ben was an intelligent person, and his heart sank - he felt a bad premonition. He tapped his horse and moved to the front before hollering, "I am Wang Ben from Great Xia, why aren't you opening up? Aren't you afraid that the Empire would demand answers?"

"...."

His only reply was deathly silence.

His eyes froze up. The situation was already clear. In a short 10 days, something had happened within the Mongol Empire that made them dare to courageously reject the Great Xia Army outside of the door.

"Commander!" the deputy general walked over uneasily and said, "The enemy troops are about to catch up."

Wang Ben took a final glance at the castle before swiftly turning around and saying, "Let's go!"

"Where to?"

"Keep going east until we meet up with the right wing." Wang Ben had made up his mind.

"This...."

Worry filled the deputy general's face; he wanted to say something, but he stopped himself.

Their current location was tens of thousands of miles away from the frontline, and they were in enemy territory. There were obstacles in front of them and troops chasing behind them. With just the 20 thousand of them, without food provisions, trying to break out was as hard as scaling the heavens.

"We have no other choice!"

Wang Ben remained really rational. Since there were no other options, the only choice would be the best choice.

The castle in front of them was easy to defend and tough to attack. Furthermore, the enemy troops behind them were about to catch up - they did not have much time left.

Taking a step back, even if they forcefully took down the castle, they would not be able to smoothly go past the House of Ogedai with the attitude the Mongol Empire had shown.

"Let's go!"

The 20 thousand troops turned toward the east.

When the soldiers in the castle saw that, they could not help but break out laughing. Their laughs were incredibly ear-piercing. Wang Ben wished he could turn around and teach them all a lesson.

However, Wang Ben did not try to do that; he just carried on toward the east, his face really dark.

...

Tibet, Anduo City.

After receiving the news from his son, Wang Jian's face turned green with rage.

"Bastard, if anything happens to my son, I will not let you go." It was rare for Wang Jian to lose his calm. However, right now, he simply wished to lead his troops to assist his son.

Luckily, after his many years in the military, Wang Jian was still able to keep a shred of his rationality.

Wang Jian knew that the right wing alone might not be able to save Wang Ben's forces. Moreover, if they took action now, they would be committing the sin of disobeying orders, which would drag the entire Qin army down into the abyss.

Without hesitation, Wang Jian immediately contacted commander Li Jing.

When Li Jing received the report, he was really surprised, "Is the Mongol Empire crazy?"

Wang Jian said, "Commander, please let me lead my troops west to receive Wang Ben's forces."

Li Jing did not hesitate and replied, "Do not worry, general. Wang Ben went to execute a mission for our Empire, so we will not abandon him. Not only your right wing, but the left wing will also enter the west."

"Thank you, commander!" Gratitude appeared in Wang Jian's eyes.

If both the left and right wings struck out, their chances of success would greatly increase. Wang Jian did not expect Li Jing to be so candid. In his heart, he finally recognized the Empire somewhat.

Not only that, but Li Jing even continued to say, "I'll report this matter to his majesty. For the House of Ogedai to commit such a betrayal, they are looking to die."

As one of the three giants of the Empire's army, Li Jing's words had a lot of weight.

"Thank you, commander!"

Wang Jian cupped his fists once more. With the Empire stepping in, they would be able to seek an answer for Wang Ben.

With the orders from the command headquarters given, Wang Jian did not waste any more time. He personally led the entire right wing to immediately enter the west. Saving a person was like putting out a fire; no time could be wasted.

"Ben'er, you have to hold on." Wang Jian was really anxious, praying silently in his heart.

At the same time, left wing marshal Tian Dan received the same order and led the troops west to coordinate with the right wing to charge into the core land of Tibet.

However, the difference between their orders was that Li Jing instructed Tian Dan to destroy all the enemy forces in their way to create an opportunity for the middle army to take down Lhasa City.

Tian Dan naturally heeded the orders.

Li Jing was truly a God General. Although an unexpectedly matter had occurred, he managed to smell an opportunity from the crisis and seized it. He wanted to give the enemy a fatal blow.

Strictly speaking, Wang Ben's forces had exceeded the mission that was given to them. Not only did they disturb the enemy grain path, but they also crushed the 500 thousand reinforcements sent by the Ashoka Dynasty.

As a result, the situation of the battle favored Great Xia.

The left and right wings were entering the west to save Wang Ben. At the same time, they would use this chance to sweep the core area of Tibet, officially cutting off all reinforcements to Lhasa City.

After this, Lhasa City would be there for the taking.

With the clear order from the command headquarters, the middle army and the middle protector army increased the intensity of their attacks.

If nothing went wrong, the war of Tibet would end really soon.

...

10th month, 24th day, Imperial City.

Early in the morning, Ouyang Shuo received Li Jing's emergency memorial, and his face instantly sank in disbelief. That was because just yesterday, Karakorum had sent a report that they would be sending an envoy to the imperial capital to talk about submitting.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, such a matter had occurred.

"Men!"

"Present!"

"Summon Zhang Yi!"

"Yes, my emperor!"

Very quickly, Zhang Yi who had just returned to the office hurried to the Imperial Reading Room, "Greetings, your majesty!"

Ouyang Shuo told him what happened at the castle and asked, "What are your views on this?"

Zhang Yi was astonished, and he hesitated before saying, "I heard that Genghis Khan intended to pass the throne to Tolei. Did Ogedai hold resentment and refuse to let us pass at the castle as a result?"

Ouyang Shuo sighed and said, "The Mongolians are really arrogant, unable to be tamed."

Zhang Yi's heart trembled. Who knows how this matter would affect the Mongol Empire surrender? Perhaps this event might even cause the emperor to change their strategy toward the Mongol Empire.

"Ask them what is happening and tell them to give us an explanation." Ouyang Shuo instructed.

"Yes, your majesty!"

Zhang Yi treated this matter seriously, immediately turning around and getting to it. He could feel that a storm was brewing in the Mongol Empire.