The Human Emperor (200-400)

C275: The Respect of The Jiannan Commanders

But in any case, due to this unintended misunderstanding, Zhangchou Jianqiong dared not take Wang Chong's words lightly.

"As the progeny of a general, it is a good thing that Wang gongzi thinks deeply into such matters. You all need not think too much into his words!"

Zhangchou Jianqiong waved his hands to stop his subordinates before turning to Wang Chong. With a faint smile and the might of a powerful general, he said, "It has been long since Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang surfaced in the world, but the situation that Wang gongzi spoke of has never happened before.

"Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang, one is in Erhai while the other is on a plateau. These two countries have completely different languages, customs, and even skin color. Not to mention, our Great Tang divides the both of them into two like a sharp sword. The two nations can't even communicate with one another properly, not to mention, collaborate with one another.

"The human heart is always filled with doubts. It's already sufficiently difficult for a section to work with one another, and here we are talking about the armies of two empires. Who will direct who? Who will take the lead and who will listen? Wang gongzi has never been to the battlefield before, so it's natural you are unaccustomed to such military matters."

Zhangchou Jianqiong knocked on the table lightly with his forefinger.

"If the two countries were to ally with one another to attack Great Tang, they would have to dispatch an army of at least 200,000 men each. A combined army of 400,000, who would command them? When will they strike? How will they strike, and how will the two armies work with one another? ... Wang gongzi, you are still too young, and it's unavoidable for you to underestimate the intricacy behind such matters. That is 400,000 men, not a few hundred or a few thousand. How could they be mobilized so easily?

"Besides, even if they were to collaborate with one another, with our hundred thousand elite troops and the strategic advantage of our forts, do you think that we won't be able to fend off their offense? As long as we stall them for a sufficient length of time for the main army from the royal court to arrive, we would be able to wipe them out clean no matter how many soldiers they dispatch.

"Putting everything aside, just the army located closest to Jiannan is the Big Dipper army in Longxi. That is an army personally groomed by Great General Wang Chongsi! Even though it is currently under Geshu Han, its troops consist mainly of veteran Han soldiers who have accrued great experience facing the steel cavalry of Ü-Tsang.

"Should the situation you mention occur, the Big Dipper army would surely move. Also, the other armies along the borders could also be mobilized for that crisis you speak of. The scenario that you mentioned has never happened before in the history of our Great Tang. War is not a game. No matter how ambitious Geluo Feng is, he has to weigh his choices carefully. His Erhai Mengshe Zhao might not necessarily be able to withstand Great Tang's wrath!"

At the end of his words, Zhangchou Jianqiong harrumphed coldly as compelling power flowed through his voice. Mengshe Zhao was different from Ü-Tsang in the sense that it was a vassal state of Great Tang.

Vassal states represented nations that the lording empire could annex, but chose not to.

Before Mengshe Zhao staged an uprising, it would have to consider the consequences.

"Lord, I can't say for sure whether Mengshe Zhao can successfully ally with Ü-Tsang, but it is the absolute truth that Mengshe Zhao has intentions of staging a coup d'état, and it has sent an envoy to liaise with the Seventh Tsenpo of Ü-Tsang!"

Wang Chong's words immediately caused a stir in the room. Zhangchou Jianqiong, Xianyu Zhongtong, and the other Jiannan commanders' faces immediately twisted in shock.