Chapter 5205 Under the Iron Gate

Chapter 5205 Under the Iron Gate
In October, the Hezhong region is blessed with clear skies and crisp autumn air. Looking up, the grass gradually withers, a mix of yellow and green. Occasionally, a river meanders through the grassland, while in the distance, mountains rise majestically and stretch endlessly, birds circle and eagles soar through the sky.

Three thousand Anxi soldiers, each riding two horses, galloped south across the grasslands and mountains, pursuing the trail of the Abbasid Caliphate army. In their pursuit, they had already engaged in several battles with the enemy's rearguard, exhausting their firearms. Even after each volley of arrows annihilated the enemy, they had to collect the arrows during the cleanup for future use.

The Transoxiana region is too vast, with grasslands, mountains, and rivers. The terrain is complex and the journey is long, and logistical support has long been inadequate, so the only option is to sustain the war through warfare.

However, there are still five hundred pieces of furniture carried on horseback, which can be quickly equipped into an invincible armored cavalry force when the time comes...

Wang Xiaojie led the charge, and as they rounded a bend in the mountain pass, they saw scouts galloping towards them. He then raised his arm high, reined in his horse, and his warhorse reared up with a long neigh.

The entire unit stopped as he moved, displaying perfect uniformity and strict military discipline.

"Report!"

"The enemy troops crossed a grassland ahead and fled into the mountains, retreating towards the Iron Gate Pass."

"And leave a rearguard force of over a thousand men to guard the mountain pass, where the terrain is easy to defend and difficult to attack!"

Wang Xiaojie was not surprised. He could tell that Auf was leading more than 10,000 defeated soldiers southwards almost without stopping, and that their escape route was getting further and further away from Ye Qide's main force. He could guess that their intention was to head straight for the Iron Gate Pass, relying on this natural pass to block their pursuit and escape.

Looking at the setting sun, he ordered, "The entire army shall halt our advance, set up camp, make fires and cook, rest for the night, and conserve our strength. Tomorrow we will charge into the Iron Gate Pass and fight the enemy to the death, and we will not allow them to escape!"

"Here!"

Three thousand soldiers rode up the hillside, dismounted, and began setting up camp, lighting fires, and cooking. At the same time, they removed the armor from their warhorses and fed and watered them.

Wang Xiaojie, along with several captains, gathered around a group of people. They took out a thick stack of maps from their bags, examined them carefully, and then spread one out on a felt cloth.

Looking at the map, which clearly depicted the terrain near the Iron Gate Pass, a captain exclaimed in admiration, "Those people from the Ministry of War are truly remarkable. They sent people to survey and map this remote and impoverished place thousands of miles away from the Tang Dynasty. Otherwise, we would be completely in the dark and wouldn't dare to venture into the mountain pass."

Another person said, "It's all thanks to the Grand Commandant! I've heard that when the Grand Commandant took over the Ministry of War, his first task was to integrate all the spies and secret agents. He went all over the country to bribe merchants, civilians, and even officials and generals from enemy countries to collect information about them. He also sent countless talents all over the world to survey and draw maps. It is said that the Ministry of War's archives now contain more than one map of the defenses of Damascus, so detailed that every well is clearly marked..."

"When I was in Chang'an, many people belittled the Grand Commandant's military strategies, believing that although he had made many great achievements, his strength and ability were far inferior to those of Duke Wei and Duke Ying. This made me furious, so I argued with them!"

Wang Xiaojie looked down at the map and casually remarked, "Times have changed, and the requirements for commanders are also different. In the past, when facing the enemy, the most important things were troop deployment, troop deployment, and adaptability. In this respect, the Grand Commandant may have been slightly lacking due to his limited experience. But now, war is about logistics and strategic planning. For example, in this battle, the creation of the map, the recruitment of internal agents by various tribes, and even the development of firearms had already determined that this battle would be won. In this kind of long-term planning and laying the foundation for the overall situation, the Grand Commandant is unparalleled in the world."

The officers all nodded in agreement: "That's right. Looking at all the battles the Grand Commandant has experienced, which one wasn't a crushing victory? This is the principle that 'He who wins by planning before the battle is won't win by calculation.'"

"Alright, alright, the Grand Commandant isn't here to hear you. What's the use of you boasting so eloquently?"

Wang Xiaojie gave a stern rebuke, then said, "Come, come, everyone, let's study the map together and formulate a tactical plan. We must annihilate this defeated Arab army in this battle!"

The captains quickly gathered around again, and, referring to the map and the current situation of both sides, they began to discuss various tactics.

Like the navy, the Anxi army is considered one of the most enlightened armies at the time. When formulating tactics and strategies, everyone in the army, regardless of rank or title, can speak freely, and no one will stop them even if they talk nonsense. The aim is to "gather wisdom from all sides" and "unite as one," so that everyone in the army has a sense of participation in the war and is more familiar with the war situation.

Of course, once the tactics are determined, the entire army will have only one voice, and everyone will obey orders without question.

However, after discussing for a long time until the food was served, they could only come to one conclusion—the only option was to fight to the death.

The reason is simple: the location of "Iron Gate Pass" is too treacherous.

Nowadays, almost every literate soldier in the Anxi Army has a copy of Xuanzang's "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions," which was recently completed. The geography, customs, and people recorded in the book are compared with those in various places by people specially sent by the Anxi Protectorate, resulting in a complete map of the Hexi region.

The book provides a detailed description of "Iron Gate Pass": "Iron Gate Pass is flanked by mountains on both sides. The mountains are extremely steep. Although there is a narrow path, it is also dangerous. The stone walls on both sides are the color of iron. The gate is reinforced with iron and has many iron bells hanging on the doors. It is named after its dangerous and fortified nature."

The so-called pass is actually a canyon that runs through the mountain. It is over 600 zhang long, runs from northwest to southeast, and has a height difference of 10 zhang from north to south. The narrowest part is less than 3 zhang wide, with vertical bluish-black stone walls on both sides, and the highest point reaches 30 zhang.

The valley floor is a narrow ancient road paved with gravel, about two to three zhang wide. As a vital route connecting the north and south, it can only be used for one-way passage of caravans.

There is a mountain pass to the south after exiting the gorge; beyond this pass lies the Tokharistan Basin.

The area is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the Wuhu River flowing to the south. The terrain is flat and the vegetation is lush.

"This southern Tianshan Mountain cannot be bypassed or crossed. The Iron Gate Pass is the only way through. There is no room for shortcuts. We can only fight our way through with all our might."

Wang Xiaojie's face was grave.

The Tang Dynasty possessed formidable and unparalleled military strength, but it avoided direct confrontations most of the time. Even when employing various strategies and tactics, such as winning with fewer troops or besieging enemy strongholds to annihilate reinforcements, it tried to minimize casualties.

But now, the Nantianshan Mountains and the Iron Gate Pass, which stand in his way, leave Wang Xiaojie helpless.

"Then let's fight!"

The other captains, holding their rice bowls, ate and drank heartily while expressing their indifference.

"We've been chasing the Arabs all the way here, and it's been more of a test of willpower than a head-on battle. But as we've seen in previous battles, we completely outclass the Arabs in both individual soldier quality and weaponry. Even if the Arabs have the advantage of terrain, we are still capable of defeating them."

"We know that the general cares for his soldiers, but since it is war, how can there be no deaths? If I die in battle at Iron Gate Pass tomorrow, please comrades, after you have won a great victory, cremate my body and please take my ashes back to Guanzhong. If I can fight my way out of the country and pursue the enemy to the end, and make my name known throughout the world, then this life will have been worth it!"

"I feel the same way! But I would appreciate it if the general could write our names on the register, and clearly record our merits. When the Ministry of War awards merits, we must include our ranks, rewards, and pensions!"

Wang Xiaojie swallowed a mouthful of rice, snorted, and said, "I might even die before you!"

He looked around and said in a deep voice, “Gentlemen, our battle has made history. Never before in Chinese history have we been so far from our borders. If we win a great victory, it may be no less significant than when the Grand Commandant inscribed his name on Yanran Mountain! Remember, whoever returns to Chang'an alive must petition the Grand Commandant to build a stone tablet to record our achievements, right here at the Iron Gate Pass! In this way, not only will we die a worthy death and be remembered in history, but our parents and children will also be rewarded with more land and higher ranks for this achievement!”

A true man should die on the battlefield, either to protect his country and make a name for himself in history, or to attain high office and wealth, and to secure a good future for his wife and children. If he can have both, what is there to fear in death?

"You must go to the Grand Commandant to offer your advice, not to the Ministry of War!"

“That’s right. The Grand Commandant has always valued military achievements in foreign wars. If we die here at the Iron Gate Pass, it will surely move the Grand Commandant and earn his praise. There’s no doubt that our merits will be recorded in stone!”

Wang Xiaojie also knew the principle that "a merciful general cannot command an army," so he suppressed the thought of sympathizing with the casualties of his soldiers and was filled with heroic spirit: "Rest well tonight, and launch an attack before dawn tomorrow. We will take this iron mountain at any cost! Men, life and death are in the hands of fate!"

The crowd roared in agreement: "Life and death are up to fate!"

The soldiers were startled by the sudden roar of the generals and officers, but they immediately felt the officers' lofty aspirations and shouted back.

"Pursue the fleeing enemy and drive them back to the enemy!"

"Life and death!"

"Tomorrow is the day to make a name for ourselves and achieve great things!"

Morale soared.

……

Several miles away, at the Iron Gate Pass.

The setting sun painted the black iron-like rocks of the Southern Tianshan Mountains red. The narrow canyon meandered through the mountains, like a wound cut by a sharp dagger, running from north to south and traversing the mountains.

Of and Maslama stood side by side on the Iron Gate, gazing at the wild northern steppes, their expressions grave.

Although the Iron Gate Pass is an impregnable natural barrier and a formidable pass, the two of them now face a difficult choice...

The choice was for the entire army to be stationed here and fight the Tang army to the death, either completely cutting off the Tang army's pursuit or for the entire army to perish here.

Or should only leave a portion of the army here to defend and delay the Tang army's advance as much as possible, while the main force passes through the Iron Gate Pass and heads south to the Wuhu River, then sails downstream to join forces with Ye Qide?

Both options are viable, but both have fatal flaws.