Chapter 44: The Tibetan Army Sets Out

Zhao Mang strode forward and gently pressed him back down. "There is no need to rise. Focus on your recovery!"

With that, he looked toward the other injured soldiers in the room who were also attempting to get up. "That goes for all of you. Just stay put and rest properly."

"Healing well from your wounds is the greatest comfort you can give me."

"Once you have recovered, I will lead you into battle to slay the enemy!"

Turning around, he issued an instruction. "Wang Mazi, bring out the wine and meat for tonight's feast. Eat well, and you will recover faster. Rest assured, whatever I have, you shall have as well!"

Hearing this, everyone broke into joyful smiles.

The prospect of good food made them even happier, and this was the first time any of them had encountered such a thoughtful and caring commander.

Without comparison, there is no pain.

The wounded soldier whom Zhao Mang had helped back down spoke with indignation, "Until I met our squad leader, I never realized that the commanders we served under before were absolute trash!"

"Indeed! Forget about them ever checking on us; if they didn't pocket our military merits, it was already a miracle."

At these words, Zhao Mang recalled when he had first transmigrated into this world. Had he not insisted on claiming his military merits, Zhao Wuji probably wouldn't have been able to secure that meager pittance of silver for him.

"You all know what kind of person I am. What you need to do now is heal as quickly as possible so that you can return to the battlefield in peak condition and give yourselves a better chance of survival."

"Staying alive is the foundation of everything, isn't it?"

The soldiers were profoundly moved. Wang Mazi felt the same, tears even welling up in his eyes.

Having followed closely behind Zhao Mang for this period, he had witnessed everything the commander had done for his men.

Meeting Zhao Mang was, without a doubt, the greatest fortune of his life!

Having settled everything, Zhao Mang finally returned to his own tent and let out a long breath.

He thought to himself that being a boss was certainly no easy task!

The next day!

Everyone returned to their respective posts. Assisted by Zhao Mang's soldiers, the refugees accelerated the pace of construction.

They set about repairing the houses that had been ransacked and burned down!

There were even several newly built structures going up.

These new houses were constructed with a wooden framework and packed with mud mixed heavily with chopped grass.

Such buildings were sturdy, warm, and resistant to damage.

They were the best dwellings they could possibly manage under the current circumstances.

Under the direction of Zhu Qiqi, watchtowers were already rising at the locations Zhao Mang had marked on his map the previous night.

Xiao Han's reconnaissance squad was also being organized in an orderly fashion!

Everything was thriving!

This time, taking Li Dabing along and hauling a cartload of severed heads of Tibetan raiders, Zhao Mang headed toward the frontier garrison camp, intending to exchange them for provisions and military merits!

Riding on horseback, Zhao Mang looked at the token in his hand inscribed with the character "Guer" and fell into deep thought.

He wondered if this distinctive token represented a status or a family name.

Based on memories from his previous life, it ought to be the surname of a prominent clan among the Tibetan raiders.

If that was indeed the case, then slaying this particular Tibetan raider would inevitably trigger serious repercussions.

Previously, the Tibetan raiders they had killed were of insignificant status.

This time, however, they had slaughtered the relative of a powerful clan.

Things surely wouldn't rest here so easily.

Meanwhile, dozens of li to the southeast of the frontier garrison camp, at the Singing Sand Mountains inside the Tibetan raiders' main encampment:

"Report! General Duoji! Commander Dunzhu went to Shacheng to plunder supplies and has not returned for an entire day!"

Hearing this, the Tibetan raider commander Guer Duoji, who was still indulging in luxuries above, instantly turned pale with fury. "What did you say? What happened to my nephew?"

The soldier below replied cautiously, "Commander Dunzhu set out on a raiding mission and has been gone for a long time. It is likely something went wrong, much like those scouts from last time!"

Guer Duoji knitted his brows tightly. "Is this news accurate?"

The soldier below answered, "It should be certain!"

Guer Duoji immediately rose from behind his desk.

He paced back and forth in front of the table, pondering for a moment as an idea seemed to form in his mind.

The frown that had just furrowed his brow suddenly smoothed out.

He thought to himself that he had been searching for an excuse anyway, and now his beloved and cherished nephew had met his end in Shazhou.

How could he possibly refrain from avenging him?

Guer Duoji said coldly, "Since that is the case, mobilize the troops!"

Upon hearing this, the soldier below hurriedly rushed out to relay the order.

One day later!

The Tibetan raiding army had already marched right up to within a single li of the frontier garrison camp!

Chaos erupted instantly within the commander's encampment.

They had not fought against the Tibetan raiders for months.

Now, the sudden assault by the enemy army left them completely at a loss.

It was precisely at this juncture that Zhang Chao, the deputy military commissioner of the frontier garrison, stepped forward courageously.

He hastily gathered the backers of various factions together.

Everyone met within the frontier garrison camp to deliberate on countermeasures for defense.

Right at this moment, instead of launching a full-scale offensive, the Tibetan raiders sent an emissary bearing a challenge.

At that time, within the Tibetan raider camp, Guer Dunmu—riding alone, wielding a massive hammer, and clad in silver armor—was shouting provocatively at the gates of the frontier garrison camp.

"Cowards of the Great Wei! Is there anyone among you who dares to fight me in single combat?"

"Hand over my brother Guer Dunzhu, or your Shazhou frontier army shall surely perish beneath the iron hooves of our forces!"

"You bunch of cowards! Do any of you dare to face me!"

Guer Dunmu's voice reverberated throughout the entire frontier garrison camp.

Yet within the commander's tent, not a single person dared to step forward and openly accept single combat against Guer Dunzhu of the Tibetan raiders.

When two armies arrayed themselves against each other, it was customary for commanding figures to engage in one-on-one duels first.

This tradition of warfare inherited from previous dynasties was still maintained.

Before a pitched battle, generals would duel to boost their side's morale.

More often than not, the morale of the defeated side would plummet significantly, sometimes even tilting the balance of the entire battle.

Consequently, the outcome of the generals' duels played a pivotal role.

Guer Duoji was currently reclining leisurely on a war chariot, sipping fine wine and enjoying the ministration of Tibetan maidens, brimming with absolute confidence and paying no heed whatsoever to the garrison army of Shacheng.

This self-assurance stemmed from the long-standing dominance of the Tibetan forces.

They had already seized five out of the six prefectures; how could they not be confident?

Only Shazhou remained isolated in a corner.

Moreover, Shazhou itself was torn apart by infighting among several prominent families, resulting in extreme chaos.

Precisely because of this reason, the forces in Shazhou had never been unified.

Seated at the very center of the military tent, Zhang Chao gazed at the officials gathered on both sides below him.

Ever since the scout delivered the report, mutual finger-pointing and buck-passing had dominated the tent.

Not a single soul was willing to step forward and meet the Tibetan raiders in combat.

One military officer exclaimed in shock, "What? It's actually Guer Dunmu, the premier general under Guer Duoji!"

In the past, he cut down three of my men, and now he comes to challenge us again. I am certainly not sending any of my men out!"

"If you want to go, send your own men. Cultivating a capable officer is no easy task; why must it always be us?"

Meanwhile, Li Huai'an, standing before Li Shiwu, spoke without any politeness, "Matters like this are precisely when you soldiers should be charging into the fray."

"How can you utter such words and sap the morale of the frontier army?"

With that, Li Huai'an pointed at another newly appointed officer and demanded, "And you! Major General Gu, why won't you go up?"

Judging by the way these people passed the buck among themselves, they were all thoroughly aware of Guer Dunmu's formidable prowess.

They simply lacked the courage to stick their necks out as the first to face him.