The eldest prince, Songfan Sangji, shook his head and said, "No need for a battle, Fude Suolang. I will give you 30,000 Snow Mountain Iron Cavalry. You will be the first to launch an attack on the Liang State Zhenxi Army's main formation."

After the 30,000 Snow Mountain Iron Cavalry of the Songfan Army launched a charge, the Zhenxi Army immediately sent out 10,000 Black Armor Cavalry and 10,000 Beiwei Cavalry of the Royal Guards to meet them.

Although the Zhenxi Army only dispatched 20,000 heavy cavalry and was at a disadvantage in terms of numbers, it easily defeated the 30,000 Snow Mountain Iron Cavalry of the Songfan Army. The fierce general of the Songfan Army, Fude Solang, had his head smashed in by Xiong Kuohai, the commander of the 10,000 Black Armor Cavalry.

The confrontation between 50,000 cavalrymen from both sides also set the tone for the war.

Although the Zhenxi Army was at a disadvantage in terms of military strength, the combat effectiveness of its various units was obviously higher than that of the Songfan Army, which gave the Zhenxi Army a very obvious advantage on the battlefield.

Thanks to the eldest prince of the Songfan Kingdom, Songfan Sangji, a total of 1.4 million Songfan troops were gathered this time. If the two sides had equal strength, perhaps in today's battle, the Zhenxi Army could defeat the Songfan Army.

After nightfall, inside the Songfan army camp, the eldest prince Songfan Sangji asked the imperial preceptor Cao Ding in a deep voice, "How much did we lose today?"

Cao Ding said solemnly, "We only got an approximate number.

Of the 500,000 Snow Mountain Iron Cavalry, approximately 150,000 were killed, and the 900,000 cavalry troops composed of herders from various tribes lost nearly 200,000 men."

When the eldest prince Songfan Sangji heard this, he couldn't help but gasp. He knew that his side had suffered heavy losses today, but he never expected that they would lose 350,000 people.

You have to know that he only gathered 1.4 million cavalry in total. At this rate of casualties, he would not be able to fight against the Liang State Zhenxi Army for more than a few days.

"National Master, how much do you estimate the Liang State Zhenxi Army will lose today?"

Cao Ding sighed and said, "According to my estimate, the Liang State Zhenxi Army's losses today may not even be 100,000 men."

The eldest prince Songfan Sangji could not help but sigh, "I still underestimated the strength of the Liang State Zhenxi Army. It seems that defeating the main force of the Liang State Zhenxi Army will not be so easy."

Cao Ding hesitated for a moment and said, "Prince, if we continue to fight like this, even if we can defeat the main force of the Liang State Zhenxi Army, I'm afraid there won't be many people left on our side.

I suggest retreating to the plateau immediately, and it would be best if we could lure the main force of the Liang State Zhenxi Army to the plateau.

In that case, our Songfan army will have a considerable advantage."

Because of the special environment of the plateau, it is difficult for people who have not lived in the plateau since childhood to adapt to the environment of the plateau.

Before the tribes on the plateau were unified by the Songfan tribe, armies from Western Regions countries also entered the plateau area and tried to conquer some of the tribes on the plateau.

However, after the armies of these Western Regions countries entered the plateau, the officers and soldiers found it difficult to even breathe, let alone fight. As a result, no country in the entire Western Regions was willing to send troops into the plateau.

Cao Ding hadn't expected that his suggestion to withdraw would be immediately approved by the eldest prince, Songfan Sangji. "The Imperial Master is absolutely right. If we want to continue fighting the Liang State Zhenxi Army, we have to do it on the plateau."

Sun Hao was not surprised at the Songfan Army's voluntary withdrawal.

In just the first day of fierce fighting, the Zhenxi Army conservatively estimated that it had wiped out at least 300,000 cavalry units of the Songfan Army, while the Zhenxi Army's own casualties were actually less than 40,000.

However, Sun Hao did not expect that the Songfan Army would retreat so thoroughly. They actually retreated all the way back to the plateau area and handed over all the 18 small countries in the Western Regions captured by the Songfan Army, as well as more than 70 cities of the two major Western Regions countries, Wulei and Shuhe, to the Zhenxi Army.

When Songfan Dorje, the king of Songfan Kingdom, learned that the army led by his eldest son had suffered losses at the hands of Liang State's Zhenxi Army, he immediately led a million cavalry troops to reinforce his eldest son.

Although King Songfan Dorje was somewhat displeased with the eldest prince Songfan Sangjina's bloodthirsty and brutal character, he believed that the eldest prince Songfan Sangjina was the most suitable heir to the throne.

After the armies led by King Songfan Dorje and the eldest prince Songfan Sangji joined forces, the total force exceeded 2.7 million, of which Songfan's most elite Snow Mountain Cavalry accounted for 750,000.

"Sangji, now that our armies have joined forces, our strength has far exceeded the main force of Liang State's Zhenxi Army. Why don't you and I, father and son, lead our armies to re-enter the Western Regions?" King Songfan Doji said in a deep voice.

The eldest prince, Songfan Sangji, shook his head and said, "Father, the Liang State Zhenxi Army is very powerful.

Our Songfan Kingdom was established not long ago. If we fight too hard with the Liang Kingdom's Zhenxi Army, I am worried that the country will become unstable."

"So what do you mean?"

“Father, I hope to launch a thorough cleansing of some of the tribes in this country.

We will wait until the internal situation of Songfan State is stabilized before we send troops to the Western Regions."

"What if the Liang State Zhenxi Army invades the plateau area?"

"That's perfect. As long as the Liang State Zhenxi Army enters the plateau, its combat effectiveness will plummet. We can take advantage of the special environment of the plateau and inflict heavy damage on the Liang State Zhenxi Army."

King Songfan Dorje nodded and said, "The affairs of the Liang Kingdom's Zhenxi Army are now fully entrusted to you.

As for the purge you mentioned, I agree in principle, but I hope you can kill fewer people. After all, they are now also citizens of our Songfan Kingdom."

After the Songfan Army retreated to the plateau area, it quickly sent people to negotiate with the Zhenxi Army. In order to show its sincerity, the Songfan Army also sent back more than 400 wounded soldiers of the Zhenxi Army, including Shi Wengong, the seriously injured and captured general of the Fifth Brigade of the Zhenxi Right Guard.

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