Northern Ganzhou, on the edge of the desert.
An army of fifty to sixty thousand men was moving at high speed. After the cavalry passed, dust rose into the sky, filling the air and blotting out the sun.
This large army was the Samanid Khanate's Ashina Simo's troops, which had split up in Guazhou and were advancing eastward into the heart of the Hexi Corridor.
His head was wrapped in a headscarf, and his mouth and nose were also completely covered.
Even so, the dust in the air was still quite pungent.
Looking at the distant horizon, Ashina Simo, seated on horseback, asked, "How far is Ganzhou City?"
"General, it's almost done!"
A trusted aide pointed to a distant hill and said, "Once we cross this hill, we'll enter the Ganzhou Oasis. From there, it'll be another hour before we reach the city of Ganzhou!"
"Yeah?"
Ashina Simo took a deep breath and said, "It seems we can reach Ganzhou City before noon today! Send the order down to all units to hurry on their way and strive to reach Ganzhou City as soon as possible!"
"yes!"
The trusted confidant quickly responded.
Immediately, this Samanid cavalry force of fifty to sixty thousand men continued to advance.
Ashina Simo, on horseback, had a resolute expression and burning eyes.
After crossing the hill in front, the scenery in the distance changed dramatically.
After several days of rapid marching through the desert, we have finally arrived at the oasis.
Although it is already October, the climate in the Hexi Corridor has become very cold.
However, the withered trees and grass in the oasis still made Ashina Simo somewhat excited.
A winding river, like a jade belt, stretches across the oasis.
Where there are rivers, there is a water source!
"Speed up!"
Ashina Simo was somewhat excited and quickly said.
After entering the oasis, they traveled for another half hour, and the city of Ganzhou, standing on the flat land in the distance, could be vaguely seen.
"Almost there! Almost there!"
Ashina Simo felt a surge of excitement.
After a long journey, we have finally arrived at our destination!
According to previous intelligence, the total number of troops in the entire Hexi Corridor region was only 80,000. Of these, more than 40,000 had already been transferred to places like Guazhou.
In addition, another 10,000 to 20,000 people are stationed in Taozhou, Hezhou, Huangshui and other places to guard against the snowy plateau.
There are also 10,000 to 20,000 people scattered in Guanzhong, Yulin, Qingzhou and other places.
Meanwhile, the troops stationed in Liangzhou, Ganzhou, Longyou and other places had already been transferred to Guazhou.
At this moment, Ganzhou is practically a ghost town!
Once we capture Ganzhou, we can cut off the food and supplies supply to the large army in Suzhou, Guazhou and other places, and then we can swallow the large army in Guazhou, Suzhou and other places in one gulp!
Hahaha!
General Tuli's plan was truly brilliant!
At this moment, Ashina Simo was also somewhat excited.
Gazing at the faintly visible city of Ganzhou in the distance, Ashina Simo felt a surge of heroic spirit. He drew his sword, pointed it at the distant city, and declared loudly, "Charge towards Ganzhou!"
The army marched swiftly towards Ganzhou City.
Gradually, the city of Ganzhou became clearer and clearer.
However, just as Ashina Simo's army approached Ganzhou City, his brows furrowed involuntarily.
"General, General..."
A trusted aide pointed to the scene outside Ganzhou City in the distance and said, "Look outside Ganzhou City, why are there so many people? And they all seem to be wearing military uniforms..."
"A full-blown military uniform?"
Ashina Simo was also stunned, and couldn't help but frown and stare into the distance.
Upon closer inspection, Ashina Simo also saw it clearly.
Outside Ganzhou City, a dense, dark mass of people seemed to be carrying something, moving in large groups.
At a glance, there are at least tens of thousands of people!
Just as Ashina Simo was stunned, the people outside Ganzhou City also saw them.
Waaah—
Instantly, a loud bugle call rang out.
Those dressed in military uniforms outside Ganzhou City peered warily at the area.
"General, what do we do now?"
The trusted aide asked, "Should we still launch a surprise attack on Ganzhou City? There are so many of us!"
Ashina Simo did not answer.
At this moment, he was also conflicted and couldn't make up his mind.
After all, since the division of troops in Guazhou, they had gone through many hardships and difficulties before finally arriving outside Ganzhou City.
With victory seemingly within reach, are we really going to give up now?
But if we don't give up, what if all those people outside Ganzhou City wearing Da Gan military uniforms are Da Gan soldiers?
But where did so many large troops come from in Ganzhou City?
There are as many as thirty to forty thousand of these people!
The intelligence report stated that the Da Gan Army only numbered 80,000 in the entire Longyou and Hexi region, and its exact location was also very clear.
There shouldn't be so many people in Ganzhou City!
Who exactly are these people?
Should we attack Ganzhou City?
For a moment, Ashina Simo felt conflicted.
"General, we need to make a decision soon!"
The trusted aide took a deep breath and urged, "The opportunity to fight is fleeting!"
"Yes, General!"
The adjutant beside him spoke up, "The Da Gan Army has already moved away. These people outside Ganzhou City are just ordinary civilians. Didn't you see what they're carrying? They're just wearing Da Gan Army uniforms! General, if you ask me, let's just charge straight in! I guarantee that with our cavalry charging, we'll be at the city walls in just a few breaths!"
"Yes! Kill them!"
The others around him nodded in agreement.
Listening to their words, Ashina Simo gradually became more determined in his mind.
Kill them!
It's not easy for me to come all this way!
Don't miss this opportunity!
Immediately, Ashina Simo drew his scimitar, pointed it diagonally to the sky, and shouted in a deep voice, "Warriors, charge with me! Kill!"
"Kill them!"
"Kill them!"
...
Loud and clear shouts echoed through the sky.
A cavalry force of fifty to sixty thousand Samanids, led by General Ashina Simo, launched an attack on Ganzhou City.
A vast, dark army of cavalry, like a torrent, surged towards Ganzhou City, covering the mountains and plains.
At this very moment, those dressed in military uniforms outside Ganzhou City were also somewhat flustered.
"What happened?"
"Where did so many enemy cavalry come from?"
A man who looked like an officer frowned and asked.
After asking only a few questions, the officer shouted, "Quick! Defend! Defend!"
At this moment, atop the city wall of Ganzhou, a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in a long robe, frowned slightly as he gazed at the massive, dark cavalry army in the open fields outside the city.
However, there wasn't a trace of worry on his face.
A faint smile played at the corners of her mouth.
"Heh! These enemy troops want to launch a surprise attack on Ganzhou? I think they're just throwing their lives away!"
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