I, the military god of the Tang Dynasty, have risen since I destroyed the Turks

Chapter 773 Battle of Mobei
A howling north wind whipped up clouds of yellow sand. The Tang army's black banners with red characters fluttered in the wind, and their armor gleamed coldly in the setting sun. Li Zheng reined in his horse and stood atop a high hill, overlooking the battlefield. The Mugu people's army was in complete disarray, fleeing south like sheep scattered by wolves.

"Report—the enemy commander's head is here!" A cavalryman galloped in, a bloodied head impaled on his lance. The wolfskin hat on the head was askew, and the wide-open eyes still held the frozen horror of death.

A deafening cheer erupted from the Tang army ranks. Li Zheng raised his right hand, and the war drums ceased abruptly. His voice, clear and sharp as a sword's cry, boomed: "All troops, heed my command! Reorganize your formation!"

Lieutenant General Li Kan rode closer, his armor stained with the enemy's blood. He whispered, "Your Majesty, why not press the attack? Our army's morale is high; we will surely annihilate the remaining enemy."

Li Zheng's gaze followed the rising dust in the distance. The Mugu cavalry were galloping south, their hooves thundering into the distance. He shook his head: "Don't pursue a desperate enemy. Although our army has won, our casualties have been considerable. Besides..."

Before he could finish speaking, the rapid sound of galloping hooves interrupted his thoughts. Scout captain Wang Meng dismounted and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, unidentified cavalry, numbering approximately five thousand, has been spotted thirty li to the northwest. Their banners are unknown!"

Li Kan's expression changed drastically: "Could it be reinforcements from the Mugu people?"

Li Zheng, however, wore a thoughtful expression. He removed his helmet, revealing a young yet resolute face. The cold wind ruffled his tied-up black hair, but it couldn't dispel the sharpness in his eyes. "Pass down the order: send three thousand elite cavalry, led by General Zhao, to drive the routed army south of the Gobi Desert. Remember, drive them away, not annihilate them."

"What does Your Majesty mean by this?" Li Kan asked, puzzled.

Li Zheng pointed south: "Look at those routed soldiers, running around like headless flies. If we press them too hard, they'll fight back to the death. It's better to spare their lives and let them take the news of their defeat back." A slight smile played on his lips. "Sometimes, living defeated soldiers are more effective at demoralizing the enemy than dead warriors."

Li Kan suddenly realized what was happening and was about to issue an order when a captain led several prisoners towards him. "Your Majesty," a captain said, "we've captured several Mugu officers, one of whom can speak Chinese."

A middle-aged man with a blood-stained face among the prisoners raised his head, a cunning glint in his eyes. Li Zheng narrowed his eyes: "Who are you?"

“I am merely a groom under General Adela,” the man replied in broken Chinese, his eyes darting around.

Li Zheng suddenly drew his sword, pressing the tip against the man's throat: "I'll give you one more chance. Where is Mugu Khan now?"

The prisoner trembled, finally breaking down: "The Khan... the Khan is seriously wounded and has been escorted back to the royal court by his personal guards! General Adela is indeed dead, but the Khan is still alive!"

This news struck like a boulder thrown into a calm lake. Li Kan gasped, "Your Majesty, if Ruomugu Khan is not dead, this battle is likely..."

Li Zheng sheathed his sword, his face revealing neither joy nor anger. He turned to Li Kan: "Immediately dispatch more scouts; I need to know the detailed situation of that cavalry force in the northwest. Also, order General Zhao to make it appear as if he's pursuing the routed troops, but don't actually kill them all."

As the sun set, twilight gradually enveloped the battlefield. The Tang army began methodically clearing the battlefield and treating the wounded. Li Zheng stood alone on a high slope, gazing southward. His deputy, Li Kan, approached with a water bag: "Your Majesty, please have some water."

Li Zheng took the water bag and suddenly asked, "Do you know why I let those defeated soldiers go?"

Li Kan pondered for a moment: "Is it to intimidate other tribes?"

“That’s not all.” Li Zheng took a sip of water, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “In wolf pack battles on the grasslands, the victor never wipes out the entire pack. Because today’s loser may be tomorrow’s shield against an even stronger enemy.”

He pointed northwest: "I suspect that unidentified cavalry is a Turkic spies. If we and the Mugu people both suffer heavy losses, the Turks will swarm in like vultures to devour us." Li Kan's eyes flashed with admiration: "Your Majesty is truly insightful."

As night deepened, campfires were lit in the camp. Li Zheng summoned his generals for a meeting in the central command tent. A map was spread out on the table, and he pointed to several locations with his dagger: "The Mugu people have retreated to this point, and the movements of the northwestern cavalry are unknown. What are your thoughts?"

Veteran General Hou Junji stroked his beard: "In my humble opinion, the most urgent task is to consolidate the defensive line. Although our army has won, it is not advisable to advance deep into the grasslands."

The impetuous young captain Zhang Huan declared, "This humble general is willing to lead a light cavalry pursuit; we are certain we can capture Mugu Khan alive!"

The debate raged inside the tent. Suddenly, Li Zheng slammed his fist on the table, and the generals immediately fell silent. His eyes were piercing. "Issue my order: the entire army will rest for three days. Simultaneously, three scout routes will be dispatched. One will track the routed troops, one will investigate the northwestern cavalry, and the third…" He paused, "...will investigate the movements of the Turkic royal court."

The generals obeyed and left, leaving only Li Zheng and Li Kan inside the tent. The candlelight flickered, casting swaying shadows on the tent fabric. Li Kan whispered, "Is Your Majesty worried that the Turks might take advantage of the situation and invade?"

Li Zheng removed his armor, revealing a white robe underneath, stained with specks of blood. He wearily rubbed his temples. "The Mugu people are just an appetizer. The real threat has always been the Turks." He looked at Li Kan, "Go and make the arrangements; I will personally interrogate those prisoners tomorrow."

Night deepened, and the camp gradually quieted down, save for the occasional sound of patrolling soldiers' footsteps. Li Zheng, however, tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He stepped out of his tent and gazed at the starry sky. The northern stars shone exceptionally brightly, as if watching over this war-torn land.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from afar. Li Zheng gripped his sword hilt alertly. A rider came galloping towards them, the rider covered in blood, and tumbled off his horse before even reaching them.

"Your Majesty! The Northwest Cavalry are the elite of the Turks! They... they ambushed our scouts!" The soldier fainted after saying this.

Li Zheng's expression changed drastically, and he shouted sternly, "Order the entire army to prepare for battle immediately!"

The sound of bugles pierced the night sky, and the once-silent camp instantly erupted in activity. Li Kan rushed over: "Your Majesty, what has happened?"

Li Zheng was already fully armed, his eyes burning with fighting spirit: "We've fallen into a trap. The defeat of the Mugu people was merely bait to lure us deeper. The real killing blow is the Turkic cavalry!"

On the distant horizon, torches could be faintly seen forming a continuous line, like a fiery dragon writhing in the darkness. The sound of horses' hooves thundered, and the earth began to tremble slightly.

Li Zheng mounted his horse and drew his sword. The blade gleamed coldly in the firelight. "All troops, form ranks! Let these steppe wolves see the might of the Tang Dynasty's iron cavalry!"

As the war drums sounded, the Tang army swiftly formed battle lines. Archers led the way, spearmen occupied the center, and cavalry lined the flanks. Li Zheng stood at the front of the formation, riding a black horse and wearing a white robe, appearing like a god of war in the firelight.

The Turkic cavalry drew closer, their ferocious faces and the cold glint of their scimitars becoming clear. Li Zheng raised his sword, about to order the arrows to be fired, when suddenly—

"Your Majesty, wait!" Li Kan pointed to the rear of the Turkic army formation. "Look at those flags!"

An unfamiliar flag rose behind the enemy lines; it was neither the wolf-head banner of Mugu nor the golden eagle banner of the Turks. Instead, it was a large black banner embroidered with strange runes.

(End of this chapter)