Chapter 15: The Tang Army Knows Sorcery

The hidden pits did not inflict significant casualties on the Turks, but the psychological shock they delivered was immense. Rising steam shrouded the entire Tang army in a dense fog; the Turks could not see their enemies, yet the moment they entered the mist, their horses would plunge into the concealed holes.

Even after retreating beyond the white mist, the Turkic soldiers were trembling with terror. Even Yuguni felt a sense of inexplicable dread.

"The Tang people use sorcery!"
"That white mist kills anyone who touches it!"
"Stop fighting, let’s run! We are no match for the Tang!"
"No matter how sharp our Turkic sabers are, we cannot kill demons."

The Turkic soldiers whispered among themselves, their faces ashen. Many were shivering—whether from the bitter cold or sheer terror, it was hard to tell.

Conversely, the Tang soldiers were equally bewildered. Chen Ying had ordered them to use hand warmers to melt holes in the snow—each about a foot deep. Yet, as if under a curse, the Turks fell from their mounts one after another. Without a single arrow being loosed, six or seven hundred men lay fallen before the lines.

Seize the opportunity while the enemy is down.

While the Turks were still reeling and disoriented, Chen Ying gave the command: "Attack!"

The Tang soldiers surged forward, raining spears, sabers, and axes upon the Turks. Outnumbering their foes, they decapitated six or seven hundred Turkic soldiers within the span of a single incense stick's burn.

The Tang soldiers showed no mercy toward the horses with broken legs either. Although the Tang army had sufficient grain, the dynasty was young and its national strength not yet fully realized; the soldiers' rations were meager, barely enough to stave off hunger. Though horse meat was of poor quality, to the soldiers, it was a rare delicacy. Without waiting for Chen Ying’s order, they began to end the suffering of the horses and butcher them on the spot.

About half an hour later, the thick fog gradually dissipated, but the scene left behind caused every Turk present to gasp in horror. The ground was littered with the headless corpses of Turkic warriors, and the horses had been stripped down to white bone.

The already terrified Turks now instinctively believed that the Tang people not only practiced sorcery but also consumed human flesh.

"Warriors, charge and slaughter the Tang slaves!"

Yuguni’s command did not spur the Turkic warriors to attack; instead, they retreated further.

"I command you to attack! Kill the Tang slaves!" Seeing his men falling back, Yuguni flew into a rage, brandishing his whip and lashing out at the retreating warriors.

Though whipped until they were bleeding and writhing on the ground, the Turks refused to advance. The Turks practiced Shamanism, a religion that worshipped the spirits of all things. They attributed all natural phenomena to divine power. When the Tang army summoned a white mist—a highly anomalous weather event in such extreme cold—the Turks naturally concluded that the Tang possessed profound sorcery. The Turks were not cowards, but like many primitive and isolated peoples, they held an innate, superstitious awe of the divine.

Watching a dozen of his men being whipped until their skin was torn and bloodied, Yuguni realized with despair that his authority as a tribal leader could not compel his own troops to fight. Gritting his teeth, he was forced to order a retreat.

The Turks were cavalry, and the Tang infantry could not catch them. Watching the Turkic forces ebb away like a receding tide, Chen Ying stood on the watchtower, utterly perplexed.

"What is happening?"

Dushan Guo, the military secretary, bowed and said, "Reporting to the Commander, this humble official understands a little Turkic. From what they said, it seems they believe we are using sorcery!"

"Sorcery?" Chen Ying was even more confused. "What kind of sorcery?"

"This... I am not sure, sir."

"Perhaps it is the heat!" Wei Wenzhong pointed to the lingering, snow-like steam still rising from the ground. "The Turks might be mistaking this vapor for magic."

Chen Ying muttered, "What kind of magic is that?"

Wei Wenzhong asked, "Commander, what shall we do now?"

"Continue the march!"

Having won their first victory, the Tang army not only collected over six hundred heads but also secured over twenty thousand pounds of horse meat. Everyone was in high spirits as they continued their advance toward Bogulü City.

The Turkic retreat gradually devolved into a rout. Colliding with one another in their panic, they lost several hundred more riders. The pursuing Tang soldiers took full advantage, claiming the "merit" for themselves.

Fear spread rapidly through the Turkic ranks. As Yuguni neared Bogulü City, he encountered the commander of the Fuli Guard, Aizezi Tulie.

Yuguni’s men arrived at the city with no fighting spirit and terror-stricken faces. Seeing that Yuguni had only four or five thousand men left, Aizezi Tulie was shocked, yet he gloated, "Yuguni, what has happened to you? How can a great Turkic warrior run like a fox? You are truly useless."

In the Turkic hierarchy, Aizezi Tulie was merely a mid-level officer, while Yuguni held the rank of "Fu," equivalent to a high-ranking Tang general. Yet, Aizezi Tulie showed none of the respect due to a superior, which deeply infuriated Yuguni. Unfortunately, Yuguni lacked the political cunning to hide his resentment; his eyes burned with rage.

In truth, internal strife was rampant among the Turks. When Ashina Tumen founded the Turkic Khaganate, he established three ranks: the Fuli (the royal guard), the Control-Bow warriors (tribal cavalry), and the Tuojie (non-Turkic mercenaries). These ranks were hereditary, and the disparity in status was vast; a Fuli could kill a Control-Bow warrior for the price of a horse, but killing a Tuojie cost only a sheep. Even as a "Fu," if Aizezi Tulie were to kill Yuguni, he would only owe a horse. But if Yuguni dared to strike a Fuli, it would be considered treason, leading to the execution of all males taller than a chariot wheel, with the women and children enslaved.

Looking at the trembling, furious Yuguni, Aizezi Tulie said smugly, "Am I wrong? Look at yourself now. You have brought shame upon all the Turks."