Eagle Byzantium

The siege of Iskandar was handed over to the Gemage Brigade among the three wings, as well as the Paulist Army of Believers and the Palace Guards. The town caught in the war was occupied by Gawain's other two brigades and Mosia. The main force of the Grand Brigade was left behind, and the eight thousand cavalry originally prepared to attack the city of Ghaznavids, except for a small number who continued to monitor the enemy, were all brought back by Melo and met with the emperor in front of the Bolens Pass.

Those who climbed the pass included the Red Hand Brigade, the Guardian Brigade, the Mosia Grand Brigade, the Guards Cavalry, the Four Field Cavalry Regiments, the vassal cavalry of the Gur tribe, plus some of the most elite artillery - Gawain attached great importance to Cavalry and artillery, he asked the brigade soldiers to abandon the baggage vehicles that are not conducive to mountain climbing, and replace them with manpower and pack horses to pull the gun barrels, gun mounts, ammunition and as many war horses as possible over this towering mountain. narrow. Along the way, Gawain was not prepared to conceal his plot from Israel or his defenders. In addition, he needed to collect supplies. Therefore, the emperor really did what his mentor Maglendius said and adopted the barbarian strategy. With his tactics, he forced all the towns and villages of the Ghaznavid Kingdom to provide him with supplies. If anyone refused, he adopted a policy of destruction and looting. In fact, most of the time, the emperor's cavalry had no patience to persuade everyone. people everywhere, Coupled with the Gur cavalry's hatred and hostility towards Ghaznavids, everything was carried out according to the general rules of fighting on the enemy's territory: the emperor's cavalry set fire and looted everywhere like a whirlwind and lightning, gardens were burned, waterwheels were overturned, and valleys were destroyed. Kurawa The melons, fruits, vegetables and grain in the mills were unconditionally confiscated, the pack animals and sheep were taken away, and even fig trees and date palms were damaged. Their branches and leaves were woven into baskets for transporting ammunition, and the trunks were made by craftsmen into transport cannons. Pipe pivot.

The local Turkic lords (Iqta) and local bandits loyal to Ghaznavids would sometimes gather together and follow the emperor's army from a distance. The bold ones would even ride on horseback and draw bows to harass them, but they were all defeated by Gur cavalry or mounted archers. The regiment's cavalry drove back, Some who could not escape were mercilessly eliminated - soon many Iqta knights did not dare to defend the large castle, for fear of being annihilated by the emperor's army. They scattered in a swarm and hid in the mountains to protect their families. And soft.

Seventy percent of the entire market town between Iskandar and the Bolens Pass was burned and looted. After half a month's journey, Gawain, who had obtained a large amount of supplies, stood under the umbrella of Antian on a high mountain cliff. above, looking at the Indian land across Bolens Pass.

The boundless land there is black and gray, under the still hot autumn sunshine, filled with dust, the distant river shines with dim light, many generals gathered around the emperor nervously, because this scene made him so sad. A group of people remembered their ancestors in ancient times King Solomon, the wise king, is said to have climbed to the top of the mountain of Surman and looked at India from afar like Gawain. In fact, "Sulman" is the Saracen word for "Solomon". As a result, what King Solomon saw The whole land of India was dark, so he returned home in fear.

"I heard that at the intersection of summer and autumn, winds filled with miasma and poisonous gas will blow throughout the wilderness. No matter whether humans or animals breathe this wind, they will die."

"According to the guide, after drinking the spring water in this mountain, a person's skin will be chapped and bleed."

But despite everyone talking, the emperor still stood under the imperial umbrella with no fear on his face, and then gradually calmed down.

"Going down there is the land of the five rivers of Sindh and India. The people here take advantage of the flooding of the five rivers to plant grains every summer. It happens to be the harvest season. We have no worries about lack of supplies there." The emperor said. The implication is that we climb over the Sulman Mountains as quickly as possible and then enter the Land of Five Rivers, so that we can rob and make money as much as we want.

Such words aroused a good response among the officers and soldiers, because when they took the oath in Antioch City, the emperor had promised them to increase the "proportion of spoils". If the expedition goes well, they will all make a fortune.

On the rugged road of the Bolens Pass, the flag bearer at the head of the detachment often held the flag and passed by the soldiers guarding the baggage at the end of the team, because the road was extremely curved.

The emperor stood on a high rock, where he could almost see the entire marching column, and he could also be seen by all the soldiers - as long as the emperor, flags, flags and umbrellas were still there, most people would feel at ease Come down.

Wind and frost fell on Gawain's eyebrows and eye sockets. He looked at the snow-covered peaks further away, where an eagle was circling. It seemed to be the giant Caucasian eagle in the Battle of Kars. "You are guiding me." My progress?"

The supplies looted from the Iskandar region supported the march of the emperor's brigade. Five days later, they arrived at the Nabul River in the mountains. The river here is gathered between the valleys and plateaus. It is not linear but more similar to the shape of a lake. In summer, it flows everywhere The snow melted and turned into clear water flowing into it. Coupled with the sun's reflection, the entire river turned a beautiful blue color. The surrounding grass was lush, and the joyful soldiers would A large number of war horses and beasts of burden were scattered up and down the river to feed them, and they began to cut the remaining fodder and carry it in their luggage to meet the needs of the subsequent battles in the Five Rivers area, because the guides and polymaths in the army reminded that, There may not be food suitable for war horses in the land of five rivers in Sindh. Only the valley near the Peshawar Castle controlled by Ghazni Khan has horse herding land comparable to the Napur River Plain.

"The whole army will rest for three days, and then - leave the valley and march towards Multan!"

The emperor was so proud that he issued such an order.

Coincidentally, Ghazni Khan Yisrael, who had just collected supplies and soldiers in the Sindh area, happened to be stationed in Multan with his army.

Israel is a man with a dignified face, and is a faithful officer in the hearts of his followers. However, his defection from the battlefield to the Song Dynasty regime has caused him to be questioned and ridiculed. However, his prestige in the army is still unmatched. At this time, he is sitting on a high platform covered with a large carpet, asking his Ataborg Sertiz to issue recruitment orders for warriors inside and outside the city for the upcoming war with Gawain (he already knows the information that Gawain has entered the Sulmane Mountains).

The entire platform was filled with Ghazni warriors who were eager to try and cheering loudly. The two sides of the platform were lined with powerful bows and crossbows. Those who wanted to join the infantry team would take a bow and shoot, and their ranking would be determined by their strength to join different teams. Those who wanted to be cavalry would choose a horse from the Ghazni Khan's stable, and let them ride on it with a spear. Those who stabbed the wooden target would be qualified. Isler also personally hung his ring on the wall. Those who could lift it while riding a horse would be directly awarded the fief of Iqta. For the assessment of mounted archers, a ball would be placed on the ground. Those who could shoot it with a bow on horseback would also be awarded the fief of Iqta.