Without any stratagems, the two sides clashed head-on. A total of one and a half million men slaughtered one another along a battle line stretching dozens of miles outside Jerusalem.
The soldiers of Great Wei swung their weapons mechanically, their faces expressionless, while the Arab soldiers fought for their faith with fanatical eyes. The evenly matched armies waged an epic battle.
The battle lasted from noon until dusk. Both sides sounded the gongs to withdraw, then cleared the battlefield and counted their casualties.
Great Wei had lost two hundred thousand men, while the Arab army had lost three hundred thousand.
In the Arab command tent, the Caliph's face was livid. His army had already been outnumbered, and now it had suffered heavier casualties as well. If the fighting continued, his position would become extremely unfavorable.
At that moment, Muhammad Gorden suggested, "Caliph, I recommend a night raid tonight. They fought us all afternoon, so they're bound to let their guard down tonight. If we attack then, we'll surely succeed."
"Good. That's what we'll do," the Caliph said.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Chengdu said, "I didn't expect the Arab army to be so strong. We lost quite a few soldiers."
Li Yuanba said, "B-big fellow, you're b-building up their confidence and undermining our own. Tomorrow, I'll lead the charge. I refuse to believe they can stop these golden hammers of mine."
Yuwen Chengdu said, "Indeed. Our losses were so heavy today because none of us mighty warriors led the charge. Tomorrow, when we all take the field, we'll destroy them in a single battle."
Luo Song said, "King of Sweeping the North, I'm afraid we won't have to wait until tomorrow. I suspect the Arab army is very likely to launch a night raid tonight."
Yuwen Chengdu pondered for a moment, then