Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

In the capital, at the Shangshu Mansion, Lu Zhi was reading in his study after finishing his court duties when he heard the doorman announce a letter from Han Shuo. He quickly had it delivered, opened it, and read it. Han Shuo expressed his longing for him and then offered to recommend a disciple, praising him profusely. This piqued Lu Zhi's interest and sparked anticipation. He was about to reply, suggesting that Ma Chao come to the capital to meet him. Shortly after, the doorman arrived with news that Ma Teng of Xiliang had sent soldiers with gifts, two carts laden with them. Lu Zhi was puzzled, but after a moment's reflection, he flew into a rage. Already troubled by the state affairs and resentful of the flattery and corruption pervasive among officials, he had just received Han Shuo's letter, and now Ma Teng's gifts arrived. He suspected Han Shuo had accepted Ma Teng's generous gift and then spoken on his behalf. The more he thought about it, the more angry he became. He ordered the doorman to expel the soldiers who had brought the gifts. He wrote back to Han Shuo angrily, using harsh words, "Recalling the past years when we were brothers, you were a sincere gentleman, concerned about the country and the people, and did not hesitate to write letters to the emperor on matters of state. You were persecuted by traitors and demoted to a cold and bitter place on the border. Although I feel sorry for you, I always admire your integrity. I didn't expect that after not seeing you for so many years, you have become a vulgar person, and you have been seduced by the powerful and betrayed for money. I am deeply ashamed of this." After writing the letter, he drew his sword and cut the bamboo mat. He then sent half of the bamboo mat to Han Shuo along with the letter.

However, Han Shuo received the letter with a wry smile in his eyes. He knew that Lu Zhi had misunderstood him, but he did not explain. He knew very well that Lu Zhi hated evil and would change his mind once he really met Ma Chao.

Ma Chao was unaware of what was happening here. After bidding farewell to Han Shuo and Ma Teng, he rode his horse eastward towards the Qiang area.

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Before he knew it, Ma Chao had been traveling through Xiliang for over ten days. Despite the dusty journey, he visited every city he encountered, replenishing supplies and changing into his embroidered robes. He also eliminated six or seven waves of bandits. Unburdened by the civilians, he acted with gusto, sparing the elderly and the weak. The fleeing bandits fled in all directions, and the name of the "Embroidered Ma Chao" spread throughout Xiliang. Bandits feared him, and the mere mention of the embroidered knights terrified him. Along the way, Ma Chao courteously declined numerous offers from officials, but officials constantly sought his services. With so many offers, he caught the attention of Geng Bi, the governor of Liangzhou (historically, he died in 187, but this is necessary for the novel's plot, so don't take it too seriously). Geng Bi, a benefactor of Ma Teng, had gradually promoted Ma Teng to the rank of Lieutenant General. Upon learning of Ma Chao's son's valor, he was overjoyed and reportedly recommended Ma Chao as a filial and incorrupt official, recruiting him as a military commander. However, his journey was temporarily halted because he could not find Ma Chao.

By this time, Ma Chao had entered Qiang territory. Green grass was gradually growing on the vast grasslands, and the occasional Qiang herdsman could be seen grazing. Ma Chao was at a loss, unsure where to go. He could only ask the herdsmen he met about the Qiang royal court. They generally offered him a warm welcome, and the affectionate Qiang women were particularly captivated by Ma Chao's handsome appearance. Ma Chao could only ask questions as he slowly made his way.

Ma Chao was traveling one day when he spotted a large group of young Qiang men, carrying lassoes and wandering the grasslands. Ma Chao approached to inquire and learned that a herd of wild horses had recently been spotted on the grasslands, and the king horse among them was exceptionally majestic. The tribal leaders had dispatched their warriors to capture the king horse and present it to the Qiang king as a birthday gift. Intrigued by this news, Ma Chao joined the others in their hunt for the king horse.

Horsemen galloped across the grasslands. Among them was a large group, clad in leather armor, scimitars hung from their waists, animal tusk ornaments adorned their necks, and leather helmets adorned with colorful feathers. Their sharp formation revealed an elite force. Surrounding the knights was a young man, his eyes sharp as an eagle, his brows pointed like a sword, his muscles muscular, and his presence radiant. He was a young warrior of the Western Qiang tribe, Prince Cheliji, the proudest son of the Western Qiang King. Cheliji's closest friend, Yueji, the son of a major Qiang tribal leader, also accompanied him. The two, in the prime of their youth, were dressed in fine clothes and galloping on horseback, full of high spirits. Determined to capture the Horse King, they led their vast force, charging forward with a roar. The tribes ahead of them all ducked in the distance.

After chasing for a long time, they heard someone in front say that they had found traces of a herd of wild horses in the southeast direction. Everyone was even more excited and ran to the southeast. Young and strong men from all tribes rushed to the southeast. The grassland was filled with a youthful atmosphere. They passed by various small tribes. In front of the tribal tents, the working mothers stopped their work, and the enthusiastic girls waved their hands and shouted, adding to the warm atmosphere.

A pure white steed galloped across the vast grassland, its hooves churning, its long mane billowing. Its majestic posture resembled that of a carrier pigeon, enduring a journey across the ocean, or a petrel soaring into the air amidst a storm. A long, moving neigh echoed through the grasslands. In response to this tragic neigh, a motley herd of horses emerged from all directions, rolling across the vast, early spring grasslands like an unstoppable tide. Hundreds, even thousands, gathered, whistling and galloping. Their long manes and tails swayed under the current's buoyancy, one after another, overlapping, coalescing into a single entity, rapidly advancing. It was a strange scene of interwoven beauty, a blend of galloping and powerful forces.

The arrival of the crowd caused panic among the wild horses. The pure white horse king led the herd into a furious gallop. Thousands of wild horses rushed forward like a chaotic torrent, stirring up a cloud of dust and dirt. The crowd followed behind, waving lassoes and whistling in pursuit. From time to time, a wild horse was lassoed, drawing cheers from the surrounding people.

They chased from the afternoon to dusk, and the herd of wild horses was still running in front. Wild horses have better endurance and they don't carry people, so they have an advantage over the knights' horses when running. Everyone's horses were exhausted and breathing out white air in large mouthfuls. Everyone could only slow down slowly, build a bonfire at the original place, get some food and rest for a while.

Seeing the people were no longer chasing them, the wild horses slowed down appropriately. The king horse even seemed to have intelligence and circled back to the front of the group, neighing triumphantly. With his proud head held high and his graceful mane twitching, he soared over the vast grasslands as vast as the sea, melody in harmony.

Cheliji was so obsessed with watching that he mounted his horse and galloped off. Yueji was worried about Cheliji's safety and led his team to chase him. Ma Chao was also very fond of this majestic BMW and mounted his horse to follow. The people who were resting here saw this scene and gave their heartfelt praise, saying that he was a real man. They really didn't have the strength to chase after him and could only rest for a while.

Ma Chao and Cheliji chased until the moon was at its zenith. The horse king, unfazed, continued to lead the charge with pride. Cheliji's horse collapsed, but fortunately, a team behind them arrived and replaced him with a replacement horse to continue the pursuit. Ma Chao was not so lucky. Without a backup horse, he galloped all day, and even his fine horse collapsed with fatigue. Ma Chao leaped over a wild horse, climbed onto its back, and followed the herd like a torrent, galloping off into the distance.