Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Under Ma Chao's terrifying pressure, the lesser chieftains were like frightened birds, not daring to rest for a moment. They urged their warriors to work day and night. In just three days, they miraculously tore down the walls of Ordo City. Afterward, the warriors tirelessly carried the heavy bricks and stones along the rugged road to Wolf Mountain.

After arriving at Wolf Mountain, everyone worked together with astonishing speed to build a high platform. The platform loomed majestically in the sunlight, as if eloquently depicting the intense and arduous journey. Meanwhile, supplies from the city were collected and piled up in a mountain. Although these supplies were extremely tempting for the tribe, under Ma Chao's intimidation, no one dared to touch them. Everyone waited obediently for Ma Chao's inspection.

During these three days, Ma Chao and his troops rested peacefully in their tents, recuperating from the fatigue of days of fighting.

Three days later, the small leaders trembled as they reported to Ma Chao on their mission. Ma Chao nodded slightly and ordered them to prepare. The army immediately set out for Wolf's Lair Mountain. The significance of this move was clear to everyone. In the past, the renowned champion, Huo Qubing, had conquered Wolf's Lair here, achieving unparalleled feats. Now, Ma Chao, leading his men there, seemed driven by the same ambition to emulate his predecessor and bring glory to the grasslands. The troops quickly assembled and marched in a neat formation toward Wolf's Lair Mountain, their horses' hooves kicking up clouds of dust.

The army arrived at Wolf Mountain in a mighty procession. Ma Chao, riding his majestic white steed, slowly approached the platform. Clad in silver armor, it gleamed in the sunlight, a commanding presence. His generals, solemnly guarding Ma Chao, followed closely.

Ma Chao dismounted and, with steady, powerful steps, ascended the steps to the platform. Below, soldiers were already standing with swords drawn, neatly arrayed around the platform in a tight formation. Their postures were erect, their gazes resolute, and they exuded a chilling aura of authority, like a group of steel-clad guards protecting this sacred ground.

The leaders of the smaller tribes climbed onto the platform in awe and knelt before Ma Chao, not daring to breathe. Below, the warriors of those tribes also knelt before the platform. The entire scene was solemn and hushed.

Ma Chao stood on the high platform, his gaze piercing, surveying the crowd below. His eyes held a mixture of triumphant pride and undeniable authority. After a moment's silence, Ma Chao slowly spoke, his voice resonant and clear, echoing through the mountains: "Everyone, today we have come to Wolf's Lair Mountain. This is where Champion Marquis Huo Qubing was once enfeoffed as Wolf's Lair. His remarkable military exploits raised the prestige of the Han Dynasty and instilled fear in the Xiongnu."

At this point, Ma Chao paused briefly, glancing at the soldiers and tribesmen below, then continued, "Now that we've fought hard and defeated the powerful Xianbei, we must leave our mark here. You, the warriors of these small tribes, have chosen to submit, and are like the wings of our army. As long as you remain loyal, I, Ma Chao, will treat you well. However, should anyone harbor ulterior motives and attempt betrayal, this very Wolf Mountain will be their burial place!"

The leaders of the small tribes were shocked and frightened when they heard what Ma Chao said, and they kowtowed hurriedly: "General, don't worry, we are willing to follow you until death, and we will never have any second thoughts!" The tribal warriors below the stage also shouted: "We are willing to follow you, General!" The shouts shook the sky and echoed throughout the valley.

Ma Chao nodded with satisfaction and turned to look at the general beside him: "Bring some wine!" A general quickly presented the wine. Ma Chao took the jar, poured the wine on the platform, and said loudly: "Today, I, Ma Chao, follow the example of the Champion Marquis and offer sacrifices to the heavens here. May the heavens protect our army and the Central Plains, and may there be eternal peace!" After that, he put the jar of wine down heavily, and the soldiers below the stage shouted in unison: "Long live! Long live! Long, long live!" The sound waves followed one after another, as if to break through the clouds, and echoed in the Wolf Mountain for a long time.

Ma Chao stood tall and proud on the platform, his cloak ruffling in the wind. With a solemn expression, he slowly raised a glass of wine, the liquid swaying slightly in the glass, reflecting a cool light.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze piercing the boundless expanse of heaven and earth, then gently poured the wine. The wine fell like a silver thread, melting into the earth of the platform. Then, he reverently lifted the cup with both hands, raising it to forehead height. With a loud and resolute voice, he declared to heaven and earth:

"Gods of Heaven and Earth! In the past, the Xianbei barbarians betrayed their loyalty and invaded Xiliang, burning, killing, looting, and destroying countless lives. This devastated the land and left the people in unbearable suffering. This blood feud is etched in my heart, and I dare not forget it for a single moment.

General Ma Chao, blessed with the protection of the Han Dynasty, and united with his men, we journeyed through Yanmen Pass and into the grasslands to avenge this grievance. Through countless fierce battles, hundreds of clashes both large and small, our men bravely risked their lives to achieve this victory. We conquered the city of Ordos, destroyed the Xianbei bandit's lair, annihilated their race, and ultimately brought justice to the people of Xiliang.

Today, at Wolf's Lair Mountain, I emulate the heroic feat of Champion Marquis Huo Qubing, who conquered Wolf's Lair, and offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. May this victory comfort the spirits of the fallen in Western Liang, and may they rest in peace.

At the same time, he declared to the tribes of the grasslands: "The great Han Dynasty's majesty will not be challenged. If any tribe attempts to repeat the Xianbei's mistakes, invading the Han borders and harming our people, do not blame Ma Chao and his soldiers for their ruthless swords. Wherever our army reaches, we will root them out and, like the Xianbei, completely wipe them out from the grasslands. I urge you all to be careful and not to entertain any illusions that may bring disaster upon yourself."

With that, Ma Chao slammed his wine cup down. The resounding sound echoed through the mountains, like a powerful warning to heaven and earth, and to the tribes of the grasslands. The soldiers below heard it and shouted in unison: "Mighty Han! The might of Heaven is mighty!" The sound shook the whole area and lasted for a long time.

Ma Chao gazed with a resolute and solemn expression at the newly completed platform before him. His voice resounded like a bell, "This platform will be called 'Hanwei Platform' in the future. It is meant to spread the might of the Han Dynasty and intimidate all quarters!" He then pulled a piece of writing from his sleeve and handed it to Xu Shu, who was standing beside him. With a serious and solemn expression, he said, "Yuanzhi, this is what I have in mind. Please write it down on the platform so that future generations can understand our ambitions and achievements."

Xu Shu took the article with both hands and nodded slightly, his eyes full of respect for Ma Chao: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will write this article with all my heart and live up to Your Majesty's trust."

Ma Chao turned around and looked down at the crowd below the stage again, and said loudly: "Today we are here to build the Hanwei Tower, not only to commemorate this victory, but also to show the world that our Han Dynasty is inviolable. Not an inch of our Han territory will be given up; our Han people are all protected. Any enemy who dares to invade will be wiped out like the Xianbei!" When the soldiers below the stage heard this, they were immediately excited and shouted: "Raise the majesty of the Han Dynasty! Raise the majesty of the Han Dynasty!" The shouts were like thunder, echoing for a long time in Langjuxu Mountain.

Xu Shu unfolded the article and saw the following eloquent words: "The King of Liang of the Great Han Dynasty, the mighty general Ma Chao, led his officers and men at Wolf Mountain to offer sacrifices to the gods of heaven, earth, mountains and rivers:

In the past, the barbaric Xianbei, with their ruthless ambitions, wreaked havoc on Western Liang. They burned, murdered, looted, and committed every kind of atrocity, leaving the land of Western Liang in mourning. The people were displaced, their homes reduced to scorched earth. Parents lost their children, children their parents. The living languished in ditches, the dead lay exposed in the wilderness. This hatred is unforgivable!

Although I am not talented, I have received the grace of the Han Emperor. With a heart full of loyalty and righteousness, I vow to seek justice for the people of Xiliang and to wipe out the bandits for my country. So I reorganized my army, trained my cavalry, and led my brave warriors out of Yanmen Pass and into the vast grasslands.

Wherever our army marched, it was unstoppable, its momentum unstoppable, its momentum unstoppable. The Xianbei bandits were utterly defeated, utterly terrified. Through countless fierce battles, our soldiers braved the enemy, watering the land with their blood and defending their dignity with their lives. Ultimately, we conquered the city of Ordo, the royal court of the enemy, utterly annihilated Kebineng's evil forces, and strangled Murong Xuepo's elite forces. This was the fruit of our soldiers' devotion, blessed by Heaven, and a manifestation of justice and righteousness!

Today, at Wolf's Lair, I emulate the heroic deeds of Champion Marquis Huo Qubing and seal the Wolf's Lair, offering comfort to the heroic spirits of Heaven and Earth and to the people of Xiliang who perished in this tragedy. May the deceased rest in peace and return to their homeland.

However, I also have a message for the tribes of the steppes: The Xianbei's demise is their own fault. If you harbor goodwill, establish friendly relations with the Han, engage in trade, and coexist peacefully, we will treat you with courtesy and share in the blessings of peace. But if anyone dares to follow in the footsteps of the Xianbei, covet our territory, and bully our people, do not blame my army for its ruthlessness. Wherever we go, we will raze their tribes to the ground, leaving you, like the Xianbei, to be reduced to ashes, never to rise again!

Xu Shu knew that this article was of great significance, so he began to read it carefully, secretly thinking about how to use exquisite calligraphy to permanently engrave this epic history on the Hanwei Terrace.

Xu Shu then ordered the preparation of brushes, ink, and other tools. He carefully ground the ink and moistened his brush on a nearby table. Then, holding his breath and concentrating, he meticulously inscribed Ma Chao's words in a vigorous and powerful hand, stroke by stroke, onto the specially crafted brocade. Once completed, the craftsmen immediately began meticulously engraving the words onto the raised platform, following the pattern on the brocade.

Ma Chao's cold gaze swept across the kneeling foreign leaders and the sea of ​​tribal warriors below. He spoke in a steady and forceful voice, "I've made my promise to you, and I will not break it. You may graze your livestock and multiply north of Wolf Mountain. You may take the supplies piled at the foot of the mountain, such as iron pots and tents, to alleviate the tribe's current predicament."

He paused for a moment, his eyes suddenly sharp as he scanned the entire audience like a hawk. He continued, "And I have only one purpose for having you here today to witness this ceremony. I want to warn you, your descendants, and anyone else who dares to cross Wolf Mountain. I have a warning for you—anyone who dares to cross Wolf Mountain will be killed!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was terrified and could not help but tremble. Then they knelt on the ground and shouted in unison: "Long live the general!"