Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Amid cheers, Ma Chao raised his hand and slowly pressed down on the crowd, his expression slightly grave as he said, "This expedition to the grasslands saw us lead a total of 170,000 troops. Although we have achieved a great victory, our army has also suffered heavy losses."

Ma Chao first turned his gaze to Marshal Yueji of the Western Qiang and asked, "Marshal Yueji, how many soldiers do you have left?" Marshal Yueji looked grief-stricken and said with a slightly choked voice, "My troops still have five thousand brave warriors." As he spoke, his eyes turned bloodshot, a look of grief and pain.

Ma Chao nodded slightly, then looked at Shao Ge, the leader of the Eastern Qiang, and asked, "Leader Shao Ge, how many soldiers do you have left?" Shao Ge looked somber and replied, "My troops still have about six thousand left." Ma Chao sighed inwardly. This battle not only cost the Eastern Qiang twenty-four thousand warriors, but also caused the deaths of their leaders, E He and Shao Dang, forever. How could it not be heartbreaking?

Ma Chao scanned the crowd and continued, "Not only these two tribes, but the Jie tribe, which originally had 50,000 soldiers, now only has 1,000 left. And my Xiliang Iron Cavalry, which sent 60,000 troops, now only has 20,000 in total. This battle seems like a great victory, but it is actually a Pyrrhic victory."

Everyone fell silent after hearing this. Many generals clenched their fists, their eyes filled with grief and resentment, thinking of their fallen comrades. The atmosphere in the tent was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

At this moment, Xu Huang sensed the tense atmosphere and quickly spoke up, "Your Majesty, you can't say that. Throughout history, perhaps only General Huo Qubing has ever reached this place. But he merely charged in; nothing compares to Your Majesty's achievement—to slaughter the grasslands, wipe out the Xianbei tribe, and exterminate them entirely! Such a feat is unparalleled in history! Your Majesty, what an honor this is!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao laughed and scolded, "You fool, this is all thanks to the hard work of all the generals. If it were just me, let alone nearly a million people, I could kill nearly a million cattle and sheep, even if I worked myself to death."

Xu Huang's words gradually lightened the mood. The generals chimed in, praising Ma Chao's brilliant leadership and their own valiant performances on the battlefield. One said, "That's right! If it weren't for His Majesty's skillful command, how could we have achieved such a glorious victory?" Another echoed, "Yes, though there were sacrifices, this battle is enough to make all the tribes of the grasslands respect our army and to bring glory to our Han Dynasty!" The atmosphere was once again lively, and the tent was filled with laughter and joy. While remembering their fallen comrades, they also felt proud of this hard-won victory.

Ma Chao then turned his gaze to the grassland chieftain beside him. Although his expression still carried a smile, it had a hint of majesty as he said, "Chief Jin Cuo, please tell us your feelings after this battle."

Jin Cuo hurriedly stood up, his face filled with awe, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, and said, "The might of the Heavenly Khan! The Heavenly Khan! Since the beginning of our history on the grasslands, we have never seen such a powerful army, such a wise ruler. The Xianbei have always dominated the grasslands, yet they were wiped out in one fell swoop by the Heavenly Khan. It is truly an earth-shattering achievement. We have witnessed the might of the Heavenly Khan's army with our own eyes, and from now on, we will only have awe and submission in our hearts. We are willing to follow the Heavenly Khan forever, obey his commands, and serve the Heavenly Khan's great cause with utmost loyalty." After Jin Cuo finished speaking, he respectfully bowed deeply.

Ma Chao's smile faded slightly. His gaze slowly swept from Jin Cuo to all the grassland leaders present. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority: "What Chief Jin Cuo said is indeed true. However, I want you all to understand that the grasslands are no longer what they used to be. You have all seen the fate of the Xianbei. I, Ma Chao, was able to destroy the Xianbei, and I can ensure your safety, provided that you sincerely submit and do not harbor any disloyalty."

He paused slightly, his gaze sharp as a hawk's: "If anyone tries to play dirty tricks behind my back or disobeys orders, don't blame me for being ruthless in military law. Although my army has suffered some losses in this battle, it is by no means difficult to sweep across the grasslands again."

The tent fell silent instantly. The grassland leaders dared not even breathe. The previously relaxed atmosphere had turned tense and oppressive. Ma Chao glanced around and, seeing the awe and fear on their faces, softened his tone, saying, "But as long as you follow me wholeheartedly, I will certainly not treat you unfairly. From now on, all the grassland tribes will help each other, live in harmony with our army, and jointly create a peaceful and prosperous world for the grasslands."

Jin Cuo hurriedly replied, "Khan, rest assured, we will remember your teachings and dare not disobey in the slightest." The other steppe leaders echoed him, hastily expressing their loyalty. Ma Chao looked at them, knowing that although this warning had created tension, only by instilling true awe in these steppe forces could the steppe remain stable in the future. So, he smiled again and said, "In that case, let's continue drinking. Today's victory banquet must be enjoyed to the fullest!" The tent gradually regained some of its lively atmosphere.

After the banquet, the noise in the tent gradually subsided. Ma Chao deliberately kept Xu Shu, Jia Xu, and Lu Su behind. The candlelight flickered in the tent, and Ma Chao looked at the three strategists with a solemn expression, slowly saying, "Now that the war on the grasslands is over, our army should also plan our return journey. However, the route we take back is of paramount importance. I wonder what insightful opinions you three gentlemen have?"

After the banquet, the candlelight flickered in the tent. Ma Chao kept Xu Shu, Jia Xu, and Lu Su behind to discuss the army's return route.

Xu Shu was the first to offer a suggestion. He said intently, "My lord, I think we can take the same route we came by, return through Yanmen Pass, and then take Bingzhou back to the Central Plains. This route has a great advantage: now that the Xianbei and other tribes have been destroyed, their cattle and sheep are scattered along this road. If our army returns via this route, we will certainly not lack supplies. In this way, we can ensure that the army has sufficient food and reduce the many troubles that may be caused by searching for supplies."

After listening, Lu Su nodded slightly and replied, "Mr. Xu is right. Taking this route can indeed provide convenience in terms of supplies, and our army is more familiar with the route we came from, so the risk of marching is relatively small."

Just then, Jia Xu smiled slightly and took out a meticulously drawn map from his sleeve. He gently unfolded the map, pointed to the markings on it, and explained methodically, "Your Majesty, please take a look. This is the route the left flank of the army has taken. Combined with the information provided by the three merchants, and after some adjustments, we have another route. We can first pass through Ordos City, then proceed towards the Yinshan Mountains, and then take the Yinshan route into Xiliang." Jia Xu's analysis was logical and well-supported by a map, making it impossible not to believe him.

Ma Chao listened attentively to the three men's suggestions, his gaze lingering on the map. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly concluded, "What you all say makes sense. After much consideration, I still believe it's more appropriate to listen to Mr. Jia Xu and head to Xiliang first. After all, so many brothers fought alongside us. We started with an army of 170,000, but now only a little over 30,000 remain. We must return to Xiliang to give our people an explanation. Those brothers who died on the grasslands, they fought for us, and their souls must return home. Returning to Xiliang first will allow our brothers to rest in peace in their hometown and bring comfort to their families. Furthermore, Xiliang is the foundation of our army. Returning to consolidate our foundation before making other plans is the prudent course of action."

Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing Ma Chao's words. Thus, the return route was determined, and the army would first head towards Xiliang.

After determining the return route, the entire army was immersed in the excitement of embarking on their journey home, as if long-suppressed emotions had found an outlet, and morale soared instantly. The soldiers were filled with longing for their hometowns and an eagerness to return. After only one day of rest, the generals flocked to Ma Chao's camp to request orders.

Pang De, the leader, clasped his hands and said, "My lord, the brothers are all eager to return home and reunite with their families. We've been holding our breath all this way, just waiting for your command." The other generals echoed his sentiments, expressing the soldiers' anticipation of setting off as soon as possible. Looking at these loyal generals, Ma Chao felt a surge of satisfaction. He waved his hand and said heartily, "Good! Since the brothers are so eager, let's not hesitate, we'll depart tomorrow!"

The next morning, before dawn, the army had already assembled. Ma Chao, mounted on his tall horse, surveyed the ranks with unwavering determination. After two years of fighting, the soldiers bore the marks of time, their armor tattered, but the resolve in their eyes and their longing for home remained undiminished. At a command, the army began its journey home in a grand procession.

Before their departure, the grassland chieftains stood respectfully by the roadside, watching the army leave. Looking at these soldiers, battle-hardened and somewhat disheveled, the chieftains' fear remained undiminished. Ma Chao's formidable reputation and the army's powerful strength were deeply etched in their minds. Only when the army's figures disappeared into the distance did these chieftains secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

However, they never expected that when they returned to their tribe, they would be met with a scene of utter devastation. The tribe had been ravaged by the remnants of Murong Xuepo and Ulanda's forces. Tents were burned, possessions were looted, and many tribesmen were either murdered or taken captive. The once peaceful and harmonious tribe was now a scene of devastation and mourning. The chieftains, witnessing the carnage, were heartbroken and utterly helpless. They didn't know how to clean up the mess, how to comfort the surviving tribesmen, or how to cope with this sudden and unexpected tragedy. Meanwhile, Ma Chao's army was marching further and further away, embarking on their journey home.

The army embarked on their return journey, encountering a raging blizzard that made the march extremely difficult. The biting wind, carrying blizzard snow, lashed at the soldiers' faces like knives, chilling them to the bone. The ground was covered in a thick layer of snow, the horses' hooves sinking deep into it, making each step incredibly difficult.

Fortunately, during their conquests and massacres of various tribes, they had released the cattle and sheep that they couldn't finish grazing back onto the grasslands. Now, on their return journey, they frequently encountered herds of cattle and sheep. These animals provided a steady stream of supplies for the army, relieving them of any worries about provisions.

The campaign against the grasslands yielded a rich harvest, with countless amounts of gold and silver. The soldiers carried heavy loads of gold and silver treasures, and also carefully carried the ashes of their fallen comrades. These ashes bore witness to their longing and sorrow for their departed comrades, weighing heavily on the hearts of every soldier. They knew these brothers had given their lives for this war, and they bore the heavy responsibility of bringing them home.

On this arduous journey home, the longing for their hometown and the promise to their fallen comrades fueled the soldiers' burning desire to return. Despite the blizzards and the difficult terrain, not one of them faltered. They supported and encouraged each other, sharing a single belief: to return to Xiliang as soon as possible, to send their fallen brothers back to their homeland, and to let them rest in peace.