Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

That night, the victory celebration banquet in Wuwei City lasted until the early hours of the morning. All the generals and strategists present were drunk, their snores mingling with the smell of alcohol, which gave them a rare sense of relaxation.

The next day, as dawn broke, Ma Chao awoke from his hangover, feeling a throbbing in his forehead and a dry throat. After washing up, his trusted advisors and key generals soon gathered in the hall. Seeing him rubbing his forehead from time to time, Pang De quickly brewed a cup of strong tea and handed it to him, saying in a low voice, "Your Majesty, have some tea to soothe the effects of the alcohol."

Ma Chao took the teacup, his fingertips touching the warm rim, took a sip, glanced at everyone, and suddenly asked, "Xu Gongming hasn't woken up yet today, has he?"

Ma Dai couldn't help but laugh, "That guy was drunk the most yesterday and was lying unconscious on the table. I think it would be good if he could wake up tonight."

Everyone recalled Xu Huang's drunken antics the night before and burst into hearty laughter, instantly lightening the atmosphere in the hall.

Pang De looked at him with a hint of heartache and said softly, "Your Majesty drank too much yesterday. After all, you have been fighting for days and are exhausted. Your health is important."

Ma Chao took another sip of strong tea. The bitterness of the tea diluted the effects of the wine. He put down the teacup, his expression gradually becoming serious, and slowly said, "You are all my trusted confidants. I have called you all here today because I have a few words to say from the bottom of my heart."

Seeing his serious tone, everyone stopped laughing and listened attentively.

"Cheliji and I became friends when we were both lowly. We shared hardships in Xiliang and were as close as brothers." Ma Chao's voice was tinged with emotion. "Now, the entire Western Qiang tribe has submitted to us. I am the King of Liang, and he is the King of Qiang. We were originally peers, but now we have to distinguish between master and servant. If we hadn't all gotten drunk together yesterday, and if it weren't for that intoxication, how could I have accepted his ceremony of submission so readily?"

He gently stroked the rim of the teacup with his fingertips, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "He truly submitted, for the sake of the people of Xiqiang and for the long-term peace and stability of the Northwest. But this affection is weighed down by the title of master and servant, which ultimately makes me feel uneasy."

Upon hearing this, Xu Shu cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty is benevolent and remembers our past friendship, which is truly fortunate. However, the submission of the Western Qiang is of great benefit to Western Liang and all the tribes in the Northwest. King Cheliji’s actions are both an expression of respect for Your Majesty’s abilities and a long-term plan for the tribe. Although the titles of master and servant are set, the brotherhood can be preserved. If we treat him with sincerity and regard him as a brother, we can achieve both goals.”

Pang De nodded in agreement: "Mr. Xu is absolutely right. The King has always treated Cheliji King with the same devotion, and the people of Xiqiang have seen this and will naturally be grateful for the King's kindness. Titles are for the purpose of commanding unity, but affection is kept in the heart and does not prevent us from treating each other as before."

Hearing everyone's words, Ma Chao slowly nodded, picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp. He said in a deep voice, "What you all say is true. Now that we have accepted this allegiance, we must shoulder this responsibility. From now on, Xiliang and Xiqiang will be one and the same, guarding this northwestern land together. As for my brotherhood with Cheliji..." A faint smile appeared on his lips, "From now on, in private, I should still call him brother."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that he had resolved his inner conflict, and the atmosphere in the hall eased again.

Ma Dai frowned slightly: "Brother, are you really not going to spend the New Year in Xiliang? The brothers have been away fighting for two years, and it's not easy for them to come back. They should be allowed to have a reunion with their families to celebrate the whole festival."

Ma Chao tapped his fingertips on the edge of the table, his gaze fixed on the fine snowflakes drifting outside the window. His tone was calm: "There's no way to keep him here. In the two years since I left, the Central Plains have been in turmoil. Mr. Li Ru is holding things up in Chang'an. My return will allow him to have a more relaxed New Year."

He paused, looked at Ma Dai, and said with a solemn sense of entrustment in his eyes: "As for the soldiers, I had already dismissed them on the spot and sent them back to their hometowns to rest when we entered Xiliang territory. They can report to you again next spring."

Ma Dai's heart sank, and his tone became somewhat urgent: "What? Brother, you're not taking me with you on this trip back to Chang'an?"

“Bozhan,” Ma Chao grasped his wrist with a steady grip, “I can only truly rest assured with you in the Northwest. Now that the grasslands are at peace and the various tribes in the Northwest have united as one, it is a time of tranquility.”

He released his grip, stood up, walked to the map, and pointed his finger at the Xiliang territory: "The soldiers originally stationed in Xiliang have not fought a major battle for two years. I transferred 40,000 Xiliang cavalry to return to Chang'an with me. Although it is a temporary withdrawal of troops, making Xiliang seem weak, those veteran soldiers are resting at home and will report to your command next spring. It is not a case of empty troops."

At this point, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "Moreover, the Western Liang army is currently at its peak, and the people's hearts are united. Who would dare to harbor any covetous thoughts?"

As Ma Dai listened to his elder brother's arrangements, the disappointment in his heart was gradually replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility. He straightened his back, clasped his hands, and said, "Brother, rest assured, I will guard Xiliang well and wait for your return."

Ma Chao patted him on the shoulder, a smile in his eyes: "Good. After spring arrives, let the brothers train hard. Who knows, one day we'll have to go to the battlefield side by side again."

Jia Xu stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming with cunning, and slowly spoke: "Your Majesty, the Central Plains are currently embroiled in endless warfare, with various forces vying for power. This is a golden opportunity. If we can seize this moment and march south, we will surely achieve unparalleled feats. However, with only 40,000 iron cavalry, I'm afraid it will be difficult to shake up the overall situation."

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao's smile faded slightly, but his tone became increasingly composed: "I am not unaware of what Mr. Wenhe has said. However, please consider that the people of Xiliang have already paid too high a price during the previous invasion by foreign tribes; this time, the northern expedition to the grasslands has resulted in the loss of more than 100,000 soldiers. The soldiers are exhausted from the long battle, and the land of Xiliang also needs rest and recuperation."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the fields outside that were gradually coming back to life. His voice was tinged with emotion: "We fight on the battlefield ultimately to reduce the suffering of the people from chaos and turmoil. If we keep waging war and exhausting our troops, leaving them no chance to breathe, and making the people of Xiliang forever burdened with heavy military service and corvée, how are we any different from the rebellious troops we oppose?"

“My mind is made up. After returning to the Central Plains, I will not start a major war lightly for at least five years.” Ma Chao turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone with an undeniable determination. “Once Xiliang has recovered its strength, the people are living in peace and prosperity, food supplies are plentiful, and the soldiers are rested and recuperating, then it will be easy to raise the Xiliang cavalry again and sweep across the Central Plains.”

Jia Xu remained silent for a moment, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He clapped his hands and said, "Your Majesty cares for the people and considers the long term. This is truly a blessing for all living beings. Your subordinate admires you."

Upon hearing this, everyone cupped their hands in agreement, saying, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Ma Chao smiled slightly and gestured for everyone to sit down: "In that case, let the brothers rest well and let Xiliang catch its breath."

Ma Chao looked at Ma Dai, his eyes thoughtful: "The Sanfu region surrounding Chang'an was originally a fertile land, but years of war have left much of it barren. If we could transfer the military farming system of Xiliang there, it would not only give the displaced people land to cultivate, but also allow us to accumulate some grain."

He paused, tapping his knuckles lightly on the table: "Mr. Cheng Gongying has been in Xiliang for many years and is very familiar with the matter of military farming. With him overseeing things, things won't go wrong here. Let Zao Zhi come with me to the Central Plains, firstly to help me check the quality of the fields there, and secondly to bring our military farming maps over so that the people in Chang'an can learn from them."

Ma Dai clasped his hands in response and said, “Brother, rest assured. Over the years, I have learned the methods of military farming from Mr. Cheng Gongying in Xiliang. The methods of military farming in Xiliang have been perfected. Mr. Zao Zhi will surely be able to put them to use when he arrives in the Central Plains. However, Chang’an is currently disturbed by war, and it will probably be difficult to resettle the people.”

A sharp glint flashed in Ma Chao's eyes: "It is precisely because it is not easy that we must do it. Only when the people have land and grain will they no longer follow the chaotic army. Only when the fields in the Three Auxiliary Regions are replanted will Chang'an be truly secure."

In the following days, the rhythm of life in Wuwei City was a blend of solemnity and busy activity. Ma Chao personally oversaw two important tasks: first, to have the names of all the soldiers who died in the grassland campaigns, along with the names of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in previous battles, engraved one by one on the merit monument in the center of Wuwei City. The stone monument was already weathered and mottled from the wind and rain, but the newly engraved names exuded unyielding spirit, each stroke seemingly soaked in blood. Ma Chao stood before the monument, gazing at it for a long time, until the twilight spread over the clouds above the monument, before silently turning away.

Secondly, he led his personal guards to visit the families of fallen soldiers, going door to door. Pushing open the gates of those courtyards, some dilapidated, some tidy, and facing women, children, and the elderly, some weeping, some trying to appear composed, he would always first bow deeply before inquiring about their livelihoods: "Do you have enough clothes to keep warm in winter? Do you need help with the harvest? Are there any difficulties with the children's schooling or the elderly's medical care?" Whenever he heard of any difficulties, he would immediately order someone to write them down, then turn around and instruct the government to allocate grain, cloth, or arrange for manpower to help. Those hearts that had been frozen by the loss of loved ones gradually thawed with warmth in this genuine care.

During this time, he also met with the local and surrendered leaders of various tribes in Xiliang, from the chieftain of Dongqiang to the elder of Xiqiang, and then to the newly surrendered leaders of the small grassland tribes. He gently instructed them one by one: "Now that there is no war in the northwest, you can focus on leading your people to develop agriculture and animal husbandry. If there is a shortage of food or farming tools, just ask Ma Dai." Seeing the earnest expressions on their faces, he emphasized, "Only when the people's livelihood is stable can the tribe prosper. This is fundamental."

With things settled, Ma Chao summoned Ma Dai to his study and unfurled a detailed map of the grasslands. The map marked the location of Mount Langjuxu in vermilion, along with the surrounding pastures suitable for grazing. "Bozhan," he said, pointing to the southern foothills of Mount Langjuxu, his gaze sharp as an eagle, "Xiliang must develop agriculture and sericulture to replenish its granaries, but military training must not be neglected. I am giving you this map; remember, every two years, you must personally lead your cavalry to the grasslands."

Ma Dai leaned closer for a closer look and felt a chill run down his spine.

"South of Langjuxu Mountain is the shield of my Western Liang, and I will never allow any tribe to set foot here." Ma Chao's voice was as cold and hard as iron. "But if any tribe dares to graze or camp here, without even reporting it, kill them all. Let all forces on the grassland remember that this is a red line, and crossing it means certain death."

Ma Dai solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Brother, rest assured, I will obey your orders and ensure that no tribe on the grassland dares to cross the line."

Then, Ma Chao remembered something else and said to Ma Dai, "The Western Regions may have already heard about this northern expedition to the grasslands. You can draft a document detailing the achievements of our Xiliang cavalry in sweeping across the grasslands and slaughtering the Xianbei, as well as the fact that we are revered as 'Divine Might Heavenly Khan' by various tribes, and send a capable envoy to deliver it to the Western Regions."

He paused, then added, "There's no need to use force. Just tell them: Now that the Northwest is pacified, trade is possible. If they wish to submit, they can share in the peace; if they harbor disloyal intentions, they should consider the fate of the Xianbei."

Ma Dai nodded in agreement, keeping these instructions in mind. Inside the study, the flickering lamplight illuminated the two brothers' figures, and also reflected a blueprint for the long-term stability of the Northwest, which was slowly unfolding.