Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Mi Tang was seriously ill and extremely weak. Upon hearing the shocking news, he, anxiously supported by his trusted followers, barely managed to bear down as he watched the chaotic scene unfold within the camp. Though Mi Tang still harbored a lingering resentment, he still attempted to rally his remaining forces for a desperate counterattack, hoping to reverse the spiraling situation. However, as his weary eyes gazed upon the sharply divided Qiang soldiers, a chilling realization washed over him. He realized the situation was hopeless and irreversible. Filled with helplessness and sorrow, he urged Mi Tang and his trusted tribesmen to evacuate the area hastily, returning as quickly as possible to the remote heartland of the Qiang people, to their former stronghold, seeking a last vestige of safety and security. The camp, once brimming with life and hope, now lay in ruins and endless sorrow.

Pang De, within the ranks, his hawk-like gaze darted around him. With his preternaturally sharp intuition, he miraculously detected Mi Tang's presence. In the chaotic crowd, surrounded by a group of tribal leaders, he saw Mi Tang, looking panicked, attempting to flee the smoke-filled battlefield in the chaos. Pang De's eyes widened instantly, and he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Don't let Mi Tang escape!" His voice resonated like thunder across the battlefield.

Upon hearing this, Xu Huang and Zhang Xiu were startled, their hearts aflame with fighting spirit. Without hesitation, they summoned their might and led their ferocious troops, charging with overwhelming force towards Mi Tang. Their momentum seemed to crush any obstacle before them.

Meanwhile, Ma Chao had keenly sensed this shift in the situation. Brandishing his spear, he bravely cut down the enemies around him with unwavering determination, shouting with a resounding voice like a bell: "Mi Tang has escaped!" This cry resonated like thunder in the ears of his loyal followers, who were still fighting for Mi Tang. The brave Qiang warriors, stunned by this cry, turned to find their leader and Mi Tang vanished from sight, as if they had vanished into thin air. The fighting spirit that had once burned like a flame within them was instantly extinguished, like a bucket of cold water poured over them, rapidly fading, replaced by a sense of bewilderment and loss.

Seeing this, Ma Chao seized the opportunity and ordered his troops to shout in unison, "Those who surrender will not be killed!" The cry reverberated across the battlefield like rolling thunder. The spearmen, who had long been ready to surrender, heard this commanding call and, without hesitation, quickly dropped their heavy weapons, squatting silently together, relieved. Some spearmen engaged in battle with the Western Liang army saw this, their fighting spirit instantly crumbling, and they casually tossed their weapons aside, as if their weapons had become meaningless. However, a small number of Qiang soldiers, loyal to Mi Tang and sworn to resist to the death, stubbornly stood their ground, unflinching in their desperate struggle against the Western Liang army. They desperately tried to delay Ma Chao's movements, hoping to buy Mi Tang more time to escape.

Seeing Generals Pang De, Xu Huang, and Zhang Xiu rushing off like arrows, Ma Chao knew that pursuing them now might not be enough. He abandoned his pursuit and instead focused all his energy on strangling the stubborn Qiang soldiers who remained, refusing to surrender. He wielded his spear with ferocious force, each strike carrying a deadly threat. Like an enraged lion, he unleashed his fury and engaged in a thrilling battle with the stubborn Qiang resistance. On this battlefield, shrouded in smoke and blood, the cries of killing and the clashing of weapons blended together, creating a scene of immense brutality and heart-stirring intensity.

Soon, the battlefield quieted, the sounds of fierce fighting fading. Ma Chao dismounted and handed his blood-stained spear to his guards. Meanwhile, the surrendered tribal leaders, surrounded by E He and Shao Ge, hurried forward, ready to greet Ma Chao. Before Ma Chao even reached them, they eagerly began shouting, repeatedly praising him, "Godly and Mighty General!" Then, they prostrated themselves respectfully. Seeing this, the surrendered Qiang soldiers behind them joined in the chant, "Godly and Mighty General!"

Seeing this, Ma Chao hurried forward, personally helping E'e He and Shao Ge to their feet. Then, he gestured to the other Qiang leaders to rise as well. He spoke gently to them, "Everyone, the Eastern Qiang and our tribes are neighbors, and we have always lived in peace. If it weren't for Mi Tang's endless desire to attack our Western Liang tribe, there wouldn't be such a brutal battle today. I, Ma Chao, am deeply pleased that you have turned from evil to good at this critical moment. You should all be well aware of Mi Tang's actions towards your tribes over the years. Since you have surrendered so loyally, why not share your wishes with me?"

After Ma Chao finished speaking, he looked at the other leaders, as well as E'e and Shao Ge. The other leaders also looked at E'e and Shao Ge expectantly. E'e and Shao Ge said hesitantly, "General, we made a promise to these leaders without authorization. As long as we surrender, we will be treated the same as our Western Qiang brothers." Ma Chao looked at Western Qiang Cheliji and laughed heartily. "Isn't that as it should be? Fighting won't make a tribe prosperous. Only through hard work and a determination to defend our homeland can the people of the tribe live and work in peace and contentment, leading a happy life." With that, Ma Chao laughed heartily, and the other leaders joined in the laughter.

Ma Chao was well aware that intertribal warfare was often brutal and complex. He likely believed that wars often stemmed from conflicting interests, competition for resources, or the ambitions of certain leaders. He also understood that these wars brought immense pain and loss to the people of both tribes, whether in the loss of life or the destruction of homes.

At the same time, he may have realized that tribal warfare was not the best way to resolve problems. Peaceful coexistence and mutual cooperation might bring greater well-being, but under the circumstances of the time, this ideal state was not easy to achieve. He may have felt dissatisfied and indignant at the acts of provoking war without cause, and criticized those leaders who launched wars out of selfish desires.

On the other hand, Ma Chao, himself caught in the middle of a war, approaches it with a pragmatic attitude, viewing it as a necessary means to defend his tribe and sphere of influence. He decisively strikes back against attacks from hostile tribes to ensure his own survival and development. But perhaps he also secretly hopes that one day the tribes will find a more peaceful and long-term path to coexistence and development.

Mi Dang led his troops to closely guard Mi Tang, fleeing the battlefield hastily into the distance. The trusted leaders following behind, caught off guard by the suddenness of the situation, didn't even have time to lead their entire tribes. Some followed alone, while others brought only a few close guards. As he hurried along, Mi Dang offered encouragement to the leaders of each tribe, promising them that if they could safely return to their respective tribes, they would rise again. To those who rebelled, Mi Dang solemnly promised that, if successful, all the territories of the rebellious tribes would be divided among the loyal leaders.

Mi Tang was seriously ill at the time, and in such a hasty and rapid gallop, he could barely control his horse and could only do his best to stay on top of it. Listening to Mi Dang's encouraging words, Mi Tang felt a sense of relief. He felt that even if he failed this time, Mi Dang was a very qualified successor. Perhaps after returning to the tribe, he could stop worrying about tribal management and hand over everything to Mi Dang.

Even as Mi Tang was lost in thought, the pursuers were drawing closer. Pang De, Xu Huang, and Zhang Xiu were leading their armies in hot pursuit. Seeing no way out, Mi Dang ordered the other tribal leaders to escort Mi Tang away, while he himself turned back with his own troops, hoping to stop the pursuers. Mi Dang dared to act this way because he hadn't seen Ma Chao among the pursuers. He couldn't help but yearn for a fight with Pang De, Xu Huang, and Zhang Xiu, three former defeated generals.