Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Pang De, leading the leader of the Shaodang Qiang tribe and numerous other smaller Qiang tribes, returned with Mi Tang's body and successfully reunited with Ma Chao. When the Qiang leaders, including E He and Shao Ge, saw Mi Tang's body, their joy was indescribable; they were overjoyed to the extreme. For so long, the terror and oppression wrought by Mi Tang had hung heavy over the Qiang tribe like a thick, dark cloud. Mi Tang's death seemed to lift all the pressure.

At that moment, the warm sunlight finally struggled to break free from the days-long haze, pouring down freely across the vast expanse of land. The radiance of the sunlight, reflected off the still-melting snow, caused the Qiang leaders to squint their eyes involuntarily. A long-awaited sense of relief seemed to well up within them. This wondrous feeling forced the Qiang leaders to close their eyes, allowing them to slowly absorb and feel it.

The leaders of the small tribes who had suffered from Mi Tang's cruel oppression for a long time had flames of anger and hatred in their eyes after seeing Mi Tang's body. They suddenly drew out the sharp scimitars at their waists and wanted to destroy Mi Tang's body wantonly, or even dismember him. It seemed that only by doing so could they vent the endless resentment that had been pent up in their hearts for a long time.

At this moment, Ma Chao stepped forward and raised his hand to signal everyone to stop. His face was solemn. He looked around at the excited crowd and slowly said, "Wait a minute, leaders! Although Mi Tang did many evil things in his life and brought us endless pain and disaster, he is dead now. In our concept, the dead are the greatest. No matter what sins a person committed in his life, when his life is gone, everything should disappear with him. We cannot let hatred cloud our reason and conscience. We should give the dead the respect they deserve. Mi Tang has paid the price of his life for what he did. Why should we commit atrocities on a lifeless body? Doing so will not really resolve the hatred in our hearts. Instead, it will make us fall into a narrow revenge. We should let go of the hatred of the past, look at the future with a broader mind and vision, and work together to create a better tomorrow for our people." Ma Chao's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the air. After listening to it, everyone gradually calmed down, slowly put down the scimitars in their hands, and began to rethink Ma Chao's words.

Ma Chao's words gave the surrounding Qiang people a new understanding and perspective of this broad-minded young leader. The Qiang leaders, who had just drawn their swords, worried that their actions might anger this powerful young man, commanding a large force, and holding such high rank, so they quickly knelt and sincerely apologized for their rash actions.

Seeing this, Ma Chao showed a gentle smile on his face. He hurriedly stepped forward and helped them up one by one, and said sincerely: "There is no need for you to be like this. You are all generous people, and your momentary impulse is understandable. I know that the Qiang warriors are all people who value friendship and loyalty, and I have always hoped to treat you sincerely and work together. Everything I do is for our common future, so that our people can live a stable and happy life. I hope to become a real family with you all, we will face difficulties together, share joy together, and let our friendship last as long as the heaven and the earth." Ma Chao's words deeply moved the Qiang leaders, making them truly feel Ma Chao's sincerity in conquering them and treating them sincerely, and also made them full of confidence and expectations for the future.

The leader of the Shaodang Qiang tribe led a group of leaders from smaller tribes to Ma Chao. They prostrated themselves on the ground, and said humbly, "Respected Great Han Commander, the Shaodang Qiang tribe is willing to surrender to you with all of our tribes. We also hope to be blessed by your grace and have a place to breathe and survive." Ma Chao looked at Pang De with a puzzled expression, and Pang De immediately explained the situation of Shaodang. It turned out that when the Shaodang Qiang tribe joined them in attacking Mi Tang, Mi Tang was already in trouble. Ma Chao then stepped forward to help the leader of the Shaodang Qiang tribe to his feet, and said gently, "As long as they yearn for peace and hope for peace, we will accept them." However, the Shaodang Qiang leader hesitated and said, "Respected Great Han Commander, there is something I don't know how to say." Ma Chao said doubtfully, "Just tell me what it is. Do you have a request?"

The Shaodang Qiang leader gritted his teeth and said, "While you were fighting Mi Tang, we took advantage of the opportunity to plunder Mi Tang's supplies and joined forces to capture Mi Tang's tribe. However, blinded by hatred, we completely destroyed Mi Tang's tribe and slaughtered all its people. But don't worry, we didn't touch a single cent of Mi Tang's property."

Ma Chao was immediately displeased after hearing this. He angrily said, "I don't care about the Mi Tang tribe's property, but you slaughtered the entire tribe, not even sparing the elderly, children, and women. What kind of hatred has blinded you? Even if there were many faults, as long as you kill Mi Tang and those who committed the evil, why can't you even tolerate his own tribe?"

The leader of the Shaodang Qiang said ashamedly: "Respected Commander of the Han Army, we have been oppressed too much by the Mitang tribe. The people of the Mitang tribe are cruel and ruthless. We said before the rise of the Mitang tribe that once the Mitang tribe starts a dispute with others, it will be a fight to the death. Even if the battle goes to the last woman and child, we will still harbor hatred. We just want to live quietly and peacefully. We really don't want to fight anymore." As he said this, tears actually shed in the eyes of this strong and courageous man, as if he was recalling the unbearable past.

The surrounding Qiang leaders all echoed, "Yes, yes, Mi Tang cannot sit on the throne of the Qiang King because of his ruthless and relentless style." Ma Chao said helplessly, "In that case, I can't blame you anymore. I just hope you can live in harmony in the future. There is plenty of place to graze horses and sheep on the vast grassland. As long as you unite, no foreign race will bully you." At this time, all the commanders breathed a sigh of relief. Fearing that Ma Chao would pursue them, they all praised Ma Chao's benevolence and kindness.

Ma Chao was deeply concerned about the soldiers of Xiliang facing the Xiongnu invasion. Meanwhile, the Shaodang Qiang had already eliminated the Mitang tribe, a concern at their back. Now, aside from the surrendered tribes, there was no other voice of dissent across the entire Eastern Qiang grasslands. Ma Chao decisively decided not to advance further. Instead, he used all the accumulated supplies of the Eastern Qiang Mitang tribe to reward the army and appease the various Eastern Qiang tribes, ensuring they could safely survive the difficult winter.

Ma Chao and the other leaders agreed to set up a Protector of the Qiang. The original intention and purpose of establishing the Protector of the Qiang was not to completely subjugate the Qiang people, but to hope that when any conflicts arose among the Qiang people, there would be such a special organization or department to mediate fairly and impartially so as to properly resolve conflicts and disputes; and when external forces invaded the Qiang people, there would be someone who could play a leading role and bravely stand up and take responsibility, so that the Qiang people could have solid support and strong support in such difficult circumstances.

Apart from the daily expenses of maintaining the Protector of the Qiang, no taxes were imposed on the border, allowing the Qiang people to recover quickly. Trade and agriculture were encouraged just like in the Western Qiang. The only difference was that if there was a war, Ma Chao would draw troops to help. However, Ma Chao also made it clear that he would only draw troops from the Eastern Qiang if someone invaded the Eastern Qiang. This undoubtedly gave the Eastern Qiang generals a reassurance. If this could be achieved, the Eastern Qiang tribes would be able to recover within one or two years.

Ma Chao said: "I will not set up a Qiang King for the Eastern Qiang for the time being. Each tribe will develop step by step. In this battle, E He Shao Ge and Shao Dang Qiang have made great contributions. The two tribes can divide the Mi Tang tribe and each occupy a part, but sufficient jurisdiction and authority must be left to the Protectorate of the Qiang Colonel. The Protectorate of the Qiang Colonel must be above all the leaders." Under the instigation of E He and Shao Ge, each tribe was willing to send hostages to Wuwei when they returned, and both the host and the guests were happy for a while.

Ma Chao properly arranged all matters, left Pang De behind, and asked Pang De to be responsible for preparing for the establishment of the Huqiang Cavalry Commandant's Office. Then he led his troops back to Wuwei without stopping.