Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 17: Suppressing Bandits, Promoting Trade, and Boosting Wuwei

Seeing that the Qiang tribe's affairs had been decided and he had been away from home for several months, Ma Chao proposed to say goodbye to Cheliji. Cheliji was unwilling to separate from his brother so soon and let Ma Chao stay in the tribe for another month. Ma Chao had been away from home for a long time and was homesick. Cheliji saw that he could not keep him, so he arranged for Qiang soldiers to follow him. He sent twenty carts of gifts and gave him meteorite iron. He said goodbye to Ma Chao with tears and gave him the Horse King before leaving. They agreed that Ma Chao would come to the grassland to meet him when he had time, but if there was a need, the Qiang King's Golden Sword could mobilize the unconditional support of the Qiang people.

With Cheliji's deep friendship, Ma Chao set out on his journey home. He rode the mighty horse Wang, with an upright posture and high spirits.

Along the way, Ma Chao was filled with emotion. His six months of interactions with the Qiang had left him with a profound appreciation for their warmth and generosity. He secretly resolved that one day he would return to these grasslands and ride alongside Cherji.

The soldiers who returned with Ma Chao carried gifts from the Qiang people. These gifts were not only material gifts, but also symbols of friendship between the Qiang people and Ma Chao.

Ma Chao was eager to return home, traveling day and night. Finally, he saw the familiar scenery of his hometown. He was overwhelmed with an indescribable emotion.

The moment he stepped into his home, his family members gathered around him, their eyes filled with joy and concern, and Ma Chao recounted his experiences among the Qiang people.

He told of his brotherhood with Cheliji and the hospitality of the Qiang people. His family listened with great interest and was filled with longing for that distant grassland.

Ma Chao took good care of the king horse given by Cheliji. He knew that this king horse was not only a precious gift, but also a testimony of his friendship with Cheliji.

Time flies, and during his time in his hometown, Ma Chao always thinks of the distant Cheliji and Qiang people. He looks forward to the day when he can reunite with them and continue that unforgettable friendship.

After Ma Chao returned home, Ma Teng summoned his fellow Mohists to discuss how to smelt the meteorite iron. They ultimately decided to forge it into a majestic golden spear with a tiger head. Craftsmen meticulously crafted it, working day and night, finally creating this peerless divine weapon. The spear gleamed with an icy light, and the tiger head radiated a fierce and imposing presence, as if possessing boundless power.

On weekdays, Ma Chao not only studied diligently but also honed his martial arts skills fervently. In the morning mist, he moved nimbly like a swallow, brandishing his spear, the tip tracing sharp arcs as if dancing with the rising sun. At night, moonlight shone on his nimble figure, his eyes focused and determined, each move imbued with boundless power.

Whenever bandits and robbers began to riot, Ma Chao would lead his men into battle without hesitation. He would charge into the enemy lines like a tiger out of its cage, his golden spear wielding a mighty dragon, his enemies utterly routed before his might.

His younger brothers, captivated by his charisma, aspired to emulate his bravery and fearlessness. Ma Chao gladly taught them martial arts, patiently guiding their every move. On the vast training grounds, Ma Chao demonstrated his movements himself, his movements flowing like water, powerful and forceful. His younger brothers, eyes wide open, diligently imitated his every move.

He would meticulously correct his brothers' postures, teaching them how to exert force and apply their techniques. Sometimes, he would conduct actual combat drills with them, allowing them to gain experience in real combat. The training grounds reverberated with their shouts and the clash of weapons.

In the process of teaching martial arts, Ma Chao not only focused on training his brothers in skills, but also on cultivating their courage and perseverance. He told them that the essence of martial arts lies not only in the mastery of moves, but also in inner tenacity and fearlessness.

Under Ma Chao's careful instruction, his brothers' martial arts improved day by day. Ma Teng saw this with joy, and it further strengthened his determination to train Ma Chao.

Once, a small, nearby tribe rebelled. Ma Chao led his army without hesitation. He led the charge, his men following closely behind, their morale high. On the battlefield, Ma Chao's wielding the Tiger-Headed Golden Spear was like a dragon emerging from the sea, unstoppable. His attacks were as fierce as a storm, leaving the enemy powerless to resist.

Ma Chao was unstoppable on the battlefield. After the war, he also understood the reasons for the tribal rebellion. In the border areas, ethnic groups lived together, and life was generally difficult. The people were tough and martial. It was not only necessary to defeat the rebellion, but also to change their lives in order to integrate the tribes.

After the rebellion was quelled, Ma Chao did not let his guard down. He understood the complex situation surrounding the region and the need for constant vigilance. Therefore, he advised his father to strengthen border patrols, cultivate friendly relations with other tribes, and mitigate potential conflicts through diplomatic means. He also suggested organizing caravans to promote economic development and alleviate the difficult conditions.

Ma Teng had a far-sighted vision and cared about the people of his hometown. He knew that relying solely on force could not completely change the plight of his hometown, so he accepted Ma Chao's suggestion and decided to form a caravan.

He carefully selected a group of experienced merchants and brave guards. In the process of forming the caravan, Ma Chao demonstrated outstanding organizational and leadership skills. He carefully planned the caravan's route, established connections with merchants from all over the country, and sought business opportunities.

The caravan crossed mountains and rivers, and overcame many dangers. Ma Chao led the way, not only to ensure the caravan's safety, but also to negotiate with merchants from all over the country to obtain the most favorable trading conditions.

Thanks to his efforts, the caravans gradually expanded in size and trade prospered, with a steady flow of goods, including grain, cloth, ironware and other necessities of life, being shipped back home.

The market in my hometown became bustling, shops opened one after another, and people's lives gradually improved. Smiles gradually appeared on their faces that were once in trouble.

Ma Chao not only focused on business transactions, but also on helping the people of his hometown. He established a chamber of commerce to organize merchants to discuss development plans, provided financial and technical support, and helped the people of his hometown to develop various side businesses.

With the continuous development of the caravan, the economy of his hometown has become increasingly prosperous. People's income has increased and their quality of life has been significantly improved. Ma Chao's efforts have not only changed the lives of the people in his hometown, but also brought them hope and confidence.

In the process, Ma Chao's prestige grew day by day. He was not only a hero in the hearts of his hometown people, but also an object of awe in the surrounding tribes.

The golden tiger-head spear, along with his illustrious military exploits, became his symbol. The gleam of the spear shone in the sunlight, as if telling of his glory.

However, Ma Chao wasn't content with his current status quo. He knew he still had enormous room for improvement, so he devoted himself even more diligently to studying and practicing martial arts. He absorbed wisdom from books and gained experience in battle, constantly striving for greater heights.

Thanks to his efforts, his hometown has become more and more peaceful. People live and work in peace and contentment, businesses are thriving, and the streets and alleys are full of life.

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