Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

At the turn of the year, Ma Teng keenly sensed something unusual, and a surge of worry welled up within him. Last winter's snowfall had been quite heavy, but thanks to the frequent travels of Ma Teng's caravan, life in the Western Qiang region, despite the strong winds and snow, was not significantly impacted. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Xinjiang region, the severe snowstorms resulted in numerous casualties and heavy losses. It was precisely because of Ma Teng's caravan's preferential allocation that the Western Qiang region was able to safely navigate this snowy year.

Because of the snowstorm, the Qiang people were facing immense hardship. However, Cheliji, thanks to the frequent traffic of Ma Teng's caravan, commanded abundant resources and a considerable military force. He provided assistance to those Qiang tribes that plied his trade, while ruthlessly annihilating those who exploited the situation to create unrest. Thanks to this carrot-and-stick approach, Cheliji's rule over the Western Qiang saw initial success. It was precisely this unification and prosperity of the Western Qiang that gave Mi Tang, King of the Eastern Qiang, a sense of deep crisis. The Eastern Qiang had already suffered heavy losses from the snowstorm and desperately needed to plunder supplies to sustain their tribe. Cheliji's rule allowed the Western Qiang to survive the snowstorm, but this also created internal instability within the Eastern Qiang. Consequently, after Han Sui provided him with some material support and used words to sow rebellion, Mi Tang, King of the Eastern Qiang, launched a rebellion, preparing to launch a movement in Wuwei.

Mi Tang, the King of the Eastern Qiang, took the lead in attacking the southern part of Wuwei. This action alerted Ma Teng to something unusual, so he immediately deployed his troops and prepared for a fierce battle with the King of the Eastern Qiang.

Nomadic peoples were known for their mobility; they were accustomed to striking out quickly, looting, and then quickly retreating, only to return again. This tactic posed a great challenge to Ma Teng, who knew that facing such an enemy, he must take effective countermeasures.

Fortunately, the Xiliang cavalry led by Ma Teng were no ordinary force. Although they suffered some damage in the battle, they remained brave and fearless, fighting a desperate battle with the Eastern Qiang King's troops.

However, misfortunes never come singly. Just as Ma Teng was engaged in a fierce battle with the Eastern Spear King, Han Sui, seizing Xiliang's weakness, united the forces of the eight smaller warlords of Xiliang and launched a full-scale attack on Wuwei. For a time, Wuwei was caught in a difficult situation, attacked from all sides and suffered heavy losses.

In this dire situation, Ma Teng faced enormous challenges. He had to quickly adjust his strategy and rationally deploy his forces to counter the attack from the King of Eastern Qiang and the combined might of Han Sui and his allies. At the same time, he also needed to devise every possible means to boost the morale of the Western Liang cavalry, ensuring they remained resilient in the face of adversity and fought to defend their homeland.

Ma Teng's forces were insufficient at the outset of the battle. Only after Han Sui and his men attacked his rear did he hastily request reinforcements from the imperial court and the garrisons in Zhangye and Jiuquan. However, due to the distance, reinforcements were slow to arrive and could only contain small local warlords, such as Yang Qiu and Youhou, preventing them from launching a full-scale attack on Wuwei.

When King Cheliji of the Western Qiang heard that Ma Chao, with whom he had a deep friendship, was absent and Wuwei was under siege, he was overwhelmed with anxiety and worry. He knew Ma Chao was a brave and fearless hero, and now Wuwei was in trouble without Ma Chao by his side, which made Cheliji extremely anxious and restless.

He paced back and forth in the tent, his brow furrowed, his face thick with worry. He was concerned for Wuwei's safety and Ma Chao's predicament, a feeling of anxiety that left him on pins and needles, unable to calm down for a moment. Cheliji knew that Wuwei's siege posed a formidable challenge to the entire situation, and he had to devise a strategy quickly to help Ma Chao and Wuwei through this difficult time.

Upon learning of the urgent siege of Wuwei, King Cheliji of the Western Qiang, despite having just successfully pacified and unified the various tribes of the Western Qiang, did not hesitate and decisively led his army to battle. Knowing the critical situation, he dared not delay for a moment and rode non-stop to Han Sui's stronghold in Jincheng.

During the march, King Cheliji of the Western Qiang was filled with a firm belief and a strong sense of mission. He understood that Wuwei was in danger and needed his support. The Western Qiang troops he led, driven by their love for their homeland and their determination to defend it, were filled with high morale and marched forward with unwavering resolve.

At the same time, the surrounding Western Qiang tribes also responded to Cheliji's call and joined the battle. Their advance was like a powerful force, putting tremendous pressure on Han Sui's forces in Jincheng, greatly delaying Han Sui's troop deployment and battle deployment.

While the other eight smaller warlords nominally participated in the operation, in reality, most of them were merely there to provide support. They attempted to exploit the chaos, seeking to reap some benefits and satisfy their own selfish desires. However, their actions could not alter the overall course of the war; they only complicated the fierce battle.

It is precisely because of this key reason that in a situation where many forces are competing with each other, Wuwei, despite being surrounded by dangers, still stands there firmly, unshakable and unyielding.

At this moment, Ma Teng's army was in a desperate plight. They had endured a long period of fighting and marching, and were already exhausted. The soldiers' faces were filled with fatigue and vicissitudes of life, and their eyes revealed a deep despair and tenacity. Their steps became heavy and slow, and each step seemed to exhaust all their strength.

Their armor was soaked with blood and sweat, and in some places it was even torn and no longer provided effective protection. Their weapons had also suffered varying degrees of damage in the battle, with some blades bent and others with their tips bent. Many soldiers' bodies were covered in scars, new wounds overlapping old ones, and some wounds were still bleeding, the pain tormenting them constantly.

Yet, despite the devastating trauma their bodies had endured, their resolve remained unwavering. Their resolve to defend their homeland never wavered, a resolve rooted in their deep love and attachment to this land. They knew their homeland lay behind them, where their loved ones lay. They could not allow the enemy to succeed, nor could they allow their homeland to be destroyed.

Under Ma Teng's army, even the ordinary soldiers and civilians displayed admirable courage and determination. They took up arms and joined the battle to defend their homeland. From young men to the elderly, from the frail women to the tender children, they all fought tirelessly to defend their homeland. They united in their efforts to resist the foreign enemy, demonstrating their love and loyalty to their homeland through their actions.

Their hearts were filled with hope for the future. They believed that as long as they united, they would defeat the enemy and defend their homeland. Their resolve was as strong as steel. No matter how powerful the enemy, they would not retreat or give up. This spirit of defending their homeland burned brightly in their hearts, becoming the driving force and support that kept them going.