Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

As the Lunar New Year drew closer, the aroma of cured meat wafted through Wuwei City. The soldiers guarding the city chatted about New Year's goods as they changed shifts, and even the chilly wind was tinged with the warmth of anticipation for family reunions. At this juncture, military reports from various quarters, accompanied by the sound of horse hooves, reached Ma Chao's desk.

The first to arrive was news of victory from the Eastern Qiang. Pang Rou, acting as the Protector of the Qiang, had long since contacted the three Qiang tribes of Ehe, Shaoge, and Shaodang, and their combined efforts had decisively defeated the invading Midang tribe. However, Midang was a fugitive. After his defeat, he fled south into Bingzhou, where he joined forces with Huochuquan, who was causing rebellion there. The combined power of these two forces posed a new threat to Bingzhou. The letter also reported that upon hearing of Ma Chao's decisive victory over the Xianbei at Wuwei, the leaders of the Ehe, Shaoge, and other tribes were packing their bags, vowing to personally meet him in Wuwei. After this victory, the powerful Western Liang cavalry had become a trusted force in the eyes of all tribes, and a word of Ma Chao's favor was a guarantee of stability for them in the coming year.

Two days later, military reports arrived from Xu Rong of Bingzhou. The handwriting on the letter was hastily written, as if it had been written fresh after the battle. He had faced off against the Xiongnu general Huochuquan in Bingzhou. The fierce battle had left both sides suffering casualties. Although neither side had gained an absolute advantage, it had reassured the people of Bingzhou, who were in a state of panic. Now, the able-bodied men in the countryside were spontaneously forming groups, some armed with hoes, some with kitchen knives, and even some with broken spears, all willing to follow the government in a fight against the Xiongnu. Even more haunting was the letter's closing sentence: "Amidst the chaotic enemy, a captain named Qian Zhao, through sheer recklessness and sheer ruthlessness, had amassed a force of twenty to thirty thousand men." These men were mostly landless farmers, bereaved hunters, and scattered frontier troops. Their clothes were ragged, their weapons worn, but their eyes burned with fire, becoming the unquenchable light of Bingzhou beneath the Xiongnu's iron hooves.

In the military report, Xu Rong even specifically mentioned Gongsun Zan—it turned out they had already joined forces with Gongsun Zan to completely wipe out the Xiongnu forces in Hedong County. Now that Hedong County had been stabilized, it became Gongsun Zan's temporary base, finally giving him a solid foothold.

The letter stated that he was busy contacting the young general named Qian Zhao, hoping to see if he could win over this force that had risen from despair. Meanwhile, Bingzhou had already raised its recruitment banner, intending to recruit troops and intensify training while adopting a steady and cautious strategy against the Xiongnu, advancing the war step by step.

Finally, Xu Rong also mentioned that Bingzhou’s military supplies are currently tight, and he has already borrowed food and grass from Tianshui County and Longxi County, hoping that Xiliang can coordinate.

Ma Chao finished reading, his fingertips pausing on the word "Qian Zhao" before turning to Cheng Gongying. "Xu Rong's arrangements are sound. Gongsun Zan's ability to maintain stability in Hedong will be beneficial for containing the Xiongnu. That Captain Qian Zhao, capable of mustering tens of thousands of troops, is no ordinary man. We must treat him with sincerity."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Regarding the matter of food and fodder, you must immediately send orders to Tianshui and Longxi counties. They must allocate all that Bingzhou needs without fail. Have the officials of each county cooperate fully to ensure that the front lines have no worries about food and fodder."

Cheng Gongying bowed and replied, "I will arrange it right away."

Ma Chao folded the report and cast his gaze once again upon the Bingzhou territory on the map. The various factions gradually began to align, like scattered chess pieces finally finding their rhythm. This war spanning several states finally began to take shape.

Just five days before New Year's Eve, a letter from Chang'an arrived before Ma Chao. In it, Li Ru detailed the recent events in Chang'an: Yuan Shao had taken advantage of the Xiliang main force's absence to launch an attack on Chang'an. At this critical juncture, Zhang Yan's Black Mountain Army chose to surrender, and Li Ru capitalized on this force to annihilate the forces led by Yuan Tan and Yan Liang in one fell swoop.

At the end of the letter, Li Ru said firmly: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Chang'an is now as secure as a rock."

Ma Chao read it word for word, feeling a surge of heroic spirit in his chest. He slammed his fist down on the desk, causing the ink to tremble slightly. He shouted to his attendants, "Look! While we're fighting bloody battles on the front lines, resisting the enemy, old Yuan Shao is so shameless as to try to seize Chang'an. What a brilliant plan!"

His eyes flashed, and his tone was filled with excitement: "Thanks to Mr. Wen You's strategic planning, and the full support of the Black Mountain Army, we not only thwarted the enemy's plot, but also completely wiped out the invading enemy. This battle has really boosted our army's morale!"

Li Ru analyzed, "This will surely deter the princes of Guandong from turning their backs on the west. Your Majesty can seize this opportunity to launch an army from Beidi County, first recapture Shuofang County, then advance to Wuyuan County, and then all the way to Yunzhong County. Then, by joining forces with Xu Rong and Gongsun Zan, we can annihilate the Xiongnu rampaging across Bingzhou in one fell swoop and capture the entire province."

Xu Shu was excited upon hearing this and continued, "This is a brilliant plan! This way we can completely control the northwest. The next step is to occupy Bingzhou and look towards Youzhou. Then our army will be able to firmly control the overall situation in the northwest."

Everyone in the tent was in high spirits, but Lu Su looked at the map, frowning slightly, and said worriedly, "The northwest has always been vast and sparsely populated. Although it is easy to capture, the defense line is too long. I'm afraid it will be a troublesome task to defend this territory in the future."

Upon hearing this, Fa Zheng stepped forward and said, "Don't worry, Zijing. Once we capture Shuofang County, we can station troops and set up defenses in the Yin and Helan Mountains, creating a stronghold that will complement the Qilian Mountains from afar. Although the Tengger Desert separates the two mountain ranges, it will connect our defenses. If the foreigners dare to attack again, our forces will be able to support them from both sides, forming a strong support for each other, without any worries."

Xu Shu gazed intently at the rolling mountains and vast grasslands on the map, his tone growing increasingly passionate. "If we can firmly hold the northwest, and from there use it as a base to sweep north, then we can turn southward and the Central Plains will be within our grasp! Just imagine, the northern grasslands are home to fine horses. Once we control this fertile land, our cavalry will have a constant supply of combat power. Those galloping steeds are no match for the sluggish steeds of the Central Plains. They'll trample across the plains and charge through strong enemy lines, unstoppable!"

He stretched out his hand and drew a heavy stroke on the map, stretching from Yunzhong County to the banks of the Yellow River. "With our unrivaled cavalry, we can gallop across the vast expanses of the Central Plains when we advance, and rely on the mountains and rivers to defend our positions when we retreat. Even Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, if we do, what can they do to us? In the past, Qin united the six kingdoms with Guanzhong, and Han conquered the world with its cavalry from the north. Now, this opportunity lies in our hands. If we can advance cautiously and sweep across the Central Plains with our cavalry, the world will be reshaped by us!"

Li Ru stroked his beard and nodded, adding, "Yuan Zhi is absolutely right. The fine horses of the north are not only a source of strength, but also a source of confidence. The Central Plains princes mostly rely on infantry and chariots, but when faced with our cavalry charge, they are crushed like dry wood and rotten wood. Once the northwest and north are completely pacified, we will recuperate for three to five years and train hundreds of thousands of armored cavalry capable of crushing the Helan Mountain Pass. By then, we will have reached the Yellow River and marched south. Luoyang and Xuchang will be within reach. The saying 'He who controls the north controls the world' is exactly this principle."

Ma Chao listened to the men in the tent plotting the future. Though his heart surged with ambition, his fingertips slowly paused from tapping the tabletop. He gazed at the winding rivers and crisscrossing passes on the map, his expression gradually growing calmer. The situation in the Central Plains was treacherous, and the northern tribes were still entangled. Even with a blueprint in mind, he still needed to proceed cautiously.

While he was pondering, a personal guard came from outside the tent to report: "Your Majesty, the leaders of the three Eastern Qiang tribes, Ehe, Shaoge, and Shaodang, have arrived at the city gates and earnestly request an audience."

Ma Chao raised his eyes, scanning the ranks of the tent. "Your plan perfectly aligns with my liking, but I'll consider the key points. Now that the Eastern Qiang leaders have arrived, I'll go greet them." He then turned to Pang De and spoke calmly, "Mingming, since the three leaders are here, invite their sons and nephews who are studying in Wuwei to come out, so that fathers and sons, uncles and nephews can reunite."

As early as when suppressing the Eastern Qiang Mi Tang Rebellion, these tribes, as a token of their sincerity, sent their sons and nephews to Wuwei, nominally to study with renowned scholars, but in reality as hostages. Ma Chao's move was both a gesture of sympathy and a silent appeasement.

Soon, Ma Chao, Pang De, and the others arrived at the city gate. In the cold wind, E He, Shao Ge, Shao Dang, and a group of Eastern Qiang leaders had already been waiting with their troops by the roadside. Seeing Ma Chao personally coming out of the city to greet them, they were all startled and hurried forward, bowing before Ma Chao's horse with the utmost respect.

"General Shenwei Tian, ​​ah, no, Your Majesty!" Chief Ehe's voice was a little excited and a little terrified. "How dare we trouble Your Majesty to come out and greet us in person? You are really embarrassing us!"

Shao Ge quickly echoed, "Your Majesty, despite being so busy with so many things, still bothers to care about us, your humble tribe. We will never forget this kindness!"

Ma Chao dismounted and extended his hand to support them: "My leaders have come from afar, and it is the end of the year. How can I be negligent? Please stand up and follow me into the city to talk." His eyes were gentle, but majestic, which relieved the leaders' awkwardness and they quickly thanked him and stood up.

Ma Chao glanced at the crowd, his tone filled with genuine concern: "This time, the Mi Dang tribe has harassed the Eastern Qiang. How much damage has been done to the people of your tribes?"

Upon hearing this, everyone bowed again. When Chief Ehe looked up, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Thanks to the king's divine power, and with General Pang Rou, the Protector of the Qiang, stationed in Eastern Qiang, commanding all the tribes, he unified the command. Although the battle was difficult and the tribe suffered losses, we ultimately made it through safely." Shaodang added, "Eastern Qiang's current peace is entirely due to the king's protection. Previously, they were oppressed by Mi Tang, and now face the attack of Mi Tang. It's only thanks to the king's prestige that we've been able to survive. This kindness will never be forgotten by our descendants!"

"Look at you, you're at it again." Ma Chao smiled and waved his hand, his tone a bit of gentle rebuke, "Hurry up and get up." After the three of them stood up, the leaders of the tribes behind them also stood up. Ma Chao pointed behind him and said, "Come, look who's over there."

E He, Shao Ge, and Shao Dang looked in the direction he pointed and saw a group of young men dressed in Han Chinese student uniforms standing not far away. They were the nephews and nephews they had sent to Wuwei. For a moment, the leaders' eyes welled up and they subconsciously moved forward.

Ma Chao sighed softly, his voice deepening. "This time, Wuwei was invaded by the main force of the Xianbei. The battle was bitter, and the city suffered considerable damage. Your sons and nephews fought bravely in the defense, risking their lives alongside the defenders... Unfortunately, several of them didn't make it." He paused, his tone apologetic. "I'm also responsible for not being able to protect them."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was about to bow again, but Ma Chao raised his hand to stop them.

"Your Majesty, you are too kind!" E'he said hurriedly, his voice choking with sobs. "It is their blessing to serve Your Majesty! Even if they die, it will be the glory of the men of Dongqiang! They have sacrificed their lives to earn Your Majesty's respect and to ensure the stability of their tribe. It is worth it!"

Shao Ge also nodded vigorously: "Yes, my king, these children have not brought shame to the tribe! It is their good fortune to be able to follow you in the battles to defend the land!"

Ma Chao looked at the genuine excitement in their eyes and said no more. He just said, "You've had a hard journey. Let's go into the city and rest first. The children are looking forward to talking to you." As he said that, he led everyone into the city. The cold wind seemed to be diluted a little by this complicated friendship.