Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 943: Fighting the Enemy with Devotion

Ma Chao's piercing eyes swept across the people and soldiers in the audience, and he spoke loudly, "Everyone, I'm sure you're all wondering why I'm gathering everyone and inspecting the army on this special day of reunion on New Year's Eve. First, I want you to see with your own eyes how hard our soldiers are fighting. Every battle is a contest of life and death. They use their flesh and blood to support our peace. Second, I want to tell you that although we won this battle, foreign tribes have been causing trouble every year over the years. We just want to live a peaceful life, guard our own homes, have land to farm, food to eat, and clothes to wear. Such simple wishes, why can't they tolerate it and instead trample on us wantonly!"

As Ma Chao spoke, he suddenly turned his head and glared at the Xianbei captives beside him, and continued: "Now they are standing here to make you understand one thing. In the face of the barbaric invasion of foreign races, the only way to defend our homes and protect our loved ones is to rise up and resist and fight with all our might!" The people in the audience responded enthusiastically, and the voices were like waves.

Ma Chao's expression was solemn, and his tone grew deeper. "However, I've been thinking over and over these past few days. Although they were defeated this time, many still escaped. Once these ambitious men return to lick their wounds for a few years and recuperate, they will surely strike again. Then, there will be another round of devastation, another cycle of bloodshed and suffering. That's why I built this high platform today to review the soldiers. Even though we in Xiliang have suffered heavy losses, my resolve is firm."

Ma Chao paused, a resolute gleam in his eyes as he declared loudly, "Soldiers, rest not for a moment! I implore the people to grit their teeth and send their fathers and brothers to join the army. I have carefully considered this matter and determined that only by completely annihilating these enemies can we instill fear in them, deterring them from ever again daring to intrude upon our Central Plains. Only then can we truly achieve lasting peace! Tomorrow, I will recruit soldiers from all over Xiliang. Not only will I lift the siege of Bingzhou, but I will also fight my way back to the grasslands to avenge this blood feud!"

"Revenge! Revenge!" Ma Chao's words ignited the hearts of the soldiers and civilians below, their voices surging with indignation, their voices threatening to shatter the heavens. However, Ma Chao failed to notice the sudden change in the expressions of his advisors. They knew that while this move was audacious, it was also fraught with risks and challenges.

Ma Chao's expression was solemn. He waved his hand and said resolutely, "Today, these captives will be killed as a sacrifice. Together with the heads of the bandit leaders, this will comfort the soldiers and innocent civilians who died and were injured in this war. In addition, I will build a monument and write a biography for them, just like the one in Chang'an, so that the people will always remember this blood feud and let future generations remember the great achievements of these soldiers forever!"

Emotions were surging on the scene, and the eyes of the fervent civilians and soldiers burned with anger and revenge. Ma Chao shouted, "Execute!" The soldiers, who had been waiting nearby, quickly escorted the Xianbei captives to their designated location.

The people rushed forward, picking up stones and clods of earth and throwing them at the captives. "Give me back my loved ones!" "Blood debt must be paid with blood!" Angry cries echoed one after another. Every stone hurled was filled with the pain and hatred of the people who had lost their loved ones and had their homes destroyed in the war.

The Xianbei captives were terrified, dodging everywhere but finding nowhere to escape. Some were struck on the head by rocks, blood gushing out instantly; others were struck in the body, screaming in agony. However, this did not evoke the slightest pity from the people. In their hearts, these captives were the embodiment of evil, the source of endless suffering.

As time passed, most of the captives were wounded and dying. The civilians continued their actions, as if only this could dispel the long-simmering anger in their hearts. Only after confirming that all the captives had stopped moving did the civilians gradually stop, breathing heavily, their eyes still filled with unquenchable anger.

The field was a shambles, blood mixed with mud, and stones scattered across the ground. Ma Chao watched this scene with a solemn expression. He knew the depth of the people's pain and understood that resolving this hatred would take a long time. He would carry this hatred and responsibility with him as he embarked on a campaign to restore true peace for Xiliang and its people.

After returning to the city, darkness fell like inky black, weighing heavily on Wuwei. However, the city was festooned with lights, and Ma Chao's mansion was particularly ablaze with light, overflowing with warmth. A grand New Year's Eve banquet was underway. The hall was filled with tables, and the generals took their seats. Among them were veterans like Cheng Yin, Ma Wan, and Yang Qiu, who had served Ma Chao for many years. They gathered here, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, sharing a rare reunion and joy.

Ma Chao sat side by side with Cheliji. He showed no sign of the airs of a king, his face always brimming with a friendly smile as he chatted and drank heartily with the others. After three rounds of wine and five courses, the atmosphere in the banquet hall was incredibly lively, with everyone's laughter and chatter mingling, sometimes reminiscing about the battles of the past, sometimes looking forward to the grand plans of the future.

At this moment, Xu Shu and Lu Su exchanged a meaningful glance, each understanding the other, and nodded gently. Xu Shu was the first to stand up, his posture straight, and he adjusted his robe. Then he respectfully clasped his fists and saluted Ma Chao, saying solemnly, "Your Majesty, are you serious about putting your words into action after your impassioned speech outside the city walls?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao looked at Xu Shu with a determined gaze. Without a trace of hesitation, he answered loudly and without hesitation, "Of course I'm serious! I've made up my mind, and there's no changing it!"

Lu Su stood up shortly afterward, his brow furrowed slightly, his eyes filled with worry. He took two steps forward, clasped his fists, and bowed, offering an earnest admonition: "Your Majesty, the current situation in the world, with war raging across the Central Plains and various warlords vying for supremacy, presents a golden opportunity for Xiliang to seize supremacy. However, Your Majesty, please reconsider your plans to sweep across the grasslands. In the past, Emperor Wu of Han campaigned against the Xiongnu, expending the entire nation's might and expending countless manpower, material, and financial resources. Although he ultimately defeated the Xiongnu after years of arduous campaigns, the price paid for this victory was also extremely painful. Domestic livelihoods declined, the economy declined, and the people suffered terribly. It took many years for the Han Dynasty to recover."

Lu Su paused briefly, looking around, and continued, "Western Liang has just experienced a brutal war, and we are severely weakened. The people have suffered terribly from the flames of war, and the fields are barren, with nine out of ten houses empty. Not only have we suffered heavy casualties in the army, but even our food, fodder, and supplies have been completely depleted. If we were to go all out across the grasslands now, we would undoubtedly plunge our already exhausted Western Liang into another massive war. Western Liang would then be left destitute. If the Central Plains princes took advantage of this opportunity to attack, how would we respond? This would undoubtedly put Western Liang in an extremely dangerous position."

Ma Chao's expression was solemn. He listened quietly to Lu Su's advice, then slowly stood up. He swept his gaze calmly over the people in the hall, his expression not angry but rather determined and thoughtful. He said, "How could I not understand what you two gentlemen are saying from the bottom of your hearts? I also understand the interests involved. But you see, over the years, the foreign tribes from the grasslands have repeatedly invaded our Xiliang border, burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of atrocities. The people are living in dire straits and suffering unspeakably. Each of their invasions is like a catastrophe, shattering countless families and devastating the lives of the people. If we don't completely conquer them, this worry will be like a thorn in our side, constantly threatening the peace of our Xiliang and even the entire Central Plains."

Ma Chao paused, his eyes blazing with fire. He clenched his fists and continued passionately, "If we only focus on vying for supremacy in the Central Plains while turning a blind eye to the suffering of the people behind us, even if we conquer the world in the future, how can we bear it? What will be the point? I, Ma Chao, swear to make these foreigners pay a heavy price for their actions! Only by completely defeating them can we pursue the Central Plains without any worries."

Ma Chao looked at everyone with a piercing gaze and continued, "Besides, our Xiliang Iron Cavalry has just experienced a major battle. Although they have sustained some damage, their fighting strength remains intact. Furthermore, their morale is high, and they all harbor a deep hatred for the foreign races. Now is the perfect time to attack. If we miss this opportunity, once the foreign races have recovered and recuperated, it will be extremely difficult to attack them, and we will pay a heavy price."

Upon hearing Ma Chao's resolute words, Cheng Gongying and Jia Xu exchanged a glance and both rose. Cheng Gongying clasped his fists and, with a worried look on his face, advised, "Your Majesty, now that the great war has subsided, it's a crucial time for our army to recuperate. If we insist on conquering the grasslands now, we will not only miss the golden opportunity to conquer the Central Plains, but also, after all the suffering Xiliang has endured, it is simply not appropriate to provoke such a large-scale war."

Jia Xu also bowed, speaking in a calm and concerned tone, "Yes, Your Majesty. The current situation is complex, and our army has suffered losses in both manpower and resources. Raising an army on the grasslands now would put Xiliang in a dilemma."

Ma Chao looked at the two important officials with a sincere and resolute gaze, and slowly said, "I have pondered this matter for a long time. Ever since Mr. Li Ru sent me the report from the battle in Chang'an, I have pondered this matter day and night. If we capture Bingzhou, the battle lines will undoubtedly be extended, and we will have control of the entire border. However, if the alien tribes on the grasslands are not completely eradicated, they will always be a serious threat. Without this, how can we even hope to dominate the world? I have weighed the pros and cons and still feel that this must be done. I intend to mobilize the entire power of Western Liang to wipe out the enemy forces on the grasslands. I will make sure that the grasslands dare not invade the Central Plains for thirty years, and that those barbarians will never dare to threaten the south again, even if it costs a heavy price. I will completely eliminate the hidden dangers on the grasslands in our generation. After conquering the grasslands, even if it takes ten years to recuperate, I will complete this task."

Jia Xu frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, why not first concentrate all your efforts on conquering the Central Plains? Once you have conquered the Central Plains and achieved hegemony, then you can mobilize all your national might to conquer the grasslands. Leveraging the Central Plains' abundant manpower and resources, wouldn't that be much easier?"

Ma Chao's expression was solemn. He shook his head slightly and said, "Wenhe, you don't know. Kebi Neng has now unified the grasslands. You have all witnessed the situation this year. It is precisely because of his unification of the grasslands that we have suffered this war in Xiliang. Although we have severely injured him this time, if we do not pursue our victory, we don't know when the struggle for supremacy in the Central Plains will end. By then, he will have rested and recovered his strength. If he were to come and seek revenge, I am afraid Xiliang would be powerless to fight back. The chaos among the princes in the Central Plains is, after all, a family affair. But the invasion of foreign races is a national vengeance. If this vengeance is not avenged, Xiliang and the Central Plains will be in turmoil. Therefore, I have made up my mind to resolve the threat to the grasslands first."

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like