Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Huo Qubing looked at the Han army, watching them eagerly, his heart filled with despair and resentment. He had roamed the grasslands since childhood, so majestic, yet now he had fallen into such a state. He refused to accept being held captive by the Han army. In this final moment, he gathered his last ounce of strength and shouted, "I refuse to be a captive any longer! Changshengtian will accept me. I will return to Changshengtian!" With that, he lunged at Pang De's broadsword. With a loud "puff," the sharp blade pierced Huo Qubing's body, sending blood splattering. Huo Qubing's eyes dimmed, but the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, as if in a smile of relief.

With Huochuquan's fall, the remaining Xiongnu soldiers immediately lost all morale. Seeing their leader dead, they knew that the situation was hopeless, dropped their weapons, and collapsed to the ground.

The generals stood majestically on the battlefield, their gaze fixed intently on the group of Huns lying limp on the ground. A rough count revealed that there were still about three or four thousand of them, the rest having been killed in the brutal battle. With questioning eyes, they all glanced towards Ma Chao in the distance.

Ma Chao, perched atop his towering steed, surveyed the devastated battlefield with a stern gaze. The battle was drawing to a close, the outcome already clear. He knew full well that the Xiongnu had previously committed heinous crimes in Bingzhou, burning, killing, and looting, bringing untold suffering and suffering to the local people. Thinking of the plight of the displaced, torn-up families, Ma Chao felt a surge of murderous intent. With a wave of his hand, he barked an order: "Orders to be carried out. Kill all these Xiongnu on the spot. Leave no one alive!"

The messengers shouted loudly, spreading Ma Chao's order to every corner: "Pass on the king's order, kill them on the spot, don't spare a single one!" The voice echoed in the empty battlefield with an unquestionable coldness.

Upon hearing the order, the Han soldiers didn't hesitate. They raised their weapons and marched with resolute steps toward the Xiongnu captives. The Xiongnu men collapsed to the ground, their eyes filled with fear and despair. They knew the shadow of death loomed over them, and no matter how they struggled, it would be futile.

Yan Gang led the charge, wielding his spear and stabbing a Xiongnu soldier. The Xiongnu soldier, unable to even dodge, could only watch helplessly as the spear pierced his body. With a faint cry, he fell silent. Zhang Liao and Xu Huang each led a group of soldiers, unleashing a merciless slaughter. Each blow from Xu Huang's axe splattered blood, the Xiongnu's body chopped to a bloody mess. Zhang Liao's swordsmanship was razor-sharp, each strike precisely targeting the Xiongnu's vital points. For a moment, the Xiongnu's screams were incessant.

Under the Han army's methodical slaughter, the Xiongnu captives fell one after another. Blood flowed more and more on the ground, staining the once dry earth a dark red. This brutal execution lasted for a long time, and only when the last Xiongnu breathed his last did peace return to the battlefield.

The soldiers methodically began to clean up the battlefield. Though the atmosphere was slightly exhausted by the end of the battle, the joy of victory permeated everyone's hearts. Pang De and Zhang Liao skillfully severed the heads of Huochequan and Midang, respectively, and held them in their hands.

Ma Chao rode slowly toward the center of the battlefield. His hooves thudded against the blood-stained and dusty ground. Seeing this, the generals all stepped forward, knelt on one knee in unison, and shouted in unison, "Mighty King!" The sound resounded like a bell, echoing across the battlefield, which had just witnessed a life-or-death struggle.

All the soldiers busy cleaning up the battlefield stopped their work upon hearing this coordinated shout. Even the soldiers at Yanmen Pass fell to their knees and shouted in unison, "Your Majesty, you are mighty!" The sound echoed through the valley with a majestic and powerful aura.

Gongsun Zan was the only one in the room who looked at his former junior brother, Ma Chao, with mixed feelings. He had once considered Ma Chao a rival, after all, he himself had once been a powerful lord, a distinguished figure. Now, he was torn between his own inner thoughts and his own, unsure how to approach Ma Chao.

Ma Chao rode up to the generals and dismounted with a graceful movement. Pang De and Zhang Liao, upon seeing this, simultaneously raised their heads high and shouted, "Your Majesty, here are the heads of Huochuquan and Midang!" Ma Chao, with a calm expression, glanced at the two heads and said, "Everyone, rise. Leave these two heads for a monument erected in Yanmen County. They will be used to commemorate the people of Bingzhou, who have long suffered at the hands of the Xiongnu." The generals shouted again, "Thank you, Your Majesty!" and then rose.

Ma Chao walked straight towards Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan watched Ma Chao approach, his mind racing. He recalled how Ma Chao had come to him when he was down and out, disregarding past grudges and generously supporting him, not only offering him his soldiers and generals, but also offering him a way out. In comparison, although he had once been a powerful lord, his bearing was far inferior to Ma Chao's. Thinking of this, Gongsun Zan's mind cleared up, and he bowed, clasping his hands and saying sincerely, "Mighty King!"

Seeing Gongsun Zan's reaction, Ma Chao hurriedly took two steps forward, grabbed Gongsun Zan's hand, and said sincerely, "Brother, you're really embarrassing me! You and I are brothers, as close as brothers. Why be so distant?" Gongsun Zan looked at Ma Chao's sincere eyes, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. This friendship between fellow disciples had become even more precious after going through so many hardships. He shook his head slightly and said with emotion, "Brother, I'm really far behind you. Whether it's strategy or courage, I'm ashamed of myself."

Ma Chao smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Brother, let bygones be bygones. Bingzhou has just been pacified, and everything is in ruins. We need you and I to work hand in hand to seek the well-being of this land and its people. Together, we can restore Bingzhou to its former prosperity." Gongsun Zan, filled with gratitude, sighed and said, "Alas, my brother, your words truly humble me. The successful conquest of Bingzhou was entirely due to your dedicated planning and hard work. If you hadn't sent General Xu Rong to lead an army to aid me, I'm afraid I would have been completely defeated by old Yuan Shao and would never have recovered. Now, I don't want to ask for anything more. I simply want to stay in Hedong County for a while. If you don't mind, I'm willing to govern the area for you as a prefect. I can share your worries and do something practical for the people."

Ma Chao smiled even more and said, "What are you talking about, brother? There's no point in us disliking each other between brothers. Well, don't worry about these things. There's no need to rush to make a decision. We can consider it in the long run later. The most urgent task is to settle the people of Bingzhou as soon as possible, resume production, and rebuild their homes." Gongsun Zan was moved by Ma Chao's words and nodded heavily.

At this time, Ma Chao looked around, his eyes firmly fixed on the land that had just experienced a fierce battle. He raised his hand and pointed to the Yanmen Pass in front of him, and said loudly: "Everyone, this is the battlefield, and the Yanmen Pass is ahead. I want to build a platform right where I stand, facing the Yanmen Pass, and name it "Shahu Terrace"! " Ma Chao's voice was firm and powerful, as if carrying an irresistible majesty, echoing in the air.

"I want this 'Shahutai' to become a deterrent in the hearts of the Hu people, so that they won't dare to spy on our Central Plains again!" Ma Chao said excitedly, his eyes gleaming with determination. "In the future, every soldier guarding the border will assemble under this Shahutai and train here. Let everyone in the world know that we Han people cannot be bullied. Anyone who invades our border will be punished, no matter how far away they are!"

Hearing Ma Chao's impassioned words, the soldiers' blood boiled, and they raised their arms and shouted, "Kill Hu Tai! Kill Hu Tai! The Han people cannot be bullied!" The shouts shook the heavens, their momentum so overwhelming that it seemed to shake the very world. Gongsun Zan looked at Ma Chao with admiration. He knew that Ma Chao's action was not only to intimidate the Hu people, but also to rally the army, boost morale, and instill in Bingzhou an unyielding faith.

Amid the crowd's cheers, Ma Chao's gaze grew more resolute. He knew that building the "Shahutai" was only the beginning, and there was much more to be done. But he firmly believed that as long as he, his fellow soldiers, and the people worked together, they would revitalize Bingzhou and make the Han Dynasty's borders impregnable.

Meanwhile, at Yanmen Pass, soldiers had meticulously prepared the monument. Skilled craftsmen were carving the massive stone tablet, which gradually took shape. It would detail the Xiongnu's atrocities and the sacrifices made by the Han army defending Bingzhou. The heads of Huochuquan and Midang were carefully preserved, awaiting use during the monument-raising ceremony to honor the innocent civilians who suffered.

Ma Chao's emissaries continued to travel throughout the towns and villages of Bingzhou. They also relayed news of Ma Chao's plan to build the "Sha Hu Terrace" to the people. Upon hearing this, the people applauded, their admiration and gratitude for Ma Chao deepening. They actively and spontaneously organized themselves to help the soldiers clear the ruins, build temporary shelters, and dedicate themselves to rebuilding their homes. Everyone understood that with a general like Ma Chao leading the way, Bingzhou's future was filled with hope.

After expressing their resolve, Ma Chao and Gongsun Zan each immersed themselves in their busy schedule. Ma Chao, preoccupied with overseeing the overall situation, not only continued formulating policies to restore production and stabilize people's livelihoods, but also began planning the specific construction of the "Sha Hu Tai." He decreed tax reductions for the people, encouraged the reclamation of wasteland, and organized craftsmen to repair damaged roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. Gongsun Zan actively assisted Ma Chao. Drawing on his extensive military experience, he not only helped train local militia and maintain public order but also participated in discussions on the military layout of the "Sha Hu Tai," ensuring that this symbolic and practically intimidating structure would be maximized. Under their leadership, Bingzhou united in a vigorous reconstruction and defense effort...