Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 155 and the North
a few months ago,

And the north is strong and yin.

The sky was high and blue, but the air already carried the unique chill of the northern frontier.

The reinforced city wall gleamed with the yellowish-brown hue of fresh earth under the sunlight, and the banner of "Commander Huang of the Liaodong Commandery" fluttered in the wind at the highest point of the city tower, like the raised tail of a fierce tiger surveying the grassland.

The makeshift camp stretched out below the city walls, where warhorses neighed in the stables, and the shouts of soldiers training and the clanging of weapons on the drill ground merged into a powerful, resounding sound that echoed far and wide across the vast golden grasslands outside the city.

The atmosphere inside the central command tent was solemn.

Zhang Xian's order was like a cold iron hammer, striking the anvil of fate on the Bingbei grassland.

The details of the "Naturalization and Grazing Order" were carefully copied by Xi Zhong in both Han and Hu languages. Before the ink was even dry, it flew into the depths of the grassland like a winged eagle.

The notices in Chinese were posted in prominent locations at several newly built rammed earth guard posts that guarded key routes.

Beside the iron-clad village gate, a tough sheepskin notice is nailed to a newly erected, thick wooden stake.

Soldiers dressed in armored leather and carrying ring-pommel swords stood solemnly on both sides, their eyes scanning the open field warily.

Occasionally, a few Hu nomadic cavalry would gallop from afar. Upon seeing the imposing sentry post and the conspicuous notice, they would often rein in their horses, hesitate for a moment, and then turn their horses around, carrying with them complex and indescribable feelings, to relay the message back to their own tribes.

Hu Wen's notice spread even more widely.

The cavalry soldiers followed the direction of the grassland tribes, informing each tribe of the news of the assimilation order.

Near the ovoo where the tribes had temporarily gathered, the new rules of the "Protective Commandant's Office" were conveyed in a familiar accent from the grasslands.

"Have you heard? The new Han general has set the rules!"

"South of the Baihe Valley, at the foot of the Yinshan Mountains, the entire area has become their 'pastoral protection zone'!"

"Want to graze livestock? You'll have to go to Qiangyin and report to that big boss surnamed Huang! Get a plaque with your name on it!"

"Brand? What brand?"

"Should be called 'Grazing Permit'! Without this permit, if the livestock dare to come in to graze again, the Han cavalry will come and kill them!"

"We still have to pay taxes? One-tenth of the tax? That's so much!"

"That's better than being killed like a stray dog, right? I heard that the chieftain of that small tribe of a few dozen tents to the west didn't believe in evil spirits and drove his flock of sheep across the boundary marker several times. The armored cavalrymen warned them many times, but they didn't listen. Now they've all been beheaded and their heads are piled up by the river! They've built a mound of heads that's terrifying!"

The news spread by word of mouth among the herders, carrying fear, doubt, and a faint hope of seeking refuge.

The laws of the grasslands are simple yet cruel: the strong prey on the weak. The two bloody massacres at Baihe Valley and Yehu Ridge have long since turned the "Jiaqi Army" and the "Zhang" banner into blood-dripping blades hanging over the heads of all the tribes in Bingbei.

Now, this knife offers what seems to be a viable option for survival.

Qiangyin City, the headquarters of the Liaodong Commandant.

Huang Zhong sat upright in the hall.

He removed his heavy armor, wearing only a dark blue close-fitting outfit, but his battle-hardened, decisive aura was like a drawn sword, sharp and menacing.

On the table were copies of the detailed rules of the "Naturalization and Grazing Order" drafted by Xi Zhong, as well as a newly delivered document containing scattered feedback from various tribes, which had been preliminarily compiled by a clerk fluent in the Hu language.

"Strategist, the notice has been posted for ten days." Huang Zhong's voice was steady, and his gaze was sharp.

"In your opinion, when will this first 'naturalized grazing order' be issued?"

Xi Zhong, sitting at the lower end, stroked his sparse beard upon hearing this, his eyes gleaming with a knowing light: "General Huang, do not be hasty. The people of the grasslands fear authority but do not cherish virtue. The Jingguan in Baihe Valley and Yehu Ridge will be our first step in establishing our authority."

Now that new rules have been introduced, some will inevitably observe, while others will be reckless and take chances! This first sign will need to be stained with blood a few more times before it truly carries weight, instilling awe in these ungrateful wolves of the grasslands and deterring them from harboring any further delusions!

He paused, then pointed to a lush, water-rich area near Xihe County on the map: "I'm certain that the 'Black Wolf Tribe,' which operates east of Xihe and at the intersection of Yunzhong and Yanmen counties, will be the first to run into trouble! I've already sent people to investigate their leader, 'Bald Eagle' Hereton. He's greedy and tyrannical, has always been unruly and prone to plunder."

Last winter, their troops harassed the people along the Xihe border. Now that our army has just pacified the north, they will surely think they have an opportunity to take advantage of it.

If we can make an example of them here, we can deter all the tribes to the west!

Huang Zhong's gaze fell on the three words "Wild Horse River," and he slowly nodded, a cold glint flashing in his tiger-like eyes: "Then let's use this 'Black Wolf' as a sacrifice for the flag!"

"Report—!" A dusty-looking scout rushed in, knelt on one knee, and his voice was urgent.

"Reporting to the General and Strategist! Urgent report from the Yemachuan outpost! A large force of the Black Wolf tribe, about four hundred cavalry, has been spotted driving thousands of cattle and sheep across the boundary marker and into the protected pasture area! The outpost garrison has sounded the alarm as ordered, but their leader, He Laidun, not only has not retreated, but has dared to fight back. His men have begun driving the cattle and sheep deep into our pasture!"

The tent fell silent instantly, followed by a chilling aura of killing intent.

Huang Zhong slammed his hand on the table, making the ink on the brush jump: "Excellent! Strategist genius! Zhang Liao, Zhao Gou!"

"Your subordinates are here!" Zhang Liao and Zhao Gou, who had been standing by with their hands on their swords, immediately stepped forward, their eyes burning with fervor.

"Gather eight hundred elite cavalry and set out from the city immediately!" Huang Zhong's voice was resolute, carrying the clang of metal on metal.

"Target: Yemachuan! Crush these ignorant jackals! Remember, don't just capture them, take their heads! Build a mound of skulls beneath the boundary marker! Let all the eyes of the grasslands see clearly what will happen to those who dare disobey my lord's orders!"

"Your subordinates obey!" Zhang Liao and Zhao Gou roared in unison, clasped their fists to accept the order, turned around and strode out of the government office, the sound of their armor plates clashing together ringing out.

Xi Zhong watched the two figures leave, a smile appearing on his face: "General Huang, after this battle, there will be long queues outside Qiangyin City."

……

Wild Horse River.

The emerald green grass undulated in the wind, like a soft carpet spread towards the sky.

However, at this moment, this tranquility was brutally torn apart.

Hundreds of members of the Black Wolf tribe, dressed in haphazard fur robes, brandished scimitars and lassoes, shouting and driving their massive herds of cattle and sheep, trampling wantonly within the boundary marker.

Their leader, Hereton, a burly man with a face full of scars and one blind eye, rode a particularly strong black horse and roared triumphantly at his men: "See that! The Han dogs are made of paper! What kind of bullshit pasture protection area is this! This place has the most fertile grass and water, and it will be our Black Wolf tribe's pasture from now on! Anyone who dares to stop us will be sent to meet the gods, just like this blind fool!"

Before he finished speaking, a strange, low, and dense vibration began to emanate from the ground beneath his feet!

Like muffled thunder rolling in from afar, it grew closer and louder!
Hereton's one eye widened suddenly, and the smugness on his face froze instantly, turning into surprise and doubt.

He abruptly turned his horse around and looked towards the east, where the tremor had originated.

On the horizon, a black wave suddenly surged forth!

That wasn't a tide! It was cavalry! A torrent of steel and death!
Armored Cavalry Battalion!
The uniform black iron armor gleamed with a cold, hard luster in the sunlight.

Horses like dragons, men like tigers! At the forefront, Zhang Liao held a long-handled saber, and Zhao Gou gripped an iron spear tightly; the two were like the tips of an arrow!
Eight hundred cavalrymen followed closely behind, maintaining an astonishingly disciplined formation even at high speed. The thunderous sound of their hooves hitting the ground was uniform and converged into a destructive force that shook the soul!

Without warning or negotiation, the Armored Army's response was the most direct and violent charge!
"Armor! Armor! Armor!"

The earth-shattering battle roar was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, instantly drowning out the sound of the wind on the grassland and the clamor of the Black Wolf Tribe! The killing intent contained in that roar was like a tangible ice spike, piercing the heart of every Black Wolf Tribe knight!
"The front cavalry crossbowmen fire horizontally! The rear cavalry archers fire volleys!"

Zhang Liao charged forward while waving his command flag.

As the order was given, the cavalry soldiers, lined up at the front, grabbed the crossbows hanging on the side of their saddles.

Before firing, all the crossbows were strung and the safety was fastened to prevent accidental activation. Once the charge began, the cavalrymen only needed to release the safety of the crossbow to fire it.

"Whoosh whoosh—!"

More than a hundred powerful crossbows fired straight bolts.

Before the Black Wolf tribe could react, more than a dozen of them fell to the ground.

Then another dense rain of arrows fell, and another group of them fell.

In terms of military equipment, even if all the non-human tribes on the entire grassland were tied together, they would still be no match for the current Armored Army.

First, they would create chaos from a distance, then charge in on horseback. This tactic was something the cavalry soldiers knew by heart.

After a volley of arrows and crossbow bolts from the cavalry, the two armies were no more than a hundred meters apart.

"It's...it's the Black-Armored Han Army! They're here so fast! Run!"

The Black Wolf tribe's ranks were thrown into chaos! The knights, who had been so arrogant just moments before, were now like ants being doused with boiling water, screaming in terror and desperately turning their horses around, trying to escape.

The cattle and sheep also scattered and fled, making the already chaotic procession even more disorganized.

Horrified eyes filled Howard's single eye as he roared, trying to control his men: "Don't panic! Form ranks! Prepare for battle..." Before he could finish the word "battle," a black lightning bolt tore through the air with a piercing shriek, hurtling straight toward his face!

It's Zhang Liao!
His warhorse was exceptionally powerful, traversing the chaotic battlefield as if it were flat ground, instantly advancing to Hereton's side! The saber drew a chilling arc, like the scythe of death, aimed straight at Hereton's neck!

Hurldon was terrified and hastily raised his knife to parry!

"clang--!"

A deafening clang of metal rang out! Hereton felt an overwhelming force surge from the hilt of his sword, causing excruciating pain in his arms, his tiger's mouth instantly splitting open and bleeding! The mighty black horse beneath him could not withstand the impact either, letting out a mournful neigh as its front hooves buckled, and it was forced to its knees!
A fierce glint flashed in Zhang Liao's eyes. With a flick of his wrist, he dragged and pulled the horse-slaying saber downwards! The cold blade easily sliced ​​through the leather armor and flesh!
"Pfft!"

A huge head, with a frozen expression of horror, shot into the sky! Hereton's headless body fell from his kneeling horse, blood gushing out like a fountain from the severed neck!

"Hereton is dead! The one who slew him is Zhang Liao of Yanmen!" Zhang Liao used the tip of his sword to lift the hideous head, raised it high, and with a powerful shout, his voice shook the surrounding area!
"General, you are mighty!" Cheers erupted from all around.

However, the charge of the armored cavalry did not stop in the slightest after their commander killed the enemy chieftain!

"kill!"

Zhao Gou roared! Eight hundred iron cavalrymen, like red-hot irons, crashed into the completely collapsing Black Wolf tribe!

massacre!

A one-sided massacre!

The scimitar was no match for the finely crafted ring-pommel sword and iron spear! The leather robe was like paper against the sharp blade!
The armored cavalrymen were like tigers among sheep; in the flash of their blades, heads rolled and limbs flew everywhere! Their warhorses neighed as they rammed and trampled any enemies in their path! Blood splattered like ink, instantly staining the golden grass crimson!
The knights of the Black Wolf tribe cried out in despair, wishing they had two more legs, and desperately whipped their mounts as they fled for their lives beyond the boundary marker.

However, the armored cavalry were faster and had powerful bows that could be used for raptures, making their pursuit as relentless as a leech! More and more Black Wolf knights who lagged behind were caught up and cut down.

The battle ended unusually quickly.

Within the boundary marker, on the lush grasslands of Yemachuan, corpses lay strewn everywhere, and blood flowed in streams.

Of the more than four hundred Black Wolf Knights, except for a very few quick-footed ones who managed to escape, the rest were all killed! Along with the thousands of cattle and sheep they had driven there, they also became spoils of war for the Armored Army.

Zhang Liao flicked the blood off his saber and coldly surveyed the carnage. He dismounted and strode to the boundary marker.

Zhao Gou directed his soldiers to drag and pile together the headless corpses of Hereton and hundreds of Black Wolf followers.

One by one, the heads with hideous faces and unseeing eyes were stacked in a pyramid shape, their eyes still filled with fear, staring blankly toward the direction of Yinshan.

A strong stench of blood rose into the air, attracting a large flock of circling vultures that cawed loudly.

Zhang Liao placed the head of Helaidun, with its single, wide-open eye, squarely at the highest point of the mound of skulls, facing directly towards the western grasslands. He
Looking around at the other tribal herders who had rushed over upon hearing the news and were now hiding in fear behind the grassy hills, he mustered all his strength and roared like thunder, his voice echoing across the open grassland.

"By order of the Protectorate of the Xiongnu Commandant! The order for naturalization and grazing is the ironclad law of the northern grasslands! Those who obey will prosper! Those who defy will perish!"

"Armor! Armor! Armor!"

As soon as Zhang Liao finished speaking, the eight hundred iron cavalrymen shouted, banged their weapons, and beat drums to create a commotion.

The sound, like muffled thunder, spread across the vast grassland.

After several shouts, Zhao Gou ordered a firebreak to be dug out next to the pile of corpses, and then a raging fire was set on fire to burn the pile of corpses.

Thousands of cattle and sheep were gathered again, and the cavalry soldiers drove them, singing loudly, towards Qiangyin.

The bloody scene at Yemachuan spread throughout the Bingzhou grasslands west of Qiangyin overnight.

Fear, like cold vines, coiled around the hearts of every tribal chief.

When the first ray of sunlight pierced the thin mist atop Qiangyin City and shone on the cold stone steps in front of the Duliao Commandant's Mansion, the scene outside had completely changed.

The streets, which were empty yesterday, are now filled with a dense crowd.

Dozens of Hu (non-Han) leaders, dressed in various colored leather robes and wearing felt or leather hats, accompanied by several trusted followers, had different expressions, but without exception, they all showed tension, fear, and even a hint of humility.

They came from different tribes, some with hundreds of tents, others with only a dozen or so.

Some chieftains were pale and had shifty eyes, clearly having just received news of Yemachuan the night before and still in shock. Others were relatively calm, their eyes showing a calculated assessment of the situation. Some chieftains of smaller tribes wore expressions of almost desperate pleading.

They spoke in hushed tones, using the various tribal languages, their voices extremely low, creating a tense and oppressive atmosphere. Every now and then, everyone's gaze would drift towards the tightly closed gate of the government office, a symbol of the power of life and death.

"Squeak-"

The heavy mansion gates finally opened slowly.

Two squads of armored soldiers, clad in black armor and standing at attention with their hands on their swords, filed out and stood on either side, their cold eyes sweeping over the Hu chieftains outside the gate.

The sharp, chilling aura emanating from that person instantly silenced the noisy crowd. All the Hu chieftains instinctively held their breath and lowered their heads slightly.

Huang Zhong's tall figure appeared at the doorway.

He was still dressed in a dark blue outfit without armor, but his imposing and dignified aura was more oppressive than any armor.

Xi Zhong lagged half a step behind, holding a roll of roster and several dark wooden plaques that had just been made and still smelled of fresh wood. His face carried a calm expression that seemed to understand people's hearts.

Huang Zhong's gaze was like a tangible blade, slowly sweeping over the crowd outside the door. Every Hu chieftain whose gaze touched him felt a chill rise up his spine.

"Report the tribe name, chieftain's name, population, number of livestock, and the area of ​​the permanent pasture." Huang Zhong's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.

After a brief silence, the closest, gaunt old leader stepped forward tremblingly and said in broken Chinese,

"Reporting to General Huang... I am... I am the leader of the Gray Sparrow tribe in the lower reaches of the Baihe River, named Boerjin... My tribe has 137 tents, more than 600 people including men, women, and children... We have 300 horses, 150 cattle, and 2,000 sheep... We often graze our livestock in the salt marshes of the lower reaches of the Baihe River..."

He spoke haltingly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Xi Zhong quickly wrote down the names on the roster while gesturing to an interpreter beside him.

The interpreter loudly repeated Boerjin's words in fluent Hu language to ensure there were no errors.

Huang Zhong nodded expressionlessly: "The Grey Sparrow Tribe, the area around the Salt Marsh in the lower reaches of the White River."

"Livestock tax includes thirty horses, ten cattle, and one hundred sheep. Any objections?"

Boerjin's face turned pale. This was almost 30% of the tribe's livestock! But when he thought of the terrifying mounds of Jingguan in Yemachuan, Baihe Valley, and Yehuling, and the descriptions of the armored cavalry-like slaughter by the tribesmen who had escaped last night, all his objections turned into boundless fear.

He knelt down with a thud, his forehead hitting the cold stone slab heavily: "No...no objection! Thank you for your grace, General! Thank you for your grace, General!"

Xi Zhong gestured to a clerk next to him, who picked up a plaque made of dark hardwood, about the size of a palm. The plaque had the five large characters “Guihua Fangmu Ling” engraved on the front in both Han and Hu scripts.

The newly engraved line below reads: "Grey Sparrow Tribe, Boerjin".

The back is engraved with "Issued by the Office of the Protector of the Xiongnu" and the year of issuance.

The clerk used a red-hot branding iron to brand a "虒" character emblem with clear fire patterns around it on one corner of the sign!

"Take it!" The clerk handed the still-warm wooden plaque to Bo Erjin, who was kneeling on the ground.

Boerjin was overjoyed to receive the seemingly ordinary wooden plaque, which weighed over a thousand pounds, with trembling hands. He held it tightly in his palms as if he held the life of the entire tribe in his hands.

He kowtowed heavily again, and then, with the help of his attendants, staggered to the side.

Once there's a first, there's a second, a third...

"Huangyangchuan, Heishi tribe, leader Batu, 280 tents of followers..."

"The wind rolls across the grassy plains, the Flying Feathers..."

"On the banks of the Xiangshui River..."

One by one, the tribal chiefs stepped forward, announced their names, and paid "grazing tax" in exchange for the "naturalization and grazing order" that symbolized their right to survival.

Under the strong military deterrence, no one dared to resist or question, and the entire reporting process proceeded with exceptional efficiency under the cold gaze of the Lüqi Army.

(End of this chapter)