The Three Kingdoms: Rise of the Western Liang Cavalry

Qin Lie did not say "I", but rather "Liangzhou".

Instead of saying "to serve," they said "to help each other."

These few simple words brought tears to the eyes of Zhang Ji, a veteran of many battles.

He knew he had made the right bet.

Qin Lie, holding Zhang Ji's hand, turned to the 20,000-strong army and spoke loudly.

"My fellow Liangzhou brothers, you've had a long and arduous journey!"

"Li Jue and Guo Si have acted perversely, wreaking havoc on the court and tarnishing the reputation of our Xiliang army!"

"From this day forward, let us stand shoulder to shoulder, to purge the court of corrupt officials and restore the army's reputation!"

"Let the world see that the swords of the men of Liangzhou are for protecting our homes and country, not for plundering our people!"

"I have prepared meat broth and barley rice. Today, upon entering the camp, we will not discuss military affairs. All soldiers, please have a hearty meal and rest well!"

There were no grand promises, only the most practical food and respect.

The soldiers, their faces weathered and bellies growling with hunger, gradually lost their numbness and wariness, which melted into a long-lost warmth.

Qin Lie immediately ordered that Zhang Ji be appointed as General Who Guards the West, with a status equal to his own, while the official positions of his subordinate officers and soldiers remained unchanged.

At the same time, half of the grain and fodder stored in the fortified village were divided up, and a section of the camp was set aside for Zhang Ji's army. The two armies were then mixed together and stationed there without distinction.

Such magnanimity and spirit completely won over Zhang Ji and his proud and fierce soldiers.

When the news reached Li Jue and Guo Si's allied camp, it was like pouring a bucket of cold water into boiling oil.

"What?! Zhang Ji... Zhang Ji has defected to Qin Lie?!"

Li Jue jumped up from his seat in shock, his face full of disbelief.

Guo Si's face turned ashen, and he muttered to himself.

"It's over...it's all over..."

"Qin Lie was already a tough opponent, and now with Zhang Ji's 20,000 fresh troops, his forces far surpass ours. This Mei Wu... has become a den of dragons and tigers!"

Internally plagued by disease, externally facing food shortages, and now a formidable enemy has joined the fray.

The last straw finally broke the camel's back.

"Retreat! Retreat to Chang'an! Quickly!"

Li Jue practically roared as he gave the order.

The once invincible army of 100,000 was now like stray dogs, breaking camp overnight and fleeing in panic toward Chang'an, without even having time to bury the corpses scattered everywhere.

Qin Lie stood atop the city wall of Meiwu, quietly watching the dust raised by the retreating enemy troops in the distance. The night wind blew the large banner behind him, making it flutter loudly.

He did not order a pursuit.

Don't pursue a desperate enemy, especially since his goal has never been victory in one or two battles.

He turned around and looked at the brightly lit and orderly fortified village behind him, watching the old and new armies begin to merge around the campfire, sharing the same pot of soup.

He knew that from this day forward, a true Xiliang Iron Army, bearing his will, was beginning its rebirth on this ruin and bloodbath.

On the chessboard of vying for supremacy, he finally placed his first, and most important, piece.

The night was as dark as ink, swallowing up Meiwu and the surrounding wilderness.

The deathly silence left behind after the retreat of the Li-Guo allied forces was dispelled by the rising bonfires and voices inside the fortified village.

It was a complex aroma, a mixture of the scent of broth, the groans of wounded soldiers, and the relief of surviving a catastrophe—the most authentic human experience amidst the chaos of war.

The council chamber was brightly lit.

The stench of blood had long since been swept away, replaced by calming incense lit by Cai Yong himself, and a newly unfolded map of Guanzhong on the table.

The map is made of fine silk, but the lines look somewhat worn, clearly indicating that it was a treasure collected by Dong Zhuo when he entered the capital.

Qin Lie's finger slowly traced across the map, from Meiwu to Chang'an, and then further west to Fufeng and Beidi.

His gaze was profound, as if it could penetrate the silk and see the scars and vitality of every inch of the land beneath.

The seat below is the core of this new force.

Cai Yong sat upright, his expression solemn. After the initial excitement, this great Confucian scholar had calmed down, and his eyes shone with the clear light of a wise man.

Zhang Ji was like a tiger that had sheathed its claws. His body was still imposing, but his aura was much calmer. He looked at the map with the scrutiny and consideration that was unique to soldiers.

Chen Wu and Dian Wu stood on either side, one with sharp eyes like an eagle, ready to take orders at any moment, the other with his hand on the hilt of his sword, silent as a mountain, guarding the peace of this small area.

"Although Li Jue and Guo Si retreated, they were like wounded wild beasts, retreating back to their lair in Chang'an."

Qin Lie's voice wasn't loud, but it resonated clearly in everyone's ears, pulling them back to reality.

"They will not accept defeat. As long as Guanzhong remains unsettled, we will not be able to sleep soundly."

"The captain is absolutely right."

Zhang Ji spoke in a deep, muffled voice. He had habitually changed his address, no longer referring to him as "Commander Qin" but directly using his official title, which was a sign of genuine recognition.

"Although Li and Guo have lost the support of the army, they still have tens of thousands of troops at their disposal. They occupy Chang'an and hold the emperor and officials hostage, so they are still a great threat."

"This humble general requests to serve as the vanguard, taking advantage of their recent defeat to strike directly at Chang'an!"

This veteran still possessed the fearless blood of the Xiliang soldiers.

In his view, the most direct way to solve the problem is through fighting.

Qin Lie did not respond immediately, but instead turned his gaze to Cai Yong.

Cai Yong stroked his long beard, slowly shook his head, and said.

"General Zhang is brave, but this is not the best strategy."

"Although Li and Guo have been defeated, their momentum has not been extinguished. Chang'an is a high-walled city with deep moats. If we launch a strong attack, our army will also suffer heavy losses."

"Moreover, the emperor and all the officials are in their hands. Once the city falls, everything will be destroyed. Not only will we have accomplished nothing, but we will also be guilty of regicide. At that time, all the feudal lords in the world can use this as a pretext to attack us. The name of the Xiliang Army as 'traitors to the country' will be difficult to wash away."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, causing the fighting spirit in Zhang Ji's eyes to cool down slightly. He frowned, clearly having also considered this point.

Cai Yong stood up, walked to the map, and pointed his aged fingers at several counties around Chang'an. His voice became steady and powerful.

"In my opinion, there are two urgent matters."

"First, to appease Guanzhong and consolidate the foundation."

He paused, looked around at everyone, and continued.

"The Guanzhong Plain is a vast and fertile land, a land of plenty."

"The chaos caused by Dong Zhuo and the calamities caused by Li and Guo have long since displaced the people of this area, leaving them destitute and unable to make a living."

"If the captain can govern with benevolence, reduce corvée labor, open granaries to distribute grain, and appease the displaced people so that they can return to their livelihoods, then the hearts of the people can be won."

"Now that we have won the hearts of the people, Guanzhong belongs to us, not to Li and Guo."

"This is the way of the king, and also a strategy to eliminate the enemy's weaknesses."

Secondly,

Cai Yong's finger traced the map westward, sweeping across the entire Liangzhou region.

"Connect with Liangzhou and strengthen our wings."

"Although the Western Liang army has dispersed, its foundation remains in Liangzhou."

"Han Sui, Ma Teng, and others were also forces of great importance."

"The captain is from the Qin family of Liangzhou and has a long-standing reputation in the border army. We should send an eloquent, loyal and reliable person with the captain's token to Liangzhou to contact the Qin family's former subordinates, explain the greater good to them, and persuade the generals."