The Three Kingdoms: Rise of the Western Liang Cavalry

"Rest assured, Captain, even if Bo Zhan dies on the grasslands, he will definitely deliver the eagle whistle to the old chieftain and summon reinforcements!"

"Good brother!"

Qin Lie helped him up.

"Remember, the Qiang people respect heroes, but they also value profit."

"Besides showing gratitude, you must tell them that as long as they are willing to send troops, all the cattle, sheep, grain, salt, and iron that I, Qin Lie, gain in Liangzhou in the future can be shared equally with them!"

"I want them to understand that helping me is helping them pave their own path to prosperity!"

"Understood, sir!"

That night, Ma Dai and his group quietly left the camp and disappeared into the deep night, like a stone thrown into an unknown wilderness, carrying the hopes of five thousand people.

After seeing Ma Dai off, Qin Lie did not slack off at all and immediately began sweeping reforms of the army.

The next morning, when the Qin family's carriages actually moved boxes of gold and silver and scrolls of land deeds to the center of the drill ground, the entire military camp was in an uproar.

All doubts and disbelief vanished before the mountain of wealth.

The soldiers looked at the yellow and white objects, but there was no greed in their eyes, only a sense of awe and emotion at having their lives entrusted to them.

Just as morale reached its peak, Qin Lie issued a new military order.

"From this day forward, the original border troops and Qin family private soldiers are abolished. Five thousand men are to be reorganized into five battalions, with the motto 'Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, and Trustworthiness'!"

"Officers in each battalion shall be appointed based on merit, without distinction of rank!"

Upon hearing this order, a slight commotion immediately arose among the crowd.

Breaking with established systems is a cardinal sin in military strategy.

Especially those veteran border soldiers, who were used to sticking together, had always looked down on the Qin family's private army.

Qin Lie seemed oblivious to their reaction and continued to announce the second military order.

"Establish three new military laws!"

His voice suddenly turned sharp, filled with an iron will.

"Firstly, looting the people is strictly prohibited!"

"No one may take even a needle or thread from the people when entering a city or passing through a village; violators will be executed without mercy!"

Secondly, treat surrendered soldiers and prisoners of war well!

"Those who surrender on the battlefield shall not be tortured or killed after their weapons are disarmed. Those who wish to stay shall be incorporated into the auxiliary troops, and those who wish to leave shall be given travel expenses and allowed to do as they please!"

Thirdly, rewards and punishments must be clearly defined!

"Anyone who slays a general and captures a flag on the battlefield shall be rewarded!"

"Anyone who retreats in the face of battle and undermines morale will be punished!"

"The supervisory teams inspect the three armed forces, acting first and reporting later!"

These three military rules, like three thunderbolts, struck the hearts of five thousand soldiers, leaving them shaken to their core.

The first rule, "Looting is strictly prohibited," is tantamount to cutting off the source of their wealth and tying their hands and feet. For these veteran soldiers of Xiliang who live on the edge of a knife and regard plundering as the greatest reward besides military merit, this rule is akin to cutting off their source of wealth.

The second point, treating prisoners of war well, goes against their belief of "eliminating all threats at the root."

As for the third point, clear rewards and punishments are a given, but the supervisory team that "acts first and reports later" is like a Damocles' sword hanging over everyone's heads, its cold light chilling.

On the training ground, the morale that had just been ignited by the dissipation of family wealth visibly cooled down.

The veterans of the border army, whose faces were still filled with emotion and loyalty, were already tinged with astonishment and resistance.

They exchanged glances, their rough faces filled with incomprehension and dissatisfaction.

A military officer with a full beard couldn't help but step forward. He had once been a fierce general in the border army, but now he clasped his hands in a deep, resonant voice.

"Captain, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."

"We, the brave soldiers of Xiliang, go into battle to kill the enemy, risking our lives. What are we fighting for?"

"Isn't it just about securing a good position for one's wife and children, and making some extra money so that the women and kids at home can live a good life?"

"If we don't allow looting, then... I'm afraid the brothers won't have the strength to fight the enemy!"

His words expressed the sentiments of most veterans.

Immediately, voices of agreement arose from all sides.

"Yes, Captain, soldiers have always been fed. If we win the battle, what's in the city is ours, isn't it?"

"What if we don't kill the prisoners, and they turn around and start attacking us again? We can't be like Mr. Dongguo!"

Qin Lie listened quietly, his face ashen.

He didn't get angry; he simply used his deep eyes to slowly scan everyone.

That gaze wasn't sharp, but it carried a penetrating power that gradually calmed all the clamor.

"What you're saying is all correct."

Qin Lie spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"You are after titles and honors for your wives and children, and wealth and glory. There is nothing wrong with that."

"Who doesn't do this in this life?"

"But have you ever considered why we've ended up in this situation?"

He paused, his tone suddenly becoming heavy.

"Because after Grand Tutor Dong entered the capital, he allowed his troops to plunder and wreak havoc on the court, incurring the wrath of Heaven and the resentment of the people, and the whole world united to condemn him!"

"What is our Xiliang army in the eyes of the world?"

"They are locusts, jackals, and traitorous soldiers!"

"That's why Wang Yun dared to kill the Grand Tutor and settle scores with us, because he knew that if he killed us, the people of the world would only applaud, and no one would speak a word of justice for us!"

"How long can you spend the gold and silver you've stolen with a clear conscience?"

"The people you slaughter today, will their sons and grandsons take up arms tomorrow to seek revenge?"

"We seized a city, but lost the hearts of the people!"

"We gained some windfall, but we've made ourselves, and our families in Liangzhou, sinners living in constant fear!"

"Is this kind of deal worthwhile?!"

The final question struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.

The bearded military officer opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word; his face turned pale and then flushed.

Qin Lie walked up to him and stared intently at him.

"I, Qin Lie, have given away all my wealth, not to feed a swarm of locusts that only know how to plunder!"

"What I'm giving you is money to settle down, money so your wives, children, and elderly parents can hold their heads high!"

"What I want is a mighty army that is not only skilled in battle but also capable of discerning right from wrong!"

"This is a righteous army that inspires awe, not scorn, in the world when the name 'Xiliang Iron Cavalry' is mentioned!"

He suddenly turned around, facing the three armies, drew his long sword from his waist, and the tip of the sword cut through his left palm, from which blood gushed out.

"Today, I, Qin Lie, hereby swear an oath!"

He raised his bleeding hand high, his voice echoing across the land.

"All my soldiers, as long as they abide by military law and fight bravely against the enemy, I, Qin Lie, will live and die with you, share wealth and honor, and endure all disgrace!"

"Any future gains, including land, official titles, and provisions, will be awarded first to those who have rendered meritorious service!"

"If I break this oath, may this blade be my witness!"

Before he finished speaking, he thrust his long sword into the hard ground in front of him with a backhand motion. The hilt hummed as it sank in about an inch!

"Lieutenant, please swear an oath of blood!"

Qin An was the first to step forward, and without hesitation, he cut his palm and dripped the blood into the wine bowl that had been prepared.

"Lieutenant, please swear an oath of blood!"

Chen Wu followed closely behind.

"We are willing to live and die with the captain!"

The hundreds of soldiers who stormed the camp last night were now filled with righteous indignation and stepped forward to cut their palms.