Li Ru personally led Ma Chao to the barracks and assembled a thousand cavalry for him.
These cavalrymen had just been recruited after Dong Zhuo formed the Flying Bear Army.
Although they had only undergone simple training and had not yet experienced real combat, Ma Chao did not dwell on it too much.
Ma Chao was extremely confident in cavalry combat.
Although these thousand cavalrymen did not seem to be an absolute elite force, with many somewhat immature faces among them, their weapons and armor were neatly arranged, and these young men were more energetic and had a strong sense of obedience.
In Ma Chao's view, after one or two battles, as long as they could survive, they would definitely become truly qualified elite cavalrymen.
Ma Chao firmly believed that he could lead these cavalrymen to display great power on the battlefield; his confidence was palpable.
Dong Zhuo received an official appointment, taking full responsibility for dealing with the rebellion of Han Sui and the East Qiang.
Li Ru offered him six strategies to quell the rebellion, and Dong Zhuo adopted them one by one after listening, quickly arranging for their implementation.
Firstly, divide and encircle.
Dong Zhuo dispatched Li Jue, Guo Si, leading the Flying Bear Army and other elite units, to encircle Han Sui's rebel army from different directions, making it difficult for the rebels to resist.
Secondly, lure the enemy deep.
Zhang Ji, on the other hand, led his army to feign weakness, designing to lure Han Sui's rebel army into a carefully laid encirclement, waiting for the opportune moment to wipe them out.
Thirdly, wait for the enemy to tire.
Xu Rong led his army to hold important strongholds, patiently waiting for the rebel army to become exhausted or show vulnerabilities before delivering a fatal blow.
Fourthly, a scheme of discord.
The resourceful Li Ru skillfully employed a scheme of discord, attempting to sow dissension between Han Sui and other rebel generals, causing internal contradictions and disputes.
Fifthly, combine grace and might.
Dong Zhuo personally took action, using both grace and might against some potentially wavering rebel forces, either making them surrender or reducing their resistance.
Sixthly, cut off supplies.
The brave Hua Xiong, meanwhile, led his army to destroy the rebel supply lines, causing their material supply to be cut off and their combat effectiveness to gradually decline.
— — Dividing Line — —
Of course, none of this concerned Ma Chao.
Ma Chao borrowed a thousand soldiers and horses, emulating Huo Qubing's lightning warfare, without bringing much baggage or provisions, and directly attacked Beidi Commandery.
Beidi Commandery was Yang Qiu's territory, and Ma Chao anticipated that Yang Qiu had already taken the main force to rendezvous with Han Sui, leaving Beidi Commandery with insufficient defenses.
Ma Chao led a thousand elite soldiers and horses, galloping non-stop towards Beidi Commandery.
They marched along treacherous mountain paths, trying to avoid any traces that might be discovered.
When Ma Chao's troops approached Beidi Commandery City, he observed that although the defenders on the city walls were vigilant, their numbers were indeed few.
Ma Chao conceived a plan: he selected some clever soldiers, had them change into commoner's clothes, and pretend to be refugees fleeing from other regions.
These disguised commoners pushed several dilapidated carts, piled with seemingly random items, to conceal their true identities.
They arrived at the city gate, feigning panic and shouting that they were affected by the war and hoped to enter the city for refuge.
The defenders on the city wall saw these “commoners” and hesitated, but still lowered the drawbridge, preparing to inquire about the situation.
Just then, Ma Chao seized the opportunity and, with a command, the soldiers disguised as commoners suddenly drew their hidden weapons, coordinating with Ma Chao's troops who were already prepared to attack from both inside and outside.
Ma Chao led the charge, rushing into the city, his soldiers attacking the unprepared defenders like fierce tigers descending from the mountain.
The defenders were caught off guard by the sudden attack and instantly fell into chaos.
Ma Chao's troops, relying on their swift offensive, quickly breached the city defenses and took control of Beidi Commandery City.
Amidst the chaos, the small number of defensive forces Yang Qiu had left in Beidi Commandery were no match for Ma Chao's iron cavalry and fled in defeat.
Ma Chao successfully occupied Beidi Commandery with lightning speed, laying a solid foundation for his subsequent actions.
Zhang Xiu frowned, still feeling somewhat unwilling, but under Ma Chao's firm gaze, he still compromised.
He knew Ma Chao was right; Liang Province could not withstand any more internal strife.
After Ma Chao occupied Beidi Commandery, Zhang Xiu was about to order his subordinates to burn, kill, and loot.
Ma Chao quickly stopped him.
Zhang Xiu was puzzled.
Ma Chao said, “Liang Province is already vast and sparsely populated; every person is precious, and the strength of Liang Province cannot be wasted due to internal warlord conflicts.
Now that we have occupied Beidi Commandery, the top priority is to stabilize the situation, not to create chaos.
We must no longer engage in burning, killing, and looting; this will only disappoint the common people and make the situation in Liang Province even more chaotic.”
Zhang Xiu frowned, still feeling somewhat unwilling, but under Ma Chao's firm gaze, he still compromised.
He knew Ma Chao was right; Liang Province could not withstand any more internal strife.
Ma Chao continued, “We must live in harmony with the common people and let them see our sincerity.
Only in this way can we gain the support of the people of Liang Province, and our power can become more stable.”
Zhang Xiu nodded, understanding Ma Chao's foresight and realizing that compromising at this moment was for a better future.
The fate of Liang Province needed everyone to protect it together, not through violence and plunder.
At the moment the city was breached, the people of Beidi Commandery were filled with despair and fear.
For years, Liang Province had suffered from turmoil; whether it was the incursions of foreign tribes or the infighting among local generals, they had endured much hardship.
In this land, the common people seemed to have long been accustomed to being ignored and forgotten; their lives had always been in dire straits.
However, this time was different.
Ma Chao's arrival brought them an unexpected surprise.
The proclamation of peace that Ma Chao posted was like a warm ray of sunshine, illuminating the dark hearts of the common people.
He opened the government treasury and distributed all supplies, except for military equipment and provisions, to the common people.
This act made the people feel as if they were in a dream; they could hardly believe that this general would care so much about their suffering.
But before the common people could fully recover from their shock, Ma Chao took his cavalry and rushed to the next battlefield.
His figure quickly disappeared into the distance, leaving only the people standing in place, filled with emotion and admiration.
They knew that Ma Chao was a general who truly cared for the common people, and his appearance might bring new hope to Liang Province.
Meanwhile, the scattered soldiers and generals who were originally under Yang Qiu gradually returned to Beidi Commandery.
They were surprised to find that the city was not only intact, without any damage, but also that the common people were all safe and unharmed.
Only some provisions and supplies were lost in this incident.
Seeing this scene, the leading general was both shocked and puzzled, not daring to delay, and immediately galloped to report the matter urgently to Yang Qiu.
Upon learning of this news, Yang Qiu was filled with shock and confusion.
He had originally thought that Ma Chao, after conquering Beidi Commandery, would surely engage in widespread destruction and slaughter to vent his anger, as most warlords in this chaotic world tended to do.
But unexpectedly, Ma Chao not only did not harm the common people but also posted a proclamation of peace and opened the government treasury to distribute supplies, which completely exceeded his expectations.
Yang Qiu began to recall his past actions; he too had burned, killed, and looted in other places, treating the common people as mere grass.
Yet Ma Chao, an enemy general, could treat the people of his territory so kindly, which made him feel incomparably ashamed.
He asked himself if he was truly a qualified leader.
He couldn't help but feel a hint of admiration for Ma Chao, and at the same time, deep self-reproach for his own actions.
Yang Qiu pondered repeatedly, his heart a mix of emotions.
He was confused by Ma Chao's actions, not understanding why Ma Chao would do this.
Was it a pretense, or did he truly care for the common people?
But regardless, Ma Chao's actions made him re-evaluate his opponent and also led him to a deeper self-reflection.
Yang Qiu reconfirmed the matter with the chief general and the common people of Beidi Commandery, and when he heard what Ma Chao had said to the common people, his heart was even more deeply touched.
Yang Qiu instantly felt as if his heart had overturned a five-flavor bottle, with various tastes intertwined.
An enemy general could care for the people of his own territory, making him, the leader, feel ashamed, and even more admire Ma Chao's magnanimity.
He realized that Ma Chao possessed an extraordinary demeanor and noble character, which he lacked.
Yang Qiu secretly mused that although Beidi Commandery was conquered by Ma Chao, it had not actually suffered much loss, and if he were to reveal the news of this defeat to Han Sui, it would only make him a laughingstock in the alliance, ridiculed by others.
Thinking of this, Yang Qiu silently made a decision in his heart.
He resolved that if he could conquer Wuwei this time, he would protect Ma Chao's family no matter what.
Yang Qiu felt that since Ma Chao treated the people of his territory in such a way, he too should reciprocate.
Although they were on opposing sides, Ma Chao's actions deeply moved him, and he decided to repay Ma Chao in this way, considering it a return of this favor.
Yang Qiu's heart was a mix of emotions; he marveled at Ma Chao's magnanimity and demeanor, and at the same time, he had new thoughts about his role in this conflict.