After Ma Chao and the Shaoge Tribe put on a joint act, his strategy underwent a significant shift.
At this point, he deeply realized that the goal of containing the East Qiang had been achieved.
In reality, the East Qiang did not possess overly inflated ambitions.
In the current situation, the most crucial task was to quickly lift the siege on Wuwei.
As for subsequent actions, he planned to strategize first, and after regrouping, he would seek an opportunity to avenge the East Qiang's plunder of Wuwei.
Thus, Ma Chao resolutely ceased his further advance into the Qiang heartland and instead galloped directly towards Wuwei City.
And Qiang King Mitang, after leading his various tribes back from Wuwei City, immediately conceived the idea of finding Ma Chao and defeating him.
He believed that only by doing so could he wash away the shame of the Xianling Qiang's destruction.
After all, Ma Chao had wantonly burned, killed, and plundered within the East Qiang territory; if this were tolerated, it would not only severely impact Qiang King Mitang's own prestige but also pose a great threat to the stability of the entire East Qiang.
Only by annihilating him could the East Qiang ensure continued unity.
King Mitang of Dongqiang led his troops to encamp at the Xianzhi Tribe outside Biaoshi City, a tribe strategically located in the central position of Wuwei Commandery, Lingtu Commandery, and the Shaoge Tribe.
Ma Chao, determined to relieve Wuwei, led his cavalry force galloping towards the Xianzhi Tribe.
Thirty thousand Qiang soldiers stood ready, and Mitang stood on high ground, watching Ma Chao's approaching forces, his heart filled with anticipation and tension.
When Ma Chao's cavalry appeared in sight, the atmosphere on the battlefield instantly grew tense.
Ma Chao led the charge, his warhorse like lightning, galloping at the very front of the formation.
His gaze was firm and sharp, revealing a fearless courage.
Pang De and Zhang Xiu were on Ma Chao's left and right flanks respectively, both equally valiant and imposing.
Ma Chao's cavalry quickly formed an arrow-shaped formation; the neighing of warhorses and the shouts of warriors intertwined, forming a heart-stirring force.
At Ma Chao's command, the cavalry charged forward like arrows released from a bowstring.
The dust raised by their hooves obscured the sky, as if to engulf the entire battlefield.
During the charge, Ma Chao wielded his long spear like a ferocious beast.
Every one of his attacks was immensely powerful, and Qiang soldiers fell one after another beneath his spear.
Pang De was not to be outdone; he wielded his large saber, and wherever he went, blood splattered.
Zhang Xiu, holding a long spear, skillfully moved through the enemy formation, continuously delivering fatal blows to the Qiang soldiers.
Led by Ma Chao, the cavalry charged forward fearlessly into the Qiang army's ranks.
They were like a surging tide, instantly breaking the Qiang's defense line into disarray.
The Qiang soldiers attempted to resist, but under the powerful offensive of Ma Chao and his men, they appeared powerless.
Ma Chao's long spear danced like lightning, consecutively unhorsing seven or eight Qiang soldier leaders, each kill accompanied by a roar of fury, displaying his heroic fearlessness.
East Qiang Prince Mi Dang saw the dire situation and personally took up his spear to block Ma Chao's advance.
However, Ma Chao's momentum was like an insurmountable mountain; Mi Dang appeared insignificant before him.
Ma Chao and Mi Dang instantly engaged, their two long spears clashing in the air, producing crisp metallic sounds.
After several rounds, Mi Dang gradually fell into a disadvantage.
Finally, Ma Chao seized an opportunity and unhorsed Mi Dang with a single spear thrust.
Mi Dang's personal guards fought desperately to save him and managed to pull him back.
In this fierce battle, the cavalry's charge swept across the entire battlefield like a storm.
Their warhorses were like steel beasts, crushing forward with unstoppable force.
Under the cavalry's impact, the Qiang soldiers continuously retreated, and the battlefield was strewn with their bodies and cries of agony.
The heroic performance of Ma Chao and his men struck fear into the hearts of the Qiang soldiers.
However, the Qiang soldiers did not give up resistance; they still fought tenaciously.
The battle between the two sides entered a white-hot stage, with shouts of killing, clashing of weapons, and neighing of warhorses intertwined, forming a tragic battle song.
Ma Chao's cavalry charged back and forth through the enemy formation, repeatedly breaking through.
Their figures were like ghosts, making it difficult for the Qiang soldiers to grasp their movements.
Every charge brought immense destruction, plunging the Qiang soldiers into deep despair.
Pang De and Zhang Xiu also played important roles in the battle; they coordinated with Ma Chao, forcing the Qiang soldiers to retreat repeatedly.
The smoke of battle on the battlefield grew thicker, and the smell of blood permeated the air.
Ma Chao's battle robe was already stained red with blood, but he remained high-spirited, with no intention of retreating.
His eyes were filled with firm conviction, as if telling everyone that he would never give up.
As time passed, the Qiang soldiers' resistance gradually weakened.
Ma Chao seized the opportunity and launched another fierce charge.
This time, he led the cavalry directly through the Qiang soldiers' defense line, killing them without resistance.
They swept through like a whirlwind, utterly routing the Qiang soldiers.
When King Mitang of Dongqiang saw that his thirty thousand strong army not only failed to encircle Ma Chao but was instead thrown into disarray by his approximately fifteen hundred cavalry, with soldiers scattering like birds and beasts, he turned pale with rage and could only furiously gather his remaining forces.
On the battlefield, smoke filled the air, and shouts of killing shook the heavens.
Ma Chao led the charge, holding a long spear, his warhorse flying like the wind; his brave and fearless figure was particularly striking amidst the chaotic battlefield.
His cavalry followed closely, like an unstoppable torrent, impacting the Qiang soldiers' defense line.
The Qiang soldiers had originally stood ready, thinking that with their numerical advantage, they could easily defeat Ma Chao's forces.
But they never expected Ma Chao and his cavalry to be so fierce; their charge was like a thunderbolt, striking fear into the Qiang soldiers.
Ma Chao wielded his long spear, each thrust carrying deadly force, and wherever he went, Qiang soldiers fell.
His cavalry was equally fierce, bravely killing enemies, with arrows flying like locusts, leaving the Qiang soldiers nowhere to hide.
Led by Ma Chao, the cavalry charged back and forth through the enemy formation, repeatedly breaking through.
Their speed was extremely fast, making it difficult for the Qiang soldiers to react.
The Qiang soldiers' defense line quickly collapsed under the impact of Ma Chao's cavalry, and the soldiers lost the courage to resist, throwing away their armor and helmets and fleeing in all directions.
Mitang watched his army collapse, his heart filled with unwillingness and anger.
But he also knew that the tide had turned and he could no longer contend with Ma Chao.
He could only lead his remaining forces, fleeing the battlefield in disarray, leaving behind a mess and countless corpses.
The battle finally ended, the battlefield a scene of devastation.
Ma Chao and his men were covered in wounds, but their faces were beaming with the joy of victory.
They used their courage and strength to defeat a powerful enemy, winning valuable time for the relief of Wuwei.
This battle spread Ma Chao's fame far and wide and also showcased his excellent military talent and fearless courage.
He defeated an enemy several times his size with fewer troops and a fearless spirit, becoming a legend on the battlefield.
The various East Qiang tribes had initially been confident in encircling Ma Chao; however, Ma Chao's divine and invincible performance was like a heavy blow, utterly shattering their confidence.
On the battlefield, the fierce charges of Ma Chao and his cavalry showed the various East Qiang tribes an unstoppable force; they no longer had the courage to fight and chose to retreat to their respective tribes.
As for Mitang, the King of Dongqiang, his prestige was utterly lost in this battle.
He had originally led a thirty-thousand-strong army but failed to achieve victory, instead suffering a crushing defeat for his troops, which caused his standing among the various tribes to plummet.
The various tribes lost trust in him, no longer loyal as before, and became alienated from him.
With the retreat of the various East Qiang tribes, this siege of Wuwei by the King Mitang of Dongqiang was declared a complete failure.
The various East Qiang tribes had no heart to fight further, each returning to their own tribes, leaving behind chaos and silence.
The outcome of this battle made Ma Chao's reputation prominent and also revealed the division and decline within the East Qiang.
And Mitang, after this defeat, would face an even more difficult situation; he needed to regain the trust and support of the various tribes to restore his prestige and position.