Han Sui had fled, Li Jue and Guo Si had already been captured alive, and Ma Teng had surrendered. The affairs of Xiliang could be considered mostly settled. All that remained was to find various excuses to ruthlessly wipe out a wave of Qiang people.
There were too many Qiang people, and they would be a major problem in the future. Besides, "Qiang people" did not refer to a single ethnicity. It was a general term for the nomadic peoples living in Gansu, Qinghai, and Shaanxi. Historical records stated that there were "a total of one hundred and fifty groups." To the Central Plains Dynasty, they were another major threat second only to the northern grasslands. Starting from the Shang Dynasty, they had rebelled continuously.
This time, Wang Xuan intended to completely beat them into submission. "Cultural integration" and the like were simply too annoying. By comparison, Wang Xuan still preferred "physical integration." That simple and brutal method suited him much better.
"Yang Ren, Gao Lan, you two lead the cavalry in pursuing those routed soldiers. Kill them all, but leave my horses alive!" Wang Xuan said with a smile to the two generals beside him.
The two clasped their fists in acknowledgment, then quickly turned and left.
Wang Xuan then beckoned to Ma Chao. Ma Chao was proud, but he only dared mutter privately. When he really saw Wang Xuan calling him over, he still came over reluctantly.
Looking at the splendid Ma Chao, Wang Xuan revealed a warm smile. Whenever Wang Xuan showed that smile, Zhao Yun and Dian Wei, standing beside him, looked at Ma Chao with pity.
"Ma Chao, do you know? Lu Xun once said, 'A person should be lively yet disciplined, innocent yet not childish, brave yet not reckless, stubborn yet principled, passionate yet