The cities built on the grasslands were not only for garrisoning large armies and guarding the grasslands. Another task was to gather all the grassland bandits who were originally scattered throughout the grasslands and settle them in the cities.

As a nomadic people, the grassland bandits were inherently without a fixed abode, living by following the water and pasture. Raised on horseback from childhood, they appeared and disappeared without a trace. Under these circumstances, annihilating all the grassland bandits was virtually impossible!

Although the main force of the grassland bandits has been severely damaged, some grassland people will inevitably remain. Over time, as these grassland people grow stronger, they will form a force that will pose a threat to the Great Khanate.

Therefore, Li Xin, Yu Maocai, and others had already discussed and agreed on a plan to deal with the grassland bandits.

One of these measures was to build fortified cities and house captured grassland bandits. These captured bandits were then forcibly converted into settled peoples who cultivated the surrounding wasteland.

In this way, the nomadic nature of the grassland bandits could be completely severed, and they would gradually evolve.

When combined with methods such as changing customs, intermarriage, and rewriting characters, remarkable results can be achieved over many years!

And cities are the most basic method!

As is well known, the reason why grassland bandits are a nomadic people is because they live by following the water and grass. Now, what Li Xin wants is to build cities and enclose all the important and fertile areas of the grassland.

Although this project is enormous.

However, this would be a permanent solution, completely eliminating the threat of grassland bandits.

This is a great event that benefits the present and future generations!

Fortunately, there are now captives of grassland bandits who can serve as free labor for construction.

Therefore, during this period, Muyunyan and other tribes were stationed near Saihantala.

Ten days later, the militia members who had migrated from Xuanfu and other places arrived in Saihantala. Accompanying them were orders from His Majesty Li Xin.

Saihantala, a name that is very characteristic of grassland bandits, will also be completely changed.

The new city was named Lanhe City after Li Lanhe, the commander of the 7th Infantry Division!

A small river that flows nearby is named the Lan River.

Such a name greatly shocked Li Lanhe, the commander of the 7th Infantry Division.

Upon hearing the edict read aloud by Mu Yunyan, commander of the Northern Military Region, Li Lanhe immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "This humble general thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"

"Haha, congratulations, Commander Li!"

The surrounding teachers and officers all offered their congratulations.

For a moment, Li Lanhe was at a loss for words, and said with a smile, "The Emperor's grace is boundless. Compared with my comrades, what merit do I, Li Lanhe, have?"

"Hey, Commander Li,"

Mu Yunyan spoke up, "The Emperor's grace is boundless; accept it with grace. Besides, since His Majesty has received such an honor, I'm sure the other division commanders will receive the same treatment. You all fight well, and your names will be forever etched on this grassland! This is the greatest honor for us soldiers!"

Hearing Mu Yunyan's words, the eyes of the group of teachers and officers lit up, and a sense of anticipation began to rise in their hearts.

"Commander Li, hurry up and bring out your treasures, we're going to rip off a big spender tonight!"

Wang Qinggu, who was standing next to him, said with a smile.

"good!"

Li Lanhe nodded and instructed the guards beside him, "Have the cooks prepare some roasted horse meat, and also bring out the spoils of our 7th Infantry Division. We'll have a banquet for Commander Mu and the division commanders tonight!"

Immediately, the grassland became bustling with activity.

A campfire was lit, and the warhorses that had died in battle were placed on the fire and roasted.

Before long, a delicious aroma filled the grassland.

Mu Yunyan, Li Lanhe, and others ate roasted horse meat while drinking the mare's milk wine they had seized.

It wasn't just the generals who were enjoying their meal.

In this great battle, many of the grassland bandits' warhorses were killed or wounded. All the spoils of war were roasted and distributed to all the soldiers, so that everyone got a share.

Sitting around the campfire, eating roasted horse meat and drinking mare's milk wine, Li Lanhe's eyes gradually became a little hazy.

"Commander Mu, these days are wonderful! It feels like we've returned to how things were a few years ago in Dongning!"

Li Lanhe's voice rang out softly.

"yes!"

Mu Yunyan put down his wine cup and said with some reminiscence, "Back then, we had nothing to eat in Dongning, so His Majesty shared all the captured warhorses with us. Looking back, it feels like just yesterday!"

"We've been through thick and thin with His Majesty! As long as we do our jobs well, His Majesty won't treat us unfairly!"

Looking at the assembled teachers and officers, Mu Yunyan said loudly, "Come on, let's drink!"

The bonfire glows brightly, and glasses clink and toasts are exchanged!

It was very late when everyone finally dispersed.

...

When Li Lanhe woke up the next day, he shook his somewhat heavy head.

I put on my clothes, washed my face, and went outside.

After a period of cleaning, the entire Saihantala battlefield has been completely cleaned up.

And today marks the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new city!

As the person who named the new city, Li Lanhe naturally had to participate in the process.

When they arrived at the construction site, the militia corps members were already there.

"Commander Li, this way please!"

A captain from the militia brigade brought Li Lanhe to the groundbreaking ceremony site.

Looking at the yellow earth in front of him, the captain said, "Commander Li, please lay the foundation stone for Lanhe City!"

"Come on, let's all do it together!"

Li Lanhe said with a smile.

He then picked up an entrenching tool and shoveled away the first shovelful of soil on the ground.

Then, the others around also started working enthusiastically.

Li Lanhe also personally wrote the words "Lanhe City".

After the groundbreaking ceremony, the militia brigade directed the captured bandits from the grasslands to begin digging the foundation.

Incidentally, several brick kilns were built on the outskirts to begin firing bricks.

Cement transported from Xuanfu and other places was mixed with steel bars to make reinforced concrete, which was then poured into the foundation.

Many hands make light work!

With the cooperation of tens of thousands of militia corps, tens of thousands of captured grassland bandits, and the 7th Infantry Division, the construction of Lanhe City progressed very quickly.

In just half a month, the foundation of a magnificent city has risen from the ground on this grassland.

While the city walls were being built, houses were also being constructed within the city. These houses would serve as residences for the garrison, the militia, and captured bandits from the grasslands.

It will also be the main building in Lanhe City in the future.

As these buildings began construction simultaneously, the entire grassland underwent a complete transformation.

Looking at these changes, Li Lanhe felt a sense of excitement.

Li Lanhe felt particularly proud when the three large characters "Lanhe City" were hung on the city gate.

He knew that from this day forward, Saihantala would cease to exist completely.

And this place is Lanhe City!