(As requested, I will end the Three Kingdoms period as soon as possible and move on to Qin's Moon. The plot of this chapter is faster, and you may feel that the plot spans too far.)
"Good news from the grasslands...good news from the grasslands..."
In Shangdang city, a cavalryman galloped through the streets, shouting as he went. Pedestrians quickly made way for him, then began to discuss the spectacle with smiles on their faces.
"We've won another battle."
"I heard that the entire grassland will soon be our pasture, and we won't have to worry about eating meat anymore."
"There are more oxen to plow the fields and more sheep to shear the wool. We have no worries about food or clothing."
"The Marquis of Dingshan is indeed sent by Heaven to save us."
"Following Marquis Dingshan, I can live a life I never dared to dream of."
The people's words were full of pride, gratitude, and support for Wang Han.
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"Good news from the grasslands."
Upon arriving at the city lord's mansion, the cavalryman dismounted and charged into the mansion, shouting as he did so. Hearing his cries, the soldiers guarding the mansion made way for him.
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"My lord, good news from the grasslands!" Xi Zhicai rushed into the pharmacy, interrupting Wang Han, who was studying biology with famous doctors such as Hua Tuo.
Xi Zhicai was already used to what Wang Han was doing; once Wang Han made a decision, he couldn't stop him at all.
"It seems the war is going well." Wang Han washed the blood off his hands, took the letter from Xi Zhicai, opened it and read it. The conquest of the grasslands was already a foregone conclusion; the only difference was that it was happening a little faster than expected.
“Cao Cao has done a good job. We can proceed to the next step of the plan,” Wang Han said, handing the letter to Xi Zhicai. “Transform the grasslands into our vast ranches, providing us with meat and a large amount of livestock.”
Xi Zhicai took the letter, quickly read it through, and said with a smile, "After the entire grassland is transformed into a pasture, the gap between them and us will only widen, and those feudal lords will probably become restless."
“Next, we’re going to strike at their very core and shatter their dreams. No wonder they’re so easily swayed.” Wang Han nodded and asked Xi Zhicai, “Are all the supplies for this comprehensive reform ready?”
"Everything is ready except for meat," Xi Zhicai said with a smile. "Once the grassland is converted into pasture, we can carry out a comprehensive reform."
"Which lord does the lord intend to target first?" Xi Zhicai asked. A comprehensive reform would inevitably require action against the lords who each control their own territories. This time, preparations are complete; they won't be asked for their consent. The lords' good days are over; it's just a matter of when.
“Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan,” Wang Han said. “Their territories border Bingzhou and the grasslands, so they can implement reforms the fastest.”
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On the grasslands, under Wang Han's call and preferential policies for herders, a large number of herders, trusting and admiring Dingshan Hou, brought their families from Yanmen Pass into the grasslands. The livestock were the cattle and sheep that the Xiongnu and Xianbei had not had time to take with them.
Cao Cao left 40,000 men to garrison the ruined city of Touman, while having the prisoners build passes to prevent the Xiongnu and Xianbei from returning. He then continued to lead his troops to conquer Wuhuan.
Compared to the Xiongnu and Xianbei, who served as cautionary tales, the King of Wuhuan ultimately made a wise choice: he abolished the Wuhuan Kingdom and chose to join the Han Dynasty, becoming a citizen of the Han.
Wang Han did not disappoint him, nor did he leave him any hope of restoring his kingdom. Even though the Wuhuan were willing to become part of the Han people, Wang Han still demanded that the Wuhuan people disperse and relocate to Bingzhou, Yizhou, and Silu, completely dispersing the Wuhuan ethnic group. At the same time, a large number of Han people were relocated to the former Wuhuan kingdom.
Wang Han's approach to ethnic integration further enhanced the other warlords' respect for him. If the Han Dynasty had used this method after defeating the Xiongnu, the Xiongnu might have become an integral part of the Han. However, they also wondered why Marquis Dingshan didn't use this method against the Xiongnu and Xianbei, instead simply driving them out of the grasslands. At that time, Marquis Dingshan's army had dealt a crushing blow to the Xiongnu and Xianbei, even having the opportunity to completely annihilate them, and they had offered almost every condition for surrender. Why did Marquis Dingshan insist on driving them away?
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"What? The Marquis of Dingshan is coming to visit me?" In Youzhou, when Gongsun Zan heard the messenger's words, his heart clenched. Among the feudal lords, the Marquis of Dingshan was the most feared. After occupying Bingzhou, he usually sent messengers to visit him or inform them of matters. This was practically the first time the Marquis of Dingshan had visited another feudal lord since taking control of Bingzhou. His sudden visit was definitely not a good sign.
"Yes, Lord Gongsun Zan, our lord has already departed from Shangdang City and is expected to arrive in five days," the envoy said neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"I understand. I will await the arrival of Marquis Dingshan at any time. Go back and report," Gongsun Zan replied, though he was extremely anxious.
After the envoy left, Gongsun Zan's strategist asked, "My lord, what should we do now? Youzhou borders Bingzhou, and after Cao Cao sought refuge with Marquis Dingshan, he was surrounded by Bingzhou, Qingzhou, and Yizhou. We are isolated and helpless. I'm afraid Marquis Dingshan's visit this time is not for good purposes."
"The Marquis of Dingshan is going too far. We did as he asked, that we shouldn't involve civilians in our wars. We also complied with his orders to improve the status of women and to stop the war. Now he wants Youzhou." A general said, "Let's fight him to the death."
"What are we going to fight with?" Gongsun Zan retorted. "We have no popular support. If Marquis Dingshan were to give a single call, the entire population of Youzhou would rise up in rebellion. We are also outmatched in weaponry, and we don't even have the morale to fight. What are we going to fight with?"
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