Ma Jiang, a young man from Hezhou, joins the Western Expedition in order to survive. He goes from sharpening swords in the Gobi to bathing in blood in ancient pastures. Inspired by Wang Erzhu's sacrifice and Zuo Zongtang's "Father's Expedition", he awakens his feelings for his family and country. The attack on Dabancheng showed his bravery, and the pursuit in southern Xinjiang showed his sincerity. He used the bow and knife as the blade and faith as the armor. He transformed from an ignorant country boy into a fierce warrior. He witnessed the magnificent process of Xinjiang's recovery with his determination to wrap his body in horse leather, and wrote about the righteousness of the little man's family and country.
