Cao Zhang was shocked when he heard the girl announced her name as Ma Yunlu.
In historical books such as "Three Kingdoms" and "Zizhi Tongjian", there is no record of Ma Teng's daughter and her name. However, Ma Teng's daughter was mentioned in many novels and books of later generations, and various beautiful love stories were arranged for her and Zhao Yun.
Unexpectedly, in this semi-imaginary world that he traveled through, Ma Yunlu actually existed.
Cao Zhang couldn't help but start to look at Ma Yunlu. This girl was fifteen or sixteen years old. Her appearance was not a peerless beauty, but she was also extremely beautiful. The most important thing was that she had the air of a northwest woman in her bones. She grew up in The heroic and sturdy temperament on the horseback makes it even more heroic, and there is also a wild beauty, which is obviously different from the Central Plains women.
Ma Yunlu saw that Cao Zhang was looking at him in a daze, but he didn't show too much shyness. Instead, he smiled generously: "Why, do you know our Ma family?"
Cao Zhang came back to his senses, smiled and nodded: "Yes, General Ma's name has been well known to me for a long time, and I have admired it for a long time. But why did Miss Ma go out alone today and was attacked by a pack of jackals?"
Ma Yunlu said helplessly: "My father recently said that we should be on guard against the original people and not let us go out hunting. But I felt uncomfortable holding it back, so I took a few attendants and sneaked out. In order to prevent my father from catching me, When I arrived, I wanted to go somewhere far away from the city, but unexpectedly I encountered a group of jackals. Fortunately, I met you, sir, otherwise I would have been in trouble."
After Ma Yunlu finished speaking, he looked at the team of Cao Zhang and others and saw that they had brought a lot of extra horses. He asked doubtfully: "Did you come from there? Why did you bring so many spare horses?"
"I came to Tianshui this time specifically to meet with General Ma." Cao Zhang already knew the other party's identity, so he no longer concealed his purpose.
Ma Yunlu laughed happily: "That's such a coincidence, I..."
She suddenly realized something, the smile on her face faded, she looked Cao Zhang up and down, and asked nervously: "Are you someone sent by the Han Dynasty?"
Cao Zhang smiled and nodded: "Yes, I am Cao Zhang, the son of Cao Sikong, the general sent by the imperial court to conquer the traitor Li Jue. I accompanied the emperor's envoy to deliver the imperial edict of reward and recruitment to General Ma."
After Ma Yunlu heard Cao Zhang introduce his identity, his eyes widened in shock: "Are you that Cao Zhang?!"
She couldn't help but look Cao Zhang up and down with disbelief in her eyes.
"Why, does Miss Ma also know my name?" Cao Zhang asked with a smile.
Ma Yunlu nodded: "The people my father sent out to find out the news came back and said that you had killed a tiger, won the title of Yuedan Ping, and defeated Li Jue. You are a very powerful person. I didn't expect to see you today. , but it’s completely different from what I imagined.”
"I wonder what the girl imagines me to be like?" Cao Zhang asked curiously.
"I thought you must be at least a heroic general in his thirties or forties, but I didn't expect that you are actually much younger than my eldest brother, and you look about the same age as me." Ma Yunlu has a straightforward personality and said it without any scruples. own inner thoughts.
"I see, I've let the girl down." Cao Zhang said to Ma Yunlu apologetically.
"I'm not disappointed. I just didn't expect you to be so powerful at such a young age. I'm just surprised!" When Ma Yunlu said this, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said to Cao Zhang, "By the way, you just said that you would accompany the emperor's envoy to see him. Is that my father?"
"Exactly, I have to ask the girl to introduce you to you." Cao Zhang said politely, having already revealed his identity and knowing the relationship between Ma Yunlu and Ma Teng.
But Ma Yunlu shook his head nervously, waved his hands vigorously and said, "No, no, I can't take you to see my father. You'd better go back quickly."
Cao Zhang looked at Ma Yunlu in confusion: "I haven't seen General Ma yet, let alone completed my mission. How can I just go back like this?"
"Oh, if you go to Tianshui now, not only will you not be able to complete your mission, but you will also have to risk your life. My father said that any envoy sent by the Central Plains to recruit him will be beheaded immediately as long as he is caught. You Listen to me and go back quickly, don't lose your life in vain." Ma Yunlu explained to Cao Zhang in a panic and urged him to leave.
Cao Zhang's brows furrowed: "Miss Ma, your Majesty ordered the execution of the imperial envoy. This is disobedience and a serious crime of rebellion. Do you want to rebel?"
"No, no!" Ma Yunlu hurriedly explained, "My father has no intention of rebelling, he just doesn't want to get involved in the fight between the Central Plains court and Li Jue. He said that the fight between you guys has nothing to do with us, and he doesn't want to give people As a swordsman, I just want to live my own steady life."
"He said that anyway, the mountains are high and the roads are far away. If you want to kill the envoy, just pretend that you didn't see him and that he was robbed by horse bandits. There is no place to check anyway, so you just get there!" Ma Yunlu has a simple character and does not hide anything. Cao Zhang expressed all Ma Teng's thoughts.
After hearing Ma Yunlu's answer, Cao Zhang couldn't help but chuckle, sighing at the girl's simplicity and kindness.
"Why are you laughing? You don't believe what I say?" Ma Yunlu asked somewhat unhappily.
"No, I'm so grateful for the girl's frankness. How can I not believe it? I laugh because I think your father's idea is too naive and short-sighted. Isn't it the king's land in the whole world, and the king's ministers are on the shore of the land!"
"Your Majesty is General Andi who was officially conferred by the imperial court. The imperial court was conquering the rebellious Li Jue, but he did not send troops to help. Instead, he refused to accept the imperial edict and even killed the emperor's envoy. How is this different from rebellion?"
"Once the imperial court defeats Li Jue, will it allow your father's disobedient behavior to be tolerated? If the army invades the country and conquers your father, how can you live a stable life? Wouldn't the people under his rule also suffer the slaughter of the war, wouldn't your father? How sinful!?" Cao Zhang spoke bluntly and directly stated his evaluation of Ma Teng.
After all, Ma Yunlu is a girl and doesn't know much about political struggles. She became nervous after what Cao Zhang said: "Ah? The imperial court will really send troops to fight us. What will we do then?!"
Cao Zhang hurriedly smiled and comforted her: "Miss Ma, don't be nervous. What I'm talking about is that your father insisted on resisting the imperial court, so the imperial court had to send troops to suppress it to show the king's power! Now I am not accompanying the emperor's envoy to see you. Father? As long as your father accepts the emperor's recruitment and reward with peace of mind, the imperial court will not attack your father, but will also give you rewards and appease him. This is the guarantee that your father, the Ma family, and the people of Yongliang can live a solid life!"
"Are you telling the truth? The court really has no ill intentions toward us?" Ma Yunlu asked doubtfully.
"If I had malicious intentions, as the commander-in-chief of the Western Expedition, why would I only bring a hundred personal soldiers to protect the emperor's envoys when they come to see your father?" Cao Zhang said to Ma Yunlu with a smile, pointing at his subordinates.
Ma Yunlu looked at Cao Zhang and somewhat believed it, but then she said worriedly: "General Cao, I can listen to what you just said, but my father and my eldest brother may not be able to. You just go like this I'm afraid it's still dangerous to see him. You saved my life, and I can't watch you die. Otherwise, I'll go back to see my father first and send him a message. If he agrees to see you, I'll let you know. , how about you go into the city again?"
Cao Zhang looked at the innocent and kind-hearted Ma Yunlu in front of him, and gratefully clasped his fists in thanks: "Thank you very much, Miss, for your kindness. But is there any reason for the emperor's imperial edict to be consulted with ministers before issuing it? If Miss is willing to help me, I'd better ask Miss to bring me directly. Just go to the city and see your father."
Ma Yunlu was still a little worried: "If you really want to go see my father and my eldest brother directly, they have bad tempers. When you meet them, be careful what you say and don't offend them."
"Don't worry, girl. Since I am accompanying the emperor's envoy to recruit General Ma, I will treat you with courtesy. I believe General Ma is also a smart man, and he naturally knows how to choose. The final result must be happy for everyone." Cao Zhang responded. Comforting Ma Yunlu.
Seeing Cao Zhang's resolute attitude, Ma Yunlu was finally persuaded by him and nodded: "Okay, then I will take you into Tianshui to meet my father!"
