Cao Zhang and others walked with Ma Yunlu towards Tianshui. About an hour later, they arrived at the foot of Tianshui City.
There were several soldiers from the Xiliang Army at the city gate checking people coming in and out. They saw Cao Zhang and others' team from a distance as if they were facing a powerful enemy, and they immediately displayed their weapons and took a defensive posture.
Ma Yunlu hurriedly urged his horse forward and shouted loudly: "Don't get me wrong, it's me! These people are my friends. I encountered a group of jackals in the wild, and they saved me. They quickly informed my father and elder brother and let us enter the city. !”
After hearing Ma Yunlu's shouts, the soldiers guarding the city did not dare to neglect, and turned around in a panic to report.
Not long after, I heard the sound of horse hooves coming from the city, and a tall white horse galloped out. On the horse was a young general. He shouted loudly: "Little sister!" and greeted Ma Yunlu.
Ma Yunlu was also very excited when he saw the young general. He shouted "big brother" and urged his horse to come forward.
Hearing the two men calling each other, Cao Zhang immediately determined the young general's identity - Ma Chao, and then observed him carefully.
Ma Chao is tall and powerful. According to modern height standards, he should be between 185-190 centimeters. His strong and muscular body shows his great strength.
His broad shoulders and powerful chest revealed a masculine temperament, full of perseverance and determination.
His appearance was extremely handsome, and his deep eyes seemed to sparkle with a fiery light that could ignite the air around him. His high eyebrows show his determination and intelligence. The slender and straight bridge of the nose and the strong and strong jaw line form a flawless face.
Ma Chao wears a gorgeous brocade-like jersey with gold thread patterns painted on it, which reflects his majestic figure.
Ma Chao's appearance is not only handsome, but also contains a kind of majesty and heroism, exuding unparalleled momentum!
"Xiliang Jinma Chao is truly worthy of its reputation!" Cao Zhang praised sincerely.
Although he is also handsome in appearance, compared with Ma Chao today, he is still obviously dwarfed.
Ma Chao greeted Ma Yunlu and asked with concern: "Little sister, I heard that you encountered a group of jackals, were you not injured?!"
Ma Yunlu responded quickly: "Brother, don't worry, I'm fine.
She pointed to Cao Zhang behind her and introduced: "Thanks to Mr. Cao for saving me!"
When Ma Chao heard Ma Yunlu's words, he quickly turned to Cao Zhang and clasped his fists respectfully on his horse: "Brother, thank you for saving my sister. Please follow me into the city. My father will definitely reward you heavily!"
When Cao Zhang saw Ma Chao's enthusiastic invitation, he was not in a hurry to reveal his identity and just nodded with a smile.
Seeing that Cao Zhang did not reveal his identity, Ma Yunlu hesitated for a moment, but without saying anything, he followed Ma Chao and Cao Zhang's team into Tianshui City.
After entering Tianshui City, Ma Chao expressed his gratitude to Cao Zhang enthusiastically, and Cao Zhang responded with a smile.
Seeing Cao Zhang and Ma Chao being "intimate", Ma Yunlu's heart, which had been in suspense, relaxed slightly.
Brother and sister Ma Chao led Cao Zhang and others to Ma Teng's mansion in Tianshui City and invited him in.
Cao Zhang ordered most of his entourage to wait outside, and motioned with his eyes to Zhong Yao and Li Jin to follow him in.
Ma Teng had also received the news at this time that Ma Yunlu was in danger and was rescued by Cao Zhang, and he personally greeted him.
Ma Teng is in his forties, tall and rosy, a typical northwest man.
After Ma Teng and Cao Zhang exchanged pleasantries, they invited Cao Zhang and others into the living room, and everyone sat down separately.
Ma Teng looked at Ma Yunlu and complained in a low voice: "You kid, I said I wouldn't let you leave the city because I was afraid that you would be in danger. It's a good thing for you, not only did you sneak out, but you also ran so far that you encountered a group of jackals. Right? If you weren’t lucky this time and were saved by Mr. Cao, you wouldn’t be able to come back, right? Let’s see if you will be obedient next time!?”
Ma Yunlu was scolded by his father, and he replied unconvincingly: "If you let me come and go freely, I will definitely not run so far, and I can bring more followers with me, so there will be no danger."
When Ma Teng heard that Ma Yunlu dared to contradict him, he was about to get angry: "You girl, you still dare to talk like this, I don't want to teach you a lesson..."
Seeing that his father was about to get angry, Ma Chao hurriedly tried to persuade her in a low voice: "Father, calm down, there are still guests after all. The thing about my little sister is that I didn't take good care of her. I will definitely keep a close eye on her in the future and never let her sneak out again."
After listening to what Ma Chao said, Ma Teng calmed down his violent temper a little, turned around and smiled at Cao Zhang: "Thank you so much for making Mr. Cao laugh. I don't know what kind of business Mr. Cao is in. Come on. Are we Tianshui passing by or are we looking for someone?"
After listening to Ma Teng's words, Cao Zhang smiled: "I came to Tianshui specifically to see General Ma."
Ma Teng and Ma Chao were slightly startled when they heard Cao Zhang's words.
Before they could react, Cao Zhang and Zhong Yao stood up together. Zhong Yao took out the imperial edict from his arms and said loudly: "General Andi and Ma Teng accept the edict!"
Ma Teng and Ma Chao were even more shocked when they heard Zhong Yao's words, and their eyes widened in shock.
Seeing that the two of them were sitting still, Cao Zhang reminded him: "Seeing the imperial decree is like the emperor's personal arrival. Please ask General Ma to accept the decree!"
Ma Chao reacted and glared at Cao Zhang angrily: "Are you from the Cao family? You are here to trick us into helping you send troops to deal with Li Jue, right?!"
Before Ma Chao finished speaking, he had already taken action. He drew out the sword from his waist and rushed towards Zhong Yao.
Li Jin had already shown his green sword and was standing in front of Zhong Yao, preventing Ma Chao from taking action.
As soon as Ma Chao made a move, the soldiers guarding around the hall had already stood up, displayed their weapons, and surrounded Cao Zhang and others. They only waited for Ma Teng and Ma Chao's orders to draw out their swords.
Cao Zhang was furious and showed his sword, angrily yelling at Ma Teng who was sitting there: "General Ma, you dare to assassinate the emperor's messenger. Are you planning to rebel!?"
The Ma family and his son took action without saying a word, which made Cao Zhang angry and ready for a life-and-death fight.
Seeing the tense situation between the two sides, Ma Yunlu rushed to Ma Teng and begged loudly: "Dad, Master Cao saved my life, don't kill him!"
Ma Teng rolled his eyes at Ma Yunlu in front of him and said coldly: "My lord is handling matters, please don't interrupt and stand down!"
Ma Yunlu refused to retreat. Instead, he turned around and rushed to Cao Zhang, blocking him and Ma Chao. He said loudly: "Master Cao saved my life. I promised to ensure his safety. I can't say anything." Forget it, if you want to kill him, kill me first!"
Ma Chao knew his sister's character, so he turned to look at Ma Teng helplessly, asking for his opinion.
Ma Teng looked at Ma Yunlu, hesitated for a moment, and then said to Cao Zhang: "For the sake of saving my daughter, I will spare your life. Leave Tianshui immediately, and act as if I have never seen you before!"
Cao Zhang listened to Ma Teng's words, but did not move. He sneered: "General Ma, as the commander-in-chief of the crusade against the rebellious Li Jue, I specially escorted the emperor's envoy to see you. If you were so frightened that you escaped from Tianshui, How can I command the three armies when I go back!?"
Ma Teng's pupils shrank slightly, and he looked at Cao Zhang with a scrutinizing gaze, obviously in disbelief: "Are you Cao Zhang?"
"It's true! A few days ago, Zhong Shizhong sent a messenger to ask General Ma to go to Chang'an to meet the imperial edict, but he was rejected. I thought it was General Ma who thought we lacked etiquette, or that General Ma mistakenly believed the villain's slander and was subjected to So this time, I personally accompanied Zhong Shizhong to visit General Ma, just to express my greatest sincerity and respect to you." Cao Zhang showed his identity in a neither humble nor overbearing manner, and also explained his purpose of coming.
"Stop using nice words to coax my father. Your purpose is to trick us into sending troops to help you deal with Li Jue, and then backhand to eliminate us and seize our territory!" Ma Chao, however, did not believe what Cao Zhang said at all, and directly intervened to express his feelings. Doubtful.
"Yes, we will definitely not be used by you to help you deal with Li Jue, and then wait to be dealt with by you!" Ma Teng also echoed Ma Chao's words.
Cao Zhang looked at the Ma family and his son who were hostile to him, but instead of getting angry or explaining too much, he looked up to the sky and laughed, quite exaggeratedly, as if he had heard some good joke...
