Cao Zhang suppressed his excitement, turned to look at Ma Chao, and saw the regret and anger on Ma Chao's face.
"Brother Meng Qi, I accept the concession!" Cao Zhang put down the wooden gun in his hand and thanked Ma Chao.
Ma Chao just snorted coldly but said nothing. He turned around and waved his hand to signal the thousands of men under his command to retreat, and he went to the direction of the high platform alone.
Cao Zhang understood Ma Chao's mood at this moment. After all, for such a general known for his bravery, losing the gambling match was definitely a shame, especially under the premise that he had used all his main strength in the end.
At this time, Ma Chao was definitely not in the mood to listen to his polite words.
Cao Zhang didn't pay too much attention and turned to look at Li Jin: "Jiji, thank you for your hard work!"
Although it was just a faint sentence, the affection contained in his eyes could not be replaced by a thousand words.
This time it was Li Jin's performance at the critical moment that won him victory.
Li Jin remained silent as usual and just responded with fists clasped on the horse. His loyalty to Cao Zhang did not need to be explained.
"Take everyone to rest and tell them that I will give them a big reward when they go back!" Cao Zhang ordered Li Jin.
Li Jin nodded and waved for the hundred-man escort to gather and retreat to the other side of the high platform.
Cao Zhang rode his horse to the high platform, dismounted, and climbed onto the high platform.
Ma Teng stepped forward quickly and said, "Young Master Cao is really good at what he does. I admire him very much. The result of today's gambling match is clear, Young Master Cao won!"
Ma Chao had returned to Ma Teng. Hearing Ma Teng announce the result, his face was very unconvinced.
Ma Yunlu looked at the victorious Cao Zhang, but his face was filled with joy. Ma Chao was safe and Cao Zhang won. This was a happy outcome for everyone.
"General Ma, you're welcome. This is all because of Brother Meng Qi's mercy. I'm just taking advantage of the martial arts performance. If it were a real battle on the battlefield, I would definitely not be Brother Meng Qi's opponent." Cao Zhang responded humbly and tried his best to hand Ma Chao a hand. steps.
Ma Teng said with a smile: "Young master Cao, you don't have to worry about Quan Zi's face. If you lose, you lose. The general will keep his word and will definitely keep his promise. Come, prepare the incense case quickly and welcome the imperial edict!"
This time Ma Chao did not raise any objections, and Ma Teng's men quickly prepared the incense case.
The Ma family and his son knelt down and worshiped. Zhong Yao read out the imperial edict and made Ma Teng the governor of Yongzhou. Ma Teng thanked him and accepted the imperial edict.
"Mr. Cao, please rest assured. I will send someone to escort Zhong Shizhong to Jincheng County to meet Han Sui, and write a letter to Han Sui personally to put aside all the past grudges with him and make peace with him. Please accept the court's invitation and send troops to conquer Li Jue together. At the same time, I I will also immediately mobilize 20,000 troops and horses to return to Chang'an with the young master to defeat the enemy together!" Ma Teng solemnly made a promise to Cao Zhang.
"Thank you so much, General Ma! Now that General Ma Teng has accepted the offer, I believe other princes will also respond. In the near future, we will surely put down the rebellious Li Jue and restore stability and prosperity to the people of Yongliang." Cao Zhang sincerely said He expressed his gratitude to Ma Teng, and the purpose of his trip was finally achieved.
"You're welcome, Mr. Cao." Ma Teng responded to Cao Zhang, and then called to Ma Chao beside him, "Meng Qi, why don't you quickly go and count the troops and horses, and follow Mr. Cao to Chang'an!"
Ma Chao had a dissatisfied expression on his face. He refused to admit defeat. He stared at Cao Zhang and said loudly: "Master Cao, admit defeat. I lost the bet. My father and I will keep our promises. But there is a saying I also have to say: I don’t think you are stronger than me. My loss in the bet today was entirely the result of me underestimating my opponent. If we really fight on the battlefield, I will never lose to you!"
"Shut up!" Ma Teng scolded Ma Chao sharply.
"Meng Qi, how can there be so many rules on the battlefield? It's your own problem to underestimate the enemy. You didn't go all out in the first place. No one will show mercy because you underestimate the enemy. This is a cruel reality. Think about it carefully, what if This is a real battlefield. When you rush into the battle alone, will you already be dead? Will you still have the opportunity to say nonsense here about whether you are convinced or not!?" Ma Teng warned Ma Chao in a stern tone.
Ma Chao was scolded by his father and lowered his head angrily. He knew in his heart that what Ma Teng said was the truth and that no one else was really to blame for this incident.
"Meng Qi, Mr. Cao is much younger than you, but he is capable of both bravery and strategy, and can flexibly command such wonderful battle formations. These are things you should humbly ask for advice and learn from. I, Ma Jiaerlang, cannot play rogue! Sheng Defeat is a common thing for soldiers, you should reflect on it and learn lessons. Only then can you be successful on the battlefield!" Ma Teng saw that Ma Chao was still dissatisfied and reminded him earnestly.
Ma Chao was speechless by Ma Teng's words. He knew that he was in the wrong and didn't want to argue anymore. He could only respond angrily: "What the father taught you is that the child will remember it!"
Ma Chao's dissatisfied look was noticed by Cao Zhang, and he began to make calculations in his mind.
Although Ma Teng now suppresses Ma Chao, he has accepted the recruitment and sent troops.
But if Ma Chao's inner resentment is not relieved, it will always remain in his heart and will always be a hidden danger.
What's more, Ma Chao's martial prowess is comparable to that of Lu Bu. Of course, Cao Zhang hopes to subdue him and make him willingly surrender to him, so he tries his best to open up his heart, so that he can truly close the relationship between the two and take Ma Chao for his own use. .
"It's really a fluke that I can win today's gambling match. Brother Meng Qi, then I would like to ask, what should I do so that you can be truly convinced?" Cao Zhang stepped forward and asked Ma Chao.
"You and I, let's have a one-on-one competition. If you can beat me, I will convince you from the bottom of my heart!" Ma Chao had a hot temper. When Cao Zhang asked, he directly proposed the conditions for the competition.
Cao Zhang was frightened when he heard that Ma Chao was going to compete with him.
This is the Five Tiger General, and his martial prowess is comparable to that of Lu Bu. Although he is young now and has not reached the peak of his martial arts value, the courage he showed when he charged in the Yuanyang Formation today is already quite terrifying.
The victory just now was based on the strength of the group, but now it is one-on-one, and that is based on true ability, and I am not sure of victory.
"Nonsense! Mr. Cao is so valuable, how can he compete with you in martial arts?! What's more, the war ahead is urgent, how can we waste time here?" Ma Teng immediately stared, trying to stop Ma Chao.
"No, General Ma, since it takes time to mobilize troops and horses anyway, I will dare to challenge Brother Meng Qi!" Cao Zhang pondered for a moment, and finally made the decision to accept Ma Chao's challenge.
He was unwilling to miss this opportunity to completely convince Ma Chao and subdue him; and as a man, he would rather be defeated than be cowardly and run away without fighting. Then how could he convince others in the future?
When Ma Chao heard that Cao Zhang agreed to compete, he immediately showed an excited expression and stepped forward to hold Cao Zhang's arm: "Keep your promise, let's compete now!"
"Master Cao has come a long way. We have been fighting fiercely for a long time just now. We have to eat something. Let's take a short break before fighting again!" Ma Yunlu saw Ma Chao pulling Cao Zhang and was about to take action. He stepped forward to persuade with some distress.
Ma Teng also reacted: "That's right, people are coming, prepare wine and food quickly!"
Ma Chao let go of his hand with some embarrassment and said to Cao Zhang: "Okay, let's eat first before fighting!"
Cao Zhang looked at Ma Chao and smiled, without saying anything else.
After a while, the food and wine were served, and everyone started eating and drinking on the high platform.
Ma Chao was as calm as a storm, having eaten and drank enough, and then anxiously waited for Cao Zhang to eat.
Cao Zhang ate the food in front of him slowly, but his mind was already thinking about how to agree on the conditions for a contest with Ma Chao in order to win the battle.
After Cao Zhang finished eating and drinking, he rested for a while, then stood up and said to Ma Chao: "Brother Meng Qi, please come!"
Ma Chao stood up excitedly and was about to walk down the high platform.
But Cao Zhang stopped him: "Brother Meng Qi, don't worry, let's discuss the content and conditions of the competition first."
"What other content and conditions are there for the competition? What tricks are you going to pull off?" Ma Chao asked worriedly, remembering his previous loss to Cao Zhang in the battle formation.
"To be a general, you must master the skills of horse fighting, riding and shooting, and foot fighting. All of them are indispensable. Why don't we just test these three in today's competition. The one who wins both formations will win. What do you think, brother Meng Qi?" Cao Zhang asked Ma Chao. A method of competition was proposed.
Ma Chao has full confidence in his horse fighting, foot fighting and mounted shooting. After hearing the competition conditions proposed by Cao Zhang, he nodded immediately: "Okay, let's compete in three items! Tell me, what should I compete with first?"
"Then let's compete on foot first, then on cavalry and shooting, and finally on horseback. What do you think, brother Meng Qi?" Cao Zhang suggested.
"It's up to you, I must let you know how powerful I am this time!" Ma Chao responded confidently.
"Okay, brother Meng Qi, today's battle is just for you and me to learn from each other. I hope that no matter whether we win or lose, we can not pay attention to the knot. When we go to the battlefield in the future, we can share the same hatred and work together to destroy the traitor Li Jue!" Cao Zhang deliberately brought a few words with him! He said to Ma Chao weakly.
"Of course, I, Ma Chao, keep my word. Since I promised to help you destroy Li Jue, I will do my best. This has nothing to do with winning or losing in today's competition!" Ma Chao responded, patting his chest.
Cao Zhang looked at Ma Chao's confident look and smiled lightly: "Brother Meng Qi, please!"
Ma Chao turned around and strode down to the high platform. Ma Yunlu chased after him uneasily and whispered to him: "Brother, there will be a martial arts competition soon, as long as you can win, but you can't hurt Mr. Cao, he is my savior!"
"Don't worry, I know what's going on, and I'll stop it! Not only because of you, we will have to deal with Li Jue side by side with him in the future, so I won't hurt him!" Ma Chao also responded to Ma Yunlu in a low voice.
After Ma Chao finished speaking, he turned around and walked off the high platform. Ma Yunlu felt relieved and turned to look at Cao Zhang.
Ma Teng walked up to Cao Zhang worriedly and whispered: "Mr. Cao, dogs are arrogant and very brave. Please be more careful during the martial arts competition later!"
Cao Zhang nodded slightly: "Thank you, General Ma, for reminding me. I will be careful."
Cao Zhang looked at Li Jin behind him and waved his hand: "Season!"
Li Jin took a step forward knowingly, took off the green sword from his waist, and raised it in front of Cao Zhang...
