Everyone was stunned when they heard Cao Zhang's words. No one expected that he would stand up and say that Ma Chao was actually hit by ten arrows.
There are obviously only nine arrows on the target, so where is the other arrow?
When Ma Chao heard Cao Zhang say that he had been hit by ten arrows, his eyes widened in shock. Apparently he did not expect that Cao Zhang would see this extremely secret detail.
Cao Zhang urged his horses and rushed to where the target was originally placed. He dismounted, picked up some things from the ground, and then quickly returned to the platform.
Cao Zhang raised the thing in his hand, but it was two broken arrows that were split in half.
"Everyone, please see, Brother Meng Qi's last arrow hit the tail of the previous arrow, splitting the arrow and falling to the ground. In other words, all ten of his arrows hit the arrow. The red heart of the target!" Cao Zhang explained loudly to everyone on the high platform.
After listening to Cao Zhang's explanation, everyone suddenly realized that Ma Chao deliberately showed a more superb shooting skill in order to win the beauty. Judging from his performance alone, he successfully defeated Cao Zhang in the riding and shooting competition.
Cao Zhang turned to Ma Chao and said with a smile: "Brother Meng Qi, you have such good archery skills! I admire you so much. You won the third competition beautifully. It seems that the result of our competition today is also a draw!"
Ma Chao looked at Cao Zhang in front of him and his eyes widened in astonishment. On the one hand, he was surprised that he would help him prove the details of victory; on the other hand, so many people present failed to see the mystery of his last arrow, but Cao Zhang was Saw it.
This result is actually enough to show that Cao Zhang's vision is no less than his. In other words, Cao Zhang is fully capable of hitting all ten arrows. He should have deliberately missed one arrow to give himself a chance to win.
The opponent had already won the second game, but took the initiative to call it a draw. In the riding and shooting competition, he deliberately gave in to allow himself to make a comeback without losing face in front of thousands of subordinates. This favor was really too great.
Although Ma Chao has an arrogant personality, Cao Zhang treated him with courtesy and was humble in every aspect, which impressed him from the bottom of his heart.
Without any hesitation, Ma Chao immediately dismounted from his horse and knelt down on one knee to Cao Zhang: "Master Cao is a generous man and is always humble. Ma Chao is deeply grateful for this magnanimity. From today on, Ma Chao will only follow the master's lead and follow his orders in everything!"
When Cao Zhang saw Ma Chao kneeling before him, he knew that his sincerity had finally moved him. At this time, his kneeling should be a sign of sincere surrender. He was overjoyed and hurriedly got off his horse to help him.
"Brother Meng Qi, please get up quickly. I have a heartfelt request, and I hope Brother Meng Qi can agree. I hit it off with you, and I intend to become brothers with you. From now on, brothers will work together to create great achievements. I don't know, Brother Meng Qi." Are you willing?" Cao Zhang helped Ma Chao up, and then expressed his desire to become sworn friends with him.
When Ma Chao heard Cao Zhang's proposal, his face lit up and he immediately nodded in agreement: "That's exactly what I meant. Ma Chao is very lucky to be able to become brothers with the young master!"
The two looked at each other, laughed, and hugged each other. After this series of competitions and battles, the two truly became at ease with each other.
Immediately, the two set down the incense table, burned incense to the sky together, and became sworn brothers. The elder Ma Chao was the elder brother, and the younger Cao Zhang was the younger brother.
Ma Teng saw the two of them sworn sworn brothers, knowing that he would be completely tied to the Cao family in the future, and his status and official position would be more stable, and he smiled with relief.
Ma Yunlu was very happy to see Cao Zhang and Ma Chao put aside their old feud and become brothers, with a bright smile on his face.
After the sworn vows were completed, Ma Teng and Ma Chao immediately abided by their oaths without any delay. Ma Teng personally wrote letters and sent them to the princes, and arranged for people to escort Zhong Yao to set off immediately to meet Han Sui in Jincheng County.
Ma Chao asked Cao Zhang to rest for a night in Tianshui and allow him to make some preparations. He mobilized 3,000 cavalry as the vanguard and returned to Chang'an with Cao Zhang early the next morning. Ma Teng made some preparations and then led the army to Chang'an to join Cao Zhang.
Cao Zhang ran all the way and competed with Ma Chao repeatedly. He was exhausted and was not polite. After having dinner and wine arranged by Ma Teng again, he rested in the hotel arranged by them.
This trip to Yongliang finally achieved the most perfect result. He no longer had to run to Jincheng County and could lead Ma Chao's troops back to Chang'an as soon as possible, leaving more time to defeat the enemy.
Cao Zhang finally relaxed completely, lay on the bed and quickly fell asleep.
Early the next morning, as soon as the sun came up, Cao Zhang had already gotten up. After all, time was tight and he didn't want to delay at all.
Ma Chao also understood Cao Zhang's psychology very well, and had already organized the three thousand cavalry overnight and was ready to set off.
Ma Teng personally sent them outside Tianshui City.
Seeing that Cao Zhang was leaving after only one day, and not knowing when he would come back again after leaving, Ma Yunlu was very reluctant to leave.
After hesitating for a long time, she walked up to Cao Zhang and whispered to Cao Zhang: "Master Cao, you must leave in such a hurry. You can't stay for one more day. I can show you various places in Tianshui. Eat some of the specialties here. of eating.”
Ma Yunlu was born in the northwest and has a relatively forthright personality. Different from the relatively reserved ways of Guo Zhao and Xia Houjuan, she directly expressed her intention to retain Cao Zhang, and she did not hide her admiration for Cao Zhang at all. meaning.
Cao Zhang looked at Ma Yunlu, and from the intense look in her eyes, he noticed the deep meaning behind her retaining him. He realized that this girl had actually fallen in love with him in just one day and one night, and she expressed it directly. .
Although Cao Zhang had only been in contact with Ma Yunlu for one day, he was very fond of her bold personality. Especially when Ma Chao wanted to kill him, Ma Yunlu risked his life to protect her, which moved Cao Zhang very much.
But after all, he was bound by the Hundred Days Military Order, and he really couldn't stay in Tianshui for much longer, and he couldn't start a romance with Ma Yunlu at this time.
"Miss Ma, the war ahead is urgent. As the commander-in-chief of the three armies, I have to go back as soon as possible so that I can feel at ease. I hope you understand." Cao Zhang could only politely refuse Ma Yunlu's offer to stay.
But he was afraid that his tough attitude would hurt the little girl's feelings, so he quickly made up for it: "But don't worry, Miss Ma. After we capture Chang'an and wipe out Li Jue, we will definitely have a chance to meet again. Then I will Let me show you the old capital Chang'an first, and then go to Xudu when you have the chance."
When Ma Yunlu heard that Cao Zhang refused to stay, he felt disappointed. But then she heard Cao Zhang promise that she would have another chance to meet in the future, and promised to take her to see Chang'an and Xu Du in the future, and a smile appeared on his face again.
"Why do you have to wait until you eradicate Li Jue? I can go on an expedition with my elder brother now and go to Chang'an with you!" Ma Yunlu actively expressed his intention to follow Cao Zhang to Chang'an.
"Little sister, don't be ridiculous. We are going to Chang'an to fight a tough battle, not to enjoy the mountains and rivers. What are you going to do if you follow us?!" Ma Chao immediately rejected Ma Yunlu.
"I know you are going to fight Li Jue. I know martial arts, and I can also go to the battlefield to help you!" Ma Yunlu refused to give up and insisted on following.
"Yunlu, stop messing around! There's no reason for a girl to show up and go to the battlefield!? Get back quickly, don't delay Mr. Cao and your eldest brother's schedule!" Ma Teng saw his daughter pestering him endlessly, so he stepped forward to stop.
Ma Yunlu still wanted to argue, but when he saw Ma Teng's eyes widened, he knew that there was no point in arguing anymore, so he could only lower his head with reluctance.
Cao Zhang saw the little girl's unhappiness and stepped forward to comfort her: "Miss Ma, we will gather all the heroes from Guanxi to surround and suppress Li Jue. It shouldn't take too long. Don't be impatient. I promise you." , after capturing Chang'an, we will definitely fulfill our promise just now."
Ma Chao loves his sister the most on weekdays, and he follows Cao Zhang to coax her: "Okay, Ziwen has already given you such a promise, if you are still worried, just wait at home with peace of mind!"
Ma Yunlu nodded slightly, and then said to Cao Zhang with concern: "Then you must take care and protect yourself!"
Cao Zhang looked at Ma Yunlu and nodded vigorously and agreed.
Cao Zhang and Ma Chao took the lead and set off towards Chang'an with 3,000 cavalry and a hundred-man personal guard led by Li Jin.
Ma Teng and Ma Yunlu kept waving and watched as they completely disappeared from sight.
Ma Yunlu looked into the distance, but her face was full of unwillingness. She rolled her eyes and secretly made up her mind...
