Seeing what Cao Zhang said, Ma Chao no longer hesitated and asked directly: "Ziwen, I just don't understand why you gave such heavy rewards to Li Huan and Li Ying. In fact, according to the situation at that time, you Just give the order and I can kill them easily!"
"I'm not coveting those rewards, but I feel there's absolutely no need to take advantage of those two villains!" Ma Chao was afraid that Cao Zhang would be too preoccupied, so he quickly added another sentence to explain.
Cao Zhang stretched out his hand and patted Ma Chao's shoulder in understanding: "How could I not know the character of the eldest brother? The eldest brother just wants to save this expense for me, I know it in my heart!"
"But brother should still remember the scene at that time. In addition to some close associates of Li Huan and Li Ying, there were also soldiers brought by you and me. If I ignore my promise and oath and allow brother to kill Li Huan and Li Ying, although I can save the rewards for them, but where is my integrity?”
"I had to face not only the soldiers who were present at that time, but also the 100,000 allied troops of the Kansai princes. If I broke my word, how could I make them believe in the imperial court's recruitment and rewards, and how could I serve the imperial court with peace of mind in the future? , to restore stability to the Yongliang area?"
"But they didn't surrender sincerely at all. They just took action to save their lives when they saw our army entering the city!" Ma Chao said still unwillingly.
Cao Zhang nodded and continued to analyze the situation at that time to Ma Chao: "What you said is correct. But brother, think about it carefully. If I hadn't promised a huge reward before, which made the enemy's army distracted, even if Duan Xuan and Yan Xing sneaked into the field, , opened the city gate. But if the enemy fights to the death, will we be able to successfully capture Li Jue? And the casualties of our army must be much greater than now, right?"
"Brother, the rewards given to them can reduce the casualties of our soldiers. Comparing the two, you should understand which one is more cost-effective, right?" Cao Zhang reminded Ma Chao.
When Ma Chao heard this, he nodded slowly and admitted that Cao Zhang's words were reasonable, but then reminded Cao Zhang: "Ziwen, you said so, it is indeed more reasonable to handle it this way now."
"But I have to remind you that these two boys can even tie up their own brothers to save their lives in exchange for rewards, which is enough to prove that they are capricious villains. You have to be careful that they become hidden dangers."
Cao Zhang looked at Ma Chao and nodded gratefully: "Brother reminds me that I have already thought of this. In fact, I arranged for them to return to Xudu to grant official positions to prevent them from making any changes in the future."
"Give them empty titles so that all the heroes in the world can see our attitude in recruiting talents and treating surrenders. But if you don't give them real power, even if they have other ideas, they will not be able to make trouble. Over time, their own The will will also be worn away, and if you only know how to enjoy yourself in peace, you will not be a threat." Cao Zhang explained to Ma Chao his intention in arranging the follow-up arrangements for Li Huan and Li Ying.
When Ma Chao heard this, he was completely stunned and nodded in admiration: "Your idea is still brilliant. Compared with you, I am really far behind."
"Eldest brother is an open-minded person. All he thinks about is killing on the battlefield and making achievements. These court tactics are not what eldest brother is good at. You don't have to worry about it." Cao Zhang comforted Ma Chao with a smile, and then asked , "Brother, now that Chang'an has been pacified, would you like to follow me back to Xudu?"
"Go back to Xudu?" Ma Chao was quite surprised by Cao Zhang's suggestion.
"Now the world is undecided, and the heroes are divided. Although the northwest is stable, it is still ambitious, and there are still countless people who are spying on the emperor. My eldest brother has good skills, is he willing to stay in Yongzhou instead of galloping to the Central Plains to make achievements and receive titles and titles?" Cao Zhang asked Ma Chao An olive branch was offered.
Ma Chao was a little moved by Cao Zhang's words. After all, if he stayed in Yongzhou, he would just follow Ma Teng and be his subordinate. If you can go to Xudu and fight with Cao Zhang, you will definitely get more rewards and a higher status.
What's more, he had long heard that Lu Bu was unparalleled in the world, but he was still young and had no chance to participate in the battle at Hulao Pass. But now if there is a chance to go to the Central Plains and meet Lu Bu, this will also be a great temptation for Ma Chao.
After all, there is no general who is not tempted by the title of No. 1 in the world and does not want to be famous all over the world.
"Okay, I will tell my father when I get back that I will follow you to Xudu!" Ma Chao made up his mind and responded to Cao Zhang.
Cao Zhang looked at Ma Chao and showed a happy smile. He finally succeeded in recruiting him to his side, which would be a great help in the future journey to pacify the world.
"If brother is willing to go with me, I hope he can bring one person with him at the same time." Seeing that Ma Chao agreed to go with him, Cao Zhang immediately suggested to him.
Ma Chao looked at Cao Zhang and showed a sly smile: "Are you talking about Yunlu?"
Cao Zhang was stunned by what Ma Chao said, because the person he was thinking of was not Ma Yunlu, but Pang De, another ruthless man under Ma Teng. That was a fierce general who once carried a coffin in a decisive battle with Guan Yu and never failed.
When Ma Chao saw that Cao Zhang was silent, he thought he had guessed what he was thinking, and said with a smile: "You think I don't know about the little things between you and Yun Lu? Don't worry, the eldest brother is an open-minded person, I will definitely help you." Tell my father and ask him to agree to your marriage."
Cao Zhang looked at Ma Chao's enthusiastic look and replied very sincerely: "Brother, thank you for your kindness. Yunlu and I appreciate each other. This time we were able to enter the city through the river to defeat the enemy, thanks to her idea. , I also promised her that I would take her to Xudu, and I will never break my promise. But the person I want to tell you is not Yunlu."
Ma Chao showed a curious expression and asked doubtfully: "If it's not Yunlu, who is that?"
"I'm talking about Pound, the captain under your command!" Cao Zhang said Pound's name directly.
"Are you talking about Ling Ming (Pang De's word)? This kid can hit and rush, he is a tough guy. I originally wanted to take him with me. It's easy to talk about. I'll go tell my father. There should be no problem. "Ma Chao agreed immediately.
"That's great, big brother. By the way, there is one more little thing, I have to trouble big brother." Cao Zhang said with some embarrassment.
"Oh, if there is any trouble between us brothers, why are you such a mother-in-law? Tell us what happened!" Ma Chao urged Cao Zhang.
"Zhong Quan and I once made a bet to see who would advance to Luoyang first. He won. I promised to give him ten fine Xiliang war horses after I captured Chang'an. Zhong Quan has now escorted Li Jue back to Xudu. But I can't break my promise, and I still have to abide by the bet. It's just that I don't know how to choose horses, so I want to ask my eldest brother to help me pick ten good horses and bring them back to Zhong Quan." Cao Zhang said to Ma Chao expressed his request.
Ma Chao smiled: "That's all, aren't there ten good horses? Let's go, I'll take you to choose now. Not only will I choose for Zhong Quan, but I will also choose ten for you!"
"Okay, then pick ten more and give them to my father!" Cao Zhang responded with a smile.
The two of them walked out of the Chinese army tent while laughing and talking together...
A few days have passed, and the measures to calm the people in Chang'an City have been carried out step by step.
Han Sui, Liang Xing, Duan Xuan, Zhang Heng and other princes also organized their troops, bid farewell to Cao Zhang one after another, and returned to their respective territories, waiting for rewards and compensation from the imperial court.
Before Han Sui left, Cao Zhang took the initiative to find him, hoping that he could let Yan Xing follow him to Xudu.
Although Han Sui was a little reluctant, he also understood that this was the moment to express his loyalty and agreed immediately.
After all the princes left, Cao Zhang knew it was time to return to Xudu, so he went to say goodbye to Ma Teng.
Cao Zhang came to the main hall of Chang'an Marshal's Mansion. Before he entered, he heard Ma Teng's stern voice coming from inside: "No, I can't allow you to go to Xudu!"
Then, Ma Yunlu's urgent voice sounded: "Why? Dad, Mr. Cao both agreed to take me there."
Ma Chao on the side also expressed his love for Ma Yunlu anxiously: "Yes, dad, Yunlu and Mr. Cao are in love, why do you need to break them up?"
Cao Zhang frowned slightly. Apparently he didn't expect Ma Teng to object to Ma Yunlu going to Xudu with him.
Ma Teng looked at Ma Yunlu and said distressedly: "Yunlu, you are still young, don't you understand that your father is reluctant to leave you?"
"Dad, I know you can't bear to leave me. I promise you, I will come back to see you often." Ma Yunlu begged Ma Teng softly.
"Dad doesn't let you go, it's for your own good. Think about it, you have no name and no status now, how can you follow Mr. Cao to Xudu?!" Ma Teng reminded Ma Yunlu earnestly.
"Who said Yunlu had no status if he came with me?" Upon hearing this, Cao Zhang responded directly and strode into the main hall.
When Ma Teng saw Cao Zhang coming in, he quickly bowed and saluted him: "Young Master!"
Cao Zhang returned the greeting to Ma Teng respectfully, and then said: "Mr. Ma Teng, in fact, I came to you today. In addition to saying goodbye, I also want to make a formal request to you. I hope you can allow Yunlu to return to Xudu with me."
Ma Teng looked at Cao Zhang and sighed: "Master, Meng Qi has already told me about you and Yunlu, but I'm sorry. Master, I will be prosperous in the future and have a bright future. After all, Yunlu came from a distant place. She doesn’t understand court etiquette, so I’m afraid she’s not worthy of the young master.”
"Your words are serious. The so-called etiquette can be learned by hard work. Yunlu is familiar with military books and strategies. He has made great achievements this time and will become my good wife in the future. How can he not be worthy of my words? ?”
"There's just something I need to explain to the envoy and Yunlu. I already have two confidantes in Xudu. I really can't give them the title of my wife. But I can guarantee that Yunlu will come with me. , I will definitely treat her well and never treat her badly." Cao Zhang said to Ma Teng and Ma Yunlu very solemnly.
"As long as I can be with the young master, I don't ask for status. As long as the young master can remember what I just said and never treat me badly." Ma Yunlu rushed to say.
Cao Zhang turned to look at Ma Teng, waiting for his response.
A smile appeared on Ma Teng's face: "Young Master, I keep my word, and integrity is the most important thing. Since I made my promise in person today, I will naturally not break my promise, and my hard work of being a villain this time will not be in vain."
Cao Zhang and Ma Yunlu were both smart people, and they immediately understood what Ma Teng meant. He deliberately disagreed with Ma Yunlu leaving with Cao Zhang. In fact, he wanted to force Cao Zhang to make a promise in public to ensure that his daughter would not be left out if she left with him. and bullying.
"Dad, thank you." Ma Yunlu was moved to tears and took Ma Teng's hand to express his thanks.
"Okay, my daughter will get married when she grows up. Dad just hopes that you will find a good home. Mr. Cao is a good person and promises to treat you well, so dad is relieved!" Ma Teng responded happily.
"Please rest assured that I will treat Yunlu well, with all the courtesy I should have, and I will not let her suffer any injustice!" Cao Zhang promised Ma Teng again.
Ma Teng nodded with a smile, and then said to Ma Chao: "Meng Qi, please go down and prepare for the banquet. I will practice it for Mr. Cao and you brothers and sisters tonight!"
