Dragon of the Three Kingdoms

After a while, Ma Chao couldn't bear it anymore, and called softly, "Father?"

Ma Teng smiled sheepishly, then pointed at Ma Chao and the others at Lu Su, cupped his hands and said, "They are all worthless. Among my sons and daughters, I only love my daughter the most, and I can get the general to propose marriage to my daughter." Entrusting it to the general, I, as a father, naturally feel relieved, but it’s a long journey from Chencang to Xiangyang... Alas, I can’t let go, Master Lu, can you allow me to think about it and reply tomorrow?”

"The general's love for his daughter is touching. You should think carefully about it. On the contrary, it's rude for me to come to the door."

Lu Su was not aggressive, and followed Ma Teng's words, but he was secretly surprised.

From Lu Su's point of view, Ma Teng's hesitation is understandable if Ma Chao's matter is brought up, but the Ma family will not suffer at all if he is asked to marry his daughter to Li Yi. It stands to reason that Ma Teng has no reason to hesitate.

Originally, Lu Su planned to finalize the marriage first, and then mention Ma Chao, but now he couldn't understand what Ma Teng was thinking. In addition to asking for marriage, there is actually another happy event to tell General Ma."

"Oh, may I ask what kind of happy event it is?"

Ma Teng looked expectant, but secretly guessed in his heart that Lu Su was about to turn his back on him because he didn't readily agree.

Lu Su glanced at Ma Chao, smiled and said: "The general knows that Meng Qi is a general, and he can't bear to bury him in the northwest, so he intends to recruit Meng Qi as the general of the general's house, Huwei Zhonglang, and follow the general to fight against dissidents from all directions. People, hehe, as long as Meng Qi is willing, he can take the post directly after he arrives in Jingzhou with this letter of appointment!"

Ma Teng narrowed his eyes, and instead of reaching out to pick it up, he asked Ma Chao, "Chaoer, would you like to come to Jingzhou?"

"This……"

This time it was Ma Chao's turn to hesitate.

Lu Su mentioned it to Ma Chao once when he came here. Although he said it vaguely at the time, Ma Chao already knew that Li Yi wanted him to go to the General's Mansion.

Ma Chao struggled for a while, and could only imitate Ma Teng's tone and said: "Can this matter allow me to think about it?"

Lu Su smiled slightly and said, "It's about the future, so it's natural to think carefully."

After talking about two things in a row, they failed to negotiate. Although the two parties were still enthusiastic about each other at the banquet, they obviously already had ideas in their hearts.

Not long after, the banquet ended, Ma Teng arranged for Lu Su and others to rest, and then called Ma Chao to his room.

"Father, why don't you agree to my younger sister's affairs? If you promise my younger sister to Xianghou, this matter will be beneficial and harmless to my Ma family!"

As soon as the two sat down, Ma Chao couldn't wait to ask questions.

Ma Teng didn't answer, but asked instead: "The Marquis Xiang is very fond of you, and even called you Jin Machao, which shows that he values ​​you, but why don't you want to go to Xiangyang?"

Ma Chao's expression froze, and he wanted to explain, but a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes, as if there were some things he hadn't figured out yet.

Ma Teng patted Ma Chao, and said: "In front of my father, you can just say what you think, even if you are wrong, you should understand that the current matter is related to the honor and disgrace of my Ma family, and you can't be careless at all!"

Ma Chao understood the importance of it, nodded, and said slowly: "When we met yesterday, Lu Zijing hinted several times that the Marquis of Xiang was optimistic about me. If I went to Xiangyang, I would definitely be of great use. At first, I was quite moved. After all, with Li Yi's current reputation, following him might be able to fight for a generation of princes, but, when I thought about it later, I found that this matter didn't seem that simple."

"Although I don't think I can lose to anyone, Li Yi's subordinates are indeed full of talents. As for Xu Zhongkang, who has never been famous before, I feel that he is extremely extraordinary. I even regarded him as the famous Dian Wei, which made a joke. .”

Ma Chao pursed his lips, showing a rare unwillingness on his young face, and asked, "Father, Xu Chu alone is almost second to none in Xiliang. The words are full of praise, but is it true that Ma Chao is really missing me under the Marquis Xiang's command?"

Hearing Ma Chao's words, Ma Teng was calm on the surface, but he was very touched in his heart. He only thought that his son was young and vigorous, with blind eyes above the top. He didn't know until today that he also had such a cautious attitude. one side.

This discovery gave Ma Teng a little more relief than worry.

Seeing that Ma Teng didn't speak, Ma Chao continued, "Just now Lu Su proposed marriage to my younger sister on behalf of the Marquis Xiang. Many people disagree, so my younger sister's marriage will be of great benefit to my family, but the strange thing is that if it is just to win over my Ma family, marriage alone is enough and the most appropriate, but Xianghou wants me to go to Jingzhou, Does this count as superfluous?"

"I don't understand. The Marquis of Xiang has always been good at resourcefulness and calculation. He has laid out the Central Plains, step by step, and has never made any mistakes. If it is said that this is superfluous, I don't believe it. Then, why did he want me to go to Jingzhou?"

After asking and answering himself, Ma Chao sighed, then looked at Ma Teng, hoping that Ma Teng could clarify his doubts.

Ma Teng remained calm, seemingly calm, but in fact he was in a mess inside.

Because of Ma Chao's concerns about this aspect, Ma Teng didn't think about it at all!

However, being watched by Ma Chao, as a father, Ma Teng could only frown and said, "You are right, it is certain that Marquis Xiang has plans, no one who wants to be in the world can ignore Xiliang. So, sooner or later the soldiers from the Central Plains will come, if we have the help of the Ma family, the Marquis Xiang will surely get twice the result with half the effort in taking Xiliang."

Ma Chao continued, "According to father's opinion, Marquis Xiang should not be detrimental to my Ma family. Then, the little sister's matter, and letting me go to Jingzhou, is just to show importance, and will it be used seriously for me?"

When Ma Chao spoke, there was a little joy in his eyes. Although he is well-known in Xiliang now, just like Lu Su said, Xiliang is too small, and the Central Plains is the place where heroes can be used. If possible, he will naturally I want to go to the Central Plains for a ride.

It's just that Ma Chao didn't notice, but Ma Teng's eyes were full of displeasure.

Just now Ma Teng thought that Ma Chao was smart and thought carefully about things, but now it seems that what Ma Chao thought about was only his own future, and he didn't think about the whole Ma family at all.

After pondering for a while, Ma Teng said: "Now that Marquis Xiang is far away in Xiangyang, looking at the situation in the Central Plains, the next time he uses troops, he will go north to fight Yuan Shao. Although Marquis Xiang is sharp, Yuan Shao is not easy to deal with. Not less, if my Ma family stood on the side of Xianghou early, it would be profitable, but the situation in Xiliang is more complicated than that of the Central Plains. In the past few years, if there is a little carelessness, my Ma family may fall To be attacked by the crowd, or even to be the pawns of the Marquis Xiang to test Xiliang, how dangerous is it?"

Seeing the slight emotion on Ma Chao's face, Ma Teng added: "The foundation of my Ma family is in Xiliang. Once the foundation is gone, you are just a warrior in Li Yi's eyes. How can you use it again?"

After saying this, Ma Chao's emotion completely dissipated. He is a rather selfish person, and Ma Teng's words just now obviously hit his vital point.

After struggling for a while, Ma Chao asked helplessly, "Then, according to my father's opinion, what should I do? If I refuse, wouldn't it be a direct offense to Marquis Xiang, which is even more inappropriate?"

Ma Teng pondered for a long time, and finally said: "Procrastinate, procrastinate for now, look at Lu Su's attitude before making a decision. If they push too hard, they can only marry your sister. If they are loose, I will find a way. Postponing the wedding for three years, after three years, it will almost be Xiliang's turn."

Ma Chao felt that his father's thoughts seemed too conservative, but he couldn't think of any better way, so he could only ask again: "What about me, do I want to go to Xiangyang?"

"For your matter, my father has his own way to help you shirk it. Don't worry, I won't embarrass you."

Ma Teng's answer this time is very straightforward. In Ma Teng's view, although Ma Chao has some minor shortcomings, compared with his advantages, they are completely worthless. Ma Chao is the hope of the family. After deciding to bet the entire family on Li Yi Before, he would rather go to Jingzhou by himself than let Ma Chao take the risk.

Hearing this, Ma Chao lowered his head slightly. It stands to reason that he should breathe a sigh of relief, but in fact, he was more disappointed. Unlike Ma Teng, who was getting older and more conservative in doing things, Ma Chao was genuine. I really want to go out and have a break.

……

The next day, the heavy snow that lasted for several days finally stopped and the weather cleared up. Ma Teng invited Lu Su, Xu Chu and others to visit Chen Cang. wonderful.

This made Lu Su very worried. Although Li Yi prepared a backup for him to deal with the situation where the Ma family did not cooperate, it was obviously a bad strategy. Neither Lu Su nor Xu Chu wanted to let Li Easily disappointed.

Soon, at night, Ma Teng hosted a banquet for Lu Su again, and to get close to his cousin. This time it was a family banquet, but Lu Su felt heavy in his heart, knowing that this banquet was not easy to deal with.

However, to everyone's surprise, there was an unexpected guest in Ma Teng's house just after the banquet started.

"Brother, there is a distinguished guest coming to the door, so I would not know it. If I hadn't passed by while hunting and heard about it, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life if I missed it with the hero under the general's command!"

In the main hall, Han Sui toasted Lu Su and Xu Chu while talking to Ma Teng. His voice sounded bold, but in fact it was full of sarcasm.

Ma Teng's face was sullen, and his expression was very ugly.

Han Sui said that he was passing by while hunting, and Ma Teng felt hehe, unless his brain is broken, he can only run hundreds of miles while hunting.

Han Sui obviously came for Lu Su and Xu Chu.

Moreover, Han Sui must have an eyeliner buried beside him, otherwise it would be impossible to come so timely!

In fact, these are still trivial matters. After all, although Ma Teng and Han Sui are sworn brothers, it is actually the same. He also has secret works hidden by Han Sui, and everyone is mutual.

What really concerned Ma Teng was that Han Sui's sudden visit was probably to make friends with Li Yi, but once Lu Su responded, it would be a big trouble.

Although Li Yi is powerful, Lu Su took the initiative to come to the door, more or less begging for help, and gave Ma Teng a considerable part of the initiative, but if Han Sui also joined in, the initiative would not be in Ma Teng's hands .