line

up.In the morning, the whole family was broken into by the gang and tied up.

Chi Heng was puzzled: "Since you like it, why don't you marry her back?"

Ji Ce said in a low voice: "I guess, Ma Shen is a child of everyone, so he must be in the right family, this is one; second, Ma Shen is cowardly at first glance, he must not dare to fight with his parents, so he came here secretly This family has received Ma Shen's favor, so they are reluctant to rush. So they procrastinate." Later, Chi Heng secretly asked Ma Shen, and it was exactly the same as what Ji Ce said, and he admired Ji Ce even more in his heart.

Seeing that the rain had subsided, Chi Heng was about to set off.But seeing Ma Shen come out dejectedly, I am afraid that the third sister scolded him.

When Chi Heng said he was going to Silicon City, Ma Shen said weakly, "Where are you going to Silicon State? My little brother also wants to go back to Silicon State City. Why don't you go? I know the way."

Ji Ce asked him why he came out alone, could it be that Sanmei was inside alone?

Ma Shen said that it was Sanmei who drove him out and told him not to come again.He looked dejected, his fine clothes were filthy, and his eyebrows were thin and sparse.

Ji Ce listened carefully to the movement in the room, and said seriously, "I think something is wrong, you can go in and have a look."

Ma Shen drooped his head, not moving.

Chi Heng was in a hurry, and pushed him hard, Ma Shen was pushed by him and almost fell to the ground.Chi Heng put his hands on his hips and said loudly: "If you are told to go in, go in quickly, Deputy Ji...'s words are [-] out of [-] accurate, and if something happens, you will regret it before it is too late!"

Ma Shenchi hesitated, and pushed the door again, but it couldn't be pushed, it turned out to be locked.

Ma Shen knocked on the door, murmured some words of apology, but there was no movement inside.The eldest brother of the third sister on the other side was annoyed: "Mr. Ma, you have to go back to Sizhou City as soon as possible, so that my father will be angry again when he sees it."

Hearing this, Ma Shen drooped his head and wanted to leave.

Chi Heng felt impatient for such a dawdler, stepped forward and slammed the door loudly: "Third Miss, Third Miss, Third Miss... open the door."

After shouting several times but no answer, Ji Ce said: "The big thing is not good, hurry up and kick in..."

Before the words were finished, Chi Heng opened his foot, and the door fell down with a bang.In the middle of the house, the third sister was hanging from the beam, her feet were off the ground, and the stools on the ground were overturned.Ma Shen immediately froze in shock, Chi Heng stepped forward and hugged the third sister without saying a word to save her.

Poor her, her face has turned blue, and her breath is choking in her throat.

Chi Heng patted hard, and she was relieved.

When she regained her breath, it became even more lively. Her father-in-law and grandma ran over, scolding and holding up a cane to beat her; There are some unlucky words about life and death.

The whole room suddenly became a pot of gruel, and the children joined in the fun and cried. Ji Ce said helplessly, "Chi Heng, today is not an auspicious day!"

55. All are false, only liars are true

【55】

Ji Ce said helplessly: "Chi Heng, today is not an auspicious day!"

Chi Heng was scratching his head when he saw it, and said to Ji Ce: "I really don't know why Ma Shen is crying. A big man can only cry, and he is a scholar who is useless. Uh, Deputy Secretary Ji, I don't mean you. You don't cry. It's useless, if I were him, I would take people away without saying a word, procrastinate what kind of words, besides, it's like this now, there is nothing to worry about."

Ji Ce smiled, "You're not him, how do you know his difficulties?"

Not long after, the father-in-law became furious when he saw Ma Shen beside him, and drove him back to the lobby, waving his cane while driving: "Go back, go back, go back to the city of Sizhou, you despondent Ghost, get out... get out... get out..." I can't breathe, it's as if I'm going to lose my breath.

Seeing that the younger sister came over slowly, the eldest brother and the second child were fine: "Mr. Ma, hurry back."

Ma Shen had a sad expression on his face, and sat on the side in despair, refusing to get up, holding the hand of the third girl and refusing to let go, Chi Heng couldn't see it, thinking that it would be another lawsuit if the old man got angry, so he half-handled and half-dragged Ma Shen. Shen pulled out of the yard, and the rain had stopped by then.

With a bang, the courtyard door was closed.

Chi Heng couldn't help but smile bitterly, thinking that what he said could be regarded as a benefactor, why is it like sweeping out the house, and then thinking about it, the family suffered disasters one after another, it's annoying enough, I just want to drive away Ma Shen.

Only Ji Ce was not annoyed, instead he asked Ma Shen: "Young Master Ma, the gate of the city of Sizhou is about to be closed at this time, right?"

Ma Shen was still in a daze: "It's nothing."

Once the city gate is closed, ordinary people are not allowed to enter or leave. Unexpectedly, Ma Shen looked indifferent, so Ji Ce asked, "Where is Mr. Ma's home in Sizhou City?"

Ma Shen was silent.

Ji Ce smiled knowingly: "We are looking for City Lord Ma Qilin, the city lord of Sizhou City, and please ask Mr. Ma to lead the way."

Only then did Ma Shen startled and asked vigilantly, "What are you looking for, Lord Ma?"

"We were entrusted by Ma Chengzhu's old friend and asked Ma Chengzhu to help us. When we first arrived in Sizhou, we didn't know anything, so we asked Mr. Ma to guide us." Ji Ce replied sincerely, pretending to be ignorant.After all, he also asked where Ma Shen's family was, and whether there were brothers in the family.

Ma Shen was not perfunctory, thought for a long time, saw that Ji Ce was also dressed as a scholar, and finally confessed: "Mr. Ji, brother Chi, just now you have been rescued at the third girl's house. To be honest, the owner of Macheng is my father. "

Ji Ce acted in astonishment.

Ma Shen then spoke eloquently.It turned out that he was the eldest son of Ma Qilin, married to the second daughter of a general named Sha in Sizhou City, but he had never met a woman named Sha, but fell in love with the third girl at first sight, and they fell in love for more than three months.But he was frightened by his father's majesty since he was a child. At the beginning of their relationship, he mentioned divorce with his father, and was often scolded bloody; .

March is the wedding day.

Ma Shen has been hiding his identity from the third girl and her family, not daring to mention that he is the eldest son of Ma.Today, it's time to challenge the third girl, and I'm afraid they won't be able to join hands for a lifetime.Unexpectedly, without waiting to say more, I encountered a robber.So the third girl would hang herself, one because she was blamed by her parents, and the other because she was sad.

Ji Ce asked: "So, the third girl's family still don't know your identity?"

"Exactly."

Ji Ce thought about it for a second, and said slowly: "Young Master Ma, you really want to be with the third girl, and there is no other way. I have an idea, so that Young Master Ma can have both."

Ma Shen was overjoyed, and questioned again: "Really?"

Ji Ce smiled elegantly: "It is the beauty of a gentleman to grow up. Of course, after the matter is completed, we will also have important things to ask for. At that time, I will ask Mr. Ma to help me a lot."

As soon as he spoke his mind, Ma Shen nodded while listening, his eyes slowly showing hope.

Sure enough, the gate of Sizhou City was closed tightly, when Ma Shen showed an iron plate, the guards welcomed the three of them in without saying a word.

was housed in an inn.After Ma Shen left, Chi Heng leaned forward and asked Ji Ce in admiration: "Vice Envoy Ji, when did you find out that he is Ma Qilin's son?"

"First of all, he is from Sizhou City; secondly, his clothes look ordinary, but they are very expensive, and he spends a lot of money; and, he completely ignores the time of the gate of Sizhou City. It can be seen that his status is extraordinary. Thirdly, he said that he His name is Ma Shen. And as far as I know, Ma Qilin’s eldest son is Ma Jinzhi—cautious, and the second son is Ma Xingzhi. He has a literary and a martial arts, and his personality is completely different.”

"Ah, so you guessed it?"

"Also, I saw the token on his body. Only very few people can get this kind of access at will..." After playing tricks, Ji Ce laughed.

Chi Heng also burst out laughing.

After two or two laughs, Ji Ce was in a good mood: "It is really a godsend to meet Ma Shen. If we win over him, we will be able to gain an advantage in recruiting soldiers."

The next day, according to Ji Ce's plan, Chi Heng, Ji Ce, and Ma Shen returned to Sanniang's house.This time, Ma Shen was different from yesterday. He brought a whole box of gold, silver and jewelry, and under the watchful eyes of the boss and the second child, he opened it slowly, shining like stars.For a moment, there was no sound.

Ma Shen sat in the living room without saying anything.

Ji Ce pulled the eldest and second child aside, and then he explained his intentions without any haste: Mr. Ma Shen and the third girl are in love with each other, and if the third girl wants to, she can welcome him away immediately.

After being astonished, the eldest and the second child said: This is not appropriate, there is no etiquette for welcoming the bride, and they will be laughed at.

Ji Ce smiled and explained the reasons one by one.Yesterday's robbery and suicide, the intentions of the third girl and Ma Shen can be seen.The two have long been in love, and it is a matter of time before they welcome their relatives, but Ma Shen is too anxious at the moment and has not prepared.And the third girl is pregnant, I'm afraid it will hurt the third girl if it is delayed for a while.

The eldest and the second were dumbfounded.

Ji Ce was already a glib tongue, pinpointed the greed of the boss and the second brother, and made them mistakenly think that it was a done deal.Three words and two words, even deceived, made the two of them feel moved.

In the end, the boss said, whether the third girl is willing or not, she has to decide.

Ji Ce went to persuade the third girl again.

The third girl was still sad and at a loss, but Ji Ce was more confident.

Immediately, he first talked about Ma Shen's sincerity, and then confessed Ma Shen's current difficulties, because he had a marriage contract and was the eldest son of Ma's city lord.In the end, Ji Ce said that if the third girl could pretend to be his younger sister, and then take the opportunity to present Ma Shen as a maid in front of Ma Qilin, it would be a matter of course.As long as we are together, we will not worry about the future.

The third girl was originally in love with Ma Shen, thinking that the end of the world, who would have thought that after this turn, they could see the willows and the flowers.

Hearing what Ji Ce said eloquently, he thought about it for half the morning, and finally nodded firmly.

The two agreed, and Ji Ce turned to ask the boss and the second.The two accepted the dowry and said that there was nothing to worry about for their father, and they would naturally mediate, at worst, they would send the third girl to another place to hide from Ma Gongzi and so on.

From then on, Ji Ce took the three girls away.

After leaving the courtyard gate, the old courtyard was no longer visible. Ji Ce slowly stopped his horse and said to the third girl, "From now on, you will be my younger sister——Ji Sanniang."

Chi Heng followed Ji Ce all the way, listening to him say ambiguous words, repeating the truth and falsehood to deceive people.Then he thought, fortunately, he has a good heart, otherwise, it would be hard to say that Ji Ce's mouth could deceive a good girl away.

Back at the inn, Chi Heng couldn't help but express his thoughts.

Ji Ce smiled: "I have to teach you a few more lessons: I can't be deceived if I want to. Do you know why people are deceived? Because he has a greedy heart. Once greedy, everything will go to the right place Thinking. The boss and the second child have been letting Ma Shen in and out of the house all the time. Don’t they think that the younger sister’s reputation is important? It’s nothing more than greed for money. Since they have been greedy for a long time, one dowry gift satisfies their greed, and the other makes them feel uneasy. So , knowing that this matter is hasty, they will comfort themselves, and for the sake of the future happiness of their sister, they will accept the long-coveted jewels."

"Where are the three girls?"

"Hey, I'm called Ji Sanniang now. Ji Sanniang will follow Ma Shen because she believes in him. Once a person has feelings in his heart, he is more stupid than anything else." Ji Ce looked sideways at Chi Heng.

And in that room, Ma Shen and Ji Sanniang are like glue, inseparable, completely disregarding others.

Ji Ce sighed, coughed heavily, and said to Ma Shen: "Young master Ma, today is just the first step, whether Ji Sanniang can enter your residence smoothly, tomorrow, there can be no mistakes at all."

Ma Shen immediately said again and again that he didn't dare.

The next day, Chi Heng first rode to Sha's house on a fast horse, and presented a generous gift to the general surnamed Sha, saying it was a gift from Ma Shen.He took out another exquisite small box and said that he would give it to his fiancée as a gift.General Sha was very happy and called his daughter out.His only daughter is named Sha Ye, who looks heroic and has a straightforward personality, quite like a father.

Sha Ye opened the small box, looked at the creed, and nodded to Chi Heng.

Chi Heng knew that it was done, so he left.

Soon, Chi Heng rode his horse to the fourth hall of Ma Qilin's mansion, and the fourth hall was Ma Shen's younger brother's bedroom.When Chi Heng arrived, Ma Xingzhi was shooting a bow and arrow in the yard, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, a vigorous figure, and the arrow flew out of the middle of the target.

Chi Heng couldn't help applauding.

Ma Xingzhi stopped: "Who are you?"

"Master Ma Er, I am Chi Heng, brother Ling's friend. Brother Ling said that it will be your birthday in ten days. He has a big gift for you, please go immediately."

"Is my brother looking for me? What big gift can't be delivered directly to me? It's only a few steps."

"Brother Ling said that he should not be at home with such a big gift." Chi Heng looked around and whispered, "Because Brother Ling is going to send a woman, so don't let your father know."

Ma Qilin has always been strict.

As expected, Ma Xingzhi was surprised and moved, and said with a smile: "Brother wants to send me off... Doesn't he often say things like innocence, infidelity, etc. When did he get enlightened?"

"Eighteenth birthday, of course it's not as good as before."

Chi Heng and Ma Xingzhi rode their horses and soon came under a high platform.There is a small building above the steps, looking up, Ma Shen is waving at the window.Ma Xingzhi was skeptical at first, but when he saw his brother, he completely let go of his guard.

Happily climbed to the small building, the small building is circular, Chi Heng took him around, pointed to a room and said: "The woman is inside. However, Brother Ling specifically explained that today I just let you see , if you are satisfied, give the jade pendant to the woman; if you are not satisfied, just leave."

"My brother is too... OK."

56. All are false, only liars are true

【56】

Xu Shi is young, and he doesn't have much contact with women | sex on weekdays. Although he speaks boldly, he is still nervous when he really wants to meet.

Ma Xingzhi took off the close-fitting jade pendant and held it in his hand, suppressed his excitement, and opened the door curiously.I saw a tall woman in an apricot-yellow gown standing in the center of the room, she turned her head when she heard the voice.I saw her light shining on people, her crescent eyebrows are sassy, ​​her heroic spirit is overwhelming, without a trace of makeup.

It was completely different from the usual maids with low eyebrows and pleasing eyes. Ma Xingzhi was very happy to see her. After all, she was young and speechless.

The woman didn't hesitate, and asked generously: "But Mr. Ma?"

Ma Xing nodded in embarrassment.The two were relatively speechless, they just looked at each other, the woman looked away as if thinking of something, the corners of her mouth were turned up, she couldn't hide her joy, her appearance was even more pleasing.

Seeing this, Ma Xingzhi quickly put the jade pendant on the table, turned his head and left.

Seeing Ma Xingzhi's bronzed face flushed, Chi Heng knew it was over, and glanced into the room: Sha Ye was picking up the jade pendant, thoughtful, with a smile on his lips.

"Chi Heng... I gave her the jade pendant, and everything will be arranged by my brother."

Chi Heng smiled and said, "Master Ma please go this way."

Before Chi Heng left, Ma Shen and Ji Ce knocked on the room.

Ma Shen's attire was completely different from yesterday, he was wearing a gray dress, his face was sallow against the background, although he was well-proportioned, his brows were sluggish and listless.And bent over, coughing from time to time, as if squeezed out of the throat, as sharp as a black crow, it sounds very uncomfortable.

After Ma Shen introduced himself, Sha Ye realized that the person in front of him was her husband-in-law, she couldn't help being surprised, and frowned.

She is a straightforward woman, Ji Ce has guessed her mind.

After a few words, Ma Shen found an excuse to find Xiaoer, leaving Ji Ce alone.

Seeing the depression between Sha Ye's brows, Ji Ce said slowly, "Master Ma has been a little sick recently, Miss Sha, please don't mind me. I advised him to stay at home not to catch the cold, but he didn't listen, saying that he really wanted to see Miss Sha, he was infatuated." It’s touching. Although meeting in private is not proper etiquette, it’s a lesson to be learned.”

Sha Ye frowned and asked, "I wonder how long Mr. Ma has been ill?"

"It's not a serious illness, it's just a cold. It's only been a month, but it's much better than before...Although Mr. Ma is weak, his poems and books are first-class." Ji Ce looked at the jade pendant in Sha Ye's hand and smiled slightly , "Sure enough, Mr. Ma has a special liking for Miss Sha, and even gave him the Linglong jade that fits him."

Sha Ye frowned again, but said nothing.

Ma Shen led Xiaoer in: "There are six of us, making good Xuewu fragrant tea. Cough, cough, cough, it's really strange, why can't we come here?"

While talking, Chi Heng led Ma Xingzhi in and came in, Chi Heng looked terrified: "Ah? Here...Young Master, just now, just now, just now I led the wrong way."

Everyone looked puzzled.

Ma Shen pretended not to know, and introduced Ma Xingzhi to Sha Ye.

Ma Xingzhi's face was stiff, and when he looked at his future sister-in-law, his face suddenly changed, not to mention that she was still twisting her jade pendant in her hand. In a hurry, Ma Xingzhi left in a hurry: "Brother, Sha, Miss Sha I have something to do, let's go first."

Ma Shen coughed and persuaded him to stay, and Ma Xingzhi rushed out the door.

Sha Ye saw that they were all men, and also saw people whom he had seen for a long time, so he left in a hurry.As soon as she went out, she hadn't walked a few steps when she saw Ma Xingzhi standing in front, her face flushed red: "I didn't know that the girl was my brother's fiancée, she was presumptuous just now."

Ma Xingzhi had thick eyebrows and big eyes, his brow was sweating in this panic, he was quite embarrassed, and his affection was also sincere.

Sha Ye was also in a complicated state of mind at this time.

She clearly loves and dislikes, and originally obeyed her parents' wishes to marry Ma Qilin's eldest son.She had met Ma Qilin, and thought that the eldest son must not be weak.Unexpectedly, Ma Shen is a sick and weak scholar, and his description is listless.There is no comparison between people, if you compare, you will be judged. In comparison, Ma Xingzhi is much better than his brother.What is meant by destiny? If you spend your whole life with such a sick and timid person and listen to the coughing sound for the rest of your life, you won't die of depression?

Everyone has a first impression, once it is burned in the heart, it is difficult to get rid of.

Sha Ye forced a smile and said, "What's the matter?"

After saying that, Sha Ye stopped looking at him, passed him by, and walked straight to the south.Ma Xingzhi remembered that the jade pendant was still in Sha Ye's hand, so he was really embarrassed to speak, so he followed a few feet away.

Sha Ye is not an ordinary weak woman, she has excellent hearing and eyesight, and she has already noticed that Ma Xing is following her.

All the way to Shafu in no hurry.

Chi Heng followed the two of them all the way, thinking that this matter is close.Just waiting for Ma Shen to push behind him according to Ji Ce's order.

On the same day, Ma Xingzhi returned to the mansion dejectedly, and Ma Shen pretended to be surprised and said: "Xingzhi, brother has been looking for you for a long time, and he agreed to give you a big gift. It's all because Chi Heng led the wrong way. Yes, don't take a second look."

Ma Xingzhi scratched his head in distress.

"It's okay, my brother brought it directly for you." After Ma Shen said, he waved his hand, and a woman with a bloody mouth suddenly appeared.

Ma Xingzhi was shocked and shook his head again and again.

Ma Shen kept picking out several for him, and his scalp tingled with seeing Ma Xingzhi: "Brother, I'm bothered enough, get out of here quickly, and don't let daddy see you."

After dismissing those women, Ma Shen also showed a bored expression, and said to his younger brother: "Today is the first time I saw Sha Ye, why did she look very unhappy when she saw me, could it be that she dislikes me as a scholar? Hmph , although I don't have the strength to restrain a chicken, at least I have a full belly of poetry and books. If I fail to be a military general, I will be a civil servant in the future."

Ma Xingzhi didn't speak.

"She looks at you more than she looks at me."

Ma Xingzhi was shocked: "Brother, you can't talk nonsense, I only met her once, and I didn't say anything."

"Chi Heng said that you were very happy to meet her, and even gave her the heirloom jade pendant."

"I misunderstood, I misunderstood, my brother said that Yupei made up his mind..."

"Hmph, you didn't like the girls my brother picked for you just now, why did you meet her—she's your sister-in-law, so you're just happy!" Ma Shen was very upset.

Ma Xingyi jumped three feet high and shouted: "I didn't know she was a sister-in-law, how could those few just compare with her."

"Look, you dare to think about your own sister-in-law!" Ma Shen was angry.

Ma Xingzhi was tongue-tied.

Ma Shen took the opportunity to say: "Come on, I'm joking with you, you are my younger brother, what kind of moral brother can you not believe? Sha Ye doesn't like me, I still don't like her. Huh, a girl, can't embroider well Weaving, riding a horse and shooting arrows, what can I do? If my father didn’t win Sha Wujiang and insisted on me marrying her, I wouldn’t be such a hag. I will take a concubine when I get married, don’t make me face swords and guns every day. With her Together, you still don't scare people to death. Besides, she even took your jade pendant, which is impure if you talk about it!"

Unchaste?Ma Xingzhi opened his eyes wide: "What?"

In the next two days, Ma Xingzhi ran to the Sha Mansion several times, taking the opportunity to give a gift for his brother, but when he saw Sha Ye, he couldn't say what he wanted Peiyu, and Sha Ye didn't even mention returning it.And Ma Shen talked about Sha Ye's disgust in front of him all day long, saying that he was unsuitable and unwilling to marry, Ma Xingzhi was annoyed at last: "What did you say, brother, you just gave it to a pendant." Well, if you don't marry me, what's wrong with Sha Ye, she looks much better than the ones you fancy!"

Afterwards, things came to fruition. Under Ma Shen's instigation, Ma Xingzhi directly proposed to Ma Qilin about getting married.Later, Madam Ma also came forward to persuade: "Anyway, we are the ones to marry, as long as the Sha family is willing."

Just as Ma Qilin mentioned the matter of changing marriages to General Sha, General Sha slapped his thigh with joy: "Ah, good! What's wrong with this... They are both the cubs of the Lord Ma, and the family with whom the Lord is married is Sha An honor!"

Both are happy.

Ma Shen reported the good news to Ji Ce overnight, he was so excited that he was incoherent, and he said a lot of thanks.After he left, Chi Heng admired: "Vice Envoy Ji is really powerful. It seems that Ma Shen was so seldom wanted to commit suicide before, but this happened after three or three attempts. It's true, the sooner I met you, the marriage would have ended earlier. "

Ji Ce laughed: "Think lightly. It's done because Ma Shen followed my chess step by step, saying what he said and doing what he did, half the point."

Chi Heng asked him how he came up with such wicked ideas.

Ji Ce smiled: "This is my knack for eating—that's all, it's nothing to talk about. Remember: don't cheat, but find people who need it. Just like doing business, what some people dislike is what others desire. As long as If you find the right person to take over, everyone will be happy. Therefore, I am not out of malice to break up, but out of good intentions to make a match. Breaking up a pair, making a pair, I have accumulated great virtue."

Chi Heng felt that he was sophistrying, but he couldn't refute it.

Ji Ce sighed: "It is the easiest to separate people, let alone two people who have never met and have no feelings. Because breaking up is only external, but love is driven by people's hearts. No matter how hard I rack my brains, I can't help it." Let two people who don't like each other be like glue."

This sentence makes sense.

"When you are a lobbyist, you have to prescribe the right medicine. What to say to someone is the trick of speaking. Giving benefits to others and balancing the interests among them is the trick to success—do you think this is just a matter of the Ma family?" Ji Ce treacherously smile.

After pondering for a long time, Chi Heng suddenly realized that the Sha family was the key to success or failure.To Ma Qilin, it doesn't matter which son marries, but the one who marries is important.

After admiring for a long time, Chi Heng asked again: "Deputy Envoy Ji, we have been in Sizhou City for five days, and it will be too late if we don't mention cooperation with Ma Qilin."

Ji Ce tapped his forehead: "Stupid, you can't take long-term."

57. All are false, only liars are true

【57】

Long term?

Chi Heng didn't know how long Ji Ce wanted to put the line, but he could dawdle here, and Yuanzhou was about to send troops, so he couldn't dawdle.If you don't mention the matter of "surrounding Wei and saving Zhao", the fishing rod will have to be broken.

The next day, under the guidance of Ma Shen, Ji Ce and Chi Heng met Ma Qilin.

Ma Qilin is nearly sixty years old, his temples are gray, his face is like a pine, he is solemn and solemn, and half of his three long beards are gray.As early as more than [-] years ago, Ma Qilin was sent by the first emperor of the Yuanxi Dynasty to Sizhou as the prefect. After years of painstaking efforts, he finally made Sizhou his private state boundary.Ma Qilin has always been at odds with the powerful officials in the court. Since the Yuanxi Great Rebellion, he has stopped paying any taxes because of the repeated natural disasters in Sizhou.

Sizhou occupies the border of Yuanxi, far away from the capital, beyond the reach of the emperor, let him go.

Seeing that Ji Ce was sent by Yan Luan, Ma Qilin twirled his long beard in front of his heart and said with a smile, "Yan Luan? Is he the sixth grandson of General Yan? It's really too late. I think the old general was so brave and the people in the capital fought for it." Seeing it, the grand scene is hard to come by again. With the snap of a finger, the grandson is alone."

Ma Qilin was so experienced, seeing Ji Ce's identity, he knew his purpose of coming, but he didn't make it clear, just asked about Yuanzhou's recent situation.

Ji Ce answered cautiously, carefully considering every word.

"Vice Envoy Ji, I didn't expect you to have friendship with Gouzi." After exchanging pleasantries, Ma Qilin summoned Ma Shen, "Be careful, lead Deputy Envoy Ji and Envoy Chi to Sizhou City for a walk. Don't be flamboyant."

Ji Ce said goodbye calmly.

This was the first time they met, and it was so normal that Ma Qilin stopped him before he even had time to say what he wanted to do.

After Chi Heng came out, he was very nervous, and secretly said to Ji Ce: "What does Ma Qilin mean, is he willing to send troops? I don't think he has any intention of sending troops at all!"

"Old and cunning, I don't see what he's planning."

The customs were not in the mood to read, and Chi Heng said again: "When are you going to present Ji Sanniang, Ma Shen is so anxious."

"Is he in a hurry or are you in a hurry? I think you are more in a hurry than him!" Ji Ce teased, and raised his almond eyes, "Isn't Xianji Sanniang waiting to make Ma Qilin suspicious? Ji Sanniang's ability to contain Ma Shen is a chance of winning."

It seems that Ji Ce will not let go of Ma Shen's chess piece.

Now Ma Shen admires Ji Ce very much, he is obedient and obedient, just for my use, maybe he can leverage Ma Qilin.Chi Heng can only comfort himself like this.

Chi Heng and Ji Ce were arranged to live in a side hall in Mafu.

Under Ji Ce's express hint, Ma Shen led the two to play at Ma Xingzhi's residence.Ma Xingzhi was young and straightforward, seeing his elder brother and the two of them being friendly, he was not at all defensive, and he was very open to practicing swordsmanship with Chi Heng.When Chi Heng mentioned that he invaded Yizhou to kill the enemy, Ma Xingzhi immediately showed envy and was eager to try: "You joined the battle last year? I have asked you several times, and asked my father to send me to fight that old man in Hangzhu." Dog thief, he is afraid of this and that, so he will not let me go. Look, Hang Zhu is getting more and more arrogant. Last year, he repeatedly invaded the border of Silicon State. He thought that there was no one in Silicon State. Hmph, at night I Just tell dad."

I don't know what Ma Xingzhi said, but on the second day, Ma Qilin called Ji Ce and Chi Heng to meet.

The second meeting, this is the real business.

After reminiscing about the past, we talked about the current situation.Ji Ce did not hide Yuanzhou's predicament, and put aside Yuanzhou's dilemma, Ma Qilin twisted his beard and said: "Yan Wang's army is the army of the dynasty, and it is naturally obligatory for me to send troops. It's just that Sizhou is weak. It is difficult to protect ourselves, let alone provoke the powerful Ningzhou. Not to mention provocations, the Si Ningguan in the east of Sizhou is still frequently invaded by Ningzhou, and there is no peace."

Ji Ce pondered for a while, and said with a smile: "General Lang is well aware of the city lord's troubles. Si Ning Pass has always been a battleground for military strategists."

Si Ningguan is a pass on the border between Sizhou and Ningzhou, and the city is built against the mountains.Whoever wins Si Ningguan will get the advantage of heaven and earth.At present, Siningguan belongs to Sizhou, but the small border town of Siningguan belongs to Ningzhou, so the two sides are constantly fighting.

"So this time, the special order Chi Heng and I may be able to alleviate this distress for the city lord."

Ma Qilin was very interested: "What plan do you have?"

Ji Ce looked at Chi Heng: "Chi Heng, tell me about the war."

Chi Heng spoke directly and clearly, without Ji Ce's euphemism: "In fact, whether it is you or Hang Zhu, you can win Si Ning Pass if you are cruel. Why can't you be so hard-hearted? It doesn't matter who moves first, the problem is whether you have moved. Afterwards, he will definitely lose his vitality. For Yu Hangzhu, Si Ningguan is far away from the heart of Ningzhou, and he may not be able to keep it if he wins it. You can’t move. Of course, in terms of geographical advantages, Sizhou is better than Ningzhou. If Sizhou does not move, it is a threat to Ningzhou. But your concern is, who will take down the small town of Sining? After taking it, who will go guard?"

Ma Qilin understood these clichés and just nodded.

"But if you can drive the Ningzhou army a hundred miles away in one go, and occupy Xining City in Ningzhou, with the city as the boundary, Hang Zhu will definitely have nothing to do."

Ma Qilin immediately retorted: "First of all, no matter how we can capture Xi Ning City, even if it is captured, Hang Zhu will definitely attack, and our army will surely fall into a protracted struggle at that time, which is definitely not the best policy."

"You don't need to worry about things after the capture. In spring, when the water rises, the big river outside Xining City is a natural moat; in summer, Xining City is extremely hot, and the troops from Hangzhu are exhausted; in autumn, it is dry, and the terrain of Xining City is high and steep. If the fire goes down, Hang Zhu will not be close... In winter, it will be even more impossible to freeze. As long as there are good generals stationed, it will be a year of delay, and if Hang Zhu wants to take it away, he will definitely use ten times and a hundred times the strength At that time, the situation will be as deadlocked as the Si Ning Pass today, and the city owner can rest easy."

Ma Qilin changed his mind: "There must be good generals stationed there. Forget it, let's not talk about after the capture, how can you capture it now?"

Chi Heng laughed, it turns out that people are trapped like this.

Lang said: "It's easy to attack the city, you only need a brave general. General Lang sent the future to help the city lord. If the city lord can send out thousands of elite soldiers, the general will go out to fight against the bandits!"

Ma Qilin smiled, and his smile was inscrutable: "How did this happen?"

"Chi Heng, this is Silicon Prefecture..." Ji Ce pretended to stop him, and then gave Ma Qilin a salute, "Vice General Chi is straightforward, and the city lord should not take it to heart. General Lang meant to let Vice General Chi assist Second Young Master Ma It is the sincerity of our Yan Wangjun to seize Xining City soon!"

Yan Wangjun is indeed a good signboard for fighting.

Regardless of how suspicious they are at the moment, as long as they are not restrained, King Yan's army will be unstoppable once they go out to fight.So Ma Qilin didn't say anything to ridicule Chi Heng's wild words.

"All right..." Ma Qilin hesitated for a moment, then turned to Chi Heng, "Lieutenant Chi is only seventeen? You really are a young hero!"

Ji Ce said: "Yan Wang's army is full of young generals, and they are invincible because of their youthful vigor - Vice General Chi also mentioned just now, that your son is a good rider and general who is one in a thousand. Putting him in Yan Wang's army will be the last At least a lieutenant."

Ma Qilin just smiled and said nothing.

When there was no one around, Chi Heng asked Ji Ce: "Are you sure Ma Qilin will give a thousand elite soldiers? What if they are all old, weak, sick and disabled?"

"To Ma Qilin, a thousand soldiers is like a bucket of water. Do you think he will lose a thousand soldiers? Besides, Ma Xingzhi is leading the troops again. What kind of soldiers do you think he will send?"

"He has so many generals under his command, why is it Ma Xingzhi?"

"From Ma Qilin's marriage with the Sha family, it can be seen that he relies heavily on military generals. Who can he hand over Sizhou to? Is it the cowardly and sentimental Ma Shen? Of course it is the second son Ma Xingzhi. From Ma Xingzhi's residence and It can be seen from his normal behavior! From Ma Qilin’s heart, in addition to the city, it is Ma Xingzhi’s ability to support the door. Now, it’s a good time for his son to emerge, so it’s up to him to make a decision.”

Chi Heng said: "In case, he should be cautious."

Ji Ce lamented: "Well, it's not impossible. So, I have to do something to make sure nothing goes wrong."

When Ma Xingzhi came over, Ji Ce told him happily: "Just now we suggested to the city lord to let you conquer the small city of Xi Ning. Now you can show your skills!" Ma Xingzhi was of course very happy.

The next day, some news spread like wildfire, along with some ambiguous rumors: for example, General Sha was proud of his career, one was married, and the other was also the siege commander Ren Yunyun.Like rain entering the forest, suddenly there is no wave.

At this time, Chi Heng was worried, and said with his fingers, "Deputy Envoy Ji, the news has also spread, why is there no movement at all."

Ji Ce held the scroll and said leisurely: "If the movement is so loud that you know it, then it is not movement. Don't you see that from time to time there are some rough people coming and going in and out of Mafu? And, doesn't Ma Qilin have time to take care of us? Just follow Like the sea, there is a slight breeze, and the last wave is several feet high."

"I have never seen the sea