Ji Han Liu Zhang

Chapter 446: Fu Bo Zhonglang Jiang

Chang'an is in sight.

After Liu Zhang finished his inspection in Chencang and returned to Chang'an, he has now arrived in the suburbs of Chang'an.

"It's really a pleasant surprise, but I don't know whether it is a blessing or a curse!"

Looking at Chang'an City, which was not much different from when he left, Liu Zhang felt a little emotional. This trip to the west to inspect Fufeng County, his original intention was to take a tour of Fufeng County, inspect the geography and customs of Fufeng County, and then return to Chang'an.

However, they never expected that Ma Teng and Han Sui, who had retreated to Longxi and Jincheng after the attack on Lueyang, would encounter a sudden change. You should know that Ma Teng and Han Sui were allies and sworn brothers, but under such friendship, Han Sui actually risked the world's condemnation to harm Ma Teng.

With the death of Ma Teng, the Ma family army that had been rampant in Longyou for many years also fell apart. Only Ma Chao, Ma Dai, Pang De, Ma Chao's younger sister Ma Shu, and more than a hundred cavalrymen of the Ma family escaped from the net set by Han Sui and surrendered to Liu Zhang.

As for the few people who surrendered to him, Pang De's loyalty is beyond doubt. In history, he was captured by Guan Yu when he flooded seven armies. Even when his brother Pang Rou was serving Liu Bei in Shu, he still refused to surrender and Yu Jin, one of the five best generals, looked like a clown.

As for Ma Dai, he historically served as General Pingbei and Marquis of Chencang in the Shu Han Dynasty. After the death of Zhuge Liang, when Wei Yan and Yang Yi were fighting for power, Ma Dai led his army to kill Wei Yan on Yang Yi's orders. He was more or less a loyal man and a decent general.

Liu Zhang was somewhat delighted to get Pang De and Ma Dai, but Ma Chao, who came to join him at the same time, gave him a headache.

Unlike Pang De and Ma Dai, who were both officers who followed orders and went through fire and water, Ma Chao was a man who had become a local lord in history, similar to Yuan Shu and Liu Biao, and could not be considered a general.

However, Ma Chao's reputation in real history was not very good, and what he did was against human nature. Although he was strong and brave, he fell behind in terms of loyalty and righteousness.

"We need to train him well, otherwise he will become a hidden danger sooner or later." Liu Zhang thought to himself that since he had accepted Ma Chao and placed him under his command, he would naturally make the best use of him, making Ma Chao a sharp sword in his hand and helping him to rule the world.

However, Ma Chao still needs to improve his character. Although Ma Chao's character is not good, he wrote in his last words: "More than 200 members of my clan were killed by Meng De. Only my cousin Dai should be the successor of my clan. I have entrusted it to Your Majesty. I have nothing more to say." It can be seen that Ma Chao is not as loyal as Lu Bu, and he can be saved to some extent.

While Liu Zhang was thinking, the imperial carriage had already arrived at the gate of Chang'an. Chang'an Ling Zhang Ji stood at the city gate to welcome his wise master.

"My lord." When Zhang Ji saw Liu Zhang's carriage, he stepped forward quickly, but his body and clothes did not move at all. He rushed to Liu Zhang's carriage, bowed and saluted to Liu Zhang.

"De Rong, is there anything else going on in Chang'an recently?" Liu Zhang signaled Zhang Ji to stand up and there was no need to be so polite. At the same time, he asked about the latest situation in Chang'an City.

Zhang Ji shook his head calmly, "There is nothing else going on in Chang'an. Recently, I have taken advantage of the winter when the people are free to recruit a group of farmers and build some houses in Chang'an. Next year, when the officials from Shu move to Chang'an, they won't have to build temporary houses."

"That's very good." Liu Zhang nodded in praise. Next year, his shogunate team in Chengdu will move collectively to Chang'an City. Chang'an City will be the location of his shogunate in the future. However, after the disasters caused by Dong Zhuo, Li Kuo and Guo Min, Chang'an City is now a wasteland. It is a foresighted move for Zhang Ji to build a house during the slack season.

Greeted by Zhang Ji, Liu Zhang headed for the government office in Chang'an. On the way, Liu Zhang instructed Zhang Ji: "Ma Teng of Longyou was killed by Han Sui, and his son Ma Chao and his nephew Ma Dai have surrendered. You can choose a new house for Ma Chao and Ma Dai to live in, to show your kindness to distant people."

"Yes." Zhang Ji responded respectfully, said goodbye, and immediately went to do what Liu Zhang had asked him to do.

Not long after, at the gate of a new house in the south of Chang'an City, Ma Chao and Ma Dai looked up at the house given to them by Grand Marshal Liu Zhang. The house was not very luxurious, but it was simple and had everything. At that time when Chang'an City was desolate, it was considered a good place to live.

As foreigners who had surrendered, Ma Chao and Ma Dai did not have many opinions about the mansion in front of them and accepted it calmly. The two brothers were like stray dogs from their homes and could not and dared not have any opinions at this time.

"My two generals, Chang'an has suffered a great deal of war. Only one in ten houses in the city remains, and most of the remaining houses are in ruins. This house was built recently. Due to insufficient manpower, the house is not spacious and grand. I hope the two generals will forgive me." Zhang Ji, the commander of Chang'an, said humbly.

"I dare not." Hearing this, Ma Chao immediately bowed his head and said 'I dare not'. He spoke respectfully: "For a bereaved family, it is enough to have a place to live. How dare I expect too much? Besides, my brother and I are both generals. We are used to living in the open air. This house is enough for us."

"Then please stay in here, generals. If there is any inconvenience, feel free to come to Chang'an government office to find me and I will handle it for you, generals." Zhang Ji gestured to Ma Chao and Ma Dai to enter the house, and then he bowed to Ma Chao and Ma Dai and said goodbye. As the magistrate of Chang'an, he had a lot of affairs to deal with, and he had not finished reviewing today's documents, so it was not appropriate for him to stay here for long.

After Zhang Ji took his leave, Ma Chao, Ma Dai, and Ma Chao's four-year-old younger sister Ma Shu, immediately walked into their residence in Chang'an. As for Pang De, since he knew the situation in Longyou well, he was sent to Chencang by Liu Zhang to serve under Wu Yi.

After entering the house, there was no one around. Ma Dai opened his mouth and started talking to Ma Chao in a friendly manner.

"Brother, what people say is true. The Grand Marshal is a kind and magnanimous person, just like Emperor Gao. The fact that he has accepted you and me to serve him is enough to prove it." Ma Dai was so grateful to Liu Zhang for accepting him and getting a place to live.

"Well, it's just that Ling Ming (Pang De) was sent to Chen Cang, but I don't know how he is doing in Chen Cang." Ma Chao nodded and thought of Pang De who was sent to Chen Cang.

Ma Dai smiled carefreely and said, "Brother, don't worry. Lingming has been appointed as the commander of the Qiang pacification army. He will make great achievements in Chencang. There should be nothing else to worry about. Don't worry about it."

"I just don't know what positions you and I will be given." Ma Dai pondered. Liu Zhang had not yet granted him and Ma Chao official positions. He just brought them to Chang'an and seemed to have left them idle.

"No matter what official position it is, even being a horse archer is fine. I only hope to be a vanguard in the future attack on Longyou, kill the old villain Han Sui with my own hands, and avenge the blood feud of my father and two brothers." Ma Chao's eyes were extremely firm, like a towering tree that would not be shaken by wind and rain.

"I feel the same way. As long as I have not taken revenge, there is no need to worry about other things." There was a firm look in Ma Dai's eyes, and he nodded.

In this way, Ma Chao and Ma Dai settled down in Chang'an City.

On the second day, Ma Chao, who had been restless for a long time because of his father's revenge, got out of bed when he heard the cock crowing in the morning, dressed neatly, put on his helmet and armor, and practiced martial arts in the yard. When the eastern sky turned pale, Ma Chao had been practicing martial arts for an hour. In the severe winter, white steam was steaming from his body, swirling upwards, showing how strong his muscles, bones and blood were.

"Brother, when did you get up?" Ma Dai, who had just got up at this time, looked at Ma Chao who was playing with a spear in the yard and the mist coming out of Ma Chao's body. He knew that his brother must have been fighting for a long time.

Ma Chao did not answer, he was still immersed in practicing martial arts, and he wielded the spear smoothly and unpredictably, showing his superb martial arts, which was the reason why he gained the reputation of "strong and brave" in Longyou.

After a while, Ma Chao put away the spear in his hand and exhaled heavily. Only then did he answer the question asked by Ma Dai: "I don't know the time. I just get up when the cock crows."

"The cockcrows." Ma Dai calculated that it was an hour ago. He shook his head and sighed, "Brother is so diligent, but I am too lazy. Tomorrow I will get up and practice martial arts with you at the cockcrow."

"Then I'll call you along tomorrow." Ma Chao nodded.

After finishing his martial arts training in the morning, Ma Chao took off his armor and wiped his body with warm water. After washing up, he and Ma Dai went to eat the porridge brought by the servants.

After eating the porridge, the two men left the house and headed towards the Chang'an government office. Now that they were serving under someone else, they needed to work diligently and always share the worries of the monarch they served.

When Ma Chao and Ma Dai arrived at the Chang'an government office, they were welcomed in and led into a room in the east wing.

"Ming sir." Ma Chao bowed.

"Ming sir." Ma Dai followed suit and saluted.

"Sit down." Liu Zhang stretched out his hand and gestured, looking very easy-going.

After Ma Chao and Ma Dai sat down, Liu Zhang asked Ma Chao, "I heard that Mengqi is the descendant of Ma Fubo? Why did you end up in Longxi?" The Ma Fubo he was referring to was Ma Yuan, the founding general of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the same Ma Yuan who broke the Bronze Pillar and destroyed Jiaozhi.

"My lord, I am indeed a descendant of Ma Fubo." Speaking of his ancestors, Ma Chao's face was particularly solemn. He explained: "My ancestors lived in Maoling, Youfufeng. When it came to my grandfather's generation, he lost his official position and stayed in Longxi County. He lived in Longxi County from then on. Therefore, my grandfather, father and I, three generations, all lived in Longxi County."

Liu Zhang smiled and nodded. He praised: "Ma Fubo is a man of both literary and military skills, with both strategy and courage. He can win people over, know people, love people, and control people. He can calculate the opportunities of the weather, the key points of geography, follow the harmony of people, and carefully predict the situation of safety and danger. He is a famous general in ancient times."

"You are the descendant of Ma Fubao, and you should carry on the old ways of your ancestor." Liu Zhang advised Ma Chao like an elder.

Ma Chao attended and bowed: "I will keep your teachings in my heart."

“Yeah.” Seeing Ma Chao’s attitude, Liu Zhang nodded with slight satisfaction. Unlike Ma Chao who ran rampant in Guanzhong in history and made Cao Cao exclaim, “If Ma Chao doesn’t die, I have no place to be buried,” the current Ma Chao has never been a local lord. His age and experience are still somewhat immature, and he is also at a stage where he is easy to train and correct.

"Mengqi admires the virtues and culture of Guanzhong and has come from afar to serve him. I will grant you an official position. You are the descendant of Ma Fubo, so I intend to appoint you as Fubo Lieutenant General. What do you think?" Liu Zhang smiled and looked at Ma Chao with burning eyes.

"Fubo Lieutenant General?!" Ma Chao was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect to be awarded the title of Lieutenant General. After all, he was just a lieutenant before. He didn't expect to be awarded the word "Fubo", the same title as his ancestor Ma Yuan. Ma Chao couldn't help but feel touched.

Ma Chao was stunned by the official position offered by Liu Zhang. Ma Dai standing beside him was also shocked and could not react for a while. The word "Fubo" was of great significance to the Ma family, as it was the symbol of glory of the Ma family's ancestors.

"Mengqi."

Ma Chao did not respond for a long time. Liu Zhang called out softly. This sound was like a thunderbolt that resounded in Ma Chao's ears. Ma Chao knelt on the ground and bowed with great respect, saying: "As for the position of 'Fu Bo Zhonglang Jiang', I am terrified. I am afraid that I will not be able to fulfill the responsibility and damage the reputation of my ancestors."

"Although you are young, I have heard a lot about your bravery. You will surely become a great general in the future. The position of Fu Bo Lieutenant General must be given to you." Liu Zhang said with a faint smile.

"My Lord, your kindness is so great that I will repay you with my whole heart." Ma Chao bowed down in submission, sincerely convinced.

Liu Zhang stood up and stepped forward to help Ma Chao up: "I hope you can follow the old path of your ancestors, catch up with their achievements, and live up to the name 'Fu Bo'."

After conferring the title on Ma Chao, Liu Zhang turned to Ma Dai. He noticed a hint of nervousness on Ma Dai's face and knew what kind of official position Ma Dai would get, and he felt very nervous.

However, as Liu Zhang had seen clearly, Ma Dai was somewhat nervous at the moment. Pang De was appointed Captain of Pingqiang and Ma Chao was appointed General of Fubo, both of them were promoted. However, Pang De and Ma Chao were both famous for their bravery in the world, so it was natural for them to get promoted. Ma Dai believed that his bravery was not as good as Pang De and Ma Chao's, and his reputation was not very loud either, so he was afraid that he would not get any good official position.

"Deshan, I am short of a captain in my central army. I wonder if you are willing to take the position." Liu Zhang offered the position to Ma Dai.

'Captain of the Central Army', although Ma Dai did not think highly of the position of captain, after all, he was a captain under Ma Teng, but the captain of the Central Army was not an ordinary position.

Ma Dai looked somewhat frightened. He was a recent surrenderer, but the Grand Marshal in front of him actually placed him in the central army to serve as a guard. This was unbelievable to him and his mind was a little confused.

However, Ma Dai reacted quickly. Without waiting for Liu Zhang to remind him, he stood up and knelt down, saying, "I will obey your orders. Wherever your flag points, I will rush to it. Even if it is a sea of ​​fire and a mountain of sword, I will not frown."

Ma Chao and Ma Dai both accepted the order. Liu Zhang clasped his hands together and said, "If so, I hope you two brothers will work diligently and obey my orders. When we manage Longyou in the future, I will avenge your clan's blood feud."

(End of this chapter)