People in the Three Kingdoms: Starting from Preaching

Chapter 470: Truce and Oath
Ma Teng finally stopped pretending. Facts proved that the Yellow Turbans had already figured out his background. Han Sui's old subordinates in the rear of Liang Province were what he was most anxious about now. If he could not unify Liang Province as soon as possible after Han Sui's death, there was a chance that a new Han Sui would emerge in the future.

Because of the long-term hostility, Han Sui's former subordinates and the Ma family also have bad relations. It is obviously the most important thing to do now to strangle the enemy before it has time to grow stronger.

If it weren't for the Yellow Turbans' pressure from behind, Ma Teng would have been confident that he could deal with the disobedient guys in Liang Province and complete the overall integration of Liang Province.

"What do you think?" Ma Teng picked up the wine glass expressionlessly, took a sip, and then asked directly.

Ju Shou chuckled, but also raised his glass and saluted from a distance. After drinking the wine, he said with a smile: "Liangzhou heroes, our army values ​​you even more. If you are willing, you can form an alliance with our army and eliminate Han Sui's many old subordinates together to achieve stability in Liangzhou."

It sounds like there is nothing wrong with such cooperation, and it may even be a bit wonderful, but there is no joy on Ma Teng and Ma Chao's faces.

They are not naive guys. What do the Yellow Turbans want by coming to help so enthusiastically?

Ma Teng said in a deep voice: "Tell me, what exactly do you want?"

Ju Su cleared his throat, and then made his purpose clear: "Nothing special, the Yellow Turbans can help you pacify Liang Province, but they will not do it in vain. All we want is to share Liang Province."

As soon as these words were spoken, Ma Teng and Ma Chao's faces changed, and anger appeared in their eyes at the same time.

They had thought about the Yellow Turbans' demands, but they had not expected them to be so greedy.

Liangzhou has always been regarded as their hometown. Even if they fought with Han Sui, it was an internal dispute of Liangzhou. There was no right for an outsider like Xuan Xia to have a say. Dividing Liangzhou was even more unacceptable.

"Absolutely not!" Ma Chao could no longer sit still. He stared coldly at Ju Shou. After a slight snort, he said, "We, the Ma family, can stabilize Liang Province by ourselves. Why would we need to borrow the power of the Yellow Turbans? This is Liang Province's business. It has nothing to do with you. It is not your turn to interfere!"

Ma Teng naturally echoed in a deep voice: "Yes, we can solve the problems in Liangzhou by ourselves. If you know what's good for you, just retreat."

Ju Shou stroked his beard and laughed: "Of course you two can reject the Yellow Turbans' kindness, but if you do that, we will have to join forces with them to fight you. If that's the case, you two should not resent the Yellow Turbans for not giving you a chance."

This sentence made Ma Teng silent. Although Ma Chao looked ugly, he suppressed his anger and did not explode.

They found that they seemed to have no temper in the face of the coercion from the Yellow Turbans. The initiative was now in the hands of the Yellow Turbans. They could not defeat them on the battlefield, so no matter how much they said, it would be useless.

If they rejected the Yellow Turbans' proposal now and allowed them to unite with Han Sui's former subordinates, the Ma family would probably be doomed.

The Yellow Turbans had enough fighting power, but they had no roots in Liang Province, which was not conducive to in-depth operations. Han Sui's former subordinates did not have this worry. As long as they made some arrangements in the rear, the Yellow Turbans would be able to fight freely.

Ma Teng and Ma Chao felt their scalps tingling whenever they imagined this situation.

The father and son exchanged glances. They didn't say anything, but it seemed like they had said everything. There was an obvious expression of helplessness and anger on their faces.

After a while, Ju Shou started to ask, "Well, have you two made up your mind?"

Ma Teng stared at Ju Shou with his tiger eyes. If he had not been frightened by the power of the Yellow Turbans, he would have wanted to eat Ju Shou alive on the spot. But at this moment, no matter how much hatred he had in his heart, he could only force himself to hold it back.

"I have something to say, the messenger may want to listen carefully." Ma Teng tried his best to calm himself and said lightly.

Ju Su raised his eyebrows and nodded, "General, please speak."

Ma Teng said again: "Today's war was started by me, Ma Teng. Now that I am being attacked by the Yellow Turbans, I accept it. What you are asking for is just benefits. So, I can give up two counties in exchange for the retreat of the Yellow Turbans. These two counties are the price I paid for defeating the Yellow Turbans first." Ju Su frowned when he heard this, then slowly shook his head and said disapprovingly: "Two counties are nothing. If our army cooperates with Han Sui's former subordinates, half of Liangzhou will be ours. How can we be defeated by your two counties?"

Ma Chao was immediately furious: "How can this be absurd? Do you think no one can do anything to you, the Yellow Turbans? Giving up two counties is already our greatest sincerity. If you are still not satisfied, then we will have to fight to the death!"

Seeing that Ma Chao was getting anxious, Ju Shou's smile became even wider. It was right for them to be anxious, as it just showed that they were forced into no other choice.

This negotiation was destined to be unequal. The father and son of the Ma family did not know that the Yellow Turbans were under time pressure, while the Yellow Turbans were well aware of the Ma family's difficulties. Under the unequal information conditions, it was not surprising that they were controlled by Ju Su.

Ju Shou remained calm and composed: "It's not necessarily the case that the fish is dead and the net is broken. I'm afraid it's more likely that the fish is dead but the net is still there."

Ma Chao glared and was about to say something, but at this time Ma Teng raised his hand to stop him.

Then Ma Teng said, "Your Excellency, have you ever thought that you might unite with Han Sui's former subordinates? Does that mean I, Ma Teng, can't do that?"

Upon hearing this, Ju Su was stunned, frowned, and remained silent for a while.

Ma Teng sneered: "Yes, I, Ma Teng, do have an old grudge with them, but so what? After all, you are outsiders. If you want me to share Liangzhou with you, then it would be better for me to share Liangzhou with them. As long as I, Ma Teng, am willing to take this step back, they may not be unwilling to let go of the old grudge."

Ju Su narrowed his eyes slightly: "Is it really so?"

Ma Teng said calmly: "You can try and bet whether they are willing to seek the skin of the tiger or cooperate with me, Ma Teng, to fight the enemy together. They can tell who is our own people and who is an outsider in this land."

The big tent fell silent, the two men stared at each other, it was a silent contest.

Ma Teng's eyes were undoubtedly asking, do you really want to bet?
After a long while, Ma Teng turned around and said while drinking: "The Yellow Turbans don't have to send a single soldier, and they can cede two counties. This is already an excellent condition. You should consider it carefully."

Although Ju Shou felt relieved at this time, there was still a hesitant expression on his face.

Not long after, he seemed to look at Ma Teng again after careful consideration.

"Well, since you are so sincere, I can make a promise on behalf of the Yellow Turbans that we will not attack again. From now on, the two counties of Beidi and Anding will be the land of Xuanxia, ​​and you will never invade us again."

Hearing this response, Ma Teng's expression didn't seem to change much, but there was still a hint of relaxation.

Although it was frustrating to cede two counties and the price was indeed high, it at least helped me solve a big problem.

As long as the Yellow Turbans are willing to cease fighting, he will have time to deal with Han Sui's former subordinates. This process will not be slow. After integrating the power of Liang Province, it will not be too late to fight the Yellow Turbans.

On the other side, Ju Su was also secretly delighted. He was able to gain two more counties while achieving peace talks. This mission had successfully completed its mission.

Of course, such a verbal agreement alone is not enough. Ju Su wants a clearer and more formal commitment.

Finally, he stood up and said to the Ma father and son.

"We'll talk about what happens next, but I think since we've negotiated peace today, we should at least keep it going for a while, otherwise it will just become a joke. How about you swear an oath in front of the army that within two years from today, neither of us will fight again? How do you think?"

(End of this chapter)