I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 556: Ma Teng Enters Beijing
Ma Teng didn't know that in history, he had once conspired with Ma Yu and others to kill Li Jue, but ultimately failed. He and Han Sui fled back to Liang Province, but Ma Yu was killed. Otherwise, I don't know if he would have felt even more guilty.

When the test was in progress, Mao Fang, the county lieutenant, came in to supervise the examination. Ma Teng still didn't want to go to the Ma clan land, and Ma Yu let Ma Teng do what he wanted. There were some temporary wine shops and tea houses not far from here. There must be some smart people who realized the business opportunities here.

When the two arrived, many people who came to see them off to take the exam were already resting inside. Ma Teng was still the real governor of Jincheng, and he had never put away the seal representing the two thousand stones on his waist.

Therefore, after Ma Teng arrived at the tavern, he immediately had an exclusive seat. Even the people around him saw that Ma Teng did not send anyone to drive them away, and no one was dissatisfied.

After all, you have to live long enough to get a 2,000-stone reward!
Ma Yu sat opposite Ma Teng. He actually knew that Ma Teng came from Jincheng County and had a thorn in his heart. He thought that he was expelled and was embarrassed to face people, although in fact there was indeed an element of expulsion.

He said to Ma Teng: "Brother, you have come all the way from Jincheng County. The further east you go, the more prosperous it is, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. After that, you will pass through Chang'an to Luoyang, which is even better than Youfufeng..."

Ma Teng understood what Ma Yu meant. After hesitating for a while, he said, "I once led troops to attack Chencang with Wang Guo. Now I think that was a mistake. It's too late to regret it."

Ma Yu finally understood the real worry in Ma Teng's heart, and he comforted him: "Brother, you don't have to be like this... Haven't you seen Xu Huang? In the past, when Xu Huang was in Hedong, he also joined the Baibo Army to start an uprising, but was later persuaded to surrender. Now, isn't he also leading the army to the Western Regions as the main general to show his power?"

"And you are the descendant of our clan's Lord Zhongcheng! Although we lost contact for a while, the blood connection cannot be faked... You just went astray for a while."

Thinking that he was indeed a descendant of General Ma Yuan, Ma Teng nodded: "Going astray?"

"He went astray! But he has already put things right!" Ma Yu emphasized, "And Meng Qi is now in Jincheng County!"

In the past, no matter who mentioned Ma Chao in front of Ma Teng, he always couldn't help getting angry, but this time, Ma Teng didn't say much.

After a long time, when the trial was over, Ma Teng and Ma Yu asked Mao Fang about the trial. During the test, no cheating was found.

Mao Fang replied, "I originally thought that the talented people in Youfufeng would be generally recommended. If not all talented people are left out, at least there won't be too many. Although I only took a cursory look today, I still found several promising talents."

"This shows that it is indeed necessary to promote trial elections."

Listening to Mao Fang's words, Ma Teng thought about the various states of people he had just seen leaving the room, some depressed, some confident, some confused, and some expectant.

He suddenly realized that as long as the trial was carried out consistently and fairness was guaranteed as much as possible... at least as a young woodcutter, he should be looking forward to it.

What a brilliant move!

Afterwards, Ma Teng and Ma Yu went to the Ma clan's land, and then set off to Chang'an and Luoyang... Ma Teng did not feel any unusual treatment, as if he was just an ordinary official who came to Beijing to report on his work.

When he met the emperor later, Ma Teng listened to the emperor's words - "I heard that you have been in Liangzhou for a long time and know a lot about the Qiang people. It just so happens that I am missing a minister who understands the Qiang people to consult with..."

When the emperor said this, Ma Teng immediately expressed his position: "I will obey your majesty's orders!" Seeing Ma Teng's understanding, Liu Bian was also very straightforward and said immediately: "In this case, I will appoint you as the Minister of the Court!"

After the two chatted about Liangzhou for a while, Ma Teng felt that the time was right and said, "Your Majesty, I have a cousin who helped me a lot when I was in Jincheng County. He also has some insights on Liangzhou affairs. Although he is a hermit, he has the desire to serve the country. This time I am going back to Luoyang to report on my work, and he will accompany me."

"Are you talking about Ma Yu?" Liu Bian did not expect that Ma Teng would take the initiative to recommend Ma Yu at this time. However, after learning in advance about the role Ma Yu played in Jincheng County, Liu Bian would not and should not be reluctant to give Ma Yu an official position.

After receiving Ma Teng's affirmative answer, Liu Bian thought for a moment and said, "I have heard of his reputation...Now the Shangshutai needs people with broad knowledge, Ma Yu should be a Shangshulang."

After the older generation of officials gradually retired, the Shangshu Tai, which was the brain of the Han Dynasty's bureaucratic system, showed a clear trend of getting younger. However, young people are always relatively inexperienced, so Liu Bian thought it was appropriate to let Ma Yu join the inner court.

Ma Teng thought that the position of Shangshu Lang was low in rank but powerful, which was a pretty good starting point for a hermit. It would also allow Ma Yu to spend every day with Xun Yu, whom he was interested in. He felt that he could not find fault with the emperor's appointment, so he immediately thanked him solemnly.

Afterwards, Ma Teng settled down in Luoyang with his family. As for Ma Tie and Ma Xiu, who had not seen their father for several years, they almost forgot what their father looked like and did not recognize Ma Teng at first.

Ma Teng thought of Ma Chao's words and thought that they just missed him day and night and couldn't believe that he really appeared in front of them. With Ma Teng's guilt and compensation, the relationship between father and son gradually warmed up. This is a later story.

For Ma Teng, life as a Shizhong was very leisurely, at least much more leisurely than that of Ma Yu who was a Shangshulang.

However, Luoyang is the capital after all, and it cannot be compared with Jincheng County. Except for occasionally missing the time when he held all the power in Jincheng County, Ma Teng has adapted to it and is not bored on weekdays.

On this day, he was suddenly summoned by the emperor. On the way into the Eastern Palace, he met Ma Yu who was also summoned. Ma Teng also recognized the person walking in front of Ma Yu, it was Xun Yu.

Seeing that the two people were only focused on walking under the guidance of the eunuch and did not notice him behind them at all, Ma Teng subconsciously wanted to wave and call out to them, but then he remembered that this was the imperial palace, so he put down his hand and quickly followed the two people.

The closer he got, the more he could hear the ease with which Xun Yu and Ma Yu were talking. Just by looking at their backs, he could feel that Ma Yu was happy both physically and mentally.

Although he comforted himself that this was all what Ma Yu deserved, Ma Teng couldn't help feeling a little sad in the end.

Fortunately, when passing through Weixing Gate and entering the Forbidden City, Ma Yu finally noticed Ma Teng, and his attitude was the same as before.

And Xun Yu's words also made Ma Teng feel like he was basking in the spring breeze. At this moment, he suddenly understood Ma Yu.

After paying homage to the emperor together, Ma Teng accepted the emperor's advice - how to ensure fair treatment among the Han, Qiang and Di people in Liangzhou?

(End of this chapter)