Goose Three Kingdoms

Chapter 599 Meeting at Heyin
In midsummer, the shogunate, which had just moved to Ganquan, resumed its functions.

Black Bear, who returned from Hancheng, took the women of Dongxiang and Xixiang and the central army along the Qinzhi Road to the north.

Kong Rong and others woke up from their sleep, but it was too late to stop it.

For farmers and herdsmen in the border counties, June is the most leisurely time.

The herdsmen have a tradition of holding a grand festival in June, but the farmers do not have a summer harvest because spring arrives late in the border areas and spring ploughing is also late.

There is only one season a year, and there is no need to rush to harvest or plant.

This also meant that the knights from the border counties could be recruited and assembled, so Black Bear sent out a message to inform them when he set out.

When he arrived at Wuyuan, Liu Bao, Ma Chao, Zhang Liao, Pang De and Budugen each led a thousand cavalrymen and drove the herds of beasts to greet him.

The steam chariot was modified during this period. It had two front and rear locomotives and five carriages in the middle, but the cost was that it traveled at a slower speed.

But no matter how slow it is, it saves the animal's rest period. In summer, the days are long and the nights are short, and at a speed of eight kilometers per hour, it can barely travel 400 miles a day.

When ready for battle, the tank group is divided into two, with each locomotive pulling two or three carriages. If the terrain is flat, the speed can reach 25 kilometers per hour.

If it goes any faster, there's a risk of capsizing.

In fact, the steam chariot has only one practical use on the battlefield. As long as it can meet basic defense requirements and move faster than the infantry in formation, it has practical significance.

On the roof of the middle carriage, under the green umbrella, the black bear lazily looked at the scenery on both sides of the road, enjoying this rare trip.

I originally wanted to stay in Ganquan to escape the summer heat, but this summer is a bit too hot.

He simply didn't stop, notified Togo and Saigo to assemble, and then set off.

They didn't bring any jars or pots, and the male and female guards and servants had all experienced war, so the assembly was almost completed in the form of a war mobilization.

Then they set off in the middle of the night, as if the black-hearted boss had run away.

The scouts reported back and forth, and Fa Zheng climbed up the ladder and exposed the upper half of his body on the roof of the car: "Your Majesty, the various units are gathering as usual, and there is no unusual gathering."

After a short pause, he continued, "The Right Wise King drank heavily last night and got hungover."

"Don't pay attention to him."

After giving the instructions, Black Bear picked up the juice and took a sip. It felt like all he needed was a pair of glasses made of brown crystal.

There is no shortage of things like crystals in the treasury. I can extract some when I go back.

The more transparent the crystal, the higher its value.

Crystal is difficult to polish, so the crystals in the treasury are all top quality.

Hot air balloons will be manufactured soon, and telescopes will also be on the agenda. With telescopes, microscopes will not be far away.

He was familiar with this thing. Although he had never ground lenses, he had played with it many times.

After walking for another hundred miles, we saw the outline of the Yellow River. From afar, it looked like a shining ribbon in the green wilderness.

On the south bank of the Yellow River, near the city of Heyin County, a camp has been set up.

From a great distance, Black Bear could even vaguely see a felt carpet stretching from north to south in the camp, leading from the south gate of the camp into the central army tent.

He couldn't help but tilt his head and think of new ideas.

The tent is lighter, and perhaps a wider car chassis can be built to set up the tent on top.

In this way, when traveling in the wilderness, you can rest and work in the large tent on the vehicle.

For nomadic tribes, huge movable tents are a symbol of great authority.

The purpose of this inspection was to test the steam vehicle's ability to travel on the Qin Straight Road, to further stabilize the border, and to suppress Ma Chao.

After the Battle of You and Ji, Zhang Liao was granted the title of Marquis of Jinyang Township, and his mother, most of his family, and the powerful people of Yanmen were moved to Jinyang, the capital of Taiyuan, with a fief of 2,000 households. Pang De also led the Qiang cavalry and followed Ma Teng to make achievements, and was granted the title of Marquis of Nan'an Pavilion with 500 households.

Ma Teng was promoted to General Zhenbei and stationed in Datong, while Ma Tie, who followed the army, was the Marquis of Dingxiang with a fief of 1,000 households.

Ma Chao also knew that his position as the Right Wise King would not last long, so during this period he intensified his exploitation of the surrounding Xiongnu tribes, absorbing their elite troops and forming his own troops.

The Xiongnu nobles on the right did not dare to resist, and Liu Bao impeached Ma Chao for many illegal activities.

The purpose of this inspection trip to Wuyuan was to let Ma Chao understand that even the counties outside the Great Wall were within the scope of his daily inspections.

At dusk, the central army's chariot and cavalry arrived at Heyin County, the southernmost county of Wuyuan Commandery. Ma Chao and his men, each leading more than a hundred cavalrymen, were waiting by the roadside.

In the light of the torches, the steam locomotive exhausted air prematurely and the whistle sounded sharp and piercing.

These people's mounts were frightened, causing a riot, which was only brought under control after being suppressed by the surrounding knights.

After the commotion subsided, Liu Bao stepped forward and said, "The young prince respectfully welcomes the Grand Marshal."

"Chanyu, please get up quickly."

Black Bear stepped forward to support Liu Bao, and waved to Budugen who followed closely and saluted: "Go into the camp and report."

Ma Chao, Zhang Liao, and Pang De bowed and said, "Yes."

The guards of the central army entered one after another with torches, illuminating the wool carpet.

The black bear stepped on it and said to Liu Bao, "Don't waste money like this, Chanyu."

"It is the tribal elders who have urged us. Otherwise, I cannot express my respect to you."

"It won't happen again."

Black Bear said, and when Zhen Mi came forward, he pointed at Zhen Mi, who was supported by the female military officer, and said, "This is my Dongxiang wife and my eldest son."

Zhen Mi was pregnant. She wore a fine cashmere felt hat and a face scarf, and bowed slightly. Hei Rui was held by his wet nurse.

Liu Bao bowed and said, "My little prince greets the Madam and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Then Black Bear introduced Ma Yunlu, and Liu Bao bowed slightly, "My little prince greets the Madam and the Prince."

The women and children behind him were not introduced one by one. Black Bear took Liu Bao's hand and walked forward, saying, "Originally, I wanted to rest for a while after touring various places in Guanzhong, accompany my family, and enjoy the peaceful time. However, the summer heat is oppressive, and I want to see the June festival in the border counties, so I took my family out for a trip. Sorry for bothering you."

"I dare not. It is my honor to welcome and receive the Grand Marshal and the Crown Prince."

Liu Bao was speaking from his heart. To the east was Ma Teng, and there was also Budugen who took advantage of the situation and clung to Ma Chao's influence. The Xiongnu nobles under him also did not dare to offend Ma Chao. His life was really difficult.

"You are too modest and seem to be too polite."

Black Bear looked around and said, "It's still cool at the border. The rainfall in Guanzhong this year is not very abundant. I don't know what the situation is like in Hebei and Guandong. If it's hot next year again, I will come again."

"I have already sent someone I trust to do what the Grand Marshal has asked me to do."

"Well, I'm glad you have the heart to do it."

I will come back next year to escape the summer heat. In August, I will gather all the border tribes and march north out of Yinshan Mountain to sweep through the tribes in northern Mobei.

The huge bonfire in the middle of the camp had been lit. Black Bear turned to Ma Chao, who was walking with Ma Yunlu on the other side and holding his nephew, and said, "Brother, how are you these days?"

"Everything is fine."

Ma Chao answered simply, obviously not wanting to talk. He held his little nephew high up and pressed his forehead against the other's, making the child laugh.

The black bear just smiled when he saw it, but Ma Yunlu was a little nervous.

The development of many things was very different from what she expected. Because of her son's status as a mother, she could not control the little sisters in Xixiang.

Now that Ma Chao is around, those little sisters have obviously become more obedient.

Ma Chao did not dare to use force against them, but he would not show mercy when it came to revenge on their families.

In front of the big tent, the layers of curtains have been taken over by the central army guards.

Fa was setting up sentries and allocating camp areas in the back. When he finished these and returned, the Hun warriors had already started dancing in front of the grand bonfire.

In the center of the curtain, Hei Rui is holding a blood peach in Black Bear's arms and sucking the sweet juice. The female relatives are sitting alone in the left area. Next to him are Liu Bao and Ma Chao, while Lu Bu and Dian Wei are standing behind him.

In Ma Chao's arms was his little nephew, who was eating the yogurt cubes that Ma Chao had chopped up.

It was a windy night, so Ma Chao opened his cloak and clamped it between his knees to block the cold wind from behind.

After the Xiongnu warriors with vigorous dancing left, Black Bear asked Ma Chao: "My father wrote to me and asked me to persuade you to marry the daughter of the Yang family. What do you think, brother?"

"If the Grand Marshal grants the marriage, I dare not refuse. As for my father, this is my marriage with Lord Yang's daughter, it would be better if he does not interfere."

Ma Chao said with a smile, indifferently: "Mr. Yang also thinks highly of me. If we get married, he will not treat his daughter badly."

"In this case, I will ask the Chanyu to marry you."

Black Bear turned his head and looked at Liu Bao, "I still need to trouble the Chanyu with my brother's marriage. From now on, the eldest son of my brother and Yang's daughter will inherit the title of Right King."

"Yes, I will make an oath of alliance with the elders of each department."

The right department was thrown away, not to mention a famous king within the right department system.

Liu Bao agreed readily, as he believed that the noble elders below would not be unhappy with him.

Black Bear turned his head and looked at Ma Chao again: "Mr. Yang's son is already a Red Banner Cavalry General, and he made great contributions during the expedition to You and Ji. After your brother gets married, I will transfer him to Wuyuan as a garrison commander."

Ma Chao remained silent, which was considered as tacit consent.

Seeing him like this, Black Bear didn't find it strange at all.

He also said: "After the migration of the Hehuang Qiang, many other Qiang tribes migrated here. They are rampant and do not obey the king's rule. The governor of Hexi is preparing to send troops to attack them, and the troops will be dispatched around mid-July. I hope you can send 3,000 cavalry to help."

"Do you want me to lead the troops? If I go, how will I command them?"

"Each one for himself."

Black Bear said casually, "The governor of Hexi is a veteran general. Although he is experienced in military operations, he lacks sharpness. You were able to take charge of a department before, but you are still young. I will transfer Pang De to you. How many Qiang volunteers Pang De can recruit depends on how you two negotiate. I only want victory, no matter how you fight."

"The general understands."

Ma Chao's mouth curled up. What he feared most was to obey Zhang Xiu's orders or cooperate with friendly forces.

As long as he hit hard, he believed that it would motivate his friendly forces to assist and cooperate with him in the battle.

Pang De is also very easy to talk to. With him around, the Qiang volunteers under his rule can naturally be fully mobilized.

When Pound heard people talking about him, he straightened his back.

As long as we are sure of victory, a little personal grievance doesn't matter.

On the other side, Zhen Mi was also listening to their conversation, looking at the bonfire, her eyes reflecting the firelight, and thinking about issues related to military power.

Although old men like Zhang Ding, Xu Lin and even the Taiping Dao all supported her, the Ma family and the Guanlong people had more and more opportunities to make meritorious deeds. In the future, they would have countless military merits and honors and would have great influence in the army.

She believed very much in the black bear's lifespan, but she always had to have some checks and balances.

But there is no need to worry, there is no use in worrying.

Many powerful Hebei people who were related to her by marriage were captured and made slaves, and forced to cut wood in the mountains of Taiyuan and Hexi.

Selection can only be carried out after these people have atonement for their sins and restored their identities.

She doesn't need to be too proactive, these people will find a way to come up to her.

Whether she knows him or not, as long as he is a scholar in Hebei area, he is her potential fan.

(End of this chapter)