When Ji Han and his men traveled to the Three Kingdoms crew

Chapter 571 Ma Dai: Hiss, is this still the brother I know?
"I wonder what I should address you two gentlemen?"

Facing the questioning of the army chief, Ma Chao and Ma Dai looked at each other and tacitly told each other the pseudonyms they used when wandering around the world.

"My name is Jian Chao!"

"My name is Jian Dai!"

"what?"

The chief clerk's movements froze for a moment. He looked at the half-written character "马" on the roster and felt dazed.

Shouldn't his last name be Ma? Why is his last name Jian?

"Ok?"

Ma Chao and Ma Dai stared at the chief clerk with puzzled expressions, "Is there any problem?"

"No, no." The chief clerk shook his head repeatedly, holding the brush tightly in his hand, secretly cursing himself for being too out of control. Ma Chao and Ma Dai's question suddenly reminded him of the important matter that General Xu Huang of Annan had personally told him.

We can’t let the two grooms get suspicious! We can’t let the two grooms know that we know their identities!
Who knew that he would be exposed as soon as the two grooms entered the group!
No!

We have to find a way to get around this!
Even though the chief clerk's heart was pounding, he still opened his eyes wide and tried his best to force out a surprised expression, "The surname is Jian, could it be... could it be the direct descendants of Grand Minister of Agriculture Jian Gong, a relative of Jian Gong?!"

Ma Chao and Ma Dai looked at each other and suddenly realized. No wonder the chief clerk looked a little strange. It turned out that he was surprised by the relatives of the Minister of Agriculture.

"My two brothers are distant relatives of the Minister of Agriculture, so the Chief Clerk need not panic."

The two brothers said this very naturally, as if they were stating a fact. In fact, neither of them felt that they had said anything wrong. Liu Xie wanted to call them uncles, and Liu Bei the emperor's uncle. In this way, they and Liu Bei were also half-brothers, and Jian Yong and Liu Bei were as close as brothers.

Then the problem is coming.

Is a brother’s good brother no longer a brother?
Calling him a distant relative is quite modest!

The chief clerk, who had no idea what Ma Chao and Ma Dai were thinking, twitched his lips and said, "So, so that's how it is."

"Jian Chao. Jian Dai."

The chief clerk gritted his teeth and wrote Ma Chao and Ma Dai's pseudonyms on the list, then made a few excuses and left in a hurry.

Ma Chao and Ma Dai were very glad that they had used a pseudonym. If they had enlisted under their real names, the title of the regent's classmate and uncle alone would have scared everyone. It would have been hard to say that their military achievements were based on their own bravery!

Ma Dai flattered in a low voice: "Brother, you are so wise. You asked His Highness to come up with a fake name for you and me in advance, so that we would not be discovered by Dian Wei and Zhubu!"

"Hehe, Brother Dai, you're too kind. I'm just repeating what others have said. Watch carefully and learn well. You will be able to do it in the future!" Ma Chao patted Ma Dai on the shoulder.

Ma Dai clenched his fists excitedly, "Brother, don't worry. I will definitely study hard!"

Ma Chao nodded with satisfaction, an expression that showed he was a teachable kid.

Dian Wei, who was assigned by Xu Huang to protect Ma Chao and Ma Dai, scratched his head in confusion. Why were these two horse guards just grinning? Should I smile or not?
Dian Wei's confusion did not last long, as his appearance soon attracted the attention of Ma Chao and Ma Dai.

"General Diandian?"

"Why are you here?"

Ma Chao and Ma Dai were slightly stunned, somewhat confused as to why Dian Wei appeared here.

Fortunately, Dian Wei was well prepared. He grinned and said honestly, "I am still short of two personal guards. I see that you two are strong and powerful, and your gestures are like the strength of tigers and wolves. You must be rare warriors in the world! What do you think?"

"I couldn't ask for more!" Ma Chao and Ma Dai didn't even think about it. They agreed almost the moment Dian Wei's voice fell.

Who is Dian Wei?
He once protected his master among millions of soldiers and was the most meritorious among the three sages!
If it weren’t for Dian Wei, Cao thief would have died in Aunt Zhang Xiu’s belly long ago!
How could Ma Chao and Ma Dai not be happy to be praised as fierce warriors by a ruthless man like Dian Wei? !
"Ah?" Dian Wei was a little confused. He didn't expect Ma Chao and Ma Dai to agree so quickly. All the plans he had prepared were wasted.

It is a pity that the draft did not work, but fortunately the reactions of Ma Chao and Ma Dai were not a bad thing.

Dian Wei calmed down and nodded to Ma Chao and Ma Dai, "Since you two have agreed, follow me."

"Yes!" Ma Chao and Ma Dai straightened their backs and saluted quickly with their fists clasped.

The two followed Dian Wei to receive their military uniforms and weapons and joined the personal guards. The joining of Ma Chao and Ma Dai aroused the curiosity of the personal guards.

Someone came up to Ma Chao and Ma Dai and asked curiously, "Are you two relatives of the Commandant General?"

"Hmm?" Ma Chao and Ma Dai both raised their eyebrows, "Relatives? Why do you say that?"

"I see that you two are not only unfamiliar, but also very young. How did you get into the Imperial Guards if you are not relatives of Lieutenant Dian?"

Ma Dai was immediately furious. "What are you talking about?! My brother and I are able to stand here without asking anyone for help. We rely on ourselves! It was General Dian who offered us an olive branch because he saw that we are extraordinary!"

Ma Dai's words not only failed to dispel the doubts of the guards in front of him, but instead caused the guards passing by to burst into laughter.

This made Ma Dai's face turn purple, and his fists were clenched so tightly that they made a crackling sound, as if he was going to punch the guard hard in the face at the next moment.

What Ma Dai didn't expect was that Ma Chao actually grabbed his arm.

Ma Dai's eyes widened in disbelief. He growled, "Brother! Why...why did you stop me?!"

Ma Chao did not answer Ma Dai's question immediately, but pulled Ma Dai aside and said, "Brother Dai, calm down!"

“Calm down?” Ma Dai broke free from Ma Chao’s arm, his brows twisted into a “川” shape. Looking at Ma Chao’s calm appearance, he felt hatred and sadness. He said with great sorrow: “Brother, they insulted you and me, how can you ask me to stay calm?! How did the brave brother in the past become so timid now?!”

"Brother Dai, do you remember the trip to Qingzhou?"

"Qingzhou?"

Ma Dai didn't understand why Ma Chao mentioned Qingzhou.

Seeing Ma Dai like this, Ma Chao simply changed his words, "Brother Dai, are you going to become worse than Lu Meng?"

"Ah?" Ma Dai was stunned. He was worse than Lu Meng? How could he be worse than a backstabbing villain? Did he miss something?
He hurriedly urged: "Brother, why do you say that? Why have I become worse than Lu Meng?"

"Brother Dai, do you still remember the Second General's teachings?"

"The Second General's Teachings."

Ma Dai muttered to himself and fell into memories, and Ma Chao's voice rang in his ears.

"The Second General said that if someone insults you on the street, you can just yell at that person. If yelling doesn't work, you can still use your fists as a real man. But this is a military camp, and you are surrounded by Han soldiers. Even if you defeat the other party, it will only make people fear and hate you, and you will still be subject to military law. If you want people to shut up and win respect, you should follow the example of your lord, the Second General and the Third General, and fight on the battlefield and win in daily training! This is what a real man does!" Ma Chao's voice was not loud, but to Ma Dai it was like rolling thunder, making his ears buzz.

Is this still the brother he knew? !
Ma Dai stared at Ma Chao blankly, as if he had just met his brother today.

After a moment, Ma Dai felt ashamed. He lowered his head in shame and said, "Brother is right. I was reckless and impulsive."

“It is a great help to admit one’s mistakes and improve upon them.” Ma Chao nodded with satisfaction.

Then the two of them stood in front of the guard again. The guard looked at them warily, "What do you two want to do?"

Ma Dai took a deep breath and made a bold statement, "Whether my two brothers can rely on themselves will be revealed in the future! You better keep your eyes open when the time comes!"

"Interesting! If you two can really do it, what's the harm if we respect you like we respect Captain Dian?" The guard instigated, "Tell me, is this right or wrong?"

"Correct!"

All the guards echoed in unison, their voices as powerful as a torrent.

Xu Huang, who was watching all this through the telescope, couldn't help but sigh, "What a young man's spirit."

"Sir, is it really a good idea to arrange two grooms like this?" the deputy general at the side asked worriedly.

Xu Huang restrained his expression and said seriously: "The general wants us to protect Ma Chao and Ma Dai as the premise, and polish their bodies and minds, instead of taking good care of them like a good seed. Even if it is a top-grade jade, how can we get the jade hidden under the stone skin without polishing it?"

Xiang Lang nodded in agreement, "Sir, you are right. If you don't carve jade, you won't know it. The same is true for people."

The deputy general was somewhat confused. How did the prince and the envoy know that Ma Chao and Ma Dai were the beautiful jade? Could it be that the captain just said it casually? How strange.

The deputy general did not think too much about it. He turned around and thought, after all, Ma Chao and Ma Dai were tacitly approved by the general. Maybe the general really saw the potential of Ma Chao and Ma Dai?

"Your Excellency, what you said is absolutely right. I understand."

Xu Huang and Xiang Lang both noticed the change in the deputy general's expression and knew that the deputy general was not just convinced by the words just now, but no one pointed it out.

Now that the march is imminent, being ready for departure is of utmost importance.

"Send a message to the three armies, set off tomorrow, and make sure to be ready!"

Following Xu Huang's order, the Northern Army took action.

The Northern troops acted quickly and successfully packed their bags before setting off.

Accompanied by Liu Bei and all the officials, Xu Huang led his army on the journey to Jiaozhou.

Xu Huang led his army to Jiaozhou overnight and finally arrived in Jiaozhou on time.

Along the way, Dian Wei's guards discovered that neither Ma Chao nor Ma Dai had fallen behind. In terms of spirit and energy, they were even better than them.

Many of the guards put away their contemptuous looks, but they all tacitly did not mention the previous words.

Ma Chao and Ma Dai didn't care at all.

After arriving in Panyu, Xiang Lang began to govern Jiaozhou with his many years of experience in governing Jingzhou. He pulled in wave after wave and eliminated the drawbacks hidden beneath the surface of prosperity.

Xu Huang and Lu Bu coordinated with each other. Whenever county officials incited the people to riot, Xu Huang would lead his army to nip the threat in the bud with lightning speed.

Just when things were going smoothly as Xiang Lang, Xu Huang and others had expected, an accident happened.

"Report——"

The messenger rushed to the hall and brought bad news to Xiang Lang and Xu Huang.

"Lü Zhen, the county official of Jiuzhen County, has started a rebellion and joined forces with the local barbarians to occupy the main road leading to Rinan County!"

Xiang Lang and Xu Huang's faces sank. Rinan County was the origin of fine seeds. Rinan County wanted to break away from the Han Dynasty before, but was defeated by Zhao Yun. How could they watch Rinan County being forced to break away from the Han Dynasty now?
They both spoke at the same time, uttering the same word: "War!"

Xu Huang quickly convened a meeting, and various generals and their captains came one after another, even Ma Chao and Ma Dai joined as exceptions.

Xu Huang looked at the soldiers and pointed to a forest on the beach. "This is a key road guarded by the Jiuzhen rebels. I want to make a feint to the east and attack in the west. I will lead the main force to bypass this road and steal the enemy camp! Who among you is willing to take the responsibility of holding back the main force of the rebels?!"

Just as the soldiers were about to speak out, a voice that was much younger than those of the veterans spoke out faster than the others, "General Xu! My troops! My troops are willing!"

All the soldiers were startled and looked in the direction of the voice. It was Ma Dai. No, it was Jian Dai!
Xu Huang frowned slightly and ignored the voice, "Who among you is willing to fight?"

Ma Dai still shouted stubbornly: "General Xu, our troops are willing to fight!"

Xu Huang frowned even deeper, still ignoring Ma Dai's voice and still choosing to ask questions.

Ma Dai still didn't give up and shouted over and over again.

Even when Dian Wei reached out to cover Ma Dai's mouth, he couldn't stop him, but instead made Ma Chao shout out as well.

"General Xu, we are not acting on impulse. I hope you will listen to me! Even if I am wrong, please let me know where I am wrong!"

Xu Huang finally looked at Ma Chao. After thinking for a moment, he seemed to have figured something out and said, "Your name is Jian Chao? What you said makes sense. Okay, tell me about it."

"General Xu, this strategic pass is located in the mountains. Most of our troops are not suitable for fighting in the mountains, except for the Wudang Flying Army commanded by Lieutenant Dian! The Wudang Flying Army has gained a great reputation in Rinnan County. If the Wudang Flying Army launches a large-scale attack, it will surely make the Jiuzhen rebels extremely alert, and they are very likely to mistakenly believe that the Wudang Flying Army is our main force!"

Listening to Ma Chao's eloquent speech, Xu Huang was even delighted, and a hint of admiration for talent emerged in his heart. How long has Ma Chao been in the army? It is rare that he has such insights.

Of course, the more Xu Huang admired Ma Chao, the more he couldn't let Ma Chao put himself in danger. He had promised the general that he would protect Ma Chao and Ma Dai!

"Would you like to come with me to raid the rebel camp?"

To make meritorious service, you don't just need to hold back the enemy at the front. You can also make meritorious service by raiding the enemy's stronghold as the main force, and it's even safer.

However, this was not what Ma Chao and Ma Dai wanted. Facing Xu Huang's question, Ma Chao did not think much about it and shook his head decisively.

This made Xu Huang look at Ma Chao with a higher opinion, and he thought to himself: No wonder, no wonder the general asked me to take good care of Ma Chao, this man is truly extraordinary, neither humble nor arrogant, and he will at least be a good general in the future!

Xu Huang asked knowingly: "Oh? Why is that?"

(End of this chapter)