Shu Han Confucian General of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 198 It's Not Your Turn to Be Arrogant
According to the practice of the Han Dynasty, every year during the Spring Festival, the governors of the prefectures and counties would have a banquet with their subordinates to sum up the work of the year and strengthen the relationship between them.Last year, Liu Bei had just become the Duke of Qi, and many things were not perfect. For example, the palace was only half repaired, and Sun Quan's rebellion had just been put down at that time, so that year was really a bit sloppy.Everything is going well this year. Although there are local wars like Hanzhong, overall it is relatively peaceful.So Liu Bei also took this friendship as the highlight and planned it carefully.Not only the big and small officials in Shouchun were invited, but even Ma Chao, who was ordered to come to Shouchun for help, was also invited.

"What a big palace!" Walking into the banquet hall of Duke Qi's mansion, Ma Chao felt dizzy along the way.If Lu Su hadn't happened to lead the way, he really didn't know how to go.Ma's family is a wealthy Xiliang family, and the decoration of the home is magnificent.But compared with Liu Bei's Duke of Qi's mansion, it is insignificant.

After entering the hall, more than half of the guests had already arrived.The people were divided into two tables, civil and military, and sat down on the left and right respectively.On the left side is the general's actions. To Ma Chao's surprise, Zhang Fei actually sat in the second seat, while the first seat was empty.

"Could it be that Mr. Xuande left this position for me?" Ma Chao couldn't help feeling a little secretly proud, but he didn't feel good about himself to this point after all.At this moment, he heard someone call him to sit down in the guest seat on the other side.Although Ma Chao was a little upset for not being able to take the host seat, but after thinking about it, he was a guest after all, and it would be inappropriate to sit with Liu Bei's subordinates, so he restrained himself and sat down.

Not long after, the guests arrived one after another, and then the host Liu Bei also came out beautifully, along with his six-year-old eldest son Liu Feng and youngest daughter Liu Chan.After everyone met for a while, the banquet began.It's just that Ma Chao noticed that the chief in front of Zhang Fei was still vacant.

"Who is so grand and wants Zhang Fei to make room for him?" Ma Chao thought over and over the people under Liu Bei's account, but he couldn't think of any person who could let Zhang Fei make room for him.Could it be that Guan Yu is coming soon?After much deliberation, Ma Chao guessed that this was the only possibility.

But now Ma Chao can't take care of other people's affairs. After drinking for three rounds, Ma Chao stood up and said: "Xuande, I appreciate your kind hospitality. But Ma Chao's hometown is occupied by the old thief Han Sui at the moment, so he really can't eat. Please also ask Xuande to lend me tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, and when I take Xiliang back, I will definitely be rewarded!"

"Here, hehe!" Liu Bei's smile was a bit forced.Not only Liu Bei, but the rest of the people, especially the generals, were not very good-looking.This Ma Chao didn't seem to know his identity. A person who came to ask for help called Liu Bei Xuande, and Qi Guogong didn't call him Xuande.Even if Ma Teng came here, he was not so arrogant.It is estimated that if Cao Cao found out, he would definitely pull Liu Bei's hand and say, "Xuande, it's not easy for us, that brat Xu You also calls me Meng De all the time, and sometimes calls me A Man! "

At this moment, a servant suddenly came to report: "My lord, the eldest son and General Wen are here!"

"Please!" Liu Bei hastily signaled to hurry up.Ma Chao was stunned at this moment. Although he has only come to Shouchun for half a month, he also knows that Liu Bei has a son and a daughter. The son is Liu Feng, born to Mrs. Mi, who is six years old this year; The wife's son is only three years old this year, so how come a big son suddenly appeared?
"Meet the lord!" Not long after, a heroic young man and a general came in and saluted Liu Bei. Ma Chao was even more surprised when he heard this title. Since he is the eldest son, why did he call Liu Bei the lord?

"This is Mr. Liu Qi, the lord's nephew, the eldest son of Mr. Liu Jingsheng, the pastor of Jingzhou. Now he is the prefect of Jiangxia, the right general, and that is General Wenpin Wen Zhongye." Lu Su, who was closest to Ma Chao, looked at Ma Chao. With a confused face, knowing that he didn't know Liu Qi and Wenpin, he quickly introduced them.

"Oh, that's how it is!" Ma Chao suddenly realized, but he saw Liu Bei personally come down to support Liu Qi and said, "My nephew, why do you need to be so polite? Today is just a banquet. You and my uncle and nephew can be commensurate. My nephew's trip went smoothly, and finally Catch up with this New Year's Eve banquet!"

"Thanks to my uncle's concern, Zhang Wu and Chen Sun occupy Jiangxia. Although tens of thousands of rebels have gathered, but with the help of General Huang and General Wen, how can this fellow be an opponent? Both thieves have been killed, and all the rebels under their command have been killed. The collection has been sent to Chaisang, from uncle to reorganization." Liu Qi said in detail.

To say how many people were saved by Zhao Feng's butterfly effect, he couldn't tell, but Liu Qi was definitely one of them.At this time in history, he should be addicted to wine, sex, eating and waiting to die, but now that the Kuai family and the Cai family have been wiped out, Liu Qi is not so decadent.After Liu Biao returned to seclusion, he served as the prefect of Jiangxia and the right general. Although he did not have the ambition of self-reliance, he was diligent in political affairs and rectified the army.At this time, the inertia of history was reflected again. Zhang Wu and Chen Sun conspired in Jiangxia just like in history.But the current Liu Qi is not the parallel importer of Huang Zu in history. He directly invited Guan Yu and sent Huang Zhong and Wenpin to help him solve Zhang Wu and Chen Sun.Huang Zhong went back to Xiangyang after completing the task, but Liu Qi and Wen Pin received an urgent order from Liu Bei, asking them to come to Shouchun to celebrate the New Year together after completing the task, and they also had special tasks by the way.

"My lord, this is General Ma Chao, the son of Xiliang Ma's prefect; General Ma, this is Jiangxia's prefect, General Liu Qi!" At this time, Jian Yong introduced the two of them. Go to the first seat on the general's side and sit down. It turned out that the seat was reserved for him.After Liu Qi sat down, he began to describe in detail the process of suppressing the rebellion.Liu Bei was also amazed when he heard it, and the rest of the people even praised it again and again, sending high hats one after another.

But I heard Zhuge Liang suddenly say: "Duke Jing Sheng handed over Jingzhou to the lord, and even left the eldest son under the command of the lord. Many young people treat the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain, thinking that the lord will not be able to tolerate it." Young master. But for more than three years, the lord and the eldest son have gotten along very well, and those villains presumptuously speculate, it's really ridiculous."

"Exactly!" As soon as the words came out, many people agreed.At this time, Liu Bei sighed, "Brother Jing Sheng entrusted Jingxiang to me with great kindness that day. Originally, the son inherited his father's business, and Jingzhou should be taken over by the young master. Now the young master is only the prefect of Jiangxia, but it is a bit impolite .”

"Uncle, don't say that!" Liu Qi got up quickly, and then said seriously: "Liu Qi still has a bit of self-knowledge. I know that it is difficult for me to sit in Jingzhou with my abilities. Being the prefect of Jiangxia is a person who has made the best of his talents. Besides, uncle There are a lot of talents under my command. I, Liu Qi, only rely on my father's prestige, so I have the courage to talk about friendship with the peers. If you talk about real talents and learning, Liu Qi dares to compare with Mr. Lu and the others with such a trivial trick!"

"The eldest son is really too modest!" Lu Su quickly thanked him.But I heard Wenpin also sighed at this time: "I, Wenpin, used to sit in Jingzhou and watch the sky. I thought I was the number one general in Jingzhou. But I didn't know that the number one general in Jingzhou was just a hero in one place. There are many capable people in the world. Wenpin After joining the lord, I realized that there is a sky beyond the sky, and there are people beyond people!"

"What Zhongye said is also what I think in my heart!" Ji Ling on the side also said with some emotion: "I, Ji Ling, used to be known as the No. If you don’t, you will know that there are many heroes in the world. If a hero like us does not know the heights of the sky and the earth is thick, and underestimates the heroes of the world, he will definitely become a laughing stock.”

"What General Ji said is true. I, Gao Lan, used to be known as the Four Court Columns of Hebei Province, but compared with the Three Generals and Huang Lao General, my skills are like street tricks." At this time, Gao Lan Lan is also quite emotional.

Liu Qi, Wenpin, Ji Ling, and Gao Lan, you follow me, I follow you, humility to each other like drums and flowers, and people around you echoed, no matter how stupid Ma Chao was, he should have heard something was wrong.After thinking about it for a while, I realized that it was all aimed at him.As the number one general in Xiliang, he is the same as these people before.Now that they are so humble, they are just reminding themselves that there are so many talents under Shouchun and Liu Bei, and it is not your turn to Ma Chao, the mighty general of Xiliang, to come and be arrogant.Wanting to understand this, Ma Chao had a bitter meal.

After finishing the meal sullenly, Liu Bei received Ma Chao in his study. "I already know the meaning of my nephew's trip. Brother Shoucheng and I served together in the past, and Han Sui turned his back on the alliance and attacked. How can I stand by and watch? It's just that it's the middle of winter and we can't march. After the spring, I will transfer troops from Hanzhong to help Brother Shoucheng take back Xiliang!"

"Thank you Duke Qi!" Ma Chao cupped his fists and said, this is only after he was hit, he had to restrain his arrogance a little bit, otherwise he would have to jump up on the spot.At this moment, Ma Chao's big nerves finally remembered another matter, and he quickly talked about his sister and Zhao Yun.

"Zilong and Lingmei are in love?" Liu Bei was quite surprised when he heard this, but Ma Chao didn't look like he was joking.After thinking about it, Liu Bei also felt dark: Zhao Yun has been with him for many years, and he has never been close to women. Now this woman is still forced to him by himself and Zhao Fan.It's rare for him to meet a woman he likes, and he thinks he will make it happen.Besides, this matter can also strengthen the relationship between Liu Bei and Ma Teng's two major groups, so why not do it?

"In this case, I will hire Zilong on behalf of Zilong and propose marriage to your father!" Liu Bei said seriously.Ma Chao was overjoyed, if Liu Bei hired him, his family would have a brighter face.At present, Liu Bei also transferred [-] cavalry to Ma Chao's command, so that he would be busy with some things in Shouchun first, and then lead the army westward when he marched into Xiliang.In this way, under Liu Bei's invisible grace and power and political marriage, Ma Teng's group and Liu Bei's group were so firmly bound together.

This year everyone has their own worries and busy schedules.Liu Bei was busy appeasing Ma Chao, and Cao Cao was busy moving the capital and becoming king.Guan Yu in Jingzhou was busy recruiting surrendered troops, reorganizing his armaments, and preparing for the next Northern Expedition.After Xiliang's Han Sui took Xiliang, he couldn't settle down.The fleeing Ma Teng father and son are his confidants' serious troubles, and those Qiang tribes who have a deep friendship with Ma Teng are also starting to move around, which makes him restless.

Recently, the one who really lived a relatively leisurely life was Zhao Feng who lived in Hanzhong.After getting help from Zhao Yun and others, the burden on his shoulders was a little lighter, and he was not as busy as Guan Yu.

So on the night of New Year's Eve, Zhao Feng leisurely listened to Xiao Qiao playing the piano for him, drank some wine, and passed the year very contentedly.Of course, he didn't care about his own happiness, and Ma Teng, his father and daughter, and Zhao Yun, who lived here, were also invited to drink with him.Since he had already taken Xiao Qiao in, Zhao Feng sorted out Dongkua Courtyard for Zhao Yun to live in.

"Wow, sister Qiao Ying, your hand piano skills are really amazing. I think it's hard to find anyone better than you in the world!" After the song was over, Ma Yunlu also praised repeatedly.If you say that women are very strange creatures, Xiao Qiao and Ma Yunlu, who are so surprised by their personalities, have a very happy conversation after a few encounters. They are almost like sisters in just a few days.

"Sister, I'm overwhelmed!" Xiao Qiao said with a smile.Although it was a bit muddled to ask Zhao Feng to eat it, but after being in contact with Ma Yunlu for a long time, Xiao Qiao is not too embarrassed to appear in front of her as Zhao Feng's woman.Zhao Yun is calm by nature, so he doesn't make fun of it; Ma Teng is sophisticated, and he doesn't make such silly jokes.

"I don't know how the elder brother is doing in Shouchun!" Ma Yunlu suddenly said sadly, and Zhao Yun quickly comforted him softly.Ma Teng also sighed, but he was a little relieved to see that his daughter had found a good husband.

"I have a detailed report this afternoon. Several Qiang tribes fought with Han Sui. The two sides won each other, and the casualties were not light." Zhao Feng suddenly remembered this matter, and informed Ma Teng by the way.

"It should be those tribes of my mother!" Ma Yunlu thought for a while.Ma Teng's wife is a Qiang, so most of the Qiang people have a close relationship with her.Even if Han Sui wins Xiliang, these people will not be willing to be ruled by him, and they must pinch him.

"General Zhao, originally you only need to lend the old man tens of thousands of soldiers and horses. With the help of the young man and the old man, together with the help of the Qiang tribe, it is enough to pacify Xiliang. But now that Xiahouyuan is stationed in Longxi, it will not be easy. !” Ma Teng also sighed after pondering for a while.Ma Teng was very aware of Xia Houyuan's abilities.I have fought against him for so many years, but I have never taken advantage of it.

"That's right, I have only 4 troops in Hanzhong. Excluding those left behind, there are only more than 3 people at most that can be mobilized. This force is mostly new recruits who have not been trained. How can it compare with Xia Houyuan's Guanzhong elite soldiers?" Contest!" Zhao Feng sighed.Just kidding, taking Longxi from Xiahouyuan with a single Hanzhong, unless it was a trick, it would be difficult to do anyway.

"Stay behind, why, who does General Zhao want to stay behind to guard against?" Ma Yunlu has always been nervous, and he asked directly about such military matters.

"Of course it's the Duke of Shu!" Zhao Feng sighed.The day before yesterday, news came from the secret work that the garrison at Jiameng Pass and Baishui Pass had suddenly increased. This also made Zhao Feng secretly on guard, fearing that Liu Zhang would make a sudden attack.

What Zhao Feng didn't know was that at the Duke of Shu's mansion, Liu Zhang, who was celebrating the end of the year, was confronting Huang Quan and others who were kneeling in front of him with big eyes and small eyes. new year.

(End of this chapter)