Border Soldiers: My granaries are full of grain and meat, and I guard this region.

Duma Village.

Ma Shuo looked at the official document in his hand, stroked his chin, and showed a slightly thoughtful expression.

The document above was an official letter sent to him by Zhong Shao. It stated that he had come to Fuxing County to conduct an investigation as a registrar and needed to summon all civil and military officials of Fuxing County to the county government office for a gathering.

Putting down the official document in his hand, Ma Shuo rubbed his temples, his right eyelid twitching uncontrollably.

"Father, what is it?"

Ma Su cautiously asked from the side, "Last night, I and Liu Daye led a group to destroy Ye Family Village, but we didn't succeed."

Not only was Liu Daye killed by a hidden arrow that flew out of nowhere, but the two women he had his eye on also disappeared.

Upon learning of this, Ma Shuo flew into a rage and immediately attacked Ma Su, slapping him twice.

Even now, Ma Su still remembers the scene when his father was furious.

"You bastard! Do you know that if this news gets out, I'll be beheaded a hundred times! A thousand heads wouldn't be enough!"

"Before you took action, I repeatedly told you not to let this matter leak out! You had to resolve this quickly! I never expected you to collude with people inside Ye Family Village, all for two women!"

"If it weren't for these delays, Ye Family Village would have been wiped out long ago! Not a single survivor! It wouldn't be in this state now!"

Ma Su knew how big a mistake he had made, and he was very honest, obediently taking the beatings and scoldings.

Ma Shuo's anger has subsided somewhat, but he has just received an official letter from Zhong Shao, inviting him to the county government for a chat.

"Zhao Tongchuan and the newcomer Zhong Shao called me to the county government office, saying they wanted to discuss important matters together."

Ma Su was taken aback upon hearing Ma Shuo's words.

"Last time, Zhong Shao wanted to be investigated in our Ma Village, but you refused, Father. Why are you being invited to the county government this time?"

Upon hearing his son's words, Ma Shuo sneered.

"Isn't it because he wants to find fault with me?"

"What do you think Zhong Shaolai is doing in Fuxing County? He's just a low-ranking military officer, an eighth-grade clerk, and he's backed by the Zhong family. Why would he bother coming to this godforsaken place?"

Ma Su's eyes darted around, and he said somewhat uncertainly:

"Could he be here to harm you, Father?"

"nonsense!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Su looked at the official document and said, "Then Father, you should not go. Just say that there are military affairs in Duma Village. Didn't you use the same excuse to avoid it last time?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Shuo snorted coldly.

"Idiot! Do you think Zhong Shao's temper is like Zhao Tongchuan's? Rejecting him last time was already disrespectful; do you think he'll refuse again this time? Do you think the Zhong family behind him is a pushover?"

Ma Su scratched his head, somewhat unable to grasp the concept.

"So, is Father planning to go or not?"

Looking at his foolish son, Ma Shuo let out a long sigh.

Ma Shuo was ruthless and cunning throughout his life, so how could his son be so stupid?

"Go! Why wouldn't you go!"

"Not only will I go this time, but I'll also clean up the mess you've made!"

"I need to settle this matter before those two women report it to the county government! As long as we insist they are escaped bandits, working with that Rong spy, there won't be any problems!"

Ma Su nodded thoughtfully, but then asked a question.

"Father, why don't you take more people with you? Since Zhong Shao wants to deal with you, will you use some tricks this time?"

Ma Shuo was taken aback when he heard this, and his gaze toward his foolish son became much kinder.

Although this foolish son is stupid and his mind is full of women, he still cares about me quite a bit.

However, Ma Shuo simply waved his hand dismissively at his son's words.

"No need. They don't dare to fight a military general who commands eight hundred men! I am, after all, a high-ranking official of the eighth rank appointed by the imperial court, and I even saved General Huang's life. They wouldn't dare!"

Upon hearing Ma Shuo's words, Ma Su said no more.

Ma Shuo also packed his things and then headed towards Fuxing County with only a dozen or so attendants and guards.

Fuxing County Government Office.

Qi Feng, Zhong Shao, and Zhao Tongchuan gathered together to make final arrangements.

"Magistrate Zhao, has everything been arranged?"

"All arranged. Fifty county soldiers on each side are already disguised and positioned around the perimeter, ready to receive the signal to smash the cup!"

"Good! Once we capture Ma Shuo, Brother Qi and I will take the Tiger Tally and head straight to Du Ma Village to take over the camp!"

Zhong Shao clenched his fists, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, eagerly anticipating the next move.

Soon, past noon, Ma Shuo and his party arrived at the county government office.

Upon seeing a large number of civil and military officials from the surrounding areas gathered outside the county government office, Ma Shuo's last bit of worry vanished without a trace.

"Hmph! With so many civil and military officials here, Zhong Shao wouldn't dare to do anything to me!"

When the surrounding officials saw Ma Shuo arrive, they were all taken aback at first, but then immediately put on ingratiating smiles and came over to greet him.

Within a radius of twenty li in Fuxing County, everyone knew that this man commanded eight hundred men.

Ma Shuo may not remember who greeted him, but he certainly remembers who didn't.

It would be bad if I offended Ma Shuo because of this.

"I've long admired your reputation in Mazhai!"

"So it's about Ma Village! We should thank Ma Village for sending troops to help us suppress the bandits last time!"

......

Ma Shuo returned a forced smile and was quickly led to the reception room by the county yamen runners.

However, as he stepped through the gate, Ma Shuo couldn't help but shiver, his body instinctively turning cold.

"This is unbelievable, in broad daylight..."

In the reception room, Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan immediately stood up to greet Ma Shuo, showing him the utmost respect.

"What's going on in Mazhai! It's been so long!"

Zhao Tongchuan smiled and stepped forward, bowing slightly.

Zhong Shao, standing to the side, smiled slightly and said to Ma Shuo:

"Seeing is believing, and now that I've witnessed it firsthand, I understand why the events at Mazhai were able to save General Huang from the battlefield!"

Logically speaking, Zhao Tongchuan, as a sixth-rank official, had no need to bow and pay respects to Ma Shuo first.

But Zhao Tongchuan had always treated Ma Shuo this way, so Ma Shuo naturally got used to it.

But it's a different story when facing Zhong Shao.

Zhong Shao's father is the Prefect of Shuofeng County, and the Zhong family has made great contributions on the battlefield. As soon as the war ends, Zhong Shao's father will be promoted to the position of Prefect of Longxi Prefecture. This is common knowledge in the Longxi officialdom.

Furthermore, the Zhong family behind Zhong Shao is a prominent clan in the border region, which is naturally incomparable to a low-ranking officer like Ma Shuo.

Therefore, Ma Shuo dared not show the slightest disrespect to Zhong Shao and immediately returned the greeting.

"Young Master Zhong is too kind. I, Ma Shuo, am but a rough and uncultured man. How could I possibly deserve such praise? I merely contributed my strength on the battlefield, nothing to boast about!"

"Hahaha! Don't be modest about Mazhai, come, please take a seat!"