When Sima Yi and the others returned to Chang'an, it was a moment of joy in Chang'an. The reason is that Guan Shanxue, who went to the Western Regions for the second time, is about to return to Chang'an safely. This time, from the news he sent back in advance, he not only brought back a large number of rare treasures, but also brought back the princes, princesses, and ministers and envoys of the Western Regions to pay tribute to the Ma family.

The 'face project' has long been a familiar feature for those officials of the Ma Jiali Department. What's more, after nearly two years of recuperation, Chang'an, the first city in this era, has indeed begun to rejuvenate again. Under the governance of Zhong Xuan, a capable minister who was able to do business, although Chang'an was far from being prosperous before the war, it also healed the wounds of the war. At least, Weiyang Palace and Changle Palace have been renovated several times, and the old system has been slightly restored, showing the royal prestige again. Although the rest of the palace has not been renovated for the time being, the Liushi, Dongshi, and Xishi in the Xincheng business district have been restored, and the residential area has been slowly erected with new brick and mud houses.

When Sima Yi went to find Ma Chao to restore his life, Ma Chao was discussing with Cai Yong, Qin Yu and others from the Ministry of Rites on the affairs of receiving envoys from various countries in the Western Regions in Shangshutai. This foreign envoy is actually the first grand occasion in more than ten years of the Han Dynasty, and these high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Etiquette do not pay attention to it.

However, Ma Chao knew that in history, the countries of the Western Regions had also paid tribute to Cao Wei, but at this time, due to the rise of the Ma family, they were cut off from the Xuchang Han family. And after the flickering in the clouds and mist of Guan Shan Xue, those envoys even thought that the Han Dynasty had been replaced by the Ma family. As for Cao Cao, Sun Ce and the like, for these countries in the Western Regions, it is even more like non-existent.

"My lord," Qin Yu used to be a foreigner after all, and when he learned that the envoys of those countries in the Western Regions were well aware of the glory and prosperity of the Han Dynasty, he couldn't help but feel a little unconfident: "Although Chang'an has changed a lot now, compared with Chang'an a hundred years ago, it is really a difference from the mud. ”

Qin Yu is telling the truth, although Chang'an is now far stronger than the capital of the Han Dynasty a hundred years ago in terms of scientific and technological development and internal growth potential. But war is always the devil that destroys everything, and Chang'an can only slowly heal the wounds after several ruins of it. What's more, people have an exaggerated instinct for beautiful things, and the officials of the Western Regions who came to pay tribute to the Han Dynasty a hundred years ago, after returning to their own country, may have already depicted Chang'an as a beautiful metropolis with every inch of land.

But Ma Chao didn't have much feeling about this problem, he crossed Erlang's legs, and said with a bit of ridicule: "Our Ma family has never taken the usual road. What's more, you didn't find that Guan Shanxue reported this time that there were still princes and princesses of various countries among the envoys who came this time? ”

"This? ......" Cai Yong really can't keep up with Ma Chao's logic, and has to admit that he may be more suitable for resigning and concentrating on calligraphy. Qin Yu on the side saw that Cai Yong was puzzled, and explained in a low voice: "Old Cai, if there are princes and princesses in the envoys, there is generally only one possibility. That is where they are constantly **** and in danger of destroying the country. In this way, these princes and princesses could take refuge in other countries and seek refuge. ”

Cai Yong suddenly realized that he really had to admire Ma Chao's subtle knowledge, but he never knew that Ma Chao's goods were completely because he knew history.

"Since those guys have the need to seek asylum, then our Ma family focuses on the military brand. Guan Shanxue with 5,000 Ma family troops can play the name of the Ma family in the Western Regions, so this time the Chang'an Guards are just finished, let's pull out a vote of people, get a Chang'an military parade, let them come to watch the ceremony! ”

"The lord is wise!" Qin Yu was very happy this time, indeed, there was no doubt that there was chaos in the Western Regions, and Guan Shanxue was able to return to Chang'an safely twice, so it can be inferred that the combat power of the Ma family army must have played a certain deterrent in the Western Regions. If there is really another military parade this time, where will those princes, princesses and envoys from various countries in the Western Regions have the heart to see whether the palace in Chang'an is exquisite or not, majestic or not?

"Also, this time they came, and we can't be soft. For this reception, your Ministry of Rites and those people in the Household Department have a good time. Let Li Zihao, Zhang Yupan and others put aside the matter at hand first, and when necessary, they can also ask Yue'er to come out and sit in town and fool those envoys. ”

Ma Chao began to shine golden light in his eyes as he spoke, and he had a virtue that fell into the eyes of money: "For those countries that can still be strong, let them establish long-term trade relations with the Ma family; And for those descendants of small countries who want to take refuge, we will distribute their national disaster wealth, and if necessary, we can also send the Ma family army to move their sold wealth back - remember, the Ma family will never slap a swollen face and become fat, and do some stupid things with no face! ”

Cai Yong, Qin Yu and others had long been surprised by Ma Chao's bandit concept, until Cai Yong, the sage who adhered to the Yellow Bell of Lile, didn't bother to speak. After all, countless incidents have already made Cai Yong understand who is the leader, and the face of his father-in-law and father-in-law in front of Ma Chao is really not a very good bargaining chip.

And Qin Yu, a guy who accepts the ability to innovate much better than Cai Yong, after hearing Ma Chao's remarks, he added happily with a smile: "Lord, I don't think there is a need for the main mother to go out this time, Miss Zhen Mi of Wei County is beautiful, elegant, and proficient in business." This time I am staying in Chang'an, if I use this beauty trick, I am not afraid that those outsiders will not obediently fall into the Ma family's pocket! ”

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Yu looked up at Ma Chao's face, and couldn't wait to slap himself immediately: Zhen Mi was indeed in Chang'an this time, and I heard that he also specially entered the Yongwang Mansion to visit Ma Chao. It's just that after that day, Ma Chao's face was clouded for three days. Later, according to the grapevine, it seems that because of the arrival of Miss Zhen Mi, it once again caused a big earthquake in the backyard of the Ma family......

Thinking of the gentle terror in Ma Chao's backyard like an abyss, or the turbulence that has not been settled and rising again and again, Qin Yu took a deep breath for Ma Chao. Fortunately, just when Qin Yu didn't know how to remedy it, a voice came from outside the door to relieve Qin Yu's siege: "Lord, this time the state is coming, it's another good opportunity!" ”

Sima Yi Shi Ran walked in, with a look of pride overflowing and joy jumping all over. When Cai Yong and Qin Yu saw Sima Yi's appearance, they knew that Sima Yi was going to make the enemy unguardable. And Ma Chao immediately smiled and said, "You mean, this time I want to reveal the news of the complete break between the Han family and the Cao family to those envoys in the Western Regions, and then the Ma family will pretend to be loyal to the Han again?" ”

Sima Yi's enthusiasm disappeared half after Ma Chao's words, and he could hear that Ma Chao had already learned everything about Yanzhou, and couldn't help but be a little interested: "Yes, that's it, it will give the Cao family greater moral suppression." At the same time, it also made the world pay attention to the fragments of the Han family and the Cao family, making them walk on thin ice and mess with themselves. As a result, Ma Chaofang was able to win the seven counties of Jingzhou without knowing it or without realizing it! ”

"Sure enough, it's a little fox, and it says what I think in my heart." The smile on the corner of Ma Chao's mouth really began to change into the kind of smile that everyone was already quite familiar with, and only appeared before the conspiracy came. But then that smile turned into a slightly regretful complexity, he smashed his mouth, looked past Sima Yi to look at the fainter and fainter clouds outside the eastern sky, as if talking to himself:

In this way, it seems that the Cao family has indeed begun to decline. As long as I find a suitable time and a suitable excuse, after the two families have another life-and-death battle, I don't have to linger my mind there anymore. After saying this, Ma Chao couldn't help but smile again: "That guy, I couldn't have imagined that my second cooperation with him is still so tacit." It's just that this time compared to the time when he plotted to kill Dong Zhuo, he thought that it would be smooth. I wonder what it will be like when I see him again? ”

"That day is really exciting." Ma Chao stretched out his right hand and shook it weakly, his eyes were already a little intoxicated.