Cao Zhang and the others walked towards Tianshui with Ma Yunlu, and about an hour later, they came to Tianshui City.

At the gate of the city, there were several soldiers of the Xiliang Army checking the people coming in and out, and when they saw Cao Zhang's and others' troops from afar, they immediately lit up their weapons and made a defensive posture.

Ma Yunlu hurriedly urged the horse to step forward and shouted: "Don't get me wrong, it's me!" These people are my friends. I met a group of jackals in the wild, and they saved me, so I hurried to inform my father and eldest brother and let us into the city! ”

The soldiers guarding the city listened to Ma Yunlu's shouting, did not dare to slack off, and turned back in a panic to report.

It wasn't long before the sound of horses' hooves was heard from inside the city, and a tall white horse galloped out, followed by a young general, who shouted, "Little sister! "Greeted Ma Yunlu.

When Ma Yunlu saw this young general, he was also very excited, shouting "big brother" to urge Ma to come forward.

Hearing the two of them call each other, Cao Zhang also immediately determined the identity of the young general, Ma Chao, and then observed it carefully.

Ma Chao is tall and mighty, and should be between 185-190 cm according to modern height standards. His sturdy and muscular body shows off his great strength.

His broad shoulders and powerful chest reveal a manly temperament, full of fortitude and determination.

His face was extremely handsome, and his deep eyes seemed to shimmer with a fiery glow that ignited the air around him. The tall eyebrows show his courage and intelligence. The slender and straight nose bridge and the firm and firm jaw line make for a flawless face.

Ma Chao was dressed in a gorgeous robe like a brocade, painted with gold silk patterns, reflecting his majestic figure.

Ma Chao's appearance is not only handsome, but also contains a kind of majesty and pride, exuding an unparalleled momentum!

"Xiliang Jin Ma Chao, it really deserves its name!" Cao Zhang let out a heartfelt exclamation.

Although he is also careful and handsome, he is still obviously dwarfed by Ma Chao today.

Ma Chao greeted Ma Yunlu and asked with concern: "Little sister, I heard that you met a group of jackals, and you were not injured, right?!" ”

Ma Yunlu hurriedly responded: "Big brother, don't worry, I'm fine."

She stretched out her hand and pointed to Cao Zhang behind her and introduced: "Thanks to this Cao Gongzi for saving me!" ”

When Ma Chao heard Ma Yunlu's words, he hurriedly turned to Cao Zhang, and clenched his fists respectfully on the horse: "This brother, thank you for saving my sister, please follow me into the city, my father will definitely reward you heavily!" ”

Cao Zhang saw Ma Chao's warm invitation, and he was not in a hurry to reveal his identity, but just smiled and nodded.

Seeing that Cao Zhang's identity was not revealed, Ma Yunlu hesitated for a moment, did not speak, and followed Ma Chao into Tianshui City with Cao Zhang's team.

Entering Tianshui City, Ma Chao has been enthusiastically expressing his gratitude to Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhang is also smiling and responding.

Ma Yunlu looked at Cao Zhang and Ma Chao's "intimacy", and his heart, which had been hanging, relaxed slightly.

Ma Chao's brothers and sisters led Cao Zhang and others to Ma Teng's mansion in Tianshui City and invited him in.

Cao Zhang instructed most of his entourage to wait outside, and motioned with his eyes for Zhong Xuan and Li Jin to follow him in.

Ma Teng had also received the news at this time, and knew the news that Ma Yunlu was rescued by Cao Zhang in distress, and he also greeted him in person.

Ma Teng is in his forties, and he is also tall, ruddy-complexion, and a typical image of a Northwest man.

After Ma Teng and Cao Zhang exchanged pleasantries, they invited Cao Zhang and others into the living room, and everyone sat down as guests.

Ma Teng looked at Ma Yunlu and complained in a low voice: "You kid, I said that I wouldn't let you out of the city because I was afraid that you would be in danger." It's good that you not only sneaked out, but also ran so far that you met a group of jackals, right? If you weren't lucky enough to meet Cao Gongzi to rescue you this time, you wouldn't be able to come back, right? See if you're obedient next time!? ”

Ma Yunlu was reprimanded by his father, and replied a little unconvinced: "If you let me come and go freely, I will definitely not run so far, and I can also bring more followers, and there will be no danger." ”

When Ma Teng heard that Ma Yunlu dared to contradict him, he was about to be angry: "You girl, you dare to talk like this, I don't think it will be okay to teach you a lesson......

Ma Chao saw that his father was about to get angry, and hurriedly whispered to persuade him: "Father, don't be angry, after all, there are still guests, the matter of the little sister is that I don't take a good look at her, I will definitely take strict care of her in the future, and I will not let her sneak out again." ”

Ma Teng listened to what Ma Chao said, and then he restrained his temper a little, turned to Cao Zhang and smiled: "Let Cao Gongzi see and laugh, thank you really this time." I don't know what kind of business Mr. Cao is, is he passing by or looking for someone when he comes to our Tianshui? ”

After listening to Ma Teng's words, Cao Zhang smiled: "I came to Tianshui to find General Ma. ”

Ma Teng and Ma Chao were slightly stunned when they heard Cao Zhang's words.

Before they could react, Cao Zhang had already stood up with Zhong Xuan, Zhong Xuan took out the holy decree from his arms, and said loudly: "General Andy Ma Teng takes the order!" ”

Ma Teng and Ma Chao were even more shocked when they heard Zhong Xuan's words, and their eyes widened in shock.

Cao Zhang saw that the two of them were sitting still, and reminded: "Seeing the holy decree is like the Son of Heaven coming in person, please General Ma to accept the decree!" ”

Ma Chao reacted, glaring at Cao Zhang: "Are you from the Cao family?" You're here to trick us into helping you send troops to deal with Li Dao, right?! ”

Before Ma Chao finished speaking, he had already made a move, pulled out the sword on his waist and pounced on Zhong Xuan.

Li Jin had already shown his Qingyu sword to protect Zhong Xuan's body, preventing Ma Chao from making a move.

As soon as Ma Chao made a move, the soldiers guarding the hall had already gotten up, showing their weapons to surround Cao Zhang and the others, just waiting for Ma Teng and Ma Chao's orders, they were about to come out in chaos.

Cao Zhang was furious, and also showed his sword, and angrily scolded Ma Teng, who was sitting in place: "General Ma, you dare to assassinate the messenger of the Son of Heaven, are you going to rebel!?" ”

This Ma father and son came up and did it without saying a word, which also made Cao Zhang angry and ready to fight to the death.

Seeing the tension between the two sides, Ma Yunlu hurriedly rushed to Ma Teng's side and begged loudly: "Dad, Gongzi Cao saved my life, don't kill him!" ”

Ma Teng glanced at Ma Yunlu in front of him, and said coldly: "My lord, don't intervene, retreat!" ”

Ma Yunlu refused to retreat, but turned around and rushed to Cao Zhang, blocking him and Ma Chao, and said loudly: "Gongzi Cao saved my life, I promised to ensure his safety, I can't talk and don't talk, if you want to kill him, kill me first!" ”

Ma Chao knew his sister's character, and reluctantly turned his head to look at Ma Teng, asking for his opinion.

Ma Teng looked at Ma Yunlu and hesitated for a moment before saying to Cao Zhang: "For the sake of you saving my daughter, I will spare you from death." Leave Tianshui immediately, as if I had never seen you before! ”

Cao Zhang listened to Ma Teng's words, but he didn't move, and let out a sneer: "General Ma, as the commander of the crusade against the rebellious Li Dao, I specially escorted the messenger of the Son of Heaven to see you, if I was so frightened by you that I escaped from Tianshui, how can I command the three armies when I go back!?" ”

Ma Teng's pupils shrank slightly, and he looked at Cao Zhang with a scrutinizing gaze, obviously a little incredulous: "You are Cao Zhang?" ”

"It's like a fake! A few days ago, Zhong Shizhong sent a messenger to invite General Ma to Chang'an to meet the holy decree, but he was refused. I thought it was General Ma who thought we were lacking in courtesy, or that General Ma had mistakenly believed the villain's slander and was provoked. So this time, I personally accompanied Zhong Shizhong to meet General Ma, just to express my greatest sincerity and respect for you. Cao Zhang showed his identity without humility or arrogance, and at the same time explained his intention.

"Don't say nice things to coax my father, your purpose is to trick us into sending troops, help you deal with Li Dao, and then get rid of us backhand and seize our territory!" Ma Chao didn't believe what Cao Zhang said at all, and directly interjected to express his doubts.

"That's right, we will definitely not be used by you to help you deal with Li Dao, and then wait to be cleaned up by you!" Ma Teng also opened his mouth to echo Ma Chao's words.

Cao Zhang looked at the Ma father and son, who were hostile to him, but instead of being angry and explaining too much, he looked up to the sky and laughed quite exaggeratedly, as if he had heard some nice joke......