Seeing Cao Zhang's words, Ma Chao no longer hesitated, and asked directly: "Ziwen, I just don't understand, why do you want to give Li Huan and Li Ying such a heavy reward, in fact, according to the situation at the time, you only need to give an order, and I can kill them very easily!" ”

"I'm not coveting those rewards, but I don't think there's any need to cheapen those two villains!" Ma Chao was afraid that Cao Zhang would be too distracted, so he hurriedly added another sentence to explain.

Cao Zhang reached out and patted Ma Chao's shoulder in understanding: "How can I not know the character of the eldest brother, the eldest brother just wants to save me this expense, I understand it in my heart!" ”

"But the scene at that time, the eldest brother should still remember that in addition to Li Huan and some of Li Ying's cronies, there were also soldiers brought by you and me. If I disregard my promises and oaths and allow my eldest brother to kill Li Huan and Li Ying, although I can save the reward given to them, where is my integrity? ”

"What I have to face is not only those soldiers who were present at the time, but also the 100,000 allied troops of the Western Princes, if I don't keep my word, how can I make them believe in the court's recruitment and reward, how can I serve the court with peace of mind in the future, and let the Yongliang region restore stability?"

"But they didn't surrender sincerely at all, they saw our army enter the city, and they took action to save their lives!" Ma Chao still said unwillingly.

Cao Zhang nodded, and continued to analyze the situation for Ma Chao: "That's right. But big brother, think about it, if it weren't for the heavy reward I promised before, which made the enemy army disheartened, even if Duan Xuan and Yan Xing sneaked into the city and opened the city gate. But the enemy fought desperately and bloodily, will we be able to successfully capture Li Dao? And the casualties of our army must be much greater than they are now, right? ”

"Big brother, compared to the reward given to them, our soldiers can have fewer casualties, which is more cost-effective compared to the two, you should understand, right?" Cao Zhang reminded Ma Chao.

When Ma Chao heard this, he nodded slowly, admitting that Cao Zhang's words were reasonable, but then reminded Cao Zhang: "Ziwen, if you say this, it is indeed more reasonable to deal with it like this now." ”

"But there is one thing, I have to remind you that these two boys, who can even tie up their own brothers to save their lives in exchange for rewards, is enough to prove that they are capricious villains, you have to be careful that they become hidden dangers."

Cao Zhang looked at Ma Chao and nodded gratefully: "What the eldest brother reminds me is that I have already thought of this, in fact, I arranged for them to return to Xu Du to confer official positions, just in case they have any changes in the future." ”

"Give them empty titles, so that everyone in the world can see our recruitment and attitude towards those who have surrendered. But if they are not given real power, even if they have other thoughts, they will not be able to turn the storm around. After a long time, their own will will also be consumed, and only knowing peace and pleasure will not constitute a threat. Cao Zhang explained to Ma Chao the intention of arranging the follow-up arrangements for Li Huan and Li Ying.

When Ma Chao heard this, he was completely stunned, and nodded in admiration again and again: "It's still your clever idea, compared to you, I'm really far behind." ”

"The eldest brother is an open-minded person, all he thinks about is killing on the battlefield and making meritorious contributions, these tricks in the court are not what the eldest brother is good at, you don't have to mind." Cao Zhang comforted Ma Chao with a smile, and then asked, "Big brother, now that Chang'an has been pacified, are you willing to follow me back to Xudu?" ”

"Back to Xudu?" Ma Chao was quite surprised by Cao Zhang's proposal.

"If it is undecided today, the heroes are divided. Although the northwest is stable and ambitious, there are still countless people who peep at the Son of Heaven, and the eldest brother has good skills, is he willing to stay in Yongzhou, and does not want to gallop to the Central Plains to make meritorious contributions and be knighted? Cao Zhang threw an olive branch to Ma Chao.

Ma Chao was a little moved by Cao Zhang's words, after all, if he stayed in Yongzhou, he would follow Ma Teng's side and be his vassal. If you can go to Xudu and follow Cao Zhang to fight in all directions, you will definitely get more rewards and higher status.

What's more, he had long heard that Lu Bu was unparalleled in the world, but when the Tiger Prison was in the first battle, he was still young and had no chance to participate. But now if he has the opportunity to go to the Central Plains, he will meet Lu Bu, which is also a great temptation for Ma Chao.

After all, no military general is not tempted by the title of the world's number one and does not want to be famous in the world.

"Okay, I'll tell my father when I go back, follow you to Xudu!" Ma Chao made up his mind and responded to Cao Zhang.

Cao Zhang looked at Ma Chao and showed a relieved smile, he finally succeeded in recruiting him to his side, which will be a great help for the future journey of pacifying the world.

"If my brother is willing to go with me, I hope my brother can bring one person with him at the same time." Cao Zhang saw that Ma Chao agreed to go with him, and immediately proposed to him.

Ma Chao looked at Cao Zhang, revealing a sly smile: "You're talking about Yunlu, right?" ”

Cao Zhang was stunned by Ma Chao's words, because the person he was thinking about was not Ma Yunlu, but another ruthless man under Ma Teng, Pang De, who was a fierce general who had carried the coffin in history and fought a decisive battle against Guan Yu.

Ma Chao saw that Cao Zhang didn't speak, and thought that he had guessed what was on his mind, and said with a smile: "Do you think I don't know about the careful things between you and Yunlu?" Don't worry, my eldest brother is an enlightened person, I will definitely help you go and tell my father so that he can agree to your marriage. ”

Cao Zhang looked at Ma Chao's enthusiastic appearance, and replied very sincerely: "Big brother, thank you for your kindness, Yunlu and I appreciate each other, this time we can enter the city through the river to break the enemy, and thanks to her idea, I also promised her that I would take her to Xudu, and I will definitely not lose my trust in this point." It's just that the person I want to tell you about is not Yunlu. ”

Ma Chao showed a curious expression and asked suspiciously, "It's not Yunlu, who is that?" ”

"I'm talking about Captain Pang De under Ling Zun!" Cao Zhang directly said Pound's name.

"You're talking about Ling Ming (Pound's character)? This kid can fight and rush, he is a fierce general, I originally had the heart to take him, this thing is easy to say, I went to tell my father, there should be no problem. Ma Chao agreed.

"That's great, there's Brother Lao. By the way, there is another trivial matter, which has to trouble the eldest brother. Cao Zhang said with some embarrassment.

"Oh, between our brothers, what's not troublesome, why are you so mother-in-law, let's talk about something!" Ma Chao urged Cao Zhang.

"At the beginning, Zhongquan and I made a bet to see who would go first in Luoyang, and he won, and I promised to give him ten good Xiliang war horses after conquering Chang'an. Zhongquan has now taken Li Dao back to Xudu, but I can't be untrustworthy, and the gambling contract still has to be observed. It's just that I don't know how to choose a horse, so I want to ask my eldest brother to help me pick ten good horses and bring Xu Du back to Zhongquan. Cao Zhang told Ma Chao his request.

Ma Chao smiled: "That's it, isn't it just ten good horses, go, I'll take you to choose now." Not only do you have to pick Zhong Quan, but you also have to pick ten horses! ”

"Okay, then pick ten more horses and give them to my father!" Cao Zhang responded with a smile.

The two laughed together and walked out of the Chinese army's tent......

A few days have passed, and the measures to reassure the people in Chang'an City have been carried out and implemented step by step.

Han Sui, Liang Xing, Duan Xuan, Zhang Heng and other princes also reorganized their respective soldiers and horses, resigned to Cao Zhang one after another, returned to their respective territories, and waited for the rewards and pensions issued by the imperial court.

Before Han Sui left, Cao Zhang took the initiative to find him, hoping that he could let Yan Xing follow him to Xudu.

Although Han Sui was a little reluctant in his heart, he also understood that this was the time to express his loyalty, and immediately agreed.

After all the princes left, Cao Zhang knew that he should also return to Xudu, so he went to bid farewell to Ma Teng.

Cao Zhang came to the main hall of the Chang'an Marshal Mansion, and before he entered, he heard Ma Teng's stern voice coming from inside: "No, I can't allow you to go to Xudu!" ”

Then, Ma Yunlu's eager voice sounded: "Why? Dad, Cao Gongzi agreed to take me there. ”

Ma Chao on the side also anxiously interceded for Ma Yunlu: "Yes, Dad, Yunlu and Cao Gongzi are in love, why do you need to break them up?" ”

Cao Zhang frowned slightly, obviously he didn't expect Ma Teng to object to Ma Yunlu going to Xudu with him.

Ma Teng looked at Ma Yunlu and said distressedly: "Yunlu, you are still young now, don't you understand that your father is reluctant to let you leave?" ”

"Dad, I know you can't bear me, I promise you, I will come back to see you often." Ma Yunlu pleaded softly to Ma Teng.

"Daddy won't let you go, it's for your own good. Think about it, you are now nameless and pointless, what is the matter with following Cao Gongzi to Xu Du?! Ma Teng reminded Ma Yunlu earnestly.

"Who said that Yunlu went with me, there is no name?" When Cao Zhang heard this, he responded directly and strode into the main hall.

Ma Teng saw Cao Zhang coming in, and hurriedly bowed down to salute him: "Son! ”

Cao Zhang respectfully returned the salute to Ma Teng, and then said: "Ma Envoy Jun, in fact, I came to you today, in addition to coming to resign, I also want to formally make a plea to you, hoping that you can allow Yunlu to return to Xudu with me." ”

Ma Teng looked at Cao Zhang and let out a sigh: "Childe, Meng Qi has already told me about you and Yunlu, but with all due respect." Childe must be soaring in the future, and the future is immeasurable, after all, Yunlu is out of the world, and she doesn't understand the etiquette of the court, I'm afraid she is not worthy of Childe. ”

"Make the king's words heavy, the so-called etiquette, you only need to use your heart to learn. Yun Lu is familiar with military books and war strategies, and this time he has made great contributions, and he will also become my virtuous helper in the future, so why is he not worthy of me? ”

"It's just one thing, I need to explain to the envoy and Yunlu that I already have two confidantes in Xudu, and I really can't give her the status of a wife. But I can guarantee that if Yunlu comes with me, I will definitely treat her well and will never treat her badly. Cao Zhang said very solemnly to Ma Teng and Ma Yunlu.

"As long as I can be with my son, I don't ask for fame, as long as my son can remember what he just said, he will never treat me badly." Ma Yunlu hurriedly said.

Cao Zhang turned his head to look at Ma Teng, waiting for his response.

Ma Teng showed a smile on his face: "Childe is true to his word, the most important thing is integrity, since I promised in person today, I naturally will not break my promise, and I will not be in vain to be a wicked person this time." ”

Cao Zhang and Ma Yunlu are both smart people, and they immediately heard what Ma Teng meant, and he deliberately disagreed with Ma Yunlu to go with Cao Zhang, in fact, in order to force Cao Zhang to make a promise in public to ensure that his daughter would go with him and would not be snubbed and bullied.

"Thank you, Dad." Ma Yunlu was moved to tears, and took Ma Teng's hand to thank him.

"Okay, when my daughter is older, she always wants to get married, my father just hopes that you will have a good home, and Cao Gongzi is a dragon and phoenix, and he promises to treat you well, and my father will rest assured!" Ma Teng responded with relief.

"Please rest assured, I will definitely treat Yunlu well, and all the etiquette that should be there will not be less, and I will not let her suffer a little grievance!" Cao Zhang made a promise to Ma Teng again.

Ma Teng nodded with a smile, and then said to Ma Chao: "Meng Qi, tell me to go down and prepare a banquet, I will practice it for Cao Gongzi and your brothers and sisters tonight!" ”