Chapter 17: Request to join the army ()

In the first month of the fifth year of Zhongping, Emperor Ling of Han, at this time in previous years, it was originally a time for every household to celebrate. However, due to the continuous snowfall in Liangzhou, the people of Liangzhou were trapped in natural disasters and disasters.

The Qiang and Hu tribes, which were originally dormant in Longxi, rebelled again due to this natural disaster. In just a few days, the counties and counties in Longxi and Longyou were looted.

The uprising of the Qianghu tribe made Han Sui, who was stationed 100,000 troops in Jincheng County, be overjoyed. After receiving the news, he attracted his confidant Yan Xing and said, "Yanming, Liangzhou has suddenly fallen into this heavy snow that is rare in a century. The Qiang people and Donghu tribes have raised troops to Longxi, Wudu and other places. The Bing Peak will definitely point directly to Tianshui. Ma Teng is no longer able to take care of us. Therefore, our original plan has to be changed. I wonder if you have any good plans?"

Yan Xing pondered for a moment and said, "My lord, the original plan was that my army would come out together, and I would lead the army to restrain the forces of Chang'an. The lord led his troops to take the imperial tomb in Xianyang. However, if heavy snow fell today, God would help me. This heavy snow not only covered Liangzhou, but also affected Chang'an. Although we suffered a lot of losses, there were still 40,000 elite cavalry available.

"And because of this heavy snow, Xianyang will inevitably be empty. Therefore, I thought that if I personally led 10,000 cavalry, each riding a pair of horses and heading straight to Xianyang at night, great things will be possible, and the lord just needs to lead the army and then take him back."

"Okay, let's follow your plan. Go down and order the troops and lead the army immediately." Han Sui said happily. The heavy snow brought great harm to Jincheng. Now, more than 10,000 horses in his army have frozen to death, and now they have been used as military rations.

The food in the army is becoming increasingly rare, and he is also in need of a lot of money to buy food in Shuzhong or Guanzhong. Otherwise, once the army is cut off, his 100,000 troops will be completely disintegrated.

"Don't worry, lord, during this period of time, the journey has been preparing day and night, and the army can set off immediately." Yan Xing deployed for several months and was waiting for this day, so he was naturally full of confidence.

The ten thousand cavalry of Jincheng, led by Yan Xing, quickly marched towards Xianyang. The war horses galloped in the snow. Although they were not as easy as on the flat ground, the Yan Xing tribe with two horses was not blocked by the wind and snow. They marched towards the empty Xianyang day and night. This time, the Han imperial tomb was destined to be disaster.

Tianshui County.

The snow disasters in various places and the information about the Qianghu rebellion flew to the prefect of Tianshui County like snowflakes. Ma Teng was busy with the darkness of the sky and the earth to deal with the official duties on the desk.

Because of Ma Teng's busyness, the Ma family no longer had the joy of the festivals in previous years. Even the food at home became frugal. The whole family only ate a meal on New Year's Day. During the rest of the days, they only ate simple food every day to save money and help the suffering people.

Ma Chao saw that his father had not returned for many days at home, so he came to the prefect's house to visit. However, when he saw Ma Teng, he found that he was frowning, knowing that his father had encountered difficulties, and he didn't even notice that he had entered.

Ma Chao stepped forward and poured hot tea for Ma Teng and asked, "Father, why are you so worried?"

"Chao'er, you're here!" Ma Teng heard the cry and realized that his son was coming. He looked up at Ma Chaoshi. Ma Teng suddenly realized that his son, who was just fourteen years old, had really grown up.

Not only is he more than seven feet tall, but because of his years of martial arts practice, he is very burly, with a calm face, and the demeanor standing in front of him is completely a mature young man.

"My tiger has grown up." Ma Teng rose up and laughed happily.

"Father, what's the worry about? The child is willing to share the burden for his father." Ma Chao stood up and asked respectfully.

Ma Teng nodded admiringly and said, "Brother, I originally planned to hold an adult ceremony for you in two years. Now, disasters in Liangzhou are everywhere. It is the time to use people. Father will no longer be in those rituals. From today on, you will be the real husband of my Ma family."

"Please give me a word from my father." Ma Chao immediately fell to the ground after hearing this.

Ma Teng thought for a while and said, "Just call me Meng Qi, I hope you can train and grow up in the war."

"Please rest assured, my father, remember my father's teachings." Ma Chao bowed respectfully, and he still respected his father from the bottom of his heart.

Then Ma Teng sighed: "Now there are constant reports of war in various places, and the reports are all about the rebellion of Qiang and Hu people. These Hu people will raise up and cause chaos whenever the year is not good. This is a concern for my Liangzhou."

"Father, do you want to send troops?" Ma Chao heard from Ma Teng's tone that he had the idea of ​​sending troops, and at the same time realized that he was rushing to perform the ceremony of becoming a human being for him, and his purpose was probably also worried. If he encounters any misfortune on this expedition, he hopes to take good care of his family.

"Yes, I really have the idea of ​​sending troops for my father." Ma Teng replied with affirmatively, which also confirmed Ma Chao's conjecture.

"Father, since you say that your child is already an adult, let him take your place in this battle!" Ma Chao said his thoughts firmly without thinking.

"No, you are too young, how can you go to the battlefield?" Ma Teng shook his head and rejected.

Ma Chao retorted: "Father, war is no matter how old it is. Besides, the child is not young. The ancient poem also said: Why is Ma Chao, the 15th party in the army? I, Ma Chao, can't do it? Please ask my father to stay in Tianshui and the child will go on the battle instead of his father."

Ma Teng looked at Ma Chao's firm expression, pondered for a while, and said, "Rong Wei's father recruited all the generals to discuss and make a decision. You can go back first."

"Sharing your father's worries is a matter for the Son of Man. Please make sure that your father will fulfill his duties. If your father is afraid that his child will be unable to take on a great responsibility, he will be willing to start with the army." Seeing that his father's mind was relaxed, Ma Chao begged repeatedly.

"Since that's the case, I'll promise you to my father. After you go back and say goodbye to all the brothers, pack your luggage and report to the camp. I will ask Counselor Yang to arrange your mission in the army." Ma Teng thought for a while, and finally agreed.

"Thank you for your goodbye." Ma Chao left the prefect's mansion in great joy.
Chapter completed!