Chapter 32

By the way, what reactions do all the marquises in Tian Xia have?

After Ma Chao left, Liu Bian asked Xun Yu and another person.

Reporting to Emperor, because during this time we have just gained control of Sili territory, we currently lack manpower and have no scouts gathering intelligence, so regarding the movements of all the marquises in Tian Xia, the Imperial Court now has no news at all.

Therefore, I suggest that Emperor establish a department to gather intelligence, so that we can grasp the situation of all the marquises in Tian Xia.

Jia Xu respectfully said to Liu Bian.

What Wenhe said is correct; I originally planned to do this after pacifying Liangzhou, but now it seems we cannot wait that long.

I'll entrust this matter to you, Wenhe; the name will be... Shadow Guard.

The Dark Guard is responsible for gathering intelligence and collecting information; the Ying Guard handles assassinations, and the Shadow Guard is loyal only to the Emperor. Later you will go to the national treasury to withdraw funds; I will prepare the method and give it to you.

Upon hearing Jia Xu's words, Liu Bian immediately agreed and assigned him to be responsible for establishing the Shadow Guard.

……

While Liu Bian and the two others were discussing, Ma Chao alone left the Imperial Palace.

Outside the palace, the waiting soldiers saw Ma Chao come out, immediately stepped forward, and with worried expressions asked him: "Young General, hasn't the Emperor given you a hard time?"

Don't worry, the Emperor is very kind, and he even appointed me as a Colonel. Let's go, we'll now head to the Xiliang Army's main camp outside the city to report to General Lü Bu.

Ma Chao showed a proud smile on his face and laughed loudly at the soldiers beside him.

What, the Emperor actually appointed you as a Colonel, Young General; if the general knew, he would surely be delighted.

Yes, the Young General is only 17 years old, and the Emperor appointed him as a Colonel; this shows the Emperor has high hopes for our Young General!

Upon hearing Ma Chao's words, the soldiers beside him immediately became excited and began to discuss. For a moment, all they spoke were words of flattery.

Alright, stop arguing; let's first go to the Military Camp to report in.

Ma Chao timely spoke up to interrupt everyone's discussion, then immediately led the crowd running toward the Xiliang Army's main camp.

Luoyang

West of the city, at the gate of the Xiliang Army's main camp, Ma Chao looked at the tents before him and asked the guarding soldiers: "Is this the Xiliang Army's main camp? I, acting on the Emperor's edict, have come to find General Lü Bu."

Please wait a moment, General; I will immediately send someone to inform the commander.

You go inform the commander.

The Guard clasped his fist in salute to Ma Chao, then after speaking, said to his companion beside him.

After a moment, a young general seven chi tall, wearing red battle armor, walked out, followed by several martial officers; the person was none other than the Xiliang Army Commander, Lü Bu.

Lü Bu stepped forward, sized Ma Chao up, and lightly asked: "Kid, who are you? What business do you have with my Xiliang Army?"

General Lü, I am the subordinate Ma Chao; my father is Ma Teng of Liangzhou, and acting on my father's orders, I have come to assist the Emperor in suppressing the rebel Dong Zhuo.

Just now the Emperor appointed me as a Colonel, and I have come to report to General Lü.

Ma Chao responded to Lü Bu without humility or arrogance.

Oh, you are Ma Teng's son; not bad. General Ma Teng truly lives up to being a descendant of the Fubo General, and he is utterly loyal to our Han Empire.

Upon hearing Ma Chao's words, Lü Bu also felt somewhat surprised; logically, as long as Ma Teng receives the imperial decree, he can later cooperate with the Imperial Army to recover Liangzhou.

I never expected that he would actually send his own son to the Capital.

Come on, first follow me to the camp, and I'll also take the opportunity to introduce you to the commanders of my Xiliang Army.

Lü Bu glanced lightly at Ma Chao and the others, then spoke.

I, the subordinate, accept the order!

Afterwards, everyone walked toward the Jiang Zhong Da Zhang; after they took their seats, Lü Bu introduced the people beside him: "Everyone, this is the Colonel newly dispatched by the Emperor, the son of General Ma Teng of Xiliang, Ma Chao, Ma Mengqi."

These three are the Deputy Generals of my Xiliang Army: Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng.

As for this person, he is the Military Advisor personally appointed by the Emperor, Chen Gong.

Lü Bu pointed to the people beside him and introduced them one by one to Ma Chao.

Ma Chao has greeted everyone; please look after him in the future.

Seeing this, Ma Chao also hurriedly clasped his fist and respectfully said to the several people.

General Ma, you're being polite; we are all colleagues, so this is only proper.

Everyone clasped their fists and said to Ma Chao.

General, after the Emperor ordered the subordinate to come, he asked me to find you to transmit the cultivation method; I don't know what this method is.

Ma Chao recalled that Liu Bian had asked him to have Lü Bu transmit the cultivation method, and he asked Lü Bu doubtfully.

Since the Emperor ordered me to transmit the cultivation method to you, this shows we are all our own people; this secret manual is the Han Empire's Martial Dao Cultivation Method. Later, when you return, study it diligently; if you have any questions, you can ask me or Wei Xu and the others.

Lü Bu took a book from his bosom, handed it to Ma Chao, and then immediately explained the Martial Dao Cultivation to him.

The Emperor is truly an Immortal Person descended to the mortal realm! With this method, unifying Tian Xia is imminent!

I, the subordinate, thank the General.

After hearing that, Ma Chao was also shocked and felt deeply moved; afterwards, he again thanked Lü Bu.

No need to be polite; this isn't a big deal. This method, in our Han Empire, all officials and soldiers can cultivate it. Since you started cultivating late, you must put in extra effort from now on.

No wonder, after entering the main camp, I haven't seen many soldiers; it turns out they're all cultivating!

After Ma Chao entered the main camp, aside from the soldiers on duty, he saw no one else; it turns out they're all cultivating.

Wei Xu and the other two have already broken through to the Divine General Realm ten days ago; if they put in a bit more effort, they might break through to the Houtian Realm before the campaign.

Lü Bu gave Ma Chao a brief overview of everyone's cultivation achievements.

What, that's incredibly strong, General; I don't know if the subordinate may spar a little with the three generals.

Upon hearing that, Ma Chao was also greatly startled; he immediately wanted to spar with the three to experience the might of the Divine General.

Wei Xu, you go and spar with Mengqi; remember, stop at the point of contact.

Lü Bu also wanted to see Ma Chao's strength, so he immediately agreed, and then told Wei Xu.

I, the subordinate, accept the order!

Mengqi, let's go to the training field to spar.

Soon, a group arrived at the army training field; looking at the two people in the field, Song Xian said to Lü Bu:

"General, how many moves do you think Mengqi can withstand against Song Xian?"

"I think Mengqi, being so young, having second-rate ability would be good; I say he can't withstand even one move."

Hou Cheng at the side spoke up.

"Hehe, Hou Cheng, you're mistaken; although Mengqi is young, he already has first-rate ability; however, Wei Xu is at the Divine General realm, so Mengqi shouldn't last more than ten moves."

Lü Bu smiled at Hou Cheng and said:

"What, he's actually a first-rate martial general; it seems Mengqi has great talent; perhaps he possesses the special physique His Majesty mentioned."

Hearing Lü Bu's words, Hou Cheng was also surprised.

At just over ten years old, he already has the strength of a first-rate martial general; this talent is indeed formidable.