Chapter 63

Then can we also cultivate?

After witnessing the power of Martial Dao, nobody could stay calm.

He hurriedly asked Ma Chao.

They all gazed at Ma Chao with fiery, expectant eyes.

If you want to learn the Martial Dao cultivation method, just submit to His Majesty and he will teach it to you!

Seeing their fiery expressions, Ma Chao spoke up to explain.

I can't pass on this technique yet, but there's no need to rush.

His Majesty has already reached Chun Gu County in Anding Commandery; once we seize Han Sui's Jincheng Commandery, we'll march to support him.

Then His Majesty will surely teach you the cultivation method!

If we join Liu Bian's forces, obtaining the cultivation method is guaranteed.

That's why Ma Chao is so confident.

Good, we'll swiftly take down Han Sui—our strength already surpasses his.

Moreover, we have my son Mengqi, a powerful warrior; taking down Han Sui will be easy.

Ma Teng immediately spoke urgently.

Ma Teng could not stay calm either; as a commander, no one could resist the chance to grow stronger.

General, give your orders; we will lay down our lives for you!

Upon Ma Teng's words, the officers burst into joy, shouting their assent with excited faces.

Good! With your high spirits, I, the Ben General, order that aside from the garrison, everyone will join this expedition!

Ma Teng also spoke loudly, full of zeal.

After speaking, he looked at the crowd, wondering who to ask to stay behind.

Seeing his gaze, everyone lowered their heads, afraid to meet his eyes, their hearts pounding.

Fearing he would ask them to stay—this was a prime chance to earn merit—nobody wanted to miss it.

Seeing their reaction, Ma Teng also hesitated.

If mishandled, it could leave resentment among them.

Father, I think Ma Xiu should stay behind; Wu Wei isn't very dangerous now.

We mainly need to guard against Xu Rong of Beidi Commandery to the south; since he's also involved with His Majesty, he won't lightly attack us.

Seeing Ma Teng's dilemma, Ma Chao pondered and then spoke respectfully to him.

Ma Xiu is Ma Teng's second son and Ma Chao's younger brother, having followed his father and elder brother since childhood.

He is more than capable of guarding a commandery.

Upon Ma Chao's recommendation that Ma Xiu stay to guard Guzang City, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

He bowed before Ma Teng and said, "I agree with the Young General's opinion—letting the Second Young Master guard Guzang City would be perfect."

Seeing their response, Ma Teng also felt that having Ma Xiu guard Guzang City was the best choice.

Since everyone agrees you should stay to guard the home, I will entrust you with Wuwei Commandery.

Remember, your duty is defense—do not rashly leave the city; if you hold Guzang City, it will be a great achievement.

Ma Teng looked at Ma Xiu with a solemn expression and spoke in a low voice.

Father, rest assured, I will not let you down; as long as the city stands, I stand.

Ma Xiu faced him, clasped his fists with a solemn expression, and said.

Seeing Ma Xiu's solemn expression, Ma Teng feared he was under too much pressure, and again spoke to him with a gentle face.

You need not worry too much; now Guzang City will not be attacked rashly! Just focus on defense.

Please father, rest assured, I know!

Ma Xiu clasped his fists before Ma Teng, speaking with a resolute expression.

Since there are no problems, then everyone go prepare; aside from leaving ten thousand troops to guard Ma Xiu's home, the other forty thousand troops will all be mobilized!

This time we must certainly capture Han Sui, and thoroughly subdue those Qiang who dare to cross the border!

Ma Teng is planning to use all his strength; this time he intends to mobilize the entire Wuwei Commandery's forces and capture Han Sui in one fell swoop.

The subordinate will obey!

He bowed his hands before the crowd; the crowd returned the salute with clasped fists, and then everyone left the Grand Hall.

They went to integrate their subordinates and arrange the matters of this expedition.

Soon, only Ma Chao and his father remained in the Main Hall; after Ma Teng asked him a few more questions, father and son each went off to attend to their own affairs.

Soon, Ma Teng had mustered the expeditionary army, and the mighty host marched toward Han Sui in Jincheng Commandery.

At that moment, Han Sui also received the scout's report, learning that Ma Teng had already submitted to the Imperial Court and was leading his troops toward Jincheng.

How are the preparations of the Qiang's Che Liji?

At this moment, in the Main Hall of the Taishou Fu of Yunwu City in Jincheng Commandery, Han Sui was gathered with his civil and military officials.

After reviewing the scout's report, Han Sui asked his son-in-law, Yan Xing.

Please father-in-law, rest assured, the Qiang side has long been arranged.

Che Liji, the Great King, had long since mustered Two Hundred Thousand Troops from the various Qiang tribes, led personally by the Qiang's foremost warrior, E He!

Yan Xing respectfully replied to Han Sui.

Good, with Che Liji's Two Hundred Thousand Troops, plus my own Fifty Thousand Troops...

We would then have Seventy Thousand Troops, while he, Ma Teng, only has the Five Hundred Thousand Troops of Wuwei Commandery that can be gathered in a short time.

Moreover, Wuwei Commandery also needs to leave troops behind; it cannot mobilize all of them, so at most he would have Forty Thousand usable soldiers.

What can he possibly oppose against my Seventy Thousand Troops!

This time, I will definitely make Ma Teng have no return after coming!

After hearing that Che Liji had dispatched two hundred thousand troops, Han Sui instantly rejoiced.

Hum! Ma Teng, you scoundrel, you dare to attack the Memorial commander; this time I will definitely make you die without a burial place!

Originally, this two hundred thousand Qiang Army, the Memorial commander had prepared it for that Liu Bian brat; since you are rushing to seek death!

Then don't blame me for forgetting brotherly affection; it's you who first wanted to oppose me!

You say you, giving up the good local emperor not to serve, but instead go submit to that Liu Bian brat!

That Liu Bian is just relying on luck, having only eliminated Dong Zhuo; is it worth sucking up to him?

The Memorial commander just doesn't believe, the Han Dynasty Tian Xia has become this rotten!

He Liu Bian is just a wet-nosed brat; how could he possibly restore this shattered land?

The Han Dynasty, producing one Guangwu Emperor is enough; and he Liu Bian, heh...

Han Sui's face showed a gloomy expression; in his heart he angrily scolded Ma Teng.

Along with that, he also gave Liu Bian a harsh greeting.

Yan Xing, go tell E He, have him come to Jincheng to meet up with us; then you will go with him!

The Memorial commander will lead Cheng Gongying et al., go ahead first, rush to Jincheng.

Jincheng is our gateway; absolutely cannot be lost; as long as Jincheng is in our hands.

Then we can stand in an invincible position; able to attack when advancing, defend when retreating.

Han Sui, facing Yan Xing et al., said with a solemn expression.