Chapter 209, Family inheritance

Dong Zhuo has arrived!

When he saw that Guo Si still had time to curse with the enemy generals from a distance, he felt the urge to kill.

Doesn't this guy know that what they lack most now is time?

Since the fall of Chang'an, the army has only enough food and grass for three days. If Liu Bei cannot be defeated within these three days, they will be defeated due to lack of food.

Guo Si was preparing for a debate when he heard Dong Zhuo's voice. He was startled and hurriedly rode back.

"My lord, the last general is trying to provoke the enemy general to fight. I'm afraid it won't be easy to defeat him with a strong attack."

"Did you anger the enemy general?"

"Wei, never."

Guo Si noticed Dong Zhuo's murderous eyes and hurriedly said: "The last general will lead his army to attack the stronghold."

Dong Zhuo remained silent, but Guo Si could be sure that if he were a few steps slower, the opponent would definitely kill him. The military advisor he relied on the most could still kill him, let alone a mere general.

After a while, the Xiliang army launched a fierce attack on the camp.

Every one of them seems to have put life and death aside, even in the face of a rain of arrows, they still move forward.

Although they had expected it, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun were still in disbelief when they witnessed this scene with their own eyes. If they fought with their opponents in the wild, they might really lose the battle.

But then I thought about it, if they were in a different place, they would also work hard, right?

The army's supply of food and grass is about to be cut off. If you retreat, you will die, but if you advance, you may win a glimmer of hope.

This is human nature!

Zhang Fei thought for a while and suddenly looked at Zhao Yun beside him: "Zilong, if we fight with our backs every time we fight in the future, will all the soldiers fight to the death?"

Zhao Yun said expressionlessly: "What if we fail to defeat the enemy after trying our best, and if the enemy avoids fighting?"

"Then tell the soldiers that the food and grass are here."

"In this way, soldiers and generals will inevitably become disloyal."

Zhao Yun was a little speechless. He thought that General Zhang San had become mature, but it turned out that he still had an innocent side.

Zhang Fei was silent again after hearing this. After a moment, he smiled and said, "I knew Zilong would not make such a mistake. Third brother is trying you!"

Zhao Yun walked away directly and turned to command the soldiers everywhere to resist the fierce enemy attack. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he would be tempted to fight.

…

"Father, Chang'an has been lost. Where should our army go?"

On the plain, Ma Teng and his son stood on the hillside on horseback, followed by Pang De and Ma Dai. The fire was blazing in front of them, and the shouts of killing in their ears became more and more intense. There were worries on the brows of several people.

Although Dong Zhuo's army did not attack them, the father and son had already learned about the fall of Chang'an. Dong Zhuo's words were that they should either help him defeat Liu Bei or go back to Xiliang.

Ma Teng's situation was also very embarrassing. Dong Zhuo's army was already on the verge of defeat. Although it exploded with unprecedented powerful combat power when faced with a desperate situation, it could not last long.

To defeat Liu Bei, a powerful enemy, it is far from enough to rely on a moment of bravery.

As for helping Liu Bei fight against Dong Zhuo, Ma Teng was also a little unwilling, otherwise he would not have sent troops to help Dong Zhuo.

In this age of great strife, if we don’t have the intention to build a foundation, wouldn’t this unique opportunity be wasted?

Ma Teng thought for a long time and asked: "Meng Qi, how many people are there in our army?"

"Including those with minor injuries, there are about eight thousand."

"How much food and grass are left?"

"It can still last for five or six days."

"You immediately lead the entire army to attack the front. If Dong Zhuo gains the upper hand tomorrow, you will take advantage of the situation and attack Liu Bei's flanks. If Dong Zhuo's offensive is blocked, you will seek refuge with Liu Bei on the grounds that Dong Zhuo killed his father."

This was Ma Teng's judgment. Dong Zhuo's troops were far more numerous than theirs, and the remaining food and grass would only last for a shorter period of time.

If Dong Zhuo can quickly defeat the enemy army in front of him, it means there is still a chance to win. But if the offensive is contained, no matter how hard he fights, it will be useless.

Ma Chao heard his father's intention and looked puzzled on his face: "Father, why don't you go and join us?"

Although he has a bad temper, he is not an ignorant person. He knows that the possibility of defeating Liu Bei is very slim now.

Ma Teng smiled slightly: "If you are alive as a father, you will never get ahead."

Pang De and Ma Dai were both silent. They probably understood Ma Teng's thoughts, which was to use his own death to pave the way for the Ma family.

When Liu Bei attacked Guanzhong, he invited Ma Teng to attack Dong Zhuo, but he refused. If he had surrendered, Liu Bei might not kill him, but he would never reuse members of the Ma family.

Ma Chao gritted his teeth and said: "Father, how can I leave you! As a son of a man, if you betray your father for glory, wouldn't it be an act of unfilial piety and unrighteousness?"

"Your personal honor and disgrace is more important, or the Ma family's foundation?"

"Father……"

"No need to say more."

Ma Teng said solemnly: "Being a father is not for you, but for the inheritance of the Ma family. You are the eldest son of my Ma family, you should know what you should do!"

"Liu Bei is a benevolent and righteous king. You are brave enough to be invincible. In the future, if he wants to dominate the world, he will have to fight in both the south and the north. He will definitely use you."

People of this era value inheritance most, Yuan Wei does this, and so does Ma Teng.

In fact, Ma Teng had another reason not to say that after Dong Zhuo's defeat, Liu Bei would take Guanzhong and Xiliang. At that time, he would need someone to help him appease the Xiliang counties, and this person must have a certain prestige in Xiliang.

Liu Bei would not like to see Han Sui's family dominate. He needed someone to check and balance. This is the way to balance for the king.

Seeing that Ma Chao was still hesitant, Ma Teng scolded him again: "Doesn't it insult my Ma family's reputation by being so coquettish?"

"It's all my own fault that I will end up like this as a father."

If you want to fight but can't, you will die.

"Father……"

Ma Chao wanted to say more, but Ma Teng's face had already darkened.

"Take care of yourself."

After Ma Chao finished speaking, he was about to turn the horse's head, but Ma Teng's voice sounded again: "Betroth Yunlu to Guo Jia. He is Liu Bei's most trusted adviser. As long as we marry him, my Ma family will have no worries in the future."

Guo Jia: I thank you.

Ma Chao was stunned: "Why?"

"No need to ask too much, just remember that both the Ma family and you need a guide."

Ma Teng waved his hand after speaking.

Ma Chao bowed his head in silence for a long time, then suddenly turned over and dismounted, bowed three times to his back, and then rode away with Pang De and Ma Dai.

…

"Dong Zhuo dares to turn around and attack the prime minister. Gongming, we might as well send troops to attack him."

In Chang'an City, Lu Bu and Xu Huang had just quelled Dong Zhuo's remaining forces in Chang'an City when they received news that Dong Zhuo had changed his marching direction.

Lu Bu's heart suddenly became hot and he was eager to accomplish another great feat.

"No!"

Xu Huang's face was solemn: "We only have a few thousand soldiers and horses in hand. If we attack rashly, once the army is defeated, Chang'an will probably be recaptured by Dong Zhuo."

"In this way, the master's months-long plan will be ruined."

"Furthermore, Dong Zhuo's trip is a bit strange. He has already been defeated by his lord, so why would he dare to take the initiative to counterattack?"

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