() "It will be very difficult for the Lin family to help us find those horse thieves." After listening to what his sons said, Ma Teng gave a bitter smile and shook his head. After Ma Yue put forward his own opinion

, so he went to see his father with his brother Ma Chao, hoping to share his worries, but obviously his father did not think this would be easy.

"Actually, I have thought of the method you mentioned before. However... the Lin family has always been arrogant, and it is impossible for them to obey our wishes, not to mention that they still have people in the hands of horse thieves."

Teng explained. Seeing that his two sons seemed a little depressed, he comforted them: "But if you can think of this, I am very happy as a father. It seems that my Ma family is expected to achieve something in the future."

Before Ma Chao could say anything, Ma Yue had already spoken: "Father, is there really no chance of this? The daughter of the Lin family and a member of the branch fell into the hands of the horse thieves, don't they want to rescue them?"

Ma Teng replied: "Of course they want to save people, but saving people is not just about force, they can also be redeemed with money and food. So I think they will definitely find a way to get in touch with the horse thieves.

When the time comes, people will definitely be saved."

"In that case, why did they bother telling Governor Geng that we should save people?" Ma Chao asked in confusion.

"This is exactly how they want to punish me. In fact, those who make the decision in the Lin family do not like me, a mere military commander. Just because we have negotiated the marriage with Lin Chong first and paid the betrothal gift, they

It is against etiquette to object again, so I have to acquiesce to your marriage this time. And now that something like this has happened, they have an excuse to express their bad temper, so they bite the bullet and let us save people."

After all, Ma Teng has been involved in official circles for many years, so it is easy to grasp the minds of some people.

After hearing this, Ma Chao's face suddenly darkened: "That's unreasonable! Since they don't want us to reach out to others, they can reject the marriage. Why use such despicable means!"

"It was because my father was coveting the reputation of the Lin family in Liangzhou for a while and wanted to plan for your future that he tried his best to promote this matter. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be such a situation in the end. It can be regarded as self-inflicted." Ma Teng said bitterly.

said.

"Father, you are doing this to consider the future of the children. Since something goes wrong, the children should naturally bear the responsibility with you!" Ma Yue then understood that there were many hidden secrets in it, and there were also some things that were not known.

He pointed it out, but he didn't ask in a hurry, but said it with care. Ma Chao also echoed: "My child thinks so too."

"Okay, if you can think so, I will be very happy as a father. But after all, this matter is not something that you two children can solve, so you don't have to worry about it anymore. Especially Xiaokang, your body has just recovered, or

It’s a good rest.”

Ma Yue did not refute, but nodded in agreement. Before he understood what the stakes were in this matter, and before he had much understanding of how people of this era dealt with things, he really shouldn't be too forward, otherwise he might just

It was self-defeating. But before turning around, he still asked: "Does father have any thoughts now?"

"I have sent some people to search in several places where horse thieves are infested, hoping to find any clues that can lead to their current lair. In addition, if there is still no harvest in the past two days, then the only choice is to go to the Lin family.

I hope I can get some useful clues from them." Ma Teng was very satisfied with his second son's performance in the past few days, so he did not hide this matter from him.

Just when the Ma Chao brothers were about to go back to their courtyard to rest, a servant suddenly came to report: "Master, there is someone outside asking to see them, saying they have something important to discuss."

"Huh? There are still guests coming at this hour?" Ma Teng said a little strangely. For people in this era, it is rare for people to go out after dark, let alone visit someone unexpectedly.

: "Can the person who came here identify himself?"

"No, he didn't reveal his identity." The servant paused for a moment before adding: "However, the visitor said that his visit was related to the daughter of the Lin family..."

Originally, Ma Teng didn't want to see the unknown visitor, but when he heard that it was related to the Lin family, he changed his mind: "Take him to the outer hall, and I'll see him." Then he walked out.

.The two Ma brothers who were still on the side also began to feel curious, so they followed their father's hand to see what was going on.

A few people walked along the stone-paved approach to the outer hall. Under the lights that had been lit, they saw the man wearing ordinary coarse cloth standing in front of the hall with his hands clasped. He looked very natural. But when he saw his face clearly

Ma Chao's expression changed. He actually snatched away his father and strode up to the man: "It's you! You're such a thief, how dare you come here!" It turned out that this man who visited Ma's house late at night was

The man was actually one of the horse thieves. Ma Chao still remembered that this man had threatened him with his brother.

This person is naturally the fourth son with an unusual status among the horse thieves. As the strategist of the horse thieves, his courage is naturally very extraordinary. He did not panic when Ma Chao revealed his identity, but just raised his hand to Ma Teng: "

I have met Ma Sima in Guo Sihuai!"

After listening to his son's words, Ma Teng's face suddenly sank, and he looked up and down at the person in front of him: "Are you a fool? Don't you know what you have done before, and you dare to come to my door?

presumptuous?"

Guo Sihuai calmly faced the hateful gazes of Ma Teng and his son, and just smiled: "Of course I know that some of them hate me and all the brothers to the core, but I know one thing better, that is, to Sima, I am far away.

It can’t be compared to the daughter of the Lin family.”

"What do you mean by this? Do you want to use this to threaten me?" Ma Teng's eyes flashed with a sharp light and he asked in a cold voice. Seeing that his father was angry, Ma Chao stepped forward, ready to take action immediately.

, but he didn’t want to but was grabbed by Ma Yue’s sleeve: “Brother, don’t be impulsive!”

"Threats are out of the question. I just say this so that Sima can understand the fact that my life is not as delicate as the daughter of the Lin family. What's more, this matter also involves the future of the Ma family?" Guo Sihuai

Hehe smiled, and sat down on a seat a few feet away with great pride, and then made a gesture in a nonchalant manner: "Sima, please sit down and talk."

Ma Teng paused for a moment, and after weighing it, he realized that what the other party said was true, so he signaled to Ma Chao not to act rashly, and then sat down on the seat opposite the other party. Then he spoke: "Now you can tell me why you came to my place this time.

What’s your intention?”

"This is Ma Chao, the eldest son of Sima's family? As expected, he lived up to the rumors and was so powerful. I was almost hurt by him that day. It's really disrespectful." However, Guo Sihuai did not immediately get to the point, but looked aside.

Ma Chao Road.

"Why, are you scared?" Ma Chao glared. As a young and energetic man, when he thought that it was these people who had caused his father such a difficult time and caused his brother to be seriously injured, he wanted to vent his anger.

"I'm afraid. If I were to fight you head-on, I would be very scared. However, I came here today not to start a war, but to negotiate a deal with Sima, so I'm not afraid."

"What kind of deal? I am an official and you are a thief, so what kind of deal can we talk about?" Ma Teng sneered.

"Of course it's about the sale of the daughter of the Lin family. What, has Ma Sima forgotten this? Why, the Lin family is also married to you, doesn't Sima care about her situation?"

Ma Teng was stunned by these words, and then he said: "Then what do you want to do before you let him go?"

"This is just like doing business. In fact, we are also very aware of Lord Sima's difficulties. After all, your family is not as wealthy as the Lin family, so we don't ask for money from you. After some calculations, we decided to let Sima

Prepare for us a hundred pairs of armor, fifty fine sabers, and five thousand arrows. As long as Sima is willing to pay accordingly, we can guarantee that the Lin family daughter will be sent back safely and married to your eldest son!" Guo Sihuai proposed himself

conditions of.

After Ma Yue heard this, his heart moved, and he had already thought of something. He knew that maybe this was a breakthrough to help his father solve the current difficulty.

And when he heard him make these requests so loudly, Ma Teng's face suddenly became even more ugly: "You are so brave, you actually want to obtain weapons and armor from our officers and soldiers, so as to expand your own territory.

Strength? Do you think it will be as you wish?"

"This is the request made by our leader. Of course, if Sima refuses to accept it, then I have nothing to do. However, what will happen to the Lin family daughter and what the Lin family will do, has nothing to do with us."

"You..." Ma Teng became furious and stood up. Ma Chao over there was also eager to try. As long as his father moved, he would be the first to attack. At this time, Ma Yue, who had never spoken, spoke up.

He said: "This good man, I think the conditions you offered are too harsh. Even if my father is a Sima in the army and has a certain amount of real power, I'm afraid he won't be able to come up with so many weapons and armor. If he had

If you really do this, I'm afraid you will be convicted. Then it would be better to break up and let the Lin family leave the daughter alone. At most, my father will no longer be an official."

Guo Sihuai was not surprised by Ma Yue's statement: "In your opinion, what should we do?"

"Reducing the number of these soldiers and armors by half, I think my father might still be able to do it. What do you think?" Ma Yue asked again.

"This..." Guo Sihuai immediately began to ponder, and Ma Chao wanted to speak, but was stopped by Ma Teng with his eyes. He had already seen that the second son must have a deep meaning in doing this, so he wanted to see what he was going to do.

What will happen next?

"If you can give us fifty armors, thirty sabers, and three thousand arrows within three days, we can also release the people!" Guo Sihuai finally nodded: "What did Sima say?"

"Just let me think about it for a moment, and then I'll give you an answer."

"Okay, then I'll meet Sima again in five days!" As he said that, Guo Sihuai stood up and walked away. Unexpectedly, Ma Chao blocked his way: "Want to leave? It's not that easy! Since you came to the door, just

Stay here! This way, we also have hostages on hand!"

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Chapter completed!