Chapter 28 The end of the hero

Jin Ma Chao, who was once famous in the northwest, did not expect that he would have a lasting end.

The hand holding the tiger-headed Zhan Jin Gun was a little soft, and his blood-stained body was obviously exhausted. His handsome and handsome face showed a decadent expression.

Ma Chao brought less than two thousand defeated soldiers outside Chang'an City.

In front of us is the increasingly prosperous Western Capital of the Han Dynasty. The current owner is Guo Jia, who was born in a penny more than ten years ago.

A man who is not much older than Ma Chao, a man who is not more prominent than Ma Chao, and a man who is not more powerful than Ma Chao.

Now, in the bright sunshine, Ma Chao would whisper to inform the city gate order, hoping to get Guo Jia's kind acceptance and assistance.

The city gate order did not dare to be careless. Although Ma Chao had no courage to bring his troops directly into the city, he still asked the guards patrolling the city to strictly prevent Ma Chao from attacking and quickly sent people to inform Guo Jia. After a while, Gan Ning rode a horse and brought a thousand cavalry to the city gate on the main road in the center of the three gates in the east of the city.

Seeing this down-and-out Ma Chao with a look of disgrace, Gan Ning couldn't imagine that this was the Jin Ma Chao who was rebellious and courageous in front of Guo Jia.

"General, my lord said that the general can enter the city, but the soldiers accompanying him must be stationed outside the city. Those who are injured can enter the city for treatment. For daily needs, my lord will make arrangements for the general. I hope the general can understand. My lord does this because he does not want to cause panic and riots in the city."

Chang'an City belongs to Guo Jia. Whether Ma Chao can enter or not is the final say. According to Ma Chao's current situation, he has no room for bargaining. Moreover, when he turns his head and see that most of his defeated soldiers are covered in blood. If he really enters the city, it will definitely attract onlookers. As for whether it scares the people or is embarrassing, that's another matter.

Gan Ning's tone did not ridicule the truth, nor did he condescend to the extreme, but was just indifferent.

If Gan Ning, who was a hero in Ba County fifteen years ago, would probably have been in a similar mood with Ma Chao. But now, even if he can't beat Ma Chao, he would not have admired Ma Chao. Just look at his miserable appearance now, Gan Ning would be very pleased to meet Guo Jia on his life path.

"I am grateful for my kindness and righteousness."

Ma Chao spoke a little lifelessly at this time. He could be arrogant and think that he was invincible in the world, but the fact that he was right in front of him was that he couldn't even defend Han Sui, an old man.

If Guo Jia looked at the strength of Ma Chao and Han Sui, it was obvious that Han Sui was better. When the troops were equal, Han Sui was already an old man. Guo Jia had to be more cautious when standing in front of Han Sui. There is a saying that old but not dead is a thief.

The reason Gan Ning mentioned was a high-sounding rhetoric that prevented Ma Chao from leading his army into the city, but Guo Jia was also guarding against Ma Chao.

Han Sui suddenly attacked Ma Chao, and he came out in full swing. Even if Guo Jia kept staring at the situation in the northwest, the specific information would be a few days later. Guo Jia listened to what Ma Chao said, the person involved, and should be defended. If Ma Chao was not in harmony with Han Sui on the surface and colluded in Chang'an behind his back, Guo Jia could be honest with his own people and should keep a move against outsiders. Don't look at Ma Chao with less than 2,000 soldiers. If Ma Chao was brave enough to attack, it would not be a problem to force the city gate to support one or two hours. If Han Sui led the army straight in that gap, Guo Jia would definitely not have any problems, but Chang'an, which had just recovered a little prosperity, would be in trouble.

Ma Chao turned his horse's head in a depressed state, split out some wounded soldiers who had to be treated as soon as possible, and entered the city with him. As for many soldiers with minor injuries, Ma Chao did not bring them. Even at this time, he wanted to retain some dignity and did not want more wounded soldiers to enter Chang'an and become a laughing stock.

Guo Jia did not go out of the city to greet Ma Chao, but he just hoped that Ma Chao could see the reality clearly. He did not need to put on airs and make things difficult for Ma Chao at this time, so he stood outside the door of the mansion to welcome Ma Chao.

Standing beside Guo Jia was Xu Shu, who looked a little sad and sad like Guo Jia.

Ma Chao, who was in a mess, came to Guo Jia with Gan Ning. Before he could speak, Guo Jia stepped forward with concern and asked, "It's such a great blessing in disgrace to Meng Qi be safe and sound. Isn't he injured?"

Ma Chao lowered his head and said nothing, gritting his teeth.

Perhaps, he is not used to this kind of care from others, or he understands this kind of greeting as pity.

well

With a long sigh, Guo Jia said with some regret: "I didn't expect Han Wenyou to betray his faith. If Brother Shoucheng is still alive, it will definitely be heartbroken."

"That dog thief!"

Ma Chao cursed angrily, and the spitting stars flew out, just spraying on the front of Guo Jiajin's robe.

Realizing that he was rude, Ma Chao bowed to Guo Jia in a muffled voice and said, "I have no intention of rushing to the envoy, please forgive me."

Guo Jia waved his hand indifferently and said, "I understand Meng Qi's current mood."

Does he really understand?

Ma Chao himself thinks that this kind of a stray dog ​​is very cowardly. How can Guo Jia understand?

"When Han Sui, that dog thief, took advantage of my unpreparedness to attack Jincheng, he dared to ask the envoy to help him. On the one hand, he would lift the siege of Jincheng, and on the other hand, he would get rid of Han Sui, the evil thief for the people of Liangzhou."

Ma Chao never went to see Guo Jia. I don’t know if it was his self-esteem that made him look shameless in front of Guo Jia, or if he felt that such words of asking for help were really hard to say. Anyway, Jin Ma Chao, who was so majestic in the past, is now in a dilemma as if he was a hero.

War requires a name, and Guo Jia wants to interfere in the grudges between the Han and Ma families, but in fact he has no name.

Everyone is a Han minister, why should Guo Jia care about the dispute between Han Sui and Ma Chao?

Ma Chao, who was full of resentment, was at least a little brainy at this time. He knew that he could not ask Guo Jia to send troops for no reason, so he invisibly put a high hat on Guo Jia.

First, Han Sui was called a bad thief, and asked Guo Jia to send troops to suppress the thieves and return peace in the northwest. This is for the people, for the people, not for the personal grudges of the Ma family.

Guo Jia really wanted to say something in front of Ma Chao: When will the revenge be repaid?

Since Han Sui's rebellion and Ma Teng's rebellion rebellion, the grudges and disputes between the Han and Ma families have never stopped.

From today on, it is difficult to distinguish right from wrong between the two companies.

Before Han Sui attacked Ma Chao, Ma Chao seized Han Sui's food, which forced Han Sui to the dead. Since you don't give me a way to survive, don't blame me for putting you to death.

Before, Ma Chao wanted to follow Guo Jia out of Guandong, and Han Sui intended to annex Ma Chao's territory. The knife behind him was stabbed openly, but he couldn't blame Han Sui. Ma Chao wanted to fight the Central Plains, but no matter how he looked, he looked like he had no return.

Dating back to the Ma Teng era, although the Han and Ma families had brothers of different surnames, they had a series of life-and-death battles. Han Sui had a lot of blood from the Ma family, and the conflict between Ma Teng and Han Sui was related to many Qiang and Hu tribes. There were too many complex conflicts of interest mixed in it, and it was unclear who was right and who was wrong.

Therefore, Ma Chao hopes that Guo Jia will send troops to wipe out Han Sui, and it is impossible to use the hatred between Han and Ma families as a rhetoric. As a member of the Ma family, Ma Chao himself may not be able to understand the causes and consequences of the grievances and love between these two families.

Faced with Ma Chao's request, Guo Jia was silent for a moment and said in a deep voice: "I heard that Han Sui slaughtered many counties. Such a large-scale killing will hurt Tianhe. No matter what, the people are innocent. Meng Qi, I promise you here that within three days, I will send troops to rescue Jincheng, and then at least drive Han Sui out of your territory."

Ma Chao agreed dullly and disappeared.

Sending troops within three days is already considered fast. After all, fighting is not a joke. Food and supplies, task allocation, marching routes, military combinations, etc. all require time to schedule and prepare.

"I have prepared a residence for Meng Qi in the city. Meng Qi will be a temporary place to live. After the siege of Jincheng is lifted, you can go back by yourself."

Guo Jia had a very thorough arrangement, and he had already made preparations for military operations, but he could not act in a strong manner in front of Ma Chao, as if he had been waiting for Han Ma to start a war.

Turning around and going to walk into the palace, Guo Jia turned his head and said to Xu Shu: "Issue government orders to the counties in Guanzhong. Any people who flee to escape must be treated well. If there is a shortage of money and food in counties, they can be reported to Chang'an for dispatch and transportation."

There is essentially a difference between Han Sui's massacre and Cao Cao's massacre. Cao Cao is more to shock the enemy. Han Sui wants to rob grain. If he does not slaughter the city, he may incite the people to oppose him. He is a rebellious person and will not underestimate the energy gathered by ordinary people. After all, if the people are robbed of food, what other choice can they have? Either fight with Han Sui, wait to starve to death, or escape to Guanzhong to beg.

Having already stepped onto the stone steps outside the mansion, Guo Jia suddenly turned around and called Ma Chao.

"Meng Qi, why didn't you see Ling Ming? Was he outside the city? Or was he injured?"

When Guo Jia first saw Ma Chao, he felt something was wrong. It was not until just now that he realized that there were few people around Ma Chao. Where did Pang De go?

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao lowered his head a little deeper.

He said indescribably: "Ling Ming was seriously ill and couldn't get out of bed. When he broke through Jincheng, Ling Ming was still in the city."

Guo Jia's eyes widened, unbelievable.

"What did you say? You left Ling Ming in Jincheng? Don't you care about his life and death?"

Guo Jia suddenly looked angry.

Ma Chao was a little embarrassed and annoyed.

He broke through the siege in a coward manner. Could it be that he could bring Pang De who couldn't even get up? Besides, Pang De was his subordinate. No matter how he dealt with it, it was not Guo Jia's turn to take care of him!

But at this time, Ma Chao did not dare to confront Guo Jia with confidence. Guo Jia not only had the right to choose whether to wipe out Han Sui, but he even held Ma Chao's life in his hand. Ma Chao, who was not with one soldier and one soldier, could not be defeated no matter how strong he was.

"Xingba, immediately mobilize the Silver Feather Flying Cavalry. Half an hour later, I will lead the cavalry to Jincheng!"
Chapter completed!