After successive battles, not only were the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu exhausted and dying down, but Ma Di was also so tired that he had to stay in Weixian for a few more days before setting off for Xixian.
The world has rarely entered a period of peace.
The three of them rode two horses and left Wei County, walking slowly along the mountain roads.
Zhang Xiu rode alone on a horse in front, carrying a pole on his shoulders. There was a large flower eagle and a black eagle standing on each end of the pole.
The big flower eagle held its head high and looked aloof; the little black eagle lowered its head and looked unhappy.
This large flower sculpture was brought to the door by Ma Su himself when he and Hao Zhao were having a stalemate in Chencang.
At that time, the great wizard was dancing in the backyard of the mansion. A large flower sculpture fell from the sky and landed on the side to watch. The great wizard fell in love with it at first sight, so he gave it a home in Weixian Mansion and trained it every day.
Since then, the little black hawk has fallen out of favor.
The large flower eagle looks extremely handsome, with a body length of about four feet and a wingspan of about eight feet. Its long beak and claws are golden yellow. Except for the feathers on its rump and lower back, which are white, all other feathers are bright black.
There are two fairly wide white "strips" starting from the bottom of the neck, covering part of the front and passing through the shoulders to connect with the white part on the back. When the black sculpture poses front and back, the front will form a clearly visible "strip"
V" shape, and the back is a "C" shape with the opening upward.
It is very powerful and can carry an adult flying at low altitude for about a hundred steps.
Everyone couldn't put down the cute and sensible big flower eagle, including Zhang Xiu.
This time to conquer Xiqiang, he volunteered to take two fierce pets on the road.
The expressions of the two fierce pets now represent their younger brothers.
The whole journey was silent.
West County, Yongzhou Governor's Mansion, front hall.
Ma Su relaxedly threw his body into a grand master's chair, placed his legs on a simple but not simple large wooden coffee table, and through the gap between his two feet, he quietly flirted with the great wizard while tilting his head.
Chatting with veteran Zhao Yun.
"Old General Zhao, if I put it this way, you did a very good job in pretending to attack Tianshui last time! That Zhang He was so frightened by you that he couldn't sleep well for a month."
Ma Su's voice was very calm, with a hint of the airs of a superior speaking to his subordinates. He was not aware of the fact that Zhao Yun was above him in terms of military position, title, or official position.
But Zhao Yun didn't take it seriously at all. He cupped his hands and said, "It's like this, You Chang. In fact, the people I brought were not five thousand people, but nine thousand people. In the first ten days, our army marched ten miles every day; after that,
Twenty miles a day for ten days. When we were still more than 80 miles away from Shanggui City, our army divided into two groups. One group had a thousand men. We still marched toward Shangguang at a rate of twenty miles a day. The other group had eight soldiers.
Thousands of people attacked Ji County at a speed of hundreds of miles per day. But even so, they still failed to capture Ji County. Zhao Yun is ashamed."
The idea is good.
Ma Su waved his hand casually and chuckled: "Old General Zhao, don't blame yourself. This journey was just a feint attack. Furthermore, even if we capture Ji County and our army is divided into two places, how can we defend both cities?"
"
Zhao Yun was slightly startled and said nothing.
This situation was something he didn't expect.
"Old General, it is not the time for our army to take the five counties of Longyou yet. Once the time comes, our army does not need to attack the city and the Wei soldiers will retreat."
Zhao Yun was startled again: "You Chang, what do you mean by this?"
What do you mean the time has not come yet?
Ma Di glanced at him and said with a smile: "The five counties of Longyou are one of the poorest and most turbulent areas in the Wei State, second only to Liangzhou. The Wei State spends a lot of manpower and material resources in these two areas every year to maintain
People's livelihood and tranquility will not benefit at all. Therefore, Longdi and Xiliang are actually two heavy burdens for the Wei State. If I force them and fail to take them, the Wei State will definitely be exhausted."
"Theoretically speaking, these two counties are enough to slow down the rapid development of Wei State. Therefore, before I, Shu Han, reach a certain level of strength, we should not engage in such blind military actions."
"After hearing what you said, I suddenly became enlightened!"
Zhao Yun looked ashamed, lowered his head slightly and said, "It's Zhao who didn't think well."
Ma Su put away his smile and said: "Old General Zhao, Xi County is the north gate of Wudu County, guarding the northwest gate of Shuhan, and is the only way to the Qiang land. If Xi County is lost, Wudu Yinping will not be protected, and Wudu will not be able to maintain peace.
If the peace of the capital is not maintained, we, Shu Han, will be in danger!"
"Therefore, the people and horses of Xi County must not move lightly unless absolutely necessary."
Good boy, are you teaching me how to do things?
Do you know what you are doing?
Even if you jumped three levels in three years, this official position is still not good enough in Zhao's eyes.
Zhao Yun seemed to realize that something was wrong with Ma Di's tone today. He frowned and changed the subject: "You Chang, when I returned to Chengdu last time, I wonder what official position your Majesty granted you?"
"Yongzhou Governor, later I went to build roads, and this post will be temporarily replaced by you, General Zhao."
"Oh, that means I am the governor of Yongzhou now, and you are not, right." Zhao Yun looked at Ma Su expressionlessly, with an inexplicable meaning in his eyes, "But I don't know what military position your Majesty will give you?"
"General Zhenbei." Ma Di suddenly felt that Zhao Yun's question was a bit strange.
Zhao Yun nodded, "Then, has His Majesty ever granted you a title or title?"
"I have never been granted a title or title." Ma Su became even more puzzled and frowned and said, "Old general, if you have anything to say, please speak directly. Given our relationship, there is no need to beat around the bush."
Zhao Yun chuckled, raised his head slightly, looked down from a high position, his voice was a little erratic: "Youchang, do you know what official position Zhao has? What military position he has? What is his title?"
Ma Su nodded: "I know, old general, you are the General of the Northern Campaign, the Marquis of Yongchang Ting, and the acting governor of Yongzhou."
In the official position system of the Shu Han Dynasty, the Four Expeditions General was one level higher than the Four Towns General. Under the same official position, those with a marquis had a higher status than those without a marquis.
When comparing two colleagues with high status, they usually look at the official position first, the title second, and the military rank (if any) last.
Therefore, most of the time, when lower-level officials see their superiors, they must not only salute, but also stand the entire time to show respect.
Because this hint was too obvious, Ma Su came to his senses instantly, quickly retracted his feet on the desk, stood up and saluted seriously: "Old General, I'm sorry for my disrespect."
"It's okay!" Zhao Yun's expression softened: "I'm one of you, sit down and talk."
"..."
After Ma Su sat down again, he suddenly felt that the atmosphere was a little awkward.
"You Chang came to Xixian here, do you have any plans?" Zhao Yun said calmly.
Ma Su thought for a while and replied: "Pingqiang."
Zhao Yun smiled and said: "Youchang, to be honest, I admire you very much. You are young and promising, and you are very enterprising. The future of Shu Han depends entirely on you. Don't let down the prime minister's high expectations."
"Yeah, yeah!" Ma Su nodded like he was pecking rice.
"Although the power is temporarily in the hands of us old guys, it belongs to you young people after all."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Young man, it doesn't matter if you are a little crazy, you will be criticized. Isn't it appropriate for me to be scolded by you at such an old age?"
"Not suitable, not suitable."
"It seems that you are deeply aware of your mistake, so I won't say more. By the way, how much sheep shit do you still have? Give me ten or eight, and I will forgive you.
"
"Give, give, give..."
A few minutes later, Zhao Yun stood up, stroked his beard, and left with satisfaction.
