Chapter 632: Ma Zhi’s choice

The next day, Ma Zun left Deng's camp and headed towards Luanniao City. At the same time, Ma Zhi was also worried about the current situation, which made Jucheng's defeat and made his future bleak. The departure of Mengya tribe made him even worse, so he could only retreat to Luanniao City now.

But this Luanniao City is not easy to defend. Now he only has more than 30,000 troops left in his hands, and the Deng army outside the city has more than 100,000. What’s more important is that the battle of Lingjucheng has been a big blow to the Qin army. The Qin army in Xiliang has been suppressing Xiliang for many years and is invincible. I dare not say that he has won every battle, but he has rarely lost. However, Lingjucheng was not only defeated, but also suffered a crushing defeat. The morale of this army was too big.

"Father!" At this time, Ma Zhi's second son Ma Tai walked in. Ma Zhi had four sons, three of whom died early, and the eldest son Ma Zun became a prisoner of Deng's army in Lintao City. The fourth son Ma Jing stayed in Guzang City. Now he only has one second son Ma Tai left by his side.

"Is there anything wrong?" Ma Zhi asked expressionlessly.

Ma Tai replied: "Father, my fourth brother has heard from Guzang City that the situation in Guzang is not good now. The royal family of the Ying surname led by Xiping Jun is very dissatisfied with his father's defeat in Ling Jucheng. Some even proposed to write to Chang'an to deprive his father of his military power."

When Ma Zhi heard this, his face suddenly became very gloomy. The royal family of the Ying family has always been his greatest command. When he led his army to take charge of Guzang on weekdays, they would not make too big moves, but as soon as he left Guzang City, they would keep making small moves. This is why the Deng army had just led his army south for so long in Xiliang. A few days ago, his eldest son Ma Zun was defeated in Lintao City, and the royal family of the Ying family had attacked him, but because he held the military power tightly, he did not dare to be too blatant. Now that he was defeated by Lingjucheng again, it can be said that he gave them a handle to deal with him.

Although Ma Zhi was not worried that Chang'an would lift his military power, after all, he had been in charge of the military power of Xiliang for many years, and his army was his own people. Others could not control the elite troops of Xiliang at all. But it has to be said that the actions of the royal family of the Ying surname made him disgusted and upset. He had paid so much for the Qin State to control Xiliang, but in the end he still couldn't get trust.

"Did they send someone to Chang'an?" Ma Zhi asked.

Ma Tai shook his head and said, "The fourth brother did not say it in his letter, but recently Xipingjun has been constantly interacting with important figures in the royal family, as if he had some intentions. The fourth brother's letter told his father to be careful and not be plotted against."

"Hmph! A bunch of idiots!" Ma Zhi snorted coldly. Ma Zhi had been dissatisfied with the royal family of the Ying surname for a long time, but he had no choice but to do anything, because Ma Zhi knew very well that this was a means left by Qin in order to balance himself, so he had always turned a blind eye to some of the practices of the royal family of the Ying surname. As long as he didn't do too much, he could tolerate it. However, Ma Zhi was really angry that he led his troops outside to fight this time, and these people were still troubled by him in the back.

"Don't be angry, with the fourth brother here, they can't make any troubles." Seeing this, Ma Tai quickly comforted.

At this time, Jiang Ping, the general in the army, walked in with a hurried look on his face and said, "Report to General, the eldest son wants to enter the city outside the city!"

"What? Zun'er is back?"

"What? Brother is back?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhi and Ma Tai were both very surprised. After all, Ma Zun was captured by the Deng army in Lintao City. Among the Deng army, Ma Zhi and Ma Taiko did not believe that Ma Zun could escape from the formation of 100,000 Deng troops. In other words, Ma Zun is likely to be released by Deng army, and Deng army chose to release Ma Zun at this time, which may not be that simple.

"Yes, general, the last general has confirmed that the people outside the city are indeed the eldest son!" Jiang Ping nodded and said with certainty. He has followed Ma Zhi for many years, and Jiang Ping has also seen the Ma family brothers growing up, so Jiang Ping knew whether Ma Zun was outside the city himself.

"Who is there anyone who comes back with Zun'er?" Ma Zhi asked.

Jiang Ping shook his head and said, "The eldest son came back alone, and there was no one to accompany him, and even General Ma Ting was not here."

"Tai'er, what do you think?" Ma Zun asked Ma Tai.

Ma Tai replied: "Father, no matter what the purpose of Deng Jun letting Brother come back, Brother is his father's eldest son after all, and the child's elder brother will not harm us."

Ma Zhi nodded and said to Jiang Ping: "You open the city and bring Zun'er back. Once you enter the city, you will not be allowed to go anywhere. Just bring him to see me!"

"Here!" Jiang Ping replied.

At this time, outside Luanniao City, Ma Zun was quietly waiting for the city gate to open, and language was organizing in his mind. This time he came back to decide the life and death of their entire family. He had to do his best to convince his father, otherwise the Ma clan would probably have a disaster of extermination. But then again, if Ma Zhi really chose to resist stubbornly to the end, then as his son, he would definitely be with him to the end.

Just when Ma Zun was fighting with heaven and earth, a gap was slowly opened in the gate of Luanniao City. Jiang Ping rode out with a few cavalrymen and came to Ma Zun, turned over and dismounted, and said to Ma Zun with a smile: "Young Master, are you back?"

When Ma Zun saw Jiang Ping, he smiled knowingly and said, "Yes, I'm back. I didn't expect to be able to come back alive. Uncle Lao Ping will come to pick me up."

"What are you talking about at the eldest son? Just come back safely. The general is waiting for you. The eldest son will follow you in the future!" Jiang Ping said, and then someone asked someone to prepare a horse for Ma Zun. The crowd rode into the city and the city gate was closed immediately.

After Ma Zun and others entered the city, Li Siye and Jia Xu appeared here on the distant hillside.

"Military advisor, do you think this can be accomplished?" Li Siye asked Jia Xu. Ma Zhi was the head of the Ma clan. The Ma family served for the Qin State for three generations. The previous head of the Ma clan, Ma Zhi's biological brother Ma Sheng died at the hands of Deng Jun. To be honest, Li Siye was really unpredictable.

Jia Xu saw the worries in Li Siye's heart and said with a smile: "Don't worry, General. Since his subordinates dared to make such suggestions to the General, they are naturally sure. They have sent people to find out clearly. The Ma clan was not so easy in Xiliang. At that time, Qin valued the power of the Ma clan and asked it to guard Xiliang and governed the Xiliang army. It seemed to be incredible, but it was like being on pins and needles. Xiliang, especially Guzang City, had a large number of royal families with the Ying surname, but the power of Xiliang is in the hands of outsiders. General, do you think these people can be willing?"

"It seems that these members of the Ying clan have put a lot of pressure on Ma Zhi!" Li Siye understood when he heard this.

"That's natural, otherwise the general would think that Ma Zun was captured by our army in Lintao City, and Ma Zhi would not make any noise. You must know that he was his eldest son." Jia Xu said.

Li Siye thought, that's it. He captured Ma Zun, Ma Ting and the Five Thousand Qiang cavalry in Lintao City. Li Siye was worried that Ma Zhi would lead his army south to save his eldest son, but he didn't expect that Ma Zhi had no movement until his troops were approaching Wuwei County. It turned out that Ma Zhi came because of the Ying royal family.

"That book really needs more royal families in Guzang City. Well, for today's matter, after Japan will break Guzang City, let's save their lives!" Li Siye said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu also showed a very unkind smile.

"Okay, this is the matter, so I will wait for good news. Let's go back!" Li Siye said.

"Here!" Jia Xu replied.

On the other hand, as soon as Ma Zun entered the city, he led him to Ma Zhi's residence. Ma Zhi was very happy to see his eldest son Ping An return.

Ma Zhi hurried forward and pulled Ma Zun back and forth to check. He found that Ma Zun was not injured. He then felt relieved and said with a smile: "It's really great to see you come back safely. Your mother will definitely be happy after she knows it!"

"Lao's father and mother were worried. The child deserves to die. Father, the child is hungry, but what food does he have?" Ma Zun said.

When Ma Zhi heard this, he patted his head, kicked the guard beside him, and cursed: "Hurry up and prepare the best wine and meat for the eldest son, you have no vision at all. I will be in vain!"

After receiving the order, the personal guard hurriedly went down to make arrangements.

Soon, servants brought wine and meat. After the Ma family and son had enough food and drink, Ma Zhi asked Ma Zun: "Zun'er, Li Siye should have something to convey to you, tell me, what exactly does he want?"

"Uh..." Ma Zun beat a full distance, wiped his mouth, and said, "Li Siye hopes that his father can open the city to surrender. He said, "Our Ma family will be treated as the treatment of the Sima family, and the child has also heard that Sima Shang's son Sima Hong participated in an imperial examination in Deng State and won the title of second place. Now he is a close minister around the prince of Deng State. After the prince of Deng ascended the throne in the future, he will definitely be an important figure."

"Crown Prince's close minister, his Sima family is about to develop. Zun'er, tell me what you think?" Ma Zhi sighed, and then asked Ma Zun's thoughts.

"Father, the child thinks it's not unacceptable!" said Ma Zun.

"Brother, our Ma family has been favored by the Qin State for three generations, and don't forget that my uncle died at the hands of Deng Jun." Ma Tai, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but speak when he saw his eldest brother persuaded his father to surrender.

"I haven't forgotten!" Ma Zun said, "But father, second brother, have you ever thought that our Ma family has served the Qin Dynasty for three generations and guarded Xiliang, but what about the end of the journey? Our family was scolded by the royal family of the Ying family in Xiliang, and what about the uncle? He died for the Qin Dynasty. However, after Wu'an Jun was demoted, he was implicated by Wu'an Jun. The uncle's descendants were dismissed from office. The Ying surname is so cold and worthy of our service to death? Besides, Chang'an is in danger now, and our Ma family has not made plans at this time. Do you really want to be buried with the Ying surname?"

"But uncle's grudge?" Ma Zun said all the truth, and Ma Tai couldn't refute it, but Ma Sheng's death was a hurdle that could never be avoided.

"Although my uncle's death was done by Deng's army, it was understandable that the two armies fought at that time and each was their own leader. The general was bound to die in front of the battlefield. If we could not let go of our uncle's grudges and fight with Deng's army, in the end, maybe my father, I have the second brother, you, and your mother, and the fourth brother will die at the hands of Deng's army. Is it really worth it?" Ma Zun said.

Ma Zun's words made Ma Zhi and Ma Tai fall into deep thought. Yes, the Ma family has served Qin for three generations, and in the end it is nothing. Now that Guanzhong is besieged by the Deng army, the Qin State may be gone one day. Where will the Ma family go? Moreover, Ma Zun's last words make the most sense. If he fights the Deng army for Ma Sheng's grudge, the final result is that his whole family will die under the sword of Deng army. Is it really worth it?

"Zun'er, is Li Siye's statement reliable? What if Deng State turns against others in the end?" Ma Zhi asked. It was obvious that Ma Zhi was already moved, but he was worried that Li Siye would not trust him. More importantly, he was worried that Li Siye's statement would not be final. After all, Li Siye is just a general of Deng State. Even a general of the cavalry, he is just a minister. Can he make decisions on behalf of the Emperor of Deng State?

Ma Zun nodded and said, "The child thinks it is credible. My father doesn't know that when the general of Deng State was fighting abroad, he had high autonomy. Moreover, Deng State has always treated people who actively surrender. The Sima family is an example. Moreover, Li Siye is the general of the cavalry of Deng State and is deeply trusted by Emperor Deng State. Emperor Deng State will listen to what he said."

Ma Zhi thought about it, gritted his teeth, and said, "Okay, since the Qin Dynasty is no longer saved, we have to make plans for the Ma family. Although our Ma family has received the favor of the Qin State for three generations, our Ma family has also paid a lot for the Qin Dynasty. It is impossible to say that it is a loss. Zun'er, you go to see Li Siye immediately and say that you agree to it for your father. I hope he can do what he says."

Ma Zun nodded and said, "Of course, but father, we still have one thing to do now."

"What's the matter?" Ma Zhi asked.

"After surrendering," Ma Zun said, "After surrendering the Sima family, in addition to handing over military power, also surrendered the Naifeng tribe and the Pingni tribe for Deng State, so we must do something too."

"What you said makes sense, then what do you think of doing?" Ma Zhi nodded and said, if you just surrender, you may also receive preferential treatment, but it will be difficult to develop further, but it will be different with a letter of vote.

"First, my father immediately sent someone to contact the Mengya tribe, and said that his father had decided to surrender to the Deng Kingdom and let them go together. Now, 80% of the Qiang tribes in the eight counties of Xiliang have surrendered to the Deng Kingdom. As long as the people in the Mengya tribe are not idiots, they will know what to do." Ma Zun said.

"Okay, I'll just send someone to the Mengya tribe. This should not be difficult." Ma Zhi nodded and said, after Ling Jucheng's defeat, the Mengya tribe realized that it could no longer oppose the Deng army, so he took the initiative to withdraw his troops and let them surrender to Deng's country now, it is not difficult.

"Second, that is, the Ying clan family in Guzang City, and asked the second brother to lead a group of troops back to Guzang to control all the Ying clan members. First, it was to protect his mother and fourth brother. After all, once the news of his father surrendering to Deng State was passed back to Guzang, it was difficult to guarantee that the Ying clan members would not be in a hurry and take risks. Second, it was to capture all the Ying clan members in one fell swoop." Ma Zun continued.

"Neal..." Ma Zhi and Ma Tai couldn't help but take a breath. Ma Zun was a trick. You should know that when Qin entered the pass, he only brought the royal family and some important officials of the royal family, and most of the royal family stayed in Guzang. If all the Ying family members in Guzang City were caught in one go, the power of the Ying family members would be lost in an instant.

"Zun'er, although the surname Ying is not kind, isn't we too unfamiliar with our old love when we do this?" Ma Zhi hesitated. After all, he had been a general of Qin for decades, but now he has to attack the surname Ying, and he is a little reluctant to let go.

"Father, this matter must not be kind to a woman. If Deng Jun knew that his father had been sympathetic, he might have thoughts about our Ma family!" Ma Zun persuaded.

Ma Zhi struggled for a while, and finally said ruthlessly: "Okay, I'll listen to you, Tai'er, you can ignite 10,000 elite troops later and return to Guzang quickly, control all the royal families of the Ying surname, and don't let anyone go!"

Ma Tai nodded and said, "Don't worry, Father. I know how to do it!"

"Zun'er, there is another thing, what should your two cousins ​​do after we surrender?" Ma Zhi said.

In addition to Ma Zhi's lineage, Ma Sheng's lineage also went to Chang'an with Ma Sheng. Once the news of his surrender was transmitted back to Chang'an, I'm afraid Ma Sheng's descendants will be in trouble.

Ma Zun sighed and said, "Father, there is nothing we can do about this. We can't look at the Ma family's queen, right? As for the two brothers, my father can send someone to send them a message. As for how they make a decision, we can't control it."

As the saying goes, a fellow Taoist who dies, I will not die. In order to save his family, Ma Zun didn't care about so much at this time, so he could only ask Ma Zhi to send someone to send a message to them. Fortunately, if the speed was fast enough, Ma Zhi's message would have arrived in Chang'an faster than the news of surrender. Ma Sheng's two sons still had the chance to escape, but if they chose to die for Qin, there would be no way.

"Oh... I have to do this for the current plan. I'm just a little sorry for my brother!" Ma Zhi sighed and said.

"Father, we are also thinking about the Ma family. The child believes that the uncle's spirit in heaven will not blame us." Ma Zun comforted.
Chapter completed!