mtlumby2d Chapter 364 Rushing to the Longxi Secret Room for Advice
Chapter 364 Rushing to the Longxi Secret Room for Advice
The army marched out, a hundred thousand galloping horses galloping forward, bound for Chang'an to support Ma Chao. The mighty force was imposing. It was winter, and the bitter cold wind howled, cutting like a knife across the face. The earth was blanketed in a blanket of white, a blanket of snow, as if draping the world in a layer of icy armor. Setting out in this harsh season, with insufficient provisions and fodder, under such difficult conditions, it would have been impossible to assemble and set out so quickly were it not for the Ma family's prestige in Xiliang.
The Xiliang cavalry knew the road ahead was arduous, yet they offered no complaints. Hearts filled with loyalty to the Ma family and admiration for General Ma Chao, they embarked on their journey without hesitation. A chill wind blew, the flags fluttered, and the soldiers' armor gleamed icy in the sunlight. Their figures marched resolutely forward across the snow, leaving behind a trail of deep footprints.
As the commander-in-chief of this expedition, Pang De felt immense pressure. After all, an army of 100,000 men was a massive force he had never led before. He was somewhat apprehensive about the various unfavorable conditions, such as insufficient rations and freezing weather. However, upon setting out, the scene before him astounded him. The Xiliang soldiers were incredibly motivated, their eyes ablaze with fighting spirit. Even with limited supplies, their morale remained undimmed. They marched with a resolute stride, as if nothing could stop them. A chill wind blew, sending the soldiers' hair flying in the wind. Their faces flushed red from the cold, but their eyes remained resolute.
Moreover, whenever they arrived at a destination, local commanders and city governors would send food, fodder, and armor. The entire Western Liang region united in their support for the operation. This warmed Pang De's heart and bolstered his resolve. He knew this was more than just a military operation; it was a moment for the Western Liang to demonstrate its might to the world. "Show the Emperor how easily they can humiliate Xiliang's Ma Chao," these words echoed in the hearts of every Western Liang soldier. They would demonstrate through their actions that the Ma family army could not be bullied, and that General Ma Chao's honor could not be tarnished. In this cold winter, they burned like a blazing fire, illuminating the path ahead, forging ahead courageously for the faith within their hearts.
Thus, the army marched to Longxi County in a mighty procession. The sky over Longxi County was gloomy, with cold clouds hanging low, as if weighed down by the tense situation. The biting cold wind still howled, rustling the flags.
Li Ru, who had been away from the mountains for a long time, arrived early to make arrangements at the prefectural governor's mansion. Dressed in a dark robe, he looked a bit weathered, but his eyes shone with wisdom and composure. With his meticulous preparations, he had not only prepared sufficient food, fodder, and armor, but also a barracks capable of housing a hundred thousand troops, awaiting the arrival of Ma Teng and his men.
Ma Teng and Pang De were exhausted from the journey, their faces etched with fatigue, yet their eyes blazed with determination. When they finally arrived outside Longxi County, they were greeted by members of the Dong clan, arranged by Li Ru. They marched methodically, leading the hundred thousand-strong army toward their designated encampment. Along the way, flags fluttered, and the clatter of horses' hooves and footsteps mingled. Though exhausted, they remained orderly.
Meanwhile, Li Ru, Dong Bai, Dong Huang, Dong Wen, and other members of the Dong clan had already arrived at the foot of Longxi County. Li Ru, dressed in a dark robe, stood tall and straight, his eyes radiating wisdom and composure. The cold wind blew, causing his robe to flutter. Dong Bai stood nearby, her face clear and beautiful, her eyes tinged with anticipation and uneasiness. Dong Huang and the other members of the Dong clan also wore solemn expressions, fully aware of the significance of Ma Teng's arrival. The towering Longxi County capital, under the gloomy sky, seemed even more solemn. A chill wind blew, sending strands of hair dancing in the breeze.
Seeing Ma Teng and Pang De arrive, Li Ru tightened his robe, gently brushed off the nonexistent dust on his clothes, and walked forward calmly, saying, "Lord Shoucheng and General Pang De have come here with their large army, and you must have traveled a long way. Li Ru is here to greet you." Ma Teng looked at this former strategist under Lord Dong, feeling overwhelmed with emotion, even a little flattered. Even though he was now the ruler of Xiliang, and even the ruler of the northwest, he still felt a little flattered that Li Ru came to meet him in person. After all, when he was just a minor general, Mr. Li Ru had already been following Lord Dong and roaming the world, looking down on all the heroes.
Ma Teng hurriedly and solemnly straightened his armor, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "How dare I trouble Mr. Wenyou to come and greet you in person? I'm truly embarrassed. Chao'er had matters in Chang'an, so I was forced to march hurriedly through the snow. I'm truly ashamed to disturb Mr. Wenyou's quiet cultivation." Li Ru shook his head slightly and said, "Lord Shoucheng, that's wrong. You are now the ruler of the northwest, and we are all under your command, relying on you for our survival. Isn't it embarrassing to say that?" Ma Teng laughed heartily and said, "What are you talking about? We are family, so please don't be so polite."
At this point, Dong Bai also stepped forward and bowed respectfully. After all, this was her lover's father, her future father-in-law, so how could she dare neglect him? Ma Teng was deeply pleased by Dong Bai's courteous manner. He said, "Bai'er, please rise quickly. You've become even more beautiful than ever. You'll be a perfect wife for my son." Dong Bai blushed, and the Dong clan members burst into laughter. After all, the Ma and Dong families had essentially swapped positions now. It wasn't that the Ma family was marrying above their station, but rather that they were no longer worthy of the Ma family. Ma Teng's words, however, proved the Ma family's unwavering devotion. Down below Longxi County, the cold wind still howled, but the atmosphere gradually warmed. Ma Teng's meeting with Li Ru seemed to bring a glimmer of hope to the tense situation. Dong Bai's shyness and the Dong clan's laughter added a unique touch of color to the land.
After a round of greetings at the city gate, Li Ru ushered Ma Teng and Pang De into the prefectural governor's residence. The interior was festooned with lights and colorful decorations, a grand spectacle. Bright red lanterns hung high, illuminating the entire hall. Exquisitely carved tables and chairs were neatly arranged, laden with delicacies. The aroma of fine wine permeated the air, intoxicating the senses.
Everyone took their seats, and the banquet officially began. The Dong family members were all beaming, and the Longxi commanders were equally enthusiastic. They raised their glasses and toasted Ma Teng and Pang De. "Lord Shoucheng, thank you for your hard work on this journey. We toast you." "General, you are valiant. We admire you. Cheers!" The clinking of glasses echoed in the air, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
Yet, Ma Teng's face was far from calm, a tinge of anxiety pervading. He tried several times to ask Li Ru for advice, but was always brushed off by Li Ru's gentle interruptions. Ma Teng couldn't help but say, "Mr. Wenyou, I've come here because I'm worried about Chao'er. Do you have any good advice?" Li Ru smiled, raising his glass and saying, "Mr. Shoucheng, today we're here to welcome you, so let's not discuss anything else. Come, drink this first." Ma Teng had no choice but to raise his glass and drink, but his anxiety only grew.
Ma Teng, preoccupied, remained unsettled, never drunk, and remained sober throughout. He frequently glanced at Li Ru, hoping for an answer. Li Ru, however, remained impassive, as if waiting for the right moment. The lively atmosphere at the banquet contrasted sharply with Ma Teng's inner anxiety, leaving one feeling anxious about the tense situation.
After the banquet ended, Ma Teng was summoned by Li Ru to a secret room to discuss important matters. Ma Teng was startled, knowing that Li Ru must have something on his mind, and he rushed to the secret room impatiently. Inside, the lights were dim and the atmosphere was solemn. Li Ru sat across from Ma Teng, and Ma Teng's anxiety was evident. He said again, "Mr. Wenyou, I have come here because I am worried about Chao'er. Do you have any good advice? If we lead our army to fight Chao'er now, will it be beneficial or cause him trouble? I would appreciate your advice."
Li Ru stroked his beard gently, looked at Ma Teng with a burning gaze, and said slowly, "Lord Shoucheng, please don't worry. If you ask me, how about we follow General Ma Chao's advice? Prepare the troops, but keep them in place. Be ready to rush to the rescue at any time, but don't act rashly. Make all preparations, but don't openly rush to General Ma Chao's aid. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Teng became even more anxious and said, "Sir, are you joking? Right now, Chao'er is having an unpleasant quarrel with His Majesty in Chang'an. Although it was because of the death of his master and the matter of Lu Wan, it was after all with the emperor, and his words were quite inappropriate. Now the city of Chang'an is not something that can be suppressed by just his more than 40,000 Xiliang cavalry. The forces in the court are complicated. If the emperor makes any move, it will be too late to regret it." After saying this, Ma Teng almost stood up, and the urgency in his heart rushed to his face, as if to break through the dullness of the secret room.
Li Ru remained calm and composed, waving his hand slowly and unhurriedly, a gesture that seemed to soothe all the anxiety in the world. He said softly, "Lord Shoucheng, please sit down. Please sit down. Let's put this matter aside for now. Don't be so anxious. Let me ask you, Lord Shoucheng, what are your Ma family's intentions? What do you want to achieve? What kind of development do you hope to achieve?"
Ma Teng was slightly startled, his thick brows furrowed tightly as he fell into deep thought. After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "My Ma family has been military commanders for generations. All our efforts have always been to protect our territory and our people, safeguarding the people of Xiliang and ensuring they have a safe haven in these troubled times. Now the situation is unpredictable, and Chao'er is in dire straits in Chang'an. All I truly desire is to help Chao'er escape and ensure the safety of our Ma family. As for anything else, I haven't given it much thought."
Li Ru remained silent, but stared at Ma Teng with a scorching gaze, as if he wanted to see through his soul. There seemed to be flames dancing in his eyes, as if there were thousands of words contained in them, but he said nothing, just staring at Ma Teng. Ma Teng felt a chill in his heart when he was looked at by Li Ru. He felt an invisible pressure coming at him, making him a little breathless. He tried to avoid Li Ru's gaze, but felt that there was nowhere to hide. That gaze followed him like a shadow, locking him tightly. Ma Teng's heart was in a panic, his thoughts were in turmoil, but he didn't know how to respond. His lips moved slightly, but he couldn't make any sound. He just stared at Li Ru blankly, as if waiting for some instructions. At this moment, the atmosphere in the secret room was so solemn that it was suffocating, as if time had stopped at this moment.