The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 251 Old fool

He was telling the truth. He used to look down on all the heroes of the world, but when he faced Li Jue and Guo Si, the remnants of Xiliang, he was exhausted and began to doubt himself.

Looking at Chen Er's achievements and the development under his rule, Ma Chao realized his own weakness. If Yuan Shao still had some chance to compete with Chen Er, then his Ma family had absolutely no chance.

Suddenly, Ma Teng burst into laughter: "Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"

Just as Ma Chao thought his father had been provoked, Ma Teng said to him, "Chao'er, you're right. Our Ma family has absolutely no connection with that position. It's beyond our comprehension. Therefore, I've decided to send you as an envoy to the Northern Autonomous Region!"

"Hmm?" Ma Chao didn't expect his father to change so quickly. He hesitated and said, "Father, although our Ma family can't compete for the throne, is there any need for us to pledge allegiance to the King of Wei right now?"

“Chao’er, you already understand that our Ma family doesn’t have the strength to go that far, so why don’t you understand the principle of 'the sooner you serve, the sooner you benefit'?” Ma Teng said with a smile. “I’ve known about Han Sui’s underhanded dealings for a long time. He’s already planning to join Yuan Shao. I wonder what benefits Yuan Shao has given him.”

Ma Teng said disdainfully: Ma Chao then realized that his father had known all along. He had always thought that his father knew nothing and had been tolerating Han Sui, even taking the initiative to take on the mission to enter the Western Regions. Ma Chao had always thought that his father was senile, but he did not expect that Ma Teng's letter was so clear.

Ma Chao said to Ma Teng, "Father, you..."

Ma Teng interrupted Ma Chao and said to him, “My son, the growth of a family requires sacrifice and forbearance. We need Han Sui in our struggle against the Xiliang organization. My sworn brotherhood with Han Sui was only to gain his trust. Now, we have a de facto split with Han Sui.”

"Now is the time to seek other paths. Although our Ma family may not become the emperor, I believe we can still become a great noble family in the empire. King Wei, Chen Er, is very powerful, and he has already begun to venture into the Western Regions. This is the time for us to serve him and show our value. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Father, I understand," Ma Chao replied.

"Good that you understand. Remember, now that we have made our decision, you must be clear about your place in the future. You will set off tomorrow to go to Kucha to contact Zhao Yun and express our stance. I think Zhao Yun will not refuse an ally like us, after all, we have advantages that they do not have."

Ma Teng confidently stated: "A person who has clearly defined his future path, even though he has given up some things, has understood his own path." Ma Teng once again regained the boldness and confidence he had at the beginning of the chaotic era.

Looking at his father, Ma Chao understood something. His father had never changed; he had simply suppressed his ambitions over the years for the sake of the family's development.

They arrived at the main hall and saw that Ma Chao was extremely arrogant.

Zhao Yun had a high opinion of Ma Chao's youthful arrogance. He admired Ma Chao's temperament, a natural quality that most people lacked. It was the confidence that a successful general must possess. Seeing Ma Chao unable to hold back, Zhao Yun smiled knowingly. This was the result he wanted. To deal with such a person, one must first suppress his arrogance so that the subsequent conversation would proceed smoothly.

"I wonder what important matter brings the Major General here today?" Zhao Yun asked.

"General Zhao, I have come to your organization to convey the friendship of my Ma family. This is a letter from my father to General Zhao. Please take a look."

Ma Chao took out a letter from his pocket. Zhao Yun nodded, and a guard stepped forward to take the envelope from Ma Chao's hand.

Zhao Yun quickly opened the envelope, took out several sheets of paper, and examined them. The more he looked, the wider his smile became. The officials sitting in the hall watched their commander's smile grow more and more prominent, and everyone understood that something that could make their commander smile like this must be extremely good news.

"Major General Ma, I wonder if what your father said in his letter is true?" Zhao Yun said, waving the letter in his hand.

Ma Chao cupped his hands and said, "General Zhao, I guarantee with my life that what my father said in his letter is absolutely true. My Ma family is truly willing to join the self-governing region."

Upon hearing Ma Chao's words, the assembled officials were immediately awestruck. So that's how it is! Now everyone understood why Zhao Yun was so happy.

“Alright! Then I will accept the Ma family’s friendship on behalf of the autonomous region!” Zhao Yun stood up and said loudly.

He had received full authorization from Chen Er for this expedition, and could act according to circumstances. It would be foolish of him not to accept such a good opportunity as the Ma family organization taking the initiative to surrender. As for whether the Ma family had any ulterior motives, Zhao Yun was not worried. The strength of the self-governing region would not be afraid of any conspiracy.

“However, this matter is of great importance, and I must report to the King of Wei before I can give you a more detailed plan,” Zhao Yun said.

Ma Chao was not dissatisfied with Zhao Yun's words. After all, it was only natural. Although Zhao Yun had been fully authorized by Chen Er, he still had to report such an important matter. It was his duty as a subordinate.

"The young general understands."

"Then please have the Major General stay in Kucha for a while longer. I will write to the Lord to inform him of this matter."

Ma Chao had no idea that the autonomous region was already using carrier pigeons as a large-scale communication "magic weapon." He thought he would have to wait much longer and told Zhao Yun to let him rest in the city.

Ma Chao did not refuse. After all, he had come as an envoy, and it would be a laughing stock to go back without a definite answer. It would also make some of the wavering members of the Ma family more swayed.

Zhao Yun instructed two of his men to arrange accommodations for Ma Chao and his party. He also ordered that all areas of the city be open to Ma Chao, allowing him to visit all places, including the organization camp, to demonstrate his sincerity. Of course, this was also a way for Zhao Yun to show his strength and strengthen the Ma family's confidence in surrendering.

Ma Teng is a difficult person to judge. When Chen Er received Zhao Yun's message about the Ma family wanting to join the self-governing zone, Chen Er was a little stunned. It seems that the development path of this world is very different from that of his previous life. However, when he thought about it, Chen Er did not find it strange. After all, he had seen too many people whose evaluations and performances were different from those in his previous life. Perhaps this is the change brought about by the environment.