The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 245 Ma Chao Goes to the Meeting Alone, Pang Tong's Stratagem Succeeds (2 Updates)
After writing a reply, Zhong Yao ordered Zhang Ji to tie cloth to arrows and shoot them down from the crenellations of the city tower.

Huang Zhong saw it clearly, and with a leap of his horse, he caught the arrow out of thin air, which startled Zhang Ji, who was shooting the arrow.

Catching an arrow with bare hands is a skill not everyone can possess!
"The Commandant of the Capital Region replied."

Huang Zhong laughed loudly, reined in his horse, turned around and left, leaving Zhong Yao and the others on the city wall in silence.

After a while.

Huang Zhong returned to his village and presented Zhong Yao's reply.

However, the reply contained the following:
The land east of the river is bitterly cold, and the soldiers stationed there endure hardship. I am deeply moved by this.

In your previous letter, you mentioned the agreement with Cao Sikong. I am fully aware of your concerns, General.

The general first stopped Guo Yuan from attacking Jiangyi, then persuaded the troops from Huchuquan who were raiding the south to retreat, and further advised powerful families to help the poor. These were all practical measures to protect the territory and keep the people safe. The people of Hedong were all grateful for the general's benevolence.

Now, in the dead of winter, the soldiers are poorly clothed and poorly fed, and the people are suffering and displaced. I humbly believe that it would be better to temporarily cease hostilities and allow each side to guard its own borders. We can discuss the future again next spring when the roads are clear. In this way, we can both save the lives of our soldiers and allow the people to rest and recuperate.

Although I am old, I am willing to discuss important matters with the general for the sake of the country and its people.

"That old fox Zhong Yao, his mouth is full of official jargon, not a single word of truth is spoken." Liu Bei snorted coldly and handed Zhong Yao's reply to Pang Tong.

Pang Tong glanced at it and smiled, "Although it's all nonsense, it's enough to deceive Ma Chao. General, you can send someone with this reply to Ma Chao, invite him to a banquet, and discuss the matter of ending the war."

Liu Bei laughed and said, "Shiyuan, you're quite the schemer. But what if Ma Chao refuses to come?"

Pang Tong smiled slightly: "General, you can instruct the envoy that if Ma Chao is worried about a trap, Ma Chao can host the banquet."

Liu Bei laughed loudly: "With Zhong Yao's personal letter and his provocation, why should we worry about Ma Chao not coming?" Then Liu Bei turned to the people in the main tent and asked: "Who can be the envoy?"

Yuan Chen stepped out of the tent, cupped his hands, and volunteered: "This humble general is willing to go!"

Liu Bei knew that Yuan Chen was eloquent, so he granted Yuan Chen's request.

Not long after.

Yuan Chen arrived at Ma Chao's tent and explained his purpose.

Ma Chao immediately became alert: "When I reminisced with Liu Bei on the battlefield earlier, Liu Bei didn't mention the banquet at all. Are you trying to deceive me?"

Yuan Chen then took out Zhong Yao's reply and presented it with clasped hands: "Here is a reply from the Commandant of the Capital Region."

Ma Chao was taken aback and unfolded Zhong Yao's reply with some skepticism.

Zhong Yao was skilled in calligraphy, especially regular script. His brushwork and structure had a strong influence from clerical script, and his style was simple and ancient, making it extremely difficult to imitate.

Upon seeing the handwriting in the reply, Ma Chao immediately recognized Zhong Yao's style and then showed the reply to Sun Zi for identification.

"It really is a reply from the Commandant of the Capital Region to Liu Bei!" Sun Zi was also surprised. He silently pondered Liu Bei's intentions. After a moment of contemplation, he asked Yuan Lin, "Since it is to discuss the matter of ending the war, why is it not the Left General who is attending the banquet?"

Without hesitation, Yuan Chen said, "General Zuo has instructed that if General Ma is worried about a trap, he may host the banquet."

As Liu Bei had predicted, Zhong Yao's personal letter, coupled with his provocation, made Ma Chao feel he had lost face. He laughed loudly, "If Liu Bei dares to attend the banquet, how could I not? Go back and tell Liu Bei that I will definitely come as promised tonight!"

Just as Sun Zi was about to offer some advice, Ma Chao stopped him with a look.

Only after Yuan Chen left did Ma Chao explain to Sun Zi the reason: "Zhong Yao first suspected me, and now he doesn't even discuss with me the matter of secretly exchanging letters with Liu Bei to discuss ending the war. Since he doesn't trust me, why should I clash with Liu Bei again? Tonight, strategist, you can come with me to discuss the transport of Shu brocade." Sun Zi was secretly amazed: he hadn't expected that the Left General could get Ma Chao to take the initiative to discuss the transport of Shu brocade.

Seeing that Ma Chao was not prepared to clash with Liu Bei again, Sun Zi was relieved and then pretended to advise, "That is true, but we still have to be careful. We can send Colonel Pang with troops to protect him."

Ma Chao didn't take it seriously: "If Liu Bei really wanted to harm me, he wouldn't have waited until today. If I lead troops there, it would only make Liu Bei underestimate me. Tonight, I will go with the two of you! Lingming will stay in the camp to guard against Yan Xing. This man is secretly in cahoots with Zhong Yao and is a major threat."

Pang De patted his chest and assured him, "General, rest assured, with me in the camp, Yan Xingsheng will never be allowed to cause trouble!"

It was dusk.

Under the cover of night, Ma Chao and Sun Zi rode together and went straight to Liu Bei's camp gate.

Upon learning that Ma Chao had only brought one attendant with him, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Huang Zhong were all surprised.

Pang Tong guessed the reason and said, "The axemen can be withdrawn. Since Ma Chao dared to come to the meeting alone, he must have something to discuss. We cannot be underestimated."

Liu Bei's appreciation for talent deepened: "Ma Mengqi is exceptionally brave and resourceful, and I admire him greatly. Shiyuan, Yunchang, Yide, and Hansheng, come with me to the camp gate to welcome him, and do not fail to show proper etiquette."

After a while.

Liu Bei personally held a torch and stood in front of the camp, the firelight reflecting his gentle, warm smile: "General Ma, you have come a long way and must be tired."

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and Pang Tong stood to Liu Bei's left and right respectively. Guan Yu's phoenix eyes were slightly narrowed, and his red face was solemn. Zhang Fei grinned and waved. Huang Zhong stood with his arms crossed, his eyes piercing. Pang Tong's eyes were wise and insightful.

None of the five men wore armor or helmets; they were simply dressed in their everyday clothes and carried swords, to show that they were not on guard.

Seeing this, Ma Chao was surprised but also lowered his guard. If Liu Bei and the others had been wearing armor, Ma Chao would have had to find an excuse to run away.

I'm not even bringing soldiers to this banquet, yet you're all still decked out in armor and helmets—are you trying to harm me?
Ma Chao dismounted and strode forward, returning the salute with a cupped hand: "General Zuo, you are too kind."

Sun Zi followed closely behind, gave Liu Bei a look, and then bowed, saying, "Greetings, General Zuo."

Liu Bei pretended not to recognize Sun Zi, returned the greeting, and then turned to Ma Chao with a questioning expression.

Ma Chao raised an eyebrow, a hint of smugness in his expression: "This is Sun Zi, also known as Sun Yanlong, from Taiyuan. He is filial, righteous, and quite intelligent. I appointed him as my military advisor, and he serves by my side. The reason I brought Yanlong here this time is because he proposed a great fortune. I wish to discuss it with General Zuo and work together to achieve this wealth."

Liu Bei was secretly delighted, and only then did he understand why Sun Zi had also come with Ma Chao. He stepped aside and said, "Since you are so rich and powerful, I am willing to listen attentively. Please come into the tent for a discussion!"

Ma Chao did not refuse and strode forward, walking side by side with Liu Bei.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Huang Zhong followed closely behind, while Pang Tong walked side by side with Sun Zi at the very back.

Sun Zi then succinctly explained the reasons to Pang Tong.

Ma Chao was unaware that Sun Zi, the strategist, was actually a spy sent by Liu Bei, and that even the great fortune of transporting Shu brocade was something Liu Bei deliberately had Sun Zi suggest.

But that doesn't matter anymore.

For Liu Bei, as long as Ma Chao was willing to talk, his goal would be achieved.

As for Yuan Shao's plan to harass Guanzhong and contain Cao Cao, let whoever wants to contain him do it; Liu Bei certainly won't.

Liu Bei's current thought is very simple and pure: make money, and make money no matter what!
　Update 2 is here!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)