Chapter 27: Zhang He of Hejian County

  "Fada, what do you think of Zhao Yun?" Ma Chao rode his horse forward, asking Cui An beside him.

  "This, this..." Cui An muttered to himself. Ma Chao took a look at Cui An and couldn't help but smile. He thought to himself, "What's the point of asking him anything?" If you asked Cui An about the taste of the dish or his martial arts skills, he would be able to answer immediately. But if you asked him something else...

  "Xiao Bai, no, Yun Shidi is a good person!" Cui An almost said "white face" came.

  As expected, Ma Chao had known that Cui An would respond in this manner. Without saying another word, the two continued on horseback to their next destination, Hejian.

  Arrived at Hejian County, Ma Chao and his men first found a place to settle down, then began inquiring about Zhang Heng.

  Ma Chao came to the river just to find Zhang He, but he didn't think that now he would let Zhang He worship him as his master. It's still getting familiar with each other first, and then other things will be said slowly later. In Ma Chao's own words, it is to establish a good relationship first, and then plan for the future. As for the final result, it is not something he can decide.

  Zhang He was not a local celebrity, so Ma Chao and his men had to ask around for half a day before they found Zhang He's home.

  Zhang Heng is eighteen years old this year, and his parents have long since passed away. He is the only one left in the family. Since he was a child, he has had great ambitions and aspired to achieve great things, but unfortunately, after returning from studying abroad, he has not had the opportunity to fulfill his aspirations. Today, when he heard that someone was coming to visit, he was particularly happy. Zhang Heng has always been a person who likes to make friends, but he is not very proactive, so he doesn't have many friends. During this period of time at home, it's been a long time since anyone came to visit, so today when he heard that someone was coming, he appeared very happy.

  He personally went out and invited Ma Chao and Cui An in from outside the door. Ma Chao and others sized up Zhang Heng, while Zhang Heng was also sizing them up at the same time.

  Ma Chao saw Zhang Heng was about twenty years old, nearly eight feet tall, and although his appearance wasn't that of a pretty boy, he didn't look bad either. He gave people the feeling that in the future, Zhang Heng would be a seasoned general on the battlefield.

  Zhang Heng saw the two people who came, one was over ten years old and the other was over twenty years old, neither of whom he had seen before. The one in his teens was dignified and elegant, with clear eyebrows and eyes, and would definitely become a standard handsome man when he grew up. However, there was still a faint air of a military general on him, which Zhang Heng understood, this kind of air only those who have fought on the battlefield, fought and seen blood would have, it seems that this person should have been in the army before.

  Ma Chao, although young, was not underestimated by Zhang He. Another man in his twenties was even more fierce, giving off a strong killing aura around him, and it was unknown how many people he had killed, with a tall and majestic appearance, looking like a great general. This twenty-something-year-old was behind the teenager, everything was centered around the young one, which made Zhang He even less dare to underestimate Ma Chao.

  He invited Ma Chao and the others into the living room, where everyone took their seats as host and guest. The servant brought in tea. Zhang Heng spoke first: "I don't know what brings you two to see me?"

  Ma Chao cupped his fist, "I am Ma Chao, Ma Mengqi. This is Cui An, Cui Fuda. Passing through Hejian, I heard that Zhang Heng of Pingyang County is a hero in the world, so I came to visit!"

  Zhang He knew that Ma Chao's words were too exaggerated, and what he said was too fake. But since the officials didn't scold him and instead praised him, he was still very pleased in his heart. As for how the other person knew about his own existence, it was no longer important.

  "I dare not, I dare not. Zhang He is just a idle man in a family, how can he be worthy of the word 'hero'?" One must be humble when it's time to be humble.

  Ma Chao laughed and said, "Brother Zhang needn't be so modest. Sooner or later Brother Zhang will make a name for himself that will shake the world!"

  "Following Meng's words, I also believe that one day I will have the opportunity to fulfill my ambitions!" Zhang He said confidently.

  The two of them chatted a lot more, discussing military tactics and deployment, offense and defense, ambushes. Although they only talked about some simple things, they were both somewhat surprised. Ma Chao was only slightly surprised, after all he had a certain understanding of Zhang Hu's level, but he found that he still underestimated him. Zhang Hu's skills were higher than he expected.

  Zhang Hu was shocked on the other side, and during their conversation, he only found out that Ma Chao was only eleven years old this year. However, his level should be higher than himself, and Zhang Hu suddenly felt a sense of defeat at eighteen.

  Ma Chao saw the problem with Zhang Heng, "Brother Zhang doesn't have to be like this, the world is vast and there are many talented people who can't be understood. 'There are people outside of people, and heaven outside of heaven', the ancients were not deceiving me! We should all strive together!" Ma Chao's intention was that his level was nothing compared to others, so they should all work harder, thinking too much is useless. He thought to himself, he could only say this much, the rest depends on Zhang Heng himself.

  Zhang He nodded in agreement, his former confidence restored. "Thanks, Mengqi! What you said is right, we should all work harder!"

  "That's right, this is the real Zhang Brother!" As expected of Zhang He, a small setback doesn't matter at all.

  Ma Chao's idea was actually very simple, even if Zhang He couldn't join his side, he didn't want to lose such an opponent. It has to be said that Ma Chao's idea wasn't something ordinary people could understand.

  The two of them chatted and chatted until it was evening, and passerby A Cui An was about to fall asleep on the side. Zhang Heng said he wanted to keep the two for dinner, and Cui An finally came to his senses. It's hard to refuse a generous offer, and Ma Chao also wanted to improve his friendship with Zhang Heng, so of course he stayed too.

  Zhang He was indeed enthusiastic and hospitable, having his servants prepare over a dozen dishes for Ma Chao's group. In the end, Cui An ate to the point of belching loudly, Zhang He had long since realized that Cui An didn't care about etiquette or losing face, as long as he could eat and drink well. Ma Chao could only smile wryly at Zhang He, who nodded in understanding.

  After eating and drinking, Zhang Heng also arranged for the two to stay. Ma Chao naturally stayed too. Although the Zhang family had long since declined, they still had a place to live. The two each lived in a small house, Cui An went into the house and lay on the couch and fell asleep, this kid didn't even take off his clothes.

  Ma Chao returned to his own house, of course, he wouldn't be like Cui An. He thought more, today's first step was still not bad, at least the relationship with Zhang He was not bad. As for later, if he had a reputation and became an official, it might be possible to recruit Zhang He, but this matter he didn't have confidence in his heart. Zhang He was not like Zhao Yun, Zhao Yun was only nine years old this year, and there was also the relationship of fellow disciples with himself, to be honest, it was easier to pull him into the partnership, Ma Chao had 80% assurance.

  But as for Zhang Fei, he was already eighteen years old and his thoughts were all mature. When he wanted to pull him in, he estimated that the other party had already joined someone else. Alas, don't think about it anymore, just take it one step at a time. Even if Zhang Fei eventually became an opponent, he still had confidence in defeating him. Thinking and thinking, Ma Chao fell asleep dazedly.

  The next morning, Ma Chao got up very early and went out of the house after washing up. He heard the sound of weapons clashing in Cui An's courtyard. He entered the courtyard to take a look and found that Zhang Heng and Cui An were engaged in a fierce duel. Like Ma Chao, Cui An also practiced martial arts every morning. Today, he was seen by Zhang Heng while practicing early in the morning, and Zhang Heng, with a hunter's delight, started dueling with him.

  Zhang He's current level is barely first-rate lower, so he was defeated by Cui An in less than a hundred rounds. After all, Cui An is at the top of the first-rate level.

  "Good, I didn't expect Brother Zhang's martial arts skills to be quite good too!" Ma Chao said as he walked up beside Zhang He.

  "Now, it's actually you who should be laughing at me." Zhang He said with a smile. Previously, he indeed had a good self-perception, but the past two days of being beaten by Ma Chao and others made him humble himself, no longer daring to underestimate the heroes of the world. This also laid a better foundation for Zhang He's future development.

  "Brother Zhang doesn't have to be modest, I believe that soon, Brother Zhang will surely make a name for himself with his own abilities!"

  "I hope so!"

  "What plans does Brother Zhang have?"

  "I think I'll go to Youzhou." Zhang He wasn't unwilling to be in Jizhou, but the military in Jizhou didn't have many battles to fight. How could he show off his abilities? Only Youzhou, Bingzhou and Liangzhou had the most battles. Going to these places should bring better development.

  "Does Zhang brother believe me?" Ma Chao asked.

  "Meng Qi, why did you say such a thing? You and I are friends, why don't you believe me?" Zhang He said.

  "Since that's the case, then please listen to me, Brother Zhang. Just stay in Ji Province for another five or six years, and by then there will surely be an opportunity for you to make a name for yourself!" Ma Chao thought that Zhang He had joined the Ji Province army during the Yellow Turban era, and now he didn't want to change Zhang He's original path.

  "Alright, I won't betray my hometown either!" Ma Chao looked at Zhang He who was still sighing, and he had a feeling that in the future, Zhang He would definitely be stronger than the historical one. If he really became his opponent, it's hard to say whether it would be good or bad fortune on the battlefield. However, Ma Chao still had confidence in defeating him, and he didn't know where this self-confidence came from, as if everything was under his control.

  It's always good to have confidence, being confident but not arrogant. Ma Chao never dares to belittle the heroes of the world, and he is even more looking forward to meeting all the heroes in the world.

  "Don't worry, Brother Zhang, opportunities will definitely come, and they are reserved for those who are prepared!"

  Zhang He heard this and repeated in his mouth Ma Chao's plagiarized famous saying, "Meng Qi, what you said is right, I will definitely seize the opportunity in the future!"

  "I also believe Brother Zhang can!" The two of them exchanged a smile, feeling like old friends who had known each other for many years.

  "Hey, I'm hungry!" An untimely remark interrupted Zhang Fei and Ma Chao. It was only then that the two of them remembered there was someone else beside them, having automatically ignored Cui An while they were talking.

  When speaking, it can be ignored, but when eating, one cannot ignore others.

  Zhang He slapped his forehead, "Look at me, I've made a big mistake! Originally, I came to have breakfast with you all, but when I walked to Fu Da's courtyard, I couldn't resist the urge and had a little spar. As a result, I forgot about the main event! It's my fault, it's my fault!" With that, Zhang He pulled Ma Chao and Cui An towards the living room, where breakfast had been ready for some time, waiting only for the three of them to take their seats.

  Chui Ankang didn't care about others, and yesterday he also got along well with Zhang Hu. He sat down at the long table and started eating. Ma Chao was already used to it, and Zhang Hu was more understanding, just shaking his head and smiling, then inviting Ma Chao to sit down, and the two began their struggle with food.

  After the three of them finished eating, the things on the table were taken away by the servants. The three of them simply washed their hands and then Zhang He said: "I don't know what plans you have for the future, Meng Qi?"

  Ma Chao listened and replied, "Now I have just left my teacher for less than a year and am still traveling to study. Fortunately, I met Brother Zhang, and it was not in vain to come to Hebei Province! After leaving Brother Zhang, I will go to Youzhou again."

  "All right, but Meng Qi must stay here for a few more days. It's rare to have guests coming to my place, and with you here, it's like a humble abode becoming radiant."

  "My younger brother has this intention, but in these days he will be bothering Brother Zhang!"

  Since Zhang He kept calling him "brother", Ma Chao also followed suit and called himself "younger brother" instead of me.

  "Good brother, what are you talking about? You've come for me, and I'm not even happy yet, how can you be bothered?"

  "What Brother Zhang said is right, I was being overly sentimental!"

  "This is right! You and Foda stay with me for a few more days, we brothers can also have a good time drinking and chatting! It's hard to find someone who understands you in life!"

  Ma Chao looked at Zhang Heng and felt that Zhang Heng was also a romantic when he was young.

  "That's exactly what I wanted!" After finishing speaking, the two of them burst into laughter again, and passerby A also followed with a silly smile.

  Ma Chao said something, most of which he wasn't interested in. But when it came to staying here for a few more days, he knew that this way, every day would be a good day with good food and drink without spending money.

  I wonder what expressions Zhang He and Ma Chao would have if they knew what Cui An was thinking in his heart. I believe their expressions would be very colorful.

  Chui An's silly smile also contains his yearning for the days when he was with Zhang Fei, but Ma Chao and the others would never understand.