Chapter 6: Eating Noodles and Getting to Know the Great Han

  Ma Chao thought to himself, "So Jia Xu had a story like this too."

  To be honest, Ma Chao was still a little surprised. If he hadn't understood Jia Xu before, he might have been greatly surprised, but now it's just a small surprise.

  As for why he was slightly surprised, Ma Chao thought that given Jia Yu's personality, if a friend wanted to save someone, they would let them go and not hold on too tightly. It was only because Jia Yu was afraid of his friends getting into trouble that he acted that way. From this, Ma Chao concluded that at critical moments, Jia Yu might still lend a helping hand to his friends, provided it didn't put his own life or interests in jeopardy.

  "Superior child, what's your take on this matter?"

  Yan Zhong asked Ma Chao when he was interrogated by Jia Xu. When Ma Chao heard this, he steeled himself and said the truth, "I'd rather die than lie."

  "This, I think, is that in times of crisis, if someone can help you, it's good fortune; but if no one helps you, then it's fate. No one should do anything for you, because your life is yours alone, and you must take responsibility for yourself. So what Jia Wen has done, I think, is..."

  "What is it?" Yan Zhong asked sternly.

  "Yes...yes..." Ma Chao was somewhat afraid and didn't dare say it out loud.

  "You mean to say that Wenhe's method is nothing special and it's normal, right?"

  "That's right, disciple is exactly this meaning."

  Ma Chao's real intention was to say that Jia Yu's actions were his personal choice, and he didn't have the responsibility to save people. No matter how much you blame him, it won't change the outcome or Jia Yu's way of doing things.

  All he can say is that if he encounters such a thing, he will do his best to help. But Ma Chao dare not say this, he is afraid of Yan Zhong's glare, and Yan Zhong is about to get angry, if he dares to say something else, the consequences are unthinkable for Ma Chao.

  Yan Zhong looked at Ma Chao, pressing the fire down, "Chao'er, you can't say such things or have such thoughts. When faced with this situation, Wen He was indifferent and only wanted to leave, while his friend jumped into the water without hesitation to rescue people. The moral character of these two is clear-cut. Whenever we encounter danger, it's not necessary for you to rush forward recklessly, but when someone needs help, our kind of people should lend a hand and provide assistance within their power. Don't be like Wen He, pretending that it has nothing to do with him, that's not what our kind of people do!"

  "Ah, I've learned something from you!" Ma Chao thought to himself that he really admired the ancients; if this had happened in his past life, who knows how many people would have been like Jia Xu.

  In ancient times, people like Jia Yu were in the minority. In past lives, even helping an elderly man or woman to their feet would make one worry about being taken advantage of. Such things rarely happened in ancient times. Of course, Ma Chao also believed that in past societies there were many good people who had the same ideas as the ancients, but they didn't actually do anything. The ancients not only had ideas, but more importantly, they put them into practice.

  Yan Zhong finally cleared up after hearing Ma Chao's answer.

  "Good, the child can be taught!" He said with a slight nod of his head, showing satisfaction.

  "Alright, since you've just arrived today, take a rest for the day and come to the study room at dawn tomorrow. I've already arranged your room, and Yan will show you there later."

  "No, my disciple is leaving." Before long, Yan Fu's steward Yan Rang arrived and led Ma Chao to the room arranged for him.

  Ma Chao entered the house, Yan Rang said a word of retreat, then Ma Chao took a look and found that all the things he had brought were already moved into this house.

  He didn't bring too many things, but there was also a trunk. The trunk contained his short gun and the two books given by Nan Hua, as well as over ten sets of spare clothes, all made personally by Liu's family for him.

  Ma Chao didn't know how long he would be gone, so Liu made clothes for all four seasons and brought them to him. Originally, according to Liu's intention, it would have been best to bring a maid along as well, but Ma Chao refused; after all, he wasn't an ancient person and was very unaccustomed to having people serve him.

  When at home, Liu took care of him meticulously, which was understandable as a mother's love for her children. Ma Chao couldn't bring himself to refuse, but now that he had left home, he didn't have to do so anymore.

  Ma Chao insisted, and Liu's family had no choice but to compromise. However, they gave Ma Chao a large package of valuables, fearing that he would not be able to eat well at Yan Zhong's place, so they let him go out to eat. He didn't show any courtesy at all, because no matter where he went, without money, he really couldn't have fun, this is reality.

  Looking at the heavy trunk, Ma Chao smiled. The trunk was not only heavy in weight, but also filled with his mother's love and care for her son. Ma Chao's smile was not because of the money, but because he felt his mother's love for him. It's truly pitiful that parents' hearts are like this everywhere.

  There were his own things in the box, as well as those sent by his mother, but none from his father Ma Teng. But it couldn't be said that Ma Teng gave nothing, because the box itself was given by Ma Teng, and he called it "friendly assistance" when giving it to Ma Chao.

  He specifically instructed him to bring it back when he returned, and he must not forget it. If he forgot, then he didn't need to come back himself. Ma Chao heard this and was particularly puzzled, thinking that it was just an old trunk, why did he treat it like a treasure? He had never felt that Ma Teng was so petty before, how could he become like this now? This is also because Ma Chao doesn't know the origin of the box, if he knew later, he wouldn't think this way.

  Ma Chao took out the spear and the two books, first flipping through the one on astrology and medicine, roughly scanning it, then after finishing, picked up the spear technique book to read. The spear technique book wasn't just about spear techniques, three-fifths of it was about spear techniques, horseback riding skills, and the last third was about knife techniques.

  Ma Chao knew it early on, but he thought that being greedy would lead to trouble, so he only learned the gun method first. Now he has been self-studying for more than two years and has already mastered all the gun methods.

  Ma Chao divided what he had learned into three categories. The first category was things he didn't understand at all, which accounted for about 20%. Not understanding anything means that no matter how you read the book, you won't comprehend it, and of course, you can't practice gunplay either.

  The second type is also at a half-baked level, accounting for 20%. Why do I say that? Some sentences he doesn't fully understand, maybe understanding half or more than half, but he can practice it out, after all, it's just a half-baked shooting technique.

  The last category is completely fluent and flawless, with no problems at all, making the gun flow like clouds and water, and completing it in one breath, accounting for 60%.

  This is Ma Chao's current level of marksmanship, although he has only practiced for six months, but he feels that his current skills are at least at a mid-to-high level.

  He himself divided the contemporary martial arts into four classes, except for the first class, all other classes have two levels, upper and lower. Those like Lü Bu are super martial artists, at the highest level.

  Like Dian Wei, Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei, they are first-rate top-notch generals.

  But as for Xu Huang, Wei Yan, Zhang He and others like them, they are just first-rate lower generals.

  Like Liu Bei, Dong Zhuo, Ma Teng and so on, that is a second-rate top-notch general.

  While people like Yue Jin, Li Dian and Yu Jin are second-rate inferior generals.

  The others are all third-rate generals, and it's basically not necessary to distinguish between them too clearly.

  This is just a personal opinion and does not represent anything else. It's just Ma Chao's family motto, his own thoughts.

  Now he thinks he can have a second-rate upper level, that is, about the same as Ma Teng. Although he and his father haven't compared notes, he also knows that if they really meet on the battlefield, the one who loses must be himself.

  Firstly, he was no match for Ma Teng in terms of strength. Although Ma Chao was born with divine strength, he was still too young after all. Secondly, it was a matter of experience - Ma Teng's experience far surpassed that of Ma Chao. Although he couldn't compare to him now, Ma Chao had confidence that after several years, when he grew up and grasped the spear techniques he didn't understand, he would definitely be able to reach the top level.

  But what Ma Chao wants most now is to start practicing knife skills, but the Han Dynasty's are all ring-headed knives, which he doesn't like very much. After some thought, he remembered the knives in movies and TV shows, and decided on that one.

  Ma Chao took out paper and pen and started drawing. It turned out that he remembered Nie Feng's Xueyin knife, which was the one that left the deepest impression on him and also his favorite.

  It's not particularly difficult to draw, and it will be done in a short while. Looking at his own masterpiece, Ma Chao smiled with satisfaction, but it seemed like something was missing. Oh, he thought of it, if he engraved the two words "Snow Drinking" on the knife handle, it would be even better. It seems that just telling the blacksmith master will do, so Ma Chao took the money and the drawing and went out the door.

  Before leaving, he told the butler Yan Rang that he was going out for a stroll and asked him to inform Teacher Yan Zhong. Then he left. After asking passersby about the location of the blacksmith's shop, he came directly to the entrance of the blacksmith's shop.

  As soon as he entered, the blacksmith in the courtyard asked, "Sir, what can I do for you?"

  Ma Chao handed over the drawings to the blacksmith, "This should be able to be forged, right?"

  The blacksmith took over the drawing and said, "It's okay, but how heavy do you want it?"

  "About forty taels. But you must engrave the two characters 'Snow Drinking' on the hilt of the sword. Use the best materials, don't be afraid to spend money!"

  "No problem, you can come and get it at this time tomorrow!"

  "Good." Ma Chao handed over the deposit and left.

  Why bother with a forty-jin heavy Snow Drinking Sword? Ma Chao had his own ideas. It's said that Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade weighed eighty-two jin, now that's a big sword, it's normal for it to be heavy.

  That single-edged sword, of course, is lighter. Although I don't know how heavy the ring-headed swords of the Han Dynasty generally are, it's just right to be about half as heavy as someone else's big knife. The Snow Drinking Sword is not only for practice; if it's made well, Ma Chao plans to wear it at his side from now on.

  Although people of the Han Dynasty all carry swords, it's not said that carrying knives is not allowed, so Ma Chao prepares to bring a forty-jin knife.

  Out of the blacksmith's shop, Ma Chao looked up at the sky. It was already noon. Today's weather was really good, sunny with not a cloud in sight. Thinking that he should eat lunch now, he started looking for a place to do so. Conveniently, there was a noodle restaurant next door, and Ma Chao went straight in.

  People of the Han Dynasty generally eat two meals a day, but Ma Chao eats at least three meals a day. Anyway, as soon as he's hungry, he wants to eat something, this kid is just a foodie.

  As soon as he entered the noodle shop, he saw that there were also a few people eating inside. It seemed that Ma Chao was not the only hungry person. The noodle shop was not small, and in Ma Chao's impression, it was the first time he had seen such a large noodle shop in this era. Suddenly, Ma Chao saw a big man at a table by the window, who was eating with his head down, and oh, almost all of the long table was occupied by the food he was eating.

  For some reason, Ma Chao involuntarily walked towards Da Han, walked to the edge of the table, and made a fist at Da Han, "May I ask..." Before Ma Chao could finish his words, he heard Da Han speak. The other party didn't even lift their head, but stopped eating and said, "Please." Then continued to struggle with his food.

  "Thank you." Ma Chao sat down opposite the Great Han.

  Look at this, what a big eater. The big fellow is now devouring a bowl of noodles, with two more bowls on the left and three empty bowls lined up on the right. It seems that this big fellow has had six bowls of noodles, but it's not over yet, in front of him are six large bowls, no longer noodles, but lamb legs, with leftover sheep bones on the side.

  In front of them was a wine jar, medium in size, with the seal already opened. It seemed that some had been drunk, but it was unclear how much was left.

  Xiao Er came over, Ma Chao ordered a bowl of the noodle shop's signature noodles, which were what Da Han was eating. In fact, on Da Han's table, there was still room for another bowl, but at this time, Ma Chao didn't want to eat too much. He was more interested in Da Han than in food.

  Before long, the noodles were served. By this time, the big man had already finished his fourth bowl of noodles and started on his fifth, occasionally taking bites from a leg of lamb. His mouth and beard were covered in oil, but he didn't seem to care, too busy enjoying himself, never once lifting his head.

  Ma Chao saw that his noodles had arrived and no longer paid attention to Da Han, starting to eat the noodles instead. Before long, he had already finished half of them. He looked up at Da Han, who was eating even faster, having already finished the last bowl of noodles, and three large bowls of lamb shanks were gone, now on his fourth bowl of lamb shanks.

  Ma Chao thought this big fellow was interesting. When eating, he didn't even lift his head, only focusing on eating, and didn't know if it was because the noodles and lamb legs were too delicious or for some other reason.

  Ma Chao continued eating his noodles, while the big man was still eating in his own way. Ma Chao had only eaten a few mouthfuls of noodles when he heard the big man speak up, "Little brother, it's not much fun to eat noodles alone, I have wine and meat here, why don't you come join me?"

  Ma Chao heard the sound and looked up, only to see the big man staring at him. What a face! It was truly ugly, and you'd never forget it even if you saw it just once. The big man was about thirty years old, with a thick beard and dark skin, weighing at least over 300 pounds. When he spoke, his mouth was full of large yellow teeth, and the smell of mutton was strong since he had just finished eating a leg of lamb.

  Only then did the big Han use his oily hands to push the last bowl of lamb legs and that jar of wine in front of Ma Chao, saying "Little brother, please, no need to be polite with me!"

  Ma Chao took a look, didn't pretend to be polite, picked up the wine jug and directly poured it down his throat. Although there wasn't much wine left, there was still more than half a catty. Ma Chao drank it all in one gulp. After finishing, he put the wine jug on the table and looked at the big man.

  In his past life, Ma Chao's alcohol capacity was quite impressive. A kilogram of white wine was no problem for him. Now the liquor of the Great Han Dynasty is fundamentally incomparable to that of his past life, and yet it still doesn't pose a challenge to Ma Chao.

  "Good, refreshing, refreshing! I like people who are straightforward. Young brother, please!" He pointed to the lamb leg in front of Ma Chao, and Ma Chao picked it up again to eat. The big man started devouring his fifth bowl of lamb legs.

  The big fellow ate quickly, and in three to five mouthfuls the lamb's leg was gone. He tossed the sheep's bones onto the table and said: "It seems that little brother is very interested in me. It just so happens that I've finished eating and need to go wash my hands; when I come back, little brother should also be done eating, and then I'll meet with little brother again! Haha!" After finishing speaking, the big fellow went off to wash his hands, leaving behind Ma Chao who was struggling with the lamb's leg and noodles.

  Thank you for everyone's recommendation. Who is Da Han? I guess everyone has a number in mind now.