Chapter 45: Guan Hai Discusses the Elimination of Five Evils

  The five brothers of the Zhu family each had a martial arts level of third-rate, although they were third-rate, but also the top level among the third-rate.

  The reason why the five of them could lead such a large group is that they also had some skills and knew how to use both kindness and intimidation. They were generous to their subordinates, but if their subordinates did something to displease them, they would kill without hesitation, as easily as eating or drinking. Therefore, in their stronghold, although there were no rules, the subordinates feared the five leaders and were afraid of accidentally offending one of them, lest they lose their heads.

  In the eyes of Ma Chao, such a situation was just a mob. This wasn't because he looked down on them, but rather that in his opinion, the people under Zhu Jia's Five Tigers were simply united by the simplest interests. The reason there were so many mountain bandits was that there weren't any rules, and anyone could join to become a bandit. Of course, this wasn't because Zhu Jia's Five Tigers didn't put their heart into it, but rather that newcomers couldn't touch anything core.

  Then anyone can rob at will, as long as you have the confidence, so their counterfeit goods have been hated by everyone for a long time. However, no one has the ability to destroy them, until today, the counterfeit goods are still standing there, and the people in the counterfeit goods are still living very comfortably.

  But Ma Chao knew that if the five tigers of the Zhu family were killed, there would be hardly anyone who would avenge their deaths. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter, and most people would flee for their lives, this is reality.

  "Alright, I've got a good understanding of their situation. Let's discuss our countermeasures in more detail tomorrow!"

  "Yes! Everything depends on your arrangement, sir!"

  Guan Hai finished speaking and hurriedly had someone take Ma Chao to his quarters to rest. Whatever needed to be discussed could wait until the next day, but he couldn't let his lord tire himself out. It can be said that Guan Hai was quite devoted, having only just pledged allegiance to his lord and already thinking of his well-being. If Ma Chao knew about this, he would feel comforted by Guan Hai's thoughts - this subordinate wasn't useless after all.

  Ma Chao went into his own room and lay down to rest. He had been rushing for several days and was indeed very tired.

  On the second day, Ma Chao again found Gan Hui alone and discussed countermeasures with him.

  "Ah-ha!" Guan Hai seemed to have suddenly remembered something.

  "Lao Guan, have you thought of something?" Ma Chao asked with great suspicion.

  "That's right, Master. I suddenly remembered that Zhu Jia Wuyong had planted a mole in our mountain stronghold, I wonder if this is useful?"

  "It's too useful! But old general, why did you just think of it!" Ma Chao laughed.

  "Master, this subtle move has been going on for some time in our place too. However, looking at him, it seems like he hasn't made any moves either. After a long time, I've also stopped paying attention to it. Anyway, he can't get his hands on any confidential information!" said Gan Xi firmly.

  Although he said so, Ma Chao didn't think so. People like this are the ones to watch out for. Having been lying in wait for so long without making a move, once he makes a move, it's likely that the counterfeit will be finished soon. It seems that Guan Hai is really inexperienced, relaxing his vigilance just because the other side hasn't made a move, which is really too dangerous.

  "Has anyone been sent to keep an eye on him?" Ma Chao asked anxiously.

  "Of course, I have a confidant who is quite close to him, so it's always been this confidant keeping an eye on him. But I told my confidant that as long as the other party makes any unusual moves, just notify me, and if there's nothing going on, don't tell me!"

  Guan Hai said with a pleased expression. Originally, Ma Chao thought Guan Hai was still okay when he heard the first part, not beyond salvation, but after hearing the second part, he didn't think much of it anymore.

  "Mind your own business!"

  "This, milord, was I wrong?" Guan Hai thought his lord would praise him a few words, but the result was completely opposite, he felt that he had done nothing wrong.

  "You think it's right to have someone keep an eye on the details, but not just when the other party makes a move, rather every single day they should report everything to you. Do you think if the other party has any unusual behavior, someone will definitely discover it?"

  Ma Chao spoke to Guan Yu with a serious and solemn tone, after listening, Guan Yu felt that his lord's words made sense, he had underestimated the enemy.

  Guan Hai's old face turned red, "Master, I've learned from you! I really underestimated the opponent!"

  Ma Chao patted Guan Yu on the shoulder, "To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue! Old Guan, it's okay to make mistakes, but what's scary is not recognizing them, or recognizing them but not correcting them!"

  "I have learned from you!" Guan Yu bowed respectfully to Ma Chao, who did not stop him. In ancient times, people would not obstruct such actions. This courtesy was accepted calmly.

  "Alright, Old Zhang, go get your trusted aide over here. I have a few questions to ask. Oh, and make sure no one notices anything unusual!"

  "Yes! Don't worry, Your Excellency, I will reflect on myself!"

  Guan Hai personally went to find that confidant, and before long, he came back, with a young man of about twenty years old following behind him, looking very clever.

  "This Master Ma is no outsider. When he asks something, you just tell him the truth, Lü Er. Did you hear that?" Guan Hai instructed the young man behind him.

  "Yes, I understand!"

  Lü Er had not seen Ma Chao before, but he had also heard from the people who went to rob the road with Guan Hai that day. There was a young master who beat the host, and it should be said that this young master is in front of him now.

  Lü Er was lost in thought when Ma Chao spoke up: "Lü Er, do you know why I've called for you?"

  Lü Er replied: "I don't know."

  "Is it you who has been keeping an eye on the scouts from the Zhu Family's Five Tigers Mountain Stronghold?" Ma Chao continued to ask him.

  "Yes, it has always been me who did this thing!" Lv Er said respectfully.

  "Is there anything unusual about the other party?"

  "No, I don't dare stare at him every day, but when I notice him, I really haven't found anything unusual!" Lü Er was very confident in himself.

  Ma Chao nodded, actually whether the other party is abnormal or not is temporarily unimportant, because nowadays Guan Hai's mountain stronghold has not lost anything due to this little trick. Of course, it's possible that the other party hasn't heard any useful information yet, maybe they're waiting for an opportunity, or there might be some other reason. But no matter what, Ma Chao felt that he could make good use of the other party, because their utilization value was indeed very great.

  "How is your relationship?"

  "Not bad, this is still the other party taking the initiative to approach me!" Lü Er replied.

  "Alright, Lü Er, now there's a heavy responsibility that needs to be entrusted to you, you must do your best!" Ma Chao said in an unrefusable tone.

  "But I will follow your orders, young master!"

  He didn't respond, and it wouldn't work either. Didn't you see the one in charge over there giving him a signal? Lü Er was absolutely a clever person, he understood Gan Hai's meaning at a glance.

  "Excellent!"

  Ma Chao then shared his thoughts with Lü Er, and of course, didn't hide anything from Guan Hai. After instructing Lü Er, he also told Guan Hai about all his ideas. Guan Hai listened and slapped his thigh in approval, saying it was great. Anyway, he couldn't think of anything better. Ma Chao didn't think there was anything brilliant about it, just a common trick, but had to admit that Guan Hai was indeed... sigh.

  Lü Bu was also quite impressed with Ma Chao, but he felt that Ma Chao trusted himself so much, not only letting him complete such a crucial task, but also discussing all the plans with the master without hiding anything from him, which gave Lü Bu a sense of loyalty and willingness to die for his lord.

  Ma Chao uses people with the principle of using people without suspicion, and not using people who are suspected. Lü Er is a trusted aide of Guan Yu, and from his performance just now, it can be seen that he is not only clever but also quite loyal. Moreover, the current situation is all in Guan Yu's favor, and smart people can see clearly that Lü Er will not betray Guan Yu.

  Ma Chao's plan was finished, and Lü Er also bid farewell. Before bidding farewell, Ma Chao reminded him of some details that needed attention. Lü Er listened carefully and remembered everything in his mind.

  "Alright, you can go back now!" said Guan Hai to Lü Er.

  "No! I'm going home, Master Ma, goodbye!" Lü Er said and left.

  "This Lv Er is indeed a useful man!" Ma Chao praised.

  After hearing Ma Chao's praise, Guan Hai felt proud, after all, Lü Er was his own man, and praising him was equivalent to praising himself.

  "Old Guan, I've had a question for you all along!"

  "Please speak, sir."

  "Why did you take the name Hai? Who gave it to you?"

  As soon as he heard it, he realized that his master was actually asking about this, which wasn't a big deal after all. Still, he had to answer carefully.

  "I report to you, Master. The name I bear was given by my family's father. As for why it is Hai, that is because I was born in the hour of Hai, so my family's father gave me a name with the character Hai."

  So that's how it is, I didn't think of it myself.

  Ma Chao was thinking, when Guan Yu on the side said, "As for the courtesy name, of course there is none. However, I think it's not important, whether or not one has a courtesy name makes no difference in life, and to be honest, I'd rather people call me Old Guan!"

  Ma Chao listened to Guan Hai finish speaking, and thought to himself, "Who asked you all this?" However, he still acknowledged Guan Hai's way of thinking. As for himself as the lord, he didn't have the habit of giving people courtesy names. He hadn't done so with Wu An Guo in the past, and naturally wouldn't do so with Guan Hai now.

  In Ma Chao's mind, courtesy names should be given by one's elders or teachers. If there are no elders or teachers, then taking one for oneself is also acceptable, but never the lord. Like when Ma Chao called Wu An "Wu An", he thought it was fine, although it was just a surname, and not very awkward either. Even Wu An himself thought it was good, let alone others.

  "Lao Guan, I also agree with your idea. Whether or not there is a taboed character really doesn't represent anything." Ma Chao said in agreement.

  "I didn't expect the master to agree with my subordinate's view!" This Guan Yu indeed did not think, but as for Ma Chao, there are many things he can't think of, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

  "Old Guan, I'll take my leave with Fuda for today!"

  "Master is leaving so soon?" Guan Hai was somewhat reluctant.

  "Don't delay, let's hurry up!"

  Ma Chao said that leaving today is not without reason, and Guan Hai naturally understands.

  "My lord has spoken, so I will no longer insist on staying!"

  Ma Chao said a few more words to Guan Hai, "Old Guan, wait for my news!"

  "Don't worry, sir, I'm sure!"

  Guan Hai's heart was clear, as soon as the master left, the plan had already begun. He thought to himself, "Zhu family's five tigers, your good days are finally coming to an end." In the past, I indeed had no way to deal with you all, but now that the master is here to uphold justice, you bunch of losers will absolutely not have a good ending, just wait and see, he saw Zhu family's five tigers surrendering.

  Ma Chao looked at Guan Hai's strange expression and asked, "What are you thinking about, old Guan?"

  "Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about what to eat for dinner tonight?"

  Guan Hai finished speaking and burst out laughing, Ma Chao gave him a "who are you kidding" expression after hearing that.

  Guan Yu was uncertain in his mind, but Ma Chao said to him again: "Alright, old Guan, never mind what you think. Now hurry up and attend to my important matters for me. Did you hear?"

  "Yes! My lord!"

  Guan Hai hastily went out of the house and soon led six young men back in, "These six are all my trusted subordinates, whatever you order, Young Master!"

  He then introduced the names of six people to Ma Chao, who were called Zhou Yi, Wang Tie, Wei Tong, Han Gang, Xu Ping and Liu Dong. These six people, together with Lü Er previously, were in charge of leading nearly seven hundred people in the mountain stronghold.