Chapter Thirty-Four: Recruitment Begins

  Thank you "Zhao Wu Xie 2014", "Tiger Ye Bu Huo", "Huǒ Qiāng of the Seven Swords", "Qī Yè Zǐ Míng" and "Mèng 53" for your simultaneous support with rewards, I'm deeply grateful.

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  When Ma Xian received the report, Xing Ju had already sent someone to the East City Gate to welcome him. Yan Rou smiled and hinted to Ma Xian: "Commander Xing is very much looking forward to this visit from General Ma."

  Ma Xuan smiled calmly, without Yan Rou's deliberate reminder, he also knew that giving gifts to others must have a request. However, perhaps what Xing Ju sought was also what he needed, as long as the conditions were negotiated and beneficial to each other, why not?

  A group of people including officials, three elders, temple servants, attendants and commoners gathered under the city gate to welcome him. The leader, a young man in a green robe with a long spear, stepped forward and raised his arm in salute, saying loudly: "Uwai School Lieutenant's Office Historian Tian Yu has seen General Ma."

  Tian Yu! This name is somewhat familiar, and I have the impression that there was indeed such a figure in the Three Kingdoms. In this era of heroic turmoil, to be recorded with bold strokes in historical books, he must be a notable character.

  Ma Xun looked at Ma Qian with a hint of surprise, and saw an even more astonished gaze from the other's eyes.

  Indeed, compared to Ma Yuan's surprise, Tian Yu was even more astonished, his eyes full of incredulity - the young man in front of him, who looked younger than himself by a few years, was actually the leader of the Han Go department, who intimidated the Xianbei, defeated the Wuhuan, and made the protector of the Wuhuan school look at him with admiration?

  If it were an ordinary person, it would be fine. Since he knew it was a famous figure of the Three Kingdoms, Ma Xun did not dare to be arrogant and immediately dismounted his horse to return the courtesy. Ma Xun got off his horse, and the Han halberdier behind him, as well as Yan's brothers and their attendants, also dismounted and paid their respects together.

  Tian Yu and Ma Xun were introduced by the officials behind them, including the three elders. Both sides exchanged greetings for a while.

  Nearly a hundred people in front of the city gate saluted each other and returned the salute, the scene was quite spectacular, and the soldiers on guard on the city wall were stunned.

  After a long time, the ceremony was finally over, and under the leadership of Tian Yu and others, Ma Xian's party entered the Ning County Gate City.

  Before entering the city, Ma Xun deliberately observed the city defense of this northern border stronghold for a while.

  First, there is the city wall. The city wall of Ning County is three zhang high and four zhang thick, made of rammed earth, with three gate towers and six corner towers. On top of the city wall, there are battlements, watchtowers, a horse path, and a secondary wall, but no crenellations. In front of the city gate, there is a drawbridge, under which lies a moat that connects to the Yan River. At this time, it's midsummer, and the river water overflows, making the three-zhang-wide moat seem impossible to cross. The soldiers patrolling on top of the city wall all wear armor, holding spears and shields, with wind and frost on their faces, looking robust and weathered, clearly veteran soldiers.

  Ma Xun nodded secretly, this city is different from the others, the construction of the city defense is better than those in Hebei. Perhaps it was because of the bloody turmoil five years ago (Ma Xun had already inquired about the intelligence of the successive protectors of Wuhuan during his journey), which made the entire Ning County, from the protector of Wuhuan to the common people, have a lingering fear, and they spared no effort in defending the county city. Only then can there be such a good result.

  If Ning County's city defense commander Ma Hong felt solid and reliable, then the protector of Wumeng Marquis Xing Ju gave people a similar feeling.

  Ma Xun was visiting Xing Ju in the Wuhuan Marquis's mansion, where he saw a man with a square face, long eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a slender and majestic figure, more like a scholar than a general. Xing Ju's laughter was very pleasant, reminding Ma Xun of Liu Bei.

  "Is this the Han Gan commander who makes Xianbei and Wuhuan people tremble with fear? Indeed, a hero emerges in his youth, haha! " Xing Ju looked at Ma Chan, a flash of surprise flickered across his eyes, then returned to normal, chatting and laughing as usual.

  Yan Rou and Yan Zhi brothers also came forward one by one to pay their respects. Then, with Xing Ju as the leader, Ma Hong, Tian Yu, and the Yan brothers entered the main hall of the government office together.

  At this time, a row of long tables had been set up in the middle of the hall and under the eaves, with wine pots and meat dishes on them. On both sides, a row of servants stood under the eaves, setting the stage for a grand feast.

  Xing Ju sat at the top, Ma Hong, Tian Yu, Yan Shi brothers and a group of officials, and Xiang Kun divided into two sides to sit down. While Han Ge's men and Yan Shi brothers' followers stayed under the hall. Amidst Xing Ju's bright laughter, everyone raised their cups to toast, then ate with gusto.

  Xing Ju was surprised by Ma Yuan's youth, but he was very satisfied with the young man's attitude. It wasn't just because Ma Yuan had given him gifts such as Wuhuan slaves, war horses and golden utensils, but more importantly, Ma Yuan had arrived promptly this time, showing due respect. Moreover, he had brought only twenty attendants, not worrying at all that he would be disadvantaged in Ning County. This trust was what made Xing Ju most satisfied.

  Ma Xun saw the appreciation in Xing Ju's eyes and knew that this treasure was a good fit. In fact, he wasn't worried at all about Xing Ju being unfavorable to him, because the existence of the Han Gou department was an absolute arm for the Hu Wu Lan school lieutenant, which was a beneficial and harmless thing, unless Xing Ju went crazy, otherwise he would not make things difficult for Ma Xun. Even if something unexpected happened, Ma Xun had the confidence to lead twenty riders of the Han Gou elite to kill their way in and out.

  The cups were exchanged, and the conversation was lively. Facing a two-thousand-stone high-ranking official who had intimidated all the Hu kings and marquises, Ma Xian remained calm and composed, neither arrogant nor humble, and his dignified demeanor left everyone in attendance secretly astonished.

  Yan brothers had been in contact with Ma Yun for some time and already felt that this young man was extraordinary. Xing Ju, Tian Yu and others had previously thought that the person who could defeat the ferocious Hu people would be a fierce and majestic figure, but unexpectedly, he turned out to be a handsome and eloquent young man, which was already quite unexpected. At this time, after talking with Ma Yun, it turned out that his vision and conversation were not ordinary, even if he wasn't from a noble family, he should be a scholar from a humble background, really exceeding expectations.

  The conversation at the banquet, naturally, couldn't avoid Ma Huan's battle with the Ulan troops. Although there were rumors circulating in the countryside and Yan Zhi also made a report, no one had witnessed the battle at Nuo Water except for Ma Huan himself. Despite Ma Huan trying to downplay the battle process as much as possible, it still evoked astonishment from everyone present.

  Xing Ju was overjoyed and said to Ma Yuan with a smile: "I want to appoint Xing Long as a subordinate, report to the imperial court, and ask him to be the acting commander of the cavalry department. What do you think?" After finishing speaking, he looked at Ma Yuan with a sincere and appreciative gaze, making it impossible for anyone to refuse.

  As soon as this was said, Ma Xian had not spoken yet, but Tian Yu and the officials of the prefecture, as well as the village elders, all raised their sleeves to congratulate him. In their eyes, a tribal leader from beyond the borders suddenly rose to become a high-ranking official in the 600-stone army - what great fortune was this?

  Hu Wuwan's deputy, the most important combat force under his command was the 800 cavalrymen of the riding department. The riding lieutenant was the main military assistant, usually held concurrently by the deputy commander, half a level higher than the infantry lieutenant. And the acting lieutenant was the deputy position of the army lieutenant, equivalent to the position of deputy division commander in later generations. If placed among Gongsun Zan or Yuan Shao's tens of thousands of troops, this acting lieutenant would not be anything. But here, it was a genuine high-ranking officer of a 600-stone army.

  What is Ma Yuan's background? He is most sensitive to the issue of power, but as soon as he hears Xing Ju's words, he knows that there is a cat in the mouse hole. The false Sima sounds quite high and mighty, but it's just superficially bright and shiny. Once agreed, his own Han Goguryeo cavalry would have to be returned to the Wuhuan school lieutenant's office, and then only as a deputy position. In the end, who would the military power fall into? Without younger brothers, how can one be a big brother? Without an army, what is the point of being a Sima?

  Ma Xian smiled, her eyes cold and calm, scanning the room, noticing that the Yan brothers were silent. Indeed, not only he saw through Xing Ju's intentions.

  Ma Xian bowed his head and smiled, saying: "I request that the Han dynasty's 5,000 cavalrymen be placed under my command to serve as a vanguard for Your Excellency in the north, to resist the Xianbei and to check the Wuhuan."

  As soon as this was said, the atmosphere cooled down, and then Xing Ju burst out laughing: "Good, good, with the help of Surprising Dragon, what can't be settled?"

  The copper drum was lifted, and everyone hastily responded, and the matter was over.

  Yan brothers exchanged a look and nodded secretly. Tian Yu looked at Ma Xun with a thoughtful expression.

  After politely declining Xing Ju's summons, Ma Yuan began to make his own demands, such as participating in the market and opening up the passes. Since he had become a nominal subordinate of the Protector of Wuhuan, he naturally wanted corresponding treatment.

  Xing Ju agreed. Ma Yuan let out a breath, at least this trip wasn't in vain. For the newly-born Han Gou department, being able to be incorporated into the jurisdiction of Wuwan Xiawei was a good thing. In this way, at least both the Wuhuan people and the Xianbei people would have to weigh their options carefully before making a move against the Han Gou department.

  Just then, Xing Ju suddenly changed the subject and made a request: "Since the Han Go Department is our northern shield, from now on, Ning County and your department will have frequent exchanges. I want to send an envoy to be the liaison between the Colonel's Office and the Han Go Department, how about it?"

  One plan fails, another is devised. This is to plant a supervisor among the Han cavalrymen. This was what the Yan brothers had in mind, and they turned their eyes to Ma Feng, waiting for his reaction.

  Ma Xiu smiled and said: "I don't know who it is that you have invited."

  Xing Ju pointed to Ma Yuan's side and asked, "What about Tian Guo Rang?"

  Ma Xuan blinked and smiled: "Good."

  How could this be? Not only Xing Ju, but even Tian Yu himself was taken aback. The Yan brothers were also puzzled - hadn't the Han Ge department commander always been clear-headed before? How did he suddenly become muddle-headed? This was obviously a trap set by Xing Ju! Even if it wasn't easy to refuse, they should have suggested replacing him. Tian Guo let's speech and demeanor were not common, with a strong presence, mature beyond his years - one glance and you could tell he wasn't someone to be trifled with, so why take on this trouble?

  No one knew that Ma Hu was secretly laughing to himself: Good guy, I was just worried that there were no talented people around, and you sent a famous Three Kingdoms figure over. That's right, this is indeed a nail, but it doesn't matter, my brother has no other skills, collecting thorns and pulling nails is my specialty.

  According to the normal course of history, Tian Yu's life experience should have been like this: He joined Liu Bei early on, but later returned to his hometown due to his mother's illness and then served under Gongsun Zan. After Gongsun Zan's defeat, he became the chief historian for Xianyu Fu, the governor of Youyang. Later, he and Xianyu Fu surrendered to Cao Cao together, rising to the position of governor and being enfeoffed as a marquis. The main reason why Tian Yu was not well-known among the heroes of the Three Kingdoms is that he rarely participated in the internal wars of the three kingdoms, and his presence was hardly seen in almost all the wars between Wei, Shu, and Wu. Unlike his obscurity in the Central Plains, Tian Yu's reputation was renowned in the northern border regions, where he intimidated the various Hu tribes. He spent half his life on military campaigns, all of which were dedicated to resisting the Xianbei, Wuhuan, and other foreign enemies, making him a pillar of the Cao Wei military group that stabilized the north.

  Tian Yu never thought that it was because of Ma Yun's appearance that the protector of Wuhuan, Xing Ju, came up with the idea of planting someone in the Han Go department. This person should be around the same age as the leader of the Han Go department (easy to communicate), have bravery, be good at riding and shooting, be eloquent, and also proficient in Hu language... Such conditions are simply tailored for Tian Yu. As a result, Tian Yu's good friend Wu Mingda recommended him - if it was another month later, Tian Yu would have decided to join Liu Bei.

  Due to Ma Xun's appearance and Xing Ju's recruitment, Tian Yu's life trajectory changed suddenly. The only thing that remained unchanged was that he would stand earlier in the position where he wanted to be and should be, achieving even greater glory.