Chapter 36: Ma Chao Visits

  Last time, Zhuge Jun saved Zhuge Liang, he was very angry, but Zhuge Jun is not only Zhuge Liang's brother, but also Zhuge Jun's brother, so he didn't dare to take action. Moreover, from the school lieutenant, he learned that he had a close relationship with Sun Shangxiang, and there was no way to take action. So he gave up his intention to deal with Zhuge Jun, but when he heard the news, he still felt uncomfortable in his heart. He thought to himself: "All things related to Zhuge Liang are troublesome."

  However, after seeing Xiao Qiao wear a bra and highlighting her feminine charm, he secretly praised: "The people of the Zhuge family have finally done something good for men."

  When he heard the news that Sun Shangxiang was getting married, there was another person who was not feeling well. He was Zhang Wei, the grandson of Zhang Zhao. Last time he proposed to Sun Shangxiang but was rejected, and when he heard that Sun Shangxiang had already privately settled her marriage with Zhuge Jun, he was extremely angry. Now hearing this news, his heart was naturally not at ease. His position was Wu County Magistrate, responsible for the security of Wu County. He originally had a grudge against Zhuge Jun, and his father also asked him to strengthen his protection of Zhuge Jun, which made him even more depressed.

  Ma Teng saw that Cao Cao's power was too great, and his ambition to swallow the world was evident. His advisors suggested an alliance with Han Sui, the governor of Western Liang, to resist Cao Cao. Han Sui was hesitant. At this time, news arrived that Eastern Wu was inviting merchants to participate in a glass auction, Ma Teng and Han Sui discussed and decided to send Ma Chao to Eastern Wu for a visit, taking the opportunity to meet with Sun Quan, Liu Bei and others to discuss the alliance against Cao Cao. Han Sui believed that if there was support from Sun and Liu, the possibility of defeating Cao Cao would be greater. He agreed to let Ma Chao go to Eastern Wu.

  To conceal his identity, Ma Chao disguised himself as a merchant and came to Eastern Wu with his wife and cousin Ma Dai.

  After moving into the Wu State's Jiangnan Inn, they waited for a day before the manager, Ma Ti, came to report: "Sir, through the Chamber of Commerce, we've made contact and found that it was the father-in-law of Dongwu Zhong Sima. Under the pretext of discussing business cooperation, we'll first meet with Zhuge Jun. This Zhuge Jun is about to become the son-in-law of Dongwu, and he's a businessman, so looking for him won't attract attention. Using the excuse of giving gifts to the princess, we can see her and explain our intentions at an opportune moment, then find a way to secretly discuss with Wu Hou."

  Ma Chao was unclear about the situation and did not dare to contact the military and political personnel of Eastern Wu, expressing satisfaction with such an arrangement. He said, "Not bad, things are going well."

  Praised by Ma Chao, Ma Chao's son felt a little flattered and hastily said: "Thank you for the compliment. It has already been arranged that Madam Liu, the wife of Zhongshu General, will introduce you personally." Ma Chao nodded.

  Upon receiving the notice from his sister-in-law, Zhuge took it very seriously. As he had long been in contact with merchants from various places and had the idea of establishing business institutions in different locations, he decided to warmly welcome the guests.

  Sun Shangxiang heard that someone had come to give her gifts, but she wasn't interested and said: "Jun Ge, I won't go see them, you can just accept the gifts on my behalf."

  "Xiang'er, this matter is very important to me. They are giving you a gift, so at least see them once. I'll have things to ask of them in the future. Just pretend that seeing them is like seeing me." As he spoke, he kissed her cherry lips once.

  She blushed and said: "You just know how to take advantage of others."

  He smiled and leaned his face over, saying: "Can't you just take advantage of me?"

  She stretched out her jade hand and pushed his face away, spitting: "You wish."

  Sun Shangxiang fell for his trick and agreed.

  In the living room of Zhuge Jun's house in Yueliang Mountain Villa, he received his guests.

  Ma Chao and his wife met Sun Shangxiang and Zhuge Jun, and they paid their respects. Sun Shangxiang was of noble status, and Ma Chao should have given her a grand salute, but he himself was also of noble status, and for a moment he hesitated. His wife, Lady Meng, hastily coughed to remind him, and then Ma Chao and his wife paid their respects to Sun Shangxiang. Zhuge Jun invited them to take a seat.

  The elder sister introduced the situation to them, and Zhuge Jun took the opportunity to size up the newcomer. He saw that the man was nearly eight feet tall, with a face as white as powder, eyes like flowing stars, lips like crimson, a tiger-like body, ape-like arms, and a wolf-like waist. (From the original Three Kingdoms novel) In Zhuge Jun's opinion, he was a mixed-blood child, obviously with European Caucasian ancestry.

  Ma Chao's ancestors were a branch of the Eastern Romans, who fled to China's northwest and present-day Afghanistan due to unbearable oppression. The Han people also discriminated against ethnic minorities, so the men in his family took pride in marrying Han women, generation after generation intermarrying and becoming what Ma Chao is today.

  Ma Chao was around 26 or 27 years old, extremely handsome, with a natural white complexion, eyes slightly blue, nose high and straight, with a slight hawk-like curve. He had an elongated face, arrogant and proud, with a heroic air about him. His wife, Lady Meng, was a famous beauty of Xiliang, and she matched him perfectly.

  Zhuge Jun secretly praised: "What a handsome guy."

  After finishing the introduction, sister-in-law left first.

  They presented gifts to Sun Shangxiang, initially mentioning some jewelry and jade utensils, she didn't show much expression until Ma Chao mentioned giving her two precious horses from the Western Regions, then she became delighted. She said she wanted to go take a look.

  Zhuge Jun interrupted her, saying "Don't rush, we'll go together later." She then sat down.

  Ma Chao also sized them up, seeing Sun Shangxiang's clever appearance in front of Zhuge Jun, and having heard of Sun Shangxiang's great name, he also looked at Zhuge Jun with admiration.

  Several people chatted about some business matters, and when they talked about the northwest style, Zhuge Jun couldn't help but ask: "You are from Xiliang, have you seen Ma Chao?"

  Ma Chao and his wife were inwardly startled when he mentioned himself, and the two of them exchanged a glance. Ma Chao asked calmly: "Have you met him? What do you know about him?"

  Zhuge didn't know that the person in front of him was Ma Chao's wife. With a look of admiration, he said: "I understand. Ma Chao is young and handsome, elegant and refined, wearing white armor and silver helmet, known as the Brocade Horse General. He wields a long spear, his martial arts are unparalleled, and he is a world-renowned hero. He is one of my idols."

  Ma Chao was delighted to hear his heartfelt praise for himself. However, when he said that he was one of his idols, he couldn't help but ask: "Apart from Ma Chao, which other hero do you admire?"

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