The 36th chapter: Yang Fu gallops between two generals, Ma Chao sheds tears for Diao Chan.

  Ma Teng looked at the fish pond under the dim candlelight and said: "The water is quite clear, I don't know what you mean, sir?"

  "Has Master Hou seen the fish?" Yang Fu asked with feigned ignorance.

  Ma Teng still didn't understand Yang Fu's meaning and directly said that he hadn't seen anything except for a pool of clear water.

  Yang Fu smiled and said: "Ban Gu's 'Book of Han' Volume 65, Dongfang Shuo Biography Chapter 35 says: 'When the water is too clear, there are no fish; when a person is too cautious, he has no followers.' That groom has the bravery of a thousand men, his ambition is naturally there. It's just that if Master Hou pushes him too hard, he can't help but make him guard against Master Hou everywhere, in which case Master Hou will not be able to get him to work for you with all his might."

  Ma Teng nodded and said: "Sir is knowledgeable and well-read, quoting classics and canons. This general admires you. But this horseman must be guarded against!"

  Yang Fu said: "Defense is necessary, but don't be overly cautious everywhere, and don't give him a feeling of complete distrust. Otherwise, if Ma Chao were to defect, he would become a major threat to the general's heart. Now that the emperor has appointed him as the governor of Wuwei, this is entirely a good thing for the general. As the lord of Xiliang, and being completely under your jurisdiction, what's difficult about controlling a general with no troops in his hands?"

  Ma Teng was overjoyed upon hearing Yang Fu's analysis, and grasped Yang Fu's hand, saying: "Sir, your words are all reasonable, and have suddenly opened my eyes. To be able to obtain sir's assistance is truly a blessing from heaven for me, the General of Xiliang."

  Pang De was also full of praise for Yang Fu on the side.

  But after they were happy for a while, Yang Fu suddenly turned the conversation around and said: "As the saying goes 'know yourself and know your enemy, you will not be in danger in a hundred battles', now that there is someone waiting by Marquis's side, Marquis can know his every move at any time, it's just that I hope Marquis won't let me get stuck in the middle."

  Ma Teng thought for a moment, then said: "What you said is right, I indeed didn't think it through. You can go back to Ma Chao's residence for now. From now on, unless it's something important, I won't casually summon you. However, regarding Ma Chao's every move, you must find a way to inform me in time."

  Yang Fu saw Ma Teng understand at once and was overjoyed in his heart. He smiled and said, "Thank you, General, for your understanding. I will take my leave now."

  After seeing Yang Fu off, Ma Teng said to Pang De: "This time the Emperor issued an edict ordering this general to lead a campaign against the Qiang and Hu tribes. Regardless of whether or not this edict was forged by that traitor Dong, once the edict has been issued, all under heaven know it, and this general must carry out its instructions. Otherwise, that traitor Dong will use the crime of disobeying the edict to order the various lords of the realm to attack Western Liang, and then Western Liang will be in danger."

  Pang De nodded and said: "Your words are absolutely right, General. No matter what, I will follow you to the death, charging into battle together."

  Ma Teng shook his head. Normally, he would have ordered Pang De to follow him even if he was unwilling. This time was different, and despite having Yang Fu by his side, he still couldn't bear to leave Wuwei in Ma Chao's hands.

  After Ma Teng told his thoughts to Pang De, Pang De was able to understand and said seriously: "As long as Wu Wei is here, Mo Zhang will be here! If Wu Wei is lost, Mo Zhang will die!"

  Ma Teng said, "There's no need to be like this. This general knows that you and Ma Chao have a good private relationship, but private matters are private matters, public matters are public matters. This general doesn't want to see someone ruining public matters because of private matters."

  Pang De said: "Of course, if that horseman commits treason, I will definitely cut off his head with my own hands!"

  As for Pound's loyalty, Ma Teng had never questioned it. With this statement, Ma Teng felt that he had no more worries and could openly discuss the conquest of the Qiang barbarians.

  Yang Fu hastily returned to the mansion of Ma Fu, and called Ma Fu, Yin Feng, Zhao Yang and others to discuss matters in the inner hall.

  The groom returned to the mansion, his mind troubled by many things. He lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. When he heard Yang Fu coming back from Ma Teng's place, he was overjoyed.

  Several people gathered in the inner hall, and Yin Feng was the first to speak: "Didn't Marquis Ma leave you at the mansion? What time is it now, and you're back? Even more detestable is that you disturbed my good dream! Can't whatever it is be said tomorrow?"

  Yang Fu glared at Yin Feng and said: "Things are critical! If we sleep again, our lives will be gone."

  Yin Feng was startled by Yang Fu's words and quickly asked why.

  Ma Fu also said: "Although I know that the imperial edict has a hidden murderous intention, it shouldn't be that serious, right?"

  Yang Fu smiled and said, "If I were to say something serious, it wouldn't be that serious, but if I didn't say it this way, you all wouldn't take it seriously. Also, please have the general refer to himself as 'this governor' from now on, rather than 'this general' or 'I'."

  The groom did not know what this meant.

  Yang Fu explained: "Now that the imperial edict has been issued, although it's just a nominal title, you still need to show an attitude of following the emperor's will. Moreover, when facing Lord Hou, calling yourself 'Taishou' is less likely to provoke his vigilance than calling yourself 'General', and compared to calling yourself 'me', it's not too humble either. You are also a person with status and reputation now, you absolutely cannot have an arrogant attitude towards others, especially in these chaotic times!"

  Ma Fu thought for a moment and indeed it was so. He smiled: "These minor details, Ben Taigong had not considered, thank you Brother Yang!"

  Yang Fu, Yin Feng, Zhao Ang and others saw his transformation so quickly, and they all congratulated him in unison: "Congratulations, Governor Ma."

  Ma Fu shook his head helplessly, and suddenly became the governor of Wuwei, the Marquis of Guannei. This change was really too great for him to adapt to. However, he still had to do what was necessary on the surface. After all, every move he made, every word he spoke was being watched by Ma Teng, and he didn't want to ruin his own plans because of these small things.

  Yang Fu saw that Ma Fu's heart was heavy with worry, and probably guessed what he was thinking. He said: "The Marquis is loyal to the Great Han and will not go against the Emperor's orders, even if they were forged by Dong Zhuo. Of course, he will also follow the imperial edict and leave you in charge of Wuwei. However, based on my understanding of him, he will definitely leave Pang De to monitor your every move. So before he sets out, Governor, you must be careful and show absolute loyalty."

  Ma Fu smiled slightly: "It's still Brother Yang who understands the prefect, but that Ma Teng has never trusted the prefect from the bottom of his heart. What can the prefect do about it?"

  Yang Fu said, "Not trusting is not trusting, but he now has to rely on you, otherwise it would be difficult for him to have the current momentum. What the governor needs to do now is not to quarrel with him, and then secretly accumulate strength. When his wings are full, he can walk out of his control. Now that Ma Teng trusts me very much, this is also a good opportunity for us. He wants to use me to monitor your every move, but in fact, I have discovered many secrets in his heart. Thinking carefully, this is quite interesting."

  Yin gazed at Yang Fu and said, "I didn't expect you to become so cunning at such a young age. However, are you certain you won't betray us?"

  Yang Fu knew he was joking, but since he mentioned this, he felt that he also had to cut his hair and make a vow like Wang Yun.

  Just as Yang Fu was about to draw his sword, the groom hastily stopped him, saying: "He's just joking, Brother Yang, why take it seriously? We're all on the same side now, no need for this."

  Yoon Bong also knew he had made a bit of a fuss, so he quickly apologized. Zhao Ang, on the other hand, looked at him with disdain and said, "Take care of your own mouth! When you have nothing to say, don't say anything, otherwise, the more you talk, the more mistakes you'll make!"

  Yin Feng glanced at Zhao Ang and lowered his head without speaking.

  Yang Fu saw that the situation was a bit awkward, and he quickly changed the subject: "I have one thing I don't quite understand, why did the governor not agree to Wang Yun's proposal?"

  Yin Fengyi heard this and also hastily chimed in, "That's right! Wang Yun is after all the Minister of Works and has a good reputation. Why do I feel like you seem to look down on his adopted daughter?"

  When Yin Feng said that, Ma Fu was really sweating. How could he look down on Diao Chan, the beauty who could overthrow cities and states? It's just that he didn't want his marriage to become a byproduct of politics.

  "Ugh... I'd rather not call myself Bentai Shugo in front of my brothers, it's just too embarrassing!"

  Ma Fu's words directly amused Yang Fu, Yin Feng and others. As soon as he mentioned Diao Chan, he appeared in this state, Yang Fu had to say: "It's okay, brothers don't have to be too polite, just remember not to lower your identity in front of outsiders."

  The horseman looked up at the sky and laughed loudly: "I already know this, but I don't know what you all think about Wang Yun taking the initiative to propose marriage?"

  Yang Fu smiled and said, "What a great thing! You must accept this, don't think about it anymore. An opportunity like this can't be missed, didn't you see that even the Marquis was a bit envious today?"

  Yang Fu's attitude was also within Ma Fu's expectations. Yang Fu was more concerned with the political implications, while for someone like Ma Fu who had never even been in love before his soul transfer, he was more motivated by personal feelings. He didn't want his first romance to be tied up with politics. Moreover, even if he agreed to this marriage, if it were true as recorded in history that Wang Yun used Diaochan's beauty to set Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu against each other, wouldn't he lose face in front of the whole world? After all, she was his fiancée!

  Yang Fu, Yin Feng, Zhao Ang and others saw that Ma Fu still did not show any attitude, they could not help but feel a bit unbearable.

  Yin Feng first said, "Heroes accompanying beauties is a great thing! How come when it comes to emotional issues, you become hesitant and indecisive? Where did the decisive and brave warrior on the battlefield go?"

  Zhao Ang also said: "Governor Ma, you'd better agree to Wang Yun's request! Form an alliance with Wang Yun, respond from within and outside, it won't take long before the world will be yours."

  Yang Fu thought for a moment about the many possible reasons why the groom was still hesitating, and then said bluntly to the groom: "A great man can defend his country above and protect his wife and children below! The governor is hesitant, I'm sure you're worried that your feelings for Diao Chan will become a political accessory. However, in my opinion, if the governor is willing, everything will be under your control. People who achieve great things really cannot be too timid in their emotions, otherwise they will directly lead to their own downfall on the road to dominance!"

  These words were like a sharp knife, the horseman's heart trembled and he said: "Brother Yang has reminded me. Please let me think about it for a while, I will give you an answer by dawn."

  Yang Fu and others knew he wanted to understand the most important thing, so they dispersed first.

  The groom lay alone in bed, with the image of Yunying flashing in his mind from time to time. That mysterious feeling, that stunning appearance had already drawn him in, and he couldn't extricate himself.

  However, when he thought that Guo Ze's escape might have something to do with him, another emotion emerged in his heart, and as for whether it was hatred or not, he couldn't be sure yet.

  In a daze, the horseman fell into a deep sleep, and without knowing how, he suddenly heard this passage in his ear: "Red teeth chattered, swallows flew busily, a strip of cloud arrived at the painting hall. Eyebrows were hastily made up with traveler's resentment, facial features were initially broken with old friend's intestines. Elm seeds can't buy thousand gold smiles, willow belts don't need hundred treasure makeup. After dancing, secretly sending glances through the screen, who knows who is King Xiang of Chu...

  Although he didn't know what these words meant, Ma Fu had already deeply felt a sense of helplessness and desolation. He carefully thought back to the various legends about Diao Chan that he had heard in books and from others, and this tall and proud man couldn't help but shed tears for her...