Chapter Eighteen: United Front

  The next day, Hu Yong received an invitation from Ma Haiqing, saying that he was invited to his home in the evening to have a drink. Hu Yong had been feeling depressed for days because Qin Wei had rejected his proposal a few days ago and his concubine Hua Yun's repeated proposals were almost ruined by Qin Wei, so he wanted to find a place to drink and relieve his worries, and he accepted the invitation and went there.

  During the banquet, cups and chopsticks were crossed, and songs and dances rose to a high pitch. But Hu Yong was always melancholy and unhappy, often drinking by himself. Ma Haiqing had been watching him all along, but didn't make a sound. When the wine had gone halfway around the table, Ma Haiqing felt that the time was almost ripe, so he suddenly stopped the music and dance, and when everyone had retreated, Ma Haiqing knelt down and said: "Please forgive me, sir!"

  The singing and dancing suddenly stopped, Ma Haiqing was like this, Hu Yong was somewhat at a loss, so he quickly got up to help Ma Haiqing up, saying: "Brother Ma, what's wrong? Why is it like this?"

  "The adults work hard for the country and the people all day, but I'm afraid they'll exhaust themselves. Today, I specially prepared a wine feast to ask you to drink a few cups, but unexpectedly, it angered you instead. I deserve to die!"

  "What's all this talk of offending someone! Brother Ma, you're being too serious! Hurry up and get up!"

  After being helped up by Hu Yong and sitting back down, Ma Haiqing continued: "What's wrong with you today, sir? You seem troubled. Is it because I didn't treat you well enough or is it because this banquet is too extravagant?"

  "Alas! Brother Ma misunderstood!" With that, Hu Yongchang let out a sigh, poured himself another cup of wine and drank it in one gulp.

  At this time, Ma Haiqing gave a wink, and the servants on the side also went down. Only Hu Yong and Ma Haiqing were left at the wine table. Ma Haiqing said: "Sir, why are you sighing? I don't know if it's okay to tell me, maybe I can help you share your worries and solve your difficulties."

  "Alas, this matter is hard to put into words!"

  "Isn't it that Western Xia country again causing trouble on the border, making you so annoyed?"

  "Hmph, if only it were Western Xia! Send him out to battle, and best not return!"

  Ma Haiqing smiled slightly in his heart, finally getting to the point. So he continued, "I dare not guess the thoughts of a great man, but is the 'he' you mentioned referring to Qin Wei?"

  "Only Brother Ma knows me! Who else could it be?"

  "So it was true!"

  "How can Brother Ma say such things?"

  "Oh, this..."

  "It doesn't matter what you say!"

  "Haha, I've also just heard rumors about this, don't take it to heart, sir!"

  "Speak up!" Hu Yong furrowed his brow.

  "Some people say that the adults wanted to please Qin Wei and promised their only daughter to him, but he actually didn't know how to behave, and on the spot refused the adult. Afterwards... afterwards he even went around saying that the daughter of the commander-in-chief was not worthy of him, he didn't take her seriously at all..."

  "Hum!" Hu Yong's wine cup clattered onto the table, spilling more than half of the wine!

  "Forgive me, sir! This is just a rumor spread by some petty people in the streets and alleys! The villain deserves to die, the villain deserves to die!" Ma Haiqing hastily apologized.

  "Hey, it's none of your business! This Qin Wei is really too much! I, Hu Yong, will not coexist with him!" Seeing Hu Yong's fist clenched tightly, speaking with gritted teeth, Ma Haiqing thought the time had come. So he said to Hu Yong: "Sir, when I heard that rumor, I was also very angry. He, a small deputy commander, relying on his long stay here, completely disregards you! Not only does he often oppose you in everything, but now that you kindly want to marry your daughter to him, he actually dares to utter such vile words, really hateful to the extreme!"

  "Alas! What can be done? He is now deeply favored by the emperor and has the admiration of his superiors. His soldiers look up to him as a mighty general, and they all obey his arrangements. Even if I wanted to do something, what could I do?"

  "Sir, don't forget that you are the one in command! Not only is he under your orders, but all those other soldiers are also under your orders. As long as you give the word, what's to fear that they won't listen?"

  "Alone and powerless, unable to do anything!"

  "If the master doesn't despise me, I am willing to follow the master's side and be the master's backer!"

  "Oh? Brother Ma's intention, Hu certain person has accepted! The army has received a lot of grain and wealth donated by Brother Ma, how can I let Brother Ma be in front of and behind the horse?"

  "A great man, a petty man's heart, can be seen in the sun and moon! I, a petty man, have admired you for a long time. As people say, 'A scholar will die for one who knows him.' Although I am just a wealthy merchant with no soldiers or power, I do have wealth! Sir, this is my humble intention, please accept it!" Ma Haiqing said, taking out 500,000 taels of silver notes and handing them to Hu Yong. As an official in the capital, Hu was accustomed to such things, but since coming here, he had been either scolded by General An or intimidated by Qin Wei, and had not been able to get ahead because he was not favored. The Hu household was even in a state of decline, with few visitors. Ma Haiqing's sudden offer of wealth and his vow to die for him moved Hu deeply.

  Ke Hu Yong said: "Even with Ma Ge's support, as long as Qin Wei is around, I'm still essentially powerless. What's the point?"

  Ma Haiqing said: "If Your Excellency believes me, I'd like to recommend someone."

  "Who is it?"

  "Good!"

  "Isn't he Qin Wei's deputy general?"

  "This man's martial arts skills are exceptional, he is intelligent and steady, and has earned the respect of his subordinates, a trustworthy person."

  "He wasn't promoted by Qin Wei himself, how could he be willing to work for us?"

  "This is where he differs from Qin Wei, Qin Wei is stubborn and arrogant, but Zhou can adapt and knows when to yield. With a bit of effort, I'm sure he'll be useful to us!"

  "How to do it?"

  "Does the adult really want to regain actual power and rise step by step?"

  "That's natural!"

  "The first thing the adults had to do was to marry Miss off to Zhou Ke."

  "What? Granting a deputy general?"

  "Don't underestimate Zhou Ke, sir. He won't be just a deputy general for long. I've been observing him for a while now, and he's efficient in handling matters and steady in his actions. He'll definitely rise to prominence one day. With Miss following such a capable general, what more good days are there to worry about? Even you, sir, won't be staying in this position forever. When the time comes, both father-in-law and son-in-law will occupy half of the imperial court's civil and military positions, who would dare show disrespect to you then?"

  Hu Yong was overjoyed when Ma Haiqing said this, and his heart felt at ease. He said: "If that day comes, I will never forget Brother Ma's kindness!" The two of them filled their cups to the brim and toasted each other in celebration!

  Another day passed, and Hu Yong hosted a banquet to entertain Zhou Ke. Zhou Ke had been moved by Ma Haiqing's words the day before, and today he saw Hu Xingying making an appointment with him, and was treated to such a grand feast, he understood three points in his heart, at the same time, he also thought that he couldn't underestimate Ma Haiqing's ability, in just one day, he had moved Hu Daren.

  Indeed, at the banquet, Hu Yong kept sizing up Zhou Ke, with a heroic air between his eyebrows. Although he didn't speak much, his words were measured and to the point. Perhaps it was true what Ma Haiqing said - this person must not have been living under others for long. Hu Yong was very satisfied with Zhou Ke and wanted to expand his own power, so following Ma Haiqing's suggestion, he began asking about Zhou Ke's family situation. Zhou Ke answered truthfully. Hu Yong repeatedly praised him, saying that only those who had experienced hardships would truly appreciate success. Later, when asked if Zhou Ke was married, Zhou Ke replied that he wasn't, and Hu Yong immediately proposed the idea of marrying his daughter to Zhou Ke, which Zhou Ke readily agreed to.

  This was not Zhou Ke's casual agreement, but the conclusion he came up with after thinking for two days and nights. He was unwilling to be just a deputy general for his whole life, and with his own efforts, plus the help of his father-in-law Hu Da Ren and the richest man Ma Haiqing, his day of rapid advancement would begin!

  Although their goals are different, these three people have formed a united front in some sense.