Chapter Thirty-Nine Plan Begins

  Ma Yuntao's piercing gaze stared at Wang Yuezhe, with an intimidating tone that was evident in his words. He believed that a small company commander of the Chuanxi Army would definitely be terrified if threatened in such a way. After all, the Qingma Army had 36 battalions and over 30,000 elite cavalrymen, which was already a very powerful force. Even facing the Chuanxi Army, the Qingma Army could still hold its head high. Not to mention a small military station with only 200 Chuanxi soldiers.

  The news of Ma Qi's defeat and capture at the Sichuan Army's military station was transmitted back to Xining, where Ma Haiyan flew into a rage, cursing loudly. He scolded Ma Qi for acting arbitrarily and being reckless, while also expressing deep dissatisfaction with the Sichuan Army. The Qinghai Army had been having increasing friction with the Sichuan Army over the years, accumulating deep resentment. Now, even the young master of the Qinghai Army had been captured. If it weren't for the Sichuan Army's formidable strength, which would have crushed the Qinghai Army if they had launched a full-scale attack with their two divisions and 16,000 to 17,000 troops, Ma Haiyan would have already ordered his army to launch a counterattack and flatten the Sichuan Army's military station.

  Although Ma Haiyan is now sixty-four years old and no longer as brave as he was decades ago when he led the cavalry against the Qing dynasty, the strong aura emanating from him still cannot be matched by others. The generals of the Green Horse Army, under Ma Haiyan's intimidation, all nodded in agreement, not daring to utter another word.

  Everyone knows that Ma Qi is the son whom Ma Haiyan values most. As an old man who had a late-born son, Ma Haiyan has high hopes for Ma Qi. Although Ma Qi is a bit rough in his actions, overall he is still very good in all aspects and will definitely be able to inherit the Qinghai Army well in the future. But now Ma Qi has fallen into the hands of the Chuanxi Army, which makes Ma Haiyan unable to rest assured.

  If it weren't for the fear of putting Ma Qi's life in danger, Ma Haiyan would have ordered to go to war with the Kansai army long ago. Of course, even if we want to see the Kansai army, we have to wait until spring arrives. In the severe cold winter, it is not the right time for a large-scale attack. If we can bring Ma Qi back safely before that, it would be the best.

  Therefore, Ma Yuntao's mission this time is to put pressure on Wang Yuezhe and try to rescue Ma Qi safely. Next year, the Qingma Army will launch a counterattack against the Chuanxi Army. After all, Ma Qi was captured, hundreds of elite soldiers were killed or injured, and this revenge cannot be forgotten!

  "Haha, Mr. Ma, are you threatening me?" Wang Yuezhe burst out laughing and his smile disappeared in an instant, asking coldly.

  "Wang Lianchang is getting serious! Ma Mou was just stating a fact. The tens of thousands of elite cavalrymen of the Qingma Army cannot just watch as their young master is captured, so please release Young Master Wang and let him return to Xining to reunite with his family. Otherwise, if the tens of thousands of elite cavalrymen of the Qingma Army were to go crazy, it would be unbearable! So, Wang Lianchang, release Young Master Wang, and our two families can also make amends!" Ma Yun Tao said with a smile, although he repeatedly denied threatening Wang Yuze, but the meaning was very clear, even an idiot could hear it. The Qingma Army was mostly made up of ..., after the Ma family rebelled, ... became increasingly fierce, and even after accepting the Qing court's amnesty, they were still unmanageable, to the point where even the Qing court had no way to deal with them.

  "Hmph! In that case, Mr. Ma, you can leave now! I, Wang Long, await the great invasion of your Green Horse Army! I'd like to see how you'll trample my humble outpost!" Wang Yuze said coldly.

  "Really?" Ma Yun Tao's face was full of astonishment, seemingly not expecting that Wang Yu Ze could still be so tough in the face of Qing Ma Jun's threat. Did he really think that a small military station could rival the tens of thousands of elite troops of Qing Ma Jun?

  "Wang Lianchang, you'd better think it through carefully. When the time comes, our elite cavalry will arrive, and your small army station will definitely be annihilated without a single soldier left. Not to mention, your actions will also affect the relationship between our Qingma Army and Chuanxi Army. Although Chuanxi Army is powerful, we Qingma Army are not to be underestimated either. Moreover, we have the support of Hezhou Ma's army and Ningma Army, with three armies united, totaling one million elite troops. Even if it's your Chuanxi Army, you wouldn't dare to challenge us!" Ma Yuntao said with a sinister gaze.

  In the entire northwest of China, the Ma family army is undoubtedly a force with the strongest strength. The terrain in Northwest China is flat, either grasslands or Gobi Desert, which is very suitable for cavalry charges. The three families of the Ma family army have 100,000 elite cavalrymen, dominating the northwest, and no one can match them. Even the Sichuan-Xikang Army needs to be fully prepared before they can confront them.

  "Mr. Ma, please go ahead! Don't say that Ma Qi is not in my hands now, even if he was, I'm afraid I couldn't hand him over to you either! To be honest with you, Ma Qi has already been sent to Changdu. If the Green Horse Army wants people, I think it's more suitable for you to go to Changdu. Of course, whether or not we can take away Ma Qi depends on the intentions of our Sichuan-Western Military leaders." Wang Yuezhe said coldly with a smile. He knew that Ma Qi would be an important pawn for the Sichuan-Western Military to balance the Green Horse Army, and it wouldn't be so easy to let him go. This time, Ma Yuntao was probably making a wasted trip.

  "Ah!" Ma Yun Tao was furious. Wasn't Wang Yu Ze just playing with people? Since Ma Qi wasn't even in his hands, why say so much, completely wasting time. At the same time, Ma Yun Tao also felt that this mission would likely end in failure. Since Ma Qi had been sent to Changdu, it was clear that Ma Qi's capture had already caught the attention of the high-level officials of the Chuanxi Army. They obviously wouldn't let Ma Qi go so easily.

  "Please! Wang Wei, see the guest off!" Wang Yuze stood up and said.

  "Mr. Ma, please!" Wang Wei said immediately.

  "Hmph!" Ma Yun Tao let out a cold snort and left. Since Ma Qi was no longer at this military station, he didn't need to stay any longer either. It would be better to hurry to Changdu instead. Although he knew that going to Changdu wouldn't yield any results, at least he could find out about Ma Qi's recent situation! Moreover, he could also find out about the next move of the Chuanxi Army. This way, it would also make it easier for the Qingma Army to take proactive measures.

  Ma Yuntao and a dozen others were invited out of the barracks. Compared to the warm barracks, the cold and snowy ground outside was simply unbearable! The Qingma Army shouted and scolded, but looking at the dark muzzles of the heavy machine guns on the tower, they had no choice but to leave.

  Ma Yuntao took them, holding a letter written by Wang Yuezhe, and set foot on the road to Changdu. Without Wang Yuezhe's introduction letter, they would not have been able to arrive in Changdu safely. After all, the area behind Gasangka was considered the hinterland of the Sichuan-Xikang army. Even though it was snowing heavily now, the checkpoints everywhere were still heavily guarded. Ma Yuntao and his group wanted to reach Changdu unimpeded, which was basically impossible. Of course, in order to avoid conflict, Wang Yuezhe did not return their weapons either. Some old-fashioned 1886 Lebel rifles were not even looked at by him. Compared with the 1889 rifles and carbines used by the Sichuan-Xikang army, they had already fallen behind a lot.

  Like this, Ma Yun-tao and his party trudged through the snowy terrain with great difficulty for a whole week before they finally arrived in Changdu. After reporting their names, Ma Yun-tao met with Ma Qi. Ma Qi had not been mistreated, but was only under house arrest. All his food and drink were still being supplied abundantly. He was just restricted from freedom. As for the other captives, they did not receive such treatment at all. Those who were extremely guilty had already been executed. Some whose crimes were lighter would be sent back to Sichuan in the spring to repair roads and dig mines.

  After meeting Ma Qi, Ma Yuntao met with Zhao Bowei, the commander of the 10th Brigade, to express the intention of the Green Horse Army to take back Ma Qi. However, this request was sternly rejected by Zhao Bowei. But Zhao Bowei did not categorically rule out releasing Ma Qi, instead telling Ma Yuntao that next spring, the Sichuan Western Army would send a special envoy to negotiate with the Green Horse Army, and asked Ma Yuntao not to worry, while also asking him to report back to Ma Haiyan that talks between the two sides could begin next spring. As for the specific content, Zhao Bowei did not reveal it, perhaps even he himself was not very clear. However, he could guess that next spring, the 10th Brigade would have something to do and would not be idle like this year. Next spring, the Sichuan Western Army's big plan is about to unfold.

  Ma Yuntao had no choice but to return to Xining with disappointment and anger to report back to Ma Haiyan.

  PS: The first update is here, thank you for your support, this book has successfully risen to the new book chart! Continue to ask for collection!