Chapter Thirty-Six: Scheming in Qinghai (Seeking Bookmarks and Recommendations)

  "Are you talking about Ma Haiyan, the eldest son of Qinghai Tidu?" Wang Yuez asked excitedly, grabbing Ma Fei's collar. Is it necessary for Ma Ke to take risks and lead the team to attack the third battalion's station in person? Wang Yuez seemed to have forgotten that he was also taking risks now. As the identity of Xichuan Xiaoshuai, he humbled himself in a small military station, if something unexpected happened, who would be responsible.

  "Yes, sir, it's that Ma Qi!" The horse bandit was startled and hastily replied.

  "Haha, great! Come on, you guys go with him and bring Ma Qi back to me. You, go inform the regiment commander that we've caught a big fish!" Wang Yuzhang laughed loudly. He had never expected to catch such a big fish as Ma Qi. Originally, he was only hoping to capture a few prisoners from the Green Horse Army, which would make the Green Horse Army take responsibility for provoking Sichuan and provide a reasonable excuse for Sichuan to annex Qinghai. Now that they had caught Ma Qi, it was an unexpected delight. This not only confirmed the guilt of the Green Horse Army in provoking Sichuan, but if used well, might also make it easier to swallow up Qinghai.

  "Yes, Third Company!" Two soldiers from the third company immediately led the captured bandit into the stable. Another person ran to inform Battalion Commander Zhang Shusen.

  When the traitorous Ma Fei led two soldiers from the third company into the stable, Ma Qi's heart tightened as he sensed danger. He hastily hid behind two tall and sturdy cavalrymen, who also sensed the danger and intentionally or unintentionally shielded Ma Qi behind them.

  However, the stable was just that big, and after the traitorous horse bandit had turned around in a circle, he still managed to find Ma Ke. "Officer, it's him, it's Ma Ke!" The traitorous horse bandit exclaimed excitedly.

  Two third-rank soldiers immediately went to Ma Qi, took him out of the crowd and wanted to take him away. The surrounding Qingma army soldiers hurriedly resisted, but their hands were all tied up, and they could not exert much force.

  "What do you want to do?" Faced with the resistance of the Green Horse Army, the soldiers of the Third Battalion did not hesitate at all. With a single rifle butt, they struck down. In an instant, a soldier of the Green Horse Army had his head smashed open, and bright red blood flowed out.

  The third company soldiers guarding the prisoners around also found something unusual and shouted. "What do you want to do?" The cavalry rifles in their hands were aimed at these rebellious bandits. A "click" sound was heard, all of them had loaded.

  "Everyone calm down, don't resist, I'll be fine!" Ma Qi hastily dissuaded. He knew that if they continued to resist, the soldiers of the third regiment would definitely open fire. Since they had already been captured, it was better to behave and avoid adding casualties. Moreover, the goal of the Sichuan Army was him, so they shouldn't harm his life.

  Under Ma Qi's comfort, the captured soldiers of the Green Horse Army finally calmed down. Ma Qi followed the third company's soldiers and walked out of the stable.

  "Master Ma, nice to meet you! I am Wang Long, the commander of the third company of the second battalion of the tenth brigade of the Sichuan Western Army!" Wang Yuze said with a smile as he looked at Ma Qi. Although Ma Qi was captured and looked somewhat disheveled, he couldn't hide the air of dignity about him.

  "King Lian Chang is good! I don't know what you're looking for Ma Mou, what's the matter?" Ma Qi said calmly.

  "Haha, Master Ma's young master has come to our Sichuan province as a guest, of course we must treat him with great hospitality!" Wang Zuoze said with a smile. At this time, Zhang Shusen had already arrived.

  "Captain, this is Young Master Ma Qi of the Green Horse Army!" Wang Yuzhe immediately explained to Zhang Shusen.

  "Hello, Master Ma!" Zhang Shusen's face also lit up with joy when he heard that this person was actually Ma Qi.

  "Zhang Ying Chang is good!" Ma Qi said coldly.

  "Wang Long, take Master Ma downstairs to rest for a while!" Zhang Shusen said.

  "Alright, someone come and prepare a room for Master Ma, let Master Ma take a rest!" Wang Yuze said to Wang Wei beside him.

  "Master Ma, please!" Wang Wei immediately said to Ma Qi.

  Ma Qi nodded and followed Wang Wei away.

  "Wang Long, your third company has made a great achievement this time! I will report to the Ministry of War." Zhang Shusen said excitedly. Catching Ma Qi is a big merit. In today's relatively peaceful environment, it is even more rare and precious.

  "Thanks, Captain. However, Captain, our company's weapons and ammunition consumption is quite large, and we've also suffered a lot of casualties. We'll need to ask the company commander to replenish us," Wang Long said with a smile. He was overjoyed at having captured Ma Qi.

  "No problem, as soon as I return to the headquarters, I will immediately arrange for someone to replenish your supplies!" Zhang Shusen replied promptly.

  "Captain, with so many captives and Ma Qi, it's not safe to keep them in our barracks. Please take all these prisoners and Ma Qi to the battalion headquarters!" Wang Yuze continued. These military achievements all belong to him, no one can deny them. There is no need to continue detaining these prisoners in the third company's barracks.

  "Good!" Zhang Shusen didn't think much and immediately agreed. This time, the third company made a great contribution, and their second battalion also benefited from it.

  After lunch at the third battalion's barracks, Battalion Commander Zhang Shusen led the reinforcements and escorted over a hundred prisoners of war back to Liuzi. The soldiers of the third battalion also rested and repaired fortifications under the leadership of Deputy Battalion Commander Wang Wei. Those destroyed abatis and walls needed to be rebuilt. Wang Yuezhe, however, stayed alone in his quarters, wanting to organize his thoughts and form a complete plan.

  Qinghai is located in the northeast of the plateau, although the geographical conditions are relatively harsh, but the strategic position is very important. Cavalry can directly rush down from the plateau, threatening the Hexi Corridor to the west, attacking the Mongolian grasslands to the north, and launching an attack on the Guanzhong region to the east. If this place is occupied, it will necessarily change the current passive defense situation of western Sichuan, turning into an active offense.

  Now, Qinghai and Gansu provinces are both under the control of the Ma family army. Among them, the one controlling Qinghai is the Qinghai Ma Army, led by Ma Haiyan, who was appointed as the Qinghai Provincial Governor by the Qing court. Gansu is under the control of the Hezhou Ma Family Army, with its current leader being Ma Anliang, son of Ma Zhan'ao, who was granted the title of Gansu Provincial Governor by the Qing court. There is also another one, which is the Ningxia Town Protection Army led by Ma Qianling. Among them, Ma Haiyan and Ma Qianling were both important assistants to Ma Zhan'ao during his uprising in Hezhou. Even though the Ma Family Army has now split into three branches, and Ma Zhan'ao has passed away, Ma Haiyan and Ma Qianling often still regard Ma Anliang as their leader. The three families combined control a total of 100,000 elite cavalrymen. If the Sichuan-Xikang army can occupy Qinghai and Gansu provinces and absorb these 100,000 elite cavalrymen, it will undoubtedly greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of Sichuan-Xikang. At that time, Sichuan-Xikang will be able to directly threaten the Qing court's central government, and its strategic turning point will also be greatly expanded.

  However, the relationship between Ma's army and Sichuan's Xikang Army has been very tense in recent years, with frequent clashes. Moreover, Ma's army is also very hostile to the Qing court, wanting them to turn against Xikang, which is almost impossible. But now? Ma Haiyan's eldest son Ma Qi is already in Wang Ruzi's hands. He can use this opportunity to do many things. Ma Haiyan attaches great importance to this eldest son, and if the Xikang side can offer conditions that satisfy him, it may not be impossible for Ma Haiyan to turn against Xikang.

  If Ma Haiyan refuses to surrender to Chuanxi, the Chuanxi army can also use this as an excuse to launch an attack on Qingma and take control of Qinghai by force. Although the Ma family's army has many people and is powerful, in terms of combat strength, it cannot be compared to the Chuanxi army. The Qingma army of over 30,000 people was not defeated by the Chuanxi army's 4th and 10th brigades, totaling 16,000-17,000 people? However, if force is used, it will inevitably consume a large amount of financial and material resources. If the other two branches of the Ma family's army support Qingma, then this battle can be fought. Nevertheless, taking down Qinghai and then plotting against Gansu, if successful, would indeed bring huge benefits to the Chuanxi army. Therefore, even with difficulties, it should not be abandoned. Wang Ze believes that Wang Xiao and other high-ranking officials in Chuanxi will also see this point.

  Update 2 is here, please collect!