Chapter 43: Winning Over Ma Qian

  "But sir, if we don't agree to Chuanxi's terms, then Young Master Ma's safety will be..." Zhou He spoke up, as an advisor, it was his duty to remind Ma Haiyan of these issues.

  "Sir, we will launch an attack on the Western Sichuan Army immediately and force them to release Young Master. If our Qing Ma Army, He Zhou Ma Family Army, and Ning Ma Army join forces, even if the Western Sichuan Army is powerful, they won't be a match for us!" Gu Hongyun loudly requested.

  "Father, big brother's safety is more important!" Ma Lin also looked anxious. Although he was eager for the Western Sichuan army to kill Ma Qi, he still had to put on a necessary appearance. Otherwise, Ma Haiyan would think differently of him.

  "Hmph! None of you need to persuade me anymore. The Sichuan army has been too deceitful, my Qingma army and they will not coexist. Zhou He, go to Hezhou immediately, contact the Hezhou Ma family army and the Ningma army, our three families will jointly send troops to besiege Sichuan. They dare to move against my son, I won't let them off!" Ma Haiyan said viciously.

  "Yes, sir!" Zhou He replied, taking orders.

  "Hong Yun, go and get the troops ready! Once we receive a response from Hezhou, we'll launch an immediate attack!" Ma Haiyan ordered.

  "Yes, sir! My brothers have long been ready to take on the Kansai army!" Gu Hongyun exclaimed excitedly.

  After Zhou He and Gu Hongyun left, only Ma Haiyan and Ma Lin were left in the study.

  "Father, don't worry too much, big brother will be fine!" Ma Lin comforted. Ma Haiyan only had two sons, Ma Qi and Ma Lin, and now Ma Qi was likely to die, leaving only him. So, the future of the Qing Ma Army would definitely be inherited by him, which made Ma Lin very excited. Originally, Ma Qi was the recognized heir. Now that Ma Qi was in trouble, this was a heaven-sent opportunity!

  "Ma Lin, your elder brother is a good person, but he's too competitive and impulsive. You must remember this!" Ma Haiyan said to Ma Lin. Now, it's probably very difficult to rescue Ma Qi safely, he can only rely on Ma Lin.

  "Yes, Father. I remember!" Ma Lin hastily said.

  "Alright, you can go now! If your brother died in the Western Sichuan Army, you must avenge him!" A gleam of resentment shone in Ma Haiyan's eyes.

  "Yes, Father. Kawachi and I will never coexist!" Ma Lin guaranteed immediately.

  The next day, Ma Yun Tao received a reply from Ma Hai Yan. As expected, Ma Hai Yan categorically rejected the conditions of the Sichuan Army. At the same time, he ordered Ma Yun Tao to continue negotiating with the Sichuan Army and try his best to rescue Ma Qi. If he couldn't be rescued, then there was no need for him to return either.

  Ma Yuntao received this reply and suddenly felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. His family was all in Xining! If they failed, then neither he nor his family would have a way out.

  Ma Yunhao had an emergency meeting with Cai Yun, and the negotiations continued.

  "General Cai, the Commander has already rejected your army's request. Your army's request is really too much to ask for, please change the condition!" Ma Yuntao said with a bitter face.

  "Could it be that Ma Haiyan doesn't care about his son's life or death?" Cai Yun said with a playful smile.

  Ma Yuntao shook his head, son is important, but the foundation of the family is even more important! If the son is gone, he can be reborn, but if the foundation of the family is gone, it's not that easy to get back. Besides, Ma Haiyan has more than one son, and the death of one won't affect the succession of the Ma family. Therefore, it's impossible for the Western Sichuan Army to threaten Ma Haiyan into accepting their leadership by using Ma Qi as leverage.

  Ma Yun Tao was also somewhat perplexed, he knew that this result would necessarily be very clear to the Sichuan Army. But why did the Sichuan Army still make such a request? Was there some other sinister plot that had not yet come to fruition?

  "Alright! Let's discuss with the Chengdu side again. Mr. Ma will also communicate with General Ma to strive for a condition that satisfies both parties. That's all for today, let's talk again tomorrow!" said Cai Yun.

  "Alright, General Cai!" Ma Yuntiao nodded. He already knew that this mission was likely to be a failure.

  "Chief of Staff, it seems that Ma Haiyan is unwilling to trade his son's life for the land!" Wu Yaohui said with a smile.

  "This wasn't already within our expectations? Alright, it's time for the second step. Yuze, it's your turn next!" Cai Yun said to Wang Yuze.

  "Alright, Chief of Staff, I'll go see Ma Qi immediately!" Wang Ruzi nodded and quickly left.

  The Tenth Corps had specially prepared a small courtyard for Ma Ke, the environment was very quiet, and all around were the elite guards of the Tenth Corps, Ma Ke simply could not escape.

  Wang Yuezhe came to the outside of the small courtyard, and after inspection, he was allowed to enter the courtyard. The courtyard was not big, with only three rooms, very simple. After Wang Yuezhe entered, he saw Ma Qi sitting by the stone table in the courtyard, staring blankly. Several months had passed since they last met, and Ma Qi looked much thinner than when they first met. Several months of house arrest had dealt a severe blow to Ma Qi's body and mind.

  "Mr. Ma is in high spirits!" Wang Yuez said with a smile.

  Ma Qi glanced at Wang Yuze, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes, but his face remained calm.

  "Is Wang Lianchang in trouble?" Ma Qi said. Being under house arrest for so long, whether it was release or execution, the Sichuan Army had not given a clear statement, which made him extremely depressed and anxious.

  "I've come to tell Master Ma a piece of news. Your father has sent someone over, hoping to take you back home!" Wang Yuez said, while secretly paying attention to Ma Qi's expression.

  As expected, a gleam of joy flashed in Ma Qi's eyes. However, he didn't show it and calmly asked, "What? Are you willing to let me go?"

  "Of course, as long as General Ma agrees to our terms, we'd be happy to let you go!" Wang Yuze said with a sincere expression.

  At that moment, Ma Qi's face showed a hint of a smile. He was Ma Haiyan's most beloved son, and although he had been captured, he knew that Ma Haiyan would definitely find a way to rescue him back. The thought of leaving this terrible place soon made him extremely happy.

  "However, unfortunately, we just received the news that Commander Ma did not agree to our terms. So, Young Master Ma, you will have to stay here!" Wang Yuze said with some regret.

  "What? No, it's impossible. My father wouldn't abandon me!" Ma Qi suddenly stood up and loudly shouted out of control.

  "That's right, you must have made too excessive demands, otherwise, my father would definitely not ignore me!" Ma Qi suddenly said.

  "Yes, I admit it. Our terms were somewhat excessive. We demanded that the Qinghai Army accept our reorganization and merge with Sichuan. But General Ma refused categorically!" Wang Ruzi said.

  "Haha!" Ma Qi sighed and shook his head. With such conditions, Ma Haiyan would certainly not agree. How could Ma Qi compare to the foundation of the Green Horse Army?!

  "So, Master Ma, General Ma has already given up on you. You'll probably end your days in western Sichuan. I recall that you have a younger brother, don't you? No wonder General Ma would give up on you!" Wang Yuze said suddenly.

  Ma Kei's eyes were a dull gray, he knew that Ma Haiyan would never use Qinghai and the Green Horse Army to exchange for him. For the rest of his life, he would likely be under house arrest by the Sichuan Western Army.

  "Master Ma, now there are only two paths laid out before you. One is to be under our soft detention for the rest of your life. The other is to cooperate with us. You will become a high-ranking general in my Sichuan Western Army. We can help you gain control over the Green Horse Army. However, the Green Horse Army under your control must accept our reorganization!" Wang Yuez said out his main purpose for visiting Ma Qi this time.

  His eyes lit up, and he certainly didn't want to be under house arrest for the rest of his life. However, surrendering to the Western Sichuan Army made him hesitate. He knew that what the Western Sichuan Army wanted was the tens of thousands of elite soldiers of the Qingma Army and the territory of Qinghai. Of course, if he cooperated, the Western Sichuan Army would not go back on their word. But to betray the Qingma Army, to betray Ma Haiyan, that was something he couldn't bring himself to do.

  "Master Ma, don't forget, Commander Ma has already given up on you! This is your last chance!" Wang Yuze said again.

  In Ma Qi's eyes, a resolute glint flashed. "Alright, I agree to cooperate with the Chuanxi Army!" Ma Qi nodded heavily.

  PS: The first update is here!