Chapter Forty-Four: Loyalty to Western Sichuan

  "Haha, good! Ma Qi, I guarantee you won't regret today's decision!" Wang Yuzhang laughed. Having bought off Ma Qi means opening a breach in the solid fortress of the Qinghai and Gansu armies, with the full support of the Sichuan army, Ma Qi will inevitably seize control of the Qinghai army, which will be the crucial first step for Sichuan to control Qinghai and Gansu.

  As for whether Ma Qi is truly loyal to the Xikang, it doesn't matter. What Xikang lacks now is just a signboard of the Ma family. The Ma family army has controlled Qinghai and Gansu provinces for over 20 years, and their rule in these two provinces has taken root. Outsiders find it difficult to replace them. Even the Qing dynasty's governor-general of Shaanxi and Gansu can only control Lanzhou city. Other areas in Gansu and Qinghai all follow the orders of the Ma family army. Xikang has a sound military system, once the Qinghai Ma Army is reorganized, a large number of mid-to-low-level officers will be incorporated, coupled with a significant increase in military pay and benefits. At that time, even if Ma Qi had any dissenting thoughts, he would probably have to bury them deep in his heart.

  Wang Yuez quickly reported the news to Cai Yun. Cai Yun was very satisfied with this. With Ma Qi's assistance, the next action would be much smoother. However, in order to deepen Ma Qi's resentment towards the Green Horse Army and stir up trouble between them, Cai Yun also planned to let Ma Qi watch a play.

  The next day, the negotiations between Chuanxi and Qingma Army continued. However, Ma Yuntiao still looked bitter. Obviously, communicating with Ma Haiyan had no effect, and Ma Haiyan still disagreed with Chuanxi's terms.

  "General Cai, the Commander is still not in agreement with your terms. Will you change to a condition that our Qing Ma army can accept?" asked Ma Yun Tao. If he couldn't take Ma Qi away and returned to Xining, there would be no good outcome for him, and even his family would be implicated.

  Cai Yun shook his head and said, "I'm very sorry! I also made a report to General Dai. However, General Dai insisted that only if the Qinghai Army and the Green Sea accepted the leadership of the Sichuan Army would he release Ma Ke."

  "It seems we can't come to an agreement!" Ma Yuntao sighed and shook his head. This time, I really don't know how to report back!

  "Ah! We didn't expect that, in the eyes of General Ma, the land would be more important than his own son's life. Besides, isn't it different for the Green Horse Army to pledge allegiance to the Qing court versus pledging allegiance to our Sichuan? The Qing dynasty is already on its last legs, while our Sichuan is thriving. The final victory will definitely belong to us Sichuan. If the Green Horse Army joins us, you will also have your share of glory and wealth!" Cai Yun sighed.

  "The Admiral's decision is unchangeable. Although Master Ma Qi is important, he is not the only choice for the Admiral. Even if you have captured Master Ma Qi, there is still Second Young Master. The Admiral cultivating Second Young Master instead will not make a difference either. Therefore, I think it would be better for your army to release Master Ma Qi and exchange him for some war horses or something more useful!" Ma Yun Tao made his final struggle.

  "Is that so? No need! I think, General Ma will definitely regret his decision!" A mysterious smile appeared on Cai Yun's face. What's the importance of war horses compared to a fine steed like Ji?

  Next to the conference room used for negotiations, there was a small room. Originally, this place was used to store miscellaneous items, but now it has been tidied up. Wang Yuzhe and Ma Qi were sitting in the room. However, at this moment, Ma Qi's face was ashen, black like the bottom of a pot. The conversation inside the conference room could be heard clearly here.

  Ma Ke originally had a bit of an illusion about Ma Haiyan, after all, although this time he was wrong, but a tiger does not eat its own son! As a father, shouldn't he try his best to save his own son? However, what Ma Ke did not expect was that Ma Haiyan would resolutely give up on him and instead cultivate his younger brother. Although the conditions of Chuanxi were somewhat excessive, Ma Haiyan's firm attitude still deeply hurt Ma Ke's heart. Originally, he had only been forced to prepare to rely on Chuanxi out of desperation. But now, since there was no longer a place for him in the Qingma Army, he could only wholeheartedly devote himself to Chuanxi. Only then would he be able to rise again.

  What Chuanxi Army wants, Ma Qi is very clear. He also believes that he and Chuanxi will work together to satisfy Chuanxi. At that time, his position in the Chuanxi army will naturally become more stable, and it may not be impossible to fully integrate into Chuanxi. Moreover, from his own point of view, compared with the Qing court, even if the Qing court is still huge now, Chuanxi is undoubtedly more vibrant. If there is a decisive battle between the Qing court and Chuanxi, the final victory will definitely belong to Chuanxi. Rather than being cleared up by the Chuanxi army in the future, it's better to join Chuanxi now, which can also be considered as making preparations for the next step.

  "General Wang, I am willing to write a letter of allegiance and pledge loyalty to Kuan Hsi!" Ma Kei said firmly.

  "Alright! I'll tell Chief Cai." Wang Yuezhe nodded.

  "King Zanmou, now that we have them here, let's go see Mr. Ma and his men! Mr. Ma is an important strategist of the Qingma Army, and Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming are also high-ranking generals with a large number of troops under their command. Since they've come to our place, we can't just let them leave. If we win them over, it's like opening the door to entering Qinghai!" Ma Qi said. The 12th Regiment of Bai Meng's Qingma Army and the 17th Regiment of Ding Zhongming were stationed in Nangqian, south of Yushu. The Qingma Army had a total of three regiments with over 3,000 troops stationed there, making it the frontline defense against Sichuan. Ma Qi knew that only by having troops under his command would he be taken seriously by Sichuan. Therefore, he had already begun to make plans at the first opportunity.

  "Alright! I'll take you over. Hope Mr. Ma and the others will listen to your advice!" Wang Yuze nodded, taking Ma Qi away from this small room.

  After coming out, Ma Qi took a deep breath. From now on, he was no longer the young master of the Green Horse Army. The Green Horse Army had abandoned him, and he was just an abandoned son. For his own future, he worked hard by himself.

  "Excuse me, everyone, sorry for the interruption!" Wang Yuezhe pushed open the conference room door and walked in.

  Everyone's eyes in the conference room were focused on him. Seeing Cai Yun's inquiring gaze, Wang Yuze nodded calmly without changing his expression. Then he stepped aside from the doorway. Suddenly, Ma Qi, who was behind him, appeared before everyone.

  "Big Young Master!" Ma Yuntao, Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming all jumped up from their chairs, shouting loudly.

  However, Ma Qi ignored them and walked towards Cai Yun. He didn't stop until he was right in front of her.

  Ma Qi has met with General Cai! From now on, I, Ma Qi, swear to be loyal to the Sichuan Army and beg General Cai to take me in!" Ma Qi bowed to Cai Yun.

  "What?" Ma Yuntao, Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming, upon seeing Ma Qi's action, all took a deep breath.

  "Great Master, you are the young master of Qing Ma Army, how can you be loyal to Chuan Xi Army?" Ma Yun Tao immediately jumped up.

  "Hmph! What great young master? I'm just a discarded son now!" Ma Qi said disdainfully.

  "Haha! Alright! Ma Qi, the Western Sichuan Army is more than happy to have you. However, if you want me to take you in, then you've got the wrong person. Let me formally introduce you to Wang Yuezhe, the son of Generalissimo of Western Sichuan, our Young Marshal. If you want to pledge your loyalty, Ma Qi, you can directly pledge it to the Young Marshal!" Cai Yun said, pointing at Wang Yuezhe.

  "Ah?" Ma Qi was extremely shocked, he had not expected that Wang Ruzi would be the young marshal of Western Sichuan. When he led his troops to attack the military station at that time, Wang Ruzi was right there! Instantly, Ma Qi looked up to Wang Ruzi a lot more. With such a noble identity, he could still come to the dangerous place in person, this is absolutely not something that ordinary people can do. Maybe, under the leadership of such a young marshal, Western Sichuan can really defeat the Qing court!

  Ma Yuntao, Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming were also shocked. Originally they all thought that Wang Yuezhe was just a deputy officer of Cai Yun or something, but they did not expect that Wang Yuezhe's identity would be so noble.

  "Ma Qi pays his respects to General Wang, from now on, Ma Qi's life is in the hands of General Wang!" Ma Qi heavily knelt down in front of Wang Yuzeng.

  "Alright, alright! Brother Ma, please get up. We don't follow this custom in our Sichuan province. From now on, we are one family!" Wang Yuezhe hastily helped Ma Qi up.

  PS: The second update is here! Little fish continues to ask for collection, collection is important for new books, book friends can collect first and then read when they are full!