Chapter 41: Ma Jun's Family

  Qin Guangcheng's face sank: "That private room is one I've reserved for years to entertain business partners and friends, how did it get arranged for someone else?"

  Qin's shopkeeper rubbed his hands together, looking embarrassed: "Yes, yes, it was the wife and a few others from the Ma military gate household."

  "Ma Junmen?" Qin Guangcheng was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "That's settled, arrange another table for us."

  The shopkeeper quickly arranged a table by the window and asked when they were seated, "Qin Dage, who is this Ma Junmen?"

  "Sichuan General Ma Wei Qi, the Horse General!" Qin Guangcheng gave a thumbs up: "This General Ma is indeed an extraordinary person. After being transferred from Guangdong to Sichuan, he really did some bad things."

  Ma Wei Qi joined the army at the age of 23, managed team defense matters, achieved many military merits, and was promoted several times. He was first appointed as the Right Battalion Commander of Wenshan, then transferred to serve as a Metropolitan Governor, and later appointed as a Patrol Officer with the rank of Deputy General. He was awarded the Peacock Feather Decoration and further promoted to Brigadier General, commanding the distant training army. His military talent amazed and envied many people, but also led to jealousy and framing.

  In the third year of Guangxu, Ma Wei Qi was ordered to lead troops from Wenshan to Kaiyuan to suppress bandits. He was swift and decisive in his campaign, capturing and killing the bandit leader. Later, bandits appeared again in Kaiyuan, and Ma Wei Qi was once more ordered to lead a campaign against them. This time, he went alone to the bandits' lair to persuade them to surrender, and they were intimidated by his bravery and prestige, all agreeing to give up. Ma Wei Qi then led the surrendered bandit leaders back to Wenshan to report.

  However, waiting for him was a disaster. Those who were jealous of him had falsely accused him before he arrived, saying that he was bringing the bandits to take over Wenshan city, and the whole city was put on high alert. When Ma Wei Qi approached the city, it was raining, and he arranged for his entourage to rest while he rode ahead into the city. As soon as he arrived at the town hall, he was arrested and detained for questioning.

  Ma Weiqi found an opportunity to write a letter to his nephew Ma Peiqing, who then sent the letter out. Only after the superior investigated and cleared up the matter was Ma Weiqi released.

  In the ninth year of Guangxu, the French invasion of Annan's war broke out. Ma Weiqi accepted the order and was appointed as the left camp commander of Suiyuan, leading his troops to support and station in Xinghua, responding to Ning, alone facing one side, defeating the French army many times. On the eve of the Quang Tri battle, Ma Weiqi disguised himself as an Annanese civilian and infiltrated the enemy's territory several times for reconnaissance. In the Battle of Dashi Pass, he led his troops to attack the main force of the French army from both wings with a rapid pincer movement, achieving victory, and then fought continuously, breaking through Xiaoba Chong, Yinggezi and more than ten passes, heavily damaging the French army.

  In the tenth year of Guangxu, more than 100 French soldiers and 9 warships launched a pincer attack on the three provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou, and the Black Flag Army led by Liu Yongfu. The situation was critical, and Ma Weiqi was ordered to rush to their aid. He led his troops in a fierce battle for two days and nights, eventually joining forces with Liu Yongfu. Ma Weiqi then led his troops to assist in the battle, capturing Lintao, Guangwei, and Huanggangtun. After returning to China, Ma Weiqi was promoted to deputy general and awarded the title of "Boduocibajianglu" for his bravery. He later served as the commander-in-chief of Pu'er, Linyuan, Zhaotong, and Chaozhou in Guangdong Province.

  In the 28th year of Guangxu, Ma Weiqi was promoted to Ti-Du ( Provincial Military Commander ) by Governor-General Xi Yongying while serving as the General-in-Chief of Chaozhou, Guangdong. He was then appointed Jianwei General by Governor-General Liu Changyou and held a first-rank official position before succeeding to the post of Sichuan Ti-Du.

  Governor of Sichuan Province, also made great efforts in the prosperity of Sichuan's military, economy and people's livelihood.

  After listening to Qin Guangcheng's introduction, Wang Hengyue only knew that he was also a hero who resisted foreign invasion. Being able to continuously defeat the French, his military talent can be seen. Qin Guangcheng gave up his seat, and it was also voluntary.

  After drinking for a while, he saw someone coming down from upstairs and walking to Qin Guangcheng's table, saying in a low voice: "Qin boss, my wife has invited you."

  Qin Guangcheng was taken aback and quickly pulled Wang Hengyue up, following that person upstairs.

  As soon as they entered, the person outside closed the door of the sedan chair. Inside sat a middle-aged woman dressed in simple attire and a 15 or 16-year-old girl with bright eyes and teeth, radiant with beauty.

  Qin Guangcheng recognized the middle-aged woman as Ma Weiqi's daughter-in-law, Ma Lu Nianci, and hastily stepped forward to say: "Good day, madam."

  "Mr. Qin's is good." Ma Lu Nianci first saw a strange young man standing behind Qin Guangcheng, slightly displeased, and then smiled: "We are women, it's inconvenient to see outsiders, so we can only invite Mr. Qin in. Chen was originally saying that Mr. Qin wouldn't come today, didn't expect to take Mr. Qin's place, please forgive me."

  "Madam, it's an honor for me to let you have this place," Qin Guangcheng said with a smile, observing the situation and knowing that he had a connection with the Ma family, so meeting them was not a problem. However, Wang Hengyue was an "outsider", and it would be inconvenient to meet female guests. He quickly added: "Madam, this is my sworn brother, Wang Hengyue, Wang Shuzhi."

  "It turned out to be Qin's brother, so there was nothing else. Ma Lu Nian invited the two to sit down: "This is my daughter Ma Yunxin. When her grandfather was transferred from Guangdong to Sichuan, she was still young and stayed in Guangdong. She just arrived in Chengdu yesterday and today she insisted on going out to have fun. I think we women shouldn't show off, but she wouldn't listen, and I couldn't do anything about it, so I had to follow her. Yunxin, this is your father's close friend Qin Guangcheng, Qin the shopkeeper."

  "Good sir Qin." Ma Yunxin stood up and bowed.

  "Big sister is good."

  Ma Lu Nianci took a look at Wang Hengyue and asked, "Is this Brother Wang back from abroad?"

  "Sir, he was originally from the United States and is now serving as a platoon leader in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Company of the 66th Regiment of the 33rd Mixed Brigade."

  "Second Battalion First Squadron Officer?" Ma Lu Nianji thought for a moment: "Ah, I remember now, no wonder the name sounds so familiar. It must be that Wang Squadron Officer who just arrived in Rong County and beat up the English strongman Opiyon."

  "Yes, it is indeed below." Wang Hengyue said as he stood up.

  "Sit, please sit down, I'm afraid we've kept you waiting." Ma Lu's face broke into a smile: "After Wang Zhiyuan's victory over the foreigner was announced in Chengdu, my father and husband were both overjoyed. My father said that foreigners have been running amok in our country, looking down on us as if we're nobody, but now with the emergence of a young hero like you, it's a great boost to the morale of our people, and those foreigners won't dare look down on us again!"

  Wang Hengyue humbly said a few words: "It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning. The defeat of the French at the Battle of Zhenhai is truly remarkable."

  Watching his brother make a scene, Qin Guangcheng's enthusiasm was stirred: "Why stop at this? After my brother defeated the foreign devils, he also led troops to defeat Lu Baogen's younger brother Lu Baojin, beheading countless people and bringing peace to Rong County!"

  "This is the blessing of the imperial court, the blessing of the country." Ma Lu Nianji said, letting people put on tableware, and actually got up personally to pour wine for Wang Hengyue: "Officer Wang, this cup I represent my Ma family to toast you!"

  Wang Hengyue hastily stood up: "I dare not, I dare not trouble you, madam!"

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