binnovel Chapter 420 Hu Er's Protection of the Master Almost Leads to Misunderstanding
Chapter 420 Hu Er's Protection of the Master Almost Leads to Misunderstanding
Ma Chao, Zhang Xiu, and the others were relaxed and prepared to march towards Wancheng. Zhang Xiu still held Aurora's reins, and the group chatted and laughed, the atmosphere harmonious. However, at that moment, a thunderous roar suddenly erupted in the distance, and a cloud of dust billowed into the air. A fierce and imposing cavalry force swept towards them like a raging storm. The force and speed of the cavalry were like surging waves, threatening to crush everything.
Everyone was stunned, their relaxed expressions vanishing in an instant, replaced by a look of astonishment. Their eyes turned to Ma Chao, filled with confusion and unease. Pan Feng and Wu Anguo reacted quickly, approaching Zhang Xiu from either side like ghosts, each extending a powerful hand to firmly grasp one of Zhang Xiu's arms. Pan Feng's eyes widened, and he roared, "Zhang Xiu, what are you doing? Are you a traitor? Are you planning to murder the general?" Wu Anguo's face was also filled with anger, his eyes flashing with coldness, and he increased the strength of his grip.
Zhang Liao and Zhang Ren were equally decisive, their meticulously trained skills on full display. They swiftly rolled over, dashed to their horses in a few lightning strides, and then mounted with the grace of a swallow. Zhang Liao shouted, "All troops, prepare for battle!" The sound resonated through the air like a resounding bell. Upon hearing the command, the soldiers immediately halted their work setting up camp and quickly and methodically began preparing for battle. Their coordinated movements and unfazed demeanor betrayed the Xiliang army's meticulous training and strict discipline.
Zhang Xiu's eyes immediately turned red with rage upon hearing Pan Feng and Wu Anguo's accusations. He struggled desperately, shouting, "Nonsense! How could I, Zhang Xiu, be such a treacherous person? I am loyal to the general, how could I have any ill intentions? My brothers in the city must be worried about my safety and have rushed here to check on me. Don't control me like this without reason. If the cavalry really attacks, it will only cause unnecessary damage if we fight against each other!"
After a brief moment of shock, Ma Chao came to his senses. He frowned, gently kicked Wu Anguo and Pan Feng with his foot, and shouted, "Let go! Let go! Zhang Xiu is our brother. We fought together on the battlefield when we were young, through life and death. I know him best. How could he have any evil intentions towards me? Stop your nonsense." Although Wu Anguo and Pan Feng were unwilling to do so, they dared not disobey Ma Chao's orders and slowly let go.
Ma Chao looked at Zhang Xiu, his gaze filled with trust. He said, "Ah Xiu, tell the brothers not to panic. We are all brothers, and they are surely worried about your safety. Don't let misunderstandings damage their relationship." Zhang Xiu was extremely embarrassed and angry. He felt that he had lost face in front of the general and the other soldiers. Without saying a word, he jumped on his horse, whipped his horse, and shouted to his guards, "Let's go and stop these reckless men. Don't let them act rashly." With that, he took the lead, galloping towards the smoke and dust, in the opposite direction of the cavalry. His back exuded a sense of determination and resolve.
Hu Che'er led his troops forward like a surging tide, the dust raised by their horses' hooves obscuring the sky. Suddenly, he caught sight of the figure of Young Master Zhang Xiu, leading his personal guards, charging fiercely in the opposite direction. Hu Che'er was startled, his face pale, his eyes filled with terror. He shouted orders at the top of his voice, demanding a swift reversal and a slow charge towards Ma Chao's flank, constantly shouting at his soldiers to slow their horses to prevent them from losing control. The army slowly weaved its way towards Ma Chao's flank, knowing full well that if a genuine charge were to injure the Young Master, he would be held responsible even if he had ten thousand lives.
As they neared Zhang Xiu's side, Hu Che'er frantically pulled on the reins, halting the horse. The horse neighed, its front hooves raised high. Hu Che'er, not caring much, quickly dismounted and trotted over to Zhang Xiu's horse. With a plop, he knelt on the ground, his body trembling with fear and nervousness.
Zhang Xiu was simmering with uncontrollable rage. His face flushed red, and veins bulged on his forehead. He suddenly raised his spear, which gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and pointed it directly at the kneeling Hu Che'er. He shouted, "Hu Che'er, you reckless barbarian, have you truly lost your mind? The situation is unclear, yet you dare to lead your troops into an attack? Who gave you the courage?" Hu Che'er knelt on the ground, sweat dripping from his forehead, soaking his clothes. He kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead thumping against the ground as he spoke, "Young Master, Young Master! I'm worried about your safety. From afar, I saw you seemed trapped in the enemy's formation. I was so anxious that I forgot everything else and just wanted to rush in and save you." Zhang Xiu was trembling with anger and roared, "If I were truly trapped, expecting you to rush in recklessly like this would be like trying to stop a chariot. Furthermore, the war situation is unclear now. If you rashly lead your army into a desperate situation, wouldn't you be leading the entire army into a desperate situation? You're such a reckless person, you're only fit to be a general, not a commander."
Ma Chao, who had also taken in the scene, knew it was all a misunderstanding. He gently tapped Aurora's abdomen, and Aurora immediately understood, spreading its hooves and galloping forward. Soon, they reached Zhang Xiu's horse and halted alongside him. Zhang Xiu, already mortified, saw Ma Chao approach, his fury still lingering. He raised his spear and was about to lash Hu Che'er. In a flash, Ma Chao quickly raised his spear, blocking Zhang Xiu's attack. Ma Chao said sternly, "Ah Xiu, this general is concerned for your safety. He has a reason. How can you lash out at will? Wouldn't you chill their hearts by doing this? How can they ever serve you again?" Zhang Xiu listened to Ma Chao's reprimand, still furious, but he dared not move.
Hu Che'er, who was kneeling on the ground, raised his head suddenly after hearing what Ma Chao said. There seemed to be burning anger in his eyes. He glared at Ma Chao and said loudly: "Who are you? How dare you scold my young master so casually. No matter how my young master treats me, he can beat me if he wants to, and I, Hu Che'er, have no complaints. Even if he wants to take my head now, I am willing. Who do you think you are? How dare you scold my young master like this? It really makes me angry!" As he spoke, he clenched his fists tightly, and the blue veins on his forehead bulged like earthworms, as if he was going to fight Ma Chao to the death the next moment.
Ma Chao was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself, "This rough man really can't tell good from evil." Looking at Hu Che'er's face again, he was obviously a Hu person, but he also understood that although this was a Hu general, he must be a loyal follower of Zhang Xiu, so he was not angry.
Seeing this, Zhang Xiu's face was filled with rage. He whipped out his horse whip and lashed Hu Che'er with it. The whip was so strong that Hu Che'er trembled slightly, but he still knelt upright. Zhang Xiu scolded Hu Che'er, "You are really trying to piss me off to death! This is my general. Let alone scolding me, even if he really whips me with his horse whip, I, Zhang Xiu, will be happy. When is it your turn to scold my general? This is the mighty general Ma Chao, you are such a fool!"
When Hu Che'er heard it was the mighty General Ma Chao, his kneeling body trembled violently, but he remained unyielding and said, "Young Master, he scolded you, but I just didn't want to." Zhang Xiu glared at him fiercely, then quickly put on a smile and said to Ma Chao, "General, don't bother with such an ignorant Hu boy. He is just a barbarian."
Ma Chao, however, became interested. He gently jumped off Ji Guang and slowly approached Hu Che'er, offering his hand to help him up. Hu Che'er, however, remained stubborn and remained on his knees, refusing to be easily helped up. Ma Chao's lips curled up slightly, and with a slight exertion of force, Hu Che'er felt a sudden lightening of the body, and involuntarily stood up, staring at Ma Chao in astonishment.
Ma Chao smiled and brushed the dust off Hu Che'er's skirt and armor while speaking to Zhang Xiu, "Ah Xiu, look at this general. Worried about your safety, he risked his life to come and save you. This shows that this Hu'er is truly loyal to you. In the future, you must protect your generals. All the soldiers are like brothers. Don't get angry and whip the soldiers easily. This is a taboo in the camp. Treat the soldiers with rewards for merit and punishments for mistakes."
"Never punish your soldiers based on personal feelings. This is unbecoming of a military commander. You must remember this." Ma Chao's expression was serious, his gaze brimming with authority and concern. Zhang Xiu's heart sank at these words. He dismounted, quickly approached Ma Chao, bowed respectfully, and said, "General, I will engrave your teachings in my heart and will never forget them." Seeing Zhang Xiu's sincerity, Ma Chao's initial annoyance dissipated, and his expression softened.
Zhang Xiu turned and walked over to Hu Che'er, patting his helmet with his hand. He said angrily, "You fool, what are you still standing there for? Why don't you pay your respects to General Shenwei Tian?" He then looked at Ma Chao, a smile plastered across his face, and continued, "General, don't get angry with this Hu'er. You are known for your easygoing and tolerant nature. If it were any other general, with his impetuous temper, and dared to offend you, he would be dead many times over."
Hu Che'er, awakened from his dream by Zhang Xiu's words, was filled with panic. He quickly fell to his knees with a thud, the sound muffled in the still air. Shame washed over him, and with deep regret, he said, "Hu Che'er is blind and ignorant of the might of the General. I have offended you and deserve death. Please punish me." Ma Chao, watching Hu Che'er's expression, felt both helpless and amused. He looked at Zhang Xiu and shook his head. Then, Ma Chao bent down again, offered his hand to help Hu Che'er up, and said gently, "Get up. Ignorance is not a crime."
Seeing this, Zhang Xiu's flattery deepened. He approached Ma Chao and said with a grin, "General, don't underestimate this Hu boy. He's a skilled fighter on the battlefield, quite brave and powerful. His original name was Hu Che'er, and he's a man of great ability. He can lift 500 kilograms, carrying heavy objects with ease. Furthermore, his legs seem to have divine power, allowing him to travel 700 miles a day without any problem. He's truly a remarkable figure in our army!"