Chapter 5

Cui Hong left, and no one knew where he had gone.

Ma Chao thought to himself, hoping he would see his teacher again someday.

Just then, Ma Chao saw Ma Teng walk in, "Mr. Cui has left?"

"He just left."

"I have something to discuss with you."

"Father, please speak."

"Follow me." Ma Teng walked ahead, and Ma Chao followed closely behind.

Ma Teng led Ma Chao to his study. After they sat down, Ma Teng said, "Chao, what are your plans?"

"What plans? Of course, I will continue to practice martial arts and read books." Ma Chao was confused.

"No, I mean what will you do about your studies. Mr. Cui has left, and you shouldn't let your studies fall behind." Ma Teng looked at Ma Chao seriously.

At this moment, Ma Chao remembered what Cui Hong said before he left: "Your father has his plans." Could it be...

"Father, what are your plans?" Ma Chao asked in return.

"Oh? I was the one asking you, but now you're asking me? Fine, since you asked, I'll tell you directly. I plan to move our family to Liangzhou and find a teacher for you there."

Liangzhou, Liangzhou, so soon? Ma Chao found it hard to accept, but he could only say, "I will follow Father's arrangements."

"Good, we'll leave in five days."

Five days later, the Ma family set out. To be honest, the Ma family didn't have much: two maids, two attendants, Ma Teng, Lady Liu, Ma Chao, and his two-year-old brother, Ma Xiu, along with some possessions.

Soon they arrived in Longxi, where they used to live. The place was in ruins, so dilapidated that no one wanted it even when it was given away for free. You can imagine how bad it must be now.

There was no choice but to have it renovated and rebuilt. Before the new house was ready, they had to stay elsewhere.

Fortunately, Ma Teng had an uncle here. Although his mother had passed away early, his uncle had always been good to him. When his father was poor, his uncle often helped them. His mother had only one brother, and the rest of the family was gone. After Ma Teng returned to Fufeng, he would send gifts to his uncle during holidays.

This time, he hadn't told his uncle about their return, wanting to surprise him. It turned out to be a double surprise: Ma Teng's return and the arrival of his entire family. Ma Teng's uncle was overjoyed. Being alone, he was especially happy to see his family.

After more than half a month, the house was completed, and the Ma family moved in.

One day, Ma Teng took Ma Chao to Long County in Hanyang, saying he would introduce him to a teacher. Ma Chao learned that the teacher's surname was Yan, and his name was Yan Zhong.

Who is Yan Zhong? Ma Chao had never heard of him. He only knew four people with the surname Yan. One was Yan Xiang, a subordinate of Yuan Shu; another was Yan Pu, an advisor to Zhang Lu; the third was Yan Xing, the son-in-law of Han Sui; and the last one was Yan Rou from the Wei Kingdom.

Yan Xing was also from Liangzhou, so they might be related. Maybe Yan Zhong was Yan Xing's father. If Yan Xing were here and knew that Ma Chao had given him a cheap father, he might have killed Ma Chao.

Upon arriving at Yan Zhong's residence, the gifts were taken in by a servant, and Ma Teng led Ma Chao into the reception hall.

As they entered, they saw a man standing inside, with a dignified appearance and the air of a wise man. He was smiling at Ma Teng and Ma Chao.

Ma Teng quickly led Ma Chao to the man and bowed, "Nephew Ma Teng, greeting Uncle."

In his youth, Yan Zhong and Ma Ping (Ma Teng's father) were good friends. Yan Zhong was not much older than Ma Ping, so Ma Teng's address was correct.

Ma Ping, though not particularly talented or learned, was honest, broad-minded, sincere, and deeply loyal to his friends. He was highly respected by his friends, which is why he could be friends with a renowned scholar like Yan Zhong.

"No need for formalities."

"This is my son, Ma Chao. Chao, greet..."

Before Ma Teng could finish, Yan Zhong spoke, "Shoucheng, are you here to have Ma Chao become my disciple? If so, Ma Chao, do you wish to be my disciple?"

Although it was a question, Yan Zhong's tone left no room for doubt, as if Ma Chao had no choice but to be his disciple.

Ma Chao was annoyed. He had never heard of Yan Zhong, and he wondered if this man was really a renowned scholar. The gap between his expectations and reality was too great. Ma Chao thought to himself, while Ma Teng was delighted. This was the purpose of their visit, but Ma Chao seemed to be in a daze.

Ma Teng patted Ma Chao's back hard, "You, perform the disciple's bow, what are you standing there for?"

Ma Chao snapped out of his thoughts, reluctantly knelt down, and performed the disciple's bow, "Disciple Ma Chao, greeting Master."

"Rise, both of you sit. I, Yan Zhong, am in my forties and have never taken a disciple before. I am doing so now because of a promise to an old friend. Now that you, Ma Chao, are my disciple, you are my responsibility. I do not expect you to benefit the world, but I do expect you to avoid wrongdoing. If you behave poorly and persist in evil, I will expel you from my school. Remember this."

"Understood, disciple will follow Master's instructions."

"Good, Chao, stay here. Shoucheng, if you have nothing else, you may leave. Chao will be fine with me."

Ma Teng felt awkward. Yan Zhong was clearly dismissing him, but what could he say?

"Ah, nephew will take his leave. Uncle, take care." Ma Teng left, giving Ma Chao a meaningful look, which meant, "You better study hard, or you'll regret it."

Ma Chao felt a chill run through him. He thought, "Just go, or you'll affect me."

Ma Teng left and returned to Longxi, leaving Ma Chao with Yan Zhong.

"Chao, what have you studied?" Yan Zhong asked.

"The Analects and Mencius."

"Which part do you like the most?"

"Disciple likes the part in Mencius, 'When poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when prosperous, one should benefit the world.'"

"Good, I also like that part."

"Disciple is bold to ask, why do you ask these questions?"

"Since you asked, I'll explain. Studying The Analects and Mencius is good, but in turbulent times, they are not very useful. I specialize in military strategy, and that is what I will teach you. I ask these questions to make you understand that in peaceful times, you can study anything. But in turbulent times, you should focus on what is most useful to you. Do you understand?"

"Understood, disciple understands."

Ma Chao suddenly realized why Ma Teng had moved the family to Liangzhou and insisted on having him become Yan Zhong's disciple. Yan Zhong was a renowned scholar, especially in military strategy. Ma Chao had thought he would be taught by a pedantic scholar.

Now, Ma Chao felt relieved and saw Yan Zhong in a different light, finding him charming and admirable.

"Alright..." Yan Zhong had only said two words when there was a knock on the door.

A servant entered and handed Yan Zhong a visiting card. Yan Zhong read it and raised an eyebrow, "Please ask him to come in."

The servant left, and Ma Chao analyzed that the visitor was likely a young scholar, but if he were older, a renowned scholar, or a great Confucian, Yan Zhong would have gone out to greet him. It was probably a young noble, as Yan Zhong had used the word "please."

Soon, there was another knock on the door, "Please come in," Yan Zhong said.

The visitor entered, closed the door, and bowed to Yan Zhong, "Student Jia Xu from Wuwei, Jia Wenhe, greeting Master."

"Jia Wenhe, no need for formalities." Yan Zhong said, making a gesture to support Jia Xu.

After bowing, Jia Xu nodded to Ma Chao, who was too excited to speak.

Why? Because this was the first time Ma Chao had met a famous figure from the Three Kingdoms era. What about Nan Hua and Ma Teng? Forget it, Ma Teng was a Three Kingdoms figure, but he was not on the same level as Jia Xu. As for Nan Hua, he was a legendary figure, not a real person.

Ma Chao was thrilled to finally meet a character he had only read about in books.

Jia Xu was 26 years old, a year older than Ma Teng, but looked in his thirties. He had an ordinary appearance, easily blending into a crowd, but his eyes were bright and gave a sense of not to be underestimated. He wore a blue robe and carried a sword, giving an overall impression of a friendly uncle.

Ma Chao thought, "One cannot judge a person by their appearance. The ancients were right. This seemingly harmless person is the legendary strategist Jia Xu, known for his self-preservation skills."

If Ma Chao didn't know Jia Xu, he would never have associated him with the name Jia Xu. Similarly, if Ma Chao didn't know Jia Xu's future "glorious deeds," he would never have imagined this person could achieve so much.

Ma Chao was lost in thought when Yan Zhong pointed to him and said, "Wenhe, this is my newly accepted disciple, Ma Chao from Fufeng."

Jia Xu was slightly surprised. Yan Zhong never took disciples, so there must be something special about this.

"Ma Chao from Fufeng, greeting Master." Ma Chao was about to bow, but Jia Xu quickly supported him. "No need for that. Jia Xu from Wuwei, Jia Wenhe." Jia Xu bowed to Ma Chao.

"Alright, both of you sit down and talk." Yan Zhong said, and they complied.

Yan Zhong had met Jia Xu once before, when Jia Xu was still a student. They had met, but not deeply. Now that Jia Xu had completed his studies and was traveling to learn, he came to visit Yan Zhong, the most renowned scholar in Liangzhou, to ask a few questions.

After sitting down, Jia Xu and Yan Zhong began to converse, with Ma Chao listening. They talked for about half an hour before Jia Xu took his leave, bidding farewell to Yan Zhong and Ma Chao. Jia Xu left a good impression on Ma Chao, treating him with respect despite his young age.

Indeed, although Ma Chao was only five, Jia Xu never underestimated anyone. He was polite to everyone, which was one of the reasons he could survive in turbulent times, along with other factors.

After Jia Xu left, Yan Zhong asked, "Chao, what do you think of Wenhe?"

Ma Chao thought for a moment and said, "Jia Xu from Wuwei, Jia Wenhe, is a great talent."

Ma Chao had wanted to call him a "toxic strategist," but he realized he was in the late Han dynasty and couldn't say that.

Yan Zhong nodded slightly but didn't say anything. After a while, he said, "Chao, Wenhe has the wisdom of Liang and Ping, indeed a great talent. But he values himself too much and is skilled in self-preservation. It's hard to say if this is a blessing or a curse."

Then Yan Zhong told Ma Chao a story, one that few knew, and it was the first time Ma Chao had heard it.

Many years ago, Jia Xu met a friend while traveling. They got along well and traveled together.

One day, as they passed a river, they heard someone shouting for help. Someone was drowning. In the area, only Jia Xu and his friend were around. When Jia Xu heard the cries, he immediately pulled his friend away.

Confused, his friend asked, "Brother Wenhe, what are you doing? Someone is calling for help, why aren't you going to save them?"

"Save them?" Jia Xu tried to pretend he didn't hear, but it didn't work. He had to explain, "The drowning person is not related to me. Why should I save them? Besides, I can't swim, and even if I could, I wouldn't."

His friend pushed Jia Xu's hand away and said, "Fine, Jia Wenhe, you don't want to help, I will. Don't hold me back!"

Jia Xu held him tightly, refusing to let him go. After a while, he finally let go. His friend quickly jumped into the water and managed to save the drowning person, who was still breathing. After saving him, his friend was exhausted and sat on the ground, panting. He said to Jia Xu, "Now I see what kind of person you are."

Jia Xu smiled and said, "If it weren't for me, you might not have survived today."

His friend asked, "So I should thank you?"

Jia Xu said, "No need. I didn't let you go because if you had gone, the drowning person would have grabbed onto you with all their strength, and you both might have drowned. Only after the drowning person had used all their strength could you have saved them."

His friend asked, "What if I had drowned too?"

Jia Xu said, "Then I would have left. If you didn't listen to me and drowned, I wouldn't have helped you."

His friend laughed out loud.

In the end, his friend left a letter and took the rescued person away. The letter read: "Brother Wenhe, this is the last time I will call you that. I admire your talent, but I cannot agree with your way of dealing with things. As the ancients said, 'If our paths differ, we cannot plan together.' I must take my leave."

Reading the letter, Jia Xu shook his head and smiled bitterly.

Listening to the story, Ma Chao was also thinking.