Although Zhang Fei usually looks burly and reckless, he is indeed very talented in martial arts. In the critical moment, his reaction was almost subconscious. He stretched out his other hand and grabbed the hammer.
At the same time, he had grabbed the young man's robe and pulled him over to the horse, cursing: "Good boy, another sneak attack!"
"Zhang Fei, I'm going to fight you!" The young man struggled and roared on his horse.
Zhang Fei shouted angrily, "If you dare to move again, I will smash your face with my hammer, making you ugly and you will never get a wife again!"
The young man was trembling all over and dared not resist anymore. He let Zhang Fei block him on his horse and ride back to the battle formation.
"Let my son go!" Zhang Heng was shocked in front of the battle line and hurriedly led his troops to chase and rescue him.
Zhao Yun and his men were well prepared. They held their positions with their spears in hand and arrows were fired from both wings like flying locusts. When the Xiliang army reached halfway, they saw that Zhang Fei had returned to the formation, so they had to retreat.
Seeing that Liu Qi had a strong army and a well-organized formation, and that they had a powerful general like Zhang Fei, Zhang Heng did not dare to stay outside for too long and led his troops back to the city first.
"Hurry, hurry, come and catch him!" Zhang Fei laughed on his horse. He put the young man down, and several soldiers came forward to tie him up.
The young man had a stubborn look on his face, staring at everyone with his eyes as big as copper bells. His dark face was covered with sweat, which was shiny in the sun.
Liu Qi first showed concern for Zhang Fei: "Uncle San, are you okay?"
"You almost got yourself disfigured!" Zhang Fei stroked his stubble, dismounted, pointed at the young man and cursed, "You are so young and you don't learn well. You actually used a hidden weapon. How despicable!"
The young man stiffened his neck and said, "In front of two armies, being able to kill the generals and the enemies is a skill. The strong are respected, so why should we distinguish between superior and inferior means?"
Zhang Fei was stunned: "Who did you learn this nonsense from?"
"Ma Chao of Xiliang!" The young man straightened his chest and a light flashed in his eyes.
Liu Qi frowned and asked, "Since you know Ma Chao's reputation, why did you send troops to attack him?"
The young man's eyes dimmed again, and he said helplessly: "My adoptive father said that Ma Chao killed people and colluded with the Qiang people. If we don't get rid of him, Xiliang will never have peace."
"Sure enough, he was bewitched!" Zhang Fei said angrily, "Han Sui and his gang of bastards actually bit back at him. How can this be possible!"
Liu Qi said helplessly: "What's your name? Where are you from?"
The young man looked up at Liu Qi and saw that he looked kind, so he asked, "Who are you?"
Zhang Fei slapped him on the head and said, "Fool, can't you see that I, Zhang, respect this person so much?"
“You are Liu…” The young man widened his eyes, looked at Liu Qi again, clasped his fists and said, “I am Wang Shuang, from Didao, Longxi.”
"It turns out to be you, kid!" Liu Qi was extremely surprised. He didn't expect that this guy was Wang Shuang, a fierce general of the late Wei State, and how he became Zhang Heng's adopted son.
Zhang Fei looked at Liu Qi and asked, "My Lord, do you know him?"
"No, no, Yang Song's caravan mentioned him before!" Liu Qi coughed dryly and asked, "How did you become Zhang Heng's adopted son?"
Wang Shuang replied, "General Zhang is a hero of our Longxi County. He once led an army to fight against the Yellow Turbans and Dong Zhuo. My parents died when I was fifteen, and he raised me. I should repay him."
"You are quite loyal!" Zhang Fei touched Wang Shuang's head.
"Don't touch me!" Wang Shuang shook his head and said angrily: "When I grow up, I will definitely defeat you."
Zhang Fei laughed and said, "You are tall and strong, and you have a lot of brute force. Aren't you considered grown up?"
Wang Shuang was dissatisfied and said, "I'm only sixteen years old this year!"
"Sixteen?" Zhang Fei widened his eyes, shook his head and sighed, "You are more anxious than me."
Liu Qi also noticed that Zhang Fei and this kid got along quite well. Wang Shuang was also a powerful general in the later period. If he could get guidance from Zhang Fei, wouldn't he be able to surpass his master
The two men's figures and faces are very similar, but Zhang Fei's face is as black as charcoal, while Wang Shuang's face has a bit of highland red and is shiny. But his eyes are definitely comparable to Zhang Fei's.
Liu Qi said, "I see that you are a heroic young man, and you respect Ma Chao. Why do you want to be in league with the rebels?"
Wang Shuang was dissatisfied and said, "My foster father and General Han were both given titles by Prime Minister Cao, so why should I listen to you?"
"Fool!" Zhang Fei cursed, "Cao Cao is a traitor, everyone in the world knows that. If you follow Cao, you are also a rebel. General Liu is a relative of the Han Dynasty. We are supporting the court. How can you not distinguish between loyalty and treachery?"
Wang Shuang glanced at the men and asked, "Are you the reinforcements Ma Chao invited?"
"That's right!" Liu Qi nodded and said, "Ma Chao and his son are loyal to the Han Dynasty. Their ancestor was General Ma Yuan, who was determined to eliminate Cao Cao. Since you respect heroes, you should know how to be loyal and righteous. Don't make a mistake that will cause eternal regret."
"I have heard the story of General Ma Yuan from the elders in the village since I was a child!" Wang Shuang looked yearning, but sighed: "It's a pity that I don't follow General Ma, but become his enemy."
In the Xiliang area, Ma Yuan had almost become a god. Folk legends, temples, and miracles could be seen everywhere. Even in Lintao, there is a legend about Ma Yuan's son defeating the Qiang and quelling a rebellion.
Liu Qi said, "Zhang Heng was a hero who fought against the rebels and put down the rebellion. Now he is being held hostage by Han Sui. I believe he must have had no choice. Are you willing to persuade him to turn back? As long as Zhang Heng can turn from evil to good, I will forgive his past and we can all serve the court together."
"Really?" Wang Shuang asked in surprise, "If I persuade my adoptive father to surrender, can I see General Ma?"
"Hey, kid, please show some mercy, Zhang Fei!" Zhang Fei was unhappy.
Liu Qi smiled and said, "General Ma is a loyal and good man of the court. As long as we rescue him this time, we can fight side by side. You have made a great contribution, and Ma Mengqi will definitely thank you then."
"It's a deal!" Wang Shuang was overjoyed, but then he frowned and said, "But I'm born with a bad tongue, so I can't guarantee that this will work. What should I say when I get back?"
Liu Qi said, "You only need to explain my intentions to Zhang Heng. Also, tell Zhang Heng that Han Sui is a treacherous villain. He joined forces with Wang Guo and others to start an uprising, but was killed by them. He also swore brotherhood with Ma Teng, but turned against him. If you associate with such an ungrateful villain, you will be killed sooner or later."
Wang Shuang was filled with righteous indignation and clenched his fist, saying, "I'll remember this!"
Liu Qi added: "You don't have to force Zhang Heng to make a choice. I will make other arrangements. But you are still young, you must know right from wrong and not make the same mistake over and over again."
"Thank you, General. I understand!" Wang Shuang was quite moved to see that Liu Qi valued him so much.
As an orphan far away in the border of Longxi, I was able to receive the earnest teachings of the Han royal family and the local princes. I felt a warm current surge in my heart and almost cried.
At this time, Zhang Heng had already led his troops back to the city. Liu Qi ordered someone to bring a horse to send Wang Shuang back to the city.
Before leaving, Zhang Fei patted Wang Shuang on the shoulder and said, "Boy, I will be waiting for you to come back."
Wang Shuang looked at Zhang Fei and said proudly: "One day, I will defeat you!"
"Hahaha, what ambition!" Zhang Fei laughed, crossing his arms, "Don't make me wait too long. If my beard turns white, it won't be glorious for you to win."
Wang Shuang turned around and rode away, turning back and shouting, "Humph, I'll be back soon!"