In the capital, at the residence of the Minister of Personnel, Lu Zhi, after the morning court session, was reading in his study when the doorman informed him of a letter from Han Shuo.
He quickly had it brought to him, opened it, and read it.
After expressing his longing, Han Shuo mentioned his intention to recommend a disciple, praising him profusely, which piqued Lu Zhi's interest, making him quite expectant.
Just as he was about to write back, asking Ma Chao to come to the capital for a meeting, the doorman reported again that Ma Teng of Western Liang had sent soldiers with gifts, two large carts full.
Lu Zhi was somewhat perplexed, pondered for a moment, then became furious.
He was already troubled by court politics and detested the flattery and corruption of officials.
He had just received Han Shuo's letter, and immediately after, Ma Teng's gifts arrived.
He was certain that Han Shuo had accepted heavy gifts from Ma Teng and was now speaking on his behalf.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
He ordered the doorman to chase away the soldiers who had brought the gifts.
Angrily, he wrote a stern reply to Han Shuo, using harsh words: "Remembering past years, when we were brothers, you were a sincere gentleman, concerned for the nation and its people, even daring to submit memorials regarding court affairs, only to be persecuted by traitors and demoted to the harsh borderlands.
Though I felt injustice for you, I always admired your integrity.
I never thought that after so many years, you would also become a common man, swayed by the powerful and corrupted by wealth.
I am deeply ashamed of this."
After writing, he drew his sword and cut the mat, sending half of the bamboo mat along with the letter to Han Shuo.
Upon receiving the letter, Han Shuo smiled bitterly, knowing Lu Zhi had misunderstood but choosing not to explain.
He knew Lu Zhi detested evil like a sworn enemy and believed that once Lu Zhi truly met Ma Chao, his opinion would change.
Ma Chao was unaware of these events.
After bidding farewell to Han Shuo and Ma Teng, Ma Chao rode his horse eastward, heading towards Qiang.
Unbeknownst to him, Ma Chao had been traveling through Western Liang for over ten days.
Though he was covered in dust from the journey, Ma Chao entered every city and town he encountered to resupply and change his brocade clothes.
During this time, he also annihilated six or seven groups of bandits and thieves.
Because he had no common people to worry about, he acted even more freely, not ruthlessly killing the old and weak.
The escaping bandits scattered in all directions, and soon the name Jin Ma Chao spread throughout Western Liang, causing fear among all thieves, who paled at the mention of the brocade-clad rider.
Along the way, many government officials tried to recruit him, but Ma Chao politely declined, maintaining proper etiquette.
The government continuously requested commendations for Ma Chao, and the increasing number of requests caught the attention of Geng Bi, the Inspector of Liang Province (Historically, this person died in 187 AD; this is for plot purposes, don't take it too seriously).
Geng Bi was Ma Teng's patron, having promoted Ma Teng step by step to the position of General of the Vanguard.
Upon learning of Ma Teng's son, Ma Chao, being so valiant, he was overjoyed and recommended Ma Chao to the imperial court as a Filial and Incorrupt candidate, summoning him to be a Military Supervisor.
However, this was temporarily put on hold because Ma Chao could not be found.
At this time, Ma Chao had already entered Qiang.
Green grass gradually grew on the grasslands, and occasionally, the figures of Qiang herdsmen could be seen on the vast expanse.
Ma Chao felt a bit lost at this point, truly not knowing where to go, so he could only ask herdsmen he encountered about the existence of the Qiang King's court.
Generally, the herdsmen would warmly entertain him, and the passionate Qiang women were deeply moved by Ma Chao's handsome appearance.
Ma Chao could only continue his journey slowly while asking for directions.
One day, as Ma Chao was traveling, he noticed many young, strong Qiang men, in groups, carrying lariats and roaming the grasslands.
Ma Chao approached them to inquire and learned that a herd of wild horses had recently been discovered on the grassland, and the Horse King among them was exceptionally magnificent.
The leaders of various tribes had all dispatched their tribal warriors, preparing to capture the Horse King to present it to the Qiang King for his birthday.
Upon hearing this news, Ma Chao also became very interested and joined the crowd to hunt the Horse King.
Groups of riders galloped across the grassland.
Among them was a large contingent of knights, clad in leather armor, with curved sabers at their waists, beast teeth decorations around their necks, and leather helmets adorned with colorful feathers.
Their formation was distinct as they charged, clearly indicating they were elites.
Surrounding the knights was a young man with sharp, eagle-like eyes and sword-like brows, his muscles bulging, radiating heroic spirit.
This young man was Che Li Ji, the young warrior and the most proud son of the Western Qiang King.
Accompanying Che Li Ji was Yueji, his closest friend and the son of a major Qiang tribe leader.
Both were in the prime of their youth, splendidly dressed and full of vigor, determined to capture the Horse King this time.
They led their large contingent, roaring as they rushed forward, causing the forces of other tribes ahead to scatter and make way.
After chasing for half a day, they heard someone up ahead say that traces of a wild horse herd had been found in the southeast direction.
Everyone's spirits were greatly boosted, and they all rushed towards the southeast.
The young and strong from each tribe vied for the lead, and a youthful atmosphere permeated the grassland.
As they passed various small tribes, the working mothers in front of their tents stopped their tasks, and enthusiastic young women waved their hands and shouted, further adding to the lively atmosphere.
A pure white steed galloped across the vast grassland, its four hooves churning, its long mane flying, its magnificent posture like a homing pigeon that had endured hardships crossing oceans, or a petrel bravely soaring in a storm.
It let out a long neigh towards the sky, that soul-stirring horse cry echoing across the grassland.
Responding to this tragic neigh, a multitude of dappled horses surged from all directions, rolling across the vast spring grassland like an unstoppable tide.
Hundreds and thousands of horses gathered together, galloping with a roar.
Their long manes and tails floated with the buoyancy of the current, one after another, overlapping, forming a unified whole, rapidly pushing forward.
It was a peculiar scene where the beauty of gallop and the beauty of power intertwined.
The arrival of the crowd caused panic among the wild horse herd.
The pure white Horse King led the herd in a frantic dash.
Thousands of wild horses, like a muddy torrent, galloped forward mightily, kicking up dust and grass fragments that formed a cloud of smoke.
The crowd followed behind, waving their lariats and shouting as they chased.
Occasionally, a wild horse would be roped, drawing cheers from the surrounding people.
They chased from afternoon until dusk, and the wild horse herd was still running ahead.
Wild horses naturally have better endurance and, not carrying riders, have an advantage over the riders' horses.
Everyone's horses were already exhausted, panting heavily, and they could only slowly reduce their speed, lighting bonfires at their current location to eat and rest briefly.
The wild horse herd, seeing that they were no longer being pursued, also slowed down appropriately.
The Horse King even seemed to possess intelligence, circling back to the front of the human crowd, neighing defiantly.
The Horse King held its proud head high, shaking its beautiful mane, and soared across the ocean-like vast grassland in harmony with this grand melody.
Che Li Ji watched, becoming somewhat infatuated, and madly galloped off on his horse.
Yueji, worried about Che Li Ji's safety, led his team to quickly follow.
Ma Chao, too, adored this magnificent and majestic steed, so he mounted his horse and joined the chase.
The people resting there, seeing this scene, let out heartfelt exclamations, truly good men, but they genuinely had no strength to continue the chase and could only rest first.
Ma Chao and Che Li Ji chased until the moon was high in the sky.
The Horse King showed no signs of fatigue, still proudly leading the way.
Che Li Ji's horse had already collapsed from exhaustion, but fortunately, his team caught up, allowing him to change horses and continue the pursuit.
Ma Chao was not so lucky; he had no spare horses to change to.
After galloping for an entire day, even Ma Chao's fine steed had collapsed from exhaustion.
Ma Chao leaped and caught a wild horse, swung onto its back, and followed the herd like a torrent, galloping mightily into the distance.