"There is indeed such a matter. Commander Ma, are you interested in these people?"
Zhong Shidao said impassively.
"Old General, have you perhaps forgotten? Ma still holds the title of Enforcement Commander, so..."
Looking at the smile on Ma Zhiyou's face, Zhong Shidao's pupils couldn't help but contract.
This fellow was truly blunt. However, to simply take these people away with just a few words, wasn't he overestimating himself?
"Commander Ma, these people staying with you are not of much use. Why don't you let me take them?"
Seeing the change in Zhong Shidao's expression, Ma Zhiyou clearly felt his words were a bit presumptuous and immediately added another sentence.
"Commander Ma, you might not be aware of this!"
After a dry cough, Zhong Shidao immediately put on a troubled expression.
"Oh? Does the old general have any concerns?"
Ma Zhiyou knew that this matter was of extraordinary significance to Tong Guan at this moment.
Zhong Shidao was also a veteran of the army, and his prestige within the Western Army was truly unparalleled.
As he spoke, he did not overstep his authority.
"If we're talking about such matters, it's fine to hand them over to the commander, but..."
At this point, Zhong Shidao directly sighed.
"Why is the old general sighing?"
Ma Zhiyou quickly asked again.
"Commander Ma, we are old acquaintances, after all. Although we don't interact much, as the ancients said: the friendship of gentlemen is as pure as water. There's nothing I can't tell you..."
"Please speak your mind, old general!"
"Actually, these people were not caught by the useless men under my command. When I arrived, they had already been apprehended..."
As Zhong Shidao said this, Ma Zhiyou's mouth twitched. He finally understood that this old man was doing this on purpose!
"Then who was it that acted faster than the old general?"
Even though Ma Zhiyou understood that these were just excuses, he could only continue to play ignorant.
"Speaking of which, you should know this person, Commander Ma. It's the county magistrate of Neihuang, Han Mo!"
"Han Mo?"
Ma Zhiyou's face was covered in dark lines.
This old rascal was really bullying him too much!
This excuse was too perfunctory!
The county magistrate of Neihuang leading people to capture someone in Junxian, this sounded incredibly unreliable!
Furthermore, even if this were true, did he, a mere county magistrate, have the right to interfere in such matters?
"That's right, it's this kid. It might not be much to you, but this kid is the son-in-law of the eldest son. As an elder, it's really not appropriate for me to embezzle his credit."
Zhong Shidao said somewhat awkwardly.
"I don't understand what the old general means. Are you saying that these people have been taken away by him now?"
Ma Zhiyou's expression instantly turned grim.
"These people were captured by his men. Out of consideration for our families' long-standing relationship, he handed them over to me. After an interrogation all night, I naturally returned them to him after questioning..."
"They were taken away by him?"
Ma Zhiyou suddenly stood up.
These people were of great importance to Tong Guan, which was why he had rushed all the way from Neihuang to this place. However, he did not expect that even though he had traveled day and night, he was still one step too late.
"Am I that unreasonable? He allowed me to interrogate the people, which was already a great courtesy. After the interrogation, I naturally had to send people to return them to him intact."
"When did they leave?"
With the conversation reaching this point, Ma Zhiyou no longer had any interest in wasting time with Zhong Shidao.
"They left several hours ago. I estimate they should arrive at Neihuang County around dawn."
Looking at Ma Zhiyou's dark expression, Zhong Shidao calmly picked up a cup of tea and took a sip before saying.
"What about their confessions?"
Ma Zhiyou gritted his teeth and said again.
"These people are incredibly stubborn. All the methods available in the army have been used. Two of them were even beaten to death. I was helpless and sent them to Magistrate Han, hoping he could extract some useful information for me."
Damn it!
Ma Zhiyou almost swore. After all this trouble, the old man didn't intend to give him anything useful at all.
"In that case, I shall take my leave."
Ma Zhiyou understood in his heart that judging by Zhong Shidao's current demeanor, this old man had long decided to waste his time here.
Even if he stayed here until tomorrow morning, this old man would not give him any useful information. Therefore, without any hesitation, he stood up, cupped his hands to Zhong Shidao, and prepared to leave.
"Commander Ma, please wait!"
Seeing Ma Zhiyou about to leave, Zhong Shidao also immediately stood up.
"What? Does the old general have anything else to say?"
After so much effort, and not getting any useful information, Ma Zhiyou was truly getting angry.
As he spoke, a hint of anger had crept into his tone.
"I just want to remind the commander that Junxian is not peaceful. The culprits who set fire to the Changping Granary have not been caught yet. It is already late at night, and you are rushing off in such a hurry, I'm afraid it's a bit..."
As Zhong Shidao said this, Ma Zhiyou was stunned. He had sensed a hint of threat from Zhong Shidao's words...
Moreover, as soon as Zhong Shidao finished speaking, the sound of noisy footsteps was heard from outside.
A gust of night wind blew, and his accompanying followers were surrounded by a group of tall soldiers.
"Old General, what is the meaning of this?"
Ma Zhiyou's pupils constricted, and his gaze towards Zhong Shidao became complex.
"Didn't I say it? We are old acquaintances. How can I stand by and watch you put yourself in danger? These people around you, they all look like little chicks, how can they protect you?"
"Old General, are you trying to detain me?"
Ma Zhiyou also immediately placed his hand on the hilt of his saber.
"Hahahaha! Commander Ma, you speak too seriously. I simply cannot bear to see pillars of the army like you in danger. Don't worry, as soon as day breaks, I will personally lead a detachment of soldiers to escort you to Neihuang!"
"You useless fellows, why aren't you inviting these brothers in for some wine and food!"
Zhong Shidao, halfway through his sentence, directly shouted at the soldiers outside the tent.
Immediately, those soldiers swarmed forward and disarmed Ma Zhiyou's followers.
"Old General, do you know that by doing this, you are bringing disaster upon your descendants!"
Ma Zhiyou said with a dark expression.