Zuo Ci was about to ask another question, but Ma Tie interrupted him, shouting, “That old Taoist priest only knows how to ask questions and act mysterious. What can he really do?” Zuo Ci, however, was not angry. “Second Young Master, don’t be impatient. This is the last question,” he said, still addressing Ma Chao, “Young General, what are your thoughts on the Hundred Schools of Thought?” Ma Chao replied, “During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Hundred Schools of Thought flourished, and various theories shone brightly. One cannot say who was right or wrong. Since people believed in them, they were passed down; with transmission came research; with research came innovation. Only through continuous innovation can there be development. For example, if the Agriculturalists didn't innovate, they would still be practicing slash-and-burn farming today; if the Strategists didn't innovate, they would still be using chariots and infantry; if the Mohists didn't innovate, they would still rely entirely on human labor to transport goods; if the Legalists didn't innovate, bandits would still run rampant, and there would be no public order to speak of…”
Zuo Ci’s eyes lit up. He somewhat lost his composure and grabbed Ma Chao’s hand, exclaiming, “Emperor Wu of Han abolished the Hundred Schools of Thought and exclusively honored Confucianism, causing the theories of the Hundred Schools to disappear and their transmission to be cut off. How can there still be innovation?”
Ma Chao somewhat unnaturally withdrew his hand and said, “Daoist priest, your words are mistaken. Today’s farmers, doctors, artisans, and civil officials are precisely the practitioners of the Hundred Schools of Thought’s theories; it’s just that they are no longer passed down as academic doctrines, nor are there public lectures. People can only grope their way to make changes, and they lack innovative ideas, only adhering to conventions. If one day I can wield power, I will surely change these rules.”
Zuo Ci asked with anticipation, “Young General will surely be the leader of the world. How will you treat Confucianism and the Hundred Schools of Thought then?”
Ma Chao said, “Confucianism as the main, and the Hundred Schools of Thought as supplementary. Elevate the status of the Hundred Schools, encourage them to open their doctrines, hold lectures, extract their essence and discard their dross. The outstanding individuals among them could even be granted official positions and titles. This would allow various talents to be respected, focus on innovation, and better leverage the advantages of the Hundred Schools, enabling the common people to live in peace and contentment, enriching the country and strengthening its people.”
Zuo Ci clapped his hands excitedly, his voice trembling as he said, “Young General indeed possesses grand aspirations! My thousand-mile journey was not in vain! The revival of the Hundred Schools of Thought is hopeful! Ever since the Qin Dynasty’s burning of books and burying of scholars, which almost severed the transmission of the Hundred Schools, and then Emperor Wu’s abolition of the Hundred Schools and exclusive honoring of Confucianism, our Hundred Schools were like autumn leaves, scattered everywhere, with no hope in people’s hearts, merely lingering on. The Hundred Schools secretly connected, quietly developed, and sought opportunities. Today, Young General’s words have shown us a glimmer of dawn again! If Young General establishes a foundation, our Hundred Schools will wholeheartedly assist you, hoping for a prosperous era!”
Ma Chao was overjoyed upon hearing this. The knowledge of the Hundred Schools of Thought covered almost everything from astronomy and geography to military affairs, medicine, and agriculture. With the assistance of the Hundred Schools, he would be like a tiger with wings, and he would surely achieve great things in the future.
Zuo Ci, Ma Teng, and Ma Chao had a very pleasant conversation. They held a banquet, drank, and shared their thoughts, enjoying themselves thoroughly. During the meal, Ma Teng mentioned that Ma Chao was going to the Qiang to find weapon materials. Zuo Ci specifically calculated for Ma Chao, predicting that his journey might be dangerous but he would turn misfortune into good fortune and achieve his desires. Only then did Ma Teng feel at ease.
The next day, Zuo Ci and Ma Chao bid farewell to everyone together. Zuo Ci was heading to the Central Plains to find the successors of the Hundred Schools of Thought, inform them about the celestial phenomena and Ma Chao’s character, so they could secretly support the Ma family later. Ma Chao, having been delayed for a day yesterday, was even more eager for his trip to the Qiang. Before departing, Zuo Ci even promised to first seek out the descendants of Lu Ban to prepare for crafting weapons upon Ma Chao’s return. Ma Teng became even more convinced that Zuo Ci truly thought highly of Ma Chao, and he was even more determined to lay a foundation for Ma Chao’s future.
After Ma Chao and Zuo Ci parted ways outside the city, Ma Chao galloped eastward. Western Liang was already desolate, and there was little human habitation outside the city. After galloping for nearly three or four hours, he still hadn’t encountered any villages or households. Fortunately, the scenery along the way was boundless, and wild sheep, wild rabbits, and other small animals occasionally appeared. Ma Chao, excellent at archery, hunted a yellow sheep and several wild rabbits. He found a small stream, cleaned them, and roasted them over a fire, which tasted quite delicious.
Ma Chao finished his rest and didn't delay much. After all, he was young, and a short rest quickly restored his energy, so he set off again. It was already dusk when he saw smoke rising, and a small village appeared ahead. Ma Chao invigorated his spirits and hurried towards the village.
Ma Chao arrived at the village and tried to speak to a passerby, who ignored him and ran into the village, shouting to the villagers. In a short while, a group of villagers gathered around an Old Uncle and confronted him. Ma Chao observed them: the villagers included both old and young, with about 20 able-bodied men, and eighty or ninety elderly, weak, women, and children. The able-bodied men held farming tools and hunting forks, while the elderly, weak, women, and children also carried sticks and kitchen utensils. Ma Chao knew he might have been misunderstood. He dismounted, and empty-handed, walked to the Old Uncle in the center of the crowd. When the able-bodied men saw Ma Chao approaching, they protected the Old Uncle with their sticks, looking ready to act, but the Old Uncle calmed them down.
Ma Chao stopped, cupped his hands in greeting, and said loudly, “Old Uncle, my apologies for my rudeness. I am passing through your village today and wish to stay for the night to rest.” The Old Uncle said, “Young Master, no need for formalities. May I ask where you are from? From what I see, your clothes are splendid, and your horse is quite magnificent. Don’t you know that this Western Liang region is plagued by bandits? Traveling alone on horseback easily draws attention. How can you travel by yourself?”
Ma Chao said, “I dare not hide anything from Old Uncle. I am also considered a local, my home is about a hundred li to the west, a native of Fufeng Commandery. My surname is Ma, and my given name is Chao. I am a descendant of General Fubo Ma Yuan. My father’s name is Ma Teng, currently a Partial General, stationed in Fufeng Commandery.” The Old Uncle quickly instructed everyone to put down their weapons and cupped his hands, saying, “So it is Young General in person! This old man has been rude. Ma Fubo is renowned throughout the world, and General Ma Teng is also widely famous, having guarded Fufeng Commandery for years, ensuring the peace of our commandery and counties. We, the common people, are truly grateful.”
Ma Chao felt content after hearing this and was quite proud of his family. He said to the Old Uncle, “It is a soldier’s duty to protect the country and home, so you should not praise me so much, Old Uncle. But I have not yet asked your esteemed surname, Old Uncle, nor the name of your esteemed village? This place is within the commandery and county, why are you so cautious, mobilizing the entire village at the slightest provocation?” The Old Uncle said, “Young General, this place is called Yang Family Village. This old man is Yang De, humbly serving as village chief. Our Yang Family Village is a single lineage, all Yang family descendants, with about twenty households. It is only because bandits are rampant within Western Liang these days, and recently a group of roving bandits has appeared in this area. Their leader is named Huang Bing, rumored to have been a trusted subordinate of Huang Long, a Yellow Turban rebel chieftain. Since their defeat, he has led his subordinates to plunder everywhere. We heard that a few days ago, they plundered the nearby Liu Family Village, burning, killing, and looting, committing all sorts of evil. Since receiving this news, we have been unable to sleep or eat in peace, which is why we are so vigilant, mobilizing the entire village to resist any strangers.”
Ma Chao said, “Old Uncle Yang, since that is the case, why don’t you report it to the authorities and ask the government to suppress the bandits?” Yang De said, “We have reported it to the authorities, but the bandits move around, having no fixed whereabouts, and each one is exceptionally fierce. The government is also powerless to clear them out.”
Ma Chao said heroically, “Old Uncle Yang, don’t panic. Since I have encountered this, I will definitely eliminate this scourge for everyone. Leave the bandits to me. I only fear that they won’t come; if they do, I will eliminate them for everyone.”
Yang De repeatedly agreed, but he only took it as a young man’s reckless courage, a newborn calf not fearing a tiger, and didn't have too much expectation. He arranged for Ma Chao to rest at his home.