Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Guo Jia looked up abruptly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He had never imagined that Cao Cao would say such a thing. His lord, a man of fierce ambition who had fought his way up from humble beginnings, had never once entertained the thought of "submitting to someone else."

"My lord," Guo Jia bowed, his tone solemn, "are you truly willing to accept this? Ma Chao, though benevolent, is ultimately young and his foundation is not yet secure. Are you really going to hand over the empire you've built up over half a lifetime of military campaigns?"

"Establishment?" Cao Cao chuckled self-deprecatingly, raising his hand to his temple, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. "They're nothing but cities and troops. What do they matter if they can bring peace to the world?"

He took a deep breath, his voice hoarse from a headache, yet unusually firm: "My headache has gotten worse lately. When it hurts, I can't even recognize the people and things in front of me, let alone plan any political or military affairs. If I keep pushing myself, I'm afraid I won't only be unable to protect you, but I'll also implicate Zixiu..."

"My lord!" Guo Jia exclaimed urgently, "Headaches can always be cured, why do you..."

“It can’t be cured.” Cao Cao interrupted him, his tone as calm as if he were talking about someone else’s business. “Master Zhongjing said that we can only keep him alive, not cure him completely. I’m afraid my body can’t withstand the turmoil of this chaotic world.”

He looked out the window; dusk had already crept in, bathing the courtyard in a dim yellow light. "Zixiu said that Ma Chao opened a school in Xiliang, where even the cowherds' children could learn to read; he ordered that military rations be distributed to displaced people, saying, 'The fundamental purpose of war is to protect the people.' I thought about these things when I was young, but I was too entangled in the power struggles and intrigues to extricate myself..."

"Perhaps he really can do what we can't." Cao Cao's voice softened. "If we can let Zixiu follow him and learn some practical and stable methods, if we can give you brothers who have followed me through thick and thin a peaceful future... why not follow him?"

Guo Jia stood there, looking at Cao Cao's tired profile and the new gray hairs at his temples, and suddenly found himself speechless.

He knew Cao Cao's pride, and he knew how much resentment and struggle lay behind this "submission." But the words, "What I seek is peace and stability for the world," struck him like a heavy hammer.

In chaotic times, countless heroes fight to the death, but in the end, what they seek is nothing more than these six words.

Guo Jia lowered his voice even further, with a hint of caution: "My lord, since you mentioned the eldest son, I have been carefully observing the young masters in the manor. The third and fourth sons are still young and their personalities are not yet fully formed; only the second son... in my opinion, is a promising talent."

Cao Cao raised an eyebrow, looking more alert, and the lingering pain in his head seemed to have lessened somewhat: "Oh? Tell me about it."

"Although the Second Young Master is young, he is no ordinary man." Guo Jia recalled the scene that day, his tone becoming more certain. "On the night Xu Du was attacked by Lü Bu, the whole mansion was in chaos. The family members were crying and sobbing, and even many servants were flustered. But the Second Young Master was able to stand under the corridor and comfort the frightened ladies and his young siblings. That composure was something that no ordinary young man could have."

He paused, then added, "To be able to remain calm and composed in the face of war and chaos, and to keep one's family at ease—this kind of character, if honed, could certainly lead to great things in the future."

At this point, Guo Jia paused. He had intended to say, "If it were Zixiu... perhaps the Second Prince could be the second choice," but he swallowed the words back. Cao Ang was Cao Cao's eldest son, whom he had painstakingly cultivated, possessing both literary and martial talents, and had long been regarded as the heir. How could he, a mere advisor, mention the idea of ​​"replacement" at this moment? If he were to offend the Duke, it would be disastrous.

Cao Cao was as astute as he was. Seeing Guo Jia hesitate, he knew what Guo Jia meant. He was silent for a moment, his fingertips lightly tracing the chessboard, and then he smiled: "Are you saying that if Zixiu really does follow Ma Chao wholeheartedly as he says, then perhaps the burden of the Cao family can fall on the shoulders of the second son?"

Guo Jia quickly bowed: "This subordinate dares not make any presumptuous remarks. Young Master Zixiu is brave, kind, and benevolent; he is the best candidate."

When Cao Cao heard Guo Jia say this, his fingertips paused on the chessboard, and he suddenly looked at him with a hint of inquiry in his eyes: "Zixiu is kind and benevolent, while Pi is patient and forbearing. These two brothers have taken two extremes in their personalities."

Guo Jia lowered his eyes and said, "The eldest son has the world in his heart, but he is too idealistic. He always thinks about treating people with sincerity, and sometimes he inevitably overlooks the treacherousness of the chaotic world. The second son is different. He is insightful and knows how to hide his sharpness, but... if he does not use his scheming well, he may easily go astray."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao suddenly laughed, his laughter tinged with self-mockery: "Idealistic? Perhaps. Back when I first raised my righteous army, didn't I also think of sweeping away the treacherous officials with my passion? But as I went along, I realized that in this chaotic world, sincerity alone is not enough; one must also have the means to protect that sincerity."

He looked at Guo Jia, his tone becoming more meaningful: "How do you think Pi'er compares to me?"

Guo Jia cupped his hands and said solemnly, "Although the Second Young Master is shrewd, he is not as magnanimous and courageous as Lord Ming. Lord Ming can hold the line in the midst of power struggles and knows when to be ruthless and when to be tolerant; the Second Young Master's forbearance at this moment is more of a young man's self-preservation, and he does not yet have the sense of responsibility behind Lord Ming's 'I would rather betray others than be betrayed by them'."

“Responsibility…” Cao Cao repeated the two words in a low voice, his fingertips tracing the patterns on the chess piece. Suddenly, a bitter smile appeared on his face. “Even I secretly admire that kid Ma Chao, let alone the brothers? Ma Chao, at such a young age, already understands ‘protecting the land by first securing the people,’ while what about me?”

He looked up at the deep twilight outside the window, his voice tinged with weariness: "If I could really handle things so well, how could the situation have come to this? Yuan Shao is eyeing us covetously in the north, Lü Bu is stirring up trouble in the east, and even Xiliang has produced a figure like Ma Chao... As for me, I'm exhausted by this storm, and even the court is on the verge of collapse."

Guo Jia looked at the white hair at his temples and was slightly moved, but he only advised, "My lord, there is no need to be like this. The world is not yet settled and there are still many variables. Although Ma Chao is strong, his foundation is not stable. You have been managing for many years and have a lot of talented people under your command. There may be a chance to turn the tide."

The lingering headache still lingered in his temples, like a fine needle gently pricking at his weariness.

"That's enough." He waved his hand, his voice tinged with a hint of dejection. "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; there's no point in saying more."

Guo Jia knew that this lord was truly exhausted. His earlier thought about "following Ma Chao" was less a sign of wavering and more a sigh under the heavy pressure of the chaotic world. As for mentioning the two princes, it was like a pebble thrown into a lake; though it created ripples, it would eventually return to calm.

He bowed and said, "Your health is of utmost importance, so I shall take my leave now."

Guo Jia's footsteps disappeared outside the door, and the study fell completely silent. Cao Cao leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, but his mind was in turmoil—one moment it was Ma Chao's candid laughter at the banquet, the next it was Cao Ang's shining eyes when he talked about "fighting for the people's livelihood," and then it was the vow he made on the Luoyang city wall when he was a young man.

The fragmented images swirled together, and his headache returned, causing him to groan softly in pain.

"Perhaps... I really should take a break," he murmured to himself, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the armrest.

As for that "other way out," whether it was to follow Ma Chao or pin his hopes on his second son, he didn't think about it any further. The road in chaotic times is inherently muddy; perhaps the most helpless kind of sobering approach is to take it one step at a time.

The sky outside the window had completely darkened. A servant brought in the medicine, the rising steam blurring Cao Cao's features. He picked up the bowl and drank it all in one gulp. The bitter taste of the medicine lingered on his tongue, much like the taste of his life's battles.

On the morning of the third day, the sound of orderly hooves echoed outside the mansion. Ma Chao, clad in silver armor and with a long spear at his waist, rode alongside Ma Yunlu and Cao Ang, both in full military attire. Wei Yan, who was staying there with Ma Yunlu, had already come out to greet them upon hearing the news. Gazing at Ma Chao's figure, his eyes were filled with undisguised admiration, his fists clenched, unable to contain his excitement.

Upon seeing Ma Chao, the Xiliang cavalry erupted in cheers, kneeling on one knee and shouting in unison, "Greetings, King of Liang!" The sound reverberated so loudly that the copper bells on the eaves jingled, and the heartfelt awe seemed to make the surrounding air scorch.

Wei Yan stepped forward and bowed deeply to Ma Chao, his voice trembling with excitement: "This humble general, Wei Yan, pays his respects to Your Majesty. I am willing to follow Your Majesty through fire and water to Jiangdong. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission!"

Ma Chao dismounted, helped him up, and sharply scanned his battle wounds. He said in a deep voice, "I have always known of Wen Chang's bravery. I know the hardships you've endured these past two years living here with Yun Lu. Your contribution is indispensable to Yun Lu's safety." He paused, his tone becoming more serious. "But you must continue to follow Yun Lu and protect her. I promise that no matter where we are in the future, I will treat you with utmost sincerity. Even if you choose to stay in Xiliang, I will swallow my pride and beg Gongjin to bring you back!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Yan abruptly looked up, his eyes instantly reddening, and kowtowed heavily: "This humble general is willing to follow the King of Liang! My loyalty will never waver in this life!"

Ma Chao helped him up, then turned to face the group of Xiliang cavalry, his voice ringing out: "Brothers, you've worked hard!" His gaze swept over their dark faces, the weathered lines etched with the marks of two years of perseverance. "These past two years, you've worked hard with Yunlu, and I, Ma Chao, thank you. But I haven't been idle either. I went to the grasslands and wiped out the Xianbei, ensuring peace on the Xiliang border so the people can farm in peace. Brothers, rest assured, Xiliang is now as solid as a rock!"

The cavalrymen listened, their blood boiling, their chests heaving, and many had tears in their eyes. They roared, "Our King is mighty!"

“But for now, we will have to trouble you brothers to stay with Yunlu and Wenchang for a while longer.” Ma Chao’s tone changed, becoming earnest. “I will go to Jiangdong and return to Chang’an after this matter is settled. At the latest by the end of the year, I will send someone to bring you back to the ranks, and we will fight side by side again to protect this vast land!”

"We are ready to obey the King of Liang's orders!" the cavalrymen responded in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

Seeing this, Ma Chao laughed loudly, "Since the brothers are so happy, let's drink until we drop today!" He then ordered his men to slaughter all the dozen or so fat pigs and nearly a hundred strong sheep that Cao Ang had specially brought. They were then roasted over a campfire, and the grease dripped into the flames, sizzling and filling the entire camp with a delicious aroma.

The Xiliang soldiers sat in a circle, the wine jars being pried open one by one, the mellow liquor poured into rough porcelain bowls, reflecting the golden glow of the setting sun and gleaming with an amber light. Ma Chao picked up his bowl, walked to the center of the crowd, and said in a warm, fervent voice, "I know you've suffered a lot these past two years while living away from home. Far from your homeland, you've missed your families..."

"King Liang!" A bearded veteran suddenly stood up, wine dripping from the corner of his mouth. "It is our blessing to be able to fight under the banner of King Liang! Even if we are stationed at the edge of the world, as long as I know that King Liang is in charge of Xiliang, I feel at ease!"

"That's right! The King of Liang trampled through the Xianbei royal court and slaughtered the barbarians of the grasslands, making us cry for our fathers and mothers. We feel great just listening to this!" Another younger soldier echoed loudly, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Ma Chao smiled and clinked bowls with them. The wine burned fiercely as it went down his throat, yet it warmed his heart and made his hair stand on end. He then recounted amusing anecdotes from his northern expedition to the grasslands.

The soldiers listened intently, sometimes slapping their thighs in approval, sometimes their eyes reddening. The glory they had never personally experienced sounded incredibly real to them now, as if they themselves had followed the Liang King's iron cavalry across the vast grasslands, burying the invaders' bones in the frozen earth.

As the sun gradually set, the evening glow painted half the sky red, but the campfire burned ever brighter. The soldiers surrounded Ma Chao, some singing pastoral songs of Xiliang, others speaking of their wives and children back home…

Ma Chao patiently answered each question, his gaze sweeping over the faces reddened by the firelight, and a surge of indescribable warmth welled up in his heart.

As the moon rose high in the sky, the crowd gradually dispersed, but many remained around the campfire, reluctant to leave, gazing in the direction of the main tent with eyes full of reverence.

Tonight, the military camp felt neither oppressive as a visiting army, but rather warm and welcoming, like returning home. They knew that as long as their King Liang was alive, the roots of Western Liang remained. No matter where they went, they had a homeland to return to, a home worth protecting.