Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After Lu Zhi accepted Ma Chao as his apprentice, he enthusiastically brought him into the inner palace. Ma Chao followed his master's footsteps with a nervous yet excited mood.

As soon as he entered the inner house, Lu Zhi said to Ma Chao with a smile, "Disciple, come and meet your master's wife." Ma Chao respectfully saluted the master's wife, who responded with a smile and a nod, her eyes full of love.

Then, Lu Zhi pointed to a young man and woman standing beside him and introduced them, "This is my son, Lu Yu, and this is my daughter, Lu Wan. You must take care of each other from now on."

Lu Yu bowed slightly and said, "Brother Ma Chao, I hope you will give me more guidance in the future!" Ma Chao quickly responded, "You are too polite, Senior Brother. I will need your guidance in the future."

Lu Wan smiled playfully and said, "Brother Ma Chao, please play with me more often when you have time." Ma Chao also smiled and agreed, "Of course, sister Lu Wan."

Lu Wan pouted, her bright eyes blinking, her hands on her hips, a look of reluctance on her face. She was clearly older than Lu Yu, yet Ma Chao insisted on calling Lu Yu "senior brother" and himself "sister." This made Lu Wan very upset, as she felt she shouldn't be treated as a junior sister.

Looking at Ma Chao, Lu Wan said angrily: "Humph, why? I don't want to be your junior sister!" Her cute and lovely appearance made people laugh out loud.

Her voice was sweet, with a hint of complaint, which made Ma Chao smile. Lu Wan put her hands on her hips and stamped her feet, expressing her dissatisfaction. Her innocent look was truly pitiful and endearing.

Lu Wan blinked her big eyes and looked at Ma Chao eagerly, as if hoping he would change his address. Her cute and adorable look, like a sulking kitten, made it impossible to refuse her request. Ma Chao couldn't help laughing at Lu Wan's cute appearance and said, "Haha, don't be upset, sister Wan, but why don't you want to be my junior sister?"

Lu Wan pouted, pinched the hem of her skirt with her small hands, stamped her feet and said, "I am older than Lu Yu, you should call me Senior Sister!"

Ma Chao scratched his head, gave a helpless smile, and said, "Although Lu Yu is young, he has been learning from the master since he was young, so it is only fitting that he be called Senior Brother. You are indeed a cute and lovely little sister, so how can I call you Senior Sister?"

Lu Wan refused to give in, and said with her hands on her hips, "That won't do. You have to call me Senior Sister instead!"

Seeing this, Ma Chao had no choice but to compromise and said, "Okay, okay, Senior Sister, is this okay now?"

After hearing this, Lu Wan immediately showed a happy smile on her face and said in a sweet voice, "That's pretty good. Don't call me the wrong name next time!"

Ma Chao smiled and nodded, saying, "I understand, my senior sister."

The whole scene was filled with laughter and the atmosphere was relaxed and happy. Ma Chao felt as if he had become part of this warm family, his heart filled with joy and anticipation.

The relationship between master and disciple had been established. Ma Chao was delighted and said to Lu Zhi earnestly, "Master, I have a good friend named Pang De. He is a master of martial arts and possesses strategic strategy, a rare talent. I earnestly request that you examine him. With your guidance, he will surely achieve great things."

After hearing this, Lu Zhi nodded slightly, thinking that since Ma Chao strongly recommended him, he must be extraordinary. So he replied, "Well, since you strongly recommend him, I agree to test Pang De."

Ma Chao was overjoyed when he heard this and hurriedly thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Master! Pang De will definitely live up to your expectations."

He quickly went to the post house and brought Pang De to Lu Zhi for an examination. Lu Zhi set questions to test Pang De's martial arts, military tactics and other talents.

Pang De tried his best and demonstrated his strength and talent. Lu Zhi nodded secretly, quite satisfied with Pang De's performance.

After the examination, Lu Zhi's face lit up with joy. He said to Pang De, "Pang De, you are exceptionally strong and a rare and capable general. Today, I would like to accept you as my registered disciple. Are you willing to learn the art of war from me?"

Pang De was overjoyed upon hearing this. He immediately knelt and kowtowed, saying respectfully, "Disciple Pang De, I pay my respects to Master! Thank you for your kindness, Master. I am willing to devote all my energy to learning the art of war from you!"

Lu Zhi looked at Ma Chao and Pang De and said slowly, "Ma Chao, Pang De, you must not misunderstand the meaning of the term 'nominal disciple.' My disciple, your eldest brother Gongsun Zan, is a martial arts master with distinguished military achievements. He guards the frontiers for our country and is known as the White Horse General, praised by the world. And your nominal disciple, Liu Bei, is also renowned and highly respected. The reason he's a nominal disciple is because Liu Bei enjoys luxury and fine clothing, which can make him seem frivolous and might be criticized."

"Registering you as my disciple doesn't mean I don't value you. Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei may have different titles, but my expectations and teachings for them are the same."

When I accept disciples, I prioritize character, talent, and effort. Whether you're a formal or registered disciple, as long as you're dedicated to learning, I'll teach you wholeheartedly and impart all I know.

Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei both earned my recognition for their exceptional talents. They achieved fame through their own efforts and opportunities. You should also follow their examples and strive forward.

I believe that as long as you work hard, you will achieve something in the future and live up to my expectations."

(Don't think Lu Zhi was arrogant; he had the capital to do so. Lu Zhi studied under the Grand Marshal Chen Qiu and the great Confucian Ma Rong, becoming a fellow student of Zheng Xuan, Guan Ning, and Hua Xin. He served as the prefect of Jiujiang and Lujiang prefectures, and quelled the rebellions of barbarians. Later, he worked with Ma Riti, Cai Yong, and others in the Eastern Palace to proofread Confucian classics, and participated in the continuation of the "Eastern Palace Hanji". During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, while local princes were still seeking military merit to gain experience, Lu Zhi was one of the pacifiers. He was a true master who could bring peace to the world with his pen and decide the fate of the world with his sword.)

Ma Chao was also happy for Pang De. He smiled and said, "Pang De, congratulations on becoming Master's disciple. In the future, we should work hard together and live up to Master's expectations."

Lu Zhi smiled and nodded, then said to Pang De, "Pang De, your bravery is certainly admirable, but the art of war emphasizes strategy and wisdom. You must study diligently to become a general who possesses both wisdom and courage."

Pang De replied respectfully, "Master, I will remember your teachings in my heart. I will study hard and live up to your teachings."

Lu Zhi looked at Ma Chao again and said earnestly, "Ma Chao, you and Pang De are both young and promising people. From now on, you should support each other and make progress together."

Ma Chao bowed and said, "I understand. I will encourage Pang De and I to bring honor to Master."

Pang De also said firmly: "Master, don't worry. Brother Ma Chao and I will definitely work together and live up to your expectations."

Lu Zhi's face was filled with joy, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He stroked his beard and looked at Ma Chao and Pang De with a broad smile.

He was secretly delighted: "I am already satisfied that Ma Chao can inherit my mantle today, but I didn't expect to accept a loyal and brave disciple like Pang De. It is really a blessing for this old man. If these two can uphold loyalty, serve the emperor and love the country, there is hope for the revival of the Han Dynasty."

Ma Chao and Pang De knelt respectfully and kowtowed, saying in unison, "Disciple greets Master!"

Lu Zhi laughed heartily, and hurriedly helped the two men up, saying kindly, "Please stand up quickly. From now on, the three of us, master and apprentice, will learn from each other and make progress together."

At this moment, Lu Zhi's heart was filled with joy and anticipation. He seemed to see these two disciples thriving under his guidance and becoming outstanding talents.

After the apprenticeship ceremony, Lu Zhi enthusiastically chatted with Ma Chao and Pang De, telling them his life story and imparting his experience and wisdom.

Ma Chao and Pang De listened attentively and were deeply impressed by their master's profound knowledge and noble character.

Lu Zhi was in a particularly good mood that day. He knew that if he taught these two disciples well, they would become pillars of the Han Dynasty in the future.