Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Sun Ce and Zhou Yu arrived at Ma Chao's residence. Ma Chao, seeing them from afar, was overjoyed. He hurried forward, warmly grasping their arms, his face full of smiles. He said, "I drank with my uncle yesterday, but I wasn't quite satisfied yet. I was just thinking of going to look for him, but I didn't expect you two, Gongjin, to show up today. Gongjin, you don't know, but Bofu's alcohol tolerance has improved these past few days. I have a feeling he didn't enjoy himself at all yesterday." Ma Chao, unaware of the situation, was still joking with excitement. Zhou Yu glanced at Sun Ce, who looked a little embarrassed, and for a moment, he found it difficult to speak.

After a brief pause, Sun Ce coughed lightly, his expression becoming serious. He slowly spoke, "Brother, to be honest, Gongjin and I have come here today to bid you farewell." Ma Chao's smile froze upon hearing this, and he asked in surprise, "Why such a hurry? Have I failed in some way in my hospitality?" Sun Ce quickly waved his hand and said sincerely, "Brother, you are too kind. We are deeply grateful for your courteous and generous hospitality. However, my father's death remains unrequited, and my mother and siblings are still missing. I simply cannot rest assured to remain here for long." Zhou Yu nodded, adding, "Bofu is concerned about his family; this is human nature. We must search for them as soon as possible to fulfill our filial duty."

Ma Chao's expression grew serious after hearing this. He pondered for a moment, then said, "Bofu, Gongjin, I understand your feelings. But the situation is chaotic right now, and it's too dangerous for you to leave alone. How about staying a little longer until we can work out a foolproof plan?" Sun Ce shook his head slightly and said firmly, "We appreciate your kindness, brother. But this matter is urgent, and I can't wait any longer. I believe that with Gongjin and I, we can find my mother and my siblings and avenge my father."

Ma Chao wanted to persuade him again, but Sun Ce's eyes turned red and he suddenly knelt down. He choked up and said, "Brother, my late father appeared in my dream yesterday. The scene is so vivid, as if it was right in front of me. Father's face was filled with grief, and he blamed me for not taking good care of mother and my younger siblings. Thinking of me, Sun Ce, I have been worried about the safety of my family day and night since my father passed away, but I still haven't been able to find the whereabouts of my mother and younger siblings. I feel so guilty. My father's blood feud is like a huge rock pressing on my heart. If I don't avenge this, how can I, Sun Ce, stand in the world with dignity? Brother, you have been so kind to me, Sun Ce, that I will always remember it. These days, I have felt your care and concern here, and Sun Ce will never forget such friendship. But now, it is difficult for me to stay any longer. I can only embark on the road of revenge and find my family, so that I can feel at ease. After Sun Ce avenges my father, I will come to serve you, brother, to repay your kindness today." As he spoke, Sun Ce burst into tears, his voice trembling. His look of grief and determination was moving.

Seeing Sun Ce's words reaching this point, Ma Chao knew exactly what his brother was thinking. He could no longer persuade him. He firmly grasped Sun Ce's arm, forcing him to his feet. He solemnly declared, "Don't grieve, brother. We will inform our parents. I will personally lead the troops and accompany you. I will avenge Uncle Sun and find my aunt and my sister-in-law to support you. Although we have different surnames, we are brothers from the same mother. Your affairs are my affairs, and how can I ignore them?" Ma Chao spoke earnestly, his eyes filled with determination and responsibility. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were deeply moved by his words and nodded repeatedly. Tears glistened in Sun Ce's eyes, and he said in a hoarse voice: "Brother, you are so affectionate and friendly. I am very grateful. If I can get your help, I will avenge myself, and find my mother and sister-in-law soon." Zhou Yu also bowed and said: "Brother Mengqi is so righteous, Gongjin admires him. With Brother Mengqi by your side, we will be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort." The friendship between the three seemed even deeper at this moment, like an indestructible wall, facing the upcoming difficulties and obstacles together.

Sun Ce slowly and carefully pulled the imperial seal from his bosom. His eyes welled up, and his voice trembled slightly as he spoke, "Brother, you have treated me with such sincerity. Even if I, Sun Ce, were to die a thousand times, I could never repay even a fraction of your kindness. Now, I can only entrust this to you, perhaps even in a small way, repaying you a little." Seeing this, Ma Chao waved his hands repeatedly, his expression resolute, "Between brothers, what talk of gifts, of favors? This is absolutely unacceptable. Brother, put it away." Ma Chao refused, but Sun Ce persisted. Zhou Yu suggested, "Brother, please open it and take a look." Ma Chao still refused. Sun Ce had no choice but to open the package himself and present the imperial seal to Ma Chao. Ma Chao was stunned upon seeing the seal, his face filled with astonishment, his voice stammering. "Brother, this... this... this... could it be..." Sun Ce nodded slightly in the affirmative. Zhou Yu continued, "Brother, don't be so shocked. This is indeed the imperial seal." After Ma Chao reacted, he hurried forward and covered the package tightly, then stuffed it into Sun Ce's arms, and said anxiously, "Brother, how could this thing be on you? Such a treasure, how can you show it to others easily? What if it is known to people with bad intentions?" Sun Ce's face showed a bitterness, and he said slowly, "Brother, it's a long story. Although this imperial seal is something that everyone covets, for me, this important weapon cost my father's life and separated me from my mother. Now in my eyes, it is just a piece of stone that took my father's life. If I can give it to my brother, it would be a blessing. "Brother, I'm repaying my elder brother's small kindness." Ma Chao said solemnly, "Brother, let's not discuss this between you and me. We've been together since our early years, sharing similar ideals. We share the ideal of protecting the Han Dynasty and benefiting the people, determined to free them from the suffering of war and the oppression of the aristocratic families." After Ma Chao finished his impassioned speech, Sun Ce grasped Ma Chao's arm tightly and said firmly, "Brother, my ambition has never changed. I still want to benefit the people and uphold the country. But my Sun family will not protect the Liu Dynasty. Ever since my father's death at the hands of a Liu clan member, my Sun family and the Liu family have been at odds with each other, a blood feud that is irreconcilable."

Ma Chao looked at Sun Ce, sighed slightly, and said, "Bofu, I fully understand your feelings and thoughts. In that case, I will not continue to persuade you." Sun Ce nodded and replied, "Brother, you are very understanding. I am deeply grateful." Ma Chao said, "Then let us go together to say goodbye to our parents." Sun Ce replied, "Okay, that's what I should do."

They came before Ma Teng and his mother. Upon learning of their actions, Ma Teng exclaimed, "I am deeply pleased that my son and my two nephews have such ambitions, and I strongly support your actions." However, Ma's mother was reluctant to let them go, tears welling up in her eyes. She held Sun Ce and Zhou Yu's hands and said, "Where are you going? The Spring Festival is almost here, why can't you stay? Ever since Chao'er joined the army, he has hardly ever spent a full Spring Festival at home. I am filled with worry and longing. Why don't you stay and spend the holiday with us?"

Sun Ce looked embarrassed and said respectfully, "Aunt, it's not that we don't want to stay, but we have a mission to fulfill and have to go." Zhou Yu also said, "We appreciate your kindness, but we have important matters to attend to and cannot stay for long."

Ma's mother looked at them with earnestness in her eyes, her words filled with anticipation: "Can't we wait until after the Spring Festival? It would be such a heartwarming scene if we could all be together this Spring Festival."

Ma Chao felt a pang of sadness at his mother's reluctance to leave. He whispered, "Mother, I understand your reluctance, but Bofu and Gongjin have their missions and responsibilities, and cannot stay for long." Ma Teng comforted his wife, saying, "Madam, the children have their own paths to follow. We should understand and respect them."

At this moment, everyone was at a stalemate, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense. Just then, a guard came with a report: "General and all the lords, the emperor's envoy Wang Jie has arrived outside Wuwei City and requests an audience with you."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other, unsure what to do. After all, the arrival of the Emperor's envoy was a matter of great importance and could not be neglected. Ma Chao was the first to break the silence, saying, "Since the Emperor's envoy has arrived, we must put aside our current affairs and greet the angel." Sun Ce and Zhou Yu nodded in agreement. Ma Teng said, "My son, you are absolutely right. The Emperor's envoy has arrived, and we should treat him with courtesy." Although Ma's mother was still reluctant, she also understood the importance of the matter and said nothing more.

So, everyone dressed and went to the outskirts of Wuwei City to greet the emperor's envoy, Wang Jie. Along the way, everyone was filled with confusion, wondering what the emperor's envoy's purpose was. But they all understood that, no matter what, they had to greet the envoy with respect to show their respect for the emperor.