Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

At this moment, Xu Shu, Fa Zheng, Xu Huang, Zhang Ren, Zhang Liao, Sun Ce, and Zhou Yu were all invited into the back room. Ma Teng sat at the head, his expression solemn. Ma Chao sat quietly to his left, his gaze equally deep. Seeing the arrival of these people, Ma Chao slowly rose to greet them, forcing a smile.

Xu Huang was the first to break the silence, joking, "The general looked drunk at the banquet, but now he's so energetic." Ma Chao smiled and replied, "Aren't you all drunk either?" Xu Shu nodded slightly, saying, "This drunken appearance is meant to be seen by the envoys. However, this move is also helpless. The situation is complicated now, with various forces intertwined, so we have to proceed with caution." Xu Huang, however, said somewhat cautiously, "They're not here. They can't see what we do, so how can they know whether we're drunk or not?" Zhou Yu frowned slightly, gently waving his feather fan, and said, "Gongming still didn't observe carefully. During the banquet, Xun Lingjun was restless. His changing expression and unusual behavior showed his inner struggles. Halfway through the banquet, Xun Lingjun excused himself to go to the restroom and left. He didn't return until the end. There must be a deeper meaning."

Ma Chao felt sad and said, "Lord Xun is ultimately concerned with the Han Dynasty. It seems he has to leave. I know very well that Lord Xun is a loyal and upright person who is wholeheartedly devoted to the Han Dynasty. Now the situation is turbulent, and his decision is also difficult." Sun Ce was a little indignant at this time, and said, "My brother treats Lord Xun very well, and my uncle also regards Lord Xun as his confidant, but I didn't expect that he has two hearts towards us. At this important time, how should we deal with ourselves? If we let Lord Xun leave, it may be detrimental to our cause. However, if we force him to stay, we may get a reputation of being unjust." But after all, they were all old acquaintances in Luoyang, and the word "kill him" was delayed.

After all, Ma Chao was unwilling to kill the loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty, and said, "We are Han ministers no matter what. Loyalty to the emperor and the country is our duty. How can we kill important ministers of the court for personal reasons? The plan now is to think about how to properly handle this matter without damaging the reputation of loyalty." Fa Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "This matter requires long-term consideration. The stay or departure of Lord Xun is related to the balance of forces of all parties. If we can reason with him and move him with emotion, perhaps he can change his mind. However, if that is not possible, we should also take the overall situation into consideration and respond cautiously." Zhang Ren also nodded and said, "We should weigh the pros and cons and not act rashly. We must consider both the current situation and long-term development." Zhang Liao said, "We can send people to secretly observe Lord Xun's movements so that we can respond in time. At the same time, we can also test the reactions of various forces to this matter before making a decision." Everyone fell into deep thought, worry and wisdom intertwined in this back room.

Ma Teng's brow furrowed, his face filled with worry. He spoke slowly, "Now that Chang'an has just been stabilized, the imperial court is already so wary of Xiliang that it's demanding that my father and I serve together. Mengqi, how do you think we should respond?" Ma Chao nodded slightly, his expression grave. "Father, you absolutely cannot leave Xiliang. Without my father and me, what will happen if war breaks out again on the border? We've finally achieved stability in Xiliang, and people's livelihoods have only just begun to recover. We must not let all our efforts be undone by the imperial court's orders."

Xu Shu stood with his hands clasped in a bow, saying in a deep voice, "From your tone, I'm afraid you'll be attending the imperial court this time." Ma Chao sighed deeply, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "Now, with great difficulty, my master has stabilized the situation. Although Lord Dong has passed away, the empire remains in turmoil. The imperial court in Chang'an is truly a hostile place, but I cannot disobey the emperor's orders. If I don't go, Chang'an will be in turmoil, and the princes will become restless. I'm afraid Chang'an will be powerless to suppress it."

Xu Shu said dejectedly, "We have made so many preparations for the expedition against the Southern Xiongnu. We will be going out soon after the New Year. How can we proceed with the expedition if we send our generals to Chang'an now?"

Ma Chao smiled bitterly: "In the current situation, we should stabilize the national situation and prioritize the overall interests. The Han Dynasty has just experienced a great war, and Chang'an is struggling. If we do not cooperate, I am afraid that the court will lose face and prestige, and the world will be in chaos again."

Ma Teng was filled with worry. He was well aware of the complex situation at court in Chang'an and didn't want Ma Chao to take any risks. Ma Teng said firmly, "Mengqi, I cannot allow you to go to that dangerous place alone." Ma Chao calmly analyzed, "Father, if neither of us goes, we will inevitably be at odds with the court in Chang'an. Given the current situation, we have no choice. Furthermore, I am young and strong. Even if the court presents many risks, I am confident I can handle some. Father, you have toiled for Xiliang for half your life. You must not continue to travel and tire. I am willing to go to Chang'an alone to secure a chance for Xiliang's survival."

At this moment, Sun Ce approached, his expression serious, a deep fear in his eyes. "Brother, you should know that in the Chang'an court today, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are incredibly brave, and Zhao Yun, who serves the emperor, is no ordinary warrior. Back when we were fighting against Dong Zhuo, I witnessed the martial arts of these three firsthand. Guan Yu, with his narrowed eyes and raised brows, wielding his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, was awe-inspiring. On the battlefield, he was like a god descending from heaven, his single strike a powerful blow that struck fear into the enemy. Zhang Fei, with his leopard-like head and round eyes, his chin drooping and his beard slung like a swallow, his voice like thunder and his momentum like a galloping horse. He wielded his Zhangba Snake Spear with such force that wherever he went, the enemy fled. And Zhao Yun, riding a white horse and wielding a silver spear, was a heroic figure. He was unstoppable amidst a vast army, slaughtering them like a lonesome creature, leaving them in disarray. These three were all formidable generals of their time. If you go to Chang'an, you'll be in great danger."

Ma Chao raised his chin slightly, his eyes revealing a resolute look. "Then, according to Bofu, how do these three compare to Bofu?" Sun Ce shook his head slightly and sighed, "Sun Ce cannot defeat these three alone. They each have their own strengths. Guan Yu's loyalty and bravery, Zhang Fei's ferocity, and Zhao Yun's composure are all awe-inspiring. Mengqi, if you go to Chang'an, you must be extremely careful when facing these three." Sun Ce's words made Ma Teng even more worried. He paced back and forth, his mind in turmoil, unsure of what to do. Ma Chao, on the other hand, stood aside, his expression determined, and he had already made preparations to go to Chang'an.

Zhang Liao also stepped forward, his expression grave. "Everyone, there's also Lü Bu. As a former subordinate of Lü Bu's, I'm well aware of his terrifying strength. Lü Bu possesses exceptional martial arts skills and immense strength, making him practically unbeatable on the battlefield. General Ma Chao might be able to fight Lü Bu to a draw, but what if Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun were to join the fray? If Chang'an is determined to deal with General Ma Chao, I'm afraid the situation will be extremely dire."

Zhang Liao's words deepened the crowd's worry. Ma Chao, however, remained unfazed. He remained calm as he slowly explained, "There's no need to worry. The Emperor has been able to remain steadfast and gradually open up the current situation from a position of helplessness. I don't think he would be so foolish. Furthermore, my master, Lu Zhi, is also in Chang'an. Furthermore, Xiliang has no intention of rebellion. As long as we serve with confidence, even if there are temporary misunderstandings, time will reveal the true nature of Xiliang, and the Emperor will eventually recognize their loyalty. The Emperor is wise and discerning, and will not be easily deceived by villains. On my journey to Chang'an, I will be cautious in my words and actions, and strive for a better future for Xiliang with loyalty and courage. I believe that as long as we uphold our loyalty, we will be able to resolve this crisis."

Everyone looked at Ma Chao, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his eyes unwavering, his mind resolute. His resolute expression made it clear that further persuasion was futile. So, everyone turned their attention to Ma Teng, hoping that the father's words would persuade Ma Chao to change. However, Ma Teng, looking at his son's unyielding expression, frowned slightly, his thin lips pressed tightly together. He knew in his heart that further words would be of no use. Helplessly, Ma Teng had to settle for the next best option. "Mengqi, I know that you are determined to serve your country, so I will not stop you. However, you must always pay attention to your personal safety. Moreover, our Xiliang region has many elite soldiers and generals. When you go there, bring more troops with you and make sure you return safely." Upon hearing this, Ma Chao raised his sword eyebrows, his eyes sparkled, and he bowed deeply, saying respectfully: "Thank you for your concern, father. I will pay attention to my personal safety. I am now in charge of the army, and I cannot watch the court become increasingly corrupt and the people suffer and remain indifferent. "For the sake of the Han Dynasty's swift recovery and to free the people from the suffering of war, what harm is there in making certain concessions and sacrifices for our Ma family?" Seeing his son's unwavering resolve, Ma Teng excitedly stepped forward to help Ma Chao to his feet, saying repeatedly, "Very good, very good, my son has such aspirations, and I am deeply pleased. You can just focus on your career, and I will protect you in Xiliang. No matter what, Xiliang is ultimately your escape route." The generals, unable to persuade him any further, were deeply moved by the patriotic spirit of Ma Chao and his son. They secretly encouraged themselves and gathered their strength, eager to travel to Chang'an with Ma Chao to contribute their strength to the country and its people.