Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

At this moment, Xun Yu slowly emerged from the procession of envoys, his figure slightly weary, his eyes red, as if he had endured countless hardships and tribulations. He trudged towards the emperor's carriage, each step punctuated by deep attachment and loyalty. His expression of grief and anguish, as he knelt before Liu Bian's carriage, was deeply moving. Xun Yu's voice trembled as he said, "Your Majesty, I, Xun Yu, have been searching for Your Majesty's whereabouts with an anxious heart since Dong Zhuo was deposed. It was not until I was invited by General Ma Chao to Xiliang to preside over internal affairs in Chang'an that I was invited by General Ma Chao to listen to the princes' plan to attack Dong, and I immediately came to Your Majesty for refuge. However, the Xiongnu in Xiliang repeatedly invaded the border, and I was overwhelmed by many affairs and was unable to cope with them. It was not until now that I was able to meet Your Majesty. Your Majesty, although you have gone through so many hardships and dangers, you have forcibly opened up such a situation. The Han Dynasty has hope of revival. Your Majesty is wise and powerful." After saying this, Xun Yu burst into tears, and the tears flowed like water from a broken dam. His body trembled slightly, and he was extremely emotional, as if the emotions that had been pent up in his heart for many years completely burst out at this moment.

Only then did the emperor see the person clearly, and in an instant, his face showed a mixture of shock and joy. Even disregarding the emperor's majesty, the emperor jumped out of the carriage eagerly, his action full of concern and impatience. He quickly stretched out his hands and slowly helped Xun Yu up. The emperor's eyes were full of emotion and relief, and he said: "Xun Lingjun, it's Xun Lingjun. I didn't expect that you would have such a rough experience after leaving Luoyang. Lingjun, are you coming back to continue to assist me?" Xun Yu nodded heavily, and that firm action seemed to tell of his inner loyalty and determination. He said in a choked voice: "I am willing to devote my life to the Han Dynasty and never stop until my death."

The emperor laughed heartily, a laughter so hearty and sincere it was an unexpected surprise. This laughter was filled with hope and longing for the future, as if, in that moment, all hardships had paled to insignificance. Afterward, the emperor grasped Xun Yu's arm tightly, as if grasping a precious hope. He said affectionately, "Mr. Xun, you have worked hard and made great contributions. Now that you have returned to Chang'an, you will shoulder all the affairs of Chang'an and share the burden for Master Lu." He then ordered Xun Yu to continue as the prefect of Chang'an and bestowed the title of Marquis Wen in recognition of his hard work and political importance.

A buzz of discussion erupted among the ministers, their gazes fixed on Xun Yu. Some expressed admiration, some envy, and still others lost in thought. However, as the Xun family was a prominent and prominent clan, and Xun Yu had previously demonstrated his true talent, everyone felt that this reward was justified. The sunlight, streaming down upon the crowd, seemed to add a touch of warmth to this touching scene. The entire scene was filled with a deep warmth and hope, fueling anticipation for the future of the Han Dynasty.

At this time, the emperor held Ma Chao in one hand and Xun Yu in the other, his face full of joy, and said to everyone happily: "I am very happy that General Ma Chao came to serve me today. And General Xun Yu has returned, which really makes me overjoyed. Please follow me to the palace. I have already set up a banquet. Today we must drink to our heart's content to celebrate today's happiness." The ministers responded one after another, and their voices rose one after another, showing everyone's anticipation for the banquet.

However, Lu Zhi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, my health is deteriorating, so I will not join you young people in your fun." The emperor understood this; after all, Lu Zhi's family consisted of women, and it would be inconvenient for them to appear before the court. Master Lu must have been eager to see his family, so he refrained from trying to dissuade him. He continued, "Master Lu has worked hard and made great contributions, so he should take care of his health. Your wife and family are also among the envoys. Master, please return and reunite with your family. I have ordered that all the gifts be sent to the palace. When I have a day or two free, I will personally visit your wife and your sisters and brothers." Lu Zhi was deeply moved and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration."

The emperor then addressed Zhao Yun, who stood by his side, saying, "General Zilong, escort the master safely to the palace." Zhao Yun complied and left, his posture as straight as a pine tree. Lu Zhi then addressed Ma Chao sternly, "Ma Chao, the emperor's future rewards for you are truly generous. I hope you will serve him faithfully, as you promised." Ma Chao stood solemnly, his eyes firm, and bowed his hands in agreement. Zhao Yun then stepped forward, helped Lu Zhi to his feet, and slowly departed. Their figures receded, a tranquility and solemnity evident in their presence.

The emperor said to the crowd, "Alright, let's go back to the palace." The eunuchs hurriedly ordered the solemn ritual music to continue playing. The melodious music echoed in the air, as if telling of the glory and splendor of the Han Dynasty. The crowd then entered Chang'an City and hurried to the palace.

Chang'an was already abuzz with excitement over the grand display. Soldiers stood guard on both sides of the road, their bodies in battle formation, and behind them crowded the common people. After all, with the New Year approaching, Chang'an's prosperity was now far greater than it had been in the past. Citizens flocked to witness this spectacle that had captivated the entire city. They whispered and discussed the matter. Someone said, "That figure in the middle is the Emperor! He is truly wise and powerful." Then someone else asked, "Who is that person being held by the Emperor? He looks tall, straight, and handsome—truly admirable." Many young girls, watching the figure being held by the Emperor, felt a flicker of emotion in their hearts, their cheeks flushing.

As the emperor slowly passed, the common people knelt on either side of the road, their faces filled with awe and respect. Seeing this scene, the emperor turned to Ma Chao and said, "Mengqi, your Excellency, the people of this world are easily satisfied. As long as they have food to eat and clothes to wear, they will work hard without complaint. For the sake of the people of the Han Dynasty, I still need your continued assistance. I will pacify the world." Xun Yu and Ma Chao nodded in agreement, their hearts filled with emotion. While Chang'an now enjoyed peace, the entire Han Dynasty was still in dire straits. They knew they shouldered a heavy responsibility and secretly resolved to work hard for the revival of the Han Dynasty and the peace of the people.

The banquet was naturally extravagant. The emperor showed great affection for Xun Yu and Ma Chao, toasting frequently. For a moment, the hall was bustling with activity. As the cups clapped and the lights flickered, everyone laughed and talked, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

At this moment, an official, displeased with the preferential treatment Ma Chao had received along the way, spoke up and declared, "Your Majesty, I have long heard of General Ma Chao of Xiliang as a valiant warrior, a formidable figure revered throughout the northwest. However, we have only heard of him, never seen him in person. With such a grand feast today, why not invite General Ma Chao to demonstrate his martial arts skills for our feasting eyes?" With these words, the hall suddenly fell silent, and everyone's eyes turned to the emperor and Ma Chao. Ma Chao's expression froze, slightly displeased. Before he could respond, Zhang Fei, unable to contain the pent-up anger and resentment he had been simmering on the journey, ignored his brother Liu Bei's attempts to dissuade him. He abruptly stood up, drew his sword, and declared, "Your Majesty, I, Zhang Fei, consider myself a capable martial artist. Today, I would like to challenge General Ma Chao in a sword duel, to entertain you all!" Zhang Fei's voice, like a resounding bell, shook the hall to a humming rhythm, and his heroic aura filled the hearts of the crowd with awe.

The emperor, holding his wine glass in his hand, said with a playful look, "Oh, General Yide wants to demonstrate." Then he turned to Ma Chao and said, "Mengqi, I know your martial arts skills, but none of these officials have seen them. Why don't you challenge General Yide to a duel and convince everyone, showcasing the heroic spirit of the Xiliang men."

The emperor's words, though gentle, carried an undeniable authority. The atmosphere reached a fever pitch, and Ma Chao felt a sense of unease. He frowned slightly, pondering internally. At this moment, Xu Huang suddenly stood up, drew his sword from his waist, and said, "Your Majesty, my general's martial arts surpass mine, but I would also like to compete with General Yide first." Xu Huang stood tall, his eyes firm, and an air of bravery washed over him.

The emperor said with amusement, "Oh, who is this?" Ma Chao replied, "This is my general, Xu Huang, courtesy name Gongming. He's quite brave." The emperor said, "Oh, since you're one of Meng Qi's generals, you must be a skilled warrior. Then you can challenge General Yide to a sword fight. Keep it to a certain point and don't lose face." The emperor then said to the eunuch, "Bring out a set of fine armor as a prize. The winner will receive it. Without a prize, it would be boring for everyone to watch." The eunuch agreed and soon brought a set of exquisite armor. The armor shone brightly in the light, instantly drawing everyone's attention and making them even more excited for the match.

Xu Huang stood with a sword in his hand, his eyes full of pride, and said to Zhang Fei provocatively: "You black guy, you want to compete with my general? You have to defeat me, Old Xu, first." Xu Huang's words were full of confidence and domineering, as if he was declaring to Zhang Fei that his strength should not be underestimated.

Zhang Fei was completely enraged by Xu Huang's provocation. His eyes widened, his face flushed crimson. He suddenly drew his sword, which gleamed coldly in the light. With a roar, Zhang Fei attacked with all his might. His swordsmanship was incredibly powerful, each strike carrying immense force, as if he were determined to defeat Xu Huang in one fell swoop.

Both were valiant warriors on the battlefield. Amidst the whirlwind of swords, the clash of metal echoed relentlessly. Their figures flashed through the hallway with a dazzling swiftness. After thirty or forty rounds, Xu Huang was ultimately outmatched by Zhang Fei's prowess and gradually lost the upper hand. Beads of sweat formed on Xu Huang's forehead, and his breathing became rapid. Zhang Fei, on the other hand, grew more courageous with each fight, his swordplay becoming ever more powerful, each step closing in on Xu Huang. Everyone in the hall watched the clash nervously, silently cheering on both sides for their impressive performances.