Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

During this period, Liu Bei's view of Ma Chao underwent a significant shift, becoming less positive, due to a series of manipulations by the Emperor. The Emperor deliberately arranged for Liu Bei and his companions to hear news that Ma Chao's family was maintaining a powerful military presence in Xiliang. Upon hearing this, Liu Bei harbored numerous complaints against Ma Chao. Master Lu Zhi also met Ma Chao with a negative attitude. Under these circumstances, Liu Bei naturally felt it was inconvenient to engage in close interaction with Ma Chao.

However, Liu Bei was not someone who was unwilling to think things through, like Zhang Fei and his companions. He did not fully believe the envoy Wang Jie's words. Liu Bei possessed a unique ability to discern people. He carefully observed Ma Chao's behavior towards his master and found that Ma Chao did not seem like someone who would engage in inappropriate behavior. Consequently, Liu Bei's attitude towards Ma Chao gradually softened over time.

Emperors have always been adept at manipulating people's hearts, but Liu Bei, with his broad mind and magnanimity, was unwilling to continue to harbor prejudice against Ma Chao. Furthermore, Guan Yu had clearly developed a strong familiarity with Ma Chao's generals, Xu Huang and Zhang Liao, and was eager to visit them to reconnect. Unfortunately, for various reasons, this matter had been postponed until today. Liu Bei pondered this matter secretly, contemplating it thoroughly. Even if Ma Chao might potentially rebel in the future, his actions thus far clearly demonstrated his loyalty to the emperor and his patriotism, his respect for his teachers and his deep concern for the people. These qualities alone were sufficient. Even if Ma Chao did rebel in the future, for now, he was still a fellow student and a close friend.

Moreover, just two days ago, during a court meeting, the emperor had discussed suppressing the remnants of Dong Zhuo's forces, those circling Tianshui. Liu Bei enthusiastically responded, intending to lead Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to quell the rebellion. However, the emperor, seemingly inconspicuously, kept steer- ing the conversation towards Ma Chao. His words expressed immense satisfaction with Ma Chao's recent efforts to find a doctor for his master. Liu Bei suspected the emperor was signaling that he wanted Ma Chao to lead the suppression of the rebellion. Although Liu Bei didn't fully grasp the emperor's intentions, his tone and the subtle details of his words suggested that, despite his concerns about Ma Chao's growing power, he was nonetheless determined to employ him vigorously.

With all these considerations in mind, Liu Bei had specially brought his two brothers to visit Ma Chao today. When they arrived at Ma Chao's residence, Liu Bei stood quietly, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression filled with solemnity and contemplation. Guan Yu's usually composed and composed face now took on a subtle hint of anxiety. This was because he was very familiar with Xu Huang and Zhang Liao, but for a moment, he couldn't quite place his finger on the pulse of the two men before him. Thus, Guan Yu had long longed to meet them to reminisce, but since his elder brother Liu Bei hadn't yet made a clear statement, he felt he couldn't act without authorization. Now, finally having arrived, Guan Yu's emotions were inevitably mixed.

Zhang Fei, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened to him. He surveyed Ma Chao's residence with great interest and said to Liu Bei and Guan Yu, "Big Brother, Second Brother, look! The Emperor is truly very kind to Ma Chao. This luxurious residence is rare in Chang'an. Even the palace the Emperor currently resides in isn't built to such extravagance."

Liu Bei was genuinely displeased with Zhang Fei's addressing of Ma Chao as "Ma'er." He frowned slightly and said, "Third brother, Ma Chao is our junior fellow apprentice, and now, personally appointed a county marquis by His Majesty. Moreover, his reputation is far-reaching throughout the northwest. You constantly addressing him as 'Ma'er' is truly disrespectful. How can I possibly handle this?" Zhang Fei knew his elder brother wasn't truly reprimanding him, merely expressing displeasure at his address. Scratching his head, he said, "Alas, brother, I'm a rough man, as you know. From now on, I'll just call him General Ma. Why get upset over such a trivial matter?" Liu Bei nodded silently and continued to stand with his hands clasped in his hands. Zhang Fei muttered again, "Why won't General Ma let us in? He's being a bit too arrogant." Liu Bei ignored Zhang Fei. After all, Zhang Fei was his brother who had been through thick and thin with him, and he was unwilling to scold him easily for such trivial matters.

As the three waited, the central door suddenly opened slowly, revealing Ma Chao, neatly dressed and with steady steps, stepping out. Ma Chao wore a moon-white brocade robe, a jade belt around his waist, and his long hair tied back on top of his head. He appeared energetic. He was handsome, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, his gaze revealing a confidence and composure. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, and each step was firm and powerful, as if carrying an invisible aura. Behind him followed four generals: Zhang Ren, Xu Huang, Xu Shu, and Zhang Liao, each of them a distinguished figure. Zhang Ren, clad in black armor, his gaze stern, like an unshakable mountain. Xu Huang, a burly figure with a light beard, was unarmored, yet commanding. Xu Shu, clad in a cyan robe and a long beard, exuded a refined demeanor, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. Zhang Liao, clad in silver armor, had a resolute expression, and exuded a murderous aura. These four people followed behind Ma Chao like stars surrounding the moon, which made people look at them sideways.

Before Ma Chao even walked up to him, he laughed heartily and said, "Hahaha, senior brother, I have wanted to catch up with you for a long time, but unfortunately, the master is not in good health and has been busy looking for doctors and medicine recently, so I haven't been able to visit you. I am really rude." Ma Chao knew in his heart that Liu Bei was not in a good mood because his master did not treat him well, so Liu Bei was not convenient to come to visit him, and his current situation was indeed a bit embarrassing. But now, Liu Bei came in person, and he gave Liu Bei enough face by speaking like this. Liu Bei also knew the meaning of Ma Chao's compliment in his heart, and he also greeted him heartily, laughing, "We are brothers, how can there be a first come first served principle? Well, I am also worried about the master's health. Besides, the country is in a difficult situation now, and I haven't made time. It is my fault." The two complimented each other, hugged each other and laughed, appearing to be in great harmony.

Zhang Fei, unable to contain his temper, suddenly popped his head out and shouted, "Hey, Ma Chao, what are you all talking about here? We've been chatting for ages, why don't you just take us inside? Are you going to leave us out here starving?" Ma Chao remained smiling, unmoved. He knew Zhang Fei was a straightforward man, always speaking without restraint, like a wild horse that was unbridled and difficult to control. So, Ma Chao slowly took Liu Bei's arm and said enthusiastically, "Brother, please come in. I've been looking forward to having you at my humble abode for a while." With that, he ushered Liu Bei in.

Seeing Zhang Fei being so rude, Liu Bei frowned slightly, looking unhappy, and said in a deep voice: "Yide, why are you so ignorant of etiquette? I just told you not to call General Ma so rudely." When Zhang Fei heard this, he felt a little embarrassed. He had just agreed with his elder brother not to call Ma Chao "Ma'er" anymore, but in his anxiety, he threw the matter to the wind.

Xu Huang, however, refused to lose to Zhang Fei in terms of momentum. His eyes widened in anger as he glared at Zhang Fei, shouting, "You black fellow, how dare you act so arrogantly in front of my general? Do you think we have no one in Xiliang? How dare you act so arrogantly in front of my general?" Zhang Fei's surging momentum, which had just waned, suddenly flared up like a tinderbox. His eyes, as big as copper bells, widened even wider, as if spitting fire. He roared, "You keep calling me black fellow! You're such a disrespectful fellow! Didn't think your last beating wasn't enough? I, Old Zhang, don't mind teaching you another lesson." Zhang Fei's eyes bulged with fury, like an enraged lion, ready to challenge Xu Huang once again. Xu Huang, in turn, showed no sign of weakness, staring intently at Zhang Fei, his gaze filled with defiance, as if to say, "Let's fight again, and see who's the stronger." The tension between the two sides reached a fever pitch, as if the slightest spark would ignite a fierce clash.

Just when Zhang Fei and Xu Huang were on the verge of a fight, Ma Chao laughed and said loudly: "Don't be angry, both of you. It is a happy event that my senior brother is visiting my humble home today. Why ruin the mood over a few words?" After that, he looked at Xu Huang first, nodded slightly and said: "Gongming, don't be rude. My senior brother and General Zhang are both honored guests. You should treat them with courtesy." Although Xu Huang was unwilling, he could only suppress his anger when he saw his general had spoken, and bowed and stepped aside.

Ma Chao then turned to Zhang Fei and said with a smile, "General Zhang has a forthright and forthright disposition. I, Ma Chao, most admire such genuine people. Don't take his words to heart. From now on, General Zhang, please call me Mengqi. We are all brothers, so don't be so distant." He then warmly invited Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, and the others into the mansion, "Senior Brother, General Zhang, please come in. I will treat you all well today as a good host."

Seeing Ma Chao's magnanimity, Liu Bei secretly admired him and said, "Mengqi, you are so generous! We are so sorry for bothering you today." Zhang Fei, feeling a bit over the top, muttered, "Hmph, you're sensible," but his tone had softened considerably. Thanks to Ma Chao's skillful handling of the situation, the awkward situation was finally alleviated. Everyone entered the mansion together, and the atmosphere gradually became harmonious.