Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The emperor's eyes welled up as he listened to Lu Zhi's words, his emotions growing agitated. He gripped Lu Zhi's hand tightly and said anxiously, "Master Lu, Master Lu, please don't say such things. If you're gone, I'm afraid I won't be able to defend the Han Dynasty."

Lu Zhi reluctantly raised his other hand, patted the emperor's, and said soothingly, "Your Majesty, please do not speak so. Although the country is in turmoil, I recognize your wisdom. With the assistance of Liu Bei, Gongsun Zan, and Ma Chao, I believe you will be able to quell the rebellion and restore the glory of the Han Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, the emperor burst into tears and said, "Master Lu, Gongsun Zan, the Emperor's uncle, and Ma Chao are all men of exceptional ability. I know all this, but if you are no longer around, how can I expect them to remain loyal to me?"

Lu Zhi said, "Although Gongsun Zan has been somewhat arrogant recently, his heart is sound. As for Liu Bei and Ma Chao, Your Majesty, do not worry. They are undoubtedly loyal to the court."

The emperor's expression grew increasingly anxious. He said, "Master Lu, people's hearts are fickle. Look at General Ma Chao's behavior these days. Do you think the Han Dynasty can count on him? If you're gone, how can I restrain him? Tianshui City, no matter how strong it is, is just an isolated city. If Xiliang's army of over 200,000 were truly dedicated to serving the country, they would have captured several Tianshui cities long ago. Now, he only claims that the war is intense, but hasn't sent a single soldier from Xiliang. This shows that he has no real intentions."

Lu Zhi, bedridden for some time, hadn't paid much attention to these developments, his thoughts preoccupied with the situation in the Central Plains. Upon hearing the emperor's words, doubts welled up in him, his brow furrowed slightly, yet he was at a loss for words. A brief silence fell in the room, broken only by the emperor's soft sobs and Lu Zhi's heavy breathing. The emperor was filled with worry. He knew that in these turbulent times, the loyalty of his subjects was difficult to control, and without Lu Zhi, he felt like a lone boat, drifting further in the turbulent tides of events. Lu Zhi pondered how to reassure Ma Chao and other subjects, and share the emperor's worries, but his frail body and the complex situation left him feeling powerless.

The emperor stared at Lu Zhi with hope in his eyes, his hands trembling slightly. He whispered, "Master Lu, I have an idea. I wonder if it will work. What do you think?" Lu Zhi raised his head slightly, his eyes filled with doubt and inquiry, and motioned for the emperor to continue.

Liu Bian continued, "I see General Ma Chao's respect and devotion to you. You are absolutely capable of restraining and controlling him. But if you are gone, how can you hand over this control to me? I think that with his current power in Xiliang, whether he rebels or not, if he just stands by and watches, the world will fall apart. I have no power to use, Master. How can you transfer his respect and loyalty to you to me?"

The emperor paused, took a deep breath, and mustered his courage to speak: "Teacher, how about this? Promise Senior Sister Lu Wan to me, and I will marry her as my consort. Senior Sister Lu Wan and General Ma Chao have been childhood sweethearts, and she holds a very important place in his heart. Furthermore, with your affection for me, if I marry Senior Sister Lu Wan, General Ma Chao will not easily have second thoughts and will only be loyal and dedicated to the country. This is the only way to stabilize the court."

After saying this, the emperor looked nervously at Lu Zhi, awaiting his response. The room was so quiet that only the sound of their breathing could be heard. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation. The emperor felt uneasy. He knew this proposal was a bit sudden, but he saw it as the only solution he could think of. It would both strengthen his relationship with Ma Chao and leverage the influence of Lu Zhi and his daughter to consolidate his rule. Upon hearing the emperor's words, Lu Zhi was deeply shocked and began to ponder the feasibility of the emperor's proposal and its potential impact.

The emperor's eyes gleamed with eagerness and a hint of anticipation. He leaned forward slightly, approaching Lu Zhi and saying, "Master Lu, as long as Senior Sister Lu Wan and I have a child in the future, I will make him the crown prince. After I pass away, the future emperor will have your bloodline as a continuation. This combined emotional continuity should be enough to restrain General Ma Chao."

The emperor unconsciously rubbed his hands together and continued, "The current situation is critical, with the princes acting independently. Ma Chao's Western Liang army should not be underestimated. If we can closely connect him with the court in this way, it will not only ensure stability but also encourage him to serve the court wholeheartedly. Master Lu, think about it. This will not only continue your dedication to the Han Dynasty, but also alleviate our current urgent needs."

Lu Zhi listened to the emperor's words, his brows furrowed slightly, a complex expression on his face. He understood the emperor's anxiety and painstaking efforts, and knew that this might be a way to stabilize the situation in the short term. But at the same time, he was also concerned about the impact this would have on his daughter, and whether Ma Chao would resist. Lu Zhi coughed softly a few times, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Please allow me to consider it." The emperor, although somewhat anxious at Lu Zhi's response, knew not to press too hard, so he could only nod slightly, his eyes still filled with the desire for a positive answer. The atmosphere in the ward grew more solemn. The two men each had their own thoughts, but both were concerned about the precarious Han Dynasty.

Lu Zhi lay on his sickbed, his eyes revealing a struggle and entanglement. He knew all too well the deep affection between Ma Chao and Lu Wan, a pure and beautiful feeling. The thought that his decision might ruin his daughter's happiness was a painful stab to his heart.

As a father, he longed for his daughter to have a sweet love and a fulfilling life, to see her live out her days with a smile as beautiful as a flower. Yet, the emperor's proposal weighed heavily on his heart like a boulder. He had dedicated his entire life to the Han Dynasty, devoting his blood and energy to this land. Now, with the Han Dynasty in turmoil and the warlords eyeing it covetously, he understood that the emperor's proposal might be a way to save the situation.

Every time he thought of his daughter's potential tears and the sorrowful look in her eyes, Lu Zhi couldn't help but want to refuse. But as he conjured up images of the displaced people and the shattered empire, his loyalty to the Han Dynasty strengthened his resolve. His fingers clutched the quilt tightly, beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and he agonized over the decision.

After a long and agonizing moment of deliberation, Lu Zhi slowly closed his eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks. Ultimately, his loyalty to the Han Dynasty trumped all else, and he resolved to comply with the emperor's request. Even if it meant facing his daughter's future resentment, he was willing to do so. In his heart, the stability of the Han dynasty was paramount, and no matter the cost, he would contribute his last bit to the empire.

When he struggled to open his eyes and looked toward the emperor, his gaze was filled with determination. He opened his mouth slightly, and said in a hoarse but firm voice, "Your Majesty, this old minister... I agree." As the words left his mouth, it seemed as if all his strength had been exhausted, but his eyes remained fixed firmly ahead, as if he saw the dawn of hope that might emerge after making this sacrifice for the Han Dynasty.

The emperor was stunned at first when he heard Lu Zhi's answer. He had expected Lu Zhi to hesitate for a long time or even refuse, but he didn't expect Lu Zhi to agree so quickly. After a brief moment of astonishment, the emperor's face was instantly filled with ecstasy.

His eyes sparkled with excitement, and his hands unconsciously grasped the corners of his clothes, then quickly released them. He took a step forward and tightly grasped Lu Zhi's hand, saying with a slightly trembling voice, "Master Lu, I will not let you down. With your help, the Han Dynasty will remain as stable as before. I will treat Senior Sister Lu Wan well and let her enjoy the honors in the palace."

The emperor was already imagining the future. He envisioned Ma Chao becoming even more devoted to the court after learning of this, and perhaps even the restless princes would be deterred. He envisioned a glorious future in which he would regain control of the empire and restore the prestige of the Han Dynasty.

Yet, amidst his excitement, the emperor also sensed Lu Zhi's sadness and resolve. He coughed softly, calming himself slightly. He said, "Master Lu, rest assured. I will do everything in my power to compensate you, Senior Sister, and I will remember all the sacrifices you have made for the Han. I promise you that as long as I live, I will ensure the continued glory of the Lu family."

The emperor, basking in the joy of his own successful plan, was oblivious to Lu Zhi's inner torment. His mind was consumed by the excitement of his impending success. The feeling of once again controlling someone within his grasp restored some of his former majesty and confidence as an emperor. He eagerly addressed Lu Zhi, "Master Lu, how about marrying her within the next two days?"

Lu Zhi's heart felt like it was being crushed by a heavy stone, and he was in excruciating pain. But for the sake of the Han Dynasty in his heart, he suppressed the pain in his heart, nodded slowly, and said in a low and hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, please make the arrangements." Every word seemed to exhaust all his strength. He felt as if he had personally pushed his daughter into an unknown dark abyss.

After receiving the answer, the emperor excitedly turned to take his leave. His steps were brisk, even impatient, as if he could already see the beautiful scene of Ma Chao bowing to him and the princes retreating. Lu Zhi, lying on his sickbed, looked at the emperor's departing back with a blank look in his eyes. He didn't know how to face his wife's puzzled eyes or his daughter's innocent smile. He didn't know how to speak up about this decision that would destroy his daughter's happiness. A suffocating silence filled the room, with only the sound of Lu Zhi's heavy breathing and the endless cries of pain in his heart. He knew that from this moment on, there was no turning back, and he could only carry this heavy burden and continue to struggle forward on this thorny road for the sake of the crumbling Han Dynasty.