Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chang'an had been turbulent and unpredictable during this period. Lu Zhi's sudden death had been like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly sending ripples surging through it. The emperor's marriage to Lu Wan had thrown a raging fire into the already complex situation, further escalating it.

Ma Chao's loss of composure, his momentary loss of control, his fierce confrontation with the emperor, and the divergent reactions of various factions all underscore the intensity of this political storm. The wisp of white hair at Ma Chao's temple, swaying in the light and shadow, seems to silently reveal the turmoil and struggle within his heart.

Xu Shu, the supremely intelligent strategist, with his keen insight, quickly perceived the immense crisis lurking behind this series of events. He knew the situation in Chang'an was a powder keg poised to explode, poised for drastic change. After all, the relationship between Ma Chao and the emperor was already deeply strained, with signs of a potential falling out. Furthermore, Ma Chao was brazenly threatening the emperor, forcefully demanding that Lu Wan be enthroned as empress. Such actions were clear to anyone with a discerning eye, revealing the underlying tension and crisis.

Inside Ma Chao's residence in Chang'an, Xu Shu and Ma Chao sat opposite each other, discussing countermeasures. Xu Shu's face was solemn, his brow furrowed slightly as if laden with worry. He spoke slowly, "General, the situation is extremely critical. The court's suspicion of us is burning like a raging fire. In my opinion, we should quickly dispatch the Xiliang army to strengthen our prestige and ensure your position at court remains as secure as a rock, free from any threat."

Ma Chao raised his chin slightly, his eyes gleaming with confidence, a resolute gaze that seemed to pierce through any obstacle. He declared proudly, "Yuanzhi, there's no need to worry. If the emperor truly wants to take us to the point of no return, we will return to Xiliang. With over 40,000 troops at our disposal, there's no place in the world we can't conquer. What fear do we have?"

Xu Shu frowned slightly, lost in deep thought. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "General, while what you say makes sense, we must be on guard. Furthermore, the situation isn't entirely clear yet, so having Xiliang as a solid backing would be much safer. With Xiliang's support, we'd have more wiggle room in this complex situation."

Ma Chao pondered for a moment. Although he now commanded 45,000 men, this was insufficient to challenge the current imperial court. The court not only had Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, as well as half of the remaining Youzhou troops under Zhao Yun's command, but also recruited during his time governing Hedong County. Furthermore, Lü Bu of Bingzhou was also in Chang'an with his troops. With these troops alone, the imperial court wasn't intimidated; they feared the pressure of the 300,000 cavalrymen from Xiliang.

Finally, he nodded and said, "Well, then, let's follow your plan. You can write a letter to Wuwei County and ask my father to make full preparations and to be ready to assist us if necessary. We must prepare for any eventuality and have all possible responses ready."

Xu Shu felt a slight sense of relief when he finally persuaded Ma Chao. However, he also knew time was running out and dared not delay even a moment. He quickly fetched pen and paper and wrote the letter with complete concentration, striving to detail the current situation in Chang'an and his own detailed analysis. His pen flowed like flowing water, each word seeming to carry a heavy weight of responsibility and expectation.

Xu Shu understood that Wuwei County must prepare early to respond to a rapidly changing situation. In his letter, he detailed the complex situation in Chang'an, the tense relationship between the emperor and Ma Chao, and the dynamics of various factions. He analyzed various possible scenarios and proposed corresponding response strategies, hoping that Wuwei County would act swiftly and provide solid support for Ma Chao.

However, Xu Shu wasn't satisfied with this. He had the bigger picture in mind, considering the importance of Longxi County. Longxi County also had a great deity at its helm. He knew Ma Teng was completely obedient to Ma Chao and would never easily put Ma Chao in danger, a fact Xu Shu had no doubt about. But he was also concerned that they might be lacking in foresight, so he decided to send a letter to Longxi County. Li Ru of Longxi County was no ordinary man. Xu Shu had long since witnessed Li Ru's wisdom and strategy. At this crucial moment, including Li Ru in the planning was the only way to ensure safety.

Without consulting Ma Chao, Xu Shu decisively sent another letter to Longxi Commandery. In it, he also detailed the situation in Chang'an, emphasizing its urgency and danger. He pleaded with Ma Teng and Li Ru to consult and devise the most appropriate response for Ma Chao. He believed that with Ma Teng's support and Li Ru's wisdom, Ma Chao would surely be able to maintain his footing in this volatile situation.

After Xu Shu and Ma Chao had made all the necessary arrangements, they quietly waited in Chang'an, their eyes fixed on the upcoming day of the empress's coronation, their hearts filled with anxiety and anticipation.

Zhang Liao and Xu Huang remained on high alert in the camp, fully aware of the delicate and dangerous situation. Every slight movement could trigger a huge storm, and they dared not slack off.

Zhang Ren doubled his number of personal guards within the camp, stationing these elite warriors at the General's Mansion in Chang'an to ensure Ma Chao's safety. While Ma Chao was confident in himself, he didn't want his brothers to worry too much. After all, he was at the center of a turbulent situation, and Chang'an was filled with hidden dangers. The three brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, Lü Bu, Zhao Zilong, and Wang Yue, the master and his apprentice—the world's top generals—were gathered here. Ma Chao understood that at this moment, any careless move could lead to unforeseen consequences.

Since attending the court meeting, Ma Chao had remained in his residence, refusing to venture out. He didn't enter the barracks directly to give the emperor a chance to recover. After all, the incident had already occurred, and so much time had passed. He deeply didn't want to cause unrest at court because of his personal feelings. Furthermore, he was concerned about his master's dying wishes. He simply wanted to grant Lu Wan a higher position as a way to express his feelings.

In this fraught moment, Ma Chao's every decision is crucial. He must strike a balance between personal feelings and national justice, treading cautiously amidst the complex situation. The various factions within Chang'an are closely watching Ma Chao's every move, awaiting their opportunity. No one can predict how the situation will unfold. But one thing is certain: a thrilling battle is about to unfold in Chang'an.

The messenger sent to Xiliang galloped on his horse, galloping non-stop towards Longxi and Wuwei. Longxi County, located between Chang'an and Wuwei, was a strategic location.

The messenger traveled day and night, sleeping in the open air, just to get the news to Longxi as quickly as possible. When he finally set foot on the land of Longxi County, his heart was filled with anxiety. He ignored his fatigue and hurriedly inquired about Dong Bai's residence, then eagerly requested to see him.

Meanwhile, Dong Bai's days seemed peaceful, yet her heart was constantly concerned for Ma Chao, far away in Chang'an. Suddenly, upon hearing that a messenger from Chang'an had requested an audience, her heart leaped, a surge of anxiety and excitement. The emotion surged like a surging tide, nearly drowning her. She didn't even have time to fix her makeup before she rushed out.

Dong Bai's steps were hurried and frantic, her skirt fluttering in the wind. Her eyes were filled with anticipation and worry, unsure whether the news from Chang'an would be good or bad. When she finally saw the messenger, her eyes flickered with a complex light as she nervously awaited the messenger's message.

The messenger respectfully handed Xu Shu's letter to Dong Bai, who accepted it with trepidation. When she unfolded the letter and read its contents, she was instantly overcome with panic. Her face paled, her heart filled with worry and fear, wondering what danger Ma Chao now faced. The letter detailed the situation in Chang'an, describing Ma Chao's anger and sorrow over the incident, even to the point of a streak of gray hair at his temple. These words pierced Dong Bai's heart, like a sharp knife piercing her chest.

Dong Bai was eager to gather the Longxi army and rush to Chang'an to meet her lover. Her heart was filled with longing for Ma Chao, and she longed to fly to his side and help him resolve his problems. However, when she thought about the serious matter mentioned in the letter, she knew she couldn't act rashly. This matter not only concerned the future of Xiliang, but also Ma Chao's safety.

Dong Bai's mind kept turning to Lu Wan, the one who had once been both her rival and a close friend. She couldn't understand why Lu Wan would do such a heartbreaking thing for Chao. "Lu Wan, Lu Wan, we were once by Chao's side together. Although we competed, we also shared a deep bond. I've long since put aside my jealousy and am willing to share my lover with you, wishing only for Chao's happiness. But why are you so foolish? Why did you let Chao fall into such pain? Do you know that every ounce of Chao's sorrow pierces my heart like a needle?" Dong Bai's heart was filled with questions and confusion, her emotions like surging waves, constantly crashing against her. She wanted so badly to rush to Lu Wan and demand an explanation, to undo the damage she had done to Chao.

But Dong Bai finally resisted the urge. She knew that at this critical moment, she couldn't act rashly. Although the worry and anger in her heart almost burst out of her chest, she still retained a trace of clarity. Dong Bai knew that at this critical moment, she had to act cautiously. She immediately decided to find Li Ru and ask him to consult her. Li Ru was extremely intelligent and would definitely be able to analyze the situation for her and provide the right decision. Dong Bai hurriedly got up and walked towards Li Ru's residence with the letter. Her steps were quick and firm, and she had only one thought in her mind, which was to find Li Ru as soon as possible and find a solution for Ma Chao's predicament.

On the way to Li Ru's residence, Dong Bai's mind raced. She recalled every moment she had spent with Ma Chao, those beautiful times now overshadowed by this crisis. She secretly vowed to protect Ma Chao, their love, and the future of Xiliang, no matter the cost.