Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After the grand banquet at Lu Mansion, life seemed to have returned to normal, but unlike before, the residence was even more bustling than ever. Lu Zhi gathered all his disciples, including Lu Yu, Ma Chao, Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Yuan Yao, Yuan Xi, Yuan Tan, Cao Ang, and even Pang De, who was far away in the military camp, to the residence.

At the Lu residence, Lu Zhi not only meticulously expounded upon them a wealth of knowledge from the classics, history, and miscellaneous texts, imparting the strategies and wisdom of deploying troops, but more importantly, he tirelessly instilled in them the noble ideals of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. With his vast knowledge and profound insights, he guided these young talents, educating them on the importance and sacredness of loyalty to the emperor and love for the country.

Lu Zhi deeply recognized the talents of these disciples. Despite their youth, they possessed boundless potential. However, each individual possessed a different disposition, and the world was already showing signs of chaos. Given their exceptional talents, they were sure to shine brightly in the future.

Lu Zhi was single-mindedly committed to guiding these individuals toward the path of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. He knew that without this sense of loyalty and patriotism, even if he nurtured them, they might bring disaster to the empire. Deeply concerned, he resolved to spare no effort to cultivate this crucial value in them, hoping they would become the backbone of the nation and contribute to its stability and prosperity.

While Cao Ang, Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Yao may not be as talented as Ma Chao, Sun Ce, and Zhou Yu, they each possess unique and exceptional qualities. Their excellence cannot be ignored, and each possesses their own unique strengths and potential.

Deep down, Lu Zhi harbored a deep resentment and aversion towards the powerful aristocratic families and the eunuchs. Aristocratic families, through their deep connections and influence, often exerted complex influence on society, while eunuchs and other powerful figures could bring about unrest and instability. However, Lu Zhi understood that his views on these forces should not affect his evaluation of individuals.

Despite his lingering grudges against the aristocratic families and certain factions, he did not let this prevent him from treating Cao Ang, Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, Yuan Yao, and others with any disdain. On the contrary, he impartially and selflessly taught them tirelessly. He deeply understood the importance of education and hoped to guide them in developing correct values ​​and outlooks on life, helping them understand the true meaning of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism.

During his teaching, Lu Zhi devoted all his knowledge and wisdom to them without reservation. He focused on the growth and progress of each individual, encouraging them to leverage their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. He hoped that these young people would make positive contributions to their country and society through their talents and character, rather than being constrained by their status and background and being led astray.

Despite some initial hesitation, Cao Ang and the others gradually gained recognition for their talents from Ma Chao, Sun Ce, and others. They were all high-spirited young men, and they enjoyed a harmonious and enjoyable time together. Through their shared learning and communication, they forged a deep friendship.

They admired each other, learned from each other, and each saw the other's strengths. This friendship was more than just a schoolmate's; it was a like-minded friendship. Throughout this journey, they shared many joyful times and endured many challenges and trials together, which strengthened their bond and deepened their friendship, as if an indelible bond had been forged overnight.

Since his last duel with Dian Wei, Sun Ce finally grasped the profound truth that there are always better people and higher abilities. He also witnessed Ma Chao's exceptional martial arts and sought his advice. Ma Chao, without hesitation, not only meticulously instructed him on his techniques but also shared his entire family's inherited spearmanship. Sun Ce was deeply moved, and their friendship quickly blossomed.

Among his many disciples, apart from Ma Chao, Lu Zhi indeed valued Sun Ce and Zhou Yu very much.

Sun Ce, this brave young man, always displayed fearlessness on the battlefield. His unconventional fighting style, like a wild horse unbridled, was full of drive and courage, which made Lu Zhi see his potential and passion.

Zhou Yu, on the other hand, was a different beast. Calm and reserved, he possessed profound wisdom and keen insight. In battle, he always grasped the overall situation, displaying extraordinary strategy and ingenious military thinking. His calmness and rationality earned Lu Zhi high hopes for him.

After finishing his studies each day, Lu Zhi would stay with a few students to strengthen their ideological guidance.

Lu Zhi sat there with a kind yet serious face. He patiently explained to Sun Ce, Zhou Yu and Ma Chao the ways of being an official, governing and being a general.

His voice was steady and powerful, each word imbued with his hopes and dedication. "The way to be an official is to be honest and upright, and to care for the people; the way to govern is to be insightful and to plan for the long term; the way to be a general is to be courageous and resolute, yet resourceful," Lu Zhi elaborated. "Whether on the saddle, governing, or on foot, protecting the people, we must always remember that the interests of the country are paramount. No matter where we are, we must always put our country first."

He fixed his gaze on the three of them, hoping that these ideas would take root in their hearts. He kept instilling these ideas in them, hoping that they would become pillars of the country and contribute to its prosperity and stability in the future.

Sun Ce, Zhou Yu and Ma Chao listened attentively, with determination flashing in their eyes. They secretly vowed in their hearts that they must remember Lu Zhi's teachings and strive to become the outstanding people as he wished.

During his school days, Ma Chao would always use the caravan to send messages back home about his safety, and Ma Teng would also use the caravan to bring Ma Chao the latest news from home.

The comings and goings of the caravan became a bond between Ma Chao and Ma Teng. Every time Ma Chao received news from home, he felt safe and warm; and Ma Teng felt relieved to know that Ma Chao was safe.

On the last day of the Lunar New Year, New Year's Eve, the Xiliang caravan, after many hardships, finally arrived in Luoyang as night fell. They brought with them Ma Teng's deepest hopes for Ma Chao, a sincere thank-you gift to Lu Zhi, and gifts and heartfelt instructions for Ma Chao.

This day was a time for family reunions, and Lu Zhi, in a rare move, gave all his disciples a day off. However, among the many disciples, only Ma Chao was at Lu Zhi's house, while the other disciples were able to reunite with their families.

Ma Chao stood in the courtyard, gazing at all the caravan had brought him, his heart filled with longing for his father and a yearning for home. He knew that, though he couldn't celebrate the holiday with his family, his father's love and expectations would always be with him. Meanwhile, the city of Luoyang was ablaze with lights, permeated with the festive atmosphere of the New Year, yet within Ma Chao's heart, a sense of loneliness and determination grew.

Lu Wan was keenly aware of Ma Chao's change in mood. She walked over and looked at him tenderly, offering him silent comfort and care. Ma Chao felt Lu Wan's care and was deeply moved. His eyes could not help but become slightly moist.

Amidst the joyful gathering, laughter and chatter echoed, making this New Year's Eve particularly lively and full of warmth. Although Ma Chao still felt a tinge of melancholy missing his family, at this moment, he was surrounded by everyone's warmth, and that hint of loneliness gradually dissipated.

In this lively and peaceful atmosphere, everyone was immersed in joy, thinking that this year would end perfectly.

Suddenly, however, the sound of hurried horse hooves broke the silence. A palace attendant arrived, escorted by imperial guards.

The news was shocking: Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, wanted to summon Lu Zhi. This sudden news shocked everyone present, and the originally joyful atmosphere instantly became tense.

Everyone speculated about the reasons behind this, and doubts and anxieties welled up in their hearts. Ma Chao and his disciples were about to face an unknown fate...