Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Gongsun Zan's eyes were wide open and his expression was excited. His words were like the sound of a huge bell, resounding and echoing in every corner of the palace.

Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked. Liu Bei sat aside, sighing inwardly, thinking, "Alas, look at this situation. They really are here for the throne of Empress. Brother, have you really been completely blinded by the brilliance of power? Back then, we studied together under my master and had a deep friendship. But now, we two fellow disciples both command important troops. We should be thinking about serving the country, protecting the people, and contributing to the stability of the world. But now, for that illusory power, we are fighting so fiercely in this court. It is truly heartbreaking." Thinking of this, Liu Bei couldn't help but think of the original intention of setting up this banquet today. It was originally to mourn Master Lu and express everyone's remembrance. But the current scene ran counter to that solemn and awe-inspiring atmosphere. It was truly ironic. Liu Bei's heart was filled with emotion, and he couldn't help but sigh: "Could power really have such a magical power that it could easily change a person's character?"

Elsewhere, Lü Bu and Wang Yun quietly watched the farce unfold before them. They exchanged glances, each with a different thought in mind. Wang Yun narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking to himself, "Hmph, Gongsun Zan speaks so righteously, but in reality, he's just trying to support his daughter. The disputes in the court are getting more and more interesting." Lü Bu crossed his arms, a subtle, mocking smile playing at the corners of his mouth, clearly agreeing with Wang Yun's sentiments.

Wang Yun's shrewd eyes were now fixed on the emperor on the throne. His gaze was deep, as if he could see through the emperor's thoughts. Li Ruo couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "This emperor is truly extraordinary. He cleverly used the opponent's strength to make the two most powerful forces under his command incompatible. And it seems that he must have follow-up measures. It seems that I still need to advise Lu Bu more in the future and make him be cautious. With Lu Bu's straightforward personality, I'm afraid he will suffer in the first two moves under the emperor's calculations. This emperor's methods are truly tough. He will never bow to the aristocratic families. No matter how well he does things, those families will not truly choose him as their support. After all, in this arena of power struggle, if you are not careful, you will probably end up with nothing left."

Looking at the emperor on the throne, his expression was as calm as water as he sat quietly. He made no effort to intervene in the dispute between Gongsun Zan and the others, allowing the situation to unfold unchecked. The emperor felt that the situation was far from reaching the desired "heat." He had to let Gongsun Zan and Ma Chao continue their fight, keeping the flames burning. Only then could he profit from this chaotic situation. Therefore, he remained calm and composed, as if everything before him was under his control.

At this moment, Concubine Gongsun was sitting nearby. Her heart was already blossoming with joy at hearing her father's impassioned words. Her delicate face instantly filled with a proud and arrogant expression, her eyes brimming with pride. She raised her chin slightly, snorted coldly, and thought to herself, "Hmph! What can you do, Lu An? Even if you were here, so what? I have my father to back me up. As for you, your father may be very famous, but so what? Now that he's gone, who can you rely on? And Ma Chao is even more dishonest. Why would he support you? Is it just because of your shameful affair? Hmph, this is ridiculous!"

Lu Wan sat quietly by the side, her face filled with sorrow, as if shrouded in a deep sorrow that could not be dispelled. She knew full well that her lover, Ma Chao, had acted so utterly outrageously, even resorting to the power he held to coerce the Emperor in his quest to make her empress, all for her. Ma Chao's deep affection for her was like the depths of the ocean, like a blazing flame. How could she not understand?

But fate was a cruel twist of fate. Due to a final arrangement by her father, she had been married to the emperor. While they weren't particularly close, their interactions always felt distant, they were still officially married. Under these constraints, how could she repay Ma Chao's deep affection?

Furthermore, the emperor's motives behind his father's arrangement were not pure. He simply wanted to use her to manipulate Ma Chao. Even if the emperor truly bowed to Ma Chao's pressure and agreed to make her his empress, it would be difficult for Ma Chao to disobey the emperor's will in the future. Furthermore, Ma Chao's previous outrageous remarks had already given others a handle to exploit.

Lu Wan knew in her heart that she didn't care about the position of empress at all. The supreme honor held no appeal to her, like a fleeting cloud. Yet, she had no way to stop Ma Chao's frantic actions. How could she confide in Ma Chao about her woes? Ma Chao was so stubbornly determined to make her empress, and she could only watch helplessly, unable to repay his deep affection.

Her gaze slowly fell on a strand of white hair at Ma Chao's temple, which was particularly glaring in the palace's light and shadow. It seemed to silently speak of Ma Chao's years of hard work and toil, and it also seemed to remind Lu Wan that her lover had already sacrificed so much for her. Lu Wan felt as if her heart had been pierced by a sharp sword. The pain spread, immersing her in endless bitterness and helplessness.

After hearing Gongsun Zan's impassioned yet witty words, everyone on the field reacted in a variety of ways, their expressions varying. Some looked apprehensive, others looked eager to see the show unfold, and still others wore solemn expressions, as if worried about the escalating situation. However, as if drawn by an invisible force, everyone's gaze first turned toward the emperor, then slowly shifted to Ma Chao.

Ma Chao had been sitting upright in his seat, but seeing everyone's attention focused on him and hearing Gongsun Zan's venomous words, he abruptly stood up. Ma Chao stood tall and straight, his expression remaining unyielding. He gazed at Gongsun Zan calmly and said slowly, "Brother, what exactly do you mean by this? The Emperor has clearly issued an edict appointing Concubine Lu as Empress, and the grand enthronement ceremony will be held soon. Don't you find it absurd to speak like this at this time? And how are you putting the dignity of the nation in jeopardy?"

Upon hearing Ma Chao's words, Gongsun Zan's fury turned into laughter, a laugh that echoed through the palace, tinged with a chilling chill. His eyes widened as he glared at Ma Chao, shouting, "Well, Ma Chao, you're still talking to me about the dignity of the state! Humph, if you hadn't used your power to intimidate the Emperor, how could he have made such a decision? Do you really think everyone in the world is a fool, unable to see the ins and outs of this? Just think about it, it's only been so long since that old scoundrel Dong Zhuo of Xiliang was defeated, and now Xiliang has produced another powerful official like you! If I, Gongsun Zan, was able to lead an army to defeat that old scoundrel Dong Zhuo on His Majesty's behalf, I can certainly do the same to defeat you, Ma Chao of Xiliang!"

Gongsun Zan's words undoubtedly shattered the relationship. After all, Ma Chao's close relationship with Dong Zhuo was a well-known fact. Back then, even at the risk of a falling out with his master, Ma Chao had refused to participate in the campaign against Dong Zhuo, let alone engage in battle. Furthermore, after Dong Zhuo's defeat, it was Ma Chao who secretly protected the remaining Dong clan members and other family matters. Gongsun Zan's relentless comparison of Ma Chao with Dong Zhuo, directly placing him on the same level as Dong Zhuo, was practically a declaration of war against Ma Chao.

Hearing Gongsun Zan's slanderous words, Ma Chao was so angry that he trembled all over, and his eyes seemed to be spitting fire. He took a step forward, staring at Gongsun Zan with wide eyes, and shouted back in an extremely angry tone:

"Gongsun Zan, please stop slandering me! I, Ma Chao, have always been loyal. When did I become the powerful minister you claim I was? The emperor's decision to establish a queen is in accordance with the will of heaven and the will of the people. How can you slander and defame me so casually? You claim that I bully the emperor? That's sheer absurd nonsense! I, Ma Chao, have always acted with integrity. How could you harbor such ulterior motives and seek to stir up trouble?"

"You keep talking about national justice, huh? Do you think I don't know what you're up to? Now you want to attack me again. Do you think I, Ma Chao, am afraid of you? I want to see what you're capable of. How dare you lie and provoke me in this hall? If you provoke me, I'll make you feel the might of my Xiliang cavalry!"

Ma Chao's angry retort shook the entire hall, sending a chill down the spine of everyone present, all of them worried about the increasingly tense and intense situation.

Gongsun Zan showed no fear. He knew full well that he had brought a hundred thousand cavalrymen with him on this trip, specifically to secure the position of empress for his daughter. Now that he had spoken to Ma Chao to this point, there was no need for further politeness.

He sneered, his eyes filled with disdain, and shouted back at Ma Chao, "Ma Chao, stop pretending to be a gentleman! Loyal? Humph, that's ridiculous. If you were truly loyal, why would you have refused to fight Dong Zhuo in the first place? Don't try to fool us with your own considerations. We all know perfectly well that you and Dong Zhuo are birds of a feather!"

"You said the emperor's choice of a queen was in accordance with heaven's will and the people's wishes? That's a complete joke! If it weren't for your coercion and inducements, how could the emperor have issued that edict? Do you think everyone else is blind?"

"One hundred thousand Youzhou cavalrymen are waiting outside the city. I want to see what you, Ma Chao, can do today! If you know what's good for you, then give up on this matter of establishing a queen. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude. I will make sure you and your Xiliang cavalrymen have a taste of the might of my one hundred thousand cavalrymen. Don't kneel down and beg for mercy then!"

Gongsun Zan's blunt response instantly made the atmosphere on the scene extremely tense, as if a big battle was about to break out.