Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Liu Bian lazily leaned back on the couch, humming a nonchalant snort. A scornful smile curled the corners of his mouth as he spoke slowly, "It doesn't matter. Even if he knew, what would happen? The vast land of Youzhou is already in imminent danger from Yuan Shao's power. Our earlier strategy was to help Gongsun Zan, giving him a chance to gain a share of the spoils in this chaotic world. Even if he's extremely reluctant, he won't easily give up this rare opportunity. After all, wasn't he bringing his army here to gain some advantage in this war? Although he hasn't achieved his primary goal, I'm still leaning towards him strategically, and I don't expect him to do anything rash or outrageous."

At this point, Liu Bian paused, a sly glint in his eyes, and continued, "Take Ma Chao for example. Wasn't he dissatisfied with many of the arrangements before? But in the end, he just had to accept them. All you two need to do is follow my instructions and spread the word that I'm already on the march. Then, we'll see when Ma Chao and Lu Bu will take action, and we can plan our next steps accordingly."

Liu Xie and Xun Yu looked at each other. Although they were still a little nervous, seeing that the emperor was so confident, they had no choice but to agree. They hurried down to prepare for spreading the news and other related matters. They just hoped that the situation would be as the emperor expected and that no more trouble would occur.

In just a day or two, the entire city of Luoyang was swept by a gust of wind. The news that Gongsun Zan had led his army to war spread rapidly throughout the streets and alleys, every corner. This news was like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves among the various factions. Ma Chao, Liu Bei, Lu Bu and others all felt the pressure.

Lü Bu, for his part, was racking his brains over the issue of food and fodder. He was calculating, attempting to use the lack of fodder as an excuse to delay the expedition. With a broad smile on his face, he flattered Xun Yu, who had come to convey his decree, by saying, "Sir Xun, please see, my army is extremely short of fodder. The soldiers are barely getting by. If we march so hastily, I'm afraid many will starve before we even reach halfway. Could you please allocate some fodder so that we can march with peace of mind?"

Xun Yu, however, refused to be swayed. His expression turned cold, and he bluntly stated, "General Lu, please don't mention this matter of food and fodder. Food and fodder are extremely scarce in the city right now, and everyone is tightening their belts. We simply can't spare any extra food and fodder for you. Furthermore, the pressure of public opinion is overwhelming. Gongsun Zan has already led his army to war. You can't just keep dragging it out, can you? The time for the expedition is clear. General Lu, please don't hesitate and assemble your army as soon as possible."

When Lu Bu heard this, he was immediately at a loss. His face turned pale and blue. Although he was extremely reluctant, he knew that he could not delay any longer under the current circumstances. He could only grit his teeth and think about what to do next.

Liu Bei, on the other hand, was similarly suffocated by the pressure of public opinion. He had always cared deeply about the Han Dynasty, but the current situation had put him in a dilemma. However, facing the clear call for an expedition, he could only quietly prepare, yet he couldn't help but worry about the overall situation.

As for Ma Chao, compared to Lü Bu and Liu Bei, his mind was completely focused on something else. He approached Liu Xie and made an earnest plea, "Prince of Luoyang, I am about to embark on this expedition, and there is something I cannot let go of. I hope you could pass on a message to His Majesty, asking for permission to see the Empress before I leave the city."

Seeing Ma Chao's sincere expression, Liu Xie, although somewhat doubtful, still agreed to the request and hurried to meet Emperor Liu Bian to convey Ma Chao's words verbatim.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Liu Bian flew into a rage, his face flushing crimson as if blood could drip out. He slammed the armrest of the throne and shouted, "Humph! Lu Wan is the Empress I personally appointed, the mistress of this harem! Ma Chao, a mere outsider, actually wants to see her without a second thought. This clearly shows lingering feelings and ulterior motives! What does he think of this Imperial Palace? And where does he place me?"

Liu Bian became more and more angry as he spoke. He paced back and forth in the hall, constantly criticizing Ma Chao. He looked so angry that it seemed as if he wanted to tear everything in front of him into pieces to vent his anger.

After venting his anger for a long time, Liu Bian finally calmed down. He frowned and said to Liu Xie impatiently, "Forget it, forget it. Since Ma Chao has already asked for it, if I don't agree, it will make me look unkind. Just grant his request, let them meet, and then send him away quickly. Don't let anything else happen in this palace. Humph!"

After saying that, Liu Bian waved his hand, signaling Liu Xie to go down and arrange the matter. He himself continued to sit on the dragon throne with a gloomy face. He was still brooding over Ma Chao's behavior, but at this moment he had to put the overall situation first.

The emperor sat upon the majestic and solemn dragon throne, his expression as gloomy as the sky before a storm, his eyes gleaming with a chill that seemed to freeze the very air in the hall. He mused to himself, "Hmph, never mind. For now, I'll just grant Ma Chao's request. It's no harm letting him see Lu Wan; it's just a small, lasting wish." As he thought, he narrowed his eyes slightly, a profound and cruel sneer curling his lips.

"You go first," the emperor ordered Liu Xie coldly. His voice was as chilling as the bitter cold of winter, piercing the bones and sending shivers of fear through the air. Liu Xie hurriedly responded with deep trepidation, lowering his head and cautiously retreating to arrange a meeting between Ma Chao and Lu Wan.

After Liu Xie left, the emperor slowly stood up. The hem of his dragon robe swayed gently with his movements, making a soft rustling sound, seemingly the only sound in the hall, further accentuating the oppressive and gloomy atmosphere. He walked to the window. The ornately carved window frame gleamed golden in the sunlight, but this light could not warm the emperor's cold heart. He gazed out at the majestic and imposing palace city, and the calculations in his mind, like the tide surging in the dark, intensified.

"Hmph, Ma Chao, oh Ma Chao, do you think your request to see Lu Wan will fulfill your wish? You underestimate me too much. Once you leave the city, no one in Luoyang will be able to stop me." The emperor clasped his hands behind his back, his fingers unconsciously curled slightly, as if suppressing some emotion. He paced back and forth, each step steady and imbued with unquestionable majesty. The hem of his dragon robe swayed gently with his steps, like a majestic dragon baring its fangs and claws, demonstrating his supreme imperial power.

"When the time comes, I will definitely take good care of this ignorant woman. That Lu Wan, relying on Ma Chao's power, dares to disdain my favor. She is truly ungrateful." A fierce glint flashed in the emperor's eyes, like a flash of lightning across the night sky, instantly revealing his anger and dissatisfaction. He spoke through gritted teeth, the words coming out as if every word carried a sharp edge that could hurt.

"I must let her know who is the real master in this harem. I must make her obedient and submissive to me, and never dare to have any disobedience in her heart. If she still dares to show the slightest disobedience, humph, I have plenty of ways to make her suffer." After saying this, the emperor suddenly stopped and stood by the window like a sculpture, looking straight into the distance, as if he had seen Lu Wan trembling under his pressure and kneeling down to beg for mercy. The sneer at the corner of his mouth became more and more obvious, and that smile was full of the confidence that he was in control of everything as well as contempt and disdain for Lu Wan.

When Ma Chao finally received the emperor's clear consent for him to meet Lu Wan, his eyes lit up with hope. He was filled with joy and could not wait to see the person he had been thinking about day and night.

He rushed along, his steps hurried, as if each step carried with him the deep affection and eagerness he had accumulated for so long. Finally arriving outside the palace where Lu Wan lived, Ma Chao straightened his somewhat disheveled clothes, tried to calm his chest, which was heaving violently with excitement, his eyes filled with anticipation.

However, when the attendant passed on the news of his request for an audience, Lu Wan received a cold refusal. In that opulent yet cage-like palace, Lu Wan heard Ma Chao's request, and tears instantly blurred her eyes. She longed to see him; the man with whom she had made countless vows under the moonlight, the man she deeply cherished.

However, she knew that the palace walls were deep and the emperor's authority could not be damaged. She was afraid that her meeting with Ma Chao would bring more disasters to Ma Chao, and she was even more afraid that it would anger the emperor and put Ma Chao and his entire family into an irretrievable situation.

So, she could only bite her lips, endure the pain in her heart like a knife, and said to the attendant in a trembling voice: "Please report to General Ma that I... I am not feeling well and it is inconvenient to meet you." Every word seemed to have exhausted all her strength. After she finished speaking, she collapsed on the ground, tears flowing uncontrollably, wetting her gorgeous but heavy skirt.

When Ma Chao heard this reply outside the palace, he felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, instantly extinguishing his joy and anticipation. He stood there blankly, the light in his eyes gradually dimming, replaced by endless pain and despair.

"Wanmei... why... why ah..." Ma Chao muttered to himself, his voice choking with sobs. He recalled every moment he had spent with Lu Wan, and those beautiful times seemed like yesterday. They had strolled among the blossoms of spring, Lu Wan's smile more charming than the blooming flowers; they had embraced under the stars on summer nights, confessing their love to each other, as if the world belonged only to the two of them.

But now, it all seemed to be completely cut off by a ruthless palace wall. Ma Chao clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, but he felt no pain at all, because the pain in his heart far exceeded any physical pain.

"Sister Wan, I know you must have your reasons, but how can I bear it if you keep me at arm's length like this..." Ma Chao's tears finally burst out, sliding down his resolute face and dripping onto the ground beneath his feet. He stared at the tightly closed palace gate, as if he could see Lu Wan weeping through it, yet he felt powerless to do anything.

This pair of former lovers were cruelly teased by fate. The sincere and passionate feelings in their hearts could only turn into endless pain and helplessness, spreading inside and outside the palace walls.