Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Although Lu Wan was filled with concern and affection for Ma Chao, she resolutely refused his request to meet him. Within this austere palace, the emperor's authority was like the scorching sun overhead, blazing and untouchable. Even Lu Wan harbored a deep fear of the emperor.

By then, Ma Chao had already made all the arrangements for his expedition, his army ready to go, awaiting only the order to march off to the unknown battlefield. But at this crucial moment, Ma Chao longed to see Lu Wan before the battle. She was the one he cherished in his heart. With Lu Wan now without support in the palace, all his instructions and arrangements had gone unfulfilled. Now, he just wanted to see her again, even if it was just a fleeting glimpse.

However, Lu Wan was filled with concerns. She knew that if this meeting caused the Emperor to become displeased with Ma Chao, the consequences would be disastrous. The Emperor's moods were unpredictable, and if he angered him, Ma Chao's situation in the court and the military camp would be extremely difficult. He might even face unwarranted punishment, which would affect his plans for the expedition. Furthermore, with numerous eyes watching from both inside and outside the palace, any slight could be magnified and used as a weapon for attack.

Therefore, although Lu Wan was in great pain, she finally hardened her heart and did not meet Ma Chao.

This outcome was undoubtedly a heavy blow to Ma Chao, one he found truly difficult to accept. He couldn't understand why even a single encounter had become such a luxury. His hopes vanished in an instant, leaving him with only bitterness and loss.

But after all, the army had a strict schedule, a crucial deployment for the nation's war effort; how could it be changed at will? Furthermore, the emperor had already made an agreement with the generals, and military orders were as firm as a mountain. All the soldiers were awaiting the order to march. How could he allow his personal feelings to stall the march?

Moreover, Gongsun Zan had already departed, having already agreed with the Emperor to depart for the front immediately after their meeting. So, regardless of whether Lu Wan met with him or not, Ma Chao knew he had no choice. He could only swallow the surging grief in his heart and, gritted his teeth, sent word to the Emperor, stating that the army would soon march out. He would put aside all personal feelings and devote himself wholeheartedly to the coming campaign, heading for the distant land shrouded in the smoke and flames of war for the greater good of his country.

That day, dark clouds gathered outside Chang'an, as if adding a touch of solemnity to the impending departure. Ma Chao's army had already been ready outside the city, their ranks erect as tall as pine trees, yet they couldn't conceal the dreary feeling of the impending journey.

Clad in battle armor, Ma Chao walked heavily toward the city wall to perform the final formalities of bidding farewell to the emperor. As he reached the Chang'an city wall, he saw the emperor sitting high on the dragon throne, surrounded by a magnificent procession of ceremonial guards that symbolized his supreme authority.

Ma Chao stepped forward, knelt on one knee, clasped his fists in salute, his voice filled with unconcealed grief and exhaustion. "Your Majesty, I have come to bid you farewell. The weather is getting colder, and it is inconvenient for our army to remain in Chang'an for long. I hope Your Majesty takes care of himself and that peace prevails within the palace."

The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, and an expression of regret and concern instantly appeared on his face. He spoke slowly, and his tone was deliberately drawn out, showing his hypocritical attitude: "Hey, General Ma, I really don't want you to leave. You are going there, shouldering heavy responsibilities, and the journey is difficult. I am really worried about you." As he spoke, he pretended to wipe the corners of his eyes with the brocade handkerchief, as if he had really shed a few drops of sad tears.

The ministers who were seeing him off also cooperated with the emperor's performance, some shook their heads and sighed, while others whispered in agreement with the emperor's words.

Although Ma Chao saw through the emperor's behavior, he remained respectful. "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your kindness. I will do my utmost to live up to your trust."

The emperor then nodded slightly, pretending to be pleased: "Well, I believe in the ability of Marquis Wei. When the general returns triumphantly, I will definitely reward him handsomely."

The farewell ceremony ended in an atmosphere that seemed deeply affectionate but was actually hypocritical. Ma Chao stood up, clasped his fists in salute again, then turned and strode down the city wall to join the army outside. The emperor was left sitting on the dragon throne, the false expression on his face gradually fading, and he returned to his unpredictable indifference.

Beneath the city walls, the army was ready, awaiting Ma Chao's command to march forth. Ma Chao, clad in military uniform, stood tall and straight, like a pine tree. But his furrowed brow and the hint of desolation in his eyes betrayed his complex thoughts. He was consumed by anxiety about the impending battle, bitterness over not being able to see Lu Wan, and an unspeakable frustration with the emperor's previous actions. Yet, he suppressed all of this, for the greater good of the country precluded any lingering sentimentality or personal emotions.

At this moment, Liu Bei hurried down the tower, his face filled with anxiety, beads of sweat even oozing from his forehead, his eyes full of concern and reluctance. His footsteps were hurried, his clothes fluttering in the wind, and he was in front of Ma Chao in a few steps.

Liu Bei first grasped Ma Chao's arms firmly, tightly, as if to transfer his strength. He tilted his head slightly, gazing at Ma Chao with earnest, sincere eyes, and spoke with a touch of urgency and concern, "Junior Brother, the journey ahead is long. You must take good care of yourself along the way." He gently shook Ma Chao's arm and continued, "Although the Emperor has occasionally acted unconventionally recently, as his subjects, we must never forget or abandon our duties." Liu Bei frowned slightly, a flicker of helplessness in his eyes. "Look, the Emperor's lofty ambitions are genuine. He is wholeheartedly committed to restoring the glory of the Han Dynasty, and we all see this. Furthermore, thanks to the efforts of all parties, the Han Dynasty's situation has improved considerably."

Ma Chao listened to Liu Bei's words, feeling a surge of emotion. He knew that his senior brother's words were all for his own good, for the sake of the Han Dynasty. He couldn't help but think of his master's passing, and Gongsun Zan's actions, yet Liu Bei remained close to him. The bond between the two brothers grew even stronger at this moment. He thought to himself, "My senior brother has always been kind and caring, and now that he has given me this advice, how can I fail to live up to his expectations? But this emperor... well, never mind. For the sake of the people of this world, I will put my personal feelings aside for now."

Liu Bei gently patted Ma Chao's shoulder, his eyes growing more serious as he continued, "Junior Brother, I know your character and nature well. You have always been righteous and unparalleled in your loyalty and bravery. But don't let a momentary emotional dispute cause you to lose your composure." Liu Bei narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke earnestly, "Remember, thunder and rain are all blessings from heaven. No matter what happens, we must prioritize the overall situation and not let a few personal emotions ruin a matter that concerns the rise and fall of our nation. The Yuan Shu you face on this expedition is no easy task. He is cunning and powerful, and this battle will surely be extremely dangerous. I will also engage in a decisive battle with Yuan Shao as soon as possible, striving to end this war swiftly so that you can have no worries. Here, I wish you a successful and immediate success!" As he spoke, Liu Bei smiled with a hint of relief, but that smile also revealed his concern for Ma Chao's journey.

Ma Chao listened quietly, his heart was full of emotion, his eyes were slightly red. He nodded slightly and responded: "Brother, I know what you said. I, Ma Chao, only care about the country and the people, and I have a clear conscience." Ma Chao raised his head slightly, looked into the distance with a firm gaze, and thought silently in his heart: "Although I have many dissatisfactions with the emperor, the country of the Han Dynasty and the millions of people need me to protect. It is certainly my personal wish for me to govern the world with the emperor, but I know in my heart that only by unifying this country and pacifying the four directions can the people truly live a good life. Living and working in peace and contentment—this is the true public service, the most important thing.” He turned his head and looked at Liu Bei, his eyes full of affection and determination, and continued, “I, Ma Chao, will certainly uphold this impartiality and serve the Han Dynasty wholeheartedly. I will never sacrifice public service for personal gain, so rest assured, brother. Now that the battle is imminent, you, brother, must take good care of yourself. I hope you can return triumphantly soon.” After speaking, Ma Chao tightly grasped Liu Bei’s hand, as if to convey their mutual concern and encouragement through this handshake.

Ma Chao took a deep breath, suppressing the swirling emotions within him—his concern for Lu Wan, his complex feelings towards the Emperor, and his uneasiness about the battles ahead. His eyes were now filled with the resolve strengthened by his recent conversation with Liu Bei. Without hesitation, he spun abruptly. His armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and with his movements, a gentle clang rang out, as if a war song for the impending battle.

He strode forward with long, powerful strides, each one steady and forceful, as if to solidify the very ground beneath his feet. Once he reached the front of the army, Ma Chao swiftly rolled over and slid neatly onto his majestic steed. The horse, Aurora, reared high and neighed passionately, as if echoing his master's lofty aspirations.

Ma Chao sat on his horse, looking back at Liu Bei on the tower, his eyes filled with the deep friendship between fellow disciples and expectations for the future. He slowly raised his hand and waved it vigorously towards Liu Bei, the movement crisp and decisive.

With this wave, the army surged like a tide, galloping off into the distance in a mighty procession. The dust kicked up by the horses' hooves filled the air, obscuring the sun, yet it couldn't conceal the army's high morale and indomitable spirit. The clatter of the soldiers' orderly steps, the clink of armor, and the resounding shouts intertwined to create a stirring marching symphony.