Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Zuo Ci was about to ask another question when Ma Tie interrupted him, yelling, "All you can do is ask questions, you old Taoist priest? What's the point of playing tricks on me?" Zuo Ci remained unmoved, "Second Young Master, don't worry. This is my last question." He continued, addressing Ma Chao, "What are your thoughts on the various schools of thought?" Ma Chao replied, "During the Spring and Autumn Period, various schools of thought flourished, and it's hard to say who was right or wrong. Only when there are believers can there be inheritance, and only when there is inheritance can there be research and development. With research comes innovation, and only with continuous innovation can there be development. For example, if farmers hadn't innovated, we'd still be using slash-and-burn farming. If military strategists hadn't innovated, we'd still be using chariots and infantry. If Mohists hadn't innovated, we'd still be relying on people to transport supplies. If Legalists hadn't innovated, bandits would still be rampant, and there would be no public security..."

Zuo Ci's eyes lit up, and he grasped Ma Chao's hand somewhat awkwardly, saying, "Emperor Wu of Han abolished all schools of thought and promoted Confucianism alone. All the schools of thought have died out, their traditions severed. How can there be any room for innovation?"

Ma Chao withdrew his hand somewhat uncomfortably and said, "Master, your words are wrong. Aren't today's farmers, doctors, artisans, clerks, and the like all practicing the teachings of the various schools of thought? It's just that they haven't been passed down as doctrines, nor are they taught publicly. People can only make changes by trial and error. Without innovative ideas, they can only stick to the old ways. If I ever gain power, I will definitely change these rules."

Zuo Ci asked with great anticipation, "Young General, you will surely become the leader of the world. How will you treat Confucianism and the Hundred Schools of Thought?"

Ma Chao said, "Confucianism should be the primary, and the Hundred Schools of Thought should be supplemented. We should elevate the status of the Hundred Schools of Thought and encourage them to open up their theories and hold lectures. We should extract the essence and discard the dross. We should even reward the best among them with official titles and nobility. This way, we can make all kinds of talents respected and allow them to innovate with peace of mind. We can better leverage the advantages of the Hundred Schools of Thought, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and the country will be enriched and strong."

Zuo Ci clapped his hands excitedly and said in a trembling voice, "Young General, you truly have great ambitions. My journey of thousands of miles has paid off. There is hope for the revival of the Hundred Schools of Thought. Ever since the tyrannical Qin Dynasty burned books and buried scholars, the Hundred Schools of Thought were almost cut short. Then, when Emperor Wu abolished all schools of thought and promoted Confucianism alone, our Hundred Schools of Thought have been like fallen leaves in the autumn wind, drifting everywhere. No one has hope in their hearts, barely surviving. The Hundred Schools of Thought have been secretly communicating, developing silently, and looking for opportunities. Today, the Young General's remarks are a glimmer of hope. As long as the Young General has a solid foundation, our Hundred Schools of Thought will fully support him and look forward to a prosperous era!"

Ma Chao was ecstatic when he heard this. The knowledge of the Hundred Schools of Thought almost covered astronomy, geography, military armaments, medicine and agriculture. If he had the help of the Hundred Schools of Thought, he would be even more powerful and would surely achieve something in the future.

Zuo Ci, Ma Teng, and Ma Chao had a great conversation. They set up a banquet, drank, and talked, and both the host and the guest were very happy. During the banquet, Ma Teng mentioned that he was going to the Qiang tribe to search for weapons and materials. Zuo Ci made a special calculation for Ma Chao, and calculated that Ma Chao's trip might be dangerous, but he would be able to turn danger into safety and get what he wanted. Only then did Ma Teng feel at ease.

The next day, Zuo Ci and Ma Chao bid farewell to the others. Zuo Ci was to travel to the Central Plains to seek out descendants of the various clans, sharing information about the astrological signs and Ma Chao's character, so he could provide the Ma family with secret support. Ma Chao had been delayed the previous day, and was even more anxious for the Qiang tribe. Before departing, Zuo Ci promised to first seek out descendants of Lu Ban to forge weapons for Ma Chao's return. Ma Teng was convinced that Zuo Ci truly believed in Ma Chao and was determined to lay the foundation for his future.

After parting with Zuo Ci outside the city, Ma Chao rode eastward. Xiliang was a desolate region, and after leaving the city, there were few people. He rode for nearly three or four hours without encountering any villages. Fortunately, the scenery was beautiful, with wild sheep, rabbits, and other small animals appearing from time to time. Ma Chao, a skilled archer, hunted a yellow sheep and several rabbits. He found a stream, skinned and cleaned them, and roasted them over a fire, which was quite delicious.

Ma Chao finished his rest and didn't delay any longer. After all, he was young and full of energy after a short rest, so he set out on his journey again. As dusk approached, he saw smoke rising from cooking fires and a small village appeared ahead. Ma Chao cheered up and hurried towards the village.

Ma Chao arrived at the village and tried to talk to passersby, but they ignored him. He then turned and ran back to the village, urgently calling out to the villagers. A moment later, a group of villagers, surrounded by an old man, arrived to confront him. Ma Chao observed the group, which included both young and old, with perhaps 20 strong men and young men, and the remaining eighty or ninety elderly, weak women, and children. The strong men were armed with farm tools and hunting forks, while the weak women and children were also carrying sticks and kitchen utensils. Ma Chao realized there might be a misunderstanding. He dismounted and approached the old man in the middle of the group, barehanded. Seeing Ma Chao approaching, the strong men even used their sticks to protect the old man. Just as they were about to fight, they were calmed down by the old man.

Ma Chao stopped, bowed, and said loudly, "Thank you for your courtesy, old man. Please forgive my impertinence. I am passing through your village today and would like to stay for a night to rest." The old man said, "Sir, there is no need for formalities. May I ask where you are from? I see that you are well-dressed and your horse is quite majestic. Don't you know that this is Xiliang territory, where bandits are rampant? Riding alone will easily attract attention. How can you travel alone?"

Ma Chao said, "I dare not hide the truth from you, old man. I am also a local. My hometown is over a hundred miles to the west, in Fufeng. My surname is Ma Chao, and I am a descendant of General Ma Yuan. My father's name is Ma Teng, and he is currently a Lieutenant General stationed in Fufeng County." The old man quickly ordered everyone to put down their weapons, and bowed, saying, "So you are here, Young General. I apologize for my impoliteness. Ma Fubo is world-renowned, and General Ma Teng is also renowned. He has been stationed in Fufeng County for many years, ensuring the peace and tranquility of our county. I, a humble commoner, am truly grateful."

Ma Chao felt relieved and proud of his family after hearing this. He said to the old man, "A soldier's duty is to defend his country. I shouldn't take your compliments seriously, but I haven't asked for your surname or the name of your village. We're in a prefecture, so why are you so cautious, rallying the entire village?" The old man replied, "Young General, this place is called Yangjia Village. I, Yang De, have the honor of being the village chief. We are a family of about twenty households, all descendants of the Yang family. Bandits are rampant in Xiliang. Recently, a group of bandits has arrived here. Their leader is Huang Bing, rumor has it he was once a close confidant of the Yellow Turban leader Huang Long. Since their defeat, they've been leading their men on raids. They reportedly raided nearby Liujia Village a few days ago, burning, killing, and looting, committing all sorts of atrocities. Since hearing this, we've been uneasy, so we're so wary of everything, rallying the entire village to resist any stranger."

Ma Chao said, "Uncle Yang, if that's the case, why don't you report it to the authorities and ask them to eliminate the bandits?" Yang De said, "I've reported it to the authorities, but the bandits are roaming around, with no fixed whereabouts, and they're incredibly vicious, so the authorities are powerless to eliminate them."

Ma Chao said proudly, "Don't panic, Mr. Yang. Now that I've caught up with you, I'll rid you of this scourge. Leave this bandit to me. I'm only afraid he won't come. If he does, I'll get rid of him for you."

Yang De agreed repeatedly, but he thought it was just a young man's recklessness, like a newborn calf fearless of a tiger, and did not expect too much. He arranged for Ma Chao to rest at home.