Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Li Ru's face was solemn, and he said in a deep voice: "Now that we have decided to break with Chang'an, we must always be vigilant against Chang'an's every move as if we were facing a formidable enemy. Chang'an is surrounded by tigers and wolves, and their power cannot be underestimated. We must not take it lightly." He paused, glanced around, and then said: "General Niu Fu will go to Tianshui County to meet up with General Dong Huang. Once there, the first task is to ensure that Tianshui County's defense is impregnable. Tianshui County is a strategic location and cannot be lost. Once the situation in Chang'an "If there is any change, you must gather all 30,000 soldiers stationed there by General Dong Huang and march towards Chang'an, attacking Fufeng County first. If the young master does not return to Chang'an from Hanzhong, General Niu Fu will raise troops to support him and make sure that the young master can return safely, while also resisting the pursuit of the Chang'an troops. This matter concerns our future and hope, and there is no room for error. Niu Fu will go all out and live up to the trust of the lord." After saying this, Niu Fu hurriedly stepped out and respectfully accepted the order.

Li Ru frowned slightly and spoke slowly, "The situation on all sides is now generally clear. The only thing we need to deal with is Zhang Lu in Hanzhong. Zhang Lu has always been good at defending the status quo, but he lacks a bit of sharpness, so he is not a threat. However, we cannot be too careless. The priorities here are really difficult to grasp. If we are not careful, it may affect the overall situation. Therefore, my lord, I am willing to personally lead 40,000 troops to meet with General Pang De. Our goal is to establish a strong deterrent against Hanzhong. We don't necessarily seek to capture Wudu County, but to open up a stable food route to ensure that the young master has no worries when he returns."

Upon hearing this, Ma Teng quickly stood up and bowed respectfully to Li Ru, saying, "Sir, this is truly a far-sighted move. With this, many matters will be secured, though I'll be troubling you with your care." Li Ru bowed slightly in return, then scanned the crowd with a gaze as sharp as lightning, a gaze that seemed to pierce through hearts and chill them. He raised his voice, resonating like a bell, and declared, "Everyone, all military matters have been arranged. This is a matter of life and death, a strategy that cannot be questioned! You must act according to the plan without the slightest deviation. If you have any questions, ask now. Once the army marches, I will not tolerate any unauthorized action. Everything will be carried out according to the established plan. Anyone who disobeys will not be subject to the ruthless military law! This law hangs like a sword; once violated, the punishment is unmitigated!" His words resonated loudly throughout the banquet, each word hammering through the hearts of the crowd.

After receiving the order, everyone quickly sprang into action, bringing the once lively banquet to a hasty end. Amidst the mess of cups and plates, Ma Teng frowned, a cloud of worry hanging over him like a gloom. However, Li Ru patiently comforted him.

Li Ru's expression was solemn, and he spoke earnestly, "General, at this critical moment, you must not hesitate! Throughout history, countless heroes have been defeated because of indecision. Now that the young master is in danger, it is like being stuck in a quagmire. If we cannot act decisively and get him out of this predicament as soon as possible, the situation in Xiliang will be precarious. The young master is like a pillar supporting the building of Xiliang. If he is lost, Xiliang will suffer unprecedented damage, the people will be displaced, the army will be in chaos, and various forces will take advantage of the situation to invade. The damage will be incalculable!"

Ma Teng knew the stakes involved. His knuckles turned white from the force of his fists, his lips trembled slightly, and his eyes were filled with anxiety and struggle. But at this point, he could only suppress his uneasiness, trying to calm himself and think of a solution. However, the uneasiness lingered in his heart like a thorn in his flesh.

The next morning, before the first rays of sunlight had fully penetrated the morning mist, the prefectural governor's mansion was already a scene of bustle. The sounds of people coming and going, footsteps and shouts mingling like a tense war hymn. War, once set in motion, is a massive machine that churns like a raging torrent, unstoppable. Every gear in it churns relentlessly, entwining the fates of countless people.

However, whether it's a major decision like dispatching troops, or the complexities of deploying troops, or the vital procurement of food and fodder, each one requires time and meticulous planning. Ma Teng hadn't slept all night, his eyes bloodshot and a look of worry. After all, the one caught up in this battle was his own son! He was his closest relative, the pillar of his family he held in high regard. How could he not be worried?

At daybreak, Ma Teng could not wait to summon Li Ru again. In the hall, the two of them gathered the civil and military officials and, by the dim candlelight, carefully discussed the details of the military deployment. The flickering candlelight reflected on their faces, revealing a solemn expression.

At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps was heard, and Dong Bai, wearing a helmet and armor, rushed into the hall with a heroic and dashing demeanor. She first saw Ma Teng, and a hint of shyness flashed across her originally heroic eyes. She hurriedly bowed to Ma Teng in a proper manner, with a dignified and polite manner. After the ceremony, she immediately turned to Li Ru, her anxious look like an ant on the hot pot, and said hurriedly: "Uncle, have you arranged the troops to help Brother Chao? When will we set off? I must go this time."

Li Ru and Ma Teng were stunned at Dong Bai's anxious expression, then burst out laughing. Li Ru raised an eyebrow at Ma Teng and said jokingly, "She's truly an extrovert. She hasn't even officially married into Ma Chao's family yet, but she's already completely devoted to him and doesn't consider herself an outsider." Ma Teng was also amused. He smiled and stroked his beard lovingly, laughing loudly, "This is what a daughter-in-law of my Ma family should be like!" The other civil and military officials in the hall also laughed out loud when they heard this.

This laughter made Dong Bai feel embarrassed and angry. Her cheeks flushed, and she stamped her feet and scolded Li Ru, "Uncle, what time is it? Brother Chao is in danger now. Since he has asked for reinforcements, we should send troops as soon as possible. You actually still have the mind to tease me here? Humph, I don't have time to argue with you now. Just tell me, when will the troops be sent?"

Li Ru's face turned serious upon seeing this. He said slowly, "Bai'er, what will you do if I tell you that I have persuaded the Lord not to send troops to aid the Young Master?" Dong Bai was shocked when she heard this. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she said, "Uncle, are you kidding? Brother Chao is in danger. How could we not send troops to help? Please don't joke about this. I'm so worried."

Ma Teng cleared his throat and said slowly, "Bai'er, this time, it was indeed the military advisor who suggested not to rush to help Meng Qi, and I have already agreed." Dong Bai was in disbelief. She bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes slightly red. She took two quick steps forward and looked directly into Ma Teng's eyes, questioning, "Uncle Ma, you are Brother Chao's biological father! Brother Chao is in Chang'an now and we don't know what's going on. Since he has asked for reinforcements, we should do our best to rush to help him. Only in this way can we ensure Brother Chao's safe return. What exactly do you mean by this?"

Ma Teng looked at Li Ru with an awkward expression, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening with worry. Dong Bai's questioning was like a sharp knife, piercing his heart. Yes, this was his future daughter-in-law, and now she was accusing him of not caring about his son. He really didn't know how to explain it. His lips trembled slightly, and he hesitated to speak, his face full of helplessness.

Li Ru saw this and cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. He said, "Oh, Miss, my dear, who among us here doesn't truly care about the Young Master? The Young Master is of vital importance to us in Xiliang. Only when the Young Master returns safely can this land of Xiliang be revitalized, just like a dry land welcoming a sweet rain. Although we in Xiliang have many soldiers and a vast territory, without a leader like the Young Master, all of this is just a mess, empty and superficial, and there is no opportunity to achieve great things. Everyone here is looking forward to following the Young Master to achieve great things."

Li Ru paused, a complicated look flashed in his eyes, and he continued: "But you know the character of the young master. He is like a stubborn lone wolf. Once he has made up his mind, no one can pull him back. If the young master is not allowed to hit the wall in Chang'an, in the complex situation of the Central Plains, and let him really taste the bitterness, he will not turn back. This time, we must make the young master completely change the ideas in his heart that are confused by the righteousness of the court. Even if it means making a great sacrifice, it is worth it. Think about it, do you want us to send troops directly to assist the young master and let him continue to be deceived by those empty-headed people in the court? Should we let the young master be controlled and swayed by a false sense of justice, leading a life of unhappiness, constantly being ostracized and suppressed by the court? Or should we let the young master experience some danger this time, so that he can truly see the true face of the court, which is rotten to the core? This court has long been riddled with holes and is on the verge of collapse. Only by overthrowing it can we have a chance to let the people live a good life. This time, not only the young master is in danger, but also our 40,000 Xiliang cavalry. How can we not be worried? But sometimes, some sacrifices and some dangers are unavoidable. These are the hardships we must endure on our way to success.