Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Dong Bai listened quietly to Li Ru's words. She knew they were all true, but the thought of her beloved in danger made her heart feel like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, unable to let go. She cried, "Then... couldn't they just send a large army to bring Brother Chao back? I'm so worried about him."

Li Ru scratched his head worriedly and said helplessly, "You're well aware of the young master's character. If we force him back and don't let him figure it out, the thought in his mind will never go away. It's like a seed. With just a little chance, it will take root and sprout again, and then everything we've done before will be in vain."

After hearing this, Dong Bai's tears welled up like beads from a broken string. She cried bitterly and said with a sob, "I don't care, I don't care about these things. I just know that I have to make sure Brother Chao comes back safe and sound. If anything happens to him, I...I don't want to live anymore."

Li Ru looked at Ma Teng with a headache, his eyes full of pleading for help. Ma Teng also looked helpless, sighed heavily, and had to speak again: "Bai'er, Chao'er is my own flesh and blood. My heart is always concerned about his safety. How could I easily let him take risks outside? But you also know Chao'er's temper. He is as stubborn as a bull. If he doesn't understand from the bottom of his heart, no matter how much we persuade him, it will be useless. The military advisor made the arrangements very clear to me yesterday. All the civil and military officials present are now discussing countermeasures for his matter. You can rest assured for now. When the time comes, I will definitely return you a safe and sound Meng Qi."

As soon as Ma Teng finished speaking, Li Ru quickly said, "Don't worry, little ancestor, we will definitely bring your husband back safely. Don't cry anymore, your crying is breaking our hearts."

Li Ru frowned, looking at Dong Bai who was crying bitterly in front of him, and added fuel to the fire, saying anxiously: "Little ancestor, please don't cry. As soon as the young master comes back this time, we will immediately arrange the wedding for you. In this way, the young master will definitely devote himself to running Xiliang in the future and create a brilliant foundation for us." After that, Li Ru looked at Ma Teng meaningfully.

Ma Teng understood immediately and said, "Yes, yes, yes. As soon as my young man Ma Chao returns to Xiliang, I will marry you immediately. No questions asked!" Li Ru nodded slightly and continued, "The position of legal wife I promised you before is set in stone. No one can change it." Ma Teng quickly agreed, "Yes, yes, yes. That's a must. We in the Ma family always stick to our word."

When Dong Bai heard the two talking about marriage again, her rosy cheeks immediately flushed with a bit of shyness, and she no longer pursued the fact that they did not reinforce Ma Chao.

Ma Teng, however, hadn't yet realized he'd been tricked by Li Ru again. After all, promises made in public are completely different from those made in private. Now, having said this in front of the entire court, it was impossible to undo what had been done. Even if Ma Chao had other ideas in the future, or did something to break his promise, Ma Teng's words today would have made it difficult for him to save face and fulfill his promise.

Dong Bai finally calmed down, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. By the time Li Ru had explained everything to everyone present, it was already getting late. Not wanting to waste any more time, everyone quickly sprang into action, each rushing to their respective responsibilities. The entire prefectural governor's office once again fell into a tense yet orderly bustle.

Dong Bai's thoughts were still preoccupied with Ma Chao's safety and his emotional struggles. She pulled Xu Huang aside, her eyes filled with anxiety as she inquired about Ma Chao's recent condition. Seeing Dong Bai's nervous expression, Xu Huang dared not conceal anything, revealing everything he knew. Hearing that Ma Chao still harbored deep feelings for Lu Wan, Dong Bai felt a complex mix of pride and heartache.

She knew that Lu Wan was now empress, and that Ma Chao had sacrificed immensely to allow her to ascend to that supreme throne. He hadn't hesitated to offend the emperor, putting himself in such a dangerous position, and even now, he was fighting for the emperor in Yangzhou—a grueling battle! Dong Bai felt a pang of pain as if countless needles were piercing her heart. At the same time, a wave of inexplicable shame and anger welled up in her. She felt that this time, no matter what, she had to follow her uncle Li Ru's plan. Only then might Ma Chao finally give up on Lu Wan. After all, Lu Wan was empress, and the gap between her and Ma Chao wasn't just a chasm of status, but also the complex and tangled situation at court. Dong Bai wasn't jealous of Lu Wan; she simply felt that Ma Chao's sacrifice was unworthy. She truly felt sorry for him and hoped he could find a way out of this fruitless relationship.

In the days that followed, the entire territory of Xiliang was like a calm lake with turbulent undercurrents beneath its surface. With Longxi County at its center, a tense atmosphere gradually radiated outward like ripples. Like the gears in a precision machine, the troops of the eight Xiliang tribes began to move in an orderly fashion, surging towards the border. Suddenly, the people of Xiliang were buzzing with talk of an impending Xiongnu invasion, and the news spread like wildfire on the grasslands. As troops were mobilized, the people of Xiliang demonstrated their deep trust in the Ma family army. Every household enthusiastically donated food and fodder, a scene truly like a nation mobilizing as a soldier. After all, their current stable life had been hard-earned, forged through countless blood and hardship. They knew full well that a Xiongnu invasion would be a catastrophic disaster, bringing a new wave of tragic destruction to their families. What's more, the Ma family army is the soldiers of Xiliang and the solid shield protecting their homeland. Their contribution is unquestionable and their responsibility is unshirkable.

Military news and folk legends, like a howling gale, blew rapidly in all directions, blowing towards the prosperous Chang'an and the land of Hanzhong.

In the imperial palace of Chang'an, Liu Bian sat on the dragon throne, attending to state affairs. Upon hearing the news of a massive Xiongnu invasion of Western Liang, he was startled, his red brush hovering in mid-air. His brow furrowed, and he pondered, "Western Liang boasts an army of 30 elite soldiers, impregnable as a fortress. How could it be so easily threatened by the Xiongnu?" A hint of doubt crossed his eyes, and the image of Ma Chao's crushing defeat of the Xiongnu in Western Liang resurfaced in his mind. The scenes of him charging into battle again and again, leaving the Xiongnu in disarray, seemed almost vivid before his eyes. In his view, Ma Chao's bravery and the strength of the Western Liang army were undeniable; even a Xiongnu invasion would be nothing but a mantis trying to shake a tree. He set down his red brush and paced back and forth in the hall, the hem of his dragon robe swaying gently with his steps. He addressed the minister who had come to report, "This matter requires a thorough investigation. I believe this rumor is exaggerated." His tone held a certain authority, leaving no room for doubt. He sat back on the throne, but a sense of unease welled up within him. If the news were true, the world would be in turmoil once more. After a long day of handling government affairs, Liu Bian felt a little exhausted. He quickly asked for warm water, then carefully removed what he believed to be a panacea from his bosom and swallowed a pill. After a short wait, he felt refreshed, his body flushed with heat, and his fatigue dissipated. Even his desires revived, and he returned to the palace to search for Concubine Wang.

In the somewhat peaceful land of Hanzhong, Zhang Lu, sitting in his mansion, heard the news of the Xiongnu invasion of Western Liang. His tense demeanor instantly relaxed. His furrowed brow gradually relaxed, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He tapped the table lightly, muttering to himself, "Heaven is helping me." He stood up and paced the hall, his steps a bit more brisk than usual. He knew that Pang De and the other Western Liang troops were putting immense pressure on him in Wudu County, their ferocious offensive keeping him on edge day and night. Now that Western Liang was in trouble, Pang De would surely withdraw his troops to support them, thus averting his own crisis. He gazed out the window, as if he could already see the pressure on Wudu County dissipating like a dark cloud. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, a smile that expressed both relief and a sense of profound emotion at the turn of events. He immediately summoned his advisers to discuss how to consolidate Hanzhong's defense and develop his own power after Pang De withdrew. The hall suddenly became lively, with advisers expressing their opinions, while Zhang Lu was planning his blueprint for the future amid the noise.

On the border of Xiliang, the Ma family army's tents, linked together, stood like steel fortresses amidst the raging sand. Soldiers came and went, nervously and methodically making battle preparations. The generals gathered in the main tent, poring over maps to discuss battle plans, their eyes firm and resolute.

The cavalry of the Eight Great Warriors of Xiliang, clad in heavy armor, galloped across the training ground, their hooves kicking up clouds of dust. Their spears gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and their cries of battle shook the earth, as if they were determined to crush the Xiongnu threat with their might.

In addition to donating food and fodder, many young and middle-aged people petitioned to join the army to defend their homeland. Elderly people prayed at home, while women busied themselves sewing clothing and preparing rations for the soldiers. Though fear shone in the eyes of children, they were filled with trust in the Ma family army. They ran and played in the streets, shouting slogans to kill the enemy. Their tender voices echoed in the air, becoming a unique symbol of the Xiliang people's unity.

As for Liu Bian, after a passionate moment with Concubine Wang, he lay on the couch, but he wasn't completely lost in the gentle warmth. His mind reeled in thoughts of the situation in Xiliang, a mingled mess of suspicion about the Xiongnu and fear of the potential chaos that would ensue. He summoned a trusted eunuch and instructed him to secretly send someone to Xiliang to investigate the situation. He was to be absolutely sure to bring back the most accurate information to Chang'an without any delay.

On Zhang Lu's side, his advisors debated endlessly. Some suggested seizing the opportunity to retake lost territory, while others advocated consolidating defenses and holding the troops in place. Zhang Lu sat at the head of the group, listening quietly, sometimes nodding slightly, sometimes frowning in thought. Finally, he decided to dispatch a small force to observe Pang De's movements at the border. If Pang De withdrew, he would formulate further plans based on the specific circumstances. At the same time, he also strengthened security within Hanzhong to prevent other forces from taking advantage of the situation.

At this time, Xiliang was like a volcano about to erupt. Under the shadow of the Huns' invasion, it erupted with amazing cohesion and combat effectiveness. This force would be like a huge rock falling into the water, causing waves throughout the world.