Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Zhang Xiu, a naturally stubborn man, remained stiff-necked, seemingly determined to continue speaking. His gaze casually flicked to the side, only to see Xu Shu, Zhang Liao, and Zhang Ren all winking at him. Looking at Ma Chao again, a hint of displeasure now evident on his once-robust face, Zhang Xiu suddenly realized what was happening. He knew the young master's deep, heartfelt respect for his master, and he knew he must be deeply infuriated by his blunt comments about his master.

Zhang Xiu suddenly felt a little embarrassed. He raised his hand sheepishly and slapped his mouth twice. With an ingratiating smile on his face, he stammered to Ma Chao, "General... General, look at me, I'm really a jerk. Please don't take it to heart. I'm so careless with my mouth, and I blurted out nonsense in a moment of impatience. I just feel that you've been wronged, and I'm a little upset."

Ma Chao looked at his generals, each of them trembling in fear, and then at Zhang Xiu's timid expression. He took a deep breath, tried to calm his nerves, and finally spoke: "Forget it, it's all in the past. I also know that Ah Xiu is doing this for my own good, but teachers have shouldered the important responsibility of imparting knowledge and resolving doubts since ancient times. Since I have become his master, I must show respect at all times. Moreover, my master has lived an upright life, working tirelessly for the peace of the country and working hard to ensure that thousands of people can live a good life. Isn't a person like him worthy of respect from every one of us?"

Zhang Xiu forced a smirk, but secretly grimaced. He felt that Lu Zhi's style was too rigid, often completely disregarding Ma Chao's feelings. However, to be fair, someone like Lu Zhi, who was so dedicated to the country and the people, without even a shred of self-interest, was truly admirable. However, if Zhang Xiu were to become that kind of person, he would undoubtedly be unwilling to do so. After all, he had his own principles and considerations.

Ma Chao raised his head slightly, his gaze firm and penetrating. He then spoke slowly, "Indeed, don't think that Master has given me nothing. You're gravely mistaken. You see, simply becoming Master's disciple is an unparalleled honor. Precisely because of Master's distinguished status as a great scholar, no one, from the most strategically skilled civil officials to the most skilled warriors, dares to exclude me. As his direct disciple, even though I was originally the son of a general on the northwest frontier, from a humble background, those aristocratic families with deep ancestral roots would never dare to look down on me. Without the support of this status bestowed upon me by Master, who would I be? Just an unknown warrior on the northwest frontier. But now, with the aura bestowed upon me by Master, who, from the aristocratic families to the royal families, dares to underestimate me? The many hidden forces and influences behind this are truly unfathomable to you."

He paused briefly, as if lost in reminiscence, before continuing, "When I was studying in Luoyang, my master taught me everything he knew without reservation. Whenever I had doubts, he patiently clarified them, tirelessly and tirelessly. Furthermore, my master introduced me to many Confucian scholars, enabling me to achieve fame at a young age. Without these experiences, even if I had continued to live on the border until now, I would probably have been seen by others as nothing more than a foolish warrior. Furthermore, my master strengthened my convictions and helped me find a lifelong purpose. This wasn't about blind loyalty to the court, nor was it about blind filial piety to my master. Instead, he instilled in me the ambition to ensure that all people in the world have enough food to eat and warm clothing to wear. Such a goal is truly noble and vast. I firmly believe that as long as we work tirelessly towards this goal, we will one day achieve it."

A complex expression flashed across Ma Chao's eyes as he continued, "Just as I would treat the Emperor. What I respect isn't the Emperor's character, but the symbol of the four-hundred-year-old Liu Dynasty he represents. We assist the Emperor in conquering the rebels, so that we can quickly end this chaotic world of strife and allow the people to recover. Admittedly, we may be filled with resentment and endure hardships at this moment, but directly conquering Chang'an and deposing the Emperor is possible. However, without the legitimacy of the Liu Dynasty as a guarantee, countless people will seek to replace him, giving rise to endless ambitions. Then, there will be years of war and widespread flames. Where will the people go? Therefore, despite the pain in my heart, I must endure. Everything I do is for the people of the world, not, as you all say, for the Emperor alone. I hope my brothers will understand my painstaking efforts and work together to bravely advance towards this great goal."

Ma Chao's heartfelt words reverberated through the hall like a resounding bell, filling everyone with awe. His civil and military officials, who had previously mostly followed Ma Chao in battle, now grasped for the first time the profound vision and grandeur of his heart. They felt ashamed of their previously limited understanding and surged with admiration for Ma Chao. Almost without hesitation, they shouted in unison, prostrating themselves before him and earnestly declaring their willingness to die in his service. Even Jia Xu, a man accustomed to self-preservation, calculating, and cautious, was touched by Ma Chao's fervent devotion to the people, and his blood surged with passion.

Ma Chao hurried forward and helped everyone up one by one. Then, a slightly self-deprecating smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he said softly: "Brothers, after all, I am still not as pure as the master. My heart still has my own thoughts and struggles from time to time. Look at these two strands of white hair on my temples. This is not the mark of time, but the result of anger and sadness. However, brothers, the past is like a passing cloud. People are not saints, so how can they be perfect? ​​We just hope that we can do our best and have a clear conscience when we look back on the past." Everyone nodded in agreement, their eyes fell on the white hair on Ma Chao's temples, and they were all secretly sad, feeling sad about the ups and downs he had experienced and the depressed mood.

Seeing the atmosphere grow somewhat tense, Ma Chao returned to his seat, grabbed his drinking utensils, and declared, "Come, come, let's drink! Today, we must drink until we're drunk. I'm overjoyed to be reunited with you, my brothers, after a long absence. Only good wine can soothe my feelings. Everyone, drink to your heart's content!" With that, he was the first to down his glass. Everyone else, moved by his words, cheered in unison. Instantly, they cast aside the slight sadness that had lingered in their hearts and immersed themselves in the wine, drinking heartily. For a moment, the hall was filled with the aroma of wine and the sound of laughter.

The banquet continued until late in the evening, finally winding down. Ma Chao and Zhang Xiu, two old friends reunited after a long separation, were filled with emotion. They cast aside all worries and burdens, drinking heartily and relentlessly, seemingly determined not to stop until they were drunk. However, Xu Shu and Jia Xu, two men of exceptional wisdom, remained deeply reflective and did not join the others in their reckless drinking. However, due to the joyful atmosphere and the responsibilities of their status as ministers, they reluctantly accompanied them until such a late hour.

After the crowd dispersed, the hall was in disarray. Everyone, still drenched in drunkenness, was escorted back to their quarters by Zhang Xiu's personal guards. Even after returning to his own quarters, Xu Shu showed no signs of relaxation or fatigue. A crucial thought swirled in his mind: how to subtly bring up Zhang Xiu's request to accompany the general on his campaign against Yangzhou. He had already broached the subject today, but the general, with his compassionate heart and concern for Zhang Xiu, unwilling to put him in a difficult position, had promptly stopped the conversation. Xu Shu carefully recalled Zhang Xiu's appearance and behavior, finding him much the same as before. While possessing a degree of power, he hadn't let it spur on any ambition. He remained steadfast in his devotion to Ma Chao, his lord, and his wholehearted support and devotion. This prompted Xu Shu to consider finding a suitable time to discuss the matter privately with Zhang Xiu. After all, if Ma Chao knew that he was planning this behind the scenes, given Ma Chao's character and his importance to Zhang Xiu, he would definitely not want to see such a situation, and might even cause misunderstandings and rifts. This was definitely not the result Xu Shu expected, so everything had to be carefully planned and properly arranged.

Jia Xu wandered around the room, his brow furrowed, a deep sense of worry etched in his heart. From a long-term perspective, Wancheng's strategic position was unsustainable. For Zhang Xiu, returning to Western Liang might be a far-sighted strategy. However, Ma Chao's campaign to Yangzhou was now a strategic move, and Jia Xu's assessment of the situation suggested a quagmire, with a high probability of impasse. This was due to three factors: The cold weather and the long journey were unfavorable for the army's long journey to battle; Geographically, the Western Liang army was renowned for its cavalry prowess, but Yangzhou's crisscrossing rivers made it difficult for cavalry to exploit its advantages, placing them at a geographical disadvantage; and civic harmony. Ma Chao's intentional placement in Yangzhou meant that supplies had to be transported thousands of miles from Western Liang, creating a divided military and a difficult task. With all these factors, the battle was undoubtedly a treacherous quagmire.

Judging from Zhang Xiu's attitude, he is full of enthusiasm and sincerity towards Ma Chao, treating him without reservation and without any defense, and he is determined to send troops to support him. However, if he acts like this, once all the resources of Wancheng are exhausted, even if he returns to Xiliang in the future, how can he gain the attention and preferential treatment he deserves from other forces?

Jia Xu lay on his couch, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. He knew that planning couldn't be focused solely on the long-term, ignoring the immediate challenges. After much contemplation, he concluded that the only appropriate course of action was to inform Zhang Ji of this matter. Tomorrow, he would have a long and detailed conversation with Zhang Ji, meticulously analyzing Zhang Xiu's current concerns and the pros and cons of an expedition to Yangzhou. Zhang Xiu held a powerful voice in his heart, and only Zhang Ji could possibly dissuade him; no one else could handle the task.