Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After a moment, Zhang Liao was the first to break the silence, clasping his fists and saying, "General, your analysis has enlightened us all. However, the journey to Wu Commandery is fraught with danger. I would like to lead a team of elite troops and accompany our lord so we can provide support."

Xu Huang also stood up and shouted, "I'm going too! I don't believe that with us here, those rats can't hurt the general in the slightest!"

Zhang Xiu also clasped his fists and asked, "My lord, the road is dangerous and difficult. One more person will provide more protection. I am willing to follow you."

The generals eagerly volunteered to fight, unwilling to see Ma Chao go into the dangerous area alone. Ma Chao felt a surge of warmth as he looked at his loyal generals. His expression was resolute, and as he swept his gaze across the crowd, he spoke loudly, "I, Ma Chao, appreciate your kindness. However, this time we're heading to Wujun, a large contingent would easily reveal our whereabouts and invite unnecessary trouble. I'll lead a group of trusted troops, traveling light and moving more quickly. Furthermore, we've just landed, and we need you to guard this area as well, ensuring safety in the rear. This will also provide a safety net for me."

The generals heard this, and although they still had concerns in their hearts, they understood that what Ma Chao said made sense, so they could only clasp their fists and accept the order. Seeing this, Ma Chao nodded with satisfaction.

Ma Chao's eyes were as sharp as torches, his expression resolute. He surveyed the generals around him and spoke loudly, "Men, don't think that just because things have come to this, you should stop here. Although it's almost the end of the year, and everyone has been very hard-working in this year's campaigns, now that our whereabouts have been exposed, why not make a bigger noise in Runan County!" He paused slightly, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "This way, we can also relieve the pressure on Liu Yao in Yuzhang, and let his soldiers have a peaceful and happy New Year!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Huan clasped his fists and responded without hesitation, "General, you are absolutely right! We cannot let you take such a risk alone while we enjoy peace and tranquility. No matter what, we must make that old Yuan Shu feel the pain of being restless and unable to sleep or eat!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao and Zhang Xiu instantly perked up, their eyes ablaze with fighting spirit. Zhang Liao stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Since that's the case, General, please make your arrangements. We will give it our all!" Zhang Xiu, also excited, echoed, "I will obey your orders, General, even if it means death!"

Ma Chao looked at everyone calmly and said loudly, "I can't really say I've made any arrangements. After all, I've been away for a long time, and I don't have a thorough understanding of the specific strategic arrangements and topography of this place. You've been here for a long time and are more familiar with the surrounding conditions. You should adapt to local conditions and act flexibly. As the art of war says, 'There's no constant state of war, just as there's no constant shape of water.' The situation on the battlefield is ever-changing, so you all need to adapt to the situation. In short, we need to make a big move to keep the enemy at bay, but we must also act within our capabilities and avoid rash actions. With Yuan Zhi here and you all working together, I feel at ease."

Xu Shu, with a grateful look on his face, clasped his fists and replied, "General, since you trust us so much, we will definitely fulfill our mission. Don't worry, General. No matter how complicated the situation, we will handle it with all due care."

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a relieved smile: "That's great. In that case, everyone should have a good night's rest tonight and recharge your energy. I'll set off early tomorrow morning!"

Inside the tent, candlelight flickered. Xu Shu, his face etched with worry, stepped forward, and addressed Ma Chao earnestly, "General, from Wancheng, we've trekked through mountains and rivers, traveling day and night to reach Pingyu, where we've spent many days trudging back and forth. Along the way, we've been constantly engaged in battle and travel, without a single moment's rest. You've been working tirelessly these past few days, leading the troops head-on. You truly deserve some rest and recuperation. Furthermore, we have so much on our plate right now, and many arrangements haven't been finalized yet. We haven't yet decided on the exact route or how to proceed. Setting off in such haste, I'm afraid many things will happen along the way, and many things will go wrong."

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao laughed heartily. His eyes were firm and confident as he spoke, "Yuanzhi, since I joined the army, I've spent most of these years on the battlefields, braving the elements. I'm used to this kind of travel. I'm not so fragile as to withstand even the slightest fatigue. We're acting so hastily because we're taking advantage of that old villain Yuan Shu's least expected opportunity. We must catch him off guard, leaving him no chance to react. Tomorrow, I'll disguise myself and quietly depart. This will keep us out of the enemy's sight and provide a bit of added security."

Zhang Liao, standing by, frowned, his face filled with worry. He quickly clasped his fists and said, "General, if you only lead a small force and travel light, while your movement will be swift, if you encounter a surprise attack from the enemy, you will be outnumbered and face a critical situation. It is truly fraught with danger. I urge you to reconsider."

Ma Chao remained calm and composed. With a wave of his hand, he said calmly, "Don't worry, Wenyuan. We can disguise ourselves as a traveling merchant caravan. In these turbulent times, with wars raging everywhere and unrest everywhere, it's quite common for merchant caravans to travel back and forth, transporting goods. Let's pretend to be an arms caravan transporting weapons and armor. This will be both appropriate for the time and less likely to arouse suspicion."

Xu Shu frowned slightly, stroking his chin with his hand as he pondered for a moment. After a moment, he said, "Disguising ourselves as a merchant caravan seems feasible, but we don't have any goods on hand right now. I'm afraid this disguise won't be enough to deceive anyone with ulterior motives. If we reveal our true identity, the consequences will be disastrous."

Ma Chao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile. He said, "Don't worry, Yuanzhi. In these troubled times, weapons and armor are in short supply, and all the princes are eager to get them. I've heard that under Yuan Shao's command in Hebei, there's a powerful family called the Zhen family. They specialize in merchants and often escort all kinds of supplies to and from various places for Yuan Shao. This time, we will pretend to be a caravan led by the son of the Zhen family. Although the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu appear to be at odds with each other and have deep conflicts, I don't think they would kill each other or attack their own caravan. If we act this way, I think there will be no problem."

Upon hearing Ma Chao's words, everyone fell into deep thought. They then discussed the pros and cons of the plan in detail. Combining their own insights and experiences, they offered numerous suggestions for improvement. After further discussion, everyone felt that the plan was comprehensive and feasible, and they ultimately agreed to proceed accordingly.

The next morning, while the sky was still hazy, Ma Chao's personal guards quietly set out. They expertly shed the heavy armor that usually displayed their elite prowess. The armor shone coldly in the dim light, as if telling of past battles. Their long weapons were sheathed and neatly placed aside, leaving only short, sturdy daggers at their waists. The blades, concealed in their sheaths, exuded a faint chilling aura.

Ma Chao himself underwent a transformation as well. He sheathed the renowned weapon that had accompanied him in countless battles, his movements filled with reluctance, yet his expression remained resolute. He replaced his waist with a longsword, its scabbard beautifully ornamented yet understated. Then, he slowly shed the heavy armor he was accustomed to wearing, which had withstood countless swords, spears, and halberds, but now laid aside. Finally, he wore only a brocade robe, which fluttered in the wind, showcasing a unique sense of freedom.

After completing their preparations, everyone busily began to gather their equipment. Soon, they had brought out three or four carts full of armor and weapons. They looked like wandering weapons dealers. However, a closer look revealed that each of them was imposingly built, like a tiger emerging from the mountains, their muscles bulging with strength. The short swords at their waists seemed poised to be unsheathed at any moment, radiating a chilling, murderous aura. At first glance, this group of people didn't resemble an ordinary caravan, but rather a group of desperate criminals on the brink of death, exuding an air of unapproachability. This incongruous feeling was overwhelming.

But strangely, looking at the piles of armor and weapons they were transporting, this sense of dissonance suddenly seemed reasonable. After all, the weapons business has always been sensitive and special. How could a group of weak and powerless ordinary people have the ability and courage to get involved in such a business? Thinking about it this way, this seemingly contradictory combination actually made sense.

Within the caravan, the presence of Pan Feng and Wu Anguo was like an undeniable blaze. Both men were gifted with extraordinary strength, towering like half a tower. In armor, they carried a menacing presence, like two rampaging human tanks. Their mere presence inspired awe. Even without their heavy armor, their aura remained unwavering, like towering mountains. Their presence within the caravan instantly evoked a sense of incompatibility, a towering presence.

Ma Chao smacked his lips when he saw the two of them, his eyes filled with helplessness. He smiled wryly and teased, "I'm told you two are both blessed with great figures. Riding your horses in our caravan, you're the center of attention. Outsiders wouldn't think you're caravan guards, but rather fierce warriors fresh from the bloody battlefields! From all the places I've been to and the people I've met, only Dian Wei can rival you two in size. Going out like this is too conspicuous. How can you possibly do business?"

After hearing what Ma Chao said, Pan Feng and Wu Anguo were stunned at first, then they both scratched their heads with silly smiles on their faces, as if to say, "General, we were born with such big bodies, it was given to us by our parents. There's really nothing we can do about it!"

At this moment, Xu Huang strode over with a smile on his face. He first bowed respectfully, then said with a smile: "General, please listen to me, Old Xu. In my opinion, it is better to let them stay in the city. I am willing to accompany you on a journey disguised as a caravan. Think about it, I, Old Xu, have traveled all over the country over the years and seen a lot of things. For me, pretending to be a member of a caravan is a piece of cake! They are both honest and simple-minded. If they pretend to be a caravan, they will probably be exposed as soon as they learn, and then they will delay their work. Besides, General, you have been very kind to me. I have always been by your side. I feel so empty and reluctant to leave you!"