Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

With the successive pacification of Lujiang and Jiujiang, the Battle of Yangzhou, a battle that had gripped countless hearts and minds and involved a complex situation, finally came to a close. Yuan Shu, who had invaded Yangzhou with such force, was decisively beheaded by Ma Chao, his arrogance shattered. Liu Yao, the previous governor of Yangzhou, had already been killed by Sun Ce.

Looking back on these nearly two long years, the smoke of battle still seems to linger before our eyes, the cries of blood and blood still ringing in our ears. During this time, whether it was the arduous forays into battle against stubborn enemy resistance or the calm planning amidst complex terrain and ever-changing circumstances, every battle and every decision was imbued with the blood, sweat, and wisdom of the soldiers. But no matter the ups and downs, the hardships, and the dangers, Ma Chao always shouldered the heavy responsibility and never slacked off. Now, he has finally lived up to everyone's trust, successfully lifting the siege of Yangzhou and restoring peace to this war-torn land.

Ma Chao was fully aware of the significance of this campaign. To ensure the court had a comprehensive understanding of the military deployments over the past two years, he instructed Lu Su to compile a detailed report on all matters related to the war, no matter how large or small. Ma Chao was also cautious about whether to launch an offensive against Shouchun. After all, Shouchun, once Yuan Shu's stronghold, held immense strategic significance. Therefore, he specifically sought the court's opinion in his memorial.

After all the messengers had departed, everyone began to await the court's response. At this moment, Sun Ce, unable to contain his inner thoughts, spoke bluntly, "I think there's no point in waiting for a response from the court. We can simply launch our attack and capture Shouchun in one fell swoop. Why bother asking the court about such details?" His words betrayed no reverence or flattery for the court, but rather the recklessness and uninhibited nature of youth.

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao quickly spoke out, "Bofu, please don't be so reckless. Now that Yuan Shu has been eliminated, the only formidable enemy left in the world is Yuan Shao. If we work together and defeat Yuan Shao, the world will be essentially pacified. You should act with caution and respect the imperial decree. Don't let impulsiveness ruin the overall situation."

Zhou Yu, standing by, had a trace of worry on his face. He said slowly, "My brothers, we now command a large army and our power is growing. Once peace reigns, the emperor will inevitably grow wary of us and may even take action against us."

After hearing this, Ma Chao looked calm and smiled generously: "Gongjin, there is no need to worry too much. If the emperor is really so narrow-minded, then you and Bofu will just focus on guarding Yangzhou, and I will return to Xiliang. As long as the three of you and I are here, we will never let the country fall into danger!" His words were full of heroism and responsibility, as if any difficulties were not something to be feared in his eyes, and he was only concerned about the people of the world and the stability of the country.

Xu Shu, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, and other generals listened quietly to Ma Chao's words, their expressions calm on the surface, but their hearts were filled with turmoil and tension. After all, Li Ru had already secretly planned and formulated a strategy: to inflict a heavy defeat on Ma Chao in Yangzhou, and to ensure his lord's complete disillusionment with the court, abandoning his unrealistic fantasies and focusing solely on developing his own power.

To achieve this plan, they secretly made numerous arrangements and concealed certain things. Take the food supply, for example. While everything appeared normal, there were actually hidden secrets. The allocation and sourcing of food were meticulously planned, the details of which were hidden from outsiders. Then there was the situation in Xiliang. They claimed it was extremely tense, but the true situation was known only to them.

But on the battlefield, witnessing the brave warriors of Xiliang fighting bravely and steadfastly for their lord, they were torn and overwhelmed with reluctance. These soldiers had followed their lord through countless battles and dangers, and behind each of their resolute faces lay a heart of devotion. Who could bear to see them plunged into danger and perished so far from their homeland in Yangzhou? On the one hand, they shouldered a secret mission with Li Ru, and on the other, they were moved by the loyalty of their fellow soldiers. Their inner conflict and struggle surged like a tide, difficult to calm.

Ma Chao's prestige was at an all-time high. He controlled the vast northwest territories, possessed a deep foundation, and commanded a powerful army. Recently, with his exceptional military prowess, he had defeated Yuan Shu's forces with a small force, stunning the world with his impressive military exploits. Furthermore, he had lent his full support to Sun Ce, expanding his territory in the southeast, enabling him to secure control of Yangzhou and establish a firm foothold.

Sun Ce and Zhou Yu now held Ma Chao in high esteem, practically obeying his every word. They heeded his every word, a situation far exceeding Li Ru's initial expectations. Li Ru and his team had originally planned a strategy designed to frustrate Ma Chao and achieve their specific objectives. However, the reality proved far more favorable than initially anticipated. Not only had their forces remained intact, but they had also established a close and powerful alliance with Ma Chao. Like a massive, unyielding wall, a sturdy, reliable pillar, Ma Chao provided immense support for their growing power.

Xu Shu, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, and the others understood that, given the favorable situation, there was no need to interrupt Ma Chao. After all, Ma Chao's decisions and words had a crucial impact on the overall outcome, and the current situation was already so favorable. To interrupt him rashly and disrupt the hard-earned harmony and development would be a loss. So, everyone simply listened quietly, burying their complex thoughts and past plans deep within their hearts.

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao smiled proudly and said in a booming voice, "Men, this period is perfect for reorganizing our armaments and allowing our soldiers to rest and recuperate. Wenyuan, lead the cavalry to support Ah Xiu. Ensure timely and reliable support. Bofu, Lujiang and Jiujiang have just been pacified, and much remains to be done. Arrange personnel to quickly sort out government affairs. Gongjin, you must also pay more attention to this. These areas have recently annexed our territory, and our top priority is to improve people's livelihoods and free them from suffering."

Sun Ce's face was filled with a bright smile, and he said, "Brother, if you have a suitable candidate, just let me arrange it. I will definitely cooperate with you fully!"

Ma Chao smiled broadly and waved his hand, saying, "My roots are in the northwest. To be honest, if it weren't for the imperial court's order, I wouldn't have wanted to use military force against the Central Plains. We are all Han people, and seeing them killing each other is truly heartbreaking. I'm already too busy battling the foreign invaders in the northwest, so I'll leave these Central Plains territories to you. I'm confident you can manage them with impeccable order, far better than anyone sent by the imperial court. Think about it, how many truly capable people does the emperor have under his command? If we leave this place to them, it will surely become a chaotic mess." With this, Ma Chao frowned slightly, a subtle flicker of dissatisfaction in his eyes. In truth, he had always been resentful of the emperor's forced marriage to Lu Wan. However, he cared deeply about the world and the country, and always warned himself not to let personal feelings interfere with state affairs. Even so, his impression of the emperor had already been greatly diminished.

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce was deeply moved. Ma Chao had fought so hard to conquer this territory, and now he was entrusted with such confidence. This was a profound gesture of friendship. He quickly said, "Brother, you trust me so much and have entrusted me with this important task. I truly cannot repay you. Rest assured, brother, I will do my utmost to live up to your trust!"

Ma Chao smiled broadly, raised his hand and patted Sun Ce's shoulder affectionately, saying, "Brother, why are you being so polite to me? As long as you always keep the people in your heart and remember their hardships, I, your brother, will also do my best for them in the northwest. We brothers, no matter where we are, share the same heart for the people. By the way, since things are a bit slow right now, let's go back to Wujun together. I haven't even seen my newborn baby yet, and he's already a few months old."

As soon as these words left his mouth, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu exchanged a glance and simultaneously smiled, their eyes filled with teasing. Ma Chao's cheeks flushed slightly at their laughter, and he feigned anger before continuing, "Don't laugh at me! Your two brothers' sons have only just been born, and I was thinking of going to see them. Are you not anxious to see your own children? If so, you two should stay here and handle government affairs, and I'll go alone."

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu hurriedly waved their hands. Sun Ce was even more anxious and said, "Hey, hey, hey, brother, we absolutely don't mean that! How can we not miss our newborn baby? Let's go together, let's go together! How can we handle government affairs with peace of mind when we haven't even met the child yet!" Zhou Yu also nodded in agreement. The three of them smiled at each other. The friendship between the brothers grew stronger in this relaxed atmosphere.

When Ma Chao announced that he was going back to Wujun, Wu Anguo, Pan Feng, Gan Ning and a group of personal guards instantly became excited, their faces filled with uncontrollable joy, and they enthusiastically discussed the upcoming journey.

Wu Anguo's face flushed with excitement. He clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "Finally, I can go back! I've been fighting outside and haven't had the chance to spend time with my family." Pan Feng stroked his beard, his eyes full of anticipation, and nodded in agreement, "Yes, my wife was pregnant when we left, and I haven't seen our child yet. This time when I go back, I must hug the baby!" Gan Ning even jumped directly onto the stone block nearby and shouted, "I can't wait to see what my baby looks like. He will definitely be as majestic as me!"

Their excitement stemmed from the fact that they had previously married Shanyue women alongside Ma Chao in the Shanyue region. Ma Chao's wife had already given birth, and when they left, their wives were also pregnant. So, while they were outwardly happy for Ma Chao's son, deep down they were filled with longing and concern for the child they had never met.

The soldiers were equally jubilant upon learning they would be accompanying Ma Chao back to Wujun. Soldiers who had been resting in their tents emerged, gathering in small groups to discuss the upcoming reunion. A young soldier, his eyes sparkling, excitedly declared, "Being able to follow the General back to Wujun and meet his children feels like family. Maybe we'll even witness other happy events!" A nearby veteran smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "This is the General's unifying force. He treats us like brothers, so naturally, we care about his well-being. This time, we must abide by the rules in Wujun and not bring shame to our Xiliang Army."

Amidst laughter and joy, the soldiers began preparing for their return journey. Some meticulously cleaned their weapons, ensuring a safe journey; others meticulously packed their bags, carefully storing away their precious belongings. The entire camp was filled with a warm atmosphere, a stark contrast to the grim atmosphere of the battlefield, enveloped by the joy of an impending family reunion.

Ma Chao was also busy, detailing the follow-up arrangements for the Yangzhou campaign to the remaining generals, covering everything from food reserves and recruit training to liaisons with surrounding forces. He also specifically instructed his men to prepare gifts for the people of Wujun. In his heart, the people's stable lives were always his motivation and concern for his campaigns.