Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The next morning, the dim light filtered through the windows into the City Lord's Mansion. Ma Chao rose early and packed his bags carefully, fearing to wake Sally and Ma Yue, who were still sound asleep. But Sally was still startled awake by the slightest noise. Slowly opening her eyes, she looked at Ma Chao, hissing with reluctance.

"Are you leaving so early?" Sally's voice was lazi and a little choked with sleep.

Ma Chao stopped what he was doing, walked to the bedside and sat down, holding Sally's hand. He said gently, "Ali, I don't want to leave either, but the military situation is urgent and we can't delay any longer. You and the child are in Shanyue, so you must take good care of yourselves."

Sally held back her tears and nodded: "Don't worry, I will. You must be careful outside. The child and I will wait for you to come back."

Ma Chao leaned over and gently kissed Sally on the forehead, then walked over to the cradle and quietly gazed at Ma Yue's tender little face, his eyes full of love and reluctance. He gently touched the child's hand, then turned around, picked up his bag, and resolutely walked out of the room.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion, Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Gan Ning, Pan Feng, Wu Anguo, and Shamoke had been waiting for a long time. When they saw Ma Chao coming out, they all stepped forward.

Ma Chao and everyone else walked to the meeting room in the mansion.

Everyone gathered around, and Ma Chao spoke first, "Now that Yuan Shu is dead, Shouchun remains his last stronghold. The imperial court probably won't let me stay here for long. After all, Yuan Shao is still fighting against the imperial court. I expect I will most likely return to Chang'an to rest and then head to the battlefield in Jizhou. As for the attack on Shouchun, I'm afraid it's still uncertain. Even if we do, with you, Bofu, in Yangzhou, we'll be able to deal with it."

After hearing this, Sun Ce frowned, with a hint of impatience on his face: "These arrangements made by the emperor are really hard to agree with. I have worked hard in Yangzhou, but now I have to suffer these constraints." Sun Ce has never been very flattering towards the emperor.

Ma Chao's face was solemn as he patiently advised, "Bofu, no matter what the emperor does, we shouldn't judge him based solely on our own likes and dislikes. The court is currently in turmoil. Only when the government is stable can the people live and work in peace. This is our ideal, and we should work towards this goal."

Sun Ce pondered for a moment, then reluctantly agreed, "Brother, you are absolutely right. No matter what the emperor does, as long as the government remains stable, I will not argue with him. However, if the court's actions are truly inappropriate, I will definitely not sit idly by."

They discussed military deployment, intelligence exchange and other matters, and Ma Chao gave the two of them many instructions.

After everything was discussed, Ma Chao stood up and said to everyone solemnly: "I plan to go visit my aunt and say goodbye to her." Sun Ce nodded slightly, his eyes full of understanding.

Ma Chao arrived at Madam Wu's residence. The room was quiet and warm, and Madam Wu was sitting in the main seat. Seeing Ma Chao enter, a kind smile appeared on her face. Ma Chao stepped forward quickly and bowed respectfully: "Junior Ma Chao, I have come to say goodbye to my aunt."

Mrs. Wu looked at him lovingly and said, "Chao'er, are you leaving now? You've been traveling for many years and it's rare for you to come here. Why don't you stay a little longer?" Her words were full of concern and a desire to keep him.

Ma Chao was about to respond when Sun Ce walked in and said, "Mother, my brother is busy with urgent military matters, so we must prioritize our work. Once the government is stable, I'll invite you to stay with me for a while longer." Madam Wu sighed softly and nodded, "Never mind. In that case, Chao'er, please take care on your journey."

Ma Chao had already privately instructed Ma Dai to accompany him on his departure. Now, Sun Ce ordered his men to come and see Ma Chao off. Instantly, the City Lord's Mansion was bustling with activity. Zhou Yu, Xiao Qiao, Da Qiao, and Sun Ce's generals Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Zu Mao, along with Wei Yan and other generals, all arrived. Their expressions varied, but all were filled with a sense of reluctance to part.

Ma Chao looked at Ma Dai and said, "Ma Dai, as we agreed before, you will return with me this time. You have been helping General Sun with his business for over two years. Now it's time to return to Xiliang and continue to contribute to the family." Ma Dai's eyes flashed with excitement, and he nodded in response, "Don't worry, brother. I will stay with you closely."

Everyone said their farewells one by one, some offering words of advice, others blessings, their words filled with respect and reluctance to leave Ma Chao. Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said softly, "Brother, take care on your journey. I hope you return safely soon. We'll be together again then." Cheng Pu and the others bowed, saying, "General Ma, we'll see you later. We hope you return victorious." Wei Yan smiled heartily and said, "General Ma, when you return, we'll have another drink!"

Ma Chao walked out of the City Lord's Mansion and saw Sally standing at the door holding the child, her eyes full of attachment and reluctance. Ma Chao quickly walked over to her, raised his hand and gently stroked Sally's cheek, saying softly, "Ali, take care of yourself and the child, and wait for me to come back."

Then, he lowered his head slightly, looked at the sleeping child in the cradle, and gently stretched out his fingers to tease the child's small hand. The little guy seemed to feel his father's touch, moved his fingers, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Seeing this, Ma Chao's eyes reddened slightly, and he whispered, "Good child, listen to your mother and wait for your father to come back to accompany you."

Sun Ce and Zhou Yu accompanied Ma Chao to the outskirts of Wujun. A gentle breeze blew, the sun shone warmly, and in the distance, rolling green hills appeared, with the official road winding its way into the distance. Sun Ce looked at Ma Chao and said sincerely, "Brother, we part now, and I don't know when we'll meet again. Be careful on your journey. Ma Dai is entrusted to you, and you must take good care of yourself."

Zhou Yu also bowed and said, "Brother, I hope your journey goes smoothly. If you encounter any difficulties, please let me know."

Ma Chao bowed deeply to the two men and said, "Thank you very much, my two brothers. I will always remember this friendship. When the world is at peace, we will raise our glasses and drink together again."

With that, Ma Chao leaped onto his horse, followed closely by Ma Dai, and they waved goodbye to the crowd. Their figures stretched long in the sunlight, trailing a cloud of dust as they gradually vanished into the distance. But the friendship forged in these troubled times, like a radiant star, was deeply imprinted in everyone's hearts, forever indelible.

Far away on the battlefield in Ji Province, the situation suddenly changed. Yuan Shao petitioned the emperor for peace, and the emperor, agreeing, immediately dispatched an envoy with his decree, ordering Liu Bei and Lü Bu's forces to return to Chang'an to await further orders.

Inside Lü Bu's tent, his face flushed with excitement upon receiving the order. He strode to the center of the tent and shouted to his generals, Wei Xu, Song Xian, and the others, "Finally, this day has arrived! I've had enough of this godforsaken place!" Wei Xu, Song Xian, and the others were equally jubilant, eager to fight. In reality, Wang Yun, who was already in Chang'an, had been secretly plotting with Lü Bu. They had been working in Jizhou without putting in much effort, and were struggling to find a suitable excuse to return to Chang'an and plan their future. This order was a timely relief, and everyone eagerly prepared to pack their bags and embark on their return journey.

As for Liu Bei, when the messenger read the imperial edict, he was filled with surprise. He slowly stood up, his brow furrowed. The situation on the battlefield was now favorable. Ma Chao had just pacified Yuan Shu, and his side was also in an advantageous position. It was a good time to make a final push. Why did the emperor suddenly recall him? Jian Yong watched Liu Bei quietly from the side, as if he understood his thoughts. He coughed lightly, stepped forward, and whispered, "My lord, I'm afraid the emperor's move has deeper meaning." Liu Bei nodded slightly, his expression solemn. "Jian Yong is absolutely right, but the reason behind this is still elusive."

Guan Yu stroked his long beard, his face displeased as he said, "Brother, it's a shame to give up this hard-earned advantage." Zhang Fei stamped his feet anxiously, "I don't understand why Your Majesty wants to recall us. The battle is going well!" Liu Bei waved his hand, signaling silence. "Your Majesty's will cannot be disobeyed. Since Your Majesty has ordered us, we have no choice but to return to Chang'an. However, we must proceed with caution this time and find out the true situation at court."

Amidst the clamor, Liu Bei reluctantly ordered his troops to regroup and prepare for their return. Though filled with doubt, the soldiers, undeterred by the imposition of military orders, began packing. Outside the tents, military flags rustled in the wind, as if bewildered by the sudden turn of events. Meanwhile, Lü Bu's forces were already bustling with activity. The soldiers, laughing and chatting, quickly loaded their carts with supplies, intent on returning to the bustling city of Chang'an, completely free of the fatigue and depression they had felt on the battlefields of Jizhou.

In the Chang'an Palace, Emperor Liu Bian sat atop the Dragon Throne, his eyes filled with calculation and sinister intent. To counter the growing strength of Ma Chao and Sun Ce, he weighed the pros and cons and, despite repeated considerations, suspended his campaign against Yuan Shao. He issued an edict to Jizhou, ordering Liu Bei and Lü Bu's forces to return to Chang'an immediately to await further deployment.

At that time, Liu Bei and Lü Bu, both on the battlefields of Jizhou, received the imperial edict and, with their own differing thoughts, began preparing for their return journeys. Lü Bu's camp erupted in jubilation. He had long grown weary of the Jizhou battlefield, and now, with the order to return to Chang'an, it felt like a break from his shackles. He eagerly urged his soldiers to pack their bags and arrange their armaments, intent on returning to Chang'an as soon as possible to continue his grand ambitions. Meanwhile, Liu Bei, though filled with doubts, could not defy the emperor's will. With Jian Yong as his advisor, he reluctantly commanded his troops to slowly withdraw from the battlefield, marching towards Chang'an. Along the way, the soldiers marched in measured steps, yet with a touch of confusion. The military flags fluttered in the wind, seemingly expressing their doubts about the war that had been abandoned halfway.

Meanwhile, in Lujiang, Sun Ce discussed the future of Jiangdong with Zhou Yu, eagerly anticipating another round of drinking and discussion with Ma Chao about worldly affairs. Ma Chao, having already assembled his forces, embarked on the march to Wancheng. He was concerned about his unfinished business and his wife and children far away, hoping to quickly stabilize the situation and bring back Sally and Ma Yue.

The envoys, bearing the emperor's decree and bound for Lujiang to deliver it to Sun Ce and Ma Chao, proceeded at a leisurely pace. When they finally arrived in Lujiang, they were shocked to discover that Ma Chao had already left with his troops for Wancheng. Panic-stricken, the messengers dared not delay even a moment and hurried on to Wancheng. Despite exhaustion, they dared not slow down, fearing they would delay the emperor's important mission.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei and Lü Bu's armies, marching day and night, were nearing their return to Chang'an. The city gates of Chang'an were visible in the distance, and the flags on the walls danced in the wind, as if welcoming their arrival. Liu Bei gazed at the familiar yet unfamiliar gate, feeling a mixture of emotions, wondering what kind of changes would await him upon his return to Chang'an. Lü Bu, on the other hand, was filled with excitement, thinking about how he would seek rewards from the emperor and reshape his own empire upon his return.