Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

These words were like a hammer, hammering down upon the hearts of the three. Ma Yunlu's spear nearly slipped from her grasp. Her eyes widened in disbelief, "Announcement? For whom?" The servant lowered his head, his voice tinged with tears, "We don't know yet." The three siblings hurried away.

Meanwhile, inside the house, Ma's mother was chatting with Cai Wenji, the atmosphere relaxed and peaceful. Suddenly, a flurry of hurried, chaotic footsteps shattered the tranquility. Ma's mother's teacup trembled slightly, spilling some tea. Cai Wenji turned to look at the door, a look of confusion filling her.

Ma's mother asked the maid who had just entered the room, "What happened outside? Why is it so noisy?" The maid looked sad, and her voice was choked with sobs, "Madam, it was Young Master Ma Dai who came back home in mourning clothes to report the death..." Before she finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes.

Ma's mother's face turned pale instantly, and the teacup in her hand fell to the ground with a clang, shattering into pieces. Cai Wenji quickly reached out to support Ma's mother, her eyes filled with shock and grief. Ma's mother's lips trembled as she murmured, "Announcement of death... How could this be possible..."

Supported by Cai Wenji, Ma's mother staggered to the front hall first. Her face was haggard, her eyes were full of panic and fear, and her lips trembled as she spoke: "Dai'er, what happened? Your elder brother..." Before she could finish her words, they were choked in her throat, leaving only a series of suppressed sobs.

Almost at the same time, Ma Yunlu, Ma Xiu, and Ma Tie rushed in. Ma Yunlu, who was usually full of energy, was now pale as a sheet, her eyes red, and her voice trembling as she called out anxiously, "Second brother, what happened? Where's eldest brother? Why didn't he come back with you?" Her eyes were full of anxiety, and she was eager to find the answer from Ma Dai's face.

Ma Xiu and Ma Tie's faces were filled with anxiety. Ma Xiu's forehead veins bulged and he shouted, "Brother, don't just stand there! Tell us quickly, what happened?" Ma Tie was even more anxious, stamping his feet and clenching his fists, eager to know the truth immediately: "Yes, brother, please tell me quickly, you're driving me crazy!"

Faced with the barrage of questions, Ma Dai's knees buckled and he fell to his knees with a thump. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he cried out in a mournful voice, "My brother...something happened in Chang'an. Someone murdered him!"

Hearing that Ma Chao had been killed in Chang'an, everyone felt as if they had been struck by lightning. Ma Yunlu's eyes darkened, her body staggered, and she nearly fell. She subconsciously reached out to hold on to the pillar beside her, her nails digging deep into the wood. She asked in a trembling voice, "What on earth is going on? Big Brother has always been a martial arts expert and a cautious person. How could... How could he die in Chang'an?" As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

Ma Xiu and Ma Tie's faces were filled with fury, their fists clenched so tightly that they made a clattering sound. Ma Tie was the first to roar, "Who is responsible for this murder? I will make him pay with blood!" Ma Xiu's face was also filled with grief and indignation. He gritted his teeth and said, "It must be that treacherous villain in the court who plotted to harm my eldest brother. If I don't avenge this, I would be unworthy of being a member of the Ma family!"

Ma's mother had already burst into tears and collapsed in Cai Wenji's arms, crying out in grief: "Chao'er, my son, how could you be so cruel to leave your mother..." Cai Wenji's eyes were red. While gently comforting Ma's mother, she held back her tears and looked sad.

Ma Dai, filled with grief, recounted in a hoarse voice the events of Ma Chao's journey to Chang'an. With each word, the crowd's cries and curses grew louder. By the time he finished, the front yard of the Ma residence was already awash with intense grief and anger. Everyone had only one thought in mind: revenge for Ma Chao! Ma Yunlu suddenly snatched up his spear from the ground, pointed it toward the sky, and cried out, "Brother, I will carry the head of my enemy to pay your tribute!" Ma Tie and Ma Xiu also drew their weapons and joined in the roar, vowing to make the murderer pay a heavy price. Their roars seemed to pierce the sky.

Ma Teng suppressed the grief and anger in his heart, took a deep breath, tried to calm himself, and then gave orders in a low but powerful voice: "Okay, don't panic! Ma Xiu, Ma Tie, you two go and beat the drums to gather the generals immediately, and notify all the generals to come to discuss matters quickly. There must be no mistakes!" Although Ma Xiu and Ma Tie were filled with grief, they immediately wiped the tears from their faces after hearing their father's instructions, nodded heavily, turned around and left quickly, their footsteps quick and firm.

Then, Ma Teng looked at Ma Yunlu and Cai Wenji, his expression softening slightly as he instructed, "Yunlu, Wenji, you two must take good care of our mother. She can't handle this kind of blow. You must stay by her side."

When Ma Yunlu heard this, her eyebrows immediately twisted into a knot, her eyes full of unwillingness, and she said loudly: "I want to go too! My eldest brother is in trouble, how can I just stay here to take care of my mother, I want to avenge my eldest brother!" As she spoke, she gripped the hilt of the sword at her waist tightly, and her knuckles turned white from the force.

Ma Teng's face darkened and he said sternly: "Stop messing around! This is not the time to act on impulse. It is equally important to take good care of your mother. This is an order!" His eyes were like torches, and there was no room for doubt.

Ma Yunlu wanted to argue, but seeing his father's serious expression, he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He could only bite his lower lip tightly, tears flashing in his eyes, a mixture of grievance and anger.

Ma Teng said no more, turned around and strode towards the conference room with Ma Dai.

Amidst this chaotic and grief-stricken moment, Cai Wenji remained unusually calm. She gently patted Ma Chao's mother's back, her voice soft and soothing, "Madam, please take care of yourself. If Brother Chao knew, he would certainly not want to see you so heartbroken." Her words, like a gentle stream of water, brought a touch of comfort to Ma Chao's mother amidst this atmosphere of grief.

Ma's mother had already burst into tears, her body shaking uncontrollably, and she tightly grasped Cai Wenji's hand, as if it was her only support at the moment.

After Ma's mother calmed down a little, Cai Wenji turned around quickly and decisively ordered the servants beside her: "Go and prepare white paper and white banners immediately, and decorate the mansion first. Be quick and decisive, and be sure to be solemn and dignified, and don't slack off at all." Although the servants were also immersed in grief, seeing Cai Wenji's calm command, they all cheered up, took the order and left. Soon, the entire Ma mansion began to get busy.

The rapid beating of war drums rolled out from the training grounds like thunder, shattering the usual tranquility of Wuwei City. Hearing the drums, the hearts of the generals in the city tightened. They dropped their tasks and hurried out of their residences. The clatter of horses' hooves echoed as they galloped towards Ma Teng's residence.

Arriving at the Ma residence, the sight before them made everyone's heart skip a beat. The gates were covered in white flowers, swaying gently in the wind, a shimmering image of endless sorrow. The servants, all dressed in plain white mourning clothes, wore mournful expressions. The generals exchanged glances, a sense of foreboding welling up within them. Without further ado, they hurriedly grabbed a passing servant and asked him about the matter.

The servant's eyes were red, and he spoke in a tearful voice, "It was General Ma Dai who came back to report the death. The young master was murdered by a traitor in Chang'an. The lord is at the parade grounds right now, waiting for the generals!"

Upon hearing this, the generals felt as if they had been struck by lightning. Their eyes widened in anger. Some clenched their fists until their knuckles turned white, while others could not help but curse. Anger and grief instantly surged in their hearts, and they could not care less as they rushed towards the meeting room like mad.

The atmosphere in the conference hall was oppressive, almost suffocating. Ma Teng, sitting in the main seat, seemed to have aged ten years in an instant. His face was haggard, his eyes bloodshot, revealing exhaustion and sorrow. Seeing the generals arriving, he raised his head slightly and said in a hoarse voice, "Everyone is here." His voice was filled with an indescribable heaviness.

The generals were so anxious that they surrounded Ma Dai before they even took their seats. "What exactly happened?" "Tell me quickly, how did the young master get killed?" Anxious questions rang out one after another.

Ma Dai bit his lower lip tightly, suppressing his grief, and said in a deep voice: "A secret letter came from Chang'an. My eldest brother... was framed by a villain and has been killed." As soon as he finished speaking, the conference room exploded.

Pang De slammed his fist on the table beside him, making the teacup on the table clang. His face was filled with anger and he roared loudly: "How can this be tolerated? Charge into Chang'an and avenge the young master! I, Pang De, will be the first to charge!"

"Yes, revenge! We can't let the young master lose his life in vain!" The other generals also echoed, and the crowd was indignant. The flame of revenge burned in everyone's eyes. They wanted to gather their troops immediately and march to Chang'an to make the mastermind behind the scenes pay with blood.

Ma Teng took a deep breath, trying to suppress the grief surging in his heart. He feigned composure, slowly stood up and said, "Everyone, revenge is definitely necessary, but we can't act rashly. We must first figure out where to mobilize troops and how many to mobilize so that we can both seek justice for Chao'er and not affect the overall situation."

Pang De was extremely anxious. Upon hearing this, he immediately took a step forward, clasped his hands together, and shouted, "What are we still discussing? Why not just march the army immediately, storm into Chang'an, and capture those thieves in one fell swoop! Also, King Cheliji of Western Qiang is your sworn brother. If we mobilize the Western Qiang troops, we will have strength in numbers and will definitely make our enemies pay a heavy price!"

Ma Teng frowned slightly and replied solemnly, "Pang De, I understand your desire for revenge, but the border is crucial to the safety of Xiliang. How can we ignore it? If we lose the border for revenge, how can our Ma family face our ancestors? The Western Qiang and the Eight Tribes of Xiliang will remain untouched for now." Then, Ma Teng turned to Pang De and Fa Zheng, "Pang De, Fa Zheng, you two must make sure to stay put and ensure the border is absolutely safe. I will personally lead an army of 100,000 to avenge Chao'er!"

Pang De knelt on the ground with a thud, tears streaming down his face: "My lord, the young master has been so kind to me. If I don't avenge this, how can I, Pang De, have the face to live in this world! You can entrust the matters left behind to others. I am willing to charge at the front and will not hesitate to die!" After that, he kowtowed, and his forehead became red and swollen instantly.

Ma Teng stepped forward quickly, helping Pang De up with both hands, his eyes welling with tears. "Pang De, I know you're loyal and righteous, and I understand your thirst for revenge. While the Eight Tribes of Xiliang and the Western Qiang won't be deploying troops for now, the border passes still need capable guards. Apart from you, I can trust no one else. By guarding the rear, you'll be providing the army with the greatest support."

Pang De's face was filled with resentment, and he was about to say something more, but Ma Teng interrupted him, saying, "Don't argue anymore. The overall situation is the most important!" Pang De bit his lip, tears welling up in his eyes. Finally, he nodded solemnly and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, my lord. Pang De will do his utmost to ensure the safety of the rear!"

Ma Teng immediately ordered, "Speed ​​is of the essence! Assemble the troops immediately!" A messenger dashed out of the meeting hall. Suddenly, horns blew and drums beat across the parade grounds. Soldiers quickly formed into formations, their armor gleaming in the sunlight, spears forming a forest, and military flags waving with resounding force.

Ma Teng leaped onto his horse, spear in hand, and roared, "My men, the time has come to avenge our young master. Follow me and charge towards Chang'an!" His voice, like a resounding bell, echoed throughout the parade grounds. The soldiers chanted in unison, "Revenge! Revenge!" Their shouts shook the heavens, and with overwhelming momentum, the army marched towards Chang'an in a mighty procession, their horses' hooves kicking up clouds of dust as they seemed determined to exact revenge on Chang'an's enemies.