Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The mist gradually dissipated, and the morning light pierced the clouds. Clad in black armor, his sword swaying slightly at his waist, Ma Chao, along with Li Ru, led Jia Xu, Xu Shu, and others to the front of the battle. His expression was stern, his gaze sweeping across the crowd like a hawk, but he said nothing.

Jia Xu stepped forward and said gravely, "I'll take Zhang Ren to investigate." With that, he and Zhang Ren galloped toward the plain white carriage. The moment they drew aside the curtain, a chill washed over them. Liu Bian lay motionless, his face purple, his mouth clotted with black blood, and wine stains stained the folds of his dragon robe. Jia Xu leaned over and examined the body carefully. After confirming that there was nothing wrong with it, he turned and nodded to Ma Chao.

Ma Chao's tense expression relaxed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Situ Wang is indeed trustworthy."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yun hurriedly lifted the curtain of the python-patterned carriage, leaned out, his face full of smiles, and his tone was a bit flattering: "Hey, Marquis Wei! It's all a misunderstanding! All the persecutions against you in the past were the idea of ​​the late emperor. Now that he has passed away, I hope Marquis Wei will not be blinded by hatred again. The world is in war and the people are suffering. In the end, we need heroes like Marquis Wei to protect us!" He spoke sincerely, but there was a subtle calculation in his eyes. His hands trembled slightly under his python robe, and he didn't know whether he was nervous or had other plans.

Li Ru didn't wait for Ma Chao to respond. The corners of his lips curled up in a cold arc, and his hawk-like eyes pierced Wang Yun. "The Minister of Justice is eloquent, but he didn't answer the question. If he really cared about the world, why didn't he help the new emperor to defend Chang'an? Instead, he was in a hurry to move the court. Could it be that..." He suddenly changed the subject, and his sharp eyes swept across Cao Cao's brocade robe, "Do you want to use the emperor as a puppet?"

Wang Yun's Adam's apple rolled violently, and the jade belt with python pattern hurt his palm. Just as he was about to explain, Cao Cao had already stepped out. The middle-aged hero calmly adjusted his hat, and the seven-star sword on his waist made a clear sound: "Mr. Wenyou, thank you for your kind words. Although I am not talented, I know that every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world." He bowed to Ma Chao, his eyes burning with ambition, "Since the sudden death of the emperor, all the princes are eyeing him covetously. Although Yanzhou is poor, I am willing to prepare food and grass cities to welcome the new emperor to ensure the safety of the country-"

"To protect the country?" Li Ru suddenly laughed to the sky, startling the crows on the city walls. He tapped his folding fan lightly on his palm, and each word was as sharp as a knife: "Cao Mengde's calculations are very clever! One foot says to welcome the emperor, and the next foot wants to drag the court to Yanzhou. Don't you think everyone in the world is a three-year-old child?"

Cao Cao's expression remained unchanged. Instead, he took a half step forward and spoke in a resounding voice, "If you don't believe me, I'm willing to sign a written agreement! But please, Lord Wei, and you, think carefully. Chang'an has been devastated by war and is short of food and fodder. On the other hand, Yanzhou boasts vast fertile fields and a peaceful people. If we want to continue the Han dynasty, where is our true foundation?" He paused, his eyes sweeping over Ma Chao. "Besides, the Xiliang cavalry have been fighting for so long, and the soldiers deserve a place to rest and recuperate."

The atmosphere on the battlefield was tense, but Ma Chao suddenly raised his hand to stop Li Ru. His dark cloak rustled in the wind, and as he looked at Cao Cao, a cold, scrutinizing look flashed across his eyes. He then glanced at Wang Yun's pale face, then clasped his fists and said aloud, "General Cao, after all these years, you are even more dignified than before. If the court can truly maintain stability in Yanzhou, I, Ma Chao, have no objection. However, with Yuan Benchu ​​dominating Hebei, Tao Gongzu eyeing Xuzhou, and Liu Biao stationed in Wanluo, Jingzhou, it will be difficult for General Cao to protect the emperor."

Cao Cao was invigorated upon hearing this, and quickly straightened his hat in return. The Seven Star Sword at his waist made a clear sound as he moved: "Marquis Wei, please be wise! Today, the emperor has just passed away and the world is in turmoil. It is the time for heroes to emerge. If it were not for Marquis Wei guarding Xiliang in the past, the Xiongnu and Qiang people would have invaded our Central Plains long ago. It's a pity..." His tone suddenly changed, and a look of regret appeared on his face. "The late emperor was deceived by treacherous people and made many mistakes. Although I am not talented, I am willing to use Yanzhou as my foundation to help mend the sky and revive the Han Dynasty!"

Ma Chao suddenly burst into laughter, so loud that the snow on the city walls fell. He pressed the sword at his waist, and the cold light reflected the morning light: "I, Ma Chao, have fought for half my life, just to live up to the people of the world. Although I despise the actions of the court, as long as the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty still exists, I will guard the northwest gate and not let the Hu people cross the border!" His eyes swept across the crowd like lightning, and finally landed on Cao Cao, "Since General Cao has such ambitions, I will wait and see - if the Han flag can be raised on the city of Yanzhou one day, Ma Chao will definitely toast you!"

Though their words were filled with politeness and hidden wit, they nonetheless reached a subtle tacit understanding. Cao Cao stroked his beard, nodded, and declared, "I swear by Yanzhou that I will never touch Xiliang. If you break this oath, I will be killed by both heaven and earth!" Upon hearing this, Ma Chao sheathed his broken blade, the clang echoing through the battlefront. "Since General Cao treats me with sincerity, the Xiliang cavalry will naturally cease their attacks. Ma Chao will remember this agreement today!"

A chill wind, whirling the remaining snow, swept across the two armies, and the tense atmosphere of the momentary confrontation quietly dissipated. Cao Cao and Ma Chao exchanged a smile, a smile that betrayed the mutual sympathy between heroes in troubled times, and even more, a touch of compassion for the common people. For the moment, at least, to prevent further conflict and the suffering of the people, the two factions reached a temporary peace, and the sky outside Chang'an also showed a rare moment of tranquility.

Lu Bu impatiently slammed his Fang Tian Hua Ji on the ground, causing mud to seep out of the cracks in the blue bricks: "Why are you dithering? Now that we've reached an agreement, why don't you let us go?" He glanced at the plain white hearse and snorted impatiently, "Yanzhou is a long way away. Do we want to let the emperor's body rot on the way?" Before he finished speaking, he felt a cold gaze sweeping towards him, and when he turned around, he met Li Ru's hawk-like eyes.

The strategist known as the "poisonous strategist who caused the chaos in the country" stroked his goatee, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. Lü Bu instinctively tightened his grip on his halberd, remembering Li Ru's ruthless tactics of the past. A chill ran down the back of his neck, and he swallowed back the curse that had been about to be uttered.

Li Ru withdrew his gaze and slowly stepped forward, his dark robe rustling in the wind. "Wang Si Tu, the change of ownership in Chang'an is only the beginning." He raised his hand and pointed at the Xiliang army formation. Thousands of cavalrymen simultaneously struck their shields with weapons, making a "dong, dong" sound like rolling thunder. "My Marquis Wei is willing to sit down and negotiate to protect the peace of the people. But if there is no explanation for the injustice done to Xiliang by the late emperor and the losses suffered in these years of war—"

Wang Yun took a half step back, his hands trembling slightly beneath his python robe: "Chang'an has already surrendered, what else do you want?!"

"Bow?" Li Ru suddenly sneered, slamming his folding fan against his palm, startling the crows on the city walls and causing them to scatter. "Without the order from Marquis Wei, Chang'an City will fall within two or three days! Situ, don't forget that the corpses of the Xiliang men are buried outside the city!" Before he finished speaking, the Xiliang army roared: "Blood debt must be paid with blood! Blood debt must be paid with blood!"

The Bingzhou Wolf Riders instantly taut their bowstrings, their Fang Tian Hua Ji pointed at the enemy. Lü Bu's forehead veins bulged, but when he met Li Ru's sinister gaze, he gritted his teeth and slowly lowered his iron halberd. During the standoff, Wang Yun wiped the sweat from his forehead and trembled, "So... what does Lord Li want?"

Li Ru raised a subtle sneer at the corner of his mouth, with a cold light flashing in his eyes, and said slowly: "The Xiliang Iron Cavalry has contributed a lot to the city of Chang'an. Now that we are negotiating, we naturally cannot let the soldiers return empty-handed. As for what to give, it depends on the sincerity of Lord Situ and the new monarch." His tone was understated, but it contained a threat, as if to say that if Xiliang could not be satisfied, this so-called peace could break down at any time.

Wang Yun's face was as pale as paper, beads of sweat etched across his forehead. He opened his mouth, but couldn't find any words to argue. Under Li Ru's oppressive gaze, he could only retreat awkwardly to the side, then board the carriage to consult with Liu Zheng. The sound of the wheels grinding over gravel was particularly harsh in the silent air, as if mocking his helplessness and embarrassment.

Lifting the carriage curtain, Wang Yun slumped inside with a scowl on his face, the hem of his dragon robe matted with dust. "Your Majesty..." he cried, "This Xiliang man refuses to give up. He insists on a reward from the court, otherwise he won't relent."

Liu Xie, who had been leaning against a cushion, suddenly sat upright upon hearing this. The hem of his robe embroidered with golden dragons fluttered violently in the wind. "Now that we've even surrendered Chang'an, what else can we offer as a reward?!" the young emperor's voice was tearful, his eyes filled with despair and anger. "The national treasury is already empty, and the government treasury has been plundered by Lü Bu. Do you expect me to take off my dragon robe and give it to them?!"

Wang Yun rubbed his hands together, his face filled with anxiety. "Your Majesty, please calm down. In my opinion, the only thing we can do now is to confer titles on them and appease them with empty honors."

Liu Xie was stunned for a moment, then laughed bitterly and said, "Add title? If I remember correctly, Ma Chao and his sons have both been granted titles of nobility, and both are county marquises. There is no more title to be given to them, so how else can they be given titles? Could it be that they are to be made kings?!" At the end, his voice was already a little hysterical, echoing in the narrow carriage.

Outside the carriage, a cold wind howled past, and in the distance, the rhythmic clatter of shields from the Western Liang cavalry echoed like the beat of a life-threatening drum, rattling the two men's frayed nerves. Wang Yun and Liu Xie exchanged glances, each seeing deep helplessness and fear in the other's eyes. They wondered where this negotiation would ultimately lead.

Wang Yun forced himself to put on a fawning smile: "Your Majesty, calm down! I have an idea - promote Ma Chao to the title of 'King of Liang', grant him the Nine Gifts ceremonial guards, and temporarily transfer the taxes of the three counties of Yongzhou to the Western Liang Army for dispatch. This will not only show Your Majesty's grace, but also..." Before he finished speaking, there was a sudden "clatter" and Liu Xie slammed the table hard.

"Ridiculous!" The veins on the young emperor's neck bulged, and his golden crown tilted and threatened to fall. "Awarding him the title of king and the nine gifts? That's an act of usurpation by powerful ministers plotting rebellion! How will history write about me? Will it describe me as a coward and incompetent who handed over the country to traitors?!" He looked helpless and furious. "I will give away the legacy of my ancestors..."

"Your Majesty, please understand!" Wang Yun said helplessly. "The Western Liang Iron Cavalry has 100,000 soldiers. If we don't show them favor, they will march eastward and we won't even be able to reach Yanzhou!" He raised his head with red eyes. "The three counties of Yongzhou are just a temporary measure. Once Your Majesty has a firm foothold in Yanzhou, we can..."

Suddenly, there was the sound of armor clashing outside the carriage. Li Ru had approached the carriage without anyone noticing. His wide, dark sleeves brushed the dust kicked up by the wheels, partially obscuring his sinister face. "Situ Wang's method is quite ingenious." His hoarse voice startled the two inside, making them feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar. "But the Nine Gifts and Three Counties..." He tapped the shaft of the carriage lightly, making the gilded ornaments jingle. "Shouldn't my Marquis Wei personally express his gratitude for such a grand gift?" He raised his hand, and a unified shout rang out from the Xiliang army: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" The roar was so overwhelming that the warhorses of the Bingzhou Wolf Riders pawed their hooves restlessly.