Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

A few days passed, and before they knew it, it was already mid-May. Cao Ang, Guo Jia, and their entourage finally arrived in Chang'an. Upon hearing that the emperor's envoys were approaching, Ma Teng, who had not been seen in public for a long time, decided to personally welcome them from the city. Suddenly, Li Ru, Wei Yan, Zhang Yan, and other important figures from Xiliang gathered outside Chang'an.

Most unexpectedly, Xun Yu, having somehow gotten the news, also appeared outside the city. Standing not far from the crowd, his face solemn, he quietly waited to greet the supposed "angel." Ma Teng, upon seeing Xun Yu, cast a few sidelong glances, his heart filled with confusion. He then turned to Li Ru, who was standing beside him, and asked, "Mr. Wenyou, were you the one who informed the Lord to come greet the angel?"

Li Ru followed Ma Teng's gaze, looking at Xun Yu standing solemnly in the distance. He smiled and said, "I don't have that. I don't have the time to inform him. I don't know where he got the news from. This kid still has the Han Dynasty in his heart and is determined to be a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty."

Ma Teng frowned slightly and said, "Will he take advantage of the arrival of the Emperor's envoys to leave Chang'an and flee to Xudu to seek refuge with the Emperor?" Li Ru smiled playfully and said to Ma Teng, "Hahaha, old lord, you're reluctant to let him go?" Ma Teng said seriously, "Lord Xun Yu has the talent to assist the emperor. Look at Chang'an, he has managed it so neatly and it's so prosperous everywhere. How could I bear to let such a rare talent go?"

Li Ru smiled, his eyes full of cunning, and continued teasingly, "Don't worry, old lord. He has been pinned to Xiliang for his entire life. It would be wishful thinking for him to leave. Let him be a loyal subject of Xiliang in peace."

As he was speaking, the sound of carriages was heard in the distance, and the envoy's carriage was seen slowly approaching from afar.

As the envoys' carriage slowly approached and came to a steady stop, the doors were quickly pushed open, and Guo Jia and Cao Ang were the first to jump out with respect. Although they were nominally envoys of the emperor, they showed no pretense and immediately came forward to pay their respects.

Cao Ang was particularly cordial. He walked straight up to Ma Teng, bowed respectfully with the attitude of a nephew, and said, "Mr. Ma, I have long heard of your great name. I, Cao Ang, used to study with the King of Liang in Mr. Lu Zhi's house. Although I was not fortunate enough to be accepted as a disciple by Master Lu, I can be considered a master and a brother with the King of Liang. I hope Mr. Ma will not be shy when I come here this time." After saying this, a sincere smile appeared on his face.

Upon hearing this, Ma Teng was slightly startled, but then a genial smile appeared on his face. He said, "Oh? So that's the truth. No wonder you looked so familiar. I didn't expect you to have such a connection. In that case, there's no need for you to be so polite."

Li Ru, who was seeing this, smiled and said, "Oh, I didn't expect there was such a relationship. This is really fate." Wei Yan, Zhang Yan and others also echoed him. For a moment, the originally slightly serious atmosphere became relaxed and cheerful.

Cao Ang continued, "Over the years, I've often heard of the Prince of Liang's heroic deeds, and I admire him deeply. This time, I've come here hoping to catch up with him." Ma Teng smiled and nodded, saying, "If my son knew you were thinking of him, he would be very happy. However, he's currently fighting in Bingzhou, so I'm afraid he won't be able to meet you right away."

Guo Jia also stepped forward with a smile and said, "Lord Ma, we have come here firstly to convey the emperor's greetings to you all. Secondly, we have heard that Xiliang is thriving, and we would like to witness your grand plans." Ma Teng laughed heartily and said, "You are too polite, Mr. Guo. This is the result of the joint efforts of all of us in Xiliang. Come on, let's go into the city and talk. Don't stand here for long."

With that, the crowd, surrounded by Cao Ang, Guo Jia, and the others, prepared to march toward Chang'an City amidst laughter and cheers. But at that moment, Xun Yu, standing nearby, took two quick steps, his expression solemn. He faced the imperial envoy's token held by Guo Jia—the staff representing the emperor's authority—and bowed. He spoke in a steady voice, "Xun Yu, the former governor of Chang'an, greets the angel. He has come a long way and must have borne the hardships of his journey."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in Xiliang showed signs of displeasure. Wei Yan, even more impatient, took two quick steps and was about to rebuke Xun Yu. However, Li Ru gently waved his hand to stop him.

Seeing this, Guo Jia was delighted and said, "It's Lord Xun in person!" Upon hearing this, Cao Ang hurried forward, helped Xun Yu to his feet, and said, "Lord Xun, it's been many years since we last met. You look haggard. I am Cao Ang, son of Cao Cao." He then bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Lord Xun."

Xun Yu slowly stood up and looked at Cao Ang, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. He said, "So it's Master Zixiu. It's been many years since we last met. You've grown into such a handsome young man." Cao Ang smiled and said, "You're too polite, Lord Xun. I came here this time hoping to catch up with you. But seeing you here, I wonder how you've been doing."

Xun Yu smiled wryly and said, "Don't worry, Master Zixiu. I'm only doing my bit in Chang'an." At this point, Ma Teng said, "Lord Xun, you're too polite. Chang'an's current situation is invaluable to you." Li Ru also smiled and agreed, "Yes, Lord Xun has truly contributed greatly to Xiliang."

Cao Ang looked at everyone, then turned his gaze back to Xun Yu and said, "The talent of Lord Xun is known to the world. Now that he is here, I wonder if I can..." Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Li Ru. Li Ru smiled and said, "Master Zixiu, let's go into the city first. We are tired from the journey. Let's not stand here and talk." Cao Ang was slightly stunned, then he understood and said, "Yes, Mr. Wenyou is right. Let's talk in detail after we go into the city." So, everyone set off again and walked towards Chang'an City, but the atmosphere in it became a little more subtle because of Xun Yu's appearance.

The crowd escorted Cao Ang and Guo Jia to the Prince of Liang's mansion. This palace was the palace where the late Emperor Liu Bian ascended the throne in Chang'an, and now served as Ma Chao's Prince of Liang's residence. Xun Yu hesitated at the palace gate for a long time, but ultimately did not follow him in. Cao Ang tried to invite him in, but Guo Jia stopped him, subtly tugging on his clothes and signaling with his eyes that he should not proceed rashly.

As everyone entered the palace, the atmosphere in the hall was momentarily tense. Guo Jia cleared his throat, unfolded the imperial edict in his hand, and loudly announced the emperor's will: "By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The land of Western Liang has been repeatedly harassed by foreign invaders. I feel deeply concerned and sympathetic. Fortunately, the King of Liang and the soldiers of Western Liang have been brave and fearless, defending the border and ensuring the people's well-being. Their hard work and contributions are immense. I hereby reward the King of Liang and the people of Western Liang with ten thousand taels of gold, one hundred bushels of pearls, and a thousand bolts of silk and satin as a reward for their service. I hope you will continue your efforts to ensure the eternal security of the Han border. I decree this!"

Everyone knelt down in mock ceremony to receive the decree, shouting, "Thank you, Lord, for your grace!" After receiving the decree, Ma Teng stood up, a perfectly composed smile on his face, and said, "The angel has come a long way and must have endured hardships along the way. Come, order a banquet to welcome the angel!"

Soon, the palace's servants bustled into action, serving a steady stream of delicacies. Ma Teng, Li Ru, and the others exchanged pleasantries with Cao Ang and Guo Jia. While the atmosphere appeared harmonious, each had their own agenda. Cao Ang and Guo Jia pondered how to accomplish their mission, while Ma Teng, Li Ru, and the others were wary of the true intentions of the emperor's envoys. A silent battle unfolded amidst the clinking of glasses.

Wei Yan, drinking to the side, periodically glanced at Cao Ang and Guo Jia, his heart filled with suspicion and vigilance. Zhang Yan remained expressionless, silently observing everyone's every move. Meanwhile, Li Ru wore a faint smile, seemingly relaxed, but his eyes revealed shrewdness and calculation. Ma Teng raised his wine glass and said to Cao Ang with a smile, "Master Zixiu, please stay in Chang'an for a while this time. Let us show our hospitality." Cao Ang quickly stood up and responded respectfully, "Thank you for your hospitality, Master Ma. However, we are under the emperor's command, so I'm afraid..."

Before he finished speaking, Guo Jia took over: "We appreciate your kindness, Mr. Ma. However, due to official duties, it is inconvenient for me to stay for long. But it is also a rare fate for me to come here and meet with you all." Ma Teng laughed and said, "Mr. Guo is right. Come, let's raise our glasses together!" Everyone raised their glasses and drank it all. However, everyone knew the taste of the wine.

While Cao Ang was not without his scheming, his admiration for Ma Chao was genuine. At the banquet, he spoke of Ma Chao, his words filled with admiration for his military campaigns, his defense of the borders, and his repulsion of foreign invasions. As he spoke, Cao Ang's eyes lit up, as if he were there himself, eager to ride on the battlefield alongside the King of Liang.

Seeing this, Li Ru, with a friendly smile on his face, followed Cao Ang's lead, praising him constantly while secretly trying to get him to say something. Li Ru asked casually, "Since Master Zixiu admires the King of Liang so much, he must have great ambitions of his own. I wonder what is really on your mind?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Ang looked solemn and said without hesitation: "All I wish for is to protect the country and the people, so that all the people in the world can have food to eat and clothes to wear, and avoid the suffering of war." His words were all words of justice. There was no trace of the ambition of the princes to fight for power and profit. His heart and eyes were full of the livelihood of the people.

Upon hearing this, Ma Teng smiled and agreed at the right time: "Okay! Let's drink a glass to Young Master Zixiu's heroic spirit!" After that, he raised his glass, and everyone responded and drank together.

Guo Jia, sitting nearby, observed Li Ru's actions. Seeing the subtle smile on Li Ru's face, Guo Jia's heart tightened. He knew Li Ru was testing Cao Ang, and Cao Ang's unreserved disclosure of his true feelings could put his side on the defensive. So, Guo Jia subtly tugged on Cao Ang's sleeve, implicitly signaling him to stop talking.

Cao Ang, sensing Guo Jia's hint, was startled for a moment, then reacted, a sense of alarm building within him. However, Li Ru smiled and said, "Young Master Zixiu's concern for the people is truly admirable. The Central Plains is currently in turmoil, with all sides fighting each other. Ultimately, it's all civil war, devastating human suffering. And our lord, the Prince of Liang, is single-mindedly fighting against the foreign invaders, a truly steadfast act to protect the country and its people. Since you have such a heart for protecting the country and its people, why not stay in Chang'an and work alongside the Prince of Liang for the good of our nation? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"