Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

When Cao Ang heard Li Ru's words, he suddenly felt that it was difficult to continue the topic. His eyes were a little blurred for a moment, and he subconsciously looked at Guo Jia for help.

Guo Jia understood immediately and stood up, smiling and smoothing things over. "Ah, please don't blame us. We've been exhausted from the long journey. Furthermore, Mr. Ma and you all were so kind, I couldn't resist a few more drinks. I'm afraid I'm a little tired now. We've been bothering you for quite some time today. How about we take our leave now and visit you again another day? I hope you'll forgive me."

After saying this, Guo Jia bowed slightly and saluted the crowd. Seeing this, Ma Teng laughed and said, "We've been negligent. It's been a tiring journey. Mr. Guo and Master Zixiu, please go back and rest. We can chat again another day." Li Ru also smiled and agreed, "Mr. Guo is absolutely right. We won't keep you two here any longer today."

Cao Ang took the opportunity to cheer himself up, bowed and said, "Thank you very much for the hospitality of Lord Ma and everyone. I am sorry for being rude today, and I will apologize another day." After that, with the support of Guo Jia, the two of them said goodbye to everyone and slowly walked out of the Prince of Liang's Mansion.

After they left, Wei Yan couldn't help but say, "That Cao Ang doesn't seem to have much scheming. He was left at a loss for words after just a few questions." Li Ru sneered, "Hmph, don't underestimate him. Today's performance might have been an act. Guo Jia's reflexes are incredibly quick. It seems these two shouldn't be taken lightly." Ma Teng nodded slightly and said solemnly, "Wen You is absolutely right. From now on, keep a close eye on their movements."

After Cao Ang and the others said their goodbyes, they left the former imperial city, now the Prince of Liang's residence. Before they had gone far, they saw Xun Yu standing solemnly nearby, seemingly waiting for them. Cao Ang and Guo Jia were startled and hurried forward to greet him.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Xun Yu could no longer contain his anxiety. He fixed his gaze on Cao Ang and Guo Jia, and directly inquired about the emperor's current situation at court and whether the court was stable. His eyes were filled with worry and concern, as if this question had been circling in his mind countless times.

Guo Jia realized that this was not the place for a detailed discussion, so he said, "This is a long story, and it's hard to explain it in a few words. Lord Xun, if it's convenient for you, why don't you move to our inn and we can discuss it in detail." Xun Yu pondered for a moment, looked around, and finally nodded.

However, this scene had already been seen by the spy stationed nearby in Ma Teng's mansion. The spy did not dare to delay and quickly reported the situation to Ma Teng.

After Cao Ang and the others left, Ma Teng and Li Ru stayed in the palace to discuss the emperor's envoy's intentions. Ma Teng, with a serious expression, said, "Look, the emperor not only sent us precious treasures, but also kept praising our hard work and great contributions. What exactly does this mean?"

Li Ru smiled lightly, his eyes shrewd as he said, "My old lord, this isn't some arrangement by the Emperor; it's clearly a gift from Cao Cao. Cao Cao is spending so much money, he must be trying to get something from us. Let's just play dumb and wait and see what they are up to."

As he was speaking, his spies hurried in with a report: "My Lord, Lord Xun has gone to the posthouse with Cao Ang and the others." Upon hearing this, Ma Teng couldn't help but feel worried. He said, "It seems Lord Xun is still deeply attached to the Han Dynasty and is not on the same page with us. I wonder what they are discussing when they gather together."

Li Ru's eyes flashed with a hint of amusement, and he snorted coldly, "Hmph, it seems Xun Yu is still obsessed with the emperor's court and wants to be his loyal minister of the Han Dynasty." He turned to look at Zhang Yan, who was still drinking at the banquet, and said, "General Zhang Yan, continue to arrange for the families of our Black Mountain Army tomorrow and find something for Xun Lingjun to do."

Zhang Yan immediately understood what he meant when he heard this. He smiled meaningfully and said, "Sure, sure. This is something that can be easily arranged."

Li Ru smiled and said to Ma Teng, "My old lord, just sit back and relax. Tomorrow, I will still let the young lady support Lord Xun and help him handle the government affairs of Chang'an. Since he is capable, he can just be the Chang'an magistrate of our Xiliang and serve us." After that, everyone looked at each other and laughed.

Xun Yu followed Guo Jia and Cao Ang into the inn. As soon as he sat down, Xun Yu couldn't wait to ask the previous question again.

Cao Ang's expression was solemn as he spoke slowly, "Lord Xun, the emperor is in good health. However, the current situation at court is far from optimistic. My father brought the emperor to Xudu to ascend the throne, intending to revive the Han Dynasty. However, the Han Dynasty has long been in decline, with numerous warlords separatist. The various regions are lip-service to the imperial decrees, making them difficult to implement. The Han Dynasty's prestige has faded, and many imperial decrees are like waste paper once they leave Xudu, ignored by the various princes. Although my father has devoted all his energy to trying to turn the tide, he can only struggle in this difficult situation."

Xun Yu listened quietly, his expression growing increasingly gloomy as he thought of the once glorious Han Dynasty's current state. He couldn't help but feel grief-stricken, his eyes welling up as tears welled up in his eyes. He felt a deep sense of regret and sorrow for the Han Dynasty's decline, a mixture of emotions welling up in his heart.

Seeing this, Guo Jia felt the time had come and seized the opportunity to persuade him, "Lord Xun, you possess the talent to assist the emperor. If you could return to Xudu, assist Cao Gong, and work with us to uphold the Han Dynasty, perhaps there would be a glimmer of hope. While Xiliang may appear stable now, it is, after all, a remote corner of the country. Furthermore, while Ma Chao may bear the title of King of Liang, he is pursuing separatist activities, and there's no guarantee he doesn't harbor ulterior motives. With your talents, remaining in Xiliang would be a waste of talent. Returning to the court would surely allow you to play a greater role, and there's no need to worry about not being able to restore the Han Dynasty's glory."

After hearing what Guo Jia said, Xun Yu said without any hesitation: "Of course I want to return to the emperor and serve him to the best of my ability. However, now I am detained in Chang'an in disguise, and many affairs are beyond my control. It is really difficult to get away." After that, he shook his head helplessly, his face full of worry.

Seeing this, Guo Jia smiled slightly and said confidently: "Lord Xun, this is not a difficult task. As long as you are loyal to the Han Dynasty and determined to return to the emperor, then leave everything to us. Master Zixiu and I will definitely find a way to help you get out of the predicament and return to Xu Du." As Guo Jia spoke, he looked at Xun Yu with a firm look, trying to reassure him.

Cao Ang echoed, "Lord Xun, Mr. Guo is absolutely right. Your loyalty to the Han Dynasty is evident to all, and we will not sit idly by and watch you trapped here. However, this matter requires careful consideration, and we must not act hastily, lest we alert the enemy."

Xun Yu looked at Cao Ang and Guo Jia, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He knew the difficulties of this undertaking were immense, but his inner desire to return to the emperor's side and uphold the Han dynasty compelled him to trust these two men. "Then I'll trouble you, gentlemen. I wonder how you intend to proceed?" Xun Yu asked, his tone tinged with eager anticipation.

Guo Jia's expression was solemn as he spoke slowly, "Lord Xun, do you remember Yuan Shao's attitude toward the emperor during the reign of the previous emperor? Yuan Shao's power has greatly increased. He has not only annexed Gongsun Zan of Youzhou but has also earned the loyalty of Gongsun Du of Liaodong. His power is at its peak, and his arrogance is unmatched. Now, he has even launched an attack on Tongguan, intending to seize Luoyang. We have come here to form an alliance with the Western Liang forces, to jointly launch an attack on Yuan Shao and relieve the court's urgent needs."

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu frowned and fell into deep thought. He knew full well that Yuan Shao was an ambitious man, and his current power was growing, posing a significant threat to the Han court. However, back in Xiliang, Ma Teng, Li Ru, and the others would not easily agree to an alliance. Furthermore, he was trapped here, and if anything went wrong regarding the alliance, escape would be even more difficult. After a moment's deliberation, Xun Yu said, "This is a serious matter. Ma Teng and the others are known for their suspicions, and I'm afraid they won't easily agree to an alliance. You two must proceed with extreme caution. If we can convince them, it will not only benefit the court, but may also aid my escape."

Cao Ang nodded and said, "Lord Xun is absolutely right. We will certainly proceed with caution. However, I hope Lord Xun will keep an eye on the movements of the people in Xiliang during this period. If there are any signs of trouble, please inform us immediately so that we can be prepared."

Xun Yu replied, "Of course. Although I am trapped here, I will do my best to help you two. I only hope to return to Xudu with you soon and contribute to the maintenance of the Han Dynasty."

Afterward, the three engaged in a deep discussion focusing on the feasibility of an alliance, strategies for persuading Xiliang, and the details of Xun Yu's escape. They alternated between expressing their own opinions and engaging in heated debate, attempting to find the optimal solution to the complex situation. Before they knew it, night had deepened, and moonlight streamed through the window onto the three men's exhausted yet resolute faces.

The discussion finally came to a halt around midnight. Xun Yu stood up to take his leave, and Cao Ang and Guo Jia escorted him to the door. Cao Ang said, "Lord Xun, you've worked hard today. Go back and get some rest. We'll visit again tomorrow to continue discussing this matter." Xun Yu nodded, bid farewell, and gradually disappeared into the night.

The next morning, as the rising sun barely shone across the streets of Chang'an, Xun Yu's residence was already bustling with activity. Several families of the Black Mountain Army gathered at the gate, each with an anxious expression. While their stories were mostly trivial, they all seemed distraught.

Xun Yu was about to leave when he saw them, realizing they were seeking help. He hesitated, saying, "I really want to handle these matters for you all, but I'm just a commoner with no real power. What can I do? It would be best if you all seek help from the government. I'm sure they'll find a good solution for us."

However, the crowd refused to give up and continued to huddle around Xun Yu, pleading bitterly. Some even knelt on the ground, as if refusing to get up unless Xun Yu agreed to help. Seeing this, Xun Yu hurried forward to help them up, his face full of helplessness and anxiety.

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, the sound of horse hooves echoed. Ma Yunlu, accompanied by a group of female guards, arrived, looking refreshed. Ma Yunlu said with a smile, "Sir, if you have any questions, please tell me. If you have any orders, just give them and I will carry them out for you."

The people seemed to have grasped a life-saving straw and echoed: "Yes, yes, sir, it all depends on you. We trust you!" For a moment, Xun Yu was surrounded by the crowd. He looked at Ma Yunlu's energetic and enthusiastic appearance, and then looked at the people around him who were full of expectations.

Xun Yu couldn't help but feel a little sorry. Looking at the anxious families of the Black Mountain Army, he sighed and began to deal with their affairs one by one. Ma Yunlu stood aside, directing the female guards beside him to write down the matters Xun Yu had instructed one by one. After receiving the order, the female guards quickly took action one by one.