Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Li Ru smiled gently at Cao Ang and asked, "Master Cao, after reading this battle report, what do you think of the Prince of Liang? I'm sure you have many opinions."

Upon hearing this, Cao Ang's expression immediately grew serious and solemn. After a moment's thought, he slowly spoke, "According to the battle reports, the King of Liang exterminated the Xiongnu, a feat unparalleled in history. With extraordinary courage and outstanding military talent, he defended the dignity of the Han Dynasty and protected the people. He is truly a hero of the nation."

Li Ru smiled and nodded, then took over the conversation, saying, "Master Cao is absolutely right. My king has always put the people first. Despite his high position, he always sympathizes with the common people. He knows that the people living on the border are suffering from the Xiongnu invasions, lacking food and clothing, and are suffering terribly. Therefore, he is determined to completely eradicate this scourge of the Xiongnu, so that the people can live a stable life, no longer in fear, and have enough clothes to wear and food to eat. This is the fundamental reason why he is determined to exterminate the Xiongnu at all costs."

Upon hearing this, Cao Ang's admiration deepened. He continued, "And the Prince of Liang actually offered the recovered Bingzhou to Gongsun Zan. This act demonstrates his noble character and broad-mindedness. In these turbulent times, land and power are so tempting, but the Prince of Liang remains unmoved. What matters most is the friendship he shares with Gongsun Zan. This deep and profound friendship is truly moving. Such a commitment to loyalty and righteousness is truly unmatched by ordinary people."

Li Ru stroked his beard and said seriously, "Young Master Cao, you don't know this. General Gongsun Zan and the King of Liang did not get along well before. The late emperor interfered, causing a rift between them. Gongsun Zan, instigated by the late emperor, has never been kind to the King of Liang, and the two sides have had many quarrels. Even so, the King of Liang has never taken these past grudges to heart. After Gongsun Zan's defeat in Youzhou, his power has been greatly reduced. The King of Liang is well aware of his difficult situation. Bingzhou is Gongsun Zan's hope for a comeback. The King of Liang did this, firstly out of consideration for their old friendship, and secondly, in the hope that Gongsun Zan can grow and develop in Bingzhou, jointly resist foreign enemies, and add strength to the Han Dynasty. This shows great magnanimity and wisdom."

Cao Ang was stunned upon hearing this. He paused for a moment before speaking, "Such a complex past! I had assumed they had always been on good terms, but I never imagined the Prince of Liang would put aside past grudges and offer an entire state to us. Such generosity truly humbles Cao Ang. The Prince of Liang is truly a contemporary hero, deeply loyal and righteous. He is truly admirable."

Cao Ang nodded repeatedly, his eyes growing increasingly fiery, unable to conceal his inner excitement. "As for the fact that the Prince of Liang resolutely led his army to the grasslands to fight, intending to plunder the land and pursue the enemy northward, it fully demonstrates his heroism and courage. This is to completely eradicate the border threat and ensure eternal peace for the people of the Han Dynasty. Such heroic deeds of leading the charge without fear are truly the epitome of a true man."

Li Ru said solemnly, "Indeed. The Prince of Liang had a far-sighted vision and understood the threat posed by the nomadic peoples of the grasslands to the Han frontiers. If not thoroughly resolved, border troubles would be endless, and the people would never have peace. He disregarded his own safety and personally led his army deep into the grasslands, determined to eradicate the problem and create a peaceful and prosperous era for future generations. Such responsibility and courage are not something that ordinary people possess."

After hearing Li Ru's explanation, Cao Ang was filled with admiration for Ma Chao and exclaimed, "The Prince of Liang's actions have truly opened my eyes. He is truly a rare hero in the world and a role model for us all to learn from."

Li Ru watched Cao Ang's heartfelt remarks with a look of fascination on his face, his eyes almost fanatical, as if his admiration for Ma Chao had penetrated his bones. He secretly laughed inwardly, but this was exactly what he and Ma Teng had hoped to see: they wanted Cao Ang to have the fanatical admiration for Ma Chao that he would have for a believer.

After all, Ma Chao's cause in Xiliang required the support and assistance of various forces. As Cao Cao's eldest son, Cao Ang played a pivotal role in Cao Cao's forces.

Everyone was still chattering, the atmosphere lively and bustling. Ma Teng, however, was feeling a pang of worry. Unable to suppress his doubts, he eagerly asked Li Ru for advice. He looked around and said, "You can chat here for now. Let's all stay here for lunch together, as a celebration." Then, he looked at Li Ru with a meaningful look in his eyes. "Mr. Li, let's discuss the mission to Bingzhou."

Li Ru naturally understood what Ma Teng meant. He nodded slightly and said, "Shou Chenggong, let's go."

As soon as he stepped into the room, Ma Teng was like an ant on a hot pan, and he couldn't wait to speak: "Wenyou, this can't be allowed! Chao'er's whereabouts are of utmost importance. It concerns the life and death of Xiliang. How can we let Cao Ang know so easily? If he is not careful and leaks the news, Chang'an will be in danger, and the whole of Xiliang will suffer! If the princes knew that Xiliang is now short of troops, they would pounce on us like hungry wolves. Then it would be a disaster!"

Li Ru, however, remained calm, his confident smile still plastered on his face as he spoke slowly, "My Lord, please don't worry. Think about it, if we want to accomplish something great, we'll need help from all sides. Cao Ang is Cao Cao's eldest son, and holds a crucial position in the Cao family. Since we're determined to win him over and use him for Xiliang, we shouldn't be so secretive. Look at Cao Ang's reaction to what the king did just now. His face was filled with admiration and yearning, even more fervent than that of the most devout believer! In my opinion, he truly admires the king. How could he easily do something that would harm the king and ruin the King of Liang's plans?"

Li Ru paused, a shrewd glint in his eyes as he continued, "The current situation is like boiling medicine; the heat is almost right. Think about it, if Cao Ang marries Miss Yunlu, and something happens to Cao Cao, and Master Cao Ang inherits the throne, wouldn't the Cao family's fortune indirectly belong to the Ma family? By then, our Xiliang power will be at its peak, and there's no need to worry about failing to achieve our great cause!"

Ma Teng felt that there was some truth in what he said, but he was still worried. He frowned and stared at Li Ru and asked, "Are you so sure? If things don't go as you expect, the consequences will be disastrous!"

Li Ru smiled softly, patted Ma Teng on the shoulder, and said, "When it comes to people's hearts and vision, Lord Shoucheng, do you think you still don't trust me? I'm not bragging, but when it comes to understanding people's hearts and judging situations, I'm probably at least one of the best in the world, right?"

Ma Teng then nodded slightly, his expression somewhat relieved. He said, "Of course I trust you, sir. However, this matter is of great importance, so I can't help but feel a little worried. Sir, do you have to go on this trip to Bingzhou? Just now, in front of the children, I didn't explain it too clearly because I didn't want them to worry."

Li Ru snorted coldly, his face half-smiled, and said, "Hmph, Gongsun Zan came here after his defeat, and it was already a benevolent act of the king to give him a place to stay. Now the king is actually handing Bingzhou over to us. Look, such a large territory, he is not afraid of stretching it, and he accepted it so easily. I am going to go and teach him a lesson and observe the situation. If we can make Gongsun Zan's troops in Bingzhou work for us, then he can be made a general of the Ma family and guard Bingzhou. He will naturally be given a high position and generous salary. But if he wants to use Bingzhou as a base to make an enemy of Xiliang in the future, how can I sit idly by and let him do whatever he wants?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Teng raised his eyebrows slightly and asked, "Mr. Wenyou, how confident are you about going there this time?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ru smiled confidently and said, "Mr. Shoucheng always worries too much. I haven't even gone yet, so who can say for sure? But don't worry, I know what's going on."

After hearing this, Ma Teng smiled apologetically and said, "Alas, it was my fault for being reckless and too anxious. But I believe that if you take action, you will definitely succeed."

When Li Ru heard what Ma Teng said, he showed a cunning smile. The two looked at each other, and Ma Teng couldn't help laughing heartily. The laughter echoed in the study, as if it also dispelled the solemn atmosphere just now.

----

While some people are filled with joy and contentment, others are plagued by sorrow and melancholy. Lü Bu, relying on his own bravery and strategy, had seized Xiapi and Xiaopei, seemingly establishing his own territory and becoming a member of the feudal lords. However, the bitterness and resentment in his heart lingered like a shadow.

Cao Cao always maintained due respect for Lü Bu. During each meeting, Cao Cao was courteous and polite, his every gesture displaying his respect for the local lord, as if Lü Bu were truly his equal and equally powerful ally. However, Lü Bu knew clearly that this so-called respect was merely a facade, like a mirage, shattered at the slightest touch. When it came to the actual distribution of benefits, Cao Cao hadn't even scratched his head, effectively being left out by Cao Cao.

Take the capture of Xuzhou, for example. Recalling this, Lü Bu's fury surged. Had it not been for Lü Bu charging into battle, single-handedly against Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, with Cao Cao's men, who could have withstood the onslaught of Liu Bei and his brothers? Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, each highly skilled in martial arts, combined their power was formidable. Lü Bu saw Cao Cao's generals as mere misfits, no match for the combined might of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. And Lü Bu, fighting for this battle with all his might, risking his life on the front lines.

But what was the result? After taking Xuzhou, Lü Bu simply wanted to use it as a base to further develop his power. After all, Xuzhou's advantageous geographical location, large population, and abundant food and fodder made it an ideal place for him to gain a foothold. However, this reasonable request was rejected by Cao Cao without hesitation. Back in Chang'an, Cao Cao had spoken so sweetly to win Lü Bu over to fight against all the forces, promising that as long as they worked together, Lü Bu would certainly benefit greatly after the success. But now, with the passage of time and circumstances changing, Cao Cao had turned his back on him, and his previous promises had vanished like smoke in the wind.

This duplicity fueled Lü Bu's resentment, surging like a raging river. He held the title of vassal lord in name only, but not in reality. The superficial respect he received could not fill the void left by the lack of real benefits. This precarious position left Lü Bu feeling deeply frustrated and on pins and needles. He knew that if this continued, his situation would only become increasingly difficult under Cao Cao's schemes. His resentment towards Cao Cao surged like an undercurrent deep within his heart, threatening to erupt like a volcano, unleashing a torrent and shattering the seemingly calm, yet turbulent, situation.