Mythical Three Kingdoms

Speaking of which, up until now, Liu Bei has not done anything overly inappropriate regarding the Han Dynasty. On the contrary, he has been tirelessly striving to rebuild and restore the Han Dynasty.

Thus, even though some of the feudal lords spread rumors claiming that Liu Bei has ambitions to usurp, there has been no evidence supporting this. In fact, Liu Bei has truly been working to solidify the foundations of the Han Dynasty. This fact is acknowledged by all sages, including Cao Cao, though they are quite curious as to where Liu Bei’s wealth and resources come from.

This has also become the source of their confidence in being able to slow Liu Bei down. Their aim is not to force Liu Bei to completely give up his offensives, but rather, when faced with an imperial edict, even knowing there may be deceit involved, Liu Bei’s loyalty would cause him to hesitate for a moment. From Xiahou Yuan’s perspective, the current imperial edict has had unexpectedly spectacular effects.

Afterward, at Liu Bei’s invitation, Xiahou Yuan, Ma Teng, and the Emperor’s envoy all entered Ye City with Liu Bei. As for the edict sent to Yuan Tan, it was already en route under the protection of another envoy escorted by Cai Yang. Accompanying this edict was also a secret letter from Cao Cao.

From the moment Xiahou Yuan entered the city, his mood soured. Beyond Zhang Fei’s grim and dark face, he had also keenly noticed many dangerous figures; none of the military generals surrounding Liu Bei seemed easy to handle.

Meanwhile, Ma Chao, carefree as usual, was glancing around in awe. For a young man from a border area like Fufeng, seeing a bustling metropolis like Ye City, teeming with people, was both shocking and eye-opening. In contrast, Chang’an, despite Zhong Yao’s efforts, had long since lost its imperial grandeur and could not compete with Ye City’s prosperity.

”This young man must be the son of General Ma. Indeed, he is a heroic youth,” Liu Bei said suddenly, his attention turning toward Ma Chao, who was still gawking at his surroundings.

”I am unworthy of such praise. My son is unruly; I ask for Lord Xuande’s understanding,” Ma Teng immediately responded with a salute. From their earlier meeting, Ma Teng had already recognized the gulf between himself and Liu Bei. He then patted Ma Chao on the shoulder, signaling him to bow to Liu Bei.

”Ma Chao of Xiliang, Ma Mengqi, greets Lord Xuande,” Ma Chao said without the slightest disrespect this time, his tone exceptionally reverent. Xiahou Yuan, too, showed no particular reaction, as though harmony prevailed among the three parties.

”Good, good, good,” Liu Bei said with a smile, grabbing Ma Chao’s hand while pulling Fa Zheng closer. ”Xiaoo Zhi, you and Meng Qi are close in age, and both excel in your respective fields—one in intellect, the other in martial prowess. You two should converse often and learn from each other.”

Liu Bei’s intention was obvious: he hoped Fa Zheng would let go of any personal grievances against Ma Chao and work together toward the restoration of the Han Dynasty. Fa Zheng instantly understood Liu Bei’s thoughts, and with a radiant smile, he extended his hand toward Ma Chao, completely erasing any trace of previous hostility.

But Ma Chao hesitated; he had been tormented enough by Fa Zheng in recent times. Could he truly let everything go as easily as Fa Zheng seemed to suggest? There was something unsettling about the overly amiable smile Fa Zheng wore.

”That boy has been given a hard time by Xiaoo Zhi,” Jia Xu’s voice drifted into Guo Jia’s ears, while Guo Jia wore a stiff expression.

”It seems Xiaoo Zhi’s antics have left the other party quite exasperated,” Li You’s voice whispered into Chen Xi’s ear, prompting Chen Xi to purse his lips.

”He must’ve been bored and used Cao Cao as leverage to suppress the other side,” Guo Jia murmured, his voice clear to Jia Xu despite not moving his lips.

”Truly too idle. Let’s find him something to do,” Chen Xi shrugged. ”Next, we’ll focus on construction. Let him team up with Zijing—Zijing takes the North, and he collaborates with Kongming in the South. Whoever accomplishes more will win the task of overseeing the region.”

”Isn’t this supposed to be your responsibility?” Li You asked after a brief silence. ”If you intend to shirk this construction work, then join me and Wen He in strategizing the development of northern Youzhou and the Northeastern Great Plain. The challenges there are many.”

Li You’s eerie voice reached Chen Xi. Aside from improving the lives of the people, there was likely nothing more tempting to Li You than a grand project like developing the vast Northeastern Great Plain to enrich the nation. Everything else seemed insignificant to him now.

At this moment, Fa Zheng let out a soft laugh, extending his hand toward Ma Chao as if all previous grievances and conflicts were swept away with this one smile.

”Meng Qi, you and I both know the source of our past grudges. The women of the Wang Family and Jiangg Family were powerless to resist their fates. Jiangg Ying coming into our lives was predestined, just as the Wang Family Woman not coming was also fate. To compromise the Han Dynasty’s cause of loyalty for one woman is unworthy. Meng Qi, would you let bygones be bygones with a single smile?” Fa Zheng’s warm words and outstretched hand sharply contrasted with his former haughtiness.

Ma Chao opened his mouth but ultimately refrained from extending his hand. He wasn’t so naive as to believe that by shaking hands now, Fa Zheng would cease holding past events over him. As Fa Zheng had once said, he sought amusement and happened upon the Ma Clan as a convenient target for venting.

But could one truly settle everything with a single smile? Ma Chao found it impossible. He lacked Fa Zheng’s effortless poise. Fa Zheng stood at such heights that tarnishing him would be a formidable challenge, while Ma Chao had yet to rise to such a stature.

Fa Zheng’s casual gesture left Ma Chao feeling entirely ungrounded. Fa Zheng had moved on, but could Ma Chao set aside his own pride? Could he truly relinquish everything in the face of what seemed like charity from Fa Zheng? The Ma Clan wasn’t even significant enough to warrant prolonged resentment. Could Ma Chao treat this dismissal as mere magnanimity?

”I beg Lord Xuande’s pardon for my recklessness. I also ask Brother Xiaoo Zhi to forgive my impudence,” Ma Chao said slowly. In that moment, the weight on his heart seemed to disappear—only to be replaced by an even heavier burden.

Liu Bei’s expression reflected a slight awkwardness, but he refrained from pressing further, instead turning his attention back to introducing Ye City to Ma Teng and Xiahou Yuan.

Ma Teng’s face, however, visibly darkened. Such a prime opportunity had been squandered by his obstinate son. Had Ma Chao not observed Fa Zheng’s cunning during their journey?

”Marquis of Taiting, I must take the liberty of speaking for my son in accepting this matter on his behalf. My son’s foolishness begs forgiveness,” Ma Teng said with a sigh, his tone earnest, truly concerned for Ma Chao.

”Marquis of Huaili, there’s no need,” Fa Zheng said with a slight shake of his head, refusing the proposition. In such circumstances, his refusal meant he had no desire to revisit the matter, and thus any notion of resolving the grudge on Ma Teng’s behalf was rendered moot.

Xiahou Yuan observed Fa Zheng and Ma Chao with a fleeting glance. He’d previously been apprehensive about the possibility of the two reconciling, but the unexpected outcome left him somewhat amused.

”I told you before, I will repay you one day!” Ma Chao’s defiant voice reached Fa Zheng’s ears, laced with cold pride. ”Until then, vent all the fire in your heart upon me as you wish!”

”I no longer harbor any fire, nor do I have the patience for such trivial pursuits…” Fa Zheng replied, his calm words piercing Ma Chao far deeper than fury ever could.

Fa Zheng’s detached response unsettled Ma Chao further. If Fa Zheng had still harbored a grudge, perhaps Ma Chao could have embraced Liu Bei’s orchestrated reconciliation. But in this situation, was there any meaning to such a resolution? (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)