OBS Chapter 1203 Zhou Yu Arrives, Ma Chao is Overjoyed
Chapter 1203 Zhou Yu Arrives, Ma Chao is Overjoyed
Two days later, Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu were discussing their departure when they were stopped by their attendants. They were told that the King of Liang had instructed them that the Celestial Master Zhang Lu had consulted the calendar and determined that the 26th of this month was an auspicious day for the King to take another concubine. Furthermore, several envoys from other vassal states had not yet arrived due to their long journeys and would need to wait a while longer.
These words startled both of them. Guan Yu frowned deeply and said in a low voice, "You've just married your principal wife, and now you're already taking a concubine?" Zhuge Liang's feather fan stopped in front of his chest, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes—Ma Chao's actions were not necessarily impulsive. He did have several confidantes, yet he insisted on marrying them in two separate marriages, presumably to emphasize Dong Bai's status as the principal wife, both in accordance with etiquette and to make it clear to others that the primary and secondary wives were equal.
"In that case, let's stay a few more days," Zhuge Liang said to Guan Yu, gently waving his feather fan. "It'll be a good opportunity to see the atmosphere of Xiliang and perhaps gain more insights." Although Guan Yu was puzzled, he nodded in agreement and could only patiently stay.
Cao Ang, however, showed no sign of being in a hurry to leave. During his stay at the Ma family's residence, he felt none of the formality expected of an envoy. He spent his days riding alongside the military officers and his evenings chatting with the strategists of Xiliang. The civil and military officials of Xiliang treated him like family; Ma Chao, when drunk, would pat him on the shoulder and call him "brother-in-law," and even Ma Teng and his wife often invited him to stay for meals, treating him like a close relative. This comfortable situation made him feel even more at ease than in Xuchang.
Yang Biao, however, had other plans. These past few days, he had been using various pretexts to contact Li Ru, constantly probing the conditions for surrender, but he always stalled due to the strict rules imposed on aristocratic families in Xiliang. Although there were many warlords in the land, only Yuan Shao and Ma Chao could be considered truly top-tier. Yuan Shao was already the head of an aristocratic family; if they were to ally with him, it would only be icing on the cake, not a core position. Ma Chao's side was different. While the aristocratic families in Xiliang were law-abiding, none could truly transcend the rules; they all acted within the law—this was both a constraint and an opportunity. If he could establish himself in Xiliang, with the Yang family's foundation, he might very well regain his former glory.
Ma Chao's stance remained clear: those who wished to enter Xiliang had to abide by its rules; the privileges of aristocratic families could not supersede the law. Yang Biao then considered stalling for a few more days to see if he could find room for maneuver. Moreover, he had heard that the Xiliang army would hold a military review after the New Year; how could he miss such a grand occasion? He could observe their military might while also delaying the inevitable, which suited his needs perfectly, so he was in no hurry to leave.
Thus, despite their differing thoughts, they all remained in Chang'an for the time being. The snow outside the city gradually melted, revealing the gray eaves of the houses, with lanterns hanging under them in festive red, as if foreshadowing that this upcoming joyous occasion would stir the hearts of even more people.
On the morning of the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, Chang'an was shrouded in a soft, falling snow. A thin layer of white covered the tops of the gray city walls, and icicles hanging from the eaves reflected a cold light. Suddenly, a swift horse broke through the snow and headed straight for the Liang Prince's residence. The rider tumbled off, clutching an urgent report from the Tongguan garrison commander, and knelt before the steps: "Your Majesty! The Jiangdong envoys arrived at Tongguan last night. The commander has arranged for them to rest inside the pass. They set off this morning and are expected to arrive in Chang'an this evening!"
"The Jiangdong envoy?" Ma Chao was wearing a fox fur coat and watching the snow under the eaves when he heard this. He turned around abruptly, took the urgent report, and his brows relaxed instantly. It said that the person who came this time was Zhou Yu with his wife Xiao Qiao, accompanied by Sun Shao, the ruler of Jiangdong, and his mother, as well as the general Gan Ning as a guard.
"Gongjin has arrived!" Ma Chao's face broke into a genuine smile. He knew that Jiangdong would send an envoy, but it was rare for Zhou Yu to visit in person, not to mention that Sun Shao and his mother were also there. This friendship was truly extraordinary.
In the afternoon, the snow continued, with fine snowflakes scattered across the sky like crushed salt grains. Ma Chao couldn't contain himself. He first sent men to wait at the city gate, but then felt that wasn't enough, so he summoned Xu Shu and Xu Huang: "You two take a squad of personal guards and go twenty miles outside the city to meet them. If you encounter areas with heavy snow, send more men to help clear the way."
Xu Shu and Xu Huang accepted the order and left, their horses' hooves leaving deep imprints on the snow.
As the sun began to set, the envoys were supposed to arrive, but there was still no movement at the city gate. Ma Chao grew increasingly anxious and summoned Pang De and Lu Su: "Go and wait ten miles away. If you see the troops, urge them to hurry. Don't let Gongjin and the others freeze in the wind and snow."
When Pang De and Lu Su set off, the snow had fallen even more heavily, turning the world into a vast expanse of white. Ma Chao simply pulled Dong Bai along, personally donned a heavy cloak, and waited at the foot of the city gate tower. Dong Bai, holding a hand warmer, said softly, "The snow is heavy and the roads are slippery, so we've been delayed. Don't worry, my lord."
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar. It was Xu Shu who sent someone to report: "Your Majesty, we have met up with the Jiangdong troops twenty miles away. However, the snow is deep and the roads are slippery, so their progress is slow. They are still twenty miles away from Chang'an."
Ma Chao breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand: "Understood. Let them walk slowly and don't panic."
Twenty miles away, in the ranks, Gan Ning dismounted and said to Zhou Yu in the carriage, "Commander, Xu Shu and Xu Huang have arrived with their men!"
Zhou Yu lifted the carriage curtain and saw Xu Shu and Xu Huang standing in the snow, bowing and waiting. He quickly said to Xiao Qiao beside him, "It turns out that Yuanzhi and Gongming have come to greet us in person."
Xiao Qiao smiled and draped a thick fox fur cloak over him: "Xu Huang and Xu Shu are both my elder brother's most trusted ministers. We cannot be impolite to such treatment."
Zhou Yu stepped out of the carriage and returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Yuanzhi, Gongming, thank you for coming from afar to welcome me."
"You're too kind, Grand Commander!" Xu Huang laughed heartily, brushing the snow off his clothes. "The snowstorm is too heavy, making the roads difficult to travel. It's normal to be delayed for a while. The King knew you were coming and was already waiting for you at the city gate with the Queen."
Zhou Yu was taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "Brother, you are too kind. In that case, let's hurry up and not keep him waiting."
The group quickened their pace, and after traveling about ten miles, they encountered Pang De and Lu Su standing in the snow with their men. Pang De's voice boomed, "Gongjin! We've been waiting for you!"
Lu Su also cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Grand Commander, you must be tired from your journey. His Majesty is waiting for you at the city gate."
Looking at the crowd who came to greet him in the snow, and then at Xiao Qiao wrapped tightly in her cloak beside him and Sun Shao and his mother in the carriage, Zhou Yu felt a surge of warmth in his heart and sighed softly, "I am quite flattered by your kind hospitality, brother."
Lu Su laughed and said, "The Grand Commander and my king are sworn brothers. What is this small courtesy? Let's hurry up and go. If we stay any longer, the snow will probably get even heavier."
In the wind and snow, the two groups of people joined together and slowly made their way towards the gates of Chang'an. On the gate tower, Ma Chao saw the moving black shadows in the distance and couldn't help but straighten his back. Dong Bai whispered beside him, "They're here."
The snow beneath the city gate was cleared, and Ma Chao strode down the stairs through the puddles, his robes fluttering as he kicked up specks of ice foam: "Open the city gate! Quickly! Civil and military officials, line up on both sides, braziers and hot soup are all prepared, follow me out of the city to welcome Gongjin!"
Upon receiving the order, the heavy city gates creaked open, letting in a howling wind carrying snowflakes. Ma Chao and Dong Bai stood side by side inside the gate, their black and crimson fox fur coats standing out starkly against the snowstorm. Palace attendants held up gilded parasols, gently brushing the snowflakes from their shoulders. The civil and military officials on either side, however, received no such treatment. Snowflakes settled on their hats and robes, quickly forming a thin layer of white, but none dared to brush it away. They stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, their gazes fixed on the snow-blurred path outside the city.
Yang Biao pulled his cold sleeves tighter, gazing at Ma Chao and his wife, their figures completely sheltered by the umbrella. A barely perceptible bitterness tugged at the corner of his mouth. Although he had also received courtesy when he arrived, it was merely Xu Shu greeting him at the gate of the mansion; how could there be such a grand spectacle? Both were envoys, yet the difference in their treatment was so stark; he couldn't help but feel resentful.
Zhuge Liang tightened his fur cloak, but his gaze fell on the gradually clearing procession through the snow in the distance. He whispered to Guan Yu beside him, "Yun Chang, look, the King of Liang's regard for the Jiangdong group is beyond what ordinary friendly nations show."
Guan Yu frowned deeply, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly: "What does Kongming mean?"
"General Sun Ce and the King of Liang were sworn brothers, their friendship was deep. Back then, Jiangdong was conquered by Ma Chao and Sun Ce together, but Ma Chao handed it over to Sun Ce." Zhuge Liang tapped the fan lightly with his fingertips. "Now that Sun Ce has passed away, his son Sun Shao is able to hold Jiangdong firmly, entirely thanks to the King of Liang's mediation. This time, Zhou Yu has personally arrived with his mother and the young lord, and Your Majesty has treated him with such great respect..." He paused, lowering his voice even further, "I'm afraid it won't be long before Jiangdong changes hands."
Guan Yu remained silent. He didn't understand the intricacies of the situation, but he could see the unusual warmth in Ma Chao's eyes. It was the familiarity one shows to one's own people, not the polite formality of a foreign envoy.
As they were talking, a rapid sound of hooves suddenly came from outside the city, like the beat of drums striking the frozen ground. The sound initially lingered in the distant snowstorm, but in an instant it broke through the pervasive snow mist, and several fine horses broke free from the caravan behind them, galloping towards them like arrows released from a bow.
At the very front, a magnificent white horse carried a rider clad in silver armor, almost blending into the snowstorm. It was Zhou Yu. He had spotted the figure standing at the city gate in the distance; that familiar silhouette was instantly recognizable even through the swirling snow. His heart was already surging with emotion; the excitement he had previously suppressed erupted like a volcano, overwhelming all restraint. Finding the carriage too slow, he spurred his horse forward, with his three generals, Gan Ning, Xu Huang, and Pang De, close behind. The snow kicked up by their hooves traced three white arcs in the wind.
"Brother—!"
A shout pierced the wind and snow, carrying an uncontrollable tremor. Zhou Yu abruptly tightened the reins, and his white horse reared up, letting out a long neigh. He dismounted, snow falling from his silver armor, and without bothering to brush the snow off his body, he rushed to Ma Chao in a few strides.
Ma Chao had already strode forward to meet him.
Just as Zhou Yu was about to bow in respect, a pair of strong arms suddenly pulled him into an embrace. The embrace carried the chill of the wind and snow, yet it possessed an undeniable warmth and strength. A thousand words caught in his throat, finally escaping only to a muffled "Brother," before he was held tightly in the other's arms.
"Gongjin." Ma Chao's voice was slightly hoarse as he patted Zhou Yu's back with such force that it felt like he was being machinated into his very bones. The years of separation, the barriers of wind and snow, and the dangers of the battlefield were all crushed in this embrace at this moment, leaving only the burning warmth of reunion.
Gan Ning, Xu Huang, and Pang De stood to the side, watching the two embrace, their faces showing relieved smiles. In the distance, Lu Su and Xu Shu slowly approached with their entourage; the sound of wheels rolling over the snow mingled with the warmth of their reunion, even softening the swirling snowstorm.
The wind at the city gate was still biting, but between the two people embracing at this moment, it was as if a flame had risen, enough to dispel all the chill and gloom.