Ma Chao and Lu Wan had a long conversation, and then they parted with great reluctance.
Along the way, Ma Chao pondered the purpose of his master taking the emperor away, while racking his brain on how to approach Dong Zhuo about returning to Western Liang, and what words to use to persuade Dong Zhuo.
At the same time, he kept recalling what Lu Wan had said about Cai Wenji's marriage, his heart was a tangled mess, with various complex thoughts surging and intertwining in his mind.
He rode his horse, walking distractedly, and before he knew it, he arrived at Cai Yong's residence.
Ma Chao thought that since he had already arrived, he might as well go in and see Cai Shi, after all, since coming to Luoyang these past few days, he had experienced many battles and had not had time to visit Cai Shi.
Firstly, he wanted to ask Cai Yong why he chose to take the Emperor away from the capital.
Secondly, he sought Cai Yong's opinions and suggestions on how to persuade Dong Zhuo to allow him to return to Western Liang.
Lastly, he also wanted to inquire about the specific situation of Wenji after her marriage.
Upon hearing the news of Ma Chao's request for an audience, Cai Yong was filled with excitement, and quickly walked out to personally welcome Ma Chao into the residence.
Ma Chao respectfully bowed to Cai Yong, who hastily helped Ma Chao up, and then the two began an in-depth conversation.
They first expressed their respective views on Lu Zhi's escort of the emperor in his escape.
Ma Chao was somewhat unclear about the reasons behind it, so Cai Yong patiently and meticulously explained the complexities of the capital's situation to him.
This included how He Jin and the Ten Attendants fiercely contended after Ma Chao returned to Western Liang, how the Ten Attendants meticulously planned to kill He Jin, how the aristocratic families who supported He Jin successfully annihilated the Ten Attendants, and how Dong Zhuo's Dong family then cleverly fished in troubled waters, seizing and gaining significant power amidst the chaos.
Perhaps Lu Zhi, based on such complex considerations, believed that the Dong family had long harbored intentions of installing another emperor, and Lu Zhi was marginalized in the Imperial Court, unable to access military power, and had no say.
Perhaps it was precisely for these reasons that he conceived the idea of escorting the emperor out of the capital.
At this point, Ma Chao finally resolved the doubts in his heart and clearly understood the entire sequence of events.
Ma Chao again discussed the current situation in the Imperial Court with Cai Yong, who could not help but sigh, saying that the Han Dynasty was already in turmoil, and such an act of a powerful minister installing another emperor would only gradually weaken the threats facing the Han Dynasty.
Ma Chao also deeply agreed, after all, he had studied under Lu Zhi, who always taught him to be loyal to the emperor and love the country, and he kept this in mind, but the current situation was truly something he did not wish to see.
Cai Yong could not help but say to Ma Chao, "Mengqi, you have achieved outstanding military merits at such a young age, shaking the Western Liang, is there any way to change the current situation?"
Cai Yong knew this was a bit difficult for Ma Chao, but he still said it.
Ma Chao replied, "Cai Gong, I have repeatedly advised Dong Gong, but unfortunately, Dong Gong's mind is already made up.
I truly cannot bear to see this situation.
But as for the situation you mentioned, what can I do?
Dong Gong saved my Ma family's life and promoted me when I was insignificant.
How can I go against Dong Gong?"
Cai Yong said, "Nonsense.
The great righteousness of the world is for the public, and private feelings are for the private.
How can one abandon the public for the private?"
Ma Chao remained silent.
After a while, Ma Chao said, "I also can't stand Dong Gong's current presumptuous and overbearing behavior, so I plan to return to Western Liang to defend the border and await a clearer situation."
Ma Chao said this with a heavy heart.
Cai Yong angrily said, "A true man should take the family and country as his responsibility, how can he evade when faced with difficulties?
I didn't expect you, Ma Mengqi, at such a young age, to have such cowardly behavior.
To shed blood and sacrifice for the country is what we of this generation should do."
Ma Chao was filled with shame, however, this matter was truly too difficult for Ma Chao.
Not to mention that Western Liang was originally Dong Zhuo's base, and Ma Chao also served under Dong Zhuo.
Furthermore, with the addition of the Bing Province Army and the West Liang Army, how could Ma Chao contend against them?
But Ma Chao greatly admired teachers like Lu Zhi and Cai Yong, and he both respected and loved their actions of knowingly doing the impossible, willing to shed blood and sacrifice for the country.
Lu Zhi calmed his emotions and said, "Mengqi, the important affairs of the Imperial Court are not something a youth who has not yet reached the age of twenty should bear.
I was a bit too emotional just now.
I hope you can always harbor the thought of loyalty to the emperor and love for the country in your heart.
We of this generation cannot change the current situation, and we will eventually die for it.
But you are still young, and you must preserve this ideology no matter what.
The future depends on you."
After they discussed the court situation for a while longer, Ma Chao finally couldn't help but ask about Cai Wenji's marriage.
Cai Yong's expression at this moment was slightly displeased, and with a hint of reproach, he said, "Mengqi, this is a time of national crisis, how can you only be concerned with personal affections?"
Ma Chao was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.
Cai Yong sighed lightly and then continued, "Forget it, since you asked, I will tell you.
Wenji already had an engagement with the Wei Family, and at this time, the situation in Luoyang is turbulent.
Although Wenji is still young to be married off so hastily, I have already prepared to die for my country.
If I cannot ensure Wenji a stable home, then how will she manage on her own in the future?
The Wei Family is also a prominent clan from Hedong, so they surely won't mistreat her."
Ma Chao quickly said, "But did you ask Wenji what she thought?
She has never met that person.
What if he treats her badly?"
Cai Yong slowly said, "Since the Wei Family is a prominent clan, how could they mistreat a delicate woman?
If the situation you mentioned truly occurs, then perhaps it is her fate.
I only wish that when news of my death reaches the Wei Family in Hedong, they will remember my loyalty to the country and treat Wenji a little better."
Upon hearing this, Ma Chao was filled with helplessness and melancholy, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Ma Chao secretly made up his mind that upon his return to Western Liang this time, he would definitely visit Hedong to personally see Cai Wenji's situation.
If she was doing well, then so be it, but if Wenji was not doing well, he would certainly uphold justice for her.
After making up his mind, Ma Chao expressed his thoughts to Cai Yong.
Cai Yong said, "Since you have decided to leave this vortex in the capital, it is actually a good thing for you.
Now, a slight mistake in the capital can lead to utter destruction and eternal damnation.
If you are truly preparing to return to Western Liang, you can come to me before you depart and help me take the books and other items I've organized to Wenji in Hedong.
Because I married her off in a hurry before, I didn't prepare any dowry.
These books, which I have organized throughout my life, can be considered her dowry, so that she may have something to remember me by."
Ma Chao naturally agreed without hesitation.
Afterwards, Ma Chao tried to persuade Cai Yong not to act on impulse.
He sincerely said, "Master, please do not act so impulsively.
It is the right path to preserve your useful body and await the appropriate time and ruler.
Why sacrifice your life in vain?
If you are willing, when I leave, you can come with me.
If you are willing to go to Western Liang, I will do my utmost to ensure your escape from the capital and your safety."
Upon hearing this, Cai Yong's eyes were filled with determination and resolve.
He gently shook his head and slowly said, "Mengqi, I understand your intentions and I am very grateful to you, but I have my persistence and beliefs.
Now the situation is critical, and the nation is in peril, how can I only care about my own safety and shrink back and escape?
I want to strive and fight for this Han Dynasty, for the people of the world, with all my might, even if it means sacrificing my life.
You are still young, and your future path is long.
You have your mission and responsibility.
You should return to Western Liang and develop yourself there.
Perhaps in the future, you can make greater contributions to the country.
Do not let me delay your future, and do not let me put you in danger."
Cai Yong firmly refused Ma Chao's idea, having already prepared to sacrifice himself for the greater good of the nation.
Ma Chao stood quietly, his eyes filled with complex emotions, gazing for a long time at Cai Yong's thin yet still upright figure, like a pine tree.
That figure, in his sight, seemed to carry endless vicissitudes and tenacity, stirring an indescribable emotion in his heart.
He deeply knew that he could never persuade Cai Yong to change his firm resolve with his words and strength, and this realization, besides emotion, added much deep reverence and profound regret to his heart.
He admired Cai Yong's loyal and righteous act to the extreme, and was both moved and helpless by Cai Yong's resolute determination to sacrifice everything for his beliefs.
At this moment, Ma Chao's thoughts were myriad.
He inwardly and firmly decided that no matter what difficulties and obstacles he would encounter in the future, no matter how much effort and painstaking care he would have to put in, he would definitely do his utmost to ensure Cai Wenji lived a happy and fulfilling life.
He would fulfill his promise with concrete actions, and absolutely not let down Cai Yong's full loyalty, nor Cai Yong's unreserved trust in him, and even more so, not let down Cai Yong's heavy entrustment of Cai Wenji to him.
He wanted Cai Yong to be able to do what he believed was right with peace of mind, and he would shoulder this responsibility and mission.
