【The Dream of the Three Kingdoms】(Chapter 3)

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Chapter Three: Apprenticeship with Cai Yong, Rescue
at Mangshan Ma Zheng, served by Liu Xiu and Zou Yuniang, found the long journey quite pleasant: during the day,

the bandits who tried to rob him were thoroughly thwarted by the two human monsters, Dian Wei and Xu Chu, experiencing firsthand what it meant to "try to steal a chicken

but lose the rice instead"; at night, he could fully enjoy Liu Xiu's charm and Zou Yuniang's valor. The proud princess and

the valiant general moaning softly beneath him filled Ma Zheng with a sense of conquest.
That day, the princess's caravan was approaching Luoyang by a hundred li. Inside the carriage, Princess Liu Zheng of Yangdi was passionately

thrusting between Ma Zheng's legs, while Zou Yuniang pressed tightly against him, her proud breasts squeezing against his hot, hard

back . The heat emanating from her nipples and the lewd atmosphere in the carriage made Zou Yuniang's pretty face flush red and her beautiful eyes filled with spring.

The allure of the valiant
Just as Ma Zheng was preparing to leap onto his horse, spear in hand, and wreak havoc, Dian Wei's booming voice rang out from outside the carriage:

"My lord, we've spotted someone being ambushed and killed by men in black ahead..." This sudden voice was like a bucket of ice water,

completely extinguishing Ma Zheng's burning desire...
??? "Oh! People dare to ambush others even under the Emperor's nose? Have you found out who they are? Never mind! Give me my

sword, I'll go see..." This voice, filled with gritted teeth, sent chills down the spines of the guards Xu Chu and Dian Wei

...
The warrior in full armor spurred his horse and galloped away, while Dian Wei and Xu Chu exchanged a glance and followed...
Meanwhile, the ambush on the official road was nearing its end: several men dressed as servants lay sprawled

on the ground! Only an old man with a white beard was still stubbornly resisting the attack of seven or eight men

in black ... On the other side, a pretty young girl in a purple dress

was anxiously watching the battle, clutching a guqin (a seven-stringed zither). Strangely, however, the guqin's tail had burn marks. Seeing this guqin reminded Ma Zheng of what

he had learned when he impersonated a musician on a mission: the "Burnt-Tail Qin" was

a guqin made by Cai Yong, a famous writer and musician of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
When Cai Yong was "fleeing on the rivers and seas, far away in Wu and Yue," he rescued a piece of

paulownia wood that was not completely burned and had an unusual sound from a fire. Based on the length and shape of the wood, he made a seven-stringed guqin, and because the tail still had burn marks,

he named it "Burnt-Tail." So, was that noble and elegant girl with a worried expression Cai Yan? The historically

renowned talented woman—Cai Wenji? " Save him first, no matter what," Ma Zheng thought, his heart pounding with excitement.

He
spurred his horse into a gallop, shouting, "Under the Emperor's nose, in the heart of the capital, how dare you gather a crowd to kill?" "Where did this reckless brat come from? Third brother, take him out, and be quick about it..." a burly man with a full

beard casually ordered, then

brandished his sword, preparing to continue the attack on Cai Yi. Just as he raised his sword, he heard a short, sharp scream. Turning around, he saw that the third brother had already had his throat slit by the meddlesome blond-haired youth.

"Kid, we were sent by Eunuch Zhang .
If you know what's good for you, don't interfere." "Oh? So you're from the palace. If we kill you all, who knows what will happen?"

Ma Zheng said mockingly, looking at the cowardly man in black.
"You'll regret this, kid... Fourth brother, go grab that girl, everyone else, kill Cai Yi right now..."
"Xu Chu, protect that girl, Dian Wei, follow me and kill... leave no one alive!"
On the other side, a pretty young woman, her face filled with worry, saw Ma Zheng, dressed in white robes, slay the arrogant man in black with a single stroke.

His commanding presence reminded her of a playful exchange with her best friend (I don't know if this term existed in the Eastern Han Dynasty, just

bear with it!). Hearing that he had specially sent people to protect her filled her heart with a sweet warmth...
Soon, the assassins were all slaughtered. Cai Yi, dressed in a scholar's robe, said to Ma Zheng, "This old man, Cai Yi, thanks you for saving my life, young

brother . Zhao Ji, why don't you come and thank your benefactor? Zhao Ji?
" Seeing his daughter Cai Yi's flushed face and unfocused eyes, Ma Zheng felt extremely embarrassed. Just as he was about to apologize, Ma Zheng gestured and

said, "So it's you, Master Cai. It's only right to help those in need. Master Cai, there's no need for this..."
Full of confusion, Ma Zheng asked Cai Yi, "Why are you being chased, Master Cai?"
"Three years ago, I couldn't stand the Ten Attendants' rampant abuse of power, so I submitted a memorial impeaching them, but instead, I was dismissed..."
"Oh! Master Cai, there's no need for this. Eunuchs are ultimately just products of imperial power. The current emperor comes from a poor background

and is not the son of the late emperor. He relies heavily on eunuchs to counterbalance the scholars and the empress's relatives. Moreover, most eunuchs are of low birth, and their families

are often disreputable. Once the time is right, they can be eliminated... However, I think what's truly worrying are the northern

tribes, especially the Xianbei..."
"Young brother, your words have enlightened me. You have an extraordinary bearing. May I ask which family you belong to?
" "Elder Cai, you flatter me! My ancestor, General Ma Yuan, who subdued the waves, has fallen on hard times and is now among bandits, disgracing his illustrious name..."
Cai Yong stroked his beard and smiled, "Would you be willing to become my disciple?"
"This, this..." Ma Zheng's face showed helplessness.
Cai Yong's expression changed, and he hurriedly asked, "Do you already have a master?"
Ma Zheng said, "I have no master!"
Cai Yong's expression softened slightly, but he pressed on, "Do you think I am unworthy to be your teacher?"
Ma Zheng shook his head repeatedly, "Sir, you misunderstand me. You are learned and talented, knowledgeable in classics, history, astronomy,

music , and skilled in poetry. I admire you greatly, how could I think you are unworthy to be my teacher?

It's not that I don't want to, but that I cannot!" "
???" Cai Yong's expression softened slightly, and he let out a soft breath, asking, "Why?"
??? "I once said that I am unworthy to wander the path of bandits, only to disgrace the illustrious name of my ancestors..."
??? "The path of bandits, the path of bandits, could it be..."
??? Ma Zheng smiled bitterly, "Sir, your thoughts are correct. I am indeed a member of the Yellow Turban Army. If I were to become your disciple, it would only

ruin your reputation for half a lifetime...
" "You are only between 15 and 20 years old, not yet of age, so you don't need to take your actions too seriously..."
Ma Zheng shook his head and said, "I am the leader of the remnants of the Yellow Turbans in Nanyang. This time, I escorted Princess Yangdi to

Luoyang preparation for surrendering to the court. In any case, until I am pardoned by the Emperor, the title of Yellow Turban bandit

cannot be erased, so please don't force me, sir."
"What kind of person do you take me for? Do you think I'm the kind of person who seeks fame and fortune? I only have one question: are you

willing to become my disciple?" Cai Yong shouted angrily.
"Commander Ma, since Lady Cai is so kind, why do you refuse?"
"Greetings, Princess..."
"Mr. Cai, there's no need for such formality. You are the Emperor's teacher; by seniority, I should address you as Master Cai..."
"Princess, you are too kind! Cai Yi has already been dismissed from his post and is now merely a commoner. A disgraced official like myself cannot

bear ..."
"Greetings, Princess, benefactor (I suppose that's how it should be said). Father, why are you arguing with Her Highness again

! Are you going to accept Commander Ma as your disciple or not?" Cai Yan asked softly, her face flushed.
"Hehe, I lost my composure! What does Commander Ma think?" Cai Yi asked seriously.
Ma Zheng knelt down with a thud, kowtowing three times and respectfully saying, "Disciple Ma Zheng

greets Master
." Cai Yong happily pulled Wang Can up from his knees, laughing loudly, "Good, good! Having a student like you

is truly a gift from heaven..."
The group continued their journey, now joined by Cai Yong and his daughter. Ma Zheng could no longer enjoy

the services of those two beauties: Ma Zheng rode in the same carriage as Cai Yi and his disciple, while Zou Yuniang and Princess Yangdi dealt with Cai Yan, who wanted to "

learn ...
Inside the carriage, Ma Zheng respectfully asked Cai Yi, "Master, you've been in court for a long time. Do you remember a notorious official?"
"Notorious? Are you referring to Diao Tong, who knelt outside the palace gates three years ago, petitioning the emperor to execute scholars and eunuchs?

(Fictional) Why are you asking about him?
" Ma Zheng said with a somber expression, "Ten years ago, I was stranded in Bingzhou, suffering from hunger and cold. It was Lord Diao who

saved . I wonder if you know where Lord Diao's family is?"
Cai Yi patted Ma Zheng comfortingly, saying, "I heard they have returned to Bingzhou... You can go to

Bingzhou to find them in the future..."
After entering Luoyang, they parted ways again. Cai Yi said to Ma Zheng, "After you send the princess to my residence, come to my

residence the day after tomorrow. I will introduce you to my old friends..." After saying this, he called his beloved daughter to prepare to leave. Cai Yan, her face

flushed
, walked up to Ma Zheng, hesitant to speak. Ma Zheng asked, "Is there something you need, Junior Sister?" "Nothing," she said, turning and walking away. Looking at her, who had just been blushing but now looked arrogant like a proud

swan, Ma Zheng was puzzled. He didn't seem to have offended her!
The next morning, Cai Yong sent a servant to summon Ma Zheng to the Cai residence. After arriving by carriage, Ma Zheng

went straight to the living room. However, upon arriving at the living room, Ma Zheng did not find Cai Yong. Instead, led by a servant,

he encountered Cai Yong and the charming and beautiful Cai Yan, dressed in a purple dress, in the backyard.
Ma Zheng entered the backyard, his gaze falling upon Cai Yan in her purple dress, a flash of amazement crossing his eyes. Seeing

the unusual look in Ma Zheng's eyes, Cai Yan's beautiful eyes brightened, and two rosy clouds rose on her pretty face.
Approaching Cai Yong, Ma Zheng respectfully bowed and said, "Disciple greets Master!" Cai Yong extended his hand in a gesture of support.
Cai Yong glanced sideways at Cai Yan, whose face was flushed, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes. His gaze then fell on Ma Zheng.

After Ma Zheng left, Cai Yong said, "Zheng'er, I'm going to visit some old friends today. Why don't you keep Yan company

and chat with
to help her relax?" Ma Zheng said gratefully, "Teacher, I'm so grateful for your concern. "
Cai Yong shook his head and smiled, saying, "Not only for you, but also for Yan'er. Alright, I have other

matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now. You two can chat or go out for a stroll." Cai Yong smiled

meaningfully at Ma Zheng and Cai Yan, then waved his sleeve and strode away from the backyard.
In the backyard, Ma Zheng stared intently at the shy Cai Yan, already understanding Cai Yi's

meaning.
Looking at the infinitely shy Cai Yan before him, Ma Zheng was overjoyed. She truly deserved to be a beauty renowned in history; very beautiful,

very alluring.
His lecherous gaze lingered on Cai Yan's delicate body, his burning gaze making her

already blushing face turn even redder. Her pretty head almost drooped to her chest, and her fair neck also turned crimson.
"Yes, thank you so much for saving my life yesterday, Senior Brother. Zhao Ji has no way to repay you..."
??? "Hehe, isn't it said that when a hero saves a beauty, the beauty usually repays him with her body..." Seeing Cai Yan's slightly changed expression,

Ma Zheng regretted his loose tongue: "Uh, Sister Zhao Ji, I was just joking, yes, just joking."
"Pfft." Seeing Ma Zheng's flustered appearance, a bright smile appeared on Cai Yan's beautiful face,

a smile like a hundred flowers blooming, intoxicating. Ma Zheng swallowed hard, secretly sighing that Cai Yan

was truly a vixen, a little vixen with both beauty and talent. Although he had experienced the charm of Princess Yangdi and

the heroic spirit of Zou Yuniang. But he had never felt this intoxicated before. He might really be falling for this

shy girl…
Perhaps sensing Ma Zheng's unusual thoughts, Cai Yan calmly asked, “Brother Ma Zheng, can you

play the piano ?”
“No!” Ma Zheng shook his head.
Cai Yan blinked. “Can you sing?”
“No!” Ma Zheng shook his head again.
“Can you write poetry?” Cai Yan asked persistently.
“I think so,” Ma Zheng mumbled.
“Then write a poem about the day you saved me.”
“Ah!” Ma Zheng was dumbfounded! He didn't seem to know any poems like this!
"Brother Ma Zheng, is it alright?" Cai Yan blushed, her lips parted slightly, and she pleaded in a sweet voice. Wang Can was

a man ; what man wouldn't say "is it alright?" Of course he would, even if he didn't. So, Ma Zheng steeled himself,

straightened his chest like a martyr going to his death, and fearlessly recited: "Zhao guest wears a silk tassel, Wu hook shines like frost and snow. Silver

saddle shines on white horse, swift as a shooting star. Ten steps, one kill; a thousand miles, no trace left. The deed done, he brushes off his clothes and departs, concealing his person and name."
"The poem is good, but it doesn't fit the scene. Where am I? Let's change the subject! Let's use myself as the theme," Cai Yan

commented lightly, despite her sweet heart.
"How about this one? Clouds think of her clothes, flowers think of her face; spring breeze brushes the railing, dew is heavy. If not seen outside Luoyang, she would be met under the moon on

the Jade Terrace ."
"Ah, you lecherous scoundrel!" With that, she ran away, her face flushed with shyness!
The next morning, Ma Zheng, who was practicing with Dian Wei at the inn, received a letter from Princess Yangdi, inviting him and

Cai Yan on an outing. Ma Zheng left Dian Wei and Xu Chu at the inn and went alone. Just as he stepped outside, he saw a...

A familiar carriage—wasn't this the very carriage where he had indulged in the pleasures of Princess Yangdi? Thinking this, Ma

Zheng leered and climbed into the carriage. As soon as he entered, the shimmering light filtering through Princess Yangdi's thin palace dress

dazzled him, and a delicate fragrance, like orchids and musk, filled his nostrils… All of this

drove about to grope the two women and succeed, the carriage's maid whispered, "Your Highness, we have arrived at the Cai residence."
Hearing this voice, Ma Zheng inexplicably recalled Cai Yan's charming appearance, and

withdrew his hands from Zou Yuniang and Liu Xiu…
Cai Yan happily lifted the curtain and climbed into the carriage. Upon entering the dimly lit carriage, she noticed

a strange atmosphere: Princess Yangdi and another beautiful, spirited woman sat on one side, their faces flushed. Ma

Zheng sat on the other side, a strange smile on his face. The oppressive atmosphere made Cai Yan very uncomfortable. After a long while, she asked,

"Princess, where are we going today?"
"Mangshan..."
Mangshan, north of Luoyang City and south of the Yellow River, is a spur of the Qinling Mountains and a branch of the Xiaoshan Mountains. It is also a natural

barrier for Luoyang City. Since ancient times, it has been an important military strategic location. It is also the final resting

place .
Today, the group broke the tranquility of Mangshan. Ma Zheng and the others entered the mountain from the north. After walking a short distance, they saw

four tombs, which should be the tombs of high-ranking officials and nobles throughout history. The central area was the mausoleum of the Eastern Han emperors,

where emperors of all dynasties were buried. The closest one was the tomb of Emperor Huan of Han, Liu Zhi. Looking at Liu Xiu, whose expression was extremely solemn

, prostrating himself on the ground for a long time, murmuring softly... Seeing this, Ma Zheng didn't know what emotion was

acting up, but he felt a kind of pain in his chest.
Although he had transmigrated, Ma Zheng couldn't let go of his remorse. The guilt he felt towards his parents tormented him, but all he

could was have a good cry.
Ma Zheng's sobs were so mournful, echoing through the vast mountains with his heart-wrenching roars,

containing so much: regret, shame, repentance, and so on.
"Ten years have passed, life and death are separated by a vast distance, I try not to think of you, yet I cannot forget you, we gaze at each other speechlessly, only tears streaming down our faces."

Amidst the flowing tears, Ma Zheng understood this line.
On the other side of the imperial mausoleum, a tall man stood watching Ma Zheng. "Ten years have passed, life and death are separated by a vast distance, I try not

to think of her
, yet I cannot forget her, we gaze at each other speechlessly, only tears stream down our faces." "How tragic! This person must have some extraordinary past. But isn't that my sister?

What is she doing here? That man shouldn't be a member of the royal family!
Oh well! Let her go! Consider it making up for what we owed back then!" Standing beside Ma Zheng, Cai Yan,

hearing these poignant words, wept uncontrollably...
After a long while, Ma Zheng came to his senses, "Let's go!"
The group continued their journey through Mangshan.
"Help! Help..."
"Who is it?...
" Ma Zheng heard two sounds simultaneously: the rustling of bushes and

the sound of galloping hooves. After watching for a while, the rider arrived. He was about forty

years old , wearing a purple robe, a jade belt, a black gauze hat, and black leather boots, with a sickly appearance. A wild boar, the size of a calf, was chasing after them

, its white, sharp tusks gleaming…
Upon seeing the middle-aged man, Liu Xiu's face turned deathly pale.
"Quick, save him…" Liu Xiu said urgently.
"Who is he?" Ma Zheng asked indifferently.
"He…he is…
" Ma Zheng leaped out of the carriage, grabbed a spear, and roared, "Beast, don't be so insolent!" He then

hurled the spear at the boar. With a loud "bang," the spear

pinned the ground.
"Thank you for saving my life, brave warrior. May I ask your name?"
"My humble name is not worth mentioning. Farewell." With that, he climbed into the carriage and sped away…
That night, in the Ling Emperor's palace in Luoyang. A man in a dragon robe stood with his hands behind his back by the window, a man dressed entirely

in black standing behind him. After a long silence, the man asked, "How's the investigation going?"
"Your Majesty, this man's surname is Ma, and his given name is Zheng. He comes from the Ma clan of Xiliang. His father, who disliked fame and fortune, left home to live alone. He lost

both and wandered to Bingzhou. He was once

rescued by Lord Diao and is now the leader of the remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Nanyang. He is brave and resourceful, and this time he escorted the princess to Luoyang to clear his name as a bandit… He has already become a student of the great Confucian scholar Cai Yi…
" "Master Xu, do you think I should give him an important position?"
"This young man possesses great talent, but his background…"
"Yellow Turban rebels? That's easy!"
"Then either give him an important position or kill him…"
"Oh? It's rare to see Master Xu evaluate someone so highly…" Finally, the hesitation on the man's face disappeared. "Guards,

summon Ma Zheng to an audience tomorrow…"
The next day, Ma Zheng, who was fighting Dian Wei at the post station, received an imperial edict: Ma Zheng was summoned to the imperial chamber for an audience.
"Congratulations, Warrior Ma
! His Majesty has summoned you." Feigning ignorance, Ma Zheng casually slipped a few gold leaves into the eunuch's hand. "May I ask, sir, why has His Majesty summoned

me?"
"This servant does not know, but His Majesty is in a good mood..."
"Thank you, sir..."
"How dare I, how dare I..."
In the Xuan Room, Ma Zheng calmly looked at Emperor Ling before him. He knew in his heart that whether a ruler was incompetent

or a genius, anyone who could become emperor was no ordinary person. If this person had ambition and he

shared the same sentiments, he wouldn't mind following him. After all, to survive in this era, one still needed a powerful backer

.
"Do you know who I am?"
"It's not hard to guess. I have no connections in Luoyang. My master and the princess clearly don't have that kind of ability, and

apart from going out yesterday, I've been at the post station the rest of the time..."
"Not bad, quite calm, a talented person. What do you think of the world?"
"A weak trunk and strong branches will inevitably lead to great disaster. Those who will bring chaos to the world will surely be the aristocratic families! Moreover, the Xianbei, Xiongnu, and Qiang people are all

rising up; a hundred years from now, they will surely wreak havoc on the Central Plains."
"A very insightful observation. Are you interested in helping me quell the aristocratic families?"
"Can I refuse?" Ma Zheng said with a wry smile, "Ma Zheng greets Your Majesty..."
"Hahahaha..." Laughter filled the room.

(

To be continued
)

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【The Dream of the Three Kingdoms】(Chapter 3)

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