At this moment, a chorus of shouts and battle cries approached from afar, and Ma Chao, having fought his way through layers of encirclement, finally broke into the garden.
However, what greeted him was a row of cold, drawn crossbow bolts, their tips gleaming ominously, aimed densely at him.
Ma Chao reined in his horse sharply, raised his head, and shouted, "Great General! Great General! I have an urgent matter to report; please allow me to approach and speak!"
His voice echoed throughout the garden, exceptionally clear and urgent against the backdrop of the battle cries.
Ma Chao's face was filled with anxiety, his gaze fixed intently on He Jin's direction, showing no fear of the drawn crossbow bolts.
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Ma Chao ahead, then asked, "Is that Xiliang Ma Chao in front?"
Upon hearing Cao Cao's words, Yuan Shu followed his gaze towards Ma Chao, examining him carefully, and indeed found him to resemble Xiliang Ma Chao.
Yuan Shu frowned, a hint of displeasure and vigilance appearing on his face; he had no fondness for this young man from Western Liang and secretly pondered how to make him suffer a bit.
Hearing Cao Cao's question, Ma Chao quickly responded loudly, "It is indeed Xiliang Ma Chao! I come from the palace, carrying the tiger tally and imperial seal.
Please, Great General, allow me to approach and speak!"
His voice was loud and urgent, his eyes full of sincerity and anxiety.
Behind him, the shouts of battle had not ceased, but his attention was entirely on He Jin, hoping to gain permission to come forward and report the urgent matter.
Hearing Cao Cao's question, Ma Chao quickly responded loudly, "It is indeed Xiliang Ma Chao! I come from the palace, carrying the tiger tally and imperial seal.
Please, Great General, allow me to approach and speak!"
His voice was loud and urgent, his eyes full of sincerity and determination.
Behind him, the shouts of battle had not ceased, but his attention was entirely on He Jin, hoping to gain permission to come forward and report the urgent matter.
Cao Cao hastily shouted, "Hold your fire!" Then he turned to He Jin and advised, "Great General, Ma Chao is a disciple of Master Lu Zhi, and Lu Zhi has a close relationship with His Majesty.
Considering he rushed from the palace, carrying the tiger tally and imperial seal, he must truly have an important matter to report.
Please, Great General, calm your anger for now and let him approach."
As Cao Cao spoke, his gaze remained fixed on He Jin, observing his reaction.
At the same time, he secretly speculated about Ma Chao's purpose for coming.
He Jin viciously uttered "Stop," and Ma Chao and the soldiers instantly froze.
The soldiers quickly moved forward, confiscated Ma Chao's weapons, and subdued him.
They held Ma Chao tightly, preventing him from moving.
Ma Chao struggled fiercely, but the soldiers were too numerous and strong, and he was eventually subdued and escorted to He Jin's side.
The soldiers brought Ma Chao close to He Jin, then forcibly pressed him down, making him kneel.
Ma Chao struggled slightly, but a soldier swept his long spear across his knees, forcing him to his knees on the ground.
At this moment, Ma Chao was about to speak in his defense, but He Jin waved his hand, stopping him.
Then, a soldier nearby stepped forward and said, "Sir, this person acts extremely arrogant and overbearing!
He rode his horse to the front of the mansion, and when the gatekeeper approached to speak with him, he cut off the gatekeeper's head without a word!
After we subdued him, he still tried to charge inside on his horse, and in the process, he injured dozens of soldiers!
Even General Chunyu, who came forward, was knocked to the ground by him; he is truly abominable!"
Ma Chao quickly tried to explain, "Great General, this matter is truly urgent; I have an extremely important matter that needs to be reported immediately!"
His face was full of urgency, his eyes revealing sincerity and anxiety.
However, a soldier covered his mouth, preventing him from speaking.
He Jin, however, snorted dismissively and said, "You shut up first!
Outside, everyone is saying how Jin Ma Chao of Xiliang is both civil and military, how extraordinary he is.
I had been eagerly anticipating meeting this so-called young talent, but now that I see him, I didn't expect him to be such a rude fellow!
Your actions are completely devoid of propriety, simply lawless!
Hmph, indeed, people's words cannot be trusted; how could a barbarian from Western Liang understand propriety, only knowing how to act recklessly!"
He Jin's words were filled with disdain and prejudice towards Ma Chao, completely disregarding the matter at hand, only caring whether his own face and authority had been offended.
Cao Cao urgently pleaded, "Lord He, please calm your anger!
Ma Chao's actions might have been rash, but there must be a reason.
Please, listen to what he has to say first, and then discuss his offense; it won't be too late!
Moreover, he is, after all, a distinguished disciple of Lord Lu; if he is severely punished without asking for the reason, it might cause Lord Lu to lose face!"
As Cao Cao spoke, he cupped his hands in a bow, his face full of sincerity and anxiety, his forehead even slightly glistening with sweat, his eyes revealing earnest hope for He Jin to change his mind.
He Jin thought resentfully, "That old fellow Lu Zhi always presumes upon his prestige and achievements, telling me what to do!
He doesn't put me in his eyes at all and constantly opposes me!
Now that I am the Great General, how can I allow him to be so presumptuous!
This time with Ma Chao, I must let him know my power, and also let him understand that I, He Jin, am not to be trifled with!"
As he thought these things, a sinister look flashed across He Jin's face, and a hint of brutality and stubbornness flickered in his eyes.
He completely ignored Cao Cao's advice and arrogantly ordered his attendants, "What are you standing around for?
Give him forty military floggings first!
Let him know who is in charge here!"
His voice was full of tyranny and arrogance, as if he would tolerate no one questioning his decision.
As He Jin's order was given, soldiers immediately stepped forward to carry it out.
The military sticks fell with a cracking sound, producing dull thuds.
After more than ten blows, Ma Chao gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, but his face was full of defiance and resentment.
At this moment, even Yuan Shao, who was usually composed, could not help but interject, "Lord He, the military floggings have been enough; let's hear what Ma Chao has to say first..."
He Jin frowned tightly, his face gloomy as he pondered, his heart filled with entanglement and unwillingness.
He gritted his teeth, his cheeks slightly puffed out, as if he was struggling with his inner self.
Cao Cao's face showed an urgent and sincere expression; his brows were slightly furrowed, his eyes full of worry and pleading, as he continuously cupped his hands in a bow to He Jin, fine beads of sweat even appearing on his forehead.
Yuan Shao, on the other hand, frowned slightly, a hint of worry on his face.
He took a small step forward and softly said, "Lord He..."
Upon hearing Yuan Shao's words, He Jin's face grew even uglier.
His gaze swept back and forth between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, his lips pressed tightly together.
After a moment, he let out a heavy snort, then impatiently waved his hand and said, "Enough, enough, stop the military floggings!"
Having said that, he turned his back to everyone, seemingly trying to suppress his anger.
Ma Chao suppressed the anger in his heart; although he was filled with resentment towards He Jin, he understood that this was not the time to act on impulse.
He was more concerned about his master's safety.
So, he took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and then stepped forward.
Ma Chao presented the tiger tally and imperial seal with both hands, coming before He Jin.
His gaze was firm and serious, with a hint of urgency, as he knelt and reported, "Great General, something terrible has happened!
His Majesty is critically ill and may not live much longer; the situation is extremely perilous!
His Majesty originally intended to enthrone Prince Liu Bian, but Empress Dowager Dong is attempting to enthrone Prince Liu Xie.
Currently, Empress Dowager Dong has already ordered General of Agile Cavalry Dong Zhong to lead troops and take over the palace's defenses.
Dong Zhong has even delivered the tiger tally and imperial seal by His Majesty's decree, earnestly requesting the Great General to immediately mobilize troops, swiftly prepare military equipment, and get ready to rush into the palace to rescue His Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, He Jin's face instantly turned pale.
His eyes widened, filled with terror and panic, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
He looked around, his voice trembling as he said, "The situation is truly this critical!
What should be done now!
Attendants, who has a good plan?"
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao advised in unison, "Great General, please do not panic!
We will now go to the military camp to prepare the troops.
As things stand, as long as we break through the city gates and confront Dong Cheng's forces, we will surely succeed in rescuing His Majesty.
Moreover, with His Majesty's tiger tally and imperial seal, there is no act of rebellion; it is truly an act of rescuing His Majesty!"
He Jin's eyes were unfocused at this moment, completely at a loss.
He stammered, "Just as Benchu and Mengde say, everyone, please return home to prepare first.
We will meet at the North Barracks in an hour.
Gonglu, you stay and come with me."
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao exchanged glances, their faces revealing undisguised excitement.
Cao Cao's lips curved upwards, his eyes sparkling, secretly gloating, "This is a great opportunity!"
Yuan Shao, on the other hand, nodded slightly, a confident expression appearing on his face, as if he had already seen the dawn of success.
He Jin, meanwhile, appeared extremely flustered; his face was pale, his hands trembling incessantly, his heart filled with fear and helplessness.
Everyone responded with a resounding 'Yes' and then dispersed back to their residences.
