Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After hearing this, Ma Chao felt helpless and sighed heavily, "Alas, when will this chaotic world end? These endless wars have left the people displaced and homeless. The people of the world can only struggle in this dire straits and suffer hardships." After saying this, he looked into the distance, his eyes full of worry and melancholy, as if he saw the miserable plight of countless people in the war.

Zhang Zhongjing was deeply moved by Ma Chao's compassion and care for the people, and could not help but admire him: "Your Excellency has such a heart, and is thinking about the people all the time. It is really precious. I hope that Your Excellency will always stick to this original intention in the future and strive to find a glimmer of hope for the people of this world." Ma Chao looked firm and said solemnly: "Of course, I will stick to my original intention and do my best to seek the welfare of the people. Having said that, if Ma Chao can really pacify this chaotic world one day, he will definitely vigorously promote the art of medicine. Following the example of Confucian schools, Build a medical school, select bright children, teach them to read and write, and then hire great sages like you to teach by example. If you can train fifty apprentices, and each of these fifty apprentices train fifty more, the tradition will continue. It's not necessary to expect all of them to be as skilled as you, just enough to treat common ailments like headaches and fevers. Then, let them spread throughout the country. This way, minor illnesses won't develop into serious ones due to delays, leading to death from a lack of medical care.

Zhang Zhongjing's eyes sparkled as he listened, deeply moved by Ma Chao's foresight and the grand vision he described. He bowed deeply and said respectfully, "Your Excellency's words are like a ray of hope, a glimmer of hope. If such a day ever truly comes, no matter where you are, I will rush to your side and be at your service. If your vision truly comes true, the people of the world will surely be grateful for your great kindness." Ma Chao smiled humbly and said, "Although this wish may seem lofty and vague, I will work steadily and unwaveringly towards this goal. I hope you will be willing to help me when the time comes. You are a man of high character and integrity, while I, Ma Chao, am merely a mediocre man obsessed with power."

Zhang Zhongjing looked at Ma Chao eagerly. In his eyes, despite Ma Chao's modesty, his every word and action revealed a heart of justice and a concern for the people. The two men looked at each other, a mutual admiration forming. Though their actions differed, they shared a common purpose, seeking the well-being of the people of the world, a heart as bright as the sun and the moon.

Seeing that it was almost dinner time, Ma Chao enthusiastically invited Zhang Zhongjing to join him for a drink at a tavern in Wancheng. Beneath Ma Chao's thick brows, his eyes gleamed with anticipation, and a friendly smile played at the corners of his mouth.

However, Zhang Zhongjing looked embarrassed and slowly said, "My lord, it is not my intention to go against your good intention. You and I have a good chat, and I am also eager to continue chatting with you. But you see, there are still many people waiting for me behind me. Maybe today you and I will have a drink together and delay this afternoon, which is just a matter of a moment for you and me. But you see, it is cold in these cold days, with biting north winds. The people are struggling to hold on in this severe cold, and they are finally looking forward to the time when they can see the doctor. If I leave now, they will suffer in this cold wind until the afternoon and then return home. It is hard to predict whether they will have the strength to get up tomorrow. Therefore, I can only appreciate your kindness." After speaking, Zhang Zhongjing bowed slightly, his face full of apology and solemnity.

Ma Chao's heart surged with emotion when he heard Zhang Zhongjing's words. He said, "This man truly cares about the people!" He then turned to Pan Feng and Wu Anguo and instructed them with a firm look, "You two, quickly go buy some meat, some noodles, soup noodles, and the like. Be sure to buy plenty. These poor people may not even have breakfast. Once you've bought them, we'll dine together here today."

Upon seeing this, Zhang Xiu hurried forward to stop him and said hesitantly, "General, how can you eat such crude food?" Zhang Xiu frowned slightly, with a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

Ma Chao was immediately displeased, his thick brows furrowed as he raised his voice, "What do you mean by coarse food? Ah Xiu, when we were on the battlefield in the past, didn't we all rely on dry rations to fill our stomachs? We never had any choosiness. Now that you're the Young Master of Wancheng, how come you find it so difficult to swallow even these ordinary meals?"

Zhang Xiu looked ashamed and quickly explained, "General, you misunderstood me. I simply appreciated your journey and failed to provide proper hospitality. I fear that I have failed you."

Ma Chao's expression eased a little. He patted Zhang Xiu's shoulder and said earnestly: "You and I are brothers. You have been working hard for my affairs since early morning. How can I not know this? However, every meal is hard-earned and must not be forgotten." After speaking, Ma Chao raised his hand and pointed to the people queuing up to see a doctor behind him, his eyes full of emotion and concern.

Ma Chao sighed with emotion, his voice resounding like a bell. "We are usually very picky about our meals, but these common people can barely afford two, let alone three, meals a day. Furthermore, they are plagued by illness, living from day to day, starving. I'm afraid most of them didn't even have breakfast this morning. Today, in the presence of Master Zhongjing, I've learned a lot. As the saying goes, no kindness goes unnoticed. The more subtle the details, the more they reveal our devotion to the people. With the enemy at hand and the aliens invading, we must bear our halberds and armor, defending our home and country. This is the duty of a righteous man. However, in the small details of daily life, we must do our part and not turn a blind eye. I'm not being picky, but the years of war and the suffering of the people are deeply distressing, and I'm deeply saddened!"

Zhang Xiu and Ma Chao's generals remained silent, their heads bowed, wondering if they had indeed neglected the suffering of the people in the past. Zhang Zhongjing watched Ma Chao earnestly admonishing his officers and secretly admired him: "As expected of a disciple of Master Lu Zhi, he truly embodies his teacher's demeanor." Regardless of court opinion, Ma Chao's compassion for the people was undeniable. With this in mind, Zhang Zhongjing, who had initially been reluctant to speak due to Ma Chao's hosting, finally spoke up, "General, I have a humble request." Ma Chao quickly clasped his fists in greeting and replied respectfully, "Please feel free to speak, sir. I will do my utmost to help you as long as I can." Zhang Zhongjing replied, "It's nothing serious. I just think that instead of buying meat, you should spend the money on some dry food. You see, all these patients here are already in dire straits, and their families, young and old, may not even have enough to eat. Let them have enough dry food, so they can take some back home to feed their families." Ma Chao was enlightened, and his admiration for Zhang Zhongjing deepened. He hadn't even considered this when he was teaching his own troops. He quickly said, "Excellent advice, sir. I'll send someone to do it immediately."

Ma Chao clasped his fists, his posture erect, his expression filled with respect. "Sir, your advice is profound. My visit today with you was like a ray of hope, benefiting me greatly. You are truly thoughtful and considerate, and I admire you." He turned swiftly, facing Pan Feng and Wu Anguo, his gaze firm and sincere. "Forget the meat. Buy more food, and especially more dry rations. In this cold winter, these people already have sick families, so food must be difficult to come by. We'll help as much as we can today. Reducing our appetites is but a small matter. And what I've seen, heard, learned, and thought from Master Zhongjing today is far more valuable than simply skipping a few meals of meat. The ancients said, 'To learn the profound truths of the saints, one should fast and bathe to clarify their resolve. We're eating vegetarian food today to remember this precious insight and to ingrain it in our hearts."

Pan Feng and Wu Anguo responded in unison, and the others also had no objection.

Zhang Zhongjing tilted his head slightly, the wrinkles on his face seeming to speak of the vicissitudes of life and experience. He said with emotion, "General, you have such a broad mind. In my many years of official service and medical practice, I have rarely seen anyone like you. If all those in power had the general's benevolence and vision, I wouldn't say it's unique, but it would be rare. Fortunately, the world has such a brilliant man as the general. Only then can the people hope to have less hardship and more peace and comfort."

Zhang Zhongjing no longer maintained formality with Ma Chao and the others, and went straight to Ma Chao and said, "General, since the meals have been arranged, I don't need to worry about the preparations. It would be good to treat one more patient while you're waiting." Upon hearing this, Ma Chao felt a surge of respect in his heart, and quickly responded, "Sir, please rest assured and do your job. Don't worry about us. Just go and get busy." After that, Zhang Zhongjing continued to see patients with full concentration, carefully examining two patients in succession.

Wu Anguo, Pan Feng, Zhang Liao, and Zhang Ren, four fierce generals who usually fought bravely on the battlefield, were tasked by Ma Chao with buying food. They had no complaints and were more than happy to do so. Before long, they returned with a large supply of food, mostly wheat cakes and bean rice. Others had also brought several bags of dry food, and store employees arrived shortly after, wheeling several large sacks of grain. Upon seeing them return, Ma Chao waited patiently until Zhang Zhongjing finished treating the current patients before he spoke, "Sir, the food has been purchased. You should take a rest, eat some food, and let these patients eat together. It won't be too late to continue later." Zhang Zhongjing nodded slightly, stood up, gently patted his waist which was sore from kneeling for a long time, then called all the patients forward and said in a gentle voice, "You are all lucky today. Your Excellency is kind and generous. Not only did you prepare food for you, but you also gave you enough food to take home to get through these difficult times." Upon hearing this, the patients were grateful. After receiving the food from Ma Chao, they retreated to a distance for fear of offending the nobleman. They ate and drank while chatting with their companions.

Ma Chao held the wheat cake in his hand and, imitating Zhang Zhongjing's example, swallowed it along with the hot water. The rough wheat cake rubbed against his throat, making it truly difficult to swallow. Ma Chao wasn't the only one who felt the same way; his generals felt the same way. However, after Zhang Zhongjing's teachings, they all felt as if they had undergone a spiritual baptism. Eating this ordinary wheat cake and drinking the plain warm water, they all found it to be incredibly delicious, as if they had realized that the inner satisfaction and fulfillment brought by doing good far surpassed the fleeting pleasure of delicacies.

The patients, having enjoyed their meals, gathered again with gratitude to receive their rations and food. Their eyes welled up, their emotions overflowing. They knelt, kowtowed repeatedly to Ma Chao and his companions, and cried out, "Your Excellency's kindness and righteousness, Your Excellency's great grace, we will never forget!" Those cries, filled with their most sincere gratitude and respect, resonated in the air, moving the audience.