Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

At this moment, a burst of shouts and cries of killing came from far away. Ma Chao struggled to break through the layers of encirclement and finally entered the garden. However, he was greeted by a row of cold crossbow arrows that were already strung, flashing with cold light and aimed at him.

Ma Chao reined in his horse, raised his head, and shouted, "General! General! I have important matters to report. Please allow me to come forward and speak!"

His voice echoed throughout the garden, and against the backdrop of the shouting and killing, it was particularly clear and urgent. Ma Chao's face was filled with anxiety, and his eyes were fixed on He Jin's direction, without any fear of the row of loaded crossbows.

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, carefully sizing up Ma Chao in front of him, and then asked, "Is that Ma Chao from Xiliang?"

After hearing what Cao Cao said, Yuan Shu also followed his gaze and looked at Ma Chao. After taking a closer look, he found that he really looked like Ma Chao from Xiliang.

Yuan Shu frowned, a look of displeasure and vigilance on his face. He had no good feelings towards Ma Chao, the young man from Xiliang, and secretly thought of making this young man suffer.

Upon hearing Cao Cao's question, Ma Chao quickly responded in a loud voice, "It is Ma Chao of Xiliang! I have come from the palace and bear the tiger seal. General, please allow me to come forward and speak!"

His voice was loud and urgent, his eyes filled with sincerity and anxiety. Behind him, the shouting and screaming continued, but his attention was now entirely on He Jin, hoping to gain permission to come forward and report something important.

Upon hearing Cao Cao's question, Ma Chao quickly responded in a loud voice, "It is Ma Chao of Xiliang! I have come from the palace and bear the tiger seal. General, please allow me to come forward and speak!"

His voice was loud and urgent, his eyes filled with sincerity and determination. Behind him, the shouting and screaming continued, but his attention was now entirely on He Jin, hoping to gain permission to come forward and report important matters.

Cao Cao hurriedly shouted, "Wait a moment, then!" Turning to He Jin, he said, "General, Ma Chao is a disciple of Master Lu Zhi, who has a close relationship with the Emperor. Seeing how he's rushed from the palace, bearing the tiger seal, he must have something important to report. Please calm your anger and allow him to come forward."

As Cao Cao spoke, he stared closely at He Jin, observing his reaction. At the same time, he was secretly guessing Ma Chao's purpose for coming.

He Jin said "Stop" viciously, and Ma Chao and the soldiers stopped their actions instantly.

The soldiers quickly advanced, disarmed Ma Chao, and subdued him. They pinned him down, immobilizing him. Ma Chao struggled, but the soldiers were outnumbered and powerful, and he was eventually subdued and brought to He Jin's side.

The soldiers brought Ma Chao to He Jin's side and forced him to kneel. Ma Chao struggled briefly, but the soldiers lashed him in the knees with their spears, forcing him to kneel on the ground.

Ma Chao was about to open his mouth to argue, but He Jin stopped him with a wave of his hand. Then, a nearby soldier stepped forward and said, "Sir, this man is extremely arrogant and domineering! He rode up to the front of the mansion, and when the gatekeeper approached to negotiate with him, he cut off the gatekeeper's head without a word! After we subdued him, he actually tried to charge back in, injuring dozens of soldiers in the process! He even knocked General Chunyu to the ground. He's truly despicable!"

Ma Chao hurriedly spoke up, "General, this is extremely urgent. I have something extremely important to report immediately!" His face was filled with anxiety, his eyes revealing sincerity and anxiety. However, the sergeant gagged him, preventing him from speaking.

However, He Jin snorted coldly and said, "Shut up! People outside are saying how talented and great Ma Chao from Xiliang is. I was looking forward to meeting this so-called young talent, but now I see that he is such a rude person! You act like this with no regard for etiquette, it's simply lawless! Humph, it's true that people's words cannot be trusted. This barbarian from Xiliang doesn't know anything about etiquette. He only knows how to do evil!" He Jin's words were full of disdain and prejudice towards Ma Chao. He didn't care about anything at all and only cared about whether his face and dignity were offended.

Cao Cao pleaded anxiously, "Mr. He, I hope you can calm down! Ma Chao may have acted rashly, but there must be a reason for it. You should first listen to what he said, and then it will not be too late to discuss his offense! Besides, he is Mr. Lu's disciple after all. If you impose a severe punishment without asking the reason, I am afraid Mr. Lu will lose face!" Cao Cao bowed as he spoke, his face full of sincerity and anxiety, and even beads of sweat seeped out of his forehead. His eyes revealed his earnest hope for He Jin, hoping that he could change his mind.

He Jin thought angrily in his heart: That old fellow Lu Zhi always relies on his own reputation and achievements to give me orders! He doesn't take me seriously at all and opposes me everywhere! I am now a general, how can I allow him to be so presumptuous! This time with Ma Chao, I must let him know how powerful I am, and let him understand that I, He Jin, am not someone to be trifled with! Thinking of this, a sinister look flashed across He Jin's face, and a trace of brutality and stubbornness flashed in his eyes. He completely ignored Cao Cao's advice, and arrogantly ordered his left and right: "What are you still standing there for? Give him forty military sticks first! Let him know who has the final say here!" His voice was full of arrogance and domineering, as if he would not allow anyone to question his decision.

As He Jin's order was issued, soldiers immediately stepped forward to carry it out. Military clubs fell with a dull thud. After more than a dozen blows, Ma Chao gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, but his face was filled with unyielding indignation and resentment.

At this point, even the usually steady Yuan Shao couldn't help but speak up and said, "Mr. He, the beatings have almost ended. Let's hear what Ma Chao has to say first..."

He Jin frowned, his face dark as he pondered, his heart filled with conflict and resentment. He gritted his teeth, his cheeks puffed slightly, as if he were wrestling with his inner thoughts.

Cao Cao's face showed an anxious and sincere expression. His brows were slightly frowned, his eyes were full of worry and pleading, and he kept bowing to He Jin. Even fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Yuan Shao frowned slightly, a trace of worry on his face. He took a step forward and said softly, "Mr. He..."

After hearing what Yuan Shao said, He Jin's face became even uglier. He looked back and forth between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, pursed his lips, and after a while, he snorted heavily, then waved his hand impatiently and said, "Forget it, stop the military stick!" After that, he turned around and faced away with his back to everyone, as if trying hard to suppress his anger.

Ma Chao suppressed his anger. Although he was filled with resentment towards He Jin, he knew he couldn't act rashly at this moment. He was more worried about his master's safety. So, he took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and stepped forward.

Ma Chao presented He Jin with the tiger talisman and seal in both hands. His eyes were firm and serious, tinged with a hint of urgency. He knelt and reported, "General, the situation is dire! His Majesty is gravely ill and may not live long. The situation is extremely critical! His Majesty originally wanted to establish Prince Liu Bian as emperor, but Empress Dowager Dong has instead sought to establish Prince Liu Xie as emperor. Empress Dowager Dong has ordered General Dong Zhong to lead his troops and take over the palace defenses. Dong Zhong has sent me the tiger talisman and seal at the Emperor's behest, urging you, General, to mobilize your troops immediately, swiftly reorganize your military, and prepare to march to the palace to rescue him!"

Upon hearing this, He Jin's face instantly turned pale. His eyes widened in fear and panic, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably. He looked around and said in a trembling voice, "The situation is so critical! What should I do? Anyone here has a good plan?"

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao advised, "General, please do not panic! We will immediately march to the barracks to prepare our troops. As long as we breach the city gates and confront Dong Cheng's forces, we will surely rescue the emperor. Furthermore, since we have the emperor's tiger seal, this isn't a plot to rebel; it's truly a move to save the emperor!"

He Jin's eyes were vacant and he was at a loss. He stammered, "Let's follow Benchu ​​and Mengde's instructions. Everyone, go home and prepare. We'll meet at Beidaying in an hour. Gonglu, you stay and come with me."

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao exchanged glances, their faces lit with unconcealed excitement. Cao Cao's lips curled upward, his eyes gleaming as he secretly thought, "This is a golden opportunity!" Yuan Shao nodded slightly, a confident expression on his face, as if he had already seen the dawn of success.

He Jin looked extremely flustered. His face was pale, his hands were shaking constantly, and his heart was filled with fear and helplessness.

Everyone responded with a roar and then dispersed back home.