Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ma Chao, terrified, rushed into the courtyard. Seeing Zhang Xiu and Zou tied up, their lives hanging by a thread, he immediately shouted to Zhang Ji, "General Zhang, spare their lives! What grudge could have led you and your nephew to this point?"

At this moment, Jia Xu stood up in a panic, hurried forward to grab Ma Chao, and said anxiously, "Ah, General Ma Chao, you've finally arrived. Please quickly persuade our lord. He's been so angry today that he's vomiting blood. Despite his frail body, he insisted on killing the young master and Zou to vent his anger."

Ma Chao's expression was solemn and resolute. He said, "Don't worry, Mr. Wenhe. I already have a general understanding of this matter." He then bowed respectfully to Zhang Ji and said earnestly, "General Zhang, please calm your wrath for a moment and listen to what I have to say."

Zhang Ji's face was gloomy, feeling that this incident had brought shame upon him. He snorted coldly and said, "Hmph, I never thought that such a shameful matter would even reach General Ma Chao. General Ma Chao, this is Zhang's family affair. Are you going to interfere?"

Ma Chao remained unmoved. He replied with a serious expression, "General Zhang, this is indeed your family affair, but whether from the perspective of my personal friendship with Ah Xiu, we are like brothers, or from the perspective of our long-standing comrades-in-arms relationship, I am not an outsider. So how can I just stand by and do nothing?"

Zhang Ji's face was as dark as ink, so gloomy that water could almost drip out. He squeezed out cold words from between his teeth: "General Ma Chao, I believe you have already figured out the whole story of this matter. Humph, tell me, which upright man in this world can calmly accept such a great humiliation? I, Zhang, treat Zhang Xiu as my own son with all my heart. The bond between us is no less than that between biological father and son. Over the years, I have worked diligently. "I've worked so hard to build this rich legacy, and entrusted it to him without reservation. Yet, he completely disregards this immense kindness, attempting to lay his hands on the women in my harem and committing such despicable acts. General Ma Chao, please tell me how I can bear his actions. How can I swallow this anger? I feel a burning rage within me, and I wish I could cut him into pieces to appease the hatred I feel!"

Ma Chao listened to Zhang Ji's words, his brows knitted tightly into the shape of a "川" character. His heart was in turmoil, a tangled mess, a tangled mess he couldn't untangle. He knew it was pointless to argue with Zhang Ji at this moment, so he ignored everything else and strode anxiously toward Zhang Xiu's position. His posture was erect, his steps powerful, each step carrying a tremendous force. The powerful aura and commanding presence emanating from him seemed to freeze the air around him. The soldiers escorting Zhang Xiu, overwhelmed by this invisible pressure, stumbled back uncontrollably.

Ma Chao walked up to Zhang Xiu and looked at the familiar figure in front of him with mixed feelings. His face was full of expressions of regret and resentment, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement: "Ah Xiu, Ah Xiu, do you know that in the eyes of everyone, you have always been the role model of courtesy and chastity, and your respect for filial piety is even more commendable. You have always been steady in your actions, and every decision and every action reveals a reassuring maturity and reliability. I have always placed high hopes on you and regarded you as my most capable brother and partner. But who would have thought that you would lose your mind after drinking and do such an immoral and shameless thing. This is immoral. Your mistake has not only ruined your own reputation and future, but also made me extremely disappointed and heartbroken! Alcohol may seem ordinary, but it is actually like a demon. Once controlled by it, it can plunge people into an irretrievable situation. Ah Xiu, after this incident, you must reflect deeply. For the rest of your life, you must completely draw a line between yourself and it, and don't let it have the opportunity to confuse your mind again. "Ma Chao's words were well-intentioned. Although there was a sense of blame, he was more looking for excuses and steps to exonerate Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu was already very intelligent, so how could he not understand Ma Chao's good intentions? A layer of mist suddenly welled up in his eyes, full of gratitude and guilt, and he nodded vigorously like pounding garlic.

Seeing Zhang Xiu's reaction, Ma Chao felt a small sense of relief, but he still feigned fury. He gritted his teeth and said bitterly, "Of course, wrong is wrong. A country has its laws, a family has its rules. In this world, no matter who commits a mistake, they must face the corresponding punishment. This is a matter of course, and no one can escape it. Ah Xiu, you've committed such a grave mistake. Tell me, are you convinced of your guilt?" Zhang Xiu nodded without hesitation. He knew that the only way to resolve this crisis was to cooperate with Ma Chao. Seeing this, Ma Chao suddenly raised his voice, a crescendo that echoed throughout the courtyard: "Since that's the case, don't blame me for neglecting our old brotherly love. Today, I will follow the rules and enforce your law ruthlessly." He raised his arm high, sweeping through the air in an arc, his palm creating a whistling sound, and then slammed it down hard on Zhang Xiu's face. "Pa! Pa!" Two crisp, resounding slaps pierced the quiet courtyard. Zhang Xiu was dazed by the sudden blows, his head buzzing. His mouth, gagged with linen, was unable to utter a single sound. He could only stare at Ma Chao, his eyes filled with grievance and confusion. The force of the two slaps was so immense that they instantly cracked the corners of Zhang Xiu's mouth. Blood slowly seeped out, dripping onto his clothes, a particularly glaring sight.

Zhang Ji watched all of this from behind. His heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and the pain was so severe that he could hardly breathe. He subconsciously clenched his hands into fists, with such force that it seemed as if he was going to crush his palms. His knuckles turned pale from the excessive force. His eyes were fixed on Ma Chao's every move. In his anxiety, he almost rushed forward regardless of everything to stop Ma Chao's behavior. However, at the moment when Ma Chao turned around, Zhang Ji seemed to suddenly realize something. He took a deep breath, tried to calm himself, and slowly loosened his clenched fists. The expression on his face also tried to return to normal, but deep in his eyes, there was still a trace of imperceptible concern and worry. After a moment, he raised his head slightly, and a playful arc appeared at the corner of his mouth. He asked softly in a seemingly nonchalant voice: "General Ma Chao, what is your intention in going to such great lengths?"

Ma Chao's expression was solemn. He looked Zhang Ji in the eye with a determined gaze and spoke slowly, "General Zhang Ji, anyone with a discerning eye can tell right from wrong in this matter. Zhang Xiu's actions, which went against human ethics, were indeed grave offenses, and he deserves punishment according to the law. However, General, listen to me. 'Unpolished jade cannot be made into a useful object; admitting one's mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue.' These are the teachings of the sages. We are not saints; who is without fault? Making mistakes is not terrible; what is terrible is not repenting. As long as Zhang Xiu sincerely corrects his mistakes, he can still be considered a good man."

Ma Chao paused, a look of earnestness in his eyes. "You are his full uncle, connected by blood, as close as father and son. Zhang Xiu is the only remaining heir of your Zhang family. With all due respect, I'm afraid it would be extremely difficult for you to conceive another child given your current physical condition. Imagine, General, if a hundred years from now, you were to learn of this and your ancestors asked why the Zhang family had died out, what would you say? Would you, in a moment of anger, for a woman, murder your own nephew, leaving your ancestral legacy without a successor?"

Seeing Zhang Ji's expression change, Ma Chao struck while the iron was hot, his tone slightly agitated: "Yesterday's incident was indeed caused by Zhang Xiu's excessive drinking. Alcohol has always been called a poison that penetrates the intestines and easily confuses the mind. Zhang Xiu usually treats you with great respect, observing etiquette and etiquette, and fully demonstrating the filial piety of a younger generation. His mistake this time was simply caused by alcohol. If he can stop drinking from now on, he will definitely not make such a mistake again. General, have you forgotten that in the past, Zhang Xiu was always by your side, and your love and expectations for him were all false?"

Ma Chao looked around, raised his hand, and pointed at the prosperous scene of Wancheng. His voice became louder and louder. "Moreover, this vast Wancheng is the foundation you have built through years of hard work in troubled times. If Zhang Xiu were gone, after a hundred years, who would be able to shoulder the burden of inheriting this vast city and its numerous people? Who would protect this land and continue the glory and splendor of the Zhang family?"

Zhang Ji's already frail body trembled slightly. He looked up at the sky and let out a hearty laugh, but that laughter was filled with a sense of sadness and anger. "I, Zhang Ji, may not claim to be devoted to the country and the people, but in these troubled times, I have gone through countless life-and-death trials to earn this foundation. I was born a humble peasant. In my early years, I followed Master Dong to fight on the battlefield, disregarding life and death. If I had died in battle then, how could I have been worthy of my ancestors, and how could I have continued my family line? You're right, I had intended to pass on this entire family business to Zhang Xiu, but he acted so recklessly while I was still alive. How can this not chill me to the bone!"

Zhang Ji's face was stern, his words filled with grief and disappointment. He continued, "Ma Chao, think about this. Zou is Zhang Xiu's aunt. This is a moral code that cannot be violated in the slightest. Yet, Zhang Xiu completely disregards this and commits such a shameful act. He has completely disgraced my Zhang family and disregarded the moral principles of the world. With such behavior, how can I safely hand over the foundation I have worked so hard for so many years to him?"

Zhang Ji frowned, his eyes revealing deep worry. "Furthermore, if his reckless nature, his complete disregard for human ethics, gets out, who in the world would be willing to associate with him? Who would dare to work alongside him? If I really pass on my inheritance to him, I'm afraid it won't be long before he'll completely destroy it. The hard work of generations of my Zhang family will be destroyed in an instant. How can I watch my ancestors' inheritance fall into his hands like this?"