Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The Spring Festival had just passed, and the river was still gripped by a bitter chill. The wind, like a cunning hidden weapon, pierced through layers of clothing and pierced the bandaged wounds of Ma Chao's personal guards, causing new and old wounds to throb with pain.

Gan Ning stood at the bow, the river wind raging, tearing at his cloak. The waves surged forward like unbridled wild horses, the splashing water instantly condensing into icy shards in the wind, piercing his face like needles. The fleet struggled between the crests and troughs of the waves, their hulls as if sealed by winter, a thin layer of ice. The boatmen exhaled white air, their hands purple from the cold, but they gritted their teeth and paddled with all their might, each effort bearing the tenacity of a dogged struggle against the spring chill.

The lead-gray sky is heavy, and the dark river surface seems to be in chaos. Under the cover of this cold color, the biting spring cold follows like a shadow, leaving people nowhere to escape.

Gan Ning's face was gloomy. He clasped his fists and said to Ma Chao, "My lord, although our brothers have been bandaged hastily, many of them are seriously injured. If we don't find a good doctor as soon as possible, I'm afraid they will not survive this disaster." His tone was full of worry and anxiety.

Ma Chao's expression was solemn. He glanced at the injured guards and said decisively, "Xingba, you must act cautiously. If there is a reliable place, quickly send our brothers for treatment. Be sure to do your best to treat them."

Gan Ning clasped his fists heavily and said in a loud voice: "Don't worry, my lord. I have kept this matter in mind. The fleet is heading there now. But seeing my brothers suffer and looking at this beautiful country is really heartbreaking! Think about how glorious and magnificent our Han Dynasty was, with picturesque mountains and rivers and people living and working in peace and contentment. But now, the court is corrupt and treacherous people are in power, causing chaos in the world and wars raging across the land. This picturesque country has been devastated, and the people are displaced and suffering unspeakably!" After speaking, his face was full of grief and indignation, and he looked up and sighed.

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao's expression became more solemn. He looked at the vast sky and earth with a gaze like a torch and said loudly, "Xingba is absolutely right. Although the world is difficult and the court is dark, how can we give up? Look at these vast rivers and mountains. Even though they have been baptized by war and are riddled with holes, they are still magnificent and picturesque. And the people of our Han Dynasty are hardworking and tenacious. Even when they are in dire straits, they still have hope in their hearts. As long as we have lofty ambitions and are determined, there is no need to worry about not being able to restore order and return peace and prosperity to this country!" Ma Chao's voice was firm and powerful, and echoed on the river for a long time.

Upon hearing this, Gan Ning and his followers in Jinfan were all horrified. Everyone's eyes turned to Ma Chao, who stood solemnly at the riverbank.

Ma Chao stood tall and straight, his clothes billowing in the sharp river breeze, his face etched in the wind like a sculptor's. Though young, his words resonated like the resounding might of a bell, resonating deeply. His lofty ambitions surged like the surging river.

The Jinfan tribe members were secretly amazed. They had roamed the Jianghu for many years and had seen countless heroes, but they had never seen anyone like him. In these turbulent times, Ma Chao's vigorous heroism and unwavering faith were like a ray of light, piercing through the gloom and inspiring their sincere admiration and desire to follow him.

The boat slowly moved forward, and when it reached the branch, the Jinfan tribe's eyes lit up, and they energetically steered the boat into the tributary. Compared to the turbulent waves of the main river, the tributary's water was as calm as a mirror, the waves were gentle, and the boat sailed smoothly and steadily.

About an hour later, the shoreline gradually became clearer, and a bustling atmosphere filled the air. Gan Ning waved his hand and gave the order, "Dock!" The boat slowly approached the small pier. When the people on the pier saw Gan Ning and his group, their eyes, far from showing any fear, instantly lit up with surprise.

A white-haired old man, with a slightly unsteady but eager pace, came up to them with a smile on his face. His voice trembled slightly with excitement: "General Gan, you are finally here! We have been waiting for you for a long time!" Gan Ning hurriedly stepped off the boat and held the old man firmly. With a kind smile on his face, he asked with concern: "Old man, how are you doing recently?"

At the same time, the surrounding people gathered like a tide, surrounding Gan Ning and his companions in three layers. A rosy-cheeked auntie shouted with a laugh, "General Gan, what rare things have you brought us this time?" A naughty child in the crowd also joined in the commotion, "Uncle Gan, don't forget the war stories you promised to tell me!"

The Jinfan tribe quickly joined in the lively atmosphere. A young member smiled and responded to the aunt, "Auntie, I brought a lot of goodies this time. I'm sure you'll be satisfied! How's everything at home?" Nearby, another member patted a young man on the shoulder and asked enthusiastically, "Hey, how's business going lately? Are you able to handle the workload?" Other members, surrounded by children, were vividly recounting interesting stories from the river. The children's eyes lit up as they listened, and they occasionally let out bursts of exclamations and cheerful laughter.

The entire dock was bustling with greetings, laughter, and conversations, as if a grand party was taking place.

Ma Chao stood on the boat, gazing out into the distance. He saw the civilians on the dock, their faces gaunt and frail, their clothes tattered and patched, shivering in the cold wind, revealing the bitterness of their lives. In contrast, Gan Ning and his brocade sails, dressed in fine clothing, looked weathered yet still heroic, a stark contrast to the civilians' attire.

However, the scene before him surprised Ma Chao deeply. Gan Ning and his men interacted harmoniously with the common people. The people's eyes were filled with warmth and warmth, without any fear or alienation. Jinfan's men chatted cordially with the people or helped carry supplies, and laughter filled the air.

Ma Chao couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It seemed Gan Ning's words were most likely true. Although they were known as the Jinfan Bandits, judging by their appearance, they must have routinely robbed the rich and helped the poor. It was precisely because of this that these impoverished people truly loved them; this harmony was no fake.

Gan Ning stood on the dock, waving at Ma Chao on the boat and calling out, "Sir, please don't just stand there. Why haven't you disembarked now that the boat has docked? Not far from here, there's a highly skilled physician living in seclusion. Take our brothers there for treatment immediately. Don't delay healing."

Ma Chao was lost in thought when he heard Gan Ning's call. He snapped back to his senses and replied, "Alright, I'll be right there! Brothers, follow me off the boat."

The Jinfan tribesmen immediately sprang into action, helping to carefully help Ma Chao's injured guards off the boat. They hurried towards the medical officer's secluded residence, determined to get the guards treated as soon as possible.

Ma Chao's arrival caused a small stir at the dock. His handsome face, graceful demeanor, and resplendent brocade attire instantly captured the attention of the children. Like a flock of cheerful birds, they chirped and swarmed around him, their eyes filled with curiosity and wonder.

Ma Chao's presence captivated not only the children at the docks, but even those busy working there couldn't help but glance at him. Coolies carrying cargo, once hurried, slowed their pace when they caught sight of Ma Chao, their gazes filled with wonder and admiration. Fisherwomen weaving nets slowed their movements, blushing as they watched him, captivated by Ma Chao's handsomeness and extraordinary qualities. For a moment, the pace of work at the docks seemed to slow quietly at Ma Chao's presence, everyone captivated by his presence, seemingly forgetting their tasks.

Even after everyone arrived at the clinic, the children were reluctant to leave and followed closely behind. They hid in corners or behind doors, secretly observing Ma Chao and whispering to each other.

Ma Chao noticed the children's gazes, but instead of being annoyed, he waved to them warmly. He squatted down, a gentle smile on his face, and spoke softly to the children. He also took out a few small items from his pocket and gave them to them. The children shyly and happily took them, and their crisp laughter echoed in the clinic.

They arrived at a simple house, and an old man emerged. It was none other than the reclusive medical officer. Gan Ning, with a look of respect on his face, was the first to greet him, smiling and saying, "Old man, how are you these days?"

The medical officer also smiled kindly and responded, "Thanks to the general, I'm still in good health. It's you who are traveling around and doing the hard work."

Gan Ning bowed sincerely and said gratefully, "My dear father-in-law, you are a skilled doctor with a kind heart. You have helped the people here without asking for money. Your great kindness will be remembered by the people."

The medical officer waved his hand, his expression relaxed. "In these chaotic times, with constant conflict, I'm already content to find this idyllic place to retreat and experience the simple kindness of my fellow villagers and the friendship between neighbors. I'm only doing my bit, and it's insignificant. It's you, General Gan, who has taken the trouble to transport food and other supplies to the people free of charge. This is truly a great act of kindness."

The old man's gaze inadvertently fell on Ma Chao, who stood nearby. He was tall and straight, with a distinguished demeanor. His every move exuded an extraordinary grace, making him the center of attention. Curious, the old man turned to Gan Ning and asked, "This young man is handsome and has an extraordinary appearance. I wonder who he is?"

Upon hearing this, Gan Ning pondered the sensitivity of Ma Chao's identity, then laughed heartily, saying that he was a friend. He knew that Ma Chao was a noble figure, a crucial figure in the interplay of power. If he casually revealed this to ordinary people, it would undoubtedly bring unforeseen disaster upon them.

The old man was incredibly astute. Seeing Gan Ning's evasiveness, he understood something. He knew Gan Ning and his companions often robbed the rich to help the poor, a practice that, while beneficial to the people, was frowned upon by the court. Since Gan Ning was intent on concealing the truth, there was no point in asking further questions, so he decided not to delve into the matter.

Seeing this, Ma Chao stepped forward with steady steps, clasped his fists respectfully before the old man, and said sincerely, "Old man, we have the audacity to come here to ask for an important favor. My personal guards have been injured on the way, and I beg you to use your skillful hands to treat them. Ma Chao would be deeply grateful."

Upon hearing this, the old man's gaze shifted to the injured guards. A flash of the focus and enthusiasm characteristic of a physician flashed in his eyes, as if he had become a completely different person. He quickly walked over to the guards, carefully examining their injuries while praising them non-stop. "Tsk, tsk, look at these warriors' physiques—so strong! They were so resilient and persevering when I just examined their injuries. It's truly remarkable!" Before he even finished speaking, his hands were already moving, swiftly and expertly treating the soldiers. His expression was so focused that it seemed as if nothing else in the world had mattered to him.