With Che Li Ji's aid and Ma Chao's fearless bravery, the rebellion in Jincheng Commandery was swiftly put down, a process far smoother and quicker than in other parts of Western Liang.
Ma Chao implemented a series of measures to bring peace to the people, and Jincheng Commandery quickly regained its vitality, with the local populace expressing immense gratitude and endless praise for Ma Chao.
However, the suppression of rebellions in other areas was not as optimistic.
Those rebel leaders meticulously planned within their respective territories, stubbornly resisting.
Dong Zhuo's generals in Western Liang encountered many obstacles during the suppression process, and progress was not smooth.
Moreover, every time they captured a place, they engaged in widespread burning, killing, and looting, with extremely lax military discipline.
For a time, the people within Western Liang lived in dire straits, full of grievances and immense suffering.
They resented the atrocities of Dong Zhuo's Army but were powerless to resist, only able to silently endure it all.
Ma Chao and Dong Bai, on their journey to Longxi Commandery, witnessed too many evil deeds committed by Dong Zhuo's subordinates, filling their hearts with shock, grief, and helplessness.
Ma Chao rode on his horse, his heart a complex mix of emotions; he indeed felt great gratitude towards Dong Zhuo, as Dong Zhuo was a great benefactor to his family.
However, witnessing the various evil deeds of Dong Zhuo's subordinates, his anger surged like a tide.
His brows were tightly furrowed, his fists clenching and unclenching from time to time, as he mused to himself, "Dong Gong, oh Dong Gong, why do you allow these subordinates to act so recklessly! Their actions, how can they not pain my heart!"
But he also understood that Dong Zhuo had shown him kindness, which plunged him into deep contradiction.
Dong Bai walked slowly beside Ma Chao, her face slightly pale.
Her heart was full of conflict and struggle; these people were all her grandfather Dong Zhuo's subordinates, the power of her family.
However, witnessing their evil deeds firsthand, Dong Bai felt incredibly shocked and angry.
She bit her lower lip, thinking to herself, "These people... how can they be like this! They are grandfather's subordinates, yet they are so cruel and inhumane!"
Her eyes held both disappointment in Dong Zhuo's subordinates and hatred for their actions.
Dong Bai slightly lowered her head, trying to calm her emotions; she knew she couldn't be defeated by these evil deeds.
But these scenes were deeply etched in her mind, causing her immense pain and confusion; she didn't know how to face such a reality, and the contradiction in her heart tormented her.
Ma Chao's expression was solemn; he turned his head to Dong Bai and said in a low voice, "Miss Dong, you've seen these things; their actions are truly outrageous."
Dong Bai nodded slightly, her eyes filled with grief and indignation, "Yes, Brother Chao Ge, they are all grandfather's subordinates, yet they are so cruel; how can this not chill one's heart?"
Ma Chao took a deep breath and said firmly, "When we return, we must make Dong Gong properly restrain his subordinates; such evil deeds cannot be allowed to continue.
If these officials and soldiers are not disciplined, they are more terrifying than bandits!"
Dong Bai bit her lip, a flicker of determination in her eyes, "Mm, we must make Father-in-law understand that he cannot let them act so recklessly!"
The two exchanged glances, and the belief to change everything became even stronger in their hearts.
Ma Chao and Dong Bai were preoccupied with their thoughts all the way, no longer having the relaxed and playful mood they had before, only hurrying towards Longxi Commandery.
Finally home, Dong Zhuo came out with a joyful expression, looking at the two standing side by side, secretly delighted in his heart.
This young couple before him, the man heroic and dashing, the woman delicate and lovely, stood together as if they had stepped out of a painting, perfectly matched in every way.
A hint of relief and expectation flashed in Dong Zhuo's eyes, as if he saw a beautiful future.
However, at this moment, Ma Chao and Dong Bai had no time to consider Dong Zhuo's thoughts; their minds were still lingering on the evil deeds they had witnessed on the road, and they were thinking about how to express their concerns and ideas to Dong Zhuo.
Dong Zhuo laughed heartily as he teased Dong Bai, saying, "My girl, did you have fun on this journey?"
He then turned to Ma Chao, feigning seriousness, "Mengqi, on this journey of bandit suppression, did you follow Dong Bai's opinions in everything?
Don't disregard military law just because she's my granddaughter and you obey her every word! Haha!"
Dong Zhuo's laughter echoed in the air, but at this moment, Dong Bai and Ma Chao were not affected by his teasing in the slightest, with no trace of a smile on their faces.
They exchanged glances, reading deep concern and firm determination in each other's eyes.
Ma Chao stepped forward, bowed deeply with cupped hands, and said, "Dong Gong, the battle in Jincheng Commandery went smoothly, but on the way back, your generals' military discipline was too lax, and their actions were truly infuriating!
Now the people in various parts of Western Liang are almost in a state of panic because of them."
As Ma Chao spoke, his voice carried a hint of urgency and worry; he looked up, directly at Dong Zhuo, "Dong Gong, if this continues, Western Liang may fall into chaos!"
Dong Bai also took a step forward, standing beside Ma Chao, and gently tugged on Dong Zhuo's sleeve, saying, "Grandfather, you must control them; you can't let them act so recklessly."
Dong Zhuo's smile gradually faded, his brows furrowed, and he fell into thought.
After a while, he slowly said, "I am aware of this matter, and I will strictly discipline them.
You two have had a long journey; go and rest first."
Dong Bai and Ma Chao exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes.
They knew that although this was just a beginning, they had to continue working for the stability of Western Liang.
Dong Zhuo privately called Dong Bai to his side, his face full of amiable smiles, his eyes full of affection, and gently holding Dong Bai's hand, he said, "My dear granddaughter, come, tell grandfather in detail about your experiences on this journey, what interesting things did you encounter?"
Dong Bai lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushed, as beautiful as the clouds at the edge of the sky, and she softly and gently recounted everything she had seen and heard on the journey to Dong Zhuo.
Dong Zhuo listened very carefully, nodding slightly from time to time, sometimes frowning slightly, seemingly thinking about something.
When Dong Bai spoke of the things she experienced with Ma Chao, Dong Zhuo's eyes became exceptionally bright.
He suddenly grasped Dong Bai's hand, applying a little force to make Dong Bai look up at him, and said earnestly, "My girl, grandfather can tell that you seem to have different feelings for that Ma Chao.
Grandfather asks you, have you fallen for that Ma Chao?
If you truly have, then grandfather will arrange for someone to properly settle your matter.
What do you think?"
When Dong Bai heard Dong Zhuo's words, she was instantly so shy that she wanted to find a hole to hide in; her face became even redder, like a ripe apple.
She shyly lowered her head and said in a voice almost inaudible, "Grandfather... don't say that..."
Her fingers nervously twisted the corner of her clothes, her heart pounding like a little rabbit, both shy and somewhat expectant.
Dong Zhuo looked at Dong Bai's appearance and couldn't help but laugh heartily; he affectionately stroked Dong Bai's head and said, "Haha, my dear granddaughter, your shy look is truly adorable.
Grandfather is truly thinking for your sake, so don't be embarrassed!"
Dong Zhuo privately called Li Ru to his side, and the two discussed in a secret room.
Dong Zhuo frowned tightly, saying to Li Ru with a worried expression, "Wen You, today you and I, Father-in-law and son-in-law, will have a family chat.
You also know that my branch, in terms of the Dong Family clan and Imperial Court power, relies solely on me to painstakingly support it.
My son died young, and I have no grandsons; now I only have Dong Bai, this one granddaughter.
As for my nephews, they are truly good-for-nothings; I truly can't stand them."
Dong Zhuo sighed and continued, "Now Dong Bai loves Ma Chao, and this matter makes me very conflicted.
I am wondering, how should I handle my foundation in the future?
Should I leave everything to Dong Bai, or to my nephews?
If it's to my nephews, then which one should I choose as the heir?
If I leave everything to Dong Bai, then should I now entrust everything to Ma Chao without reservation?
But if I leave it to my nephews, then I cannot treat Ma Chao too favorably, otherwise it will cause conflict between him and my nephews.
I really can't make up my mind; tell me, what are your thoughts?"
Li Ru pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "My Lord, in my opinion, this matter requires careful consideration.
If you leave the entire foundation to Dong Bai, Ma Chao is indeed a reliable person, but you must also guard against him becoming too powerful and difficult to control in the future.
If it's to your nephews, with their abilities, I'm afraid they will find it difficult to maintain what you have established.
As for choosing which nephew as heir, it is even more difficult to decide."
Li Ru paused, then continued, "However, Father-in-law, you don't have to worry too much; this matter still needs to be considered in the long run, weighing the pros and cons slowly, and it's not too late to make a decision then."
Li Ru thought for a moment and then said, "Father-in-law, what you said is indeed reasonable.
Those few cousins are indeed good-for-nothings; if the foundation is left to them, I'm afraid they will not be able to subdue the various proud and fierce generals of Western Liang.
In my opinion, it would be better to first hand over the foundation to Dong Bai to manage, and then when she and Ma Chao have children in the future, choose one child to inherit, let the child take the Dong surname, and inherit the Dong Family foundation.
This way, both the inheritance of the foundation can be ensured, and unnecessary troubles can be avoided.
What do you think?"
Dong Zhuo listened to Li Ru's words, fell into thought, and after a while, he nodded and said, "Hmm, what you said also makes sense; let's do as you say.
Perhaps I've been thinking too much recently, and it's too early to talk about it now."
Dong Zhuo looked up at Li Ru and then said, "Wen You, find a suitable opportunity to express this idea to Ma Teng and see how he reacts."
Li Ru bowed and said, "My Lord, rest assured, I understand."
