expression
punishing someone you love to uphold the rules; being just before one is generous
Idiomatic expression derived from a Chinese historical episode. Used when a leader reluctantly punishes a valued subordinate to maintain discipline or justice. The literal meaning is 'shedding tears while beheading Ma Su'.
彼は泣いて馬謖を斬る思いで、長年連れ添った部下を解雇した。
With a heavy heart, he fired his long-time subordinate, like shedding tears while beheading Ma Su.
From a story in the Chinese historical novel 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms', where the strategist Zhuge Liang tearfully orders the execution of his favorite general Ma Su for a critical military failure.