My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

After careful consideration, Zhang Lu resolutely chose Ma Chao as Zhang Wei's deputy general.

Back then, when Cao Cao led his army westward, all the generals of Xiliang chose to surrender in order to save their lives in the face of Cao Cao's military might.

Ma Chao, however, had a blood feud with Cao Cao.

Cao Cao not only killed his father Ma Teng, but also cruelly slaughtered his brothers.

Left with no other choice, he had to leave his hometown and head south to Hanzhong to seek refuge with Zhang Lu.

In recent years, thanks to Ma Chao's bravery, Zhang Lu has been able to gain the upper hand in many battles against Liu Zhang.

In terms of status and position, Zhang Wei was nominally a Grand General in Han China, ranking first among military generals.

In terms of raw strength, Zhang Lu knew perfectly well that Ma Chao was undoubtedly his number one general.

Therefore, this campaign out of the Ziwu Valley was a crucial battle concerning the future of Hanzhong. To ensure victory, Zhang Lu naturally did not hesitate to deploy Ma Chao in the battle.

"I have heard that Ma Mengqi is incredibly brave, with the courage of Lü Bu. Ma Chao has such a reputation for bravery, so having him assist the general is indeed the most suitable choice."

Sima Yi nodded slightly, but then his tone abruptly changed, and his expression became serious:

"However, I have heard that when the Ma family was in power in Guanzhong, they briefly joined forces with that big-eared scoundrel Liu Bei. It seems that Ma Chao and Liu Bei had some connection."

"Moreover, our surprise attack on Tongguan this time can be considered as relieving the Wei Kingdom from its predicament. However, the Wei Emperor and Ma Chao have a blood feud over the murder of their fathers. The blood feud is irreconcilable, and this hatred is an insurmountable chasm."

"Your Majesty, I am worried that Ma Chao, because of these two relationships, might harbor ulterior motives at a crucial moment and do something detrimental to Your Majesty..."

Sima Yi left it at that, not revealing too much.

Zhang Lu was incredibly astute; how could he not understand the implication behind Sima Yi's words?

He frowned slightly, a sense of worry rising in his heart.

He worried that Ma Chao might suddenly decide to betray Han China and defect to Liu Bei.

If that were the case, wouldn't Zhang Wei's more than 10,000 elite troops from Hanzhong be like lambs to the slaughter, going to their deaths?

Thinking of this, Zhang Lu's brows furrowed even more, and a deep worry flashed in his eyes.

"Zhongda, I think you're overthinking it."

Just then, Zhang Wei sneered dismissively, a hint of disdain in his eyes:
“Ma Chao’s younger brother Ma Dai, his sister Ma Yunlu, and his wife and children are all currently in Hanzhong. Your Majesty can use the pretext of caring for Ma Chao to bring them all to Nanzheng for surveillance and turn them all into hostages.”

"Even if Ma Chao harbored rebellious intentions, how could he dare to disregard the lives of his family and commit treason?"

Upon hearing Zhang Wei's words, Zhang Lu's eyes lit up.

It should be noted that most of Ma Chao's clansmen had already been killed by Cao Cao.

Now, Ma Dai and these people are the only relatives he has left in this world.

They were like the last straw in Ma Chao's life, the softest and most vulnerable part of his heart.

Even if Ma Chao was unwilling to be an enemy of Liu Bei and unwilling to help Cao Cao out of his predicament, how could he dare to disregard the life and death of his remaining family members?

If he really acts so recklessly, even if he joins Liu Bei, he will become a lonely figure with no one to rely on in this world.

Thinking of this, Zhang Lu's worries immediately dissipated.

"Gong Hu's words make sense."

Zhang Lusui's expression relaxed, and he said happily:
"By my order, bring all of Ma Mengqi's family members to the Prince of Nanzheng's residence and treat them with great hospitality. Then go to Yangping Pass and summon Ma Mengqi to see me immediately!"

Sima Yi rolled his eyes a few times, his worries were relieved, and he said no more.

……

Time flies by like a fleeting moment.

Five days later, the first spring rain ended its brief stay. At dawn, the sky was clear and cloudless.

Upon seeing the weather clear up, Liu Shan, who was north of Xingshi Mountain, immediately ordered 100,000 Han troops to launch a fierce attack on the Hanzhong army camp.

In an instant, the sound of war drums shook the heavens and the shouts of battle rose and fell.

One hundred thousand Han soldiers surged towards Xingshi Mountain and the Hanzhong army camp like a tidal wave.

The Hanzhong army also showed no weakness, standing ready and fighting back fiercely.

The two sides engaged in a fierce battle.

Meanwhile, in the eastern suburbs of Nanzheng, Zhang Wei, who had secretly returned south beforehand, led more than 10,000 elite Han troops with Ma Chao as his deputy, marching day and night straight towards the Ziwu Valley.

The spring rains had stopped by then, and although the valley was still slightly muddy, it was barely passable.

After forming an alliance with the State of Wei, Zhang Lu built a plank road in the Ziwu Valley to promote trade between the two countries.

The plank road, like a giant dragon, winds and coils between cliffs, connecting Hanzhong and Guanzhong.

However, due to a lack of effective maintenance over the past few years, the boardwalk has fallen into disrepair and has been broken and damaged in many places.

In some places, the wooden planks are rotten and about to collapse; in other places, the ropes have broken, and the walkway is suspended in mid-air, posing a constant risk of falling.

Zhang Wei had made preparations in advance and anticipated the potential problems with the plank road. Therefore, the army carried a large number of wooden tools specifically for the purpose of rebuilding the plank road.

Under Zhang Wei's command, 10,000 soldiers from Hanzhong marched forward day and night while repairing roads.

Finally, after a rainless period of half a month, the second spring rain fell.

Zhang Wei and his 10,000 Hanzhong troops managed to leave Beigukou before the rain started.

The moment they stepped out of the valley, it was as if they had walked from darkness into light, and a bright and clear view opened up before them.

Standing at the mouth of the valley, Zhang Wei gazed at the vast, fertile plains stretching for miles ahead, and a surge of heroic ambition welled up within him.

"Our army has just emerged from the Ziwu Valley when this spring rain arrives. Truly, Heaven blesses my brother, hahaha—"

Zhang Wei burst into wild laughter.

This second spring rain, of all times, fell just as his 10,000-strong army had emerged from the Ziwu Valley.

What else could this be but divine protection for Zhang Lu?
With divine favor, how could we not win this battle?

After his wild laughter subsided, Zhang Wei's confidence soared. He drew his sword, pointed fiercely towards Tongguan Pass in the east, and shouted:
"By my order, the entire army shall march straight for Tongguan!"

"Whoever enters Tongguan first will be enfeoffed as a marquis by the King of Hanzhong!"

Upon hearing Zhang Wei's order, the 10,000-strong Hanzhong army was invigorated, and their fatigue vanished.

Like wild beasts emerging from the mountains, they rushed towards the Guanzhong Plain.

Ma Chao stood with his spear at the ready, gazing silently at the familiar plains before him, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.

This plain was once his battlefield.

When the warlords of Guanzhong rebelled against Cao Cao, they also recognized him as their leader, which was a glorious moment for them.

Unfortunately, all the dazzling past vanished with the fall of Guanzhong.

Now, time has passed, and he has returned here again, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

"I never imagined that I, Ma Chao, would one day return to Guanzhong..."

Gazing at the vast plains, Ma Chao muttered to himself. (End of Chapter)