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

"Cao Cao~~"

That cursed name echoed in Ma Chao's heart. The blood feud of killing his father and wiping out his clan overwhelmed him like a raging tide, making him grit his teeth in hatred.

Ma Chao's gaze pierced through the layers of soldiers like a sharp blade, fixed on Zhang Wei's receding figure.

That silhouette fueled the rage in his eyes, giving him an urge to rush forward and stab it to death.

Ma Chao harbored only deep-seated hatred for Cao Cao.

His feelings toward Zhang Lu were more complex; he hated him with a passion that made him grit his teeth, yet he was also disgusted to the point of wanting to vomit.

Back then, after suffering a crushing defeat in Guanzhong, Ma Chao led his remaining family and loyal followers south to seek refuge with Zhang Lu.

For many years afterward, he served Zhang Lu diligently, risking his life for him and suppressing Liu Zhang so much that he could never raise his head, thus making outstanding contributions to Zhang Lu's cause.

Even so, his position in Zhang Lu's camp remained awkward.

The arrogant and domineering Zhang Wei, relying on his special relationship with Zhang Lu, suppressed him in every way, regarding Zhang Lu's illustrious military achievements as nothing more than worthless pieces of paper.

What's even more infuriating is that he had to be on equal footing with mediocre and incompetent people like Yang Ang and Yang Ren.

In his eyes, these people were nothing but dirt chickens and clay dogs, not worth mentioning at all.

But for the sake of his still burning desire for revenge, Ma Chao had no choice but to endure and swallow his anger.

However, Zhang Lu's actions became increasingly outrageous, practically trampling on Ma Chao's dignity.

Now, Zhang Lu, knowing full well that Cao Cao was the enemy who killed his father and exterminated his clan, shamelessly ordered him to assist Zhang Wei in relieving Cao Cao's predicament.

This behavior was an extreme insult to him, making him feel incredibly humiliated and angry.

That's so unfair!

What disgusted him even more was that Zhang Lu pretended to be benevolent and brought all his cousins ​​to Nanzheng, claiming it was to treat them well and take good care of them.

But Ma Chao knew in his heart that this was nothing more than Zhang Lu's insidious trick, in order to hold them hostage and force him to wholeheartedly assist Zhang Wei and not to have any disloyal thoughts.

Such despicable and shameless tactics disgusted Ma Chao so much that he wanted to vomit.

"Zhang Lu, you scoundrel, I will take your head sooner or later!"

Ma Chao gripped the gleaming silver spear tightly in his hand, silently swearing a vow, each word squeezed out from between his teeth, filled with boundless hatred.

However, despite his hatred, Ma Chao found himself in a deep sense of helplessness.

His younger brother Ma Dai, younger sister Ma Yunlu, and his wife and children were all taken hostage by Zhang Lu, as if they were being strangled by an invisible hand.

If they were to resist rashly at this moment, all the remaining family members would surely be brutally murdered by Zhang Lu.

At that time, he, the mighty Ma Chao of Xiliang, will become a lonely ghost, with no relatives left in this world.

For the sake of his remaining family members, Ma Chao had no choice but to endure it once again.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the raging anger that was about to erupt like a volcano in his heart, and concealed the murderous intent in his eyes, trying his best to restore his calm expression.

"Giddy up!"

With a soft shout, Ma Chao spurred his horse, and his warhorse shot down the hillside like an arrow, following behind Zhang Wei.

Under his leadership, ten thousand Hanzhong soldiers silently made their way towards Tongguan along a secluded path.

As a veteran warlord in Guanzhong, Ma Chao knew every tree, mountain, and road in Guanzhong like the back of his hand. He was like a living map, guiding the Hanzhong army to move freely.

Along the way, the 10,000 Hanzhong soldiers could not pass through any city they encountered. Like ghosts, they silently made their way to Tongguan without encountering a single Han soldier.

Two days later, the setting sun was like blood, and the last rays of its rays fell on the earth. Zhang Wei and Ma Chao climbed over the last hill and stood on the top of the mountain, looking into the distance. The majestic Tongguan Pass was already close at hand, as if it could be reached.

"General Zhang, that is Tongguan Pass."

Ma Chao held his silver spear, pointing it into the distance, his tone calm and composed, as if everything before him was irrelevant.

Zhang Wei was overjoyed, a smug smile spreading across his face as he chuckled and said:

“Ma Mengqi, you deserve immense credit for our successful capture of Tongguan. I am willing to share this great achievement with you.”

In his view, Tongguan seemed to be already in his grasp.

Ma Chao, however, remained calm and expressionless, replying:
"General Zhang, let's talk about that after we take Tongguan. It's too early to talk about merits now."

His words clearly carried a hint of sarcasm, implying that Zhang Wei was too complacent and that the battle had not yet begun, and the outcome was still uncertain.

Zhang Wei, however, curled his lips into a disdainful sneer and said confidently:

"The main force of the Han army is in Chang'an and Xiegu. The spies have no intelligence on the Han army returning to Tongguan. The garrison at Tongguan must be weak. The outcome of this battle is already decided. What's wrong with us celebrating our victory in advance?"

Ma Chao remained silent, gazing into the distance as he pondered to himself.

Zhang Wei, too lazy to say more, raised his long sword and shouted:

"All troops, listen to my command! With one mighty effort, we will raze Tongguan to the ground!"

"As I said before, whoever enters Tongguan first will be enfeoffed as a marquis by the King of Hanzhong!"

With such a generous reward, brave men are sure to emerge. Upon hearing of the tempting reward, the soldiers of Hanzhong Army were instantly filled with the excitement of beasts, each one rubbing their hands together, eager for battle.

The 10,000-strong Hanzhong army, like tigers and wolves, rushed towards Tongguan under Zhang Wei's leadership.

Meanwhile, at Tongguan Pass.

Guan Yu stood with his hands behind his back, like an unshakeable mountain.

He stroked his long beard, his gaze deep and resolute, looking down at the Hanzhong army that was surging forward.

"My son-in-law is as brilliant as ever! That scoundrel Zhang Lu has indeed led his troops out of the Ziwu Valley, intending to attack my Tong Pass!"

Guan Yu was filled with emotion, and his eyes made no attempt to hide his admiration for Xiao He.

All of this was within his son-in-law's expectations. It was because of Xiao He's secret report that he personally went to Tongguan and made preparations in advance.

Guan Ping, standing beside him, still felt a lingering fear, a look of lingering apprehension on his face, and sighed:

"If it weren't for my brother-in-law's foresight and my father's secret arrival with a large force to reinforce the defenses, Tongguan, with only a thousand soldiers, would surely have been overrun by the Hanzhong army."

"At that time, my 350,000 troops in Guanzhong will be cut off by Zhang Lu's supply lines and retreat, and we will be in danger of being completely annihilated!"

Guan Yu agreed wholeheartedly, nodded slightly, and sighed:
"Your immortal brother-in-law has saved the Han Dynasty again, and saved the Emperor and you and me once more."

In the arrogant tone of the bearded man, he seemed to be his own son-in-law, once again becoming the savior of the Han Dynasty.

As the father and son reminisced, the Hanzhong army was already closing in like a surging torrent.

Guan Yu suppressed his emotions, his expression turning cold and stern. He gave a cold snort and shouted sharply:

"Pass down the order: all units shall lower their flags and cease fire, feigning a lack of troop strength and lax defenses."

"Today, I will give these arrogant and ignorant Hanzhong soldiers a tremendous surprise!" (End of Chapter)