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

"There are Han soldiers lying in ambush here?"

Ma Chao blurted out in surprise, his voice sounding as if it had been squeezed out by despair.

In an instant, endless despair engulfed him like a surging tide, and the chill that penetrated to his very bones made him shiver.

The last vestige of hope and chance that remained in his heart shattered and vanished like bubbles with that exclamation.

Only then did he realize, as if waking from a dream, that his earlier relief had come far too soon.

They underestimated the foresight and strategic thinking of Xiao He, the Grand Marshal of the Han Dynasty.

Xiao and his men not only secretly laid a large force at Tongguan, but also set up an impregnable defensive line at the Ziwu Valley, a place he would inevitably pass through on his way back to Hanzhong.

Ma Chao subconsciously glanced back and saw that the more than a thousand soldiers from Hanzhong were all exhausted.

At this moment, their eyes were filled with confusion and fear, like lost lambs, not knowing where to go or what to do.

The sudden appearance of the Han army's divine troops has caused morale to plummet to rock bottom.

In such a desperate situation, how could they possibly break through the Han army's blockade and return to Ziwu Valley?

The Han army before them was like an insurmountable chasm, completely severing their hope of survival.

"Am I, Ma Chao, truly destined to die here today?"

Ma Chao gripped his silver spear tightly, looked up to the sky, and let out a mournful sigh.

Just then, a strange movement suddenly occurred in the Han army formation, which had been on high alert.

The Han army formation split open to both sides like a tidal wave, and a general riding a white horse with a silver spear rode out like a god descending to earth.

He wore a silver helmet and silver armor, which shone brightly in the sunlight, making him look like a war god descending to earth.

After the Han general had gone out about thirty paces, he reined in his horse, mounted it, brandished his spear, and shouted in a voice as loud as a bell:
"I am Zhao Yun, General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Han Dynasty. Where is Ma Mengqi? May we have a chat on the battlefield?"

Ma Chao's heart jolted, and the despair that had just filled his face instantly turned into shock.

He never expected that the Han general blocking his way would be the famous and powerful Zhao Yun!

In the military ranks of the Han Dynasty, Zhao Yun was the third most important figure.

At this moment, Zhao Yun suddenly demanded to meet him on the battlefield.

what does this mean?
This means that the other side already knew that he was commanding this Hanzhong army!
What terrifying foresight!
Ma Chao felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to his head. He gasped and shivered, a chill running down his spine.

"Where is Ma Mengqi? Would you be willing to come and visit him?"

Seeing that no one answered, Zhao Yun shouted again.

Suppressing the turbulent emotions surging within him, Ma Chao hesitated for a moment before reluctantly turning his horse and charging into battle.

At this point, he was at his wit's end, like a trapped beast in a desperate situation.

If they do not engage Zhao Yun in battle, the Han army will surely launch an attack immediately.

Their own thousand or so remaining soldiers were already exhausted, how could they possibly defeat the tens of thousands of well-rested and ready Han troops?

Once the fight begins, death is inevitable; it will be a doomed situation with no suspense whatsoever.

Since that's the case, we can only go into battle for a while and see what Zhao Yun is up to.

Perhaps, we can still find a glimmer of hope in this desperate situation.

The two riders stood seven paces apart. Ma Chao, holding his silver spear, slightly bowed.

"I am Ma Chao, Zhao Zilong of Changshan. I have long admired your name."

His eyes held both respect for Zhao Yun and a hint of wariness.

Zhao Yun returned the salute with his spear, a slight smile of respect on his face.
"Ma Chao of Xiliang is renowned throughout the land. Today, I have witnessed his fame firsthand, and indeed, his reputation is well-deserved." Zhao Yun's voice was gentle and calm, revealing not a trace of murderous intent.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ma Chao once again stood with his spear drawn, and asked in a deep voice:
"General Zhao, I, Ma Chao, would never surrender to the Han. If you want to persuade me to surrender, you don't need to say anything."

Clearly, Ma Chao thought that Zhao Yun's invitation to meet him on the battlefield was an attempt to persuade him to surrender.

In his view, there seemed to be no other more reasonable explanation.

Could it be that they came to chat about everyday things and flatter each other?
Zhao Yun seemed to have anticipated Ma Chao's reaction, and he simply smiled faintly.
“Our Grand Marshal said that Mengqi, your family members are all in Nanzheng, being held hostage by Zhang Lu. For the sake of your family’s lives, there is absolutely no way you would surrender to our Han Dynasty at this time.”

"Therefore, the reason I invited you, Mengqi, for a meeting was not to persuade you to surrender."

These seemingly casual words struck Ma Chao's heart like a heavy hammer.

Ma Chao's face instantly turned as pale as paper.

He never imagined that Xiao He would know so much about the secrets deep in his heart.

"The Grand Marshal said that Zhang Lu intends to send troops out of the Ziwu Valley to launch a surprise attack on Tongguan, and will surely appoint his brother Zhang Wei to lead the army."

Zhao Yun continued unhurriedly:
“Zhang Lu will definitely use his younger brother Zhang Wei in this battle. However, Zhang Wei is not familiar with the terrain of Guanzhong. Therefore, he will definitely look for a general who can be both a guide and a brave and skilled warrior to be Zhang Wei’s deputy.”

“And this person must be you, Ma Mengqi.”

“Zhang Lu knows that you, Mengqi, were once an ally of the Emperor. He fears that you will take advantage of the situation to submit to our Han Dynasty. Therefore, he will definitely hold your relatives hostage and force you not to have any rebellious thoughts.”

Zhao Yun calmly and deliberately explained Xiao He's previous assessment.

Ma Chao trembled all over, gasped, and his eyes filled with unprecedented horror.

At this moment, his worldview seemed to have been completely overturned.

Xiao He seemed to have gained supernatural insight, seeing through all their thoughts!
Is that human being?
"Could it be that the rumors of him being an immortal descended to earth are actually true?"

Ma Chao's mind was reeling, and his heart was filled with shock, as if a mountain had collapsed and the earth had split open.

Zhao Yun, however, remained calm and continued:

"The Grand Marshal also said that Zhang Wei will undoubtedly be defeated in the Battle of Tongguan, and Meng Qi, your martial arts are unparalleled, so you will most likely break through the encirclement and retreat south to Hanzhong."

"And Mengqi, your martial arts are unparalleled. Once Zhang Wei is defeated, you will surely lead the remaining troops to break through and retreat south, attempting to return to Hanzhong."

"Therefore, the Grand Marshal ordered me to lead 10,000 elite troops, lightly armed and swiftly, under the pretext of reinforcing the Crown Prince, and we arrived at the Ziwu Valley Pass."

As Zhao Yun spoke, his gaze swept over the elite Han army.

At this moment, these Han soldiers were like a pack of hungry wolves, ready to pounce on their prey at any moment.

After a slight pause, Zhao Yun's gaze turned solemn, and he said, word by word:

"I have invited you here today on the orders of the Grand Marshal, to show you the right path."

Ma Chao's heart skipped a beat, and a barely perceptible glimmer of hope flashed in his horrified eyes.

Pointing out a clear path...

Judging from Zhao Yun's tone, Xiao He neither wanted to recruit him nor seemed to intend to annihilate him.

She was actually trying to show him a way out.

What exactly is Xiao Bowen up to?

Ma Chao was utterly perplexed, but he could only suppress his confusion and asked with his hands clasped:

"I wonder what kind of clear path Grand Marshal Xiao intends to point out to me?" (End of Chapter)