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

"We hope that Mengqi will help us recover the lost territory of Hanzhong. When we succeed, we will return to the Han Dynasty with our military achievements."

Ma Chao was slightly taken aback when he heard Zhao Yun's words.

In the end, isn't the ultimate goal still to get him to surrender to Liu Bei?

Even if they manage to save their own lives, their loved ones left behind in Hanzhong will inevitably die, and all of them will perish.

How can this be considered a bright and smooth road?
Upon realizing this, Ma Chao's eyes instantly darkened.

"General Mengqi, please don't be anxious. What I mean by surrendering to the Han Dynasty is not what you think."

Zhao Yun seemed to sense Ma Chao's change in mood, interrupted him, and then explained:
"The Grand Marshal has a well-thought-out plan in mind. He hopes that General Mengqi can cooperate with me so that we can put on a good show for Zhang Lu."

"Specifically, I will deliberately let you retreat from Ziwu Valley to Nanzheng, while I will lead a large army to follow you and take the opportunity to invade the heart of Hanzhong through Ziwu Valley and besiege Nanzheng."

"When the time is right, General Mengqi will act as an inside agent. We will work together from the inside and outside to help us break through Nanzheng in one fell swoop. In this way, Hanzhong can be successfully recovered."

"At that time, General Mengqi, you will not only be able to save the lives of your loved ones and spare them from slaughter, but you will also be able to return to the Emperor with this unparalleled achievement, receive rewards and enjoy honor. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?"

Zhao Yun revealed Xiao He's entire plan without reservation, looking at Ma Chao with anticipation in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao was taken aback, as if he had suddenly seen a glimmer of light in the darkness, and then he suddenly understood.

Joy rekindled in his previously gloomy eyes.

He got it.

That brilliant strategist, the Grand Marshal, had far greater ambitions than simply crippling Zhang Lu; he wanted to completely devour Zhang Lu and seize Hanzhong.

However, Hanzhong has a strategic location with the Qinling Mountains as a natural barrier, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack, and conquering it would be no easy task.

Even if the Han army manages to barely penetrate into the Hanzhong Plain, as long as Zhang Lu adopts a scorched-earth policy and orders all cities to close their gates and refuse to fight, the Han army will be unable to obtain supplies locally.

Transporting grain and fodder from the rear was a long and arduous journey, inevitably making it difficult to sustain the supply of grain and fodder.

As a result, the Han army would eventually be forced to retreat in defeat and return empty-handed due to a lack of supplies.

If he could act as an inside agent and cooperate with the Han army besieging the city, they could take Nanzheng by surprise.

Once Nanzheng is captured, Hanzhong will be within easy reach.

"This Grand Marshal Xiao is so far-sighted; his wisdom and strategy are truly astounding and breathtaking..."

Ma Chao couldn't help but marvel at Xiao He's strategy.

Then, without hesitation, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said solemnly:

"Very well, please reply to the Grand Marshal and thank him for giving me this excellent opportunity to return to Han with merit. I am deeply grateful for his kindness and I, Ma Chao, will certainly live up to his trust and repay him with my life."

Ma Chao agreed readily and decisively, without the slightest hesitation.

His time with Zhang Lu was extremely frustrating. He was constantly suspected and his resentment had been building up for a long time, until he could no longer bear it.

If it weren't for the constant concern for his family's safety, he would have wanted to immediately submit to the Han Dynasty and escape Zhang Lu's control.

Now, Xiao He has given him this perfect opportunity, which allows him to save his family's lives and realize his ambitions. How could he not be overjoyed and seize this lifeline without hesitation?

Seeing that Ma Chao agreed so readily, Zhao Yun secretly breathed a sigh of relief and a gratified smile appeared on his face.

Everything was as Xiao He had expected; the scheme had already taken its first step successfully.

Next came the most crucial moment: acting.

Zhao Yun's smile vanished instantly, replaced by an angry expression, his eyes flashing with a sharp killing intent. He pointed his silver spear at Ma Chao and roared:

"Ma Chao, you ungrateful wretch! I kindly advised you to surrender, yet you dared to disrespect the Emperor! Your crime is unforgivable!"

Zhao Yun will kill you today, you stubborn and unrepentant wretch!

Ma Chao was taken aback at first, but then he realized what was going on.

Zhao Yun has begun his performance as planned.

A slight smirk played on his lips, a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes, and then, feigning rage, he roared indignantly:

"I have received great favors from the King of Hanzhong. How can I be a shameless traitor who betrays his lord and surrenders to the enemy, making myself a laughingstock of the world?"

"Zhao Yun, do you think you, a mere chicken and dog, are worthy to block my way!"

"Today I'll show you what I'm capable of!"

After saying this, Ma Chao slapped his horse's back, spurred it forward, and charged towards Zhao Yun with his spear in hand.

Zhao Yun was also fearless. He brandished his Dragon Gallant Spear, and like a dragon emerging from the sea, he charged forward on horseback.

The two formidable generals of their time were thus locked in battle.

Guns clashed, warhorses neighed, dust billowed, and the air was thick with the scent of killing intent.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged more than fifty blows.

Their martial arts skills were evenly matched, and they were evenly matched. Originally, it would have been impossible to determine a winner unless they fought for more than a thousand rounds.

However, after sixty rounds, Zhao Yun, as planned, feigned defeat, showing signs of exhaustion and panic on his face, and turned his horse to leave, as if he had truly been defeated.

Ma Chao knew perfectly well that the act had gone far enough; Zhao Yun was deliberately letting him win and creating an opportunity for him.

He immediately brandished his silver spear and shouted:
"Soldiers of Hanzhong, those who wish to live, follow me and fight your way out!"

"Let's charge out and rush into the Ziwu Valley in one fell swoop!"

The thousands of defeated soldiers, seeing the Han army's heavy blockade of the road, had already given up hope. Their morale was low and they were on the verge of collapse.

Who would have thought that Ma Chao would miraculously defeat Zhao Yun, a great general of the Han Kingdom, in a duel with his generals? This gave them a glimmer of hope, as if they had seen a ray of dawn in the darkness.

The thousand or so remaining soldiers, as if injected with chicken blood, were greatly encouraged and surged madly towards the Han army, their battle cries shaking the heavens and the earth.

Zhao Yun, who had turned his horse back to the formation, did not urge his troops to engage in battle. Instead, according to the pre-arranged plan, he loudly ordered the army to split open to both sides, creating a gap.

Seeing this, Ma Chao did not hesitate to lead a thousand remaining soldiers and take advantage of the situation to rush through the gap.

A thousand remaining soldiers from Hanzhong successfully broke through the enemy lines and stormed into the Ziwu Valley.

They seemed to have escaped hell and been reborn, running wildly without daring to stop for even a moment.

"Quickly send a messenger to the Grand Marshal and tell him that our army has acted according to plan and his scheme has succeeded."

Watching Ma Chao and the others disappear into the distance, Zhao Yun gave an order to the messenger beside him:

"Furthermore, I urge the General to immediately lead his troops to follow me into Hanzhong. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we must not miss it!"

Zhao Yun issued two orders in quick succession, then pointed his silver spear south and shouted:

"All troops, heed my command! Follow the enemy lines, seize Nanzheng, and achieve unparalleled glory!" (End of Chapter)