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

A young military officer walked up to the tent and knelt down without hesitation.

"This humble general, Ma Dai, pays his respects to the Grand Marshal and the General!"

“Dai Jin has come here to express his sincere loyalty to the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, following the instructions of his elder brother Ma Mengqi.”

"My elder brother promises that at midnight three days from now, he will coordinate with his forces from within and without to seize the East Gate and help the Grand Marshal storm into Nanzheng!"

Ma Chao has submitted!

The tent was seething.

Guan Yu and the other generals all focused their joyful and admiring gazes on Xiao He.

Everything was under Xiao He's meticulous control.

Outside the Ziwu Valley, Zhao Yun's earnest words of persuasion to surrender actually moved this mighty lion of Xiliang.

In this way, the emperor not only gained another invincible general, but also unexpectedly received a great gift—Nanzheng!
All of this is thanks to their Grand Marshal, who was far-sighted and whose plans were beyond comprehension…

"Judging from the current situation, we will be able to enter Nanzheng City with dignity in three days."

"If Nanzheng City falls, Hanzhong can be easily pacified with just a single proclamation."

Xiao He revealed a confident smile, clearly outlining a blueprint that was just around the corner for the generals.

Guan Yu laughed heartily, then personally got up, strode over to Ma Dai, and helped him up.

"Ma Ziyue, if this plan succeeds, you and your brother will have made an unparalleled contribution to the Han Dynasty!"

"I will certainly petition the Emperor to grant you titles and honors in recognition of your illustrious achievements!"

"You should quickly reply to your brother that in three days I will definitely meet him in Nanzheng City for a hearty drinking session, drinking a thousand cups of wine!"

Therefore, Ma Dai immediately returned to the city, carrying with him the promises of Xiao He and Guan Yu, and secretly arranged with Ma Chao the specific details of their coordinated attack from within and without.

Guan Yu sat quietly, waiting for the appointed time to arrive.

……

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and night quietly descended.

A tense and ominous atmosphere permeated Ma Chao's camp.

Inside the central command tent, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

Ma Chao sat in the superior position, with a long sword gleaming coldly placed across the table in front of him.

His half-open eyes burned with an unprecedentedly cold light, like stars in a cold night, exuding a chill.

The deputy generals inside the tent were all intimidated by the oppressive atmosphere, their hearts filled with unease and restlessness.

In particular, Yang Bai and several of Zhang Lu's trusted lieutenants exchanged glances, their eyes revealing a strong sense of foreboding.

These generals were not originally Ma Chao's direct subordinates, but were forcibly assigned to the army by Zhang Lu after Ma Chao led his troops to Nanzheng.

Zhang Lu ostensibly added soldiers and generals to the Ma family army to expand its strength, but in reality, he harbored ulterior motives and wanted to infiltrate Ma Chao's ranks to monitor and restrain him, preventing him from making any rash moves.

To prevent Ma Chao from developing any disloyalty, Zhang Lu, on the advice of his close advisor Yang Song, resorted to a despicable tactic of a nominal promotion but a demotion in disguise. He ordered Ma Chao to hand over his troops to Yang Bai, while he himself went to assume the nominal post of General of the Guards.

Tonight, however, is precisely the deadline for Zhang Lu's transfer order.

Logically, Ma Chao should have obediently relinquished command of the Xiliang troops before tonight and then entered the court to assume his new post.

However, at this critical moment, Ma Chao suddenly ordered a military council, summoning all the officers in the camp to discuss matters.

This sudden move caused Yang Bai and other trusted generals of Zhang Lu to feel a strong sense of unease.

"Congratulations to General Mengqi on your promotion to General of the Guards!"

Yang Bai forced a smile, offering his congratulations with a cheerful bow, attempting to break the suffocating silence.

The other spies planted by Zhang Lu'an also echoed his sentiments, congratulating Ma Chao in an attempt to mask their inner unease.

Ma Chao's eyes suddenly snapped open, shooting towards them like a sharp, cold ray of light. Everyone immediately stiffened, as if terrified by an invisible force, and involuntarily shut their mouths, daring not to utter a sound.

After taking a deep breath, Ma Chao slowly spoke:
"Zhang Lu was incompetent and tyrannical, favoring and relying on treacherous officials such as Sima Yi and Yang Song, while excluding virtuous and capable people in every way. As a result, our Han Dynasty suffered heavy losses and its national strength declined day by day, and now it is even facing the danger of collapse."

"Now he is trapped in Nanzheng, yet he remains unrepentant, still practicing nepotism and allowing treacherous people like Yang Song to ostracize me!"

"Such a foolish and incompetent ruler is not worth our blind loyalty and death, which would only lead to our own demise!"

"My mind is made up. Tonight I will launch a mutiny, seize the East Gate, defect to the Emperor of Han, welcome his army into the city, and take Nanzheng in one fell swoop!"

Ma Chao enumerated Zhang Lu's various crimes, speaking passionately and eloquently, and expressed his firm determination to defect.

Then, with a hawk-like gaze sweeping over the generals, he demanded in a firm and unquestionable tone:
"I have said all. Who among you agrees and who disagrees?"

The tent fell into a deathly silence, as if time itself had frozen.

All the officers and soldiers present stared wide-eyed at Ma Chao with expressions of astonishment and fear.

Even several trusted generals from Xiliang were shocked, never expecting Ma Chao to make such a surprising decision at this time.

Ma Chao is going to rebel!

The thought flashed through everyone's minds like lightning.

No one expected that Ma Chao would summon them at this time to announce the momentous decision to betray Zhang Lu and defect to the Han army!
"I object!"

Yang Bai was the first to jump out, his face full of anger, shouting:
"Ma Chao, have you gone mad? How dare you betray the King of Hanzhong?"

"The King has shown you immense kindness, how dare you repay such kindness with enmity—"

Ma Chao remained silent, a sharp killing intent flashing in his eyes.

He suddenly reached out, grabbed the long sword from the table, and threw it forcefully.

The longsword, like a bolt of lightning, instantly sliced ​​through the air and pierced towards Yang Bai.

Yang Bai was struck in the chest by the sword. He screamed and collapsed to the ground, dying instantly.

This scene startled everyone.

"Those who disobey will suffer the same fate as Yang Bai!"

Ma Chao pointed at Yang Bai, who was lying dead on the ground, and shouted sternly.

The tent erupted in chaos.

Zhang Lu's trusted generals drew their swords, their faces filled with anger, ready to fight Ma Chao to the death.

Ma Chao's gaze was cold and stern, like ice, and he merely waved his hand slightly.

Ma Yunlu was the first to rush out. Holding her silver spear, she waved her hand, and more than a hundred soldiers who had been lying in ambush on her side immediately swarmed forward and slashed at the opponents.

The opponents were caught off guard and caught off guard by this sudden ambush.

Zhang Lu's cronies were all slaughtered in the blink of an eye.

Ma Chao slowly rose, gripping his silver spear tightly, and said sternly:
"I shall now set out to seize the East Gate. Those who wish to surrender to the Han shall follow me!"

The remaining officers were all from Xiliang. They were Ma Chao's confidants and were extremely loyal to him.

After the initial surprise, everyone's gaze immediately hardened and their expressions became resolute.

"We are willing to follow General Mengqi back to the Han Dynasty!"

The crowd shouted in unison, their voices echoing throughout the tent.

Ma Chao nodded in satisfaction, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

Then, with a flick of his silver spear, he shouted:
"Take the East Gate, and we will return to Han!"

Three thousand Xiliang soldiers, like a pack of tigers and wolves, charged out of the camp and swept towards the east gate. (End of Chapter)