Three Kingdoms: A wise grandson, Cao Wei can last for three generations!

That night, Cao Rui and Ma Yunlu stayed in a tent at the mouth of the valley. Ma Yunlu sat on the bed, hugging his knees, without saying a word.

Cao Rui brought her a bowl of hot water: "Drink some water."

Ma Yunlu took it, but didn't drink it; she just held it in her hands.

"Cao Rui, isn't my brother very stubborn?"

"Um."

"Will he read that letter?"

"Yes." Cao Rui sat down next to her. "He says he won't watch, but he definitely watches secretly at night."

Ma Yunlu looked up at him and asked, "How did you know?"

"Because I know him. He did the same thing in Weinan last year. He said no, but he read that letter over and over again. He also read the letter you wrote to me."

Ma Yunlu was stunned for a moment, then blushed: "You showed him the letter I wrote to you?"

"He took it to look at it himself."

Ma Yunlu glared at him, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

Do you think he'll come?

Cao Rui thought for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't know. But my grandfather once said, 'Only those who can endure can achieve great things.' Your brother has endured for so long; he should have figured it out by now."

The next morning, Cao Rui was awakened by the sound of horses' hooves.

He lifted the tent flap and saw Ma Dai riding out of the valley with a strange expression.

"Young Master Cao, my cousin invites you to come over."

Cao Rui's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly woke Ma Yunlu. The two followed Ma Dai into the valley and arrived at the central command tent.

Ma Chao sat at his desk, the letter lying open on the table. His eyes were a little red, as if he had stayed up all night.

When he saw Cao Rui enter, he looked up, his gaze complex.

"I believe I've read it all."

Cao Rui nodded, waiting for what was to come.

Ma Chao remained silent for a long time. Then he stood up, walked to Cao Rui, and looked down at him.

"Your grandfather said in his letter that Yunlu was doing well in Xudu. I believe him. But I don't believe him."

"Whom does General Ma trust?"

Ma Chao glanced at Ma Yunlu.

"I believe my sister."

He took a deep breath, as if using all his strength, and said the following:

"Cao Rui, I will go to Xuchang with you. But not to surrender."

"What is that?"

"I'm going to see," Ma Chao said, emphasizing each word. "To see what kind of person your grandfather really was. To see if the people of Xuchang are truly living well. To see—"

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Look at my father."

Cao Rui felt a huge weight lifted from his heart, but he pretended to be calm on the surface: "General Ma, welcome."

Ma Chao reached out and gave him a high five. The eight-year-old's hand, slapped in his rough, large hand, felt as light as a leaf.

Ma Yunlu stood to the side, tears welling up in her eyes again. This time, she couldn't hold back, rushed over and hugged Ma Chao, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Brother! You've finally figured it out!"

Ma Chao was knocked back a step by her bump, and hurriedly patted her back, saying, "Alright, alright, stop crying. People will laugh at us."

Ma Dai stood to the side, secretly wiping away tears. Xu Hu stood outside the tent, grinning.

Seeing this scene, Cao Rui suddenly felt a lump in his throat. But he held back, simply walked over and tugged at Ma Yunlu's sleeve.

"Yunlu, don't cry. Your brother has already agreed, you should be happy."

Ma Yunlu looked up, her face a mixture of tears and laughter, looking utterly disheveled. Cao Rui pulled another piece of candy from his sleeve and stuffed it into her hand.

"Have a piece of candy, it's sweet."

Ma Yunlu was amused by him, took the candy, stuffed it into her mouth, and mumbled, "That's all you know how to do."

Cao Rui chuckled again and uttered the same four words: "As long as it's useful."

In September of the seventeenth year of Jian'an (208 AD), Ma Chao led his remaining 3,000 troops from Hanzhong to Xudu.

When the news reached Yizhou, Liu Bei was facing off against Liu Zhang's army in Mianzhu. He put down his military report and remained silent for a long time.

"Ma Chao...surrendered to Cao Cao?"

Zhuge Liang shook his feather fan, his expression calm: "My lord, this is expected. Ma Chao is in dire straits in Hanzhong, and Cao Cao has sent Ma Teng to Xuchang to write a letter urging him to surrender. His younger siblings are also in Xuchang. It is only right and proper for him to go."

Liu Bei sighed, "What a pity. If only Ma Chao, the splendid one, could come to my side—"

"Even if he comes, he might not be of any use. Ma Chao is proud and arrogant; he's not one to be subservient to others. Cao Cao used him because Cao Cao is stronger than him. My lord, now—"

He didn't finish speaking, but Liu Bei understood.

He hasn't even conquered Yizhou yet, so why should he convince Ma Chao?

"That's enough." Liu Bei put away the military report. "Continue the fight. Take Yizhou first, then we'll talk about other things."

Zhuge Liang nodded and unfolded the map: "My lord, Fa Zheng wrote that Liu Zhang has lost his composure. We can start from—"

When the news reached Xuchang, Cao Cao was playing chess with Xun Yu.

After listening to Xu Chu's report, the chess piece in his hand remained suspended in mid-air for a long while before finally falling.

"You're here?"

"They've arrived. Ma Chao has led three thousand men and has already set off from Hanzhong. Young Master and Miss Ma are accompanying them."

Cao Cao nodded, his face expressionless.

Xun Yu looked at his expression and smiled slightly: "Prime Minister, you're not surprised?"

"What's so surprising?" Cao Cao placed a piece on the board. "My grandson was able to recruit Pang Tong in Jiangdong at the age of six, and Ma Chao in Hanzhong at the age of eight. What's so surprising about that?"

Xun Yu smiled: "The Prime Minister says that, but he's probably very pleased inside."

Cao Cao snorted but didn't reply. However, his hand trembled slightly as he placed the piece.

In October of the seventeenth year of Jian'an, Ma Chao arrived in Xudu.

Cao Cao personally went out of the city to greet him. He stood at the city gate, followed by a large, dark mass of civil and military officials.

Ma Chao, riding his horse, saw this scene from afar and reined in his horse.

"Brother?" Ma Yunlu called to him softly from the side.

Ma Chao didn't speak, but just looked at the old man dressed in the robes of the Duke of Wei at the city gate.

Cao Cao also saw Ma Chao. He spurred his horse forward and stopped ten paces away from Ma Chao.

The two looked at each other.

A gust of wind blew, swirling up the fallen leaves. The entire court held their breath, watching this scene unfold.

A year ago, they were fighting to the death on the battlefield in Weinan. A year later, one stood at the city gate, and the other rode on horseback.

"General Ma," Cao Cao spoke first, his voice calm, "you must have had a long journey."

Ma Chao stared at him for a long time before dismounting.

He walked up to Cao Cao and knelt on one knee.

"Lord Wei, Ma Chao—"

"Get up," Cao Cao interrupted him, dismounted, and reached out to help him up. "No need to kneel. You came to Xuchang to take a look, not to surrender."

Ma Chao was stunned.

Cao Cao patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Go see your father first. He misses you terribly."

Ma Chao's eyes reddened. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't utter a word.

Cao Cao turned around and walked towards the city gate. After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Ma Chao.

"By the way, I've already arranged barracks and provisions for your three thousand brothers. Get some rest, I'll treat you to drinks tomorrow."

Ma Chao stood there, watching Cao Cao's figure disappear into the city gate, and suddenly felt a lump in his throat.

Ma Yunlu walked over and tugged at his sleeve: "Brother, let's go. Dad's waiting."

Ma Chao nodded and followed her into the city.