With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

The outcome of the battle with Han Sui was quickly decided. Apart from those who were killed or surrendered, many of Han Sui's remaining troops fled in disarray back to Liangzhou.

When Liu Xie arrived, the battle was already over, and Ma Chao hurriedly came to pay his respects.

The moment Ma Chao appeared before him, Liu Xie's eyes lit up.

Ma Chao, in his early thirties, stood tall and straight, like a majestic mountain peak before the crowd.

His physique was strong and powerful, and every step he took seemed to carry the force of a thunderbolt. His stride was majestic and awe-inspiring.

Liu Xie carefully examined Ma Chao, secretly admiring him. Ma Chao's broad shoulders seemed capable of bearing a thousand-pound burden, and his solid chest contained boundless strength.

He was clad in exquisite armor, which gleamed coldly in the sunlight, making him appear like a war god descended to earth. The patterns and decorations on the armor clearly demonstrated his status and glory.

Ma Chao's face was resolute and handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and bright, piercing eyes, like the dazzling stars in the night sky, deep and sharp. His high, straight nose and tightly pursed lips revealed his firm will and indomitable character.

His face was sharply defined with strong lines, as if it had been meticulously sculpted by a knife and axe, exuding an innate majesty and domineering aura.

Her long, jet-black hair was tied up high, fluttering in the wind, adding to her arrogant and unruly temperament.

A surge of inexplicable excitement welled up in Liu Xie's heart. Although the world was about to be pacified, there was still an urgent need for a valiant general like Ma Chao, who was the backbone of the country.

Liu Xie nodded with satisfaction and walked towards Ma Chao.

Ma Chao knelt on one knee, bowed his head and said, "This humble general Ma Chao pays his respects to Your Majesty!" His voice was deep and powerful, echoing in the air.

Liu Xie quickly reached out to help Ma Chao up, and said with a smile, "General Ma, please rise. I have long admired your reputation, and seeing you today, I can confirm that it is indeed well-deserved. Your heroic bearing greatly pleases me."

Ma Chao stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute again, and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. This humble general has always hoped to serve the country and share Your Majesty's burdens."

Now that Han Sui had been killed, Ma Chao had no way out and could no longer dream of establishing his own independent regime. He could only show his loyalty to the emperor.

Liu Xie nodded, his eyes full of admiration: "General Ma is commendable for his loyalty and bravery. I need heroes like you to step forward and protect the Han Dynasty for me."

Ma Chao, head held high and chest puffed out, solemnly declared, "This humble general is willing to sacrifice his life, even at the cost of his life!"

Historically, Ma Chao's life was tragic, and Liu Xie couldn't help but fall into memories.

Ma Chao was born in 176 AD. His family had a glorious history, and his ancestor Ma Yuan was a founding hero of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Ma Chao was known for his bravery from a young age, and he showed his extraordinary military talent on the battlefield.

In the thirteenth year of Jian'an (208 AD), Ma Chao's father, Ma Teng, went to the capital to serve as an official, leaving Ma Chao alone to guard Xiliang. However, one action by Cao Cao completely changed Ma Chao's fate.

In the year of the Battle of Red Cliffs, Ma Teng came to Ye due to a conflict with Han Sui and was appointed Commandant of the Guards by Cao Cao. Later, Ma Teng's two sons, Ma Xiu and Ma Tie, brought Ma Teng's family to Ye, but Ma Chao did not go.

In the sixteenth year of Jian'an, Ma Chao raised an army in Guanzhong, and Cao Cao killed Ma Teng's entire family of more than two hundred people.

The destruction of his family burdened Ma Chao with a deep-seated hatred. Enraged, he raised an army of 100,000 and launched an attack on Cao Cao, seeking revenge.

Ma Chao fought a great battle with Cao Cao at Tong Pass. His bravery made Cao Cao "cut off his beard and abandoned his robe", leaving behind a famous saying that has been passed down through the ages: "I cannot rest easy until Ma Chao dies!"

However, Cao Cao's divisive tactics soon put Ma Chao's army in a difficult situation.

When Ma Chao and Han Sui discussed the matter, Han Sui advocated making peace with Cao Cao's army first, and then discussing it again in the spring. He also sent an envoy to Cao Cao's camp to deliver a letter, expressing his willingness to cede territory and sue for peace.

Jia Xu offered a counter-espionage plan, and Cao Cao deliberately crossed out key parts of his letter to Han Sui.

Ma Chao suspected that Han Sui was secretly plotting with Cao Cao. Although Han Sui expressed his willingness to kill Cao Cao on the battlefield to prove his sincerity, Ma Chao already harbored resentment. In the end, Han Sui had no choice but to surrender to Cao Cao and they agreed to set fire to the city that night to jointly attack Ma Chao.

After Ma Chao learned of the situation, he killed Han Sui. The two sides fought a chaotic battle, and Cao Cao took the opportunity to launch a surprise attack. Ma Chao was defeated and only thirty-odd horsemen escaped to Longxi with Pang De and Ma Dai.

After that, Ma Chao repeatedly sought refuge with Zhang Lu. While in Hanzhong, his brother-in-law came to congratulate him on the Spring Festival. Ma Chao beat his chest and coughed up blood, saying, "My entire family of two hundred has perished. What is there left for us to celebrate?"

Later, Ma Chao joined Liu Bei, hoping to get revenge with Liu Bei's help, but things didn't go as planned.

Although Ma Chao was named one of the Five Tiger Generals, Liu Bei was wary of him and did not truly give him important responsibilities.

Under Liu Bei's command, Ma Chao lacked real power and opportunities to realize his desire for revenge. His reputation and past experiences also alienated his colleagues.

During his time in Shu Han, Ma Chao, despite his many honors, was constantly sidelined. Liu Bei's distrust and the alienation of his colleagues prevented Ma Chao from truly integrating, making him seem like a stranger in a foreign land.

He could only gaze at his hometown from the fertile land of Sichuan, his life gradually fading away in hopeless waiting.

In the second year of Zhangwu, Ma Chao reached the end of his life at the young age of forty-seven.

On his deathbed, he submitted a memorial to Liu Bei: "My entire family of more than two hundred people was killed by Cao Cao. Only my cousin Ma Dai was spared. I entrust him to Your Majesty. I have nothing more to say."

These few words fully express the tragedy and desolation of Ma Chao's life, filled with grief over the destruction of his family and regret for not being able to avenge them.

Ma Chao's life was like a shooting star streaking across the night sky; though it shone brightly, it ultimately faded away in depression and helplessness.

His bravery is admirable, but the hardships and tragedy of his fate also make people sigh.

Ma Chao is only in his early thirties, still very young, and it's the perfect time for him to make his mark.

The thought of his historical counterpart dying in his forties filled Liu Xie with a sense of melancholy, and he never wanted such a tragedy to happen again.

Liu Xie held Ma Chao's hand and praised him, "Even if Han Sui's remnants escape back to Xiliang, I am not worried. I believe that Meng Qi will definitely be able to pacify Liangzhou and share my burdens."

Ma Chao cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured!"

Liu Xie planned to continue his campaign in Hanzhong, and soon he left, delegating full authority to Ma Chao and allowing him to act freely. Since Liangzhou hadn't previously belonged to the court, Liu Xie hadn't incurred significant costs to have Ma Chao eliminate Han Sui. Now, it was up to Ma Chao to demonstrate his abilities.

…………

It is said that the road to Shu is difficult, more difficult than ascending to heaven. On the way to Hanzhong, Liu Xie's army took the Chencang Road. Only by actually setting foot on it can one truly understand how difficult the road is.

Chencang Road winds through towering mountains and deep valleys, like a giant dragon lurking in the earth.

It began in the Guanzhong Plain and extended southwestward towards Hanzhong. The moment Liu Xie's army set foot on this land, they felt an unprecedented sense of solemnity and oppression.

The road was narrow and rugged, allowing only a few people to walk side by side. The towering peaks on either side seemed to squeeze the group into the confined space. The peaks were steep and precipitous, with jagged rocks, some protruding like fangs, others sharp as eagle beaks. Below the sheer cliffs lay a bottomless valley, shrouded in mist, with the faint sound of rushing water echoing through the air, sending chills down one's spine.

At first, Liu Xie was able to sit in the carriage for a while, the carriage bobbing up and down with the undulations of the road. He lifted the curtain, looked at the scene outside, and frowned.

The column ahead moved slowly, the soldiers taking careful steps, afraid that the slightest misstep would send them tumbling into the abyss.

The horses' hooves slid on the stones, making a crisp sound, as if telling the story of how difficult the road was.

The army reached a bend in the road, which became extremely narrow, almost hugging the mountainside. The vanguard had to stop and begin clearing away the loose rocks and dead trees from the road.

A general shouted, directing his soldiers to move the obstacles. Sweat streamed down their foreheads, soaking their clothes, but their eyes were filled with determination.

Liu Xie stepped out of the carriage to personally assess the situation. Looking at the perilous obstacles before him, a sense of unease welled up within him.

However, he knew the importance of this expedition and that he had to pacify Hanzhong, so Liu Xie had no choice but to abandon the carriage.

Along the way, difficulties arose one after another. Soon, a torrential downpour began, the rain pouring down and quickly soaking the roads. The ground became extremely slippery, making the march increasingly difficult for the troops.

After the rain stopped, a thick fog blanketed the roads. Visibility was extremely low, and the soldiers could only grope their way forward.

Soldiers frequently stumbled and fell because they couldn't see the road clearly, some even tumbling down into the valley. Liu Xie was extremely anxious and ordered his generals to strengthen vigilance and ensure the safety of the troops.

On a steep hillside, the road went almost vertical. The soldiers had to climb with difficulty, clinging to ropes and branches. Some soldiers slipped due to exhaustion, but were fortunately caught by their comrades below.

Liu Xie couldn't help but sigh that even in later generations, when technology and ruthless skills were everywhere, the mountain roads in many places were still extremely dangerous and difficult to travel.

After a long and arduous journey of two months, the team finally arrived in Hanzhong, and Yangping Pass was just around the corner.

…………

Beneath Yangping Pass, the wind howled, creating a tense and ominous atmosphere. Liu Xie's massive army arrived like a dark cloud pressing down, besieging the city with overwhelming force.

When Zhang Lu of Hanzhong learned of this news, his face turned deathly pale, large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his eyes were filled with panic.

His hands trembled, and his lips quivered as he muttered to himself, "What should we do? The imperial army has arrived so quickly!"

Han Zhong hurriedly summoned his officials. Once everyone had arrived, Zhang Lu's gaze swept across the assembled officials, trying to find a glimmer of hope or a solution on their faces, but all he saw were the same expressions of panic. A sense of despair welled up in Zhang Lu's heart.

Just then, someone reported that Liu Zhang had dispatched his general Zhang Ren from Yizhou, forming a pincer movement with the emperor. This news struck Zhang Lu like a bolt from the blue.

His body swayed, and he almost collapsed to the ground, crying out in a sob-like voice, "Heaven has forsaken me! I am attacked from both sides, how can I resist?"

Zhang Lu was extremely anxious. The atmosphere in the hall was heavy and oppressive, and everyone remained silent. Zhang Lu paced back and forth, anxiously asking, "Gentlemen, the situation is critical. How should we deal with it?"

After waiting for a long time, a minister finally said in a trembling voice, "My lord, why not surrender? Perhaps we can save our lives and the peace of the people of Hanzhong."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu's heart stirred. He had already been considering surrendering, and now that someone had proposed it, he was even more swayed.

With one person taking the lead, more and more people began to persuade the emperor to surrender. Even Sun Quan was no match for the imperial court. The battle was simply unwinnable, and Hanzhong could not be defended no matter what.

However, just as Zhang Lu was about to make up his mind to surrender, his brother Zhang Wei stepped forward and said loudly, "Brother, you must not surrender! Hanzhong still has the natural defense of Yangping Pass, which can resist the enemy. How can we easily surrender and lose our dignity and the foundation of Hanzhong!"

Zhang Wei's face was full of stubbornness and determination, his gaze firm, as if he firmly believed that Yangping Pass could stop the imperial army.

Zhang Lu looked at Zhang Wei, his heart filled with conflict. He knew Zhang Wei was brave and fearless, but facing the combined attack of the emperor and Liu Zhang, he truly had no confidence. He hesitated and said, "Yangping Pass may be dangerous, but the imperial army is powerful. How can we possibly hold it?"

Zhang Wei clasped his hands and said, “Brother, do not be afraid. Yangping Pass is strategically important and easy to defend. As long as we hold the pass firmly, we will surely make the enemy retreat.”

Zhang Lu looked at Zhang Wei, still feeling uneasy. He knew that if they were defeated, the consequences would be unimaginable.

But Zhang Wei's words touched him, and a glimmer of hope rekindled in his heart. After all, he had been operating in Hanzhong for many years, and Zhang Lu was reluctant to hand it over so easily.

Ultimately, at Zhang Wei's insistence, Zhang Lu decided to rely on Yangping Pass to hold out for a while.

Although he was determined to resist, deep down, fear lingered in Zhang Lu's heart.

In the dead of night, he paced alone, contemplating his future. He feared the devastation that awaited him after the city fell, and the imminent death of himself and his family. But Zhang Wei had already led his troops away from Nanzheng.

Zhang Lu was now in a difficult situation and could only hope that Yangping Pass could be held to give him a glimmer of hope.

Yangping Pass, like an iron fortress standing between heaven and earth, with its treacherous terrain and solid defenses, became an insurmountable barrier to block enemy troops.

This majestic pass is built against the mountainside, with towering cliffs on both sides, as if cleaved by nature with a giant axe. The steep peaks pierce the clouds, inspiring awe. Between the peaks, only a narrow passage connects the pass, like a thin thread winding between the teeth of a giant beast.

Before the pass flows the turbulent Han River, its waters rushing and roaring, surging and turbulent. The force of the water is immense, splashing water everywhere, its sound like thunder, as if proclaiming to the world its inviolability.

There are no bridges across the river, so don't even think about crossing it!
Yangping Pass was easy to defend and difficult to attack, like a great dam blocking the Han army's path! (End of Chapter)