Cao Cao rode a horse alone into the center. Many people in Han Sui's army did not know Cao Cao, but had heard of Cao Cao's reputation, so they came out to watch. When Cao Cao knew this, he shouted: "You want to see Cao Cao's What does it look like? I am Cao Cao. I don’t have four eyes and two mouths, but I have some wisdom." After hearing this, everyone was a little scared, so Cao Cao sent someone to the formation to say to Han Sui: "Prime Minister, please have a conversation with General Han Sui."
Han Sui came out to talk and saw that Cao Cao didn't have any escorts. He didn't even wear armor. He was just wearing ordinary clothes. The two horses crossed each other and they began to reminisce about the past.
Cao Cao said: "The general's father and I jointly promoted filial piety and integrity. I often regard him as my uncle. You and I were also officials at the same time. I can't remember how long it was. How old is the general this year?"
He replied: "He's already over forty!"
Cao Cao said: "When we were in the capital before, we were all young, but we didn't expect to reach middle-aged and old age! When will the world have a chance of peace and we can enjoy our old age in peace!"
In this way, the two of them just reminisced about old times and didn't say a word about the military situation. After talking, they looked at each other and smiled. They talked for more than an hour before returning to their camps.
This incident soon reached the ears of Ma Chao, who quickly came to ask Han Sui, "What did Cao Cao say to you in the battle today?"
He replied: "I'm just talking about some past events in the capital."
Ma Chao said: "Didn't you say something about the military situation?"
Han Sui said: "Cao Cao kept silent, and I can't bring it up." Ma Chao felt strange, why he didn't talk about military affairs. He became a little suspicious, and then left.
After Cao Cao returned to the camp, he said to Jia Xu: "Do you know what I meant by talking to Han Sui in front of the battle today?" He was ready to show off his wisdom.
Jia Xu already knew what Cao Cao meant and said: "Although this is good, it is not enough to separate the two people. I have an idea to make Han Sui and Ma Chao kill each other."
Cao Cao quickly asked what the plan was, and Jia Xu said: "Ma Chao is a martial artist and doesn't know the secret. The Prime Minister can write a letter to Han Sui, blur the writing in the middle, and carry out the key points. He had to deliberately let Ma Chao know about it, and Ma Chao would definitely ask for it. If he saw the smear on an important place on the letter, he would definitely think that Han Sui was afraid that he would know some secrets, so he would ask for it. Modified in a hurry, this just confirms the doubts about the conversation between the Prime Minister and Han Sui today. Once the doubts accumulate to a certain extent, the alienation will have an effect. If we secretly win over some generals under Han Sui, then Ma Chao can It’s a conspiracy.”
Cao Cao nodded and said, "Your plan is very good!" So he wrote a letter, daubed some important parts, sealed it, and sent the letter to Han Sui deliberately and arrogantly.
Someone reported this matter to Ma Chao soon. Ma Chao felt even more confused, so he went to Han Sui to ask for the letter to read. Han Sui gave the letter to Ma Chao without thinking too much. Ma Chao saw that there was a blurred handwriting on it, which was a key position, and asked Han Sui, "Why is there so much scrawling on this letter?"
Han Sui said: "This is how I felt when I received this letter. I don't know why?"
Ma Chao said: "This is obviously a draft. How could anyone give the draft to others? My uncle must have been afraid that I would know the true content of the letter, so he altered it in a hurry."
Han Sui argued: "Could it be that Cao Cao brought the letter by mistake and brought the draft instead?"
Ma Chao said: "No, Cao Cao is a meticulous person, how could he make such a mistake? My uncle and I killed thieves together, why would my uncle have a different intention?"
Han Sui said: "If you don't believe me, wait until the day comes when we have a conversation in front of the formation, and you rush out of the formation and stab Cao Cao to death with one shot. That will be fine."
Ma Chao said: "If this is the case, it will prove that my uncle is sincere." So the two made an agreement.
On the second day, Han Sui led Candidate, Li Kan, Liang Xing, Ma Wan, Yang Qiu and other generals out of the battle, while Ma Chao hid in the dark. Han Sui sent people to Cao Cao's camp and shouted: "General Han Sui Please come out and answer, Prime Minister."
Cao Cao did not come out, but sent Cao Hong out with a dozen cavalry to meet him. Cao Hong saluted on his horse and said, "I hope you won't go back on what the prime minister said to the general earlier!" After saying that, he left without looking back.
After Ma Chao heard this, he felt that Han Sui was clearly teasing him. He ran out from the darkness and prepared to stab Han Sui to death. Five generals came out to stop Ma Chao and persuaded him to return to the camp.
Han Sui was not angry and said, "My dear nephew, don't be suspicious. I have no evil intentions."
Ma Chao didn't believe it at all and left with resentment, so Han Sui discussed with the generals around him and said, "How should we explain this matter now?"
Yang Qiudao: "Ma Chao thinks he is superior in martial arts and often bullies his lord. Even if we defeat Cao Cao, he will not give in. In my opinion, we might as well join Prime Minister Cao. He will definitely treat us well."
Han Sui said: "Ma Chao's father Ma Teng and I are sworn brothers, how could we betray him?"
Yang Qiudao: "We have reached this point, and we have no choice but to do it."
Han Sui said: "Well, one of you can deliver this news for me."
Yang Qiu said: "Then let me go." So Han Sui wrote a letter and asked Yang Qiu to secretly go to Cao Cao's camp to exchange news and express his intention to surrender.
Cao Cao was very happy and directly made Han Sui the Marquis of Xiliang and Yang Qiu the Prefect of Xiliang. The other generals were all made officials and agreed to set fire as a signal to plot against Ma Chao.
Yang Qiu said goodbye and came back to see Han Sui. He told Han Sui about the incident and said, "We agreed to set a fire tonight as a sign, and we should cooperate inside and outside!"
Han Sui was very happy, so he asked the soldiers to pile dry firewood in the camp, and asked the soldiers to prepare their weapons and be ready at any time. Han Sui discussed setting up a banquet to invite Ma Chao, and made plans at the banquet, but he was a little hesitant.
Ma Chao had already inquired about the situation through some detailed work. He led several of his followers and went ahead with their swords, and asked Pang De and Ma Dai to act as backup. Ma Chao secretly entered Han Sui's camp and saw five generals and Han Sui sneaking in. When talking about something, Yang Qiu said: "It's not too late, we can do it quickly!"
Ma Chao was very angry and entered directly with his sword, shouting: "How dare these thieves secretly plot to kill me!"
Everyone was very surprised. Ma Chao slashed his sword in the direction of Han Sui. Han Sui was in a panic and tried to block it with his left hand, but his left hand was cut off. Han Sui's five generals came out with their weapons and killed him. Ma Chao had no choice but to escape. Outside the account, he fought with five generals.
The sword in Ma Chao's hand was very sharp, and with his superb martial arts skills, he could fight five of them by himself. When he swung the sword, blood splattered, cutting down Ma Wan, and then hacking Liang Xing to death. The other generals felt that they were no match. They all ran away.
