r be avenged； and the Hans can be restored。 I might add more； but I will await your reply。〃
Wiping his tears； Ma Chao wrote a reply which was returned by the bearer。
The Xiliang army was then mustered； horse and foot were assembled。 Just before the day that had been fixed for the start； the Imperial Protector of Xizhou； Han Sui； sent for Ma Chao； to whom he showed a letter from Cao Cao promising the Lordship of Xiliang as a reward for sending Ma Chao a prisoner to the capital。
〃Bind us both； Uncle； and send us thither！ You need not move a single spear；〃 said the younger man prostrating himself。
But Han Sui raised him； saying； 〃Your father and I were sworn brothers。 Think you I would harm you？ Rather will I help if you are going to fight。〃
Ma Chao expressed his gratitude。 The unhappy bearer of Cao Cao's letter was dragged forth and beheaded。 This done； the two took count of their armies。 Han Sui had eight divisions under eight manders………Yang Qiu； Cheng Yin； Hou Xuan； Liang Xing； Cheng Yi； Li Kan； Ma Wan； and Zhang Han………all to be relied upon to follow Han Sui。 Ma Chao had two leaders； Pang De and Ma Dai。 The total force was two hundred thousand troops with which the manders march to Changan。
The Governor of that city was Zhong Yao。 As soon as he heard what was afoot； he sent a fleet messenger to Cao Cao and prepared for defense。 He led his force out into the open plain and arrayed it for battle。
Ma Dai； with fifteen thousand； came on first； pouring over the countryside like a flood。 Zhong Yao would parley with him； but Ma Dai came forward； sword in hand； to attack。 However； the defender did not take the challenge but turned and fled。 Ma Dai followed in pursuit。 Soon the main body of the invaders arrived； and they surrounde