r Xiahou Yuan； who had just received orders from Cao Cao to e against Ma Chao。
Three attacks at once were too much for Ma Chao； and he fled； his force in utter confusion。 He retreated all that night and at dawn reached his own city of Jicheng。 He hailed the gate； but a flight of arrows was the response。 Soon after； Liang Kuan and Zhao Qu appeared and reviled him from the ramparts above。 More than this； they dragged his wife； Lady Yang； up upon the wall； hacked her before his face； and threw the bloody body at his feet。 They followed up this by the murder in like manner of his three sons and other members of his family to the number of ten and more。 And all their dead bodies were flung from the wall。
Rage and despair filled Ma Chao's bosom； he almost fell from his steed。 But little time was allowed to grieve； for Xiahou Yuan was nearly upon him。 Knowing that he could not oppose this force with any chance of victory； he made no battle line； but set off with two of his generals； Ma Dai and Pang De； to cut his way through such parties of the enemy as they might meet。 Their sole object was escape； so when they fell upon Yang Fu and Jiang Xu； they only fought to get through； and in the same way they cut an alley through the army under Yin Feng and Zhao Ang。 However； they lost most of their few followers； and at the end had only some sixty horsemen left。
About the fourth watch they came to Licheng。 In the darkness； the gate guards； thinking only of the return of their own troops； opened the gates and unwittingly let in the enemy。 Once in the city Ma Chao and his followers began the slaughter； and everyone； soldier or mon person； was slain； till the city was swept clear from the south gate to the very center。
Presently they came to the residence of Jiang Xu and dragged forth his aged mother。 She showed no sign of fear； but reviled Ma Chao till in his anger he slew her with his own sword。 Thence they went to the house of Yin Feng and Zhao Ang and slew all they found therein。 The only person who escaped the massacre was Lady Wang； wife of Zhao Ang； who had acpanied her husband。
But the city proved no place of safety。 Xiahou Yuan with his army appeared the following day； and Ma Chao fled before him to the west。 But ere he had gone seven miles； he came face to face with another army drawn up in battle array。 Yang Fu was the leader。
Grinding his teeth with rage； Ma Chao set his spear and rode at Yang Fu； while his two generals； Ma Dai and Pang De； attacked the rear。 Yang Fu was overe； and his seven brothers who had gone with him into the battle were slain。 Yang Fu himself was wounded in five places； but still fought on till he was wounded down。
However； Xiahou Yuan had not left pursuing Ma Chao。 He came up to the city； and Ma Chao fled。 His army was now reduced to the two generals and about five or six of horsemen； and these few were left to go their way。
Cao Cao's general； Xiahou Yuan； set himself to restore order and tranquillity in the region of Xizhou； after which he apportioned its defense among Jiang Xu and other trustworthy manders。 The wounded leader Yang Fu was sent to the capital in a carriage。 When he arrived Xuchang； he saw Cao Cao who offered him the title of Lordship。
But Yang Fu declined the honor； saying； 〃I have neither the credit of a successful defense nor the merit of death with my master。 Death should be my portion rather than honors。 How could I accept the offer？〃
Cao Cao praised him and insisted on granting the lordship。
Having escaped from their pursuers； Ma Chao and his few followers decided to make for Hanzhong and offer their services to Governor Zhang Lu。 Zhang Lu received them gladly； for he thought with such help he could certainly get possession of Yizhou on the west as well as repel Cao Cao on the east。 More than this； he thought to cement the friendship by giving Ma Chao a daughter to wife。 But this displeased one of Zhang Lu's generals； Yang Bo。
〃The misfortune that befell Ma Chao's wife and family was entirely the fault of his own misconduct。 Would you give your daughter to such as he to wife？〃 said Yang Bo。
Zhang Lu again considered the matter and abandoned his intention。 But a certain busybody told Ma Chao what had been proposed and that Yang Bo had defeated the scheme。 Whereupon Ma Chao was very annoyed and sought to pass the death of Yang Bo。 Yang Bo and his brother； Yang Song； on the other side conspired to destroy Ma Chao。
At this time a messenger from Liu Zhang of Yizhou arrived in Hanzhong begging for assistance against the invader Liu Bei。 Zhang Lu refused help。 But then Huang Quan came on the same errand。 He first saw Yang Song and talked to him and brought him to favor the scheme。
Huang Quan said； 〃The East and West River Lands； which stand next each other as the lips are close to the teeth； are interdependent。 If Yizhou is lost； Hanzhong has little chance to survive。 On the other hand； once relieved by your help； Imperial Protector Liu Zhang will reward twenty counties to Hanzhong as pensation。〃
So Huang Quan won over Yang Song； who led him to see his master。 To Zhang Lu again Huang Quan spoke forcibly and laid the matter before him so cogently that Zhang Lu promised his help。
But Yan Pu； one of Zhang Lu's officers； tried to dissuade him； saying； 〃This plead for help and offering of twenty counties are only their temporary tactics。 Liu Zhang and you are old enemies。 His promise is not to be trusted。〃
And another suddenly interjected； saying； 〃Useless I may be； but if you will give me troops； I will capture this Liu Bei and you will retain all your land。〃
The land's true lord goes west and then
Hanzhong sends forth its bravest men。
Who made this bold offer？ The next chapter will tell。
Main Next to Chapter 65 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Ma Chao Battles At Jiameng Pass；
Liu Bei Takes The Protectorship Of Yiazhou。
It was Yan Pu who thus opposed sending help to Liu Zhang。
Then Ma Chao rose and said； 〃I have been the recipient of much kindness from my lord； which I feel I can never repay adequately。 Now let me lead an army to take Jiameng Pass and capture Liu Bei。 Then； my lord； Liu Zhang will surely lose his twenty counties； and they shall be yours。〃
This offer rejoiced Zhang Lu； who sent away Huang Quan with a promise to help。 Then Zhang Lu told off twenty thousand for Ma Chao to lead。 Pang De was too ill to take part in the expedition； so he remained in Hanzhong。 Zhang Lu ordered Yang Bo to be Army Supervisor。 Ma Chao and Ma Dai chose a day to march to Jiameng Pass。
Meanwhile； the messenger sent to Chengdu by Fa Zheng had returned to Luocheng to report： 〃Zheng Du advised Liu Zhang to set fire to all the plains and valleys between the capital and the invaders； as well as the granaries； to move sway the people； and to stand solely on the defensive。〃
This news caused Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang great anxiety； for it would be a grave danger to them。 However； Fa Zheng was more sanguine。
〃Do not be anxious；〃 said he； 〃the plan would be extremely harmful； but it will not be carried out。 Liu Zhang will not do that。〃
Surely enough； very soon they heard that Liu Zhang had not adopted the suggestion； he would not remove the peop