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News of these doings came to the capital, Xuchang, and Cao Cao was told of Liu Bei's two strategists and of the army in training and the stores accumulating and the league between his two chief enemies. And he knew that he had to expect an attack sooner or later. So he summoned his strategists to a council for a new campaign.

Said Xun Yu, “Sun Quan should be first attacked. because of the recent death of their ablest general Zhou Yu. Liu Bei will follow.”

Cao Cao replied, “If I go on such a distant expedition, Ma Teng will fall upon the capital. While I was at the Red Cliffs, there were sinister rumors of this, and I must guard against it.”

Xun Yu said, “The best thing that occurs to stupid me is to obtain for Ma Teng the title of General Who Subdues the South and send him against the South Land. Thus he can be enticed to the capital and got rid of. Then you can have no fear of marching southward.”

Cao Cao approved, and soon Ma Teng was summoned from Xiliang, a frontier territory in the west.

Ma Teng was a descendant of the famous leader Ma Yuan, General Who Quells the Waves. His father's name was Ma Su. Ma Su had held a minor magistracy in Tianshui in the reign of Emperor Huan, but had lost it and drifted west into Longxi where he got amongst the Qiang Peoples, one of whose women he took to wife. She bore him a son, Ma Teng. Ma Teng was rather over the common height, and bold-looking. He was of a mild disposition and very popular. But in the reign of Emperor Ling, these Qiangs made trouble, and then Ma Teng raised a force and put it down. For his services he received the tile of General Who Corrects the West. He and Han Sui, who was known as Commander Who Guards the West, were pledged brothers.

On receipt of the summons to the capital, Ma Teng took his eldest son, Ma Chao, into his confidence and told him some of his former life.

“When Dong Cheng got the Girdle Edict from the Emperor, we formed a society, of which Liu Bei was one, pledged to put down rebellion. However, we accomplished nothing, for Dong Cheng was put to death and Liu Bei was unfortunate, while I escaped to the west. However, I hear that Liu Bei now holds Jingzhou, and I am inclined to carry out the plan we made so long ago. But here I am summoned by Cao Cao and what is to be done?”

Ma Chao replied, “Cao Cao has the command of the Emperor to call you; and if you do not go, that will mean disobeying an imperial command and you will be punished. Obey the summons in so far as to go to the capital, where you may be able to arrange to carry out your original intention.”

But Ma Teng's nephew, Ma Dai, held other opinions and opposed this.

Said he, “Cao Cao's designs are unfathomable; and if you go, Uncle, I fear you will suffer.” “Let me lead the army against the capital,” said Ma Chao. “Can we not purge the empire of evil?”

But his father said, “You must take command of the Qiang troops for the defense of our territory here. I will take with me your two brothers and your cousin. When Cao Cao knows that you have the Qiangs at your call and that Han Sui is prepared to assist, he will hardly dare to work any harm to me.”

“Father, if you must go, be careful not to enter the city till you know exactly what plots and machinations are afoot.”

“I will certainly take great care, so do not be too anxious,” said the father.

The order of march was prepared. The governor took five thousand troops, with his two sons — Ma Xiu and Ma Tie — as Leaders of the Van and his nephew Ma Dai bringing up the rear. These set out along the tortuous road to the capital. At seven miles distance from Xuchang they camped.

When Cao Cao heard of Ma Teng's arrival, he called to him Minister Huang Kui and said to him, “Ma Teng is to be sent against the south, and I shall send you as Adviser. You are first to go to his camp and express my congratulations on his arrival and say that as Xiliang is so distant and transport very difficult, he is not to take too large an army of his own. I will send a large force. Also tell him to come in soon for audience of the Emperor. I will send him supplies.”

With these instructions Huang Kui went to Ma Teng, who brought out wine and entertained him well.

In his cups the messenger grew confidential and said, “My father perished at the hands of Li Jue and Guo Si, and I have always nourished resentment. Now there is another rebel in power wronging our Prince.”

“Who is that?” asked Ma Teng.

“The wrong doer is that rebel Cao Cao, of course. Do you mean to say you do not know?”

However, Ma Teng was careful. He thought it very likely that these words were but a trap for him, so he pretended to be greatly shocked and begged his guest to be careful lest he be overheard.

But Huang Kui cared not, shouting, “Then you have quite forgotten the Girdle Edict, eh?”

Ma Teng began to see Huang Kui was sincere and presently became confidential in turn and told his guest all his schemes.