While Ma Chao was still grieving, someone came to report that Han Sui and his daughter had arrived.
Ma Chao asked for them to be shown in.
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Han Sui and Ma Teng were sworn brothers with a deep bond. At the sight of Ma Teng's coffin, grief welled up in Han Sui too, and tears soaked his robe.
Ma Chao told Han Sui what he had decided.
Han Sui hesitated. "After my daughter Han Qi returned from Ye Capital, she said Yuan Xi was an open and honorable man, not the sort to commit such a vicious deed. Could you have made a mistake, nephew?"
Beside him, Han Qi—Camille in truth—nodded rapidly.
Ma Chao dropped to his knees. "Uncle, if you fear Yuan Xi's power and wish to submit to him, then cut off my head and present it to Ye Capital as your way in!"
Han Sui hurriedly helped him up. "Your father and I were brothers. You are like a son to me. How could I do such a thing?"
Ma Chao rose with his help. "If you believe me, Uncle, then join me in marching on Ye Capital."
In truth, it was no wonder Ma Chao had believed Jian Yong's account so readily.
For one thing, Bai Xiaowen did have a motive to murder Ma Teng.
Bai Xiaowen wanted to unify the realm, which meant he would have to attack the south, while Western Liang remained a threat on his frontier. Even though the Western Liang Army had sent Ma Teng's son by a concubine, Ma Xiu, as a "hostage," that was only submission in name. It was no true surrender, and they could still turn against him.
Ma Chao had yet to make much of a name for himself. Most