Actually, Ma Chao's initiative in volunteering to attack Hanzhong had been within Bai Xiaowen's expectations.
Ma Chao was surely worried that if Bai Xiaowen captured Hanzhong and then had Zhang Lu give false testimony, he would have no choice but to let Bai Xiaowen deceive everyone.
Thus, the safest course was for Ma Chao himself to capture Hanzhong and Zhang Lu, so he could uncover the truth.
Although Bai Xiaowen had taken the risk of bringing Ma Chao over to his side, he would not treat Ma Chao with excessive favor. Besides, Ma Chao had not yet submitted wholeheartedly. If he were granted lofty titles and lavish rewards, not only would the surrendered Cao Clan generals under Bai Xiaowen be dissatisfied, but Ma Chao himself might grow complacent.
If he were granted a high office now, what would he be granted once he formally submitted?
Therefore, in the court's name, Bai Xiaowen appointed Ma Chao Chenglie General. As for his noble title, he still inherited his father Ma Teng's title of Marquis of Huaili. There was nothing more to say about that.
The Three Dependencies, including Chang'an, naturally returned to the court's rule. However, there were already basically no commoners left in the Three Dependencies of Guanzhong; most had been relocated to Si Province.
Bai Xiaowen was in no rush to move the population back.
Since Hanzhong had seen no warfare, many refugees had fled there, leaving it well populated. After taking Hanzhong, they could relocate its people to fill Guanzhong. This was what Cao Cao had done in history. It might not have respected human rights, but it had produced tangible results.
After returning in triumph, Ma Chao and the others also needed to follow Bai Xiaowen back to the court in Ye Capital, pay respects to the Emperor,