The Personal Guard froze. Seeing how thoroughly drunk Ma Chao was, he could not help saying, "Young General, you're drunk. Please stay in camp and rest."
"No!"
Ma Chao flatly rejected the Personal Guard's suggestion, swaying his head as he said, "That old man always says I can't defeat the Imperial Court, that I'm bound to lose to Zhang Liao and Lü Bu."
"I'll show him who's really lost!"
"Bring me Zhang Liao's and Lü Bu's battle banners!"
Fueled by alcohol, Ma Chao's confidence swelled wildly. He wished he could find Ma Teng immediately and fling those two battle banners before that stubborn old man, showing him who the victor really was!
"Yes, Young General."
The Personal Guard dared not disobey Ma Chao's order. He hurried to take the two battle banners down from the wall, then prepared the horses and accompanied Ma Chao back to Chang'an City.
"Blargh-!"
Pang De clutched a spittoon and vomited violently. Only after throwing up all the wine and food in his stomach did he feel a little better.
He had not intended to drink much that evening, but too many men had challenged him to drinking contests. If he had refused, he might have aroused Ma Chao's suspicions.
He could only grit his teeth and keep drinking.
Although he could hold his liquor well, even he struggled after drinking so much, his head swimming and throbbing.
"General."
The deputy general beside him offered a bowl of Sobering Soup that had already been prepared.
Pang De took it and drained it in one gulp. After taking a moment to recover, he asked, "How are the men?"
"Rest assured, General. They're all sober."
The deputy general answered. They all knew there would be an operation that night, so they had not drunk much.
"Good!"