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After Li Jue and Guo Si took control of the court, they ruthlessly oppressed the common people, and no one in the court dared to speak out against them. In Chang'an, the citizens suffered greatly, and the scholars voiced their grievances. The two men secretly sent trusted subordinates to lurk in the palace, monitoring Emperor Xian's every move, ready to report any sign of dissent, making Emperor Xian tread carefully.
Every day, Emperor Xian sat at his desk reviewing documents, while a courtier whispered beside him, "Your Majesty, please be cautious in your words and actions. Those two thieves have eyes and ears everywhere; a slight misstep could lead to disaster."
Emperor Xian put down his brush and said solemnly, "As the Son of Heaven, I have fallen to such a state; it pains my heart deeply. Yet in this situation, I still hold a glimmer of hope. If we unite both inside and outside, we can quell this chaos in one decisive blow."
To quell the discontent across the land, Li Jue and Guo Si feigned the promotion of capable individuals and issued an edict summoning Zhu Jun to court, appointing him as Tai Fu to assist them in governing. However, Zhu Jun was well aware of their duplicity; while they showed respect on the surface, they were constantly seeking opportunities to counteract them.
Not long after, a scout hurried into the palace and knelt to report, "Your Majesty, Governor Ma Teng of Xiliang and Han Sui, the Inspector of Bingzhou, are leading an army of one hundred thousand towards Chang'an, claiming they come by edict to punish the thieves and restore order!"
Upon hearing this news, Emperor Xian's heart lifted, but he maintained a calm exterior. He waved his hand for the scout to withdraw and quietly said to his attendant Ma Yu, "Ma Teng and Han Sui are known for their loyalty and righteousness. Now that they have taken up arms, could it be that they have already made contact with someone on the inside?"
Ma Yu nodded slightly, his tone revealing some relief. "Your Majesty, I have secretly contacted Advisor Zhong Shao and General Liu Fan. We have already arranged with Ma Teng and Han Sui for a coordinated attack against Li Jue and Guo Si."
Emperor Xian appeared somewhat excited and lowered his voice to ask, "Are they prepared?"
Ma Yu stepped forward and presented a secret edict from his sleeve with both hands. "The two generals have made arrangements; they sent messengers to coordinate strategies with us. Now that their forces are at our doorstep, all that is needed is your secret decree for them to act justly against the thieves!"
Emperor Xian took the edict and examined it closely; determination crossed his face. He picked up his brush and wrote down an imperial decree: "Ma Teng is appointed as General of the Western Expedition; Han Sui is appointed as General of the Western Garrison. Both are granted secret edicts commanding them to exert all their efforts against the thieves! I will assist them from behind the scenes; if we can quell this chaos in due time, I will reward those who contribute greatly!"
Ma Yu knelt to receive the decree with unwavering resolve. "Your Majesty can rest assured; I swear with Zhong Shao and Liu Fan to assist you unto death! We will not fail your trust!"
In the deep of night, as candlelight flickered, Ma Yu left the palace with the secret edict and swiftly delivered it to Xiliang. Far from Chang'an, Ma Teng and Han Sui finally received the Emperor's secret command. They raised their banner against the thieves and led their hundred thousand iron cavalry straight towards Chang'an, preparing to unleash a grand campaign that would shake the world.
Inside a military tent, Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou gathered together, their expressions tense. The news had arrived that Ma Teng and Han Sui's forces were closing in rapidly—only days away from Chang'an.
"The two armies are strong and fierce; how should we respond?" Li Jue spoke up with suppressed anxiety in his voice.
The strategist Jia Xu slowly rose from his seat, his gaze sharp as he spoke calmly. "Though their soldiers are brave coming from afar, their supplies are limited. We need not engage them directly; we should fortify our defenses within deep moats and high walls. In less than a hundred days, when their provisions run out, they will surely retreat. At that time, we can lead our troops to pursue them decisively and capture Ma Teng and Han Sui all at once."
After finishing his words, Jia Xu returned to his seat as if unwilling to say more.
However, beside them, Li Meng and Wang Fang were unconvinced. They stepped forward in unison, their voices filled with fervor: "This plan is too conservative! The two armies are already at the outskirts of Chang'an; how can we just sit back and wait? If we borrow ten thousand Elite Troops, we will definitely capture Ma Teng and Han Sui and present them to you!"
Jia Xu listened and shook his head slightly, responding coldly, "Generals, do not underestimate the enemy. Engaging in a direct confrontation now would likely lead to defeat."
Li Meng scoffed, his tone dismissive: "Jia Xu, you fear before the battle has even begun; is that not unworthy of your title as a general? If we fail, we will willingly accept our deaths; if we succeed, will you present your head to us?"
Upon hearing this, Jia Xu remained unmoved, his voice calm as water: "You two generals are indeed fearless. In that case, let us make other arrangements." He turned to Li Jue and Guo Si, clasping his hands in respect: "Two hundred miles west of Chang'an lies Zhongshan, with treacherous mountains and rugged paths. I suggest that Generals Zhang Ji and Fan Chou lead their troops to garrison there, fortifying their defenses to cut off the enemy's retreat. As for Li Meng and Wang Fang, you may lead fifteen thousand Elite Troops to confront Ma Teng and Han Sui."
Li Jue and Guo Si pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement: "This plan is feasible! We shall follow Jia's arrangements."
Li Meng and Wang Fang were overjoyed and immediately set out with their troops. They camped about two hundred eighty miles from Chang'an, waiting for the arrival of the Xiliang Army.
A few days later, Ma Teng and Han Sui's forces arrived at the front lines, banners fluttering and armor gleaming, their morale soaring. Li Meng and Wang Fang were undeterred as they led their troops out to meet them, both sides facing off in the open field. Ma Teng and Han Sui rode out together, halting before their ranks and casting cold glances at the enemy.
Ma Teng raised his spear, pointing angrily at them: "Li Meng, Wang Fang! You two assist tyranny and harm the people. If you do not surrender today, who will capture you?"
Han Sui urged his horse forward with a sneer: "A great man has become a Traitor; today I shall act on heaven's behalf and take your heads!"
Just as Ma Teng finished speaking, a sudden cheer erupted from within the Xiliang Army. The banners parted to reveal a young general galloping forward. The youth had a face like jade and eyes like shooting stars; he was robustly built with a tiger's back and wolf's waist. His silver armor shone brilliantly under the sun, making him look exceptionally heroic. With his left hand gripping the reins tightly and his right hand wielding a gleaming spear, he rode a pure white steed at lightning speed.
This was Ma Teng's son, known as Ma Chao, who at just seventeen had already made a name for himself in the Xiliang Army, famously called "The Young God of War."
Ma Chao reached the front lines on horseback, swinging his spear to point at the enemy while calling out clearly: "Who dares to fight?"
In the opposing ranks, Wang Fang saw Ma Chao's youth and felt disdainful; he sneered: "A mere boy dares to flaunt himself in battle!" He spurred his horse forward with a blade drawn, charging straight at Ma Chao while shouting: "Boy, come meet your death!"
Unfazed, Ma Chao reined in his horse as Wang Fang approached. As Wang Fang swung his blade down towards him, Ma Chao sidestepped swiftly with a cold smile: "You fool, do you not know your own mortality?" Before he finished speaking, his spear shot forth like a dragon emerging from the sea, piercing Wang Fang's chest and throwing him off his horse. Wang Fang let out a scream as he fell to the ground lifeless.
"Hmph!" Ma Chao snorted coldly as he withdrew his spear and turned his horse back towards his ranks. The Xiliang Army erupted in cheers upon witnessing this scene, their morale soaring high.
Seeing Wang Fang killed ignited Li Meng's fury. He charged forward on horseback with spear raised behind Ma Chao, his face filled with murderous intent. Gritting his teeth in rage he shouted: "You little thief! How dare you kill my comrade? Prepare to die!"
Ma Chao heard the sound of horse hooves approaching quickly, but feigned ignorance as he slowly rode back to the camp where his father was. In the distance, Ma Teng stood at the gate and, upon seeing this scene, his expression changed dramatically. He shouted loudly, "Meng Qi, be careful! Someone is chasing you!"
As soon as Ma Teng's voice rang out, Ma Chao suddenly tightened the reins and turned sharply, his gaze like lightning as he locked onto the rapidly approaching Li Meng. Ma Chao had already heard the sound of hooves behind him and had deliberately slowed down to draw Li Meng closer. Seeing Li Meng's spear closing in, Ma Chao let out a cold laugh, his long spear flicking sharply as he darted sideways like a flying swallow.
Li Meng thrust his spear but missed, his balance slightly off as their horses raced side by side. Seizing the opportunity, Ma Chao extended his arm and grabbed Li Meng's armor, yanking him off his horse and throwing him harshly in front of his own steed, pinning him down so he couldn't move.
"You overestimate yourself!" Ma Chao said coldly as he reined in his horse and returned to the formation.
Li Meng's soldiers saw their commander captured and instantly fell into disarray, discarding their helmets and armor as they fled in panic. The Xiliang Army took advantage of this chaos to launch a counterattack. Ma Teng and Han Sui commanded their troops to pursue for dozens of miles, decimating the enemy forces until they were in complete disarray, bodies littering the ground. Upon reaching a narrow pass, the two ordered their army to set up camp and subsequently brought Li Meng before them to be executed publicly.
News of this reached Chang'an, shocking Li Jue and Guo Si, who convened in their tent to discuss countermeasures. Guo Si fumed, "Both Li Meng and Wang Fang have been killed by Ma Chao. If we had known this would happen, we should have listened to Jia Xu’s advice instead of bringing about our own defeat!"
Li Jue snorted coldly. "Jia Xu indeed had foresight. Now we can only follow his strategy: fortify our defenses and wear down the Xiliang Army’s supplies without engaging them in direct combat."
The two then ordered their entire army to defend the city without venturing out to fight. Ma Teng and Han Sui made several attempts to challenge them but achieved nothing. As expected, within two months, the Xiliang Army found themselves in dire straits due to lack of supplies; their soldiers were exhausted and morale was waning.
Just as Ma Teng and Han Sui were discussing a retreat, news of a calamity spread through Chang'an. It turned out that a servant from the household of Courtier Ma Yu bore a grudge after being punished privately and secretly contacted Liu Fan and Zhong Shao to plot an internal betrayal against Ma Teng and Han Sui.
Upon learning of this matter, Li Jue and Guo Si were furious. They ordered the arrest of Ma Yu, Liu Fan, and Zhong Shao along with everyone associated with them—regardless of age or status—and all were taken to the marketplace for execution. The execution ground ran red with blood, shocking all who witnessed it.
The heads of the three were displayed at the city gate for all to see. Li Jue further commanded soldiers to patrol everywhere to prevent any further internal conspiracies within the city. The atmosphere in Chang'an grew increasingly tense and oppressive while the Xiliang Army found themselves trapped by dwindling supplies, caught between advancing or retreating as their situation rapidly deteriorated.
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