Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast.

This is episode 72.

Last time, Cao Cao had killed Ma Teng, a long-time adversary.

In response, Ma Teng's eldest son, Ma Chao,

mobilized the troops of the western outposts of Xiliang and was marching toward the heartland

to do the You Killed My Father prepared to die thing. With a little trickery, Ma Chao took the

former capital city, Chang'an,

and was now encroaching on the key strategic location of Tong Pass.

Cao Cao sent two of his top officers, Cao Hong and Xu Huang, to defend the pass.

He told them they just had to hold it for ten days while he mobilized the main army.

But, on the ninth day, after listening to the enemy call his ancestors all sorts of nasty names for eight days,

Cao Hong's temper got the better of him, and while Xu Huang's back was turned,

he charged out with 3,000 men to take on the enemy.

When the Xiliang troops saw Cao Hong charging toward them, they abandoned their horses and weapons, and fled,

which induced Cao Hong to give chase.

While this was happening, Xu Huang, who was inspecting provisions when Cao Hong decided to go out to fight, had heard what was happening.

Alarmed, Xu Huang immediately led a detachment of troops and came looking for Cao Hong, shouting for his comrade to turn around.

But alas, it was too late.

Just then, cries the battle rose up behind them and shook the ground.

Ma Chao's cousin, Ma Dai, charged onto the scene with an army.

Cao Hong and Xu Huang, recognizing that they had fallen for a ruse, turned and ran.

But a signal sounded, and from behind the hill came two detachments of enemy soldiers led by

...