To say who is more powerful, Guan Yu or Ma Chao, it is like comparing two ancient martial arts masters, each with its own merits. Guan Yu, who is a good brother in Liu Bei's eyes, holds the Qinglong Yanyue Knife, and completes the "Hanging Seal and Seal Gold" in one go, passing five levels and killing six generals, which is prestigious. And Ma Chao, Jin Ma Chao, with an enemy who does not fall behind, is extremely brave, and the story of him beating Cao Cao to "cut his beard and abandon his robe" is also a good story.
But in the final analysis, the competition between these two generals in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is like judging food, each with its own strengths, and it is difficult to distinguish between them. Let's break it down.
Zhang Fei and Ma Chao's combat power competition
Let's take a look at the famous Zhang Fei vs. Ma Chao contest in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".
This battle happened in the afternoon, Liu Bei looked at Ma Chao's camp and found that everyone was a little tired. At this time, he took five hundred horsemen and followed Zhang Fei to rush down the pass. Seeing this, Ma Chao immediately retreated an arrow to show his precautions. Zhang Fei looked at it and said in his heart: Come on, come on, this is the rhythm of fighting!
Zhang Fei raised his gun and shouted: "Do you recognize Yanren Zhang Yide!" Ma Chao listened to it and replied: "My family has been a prince for many generations, how do you know the village and the wild horseman!" As soon as these words came out, Zhang Fei was so angry that the two of them immediately fought against each other. You shot one, I shot one, and fought more than 100 times, and there was no winner or loser. Liu Bei watched from a distance and couldn't help but sigh: "What two tiger generals!" But he was still afraid that Zhang Fei would suffer a loss, so he hurriedly ordered the withdrawal of the army.
Zhang Fei returned to the formation to rest for a while, and without waiting for the helmet to be worn, he rushed out to fight with Ma Chao again. The two of them are more than 100 together, and it is still difficult to distinguish the winner from the loser. Liu Bei couldn't help but go down in person at this time and watch this fierce battle with his own eyes. But in the end, the order was given to withdraw the troops, and the two heroes returned to their respective camps.
Judging from this battle, the strength of Zhang Fei and Ma Chao is really indistinguishable. Liu Bei withdrew the army several times, which may indeed be because he was worried about Zhang Fei, but it also reflected Ma Chao's strength. Especially considering that Ma Chao was already a little tired before the war, this battle can still be fought on such a par, which really shows that Ma Chao's strength is not trivial. But it can't be said that Zhang Fei lost, after all, the two have been fighting for so long, and they still don't know whether they win or lose.
Zhuge Liang's praise for Guan Yu
After Guan Yu heard that Ma Chao had defected to Liu Bei, he must have mixed feelings in his heart. Guan Yu was in Jingzhou, and he was like a fish in water and became the hegemon of one party. But as soon as he heard that Ma Chao was coming, his heart itched. Guan Yu had a draw with Huang Zhong before, and Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun's martial arts were also obvious to all, so he thought to himself, Ma Chao, a famous general in Xiliang, would be interesting if he could compete with me. But Guan Yu is not an ordinary person, he is the guard of Jingzhou and has a heavy responsibility. If he leaves, won't Jingzhou be empty?
Zhuge Liang saw through Guan Yu's thoughts, so he wrote a letter to him. The words in this letter simply lifted Guan Yu to the sky: "Although Meng Qi is heroic, he is just a character like Duo Bu and Peng Yue. It's still far from being compared to Wing De, let alone with the bearded man. "This is obviously to say, Guan Yu, you are superior, don't be as knowledgeable as Ma Chao. Zhuge Liang is using words to appease Guan Yu and let him hold Jingzhou steadily, and don't make a big mistake because of the momentary competitive psychology.
Although he has not fought with a real sword, Guan Yu's inner thoughts, as well as Zhuge Liang's words, reflect Guan Yu's status among the generals. But Zhuge Liang's words can only be said to be political appeasement and strategy, and it is still unknown who is really strong and who is weak.
Analysis of Ma Chao and Guan Yu's real strength
Ma Chao is all kinds of prestige in the northern commentary. His mount "Fandian Jade Dragon Horse" or "A Thousand Miles of Dragon" is not easy to hear. Coupled with those legendary martial arts, such as the "Thirty-six Road Desperate Gun" and "Tiger Head Soap Golden Gun", it is simply terrifying. In particular, the trick "Three Hammers Back to the Horse" is even more popular in Suzhou Commentary. Ma Chao defeated the twelve fierce generals of the Cao Army in the wheel battle of Tongguan, and also fought fiercely with Zhang Fei and others in Jiameng Pass, showing great bravery. In these stories, Ma Chao's image seems to be stronger than Lu Bu, which is amazing.
Although Guan Yu is strong in martial arts, when he fought with Ji Ling under Yuan Shu in **, it was only a tie after more than 30 rounds. But Zhang Fei defeated Ji Ling within ten times. This seems to imply that Zhang Fei is stronger than Guan Yu. And the duel between Ma Chao and Zhang Fei shows that Ma Chao is not weaker than Zhang Fei.
So, based on these stories and legends, it seems that Ma Chao is indeed a little better. But this is the description in ** and the book review after all, who is more powerful in the real historical figures, it can only be left to the imagination of history and readers.