Is “He raised troops to avenge his father, leading to Ma Teng's execution.” true?
based on fact
According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Annals of Emperor Wu, Ma Chao first rebelled against Cao Cao, and only afterward did Cao Cao execute Ma Teng's entire family, who were residing in Yecheng. The novel reverses the cause and effect.
Ma Chao
In official history, he was a formidable warlord who dominated the Guanzhong region and surpassed all other tribal leaders in valor; in the novel, he is a loyal and filial general of Shu Han, driven by a deep blood feud.