Is “Xu Chu fought Ma Chao bare-chested for hundreds of rounds” true?
According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Wei Shu, Biography of Xu Chu, during the meeting at the Wei River, Cao Cao was alone with Ma Chao, and Ma Chao wanted to attack Cao Cao but saw Xu Chu beside him, 'Xu Chu glared at him. Ma Chao dared not move, so they each withdrew.' There is no account of taking off clothes and fighting fiercely. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 59, the scene of the duel is greatly exaggerated, describing Xu Chu 'taking off his armor, muscles bulging, bare-chested, holding a knife, mounting his horse to fight Ma Chao to the death,' and they fought for over 230 rounds, which is fictional.
In the official history, Xu Chu intimidated Ma Chao with his glare at the Wei River, while the novel dramatizes his bare-chested fierce battle with Ma Chao for hundreds of rounds.
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