Towards the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Guanzhong region was plunged into great chaos, with warlords fighting among themselves. Han Sui and Ma Teng were each vying for supremacy.

Cao Cao dispatched Zhong Yao to oversee them, instructing them to each send a son to the capital as a hostage.

Later, Ma Chao, Han Sui, and others, feeling insecure and anxious, decided to collectively oppose Cao Cao and elected Han Sui as their commander.

However, Han Sui's subordinate, Yan Xing, opposed the military action, stating: "Currently, the generals in Guanzhong have come to the same conclusion without prior consultation, as if it were predestined by heaven."