Ma Chao was from Fufeng Prefecture's Maoling County; he was born of mixed blood — half
Han Chinese and half
Qiang. In the latter years of
Emperor Ling's reign, his father, Ma Teng together with
Han Sui, Bian Zhang and others built an army in
Liangzhou. Later on, Ma Teng and Han Sui led their troops to
Chang'an. The Han imperial court gave a title of "General who Controls the West" (鎮西將軍) to Han Sui and ordered him to return to Jincheng while giving the title of "General who Conquers the West" (征西將軍) to Ma Teng and stationed him at Mei County (in the province of
Shaanxi). Later, Ma Teng attacked Chang'an but was defeated and retreated to Liangzhou. Meanwhile,
Zhong Yao, who protected the pass of
Guanzhong, wrote a letter to Ma Teng and Han Sui informing them of an interest in forming an alliance. Subsequently, Ma Teng and Han Sui had some disagreements and Ma Teng asked to return to the vicinity of the capitol. So the Han imperial court summoned Ma Teng back and made him a Commandant of the Palace Guards.
Cao Cao recommended Ma Teng’s firstborn son, Ma Chao, to serve in office, but Ma Chao declined. Later on, however, Ma Chao became Sili Xiaowei Dujun Congshi (roughly meaning a subordinate military officer of Sili Xiaowei), and accompanied Zhong Yao to
Pingyang and suppress
Guo Yuan and
Gao Gan. In the ensuing battle, Ma Chao was hit by an arrow on the foot, but he took a pouch, wrapped his foot in it, and continued fighting and beheaded Guo Yuan. The court made him Inspector of the Xu province, and then transferred him to be an Imperial Consultant. When Ma Teng went into the Capital, Ma Chao was made Lieutenant-General, and ordered to take over Ma Teng’s command. He also received the title of Marquis of Duting. The court also made Ma Chao’s younger brother
Ma Xiu Chief Commandant of the Charioteers, and Ma Xiu’s younger brother
Ma Tie Colonel of the Cavalry. All their families were sent to
Ye city, but Ma Chao stayed behind.
