Ma Chao's family was killed by Cao Cao because of Ma Chao's rebelliousness. Ma Chao's father was a local general with his army in present Gansu and Shaanxi areas. Later, he gave up all these and became a official in the capital city titled by Cao Cao, together with Ma Chao's brothers and related relatives. Only Ma Chao refused to go and later rebelled with another general. Cao Cao sent a troop and had a fight with Ma Chao in present Tongguan Pass in Shaanxi Province. Ma failed and his families in the capital city were sentenced to death then.