《资治通鉴·汉纪·汉纪五十四》
荀说： 关中将领数以十计，各自为政，不能统一，其中韩遂、马腾势力最强，他们看到崤山以东地区发生争斗，必然各自拥兵自保，如今，要是用恩德去安抚他们，派使者去与他们联和，虽然不会长久安定，但足以维持到您克定崤山以东。
为将奈何？ 彧曰： 关中将帅以十数，莫能相一，唯韩遂、马腾最强。彼见山东之争，必备拥众自保，今若抚以恩德，遣使连和，虽不能久安，比公安定山东，足以不动。
Xun Yu said: There are dozens of warlords in Guanzhong, each doing his own thing and unable to unite. Among them, Han Sui and Ma Teng are the most powerful. When they see conflicts on the east side of Xiaoshan Mountain, they will definitely gather their troops for self-protection. Now, if you send an envoy to appease them with kindness and form an alliance with them, it won't last long, but it's enough for you to conquer the east of Xiaoshan Mountain.