Chapter 58

Chapter 58

The man who offered this strategy was Chen Qun, courtesy name Changwen, a Censor-in-Chief. Cao Cao asked, "What good strategy does Chen Changwen have?" Qun said, "Now Liu Bei and Sun Quan have joined like lips and teeth. If Liu Bei wishes to seize Xichuan, Your Excellency can command a top general to lead troops and join the forces at Hefei to march directly on the lands south of the Yangtze. Then Sun Quan will certainly beg Liu Bei for help. Liu Bei's mind is fixed on Xichuan, so he will have no heart to rescue Sun Quan. With no rescue, Sun Quan's strength will wane and his soldiers will weaken. The territories of Jiangdong will surely fall into Your Excellency's hands. Once Jiangdong is taken, Jing Province can be subdued in one stroke. Once Jing Province is pacified, we can then gradually plan to take Xichuan, and the realm will be settled." Cao Cao said, "Changwen's words are exactly what I intend." He immediately raised a great army of three hundred thousand and marched directly south of the Yangtze, ordering Zhang Liao at Hefei to prepare grain and provisions for supply.

A spy quickly reported this to Sun Quan. Quan gathered his generals for counsel. Zhang Zhao said, "We can send someone to Lu Zijing, urging him to dispatch an urgent letter to Jing Province, so that Xuande may join forces to resist Cao Cao. Zijing has shown kindness to Xuande, so his words will surely be heeded. Moreover, since Xuande has become a son-in-law of Eastern Wu, honor itself forbids him from refusing. If Xuande comes to assist, the lands south of the Yangtze will be free from calamity." Quan followed his advice and immediately sent a messenger to instruct Lu Su to seek help from Liu Bei. Lu Su received the order, promptly wrote a letter, and dispatched a messenger to deliver it to Liu Bei. After reading the letter's intent, Liu Bei lodged the messenger in quarters and sent a man to Nan Commandery to summon Zhuge Liang. When Kongming arrived at Jing Province, Liu Bei showed him Lu Su's letter. After reading it, Kongming said, "There is no need to move the troops south of the Yangtze, nor is it necessary to mobilize the troops of Jing Province. I will make Cao Cao himself dare not cast a covetous glance at the southeast." He then wrote a reply to Lu Su, telling him to rest his head high on his pillow without worry. Should any northern troops invade, the Imperial Uncle would have his own strategy to repel them. The messenger departed. Liu Bei asked, "Now Cao Cao has raised an army of three hundred thousand, joined with the forces at Hefei, and they are rushing in all at once. What brilliant plan do you have, sir, to repel them?" Kongming said, "What Cao Cao has always feared is the army of Xiliang. Now Cao Cao has killed Ma Teng, and his son Ma Chao currently commands the Xiliang forces. He must gnash his teeth in hatred of the traitor Cao. Your Lordship can write a letter to ally with Ma Chao, urging him to raise troops and enter the Pass. Then Cao Cao will have no leisure to march south of the Yangtze." Liu Bei was overjoyed and immediately wrote the letter, dispatching a trusted man to deliver it straight to Xiliang Province.

Meanwhile, Ma Chao in Xiliang Province had a dream one night: he dreamed he lay in a snowy field and a pack of tigers came to bite him. Startled and terrified, he awoke, his heart filled with doubt. He assembled his officers under his tent and told them of the dream. One man in the tent spoke up at once: "This dream is an ill omen." All eyes turned to the man—he was a trusted Commandant of the vanguard named Pang De, courtesy name Lingming. Chao asked, "What do you see in this, Lingming?" De said, "To encounter tigers in a snowy field—the dream's portent is exceedingly dire. Could it be that the old marshal in Xuchang has met with trouble?" Before he had finished speaking, a man stumbled in, weeping and prostrating himself on the ground, crying, "Our uncle and younger brothers are all dead!" Chao looked and saw it was Ma Dai. Chao asked in alarm. Dai said, "Our uncle and the Court Attendant Huang Kui plotted together to murder Cao Cao, but unfortunately the plot was exposed. Both were beheaded in the marketplace. Our two younger brothers were also killed. I alone disguised myself as a merchant and fled by night."

When Chao heard this, he collapsed weeping to the ground. The officers helped him to his feet. Chao clenched his teeth and gnashed his teeth in bitter hatred of the traitor Cao. Suddenly it was reported that a messenger had arrived from the Imperial Uncle of Jing Province bearing a letter. Chao opened and read it. The letter read roughly as follows: "I humbly reflect that the House of Han is in misfortune, and the traitor Cao holds despotic power, deceiving the sovereign and deceiving those above, while the common people wither and suffer. I and your late father once jointly received a secret edict, swearing to slay this villain. Now your late father has been murdered by Cao Cao—this is a grudge that cannot share the same heaven and earth, that cannot endure under the same sun and moon. If you can lead the Xiliang forces to attack Cao Cao's right flank, I will raise the armies of Jing and Xiang to block his front. Then the rebellious Cao can be captured, the treacherous faction can be exterminated, your shame can be avenged, and the House of Han can be restored. The letter cannot say all that must be said; I await your reply with urgency."

After reading it, Ma Chao immediately wiped away his tears and wrote a reply, sending the messenger back first. He then raised the Xiliang army and was about to advance when suddenly Han Sui, the Grand Administrator of Xiliang, sent a man requesting Ma Chao to come see him. Chao went to Han Sui's residence, and Sui showed him a letter from Cao Cao. It read: "If you capture Ma Chao and deliver him to Xuchang, I will enfeoff you as Marquis of Xiliang." Chao prostrated himself on the ground and says, "I beg you, Uncle, to bind my brother and me and deliver us to Xuchang, sparing Uncle the toil of spear and halberd." Han Sui raised him up and says, "I and your father swore brotherhood—how could I bear to harm you? If you raise troops, I will assist you."

Ma Chao bowed in thanks. Han Sui then had Cao Cao's messenger dragged out and beheaded. He mustered the eight divisions of his forces and advanced together with him. Who were the eight divisions? They were Hou Xuan, Cheng Yin, Li Kan, Zhang Heng, Liang Xing, Cheng Yi, Ma Wan, and Yang Qiu. These eight generals, following Han Sui, together with Ma Chao's own Pang De and Ma Dai, raised a mighty force of two hundred thousand and advanced on Chang'an. The Grand Administrator of Chang'an, Zhong Yao, sent a flying report to Cao Cao. At the same time, he led his army to resist the enemy, drawing up his battle lines in the field. Ma Dai, the vanguard commander of Xiliang, led fifteen thousand troops, a mighty and imposing host covering the mountains and spreading across the plains. Zhong Yao rode out to parley. Dai wielded a precious saber and engaged Yao in combat. In less than one bout, Yao was soundly defeated and fled, with Dai chasing after him with his saber raised. Ma Chao and Han Sui arrived with the main army and surrounded Chang'an. Zhong Yao mounted the city walls to defend.

Chang'an was where the Western Han had established its capital—its walls and fortifications were strong, and its moats deep and perilous. It could not be taken by assault in haste. They besieged it for ten consecutive days but could not break through. Pang De proposed a plan: "The earth in Chang'an is hard, the water is brackish and alkaline, and it is barely fit to eat. Moreover, there is no firewood. Now that we have besieged it for ten days, the soldiers and civilians are in famine. It would be better to temporarily withdraw the army. We need only do thus and thus, and Chang'an will be ours for the taking." Ma Chao said, "This plan is superb!" He immediately ordered the banner marked "Ling" to be transmitted to every division, instructing them all to withdraw. Ma Chao himself brought up the rear, and the troops of each division gradually pulled back.

The next day, Zhong Yao ascended the walls to observe, and saw that the army had all withdrawn. Fearing a stratagem, he sent scouts to investigate. When they confirmed that the enemy had indeed retreated far away, he at last set his mind at ease. He then allowed soldiers and civilians to go out of the city to gather firewood and fetch water, throwing the gates wide open and permitting people to come and go freely. On the fifth day, word arrived that Ma Chao's troops had returned again. The soldiers and civilians rushed in a frenzy back into the city, and Zhong Yao once more shut the gates and held fast in defense.

Now, Zhong Yao's younger brother Zhong Jin was guarding the West Gate. Around the third watch that night, a fire broke out within the gates. Zhong Jin hastened to the rescue, when a man emerged from the edge of the city, raising his blade and spurring his horse forward with a great shout: "Pang De is here!" Zhong Jin was caught off guard and was cut down in a single stroke beneath his horse. Pang De dispersed the soldiers, broke open the locks, and flung the gates wide, allowing the armies of Ma Chao and Han Sui to pour into the city. Zhong Yao fled from the East Gate, abandoning the city. Ma Chao and Han Sui took possession of the city and rewarded the three armies.

Zhong Yao retreated to defend Tong Pass and sent a flying report to Cao Cao. Upon learning that Chang'an had been lost, Cao Cao dared not resume his plans for a southern campaign. He summoned Cao Hong and Xuhuang and instructed them: "Take ten thousand men first and relieve Zhong Yao in the firm defense of Tong Pass. If the pass is lost within ten days, you will both be beheaded. If it is lost after ten days, it will not concern the two of you. I shall follow with the main army shortly." The two received their orders and set out that very night. Cao Ren remonstrated, saying, "Hong is hot-tempered by nature; I truly fear he may bring disaster." Cao Cao replied, "You will escort the grain and supplies and follow as reinforcement."

Now, Cao Hong and Xuhuang arrived at Tong Pass and relieved Zhong Yao in the defense of the pass, but they did not go out to engage in battle. Ma Chao led his army to the pass below and reviled three generations of Cao Cao's ancestors. Cao Hong flew into a rage and wanted to lead his troops down the pass to do battle. Xuhuang remonstrated, saying, "This is Ma Chao trying to provoke our general into fighting. You must absolutely not engage. When the Chancellor's great army arrives, there will be a proper plan." Ma Chao's troops came day and night in shifts to hurl abuse. Cao Hong was constantly eager to fight, while Xuhuang steadfastly restrained him. On the ninth day, from the vantage point of the pass, they saw that the Xiliang soldiers had all abandoned their horses and were sitting on the grass before the pass. Most were exhausted and lay down upon the ground to sleep. Cao Hong then ordered horses to be saddled and led three thousand troops down the pass to attack. The Xiliang soldiers fled, abandoning their horses and casting away their weapons. Cao Hong pressed forward in pursuit.

At this moment, Xuhuang was on the pass inspecting the grain and supplies. Upon learning that Cao Hong had gone down to fight, he was greatly alarmed and hastily led troops to follow. He shouted for Cao Hong to turn back. Suddenly, a great clamor arose from behind, and Ma Dai led an army to attack. Cao Hong and Xuhuang hurriedly turned to flee, but at the sound of a single drumbeat, two forces emerged from behind the mountains to cut off their retreat: Ma Chao on the left and Pang De on the right, and they fell upon them in a furious melee. Cao Hong could not withstand them and lost more than half his men. He broke through the encirclement and fled back to the pass. The Xiliang troops pressed close behind, and Cao Hong and the others abandoned the pass and fled. Pang De pursued them past Tong Pass, where he encountered Cao Ren's army and rescued Cao Hong and his men. Ma Chao joined forces with Pang De and took possession of the pass.

Cao Hong, having lost Tong Pass, fled to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao said, "I gave you a limit of ten days—how did you lose Tong Pass in nine?" Cao Hong replied, "The Xiliang soldiers heaved every manner of insult at us. Seeing that their forces were slack, I seized the advantage and went after them—I did not expect to fall into the enemy's treacherous scheme." Cao Cao said, "Hong is young and hot-headed. Xuhuang, you ought to know better!" Xuhuang said, "I remonstrated with him repeatedly, but he would not listen. That day, I was on the pass inspecting the grain. By the time I learned of it, the young general had already gone down from the pass. Fearing he might be in peril, I hastened after him, but we had already fallen into the enemy's treacherous scheme."

Cao Cao flew into a rage and ordered Cao Hong to be beheaded. The assembled officers pleaded for mercy, and Cao Hong, acknowledging his guilt, withdrew. Cao Cao advanced his army directly to Tong Pass. Cao Ren said, "We should first establish stockades and palisades before attacking the pass—there is no rush." Cao Cao ordered trees to be felled and palisades to be erected, dividing the camp into three stockades: the left stockade under Cao Ren, the right stockade under Xiahou Yuan, and Cao Cao himself occupying the center stockade. The following day, Cao Cao led the officers and soldiers of all three stockades in a charge toward the pass, where they encountered the Xiliang army. Both sides drew up their battle lines. Cao Cao rode out beneath the banner gate and surveyed the Xiliang soldiers—every one was brave and vigorous, each a hero among men. He then saw that Ma Chao had a face powdered white and lips rouged red; his waist was narrow and his shoulders broad, his voice powerful and his strength mighty. Clad in a white robe and silver armor, he grasped a long spear and stood before the ranks on horseback. Above him stood Pang De, and below him Ma Dai. Cao Cao silently marveled at the sight. He rode forward himself and addressed Ma Chao, saying, "You are a descendant of a famous general of the Han dynasty—why have you turned traitor?" Ma Chao ground his teeth in fury and cursed, "You villain Cao, who deceives the sovereign and disregards the throne—your crimes are beyond forgiveness! You murdered my father and my brother—this is a hatred that cannot be shared beneath the heavens! I shall capture you alive and devour your flesh!"

With that, he leveled his spear and charged straight at Cao Cao. From behind Cao Cao, Yu Jin rode out to meet him. The two horses clashed, and after some eight or nine exchanges, Yu Jin was routed. Zhang He rode out next, but after twenty exchanges he too was defeated. Li Tong rode forth, and Ma Chao fought with such ferocity that within a few exchanges he thrust his spear and impaled Li Tong beneath his horse. Ma Chao then beckoned with his spear behind him, and the Xiliang soldiers surged forward in a mass charge. Cao Cao's army was routed. The Xiliang forces came on with such ferocity that the officers on every side could not withstand them. Ma Chao, Pang De, and Ma Dai led more than a hundred riders straight into the center army to capture Cao Cao. Amid the chaos of battle, Cao Cao heard the Xiliang soldiers shouting, "The one wearing the red robe is Cao Cao!" At once, he hastily pulled off his red robe from horseback. Then he heard another cry: "The one with the long beard is Cao Cao!" In a panic, Cao Cao drew the sword at his side and cut off his beard. Someone in the army informed Ma Chao of Cao Cao's act of cutting his beard. Ma Chao then ordered his men to shout: "The one with the short beard is Cao Cao!" Upon hearing this, Cao Cao seized the corner of a banner and wrapped it around his neck as he fled. A later poet wrote:

Defeated at Tong Pass, he fled before the wind;

Mengde in despair cast off his brocade robe.

The sword that cut his whiskers should have struck him dead with fright—

Ma Chao's fame and glory tower above the heavens.

As Cao Cao was fleeing, a rider came up behind him. He turned and saw it was Ma Chao. Cao Cao was greatly alarmed. The officers and soldiers on either side, seeing Ma Chao in pursuit, each fled for their lives, leaving Cao Cao alone. Ma Chao shouted fiercely: "Cao Cao, do not flee!" Cao Cao was so terrified that his riding whip fell to the ground. Ma Chao was nearly upon him when he thrust his spear from behind. Cao Cao dodged around a tree. Ma Chao's spear struck the tree. As he hastily pulled it free, Cao Cao had already gotten far away. Ma Chao spurred his horse in pursuit, but from the hillside a general burst forth, crying: "Do not harm my lord! Cao Hong is here!" He swung his saber and rode forth to block Ma Chao. Cao Cao escaped with his life. Cao Hong and Ma Chao fought forty to fifty bouts, but gradually Cao Hong's saber technique grew disordered and his strength waned. Xiahou Yuan arrived with several dozen horsemen. Ma Chao, being alone, feared he might be outmaneuvered, so he turned his horse and withdrew. Xiahou Yuan did not pursue.

Cao Cao returned to his camp, where Cao Ren had held the defenses firmly, so he had not lost many troops. Cao Cao entered his tent and sighed, "Had I killed Cao Hong, I would surely have died today at the hands of Ma Chao!" He then summoned Cao Cao and bestowed rich rewards upon him. He gathered the defeated troops, fortified the camp, dug deep trenches and raised high ramparts, and forbade any sortie. Every day Ma Chao led his soldiers to the front of the camp to hurl insults and challenge them to battle. Cao Cao issued orders that the soldiers were to hold fast, and anyone who stirred would be beheaded. The generals said, "The Xiliang soldiers all use long spears. We should meet them with bows and crossbows." Cao Cao said, "Whether we fight or not depends on me, not on the enemy. Though they have long spears, how can they simply stab us? All of you need only hold your walls and watch. The enemy will withdraw on their own." The generals murmured among themselves, "Since ancient times the Chancellor has always led from the front in battle. Now that he has been defeated by Ma Chao, why is he so weak?"

Several days later, a spy reported: "Ma Chao has received twenty thousand fresh troops to aid him in battle—they are from the Qiang tribes." Cao Cao was overjoyed upon hearing this. The generals said, "Ma Chao has received reinforcements, yet the Chancellor rejoices instead. Why?" Cao Cao said, "Wait until I have won, and I will tell you." Three days later it was reported that more troops had been added to the pass. Cao Cao was again overjoyed and held a banquet in his tent to celebrate. The generals all laughed secretly among themselves. Cao Cao said, "You all laugh because you think I have no plan to defeat Ma Chao. Do you have any good strategies?" Xu Huang stepped forward and said, "Now the Chancellor has massed his forces here, and the enemy is fully concentrated at the pass. The region west of the river must be unprepared. If a force could secretly cross the Puban Ford and cut off the enemy's retreat, while the Chancellor led his forces north of the river to strike, the enemy would be unable to support each other and would surely be imperiled." Cao Cao said, "Your words, Duke Ming, are exactly what I had in mind." He ordered Xu Huang to lead four thousand elite troops, together with Zhu Ling, to attack the west of the river by stealth and hide in the mountain valleys, "and wait for me to cross north of the river before attacking simultaneously." Xu Huang and Zhu Ling received their orders and led their four thousand troops away in secret. Cao Cao then ordered Cao Hong to prepare boats and rafts at the Puban Ford. He left Cao Ren to guard the camp, while he personally led his forces to cross the Wei River. A spy quickly reported this to Ma Chao. Ma Chao said, "Now Cao Cao is not attacking Tong Pass but is having boats and rafts prepared—he must intend to cross north of the river and cut off our rear. I will lead a force across the river to hold the northern bank. Cao Cao's troops will not be able to cross. In less than twenty days, the supplies east of the river will be exhausted, and Cao Cao's army will fall into disorder. Then we can strike along the south bank of the river and capture Cao Cao." Han Sui said, "There is no need for that. Have you not heard what the art of war says: 'Attack the enemy when they are halfway across.' Wait until Cao Cao's troops are halfway across, and then strike them from the southern bank. Cao Cao's soldiers will all die in the river." Ma Chao said, "Your words, Uncle, are excellent." He immediately sent men to find out when Cao Cao would cross the river.

Now, when Cao Cao had finished marshaling his troops, he divided them into three groups to cross the Wei River. By the time the men and horses reached the riverbank, the sun was just rising. Cao Cao first sent elite troops across the northern bank to establish a camp. Cao Cao personally led a hundred of his close bodyguard officers, sitting with his sword drawn on the southern bank, watching his army cross. Suddenly a messenger reported: "The general in the white robe has arrived!" All recognized him as Ma Chao, and they rushed to board the boats. The soldiers by the river scrambled to get aboard, shouting and clamoring without cease. Cao Cao sat unmoved, pointing with his sword and commanding them to stop their clamor. Then there came a great shouting and neighing of horses as they surged forward. A general leaped from the boat onto the bank and cried, "The enemy is here! Please, Chancellor, board the boat!" Cao Cao looked and saw it was Xu Chu. Cao Cao still said, "What harm if the enemy is here?" He turned his head and saw that Ma Chao was no more than a hundred paces away. As Xu Chu dragged Cao Cao into the boat, the boat was already more than ten feet from shore. Xu Chu carried Cao Cao in a single leap aboard. The accompanying officers and soldiers all plunged into the water, clinging to the sides of the boat and struggling to climb aboard to save their lives. The boat was small and nearly capsized. Xu Chu drew his sword and slashed wildly, and the hands clinging to the boat's side were all severed and fell into the water. He quickly steered the boat downstream. Xu Chu stood at the stern, urgently pushing with a wooden pole. Cao Cao crouched at Xu Chu's feet. Ma Chao reached the riverbank and saw the boat was already in midstream. He fitted an arrow to his bow and ordered his valiant generals to ride along the river and shoot, and the arrows fell like rain. Xu Chu, fearing for Cao Cao's life, raised his left hand to hold a horse saddle as a shield. Ma Chao's arrows never missed. The men steering the boat fell into the water at every twang of the bowstring. Several dozen men aboard were all struck down. The boat could not be steered and spun in the swift current. Xu Chu alone exerted his divine might, gripping the rudder with his legs and shaking it, while with one hand he poled the boat and with the other held the saddle to shield Cao Cao.

At that time there was Ding Fei, magistrate of Weinan County, who from atop the southern mountain saw Ma Chao pressing the pursuit of Cao Cao with great urgency, and fearing for Cao Cao's life, drove all the cattle and horses from out of the encampment. They covered hill and valley, far and wide—nothing but cattle and horses everywhere. The Xiliang soldiers, upon seeing them, all turned back to seize the cattle and horses, and no longer had any heart to pursue. Cao Cao thereby escaped.

Just as he reached the northern bank, he had the boats and rafts scuttled and sunk. The generals, hearing that Cao Cao was fleeing for his life in the river, hastened to his rescue, but Cao Cao had already come ashore. Xu Chu wore heavy armor upon his body, with arrows embedded all over his breastplate. The generals escorted Cao Cao to the field encampment, where they all prostrated themselves on the ground and inquired after his safety. Cao Cao laughed loudly and said, "Today I was nearly trapped by a petty bandit!" Xu Chu said, "Had not someone released horses and cattle to lure the enemy, the enemy would surely have exerted themselves to cross the river." Cao Cao asked, "Who was it that lured the enemy?" Someone who knew answered, "It was Ding Fei, magistrate of Weinan County." Presently, Ding Fei came in to audience. Cao Cao thanked him, saying, "Had it not been for your excellent stratagem, I would have been captured by the enemy." He then appointed him Colonel Commanding the Palace Guard. Ding Fei said, "Though the enemy has temporarily withdrawn, they will certainly return tomorrow. You must devise a sound strategy to repel them." Cao Cao said, "I have already made preparations." He then summoned the generals and said: "Each of you is to take your section and construct covered galleries along the river, to serve as a temporary foundation for the camp. When the enemy comes, deploy your troops outside the galleries; inside, set up empty banners and flags as a feuding force of deception. Further, dig trenches along the river and cover them with loose earth and palisades; place soldiers within the river to lure the enemy on. If the enemy presses forward in haste, they will surely fall into the trap, and once they are trapped, they can be captured."

Now, Ma Chao returned to see Han Sui and said, "I nearly seized Cao Cao, but a certain general fought with valor and carried him down into a boat and departed. I know not who it was." Sui said, "I have heard that Cao Cao selects men of extreme strength to serve as his personal guards, called the 'Tiger Guard Corps,' led by the valiant generals Dian Wei and Xu Chu. Dian Wei is already dead. The one who rescued Cao Cao today must have been Xu Chu. This man surpasses others in courage and strength; all call him the 'Tiger Fool.' If you encounter him, do not take him lightly." Chao said, "I too have long heard his name." Sui said, "Now that Cao Cao has crossed the river, he will attack our rear. You must strike swiftly and not allow him to establish a fortified camp. Once he has established a camp, it will be difficult to root him out." Chao said, "In my humble opinion, the best strategy is still to hold the northern bank and prevent him from crossing." Sui said, "You, my worthy nephew, hold the camp. I shall lead the army along the river to engage Cao Cao. What say you?" Chao said, "Order Pang De to serve as vanguard and follow you, uncle."

Thereupon Han Sui and Pang De led fifty thousand troops straight toward Weinan. Cao Cao ordered his generals to lure the enemy from both sides of the covered galleries. Pang De first led over a thousand iron cavalry in a fierce charge. Where the battle cries arose, men and horses alike fell into the horse-traps. Pang De leaped upward with a bound, vaulted out of the pit, stood upon level ground, and immediately slew several men, cutting his way out on foot through the heavy encirclement. Han Sui had already been surrounded at the heart of the formation. Pang De went on foot to rescue him and encountered Cao Ren's lieutenant Cao Yong. With a single stroke of his blade, Pang De struck Cao Yong from his horse, seized the horse, and hacked open a path of blood, rescuing Han Sui and fleeing toward the southeast. Behind them, Cao's soldiers gave chase. Ma Chao led his troops to their relief and routed the Cao forces. He rescued the greater part of the army and horses. They fought until dusk before returning. When the troops were counted, they had lost the officers Cheng Yin and Zhang Heng, and over two hundred men had perished in the pits. Ma Chao and Han Sui deliberated: "If we delay for long and Cao Cao establishes a camp north of the river, it will be difficult to drive off the enemy. We would do better to take light cavalry tonight and raid his field camp." Sui said, "We must divide the forces so that the front and rear can support each other." Thereupon Ma Chao took the vanguard himself, with Pang De and Ma Dai as the rear support, and they set out that very night.

Now, Cao Cao recalled his troops and encamped north of the Wei River. He summoned his generals and said: "The enemy, taking advantage of the fact that we have not yet erected our palisades, will certainly come to raid our field camp. You may deploy ambushing forces on all four sides and leave the center army empty. When the signal cannon fires, let the ambushing forces rise all at once, and with one drumbeat they can be captured." The generals followed these orders, and the ambushing forces were already in position. That night, Ma Cheng first sent Cheng Yi with thirty cavalry to scout ahead. Cheng Yi saw no men or horses and advanced straight into the center army. Cao's troops, seeing the Xiliang soldiers arrive, fired the signal cannon. The ambushing forces on all four sides emerged and surrounded only the thirty cavalry. Cheng Yi was slain by Xiahou Yuan. Ma Chao, however, came from behind, and with Pang De and Ma Dai divided his forces into three columns and swarmed forward to the attack. And so it was:

Though ambushes may lie in wait for the foe,

How can they match the champions who vie for victory first?

What the outcome of battle would be, read on in the following chapter.