Jia Xu, who understood Cao Cao’s intention, decided to turn the stratagem back upon him. He said to Zhang Xiu, “From the walls I watched Cao Cao circle and inspect for three days. At the southeast corner he studied the old and new bricks and the broken battlements, where he intends to break through. On the northwest he has secretly removed the packed grass and straw, making a show of force so that he may lure us into believing we must guard that side. In that way, while we stand ready there, he hopes to climb in at night through the southeast.”

Zhang Xiu asked, “What then?”

Jia Xu said, “That is easy. Tomorrow send your strongest and best men, well fed and lightly armed, into the buildings on the southeast and hide them there. Order the townspeople to pretend to be soldiers and hold only a show defense on the northwest. At night let him come up the southeast wall; as soon as he gets inside, sound one cannon and the ambush rises. Cao Cao will be captured.”

Zhang Xiu approved the plan. A courier soon reported to Cao Cao that Zhang Xiu had withdrawn all men from the southeast and posted them on the northwest, calling out to hold it, while the southeast was nearly empty. Cao Cao said, “This is exactly my thought!” He ordered the army to prepare climbing tools in secret and worked the wall with picks and pries in private. In the daytime he led assaults only at the northwest. At the second watch of the night he brought his picked men to the southeast and climbed in by the moat edge, hacking open the broken battlements.

The city made no response. All the ambush force surged in together. At the first cannonshot, the hidden men rose up. Cao’s force turned and fled. Zhang Xiu drove in personally with hard-fighting men and pressed the pursuit hard. Cao’s army was routed and burst from the city, running for dozens of li. Zhang Xiu gave chase until dawn before withdrawing back into the city.

When Cao Cao took stock, more than fifty thousand had fallen and much baggage was gone. Li Qian and Yu Jin were both wounded.

Then Jia Xu, seeing Cao Cao turn and run, hurriedly urged Zhang Xiu to send a dispatch to Liu Biao and raise troops to cut off his rear. Liu Biao, once he received it, almost immediately raised troops when a scout came to report that Sun Ce had encamped at Lukou. Kuiliang said, “Sun Ce’s camp at Lukou is Cao Cao’s plan. Cao Cao has only just suffered defeat; if we do not strike him now, he will become a later danger.”

Liu Biao ordered Huang Zu to hold the pass and himself moved with his army to Anzhong County to cut off Cao’s line of retreat, while at the same time signaling Zhang Xiu. Once Zhang Xiu heard Liu Biao was already in motion, he and Jia Xu jointly led troops to attack Cao.

Meanwhile Cao Cao’s army moved slowly to Xiangcheng and the You River. There, while still in the saddle, he suddenly burst out crying. The men were startled and asked why. “Last year, right here, I lost my general Dian Wei in combat,” he said. “How could I not weep?” He then ordered the army to halt and the mounts to be penned, and arranged a grand mourning banquet for Dian Wei’s soul. Cao Cao himself offered incense and knelt in tears.

All soldiers grieved. After sacrificing for Dian Wei, he sacrificed too his nephew Cao Anmin, his eldest son Cao Ang, and the soldiers killed in this battle. Even the Dawan horse that had been shot was laid in sacrifice as well.

The next day, Xun Yu informed him that Liu Biao had reached Anzhong with Zhang Xiu to block the road home. Cao Cao replied to Xun Yu, “I have only marched a few li at a time, and I know well that the enemy gives chase, but my plan is fixed. If we reach Anzhong, we will surely crush him. Doubt it not.” He then drove the army on to the border of Anzhong County.

Liu Biao’s force had already held the difficult ground, and Zhang Xiu followed close behind. Cao Cao ordered his men to cut a route in the night and conceal elite troops in ambush.

As dawn came, Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu joined forces and, seeing Cao’s army small, assumed he was fleeing. Both marched into the pass and attacked. Cao then released the hidden troops. He utterly broke the two armies together. Cao’s men withdrew from Anzhong’s border and camped beyond the choke point. Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu gathered their broken troops and faced each other.

Liu Biao said, “How could we have been deceived by Cao Cao’s trick?”

Zhang Xiu said, “Let us try again.”

So both armies gathered again at Anzhong.

Soon Xun Yu learned that Yuan Shao was preparing to move north against Gongsun Zan, and rode through the night with urgent news to Cao Cao. Cao Cao, uneasy at once, ordered the army back. Spies soon told Zhang Xiu. He wanted to pursue. Jia Xu said, “Do not pursue. To do so means defeat.”

Liu Biao said, “If we fail to pursue today we lose our chance.” He pressed hard for Zhang Xiu to lead over ten thousand men in pursuit. After ten or so li of march, they reached Cao’s rear guard. Cao’s men fought fiercely and Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao’s two armies were defeated and had to pull back.

Zhang Xiu said to Jia Xu, “I ignored your advice, and as you foretold this is what happened.”

Jia Xu said, “Now let us re-form and chase again.”

Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao both said, “We are already beaten. How can we chase again?”

Jia Xu said, “If we chase now, we shall certainly win; if not, cut off my head.”

Zhang Xiu believed him. Liu Biao, however uncertain, did not join. Zhang Xiu alone took one column and pursued.

Cao’s force was indeed defeated; horses, supplies, and baggage carts were abandoned as he ran in panic.

While Zhang Xiu pressed the chase, a mass of troops came bursting out from behind a hill. Zhang Xiu dared not continue, and withdrew and returned to Anzhong. Liu Biao asked Jia Xu,

“Earlier you said not to pursue, saying we would lose. Later, after we were defeated, you said we would surely win. How can both be true?”

Jia Xu said, “It is simple. My lord, you are a competent commander in one sense, but not a match for Cao Cao in the art of defeating enemies. Even when he is beaten, he has hardy fighters held in reserve to receive pursuers, and our sharp men cannot overcome them. So I knew we would lose then.

Now Cao’s forced retreat after our initial loss was because he had urgent business in Xu. Having broken our pursuing force, he returned at speed with light escort and little preparation. At that moment he was no longer ready. That is why we could catch him and win.”

Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu both accepted his reasoning. Jia Xu advised Liu Biao to return to Jing Province and Zhang Xiu to hold Xiangcheng as a forward wedge. The two armies dispersed.

As Cao Cao still marched onward, he heard that Zhang Xiu had pursued his rear and ordered all his generals to turn and return. He found that Zhang Xiu had already withdrawn. Cao’s beaten men reported, “If not for the force that blocked the mountain road behind us, all of us would have been captured.”

Cao immediately asked where they had come from. A man dismounted with lowered spear and knelt. It was Li Tong, courtesy name Wenda, Zhenwei Zhonglang-General, a native of Jiangxia Pingchun. “Where do you come from?” Cao asked.

Li Tong said, “I have recently been on garrison duty in Runan. Hearing that the Chancellor fought against Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao, I came to reinforce.”

Cao was pleased. He ennobled Li Tong as Marquis of Merit and ordered him to hold Runan’s western frontier against Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu. Li Tong thanked him and withdrew.

Cao returned to Xu, and Liu Biao reported Sun Ce’s meritorious service. Cao made Sun Ce a General Who Crushes Rebels and granted him the marquisate of Wu. He then sent an edict to Jiangdong ordering him to suppress Liu Biao.

When Cao returned to the hall, all officials had already paid their respects. Xun Yu asked, “How did you know they would certainly be defeated although you arrived slowly at Anzhong?”

Cao replied, “They had no way to return, so they had to die fighting. I tempted them forward and concealed my hidden plan. Therefore I knew they were bound to fail.”

Xun Yu offered obeisance. Guo Jia entered.

Cao said, “Why did you come so late, Counselor?”

Guo Jia drew out a letter and said, “Yuan Shao has sent an envoy to the Chancellor saying he wants to attack Gongsun Zan and asking for grain and troops.”

Cao said, “I have heard Yuan Shao wishes to strike Xu. Yet now that I have returned, he puts forward another request. I opened it and found the tone arrogant.”

He then asked Guo Jia, “Yuan Shao is so insolent. I want to punish him, but I do not yet have the power. What do you think?”

Guo Jia said, “You and I both know Liu and Xiang were not evenly matched. It was intelligence that won, not numbers. Even though Xiang Yu was formidable, he was captured in the end. Cao now has ten victories, and Yuan Shao ten defeats. Though Yuan Shao’s army is great, he is not to be feared.

Yuan Shao relies on ceremony and outward display; your natural steadiness is strength.

Yuan Shao sought fame through display, while you act with sincerity.

From Huan to Ling, policy has declined from indulgence. Yuan Shao governs by indulgence and thus fails in discipline, while you are severe when needed and precise.

Yuan Shao is outwardly generous and inwardly jealous; he appoints many kin, while you are outwardly plain and inwardly clear, choosing only the worthy. That is a decisive edge.

Yuan Shao makes many designs and few decisions, while you act at once on good counsel. That is a strategic edge.

Yuan Shao gathers reputation, while you keep loyalty through sincerity.

Yuan Shao cares for near relations and neglects distant ones; your concern is all-encompassing.

Yuan Shao is swayed by slander and confusion, while your judgment is clear.

Yuan Shao muddles right and wrong, while your laws are strict and obvious.

Yuan Shao delights in empty show and does not understand military essentials; you defeat a greater force with fewer men, and command your troops like one moved by the Way.

You have these ten advantages. Defeating Yuan Shao will not be difficult.”

Cao laughed. “If your words stand, how can I face him?”

Xun Yu said, “Guo Jia’s ten victories for your ten defeats fits exactly my view. Yuan Shao may be strong in number, but he is no fear.”

Guo Jia said, “Lü Bu in Xuzhou is our serious interior danger. Since Yuan Shao has gone north to confront Gongsun Zan, this is our chance. If we first take Lü Bu and sweep the southeast, then turn on Yuan Shao, that is best. If we go against Yuan Shao now, Lü Bu will exploit the opening and attack Xu. His damage to us will be deep.”

Cao accepted this and then discussed moving east against Lü Bu. Xun Yu said, “First send word to Liu Bei; wait for his return before mobilizing.” Cao agreed. He at once sent a letter to Liu Bei, and in full form he answered Yuan Shao’s envoy, appointing him Grand General and Grand Commandant and Chief Commander over the four states of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing. In a sealed private letter he added,

“Proceed against Gongsun Zan. I will give support.”

Yuan Shao was overjoyed and advanced to attack Gongsun Zan.

Now Lü Bu in Xuzhou was being repeatedly praised by Chen Gui and his son in every guest gathering. Chen Gong, displeased, took advantage of a chance to warn Lü Bu: “The father and son flatter your merit too much. Their hearts cannot be trusted. You must guard carefully.”

Lü Bu barked, “Why do you slander without cause and try to harm a good man?”

Chen Gong sighed, “Truthful counsel will never be welcomed here; if we speak it, we suffer with it.” He wished to leave Lü Bu and go elsewhere, but did not dare, and he was too ashamed to be laughed at. So he stayed, miserable all day.

One day he took several riders to the fields outside Pei for hunting to vent himself. A rider came galloping along the road. Suspicious, Chen Gong left the hunt and followed by a side path.

He asked, “What errand and from where do you come?”

The messenger, seeing him as a man from Lü Bu’s retinue, was flustered and could not answer at first. Chen Gong searched him and found a sealed letter from Liu Bei for Cao Cao. He took both man and letter to Lü Bu.

Lü Bu asked his reason for it.

The messenger said, “The Chancellor Cao sent me to Lord Liu of Yuzhou with this letter. I have now returned with your reply but do not know what is in it.”

Lü Bu tore open and read it.

In response to your commands, I dare not fail to apply myself night and day. Our own troops are light and few; I dare not make any rash move. If the Chancellor raises a great expedition, I shall be your vanguard. Tighten the ranks and keep the armor in order; I stand ready for your command.

When Lü Bu heard it, he was startled and said, “That bandit Cao dares speak this way!” He executed the messenger at once and then ordered Chen Gong and Zang Ba to join the bandits by Mount Tai: Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li, and Chang Xi. He sent them east to capture the commanderies of Yanzhou in Shandong.

He also ordered Gao Shun and Zhang Liao to take Pei City and attack Liu Bei. He ordered Song Xian and Wei Xu to move west and take Ru and Ying. Lü Bu kept the central army to provide reinforcement along three routes.

When Gao Shun and his men left Xuzhou and neared Xupei, someone reported the matter to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei quickly summoned his counselors. Sun Qian said, “Send urgent news to Cao Cao.”

Liu Bei said, “Who can go to Xu and ride for help?”

One man from below stepped forward: “I can.” He was Jian Yong, with courtesy name Xianhe, originally from Liu Bei’s own commandery.

Liu Bei wrote immediately and gave him the letter, ordering Jian Yong to ride through the night to Xu for aid. At the same time he had preparations made for the city’s defense.

Liu Bei held the south gate himself, Sun Qian the north gate, Yunchang the west gate, Zhang Fei the east gate. He ordered Mi Zhu and his brother Mi Fang to guard the center camp. Mi Zhu had a younger sister married to Liu Bei as a secondary wife, and Liu Bei had a sworn affinity with her brothers, so he entrusted them with the inner guard for his household.

When Gao Shun arrived, Liu Bei called out from the enemy-facing tower, “I hold no enmity with Fengxian. Why have you brought troops here?”

Gao Shun said, “You have joined Cao Cao and plan to harm my lord. Now your intent is known. Why do you not submit?”

With that, he waved his troops forward and attacked the city. Liu Bei stayed within the gate and did not come out.

The next day Zhang Liao led his men against the west gate. From the wall, Yunchang addressed him: “Your manner and bearing are not base. How did you come to fall into bandits’ hands?”

Zhang Liao lowered his head and said nothing. Yunchang saw this man had a true sense of loyalty and righteousness, and he added no insults, nor did he go out to fight.

Zhang Liao withdrew toward the east gate, and Zhang Fei rode out to meet him. Before Guan Yu came, one had reported matters.

Guan Yu hurried to the east gate. He saw Zhang Fei had just left and that Zhang Liao’s men had already pulled back. Guan Yu urged him to chase. “They withdrew out of fear; why not pursue?”

Guan Yu said, “This man is no weaker than either of us. From what he said I sense no bad spirit in him, and some remorse. For that reason he did not press battle.”

Zhang Fei understood and ordered the men to hold their own gate firmly, and not ride out again.

Now Jian Yong arrived in Xu and informed Cao Cao of what had happened. Cao then gathered his ministers.

Cao said, “I want to attack Lü Bu. I do not fear Yuan Shao’s interference. I am only concerned about Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu attacking our rear.”

Xun Yu said, “These two have only just been defeated and will not act lightly yet. Lü Bu is strong and bold. If he further joins with Yuan Shu and moves along Huai and Si, the danger will be hard and fast.”

Guo Jia said, “Now is the time. He has only just turned rebellious and the army has not fully settled to him. Strike quickly.”

Cao agreed. He ordered Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Li Qian, and Li Dian to lead fifty thousand men ahead, while he himself followed with the main host in staggered echelons. Jian Yong went with them.

A scout soon reported to Gao Shun. Gao Shun sent the news to Lü Bu. Lü Bu first sent Hou Cheng, Hao Meng, and Cao Xing with more than two hundred riders to join Gao Shun, meet Cao’s army thirty li outside Pei, and then led his main force out to support in turn.

When Liu Bei saw that Gao Shun had turned from Xupei, he knew Cao’s army was near. He left Sun Qian to hold the city, and Mi Zhu and Mi Fang to guard the family in the center camp. He with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, raising all his troops, marched out and split camps to receive Cao’s army.

Xiahou Dun then led forward and met Gao Shun squarely, hurling his spear and horse forward to meet him. They circled and fought for forty to fifty exchanges. Gao Shun could not stand and broke and withdrew.

Xiahou Dun spurred after him; Gao Shun ran in circles to evade. Xiahou Dun did not relent and kept circling in pursuit.

From the line, Cao Xing saw them and from cover drew bow and arrow with a sure eye. He loosed one arrow that struck Xiahou Dun’s left eye. Xiahou Dun cried out and tried to pull it free with his hand; as he pulled, the eyeball came out with it. He cried out,

“By my father’s strength and my mother’s blood, I must not lose it!”

He put it in his mouth and swallowed it, then rode forward with spear in hand.

Cao Xing had no time to guard himself and was speared through the face and killed in the saddle.

The soldiers on both sides saw this and were all shaken.

After Xiahou Dun had killed Cao Xing, he turned his horse back. Gao Shun came from behind, raised his troops all at once, and pressed in. Cao’s army was crushed. Xiahou Yuan helped rescue his brother and withdrew. Li Qian and Li Dian withdrew with the broken army and camped south of Jibei.

Gao Shun gained the advantage, turned back, and moved to strike Liu Bei. Just then Lü Bu’s great army also arrived.

Lü Bu sent Zhang Liao and Gao Shun in three detachments, and they attacked Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei’s three camps from three sides.

Even a ferocious commander who fights well, once struck in the eye, cannot long hold the vanguard. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.