But when he reached the residence he noticed the streets were quite deserted and then he knew he had been tricked. Wheeling round his horse he shouted to his followers to retire. This was the signal for another move. An explosion of a signal-bomb was heard close at hand and it was echoed from every side in a deafening roar. Gongs and drums beat all around with a roar like rivers rushing backward to their source and the ocean boiling up from its depths. From two sides came bodies of soldiers eager to attack. Tsʻao dashed off toward the north only to find his way barred; he tried for the south gate, but met enemies led by Kao Shun and Hou Chʻêng. His trusty henchman Tien Wei, with fierce eyes and gritting teeth, at last burst through and got out, with the enemy close after him. But when he reached the drawbridge he glanced behind him and missed his master. Immediately he turned back and cut his way inside. Just within he met Li Tien. “Where is our lord?” cried he. “I am looking for him.” “Quick! get help from outside,” shouted Tien Wei. “I will seek him.” So one hastened for aid and the other slashed his way in, looking on every side for Tsʻao Tsʻao. He was not to be found. Dashing out of the city Tien Wei ran up against Yo Chin, who asked where their lord was. “I have entered the city twice in search of him, but cannot find him,” said Tien. “Let us go in together,” said Yo Chin. They rode up to the gate. But the noise of bombs from the gate tower frightened Yo Chin’s horse, so that it refused to pass. Wherefore Tien Wei alone went in, butting through the smoke and dashing through the flames. But he got in and searched on every side. When Tsʻao Tsʻao saw his sturdy protector cut his way out and disappear leaving him surrounded, he again made an attempt to reach the north gate. On the way, sharply outlined against the glow, he saw the figure of Lü Pu coming toward him with his halberd ready to kill. Tsʻao Tsʻao covered his face with his hand, whipped up his steed and galloped past. But Lü Pu came galloping up behind him and tapping him on the helmet with the halberd cried, “Where is Tsʻao Tsʻao?” Tsʻao turned and, pointing to a dun horse well ahead, cried, “There; on that dun! that’s he.” Hearing this Lü Pu left pursuing Tsʻao Tsʻao to gallop after the rider of the dun.