Lü Pu rode back and told his adviser what he had seen. “This Tsʻao Tsʻao is very crafty and full of wiles,” said the adviser; “great care is necessary.” “I will use fire this time and burn out his ambush,” said Lü Pu. Next morning he rode out and there he saw flags flying everywhere in the wood. He ordered his men forward to set fire on all sides. But to his surprise no one rushed out to make for the stockade. Still he heard the beating of drums and doubt filled his mind. Suddenly he saw a party of soldiers move out from the shelter of the stockade. He galloped over to see what it meant. Then the signal-bombs exploded; out rushed the men and all their leaders dashed forward. Lü Pu was at a loss and fled into the open country. One of his captains was killed by an arrow. Two thirds of his men were lost and the beaten remainder went to tell Chʻên Kung what had come to pass. “We had better leave” said he. “An empty city cannot be held.” So he and Kao Shun, taking their chief’s family with them, abandoned Tingtʻao. When Tsʻao Tsʻao’s soldiers got into the city they met with no resistance, one leader burned himself to death, the other fled to Yüan Shu. Thus the whole of Shantung fell under the power of Tsʻao Tsʻao. How he tranquillised the people and rebuilt the cities will not be told here. But Lü Pu in his retreat fell in with his foragers and Chʻên Kung also rejoined him so that he was by no means broken. “I have but few men,” said he, “but still enough to break Tsʻao Tsʻao.” And so he retook the backward road. Thus does fortune alternate, victory, defeat, The happy conqueror to-day, to-morrow, must retreat. What was the fate of Lü Pu will appear later. CHAPTER XIII. GREAT BATTLE BETWEEN LI TSʻUI AND KUO SSŬ: THE EMPEROR RESCUED. The last chapter told of the defeat of Lü Pu, and his gathering the remnant of his army at Haipin. When all his lieutenants had joined him he began to feel strong enough to try conclusions with Tsʻao Tsʻao once again. Said Chʻên Kung, who was opposed to this course, “He is too strong; seek some place where you can rest a time before trying.” “Suppose I went to Yüan Shao,” said Lü Pu. “Send first to make enquiries.” Lü Pu agreed. The news of the fighting between Tsʻao and Lü Pu had reached Ichou and one of Yüan’s advisers, Shên Pʻei, warned him saying, “If this savage Lü Pu gets possession of Yenchou he will certainly attempt to add this district to it. For your own safety you should help to crush him.” Wherefore Yen Liang, with five legions, was sent. The spies heard this and at once told Lü Pu, who was greatly disturbed and called in the faithful Chʻên Kung. “Go over to Liu Pei, who has lately succeeded to Hsüchou.” Hence Lü Pu went thither. Some one urged Liu Pei to go out to meet such a warrior and receive him with honour. Mi Chu was strongly against receiving him at all saying he was a cruel, bloodthirsty beast.