Orders were given to advance, the escort leading. By and by scouts came to say that the rebels were coming up very quickly. The Emperor bade Hsiahou Tun divide his force into two parts to oppose them, whereupon the armies threw out two wings with cavalry in front and foot behind. They attacked with vigour and beat off the rebels with great loss. Then they begged the Emperor to return to Loyang and Hsiahou Tun guarded the city. Soon Tsʻao Tsʻao came with his great army and having got them duly camped he went into the city to audience. He knelt at the foot of the steps, but was called up hither to stand beside the Emperor and be thanked. Tsʻao replied, “Having been the recipient of great bounty thy servant owes the State much gratitude. The measure of evil of the two rebels is full, I have a score of legions of good soldiers to oppose them and they are fully equal to securing the safety of Your Majesty and the Throne. The preservation of the state sacrifice is the matter of real moment.” High honours were conferred on Tsʻao Tsʻao. The two rebels wished to attack Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army while fatigued from its long march, but their adviser Chia Hsü opposed this, saying there was no hope of victory. In fact he advised submission. Li Tsʻui was angry at the suggestion, saying that the adviser wished to dishearten the army and drew his sword on Chia. But the other officers interceded and saved him. That same night Chia stole out of the camp and, quite alone, took his way home to his native village. Soon the rebels decided to offer battle. Tsʻao sent out in reply a small company of horse with three warriors as leaders. These dashed into the rebels army but quickly retired. This manœuvre was repeated, and again repeated before the real battle array was formed. Then Li Hsien and Li Pieh, nephews of Li Tsʻui, rode out. At once from Tsʻao’s side dashed out Hsü Chʻu and cut down the former. Li Pieh was so startled that he fell out of the saddle. He too was slain. The victor rode back to his own side with the two heads. When he offered them to the chief, Tsʻao Tsʻao patted him on the back crying, “You are really my Fan Kʻuai! (Preserver).” Next a general move forward was made, Hsiahou Tun and Tsʻao Jên leading the two wings and Tsʻao Tsʻao in the centre. They advanced to the roll of the drum. The rebels fell back before them and presently fled. They were pursued, Tsʻao himself leading, sword in hand. Many were killed and many more surrendered. The two leaders went west, flying in panic like dogs from a falling house. Having no place of refuge they took to the hills and hid among the brushwood. The army returned and camped again near the city. Then Yang Fêng and Han Hsien said one to another, “This Tsʻao has done a great service and he will be the man in power. There will be no place for us.” So they represented to the Emperor that they wished to pursue the rebels and under this excuse withdrew and camped at Taliang.