That night Man Chʻung, duly disguised, got over to the other side and made his way to the tent of Hsü Huang, who sat there by the light of a candle. He was still wearing his coat of mail. Suddenly Chʻung ran out in front and saluted saying, “You have been well since we parted, old friend?” Hsü jumped up in surprise, gazed into the face of the speaker a long time and presently said, “What! you are Man Po-ning of Shanyang? What are you doing here?” “I am an officer in General Tsʻao’s army. Seeing my old friend out in front of the army to-day I wanted to say a word to him. So I took the risk of stealing in this evening and here I am.” Hsü Huang invited him in and they sat down. Then said Man Chʻung, “There are very few as bold as you on the earth; why then do you serve such as your present chiefs? My master is the most prominent man in the world, a man who delights in wise men and appreciates soldiers as every one knows. Your valour to-day won his entire admiration and so he took care that the attack was not vigorous enough to sacrifice you. Now he has sent me to invite you to join him. Will you not leave darkness for light and help him in his magnificent task?” Hsü Huang sat a long time pondering over the offer. Then he said, with a sigh, “I know my masters are doomed to failure, but I have followed their fortunes a long time and do not like to leave them.” “But you know the prudent bird selects its tree and the wise servant chooses his master. When one meets a worthy master and lets him go one is a fool.” “I am willing to do what you say,” said Hsü, rising. “Why not put these two to death as an introductory gift?” said Man. “It is very wrong for a servant to slay his master. I will not do that.” “True; you are really a good man.” Then Hsü, taking only a few horsemen of his own men with him, left that night and deserted to Tsʻao Tsʻao. Soon some one took the news to Yang Fêng, who at the head of a strong company of horsemen, set out to capture the deserter. He called out to him to come back. But when Yang was getting near he fell into an ambush. Suddenly the whole mountain-side was lit up with torches and out sprang Tsʻao’s men, he himself being in command. “I have been waiting here a long time; do not run away,” cried he. Yang Fêng was completely surprised and tried to draw off, but was quickly surrounded. His colleague came to his rescue and a confused battle began. Yang Fêng succeeded in escaping, while Tsʻao Tsʻao kept up the attack on the disordered army. A great number of the rebels gave in and the leaders found they had too few men left to maintain their independence so they betook themselves to Yüan Shu.