Then came two officers saying, “As you ordered us we went into Shantung to purchase horses. We had got three hundred when, on our way back, on the borders of Peihsien some robbers stole half of them. We hear that the real robbers were Chang Fei and his men, who took on the guise of brigands.” Lü Pu was very angry at this and began to prepare an expedition against Hsiaopʻei. When Liu Pei heard that an attack threatened he led out his army to oppose it and the two armies were arrayed. Liu Pei rode to the front and said, “Elder brother, why have you brought an army against me?” Lü Pu began abusing him saying, “That shot of mine at the yamên gate saved you from grave danger; why then did you steal my horses?” “I wanted horses and I sent out to buy them. Should I dare to take yours?” said Liu. “You stole a hundred and fifty in the person of your brother Chang Fei. You only used another man’s hand.” Thereupon Chang Fei, with his spear in rest, rode out saying, “Yes; I stole your good horses, and what more do you expect?” Lü Pu replied, “You goggled-eyed thief! You are always treating me with contempt.” “Yes; I took your horses and you get angry. You did not say any thing when you stole my brother’s city.” Lü Pu rode forward to give battle and Chang Fei advanced. A reckless fight began and the two warriors kept it up for a hundred bouts without a decisive stroke. Then Liu Pei, fearing some accident to his brother, hastily beat the gongs as a signal to retire and led his army into the city. Lü Pu then invested it. Liu Pei called his brother and chid him as the cause of all this misfortune. “Where are the horses?” said he. “In some of the temples and courts,” replied Fei. A messenger was sent out to speak softly and offer to restore the stolen horses if hostilities were to cease. Lü Pu was disposed to agree but Chʻên Kung opposed. “You will suffer by and by if you do not remove this Liu Pei.” Under his influence the request for peace was rejected and the attack on the city pressed harder. Liu Pei called Mi Chu and Sun Chʻien to him to ask advice. Said the latter, “The one person that Tsʻao Tsʻao detests is Lü Pu. Let us then abandon the city and take refuge with Tsʻao Tsʻao, from whom we may borrow men to destroy him.” “If we try to get away, who will lead the van?” “I will do my best,” said Chang Fei. So he led the way. Kuan Yü was rearguard and in the centre was Liu Pei with the non-fighting portion. The cavalcade started and went out at the north gate. They met some opposition but the soldiers were driven off and the besieging force was passed without difficulty. Chang Liao pursued, but was held off by the rearguard. It seemed Lü Pu was not dissatisfied at the flight for he took no personal trouble to prevent it. He made formal entry into the city, settled local affairs and appointed a governor.