Wang Hou was about to remonstrate further but Tsʻao Tsʻao gave a signal, the executioners hustled him out and he was beheaded. His head was exposed on a tall pole and a notice said that in accordance with military law Wang Hou had been put to death for peculation and the use of a short measure in issuing grain. This appeased the discontent. Next followed a general order threatening death to the various commanders if the city was not taken within three days. Tsʻao Tsʻao in person went up to the very walls to superintend the work of filling up the moat. The defenders kept up constant showers of stones and arrows. Two inferior officers, who left their stations in fear, were slain by Tsʻao Tsʻao himself. Thereafter he went on foot to see that work went on continuously and no one dared be a laggard. Thus encouraged the army became invincible and no defence could withstand their onslaught. In a very short time the walls were scaled, the gates battered in and the besiegers were in possession. The officers of the garrison were captured alive and were executed in the market place. All the paraphernalia of imperial state were burned and the whole city wrecked. When the question of crossing the river in pursuit of Yüan Shu came up Hsün Yü opposed it saying, “The country has suffered from short crops for years and we should be unable to get grain. An advance would weary the army, harm the people and possibly end in disaster. I advise a return to the capital to wait there till the spring wheat shall have been harvested and we have plenty of food.” Tsʻao Tsʻao hesitated and before he had made up his mind there came an urgent message saying Chang Hsiu, with the support of Liu Piao, was ravaging the country all round, that there was rebellion in Nanyang and Tsʻao Hung could not cope with it. He had been worsted already in several engagements and was in sore straits. Tsʻao Tsʻao at once wrote to Sun Tsʻê to command the river so as to prevent any move on the part of Liu Piao, while he prepared his army to go to deal with Chang Hsiu. Before marching he directed Liu Pei to camp at Hsiaopʻei, as he and Lü Pu, being as brothers, might help each other. When Lü Pu had left for Hsüchou Tsʻao Tsʻao said secretly to Yüan-tê, “I am leaving you at Hsiaopʻei as a pitfall for the tiger. You will only take advice from the two Chʻêns and there can be no mishap. You will find so-and-so your ally when needed.” So Tsʻao Tsʻao marched to Hsütu where he heard that Tuan Wei had slain Li Tsʻui and Wu Hsi had killed Kuo Ssŭ and they presented the heads of these two. Beside the whole clan of Li Tsʻui had been arrested and brought to the capital. They were all put to death at various gates and their heads exposed. People thought this very harsh dealing.