This was final and the two messengers took leave. When the party reached Yüan-tê’s camp they decided to try to get through in the darkness, the escort remaining behind to protect their rear. They tried that very night and the two messengers crept across without discovery. But the escort found themselves faced by Chang Fei. Ho Ming tried to fight but was captured in the very first bout and the men of his half company were either killed or they fled. The prisoner was taken to Yüan-tê, who forwarded him to the main camp. There he told the story of the marriage and the scheme to save the city. Tsʻao Tsʻao was angry and ordered the execution of the prisoner at the main gate. Then he sent orders to each camp to exercise the greatest diligence with threats of rigorous punishment of the officers of any corps that permitted any communication between the besieged and the outer world. Every soldier felt mightily afraid. Yüan-tê returned to camp and cautioned his brothers saying, “We are in the most important place with regard to Huainan and you must be very careful not to allow any breach of this command.” Chang Fei was inclined to grumble, “We have just captured one of the enemy’s leaders,” said he, “and there is no word of praise or reward for us; nothing but new orders and threats. What do you make of that?” “You are wrong to complain,” said Yüan-tê. “These are orders of the Commander-in-Chief and what would happen were there no orders? Do not disobey them, brother.” They promised obedience and withdrew. In the meantime the messengers had got back to Lü Pu and told him what Yüan Shu had said, that if the girl came the soldiers should go. “But how can she be sent?” said Pu. “That is the difficulty. Ho Ming’s capture means that Tsʻao Tsʻao knows the whole plan of getting help from the south. I do not see how any one but you yourself could hope to get through the close siege.” “Suppose we tried, to-day?” said Lü Pu. “This is an ill-omened day; you must not try to-day. To-morrow is a very lucky day, especially in the evening, for any military action.” Then Lü Pu ordered Chang Liao and Kao Shun to get ready three companies for the venture and to prepare a light carriage. He would lead till they had got a couple of hundred li away. Thence they could escort the bride-elect the remainder of the way to her new home. Next evening toward the second watch Lü Pu wrapped up his daughter in soft wadded garments, bound her about with a mailed coat and took her on his back. Then with his mighty halberd in hand, he mounted his steed and rode at the head of the cavalcade out of the city gate. The two captains followed. In this order they approached Yüan-tê’s camp. The drums at once beat the alarm and the two younger brothers barred the way. “Stop!” they shouted.