Jung replied, “His land is wide and his people strong. He has many skilful strategists and he has loyal and able captains. You cannot say he is despicable.” Yü laughed saying, “His army is a rabble. One captain, Tʻien Fêng, is bold but treacherous; another, Hsü Yu, is greedy and ignorant; Shên Pʻei is devoted but stupid; Fêng Chi is steady but useless. And these four of such different temperaments, mutually incompatible, will make for confusion rather than efficiency. Yen Liang and Wên Chʻou are worthless and can be disposed of in the first battle and the others are poor, rough stuff. What is the use even of their legions?” Kʻung Jung was silent and Tsʻao smiled. “They are even as Hsün Wen-jo describes,” said he. Then Tsʻao issued orders. Generals Liu Tai and Wang Chung were to lead an army of five legions, displaying the minister’s banners, and march against Hsüchou to attack Liu Pei. This Liu Tai had been governor of Yenchou but had surrendered and entered Tsʻao Tsʻao’s service after the fall of the city. Tsʻao had given him a rank as supernumerary leader and now was disposed to make use of him. Tsʻao Tsʻao himself took command of a large army of twenty legions for a simultaneous attack on Yüan Shao at Liyang. A certain adviser said he thought the two captains sent against Liu Pei were unequal to their task. “I know,” said Tsʻao. “They are not meant to fight Liu Pei; it is merely a feint. They have orders not to make any real attack till I have overcome Yüan Shao. Then Liu Pei will be next.” Liu Tai and Wang Chung went their way and Tsʻao Tsʻao marched out his grand army, which came into touch with the enemy, then eighty li distant, at Liyang. Both sides made fortified camps and waited watching each other. This went on for two months. There was dissension in Yüan Shao’s camp. Hsü Yu was at enmity with his colleague, Shên Pʻei, and the strategist Chu Shou resented the rejection of his plan. So they would not attack. Yüan Shao also could not make up his mind. Tired of this state of inaction Tsʻao Tsʻao then gave certain commanders definite points to hold and marched back to Hsütu. The five legions sent against Liu Pei went into camp a hundred li from Hsüchou. The camp made an imposing display of the banners of the Prime Minister but no attacks followed. Their spies were very busy north of the river. On the defensive side, Liu Pei, as he was uncertain of the strength of the force against him, dared not move. Suddenly orders came for the Tsʻao army to attack and then discord showed itself. Liu Tai said, “The Minister orders an attack; you advance.” Wang Chung replied, “You were named first.” “I am the Commander in Chief; it is not my place to go first.” “I will go with you in joint command,” said Chung. “Let us cast lots and he upon whom the lot falls must go,” said Tai. They drew lots and it fell to Wang Chung, who advanced toward Hsüchou with half the force.