When Yüan-tê heard of the threatened attack he called Chʻên Têng to consult. Yüan-tê said, “There is dissension in Yüan Shao’s camp at Liyang so they do not advance. We do not know where Tsʻao Tsʻao is but his own banner is not displayed in his Liyang camp. Why then is it shown here?” Chʻên Têng replied, “His tricks take a hundred forms. It must be that he regards the north as most important and has gone there to look after its defence. He dares not show his flag there and I feel sure it is only meant to mislead us. He is not here.” Yüan-tê then asked whether one of his brothers would find out the truth and Chang Fei volunteered to go. “I fear you are unsuited for this,” said Yüan-tê. “You are too impetuous.” “If Tsʻao is there I will haul him over here,” said Fei. “Let me go first and find out,” said Kuan Yü. “If you go I shall feel more at ease,” said Yüan-tê. So Kuan Yü set out with three companies to reconnoitre. It was then early winter and snow was falling from a gloomy sky. They marched regardless of the snow and came near Wang Chung’s camp with arms all ready to attack. Kuan Yü summoned Wang Chung to a parley. “The Minister is here: why do you not surrender?” said Wang Chung. “Beg him to come to the front for I would speak with him,” replied Kuan Yü. “Is he likely to come out to see such as you?” Kuan Yü angrily dashed forward and Wang Chung set his spear to meet him. Yü rode till he came close to his antagonist, then suddenly wheeled away. Wang Chung went after him and followed up a slope. Just as they passed the crest, Yü suddenly wheeled again, shouted and came on flourishing the mighty sword. Wang Chung could not withstand that and fled. But Kuan Yü, changing the huge sword to his left hand, with his right laid hold of his victim by the straps of his breastplate, lifted him out of the saddle and rode away to his own lines with the captive laid across the pommel of his saddle. Wang Chung’s men scattered. The captive was sent to Hsüchou, where he was summoned into the presence of Liu Pei. “Who are you? What office do you hold? How dare you falsely display the ensigns of the Minister Tsʻao Tsʻao?” said Liu Pei. “What do you mean by falsely when I simply obeyed my orders?” said Wang. “My master wanted to produce the impression that he was present. Really he was not there.” Liu Pei treated him kindly, giving him food and clothing; but put him in prison till his colleague could be captured. Kuan Yü said that, knowing his brother had peaceful intentions in his mind, he captured the man instead of slaying him. “I was afraid of Chang Fei’s hasty and impulsive temper,” said Liu Pei. “He would have slain this man. So I could not send him. There is no advantage in killing persons of this sort and while alive they are often useful in amicable settlements.” Here Chang Fei said, “You have got this Wang; now I will go and get the other man.”