As Yüan-tê drew near the camp he intended to attack he heard the din of battle. Then he was attacked in the rear and very soon had lost half his force. Next Hsiahou Tun came to attack. Thereupon Yüan-tê bolted. He was pursued by Hsiahou Yüan. Presently he looked about him and found he had less than half a hundred men following him. He set his face in the direction of Hsiaopʻei. But before long he saw that place was in flames. So he changed his plan and went toward Hsiapʻi. However he found the whole countryside full of the enemy and he could not get through. So he bethought himself of the promise of Yüan Shao, that he would find refuge if things went agley, and determined to go to him till he could form some other plan. Wherefore he took the Chʻingchou road. But it also was blocked and he went into the open country and made his way north, not without being pursued and losing the remainder of his few followers. He hastened toward Chʻingchou, travelling three hundred li a day. When he reached the city and summoned the gate the guards asked who he was and they told the governor, who was Yüan Shao’s eldest son, Tʻan. Yüan Tʻan was greatly surprised, but he opened the gates and went to meet Yüan-tê, whom he treated with due consideration. Liu Pei told the story of his defeat and said he wished for harbour. He was given suitable quarters and hospitably entertained, while the young man wrote to inform his father. Then he provided an escort and sent Yüan-tê on his journey as far as the boundary of Pʻingyüan. At Yehchün he was met by Yüan Shao in person, with a great escort. Yüan-tê made a humble obeisance which Yüan Shao hastened to return and said, “I have been very distressed that, on account of my son’s illness, I did not come to your aid. It is great joy to see you; the one desire of my life is satisfied.” Yüan-tê replied, “The poor Liu Pei you see here has long desired to take refuge with you, but fate has hitherto denied him that privilege. Now, attacked by Tsʻao Tsʻao, my family lost, I remembered that you, General, would receive gentlemen from all sides. Wherefore I put my pride in my pocket. I trust that I may be found worthy and one day I will prove my gratitude.” Yüan Shao received him with much pleasure and treated him exceedingly well. And they both lived in Chʻichou. After the capture of Hsiaopʻei, Tsʻao Tsʻao pressed on toward Hsüchou, which, after a short defence and the flight of the defenders, was surrendered by Chʻên Têng. Tsʻao Tsʻao led his army into the city, restored order and pacified the people. Next he wanted to press on to Hsiapʻi, where Kuan Yü was holding out and keeping guard of Liu Pei’s family. Hsün Yü said, “Kuan Yü is there, in charge of his brother’s family, and he will defend the city to the last. If you do not take it quickly Yüan Shao will get it.”