“Cease shooting, you rebel!” shouted Hsü Huang. Chang Liao ducked his head and the shaft went harmlessly by, save that it carried away the tassel of his cap. He only pressed harder in pursuit. The next arrow however struck his horse in the head and the animal stumbled and fell, throwing his rider to the earth. Then Wên Chʻou turned to come back. Hsü Huang, whirling his battle axe, stood in his way to stop him. But he saw behind Wên several more horsemen coming to help him and as they would have been too many for him he fled. Wên pursued along the river bank. Suddenly he saw coming toward him with banners fluttering in the breeze, a small party of horse, and the leader carried a great sword. “Stop!” cried Yün-chʻang, for it was he, and he attacked at once. At the third bout Wên Chʻou’s heart failed him and he wheeled and fled, following the windings of the river. But Kuan Yü’s steed was fast and soon caught up. One blow, and the hapless Wên Chʻou fell. When Tsʻao Tsʻao saw from the mound that the leader of the enemy had fallen, he gave the signal for a general onset and many of the northmen were driven into the river. And the carts with supplies and all the horses were quickly recovered. Now Kuan Yü, at the head of a few horsemen, was thrusting here and striking there at the moment when Yüan-tê, with the three reserve legions, appeared on the battle field. At once they told him that the red-faced, long-bearded warrior was there and had slain Wên Chʻou. He hastily pressed forward to try to get a look at the warrior. He saw across the river a large body of horse and the banners bore the words “Kuan Yün-chʻang, Marquis of Hanshoutʻing.” “Then it is my brother and he is really with Tsʻao Tsʻao,” said Yüan-tê, secretly thanking God that he was safe. He made an attempt to wait about till he could call to Kuan Yü, but a great mass of Tsʻao Tsʻao’s soldiers came rushing down and he was forced to retire. Yüan Shao, bringing reinforcements, reached Kuantu and built a stockade. Two advisers went in to see him and said, “Again that fellow Kuan has been in the battle; he killed Wên Chʻou. Liu Pei pretends ignorance of him.” Their master was angry and railed at Pei. “The long-eared rebel! How dare he do such a thing?” Soon Yüan-tê appeared; again Shao ordered him out to instant execution. “What crime have I committed?” asked Yüan-tê. “You sent your brother to slay one of my generals. Is that no crime?” “Pray let me explain before I die. Tsʻao hated me and has always done so. Now he has found out where I am and, fearing that I may help you, has got my brother to destroy your two generals, feeling sure that when you heard of it you would be angry and put me to death. You cannot fail to see this.” “What he says is sense,” said Shao, “and you two nearly brought on me the reproach of injuring the good.”