They set out at dusk. The night was fine and the stars shone brightly. Chü Shou, still a prisoner in Yüan Shao’s camp, saw the stars were very brilliant and told his gaolers to conduct him out to the central pavilion whence he could study them. While watching he saw the planet Venus invade the quarter of the Bear and Lyra, which startled him very greatly. “Some misfortune is near,” said he. So although it was still night he went to see his master. But Yüan Shao was sleeping after indulgence in too much wine and was in bad humour. However, when they had roused him saying that the prisoner had a secret message to deliver, he got up. “While I happened to be studying the aspect of the heavens,” said the night visitor, “I saw Venus, then between Hydra and Cancer, suddenly shoot into the neighbourhood of the Bear and Lyra. There is danger of a robber raid and special precautions must be taken at the grain depôt. Lose no time in sending good soldiers and vigorous leaders thither and keep a lookout on the byeways among the hills that you may escape the wiles of Tsʻao Tsʻao.” “You are a criminal,” said Shao. “How dare you come with such wild nonsense to upset my armies.” And turning to the gaolers he continued, “I bade you confine him; why did you let him come?” Then he issued orders to put the gaolers to death and appointed others to keep the prisoner in close custody. Chü Shou went away, wiping his falling tears and sighing deeply. “Our soldiers’ destruction is at hand and I know not where my poor corpse may find a resting place.” Blunt truth offended Yüan Shao, Too stupid any plan to make, His stores destroyed ’tis evident That Chʻichou also is at stake. Tsʻao Tsʻao’s raiding party went along through the night. Passing one of Yüan Shao’s outpost camps they were challenged. Tsʻao sent forward a man to say, “Chiang Chi has orders to go to Wuchʻao to guard the grain stores.” Seeing that the raiders marched under the ensigns of Yüan Shao the guard had no suspicions and let them pass. At every post this ruse was effective and they got safely through. They reached their objective at the end of the fourth watch, the straw and wood were placed in position without loss of time and the blaze started. Then the captains beat to attack. At the time of the attack Shunyu Chʻiung and his companions were all asleep after a heavy drinking bout. However, when the alarm was given, they sprang up and asked what was the matter. The hubbub was indescribable. Very soon the fuddled officers were caught with hooks and hauled out of their camp.