Now Ma Chʻao had known he was followed, but pretended not to see, waiting till his enemy should have come close and lifted his spear to strike. Then he suddenly wheeled about. The spear thrust met only empty air, and as the horses passed Ma Chʻao’s powerful arm shot out and pulled Wang Fang from the saddle. Thus the soldiers were left leaderless and fled in all directions. The army dashed in pursuit and a complete victory was scored. They pressed into the pass and made a camp. They decapitated Li Mêng and exposed his head. When Li Tsʻui and Kuo Ssŭ heard that both the boastful captains had fallen under the hand of one young man they knew that Chia Hsü had given good advice and was gifted with clear prescience. So they valued his plans the more highly and decided to act on the defensive. They refused all challenges to combat. Surely enough after a couple of months the supplies of the Hsiliang men were all exhausted and the leaders began to consider retreat. Just at this juncture a household servant of Ma Yü’s family betrayed his master and told of the conspiracy of the three men to assist the attackers. The two chief rebels in revenge seized the three conspirators, with every member of their households, and beheaded them in the market place. The heads of the three were exposed at the gate. Being short of food and hearing of the destruction of their three adherents in the city, the only course for Ma and Han was to retreat. At once Chang Chi went in pursuit of Ma Tʻêng and Fan Chʻou followed Han Sui. The retreating army under Ma was beaten and only by Ma Chʻao’s desperate efforts were the pursuers driven off. Fan Chʻou pursued the other army and when he had come close Han Sui rode boldly up and addressed him, saying “You and I, Sir, are fellow villagers. Why then behave so unfriendly?” Chʻou replied, “I must obey the commands of my chief.” “I am here for the service of the State; why do you press me so hard?” said Han. At this Fan Chʻou turned his horse, called in his men and left him in peace. Unwittingly a nephew of Li Tsʻui had been a witness of this scene and when he saw the enemy allowed to go free he returned and told his uncle. Angry that his enemy had escaped, Li would have wreaked vengeance on his lieutenant, but his adviser again came in saying it was dangerous to provoke another war. He proposed inviting the defaulting officer to a banquet and, while the feast was in progress, executing him for dereliction of duty. This seemed good to Li so the banquet was prepared. The two officers accepted their invitations and went cheerfully. Toward the latter part of the entertainment a sudden change came over their host and he suddenly asked Fan Chʻou, “Why have you been intriguing with Han Sui? You are turning traitor, eh?” The unhappy guest was taken aback and before he could frame his words to reply he saw the assassins rush out with swords and axes. In a moment all was over and his head lay beneath the table.