Now the Prefect of Kiukiang was a close friend of Tʻao Chʻien. Hearing Hsüchou was threatened he set out with half a legion to his friend’s aid. Tsʻao sent Hsiahou Tun to cut him off while still on the march. At this time Chʻên Kung was in office in the east and he was also on friendly terms with Tʻao. Hearing of Tsʻao’s design to destroy the whole population he came in haste to see his former companion. Tsʻao knowing his errand put him off at first and would not see him. But he could not forget the kindness he had formerly received and presently the visitor was called to his tent. Chʻên Kung said, “They say you go to avenge your father’s death on Hsüchou, to destroy its people. I have come to say a word. The Prefect is humane and a good man. He is not looking out for his own advantage, careless of the means and of others. Your worthy father met his unhappy death at the hands of Chang Kʻai. Tʻao Chʻien is guiltless. Still more innocent are the people and to slay them would be an evil. I pray you to think over it.” Tsʻao retorted angrily, “You once abandoned me and now you have the impudence to come to see me! Tʻao Chien slew my whole family and I will tear his heart out in revenge. I swear it. You may speak for your friend and say what you will. I shall be as if I heard not.” Intercession had failed. He sighed and took his leave. “Alas! I cannot go to Tʻao and look upon his face.” So he rode off to the Chʻên-liu district. Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army of revenge laid waste whatever place it passed through, slaying the people and desecrating their cemeteries. When Tʻao Chʻien heard the terrible tidings he looked up to heaven saying, “I must be guilty of some fault before Heaven to have brought this evil upon my people.” He called together his officials to consult. One of them, Tsʻao Pao, said, “Now the enemy is upon us, we cannot sit and await death with folded hands. I for one will help you to make me a fight.” The army went out. From a distance the enemy spread abroad like hoar frost and rushed far and wide like snow. In their midst was a large white flag and oh both sides was written “Vengeance.” When he had ranged his men Tsʻao Tsʻao rode out dressed in mourning white and abused Tʻao Chʻien. But Tʻao advanced and from beneath his ensign bowed low and said, “I wished to make friends with you, Illustrious Sir, and so I sent Chang Kʻai to escort your family. I knew not that his rebel heart was still unchanged. The fault does not lie at my door as you must see.” “You old fool, you killed my father and now you dare to mumble this nonsense,” said Tsʻao Tsʻao. And he asked who would go out and seize him. Hsiahou Tun undertook this service and rode out. The Prefect fled to the inner portion of his array and as Hsiahou Tun came on Tsʻao Pao went to meet him. But just as the two horses met a hurricane burst over the spot and the flying dust and pebbles threw both sides into the utmost confusion. Both drew off.