When T‘an asked Ts‘ao to attack Chʻichou the reply was “Supplies are short and difficult to transport. I must turn the waters of the Chishui into the Paiho from Chiho whereby to convey my grain and afterwards I can advance.”
Ordering T‘an to remain in P‘ingyüan, Ts‘ao retired into camp at Liyang. The two brothers Lü, who were renegades from Yüan Shang, were now raised to noble rank and followed the army as supernumeraries.
Kuo T‘u noted this advancement and said to T‘an, “He has promised you a daughter to wife. I fear that bodes no good. Now he has given titles of nobility to the two Lüs and taken them with him. This is a trap for the northern people but he intends evil toward us. You, my lord, should have two generals’ seals engraved and send them secretly to the brothers so that you may have friends at court ready for the day when Ts‘ao shall have broken your brother’s power and we can begin to work against him.”
The seals were engraved and sent. As soon as the brothers received them they informed Tsʻao Ts‘ao, who smiled saying, “He wants your support so he sends you seals as officers. I will consider it as soon as Yüan Shang has been dealt with. In the meantime you may accept the seals till I shall decide what to do.”
Thenceforward T‘an was doomed. Shên P‘ei and his master also discussed the situation.
“Ts‘ao is getting grain into Paikou, which means an attack on Ch‘ichou; what is to be done?” asked Shang.
Shên P‘ei replied, “Send letters to Yin Kai, Chief of Wuan, bidding him camp at Maoch‘êng to secure the road to Shangtang and direct Chu Ku to maintain Hantan as a distant auxiliary. Then you may advance on P‘ingyüan and attack Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.”
The plan seemed good. Yüan Shang left Shên P‘ei and Ch‘ên Lin in charge of Ch‘ichou, appointed two captains Ma Yen and Chang K‘ai as van leaders, and set out hastily for P‘ingyüan.
When T‘an heard of the approach of his brother’s army he sent urgent messages to Ts‘ao, who said to himself, “I am going to get Ch‘ichou this time.”
Just at this time it happened that Hsü Yu came down from the capital. When he heard that Yüan Shang was attacking his brother T‘an he sought Ts‘ao and said, “You, Sir Minister, sit here on guard; are you waiting till Heaven’s thunder shall strike the two Yüans?”
“I have thought it all out,” said Ts‘ao.
Then he ordered Ts‘ao Hung to go and fight against Yeh, while he led another army against Yin Kai. Kai could make no adequate defence and was killed by Hsü Ch‘u. His men ran away and presently joined Ts‘ao’s army. Next he led the
