Yang Qiu went back and related all this to his chief； and Han Sui felt elated at the success of his overtures。 A lot of wood was collected in camp at the back of his tent ready for the signal blaze； and the five generals got ready for the foul deed。 It was decided that Ma Chao should be persuaded into ing to a banquet； and there they would slay him then。
All this was done； but not without some hesitation and delay； and some news of the plot reached Ma Chao。 He found out the careful preparations that had been made and resolved to act first。 Leaving Ma Dai and Pang De in reserve； he chose a few trusted leaders and with stealthy steps made his way into Han Sui's tent。 There he found Han Sui and his five confederates deep in conversation。 He just caught a word or two that Yang Qiu said； 〃We must not delay； now is the time。〃
In burst Ma Chao raging and yelling； 〃You herd of rebels！ Would you dare to plot against me？〃
They were taken aback。 Ma Chao sprang at Han Sui and slashed at his face。 Han Sui put up his hand to ward off the blow； and his hand was cut off。 The five drew their swords and set on Ma Chao and his men； who rushed outside。 Soon Ma Chao was hemmed in by the five； but he kept them at bay by wonderful swordsmanship。 And as the swords flashed； the red blood flowed。 Soon Ma Wan was down and Liang Xing disabled； then the other three fled。
Ma Chao ran back into the tent to finish Han Sui； but the servants had removed him。 Then a torch was lit； and soon there was motion all through the camp。 Ma Chao mounted his horse； for Pang De and Ma Dai had now arrived； and the real fight began。 Cao Cao's troops poured in from all sides： Xu Chu and Xu Huang were in front and behind； Xiahou Yuan and Cao Hong to the left and right。 Meanwhile； the Xiliang soldiers fought with each other。
Losing sight of his generals； Ma Chao and one hundred riders got to the head of the floating bridge over the River Wei just about dawn。 There he fell across Li Kan ing over the bridge with an army。 Ma Chao set his spear and rode at him full tilt。 Li Kan turned down his spear and fled。 From behind Ma Chao； Yu Jin came up in pursuit。 But unable to get near enough to seize Ma Chao； Yu Jin sent an arrow flying after him。 Ma Chao's ear caught the twang of the bowstring； and he dodged the arrow； which flew on and killed Li Kan。 Ma Chao turned to attack his pursuer； who galloped away； and then he returned and took possession of the bridge。
Quickly Cao Cao's troops gathered about him； and the fiercest among them； the Tiger Guard； shot arrows at Ma Chao； which he warded off with his spear shaft so that they fell harmless to the earth。 Ma Chao and his troops rode to and fro striking a blow wherever there was a chance； but the enemy were very thick about him； and he could not force his way out。 In desperation he cut an alley northwards and got through； but quite alone。 Of his followers everyone fell。
Still he kept on dashing this way and that； till he was brought down by a crossbow bolt。 He lay upon the ground and his enemies were pressing in。 But at the critical moment； an army came in from the northwest and rescued him。 Pang De and Ma Dai had e up in the very nick of time。
Thus Ma Chao was rescued； and they set him on one of the soldiers' horses； and he again took up the battle。 Leaving a trail of blood in his rear； he got away northwest。
Hearing that his enemy had got away； Cao Cao gave order to his generals； 〃Pursue him day and night； and rich rewards are for him dead or alive。 For his head the rewards are a thousand ounces of gold and the lordship of a fief of ten thousand families。 If anyone captures Ma Chao； the reward is the rank of general。〃
Consequently the pursuit was hot as everyone was anxious to win renown and reward。 Meanwhile careless of all but flight； Ma Chao galloped on； and one by one his followers dropped by the way。 The footmen who were unable to keep up were captured till very few remained； and only some scores of riders were left。 They traveled toward Lintao； a city in West Valley Land。
Cao Cao in person joined the pursuit and got to Anding； but there Ma Chao was still far in advance； so he gave up and returned。 Gradually the generals did the same； all ing back to Changan。 Poor Han Sui； with the loss of his left hand； was an invalid； but he was rewarded with the Lordship of Xiliang。 Yang Qiu and Hou Xuan were given noble ranks and offices in Weikou。
Then orders were given to lead the whole army back to the capital。 Yang Fu； a military adviser from Liangzhou； came to Changan to point out the danger of withdrawal。
〃Ma Chao has the boldness of Lu Bu and the heart of a barbarian。 Unless you destroy him this time； he will e again and he will be both bolder and stronger； and the whole west will be lost。 Wherefore you should not withdraw your army。〃
Cao Cao said； 〃I would be quite willing to finish the subjugation。 But there is much to do in the capital； and the south is still to conquer。 So I cannot remain。 But you； Sir； might secure this region for me。 Do you consent？〃
Yang Fu did consent。 And he brought to Cao Cao's notice Wei Kang； who was made Imperial Protector of Liangzhou； with joint military powers。
Just before Yang Fu left； he said to Cao Cao； 〃A strong force ought to be left in Changan； as a reserve in case they be required。〃
〃That has been already dealt with；〃 replied Cao Cao。
Contentedly enough Yang Fu took leave and went away。
Cao Cao's generals asked him to explain his recent policy； saying； 〃Since the first outbreak at Tong Pass； O Prime Minister； the north bank of River Wei was undefended。 Why did you not cross to the north bank from the east of the Yellow River？ But instead you engaged in the attack of the Pass for many days before crossing to the north bank。〃
And he replied； 〃The rebels first held the Pass。 Had I forthwith taken the east side of the Yellow River； the rebels would have defended the camps one by one and mustered at all the ferries； and I should never have got across to the west side （which was also the north bank of River Wei）。 So I massed troops against Tong Pass and made the rebels guard the south bank of River Wei； so that the north bank was left open。 Thus Xu Huang and Zhu Ling could move there； and I was able later to cross over to join them。 Then I made the raised road and the mud rampart to deceive the enemy and cause them to think I was weak and thus embolden them up to the point of attacking without proper preparation。 Then I used the clever device of causing dissension in their ranks and was able in one day to destroy the stored up energy of all their forces。 'It was a thunder clap before you could cover your ears。' Yes； indeed； the mutations of the art of war can be called infinite。〃
〃But one thing more puzzled us；〃 said the officers； 〃and we ask you to explain it。 When you heard the enemy was reinforced； you seemed to grow happier。 Why was that？〃
〃Because Tong Pass is distant from Xuchang。 If the rebels had taken advantage of all defensible points and held them； they could not have been quelled in less than a couple of years。 When they came on altogether； they made a multitude but they were not unanimous。 They easily quarreled and； disunited； were easily overe。 So I had reason to rejoice