Official History, Volume 21

After multiple battles proved unsuccessful This refers to the initial failure of Cao Cao’s subordinates, Liu Dai and Wang Zhong, to defeat Liu Bei, the Lord Referring to Cao Cao went with reinforcements. When Liu Bei saw the reinforcements arrive, his army scattered and retreated. Cao Cao then wished to personally lead a campaign to suppress Liu Bei.

The various generals all said: "The one who competes with you for control of the world, My Lord, is Yuan Shao. Now, as Shao is just about to arrive, you abandon him to move East. If Shao strikes our rear, what shall we do?"

Cao Cao replied: "Liu Bei is a hero among men. If we do not strike him now, he will certainly become a source of future trouble."

The strategist Guo Jia added: "Shao is by nature slow and full of suspicion; his arrival will certainly not be swift. Bei has only recently risen, and the hearts of the people are not yet loyal to him. If we strike him urgently, he will surely be defeated."

Cao Cao’s army subsequently marched East. The strategist Tian Feng advised Yuan Shao, saying: "The forces of Cao Cao and Liu Bei are locked in battle and cannot be quickly disentangled. If you, My Lord, raise your entire army and strike his rear, the situation can be settled in a single stroke."

Shao declined the plan, using his son's illness as an excuse. Tian Feng raised his staff and struck the ground, crying: "Alas! To encounter such a rare opportunity, yet lose the chance because of an infant's sickness. How tragic! The opportunity is gone!"

Cao Cao struck Liu Bei and broke his forces, capturing his wife and children. He then advanced to seize the city of Xiapi and captured the general Guan Yu. Liu Bei fled The original text uses the variant character 犇 (bēn), which depicts three oxen running, meaning to flee or stampede to Qing Province to seek refuge with Yuan Shao...