Wubei Zhi (Vol. 11)

...then your prestige will extend everywhere; but if your momentum is lost, you will not even be able to protect your own person. How tragic!

[Yuan] Shao sent the general Yan Liang to attack Baima Modern-day Hua County, Henan; a strategic point on the southern bank of the Yellow River. The strategist Xun Yu said: "Now our troops are too few to oppose him directly; we must divide his strength to succeed. If you, my Lord, enter Yanjin A major ferry crossing on the Yellow River and act as if you intend to cross the river to strike his rear, [Yuan] Shao will certainly move west to counter you. Then, you can use light troops to launch a surprise raid on Baima, catching them unprepared. Yan Liang can then be captured."

[Cao] Cao followed this plan. Shao indeed split his forces to respond in the west. [Cao Cao] then led his army in a forced march original: 兼行 (jiān xíng); traveling at double the usual speed by marching day and night toward Baima, where [Yan] Liang came out to meet them in battle. Guan Yu The legendary general who had temporarily joined Cao Cao's service after being captured sighted Liang’s command umbrella original: 麾蓋 (huī gài); a feathered banner and carriage canopy identifying a high-ranking commander from afar. He spurred his horse and stabbed Liang amidst the ten thousand soldiers, decapitated him, and returned with his head. No one in Shao’s army dared to withstand him.

Thus the siege of Baima was broken, and the local people were relocated to the west. [Yuan] Shao crossed the Yellow River to pursue them. The advisor Ju Shou said: "The shifts between victory and defeat are unpredictable; we must examine the situation with care. It is better now to remain stationed at Yanjin and send a separate force to Guandu. If they achieve victory, it will not be too late to advance and meet them. If they meet with disaster, the main army will not be able to return safely."

Shao did not follow this advice. [Ju] Shou...