Wubei Zhi (Vol. 11)

Strategic Analysis: Three Kingdoms, Volume I

[The troops] used the banners of Yuan Shao’s army. They were ordered to hold wooden gags in their mouths original: "銜枚" (xián méi). A common ancient military practice to ensure absolute silence by preventing soldiers from speaking and tie the muzzles of their horses. At night, they set out along a secret path. Each man carried a bundle of firewood.

Upon reaching the supply depot [at Wuchao], they set it ablaze and launched a fierce, sudden attack. When Yuan Shao heard that Cao Cao was attacking [his general] Chunyu Qiong, he said to his son Yuan Tan: "Even if Cao Cao defeats Chunyu Qiong, I shall seize his main camp. He will surely have nowhere to return to!" He then dispatched his generals Gao Lan, Zhang He, and others to attack Cao Cao's camp.

Zhang He argued: "Lord Cao leads elite troops; he will surely defeat Chunyu Qiong. I beg you, let us rescue the depot first."

Guo Tu One of Yuan Shao’s strategists, often portrayed as a flatterer whose advice led to Yuan's downfall stubbornly insisted on attacking Cao Cao's main camp instead.

Zhang He countered: "Lord Cao's camp is fortified; attacking it will certainly not result in its capture. If Chunyu Qiong and the others are taken, we will all become prisoners of war!"

Yuan Shao sent only light cavalry to rescue Chunyu Qiong, while using his heavy infantry to attack Cao Cao's camp, which they were unable to take. When the cavalry reached Wuchao, Cao Cao dealt them a crushing defeat. He executed Chunyu Qiong and his officers and burned all of their grain and supplies.

The army of Yuan Shao was seized by terror. Shamed by the failure of his plan, Guo Tu slandered Zhang He Guo Tu falsely accused Zhang He of being glad about the defeat to deflect blame from his own poor advice. Consequently, Zhang He and Gao Lan burned their siege equipment and went to Cao Cao's camp to surrender. At this, Yuan Shao’s army fell into a state of panic and suffered a massive collapse. Yuan Shao, Yuan Tan, and the others...