Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 146

[The Liang Chronicles]

The Wei The Northern Wei Dynasty, 386–535 AD appointed Yuan Ying, the Prince of Zhongshan, as General who Conquers the South and Commander of Military Affairs for Yang and Xu provinces. Leading a force of over one hundred thousand men to resist the Liang The Southern Liang Dynasty, 502–557 AD army, he was authorized to act as he saw fit upon arrival.

Wang Mao, the Liang Governor of Jiang Province, captured the city of Henancheng. The Wei dispatched General Yang Dayuan A legendary Northern Wei general famous for his physical strength and speed, who defeated Wang Mao and pursued him to the Han River, capturing five cities.

In the fifth month, Zhang Huishao, the Liang Right Guard Commandant, captured Suyu. Chang Yizhi, the Governor of North Xu Province, captured Liangcheng. Wei Rui, the Governor of Yu Province, attacked Xiaoxian but had not yet captured it. While he was out inspecting the defensive works and fences, the Wei sent several hundred men out to form battle lines outside the city gates. Wei Rui wished to attack them, but the ○ various ○ generals ○ all ○ said ○, "Those ○ who ○ just ○ came ○ are lightly ○ equipped, ○ and we ○ are not ○ yet ○ prepared ○ for ○ battle. ○ We should slowly ○ return ○ to put on ○ our armor ○ before ○ we ○ can ○ advance ○ further." ○

Wei Rui ○ said, ○ "Not ○ so. ○ Inside ○ the ○ Wei ○ city ○ are ○ more ○ than ○ two ○ thousand ○ men, ○ which ○ is enough ○ to ○ maintain ○ a firm ○ defense. ○ Now, ○ they have sent ○ men ○ out ○ without ○ apparent ○ cause; ○ these ○ must ○ be ○ their ○ bravest ○ and most valiant ○ warriors. ○ If ○ we can ○ crush ○ them, ○ their ○ city ○ will ○ fall ○ of its own accord. ○ The ○ crowd ○..."