Shang and his adviser Shên P‘ei discussed the matter and half a legion only was sent. Ts‘ao hearing of the despatch of this meagre force sent two generals to waylay them and the half legion was destroyed. When T‘an heard of the inadequate force sent and their destruction he was very wrath and roundly abused Fêng Chi. Fêng replied, “Let me write to my lord and pray him to come himself.”
So Fêng Chi wrote and the letter was sent. When it arrived Shang again consulted Shên P‘ei who said, “Kuo T‘u, your elder brother’s adviser, is very guileful. Formerly he left without discussion because Ts‘ao was on the border. If Ts‘ao be defeated there will certainly be an attempt on you. The better plan is to withhold assistance and use Ts‘ao’s hand to destroy your rival.”
Shang took his advice and no help was sent. When the messenger returned without success T‘an was very angry and showed it by putting Fêng Chi to death. He also began to talk of surrendering to Ts‘ao. Soon spies brought news of this to Shang and again Shên P‘ei was called in. Said he, “If he goes over to Ts‘ao they will both attack Ch‘ichou and we shall be in great danger.” Finally Shên P‘ei and Su Yu were left to take care of the defence of the city and Yüan Shang marched his army to the rescue of his brother.
“Who dares lead the van?” said Yüan Shang.
Two brothers named Lü volunteered and three legions were given them. They were the first to reach Liyang.
T‘an was pleased that his brother had made up his mind to play a brotherly part and come to his aid, so he at once abandoned all thought of going over to the enemy. He being in the city, Yüan Shang camped outside, making that an angle of their strategic position. Before long Yüan Hsi, the second brother, and their cousin, Kao Kan, arrived with their legions and also camped outside the city.
Engagements took place daily and Shang suffered many defeats. On the other hand Ts‘ao was victorious and elated. In the second month of the eighth year, Tsʻao made separate attacks on all four armies and won the day against each. Then they abandoned Liyang and Ts‘ao pursued them to Ch‘ichou, where T‘an and Shang went into the city to defend it, while their brother and cousin camped about thirty li away making a show of great force. When Ts‘ao had made many attacks without success Kuo Chia proffered the following plan.
He said, “There is dissension among the Yüans because the elder has been superseded in the succession. The brothers are about equally strong and each has his party. If we oppose them they unite to assist each other, but if we have patience they will be weakened by family strife. Wherefore send first a force to reduce Liu Piao in Chingchou and let the fraternal
