their camps。 This done； Xu Chu retreated and Yuan Shao's army came in pursuit。 The roar of battle went on without cessation； and at dawn Cao Cao's army rested on the river and could retreat no farther。
Then Cao Cao shouted； 〃There is no road in front； so all must fight or die。〃
The retreating army turned about and advanced vigorously。 Xu Chu simply flew to the front； smote and killed ten generals and threw Yuan Shao's army into confusion。 They tried to turn and march back； but Cao Cao was close behind。 Then the drums of the enemy were heard； and right and left there appeared two ambush panies of Gao Lan and Xiahou Yuan。 Yuan Shao collected about him his three sons and his nephew； and they were enabled to cut an alley out and flee。 Three miles further on they fell into another ambush of Yue Jing and Yu Jin； and here many troops of Yuan Shao were lost so that their corpses lay over the countryside and the blood filled the water courses。 Another three miles and they met the third pair of Li Dian and Xu Huang barring their road。
Here they lost heart and bolted for an old camp of their own that was near； and bade their men prepare a meal。 But just as the food was ready to eat； down came Zhang Liao and Zhang He and burst into the camp。
Yuan Shao mounted and fled as far as Cangting； when he was tired and his steed spent。 But there was no rest； for Cao Cao came in close pursuit。 It seemed now a race for life。 But presently Yuan Shao found his onward course again blocked by Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong； and he groaned aloud。
〃If we do not make most desperate efforts； we are all captives！〃 said he。
And they plunged forward。 His second son Yuan Xi and his nephew Gao Gan were wounded by arrows； and most of his soldiers were dead or had disappear