〃He left the banquet…hall quite suddenly； and I know not whither he has gone；〃 was the reply。
Now Zhao Yun was cautious and careful and had no desire to act hastily； so he urged his horse forward till he came to the river。 There he was checked by a torrent without ford or bridge。
At once he turned back and shouted after Cai Mao； 〃You invited my lord to a feast。 What means this going after him with a squadron of horse？〃
Cai Mao replied； 〃It is my duty to guard the officials of forty…two counties who have assembled here； as I am the Chief mander。〃
〃Whither have you driven my lord？〃 asked Zhao Yun。
〃They tell me he rode quite alone out through the west gate； but I have not seen him。〃
Zhao Yun was anxious and doubtful。 Again he rode to the river and looked around。 This time he noticed a wet track on the farther side。 He thought to himself that it was almost an impossible crossing for a person and a horse； so he ordered his followers to scatter and search。 But they also could find no trace of Liu Bei。
Zhao Yun turned again to the city。 By the time he had reached the wall； Cai Mao had gone within。 He then questioned the gate wardens； and they all agreed in saying that Liu Bei had ridden out at full gallop。 That was all they knew。 Fearing to reenter the city lest he should fall into an ambush； Zhao Yun started for Xinye。
After that marvelous life…saving leap over the Tan Torrent； Liu Bei felt elated but rather dazed。
He could not help telling himself； 〃My safety is due to an especial interposition of Providence。〃
Following a tortuous path； he urged his steed toward Nanzhang。 But the sun sank to the west and his destination seemed yet a long way off。 Then he saw a young cowherd seated on the back of a buf