f to full measure。〃
Cao Cao realized the truth of this and treated Xin Pi well。
At a banquet Cao Cao said； 〃But is this surrender of Yuan Tan real or false？ Do you really think that Yuan Shang's army is sure to overe him？〃
Xin Pi replied； 〃Illustrious Sir； do not inquire into the degree of sincerity； rather regard the situation。 The Yuans have been suffering military losses for years and are powerless without； while their strategists are put to death within。 The brothers seize every chance to speak evil of each other； and their country is divided。 Add to this famine； supplemented by calamities and general exhaustion； and everybody； wise as well as simple； can see that the catastrophe is near and the time ordained of Heaven for the destruction of the Yuans is at hand。 Now you have a force attacking the capital of Jizhou………Yejun………and if Yuan Shang will not return to give aid； the place of refuge is lost。 If he helps； then Yuan Tan will follow up and smite him； making use of your power to destroy the remnant of his brother's army； just as the autumn gale sweeps away the fallen leaves。 Now Liu Biao's Jingzhou is rich； the government peaceful； the people submissive； and it cannot be shaken。 Moreover； there is no greater threat to it than the North of Yellow River。 If that be reduced； then the task is plete。 I pray you； Sir； think of it。〃
〃I am sorry that I did not meet you earlier；〃 said Cao Cao； much gratified with this speech。
Forthwith orders were given to return and attack Jizhou。 Liu Bei； fearing this retirement was only a ruse； allowed it to proceed without interference and himself returned to Jingzhou。
When Yuan Shang heard that Cao Cao had crossed the Yellow River； he hastily led his army back to Yejun； ordering Lu Xiang and