e river and attack Fancheng； whither Cao Ren had retired after his defeat。
Now Cao Ren said to Man Chong； 〃Neglecting your advice； I lost soldiers； two generals； and the city of Xiangyang。 What am I to do now？〃
〃Guan Yu is very dangerous； too brave and skillful for us to try to defeat。 We had better remain on the defensive；〃 replied Man Chong。
Just about this time came the tidings that Guan Yu was crossing the river on the way to attack。 Man Chong maintained his policy of defense。 But one of Cao Ren's generals； Lu Chang； was for going out to meet the enemy。
〃I ask for a few thousand troops；〃 said Lu Chang； 〃and I will meet the enemy on the way。〃
〃You cannot do any good；〃 said Man Chong。
〃According to the advice of you and the other bookish officials； there is only one thing to do。 But will defense drive off the enemy？ The proper way is to attack your enemy while he is crossing a river； and as Guan Yu is doing that now； why not attack？ It will be quite another matter if you let him reach the walls and get possession of the moat。〃
As a result of his arguments and protest； Lu Chang got mand of two thousand troops； whom he led to the river。 And there he found Guan Yu already arrayed for battle。 Guan Yu at once rode out； and the bold Lu Chang was going to attack him。 But his soldiers were panic…stricken at the sight of Guan Yu's fierce countenance and ran away。 Lu Chang called them to e back； but they would not stop； and as Guan Yu came on with a rush； the army of Wei again lost the day。 Many were slain； and the remainder ran into Fancheng。 Cao Ren sent off a hasty messenger for help and a letter to Xuchang to tell what Guan Yu had done and how Fancheng was in imminent danger of falling。
The letter reached Cao Cao； who