Zhang Fei, learning that Guan Yu had released the waters upstream, led his troops downstream to intercept Cao Ren's forces, engaging them in a chaotic melee. Suddenly, he encountered Xu Chu. The two clashed, but Xu Chu, unwilling to prolong the fight, forced his way through and fled. Zhang Fei gave chase, eventually reuniting with Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. Together, they followed the river upstream, where Liu Feng and Mi Fang had already arranged boats and were waiting. All crossed the river, heading for Fancheng. Zhuge Liang ordered the rafts and boats to be set ablaze.
Cao Ren gathered his shattered army and camped at Xinye. He sent Cao Hong to report the defeat to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was furious. "That village fool Zhuge Liang—how dare he do this?" he roared. He urged his entire army forward, covering the hills and fields until they reached Xinye, where they set up camp. He ordered his soldiers to search the mountains and fill in the Bai River. The main army was divided into eight columns, all advancing simultaneously to take Fancheng. Liu Ye advised, "Your Excellency, having just arrived at Xiangyang, you must first win the people's hearts. Liu Bei has moved all the people of Xinye into Fancheng. If our army advances directly, both counties will be ground to dust. Better to send someone to persuade Liu Bei to surrender. Even if he refuses, it will show the people our compassion. If he does surrender, then Jing Province can be secured without a fight." Cao Cao agreed and asked, "Who can be sent?" Liu Ye replied, "Xu Shu is a close friend of Liu Bei's and is now in our camp. Why not send him?" Cao Cao said, "If he goes, he might not return." Liu Ye countered, "If he doesn't return, he will only bring shame upon himself. Do not doubt him, Your Excellency." Cao Cao summoned Xu Shu and said, "I intended to raze Fancheng, but I pity the common people. Go and speak to Liu Bei: if he is willing to surrender, I will pardon him and grant him a title. If he remains stubborn, both soldiers and civilians will be annihilated—jade and stone burned together. I know you are loyal and righteous, which is why I send you. Do not betray my trust."
Xu Shu accepted the mission and went to Fancheng. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang received him, and they spoke of old times. Xu Shu said, "Cao Cao sent me to persuade you to surrender, but it is merely a pretense to win the people's hearts. He has now divided his forces into eight columns and is filling the Bai River to advance. Fancheng cannot be held. You must make plans to leave quickly." Liu Bei wished to keep Xu Shu with him, but Xu Shu declined. "If I do not return, I will only invite ridicule. My mother is already dead, and I will mourn her for the rest of my days. Though my body is with Cao Cao, I swear I will never devise a single strategy for him. You have the Sleeping Dragon to aid you—why worry about achieving your great enterprise? I must take my leave." Liu Bei dared not press him.
Xu Shu returned and reported to Cao Cao that Liu Bei had no intention of surrendering. Cao Cao was enraged and advanced his army that very day. Liu Bei asked Zhuge Liang for a plan. Zhuge Liang said, "We must abandon Fancheng quickly and take refuge in Xiangyang for a while." Liu Bei replied, "But the people have followed me for so long—how can I bear to abandon them?" Zhuge Liang said, "Have it proclaimed to all the people: those willing to follow may come; those unwilling may stay." He first sent Guan Yu to the riverbank to prepare boats, then ordered Sun Qian and Jian Yong to spread word in the city: "Cao Cao's army is approaching; this isolated city cannot be held for long. Those who wish to follow our lord should cross the river with us." The people of both counties cried out as one, "Even if we die, we wish to follow our lord!" That very day, weeping, they began to move. Supporting the old and carrying the young, leading the men and holding the women, they surged across the river in a great tide. The cries of sorrow echoed from both banks. Seeing this from his boat, Liu Bei wept bitterly. "For my sake alone, these people suffer such calamity! What reason have I to live?" He tried to throw himself into the river, but his attendants held him back. All who heard this wept without restraint. When the boats reached the southern shore, Liu Bei looked back and saw that some people had not yet crossed, wailing as they gazed southward. He urgently ordered Guan Yu to hurry the boats back to ferry them across, and only then did he mount his horse.
As they approached the eastern gate of Xiangyang, they saw the city walls bristling with banners and the moat thickly lined with caltrops. Liu Bei reined in his horse and called out, "Nephew Liu Cong, I only wish to save the people—I have no other intentions. Open the gates quickly." When Liu Cong heard that Liu Bei had arrived, he was too afraid to come out. Cai Mao and Zhang Yun went directly to the watchtower and shouted for the soldiers to rain arrows down on them. The people outside the city walls wept toward the watchtower. Suddenly, a general within the city led several hundred men up to the tower and bellowed, "Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, you traitors who sell out your country! Lord Liu is a man of benevolence and virtue! He has come to save the people—how dare you refuse him!" All eyes turned to this man: he was eight feet tall, with a face the color of a ripe jujube. He was from Yiyang, named Wei Yan, styled Wenchang. Wei Yan swung his blade, cutting down the guards at the gate, threw open the city doors, and lowered the drawbridge, shouting, "Imperial Uncle Liu, lead your army in quickly, and together we will kill these traitors!" Zhang Fei spurred his horse to enter, but Liu Bei urgently stopped him. "Do not frighten the people!" Wei Yan continued to call for Liu Bei's army to enter. But from within the city, another general galloped out with his troops, shouting, "Wei Yan, you nameless nobody, how dare you cause chaos! Do you recognize me, General Wen Ping?" Wei Yan, enraged, leveled his spear and charged. The two sides clashed in a bloody melee at the city gates, the din of battle shaking the heavens. Liu Bei said, "I came to protect the people, but instead I bring harm to them! I will not enter Xiangyang!" Zhuge Liang said, "Jiangling is a strategic point in Jing Province. Better to take Jiangling as our base." Liu Bei replied, "That is exactly what I was thinking." So he led the people away from the main road to Xiangyang, heading for Jiangling. Many people from Xiangyang took advantage of the chaos to escape the city and follow Liu Bei. Wei Yan fought Wen Ping from late morning until mid-afternoon, but his soldiers were all killed. He turned his horse and fled, but could not find Liu Bei, so he went instead to serve Han Xuan, the Grand Administrator of Changsha.
Liu Bei now traveled with over one hundred thousand refugees—soldiers and civilians alike—and several thousand carts and wagons, with countless people carrying bundles on their backs. Passing by Liu Biao's tomb, Liu Bei led his generals in a solemn bow before it, weeping as he cried out, "Your unworthy brother, Liu Bei, lacking both virtue and talent, has failed the great trust you placed in me. The fault is mine alone, and has nothing to do with the people. I beg your spirit to protect the people of Jing and Xiang!" His words were so sorrowful that both soldiers and civilians wept. Suddenly, a scout reported, "Cao Cao's main army has camped at Fancheng. He is gathering boats and rafts and will cross the river to pursue us today!" The generals all said, "Jiangling is a strategic stronghold—we can hold it. But now we are burdened with tens of thousands of people, moving only ten li a day. At this rate, when will we reach Jiangling? If Cao Cao's army catches up, how can we fight them? It would be better to abandon the people for now and press ahead." Liu Bei wept and said, "A great undertaking must be rooted in the people. Now that the people have come to me, how can I abandon them?" When the people heard these words, they were deeply moved. A poet of later times wrote of this: "In the face of peril, his benevolent heart held the people dear; as he boarded the boat, his tears stirred the entire army. Even today, when the elders visit the mouth of the Xiang River, they still remember their lord."
Liu Bei continued to advance slowly with the people. Zhuge Liang said, "The pursuers will be here soon. Send Guan Yu to Jiangxia to request aid from young master Liu Qi. Tell him to raise his fleet quickly and meet us at Jiangling." Liu Bei agreed and wrote a letter, ordering Guan Yu and Sun Qian to lead five hundred troops to Jiangxia. Zhang Fei was to guard the rear, Zhao Yun to protect the family, and all others to look after the people as they marched. Each day they covered only ten li before resting. Meanwhile, Cao Cao, from Fancheng, sent men across the river to Xiangyang to summon Liu Cong for an audience. Liu Cong was too afraid to go. Cai Mao and Zhang Yun offered to go in his stead. Wang Wei secretly advised Liu Cong, "Now that you have surrendered, and Liu Bei has fled, Cao Cao will surely let down his guard. If you gather a force of elite troops and ambush him at a dangerous point, you can capture him. Capture Cao Cao, and your might will shake the realm. Though the Central Plains are vast, you could pacify them with a single proclamation. This is a rare opportunity—do not miss it." Liu Cong told Cai Mao of this plan. Cai Mao scolded Wang Wei, "Do you not understand the Mandate of Heaven? How dare you speak such nonsense!" Wang Wei cursed him in anger, "You traitor who sells out your country! I wish I could eat your flesh raw!" Cai Mao wanted to kill him, but Kuai Yue intervened to stop it.
Cai Mao and Zhang Yun then went together to Fancheng to pay their respects to Cao Cao. Their words and demeanor were sycophantic. Cao Cao asked, "How many troops and how much grain does Jing Province have?" Cai Mao replied, "Five thousand cavalry, one hundred and fifty thousand infantry, and eighty thousand marines—a total of two hundred and eighty thousand. Most of the grain is in Jiangling; the rest is enough to supply the army for a year." Cao Cao asked, "How many warships are there, and who commands them?" Cai Mao answered, "Seven thousand large and small warships, originally under our command." Cao Cao then appointed Cai Mao as the Marquis of Zhennan and Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, and Zhang Yun as the Marquis of Zhushun and Vice-Commander of the Navy. The two were overjoyed and thanked him. Cao Cao added, "Liu Biao is dead, and his son has submitted. I will memorialize the Emperor to make him the perpetual lord of Jing and Xiang." The two withdrew in delight. Xun You said, "Cai Mao and Zhang Yun are flatterers and sycophants. Why did you grant them such high ranks and put them in command of the navy?" Cao Cao laughed. "Do you think I don't know men? It is only because my northern troops are not accustomed to naval warfare that I temporarily employ these two. Once the task is accomplished, I will deal with them differently."
Cai Mao and Zhang Yun returned to see Liu Cong and said, "Cao Cao has promised to memorialize the Emperor to make you the perpetual lord of Jing and Xiang." Liu Cong was overjoyed. The next day, he and his mother, Lady Cai, took the official seal and tally of command, crossed the river in person, and welcomed Cao Cao. After offering words of comfort, Cao Cao led his expeditionary forces into the area outside Xiangyang. Cai Mao and Zhang Yun ordered the people of Xiangyang to burn incense and welcome Cao Cao. Cao Cao spoke kindly to them all. Entering the city and taking his seat in the governor's mansion, he summoned Kuai Yue and said, "I do not rejoice at gaining Jing Province; I rejoice at gaining Kuai Yue." He appointed Kuai Yue as Grand Administrator of Jiangling and Marquis of Fancheng, and Fu Xun, Wang Can, and others as Marquises within the Passes. Liu Cong was appointed Inspector of Qing Province and ordered to depart immediately. Liu Cong was shocked and declined. "I do not wish to be an official. I only wish to guard my parents' homeland." Cao Cao said, "Qing Province is near the capital. You will be an official at court, safe from those in Jing and Xiang who might plot against you." Liu Cong repeatedly refused, but Cao Cao would not relent. Liu Cong had no choice but to go to Qing Province with his mother, Lady Cai. Only his old general Wang Wei accompanied him. The other officials saw them off at the river and returned. Cao Cao summoned Yu Jin and instructed him, "Take light cavalry, pursue Liu Cong and his mother, and kill them to prevent future trouble." Yu Jin received the order, caught up with them, and shouted, "By the Chancellor's command, I am to kill you both! Offer up your heads now!" Lady Cai held Liu Cong and wept bitterly. Yu Jin ordered his men to act. Wang Wei, enraged, fought desperately but was slain by the soldiers. The soldiers killed Liu Cong and Lady Cai. Yu Jin reported back, and Cao Cao rewarded him richly. He then sent men to Wolong Ridge to search for Zhuge Liang's wife and children, but they were nowhere to be found. Zhuge Liang had already sent them to a hidden refuge in the Three Rivers region. Cao Cao was deeply angered.
With Xiangyang secured, Xun You advised, "Jiangling is a vital point in Jing and Xiang, rich in grain and resources. If Liu Bei takes it, he will be hard to dislodge." Cao Cao said, "Do you think I have forgotten?" He ordered a general to be chosen from among the Xiangyang commanders to lead the vanguard. But General Wen Ping was nowhere to be found. Cao Cao sent for him, and only then did he appear. Cao Cao asked, "Why are you so late?" Wen Ping replied, "A minister who cannot protect his lord's territory is filled with shame and sorrow. I had no face to appear before you." He wept as he spoke. Cao Cao said, "A truly loyal minister!" He appointed Wen Ping as Grand Administrator of Jiangxia, granted him the title of Marquis within the Passes, and ordered him to lead the vanguard. A scout reported, "Liu Bei is leading the people, advancing only ten li a day. The distance from here is only three hundred li." Cao Cao ordered five thousand elite iron cavalry from his various units to advance day and night, with orders to catch Liu Bei within a single day and night. The main army would follow in succession.
Liu Bei, with over one hundred thousand refugees and barely three thousand soldiers, trudged slowly toward Jiangling. Zhao Yun protected the family, and Zhang Fei guarded the rear. Zhuge Liang said, "Guan Yu has gone to Jiangxia, but there has been no word. I wonder how things are." Liu Bei replied, "I would trouble you, Master, to go yourself. Liu Qi still remembers your teachings. If he sees you in person, the matter will surely be resolved." Zhuge Liang agreed and left with Liu Feng and five hundred troops to seek aid from Jiangxia.
That day, Liu Bei was traveling with Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, and Mi Fang. As they went, a sudden wind rose before his horse, kicking up dust that blotted out the sun. Liu Bei was startled. "What omen is this?" Jian Yong, who understood the principles of yin and yang, made a quick divination and was alarmed. "This is an omen of great calamity. It will come to pass tonight. My lord, you must abandon the people and flee quickly." Liu Bei said, "These people have followed me from Xinye—how can I bear to abandon them?" Jian Yong replied, "If you cling to them and refuse to leave, disaster is near." Liu Bei asked, "What place is this ahead?" His attendants answered, "Ahead is Dangyang County. There is a mountain called Jing Mountain." Liu Bei ordered them to camp at the foot of this mountain.
It was late autumn, early winter. The cold wind cut to the bone. As dusk fell, the sound of weeping filled the fields. At the fourth watch, a great clamor arose from the northwest, shaking the earth. Liu Bei was terrified. He mounted his horse and led his two thousand elite troops to meet the enemy. Cao Cao's forces descended like a flood, irresistible. Liu Bei fought desperately. In the midst of his peril, Zhang Fei arrived with his troops, cutting a bloody path and rescuing Liu Bei, leading him eastward. Wen Ping blocked their way. Liu Bei cursed him, "Traitor to your lord! How dare you show your face!" Wen Ping, flushed with shame, led his troops away to the northeast. Zhang Fei protected Liu Bei, fighting as they retreated. By dawn, the clamor had faded into the distance. Liu Bei finally reined in his horse. He looked around: only a hundred or so riders remained. The people, the family, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, Jian Yong, Zhao Yun—all were missing. Liu Bei wept bitterly. "Over one hundred thousand souls, because they loved me, have suffered this calamity! My generals and my family—I know not if they live or die! Even a man of wood or stone would weep!"
As he grieved, Mi Fang staggered toward him, several arrows sticking from his body. "Zhao Zilong has defected to Cao Cao!" he cried. Liu Bei scolded him. "Zilong is my old friend—how could he betray me?" Zhang Fei said, "Seeing our situation desperate, perhaps he has gone over to Cao Cao to seek wealth and rank!" Liu Bei replied, "Zilong has shared hardship with me. His heart is as firm as iron—it cannot be shaken by wealth or rank." Mi Fang insisted, "I saw him heading northwest with my own eyes." Zhang Fei said, "I will go find him myself. If I catch him, I will run him through with my spear!" Liu Bei said, "Do not be so quick to doubt. Have you forgotten how your second brother killed Yan Liang and Wen Chou? Zilong's departure must be for a reason. I am certain Zilong will not abandon me." Zhang Fei would not listen. He took twenty riders and went to Changban Bridge. Seeing a grove of trees east of the bridge, Zhang Fei devised a plan. He ordered his twenty riders to cut branches and tie them to their horses' tails, then gallop back and forth through the trees, kicking up dust to create the illusion of a large force. Zhang Fei himself stood on the bridge, his serpent spear leveled, gazing westward.
Zhao Yun had been fighting since the fourth watch, charging back and forth through Cao Cao's ranks. By dawn, he had lost sight of Liu Bei and also the family. He thought to himself, "My lord entrusted Lady Gan, Lady Mi, and the young master A Dou (A Dou (阿斗, childhood name of Liu Shan, infant son of Liu Bei, who later became the second ruler of Shu-Han)) to me. Now I have lost them in the chaos—how can I face my lord? Better to fight to the death and find my lady and the young master!" He looked around: only thirty or forty riders remained. He spurred his horse and searched through the chaos. The cries of the people from the two counties shook heaven and earth. Countless wounded and fleeing people had abandoned their children. Zhao Yun saw a man lying in the grass—it was Jian Yong. He urgently asked, "Have you seen the two ladies?" Jian Yong replied, "The two ladies abandoned their carriage and fled, carrying A Dou. I raced after them, but as I rounded a hill, a general stabbed me, and I fell from my horse, which was taken. I could not fight him and lay here." Zhao Yun gave Jian Yong a horse from one of his attendants and ordered two soldiers to escort him to report to their lord: "I will search heaven and earth to find the ladies and the young master. If I cannot find them, I will die on the battlefield!"
With that, he galloped toward Changban Slope. Suddenly, a man shouted, "General Zhao, where are you going?" Zhao Yun reined in and asked, "Who are you?" The man replied, "I was a soldier guarding the carriage for Lord Liu. I was struck by an arrow and fell here." Zhao Yun asked about the two ladies. The soldier said, "I just saw Lady Gan, barefoot and with disheveled hair, following a group of women to the south." Without another word, Zhao Yun rode south. He saw a crowd of several hundred men and women fleeing together. "Is Lady Gan among you?" he called. Lady Gan saw Zhao Yun from behind and wept bitterly. Zhao Yun dismounted, stuck his spear in the ground, and wept. "It is my fault that I lost my lady! Where is Lady Mi and the young master?" Lady Gan said, "Lady Mi and I were pursued and abandoned our carriage. We mingled with the people and fled on foot, but were scattered by another troop. Lady Mi and A Dou are gone. I managed to escape alone."
As she spoke, the people cried out in alarm as another troop appeared. Zhao Yun mounted his horse and saw Mi Zhu tied up and being led forward. Behind him, a general with a large blade led a thousand troops. It was Chunyu Dao, a subordinate of Cao Ren. He had captured Mi Zhu and was taking him to claim a reward. Zhao Yun roared, leveled his spear, and charged at Chunyu Dao. Chunyu Dao could not withstand him. Zhao Yun ran him through, rescuing Mi Zhu and capturing two horses. He helped Lady Gan onto a horse and cut a path through the enemy, escorting her straight to Changban City. There, he saw Zhang Fei standing on the bridge, spear in hand. "Zilong!" Zhang Fei shouted. "Why have you betrayed my brother?" Zhao Yun said, "I fell behind because I was searching for the ladies and the young master. What is this talk of betrayal?" Zhang Fei said, "If Jian Yong had not come ahead to report, I would not have let you off so easily!" Zhao Yun asked, "Where is our lord?" Zhang Fei replied, "Ahead, not far." Zhao Yun said to Mi Zhu, "Take Lady Gan ahead. I will go back to find Lady Mi and the young master." With that, he took a few riders and retraced his path.
As he rode, he saw a general carrying an iron spear and a sword on his back, leading a dozen riders. Without a word, Zhao Yun charged. In a single exchange, he struck the general down. The general's followers fled. This general was Xiahou En, Cao Cao's personal sword-bearer. Cao Cao had two famous swords: one called "Leaning Heaven," which he wore himself, and one called "Blue Steel," which he had given to Xiahou En. The Blue Steel sword could cut through iron as if it were mud—its edge was peerless. Xiahou En, relying on his strength, had left Cao Cao's side to plunder. He had not expected to encounter Zhao Yun, who killed him with a single thrust. Zhao Yun took the sword and saw the characters "Blue Steel" inlaid in gold on the hilt. He now knew it was a legendary blade. He sheathed the sword, raised his spear, and plunged back into the enemy encirclement. Looking back, he saw that not a single rider remained—he was alone. But Zhao Yun had no thought of retreat. He searched everywhere, asking every person he met for news of Lady Mi. Finally, someone pointed, "The lady is holding a child. She was wounded in the left leg and cannot walk. She is sitting by the gap in the wall ahead."
Zhao Yun hurried in that direction. He saw a house with a fire-damaged earthen wall. Lady Mi sat beside a dry well at the wall's base, holding A Dou and weeping. Zhao Yun dismounted and knelt before her. Lady Mi said, "Now that I have seen you, General, A Dou's life is saved. I beg you to take pity on his father, who has wandered half his life and has only this one child. Protect this child and let him see his father's face again. I will die without regret!" Zhao Yun said, "That you have suffered is my fault. Say no more—please take my horse. I will fight on foot and see you through the encirclement." Lady Mi replied, "No! How can you be without a horse? This child depends entirely on you for his protection. I am already gravely wounded—what is death to me? Take the child and go. Do not let me burden you." Zhao Yun said, "The enemy's cries grow near. The pursuers are almost here. Please mount the horse quickly." Lady Mi said, "I truly cannot go. Do not let us both be lost." She handed A Dou to Zhao Yun. "This child's life is in your hands!" Zhao Yun pleaded with her repeatedly to take the horse, but she refused. The clamor of battle rose on all sides. Zhao Yun said sternly, "Lady, if you will not listen, what will happen when the enemy arrives?" Lady Mi then placed A Dou on the ground, turned, and threw herself into the dry well, dying. A poet of later times praised her: "A warrior relies on his horse's strength; how could he carry a young lord on foot? She sacrificed her life to preserve Liu's heir—a woman's courage and resolve."
Seeing that she was dead, and fearing that Cao Cao's soldiers might desecrate her body, Zhao Yun pushed the earthen wall over, burying the well. He then loosened his armor straps, set aside his chest mirror, and placed A Dou against his chest. He grasped his spear and mounted his horse. Soon, a general leading a band of infantry arrived. It was Yan Ming, a subordinate of Cao Hong. He wielded a three-pointed, double-edged blade and came to fight Zhao Yun. In less than three exchanges, Zhao Yun ran him through, scattering his troops and cutting a path. As he fled, another troop blocked his way. At its head was a general with a clearly marked banner reading "Zhang He of Hejian." Zhao Yun did not speak—he simply leveled his spear and fought. After about ten exchanges, Zhao Yun, unwilling to prolong the fight, forced his way through. Zhang He pursued. Zhao Yun spurred his horse, but with a sudden lurch, both horse and rider tumbled into a pit. Zhang He raised his spear to strike. Suddenly, a red light rose from the pit, and the horse leaped clear in a single bound. A poet wrote of this: "A red light enveloped the trapped dragon as it soared; the war horse burst through the Changban encirclement. Forty-two years later, the true lord would reign; the general displayed his divine might." Zhang He, astonished, retreated in fear.
Zhao Yun galloped on. Behind him, two generals shouted, "Zhao Yun, do not flee!" Ahead, two more generals blocked his path with their weapons. The pursuers were Ma Yan and Zhang Yi; those ahead were Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan—all former subordinates of Yuan Shao who had surrendered to Cao Cao. Zhao Yun fought all four with all his might, while Cao Cao's troops swarmed in. Zhao Yun drew the Blue Steel sword and swung wildly. Wherever the blade struck, armor and clothing parted like paper, and blood gushed forth. He drove back the enemy soldiers and broke through the encirclement.
On Jing Mountain, Cao Cao watched from a height as a single general carved through his forces, unstoppable. He urgently asked who it was. Cao Hong galloped down the mountain and shouted, "General in the field, state your name!" Zhao Yun replied, "I am Zhao Zilong of Changshan!" Cao Hong reported back. Cao Cao said, "A true tiger general! I must have him alive." He ordered messengers to ride swiftly and spread the word: "Wherever Zhao Yun appears, do not shoot arrows at him. Take him alive." Thus Zhao Yun escaped this ordeal—a blessing also granted to A Dou. In this battle, Zhao Yun, holding the young lord in his arms, broke through the encirclement, cut down two large banners, captured three spears, and killed over fifty of Cao Cao's renowned generals with spear and sword. A poet wrote: "His blood-soaked robe turned crimson through the armor; at Dangyang, who dared to challenge him? Since ancient times, only Zhao Zilong of Changshan charged through enemy lines to rescue his endangered lord."
Having broken through the encirclement, Zhao Yun was now clear of the main battle line, his robe drenched in blood. As he rode on, two more troops emerged from the hillside—the brothers Zhong Jin and Zhong Shen, subordinates of Xiahou Dun. One wielded a great axe, the other a halberd. They shouted, "Zhao Yun, dismount and surrender!" Truly: "He had barely escaped the tiger's den, only to encounter the dragon's lair stirring waves." How Zhao Yun would escape this peril, let the next chapter reveal.