And when they happened upon Jiang Qi's rescue body; they said they had been beaten at Wuchao and were retreating。 So Cao Cao's troops were suffered to pass without molestation while Jiang Qi hastened on。 But soon Jiang Qi came to Zhang Liao and Xu Chu who cried out; 〃Stop!〃
And before Jiang Qi could make any opposition; Zhang Liao had cut him down。 Soon his force were killed or dispersed; and the victors sent false messengers to Yuan Shao's camp to say that Jiang Qi had attacked and driven away the attackers of the granaries。 So no more relief were sent that way。 However; Yuan Shao sent reinforcements to Guandu。
In due course; the Yuan Shao's force came down upon Cao Cao's camp at Guandu; and the defenders………Xiahou Dun; Cao Ren; and Cao Hong………at once came out and fought them on three sides so that they were worsted。 By the time reinforcements arrived; Cao Cao's army; returning from the raid; had also e; and Yuan Shao's army were attacked in the rear。 So they were quite surrounded。 However; Zhang He and Gao Lan managed to force their way out and got away。
When the remains of the defenders of the grain stores reached their master's camp; they were mustered。 Seeing the mutilated state of their one time leader; Yuan Shao asked how Chunyu Qiong had e to betray his trust and to suffer thus。
The soldiers told their lord; 〃The General was intoxicated at the time of the attack。〃
So Yuan Shao ordered Chunyu Qiong to be forthwith executed。
Guo Tu; fearing lest Zhang He and Gao Lan would return and testify the whole truth; began to intrigue against them。
First Guo Tu went to his lord; saying; 〃Those two; Zhang He and Gao Lan; were certainly very glad when your armies were defeated。〃
〃Why do you say this?〃 asked Yuan Shao。