In this fight Gongsun Zan employed his new adherent Zhao Yun for the first time and; as Gongsun Zan did not feel assured of Zhao Yun's good faith; put him in mand of a pany at the rear。 The Van Leader was Yan Guang; and Gongsun Zan himself manded the center。 He took his place on horseback on the bridge beside an enormous red standard on which was displayed the word manding General in gold embroidery。
From sunrise to noon the drums rolled for the attack; but Yuan Shao's army made no move。 Qu Yi made his bowmen hide under their shields。 They heard the roar of explosions; the whistling of arrows; and the rattle of the drums; as Yan Guang approached from the other side; but Qu Yi and his men lay closer than ever and never stirred。 They waited till Yan Guang had got close on them and then; as the sound of a bomb rent the air; the whole eight hundred men let fly their arrows in a cloud。 Yan Guang was quite taken aback and would have retired; but Qu Yi rode furiously toward him; whirled up his sword and cut him down。
So Gongsun Zan's army lost that battle。 The two wings that should have e to the rescue were kept back by the bowmen under Yan Liang and Wen Chou。 Yuan Shao's troops advanced right up to the bridge。 Then Qu Yi rode forward; slew the standard bearer; and hacked through the staff of the embroidered banner。 Seeing this; Gongsun Zan turned his steed and galloped away。
Qu Yi followed。 But just as he caught up the fugitive; there came prancing forth Zhao Yun; who rode directly at him with spear ready to strike。 After a few bouts Qu Yi was laid in the dust。 Then Zhao Yun attacked the soldiers and turned the tide。 Plunging forward on this side; dashing in on that; he went through as if there were no antagonists and; seeing this; Gongsun Zan turned