Biao　returned　to　Jingzhou；　while　Zhang　Xiu　took　up　his　position　at　Xiangyang　so　that　each　strengthened　the　other　as　the　lips　protect　the　teeth　from　cold。

When　Cao　Cao；　during　his　retreat；　heard　that　his　army　was　being　pursued；　he　hastily　turned　back　to　support　the　rearguard。　Then　he　saw　the　pursuing　army　draw　off。

The　soldiers　of　the　beaten　rearguard　said；　〃Had　it　not　been　for　the　troops　that　came　out　of　the　hills；　we　should　all　have　been　lost。〃

〃What　troops？〃　asked　Cao　Cao　in　surprise。

The　leader　of　the　troops　then　advanced；　slung　his　spear　and；　dismounting；　made　a　low　obeisance。　He　was　Li　Tong；　Imperial　mander；　from　Jiangxia。

Cao　Cao　asked　him　why　he　had　e。

Li　Tong　replied；　〃I　was　in　mand　at　Runan　when　I　heard　of　the　struggle　going　on；　so　I　came　to　lend　you　any　help　I　could。〃

To　show　his　gratitude；　Cao　Cao　conferred　upon　Li　Tong　the　title　Lord　Who　Renders　High　Services；　and　confirmed　him　in　his　mand　as