As he spoke, Xu Chu rode forth whirling his sword and the duel began. They fought over a hundred bouts, and neither had the advantage. But then, their steeds being spent with galloping to and fro, each retired within his own lines and obtained a fresh mount. The contest was renewed, and a hundred more encounters took place, still without victory to either.
Suddenly Xu Chu galloped back to his own side, stripped off his armor, showing his magnificent muscles and, naked as he was, leaped again into the saddle and rode out to continue the battle.
Again the champions engaged, while both armies stood aghast. Thirty bouts more, and Xu Chu, summoning up all his force, plunged toward Ma Chao with his sword held high to strike. But Ma Chao avoided the stroke and rode in with his spear pointing directly at his opponent's heart. Throwing down his sword, Xu Chu dashed aside the spear, which passed underneath his arm.
Then ensued a struggle for the spear, and Xu Chu by a mighty effort snapped the shaft so that each held one half. Then the duel was continued, each be laboring the other with the pieces of the broken spear.
At this point Cao Cao began to fear for his champion and so ordered two of his generals, Xiahou Yuan and Cao Hong, to go out and take a hand. At this Pang De and Ma Dai gave the signal to their armored horsemen to attack. They rode in, and a melee began in which Cao Cao's troops were worsted, and the great champion Xu Chu received two arrow wounds in the shoulder. So the troops of Cao Cao retreated to their stockade, Ma Chao following them to the river. Cao Cao's army lost more than half their number.
Cao Cao barred his gates and allowed none to go out.
Ma Chao went down to the river. When he saw Han Sui, he said, “I have seen some wicked fighters, but none to match that Xu Chu. He is aptly nicknamed Tiger-Lust”
Thinking that by strategy he might get the better of Ma Chao, Cao Cao secretly sent two bodies of troops across the river to take up position so that he might attack in front and rear.
One day from his ramparts, Cao Cao saw Ma Chao and a few horsemen ride close up to the walls and then gallop to and fro like the wind. After gazing at them for a long time, Cao Cao tore off his helmet and dashed it on the ground, saying, “If that Ma Chao is not killed, may I never know my place of burial!”
Xiahou Yuan heard his master, and his heart burned within him. He cried, “May I die here at once if I do not destroy that rebel!”
Without more ado, Xiahou Yuan flung open the gates and rode out with his company. Cao Cao tried to stop this mad rush, but it was no good; so, fearing Xiahou Yuan might come to grief, Cao Cao rode out after him. At sight of the soldiers of Cao Cao, Ma Chao faced his troops about, extended them in line and, as the enemy approached, dashed forward to the attack. Then noticing Cao Cao himself among them, Ma Chao left Xiahou Yuan and rode straight for Cao Cao. Panic seized Cao Cao and he rode for his life, while his troops were thrown into confusion.
It was during the pursuit of this portion of the Cao Cao's army that Ma Chao was told of a force of the enemy on the west of River Wei. Realizing the danger, he abandoned the pursuit, called in his forces, and went to his own camp, there to consult with Han Sui.
“What now? Cao Cao has went to the west of the river, and we can be attacked in the rear,” said Ma Chao.
Commander Li Kan said, “Then you would better come to an agreement, sacrifice some territory, and make peace. Then both can repose through the winter and await the changes and chances that may come with the spring warmth.” “He is wise,” said Han Sui, “and I advise the same.”
But Ma Chao hesitated. Others exhorted him to make peace, and at length he agreed. So Yang Qiu and Hou Xuan were sent as messengers of peace to the camp of Cao Cao.
“You may return; I will send my reply,” said Cao Cao when they had declared the purport of their mission. And they left.
Then Jia Xu said to Cao Cao, “What is your opinion, O Prime Minister?”
“What is yours?” asked Cao Cao.
“War allows deceit, therefore pretend to agree. Then we can try some means of sowing suspicions between Han Sui and Ma Chao so that we may thereby destroy both.”
Cao Cao clapped his hands for very joy, saying, “That is the best idea of all! Most suitable! You and I agree in our ideas; I was just thinking of that.”
So an answer was returned:
And at the same time Cao Cao ordered the construction of a floating bridge to help in the withdrawal.
When the reply arrived, Ma Chao said to Han Sui, “Although he agrees to peace, yet he is evil and crafty. We must remain prepared against his machinations. Uncle, you and I will take turns in watching Cao Cao and Xu Huang on alternate days. So shall we be safe against his treachery.”
