In the sixth chapter of the main text, Dong Zhuo burned the Golden Gate, hid the Jade Seal, and Sun Jian broke his promise

 But Sun Jian was surrounded by Liu Biao. Fortunately, the three generals Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang risked their lives to rescue him. Despite losing more than half of his troops, he managed to break through and lead his soldiers back to Jiangdong. Since then, Sun Jian and Liu Biao had a grudge against each other.

Now, let's return to the story of Yuan Shao, who was stationed in Hebei and lacked provisions. Han Fu, the governor of Jizhou, sent people to deliver food for the troops. The counselor Feng Ji said to Shao, "A great man conquers the world on his own, why rely on others to send food? Jizhou is a place abundant in money and provisions. Why doesn't the general take it?" Shao said, "I haven't come up with a good plan yet." Ji said, "We can secretly send a messenger to Gongsun Zan with a letter, asking him to send troops to take Jizhou and agree to attack it from both sides. Zan will surely mobilize his troops. Han Fu is a man without strategy, and he will surely ask the general to take charge of the state affairs. Then we can take advantage of the situation and easily achieve our goal." Shao was delighted and immediately sent the letter to Zan. When Zan received the letter and saw that it proposed to attack Jizhou together and divide the land equally, he was overjoyed and mobilized his troops immediately.

Shao secretly reported to Han Fu. Han Fu hurriedly gathered two advisors, Xun Chen and Xin Ping, for consultation. Chen said, "Gongsun Zan will march with the troops of Yan and Dai, and their momentum is unstoppable. With the help of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, it will be difficult to resist. Now, Yuan Benchu is exceptionally intelligent and brave, and he has many famous generals under his command. General, you can invite him to jointly govern the state affairs. He will surely treat you well and there will be no need to worry about Gongsun Zan." Han Fu immediately sent a special carriage to Guan Chun to invite Yuan Shao. Geng Wu, the senior clerk, advised, "Yuan Shao is a lone traveler with a depleted army, relying on our support like a baby in our hands. If we cut off his milk and nurture, he will starve to death immediately. Why do you want to entrust the state affairs to him? This is like inviting a tiger into a flock of sheep." Han Fu said, "I am an old official of the Yuan family, and my abilities are not as good as Benchu's. In ancient times, the virtuous were chosen and given positions. Why are you all so jealous?" Geng Wu sighed and said, "Jizhou is doomed!" Therefore, more than thirty people abandoned their positions and left. Only Geng Wu and Guan Chun waited outside the city for Yuan Shao.

A few days later, Shao led his troops to the area. Geng Wu and Guan Chun drew their swords and attempted to assassinate Shao. However, Shao's general Yan Liang instantly beheaded Geng Wu, while Wen Chou killed Guan Chun. Shao entered Jizhou and appointed Han Fu as the General of Fenwei. He assigned Tian Feng, Ju Zhu, Xu You, and Feng Ji to oversee the affairs of the region, stripping Han Fu of all his powers. Regretting his actions, Han Fu abandoned his family and rode alone to seek refuge with Zhang Miao, the governor of Chenliu.

However, Gongsun Zan learned that Yuan Shao had already occupied Jizhou, so he sent his younger brother Gongsun Yue to meet Shao, intending to divide the land. Shao said, "Invite your brother to come himself. I have something to discuss." Yue excused himself and returned. Before he had traveled fifty miles, a troop of soldiers emerged from the roadside, claiming, "I am a general of Prime Minister Dong's army!" They shot and killed Gongsun Yue with arrows. His followers fled back to Gongsun Zan and reported that Yue had died. Zan was furious and said, "Yuan Shao lured me into attacking Han Fu, but he took advantage of the situation. Now he has deceived Dong Zhuo's troops and shot my brother to death. How can I not avenge this injustice!" He mustered all his troops and rushed to Jizhou.

When Shao Zhiqian's troops arrived, he also led his army out. The two armies met on the Pan River: Shao's troops on the east side of the bridge and Zhan's troops on the west side. Zhan stood on the bridge and shouted, "You treacherous fellows, how dare you betray me!" Shao also rode his horse to the edge of the bridge and pointed at Zhan, saying, "Han Fu is incompetent. I'm willing to give Ji Prefecture to me. What does it have to do with you?" Zhan said, "I used to consider you loyal and righteous, and I made you the leader of the alliance. What you've done now is truly the act of a wolf's heart and a dog's behavior. How can you face the world with your current appearance!" Yuan Shao angrily shouted, "Who can capture him?" Before he could finish speaking, Wen Chou rode his horse and charged straight across the bridge with a spear. Gongsun Zhan engaged Wen Chou at the edge of the bridge. Within ten rounds, Zhan could no longer withstand the attack and retreated. Wen Chou took advantage of the opportunity to pursue. Zhan retreated into the formation, and Wen Chou rode his horse straight into the center of the army, charging back and forth. Zhan's four capable soldiers fought together to meet the challenge; one of them was stabbed down by Wen Chou's spear, and the three soldiers all fled. Wen Chou chased Gongsun Zhan out of the formation, and Zhan fled towards the valley. Wen Chou suddenly urged his horse and shouted, "Quickly dismount and surrender!" Zhan's bow and arrows fell off, his helmet fell to the ground, and he ran down the hill with his horse. His horse stumbled, and Zhan fell off the slope. Wen Chou quickly turned his spear and stabbed. Suddenly, a young general emerged from the left side of the grassy slope, riding his horse and charging straight at Wen Chou with a spear. Gongsun Zhan scrambled up the slope and saw the young man: he was eight feet tall, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, a broad face, and a dignified demeanor. He fought Wen Chou for fifty or sixty rounds, but the outcome was still undecided. When Zhan's reinforcements arrived, Wen Chou turned his horse around and retreated. The young man did not pursue. Zhan hurriedly descended the slope and asked the young man his name. The young man bowed and replied, "I am from Zhen Ding in Changshan, surnamed Zhao, named Yun, courtesy name Zilong. I was originally under Yuan Shao's jurisdiction. I saw that Shao had no intention of being loyal to the emperor or saving the people, so I specifically abandoned him and joined your side. I didn't expect to meet you here." Zhan was overjoyed and returned to the stronghold with him to reorganize the troops. The next day, Zhan divided his troops into left and right wings, forming a powerful force. There were more than five thousand horses, most of which were white. Gongsun Zan, having fought against the Qiang people, had chosen the White Horse as his vanguard, earning him the title of "White Horse General." Whenever the Qiang saw the white horses, they would flee, leading to a significant number of white horses. Yuan Shao ordered Yan Liang and Wen Chou to lead the vanguard, each with a thousand archers and crossbowmen, divided into left and right teams. The team on the left was to shoot at Gongsun Zan's right army, while the team on the right was to shoot at Gongsun Zan's left army. Ji Yi was then ordered to lead eight hundred archers and fifteen thousand infantrymen, arrayed in the formation. Yuan Shao himself led tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry, providing support from behind. Gongsun Zan, newly acquired Zhao Yun but not yet trusting him, ordered him to lead a separate army at the rear. He assigned General Yan Gang to lead the vanguard. Zan led the central army himself, standing on the bridge, with a large red circle and gold-embroidered flag bearing the character "Shuai" (commander) placed beside his horse. The drums were beaten from dawn until noon, but Yuan Shao's army did not advance. Ji Yi ordered the archers to hide under their shields and only fire arrows when the signal was given. Yan Gang, with his drums beating loudly, charged straight at Ji Yi. Seeing Yan Gang's troops approaching, Ji Yi's soldiers crouched down and remained motionless. When they came close enough, a signal was given, and the eight hundred archers and crossbowmen launched their attack simultaneously. Just as Yan Gang was about to retreat, Ji Yi charged at him with his sword brandished and his horse prancing, killing him under his horse. Gongsun Zan's army suffered a crushing defeat. The left and right armies, intending to come to the rescue, were blocked by Yan Liang and Wen Chou's archers and crossbowmen. Yuan Shao's army advanced together, reaching the boundary bridge. When Ji Yi's horse arrived, he first beheaded the flag bearer and cut down the embroidered flag. Seeing the embroidered flag fall, Gongsun Zan turned his horse around and fled down the bridge. Ji Yi led his troops straight to the rear army, where they encountered Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun, riding his horse, charged straight at Ji Yi, piercing him under his horse with a spear in just a few rounds. Zhao Yun galloped into Yuan Shao's army, charging left and right as if entering an empty territory. Gongsun Zan led his troops back, but Yuan Shao's army suffered a crushing defeat.

However, Yuan Shao first sent scouts to investigate, and they reported back that Qi Yi had beheaded the general and taken the flag, chasing the defeated soldiers. Therefore, without making any preparations, he and Tian Feng led hundreds of soldiers armed with halberds and dozens of archers on horseback to observe the battle. They laughed heartily and said, "Gongsun Zan is just an incompetent!" Just as they were talking, Zhao Yun suddenly charged towards them. The archers were about to shoot when Zhao Yun stabbed several of them, causing the troops to flee. Behind them, Zan's army closed in. Tian Feng hurriedly said to Shao, "Lord, please take cover in the empty wall!" Shao threw his helmet to the ground and shouted, "A true man is willing to die in battle, not hide in a wall and hope to live!" The soldiers fought together with all their might, but Zhao Yun refused to be trapped. As Shao's troops closed in, Yan Liang also led his army to join the battle, and the two forces clashed. Zhao Yun protected Gongsun Zan and broke through the encirclement, returning to Jie Bridge. Shao's troops advanced and chased them across the bridge again, with countless soldiers falling into the water and dying.

Yuan Shao rushed ahead, but within five miles, he heard a loud shout from behind the mountain. A troop of soldiers emerged, led by three generals: Liu Xuan De, Guan Yun Chang, and Zhang Yi De. They had come to assist in the battle after learning of the conflict between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao on the plain. At that moment, the three horses, equipped with three different weapons, galloped forward and charged straight at Yuan Shao. Shao was so shocked that his treasured sword fell from his hand as he hurriedly urged his horse to flee. The soldiers desperately tried to save him from crossing the bridge. Gongsun Zan also ordered his troops to retreat to the stronghold. After Xuan De, Guan, and Zhang inquired about the situation, Zan said, "If it weren't for Xuan De coming from afar to rescue me, I would have been in a terrible mess." He then introduced them to Zhao Yun. Xuan De held them in high esteem and felt reluctant to part with them.

However, Yuan Shao had been defeated for a while and was holding his ground without making a move. The two armies had been at loggerheads for over a month when someone came to Chang'an to inform Dong Zhuo. Li Ru said to Zhuo, "Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan are also among the heroes of the day. Now that they are engaged in battle on the Pan River, it is appropriate to send an imperial edict to mediate between them. If the two men are grateful for the favor, they will surely follow the Grand Preceptor." Zhuo said, "Good." The next day, he sent Grand Preceptor Ma Ridong and Grand Chamberlain Zhao Qi with the edict. When the two arrived at the riverbank, Yuan Shao greeted them from a distance of a hundred miles and again proclaimed obedience to the edict. The next day, the two went to Gongsun Zan's camp to announce the terms of the truce. Gongsun Zan then sent envoys to deliver a letter to Yuan Shao, proposing a peace treaty. The two men returned to the capital to report back. Gongsun Zan immediately ordered his troops to withdraw and recommended Liu Xuande as the governor of Pingyuan. Xuande and Zhao Yun held hands and shed tears, unable to bear the thought of parting. Yun sighed, "I once mistook Gongsun Zan for a hero; now, seeing his actions, he is just like Yuan Shao and the rest!" Xuande said, "You should humble yourself and serve him. We will meet again someday." They shed tears and parted ways

However, Yuan Shu was in Nanyang when he heard that Yuan Shao had newly acquired Jizhou. He sent envoys to request a thousand horses. Shao refused, and Shu became angry. From then on, the brothers were at odds. Shu also sent envoys to Jingzhou to ask Liu Biao for a loan of 200,000 grains of grain. Biao also refused. Shu hated it and secretly sent a letter to Sun Jian, asking him to attack Liu Biao. The letter briefly stated: "Previously, Liu Biao blocked our path, which was my brother Benchu's plan. Now Benchu is secretly discussing with Biao to attack Jiangdong. You can quickly raise troops to attack Liu Biao, and I will help you capture Benchu, so you can avenge both your enemies. You take Jingzhou, and I will take Jizhou. Don't make any mistakes!" Jian received the letter and said, "I can't wait to take revenge. Why should I expect Yuan Shu's help?" He then sent Huang Gai to the riverbank to arrange warships, load up weapons, provisions, and horses, and set a date for the attack. Spies in the river reported to Liu Biao. Biao was greatly alarmed and hurriedly gathered his military and civil officials for discussion. Kui Liang said, "There is no need to worry. We can have Huang Zu lead the troops from Jiangxia as the vanguard, while the lord leads the forces from Jingxiang as reinforcements. How can Sun Jian use force when he crosses the river and lake?" Biao agreed and ordered Huang Zu to prepare. Soon after, he mobilized his army. However, Sun Jian had four sons, all born to Lady Wu: the eldest son was named Ce, styled Boxu; the second son was named Quan, styled Zhongmou; the third son was named Yi, styled Shubibi; and the fourth son was named Kuang, styled Jizuo. Lady Wu's younger sister, who was Sun Jian's second wife, also gave birth to a son and a daughter: the son was named Lang, styled Zeng'an; the daughter was named Ren. Jian also adopted a son from Yu's family named Shao, styled Gongli. Jian had a younger brother named Jing, styled Youtai. When Jian was about to leave, Jing led the sons to kneel before him and advised, "Now Dong Zhuo has usurped power, the emperor is weak, and the country is in great chaos, with each faction ruling over a separate region. Jiangsu is slightly pacified, but to mobilize a large army over a minor grievance is not advisable. I urge you to consider this carefully." Jian said, "Don't say any more, my brother. I am going to conquer the world, and how can I not avenge my enemies!" Changzi Sun Ce said, "If father is determined to go, I wish to accompany you." Jian agreed, and together with Ce, they boarded a boat and rushed to Fancheng.

Huang Zufu, an archer, was stationed by the river. Seeing the boat approaching the shore, he launched a hail of arrows. Jian ordered his troops not to move, but to hide in the boats and lure them back and forth. For three consecutive days, the boat approached the shore dozens of times. Huang Zufu's army only focused on shooting arrows, and they had already run out of arrows. However, Jian took the arrows they had obtained from the boat, about tens of thousands. That day, the wind was favorable, and Jian ordered his soldiers to shoot arrows together. The troops on the shore could not hold out and had to retreat. Jian's army landed on the shore, and Cheng Pu and Huang Gai split their forces into two routes to directly attack Huang Zufu's camp. Behind them, Han Dang led his troops to advance. With a three-pronged attack, Huang Zufu was defeated, abandoned Fancheng, and retreated to Dengcheng. Jian ordered Huang Gai to guard the boats and personally led the troops to pursue. Huang Zufu led his army out to meet them and arrayed his forces in the wilderness. Jian formed his battle formation and rode out under the banner. Sun Ce, fully equipped, stood beside his father with a spear. Huang Zufu led two generals out to fight: Zhang Hu from Jiangxia and Chen Sheng from Xiangyang. Huang Zufu whipped his horse and shouted, "Thieves from Jiangdong, how dare you invade the territory of the Han royal family!" He then ordered Zhang Hu to engage. Han Dang from within Jian's formation came out to meet. The two cavalry met and fought for more than twenty rounds. Seeing that Zhang Hu was weak, Chen Sheng galloped to his aid. Sun Ce saw this and held his spear in his hand, drew his bow, and shot an arrow directly at Chen Sheng's face, causing him to fall from his horse. Zhang Hu was startled when he saw Chen Sheng fall to the ground and was caught off guard. He was beheaded by Han Dang with one stroke of his sword. Cheng Pu rode straight to the front of the formation to capture Huang Zufu. Huang Zufu abandoned his helmet and warhorse and fled among the infantry. Sun Jian pursued the defeated troops all the way to the Han River and ordered Huang Gai to anchor the boats in the Han River.

Huang Zuju's army was defeated, and he came to see Liu Biao, explaining that the enemy's strength was unstoppable. Liu Biao panicked and asked Kui Liang for advice. Liang said, "We have just suffered a new defeat, and the soldiers have no will to fight; we can only dig deep trenches and build high walls to avoid their onslaught. However, we should secretly send people to seek help from Yuan Shao. This siege can be resolved." Cai Mao said, "Zirou's words are just clumsy strategies. With the enemy troops at the city gates and the generals at the moat, how can we just sit back and wait to be defeated! Although I am not talented, I would like to request permission to lead the troops out of the city to fight a decisive battle." Liu Biao agreed. Cai Mao led more than ten thousand troops out of Xiangyang and arrayed them at Xian Mountain. Sun Jian led his victorious troops and advanced forward. Cai Mao rode out. Jian said, "This man is the brother of Liu Biao's second wife. Who will join me in capturing him?" Cheng Pu rode out with a spear and engaged in battle with Cai Mao. Within a few rounds, Cai Mao fled in defeat. Jian led his large army and killed countless soldiers, leaving corpses scattered all over the field. Cai Mao fled into Xiangyang. Kui Liang said that Mao had disregarded Liang's advice, leading to a crushing defeat, and according to military law, he should be beheaded. Liu Biao, being newly married to his sister, refused to impose punishment.

But Sun Jian divided his troops and besieged Xiangyang from all sides. One day, a sudden strong wind arose, breaking the flagpole of the central army's commander. Han Dang said, "This is not an auspicious sign. We should temporarily withdraw." Jian replied, "We have won many battles and are just days away from taking Xiangyang. How can we abandon our troops just because the wind broke the flagpole?" He refused to listen to Han Dang and intensified his attack on the city. Kui Liang advised Liu Biao, "I observed the sky at night and saw a general's star about to fall. Based on the astrological omens, it should correspond to Sun Jian. My lord should quickly write to Yuan Shao and ask for his assistance." Liu Biao wrote a letter and asked who dared to break out of the encirclement. Lü Gong, a brave general, volunteered. Kui Liang said, "Since you dare to go, listen to my plan: I will give you 500 troops and soldiers, along with many archers, to break out of the formation and head for Xian Mountain. He will surely lead his troops to pursue us. You should send 100 men up the mountain to gather stones and prepare; another 100 men should hide in the forest with bows and crossbows. If pursuers arrive, do not run straight away; instead, weave and twist to lure them to the ambush site, where arrows and stones will rain down. If we win, set off a series of firecrackers, and the city will respond. If there are no pursuers, do not set off the firecrackers and hurry on. The moon is not very bright tonight, so we can leave the city at dusk."

Lü Gong accepted the plan and prepared his troops. At dusk, he secretly opened the east gate and led his soldiers out of the city. Sun Jian was in his tent when he suddenly heard a shout. He quickly mounted his horse and led more than thirty riders out of the camp to investigate. The soldiers reported, "A troop of soldiers and horses has emerged from the gate, heading towards Xian Mountain." Without consulting his generals, Sun Jian led only thirty-odd riders to pursue. Lü Gong had already set up an ambush in the mountainous area. Sun Jian's horse was fast, and he came alone, not far from the front troops. Sun Jian shouted, "Stop!" Lü Gong reined back his horse to fight Sun Jian. After only one round of battle, Lü Gong fled, dodging into the mountain path. Sun Jian chased after him, but Lü Gong was nowhere to be seen. Just as Sun Jian was about to ascend the mountain, suddenly a gong sounded, causing stones to rain down from the mountain and arrows to fly from the forest. Sun Jian was hit by stones and arrows, his brain splattered, and both he and his troops died within Xian Mountain; he was only thirty-seven years old.

Lü Gong intercepted the thirty cavalrymen and killed them all, then set off the continuous-bead signal fire. Huang Zu, Kui Yue, and Cai Mao in the city led their troops to break out, causing great confusion among the Jiangdong forces. Huang Gai heard the loud shouts and led the water army to attack, just as he met Huang Zu. The battle was over in no time, and Huang Zu was captured alive. Cheng Pu, protecting Sun Ce, was in a hurry to find a way out and happened to meet Lü Gong. Cheng Pu rode forward and, within a few rounds of battle, stabbed Lü Gong off his horse with a spear. The two armies fought fiercely until dawn, and then each side withdrew their troops.

Liu Biao's army entered the city. When Sun Ce returned to Hanshui, he learned that his father had been killed by arrows and his body had been carried into the city by Liu Biao's soldiers. He burst into tears. All the soldiers wept. Ce said, "My father's body is there. How can I return home!" Huang Gai said, "Now that Huang Zu is captured alive, we can send someone into the city to negotiate peace and exchange Huang Zu for my lord's body." Before he finished speaking, the military officer Huan Jie stepped forward and said, "I have an old friendship with Liu Biao. I wish to enter the city as an envoy." Ce agreed. Huan Jie entered the city to see Liu Biao and told him the whole story. Biao said, "Wentai's body is already stored in a coffin here. Please release Huang Zu quickly, and let both families cease hostilities and refrain from further aggression." Huan Jie bowed and thanked him before leaving. At this moment, Kui Liang stepped forward and said, "No, no! I have a suggestion. If the troops of Jiangdong do not return with a single piece of armor, please execute Huan Jie first and then use our plan." It is said that while pursuing the enemy, Sun Jian met his end, and in seeking peace, Huan Jie suffered a similar fate. As for Huan Jie's fate, we shall hear in the next part of the story.