Wubei Zhi (Vol. 10)

They were afraid and wanted to scatter and return to their respective cities. Liu Xiu said: "Currently, our troops and grain are both scarce, while the enemy outside is strong and large. If we combine our strength to defend, we might achieve success. If we disperse, our position will surely be lost. If Kunyang falls, the other units will be annihilated within a day. Instead of sharing a common heart and purpose to achieve glory, do you wish to worry only about your wives, children, and property?" The generals retorted angrily: "General Liu, how dare you speak like this!" Liu Xiu stood up with a smile. Just then, a scout returned to report that the main enemy force had arrived north of the city; their formation stretched for hundreds of miles, and its end could not be seen. The generals, feeling the urgency, requested that Liu Xiu create a battle plan for them. Whether it was about success or failure, they all agreed. At that time, there were only eight or nine thousand men in the city. Liu Xiu ordered Wang Feng and Wang Chang to defend Kunyang, while he left the city's south gate at night with Li Yi and thirteen cavalrymen to gather troops from outside. At that time, nearly 100,000 of Wang Mang's troops had reached the foot of the city walls. Liu Xiu and his men barely managed to escape. Wang Xun and Wang Yi released their troops.