Wubei Zhi (Vol. 10)

...frost and snow until their faces were chapped. Upon reaching Xiaquyang, word arrived that Wang Lang’s troops were following behind. They arrived at the Hutuo River. The scout returned and reported that the river was flowing with ice and there were no boats to cross. Liu Xiu sent Wang Ba to observe. Wang Ba was afraid of frightening the troops, so he returned and deceitfully claimed, "The ice is solid enough to cross." They proceeded to the river, and it had indeed frozen over. They crossed, and before the last few riders had finished, the ice broke. When they reached Nangong, they were met by a great wind and rain, so they entered a vacant house by the roadside. Feng Yi gathered firewood and Deng Yu lit a fire; Liu Xiu stood before the stove to dry his clothes. Feng Yi brought him some millet. They traveled on to the west of Xiabo city, feeling anxious and uncertain of their destination. An old man in white clothing pointed and exhorted them to go to Xindu, as it was the headquarters for the city’s defense, eighty miles away. Liu Xiu immediately rode there. At that time, the commanderies had all submitted to Wang Lang, except for the Administrator of Xindu, Ren Guang, and the Administrator of Herong, Pi Tong, who refused to submit. Ren Guang was afraid he would not survive, but when he heard of Liu Xiu’s arrival, he was overjoyed.

Combined, these suggest it is the will of Heaven; as the saying goes, ten thousand words in one.

Wufu Gazetteer, Volume 23: Strategy Study