Wubei Zhi (Vol. 10)

...Sima Liu Gong, leading the troops of the city heads and the Zilu and Diaoyudu, has a force of ten thousand coming from the east to strike the rebel bandits." The officials and people, upon reading the manifesto, told each other the news. Liu Zhi gathered several thousand troops and held Changcheng. Geng Chun led two thousand members of his clan and guests, those who were old or ill were carried on carts, and they all came to welcome Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu appointed them all as generals. The forces gradually grew to ten thousand. He struck north to Zhongshan and captured Lunu. Wherever he passed, he raised local levies and sent manifestos to the border commanderies to join in the attack on Handan. The commanderies and counties returned and responded to his call.

At that time, King Yang of Zhending raised an army to support Wang Lang, with a force of over one hundred thousand. Liu Xiu sent Zhi to persuade him to surrender. He then took Yang’s nephew, the Lady Guo, as his wife. He struck the various rebel divisions and defeated them one after another. Riding on the victory, he advanced carelessly and was instead defeated by them. He returned to defend Fanyang; the king was not found in the army. Some said he was already dead.

Having no choice but to finish what one has started, or not.