Wubei Zhi (Vol. 10)

Gai Yan and the others, considering Ben Xiu's city in danger, went there first. Xian engaged them in battle, then pretended to be defeated and retreated. Yan and the others took advantage of this to lift the siege and enter the city. The next day, Xian brought out his full force to surround them. Fearing this, Yan and the others burst out and fled, then went to attack Tan. The Emperor reprimanded them, saying, "The reason I wanted you to go to Tan first was because it was unexpected. Now that you have already fled, the enemy's plan is already established. How could the siege possibly be lifted?" Yan and the others arrived at Tan and were indeed unable to overcome it, and Dong Xian then took Lanling and killed Ben Xiu.

Su Mao led the forces of the Five Schools to rescue Zhou Jian at Chuihui. Ma Wu was defeated by Mao and Jian and fled past Wang Ba's camp, crying out for help. Ba said, "The enemy's forces are strong; if we go out, we will both be defeated. We must simply exert ourselves and that is all." He then closed the camp and fortified the walls. The military officers all argued against this. Ba said, "Mao's troops are elite and sharp, and their numbers are many. Our officers and soldiers are fearful. If we engage them, both armies will..."