Over the next few days, the situation changed abruptly.
After resting and reorganizing at Hangu Pass for several days, the coalition of warlords led by Cao Cao and Liu Bei could no longer wait to march on Tong Pass. Tong Pass was a formidable choke point no less perilous than Hangu Pass or even Hulao Pass. Positioned at the most critical location, it was Chang'an's final line of defense. If Tong Pass fell, Chang'an would be like a woman without panties at her most vulnerable spot—Cao Cao's army could thrust in at any time and strike straight at the nest. Of course, in a direct assault, the coalition might not necessarily be able to take Chang'an, with its towering walls, deep moats, elite troops, numerous generals, and ample provisions and supplies. But its symbolic significance was immense. It signaled that Dong Zhuo's power was declining day by day. When the wall fell, everyone would push it over; when the pig died, everyone would feast on it. No matter how formidable Dong Zhuo was, he could not withstand the whole world.
Yet after scoring two minor victories in the first two days, the situation became completely one-sided on the third. The defenders of Tong Pass suddenly seemed to have gone mad, resisting the coalition with utter disregard for their lives. By the end of the day, Cao Cao's forces had not even touched the walls of Tong Pass. Instead, they had lost over ten thousand men and several major generals. One of them, the famed general Pan Feng, met his end there—an arrow pierced his heart and nailed him to his saddle. Seeing the terrible losses, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and the others had no choice but to sound the gong and withdraw.
On the fourth day of the battle for