On the night of the ninth day of the tenth month in the fifth year of the Jian'an Era, the moon shone bright amid sparse stars, and the autumn wind carried a faint chill.
Ever since Cao Cao had led his troops out, he had first located the grain convoy, then marched north all the way.
North of Fengqiu, they saw a camp erected there, its lights blazing brightly. It was unmistakably the main camp at Wuchao.
At the sight, Cao Cao's heart surged, and he hurriedly led his troops toward the camp.
When they reached the outside of the stockade, the soldiers atop the walls questioned them. Cao Cao had Yue Jin step forward and answer:
"I am under General Jiang Qi's command, specially sent by my lord to guard the grain convoy!"
After hearing this reply, the soldiers suspected nothing and let them pass.
They encountered numerous sentries along the road, but Cao Cao claimed every time that they were Jiang Qi's escort force, and they passed through without hindrance.
Until the fourth watch of the night, they suddenly saw a crude camp by the roadside, with large numbers of grain carts parked within.
Seeing the provisions there, Cao Cao was overjoyed and prepared to lead his generals in an assault.
But just then, Ma Chao stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said:
"My lord, the enemy grain convoy lies ahead. There must be many guards within."
"I am willing to serve as the vanguard, carve a path for you, my lord, and first crush the enemy troops!"
Ever since Ma Chao had joined Old Cao's ranks, he had accomplished one feat after another as though riding a rocket.
By now, he was showing signs of becoming the foremost general of non-Cao surname under Cao Cao.
Seeing Ma