The scouts Cao Xiu sent out at night were like birds released into the wild, vanishing forever into the sky.
Though Nanyang's terrain was flat, an army still had to choose the main routes and broad roads. Rushing about blindly could easily lead to losing one's way, or being swallowed by thorns, bogs, and other hazards of nature.
The main roads leading toward the Central Plains were also the areas Guan Yu watched most closely. He stationed the defense-minded Meng Da at Duyang as well, meaning that if Bowang could not be held, Duyang ahead would serve as a second safeguard.
Moreover, the Han Army had strong popular support in this region. Even any fish that slipped through the net would be reported by the nearby people, so Cao Xiu's scheme ultimately came to nothing.
Relying on the grain, winter clothing, and arrows swindled from the Central Plains, Guan Yu held Bowang and intended to slowly wear Cao Xiu down. Yet less than three days into their standoff and probing, fresh news arrived from Duyang.
Not only had no further supplies come from the rear of the State of Wei, but small detachments had begun emerging from Ye County one after another to investigate. Though Meng Da ultimately dispatched troops to deal with them all, it showed that the Wei court had caught wind of something. Guan Yu reckoned that they had demanded grain too frequently, and the "fat" to be rendered had nearly all been squeezed dry.
Seeing that the "fat" of the Central Plains had been nearly squeezed dry, Guan Yu abruptly cast aside the cautious style he had maintained these past months and began fiercely attacking Cao Xiu's army.
Cao Xiu was caught completely off guard. He suffered a defeat and retreated thirty li in that day's