Liang Province army, Central Army Camp.
After his victory, Ma Chao led his army back to camp, his face brimming with undisguised joy and exhilaration. He ordered wine brought over and drank heartily with his deputy generals to celebrate.
"That bastard Guo Yuan kept hiding inside Jinyang City without showing his face. Wiping out three thousand of his troops tonight really let me vent my anger!"
Holding his wine cup, Ma Chao spoke to the generals with a smile.
The Son of Heaven had repeatedly sent orders telling him to keep a close watch on Guo Yuan and prevent him from leaving Bing Province. He therefore dared not relax for a moment and had stationed many lookouts outside Jinyang City.
When the lookouts reported that scouts had emerged from Jinyang City to investigate the situation north of the city, he guessed that Guo Yuan was about to make a move. He and Pang De each led two thousand troops into ambush outside the city, and sure enough, he caught Guo Yuan withdrawing his army!
Tonight's battle could be called their greatest victory since the two sides began fighting, and their own losses had been practically nonexistent.
Pang De said, "General, Guo Yuan's haste to withdraw must mean that the situation in Ji Province is becoming increasingly unfavorable for Yuan Shao, forcing him to risk going to his aid."
"What matters most for us now is..."
Before Pang De could finish, a soldier hurried into the tent and reported to Ma Chao, "General, an Imperial Edict from Ye City, sent by five-hundred-li express!"
The words "five-hundred-li express" made all the generals' hearts tighten. Even Ma Chao set down his wine cup and said, "Bring him in at once!"
The soldier turned and withdrew.
A moment later, a courier with two