Yuan Shu sends his general Ji Ling with a large army to invade Xu Province in 196.

Liu Bei leads his army to Xuyi and Huaiyin (in Guangling, south of Xu Province) to counter.

They face each other for a month without any decisive result.

Zhang Fei, who has been left behind by Liu to guard Xiapi (capital of Xu Province), kills Cao Bao (chancellor of Xiapi when Tao Qian was still in charge of Xu Province) after an intense quarrel.

Cao Bao's death causes unrest in the city, providing Lü Bu with an opportunity to seize control of the city, capturing the families of Liu Bei and his men during the surprise attack.

Liu Bei returns to Xiapi on receiving the news but his army disintegrates by the time he reaches there.

Liu Bei rallies his remaining men and moves to Guangling, where he is defeated by Yuan Shu.

Liu Bei then retreats to Haixi, Donghai prefecture.

Faced with enemies on both sides and a lack of supplies (Mi Zhu uses his personal wealth to support the army), Liu Bei's army resorts to cannibalism, and finally surrenders to Lü Bu, who recognizes Liu's pledge of allegiance, returns his family as an act of good faith, and orders Liu to help him resist Yuan Shu.

Lü Bu, fearing isolation, obstructs further attempts by Yuan Shu to eliminate Liu Bei.

Liu Bei moves his camp to Xiaopei where he rebuilds his army, gathering over ten thousand men.

Lü Bu becomes concerned and attacks Xiaopei.

Liu Bei flees to Xuchang, where Cao Cao receives him well, gives him some troops, provisions, and an official appointment as Governor of Yu Province.

Liu Bei then reassumes his post in Xiaopei to keep an eye on Lü Bu.