the appointment on the plea of illness。 While Xun Yu was at home； he received one day a box such as one sent with presents of dainties。 It was addressed in Cao Cao's own handwriting。 Opening it； Xun Yu found therein nothing。 He understood； so he took poison and died。 He was fifty…two years of age。
Xun Yu's talents were to all people known；
That was sad that at the door of power he tripped。
Posterity is wrong to class him with the noble Zhang Liang；
For； nearing death； he dared not face his lord of Han。
News of Xun Yu's death came to Cao Cao in the form of the ordinary letter of mourning by his son； Xun Yun。 Then Cao Cao was sorry and gave orders for an imposing funeral。 He also obtained for the dead man the posthumous title of lordship。
The northern army reached River Ruxu； whence Cao Cao sent a reconnaissance of thirty thousand troops led by Cao Hong down to the river。
Soon Cao Hong reported： 〃The enemy's fleet blankets the river； but no sign of movements。〃
Feeling suspicious；