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The King of Kutcha replied by dispatching his chief commander to

succour the place with an army drawn from the kingdoms of Wen-su,

Ku-mo, and Wei-t'ou, totaling 50,000 men. Pan Ch'ao summoned his

officers and also the King of Khotan to a council of war, and

said: 'Our forces are now outnumbered and unable to make head

against the enemy. The best plan, then, is for us to separate and

disperse, each in a different direction. The King of Khotan will

march away by the easterly route, and I will then return myself

towards the west. Let us wait until the evening drum has sounded

and then start.' Pan Ch'ao now secretly released the prisoners

whom he had taken alive, and the King of Kutcha was thus informed

of his plans. Much elated by the news, the latter set off at once

at the head of 10,000 horsemen to bar Pan Ch'ao's retreat in the

west, while the King of Wen-su rode eastward with 8000 horse in

order to intercept the King of Khotan.