Battle of Boma

As it became obvious that a confrontation was inevitable, the two warlords scrambled to gather their forces in defensive positions along the Yellow River.

[5] However, Cao Cao had set his sights on a concentrated confrontation at the topographically advantageous city of Guandu (官渡; northeast of present-day Zhongmu County, Henan) to the south,[6] thus the purpose of defending Boma was only to delay enemy advances across the river.

[8] He returned to his battle command at Guandu after putting down Liu Bei's rebellion in Xu Province sometime between February 3 and March 2, 200.

[9] Between March 3 and April 1, 200, Yuan Shao sent his general Yan Liang with Guo Tu and Chunyu Qiong across the river to attack Liu Yan's position at Boma, while Yuan stayed behind at Liyang with the main army to give the impression that he was crossing the river.

[10] Earlier, Yuan Shao's advisor Ju Shou had objected to letting Yan Liang lead the attack, saying that Yan Liang was brave but impatient and unable to manage the task alone, but Yuan Shao ignored his advice.

Reacting to this apparent threat, Yuan Shao split off his men in Liyang and came west along the northern bank of the river, thus falling for the feint.

Song Xian (宋憲) and Wei Xu (魏續), two former generals under Lü Bu, each volunteered to duel Yan Liang, but were both killed in a short time.

Leaping onto his steed, the Red Hare, Guan Yu galloped straight into the enemy ranks, which broke before him like waves before a swift vessel.

Guan severed Yan Liang's head, tied it to the neck of his steed, and rode back unhindered.