Though Liu Bei was outnumbered by Cao Cao's troops at Xinye, he prevailed through clever tactics. Seeking revenge, Cao Cao soon led an army of 500,000. When Liu Bei and his 3,000 troops reached Dangyang County, they were intercepted. A fierce battle lasted until dawn, with Liu's forces barely escaping pursuit.
At daybreak, General Zhao Yun discovered Liu Bei's wife and son were missing. Gathering 30 soldiers, he fought his way back to the battlefield. With a middle-aged woman's help, he found Lady Mi and A Dou by a dry well behind a collapsed wall. Lady Mi said, "General, A Dou is safe with you now. I would rather die than encumber you." While Zhao Yun was distracted, she threw herself into the well.
Suddenly, Cao Cao's troops charged. With tears in his eyes, Zhao Yun pushed down the remaining wall to cover the well. Holding A Dou to his chest, he rode onward, fighting off attackers. After three rounds of combat, he was engaged by General Zhang He. They fought a dozen rounds before Zhao Yun's horse fell into a trap. As Zhang He charged to spear him, Zhao's horse leapt out. Startled, Zhang He retreated several gaits. Zhao Yun fought Cao's generals single-handedly, keeping all at bay. Watching from a hilltop, Cao Cao ordered Zhao Yun captured alive. Exploiting this no-kill order, Zhao Yun finally broke the siege and returned to camp, handing the young master to Liu Bei.