Yuan Benchu breaks his troops; Guan Yunchang hangs up his seal and seals his gold.

It was said that Yuan Shao wished to behead Liu Bei. Liu Bei, whose courtesy name was Xuande, entered calmly and said, “My lord, are you listening to only one side while turning away from what your long acquaintance has shown you? Since I was scattered from Xuzhou, I do not know whether my second brother, Guan Yu, has survived. Many in the world share the same red face and long beard, yet not every such man is Lord Guan. Why not make sure?”

Yuan Shao, a man with little resolve, when he heard Liu Bei’s words, blamed Ju Shou and said, “You heard him and almost killed an honest man.” He then invited Liu Bei to climb into his canopy and discuss avenging Yan Liang.

A man from below answered at once and came in. “Yan Liang has been as a brother to me. Now he has been killed by the bandits of Cao. How can I fail to wash away this grief?”

Liu Bei looked at him: he was eight feet tall, with a face like the xiezhi beast. He was Wen Chou, the famous general of Hebei. Yuan Shao rejoiced greatly and said, “No one but you can repay Yan Liang’s blood-debt. I have a hundred thousand soldiers; we will cross the Yellow River and hunt down the Cao bandits.”

Ju Shou said, “No. It is better to hold Yanzin for now and split the army at Guandu. If you cross lightly in haste and some reversal comes, everyone will have no way to return.”

Yuan Shao grew angry and said, “It is because all of you are slow and weaken the army’s morale, delaying by day and by day and obstructing this great matter. Do we not hear, ‘In war, speed is precious’?” Ju Shou withdrew and sighed, “His lordship swells his intent, the men below carry out his work; with this broad Yellow River between us, can I cross it?” He then feigned sickness and stayed out of counsel.

Liu Bei said, “My lord, by your mercy I owe too much to repay. I wish to accompany Wen Chou. First, it will honor your virtue; second, I hope to discover firm news of Guan Yu.” Yuan Shao was pleased and called Wen Chou and Liu Bei to lead the vanguard together.

Wen Chou said, “Liu Bei has been a general who fails repeatedly and is not fortunate in war. Since the lord has ordered him away, I have assigned him thirty thousand men and made him command the rear.”

So Wen Chou set out first with seventy thousand men, and Liu Bei followed with thirty thousand.

When Cao Cao learned that Guan Yu had beheaded Yan Liang, his esteem grew even more. He submitted a memorial to court and enfeoffed Guan Yu as Marquis of Hanshou Ting, then had the seal cast and sent it to him.

That same moment came word that Yuan Shao had ordered the great general Wen Chou to cross the Yellow River and he had already taken the heights above Yanzin. Cao Cao first moved the local population to the western bank and then led out troops to meet him. His order to the command below was this: “Use the rear army as the vanguard, and the vanguard as the rear. Supplies march first; the soldiers follow.”

Lu Qian said, “Why are the supplies in front and the army behind?”

Cao Cao said, “Supplies are often plundered when they are behind. So put them first.”

Lu Qian said, “If the enemy troops come and steal them, what then?”

Cao Cao said, “Let them come. We will explain when they arrive.”

Lu Qian’s heart remained doubtful. Cao Cao ordered the grain train and baggage along the riverbanks to Yanzin. He stood with the rear army when he heard shouting from the vanguard. He hurriedly sent men to check, and they reported: “The great general Wen Chou has reached us. Our troops have abandoned the grain carts and are running in all directions. The rear army is still far away. What are we to do?”

Cao Cao pointed with his whip at two earth mounds and said, “This is a place to conceal ourselves for a while.” The horse and men rushed to the mounds. Cao Cao ordered the soldiers to remove their armor and loosen their coats for a short rest, and to dismount their horses. Wen Chou’s army came on in cover.

A commander cried out, “The enemy has arrived! Gather up the horses and run back to Baima!” Xun You stopped him in urgency: “This is exactly a chance to bait the enemy. Why turn back?” Cao Cao shot Xun You a glance and smiled. Xun You understood and said no more.

Wen Chou’s men had reached the grain carts and equipment and then came to seize the horses. The soldiers no longer kept formation and mingled into a chaos. Cao Cao, from the mounds, ordered his officers to descend all together and strike at them; Wen Chou’s army was thrown into confusion. Cao’s troops enveloped and wrapped around them, and Wen Chou stood upright to fight alone. The troops trampled over one another. Wen Chou could not hold back the rush of them and had to turn his horse and retreat.

From atop the mound, Cao Cao pointed and asked, “Wen Chou is a famed general of Hebei. Who can take him?” Zhang Liao and Xu Huang spurred their horses out together and shouted, “Wen Chou, do not run!”

When Wen Chou turned back and saw the two officers gaining, he pressed his iron spear, nocked an arrow, and aimed at Zhang Liao. Xu Huang shouted, “Bandit, do not loose your arrow!” Zhang Liao bent his head quickly and dodged. One arrow struck his helmet and tore away the feather plume. He recovered himself and dashed after Wen Chou again, then his horse reared and knelt on its front legs; Zhang Liao tumbled from the saddle.

Wen Chou wheeled his horse and came again. Xu Huang swung his great axe and closed in to melee. He then saw Wen Chou’s rear cavalry and horsemen arriving all together and judged he could not stand against them, so he wheeled away. Wen Chou chased along the river. Suddenly he saw ten or so riders, banners rippling in disorder, and at their head was a figure with a drawn knife charging on horseback. It was Guan Yu. He thundered, “Bandit general, do not run!” and struck in horse-to-horse combat with Wen Chou. They fought for less than three exchanges; Wen Chou grew faint with fear and wheeled away along the riverbank.

Guan Yu’s horse was quicker. He caught Wen Chou, drew back his blade and with one stroke to the back of the head cut Wen Chou down from his horse.

Cao Cao stood on the mound. Seeing Guan Yu hewed down Wen Chou, he drove all his horsemen forward to press the kill. Most of Wen Chou’s Hebei army drowned, and their grain carts and horses were recovered by Cao Cao.

Guan Yu wheeled a handful of riders, darting east and west. Just as he was still cutting, Liu Bei arrived with thirty thousand men in his wake. A forward scout rider reported to Liu Bei, “This time, a red-faced, long-bearded man has slain Wen Chou.”

Liu Bei wheeled hard to ride over. From across the river he saw a cluster of horse and men darting here and there; the banner read seven characters: “Marquis of Hanshou Ting, Guan Yu.” Liu Bei silently thanked heaven and earth: “Then my brother truly is at Cao Cao’s side!” He wished to call out and greet him, but masses of Cao’s soldiers crowded in. He had to withdraw his force.

Yuan Shao moved to support at Guandu and set camp fortifications. Guo Tu and Shen Pei entered before Yuan Shao and said, “Again it was Lord Guan who killed Wen Chou. Liu Bei pretends not to know.” Yuan Shao grew furious and cursed, “Scoundrel, how dare you do this?”

After a short while, Liu Bei arrived. Yuan Shao ordered him dragged out to be executed.

Liu Bei said, “What crime have I committed?”

Yuan Shao said, “You had your brother ruin another of my principal generals; how can this be without guilt?”

Liu Bei said, “Let me speak one brief answer before I die. Cao Cao has long feared Xuande. Now he knows I am in your service and fears I may aid the lord, so he specifically sent Guan Yu to execute two of his own generals. Your lordship would surely be angered. He has taken this chance through your hand to kill Liu Bei. Please reflect on that.”

Yuan Shao said, “Liu Bei speaks truly. You all have made me suffer the name of one who injures the worthy. Return the side-kick men and have Liu Bei sit in the canopy.”

Liu Bei offered thanks: “I am grateful for the lord’s broad clemency. I can never repay it. I wish to dispatch my one trusted man with a secret letter to Guan Yu, so he may know Liu Bei’s situation. He will come by star and night at once, aid the lord, and together punish Cao Cao for the deaths of Yan Liang and Wen Chou. What say you?”

Yuan Shao rejoiced and said, “I gain Guan Yu—ten times more than Yan Liang and Wen Chou together.”

Liu Bei drafted the letter, but none came forward to deliver it. Yuan Shao ordered him to withdraw to Wuyang. He chained successive camps for several tens of li and sat on the orders line, unmoving.

Cao Cao then put Xiahou Dun in command to hold the Guandu pass and then himself marched back to Xuchang. He held grand entertainment for his officials and congratulated Guan Yu on his achievement. Turning to Lu Qian, he said, “My putting the supplies in front before, that was the plan to bait the enemy. Only Lord Xun has understood my heart.” All there admired him.

While the banquet was still under way, a messenger burst in: “In Runan, the Yellow Turbans, Liu Bi and Gong Du, have become wildly rampant. Cao Hong has fought repeatedly without success and begs for troops.”

Hearing this, Guan Yu stepped forward and said, “Guan Yunchang is willing to offer his utmost service and break these rebels in Runan.”

Cao Cao said, “Guan Yu has done a great deed and has never yet been richly rewarded. How can we burden him again in campaign?”

Guan Yu said, “I have been idle for too long. If I stay still, illness will come. I will make one more expedition.”

Cao Cao praised him and raised fifty thousand troops, placing Yu Jin and Yue Jin as deputies. The next day they set out.

Xun Yu whispered to Cao Cao privately, “Guan Yu has a mind to return to Liu; if he learns the news, he will go. You should not send him out so often.”

Cao Cao said, “This time he has earned it; I will no longer send him to meet an enemy.”

As for Guan Yu, he drew near to Runan and drew up camp. In the middle of the night, at the camp gate, two spies were captured. Guan Yu examined them and recognized one as Sun Qian.

Guan Yu shouted to clear his men away and asked Qian, “Since the dispersal after our flight, your whereabouts were unheard. Why are you here now?”

Qian said, “I fled in disaster and drifted into Runan. By fortune I was sheltered by Liu Bi. Why does your Excellency remain at Cao Cao’s camp? Do you know whether Madam Gan and Madam Mi are safe?”

Guan Yu then recounted the above events and current state in detail.

Qian said, “Recently we heard that Xuande is at Yuan Shao’s camp and wants to submit to him but has found no path. Now Liu and Gong have submitted to Yuan Shao and aid him in attacking Cao. If the General arrives here, I have already ordered a detachment to guide the way and told someone as a secret agent to report to him. Tomorrow these two will feign defeat in one engagement. You can quickly guide the two wives into Yuan Shao’s camp to meet Liu Bei.”

Guan Yu said, “Since my brother is at Yuan Shao’s camp, I will come by night and by day. I regret only that I killed the two of your general-commanders; I fear matters have changed.”

Qian said, “I will first go to test the true state and then return to report.”

Guan Yu said, “If I can see my elder brother once, I will accept ten thousand deaths. From this day, I will soon leave Xuchang and bid Cao Cao farewell.”

He sent Sun Qian away that same night.

The next day Guan Yu led out his troops. Gong Du arrayed himself and went into the line. Guan Yu said, “Why have you turned your back on the throne?”

Gong said, “You are one who turns from your own lord. Why reproach me?”

Guan Yu said, “Why do you say I turn from my lord?”

Gong said, “Liu Bei is at Yuan Benchu’s camp, and yet you serve with Cao Cao. Why?”

Guan Yu did not answer further. He struck his horse and spun with sword.

Gong turned and warned him, “Do not forget your former lord’s kindness. If your pace is swift you will be lost. I yield Runan to you.”

Understanding, Guan Yu drove his troops to close and slay. Liu Bi and Gong Du put on a show of defeat and disorderly retreat, scattering apart. Guan Yu won the prefectures and counties, pacified the populace and set things firm, then returned to Xuchang.

Cao Cao received him at the city gate, praised the troops, and rewarded the soldiers.

After the banquet, Guan Yu returned home and knelt to pay respects to his two wives outside the gate. Gan said, “Uncle, you have gone out twice. Have you any word from the Imperial Uncle?” Guan Yu replied, “No.”

After Guan Yu withdrew, the two women wept in the inner chamber. Gan said bitterly, “The Imperial Uncle is dead, is he not? The younger uncle hides the trouble from my sister and me and never speaks.”

At that moment, an old soldier who had accompanied them heard the unending weeping and came to the gate to report, “Lady, do not weep. Master is alive in Yuan Shao’s camp in Hebei.”

She said, “How do you know this?”

The soldier said, “I followed Guan General on campaign. A man spoke this in the ranks.”

She called in urgency and scolded Guan Yu: “Did not the Imperial Uncle ever wrong you? You now receive Cao Cao’s grace and have forgotten the old obligations; why do you not tell me the truth?”

Guan Yu knelt and said, “My brother is truly in Hebei. I did not dare tell you, for fear of leakage. We must proceed carefully. Do not force the matter.”

Gan said, “Uncle, you must press this matter.”

Guan Yu withdrew and thought over a way to go; he was seated and restless.

Yu Jin had learned that Liu Bei was in Hebei and reported it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao to probe Guan Yu’s intentions.

Guan Yu was deep in brooding when Zhang Liao entered to offer congratulations. “I hear, brother, that after this battle you learned Liu Bei’s report. I came to congratulate you.”

Guan Yu said, “My former lord is not yet face to face with me, what is there to rejoice at?”

Zhang Liao asked, “How does friendship between you and Xuande compare with that between brothers?”

Guan Yu replied, “With my own brother, it is friendship. With Liu Bei, it is brotherhood and, beyond that, lord and subject. How can it be discussed as equals?”

Zhang Liao said, “Now that Liu Bei is in Hebei, will you go with him?”

Guan Yu said, “The words spoken before, how could I repudiate them?”

Guan Yu said, “Wen Yuan must carry my words to the Chancellor.”

Guan Yu’s thought was reported to Cao Cao. Cao Cao said, “I have my own plan to keep him.”

While Guan Yu was still pondering, a messenger arrived: an old acquaintance sought an audience. When he was invited in, he turned out to be no one known. Guan Yu asked, “Who are you?”

He answered, “I am Chen Zhen of Nanyang, under Yuan Shao.” Guan Yu grew alarmed and hurriedly sent men away from the sides, asking, “This man certainly comes for a purpose.”

Chen Zhen presented one sealed packet and gave it to Guan Yu. He looked inside. It was Liu Bei’s letter. It read:

I and you made a brotherly alliance in the Peach Garden and swore to die together. Why now do we part in the middle and sever loyalty and righteousness? If you truly seek fame and wealth, offer up my head to complete your career. The letter cannot speak all; death waits upon your direction.

Guan Yu finished and wept. “It is not that I do not wish to seek my brother; I simply did not know where he was. How could I barter old oaths for ambition and wealth?”

Chen said, “Liu Bei misses you greatly. Since you do not betray old oaths, you should go swiftly and meet him.”

Guan Yu said, “One who lives in this world with no end is not a gentleman. I came when my way was clear; when I leave it must be clear. I will write now. Tell my brother first, and ask leave from Cao Cao and bring the two wives to him. If Cao Cao refuses, what could we do?”

He said, “I would rather die than remain here long.”

Chen said, “You should write a reply quickly to spare Lord Liu from suspended expectation.”

Guan Yu wrote back:

I have heard that righteousness is no betrayal of the heart and loyalty no willingness to die. Since youth I have read books and rough understanding of ritual and morality; each time I remember the stories of Yang Jiao and Zuo Botao I cannot help but sigh and cry. When I guarded Xiapi before, there was no grain stored within and no aid from outside; I wanted to die at once, but there were two madams who weighed on my conscience, and I dared not cut off my own head and body to the point of betraying what I was entrusted with. So I have for a while kept myself bound here, hoping for a later meeting. Only this afternoon I have reached Yunan and learned your letter. I will at once face you and leave Cao Cao, then take the two wives back. Yunchang harbors another heart, and Heaven and men alike will share the guilt. I have bared my entrails and drained my heart, yet brush and paper cannot capture the extent. I bow and await your judgment. Pray cast your light upon this.

Chen took the letter back as he returned. Guan Yu told his two wives and then immediately went to Cao’s Secretariat to bid farewell to the Chancellor. When Cao Cao understood his intent, he hung a notice of avoidance on the gate.

Guan Yu left in disgruntlement, ordered men from his old following to pack the wagons, and told them to wait by day and night. He instructed that all things granted by Cao should remain behind, not a single coin to be carried.

The next day he went again to the Secretariat to take his leave. Again a notice of avoidance hung at the gate. He went again, still not granted audience. Then he went to Zhang Liao to speak, hoping to tell him everything; Zhang Liao also gave excuses and was ill and stayed out.

Guan Yu thought, “This Chancellor Cao intends he not leave. My resolve to go is fixed; how can I remain?” He immediately wrote a letter of resignation to Cao:

I have served my imperial uncle and swore to live and die with him. Heaven and Earth have heard that vow. Earlier, when Xiapi fell, my three requests were met with imperial favor. Now I have learned that my former lord is among Yuan Shao’s troops. Remembering our old oath, how can I turn away? Though the new favor is deep, the old righteousness cannot be forgotten. I therefore respectfully send this letter to resign. Please consider carefully. For whatever grace still remains unreturned, I pray to repay it someday in different time.

After sealing it and sending it to the Secretariat, he sealed in one place after another the silver and gold he had received and placed them in the granaries. He hung the Hanshou Ting seal in the hall and asked the two madams to mount the carriage.

Guan Yu mounted his Red Hare horse, holding aloft the Green-Dragon Blade, led his old attendant men, and with them escorted the wagons directly through the north gate.

The gate guards blocked him. Guan Yu narrowed his eyes and brandished his sword, roaring once; the guards all withdrew.

Once beyond the gate, he told his followers, “You keep the wagons and baggage ahead. If anyone gives chase, I will handle it. Do not cause panic for the two madams.” They pushed the carriage and moved along the imperial road.

Now Cao Cao was still undecided about Guan Yu’s departure when one to his side reported that Guan Yu had submitted his letter. He read it and cried out in surprise, “Guan Yu has gone!”

A northern gate guard reported from the charge: “Guan Yu forced through the gate and left, with about twenty men of wagons and riding animals, all heading north.”

At the same time, one from Guan Yu’s household reported: “Guan Yu sealed all the gold and silver he had received. He has set ten beauties apart in the inner room. The Hanshou Ting seal still hangs in the hall. All the people sent by the Chancellor are not with him; only his original attendants and personal baggage are with him, and he has gone out through the north gate.”

Everyone was stunned.

A general stepped forward and said, “I will take three thousand iron riders to capture Guan Yuchang alive and present him to the Chancellor.”

It was Cai Yang.

It ended:

He wants to leave the dragon cave of ten thousand fathoms, but meets three thousand riders like wolves and tigers. Cai Yang will ride to chase Guan Yunchang; how it ends will be heard in the next part.

How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.