Among Cao Cao's officers, aside from Zhang Liao, only Xu Huang had formed a close friendship with Guan Yu—though all the others respected him as well. Only one man, Cai Yang, harbored resentment against Lord Guan. When he heard that Guan Yu had left, Cai Yang wanted to pursue him. Cao Cao rebuked him: "A man who does not forget his former lord, who comes and goes with clear purpose—this is true manhood. You should all emulate him." He dismissed Cai Yang with a stern command not to give chase. Cheng Yu then stepped forward and said, "Your Excellency the Chancellor has treated Lord Guan most generously. Yet now he leaves without bidding farewell, leaving behind only a few rash words on paper, insulting your authority—his crime is great indeed. If you allow him to return to Yuan Shao, it will be like adding wings to a tiger. Better to pursue and kill him, to cut off future trouble." Cao Cao replied, "I gave him my word long ago. How could I break faith now? Each man serves his own lord. Do not pursue him." He then turned to Zhang Liao and said, "Lord Guan sealed up his gold and hung up his seal—wealth could not move his heart, rank could not shift his resolve. Such a man I deeply admire. I imagine he has not gone far. Let me do him one last kindness. Go ahead and ask him to wait, so that I may see him off and give him traveling funds and a robe as a token for the days to come." Zhang Liao accepted the order and rode off alone. Cao Cao followed with several dozen riders.
Now, the Red Hare that Lord Guan rode could travel a thousand li in a single day, so he could easily have outpaced any pursuer. But because he had to escort the carriage bearing his sisters-in-law, he dared not let the horse run freely; instead, he held the reins and proceeded at a slow, measured pace. Suddenly, he heard someone shouting from behind: "Lord Guan, wait a moment!" He turned his head and saw Zhang Liao galloping toward him. Guan Yu ordered the carriage and attendants to continue straight along the main road while he reined in the Red Hare, steadied his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and asked, "Wenyuan, have you come to bring me back?" Zhang Liao replied, "No. The Chancellor knows you are traveling far and wishes to see you off. He sent me ahead to ask you to wait—there is no other intent." Guan Yu said, "Even if the Chancellor himself came with an iron cavalry, I would fight to the death!" He then halted his horse on a bridge and watched. Soon Cao Cao arrived at a gallop with several dozen riders, including Xu Chu, Xu Huang, Yu Jin, and Li Dian. When Cao Cao saw Guan Yu standing on the bridge, blade in hand, he ordered his officers to hold their horses and form a line to either side. Guan Yu noticed that none of the men carried weapons, and only then did he relax his guard. Cao Cao called out, "Lord Guan, why do you leave in such haste?" Guan Yu bowed slightly in the saddle and replied, "I informed Your Excellency before. Now that my former lord is north of the Yellow River, I cannot delay.
I came to your residence many times but could not gain an audience, so I left a letter of farewell, sealed up the gold, and returned the seal to Your Excellency. I hope Your Excellency does not forget the promise you made to me long ago." Cao Cao said, "I wish to be trusted by all under Heaven. How could I break my word? I feared you might lack funds on the road, so I have brought some traveling money for you." A general then presented a tray of gold from his horse. Guan Yu said, "I have already received many gifts from you and still have some left. Keep this gold to reward your soldiers." Cao Cao replied, "This is but a small token for your great deeds—why refuse?" Guan Yu answered, "My minor efforts are not worth mentioning." Cao Cao smiled and said, "Lord Guan, you are the most righteous man under Heaven. It is my misfortune that I could not keep you. Please accept this brocade robe as a small token of my esteem." He ordered a general to dismount and present the robe with both hands. Fearing some trick, Guan Yu did not dismount but used the tip of his Green Dragon Crescent Blade to lift the robe and drape it over his shoulders. Then he reined in his horse, turned, and bowed in thanks: "I am grateful for the robe, Your Excellency. We shall meet again another day." He then rode off the bridge and headed north. Xu Chu said, "This man is utterly insolent! Why not seize him?" Cao Cao replied, "He is one man on one horse, while we are dozens. Of course he was suspicious.
I have given my word—he cannot be pursued." Cao Cao led his officers back to the city, sighing with admiration for Guan Yu the entire way.
Let us leave Cao Cao's return and speak instead of Lord Guan, who set off to catch up with the carriage. After traveling about thirty li, he still could not see it. His heart began to pound with anxiety, and he spurred his horse in all directions to search. Suddenly, he saw a young man on a hilltop who shouted, "Lord Guan, halt!" Guan Yu looked up and saw a youth dressed in a yellow turban and brocade robes, holding a spear and riding a horse. From the horse's neck hung a severed head. The youth led over a hundred foot soldiers and came galloping toward him. Guan Yu asked, "Who are you?" The youth dismounted, threw down his spear, and knelt in prostration. Suspecting a trap, Guan Yu reined in his horse and gripped his blade, asking, "Brave man, state your name." The youth replied, "I am from Xiangyang. My surname is Liao, my given name Hua, and my style name Yuanjian. Because of the chaos in the world, I became a wanderer, gathered over five hundred men, and took to banditry to survive. Just now, my companion Du Yuan went down the mountain on patrol and mistakenly kidnapped the two ladies. When I questioned the attendants and learned they were the wives of His Imperial Majesty's uncle, Lord Liu Bei, and heard that you, General, were escorting them, I immediately wanted to send them down. Du Yuan spoke insolently, so I killed him. Now I offer you his head as a token of apology." Guan Yu asked, "Where are the two ladies?" Liao Hua replied, "They are in the mountain." Guan Yu ordered them brought down at once. Before long, over a hundred men escorted the carriage forward. Guan Yu dismounted, set down his blade, and bowed with clasped hands before the carriage, asking, "Were my sisters-in-law frightened?" The two ladies replied, "If not for General Liao's protection, we would have been dishonored by Du Yuan." Guan Yu asked the attendants, "How did Liao Hua save the ladies?" They replied, "Du Yuan kidnapped them to the mountain and wanted to divide them—one for himself, one for Liao Hua as a wife. But Liao Hua asked about their origins and treated them with great respect. When Du Yuan refused to comply, Liao Hua killed him." Hearing this, Guan Yu bowed in thanks to Liao Hua. Liao Hua offered to have his men escort Lord Guan, but Guan Yu thought to himself that this man was ultimately a remnant of the Yellow Turban rebellion and not fit to be a traveling companion, so he declined. Liao Hua then offered gold and silk, but Guan Yu refused them as well. Liao Hua bowed and took his leave, leading his men back into the mountain valley.
Lord Guan told his sisters-in-law about Cao Cao's gift of the robe and urged the carriage to press on. By evening, they sought shelter in a village. The village elder came out to greet them. His hair and beard were white as snow. He asked, "General, what is your name?" Guan Yu bowed and replied, "I am Guan Yu, sworn brother of Liu Xuande." The old man asked, "Are you not the Lord Guan who slew Yan Liang and Wen Chou?" Guan Yu said, "The same." The old man was overjoyed and invited him into the village. Guan Yu said, "There are also two ladies in the carriage." The old man called for his wife and daughters to welcome them. When the two ladies entered the main hall, Guan Yu stood respectfully to the side with clasped hands. The old man invited him to sit, but Guan Yu said, "My sisters-in-law are present—how dare I take a seat?" The old man then had his wife and daughters escort the two ladies to the inner chambers to be entertained, while he hosted Guan Yu in the main hall. Guan Yu asked the old man's name. He replied, "My surname is Hu, my given name Hua. During the reign of Emperor Huan, I served as a court adviser before retiring to my hometown. I have a son, Hu Ban, who serves as an aide to Wang Zhi, the Grand Administrator of Xingyang. If you pass that way, General, I have a letter I would like you to deliver to him." Guan Yu agreed.
The next morning, after breakfast, Guan Yu helped his sisters-in-law into the carriage, took Hu Hua's letter, bid farewell, and set out on the road to Luoyang. Soon they came to a pass called Dongling Pass. The general guarding it was named Kong Xiu, who commanded five hundred soldiers stationed on the ridge. When Lord Guan escorted the carriage up the ridge, the soldiers reported to Kong Xiu, who came out of the pass to greet him. Guan Yu dismounted and bowed to Kong Xiu. Kong Xiu asked, "Where is the General going?" Guan Yu replied, "I have taken leave of the Chancellor and am going north of the Yellow River to find my elder brother." Kong Xiu said, "Yuan Shao, who is north of the river, is the Chancellor's enemy. For this journey, you must have the Chancellor's official pass." Guan Yu said, "My departure was hasty, and I did not obtain one." Kong Xiu replied, "Without a pass, I must send someone to report to the Chancellor before I can let you through." Guan Yu said, "If I wait for that, it will delay my journey." Kong Xiu said, "The law binds me—I have no choice." Guan Yu asked, "So you refuse to let me pass?" Kong Xiu said, "If you want to pass, leave your family behind as hostages." Guan Yu flew into a rage and raised his blade to strike Kong Xiu. Kong Xiu retreated into the pass, beat the war drums, gathered his troops, donned his armor, mounted his horse, and charged down from the pass, shouting, "Do you dare to try to pass?" Guan Yu ordered the carriage to withdraw, then spurred his horse forward, raised his blade, and without a word, charged straight at Kong Xiu. Kong Xiu raised his spear to meet him. The two horses crossed—only one blow—and the steel blade rose, sending Kong Xiu's corpse tumbling from his horse. The soldiers fled. Guan Yu shouted, "Soldiers, do not run! I killed Kong Xiu only because I had no choice. This has nothing to do with you. Let your words carry the message to Chancellor Cao: Kong Xiu tried to harm me, so I killed him." The soldiers all knelt before his horse.
Lord Guan then invited the two ladies' carriage through the pass and headed toward Luoyang. Word soon reached Han Fu, the Grand Administrator of Luoyang. Han Fu hastily gathered his officers to discuss the matter. His adjutant, Meng Tan, said, "Since he has no official pass from the Chancellor, he is traveling without authorization. If we do not stop him, we will be held responsible." Han Fu said, "Guan Yu is a fierce warrior. He killed both Yan Liang and Wen Chou. We cannot defeat him by force—we must use a plan to capture him." Meng Tan said, "I have a plan: first, set up barricades to block the pass. When he arrives, I will lead troops to engage him, feign defeat, and lure him into pursuit. Then you can shoot him with a hidden arrow. If Lord Guan falls from his horse, we can seize him and send him to Xuchang for a great reward." The plan was set. Soon, word came that Lord Guan's carriage had arrived. Han Fu strung his bow and readied his arrows, then led a thousand men to line up at the pass. He shouted, "Who goes there?" Guan Yu bowed slightly from his saddle and said, "I am Guan Yu, Marquis of Hanshou. I request passage." Han Fu asked, "Do you have Chancellor Cao's pass?" Guan Yu replied, "My affairs were urgent, and I did not obtain one." Han Fu said, "I am under the Chancellor's orders to guard this place and investigate all who pass. Without a pass, you are a fugitive." Guan Yu said angrily, "I have already killed Kong Xiu at Dongling Pass. Do you seek death as well?" Han Fu shouted, "Who will capture him for me?" Meng Tan rode out, twirling his double swords, and charged at Guan Yu. Guan Yu ordered the carriage to withdraw, then spurred his horse forward to meet him. Before three exchanges, Meng Tan turned his horse and fled. Guan Yu gave chase. Meng Tan had hoped to lure Guan Yu into the trap, but he did not anticipate that Guan Yu's horse was faster. Guan Yu caught up and with a single blow cut Meng Tan in two. As Guan Yu reined in his horse and turned back, Han Fu, who had been lurking at the gate, shot an arrow with all his might. It struck Guan Yu in the left arm. Guan Yu pulled the arrow out with his teeth—blood flowed freely—and then, riding at full speed, charged straight at Han Fu. He scattered the soldiers, and before Han Fu could flee, Guan Yu raised his blade and brought it down, cleaving him from shoulder to waist, sending him dead from his horse. He then drove off the remaining troops and protected the carriage onward.
Guan Yu tore a strip of silk to bind his arrow wound. Fearing ambush along the road, he dared not linger and pressed on through the night toward Sishui Pass. The general guarding this pass was a man from Bing Province named Bian Xi, who was skilled with the meteor hammer. He had once been a Yellow Turban rebel but later surrendered to Cao Cao and was assigned to guard this pass. When he heard that Guan Yu was approaching, he devised a plan: he hid over two hundred assassins with swords and axes in the Zhenguo Temple just outside the pass, intending to lure Guan Yu there. At the signal of a cup being struck, they would kill him. After making these arrangements, he went out of the pass to welcome Guan Yu. When Guan Yu saw Bian Xi coming to greet him, he dismounted and bowed. Bian Xi said, "General, your fame shakes the world—who does not admire you? Now that you are returning to the Imperial Uncle, your loyalty and righteousness shine brightly!" Guan Yu told him about killing Kong Xiu and Han Fu. Bian Xi said, "You were right to kill them. When I see the Chancellor, I will plead your case." Guan Yu was pleased, and they both mounted and rode through Sishui Pass to the Zhenguo Temple. The monks rang the bells and came out to greet them. This temple had been founded by imperial decree under Emperor Ming of Han and housed over thirty monks. Among them was one who came from the same village as Guan Yu, a monk named Pu Jing by his religious name. Pu Jing understood the situation at once. He stepped forward and greeted Guan Yu, asking, "General, how many years have you been away from Pudong?" Guan Yu replied, "Nearly twenty years." Pu Jing asked, "Do you still recognize this humble monk?" Guan Yu said, "I have been away from home for many years—I cannot recall you." Pu Jing said, "My home and your family home are separated by only a single river." Seeing that Pu Jing was revealing their shared hometown, Bian Xi feared the plan might leak out. He scolded the monk, "I wish to invite the General to a banquet—why do you monks speak so much?" Guan Yu said, "No, no. When one meets a fellow villager, how can one not speak of old times?" Pu Jing invited Guan Yu to the abbot's quarters for tea. Guan Yu said, "The two ladies are in the carriage—serve them tea first." Pu Jing had tea offered to the ladies before inviting Guan Yu into the abbot's quarters. There, Pu Jing raised the Buddhist sword at his waist and looked meaningfully at Guan Yu. Guan Yu understood the signal and ordered his attendants to keep their weapons close.
Bian Xi invited Guan Yu to a feast in the main hall of the temple. Guan Yu asked, "Lord Bian, is this invitation good or ill-intentioned?" Before Bian Xi could reply, Guan Yu caught sight of assassins hidden behind the tapestries. He roared at Bian Xi, "I took you for a good man—how dare you do this!" Bian Xi knew the plot was exposed and shouted, "Attack!" As his men moved to strike, Guan Yu drew his sword and cut them down. Bian Xi fled down the hall and around the corridors. Guan Yu sheathed his sword, seized his great blade, and gave chase. Bian Xi hurled his meteor hammer at Guan Yu, but Guan Yu deflected it with his blade, closed the distance, and with one stroke split Bian Xi in two. He then turned back to check on his sisters-in-law. Soldiers had surrounded the carriage, but when they saw Guan Yu coming, they scattered in all directions. Guan Yu drove them off and thanked Pu Jing: "If not for you, Master, I would have been killed by that villain." Pu Jing said, "This place is no longer safe for me. I will pack my robes and alms bowl and travel elsewhere as a wandering monk. We shall meet again—may the General take care." Guan Yu thanked him and escorted the carriage onward toward Xingyang.
Wang Zhi, the Grand Administrator of Xingyang, was a close friend of Han Fu's. When he heard that Guan Yu had killed Han Fu, he plotted to ambush and kill him. He ordered his men to guard the pass. When Guan Yu arrived, Wang Zhi came out of the pass, smiling warmly. Guan Yu told him of his quest to find his elder brother. Wang Zhi said, "General, you have traveled hard, and the ladies must be weary from the carriage. Please enter the city and rest at the official hostel for the night. You can continue your journey tomorrow." Seeing Wang Zhi's apparent sincerity, Guan Yu agreed and escorted his sisters-in-law into the city. The hostel had been fully prepared. Wang Zhi invited Guan Yu to a banquet, but Guan Yu declined. Wang Zhi then sent the feast to the hostel. Because of the day's hardships, Guan Yu had his sisters-in-law eat their evening meal and then rest in the main room. He ordered his attendants to settle in and feed the horses well. Guan Yu himself removed his armor and rested.
But Wang Zhi secretly summoned his aide, Hu Ban, and gave him orders: "Guan Yu has fled against the Chancellor's will and killed a Grand Administrator and several pass commanders along the way—his crimes are unpardonable. He is too fierce to fight directly. Tonight, you will surround the hostel with a thousand men. Each man will carry a torch, and at the third watch, set fire to the building. Burn everyone inside—no exceptions. I will lead reinforcements to support you." Hu Ban accepted the order, gathered the soldiers, and secretly piled dry brush and kindling at the hostel's gate, waiting for the appointed hour to strike.
Hu Ban thought to himself, "I have long heard of Guan Yu's fame, but I have never seen his face. Let me go and take a look." He went to the hostel and asked the keeper, "Where is General Guan?" The keeper replied, "He is in the main hall reading a book." Hu Ban crept to the hall and saw Guan Yu stroking his long beard with his left hand while reading by lamplight, leaning on a table. Hu Ban could not help but exclaim, "
Truly, a heavenly being!" Guan Yu asked who was there, and Hu Ban entered and bowed, saying, "I am Hu Ban, aide to Wang Zhi, the Grand Administrator of Xingyang." Guan Yu asked, "Are you not the son of Hu Hua, who lives outside Xuchang?" Hu Ban replied, "Yes, I am." Guan Yu called for his attendants to fetch Hu Hua's letter from the luggage and gave it to Hu Ban. After reading it, Hu Ban sighed and said, "I almost killed a loyal and righteous man!" He then whispered to Guan Yu, "Wang Zhi harbors evil intentions. He has secretly surrounded the hostel with men and plans to set it ablaze at the third watch. I will go ahead and open the city gate. You must prepare to leave at once."
Guan Yu was greatly alarmed. He quickly donned his armor, took up his blade, and mounted his horse. He helped his sisters-in-law into the carriage and hurried out of the hostel. Indeed, he saw soldiers holding torches, waiting for the signal. He rushed to the city wall and found the gate already open. He urged the carriage through as quickly as possible. Hu Ban then went back to set the fire as a diversion. Guan Yu had not traveled more than a few li when he saw torches blazing behind him and heard the thunder of pursuing horsemen. Wang Zhi led the charge, shouting, "Lord Guan, do not flee!" Guan Yu reined in his horse and cursed, "Villain! I bear you no enmity—how dare you try to burn me alive?" Wang Zhi spurred his horse forward and thrust his spear at Guan Yu, but Guan Yu struck him across the waist with his blade, cutting him in two. The pursuing soldiers scattered. Guan Yu urged the carriage onward at full speed, grateful to Hu Ban all the while.
When they reached the border of Huazhou, word reached Liu Yan, the local commander. Liu Yan led several dozen horsemen out of the city to greet him. Guan Yu bowed from his saddle and said, "Grand Administrator, it has been a long time." Liu Yan asked, "Where are you going, General?" Guan Yu replied, "I have taken leave of the Chancellor and am going to find my elder brother." Liu Yan said, "Xuande is with Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao is the Chancellor's enemy—how can he allow you to go?" Guan Yu said, "It was agreed long ago." Liu Yan said, "The Yellow River ferry crossing is guarded by Qin Qi, a subordinate of Xiahou Dun. I fear he will not let you cross." Guan Yu asked, "Can you provide me with a boat?" Liu Yan replied, "I have boats, but I dare not provide one." Guan Yu said, "In the past, I killed Yan Liang and Wen Chou, which also helped relieve your difficulties. Today, I ask only for a ferry boat, and you refuse—why?" Liu Yan said, "I fear Xiahou Dun will find out and punish me." Recognizing that Liu Yan was a useless man, Guan Yu urged the carriage forward on his own. When they reached the Yellow River ferry, Qin Qi led his troops out and demanded, "Who goes there?" Guan Yu replied, "I am Guan Yu, Marquis of Hanshou." Qin Qi asked, "Where are you going?" Guan Yu said, "I am going north of the river to find my elder brother, Liu Xuande. I have come to request passage." Qin Qi said, "Where is the Chancellor's official pass?" Guan Yu replied, "I am not under the Chancellor's command—what pass do I need?" Qin Qi said, "I am under General Xiahou Dun's orders to guard this crossing. Even if you had wings, you could not fly past me!" Guan Yu said angrily, "Do you know how many men I have killed along the road who tried to stop me?" Qin Qi sneered, "You have only killed nameless underlings. Do you dare to kill me?" Guan Yu roared, "How do you compare to Yan Liang and Wen Chou?" Qin Qi flew into a rage, spurred his horse, raised his blade, and charged at Guan Yu. The two horses met—one blow—and Guan Yu's blade rose, sending Qin Qi's head tumbling to the ground. Guan Yu said, "The one who blocked me is dead. The rest of you need not flee. Prepare a boat at once and ferry me across the river." The soldiers quickly brought a boat to the shore. Guan Yu helped his sisters-in-law aboard and crossed the Yellow River. Once across, they were in Yuan Shao's territory. In all, Lord Guan had passed through five passes and slain six generals. A poet of later times wrote in admiration:
A poet of later times lamented:
He sealed up his seal and gold, bidding farewell to the Han Chancellor;
he set out on a distant road to find his elder brother.
Riding the Red Hare, he traveled a thousand li;
wielding the Green Dragon Blade, he broke through five passes.
His loyalty and righteousness shook the heavens;
from this, the hero's fame resounded across the land.
Alone, he slew generals, unmatched in combat—
his story is written in ink through the ages.
As he rode, Guan Yu sighed to himself, "I did not wish to kill men along the road, but circumstances forced my hand. When Cao Cao learns of this, he will surely think me an ungrateful wretch." Just as he was thinking this, he saw a horseman coming from the north, shouting, "Lord Guan, wait!" Guan Yu reined in his horse and saw that it was Sun Qian. Guan Yu said, "Since we parted at Runan, what news have you?" Sun Qian replied, "After you withdrew your troops, Liu Pi and Gong Du recaptured Runan. They sent me north to seek an alliance with Yuan Shao and to invite Xuande to join in planning a strategy to defeat Cao Cao. But the officers north of the river are all jealous of one another. Tian Feng is still in prison; Ju Shou has been dismissed and cast aside; Shen Pei and Guo Tu are locked in a struggle for power. Yuan Shao is suspicious and indecisive. I discussed with the Imperial Uncle how to find a way out. Now Xuande has already gone to Runan to join Liu Pi. I feared you might not know and would go straight to Yuan Shao, where you might be harmed, so I was sent to intercept you on the road. I am fortunate to have found you here. General, you must go quickly to Runan to meet the Imperial Uncle." Guan Yu had Sun Qian pay his respects to the ladies. The ladies asked about Xuande's situation. Sun Qian told them in detail how Yuan Shao had twice tried to kill the Imperial Uncle, but he had now escaped and gone to Runan. "The ladies can meet Lord Guan there." Both ladies covered their faces and wept. Following Sun Qian's advice, Guan Yu did not go north of the river but instead took the road to Runan. As they were traveling, a cloud of dust rose behind them, and a troop of horsemen came charging forward. Leading them was Xiahou Dun, who shouted, "Lord Guan, do not flee!" Truly:
Six generals at the passes died in vain; one army blocked the road to fight again.
How would Lord Guan escape this peril? Hear it in the next chapter.