Among Cao Cao’s commanders, only Xu Huang and Guan Yu enjoyed close friendship with Zhang Liao; all the others likewise held him in deep respect—except for Cai Yang, who bore a grudge. When news came of Guan Yu’s departure, Cai Yang urged pursuit. Cao Cao smiled and said, “He does not forget his former lord; his going and coming are aboveboard—a true man of honor. You should all emulate him.” He forbade any chase. Cheng Yu counseled, “My lord has treated Guan Yu with great kindness; yet he leaves without a word, bearing only a few scraps of paper to insult your authority—surely that is a grave offense. If we let him go to Yuan Shao, it is like adding wings to a tiger. Better to overtake and slay him to end all future trouble.” Cao Cao shook his head: “I already gave my word; I cannot break faith. He has sworn allegiance to his own lord—let no man pursue.” Then, turning to Zhang Liao, he said, “Guan Yu hangs up his seal and returns his gold, yet he remains unmoved by gifts or rank—such men I deeply admire. He cannot have gone far. I shall send a token of our acquaintance. Go at once and bid him tarry; when I arrive we will properly see him off. I will give him a travel robe and some funds for the road so he may remember me kindly.” Zhang Liao accepted the commission and rode off alone, followed shortly by several dozen of Cao Cao’s cavalry.
Guan Yu rode slowly, leading the baggage train behind him, his famous Red Hare unable to gallop freely. Suddenly he heard a shout: “Lord Guan, stay your traveler’s pace!” He reined in and saw Zhang Liao bearing down. He bade the baggage train press on along the road; he himself steadied the Red Hare, leveled his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and asked, “General Wen Yuan, have you come to chase me back?” Zhang Liao shook his head. “The Chancellor knows your journey is long and wished to escort you,” he said. “He sent me to ask you to pause—nothing more.” Guan Yu replied, “Even if the Chancellor’s cavalry rode up, I would fight to the death!” He planted his horse on the small bridge and watched Cao Cao’s party gallop up: first came Cao Cao himself, flanked by Xu Chu, Xu Huang, Yu Jin, Li Dian, and others. Seeing Guan Yu standing sword in hand, Cao Cao called halt; his officers drew up to either side. Only then did Guan Yu relax, noting that none bore weapons. “Why travel so swiftly?” Cao Cao asked. Guan Yu saluted and explained, “I once pledged to Your Excellency that, with my lord in Hebei, I could not tarry. I repeatedly sought leave at the gate but could not see you. So I left this letter, hung up my seal, returned my gold, and came to bid farewell. I only ask Your Excellency not to forget our old words.”
Cao Cao nodded: “I would keep faith with the world and cannot go back on my word. Fearing you might lack funds on the road, I have brought provisions.” A retainer presented a shallow plate of gold. Guan Yu waved it away: “Your bounty exceeds my need; let me keep my own funds to reward my men.” Cao Cao replied warmly, “I wish merely to show gratitude for your great deeds. Please accept.” Guan Yu demurred: “My service is but small—hardly worth mention.” Cao Cao laughed: “You, the paragon of righteousness, lament that fate has not permitted me to detain you. At least take this embroidered robe as a token of my esteem.” A retainer dismounted and handed the robe forward. Fearing some plot, Guan Yu did not dismount; he skewered the robe onto his blade and draped it over his shoulders. Pulling rein, he bowed and thanked them: “I am honored by this gift. Someday we shall meet again.” Then he rode off to the north. Xu Chu muttered, “He shows no respect—why not capture him?” Cao Cao answered, “One man on one horse—our dozens of riders would never endure the doubt. My word is given; we cannot pursue.” He and his company watched Guan Yu fade into the distance, sighing after him.
Guan Yu escorted the baggage train for thirty li, but it vanished somewhere ahead. Alarmed, he spurred his horse in all directions until he saw a figure atop a hill. A youth in yellow‐turbaned brocade rode down a score of foot‐soldiers, bearing a severed head at his horse’s chest. Guan Yu reined in and drew blade. “Who are you?” he demanded. The youth dismounted, prostrated himself, and said, “I am Liao Hua of Xiangyang. When the land fell into chaos, I drifted the rivers and lakes, gathering more than five hundred followers to survive by pillage. My comrade Du Yuan was scouting when he mistakenly carried your two ladies up the hill. Learning they were the marquis’s wives, he planned to take one as his bride. I questioned him, and when he spoke impudently, I slew him. Now I offer this head and beg your pardon.”
Guan Yu demanded, “Where are my wives?” Liao Hua beckoned off the hill, and soon a hundred armed men escorted the baggage train back. Guan Yu dismounted, clasped hands before the palanquins, and called, “My ladies, are you unharmed?” Lady Gan and Lady Mi emerged, tears of gratitude flooding their eyes. Guan Yu asked the escort, “How did he save you?” They explained Du Yuan had threatened them, but Liao Hua interceded, courteous and respectful; Du Yuan would not relent, and so Liao Hua slew him. Guan Yu clasped his blade in thanks. Liao Hua offered to stay with them, but Guan Yu, fearing his bandit past, politely declined. Liao Hua then proffered gold and silk, which Guan Yu again refused. Bowing deeply, Liao Hua and his men vanished into the hills.
Guan Yu told his wives of Cao Cao’s gift and urged the baggage train onward. By nightfall they reached a village and halted. The elderly host, head white as snow, asked the visitor’s name. Guan Yu saluted: “I am Guan Yunzhang, brother of Liu Xuande.” The host’s eyes lit up: “Could you be the very Lord Guan who felled Yan Liang and Wen Chou?” Overjoyed, he welcomed them into his humble hall. Guan Yu stood respectfully beside his wives; the old man led them inside and, over humble fare, provided a letter for his son Hu Ban—then serving under Prefect Wang Zhi of Rongyang—should they pass that way. Guan Yu received the letter and continued north the next dawn.
Approaching Dongling Pass, Guan Yu came upon Commander Kong Xiu and his five hundred troops posted on the ridge. Guan Yu reined his horse and saluted. Kong Xiu stepped forward: “Lord, where are you bound?” Guan Yu replied, “I have taken leave of the Chancellor and journey to Hebei to seek my brother.” Kong Xiu frowned: “Yuan Shao in Hebei is the Chancellor’s foe. Do you bear credentials from him?” Guan Yu answered, “In my haste I sought none.” Kong Xiu insisted, “Without documents I cannot let you pass.” Guan Yu pressed, “Cannot I go without hindrance?” Kong Xiu threatened to hold his family hostage. Enraged, Guan Yu drew his blade and charged. Kong Xiu spurred forward to meet him; in a single clash Guan Yu’s steel felled him from his horse. The pass guard broke and fled. Guan Yu secured their swords and bows and spoke aloud: “I was forced to kill Kong Xiu—let it be known that he plotted my death.” His troops knelt in witness, and he released them to escort the train through.
They pressed on to Luoyang’s western approaches, where Prefect Han Fu marshaled his militia and the garrison of eleven hundred under Meng Tan. Prefect Han Fu bowed in respect but refused passage without Cao Cao’s orders. Guan Yu drew his blade: “You know I slew Kong Xiu and Han Fu—will you seek to trap me?” Han Fu cried, “Who shall take me alive?” Meng Tan urged, “I have a stratagem: we will hem him with a stag‐horn barricade, feign retreat, and then ambush him with hidden archers.” But as their drums sounded to mass the troops, Han Fu’s lieutenant Yuan Sheng warned, “I recognize that mighty warrior! We must open the gate or perish.” They rushed out as flames lit along the walls—Guan Yu had honored their defense and they had no will to resist. Han Fu barely escaped as Guan Yu’s blade found him in flight: the prefect’s head crowned the ridge. With the barrier down, Guan Yu bade his wives and train press on.
By midday they reached the frontier of Huazhou, where Liu Yan and a few dozen riders spurred out to greet them. Guan Yu saluted, and Liu Yan asked, “Whither now?” Guan Yu replied, “I journey to Hebei to seek my brother.” Liu Yan warned, “Yuan Shao is Cao Cao’s enemy—are you certain of this?” Guan Yu said firmly, “I pledged my word.” Liu Yan hesitated: “The river crossings are guarded by Qin Qi under Xiahou Dun—he will not let you pass.” Guan Yu asked, “Can boats not be arranged?” Liu Yan shook his head. Guan Yu reminded him of how he had once rescued Liu Yan at Xiaopei and said, “I saved your life then; now I ask only safe passage.” With no other hope, Liu Yan stepped aside.
At the ferry, Qin Qi blocked the riverbank with a thousand men. “What brings you here?” he demanded. Guan Yu answered calmly, “I am the Marquis of Hanshou Pavilion, on urgent mission to Hebei. May I borrow your boats?” Qin Qi sneered, “No credentials from the Chancellor—how can I let you pass?” Guan Yu’s eyes flashed: “You, who would bar me after I slew your superiors, are you braver than Yan Liang or Wen Chou?” Qin Qi lunged. In one swift stroke, Guan Yu’s blade claimed his head. He then ordered the men to ready the boats. “Escort my wives across,” he commanded. By sunset they stood on the northern bank—Yuan Shao’s territory.
Thus did Guan Yu ride five passes and slay six barbarian generals. A later poet wrote:
He hangs his seal, returns his gold, and parts the Han court’s gate; His heart aflame, he seeks his brother down the distant road. On Red Hare’s back he sped a thousand li unwearied, His Green Dragon blade flashing at each of five guarded gates. Righteous valor shakes earth and sky—heroes born of ages’ womb: Alone he fell six foemen, unmatched in old or new.
Guan Yu sighed, “I never sought to kill on this journey, but necessity left me no choice. Cao Cao will deem me ungrateful.” As he pondered, a rider approached at full tilt—Sun Qian. “Lord Guan, stay a moment!” Guan Yu reined in. “How fares news since Runan?” he asked. Sun Qian reported that Liu Bi and Gong Du had retaken Runan and that he had gone to Hebei to ally with Yuan Shao—only to find Yuan Shao’s courts riven by jealousy and indecision. Tian Feng remained imprisoned, Ju Shou dismissed, Shen Pei and Guo Tu each scheming for power; Yuan Shao, mired in doubt, led without resolve. He and Liu Bei, fearing betrayal, sent Sun Qian to fetch Guan Yu. “Your lord has returned to Runan,” he urged. “You must hasten to his side!”
Guan Yu bowed in thanks, spurred after the train, and cut across the fields toward Runan. Suddenly from behind a dust cloud rose a company of cavalry and Xiahou Dun’s cry: “Lord Guan, hold!” As they clashed he roared:
Six generals bar each pass in vain— One hero rides alone through flame.
How Guan Yu finally overcame this last trial and reached his brother’s side—thus continues the tale!
