Guan Yu, escorting his two sisters‐in‐law with Sun Qian toward Runan, was unaware that Xiahou Dun, leading over three hundred cavalry, pursued them from behind. Sun Qian rode ahead to guard the baggage train. Guan Yu reined in, leveled his blade at Xiahou Dun, and said, “Your chase insults the Chancellor’s magnanimity.” Xiahou Dun snarled, “The Chancellor issued no written orders. Along the road you’ve slain guards and beheaded one of my officers—your insolence knows no bounds! I’ve come to capture you and present you to the Chancellor.” With that, he charged forward with spear poised.
Suddenly another rider thundered up, shouting, “Do not fight Lord Guan!” He drew a sealed order from his sleeve and proclaimed to Xiahou Dun, “By the Chancellor’s command: he greatly esteems Lord Guan’s loyalty and feared his passage through fortified passes would be blocked. He has sent me to every checkpoint to proclaim Lord Guan’s free passage.” Xiahou Dun spat, “Does the Chancellor know that Lord Guan has been slaying sentinels along the way?” The messenger shook his head. “If he knew, he would never release him,” Xiahou Dun insisted. He then summoned his troops to surround Guan Yu. Enraged, Guan Yu swept his blade to fend them off.
As they prepared to clash, Zhang Liao galloped up. He reined in between them and announced, “By the Chancellor’s order: he has sent this same sealed command to clear every pass for Lord Guan.” Xiahou Dun protested, “General Qin Qi, Cai Yang’s nephew, was under my charge—he was slain by Lord Guan! How can I stand by?” Zhang Liao replied, “I will personally confide in General Cai. The Chancellor’s will is for Lord Guan to depart; you must obey it.” Reluctantly, Xiahou Dun withdrew. Zhang Liao then asked Guan Yu, “Where are you bound?” Guan Yu said, “I ride forth to seek my brother, who is no longer at Yuan Shao’s camp.” Zhang Liao offered, “Then return with me to bid the Chancellor farewell.” Guan Yu agreed, shook Zhang Liao’s hand, and sent Xiahou Dun on his way.
Rejoining the baggage train, Guan Yu recounted the episode to Sun Qian. They rode side by side. After several days, a torrential rain soaked them through. On a distant hill they spotted a farmhouse and sought lodging. The white-haired proprietor, Guo Chang, welcomed them: “I am Guo Chang. I’ve long admired your reputation—please rest here.” He slaughtered a sheep, offered wine, and had his servants dry their luggage and feed their horses. As dusk fell, his young son arrived with several companions. Guo Chang, in tears, lamented his son’s sole devotion to hunting and neglect of study. Guan Yu sympathized with his concern.
Late that night, Guo Chang departed. Guan Yu and Sun Qian, preparing to sleep, heard horses whinnying and shouts. Drawing swords, they rushed outside and found Guo Chang’s son sprawled on the ground, crying, while servants fought with guests. A guard explained the youth had tried to steal the Red Hare and been kicked; the farm’s guests retaliated. Guan Yu erupted: “A thief dares to steal my horse!” Guo Chang rushed out, pleading mercy: “Spare my foolish son—he is mine alone.” Guan Yu nodded: “A father knows his child best. I will forgive him.” He ordered the guards to secure the horse, dispersed the rowdies, and returned to rest.
At dawn Guo Chang and his wife bowed in thanks. Guan Yu summoned the youth, reproached him gently, then inquired where the others had gone—he did not know. Taking leave, Guan Yu, his wives, and the train pressed on along a mountain route.
After thirty li they were ambushed by over a hundred horsemen, led by a yellow-turbaned man and Guo Chang’s son. The yellow-turbaned captain proclaimed, “I serve under the Yellow Turban Zhang Jiao—surrender your steed and you may pass!” Guan Yu laughed: “Ignorant knave! You know my name, but do you know the Peach Garden Oath brothers—Liu, Guan, and Zhang?” The raider replied, “I’ve heard of the red-faced, long-bearded Lord Guan, but not seen him. Who are you?” Guan Yu stopped, loosened his beard from its pouch, and let it fall. The raider fell from his saddle, bowing deeply—he was Pei Yuanshao, a forest outlaw. His companion begged for mercy, and Guan Yu spared him, admonishing them all: “Return to honest pursuits and forsake lawlessness.” Pei Yuanshao thanked him and departed.
As they spoke, Zhou Cang and several dozen followers appeared. Guan Yu welcomed him and Sun Qian. Zhou Cang explained he had slain Pei Yuanshao in single combat and taken his band into service. Liu Bei asked his name; Zhou Cang confessed he did not know. Guan Yu led them down the mountain and soon spied a walled city. Locals told them it was the Old City, seized months ago by Zhang Fei, who had deposed the magistrate and stocked it for defense. Sun Qian rode forward to inform Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei, in full battle gear, led a thousand men out. When Guan Yu saw him approach, his joy knew no bounds: he relinquished his blade to Zhou Cang, galloped forward, and embraced his brother. Zhang Fei’s eyes blazed as he leveled his spear. “Brother, what fury is this? Have you forgotten our oath?” Guan Yu protested, “No—circumstance forced my hand!” Lady Gan and Lady Mi cried from the palanquin: “Third Uncle, we were safe!” Zhang Fei thundered, “A loyal man would never serve two masters!” Guan Yu replied, “I never wished to leave my lord—fate left me no choice!” As they argued, Cai Yang and his cavalry thundered over the hill. “Lord Guan, stand!” he roared, “I come by the Chancellor’s command to seize you for slaying my nephew Qin Qi!” Without hesitation, Guan Yu swung his blade, and at Zhang Fei’s drumbeat, Cai Yang’s head fell. His troops scattered. Zhang Fei embraced Guan Yu, convinced of his honor.
Soon the gates opened to admit Mi Zhu and Mi Fang, who had wandered home after Xuzhou’s fall, learned of Guan Yu’s peril, and hurried north. They reunited tearfully. Overjoyed, they feasted late into the night.
The following day Zhang Fei proposed they ride together to Runan to see Liu Bei. Guan Yu said, “Brother, stay and guard the city. Sun Qian and I will go first to seek our lord.” Zhang Fei assented. Guan Yu and Sun Qian rode on to Runan, where Liu Bi and Gong Du greeted them. Guan Yu asked, “Where is my lord?” Liu Bi answered: “He stayed here, then rode off to Yuan Shao’s camp.” Distressed, Guan Yu confided to Sun Qian: “Let us press on to inform him, then return here to reunite.” They did so, returned to the Old City, and told Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei insisted on accompanying them north, but Guan Yu urged: “This city is our haven; you must hold it. Sun Qian and I will seek our lord and return.” Zhang Fei demurred but yielded.
Guan Yu asked Zhou Cang about Pei Yuanshao’s force atop Ox-Lying Mountain—about five hundred men. Guan Yu planned a swift strike; Zhou Cang rode off to recruit them.
With only twenty horsemen, Guan Yu and Sun Qian pressed on to the border. At a farmhouse they again found lodging with Guo Ding. Meanwhile Sun Qian reached Liu Bei in Yuan Shao’s territory. Jian Yong arrived to join, and they devised a plan: Liu Bei would propose alliance with Liu Biao of Jingzhou, then slip away. The next morning Liu Bei met Yuan Shao, extolling alliance with Liu Biao. Yuan Shao agreed—then jested that he might slay Guan Yu to avenge lost generals. Liu Bei protested: “You once pledged to welcome him—now you threaten the mightiest tiger of all? Losing two deer to gain a tiger is no regret!” Yuan Shao laughed: “Just a jest. Send for him again.” Liu Bei dispatched Sun Qian, and Yuan Shao sent Jian Yong to aid. Guo Tu objected to repeated missions, but Yuan Shao would not be swayed.
Late that day Sun Qian returned with Guan Yu’s reply: he would come. Overjoyed, Liu Bei and Jian Yong set out from Ye. On the road they met Guan Yu at Guo Ding’s farmhouse; tearful greetings followed. Guo Ding presented his two sons. Guan Yu introduced Liu Bei, who honored them. Guo Ding offered his younger son to accompany Guan Yu—Liu Bei agreed, adopting him as a nephew. The elder son stayed with Guo Ding.
Guan Yu, Liu Bei, Sun Qian, Zhou Cang, and a handful of riders struck for Ox-Lying Mountain. There Zhou Cang arrived wounded, reporting that a lone rider had slain Pei Yuanshao before he could muster followers. At the ridge they found Zhao Yun charging down with his men. Liu Bei leapt from his horse and clasped his old comrade’s hand: “Zilong, how came you here?” Zhao Yun explained his trials since Gucheng’s fall, his loyalty to Liu Bei, and his chance saving by Pei Yuanshao’s followers. Overjoyed, Liu Bei set fire to the stronghold, raised its men under his banner, and mounted his brothers—Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun—along with Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, Guan Ping, and Zhou Cang, to muster some four to five thousand troops. They then marched east to Runan, ready to press the war against Cao Cao.
Meanwhile, in Ye, angered by Liu Bei’s failure to return, Yuan Shao resolved on war. Guo Tu advised, “Our true enemy is Cao Cao. Liu Biao’s Jingzhou lies to the south—ally with him. Sun Ce of Jiangdong commands six commanderies—send envoys to him.” Yuan Shao agreed and dispatched Chen Zhen to meet Sun Ce:
From Hebei’s heroes in flight Rose Jiangdong’s valor to unite.
Thus, the stage is set for the next chapter’s unfolding!
