“This is certainly trying to talk me round,” said Guan Yu indignantly. “Though escape is impossible I am not perturbed. I look upon death as a journey home. Go away quickly and I will go down at once to fight you.”
“The world will laugh at you when they hear of this,” said Zhang Liao, laughing loudly.
“I will die for loyalty and righteousness. Who will laugh at me?” said Guan Yu.
“You will be guilty of three faults if you die now.”
“Tell me what they are,” said Guan Yu.
“First of all, you and your elder brother pledged to live and die together in the Peach Garden. Now your brother has only suffered a defeat and you want to fight to death. If your brother rises again by and by and wants your help, where is he to find you? That would be a betrayal of the Peach Garden oath. Secondly, your brother left his family in your care and, if you should die, the two ladies would be left without a protector. That would be a betrayal of trust. Thirdly, although your military skill stands unmatched and your learning profound, yet you do not aid your brother in his noble attempt to maintain the Han Dynasty. On the contrary, you are after a vain reputation and are ready to go through fire and water to die a valiant fool. What is the sense in that? That would be a betrayal of righteousness. These are the three faults and I feel it my duty to point them out to you.”
Guan Yu thought for some time. Then he said, “You say I have three faults. What do you desire me to do?”
“You are surrounded on all sides. You will not be able to escape death if you do not yield. There is no advantage in a meaningless death. Therefore your best course is to yield to Cao Cao till you hear news of Liu Bei and can rejoin him. Thus you will ensure the safety of the two ladies and also keep inviolate the Peach Garden oath. In addition you will preserve a useful life. I hope you will reflect carefully on these three advantages.”
“You have spoken of three advantages—now I have three conditions. If the prime minister concedes then I will discard my armor. If he refuses, then I prefer to be guilty of the three faults and die.”
“Why shouldn’t the prime minister concede? He is most liberal and broad minded. Please let me hear your conditions.”
“The first is that as my elder brother and I have sworn to support the Hans I now submit to the Emperor and not to his minister, Cao Cao. The second condition is that provisions equal to my brother’s status be made for the two ladies and that no one must be allowed to approach their gates. The third is that I should be allowed to rejoin my brother as soon as I hear where he is, be it thousands of li away. I require all these to be satisfied—failing a single one, I will not submit. So, I think you had better hasten back and report them to Cao Cao.”
Zhang Liao lost no time in riding back to Cao Cao. When he spoke of Guan Yu’s intention to submit to the Hans but not to Cao Cao, the latter smiled and said, “I am the Prime Minister of Han, so I am Han. I grant this.”
Zhang Liao then spoke of suitable provisions for the two ladies and their security from disturbance, to which Cao Cao replied, “I will give them twice the regular amount for Liu Bei. As for securing them from being disturbed, that is simple. The ordinary domestic law is enough. Why should I not agree to it?”
Zhang Liao continued: “The last condition is that whenever he gets news of the whereabouts of Liu Bei, he must go to him.”
At this Cao Cao shook his head. “Then what is the use of my keeping him? I cannot consent to this.”
Zhang Liao replied, “You must have heard the story of the ancient scholar Yu Rang who once said that his attitude toward his king was decided by whether the king treated him as an ordinary person or as a man of genius. Liu Bei has won Guan Yu’s heart by treating him kindly and liberally—you can surely win him over by being kinder and more liberal.”
“You are quite right. I will grant the three conditions,” said Cao Cao.
Then Zhang Liao went back to the hilltop to break the news to Guan Yu.
“I have another request: I want the army to withdraw temporarily so that I may enter the city to tell the two ladies what has been arranged. After that I will submit.”
Zhang Liao rode back once more with this new request and Cao Cao ordered his army to retreat thirty li.
“Do not do this,” said Xun Yu. “I fear this might be a trick.”
“He will certainly keep his promise,” said Cao Cao. “He is a man of high principles.”
The army retreated and Guan Yu and his forces re-entered the city, where he saw that the people were going about their normal lives. He came to his brother’s residence and went in to see the two ladies, who hastened to meet him. He bowed to them below the steps and apologized: “It is my fault to cause you so much alarm.”
“Where is our lord?” they asked.
“I do not know where he has gone.”
“What do you intend to do, brother?”
“Yesterday I went out of the city to fight. I was trapped on a hilltop, surrounded on all sides by the enemy. Zhang Liao came to urge me to yield. I proposed three conditions, all of which were agreed, and the enemy drew off to allow me to return to the city. As I have not got your permission, sisters, I dare not take any action.”
They asked what the conditions were and Guan Yu told them. Then Lady Gan said, “When Cao Cao’s army came in we thought we would certainly die. But it turned out that we were hardly disturbed, not a soldier has dared enter our doors. You have accepted the conditions, brother, and there is no need to ask for our consent. Our only fear is that he will not let you go to look for your brother later.”
“Do not be anxious. I will see to that.”
“You must decide everything and need not ask us womenfolk.”
Guan Yu withdrew and then with a small escort went to see Cao Cao, who came to the outermost gate to welcome him. Guan Yu dismounted and made obeisance. Cao Cao hastened to return his salute with the greatest cordiality.
“The leader of a defeated army is grateful for your graciousness that has preserved his life,” said Guan Yu.
“I have long admired you for your loyalty and high principles. This happy meeting gratifies a desire I have held my whole life,” replied Cao Cao.
“Sir, you have granted the three requests which my friend petitioned on my behalf. I sincerely hope you will keep your promise,” said Guan Yu.
“I have given my word. How can I break faith?” replied Cao Cao.
“Whenever I hear where my brother is I must certainly go to him, even though I need to find him through fire and water. There may be no time for me to take leave. I trust you will understand.”
“Should Liu Bei prove to be alive you would certainly be allowed to go to him. But I fear that in the confusion of battle he may have lost his life. Set your mind at rest and let me make inquiries.”
Guan Yu thanked him. Then a banquet was prepared in his honor. The next day the army started on its homeward march.
For the journey to the capital a carriage was prepared for the two ladies and Guan Yu was its guard. On the road they rested at a certain post station and Cao Cao, anxious to compromise Guan Yu’s reputation by tricking him into forgetfulness of his duty, assigned him to the same apartment as his sisters-in-law. Guan Yu stood the whole night outside their door with a lighted candle in his hand without betraying any trace of fatigue. Cao Cao’s respect for him could not but increase.
Back in the capital Cao Cao assigned a dignified residence to Guan Yu, which he immediately divided into two enclosures: the inner one for the two ladies and the outer one for himself. He placed ten reliable guards at the women’s quarters.
Guan Yu was presented to Emperor Xian, who conferred upon him the rank of general. Soon after, Cao Cao gave a great banquet, inviting all his advisors and fighting men. Guan Yu was treated as a distinguished guest and was asked to sit in the seat of honor. Besides, he was also given presents of silks and gold and silver vessels, all of which he sent into the ladies’ quarters for their use and keeping. In fact, f
rom the day of his arrival in the capital, Guan Yu was treated with marked respect and distinction, banquets and feasts following each other in quick succession.
Cao Cao also gave him the ten most lovely girls to wait on him. These girls were also sent to be maids of his two sisters-in-law.
Every third day Guan Yu would go to the door of the ladies’ quarters to inquire after their well-being, and then they would ask him if there was any news of their husband. This brief interview would always close with the ladies saying, “Brother, you may retire as you wish.” Only then did Guan Yu dare to leave.
When Cao Cao heard of this strict observance of the proprieties he thought all the more of the man for it.
One day Cao Cao noticed that the robe Guan Yu was wearing was old and frayed. Guessing his measurements Cao Cao had a new one made of fine brocade and presented it to him. He took it but wore it under the old robe.
“Why so very thrifty?” laughed Cao Cao.
“It is not thrifty,” was Guan Yu’s reply. “The old robe was a gift from my brother and to wear it is like seeing him. I cannot allow the new gift to eclipse his old one.”
“How very loyal!” said Cao Cao sighing. But in spite of his praises he was rather displeased in his heart.
One day when Guan Yu was at home a servant came in to say that the two ladies had thrown themselves to the ground, weeping for no obvious reasons, and asked him to go in and see. Guan Yu set his dress in order, went over, and knelt by the door. “Why is this grief, sisters?” he asked.
Lady Gan replied, “Last night I dreamed that your brother had fallen into a pit. I woke up and told Lady Mi and we thought he must be dead. So we weep.”
“Dreams are not to be credited,” he replied. “You dreamed of him because you were thinking of him. Pray do not grieve.”
Just then Cao Cao sent his men to invite Guan Yu to another banquet so he took leave of the ladies and went. Seeing Guan Yu looked sad and tearful his host asked him the reason.
“My sisters-in-law have been weeping for my brother and I cannot help feeling sad, too.”
Cao Cao smiled and tried to cheer up his guest with kind words. After being urged to drink some quantity of wine Guan Yu became quite intoxicated and sat stroking his beard, “What a useless thing I am! I could do no service for my country and I have betrayed my elder brother.”
“Do you keep count of the hair in your beard?” asked his host, trying to divert his thoughts.
“Yes, some hundreds, perhaps. During fall, a few drop out and in winter I use a black silk bag to keep the hair from being broken,” replied Guan Yu.
Cao Cao at once had a bag made for him to protect his beard. Soon after, when they were at court, the Emperor asked about the bag he saw hanging from Guan Yu’s breast.
“My beard is rather long, Your Majesty,” said Guan Yu. “So the prime minister has given me a bag to protect it.”
The Emperor told him to take off the bag and show him his beard in all its fullness—it fell in rippling waves below his breast.
“Really a most beautiful beard!” said the Emperor.
From then on he was often known as “The Warrior with the Beautiful Beard.”
Another time, after a banquet, Cao Cao walked with Guan Yu to the gate of his house to see him off. He noticed that his charger was very thin.
“Why is he so thin?” asked Cao Cao.
“My worthless body is rather heavy and really too much for him. He is always out of condition.”
Cao Cao at once told his men to lead out one of his horses and before long it appeared, red like glowing charcoal, a handsome creature in every way.
“Do you recognize it?” asked Cao Cao.
“Why, is it Lu Bu’s Red Hare?” cried Guan Yu.
“Surely it is,” said Cao Cao, and he gave the horse, fully caparisoned, to his guest. Guan Yu bowed many times and thanked him again and again till Cao Cao began to feel displeased and said, “I have given you gold and silk and lovely girls but have never won a bow of gratitude from you before. This horse seems to please you better than all the rest. Why do you think so poorly of the damsels and so much of the steed?”
“I know this horse can go a thousand li a day and I am very lucky to have it. Now as soon as I find out where my brother is I can get to him in a single day,” replied Guan Yu.
Cao Cao was astonished to hear the answer and he began to regret giving him the horse, but Guan Yu took his leave and went away.
His fame spread far and wide in the days of the Three Kingdoms.
Dividing his dwelling proved the purity of his heart.
The crafty minister desired to win him to his side,
But felt that failure was foredoomed, however much he tried.
Cao Cao said to Zhang Liao, “I have treated him well enough but he still desires to leave me. Do you know why?”
“I will try to find out,” said Zhang Liao.
So he went to see his friend the next day. When they had greeted each other politely, Zhang Liao said: “I recommended you to the prime minister and I hope he has treated you well.”
“I’m deeply grateful for his kindness,” said Guan Yu. “But though my body is here, I’m always thinking of my brother.”
“I am afraid you are wrong. If one does not discriminate in his relations with people he is not the most admirable type of man. Even Liu Bei could not have treated you so well as the prime minister does. Why then do you always maintain this desire to get away?”
“I know only too well that he has been most kind but I have also received great kindness from my brother. We have sworn to die together and I cannot betray him. I cannot remain here, but before I go I will render him some service to show my gratitude.”
“What if Liu Bei has left the world—where will you go?” asked Zhang Liao.
“Then I will follow him to the nether world.”
There could no longer be any doubt as to Guan Yu’s intentions and Zhang Liao told Cao Cao exactly how matters stood.
Cao Cao sighed. “To serve one’s chief with unswerving fidelity is a proof of the highest principle of all,” he said.
Xun Yu advised, “He said he would leave only after he had performed some service. If he gets no chance of doing such a thing, he will not be able to go.”
Cao Cao agreed.
In the meantime, Liu Bei had been with Yuan Shao. He was sorrowful day and night and, when asked by his host, he said, “I have no news of the whereabouts of my two brothers, nor of what has happened to my wives since they fell into the hands of Cao Cao. I cannot help feeling sad as I have failed toward my country and my family.”
“I have long wished to attack Cao Cao,” said Yuan Shao. “Now spring is here and just the time for an expedition.” So he discussed plans for the destruction of Cao Cao with his advisors.
Tian Feng at once opposed this. “Last time when Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou and the capital was undefended you let the chance slip by. Now that Xuzhou has been captured and his army’s fighting spirit is very strong with this victory it will be madness to attempt to defeat it. Better to wait for another chance.”
“Let me think about it,” said Yuan Shao.
He told Liu Bei about Tian Feng’s words and asked him for advice.
Liu Bei replied, “Cao Cao is a rebel. I think you are failing in your duty if you do not attack him.”
“You are right,” said Yuan Shao.
And he made up his mind to start the expedition. However, the advisor Tian Feng again intervened.
Yuan Shao said angrily, “You fellows value scheming but despise fighting. You will make me neglect my duty.”
Tian Feng bowed to the ground and said to him: “If you do not listen to my words you will fail in the battle.”
Yuan Shao became so angry that he wanted to put him to death. Liu Bei pleaded for the poor advisor and in the end Yuan Shao spared his life and put him into prison.
Seeing the fate of his colleague another advisor, Ju Shou, called together his who
le clan and distributed among them all his possessions. “I’m going with the army,” he said to them. “If we win then nothing can exceed our glory, but if we fail, my life is at risk.”
His relatives wept as they bade him farewell.
Yuan Shao appointed one of his best officers, Yan Liang, to be commander of the vanguard force to go and attack the city of Baima. Ju Shou said to his master, “Yan Liang is very brave but he is too narrow-minded to hold such a post without someone else to assist him.”
“He is my best officer. You people are not in a position to measure him,” said Yuan Shao.
The army marched to Liyang and the prefect sent an urgent message to the capital. Cao Cao hastily prepared for a counter-attack. As soon as Guan Yu heard the news he went to see Cao Cao and asked to be sent with the first body of the army.
“I dare not trouble you, General. If need arises, I will call upon you to help.”
So Guan Yu retired. Soon, the army marched out in three divisions. On the road more messages were received from the prefect asking for urgent help. The first division led by Cao Cao himself arrived at Baima and took up a position on some hillsides. In the wide plain in front of them Yan Liang had arranged his army in battle array—it was twice as strong as Cao Cao’s.
Cao Cao was much alarmed to see his enemy so strongly deployed and, turning back, he said to Song Xian: “I hear you used to be one of Lu Bu’s best officers. You go and fight this Yan Liang.”
Song Xian took the order and mounted to the front with his spear set. Yan Liang was on horseback under the big banner with his sword lying crossways. Seeing an opponent approaching he uttered a loud shout and galloped toward him. The two met, but after only three bouts, Song Xian was slain by a mighty slash from the other’s sword.
“What a powerful warrior!” cried Cao Cao, greatly startled.
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 1: The Sacred Oath: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 38