This course was determined upon and soon they heard that Kuan Yu was approaching. Han Fu strung his bow and filled his quiver with arrows and with one company took up position along the pass. Then as the party approached Han Fu said,“Who is the traveller who comes?”
Kuan Yu bowed low and said,“He is a certain Kuan, Marquis of Hanshout’ing, and he wishes to go through the pass.”
“Have you a letter from the Minister?”
“In the hurry of departure I did not get any.”
“My special orders from him are to hold this pass and make examination of all spies that may go to and fro. Any person without an authority must be a fugitive.”
Then Kuan Yu began to be angry, and he told them what had happened to K’ung Hsiu.“Do you also seek death?” asked Kuan.
“Who will capture him for me?” cried Han Fu, and Meng T’an offered himself. He rode out, whirling his double swords and made straight for Kuan Yu.
Kuan Yu sent back the carriage out of danger and then rode toward Meng. They engaged, but very soon Meng turned his steed and fled. Kuan Yu pursued. Meng, intent only on leading his enemy toward the ambush, took no account of the speed of “Red Hare.” Very soon he was caught up and a stroke of the mighty sword cut him in two pieces. Then Kuan Yu stopped and turned back. The archers in the gate shot their hardest and though it was a long way off one of them lodged an arrow in his left arm. He pulled it out with his teeth but the blood streamed down as he rode toward the Prefect, Han Fu. The men scattered. Kuan Yu rode straight at his next victim. He raised his sword and made an oblique cut which sliced off the head and shoulder of his opponent.
Then he drove off the soldiers and returned to escort the carriage. He bound up his wound, and, fearing lest any one might take advantage of his weakness, he made no long halts on the road but hurried toward Ishui Pass.
The warden of this pass was Pien Hsi of Pingchou, a warrior whose weapon was a comethammer. He had been a Yellow Turban and had gone over to Ts’ao, who had given him this post. As soon as he heard of the coming of the redoubtable warrior he cudgelled his brains for a ruse to use against him. He decided upon an ambush. In a temple at the pass he placed two hundred “axe and sword” men. He reckoned on enticing Kuan to the temple for refreshment and when he let fall a cup as signal the hidden men would rush out.
All being thus arranged and ready, he went out to welcome Kuan Yu in friendly guise and he dismounted at his coming. Pien Hsi began very amiably.
“Your name, General, makes the very earth tremble and every one looks up to you. This return to the Imperial Uncle proves you to be noble and true.”
Kuan Yu in reply told him the story of the men he had slain. Hsi replied,“You slew them; that is well. When I see the Minister I will explain to him the inner reasons for these acts.”
Kuan Yu thought he had found a friend and so mounted and rode through the pass. When he came to the temple a number of priests came out to meet him with clanging bells.
This temple, that of a Guardian of the State, had a courtyard in which the Emperor Ming had burned incense. In the temple were thirty priests and among these there happened to be one who came from the same village as Kuan Yu. His religious name was P’u-ching. Hearing who the visitor was, he came forward to speak with him.
“General,” said he,“it is many a long year since you left Putung.”
“Yes,” said Kuan Yu,“nearly twenty years.”
“Do you recognise this poor priest?”
“I left the village many years ago; I do not recognise you.”
“My house and yours were only separated by a rivulet,” said the priest.
Now Pien Hsi, seeing the priest holding forth about village matters, thought he would blab about the ambush, so he bade him be silent.
“I want to invite the General to a feast. You priest fellows seem to have a lot to say,” said Pien.
“Not too much,” said Kuan Yu.“Naturally when fellow villagers meet they talk of old times.”
P’u-ching invited the visitor into the guest room to take tea, but Kuan Yu said,“The two ladies are out there in the carriage; they ought to have some first.”
So the priest bade them take some tea to the ladies and then he led Kuan Yu within, at the same time lifting the priest knife which he wore at his side and looking meaningly at Kuan Yu. The latter understood and told his people to bring along his weapon and keep close at his side.
When Pien Hsi invited Kuan Yu to go into the Hall of the Law for some refreshment, Kuan Yu turned to him, saying,“Is this invitation with good intention or evil?”
His host was so taken aback that he could make no reply, and then Kuan Yu saw that many armed men were concealed behind the arras. Then he shouted loudly at Pien Hsi, saying,“What means this? I thought you an honourable man. How dare you?”
The traitor saw that his plot had failed and called to the assassins to come out and fall to, but Kuan Yu had a short sword in his hand and slashed at any one who came near. So they scattered. Their commander ran down the hall and tried to escape among the side buildings, but Kuan Yu threw aside the short sword, took up Black Dragon and went after Pien Hsi. The latter was trying to get into position to throw his comethammer, but Kuan Yu cut the cord and the weapon was useless. He followed Pien in and out and soon caught up with him. Then with one blow he cut him in halves.
The fight over he sought the two ladies, who were surrounded by soldiers. These fled at sight of the terrible warrior. Seeking out the priest, his fellow countryman, he thanked him for the timely warning which had saved him from death.
“I cannot remain here after this,” said P’u-ching.“I shall pack up my few garments and my alms bowl and take to the road vague in my wanderings as the clouds in the sky. But we shall meet again and till then take care of yourself.”
Then Kuan Yu took leave and retook the road to Yungyang. The Prefect of this city was named Wang Chih, and he was related to Han Fu by marriage. Hearing of the death of his relative he set about a scheme to kill Kuan Yu secretly. He sent men to guard the city gates and, when he heard that Kuan Yu approached, he went himself and received him with a smiling countenance and bade him welcome. Kuan Yu told him the object of his journey.
“You, General, have been able to get some exercise on the road, but the ladies in their carriage must be cramped and fatigued. I pray you to come into the city and ali of you remain the night in the official travellers’ quarters. Tomorrow you can set forth again.”
The offer was tempting and his host seemed in earnest so the two ladies went into the city, where they found everything very comfortably prepared for them. And, though Kuan Yu declined the Prefect’s invitations to a banquet, refreshments for the travellers were sent to their lodgings. Kuan Yu was fatigued from the trials of the journey and as soon as the evening meal was over he bade the ladies retire to rest while he sat down in the main room, quite alone, for he bade all to get repose while they could. His horse was given a good feed for once. He sat with his armour loosened in order to be more at ease.
Now the Prefect had a secretary named Hu Pan to whom he had entrusted the arrangements for the destruction of his guest. Said he,“This Kuan is a traitor to the Minister and a fugitive. On the road he has murdered several Commanders of Passes and is guilty of serious crimes. But he is too strong and valiant for any ordinary soldier to overcome. So this evening a whole company of men will surround his lodging, each one armed with a torch, and we will burn him. They will start the fire about midnight. Every one of the party will perish. I will come with a force to stand by and assist if necessary.”
These orders received, Hu Pan passed them on to the men, who began secretly to prepare dry wood and other combustibles which they piled up at the gate of the rest-house. Hu Pan thought within him that he would like to know what manner of man was this Kuan Yu, whose fame had spread so far, so he determined to get a peep at him. He went to the rest-house and enquired where Kuan Yu was.
“The General is the man in
the main hall reading,” was the reply.
Hu Pan noiselessly made his way to the outside of the room and peeped in. He saw the famous warrior stroking his beard with his left hand while he read by the light of a lamp placed on a low table. An involuntary exclamation of wonder escaped at the majesty of the figure.
“Really a god!” he sighed.
“Who is there?” suddenly asked the reader at the sound.
Hu Pan entered and said he was the Prefect’s secretary.
“Surely you are the son of Hu Hua, who lives outside Hsu-tu,” said Kuan.
“I am he,” replied Hu Pan.
Then Kuan Yu called up his followers and bade them look among the baggage for the letter, which they brought. Kuan Yu handed it to the secretary, who read it and then breathed long, saying,“I very nearly caused the death of a good man.”
Then he betrayed the whole plot.“This Wang is a wicked man, who wanted to kill you. At this moment you are surrounded and at the third watch they will set fire to this place. Now I will go and open the city gates while you hastily prepare for flight.”
Kuan Yu was greatly surprised, but he quickly buckled up his armour, got his steed ready, roused the two ladies and put them into their carriage. Then they left the rest-house and as they passed out they saw the soldiers all about them, each with a torch. The party hastened to the outskirts of the city and found the gate already open and they lost no time in getting clear of the city. Hu Pan returned to give orders to fire the rest house.
The fugitives pressed on but before long they saw lights coming up behind them and Wang Chih called out to them to stop. Kuan Yu reined in his horse and began to abuse him.
“Worthless fellow! What had you against me that you wished to burn me to death?”
Wang Chih whipped up his steed and set his spear, but Kuan Yu cut him through with the short sword he wore at his side and scattered his followers.
Then the carriage pushed on. Kuan Yu’s heart was filled with gratitude to Hu Pan. When they drew near Huachou some one told Liu Yen, who rode out to welcome him. Kuan Yu did not dismount but bowed from horseback, saying,“Have you been quite well since we parted?”
“Whither are you going, Sir?” replied Liu Yen.
“I have left the Minister and am on my way to find my brother.”
“Yuan-te is with Yuan Shao, who is at enmity with the Minister. How can you be allowed to go to him?” asked Liu Yen.
“That matter was settled long ago.”
“The Yellow River ferry is an important point and is guarded by a lieutenant of Hsiahou Tun; he will not let you cross.”
“But suppose then you provide boats for me?”
“Though there are boats I dare not give them to you.”
“Well, formerly I slew Yen Liang and Wen Ch’ou and saved you from a grave danger. Now you refuse me a ferry boat!”
“I am afraid Hsiahou will know of it and make it a fault against me.”
Kuan Yu perceived that no help was to be expected from this man so he pushed on and presently reached the ferry. There the commander of the guard, Ch’in Ch’i, came out to question him.
“I am one Kuan, Marquis of Hanshout’ing.”
“Whither are you bound?”
“I go to Hopei to seek my brother, Liu Yuan-te, and I respectfully ask you to grant me a passage over the river.”
“Where is the authority of the Minister?”
“I am not on a mission from the Minister so why should I have such an authority?”
“I have orders from my chief to guard the ferry and you will not cross; even if you grew wings you should not fly over.”
Kuan Yu’s choler arose.“Do you know that I have been the death of all those who have hitherto tried to stop me?” said he.
“You have only slain a few officers of no rank or reputation; but you dare not kill me.”
“Where would you stand beside Yen Liang and Wen Ch’ou?”
The Ch’in Ch’i grew angry and he loosed his rein. Sword in hand he came at a gallop. The two met, but in the first encounter Ch’in Ch’i’s head was swept off by the terrible Black Dragon.
“He who opposed me is dead; you others need not be afraid,” cried Kuan Yu,“Be quick and prepare me a boat.”
The boat was soon at the landing and the two women stepped on board, followed by Kuan Yu. They crossed, and were then in the country of Yuan Shao. In the course of his journey to this point Kuan Yu had forced five passes and slam six captains.
His seal hung up, the treasury locked, his
courtly mansion left,
He journeyed toward his brother dear, too long
from his side reft.
The horse he rode was famed for
speed as for endurance great,
His good sword made a way for him and
opened every gate.
His loyalty and truth forth stand, a pattern
unto all,
His valour would frighten rushing streams and
make high mountains fall.
Alone he travelled lustily, ‘twas death to meet
his blade,
He has been themed by myriads, his glory ne’er
will fade.
“I did not willingly slay a single one of them,” mused Kuan Yu as he rode along. ‘There was no help for it. Nevertheless when Ts’ao hears of it he will regard me as ungrateful for his bounty.”
Before long he saw a rider on the road who soon hailed him and proved to be Sun Ch’ien.
“I have never heard a word from you since we lost sight of each other at Junan; how have you fared?” said Kuan Yu.
“After your departure the city fell. I was sent to Yuan Shao to try to make peace with him and succeeded, so that he invited your brother to go to him and share in the deliberations for an attack on Ts’ao Ts’ao. But to my disgust the leaders of Yuan Shao’s army showed great jealousy of each other so that one got into gaol, another was degraded and others quarrelled. Then Yuan Shao vacillated and hesitated, so that your brother and I consulted how we might get away from them all. Now the Uncle is at Junan with Liu P’i and, thinking you could not know that and might suffer some harm if you unwillingly went to Yuan Shao, I have come to warn you. It is good fortune to find you like this. Now we can hasten to Junan and you will meet your brother.”
Kuan Yu took Sun Ch’ien to make his bow to the ladies, who asked after his adventures and he told them of the risks Liu Pei had run from Yuan Shao’s sudden bursts of anger. Now, however, he was out of his way and safe at Junan where they would meet him.
They covered their faces and wept at the recital of his dangers. Then the party no longer travelled north but took the road toward Junan. Not long after a great cloud of dust was noticed behind them and they presently made out a squadron of horsemen. These were led by Hsiahou Tun, who shouted out to Kuan Yu to stop.
One by one the pass commanders stopped
his progress and were slain,
The river crossed, another army comes and he
must fight again.
How finally Kuan Yu escaped death will appear in the succeeding chapter.
CHAPTER XXVIII
TS’AI YANG PUT TO DEATH, THE BROTHERS’ DOUBTS DISAPPEAR: MEETING AT KUCH’ENG, LORD AND LIEGE FORTIFY EACH OTHER
S un Ch’ien had joined Kuan Yu in escorting the two ladies and they were on the road to Junan when Hsiahou Tun suddenly determined to pursue. So with a couple of hundred horse he set out. When he was seen approaching, Kuan Yu bade Sun Ch’ien go ahead with the carriage while he remained to deal with the pursuers. When they were near enough Kuan Yu said,“In coming after me thus you do not reinforce the magnanimity of your master.”
Replied Hsiahou Tun,“The Minister has sent no definite instructions. You have caused the death of several people, among them one of my lieutenants, and so I have come to capture you. You have behaved most grossly. He will decide.”
Thereupon he dashed forward with his spear ready to thrust. But at that moment a rider
came up behind him at full gallop crying,“You must not fight with Yun-ch’ang.”
Kuan Yu stayed his steed at once and waited. The messenger came up, drew from his bosom an official letter and said to Hsiahou Tun, ‘The Minister loves General Kuan for his loyalty and honour, and fearing lest he might be stopped at the various passes, he sent me with this letter to show when necessary at any point on the road.”
“But this Kuan has slain several commanders of the passes, does the Minister know that?” said Tun.
The messenger said these things were unknown.
“Then,” said Tun,“I will arrest him and take him to the Minister, who may set him free or not as he wills.”
“Do you think I fear anything you can do?” said Kuan Yu getting wrathful.
And he rode forward. Tun, nothing loth, set his spear and prepared for battle. They met and had reached the tenth encounter when a second horseman came up at full speed, crying,“Generals, wait a little!”
Hsiahou Tun stayed his hand and asked the messenger, saying,“Am I to arrest him?”
“No” replied the messenger.“Fearing lest he should have difficulties at the passes the Minister has sent me with a despatch to say he is to be released.”
“Did the Minister know that he had slam several men on the way?”
“He did not know.”
“Since he was ignorant of that I may not let him go,” and he gave the sjgnal to his men to close in round Kuan Yu.
But Kuan Yu flourished his sword and made to attack them and a fight was again imminent, when a third rider appeared who cried,“Yun-ch’ang, give way and do not fight!”
The speaker was Chang Liao. Both combatants made no further move but awaited his arrival.
He said,“I bring the Minister’s order that since he has heard that Yun-ch’ang has slain certain men on the way he fears that some will hinder his passage. Wherefore he has sent me to deliver his command at each gate that Kuan Yu is to be suffered to pass freely.”
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Page 40