“After we lost sight of each other, I have heard not a word of you; what are you doing here?” said Guan Yu.
“After I escaped, I drifted hither and thither till I had the good fortune to reach Runan, and Liu Pi and Gong Du, the Yellow Scarves leaders, took me in. But why are you with Cao Cao, General? And where are your sisters-in-law? Are they well?”
Guan Yu told him all that had happened.
“I have heard lately that Liu Bei is with Yuan Shao. I would have liked to go and join him, but I have not found a convenient opportunity. Now the two men I am with have taken the side of Yuan Shao against Cao Cao. By good luck you were coming here so I got command of a small party of scouts to be able to see you and tell you. Presently our two leaders will pretend to be defeated and you, and the two ladies, can go over to Yuan Shao. And you will see your brother.”
“Since he is there, I certainly must go at once to see him. But it is a misfortune that I have slain two of Yuan Shao's generals. I fear things are not in my favor,” said Guan Yu.
“Let me go first and see how the land lies; I will come back and tell you.”
“I would risk a myriad deaths to see my brother,” said Guan Yu. “But I must go to say farewell to Cao Cao.”
Sun Qian was sent away that night, and next day Guan Yu led out his army to offer battle. Gong Du, in armor, went out to the front of the line of battle, and Guan Yu said, “You people, why have you risen against the government?”
“Why do you blame us when you have turned your back on your own lord?” replied Gong Du.
“How have I turned my back on my lord?”
“Liu Bei is with Yuan Shao, and you are with Cao Cao; what is that?”
Guan Yu could not reply, but he whirled round his sword and rode forward. Gong Du fled, and Guan Yu followed. Gong Du turned and said to Guan Yu, “Do not forget your old chief's kindness. Now attack as soon as you can, and I will give up the defense.”
Guan Yu understood and urged on his troops. The leaders of the rebels pretended they were worsted, and they all scattered. So Runan was retaken. Having pacified the people, Guan Yu quickly led his army back to the capital, where he was met by Cao Cao and congratulated on his success and feasted.
When this was all over, Guan Yu went to the dwelling of his sisters-in-law to pay his respects at their gate.
“Have you been able to get any news of Uncle Liu Bei in your two expeditions?” asked Lady Gan.
“None,” replied Guan Yu.
As he retired from the door, he heard sounds of bitter weeping within.
“Alas! He is dead,” said they. “Our brother-in-law thinks we shall be greatly distressed; and thus, he hides the truth from us.”
One of the old soldiers, who acted as guard, hearing the sounds of perpetual grief, took pity on them and said, “Do not weep, ladies; your lord is with Yuan Shao in the North of Yellow River.”
“How do you know that?” said they.
“I went out with General Guan Yu, and one of the soldiers told me.”
The two ladies summoned Guan Yu and reproached him, saying, “Uncle Liu Bei never betrayed you, and yet you remain here enjoying the bounty of Cao Cao and forgetting the old times. And you tell us falsehoods.”
Guan Yu bowed his head, saying, “My brother really is in the North of Yellow River, but I dared not tell you, lest it should become known. Something must be done, but done carefully, and it needs time.”
“Brother-in-Law, you should hasten,” said Lady Gan.
Guan Yu withdrew feeling that he must evolve some scheme of departure without further loss of time. It caused him much uneasiness.
Yu Jin, having found out that Liu Bei was in the north, told Cao Cao, who at once sent Zhang Liao to find out Guan Yu's intentions.
Zhang Liao entered jauntily and congratulated Guan Yu, saying, “They tell me you obtained news of your brother in the battlefield; I felicitate you.”
“My lord was there indeed, but I met him not. I see nothing to be glad about.”
“Is there any difference between the relationship of you two and that of any other two brothers?”
Guan Yu replied, “You and I stand in the relationship of friends; Liu Bei and I are friends and brothers beside, and prince and minister in addition to both. Our relationship cannot be discussed in usual terms.”
“Well, now that you know where your brother is, are you going to him?”
“How can I go back on what I said before? I am sure you will explain fully to the Prime Minister.”
Zhang Liao went back and told his master who said, “I must find a way to keep him here.”
While Guan Yu was pondering over his difficulties, they told him that a friend had come to inquire for him. The visitor was introduced but Guan Yu did not recognize him.
“Who are you?” asked Guan Yu.
“I am Chen Zhen of Nanyang, in the service of Yuan Shao.”
In great perturbation, Guan Yu sent away the attendants and, they being gone, said, “There is some special reason for your visit?”
For reply Chen Zhen drew out a letter and handed it to his host, who recognized that it was from his brother Liu Bei. The letter read:
“I, the writer, and you, Sir, pledged ourselves in the Peach Garden to die together. Why then are we apart and yet
alive, our kindly feelings destroyed, our sense of right outraged? If you desire to obtain fame and acquire riches and honor, I will offer my head without hesitation so that your achievement is fulfilled. More might be said, but I await your commands with great anxiety.”
Guan Yu finished the letter with a bitter cry.
“I always wanted to find my brother, but I did not know where he was. How can he think such evil of me?” said he.
“Liu Bei looks for you very eagerly; and if you are still bound by the old pledge, you should go quickly,” said Chen Zhen.
“Any one born into the world without the essential virtue of sincerity is no true human. I came here openly and can go in no other way. Now will I write a letter which I will ask you to bear to my brother, that as soon as I can take leave of Cao Cao, I will bring the ladies and come to him.”
“But what if Cao Cao refuse to let you go?” said Chen Zhen.
“Then would I rather die; I will not remain here.”
“Then, Sir, quickly write your letter and relieve your brother from his anxiety.”
So Guan Yu wrote like this:
“I, the humble one, know full well that a human of principle does not betray and a human of loyalty despises death. I
have been a student in my youth and know somewhat of the proprieties. I sigh and weep at the memory of the fraternal affection that made Yangjue Ai and Zuo Botao die rather than separate. I was in charge of Xiapi, but the place lacked provision and there was no help. I would have fought to the death, but there was on my shoulders the responsibility for my sisters-in-law. Wherefore I had to take care of my body lest I betrayed your trust. And so I made a prisoner of myself, hoping to find a way of release. I heard of you lately in Runan. I must, however, bid farewell to Cao Cao and bring the ladies with me when I come. May I perish, victim to the superhuman powers, if I have harbored any traitorous thought. Ink and paper are poor substitutes for what I would say, but I look to see you soon.”
Chen Zhen left with this missive, and Guan Yu went to tell the women. Then he proceeded to the Prime Minister's palace to say farewell. But Cao Cao knew what he was coming for, and at the gate Guan Yu found the board intimating that no one could be received. So he had to return. However, he bade his own few soldiers prepare to start at any moment. He also gave orders that everything received from Cao Cao was to be left in the quarters; nothing was to be taken.