Replied Xiahou Dun, “The Prime Minister has sent no definite instructions. You have caused the death of several people, among them one of my commanders, and so I have come to capture you! You have behaved most grossly. The Prime Minister will decide.”
Thereupon Xiahou Dun 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 Guan Yu!”
Guan Yu stayed his steed at once and waited. The messenger came up, drew from his bosom an official letter, and said to Xiahou Dun, “The Prime Minister loves General Guan Yu for his loyalty and honor, and fearing lest Guan Yu 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 Guan Yu has slain several commanders of the passes; does the Prime Minister know that?” said Xiahou Dun.
The messenger said these things were unknown.
“Then,” said Xiahou Dun, “I will arrest him and take him to the Prime Minister, who may set him free or not as he wills.”
“Do you think I fear anything you can do?” said Guan Yu getting wrathful.
And he rode forward. Xiahou Dun, 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!”
Xiahou Dun 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 Prime Minister has sent me with a dispatch to say he is to be released.”
“Did the Prime Minister know that he had slain several commanders on the way?”
“He did not know!” “Since he was ignorant of that, I may not let this Guan Yu go,” and Xiahou Dun gave the signal to his men to close in round Guan Yu.
But Guan Yu flourished his sword and made to attack them and a fight was again imminent, when a third rider appeared, who cried, “Guan Yu, give way and do not fight!”
The speaker was Zhang Liao. Both combatants made no further move but awaited his arrival.
Zhang Liao said, “I bring the Prime Minister's order that since he has heard that Guan Yu has slain certain commanders on the way, he fears that some will hinder his passage. Wherefore he has sent me to deliver his command at each gate that Guan Yu is to be suffered to pass freely.”
Xiahou Dun said, “Qin Qi was the son of Cai Yang's sister, and he was confided to my especial care. Now this Guan Yu has killed him and how can I refrain?”
“When I see his uncle Cai Yang, I will explain. But now the main point is that you have the Prime Minister's orders to let Guan Yu pass and you may not despise his wish.”
So the only thing for Xiahou Dun to do was to retire, and he did.
“Whither are you going?” then said Zhang Liao to Guan Yu.
“I fear my brother is no longer with Yuan Shao, and now I am going to find him wherever he is.”
“As you do not know where to go, why not return to the Prime Minister?”
“Where is the sense of that?” said Guan Yu with a smile. “But, Zhang Liao, you return, and try to arrange pardon for my faults.”
With this Guan Yu saluted Zhang Liao and took his leave. Zhang Liao retired and joined Xiahou Dun.
Guan Yu quickly regained the carriage, and as they went along side by side he told Sun Qian what had happened. Several days later a heavy rain storm came on which soaked everything. Looking about for protection they noticed a farm under the shelter of a precipice and took their way thither. An old man came out to them, to whom they told their story.
When they had finished, the old fellow said, “My name is Guo Chang, and I have lived here many years. I am very pleased to greet the man whom I have known so long by reputation.”
Guo Chang quickly killed a sheep for their refreshment and brought out wine for the two men. The two ladies were entertained in the inner apartments. And while they refreshed themselves, their baggage was put out to dry and their steeds were fed.
As the day closed in, they saw several youths come along, and their host said, “My son is come to pay his respects.”
“This is my humble son,” said Guo Chang, presenting a lad to Guan Yu.
“What has he been doing?” asked Guan Yu.
“He has just come in from hunting.” The young fellow went out. The old man continued, “All my family have been farmers or scholars. He is my only son, and instead of following in the footsteps of his ancestors he cares for nothing but gadding about and hunting, unhappily.”
“Why unhappily?” said Guan Yu. “In these days of disorder a good soldier can make a name for himself.”
“If he would only learn the military arts, that would be something of a career; but he is nothing but a vagabond and does everything he should not. He is a grief to me.”
Guan Yu sighed in sympathy. The old gentleman stayed till a late hour; and when he took his leave, his two guests began to prepare for rest.
Suddenly outside there arose a great hubbub, men shouting and horses neighing. Guan Yu called to his people; but as no one answered, he and Sun Qian drew their swords and went into the stable yard. There they found their host's son on the ground shouting to his followers to fight.
Guan Yu asked what it was all about, and his guards told him, “The young fellow had tried to steal Red-Hare, but had been badly kicked. We heard shouting and went to see what it meant when his men had set on us.”
Guan Yu was very wrathful.
“You mean thieves! Would you steal my horse?” cried he.
But before he could do anything, his host came running out, saying, “It was not with my consent that my son did this evil thing. I know he is very guilty and deserves death. But his mother loves him tenderly, and I pray you be generous and pardon him!”
“Really he is unworthy of his father,” said Guan Yu. “What you told me shows he is a degenerate. For your sake I pardon him.”
Then Guan Yu told his own people to keep a better lookout, sent the people about their business and, in company with Sun Qian, went away to rest.
Next morning both host and hostess were up betimes waiting to thank Guan Yu for forgiving their son's mad freak.
“My son has insulted your tiger dignity, I know, and I am deeply affected by your kindness in not punishing him,” said the old man.
“Bring him here and I will talk to him,” said Guan Yu.
“He went out before daylight with a lot of his fellow rogues, and I know not where he is.”
So Guan Yu bade them farewell, got the ladies into their carriage, and they moved out of the farmyard; Guan Yu and Sun Qian riding abreast as escort. They took the road toward the hills.
Before they had gone far, they saw a large party of men, led by a couple of riders, pouring down one of the gullies. One of the riders wore a yellow turban and a battle robe. The other was Guo Chang's son.
The wearer of the turban called out, saying, “I am one of the commanders of Zhang Jue the Lord of Heaven. Whoever you may be, leave that horse you are riding for me. You may then go free!”
Guan Yu greeted the speech with a hearty laugh.
“O you mad ignoramus! If you had ever been with Zhang Jue as a bandit, you would have learned to know Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, the three brothers.”
“I have heard of the ruddy long beard called Guan Yu, but I have never seen him. Who may you be?”
Guan Yu then laid aside his sword, stopped his horse, and drew off the bag that covered his beard thus showing its magnificence.
The turban wearer immediately slipped out of the saddle, laid an angry hand on his companion, and they both bowed low in front of Guan Yu's steed.
“Who are you?” asked Guan Yu.