Sun Qian had joined Guan Yu in escorting the two ladies, and they were on the road to Runan when Xiahou Dun suddenly determined to pursue. So with a couple of hundred horse, Xiahou Dun set out. When Xiahou Dun was seen approaching, Guan Yu bade Sun Qian go ahead with the carriage while he remained to deal with the pursuers.

　　When they were near enough, Guan Yu said, "In coming after me thus you do not reinforce the magnanimity of your master！"

　　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 the 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.

　　"I am Pei Yuanshao. After the death of Zhang Jue, I was left forlorn； and I got together a few others like myself, and we took refuge in the forests. This morning early this fellow came to tell us that a guest at his father's farm had a valuable horse and proposed to me to steal it. I did not think I should meet you, General."

　　the wretched Guo Chang's son implored that his life might be spared, and Guan Yu pardoned him for his father's sake. Then Guan Yu covered his face and crept away.

　　"You did not recognize me. How then did you know my name？" asked Guan Yu.

　　Pei Yuanshao replied, "Not far from here is a mountain called the Sleeping Bull, where lives a certain Zhou Cang, a very powerful man who came from the west. He has a stiff curly beard and looks very handsome. He also was a commander in the rebel army, who took to the forest when his leader perished. He has told me a lot about you, but I have never had the happiness of seeing you."

　　Said Guan Yu, "Under the GREen wood trees is no place for a hero's foot. You had better abandon this depraved life and return to the path of virtue. Do not work out your own destruction."

　　As they were talking, a troop of horsemen appeared in the distance. They belonged to Zhou Cang, as Pei Yuanshao said, and Guan Yu waited for them to approach. The leader was very dark complexioned, tall, and armed with a spear. As soon as he drew near enough to see, he exclaimed joyfully, "This is General Guan Yu！"

　　In a moment he had slipped out of the saddle and was on his knees by the roadside.

　　"Zhou Cang renders obeisance," said he.

　　Said Guan Yu, "O Warrior, where have you known me？"

　　"I was one of the Yellow Scarves, and I saw you then. My one reGREt was that I could not join you. Now that my good fortune has brought me here, I hope you will not reject me. Let me be one of your foot soldiers to be always near you to carry your whip and run by your stirrup. I will cheerfully die for you."

　　As he seemed thoroughly in earnest, Guan Yu said, "But if you follow me, what of your companions？"

　　"they may do as they please： Follow me or go their ways."

　　thereupon they all shouted, "We will follow！"

　　Guan Yu dismounted and went to ask the ladies what they thought of this.

　　Lady Gan replied, "Brother-in-law, you have traveled thus far alone and without fighters； you have safely passed many dangers and never wanted their assistance. You refused the service of Liao Hua, why then suffer this crowd？ But this is only a my view and you must decide."

　　"What you say, sister-in-law, is to the point."

　　therefore returning to Zhou Cang, he said, "It is not that I am lacking in gratitude, but my sisters-in-law do not care for a large following. Wherefore return to the mountains till I shall have found my brother, when I will surely call you."

　　Zhou Cang replied, "I am only a rough uncouth fellow, wasting his life as a brigand. Meeting you, General, is like seeing the full sun in the skies, and I feel that I can never bear to miss you again. As it might be inconvenient for all my people to follow you, I will bid my companion lead them away, but I will come and follow you on foot wherever you go."

　　Guan Yu again asked his sisters-in-law what they thought of this. Lady Gan said one or two made no difference, and so Guan Yu consented. But Pei Yuanshao was not satisfied with this arrangement and said he wished also to follow.

　　Zhou Cang said, "If you do not stay with the band, they will disperse and be lost. You must take command for the moment and let me accompany General Guan Yu. As soon as he has a fixed abode, I will come to fetch you."

　　Somewhat discontentedly Pei Yuanshao accepted the situation and marched off, while his one-time colleague joined the train of Guan Yu, and they went toward Runan. They traveled quickly for some days, and then they saw a city on a hill.

　　the natives told them, "This city is called Gucheng. A few months before a warrior suddenly appeared, drove out the magistrate, and took possession. Then he has begun to recruit soldiers, bought up horses, and laid in stores. The warrior's name is Zhang Fei. Now he has a large force, and no one in the neighborhood dare face him."

　　"To think that I should find my brother like this！" said Guan Yu, delighted. "I have had never a word of him, nor knew I where he was since Xuzhou fell."

　　So Guan Yu dispatched Sun Qian into the city to tell its new commander to come out to meet him and provide for their sisters-in-law.

　　Now, after being separated from his brothers, Zhang Fei had gone to the Mangdang Hills, where he had remained a month or so while he sent far and near for tidings of Liu Bei. Then as he happened to pass Gucheng, he had sent in to borrow some grain, but had been refused. In revenge, he had driven away the magistrate and taken possession of the city. He found the place well suited to his needs at the moment.

　　As directed by Guan Yu, Sun Qian entered the city and, after the usual ceremonies, told Zhang Fei the news, "Liu Bei has left Yuan Shao and gone to Runan； and Guan Yu, with your sisters-in-law, is at the gates. He wishes you to go out and receive them."

　　Zhang Fei listened without a word till he came to the request to go out to meet his brother. At that point he called for his armor and, when he had put it on, laid hold of his long serpent halberd, mounted, and rode out with a large company at his back. Sun Qian was too astonished to ask what this meant and simply followed.

　　Guan Yu was very glad when he saw his brother coming, put up his weapons and, with Zhou Cang at his back, rode toward him at full speed. But as Guan Yu approached, he saw all the signs of fierce anger on Zhang Fei's face, and Zhang Fei roared as he shook his spear, threatening Guan Yu.

　　Guan Yu was entirely taken aback and called out anxiously, "Brother, what does this mean？ Is the Peach Garden Pledge quite forgotten？"

　　"What impudence is this that you come to see me since your disgracefulbehavior？" shouted Zhang Fei.

　　"What disgracefulbehavior has been mine？" said Guan Yu.

　　"You have betrayed your brother； you have surrendered to Cao Cao； and you have received title and office at his hands. And now you are come to exploit me. One of us shall die！"

　　Guan Yu said, "Really you do not understand, and it is hard for me to explain. But ask the two ladies here, worthy brother, and they will tell you."

　　At this the ladies lifted the curtain of the carriage and called out： "Brother, why is this？"

　　Zhang Fei said, "Wait a while, sisters, and see me slay this traitor. After that I will conduct you into the city."

　　Said Lady Gan, "Since he knew not where you were, our brother took shelter with Cao Cao. And since he knew that his elder brother was at Runan, he has braved every danger to escort us thus far on the road. Pray take a correct view of his conduct."

　　Lady Mi also chimed in, "When your brother went to Xuchang, no other course was open to him."

　　"Sisters, do not let him deceive you to the truth. Real loyalty prefers death to dishonor. No good person can serve two masters."

　　Guan Yu said, "Brother, cease to wrench me I pray you."

　　Sun Qian said, "Guan Yu came expressly to seek you."

　　"How much more nonsense will you talk？" roared Zhang Fei. "How can he be true-hearted？ He came to capture me, I say."

　　"Had I come to capture you, I should have come with troops and horses," said Guan Yu.

　　"And are there not troops and horses？" said Zhang Fei pointing to a point behind Guan Yu.

　　Guan Yu turned, and there he saw a cloud of dust rising as though a squadron of horse was coming. And soon they were near enough, and from their trumpets and banners they showed themselves to be of Cao Cao's army.

　　"Now will you try to cajole me further？" cried Zhang Fei in a rage.

　　He set his serpent halberd and was just coming on when Guan Yu said, "Brother, wait a while. See me slay the leader of these that I may prove myself no traitor."

　　"Well, if you are really true, prove it by slaying that leader, whoever he may be, before I have finished three rolls of the drum."

　　Zhang Fei's condition was accepted. Soon the attacking force was near enough to make out the leader to be Cai Yang.