Romance of the Three Kingdoms

by Guanzhong Luo

  “Then what are you doing here if you have not come to help me.”

  “Nothing is known of the fate of your elder brother, nor whether your younger brother is alive or dead. Last night your city fell into the hands of Ts’ao Ts’ao, but neither soldiers nor people were harmed and a special guard was set over the family of Yuan-te lest they should be alarmed. I came to tell you how well they had been treated.”

  “This is certainly talking me over,” said Kuan testily.“Though escape is impossible yet I am not perturbed. I look upon death as going home. You had better depart quickly and let me go down and begin the struggle again.”

  “Surely you must know everybody will ridicule you when they hear of this,” said Chang, laughing loud.

  “I shall die for loyalty and righteousness. Who will laugh?” said Kuan.

  “You would be guilty of three faults if you died.”

  “Tell me them,” said Kuan.

  “First of all you and your elder brother pledged yourselves in the Peach Garden to die or to live together. Now your brother has been defeated and you want to fight to the death. Therefore, if your brother appear again by and by and wants your help, he will seek it in vain. Is this anything else than betraying the Peach Garden oath? Secondly you are in charge of your brother’s family and, if you fought and died, the two women would be left forlorn and without a protector. That would be a betrayal of trust. Thirdly your military skill stands out conspicuous and will go down in history. If you do not aid your brother in his noble attempt to maintain the Dynasty then all your labours and sufferings will have been spent to win a worthless reputation as a valiant fool. Where is the sense in that? I feel it my duty to point out these three faults to you.”

  Kuan Yu remained silent and thought for some time. Then he said,“You have spoken of my three faults, What do you desire?”

  “You are surrounded with the certainty of death if you do not yield. There is no advantage in a useless death. Wherefore your best course is to yield to Ts’ao Ts’ao till you hear news of Liu Pei and can rejoin him. Thus you will ensure the safety of the two ladies and also keep inviolate the Peach Garden compact. You will preserve a useful life. Brother, you must reflect on these things.”

  “Brother, you have spoken of three advantages; now I have three conditions. If the Minister concede these then will I doff my armour. If he refuse, then I prefer to be guilty of the three faults and die.”

  “Why should the Minister not concede them? He is most liberal and large minded. I pray you to let me hear your conditions.”

  “The first is that as I and the Imperial Uncle have sworn to support the Hans I now submit to the Emperor and not to his minister Ts’ao. The second condition is that suitable provision be made for the two ladies under my care and that no one shall be allowed to approach them. The third is that I shall be allowed to set off to rejoin Uncle Liu so soon as I shall hear where he is, whether it be far or near. I require all these to be satisfied; failing a single one, I will not submit. Wherefore, Wenyuan, I pray you hasten back and announce them.”

  Chang Liao lost no time but rode back to Ts’ao Ts’ao. When he spoke of Kuan Yu’s intention to submit to the Hans but not to Ts’ao Ts’ao, the latter smiled, saying,“As I am the Minister of Han, so am I Han. I grant that.”

  Chang then spoke of provision due to their rank and security from molestation for the ladies, to which Ts’ao replied,“I will give them twice the regular amount for an Uncle of the Emperor; as for securing them from molestation, that is simple. The ordinary domestic law is enough. Why should there be any doubt?”

  Then said Chang,“Whenever he shall get news of the whereabouts of Yuan-te, he must go to him.”

  At this Ts’ao shook his head, saying,“Then I am merely to feed Yun-ch’ang. What is the use of this? I cannot consent.”

  Chang replied,“You must know of the difference in Yu Jang’s behaviour brought about by difference of treatment? Yuan-te treats Yun-ch’ang just kindly and liberally; you can surely engage his heart and support by being kinder and more liberal.”

  “What you say is much to the point. I will grant the three conditions,” said Ts’ao.

  Whereupon Chang Liao left to carry the news to Kuan Yu, still on the summit of the hill.

  “Now I expect the army to withdraw so that I may enter the city to tell the two ladies what has been arranged. After that I submit at once.”

  Chang Liao rode back once more with this request and the order was given for the army to retire ten li.

  “Do not do this,” said Hsun Yu.“I fear treachery.”

  “He will certainly not break faith,” said Ts’ao Ts’ao. He is too high principled.”

  The army retired and Kuan Yu with his force reentered the city, where he saw that the people were following their ordinary avocations in tranquillity. He came to the palace and went in to see the two ladies, who hastened to meet him. He bowed to them below the steps and said,“I apologise for having caused you to feel alarmed.”

  “Where is the Uncle?” asked they.

  “I know not whither he has gone.”

  “What do you intend to do, brother-in-law?”

  “I went out of the city to try a last battle. I was surrounded on a hill top and Chang Liao has urged me to yield. I proposed three conditions, all of which were conceded, and the enemy drew off to allow me to return to the city. Unless I have your decision, sisters-in-law, I scarcely dare to take any final step.”

  They asked what were the conditions and were told. Then Kan Fu-jen said,“When Ts’ao’s army came in we took it to mean certain death. But it is scarcely credible that not a hair of our heads has been disturbed, not a soldier has dared enter our doors. You have accepted the conditions, brother-in-law, and there is no need to ask our consent. Our only fear is that he will not let you go by and by to search for the Uncle.”

  “Sisters-in-law, you need not be anxious. I will see to that.”

  “You must decide everything and need not ask us women-kind.”

  Kuan Yu withdrew and then, with a small escort, went to his interview with Ts’ao Ts’ao. Ts’ao came to the outermost gate to welcome him and Kuan Yu dismounted and made obeisance. Ts’ao returned his salute with the greatest cordiality.

  “The leader of a defeated army is grateful for the graciousness that has preserved his life,” said Kuan Yu.

  “I have so long admired your loyalty and high principles that this happy meeting gratifies the desire of my whole life,” replied Ts’ao.

  “As the Minister has granted the three requests which my friend petitioned for on my behalf there is now but little to discuss,” said Kuan.

  “As I have spoken, so be it; I could not break faith,” replied Ts’ao.

  “Whenever I hear where Uncle Liu is I must certainly go to him, even if through fire and water. It may be that there will be no opportunity of taking leave. I trust you will understand the reason.”

  “If Liu Pei should prove to be alive you must certainly be allowed to go to him. But I fear that in the confusion he may have lost his life. You may set your mind at rest and let me make enquiries.”

  Kuan Yu thanked him. Then a banquet was prepared in his honour. Next day the army started on its homeward march.

  For the journey to the capital a carriage was prepared for the two ladies and Kuan Yu was its guard. On the road they rested at a certain post station and Ts’ao Ts’ao, anxious to compromise Kuan by beguiling him into forgetfulness of his duty, assigned him to the same apartment as his sisters-in-law. Kuan stood the whole night before the door with a lighted candle in his hand. Not once did he yield to fatigue. Ts’ao Ts’ao’s respect for him could not but increase.

  At the capital the Minister assigned a dignified residence to Kuan Yu, which he immediately divided into two enclosures, the inner one for the two ladies and the other for himself. He placed a guard of eighteen of his veterans over the women’s quarters.

  Kuan Yu was presented to the Emperor Hsien who conferred upo
n him the rank of General. Soon after Ts’ao made a great banquet, inviting all his advisers and fighting men, solely in honour of Kuan Yu, who sat in the seat of honour. Beside this he received presents of silks and gold and silver vessels, all of which were sent into the ladies’ quarters for their use and keeping. In fact from the day of arrival in the capital Kuan Yu was treated with marked respect and distinction, banquets and feasts following each other in quick succession.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao also presented him with ten most lovely serving girls; these also were sent within to wait upon his two sisters-in-law.

  Every third day Kuan Yu went to the door of the women’s quarters to enquire after their welfare, and then they asked if any news of the wanderer had come. This ceremony closed with the words “Brother-in-law, you may retire when you wish.”

  Ts’ao heard of this extremely correct behaviour and thought all the more of the man for it.

  One day Ts’ao noticed that the robe Kuan Yu was wearing was old and frayed. Taking his measurements Ts’ao had a new one made of fine brocade and presented it to him. He took it and put it on under the old robe, so that the latter covered it.

  “Why so very thrifty?” laughed Ts’ao.

  “It is not thrift,” was his reply.“The old robe was a gift from my brother and I wear it because it reminds me of him. I could not allow the new gift to eclipse his old one.”

  “How very high principled!” said Ts’ao Ts’ao sighing.

  But he was not pleased with the man or a his conduct. One day when Kuan Yu was at home there came a messenger to say that the two women had thrown themselves on the ground and were weeping. They would not say why. Kuan Yu set his dress in order, went over and knelt by the door saying,“Why this grief, sisters-in-law?”

  Kan Fu-jen replied,“In the night I dreamed that the Uncle had fallen into a pit. I woke up and told Mi Fu-jen and we think 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 Kuan Yu was invited to another banquet so he took leave of the ladies and went. Seeing Kuan look sad and tearful his host asked the reason.

  “My sisters-in-law have been weeping for my brother and I cannot help being sad in sympathy.”

  Ts’ao smiled and tried to cheer up his guest. He plied him with wine so that he became quite intoxicated and sat stroking his beard and saying,“What a useless thing am I! I could do no service for my country and I have parted from my elder brother.”

  “How many hairs in your beard?” suddenly asked his host.

  “Some hundreds, perhaps. In the autumn a few fall out, but in the winter it is fullest. Then I use a black silk bag to keep the hairs from being broken,” replied Kuan.

  Ts’ao had a bag made for him to protect his beard. Soon after when they were at Court the Emperor asked what was the bag he saw on Kuan Yu’s breast.

  “My beard is rather long. Your Majesty,” said Kuan.“So the Minister gave me a bag to protect it.”

  The Emperor bade him take off the bag and show his beard in all its fullness and it fell in rippling waves below his breast.

  “Really a most beautiful beard!” said the Emperor.

  This is why people call him “The Duke with the Beautiful Beard.”

  Another time, after a banquet, Ts’ao was seeing his guest start from the gate of his palace when he noticed that his charger was very thin.

  “Why is he so thin?” said Ts’ao.

  “My worthless body is rather heavy and really too much for him. He is always out of condition.”

  Ts’ao at once told his men to bring out a certain steed and before long he appeared. He was red, like glowing charcoal, and a handsome creature in every way.

  “Do you recognise him?” asked Ts’ao.

  “Why, it is no other than ‘Red Hare!’” cried Kuan Yu.

  “Yes; it is he,” said Ts’ao, and he presented the horse, all fully caparisoned, to his guest. Kuan Yu bowed many times and thanked him again and again, till Ts’ao began to feel displeased and said,“I have given you many things, lovely handmaids and gold and silks and 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 the horse, and his speed, and I am very lucky to get him. Now as soon as I find out where my brother is I can get to him in a single day,” said Kuan.

  Ts’ao grumbled to himself and began to repent of his gift, but Kuan Yu took his leave and went away.

  Fortune dealt a stunning blow, still he played his part;

  Partitioning his dwelling proved his purity of heart.

  The crafty Minister desired to win him to his side,

  But felt that failure was foredoomed however much he tried.

  Said Ts’ao Ts’ao to Chang Liao,“have treated him pretty liberally, but he still cherishes the desire to leave me. Do you know if it is really so?”

  “I will try to find out,” was the reply.

  So he took an early opportunity of seeing Kuan Yu and when the politenesses of the visit were over, Liao said,“I recommended you to the Minister and you have not lost much by that.”

  “I am deeply affected by his kindness and bounty,” said Kuan Yu,“but, though my body is here, yet I am always thinking of my brother.”

  “Your words do not express present conditions quite correctly. One who lives in the world without discrimination and consideration of his relations with others is not the most admirable type of man. Even Yuan-te never treated you better than does the Minister. Why then do you 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 Uncle Liu. Beside we have sworn to die together and I cannot remain here, but before I go I must try to render him some signal service to prove my gratitude.”

  “Supposing Yuan-te should have left the world, whither will you go?” said Chang.

  “I will follow him to the realms below.”

  There could no longer be the least doubt as to Kuan Yu’s intentions and Chang Liao told Ts’ao Ts’ao just how matters stood. Ts’ao sighed.“To serve one’s chief with unswerving fidelity is a proof of the highest principle of all,” said he.

  Said Hsun Yu,“He spoke of performing some act of service before leaving. If he gets no chance of such a thing, he will not be able to go.”

  Ts’ao Ts’ao agreed that this was so.

  The story of Yuan-te broke off at the point when he went to Yuan Shao for refuge. Here he was always sorrowful and, when asked the reason, said he did not know where his brothers were nor what had happened to his family since they fell into the hands of Ts’ao Ts’ao.

  “Why should I not be sad when I have failed towards my country and my family?” said he.

  “I have long wished to attack Hsutu,” said Yuan Shao.“Now it is autumn and just the time for an expedition, so let us discuss plans for the destruction of Ts’ao Ts’ao.”

  T’ien Feng at once opposed this.“When Ts’ao Ts’ao attacked Hsuchou and Hsutu was undefended you let the chance slip by. Now that Hsuchou has been captured and the soldiers are flushed with victory it would be madness to attempt it. It is necessary to await another chance.”

  “Let me think about it,” said Yuan Shao.

  He asked advice from Yuan-te, whether to attack or to hold on.

  Yuan-te replied,“Ts’ao is a rebel. I think you are failing in your duty if you do not attack him.”

  “Your words are good,” said Shao.

  He made up his mind to move. But again the adviser T’ien intervened. Then Shao grew angry, saying,“You fellows who cultivate literature and despise war have made me miss a lot.”

  T’ien Feng bowed his head and said,“Neglect your servant’s wise words and you will fail in the field.”

  Yuan Shao was so angry that he wanted to put him to death. However Yuan-te be
gged him off and he was only imprisoned.

  Seeing the fate of his colleague another adviser, Chu Shou by name, assembled his clan and distributed among them all his possessions, saying,“I go with the army. If we succeed, then nothing can exceed our glory, but if we are defeated, the risk I run is great.”

  His friends wept as they said farewell.

  Yen Liang was appointed to the command of the advance guard, to go to attack Paima. Then Chu Shou first protested,“His mind is too narrow for such a post. He is brave but unequal to such a trust.”

  “You are not the sort of man to measure my best generals,” replied Shao.

  The army marched to Liyang and the Prefect sent an urgent call to Hsuch’ang for aid. Ts’ao moved his armies hastily. As soon as the news of battle got about Kuan Yu went to see the Minister and asked that he might go with the first body.

  “I scarcely dare put you to such inconvenience, but presently, if need arises, I will call upon you.”

  So Kuan Yu retired and fifteen legions marched out in three directions. On the road the letters from Liu Yen arrived praying for help and the first five legions went to Paima and took up a position supported by the hills. In the wide plains in front of them Yen Liang was encamped with ten legions of veterans.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao was frightened at the force opposed to him and, returning to camp, spoke to Sung Hsien, who had once served under Lu Pu, saying,“You are one of Lu Pu’s famous veteran generals; can you give battle to this Yen?”

  Sung Hsien agreed to try. He armed himself, mounted and rode to the front. Yen Liang was there on horseback 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, Sung Hsien fell under a mighty slash from the other’s sword.

  “What a terrible leader!” said Ts’ao.

  “He has slain my comrade, I want to go and avenge him,” then cried Wei Hsu.

  Ts’ao bade him go and he rode out, spear in rest, and in front of the army railed at Yen Liang.

  Yen Liang replied not a word, but their two steeds came together and at the first blow from Yen’s sword this second champion fell.