Hsiahou Tun said,“Ch’in Ch’i was the son of Ts’ai Yang’s sister, and he was confided to my especial care. Now this Kuan has killed him and how can I refrain?”
“When I see his uncle I will explain. But now the main point is that you have the Minister’s orders to let Kuan Yu pass and you may not despise his wish.”
So the only thing for Hsiahou Tun to do was to retire, and he did.
“Whither are you going?” then said Chang Liao to Kuan 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 Minister?”
“Where is the sense of that?” said Kuan Yu with a smile.“But, Wenyuan, you return, and try to arrange pardon for my faults.”
With this he saluted Chang Liso and took his leave. Chang Liao retired and joined Hsiahou Tun.
Kuan Yu quickly regained the carriage, and as they went along side by side he told Sun Ch’ien 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 Kuo Chang and I have lived here many years. I am very pleased to greet the man whom I have known so long by reputation.”
He 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 stupid son,” said he, presenting a lad to Kuan Yu.
“What has he been doing?” asked Kuan.
“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 Kuan 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.”
Kuan 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 Kuan Yu called to his people, but as no one answered he and his companion 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. Kuan Yu asked what it was all about and his men told him that the young fellow had tried to steal Red Hare, but had been badly kicked. They had heard shouting and had gone to see what it meant when the farm people, had set on them.
Kuan 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 to be generous and pardon him.”
“Really he is unworthy of his father,” said Kuan Yu.“What you told me shows he is a degenerate. For your sake I pardon him.”
Then he told his own people to keep a better lookout, sent the farm people about their business and, in company with Sun Ch’ien, went away to rest.
Next morning both host and hostess were up betimes waiting to thank him for forgiving their son’s mad freak.“My currish 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 Kuan Yu.
“He went out before daylight with a lot of his fellow-rogues and I know not where he is.”
So Kuan Yu bade them farewell, got the ladies into their carriage and they moved out of the farmyard, the two warriors 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 Kuo Chang’s son. The wearer of the turban called out saying,“I am one of the captains of the Celestial Duke, Chang Chio. Whoever you may be, leave that horse you are riding for me. You may then go free.”
Kuan Yu greeted the speech with a hearty laugh.
“O you mad ignoramus! If you had ever been with Chang Chio as a bandit you would have learned to know Liu, Kuan and Chang, the three brothers.”
“I have heard of the ruddy long beard called Kuan but I have never seen him. Who may you be?”
Kuan 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 Kuan Yu’s steed.
“Who are you?” asked Kuan Yu.
“I am P’ei Yuan-shao. After the death of Chang Chio 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 youth Kuo implored that his life might be spared and Kuan Yu pardoned him for his father’s sake. He covered his face and crept away.
“You did not recognise me; how then did you know my name?” asked Kuan Yu.
P’ei replied,“Not far from here is a mountain called the Sleeping Bull, where lives a certain Chou Ts’ang, a very powerful man who came from the west. He has a stiff curly beard and looks very handsome. He also was a captain 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 Kuan Yu,“Under the greenwood tree 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 were the men of Chou Ts’ang, as P’ei said, and Kuan 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 Kuan.”
In a moment he had slipped out of the saddle and was on his knees by the roadside.
“Chou Ts’ang renders obeisance,” said he.
Said Kuan Yu,“O warrior, where have you known me?”
“I was one of the Yellow Turbans 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 Kuan 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.”
Kuan Yu dismounted and went to ask the ladies what they thought of this. The Lady Kan replied,“Brother-in-law, you have travelled thus far alone and without fighting men; 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 woman’s view and you must decide.”
“What you say, sister-in-law, is to the point.”
Therefore returning to Chou Ts’ang 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 mo
untains till I shall have found my brother when I will surely call you.”
Chou Ts’ang 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 men to follow you I will bid my companion lead them away, but I will come and follow you on foot wherever you go.”
Kuan Yu again asked his sisters-in-law what they thought of this. Lady Kan said one or two made no difference and so Kuan Yu consented. But P’ei Yuan-shao was not satisfied with this arrangement and said he wished also to follow.
Chou 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 Kuan. As soon as he has a fixed abode I will come to fetch you.”
Somewhat discontentedly P’ei Yuan-shao accepted the situation and marched off, while his one-time colleague joined the train of Kuan Yu and they went toward Junan. They travelled quickly for some days and then they saw a city on a hill. From the natives they heard that the city was called Kuch’eng and that a few months before a warrior had suddenly appeared, driven out the magistrates and taken possession. Then he had begun to recruit men, buy up horses and lay in stores. The warrior’s name was Chang Fei. Now he had a large force and no one in the neighbourhood dared face him.
“To think that I should find my brother like this!” said Kuan Yu, delighted.“I have had never a word of him, nor knew I where he was since Hsuchou fell.”
So he despatched Sun Ch’ien 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, Chang Fei had gone to the Mangyang Hills, where he had remained a month or so while he sent far and near for tidings of Yuan-te. Then as he happened to pass Kuch’eng 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 Kuan Yu, Sun Ch’ien entered the city and, after the usual ceremonies, told Chang Fei the news of both his brothers, that Yuan-te had left Yuan Shao and gone to Junan and that Kuan Yu, with their sisters-in-law, was at his gates. Chang Fei listened without a word till he came to the request to go out to meet him. At that point he called for his armour and, when he had put it on, laid hold of his long spear, mounted and rode out with a large company at his back. Sun Ch’ien was too astonished to ask what this meant and simply followed.
Kuan Yu was very glad when he saw his brother coming, put up his weapons and, with Chou Ts’ang at his back, rode toward him at full speed. But as he approached he saw all the signs of fierce anger on his brother’s face and he roared as he shook his spear, threatening his brother.
Kuan Yu was entirely taken aback and called out anxiously,“Brother, what does this mean? Is the Peach Garden Pledge quite forgotton?”
“What impudence is this that you come to see me since your disgraceful behaviour?” shouted Chang.
“What disgraceful behaviour has been mine?” said Kuan Yu.
“You have betrayed your brother, you have surrendered to Ts’ao Ts’ao and you have received title and office at his hands. And now you are come to exploit me. One of us shall die.”
Kuan 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?”
Fei said,“Wait a while, sisters, and see me slay this traitor. After that I will conduct you into the city.”
Said the Lady Kan,“Since he knew not where you were our brother took shelter with Ts’ao Ts’ao. And since he knew that his elder brother was at Junan he has braved every danger to escort us thus far on the road. Pray take a correct view of his conduct.”
The Lady Mi also chimed in,“When your brother went to Hsutu no other course was open to him.”
“Sisters, do not let him blind you to the truth. Real loyalty prefers death to dishonour. No good man can serve two masters.”
Kuan Yu said,“Brother, cease to wrong me I pray you.”
Sun Ch’ien said,“Yun-ch’ang came expressly to seek you.”
“How much more nonsense will you talk?” roared Chang 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 men and horses,” said Kuan Yu.
“And are there not men and horses?” said Chang Fei pointing to a point behind Kuan Yu.
Kuan 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 Ts’ao Ts’ao’s army.
“Now will you try to cajole me further?” cried Chang Fei in a rage.
He set his long spear and was just coming on when Kuan 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.”
Chang Fei’s condition was accepted. Soon the attacking force was near enough to make out the leader to be Ts’ai Yang. Sword in hand he rode at full speed, crying,“So I have found you, slayer of my nephew! I have a command to capture you and will execute it.”
Kuan Yu made no reply. Raising his sword ready to strike he moved out and the drums began to beat. Before a roll could be completed the fight was over and Ts’ai Yang’s head had rolled on the ground. His men scattered and fled. Kuan Yu, however, captured the young ensign-bearer and questioned him. The youth said that in very truth the Minister had not given an order. Incensed at the loss of his nephew, Ts’ai wished to pursue and attack Kuan Yu although the Minister refused permission. To satisfy him he had sent Ts’ai to attack Junan and the meeting at this place was entirely an accident.
Kuan Yu bade him repeat this story to his brother. Chang Fei also questioned him concerning all that had happened in the capital and the recital of the whole story satisfied him of the fidelity of Kuan Yu.
Just then messengers came from the city to Chang Fei to say that some scores of horsemen had arrived at the south gate. They seemed in a great hurry but no one knew them. Chang Fei, with still a lingering doubt in his mind, went to look at the newcomers and there saw a score or two of mounted archers with light bows and short arrows. Hastily dismounting to see them better he found they were Mi Chu and Mi Fang. Quickly slipping out of the saddle they came up and Mi Chu said,“After the dispersal at Hsuchou when we lost sight of you we returned to our village whence we sent all around for news of you. We heard that Kuan Yu had surrendered to Ts’ao Ts’ao and our lord was in Hopei. The one of whom we could hear nothing was yourself. But yesterday, while on our way, we fell in with some travellers who told us a certain General Chang, of such and such an appearance, had suddenly occupied Kuch’eng and we felt it must be you. So we came to enquire and we happily fell in with you here.”
Fei replied,“Kuan Yu and Sun Ch’ien are here and my two sisters are with them. They had heard where my elder brother was.”
This news added to the joy of the two newcomers who went to see Kuan Yu and the women and then they all entered the city. When the ladies had settled down a little they related the whole story of the adventures on the road at which Chang Fei was overcome with remorse and bowed before his brother bitterly weeping. The brothers Mi were greatly affected. Then Chang Fei related what had happened to him.
A day was spent in banquets and next day Chang Fei wished his newly found brother to go with him to Junan to see their elder brother Yuan-te. But Kuan Yu said,“No; you take care of the ladies here while Sun Ch’ien and I go to get news.”
So Kuan Yu and Sun Ch’ien with a small escort set out. When they reached Junan they were re
ceived by Liu P’i who told them their brother was no longer in the city. After waiting some days he had come to the conclusion that the soldiers were too few and had gone back to Yuan Shao to consult with him.
Kuan Yu was greatly disappointed and his companion did his best to console him.“Do not be sorrowful; it only means the trouble of another journey into Hopei to tell Uncle Liu and then we can all meet at Kuch’eng.”
So spoke Sun Ch’ien and Kuan Yu accepted it. They took leave of Liu P’i and returned to Kuch’eng where they related what had happened. Chang Fei wanted to go with them into Hopei, but Kuan Yu opposed this, saying,“Seeing you have this city it makes a rallying point for us and a resting place. We must not abandon it lightly. We two will go and while away we look to you to keep the city safe.”
“How can you go after killing the two generals, Yen Liang and Wen Ch’ou?”
“That will not stop me. And after I am there I can act according to circumstances.”
Then he summoned Chou Ts’ang and asked him, saying,“How many men are there with P’ei at Sleeping Bull Mountain?”
“I should think four or five hundred.”
“Now,” said Kuan Yu,“I am going to take the shortest road to find my brother. Can you go to summon your men and lead them along the high road to assist me?”
With instructions to bring up these men Chou Ts’ang left, while Kuan Yu and Sun Ch’ien and their small escort went off to the north. When they drew near the boundary Sun Ch’ien said,“You must be careful how you go over; you ought to stop here while I go in, see Uncle Liu and take the necessary steps.”
Seeing the wisdom of this Kuan Yu stopped there and sent his companion in advance, he and his followers going up to a nearby farm as an abiding place.
When they got to the farm out came a venerable man leaning on a staff. After exchanging salutes Kuan Yu told the old man all about himself.
“My name is also Kuan; my personal name being Ting,” said the old man.“I know your reputation and I am very happy to meet you.”
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Page 41
