Chang Liao went back and told his master who said, "I must find a way to keep him here."

While Kuan Yü was pondering over his difficulties they told him that a friend had come to enquire for him. The visitor was introduced but Kuan did not recognise him.

"Who are you?" asked Kuan.

“I am Chiến Chen of Nanyang, in the service of Yüan Shao.” In great perturbation Kuan Yü sent away the attendants and, they being gone, said, "There is some special reason for your visit."

For reply the newcomer drew out a letter and handed it to his host, who recognised that it was from his brother Yüan-tê.

"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? Surely you desire to obtain fame and acquire riches and honour by offering my head as a crowning act of merit. More might be said but I await your commands with great anxiety."

Kuan Yü 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.

"Yuan-tê looks for you very eagerly, and if you are still bound by the old pledge you should go quickly," said the messenger.

"Any one born into the world without the one essential virtue of sincerity is no true man. 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 Ts'ao Ts'ao I will bring the ladies and come to him."

"But what if Ts'ao Ts'ao refuse to let you go?" said Ch'ên Chên.

"Then would I rather die; I will not remain here."

"Then, Sir, quickly write your letter and relieve your brother from his anxiety."

So Kuan Yü wrote like this: "I, the humble one, know full well that a man of principle does not betray and a man 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 Yang Chio-ai and Tso Po-t'ao die rather than separate. I was in charge of Hsiap'i 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 my trust. And so I made a prisoner of myself, hoping to find a way of release. I heard of you lately in Junan. I must, however, bid farewell to Ts'ao Ts'ao and bring the ladies with me when I come. May I

perish, victim to the superhuman powers, if I have harboured any traitorous thought. Pencil and paper are poor substitutes for what I would say, but I look to see you soon."

The visitor left with this missive and Kuan Yü went to tell the women. Then he proceeded to the Minister's palace to say farewell. But Ts'ao knew what he was coming for and he found at the gate 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 Ts'ao was to be left in the quarters: nothing was to be taken.

Next day he again proceeded to the palace to say farewell to his patron, but again found the board hanging there to show there was no admission. So it was several times; he could never enter. Then he went to see Chang Liao, but he was indisposed.

"This means he will not let me go," thought Kuan Yü. "But I am going and I shall hesitate no longer."

So he wrote this letter:-"As a young man I entered the service of the Imperial Uncle, and pledged myself to share his fortunes. Heaven and Earth witnessed this oath. When I lost the city I made three requests which you granted. Now I hear my brother is with Yüan Shao and I, remembering our pledge, cannot but go to him. Though your bounty is great I forget not the bond of the past, wherefore I write this letter of farewell trusting that when you have read it you will be content for me to postpone to another season the proof of my gratitude." He sealed and sent it to the Palace. Then he deposited in the treasury of his dwelling all the gold and silver he had received, suspended his seal of marquis in the reception hall and left, taking his sisters-in-law with him in a carriage. He rode "Red Hare" and carried Black Dragon in his hand. With a small escort of men, those formerly under his command, he left the city by the north gate.

The wardens would have stopped him but he frightened them with a fierce shout. Having got out he told the escort to go in front with the carriage while he would remain behind to guard against pursuit. So they pushed the carriage toward the high road.

In the city Kuan Yü's letter reached the Minister while he was consulting about what to do. He read it and exclaimed, "So he has left!"

Then the warden of the gate came to report that Kuan Yü had forced his way out, and was gone with a carriage, a horse and a score of guards. Next came the servants from his house to report that he had left, taking nothing of the treasure, nor any one of the waiting maids. Everything was left in the house. Even his seal was there. His only escort were the few men of his original force.

Suddenly from the assembly of men rose a voice saying, "With three companies of mailed horse I will bring him back alive."

Their eyes turned to the speaker, who was General Ts'ai Yang.

On the dragon's cave he turns his back,
But numberless wolves infest his track.

What came of this offer to pursue will be seen in the next chapter.

CHAPTER XXVII.

"BEAUTIFUL BEARD" RIDES ON A SOLITARY JOURNEY:
AND SLAYS SIX MEN AT FIVE PASSES.

Now of all the captains in Ts'ao Ts'ao's army, the only one

friendly toward Kuan Yü, with the exception of Chang Liao, was Hsü Huang. The others treated him with respect, except Ts'ai Yang who was decidedly inimical. So this Ts'ai was ready to pursue and capture him as soon as he heard of his departure. But Ts'ao accepted his going as natural. "He does not forget his old leader and he was perfectly open in all his actions. He is a gentleman and you would do well to follow his example."

So he bade the would-be pursuer begone and say no more about pursuit.

"You were exceedingly good to Kuan Yü," said Ch'êng Yü, "but he went off very rudely. He certainly left a screed behind with his reasons, but he affronted you and that is no light matter. Now to let him join Yüan Shao is to add wings to a tiger. You had better catch him and put him to death so as to guard against future evil."

Ts'ao replied, "But he had my promise and can I break my word? Each has his master. Do not pursue." But he said to Chang Liao, “He has rejected all I gave him, so bribes were powerless with him in whatever shape. I have the greatest respect for such as he. He has not yet gone far and I will try to strengthen his attachment to me and make one appeal to sentiment. Ride after him and beg him to stop till I can come up and bid farewell and offer him a sum of money for his expenses and a fighting robe, that he may remember me kindly in after days.'

So Chang rode out quite alone; Ts'ao followed him leisurely with an escort of a score or so.

Now the steed that Kuan Yü rode was "Red Hare" and he was very fast. No one could have come up with him but that there was the ladies' carriage to escort and so "Red Hare" had to be held in and go slow. Suddenly Kuan Yü heard a shout behind him, a voice crying, "Go slowly, Yün-ch'ang."

He turned and made out the person to be Chang Liao. Ordering the pushers of the carriage to press on along the high road, he reined in his steed, held Black Dragon ready for a stroke and waited for Chang Liao to come up.

"Of course you have come to take me back, Wên-yüan?" said he.

"No; the Minister, seeing that you are going a long journey, wishes to see you on your way and told me to hasten forward and beg you to wait till he can come up. That is the only thing."

"Seeing that he is coming along with mailed men I shall fight to the very last," said Kuan Yü and he took up his position on a bridge where he waited the approach of the party, who advanced quickly. Four of Ts'ao Ts'ao's captains followed close. Seeing Kuan Yü was ready to fight, Ts'ao ordered his escort to open out in two lines and then it was seen they carried no arms. This relieved his mind; for it proved to Kuan Yü they meant no attack.

"Why do you go in such haste, Yün-ch'ang?" asked Ts'ao. Kuan Yü inclined his head but did not dismount.

"I informed you in writing that since my lord was in Hopei I had to leave at once. I went to your palace again and again. but was refused admittance. So I wrote a letter of farewell, sealed up the treasure, resigned my marquis seal and left everything for you. I hope you recall the promise you once made me."

Ts'ao replied, "My desire is to keep my troth with all men; I cannot go back on my word. However, you may find the journey expensive and therefore I have here prepared a sum of money to help you."

Then from horseback he held out a packet of gold.

"I have sufficient left from your former bounty; keep that for presents to your soldiers."

"Why should you refuse this? It is but an insignificant return for great services.'

"My services have been all trifling, not worth mentioning." "Really, Yün-ch'ang, you are the most high-principled of men. I am very sorry my luck is too poor to retain you at my side. Pray accept just this robe to show you I am not quite ungrateful," said Ts'ao, and one of his captains, dismounting, held up a silken coat in both hands. Kuan Yü even still fearful of what might happen, would not dismount, but he reached down his sword and took the robe on its point. Then he threw it over his shoulders and turned to thank the giver saying, "I thank you, Sir Minister, for the robe and trust we shall meet again."

So saying he went down from the bridge and bore away to the north.

"He is a very rude man," said Hsü Ch'u, who was of the escort. "Why do you not take him prisoner?"

Ts'ao replied, "He was absolutely alone facing scores of us; he was justified in being suspicious. But my word has gone forth and he is not to be pursued."