The Bonds of Brotherhood - Part 1 of 3
A retelling of Guan Yu Slays Six Generals and Breaches Five Gates from Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong
Lord Guan Yu led his cavalry around the hillside, the sounds of fighting a short distance away. The allied drums thundered across the sky, pouring down the grass like a heady wine. A rider rounded the hill. Lord Guan raised Green Dragon, his long shafted curved sword, and drove his heels into Red Hare's flanks. The horse bolted forth. 'Halt, Wen Chou!' Lord Guan shouted over the drums sounding from Cao Cao's main camp atop of the hill. The enemy army was further down the slope, their backs to the river. Skirmishes had broken out in the centre but a full engagement had yet to begin.
The enemy commander grimaced and raised his spear, aiming for Guan Yu's throat. Lord Guan parried the blow, yanking the reins tight. He spun Green Dragon around his waist and chopped at the grizzled enemy. His blow was blocked but Wen Chou floundered and made to flee.
'Coward!' Lord Guan roared, giving chase astride Red Hare, the swiftest of all steeds. He levelled Green Dragon at Wen Chou's head, splitting his skull. Wen Chou slipped from the saddle dead, his horse continued to flee. Panic rose from the dead man's forces.
The drums changed form and Cao Cao's army surged forward, forcing the enemy into the river. Half of Wen Chou's army drowned, the rest killed or captured on the shore. While Guan Yu watched the battle unfold, Xu Huang, a bear of a man, appeared, his great axe resting over one shoulder. 'He fled from Zhang Liao and I too. So much for Yuan Shao's best generals, both dead by your hand. The Prime Minister is sure to reward you well.'
Zhang Liao was behind Xu Huang, on foot. 'Huh, dead by your hand. I shall drink to your skill.' Dried mud cracked across his cheeks and all down the front of his scale armour.
Lord Guan stroked his magnificent beard that reached down to his waist, 'I do only what I promised.'
'Have you heard anything of your brothers?' Zhang Liao leaned on his spear, squinting as Cao Cao's forces effortlessly outmanoeuvred the leaderless army of the enemy.
'Nothing,' Guan Yu sighed. He had not heard from Liu Bei or Zhang Fei since the three brothers had been separated in a battle near Xiapi some months ago. Since swearing an oath to restore the Han years prior the Three Brothers had fought side-by-side against rebels across the land, including Cao Cao, the Prime Minister who many believed to be a tyrant who had designs on the Dragon Throne himself. Guan Yu had sworn allegiance to the Emperor, not Cao Cao, and had done so only to preserve the lives of Liu Bei's wives, Lady Mi and Lady Gan.
Zhang Liao clapped Lord Guan on the back, 'They'll be somewhere, there's a lot of places to hide in this world,' he laughed, 'maybe they're with Yuan Shao. He is the greatest threat to the Prime Minister and Liu Bei has made his intentions towards my lord clear.'
Guan Yu grunted wordlessly. It was true, Liu Bei was no supporter of Cao Cao's but Yuan Shao? He was pompous, indecisive, and rumour had it he wanted the Mandate of Heaven for himself like his cousin, Yuan Shu, before him. Yuan Shao's control of Ji province and surrounding commanderies was more luck than skill, luck of birth, of cash, of a noble name and title that attracted talented men to his service. But all the talent under Heaven did not make up for poor decision making.
'The battle is won. Let us return to camp,' Xu Huang's voice rumbled from his chest like dragon's breath.
Wine was served and Cao Cao invited his esteemed guests to sit. Lord Guan was highest amongst them, sitting to the Prime Minister's left. Lü Qian, Xun You, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, and many of Cao Cao's top generals and advisers were present. Xiahou Dun, Cao Cao's cousin, had been sent to defend Guandu in preparation for an attack from Yuan Shao. Lord Guan and the others all faced Cao Cao, sitting atop the dais of the banquet hall, and bowed before taking their places facing each other in two columns. Each man had a low table before them, a jug of wine to the side with a copper ladle the serving girls used to portion the wine for each toast. Lord Guan sat on his cushion and took the bronze cup, steaming with wine, in hand.
'A toast to Guan Yu, whose honed blade and unmatched skill won the battle by slaying the famed general Wen Chou!' Cao Cao raised his cup in both hands in Guan's direction and drank. A room divider stood behind the Prime Minister with a wide silk map of the Central Plains on it. Cao's domain, the core of the Han Empire, was outlined in black stretching from the old capital of Changan to Xiapi in the east, where Lord Guan had surrendered in order to protect the lives of his sisters-in-law. His brothers Liu Bei and Zhang Fei had fled elsewhere and he had not heard from them in the intervening months but he felt in his heart they were alive.
'To Guan Yu,' all the assembled generals repeated and drank, all except for Cai Yang who shook his head and poured his wine on the floor.
'The Prime Minister is too kind with his words, I did only what was required of me, a loyal man of the Han,' Lord Guan stroked his beard.
'Cai Yang,' Cao Cao was calm. 'What is the meaning of this?'
'That man is a turncoat. Rewarding him is like giving your newborn to tigers,' Cai Yang ranted, his expression pinched.
The Prime Minister shifted on his cushion, propping one knee up so he could lean on it. He turned to Guan Yu, his dark eyes fixing on the ruddy faced warrior. 'Are you a tiger? Will you bite my hand when I turn away? Hunt me through the dark woods when I'm wounded?'
Lord Guan scowled at Cai Yang at the far end of the hall. 'I have promised to serve the Prime Minister until I have located my brothers, honour forbids me from doing anything else.'
Cao Cao smiled at the answer.
'But what about after? When, if, your brother, that big-eared shoe weaver, turns up what will you do if he commands you to slay the Prime Minister?' Cai Yang was red faced and half-standing.
'Silence!' Cao Cao roared. 'Cai Yang! Remove yourself from my presence lest I have Xu Chu remove you.' The eight chi tall Xu Chu was broad and oversized for his cushion midway down the western column of guests. The man looked up, his cup steaming from the fresh wine he had poured himself.
Cai Yang gritted his teeth, stole a look at Xu Chu, nicknamed Tiger Fool, and stormed out of the banquet hall.
Cao Cao clapped once and servants appeared from behind the dividers that depicted celestial dragons and three-legged sun birds. Bowls of roasted meats, pearl scallops, rice, and millet were served to the gathered commanders. At the same time one of Cao Cao's house guards appeared, kneeled, eyes to the floor, while holding a sealed bamboo scroll in front of him, and said, 'A report, Prime Minister.'
Cao Cao waved him forward, flourishing the wide sleeve of his robe around his wrist to accept the bamboo scroll. The guard marched down the centre of the banquet hall, the eyes of Cao Cao's finest tracking him the length of it, and handed the scroll over. Cao fished out a scallop with his chopsticks as he read. 'Huh, a remnant of the Yellow Turbans led by Liu Pi and Gong Du have captured Runan, Cao Hong requests reinforcements.'
Lord Guan saluted, right fist cupped in his left hand with a bow of the head, 'Allow me to break the rebels, Prime Minister.'
Cao Cao regarded Guan Yu with narrow eyes, 'Recently returned from Yanjin having slew Wen Chou you volunteer for another campaign? Your previous distinguished service has yet to be repaid, how can I allow you to go so soon?'
'If I linger too long I will wither, I am healthiest out in the field. Allow me this task.'
Cao Cao smirked, 'Very well, fifty thousand troops will be assigned to you. Yu Jin and Yue Jin will serve as your deputies. Crush this Yellow Turban remnant for me,' he paused before adding, 'and the Han.'
Lord Guan marched directly for the commandery of Runan and camped a short distance from the walls of Pingyu, its capital. He had fought Yellow Turbans before, their forces were mostly the dispossessed, unhappy peasants, criminals, and those without prospects. Since their leader Zhang Jue had perished over a decade prior pockets of his religious zealots had survived through banditry all across Cao Cao’s domain, the central plains, and Yuan Shao’s lands of Jizhou and beyond. Guan Yu was confident victory would be swift as the fifty thousand men Cao Cao had granted him were crack troops, veterans of wars against the Yellow Turbans, Dong Zhuo, Tao Qian, Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao, and his own brother Liu Bei of which there was still no word.
Guan Yu served himself a cup of warm wine as he read the maps of the land surrounding Pingyu. He tilted the map towards the gilded bronze oil lamp to illuminate a section south of the city. There was a river to the south of the city, if Gong Du was going to try an escape it would there. Lord Guan formulated a plan to dam the river north city, drying up their wells and preventing their escape. The siege would last shorter too, he was certain.
'My lord,' his guard called. 'Two spies have been caught snooping around the camp, they have been brought to you.'
'Bring them in,' Lord Guan rolled up the map and picked up the oil lamp to set it away from the other maps and orders he had written.
Two men, hands bound and rope between their teeth, were brought in by a trio of scouts. Lord Guan recognised one as Sun Qian, advisor to Liu Bei back in Xiapi. He sent the other away to be interrogated and then dismissed his guards in order to speak to Sun Qian alone, he undid the binds and removed the gag. 'How did you end up here, with Liu Pi and Gong Du of all people?' Guan Yu poured his friend a cup of wine.
'My thanks,' Sun said, accepting the wine. 'After Xiapi I wandered in search of our lord Liu Bei but was unsuccessful. I happened to be in Runan when Liu Pi took over and he was in need of capable men so I offered my services while I continued to search.'
'And?' Lord Guan remained standing, glowering at Sun Qian.
'Liu Bei is with Yuan Shao but I have not had the courage to venture north. With the war between Yuan and Cao I didn't see a way of travelling through Yan nor of crossing the Yellow River,' Sun Qian bowed his head, hissing. 'Such failure shames me.'
'Yuan Shao...' Lord Guan furrowed his brow, his face growing ruddier than usual. 'Of all the lords to join with.'
'Liu Pi seized Runan commandery at Yuan Shao's behest but he isn't looking for a fight, not a real one at least. He knows he cannot win. Tomorrow, challenge him and he will feign defeat, surrendering the territory he has taken and you can reclaim the city, the whole province in fact, with little bloodshed,' Sun finished his wine in a single mouthful.
'I cannot join my brother while he is serving Yuan Shao...'
'Why not?'
'I slew Yan Liang and Wen Chou.'
'Oh,' Sun Qian's mouth was down turned. He scratched his head, a few lengths of hair slipping free of his cap. 'Surely Yuan Shao would over look such a trifling matter to have one of your skill replace them?'
'Perhaps... but Yuan is a petty man who attracts talent and fails to utilise it.'
'Our Lord will not stay with Yuan Shao for long, I am certain. Cao Cao looks to be winning this clash of titans and we will all have to find a new home... again.'
Lord Guan was lost in thought of his brother. He had vowed to save the Han, to die the same day, and to never cease defending the people from chaos, 'I must take my leave of Cao Cao and find my brother, will you join me?'
'I will go ahead, knowing you are behind me will steel my heart, and I’ll begin smoothing things over for you with Yuan Shao and his officers. He would be foolish not to accept your talent.'
Lord Guan sent Sun Qian north to rejoin Liu Bei.
The following morning Guan Yu sat astride Red Hare, Yu Jin and Yue Jin behind him ready to command the fifty thousand Cao soldiers. Gong Du rode out of the city gates clad in armour and wielding a one-and-a-half zhang long spear. 'Why have you turned against the Imperial Court?' Guan Yu bellowed. He raised Green Dragon and urged Red Hare forward.
'Why have you forsaken your oath and sided with the traitor Cao?' Gong Du growled, his beard frizzing with anger. 'Your brother is with Yuan Shao, yet you fight against him? To break your vow is an affront to Heaven!'
Lord Guan charged, hefting his crescent blade high. The two clashed blades once before Gong Du disengaged and galloped back to Pingyu, 'Advance and we will yield Runan.'
Guan Yu knew what he meant and halted his pursuit. The city gates remained open and he ordered Yu Jin to secure the commandery capital with ten thousand men while he and Yue Jin split the remaining forces to calm the rest of Runan.
Liu Bei was with Yuan Shao, he had heard it twice now in less than a day. Did the whole world know but him? Had Cao Cao kept it from him somehow? He supposed it didn't matter now he knew. All he had to do was leave Cao, as their agreement allowed him to, and finally he could return to his brother's side. Then came the question of third brother, Zhang Fei... Guan prayed he was with elder brother but neither Sun Qian nor Gong Du had mentioned him.
Upon returning to the Imperial capital of Xu, Cao Cao rewarded his soldiers for restoring peace to Runan with five years of tax exemption for their families. Such rewards were Cao's most common and most well received. Since before the Yellow Turbans had risen up in the latter years of Emperor Ling's reign locusts, earthquakes, and pestilences of many kinds had left many families with too few crops to harvest and too many mouths to feed. Children were sold into slavery for a peck of millet, young men became bandits, and later joined Zhang Jue on his quest to overthrow the Han, and many afterwards had signed up for the one place a meal was sure to be served, the army. Cao's army bulged with recruits, Yuan's too, as did even the peaceable rulers like Liu Biao in Jing. Swirls of news were chaotic from the southlands but a scion of the Sun family had taken up arms, amassing men and territory as if he were soon to perish.
Lord Guan returned to the home Cao Cao had provided for him and his sisters-in-law, the Lady Mi and Lady Gan. Both quizzed Guan Yu on Liu Bei's whereabouts, he resisted their efforts at first but after significant needling he relented. The pair chastised him for not revealing this sooner but he assured them he himself had only learnt of the Imperial Uncle's whereabouts while reclaiming Runan. There was nothing left to do but inform Cao Cao, the Prime Minister of the Han, of his intention to leave. He set forth immediately but was rebuffed by a sign on the Prime Minister's residence that read 'ABSENT'.
Uncertain how to proceed he visited Zhang Liao but his friend claimed ill health and refused to meet. Guan Yu had an inkling what was being done and though it irked him there was only one way to circumvent Cao's refusal to formally allow him to leave.
First he attempted to call on Cao Cao twice more but found the same sign and, while ashamed of the inferior conduct a letter would be, he wrote to the Prime Minister detailing the revelation of his brother's location and intent on rejoining him. He instructed the twenty soldiers who had surrendered with him, along with the Ladies’ maidens to pack only that which they had come with. All gifts from Cao Cao, no matter how trivial, were to be left behind. Lord Guan hung the seal that made him Lord of Hanshou, his reward for slaying Yan Liang, in the main hall, the letter beneath it.
Lady Mi and Lady Gan shared a carriage with their attendants and each of the soldiers had a horse. Guan Yu donned his armour, his sword, and his crescent blade, Green Dragon. He led the party on Red Hare, a steed capable of riding 1000 li in a day, and made for the North Gate of Xu. Relying on surprise he did not stop for questions, nor did he flourish his blade. A swift exit would prevent any interference. The gate captain called out to him to stop but he ignored them, flying past as swift as the wind.
'Go ahead,' he called to the carriage driver and the twenty riders. Guan Yu circled around and watched for pursuers, seeing none he continued north as rear guard.
A short time later he spotted a rider tearing up the road towards him, a thick cloud of dust behind the lone rider making it look like a whole cavalry unit.
'Wait!' Zhang Liao bellowed, but he bore no weapon. 'The Prime Minister wishes to see you off personally.'
Guan Yu grunted, 'If that were so he would not have refused my calls these past days, nor would you have feigned illness.' Seeing Zhang wielded no weapons he relented, however, having spotting Cao's carriage emerging from Xu.
Lord Guan and Zhang Liao remained in silence while Cao Cao's carriage approached, each on their mount, Lord Guan with Green Dragon in one hand, the blade almost brushing the dirt.
Cao's carriage halted a few zhang from Guan Yu, a number of his officers fanned out behind him. Six horses pulled the carriage and Cao himself had a cushioned chair in the centre with an awning to keep the sun off. Cao stood and stepped to the front of the carriage, leaning on the balustrade. 'Guan Yu, why do you leave without saying farewell?' The Prime Minister's face was shrouded in shadow as the sun sloped in the sky to the south.
Lord Guan, still mounted, answered, 'I tried but each time you were absent. I must keep to our original agreement now I know the whereabouts of my brother.' He met the eyes of each officer in turn, Yu Jin and Yue Jin had served with him in Runan, Xu Chu was a ferocious warrior with a kind heart and a round face, Xu Huang had been a good friend, and Li Dian was diligent though Guan had spent little time with the man, and Cai Yang with an expression approaching hatred. None were armed but Lord Guan did not relax his guard.
'And I shall keep to our agreement. I merely wish to gift you expenses for the road.'
'I cannot accept for I do not deserve such. Keep it as reward for your officers in the battles to come.'
'This is a paltry amount compared to what I owe you for your short service.'
'I did only what was asked of me,' Lord Guan stroked his beard.
'Humble to the end,' Cao Cao laughed. 'Then accept this damask robe as a symbol of my good will,' Cao Cao clicked his fingers and a captain came forth with the gift. The soldier dismounted and crossed the gulf between the two men to hold up the robe.
Lord Guan reached down with Green Dragon and lifted it on the flat of the sword, 'My thanks, Your Excellency, may we meet again.' He guided Red Hare around and continued the ride north.
'Insolence!' Guan Yu heard from Cai Yang. 'He insults you when we have him outnumbered!'
'Silence! I have given my word, his posture was understandable outnumbered more than ten-to-one.' Cao Cao paused, then ordered. 'No-one will pursue him.'
The carriage was nowhere to be seen. Lord Guan crossed a bridge and rode for thirty li but there were no tracks. He rode off the road, searching for any sign of the carriage or his men. Returning to his brother with news of Lady Mi and Lady Gan's deaths would be too much so Lord Guan continued his search far beyond reasonableness. He came to the foot of a hill, ready to find a place to rest for the night, when a man appeared out of the trees ringing the hill. 'Who goes there!' Lord Guan raised his crescent blade.
A man appeared, mounted, a decapitated head hanging from his horse's neck, and a yellow scarf around his ears. He threw down his lance and dropped to the ground and kowtowed. 'My name is Liao Hua, the head is Du Yuan's. I told him to release the ladies but he refused and wished to marry one of them. I only did what I had to.' The man pressed his forehead to the mud.
'You have my sisters-in-law?'
'Sisters-in-law? Then you're Guan Yu, brother to Liu Bei,' Liao Hua looked up for a moment, startled, and then averted his gaze once more. 'I apologise, it was Du Yuan who kidnapped the women.'
'Where are they?' Lord Guan guided his steed closer, ready to fight.
'Atop the hill. No harm has come to them, I promise.'
Lord Guan galloped to the peak of the shallow hill to find the carriage with the two ladies inside, unharmed. The same could not be said for the guards and attendants who were bruised, though none were dead. Lord Guan dismounted and approached with his hands clasped before him, eyes downturned, 'Are you both alright?' Over a hundred scrawny men with yellow scarves around their necks or heads surrounded the carriage, most wielded nothing more deadly than a plough or hoe.
'Thanks to Liao Hua, we are,' Lady Mi answered, her voice quavering. 'We should be on our way.'
'Indeed,' Lord Guan stepped back and called to the driver. 'Back to the road!' He hurried to his mount and trailed the carriage and riders.
Liao Hua appeared, 'Would you accept my offer of service? I'm sure my men would join Liu Bei too.'
Lord Guan stiffened, 'I am loathe to accept the service of Yellow Turbans though know that I am grateful for your honourable action. Return to the hills and help the people.'
Liao Hua bowed low and bid farewell, promising to do as Guan Yu asked.
Once they were back on the road night had begun to fall so Guan Yu led the party towards a farmhouse a few li further along. He knew they could not camp in the wilds for fear of wild animals and wild men, bandits, but there was no guarantee the farmhouse was occupied or secure. He approached the lightless cottage, expecting no-one, when a flicker of a lamp illuminated the doorway. 'Who visits my house so late?' an old, wizened voice called from the dark.
'Guan Yu, brother to Liu Bei and Zhang Fei. My sisters-in-law are with me, along with a score of attendants and guards, would I be remiss to press upon your hospitality?' Lord Guan remained a respectful distance from the man as he stepped into the light. He was white haired and white bearded, with a crooked back.
'Guan Yu who slew Yan Liang and Wen Chou?'
'The same.'
'What an honour to receive such esteemed guests, my name is Hu Hua and I served in the court of Emperor Huan, I retired many years ago. Please, come inside, I will have my wife and daughter provide for the two ladies whilst a feast is prepared.’ The old man had handmaidens welcome Lady Mi and Lady Gan while he himself ushered Lord Guan into his home. The riders were attended to by servants in the stables. The house was humble and well kept, a fish pond dominated the surrounding grounds within the walls lit by oil lamps hung on tall poles. The pond encircled the home like a moat with bridges and pavilions dotted about it. Lotus flowers floated along while carp swam beneath, the moon and stars glittered across the water’s surface. Hu Hua led Guan Yu through to the main hall where a pair of tables had been prepared, wine was being warmed by a servant behind a divider that depicted a historic battle fought across a river. ‘My son, Hu Ban, is serving as an aide to Wang Zhi, Governor of Xingying. Do you expect to pass that way?’
Guan Yu thought of his route north, he could not head direct as that would lead through Cao Cao’s main army and then Yuan Shao’s main army, a final confrontation was looming and he thought it best to avoid becoming further entangled. ‘I expect to pass through Xingyang, yes.’ The city was near to where he had fought Yan Liang and later Wen Chou but was no longer on the frontlines.
‘How fortuitous! I have a letter for my son, would you please deliver it to him?’
Guan Yu saw no reason to deny the retired official and accepted the letter handed to him. The pair sat and drank a toast to the Han, to the Emperor, and to their longevity before enjoying the banquet.
To be continued in Part 2 next week…
Many thanks for reading!
The novella Atlanteans of Proxima b is now finished, read the whole thing for free starting here:
