Yuan Shao Loses Another Leader;
Guan Yu Abandons Rank And Wealth.

　As the last chapter closed, Liu Bei had been condemned to die.

　　Liu Bei spoke up, however, and said, “Pray hear one word, Illustrious Sir, before you decide. I have lost sight of my brother since my misfortune at Xuzhou and know not whether Guan Yu be dead or alive. There are many men in the world who resemble him. Is every red-faced man with a beard named Guan Yu？ Should you not rather seek some evidence？”

　　Now Yuan Shao was impulsive and facile by nature, and when Liu Bei spoke thus, he suddenly turned upon Ju Shou, saying, “By wrongly regarding what you said, I nearly killed an innocent person.”

　　then Yuan Shao requested Liu Bei once more to resume his seat in the tent and give advice on how to avenge Yan Liang.

　　Soon from the lower end a voice was heard, saying, “Yan Liang and I were as brothers, and can I allow any other to avenge his death？”

　　the speaker was a man of eight-span height with a face like a jilin, a famous leader from the North of Yellow River, named Wen Chou.

　　Yuan Shao was pleased and said, “You are the only man who can do it. I will give you one hundred thousand troops, and you can cross the Yellow River, and quickly smite that rebel Cao Cao.

　　“You cannot do it. Wen Chou will fail,” said Ju Shou. “the proper course is to hold Yenjin and detach a force to Guandu. If you rashly cross the river and anything goes wrong, not a soul will return.”

　　Yuan Shao said, “That is always the way with you fellows, always delaying and taking the dash out of the army. You put off today and postpone tomorrow till success has become impossible. Do you forget that promptitude is what each soldier honors？”

　　the adviser withdrew sadly, saying, “Superiors do not curb their ambitions； inferiors crave for achievements； things are undone. Eternal is the course of Yellow River, shall I change it？”

　　thereafter Ju Shou feigned illness and went no more to the council.

　　Liu Bei said, “I have received much kindness at your hands and have been unable to show my gratitude. I would accompany General Wen Chou that I may repay your bounty and also that I may hear news of my brother.”

　　Yuan Shao gladly consented and ordered Wen Chou to share his command with Liu Bei.

　　But the former objected, saying, “Liu Bei has been so often defeated that it will augur ill for success this time. Since you wish, I will give Liu Bei command of the rear guard of thirty thousand soldiers.”

　　And this being approved, three legions were told off under Liu Bei's special command to follow the main body.

　　the prowess displayed by Guan Yu in the bold attack on Yan Liang redoubled Cao Cao's respect for him, and Cao Cao memorialized the Throne that Guan Yu receive the title of Lord of Hanshou, and a seal was cast for him.

　　Just then came the unexpected news that Yuan Shao's army had moved toward the Yellow River and was in position above Yenjin. Cao Cao first sent to transfer the inhabitants to the west bank and then led out an army to oppose Yuan Shao. He issued an order to face about, thus placing the rear companies in front. The commissariat wagons were also placed in the van.

　　“What is this reversal for？” asked Lu Qian.

　　Cao Cao replied, “When the supplies are in rear, they are liable to be plundered. So I have put them first.”

　　“But if you meet the enemy and they steal them？”

　　“Wait till the enemy appears. I shall know what to do.”

　　Lu Qian was much exercised at this new move of the Prime Minister. In the meantime the supply train moved along the river toward Yenjin. Presently the foremost troops raised a GREat shout, and Cao Cao sent to see what it meant.

　　the messenger came back, saying, “Wen Chou's army is approaching, and the supply train has been abandoned and is at the mercy of the enemy. The main body is still far behind. What to do next？”

　　thereupon Cao Cao pointed to two mounds, saying, “We will take refuge here for the present.”

　　All those near him hastened to the mounds. There Cao Cao ordered them all to loosen their dress, lay aside their breastplates, and rest a time. The horsemen turned their steeds loose.

　　Wen Chou's soldiers approached under cover. As they drew near, the officers told Cao Cao, saying, “The rebels are near. We ought to catch the horses and go back to Baima.”

　　But Adviser Xun You checked them, saying, “These are a bait for the enemy. Why retire？”

　　Cao Cao glanced across at him and said, “He understands. Do not say anything.”

　　Now having got possession of the supply carts, the enemy next came to seize the horses. By this time they had all broken ranks and were scattered, each soldier going his own way. Then suddenly Cao Cao gave the order to go down from the mounds and smite them.

　　the surprise was complete. Wen Chou's army was in confusion, and Cao Cao's army surrounded them. Wen Chou made a stand, but those about him trampled each other down, and he could do nothing but flee. And he fled.

　　then standing on the top of a mound Cao Cao pointed to the flying leader, calling out, “There is one of the most famous generals of the north. Who can capture him？”

　　Zhang Liao and Xu Huang both mounted and dashed after him, crying, “Wen Chou, do not run away！”

　　Looking round, the fugitive saw two pursuers, and then he set aside his spear, took his bow and adjusted an arrow, which he shot at Zhang Liao.

　　“Cease shooting, you rebel！” shouted Xu Huang.

　　Zhang Liao ducked his head, and the shaft went harmlessly by, save that it carried away the tassel of his cap. He only pressed harder in pursuit. The next arrow however struck his horse in the head, and the animal stumbled and fell, throwing its rider to the earth.

　　then Wen Chou turned to come back. Xu Huang, whirling his battle-ax, stood in his way to stop Wen Chou. But Xu Huang saw behind Wen Chou several more horsemen coming to help； and as they would have been too many for him, he fled. Wen Chou pursued along the river bank. Suddenly he saw coming toward him with banners fluttering in the breeze, a small party of horse, and the leader carried a GREat sword.

　　“Stop！” cried Guan Yu, for it was he, and he attacked at once.

　　At the third bout Wen Chou's heart failed him, and he wheeled and fled, following the windings of the river. But Guan Yu's steed was fast and soon caught up. One blow, and the hapless Wen Chou fell.

　　When Cao Cao saw from the mound that the leader of the enemy had fallen, he gave the signal for a general onset, and half of the northern army were drowned in the river. And the carts with supplies and all the horses were quickly recovered.

　　Now Guan Yu, at the head of a few horsemen, was thrusting here and striking there at the moment when Liu Bei, with the thirty thousand reserve troops, appeared on the battle field on the other bank of the river. At once they told him that the red-faced, long-bearded warrior was there and had slain Wen Chou. Liu Bei hastily pressed forward to try to get a look at the warrior. He saw across the river a body of horse and the banners bore the words Guan Yu, Lord of Hanshou.

　　“then it is my brother, and he is really with Cao Cao,” said Liu Bei, secretly thanking God that Guan Yu was safe.

　　Liu Bei made an attempt to wait about till he could call to Guan Yu, but a GREat mass of Cao Cao's soldiers came rushing down, and he was forced to retire.

　　Yuan Shao, bringing reinforcements, reached Guandu and built a stockade.

　　Two advisers, Guo Tu and Shen Pei, went in to see him and said, “Again that fellow Guan Yu has been in the battle. He killed Wen Chou. Liu Bei pretends ignorance of him.”

　　their master was angry and railed at Liu Bei, “The long-cared rebel！ How dare he do such a thing？”

　　Soon Liu Bei appeared. Again Yuan Shao ordered him out to instant execution.

　　“What crime have I committed？” asked Liu Bei.

　　“You sent your brother to slay one of my generals. Is that no crime？”

　　“Pray let me explain before I die. Cao Cao hated me and has always done so. Now he has found out where I am and, fearing that I may help you, has got my brother to destroy your two generals, feeling sure that when you heard of it, you would be angry and put me to death. You cannot fail to see this.”

　　“What he says is sense,” said Yuan Shao, turning to his advisers, “and you two nearly brought on me the reproach of injuring the good.”

　　Yuan Shao ordered his attendants to retire and asked Liu Bei to come and sit by him.

　　Liu Bei came, saying, “I am deeply thankful, Illustrious Sir, for your GREat kindness, for which I can never be sufficiently grateful. Now I desire to send some confidential messenger with a secret letter to my brother to tell him where I am, and I am sure he will come without a moment's delay. He will help you to destroy Cao Cao to make up for having destroyed your two officers. Do you approve of this？”

　　“If I got Guan Yu, he would be ten times better than the Yan Liang and Wen Chou that I have lost,” replied Yuan Shao.

　　So Liu Bei prepared a letter. But there was no one to take it. Yuan Shao ordered the army to withdraw to Wuyang, where they made a large camp. For some time nothing was done.

　　then Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun to defend the strategic points at Guandu while he led the bulk of the army back to the capital. There he gave many banquets in honor of the services of Guan Yu, and then he told Lu Qian that putting the supplies in the front of the army had been meant as a bait to draw the enemy to destruction.

　　“Only Xun You understood that,” said Cao Cao in conclusion.

　　Everyone present praised his ingenuity. Even while the banquet was proceeding, there arrived news of a rising of Yellow Scarves rebels at Runan led by Liu Pi and Gong Du. They were very strong, and Cao Hong had been defeated in several engagements. Now he begged for help.

　　Guan Yu hearing this said, “I should like to have the opportunity of performing some service by destroying these rebels.”

　　“You have already rendered noble services for which you have not been properly requited. I could hardly trouble you again,” said Cao Cao.

　　“I have been idle too long. I shall get ill,” said Guan Yu.

　　Cao Cao then let him to go and gave him fifty thousand troops with Yu Jin and Yue Jing as generals under him. They were to leave soon.

　　then Xun Yu said privily to his master, “He always cherishes the idea of returning to Liu Bei. He will leave you if he hears any news. Do not let him go on this expedition.”

　　“If he does well this time, I will not let him go into b............