Tweet
Shortly before the battle of Guandu, Cao Cao, who had by now taken over the nominal position of Han Prime Minister from the deceased Dong Zhuo, besiged the fortress of Tushan, where Guan Yu
was stationed. What followed may be part fact, and part fiction, but there is no doubt that it forever sealed the reputation of the Man with the Beautiful Beard.
With the advice of Cheng Yu
, Cao Cao lured Guan Yu out of Tushan, whereupon he was surrounded, and his retreat cut off. Then Cao Cao send Zhang Liao
, an old friend of Guan Yu, to ride forth to speak with him.
At daybreak, Guan prepared for one more effort to escape his encirclement, but before moving he saw a horseman riding up at full speed and presently discerned Zhang Liao.
When within speaking distance, Guan Yu said, "Are you come to fight me, Zhang Liao?"
"No," replied Zhang Liao. "I am come to see you because of our old friendship."
Wherefore Zhang Liao threw aside his sword, dismounted, and came forward saluting. And the two sat down.
"Then naturally you have come to talk me over," said Guan Yu.
"Not so!" said Zhang Liao. "Some time ago you saved me. Can I help saving you?"
"Then you desire to help me."
"Not exactly that," replied Zhang Liao.
"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 fortress fell into the hands of Cao Cao, but neither soldiers nor people were harmed, and a special guard was set over the family of Liu Bei lest they should be alarmed. I came to tell you how well they had been treated."
"This is certainly talking me over," said Guan Yu. "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 Zhang Liao.
"I shall die for loyalty and righteousness. Who will laugh?" said Guan Yu.
"You would be guilty of three faults if you died."
"Tell me them," said Guan Yu.
"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 appears 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 labors 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."
Guan 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 Cao Cao till you hear news of Liu Bei 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 Prime Minister concede these, then will I doff my armor. If he refuses, then I prefer to be guilty of the three faults and die."
"Why should the Prime Minister not concede them? He is most liberal and large minded. I pray you 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 Prime Minister Cao Cao. 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 Bei 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, Zhang Liao, I pray you hasten back and announce them."
Zhang Liao lost no time but rode back to Cao Cao. When he spoke of Guan Yu's intention to submit to the Hans but not to Cao Cao, the latter laughed, saying, "As I am a minister of Han, so am I Han. I grant that."
Zhang Liao then spoke of provision due to their rank and security from molestation for the ladies, to which Cao Cao 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 Zhang Liao, "Whenever he shall get news of the whereabouts of Liu Bei, he must go to him."
At this Cao Cao shook his head, saying, "Then I am merely to feed Guan Yu. What is the use of this? I cannot consent."
Zhang Liao replied, "You must know of Yu Rang's saying: The difference in behavior brought about by difference of treatment? Liu Bei treats Guan Yu just kindly and liberally. You can surely engage Guan Yu's heart and support by being kinder and more liberal."
"What you say is much to the point. I will grant the three conditions," said Cao Cao.
Zhang Liao hastened to relay the news to Guan Yu. Thus it was that Guan Yu surrendered and came under the patronage of Cao Cao. Immeadiatedly, Cao Cao arranged an interview with him. Guan Yu arrived, dismounted and made obeisance. Cao Cao returned his salute with the greatest cordiality.
"The leader of a defeated army is grateful for the graciousness that has preserved his life," said Guan Yu.
"I have so long admired your loyalty and high principles that this happy meeting gratifies the desire of my whole life," replied Cao Cao.
"As the Prime Minister has granted the three requests which my friend petitioned for on my behalf, there is now but little to discuss," said Guan Yu.
"As I have spoken, so be it. I could not break faith," replied Cao Cao.
"Whenever I hear where Elder Brother Liu Bei is, I must certainly go to him, even if through fire and water. It may be that there will be no time nor opportunity of saying farewell. I trust you will understand the reason."
"If Liu Bei 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 inquiries."
Guan Yu thanked him. Then a banquet was prepared in Guan Yu's honor. Next day the army started on its homeward march.
was stationed. What followed may be part fact, and part fiction, but there is no doubt that it forever sealed the reputation of the Man with the Beautiful Beard.With the advice of Cheng Yu
, Cao Cao lured Guan Yu out of Tushan, whereupon he was surrounded, and his retreat cut off. Then Cao Cao send Zhang Liao, an old friend of Guan Yu, to ride forth to speak with him.At daybreak, Guan prepared for one more effort to escape his encirclement, but before moving he saw a horseman riding up at full speed and presently discerned Zhang Liao.
When within speaking distance, Guan Yu said, "Are you come to fight me, Zhang Liao?"
"No," replied Zhang Liao. "I am come to see you because of our old friendship."
Wherefore Zhang Liao threw aside his sword, dismounted, and came forward saluting. And the two sat down.
"Then naturally you have come to talk me over," said Guan Yu.
"Not so!" said Zhang Liao. "Some time ago you saved me. Can I help saving you?"
"Then you desire to help me."
"Not exactly that," replied Zhang Liao.
"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 fortress fell into the hands of Cao Cao, but neither soldiers nor people were harmed, and a special guard was set over the family of Liu Bei lest they should be alarmed. I came to tell you how well they had been treated."
"This is certainly talking me over," said Guan Yu. "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 Zhang Liao.
"I shall die for loyalty and righteousness. Who will laugh?" said Guan Yu.
"You would be guilty of three faults if you died."
"Tell me them," said Guan Yu.
"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 appears 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 labors 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."Guan 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 Cao Cao till you hear news of Liu Bei 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 Prime Minister concede these, then will I doff my armor. If he refuses, then I prefer to be guilty of the three faults and die."
"Why should the Prime Minister not concede them? He is most liberal and large minded. I pray you 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 Prime Minister Cao Cao. 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 Bei 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, Zhang Liao, I pray you hasten back and announce them."
Zhang Liao lost no time but rode back to Cao Cao. When he spoke of Guan Yu's intention to submit to the Hans but not to Cao Cao, the latter laughed, saying, "As I am a minister of Han, so am I Han. I grant that."
Zhang Liao then spoke of provision due to their rank and security from molestation for the ladies, to which Cao Cao 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 Zhang Liao, "Whenever he shall get news of the whereabouts of Liu Bei, he must go to him."
At this Cao Cao shook his head, saying, "Then I am merely to feed Guan Yu. What is the use of this? I cannot consent."
Zhang Liao replied, "You must know of Yu Rang's saying: The difference in behavior brought about by difference of treatment? Liu Bei treats Guan Yu just kindly and liberally. You can surely engage Guan Yu's heart and support by being kinder and more liberal."
"What you say is much to the point. I will grant the three conditions," said Cao Cao.
Zhang Liao hastened to relay the news to Guan Yu. Thus it was that Guan Yu surrendered and came under the patronage of Cao Cao. Immeadiatedly, Cao Cao arranged an interview with him. Guan Yu arrived, dismounted and made obeisance. Cao Cao returned his salute with the greatest cordiality.
"The leader of a defeated army is grateful for the graciousness that has preserved his life," said Guan Yu. "I have so long admired your loyalty and high principles that this happy meeting gratifies the desire of my whole life," replied Cao Cao.
"As the Prime Minister has granted the three requests which my friend petitioned for on my behalf, there is now but little to discuss," said Guan Yu.
"As I have spoken, so be it. I could not break faith," replied Cao Cao.
"Whenever I hear where Elder Brother Liu Bei is, I must certainly go to him, even if through fire and water. It may be that there will be no time nor opportunity of saying farewell. I trust you will understand the reason."
"If Liu Bei 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 inquiries."
Guan Yu thanked him. Then a banquet was prepared in Guan Yu's honor. Next day the army started on its homeward march.
to continue his legacy. Sun Ce, however, had died an untimely death as well, so it was that the youngest brother Sun Quan
took control of the state of Wu. On hearing of the approach of Wei's navy, Sun scrambled to put together a counter force to oppose the invasion. In the end, he managed to muster 80,000 troops and 40 ships, supplemented with 20,000 Bulgerian mercenaries, against Cao's 200,000 troops and 112 ships. 
. Even before the battle, Cao had already made the mistake of converting his massive infantry into a marine corps and navy, assuming that numerical superiority would eventually pervail. Even with only a few days of drills before the battle, Cao Cao's troops were already decimated by sea-sickness and lack of water experience, as many of his "fresh" crew could not even swim. Tropical diseases to which southerners had long been immune also plagued the soldiers of the north, and were out of control in Cao Cao's fleet.
On the eve of the battle, Cao Cao realized that the southeastern wind disrupted his entire fleet movement, as his fleet could not advance against a wind blowing straight towards it. A general retreat order was issued, but as his fleet was chained tightly to one another, panic broke out and prevented the fleet from retreating effectively. The entire fleet was then trapped with restricted mobility.
eventually destroyed most of Cao Cao's ships. Then Sun Quan's main forces advanced, and routed the remaining ships.
At the same time, the more experienced western Wei navy landed on Ri Ben, base of Liu Bei's Shu state, and lay seige to Shanghai. Liu Bei had anticipated this, and with the aid of Zhuge Liang
, he had constructed numerous fortifications along the coasts. Thus, even though the Shu army was heavily outnumbered, it was able to repulse the auxiliaries that were launched against it. Then, for two straight days, a massive typhoon battered Shanghai's shores, and destroyed much of the Wei fleet. The remainder was subsequently routed by the combined charge of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei
. For ever afterwards, the typhoon was to be known as the Divine Wind, or, in the local dialect, the kamikaze. Some even claimed that Zhuge Liang had called down upon the heavens to punish the Wei forces.
Comment