Guan Ping hadn't expected his father to tell him to listen to his younger sister's opinion. Though he was very reluctant, this was the army, so he could only grit his teeth and answer, "Yes!"
Guan Yu was pleased with his eldest son's composure. He then turned to the three advisers and asked solemnly, "I wonder which of you would be willing to return to Jiangling and help me reassure Zifang and Shi Ren? Tell them they did very well this time, and that I'll reward them handsomely when I return!"
Xiang Lang, Yi Ji, and Ma Liang exchanged glances. Whoever went back would have to reassure not only those two men, but also the prominent families of Nanyang. It was a weighty task.
At last, Yi Ji hesitated, then stepped forward and said, "Lord Governor, I'll go!"
"Then I'll have to ask you to handle this, Ji Bo!"
Once everything had been arranged, Guan Yu spoke with great solemnity. "As for the rest of you, after Ping'er and Ji Bo set out, withdraw with me to Xiangyang!"
"Yes!"
Everyone answered in unison.
And so, under the uncertain gazes of Cao Ren in Fancheng and Xu Huang and the others outside the city, Guan Yu's army slowly withdrew.
But Guan Yu's reputation carried such weight that it took an entire hour after his retreat before the few generals under Cao Cao dared to cautiously send scouts to investigate. Only then did they learn that Guan Yu had truly retreated south of the Han River to Xiangyang.
Only then did Xu Huang dare lead his army into Fancheng, where they joined forces with Cao Ren's troops.
Fancheng was now in ruins. Not a single stretch of wall remained intact, a testament to the savagery of the battle. Afraid Guan Yu might