On the road back to Xudu, the troops spent the night in Liuxian.
During the day, Guan Yu had noticed that something was off about Cao Cao's expression. Knowing Cao Cao's character well, he had not stayed in his own room. Instead, he had come to the little house where the two ladies, Gan and Mi, were staying—only to find Lan Tian already guarding the door.
"Ziyu, haven't you gone to rest?" Guan Yu greeted him.
Lan Tian clasped his hands and said, "Cao the Rebel lusts after women. I'm afraid he might try something untoward with my elder sister, so I'm keeping watch here."
Guan Yu nodded. "I share your concern. We have a moment to spare, so could you explain the mystery of the brocade pouch?"
Lan Tian smiled. "I've long heard that General Guan is righteous beyond the clouds and would rather be shattered jade than an intact tile. I worried you might throw your life away needlessly. Then who would look after my elder sister and the others?"
"You've considered everything carefully. But why are you so certain that my elder brother is still alive?" Guan Yu asked, puzzled.
"Whether your brother-in-law has been captured or killed, Cao Cao won't try to recruit General Guan," Lan Tian reasoned.
"How so?"
"You and your brother-in-law swore to live and die together. If he were captured, they would surely use him to threaten you. If he were already dead, how would Cao Cao dare keep his enemy by his side?"
Guan Yu stroked his fine beard and nodded. "Your words have cleared the fog from my mind, Ziyu."
After he said this, Guan Yu saw how calm Lan Tian looked. He suddenly rose and clasped his hands. "My elder brother doesn't know what you're capable of, so he's neglected you. I'll apologize to you on his behalf."
Lan Tian waved a hand. "We're family. There's no need for that. Besides, I was quite content working in the Household Bureau in Xiapi. I got to read plenty of books."
"I heard you killed two villains with your own hands, too. I never knew you were skilled in martial arts, Ziyu," Guan Yu said suddenly.
"They were just a couple of hooligans. Nothing worth mentioning," Lan Tian said modestly.
"I've already heard the story. Your sword strokes were swift and powerful. You're clearly someone who practices martial arts often. The weather's cold, so let's spar and warm ourselves up." Guan Yu rubbed his hands together, eager to begin.
"How could I possibly fight you?" Lan Tian thought. With Lu Bu dead, who would dare provoke you? What have I done to deserve this?
"It's no trouble. We'll just have a friendly spar." Guan Yu removed his armor and urged him on.
Lan Tian had no choice but to exchange blows with Guan Yu. He was shorter than his opponent, so he moved with greater agility. Guan Yu had tremendous strength but held back, and the two of them managed to keep each other busy.
The two were sparring hard enough to work up a sweat when Guan Yu suddenly stopped attacking. Xu Chu and Zhang Liao were approaching together.
"General Guan, you're in fine spirits," Zhang Liao said with a smile, clasping his hands.
"Wenyuan, is something the matter?" Guan Yu asked, looking puzzled. He and Zhang Liao had some history, but Xu Chu was one of Cao Cao's personal guards. What was he doing here?
"Oh, we wanted to invite General Guan for a drink. When we didn't find you in your room, we came looking for you," Zhang Liao said cheerfully.
"I still have to guard my two sisters-in-law, so I won't spoil your evening. Please return," Guan Yu said with a gesture.
Xu Chu was taken aback. Zhang Liao hurriedly said, "Very well. We can drink once we're back in Xudu."
With that, Zhang Liao led Xu Chu away. Watching them go, Lan Tian said, "Zhang Liao really did come to invite you for a drink. But the other general had something else in mind."
"Xu Chu had something else in mind?" Guan Yu turned to look at the little house where his two sisters-in-law were staying, seeming to understand.
Xu Chu and Zhang Liao went to Cao Cao's quarters. When Cao Cao saw them return empty-handed, he looked disappointed.
Xu Chu reported, "My lord, Guan Yu intends to guard Liu Bei's family through the night. I couldn't get the job done, so I ask your forgiveness."
Cao Cao sighed. "Yunchang is a truly loyal and righteous man."
At that point, Zhang Liao offered his counsel. "My lord, Lady Gan may be a concubine, but she is still Liu Bei's woman. If you force her to attend you in bed, Yunchang may resent you. Winning his surrender is easy; winning his heart is hard."
Cao Cao nodded. "Wenyuan is right. Fortunately, neither of you acted rashly. I'll put this thought out of my mind from now on."
"If that's what my lord wants... perhaps you could look around Liuxian?" Zhang Liao suggested.
"Better not. In this chilly early spring weather, I only thought the bedcovers felt a little cold."
"My lord, I can warm them for you." As soon as Cao Cao finished speaking, Xu Chu volunteered.
Cao Cao laughed in spite of himself. He took off his cloak and said, "The nights in the first month are as cold as water. You two should go back once more and give this cloak to Yunchang to keep him warm."
"Guan Yu was just sparring with a foot soldier to keep warm. With this cloak from my lord, I'm sure he won't be cold tonight," Zhang Liao added.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Cao Cao smiled and said, "Yunchang's martial skills are extraordinary. How could a foot soldier possibly keep up with him? Wouldn't he be beaten to death in three punches and two kicks?"
"I saw that Guan Yu was holding back. The foot soldier's life was never in danger," Xu Chu replied.
Zhang Liao thought, If you put it that way, how is my lord supposed to keep the conversation going? You're spoiling his fun. He promptly clasped his hands and said, "My lord, General Xu should stay here to protect you. I'll take the cloak over myself."
"Go ahead." Cao Cao lay down on the couch.
After Guan Yu and Lan Tian exchanged several rounds of blows, warmth quickly spread through their bodies.
In the middle of the night, Lan Tian suggested they take turns resting. He found some wood and lit a fire to keep them warm. The two sat around the flames and chatted, and the fire turned Lan Tian's cheeks rosy.
After they reached Xudu, Cao Cao no longer coveted Gan Qian's beauty. He appointed Guan Yu a General of the Flank, bestowed Lü Bu's Red Hare on him, and showered him with clothes and gifts, treating him with great generosity.
When Lan Tian saw Red Hare, he immediately thought of Lu Lingqi. He wondered how she was faring in Xinye and whether she had managed to establish herself there. But with Gao Shun protecting her, her life should be out of danger.
In the second month of the fifth year of Jian'an, Yuan Shao received Liu Bei's Girdle Edict and immediately felt the righteous cause was in his hands. He ordered Chen Lin to compose a proclamation, calling on the heroes of the land to join in putting down Cao the Rebel, and began preparing his troops and horses to march south.
In the third month, Yuan Shao led Liu Bei's forces to Liyang and sent his general Yan Liang to surround Baima. Liu Yan, the Grand Administrator of Dong Commandery, then appealed to Xudu for help.
With the great battle between Yuan and Cao imminent, Guan Yu had no friends in Xudu. Before setting out, he sought Lan Tian's advice. "The Chancellor is going to lift the siege of Baima. What should I do?"
"General Guan should volunteer, then fight with all his might. Only by slaying an enemy general and earning merit will you have the means to get away."
"What if Cao Cao refuses to send me into battle?" Guan Yu asked again.
Lan Tian smiled. "Yuan Shao rules Hebei like a crouching tiger, and many fierce, battle-hardened generals serve under him. You'll surely get a chance to fight this time. I'll be here in Xudu, wishing you fame throughout the land."
"I hope your words prove true, Ziyu. I wonder how my elder brother and third brother are doing. When will we be able to leave Xudu?" Guan Yu said.
"Don't worry, General Guan. Your brother-in-law has Heaven's favor and will surely be safe," Lan Tian reassured him.
"I hope so."
Following the strategist Xun You's suggestion, Cao Cao led his army to feint a crossing at Yanjin, luring Yuan Shao into splitting his forces and sending some to Yanjin. Then he hurried forward with a light force, making a surprise attack on Baima.
Yuan Shao fell for the ruse and split his forces, but Cao Cao met resistance from Yan Liang at Baima.
Yan Liang was one of Yuan Shao's generals, the bravest man in Hebei. He beheaded several Cao troops' officers in battle, leaving no one in Cao Cao's camp willing to face him. With no other choice, Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao and Guan Yu out to fight.
Zhang Liao was defeated in their clash. Seeing this, Guan Yu spurred his horse into the enemy ranks. The men of Hebei couldn't withstand him at all. He cut down Yan Liang amid the enemy host and returned with his head, winning fame throughout the land from that day on.
With their commander slain, Yan Liang's troops instantly crumbled. Cao Cao ordered his army to press the attack, and the siege of Baima was lifted.
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