After Guan Yu slew Yan Liang, Cao Cao grew even fonder of him, but no longer sent him into battle, fearing Guan Yu would leave once he had earned merit.
Cao Cao had once sent Zhang Liao to sound him out. Guan Yu had said, "I know Lord Cao treats me very generously. Yet my elder brother and I swore to live and die together, and I cannot betray that oath. I must slay enemy generals and earn merit to repay Lord Cao. Once I hear news of my brother, I will leave."
Cao Cao had defeated Yuan Shao twice, at Baima and Yanjin, but neither victory had struck at the root of Yuan Shao's power.
Yuan Shao's vast army advanced in a continuous line of camps, stretching dozens of miles from east to west. They used sand mounds to establish their encampments and eventually gathered at Yangwu. Cao Cao withdrew to Guandu, where he faced off against the northern army.
After his unfavorable first battle, Yuan Shao was in low spirits. Just then, news arrived from Runan: Liu Pi, a former Yellow Turban leader, had several thousand soldiers under his command. He had wanted to rise against Cao Cao, but lacked capable men to assist him.
Liu Bei was highly honored in Yuan Shao's camp, but he had incurred the jealousy of Guo Tu, Shen Pei, and others. They recommended to Yuan Shao that Liu Bei go to Runan.
So Liu Bei took his newly recruited general, Zhao Yun, and a group of followers, and secretly made his way to Runan to help Liu Pi launch his uprising.
Yuan Shao and Cao Cao had been locked in a standoff at Guandu for two months. Cao Cao ordered Cao Hong, Xun You, and Cheng Yu to remain behind and guard the main camp, then led the rest of his men back to Xudu. First, he wanted to reward those who had distinguished themselves at Baima and Yanjin; second, he needed to return and gather provisions for the coming great battle.
Cao Cao hosted a grand banquet for the officials in Xudu and petitioned the Son of Heaven to ennoble Guan Yu as the Marquis of Hanshou. He also bestowed upon him a new mansion and many other gifts.
In the seventh month, Liu Bei and Liu Pi rose up in Runan and captured Pingyu County. Cao Cao hurriedly sent Cao Ren to lead an army against them.
Though Guan Yu had accepted the honors and rewards, Liu Bei still weighed on his mind. After returning to Xudu, he often sought out Lan Tian to reminisce.
Lan Tian urged Guan Yu to keep a close eye on Cao Cao's troop movements, saying they were closely connected to Liu Bei's whereabouts. Guan Yu remembered his words until Cao Ren set out.
Guan Yu hurried to find Lan Tian and asked, "Ziyu, Cao Ren recently marched to Runan to suppress the Yellow Turbans. Does this have something to do with where my elder brother is?"
Lan Tian said delightedly, "Your brother-in-law is very likely in Runan. If they were merely a handful of Yellow Turban remnants, Cao Cao wouldn't have sent such a renowned general."
"My elder brother being in Runan is only your guess, Ziyu. To leave so rashly would hardly be honorable." Guan Yu stroked his fine beard, troubled.
"Why not startle the snake out of its hole, General Guan?" Lan Tian suggested.
"How would that work?" Guan Yu asked, puzzled.
Lan Tian leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words. Guan Yu was delighted to hear them, then laughed heartily as he strode out.
"Uncle seems very cheerful today. Could something good have happened?" Gan Qian came over, puzzled.
Lan Tian smiled. "Sister, hurry and pack our things. We'll be leaving here soon."
"Have you found my husband?" Gan Qian asked, delighted.
"Mm." Lan Tian nodded.
Guan Yu prepared some gifts and went straight to Zhang Liao's residence.
When Zhang Liao heard Guan Yu had come to visit, he personally went out to greet him.
"Yunchang, what a rare guest! Please, come inside." Zhang Liao took Guan Yu by the hand and warmly welcomed him into the residence, then ordered a banquet to be prepared.
Since arriving in Xudu, Guan Yu had kept to himself and never socialized with Cao Cao's generals. His visit to Zhang Liao was unprecedented.
"Yunchang has been ennobled, yet I haven't had the chance to offer my congratulations. Your visit today gives me the perfect opportunity."
"It's thanks to Wenyuan's care that I've managed to get by in Xudu," Guan Yu said.
Zhang Liao set down his wine cup and pressed a hand to Guan Yu's. "Yunchang, you're a man among men. If you were willing, people would be trampling over one another to get through the gates of the Marquis of Hanshou's residence."
"Wenyuan knows my heart. What else is there to say?" Guan Yu replied, shaking his head.
Zhang Liao smiled faintly and said nothing. The two continued drinking and chatting until they were both half drunk.
Seeing Zhang Liao's eyes grow hazy, Guan Yu asked, "The Chancellor sent General Zixiao to put down the rebellion in Runan. Wenyuan, since you knew my elder brother was there, why didn't you tell me the truth? I came today to say farewell."
Zhang Liao heard this like a spring thunderclap shaking the earth. He shook his head and asked in surprise, "How did Yunchang learn Xuande was in Runan?"
"Someone told me. Now that I've eaten and drunk my fill, I'll take my leave." Guan Yu turned and left. His thoughts were churning like a river in flood. Lan Tian had told him to startle the snake, and sure enough, he had coaxed the truth out of Zhang Liao.
Zhang Liao sat frozen for a long while, then suddenly realized that Guan Yu had said he was leaving. He hurried to the Minister of Works Mansion to see Cao Cao.
Cao Cao was perplexed when he heard the news. "Yunchang said someone told him where Liu Bei was? Could one of his old acquaintances be among our troops?"
Zhang Liao was alarmed. Boss, you almost named me outright. He hurriedly said, "Although we meant to keep Liu Bei's whereabouts from Yunchang, quite a few people in Xudu know about it. Perhaps some surviving members of the Girdle Edict conspiracy told him?"
Cao Cao stroked his beard and nodded. "If not, then Yunchang was tricking you, or perhaps he has a capable person at his side."
"Yunchang was tricking me? I doubt that. General Guan is an open and upright man. Besides, he has only a few dozen followers now. Where would he find someone capable to help him?" Zhang Liao said, shaking his head.
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, his expression dark. "We're in the midst of a decisive battle with Yuan Shao, and everyone in Xudu is on edge. I'll have Yuanrang quietly investigate. This business with Yunchang has certainly served as a warning."
As the two were talking, a servant outside came to report: Guan Yu had hung up his seal and sealed away the gold he'd been given, then escorted the two ladies in their carriage toward Xudu's South Gate. The officers guarding the city had not dared to stop him.
Zhang Liao thought, Yunchang really did leave? And so quickly?
Xu Chu, who was serving as Cao Cao's personal guard, volunteered, "I can take two hundred Tiger Guards and bring him back for you."
Cao Cao looked at Zhang Liao, then at Xu Chu, and sighed. "Guan Yunchang is a man of loyalty and righteousness. Each serves his own lord. Let him go."
Hearing Cao Cao say this, Zhang Liao breathed a long sigh of relief.
Guan Yu escorted Gan Qian and Mi to Runan. Since everyone traveling with them was on foot, they made slow progress.
With Cao Cao's orders and Zhang Liao's discreet protection, Guan Yu encountered no obstacles on his journey south.
More than ten days later, Guan Yu and Lan Tian reached the area around Pingyu County. From the locals, they learned that Cao Ren had defeated Liu Pi, and the remnants of his army had fled southeast toward Xincai.
Guan Yu was alarmed to hear this and led his party onward toward Xincai.
After traveling fifty li beyond Pingyu, Guan Yu had everyone rest beside the Hong River. There was a tall, dark-faced man with a tangled beard standing by the river.
Lan Tian watched the burly man warily. The man was also sizing them up. When he saw Guan Yu's striking appearance and spotted a large banner bearing the character Guan beside the carriage, he rushed over, beaming with delight.
Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes and rested his hand on the hilt at his waist.
"May I ask if you are General Guan Yunchang?" The man bowed to the ground from a distance.
Guan Yu asked in surprise, "Who are you, and how do you know my name?"
The man said joyfully, "This humble man's name is Zhou Cang. I'm from Guanxi. I've heard that the general's righteousness reaches to the heavens, and that he once slew Yan Liang amid an army of thousands. I never imagined we would meet here today."
Guan Yu stroked his long beard and said proudly, "That was a mere parlor trick, nothing worth mentioning."
"I've admired you for a long time, General. If you don't reject me, Zhou Cang is willing to serve as your outrider, leading your horse and holding your stirrup." Zhou Cang prostrated himself on the ground and spoke respectfully.
Guan Yu looked bewildered, then turned to Lan Tian.
Lan Tian kept nodding. He's your biggest fan. Hurry and take him in.
Guan Yu then said, "Since that is so, get up and speak. What brings you here?"
Zhou Cang sprang to his feet at once. Excitedly, he said, "I used to follow Zhang Bao among the Yellow Turbans. After General of Earth died, I drifted from place to place. Just last year, I joined Liu Pi in Runan."
"Liu Pi? Do you know where my elder brother, Liu Xuande, is?" Guan Yu asked excitedly.
Zhou Cang nodded vigorously. "Lord Liu was with us just a few days ago, resisting Cao Ren. After our defeat at Pingyu, we all got separated, but I know where he is."
Before you continue