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Guan Yu understood and urged on his troops. The leaders of the rebels pretended they were worsted, and they all scattered. So Runan was retaken. Having pacified the people, Guan Yu quickly led his army back to the capital, where he was met by Cao Cao and congratulated on his success and feasted.

When this was all over, Guan Yu went to the dwelling of his sisters-in-law to pay his respects at their gate.

“Have you been able to get any news of Uncle Liu Bei in your two expeditions?” asked Lady Gan.

“None,” replied Guan Yu.

As he retired from the door, he heard sounds of bitter weeping within.

“Alas! He is dead,” said they. “Our brother-in-law thinks we shall be greatly distressed; and thus, he hides the truth from us.”

One of the old soldiers, who acted as guard, hearing the sounds of perpetual grief, took pity on them and said, “Do not weep, ladies; your lord is with Yuan Shao in the North of Yellow River.”

“How do you know that?” said they.

“I went out with General Guan Yu, and one of the soldiers told me.”

The two ladies summoned Guan Yu and reproached him, saying, “Uncle Liu Bei never betrayed you, and yet you remain here enjoying the bounty of Cao Cao and forgetting the old times. And you tell us falsehoods.”

Guan Yu bowed his head, saying, “My brother really is in the North of Yellow River, but I dared not tell you, lest it should become known. Something must be done, but done carefully, and it needs time.”

“Brother-in-Law, you should hasten,” said Lady Gan.

Guan Yu withdrew feeling that he must evolve some scheme of departure without further loss of time. It caused him much uneasiness.

Yu Jin, having found out that Liu Bei was in the north, told Cao Cao, who at once sent Zhang Liao to find out Guan Yu's intentions.

Zhang Liao entered jauntily and congratulated Guan Yu, saying, “They tell me you obtained news of your brother in the battlefield; I felicitate you.”

“My lord was there indeed, but I met him not. I see nothing to be glad about.”

“Is there any difference between the relationship of you two and that of any other two brothers?”

Guan Yu replied, “You and I stand in the relationship of friends; Liu Bei and I are friends and brothers beside, and prince and minister in addition to both. Our relationship cannot be discussed in usual terms.”

“Well, now that you know where your brother is, are you going to him?”

“How can I go back on what I said before? I am sure you will explain fully to the Prime Minister.”

Zhang Liao went back and told his master who said, “I must find a way to keep him here.”

While Guan Yu was pondering over his difficulties, they told him that a friend had come to inquire for him. The visitor was introduced but Guan Yu did not recognize him.

“Who are you?” asked Guan Yu.

“I am Chen Zhen of Nanyang, in the service of Yuan Shao.”

In great perturbation, Guan Yu sent away the attendants and, they being gone, said, “There is some special reason for your visit?”

For reply Chen Zhen drew out a letter and handed it to his host, who recognized that it was from his brother Liu Bei. The letter read:

“I, the writer, and you, Sir, pledged ourselves in the Peach Garden to die together. Why then are we apart and yet

alive, our kindly feelings destroyed, our sense of right outraged? If you desire to obtain fame and acquire riches and honor, I will offer my head without hesitation so that your achievement is fulfilled. More might be said, but I await your commands with great anxiety.”

Guan Yu finished the letter with a bitter cry.

“I always wanted to find my brother, but I did not know where he was. How can he think such evil of me?” said he.

“Liu Bei looks for you very eagerly; and if you are still bound by the old pledge, you should go quickly,” said Chen Zhen.

“Any one born into the world without the essential virtue of sincerity is no true human. I came here openly and can go in no other way. Now will I write a letter which I will ask you to bear to my brother, that as soon as I can take leave of Cao Cao, I will bring the ladies and come to him.”

“But what if Cao Cao refuse to let you go?” said Chen Zhen.

“Then would I rather die; I will not remain here.”

“Then, Sir, quickly write your letter and relieve your brother from his anxiety.”

So Guan Yu wrote like this:

“I, the humble one, know full well that a human of principle does not betray and a human of loyalty despises death. I