uan Shao and I； remembering our pledge； cannot but go to him。 Though your bounty is great； I forget not the bond of the past； wherefore I write this letter of farewell trusting that when you have read it； you will be content for me to postpone to another season the proof of my gratitude。〃
Guan Yu sealed and sent it to the palace。 Then he deposited in the treasury of his dwelling all the gold and silver he had received； hung his seal of lordship of Hanshou in the middle of the reception hall and left； taking his sisters…in…law with him in a carriage。 He rode Red Hare and carried the green…dragon saber in his hand。 With a small escort of guards； those formerly under his mand； he left the city by the north gate。
The wardens would have stopped him； but Guan Yu frightened them with a fierce shout。 Having got out； he told the escort to go in front with the carriage while he would remain behind to guard against pursuit。 So they pushed the carriage toward the high road。
In the city； Guan Yu's letter reached the Prime Minister while he was consulting about what to do。 He read it and exclaimed； 〃So he has left！〃
Then the warden of the gate came to report that Guan Yu had forced his way out； and was gone with a carriage； a horse； and a score of guards。 Next came the servants from his house to report that he had left； taking nothing of the treasure； nor anyone of the waiting maids。 Everything was left in the house。 Even his seal was there。 His only escort were the few soldiers of his original force。
Suddenly from the assembly of officers rose a voice； saying； 〃With three thousand of mailed horse； I will bring him back alive。〃
Their eyes turned to the speaker； who was General Cai Yang。
On the dragon's cave he turns his back；
Bu