that he may remember me kindly in after days。〃
So Zhang Liao rode out quite alone。 Cao Cao followed him leisurely with an escort of a score or so。
Now the steed that Guan Yu rode was Red Hare; and it was very fast。 No one could have e up with him but that there was the ladies' carriage to escort; and so Red Hare had to be held in and go slow。 Suddenly Guan Yu heard a shout behind him; a voice crying; 〃Go slowly; Guan Yu!〃
He turned and made out the person to be Zhang Liao。 Ordering the pushers of the carriage to press on along the high road; he reined in his steed; held the green…dragon saber ready for a stroke; and waited for Zhang Liao to e up。
〃Of course you have e to take me back; Zhang Liao?〃 said Guan Yu。
〃No; the Prime Minister; seeing that you are going a long journey; wishes to see you on your way and told me to hasten forward and beg you to wait till he can e up。 That is the only thing。〃
〃Seeing that he is ing along with mailed men; I shall fight to the very last;〃 said Guan Yu。
And he took up his position on a bridge where he waited the approach of the party; who advanced quickly。 Four of Cao Cao's generals; Xu Chu; Xu Huang; Yu Jin; and Li Dian; followed close。 Seeing Guan Yu was ready to fight; Cao Cao ordered his escort to open out in two lines; and then it was seen they carried no arms。 This relieved his mind; for it proved to Guan Yu they meant no attack。
〃Why do you go in such haste; Guan Yu?〃 asked Cao Cao。
Guan Yu inclined his head but did not dismount; saying; 〃I informed you in writing that since my lord was in the North of Yellow River; I had to leave at once。 I went to your palace again and again but was refused admittance。 So I wrote a letter of farewell; sealed up the treasure; resig