ned my lordship seal； and left everything for you。 I hope you recall the promise you once made me。〃
Cao Cao replied； 〃My desire is to keep my troth with all people。 I cannot go back on my word。 However； you may find the journey expensive； and therefore I have here prepared a sum of money to help you。〃
Then from horseback Cao Cao held out a packet of gold。
Guan Yu said； 〃I have sufficient left from your former bounty。 Keep that for presents to your soldiers。〃
〃Why should you refuse this？ It is but an insignificant return for great services。〃
〃My services have been all trifling； not worth mentioning。〃
〃Really； Guan Yu； you are the most high…principled of humans。 I am very sorry my luck is too poor to retain you at my side。 Pray accept just this robe to show you I am not quite ungrateful；〃 said Cao Cao。
And one of his generals； dismounting； held up a silken coat in both hands。 Guan Yu even still fearful of what might happen； would not dismount； but he reached down his sword and took the robe on its point。 Then he threw it over his shoulders and turned to thank the giver。
〃I thank you； Sir Prime Minister； for the robe and trust we shall meet again。〃
So saying； Guan Yu went down from the bridge and bore away to the north。
〃He is a very rude man；〃 said Xu Chu； who was of the escort。 〃Why do you not take him prisoner？〃
Cao Cao replied； 〃He was absolutely alone facing scores of us。 He was justified in being suspicious。 But my word has gone forth； and he is not to be pursued。〃
Cao Cao and his escort returned； the Prime Minister very sad when he thought of the man who had gone。
Guan Yu went down from the bridge and started in the wake of the carriage carrying the two ladies； which should ha