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The　warden　of　this　pass　was　Bian　Xi　of　Bingzhou；　a　warrior　whose　weapon　was　a　et…hammer。　He　had　been　a　Yellow　Scarf　and　had　gone　over　to　Cao　Cao；　who　had　given　him　this　post。　As　soon　as　he　heard　of　the　ing　of　the　redoubtable　Guan　Yu；　he　cudgeled　his　brains　for　a　ruse　to　use　against　him。　He　decided　upon　an　ambush。　In　the　State　Guardian　Temple　at　the　pass　he　placed　two　hundred　ax…men　and　swordsmen。　He　reckoned　on　enticing　Guan　Yu　to　the　temple　for　refreshment；　and　when　he　let　fall　a　cup　as　signal；　the　hidden　ruffians　would　rush　out。
All　being　thus　arranged　and　ready；　he　went　out　to　wele　Guan　Yu　in　friendly　guise；　and　Guan　Yu　dismounted　at　his　ing。　Bian　Xi　began　very　amiably。
〃Your　name；　General；　makes　the　very　earth　tremble；　and　everyone　looks　up　to　you。　This　return　to　the　Imperial　Uncle　proves　you　to　be　noble　and　true。〃
Guan　Yu　in　reply　told　him　the　story　of　the　men　he　had　slain　in　the　last　two　passes。
Bian　Xi　replied；　〃You　slew　them；　that　is　well。　When　I　see　the　Prime　Minister；　I　will　explain　to　him　the　inner　reasons　for　these　acts。〃
Guan　Yu　thought　he　had　found　a　friend　and　so　mounted　and　rode　through　the　pass。　When　he　came　to　the　temple；　a　number　of　priests　came　out　to　meet　him　with　clanging　bells。
This　temple；　named　State　Guardian　Temple；　had　a　courtyard　in　which　the　Emperor　Ming　had　burned　incense　in　the　past。　In　the　temple　were　thirty　priests；　and　among　these　there　happened　to　be　one　Pu　Jing　who　came　from　the　same　village　as　Guan　Yu。　His　religious　name　was　Transverse　Peace。　Hearing　who　the　visitor　was；　Transverse　Peace　came　forward　to　speak　with　him。
〃General；〃　said　Transverse　Peace；　〃it　is　many　a　long　year　since　you　left　Pudong。〃
〃Yes；〃　said　Guan　Yu；　〃nearly　twenty　years。〃
〃Do　you　recognize　this　poor　priest？〃
〃I　left　the　village　many　years　ago；　I　do　not　recognize　you。〃
〃My　house　and　yours　were　only　separated　by　a　rivulet；〃　said　the　priest。
Now　Bian　Xi；　seeing　Transverse　Peace　holding　forth　about　village　matters；　thought　Transverse　Peace　would　blab　about　the　ambush；　so　Bian　Xi　bade　him　be　silent。
〃I　want　to　invite　the　General　to　a　feast。　You　priest　fellows　seem　to　have　a　lot　to　say；〃　said　Bian　Xi。
〃Not　too　much；〃　said　Guan　Yu。　〃Naturally　when　fellow　villagers　meet；　they　talk　of　old　times。〃
Bian　Xi　invited　the　visitor　into　the　guest　room　to　take　tea；　but　Guan　Yu　said；　〃The　two　ladies　are　out　there　in　the　carriage。　They　ought　to　have　some　first。〃
So　the　priest　bade　them　take　some　tea　to　the　ladies；　and　then　he　led　Guan　Yu　within；　at　the　same　time　lifting　the　priest　knife　which　he　wore　at　his　side　and　looking　meaningfully　at　Guan　Yu。　The　latter　understood　and　told　his　people　to　bring　along　his　weapon　and　keep　close　at　his　side。
When　Bian　Xi　invited　Guan　Yu　to　go　into　the　Hall　of　the　Laws　for　some　refreshment；　Guan　Yu　turned　to　him；　saying；　〃Is　this　invitation　with　good　intention　or　evil？〃
Bian　Xi　was　so　taken　aback　that　he　could　make　no　reply；　and　then　Guan　Yu　saw　that　many　armed　men　were　concealed　behind　the　arras。
Then　Guan　Yu　shouted　loudly　at　Bian　Xi；　saying；　〃What　means　this？　I　thought　you　an　honorable　man。　How　dare　you？〃
The　traitor　saw　that　his　plot　had　failed　and　called　to　the　assassins　to　e　out　and　fall　to；　but　Guan　Yu　had　a　short　sword　in　his　hand　and　slashed　at　anyone　who　came　near。　So　they　scattered。　Their　mander　ran　down　the　hall　and　tried　to　escape　among　the　side　buildings；　but　Guan　Yu　threw　aside　the　short　sword；　took　up　the　green…dragon　saber　and　went　after　Bian　Xi。　The　latter　was　trying　to　get　into　position　to　throw　his　et…hammer；　but　Guan　Yu　cut　the　cord　and　the　weapon　was　useless。　Guan　Yu　followed　Bian　Xi　in　and　out　and　soon　caught　up　with　him。　Then　with　one　blow　Guan　Yu　cut　him　in　halves。
The　fight　over；　Guan　Yu　sought　the　two　ladies；　who　were　surrounded　by　soldiers。　These　fled　at　sight　of　the　terrible　warrior。　Seeking　out　the　priest；　his　fellow　countryman；　he　thanked　him　for　the　timely　warning　which　had　saved　him　from　death。
〃I　cannot　remain　here　after　this；〃　said　Transverse　Peace。　〃I　shall　pack　up　my　few　garments　and　my　alms　bowl　and　take　to　the　road；　vague　in　my　wanderings　as　the　clouds　in　the　sky。　But　we　shall　meet　again　and　till　then　take　care　of　yourself。〃
Then　Guan　Yu　took　leave　and　retook　the　road　to　Yingyang。　The　Governor　of　this　city　was　named　Wang　Zhi；　and　he　was　related　to　Han　Qu　by　their　children's　marriage。　Hearing　of　the　death　of　his　relative；　Wang　Zhi　set　about　a　scheme　to　kill　Guan　Yu　secretly。　He　sent　soldiers　to　guard　the　city　gates　and；　when　he　heard　that　Guan　Yu　approached；　he　went　himself　and　received　Guan　Yu　with　a　smiling　countenance　and　bade　Guan　Yu　wele。　Guan　Yu　told　him　the　object　of　his　journey。
〃You；　General；　have　been　able　to　get　some　exercise　on　the　road；　but　the　ladies　in　their　carriage　must　be　cramped　and　fatigued。　I　pray　you　e　into　the　city；　and　all　of　you　remain　the　night　in　the　official　travelers'　quarters。　Tomorrow　you　can　set　forth　again。〃
The　offer　was　tempting；　and　his　host　seemed　in　earnest；　so　the　two　ladies　went　into　the　city；　where　they　found　everything　very　fortably　prepared　for　them。　And；　though　Guan　Yu　declined　the　Governor's　invitations　to　a　banquet；　refreshments　for　the　travelers　were　sent　to　their　lodgings。　Guan　Yu　was　fatigued　from　the　trials　of　the　journey；　and　as　soon　as　the　evening　meal　was　over；　he　bade　the　ladies　retire　to　rest　while　he　sat　down　in　the　main　room；　quite　alone；　for　he　bade　all　to　get　repose　while　they　could。　His　horse　was　given　a　good　feed　for　once。　He　sat　with　his　armor　loosened　in　order　to　be　more　at　ease。
Now　Governor　Wang　Zhi　had　a　general　named　Hu　Ban　to　whom　he　had　entrusted　the　arrangements　for　the　destruction　of　his　guest。
Said　Wang　Zhi；　〃This　Guan　Yu　is　a　traitor　to　the　Prime　Minister　and　a　fugitive。　On　the　road　he　has　murdered　several　manders　of　Passes　and　is　guilty　of　serious　crimes。　But　he　is　too　strong　and　valiant　for　any　ordinary　soldier　to　overe。　So　this　evening　you　will　lead　a　whole　pany　of　a　thousand　troops　to　surround　his　lodging；　each　one　armed　with　a　torch；　and　we　will　burn　him。　They　will　start　the　fire　about　midnight。　Everyone　of　the　party　will　perish。　I　will　e　with　a　force　to　stand　by　and　assist　if　necessary。〃
These　orders　received；　Hu　Ban　passed　them　on　to　the　soldiers；　who　began　secretly　to　prepare　dry　wood　and　other　bustibles　which　they　piled　up　at　the　gate　of　the　rest　house。　Hu　Ban　thought　within　himself　that　he　would　like　to　know　what　manner　of　man　was　this　Guan　Yu；　whose　fame　had　spread　so　far；　so　he　determined　to　get　a　peep　at　the　guest。　He　went　to　the　rest　house　and　inquired　where　Guan　Yu　was。
〃The　General　is　the　man　in　the　main　hall　reading；〃　was　the　reply。
Hu　Ban　noiselessly　made　his　way　to　the　outside　of　the　room　and　peeped　in。　He　saw　the　famous　warrior　stroking　his　beard　with　his　left　hand　while　he　read　by　the　light　of　a　lamp　placed　on　a　low　table。　An　involuntary　exclamation　of　wonder　escaped　at　the　majesty　of　the　figure。
〃Really　a　god！〃　Hu　Ban　sighed。
〃Who　is　there？〃　suddenly　asked　the　reader　at　the　sound。
Hu　Ban　entered　and　said；　〃I　am　Hu　Ban；　a　general　of　the　Governor。〃
〃Surely　you　are　the　son　of　Hu　Hua；　who　lives　outside　Xuchang；〃　said　Guan　Yu。
〃I　am　he；〃　replied　Hu　Ban。
Then　Guan　Yu　called　up　his　followers　and　bade　them　look　among　the　baggage　for　the　letter；　which　they　brought。　Guan　Yu　handed　it　to　the　General。
Hu　Ban　read　it　and　then　breathed　long；　saying；　〃I　very　nearly　caused　the　death　of　a　good　man。〃
Then　he　betrayed　the　whole　plot；　saying；　〃This　Wang　Zhi　is　a　wicked　man；　who　wanted　to　kill　you。　At　this　moment　you　are　surrounded；　and　at　the　third　watch　they　will　set　fire　to　this　place。　Now　I　will　go　and　open　the　city　gates　while　you　hastily　prepare　for　flight。〃
Guan　Yu　was　greatly　surprised；　but　he　quickly　buckled　up　his　armor；　got　his　steed　ready；　roused　the　two　ladies；　and　put　them　into　their　carriage。　Then　they　left　the　rest　house；　and　as　they　passed　out；　they　saw　the　soldiers　all　about　them；　each　with　a　torch。　The　party　hastened　to　the　outskirts　of　the　city　and　found　the　gate　already　open；　and　they　lost　no　time　in　getting　clear　of　the　city。　Hu　Ban　returned　to　give　orders　to　fire　the　rest　house。
The　fugitives　pressed　on。　But　before　long　they　saw　lights　ing　up　behind　them；　and　Wang　Zhi　called　out　to　them　to　stop。
Guan　Yu　reined　in　his　horse　and　began　to　abuse　him；　crying；　〃Worthless　fellow！　What　had　you　against　me　that　you　wished　to　burn　me　to　death？〃
Wang　Zhi　whipped　up　his　steed　and　set　his　spear；　but　Guan　Yu　cut　him　through　with　the　short　sword　he　wore　at　his　side　and　scattered　his　followers。
Then　the　carriage　pushed　on。　Guan　Yu's　heart　was　filled　with　gratitude　to　Hu　Ban。
When　the　party　drew　near　Huazhou；　someone　told　Liu　Yue；　who　rode　out　to　wele　him。　Liu　Yue　had　been　once　rescued　by　Guan　Yu；　who　slew　Yan　Liang　and　Wen　Chou　and　lifted　the　siege　of　the　city。
Guan　Yu　did　not　dismount　but　bowed　from　horseback；　saying；　〃Have　you　been　quite　well　since　we　parted？〃
〃Whither　are　you　going；　Sir？〃　replied　Liu　Yue。
〃I　have　left　the　Prime　Minister　and　am　on　my　way　to　find　my　brother。〃
〃Liu　Bei　is　with　Yuan　Shao；　who　is　at　enmity　with　the　Prime　Minister。　How　can　you　be　allowed　to　go　to　him？〃　asked　Liu　Yue。
〃That　matter　was　settled　long　ago。〃
〃The　Yellow　River　Ferry　is　an　important　point　and　is　guarded　by　a　mander　of　Xiahou　Dun。　He　will　not　let　you　cross。〃
〃But　suppose　then　you　provide　boats　for　me？〃
〃Though　there　are　boats；　I　dare　not　give　them　to　you。〃
〃Well；　formerly　I　slew　Yan　Liang　and　Wen　Chou　and　saved　you　a　grave　danger。　Now　you　refuse　me　a　ferry　boat！〃
〃I　am　afraid　Xiahou　Dun　will　know　of　it　and　make　it　a　fault　against　me。〃
Guan　Yu　perceived　that　no　help　was　to　be　expected　from　this　man；　so　he　pushed　on　and　presently　reached　the　ferry。　There　the　mander　of　the　Guard；　Qin　Qi；　came　out　to　question　him。
〃I　am　one　Guan　Yu；　Lord　of　Hanshou。〃
〃Whither　are　you　bound？〃
〃I　go　to　the　North　of　Yellow　River　to　seek　my　brother；　Liu　Bei；　and　I　respectfully　ask　you　to　grant　me　a　passage　over　the　river。〃
〃Where　is　the　authority　of　the　Prime　Minister？〃
〃I　am　not　on　a　mission　from　the　Prime　Minister；　so　why　should　I　have　such　an　authority？〃
〃I　have　orders　from　my　chief　to　guard　the　ferry；　and　you　will　not　cross。　Even　if　you　grew　wings；　you　should　not　fly　over。〃
Guan　Yu's　choler　arose。
〃Do　you　know　that　I　have　been　the　death　of　all　those　who　have　hitherto　tried　to　stop　me？〃　said　he。
〃You　have　only　slain　a　few　officers　of　no　rank　or　reputation；　but　you　dare　not　kill　me！〃
〃Where　would　you　stand　beside　Yan　Liang　and　Wen　Chou？〃　asked　Guan　Yu。
Qin　Qi　grew　angry；　and　he　loosed　his　rein。　Sword　in　hand；　he　came　at　a　gallop。　The　two　met；　but　in　the　first　encounter　Qin　Qi's　head　was　swept　off　by　the　terrible　green…dragon　saber。
〃He　who　opposed　me　is　dead！　You　others　need　not　be　afraid；〃　cried　Guan　Yu。　〃Be　quick　and　prepare　me　a　boat。〃
The　boat　was　soon　at　the　landing；　and　the　two　women　stepped　on　board；　followed　by　Guan　Yu。　They　crossed　and　were　then　in　the　country　of　Yuan　Shao。　In　the　course　of　his　journey　to　this　point；　Guan　Yu　had　forced　five　passes　and　slain　six　generals。

His　seal　hung　up；　the　treasury　locked；　his
courtly　mansion　left；
He　journeyed　toward　his　brother　dear；　too　long
from　his　side　left。
The　horse　he　rode　was　famed　for　speed　as　for
endurance　great；
His　good　sword　made　a　way　for　him　and
opened　every　gate。
His　loyalty　and　truth　forth　stand；　a　pattern
unto　all；
His　valor　would　frighten　rushing　streams　and
make　high　mountains　fall。
Alone　he　traveled　lustily；　this　was　death　to　meet
his　blade；
He　has　been　themed　by　myriads；　his　glory　never
will　fade。

〃I　did　not　willingly　slay　a　single　one　of　them；〃　mused　Guan　Yu　as　he　rode　along。　〃There　was　no　help　for　it。　Nevertheless　when　Cao　Cao　hears　of　it；　he　will　regard　me　as　ungrateful　for　his　bounty。〃
Before　long　he　saw　a　rider　on　the　road　who　soon　hailed　him　and　proved　to　be　Sun　Qian。
〃I　have　never　heard　a　word　from　you　since　we　lost　sight　of　each　other　at　Runan。　How　have　you　fared？〃　said　Guan　Yu。
〃After　your　departure　Liu　Pi　and　Gong　Du　retook　the　city。　I　was　sent　by　them　to　Yuan　Shao　to　try　to　make　peace　with　him　and　succeeded；　so　that　Yuan　Shao　invited　Liu　Bei　to　go　to　him　and　share　in　the　deliberations　for　a　concerted　attack　on　Cao　Cao。　But　to　my　disgust　the　leaders　of　Yuan　Shao's　army　showed　great　jealousy　of　each　other　so　that　Tian　Feng　got　into　gaol；　Ju　Shou　was　degraded；　and　others　quarreled。