“You are not the sort of man to measure my best generals,” replied Yuan Shao.
The army marched to Liyang, and Governor Liu Yan of Dongjun sent an urgent call to Xuchang for aid. Cao Cao moved his armies hastily. As soon as the news of battle got about, Guan Yu went to see the Prime Minister and said, “Illustrious Sir, the army is mobilized; I volunteer for the van leader.”
“I scarcely dare put you to such inconvenience, but presently, if need arises, I will call upon you.”
So Guan Yu retired, and one hundred fifty thousand soldiers marched out in three directions. On the road the letters from Liu Yan arrived praying for help, and Cao Cao marched the first fifty thousand troops to Baima and took up a position supported by the hills. In the wide plains in front of them, Yan Liang was encamped with one hundred thousand veterans.
Cao Cao was frightened at the force opposed to him and, returning to camp, spoke to Song Xian, who had once served under Lu Bu, saying, “You are one of Lu Bu's famous veteran generals; can you give battle to this Yan Liang?”
Song Xian agreed to try. He armed himself, mounted, and rode to the front. Yan Liang was there on horseback, his sword lying crossways. Seeing an opponent approaching, he uttered a loud shout and galloped toward Song Xian. The two met, but after only three bouts, Song Xian fell under a mighty slash from Yan Liang's sword.
“What a terrible leader!” said Cao Cao.
“He has slain my comrade, I want to go and avenge him,” then cried Wei Xu.
Cao Cao bade him go and he rode out, spear set, and in front of the army railed at Yan Liang.
Yan Liang replied not a word, but their two steeds came together; and at the first blow from Yan Liang's sword, Wei Xu's forehead was halved.
“Now, who again dares face him?” cried Cao Cao.
Xu Huang took up the challenge and he went out. The combat endured twenty bouts, and then Xu Huang fled back to his own side. The other generals were now greatly depressed at their failure. Cao Cao withdrew his army, feeling very sad at the loss of two generals in quick succession. Yan Liang also marched off his force.
Then Cheng Yu went to see his chief, saying, “I can produce a man the equal of Yan Liang.”
“Who?” cried Cao Cao. “No other than Guan Yu.”
“I am afraid that if he is given an opportunity to perform that return service he spoke of, he will leave me.”
“If Liu Bei is still alive, he is with Yuan Shao. If you get Guan Yu to defeat Yuan Shao's army, Yuan Shao will look askance at Liu Bei and put him to death. Liu Bei gone, where can Guan Yu go?”
This argument appealed to Cao Cao at once, and he sent to request Guan Yu to come.
Previous to obeying the call, Guan Yu went to say farewell to his sisters-in-law.
“You may get news of the Uncle on the journey,” said they.
“Yes,” said Guan Yu and left them.
Armed with his green-dragon saber, riding on the swift steed Red-Hare, and having but a slender following, Guan Yu was not long in arriving at Baima. He saw Cao Cao, who told him what had happened. Yan Liang was too valiant for any to face.
“Let me look at him,” said Guan Yu.
Then wine was served for his refreshment, and while they were drinking, it was reported that Yan Liang once again offered a challenge. So Cao Cao and his guest and staff went to the summit of a hill whence the enemy could be seen. Cao Cao and Guan Yu sat on the hill top, and the commanders stood about them. Cao Cao pointed out Yan Liang's troops arrayed on the plains below. The ensigns and banners waving fresh and bright amid the forest of spears and swords made a grand and imposing spectacle.
“See how formidable these soldiers of the North of Yellow River are,” said Cao Cao.
“I regard them as so many clay fowls and mud dogs,” said Guan Yu.
Cao Cao pointed out Yan Liang, saying, “There under that grand umbrella, in that embroidered robe and that silver breastplate and riding on horseback and gripping that huge sword is Yan Liang.”
“His head looks as though it was stuck on a pole for sale,” said Guan Yu, just glancing over the army at his feet.
“He is very terrible. You must not despise him,” said Cao Cao.
Guan Yu rose, saying, “I am a poor thing but I will go over and bring you his head if you like.”
“Joking is not allowed in this army,” interposed Zhang Liao. “Please be careful what you say, General.”
Guan Yu quickly mounted, turned down his mighty weapon, and galloped down the hill; his phoenix eyes rounded, and his silkworm eyebrows fiercely bristling. He dashed straight into the enemy's array, and the northern soldiers opened like falling waves and dissolving storms. He made directly for the commander.
