Guan Ding sent for his two sons to come and make their bow. He put up Guan Yu in his house and provided for his escort in the farm buildings.
In the meantime Sun Qian had made his way to Jizhou City and told Liu Bei the whole story.
Liu Bei said, “Jian Yong also is here. We will send for him secretly to talk over this matter.” They did so; and when the usual salutes had been exchanged, they three began to consider the means of getting away.
“My lord,” said Jian Yong, “you see Yuan Shao personally and say you wish to go to Jingzhou to see Liu Biao about a scheme for the destruction of Cao Cao. That will give an excuse.”
“That seems best,” said Liu Bei, “but will you go with me?”
“I have another plan to extricate myself,” said Jian Yong.
Having settled their plans, Liu Bei soon went in to see his protector and suggested, “Liu Biao is strong and well posted; his help should be sought against our enemy.”
“I have sent messengers repeatedly to ask his help,” said Yuan Shao, “but he is unwilling.”
“As he and I are of the same family, he will not refuse me if I go and ask him,” said Liu Bei.
“Certainly he is worth much more than Liu Pi; you shall go.”
“I have just heard,” Yuan Shao continued, “that Guan Yu has left Cao Cao and wants to come here. If he does, I will put him to death out of revenge for my two beloved generals — Yan Liang and Wen Chou.”
“Illustrious Sir, you wished to employ him and so I sent for him. Now you threaten to put him to death. The two men he slew were but deers compared with such a tiger as he is. When you exchange a couple of deers for a tiger, you need not complain of the bargain.”
“Really I like him,” said Yuan Shao. “I was only joking. You can send another messenger for him and tell him to come soon.”
“May I send Sun Qian for him?”
“Certainly.”
After Liu Bei had gone, Jian Yong came in and said to Yuan Shao, “If Liu Bei goes, he will not come back. I would better go to speak to Liu Biao. And I can keep a watch on Liu Bei.”
Yuan Shao agreed and issued orders for both to go.
On the subject of the mission, Guo Tu came in to his chief to dissuade him.
Said Guo Tu, “Liu Bei went to speak to Liu Pi, but he accomplished nothing. Now you are sending Jian Yong with him, and I am sure neither will ever return.”
“Do not be too suspicious,” said Yuan Shao. “Jian Yong is clever enough.”
That was the end of the interview. Forthwith Liu Bei sent Sun Qian back to Guan Yu and then, with Jian Yong, took leave of Yuan Shao and rode out of the city, As soon as they reached the border line, they met Sun Qian and all three rode off to Guan Ding's farm to meet Guan Yu. He came out to welcome them, bowed and then seized his brother's hands while tears streamed down his face.
Presently the two sons of their host came to bow to the visitors. Liu Bei asked their names. “These are of the same name as myself,” said Guan Yu. “The sons are Guan Ning, who is a student, and Guan Ping, who is to be a soldier.”
“I have been thinking of sending the younger in your train, General,” said old Guan Ding, “Would you take him?”
“What is his age?” said Liu Bei.
“He is eighteen.”
Liu Bei said, “Since, O Senior, you are so kind, I venture to suggest that your son should be adopted by my brother, who has no son of his own. What think you of that?”
Guan Ding was perfectly willing, so he called Guan Ping and bade him make a son's obeisance to Guan Yu and to style Liu Bei “Uncle.”
Then it was time to get on their way lest they should be pursued, and with Guan Yu went Guan Ping. Guan Ding and Guan Ning escorted them a long distance and then returned.
The party took the road to Sleeping Bull Mountain. Before they had gone very far, they met Zhou Cang with a small party. He was wounded. He was introduced to Liu Bei who asked him how it was.
He replied, “Before I reached the hill, a certain warrior all alone, had fought with my friend Pei Yuanshao and killed him. Then many of our troops surrendered to him, and he occupied our old camp. When I reached it, I tried to allure the soldiers back to my side but only succeeded with a few. The others were too afraid. I got angry and engaged the interloper, who however worsted me time after time and wounded me thrice.”
“Who is the warrior? What does he look like?” asked Liu Bei.
“All I know he is a doughty fighter, I do not know his name.”
Thereafter they advanced toward the hill with Guan Yu in front and Liu Bei in rear. When they drew near, Zhou Cang began to abuse his enemy, who soon appeared, mailed and armed, coming down the hill like a tornado.
Suddenly Liu Bei rode out waving his whip and shouting, “O Zhao Yun, I am here to look for you!”
Indeed the rider was Zhao Yun. He instantly slipped out of the saddle and bowed by the roadside.
Liu Bei dismounted to talk with him and ask how he came to be there.
