Chapter 15: The Helpless Guan Yu

Having become a minor general of the Han, Guan Yu still resided in the outer quarters of the same deep mansion where his two sisters-in-law lived. He appeared calm and at ease, but news of his appointment spread swiftly, reaching the modest household on the very day it happened.

Lady Mi and Lady Gan were both dearly cherished by Liu Bei. Though now detained in Xuchang, after surviving the initial days and finding that Cao Cao made no untoward advances toward them, a measure of their anxiety was eased. After all, Liu Bei was, in name, the Emperor’s kinsman, and Cao Cao, a servant of the Han; in their eyes, it was unlikely he would go to murderous extremes.

Most importantly, Guan Yu was guarding them in the outer quarters. Though neither woman had witnessed Guan Yu’s full capabilities, Liu Bei had never tired of extolling his prowess to them in their private moments.

That day, the two ladies were pondering when Guan Yu might take them to reunite with Liu Bei, when suddenly a maidservant—seized along with them—burst into the room in a panic, not even caring that her skirt had torn.

“What has you so flustered?”

At the sight of the maid, Lady Mi’s hands trembled in fright. After all, they were in the enemy’s camp; if Cao Cao wished to kill them, they would be helpless.

“Madams, while I was out shopping, I heard... General Yun Chang has been granted a title by His Majesty, made a minor general of the Han, reportedly on the recommendation of the Minister of Works!”

Upon hearing this, Lady Gan and Lady Mi turned deathly pale and collapsed together onto the bed.

Though women, both had come from prominent families before marrying Liu Bei. They well understood who truly held sway in Xuchang—the Emperor or Cao Cao.

“Yun Chang... has he yielded to Cao Cao?”

“The Imperial Uncle always said Yun Chang was peerless in loyalty and righteousness, that he would rather die than betray him!”

Their words only deepened their dread of the fate that awaited them. Now that Guan Yu had accepted a title under Cao Cao’s rule, could he still guard them in the outer quarters?

Without Guan Yu’s protection, even if Cao Cao meant them no harm, a few unruly soldiers or petty officials could easily come in and do with them as they pleased—the thought of what they might be forced to drink was terrifying enough.

Soon, the quiet mansion echoed with the broken sobs of both ladies. In such tumultuous times, a woman without a man’s protection could all but see her fate before her eyes.

After receiving his title, Guan Yu did not immediately report to Cao Cao but instead returned almost at once to the outer quarters to stand guard for his sisters-in-law.

Suddenly, he heard crying from within. Startled, he hefted his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, weighing dozens of pounds, and rushed toward the sound.

Entering the room, he found the scene quite unlike what he had imagined. There were no outsiders—only the two ladies and a maidservant, all weeping.

Lady Gan, being the elder, saw Guan Yu stride in with his great blade and wailed even louder.

“So, you have accepted Cao Cao’s title and become his general, and now return to take our heads for merit? Do it, then! We are but women—our deaths matter not!”

With those words, Lady Gan pointed at Guan Yu’s nose and cursed him, her usual dignity and virtue as a sister-in-law gone.

Though the blade in his hand and the spear at his side both seemed to yearn for action, before him stood his sisters-in-law.

“Please, do not be agitated. It is true that I have been granted a title, but it is not under Cao Cao’s authority, but rather that of the Han Emperor. If I serve, it is for the Han, not for Cao Cao. Please wait here; as soon as there is word of my elder brother, I will deliver you to him at once!”

Before being captured by Cao Cao, Guan Yu had not blemished his service to Liu Bei; the two ladies knew this well. Yet, the situation now was different. Though he spoke thus, they remained suspicious, their gazes bereft of former trust, as if fearing that one night Guan Yu might sneak into their beds.

Guan Yu, seeing this, grew anxious.

He was a straightforward man. Having chosen to follow Liu Bei, if he abandoned him at the first sign of trouble, he would earn neither respect nor status, whether under Cao Cao or another. All that he aspired to would be lost.

He wished to continue with Liu Bei, and his greatest leverage lay with these two women. If he could return them safely to Liu Bei, and let them speak on his behalf of his conduct during this time, Liu Bei’s trust in him would be unshaken, perhaps even deepened.

Guan Yu was no fool. He knew that although Liu Bei was downcast now, he was a man of vision, not one destined for obscurity—a man worth following. Guan Yu had long ago decided he would serve as Liu Bei’s chief lieutenant, second only to him.

It was not that he looked down upon Cao Cao, but under his banner, being a Guan among so many Caos and Xiahou, he would never rise to prominence. This was plain as day.

Thus, these two women were of utmost importance to Guan Yu now.

A sudden metallic clang startled the two ladies. Guan Yu had thrust his blade into the stone floor, shattering the flagstone beneath.

He stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and when he raised his head to meet their eyes, his gaze was unwavering.

“If ever I betray my brother, or the two of you, let me be as this stone!”

With that, he looked at the shattered stone, his words echoing through the room several times before fading.

In these times, especially among those of standing, oaths carried great weight. For Guan Yu to kneel and swear thus was proof enough of his sincerity.

Lady Gan and Lady Mi understood. If they refused to trust Guan Yu and turned hostile, he might simply give up on them, and then who knew what fate the night might bring. They were not ignorant of this.

“In that case... we have wronged you, Yun Chang. Please rise. These days in Xuchang have unsettled us. Yun Chang, you have cared for us, two useless women, with all your heart—we are deeply grateful.”

Seeing this change at last, Guan Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Such are women, he thought: quick to flare up, but just as quick to relent. All was well, then.

He rose, offered a few more words of comfort, and took his leave.

Yet as he departed, a sudden thought occurred to Guan Yu.