In the city Kuan Yü’s letter reached the Minister while he was consulting about what to do. He read it and exclaimed, “So he has left!” Then the warden of the gate came to report that Kuan Yü had forced his way out, and was gone with a carriage, a horse and a score of guards. Next came the servants from his house to report that he had left, taking nothing of the treasure, nor any one of the waiting maids. Everything was left in the house. Even his seal was there. His only escort were the few men of his original force. Suddenly from the assembly of men rose a voice saying, “With three companies of mailed horse I will bring him back alive.” Their eyes turned to the speaker, who was General Tsʻai Yang. On the dragon’s cave he turns his back, But numberless wolves infest his track. What came of this offer to pursue will be seen in the next chapter. CHAPTER XXVII. “BEAUTIFUL BEARD” RIDES ON A SOLITARY JOURNEY: AND SLAYS SIX MEN AT FIVE PASSES. Now of all the captains in Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army, the only one friendly toward Kuan Yü, with the exception of Chang Liao, was Hsü Huang. The others treated him with respect, except Tsʻai Yang who was decidedly inimical. So this Tsʻai was ready to pursue and capture him as soon as he heard of his departure. But Tsʻao accepted his going as natural. “He does not forget his old leader and he was perfectly open in all his actions. He is a gentleman and you would do well to follow his example.” So he bade the would-be pursuer begone and say no more about pursuit. “You were exceedingly good to Kuan Yü,” said Chʻêng Yü, “but he went off very rudely. He certainly left a screed behind with his reasons, but he affronted you and that is no light matter. Now to let him join Yüan Shao is to add wings to a tiger. You had better catch him and put him to death so as to guard against future evil.” Tsʻao replied, “But he had my promise and can I break my word? Each has his master. Do not pursue.” But he said to Chang Liao, “He has rejected all I gave him, so bribes were powerless with him in whatever shape. I have the greatest respect for such as he. He has not yet gone far and I will try to strengthen his attachment to me and make one appeal to sentiment. Ride after him and beg him to stop till I can come up and bid farewell and offer him a sum of money for his expenses and a fighting robe, that he may remember me kindly in after days.” So Chang rode out quite alone; Tsʻao followed him leisurely with an escort of a score or so. Now the steed that Kuan Yü rode was “Red Hare” and he was very fast. No one could have come up with him but that there was the ladies’ carriage to escort and so “Red Hare” had to be held in and go slow. Suddenly Kuan Yü heard a shout behind him, a voice crying, “Go slowly, Yün-chʻang.”