“Soldiers, do not flee!” cried Kuan Yü. “I killed him because I could do no otherwise. I have nothing against you, but I would ask you to tell the Minister how this thing came to pass, that he wished to kill me and so I slew him in self-defence.” The men bowed before him and Kuan Yü, with the carriage, passed through the gates and they continued their way to Loyang. But one of the guards of the pass went quickly in advance and informed the Prefect of Loyang, Han Fu, of the slaughter of Kʻung Hsiu. Wherefore Han Fu assembled his officers to take counsel. Mêng Tʻan, one of his captains, said, “This Kuan Yü must be a fugitive or he would have a safe-conduct. Our only course is to stop him or we shall incur blame.” “The man is fierce and brave. Remember the fate of Yen and Wên. It seems vain to oppose him by force and so we must think out some trap for him,” said Han Fu. “I have a ruse ready,” said Mêng Tʻan. “I will close the gate with “deerhorns” (chevaux de frise) and I will go to fight with him. I will engage and then flee, and you can shoot him from an ambush along the road. If we can get him and his party and send them prisoners to the capital we ought to be well rewarded.” This course was determined upon and soon they heard that Kuan Yü was approaching. Han Fu strung his bow and filled his quiver with arrows and with one company took up position along the pass. Then as the party approached Han Fu said, “Who is the traveller who comes?” Kuan Yü bowed low and said, “He is a certain Kuan, Marquis of Hanshoutʻing, and he wishes to go through the pass.” “Have you a letter from the Minister?” “In the hurry of departure I did not get any.” “My special orders from him are to hold this pass and make examination of all spies that may go to and fro. Any person without an authority must be a fugitive.” Then Kuan Yü began to be angry, and he told them what had happened to Kʻung Hsiu. “Do you also seek death?” asked Kuan. “Who will capture him for me?” cried Han Fu, and Mêng Tʻan offered himself. He rode out, whirling his double swords and made straight for Kuan Yü. Kuan Yü sent back the carriage out of danger and then rode toward Mêng. They engaged, but very soon Mêng turned his steed and fled. Kuan Yü pursued. Mêng, intent only on leading his enemy toward the ambush, took no account of the speed of “Red Hare.” Very soon he was caught up and a stroke of the mighty sword cut him in two pieces. Then Kuan Yü stopped and turned back. The archers in the gate shot their hardest and though it was a long way off one of them lodged an arrow in his left arm. He pulled it out with his teeth but the blood streamed down as he rode toward the Prefect, Han Fu. The men scattered. Kuan Yü rode straight at his next victim. He raised his sword and made an oblique cut which sliced off the head and shoulder of his opponent.