Now the Prefect had a secretary named Hu Pan to whom he had entrusted the arrangements for the destruction of his guest. Said he, “This Kuan is a traitor to the Minister and a fugitive. On the road he has murdered several Commanders of Passes and is guilty of serious crimes. But he is too strong and valiant for any ordinary soldier to overcome. So this evening a whole company of men will surround his lodging, each one armed with a torch, and we will burn him. They will start the fire about midnight. Every one of the party will perish. I will come with a force to stand by and assist if necessary.” These orders received, Hu Pan passed them on to the men, who began secretly to prepare dry wood and other combustibles which they piled up at the gate of the rest-house. Hu Pan thought within him that he would like to know what manner of man was this Kuan Yü, whose fame had spread so far, so he determined to get a peep at him. He went to the rest-house and enquired where Kuan Yü was. “The General is the man in the main hall reading,” was the reply. Hu Pan noiselessly made his way to the outside of the room and peeped in. He saw the famous warrior stroking his beard with his left hand while he read by the light of a lamp placed on a low table. An involuntary exclamation of wonder escaped at the majesty of the figure. “Really a god!” he sighed. “Who is there?” suddenly asked the reader at the sound. Hu Pan entered and said he was the Prefect’s secretary. “Surely you are the son of Hu Hua, who lives outside Hsütu,” said Kuan. “I am he,” replied Hu Pan. Then Kuan Yü called up his followers and bade them look among the baggage for the letter, which they brought. Kuan Yü handed it to the secretary, who read it and then breathed long, saying, “I very nearly caused the death of a good man.” Then he betrayed the whole plot. “This Wang is a wicked man, who wanted to kill you. At this moment you are surrounded and at the third watch they will set fire to this place. Now I will go and open the city gates while you hastily prepare for flight.” Kuan Yü was greatly surprised, but he quickly buckled up his armour, got his steed ready, roused the two ladies and put them into their carriage. Then they left the rest-house and as they passed out they saw the soldiers all about them, each with a torch. The party hastened to the outskirts of the city and found the gate already open and they lost no time in getting clear of the city. Hu Pan returned to give orders to fire the rest house. The fugitives pressed on but before long they saw lights coming up behind them and Wang Chih called out to them to stop. Kuan Yü reined in his horse and began to abuse him. “Worthless fellow! What had you against me that you wished to burn me to death?” Wang Chih whipped up his steed and set his spear, but Kuan Yü cut him through with the short sword he wore at his side and scattered his followers.