Kuan Yü stayed his steed at once and waited. The messenger came up, drew from his bosom an official letter and said to Hsiahou Tun, “The Minister loves General Kuan for his loyalty and honour, and fearing lest he might be stopped at the various passes, he sent me with this letter to show when necessary at any point on the road.” “But this Kuan has slain several commanders of the passes; does the Minister know that?” said Tun. The messenger said these things were unknown. “Then,” said Tun, “I will arrest him and take him to the Minister, who may set him free or not as he wills.” “Do you think I fear anything you can do?” said Kuan Yü getting wrathful. And he rode forward. Tun, nothing loth, set his spear and prepared for battle. They met and had reached the tenth encounter when a second horseman came up at full speed, crying, “Generals, wait a little!” Hsiahou Tun stayed his hand and asked the messenger, saying, “Am I to arrest him?” “No,” replied the messenger. “Fearing lest he should have difficulties at the passes the Minister has sent me with a despatch to say he is to be released.” “Did the Minister know that he had slain several men on the way?” “He did not know.” “Since he was ignorant of that I may not let him go,” and he gave the signal to his men to close in round Kuan Yü. But Kuan Yü flourished his sword and made to attack them and a fight was again imminent, when a third rider appeared, who cried, “Yün-chʻang, give way and do not fight!” The speaker was Chang Liao. Both combatants made no further move but awaited his arrival. He said, “I bring the Minister’s order that since he has heard that Yün-chʻang has slain certain men on the way he fears that some will hinder his passage. Wherefore he has sent me to deliver his command at each gate that Kuan Yü is to be suffered to pass freely.” Hsiahou Tun said, “Chʻin Chʻi was the son of Tsʻai Yang’s sister, and he was confided to my especial care. Now this Kuan has killed him and how can I refrain?” “When I see his uncle I will explain. But now the main point is that you have the Minister’s orders to let Kuan Yü pass and you may not despise his wish.” So the only thing for Hsiahou Tun to do was to retire; and he did. “Whither are you going?” then said Chang Liao to Kuan Yü. “I fear my brother is no longer with Yüan Shao and now I am going to find him wherever he is.” “As you do not know where to go, why not return to the Minister?” “Where is the sense of that?” said Kuan Yü with a smile. “But, Wên-yüan, you return, and try to arrange pardon for my faults.” With this he saluted Chang Liao and took his leave. Chang Liao retired and joined Hsiahou Tun.