Chapter 25: Lord Guan Agrees to Three Conditions on Earth Mountain; Cao Cao Breaks the Siege at Baima
Chapter 25: Guan Yu at Earth Mountain Accepts Three Conditions; Cao Cao Lifts the Siege of White Horse to Rescue His Forces
Now Cheng Yu presented his plan, saying: "Guan Yu has valor unequaled by ten thousand men; without using strategy, he cannot be captured. We can immediately send some of the surrendered soldiers from Liu Bei's former troops to enter Xiapi and see Guan Yu, claiming they have escaped back. They can hide in the city as our inside agents. Then we lure Guan Yu into battle, feign defeat, and lead him to another area, where we cut off his retreat with elite troops. After that, we can persuade him, and the plan will succeed." Cao Cao followed this scheme and ordered several dozen surrendered soldiers from Xuzhou to go directly to Xiapi and surrender to Guan Yu. Guan Yu, thinking they were his original troops, kept them without suspicion.
The next day, Xiahou Dun, acting as vanguard, led five thousand soldiers to issue a challenge. Guan Yu did not come out to fight, so Xiahou Dun sent men to revile him beneath the city walls. Guan Yu grew furious and led three thousand men out of the city to do battle with Xiahou Dun. After about a dozen exchanges, Xiahou Dun turned his horse and fled. Guan Yu pursued him, and Xiahou Dun fought while retreating. Guan Yu chased him for about twenty li, then, fearing for Xiapi’s safety, he reined in his troops to return. Suddenly, a cannon boomed; on the left was Xu Huang, on the right was Xu Chu, and both columns of troops blocked his path. Guan Yu fought to force a way through, but the ambushing soldiers on both sides set up a hundred crossbows, and arrows flew like locusts. Guan Yu could not break through; he reined in his horse and turned back, where Xu Huang and Xu Chu engaged him in battle. Guan Yu fought fiercely and drove them back, then led his troops to return to Xiapi, but Xiahou Dun intercepted and fought him again.
Guan Yu fought until nightfall, with no road to escape. He could only reach an earthen hill, stationed his troops on its summit, and rested for a while. Cao Cao’s forces surrounded the hill in a tight ring. From the hill, Guan Yu saw flames rising to the sky in Xiapi—it was the feigned surrendered soldiers who had secretly opened the city gates; Cao Cao himself led his main army into the city, ordering fires set to unsettle Guan Yu’s heart.
Seeing Xiapi ablaze, Guan Yu was alarmed. Several times during the night he charged down the hill, only to be driven back by a hail of arrows. When dawn came, he was about to reorganize his troops to charge down again, when suddenly he saw a man riding up the hill. It was Zhang Liao. Guan Yu went to meet him and said, "Wenyuan, have you come to fight me?" Zhang Liao replied, "No. I am thinking of our old friendship and have come especially to see you." Then he set down his sword, dismounted, exchanged greetings with Guan Yu, and they sat down on the hilltop. Guan Yu said, "Wenyuan, have you come to persuade me, Guan?" Zhang Liao said, "No. In the past, you, my elder brother, saved me; how could I, your younger brother, not come to save you today?" Guan Yu said, "Then, Wenyuan, have you come to help me?" Zhang Liao said, "Not that either." Guan Yu said, "Since you are not helping me, why have you come here?"
Zhang Liao said, "It is unknown whether Liu Bei is alive or dead, and Zhang Fei’s fate is also uncertain. Last night, the Duke of Cao broke into Xiapi; the soldiers and people were not harmed, and he has sent men to guard Liu Bei’s family, forbidding any disturbance. Treating them thus, I have come specially to report to you, elder brother." Guan Yu said angrily, "These words are clearly meant to persuade me. Though I am now in desperate straits, I regard death as returning home. You should leave quickly; I will go down the hill and fight at once." Zhang Liao laughed loudly and said, "Elder brother, are these words not afraid of being laughed at by all under heaven?" Guan Yu said, "I die for loyalty and righteousness—how could the world laugh at me?" Zhang Liao said, "Even if you die now, elder brother, you will have three offenses." Guan Yu said, "Tell me, what are those three offenses?"
Zhang Liao said, "In the beginning, Lord Liu and you, elder brother, swore brotherhood, vowing to live and die together. Now Lord Liu has just been defeated, and you would die in battle. If Lord Liu should emerge again and seek your help but cannot obtain it, would this not betray the oath you swore? This is the first offense. Lord Liu entrusted his family to you, elder brother. If you die now, the two ladies will have no one to rely on, thus betraying the heavy trust Lord Liu placed in you. This is the second offense. Elder brother, your martial skill is unsurpassed, and you are well-versed in the classics and histories. If you do not think of joining Lord Liu to restore the Han dynasty but only seek to rush into fire and water to achieve the valor of a common man, how can this be called righteousness? This is the third offense. Elder brother, you have these three offenses, and I must tell you of them."
Guan Yu pondered and said, "You say I have three offenses; what do you want me to do?" Zhang Liao said, "Now, on all sides are the Duke of Cao’s troops. If you do not surrender, elder brother, you will surely die. To die in vain brings no benefit. It would be better to surrender for the time being to the Duke of Cao, then inquire after Lord Liu’s whereabouts. When you know where he is, you can immediately go to him. In this way, first, you can protect the two ladies; second, you do not violate the oath of the peach garden; third, you can preserve your valuable body. With these three advantages, elder brother should consider carefully."
Guan Yu said, "Elder brother speaks of three advantages, but I have three conditions. If the Chancellor will agree to them, I will immediately lay down my armor. If he refuses, I would rather bear the three offenses and die." Zhang Liao said, "The Chancellor is magnanimous and tolerant—what could he not accept? I am willing to hear what the three matters are." Guan Yu said, "First, I swore an oath with the Imperial Uncle to support the Han house together; today I surrender only to the Han emperor, not to Cao Cao. Second, for my two sisters-in-law, please provide them with an allowance according to the Imperial Uncle’s salary, and no one, high or low, is to approach their gate. Third, as soon as I learn where Imperial Uncle Liu is, no matter how far—a thousand li or ten thousand—I shall take my leave and go. If any of these three is lacking, I will never surrender. I hope Wenyuan will go back quickly and report."
Zhang Liao agreed, mounted his horse, and returned to see Cao Cao. First, he spoke of surrendering to the Han emperor and not to Cao Cao. Cao Cao laughed and said, "I am the Han chancellor; the Han is myself. This condition can be granted." Zhang Liao then said, "The two ladies are to receive the Imperial Uncle’s salary, and no one, high or low, is to approach their gate." Cao Cao said, "I will double the allowance beyond the Imperial Uncle’s salary. As for strictly forbidding entry, that is family discipline—what doubt is there about it?" Zhang Liao then said, "As soon as he learns of Xuande’s whereabouts, no matter how far, he must go." Cao Cao shook his head and said, "If that is so, what use is keeping Guan Yu? This condition is difficult to grant." Zhang Liao said, "Have you not heard of Yu Rang’s discourse on the common man and the state’s retainer? Liu Xuande treated Guan Yu only with deep kindness. If the Chancellor bestows even greater kindness to win his heart, what fear is there that Guan Yu will not submit?" Cao Cao said, "Wenyuan’s words are very true. I am willing to agree to these three conditions."
Zhang Liao went back up the hill to report to Guan Yu. Guan Yu said, "Even so, please ask the Chancellor to withdraw his troops for the moment, and allow me to enter the city to see my two sisters-in-law and inform them of this matter; then I will surrender." Zhang Liao returned again and reported these words to Cao Cao. Cao Cao immediately ordered his troops to withdraw ten li away. Xun Yu said, "This will not do. There may be treachery." Cao Cao said, "Guan Yu is a righteous man; he will certainly not break his word." So he led his troops away. Guan Yu led his men into Xiapi, where he saw the people safe and undisturbed. He went directly to the mansion to see his two sisters-in-law.
Lady Gan and Lady Mi, hearing that Guan Yu had arrived, hurried out to welcome him. Guan Yu knelt at the foot of the steps and said, "That I have caused my two sisters-in-law to be frightened is my fault." The two ladies said, "Where is the Imperial Uncle now?" Guan Yu said, "His whereabouts are unknown." The two ladies said, "What does Second Younger Brother intend to do now?" Guan Yu said, "I went out of the city to fight to the death but was trapped on Earth Mountain. Zhang Liao urged me to surrender, and I set three conditions with him. Cao Cao has agreed to all of them, so he has specially withdrawn his troops and allowed me to enter the city. Without first obtaining your opinion, sisters-in-law, I dared not decide on my own." The two ladies asked what the three conditions were. Guan Yu related the three matters in detail. Lady Gan said, "Yesterday, when Cao’s army entered the city, we thought we would surely die; who would have thought we would be unharmed, and no soldier dared enter our gate? Since Younger Uncle has already agreed, why consult us further? We only fear that later Cao Cao will not let Younger Uncle go to seek the Imperial Uncle." Guan Yu said, "Sisters-in-law, rest assured. I have my own plan." The two ladies said, "Younger Uncle, decide for yourself; in all matters, do not trouble us women."
Guan Yu took his leave and withdrew, then led a few dozen cavalrymen to meet Cao Cao. Cao Cao personally came out of his camp to welcome him. Guan Yu dismounted and entered to bow, and Cao Cao hastily returned the salute. Guan Yu said, "A defeated general deeply thanks you for not killing me." Cao Cao replied, "I have long admired your loyalty and righteousness, Lord Yun. To meet you today is enough to fulfill my lifelong wish." Guan Yu said, "The three conditions that Wen Yuan relayed on my behalf, I trust you, Chancellor, have agreed to and will not break your word." Cao Cao said, "Since I have spoken my words, how dare I break my trust?" Guan Yu said, "If Guan knows where the Imperial Uncle is, even if I must go through fire and water, I will surely go to follow him. At that time, I fear I may not have time to bid farewell, and I beg your forgiveness." Cao Cao said, "If Xuande is still alive, I will certainly let you go with him; I only fear he may have died in the chaos of battle. For now, set your mind at ease and allow me to slowly investigate."
Guan Yu bowed in thanks. Cao Cao held a banquet to entertain him. The next day, the army returned in triumph to Xuchang. Guan Yu packed the carriages and gear, invited his two sisters-in-law to board, and personally escorted the carriages as they traveled. When they stopped at inns along the way, Cao Cao tried to disrupt the propriety between lord and subject by having Guan Yu and his two sisters-in-law share a single room. Guan Yu then took a candle and stood outside the door, from night until dawn, without any sign of fatigue. When Cao Cao saw Guan Yu like this, he respected and admired him even more. After arriving at Xuchang, Cao Cao allocated a mansion for Guan Yu to reside in. Guan Yu divided the house into two courtyards, posting ten veteran soldiers to guard the inner gate. Guan Yu himself lived in the outer residence. Cao Cao took Guan Yu to have an audience with Emperor Xian, and the emperor appointed Guan Yu as a Partial General. Guan Yu thanked the emperor and returned to his residence.
The next day, Cao Cao held a grand banquet, gathering all his strategists and warriors. He treated Guan Yu with guest rites, seating him at the head of the table, and also prepared brocade silks and gold and silver vessels as gifts. Guan Yu gave them all to his two sisters-in-law for safekeeping. From the time Guan Yu arrived in Xuchang, Cao Cao treated him with great generosity: small feasts every three days, grand banquets every five days. He also sent ten beautiful women to serve Guan Yu. Guan Yu sent them all into the inner gate to attend to his two sisters-in-law. Yet every three days, he would go to the inner gate, bow respectfully, and inquire after his sisters-in-law’s well-being. After the two ladies had asked about the Imperial Uncle’s affairs, they would say, "Brother-in-law, please make yourself at ease." Only then would Guan Yu dare to withdraw. When Cao Cao heard of this, he again sighed in admiration at Guan Yu.
One day, Cao Cao noticed that Guan Yu’s green brocade battle robe was already old. He gauged Guan Yu’s measurements, had a battle robe made from the finest brocade, and presented it to him. Guan Yu accepted it, but wore it underneath his clothes, still covering it with his old robe on top. Cao Cao laughed and said, "Why is Yun so frugal?" Guan Yu replied, "I am not being frugal. The old robe was a gift from Imperial Uncle Liu. Wearing it is like seeing my elder brother. I dare not forget my brother’s old gift because of the Chancellor’s new one, so I wear it on the outside." Cao Cao sighed and said, "Truly a righteous man!" But though he praised him verbally, he was greatly displeased inside.
One day, while Guan Yu was at his residence, someone suddenly reported: "The two ladies in the inner courtyard have collapsed weeping, and we do not know why. Please, General, go in quickly." Guan Yu then straightened his clothes, knelt outside the inner gate, and asked his sisters-in-law why they were weeping so sorrowfully. Lady Gan said, "Last night I dreamed that the Imperial Uncle was trapped in a pit. I woke and discussed it with Lady Mi. We suspect he may already be in the underworld, and so we wept together." Guan Yu said, "Matters in dreams cannot be believed. This is due to your longing, sister-in-law. Please do not grieve."
Just as he was speaking, Cao Cao happened to send someone to invite Guan Yu to a banquet. Guan Yu took leave of his sisters-in-law and went to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao noticed tear stains on Guan Yu’s face and asked the reason. Guan Yu said, "My sisters-in-law wept bitterly out of longing for my elder brother, and I could not help but feel sorrow in my heart." Cao Cao laughed to comfort him and repeatedly urged him to drink wine. Guan Yu became drunk and, stroking his beard, said, "To live without serving my country, and to betray my elder brother—what a useless man I am!" Cao Cao asked, "How many hairs does Yun’s beard have?" Guan Yu said, "About several hundred. Each autumn, about three to five fall out. In winter, I mostly wrap it in a black silk pouch to keep it from breaking." Cao Cao had a pouch made of silk brocade and gave it to Guan Yu to protect his beard. The next day, at the morning court audience, the emperor saw the silk brocade pouch hanging on Guan Yu’s chest and asked him about it. Guan Yu memorialized, "My beard is very long, and the Chancellor gave me a pouch to hold it." The emperor ordered him to spread it out in the hall, and the beard hung down past his abdomen. The emperor said, "Truly a Beautiful Beard Lord!" Henceforth, everyone called him the Beautiful Beard Lord.
Suddenly one day, Cao Cao invited Guan Yu to a banquet. When the feast ended, as he saw Guan Yu out of the residence, Cao Cao noticed that Guan Yu’s horse was very thin. Cao Cao said, "Why is your horse so thin?" Guan Yu said, "My body is quite heavy, and the horse cannot bear the load, so it often becomes thin." Cao Cao ordered his attendants to prepare a horse. In a short while, one was led out. The horse’s body was as red as a burning coal, and its form was very majestic. Cao Cao pointed and said, "Do you recognize this horse?" Guan Yu said, "Could it be the Red Hare that Lü Bu once rode?" Cao Cao said, "Yes." He then gave it to Guan Yu together with the saddle and bridle. Guan Yu bowed in thanks repeatedly. Cao Cao said displeasedly, "I have given you beautiful women and gold and silk many times, and you never bowed; now I give you a horse, and you bow in thanks repeatedly. Why do you despise people and value animals?" Guan Yu said, "I know this horse can travel a thousand li in a day. Now that I am fortunate enough to have it, if I learn of my elder brother’s whereabouts, I can meet him within a single day." Cao Cao was startled, and then regretted his action. Guan Yu took his leave and departed. Later, a poet wrote a poem in admiration:
"His might shook the Three Kingdoms, a hero bold;
Two courtyards divided, his loyalty upheld.
The treacherous prime minister vainly tried to please;
How could Guan Yu serve Cao and be at ease?"
Cao Cao asked Zhang Liao, "I have treated Yun not unkindly, yet he often seems intent on leaving. Why is this?" Zhang Liao said, "Allow me to go and sound him out." The next day, he went to see Guan Yu. After exchanging bows, Zhang Liao said, "I recommended you, elder brother, to the Chancellor, and he has not neglected you." Guan Yu said, "I am deeply grateful for the Chancellor’s kindness; but though my body is here, my heart is with the Imperial Uncle, and I have never let go of it." Zhang Liao said, "Elder brother, your words are wrong. To not weigh matters in life is not the act of a true man. Xuande’s treatment of you may not surpass the Chancellor’s. Why do you only think of leaving?" Guan Yu said, "I fully know that Lord Cao treats me well; but unfortunately, I received great kindness from Imperial Uncle Liu, and I swore to live and die with him. I cannot betray him. In the end, I will not stay here. But I must render some meritorious service to repay Lord Cao, and only then will I leave." Zhang Liao said, "If Xuande has already died, where would you go?" Guan Yu said, "I would be willing to follow him to the underworld."
Zhang Liao knew that Guan Yu could not be kept in the end, so he withdrew and returned to see Cao Cao, reporting the whole truth. Cao Cao sighed and said, "To serve his lord without forgetting his roots—truly a righteous man of the world!" Xun Yu said, "He said he would leave only after achieving merit. If we prevent him from achieving merit, he may not necessarily leave." Cao Cao thought this was correct.
At that time, Liu Bei was at Yuan Shao’s place, worrying day and night. Yuan Shao said, "Why are you always troubled, Xuande?" Liu Bei said, "My second younger brother has no news, and my wife and children are trapped with Cao Cao. Above, I cannot serve my country; below, I cannot protect my family. How can I not be troubled?" Yuan Shao said, "I have long thought of advancing on Xuchang. Now that spring is warm, it is a good time to send out troops." So he discussed plans to defeat Cao Cao. Tian Feng admonished, saying, "Previously, when Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou, Xuchang was empty, but we missed the chance to advance then. Now Xuzhou has been taken, and Cao Cao’s army is at its peak of strength. He cannot be taken lightly. It is better to wear him down with a protracted war, waiting for a weakness before we act."
Yuan Shao said, “Let me consider it.” Then he asked Liu Bei, “Tian Feng advises me to hold fast—what do you think?” Liu Bei replied, “Cao Cao is a traitor who deceives his sovereign. If Your Illustriousness does not punish him, I fear you will lose the cause of righteousness in the eyes of all under heaven.” Yuan Shao said, “Xuande’s words are very correct.” So he prepared to mobilize the army. Tian Feng again remonstrated. Yuan Shao said angrily, “You men wield your pens and belittle military affairs, causing me to lose the cause of righteousness!” Tian Feng kowtowed and said, “If you do not heed my good counsel, the campaign will not go smoothly.” Yuan Shao was greatly enraged and wanted to execute him. Liu Bei strongly interceded, so Yuan Shao had Tian Feng imprisoned in the dungeon. Ju Shou, seeing Tian Feng imprisoned, gathered his clan, distributed all his family wealth, and bid them farewell, saying, “I will go with the army. If we win, my authority will be unmatched; if we lose, I cannot even preserve myself!” All wept as they saw him off.
Yuan Shao sent his great general Yan Liang as the vanguard to attack Baima. Ju Shou remonstrated, saying, “Yan Liang’s nature is narrow and petty. Though he is brave, he cannot be entrusted with a sole command.” Yuan Shao said, “My senior general is not for you to predict.” The army advanced to Liyang, and Liu Yan, the governor of Dong Commandery, sent an urgent appeal to Xuchang. Cao Cao hastily deliberated on deploying troops to resist. Guan Yu, hearing this, entered the chancellor’s residence to see Cao Cao and said, “I hear that the Chancellor is raising an army. I wish to serve as the vanguard.” Cao Cao replied, “I dare not trouble the General. When the time comes, I will call upon you.” Guan Yu then withdrew. Cao Cao led an army of one hundred fifty thousand, advancing in three columns. On the way, he received successive urgent dispatches from Liu Yan. Cao Cao first took fifty thousand troops personally to Baima and camped near a hill. From afar, he saw before the hill on the open plain Yan Liang’s elite vanguard of one hundred thousand troops drawn up in battle formation. Cao Cao was startled, and turning to Song Xian, a former general of Lü Bu, he said, “I have heard you were a fierce general under Lü Bu. Now you can fight Yan Liang.”
Song Xian accepted the order, grasped his spear, mounted his horse, and rode straight out before the formation. Yan Liang, holding his sword and reining his horse beneath the banner at the gate, saw Song Xian approaching. He gave a great shout, spurred his horse forward, and engaged. Before three exchanges, Yan Liang raised his sword and cut Song Xian down before the formation. Cao Cao exclaimed in alarm, “What a valiant general!” Wei Xu said, “He killed my comrade. I wish to take revenge!” Cao Cao consented. Wei Xu mounted his horse, shouldered his spear, and charged out before the formation, cursing Yan Liang loudly. Yan Liang said not a word. At the first clash of horses, he struck Wei Xu on the head with his sword and split him from his horse. Cao Cao said, “Now who dares to face him?” Xu Huang answered the call and went out. He fought Yan Liang for twenty exchanges, then fled back to his own formation in defeat. All the generals were terrified. Cao Cao withdrew his troops, and Yan Liang also led his forces back.
Cao Cao was deeply troubled at losing two generals. Cheng Yu said, “I recommend one man who can match Yan Liang.” Cao Cao asked who. Cheng Yu replied, “None but Lord Guan will do.” Cao Cao said, “I fear that if he achieves merit, he will leave.” Cheng Yu said, “If Liu Bei lives, he will surely flee to Yuan Shao. Now if we let Yunchang defeat Yuan Shao’s army, Yuan Shao will surely suspect Liu Bei and kill him. Once Liu Bei is dead, where can Yunchang go?” Cao Cao was delighted and sent someone to invite Lord Guan. Lord Guan immediately went in to take leave of his two sisters-in-law. They said, “Uncle, on this campaign, you can inquire for news of the Imperial Uncle.”
Lord Guan accepted the order, went out, grasped the Green Dragon Sword, mounted the Red Hare Steed, and with a few attendants rode straight to Baima to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao said, “Yan Liang has killed two of my generals in succession; his valor is irresistible. I have specially invited Yunchang to consult.” Lord Guan said, “Let me go and have a look.” Cao Cao set out wine to entertain him. Suddenly word came that Yan Liang was issuing a challenge. Cao Cao led Lord Guan up the hill to observe. Cao Cao and Lord Guan sat together, with the generals standing in a circle around them. Cao Cao pointed down at Yan Liang’s formation, with its bright banners, ranks of gleaming spears and swords, orderly and imposing, and said to Lord Guan, “The men of Hebei are so magnificent!” Lord Guan said, “In my view, they are nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs!” Cao Cao pointed again and said, “Under the command canopy, the one in embroidered robe and golden armor, holding his sword and reining his horse, that is Yan Liang.” Lord Guan looked up and said to Cao Cao, “I see Yan Liang as no more than a man with a price on his head!” Cao Cao said, “Do not treat him lightly.” Lord Guan rose and said, “Though I am unworthy, I wish to go into the midst of ten thousand troops and take his head to present to the Chancellor.” Zhang Liao said, “In the army, there are no idle words. Yunchang must not be careless.”
Lord Guan mounted his horse with determination, holding the Green Dragon Sword reversed, and galloped down the hill, his phoenix eyes wide open, his silkworm brows bristling. He charged straight into the enemy formation, and the troops of Hebei parted like waves. Lord Guan made straight for Yan Liang. Yan Liang, just then beneath his canopy, saw Lord Guan charging toward him and was about to ask who he was, but Lord Guan’s Red Hare Steed was fast and had already reached him. Yan Liang had no time to react, and Yunchang, with a single stroke of his sword, stabbed him from his horse. Then he dismounted, cut off Yan Liang’s head, tied it under his horse’s neck, leaped back into the saddle, raised his sword, and rode out of the formation as if entering an empty land. The officers and men of Hebei were greatly alarmed and fell into disorder without a fight. Cao Cao’s forces took advantage of the moment to attack; the dead were beyond count, and vast numbers of horses and weapons were seized. Lord Guan rode his horse up the hill, and all the generals came to congratulate him. Lord Guan presented the head before Cao Cao. Cao Cao said, “General, you are truly divine!” Lord Guan said, “What is so remarkable about me! My younger brother Zhang Yide can take the head of a senior general from amidst a million troops as easily as reaching into his pocket.” Cao Cao was greatly startled and turned to his attendants, saying, “Henceforth, if you encounter Zhang Yide, do not take him lightly.” He ordered it written on the inside of their robes as a reminder.
Now, the defeated troops of Yan Liang fled back and encountered Yuan Shao on the road. They reported that a brave general with a red face and a long beard, wielding a great sword, had ridden alone into the formation, killed Yan Liang, and ridden off, leading to their great defeat. Yuan Shao asked in alarm, “Who is this man?” Ju Shou said, “This must be Guan Yunchang, the younger sworn brother of Liu Xuande.” Yuan Shao flew into a great rage, pointed at Xuande, and said, “Your younger brother has slain my beloved general. You must be in collusion with him. What use is it to keep you!” He called for the swordsmen to take Xuande out and execute him. Indeed:
A moment ago he was a guest of honor at the feast;
This day he nearly became a prisoner beneath the axe.
A moment ago he was a guest of honor at the feast;
This day he nearly became a prisoner beneath the axe.
Whether Xuande’s life was spared, listen to the next chapter for the explanation.