Late Han Zhao Tang

On the fifteenth day of the second month of the fourth year of the Shenwu reign, at the behest of Zhang Yu, Guan Yu led a hundred axemen and sailed upstream from Jiangling to Yufu. After two days of sailing upstream, Guan Yu arrived at Yufu and sought an audience with Wu Ju.

Yufu is surrounded by the Yangtze River on three sides, connected to Chijia Mountain to the west, and overlooks the natural barrier of Kuimen to the east of the city. All those who wish to travel across the Yangtze River from here must first conquer Yufu before their boats can pass freely.

Zhang Yu had originally intended to send Guo Huai and Gao Shun to seize it, but Wu Ju, being cunning, surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, which put Zhang Yu in a difficult position. Guan Yu, eager to achieve merit, specifically requested permission to visit Wu Ju and subdue Yu Fu on Zhang Yu's behalf.

A strong river wind blew, and Guan Yu, clad in a green robe and turban, sat alone, stroking his beard, gazing calmly ahead. Guan Ping, bold and spirited, stood with a sword at his waist, his posture vigorous. The boat cleaved through the waves, sending spray like snow, heading straight for the perilous city.

"Who is coming?"

Several patrol boats crossed the river, blocking Guan Yu's vessel. The officers stood on the deck and asked from afar,

Guan Ping glanced at his father, who remained silent, and said loudly, "Please inform Prefect Wu that my friend Guan Yunchang from Jingzhou requests an audience!"

"Greetings, General Guan!"

The officers recognized the man standing at the bow of the ship as Guan Yu and bowed with delight, saying, "We were all worried when we heard that you had been attacked by Cao Cao's army and had retreated to Jiangling for refuge. We never expected that you would come here."

As he spoke, the officer beckoned to his men and said, "Quickly inform Prefect Wu!"

"promise!"

Not long after, when Guan Yu's boat was about to reach the dock, Wu Ju came to the dock to greet him. Hundreds of armored soldiers with shields and spears lined up in two rows and followed Wu Ju to respectfully welcome Guan Yu.

"My lord, what brings Guan Yu here today?" asked Qi Jing, the chief clerk.

Wu Ju narrowed his eyes and said, "Guan Yu has come without reason. If it is not for revenge against Cao Cao, then he is an envoy of the Tang army. Let's observe Guan Yu's attitude."

"I've heard that Guan Yu is a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men. Should we be more vigilant now?" Qi Jing asked worriedly.

"Ah!"

Wu Ju's nephew, Wu Xiao, sneered and said, "Now that we are at Yufu, surrounded by soldiers and officers, how dare Guan Yu make a rash move? If he dares to disobey, I will protect my uncle from the side. What do we have to fear from Guan Yu!"

"Do not act rashly!"

Wu Juwei rebuked him, saying, "Guan Yu was one of my former generals. Although he is now in dire straits, he has been taken in by the Tang people. He must not be disrespectful!"

"promise!"

As Guan Yu and his son approached, Wu Ju's thoughts were unfathomable.

Now, Guan Yu gazes at the misty river, where the sky and water blend seamlessly, and his heart is filled with heroic spirit.

"Ping'er, are you afraid today?"

"Don't be afraid!"

Guan Ping declared boldly, "I followed my father through thick and thin; what do I have to fear from that scoundrel Wu Ju?"

"nice!"

Guan Yu nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "My uncle valued him highly because of his bravery and martial prowess, but in times of crisis, he turned against me and betrayed my uncle's trust. Now we should capture him and seize the city to repay His Majesty's kindness in helping us and to avenge Wu Ju's betrayal."

"promise!"

The boat gradually approached the shore. Wu Ju and his attendants looked at the river and saw that Guan Yu had only two attendants accompanying him ashore, which reassured them somewhat.

“Guan Yu has few attendants, so he should pose no threat to me on this mission. No one may act rashly without my orders!” Wu Ju said to his men.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Cao Cao broke his promise and seized the city. When I first heard of this, I intended to sail down the river to help you, my lord, but alas, you were defeated!"

Wu Ju bowed to Guan Yu and apologized, saying, "I had no choice but to surrender to Cao Cao first. However, upon learning that General Guan had surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, I changed my allegiance and submitted to the Tang court!"

Guan Yu returned the greeting with a sigh and said, "I dare not fail to avenge Cao Cao's betrayal of his lord by imprisoning him. Now, I am passing through Yufu, where I have been appointed by the Tang Emperor as the Prefect of Ba Commandery, to command the navy and assist Guo Huai in his military campaigns. I wonder if General (Wu Ju) may grant me passage?"

"You're too kind, my lord!"

Wu Ju felt relieved and laughed, "We are both subjects of Tang, so why talk about borrowing a passage?"

As he spoke, Wu Ju glanced around and, not seeing Zhang Fei, asked, "I wonder what General Yide's plans are?"

Guan Yu said, "The Tang Emperor was worried about the deep bond between me and Yide, so he enfeoffed Yide in Jiangxia and sent me to Ba Commandery to command troops. Yide and I are now separated by the river, about a thousand miles apart!"

Wu Ju asked in surprise, "If what Yun Chang said is true, isn't the Tang Emperor wary of us surrendering people?"

"It's a long story, I'll tell you in detail later!"

"please!"

Wu Ju gestured forward, inviting Guan Yu to follow, and said, "I have prepared a simple banquet at the river pavilion for you, my lord, to rest and have a drink."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Wu!" Guan Yu said.

Guided by Wu Ju, Guan Yu went to the river pavilion to attend the banquet. When the wine and dishes were served, Wu Ju raised his wine cup and said, "Today, I, Ju, offer a cup to Lord Guan to congratulate you on taking up your post in Ba Commandery."

"Thank you for your kind offer, General!"

Guan Yu took a sip of wine and said, "There is something I cannot understand. I wonder if you could explain it to me, General?"

"Please speak!"

Guan Yu smiled and said, "A general like you is no ordinary person. You have read the Spring and Autumn Annals and know about loyalty and righteousness. How could you have switched allegiance to the Tang Dynasty and also have connections with Cao Cao!"

Wu Ju's expression changed, and he said awkwardly, "Why do you say that, my lord? How could I dare to play both sides?"

"Hehehe~"

"Does the general have a clear conscience?"

Guan Yu said with a half-sneer, "Cao Cao imprisoned your lord and seized his land, and you surrendered in fear. Then Huan Jie persuaded you to switch allegiance to the Tang Dynasty. To avoid Cao Cao's wrath, you submitted a memorial to him to explain the reasons behind your actions!"

Wu Ju's expression turned slightly cold as he said, "I have been treating you with great hospitality, how can you be so rude? Could it be that your purpose in coming here is not to borrow a route, but to mock me?"

Hearing the increasingly hostile tone of the two people inside the pavilion, Wu Xiao winked at his left and right, secretly gripping the hilt of his sword, ready to rush into the pavilion at any moment.

Guan Yu took in Wu Xiao's actions, and Guan Yu's tone softened slightly as he said, "I have come here to ask for passage!"

Wu Ju, unwilling to break ties with Guan Yu, said, "I now pledge allegiance to the Tang Emperor, so I hope Lord Guan will not speak nonsense. After this wine is finished, I will not delay Lord Guan's journey."

With that, Wu Ju prepared to leave.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Guan Yu stood up, stepped forward, and grabbed Wu Ju's right wrist as he wielded his sword, saying with a smile, "I was just drunk and may have offended our old friendship. I hope you will forgive me, General. Since you have no intention of staying any longer, I must take my leave!"

When Guan Yu grabbed his wrist and saw Guan Yu's murderous phoenix eyes, Wu Ju was instantly terrified.

"This……"

"My lord..."

Guan Yu gave a forced smile and said, "Does the general know what official position the Tang Emperor holds?"

"Prefect of Ba Commandery!"

Despite Guan Yu's pulling and tugging, Wu Ju dared not resist and had no choice but to obey Guan Yu's words.

"No!"

Guan Yu said calmly, "The general betrayed his promise and secretly colluded with Cao Cao. His Majesty was furious when he heard about this and ordered me to take over the position of general."

Sweat beaded on Wu Ju's forehead as he asked in alarm, "What does Your Excellency think?"

As Guan Yu pulled Wu Ju out of the river pavilion, he gripped his sword hilt tightly and said in a low voice, "Now there are two paths for you, General, to choose from!"

Seeing that Guan Yu was holding Wu Ju's wrist tightly, Wu Xiao and his men dared not step forward, for fear of hurting Wu Ju.

Wu Ju waved away the armored soldiers in a panic and said, "Please, Lord Guan, speak frankly!"

"Firstly, if the general is unwilling to surrender Yufu and the cities of Xiping, then I will perish here with you!"

Guan Yu gripped Wu Ju's hand tightly and said in a deep voice, "Secondly, General, you have offered up Yufu and the counties of Xiping. His Majesty will bestow wealth and honor upon you, and I will take command of your former troops. I am not afraid of death. I wonder what you think, General?"

Wu Ju was sweating profusely and said, "Why does Lord Guan serve the Tang Emperor so loyally?"

Guan Yu sneered, "Your general is ungrateful, but I have never forgotten loyalty and righteousness. Therefore, I am not acting out of loyalty to the Tang Emperor, but to avenge my lord. Cao Cao betrayed our alliance and seized the city; this grudge cannot go unavenged!"

Guan Yu slowly drew his ring-handled sword and said, "Within five paces, I can kill a general. But a general's subordinates may not be able to kill me."

"Wait a minute!"

Seeing Guan Yu draw his sword, Wu Ju sweated profusely. Out of fear of death and desire for wealth, Wu Ju finally relented and spoke.

"Wait a minute!"

"If I surrender the city now, what will be the arrangements?" Wu Ju asked.

Guan Yu smiled and said, "Since you wish to surrender, then please stay with me on the river for a day. When the reinforcements arrive, I will trouble you to order your soldiers to surrender."

"Easy to say!"

Wu Ju nodded repeatedly and said, "I will follow Lord Guan's orders!"

"good!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Wu Ju was taken away by Guan Yu under the pretext of seeing him off, leaving a group of dumbfounded people behind. After all, no one expected Guan Yu to be so bold as to visit Wu Ju alone and then abduct him in front of everyone! (End of this chapter)