NOVPUBGuann Hai watched Liaoo Hua’s receding figure, silently looked up to the sky and sighed. Inner Qi Separation, ah, as long as he wanted to leave, it was almost impossible for anyone to stop him, but only with his death would these million Yellow Turbans truly be without a master.
As soon as the news of Liaoo Hua’s return came, Guan Yu received it immediately, and then Guo Jia and Liu Ye were brought by Guan Yu to prepare to listen to Liaoo Hua’s intelligence together.
Liaoo Hua, with bloodshot eyes, recounted everything about the North Sea to the three men, and instantly, Guo Jia and Liu Ye exchanged glances.
"A true man of honor!" Guan Yu stroked his beard, his phoenix eyes slightly opened, and he rarely praised someone like this. Unlike Zang Ba’s act, Guann Hai’s genuine sacrifice for righteousness touched Guan Yu, a man known for his sense of honor, more deeply, "I finally understand some of what Zichuan said, ’The path of righteousness often leads to the slaughter of dogs.’ This phrase is really not a laughing matter."
Guo Jia and Liu Ye were clearly a bit embarrassed, although Guan Yu had saved their face, but they also heard Chen Xi jokingly say this phrase before. Back then they laughed it off, but now when it came from Guan Yu’s mouth, it truly made them uncomfortable.
"I ask General Guan to spare Guann Hai’s life," Liaoo Hua requested immediately, taking advantage of Guan Yu’s good mood.
"Impossible!" Guo Jia and Liu Ye spoke out.
Guan Yu sighed, "Yuanjian, you’ve read so many books, you must also understand why, Guann Hai must die. He is just like the former Grand Leader of Yellow Turbans, a hero, but only his death can put an end to this affair."
Guan Yu admired Guann Hai, to put it precisely, Guan Yu admired those who valued loyalty, and Guann Hai met this criterion, so he planned to find a way to save Guann Hai, but obviously it was going to be very difficult.
After all, after this matter, Guann Hai became the second monument in the hearts of the Yellow Turbans. If he did not die, the trouble would be significant. Moreover, he was different from Zang Ba. Even if Zang Ba were exposed now, at most the Yellow Turbans would be disappointed about the past, or even completely separate the image of the Great Leader from Zang Ba himself.
But with Guann Hai, it would be much more troublesome. If Guann Hai did not die and was later discovered, it certainly couldn’t be simply glossed over like with the Great Leader.
"Yuanjian, go tell Guann Hai that I agree to everything he has requested, and I, Guan Yunchang, promise in this life to treat the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou equally. All past Yellow Turban Commanders will be pardoned. Also tell him, if he has any other requests, to let them be known. I, Guan Yunchang, respect him as a true man, and as long as it’s not against righteousness, I will accept them on his behalf!" Guan Yu stood up and spoke with authority.
"Thank you, Sovereign Marquis!" Liaoo Hua referred to Guan Yu once again with the familiar term "Sovereign Marquis" instead of the more distant General Guan as before.
"Go at once." Guan Yu waved his hand to Liaoo Hua, signaling him to hurry and inform Guann Hai.
It was only after Liaoo Hua had left that Guan Yu turned to ask Guo Jia and Liu Ye for advice, though he already believed nine-tenths of what Liaoo Hua had said. He did not want to leave the impression of acting arbitrarily in front of them.
"I don’t know what the two advisors think?" Guan Yu asked, squinting his eyes. He held a great respect for Liu Bei’s group of civil officials, and they also knew the true reason for Guan Yu’s pride, so they didn’t take much note of his slightly open eyes.
"Although it seems a bit incredible, combining my understanding of the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou, the likelihood of the Yellow Turbans wanting to surrender is high. From this perspective, the possibility of Guann Hai learning about the current situation and wanting to emulate the Great Leader is indeed likely," Guo Jia sighed, "He is indeed a man of honor, it’s just a pity."
Liu Ye also nodded in agreement, expressing his sincere admiration for Guann Hai’s selfless act. Likewise, he believed that most of what Liaoo Hua said was true.
"Since that’s the case, could Guann Hai…" Guan Yu was relieved to see that Guo Jia, Liu Ye, and he all shared the same view and began to speak after he saw both Guo Jia and Liu Ye praising Guann Hai for his loyalty. 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓅𝓊𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
"This won’t do. Although Guann Hai’s loyalty moves us, after this incident, if Guann Hai were not to die, he would become the new spiritual symbol of the Yellow Turbans. We simply must proceed in this manner," Liu Ye said with a sigh.
Guo Jia silently bowed his head. While he admired Guann Hai’s behavior, rescuing him from this situation was indeed troublesome; plus, Liu Bei’s agreement was the most crucial factor. As long as Liu Bei agreed, the matter would be easy to handle. Otherwise, even if they saved him, it would not be a good outcome.
Guan Yu let out a sigh, his expression darkened as he waved his hand to indicate that they should leave the matter as it was. He felt depressed; being a man who valued loyalty, he was naturally very moved by Guann Hai’s current act of righteousness.
That night, Guo Jia visited Guan Yu’s tent and explained the crux of the matter. Following this, Guan Yu immediately ordered Wei Yan to ride his Claw Yellow Flying Lightning to Xuzhou at top speed. He strictly commanded Wei Yan to bring back a reply within three days—a feat that would have been a fool’s dream without the steed taken from Cao Cao.
After reading the letter from Liu Bei, Chen Xi looked at Wei Yan, "I appreciate your effort, Changwen. Please hurry to Qingzhou and inform General Guan that we will follow Fengxiao’s arrangements."
"Understood!" Wei Yan bowed to Chen Xi, taking the letter from Liu Bei and Chen Xi’s message, and dashed off towards Qingzhou.
"Wen He, do you think this era always has some people who are foolishly noble?" Chen Xi retracted into his carriage and said to Jia Xu.
"Some people have their own principles of living. Although it seems foolish, they may gain something unexpected," Jia Xu said indifferently, his expression unchanging. Even though he too was shocked by Guann Hai’s choice—to choose righteousness over life, a choice extolled since ancient times—how many could truly accomplish it?
"Yes, it is foolish. The choices made by Lord Xuande and Guann Hai are truly…" Chen Xi sighed.
Just then, Liu Bei opened the carriage door and leaned in, a smile on his face as he looked at Chen Xi. "Zichuan, do I also look foolish to you?"
"Ah…" Chen Xi gasped for air, and without saying a word, his expression betrayed his thoughts.
"I don’t believe you’re unaware of my thoughts. I’m moved by Guann Hai’s loyalty, a righteous man willing to die for the million Yellow Turbans. How could he challenge my authority? If I oppressed the Yellow Turban people like previous officials did, Guann Hai would be right to call for my overthrow," said Liu Bei calmly.
"While such a person may seem foolish, he is genuinely benevolent and righteous. He does as he says. The Yellow Turbans don’t ask for much, and since I can give them everything they desire, I am willing to trust Guann Hai," Liu Bei spoke with a strong sense of confidence, "If I can’t win over Guann Hai’s prestige, how can I pacify this world and Restore the Han Dynasty?"
"Alright, Guann Hai did indeed surprise me. Such a person can be called a hero in any era. A hero should not meet such a fate," Chen Xi said with a sigh, in agreement with Liu Bei’s words.
(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
