draw the enemy to destruction。
〃Only Xun You understood that；〃 said Cao Cao in conclusion。
Everyone present praised his ingenuity。 Even while the banquet was proceeding； there arrived news of a rising of Yellow Scarves rebels at Runan led by Liu Pi and Gong Du。 They were very strong； and Cao Hong had been defeated in several engagements。 Now he begged for help。
Guan Yu hearing this said； 〃I should like to have the opportunity of performing some service by destroying these rebels。〃
〃You have already rendered noble services for which you have not been properly requited。 I could hardly trouble you again；〃 said Cao Cao。
〃I have been idle too long。 I shall get ill；〃 said Guan Yu。
Cao Cao then let him to go and gave him fifty thousand troops with Yu Jin and Yue Jing as generals under him。 They were to leave soon。
Then Xun Yu said privily to his master； 〃He always cherishes the idea of returning to Liu Bei。 He will leave you if he hears any news。 Do not let him go on this expedition。〃
〃If he does well this time； I will not let him go into battle again；〃 said Cao Cao。
In due time the force led by Guan Yu drew near the rebels in Runan and made their camp。 One night； just outside his camp； two spies were caught and taken in to Guan Yu who in one of them recognized Sun Qian。 The attendants being dismissed； Guan Yu questioned Sun Qian。
〃After we lost sight of each other； I have heard not a word of you。 What are you doing here？〃 said Guan Yu。
〃After I escaped； I drifted hither and thither till I had the good fortune to reach Runan； and Liu Pi and Gong Du； the Yellow Scarves leaders； took me in。 But why are you with Cao Cao； General？ And where are your sisters…in…law？ Are they well？〃
Guan Yu told him