loud shout and galloped toward Song Xian。 The two met； but after only three bouts； Song Xian fell under a mighty slash from Yan Liang's sword。
〃What a terrible leader！〃 said Cao Cao。
〃He has slain my rade； I want to go and avenge him；〃 then cried Wei Xu。
Cao Cao bade him go and he rode out； spear set； and in front of the army railed at Yan Liang。
Yan Liang replied not a word； but their two steeds came together； and at the first blow from Yan Liang's sword； Wei Xu's forehead was halved。
〃Now； who again dares face him？〃 cried Cao Cao。
Xu Huang took up the challenge and he went out。 The bat endured twenty bouts； and then Xu Huang fled back to his own side。 The other generals were now greatly depressed at their failure。 Cao Cao withdrew his army； feeling very sad at the loss of two generals in quick succession。 Yan Liang also marched off his force。
Then Cheng Yu went to see his chief； saying； 〃I can produce a man the equal of Yan Liang。〃
〃Who？〃 cried Cao Cao。
〃No other than Guan Yu。〃
〃I am afraid that if he is given an opportunity to perform that return service he spoke of； he will leave me。〃
〃If Liu Bei is still alive； he is with Yuan Shao。 If you get Guan Yu to defeat Yuan Shao's army； Yuan Shao will look askance at Liu Bei and put him to death。 Liu Bei gone； where can Guan Yu go？〃
This argument appealed to Cao Cao at once； and he sent to request Guan Yu to e。
Previous to obeying the call； Guan Yu went to say farewell to his sisters…in…law。
〃You may get news of the Uncle on the journey；〃 said they。
〃Yes；〃 said Guan Yu and left them。
Armed with his green…dragon saber； riding on the swift steed Red Hare； and having but a slender following； Guan Yu was not long