Cao Cao's army marched back to Mopo and there camped。 When Xu Huang returned； Cao Cao went out of the stockade to meet him； and netted with joy when seeing the excellent order and discipline that his army showed。 Every soldier was in his place； the ranks perfectly kept； all without a trace of disorder。
＇e＇ Zhou Yafu was son of Zhou Bo； the prime minister of Emperor Wen （BC 179…156）。 After the death of Emperor Wen； Duke Wu started a rebellion of Seven Kingdoms。 Zhou Yafu as a general put down this rebellion。 。。。。。
〃General Xu Huang has the spirit of the old Zhou Yafu*；〃 said Cao Cao； and on the spot conferred on his mander the title of General Who Pacifies the South。 Xu Huang was sent soon after to share in the defense of Xiangyang with Xiahou Shang and to meet Guan Yu's army。
Jingzhou being still in turmoil； Cao Cao remained at Mopo waiting for news。
Guan Yu found himself at a standstill on the road to Jingzhou with the army of Wu in front and the men of Wei ing up behind。
〃What is to be done；〃 he discussed the position with Zhao Lei； 〃when we cannot advance nor retreat and the aid has not e？〃
Zhao Lei proposed a halt to try to shame Lu Meng into aiding Cao Cao。
Said he； 〃When Lu Meng was at Lukou； he used to write to you often； and you agreed to join hands in the destruction of Cao Cao。 Now he is a traitor and fighting on the other side。 Send a letter and reproach him。 Perhaps we may get a satisfactory reply。〃
So the letter was written and sent to Jingzhou。
Meanwhile； by Lu Meng's special mand； the most plete protection was given to the families of all the officers who were serving under Guan Yu； and they were kept supplied with all they required。 Even the ailing members of their households were treated by physicians free of charge。 The result was that they were quite won over to the new order of things； and there was no attempt to disturb it。 When Guan Yu's letter came； the messenger was led into the city and well treated。
When Lu Meng read the letter； he said to the bearer thereof； 〃You must understand the different circumstances。 When your general and I were leagued together； it was a personal matter between us two。 Now things have changed。 I am sent here with certain orders and am not my own master。 I would trouble you； O messenger； to return and explain thus to your master and in good words。〃
The bearer of the letter was entertained at a banquet and sent to repose himself in the guest…house； where the families of the absent officers sought him to have news of their husbands and fathers。 Moreover； they brought him letters and gave him messages for the officers； and the whole tenor of these letters and messages was that they were all in good health； all their needs were supplied； and they lacked nothing。 When he left the city； Lu Meng himself escorted him to the outskirts and set him on his way。
On his return to the army； he gave to Guan Yu the message of Lu Meng and told him that the families were all well and safe and well cared for。 This； however； did not greatly please Guan Yu。
Stamping his foot； Guan Yu said； 〃This is merely a ruse to gain favor and popularity。 The brigand！ If I cannot slay him while I live； I will after I am dead。 My hate shall not go unappeased。〃
He roughly dismissed the messenger； who went out and was at once surrounded by those whose families were in the city and who desired to have news of them。 And when he gave them the letters and messages and told them all were well； there was great rejoicing among the men in the camp； and kindly feelings for Lu Meng prevailed。 And therewith died down the spirit of fighting。
Guan Yu led the army to attack Jingzhou； but day by day the men deserted and ran away to the very city they were moving to attack。 So day by day Guan Yu's bitterness and anger increased； and he advanced in angry haste。 One day there was a great shouting and the noise of drums； and he found his way blocked。
〃Why do you not surrender； friend Guan Yu？〃 said the leader of this body； Jiang Qin。
〃Could I give in to a rebel………I； a servant of the Hans and a leader of their army？〃 roared Guan Yu in a passion。
Thereupon he whipped his horse forward and swung up his sword to strike。 However； Jiang Qin would not fight。 The two exchanged a few blows； and Jiang Qin fled。 Guan Yu followed。 When he had gone a long way； there suddenly appeared from a gully near him Han Dang； while Zhou Tai came out from the other side。 Thereupon Jiang Qin wheeled round and once more came to do battle； so that three forces were opposed to Guan Yu。 Unable to withstand these； he retreated。
Before he had gone very far； he saw signs of many people bivouacking among the hills； and presently made out； on a huge white banner that flapped in the breeze； the words Natives of Jingzhou ； and the people about were calling out； 〃All the inhabitants of this place have surrendered。〃
Guan Yu felt like rushing up and cutting these people to pieces； but just then two other cohorts appeared led by Ding Feng and Xu Sheng； who supported Jiang Qin。 The three bodies of troops then set on with shouting and loud beating of drums that seemed to make the very earth tremble。 And Guan Yu was like the kernel in a nut； quite surrounded。
This was not all。 He saw the number of his followers diminishing every moment。 He fought on till dusk； and looking about him he saw all the hills crowded with Jingzhou folks and heard them calling siblings for brother and children for father； till his soldiers' hearts had melted within them。 One by one they ran to their relatives； heedless of their leader and his voice。 Presently he had but three hundred left； but with them he kept up the battle till the third watch。 Then there was another shouting in another note； for his leaders； Guan Ping； his son； and Liao Hua； came to his help。 And they rescued him。
〃The soldiers' hearts are all melted；〃 said Guan Ping。 〃We must find some place wherein to camp till help can arrive。 There is Maicheng； small； but sufficient。 Let us camp there。〃
Guan Yu consented； and the exhausted army hurried thither as quickly as they could。 The small force was divided among the four gates to guard。
Zhao Lei said； 〃This place is near Shangyong where Meng Da and Liu Feng station。 We should send for their help。 If their army marches to our relief until the grand army of Shu es； the morale of our army will improve。〃
But disappointments dogged them。 Very soon the army of Wu came up and laid siege to the city。
〃Who will try to break through and go away to Shangyong for assistance？〃 asked Guan Yu。
〃I will go；〃 said Liao Hua。
〃And I will escort you past the danger zone；〃 said Guan Ping。
Guan Yu wrote his letter； which Liao Hua concealed next to his skin； and having eaten a full meal； he rode out at the gate。 The leader of the enemy； Ding Feng； tried to check him； but Guan Ping fought vigorously and drove him away。 So Liao Hua escaped the siege and reached Shangyong； while Guan Ping returned。 Then they barred the gates and hold their defense。
Now； having captured Shangyong； Liu Feng and Meng Da had remained to guard it。 Liu Feng had been created Governor General； and together with Meng Da； to defend that city。 When they heard of the defeat of Guan Yu； they took counsel what to do。