Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast.

This is episode 33.

Last time, Guan Yu had learned that Liu Bei was with Yuan Shao and was dead set on reuniting

with his brother.

Cao Cao tried to keep him around by denying him a chance to properly say goodbye.

But Guan Yu grew wary of that game, and said goodbye in a letter instead.

He then left behind everything that Cao Cao had given him,

with the exception of the red-haired horse since he needed that

to travel. He had a handful of attendants then escorted the carriage of his sisters-in-law

and set off on a journey that would become the stuff of legends. But to start this legendary trek,

they first had to get through the gates of the city. As they approached the north gate,

the guards tried to stop them, but they were easy enough to deal with. Guan Yu opened his eyes

wide in anger, flashed his saber and let out a loud roar, which sent the guards scurrying into hiding.

Once the traveling party was outside the gate, Guan Yu told the

attendants, escort the carriage and go on ahead. If anyone gives chase, I will deal with them. Do not

alarm the two ladies. So the attendants escorted the carriage toward Guan Du, the strategic crossing

on the Yellow River, where Yuan Shao and

Cao Cao's forces were currently engaged in a staring contest.

Meanwhile, Guan Yu's letter had reached Cao Cao. At that moment, Cao Cao was still going back

and forth on what he should do about Guan Yu trying to leave, but then the letter arrived.

When he was done reading, Cao Cao said with a tone of surprise,

He is gone.

...