Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast.

This is episode 34.

Last time, Guan Yu has stormed through four checkpoints on his journey to rejoin his brother Liu Bei,

killing five of Cao Cao's officers in the process.

And now, his traveling party approached the border of their next stop,

Hua Zhou, which sat on the banks of the Yellow River.

On the other side of the river laid Hebei,

the territory that's under the control of Yuan Shao,

where Liu Bei is currently taking refuge.

When the governor of Hua Zhou, a man named Liu Yan, heard that Guan Yu was near, he rode out

to greet him. Guan Yu bowed from his horse and said,

How have you been, Governor Liu?

General, where are you headed? Liu Yan asked.

I have taken leave of the Prime Minister, and am on my way to search for my brother.

But Liu Bei is currently with Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shao is the Prime Minister's enemy.

How could His Excellency allow you to go there? Liu Yan inquired.

We had a prior agreement, Guan Yu answered. Right now the key crossing of the Yellow River is being

guarded by Qin Qi, a lieutenant of Xia Hou Duns. Liu Yan told him, he might not allow you to cross.

In that case, can you lend me a boat?

I do have boats, but I dare not lend them to you.

But I once helped you out of a jam by slaying Yan Liang and Wenchou when they were besieging

your territory.

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