Guan Yu Yun-chang

Guan Yun-chang
The head of the Five Tigers


Green Dragon Sword
Red Hare

Physical Description

Immensely tall and well-built with a two-foot long beard, a ruddy dark brown face like a date and deep red lips, Yun-chang was truly an awe-inspiring sight. His phoenix-like eyes and bushy eyebrows like silkworms made his appearance dignified as well as fearsome. His great two-handed sword, Green Dragon, was always at his side throughout his career. Later on, he acquired Lu Bu's famous steed, Red Hare, which made him virtually unstoppable in single combat.

Incidentally, his formal name Yun-chang means "long as a cloud," probably referring to his prized beard which he kept in a silken bag in the winter to keep it from being damaged.

Offspring

Guan Yu was blessed with two natural sons Xing and Suo and a fine adopted son Ping. All of them turned out to be filial sons and doughty warriors for the king of Shu, carrying on his tradition of service long after his death.

Guan Ping Guan Xing Guan Suo

Brief Summary of His Deeds

Possessing a great intellect as well as a strong arm, Guan Yu was surely one of the greatest men of the period. In my opinion, no warrior did greater service to his lord in this period except, of course, Zhuge Liang. He served Liu Bei as no brother could hope to, setting an example for ideal Confucianist behavior.

Fearsomely effective wielding Black Dragon in single combat, Guan Yu personally conducted many valorious deeds. When Dong Zhuo was occupying the capital at Loyang, he sent out a champion named Hua Xiong to challenge the armies to single combat. Hua defeated several champions until Guan Yu volunteered to fight him. Because he was just a horse-mounted archer in the army of Gongsan Zan, Guan Yu was derided by Cao Cao. In response, Guan picked up his cup of hot wine, poured it on the floor, snatched up Green Dragon Sword and left the tent. There was a roll of drums. Guan Yu re-entered the tent and dropped the head of Hua Xiong at Cao Cao's feet -- the wine was still warm! After Liu Bei's defeat at Hsuchou, Guan Yu was separated from him and was talked into joining Cao Cao until he discovered news of his brother again. Cao Cao used him well against his rival Yuan Shao. Guan slew Yuan's two mightiest generals, Yen Liang and Wen Chou, paving the way for Shao's ultimate defeat.

Upon hearing that his brother was indeed alive, Guan sent a letter of gratitude to Cao Cao for his hospitality and marched north with the two wives of Liu Bei who had remained under his protection. Of all Cao Cao's gifts, Guan took only Red Hare with him on his journey. Cao Cao held him in the highest regard and ordered no one to impede his progress. Unfortunately, several men guarding the passes along the road jealously schemed to stop him. Consequently, Yun-chang was forced to slay six generals at five passes all in self-defense, one of the most famous passages of the Three Kingdoms manuscript.

Guan Yu would eventually repay Cao Cao for his kindness and hospitality. After the defeat of Wei at Chihpi (Red Wall), Cao Cao fled north, falling into ambush after ambush which further diminished his force. Finally he fell into what should have been Zhuge Liang's final trap, but Guan Yu allowed him to pass in remembrance for his previous kindness.

Guan Yu was later named guardian of Chingchou, a vital district in the center of the three kingdoms of Wu, Shu, and Wei and coveted by the rulers of all three countries. Guan Yu managed to brilliantly drown an army of Wei and slay its doughty leader Pang Te. Guan showed his bravery and resistence to pain by continuing to play Wei Chi (a game similar to Go) as the physician Hua To scraped poison off of the bone in his upper arm.

The death of Guan Yu marked the turning point in the war against Wei. The emperor of Wu dispatched a force under the great warrior/strategist Lu Meng to take the province of Chingchou from Shu. In a brilliant collaboration with Wei, Lu Meng overcame Guan Yu and captured him. He was later beheaded when he refused to serve Sun Quan. This marked the end of the alliance between Shu and Wu and caused Liu Bei to lose his other brother Zhang Fei and then his own life in pursuit of vengeance. This severely weakened both Wu and Shu and made things extremely dark for Shu even with the brilliance of Zhuge Liang.

*** Modified from the page written by Anthony Torza. Pictures are copyrighted by KOEI Corporation. ***

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