# Gems of Chinese Literature/Lo Kuan-chung-The God of War

LO KUAN-CHUNG.
12th century a.d.
[The reputed author of the novel based upon the History of the Three Kingdoms, of which specimens are given below. Of all Chinese works of fiction, this one, largely based upon fact, is undoubtedly the prime favourite. It is written in an easy and picturesque style, and therefore appeals to a very large circle of readers. Many of its episodes have been dramatised, and have thus become familiar to audiences drawn from the most unlettered classes.]
By the loss of two generals, one after the other, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was greatly depressed. “Allow me,” said one of his staff, “to recommend the very man you want;” and on being asked by Ts‘ao Ts‘ao for the name, he replied, “The only man for this job is Kuan Yü.” Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was soon convinced, and gladly dispatched a messenger to summon him. After taking leave of his two sisters-in-law, who begged him to enquire for news of their Imperial uncle, Kuan Yü set out to obey the summons. Seizing his green-dragon sword, and mounting his hare-brown charger, accompanied by several followers, he went straight to an interview with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who told him of the deaths of the two generals and of the loss of moral in the ranks; also, how Yün Ch‘ang had been invited to a consultation with the enemy. To this, Kuan Yü replied, “Suffer me to see this business through;” upon which Ts‘ao Ts‘ao ordered wine and treated him most cordially. Suddenly, it was announced that the enemy, under General Yen, was preparing an attack; and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao took Kuan Yü to the top of a hill to reconnoitre. They sat down, and the other generals stood round them, while Ts‘ao Ts‘ao pointed out the position of the enemy, the fresh-looking splendour of his standards, the dense masses of his spears and swords, all drawn up in a formidable array. Then he ​turned to Kuan Yü and said, “You see this powerful force of men and horses…” “I do,” answered Kuan Yü; “they remind me of a lot of earthen cocks and pottery dogs.” Again Ts‘ao Ts‘ao pointed and said, “There, under the standard, with the embroidered robe and golden coat of mail, holding a sword and standing still on his horse,―is General Yen.” Kuan Yü raised his eyes and looked over in the direction indicated; then he said, “To me, General Yen looks as if he had stuck up an advertisement for the sale of his head.” “Ah,” cried Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, “you must not underrate him!” At this, Kuan Yü got up and exclaimed, “Although a man of no ability, I am prepared to go into this ten-thousand-man camp and bring you back his head as an offering.” “There should be no joking on a battle-field,” said one of the staff; “anyhow don’t forget that Yün Ch‘ang is there.” Kuan Yü rushed off at once, and jumping on his horse, with his sword reversed, galloped down the hill. With round, glaring, phœnix-like eyes, and his silkworm-moth eyebrows raised straight up, he dashed right among the enemy whose ranks opened like parting waves, until he reached General Yen himself. The latter, under his standard, seeing Kuan Yü rush forwards, was just about to ask what he wanted, when the speed of the brown-as-a-hare charger had already brought Kuan Yü alongside of him. General Yen had no time to lay his hand on his sword before he was knocked off his horse by Yün Ch‘ang; whereupon Kuan Yü jumped down, cut off the General’s head, hung it round his horse’s neck, remounted in a moment, and with sword drawn made his way through the enemy’s ranks as though no one was there to stop him. Officers and men were all terrified and a perfect panic ensued. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s troops seized the opportunity for attack, and slaughtered the enemy in great numbers, besides capturing many horses and quantities of munitions of war. Kuan Yü rode his horse up the hill, to receive congratulations from the various commanders as he presented the head to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who exclaimed, “General, you are indeed no mortal man!”
* ↑ One of the leading figures in the wars of the Three Kingdoms, whose son became the first Emperor of the short-lived Wei dynasty. In his last illness, he is said to have called in the famous physician of the day, who diagnosed wind on the brain and offered to get rid of this trouble by opening his skull under an anæsthetic. Fearing treachery, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao declined the operation.
* ↑ And was then actually in the enemy's camp.