After Cao Cao finished subjugating the north, he returned and moved the capital from Xu Chang to Ye City.

Then he planned and ready for the next move to conquer the south. Liu Bei and Liu Biao in Jing Zou were at the top of his list. Cao Cao ordered Cao Ren be the captin and Li Dian be his assistant to attack Liu Bei from the Fan Castle.

When Liu Bei left Master Shui Jing’s resident area, on his way back to Xin Ye, he met a scholar called Shan Fu. From the communication between Shan Fu and Liu Bei, Liu Bei aware that Shan Fu has extraordinary military knowledge. Therefore, Liu Bei recruited him as his military advisor. Then, both of them back to Xin Ye quickly and started training their troops.

After patrolling the Xin Ye city, Cao Cao ordered Cao Ren and Li Dian with 25,000 men to Fan Castle to attack the city. The captain of Fan Castle, the Lu brothers, Lu Kuang and Lu Xiang, welcomed Cao Ren and Li Dian and reported the present situation. Since Lu Brothers joined Cao Cao from Yuan Shao, they haven’t got chance to serve Cao Cao. Thus, this time they voluntary went to the battle with their 5,000 men approached Xin Ye through the river Yu.

The news of their coming arrived to Liu Bei’s ears. Lu Kuang and Lu Xiang are veteran generals with 5,000 men and Liu Bei only has 2,000 men. They were all worried about this. “Number does not ensure victory in a war”, Shan Fu came out and told Liu Bei. He continued, “Isn’t this perfect to test out our recently trained troops”? However, everyone seems lacked of confident to Shan Fu. Because that was the first time Shan Fu commanding the troops. Liu Bei did not think so, he let Shan Fu led the troops and fully supported him.

Shan Fu’s strategy was successful that all of Cao Ren’s army was utterly destroyed. By luring the enemies to a trap and eliminated them one by one that Shan Fu’s strategy. Guan Yu attack from the left side at the front, Zhang Fei attack from the right side, at the rear, Zhao Yun and Liu Bei lead the main army to fight the vanguard. Lu brothers was killed in this battled.

Liu Bei wondered whether Shan Fu is the man called “The Sleeping Dragon”. However, Shan Fu explained that the man he mentioned was much greater than him. He can’t compare with The Sleeping Dragon. And he didn’t know where The Sleeping Dragon was, at that time. This man won’t let anyone knew his name. Though he may hide his name, he’s just waiting for the right moment to show up.

The Lu brothers were completely defeated, nearly half were captured. Cao Ren was very angry and preparing the second attacked to seek for revenge. However, Li Dian advised Cao Ren report it Cao Cao before he make any decision and don’t underestimate the enemy. Cao Ren then, insisted not to report to Cao Cao because it’s not possible that 25,000 men can not defeat 2,000 men power.

Thus, Cao Ren led 25,000 men arrived to a land near Xin Ye. Since they departed from Fan Castle, it must be vulnerable. So, Shan Fu asked Liu Bei to take it. Sun Tzu once said: Ordinary men conduct war only taken by surprise and then try to win it. That’s what Shan Fu said.

Li Dian was the vanguard in the battle field. However, he was defeated by Zhao Yun. When Li Dian back to the camp, Cao Ren was mad and almost beheads Li Dian. This time, Cao Ren personally led the troops to the war. This time, Cao Ren used an unusual formation called the “Eight Gates to Impregnable Position”. The eight gates are: Desist, Survive, Injure, Confound, Exhibit, Perish, Surprise and Liberate. If someone goes through the Confound or the Perish gate, he will surely doom.

This formation only has one weakness. That is, if they break through the Survive gate and move west to the Exhibit gate, the formation will be broken. Therefore, Shan Fu asked Zhao Yun started attacked from southeast and start moving toward the west and stick to the direction. When the enemy is crumbling, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei immediately attacked from the other side.

The tactic was a huge success. Cao Ren’s “Eight Gates to Impregnable Positions” were broken by Zhao Yun’s army. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei finished the rest of the army. However, Cao Ren never gave up. He insisted to plan for a night raid although Li Dian advised him that Fan Castle was in danger and Liu Bei might anticipate Cao Ren’s night raid.

That night, no body in Liu Bei’s camp. The camp was very quiet.

Cao Ren thought the enemies wasn’t realized the night raid. When Cao Ren’s troops reached the camp, Liu Bei’s troops suddenly attacked from the back.

This time Cao Ren defeated again by Liu Bei’s troops. Cao Ren finally no choice but forced to go back to Fan Castle. On their way back to castle, Cao Ren met Zhang Fei’s troops and Zhang Fei managed to kill half of Cao Ren’s men.

Cao Ren therefore forced to flee by crossing a river.

When Cao Ren back to Fan Castle, he realized that the Castle was already taken over by Guan Yu. They ended up fled to the capital. Cao Ren and Li Dian were thoroughly defeated. Thanks to the ingenious tactic of a divine advisor, Shan Fu. Moreover, Cao Cao’s outpost, the Fan Castle, fell into Liu Bei’s hands.

After Cao Ren and Li Dian back to the capital, Cao Cao did not punish them as victories and defeats are normal in battles. However, Cao Cao started to do investigation about this man called Shan Fu. Cao Cao found out Shan Fu was only a fake name. His real name was Xu Shu, styled Shiyuan. He was an expert swordsman. Once he killed a man to avenge his friend. Thus, he adopted Shan Fu as his fake name to avoid being arrested. Then he studied under Master Shui Jing and became a scholar. And now, he has accomplished master.

Seven years after the battle of Guan Du, Liu Bei avoided war against Cao Cao by seeking refuge to Liu Biao in Jing Zhou.
In an attempt to repay Liu Biao’s kindness, Liu Bei agreed to suppress a rebellion in Jiang Xia on his behalf. Jing Zhou was a very prosperous place in South China. During the battle, Liu Bei successfully got a horse from one of the general killed by Zhao Yun.

This horse called “Di Lu” (Hex Mark). The horse feet were white and it has a white spot on his head, which was believed this horse will bring bad luck to its rider. However, Liu Bei did not believe it.

After Liu Bei helped Liu Biao in suppressing the Jiang Xia rebellion, Liu Biao puts even more trust to Liu Bei. However, Zhang Lu of Han Zhong and Sun Quan of Wu keep harassing Liu Biao. Therefore, Liu Bei voluntary offered to ask his general to guard the border for Liu Biao. When this news reached Cai Mao (Liu Biao’s brother in law), he felt his power was under pressure and unsecured. That night Cai Mao went to see his sister (Liu Biao’s wife) to discuss about this news.

After she got the news from Cai Mao, immediately she went to persuade Liu Biao not to give this authority to Liu Bei. However, Liu Biao insisted to do that. Liu Biao was afraid of the opposition of his clansmen. Thus, he bade Liu Bei to guard Xin Ye, a town near Jing Zhou, instead.

Not long after Liu Bei and company move to Xin Ye, Xiang Lan (Liu Bei’s wife) gave birth to a boy. Though Liu Bei now has no land of his own, his anguish was somewhat alleviated with the birth of the child. Xiang Lan dreamt about the Polaris (Dou Xing) during the labour, thus she named the boy Ah Dou.

Liu Biao had a son with his late wife, Liu Qi and another son with his current wife, Liu Zong. He was not sure which one he should appoint as his successor. Liu Qi was not very healthy at that time. However, Liu Bei suggested, if he forsake the eldest son, he forsake the age-old tradition. He afraid that would cause an uproar in his people.

When Liu Biao’s wife heard about this, she was very angry and she planned with Cai Mao to killed Liu Bei quietly. However, Liu Bei managed to run away with the help of Liu Biao’s honorary guest, Yi Ji.

When Cai Mao failed to kill Liu Bei, he came out with a trick by witting a false poem on behalf of Liu Bei, to show that Liu Bei has a rebellious intention.

At the same time tried to persuade Liu Biao send the troops to Xin Ye. However, Liu Biao knew that it was a trick attempted to sow enmity between he and Liu Bei. So he refused to send troops.

Liu Biao’s wife then came out another plan to lure Liu Bei out from Xin Ye. When the annual harvest celebration came, Liu Biao asked Cai Mao to invite all officers come. And at the same time, Cai Mao took this opportunity to suggest, invite Liu Bei to act as the host. Therefore, Liu Bei would have no excuse of not attending it. If Liu Bei refused to become a host, it would draw Liu Biao’s suspicion. Thus, Liu Bei asked Zhao Yun and 300 men to accompany Liu Bei attending this invitation.

Jing Zhou’s annual harvest celebration is celebrated by all people. That time, all officers in Jing Zhou, either civil or military, were there to celebrate it. Three gates of the city have been guarded real tight by Cao Mao’s men except the west gate.

Because it leads to Tan river. Therefore, they thought Liu Bei might not escape that way. In order to distract Zhao Yun’s attention to guard Liu Bei, Cai Mao asked his men to lure Zhao Yun out for a drink.

Again this time Cao Mao’s tactic was alerted by Yi Ji.

He asked Liu Bei to flee from the west gate. Liu Bei then immediately rode his Di Lu Horse and fled from the west gate. Liu Bei was unable to move when he reached Tan river when Cai Mao’s men chasing from behind.

Everyone was shocked when the Di Lu horse suddenly performed a leap to cross over the river. Liu Bei finally safe by his so called “unfortunate” Di Lu Horse.

Liu Bei felt very lonely now as he just escaped from an imminent danger. However, upon escaping the danger, he hesitate on where he should go to hide. At last, Liu Bei arrived to an unexpected place. He came into the dwelling of Master Shui Jing. Master Shui Jing let Liu Bei know about the presence of a military advisor, nick name “The Sleeping Dragon” and “The Fledgling Phoenix”. If he get one of them into his service, the whole world is within his grasp.

Wu’s ruler, Sun Ce, died young due to illness and was succeeded by his younger brother, Sun Quan. Sun Quan is a great ruler, loved by his officers and people.
His power is growing steadily. Yuan Shao, in his attempt to win Sun Quan’s favour against Cao Cao, tried to send a messenger in order to ally with Sun Quan.

Because of worrying that Cao Cao might invade Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao sent troops in the He Bei states: Ji Zhau, Qing Zhou, You Zhou and Bian Zhou, which total 700,000 men all march toward the capital, Xu Chang. Cao Cao quickly came out a strategy that less people less rations. Cao Cao thought that an elite can defeat 10 men. Thus, Cao Cao decided to sent only 70,000 men to the battle field. Cao Cao’s 70,000 and Yuan Shao’s 700,000 meet in a showdown south of Yellow River, at Guan Du peak. The decisive battle between major powers is about to begin.

According to Ju Shou, Yuan Shao’s assistant, Cao Cao’s supplies were not as much as them. Therefore, he suggested not to rush the battle, this is to deplete Cao Cao’s supply. They only need to defend their headquarter. Once Cao Cao ran out of food, they’ll be easily defeated. However, Yuan Shao did not listen to Ju Shou’s advised and put him to the jail.

Yuan Shao then ordered 700,000 men surrounds the capital in all directions. In the 90 miles perimeter, they were all tightly guarded with highly spirited troops. Because of Cao Cao afraid that they were running out of supplies, he ordered all his armies to attack Yuan Shao. However, Cao Cao was defeated by Yuan Shao and hiding in the city.

Yuan Shao then, came out with another idea called mole tactic. They would dig a tunnel through the enemy’s base. The next day, Cao Cao realized that the enemy was very quiet. Their spices then noticed that the enemies were digging tunnel into their base. Cao Cao quickly thought of an idea, to dig a deep trench around the city.

Yuan Shao’s strategy to drag out the war was to demoralize Cao Cao’s troops. And Cao Cao’s rations began to deplete. Cao Cao wrote a letter to Xu Chang to request for supplies. However, the messenger was captured by Xu You, Yuan Shao's adviser. Yuan Shao thought the letter was actually Cao Cao’s tricked. At the same time Shen Pei's, also Yuan Shao's adviser asked his spy to circulate a letter that Xu You was good friend with Cao Cao and he was seriously involved in the case of corruption. Thus, this letter has caused Yuan Shao did not trust Xu You anymore.

When Xu You told Yuan Shao a strategy against Cao Cao. Since Cao Cao’s supply was short, he told Yuan Shao to attack Xu Chang and the capital at the same time. But Yuan Shao suspicious him and charged him with corruption and embezzlement. Finally, Xu You left Yuan Shao and joined Cao Cao.

After Xu You joined Cao Cao, Cao Cao was shocked that if Yuan Shao follow advised from Xu You, his troops could have been defeated by Yuan Shao. Xu You then, advised Cao Cao to attack Wu Chao. Because Yuan Shao stored most of his supplies in a depot in Wu Chao. The man who guard the depot was a drunkard called Chunyu Qiong.

Chunyu Qiong must be unaware of a carefully staged raid.

Before Cao Cao’s raid, Ju Shou, Yuan Shao’s assistant, insisted to see Yuan Shao although he was in jail. He told Yuan Shao that there would be a night raid in Wu Chao. However, Yuan Shao did not believe him and put him back to the jail.

That night, Cao Cao sent 5,000 elites broke the first line of guard and proceeds to Wu Chao for the raid.

Meanwhile, when Yuan Shao heard Wu Chao was broke, he ask Zhang He and Gan Lan to attack Guan Du, because he thought that nobody was in Guan Du since Cao Cao personally led the troops to attack Wu Chao. However, Guan Du was actually defended by troops that already prearranged by Cao Cao. Zhang He and Gao Lan were unable to break in.

Shen Pei, Yuan Shao assistant, thus, took this opportunity and told Yuan Shao Zhang He and Gao Lan were not loyal to him, because they were unable to break Guan Du. Yuan Shao at that time was panic and ask his messenger to call Zhang He and Gan Lan back. Zhang He and Gao Lan learnt from the messenger that Yuan Shao was going to punish them if they went back to see him. Thus, this forced them decided to stop the battle and surrender to Cao Cao.

That was Spring 200 A.D. It was midnight of 5^th Jian An Year, 10^th month day 23. The raid was successful. Yuan Shao was an indecisive man and lacks wisdom. While Cao Cao has a great acumen in war and very decisive, even time of crisis.

After defeat of Wu Chao, Yuan Shao had series of defeats and lost almost all of his 700,000 men. Despite his best effort, at the end of the war, he only had about 800 men left. While Cao Cao, whose ambition was to encroach the entire kingdom. This battle was a big progress.

Guan Yu’s company has met Sun Qian, one of Liu Bei’s men who managed to flee north from Xiao Pei. Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s wife then, rest in a farmer’s house discussion a strategy to save Liu Bei. Yuan Shao might kill Liu Bei if Guan Yu did not turn up.

The next day morning Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s wife continued their journey to He Bei. On their way passing by a street, they were blocked by a group of robbers. Fortunately, the leader of the robbers “Zhou Cang” managed to recognize Guan Yu’s character, a rider with a long beard. He quickly knee down and explained, he was once a Yellow Turban’s general. After the rebellion ended, he became a thief.

He heard that Guan Yu has crossed the river and arrived in this He Bei region. He was actually waiting Guan Yu past by this street. They are willing to serve Liu Bei and ask for Guan Yu’s permission to join them. After a discussion between Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s wife, Guan Yu finally agreed Zhou Cang to follow them, while the rest of the people wait there in the mean time.

After several days journey away from the capital, Guan Yu and company have marched about 1,000 miles to see Liu Bei. Now Ji Zhou is just in front of them. Once they went in to Ji Zhou, Guan Yu heard that there was a drunk warrior who passed by. He beat the bandit leader and occupied his base in Ji Zhou. And the bandits now become his men. Nobody dares to capture him, even the officers. Apparently, Guan Yu learnt from an old man that this drunk warrior was Zhang Fei.

Immediately, Guan Yu asked Sun Qian to go and meet Zhang Fei so that he can come and meet them. When Zhang Fei heard that Guan Yu was on his way to the city, Zhang Fei quickly rode his horse to meet Guan Yu. Guan Yu was very happy when he met Zhang Fei. However, Zhang Fei was very angry and put up a fight with Guan Yu because Zhang Fei thought that Guan Yu was Cao Cao’s minion.

No matter how Guan Yu explained to Zhang Fei, he just ignored it and continued fighting with Guan Yu. Meanwhile, Cao Cao troops (General Chai Yang) were coming towards Ji Zhou. In order to solve the misunderstanding between Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, Guan Yu immediately rode his horse and killed Chai Yang on the spot, in front of Zhang Fei.

This is to prove that Guan Yu is not at Cao Cao’s side. That was the first reunion between Guan Yu and Zhang Fei two brothers.

Everyone turns out to be still very loyal to Liu Bei. The next morning, Guan Yu and Sun Qian continued their journey to find Liu Bei in Ji Zhou. Zhou Cang returned to Mount Wo Niu to gather up his men as reinforcement. While Zhang Fei stay the city to protect Liu Bei’s wife. When they reached Yuan Shao’s resident place, where Liu Bei stay, there were a small kid suddenly turned up to and offered to help Guan Yu and Sun Qian to break into Yuan Shao’s residence door, so that Sun Qian managed to pass message to Liu Bei that Guan Yu is waiting him at the forest not far from here. After Sun Qian past the message to Liu Bei, he asked Chen Zhen (the one who delivered letter to Guan Yu) to guide Sun Qian escape from the back door.

The next day morning, Liu Bei went and met Yuan Shao. He told Yuan Shao that Cao Cao’s is recruiting a huge number of soldiers to invade He Bei. Thus, he suggested to ally with the governor of Jing Zhou, Liu Biao that will certainly gave him a competitive advantage. Liu Bei knew that Yuan Shao previously has sent his messenger once, but failed to convince Liu Biao. Now, he took this opportunity to offer Yuan Shao that he is willing to meet Liu Biao and convince him. Because, Liu Biao was one of his distant relatives. And Liu Bei is certainly able to persuade Liu Biao.

Without knowing that was actually Liu Bei’s tricked, Yuan Shao let Liu Bei left his resident area. And finally, Liu Bei out from cage again and he managed to meet Guan Yu. Both of them were so happy that they reunited again.

On their way back to reunite with Zhang Fei, they met Zhou Cang. Zhou Cang looks very tired and told Liu Bei that there was a young man riding a horse came and raided his headquarter in Mount Wo Niu. When they followed Zhou Cang to the Mountain, they realized that man Zhou Cang mentioned was actually Zhao Yun (Liu Bei’s good friend). Again, it was good news that Zhao Yun joined Liu Bei’s force. At the same time, in order to reward Guan Ping for his service and bravery against the enemies, Guan Yu awarded him to become his stepson.

Liu Bei finally reunited with his loyal warriors in that mountain top. On one side, there’s the ambitious Prime Minister, Cao Cao. On the other side is Yuan Shao in He Bei. Moreover, there’s the ruler of the rapidly growing East Wu, Sun Quan. The battles between them will determine the delicate balance of these powers.

First Gate – Dong Ling Gate

The first gate defense commander was Kong Xiu. Because of He Bei was Prime Minister’s enemy (Yuan Shao), he refused to let Guan Yu pass through unless Prime Minister really give him permission by giving Guan Yu the pass. However, Guan Yu was very urgent and did not get the pass from Cao Cao, and he was unable to show him anything. This ended up with a fight between Guan Yu and Kong Xiu. Guan Yu finally was forced to kill Kong Xiu in in order to pass through the first gate.

Second Gate – Luo Yang Gate

Luo Yang Defense Captain was Han Fu. Han Fu was very angry because Guan Yu killed Kong Xiu, further more Guan Yu did not get the pass from Cao Cao. This ended up with another fight between Han Fu and Guan Yu. Again, Han Fu was killed by Guan Yu in this battled.

Third Gate – Yi Shui Gate

Bian Xi was the Defense Commander of Yi Shui. Although his war ability was higher than the previous two gate’s captain, he ended up killed by Guan Yu because of refusing Guan Yu to pass through the gate.

Fourth Gate – Ying Yang Gate

Ying Yang Gate’s Governor was Wang Zhi. This time Wang Zhi treated Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s wife very polite and courteous. He invited them to rest in the city. Without realizing this was actually a trick, Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s wife accepted the offer. That night, Wang Zhi plan to burn Guan Yu’s room, Wang Zhi’s men already block all the surrounding area and ready to put up the fire.

However, Guan Yu came out from the back of Wang Zhi and killed him. Again, Guan Yu successfully past through the fourth gate and pursuing their journey to He Bei.

Fifth Gate – Yellow River

The Yellow River was guarded by General Xiahou Dun, the strongest General among previous one. Xiahou Dun sent troops to block Guan Yu when Guan Yu tried to cross the river. Before they started to go into a battle, Zhang Liao sent an ordered from Prime Minister.

When Cao Cao heard Guan Yu killed Kong Xiu at dong Ling gate, he ordered all gates to permit Guan Yu to pass. Zhang Liao was there to mediate between them and enabled Guan Yu to arrive safely in He Bei. Nobody shall be allowed to hinder Guan Yu’s journey.

Guan Yu indeed was a great hero, the relationship between Guan Yu and Cao Cao ends here. In order to be reunited with Liu Bei in He Bei, Guan Yu single-handedly guarded Liu Bei’s wife through five gates and thousand miles of passes and killed Cao Cao’s men.