Guan Yu's Escape

Guan Yu's Escape, known as Guan Yu's Thousand League Journey (関羽千里行) in the Asian ports, reenacts Guan Yu leaving Wei to properly reunite with his brother. On his journey, he passes through five gates guarded by Cao Cao's men while he safely escorts a carriage in tow. Though it is one of his famous accomplishments in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, historians believe that this event never happened in history.

Dynasty Warriors
Guan Yu's escape is the small battle in which Guan Yu flees the Wei forces ruled by Cao Cao. Guan Yu guards Liu Bei's wife in a carriage while passing through five gates. The map is a simple vertical line forward and has a straight forward layout; the passes can only be opened if the general defending them is beaten. During Guan Yu's scenario, the objective is to safely complete the stage with the carriage intact. Fiercely guarding the last gate is Xiahou Dun. After all five gates are breached, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei await the travelers on the other side. The objective for Cao Cao's forces is to stop Guan Yu.

Before the stage begins in Dynasty Warriors 3, Guan Yu passes by Zhang Liao, who regretfully sees his former ally pass. They respectfully part ways to one another with Zhang Liao not willing to give chase. Xiahou Dun, on the other hand, is more than willing to cleave the runaway in two, not believing that Cao Cao would simply allow the veteran general's journey. Generals stationed at each gate express their shock and disbelief at Guan Yu's departure. Xu Huang, Zhang He, Xu Zhu and Zhen Ji also appear to stop them.

During Wei's version of the stage, Xiahou Dun is more calm and is informed by Zhang Liao that the general has left. He claims Guan Yu to be dangerous and doesn't want him to be a future threat. Guan Yu leaves reserve troops behind in an attempt to slow his rival's progress. The final guard at the fifth gate is Zhao Yun. When he captures him, Guan Yu offers his head as Xiahou Dun's prize. The one-eyed general, however, isn't interested with the offer and spares him.

The events remain relatively the same in Dynasty Warriors 4 except Zhang Liao's parting words to Guan Yu alter slightly. The two men also exchange words while still on horseback. More generals who are present in the novel also make their appearances here. Unlike the previous title, it's possible to have the carriage suffer damage. For storyline purposes, Xiahou Dun may also destroy the carriage to slow Guan Yu's escape.

In Dynasty Warriors 5, Zhang Liao actually clashes blades with Guan Yu before seeing him off. When his health gets low, Zhang Liao cannot bring himself to fight any longer and withdraws with good fortune. Xiahou Dun appears at the start of the stage and rushes towards Guan Yu's location when he passes the fourth gate.

Warriors Orochi
In Warriors Orochi, the stage is retitled Diao Chan's Escape, as she attempts to flee from Orochi's forces. She disagrees with Lu Bu's current mindset and wants to bring him to his senses by defying him. During her flight, she is surrounded by Dong Zhuo's men. Mitsunari and Zhang Liao's armies rescue her. Once they defeat the generals around her, Lu Bu appears on the field to try to retrieve her. However, she remains defiant and he is defeated.

In the English script, he states that she now means nothing to him and departs. Contrarily, Lu Bu solemnly replies that he looks forward to seeing her once more on the battlefield in the Japanese script.

Guan Yu's Surrender
In chapters 24~28, Cao Cao, determined to stop his enemy from gaining his full potential, sets out with two hundred thousand towards Xuzhou City. At the time, Liu Bei was living nearby at Xiaopei and Guan Yu governed Xiapi. Knowing that they lacked the power to defend themselves, Liu Bei requested aid from Yuan Shao. Though feverish with the strife between his children and hesitating to go to war, he agreed to give his ally shelter at Yejun. As was predicted, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei lost the battle to defend Xiaopei and were separated; Zhang Fei fled for Mangdang Hills and Liu Bei escaped to Yuan Shao. Guan Yu stayed at his station to defend his brother's wives.

After Xuzhou was captured, Cao Cao and his men marched towards Xiapi. Wanting to spare the valiant warrior, Cheng Yu advised to get his surrender instead. Agreeing to the ploy, he sent Xiahou Dun to lure him out of the city. Once Guan Yu took the bait, he was surrounded and routed by Xu Huang and Xu Chu. Fleeing to the mountains, he was confronted by his old friend, Zhang Liao. Guan Yu was determined to fight to the death until Zhang Liao stated that it would sully the oath he made with his brothers, his duty to protect Liu Bei's family, and his reputation as a warrior. Convinced to surrender, Guan Yu agreed on three conditions. First, he was officially laying down his arms to the Han Emperor not Cao Cao. Secondly, the ladies under his care would be adequately provided for and no one else was to touch them. Finally, once he heard news of his brother's safety, he would be allowed to rejoin him. Both parties agreed to these terms and Guan Yu became a honored guest at Wei.

Service in Wei
During his stay, Cao Cao granted luxuries of fine food, silk, women, and high titles in an attempt to sway his guest to his favor. Guan Yu politely gave all these treasures to Liu Bei's wives. Wanting to get a reaction from him, Cao Cao presented him with the wild horse, Red Hare. This was the only gift he accepted as the mustang would allow him to quickly return to his brother's side. Cao Cao was disgruntled by his reply. Grateful for the Prime Minister's kindness, Guan Yu swore to repay him on the battlefield before leaving him.

Meanwhile, Yuan Shao and Liu Bei agreed to march to Liyang. The governor of Xuchang requested assistance and Cao Cao sent out men. Guan Yu requested to join but was denied as Cao Cao wanted to keep him a while longer. Once in battle, however, his generals were being wiped out by a fearsome warrior named Yan Liang. Left with no other option, Guan Yu was summoned and he beheaded Yuan Shao's warrior in one surprise attack. In the following battle, he also slew the mighty Wen Chou in three bouts and one blow.

Hearing the news that Guan Yu killed his best warriors, Yuan Shao accused Liu Bei of treason and ordered his death. Surprised to hear news of his brother, Liu Bei reasoned that they were separated and could not know his brother's actions. Pardoned, Liu Bei requested to confirm his brother's presence through a secret letter. Yuan Shao, desiring to gain the strong warrior's service, agreed. Two spies were caught in Cao Cao's residence and brought before Guan Yu. One of them was Sun Qian, a man he recognized, who reported Liu Bei's situation. Glad to hear that his brother was still alive, he was hesitant to leave for he feared Yuan Shao would not accept him. Once his brother's letter arrived to him, he agreed to leave immediately.

After being denied attendance to bid farewell to Cao Cao, he forcefully left with the two ladies in a carriage and a few escorts from his original army. All of the treasures, including his newly earned seal, were left behind. Though Cao Cao ordered that there would be no pursuit, he did personally ride out to bid him farewell. His final gift was a robe which the Prime Minister insisted that his guest take. Fearing an ambush if he dismounted, Guan Yu accepted it by lifting it on the point of his spear and hurling it over his shoulder. With a final word of thanks, the men parted. Cao Cao's escorts were enraged by Guan Yu's rudeness but he assured them that Guan Yu was still a fine man. Although this was meant to be their final departure as friends, Guan Yu would remember the kindness he experienced whilst in Wei and would later be used against him.

Five Passes
Separated from the carriage, Guan Yu found the ladies with Liao Hua, a member of the Yellow Scarves who saved them from brigands. Wearily taking their leave, they took shelter in a farm. Hu Hua, a retired soldier for Emperor Huan, was their host and asked Guan Yu to deliver a letter to his son if he should reach Yingyang. Guan Yu agreed and the travelers ate a meal before proceeding to Luoyang. Before the city was Dongling Pass guarded by Kong Xiu. He stubbornly refused to accept that Guan Yu had the Prime Minister's permission to pass. Angered, he cut the man down and marched forward.

Luoyang was governed by Han Qu. Aware of the events at Dongling, the governor had already prepared an ambush for Guan Yu. Once again, he was denied passage and one of Han Qu's generals, Meng Tan, tried to lure him into their trap. Due to Red Hare's speed, however, their plan failed and both men were killed. Guan Yu was wounded by a single arrow to his left arm, which he pulled out his teeth and quickly patched before the following gate, River Si.

Bian Xi, a former Yellow Scarf in Wei's command, guarded the gate and also planned to ambush Guan Yu. His scheme involved inviting his target into State Guardian Temple and surrounding him whilst they drank refreshments. When the warrior came, he treated him kindly and invited him inside the temple. One of the priests, named Transverse Peace, was a resident of Guan Yu's village and wordlessly warned him of the incoming ambush. With this knowledge, he was able defend himself and cut Bian Xi in half.

Yingyang was their next destination and it was ruled by Wang Zhi, a relative of Han Qu. He bade the warrior to rest in the safety of his city, all the while plotting to avenge Han Qu. While the tired ladies and Guan Yu rested, he called for his general, Hu Ban, to get preparations made to burn down their guesthouse. Hu Ban obeyed but was curious to know more about Guan Yu. He spotted the warrior reading by candlelight and nosily made his presence. Following their greeting, Guan Yu gave him Hu Hua's letter. Touched by the good man's promise to his father, Hu Ban betrayed the plot on the fugitives' lives and kept the city's gate open for their escape. During their flight, Wang Zhi pursued them and was killed by one swing of Guan Yu's short sword.

Continuing onward, they neared Huazhou, which was governed by a man who was saved by Guan Yu, Liu Yue. Though thankful of his past deed, he could not aid Guan Yu's journey out fear of Xiahou Dun's scorn. Further ahead were the ferries that would allow them to enter Yuan Shao's territory. However, it was guarded by the brutish Qin Qi, who would not allow them a boat. Guan Yu warned the general to stand down, but they met in battle and Qin Qi lay dead. Striking fear into his followers, they finally prepared a boat for the fugitives to board. They sailed across the Yellow River and were greeted by Sun Qian. He informed them that Liu Bei awaited their arrival at Runan, giving them hope for their reunion.

On their way to Runan, Xiahou Dun, ready to avenge his lost comrades with a hundred horsemen, came to challenge Guan Yu. Before any blood was drawn, Zhang Liao rode to the scene with orders from the Prime Minister. Cao Cao, though knowing that Guan Yu slew his men, repeated his order that there would be no pursuits. The one eyed general was forced to retire and Zhang Liao carried Guan Yu's apologies for Cao Cao. Guan Yu properly reunites with his brothers after he proves his loyalty to a distrustful Zhang Fei and has his eldest brother cleverly flee from Yuan Shao.