The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 28
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 4:31AM The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 28:
Putting Cai Yang To Death, The Brothers' Doubts Disappear;
Meeting At Gucheng, Lord and Lieges Fortify Each Other.
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WARNING! THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!
Things have certainly been kinda...odd for the Three Brothers in previous chapters. Having been crushed in Xuzhou by Cao Cao's army, the three of them fled in different directions. Zhang Fei retreated to the Mang Dang Hills, Liu Bei went to seek protection from Yuan Shao, and Guan Yu, oddest of all, went to serve Cao Cao...for the time being.
Now Guan Yu, having left behind rank and wealth and privilege in the Capitol, is escorting his two Sisters-in-Law, Lady Gan and Lady Mi, to find their Husband and his own sworn-brother, Liu Bei. The chapter starts off with the promise of a clash of the titans, as Xiahou Dun, a man so badass he once ripped out his own eye, arrow and all, and ate it (don't forget that the eyes are actually part of the brain, so he actually ripped out a part of his own brain and ate it...) prepares to face off against Guan Yu for the slaying of the Pass Commanders in the previous chapter.
But Xiahou Dun vs. Guan Yu would have to wait, since Zhang Liao arrives in the nick of time to stop the fight from going down. Awwwwwww....damn....
Guan Yu, it would seem, has bigger fish to fry. During this chapter, (and I find this very humorous) people keep trying to steal his horse. Over and over. Clueless gits. :p
In all seriousness, though, I really like this chapter, not only because the three Brothers are finally reunited, but also because a couple of extremely awesome Shu-Han characters are introduced here. Zhou Cang (who did not actually exist in history, but in folklore has been associated with Guan Yu for centuries) is brought in, the first person ever to swear fealty to Lord Guan. I find it interesting that Zhou Cang never seems to actually swear his loyalty to Liu Bei himself, but only to Guan Yu. However, since Guan Yu and Liu Bei are as one, perhaps it wasn't really necessary to officially submit to Liu Bei after all.
Another character of importance to be introduced in this chapter is Guan Ping, eldest "son" of Guan Yu. Guan Ping is not actually related to Guan Yu by blood, but is rather the son of Guan Ding. However, Guan Ping is adopted by Guan Yu, and will remain with his adopted Father for the rest of their lives. Guan Ping is an awesome character, in my opinion, and arguably the most badass of the sons of Guan Yu in terms of military ability. (I know some of you might nominate Guan Xing for that honor, but Ping has a certain flair that Xing just doesn't seem to possess.)
And let us not forget Zhao Yun, who was introduced way back in Chapter 7, but had been serving Gongsun Zan in the intervening chapters. Gongsun Zan is dead now, and that means Zhao Yun (called Zhao Zilong in the novel) is free to serve the man he REALLY wants to. CoughcoughLiuBeicoughcough. In times to come, Zhao Yun will join Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as one of the Tiger Generals of Shu-Han. Those gosh-darn Tiger Generals...they're kinda like pokemon, aren't they? Gotta catch 'em all!
The reunion of the Three Brothers has a significant impact on the story, to say the least. Not only does Liu Bei once again have a base of power (for the time being) at Runan, but his officer corp (both civil and military) is not only intact, but has grown somewhat with quality additions like Zhou Cang and Zhao Zilong. Granted, he has no hope of being able to withstand Cao Cao by himself for long. Runan isn't THAT well fortified, after all. But Liu Biao, a distant relative of Liu Bei, DOES have the army to withstand Cao Cao, for the moment anyway. And in future chapters, it is to Liu Biao will flee when Runan can no longer be defended, which of course sets the stage for the events leading up to another of the Great Battles....Chi Bi, the Battle of the Red Cliffs...
Enjoy this, the twenty eighth chapter in the ongoing (and ongoing and ongoing) audiobook adaptation of the Sanguo Yanyi, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
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