In Chapter 26 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu, trapped in Cao Cao’s camp but unwavering in his original aspiration, cited the story of Yangjue Ai and Zuo Botao in his reply to Liu Bei to declare his resolve. This eternal friendship became a footnote to loyalty and righteousness, making perseverance in the turbulent times all the more precious.
The Legend of Yangjue Ai and Zuo Botao
During the Warring States Period, Yangjue Ai and Zuo Botao shared the same ideals and aspirations. They agreed to travel to the State of Chu to seek official positions, hoping to serve the world with their talents. Unexpectedly, they encountered a fierce snowstorm on the way. In the desolate mountains, with little food and thin clothing, the two faced the imminent danger of freezing and starving to death.
After assessing the situation, Zuo Botao knew well that if they continued together, both would perish. Recognizing that his own talent was far inferior to Yangjue Ai’s, he gave all his remaining food and clothing to Yangjue Ai, repeatedly urging him to accomplish their shared ideals. Then, he walked alone to a withered tree, got into the tree hole and calmly accepted his fate of freezing to death.
Yangjue Ai bid farewell and proceeded to Chu State alone. His outstanding talents quickly gained him high position in the court and the trust of the king. Yet, he never forgot Zuo Botao’s self-sacrificing kindness. He searched everywhere and finally found his friend’s remains, burying them with great honor. However, later in a dream, he learned that Zuo Botao’s tomb was adjacent to that of General Jing, and his spirit was repeatedly bullied.
Grief-stricken and indignant, Yangjue Ai sighed, “We could not share the same quilt in life, but we shall share the same tomb in death.” He committed suicide and went to the underworld to fight side by side with his friends against the enemy.
Guan Yu’s predicament in Cao’s camp
Guan Yu’s situation bore a striking resemblance to that of Yangjue Ai and Zuo Botao. He had sworn brotherhood with Liu Bei and Zhang Fei in the Peach Garden, vowing to “serve the country above and stabilize the people below,” and to share life and death. However, separated from his elder brother by the chaos of war, he was forced to temporarily surrender to Cao Cao and remain trapped in his camp.
Cao Cao had always cherished talented people. Seeing Guan Yu’s bravery and loyalty, he sought to recruit him to his side. He spared no expense in offering rich gifts—gold, brocade robes, and the title of “Marquis of Hanshou Ting.” He even gave Guan Yu the famous steed “Red Hare,” once owned by Lü Bu. In daily life, he treated Guan Yu with the utmost courtesy, personally going out of the mansion to greet him and walking hand in hand with him.
Yet, none of these wealth, glory, high official positions, or generous rewards could shake Guan Yu’s original aspiration. He constantly thought of his elder brother Liu Bei, kept the Peach Garden oath firmly in mind, and sealed all the gifts from Cao Cao, waiting only for news of his brother to set off immediately to reunite with him.
Guan Yu’s letter to Liu Bei
It was in this context that Guan Yu received Liu Bei’s letter and wrote his reply declaring his heartfelt intentions. His mention of Yang and Zuo’s story was no coincidence. It was not only a comparison of his own loyalty to that of the ancients, conveying to Liu Bei his sincerity that “even though trapped in a place of wealth and glory, I shall never forget the friendship forged in the Peach Garden.” It was also a proclamation: just as Zuo Botao was willing to sacrifice his life for Yangjue Ai, and Yangjue Ai for his friend, the brotherly bond between himself and Liu Bei had long transcended fame and fortune, becoming part of his very bones and blood.
In my humble view, honor brooks no reservation, nor does loyalty respect death. In my youth I came to know the classics and to appreciate something of our traditions and code of honor. When I reflect on the fraternal devotion and sacrifice of such ancient models as Yangjue Ai and Zuo Botao, I cannot help sighing over and over through my tears. At Xiapi, which you assigned me to guard, we had no stores and no reinforcements. My own wish was to fight to the death, but with the heavy responsibility of my two sisters-in-law, could I sacrifice myself and thus abandon those entrusted to me? So I assumed a temporary obligation in hopes of rejoining you later. Only recently at Runan did I first receive reliable information about you. Now I shall go at once in person to bid Lord Cao good-bye. I will then deliver the two ladies to you. May the gods and man scourge me if I harbor any undutiful intent. I open my bosom to you, but pen and silk cannot convey my loyalty, my sincerity. Humbly awaiting the time when I can bow before you, I offer this for your examination.
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 26
The timeless value of loyalty and faithfulness
The friendship of Yangjue Ai and Zuo Botao, and the bond between Guan Yu and Liu Bei, were connected by a common thread across time and space. Both testified that true friendship is never the liveliness of daily companionship, but standing up in times of crisis, adhering to one’s original heart in the face of temptation, and never abandoning each other in despair. That’s why Cao Cao failed to keep Guan Yu no matter how hard he had tried to.
This spirit has spanned thousands of years and still touches people’s hearts today—it tells us that no matter how times change, the loyalty and sincerity rooted deep in human nature, and the belief of being willing to go through fire and water for friends and uphold one’s original aspiration, are always the most precious qualities in the world. Like stars in the dark night, they always illuminate the path forward for people.
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