.Hu Ban noiselessly made his way to the outside of the room and peeped in. He saw the famous warrior stroking his beard with his left hand while he read by the light of a lamp placed on a low table. An involuntary exclamation of wonder escaped at the majesty of the figure.

"Really a god!" Hu Ban sighed.

"Who is there?" suddenly asked the reader at the sound.

Hu Ban entered and said, "I am Hu Ban, a general of the Governor."

"Surely you are the son of Hu Hua, who lives outside Xuchang," said Guan Yu.

"I am he," replied Hu Ban.

Then Guan Yu called up his followers and bade them look among the baggage for the letter, which they brought. Guan Yu handed it to the General.

Hu Ban read it and then breathed long, saying, "I very nearly caused the death of a good man."

Then he betrayed the whole plot, saying, " This Wang Zhi is a wicked man, who wanted to kill you.At this moment you are surrounded, and at the third watch they will set fire to this place.Now I will go and open the city gates while you hastily prepare for flight."

Guan Yu was greatly surprised, but he quickly buckled up his armor, got his steed ready, roused the two ladies, and put them into their carriage. Then they left the rest house; and as they passed out, they saw the soldiers all about them, each with a torch.The party hastened to the outskirts of the city and found the gate already open, and they lost no time in getting clear of the city. Hu Ban returned to give orders to fire the rest house.

The fugitives pressed on. But before long they saw lights coming up behind them, and Wang Zhi called out to them to stop.

Guan Yu reined in his horse and began to abuse him, crying, "Worthless fellow! What had you against me that you wished to burn me to death?"

Wang Zhi whipped up his steed and set his spear, but Guan Yu cut him through with the short sword he wore at his side and scattered his followers.

Then the carriage pushed on. Guan Yu's heart was filled with gratitude to Hu Ban.