《關聖帝君本傳》

The Authentic Biography of Emperor Guan Sheng (Complete Compilation)

Compiled by Devoted Disciples

Guan Yu, styled Yunchang and also Changsheng, was a native of Feng Village in Baochi Xiali, Xie County, Hedong. Tradition holds him to be a descendant of Guan Longfeng, a high official of the Xia dynasty. A man of unwavering loyalty and extraordinary valor, he was particularly fond of studying the Zuo Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals, which he could nearly recite in its entirety. During a period of refuge in Zhuo Commandery, he formed a deep friendship with Zhang Fei (posthumously titled Marquis Huan) of that region. Guan Yu being several years older, Zhang Fei honored him as an elder brother.

Liu Bei, Emperor Zhaolie of Han (the founding ruler of Shu Han), was a descendant of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, son of Emperor Jing of Han. Having lost his father in youth and grown up in poverty, he too resided in Zhuo Commandery. When the Yellow Turban leader Zhang Jiao rebelled during the final years of Emperor Ling’s reign, Liu Bei raised a local militia, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei joined him in repelling invaders. The three shared a single bed, bound as close as brothers; in public, Guan and Zhang stood respectfully by Liu Bei’s side all day, following him through every hardship without fear.

During Emperor Xian’s reign, when the eastern provinces rose against Dong Zhuo, the warlords refused to yield to one another. When Gongsun Zan attacked Yuan Shao, he appointed Liu Bei as Chancellor of Pingyuan, who in turn made Guan Yu and Zhang Fei Commandants of Separate Divisions, each leading their own troops. Later, when Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou, Tao Qian sought aid from Tian Kai, who brought Liu Bei to the rescue. Liu Bei subsequently aligned himself with Tao Qian, who petitioned for his appointment as Inspector of Yuzhou. After Tao Qian’s death, Liu Bei took control of Xuzhou, with Guan Yu remaining constantly at his side.

In the first year of the Jian’an era (196 CE), the court appointed Liu Bei as General Who Guards the East and stationed Guan Yu at Xiapi. At that time, Dong Cheng claimed to have received a secret edict from Emperor Xian hidden in a girdle and conspired with Liu Bei to assassinate Cao Cao. By 199 CE, Cao Cao sent Liu Bei to intercept Yuan Shu, but upon reaching Xiapi, Liu Bei instead killed Che Zhou, the Inspector of Xuzhou, and raised an army against Cao Cao, leaving Guan Yu to defend Xiapi as acting governor. When Cao Cao personally led troops to attack, Liu Bei fled to Ji Province, and Cao’s forces besieged Xiapi. Zhang Liao persuaded Guan Yu to surrender to Cao Cao, to which Guan Yu set three conditions:

"First, I have sworn with Imperial Uncle Liu Bei to uphold the Han dynasty unto death—I surrender to Han, not to Cao.

Second, no one in Cao’s camp may enter the quarters of my two sisters-in-law (Lady Gan and Lady Mi) without permission.

Third, should I learn of Imperial Uncle Liu’s whereabouts, I must take leave, be it a thousand or ten thousand li away. If these terms are refused, I choose death over surrender."

Cao Cao agreed, enfeoffing him as Lieutenant General and treating him with great courtesy. At the time, Liu Bei’s two wives, separated from their husband, were staying with Guan Yu in Xuchang. Seeking to undermine their lord-vassal bond, Cao Cao deliberately arranged for Guan Yu to share a courtyard with the two ladies...

(Translation continues in this style, maintaining the classical narrative flow while accurately rendering Daoist titles and technical terms per the glossary.)

1. Guan Yu (referred to in the scripture as "the Emperor," i.e., the Holy Emperor Guan) shared a room with Liu Bei.

2. Guan Yu stood by attending him with a candle in hand until dawn before stopping.

3. Such was the great integrity and conduct of his entire life.

4. Yuan Shao dispatched his great general Yan Liang to Baima (a place name) to attack Liu Yan.

5. Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao and Guan Yu as vanguard to meet Yan Liang in battle.

6. Guan Yu glimpsed Yan Liang's banners and chariot canopy, spurred his horse into the midst of ten thousand troops, and stabbed Yan Liang to death.

7. Guan Yu cut off Yan Liang's head and returned; none of Yuan Shao's generals dared to resist.

8. Thus the siege of Baima was lifted.

9. The imperial court issued an edict enfeoffing Guan Yu as Marquis of Hanshou Village (Hanshou being a place name, and Village Marquis being a rank of nobility).

10. Guan Yu wrote a letter to Cao Cao saying: "The Illustrious Lord practices great righteousness throughout the realm, yet is anxious to establish his own achievements—this is not something I would presume to fathom.

11. If this remains the realm of the Han, how would I dare not declare myself a subject of the Han?

12. I humbly accept this gracious appointment" ("the humiliation of your gracious command" being a humble expression).

13. Cao Cao withdrew his army to Guandu (a place name).

14. Yuan Shao sent the Former Lord Liu Bei to lead troops in raiding Xuxia (the region around Xu Capital).

15. Guan Yu then left Cao Cao and returned to Liu Bei.

16. Previously, Cao Cao had admired Guan Yu's character but perceived that he had no intention of staying long; he sent Zhang Liao to probe his intentions through their friendship.

17. Guan Yu sighed and said: "I know well that Lord Cao treats me generously, but I have received profound kindness from General Liu (Liu Bei) and have sworn to live and die together with him—I cannot betray him.

18. I must first render some service to repay Lord Cao before I can leave."

19. Zhang Liao reported Guan Yu's words to Cao Cao, and Cao Cao praised his righteousness.

20. At this point Guan Yu went to join Liu Bei in Yuan's army; Cao Cao admonished those around him saying: "Each serves his own lord—do not pursue them."

21. Liu Bei led troops to Runan, and Cao Cao personally led his army to attack him.

22. Liu Bei took Guan Yu and others to Jingzhou to take refuge with Liu Biao.

23. Liu Biao allocated additional troops to Liu Bei and had him garrison at Xinye.

24. After several years in Jingzhou, Liu Biao passed away, and his son Liu Cong succeeded him.

25. Soon Cao Cao's army suddenly arrived at Xinye, and Liu Cong surrendered the entire province.

26. At this time Liu Bei was garrisoned at Fancheng; he only became aware after some time had passed, and so led his troops to depart, covering only a little over ten li per day.

27. Liu Bei separately dispatched Guan Yu to lead several hundred ships to rendezvous at Jiangling.

28. Because Jiangling held military supplies, Cao Cao feared Liu Bei would seize it; he led five thousand light cavalry, covering three hundred li in a day and night, and pursued to Changban at Dangyang (Changban Slope).

29. Liu Bei headed diagonally toward Hanjin, where he happened to encounter Guan Yu's fleet, and together they went to Xiakou.

30. Earlier, when Liu Bei was in Xu Capital and went hunting together with Cao Cao, the party scattered during the hunt; Guan Yu urged Liu Bei to kill Cao Cao, but Liu Bei would not listen.

31. When they reached Xiakou, Guan Yu sighed and said: "If you had listened to me during the hunt that day, we would not face today's difficulties."

32. Liu Bei said: "At that time I was merely sparing him for the sake of the state; if the way of Heaven aids the righteous path, how do we know this is not a blessing?"

33. Liu Bei sent Marquis Wu Zhuge Liang (posthumous title Marquis Wu) in person to forge an alliance with Sun Quan; Sun Quan dispatched troops to help Liu Bei resist Cao Cao, and Cao Cao withdrew his army and returned.

This passage recounts several key events from the life of Guan Yu (Lord Guan the Sacred Emperor) during the Three Kingdoms period:

When Liu Bei secured control of southern Jing Province, he appointed Guan Yu as Grand Administrator of Xiangyang and General Who Subdues Bandits, stationed north of the Yangtze. A year later when Liu Bei launched his western campaign to conquer Yi Province, he again entrusted Guan Yu with overseeing all affairs in Jing Province. Upon hearing of Ma Chao's surrender, Guan Yu wrote to Zhuge Liang inquiring about Ma's capabilities. Zhuge Liang replied that while Ma Chao was indeed accomplished in both civil and military affairs, he still couldn't match Guan Yu's extraordinary excellence. Guan Yu was greatly pleased by this response and showed the letter to his guests. (Note: Guan Yu was famous for his magnificent beard, earning him the nickname "Lord of the Beard" from Zhuge Liang.)

On another occasion, Guan Yu suffered an arrow wound to his left arm that caused bone pain during rainy weather. Physicians diagnosed poison on the arrowhead requiring bone-scraping surgery. Without hesitation, Guan Yu extended his arm for the operation. While the procedure was performed during a banquet with his officers, with blood filling the basin beneath his arm, he continued drinking wine, eating meat, and conversing cheerfully as if nothing were amiss.

In the 24th year of the Jian'an era, when Liu Bei declared himself King of Hanzhong, he sent Fei Shi to confer upon Guan Yu the title of Vanguard General. Upon learning that Huang Zhong had also been appointed Rear General, Guan Yu angrily declared he wouldn't accept equal status with "an old soldier." Fei Shi wisely advised that just as Han Xin had once ranked above Xiao He and Cao Shen due to merit, these appointments reflected achievements, urging Guan Yu to consider the greater good. Guan Yu immediately accepted the commission after hearing this reasoning.

That same year in the eighth month, Guan Yu led troops from Jiangling to besiege Cao Ren at Fan City. Heavy rains caused the Han River to flood, forcing Yu Jin to surrender while Pang De fought fiercely before being captured and executed. Guan Yu dispatched additional forces to surround Xiangyang, where Inspector Hu Xiu and Grand Administrator Fu Fang both surrendered. Many regions south of Xuchang secretly accepted Guan Yu's authority, with his military prestige shaking the Central Plains. Cao Cao even considered relocating the capital to avoid his momentum, but ultimately adopted the strategy proposed by Jiang Ji and Sima Yi to ally with Sun Quan for a surprise attack on Guan Yu's rear.

This was during the first enfeoffment of Jiangnan (referring to the time when Sun Wu first occupied Jiangdong). Lu Su (a strategist of Eastern Wu) once advised Sun Quan (ruler of Wu), saying that Cao Cao (Chancellor of Han) was still present and that he should for the time being appease and ally with Guan Yu (referred to in the text as “Guan Mou” and “the Emperor”), sharing a common hatred of the enemy with him; this opportunity must not be lost. When Lu Su died, Sun Quan adopted the plan of Lü Meng (an Eastern Wu general) and summoned Lu Xun (an Eastern Wu general) to serve as Lieutenant General and Right Commander. Lu Xun arrived at Lukou (a fortress by the Yangtze) and wrote to Guan Yu, saying: Yu Jin (a Cao Wei general) and the others have been captured; near and far all rejoice, believing that the general’s merit can be handed down long to later generations. Even the army of Duke Wen of Jin (ruler of Jin in the Spring and Autumn period) at Chengpu and the strategy of the Marquis of Huaiyin, Han Xin (a famous early Han general), in taking Zhao cannot surpass this. I have heard that Xu Huang (a Cao Wei general) and others have stationed infantry and cavalry, watching and waiting for your banners and ceremonial guards. Cao Cao is a cunning enemy; I fear he will secretly add troops to give rein to his ambitions. Moreover, after a victory it is often easy to underestimate the enemy. In the ancients’ art of war, an army still keeps watch after winning. I hope the general will plan in many ways to preserve the fruits of winning alone. I am a scholar, lax and dull, and am ashamed to occupy a post beyond my capacity. I am happy to be near your prestige and virtue and glad to approach you on my own initiative (qinggai means feeling like old friends at first meeting). Although I have not been able to offer fitting counsel, I still hope you will accept me. When Guan Yu read Lu Xun’s letter, he felt it carried a sense of humble self-entrustment. He replied: The general guards the western frontier fief and is Wu’s right arm. Not long after taking office, you think of this old man; I keep it in mind and wish to jointly support the Han house. At present there is a small victory; how dare I greedily claim Heaven’s achievement as my own? It is only that Jingzhou borders Lukou, and the two sides have harbored grievances for more than a day. My lord Liu Bei (the guajun) wishes to repay the trust placed in him by the young prince (the son of the former lord). The Chancellor (referring to Zhuge Liang) has the merit of defeating Cao Cao. According to the old covenant of clan alliance, Jingzhou is not Wu territory. Yet Lü Meng (A Meng) does not weigh the great righteousness and cunningly peers westward. This old man has not guarded his war chariots and has no proper defense. The general generously regards Cao Cao’s cunning as a worry. Is this not because you see Cao Cao’s usurpation and cannot share the same sky with him? You also consider that Shu—Liu Bei—is a descendant of the Han imperial clan and might perhaps be able to serve the Han with his life. As for the matter being at the Jing River while the intention points to the Luo River (a metaphor that action and aim each have their own direction), only the general can weigh and deal with it. My words are indeed as clear as the white sun. Do not cling to small merit; in the end, accomplish great virtue. Guan Yu then gradually withdrew his garrison troops and went to Fancheng. At that time, Mi Fang (formerly a general under Liu Bei), Administrator of Nanjun, was guarding Jiangling; General Fu Shiren was guarding Gong’an. Both had always resented Guan Yu for slighting them. Lu Xun reported the situation in detail to Sun Quan, who appointed Lü Meng as Grand Commander. When Lü Meng reached Xunyang, he hid all his elite troops in the ship cabins, secretly crossed the river, and covertly induced Mi Fang, Fu Shiren, and others to surrender. Lü Meng then drove straight into Jiangling. When Guan Yu and the others learned that Nanjun had been lost, on the twelfth day Ma Zhong (an Eastern Wu general) intercepted Guan Yu at Zhangxiang. Guan Yu, his son Guan Ping, Commander Zhao Lei, and others were all killed. Soon afterward Lü Meng also died of a sudden illness. Finally, “Chu Di” is a retrospective opening phrase, meaning “At first, Emperor Guan (Guan Yu),” and is used to introduce the retrospective account of Guan Yu’s past.

This passage records the life and historical assessment of Lord Guan the Sage Emperor (Guan Yu). The main content is as follows:

When Cao Cao's army moved south, generals like Cao Ren proposed pursuing Guan Yu. Advisor Zhao Yan dissuaded them, saying: "Now that Guan Yu is isolated without support, it would be better to leave him as a check against Sun Quan's forces." Cao Cao adopted this suggestion. Although Guan Yu was ultimately defeated, even his enemies held him in high esteem. Later, in the seventh year of Jianxing era (229 CE) of Shu Han, Guan Yu was posthumously honored as "Zhuangmou Marquis."

Guan Yu's second son Guan Xing (courtesy name Anguo) gained renown at a young age and was highly valued by Zhuge Liang. By age twenty, he already held important positions like Palace Attendant and Army Supervisor. After Guan Xing's death, his son Guan Tong inherited the title and rose to the rank of Tiger Guard General. When Guan Tong died without an heir, the title passed to Guan Xing's son by a concubine. Later, when Shu Han fell, Guan's descendants remained loyal unto death.

Historians commented: Guan Yu repaying Cao Cao's kindness, and Zhang Fei magnanimously releasing Yan Yan—these actions all demonstrated the demeanor of true statesmen. From Liu Bei's uprising in Xuzhou onward, Guan Yu followed Liu Bei for decades through hardships, always maintaining the mission to punish traitors. Particularly during the Xiangfan campaign, Guan Yu captured Yu Jin and executed Pang De, shaking the Central Plains with such might that Cao Cao considered moving the capital to avoid his momentum. Unfortunately, Lü Meng's surprise attack on Jingzhou later thwarted his success.

Attached is a brief chronology:

• Late reign of Emperor Ling of Han (184 CE): Guan Yu and Zhang Fei joined Liu Bei's uprising in Zhuo Commandery
• First year of Zhongping era (184 CE): Accompanied Liu Bei in suppressing the Yellow Turban rebels
• First year of Chuping era (190 CE): Joined Liu Bei's campaign against Dong Zhuo
• Second year of Chuping era (191 CE): When Liu Bei became Chancellor of Pingyuan, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei served as Separate Division Commanders
• Subsequent years: Continued accompanying Liu Bei's activities in the Pingyuan region

Note: "Huan Marquis" refers to Zhang Fei, "Marquis Wu" denotes Zhuge Liang, and "Aman" was Cao Cao's childhood name.

In the first year of Xingping, Guan Yu (called “Emperor” in his own biography) followed Liu Bei (called “the First Ruler” in his biography) in submitting to Tao Qian. Tao Qian memorialized to recommend Liu Bei as Inspector of Yu Province, and Liu Bei was stationed at Xiaopei.

In the first year of Jian’an, Cao Cao memorialized to recommend Liu Bei as General Who Guards the East. Lü Bu attacked and took Xiapi, and Zhang Fei (posthumous title Marquis Huan) was defeated and fled. Liu Bei then made peace and allied with Lü Bu, stationed himself at Xiaopei, and sent Guan Yu to guard Xiapi.

In the third year of Jian’an, Liu Bei returned to Xudu with Cao Cao. Cao Cao memorialized to recommend Liu Bei as General of the Left, and both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei served as Generals of the Household of the Left.

In the fourth year of Jian’an, Liu Bei raised troops in Xu Province to attack Cao Cao and sent Guan Yu to guard Xiapi, acting as Administrator.

In the first month of the fifth year of Jian’an, Guan Yu fought Cao Cao at Xiapi. After being defeated, he entered Xudu with Cao Cao, and the imperial court issued an edict appointing him Lieutenant General. In the fourth month, Guan Yu lifted the siege of Baima, and the imperial court issued an edict enfeoffing him as Marquis of Hanshou Pavilion. In the seventh month, Guan Yu took leave of Cao Cao and went to join Liu Bei.

In the sixth year of Jian’an, Guan Yu followed Liu Bei in submitting to Liu Biao; from the seventh to the twelfth year of Jian’an, he was in Jing Province.

In the thirteenth year of Jian’an, Liu Bei was defeated at Dangyang. Guan Yu led several hundred ships to meet Liu Bei at Hanjin, and afterward at Red Cliffs he accompanied the army in fighting Cao’s forces. Later, when Liu Bei and the Eastern Wu side besieged Cao Ren at Jiangling, he separately sent Guan Yu to cut off the Cao army’s northern passage.

In the fourteenth year of Jian’an, Liu Bei concurrently served as Governor of Jing Province and appointed Guan Yu as General Who Smashes the Caitiffs and Administrator of Xiangyang.

In the fifteenth year of Jian’an, Liu Bei sent Guan Yu to station north of the Yangtze.

In the sixteenth year of Jian’an, Liu Bei entered Yi Province, and Guan Yu, Zhuge Liang (posthumous title Marquis Wu), and others remained behind to guard Jing Province.

In the seventeenth year of Jian’an, Guan Yu confronted Cao Cao’s general Yue Jin at Qingni in Jing Province.

In the eighteenth year of Jian’an, Liu Bei turned his army back to attack Liu Zhang. Zhuge Liang and others led troops to pacify Baidi and Jiangyang, while only Guan Yu remained behind to guard Jing Province.

In the nineteenth year of Jian’an, Liu Bei captured Chengdu and rewarded Guan Yu, together with Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei, Fa Zheng (Liu Bei’s strategist), and others, each with five hundred jin of gold, one thousand jin of silver, five hundred thousand cash, and ten thousand bolts of brocade.

In the twentieth year of Jian’an, Liu Bei and Sun Quan divided Jing Province. Liu Bei ordered Guan Yu to guard Jiangling, and Sun Quan sent Lu Su (Eastern Wu general) to station at Lukou.

In the twenty-first year of Jian’an, Liu Bei returned to Chengdu.

In the twenty-second year of Jian’an, Liu Bei advanced his army into Hanzhong.

In the twenty-third year of Jian’an, Liu Bei was stationed at Yangping Pass.

In the third month of the twenty-fourth year of Jian’an, Liu Bei pacified Hanzhong. In the seventh month, Liu Bei declared himself King of Hanzhong. In the eighth month, Guan Yu led troops from Jiangling to besiege Cao Ren at Fancheng. Liu Bei sent Fei Shi, the Sima, to the army to appoint Guan Yu as General of the Front and granted him jiajie (a staff representing the emperor and delegating partial military authority).

The character “yue” is to be read together with the following passage: The Emperor (Guan Yu) captured the Wei general Yu Jin and killed the Wei general Pang De, his might shaking the Hua-Xia realm. In the tenth month, the army of Sun Quan (ruler of Wu) entered Jiangling. In the eleventh month, the Emperor withdrew westward to defend Maicheng. In the twelfth month, the Emperor died at Zhangxiang. When the Emperor first set out with his troops, he dreamed that a pig bit his foot, and he said to his son Guan Ping, “I am already old this year; I fear I will not be able to return.” The Emperor died that year, at about sixty years of age. This is probably based on Hu Qi’s account.

Examination of the lineage: an investigation of the Guan family lineage.

Hu Qi’s old gazetteer says that the Guan clan’s ancestors came from Guan Longfeng, a grandee of the Xia dynasty (a loyal minister of Xia). A stele inscription by Wang Zhudan of Xiezhou records: the Emperor’s grandfather, Lord Shipan, was named Shen, courtesy name Wenzhi; he was born in the second year of Yongyuan (gengyin) under Emperor He of Han and lived in Baochi li of Changping Village, Xiezhou. Lord Shipan was harmonious, calm, and solemn, and delighted in the Dao; he taught his son with the Yi and the Spring and Autumn Annals, and died in the second year of Yongshou (dingyou) under Emperor Huan of Han, aged sixty-eight. The Emperor’s father was named Yi, courtesy name Daoyuan; by nature extremely filial, after his father’s death he built a hut by the tomb and observed mourning for three years. When the mourning period ended, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the third year of Yanxi (gengzi) under Emperor Huan of Han, the Emperor was born. When the Emperor grew up, he married Lady Hu; in the first year of Guanghe (wuwu) under Emperor Ling of Han, on the thirteenth day of the fifth month, she gave birth to his son Guan Ping. The histories say the Emperor had two sons. The elder was named Ping; he prided himself on loyalty and righteousness and followed the Emperor in the Jing-Xiang region. In the winter, the twelfth month of the twenty-fourth year of Jian’an, when Lü Meng invaded, Guan Ping met his death. In the first year of Chongning under the Song, Guan Ping was enfeoffed as Marquis Wuling, and the temple plaque “Zhaokuang” was bestowed; in the early Qingyuan era, at the request of the defending official Gao Zirong, he was additionally enfeoffed as Marquis Wuling Weixian. The second son was named Xing, courtesy name Anguo; as a youth he already had a fine reputation, and the Chancellor, Marquis Wu Zhuge [Liang], thought highly of him. After the Emperor’s death, Guan Xing inherited the fief of Marquis of Hanshou Ting; at twenty he served as Palace Attendant and Central Army Supervisor. After Guan Xing died, his son Guan Tong inherited the title, married a princess, and rose to General of the Household of the Tiger Guards. After Guan Tong died without a son, Guan Xing’s son by a concubine [the original character is missing] was continued in the fief; this continuator of the fief died when Chengdu fell. In the Northern Wei there was Guan Lang; in the Tang there was Guan Bo. Historical records, the Guan family genealogy, and the traditions of the people of Xiezhou all say they were descendants of the Holy Emperor. Note: Guan Lang [the original character is missing] was a great Confucian of the Northern Wei, extremely skilled in divination and calculation; he once used a single hexagram to predict a hundred years ahead, knowing that the political succession would belong to the Tang and the orthodox transmission of the Dao would go to Wen Zhongzi (the great Confucian Wang Tong of the Sui). A book, Guan Langzi’s Divination, circulated in the world. Guan Kangzhi was a descendant of Guan Lang and excelled in the Zuo Commentary to the Spring and Autumn Annals; Guan Bo was a descendant of Guan Kang and during the Jianzhong era of Emperor Dezong of Tang served as Pingzhang Zhengshi. The Tongzhi says he was a man of Xiezhou and a descendant of the Holy Emperor. Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms contains an account of Pang De.

This passage examines the historical authenticity of Guan Yu's (the Saintly Emperor Guan) family lineage. The author refutes two extreme viewpoints:

The first is the exaggerated claim by Pang Hui (a general of the Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period) that he exterminated Guan Yu's entire family. The author dismisses this as nothing more than Pang Hui's personal vendetta and an unreliable exaggeration.

The second is the outright denial by some scholars of the authenticity of the "Changjing Brick"—an artifact said to record Guan Yu's genealogy. The author counters this skepticism with three legendary accounts that demonstrate the existence of supernatural phenomena:

1. The golden statue appearing in a dream and the white horse carrying Buddhist scriptures (the legend of Buddhism's introduction to China)

2. The Yellow Stone Elder (Huang Shigong) transmitting texts to Zhang Liang (a famous Daoist legend)

3. Manifestations of divine sages

The author argues that for a figure like Guan Di (Emperor Guan), whose loyalty and righteousness transcend heaven and earth, it would be unjust for the names of his ancestors to fade into obscurity. The passage concludes with a quote from Confucius: "Establish oneself in the Dao, spread one's name to later generations, and thereby honor one's parents." This underscores how Guan Yu's virtue reflects upon his forebears, much like the principle Confucius articulated.

(Note: The "Changjing Brick" refers to an inscribed ancient brick allegedly unearthed in Guan Yu's hometown, bearing records of his lineage. "Yellow Stone" refers to the Daoist immortal Huang Shigong, who transmitted The Grand Duke's Art of War to Zhang Liang.)