erished family with Imperial linkage, was known to be a man
of honour. He was later to distinguish himself by founding the
Later Han Dynasty. Kuan Yu, a powerful figure of more than
eight feet tall, possessed an enigmatic personality and integrity
which won him respect of all whom he met.Together these three newly sworn brothers set out and became
involved in military pursuits, Kuan Ti once serving under the
crafty and famous Ts’ao Ts’ao. ey displayed great military
prowess and fought many battles which can be read in full details
in the famous novels of “e Romance of the ree Kingdoms”.Kuan Yu proved himself worthy of the honour and affection of
those who fought with him for he was brave and generous and
was never known to turn aside from danger. He also proved his
fidelity on the occasion when he was taken prisoner together
with the wife and concubines of Liu Pei, and having been allo-
cated a common sleeping quarters with the ladies, he preserved
their reputation and his own trustworthiness by sitting all night
through, outside their door, reading a book under the bright
light of a candle. ere is also another version of this account
which stated that he stood through the night at the door of the
ladies’ room with a lighted lantern in his hand.In the recorded history of his life Kuan Yu had many occasions
to display his nobility, uprightness, integrity, loyalty and bravery.
He lived at a time of great distress and chaos when the virtue
of the Han Dynasty, set up in 202 B.C., began to decline and
uprising, warring, dissatisfactions and rebellions were rampant.
Temptations of acquiring wealth, fame and power did not deter