Maybe you guys would be surprised with how I changed things within Guan Yu. Honestly, had it not been my discussion with more neutral people about history, I wouldn't have changed those. At any rate, these are the sources:
====
San Guo Zhi (about Guan Yu being arrogant in Cao Cao's services)
In the fifth year of Jian’an 建安, Duke Cao campaigned in the east and the Former Lord fled to Yuan Shao 袁紹. The Duke captured Yu and brought him back. He made him Lieutenant-General 偏將軍, treating him with high honours. Shao sent his great general Yan Liang 顏良 to attack Liu Yan 劉延, Grand Administrator of Dongjun commandery 東郡太守, at Baima 白馬. Duke Cao sent Zhang Liao 張遼 and Yu as vanguard. Yu saw the standard on the chariot of Liang. He urged his mount on, speared Yan Liang in the ranks of the ten-thousand, and brought his head back. None of Shao’s generals were a match for him and thus the siege of Baima was unravelled. Duke Cao subsequently recommended Yu for enfeoffment as Marquis of Hanshouting 漢壽亭侯. From the offset, Duke Cao had valued the way Yu conducted himself but he detected that he had no thought of remaining for long, and said to Zhang Liao: “Use your friendship to test him out.” Soon Liao questioned Yu, Yu sighed: “I know very well that the Duke Cao has treated me well, but I have received General Liu’s earnest benevolence, and sworn to die by him. I cannot betray him. In the end I will not be able to stay, but I will repay Duke Cao with meritorious service before I leave.” Zhang Liao reported Yu’s words to Duke, and the Duke saw the justice of it (3). After Yu had killed Yan Liang, Duke Cao knew that he would leave, and rewarded him generously. Yu sealed all which was bestowed, left a farewell letter, and set off for the Former Lord in the Yuan army. Although his attendants urged pursuit, Duke Cao said: “Each vassal is for his lord, do not give chase (4).”
3: Fuzi 傅子: Zhang Liao wanted to report it to the Grand Progenitor, but feared that he would kill Yu. But not reporting it was not the way a man served his lord. So he sighed and said: “Duke, you are my lord and father whilst Yu is my brother.” Then he submitted his report. The Grand Progenitor said: “A man who serves his lord does not forget his origins, he is a just gentleman of the empire. When do you think he will leave?” Zhang Liao said: “Yu has received your benevolence. He will leave after he has repaid you.”
4: Your subject [Pei] Songzhi [裴]松之considers that Duke Cao knew that Yu was not going to stay, and admired his determination. By not sending someone in pursuit when Yu left, he confirmed his sense of righteousness. If he did not have the magnanimity of a hegemon, how could he accomplish this? Truly, this was the virtue of Duke Cao.
Appraisal: It was said that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were the match of ten thousand men and tiger generals of their times. Guan Yu repaid Duke Cao and Zhang Fei treated Yan Yan with rectitude; both had the airs of statesmen. However, Guan Yu was headstrong and Zhang Fei crude and heartless. It is the standard moral that they fell due to these weaknesses. Ma Chao relied on the Rong and was conceited in his valiance. For this his entire clan was exterminated, what a ignominy! But to gain peace in such a predicament, is this not some recompense? Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun were firm, courageous and both were of immense service. They were probably the like of Guan Ying and the Lord of Teng [Xiahou Ying].
(About Lu Meng's campaign against Guan Yu being easy)
San Guo Zhi
When Yǔ set out with the army, Fāng and Rén were in charge of the military supplies, but did not provide assistance. Yǔ said: “When I return I will deal with them.” Fāng and Rén were afraid and could not be at ease. Therefore Quán secretly enticed Fāng and Rén, and Fāng and Rén sent people to invite Quán.
SGZ 54/Wu 9, 1278, suggests this incident was the trigger for Sun Quan to move against Guan Yu, but it is clear that preparations had been made well before. The Xiangguan incident may have served as an item of propaganda to justify the attack.
(Guan Yu slaying Yan Liang and how 'fearsome' Yan Liang was)
With Guan Yu, it is hardly going to be a fair account when one goes "all the stuff I know he achieved? Doesn't count." That isn't a fair way of considering any man. Was killing Yan Liang a big deal? Yes. There were only six other officer on officer kills in the entire era so Guan Yu did something unexpected and rare. Who was Yan Liang? One of Yuan Shao's most celebrated officers at time. His death and that of Wen Chou would have a noted affect on morale.
====
I hope it clears things up and maybe we should base things more on San Guo Zhi, not that pro-Wei, anti-Shu site.
Maybe you guys would be surprised with how I changed things within Guan Yu. Honestly, had it not been my discussion with more neutral people about history, I wouldn't have changed those. At any rate, these are the sources:
====
San Guo Zhi (about Guan Yu being arrogant in Cao Cao's services)
In the fifth year of Jian’an 建安, Duke Cao campaigned in the east and the Former Lord fled to Yuan Shao 袁紹. The Duke captured Yu and brought him back. He made him Lieutenant-General 偏將軍, treating him with high honours. Shao sent his great general Yan Liang 顏良 to attack Liu Yan 劉延, Grand Administrator of Dongjun commandery 東郡太守, at Baima 白馬. Duke Cao sent Zhang Liao 張遼 and Yu as vanguard. Yu saw the standard on the chariot of Liang. He urged his mount on, speared Yan Liang in the ranks of the ten-thousand, and brought his head back. None of Shao’s generals were a match for him and thus the siege of Baima was unravelled. Duke Cao subsequently recommended Yu for enfeoffment as Marquis of Hanshouting 漢壽亭侯. From the offset, Duke Cao had valued the way Yu conducted himself but he detected that he had no thought of remaining for long, and said to Zhang Liao: “Use your friendship to test him out.” Soon Liao questioned Yu, Yu sighed: “I know very well that the Duke Cao has treated me well, but I have received General Liu’s earnest benevolence, and sworn to die by him. I cannot betray him. In the end I will not be able to stay, but I will repay Duke Cao with meritorious service before I leave.” Zhang Liao reported Yu’s words to Duke, and the Duke saw the justice of it (3). After Yu had killed Yan Liang, Duke Cao knew that he would leave, and rewarded him generously. Yu sealed all which was bestowed, left a farewell letter, and set off for the Former Lord in the Yuan army. Although his attendants urged pursuit, Duke Cao said: “Each vassal is for his lord, do not give chase (4).”
3: Fuzi 傅子: Zhang Liao wanted to report it to the Grand Progenitor, but feared that he would kill Yu. But not reporting it was not the way a man served his lord. So he sighed and said: “Duke, you are my lord and father whilst Yu is my brother.” Then he submitted his report. The Grand Progenitor said: “A man who serves his lord does not forget his origins, he is a just gentleman of the empire. When do you think he will leave?” Zhang Liao said: “Yu has received your benevolence. He will leave after he has repaid you.”
4: Your subject [Pei] Songzhi [裴]松之considers that Duke Cao knew that Yu was not going to stay, and admired his determination. By not sending someone in pursuit when Yu left, he confirmed his sense of righteousness. If he did not have the magnanimity of a hegemon, how could he accomplish this? Truly, this was the virtue of Duke Cao.
Appraisal: It was said that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were the match of ten thousand men and tiger generals of their times. Guan Yu repaid Duke Cao and Zhang Fei treated Yan Yan with rectitude; both had the airs of statesmen. However, Guan Yu was headstrong and Zhang Fei crude and heartless. It is the standard moral that they fell due to these weaknesses. Ma Chao relied on the Rong and was conceited in his valiance. For this his entire clan was exterminated, what a ignominy! But to gain peace in such a predicament, is this not some recompense? Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun were firm, courageous and both were of immense service. They were probably the like of Guan Ying and the Lord of Teng [Xiahou Ying].
(About Lu Meng's campaign against Guan Yu being easy)
San Guo Zhi
When Yǔ set out with the army, Fāng and Rén were in charge of the military supplies, but did not provide assistance. Yǔ said: “When I return I will deal with them.” Fāng and Rén were afraid and could not be at ease. Therefore Quán secretly enticed Fāng and Rén, and Fāng and Rén sent people to invite Quán.
Research by Dr. Rafe de Crespigny
SGZ 54/Wu 9, 1278, suggests this incident was the trigger for Sun Quan to move against Guan Yu, but it is clear that preparations had been made well before. The Xiangguan incident may have served as an item of propaganda to justify the attack.
(Guan Yu slaying Yan Liang and how 'fearsome' Yan Liang was)
Scholar Forum
With Guan Yu, it is hardly going to be a fair account when one goes "all the stuff I know he achieved? Doesn't count." That isn't a fair way of considering any man. Was killing Yan Liang a big deal? Yes. There were only six other officer on officer kills in the entire era so Guan Yu did something unexpected and rare. Who was Yan Liang? One of Yuan Shao's most celebrated officers at time. His death and that of Wen Chou would have a noted affect on morale.
====
I hope it clears things up and maybe we should base things more on San Guo Zhi, not that pro-Wei, anti-Shu site.