Guan Yu spared Cao Cao primarily for the sake of old loyalties and a profound sense of gratitude stemming from Cao Cao's past kindnesses and respect shown towards him. This pivotal decision, occurring at Huarong Pass after the Battle of Red Cliffs, highlights Guan Yu's unwavering personal code of honor and righteousness (yi).
The Crossroads at Huarong Pass
Following their crushing defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs, Cao Cao and his remaining forces were in a desperate retreat through Huarong Pass. Unbeknownst to them, Zhuge Liang, the strategist for Liu Bei, had shrewdly anticipated Cao Cao's escape route and strategically placed Guan Yu in ambush. Zhuge Liang had assigned Guan Yu to this critical location despite knowing Guan Yu's compassionate nature, understanding the moral dilemma he would face.
The Weight of Past Kindnesses
Guan Yu's decision to spare Cao Cao was not a sudden impulse but the culmination of a deep-seated debt of gratitude. During an earlier period when Guan Yu was temporarily separated from his sworn brother Liu Bei and served under Cao Cao, Cao Cao treated him with immense generosity and respect. These gestures created a bond of obligation that Guan Yu, known for his integrity, could not disregard.
Key instances of Cao Cao's kindness included:
- Respect and Admiration: Cao Cao showed profound admiration for Guan Yu's martial prowess and moral character, treating him as a valued guest rather than a captive.
- Lavish Gifts: He bestowed upon Guan Yu numerous valuable gifts, including:
- High military ranks and noble titles.
- Gold, silver, and luxurious robes.
- Most famously, the legendary horse Red Hare, which was critical for Guan Yu's battlefield mobility.
- Honoring His Vow: Crucially, Cao Cao honored Guan Yu's stated desire to eventually return to Liu Bei. When Guan Yu decided to leave, Cao Cao allowed him to depart without hindrance, even after Guan Yu had repaid some of Cao Cao's kindness by slaying two of Yuan Shao's formidable generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, at the Battle of Boma.
Guan Yu's Code of Honor (Yi)
Guan Yu was a paragon of yi (義), a Chinese concept encompassing righteousness, loyalty, honor, and justice. For Guan Yu, repaying kindness was as fundamental as upholding loyalty to his sworn brothers. When Cao Cao, defeated and vulnerable, pleaded for his life and reminded Guan Yu of their shared past, Guan Yu found himself in an agonizing moral quandary. His personal code dictated that he could not bring himself to kill a man who had shown him such great kindness, even if it meant disobeying a direct military order from Zhuge Liang and accepting punishment.
The Consequences
Guan Yu's act of mercy at Huarong Pass allowed Cao Cao to escape and rebuild his forces, thereby prolonging the era of the Three Kingdoms. While Guan Yu was prepared to face military justice for his insubordination, Zhuge Liang ultimately pardoned him, acknowledging the extraordinary circumstances and Guan Yu's unyielding moral character. This event further cemented Guan Yu's legendary status as a figure of unparalleled loyalty and honor, even as it added a dramatic layer of complexity to the narrative of the Three Kingdoms.
