Title: The Lost Bladesman – 關雲長

The film opens with a scene of Cao Cao attending Guan Yu’s funeral – Guan’s decapitated head is buried with a wooden statue in place of his body. The scene then flashbacks to 20 years ago: Guan Yu had been separated from his sworn brother Liu Bei, and he temporarily served Cao Cao while he waited for news of Liu’s whereabouts. At the Battle of Baima between Cao Cao and his rival, Yuan Shao, Guan Yu slew Yuan’s general Yan Liang and lifted the siege on Baima. As a reward, Cao Cao recommended that the emperor grant Guan Yu the title of “Marquis of Hanshou” (漢壽亭侯) and promote him to the rank of a lieutenant general (偏將軍).
Liu Bei’s family and his concubine, Qilan, were staying in Cao Cao’s territory together with Guan Yu. Cao Cao constantly presented Guan Yu with precious gifts, hoping that the general will be touched and decide to remain by his side, but Guan refused to renounce his loyalty to Liu Bei. When there were news that Liu Bei had sought refuge under Yuan Shao, Guan Yu negotiated with Cao Cao to release Liu Bei’s family, and Cao agreed, while Qilan remained behind with Guan. As Cao Cao was aware that Guan Yu was secretly in love with Qilan, he tricked Guan into consuming wine spiked with aphrodisiac, in hope that Guan would express his feelings to Qilan. However, Guan Yu managed to remain rational and did not take his sworn brother’s concubine for himself. He and Qilan made preparations to leave Cao Cao after that.