Top 7 Summaries of the excerpt 'The Drum of the Old City' from Chapter 28 of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'

After the fall of Xu Zhou, the three sworn brothers, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, went their separate ways. Guan Yu, in a tight spot, sought refuge with Cao Cao under the condition that he would only serve the Han and never betray his brothers. Upon hearing that Liu Bei was with Yuan Shao, Guan Yu left Cao Cao’s land, defeating six of Cao Cao’s generals who tried to block his path and escorting his two sisters-in-law back. On the way, Guan Yu encountered Zhang Fei in the Old City. Overjoyed at the reunion, Guan Yu was shocked when Zhang Fei, having heard rumors of his supposed betrayal by joining Cao Cao, came out to confront him. Despite the pleas of their two sisters-in-law, Zhang Fei did not relent and even drew his spear to threaten Guan Yu. Thankfully, Guan Yu narrowly avoided the attack. The confrontation escalated until a soldier from Cao Cao's army, seeking revenge for the death of Qian Qi, caught up with them and explained the true situation, which led Zhang Fei to finally believe in his brother. Zhang Fei tearfully apologized, kneeling before Guan Yu in remorse.

Guan Yu, with his two sisters-in-law, reached the Old City and heard that Zhang Fei was there. Excited, he sent Sun Can into the city to inform Zhang Fei to come out and greet him. Upon hearing the message, Zhang Fei immediately put on his armor, grabbed his spear, and mounted his horse, leading a thousand troops toward the northern gate. When the two brothers met, Guan Yu was overjoyed, but Zhang Fei, suspicious that Guan Yu had defected to Cao Cao and broken their sacred bond, charged toward him with his spear, ignoring the pleas of Guan Yu and the two ladies. Just as the situation became tense, the sound of drums in the distance signaled the arrival of a force led by Cai Yang from Cao Cao's army. This enraged Zhang Fei further, and he demanded that Guan Yu prove his loyalty by killing the officer immediately. With a single strike, Guan Yu beheaded Cai Yang, and the head rolled to the ground. This act convinced Zhang Fei of his brother’s loyalty. Zhang Fei then invited Guan Yu and his sisters-in-law into the city, where he knelt and apologized, asking for forgiveness.

'The Drum of the Old City' is an excerpt from Chapter 28 of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms.' It narrates how Guan Yu clears his name, dispels suspicions, and resolves the misunderstanding with Zhang Fei. Upon hearing that Liu Bei was with Yuan Shao, Guan Yu immediately set out with his two sisters, reaching the Old City, where he learned that Zhang Fei was nearby. Filled with joy, Guan Yu went to see his brother, but Zhang Fei mistakenly believed that Guan Yu had betrayed their bond and joined Cao Cao. When Sun Can brought news that Guan Yu had escorted his sisters-in-law from Xudu, Zhang Fei was furious and intended to kill Guan Yu. However, after hearing that Cai Yang, a general from Cao Cao's army, was pursuing them, Guan Yu accepted Zhang Fei's challenge to prove his loyalty. With the sound of a single drumbeat, Guan Yu decapitated Cai Yang. Only then did Zhang Fei believe his brother and, after hearing about Guan Yu's trials, he wept and bowed to apologize.

'The Drum of the Old City' is from Chapter 28 of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms.' Guan Yu was taking his two sisters-in-law to Ruman and, upon reaching the Old City, learned that Zhang Fei was there. Overjoyed, he sent Sun Can into the city to ask Zhang Fei to greet them. However, Zhang Fei, who was angry and mistakenly thought that Guan Yu had betrayed their bond to Cao Cao, donned his armor, grabbed his spear, and led a thousand soldiers to the gate. As soon as he saw Guan Yu, he charged, intending to kill him. Guan Yu was caught off guard but managed to avoid the spear, narrowly escaping death. Even though the two sisters-in-law pleaded with Zhang Fei to understand the truth, he refused to believe them. Then, as Cai Yang, a general from Cao Cao's army, appeared in the distance, Zhang Fei grew even angrier and demanded that Guan Yu prove his loyalty by killing him. Without hesitation, Guan Yu swung his blade and decapitated Cai Yang in an instant. Upon seeing this and hearing of Guan Yu's hardships, Zhang Fei finally accepted his brother's loyalty and invited them into the city, where he knelt and apologized.

The excerpt from the story 'The Drumbeat of the Ancient City' is from chapter 28. Quan Gong is escorting his two sisters to Ruo Nan. Upon reaching the Ancient City, they hear that Zhang Fei is nearby. Quan Gong, overjoyed, sends Sun Can into the city to inform Zhang Fei to come out and greet his sisters.

At that time, Zhang Fei was enraged. Upon hearing the news, he ordered his soldiers to open the city gates, and rode alone with a halberd, rushing out to kill Quan Gong. Although caught off guard, Quan Gong narrowly avoided death. Despite his sisters’ repeated explanations, Zhang Fei refused to acknowledge Quan Gong's loyalty.

As the tension heightened, suddenly, from afar, Sài Yang appeared with soldiers from Cao Cao, charging toward them. This only fueled Zhang Fei’s fury, and he demanded that Van Chuang take the head of the enemy general as proof of loyalty. Quan Gong said nothing, wielded his dragon blade, and within a single drumbeat, Sài Yang’s head was on the ground. It was then that Zhang Fei finally accepted the truth. He invited the two sisters into the city and, bowing his head, apologized to Quan Gong.

Upon learning that Liu Bei was in the northern lands of Yan Xiu, Guan Yu set out to find him with his two sisters (Liu Bei's wives). Cao Cao, not wanting to part with Guan Yu, avoided meeting him and refused to grant him a pass to cross the checkpoints. Although Cao Cao's generals blocked Guan Yu’s passage, he fought his way through.

At the Dongling Pass, he killed Kong Tu.

At the Luoyang Pass, he killed Han Fu and Meng Shou.

At the Yishui Pass, he killed Bian Xi.

At the Huanyang Pass, he killed Wang Shi.

Upon reaching the banks of the Yellow River, he killed Tan Ji.

Finally, when Guan Yu arrived at the Ancient City, he thought he was about to reunite with his brother, but instead, he was confronted by Zhang Fei, who was furious—his eyes wide and his beard standing on end, shouting and charging at Guan Yu with his spear. In the midst of this, Sài Dương arrived with his troops to capture Guan Yu. Zhang Fei’s suspicions deepened... It wasn't until Sài Dương's head was severed by Guan Yu that Zhang Fei stopped his fury and calmed down. Only after hearing the full story from the soldiers did he believe it, shedding tears and kneeling in apology to Guan Yu.

"The Drumbeat of the Ancient City" is excerpted from chapter 28, titled "Slaying Sài Dương, the Brothers Reconcile. In the Ancient City, I, the Lord, Reunite with My Brothers." In this passage, in order to clear his name and dispel Zhang Fei's doubts and misunderstandings, Guan Yu immediately accepts the condition that Zhang Fei sets: He must take Sài Dương's head before the third drumbeat. Without waiting for the third beat, after the first drumbeat, Sài Dương's head falls to the ground. Guan Yu acts swiftly because he wants to immediately demonstrate his loyalty, hoping to resolve Zhang Fei's misunderstanding. On the other hand, Zhang Fei, believing that Guan Yu was living under Cao Cao, a sworn enemy, assumed Guan Yu had betrayed them. When he hears that Guan Yu is bringing his wife from Xudu, Zhang Fei, in a fit of rage, plans to kill him. Only after seeing Guan Yu decapitate Sài Dương, a general of Cao Cao, and hearing the full story from a soldier of Cao Cao, does Zhang Fei come to understand Guan Yu's true loyalty. Overcome with emotion, Zhang Fei sheds tears and bows in apology to Guan Yu.