Yuan Shao orders General Yan Liang to lead the troops on the expedition against Cao Cao. When Cao Cao receives news of this, he wishes to lead his troops personally to meet the enemy. Guan Yu wants to take the assignment to lead the troops forward in order to repay Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao does not agree, and asks Guan Yu to protect the Emperor in Xuchang.
袁紹命大將顔良領兵討伐曹操。曹操見報欲親自領兵去會敵。關羽想討差領兵前去，好立功報答曹操。曹操未允，說要關羽在許昌保護天子。