Zhang Fei Number 21- Opera "Reed Marsh"

Zhang Fei with a black-cross butterfly face, plays the leading character in "Reed
Marsh," an act adapted in the opera "Sweet-Dew Temple". This opera is adapted
from an episode in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a long historical novel and
literary classic by Luo Guanzhong (c. 1330-1400). Accompanying Liu Bei in his
quest were Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, a warrior who wielded an 18-foot Octane-
Serpent Spear. Zhang Fei rose up with the confederate league to expel Dong Zhou
from Luoyang. In the struggle at Tiger Trap Pass, he intercepted Lu Bu's spear with
his spear to save Gongsun Zan. Zhang Fei and Lu Bu fought one-on-one as the din
of their blows rose to the skies. Though neither man could gain an edge, Zhang Fei
won military glory with the display of his prowess. He is said to have the strength
of Lu Bu and a fighting skill of Ma Chao. Cheng Yu, a rival, remarked out of fear and
admiration, "The strength of Zhang Fei and Guan Yu combined is equal to an army
of ten thousand soldiers!"

Guan Yu Number 22 - Opera "Huarong Path"

Guan Yu with a red full face, plays the leading character in "Huarong Path," an act
in the Beijing opera Battle of Red Cliff." Cao Cao the ruler of Wei, was totally
defeated in the battle, and Zhuge Liang sent his generals to intercept him at
various places along the route of his retreat. He assigned no task to Guan Yu (?-
219), who was then Shu's top general. When Guan Yu remonstrated and demanded
a part in the battle, Zhuge Liang ordered him to prepare an ambush at Huarong
Path. Cao Cao arrived at the path with only 18 followers and begged Guan Yu to let
him pass. The old general, unable to forget how generously Cao Cao had once
treated him, ordered his troops to disperse, allowing Cao Cao and his stragglers to
slip through. Guan Yu in the later Han dynasty, a period of instability in Chinese
history as warring factions tried to wrest control from the weak Han rulers. This
turbulent era and Guan Yu's exploits have been colorfully recorded in the Chinese
classic, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Guan Yu had to leave his village after
killing a bully who had been harassing the other villagers. After wandering for five
years, he met a member of the Han royal family, Liu Bei and another brave man,
Zhang Fei. Liu Bei was planning to raise an army to help the Han king, and Guan Yu
and Zhang Fei decided do join him in his task. The three men took such a liking to
each other that they took an oath to be sworn brothers in the Peach Garden.