Three Knights in Wind and Dust, by Ren Yi

"This painting illustrates a moment from a short story entitled ‘Tale of the Curly-bearded Stranger’. In this tale, at the end of the brutal Sui dynasty in early seventh century China, three knights-errant lend their assistance to the future founders of the great Tang empire. Li Jing was a decorated warrior who wished to serve the Sui, but eloped with a beautiful assassin, known as Red Duster lady. She met and was deeply impressed by a knight-errant opposed to injustice, who went by the bizarre name of Curly-bearded Stranger. The three vow to overthrow the Sui. This painting portrays the conspirators at the end of the story, when the Curly-bearded Stranger gives the lovers all his money, and declares he must return to his kingdom far away."

—Chester Beatty Library