Chapter Nine: Quelling the January Sect Rebellion

The cavalry’s pursuit scattered the White Lotus army in all directions. Cao Wenzhao fixed his gaze on Xu Heyu’s large banner. He had no interest in these weak soldiers; only this so-called “Heroic Martyr King” was worth capturing for some amusement. Taking Zou County would be a small achievement—better than nothing. So he ordered his troops to hold back their speed, not to rush, but to closely follow Xu Heyu.

Xu Heyu couldn’t comprehend how he had been defeated. Since the uprising began, the local troops had always crumbled at the first touch, yet this so-called Imperial Guard was extraordinarily formidable. If Cao Wenzhao knew his thoughts, he would surely tell him, “It’s not that our army is too strong, but that your army is utterly useless.”

Finally, Xu Heyu reached the suspension bridge, shouting as he ran, “Raise the suspension bridge! Quickly, raise it!” Cao Wenzhao deliberately restrained the Imperial Guard cavalry’s speed, waiting for this very moment. About thirty steps behind the banner, he saw Xu Heyu mount the bridge and immediately shouted, “Accelerate! Secure the city gates! Capture Zou County!” He urged his horse forward, the twang of his bowstring sounding as two arrows were shot toward the city gate, felling the two men preparing to close it. Then, reversing his bow behind his back, he drew a spear and pinned Xu Heyu to the gate. By then, he had ridden past the gate archway. A shower of arrows rained down, knocking his horse to the ground, but before it fell, he leapt off, wielding a long blade to form an impenetrable shield against the incoming arrows. With a few bounds, he was atop the city wall, flashing his blade to cleave a commanding archer in two. His cavalry had already charged through, slaughtering those at the gate and shooting down the rebels managing the suspension bridge. He leapt down from the wall, kicked a mounted rebel off his horse, landed perfectly on his own steed, raised his blade high, and declared, “Xu Heyu is dead. The Emperor’s decree: only the ringleaders shall be punished; collaborators will be spared.” His comrades shouted as they charged into the city.

When Yang Guangkui’s infantry entered the city, Cao Wenzhao had already secured all four gates. After urgently interrogating the White Lotus leaders, they learned that Xu Hongru had fled to Teng County. Orders were given for the army to rest, preparing to attack Teng County the next day.

Two banners were left to guard Zou County. By noon on June fifteenth, the Imperial Guard reached Teng County. Defeated soldiers from Zou County brought news that Xu Heyu had been killed by the Imperial Guard. The White Lotus forces shut the gates tight, unwilling to fight. Yang Guangkui ordered the army to cook, while Cao Wenzhao led the cavalry to circle the city, brandishing banners and shouting slogans. The townsfolk on the battlements watched the show of force with varied expressions.

At one-thirty in the afternoon, the siege began. The main assault targeted the south gate, while other gates were guarded by a company of infantry and a banner of cavalry to prevent Xu Hongru from breaking out. Yang Guangkui had the infantry halt out of bowshot, then advanced with the newly crafted siege cannons. The solid cannonballs, weighing five and a half pounds but known as six-pounders, struck the city gate, shaking it violently. After a dozen shots, the gate was shattered to splinters. The cannon was then aimed at the walls, sending bricks flying and forcing the defenders to retreat inside, crying out in distress. After over a hundred rounds, no White Lotus soldier remained near the south gate.

With a wave of his hand, Yang Guangkui sent the logistics troops forward to lay wooden planks across the moat, then quickly pulled them back. A shield-bearing infantry unit entered the breached gate, followed closely by musketeers. As the shield bearers emerged, logs and stones were hurled down, knocking several to the ground. The musketeers fired a volley, scattering defenders, then shouted a charge, bayonets at the ready, rushing inside. Yang Guangkui led a continuous stream of infantry into the city. Scattered resistance quickly disintegrated beneath bullet and bayonet alike.

Soon, they reached the former county magistrate’s office. A few men appeared, dragging a captive and shouting, “Cease fire! We surrender! This is the rebel Xu Hongru—we’ve captured him.” Then they knelt together. It was the White Lotus military governor Hou Wang and general Wei Qi, seeing the hopelessness of the situation, who had bound Xu Hongru and come to surrender.

Xu Hongru hung his head in silence. Yang Guangkui summoned the captured prisoners for identification; all confirmed it was indeed Xu Hongru. He ordered Xu to be held temporarily at the magistrate’s office under guard and sent a signal to Cao Wenzhao to rush over.

Cao Wenzhao arrived with the White Lotus core members captured at Zou County, confirming Xu Hongru’s identity and finally allowing himself to relax. He immediately dispatched cavalry to spread the word: Xu Hongru had been captured, and all remaining followers were urged to lay down their arms for amnesty.

News of Xu Hongru’s capture spread quickly among the Imperial Guard, prompting most of the White Lotus followers to surrender. The few who chose to resist stubbornly were swiftly crushed by the overwhelming firepower, realizing that fragile eggs could not clash against stone. After heavy casualties, they too surrendered.

Officials across the region dared to return to their original posts, surveying the ruined cities and the magistrate’s offices fouled with filth left by the rebels. Their wrath was vented fully upon the captured leaders. Landowners, returning home, also rounded up local followers under various pretexts, delivering them to the authorities to demand compensation for their losses.

The rebels were mostly poor peasants—how could they possibly compensate the landlords and gentry? At this time, an imperial edict was issued, decreeing that unless one was a ringleader or had committed grave offenses, the captured rebels were not to be killed arbitrarily.

Yet the officials and gentry needed outlets for their fury. Since common rebels could not be executed, attention turned to the leaders, each of whom bore blood on their hands. Those found responsible for one death were executed outright; those with multiple deaths not only faced death themselves but had their families executed as well. Thus, the core of the White Lotus in Shandong was nearly wiped out. Without leaders, no organized cult activity could take root in the province for years.

From the march on May thirteenth to the capture of Xu Hongru by June fifteenth, just over a month had passed, effectively quelling the White Lotus rebellion. Other regions preparing to rise in support breathed a sigh of relief, silently congratulating themselves on their restraint, lest they share Xu Hongru’s fate.

Yang Guangkui escorted Xu Hongru and his family in a prison cart to the capital, while the Imperial Guard rested in Zou County. Upon arrival, the Emperor ordered Xu Hongru to be executed by slow slicing. Except for minors under fifteen, all his family members were beheaded. All rebel leaders, regardless of rank, were also beheaded, with their heads displayed throughout Shandong. The edict forbade the spread of the White Lotus or “Fragrant Sect” under penalty of death nationwide.

Thank you for your support! To show my gratitude to the patrons and readers, I will add an extra chapter tonight, in which Roundy begins his journey.