Chapter 48: Li Yangeng

Liu Xingpei said modestly, "I dare not assume so. His Majesty has graciously pardoned our grave offenses, so doing this is only our bounden duty."

Cao Wenzhao replied, "I am obliged to you, General Liu."

Only then did Liu Xingpei fully grasp Cao Wenzhao's intent. He understood that this was a matter of course; he and his brothers had first betrayed the Ming dynasty to side with the Later Jin, and now they had turned against the Later Jin to return to the Ming. Naturally, concrete proof of loyalty was indispensable to earn trust.

Without hesitation, Liu Xingpei drew his saber, struck off the head of a Niru Ejei, and lifted it high as he shouted, "Let all under my command ensure their blades are stained with the blood of the Jianzhou slaves, or face execution!"

There were three thousand Han troops in Fuzhou, and a single dead chieftain was hardly enough for everyone to demonstrate their allegiance. Consequently, the ground was soon littered with the mangled remains of Later Jin soldiers, and more than a few men vomited repeatedly from the carnage.

Only then did Cao Wenzhao say with satisfaction, "You have worked hard, General Liu. His Majesty has decreed that the Han troops who return to our allegiance shall have their past transgressions overlooked. Furthermore, General Liu has surrendered the city and slain the slaves, rendering a magnificent service."

Overjoyed, Liu Xingpei expressed his gratitude and gestured inviting the Imperial Guard to enter the city. Cao Wenzhao smiled and said, "I place absolute trust in General Liu. Our destination is Fuzhou first, so we will leave this city under General Liu's garrison."

Liu Xingpei was even more delighted. Although trouble might stir in Jinzhou, the Imperial Guard could easily double back from Fuzhou to quell it, yet receiving such profound trust was a matter of great joy. He smiled and said, "General Cao, noon is approaching, and we have prepared some modest provisions. I hope the General will not disdain them."

Observing his soldiers, who were somewhat exhausted from the tossing of the sea voyage, Cao Wenzhao said, "Then we shall trouble General Liu."

The soldiers of the Imperial Guard were naturally overjoyed to finally have a moment to rest. Moreover, the modest provisions prepared by Liu Xingpei were far from modest—they were so lavish that everyone ate with great satisfaction.

Liu Xingpei invited Cao Wenzhao and the other commanders to dine inside a tent, but Cao Wenzhao shook his head and replied, "We always share the exact same fare as our men. Let us eat right here."

Watching Cao Wenzhao and his officers walk toward the common soldiers, Liu Xingpei remarked to his younger brother Liu Xingbuan beside him, "This time, Second Brother finally did something right. The Imperial Guard is no longer comparable to the old Ming army."

Liu Xingbuan asked, "Does Big Brother believe the Ming army can annihilate the Jianzhou Tartars?"

Liu Xingpei smiled and said, "To attack a great state with a small domain is naturally an undertaking of extreme difficulty. It was only because the imperial court previously failed to pay heed to the Jianzhou, allowing them to grow strong by taking advantage of our lapses, and because the court's armies had long grown lax and chaotic during times of peace, that our forces repeatedly suffered at the hands of the Jianzhou. Now, with His Majesty's supreme wisdom and generals of this caliber leading the troops, the eradication of the Jianzhou is close at hand. That His Majesty could forgive our past actions—such magnanimity is truly enough to make us pledge our lives and allegiance."

Liu Xingbuan also smiled and said, "As long as we retain His Majesty's trust, return to the Ming, and restore the garments and caps of our ancestors, even a single day of such a life would leave me content."

The two brothers exchanged a smile, both feeling that their second brother had truly handled this matter impeccably.

Suddenly, Liu Xingbuan frowned and said, "I only wonder how General Cao will view Li Yongfang. I have some concerns regarding Yangeng."

Liu Xingpei's expression also shifted slightly. After a moment of thought, he said, "Second Brother should be able to handle this properly. If Li Yangeng can win the court's forgiveness, then all the Han generals in Liaodong will likely surrender at the mere first summons. Let us go and join General Cao for the meal."

With that, the two brothers walked over to Cao Wenzhao and the others, imitating their manner to eat alongside the soldiers. Whether the food was genuinely delicious or simply novel to them, both found today's meal exceptionally gratifying.

After a brief rest following the meal, Cao Wenzhao led the Second Brigade to advance toward Fuzhou, passing through Shihe Post, Legu Pass, and Pangu Fortress. At every single location, Han generals knelt to welcome them, and thus, by the afternoon of the second day, they finally arrived beneath the walls of Fuzhou City.

Liu Xingzong, accompanied by his brothers Liu Xingji, Liu Xingliang, Liu Xingren, and their subordinate officers, awaited the Imperial Guard outside the city walls. Liu Xingzong had thorny branches bound to his back, his bare upper body shivering in the biting wind. While the other members of the Liu family did not wear thorny branches, another man standing beside Liu Xingzong also bore thorny branches, with a straw marker thrust into his hair.

The moment they caught sight of Cao Wenzhao, the kneeling men cried out in unison: "We, sinners deserving a myriad deaths—Liu Xingzong, Li Yangeng, Liu Xingji, Liu Xingliang, Liu Xingren, and others—welcome the heavenly emissary and await the General's punishment."

Cao Wenzhao immediately leaped from his horse, strode quickly to Liu Xingzong, helped him to his feet, and cast aside the thorny branches on his back. "General Liu's heart has remained with his native land, and that you have awakened to the truth leads His Majesty to say you are still fine sons of Huaxia," Cao Wenzhao said. "In the days to come, the affairs of Liaodong will require much labor from General Liu. Rise, all of you; I cannot lift you each individually."

The company chorused, "We thank His Majesty for his benevolence," and stood up. However, the man kneeling beside Liu Xingzong with thorny branches remained on the ground, crying out, "This humble subject's transgressions are too profound; I dare not rise."

Cao Wenzhao looked toward Liu Xingzong, who cupped his fists and explained, "This is Li Yangeng, the eldest son of the bogus Jin Regional Commander Li Yongfang. He harbors a deep hatred for his father's vile deeds and consistently aided me in my escape. Yesterday, he even joined me in slaughtering the Jianzhou elements in Fuzhou. I beg General Cao to pardon his offenses." With that, he dropped to his knees and knocked his head repeatedly.

Cao Wenzhao paused for a moment, then asked in a low, uncertain voice, "The son of Li Yongfang?"

Liu Xingzong replied in an equally low tone, "Precisely. I beseech General Cao to show mercy."

After pondering for a moment, Cao Wenzhao stepped forward, helped Li Yangeng to his feet, stripped the thorny branches from his back, and unclasped his own brocade robe, intending to drape it over the man's shoulders.

With tears streaming down his face, Li Yangeng refused, saying, "This humble subject is laden with sin and unworthy of such courtesy from General Cao."

Insisting on draping the brocade robe over him, Cao Wenzhao said, "His Majesty once stated that unfiliality is a grave violation of human relations, but to be unfilial for the sake of one's ethnicity and country is the greatest filial piety. Brother Li's actions may well be called supreme filial piety."

Prostrating himself, Li Yangeng wept bitterly. "Because this humble subject could not bear to bring shame upon our ancestors, I constantly opposed my father's actions and lived in perpetual trepidation. Today, upon hearing the sage decree, I realize at last that I did not err. Your Majesty, this humble subject is guilty!"

Raising him up, Cao Wenzhao said, "His Majesty has declared that every man must bear his own crimes, and punishment does not extend to wives and children. Not only are you innocent, but you have rendered a service. I shall memorialize His Majesty to claim credit on your behalf. Come, let us enter the city together."

Within Fuzhou City, the Later Jin people had been thoroughly eradicated. Liu Xingzong led Cao Wenzhao to view the severed heads of the slain Later Jin inhabitants. Cao Wenzhao instructed, "Collect these heads properly, combine them with the heads of the Jianzhou from the other prefectures, and send them back together to Juehua Island to claim rewards for all of you."

Overjoyed, Liu Xingzong responded, "A banquet has already been prepared. We invite General Cao to grace us with his presence."

To set Liu Xingzong's mind completely at ease, Cao Wenzhao declared during the banquet, "The memorial requesting rewards for General Liu and the others has already been dispatched to the capital by the General Staff. Tonight, this commander shall report the matter concerning General Li directly to His Majesty. You need only await the good news in peace."