History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 237 Liu Shouguang Becomes Emperor 3
Zhou Dewei led the main force to attack Youzhou and sent a detachment to clear the southern strongholds of Youzhou, such as Waqiao Pass, cutting off the connection between Youzhou and Cangzhou and blocking support from Cangzhou.

The current Jiedushi of Cangzhou Yichang Army is Liu Jiwei, the son of Liu Shouguang. It must be said that these three generations of grandparents and grandchildren are more brutal and useless than the previous one.

According to historical records, Liu Shouguang's tyranny and stupidity far exceeded that of his father Liu Rengong, while Liu Jiwei's debauchery and tyranny even exceeded that of Liu Shouguang.

When Jie Yan was facing a huge military threat from Hedong, Liu Jiwei did an extremely dirty thing: he broke into the home of Zhang Wanjin, the commander-in-chief of the Cangzhou army (the commander-in-chief), and forcibly abducted Zhang Wanjin's wife and daughter.

Zhang Wanjin was furious, so he launched a mutiny and killed Liu Jiwei. He then told the general Zhou Zhiyu the whole story of the mutiny, and the two submitted a memorial to the Later Liang Dynasty, announcing their surrender and sending envoys to Hedong to express their surrender. Li Cunxu immediately ordered Zhou Dewei to enter the city and take over.

Zhou Zhiyu was very worried, not knowing Zhang Wanjin's true intentions, so he fled to Later Liang.

Later Liang changed Yichang Army to Hue Army and appointed Zhang Wanjin as Hue Army Jiedushi. However, Cangzhou had been taken over by Zhou Dewei at this time, and Cangzhou Yichang Army was actually under the control of Li Cunxu of Hedong.

At this point, Youzhou Liu Shouguang lost his only internal support - Cangzhou Yichang Army, and could only defend the isolated city.

Youzhou city was strong, so Zhou Dewei asked Li Cunxu for reinforcements. Li Cunxu sent Li Cunshen to lead the cavalry of Tuyuhun, Qibi and other tribes to reinforce.

Liu Shouguang sent the famous general of Yan, Shan Yangui, to lead 10,000 elite troops out of the city to counterattack. Shan Yangui was confident that he would be able to capture Zhou Yangwu alive.

The last person who dared to say that he had captured Zhou Dewei alive was "Chen Yacha"; the last Yan general who dared to despise the Hedong army was "Shan Wudi". Historical experience tells us that anyone who dares to despise the Hedong army and Zhou Dewei will pay a heavy price. This time is no exception.

The two armies came into close combat. Shan Yangui, holding a spear, rushed straight towards Zhou Dewei. Zhou Dewei turned his horse's head and "escaped" to the side.

Just as Shan Yangui's spear was about to pierce Zhou Dewei's back, Zhou Dewei suddenly dodged to the side, avoiding the spear tip and swung the big hammer in his hand.

Shan Yangui must have heard of the "returning horse spear" but he had never seen the "returning horse hammer". Today, he learned a lesson.

Shan Yangui fell from his horse and was captured alive by Zhou Dewei.

Afterwards, Zhou Dewei escorted Shan Yangui to the front of the Yan army and showed him to the public. The Yan army's morale collapsed and they fled in all directions. Zhou Dewei took the opportunity to pursue them and killed more than 3,000 people.

Afterwards, the Hedong army won victory after victory, and Yan lost cities and territory. Yuan Xingqin, Liu Shouguang's most trusted general, fought against Li Siyuan, the general of Hedong, and lost eight battles in a row. He finally surrendered because he was unable to resist. Li Siyuan adopted him as his son. Yan generals Gao Xinggui and Gao Xingzhou also surrendered their cities.

Zhou Dewei led the main force to launch a fierce attack on the south gate of Youzhou. Liu Shouguang sent an envoy to deliver a letter to Zhou Dewei, asking for reconciliation. The wording in the letter was very humble, begging for forgiveness.

Zhou Dewei smiled coldly and replied, "I am waiting for the Emperor of Great Yan to perform 'Something to do in the South Suburbs' in the South Suburbs. How can I be so pitiful and weak like a weak woman? I am following orders to suppress the rebellion. As for reconciliation, sorry, it is none of my business!"

Liu Shouguang was terrified and sent envoys to beg him again. Zhou Dewei then told Li Cunxu. Li Cunxu sent Zhang Chengye to Youzhou to discuss the matter with Zhou Dewei.

When Liu Shouguang heard that Zhang Chengye had arrived at the front line, he immediately saw a glimmer of hope and sent someone to tell Zhang Chengye that he was willing to surrender the city.

Although they said they surrendered, they attacked at night to recover lost territory, but were defeated by Zhou Dewei one after another. Yan soldiers surrendered in an endless stream, and soon, except for Youzhou City, all the cities under the control of Jie Yan fell into the hands of Hedong. Youzhou became a veritable isolated city.

Liu Shouguang again asked Khitan for help, but to no avail; he then asked for peace in Hedong, but was rejected again.

Finally, Liu Shouguang personally went up to the city wall and shouted to Zhou Dewei: "When the King of Jin arrives, I will open the door and kneel down to welcome him." Zhou Dewei told Li Cunxu, who ordered Zhang Chengye to stay in Taiyuan and take charge of military and political affairs, while he rushed to Youzhou.

Li Cunxu rode alone to the city of Youzhou and demanded that Liu Shouguang fulfill his promise to surrender the city. He also broke a bow in front of him as a token of trust, "I swear on this bow that as long as you come out, I will keep you safe!"

Liu Shouguang, who was at the end of his rope, was not willing to bid farewell to the stage of history. He still held on to a glimmer of hope, and asking Li Cunxu to show up was just a delaying tactic.

"Let's talk about it another day." Liu Shouguang retreated from the tower. The gates of Youzhou City were still tightly closed.

Liu Shouguang had a beloved general named Li Xiaoxi. Li Xiaoxi had a lot of bad ideas, and Liu Shouguang followed them. When Liu Shouguang wanted to surrender, Li Xiaoxi was filled with righteous indignation and firmly opposed it. He swore to defend Liu Shouguang to the death. Liu Shouguang was deeply moved, so he temporarily put the surrender on hold.

That night, Li Xiaoxi secretly escaped from the city wall and sneaked into the Hedong camp. He fell to his knees with a plop, surrendered to Hedong, and revealed all the strengths and weaknesses of the city.

As a friend of Pang Ga, Li Xiaoxi sold out his master for fame and fortune.

The next day, Li Cunxu mobilized his troops to launch a fierce attack and captured Youzhou City in one fell swoop. Liu Shouguang escaped with his family, while Liu Rengong, who had been under house arrest in the city, was captured alive.

Liu Shouguang planned to surrender to Liu Shouqi in Cangzhou (the reason why Liu Shouqi appeared in Cangzhou will be explained later). It was the coldest time of the year, and the weather was freezing. Liu Shouguang's feet were severely frostbitten, swollen and painful. He lost his way and fled to Yanle (now northeast of Miyun County, Beijing). He hid in the valleys during the day and walked at night. He had nothing to eat for several days.

Liu Shouguang asked his concubine Zhu to beg for food in the village. Villager Zhang Shizao saw that she was different from an ordinary peasant woman and became suspicious. After questioning her, he finally revealed her identity and found out where Liu Shouguang was hiding. He then led his men to capture Liu Shouguang, his two wives, and three sons, and sent them to the Hedong Army to report their achievements and receive rewards. Li Cunxu was holding a celebration banquet when officials brought Liu Shouguang to the scene. Li Cunxu immediately teased, "How come the host fled so far after hearing that a guest was coming?"

Liu Shouguang felt ashamed and was sent to an inn together with his father Liu Rengong, where they were treated more comfortably. Li Cunxu provided them with food, clothing and daily necessities.

Li Cunxu announced the news of the destruction of Jie Yan and the capture of Liu Shouguang and his son to the world in a "Lu Bu".

The original meaning of "Lubu" was an unsealed official document, which meant that anyone could read it. Later, it was mostly used for political propaganda, that is, the victory document was written on cloth or silk, and lifted up with a bamboo pole or dragged on the ground for the common people to see.

Liu Rengong and Liu Shouguang were handcuffed and shackled, standing under the veil, enduring the final humiliation.

Liu Rengong and his wife cursed Liu Shouguang loudly, "You rebellious son, look how much harm you have done to our family!" Liu Shouguang lowered his head in silence.

A man with a gaping mouth eats meat, and he won’t say it’s fat even if it’s fat.

A few days later, Li Cunxu passed through Dingzhou and went to the temple to burn incense with Wang Chuzhi. On the same day, they entered Chengde and Wang Rong personally went to the border to greet them.

On the first day of the first lunar month in the fourth year of Qianhua (914), Wang Rong went to Li Cunxu's tent to wish him a happy new year and at the same time made a small request, saying that he had long heard of Liu Rengong's name and wanted to take this opportunity to see the legendary Liu Kutou with his own eyes.

Before Li Cunxu conquered Youzhou, Wang Rong met Li Cunxu at Niangzi Pass. Li Cunxu called Wang Rong "uncle", while Wang Rong called Li Cunxu "forty-sixth uncle". The two became in-laws, and Wang Rong's youngest son Wang Zhaohui married Li Cunxu's daughter (child marriage, Wang Zhaohui should still be an infant at that time). So Li Cunxu and Wang Rong had a special friendship.

In response to Wang Rong's request, Li Cunxu agreed immediately, and then ordered his men to remove the torture instruments from Liu Rengong and Liu Shouguang and bring them to the table for people to see.

Liu and his son knelt down and kowtowed to Wang Rong, who kowtowed in return and gave them clothes, horse gear, wine and food. After a few polite words, Liu and his son actually sat down at the table and happily drank and ate meat, without any shame. Their faces were thicker than the walls of Youzhou.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, Li Cunxu tied Liu Rengong and Liu Shouguang with iron chains, like leading dogs, and ordered them to walk at the front of the team. The military band played triumphant songs as they entered Taiyuan.

Li Cunxu brought Liu Rengong and Liu Shouguang to the Li Keyong temple to comfort his father's spirit in heaven, and then went to the execution ground in person to supervise the execution.

Liu Shouguang was so frightened that his soul flew out of his body. He shouted, "I know I can't escape death, but there is one thing I won't accept! It was Li Xiaoxi who instigated me to refuse to surrender, but he surrendered instead and sold out his master for fame and fortune. I will not give up until I die!"

Li Cunxu called Li Xiaoxi and had the two confront each other face to face.

Facing his old master, Li Xiaoxi's eyes flashed with ferocity, and he sternly rebuked Liu Shouguang, "Is it also me who taught you to behave like a beast to your parents and brothers (having an affair with your father's concubine, imprisoning your father, and killing your brother)?"

When Li Cunxu saw Li Xiaoxi's face of a villain who had succeeded and was rebellious against his former master, he became furious and ordered: Behead Li Xiaoxi first!

Liu Shouguang took the opportunity to beg: "I am good at riding and archery, and I am a good general. Your Majesty wants to dominate the world, why don't you keep me to serve you?"

His fake queen Li and concubine Zhu both despised him and scolded him, "You have been an emperor after all, don't embarrass yourself, okay? At this point, what's the point of living on? A man has only death to do, why fear it?"

The two weak women held their heads high and went to their deaths with dignity.

Liu Shouguang wailed until his death, and his cries for mercy echoed for a long time.

After beheading Liu Shouguang, Li Cunxu ordered Liu Rengong to be taken to Daizhou, where he was disemboweled and his heart dug out in front of Li Keyong's tomb, and then beheaded.

Li Cunxu finally fulfilled his father's first last wish and eliminated the Liu family father and son in Youzhou. He incorporated the Lulong Army of Youzhou and the Yichang Army of Cangzhou into the territory of Hedong. The Chengde Army of Zhenzhou and the Yiwu Army of Dingzhou also became the sphere of influence of the Hedong Group. In the entire north of the Yellow River, the sphere of influence of the Later Liang Dynasty was only the Weizhou Wei Bo Army, and it was also surrounded on three sides by the Hedong Group.

After destroying Liu Rengong and his son in Youzhou, Li Cunxu held a three-power meeting in Zhaozhou with Wang Rong and Zhou Dewei, intending to take advantage of the victory to march south and capture the Dongzhao Yijun in Xingzhou of the Later Liang Dynasty.

Li Sizhao came to join the forces from Luzhou west of Taihang Mountain. Yang Shihou, the governor of Weizhou in Later Liang, led his troops to reinforce Xingzhou. It seemed that a fierce battle was about to begin.

At a critical moment, Cao Jin, a deputy general of Hedong, defected to the enemy in front of the Jin army and defected to the Later Liang, selling important military intelligence to the Later Liang. After comprehensive analysis, Li Cunxu decided to cancel the battle plan and withdraw the troops for rest. Both sides stopped fighting.

Regarding the traitor Cao Jinjin, Li Cunxu could only announce that he would take back his "Yun" character... and "Jin" character.

Liu Shouguang of Youzhou usurped the throne and attracted the main forces of Hedong, which made them switch from offense to defense after winning the "Battle of Luzhou" and "Baxiang". This was a great opportunity for Zhu Wen to recover lost territory and lead his troops to the north, and it was not the only opportunity. Because at the same time, Wang Jian and Li Maozhen openly broke up, and the internal strife in Qi and Shu also helped Zhu Wen eliminate the crisis in the west.

(End of this chapter)