Jinting Han people

Chapter 36: Remembrance of the Lost Nation (5k)

Biji, you told me that when you were studying with your teacher, you learned the principles of faith and righteousness, but you didn't quite understand the true faith of those who sacrificed themselves to save faith. It's actually very simple. In fact, at that time, there were some aspects of life that people could not endure no matter what.

Your fifth uncle, Liu Chen, was such a man. He was usually a humble and gentle scholar, but upon hearing the news that your grandfather had decided to surrender, he could not accept it. He immediately drew his sword and rushed to the court. He said he would kill the pro-surrender faction in the court with a single blow, then lead the remaining troops in the city to fight Deng Ai to the death.

But if he really rushed to the court, what could he do alone? The biggest advocate of surrender was your grandfather. No matter what, he could not kill his father, the emperor of the country.

In the end, he could only curse his ministers and then return home dejected. He said to your father, "Sixth brother, the country has reached its end. The ruler, his ministers, and his sons should fight to the death for the country! Otherwise, how can we face the ancestors of the Han Dynasty?"

Your father comforted him, saying, "Fifth brother, let's go find eldest brother and persuade the master. There is still room for recovery."

Your fifth uncle said dejectedly, "Sixth brother, it's no use. The surrender has already been sent." At this point, he suddenly smiled wryly and said, "Huang Chong, Zhuge Shang, Zhao Guang, Zhang Zun, Li Qiu, they all died in battle. Countless more soldiers sacrificed their lives for their country. Now, the descendants of Zhaolie are surrendering. Has the blood of these martyrs been shed in vain?"

That night, your fifth uncle brought his wife and children to the Zhaolie Temple, where they agreed to die together and stain the temple with their blood.

This incident shocked your father greatly. He tossed and turned that night and couldn't sleep. When the whole city was silent, he sat up, walked to the window sill in a depressed mood, and stared at the starry sky for quarter of an hour.

When people are happy, looking at the starry sky brings them immense joy; when people are sad, looking at the starry sky brings them unprecedented loneliness. I knew he was the latter, so I stood up to make him some tea. Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and asked, "Xi Miao, are you willing to die with me for our country?"

These words startled me, and I looked up, meeting his eyes. It was dark, the room unlit, and I couldn't see your father's face clearly, but his eyes were as sorrowful as the night sky. I didn't want to die, but seeing your father so heartbroken, I felt compelled to share his sorrow.

So I agreed.

That night, your father set up your great-grandfather's spirit tablet in the room, then took a sword and said he would kill me first and then himself. I lit a candle and closed my eyes in front of the tablet, waiting to die.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't afraid. During the day, I was still lucky enough to survive. How could I easily make up my mind now? When your father drew his sword, I was actually trembling the whole time, chanting my brother's name in my heart, hoping that after one strike, I could see him directly.

But the sword tip pressed against my neck, yet it didn't move, only trembling like a leaf in the wind. Then I opened my eyes and found your father crying. He was still a young man under 20 years old. He had never killed anyone and actually couldn't kill anyone.

Finally, your father threw away his sword, held me in his arms, and cried all night in front of the ancestral tablet. He said to me, "Xi Miao, I am a coward."

I didn't know how to comfort him, so I could only keep patting him on the back. Later, I also thought that it might have been a good thing if I had died in Chengdu at that time.

The next day, Deng Ai's army marched into Chengdu. Your grandfather carried his coffin and tied himself up, leading all of us clan members to surrender to the Wei army.

From this moment on, we officially became slaves of a conquered nation.

We expected to be humiliated, but Deng Ai, like a famous general of old, personally untied your grandfather's bonds, burned his coffin, and pardoned us. This surprised us, and we thought the Sima family was magnanimous, but we soon discovered, with a mixture of laughter and tears, that all this was Deng Ai's own decision.

Not only did he let us live in the original palace, but he also took the initiative to use the name of the Emperor of Cao Wei to recommend your grandfather as the King of Fufeng, and appointed his subordinates as the Governor of Yizhou, each in charge of a prefecture. He boasted, "You are all lucky to have met me, otherwise how could you have had a good end?" He also said, "Jiang Wei is indeed talented, but he just met his natural enemy in me." At the same time, he recruited the people of Shu, intending to build ships on the river, take advantage of the victory to march eastward, and attack and destroy Eastern Wu.

How should I evaluate him? Deng Ai was undoubtedly a military genius, but a political dwarf. He was credited with destroying a nation, a feat unworthy of reward. He even acted on his own initiative, placing officials at court, particularly proposing to confer the title of King of Fufeng on your grandfather. Remember, even Sima Zhao was still only the Duke of Jin at the time!
Not to mention his plan to destroy Wu. After destroying Wu, his contribution would be greater than that of the Duke of Jin. How would he be rewarded? His actions were completely self-destructive. So many people secretly laughed at him.

But what will happen after his death? Where will we go? We are all at a loss.

By the twelfth lunar month, we heard news that Wei commander Zhong Hui was leading his troops to meet Deng Ai. We were still in custody at the time, and although we had adequate food and water, we lacked winter clothing. So Zhong Hui sent someone to deliver winter clothes. It seemed like a relatively unremarkable incident, but your father discovered a written letter tucked inside one of his clothes. It began, "May Your Majesty endure this humiliation for a few days. I wish to restore peace to the state, and the sun and moon to brightness again." It was also stamped with the general's seal.

After reading the small print in the letter again, we realized that the general had already pretended to surrender to Zhong Hui.

He saw that Zhong Hui and Deng Ai were at loggerheads, and Sima Zhao could not tolerate either of them. Therefore, he planned to use Zhong Hui's power to first eliminate Deng Ai and then eliminate the remaining Cao Wei generals. However, Zhong Hui had no direct subordinates, so if he wanted to control the army, he would have to let him manipulate it. This way, he could restore the Han Dynasty. If the plan was successful, he might even be able to seize the opportunity to launch another northern expedition and seize the three prefectures of Guanzhong in one fell swoop!

But this was not a plan that the general could accomplish alone. He said in the letter that he was currently staying by Zhong Hui's side for a long time and could not command the army. Many conditions were not yet mature. After he got rid of Deng Ai, he would send someone to discuss it with us in detail.

When we heard the news, we were so shocked we didn't know what to do. The emperor had ordered surrender, yet his generals remained determined to restore their kingdom. This was a remarkable feat unprecedented in history. During the Warring States Period, when the Han, Wei, and Zhao states destroyed the state of Zhi, Yu Rang avenged his former master, Zhi Bo, by simply disfiguring himself and concealing his identity in order to kill his enemy. This story has become a legendary one, but compared to the actions of the great general, it pales in comparison.

Such a virtuous minister was still suspected by the emperor and attacked by his colleagues, leading to the downfall of the country. We are truly ashamed and embarrassed. Your grandfather read the general's letter over and over again, and after a long silence, he suddenly said to your uncle, "Whether this succeeds or not, I can no longer face the general. You will be responsible for this matter."

Your grandfather's intentions were clear: he wanted him to be as determined as the general to restore the country. He knew he couldn't do it, so he had to let your uncle do it. But if he succeeded, he would no longer be ashamed to be emperor, which would be equivalent to passing the throne to your uncle in disguise.

The general acted very quickly. About four or five days later, on the first day of the first lunar month in the seventh year of Jingyao, Zhong Hui suddenly arrested Deng Ai and sent him to the capital on charges of treason. The so-called famous general finally fell into the hands of his old rival.

Then the next day, Zhong Hui withdrew most of the people guarding us and replaced them with a few guards we were familiar with. We could move almost freely in the palace.

That same night, a palace maid came to the palace to deliver food. She hid a letter in the food box, which contained the general's latest plan:

He had agreed with Zhong Hui to arrive in Chengdu on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Zhong Hui would then summon all the Shu Han officials and Wei army officers to a council meeting in the city, while the general's troops would remain at Yongping Bridge and Changsheng Bridge west of the city. Once the officers had been summoned, he would force Zhong Hui to kill him, while the troops outside would seize the momentum and launch an attack, seizing all the gates of Chengdu, thus securing the victory.

This plan hinged on two key points: first, whether the general could successfully kill the Wei general in the city, and whether Zhong Hui would obey his orders. However, given how things had progressed, we had no choice but to trust him. Second, who would lead the Han army's attack outside the city? After all, a military meeting in the city would require not only the Wei general but also all Han officers, otherwise it would arouse suspicion. Without a general in the army, this plan would be impossible to execute.

So the general meant that we need someone who can command the unconditional trust of all the Han army. This person should preferably be your uncle, the crown prince of Shu Han. As long as he shows up, the Han army will definitely trust him and obey his orders.

Of course, these are all what I heard, and the specific details may be different. After all, this is a serious matter, and apart from your uncle and your father, no one else knows more.

I think you must be curious about why your father's story is included here.

Because he and your uncle had a deep bond, your grandfather hadn't actually worried much about your father growing up. Aside from your grandmother, Wu Zhaoyi, the person who cared for him the most was your uncle, Liu Xuan. From your father's initiation into elementary school, to his training in rituals, music, horsemanship, archery, his coming-of-age ceremony, his wedding, and the selection of his fiefdom, everything was handled by your uncle. For your father, the saying "eldest brother is like a father" wasn't just empty talk.

Although the general's plan sounded good, with internal and external cooperation and a good chance of success, in reality, everyone knew that it was a dangerous journey for both the general and your uncle, and if they were not careful, they could end up flying into a flame. Your father was reluctant to let your uncle go on this alone, and since he was still passionate and wanted to contribute to the country, he pleaded with your grandfather and your uncle, insisting that he go with your uncle.

I couldn't persuade him, and of course there was no reason to. This was your father's responsibility as a descendant of the Han Dynasty for the country, and it was also my responsibility. From the day the plan was made, your father began to frequently gaze into the distance from the top of Wudan Mountain, because the general said that as long as he set fire to the Xianyang Gate, that would be the signal to act.

A dozen days may sound short, but for your father, it felt like a year.

He was initially excited, but after a few days he began to worry about everything, feeling uneasy and often waking up from his dreams. When he couldn't sleep, he would go out to the mountains to sharpen his sword. Perhaps from that time on, he had been overwhelmed by the burden.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, we indeed heard military bugles in the city. Looking down from Wudan Mountain, we could see a large number of Wei troops approaching the vicinity of Chengdu City.

I've never seen such a magnificent military display: banners crisscrossing the sky, military tents like clouds, fine armor gleaming like the sun. Even the horses drinking by the Pi River seemed like windblown weeds, stretching as far as the eye could see. According to the intelligence the general had revealed, the army surrounding Chengdu now numbered over 200,000 men, and the general's plan was to annihilate this 200,000-man force in a single blow within three or four days. Looking back now, it seemed like a foolish plan!
But starting from your great-grandfather Emperor Zhaolie, to Prime Minister Zhuge, and then to General Jiang Wei, they are all such idiots with incredibly stubborn wills. No matter how far-fetched the dream is, they will not give up.

But this kind of dream is not something that ordinary people can bear. Not your grandfather, not your father. Even a speck of dust casually thrown by the general is enough to crush them.

On the night of the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, there was no fire at Xianyang Gate. The same thing happened the next day, and the day after. Just when we thought the general had given up, on the evening of the eighteenth day, Xianyang Gate finally caught fire. Without a word, your uncle and father, accompanied by a few guards, left the palace via a secret passage known only to our clan, a path leading directly out of the palace walls on Wudan Mountain.

After your father passed away, my aunt, your grandmother, your great aunt, and many other female relatives prayed for your uncle and your father in the ancestral hall in the palace, in front of the ancestral tablets of the Han ancestors. We hoped that they would return safely, that the Han Dynasty would be restored, and that there would be no more wars and bloodshed in this world.

But the world is so cruel, and you actually know the ending. Human wishes are always insignificant.

We prayed in the ancestral temple for about an hour when suddenly your second uncle rushed in, panting and saying, "Oh no! There's a fire! There's chaos!"

I was at a loss, so I went out of the temple to see, and discovered that it was not just the Xianyang Gate that was on fire. Jiangqiao Gate, Chongzhi Gate, Changsheng Gate... all the gates of the three cities of Chengdu, including the markets and streets in the city, were on fire. I could see the screams, noise, and chaos of the people even through two city walls.

This situation couldn't have been the general's plan, so there was only one answer—the Wei generals had launched a mutiny, and the general had failed...

After breaking through Zhong Hui's blockade, so many soldiers not only attacked and killed their political enemies, but also plundered Chengdu. They didn't just rob property, they killed and amused everyone they encountered, regardless of age, sex, or child. They even...looted the imperial palace...

They stormed in, needing no reason. Your eldest aunt's child, your cousin, was standing at the door. He was bewildered, and the Wei soldiers struck him on the head with a single blow, instantly disfiguring him. He was only ten years old that year, intelligent, adorable, quick-witted, and endearing.

Then the Wei soldiers surrounded your grandfather's concubines, made advances, and began to humiliate them in public, leaving them in a state of despair...

Even your grandfather was captured by the Wei soldiers and interrogated about whether he had any hidden property. When he couldn't answer, he was beaten and even stripped of his clothes...

Bi Ji, I didn't want to tell you this, but this is the way the world is. Once a man becomes a failure, his wife and children will become slaves.

If your second uncle had not reacted quickly and hid me and your aunts in a dark room, we would have been doomed too.

Even the imperial palace and the royal family suffered such a fate, so one can imagine what happened in other places.

Later I learned that my uncle Guan's family, who was as famous as my own and was well-known throughout China, was exterminated by Pang Hui who took advantage of the chaos. All 26 members of the family, regardless of gender, age or status, were killed.

Ministers and generals with some fame in the court, such as Grand Coachman Jiang Xian and Grand Secretary Wei Ji, were all killed.

My father and mother were also there... Not only did I not get to see them for the last time, I didn't even see their bodies...

At the end of the battle, the frenzied Wei army even turned on each other because of uneven distribution of loot, and took advantage of the situation to kill Deng Ai and his sons, as well as colleagues such as Shi Zuan...

Bi Ji, why did such a tragedy, so tragedies against human ethics, occur in this world? How could such despicable people defeat the great general? From that moment on, I realized that victory and defeat are completely illogical, and judging heroes by their success or failure is nothing but a self-deception. Success is success, failure is failure, regardless of morality or bearing.

Perhaps even the heavens couldn't bear to see this scene. In the middle of the night, a fierce wind blew up from the sky, followed by a frenzy of lightning and thunder among the dark clouds. Then a torrential winter rain came down, and for a moment, I felt like the world was coming to an end. We women hid in a dark room, listening to the noises outside, trembling with fear, yet forcing ourselves to remain motionless, not even daring to breathe.

At that moment, I suddenly thought, how is your father? Is he okay?

I used to hope to see him sooner, but now I hope to see him later, and even hope that he will fly away and never come back.

But I know this is impossible, and there is only endless sadness in my heart: staying in a dark room where I can't see the light, I suddenly feel that the rest of my life may be like this.

The heavy rain continued until the next morning. When the shouting and crying outside gradually died down, we knew that the Wei soldiers had robbed and played enough and were tired. Your second uncle opened the door and found that they had all left, so he pulled us women out.

As soon as we came out, we saw Li Zhaoyi, silently fixing her hair. Her clothes were covered in dirt, but her expression was solemn. She was your second uncle's mother. She was usually taciturn and not favored by your grandfather, and that day was no different.

Your grandfather had been stripped of his outer clothes, leaving him with only his inner clothes. He was very cold, so he told Li Zhaoyi that he needed to find some clothes. But after Li Zhaoyi finished, she didn't even look at your grandfather, and then she committed suicide.

She had committed suicide with a sword, and her blood splattered and steamed.

When your fifth uncle committed suicide in the ancestral temple, bleeding was still such a sacred thing, but after that night, blood was no longer a rarity.

The hall was covered in blood, not just on the floor, but also on the tables, the curtains, and the memorial tablets. Everything was covered in reddish-brown blood. It wasn't just her. Many relatives I'd known yesterday had been reduced to unrecognizable corpses, including your grandmother, Wu Zhaoyi.

This was the first time I had witnessed so much death. But I couldn't cry. It wasn't because I didn't have the energy to cry, but because I felt lost and life was meaningless.

In this world, without a country, as a slave of a conquered nation, what is the meaning of life? When I think of this, I feel that your fifth uncle's suicide was prescient.

It was at this time that your father came back.

The rain continued to pour. We all sat in the ancestral temple, dazed and confused, not knowing what had happened. It was like a nightmare from which we couldn't wake up. When we heard heavy footsteps outside the door, we all jumped in fear, thinking the Wei soldiers had returned. I wanted to run, but my legs didn't have the strength to even stand, let alone run. So, I mentally resigned myself to death, closing my eyes and waiting for death.

Nothing happened.

I opened my eyes again and found your father standing at the door, his whole body wet, his clothes soaked in blood, his steps unsteady, his expression more terrifying than that of a dead person.

From that day on, his personality changed drastically and he was no longer the same as before.

…………

Although he never told me what happened to him that day, I never asked any more questions. Anyone who saw your father that day would never ask any more questions.

When the brothers set out, they were full of ambition and aspirations.

When he came back in the heavy rain, on his back was the body of your uncle, who had been stabbed seventy-eight times.

　Please vote! Please read! Please support me, your support is my motivation to update!
　　At the same time, thanks to Ge Shu for the 2000 points reward~
　　Special thanks to the book friend Hu Mushi, the leader of the alliance, there will be an extra chapter in the evening ~ Thank you ~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)