Chapter 38: Passing Years (5)

“Feng Changqing rebelled. I once appointed Chang Qing and Gao Xianzhi as generals to suppress the rebels, placing great hopes on them. Yet Chang Qing turned the troops against me, allowing Luoyang to fall. Gao Xianzhi abandoned the region hundreds of miles away, and both of them retreated without a fight. They also stole rations meant for the soldiers. When the rebel forces pursued them, they fled in disarray—never engaging in a single battle. This is a clear case of losing troops and disgracing the nation; their crimes are unforgivable. I hereby order the military supervisor Bian Liancheng to go to Tongguan to execute Feng Changqing and Gao Xianzhi. Their heads shall be hung on the city wall for three days as a warning to all! So be it!”
As soon as Bian Liancheng finished speaking, Feng Changqing’s body trembled involuntarily.
Realizing the severity of the situation, Feng Changqing quickly said, “It’s a mistake! A grave mistake! The reason I never fought the rebels was because they were invincible, while our troops were old and weak. There were no natural defenses in Shaanxi, so it was better to retreat to Tongguan to plan another battle!”
Bian Liancheng sneered and said, “General Feng, what good is your speech to me? It’s the emperor who orders your execution. Do you dare defy his command?”
Without giving Feng Changqing a chance to argue, he ordered his men, “Bring forward this defeated general, Bian Liancheng, and execute him in public!”
Immediately, imperial guards stepped forward to bind Feng Changqing. But he refused to surrender, struggling while shouting, “Hurry and inform Commander Gao! If you delay, I’ll be dead!”
“Don’t worry, Feng. The emperor’s decree is clear—Gao Xianzhi can’t escape either. You go first; he’ll join you soon.”
With a disdainful glance at the blood-soaked Feng Changqing, Bian Liancheng waved his hand coldly and said, “Execute him now!”
“Injustice! It’s all an injustice! I’ve always served the country loyally—there’s no trace of rebellion in me! Injustice!”
Though Feng Changqing was strong, he couldn’t match several imperial guards. In no time, he was tied up and dragged up the city wall.
“Execute him!”
A sword swung down, splashing blood across the gray city wall…
Gao Xianzhi stared at Feng Changqing’s dead body in the reeds, utterly confused.
“Eunuch Bian, why is this happening? Why?”
Bian Liancheng smiled triumphantly. “Commander Gao, don’t worry. You also have imperial orders, don’t you?”
Then he took out the decree written on yellow silk and declared, “Gao Xianzhi, receive the decree!”
Though saddened, Gao Xianzhi calmed himself down and knelt, saying, “Your servant, Gao Xianzhi, receives the decree!”
Seeing his obedience, Bian Liancheng grew proud and repeated the decree he had read to Feng Changqing to Gao Xianzhi as well.
Hearing this, Gao Xianzhi angrily said, “Retiring was indeed a mistake, but it’s not a crime worthy of death! Accusing me of plotting rebellion because I cut rations and gifts is pure slander!”

Bian Lingcheng shrugged indifferently upon hearing this and said, “This is an imperial edict. Heaven is above, and earth is below—don’t you know at all that distributing military provisions and gifts without permission is a capital crime?”
Gao Xianzhi, however, showed no fear at all. “I gathered men in the capital. Though I obtained some funds, weapons, and troops, it’s still not enough. How could I even think of keeping them for myself? The soldiers risk their lives fighting the enemy—why can’t I reward them to encourage them to fight harder? As for my leaving Shan Prefecture and leading my troops here, it was to defend Tongguan. I speak the truth; if I’m wronged, my brothers surely won’t stand by idly!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the nearby soldiers knelt down one after another, repeatedly bowing and pleading, “General Gao is utterly loyal to the country—please show mercy, imperial envoy. He’s truly wronged!”
The noise was deafening.
Bian Lingcheng sneered coldly, “This is an order from the emperor. I’m just a messenger. General Gao really thinks highly of me. The emperor is like heaven—his words are divine edicts. How could they be changed? If General Gao is truly loyal, why not prove it with his death?”
Seeing his attitude, Gao Xianzhi knew he would not be spared today. Shaking his head, he looked at Feng Changqing, who had died violently, and sighed, “Enough, enough, Second Feng. Since you joined the army, we’ve spent many years together. From judge to deputy military governor, and now acting as military governor in my place—this bond will always be in my heart. To die here with you today, I have no regrets!”
After saying that, Gao Xianzhi turned to Bian Lingcheng and asked, “Sir Bian, could you please speak on my behalf to the emperor?”
Bian Lingcheng waved his hand impatiently. “Hurry up and speak, so we can set off soon.”
Wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, Gao Xianzhi said, “The troops I lead are just a ragtag bunch, untrained. Leading ordinary people from southern Zhou against the elite cavalry of Yuyang, we still managed to kill enemies and cover the fields in blood… Now that the emperor wants to execute me, my death is not a loss. But I have three requests. First, execute me in the city to warn other generals. Second, explain to them the nature of traitors to warn the entire army. Third, since I’m not someone who fears death, allow me to reveal everything… After my death, I hope the emperor won’t underestimate this traitor and won’t forget my words… By drinking poison under the sky and presenting my memorial to the sun, I shall be a minister whoadvises through death, a ghost serving the holy dynasty.”
“Ah, ah, what sincere words! Even I am moved by General Gao’s devotion. If only I had known this earlier—why did I do what I did? Don’t worry. I can fulfill your first wish right away. As for the others, I’ll convey them to the emperor. General Gao, go in peace.”

Bian Lingcheng raised one finger in a heart-shaped gesture and, with a cold expression, ordered, “Execute him!”
“I drink poison under the sky and submit petitions facing the sun—thus becoming a loyal minister who dies as a ghost for the sacred dynasty. I am not one who fears death, I am not one who fears death…”
Gao Xianzhi, with hair in disarray, was dragged to the city corner by the executioners, still laughing loudly.
Who would have thought that after a lifetime of military service, dedicating his last efforts to the Tang dynasty, this would be his fate.
Haha, enough, enough. Feng Laer, I’m coming to join you now, so you won’t mock me for lacking loyalty again.
Feng Laer, I’m here, haha!
The massive sword drew a beautiful arc through the air, and Gao Xianzhi’s blood sprayed three feet high as his body and head were separated.
Seeing that both Gao and Feng had been executed, Bian Lingcheng covered his nose and nodded at several soldiers who were stunned in shock. “Oh no, we’re going to die! Why does killing someone leave so much blood? What bad luck! You, you, and you—hurry up and wrap their bodies in straw mats and dig a hole to bury them! Oh, and don’t forget to hang the heads of the two generals on the city wall. This is General Gao’s last wish. By fulfilling this request, I’ll have completed my meritorious deeds. Well, I’m a bit tired—let me rest first!”
After saying that, Bian Lingcheng, surrounded by hundreds of armored soldiers, headed toward the government offices in the city.