[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-stealing-ming":3,"chapter-stealing-ming-stealing-ming-chapter-222":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Stealing Ming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1220839,1614,"Chapter 222: Section Thirty-Seven: Soft-Hearted","stealing-ming-chapter-222",222,"\u003Cp>After he finished speaking, Xiong Tingbi's expression turned utterly bitter, and his laughter grew heavier and heavier, filled with the desolation of a hero at the end of his road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This old man can finally give an account to the Illustrious Emperor,\" Xiong Tingbi murmured once more. By the end of the sentence his voice had gone hoarse, and his head drooped; the heroic spirit of the entire night seemed to have left him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi stared at the man across from him, looked again and again, and could not help but feel his eyes grow moist. To cover it up, Huang Shi hurriedly said in a loud voice, \"Elder Xiong, this junior will always take the pacification of Liao as his own mission. I venture to ask Elder Xiong to wait quietly for a few years, and good news will surely arrive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Tingbi raised his head to look, gazed over, and suddenly gave another snort of laughter: \"General Huang, why are your eyes red? Haha, is General Huang putting on this tender, tearful display deliberately to disgust this old man?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Xiong Tingbi's words were still unpleasant, the gaze of this stubborn old man was full of warmth — a look brimming with approval and appreciation, giving Huang Shi a sense of déjà vu, as if he had seen it somewhere before, on someone's face, only Huang Shi could not recall it for the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Huang Shi staring blankly in a daze, Xiong Tingbi teased him a couple more times, then found it dull himself, withdrew his expression, and shook his head: \"General Huang need not be in such a rush. You must understand that haste makes waste. As for time — three years I can wait, five years I can wait, ten years I can just as well wait. This old man has heard that among the soldiers under General Huang's command, there are many talents who have only been in the army a few short years, yet have already fought six or seven battles and won them all. These are truly rare elite troops in Liaodong. This old man had thought that given the current situation in Liaodong, such crack soldiers were something one might encounter by chance but could not seek out. I never imagined General Huang could achieve this. I hope the General will use them well and cherish them most carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward the end, Xiong Tingbi's face was full of earnest, instructive color, like a teacher educating his disciples: \"It is a pity that this old man's allotted lifespan is exhausted. After the hour of Wu, General Huang will still be a man in this world, while this old man will already be a ghost in the underworld. This — this old man does have the inclination to visit the General in days to come...\" Xiong Tingbi cast a sidelong glance at Huang Shi again and slowly raised his teacup: \"Only I fear General Huang would find this old man unlucky and refuse to see me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi was startled for a moment before he grasped Xiong Tingbi's meaning. He hurriedly said, \"If Elder Xiong should find the leisure to condescend and offer instruction, this junior would be fortunate beyond measure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Tingbi knew in his heart that where he was going was utterly void and intangible. Seeing Huang Shi respond as if it were a real matter, and with such utter deference, Xiong Tingbi was filled even more with bitter sorrow; the water in his teacup trembled and spilled out. He hastily and clumsily set the teacup down, wiped his lapel, and forced a smile: \"This fully shows General Huang's great kindness. But I imagine the General's tent is surely brimming with yang energy, and the weapons in the army are stained with the fresh blood of countless living men. How would this old man, a lonely wandering ghost, dare to rashly come calling? Would I not fear my soul scattering and spirit flying away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi lowered his head and remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Tingbi slowly refilled his tea, then raised the cup again and took a small sip. He said, \"These insights of this old man are rather crude. If they were given to an ordinary scholar, they would be of not the slightest benefit. But General Huang has long experienced the battlefield, so these things may serve as stones from another mountain to polish his own jade. General Huang, not yet thirty years of age, already holds second-rank office and is renowned throughout the realm, yet bears not the slightest trace of impetuous arrogance — truly rare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Xiong flatters me excessively.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This old man does not flatter excessively!\" Xiong Tingbi flatly denied Huang Shi's modesty. He recalled how the day before Huang Shi had unhesitatingly exposed his own shortcomings, and could not help but sigh with emotion: \"Not craving empty fame — this old man fears he is not your equal. It is truly a great pity that General Huang is not a Licentiate; otherwise, to go forth as a general and enter as a chancellor, leaving a name in the annals of history, would not be beyond reach.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was at this moment that Huang Shi sensed something in Xiong Tingbi's tone that resembled Gao Bangzuo of those years. Even the look in Xiong Tingbi's eyes now was extremely similar to Gao Bangzuo's when he had gifted those books back then. In a daze, Huang Shi felt the two men were almost the same person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi had another matter on his mind in coming to visit Xiong Tingbi: he needed to clarify the problem of the spy hidden at Xiong Tingbi's side, to ask exactly who had persuaded and lured Xiong Tingbi into ordering the burning of the fortresses in Liaoxi. But Huang Shi had always felt this question would likely wound Xiong Tingbi's pride deeply. Just now, seeing Xiong Tingbi's mood improve, he was even more unwilling to disturb his spirits. Yet this matter was truly of grave importance; though loath to broach it, Huang Shi felt that if he did not get to the bottom of it, it would remain a dangerous hidden peril.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he was in this daze, Huang Shi heard Xiong Tingbi say, \"General Huang, this old man has one matter to ask of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi stood up with the utmost respect, bowed, and said, \"Whatever Elder Xiong commands, this junior will reverently obey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Tingbi waved his hand: \"No rush, no rush. General Huang, listen first, then agree — that will not be too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi smiled bitterly to himself. It was probably about the \"Memorial Defending Against Injustice,\" was it not? He had read in history books the records concerning this public case. Wang Huazhen's teacher was the Timely Rain Grand Secretary Ye Xianggao, the Tiangui Star, the foremost scholar of the Donglin Party. Sun Chengzong was Wang Huazhen's senior fellow apprentice (Huang Shi could never figure out — Ye Xianggao and Sun Chengzong were two rather upright men, so how did they come to associate with Wang Huazhen?). Because Wang Huazhen had turned coat, the officials trying Xiong Tingbi's case were determined to pin all of Wang Huazhen's crimes onto Xiong Tingbi. They never properly recorded Xiong Tingbi's testimony and openly declared they would not record Xiong Tingbi's words to submit to the Tianqi Emperor. So Xiong Tingbi had written a memorial defending himself against injustice while in prison, always hoping it could be presented to the Son of Heaven, so that the Son of Heaven might at least glance at his defense. But regrettably, the historical Xiong Tingbi had offended everyone at court, and though imprisoned for five years, not a single person was willing to submit it for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Huang Shi had entered the day before, he had seen a small pouch hanging around Xiong Tingbi's neck and thought that inside it might be Xiong Tingbi's \"Memorial Defending Against Injustice\" — the spiritual sustenance of Xiong Tingbi's final years. Did Xiong Tingbi know that he, Huang Shi, had the right to submit secret memorials directly to the throne, and therefore wanted his help? Huang Shi said, \"The ancients spoke of the teacher of a single word. This junior has received Elder Xiong's instruction through the entire night and should by rights observe the rites of a disciple, but civil and military paths are separate. Whatever wish Elder Xiong has in his heart, please tell it freely, and this junior will exhaust all his heart and strength to carry it out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange sound suddenly issued from Xiong Tingbi's throat, but he immediately covered it with a cough and once again sat upright with solemn dignity. Huang Shi nearly shed tears and sighed inwardly: Truly he has not lost the bearing of a hero! He heard Xiong Tingbi say, \"This old man is sentenced to beheading and public exposure in the marketplace, with my head to be passed around the Nine Frontier Garrisons. So to die without a burial place is a certainty. This old man expects that in the end it will be passed to Shanhai Pass in Liaozhen. If General Huang does not find it too troublesome, this old man would like to ask General Huang to find an opportunity to memorialize the Son of Heaven and seek a special pardon for this old man's head, so that this old man may be laid to rest in the earth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he finished speaking, Xiong Tingbi observed Huang Shi with bright, intent eyes, his face full of earnest hope and expectation. Huang Shi naturally knew how extremely important the ancients considered the corpse to be, but Xiong Tingbi's crime was so severe that even with Huang Shi's current favor, he absolutely dared not secretly keep his corpse. Moreover, keeping Xiong Tingbi's corpse would be a political declaration; for Huang Shi to do so would be nearly tantamount to simultaneously challenging both the Donglin Party and the Eunuch Party. Out of respect for Xiong Tingbi, and unable to bear the thought of a good general who had served the state dying with his eyes open, Huang Shi deliberated and said, \"If Elder Xiong does not take offense, this junior will memorialize the court to have Elder Xiong's head displayed on Changsheng Island for a period of time. Once the Jianzhou slaves are swept away, this junior will certainly do his utmost to seek the court's posthumous exoneration for Elder Xiong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words meant that Huang Shi would first bury Xiong Tingbi's head on Changsheng Island. When Huang Shi reported his achievements after pacifying Liao, he would include Xiong Tingbi's merits during his tenure, and at that time it might be possible to obtain approval for burial in his hometown. Even if he could not return home, with Huang Shi looking after things on Changsheng Island, Xiong Tingbi would at least have a secure resting place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Tingbi had just asked Huang Shi to listen before answering because he knew this matter was of tremendous consequence; it would not have been strange at all if Huang Shi had flatly refused. But Xiong Tingbi reasoned that this Huang Shi before him seemed to be full of upright integrity and was the only person who might possibly preserve his corpse from ending up in the bellies of dogs, the only person who could allow his soul to have a place to return to. Unwilling to lose this final chance, he ventured the attempt. Hearing Huang Shi's words, Xiong Tingbi drew a long breath, solemnly rose, faced Huang Shi directly, and made a deep bow: \"Many thanks for General Huang's lofty righteousness. In the next life, Xiong will tie grass and hold a ring in his mouth to repay General Huang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Xiong's words are too weighty; this junior does not dare accept.\" Huang Shi smiled bitterly, but after a final thought, he still accepted this bow from Xiong Tingbi. Because accepting this great courtesy was equivalent to receiving a deposit in a business transaction, and this way it could also be considered giving Xiong Tingbi a pill of reassurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This junior has already requested the court to exile Elder Xiong's daughter to Changsheng Island. When the time comes, let the young lady perform the burial rites.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Tingbi revealed an expression of blank incomprehension. Huang Shi quickly explained the transaction between him and Wei Zhongxian, naturally omitting some details and only telling Xiong Tingbi the outcome the two had negotiated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Huang Shi gave his explanation, Xiong Tingbi's beard and whiskers trembled involuntarily. By the time Huang Shi had finished, even the prison clothes on Xiong Tingbi's body were shivering, and his voice was so agitated it could barely form words: \"General Huang, since this old man entered prison, there has not been a moment I have not thought of my young daughter, yet I dared not think — dared not think how she, a frail woman, could manage on her own in this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Xiong Tingbi again made a grand ceremonial bow: \"General Huang, forgive this old man's shamelessness, but I have one more matter to ask.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Xiong, please speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This old man is a convicted criminal and dares not seek any fine family for my young daughter. I only hope the General can find her a good man who is honest and dependable, so that she may have food and clothing without worry all her life. Then this old man's wish will be fulfilled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Xiong, set your mind at ease.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many thanks, General Huang!\" At this moment, Xiong Tingbi was entirely free of attachments. \"Heh heh, this old man regrets not listening to your words back then — to have failed to see through Sun Degong's wolfish ambition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Huang Shi was also very puzzled by this question. Historically, Xiong Tingbi had repeatedly warned that \"Li Yongfang absolutely cannot be trusted,\" yet he had taken no precautions against Sun Degong, who had always been responsible for communicating with Li Yongfang. By all reasoning, this question could also touch upon that spy hidden at Xiong Tingbi's side, but Huang Shi found it difficult to broach, because in his own account, Sun Degong had sounded out his intentions before rising in revolt, and seeing that he did not intend to join the treason, had then tried to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Huang Shi told Xiong Tingbi about the change in Sun Degong's attitude before and after, it would be tantamount to admitting that he himself had been one of the conspirators from early on. Huang Shi could only forcibly suppress the anxiety in his heart, hoping that Xiong Tingbi might still follow the thread of conversation and say why he had trusted Sun Degong. But Xiong Tingbi seemed to have no such intention at all; he unhurriedly gathered up the manuscripts beside the table, apparently intending to check once more whether what Huang Shi had recorded contained any errors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi saw that time was growing short and finally decided he could wait no longer. He called out in a low voice, \"Elder Xiong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm? Is there something else you wish to ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Xiong, do not take offense,\" Huang Shi weighed his words carefully, fearful of provoking Xiong Tingbi. \"This junior believes that when Wang Huazhen fled from Guangning, if Elder Xiong could have come to Guangning in person, with Elder Xiong's prestige, he could certainly have steadied the army's morale and fighting spirit, and we would not have lost all the territory west of the river.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...\" Just as Huang Shi had begun to broach the subject, Xiong Tingbi had stopped his hands and listened quietly. When Huang Shi had finished entirely, he gave a long sigh, his eyes narrowing. The wrinkles on his face not only all returned at once but seemed to grow deeper and denser. Finally, he nodded: \"General Huang is quite right. This old man indeed miscalculated in his planning at that time. Ah, this old man had selfish motives too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, Xiong Tingbi had also harbored the thought of watching Wang Huazhen make a fool of himself. When the two met on the road, Wang Huazhen wept aloud in despair, while Xiong Tingbi laughed heartily and mocked him once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At the time, quite a few people also urged this old man to hurry to Guangning. Although the government troops were in complete chaos, and Zu Dashou, who commanded the Iron Cavalry Battalion, had also abandoned this old man and fled to Juehua, this old man still had three thousand Guanning soldiers in hand. If this old man had hurried to Guangning, relying on the prestige built over three years as Grand Coordinator of Liaodong, there was indeed a chance to rally the army's morale, beat back the Jianzhou rebels, and hold Guangning.\" Xiong Tingbi was clearly immersed in memory, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the tabletop. \"Heh heh, the odds of victory or defeat were probably about even. At that time, this old man pondered back and forth — whether to seek safety and protect the Liao refugees by retreating toward Shanhai Pass, or to seek victory within defeat and stubbornly defend Guangning... For a moment, it was truly hard to decide.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi listened with rapt attention, knowing the critical moment was about to arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Xiong Tingbi continued, \"But there was one person who said to this old man: 'If you, my lord, win, then Huazhen's crime will be absolved; if you, my lord, lose, then Huazhen's crime will also be absolved.' This old man knew these words were not wrong.\" At this point, Xiong Tingbi gave two dry laughs and said to Huang Shi, \"This old man was truly unwilling to be a scapegoat, and so decided then to retreat toward Shanhai Pass. Heh heh, who would have thought that this old man, neither winning nor losing, still could not escape death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi felt his heart was so tense it nearly leaped out of his chest. He asked in a deep voice, \"Elder Xiong, who was this person?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Tingbi was about to open his mouth and answer, but suddenly noticed the utter seriousness on Huang Shi's face. His heart jolted in alarm. Looking more intently, he saw that Huang Shi's hands had already clenched into tight fists, and his arms were slightly bent with tension. He was even more astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi felt his mouth dry and tongue parched. He swallowed a large mouthful of saliva with difficulty and pressed again, \"Elder Xiong, who exactly was this person?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This was merely a person of no consequence. General Huang, what is the matter with you?\" Xiong Tingbi asked back in bewilderment; Huang Shi's reaction left him deeply puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This person...\" Huang Shi was about to say that this person was very likely a Later Jin spy, but in a flash he changed his words: \"Elder Xiong was misled by this person; this junior is merely indignant and cannot bear it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, what he said was not wrong,\" Xiong Tingbi gave another bitter smile and unconsciously touched the cloth pouch hanging beneath his neck. \"Actually, this old man is not entirely wronged. If this old man had been utterly selfless, perhaps I would have gone to Guangning and fought a bloody battle to the death with Nurhaci. Even if I lost, at least... at least it would have been better than today's fate. Only... only at that time this old man truly could not swallow it, could not swallow it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi could not be bothered to attend to Xiong Tingbi's laments. He could already see that Xiong Tingbi did not wish to continue, and still seemed to want to protect that \"friend\" who had given him the advice. Huang Shi guessed that Xiong Tingbi feared he would go report to the authorities and pursue the responsibility of that \"friend.\" Just as he was thinking of what to say, the voice of the prison warden suddenly came from outside: \"General Huang, please take your leave now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi called out impatiently, \"Is there some matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General Huang, you have stayed here far too long. That eunuch who came with you has slept a full sleep and already woken up. I beg your lordship to be magnanimous and not make things difficult for us lowly folk down here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xiong Tingbi also gave a bleak laugh: \"General Huang, please go back. This old man is somewhat tired now as well. Before the hour of Wu arrives, I wish to take a nap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Huang Shi saw it, this person, the one who had helped Sun Degong gain Xiong Tingbi's trust, and the one who had informed him in advance that he intended to turn coat, should all be the same person. As long as he said that person was a Later Jin spy, with Xiong Tingbi's intelligence it should not be difficult to understand. The reason Huang Shi had not said that person might be a Later Jin spy was mainly that he feared Xiong Tingbi would feel psychological distress, feeling that he himself had done something to betray the state. But now time was pressing. Huang Shi gave Xiong Tingbi another heavy look, drew a breath, and was about to voice his suspicion and ask for the third time exactly who it was that had advised him to retreat that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Xiong Tingbi had already lowered his head and taken the cloth pouch from his neck. In front of Huang Shi, he took out a sheet of paper from inside and, with a few swift motions, tore that memorial defending against injustice into shreds. This action instantly stunned Huang Shi into a daze. He remembered what he had read in books before:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— When Xiong Tingbi was about to die, he still did not forget to submit a memorial. At that time, the execution supervisor said with supreme arrogance, \"I have never heard that a condemned prisoner may still submit a memorial to the Emperor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— And Xiong Tingbi immediately retorted, \"Those words were spoken by Zhao Gao, were they not?\" This instantly choked the execution supervisor speechless... and of course, he was even less likely to submit the memorial for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Tingbi, so incapable of getting along with others, so fond of argument, so stubborn — how could he today have destroyed the \"Memorial Defending Against Injustice\" that had clung to his body for five years?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Tingbi naturally had no idea what was in Huang Shi's mind, and even less could he have known that Huang Shi would guess what he had just torn up. He looked up and saw Huang Shi staring at him blankly. Xiong Tingbi slowly took off his shoes, then sat cross-legged on the bed again, his eyes closing as he did so: \"All my life this old man has been contentious and unwilling to yield, offending countless deities of every stripe. What filled this paper were years of accumulated rancor and lingering hatred. Today, having entrusted the care of my young daughter to General Huang, I am already without attachments, and naturally have no use for this paper anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tone of Xiong Tingbi's voice grew increasingly serene and tranquil, as if vexation and grievance had already been expelled from his body: \"Though this old man will perish in the netherworld for ordering the general retreat from Guangning, that retreat order after all allowed several million Liao refugees to withdraw back inside the Pass, did it not? Besides, victory or defeat was always an even chance. This old man saved countless lives and did no great harm to the state. I can go to meet the Illustrious Emperor with a heart at peace and a clear conscience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi looked at Xiong Tingbi, who had now freed himself from self-pity, bitter resentment, and fury. Finally, without a word, Huang Shi rose to his feet. Gently and carefully, he put away the insights Xiong Tingbi had imparted. Although Huang Shi's tactics and strategy had their own unique strengths, and in some areas possessed advantages Xiong Tingbi could scarcely have imagined, the words written on these sheets of paper condensed the lifeblood of Xiong Tingbi's entire military career — they were supremely precious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mysterious figure beside Xiong Tingbi who advised him to commit that grave error — by then, Zu Dashou had already fled the field for Juehua, which proves that this spy was not Zu Dashou. And Xiong Tingbi just said it was a nobody. From now on, I must pay close attention to anyone who once served under Grand Coordinator Xiong. With the Changsheng Army as it is now, after a few more years of growth and expansion, the Jianzhou slaves will be powerless to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Xiong, may your journey be smooth.\" Huang Shi looked at the old man before him, truly unable to bear disturbing Xiong Tingbi's peace in his final moments. Though he had ultimately failed to make him reveal the spy's true name, it was, after all, merely a minor nobody planted by the Later Jin. When I was a mere Company Commander under Sun Degong, he couldn't manage to kill me. Now, even if I never dig this mole out, what can he possibly do to me, Huang Shi?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\" Xiong Tingbi, already resting with his eyes closed, gave a slight nod to show he had heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi said no more and walked toward the door. Lifting the cloth curtain, he saw that the Embroidered Uniform Guard was still waiting outside. The young eunuch who had accompanied him to the Imperial Prison also stood to one side, his face still drowsy with sleep. When the Embroidered Uniform Guard saw Huang Shi emerge, he wordlessly turned the heavy lock on the cell door. Just as Huang Shi stepped out of the cell, he suddenly heard a great shout from behind: \"General Huang, stay your steps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Shi turned his head to look. Xiong Tingbi, without even putting on his shoes, had jumped barefoot from the bed. In three strides he reached Huang Shi's side and, through the cell bars, said with solemn gravity: \"General Huang said he would take the slave chieftain's heart and liver to offer in sacrifice to this old man. That is what General Huang promised this old man, is it not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second day of the eleventh month, fifth year of the Tianqi reign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former Grand Coordinator of Liaodong, Xiong Tingbi, was executed for the capital crime of abandoning three thousand li of territory. His head was displayed along the Nine Frontier Garrisons…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sixteenth day of the eleventh month, fifth year of the Tianqi reign. Shanhai Pass, the Liaodong Regional Military Commission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early that morning, Yang Qi, the Regional Commander of Shanhai Pass, had led over a dozen military officers to wait outside Grand Coordinator Gao Di's gate. The moment Gao Di emerged, Yang Qi sprang forward: \"My Lord Gao, have you heard the matter of Xiong Tingbi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Di, his face pale, had barely nodded when the assembled officers of Guanning all knelt as one and wailed in unison: \"Even if my lord Gao disregards the lives of our Guanning Army, he must think of himself! This retreat is now imperative.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",4560,"2026-06-04T07:54:54.057Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","0026e39a5fd8636e1e544694468d0d7d44dc6e3a4f8dcba435206b9dc38226e3","stealing-ming-chapter-223","stealing-ming-chapter-221",323,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstealing-ming-cover.jpg"]