At the blink of an eye it was autumn again. One day, Hou Fangyu was unoccupied and had nothing to do so he strolled to Liu Jingting’s residence to listen to his storytelling. Liu was not only a storyteller, but also a chivalrous and brave man. When the Shichao Garden had been completed a few years ago, Ruan would often invite celebrities to feasts and performances. Impressed by Liu’s extraordinary artistic skills, Ruan would make every attempt to talk him into becoming his follower. Liu Jingting had been to the Shichao Garden occasionally. However, he had broken off with Ruan soon after he read the Restoration Society’s leaflets condemning Ruan. This act earned him the respect of the gentlemen from the Society.
One day, as Liu was about to start his storytelling, someone ran in and shouted, “I couldn’t believe Brother Hou would be in such a good mood to listen to stories at this critical moment!” Seeing that the man was Yang Wencong, he asked, “What happened? Why do you panic?”
Yang gasped, “Don’t you know? General Zuo Liangyu plans to take over the city of Nanjing. He and his troops are marching eastwards along the Yangtze River. The Minister of Defense didn’t know what to do, so he entrusted me to solicit you for countermeasures.”
Zuo was a loyal and patriotic general of the Ming Dynasty. He commanded a mighty army of over three hundred thousand soldiers stationed in the three towns of Wuhan: namely Hankou, Hanyang and Wuchang. Unfortunately, he had little chance to serve his country in the way he wanted because of the corruption and deceit of powerful officials. Peasant rebellions became increasingly prevalent in the southern provinces of China. General Zuo faced these challenges unflinchingly and fearlessly. However, he could not understand the policy changes of the royal court, which would waver from ordering him to crush the rebellious peasants on some occasions, and appeasing them on others. As a result, the generals in the army were at a loss as to how to act.
Uprisings were still rampant and the treasury was empty. The people were therefore starving and the soldiers guarding the three towns were short of supplies. Recently, Zuo had borrowed thirty boatloads of food from Hunan Province and this meagre supply ran out within a month. Without provisions and funds, the army was in a state of unrest. A mutiny was brewing. Facing an explosive situation, Zuo had to borrow food from Jiangxi Province and prepared to withdraw his army from Hankou to Nanjing. When this news travelled to the city, the officials in the imperial court began to panic. They were suspicious of the movement of Zuo’s troops and surmised that his true motive was to capture Nanjing for himself.
The Minister of Defense did not know how to cope with this difficult situation. It suddenly came to his mind that General Zuo had a benefactor, the former Minister of Revenue, Hou Xun, who now lived in Beijing (the Northern Capital). Although Hou Xun had been dismissed from office, his son Hou Fangyu was living in Nanjing. So, the minister entrusted Yang to solicit Hou, hoping that he would be able to suggest some good ideas.
Yang Wencong said, “It is well-known that your father was General Zuo’s benefactor. If your father is willing to write a letter to the general asking him to withdraw his army, I believe he would do so. What do you say, Brother Hou?”
“This would be a good idea. However, my father was dismissed from office long time ago and is living in the north. One thousand five hundred kilometers back and forth is a long way to travel and I am afraid it would be too late for him to send a letter to the general, even if he would agree.”
Yang Wencong said, “I have heard that Brother Hou is a chivalrous man who would never sitidly while the fate of the nation is at stake. I suggest that you write a letter in your father’s name. In so doing, the crisis can be resolved temporarily and the tension eased quickly. You can explain the events to your father in due course. This is to safeguard the interests of the nation and I think your father would not reproach you for doing so.”
Hou Fangyu thought for a moment and decided that emergencies such as this require drastic action. He immediately picked up his pen and wrote a persuasive letter. Yang read the letter and praised it, but then something occurred to him. “Since the letter is supposed to be written in the tone and style of your father, the courier should be someone from the Hou family. Otherwise, General Zuo may see the flaws and discover the truth.”
“But, I only have two young attendants and I do not think they would be capable of accomplishing the task of sending such an important letter.”
As the two men fretted over whom to send, to their surprise, Liu Jingting volunteered to pose as one of Hou’s followers and be the courtier himself. Yang rejoiced and said, “You are certainly the best candidate for the job. However, it won’t be easy to keep up the pretence if you are questioned. ”
Liu Jingting laughed, “I am no fool. I will keep to the script and say what I’m supposed to say. Although I am no longer young, I am strong. If they see through me, I will be able to stand my ground for a while.
At that, Liu left Nanjing. A few days later, when he arrived at the city gates of Wuchang, Liu was arrested by two patrolling soldiers. Liu laughed and said, “ You two blundering idiots! I assume your hunger has clouded your judgment. How dare you arrest me?”
“How did you know we are starving?” “That is the reason why I came here.”
Two solders rejoiced: “Are you the one who brings us food and supplies from Jiangxi Province?”
“That’s right. Now, take me to see your commander-in-chief.” So, Liu was taken to General Zuo’s tent. Zuo rejoiced at the news that this man brought in food supplies from Jiangxi Province, and he immediately ordered the men to invite him into his tent. Having met the general, Liu handed him the letter written by Hou Fangyu and said, “Master Hou Xun asked me to bring this letter to you, General.”
