The Battle for Hequ County had begun—The Battle for Hequ County had begun—
a roaring, shaking, gunpowder-eating monster of a battle.a roaring, shaking, gunpowder-eating monster of a battle.
Cannons thundered day and night.Cannons thundered day and night.
Each blast burned a hole through both the city walls and the treasury.Each blast burned a hole through both the city walls and the treasury.
The Ming imperial army had dragged in every cannon they could find across Shanxi: iron, bronze, old Portuguese pieces, and new locally forged monsters. When the barrage started, the ground itself trembled like an ox with fever.The Ming imperial army had dragged in every cannon they could find across Shanxi: iron, bronze, old Portuguese pieces, and new locally forged monsters. When the barrage started, the ground itself trembled like an ox with fever.
Inside the walls, Wang Jiayin's rebel army fought back with only two Western cannons—spoils from their victory over Wang Guoliang. Their ammunition, however, was drying up faster than a beggar's patience.Inside the walls, Wang Jiayin's rebel army fought back with only two Western cannons—spoils from their victory over Wang Guoliang. Their ammunition, however, was drying up faster than a beggar's patience.
The outcome of such a duel was obvious.The outcome of such a duel was obvious.
Artillery isn't about bravery; it's about inventory.Artillery isn't about bravery; it's about inventory.
And Wang Jiayin was running on empty.And Wang Jiayin was running on empty.
Inside the city, chaos rippled like infection.Inside the city, chaos rippled like infection.
Morale shattered.Morale shattered.
Despair turned thick as fog.Despair turned thick as fog.
An invisible whisper passed from rebel to rebel:An invisible whisper passed from rebel to rebel:
"It's over. We're finished.""It's over. We're finished."
And when men believe they're doomed, they become easy prey for bribes and rumors.And when men believe they're doomed, they become easy prey for bribes and rumors.
That night, under the shadow of smoke and moonlight, imperial spies slipped into the city through forgotten wells and bribed gatekeepers. They found Wang Jiayin's cousin, Wang Guozhong, and whispered sweet poison into his ear:That night, under the shadow of smoke and moonlight, imperial spies slipped into the city through forgotten wells and bribed gatekeepers. They found Wang Jiayin's cousin, Wang Guozhong, and whispered sweet poison into his ear:
"The Emperor forgives quickly. A title, a mansion, gold—you just need to open the gate.""The Emperor forgives quickly. A title, a mansion, gold—you just need to open the gate."
By dawn, the East Gate creaked open like a traitor's grin.By dawn, the East Gate creaked open like a traitor's grin.
Through it surged Cao Wenzhao, the court's fierce general, leading the charge.Through it surged Cao Wenzhao, the court's fierce general, leading the charge.
Hequ erupted into bedlam.Hequ erupted into bedlam.
Cannon-fire and screams tangled into a single roaring storm.Cannon-fire and screams tangled into a single roaring storm.
Zijing Liang (Wang Ziyong), Bai Yuzhu, Chuang Wang (Gao Yingxiang), Zhang Xianzhong, Bu Zhan Ni—every rebel lord panicked and bolted, each leading his own faction out through different gates.Zijing Liang (Wang Ziyong), Bai Yuzhu, Chuang Wang (Gao Yingxiang), Zhang Xianzhong, Bu Zhan Ni—every rebel lord panicked and bolted, each leading his own faction out through different gates.
The siege ring of twenty thousand imperial troops buckled under the sheer chaos of one hundred thousand desperate men trying to flee.The siege ring of twenty thousand imperial troops buckled under the sheer chaos of one hundred thousand desperate men trying to flee.
You can't contain a flood with a fishing net.You can't contain a flood with a fishing net.
Amidst the confusion, Wang Jiayin himself broke south, protected by his loyal shadow—Amidst the confusion, Wang Jiayin himself broke south, protected by his loyal shadow—
a grim man known only as Black Fiend.a grim man known only as Black Fiend.
Meanwhile, far to the south in the quiet woods, Bai Mao (his puppet companion of Dao Xuan Tianzun perched on his shoulder) had been waiting since dawn.Meanwhile, far to the south in the quiet woods, Bai Mao (his puppet companion of Dao Xuan Tianzun perched on his shoulder) had been waiting since dawn.
He'd gnawed through his last piece of jerky. The rumble of cannon-fire in the distance taunted him. But the voice of Dao Xuan Tianzun echoed in his mind:He'd gnawed through his last piece of jerky. The rumble of cannon-fire in the distance taunted him. But the voice of Dao Xuan Tianzun echoed in his mind:
"South.""South."
So he waited.So he waited.
And then it came—And then it came—
a scattered, terrified column of soldiers flooding through the valley, no banners, no order, just panic.a scattered, terrified column of soldiers flooding through the valley, no banners, no order, just panic.
Bai Mao's pulse quickened.Bai Mao's pulse quickened.
"The Heavenly Lord said south… and south they go.""The Heavenly Lord said south… and south they go."
He flattened himself against the rocks, his rifled musket already loaded.He flattened himself against the rocks, his rifled musket already loaded.
Down below, he could even recognize faces—men he'd once seen in campfires and raids.Down below, he could even recognize faces—men he'd once seen in campfires and raids.
And then he saw him.And then he saw him.
Wang Jiayin.Wang Jiayin.
His musket barrel aligned with that rebel king's head.His musket barrel aligned with that rebel king's head.
"Spirits of Heaven, Spirits of Earth," he murmured,"Spirits of Heaven, Spirits of Earth," he murmured,
"May Dao Xuan Tianzun guide my hand.""May Dao Xuan Tianzun guide my hand."
He pulled the trigger.He pulled the trigger.
"Bang!""Bang!"
But fate—or perhaps comedy—intervened.But fate—or perhaps comedy—intervened.
At that exact instant, Black Fiend stepped forward, blocking his lord's path.At that exact instant, Black Fiend stepped forward, blocking his lord's path.
The bullet punched clean through Black Fiend's skull.The bullet punched clean through Black Fiend's skull.
Wang Jiayin recoiled, blood spattering his face.Wang Jiayin recoiled, blood spattering his face.
"Ambush! Imperial ambush!""Ambush! Imperial ambush!"
The rebels panicked and surged even faster southward, vanishing into the mountain fog.The rebels panicked and surged even faster southward, vanishing into the mountain fog.
Bai Mao cursed softly. "Damn it."Bai Mao cursed softly. "Damn it."
The rebel king had slipped the noose.The rebel king had slipped the noose.
When the smoke cleared, Bai Mao descended into the valley, hoisted Black Fiend's corpse over his shoulder, and began the long trek north—toward Wang Cheng'en's camp.When the smoke cleared, Bai Mao descended into the valley, hoisted Black Fiend's corpse over his shoulder, and began the long trek north—toward Wang Cheng'en's camp.
Hequ County – The AftermathHequ County – The Aftermath
Inside the old county yamen, General Du Wenhuan sat in the high seat.Inside the old county yamen, General Du Wenhuan sat in the high seat.
The place had been transformed by Wang Jiayin during his short-lived "reign." The modest magistrate's hall was now a gaudy parody of royalty: tiger-skin throne, silk-draped walls, stolen gold goblets, and a sign that read "The Single King Who Spans the Heavens."The place had been transformed by Wang Jiayin during his short-lived "reign." The modest magistrate's hall was now a gaudy parody of royalty: tiger-skin throne, silk-draped walls, stolen gold goblets, and a sign that read "The Single King Who Spans the Heavens."
Du Wenhuan's lip curled in disgust.Du Wenhuan's lip curled in disgust.
"A bandit pretending to be emperor. Pathetic nouveau riche nonsense.""A bandit pretending to be emperor. Pathetic nouveau riche nonsense."
He slammed his hand on the armrest.He slammed his hand on the armrest.
"Has Wang Jiayin been captured yet?""Has Wang Jiayin been captured yet?"
Cao Wenzhao bowed stiffly. "He escaped."Cao Wenzhao bowed stiffly. "He escaped."
"Zijing Liang?""Zijing Liang?"
"He escaped.""He escaped."
"Bai Yuzhu?""Bai Yuzhu?"
"He escaped.""He escaped."
"Even Chuǎng Wang?!""Even Chuǎng Wang?!"
"He also escaped.""He also escaped."
"Heaven's sake!" Du Wenhuan bellowed, hurling a tea cup that shattered across the floor."Heaven's sake!" Du Wenhuan bellowed, hurling a tea cup that shattered across the floor.
"Did everyone escape? What do I tell His Majesty—that I captured their horses?!""Did everyone escape? What do I tell His Majesty—that I captured their horses?!"
Cao Wenzhao lifted his hands helplessly.Cao Wenzhao lifted his hands helplessly.
"Our encirclement was too thin, General. Twenty thousand against one hundred thousand… We simply couldn't seal every gap.""Our encirclement was too thin, General. Twenty thousand against one hundred thousand… We simply couldn't seal every gap."
Du Wenhuan snarled, pacing. "Useless! The lot of you—"Du Wenhuan snarled, pacing. "Useless! The lot of you—"
A soldier burst in.A soldier burst in.
"Report! Shaanxi Regional Commander Wang Cheng'en has arrived with good news!""Report! Shaanxi Regional Commander Wang Cheng'en has arrived with good news!"
"Good news?" Du Wenhuan snapped. "Did the rebels trip over their own swords?""Good news?" Du Wenhuan snapped. "Did the rebels trip over their own swords?"
"He's captured a major rebel general!""He's captured a major rebel general!"
That cooled Du Wenhuan's rage to a simmer. "Very well. Let him in."That cooled Du Wenhuan's rage to a simmer. "Very well. Let him in."
Moments later, Wang Cheng'en strode in, followed by Bai Mao, carrying Black Fiend's corpse like a sack of rice.Moments later, Wang Cheng'en strode in, followed by Bai Mao, carrying Black Fiend's corpse like a sack of rice.
The officers recognized the dead man instantly.The officers recognized the dead man instantly.
"Black Fiend! Wang Jiayin's right-hand butcher!""Black Fiend! Wang Jiayin's right-hand butcher!"
Du Wenhuan's anger evaporated, replaced by the gleam of opportunity.Du Wenhuan's anger evaporated, replaced by the gleam of opportunity.
"Excellent! One dead Black Fiend is worth ten escaped bandits. Wang Cheng'en, you've earned credit.""Excellent! One dead Black Fiend is worth ten escaped bandits. Wang Cheng'en, you've earned credit."
But Wang Cheng'en gestured humbly.But Wang Cheng'en gestured humbly.
"The credit belongs to this officer under my command.""The credit belongs to this officer under my command."
All eyes turned to Bai Mao.All eyes turned to Bai Mao.
He stood tall, lean, armored, a ragged puppet of Dao Xuan Tianzun perched proudly on his shoulder like a tiny divine mascot.He stood tall, lean, armored, a ragged puppet of Dao Xuan Tianzun perched proudly on his shoulder like a tiny divine mascot.
Du Wenhuan frowned.Du Wenhuan frowned.
"You there. What's your name and post?""You there. What's your name and post?"
Bai Mao hesitated. Using his bandit name was impossible.Bai Mao hesitated. Using his bandit name was impossible.
So he blurted out the first thing that came to mind:So he blurted out the first thing that came to mind:
"Your humble subordinate, Wang Xiaohua, of Chengcheng County, serving as centurion under General Wang.""Your humble subordinate, Wang Xiaohua, of Chengcheng County, serving as centurion under General Wang."
"Wang… Xiaohua?""Wang… Xiaohua?"
The room collectively paused.The room collectively paused.
A name like that—Little Flower—didn't exactly bloom with heroism. A few officers struggled not to laugh.A name like that—Little Flower—didn't exactly bloom with heroism. A few officers struggled not to laugh.
"No wonder he carries a doll," someone muttered. "The name fits.""No wonder he carries a doll," someone muttered. "The name fits."
But Du Wenhuan, pragmatic as ever, didn't care. Merit was merit.But Du Wenhuan, pragmatic as ever, didn't care. Merit was merit.
"Wang Xiaohua, you've slain a major rebel commander. Your merit will be reported to the court. I hereby promote you to battalion commander. Serve loyally and bring further glory to the Ming.""Wang Xiaohua, you've slain a major rebel commander. Your merit will be reported to the court. I hereby promote you to battalion commander. Serve loyally and bring further glory to the Ming."
Bai Mao bowed deeply, but inside he was grinning like a man who'd just won the lottery.Bai Mao bowed deeply, but inside he was grinning like a man who'd just won the lottery.
Battalion commander… that's 440 men. Four hundred and forty! Perfect for the Gao Family Village Militia.Battalion commander… that's 440 men. Four hundred and forty! Perfect for the Gao Family Village Militia.
"Your humble subordinate obeys!""Your humble subordinate obeys!"
The puppet of Dao Xuan Tianzun on his shoulder tilted slightly—as if smiling.
Trivia :
"Why So Many Betrayals in Ancient Wars?"
1. Yes — Most of These Betrayals Really Happened.
The tales of generals or city officials secretly opening gates, switching sides, or assassinating their own lords are not fiction invented for drama. Ming and late Yuan–era military records are full of such accounts.
In the late Ming alone (1620s–1640s), nearly every major rebel siege — from Li Zicheng's campaigns in Shaanxi to Zhang Xianzhong's in Sichuan — ended with defection or betrayal rather than annihilation.
Even imperial officers did it. Generals like Wu Sangui famously opened the Great Wall to the Qing — the single most consequential betrayal in Chinese history.
2. Why Was Loyalty So Fragile?
Ancient loyalty wasn't the modern, patriotic type we imagine today. It was transactional — built on personal bonds, pay, and survival.
Here's why it broke so often:
a. Weak Central Authority:
The Ming bureaucracy was overstretched, and local armies were semi-independent. Commanders often paid their own soldiers. When the court delayed salaries or grain (which was frequent during famine and corruption), loyalty evaporated.
b. Pragmatism Over Honor:
In a collapsing regime, survival outweighed ideals. Soldiers and officials calculated:
"Why die for a doomed lord when I can switch sides and live comfortably?"
Betrayal wasn't seen as sin so much as clever timing.
c. Bandit Origins of Rebel Forces:
Many armies, like Wang Jiayin's, came from bandit backgrounds. These weren't disciplined, oath-bound troops; they were loose coalitions of survivalists. Their "loyalty" was to whoever could feed them.
d. No Professional Identity:
There was no national army in the modern sense — soldiers served generals, not nations. If a general fell, so did his men's allegiance.
e. The Culture of Opportunism:
Late imperial China revered success more than sentiment. A successful defector could later claim moral justification:
"I was serving the true emperor all along."
3. The Irony of History:
Because of this culture, betrayal became a survival mechanism — and sometimes, the only reason some states endured as long as they did. Even emperors learned to bribe or co-opt traitors instead of condemning them. It was cheaper, faster, and more predictable than loyalty.