Xiao Yuan, the distinguished general of Zhenbei, was suddenly captured by the Eight Hundred Miles Black Order Arrow Lock at the celebration banquet for the great victory at Yumen Pass, and was falsely accused of "collaborating with the enemy and treason." His adviser and close friend Xie Zhibai realized that this was a trap set up by the powerful Prime Minister Li Siyuan, and spent all his wealth and efforts to rescue him.
However, Prime Minister Li's methods were ruthless and sophisticated. Witnesses died, evidence was destroyed, and all the help was purged. All hopes of overturning the case were completely shattered.
Emperor Zhu Biao issued an order and Xiao Yuan was sentenced to behead the Lijue and Yi tribes.
At the time of farewell, faced with Xiao Yuan's request to take his wife away to protect himself, the desperate Xie Zhibai vowed angrily: "If I can't redress your injustice, I am willing to be reviled with you for eternity!"
On the execution ground, when the executioner's knife fell, Xie Zhibai rushed out like lightning in plain white mourning clothes, knelt beside Xiao Yuan, and shouted his oath in public.
The sword flashed and the two heads fell to the ground, their blood mingling.
The two headless corpses remained erect because of their hands that were clenched until death, creating a shocking bloody monument.
Li Xiang was furious and manipulated public opinion to label the two as "treason and traitors", turning their names into reviled words.
However, the scene at the execution ground turned into an immortal mark, spread secretly among the people, and planted the seeds of disunity in the hearts of the border troops.
Xiao Yuan's secret orphan survived, and Xie Zhibai's widow Liu Yan raised her with difficulty despite being scolded, silently guarding the truth and vows.
A hundred years of vicissitudes and dynasties have changed.
On the unnamed deserted tomb in the northwest suburbs of the capital, pure blue star flowers bloom every spring.
While the children were playing, an ancient vague ballad was sung: "The bones of generals, the blood of counselors... The clasped hands are inseparable... Scorned for eternity... Together we forge a monument..."
It's hard to change the stigma of Qing history, but people's hearts have their own fertile soil.
