The Battle Formation Song: Mountains and Rivers Fall Onto a Jade Plate

In 908, Li Keyong, Prince of Jin, fell gravely ill as Later Liang forces besieged Jinyang. From his sickbed, he summoned his eldest son, Li Cunxu, and took out three carved feathered arrows. With tears in his eyes, he charged him: “The first arrow is for Liu Shouguang of Youzhou, who repaid my kindness by turning against me after borrowing my troops. The second is for my sworn enemy Zhu Wen, who usurped the Tang and founded Liang, leaving me to wage war for half my life. The third is for the Khitan leader Yelü Abaoji, who broke his oath. He once swore brotherhood with me, yet secretly colluded with Zhu Wen. If these three grudges go unavenged, I will not rest in peace!” Li Cunxu knelt and accepted the arrows, swearing, “As long as I live, the arrows remain. I will destroy all three enemies.”

After founding Later Tang, Li Cunxu became consumed by wine and women, favoring eunuchs and actors. His rule grew corrupt and incompetent, and he was killed by his own subordinates. Thus the career of a generation's formidable warlord ended in tragedy...