Lamenting Wild Geese

After the Huang Chao Rebellion, though the Tang Army recaptured Chang'an, it was no more than a corpse, waiting only to rot and be buried.

After more than twenty years of such frantic turmoil, in the eighth month of the first year of the Tianyou Era, Tang Emperor Zhaozong, Li Ye, passed away. His ninth son, Li Zhu, was installed as Emperor by Zhu Wen.

In the fourth year of the Tianyou Era, Li Zhu was forced to abdicate, then later poisoned to death. He became Emperor Ai of Tang.

Zhu Wen proclaimed himself Emperor, founded Da Liang, and established his capital at Kaifeng.

The Central Plains were filled with lamenting geese.

The sun and sky gave no light.

Across the Central Plains, it truly was one troupe finishing its song only for another to take the stage—a scene of endless bustle.

Third year of the Qingtai Era, Later Tang.

Shi Jingtang, military governor of Hedong, was trapped defending Taiyuan. With no road left before him, he paid the price of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, acknowledged Yelü Deguang as his father, and led Liao troops into the Central Plains. The Later Tang Army could not withstand them and was utterly routed! Liao troops surrounded Luoyang City, and within the city, all was panic and desolation.

"Your Majesty..."

"We... have lost. Great Tang... has lost."

"The Liao troops have Luoyang surrounded. No one is coming to save us."

Within the Imperial Palace, Li Congke sat high upon the Dragon Throne, his face pale. Those below him looked even more miserable as they spoke to him in trembling voices.

Li Congke gripped the armrest tightly, his face twitching.

"..."

"I know!"

He rose shakily to his feet, stared at the already few court officials below, and roared, "Go! Run for your