Initially serving under Emperor Chai Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin (known as Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty) was just an ordinary general. One day, he found himself embroiled in a deadly battle with the enemy. Zhao Kuangyin was in the thick of the fight when suddenly, an arrow struck his warhorse dead. He fell off the horse and was quickly surrounded by enemy soldiers. At this critical juncture, one of Zhao’s cavalrymen galloped to his rescue, shouting: “General, quickly, mount my horse!” In the heat of the moment, Zhao caught only a fleeting glance of his savior before leaping onto the horse and resuming the fierce battle.
A decade-long search for the savior
After the battle, Zhao Kuangyin sought to find his savior, offering a reward to anyone who could identify the cavalryman. However, to his surprise, no one came forward to claim the reward. The search for the anonymous soldier went on for more than a decade, but Zhao Kuangyin never forgot his rescuer.
Upon Chai Shizong’s death, Zhao Kuangyin ascended to the throne after a military coup at Chen Bridge, enveloping himself in the yellow robes of an emperor. His power and wealth notwithstanding, he longed to repay the selfless individual who had saved his life. He commissioned a portrait of the cavalryman based on his own recollections and circulated it nationwide, all to no avail. Zhao Kuangyin began to suspect that his savior might have lost his life on the battlefield while saving him.
A reunion with the humble hero
Years passed until one day, a man holding the portrait of the long-sought savior arrived at the palace. He told the guards: “Tell the emperor that the man he seeks is here to see him.” Upon hearing the news, Zhao Kuangyin rushed to meet him.
Despite the many years that had passed, Zhao Kuangyin immediately recognized the man standing before him as the cavalryman from his past. Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhao Kuangyin said: “I’ve searched for you for so many years. Why have you only come now? Without your selfless act, I would not be where I am today.”
The humble cavalryman replied: “When I saved you that day, I was saving my commander, our army, and ultimately myself. After the battle, I returned home injured. I saw the portrait you had circulated, and I even kept one as a memento. Your remembrance of me is more than enough. I seek no reward.”
A plea for the people
Moved by the cavalryman’s broad-mindedness, Zhao Kuangyin noticed a sudden change in the man’s countenance. With a grave expression, the man said: “I have not come to the palace today for personal gain. My village has suffered from severe drought for the past two years. Crops have failed, and local officials have chosen to conceal the disaster to preserve their reputations. Hunger has led to unspeakable atrocities. Unable to sit idly by, I have come to plead for your mercy and aid.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin immediately ordered relief preparations. He also granted his savior a reward of a hundred thousand taels of gold and an official position of his choice. The man, however, said: “If I desired rank and wealth, I would have claimed the reward long ago. I understand my capabilities and prefer to lead an ordinary life. If it pleases you, use the gold for disaster relief. That would be the greatest gift.”
The legacy of a selfless savior
As the humble cavalryman knelt before him, Zhao Kuangyin ordered him to rise and praised him for his detachment from worldly gain and concern for the people. He offered to send him back with the relief aid, but the man refused, not wanting the emperor’s generosity to be misconstrued as personal gratitude. Zhao Kuangyin then handed him a personal letter, assuring him that he could ask for assistance whenever needed. The man kept the letter close, and it was discovered among his belongings by his descendants after his peaceful passing years later.
This humble man, who chose not to leverage his connection with the emperor for personal gain, was Xing Song. To many, saving an emperor would have been the jackpot of fate, but Xing Song thought otherwise. He remained content with his ordinary life, valuing the needs of others over personal glory. This makes the story of Xing Song a true tale of humble heroism.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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