In peace, bandits rise,
Chaos descends from the skies.
Two roads suffer cruel plight,
Weapons tangle in endless fight.
This land bears the worst fate,
How can I, lowly, narrate?
When court first quelled the strife,
Who held the commander's life?
Supply trains on roads appear,
Dimly rumbling, far and near.
Palace guards, tigers brave,
Where they charge, none can save.
Armor gleams on rivers bright,
Spears and halberds shine in light.
Elders then would say with dread,
These rebels cannot be fed.
Army laws are strict and clear,
Advance, retreat—none steer.
Why then suddenly withdraw?
Camps moved, leaving flaw.
Left with less than five hundred men,
Facing thousands, again and again.
Valiant General Hu, bold and keen,
Charged ahead on his steed, unseen.
In and out he struck with might,
Like a whirlwind in the night.
Countless rebels fell in strife,
Corpses piled, devoid of life.
Who said scattered, they'd return?
Their numbers still make hearts burn.
Soon the city walls they seal,
Gathering clouds of dark appeal.
The general roared in furious cry,
Swore to die for country high.
Drew his sword, plunged back to fray,
Drumbeats faded, far away.
Alas! The brave hero lost,
The sun for him was overcast.
Woe to those within the town,
No path to life, only renown.
Heads rolled, families slain,
Calamity and bitter pain.
Wives and children driven, bound,
On roads, their wailing sound.
Slight displeasure, slight mistake,
Life would end, for mercy's sake.
Words just uttered, throat cut clean,
Head from body, swift and keen.
Gentle maids in chambers fair,
Never peeped beyond their lair.
Forced by blades to leave their place,
Not allowed to slow their pace.
Looking back at parents dear,
Parents dare not shed a tear.
Looted clean, not a thing spared,
Bags and burdens all were shared.
Scholars trapped as slaves in scorn,
Beaten, cursed, and roughly torn.
Some escaped the blade's sharp edge,
Turned to fish or turtle's pledge.
Cornered, pressed by desperate plight,
Forgot the deep abyss of night.
Rumors spread in haste and fear,
Leapt to death, with none to hear.
Babies still in arms they keep,
Powdered faces, beauty deep.
Sands reek of guts, foul and drear,
Crows and kites come pecking near.
Alas! O heaven, blue and vast,
Think of crimes in ages past.
After turmoil settled down,
South I went through former town.
Not just people changed their face,
Paths and fields left not a trace.
Thorns and brambles all I see,
Foxes crouch and stare at me.
Slopes where blood once freely flowed,
Misty cold, where sorrows glowed.
On the wall, an old man met,
Tears in steps, his tale he set.
Said when rebels broke the gate,
First they struck the southern fate.
Long our army fought in gore,
My son helped me flee the door.
Thousands saved from certain death,
All by General Hu's last breath.
Otherwise, all fish and meat,
No survivors left to greet.
Finished speaking, sobs anew,
I too wept, my tears like dew.
Army's burden, supply strain,
Famine follows, endless pain.
Wounds of war not yet restored,
Empty villages, ignored.
White bones, unknown whose they are,
No one calls from death afar.
All around, such scenes abound,
Kind hearts should grieve at the sound.
Lately, joy for victory grand,
Captives all returned to land.
Rebel chiefs at temple slain,
Followers back to fields again.
Know you are but fish in pot,
Mercy grants a breathing spot.
Why rely on peril's steep,
High forts on mountains keep?
Tribes are different in kind,
Local customs, years defined.
Strength subdued, they briefly yield,
Surrender not from goodness sealed.
Forced followers may be spared,
But not all villains have been cleared.
Turncoats' hearts are hard to read,
Safety rests on wise men's deed.
This campaign should not restart,
Seize the time, play your part.
State's own laws and penalties stand,
Court's plans will be just and grand.
Moved by times, my hair turns white,
Worried for country, day and night.