A Great Repentance and a Great Forgiveness

Liang-Sheng-Yü was one of China's greatest generals. He had served his kingdom wisely for many years when a war broke out among four nations. Liang-Sheng-Yü conquered the other nations and brought them under his king's authority.

He was also called Seung-Foo, which means "the great Helper of the King." He earned this honorable title by serving two generations of kings—father and son.

One day, Liang-Sheng-Yü publicly rebuked General Liang-Po in the king's presence. Liang-Po was furious and thought to himself, "Even though Liang-Sheng-Yü is a great general, he shouldn't criticize me in front of the king. He's shamed me before the king. Now I'll find fault with him and accuse him before the king. The king forgave me only because I've done many good things for the kingdom."

He went home but couldn't sleep, his heart burning with anger. In the morning, his face was still downcast with sorrow, for he couldn't forget the humiliation. His wife asked, "What troubled you last night?" But he only replied, "Don't ask."

A servant brought his morning meal, but it tasted like nothing. The wine servant gave him wine, but it tasted like water. Another servant brought water for him to wash, and he said, "It's too cold." Yet the water was no different from usual.

Three days passed, and Liang-Po's heart remained unchanged. Then he went to a friend's house. On the way, he saw Liang-Sheng-Yü approaching from a distance. Liang-Po tried to meet him, but Liang-Sheng-Yü walked by on the other side, refusing to acknowledge him.

Liang-Po said to himself, "This is strange and terrible. I've never been his enemy; why is he so slow to forgive? Why won't he face me? I served the king with him for many years. I can't understand why he would turn away from me. He is wrong, wrong."

He went home and wrote to Liang-Sheng-Yü, saying, "I saw you on Wun-Chung Street today and wished to meet you to say many things. I believe you didn't want to see me, for you walked on the other side, your face turned away. So my heart carries another sorrow. I would like to see you tomorrow, soon after the morning meal, and invite you to my house for the noon meal."

But when the servant delivered the letter, Liang-Sheng-Yü threw it into the fire without a word. The servant witnessed this and returned to tell Liang-Po.

Fifty days later, word came that the Chaa-Kwa Kingdom planned to make war against the Juo Kingdom.

The king therefore sent word to General Liang-Po and to the great helper, Liang-Sheng-Yü, saying, "Come to me at once, your king."

When Liang-Po received the message, he said, "I think there will be a great war with the Chaa-Kwa Kingdom." So he delayed his visit to the king and ordered four thousand soldiers to prepare for battle.

They made ready, and for two days Liang-Po delayed. Meanwhile, Liang-Sheng-Yü had already come to the king. He was afraid, thinking, "Liang-Po won't come. I shamed him before the king. I have done wrong. If he doesn't come, our nation is lost. We can't go into battle without him."

The king asked, "Why hasn't General Liang-Po come? We can't wage war without our general. Without him, we can't even respond to the Chaa-Kwa Kingdom."

Liang-Sheng-Yü replied, "Before I sleep tonight, I will see the general." Then he went home and told his servants, "I have no time to eat. I must see General Liang-Po." He ordered them to cut a bundle of thorn sticks, which he took with him to Liang-Po's house.

It was during the Nyi-Kang time, when all is quiet, that Liang-Sheng-Yü arrived at General Liang-Po's house. He knocked on the door three or four times before the servants opened it and asked, "Who is there?" He answered, "I am Liang-Sheng-Yü. Tell your master I must see him tonight, or I die."

Liang-Po dressed and came to the door. There he saw an old man with his head bowed so low it hid his face. He wore old clothes, carried a sword on his back and a bundle of thorn sticks in his hands. And he knelt on the floor.

General Liang-Po asked, "Who is this?" Then Liang-Sheng-Yü, the great and proud helper of two generations of kings, said, "I wish to see General Liang-Po."

His face was still close to the floor, and his voice trembled. "General Liang-Po," he said, "I spoke against you before the king, and I have realized the fault was mine. I know now you were right, and I am guilty, not you. I have done you great wrong. My sword is on my back, and a bundle of thorn sticks is in my hand.

Take the sticks and beat me. Take the sword and cut off my head. We cannot make war tomorrow if we are not at peace tonight."

Then General Liang-Po helped Liang-Sheng-Yü to his feet and said, "No, we have always been friends. We will be friends forever, and together we will serve our king. I ask you to forgive me. I ask the king, too, to forgive me, for I have also made mistakes. We will all forgive and be forgiven—then we will surely be friends."

The two great men bowed together and worshiped the Creator, and they both swore that from that time on they would share the same mind.