When Gongsun Chujiu saw Cheng Ying and heard his story, he could not help cursing Tu Angu and grieved sorely for the fate of the Zhao family. Cheng Ying said, “Your Excellency, there is one infant left.” Then, he told him the rest of the tale.
“Where is the infant?” asked Gongsun Chujiu.
“He is in my medicine chest.”
“What are you going to do with him?”
Cheng Ying replied, “I have a child, which is of the same age as Zhao"s child. I want to pretend to replace my son with this infant. I need you to go to tell Tu Angu that I have the child of Zhao"s family. Tu will kill me and my son. I’ll leave this child to you and you will raise him.”
Gongsun Chujiu was moved by Cheng Ying’s willingness to sacrifice himself and his son and asked him, “How old are you?”
“I’m 45.”
“It will take at least 20 years for the child to grow up. At that time, you’ll be no more than 65. But for me, I’ll be more than 90 if I’m still alive. How can I help the child to seek revenge for the Zhao family when I’m that old? I think that it would be better that you give me your son and report to Tu. Tu will kill us. Then you can bring up this child.”
“I can’t do that. How can I incriminate you?” said Cheng Ying.
“I’m nearly 70 and have no fear of death. I always admire heroes. You and Zhao Dun are both heroes in my eyes. So, I’ll do what I can to save this child and die with no regrets. Please do as I say.”
Hearing this, Cheng Ying was moved to tears. He took the infant home and brought back his own son the next day. After arranging everything, Cheng Ying came to Tu Angu’s home.
Hearing his report about the whereabouts of the orphan of the Zhao family, Tu Angu asked Cheng Ying who he was and how he knew this information. “My name is Cheng Ying. I’m a village doctor.
I was once acquainted with Gongsun Chujiu. Yesterday, I dropped in on him when I was in Taiping Village. In his home, I saw an infant and it seemed strange to me because Gongsun Chujiu has no child. So I asked him if it was the Zhao orphan. He looked very nervous and hesitated. I am sure it must be the Zhao orphan. ”
Hearing Cheng Ying’s words, Tu Angu sneered and said, “It’s obvious that you are lying! Do you think you can cheat me? Why should you report him since there’s no enmity between the two of you?
Cheng replied calmly, “In the past I had no enmity with him. But orders had been made to kill all infants that are the same age as the Zhao infant. I turn him in only to spare the life of my own son. My only son was born when I was 45. I refuse to let him die.”
Tu Angu laughed and said, “Aha! Now I see.” He then asked Cheng Ying to show him the way to Gongsun Chujiu’s home.
Tu Angu ordered his men to tie up Gongsun Chujiu and forced him to surrender the orphan. Gongsun Chujiu refused to admit that the orphan was in his home. Tu Angu asked Cheng Ying to confront him. Seeing Cheng Ying, Gongsun Chujiu pretended to be astonished and attacked him for his treachery. Then, Tu Angu ordered Gongsun Chujiu to be beaten with big sticks. Just then, a soldier came in and reported that he had found the child in a hole in the wall. Tu Angu roared with laughter, “Give me the child and let me take a good look at it.”
The soldier gave him the child. Gongsun Chujiu shouted, “You have killed Zhao Dun and his family, isn’t it enough? Will you kill the orphan as well?”
Tu Angu said, “This orphan could be big trouble for me.” He grabbed the child and stabbed it cruelly and the child died instantly.
Cheng Ying helplessly watched his own son die. But, he had to choke back his grief and indignation. At this moment, Gongsun Chujiu cursed Tu Angu and bumped his head against the wall and died himself.
