Tales of Tang Dynasty - The Legend of the White Ape Who Filled the General's Position (1)

A story I saw in the archives. In the late Datong era of the Liang Dynasty, General Pingnan Lin Qin was dispatched on a southern campaign. Upon reaching Guilin, he defeated Li Shigu and Chen Che. His subordinate, Ouyang He, plundered the region, reaching Changle, pacifying all the caves, and venturing deep into treacherous terrain. He's wife was fair and exceptionally beautiful. His men said, "Why is the General bringing such a beauty through this place? There is a spirit that excels at stealing, and it particularly preys on young, beautiful women. You should guard her carefully." He became very suspicious and fearful. That night, he gathered his soldiers to surround her quarters, hid his wife in a secret chamber, and secured it tightly. He then assigned over ten female slaves to guard her. That evening, it rained heavily and was pitch black. By the fifth watch, all was silent. The guards, weary, dozed off. Suddenly, as if startled by something, they awoke to find his wife already gone. The door was still locked as before. No one knew how she had left. Beyond the door lay perilous mountains, and the area was so disorienting that pursuit was impossible. By dawn, there was no trace of her. He was filled with great anger and sorrow, vowing not to return in vain. He then feigned illness, halted his army, and personally scoured the surrounding areas daily, searching the deep mountains and treacherous paths.