and did not dare to look up at his godfather. Shi Kefa then shouted "I'm Military Inspector Shi. Quickly kill me!" and was captured as a prisoner-of-war. Dodo tried to persuade Shi Kefa to surrender and serve him, saying, "Previously we sent you a letter politely asking for your surrender, but you refused. Now that you've fulfilled your loyalty and righteousness, you should take on a new important responsibility – help me conquer Jiangnan." Shi Kefa replied, "I fall together with the city. My decision will not change. Even if I'm torn to pieces, my feelings will be as sweet as maltose. But do not harm the thousands of lives in Yangzhou!" Shi Kefa was then executed. Dodo was infuriated by the heavy casualties sustained by his army in conquering Yangzhou so he ordered that the entire city be put to the sword (the event is known as the Yangzhou massacre). Twelve days after Shi Kefa's death, his remains could not be found. A year later in 1646, Shi Dewei buried Shi Kefa's headdress and garments at Plum Blossom Ridge outside the Tianning Gate of Yangzhou. The Qing writer Quan Zuwang () later wrote the Tale of Plum Blossom Ridge () to describe the event. The Shi Kefa Memorial, a shrine devoted to the memory of Shi Kefa, is located in present-day Yangzhou. Calligraphy Shi Kefa was said to have been an individual of great energy and integrity, qualities reflected in his calligraphy, frequently in cursive and semi-cursive style. Shi Kefa's calligraphy is of the late Ming period style among other Ming literati, with a preference for long compositions in a flourishing manner. See also Anti-Qing sentiment References Wang, Sizhi, "Shi Kefa". Encyclopedia of China, 1st ed. Voices from the Ming-Qing Cataclysm: China in Tigers' Jaws Struve, Lynn A. Publisher:Yale University Press, 1998. 1601 births 1645 deaths Ming dynasty generals Ming dynasty calligraphers Grand Secretaries of the Ming dynasty Politicians from Kaifeng History of Jiangsu Artists from Henan Ming dynasty politicians Generals from Henan Executed Ming dynasty people People executed by the Qing dynasty 17th-century Chinese calligraphers Southern Ming people