Not long after, the cargo ship drew in and moored by the pier.On the dockside, the ranks of the righteous militia had already gathered in waiting.From the vessel stepped out first Qiu Feng, leader of the Feng Gang; Xu Li, leader of the Xuzhou Gang; and Tang Fei, second-in-command of the Feng Gang. They greeted the militia men with warmth and camaraderie.
At Qiu Feng's wave of command, brothers of both gangs immediately set to work, unloading the supplies in an orderly rush. The Four Elders of the Beggars' Guild — Qian He, Song Ren, Chen Yan, and Jiang Feng — likewise directed their disciples to help hoist the crates onto the waiting wagons. For a full hour men labored shoulder to shoulder; only when the goods filled ten wagons to the brim did they finally cease.
Stepping forward, Wu Tong cupped his fists and declared,
"Gang Leader Qiu of the Feng Gang, Gang Leader Xu of the Xuzhou Gang —you have led your men across water day and night to escort these supplies for the righteous cause.Such merit may not go unspoken!Your act of placing the fate of the realm above personal ease —Wu truly holds it in the deepest admiration!"
Xu Li returned with a mild smile:
"We are all in the same boat, hoping to aid the Tang Army in crushing the traitors soon.Wu Tang-zhu, have you not traveled far for the cause? That alone is worthy of respect."
Qiu Feng then turned and nodded toward Fei Jin — the Wine-Loving Beggar —
"What lies ahead shall be in your care."
Fei Jin slapped his chest with a booming laugh,
"You two Gang Leaders and your brothers have done enough.Leave the rest to the Beggars' Guild and the Salt Gang —we shall escort the supplies for the militia from here on!"
Just then Qiu Feng's gaze shifted. He caught sight of a face among the Salt Gang and spoke in surprise:
"Eh? Is that not Zeng Qiang, deputy leader of the Salt Gang?"
Wu Tong stepped in to clarify:
"The traitor army acts with depravity and lawless cruelty —such conduct is despised by all men of the martial world.That the Salt Gang would lend its strength to the righteous cause today —is an act of great righteousness."
Deputy Leader Zeng Qiang stepped forward, cupping his fists:
"When Wu Tang-zhu told us of the righteous cause,the Salt Gang was moved in heart and spirit.Given the chance to stand with the righteous today —how could we possibly let it slip by?"
Xu Li of the Xuzhou Gang and Tang Fei of the Feng Gang both nodded in approval.Tang Fei then turned to ask his own leader:
"Gang Leader, may I march with the militia to Suiyang?"
Qiu Feng pondered briefly, then replied,
"You have been on the road for days — why not rest a while?"
Xu Li interjected with a laugh:
"Gang Leader Qiu may not know — Tang Fei and Deputy Leader Zeng Qiangare sworn brothers in life and death. They have not met for years.Their reunion today must surely bring much to speak of."
Tang Fei and Zeng Qiang exchanged a glance — one look enough to speak a thousand words.There was nothing but unspoken loyalty and friendship in their eyes.
The Wine Beggar Fei Jin waved his arm boldly and declared:
"The more hands, the better! So be it!There is no time to delay — we set out now!"
At his call, the voices of the righteous side rose in unified answer.The line of wagons creaked into motion, rolling toward Suiyang beneath the falling dusk.The sun's dying radiance spilled across their faces, hardening their silhouettes into iron resolve.This company — forged from many guilds yet bound by one cause —now marched toward the same fate upon a single road.
Just then, a rowdy troop swaggered toward the pier from afar.Deputy Leader Zeng Qiang of the Salt Gang muttered under his breath,
"That must be Zhang Cheng of the Matou Gang,and Yang Linzhong of the Xingwu Gang."
Moments later, the group arrived.At the front strode Yang Linzhong, voice loud and unrestrained:
"Brothers of the shipping guilds!The Xingwu Gang comes on behalf of the Yan Army to receive your allegiance.If you defect to the Yan banner, there will be rewards and titles for all."
The Wine Beggar Fei Jin scoffed, voice like cold iron:
"Hah! A pack of lackeys for An Lushan, nothing more."
His words cut straight to the bone.At once, anger flared among the Beggars' Guild disciples —their faces darkened, fists clenched, voices ready to erupt.
Zhang Cheng, leader of the Matou Gang, barked back:
"So the old beggar is the Beggars' Guild leader?What pride is there in being a lord of beggars?Swear loyalty to us, and riches and rank await!"
Before tempers could explode further,Tang Fei of the Feng Gang stepped forth and answered with calm clarity:
"Confucius said:'Wealth and honor are what men desire —but if they are not gained by the proper way,they shall not be held.'Zhang Bang-zhu, Yang Bang-zhu —do you think the leader of the Beggars' Guild is a man who chases wealth and rank?"
He continued, voice steady but ringing:
"And again the Master said:'Were wealth attainable in righteousness,even I would toil for it;but if it may not be attained,I follow what is right.'"
Tang Fei's words landed like iron bells in a silent hall —measured, unhurried, yet each syllable struck powerfully.Among the righteous ranks, hearts stirred with admiration.
Yang Linzhong of the Xingwu Gang gave a harsh laugh.
"What is 'righteousness'? Of what use is it?You speak of virtue — and what became of you?You became beggars, did you not!"
His words dripped with contempt.
He went on coldly:
"The Yan Emperor is a man of great vision.He saw how local gentry and clans bled the peasants dry.The common folk could no longer live under Tang rule.Today the Beggars' Guild fills all under heaven —is this not the gift of your precious Tang Court?"
He was not wrong about the rot beneath the imperial veil.Population had surged; land had been swallowed by great clans.By late Xuanzong's reign, the equal-field system had collapsed in all but name.Men received land too little to live on, yet taxes remained fixed —they could not bear the burden; many fled their fields —more still slipped into vagrancy and beggary.
Wu Tong spoke then — neither hurried nor hesitant:
"Bang-zhu Yang speaks not falsely —this is a fault the Court must bear.Yet wherever the Yan Army marches,it burns, kills, loots, and ravages.Tell me — is that an army of benevolence and justice?"
This struck the rebels' softest nerve.
For though An Lushan raised arms beneath the bannerof "cleansing the court and punishing treachery,"and though his first call to arms met the anger of the people —he was never a man who could stabilize the realm.
He and his generals were men of brute courage and shallow vision.When they seized Chang'an,instead of pressing west to finish the war,they drowned themselves in the gold and silks of the inner city —drinking by day, reveling by night,surrendering to the warm debauchery of the capitaluntil all momentum was lost.
Yang Linzhong sneered:
"And what did 'benevolence and justice' buy you?It bought you hunger, misery —and rags!"
Tang Fei stepped forth once more, voice clear as struck jade:
"Bang-zhu Yang is mistaken.The Way that stands between Heaven and Earth —is not measured by hunger or by silk.
The Way of Heaven stands in Yin and Yang;the Way of Earth stands in Firmness and Yielding;the Way of Man stands in Benevolence and Righteousness."
The words rang out like spring thunder —simple, but with the weight of a verdict.Every man present felt the echo of those two characters — Ren and Yi —strike against his chest like a mallet to a war drum.
Yang Linzhong could not abide it.A coarse, pride-filled man, he bristled at being lectured before so many:
"Tang Fei! Do not posture before me with your ink and sages.At the Grand Assembly of the Ferries, you and I crossed hands —and you were the one who fell!"
His tone grew sharper, his gaze venomous —the air thickened with challenge.
Just then a cold voice cut from the crowd.Ling Xian'er stepped out, slender figure like a drawn blade:
"Yang Bang-zhu bullies by skill and insult —allow this girl to collect a few debts on his behalf."
She moved before he could reply —her body a sudden flash, wind curling at her heels —palm surging straight toward his chest.
Yang Linzhong reacted in the blink of an eye —a hawk-like twist mid-air and a sideways kick lashed out toward her ribs.
Zhang Cheng of the Matou Gang barked,
"Reckless woman — stand down!"
He hurled a palm strike of his own.But Ling Xian'er slipped like smoke —left hand drawing, right palm releasing —turning their strength against them with four-ounces-moves-a-thousand-pounds finesse.
They brushed past — then all three wheeled and struck at once.
Four palms met with a single, cracking boom.
Dust leapt from the ground.All three were thrown back by the shock.
Yang Linzhong steadied himself, face dark, voice low and grim:
"The girl has courage — a hero among women.I will grant her that.
But hear me well —we came today only to warn you:Aid the Tang Army no further.
Ignore this warning —and when the time comes,do not blame us for killing without mercy."
The words fell heavy —and at once the scene turned dense and silent.
On the righteous side, blood surged and fists clenched —their gaze like drawn steel.
On the Yan side, although they flared their fangs and postured,they too could feel the immovable wall of resolve across from them.
No blade had yet been drawn —and yet between the two sidesthe air already smelled faintly of blood and war —a battle poised on the edge of a single breath.