Yang Linzhong could hold out no longer. His legs went weak and he dropped to his knees, bowing his head in contrition.
"I, Yang Linzhong, was blind of eye and blind of heart. Today I have insulted the Gaibang leader. I beg your pardon."
Fei Jin answered coldly,
"If you are willing to act as An Lushan's hound, today I spare your life — for now. Next time we meet, it will be your end. Off with you!"
Yang Linzhong beat his breast and kowtowed again, frantic:
"Thank you, elder, for sparing my life!"
Wu Tong stepped forward and cast them both a warning like a drawn blade:
"Take heed, both of you. The Gaibang leader's mercy springs from a heart of magnanimity and a righteousness that fills the heavens. You, petty men, lust for rank and riches and crawl to An Lushan like curs. If you do not repent, the next time we meet the Wolong Blade will show no mercy."
The words struck true — equal parts reprimand and grace — and the two leaders rose, sullen and ashamed, then turned away.
Tang Fei's eyes shone with approval. He murmured,
"The Way of man stands in benevolence and righteousness."
Indeed, the Gaibang leader had little coin but great virtue; none in the jianghu dared mock him. Because he raised the righteous militia and sought to restore the Tang, he stood as the militia's shield. Without such Ren and Yi, even the most numerous band would be but a rabble.
With farewells and calls, the assembled heroes set forth. The road from the pier to Suiyang stretched some two hundred li. To avoid ambush they took the official road and camped that night in a lonely temple amid荒山 — the next day their march resumed. By afternoon they had reached a quiet ridge when suddenly a cannon— or rather, the sharp crack of a warhorn—split the air. From the treeline on both sides surged a host of mountain bandits, charging down as one.
"Bandits!" cried Elder Qian He of the Gaibang.
Out strode the bandit chieftain, swaggering like he owned the ridge:
"I am Qin Bao, master of the Huanggang Dabieshan lair. Leave your valuables and move on, or do not expect to pass."
Zhao Rou's eyes narrowed. At the chieftain's side stood a familiar figure. She leapt forward and landed before the militia in a flash, calling out,
"Qin Biao — do you remember me?"
Qin Biao, second-in-command of the Huanggang Dabieshan lair, stiffened at the name. Rage flared in his face:
"Of course I remember! It was you and Wu Tong who foiled our raid on the Tang army's provisions. If not for you, the loot would already have been in our camp!"
Wu Tong stepped forward with measured calm and said,
"I am Wu Tong, leader of the Zhongyi Tang. We escort supplies to the Tang garrison at Suiyang. Chieftain Qin, show mercy and let us pass."
In those chaotic times bandits and strongmen ruled the hills and preyed on the countryside. Qin Bao weighed the figure before him and felt his heart skip — this man carried an air not of a petty soldier but of one who commands presence. He glanced at Qin Biao and then back at Wu Tong.
"Is this the same man who spoiled our prize?" Qin Bao asked.
"He is," Qin Biao growled. "That man's skill is no trifling thing."
Seeing the courage and bearing Wu Tong wore, Qin Bao hesitated. Liu Yun stepped forward to make the matter plain:
"Look at our garb. Look at this elder."
The bandits stared and then took in the militia before them — ragged men and women, save for a few like Wu Tong. One of the old beggars came forward — a square-jawed elder with a small beard at his chin, his patched robes neatly mended and a lacquered red gourd strapped to his back. At the sight, the chieftain's face changed; recognition and surprise broke through. He blurted aloud, awed,
"Could it be — Fei Jin, the famed Gaibang leader?"
Zhao Rou smiled, "Chieftain Qin, your eyes are sharp; you know the Gaibang's Fei Jin."
Hastily Qin Bao bowed to the Beggars' Guild leader:
"I am Qin Bao of Huanggang Dabieshan, I pay respects to Gaibang leader Fei Jin."
Fei Jin stepped forward with easy dignity:
"Chieftain Qin, I am Fei Jin of the Gaibang. We mean no trouble; we escort provisions to the Tang garrison. I ask only that you let us pass."
Qin Bao, who understood the limit of his strength against such a presence, swallowed his pride. With a bowed head he said,
"I was blind and have offended. Passage is yours."After a pause he added with new courtesy, "Let Qin Biao clear the way — and send along a few roasted sheep for the righteous band."
Fei Jin's face broke into a smile of sincere gratitude:
"Chieftain Qin, many thanks for granting passage. Your men were denied their profit today and yet you send us roasted sheep — truly you honor the code."
Qin Bao bowed further, courteous and pleased to be praised. "Your name is spoken like thunder across the land. To meet you in person this day is my honor. Business failed, but righteousness remains. The roasted sheep came from the Yan army kitchens — a little plunder returned as courtesy."
Fei Jin's magnanimity — a rare and noble quality — won the respect of the whole ridge. To come upon mountain bandits and to be given roasted sheep instead of pillage was a wonder of the jianghu. Wu Tong stepped forward and spoke with the polished rhetoric of one who gathers warriors:
"Great talent is sometimes hidden in humble places. Heroes may sit in hovels and remain unknown. Today, with heroes rising, your generosity shines, Chieftain Qin. If the Tang reclaim Chang'an and needs men of courage, do not belittle yourselves — with merit you too may receive rank and title."
At Wu Tong's words Qin Bao's face lit with possibility. "If such a chance should come, I would gladly relinquish my hilltop crown," he said, smiling.
Thus the ridge's tension eased. The bandits made way, the militia took their roasted sheep with thanks, and the road to Suiyang opened once more.
Poem — four lines, rhymed :
On the ridge the outlaw horns resound, the clear shot split the air,An elder's step and noble mien laid low the brigand's glare.In patched robes honor rides at dawn, where banners sweep the lea,To meet the virtuous face to face — and set the captured free.