"At year's end, the world runs red;Who in the court will gird his helm?To save the age, one dares embrace death—A lonely loyal heart startles itself." — Du Fu, "At Year's End"
Wu Tong at this moment knelt upon the ground and did not rise. His voice shook with emotion as he declared:"Your Majesty, this minister has two matters of utmost military urgency to report. I beg Your Majesty to look upon my petition with mercy!"
The Emperor's heart trembled."What grave military matter would drive Lord Wu to such earnestness? Rise—whatever you ask, We shall not refuse."
Wu Tong rose to his feet. His chest burned with indignation, and he spoke with fierce, stirring ardor:"Yesterday I received word from the righteous militia: the soldiers at Suizhang City stand alone, starving and without aid. Their situation is perilous beyond measure. General Zhang Xun has already sent his stalwart captain, Nan Jiyun, to plead for reinforcements—yet every nearby commander refused to march. Nan Jiyun even rode to Linhuai to seek aid from the Military Governor, Helan Jinming. Who would have thought Helan Jinming would reply: 'We know not whether Suizhang still stands—what use is sending troops?' He evaded responsibility again and again, refusing the plea for rescue.
"When this subordinate heard of this, rage filled my heart. I rode through the night, returning straight to Fengxiang to seek Your Majesty's decree, that I might personally lead the imperial mandate to relieve General Zhang Xun!"
The Emperor sighed helplessly."Lord Wu, you do not know—days ago We already removed Helan Jinming from command and appointed Zhang Gao as the new Military Governor of Henan, commanding the armies of eastern Henan and northern Jiangsu. He now marches to Suizhang. May he yet arrive in time!"
Zhang Gao, who rose from commoner to Grand Councillor in three short years, was famed as a man of brilliance and heroic talent.
Wu Tong, hearing this, felt greatly heartened. His face finally broke into a smile."Your Majesty is wise indeed! I have already contacted Beggar-Clan Chief Fei to gather the righteous militias at Linhuai. I shall bear the sacred decree and ride to reinforce General Zhang Xun at once!"
The Emperor said:"Zhang Xun and Xu Yuan hold Suizhang with their very lives, halting the rebels' advance. Without them, Jianghuai would already have fallen. Their merit cannot be measured!
"Supplies from the south now flow steadily. Our armies await only the moment to counterattack. During your time away, Lord Wu, have you gained intelligence of our military situation?"
Were it not for Zhang Xun and Xu Yuan's unyielding defense of Suizhang, the rebels would have swept south uncontested, and the Tang dynasty would never have recovered the chance to turn defeat into victory.
While war drums beat urging the armies forward, Wu Tong spoke gravely:"Your servant recently received classified intelligence from the Jingjiao monk Yisi. A secret slip of paper from within the rebel camp reads: 'Hide elite cavalry east of the encampment, to strike the Tang army from the rear.'
"Your Majesty yearns day and night to recover the twin capitals. You have already summoned Generals Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi of the Northwestern Army from Hebei back to Lingwu, united with the Uyghurs, and gathered the forces of fifteen prefectures to launch a massive counteroffensive. To reclaim the capitals is to restore the legitimacy of Your Majesty's reign."
The Emperor brightened with joy."In these troubled times, when Great Tang stands upon the brink, Li Hall-Master and the many chivalrous heroes of the jianghu have risen in righteousness. We are deeply moved. May our armies soon reclaim both Chang'an and Luoyang and return peace and livelihood to Our people."
Wu Tong bowed deeply."May Heaven shield Your Majesty. May the rebels soon be swept aside, the people restored to peace, and the nation flourish once more. Your servant humbly petitions for an imperial decree granting me leave to ride to Linhuai at once, to reinforce the Tang army and rescue Suizhang with all speed!"
The Emperor had long wearied of ministers greedy for rank, cowardly in battle, and shirking duty—Helan Jinming foremost among them. When the moment came to face the enemy, they always found excuses, refused to march, and endangered the dynasty.
But Wu Tong's conduct today—true, unfeigned loyalty and righteous courage—was the bearing of a real man.
Thus the Emperor praised him greatly:"Lord Wu, your deeds today are worthy of your name—Loyalty and Righteousness. We grant your petition. Return now to your residence; in a moment, We shall dispatch the decree."
Wu Tong thanked the Emperor's boundless grace and returned to his manor. His wives had prepared a simple meal of porridge and vegetables; he ate quickly. Soon Assistant Director Chen arrived with the imperial edict. Wu Tong received it, and knowing that reinforcements were as urgent as quenching a blazing fire, he briefly urged Li Qian to mind her health and told Zhao Rou to care for her closely. Then he mounted his horse with Liu Yun and Ling Xian'er. With reins flicked and sleeves billowing, the three riders departed in a cloud of dust.
Thinking of Zhang Xun's desperate defense at Suizhang, Wu Tong burned with anxiety. Every moment saved was a life saved. The three riders dared not rest; they pressed their horses day and night, riding two days and two nights without pause.
At last, at dawn on the third day, they reached Linhuai. No sooner had they entered the city than Beggar-Clan disciples found them and brought them to the assembled militias. The great company marched to the Henan Military Governor's residence.
As they approached the entrance, the guards barred their way. Wu Tong presented the imperial edict and was admitted. Inside the grand hall, the handover ceremony between Zhang Gao and Helan Jinming had just concluded.
Wu Tong and the righteous militia strode into the hall. Wu Tong called out in a resonant voice:"Where is Helan Jinming?"
A court official turned pale instantly and dared not answer. Another, imposing in stature and noble in bearing—Zhang Gao—spoke:"And who might you be?"
Wu Tong replied:"I am Wu Tong, Hall-Master of Zhongyi Hall. Are you Lord Zhang Gao?"
At the words "Hall-Master Wu Tong," Zhang Gao's expression sharpened."Have you urgent military intelligence?"
Wu Tong advanced. As he passed Helan Jinming, fury surged within him.Slap—slap!Two resounding strikes landed across Helan Jinming's cheeks. Caught completely off guard, he reeled backward, face swelling, stars bursting before his eyes, collapsing onto the floor.
Wu Tong had no wish to take his life—that alone spared Helan Jinming. His two attendants, shocked, lunged at Wu Tong in fury. But Wu Tong shifted his stance, his palms flashing like lightning—pa! pa!—and both attendants were flung aside.
The hall fell into stunned silence.Wu Tong, unfazed, handed the edict to Zhang Gao, who immediately opened it and read it in full.
Wu Tong then turned, pointed at Helan Jinming, and thundered:"Helan Jinming! When Captain Nan Jiyun begged you for reinforcements, what words did you speak? Say them!"
Helan Jinming's face, now swollen grotesquely, stammered:"W-what right have you to strike me?"
Wu Tong roared:"As Military Governor of Henan, you declared: 'We know not whether Suizhang still stands—what use is sending troops?'"Those two slaps were mercy. Your head—your head I shall spare for now. If Suizhang falls, I will return and take it myself!"