The rebel commanders, led by Yin Ziqi, had never imagined that General Zhang Gao, having just arrived with the Tang army, would seize the moment and launch an assault that very night. The sudden offensive caught the rebels completely unprepared, and in less than a single day Suiyang was reclaimed. At its root, this victory lay in the strategies proposed by the righteous forces: to strike where the enemy was unguarded, to attack when least expected.
The righteous army knew the city's streets and gates intimately. By slipping into the city through secret tunnels, they provided crucial internal support. With these martial masters acting from within, the righteous fighters faced the rebel troops surging forward like a tidal wave without the slightest fear. Every one of them possessed martial skill. They successfully lowered the city gates and welcomed the Tang army inside.
When the Tang soldiers heard of General Zhang Xun's martyrdom, their blood boiled. Killing intent surged forth; they charged wave after wave without fear of death, fierce and indomitable, until Suiyang was finally restored.
At dawn, the city of Suiyang was permeated with the stench of blood left in war's aftermath. The righteous forces searched within the city and at last discovered the burial site of General Zhang Xun and his companions. The Tang army and the righteous forces then set up a memorial altar in the open air. A sacred image of the Buddha was placed above, while before it stood spirit tablets, incense burners, candles, ritual offerings, and sacrificial meats.
Soon after, Zhang Gao led the Tang commanders and the leaders of the righteous forces forward, each offering incense in turn. After the rites were completed, the righteous fighters were filled with grief and fury. The anger of the Beggars' Sect disciples had yet to subside when a cry suddenly rang out:"Execute the corrupt official! Avenge our hatred!"
At once, the righteous forces shouted in unison:"Execute the corrupt official! Avenge our hatred!"
Wu Tong, his heart brimming with sorrow and rage, wept as he spoke:"My lord, the Prefect of Haozhou, Lü Qiuxiao, received the order yet neglected his duty and failed to rush reinforcements to Suiyang. By military law, he deserves execution!"
Zhang Gao's brows knit tightly. His expression grew stern as he declared in a deep voice:"Heaven's justice is clear! Righteous warriors, Lü Qiuxiao, Prefect of Haozhou, neglected his duty and violated military orders. By military law, he shall be executed today at the third quarter of noon!"
When noon arrived, the Tang troops immediately escorted the prisoner to the execution ground. Lü Qiuxiao was led forth. By this time, the trees lining the main road within the city had shed most of their leaves; withered yellow foliage drifted down, autumn fully upon the land. In ancient times, executions were customarily carried out in autumn or winter, hence the phrase "execution after autumn," in accordance with the Way of Heaven.
At the third quarter of noon, upon the presiding officer Zhang Gao's command, Lü Qiuxiao was dragged forward and beheaded. With a single scream, his blood-soaked head rolled down from the execution platform. The righteous forces erupted in loud cheers. His body was left exposed to wind, rain, and blazing sun—this punishment was known as "abandonment in the marketplace."
By Chinese tradition, executions were carried out at the third quarter of noon, and the severed head would be displayed at the city's Meridian Gate, hence the term "execution at the Meridian Gate." Abandonment in the marketplace generally meant "to kill in the market and cast aside before the people," that is, public execution. Another interpretation holds that after death, the corpse was to be displayed in the marketplace for several days, burial forbidden, as a warning to all.
As commander-in-chief of the Tang forces, Zhang Gao executed Lü Qiuxiao according to military law, using his blood to honor the loyal martyrs who had died defending Suiyang. On the battlefield, Zhang Gao's actions were beyond reproach before the nation. They further unified the Tang army's resolve to defend the realm. From that moment on, no one dared neglect their duty; military authority was firmly established, and no one dared disobey orders.
Zhang Xun and thirty-six martyrs held the city without provisions within and without reinforcements beyond, defending it until the city fell, after which they were captured and heroically executed. The Defense of Suiyang stands immortal in history—tragic, magnificent, and unparalleled. This battle halted the rebels' southward advance, preserved the Tang empire's vital Jianghuai region and its abundant resources, and won precious time and material support for the Tang counteroffensive.
When Suiyang fell, the rebel commander Yin Ziqi urged Zhang Xun to surrender. Zhang Xun stood resolute in righteousness and would rather die than yield. Thus Yin Ziqi ordered Zhang Xun and his subordinates—Nan Jiyun, Yao Yan, Lei Wanchun, and thirty-six men in total—to be executed together. Zhang Xun was forty-nine years old.
Historical records credit his achievements, unanimously holding that the Battle of Suiyang tied down vast numbers of rebel troops, buying time and opportunity for Guo Ziyi to recover the eastern and western capitals. It held immense strategic significance in safeguarding the Jianghuai tax regions vital to the Tang dynasty. Historians rate Zhang Xun's military genius extremely highly; his ingenious tactic of using straw dummies to draw enemy arrows was in no way inferior to Zhuge Liang's famed "borrowing arrows with straw boats."
Thus it is written:
For a thousand autumns, his name shines with sun and moon;His great righteousness towers to the heavens.A crimson heart, solitary and exalted beyond compare;His heroic spirit surges to fill the sky.
It is said, "To die boldly is easy; to meet death calmly in righteousness is hard." Great righteousness means sacrificing oneself without regard for life—just as Zhang Xun and his subordinates Nan Jiyun, Yao Yan, Lei Wanchun, and the thirty-six martyrs gave their lives for justice, impartial and selfless, their hearts reflecting the sun and moon, their spirit reaching the clouds.
Mencius said: "Life is what I desire; righteousness is also what I desire. If I cannot have both, I will give up life and choose righteousness." Throughout history, many have spoken of sacrificing life for righteousness. Zengzi said: "A scholar cannot but be resolute and steadfast. His burden is heavy and his road long. To take benevolence as one's duty—is that not heavy? To persist until death—is that not long?" Confucius said: "The gentleman is ashamed to leave the world without his name being honored."
Zhang Xun and his subordinates knew full well that death was certain. Why did they refuse surrender? Because what they sought was righteousness itself. Facing life and death, they stood unafraid, leaving a name to endure for all ages.
As the saying goes:"If one seeks fame, seek fame for ten thousand generations;if one plans for gain, plan for the benefit of all under heaven."