Liu Yun interjected at this moment, saying,"Yet the thirty-six defenders of Suiyang under General Zhang Xun all sacrificed their lives for the nation. If this matter is simply set aside, I fear the entire Tang army will find it hard to accept."
Elder Fei, the Beggar Sect's chief, sighed deeply and said,"To exterminate the enemy, one must still weigh gains and losses. If we insist that loyal ministers serve no second master, the Tang forces may suffer catastrophic casualties."Elder Fei was a man of benevolence and righteousness. Knowing full well the cruelty of war—how clashes between armies inevitably brought death and shattered countless families—his heart grew heavy with sorrow. At this juncture, both sides were seeking a way to bring this brutal war to an end.
Ling Xian'er said,"Senior Fei is right. Since the rebels have already been utterly defeated, if they surrender in sincerity, sparing unnecessary bloodshed on both sides would itself be an act of immeasurable merit."
Sect Master Murong nodded in approval and said,"For the sake of all living beings under Heaven, does Hall Master Wu have a plan?"
Yet the martyrdom of Zhang Xun and his thirty-six defenders had shaken Heaven and Earth. Their loyalty and righteousness stirred the hearts of all. If the rebels were treated with excessive leniency, those officials who had remained loyal to the Tang court might harbor resentment. Wu Tong pondered briefly, then said,"Sect Master Murong must have come under orders, just as I have come by command of Lord Zhang Gao. Since matters have come to this, I shall speak plainly. If the rebels wish to surrender, they must present the head of Yin Ziqi, the man responsible for General Zhang Xun's death. Furthermore, the city gates must be opened. The rebel officials of Chenliu must don plain mourning garments and kneel to confess their crimes, and the surrendered soldiers must likewise kneel in atonement."
Sect Master Murong himself had once led the Black Dragon Sect to join the rebellion. In those days, had he not also burned with ambition to achieve great deeds for all ages? Yet the rebel leadership was narrow-minded, their upper ranks steeped in indulgence—drinking and feasting day after day. How could such men ever accomplish a grand enterprise? With his aspirations stifled, Murong eventually left the Yan court, seeking another path, returning to the martial world to mediate disputes once more.
When Chenliu was surrounded by Tang forces, officials of the Yan regime arrived bearing gold and silver, begging Murong to use his connections in the jianghu to secure a way out. Rising to the occasion, Murong accepted the task and, after some thought, said,"Hall Master Wu's arrangement is both just and reasonable. They truly have no other choice. I shall return to report this at once. How many days will the Tang army grant them?"
Wu Tong replied,"Starting tomorrow—three days."
Murong said,"Then let us share a simple table of wine and dishes."Wu Tong responded,"Both Dharma Kings are welcome to join us for a drink."
Thus they gathered around the table for a modest feast. Former enemies now sat together, seeking the best solution for the lives of all under Heaven.
Zhang Xun and his comrades were paragons of loyalty, sacrificing themselves to preserve the Jiang-Huai region. Their deaths embodied righteousness and filled the world with upright spirit; their names would shine through the ages, revered by the people. In the long river of history, the strong do as they will, while the weak are carried by fate. Yet most mortals are powerless, drifting upon a boundless sea, tossed by wind and waves, surrendering their lives to destiny. Now that the rebels were utterly defeated, merely preserving their lives was enough to inspire profound gratitude.
At noon that day, the gates of Chenliu were thrown open. To demonstrate loyalty to the Tang court—and to protect themselves—the city's residents and officials killed Yin Ziqi. His corpse was paraded through the streets. The rebel forces surrendered to the Tang; rebel officials knelt in mourning garments to confess their guilt, while surrendered soldiers laid down their weapons outside the city gates and knelt in repentance. Seeing their tearful pleas, Zhang Gao honored his promise and granted them amnesty.
Around the same time, outside Chang'an, Emperor Suzong of Tang returned with the civil and military officials. There they encountered more than three hundred former officials, including the Grand Councillor Chen Xilie, who had once surrendered to the Yan regime. Wearing plain garments, they knelt to confess their crimes. Emperor Suzong magnanimously forgave them, declaring,"You were coerced and defiled; this was not true rebellion. By imperial decree, your crimes are pardoned, and you shall all be restored to office."
During the catastrophic An Lushan Rebellion, when the empire teetered on the brink of collapse, Emperor Xuanzong fled to Shu, and the Crown Prince Li Heng ascended the throne at Lingzhou, becoming Emperor Suzong. After two arduous years, the Tang finally recovered the Two Capitals and restored the dynasty. Standing at this turning point, how could Suzong not aspire to govern the realm and establish everlasting merit? Having endured palace intrigue and the crucible of war, his forgiveness of the rebel officials was perhaps not absolution, but a choice born of necessity—for the land had long been ravaged, the people destitute, and countless tasks awaited rebuilding. At such a time, mercy was more fitting than retribution.
The Tang armies drove out the rebels and reclaimed Chang'an and Luoyang. Court and countryside erupted in celebration. On this day, Zhang Gao ordered oxen slaughtered and sheep butchered, setting a grand banquet to reward the troops. The righteous militias were also invited. With Chenliu recovered, rebel strongholds in Henan Circuit were effectively eradicated. The enemy fled northward, and under Zhang Gao's command, the Tang army advanced with unstoppable force. With victory secured, preparations were made to return and report success.
At the banquet, the soldiers ate heartily, drinking deep and feasting without restraint. At that moment, Zhang Gao rose, raised his cup, and proclaimed,"The righteous militias fought bravely and contributed greatly to this campaign. I, Zhang Gao, thank you all with this cup of wine."
All raised their cups and drank it dry.
Wu Tong then stood as well, lifting his cup and saying,"Without the aid of the righteous militias from all regions, how could this campaign against the rebels have succeeded so smoothly? Their valor deserves the highest merit. I especially thank Elder Fei of the Beggar Sect and the Dragon-Tiger Adept for leading their forces with tireless devotion. I offer this cup in gratitude."
The crowd drank together, spirits soaring.
The Dragon-Tiger Adept laughed and said,"Hall Master Wu, we cultivators may drink wine, but only in moderation—never to excess!"
Wu Tong laughed heartily, raised his cup again, and replied,"Today, this junior offers wine to all the venerable heroes. With spirits high, let us drink to our hearts' content. I shall finish my cup—seniors may drink as they please."
Seeing this, everyone lifted their cups once more. At the banquet, the righteous warriors drank boldly, cups clinking as laughter filled the air. Truly it was as the saying goes:
When kindred spirits meet, a thousand cups are too few;Wine and laughter linger as the moon sinks in the west.
The joy shared between host and guests was boundless, beyond words to fully recount.