At the sudden news, Wu Tong cried out involuntarily,"How could this be? Only days ago, we stood together on the streets of Chang'an and agreed to drink again in better times!"
Unable to restrain himself, Wu Tong shed tears worthy of a man. Seeing this, the emperor knew well the depth of Wu Tong's bond with Li Siye. It had been Wu Tong who, during his mission to the Anxi Protectorate, enabled General Li Siye to lead the Anxi forces back to the Central Plains, earning the great merit of helping recover the Two Capitals.
The emperor reached out and gently patted Wu Tong on the shoulder in comfort."I know your heart is heavy. But the dead cannot return to life—you must restrain your grief. I have already arranged for the Duke of Cheng to lead the civil and military officials in mourning. You shall accompany them."
At that time, Li Fuguo had already been granted the title Duke of Cheng for his service.
Grief welled up in Wu Tong's heart, and he said bitterly,"Why is it that loyal patriots such as Zhang Xun, Xu Yuan, Nan Jiyun, and Lei Wanchun all gave their lives for the nation, while those who cling to life and fear death continue to serve as officials, acting as they please?"
Without these loyal ministers and valiant generals, who gave everything to suppress the rebellion, how could the Tang dynasty have been restored? How could the emperor not understand this?
The emperor asked calmly,"Are you referring to Helan Jinming?"
Wu Tong replied,"This humble servant dares not recklessly judge others."
The emperor could not help but smile."I have heard you struck Helan Jinming on the streets of Chang'an. Has that still not eased your anger?"
Wu Tong said through clenched teeth,"I wish I could have slain Helan Jinming with my own hand, to comfort Lord Zhang Xun's spirit in Heaven!"
The emperor pondered for a long moment, then spoke slowly,"At present, the realm is in ruins and must be rebuilt. The court has accepted many who once surrendered or defected. If Helan Jinming fails to repent, his crimes will come to light in due time—then I may need you to act."
Helan Jinming believed that his demotion had spared him disaster. In truth, it had not.As the Master said: 'He who has offended Heaven has nowhere to pray.'
Wu Tong replied,"This servant understands."
The emperor continued,"Helan Jinming is, after all, a court official. As Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, there are matters you cannot handle openly. If necessary, you may entrust such work to someone of the martial world."
Wu Tong said,"I shall obey Your Majesty's command."
Tang Dynasty – Du FuObserving the Anxi Army Passing Through, Awaiting Orders in the Central Plains (two poems)
The Four Garrisons brim with elite troops,Each spearhead strike unmatched in might.I hear they offer soldiers once more—Enough to still the dust of chaos.
Old horses know the night roads well,Lean hawks hunger for their prey.Long-tested in peril and battle,When urgency comes, they fight like gods.
Victory needs not countless ranks—Ten thousand horsemen save the land.Laughing, they pacify the north;Their hearts and lives pledged to the Son of Heaven.
Lone clouds trail the scent of death,Birds flee before the army gates.All day they feast in grim resolve—Cities stand silent, unaware of fear.
Du Fu praised the Anxi soldiers who crossed thousands of miles to answer the nation's call. Their discipline was strict, their conduct impeccable—true exemplars of Tang warriors. Leading the five thousand Anxi troops was the famed general Li Siye.
A master of the modao (long-bladed saber), Li Siye achieved countless feats in his lifetime. Especially during the An Lushan Rebellion, when the Tang dynasty stood on the brink of collapse, he charged at the front of the army, leading the modao troops forward "like a wall," cutting through all opposition and propping up the tottering empire.
Li Siye, a native of Gaoling in Jingzhao (modern-day Sanyuan County, Shaanxi), was said to stand seven chi tall, possessed of extraordinary strength. His military achievements were illustrious. During his frontier service, he defeated the Ten Tribes of Sulu, Lesser Bolü, Shiguo, and even forces of the Arab Caliphate. During the rebellion, he repeatedly crushed rebel armies, reclaimed the Two Capitals, and recovered commanderies across Henan and Hedong. The enemy called him the "Divine-Powered General."
When Emperor Suzong of Tang learned that Li Siye's old wound had reopened and that he had bled to death, he was deeply shaken and grieved. An edict was issued praising Li Siye's lifetime of service. He was posthumously honored with the title Zhongyong ("Loyal and Brave"), elevated as Prince of Wuwei, and an imperial hearse was dispatched to escort his remains back to his homeland.
That day, Wu Tong accompanied Duke of Cheng Li Fuguo, along with the civil and military officials, to Li Siye's ancestral home in Gaoling, Shaanxi. The mourning site was already packed with people. Flowers and funeral scrolls filled the grounds, bearing inscriptions such as "Heroic Spirit for a Thousand Ages," "Valor Never Fades," and "Righteous Qi Endures Forever."
At that moment, the suona sounded, followed by sheng pipes, cymbals, gongs, and chimes—the ceremony began.
The Tang military master of ceremonies announced,"The farewell rites for the late Great Tang General Li Siye—family mourning begins."
About half an hour later, the family rites concluded.
The master of ceremonies then proclaimed,"The public memorial begins. Please invite the Duke of Cheng to offer incense."
Li Fuguo entered the hall with palace attendants. Before the spirit altar, three sticks of incense were presented. He offered them solemnly. Afterward, the ceremony official called,"The family returns the salute."
Lady Li Siye and his son, Li Zuoguo, bowed deeply.
The official continued,"The Duke of Cheng comes today bearing the imperial will. Please invite the Duke of Cheng to read the imperial eulogy."
Li Fuguo unfolded the scroll and read aloud:
"Li Siye—steadfast in conduct, resolute in loyalty.Bearing valor fit for troubled times,Possessing foresight to quell calamity.Long stationed at the frontiers,Tested in every charge entrusted to him.When traitors plunged the realm into chaos,He rallied brave troops with burning resolve,Faced arrows and blades in person,And achieved merit again and again.His heroic integrity deserves all praise;His loyalty unfulfilled, he now grieves in the Nine Springs."
The eulogy was elegant in language, profound in meaning, and heavy with sorrow. When it ended, none in attendance could hold back their grief. Li Fuguo bowed deeply to the family and departed the hall.
The master of ceremonies announced,"Please invite Hall Master Wu Tong of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, together with his wife, to offer incense."
Wu Tong and Liu Yun entered the hall. Incense was presented; they offered it solemnly. The family returned the bow.
The official continued,"Hall Master Wu Tong shared a brotherly bond with General Li Siye. Please invite Hall Master Wu Tong to read his eulogy."
Wu Tong unfolded his scroll and read aloud with ringing voice:
"My brother, General Siye—Your loyal heart and righteous courage are witnessed by Heaven itself.Obeying the imperial command, you rushed to the nation's peril,Raised arms and displayed might, your achievements resounding.You upheld the state, unmatched in loyalty and valor—A hero without equal in this age.
On campaign, you bared your flesh and grasped your spear,Led from the front, advancing like a wall, unstoppable.Now you have given your life for the nation—Even ghosts and gods weep at your valor,Heaven and Earth mourn in unison,Rivers and mountains howl in grief.
Your heroic spirit is imperishable,Standing for a thousand ages.Your great name shall never fade.With courage that filled the mountains and rivers—For ten thousand generations to come,Who could ever compare to you?"
By the time Wu Tong finished, tears streamed freely down his face. Memories surged forth—how could a hero who stood between Heaven and Earth be taken so suddenly? Overcome with grief, he wept aloud. His words, born of true feeling, pierced the heart. Those present could not help but weep with him.
Suddenly, Wu Tong cried out,"Bring wine!"
A Tang soldier stepped forward with two jugs. Wu Tong took them, opened one, and placed it upon the altar. He opened the other and sobbed,
"Brother Siye—let us drink one more jug together!"
He raised the jug toward Li Siye's spirit tablet, then drank. To everyone's astonishment, he drained it in a single breath. When finished, he set the empty jug beside the altar and sighed deeply,
"For a thousand ages to come—who could ever compare to you?"
With that, he and Liu Yun bowed deeply to the family and then walked out of the mourning hall.