It is said that Li Jian and Lu Rou, two heroes of extraordinary courage, galloped forth on horseback, riding as swiftly as the wind. No enemy could stand before them. The Tang cavalry charged forward in pursuit, the elite Tang troops raising a thunderous battle cry as they launched a fierce assault. The Tibetan army was divided into three formations—the left, center, and right. The two deputy generals commanding the left and right wings, Duoji and Pazhuo, were slain, throwing the Tibetan ranks into utter confusion.
Li Jian and Lu Rou urged their horses forward, spears in hand, and charged straight toward the central formation. The central commander, General Gongbu, sent out two companies of his bravest warriors. Every man was strong and battle-hardened, each a formidable fighter. Yet they had not reckoned with Lu Rou, who suddenly unleashed his spear technique from horseback with astonishing force. He struck down several warriors in succession, sending them tumbling from their horses. Unable to withstand him, the remaining soldiers turned their mounts and fled.
Meanwhile, Li Jian wielded the Wolong Saber. His blade flashed as swiftly as lightning; wherever his hand moved, another enemy fell. His attacks were as devastating as a storm sweeping away dead branches. The two heroes charged straight into the heart of the Tibetan army, wheeling left and right, breaking through the ranks as though there were no one before them.
At that very moment, the Tibetan general Ma Chongying turned his horse around and shouted once more:
"Who dares to come forth and fight?"
General Gongbu, commander of the central formation, raised his long spear and spurred his horse forward to meet the challenge.
Just then, from not far away came a sudden shout. General You Qi, Xiang Yong, had arrived with his troops. Pointing directly ahead at a formidable-looking middle-aged-to-elderly general, he cried:
"Do not let Ma Chongying escape!"
Li Jian immediately clamped his legs against his horse. Raising his saber, he galloped straight toward the imposing general ahead, charging with overwhelming force.
At the same time, Lu Rou spurred his horse forward, spear in hand, and charged straight into the fray.
When the Tibetan general Ma Chongying saw the two heroes advancing with such terrifying ferocity, his heart was filled with alarm. Realizing that the situation had become critical, he hurriedly called upon the Tibetan soldiers to come to his aid and protect him.
One man wielded a saber, the other a long spear. Facing the brave Tibetan warriors, the two fought with astonishing valor. Nothing could withstand their attacks; none could match them.
Under the protection of his soldiers, Ma Chongying fought while retreating, desperately trying to escape.
Just as the two sides were locked in a fierce struggle, a cannon blast suddenly thundered across the battlefield.
Boom!
A tremendous battle cry erupted from behind.
No one knew from where they had come, but a great force of Tang cavalry suddenly charged into the battlefield, cutting off the Tibetan army's retreat.
Even though the Tibetan soldiers were seasoned and courageous warriors, they could not withstand an attack from both front and rear. Their will to fight quickly collapsed. The Tang army swept through their ranks, leaving Tibetan soldiers throwing away their helmets and armor as they fled in every direction.
As the old saying goes, "Do not ambush an army that is returning home, and do not pursue a desperate enemy too far."
General Xiang Yong nevertheless led his troops in pursuit for ten li before finally ordering them to halt. The battle had ended in a great Tang victory.
The Tang forces then rendezvoused with the reinforcements arriving from elsewhere and returned together to the city. As it turned out, the reinforcements had been brought by another Tang commander, Hun Jian, one of the generals serving under Guo Ziyi.
The Tang army entered the city in triumph. The people lined the streets to welcome their victorious soldiers. General Chang Qian'guang personally came forward to greet the heroes upon their glorious return.
What Li Jian never expected to see was that standing beside General Chang Qian'guang, apart from the Beggar Clan's Chief, Fei Jin, was none other than Wu Tong, the former Master of the Zhongyi Hall.
General Chang Qian'guang looked toward Fei Jin and Wu Tong and praised the two heroes:
"These two young men are truly Lü Bu among men and the Red Hare among horses!"
In the general's eyes, what the two had accomplished that day was an act of great righteousness. They had fought with extraordinary courage, slain countless enemies, and led the Tang army to a crushing victory over the Tibetans. How could he not admire such rare talent and praise their extraordinary valor?
Lü Bu was renowned as the fiercest warrior of the Three Kingdoms era, celebrated throughout the realm for his unmatched martial prowess. His skill was said to be so formidable that in the famous battle of the Three Heroes against Lü Bu, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei joined forces against him. Lü Bu wielded the legendary Fangtian Huaji halberd and rode the mighty Red Hare. Yet even against the three heroes together, he could fight on equal terms and was said at times to have held the upper hand.
By then, General Xiang Yong, the Youqi General, had finished arranging the Tang troops into formation. He dismounted swiftly and strode toward General Chang Qian'guang. Folding his hands respectfully, he reported:
"General Xiang Yong, acting under orders, led the troops into battle. We have returned victorious."
General Chang Qian'guang nodded with satisfaction.
"General Xiang, your valor has shaken the Tibetan realm. This expedition has ended in a great victory. I doubt the Tibetan forces will dare invade the borders of the Tang Empire again anytime soon."
At that moment, General Hun Jian also strode forward and saluted General Chang Qian'guang.
"General Chang, I regret that my reinforcements arrived late. I beg your forgiveness."
General Chang Qian'guang laughed.
"You arrived at precisely the right moment. Heaven itself has aided the Tang army."
As it happened, Wu Tong had been ordered to mobilize troops and proceed to Lingwu as reinforcements. By sheer coincidence, he arrived just as the Tang army launched its counterattack. The Tibetan forces suffered a disastrous defeat, caught between the Tang troops attacking from the front and the reinforcements striking from behind. Their losses were severe, and for the time being, they no longer dared to initiate another major conflict.
According to historical records, in the fourth year of the Dali era—AD 769—the Tibetan army besieged Lingzhou. Chang Qian'guang, acting commander of the Shuofang Military Command, led the Tang forces in driving them back.
At this point, the Beggar Clan's Chief stepped forward and said:
"Generals, Master Wu Tong of the Zhongyi Hall has brought with him the imperial appointment issued by the court. I ask everyone here to bear witness to the succession from the former Master to the new Master."
Wu Tong's voice rang out:
"Li Jian, step forward."
Upon hearing his name, Li Jian immediately stepped forward and stood respectfully before Wu Tong.
Wu Tong produced the official appointment document. It was an imperial decree drafted by a Hanlin Academician. Such a document, known as a gaoshen, was an official appointment issued by the government.
Wu Tong proclaimed:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
Wu Tong, former Master of the Zhongyi Hall, has served the realm with distinction, and his term of office is now drawing to an end. In selecting men of talent for the service of the state, the court esteems virtue and ability above all else. Therefore, Li Jian of Jinchang County in Longyou Circuit is hereby appointed the new Master of the Zhongyi Hall.
As Mencius once said: 'Guan Zhong was raised from among the officers of state; Sun Shu'ao was summoned from the wilderness; Baili Xi was discovered in the marketplace.'
Li Jian is a hero of the present age, a man of exceptional courage and martial prowess, loyal to the core and distinguished in his service to the realm. His reputation is known throughout the land. He shall continue to serve as Master of Ceremonies, while his rank, honors, and noble titles shall remain unchanged.
So decreed.
The twentieth day of the eighth month, fourth year of the Dali era."
As Wu Tong delivered the imperial appointment, his heart was filled with excitement and countless emotions. Li Jian received the official document with both hands and bowed deeply.
"I humbly receive this appointment with awe and gratitude. I thank the former Master Wu Tong for recognizing my worth and showing me such kindness. I swear that I shall never betray the trust you have placed in me. I shall devote all my strength to assisting the Tang Empire and serving the realm."
It is said that even when his literary brilliance covered the world, Confucius once suffered hardship in Chen; and even though his military strategy was unmatched, Jiang Taigong once sat by the Wei River waiting for his opportunity.
Li Jian thought to himself that he would never forget Wu Tong's kindness and faith in him for as long as he lived.
At once, thunderous applause broke out among those gathered.
Tan Wei stepped forward and spoke with heartfelt emotion:
"Today, in the battle against the Tibetans, you were willing to risk your life for righteousness. You truly showed the spirit of a hero, and Uncle Wu's discerning eye has indeed recognized the right man!
"A man should stand tall between Heaven and Earth. In this fleeting life, he must conduct himself with honor and courage, and never be unworthy of Heaven or Earth!"
The Beggar Clan's Chief burst into hearty laughter.
"Wu Tong, this young man is just like you were in your younger days. Congratulations—you have found yourself a worthy successor."
Wu Tong bowed deeply.
"It is all thanks to the guidance and support of Elder Fei, the former Chief. The Zhongyi Hall is deeply indebted to you."
The Beggar Clan's Chief laughed.
"I too have found a successor. Lu Rou, come and pay your respects to Hero Wu Tong."
Lu Rou hurried forward and bowed respectfully.
"This junior, Lu Rou, a branch leader of the Beggar Clan, pays his respects to Hero Wu."
Wu Tong nodded.
"You are destined to become the future Chief of the Beggar Clan. In the years ahead, you must follow the example of Chief Fei—uphold justice, aid those in danger, relieve the suffering of others, and become a true hero who stands tall beneath Heaven and upon Earth."
Just then, General Chang Qian'guang clasped his hands and offered his congratulations with a smile.
"Congratulations, Chief Fei and Master Wu. You have both found worthy successors. What a joyous occasion!
"Today, the Tang army has won a great victory. We have also witnessed the succession of the Zhongyi Hall from the old Master to the new. Such a day of triumph and celebration surely calls for a great Hero's Banquet!"
And so, amid the cheers of the people and the triumph of the Tang army, preparations began for a grand feast in honor of the heroes.