That very evening, General Chang Qian-guang hosted a grand banquet within the city to celebrate the Tang army's victory. Oxen and sheep were slaughtered, and the soldiers were generously rewarded with food and wine. The entire city joined in the celebrations, sharing in the joy of the victory.
General Chang Qian-guang raised his cup and said, "Allow me to borrow the occasion and offer a toast to all of you heroes."
Everyone raised their cups and drained them in a single gulp.
Wu Tong then said, "General Chang, your command is blessed with an abundance of talented men. Having witnessed your troops today, I can see that every one of them is a battle-hardened soldier. They guard the frontier with unwavering resolve, and no enemy could possibly cross the line while such men stand watch. I offer my respect to all of you generals."
The generals raised their cups in acknowledgment and drank them dry.
Wu Tong then raised his cup once more and turned toward the Beggars' Sect Master.
"Master Fei, I thank you for your constant support of the younger generation and for never sparing yourself in helping us. Let us have three cups together. The first cup is on behalf of my wives. I offer it to you."
Fei Jin was a great lover of wine. He laughed heartily, and the two men drank together.
Wu Tong then said, "The second cup is from me. I have been blessed by your guidance and care for so many years. It is but a humble cup of wine, but I offer it to you with all my respect. Come, let us drink."
The two men drank another cup together.
Fei Jin then raised his cup and said, "And the third cup is for the new Hall Master as he ventures forth into the martial world. May he benefit from your wisdom and instruction. I offer you this cup."
The two men drank the third cup.
Having fully entered the spirit of the feast, Fei Jin once again raised his cup and turned toward the assembled generals.
"Gentlemen, this old beggar has little talent. I have no great accomplishments to boast of. The only thing I truly love is wine! You generals stand guard at the frontier and defend the borders of the Tang Empire. Tonight, I merely borrow this banquet to offer you a little wine. It is nothing grand, but it comes from the heart. Let us each have a cup. I shall begin by toasting General Chang Qian-guang."
General Chang raised his cup and drank.
Next came General Hun Jian, followed by General Xiang Yong, and then the other commanders in turn.
As the banquet drew to a close, Wu Tong turned to Li Jian and said, "Hall Master Li, you now hold an official appointment from the imperial court and bear a great responsibility. You should take this certificate of appointment to Chang'an and present yourself before His Majesty at the earliest opportunity."
Li Jian respectfully replied, "I shall obey."
That evening, the heroes feasted on great chunks of meat and drank wine from large bowls. Laughter and merriment filled the hall. The gathering was one of true brotherhood, and every hero present raised his cup with unrestrained enthusiasm. It was a banquet none of them would ever forget.
The following day, the heroes bade one another farewell and went their separate ways.
The members of the Beggars' Sect prepared to return to the Sect's headquarters to hold the inauguration ceremony for their new Sect Master. Wu Tong, having relinquished his official post, prepared to return to his native home. Li Jian and Tan Wei, meanwhile, set out for Chang'an to report to the imperial court and formally assume their respective responsibilities, with Li Jian taking over as the new Hall Master of the Loyal and Righteous Hall.
After crossing the Qinling Mountains, the two traveled day after day. Before long, Chang'an was already within reach.
Li Jian gazed into the distance, his heart filled with a sudden sense of freedom and peace.
The autumn wind had begun to blow, and the season was deepening. Suddenly, a single autumn leaf drifted slowly from the branches and fell before him.
The sight stirred countless memories in Li Jian's heart.
He looked back upon the events of his past, every scene still vivid in his mind.
He remembered the day he had first left his home county. It had been spring then. The willows had been green as mist, while wildflowers bloomed in profusion along the countryside roads. He had walked beneath the spring breeze, carefree and full of hope.
At the time, he had intended to travel to Chang'an, hoping to seek his fortune and make a name for himself.
Who could have imagined that, along the way, he would become entangled in one extraordinary affair after another and encounter an adventure beyond anything he could have dreamed of?
And now, he was once again traveling toward Chang'an—but this time under an imperial command, summoned to report to the court.
The workings of fate were truly unfathomable.
Indeed, man proposes, but Heaven disposes.
It was now early autumn. The weather had grown cool, and the western wind swept across the land. Leaves whirled through the air as the two quietly entered the great city of Chang'an.
Tan Wei had once lived in Chang'an with Wu Tong for a considerable period of time and knew the city streets like the back of her hand. She therefore led Li Jian directly to the Loyal and Righteous Hall.
After they knocked upon the gate, Tang soldiers immediately came forward to open it. As the guards of the official residence, they quickly reported the arrival of the guests to the servants within.
An elderly servant soon appeared and led them through the residence.
Before long, they arrived at the main hall.
Seated directly in the center of the hall was an elderly man.
Li Jian immediately gave the secret password:
"A true man seeks to win glory in foreign lands. How could he remain forever at his desk, wielding only brush and ink? What should a man of ambition do?"
The old man showed no surprise.
He immediately rose to his feet and hurried forward, replying:
"If you do not enter the tiger's lair, how will you ever obtain its cub?"
Li Jian immediately continued with the next line:
"Those who dare to offend the Great Tang…"
The old man answered without hesitation:
"Though they be far away, they shall still be punished!"
The old man paused, then bowed slightly and said, "I am Tang Yong, steward of the Loyal and Righteous Hall. May I ask the young hero's name?"
Li Jian replied at once, "My surname is Li. My given name is Jian."
He then reached into his robes and produced the identity token of the Loyal and Righteous Hall.
The old man appeared to have been awaiting this very moment.
He immediately stepped forward, drew himself up, and dropped to one knee. In a loud and solemn voice, he proclaimed:
"The Hall Master has returned! Forgive us for failing to welcome you properly!"
Suddenly, Tan Wei cried out loudly,
"Uncle Yong!"
The steward Tang Yong froze.
He turned around in astonishment and stared at the beautiful young woman standing behind Li Jian.
His expression changed completely.
After staring at her in disbelief, he asked,
"And who might this young lady be…?"
Tan Wei's appearance had changed beyond recognition since the day she had left Chang'an.
She was no longer the plain and awkward girl he remembered. She had grown into an extraordinarily beautiful young woman, her features radiant and graceful, yet she still possessed the delicate charm of youth.
Embarrassed, Tan Wei lowered her head slightly and said softly,
"Uncle Yong… it is me. Tan Wei."
Tang Yong stared at her.
For a moment, he was utterly speechless.
"This… this is impossible!"
At once, Tan Wei's cheeks blossomed with a shy smile. Her eyes shone with happiness, and she could barely contain her delight.
"Uncle Yong, it really is me. I am Tan Wei."
Tang Yong looked at her again and examined her carefully from head to toe.
Her figure was similar to that of the Tan Wei he remembered. Her age was about the same, and although her appearance had changed dramatically, her voice remained unmistakably familiar.
There could be no doubt.
This truly was Tan Wei.
Tang Yong suddenly burst into delighted laughter.
"Thank Heaven! That little girl who once had a crooked mouth and uneven eyes has now become as beautiful as a fairy!"
Tan Wei's face flushed with embarrassment, but happiness shone unmistakably in her eyes.
Tang Yong was beside himself with joy.
He clapped his hands loudly, and one of the servants immediately hurried into the hall.
"Prepare a grand feast!" Tang Yong exclaimed happily. "The new Hall Master and his companion have returned. We must give them a proper welcome and wash away the dust of their journey!"
The servant immediately bowed and withdrew to make preparations.
Tang Yong then personally led Li Jian and Tan Wei on a tour of the residence.
As they stepped into the great courtyard, an atmosphere of ancient elegance immediately surrounded them.
The magnificent estate was built in the grand style of a bygone age. Within the grounds were winding streams crossed by small bridges, artificial rockeries, elegant pavilions, and rare flowers and exotic plants blooming everywhere.
Everywhere they looked, they could sense the grandeur and ambition that had inspired the founding of the Loyal and Righteous Hall during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang.
The spirit of that glorious age seemed to linger within these ancient walls.