Successive Investigations into the Rebels: Tang Dynasty, Volume 6

The spy reported that the only true leaders were Ya Bingneng, Luo Hunzhi, Ju Huseng, Luo Tianzi, and Han Qiu—these five men alone. The spy

said: "These matters of mercy are exactly what is on the hearts of the common people. Since you, the Minister, know this so thoroughly and grant them pardon, who would dare not obey your orders?" End of speech. Consequently he sent him back to the rebels. On the next day, Renhou led his troops and set out, arriving at Shuangliu a strategic location in modern-day Sichuan Province. He looked all around at the moats and fences original: 塹柵 (qiànzhà); referring to the elaborate fortifications built by the previous, ineffective commanders and angrily said:

"With layers of defenses as solid and dense as these, it is no wonder those before me could sleep soundly and eat their fill, nurturing the enemy's strength just to stall for time and claim rewards for a long campaign!"

He was about to execute Men Wenxian the officer responsible for building these idle defenses, but the 監軍 original: jiānjūn; the Army Monitor, a civilian official, often a eunuch, sent by the Emperor to oversee military operations intervened to save him. Renhou then ordered that all the moats be filled and the fences leveled, leaving only five hundred soldiers to guard the position.

The rebels had hidden a thousand soldiers in the Liqiao Thickets to intercept the government army. Renhou, through clever maneuvering, learned of this. He led his troops to surround them and issued an order not to kill. He sent a man to strip off his military uniform and enter the rebels' midst to proclaim his instructions. The rebels were

greatly pleased. They vied to throw down their weapons and requested to surrender. Renhou personally comforted and instructed them all, and wrote his promise of amnesty upon their backs, causing them to return into the rebel stockade as messengers. The remaining

multitudes vied with each other to come out and surrender. Luo Hunzhi attempted to flee, but his own followers seized him and brought him forward. Renhou spoke to those who had surrendered, saying: