So the strife of the rival factions ended at last and Chang Chi memorialised asking the Emperor to go to Hungnung near Loyang. He was delighted saying he had longed to go back to the east. Chang Chi was rewarded with the title of General of Cavalry and was highly honoured. He saw to it that the Emperor and the Court had good supplies of necessaries. Kuo Ssŭ set free all his captive officers and Li Tsʻui prepared transport for the Court to move to the east. He told off companies of his veterans to escort the cavalcade. The progress had been without incident as far as Hsinfung. Near Paling the west wind of autumn came on to blow with great violence, but soon above the howling of the gale was heard the trampling of a large body of horse. They stopped at a bridge and barred the way. “Who comes?” cried a voice. “The Imperial Chariot is passing and who dares stop it?” said Yang Chi, riding forward. Two leaders advanced, “General Kuo has ordered us to guard the bridge and stop all spies. You say the Emperor is here; we must see him and then we will let you pass.” So the beaded curtain was raised and the Emperor said, “I the Emperor am here. Why do you not retire to let me pass, Gentlemen?” They all shouted, “Long Life! Long Life!” and fell away to allow the cortège through. But when they reported what they had done Kuo was very angry. “I meant to outwit Chang Chi, seize the Emperor and hold him in Meiwu. Why have you let him get away?” He put the two officers to death and set out to pursue the cavalcade, and overtook it just at Huayin. The noise of a great shouting arose behind the travellers and a loud voice commanded the chariot to stop. The Emperor burst into tears. “Out of the wolf’s den into the tiger’s mouth!” said he. No one knew what to do, they were all too frightened. But when the rebel army was just upon them they heard the beating of drums and from behind some hills came into the open a cohort of soldiers preceded by a great flag bearing the well known name of that trusted leader, Yang Fêng. Now after Yang Fêng’s defeat he had camped under Chungnanshan and had come up to guard the Emperor as soon as he knew of his journey. Seeing it was necessary to fight now, he drew up his line of battle and Tsʻui Jung, one of Kuo’s leaders, rode out and began a volley of abuse. Yang Fêng turned and said, “Where is Kung-ming?” In response out came a valiant warrior gripping a heavy battle-axe. He galloped up on his fleet bay, making directly for Tsʻui Jung, whom he felled at the first blow. At this the whole force dashed forward and routed Kuo. The defeated army went back some twenty li, while Yang Fêng rode forward to see the Emperor who graciously said, “It is a great service you have rendered; you have saved my life.” Yang bowed and thanked him and the Emperor asked to see the actual slayer of the rebel leader. So he was led to the chariot where he bowed and was presented as “Hsü Huang, also known as Hsü Kung-ming, of Yangchün.”