After Tang Suzong recovered the two capitals, Cui Qi, the imperial historian, and Lu Shangyan, the squire of the military department, said: "Those officials who have surrendered to the rebels, betrayed the country, and attached themselves to the puppet court, according to the law, should be executed." "Su Zong plans to do what they want.
However, Li Xian, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, believed: "When the rebels captured Liangjing, the Son of Heaven fled south, and the people fled for their lives. Those officials who defected to the rebels were all relatives of His Majesty, or the descendants of some meritorious men, and it would be contrary to His Majesty's mercy to put them to death now for treason. Besides, the Hebei region has not yet been pacified, and there are still many people among the ministers who have defected to the rebels, and if they can be lenient, it will open a road to reform for those who have defected to the enemy; If they were all killed, it would strengthen the rebellion of those officials who had defected to the enemy. The Book of Shang says: 'The first evil must be done, and the threat will never be asked.' Lu and Cui Qi only know how to abide by the provisions of the law, but they don't understand the big truth. I hope Your Majesty will consider it carefully. ”
After arguing for several days, Su Zong finally followed Li Xian's suggestion and decided to divide them into six classes of convictions, with those who were guilty of serious crimes to be publicly executed in the city, the second class to give them suicide, the third class to be beaten with a stick and a hundred strokes, and the lower three classes to be exiled and demoted. After that, 18 people including Da Xi committed suicide in Dali Temple under the single willow tree in the southwest of Chang'an City, and 7 people including Chen Xilie committed suicide in Dali Temple, and beat those who deserved this punishment with sticks at the gate of Jingzhao Mansion.
Suzong wanted to exonerate Zhang Jun and Zhang Yan from the death penalty, Xuanzong said; The brothers Zhang Jun and Zhang Yan surrendered to the rebels and were entrusted with important positions. Zhang Jun also slandered our family in front of the rebels, and the sin cannot be forgiven. Su Zong kowtowed and bowed again: "If it weren't for the protection of Zhang Shuo, Zhang Jun and Zhang Yan, there would be no today." If I can't save Zhang Yan and Zhang Jun brothers, if the soul of the deceased doesn't die, what face will I have to see Zhang Shuo under Jiuquan! He said and sobbed. Xuanzong ordered the people on the left and right to help Su Zong up and said: "Because of your request, Zhang was exiled to Lingbiao, Zhang Jun is guilty of a big crime, and he is unforgivable, you don't want to intercede for him anymore." Su Zong wept and obeyed Xuanzong's order.
Only Henan Yin Zhang Wanqing, appointed by An Lushan, was able to protect the people among the rebels without asking for guilt. Soon someone came back from the rebels and said: "The Tang Dynasty ministers who followed An Qingxu in Ye County heard that Li Jiao, the king of Guangping, had pardoned Chen Xilie and others, and they were very sad and hated themselves for losing their lives and treason. Later, he learned that Chen Xilie and others had been killed, and he strengthened his determination to rebel. After hearing this, Su Zong was full of remorse.