الفصل الثاني والخمسون

الفصل الثاني والخمسون

Now at that time, Zhu Tong said to the others: "If you want me to go up to the mountain, just kill 'Black Whirlwind' and let me get this grievance off my chest, and then I'll agree." Li Kui heard this and flew into a rage. "Bite my arse! The orders from Chao and Song, the two elder brothers, have nothing to do with me!" Zhu Tong's fury surged, and he was about to fight Li Kui again, but the three others talked them down. Zhu Tong said, "If 'Black Whirlwind' is there, I'll die before I go up to that mountain!" Chai Jin said, "That's actually quite easy. I have my own plan. Just leave Big Brother Li here with me. The three of you go up to the mountain yourselves, to fulfill the wishes of Chao and Song." Zhu Tong said, "Now that this thing has been done, the prefect of Cangzhou will certainly send documents to Yuncheng County to pursue and arrest me, to seize my wife and children. What can be done about that?" Wu Yong, the Academician, said, "Rest assured, by now Song Jiang, the Third Master, has most likely already brought your entire family to the mountain." Only then did Zhu Tong feel somewhat reassured. Chai Jin set out wine to entertain them, and that very day he saw them off. The three men took their leave of Honorable Master Chai late that day and set out. Chai Jin ordered his manor servants to prepare three horses and escort them beyond the pass. As they parted, Wu Yong again instructed Li Kui: "You must be careful. Just stay at the Honorable Master's manor for a while. You must not recklessly cause trouble and burden others. Wait three to six months, until his temper has settled, and then come fetch him back to the mountain. Most likely, he will come to invite Honorable Master Chai to join us." The three of them mounted their horses and departed.

Let us not speak of Chai Jin and Li Kui returning to the manor, but rather say that Zhu Tong accompanied Wu Yong and Lei Heng to join the band at Liangshan Marsh. They traveled a distance and crossed out of the borders of Cangzhou. The manor servants rode their horses back. The three men took the road to Liangshan Marsh, and along the way nothing happened worth mentioning. They soon arrived at Zhu Gui's inn, and first sent a man up to the stronghold to report. Chao Gai and Song Jiang led the great and small chieftains, beating drums and playing flutes, all the way to Golden Sands Beach to welcome them. The whole company met each other. Everyone rode their horses back to the great stronghold at the mountain, dismounted, and went up to the Hall of Righteousness to reminisce about old times. Zhu Tong said: "Your younger brother has now been summoned to the mountain, but the prefect of Cangzhou will certainly send documents to Yuncheng County to seize my wife and children. What can be done?" Song Jiang laughed loudly: "I tell you, Elder Brother, rest assured. Your esteemed wife and your son have already been brought here many days ago." Zhu Tong asked again: "Where are they now?" Song Jiang said: "They are being cared for at my father, the Elder Master's, lodging. Elder Brother, please go yourself and ask after them." Zhu Tong was overjoyed. Song Jiang sent a man to lead Zhu Tong straight to Song the Elder Master's lodging, where he saw his whole family, along with all their personal belongings and luggage. His wife said: "Recently someone delivered a letter saying you had already joined the stronghold. So we packed up and came here posthaste." Zhu Tong came out and bowed to thank everyone. Song Jiang then invited Zhu Tong and Lei Heng to encamp at the foot of the mountain. At the same time, a feast was prepared to celebrate the new chieftains day after day. No more of this.

Let us speak instead of the prefect of Cangzhou. Late that evening, Zhu Tong had not returned carrying the young prefect's son. He sent men in all directions to search for half the night. The next day, someone found the boy killed in the woods and reported this to the prefect. The prefect was greatly enraged. He went personally to the woods to look, and wept bitterly without end. He prepared a coffin and had the body cremated. The next day he ascended the hall and sent official documents to all places to pursue and arrest Zhu Tong in person. Yuncheng County had already reported that Zhu Tong's wife and family had fled and their whereabouts were unknown. Orders were issued to all prefectures and counties offering rewards for his capture. No more of this.

Let us say only that Li Kui stayed at Chai Jin's manor for over a month. Suddenly one day, he saw a man bearing a letter racing to the manor in great haste. Honorable Master Chai happened to meet him, received the letter, and read it. He was greatly alarmed. "Since it's like this, I'll have to go." Li Kui asked: "What urgent matter does the Honorable Master have?" Chai Jin said: "I have an uncle, Chai Huangcheng, who lives in Gaotang Prefecture. He has been bullied by the brother of the wife of the prefect of that region, Gao Lian—that rascal Yin Tianxi—who came to seize his garden. Uncle choked on his anger and lies sick in bed. Sooner or later his life will be in danger. He must have last wishes to convey, and has sent specially for me. I think my uncle has no sons or daughters, so I must go in person." Li Kui said: "Since the Honorable Master is going, how about I go with you?" Chai Jin said: "If you're willing to go, Brother, then we'll go together." Chai Jin immediately packed luggage, selected more than ten fine horses, and took several manor servants. The next day they rose before dawn, and Chai Jin, Li Kui, and their followers all mounted their horses, left the manor, and headed for Gaotang Prefecture.

In less than a day, they arrived at Gaotang Prefecture. They entered the city and went straight to Chai Huangcheng's residence, where they dismounted. Li Kui and the followers were left in the outer reception hall. Chai Jin went directly into the bedchamber to see his uncle Chai Huangcheng. He saw:

His face was like gold paper, his body like withered kindling.

Faint and drifting, he had lost his seven hun souls and three po souls,

Thin and faint, he had only a single thread of breath, twice drawn.

His jaws were locked tight—for days and mornings no water or rice had touched his lips;

His chest was swollen and distended—all day long medicine pills could hardly reach his stomach.

The spirits of death and mourning had already attached themselves to his body;

Even Bian Que and the physicians of Lu could do nothing to save him.

Chai Jin looked upon Chai Huangcheng and, sitting himself before his uncle's couch, gave way to loud and bitter weeping. Huangcheng's second wife came out and urged Chai Jin, saying, "My lord, the toils of your journey by horse and the dust of the road have not been easy; you have but newly arrived here—do not distress yourself so." Chai Jin returned her salutation and then inquired into the matter. The second wife replied, "The newly appointed prefect of this prefecture, Gao Lian, who also commands the military forces of this circuit, is the cousin of Marshal Gao of the Eastern Capital. Relying on his brother's power, he wishes to do whatever he pleases here. He brought with him a brother-in-law named Yin Tianxi, whom everyone calls Yin Zhige. Though that fellow is young, he too relies on his brother-in-law Gao Lian's authority and oppresses people wantonly throughout this district. There are those busybodies who curry favor and tipped him off, telling him that behind our house there is a garden with a waterside pavilion, beautifully constructed. The fellow came straight into our home with twenty or thirty scoundrels, examined the grounds behind the house, and then demanded that we move out so he could take up residence. Huangcheng said to him, 'We are of the imperial lineage, with an iron certificate bearing the emperor's vermilion script displayed at our gate—no one is permitted to insult us. How dare you seize my dwelling and drive my family away?' The fellow would not listen and insisted that we vacate. When Huangcheng went to seize him, he was instead pushed, jostled, and beaten by that scoundrel. Because of this grievance, he has taken to his bed, unable to eat or drink; medicine has proven of no avail, and it is plain that the road to heaven grows ever farther while the road to the underworld draws near. Now that my lord has come to our house to take charge of matters, even should some great calamity befall us, we need no longer worry." Chai Jin replied, "Rest assured, honored aunt. Do engage a skilled physician to treat my uncle. As for the legal proceedings, I shall send men back to my home in Cangzhou to fetch the iron certificate, and I shall settle accounts with him. Even should we bring the case before the prefectural authorities or the emperor himself, we have nothing to fear!" The second wife said, "Huangcheng is utterly incompetent in such matters—it is my lord who must argue the case properly."

Chai Jin looked in on his uncle once more, then came out and told Li Kui and the men who had accompanied him all the details. When Li Kui heard this, he leaped to his feet and cried, "This scoundrel has no sense of what is right! I have my great axes here—let me give him a few whacks with them, and then we can talk." Chai Jin said, "Brother Li, calm yourself. What cause is there to be so rough with him? Though he relies on power to bully others, our family holds an imperial decree for our protection. We cannot settle this matter here by force of argument—but in the capital there are men far more powerful than he, and there are clear statutes by which we can bring a lawsuit against him." Li Kui said, "Statutes, statutes! If statutes were obeyed, the world would not be in chaos! My way is to strike first and talk afterward. If that scoundrel dares to lodge a complaint, I'll hack every one of those petty officials to pieces." Chai Jin laughed and said, "No wonder Zhu Tong wants nothing to do with you and cannot bear to see your face. We are within the walls of a walled city—how can this compare with your little stronghold where you do as you please?" Li Kui said, "What of a walled city? Did I not kill men at Wuweijun in Jiangzhou?" Chai Jin said, "Let me assess the situation first. When I need you, brother, I shall ask for your help. For now, please remain in your room and rest."

Even as they were speaking, a concubine came hurrying from inside, begging my lord to come and attend to Huangcheng.

Chai Jin went in to the bedchamber and found Huangcheng, tears streaming from both eyes, saying to him, "Nephew, your spirit is lofty and you do not bring disgrace upon our ancestors. Today I have been beaten to death by Yin Tianxi. For the sake of our blood ties, I beg you in person to carry a petition to the capital, intercept the imperial carriage, and lodge a complaint on my behalf—avenge me. Even in the depths of the underworld, I shall be grateful for your filial devotion. Take care of take care of! I have no more to say!" With these words, he breathed his last. Chai Jin wept bitterly. The second wife, fearing he might collapse from grief, urged him to stop, saying, "My lord, you have grieved long enough—please consider the funeral arrangements." Chai Jin said, "The imperial writ is at my home; I did not bring it with me. I shall send men by night to fetch it, as we shall need it to lodge the complaint in the eastern capital. As for my uncle's honored remains, let a coffin and outer coffin be prepared for burial according to official protocol, and let mourning garments be arranged; then we shall discuss what is to be done." Chai Jin directed that an inner and outer coffin be prepared in accordance with official regulations, that the spirit tablet be set up with proper rites, and that the entire household don heavy mourning garments and wail in grief, both great and small. Li Kui, hearing the weeping from the hall outside, ground his fists and rubbed his palms in fury, but when he questioned the attendants, none would tell him anything. Monks were engaged within the house to perform meritorious rites for the deceased.

On the third day, that Yin Tianxi came riding a galloping horse, leading some twenty or thirty idlers armed with pellet bows, crossbows of Sichuan make, blowpipes, balloons, fishing poles, and musical instruments. After amusing himself outside the city for a time, he rode up to Chai Huangcheng's residence with a tipsy swagger and halted his horse, calling for someone from the household stewardship to come out and speak with him. When Chai Jin heard of this, he went out at once to respond, dressed in full mourning garments. Yin Tianxi, from horseback, demanded, "What relation are you to that household?" Chai Jin replied, "This humble person is Chai Jin, nephew of Chai Huangcheng." Yin Tianxi said, "I gave orders the other day that your household was to move out of those premises. Why have you not obeyed my command?" Chai Jin said, "It is because my uncle was bedridden and could not be moved. Last night he passed away. We shall move out after the seventh-day observance." Yin Tianxi said, "Nonsense! I gave you three days to vacate. If you have not moved out after three days, I shall first round up all of you and give you each a hundred strokes with the rod!" Chai Jin said, "Zhige, do not bully us so! We too are sons and grandsons of the dragon, and we hold the vermilion-script iron certificate from the former dynasty—who would dare show us disrespect?" Yin Tianxi roared, "Produce it and let me see it!" Chai Jin said, "It is at my home in Cangzhou; I have already sent men to fetch it." Yin Tianxi flew into a rage and said, "This scoundrel is talking nonsense! Even if you have the imperial writ and iron certificate, I am not afraid of it. Seize him and beat him, all of you!"

The crowd was about to act, but it turned out that "Black Whirlwind" Li Kui had seen everything through the crack in the door. Hearing them beat Chai Jin, he flung open the room door, roared with a thunderous voice, and charged straight to the horse. He had already yanked Yin Tianxi off his horse and knocked him down with a single punch. The twenty or thirty men moved to seize him, but Li Kui struck with his hands and had already knocked down five or six of them. The rest scattered in a rush. Li Kui lifted Yin Tianxi up and set upon him with fists and kicks all at once—there was no way Chai Jin could stop him. When they looked at Yin Tianxi, he was dead beyond all hope. There was a poem to attest to this:

Cruel schemes and ruthless plots rely on overbearing might,

Yet who knows that Heaven's justice cannot be escaped?

Li Kui, fierce and terrible, no foe can withstand—

He would not relent until the King of Hell himself appeared.

Li Kui had beaten Yin Tianxi to death on the ground. Chai Jin could only cry out in distress and told Li Kui to go to the back hall at once to discuss the matter. Chai Jin said, "It's plain that someone will be here soon, and you'll have no place to hide. I'll deal with the authorities myself. Hurry back to Liangshan Marsh." Li Kui said, "If I leave, I'll only bring trouble upon you." Chai Jin replied, "I have the iron plaque with the imperial oath to protect me. Just go—there's no time to lose." Li Kui took his twin axes, gathered his traveling money, and slipped out the back gate, making his own way back to Liangshan Marsh.

Before long, some two hundred men appeared, each carrying swords, staves, spears, or clubs, and surrounded Chai Huangcheng's house. When Chai Jin saw them coming to arrest him, he came out and said, "I'll go with you to the prefecture office to settle this." The men bound Chai Jin first, then searched the house for the burly black man who had committed the killing, but could not find him. They bound Chai Jin and brought him to the prefectural yamen, where he was made to kneel in the main hall. Prefect Gao Lian had just learned that his brother-in-law Yin Tianxi had been killed. He sat in the hall grinding his teeth in fury, waiting only for the culprit to be brought in. Chai Jin was at once dragged before the steps in the hall. Gao Lian roared, "How dare you kill my Yin Tianxi?" Chai Jin pleaded, "This humble man is a direct descendant of Emperor Chai Rong of the Later Zhou. My family holds the iron plaque with the oath granted by the founding emperor of the former dynasty. I now reside in Cangzhou. I came to visit my uncle Chai Huangcheng because he was gravely ill. Unfortunately, he has passed away, and his body now lies in mourning at home. Yin the Palace Library attendant brought twenty or thirty men to my home and tried to drive me out. He would not allow me to speak and ordered his men to beat me. My retainer Li Da came to my protection and in the struggle struck the man dead." Gao Lian shouted, "Where is this Li Da?" Chai Jin said, "He panicked and fled." Gao Lian said, "He's only a retainer—without your orders, how would he dare kill a man? You deliberately let him escape and now try to deceive the authorities. You wretch—how will you confess unless you're beaten? Jailers, put your strength into beating this man!" Chai Jin cried out, "My retainer Li Da tried to save his master and accidentally killed a man—this has nothing to do with me! The founding emperor's oath plaque is in my possession—how can you subject me to punishment and beating?" Gao Lian said, "Where is this oath plaque?" Chai Jin said, "I've already sent someone back to Cangzhou to fetch it." Gao Lian flew into a rage and shouted, "This fellow is defying the authorities! Put all your strength into it—beat him well!" The jailers set upon Chai Jin and beat him until his skin was torn open and blood gushed forth. He had no choice but to confess that he had ordered his retainer Li Da to kill Yin Tianxi. They clamped a twenty-five-pound death cangue on his neck and threw him into prison. Yin Tianxi's body was examined, and his own family took care of the coffin and burial—no more need be said of that. Yin Tianxi's wife, seeking vengeance for her brother, urged her husband Gao Lian to confiscate Chai Huangcheng's property, imprison his servants, and seize his house and courtyard. Chai Jin suffered in prison. There was a poem to attest to this:

Painted lips and powdered faces, venomous as serpents,

The iron plaque and golden writ are but empty flowers.

Strange that the ancestor could yield the throne,

Yet his descendants cannot even protect their own home.

Now Li Kui traveled through the night back to Liangshan Marsh. When he reached the stronghold, he came to see the other chieftains. The moment Zhu Tong saw Li Kui, anger welled up in his heart. He drew his broad saber and charged straight at Li Kui. "Black Whirlwind" pulled out his twin axes and fought Zhu Tong. Chao Gai, Song Jiang, and the other chieftains all rushed forward to separate them. Song Jiang spoke to Zhu Tong in apology, saying, "The killing of the young master earlier had nothing to do with Li Kui. It was Military Advisor Wu Xuejiu who devised the plan because we could not persuade you, elder brother, to join us on the mountain. Now that you have come to the stronghold, let us put aside old grievances and work together in common cause, so that outsiders may not mock us." He then told his brother Li Kui to apologize to Zhu Tong. Li Kui glared with his fierce eyes and shouted, "How can he act so high and mighty! I've done plenty for this stronghold, and he hasn't contributed the slightest merit—why should I be the one to apologize?" Song Jiang said, "Brother, it was you who killed the young master. Although the military advisor gave strict orders, by seniority he is your elder brother. For my sake, bow to him and make your peace—and I myself will bow to you." Li Kui could not refuse Song Jiang's earnest plea and said, "I'm not afraid of you. It's just that my elder brother has pressured me, and I have no choice—I'll apologize." Pressed by Song Jiang, Li Kui had no choice but to set aside his twin axes and bow twice to Zhu Tong. Only then did Zhu Tong let go of his anger. The chieftain Chao Gai ordered a feast to be arranged in the stronghold to reconcile the two men.

Kui said: "Master Chai went to Gaotangzhou to visit his uncle, Imperial Uncle Chai Huangcheng, who was ill. But Yin Tiansi, the brother-in-law of the prefect Gao, tried to seize his house and garden and beat and cursed Chai Jin. I beat that scoundrel Yin Tiansi to death." When Song Jiang heard this, he was alarmed. "You left on your own—you'll get Master Chai into legal trouble!" Wu the Scholar said, "Don't be alarmed, elder brother. When Dai Zong returns to the mountain, we'll have clarity." Li Kui asked, "Where is Brother Dai Zong?" Wu Yong said: "I was afraid you'd cause trouble at Master Chai's manor, so I sent him specially to call you back. When he got there and didn't find you, he must have gone to Gaotangzhou to look for you." Before he finished speaking, a junior soldier reported that Commander Dai had returned. Song Jiang went to greet him. When they reached the hall and sat down, he asked about Master Chai. Dai Zong replied: "When I reached Master Chai's manor, I learned that he had gone to Gaotangzhou with Li Kui. I went straight there to make inquiries. The whole city was saying that Yin Tiansi, in a dispute over Chai Huangcheng's manor house, had been killed by a big black fellow. Now Chai Jin has been implicated and thrown in chains, imprisoned in the jail. Chai Huangcheng's entire household and property have all been confiscated. Master Chai's life is in danger at any moment."

Chao Gai said: "That black fellow has done it again—he causes trouble everywhere he goes!" Li Kui said: "Chai Huangcheng was beaten by him and died in anger. Then he tried to seize his house and ordered men to beat Master Chai Jin. Even a living Buddha couldn't bear it!" Chao Gai said: "Master Chai has always shown kindness to our stronghold. Now that he's in peril, how can we not go down the mountain to rescue him? I'll go myself." Song Jiang said: "Elder brother, you are the lord of the stronghold—how can you lightly put yourself at risk? I have long owed Master Chai a debt of gratitude; I'm willing to go down the mountain in your place." Wu the Scholar said: "Though Gaotangzhou is a small city, it is densely populated and has many troops and abundant provisions—we must not underestimate the enemy. I request that the twelve chieftains Lin Chong, Hua Rong, Qin Ming, Jun, Lü Fang, Guo Sheng, Sun Li, Ou Peng, Yang Lin, Deng Fei, Ma Lin, and Bai Sheng lead five thousand horse and foot soldiers as the vanguard. Song Jiangming, the commander of the army, along with Wu Yong, Zhu Tong, Heng, Dai Zong, Li Kui, Zhang Xun, Yang Xiong, and Shi Xiu—ten chieftains leading three thousand horse and foot soldiers—shall provide support." In all, twenty-two chieftains took leave of Chao Gai and the others, departed the stronghold, and marched toward Gaotangzhou. Truly splendid was their array. Behold:

Embroidered banners fluttered with sashes; painted horns were interspersed among bronze gongs.

Three-pronged forks, five-pronged forks—gleaming like autumn frost;

Spear-points of tempered steel, reed-leaf spears—drifting like auspicious snow.

Shields blocked the road; strong bows and hard crossbows led the way;

Cannons followed the carts; great halberds and long spears brought up the rear.

The riders in the saddle were like fierce tigers of South Mountain, every one eager and able to fight;

The mounts beneath them were like gray dragons of the North Sea, every one able to charge and dare to battle.

Truly, the spears and blades flowed like rushing water; indeed, the men and horses swept forward like the wind.

The vanguard of Liangshan Marsh had already reached the territory of Gaotangzhou. Soldiers quickly reported this to Gao Lian. When Gao Lian heard it, he said with a sneer: "You band of grass brigands hiding in Liangshan Marsh—I was about to come and exterminate you, and now you come to deliver yourselves into my hands. This is Heaven granting me success! Quickly, pass down the order—marshal the troops and ride out to meet the enemy. Have all the common folk mount the walls to defend the city." This Prefect Gao commanded the army when mounted and governed the people when dismounted. Once his order was issued, all the officers before his tent—the commanding generals, army supervisors, commanders, military commissioners, and detachment leaders—each led their troops. After mustering them at the training ground, the generals deployed them out of the city to meet the enemy. Under Gao Lian's command were three hundred personal soldiers, called the "Divine Flying Warriors," every one a sturdy, able fellow selected from Shandong, Hebei, Jiangxi, Hunan, Huainan, and Zhejiang. How were these three hundred Divine Flying Warriors arrayed? Behold:

Their hair hung wild; behind their heads a cloud of smoke was scattered;

Gourds hung from their bodies; on their backs a thousand flames were hidden.

Yellow headbands were divided according to the Eight Trigrams; leopard-skin armor was arranged according to the Four Directions.

Bronze masks seemed gilded; iron broadswords were like sweeping broasts.

Breastplates, front and back, stood two sheets of bronze;

Dazzying banners, left and right, arrayed a thousand layers of black mist.

It seemed the Celestial Tenger had left the Palace of the Dipper, just as the Comet Star descended from the clouds.

The prefect Gao Lian personally led three hundred divine soldiers, clad in armor and carrying swords, mounted his horse, and rode out beyond the city walls. He arranged his subordinate officers all around in battle formation, placing the three hundred divine soldiers in the center army. They waved their flags and shouted, beat their drums and clashed their gongs, waiting only for the enemy forces to arrive.

Now it is said that Lin Chong, Hua Rong, and Qin Ming led five thousand troops to the field. The two armies approached each other, their banners and drums visible to both sides. Each side deployed strong bows and hard crossbows to secure their positions. The two armies blew their painted horns and beat their war drums. Hua Rong and Qin Ming, together with ten chieftains, rode to the front of the formation and reined in their horses. The chieftain Lin Chong leveled his eighteen-foot snake-tongue spear, spurred his horse out of the formation, and shouted in a fierce voice: "The one from Gaozhou Prefecture who wants to surrender his life, come forth!"

Gao Lian urged his horse forward, leading some thirty officers, and they all rode out beneath the gate banner. He reined in his horse, pointed at Lin Chong, and cursed: "You band of rebels who don't know when you're dead—how dare you attack my city directly?" Lin Chong roared back: "You, you scourge of the people, you bandit who preys on the weak! I will make my way to the capital sooner or later and cut that treacherous minister of yours, Gao Qiu, into a thousand pieces. Only then will I be satisfied."

Gao Lian flew into a rage. He turned his head and asked, "Who will ride out first and capture this bandit?" From among the officers emerged a commanding officer named Yu Zhi. He spurred his horse and swung his saber, charging straight to the front of the formation. Lin Chong saw him and galloped straight at Yu Zhi. The two fought fewer than five bouts before Lin Chong drove his snake-tongue spear into Yu Zhi's chest. Yu Zhi tumbled head over heels from his horse and fell to the ground.

Gao Lian was greatly alarmed. "Who else will ride out to avenge him?" From among the officers emerged another commanding officer, surnamed Wen, with the double given name Wenbao. He wielded a long spear and rode a yellow horse. The bells on his harness jingled and his jade pendants chimed as he rode out to the front of the formation. His four hooves kicked up clouds of battle dust as he charged straight at Lin Chong. Qin Ming saw this and shouted, "Brother, rest a moment—let me strike down this bandit!" Lin Chong reined in his horse, put away his pointed-steel spear, and let Qin Ming engage Wen Bao. After some ten bouts, Qin Ming opened a gap in his defense, letting Wen Bao thrust his spear forward. Then Qin Ming brought his staff down and sheared off half of Wen Bao's skull. Wen Bao died on horseback, and his horse galloped back to its own formation.

The two armies faced each other and raised a simultaneous shout.

Gao Lian, having lost two generals in succession, drew from his back the great Tai'a precious sword. He muttered incantations, then cried out, "Quick!" At once a column of black qi swirled up from within Gao Lian's formation. That qi dispersed into midair—flying sand, rolling stones, shaking the earth and swaying the heavens. A strange wind rose up and swept directly over to the opposing formation. Lin Chong, Qin Ming, Hua Rong, and the other generals could not see each other across the divide. Their horses were so terrified that they bolted and neighed wildly. The men turned and fled.

Gao Lian waved his sword and directed the three hundred divine soldiers, who charged out of the formation, with the regular troops assisting from behind. They fell upon the enemy in one sweep, driving Lin Chong's forces to scatter like falling stars and scattered clouds, broken and disjointed. Calling for their brothers, summoning their sons, searching for their fathers, the five thousand soldiers lost over a thousand men. They retreated a full fifty li before making camp. Seeing the enemy withdraw, Gao Lian also recalled his own troops and returned into Gaozhou Prefecture to settle in peace.

Now it is said that Song Jiang's central army arrived. Lin Chong and the others met them and related everything that had happened. Song Jiang and Wu Yong were greatly alarmed. Song Jiang said to the military advisor, "What manner of divine art is this, so formidable?" Wu the Scholar said, "It must be sorcery. If we can turn back the wind and reverse the fire, we can defeat the enemy." Having heard this, Song Jiang opened the Heavenly Book and found that the third scroll contained a method for turning back the wind and reversing fire to break formations. Song Jiang was overjoyed. He carefully memorized the incantations and secret formulas, mustered his troops, and at the fifth watch they cooked and ate. Then they waved their flags, beat their drums, and advanced to attack the city.

Someone reported this into the city. Gao Lian once again assembled his victorious troops along with the three hundred divine soldiers. He opened the city gate, lowered the drawbridge, and came out to deploy in battle formation. Song Jiang rode out to the front of the formation with his sword. When he saw a cluster of black flags in Gao Lian's army, Wu the Scholar said, "Those black flags within the formation mark the soldiers using the 'Divine Master Stratagem.' I fear they will use that method again. How shall we meet them?" Song Jiang said, "Have no fear, Master—I have my own method for breaking the formation. Let none of the officers or soldiers be alarmed. Just press forward and attack!"

Gao Lian instructed his officers and commanders of all ranks not to engage the enemy in pitched battle. "When you hear the signal, join forces and capture Song Jiang together. I will reward you handsomely." When the two armies raised their battle cries, Gao Lian hung a bronze beast-gathering plaque on his saddle. Upon it were dragon-script and phoenix-script characters. He held the precious sword in his hand and rode out to the front of the formation. Song Jiang pointed at Gao Lian and cursed: "Last night I was not here, and my brothers lost a battle by mistake. Today I will slaughter every last one of you." Gao Lian roared, "You band of rebels! Quickly dismount and submit to capture—save me the trouble of getting my hands dirty!"

With that, he waved his sword, muttered incantations, and cried out, "Quick!" Where the black qi rose, a strange wind already swirled up. But Song Jiang, not waiting for the wind to reach him, also muttered incantations. He formed a mudra with his left hand and pointed with his sword in his right, crying out, "Quick!" The wind did not blow toward Song Jiang's formation—it turned and blew instead toward Gao Lian's divine soldier formation.

Song Jiang was about to order his troops to charge when Gao Lian, seeing the wind turned back, hastily took up the bronze plaque and struck it with his sword. He sent a cloud of yellow sand swirling toward his divine soldier formation, and from the center army there came forth a pack of fierce beasts. Behold:

The suanni brandished their claws, the lions shook their heads.

The golden xiezhi displayed their might; the brocade pihiu exerted their valor.

Wolves and jackals came in pairs, baring their fangs, charging straight at the brave soldiers;

Tigers and leopards came in packs, opening their great mouths, spitting upon the inferior horses.

Bristled wild boars crashed into the formation; curly-furred savage dogs barreled into the men.

A great python, like a dragon, soared into the sky; a stubborn snake, fit to swallow an elephant, burrowed down into the earth.

When Gao Lian's bronze tablet sounded, a host of monstrous beasts and venomous creatures charged straight at them. The men in Song Jiang's formation were struck dumb with terror. Song Jiang cast aside his sword, wheeled his horse around, and fled first. The chieftains clustered around him, all scrambling for their lives. Officers and soldiers, high and low, could no longer look after one another—each seized a road and ran. From behind, Gao Lian waved his sword, and his divine soldiers in front and the government troops behind pressed forward together in a coordinated slaughter. Song Jiang's men suffered a crushing defeat. Gao Lian pursued and killed for over twenty *li*, then sounded the gong to recall his troops and returned to the city.

Song Jiang arrived at the foot of an earthen slope, gathered his men, and set up camp. Though he had lost some soldiers, it was a relief that all his chieftains were safe. After settling his troops, he discussed the matter with the Military Advisor Wu Yong: "In this attack on Gaotang Prefecture, we've already lost two engagements. We have no way to counter his divine soldiers. What are we to do?"

Wu the Scholar said, "If this fellow can use the 'Divine Commander Strategy,' he will certainly come tonight to raid our camp. We can prepare a trap in advance. Here we should station only a small force; let the rest of us move to the old camp to rest." Song Jiang issued orders: only Yang Lin and Bai Sheng were left to watch the camp, while all other troops withdrew to the old camp to recuperate.

Now, Yang Lin and Bai Sheng led their men half a *li* from the camp, where they lay in ambush on a grassy slope. They waited until the first watch of the night. Then they saw:

Clouds rose on all four sides,

Mist swelled in every direction.

Wild winds shook heaven and earth,

Furious rains overturned seas and rivers.

The God of Thunder, in fury, rode a fire beast backward, displaying his might;

The Mother of Lightning, in wrath, brandished golden serpents, exerting her sacred power.

Great trees were torn up by the roots,

Deep waters were swept entirely dry.

If it was not the slaying of the flood dragon at Guankou,

One might suspect it was the drowning of the Water Goddess at Sizhou.

That night, wind and thunder raged mightily. Yang Lin and Bai Sheng, leading over three hundred men hidden in the grass, watched as Gao Lian advanced on foot, leading three hundred divine soldiers. Whistling and howling with the wind, they charged into the camp. Finding it empty, they turned to flee at once. Yang Lin and Bai Sheng raised a great shout. Gao Lian, fearing he had fallen into a trap, scattered in all directions, and his three hundred divine soldiers fled each on his own. Yang Lin and Bai Sheng loosed a chaotic volley of crossbow arrows, shooting as fast as they could. One arrow struck Gao Lian full in the left shoulder. His troops scattered in the rain and began to fight back. Gao Lian led his divine soldiers far away; Yang Lin and Bai Sheng had too few men and dared not pursue deeply. Shortly after, the rain stopped and the clouds dispersed. The stars reappeared across the sky. By moonlight, over twenty divine soldiers had been speared, shot, or captured on the grassy slope before the camp. They were brought to Song Jiang's encampment, where they gave a full account of the thunderstorm and strange winds. Song Jiang and Wu Yong were greatly astonished. "This place is only five *li* away," they said, "and yet there was no rain or wind here!"

The men discussed the matter: "His sorcery must be confined to a local area—no more than thirty or forty *zheng* from the ground. The clouds and rain were drawn from the nearby marsh." Yang Lin added, "Gao Lian himself loosened his hair and wielded a sword as he charged into the camp. He took one of my crossbow arrows and fled back to the city. We had too few men and dared not chase him." Song Jiang rewarded Yang Lin and Bai Sheng. He had the captured wounded divine soldiers executed. He then stationed the chieftains in seven or eight small camps surrounding the main camp, to prepare against another raid. At the same time, he sent men back to the mountain stronghold to fetch reinforcements.

Now, after Gao Lian was struck by the arrow, he returned to the city to nurse his wound. He ordered his soldiers to guard the city, to be vigilant day and night, and not to engage in battle for the time being. "Wait until my arrow wound has healed," he said, "and then it will not be too late to capture Song Jiang."

Meanwhile, Song Jiang, having lost men and horses, was troubled in heart. He consulted with the Military Advisor Wu Yong: "If we still cannot defeat this Gao Lian, what if reinforcements from other regions are sent to join forces and attack us? What then?"

Wu the Scholar said, "If we are to break Gao Lian's sorchery, we must do exactly as I propose. Unless we go and summon this man, even the life of Master Chai cannot be saved, and Gaotang Prefecture will never be taken." Truly:

To summon clouds and raise mist through sorcery,

One must seek a man who reaches through heaven and earth.

Just who was the man Wu the Scholar spoke of? Listen to the next chapter.