الفصل الخامس والخمسون

الفصل الخامس والخمسون

The story goes that Grand Marshal Gao asked Hu Sanniang: "General, whom do you recommend as vanguard commander?" Hu Sanniang replied: "Your humble servant recommends the Chenzhou Training Commissioner, Han Tao, a native of the Eastern Capital. He once passed the military examinations and carries a jujube-wood lance. Men call him 'The Ever-Victorious General.' He would serve as chief vanguard. There is also another man, the Yingzhou Training Commissioner, Peng Qi, likewise a native of the Eastern Capital, from a family of generals for generations. He wields a double-edged three-pointed blade and his martial skills are outstanding. Men call him 'The Celestial-Eyed General.' He would serve as deputy vanguard."

Grand Marshal Gao was greatly pleased and said: "With Han and Peng as my vanguard commanders, what need I fear from these reckless bandits?" That same day, Grand Marshal Gao issued two official dispatches from the Palace Command Headquarters, instructing the Bureau of Military Affairs to send riders by night and day to Chenzhou and Yingzhou to summon Han Tao and Peng Qi to the capital with all haste. Within ten days, both generals had arrived in the capital and went straight to the Palace Command Headquarters to pay their respects to the Marshal and Hu Sanniang.

The following day, Grand Marshal Gao led the company to the Imperial Parade Ground to review their martial skills. When the inspection was complete, they returned to the Palace Command Headquarters to confer with officials of the Bureau of Military Affairs on matters of strategy. Grand Marshal Gao asked: "How many troops do the three columns amount to in total?" Hu Sanniang answered: "The three columns of cavalry and infantry number five thousand in total, and counting the foot soldiers, they reach ten thousand."

Grand Marshal Gao said: "The three of you will return personally to your respective prefectures and select three thousand elite cavalry and five thousand infantry. Set a date for your departure and proceed to suppress Liangshan Marsh." Hu Sanniang replied: "These three columns of horse and foot are all thoroughly trained and seasoned warriors, with strong men and sturdy steeds. Let not the Marshal worry. But I fear the armor and equipment may not yet be complete, and I am concerned that delays might incur blame. I humbly beg Your Excellency to grant us more time."

Grand Marshal Gao said: "Since you put it that way, the three of you may go to the capital's Armory Warehouse and select whatever armor, helmets, and blades you need, in any quantity, and requisition them for your troops. See to it that your forces are properly equipped for battle. On the day of departure, I will send officers to inspect you." Hu Sanniang received the directive and led men to the Armory Warehouse to draw supplies. He selected three thousand suits of iron armor, five thousand suits of hardened leather horse armor, three thousand helmets of copper and iron, two thousand long spears, one thousand curved sabers, countless bows and arrows, and over five hundred cannons and iron bombards, all loaded onto carts.

On the day they took their leave, Grand Marshal Gao assigned them three thousand war horses. Each of the three generals received gifts of gold, silver, and silk bolts, and the entire army received its provisions and rewards. Hu Sanniang, Han Tao, and Peng Qi each signed a pledge of certain victory, took their leave of Grand Marshal Gao and the officials of the Bureau of Military Affairs, mounted their horses, and set off for Ruzhou. Nothing further need be told of their journey.

Upon arriving at Ruzhou, Hu Sanniang said: "Han Tao and Peng Qi, go respectively to Chenzhou and Yingzhou to raise your troops and meet us at Ruzhou." Before half a month had passed, all three columns were fully assembled. Hu Sanniang distributed the armor, helmets, blades, banners, spears, saddles, and horses requisitioned from the capital, along with the linked-chain armor, iron mail, and other weapons that had been forged, among the three armies. Everything was prepared for the campaign.

Grand Marshal Gao sent two officers from the Palace Command Headquarters to inspect the troops. After the army had been feasted and rewarded, Hu Sanniang marshaled the three columns out of the city. And what a sight it was:

The riders on the saddles wore iron mail; the horses beneath them bore bronze pennons and bells.

The crimson banners unfurled like a sky full of sunset clouds; the white swords and blades spread like snow across a thousand li.

Bows curved like painted magpie feathers, the fish-shaped quiver half revealing its dragon-tipped arrows;

The quiver bristled with carved fletching, the lion-shaped flask tightly bound with leopard-tail tassels.

The men's deep helmets hung down to guard their necks, only their twin eyes peering through;

The horses wore heavy armor with crimson tassels, each hoof stepping lightly.

The vanguard troops carried great axes on their shoulders;

The rear-guard officers gripped long spears in their hands.

Several thousand armored cavalry left the prefecture city; the three generals advanced upon the marsh.

The army set forth. The troops were deployed outside the city: Han Tao led the vanguard to clear the road, Hu Sanniang commanded the main force in the center, and Peng Qi drove the rear guard. The cavalry and infantry of all three columns surged forward in a mighty tide, sweeping down upon Liangshan Marsh.

Meanwhile, the distant scout-horses from Mount Liang hastened straight to the great stronghold to report these developments. In the Hall of Assembly, Chao Gai sat in the center, with Song Jiang, Grand Councilor Wu Yong at the upper seat, and the Taoist priest Gongsun Sheng at the lower seat, together with all the chieftains. They each offered congratulations to Chai Jin, and feasting continued all day.

When the report came that "Hu Yanzhuo of 'Twin Whips' from Ruzhou was leading military forces to attack," everyone discussed plans to meet the enemy. Wu Yong said, "I have heard that this man is a direct descendant of Hu Yanzan, a famous general from Hedong who was a founding father of the dynasty. This man's martial skills is refined and practiced. He wields two bronze whips, and no one can get near him. We must send generals who are capable of conquest and daring in battle. First match him with strength, then capture him with cunning." Before he finished speaking, Li Kui of "Black Whirlwind" said, "Let me go with you to seize this fellow!" Song Jiang said, "How can you go? I have my own arrangements: I will have Qin Ming of 'Thunderbolt' lead the first formation, Lin Chong of 'Panther Head' lead the second formation, Hua Rong of 'Li Guang the Junior" lead the third formation, Hu San-niang of 'Tall Grass' lead the fourth formation, and Sun Li of 'Sick Yuchi' lead the fifth formation. The five formations in front will fight one after another like a spinning wheel, then rotate to become the rear guard. I myself will lead ten brothers with the main force as the rear guard. The five generals of the left army—Zhu Tong, Lei Heng, Mu Hong, Huang Xin, and Lü Fang; the five generals of the right army—Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, Ou Peng, Ma Lin, and Guo Sheng. On the water route, Li Jun, Zhang Heng, Zhang Shun, and the three Ruan brothers can be asked to command boats as support." He then ordered Li Kiu and Yang Lin to lead the infantry in two groups as ambushing reinforcements.

When Song Jiang's deployments were settled, Qin Ming of the vanguard soon led his men down the mountain and arrayed them in formation on the open plains. Although it was winter, the weather was fortunately warm. After waiting a full day, they soon saw the government troops arriving. In the vanguard, Han Tao of "Ever Victorious General" led his soldiers to set up camp fortifications, and no battle was fought that night.

The next day, at daybreak, the two armies drew up in battle array. After three rolls of the painted drums, they advanced to the front. From the opposing formation, beneath the gate of banners, rode out the vanguard general Han Tao, spear across his horse, who reined in and heaped abuse on Qin Ming: "The imperial army is upon you! You refuse to surrender in good time and dare to resist—you are courting death! I will fill in your watery lode, crush Liangshan to pieces, take you rebels alive, and drag you to the capital to be torn limb from limb!" Qin Ming was by nature a man of fiery temper. He made no reply, but spurred his horse and brandished his wolf-fang staff, charging straight at Han Tao. Han Tao leveled his spear and galloped forth to meet him. The two fought for more than twenty bouts, but Han Tao's strength began to flag and he was on the point of retreating when the commander of the central army, Huyan Zhuo, arrived. Seeing that Han Tao could not overcome Qin Ming, Huyan Zhuo raised his twin whips from the central formation and rode forth on his horse, the "Snow-Kicking Black Stallion" presented by the Emperor himself, roaring and snorting as he charged to the front. Qin Ming, seeing this, was about to engage Huyan Zhuo when the second detachment, led by "Leopard-Head" Lin Chong, arrived. Lin Chong called out: "Commander Qin, rest a while—let me fight three hundred bouts with him and settle the matter!" Lin Chong leveled his serpent spear and rode straight at Huyan Zhuo. Qin Ming withdrew his troops and wheeled them off toward the hillside on the left. Here Huyan Zhuo engaged Lin Chong, and the two were well matched: spear met whip in a whirl of flowers, whip met spear in a cluster of brocade. They fought for more than fifty bouts without either gaining the advantage. Then the third detachment arrived—"Little Li Guang" Hua Rong's army—and from beneath the formation gate he cried out: "General Lin, rest a while—let me capture this fellow!" Lin Chong turned his horse and rode off. Huyan Zhuo, having seen that Lin Chong was a formidable fighter, also withdrew to his own lines. Lin Chong led his troops around and wheeled them behind the hillside, making way for Hua Rong to ride out with his spear. Meanwhile, Huyan Zhuo's rear guard arrived, and "Heavenly-Eyed" Peng Qi rode forth with his three-pointed, two-bladed, four-holed, eight-ringed saber across his horse, astride the "Five-Brightness Thousand-Mile Yellow Flower" steed, and railed at Hua Rong: "Traitorous rebel, not worth the mention! Come, match your luck with me!" Hua Rong flew into a rage, and without a word, rode at Peng Qi. The two fought for more than twenty bouts. Seeing that Peng Qi was weakening, Huyan Zhuo spurred his horse and whirled his whips, charging straight at Hua Rong. Before three bouts had been fought, the fourth detachment arrived—"Green-Vine" Hu San-niang's forces—and she cried out: "General Hua, rest a while—let me capture this fellow!" Hua Rong also led his troops and wheeled them off toward the hillside on the right. Before Peng Qi could settle his engagement with "Green-Vine," the fifth detachment, led by "The Ailing Yuchi" Sun Li, had already arrived. Sun Li reined in his horse before the formation and watched as Hu San-niang rode out to engage Peng Qi. The two were amid the dust of battle, in the shadow of killing intent—one wielding a great pole-saber, the other twin swords. After more than twenty bouts, "Green-Vine" parted her twin swords and turned her horse to flee. Peng Qi, eager to claim the merit, spurred his horse in pursuit. "Green-Vine" hung her twin swords on her saddle bow and drew from beneath her robe a red silk lashing-noose fitted with twenty-four golden hooks. As Peng Qi's horse drew near, she twisted her body and cast the noose into the air. Taking careful aim, she brought it down—Peng Qi, caught off guard, was dragged from his horse. Sun Li ordered his men to advance and they seized Peng Qi. Huyan Zhuo, seeing this, was filled with fury and fought forward with all his strength to rescue him. "Green-Vine" rode out to meet him. Huyan Zhuo was so enraged he could have swallowed her whole. They fought for more than ten bouts, but he could not quickly overcome her. Huyan Zhuo thought to himself: "This shrew has fought so many bouts with me and is truly formidable!" Flustered and desperate, he feigned an opening to draw her in, then brought both whips down in a single covering stroke. Her twin swords were pressed to her breast; he raised his right-hand copper whip and brought it down upon "Green-Vine's" crown. But "Green-Vine" had keen eyes and swift hands—she raised her sword early and parried with a single block, and her right-hand sword flew upward. At that moment the whip came down, striking the edge of the blade. With a clang, sparks scattered. "Green-Vine" turned her horse and rode back to her own lines, and Huyan Zhuo gave chase. "The Ailing Yuchi" Sun Li, seeing this, leveled his spear and rode forward to engage him. From behind, Song Jiang led his ten pairs of fine generals to the field and drew up in formation. "Green-Vine" led her troops and also withdrew behind the hillside. Song Jiang was overjoyed to see that "Heavenly-Eyed" Peng Qi had been captured alive. He came to the front to watch Sun Li fight Huyan Zhuo. Sun Li also held his spear in place and took up the bamboo-section steel whip from his wrist, riding forth to meet Huyan Zhuo. Both wielded steel whips, and they were dressed in a matching style: "The Ailing Yuchi" Sun Li wore an iron headpiece with crossed corners, a crimson silk forehead band, a black robe embroidered with flowers and trimmed with kingfisher feathers, black oil-gilded armor, rode a "Black Stallion," and wielded a bamboo-section tiger-eye whip—he might have been Yuchi Gong reborn. As for Huyan Zhuo, he wore an iron headpiece with upturned corners, a golden silk forehead band inlaid with locks, a black robe studded with seven-star nails, black oil-fitted interlocking armor, rode the "Snow-Kicking Black Stallion" presented by the Emperor, and wielded two water-polished eight-faceted steel whips—the left weighing twelve catties, the right thirteen catties—he truly resembled Huyan Zan. The two wheeled and circled before the battle line, fighting for more than thirty bouts without either gaining the advantage. Song Jiang watched and could not stop applauding. A verse attests to this:

Both astride black stallions, vigorous as dragons—

Huzan Zan matched against Yuchi Gong.

Twin whips meeting in combat—a wondrous sight—

Better still, both returning in silence, each to his side.

In the government army ranks, Han Tao, upon learning of Peng Qi's loss, led the rear army forward in full force to join the assault. Song Jiang, fearing they might charge straight through, flicked his whip, and ten chieftains led the soldiers out to meet them. From behind, the four routes of troops converged in two columns to attack from the flanks. Huyuan Zhuo saw this and hastily recalled his own forces to face each side. Why could they not achieve total victory? Because in Huyuan Zhuo's ranks were all "Chain-Armored Cavalry" — the horses wore armor, the men wore iron mail. The armored horses showed only their four hooves touching the ground; the armored men showed only a pair of eyes. On Song Jiang's side, though they had armored horses, they were merely adorned with red tassels, bronze bells, and pheasant plumes. Arrows shot from one side were all deflected by the armor on the other. The three thousand cavalrymen each had bows and arrows, and with arrows flying from across the field, Song Jiang's men dared not press forward. Song Jiang hastily sounded the gongs to recall the troops. Huyuan Zhuo also withdrew some twenty li before making camp.

Song Jiang withdrew his army and fell back to camp west of the mountain, where he quartered his troops. He ordered his attendants to escort the captured Peng Qi before him. Song Jiang rose as he approached, dismissed the soldiers, personally loosened his bonds, and led him into the tent, seating him as a guest. Song Jiang bowed. Peng Qi quickly returned the bow and said, "A captured man such as myself deserves death. Why does the general treat me with the courtesy of a guest?" Song Jiang replied, "We have nowhere to shelter and have merely occupied the marsh as a temporary refuge, having committed many offenses. Now that the court has sent you to suppress us, we should have submitted without resistance. But fearing for our lives, we fought against you in defiance, presumptuously offending your authority. I beg your forgiveness." Peng Qi answered, "I have long known that the general is righteous and benevolent, aiding those in distress — and now I see it is truly so! If you spare my humble life, I will devote myself to pleading your cause before the throne." Song Jiang said, "All of us brothers only await the Holy Sovereign's clemency, pardoning our grave crimes, so that we may repay the country at the risk of our lives, shrinking not from ten thousand deaths." A poem says:

Loyalty to the sovereign, hatred of treacherous ministers;

Brotherly righteousness keeps them hidden in refuge.

Were not all hearts united in loyalty and righteousness,

How could the hundred and eight find their reunion?

That same day, Song Jiang sent "General of the Heavenly Eye" Peng Qi up to the main camp to be presented to Chao the Sky King and detained there. Meanwhile, he rewarded the troops and chieftains and discussed military matters. Now, Huyuan Zhuo, having withdrawn and encamped, consulted with Han Tao on how to defeat the Liangshan marshes. Han Tao said, "Today when we pressed forward, they hastily rushed out to meet us. Tomorrow we shall drive all our cavalry forward in force and surely win a great victory." Huyuan Zhuo said, "I have already arranged it thus — I only wished to discuss it with you and reach agreement." He then issued orders: "Have the three thousand cavalry drawn up in rows, with thirty horses linked together by iron rings. When the enemy is near, use arrows from afar and spears up close, charging straight through. The three thousand Chain-Armored Cavalry are to be divided into one hundred locked formations. The five thousand infantry will support from behind. Tomorrow, do not provoke battle — you and I will command the rear. But when the engagement begins, we shall charge from three sides." The plan was settled, and at dawn the next day they went out to battle.

The following day, Song Jiang divided his army into five companies at the front, with ten generals attending the rear, and flanking forces deployed on both sides. Qin Ming led the way, challenging Huyan Zhuo to come out and do battle. He saw that the opposing forces merely shouted and did not engage. The five companies were all drawn up in a single line before the formation: Qin Ming in the center, Lin Chong and "Green Vine" on the left, Rong and Sun Li on the right. Song Jiang then arrived with the ten generals, and the troops were arrayed in dense formations. Looking at the opposing army, he saw about a thousand foot soldiers who merely beat their drums and shouted, but not a single man rode out to engage. Song Jiang, puzzled in his heart, secretly issued the command: "Tell the rear army to fall back." He then rode his horse all the way to Rong's company to observe. Suddenly he heard the sound of connected cannon fire from the opposing formation. The thousand foot soldiers suddenly split into two, releasing three columns of "chain-linked cavalry" charging straight toward them. On both sides, arrows were loosed in wild volleys, while in the center were nothing but long spears. Song Jiang was greatly alarmed and urgently ordered his troops to shoot arrows, but they could not withstand the onslaught. Each company consisted of thirty horses, all charging forward together, giving no choice but to advance. The "chain-linked cavalry" spread across mountains and valleys, crashing forward in a wild charge. The five companies in front saw this and broke into disorder, unable to maintain their footing. The large army behind could not hold them back, and each man fled for his life. Song Jiang galloped away in panic, the ten generals protecting him as they went. A company of "chain-linked cavalry" pursued them from behind, but the ambush forces—Li Diao and Yang Lin—led their men out from the reeds and rescued Song Jiang. They fled to the water's edge, where Jun, Zhang Heng, Zhang Shun, and the Ruan brothers—six naval leaders—had boats ready to receive them. Song Jiang hastily boarded a ship and issued orders to go rescue the other generals and bring them aboard. The "chain-linked cavalry" chased them all the way to the water's edge, shooting arrows wildly, but the ships had shields on their sides for protection, so no one was harmed. They hastily rowed the boats to the mouth of Yazu Beach and all went ashore. At the water camp, they mustered their forces and found they had lost more than half their men, but rejoiced that all the generals had survived. Although they had lost many horses, all had been saved. Shortly thereafter, Shi Yong, Shi Qian, Sun Xin, and Gu Dasao all fled up the mountain with their lives, saying, "The foot soldiers charged forward and tore down the houses flat. Had we not had signal boats to receive us, we would all have been captured." Song Jiang personally comforted each one. When he counted the generals, he found six had been struck by arrows: Lin Chong, Lei Heng, Li Diao, Shi Xiu, Sun Xin, and Huang Xin. Among the rank-and-file soldiers, those wounded by arrows were too numerous to count. Upon hearing this, Chao Gai descended the mountain together with Wu Yong and Gongsun Sheng to inquire. Song Jiang's brow remained furrowed, his face heavy with worry. Wu Yong counseled him, "Elder brother, do not grieve. Victory and defeat are the common lot of soldiers—why let it trouble you? We will devise a good strategy to break the 'chain-linked cavalry.'" Chao Gai then issued orders to the naval forces to strengthen the camp's stockade and boats, defend the beach, and maintain vigilance day and night. He invited Song Jiang to come up the mountain to rest. Song Jiang refused to go up the mountain; he encamped at the Yazu Beach camp and only sent the wounded generals up the mountain to recover.

As for Huyan Zhuo, he returned to his camp in great triumph. He released the "chain-linked horses," and they came forward one by one to claim merit. The dead were beyond counting; over five hundred men had been captured alive, and more than three hundred war horses taken. He then sent a man to the capital to report his victory and rewarded his troops throughout the army.

As for Grand Marshal Gao, he was sitting in his headquarters at the Palace Command when a gate officer reported, "Huyan Zhuo has defeated the bandits of Liangshan Marsh and sent a man to report his victory." Gao was overjoyed. The following morning, he went to court ahead of his turn and reported to the Emperor. Emperor Huizong was greatly pleased and bestowed ten bottles of sealed imperial wine and a robe of brocade. He sent an official carrying a hundred thousand strings of cash to the army camp to reward the troops. Grand Marshal Gao received the imperial edict and went together to the Palace Command, where he dispatched the official to carry the gifts forward.

As for Huyan Zhuo, he already knew that an imperial envoy was coming and went out with Han Tao twenty miles to meet him. They received him at the camp, and after expressing gratitude and receiving the rewards, they prepared wine to entertain the envoy. At the same time, he ordered Vanguard Han to distribute the money to reward the troops, and the five hundred-plus captives were imprisoned in the camp. Once the chief bandits were captured, all would be sent together to the capital for public execution. The envoy asked, "How was Regimental Commander Peng Qi lost?" Huyan Zhuo replied, "Because he was eager to capture Song Jiang, he advanced too deeply into enemy territory and was captured. This time the bandits will certainly dare not come again. I will divide my forces to attack and must clean out the mountain stronghold, sweep away the marshes, capture the bandits, and destroy their lair. My only regret is that it is surrounded on all sides by water, with no way in. Looking at the stockade from afar, the only way would be to use artillery to smash the bandit nest. I have long heard that in Tokyo there is an artillery man named Ling Zhen, known as 'Thunderclap,' who is skilled in making cannons that can reach fourteen or fifteen miles. Where his stone shells fall, the heavens collapse and the earth splits, mountains topple and rocks shatter. If we could have this man, we could attack the bandit stronghold. Moreover, he is well versed in martial arts and skilled in archery and horsemanship. If the envoy could return to the capital and speak of this matter to the Grand Marshal, he could be sent here with all haste, and in due time the bandit lair could be taken." The envoy agreed. He set out the next day and met with no incidents on the road. Upon returning to the capital, he went to see Grand Marshal Gao and fully reported that Huyan Zhuo had requested the artillery man Ling Zhen to achieve a great victory. After hearing this, Grand Marshal Gao issued a summons to bring Ling Zhen, the assistant artillery man from the Armory. Ling Zhen was a native of Yanling and was the foremost artillery man of the flourishing Song dynasty. People called him "Thunderclap," and moreover, he was highly skilled in martial arts. There were four verses praising Ling Zhen's abilities:

When the fierce fire is unleashed, city walls shatter;

Where the smoke and clouds scatter, even ghosts and spirits grieve.

The golden wheel and its shells—Thunderclap shakes the heavens,

The artillery man's name is known through four hundred prefectures.

Thereupon Ling Zhen went to pay his respects to Grand Marshal Gao and received his commission as an army commander. He then had his saddles and horses and military equipment packed and prepared to set out. Now Ling Zhen loaded all the fireworks and chemicals he needed, along with the various cannons he had already built, along with cannon stones, cannon frames, and the like, onto carts. He took his personal clothing, armor, helmet, sword, and luggage, along with thirty or forty soldiers, and departed from the Eastern Capital, taking the road to Liangshan Marsh. Upon reaching the military camp, he first went to pay his respects to the main commander Huyan Zhuo, then met with the vanguard Han Tao, and asked in detail about the distance to the water stronghold and the treacherous terrain of the mountain fortress. He arranged for three types of cannon stones to be used in the attack: first, the Wind-and-Fire Cannon; second, the Golden-Wheel Cannon; third, the Mother-and-Child Cannon. He then had the soldiers prepare the cannon frames and set them up right at the water's edge, ready to fire.

Now it must be told that Song Jiang, in the small stockade on Duck-Bill Beach, was conferring with the Military Adviser Wu Yong on how to break the enemy formation, but they could not think of a plan. A spy came to report: "A new artilleryman has been sent from the Eastern Capital, called 'Thunderclap' Ling Zhen. He is setting up frames at the water's edge this very day, preparing to fire his cannons and attack the stockades." Wu Yong said: "This need not concern us. Our stronghold is surrounded on all sides by the great marsh, with many creeks and inlets. The Wanzi Fortress is far from the water. Even if he had cannons that could fly through the sky, how could they reach the fortress? Let us abandon the small stockade on Duck-Bill Beach and see how he manages to deploy his weapons. Then we can make our plans." At once Song Jiang abandoned the small stockade, and all set out and went up to the main pass. Chao Gai and Gongsun Sheng received them in the Hall of Assembly and asked: "How are we to defeat the enemy in this situation?" Before they had finished speaking, a cannon was heard firing from the foot of the mountain. Three cannons were fired in quick succession: two fell into the water, and one struck directly at the small stockade on Duck-Bill Beach. When Song Jiang heard this, his heart turned over with anxiety, and all the chieftains lost color in their faces. Wu Yong said: "If we can get someone to lure Ling Zhen to the water's edge, and capture him first, then we can discuss how to defeat the enemy." Chao Gai said: "We can send Li Jun, Zhang Heng, Zhang Shun, and the three Ruan brothers—six men in boats to carry out this task, while Zhu Tong and Lei Heng provide support on the shore."

Now these six naval chieftains received their orders and divided into two groups: Li Jun and Zhang Heng first led forty or fifty soldiers who could swim, in two swift boats, slipping quietly through the depths of the reed beds. Behind them, Zhang Shun and the three Ruan brothers followed with over forty small boats as reinforcements. Li Jun and Zhang Heng crossed to the opposite bank and went to the cannon frames, where they raised a great shout and overturned the frames. The soldiers hurriedly reported this to Ling Zhen. Ling Zhen thereupon took the Wind-and-Fire Cannons, mounted his horse with his spear, and led over a thousand men in pursuit. Li Jun and Zhang Heng and their men then fled. Ling Zhen pursued them to the edge of the reed flats, where he saw over forty small boats lined up in a row, with over a hundred naval soldiers aboard. Li Jun and Zhang Heng had already jumped onto the boats but deliberately did not set sail. When they saw the horsemen approaching, they raised a great shout and all leaped into the water. Ling Zhen's men arrived and tried to seize the boats. But Zhu Tong and Lei Heng, on the opposite bank, were raising shouts and beating drums. Ling Zhen captured many boats and ordered his soldiers to board them all, then they set off to attack. The boats had only reached the middle of the waves when they heard Zhu Tong and Lei Heng on the shore begin to beat their gongs. From beneath the water, forty or fifty naval soldiers had already risen and pulled off all the stern plugs, so that water poured into the boats. From the outside, the boats were capsized, and the soldiers all tumbled into the water. Ling Zhen tried to turn his boats back, but the rudders and oars at the stern had already been dragged down to the bottom. Chieftains rose up from both sides, overturned the boats, and Ling Zhen was pulled into the water. Under the water was Ruan Xiao'er, who seized him in his arms and dragged him straight to the opposite shore. Chieftains were already waiting there, bound him with ropes, and sent him up the mountain. Over two hundred men were captured alive in the water; half were drowned in the marsh, and a handful barely escaped with their lives. A poem says:

How could the boat soldiers cross the river so easily,

If the cannons were not fired, what then could be done?

They boasted of thunderclaps that shook the sky,

But worried instead that a foot of water could raise waves.

When Huyan Zhuo learned of this, he hastily led his troops in pursuit, but the boats had already crossed Duck-Bill Beach. His arrows could not reach them, and no men were to be seen. He could only swallow his fury. Huyan Zhuo nursed his rage for a long while, then had no choice but to lead his men back. Now it must be told that the chieftains had captured "Thunderclap" Ling Zhen and brought him up the mountain stronghold. They first sent a man to report to Song Jiang. Song Jiang then came down from the second pass with all the chieftains of the stronghold to welcome him. When he saw Ling Zhen, he immediately personally loosened his bonds and reproached the others: "I told you to invite the commander to come up the mountain with courtesy—how could you treat him so rudely!" Ling Zhen bowed and thanked him for sparing his life. Song Jiang poured a cup of wine for him and, taking his own cup, personally led him by the hand and invited him up the mountain. At the great stronghold, Ling Zhen saw that Peng Qi had already been made a chieftain, and he said nothing. Peng Qi exhorted him: "The two Chieftains Chao and Song carry out the will of Heaven. They gather heroes and worthies, all waiting to be amnestied so that they may serve the state. Since we have all come here, we must obey." Song Jiang also spoke words of apology, and Ling Zhen replied: "It would be no hardship for me to serve here, but my old mother and wife and children are all in the capital. If anyone finds out, they will surely be put to death. What can be done?" Song Jiang said: "Please rest assured. We will bring them back for you within a set time." Ling Zhen thanked him and said: "If the chieftain can arrange this so thoroughly, I shall die content." Chao Gai said: "Let us prepare a feast to celebrate."

The following day, a general assembly of the chieftains was held in the great hall. While they were drinking, Song Jiang discussed with everyone how to defeat the "chain-linked horses." Just as they were at their wits' end, the "Spotted Leopard" Tang Long rose and said, "This humble person, though lacking in talent, wishes to present a plan. With a certain type of weapon and an elder brother of mine, we can defeat the 'chain-linked cavalry.'" Wu Yong, the Learned Scholar, then asked, "Brother, tell us: what weapon would you use, and who is this elder brother of yours?" Tang Long, calm and composed, folded his hands and stepped forward to reveal both the weapon and the man. And so it happened that five or six chieftains journeyed straight to the capital, and over three thousand cavalrymen met their doom. Truly, a plan was laid in the Jade Capital to seize the *xiezhi*, and a scheme hatched at the Golden Pass to capture the *suanni*. Now, as for the weapon Tang Long revealed to the crowd, and the man he named, let us listen to the next chapter.