الفصل السادس والخمسون

الفصل السادس والخمسون

At that time, Tang Long addressed the assembled chieftains, saying: "My family has for generations made its living by forging arms and armor. My late father, through his skill in this craft, had the good fortune to come to the attention of Old Marshal Jingliang of the Frontier and was appointed garrison commander of Yan'an. In the previous dynasty, the 'linked armored horse' formation was used to win victories. To break this formation, one must use 'hook-bladed spears.' The designs have been passed down in my family and are in my possession. If we wish to forge them, we can begin at once. Though I know how to make them, I do not know how to use them. The only person who can use them is my maternal cousin. He alone is a master of the hook-blade spear technique, which has been handed down in his family and is taught to no outsider. Whether on horseback or on foot, there have always be proper methods. When wielded with true mastery, their movements are nothing short of supernatural!" Before he finished speaking, Lin Chong asked: "Could this be Xu Ning, the present instructor of the Gold Spear Corps?" Tang Long replied: "The very same." Lin Chong said: "Had you not mentioned him, I would have forgotten. Xu Ning's gold spear technique and hook-blade spear method are truly without equal in all the world. When we were both in the capital, we often met to test our martial skills, and we held each other in great esteem and affection. But how can we get him to come to this mountain?"

Tang Long said: "Xu Ning's ancestors left behind a treasure, unmatched in all the world, which has been the guardian heirloom of his family. When I was young, I accompanied my father on a visit to the capital to see my aunt, and I saw it many times. It is a suit of armor made of wild-goose-quill pieces fitted with gold. This armor, when worn upon the body, is both light and firm; swords, arrows, and bolts cannot pierce it. People call it 'Match for the Tang-Li Beast.' Many a noble lord's son has begged to see it, but he has never once shown it to anyone. This armor is his very life. It is kept in a leather case, hung directly from the beam in his bedchamber. If we can first get hold of this armor, he will have no choice but to come here."

Wu Yong said: "If that is so, what difficulty is there? We have skilled brothers right here. This time we will send 'Flea-on-a-Drum' Shi Qian on the mission." Shi Qian at once replied: "I only fear there may be no such thing there. But if it is indeed there, I will get it, one way or another." Tang Long said: "If you can steal the armor, I will take full responsibility for luring him up the mountain."

Song Jiang asked: "How will you lure him up the mountain?" Tang Long went to Song Jiang's ear and whispered a few words. Song Jiang laughed and said: "A brilliant plan!" Wu Yong the Scholar said: "We will need three more men to go to the capital together. One will go to the capital to purchase fireworks, medicinal ingredients, and the materials used in cannons; two will go to retrieve the family of Commander Ling." Peng Qi, upon hearing this, rose and said: "If someone could go to Yingzhou to bring my family up the mountain, I would be forever indebted to that kindness." Song Jiang said: "Rest assured, Commander. Please have two men write letters, and I will send men myself." He then summoned Yang Lin, gave him gold and silver and letters, and ordered him with his attendants to go to Yingzhou to retrieve Commander Peng Qi's family. Xue Yong, disguised as a seller of spear-staff techniques and medicines, would go to the capital to retrieve Commander Ling's family. Li Yun, disguised as a merchant, would go with him to the capital to purchase fireworks, medicinal ingredients, and the like. Le He would accompany Tang Long, and also keep Xue Yong company along the way. First they sent Shi Qian down the mountain. Next, Tang Long was ordered to forge a sample "hook-blade spear," and Lei Heng was placed in charge of supervising the work, for Lei Heng's ancestors had also been ironworkers by trade. As for Tang Long, he forged the model hook-blade spear, and the armorers in the stronghold made more according to the design, all under Lei Heng's supervision—but no more of this. The great stronghold held a farewell feast, and Yang Lin, Xue Yong, Li Yun, Le He, and Tang Long took their leave and went down the mountain. The next day, Dai Zong was also sent down the mountain to go back and forth gathering intelligence. This part of the story cannot be told all at once.

Now let us speak of Shi Qian. He left Liangshan Marsh, concealed his hidden weapons and various tools on his person, and made his way by stages to the capital. He put up at an inn. The next day he slipped into the city and asked where the Gold Spear Corps instructor Xu Ning's house was. Someone pointed and said: "Go inside the Gate of the Corps, and the fifth house on the east side with the black-cornered door—that is it." Shi Qian went inside the Gate of the Corps and first observed the front entrance. Then he came around and surveyed the back gate. He saw a high wall, and within it two small, elegant storied buildings; to the side stood a single supporting pillar. Shi Qian looked it over for a while, then went to a neighbor and asked: "Is Instructor Xu at home?" The man replied: "He is likely on duty inside and has not yet returned." Shi Qian asked again: "When does he return?" The man said: "He does not come back until late in the evening, and at the fifth watch he goes back inside to attend his shift." Shi Qian thanked him for the trouble and returned to the inn. He took his tools, concealed them on his person, and said to the innkeeper: "I may well not return tonight. Please look after my room." The innkeeper said: "Go with my blessing. You will come to no harm."

Shi Qian went back into the city and bought himself some supper. Then he made his way to the house of the Golden Spear Instructor Xu Ning and surveyed the surroundings, but could find no good place to hide. As darkness fell, he slipped inside the gate of the Golden Spear Academy. That night, in the bitter cold of winter, there was no moonlight. Shi Qian spotted a large cypress tree behind the earth-god shrine. He gripped it with both legs, climbed up section by section, and sat astride a branch at the top like a man on horseback. Peering down quietly, he saw Xu Ning returning home. Then he saw two men from the academy come out carrying lanterns to shut the gate. They locked it with a padlock and went their separate ways home. Soon the night watch drum sounded from the watchtower—the first watch of the night had begun. Clouds obscured the stars, and the spreading dew turned the frost flowers white.

Seeing that the academy was quiet, Shi Qian slipped down from the tree and made his way to the back gate of Xu Ning's house. He climbed over the wall without the slightest effort and found himself in a small courtyard. He crouched outside the kitchen and peered in: a lamp was lit there, and two maids were still tidying up. He coiled himself around the brace post and crept along the gable board, flattening himself against it. Looking up at the upper floor, he saw the Golden Spear Instructor Xu Ning sitting with his wife beside the brazier, warming themselves. In his arms he held a child of six or seven.

Shi Qian looked toward the bedchamber and saw that there was indeed a large leather case hanging from the beam. A bow and arrows and a waist sword hung by the door. A clothes rack held garments of various colors. Xu Ning called out, "Meixiang, come and fold my clothes for me." A maid came up and, on the side table, first folded a purple-embroidered round-collared robe, then an official-green lined jacket, along with a five-colored embroidered girdle, a colorful neck-protecting silk kerchief, a red-and-green knotted cord, and a packet of handkerchiefs. She used a small yellow kerchief to wrap a double-otter-tail lychee gold belt, placed it in the bundle as well, and set everything on the warming basket.

Shi Qian watched all this carefully. Around the second watch, Xu Ning prepared for bed. His wife asked, "Will you be on duty tomorrow?" Xu Ning replied, "Tomorrow His Majesty will visit the Dragon Talisman Palace. I must rise early at the fifth watch to attend." His wife, hearing this, instructed Meixiang: "Your master must rise at the fifth watch tomorrow to go on duty. You others get up at the fourth watch to heat the broth and prepare refreshments."

Shi Qian thought to himself: "That leather case hanging from the beam certainly contains the armor. It would be best to act in the middle of the night. But if a commotion breaks out, I won't be able to leave the city tomorrow—that would ruin the whole plan. I'll wait until the fifth watch before making my move."

He heard Xu Ning and his wife get into bed and sleep. The two maids spread their bedding outside the bedroom door. On the table inside the room, a bowl lamp was lit. All five people were asleep. The two maids, worn out from attending on them all day, had also fallen asleep. Shi Qian slipped down, took a reed tube from his side, and blew through the lattice window. The bowl lamp was immediately extinguished.

Around the fourth watch, Xu Ning rose and called the maids to come heat the broth. The two serving women woke from their sleep, saw there was no lamp in the room, and cried, "Ah! The lamp has gone out tonight!" Xu Ning said, "Why don't you go fetch a lamp from the back? How long are you going to wait?" Meixiang opened the upstairs door, and her footsteps sounded on the ladder. Shi Qian, hearing this, slipped from the brace post and hid in the shadows by the back gate. He heard the maid open the back gate and then go to unbolt the outer gate. Shi Qian slipped into the kitchen and pressed himself beneath the kitchen table.

Meixiang came back with a lamp, closed the door, and went to the stove to light a fire. The other serving woman also got up, lit a charcoal brazier, and carried it upstairs. Before long the broth boiled. She brought up the hot noodle broth. Xu Ning washed, then called for some warm wine to be brought up. The maids prepared meat and griddle cakes. After eating, Xu Ning told them to give food to the men on duty outside.

Shi Qian heard Xu Ning come downstairs, tell his attendant to eat, then shoulder his bundle, take up his golden spear, and go out the door. The two maids lit lanterns and saw him off. Shi Qian emerged from under the kitchen table and went upstairs. He crept along the beam and lay flat upon it. The two maids closed the gate, blew out the lamp, came upstairs, undressed, and fell asleep at once.

Shi Qian waited until the two maids were sound asleep, then from the beam blew at the lamp with his reed tube. The lamp went out again. He gently untied the leather case from the beam and was just about to come down when Xu Ning's wife woke up, heard the noise, and called to Meixiang: "What was that noise from the beam?" Shi Qian made the sound of a rat. The maid said, "Can't you hear, madam? It's rats fighting—that's what the noise is."

Shi Qian then imitated the sounds of rats scuffling and slipped down quietly. He softly opened the upstairs door, carried the leather case carefully on his back, descended the ladder, and made his way straight to the outer gate, then to the academy gate. The men on duty were already going out—at the fourth watch they had unlocked the gate. Shi Qian, carrying the leather case, slipped out among the crowd amid the bustle. He ran all the way out of the city and arrived at the inn. It was still before dawn. He knocked on the inn door, went to his room, collected his luggage, bundled it together and shouldered it as a load on a pole. He settled his bill, left the inn, and headed east.

After traveling some forty li, they finally stopped at an inn to prepare some food. Just then, someone else burst in. When Shi Qiao looked, it was no other than the "Divine Traveler" Dai Zong. Seeing that Shi Qiao had already obtained the object, the two exchanged a few whispered words. Dai Zong said, "I will take the armor to the stronghold first. You and Tang Long come slowly." Shi Qiao opened the leather case and took out the suit of lark's-tail chainmail, wrapping it into a bundle. Dai Zong strapped it to his body, left the inn, and employing his divine speed technique, set off for Mount Liangshan.

Shi Qiao, however, conspicuously tied the empty leather case to his carrying pole. After eating his meal and paying for the cooking fire, he shouldered his load and left the inn. After about twenty li, he ran into Tang Long, and the two went into an inn to confer. Tang Long said, "Just follow this road as I've told you. But wherever you pass an inn, a restaurant, or a hostelry, if you see a white powder circle on the door, you may buy wine and meat there and rest at the hostelry. Make a point of placing this leather case right before their eyes. Wait for me about a stage beyond this place." Shi Qiao followed the plan and departed. Tang Long leisurely drank some wine, then headed for the Eastern Capital.

Now, at the Xu Ning household, dawn broke. Two servant girls rose and found the tower gate open, and the middle gate and main gate below both unbarred. Hurrying through the house, they found all belongings intact. The two servant girls went upstairs and said to the lady, "We don't know how, but all the gates were open, yet nothing was lost." The lady said, "In the fifth watch last night, we heard noises on the beam and said it was rats fighting. Go and see if the leather case is all right." The two servant girls looked and cried out in distress: "The leather case is gone—we don't know where!" The lady, hearing this, rose in alarm and said, "Quickly send someone to the Dragon Talisman Palace to inform the master and have him come search for it at once!" The servant girls hurriedly sought someone to go to the Dragon Talisman Palace to report to Xu Ning. They sent three or four messengers in succession, but all returned saying: "The Gold Lancers of the Imperial Guard have accompanied the Emperor to the inner gardens. Outside, all is guarded by the imperial bodyguards. Who could get in? We must simply wait for him to return on his own." Xu Ning's wife and the two servant girls were like ants on a hot griddle, at their wits' end, unable to eat or drink, thrown into a panic.

It was not until dusk that Xu Ning at last doffed his robes and official garments. Carrying his gold lance on his back, he went straight home. Reaching the gate of his quarters, the neighbors said, "Your lady suffered a burglary at home. She's been waiting for you, the Commandant, but you didn't return." Xu Ning was greatly startled and rushed into the house. The two servant girls met him at the door and said, "Master, when you left in the fifth watch, a thief slipped in and stole only the leather case from the beam." When Xu Ning heard this, he could only cry out in bitter anguish, the groans rolling from the very base of his belly to the edge of his mouth. The lady said, "When exactly did this thief slip into the house?" Xu Ning said, "Nothing else matters, but this suit of lark's-tail chainmail is a treasure passed down through four generations of my ancestors, never before lost. 'Flower' Wang the Grand Marshal once offered me thirty thousand strings of cash for it, and I would not sell it to him. I feared it might be needed on the battlefield in the future, and I was afraid something might happen to it, so I kept it tied to the beam. Many people wanted to see it, and I always said I no longer had it. Now this has become public, and I'll only invite others' ridicule. And now it's lost—what am I to do!" Xu Ning lay awake all night, pondering: "I don't know who stole it! — But it must be someone who knew about this suit of armor." The lady thought: "Could it be that when the lamp was extinguished last night, the thief was already hiding in the house? It must be someone who coveted you, who offered money and couldn't buy it, and so sent this skilled thief to steal it. You should have people investigate slowly and make other plans—but don't startle the snake by beating the grass." Xu Ning listened to this, and when dawn rose, he sat at home in gloomy brooding. It was just like:

The King of Shu's sorrow in spring, Song Yu's grief in autumn.

Lu Qian lost the sword at his waist, Lei Huan lost the sword from the prison.

The pearl that illuminated a carriage is gone; the jade worth five cities is shattered.

Wang Kai's coral has been destroyed—there is no compensation;

Pei Han's jade pestle has not been found—hard to fulfill one's desires.

It is truly: the phoenix fallen on a barren slope, its splendid feathers withered;

the dragon stranded in shallow water, its bright pearl lost.

That day Xu Ning was sitting at home in low spirits. Around breakfast time, there came a knock at the gate. The servant on duty went out to ask the visitor's name, then came back to report: "There's a man named Tang Long, the son of Magistrate Tang of Yan'an Prefecture, who has come specially to pay his respects." Upon hearing this, Xu Ning had him invited into the guest hall to meet. Tang Long saw Xu Ning and bowed to the ground, saying, "Brother, have you been well all this time?" Xu Ning replied, "I heard that your late father had passed away. But being tied up by official duties and the great distance, I was unable to come and offer my condolences. I had no news of you, brother—where have you been all this while? And where have you come from this time?" Tang Long said, "It's a long story. Ever since my father died, fortune has not favored me, and I've been drifting about the rivers and lakes. Now I've come straight from Shandong to the capital to visit you, brother." Xu Ning said, "Sit down a while, brother." He then ordered that food and wine be prepared for his guest. Tang Long took from his bundle two ingots of garlic-shaped gold, weighing twenty taels in all, and presented them to Xu Ning, saying: "On his deathbed, my late father left these things and instructed me to send them to you as a keepsake. But as I had no trusted person to entrust them to, I was never able to forward them. This time I've come to the capital expressly to return them to you, brother." Xu Ning said, "I'm deeply moved that your father thought of me so fondly. I never did a thing to show him filial devotion—how can I ever repay this?" Tang Long said, "Don't say that, brother. When my father was alive, he often spoke of your martial skills with admiration. He only regretted that mountains and rivers kept you apart so he could never see you face to face. That's why he left these things for you as a keepsake." Xu Ning thanked Tang Long and accepted the gold, and wine was served. As Tang Long and Xu Ning drank together, Xu Ning's brows remained knit and his face wore a troubled look. Tang Long rose and said, "Brother, why do you seem so displeased? There must be something weighing on your mind that you can't resolve." Xu Ning sighed and said, "You don't know, brother—it's hard to tell in a few words. Last night my house was robbed." Tang Long said, "What was taken?" Xu Ning said, "Only the suit of chain mail inlaid with wild-goose feathers left behind by my ancestors—it's also called the 'Tang Ni Rival.' Losing that last night is what's made me so unhappy." Tang Long said, "I've seen that armor of yours, brother—it's truly beyond compare. My late father never stopped praising it. But where was it kept when it was stolen?" Xu Ning said, "I kept it in a leather case, tied and fastened to a beam in my bedroom. I have no idea when the thief came in and made off with it." Tang Long asked, "What kind of leather case was it?" Xu Ning said, "A red sheepskin case. Inside, it was wrapped in fragrant cotton." Tang Long feigned surprise and said, "A red sheepskin case? Wasn't it the one with white thread embroidered into a green cloud-and-ruyi pattern, with a lion rolling an embroidered ball in the center?" Xu Ning said, "Brother, how did you know that?" Tang Long said, "Last night, about forty li outside the city, I stopped at a village inn for some wine. I saw a man with bright eyes and a lean, dark face carrying it on a pole over his shoulder. When I saw it, I thought to myself, 'What could be in that leather case?' Just as I was leaving, I asked him, 'What do you use that leather case for?' The man replied, 'It was originally for storing armor; now I just keep some clothes in it.' It must have been him. The fellow seemed to have a lame leg—he hobbled along step by step with the pole on his shoulder. Why don't we go after him?" Xu Ning said, "If we can catch up with him, wouldn't that be heaven-sent!" Tang Long said, "Since that's the case, let's not delay—let's go after him at once."

Xu Ning listened, hastily changed into hemp shoes, buckled on his waist knife, carried a broad saber, and set out with Tang Long through the East Gate. They quickened their pace and followed the road. Ahead they saw a white circle on the wall marking a wine shop. Tang Long said, "Let's drink a bowl of wine here before we go on, and ask about it at the same time." Tang Long went in and sat down, then asked, "Shopkeeper, may I ask—did a man with bright eyes and a lean, dark face pass by here carrying a red sheepskin case?" The shopkeeper said, "Last night there was indeed such a man carrying a red sheepskin case. He seemed to have taken a fall—his legs were hurt, and he limped along step by step." Tang Long said, "Brother, did you hear that?" Xu Ning heard it and could not utter a word.

The two men hurriedly paid their wine money and went out. Ahead they saw another inn, with the white circle mark on the wall. Tang Long stopped and said, "Elder brother, I can't walk any further. Let's rest at this inn with you. Tomorrow we'll set out early to catch up." Xu Ning said, "But I am an official. If my name is called and I'm not there, the authorities will surely hold me to account. What can we do about that?" Tang Long said, "Brother need not worry about that. Sister-in-law will certainly find some excuse." That evening they asked at the inn, and the innkeeper answered, "Last night there was a lean fellow with sharp eyes who stayed overnight in my inn. He slept right up until midday today before leaving. He kept asking about the road to Shandong." Tang Long said, "In that case we can catch up. Tomorrow we'll set out at the fourth watch. We're bound to catch him. Once we seize that wretch, we'll have a lead." That night the two men rested. The next day they set out at the fourth watch, left the inn, and continued along the road. Whenever Tang Long saw a white powder circle on a wall, he would buy wine or food and ask for directions, and everywhere the story was the same. Xu Ning, anxious to recover that suit of armor, simply followed Tang Long in pursuit. As the evening drew on, they saw ahead an ancient temple, and beneath the trees in front of it, Shi Qian sat on the ground with his load. Tang Long spotted him and called out, "There he is! Isn't that the box that holds elder brother's armor, the one under that tree ahead?" Xu Ning saw it and rushed forward to seize Shi Qian by the collar. He shouted, "You scoundrel, how dare you! How did you steal that suit of armor from me?" Shi Qian said, "Stop, stop! Don't shout! Yes, I stole your armor from me. But what do you intend to do about it now?" Xu Ning shouted, "Insolent beast! You ask me what I intend to do!" Shi Qian said, "Just look—is there any armor in the box?" Tang Long opened the box and looked inside—it was empty. Xu Ning said, "Where have you wretch taken my armor?" Shi Qian said, "Listen to me. My surname is Zhang, and I am the eldest in my family. I am from Taianzhou. A wealthy man in my prefecture wished to make the connection with Old Commander Tong of the border command, and he knew your family possessed this suit of chainmail armor made of wild-goose feathers, but you refused to sell it. He sent me and a man named Li San to your house to steal it, promising us ten thousand strings of cash. But I fell from the pillar in your house and twisted my leg, so I couldn't walk. I had Li San take the armor ahead first, leaving only the empty box here. If you want to do something about me, you can take me to the authorities, but I'll stake my life on it—you can beat me to death and I won't confess, and you'll never get me to point out anyone else. But if you're willing to spare me from the authorities, I'll go with you to get that suit of armor and return it to you." Xu Ning hesitated for a long time, unable to make up his mind. Tang Long then said, "Brother, don't worry—he can't fly away! Just go with him to get the armor! If there's no armor, we can always bring a lawsuit in the local court." Xu Ning said, "Brother, that's sound advice." The three of them pressed on together and stopped at an inn to rest. Xu Ning and Tang Long kept watch over Shi Qian and they all lodged in the same place. As it happened, Shi Qian had deliberately wrapped some silk cloth around his leg, pretending he had sprained it. Seeing that he still couldn't walk properly, Xu Ning's vigilance toward him dropped to only half of what it had been. The three men rested another night, and the next morning they set out again. Along the way Shi Qian bought wine and meat and made apologies as they traveled. They went on for another day.

The next day, Xu Ning grew increasingly anxious on the road, not knowing whether the armor would ultimately be obtained or not. As he traveled, he noticed three or four draft animals pulling an empty cart from the side of the road. A man drove the cart from behind, and beside him sat a passenger. The passenger looked at Tang Long and bowed to him at once. Tang Long asked, "Brother, how is it that you are here?" The man replied, "I have finished business in Zhengzhou and am returning to Taianzhou." Tang Long said, "Excellent. The three of us wish to ride in your cart—we too are going to Taianzhou." The man said, "Never mind three people getting in—even more would be no matter." Tang Long was overjoyed and called Xu Ning over to meet him. Xu Ning asked, "Who is this man?" Tang Long replied, "Last year when I went to burn incense in Taianzhou, I made this brother's acquaintance. His surname is Li, given name Rong, and he is a man of honor." Xu Ning said, "Since that is the case, and Zhang Yi here cannot walk, let us all get into the cart and sit." He told the cart driver to proceed. The four men sat in the cart, and Xu Ning asked, "Zhang Yi, now tell me the name of that wealthy man of yours." Shi Qian, pressed beyond endurance, put off the answer several times, but at last had to say recklessly, "He is the famous Master Guo the Great." Xu Ning then asked Li Rong, "Was there ever a Master Guo the Great in your Taianzhou?" Li Rong replied, "That Master Guo the Great in my prefecture is a wealthy man of the upper class who is fond of associating with officials and has many idlers in his household." Xu Ning, hearing this, thought to himself, "Since there is such a person, there can be no harm in it." He also noticed that along the way Li Rong spoke of spears and staves and sang a few tunes, and before he knew it, another day had passed. Enough of this. When they were only a couple of leagues from Liangshan Marsh, Li Rong told the cart driver to take the gourd and buy some wine and some meat, so they could have a few cups in the cart. Li Rong produced a ladle and poured out the first ladleful to offer to Xu Ning, who drained it in one gulp. Li Rong then told him to pour more wine, but the cart driver pretended to fumble and spilled the entire gourd of wine onto the ground. Li Rong cursed at the cart driver and told him to go buy more. By then Xu Ning was drooling from the mouth and collapsed face-down onto the cart. Who was Li Rong? He was none other than "Iron Whistle" Yue He. The three men jumped down from the cart and drove it straight to the inn of "Dry-Land Camel" Zhu Gui. The men carried Xu Ning down into a boat and all went ashore at Golden Sands Beach. Song Jiang had already been informed and came down the mountain with the other chieftains to meet them. By now the drug had worn off, and the men gave him the antidote. Xu Ning opened his eyes and saw the assembled men. Startled, he asked Tang Long, "Brother, how did you trick me into coming here?" Tang Long said, "Brother, hear me out. This time I heard that Song Jiangkong welcomes heroes from all directions, so in Wugang Town I acknowledged Black Whirlwind Li Kui as my elder brother and joined the great stronghold. Now Huyan Zhuo has been using his linked armored cavalry to charge our formations, and we have no way to break them. It was I who presented this 'hooked-spear' method, which only you, brother, are skilled enough to use. That is how this plan was devised: Shi Qian was sent first to steal your armor, then I was to trick you onto the road, and afterward Yue He was to pose as Li Rong. When we crossed the mountain, he would put the drugged wine in your drink and invite you up the mountain to take a seat as chieftain." Xu Ning said, "So it was you, brother, who delivered me!" Song Jiang held a cup and stepped forward to explain, "At present Song Jiang dwells temporarily at this marsh, waiting only for the court to grant amnesty, so that we may serve the country with all our loyalty and strength. We do not dare to covet wealth or delight in killing, nor to practice unrighteous deeds. I earnestly hope that you, Inspector, will take pity on our true feelings and join us together in carrying out the will of Heaven." Lin Chong also came forward with a cup and said, "I too have come here, and I have often spoken of your noble character, brother. Please do not refuse." Xu Ning said, "Tang Long, you have tricked me into coming here, but my wife and children back home will surely be arrested by the authorities. What is to be done?" Song Jiang said, "This is no cause for concern. Set your mind at ease, Inspector—it rests with me alone. Sooner or later I will bring your family here so you may be reunited." Chao Gai, Wu Yong, and Gongsun Sheng all came to speak with Xu Ning, and a feast was prepared to celebrate. On one side, sturdy young bandits were selected to learn the hooked-spear method; on the other, Dai Zong and Tang Long were sent by night to the capital to bring Xu Ning's family. Within ten days, Yang Lin brought Peng Qi's family from Yingzhou, Xue Yong brought Ling Zhen's family from the capital, and Li Yun returned to the stronghold with five cartloads of fireworks and medicinal ingredients. A few days after that, Dai Zong and Tang Long brought Xu Ning's family up the mountain.

When Xu Ning saw his wife arrive, he was startled and asked how she had managed to get there. His wife replied, "After you left, the authorities called for you but could not find you. I used some gold and jewelry and claimed I was bedridden with illness, so they stopped summoning me. Then your uncle Tang arrived carrying the wild-goose-quill armor and said, 'The armor has been obtained. Your elder brother only fell ill on the road and is about to die at an inn—he told me to bring his wife and children to see him at once.' He tricked me into getting into the cart, and not knowing the road, I came all the way here by twists and turns." Xu Ning said, "Brother, it is well and good, but it is a pity that my armor has been left behind at home." Tang Long laughed and said, "Let me gladden you, brother. After I put your wife in the cart, I doubled back and tricked the armor out of the house. I lured away the two servant girls, gathered up all the valuables in the home, and packed them into a load that I have carried here." Xu Ning said, "In that case, we can never return to the Eastern Capital."

Tang Long said, "There's one more thing I must tell you, brother. On the way here, I ran into a band of travelers. I put on your lamellar armor with the plume, disguised my face, and used your name to rob them of their goods. By now, the authorities in the Eastern Capital have already issued warrants everywhere to arrest you." Xu Ning said, "Brother, you've brought me no small trouble!" Chao Gai and Song Jiang both came forward to make amends, saying, "Had we not done this, how could we have persuaded the Inspector to stay here?" They then assigned quarters for Xu Ning and settled his family. The chieftains next discussed how to defeat the chain-linked cavalry.

At this time, Lei Heng had completed the manufacture of the hooked spears. Song Jiang and Wu Yong invited Xu Ning to teach the soldiers the use of the hooked spear. Xu Ning said, "I shall now lay bare all my knowledge and train the company leaders, selecting only those of tall and sturdy build." The chieftains all gathered in the Assembly Hall to watch Xu Ning choose the troops and demonstrate the hooked spear technique. It so happened that three thousand armored horsemen would be routed in no time, and a hero would be brought to submission before long. But how exactly did Spear Xu Ning teach the hooked spear technique? That will be told in the next chapter.