الفصل الستون

الفصل الستون

Gongsun Sheng presented his battle formation diagram to Song Jiang and Wu Yong, saying, "This is the method used by Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms period—arranging stones into an army formation. It divides into sixty-four companies of eight in all directions, with the main general stationed at the center. It has the form of four heads and eight tails, rotating left and right according to the principles of heaven, earth, wind, and cloud, and in the shapes of dragon, tiger, bird, and snake. When they come down from the mountain and charge into the formation, both wings will open. Once they enter the formation, watch for where the seven-star signal flag rises, and change the formation into the shape of a long snake. I will deploy my Daoist arts, making it so these three men have no path ahead or behind, no gate to the left or right within the formation. Then have a pit dug in the northern position, driving these three men straight toward it. Station ambush parties with grappling hooks on both sides, ready to capture them."

Song Jiang was overjoyed upon hearing this and issued orders for all officers and men to carry out the plan accordingly. He selected eight fierce generals to guard the formation. The eight were: Huyan Zhuo, Zhu Tong, Hua Rong, Xu Ning, Mu Hong, Sun Li, Shi Jin, and Huang Xin. He appointed Chai Jin, Lü Fang, and Guo Sheng to temporarily oversee the central army, while Song Jiang, Wu Yong, and Gongsun Sheng led Chen Da to wave the signal flags. He had Zhu Wu guide five soldiers to watch the opposing formation from a high mountain slope and report on developments.

At the hour of the serpent that day, the army arrayed itself near the mountain, waving banners and beating drums to provoke battle. From Mount Mangdang came the sound of twenty or thirty gongs shaking the earth. The three chieftains arrived together at the foot of the mountain and deployed over three thousand men. Xiang Cong and Li Gun took positions on the left and right flanks. In the center, riding forth on horseback, came the chief leader—a man named Fan Rui, a native of Puzhou. In his youth he had been a Complete Perfection Daoist priest, and in the jianghu he had learned superb martial arts. He habitually wielded a meteor hammer on horseback, appearing and disappearing like a ghost, cutting down enemy commanders and seizing their banners. No one dared approach him, and his nickname was "Demon King of Chaos." How do we know Fan Rui was a hero? A *Xijiangyue* poem attests:

His black hair loosened and flowing,

His body clad in embroidered black brocade,

Linked iron armor glinting against the cold sky,

A bronze hammer wielded with wondrous skill.

Like the True Warrior of the North,

Subduing demons and vanquishing monsters in the world,

Roaming the rivers and seas, his name proclaimed—

The Demon King of Chaos, his nickname.

This "Demon King of Chaos" Fan Rui rode a black horse and stood at the front of his formation. Above him was Xiang Cong; below him was Li Gun. Though Fan Rui could employ divine sorcery and magic arts, he did not understand battle formations. When he saw Song Jiang's troops arranged in a formation on all sides, he secretly rejoiced and thought, "If you set up a formation, you have fallen into my trap!" He instructed Xiang Cong and Li Gun, "When you see the wind rise, you two will lead five hundred knife-wielding men rolling into the formation." Xiang Cong and Li Gun received their orders. Each grasped his shield, brandished his spear and flying sword, and waited for Fan Rui to act.

They watched Fan Rui sit on his horse, his left hand gripping his bronze meteor hammer, his right hand holding his Demon King of Chaos treasured sword. He murmured incantations and shouted, "Quick!" At once violent winds arose on all sides, sand and stones flew, the sky and earth darkened, and the sun and moon lost their light. Xiang Cong and Li Gun raised a battle cry and led their five hundred knife-wielding men charging forward. Song Jiang's troops, seeing them charge, split into two wings. As Xiang Cong and Li Gun plunged into the formation, both sides rained down powerful crossbows and hard bows to hold back the attackers. Only forty or fifty men managed to enter; the rest fell back to their own formation.

From the high slope, Song Jiang saw that Xiang Cong and Li Gun had entered the formation. He ordered Chen Da to give a single wave of the seven-star signal flag. The formation surged and rolled, transforming into the shape of a long snake. Xiang Cong and Li Gun, inside the formation, rushed east and west, wheeled left and right, but could find no path. On the high slope, Zhu Wu used a small flag to guide them—wherever they headed east, Zhu Wu pointed east; wherever they headed west, he pointed west. It turned out that Gongsun Sheng, watching from the elevated ground, had already drawn his ancient pine-patterned sword, recited a spell, and shouted, "Quick!" He caused the wind to swirl wildly around the heels of Xiang Cong and Li Gun. The two men, inside the formation, saw only darkness, the sun's light extinguished, no troops on any side, and black vapor everywhere. Those who had followed behind had vanished. Xiang Cong and Li Gun grew frantic, desperate only to find a way back, but they could discover no route home. As they pressed on, suddenly the earth rumbled like thunder. The two men cried out in anguish within the formation, their feet seemed to give way, and they tumbled headlong into a concealed pit. On both sides, grappling-hook men had already seized them. They were bound with hemp ropes and carried up the mountain slope to claim merit. Song Jiang pointed with the tip of his whip, and the entire army surged forward in a general charge. Fan Rui led his men in retreat up the mountain; those who could not escape had more than half their number cut down.

Song Jiang called the troops back, and all the chieftains sat down before the tent. The soldiers soon brought Xiang Chong and Li Gun before him. When Song Jiang saw them, he quickly ordered their bonds removed, personally raised a cup, and said, "You two brave men, truly do not hold this against me. In the heat of battle, nothing less would have done. I, Song Jiang, have long heard the great names of the three brave men and wished to invite you courteously to join us on the mountain, to gather together in great righteousness. It was only because the opportunity did not present itself that we missed one another. If you do not scorn us, it would be our supreme fortune to return to the stronghold together." When the two heard this, they prostrated themselves and said, "We have long heard the great name of 'Timely Rain,' but we were fated never to have the honor of meeting you. So it turns out the elder brother truly possesses great righteousness! We two did not recognize a good man and were set against Heaven and Earth. Today we have been captured—death ten thousand times over would be too light a punishment—yet you treat us with courtesy. If you spare us, we swear to serve you unto death to repay this great grace! That Fan Rui—without the two of us, how could he carry on? If the righteous chieftains would consent to send one of us back, we could tell Fan Rui to come and submit. What does the chieftain think of this?" Song Jiang then said, "Brave men, there is no need to leave one of you here as a hostage. Please, you may both return to your stronghold. Song Jiang shall await your good tidings in the days to come." The two bowed and said in gratitude, "Truly a great man! If Fan Rui refuses to surrender, we shall seize him and present him before the chieftain." Song Jiang was overjoyed when he heard this. He invited them into the central army camp, feasted them with wine and food, gave them two sets of new garments, selected two fine horses, called for some small lancers to carry their spears and shields, and sent the two men down the mountain back to their stronghold.

Along the road, the two of them on horseback were endlessly grateful. They arrived at the foot of Mount Mangdang, where the small lancers were greatly alarmed and escorted them up the stronghold. Fan Rui asked the two how things had gone. Xiang Chong and Li Gun said, "We were men who defied Heaven—we deserved death ten thousand times over!" Fan Rui said, "Brothers, why do you speak this way?" The two then told him at length of Song Jiang's righteousness and generosity. Fan Rui said, "Since Song Jianggongming is such a great man of virtue, and righteousness is what he values most, we cannot defy Heaven. Let us all go down the mountain at dawn and submit." The two said, "That is precisely why we came." That night they put the stronghold in order. The next day at daybreak, all three went down the mountain together and proceeded straight to Song Jiang's camp, where they prostrated themselves on the ground. Song Jiang raised the three of them and invited them into the tent to be seated. When the three beheld Song Jiang, they harbored not the slightest suspicion; they opened their hearts to one another and spoke freely of their lives. The three then invited all the chieftains to the Mount Mangdang stronghold, where they slaughtered cattle and horses to feast Song Jiang and the many chieftains, and at the same time rewarded the soldiers. When the feast was done, Fan Rui took Gongsun Sheng as his master. Song Jiang immediately arranged for Gongsun Sheng to transmit the Five Thunders Heavenly Heart Orthodox Method to Fan Rui, and Fan Rui was overjoyed. Within a few days, they led away the cattle and horses, rolled up the stronghold's money and grain, loaded the luggage, gathered the men and horses, burned down the stronghold's stockade, and followed Song Jiang and the others back to Liangshan Marsh. Nothing further happened on the road.

Song Jiang and the heroes with their troops had already reached the edge of Liangshan Marsh and were about to cross over when they saw a large man on the road by the reed-covered bank, who looked at Song Jiang and prostrated himself. Song Jiang quickly dismounted, raised him, and asked, "What is your name, sir? Where are you from?" The man replied, "This one's surname is Duan, his given name Jingzhu. Because my hair is red and my beard is yellow, people all call me 'Golden-Coated Hound.' My ancestral home is in Zhuozhou. All my life I have made my living stealing horses in the northern regions. This spring I went north of Spear-Pole Ridge and stole a fine horse—white as snow tested in the forge, without a single hair of another color anywhere on its body. From head to tail it measured ten feet, and from hoof to spine it stood eight feet high. The horse was tall and large, capable of traveling a thousand li in a single day. It is famous in the north and is called the 'Moon-Illuminating Jade Lion Horse,' and it was the mount of a prince of the Great Jin. It had been left beneath Spear-Pole Ridge, and I stole it. In the rivers and lakes, I had only heard the great name of 'Timely Rain' but had no way to reach you. I wished to present this horse to the chieftain as a token of my desire to join you. I did not expect that when I passed through Zengtou City, southwest of Lingzhou, the Five Tigers of the Zeng family would seize it from me. I declared that it belonged to Song Jianggongming of Liangshan Marsh, but those wretches spoke many foul and insulting words, which I dare not repeat in full. I managed to escape and have come specially to inform you." When Song Jiang looked at this man, though he was bony and roughly built, he had a most remarkable appearance. How so? A poem bears witness:

> His hair is scorched yellow, his beard curled tight,

> His swift feet scorn not a thousand-li flight.

> He steals horses but tends not his own home—

> Why then is he called the Golden-Coated Hound?

Song Jiang saw that Duan Jingzhu was no ordinary man and secretly rejoiced in his heart. He said, "Since this is so, come with me to the stronghold and let us discuss the matter." He brought Duan Jingzhu, and they all boarded the boats together and came ashore at Golden Sand Beach. Chao Gongwang and the chieftains received them at the Hall of Righteous Assembly. Song Jiang had Fan Rui, Xiang Chong, and Li Gun meet with all the chieftains, and Duan Jingzhu joined them in paying his respects. The assembly drum was sounded, and a celebratory feast was held. Song Jiang saw that the stronghold had acquired many new men and horses, and that gallants from all quarters were coming to join at the mere news of their fame. He therefore ordered Li Yun and Tao Zongwang to oversee the construction of additional dwellings and the stockades on all four sides. Duan Jingzhu further described the fine qualities of the horse, and Song Jiang sent the "Marvelous Traveler" Dai Zong to Zengtou City to find out the horse's whereabouts.

Dai Zong was away for four or five days. When he returned, he reported to the chieftains: "That town of Zengtoushi has over three thousand households. Among them is one residence called the Fu Mansion. The patriarch of this family was originally from the Great Jin Kingdom, and is known as Elder Zeng. He has five sons, known as the Five Tigers of the Zeng family: the eldest is called Zeng Tu, the second is Zeng Mi, the third is Zeng Suo, the fourth is Zeng Kui, and the fifth is Zeng Sheng. There is also a military instructor named Shi Wengong, and an assistant instructor named Su Ding. They have assembled five to seven thousand troops in Zengtoushi, where they have built stockades and constructed over fifty pitfall wagons. They have sworn that they will be our mortal enemies and are determined to capture every one of our chieftains from the mountain stronghold to be our adversaries. That thousand-li Jade Lion Horse is currently ridden by the instructor Shi Wengong. What is even more hateful is that the scoundrels have composed a few lines of verse and taught the children in the town to sing them:

'The iron ring bells shake and ring,

Spirits and ghosts all start to quake!

Iron wagons and iron locks,

Above and below are sharp spikes!

Sweep clear the Liangshan Marsh waters,

Exterminate Chao Gai and march to the Eastern Capital!

Alive we'll capture the "Seasonal Rain,"

And seize alive the Resourceful Star!

The Zeng family has raised five tigers,

Their fame spreads across the land!'"

When Chao Gai heard this, he was furious. "How dare these beasts be so insolent! I must go myself. If I don't capture these wretches, I vow not to return to the mountains!" Song Jiang said, "Elder brother, you are the lord of the stronghold. You should not venture forth so lightly. I am willing to go." Chao Gai said, "It is not that I wish to take credit from you. You have gone down the mountain many times and are weary from battle. I will go in your place this time. Next time there is trouble, it will be your turn, worthy brother." Song Jiang earnestly remonstrated, but Chao Gai would not listen. Burning with rage, Chao Gai mustered five thousand troops and asked twenty chieftains to accompany him down the mountain. The rest were to remain with Song Jiang to guard the stronghold.

Chao Gai selected these twenty chieftains: Lin Chong, Huo Yanzhu, Xu Ning, Mu Hong, Liu Tang, Zhang Heng, Ruan Xiao'er, Ruan Xiaoqi, Ruan Xiaoqi, Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, Sun Li, Huang Xin, Du Qian, Song Wan, Yan Shun, Deng Fei, Ou Peng, Yang Lin, and Bai Sheng—twenty chieftains in all, commanding three divisions of troops to descend the mountain and advance on Zengtoushi. Song Jiang, Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and the other chieftains held a farewell feast for them at Golden Sands Shoal at the foot of the mountain. As they were drinking, a sudden violent wind arose and snapped in half the newly made army recognition flag of Chao Gai at its midpoint. When the others saw this, their faces all changed color. Counselor Wu remonstrated, "This is an ill omen. Brother, you should postpone your expedition." Song Jiang urged, "Brother, you have just set out, and the wind has torn the recognition flag—this is unfavorable for the army. It would be better to wait a while before dealing with those scoundrels." Chao Gai said, "Wind and clouds between heaven and earth—why should they be taken as strange omens? While spring is warm and the season is right, if we do not seize them now, we will allow them to grow in strength, and by the time we attack, it will be too late. Do not try to stop me. No matter what, I must go!" Song Jiang could not dissuade him. Chao Gai led his troops across the water and departed. Song Jiang was deeply troubled. He returned to the stronghold and sent Dai Zong down the mountain again to gather intelligence.

Now, Chao Gai led five thousand troops and twenty chieftains to the vicinity of Zengtoushi, where they established their stockade facing the town. The next day, he first took the mounted chieftains to survey Zengtoushi. When the heroes looked upon it from horseback, they saw that Zengtoushi was indeed a formidable defile. Behold:

Wild waters encircled it all around,

On three sides high ridges abounded.

The moat's winding channels coiled like serpents,

Beneath the ramparts willow groves grew dense as rain.

Gazing from on high, the deep green shadows hid all houses from sight;

Peering from nearby, the dark blue hues concealed the stockade walls in confusion.

The sturdy men of the village who emerged were fierce as diamond demons;

The country children born there were as fierce from birth as devils.

Truly it was an iron wall and bronze rampart,

Truly it was filled with fierce men and strong horses.

While Chao Gai and his fellow chiefs were observing, a band of riders burst from among the willows—some seven or eight hundred men in all. At their head rode a fine warrior, wearing a burnished bronze helmet and a coat of interlocking armor, wielding a steel-tipped spear and mounted on a battle charger. This was Zeng Kui, the fourth son of the Zeng family, who shouted at the top of his lungs: "You lot are nothing but rebel bandits from Liangshan Marsh! I was just coming to capture you and deliver you to the authorities for a reward. Now Heaven has delivered you right to my hands! Why don't you dismount and be bound—what are you waiting for?"

Chao Gai flew into a rage. He glanced back, and already a general was riding out to engage Zeng Kui. It was Lin Chong, the Leopard-Headed, one of the first heroes to have sworn brotherhood at Liangshan. The two clashed and fought more than twenty bouts without either gaining the edge. After twenty exchanges, Zeng Kui realized he could not defeat Lin Chong. He pulled back his spear, wheeled his horse, and galloped off toward the willows. Lin Chong reined in his horse and gave no chase.

Chao Gai led his army back to camp and discussed strategy for attacking the Zeng stronghold. Lin Chong said, "Tomorrow let's go straight to the town and issue a challenge. We'll see how things stand and then decide further."

The next day at dawn, he led five thousand men and arrayed them on the open plain before the Zeng stronghold, beating drums and raising war cries. From within the stronghold came the sound of cannon, and a great force marched out. Seven heroes were drawn up in a line: in the center was Grand Tutor Shi Wengong; above him was Vice Tutor Su Ding; below him was the eldest Zeng son, Zeng Tu; to the left were Zeng Mi and Zeng Kui; to the right were Zeng Sheng and Zeng Suo—all fully armored. Grand Tutor Shi Wengong had a bow slung across his back and arrows at his side. He sat astride the famed Thousand-Li Jade Lion Horse and carried a halberd of the heavens.

After three rolls of the drum, several prisoner carts were pushed out from the Zeng formation and placed in front. Zeng Tu pointed at the Liangshan army and cursed: "Traitorous rebel bandits! Do you see our prisoner carts? Anyone we kill at the Zeng estate won't count as a true man! I mean to capture every one of you alive, load you into the carts, send you to the Capital, and tear you limb from limb. Surrender now while you still can, and we may yet talk terms."

Chao Gai, burning with fury, leveled his spear and rode straight at Zeng Tu. The other generals, fearing Chao Gai might come to harm, charged forward all at once. The two armies fell into a confused melee. The Zeng forces retreated step by step back into the village. Lin Chong and Huo Yanze stayed close to Chao Gai, fighting in all directions. But when Lin Chong saw the terrain was unfavorable, he quickly pulled back to regroup. Both sides had lost men.

Chao Gai returned to camp deeply troubled. His generals tried to console him: "Brother, ease your mind and don't brood—it will harm your health. Even Brother Song Jiang has met with setbacks on campaign, yet in the end he always returns victorious. Today's skirmish cost us some men, but we weren't beaten by them. Why be so downcast?" But Chao Gai remained sunk in gloom. For three days in a row he sent out challenges from the camp, but not a single soldier appeared from the Zeng stronghold.

On the fourth day, two monks arrived straight at Chao Gao's camp to offer their submission. The soldiers brought them to the command tent. The two monks knelt and said: "We are the supervising monks of Fahua Temple on the eastern side of the Zeng stronghold. The five Zeng tigers constantly come to our temple to cause trouble, demanding gold and silver and silk—there's nothing they won't do. We know all the details of their movements and hideouts. We have come specially to invite you to raid their camp and wipe them out. If we succeed, it will be a blessing for the whole district."

Chao Gai was overjoyed. He had the two monks seated and set out wine for them. Lin Chong remonstrated: "Brother, don't just take their word—could this be a trap?" The monks said: "We are monks—how would we dare speak falsely? We have long heard that Liangshan Marsh upholds the way of benevolence and righteousness, and wherever it passes it does not harm the people. That is why we have come to join you. Why would we try to deceive you? Besides, the Zeng family may not be able to defeat your great army—why do you suspect us?"

Chao Gai said: "Brother, don't let your doubts spoil great plans. Tonight I will go myself."

Lin Chong said: "Brother, don't go. Let me take half the men to raid the camp while you wait outside to support us."

Chao Gai said: "If I don't go myself, who will press forward? You keep half the army outside to support us."

Lin Chong asked: "Who will you take with you?"

Chao Gai said: "I'll pick ten chiefs and divide twenty-five hundred men to go in." The ten chiefs were: Liu Tang, Ruan the Second, Huo Yanze, Ruan the Fifth, Ou Peng, Ruan the Little Seventh, Yan Shun, Du Qian, Song Wan, and Bai Sheng.

That evening they prepared a meal, removed the bells from the horses, had the soldiers bite wooden bits to keep silent, and marched swiftly through the dark. Quietly following the two monks, they made their way straight into Fahua Temple. When they arrived, they found it was an ancient temple. Chao Gai dismounted and went inside. Seeing no other monks, he asked the two: "How is it that such a large monastery has no monks at all?"

The monks said: "The Zeng family's creatures have tormented us so that the others had no choice but to return to lay life. Only the abbot and a few attendants remain, living in the pagoda courtyard. Please station your men here for now. When the night grows deeper, we will lead you straight to the villains' camp."

Chao Gai asked: "Where is their camp?"

The monks said: "They have four fortified camps, but only the north camp, where the Zeng brothers station their troops. If you take that one camp, the others won't matter—those three can be ignored."

Chao Gao asked: "What time should we go?"

The monks said: "It's only the second watch now. Wait until the third watch, when they won't be prepared."

At first they heard the watch drums being beaten in orderly fashion throughout the Zeng stronghold. After half a watch had passed, they heard no more drumbeats at all.

The monks said: "The soldiers must be asleep. We can go now."

The monks led the way. Chao Gai and his generals mounted their horses, and the troops left Fahua Temple, following the monks.

They had not gone more than five *li* when the two monks disappeared into the darkness ahead. The vanguard dared not advance. The roads on all sides were rough and difficult, and no sign of human habitation could be seen. The soldiers grew alarmed and reported this to Chao Gai. Huo Yanzhao called for an immediate retreat along the old road. They had not gone a hundred paces when suddenly the sound of gongs and drums rose on all sides, shouts shook the earth, and torches blazed as far as the eye could see. Chao Gai and his officers led their men in a desperate attempt to break through, but after turning only two bends, a body of cavalry burst out before them, loosing a shower of arrows. One arrow, flying unerringly, struck Chao Gai full in the face. He toppled from his horse. Huo Yanzhao and Yan Shun, riding side by side with desperate fury, dashed forward to seize him, while Liu Tang and Bai Sheng, coming up from behind, rescued Chao Gai and helped him back onto his horse, cutting their way out of the village. At the village entrance, Lin Chong and his men met them and barely managed to hold off the pursuit. The two forces mingled in wild combat and fought on until daybreak, then each withdrew to their own camp.

When Lin Chong returned to count his men, the three Ruan brothers, Song Wan, and Du Qian had escaped with their lives from the water, but of the two thousand five hundred troops who had entered the village, only some one thousand two or three hundred remained. They followed Ou Peng back to the camp. The other leaders came to see Chao Gai. The arrow was lodged in his cheek. They hastily pulled it out, and he fainted from the loss of blood. Examining the arrow, they found the name "Shi Wengong" inscribed upon it. Lin Chong ordered golden salve to be applied to the wound. It turned out to be a poisoned arrow. Chao Gai, stricken by the venom, could no longer speak. Lin Chong had him placed on a carriage and sent the three Ruan brothers, Du Qian, and Song Wan ahead to escort him back to the stronghold. The remaining fifteen leaders gathered in the camp to deliberate: "This time when our lord Chao Tianwang came down the mountain, who could have foreseen such a disaster? It fulfills the omen of the snapped banner-pole in the wind. We must withdraw our forces—Zeng Tou Shi cannot be taken in haste." Huo Yanzhao said, "We must wait for Song Jiangming's orders before we can pull back the army." That day the leaders were sunk in gloom; the soldiers had no stomach for battle, and every man's thoughts turned toward home.

That night, in the second watch, when the sky had begun to lighten, the fifteen leaders sat in the camp in dejected silence—a snake without a head cannot crawl, a bird without wings cannot fly. They sighed and lamented, not knowing whether to advance or retreat. Suddenly a scout on watch came rushing in with frantic haste: "Five or six columns of troops are attacking from the front—countless torches!" Lin Chong heard the report and they all mounted at once. Torches blazed on the three hills, bright as daylight. From every direction shouts of assault reached the camp. Lin Chong led the other leaders—instead of resisting, they struck camp and turned their horses to flee. The Zeng family's troops surged after them from behind, and the two forces fought as they retreated. After covering fifty or sixty *li*, they at last broke free. Counting the losses, they found another five or six hundred men had fallen. Utterly routed, they hastened along the old road back toward Liangshan Marsh. Halfway there, they met Dai Zong, who had come bearing orders for the leaders to lead their troops back to the stronghold and devise a new plan. The generals obeyed and led their men back to the Water Margin camp. When they ascended the mountain to see Chao Gai, he could no longer take water or rice—he could not eat or drink, and his whole body was swollen. Song Jiang kept vigil at his bedside, weeping, applying medicine with his own hands and forcing broth between his lips. All the leaders kept watch in the tent. That night, in the third watch, Chao Gai's body grew heavy. He turned his head to Song Jiang and said: "Brother, take good care. Whoever captures the man who shot me dead shall be lord of Liangshan Marsh." With these words, his eyes closed in death.

When Song Jiang saw that Chao Gai had died, he mourned as though he had lost his own parents, weeping until he was half senseless. The other leaders supported Song Jiang and brought him out to take charge of affairs. Wu Yong and Gongsun Sheng said, "Brother, try not to grieve so. Life and death are allotted by fate—why torment yourself so? Please turn your mind to the great matters at hand." When Song Jiang's weeping subsided, he ordered that Chao Gai's body be bathed in fragrant water and dressed in burial clothes, cap, and headband, and laid out in the Assembly Hall of Righteousness. All the leaders came to mourn and offer sacrifices. Meanwhile, inner and outer coffins were constructed, and an auspicious hour was chosen for the body to be placed in the main hall. A mourning canopy was erected, and a spirit tablet was set up in the center, inscribed: "Spirit Tablet of Lord Chao, Master of Liangshan Marsh, the Heavenly King." All the leaders of the stronghold, from Song Jiang downward, put on heavy mourning garments. The lesser chiefs and all the common bandits wore mourning headbands. The oath-arrow was placed before the spirit tablet as an offering. Long funeral banners were raised in the camp, and monks from nearby temples were invited to the mountain to perform merit-making rites on behalf of Chao Tianwang. Each day Song Jiang led the mourning and had no heart for managing the affairs of the stronghold. Lin Chong, Gongsun Sheng, Wu Yong, and the other leaders deliberated and established Song Jiangming as lord of Liangshan Marsh, and all submitted to his commands.

The next morning, at dawn, with fragrant flowers, candles, and lanterns, Lin Chong led the assembly in bringing Song Jiang to take his seat in the Hall of Gathered Righteousness. Wu Yong and Lin Chong opened the discussion: "Brother, hear our words: 'A state cannot be without a lord for a single day, and a household cannot be without a master for a single day.' Chief Chao has departed to the heavens—how can the affairs of the stronghold be without a master? All within the four seas has heard of your great name, Brother. On an auspicious day soon, we ask you to become the master of the stronghold, and all will bow to your commands."

Song Jiang replied: "When the Heavenly King Chao lay dying, he instructed: 'Whoever captures Shi Wengong shall be made the chief of Liangshan Marsh.' These words are known to all the chieftains. His flesh and bone are not yet cold—how could we forget? We have not yet avenged him or washed away his grievance. How can I presume to take this seat?"

Academic Wu urged further: "Although the Heavenly King Chao spoke thus, we have not yet captured that man today. How can the stronghold be without a master for even a single day? If you, Brother, will not sit, who else would dare assume this position? How would the men and horses of the stronghold be managed? Although the dying words were as they were, Brother, please temporarily take this seat, sit in it for now, and we shall make other arrangements in the future."

Song Jiang said: "The Strategist speaks most appropriately. Today I shall temporarily assume this seat. When, in the future, vengeance has been taken and the one who captures Shi Wengong—no matter who it may be—that person shall take this seat."

Black Whirlwind Li Kui, standing to the side, shouted: "Brother, never mind becoming the chief of Liangshan Marsh—even if you became the Emperor of the Great Song, it wouldn't be bad!" Song Jiang roared: "This black brute speaks nonsense again! If you ever utter such disorderly words again, I will first cut out your tongue!" Li Kui said: "I'm not asking Brother to be the village elder—I'm asking Brother to be the Emperor, yet you want to cut out my tongue!"

Academic Wu said: "This fellow knows no respect for rank. Brother, do not bother yourself with him. Please, Brother, take charge of the great affairs."

Song Jiang finished burning incense and temporarily occupied the seat of honor, sitting in the first chair. At the upper seat sat Strategist Wu Yong; at the lower seat, Gongsun Sheng. On the left side, Lin Chong led; on the right side, Huyan Zhuo held the senior position. The assembly paid their respects and sat on both sides. Song Jiang then said: "Today I temporarily occupy this position, relying entirely on all you brothers to support me, to be of one heart and mind, to serve as my arms and legs together, to carry out the Way on behalf of Heaven. Now the stronghold has many men and horses, unlike former days. I ask that all brothers be divided into six camps to garrison. The Hall of Gathered Righteousness shall henceforth be called the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness. Four land camps shall be established in the front, rear, left, and right; two small camps on the rear mountain; three passes at the front of the mountain; one water camp at the foot of the mountain; and two small camps at the two shoals. Today I ask that brothers each be assigned to their posts.

"In the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness: I temporarily occupy the seat of honor; second seat, Strategist Academic Wu; third seat, the Priest Gongsun Sheng; fourth seat, Hua Rong; fifth seat, Qin Ming; sixth seat, Lü Fang; seventh seat, Guo Sheng. In the left camp: first seat, Lin Chong; second seat, Liu Tang; third seat, Shi Jin; fourth seat, Yang Xiong; fifth seat, Shi Xiu; sixth seat, Du Qian; seventh seat, Song Wan. In the right camp: first seat, Huyan Zhuo; second seat, Zhu Tong; third seat, Dai Zong; fourth seat, Mu Hong; fifth seat, Li Kui; sixth seat, Ou Peng; seventh seat, Mu Chun. In the front camp: first seat, Li Ying; second seat, Xu Ning; third seat, Lu Zhishen; fourth seat, Wu Song; fifth seat, Yang Zhi; sixth seat, Ma Lin; seventh seat, Shi En. In the rear camp: first seat, Chai Jin; second seat, Sun Li; third seat, Huang Xin; fourth seat, Han Tao; fifth seat, Peng Qi; sixth seat, Deng Fei; seventh seat, Xue Yong. In the water camp: first seat, Li Jun; second seat, Ruan Xiao'er; third seat, Ruan Xiaowu; fourth seat, Ruan Xiaoqi; fifth seat, Zhang Heng; sixth seat, Zhang Shun; seventh seat, Tong Wei; eighth seat, Tong Meng. The six camps total forty-three chieftains.

"At the first pass before the mountain, Lei Heng and Fan Rui shall guard it. At the second pass, Xie Zhen and Xie Bao shall guard it. At the third pass, Xiang Chong and Li Gun shall guard it. At the small camp on Golden Sands Shoal, Yan Shun, Zheng Tianshou, Kong Ming, and Kong Liang shall guard it. At the small camp on Duckbill Shoal, Li Zhong, Zhou Tong, Zou Yuan, and Zou Run shall guard it. At the two small camps on the rear mountain: in the left land camp, Wang Yinghu, Lady Hu Sanniang, and Cao Zheng; in the right land camp, Zhu Wu, Chen Da, and Yang Chun shall guard them. In the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness: in the rooms on the left, Xiao Rang shall manage the documents; Pei Xuan shall manage rewards and punishments; Jin Dajian shall manage the seals; Jiang Jing shall manage the accounts and provisions. In the rooms on the right, Ling Zhen shall manage the artillery; Meng Kang shall manage shipbuilding; Hou Jian shall manage armor-making; Tao Zongwang shall manage the construction of walls and ramparts. In the two side chambers behind the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness: Li Yun shall oversee building construction; Tang Long shall be the chief of blacksmiths; Zhu Fu shall oversee the brewing of wine and vinegar; Song Qing shall oversee the preparation of banquets; Du Xing and Bai Sheng shall manage supplies. The four roadside lookout inns at the foot of the mountain have already been assigned to Zhu Gui, Yue He, Shi Qian, Li Li, Sun Xin, Gu Dasao, Zhang Qing, and Sun Erniang. For purchasing horses in the north, Yang Lin, Shi Yong, and Duan Jingzhu have been assigned.

"The assignments are now fixed. Each shall observe his duties and none shall transgress."

Within the stronghold of Liangshan Marsh and the water-girt fortress, all chieftains, high and low, were delighted that Song Jiang had become the stronghold's lord and obeyed his commands.

One day, Song Jiang gathered the assembly to discuss avenging Chao Gai and raising troops to attack Zeng Family Fortress. The Strategist Wu Yong admonished him: "Brother, when common people are in mourning, they do not lightly take action. Brother, please wait a hundred days before raising an army."

Song Jiang heeded Academic Wu's words and remained in the stronghold, performing meritorious rites each day, conducting religious services to honor Chao Gai's soul.

One day, a monk was invited to the stronghold. His Dharma name was Dayuan, and he was a monk from the Longhua Temple in the city of Daming Prefecture in the north. He had come to Jining while traveling and, passing by Liangshan Marsh, was invited to perform Buddhist rites within the stronghold. During the vegetarian meal, in the course of casual conversation, Song Jiang asked about the customs and notable figures of the north. The monk Dayuan said, "Why has the chief not heard of the 'Jade Qilin' of Hebei?" Song Jiang and Wu Yong were suddenly reminded. They said, "See how we are not yet old, yet so forgetful! There is indeed a Master Lu in the city of Daming, styled Junyi, nicknamed 'Jade Qilin,' one of the three marvels of Hebei. A native of Daming, he possesses great martial arts skill, and his staff technique has no equal under heaven. If this man could be brought into the Liangshan stronghold, why should we fear the government troops' pursuit? Why worry about the arrival of military forces?" Wu Yong smiled and said, "Why does big brother so diminish his own resolve? If we want this man to come to the mountain, what difficulty is there?" Song Jiang replied, "He is the foremost gentleman of Daming Prefecture in the north. How can we get him to come and join the outlaw band?" The Strategist Wu said, "Wu Yong has had this in mind for some time, but had forgotten about it all this while. Your humble colleague need only employ a small scheme, and the man himself will come up the mountain." Song Jiang then said, "People call you 'the Resourceful Star,' and truly the name is no empty boast! May I ask what strategy the military advisor will use to inveigle this man up the mountain?" Wu Without Haste raised two fingers and laid out this plan. It came to pass that Lu Junyi abandoned his worldly splendor to brave the dragon's pool and tiger's lair. Indeed, it was for the sake of bringing one man to the Water Margin that countless common folk were made to suffer the ravages of war.

As to how exactly the Strategist Wu lured Lu Junyi up the mountain, listen to the explanation in the next chapter.