الفصل الثالث والستون

الفصل الثالث والستون

It was at this moment that Shi Xiu and Lu Junyi found themselves trapped within the city, with no road of escape. From all sides, soldiers converged upon them, the constables hooking them with grappling irons and tripping them with nooses. Alas for these fierce and valiant heroes—now they truly learned that few cannot prevail against many. On the spot, both were seized and brought before Liang Shizhong. He ordered the felons who had stormed the execution ground to be brought forward. Shi Xiu was dragged before the hall, his strange eyes blazing round and wide, shouting at the top of his voice: "You degenerate who ruins the kingdom and plagues the common people! I have heard my brother's command—sooner or later he will lead his army to smash your city into flat ground and hack you into three pieces! He sent me here first to let you know." Before the hall, Shi Xiu cursed them as thieves and scoundrels a thousand times over, ten thousand times over. All those assembled in the hall were struck dumb with terror. Liang Shizhong listened, pondered for a long while, then ordered heavy cangues brought forth. The two men were shackled and thrown into the condemned cells, with Cai Fu entrusted to watch over them closely and allow no mishap. Cai Fu, wishing to make friends with the good men of Liangshan Marsh, lodged the two together in one cell, feeding them good meat and fine wine every day. And so they suffered no hardship; on the contrary, they were well cared for and grew stronger.

Meanwhile, Liang Shizhong summoned Wang, the newly appointed prefect of the prefecture, to deal with the matter in open court and to tally the casualties within the city. Some seventy or eighty had been killed outright. Those with injured faces, scraped skin, or broken legs and arms were beyond counting. Their names were registered with the government, and Liang Shizhong disbursed official funds for their medical treatment and the burning of the dead.

The next day, reports came from both within and without the city: "Several dozen headless posters from Liangshan Marsh have been collected. We dared not conceal them and present them herewith." Liang Shijong read them and was frightened out of his very soul—his spirit scattered to the nine heavens. The posters read:

*Righteous Men of Liangshan Marsh, Song Jiang, address Daming Prefecture and proclaim to all under Heaven:*

*Now in the Great Song dynasty, corrupt officials hold power and venal clerks tyrannize the land. Good citizens are beaten to death, and the multitudes suffer grievous wrongs. Lu Junyi of Daming is a man of heroic stature. We have invited him to join us on the mountain that together we may carry out the Way on Heaven's behalf. How then could you, in your reckless pursuit of bribes and wickedness, murder the innocent? We specially sent Shi Xiu ahead to give notice, but unexpectedly both have been captured. If you preserve the lives of these two men and deliver the adulterous woman and her paramour, we shall not trouble you. But if you wantonly harm our wings and break our arms, then we shall raise our camps, muster our forces, and unite in avenging this wrong. Wherever our great army goes, the good and the wicked alike shall be consumed in the flames. We shall root out treachery and destroy the foolish and stubborn. Heaven and Earth shall support us, ghosts and spirits shall aid us. We shall enter your city with laughter and conversation, granting no light mercy. Loyal husbands, chaste wives, filial sons and grandsons, good and righteous citizens, honest and prudent officials—let none of you be alarmed. Each of you, abide in your calling. Let all be informed.*

When Liang Shizhong read the headless proclamation, he summoned Prefect Wang and said, "How shall we resolve this matter?" Prefect Wang was a timid and weak man. Upon hearing these words, he replied, "This band at Liangshan Marsh—even the imperial court has failed several times to capture them. How much less can our single prefecture hope to do so? Should these desperate men lead their troops here and the court's reinforcements arrive too late, we would regret it forever! In my humble opinion: for now, let us preserve the lives of these two men. At the same time, we should draft a memorial to the throne; secondly, present a letter to Prime Minister Cai Jing, your father-in-law, to inform him; and thirdly, order our local troops to encamp outside the city walls, guarding against the unexpected. In this way, Daming may be kept safe, and neither soldiers nor civilians harmed. If we were to kill these two men out of hand, I fear the bandits would descend upon the city—first, we would have no troops to relieve us; second, the court would take offence; third, the people would panic and the city descend into chaos. This would be deeply inadvisable." Liang Shizhong replied, "Your words are most apt." He first summoned Cai Fu, the prison warden, and said, "These two felons are no ordinary men. If you guard them too strictly, I fear they may lose their lives; if you are too lenient, I fear they may escape. You and your brother, morning and evening, now strictly and now loosely, must watch over them firmly and await further orders. You must not relax your vigilance for a single moment." Cai Fu listened and secretly rejoiced: "This arrangement suits my wishes exactly." He received the order and went to the prison to comfort the two men—but no more of this.

Liang Shizhong then summoned the two military commissioners, "Great Blade" Wen Da and "Heavenly King" Li Cheng, to the hall for consultation. Liang Shijong related in full the headless poster from Liangshan Marsh and what Prefect Wang had proposed. When the two commissioners had finished listening, Li Cheng spoke: "How would these petty bandits dare leave their lair without cause? Why does Your Honor trouble yourself so? I, Li Cheng, am a man of no great ability, yet I have drawn my stipend for many years and have rendered no service in return. I offer the humble labor of a dog or horse: let me lead the troops to encamp outside the walls. If the bandits do not come, we shall deliberate further. But if these bold villains, their years spent and their lives exhausted, should rashly abandon their lair and advance with their forces—not to boast, but I pledge that I shall send back this enemy without a single man!" Liang Shijong was overjoyed. He immediately bestowed gold-embroidered silk brocade to reward the two generals. They thanked him, took their leave of Liang Shizhong, and returned to their respective camps to rest.

The next day, Li Cheng opened his command tent and summoned officers great and small for consultation. A man strode past, imposing in bearing, majestic in appearance—it was "The Vanguard" Su Chao, who stepped forward to pay his respects. Li Cheng issued his order: "The bandit Song Jiang will sooner or later descend upon the city and attack our Daming. You are to marshal your own troops and encamp thirty-five li from the city walls. I shall lead the army after you." Su Chao received his orders, and the following day led his troops to a place thirty-five li out, called Flying Tiger Valley, where he raised his stockade against the mountain. The day after, Li Cheng led his officers, both chief and subordinate, to a place twenty-five li from the city, called Pagoda Tree Slope, where he raised his stockade. Spears and blades were deployed all around; deer antlers were hidden on every side; and traps were dug on three faces. The soldiers rubbed their fists and slapped their palms; the generals united their strength and their hearts. They needed only the arrival of the Liangshan Marsh army, and they would win their merit.

The story now divides into two threads. The anonymous poster had been the doing of Wu the Scholar. Upon hearing the reports of Yan Qing and Yang Xiong, and sending Dai Zong to learn that both Master Lu and Shi Xiu had been seized, he had written and posted the notice in out-of-the-way places and along bridges and roads—all to preserve the lives of Lu Junyi and Shi Xiu. When Dai Zong returned to Liangshan Marsh, he related these matters in full to the assembled chieftains. Song Jiang was greatly alarmed upon hearing the account. He had the drum beaten at the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness to summon the assembly, and all the chieftains, great and small, took their seats in order. Song Jiang opened the discussion, addressing Wu the Scholar: "Your original kind intention in inviting Master Lu to join us in our gathering of righteousness has, to my regret, brought suffering upon him. And now Brother Shi Xiu has been ensnared as well. What plan can we devise to rescue them?" Wu Yong said, "Elder Brother, rest assured. Though I am but of humble talent, I wish to offer a strategy. Let us seize this opportunity to take the wealth and grain of Daming Prefecture for the use of our mountain stronghold. Tomorrow is an auspicious day. I ask that you divide the chieftains in half, leaving one half to guard the stronghold, while the rest follow me to attack the city." Song Jiang said, "The Strategist's words are most fitting." He then summoned the "Iron-Faced Magistrate" Pei Xuan to assign the various forces, to set out the following day. "Black Whirlwind" Li Kui at once said: "These two great axes of mine have not seen action for some time. When I hear of attacking prefectures and raiding counties, even I rejoice at the edge of the hall. Brother, give me five hundred of our men, and I will rush to Daming, chop Liang Shuju into mince meat, and tear Li Gu and that woman of his to pieces to rescue Master Lu and Shi Xiu—that is my heart's desire." Song Jiang said, "Brother, though you are valiant and fierce, Daming is not like other prefectures. Liang Shuju is the son-in-law of Grand Tutor Cai, and moreover he has Li Cheng and Wen Da, both warriors of matchless courage who can stand against ten thousand men. We must not underestimate the enemy." Li Kui shouted, "Brother, how you encourage the spirit of others and dampen our own prestige! Just watch how I fare. If I lose, I swear I shall not return to the mountain." Wu Yong said: "Since you insist on going, I will appoint you vanguard. I will assign five hundred good men to accompany you to form the first line of attack and set out tomorrow." That evening Song Jiang and Wu Yong deliberated and finalized the assignments. Pei Xuan wrote out the orders and distributed them to the various camps, each to carry them out according to their assignment without the slightest delay.

It was now the season between autumn and winter. The soldiers found it easy to don their armor, the warhorses were in fine condition, and the troops, long absent from battle, all burned with the desire to fight, each nursing grievances and nursing thoughts of revenge. Having received their assignments, they were overjoyed, sharpened their spears and blades, saddled and bridled their horses, rolled up their sleeves, and were ready to descend the mountain at any moment.

The first detachment: "Black Whirlwind" Li Kui, as the advance scout, leading five hundred foot soldiers.

The second detachment: "Two-Headed Snake" Jie Zhen, "Double-Tailed Scorpion" Jie Bao, "Fuzzy Star" Kong Ming, and "Lone Fire" Kong Liang, leading one thousand foot soldiers.

The third detachment: the woman chieftain "Tall Qing" Hu Sanniang, with lieutenants "Flying Demon" Sun Erniang and "Tigress" Gu Dasao, leading one thousand foot soldiers.

The fourth detachment: "Swooping Hawk" Li Ying, with lieutenants "Nine-Dragon" Shi Jin and "Little Yuchi" Sun Xin, leading one thousand foot soldiers.

The commander-in-chief of the central army: Supreme Chieftain Song Jiang, with Strategist Wu Yong.

Four chieftains of the command tent: "Little Marquis of Wen" Lü Fang, "Rival of Ren Guo" Guo Sickness, "Sick Yuchi" Sun Li, and "Suppressing Three Mountains" Huang Xin.

The vanguard chieftain: "Thunderbolt" Qin Ming, with lieutenants "Ever-Victorian" Han Tao and "Celestial-Eyed" Peng Qi.

The rearguard chieftain: "Leopard-Head" Lin Chong, with lieutenants "Iron Flute Immortal" Ma Lin and "Fire-Eyed Lion" Deng Fei.

The left-wing chieftain: "Double-Whips" Hu Yanzhuo, with lieutenants "Golden-Winged Cloud-Sweeper" Ou Peng and "Brocade Tiger" Yan Shun.

The right-wing chieftain: "Little Li Guang" Hua Rong, with Leaping-Tiger-in-the-Ravines Chen Da and White-Snake Yang Chun, along with the artillery officer "Shaking the Sky" Ling Zhen, to coordinate the grain supplies.

One chieftain for reconnaissance: "Divine Traveler" Dai Zong.

Once the forces had been assigned, at daybreak each chieftain set out in order and advanced that very day. Left behind were the Deputy Strategist Gongsun Sheng, together with chieftains Liu Tang, Zhu Tong, and Mu Hong—four chieftains to command the cavalry and infantry in guarding the stronghold. The three passes and the river camp were under the watch of Li Jun and others—of them, no more need be said.

Now, Chao Chao was sitting in his camp at Feihu Valley when a swift mounted scout came galloping in to report: "Song Jiang's army—horse and foot beyond counting—is about twenty or thirty li from the camp and approaching fast." Chao Chao, upon hearing this, sent a flying report to Li Cheng at his camp on Huai Shu Slope. Li Cheng, upon receiving it, sent a rider into the city and at the same time saddled his own warhorse and rode straight to the front camp. Chao Chao met him and gave the full account. The next day they cooked before dawn, struck camp at daybreak, and advanced to Yu Jia, where they drew up battle formations, deploying fifteen thousand cavalry and infantry. Li Cheng and Chao Chao were in full armor, reining in their horses beneath the command banner. Looking eastward, they saw in the distance, where dust was rising, some five hundred men galloping toward them. Li Cheng pointed with his whip, and the soldiers planted their feet on the crossbows and drew their powerful bows. The Liangshan heroes drew up in a single line at Yu Jia. And lo:

Every man wore a madder-red headcloth,

Each one donned a scarlet padded jacket.

Heron legs tightly bound with foot wrappings,

Tiger waists firmly cinched with belly bands.

Three-pronged spears gleamed with a chill light,

Four-sided maces trailed cold mist.

Willow-leaf spears, fire-tipped spears—thick as hemp;

Bronze blades, crescent blades—numerous as snow.

Red banners fluttered across the ground like flames,

Crimson pennons blazed against the sky like the glow of dawn.

On the eastern front, a single warrior rode forth—none other than Li Kui, the "Black Whirlwind," wielding twin axes, his wild eyes blazing, his teeth clenched, bellowing at the top of his lungs: "Do you recognize the Liangshan hero, the 'Black Whirlwind'?" Li Cheng, watching from horseback, laughed aloud with Suo Chao: "Every day they speak of Liangshan heroes—and look, nothing but these wretched bandits! Not worth mentioning! General, why don't we capture this scoundrel first?" Suo Chao smiled: "Why use an ox cleaver to kill a chicken? Let the fighting officers win their merit—you need no concern yourself." Before he had finished speaking, a vanguard commander behind Suo Chao's horse, named Wang Ding, spear in hand, led a hundred cavalrymen in a furious charge. Li Kui, bold beyond most men, though clad in armor, could not withstand the cavalry's impact and scattered in all directions. Suo Chao pursued straight past the Yu family estate, when from behind the hillside, drums and gongs thundered and two columns of troops burst forth. On the left were Xie Zhen and Kong Liang; on the right, Kong Ming and Xie Bao—each leading five hundred foot soldiers, charging headlong. Suo Chao, seeing reinforcements ahead, was startled and gave up the chase, reining his horse about. Li Cheng asked: "Why didn't you capture the bandits?" Suo Chao replied: "We'd driven them over the hill and were about to seize them, but these fellows had reinforcements lying in wait—ambushes rose on every side. We couldn't get at them." Li Cheng said: "What are such bandits to fear?" He led the entire vanguard force across the Yu estate. Ahead, banners waved and war cries rose, drums and gongs sounded—another column of troops appeared. At their head, mounted on horseback, was a female warrior, dressed and adorned in most exquisite fashion. A *Niannujiao* verse testifies:

Jade-white skin, a face of lotus grace, with natural elegance.

Golden armor gleaming, scales a-shimmer, a band of crimson and silver at her brow.

Slender jade hands, twin precious blades held aloft.

Such a heroic figure, her eyes like autumn waves—ten thousand charms to be gathered.

Her precious steed charges forward, her frost-sharp blades swift as wind, to cut down the enemy troops.

Powdered face streaked with dust, battle robe soaked with sweat, killing fury swelling in her chest.

Her soldiers enchanted, her foes struck with terror—a wonder among women warriors.

Victorious she returns, a faint smile blooming on both cheeks.

Now this was Hu Sanniang leading her troops, a red banner bearing large gold characters: "The Female Warrior, Yizhang Qing." On her left was Gu Dasao, on his right Sun Erniang, together commanding over a thousand soldiers—men of every height and breadth, from every mountain and region under heaven. Li Cheng surveyed them and said: "What use are such troops? General, meet them head-on—while I divide my forces to round up the bandits on all sides." Suo Chao received the order, raised his golden-studded axe, spurred his horse, and charged forward. Yizhang Qing reined her horse about and fled into the mountain hollow. Li Cheng split his forces and pursued on every side. In the midst of the pursuit, the earth shook with shouting and fog blotted out the sky—a column of troops came after them like the wind. Li Cheng hastily retreated fifteen *li*, his vanguard and rearguard unable to support one another. He fell back to the Yu estate in haste, only for Xie Zhen and Kong Liang to burst from the left with troops in pursuit, and Kong Ming and Xie Bao to charge from the right with more soldiers closing in. The three female warriors wheeled their horses about and attacked from behind. Li Cheng's army was scattered in every direction. As he desperately tried to return to camp, the "Black Whirlwind" Li Kui blocked the way ahead. Li Cheng and Suo Chao cut through the enemy and fled. By the time they reached camp, they had suffered a great defeat. Song Jiang's forces did not pursue; instead they withdrew to rest and pitched camp.

Li Cheng and Suo Chao hastily sent men into the city to report to Liang Shizhong, who overnight dispatched Wen Da with his own troops to reinforce them. Li Cheng met him and they gathered at the Huai Shu Po camp to discuss strategy. Wen Da laughed: "A mere skin rash—why trouble ourselves? Though I am unworthy, tomorrow I will fight one battle and win a complete victory." That night their plans were set and the order passed to the troops: cook at the fourth watch, arm at the fifth, march at dawn. After three rolls of the war drums, they broke camp and advanced to the Yu estate. Song Jiang's army was already upon them like a gale. Behold:

Battle clouds drift slowly across the clear sky,

Battle dust billows, blotting east and west.

A hundred thousand fierce warriors shake the earth,

Cannon carts and fire-shells thunder like drums.

War drums rattle and shake the mountain valleys,

Banners snap and flutter in the sky-borne wind.

Spear-points flash through the air like jade pythons,

Sword-light blazes in the sun like soaring dragons.

The six armies soar—ghosts and spirits weep,

The three hosts are brave—as tigers and leopards alike.

The fierce stars and baleful luminaries descend to the mortal world,

The Heavenly Marshal and the Dingjia leave the azure vault.

Silver helmets and golden armor gleam like ice and snow,

Strong bows and hard crossbows—truly hard to assail.

Every man desires only loyalty and righteousness,

To capture kings and slay generals is not for glory.

The Great-Blade Wen Da knows not his own limits,

His boasting of skill is the strutting of mere insects!

In the Flying-Tiger Valley troops rise on every side,

Star-swift, lightning-swift, no vanguard can stand.

They shut their gates and gather shattered weapons and armor,

Like fleeing rabbits hiding among the reeds.

That day the Great-Blade Wen Da ordered his army to deploy, strong bows and hard crossbows holding the line. Spotted alligator-skin drums thundered, embroidered banners of many colors waved. From Song Jiang's formation, a great general was already riding forth—a red banner with silver characters reading "Qin Ming, the Thunderbolt." Thus he was adorned:

A vermilion lacquered hat upon his head,

A fresh crimson robe upon his body,

Linked chain mail with beast-head shoulder guards.

Green-painted battle boots inlaid with cloud patterns,

A bright phoenix-winged helm gleaming in the sun,

A lion-head gem-studded belt at his waist.

A wolf-tooth staff twirled in his hand—

A hero of fearsome bearing, seldom seen.

Qin Ming reined in his horse and cried out in a stern voice: "You corrupt officials of Daming Prefecture, hear me! We have long wanted to attack your city, but we feared harming the common folk. Hand over Lu Junyi and Shi Xiù at once, along with the adulterers, and we will withdraw our forces and pledge never to invade again. If you persist in your folly, this will be like fire breaking out on Kunlang Mountain—jade and stone will all be consumed together. It will happen before your very eyes. Speak now—do not delay!" Before he finished speaking, Wen Da flew into a rage and asked his leading generals, "Who will capture this villain for me?" Before the words had left his mouth, the jingling of bells was heard behind him, and a great general rode out to the fore. Thus was he adorned:

His sun-gleaming helmet shone and shimmered,

Layer upon layer of linked armor he wore,

A robe of brocade embroidered with clustered flowers and kingfisher feathers,

Gilded belt pressed with twin phoenixes.

A painted bow lay hidden in its case,

Wolf-fang arrows filled his quiver.

A carved saddle steady on his dappled dragon horse,

A great battle-axe fondled in his hands.

This was a top general of Daming, named Suo Chao. Because the man was hasty by nature, everyone called him "The Vanguard in a Rush." He rode to the front of the line and shouted: "You are an officer of the court—what has the state done to wrong you? You refuse to be a decent man and instead go to the wilds to become a bandit! When I capture you, I shall tear your body into a thousand pieces—you will die without a shred of mercy."

Now this Qin Ming was also a man of a hasty temper. Hearing these words was like adding charcoal to a furnace, pouring oil on a fire. He spurred his horse forward and swung his wolf-fang staff, charging straight at him. Suo Chao rode out and engaged Qin Ming head-on. Their two battle-steeds clashed, their two weapons rose together, and the soldiers roared. After more than twenty bouts, neither had gained the advantage. From the vanguard of Song Jiang's army, Han Tao turned in his saddle, nocked an arrow to his bow, took careful aim at Suo Chao from close range, and let fly with a twang. The arrow struck Suo Chao squarely in the left arm. He dropped his great axe and wheeled his horse back toward his own lines. Song Jiang pointed with his whip, and the entire army—great and small—surged forward in a mass charge. They left corpses strewn across the fields and blood flowing like a river. The enemy was utterly routed. They pursued them past the Yu family estate and immediately seized the small stockade on Huaishu Slope. That night, Wen Da fled straight to Feihu Valley and counted his troops: one-third of his forces had been lost. Song Jiang made camp at the stockade on Huaishu Slope. Wu Yong said, "The enemy soldiers are in retreat and their spirits are surely broken. If we do not press our advantage, I fear they will recover their courage, and then it will be difficult to overcome them in haste." Song Jiang said, "The Strategist's words are exactly right." He then issued orders: that very night, the elite victorious troops were to be divided into four columns and advance through the night to attack the city.

Now let us return to Wen Da. He had fled to Feihu Valley, as frantic as a dog that has lost its home, as desperate as a fish that has slipped through the net. While he was deliberating on strategy in the stockade, a soldier reported: "Fires have broken out on the mountains nearby!" Wen Da led his men out on horseback to see, and beheld torches beyond counting on the eastern hills, illuminating the entire mountainside and plain in a blaze of red. Wen Da led his troops to meet the enemy, but from behind the hills came mounted soldiers as well. The leading general was Hua Rong, the "Little Li Guang," with his lieutenants Yang Chun and Chen Da, charging in to slaughter. Wen Da was taken off guard and led his men back toward Feihu Valley. On the western hills, torches blazed beyond counting. The leading general was Hu Yanzhuo, the "Twin Rods," with his lieutenants Ou Peng and Yan Shun, smashing into them. Then shouts rose again from behind: the leading general was Qin Ming, the "Thunderbolt," with his lieutenants Han Tao and Peng Qi, pressing the attack with united force. Wen Da's army fell into chaos and broke camp entirely. Then shouts rose once more from the front, and fires blazed brightly: Ling Zhen, the "Heaven-shaking Thunder," had brought his assistants and circled by a side road straight to Feihu Valley, where he set off his cannons. Wen Da led his troops to fight their way out and flee toward the city. But ahead he heard the sound of drums, and a force of soldiers blocked his path. Amid the flames appeared the leading general Lin Chong, the "Leopard-Headed," with his lieutenants Ma Lin and Deng Fei, cutting off his retreat. War drums thundered on all sides, blazing fires competed to rise, soldiers scattered in every direction, each trying to save his own life. Wen Da brandished his great sword and hacked open a path. He ran straight into Li Cheng, and their forces joined together, fighting as they retreated. They battled until dawn and reached the city walls. When Liang Shizhong received the news, his three souls trembled and his seven spirits scattered. He hastily mustered troops to go out and meet the defeated remnants, then shut the city gates tight and held fast without venturing out. The next day, Song Jiang's army arrived and made camp directly at the eastern gate, preparing to assault the city.

Meanwhile, Liang Shizhong gathered his officials in the residence to deliberate, but they could find no plan to break the siege. Li Cheng said: "The bandits are at the walls—this is a crisis. If we delay, we will certainly lose the city. My lord, you should write an urgent letter and send a trusted man by night to the capital to report to Grand Tutor Cai, so he may petition the court to dispatch elite troops to relieve us. This is the best plan. Second, send urgent dispatches to neighboring prefectures and counties, instructing them to send reinforcements as well. Third, order the people of Daming to send laborers up onto the walls to help defend the city—prepare stones for hurling, catapult stones, powerful crossbows, jars of lime and boiling soup, and be on guard day and night. In this way, we can be assured of safety."

Liang Shizhong said: "The letter can be written readily. Who will go?" That day he dispatched his leading general Wang Ding, fully armed, along with several mounted soldiers carrying the secret dispatch. They raised the drawbridge and opened the city gates, riding at full speed toward the capital to report the situation and to notify neighboring prefectures to send relief forces. Wang Ding, the Prefect, was ordered to assemble laborers to defend the city on the walls. But enough of that. Let us return to Song Jiang, who deployed his generals and led the army to surround the city, making camps on the east, west, and north sides, leaving only the south gate unbesieged. Each day he led troops to assault one side. He sent to the mountain stronghold to hasten the delivery of grain and provisions, making plans for a long encampment. He was determined to break through Daming and rescue Master Lu and Shi Xiù. Li Cheng and Wen Da led troops out of the city to engage in battle day after day but could not prevail. Suo Chao's arrow wound had not yet healed.

Without narrating how Song Jiang's forces attacked the city, let us turn to Wang Ding, the lead general, who had been entrusted with a secret letter. Riding with two attendants, he rode straight to the Grand Marshal's mansion in the Eastern Capital and dismounted before its gate. The gate official reported his arrival inside, and the Grand Marshal ordered Wang Ding to be brought in. Wang Ding proceeded all the way to the rear hall, where he performed his obeisance and presented the secret letter. Grand Marshal Cai tore open the seal and read it with great alarm, then inquired into the full particulars. Wang Ding recounted everything concerning Lu Junyi. "Now Song Jiang leads his army in besieging the city, with such tremendous force and momentum that we cannot withstand them." He also reported in full the battles at the Yu family estate, the Locust Tree Slope, and Flying Tiger Ravine. Cai Jing said, "You must be weary from the saddle and the road. Go rest yourself at the official hostel for now while I convene my officials to deliberate." Wang Ding further reported: "Your Excellency, Grand Marshal, the situation at Daming is precarious as a pile of eggs—it will collapse at any moment. Should it fall, what then of all the counties and prefectures of Hebei? I beg Your Excellency to dispatch troops to destroy them at once!" Cai Jing said, "Say no more. You may withdraw." Wang Ding departed. The Grand Marshal immediately sent an aide from that day's roster to invite the officials of the Military Affairs Bureau to come at once to discuss this grave matter of military affairs. Before long, Tong Guan, the Eastern Bureau Military Commissioner, arrived at the headquarters hall accompanied by the three commanders of the Palace Command. They all presented themselves before the Grand Marshal. Cai Jing recounted in full detail the critical situation at Daming. "What strategy shall we adopt, what capable general shall we employ, to drive back the bandit forces and preserve the city?" When he had finished, the officials exchanged glances, each showing fear in their countenance. Just then, from behind the Commander of the Land Forces, a man stepped forward. He was the Defense Commissioner of the Bureau of Imperial Guards—his surname was Xuan, given name Zan, and he was in charge of military affairs. This man had a face black as a pot, nostrils pointed skyward, curly hair and a red beard, a towering figure of eight feet, and wielded a steel saber of outstanding martial skill. He had previously served as an imperial son-in-law at a princely court, and people called him the "Ugly Prince Consort." Because he had defeated a foreign general with a volley of successive arrows, the Prince admired his martial prowess and took him as a son-in-law. Who would have thought the Princess would detest his ugliness and die of resentment? For this reason he was never given important appointments and served only as a Defense Commissioner. Tong Guan was a flatterer and sycophant who could not abide him, always harboring suspicion against him. This man, unable to restrain himself, stepped forward from the ranks and reported to the Grand Marshal: "This junior general once had an acquaintance in his home county. He is a direct descendant of the Righteous and Valorous Prince of Pacified Peace from the era of the Three Kingdoms—his surname is Guan, given name Sheng, and his bearing resembles that of his ancestor, Lord Yunchang. He wields a Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and people call him Guan Sheng 'Broadblade.' He currently serves as a patrol inspector of Pudong, his talents buried in a lowly post. Since youth he has studied military texts and is deeply versed in martial arts, possessing the courage to stand against ten thousand men. If we invite him with generous gifts and appoint him as a supreme commander, he can sweep clear the water fortress, annihilate these mad rebels, and protect the state and the people. I humbly request Your Excellency's command." Cai Jing was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately dispatched Xuan Zan as envoy, bearing official documents and a saddle horse, to travel by night with all haste to Pudong, there to invite Guan Sheng with proper ceremony to the Eastern Capital for consultation. The officials all withdrew.

Not to belabor the details. Xuan Zan took the official documents and set off on horseback, accompanied by three or five attendants. In less than a day, he arrived before the Pudong Patrol Inspectorate and dismounted. That very day, Guan Sheng was in the yamen discussing with Hao Siwen the rise and fall of dynasties past and present. When he learned that an emissary had come from the Eastern Capital, Guan Sheng hurried out with Hao Siwen to greet him. After they had exchanged courtesies, they were invited to be seated in the hall. Guan Sheng asked, "Old friend, we have not seen each other for a long time. What matter brings you here in person so far?" Xuan Zan replied: "The reason is that the grass brigands of Liangshan Marsh have attacked Beijing. I spoke before the Grand Marshal on your behalf, praising your strategies for pacifying the state and your talent for subduing enemy troops and slaying their commanders. By special imperial decree and the Grand Marshal's command, I bring gifts of silk and a saddle horse to invite you to join us. Old brother, please do not decline—make ready at once and proceed to the capital." Guan Sheng was greatly pleased and said to Xuan Zan: "This brother, surnamed Hao, double given name Siwen, is my sworn brother. His mother once dreamed of the Well and Wood Lynx star entering her womb, and thus she conceived, and later gave birth to this man. For this reason people call him the 'Well and Wood Lynx.' This brother has mastered all eighteen weapons and is capable of anything. If the Grand Marshal has summoned us, we shall go together and join forces to serve the country—how could we refuse?" Xuan Zan gladly agreed and urged them to set out immediately.

Guan Sheng then instructed his household to make ready. Together with Hao Siwen, he led more than ten men from the western passes, packed their sabers, horses, armor, and luggage, and followed Xuan Zan on a night journey to the Eastern Capital. They went straight to the Grand Marshal's mansion and dismounted at its gate. The gate official reported to Grand Marshal Cai Jing, who ordered them to be admitted. Xuan Zan led Guan Sheng and Hao Siwen straight to the headquarters hall. After paying their respects, they stood at the foot of the steps. Cai Jing looked at Guan Sheng and saw he was truly a man of noble bearing: a stately frame of eight feet and five or six inches, a fine mustache of three slender strands, brows sweeping into his temples, phoenix eyes tilted upward, a face red as a heavy date, and lips painted as if with vermilion. The Grand Marshal was greatly pleased and asked, "How old are you, General?" Guan Sheng replied, "This junior general is thirty-two years of age." Grand Marshal Cai said, "The grass brigands of Liangshan Marsh have besieged the city of Beijing. I ask you, good general, to offer your brilliant strategy to lift the siege." Guan Sheng reported: "I have long heard that these brigands occupy the marshlands, terrifying the masses and stirring up trouble. Now they have rashly left their lair to bring disaster upon themselves. To send aid to Beijing would merely exhaust our manpower. I beg you to grant me several tens of thousands of elite troops to strike first at Liangshan Marsh and then capture the rebels, so that they cannot attend to both front and rear." The Grand Marshal was overjoyed and said to Xuan Zan: "This is the strategy of 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao'—it matches my thinking exactly." He immediately summoned the officials of the Military Affairs Bureau and ordered the dispatch of fifteen thousand elite troops from Shandong and Hebei, appointing Hao Siwen as vanguard, Xuan Zan as rear guard, and Guan Sheng as commanding officer of the expedition. Duan Chang, Commander of the Land Forces, was assigned to handle provisions and supplies. The troops were feasted and rewarded, and ordered to depart within a set number of days. With great swords and broad axes they advanced in force toward Liangshan Marsh. It was as if a dragon, torn from the great sea, could no longer ride the mist and soar among the clouds; or a tiger, brought to the flat plains, could no longer bare its fangs and brandish its claws. Truly—gazing greedily at the Mid-Autumn moon in the sky, one loses the luminous pearl upon the palace plate. How did Song Jiang's army fare in the end? Listen to the next chapter for the answer.