Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Here is the translation:

It is said that Chen Zongshan, having received the imperial edict, returned to his residence to prepare for departure. Many came to congratulate him: "This mission serves the state and relieves the people of their troubles, removing a threat to both military and civilians. Liangshan Marsh stands for loyalty and righteousness, and only awaits imperial amnesty. Your Excellency should speak sweet, pleasing words and show them generous kindness."

While they were speaking, a messenger from the Grand Tutor's residence arrived and said: "The Grand Tutor invites Your Excellency to speak with him." Chen Zongshan took his sedan chair and went straight to the Grand Tutor's residence on New Song Gate Avenue, where he alighted. The messenger led him directly to the study within the ceremonial hall. He found the Grand Tutor and sat to one side. After tea had been served, Grand Tutor Cai said: "I have heard that His Majesty has sent you to Liangshan Marsh to offer amnesty. I have asked you here to tell you: when you arrive there, do not compromise the dignity of the court or disrupt the laws of the nation. You have heard it said in the *Analects*: 'He who conducts himself with a sense of shame, and when sent abroad does not disgrace the commission of his prince, may be called an envoy.'" Marshal Chen said: "Zongshan fully understands, and is grateful for the Grand Tutor's instruction." Cai Jing further said: "I am sending this attendant with you. He is well-versed in proper procedure. In case you overlook anything, he will remind you." Marshal Chen said: "I am deeply grateful for the Prime Minister's kind consideration." He took leave of the Grand Tutor, brought the attendant with him, left the Prime Minister's residence, and returned home by sedan chair.

He had barely settled in when a gate officer reported that Commander-in-Chief Gao had dismounted. Marshal Chen hurried out to welcome him and invited him to sit in the main hall. After the customary exchange of greetings, Commander-in-Chief Gao said: "Today the court discussed the matter of granting amnesty to Song Jiang. If Gao Qiu were involved, he would certainly block it. This bandit has repeatedly insulted the court and his crimes are boundless. Now he is further pardoned for his offenses and brought into the capital—this will surely become a future calamity. I wished to petition against it, but the imperial decree has already been issued. Let us see how things unfold. If this bandit still persists in his obstinate wickedness and shows contempt for the sacred edict, Your Excellency should return to the capital at once. I will petition His Majesty, marshal the troops in person, go there myself, and eradicate them root and branch—that is my wish. On this journey, I have a captain under my command who is eloquent and quick-witted, who can answer ten questions for every one asked. He will be useful in advising Your Excellency on matters." Marshal Chen thanked him: "I am grateful for the Commander-in-Chief's concern." Gao Qiu rose to leave, and Marshal Chen escorted him to the front of his residence, where he mounted his horse and departed.

The next day, Zhang Ganban from Grand Tutor Cai's residence and Li Yuhou from Commander-in-Chief Gao's residence both arrived. Marshal Chen harnessed the horses and counted the men. The ten bottles of imperial wine were loaded into dragon-and-phoenix carrying poles, with yellow banners placed at the front. Marshal Chen mounted his horse, accompanied by five or six personal attendants. Zhang Ganban and Li Yuhou also rode horses. The vermillion edict was carried at the front, and the procession departed through New Song Gate. — Officials of lower rank who had come to see them off returned home. — They made their way to Jizhou. Prefect Zhang Shuye received them and invited them to his residence, where he hosted a banquet and inquired in detail about the amnesty mission. Marshal Chen told him everything. Zhang Shuye said: "In my humble opinion, granting amnesty is the best course. But there is one thing: when Your Excellency arrives there, you must show gentleness and speak sweet, pleasing words to comfort them. For better or worse, the important thing is to accomplish this great matter. Among their number are several hot-tempered men; if a single word or half a phrase offends them, the whole affair will be ruined." Zhang Ganban and Li Yuhou said: "With the two of us accompanying Your Excellency, nothing will go wrong. Magistrate, you need only instruct us to be careful and courteous—we must not compromise the dignity of the court. These lowly fellows are always kept under pressure, given less than half their due. If you let them raise their heads, they will put on airs." Zhang Shuye said: "Who are these two men?" Marshal Chen said: "This one is an attendant from Grand Tutor Cai's residence, and this one is a captain from Commander-in-Chief Gao's residence." Zhang Shuye said: "Perhaps it would be best to instruct these two attendants not to go!" Marshal Chen said: "They are trusted men of the Cai and Gao households. If we do not bring them, they will certainly be suspicious." Zhang Shuye said: "My words were only offered in good faith—I fear this effort may prove futile." Zhang Ganban said: "With the two of us along, not a drop will leak from ten thousand feet of water." Zhang Shuye dared say no more. He arranged a banquet for them and escorted them to the official hostel to rest. The next day, Jizhou sent a messenger ahead to Liangshan Marsh to give notice.

Song Jiang would daily gather the assembly at the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness to discuss military intelligence. When a spy reported this matter, though he had not yet confirmed its truthfulness, his heart rejoiced greatly. That day, a petty scout led the messenger from Jizhou straight to the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, who said: "The court has now dispatched a Grand Marshal, Chen Zongshan, bearing ten bottles of imperial wine and an edict of pardon and amnesty. He has already arrived within Jizhou city, and here we make preparations to welcome him." Song Jiang was overjoyed, and thereupon took food and wine, along with two bolts of brocade and ten taels of flowered silver, and sent the messenger back first. Song Jiang said to the assembly: "We have received the amnesty and may become subjects of the state—our having endured so many tribulations was not in vain! Today we have at last achieved our true purpose!" Wu Yong laughed and said: "In Wu's opinion, this amnesty mission will certainly fail. Even if they grant amnesty, they will regard us as mere weeds. Wait until this fellow leads a great army here, and let us deal him some vicious blows, killing his men and toppling his horses so that he will fear us even in his dreams. Only then, when we accept the amnesty, will we have some dignity." Song Jiang said: "If you speak thus, you will destroy the two characters 'loyalty and righteousness.'" Lin Chong said: "When high officials of the court come, how much pretense do they put on? In the middle of it, things may not be as good as they seem." Guan Sheng then said: "The edict will certainly contain some intimidating language to frighten us." Xu Ning added further: "The men who come will certainly be from under the door of Grand Marshal Gao." Song Jiang said: "All of you must not be suspicious, but focus on arranging to receive the edict." He first ordered Song Qing and Cao Zheng to prepare the banquet, entrusting Chai Jin with overall supervision, insisting that everything be arranged with the utmost orderliness. They set up the Grand Marshal's quarters, displaying five-colored silken brocades, and hung festoons and flowers both above and below the hall. He first sent Pei Xiao, Xiao Rang, Lü Fang, and Guo Sheng ahead down the mountain to lie in wait along the road twenty li out to greet the party. The naval chieftains prepared large boats alongside the shore. Wu Yong issued orders: "All of you must follow my instructions; otherwise, this cannot proceed."

Now it must be told that Xiao Rang, leading the three escorts, took five or six men, carrying no weapons whatsoever, but bearing wine and fruit, to welcome the party at a distance of twenty li. Grand Marshal Chen, on that day along the road, had Zhang Ganban and Li Yuhou walking before his horse rather than riding. The attendants behind them numbered no less than two or three hundred. The military officers of Jizhou amounted to about ten riders, with a vanguard of guide troops arranged before them. Within dragon-phoenix carrying poles were borne the imperial wine, and on horseback the edict case was carried. The prison guards of Jizhou, front and back, also numbered fifty or sixty men, all hoping to go into Liangshan Marsh and seek some small fortune. Xiao Rang, Pei Xiao, Lü Fang, and Guo Sheng met them midway and prostrated themselves by the roadside to welcome them. That Zhang Ganban then asked: "Your Song Jiang—who does he think he is? The Emperor's edict has arrived, and how dare he not come in person to receive it? This is grossly insulting to the sovereign! You lot are people who ought to die—how can you deserve the court's amnesty? Let the Grand Marshal turn back!" Xiao Rang, Pei Xiao, Lü Fang, and Guo Sheng prostrated themselves on the ground and pleaded: "Never before has the court sent an edict to our stronghold; we have not yet confirmed its truthfulness. Song Jiang and all the chieftains, great and small, are welcoming you at Golden Sands Beach. We earnestly hope the Grand Marshal will for the moment restrain his thunderous wrath—only help us accomplish this good matter for the state, and pardon us, we beg." Li Yuhou then said: "Even if this good matter is not accomplished, it is no concern of ours—you bandits cannot fly up to the sky." There is a verse as proof:

Since ancient times, slander has been woven like patterned silk,

And petty men should never be given the lead.

The gracious rain from the Ninth Heaven is now proclaimed,

Yet regrettably, the amnesty falls short of completeness.

At that moment Lü Fang and Guo Sheng said: "What kind of talk is this! How can you look down on people so!" Xiao Rang and Pei Xiao could only entreat them to accept the wine and fruit, but they refused to eat. The company followed along to the water's edge, where Liangshan Marsh had already prepared three war vessels there—one to carry horses, one to carry Pei Xiao and his party, and one to invite the Grand Marshal aboard, along with all his attendants. The edict and imperial wine were first placed at the bow of the boat. That boat was under the supervision of none other than Ruan Xiaoqi, the "Living King of Hell."

That day Ruan Xiaoqi sat at the stern, assigning some twenty or more oarsmen to row the boat, each man carrying a waist knife. When Grand Marshal Chen first boarded the boat, he sat in the middle with an air of haughty self-importance, as if no one else were present. Ruan Xiaoqi called the men to start rowing, and the boatmen on both sides began to sing in unison. Li Yuhou cursed: "Village donkeys! A noble person is here, and you show no restraint whatsoever!" The boatmen paid him no heed whatsoever and continued singing. Li Huhou took up a rattan cane and came to strike the boatmen on both sides, but the men showed no fear. Several of the leaders retorted: "We are singing to ourselves—what business is it of yours?" Li Yuhou said: "Rebels who deserve death—how dare you answer me back?" He then raised the cane to strike, but the boatmen on both sides leaped into the water. Ruan Xiaoqi said from the stern: "To think you would strike my boatmen into the water like that—how is this boat to proceed?" Then two fast boats came down from upstream to meet them. It turned out that Ruan Xiaoqi had previously stored two compartments of water in his boat. When he saw the boats from behind drawing near, Ruan Xiaoqi pulled the plug and cried out: "The boat is leaking!" Water at once came pouring into the hold. When they called urgently for help, there was already over a foot of water in the boat. The two boats pulled alongside, and the men hastily helped Grand Marshal Chen across to another boat. Each man then busied himself with rowing his own vessel away—who had time to look after the imperial wine and the edict? The two fast boats went on ahead first.

Ruan Xiaoqi called the sailors over, bailed the water from the cabin, and wiped the deck cloths clean. Then he said to the sailors: "Bring me one of those bottles of imperial wine. Let me taste it first." One of the sailors went to the carrying pole and brought out a bottle, broke the seal, and handed it to Ruan Xiaoqi. Ruan Xiaoqi took it and smelled its fragrant aroma. "I'm afraid it might be poisoned," he said. "Let me play it safe and taste a bit first." Having no bowl or ladle to pour it into, he drank straight from the bottle and downed it in one gulp. "It has some flavor," he said after finishing the first bottle. One bottle was not enough—he took another and drained it in one gulp too. Finding it moreish, he drank four bottles in a row. "How good is that!" he exclaimed. "There's a bucket of plain white wine in the stern," said a sailor. "Bring me the ladle for bailing water," said Ruan Xiaoqi. "I'll give you all a taste too." He divided the six bottles of imperial wine among all the sailors. Then he filled the bottles with ten jars of rough village brew, resealed them with the original wrappings, placed them back in the dragon-and-phoenix carrying pole, and raced the boat back as fast as he could. They reached the Golden Sands Shoal just in time to go ashore.

Song Jiang and the others were there to meet them, with fragrant flowers, lanterns, and candles, the sound of gongs and drums, and the music of the whole stronghold all playing together. The imperial wine was placed on tables, four men carrying each table. The imperial edict was also carried on a table. When Marshal Chen came ashore, Song Jiang and the others received him and bowed their heads to the ground. "I am a branded petty clerk," said Song Jiang, "guilty beyond measure. That we have condescended to have you come here, and have failed to receive you properly—we beg your forgiveness." Court Attendant Li said: "The Marshal is a great noble and high minister of the court, come to offer you amnesty—no trivial matter! How could you send such leaky boats, and have those ignorant village bandits man them? You nearly cost the great noble his life!" "We have plenty of good boats here," said Song Jiang. "How would we dare use a leaky boat to carry a noble guest?" Inspector Zhang said: "The Marshal's robe is still wet—how can you deny it?" Behind Song Jiang, the Five Tiger Generals followed closely, never leaving his side, and eight Piaoqi generals clustered around them front and back. Seeing Court Attendant Li and Inspector Zhang pointing fingers and making accusations before Song Jiang, they all had a mind to kill these fellows, but for fear of Song Jiang, they dared not act.

That day Song Jiang invited the Marshal into his sedan chair to read the imperial edict, and only after four or five invitations did the Marshal consent to get in. Two horses were brought for Inspector Zhang and Court Attendant Li to ride. These two persons, not knowing their own stature, put on airs and blustered. After Song Jiang prevailed upon them to mount and proceed, he ordered a great blowing of horns and beating of drums as they ascended to the Triple-Pass Gate. Song Jiang and more than a hundred chieftains followed behind, all the way to the front of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, where they dismounted together and invited the Marshal to ascend the hall. The imperial wine and the edict case were placed at the front. Marshal Chen, Inspector Zhang, and Court Attendant Li stood on the left; Xiao Rang and Pei Xuan stood on the right. Song Jiang ordered the chieftains to be counted—one hundred and seven in all, except that Li Kui alone was missing. It was the month of April; all wore lined silk battle robes and knelt in the hall, hands clasped, to hear the reading. Marshal Chen took the edict from its case and handed it to Xiao Rang. Pei Xuan led the ceremony of obeisance; after the generals had bowed, Xiao Rang unrolled the edit and read aloud:

The Imperial Edict says: "Civil ability brings peace to the state; martial prowess brings stability to the realm. The Five Emperors established borders through rites and music; the Three Sovereigns settled the world through force of arms. Affairs follow the path of submission or rebellion; men are wise or foolish. We have inherited the great enterprise of Our ancestors and opened the radiance of sun and moon. All under heaven and throughout the land acknowledge Our sovereignty. Recently, you, Song Jiang and others, have gathered in the mountains and forests, plundering districts and counties. We originally intended to demonstrate the punishment of Heaven, but truly feared to burden Our people. Now We have sent Marshal Chen Zongshan to offer amnesty. Upon the arrival of this edict, you shall immediately surrender all money, grain, weapons, horses, and boats to the government, destroy your lairs, and lead your followers to the capital, whereupon your original crimes shall be pardoned. Should you still persist in obstinacy and defy the edict's commands, when the heavenly troops arrive, not even children will be spared. Let this edict be known; let all understand."

Issued on a day in the Fourth Month of the Third Year of the Xuanhe era.

Xiao Rang had barely finished reading when anger showed on the faces of all those below. Then Black Whirlwind Li Kui dropped from the beam above, snatched the edict from Xiao Rang's hands, tore it to pieces, then went to seize Marshal Chen and began punching him. Song Jiang and Lu Junyi threw themselves across to hold him back—how would they let him strike? Just as they managed to pull him off, Court Attendant Li shouted: "Who is this fellow, that he dares be so insolent!" Li Kui was just looking for someone to hit. He grabbed Court Attendant Li by the head and began beating him, shouting: "This edict that was written—whose words are these?" Inspector Zhang stammered: "This... is... the Emperor's sacred decree." Li Kui said: "That Emperor of yours—he doesn't know that we fine heroes here, when he comes to offer amnesty to us lords, still wants to act so high and mighty! Your Emperor's surname is Song, and my elder brother's surname is also Song. If he can be Emperor, why can't my elder brother be Emperor? Don't you come provoking this Black Father—I'll kill every official who wrote that edict!" Everyone came to mediate and persuade, and they pushed Black Whirlwind down from the hall.

Song Jiang said, "Your Excellency, set your mind at rest. There will not be the slightest mishap. Let us now take the imperial wine and allow all our men to share in the Emperor's grace." He then brought out a gold-inlaid jeweled flower-patterned goblet and ordered Pei Xuan to take one bottle of the imperial wine and pour it into the silver wine vat. When they examined it, it turned out to be nothing but common country wine. They opened the remaining nine bottles and poured them into the vat, but all of it was the same thin, weak country brew. When the men saw this, they were all astounded, and one by one they left the hall. Lu Zhishen raised his iron staff and bellowed in a loud voice, "Damn these sons of bitches! They're insulting us beyond all bearing! Passing off watery wine as imperial brew to cheat us of our drink!" "Red-Haired Devil" Liu Tang also charged forward with his saber, "Pilgrim" Wu Song drew his twin monk's swords, "Nothing Can Bar" Mu Hong and "Nine-Tattooed Dragon" Shi Jin all burst into fury at once. The six naval chieftains cursed their way down from the pass.

Song Jiang saw that things had gone wrong. He threw himself across the hall to block them and hastily issued orders for horses and sedan chairs to escort the Grand Commandant down the mountain, instructing that he must not come to any harm. By this time, the chieftains great and small, more than half of them, had risen in uproar. Song Jiang and Lu Junyi had no choice but to mount their horses personally and escort the Grand Commandant and those who had come to deliver the edict down through the three passes, prostrating themselves again and again and confessing their fault: "It is not that we of Liangshan Marsh are unwilling to submit to the court. It is simply that the officials who drafted the edict do not understand the true circumstances of Liangshan Marsh. If but a few kind words of comfort were spoken, we would all serve our country with utter loyalty, never regretting it even in death. If Your Excellency returns to the court, speak well of us, we beg you." They hurried him across the river. That entire party, scared out of their wits, fled in a panic back to Jizhou.

When Song Jiang returned to the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, he gathered the chieftains together again for a feast. Song Jiang said, "Though the imperial edict was unclear, you men were also far too hot-tempered." Wu Yong said, "Brother, do not be obstinate! Amnesties will come in due time. How can you blame our brothers for their anger? The court shows no regard for people at all! Let us put aside idle talk for now. Brother, issue your orders at once—let the cavalry prepare their mounts, the infantry arrange their weapons, and the navy ready their boats. Sooner or later a great army will come to attack us. Once we have routed them in a battle or two, leaving their men dead and their horses fallen, not a single soldier able to return, they will be frightened even in their dreams. Then we can talk again." The men all said, "The Military Counselor speaks most wisely." That day the feast ended, and each man returned to his own tent.

Now, Commandant Chen returned to Jizhou and reported to Zhang Shuye what had happened at Liangshan Marsh with the edict. Zhang Shuye said, "Did any of you speak improperly?" Commandant Chen said, "How dare I have uttered a single word!" Zhang Shuye said, "If that is so, then all effort has been wasted and the matter ruined. Your Excellency must return to the capital at once and report to His Majesty. This brooks no delay."

Commandant Chen, Director Zhang, and Attendant Li traveled by night back to the capital. They saw Grand Counselor Cai and gave a full account of how the Liangshan outlaws had torn up the edict and spoken with contempt. When Cai Jing heard this, he flew into a rage. "How dare these wretched bandits behave with such insolence! This is the great Song dynasty—how can we let such lawless men run rampant?" Commandant Chen wept and said, "Had it not been for Your Excellency's protection, this official would have been ground to dust on Liangshan Marsh! Today I have escaped with my life from the jaws of death and see your honored face once more!" The Grand Counselor then summoned Grand Marshal Tong, Grand Commandors Gao and Yang to his residence to discuss this critical military matter. In a short time, all had arrived at the White Tiger Hall in the Grand Counselor's mansion. The officials sat down, and Grand Counselor Cai ordered Director Zhang and Attendant Li to give a full account of how the Liangshan outlaws had torn up the edict and spoken with contempt. Grand Commandor Yang said, "How can we even consider offering amnesty to such bandits? Which official first proposed it?" Grand Commandor Gao said, "Had I been in court that day, I certainly would have blocked it. How could I have allowed such a thing?" Grand Marshal Tong said, "These petty thieves and sneaking robbers are not worth a moment's concern! This unworthy one will personally lead an army and, in a fixed number of days, sweep the marsh clean and return." The officials said, "We shall report this to the throne tomorrow." And so they all dispersed.

The next morning, at the early court audience, the officials thrice cried "Long live the Emperor!" and the rites between sovereign and ministers were concluded. Grand Counselor Cai stepped forward from the ranks and reported the matter to the Emperor. The Emperor was greatly enraged and asked, "Who proposed to Us on that day that we should offer amnesty?" An official of the Secretariat, the Censor Cui Jing, was named. The Emperor ordered that Cui Jing be arrested and sent to the Court of Judicial Review for punishment. The Emperor then asked Cai Jing, "These bandits have caused harm for a long time now. Whom can we send to suppress them?" Grand Counselor Cai replied, "They cannot be subdued without a mighty force. In this minister's humble opinion, an officer of the Grand Marshal's office must personally lead a great army to sweep them away, and victory can be achieved within a set number of days." The Emperor summoned Grand Marshal Tong Guan and asked, "Are you willing to lead troops to suppress the bandits of Liangshan Marsh?" Tong Guan knelt and replied, "The ancients said, 'In filial piety one exerts his utmost strength; in loyalty he gives his very life.' This servant is willing to render the labor of a dog or a horse to rid you of this threat to your heart." Gao Qiu and Yang Jian both recommended him as well.

The Emperor thereupon issued an imperial edict, bestowing a golden seal and military tally, and appointed Grand Marshal Tong Guan, of the East Hall, as Grand Marshal, authorizing him to select and assemble troops from every region to march against the Liangshan bandits, setting a date for the army to depart. Truly it was a case of one who ascends the platform and brandishes his arm as Grand Marshal, yet when defeated in battle will knit his brows like a child. As for how Grand Marshal Tong led his army forth, listen to the next chapter for the explanation.