Chapter 77

Chapter 77

It is said that on that day, Song Jiang's array sent forth its three vanguard detachments, whose troops charged past the opposing lines. With great swords and broad axes, they routed Tong Guan's three armies utterly—scattered like stars and clouds, seven parts broken and eight parts wounded. The soldiers threw away their golden ornaments and abandoned their drums, cast aside their halberds and spears, searching for sons and calling for fathers, crying out for elder and younger brothers. Over ten thousand men and horses were lost, and they retreated thirty li away to make camp. Wu Yong sounded the gong from within the array to recall the troops, issuing orders saying: "Do not pursue and slaughter them completely—just send them a message." The men and horses of Liangshan Marsh all returned to the stronghold, each presenting their merits and requesting rewards.

Now Tong Guan, having lost the battle and his troops, had already set up his camp and rested. His heart was troubled, so he assembled his generals to discuss the matter. The two generals Feng Mei and Bi Sheng said: "Your Excellency, do not grieve. These bandits knew that the imperial army was coming and had arranged this formation in advance. Our army has just arrived and did not know the true situation, so we fell into the bandits' treacherous scheme. These weed-bandits rely only on their mountain for strength, deploying many troops to make a show of force—we temporarily lost the advantage of terrain. Let us drill our cavalry and infantry once more, rest for three days to build up their sharp spirit and allow the horses to recover. After three days, we shall divide all our troops into a Long Serpent formation—all infantry, charging forth to kill. This formation is like the long serpent of a great mountain: strike its head and the tail responds; strike the tail and the head responds; strike the middle and both head and tail respond. All must be linked without break. If we decide the battle with this formation, great merit will surely be achieved." Tong Guan said: "This plan is excellent—it matches my own wishes." He immediately issued orders to put the three armies in order, and the training was completed.

On the third day, they prepared food before dawn at the fifth watch. The soldiers ate their fill, the horses wore leather armor, and the men donned iron mail. Great swords and broad axes were raised, bows and crossbows were strung—truly, "spears and swords flow like rushing water, men and horses ride the wind like a gathered storm." The great generals Feng Mei and Bi Sheng led the vanguard, and with mighty force they advanced to attack Liangshan Marsh. The eight routes of troops divided to the left and right. Three hundred armored scouts were sent ahead to reconnoiter. They returned and reported to Tong Guan's central army, saying: "On the battlefield from the previous day, not a single soldier or horse was seen." Tong Guan heard this with suspicion and went in person to the vanguard to ask Feng Mei and Bi Sheng: "How could the enemy have withdrawn?" Feng Mei answered: "Do not entertain thoughts of retreat. Just charge forward and fight. Once the Long Serpent formation is set, what is there to fear?" The imperial army advanced in a winding line straight to the edge of the marsh, yet not a single soldier or horse was seen. Across the water, all was vast and boundless—nothing but reeds and smoke from fires. In the distance, atop the peak of Water Margin Stockade, a single apricot-yellow banner fluttered, but no other movement was observed. Tong Guan, Feng Mei, and Bi Sheng reined in their horses before the ten thousand troops. Gazing across the water into the reed forest, they saw a single small boat with a man aboard—wearing a bamboo-leaf hat and a green rain cape, leaning against the bank, facing west, fishing alone. Tong Guan's infantry, from across the shore, called out to the fisherman: "Where are the bandits?" The fisherman simply did not respond. Tong Guan ordered those who could shoot to release arrows. Two horsemen rode right up to the water's edge, reined in their horses near the shore, drew their bows, nocked arrows, and aimed at the fisherman's back. Whoosh—an arrow flew. The arrow struck the bamboo-leaf hat with a clang and fell into the water. The other horseman loosed an arrow that struck the rain cape with a clang, and that arrow too fell into the water. These two horsemen were the finest archers in Tong Guan's army. Both were startled. They reined their horses around, rode back, bowed, and reported to Tong Guan: "Both arrows hit their mark, but could not penetrate. We do not know what he is wearing beneath." Tong Guan then detailed three hundred scouts who could draw hard bows to the shore, where they spread out and together loosed arrows at the fisherman. A storm of arrows flew toward him, but the fisherman was unperturbed. Many fell into the water, some struck the boat, but any that hit the rain cape or bamboo-leaf hat all fell into the water.

Seeing that they could not kill him with arrows, Tong Guan ordered soldiers who could swim to strip off their armor and cross the water to capture the fisherman. Some thirty to fifty men plunged in and swam forward. The fisherman heard the sound of water at the stern of his boat, knew someone was approaching, and without haste set down his fishing pole and took up his punting pole, keeping it at his side. Those who came near the boat—he struck one with the pole for each, whether on the temple, the skull, or the face, and knocked them all into the water. Those behind, seeing several sink, turned and swam back to shore to find their armor. Tong Guan, seeing this, was furious. He ordered five hundred soldiers into the water to capture the fisherman at all costs; any who turned back would be cut in two. The five hundred soldiers stripped off their armor, gave a great shout, and leaped into the water together, swimming forward. The fisherman turned his boat around, pointed at Tong Guan on the shore, and cursed loudly: "Traitorous minister, beast who harms the people—you come here to offer your life, and still do not know you are about to die!" Tong Guan was enraged and commanded the cavalry to shoot arrows. The fisherman laughed heartily and said: "Why, there are troops arriving over there." He pointed with his hand, cast aside his rain cape and bamboo-leaf hat, and plunged beneath the water. The five hundred soldiers had just reached the boat when they heard frantic shouting from within the water—all sank beneath the surface. The fisherman was none other than "The White Streak in the Waves" Zhang Shun. His bamboo-leaf hat was wrapped with bamboo leaves on the outside but forged of copper within; his rain cape was made of beaten copper plates beneath, worn like a tortoise shell—no wonder arrows could not penetrate. Zhang Shun dove to the bottom, drew his waist knife, and stabbed men one after another, sending them all down, until the water churned with blood. A few clever ones swam away and escaped with their lives. Tong Guan stood on the shore, stunned. A general at his side pointed and said: "The yellow banner on the mountain peak is moving now."

Tong Guan stared blankly, unable to make sense of it, and the other generals likewise had no idea what to do. Feng Mei said, "Divide our three hundred armored scouts into two groups and send them to reconnoiter around both sides of the mountain to see what's happening." But they had barely reached the front of the mountain when a thunderous cannon shot rose from among the reeds, smoke and fire swirling in confusion. The scouts on both sides came galloping back to report that ambushers had arrived. Tong Guan, on horseback, was no small bit alarmed. Feng Mei and Bi Sheng sent men on both sides ordering the soldiers not to move in disorder. The hundreds of thousands of troops all drew their knives. Riders galloped up from front and back, shouting, "Anyone who flees first will be beheaded!" and held the three armies in place. Tong Guan and his generals stood their horses and watched. From behind the mountain, drums thundered to the earth and the clamor of battle shook the sky. A force of soldiers flew out at once, all carrying yellow banners, led by two valiant generals at the front. How orderly that army was:

Yellow banners surged forth from ten thousand mountains,

Glittering golden light piercing the azure sky.

Horses like angry waves crashing against rocky walls,

Men like raging flames shaking the heavenly wind.

Drums shook the Palace of the Netherworld,

Cannon fire toppled the Temple of Mount Tai.

Among the sword ranks lurked the "Winged Tiger,"

From the forest of speards flew forth the "Beautiful-Bearded Lord."

On two horses with yellow manes rode two heroic chieftains: above, the "Beautiful-Bearded Lord" Zhu Tong; below, the "Winged Tiger" Lei Heng. Leading five thousand men, they charged straight at the government army. Tong Guan ordered the great generals Feng Mei and Bi Sheng to meet the enemy first. The two received their orders, spurred their horses forward, and rode out of formation with spears leveled, shouting, "Lawless bandits! Why not surrender—what are you waiting for?" Lei Heng laughed loudly from his horse and roared, "You wretch, death stands right before your eyes and you don't even know it! How dare you fight me?" Bi Sheng flew into a rage, whipped up his horse, and charged straight at Lei Heng with his spear. Lei Heng also raised his spear to meet him. The two horses crossed, weapons clashed, and the two generals fought for some twenty bouts with no clear victor. Feng Mei, seeing that Bi Sheng could not prevail after so long, spurred his horse and brandished his sword to join the fray. Zhu Tong saw this, let out a great shout, flew forward on horseback, and swung his sword to engage Feng Mei. Four horses, two pairs, fought before the lines. Tong Guan watched and could not stop applauding. They fought deep into the ravine, when suddenly Zhu Tong and Lei Heng feigned an opening, wheeled their horses around, and fled toward their own lines. Feng Mei and Bi Sheng would not let them go and gave chase on horseback. The opposing army raised a shout and fled behind the mountain. Tong Guan ordered his men to pursue with all their might past the foot of the mountain. Then they heard the sound of painted horns echoing from the peak. The generals looked up and saw two cannon shots fly up, one in front and one behind. Tong Guan knew there were ambushers and held his army back, ordering them not to pursue.

Then from the mountaintop appeared that apricot-yellow banner, embroidered with four characters: "Act in Heaven's Behalf." Tong Guan rode around to the other side of the mountain and saw, where a cluster of colorful embroidered banners parted on the peak, the emergence of that unrivaled hero of Yuncheng County, Song Jiang of Shandong, the "Protector of Righteousness." Behind him stood the military strategist Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, Hua Rong, Xu Ning, the Golden Spearman, the Silver Spearman, and many other brave men. Tong Guan was furious at the sight and sent men on horseback up the mountain to capture Song Jiang. The army divided into two columns and was about to ascend when they heard music and revelry from the mountaintop, and all the heroes laughing. Tong Jiang's anger only grew more intense; he ground his teeth and shouted, "How dare this bandit mock me! I shall seize this wretch myself!" Feng Mei remonstrated, "Lord Shumi, they surely have a scheme. You must not personally venture into dangerous ground. Please withdraw the army for now; tomorrow we can find out the true situation before advancing." Tong Guan said, "Nonsense! Things have come to this—how can we retreat? Order an engagement with the bandits tonight. Now that we have seen the enemy, there can be no withdrawal..." Before he finished speaking, they heard the rear army shouting. A scout came galloping to report: "From behind the western mountain a force has burst forth and cut the rear army in two." Tong Guan was greatly alarmed. Taking Feng Mei and Bi Sheng with him, he hurried back to rescue the rear army. Then from behind the eastern mountain, where drums were sounding, another column of men flew forth—half carrying red banners, half carrying green banners, escorting two great generals who led five thousand troops in a charge. The red-bannered soldiers followed the red banners, the green-bannered soldiers followed the green banners; the formations were truly orderly. Behold:

Pair by pair, red banners amid green robes,

Battle horses vied as they wound around the mountainside.

The sun warmed the banners—a green dragon appeared,

The wind stirred the pennants—a vermilion bird swayed.

Two companies of elite soldiers, all fierce and bold,

Two supreme generals, their valor on display.

Qin Ming brandished his wolf-tooth mace,

Guan Sheng held his crescent-blade sword crosswise.

The chieftain of the red-banner company was "The Thunderbolt" Qin Ming; the chieftain of the green-banner company was "The Great Blade" Guan Sheng. The two generals charged on horseback, roaring, "Tong Guan, offer up your head!" Tong Guan was furious and sent Feng Mei to engage Guan Sheng, while Bi Sheng went to fight Qin Ming. Seeing the rear army in urgent distress, Tong Guan also ordered the gongs sounded to recall the troops. "Hold no prolonged battle," he commanded, "retreat for now." Zhu Tong and Lei Heng led the yellow-banner army in another charge, attacking from both sides, and Tong Guan's forces fell into great disorder. Feng Mei and Bi Sheng protected Tong Guan and fled for their lives. As they were making their escape, a column of soldiers suddenly flew out from a side path to meet them in battle. That force was half carrying white banners and half carrying black banners. Amid the white and black banners, two tiger-like generals also emerged, leading five thousand troops to block the road. This force was truly orderly:

Cannons like thunder split the rocks from the mountains,

From the deep green forests spears and halberds appeared.

Robes of white—soldiers surged like the River of Stars,

Armored in black—troops came like dark vapor rising.

Two whips flew with the sound of wind and rain,

One spear arrived to make ghosts and spirits weep.

The great general on the left was Huyan Zhuo,

The hero on the right was the "Leopard Head."

In the black banner detachment, the commander was Huyan Zhou, the Twin Whips. In the white banner detachment, the commander was Lin Chong, the Panther Head. The two generals bellowed from their horses: "Tong Guan, you treacherous minister—where do you think you're going? Come and face your death now!" They charged straight into the army. The Suizhou garrison commander, Duan Pengju, engaged Huyan Zhou in battle, while the Ruzhou garrison commander, Ma Wanli, met Lin Chong in combat. Ma Wanli fought Lin Chong for but a few exchanges before his strength failed him. He was about to flee when Lin Chong let out a great roar. Ma Wanli panicked, lost his footing, and took a spear thrust, tumbling from his horse. Duan Pengju, seeing Ma Wanli spitted dead by Lin Chong, had no heart for further battle. He deflected Huyan Zhou's twin whips, wheeled his horse around, and fled. Huyan Zhou pursued him fiercely, and the two armies clashed in a confused melee. Tong Guan could only order his men to fight their way back. Then a great shout went up from the vanguard. From behind the mountains flew out a force of foot soldiers, charging straight into the heart of the formation. At their head were a monk and a priest, leading their troops and shouting: "Don't let Tong Guan escape!" That monk did not bother with sutras or penitential rites—his specialty was killing men. His single name was the Flowery Monk, his double name Lu Zhishen. This priest had once killed a tiger on Jingyang Ridge and was the most heroic of all the Water Margin stronghold—his name was the Pilgrim, Wu Song. These two charged into the battle array. How was this manifested? A poem to the tune "West River Moon" bears witness:

Lu Zhishen with his iron staff, the Pilgrim Wu Song with his two steel blades.

The steel blades flew out with flickering firelight; the iron staff came crashing like a bomb.

The iron staff smashed open skulls; the steel blades cut men in half at the waist.

These two weapons spared no one—their glory blazed through a hundred thousand troops.

Tong Guan's army, charged head-on by Lu Zhishen and Wu Song leading their foot soldiers, was instantly shattered into pieces. The imperial troops and horses found no road ahead and no retreat behind. They could only push through with Feng Mei and Bi Sheng, breaking through the heavy encirclement and cutting a bloody path to the other side of the mountain. Just as they caught their breath, there came a great roar of cannon and the simultaneous beating of war drums. Two fierce generals led the way, with a band of foot soldiers blocking the road. How was this manifested?

The Viper with Two Heads—his腥 wind was too foul to approach; the Scorpion with Two Tails—his venom sprayed in unison.

A pair of steel forks unrivaled in the world, their fame resounding from the hunting grounds.

On the left hand, Jie Zhen stood above the rest; on the right hand, Jie Bao surpassed all.

Several thousand armored tiger-wolves of troops, they tore the great serpent formation to pieces.

The leaders of these foot soldiers who had arrived were Jie Zhen and Jie Bao, each gripping a five-tined steel fork. They led their foot soldiers into the battle array. Tong Guan's troops could not withstand them and broke through to flee. The cavalry and foot soldiers on all five sides gave chase together, driving the imperial army to scatter like falling stars and dispersing clouds. Feng Mei and Bi Sheng fought to protect Tong Tong as he fled. They saw Jie Zhen and Jie Bao, the two brothers, level their steel forks and charge straight at the horses. Tong Guan hastily spurred his horse and fled diagonally. Behind him Feng Mei and Bi Sheng rushed to his aid, joined by the Tangzhou garrison commander Han Tianlin and the Dengzhou garrison commander Wang Yi. The four fought with all their might to break out of the encirclement. They had barely advanced and were still catching their breath when they saw dust rising ahead and heard the cries of battle joining the sky. From among the thick green trees flew out another band of horsemen. At their head, two fierce generals blocked the road. Who were these two? But one saw:

One wielded a great battle-axe painted with flowers; one leveled a gleaming silver spear.

The spear was like a venomous python extending its long tip; where the axe rose, it seemed like a mountain-splitting divine general.

One had a refined and handsome bearing; the other a fierce and iron resolve.

Dong Ping, the peerless scholar of the land—and who could match Su Chao, the Eager Vanguard?

These two fierce generals—Dong Ping, the Double-Spear General, and Su Chao, the Eager Vanguard—exchanged no words. They flew on their horses straight at Tong Guan. Wang Yi raised his spear to meet them, but Su Chao's axe fell with a single stroke and hacked him down from his horse. Han Tianlin came to the rescue and was spitted dead by a thrust of Dong Ping's spear. Feng Mei and Bi Sheng protected Tong Guan with their lives as they galloped to escape. Drums and gongs sounded in confusion on all sides—no one knew where the armies were coming from. Tong Guan gathered his horse on the slope to look. From all four sides came four columns of cavalry, and from both flanks two columns of foot soldiers, in encirclement formations like winnowing baskets and palm-shaped fans. The Liangshan Mountain army charged forward all together. Tong Guan's forces scattered like wind through clouds, in chaos to the east and west. Even as he watched, a band of horsemen emerged from the hillside below. He recognized their banners: Wu Bingyi, the Chenzhou garrison commander, and Li Ming, the Xuzhou garrison commander. These two led a ragged force with broken spears and snapped halberds, turning back toward Linlang Mountain to hide. When they saw Tong Guan's signal, they were about to ascend the slope and hastily reposition their troops when a shout rose from the side of the mountain. A band of horsemen flew out in pursuit. Two identifying banners fluttered in the wind; on horseback, two fierce generals, each grasping a weapon, galloped toward the imperial army. Who were these two? A poem to the tune "Riverside Fairy" bears witness:

The tassels on their helmets fluttered like flames, scattering crimson in wild profusion; heroic spirit surged from their chests like a long rainbow.

Their battle robes were cut from Shu brocade; their armor was plated with gold and bronze.

Two pairs of precious blades gleamed like snow-white silk; in the heart of the battle they shook with awe-inspiring might, dashing left and right, displaying their heroism.

The Green-Faced Beast of the military ranks—the Nine-Dragon Hero of the good fellows.

These two fierce generals were Yang Shi and Shijin, two riders, two sabers, who had just intercepted the two officers Wu Bingyi and Li Ming and engaged them in combat. Li Ming leveled his spear and advanced to do battle with Yang Shi. Wu Bingyi wielded his halberd to fight Shijin. The two pairs clashed on the hillside, advancing and retreating, circling and swirling, each displaying his lifelong martial arts. Tong Guan reined in his horse on the hillside and watched without cease. The four men fought for some thirty engagements when Wu Bingyi thrust his halberd straight at Shijin's heart. Shijin merely dodged, and the halberd passed through by his flank. Wu Bingyi, horse and all, rushed forward—but Shijin's blade rose and fell, and a single bloody head, still flecked with flesh, tumbled from its golden helmet beside the horse. Wu Bingyi lay dead upon the hillside. Li Ming, seeing one already fallen, was about to wheel his horse and flee when Yang Shi gave a great shout. Li Ming's soul scattered and his spirit shattered; his gall bled cold with fear, and the spear in his hands knew not which way was up. Yang Shi brought his blade down from above his crown. Li Ming dodged, but the saber struck squarely on his horse's hindquarters. The beast's hind legs buckled and it collapsed, throwing Li Ming from the saddle. He cast away his spear and tried to flee on foot, but Yang Shi's hand was swift—he followed with one more stroke and struck true. Pitiful Li Ming, an officer half his life, became nothing but a dream of Nanke. Both officers lay dead upon the hillside. Yang Shi and Shijin pursued the routed troops, cutting them down as easily as slicing melons and gourds.

Tong Guan, Feng Mei, and Bi Sheng watched from the hillside and dared not descend, at a loss for what to do. The three conferred: "In such a situation, how can we fight our way out?" Feng Mei said, "Your Excellency, set your mind at ease. Your subordinate sees to the south a large force of government troops still encamped there, their banners and pennons unlowered—they can come to our rescue. General Bi, protect His Excellency on the hilltop. Feng Mei will cut a path through and fetch that column of troops to escort His Excellency out." Tong Guan said, "The light is fading. Find your opportunity and go swiftly, return quickly." Feng Mei raised his great polearm saber and rode down the hillside like a bird, cutting a path straight to the south. When he looked upon that body of troops, it was Zhou Xin, the garrison commander of Songzhou, who had drawn his soldiers up in tight formation, desperately holding the center of the encirclement. Seeing Feng Mei arrive, he brought him inside the formation and asked, "Where is His Excellency?" Feng Mei said, "He is only on that hillside ahead, waiting for your force to come and fight him out. There is no time to lose—move at once." Zhou Xin gave the command: mounted and foot soldiers alike must look to one another, keep formation intact, and advance with one heart and united strength. Two great generals led the way, the troops raised their war cries, and they charged toward the hillside. They had not traveled the distance of a single arrow's flight when from a flanking direction a column of troops arrived. Feng Mei brandished his saber and rode straight out to meet them—he recognized them as Duan Pengju, the garrison commander of Suizhou. The three commanders having now found each other, they joined forces and fought their way to the foot of the hillside. Bi Sheng rode down the slope to meet them, found Tong Guan, and together they conferred: "Would it be better to break out tonight, or wait until morning?" Feng Mei said: "The four of us will die to protect His Excellency. We must break through the encirclement tonight and escape the bandits."

As evening drew near, shouts rose unceasingly from all sides and the sound of gongs and drums rang wild and confused. Around the second watch, with starlight and moonlight shining bright, Feng Mei took the lead, the officers clustering around Tong Guan in the center. With united strength they charged down the hillside. From all around came the clamorous cry: "Do not let Tong Guan escape!" The government troops surged southward. The confused battle raged on until about the fourth watch, when they broke through the encirclement. Tong Guan, still astride his horse, raised his hand to his forehead and bowed to Heaven and Earth and the spirits of the gods: "What fortune! I have escaped this great calamity!" He pressed on beyond the boundary and fled toward Jizhou.

But his joy had scarcely ended when before them, along the hillside, appeared torches beyond counting, and shouts rose again from behind. In the light of the torches, two good fellows could be seen, gripping two each of朴刀 broad-bladed swords, leading forth a heroic great general mounted on a white horse, who held across his lap a single-pointed steel spear. Who was this man? A poem, to the tune of "Lin Jiang Xian," bears witness:

> First among horse and foot soldiers, honored within the Heavenly Stars, a fierce star descended from on high. His eyes were black as lacquer, his face as if carved from silver. His twelve-foot steel lance had no match; he rode a swift horse that galloped through the clouds. In talent and martial skill, he surpassed all others. Lu Junyi of Liangshan, the "Jade Qilin" of Hebei.

That heroic great general on horseback was none other than Lu Junyi, the "Jade Qilin." Before his horse, the two fellows wielding broad-bladed swords were the "Diseased Guan Suo" Yang Xiong and the "Risking His Life" Shi Xiu. In the torchlight they led some three thousand men, brimming with spirit, blocking the road. Lu Junyi shouted from horseback: "Tong Guan, dismount and submit to capture—how much longer will you wait?" Tong Guan heard this and said to his men: "Ambushers ahead, pursuers behind—what are we to do?" Feng Mei said: "Your subordinate will lay down his life to repay His Excellency. All you officers, guard His Excellency closely and fight your way toward Jizhou. I alone will hold this bandit." Feng Mei spurred his horse and brandished his saber, charging straight at Lu Junyi. The two horses crossed, and they had fought no more than a few bouts when Lu Junyi thrust his spear once, drove back the great saber, rushed in close, seized him by the waist with one hand, kicked away his battle horse with one foot, and captured Feng Mei alive. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu came to receive him, the soldiers surged forward, and they dragged him away. Bi Sheng, Zhou Xin, and Duan Pengju risked their lives to protect Tong Guan, fighting through the blocking troops, retreating even as they fought. Lu Junyi came in pursuit from behind. Tong Guan's defeated army fled as frantically as dogs who have lost their homes, as desperately as fish escaped from the net. By daybreak they had shaken off their pursuers and made for Jizhou.

As they marched along, from behind the hillside ahead another band of foot soldiers charged forth. These troops wore iron chest-protector armor and crimson silk headscarves. The four leaders of the foot soldiers at the vanguard—who were they, after all?

"Black Whirlwind" wielded twin board axes; "God of Death's Door" brandished alone his dragon-spring sword.

Xiang Chong and Li Gun flanked them, dancing their round shields with robust frames.

To slay a tiger one must attack its vital lair; to kill a dragon one must strike the deep abyss.

The three armies' might shook the azure sky; devils of hell appeared alive before the eyes.

This Li Kui whirled his two board axes, Bao Xu relied on his precious sword, and Xiang Chong and Li Gun each brandished their barbarian shields for protection—like a ball of fire rolling across the ground, routing the government forces into scattered flight. Tong Guan and his generals fought as they retreated, fleeing only to save their lives. Li Kui charged straight into the cavalry ranks, hacked the legs out from under Duan Pengju's horse, toppled him from his mount, then with one swing split open his skull, and with another severed his throat—plainly Duan Pengju could not survive. As for the defeated and decimated government troops, they struggled to reach Jizhou—truly, helmets tilted covering ears, neck-guards half-hanging from jaws, the horse and foot soldiers all drained of strength, men exhausted and horses spent. They rushed to a stream, where all the troops and horses went to drink. Suddenly a cannon roared from across the stream, and arrows flew like a swarm of locusts. The government troops scrambled up the bank, and from the edge of the woods a company of horsemen emerged—who were the three heroes astride at the front?

One wielded a great serpent of jade, scattering a myriad of flying stars.

The dashing cavalryman of Dongchang was Zhang Qing—"Arrowless," whom no man dared approach!

The flying spears never missed; the flying tridents showed no mercy.

Two tiger-generals surged with unbridled force, guarding his flanks before the horses.

It turned out that "Arrowless" Zhang Qing, together with Gong Wang and Ding Desun, led over three hundred mounted troops. That band of valiant horsemen all wore bronze-belled helmets and pheasant-tail red tassels, carrying light bows and short arrows, embroidered banners and flowered spears. The three generals charged straight at the front. The Songzhou supervisor Zhou Xin, seeing that Zhang Qing had fewer horsemen, rode out to engage him; Bi Sheng protected Tong Guan and fled. Zhou Xin galloped forward with spear leveled, but Zhang Qing caught the spear with his left hand, his right hand forming a shape like the Seventh Lord of Treasure Summoning, and shouted, "Take this!" With a single stone he struck Zhou Xin on the bridge of the nose, and the man toppled from his horse. Gong Wang and Ding Desun flew in from the sides on horseback, thrust their two tridents into his throat—like frost withering the grass of the frontier, like rain beating upon the flowers of the grove—and Zhou Xin died beneath his horse. Tong Guan fled for his life with Bi Sheng alone and dared not enter Jizhou; he led the shattered troops and rode through the night to the Eastern Capital, gathering the scattered and fleeing forces along the way to make camp.

Now Song Jiang was a man of benevolence and virtue, who had long harbored a heart willing to submit to the court. He would not pursue the slaughter to the utmost, fearing that the other commanders would not relent and would chase Tong Guan. He hastily sent Dai Zong to transmit orders, announcing to all the chieftains to gather the horse and foot soldiers from every route and return to the mountain fortress to receive rewards. From every direction the gongs were sounded to recall the troops. The generals on horseback struck golden stirrups, and the foot soldiers below sang songs of triumph in unison—all poured into Liangshan Marsh, every one returning together to Wanzi City.

Song Jiang, Wu Yong, and Gongsun Sheng arrived first at the Water Margin fortress and sat down in the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness. They ordered Pei Xuan to examine and record each person's merits and rewards. Lu Junyi had captured Feng Mei alive and brought him to the fortress, where he knelt before the hall. Song Jiang himself loosened his bonds, invited him into the hall to sit in the upper seat, personally held a cup to converse with him, and offered wine to calm his fears. All the chieftains assembled in the hall. That day cattle and horses were slaughtered, the three armies were handsomely rewarded, and Feng Mei was detained for two days. A saddle and horse were prepared, and he was sent down the mountain. Feng Mei was overjoyed. Song Jiang spoke to him: "General, we have offended your dignity before and after the battle, and beg your forgiveness. Song Jiang and the others have no rebellious intentions—we only wish to submit to the court and devote our strength to the nation. We have been driven to this by unjust and lawless men. I hope that when you return to the capital, you may speak on our behalf to bring about deliverance. Should we one day be granted grace again, we shall never forget your great kindness, living or dying." Feng Mei bowed in gratitude for the sparing of his life and set off down the mountain. Song Jiang had men escort him all the way beyond their borders; his return to the capital need not be told further.

Song Jiang returned to the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness and again conferred with Wu Yong and the other chieftains. It turned out that this ten-sided ambush plan had all been devised by Wu Yong's cunning stratagem, and it had struck Tong Guan with such terror that his heart was shattered—he feared even in his dreams. Of his great army, two of every three had been lost. Wu Yong said: "When Tong Guan returns to the capital and reports to the Son of Heaven, how could he not raise troops again! We must send someone straight to the Eastern Capital to spy on the true situation, report back to the fortress, and make preparations in advance." Song Jiang said: "The Marshal's counsel matches my own heart perfectly. Among you brothers, who dares to go?" Then from among the seated company a single man answered: "This brother volunteers to go." All who looked at him said: "It must be him who goes—he will surely accomplish the great deed."

It was not this man who went—but it led to this: strategies were deployed once more, and the government armies were defeated again; a charger perished beneath the blue ridge, a pleasure boat sank among the green rushes. As for who it was from Liangshan Marsh who went to gather intelligence, listen to the next chapter for the explanation.