Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Let us return to the Liangshan heroes. After their two victories over Tong Guan, Song Jiang and Wu Yong held council. They agreed that someone must be sent to Dongjing to gather intelligence on the enemy's movements and report back to the stronghold, so that their forces could be prepared in advance for battle. Before they had finished speaking, "The Marvelous Traveler" Dai Zong stepped forward. "This younger brother volunteers to go," he said. Song Jiang replied, "When it comes to gathering military intelligence, we have always relied on you alone. Though you are certainly capable, it would be best to have another man accompany you." Li Kui immediately said, "Let your brother go along with you this time." Song Jiang laughed. "You—the very one we call 'Black Whirlwind,' who never fails to stir up trouble!" Li Kui said, "This time I promise not to cause any trouble." Song Jiang dismissed him with a wave and turned to ask again, "Which brother here dares to make the journey?" "Red-Haired Devil" Liu Tang stepped forward. "How about this younger brother accompanying Brother Dai Zong?" Song Jiang was delighted. "Excellent!" That same day the two men packed their gear and set off down the mountain.

Leaving aside Dai Zong and Liu Tang, who had gone to gather intelligence in Dongjing, let us turn to Tong Guan and Bi Sheng. Along the way they collected the remnants of their defeated army, some forty thousand strong, and proceeded to Dongjing. On the march they ordered the various commanding officers to lead their respective troops back to their own camps, while Tong Guan himself entered the city with only the imperial garrison. He removed his armor and went directly to Marshal Gao's residence to consult with him. The two men met, exchanged courtesies, and retired to a private chamber in the rear hall. Tong Guan recounted everything: the two great defeats, the loss of eight provincial commanders, the destruction of so many troops, and the capture of Feng Mei. "What is to be done?" he asked. Marshal Gao said, "Your Excellency, do not distress yourself. We need only keep this matter from His Majesty. Who would dare report it otherwise? You and I will go to inform the Grand Tutor, and together we will devise a plan." Tong Guan and Gao Qiu mounted their horses and rode straight to Grand Tutor Cai Jing's residence. Word had already reached him that Commander Tong had returned. Cai Jing surmised that the campaign had failed, and when he learned that Gao Qiu had come as well, he ordered them brought to the study. Tong Guan bowed before the Grand Tutor, tears streaming down his face. Cai Jing said, "Compose yourself. I already know of your losses." Gao Qiu said, "The bandits occupy the marshes and cannot be reached without boats. The Commander attacked only with cavalry and infantry, and so he was defeated by the enemy's cunning schemes." Tong Guan described the rout in full. Cai Jing said, "You have lost so many troops, spent so much grain and funds, and sacrificed eight provincial commanders—how dare we let the Son of Heaven learn of this!" Tong Guan bowed again. "I beg Your Excellency to cover this up and save my life!" Cai Jing said, "Tomorrow we shall report only that the weather was too hot and the soldiers could not endure the climate, and that the campaign has been suspended and the troops withdrawn for the time being. But if the Emperor is enraged and says, 'If such a dangerous threat is not destroyed, it will bring disaster in the future,' how will all of you answer then?" Gao Qiu said, "This is no idle boast on my part, but if the Grand Tutor will recommend me to lead the expedition in person, I can crush them in a single stroke." Cai Jing said, "If you are willing to go yourself, that is indeed excellent. Tomorrow I shall recommend you as commander." Gao Qiu added, "There is one thing, however. I must have an imperial edict granting me authority to raise troops as I see fit and to have boats built—either by commandeering government and civilian vessels, or by purchasing timber at state expense to construct warships. With a combined land and water assault, marching and sailing in tandem, success can be achieved in a matter of days." Cai Jing said, "That is easily arranged." As they were speaking, a gate officer announced, "Feng Mei has returned." Tong Guan was overjoyed. The Grand Tutor ordered him brought in and asked what had happened. Feng Mei bowed and explained that Song Jiang had released all those captured at Liangshan, refusing to harm them, and had even given them traveling money to return home. That was how he had been able to come before them again. Gao Qiu said, "This is one of the bandits' tricks, meant to lull our nation. From now on we must not draw on nearby garrisons. We will select capable men from Shandong and Hebei to accompany me." Cai Jing said, "Since this is decided, let us meet inside the palace tomorrow morning and present our petition to the Emperor." Each then returned to his own residence.

The next day, at the third watch before dawn, they gathered in the waiting chamber. When the morning drum sounded, they took their places on the palace steps according to rank, performed the ceremonial bows and greetings, and the civil and military officials formed their respective lines below the jade staircase. Then Grand Tutor Cai Jing stepped forward and addressed the throne: "Recently Commander Tong Guan was dispatched with a great army to subdue the bandits of Liangshan Marsh. But because of the extreme heat, the troops could not endure the climate. Moreover, the bandits occupy the marshes and cannot be reached without boats, so the cavalry and infantry could not advance. The campaign has therefore been suspended for the time being, and the troops have withdrawn to their camps to await further orders." The Emperor said, "If the weather is so hot, there will be no further campaign!" Cai Jing replied, "Tong Guan may be summoned to the Palace of Taiyi to answer for his failure. Let another commander be appointed to lead a new expedition. We await Your Majesty's pleasure." The Emperor said, "This bandit threat is a danger to the very heart of the realm and must not be left unchecked. Who will share this burden with me?" Gao Qiu stepped forward and said, "This unworthy minister is willing to devote his humble efforts to the campaign against these bandits. We await Your Majesty's command." The Emperor said, "Since you are willing to share this burden with me, I authorize you to select whatever troops you need." Gao Qiu continued, "Liangshan Marsh extends more than eight hundred li and cannot be reached without boats. I humbly request an imperial edict authorizing the felling of timber near Liangshan Marsh, the conscription of craftsmen to build warships, or the purchase of civilian vessels at state expense, for use in the campaign." The Emperor said, "I entrust this matter to your discretion. Act as you see fit, but take care not to harm the people." Gao Qiu replied, "How would this minister dare do otherwise? Only grant me sufficient time to achieve success." The Emperor ordered that a brocade robe and golden armor be bestowed upon Gao Qiu, and an auspicious day was chosen for the army to set forth.

That day the officials withdrew from court. Tong Guan and Gao Qiu escorted the Grand Tutor to his mansion, then summoned the clerks of the Secretariat to transmit an imperial decree, deciding on the dispatch of troops. Marshal Gao said, "Previously there were ten Military Commissioners who often rendered meritorious service to the state—some campaigned against the Guifang, some attacked Western Xia, and others fought the Jin and the Liao. Their martial arts are refined and practiced. I request that official letters be sent down, assigning them to lead troops." Grand Tutor Cai approved and issued ten commissions, directing each to lead ten thousand elite soldiers from their respective garrisons to assemble at Jizhou and await orders. These ten Military Commissioners were no small matter—each commanded ten thousand troops, advancing on a strict schedule. The ten armies were:

Wang Huan, Military Commissioner of Henan and Hebei

Xu Jing, Military Commissioner of Shangdang and Taiyuan

Wang Wende, Military Commissioner of Jingbei and Hongnong

Mei Zhan, Military Commissioner of Yingzhou and Runan

Zhang Kai, Military Commissioner of Zhongshan and Anping

Yang Wen, Military Commissioner of Jiangxia and Lingling

Han Cunbao, Military Commissioner of Yunzhong and Yanmen

Li Congji, Military Commissioner of Longxi and Hanyang

Xiang Yuanzhen, Military Commissioner of Langya and Pengcheng

Jin Zhong, Military Commissioner of Qinghe and Tianshui

Originally these ten armies had all been trained as elite forces. Moreover, these ten Military Commissioners had all come from the greenwood in their youth. Later they accepted amnesty and rose to very great offices. They were all fierce and valiant men, not people who had merely achieved some small merit in a single campaign. That day the Secretariat set a deadline and issued ten official documents requiring these ten armies to reach Jizhou on schedule; any who were slow would be dealt with according to military law.

In Jiankling Prefecture, Jinling, there was a naval force whose commanding officer was Liu Menglong. When he was born, his mother had dreamed of a black dragon flying into her belly, and she conceived. When he grew up, he was skilled in water. He had once campaigned against bandits in the gorges of Western Sichuan with merit and was promoted to Chief Military Commander. He led fifteen thousand naval troops and five hundred warships, guarding the south of the Yangtze. Marshal Gao wanted to summon this naval force and its ships with all haste to await orders. He also sent a trusted man named Niu Bangxi, who held the post of Infantry Commandant, to go up and down the river and all waterways to requisition boats, all to be brought to Jizhou for transfer and deployment.

Marshal Gao had many adjutants in his headquarters, but two of the most formidable were Dang Shiying and Dang Shixiong. The two brothers currently served as Commanders, each possessing the courage to withstand ten thousand men. Marshal Gao also selected fifteen thousand elite troops from the Imperial Camp. In total, the armies from all quarters numbered one hundred and thirty thousand. Officials were first sent to various routes to supply grain and fodder, to be handed over along the way. Marshal Gao spent several days straightening armor and making banners and flags before he could set out. A poem attests to this:

Eager for glory, lightly they seek to lead troops;

Once power is grasped, they linger on their route.

Fortunate that the commander delays his departure—

The army gains several days of life.

Now, Dai Zong and Liu Tang had stayed in the Eastern Capital for several days, gathered detailed intelligence, and raced back to the stronghold to report. When Song Jiang heard that Marshal Gao Qiu was personally leading troops, having mobilized one hundred and thirty thousand soldiers from across the realm under ten Military Commissioners, his heart was filled with alarm. He took counsel with Wu Yong. Wu Yong said, "Brother, do not worry. I have long heard the names of these ten Commissioners. They have often rendered meritorious service to the court, but in those days they had no worthy opponents, so their prowess was displayed. Now we have this company of good brothers—men fierce as wolves and tigers. Those ten Commissioners are men of a past age. Why should you fear them? Before their ten armies arrive, let us first give them a shock." Song Jiang said, "How does the Military Adviser propose to shock them?" Wu Yong said, "Their ten armies will all assemble at Jizhou. Let us first send two swift fighters to the vicinity of Jizhou to meet the advancing troops and strike first—this will send a message to Gao Qiu." Song Jiang said, "Whom shall we send?" Wu Yong said, "Send 'Featherless Arrow' Zhang Qing and 'Double-Spear General' Dong Ping. These two can go." Song Jiang dispatched the two generals, each leading a thousand cavalry, to patrol Jizhou and intercept and attack the various armies. He also assigned naval commanders to prepare to seize boats in the anchorage. The arrangements among the stronghold's commanders had already been made in advance—no need to describe them in detail here; what follows will make it clear.

Meanwhile, Marshal Gao lingered in the capital for more than twenty days. The Son of Heaven issued an edict urging him to set out with the army. Gao Qiu first sent the Imperial Camp troops out of the city, then selected over thirty singing girls and dancing women from the Imperial Music Bureau to accompany the army for his amusement. On the appointed day he sacrificed to the banners, took leave of the emperor, and set out—a full month had passed. It was early autumn. The high and low officials all came to the roadside pavilion to bid him farewell. Marshal Gao, in full armor, rode a war-horse with a golden saddle. Before him were five attendant horses with jade bridles and carved saddles. On his left and right stood the brothers Dang Shiying and Dang Shixiong. Behind them followed many Commanders, Military Supervisors, Garrison Commandants, and Training Officers. The troops and horses were arrayed with the utmost precision. A poem says:

Hiding treachery, deceiving the throne—no loyal devotion;

Loving battle, wholly violating the old statutes.

They do not practice conciliation to subdue the violent,

But drive the good and gentle to face swords and spears.

Marshal Gao led the great army out of the city and arrived before the roadside pavilion, where he dismounted to take leave of the officials. After the farewell wine was drunk, he climbed into the saddle and mounted his horse, setting out toward Jizhou. Along the way he gave his soldiers free rein to pillage the villages in every direction. The common people suffered harm in more ways than one.

The ten contingents of troops had arrived one after another at Jizhou. Wang Wende, a military governor, led a force from the area north of the capital and hastened to Jizhou day and night. They were still some forty li from the prefecture when he pressed the troops forward and reached a place called Phoenix Tail Slope, where a large wood lay below the hill. The vanguard had just passed by the edge of the woods when the sound of a gong rang out. From behind the trees, at the foot of the slope, a band of soldiers emerged, with a general at their head blocking the road. This officer wore armor and helmet, had arrows in his quiver and a bow bent, and on the side of his bow-case and arrow-hung hung two small yellow banners, each bearing five gold characters: "The Heroic Spear-Wielding General, the Gallant Marquis of Ten Thousand Households." He carried two steel spears in his hands. This was Dong Ping, the foremost valiant of Liangshan Marsh, always the first to charge into battle—hence his nickname, "Dong the Headlong Charger." Dong Ping reined in his horse and blocked the road, shouting, "Where do you think you're from, you troops? If you don't dismount and surrender right now, what are you waiting for?" Wang Wende halted his horse and laughed aloud, "Even a pot or a jar has two ears—surely you've heard of us ten military governors, who have built great merit and made our names known throughout the land? Do you know the great general Wang Wende?" Dong Ping laughed and shouted, "So you're the one who kills the common folk's grandfathers, you great scoundrel!" Wang Wende was furious at these words. "Rebel brigands! How dare you insult me!" He spurred his horse and leveled his spear, charging straight at Dong Ping. Dong Ping also raised his two spears to meet him. The two generals fought for thirty bouts with neither gaining the advantage. Wang Wende, realizing he could not defeat Dong Ping, called out, "Let's rest and fight again!" and each returned to his own lines. Wang Wende ordered his troops not to linger in battle but to break straight through. With Wang Wende in front and the three armies behind, they raised a great shout and charged forward.

Dong Ping led his troops in pursuit from behind. As they passed through the woods and were marching along, another force suddenly burst out ahead. At the head was the great general Zhang Qing, known as "The Arrowless Archer." From horseback he shouted, "Don't run!" He took a stone in his hand and flung it forward, striking Wang Wende squarely on the head. Wang Wende tried to dodge, but the stone hit the top of his helmet. He bent over his saddle and fled at full gallop. The two pursuers pressed on and were nearly upon him when a column of troops charged in from the side. Wang Wende looked and saw it was the military governor Yang Wen, who had come to his aid with his own contingent. For this reason, Dong Ping and Zhang Qing dared not pursue further and withdrew on their own.

The two forces entered Jizhou together to rest. The prefect, Zhang Shuye, received the various commanders. After several days, scouts reported that the Grand Marshal Gao's main army had arrived. The ten military governors went out of the city to greet him. They all paid their respects to the Grand Marshal, then escorted him into the city. The prefectural offices were temporarily converted into the marshal's headquarters, where he took up residence. Grand Marshal Gao issued orders for all ten contingents to encamp outside the city, there to await the arrival of Liu Menglong's naval force before advancing together. Each contingent made its own camp. They felled timber from the nearby hills and seized doors and windows from people's homes to build their quarters—inflicting great suffering upon the populace. Meanwhile, Grand Marshal Gao remained in the headquarters in the city, directing the campaign. Those without silver to offer were sent to the front as scouts to engage the enemy, while those with silver were kept in the middle army, where false reports of merit were fabricated. Such corrupt practices were by no means the only ones.

Grand Marshal Gao had been in Jizhou only a day or two when Liu Menglong's warships arrived and he came to pay his respects at headquarters. After the ceremonies, Gao Qiu summoned all ten military governors to the hall to deliberate on strategy. Wang Huan and the others reported, "Grand Marshal, first send the cavalry and infantry to probe the enemy and draw them into battle, then dispatch the warships by water to raid the bandits' lair. This will leave them unable to support each other on both fronts, and we can capture the entire band of rebels!" Grand Marshal Gao followed their advice. He assigned Wang Huan and Xu Jing as the vanguard, Wang Wende and Mei Zhan as the rear guard, Zhang Kai and Yang Wen as the left wing, Han Cunbao and Li Congji as the right wing, Xiang Yuanzhen and Jing Zhong as reserve forces for support. Dang Shixiong was to lead three thousand elite troops aboard ship to assist Liu Menglong's naval vessels and serve as overseer in battle. All the forces received their orders and spent three days making preparations. They then invited Grand Marshal Gao to review the troops. Gao Qiu personally went outside the city and inspected each contingent one by one. He then ordered the entire army, both land and naval forces, to advance directly toward Liangshan Marsh.

Now, Dong Ping and Zhang Qing had returned to the stronghold and reported what had happened. Song Jiang, together with all the other chieftains, led the main army down from the mountain. Before they had gone far, they saw the imperial troops approaching. The vanguard halted and the two armies faced each other. The vanguard commander Wang Huan rode out, holding a long spear. From horseback he shouted fiercely, "Worthless bandits, stubborn rustics—do you know the great general Wang Huan?" The embroidered banner of Song Jiang's side opened, and Song Jiang himself rode out to meet Wang Huan. He saluted and said, "Lord Wang, you are too old now to exert yourself for the country. Fighting with spear and shield, the slightest misstep would tarnish the good name you have built over a lifetime. Go back! Send out someone younger!" Wang Huan was enraged. "You're nothing but a petty clerk with a branded face—how dare you defy the forces of Heaven?" Song Jiang replied, "Lord Wang, don't think you're so skilled. This band of ours, who act on behalf of Heaven's way, will not be defeated by you!" Wang Huan then leveled his spear and charged. From behind Song Jiang's horse, a general spurred forward at the jingling of harness bells, spear in hand, to meet him. Song Jiang saw that it was Lin Chao, known as "The Leopard-Headed," come to fight Wang Huan. The two horses met, the armies cheered, and Grand Marshal Gao himself sat astride his horse at the front of the battle line to watch. The two armies roared and applauded; indeed, the cavalrymen stood in their stirrups to see, and the infantry lifted their helmets and craned their necks to watch. The two warriors displayed their various spear techniques, and this was what was seen:

One wielded the Screen-Spear technique, swift as a thunderbolt; the other wielded the Level-Spear technique, fierce as a charging storm.

One thrust the Skyward Spear, hard to defend against or dodge; the other thrust the Wind-Boring Spear, impossible to withstand or block.

This one wished his spear could pierce through the nine heavens of cloud and mist; that one wished his spear could stab through the nine windings of the Yellow River.

One spear writhed like a python leaving its rocky lair; one spear surged like a leapdragon leaping from a wave-swept ford.

One wielded his spear with the ferocity of a tiger devouring a lamb; the other wielded his peerless spear like a falcon swooping upon a hare.

Wang Huan fought Lin Chong in a great battle—some seventy or eighty exchanges, with neither side prevailing. Both armies sounded their gongs to recall their troops, and the two generals parted, each returning to his own formation. Then Military Commissioner Jing Zhong rode forward to the vanguard, inclining his body on horseback and reporting to Grand Marshal Gao: "This humble commander wishes to engage the bandits in one bout. I beg for your orders." Grand Marshal Gao then ordered Jing Zhong to ride out and do battle. From behind Song Jiang's horse, where the bells on the saddle rang, Huyan Zhuo came forth to meet him. Jing Zhong wielded a great polearm blade and rode a dappled yellow horse. The two generals clashed and fought some twenty exchanges, when Huyan Zhuo feigned an opening, parried the great blade aside, then smoothly raised his steel whip and struck a single blow—a backhanded smash—square upon Jing Zhong's skull. Brain matter burst forth, his eyeballs bulged from their sockets, and he died upon the spot beneath his horse.

Gao Qiu saw that one of his military commissioners had fallen and hastily dispatched Xiang Yuanzhen, who spurred his horse and flew to the front of the formation, spear leveled, roaring: "Do you wild grass-rebels dare to fight me?" From behind Song Jiang's horse, Dong Ping, the "General of the Double Spears," charged forth to engage Xiang Yuanzhen. The two had fought fewer than ten exchanges when Xiang Yuanzhen suddenly reeled his horse around, trailed his spear, and fled. Dong Presson galloped in pursuit. But Xiang Yuanzhen did not retreat into his own formation—he circled around the edge of the battlefield and fled across the wilds. Dong Ping spurred his horse in hot chase. Xiang Yuanzhen steadied his spear, then with his left hand nocked a bow and with his right drew an arrow. He bent the bow to its full draw and twisted around to shoot a backward arrow. Dong Ping heard the twang of the bowstring and raised his hand to deflect it—but the arrow struck squarely in his right arm. He dropped his spear and wheeled his horse to flee. Xiang Yuanzhen slung his bow, nocked another arrow, and gave chase in turn. Huyan Zhuo and Lin Chong saw this and each rode out with a mount to rescue Dong Ping back to their formation.

Grand Marshal Gao Qiu commanded his army to engage in a general melee. Song Jiang first saw to Dong Ping's rescue and retreat to the hill, but the troops behind could not hold the line and scattered in all directions. Gao Qiu pursued them all the way to the water's edge, then dispatched men to rendezvous with the waterborne vessels.

Now, Liu Menglong and Dang Shixiong had deployed their naval forces and were sailing their boats in a long procession toward the deep reaches of Liangshan Marsh. As far as the eye could see, all was vast and boundless—nothing but reeds and rushes, with the waterways densely obstructed. The government vessels, their masts and poles unbroken, stretched across more than ten li of water. As they advanced, they suddenly heard a cannon blast from the hillside, and from every direction small boats poured forth. The soldiers aboard the government vessels were already half-terrified at the sight; gazing upon these deep reed-choked waters, they were utterly thrown into panic. Nor could they withstand the small boats hidden among the reeds, which burst forth all at once and severed the main fleet. The government ships could no longer support one another fore and aft. The greater part of the soldiers abandoned their vessels and fled. The good men of Liangshan Marsh saw the government troops' formation in disarray and beat their drums in unison, rocking their boats as they surged straight forward. Liu Menglong and Dang Shixiong tried to turn their ships around, but the shallow inlets they had passed through were all blocked by Liangshan good men, who had loaded small boats with firewood and brush, felled trees from the mountains, and filled the channels—so that the oars could not be moved at all. The multitudes of soldiers all abandoned their boats and plunged into the water. Liu Menglong stripped off his armor and crawled up the riverbank, then picked his way along a small path and fled. Dang Shixiong, however, refused to abandon his ship and kept ordering the sailors to find a deep waterway and row onward. They had gone no more than two li when they saw three small boats ahead—aboard them were the three Ruan brothers, each wielding a smartweed-leaf spear, pulling alongside the ship. The sailors manning the boats all leaped into the water. Dang Shixiong, grasping his iron lance, stood at the bow and engaged Ruan Xiao'er in combat. But Ruan Xiao'er also leaped into the water. Ruan Xiao-wu and Ruan Xiao-qi then pressed close. Seeing the situation was hopeless, Dang Shixiong cast aside his iron lance and leaped into the water as well. From beneath the surface emerged Zhang Heng, the "Boat Flame"—seizing Dang Shixiong by the hair with one hand and gripping his waist with the other, he flung him in a flash onto the roots of the reeds. A dozen or more small scouts were already hiding there with grappling hooks and nooses; they hauled him ashore and took him alive to the stronghold on the marsh.

Meanwhile, Grand Marshal Gao Qiu saw the ships on the water rolling and tumbling in chaos, making for the hillsides in all directions. The banners bound to the boats were all the naval flags and insignia of Liu Menglong's forces. He understood that he had lost yet another engagement on the water. He hastily issued orders for the troops to withdraw and return to Jiezhou, to devise another plan.

The five armies were just preparing to retreat when dusk fell. From all around, cannons roared without cease, and Song Jiang's forces—from how many directions no one could tell—came slashing in for the kill. Grand Marshal Gao Qiu could only cry out in anguish. It was like losing one's way at Yinling and meeting a divine crossbow, or the battle at Red Cliff encountering a strange wind.

How Grand Marshal Gao Qiu managed to escape—that, listen to the explanation in the next chapter.