Chapter 80

Chapter 80

It is related that Marshal Gao sat in the prefectural yamen in Jizhou City and summoned Wang Huan and the other regional commanders to a council of war. He issued orders for the armies from all directions to break camp and withdraw into the city. He directed that all the serving commanders don their full armor and lie in wait within the walls; that soldiers in all the camps be arrayed in the city in full readiness; and that no banners or pennons be raised on the walls, but only a single yellow flag be set up on the north gate, inscribed with the two characters "Heavenly Edict." Gao Qiu, the imperial envoy, and the assembled officials all took their places on the city wall, waiting only for Song Jiang to arrive.

That very day, in the camp at Liangshan Marsh, "Arrowless Arrow" Zhang Qing was first dispatched with five hundred scouts. He rode round the outskirts of Jizhou City and then headed north. Shortly after, "Miracle Traveller" Dai Zong came on foot to reconnoiter as well. Word was brought to Marshal Gao, who went in person to the watchtower above the gate. He stood by the parapet wall, flanked by over a hundred attendants, his canopy spread wide, and an incense burner set up before him. Gazing afar, he beheld Song Jiang's army approaching from the north. Ahead came drums and gongs, banners of the five quarters, and the chieftains arrayed like a great winnowing fan, a vast enclosure, or the wings of a wild goose, advancing in formation. At the very front, riding abreast, were Song Jiang, Lu Junyi, Wu Yong, and Gongsun Sheng. They inclined themselves in their saddles and hailed Marshal Gao with a salute. Seeing them, Marshal Gao had a man on the wall shout: "Now the court has pardoned your crimes and specially sent us to offer amnesty. Why do you come in armor?" Song Jiang sent Dai Zong to the foot of the wall to reply: "We, high and low, have not yet received the imperial grace. We do not know the intent of the edict. We dare not remove our armor. We trust you, Marshal, to arrange matters. Summon all the elders and common people of the city to hear the edict together, and then, having received the grace, we shall lay aside our armor." Marshal Gao issued orders to summon the elders and common people of the city to mount the wall and listen to the edict. Before long, in a great surging crowd, they had all arrived. Song Jiang and the others, below the wall, saw the wall packed with old and young among the citizens. Only then did they rein in their horses and advance, sounding a roll of drums. The generals dismounted. A second roll of drums sounded, and the generals walked on foot to the edge of the wall. Behind them, junior officers led the war-horses to a distance of one arrow-shot and waited in rank. At the third roll of drums, the generals stood below the wall with hands clasped, listening as the edict was read aloud from above. The imperial envoy read it through:

The Imperial Decess reads: The fundamental heart of a man is not divided into two; the constant way of a state is governed by one principle. Those who do good are good subjects; those who do evil are rebels. We have heard that the band at Liangshan Marsh have assembled for long, have not received the transforming influence of goodness, and have not restored their original hearts. We now send an imperial envoy to promulgate this edict, by which Song Jiang, Lu Junyi, and all their followers, great and small, are pardoned for all their offenses and transgressions. The leaders shall proceed to the capital to express their gratitude; those who followed and aided them shall each return to their home villages. We express our earnest hope that you may speedily receive the dew and rain of grace, and thereby fulfill your hearts of turning from evil and returning to righteousness; that you may not incur the thunder of wrath, and thereby show your intent to reform and make anew. Let this edict be known; let all be apprised of its meaning.

First year of the Xuanhe reign, [blank] month, [blank] day.

At that moment the Military Adviser Wu Yong, as he heard the words "except Song Jiang" being read, cast his eyes at Hua Rong and said, "Do you hear that, General?" The edict had scarcely been read to its end when Hua Rong shouted, "If they will not pardon our brother, what is the point of our surrendering?" He fitted an arrow and drew his bow to its full, aiming at the envoy who was opening the edict. "Behold Hua Rong's divine arrow!" he cried. The arrow struck the envoy in the face. The crowd rushed to his aid. Below the wall, the heroes all cried out as one: "Rebel!" and a shower of arrows was shot up at the wall. Marshal Gao barely had time to take cover. From all four gates, cavalry charged out. At a drumbeat from Song Jiang's army, they all mounted their horses and rode away. The government troops from the city pursued them for about five or six li before turning back. Then they heard the report of cannon from the rear: on the east, Li Gui led infantry in a charge; on the west, Hu San-niang led cavalry in a charge. The two columns converged. The government troops, fearing an ambush, hurried to retreat, but Song Jiang's entire force turned round and swept back to attack. Attacked on three sides, the city's army fell into utter confusion and fled in haste, with many slain. Song Jiang called off his troops, gave no pursuit, and returned to Liangshan Marsh.

Now Marshal Gao, in Jizhou, drafted a memorial to the court, stating: "The bandit Song Jiang shot the imperial envoy dead and refused the amnesty." He also wrote a secret letter, which he sent to Grand Tutor Grand Preceptor Cai, Marshal Tong, and Grand Commandant Yang, entreating them to deliberate on the matter. He asked the Grand Preceptor to petition the Emperor, to ensure provisions and fodder were supplied along the route, and to despatch troops by forced marches to join forces in wiping out the whole band of brigands.

Now Grand Preceptor Cai, having received Marshal Gao's secret letter, went directly into court and reported to the Emperor. The Emperor, on hearing the memorial, was displeased and said: "These brigands have repeatedly insulted the court and have repeatedly committed the gravest of offenses." He at once issued an edict ordering the various circuits to provide military forces, all to be placed under Marshal Gao's command. Grand Commandant Yang, aware that defeats had been sustained in succession, selected two more generals from the Palace Command. From the four camps of Dragon-Fierce, Tiger-Wing, Sun-Holding, and Loyalty-and-Righteousness, he chose five hundred crack troops from each, making a total of two thousand, to accompany the two senior generals and assist Marshal Gao in destroying the brigands.

Who were these two generals? One was Qiu Yue, Grand Instructor of the Imperial Guards, who held the rank of Commander of the Left Wing Imperial Escort and Protector General of the Emperor. The other was Zhou Ang, Vice Instructor of the Imperial Guards, who held the rank of Commander of the Right Wing Imperial Escort and Chariot and Horse General. These two generals had repeatedly performed outstanding deeds, their fame had spread far and wide, they were masters of the military arts, and their might was a shield to the capital. They were also trusted confidants of Grand Marshal Gao. At that time, Marshal Yang Qiu selected and appointed the two generals, ordering them to set out without delay. They went to take their leave of Grand Preceptor Cai Jing, who instructed them: "Be vigilant and careful, achieve great merit early, and you will surely be richly rewarded!" The two generals thanked him and departed. From the four divisions, the finest soldiers were chosen—tall and strong, slim-waisted and broad-shouldered, from Shandong and Hebei, skilled at climbing mountains and accustomed to fording rivers—and placed under the two generals' command. Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang took their leave of the various ministers and went to report to Marshal Yang: "We shall leave the city tomorrow." Marshal Yang presented each of the two generals with five fine horses for use in battle. The two generals thanked the Marshal and returned to their camps to prepare for departure. The next day, the soldiers, leading their horses, assembled at the Palace Command Headquarters. The two generals, Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang, divided their forces into four units: the Dragon-Fierce and Tiger-Wing divisions, one thousand infantry and over two thousand cavalry, were placed under Qiu Yue's command; the Sun-Holding and Loyalty divisions, also one thousand infantry and over two thousand cavalry, were placed under Zhou Ang's command. One thousand foot soldiers were also assigned to accompany the two generals. At the hour of the Dragon, Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang formed their columns and marched out of the city. Marshal Yang personally went up to the city wall to review the troops. To say nothing of the fierce bearing of the officers and the valor of their personal guards, there beneath the embroidered banners, in the midst of a cluster of battle steeds, rode the Protector General Qiu Yue, surrounded by his retinue. How was he arrayed? Observe:

He wore a brocade helmet with flaming tassels, twin phoenix wings, and a crown that shone against the sky.

He donned a suit of chain-link armor of interlocking rings, set with red silk padding and green velvet trim.

He was clad in an embroidered lion robe of lychee red, bordered with emerald green, threaded with pearls and trimmed with gold.

He was girded with a belt of red-nailed coiled dragons, adorned with jade pendants and paired otter tails over gold-leaf inlays.

He wore boots of sea-leather, green-tinted cloud-rooted, clustered with gold thread and walnut-grained.

He bent a precious carved bow of sandalwood stock and gold-tipped ends, dragon-horn faced and tiger-sinew strung.

He carried a quiver of steel-pointed wolf-fang arrows with red feathers, on purple bamboo shafts with vermilion clasps.

At his side hung a frost-bladed sword of surpassing keenness, in a shark-sheathed scabbard with seven-star mounting, rivaling the legendary Longquan and Juque.

Across his saddle lay a three-foot, red-tasseled, water-polished halberd with a dragon-head crescent blade.

He rode a rouged steed with golden saddle and jade bridle, swift as a mountain leaper and agile as a stream forder.

There sat Qiu Yue upon his horse, towering and magnificent, leading the left column. The people of the Eastern Capital who watched could not but cheer. Then came the right column, the Sun-Holding and Loyalty divisions, their formations impeccable. There beneath the embroidered banners, in the midst of a cluster of battle steeds, rode the Chariot and Horse General Zhou Ang, surrounded by his retinue. How was he arrayed? Observe:

He wore a gleaming silver helmet with a dragon-head crest, its jewels blazing with blue tassels.

He donned a suit of seasoned steel armor, padded with fragrent silk, dented by spear points and scarred by arrowheads.

He was clad in a crimson robe embroidered with peonies and flying phoenixes, trimmed with gold thread.

He was girded with a seven-jeweled qilin belt, fitted to a wolf's waist and a tiger's frame.

He wore three-cornered boots of sea-beast leather, cloud-rooted and tiger-tailed.

He bent a six-jun bow of purple silk-wrapped dragon-horn stock, painted with sparrow designs.

He carried a quiver of iron-shafted, carved-bramble-fletched arrows, forged to pierce rhinoceros hide.

He wielded a gold-dipped mountain-splitting axe, that would outmatch Shi Biao and Yuan Da.

He bestrode a fire-dragon steed, eight feet tall, capable of bearing a thousand catties and charging through enemy lines.

At his side hung a four-sided, gold-gleaming iron rod of silver shaft.

There sat Zhou Ang upon his horse, stately and fierce, leading the right column. When they reached the city wall, Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang dismounted to take their leave of Marshal Yang, bade farewell to the assembled officials, departed the Eastern Capital, and set out on the road toward Jizhou.

Now, in Jizhou, Grand Marshal Gao was in consultation with his staff officer Wen. Before the additional troops and horses arrived, he first sent men to the nearby mountains and forests to fell large trees; from neighboring prefectures and counties, he summoned shipwrights and, outside the walls of Jizhou, erected shipyards to construct warships. At the same time, he posted notices recruiting brave and daring sailors and marines.

In a lodging house in Jizhou city, there stayed a guest named Ye Chun, a native of Sizhou Prefecture, who was skilled at building ships. He had come to Shandong and, while passing by Liangshan Marsh, had been robbed of his capital by the petty leaders there, and so had been stranded in Jizhou, unable to return home. When he heard that Grand Marshal Gao was felling timber to build ships for an expedition against Liangshan Marsh in order to secure victory, he drew up ship designs on paper and went to see the Grand Marshal. After the greeting, he reported: "Your Excellency previously attacked with ships, yet why was victory not achieved? It is because the ships were all requisitioned from various places—when it came to handling sails and oars, no one knew the proper methods. Moreover, the ships were small and sharp-bottomed, making them unsuitable for warfare. Ye Chun now offers a plan: to subdue these bandits, we must first build several hundred large ships. The greatest shall be called 'Great Sea Loach' ships, with twenty-four treadmill water-wheels on either side, and the ship can hold several hundred men. Each wheel is powered by twelve men, and the exterior is shielded with bamboo screens to deflect arrows. A crossbow tower is erected on the deck, and treadmills are mounted on top. When it is time to advance, a signal is struck on the watchtower, and the twenty-four water-wheels are all set in motion at once—the ship flies like the wind! What vessel of theirs could possibly block it! If enemy forces are encountered, volleys of crossbow bolts are fired from the deck—what could they possibly use to shield themselves! The second class of ship shall be called 'Small Sea Loach' ships, with only twelve water-wheels on either side, and the ship can hold a hundred or so men. Long nails are driven into the bow and stern, crossbow towers are also erected on both sides, and ocean-shielding bamboo screens are installed. These ships can navigate the narrow inlets of Liangshan Marsh and block the secret paths where these scoundrels have placed ambushes. If this plan is followed, the bandits of Liangshan will be captured effortlessly in no time." Grand Marshal Gao, upon hearing this and examining the designs, was overjoyed. He ordered that food, wine, and clothing be given to Ye Chun as rewards, and appointed him chief superintendent of warship construction. Day and night he pressed the work forward, felling timber with fixed deadlines for delivery to Jizhou. Every prefecture and county was required to supply materials for shipbuilding. If the deadline was missed by two days, the punishment was forty blows of the light bamboo; for each additional day, the penalty was increased by one degree. If the deadline was exceeded by five days or more, the offender was to be executed according to military law. Everywhere, the local officials were driven to press the common people, and many perished; the masses lamented and complained. There is a poem as proof:

The well frog's small view cannot comprehend heaven—

How lamentable that Gao Qiu listened to cunning words!

After all, the loach ships could not secure victory—

Wasting wealth and wearying the people was all in vain.

Leaving aside Ye Chun supervising the construction of the sea loach ships, the conscripted water troops from various places gradually arrived at Jizhou. Grand Marshal Gao distributed them to the various garrison commanders for deployment—but no more of that. Then a gate attendant reported: "The court has dispatched two generals, Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang." Grand Marshal Gao ordered the garrison commanders to go out of the city to welcome them. The two generals arrived at the headquarters, paid their respects to the Grand Marshal, and were personally given food and wine and consoled. He then sent men to reward the troops and feasted the two generals. The two generals requested the Grand Marshal's orders to lead the troops out of the city to challenge the enemy. Grand Marshal Gao said: "You two should rest for a few days. When the sea loach ships are complete, we will advance by both land and water, with ships and cavalry moving together—in one stroke we can wipe out the bandits." Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang reported: "We regard the bandits of Liangshan Marsh as child's play. Rest assured, Your Excellency, we will surely return to the capital in triumph." Gao Qiu said: "If you two generals truly match your words, I will report to the Emperor and you will certainly be greatly rewarded." That day the banquet concluded, and they mounted their horses in front of the headquarters to return to their camps, where the troops waited in garrison for orders.

Leaving aside Grand Marshal Gao pressing forward with shipbuilding for the campaign, Song Jiang and the other chieftains, after killing their way out from beneath the walls of Jizhou and fleeing up to Liangshan Marsh, deliberated with Wu Yong: "In the two attempts at amnesty, we injured the imperial envoys each time, and our crimes have only grown heavier. The court will certainly send another army." They sent petty bandits down the mountain to find out what was happening and to report back urgently. Before many days had passed, the scouts returned with a full report: "Gao Qiu has recently recruited a naval officer named Ye Chun as chief superintendent, to build several hundred large and small sea loach ships. The capital has also newly dispatched two imperial guards commanders to assist in the battle. One is named Qiu Yue, the other Zhou Ang—both are valiant generals. Many additional troops have been sent from various places to assist." Song Jiang then deliberated with Wu Yong: "With such large ships speeding across the water, how can they be defeated?" Wu Yong laughed and said: "What is there to fear? We need only a few naval chieftains. For combat on dry land, we have fierce generals to meet the enemy. That said, such large ships will certainly take several weeks to build. We still have forty or fifty days ahead. Let us first send one or two brothers to the shipyards to stir up trouble for them, and then deal with them at leisure." Song Jiang said: "This is an excellent plan! We can send 'Flea on the Drum' Shi Jie and 'Golden-Haired Hound' Duan Jingzhu on this mission." Wu Yong said: "Also have Zhang Qing and Sun Xin pose as laborers dragging timber, mixing into the crowd to enter the shipyards. Have Gu Dasao and Sun Erniang pose as women delivering food, mingling with the other women to get inside. Let Shi Jie and Duan Jingzhu assist them. And have Zhang Qing lead troops as backup—then all will be assured." They were summoned to the hall one after another and each received his orders. The men were overjoyed and dispersed down the mountain to carry out their tasks.

Meanwhile, Marshal Gao urged on the construction of ships day and night, conscripting laborers from the populace to serve at all hours. Throughout the eastern circuit of Jizhou, shipyards stretched far and wide, where a hundred great sea-mackerel ships were being hurriedly built, employing no fewer than several thousand craftsmen, all bustling about in confusion. The barbarian soldiers among them drew their swords to terrify the laborers, pressing them without regard for day or night until the work was completed.

On that day, Shi Qian and Zhu Jingzhu arrived first at the shipyard. The two of them conferred, saying, "It's obvious that Sun and Zhang's husband and wife are only going to set fire to the shipyard—if we join them there, it won't show how superior we are. Instead, let us hide here on the sides. Once the fire breaks out in the shipyard, I'll go wait by the city gates. When the rescue troops surely come out, I'll slip in and set fire to the city tower. Meanwhile, you go to the western hay and fodder depot and start a fire there too, so that they cannot rush to both places to help. This will create quite a fright." The two made their secret agreement, each carrying the materials for starting fires, and went off separately to find places to hide.

Now Zhang Qing and Sun Xin arrived beneath the walls of Jizhou. They saw three or five hundred men hauling timber into the shipyard. Zhang and Sun mingled among the crowd and also hauled timber, delivering it into the shipyard. At the shipyard gate stood some two hundred soldiers, each wearing a waist sword and carrying a cudgel, beating the laborers and forcing them to drag the timber inside. All around were stockades. Behind and ahead were thatched workshops, some two or three hundred in number. When Zhang Qing and Sun Xin entered and looked inside, they saw several thousand craftsmen: those sawing planks in one place, those nailing ships in another, those caulking ships in yet another. The craftsmen and laborers swarmed in a confused mass beyond counting. The two men made their way straight to the fence where cooking was done and hid there. Sun Erniang and Gu Dasao, dressed in filthy clothes, each carried a rice pot and followed the other women bringing meals, slipping inside. As the sky gradually darkened and the moonlight grew bright, most of the craftsmen were still struggling to finish the work that remained incomplete. When it was approaching the second watch of the night, Sun Xin and Zhang Qing set fire to the shipyard on the left, while Sun Erniang and Gu Dasao set fire to the shipyard on the right. Flames erupted on both sides, and the thatched houses blazed fiercely. The laborers and craftsmen inside the shipyard all cried out at once, overturned the stockades, and each fled for his life.

Marshal Gao was sleeping when suddenly he heard someone report: "Fire has broken out at the shipyard!" He rose in haste and dispatched officers and troops to leave the city and render aid. The two generals Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang each led their own soldiers out of the city to fight the fire. Before long, a fire broke out atop the city tower. Upon hearing this, Marshal Gao personally mounted his horse and led troops up the city wall to extinguish it, when another report came: "Another fire has broken out at the western hay depot!" The blaze shone bright as day. When Qiu and Zhou led their troops to the western hay depot to rescue it, they heard only the thunder of drums and the clamor of battle cries shaking the earth. It turned out that "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing, leading five hundred fierce cavalrymen, had been lying in ambush there. Seeing Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang leading troops to the rescue, Zhang Qing charged straight at them, meeting Qiu Yue's and Zhou Ang's forces head-on. Zhang Qing roared, "The whole band of Liangshan Marsh is here!" Qiu Yue, in a rage, spurred his horse and brandished his saber, charging straight at Zhang Qing. Zhang Qing seized his long spear to meet him. After no more than three exchanges, Zhang Qing turned and fled. Qiu Yue, eager to claim merit, pursued him closely, shouting, "Rebel, don't run!" Zhang Qing held his spear and stealthily reached into his brocade bag, taking a stone in his hand. He turned his body and saw Qiu Yue drawing near. His hand rose and he cried, "Take this!" The stone struck Qiu Yue squarely in the face, and he tumbled from his horse. Zhou Ang saw this and, together with several officers, desperately tried to rescue Qiu Yue. Zhou Ang engaged Zhang Qing in battle, while the other officers helped Qiu Yue back onto his horse and away. Zhang Qing fought with Zhou Ang for only a few exchanges before turning and fleeing. Zhou Ang did not pursue. Zhang Qing came back again, only to see four columns of troops arriving under Wang Huan, Xu Jing, Yang Wen, and Li Congji. Zhang Qing signaled to his five hundred cavalry and withdrew along the old road. The government troops, fearing an ambush, dared not pursue. They gathered their forces and returned, attending only to putting out the fires. When the three fires were extinguished, dawn had broken.

Marshal Gao had Qiu Yue examined to see how badly he was injured. The stone had struck him squarely in the mouth, knocking out four teeth; his nose and lips were both split. Marshal Gao ordered physicians to treat him. Seeing that Qiu Yue was gravely wounded, he hated Liangshan Marsh to his very bones. He sent for Ye Chun and instructed him to be ever more diligent in building ships for the campaign. Garrisons were stationed around the shipyard's perimeter under the command of the military commissioners, maintaining vigilance day and night—but of this, no more need be said.

Now Zhang Qing, Sun Xin, and their two wives were all rejoicing. Shi Qian and Zhu Jingzhu both returned along their old roads. All six had their own detachments of men and horses to escort them back to Liangshan Marsh. They arrived at the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness and recounted the burning of the ships. Song Jiang was overjoyed and held a banquet in honor of the six men. From then on, he sent men from time to time to gather intelligence.

The shipbuilding was nearing completion as winter approached. That year the weather was unusually warm, and Marshal Gao secretly rejoiced, believing Heaven was aiding him. Ye Chun's ship construction was also nearly finished. Marshal Gao pressed the naval forces to board their ships and drill in their skills. The great sea-mackerel ships and other vessels were launched one after another. The headquarters in the city recruited sailors and boatmen from the four mountains and five peaks, numbering some ten thousand men in all. Half were first sent to the ships to learn how to work the treadmill wheels, while the other half learned to shoot crossbows. In barely twenty days, the drills on the warships were completed. Ye Chun invited the Marshal to inspect the ships, as the following poem attests:

Since ancient times, the key to warfare has been swift attack;

When the army grows old and the edge is dull, how can success be won?

Gao Qiu, rash and ignorant, knew no flexibility—

A whole year he toiled the people, building warships for naught.

On that day, Gao Qiu led a great many military governors and officers to inspect the ships. Over three hundred sea-mackerel vessels were deployed across the water. A dozen or so were chosen and planted with banners all around. Where the watchman's clappers sounded, the paddle-wheels on both sides began to turn together, and truly the ships moved like flying wind and darting lightning. Grand Marshal Gao watched and was overjoyed in his heart: "With ships that move like this, how can these bandits hope to intercept us? This battle is certain to be won." He then took gold, silk, and bolts of cloth and rewarded Ye Chun. The other craftsmen were each given traveling money and released to go home.

The next day, Gao Qiu ordered the relevant offices to sacrifice black oxen, white horses, pigs, sheep, and fruit, and to set out gold, silver, cash, and paper offerings to sacrifice to the Water God. When all was arranged, the generals invited the Grand Marshal to offer incense. Qiu Yue's wound had healed, but hatred had seared into his very marrow—he wanted nothing more than to capture Zhang Qing alive to avenge himself. He joined Zhou Ang and the other military governors, and together they all mounted their horses, following Grand Marshal Gao to the water's edge, where they dismounted and attended Gao Qiu as he sacrificed to the Water God. When the incense had been burned and the prayers completed, the paper offerings were cremated, and the generals had offered their congratulations, Gao Qiu called for the singing girls and dancing women originally brought from the capital and ordered them all aboard the ships to provide music and attend the feast. At the same time, he directed the soldiers to maneuver the ships, practicing their swift movement across the water. On board, sheng flutes were softly played, songs and dances floated melodiously, and they enjoyed themselves all night without dispersing. That night they slept in the ships. The next day, another banquet was spread, and for three days in a row they feasted and would not set sail.

Suddenly someone reported: "The outlaws of Liangshan Marsh have written a poem and posted it in front of the Earth God temple inside Jizhou city. Someone has torn it off and brought it here." The poem read:

A sycophant risen to power—one Gao Qiu,

Vastly commanding three armies to roam the waters.

Even if you had ten thousand sea-mackerel ships,

Within the marsh they would all come to rest together.

Grand Marshal Gao Qiu flew into a rage upon reading the poem and wanted to immediately launch the army to attack: "If I do not exterminate every last bandit, I swear I will not turn the army back!" Advisor Wen remonstrated: "Grand Marshal, for now still your thunderous wrath. These mad bandits are afraid and have written these vicious words to frighten us—it is no great matter. Wait a few days, deploy the land and water forces properly, and then advance. It is now deep winter, yet the weather is mild and warm—this is the Emperor's great fortune and the Marshal's tiger-like might." Gao Qiu was greatly pleased by these words. He then entered the city to discuss the deployment of troops and generals. By the land route, he assigned Zhou Ang and Wang Huan to lead the main army in support along the way. He then assigned Xiang Yuankai and Zhang Kai to command ten thousand troops in total, advancing all the way to the great road before the mountain at Liangshan Marsh to hold their ground and fight. Originally, Liangshan Marsh had been vast and boundless in every direction since ancient times, all of it reed beds and misty water; only recently had there been this great road before the mountain, which Song Jiang had just newly built—it had never existed before. Grand Marshal Gao ordered the cavalry to advance first and block this road crossing. The rest—Advisor Wen, Qiu Yue, Xu Jing, Mei Zhan, Wang Wende, Yang Wen, Li Congji, Chief Secretary Wang Jin, the shipbuilder Ye Chun, the accompanying guard officers, and the various soldiers and attendants—all followed Grand Marshal Gao aboard the ships to advance. Advisor Wen remonstrated: "The commander-in-chief should only oversee the cavalry advancing by land; he must not personally embark by water and lead into dangerous territory." Gao Qiu said, "No harm done! The previous two times, the wrong men were sent, and as a result our troops were lost and many ships were destroyed. Now that we have built so many fine ships, if I do not personally oversee matters, how can we capture these bandits? This time I intend to fight the enemy to the death—say no more!" Advisor Wen dared not speak again and could only follow Grand Marshal Gao aboard the ship.

Gao Qiu assigned thirty large sea-mackerel ships to the vanguard under Qiu Yue, Xu Jing, and Mei Zhan. He assigned fifty small sea-mackerel ships to take the lead, with Yang Wen, Chief Secretary Wang Jin, and shipwright Ye Chun in command. On the lead ship two large red embroidered banners were raised, inscribed with fourteen gold characters that read: "Churning the sea and overturning the waves, crashing through mighty billows; pacifying the realm and settling the nation, destroying the great demon." On the flagship was Grand Marshal Gao Qiu and Advisor Wen, with the singing girls and dancing women, commanding the central force themselves. On those thirty or fifty large sea-mackerel ships were displayed the blue canopy, the commander's standard, the yellow battle-axe and white yak-tail pennons, the red banners and black covers, and the commander's weapons and equipment. On the ships behind, Wang Wende and Li Congji were ordered to bring up the rear. This was the eleventh month. The cavalry received their orders and advanced first. The naval vanguard—Qiu Yue, Xu Jing, and Mei Zhan—on the lead ship set out first, flying through clouds and rolling through mist, heading toward Liangshan Marsh. And behold the sea-mackerel ships:

Arrow-loopholes lined the front, crossbow towers rose above;

They cut the waves like the form of dragons and sea-monsters, they raced the water like the power of leviathans.

Dragon scales densely covered—on both sides twenty-four windlasses were arrayed;

Wing-like fins evenly divided—before and behind eighteen kinds of weapons were ranked.

Black cloth was woven into the dark canopy, purple bamboo fashioned into the awning.

They charged and struck like flying shuttles, turning and engaging, outpacing swift horses.

Song Jiang and Wu Yong already knew every detail. They had made their arrangements long before, simply waiting for the government boats to arrive. Now the three vanguard commanders urged their boats forward, placing the small sea-hai on either side to block the narrow channels, while the great sea-hai boats pressed ahead into the middle. The officers and soldiers, like the eyes of a crab or the crest of a crane, pushed forward in a mad rush, winding their way deeper and deeper into Liangshan Marsh.

In the distance they could already see a cluster of boats approaching. On each boat there were only fourteen or fifteen men, all wearing armor, with a chieftain seated in the middle. On the front three boats flew three white banners, inscribed with: "The Three Ruan Brothers of Liangshan Marsh." In the center was Ruan Xiao'er, on the left Ruan Xiao Wu, and on the right Ruan Xiao Qi. Seen from afar, the glinting armor and battle dress shone brilliantly—but it had all been made from gold and silver foil paper pasted together. When the three vanguard commanders saw this, they ordered the forward boats to fire their cannons, fire-lances, and fire-arrows all at once. The three Ruans showed no fear at all. They waited until the boats were close enough for the lances and arrows to reach, then gave a great shout and all leaped into the water together. Qiu Yue and the others captured three empty boats.

They had advanced no more than three *li* across the water when they saw three fast boats racing toward them with the wind. On the first boat there were only a dozen or so men, their faces smeared with indigo, yellow lead, vermilion, and powder. Their hair hung loose over their shoulders, they whistled through their teeth through their teeth, and they came flying swiftly. On the two boats flanking them there were only five or seven men each, their faces painted red and green in various patterns. In the center was Meng Kang, the "Jade Banner Pole." On the left was Tong Wei, the "Dragon Emerging from the Cave." On the right was Tong Meng, the "River-Turning Sea Monster." The vanguard commander Qiu Yue again ordered the fire weapons discharged, but the men across the water gave a shout, abandoned their boats, and all leaped into the water together. Again three empty boats were captured.

They advanced no more than three *li* further when they saw three medium-sized boats approaching on the water. Each boat was fitted with four oars, manned by eight rowers, and a dozen or so small bandits escorted a chieftain seated at the prow under a red banner. The banner read: "Naval Chieftain, the Dragon That Mixes the River, Li Jun." On the boat to the left sat a chieftain grasping an iron lance, flying a green banner inscribed: "Naval Chieftain 'Boat Fire,' Zhang Heng." On the boat to the right stood a hero—shirtless above, his legs bare below the knee, several iron chisels tucked at his waist, a copper hammer in his hand. He flew a black banner with silver characters reading: "Chieftain 'White Streak in the Waves,' Zhang Shun." From his boat he called out loudly: "We thank you for delivering boats to the marsh!" When the three vanguard commanders heard this, they roared the order: "Shoot!" The moment the crossbows sounded, the heroes on the three boats across the water all turned somersaults and plunged into the water. It was late winter weather—the sailors and soldiers the government boats had hired would not dare enter the water.

While they hesitated, they heard from the top of Liangshan Marsh a continuous chain of signal cannons. Then, in every direction, from among the reed thickets, hundreds of small boats emerged, swarming across the water like a plague of locusts. Each boat held only three to five men, and no one could tell what lay hidden in their holds. When the great sea-hai boats tried to ram them, they could not reach them. When the water wheels tried to turn, the waters ahead had been blocked and filled in—the wheel paddles simply would not move. When arrows were shot from the crossbow towers, the men on the small boats shielded themselves with planks held over their heads. As they drew closer, one man threw a grappling hook and caught the rudder, while another slashed with a broad-blade sword at the soldier turning the water wheel. Before long, fifty or sixty men had scrambled aboard the vanguard boats. The government troops tried desperately to retreat, but the rear was also blocked—they could not withdraw. While the front boats were locked in fierce combat, the rear boats raised a great cry. Grand Marshal He and Military Advisor Wen, aboard the central command boat, heard the chaos and hastened to go ashore, but from within the reeds there arose a thunder of drums and gongs. The soldiers inside the hull all shouted: "The boat is leaking!" Water poured in torrents. The front boats and rear boats all began to leak, and they could see themselves sinking. From every direction the small boats swarmed like ants toward the great vessels.

Why did Grand Marshal He's new boats begin to leak? It was because Zhang Shun had led a company of expert naval fighters, all armed with hammers and chisels, who had bored holes through the hulls from below, and water had poured in on every side.

Grand Marshal He scrambled up to the rudder tower and called for the rear boats to rescue him. Then a man burst up from beneath the water, leaped onto the rudder tower, and said: "Grand Marshal, I have come to save your life." When Gao Qiu looked at him, he did not recognize him. The man stepped forward, seized Grand Marshal He's cap with one hand and his waist sash with the other, gave a great shout of "Down!", and hurled Gao Qiu with a splash into the water. Alas—the once-mighty commander of the central army, now reduced to a drowning man beneath the waves! Two small boats darted forward to the rescue and pulled the Grand Marshal aboard. That man was none other than Zhang Shun, the "White Streak in the Waves." Seizing a man from the water was for him as easy as catching a turtle in a jar—he had him in his grasp with the greatest ease.

On the forward boat,丘岳 saw the battle formation thrown into utter chaos. He hastily sought a means to escape when, from among the sailors beside him, a naval trooper stepped forward.丘岳 was caught off guard; the man caught up with him and, with a single stroke of his blade, cut丘岳 down into the water. This was none other than the "Brocaded Leopard" Yang Lin of Liangshan Marsh. When徐京 and梅展 saw their vanguard丘岳 slain, the two military commissioners rushed forward to attack Yang Lin. From among the naval troops, four petty chiefs burst out simultaneously: the "White-Faced Gentleman" Zheng Tianshou, the "Sick Tiger" Xue Yong, the "Tiger-Fighting General" Li Zhong, and the "Demon-Slaying Butcher" Cao Zheng, all charging from the rear. Seeing things had gone badly,徐京 leaped into the water to flee for his life, but unknown to him, men were already waiting below the surface—he was seized. Xue Yong thrust his spear into梅展's thigh, sending him tumbling into the cabin below. It turned out that eight chiefs had come to join the naval forces, and three more remained on the forward boats: the "Blue-Eyed Tiger" Li Yun, the "Golden-Coin Leopard" Tang Long, and "Devil-Faced" Du Xing. Had the military commissioners possessed three heads and six arms apiece, they could have accomplished nothing here.

At Liangshan Marsh, Song Jiang and Lu Junyi had already divided their forces to attack by water and by land. Song Jiang commanded the naval forces; Lu Junyi commanded the land forces. Not to mention the complete victory on the water—let us speak of Lu Junyi leading his generals and cavalry, charging out along the main road from the front of the mountain. They met head-on with the vanguard commanders Zhou Ang and Huan. Zhou Ang, seeing them, rode out ahead and bellowed in a loud voice: "Rebel scum—do you know who I am?" Lu Junyi roared back: "Nameless wretch, you stand on the brink of death and don't even know it!" He leveled his spear, urged his horse forward, and charged straight at Zhou Ang. Zhou Ang swung his great battle-axe and galloped forth to meet him. The two generals clashed on the main road before the mountain. They fought for more than twenty bouts without either gaining the advantage. Then a great shout rose from the cavalry in the rear. It turned out that the main Liangshan force had been lying in wait in the dense forests on both sides of the mountain's front. At the signal, they charged out from all four directions. From the southeast came Guan Sheng and Qin Ming; from the northwest came Lin Chong and Huyan Zhuo—a host of heroes arriving from every quarter. Xiang Yuanzhen and Zhang Kai could not possibly hold them at bay; they cut their way through and fled first to save their own lives. Zhou Ang and Wang Huan dared not linger to fight; they dragged their spears and axes and fled by the road, escaping into the city of Jizhou, where they made camp and sent out scouts for news.

Now to return to Song Jiang commanding the naval forces. After capturing Grand Marshal Gao, he hastily sent Dai Zong with orders that no soldiers were to be killed. The staff officers, singing girls, dancing women, and all attendants aboard the great sea-mandarin-fish flagship were taken captive and brought aboard the boats. The gong was sounded to recall the troops, and they set sail back to the great stronghold. Song Jiang, Wu Yong, and Gongsun Sheng were all in the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness when Zhang Song brought the dripping Gao Qiu in for interrogation. Song Jiang, seeing him, hurriedly descended from the hall to support him. He took fine fresh silk robes and had Grand Marshal Gao change into them, then helped him up into the hall and invited him to sit in the place of honor. Song Jiang prostrated himself and called out, "Guilty of death!" Gao Qiu hastily returned the salute. Song Jiang had Wu Yong and Gongsun Sheng help him up. After the obeisances were completed, he invited Gao to take the seat of honor. Then he ordered Yan Qing to issue a command: "Henceforth, anyone who kills a man shall, without exception, be punished severely according to military law!" The order had scarcely been disseminated when prisoners began to be brought in one after another: Tong Wei and Tong Meng delivered Xu Jun; Li Jun and Zhang Heng delivered Wang Wen De; Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu delivered Yang Wen; the three Ruan brothers delivered Li Congji; Zheng Tianshou, Xue Yong, Li Zhong, and Cao Zheng delivered Mei Zhan; Yang Lin presented the severed head of Qiu Yue; Li Yun, Tang Long, and Du Xing presented the severed heads of Ye Chun and Wang Jin; Xie Zhen and Xie Bao brought in the staff officers, singing girls, dancing women, and all attendants. Only four men had escaped: Zhou Ang, Wang Huan, Xiang Yuanzhen, and Zhang Kai. Song Jiang had them all given fresh clothes and properly arranged, then invited them to the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness to be seated. All soldiers who had been taken alive were released and sent back to Jizhou. A separate fine boat was arranged for the singing girls, dancing women, and attendants, and they were ordered to guard themselves. There is a poem as testimony:

Commissioned to campaign, Gao Qiu lacked the wit to plan;

Alive he was seized and carried up the mountain.

Knowing nothing of loyalty and righteousness,

He feasts instead upon the robbers' gathering platform.

At that time, Song Jiang ordered oxen slaughtered and horses butched, and a grand feast was laid out. On one hand, rewards were distributed to the troops; on the other, gongs and drums were beaten in great celebration. The chieftains, great and small, were all summoned to come and meet Grand Marshal Gao. After the formal courtesies were exchanged, Song Jiang held the wine cup, Wu Yong and Gongsun Sheng bore the wine flagon and the tray, while Lu Junyi and the others stood in attendance. Song Jiang spoke first: "How would a tattooed petty clerk dare rebel against the sacred dynasty? It is only because accumulated crimes and grievances have driven things to this pass. The second time, though we received the Heavenly grace, there were twisted schemes and corrupt practices in between that are too numerous to recount. We earnestly hope that Your Excellency, in your mercy, will rescue those of us mired in the depths, so that we may once again see the light of day. We will engrave this upon our bones and hearts, and swear to repay with our very lives."

Gao Qiu saw so many bold heroes before him, each one fierce and mighty. Lin Chong and Yang Zhi glared at him with fury, with looks that suggested they were on the verge of action. He was already filled with ten parts fear, and so he said: "Song Gongming, you all need not worry! When Gao returns to court, I will certainly memorialize the throne again, requesting a broad act of clemency and a general amnesty, and will come to offer you amnesty and enlistment, with rewards and official posts. All you righteous men, great and small, will partake of Heaven's bounty and serve as loyal ministers."

Song Jiang was overjoyed to hear this and bowed in thanks to the Grand Marshal. That day's banquet was splendidly arranged. The chieftains, great and small, took turns offering wine and urging him to drink with warm hospitality. The Grand Marshal Gao became greatly intoxicated, and after the wine he grew unbridled, saying: "Since childhood I have mastered the art of wrestling, and there is no match for me under heaven."

Lu Junyi, who was also drunk, took offense at Grand Marshal Gao boasting that he had "no match under heaven," and pointed at Yan Qing, saying: "This little brother of mine also knows wrestling. Three times he competed at the Grand Contest on Mount Tai, and there was no match for him under heaven."

Gao Qiu then rose to his feet, stripped off his clothes, and challenged Yan Qing to a wrestling match. The chieftains saw that Song Jiang honored him as a Grand Marshal of the imperial court and could do nothing about it, so they had no choice but to go along and listen to him. They did not expect him to challenge Yan Qing to a wrestling match, but this was precisely the chance to humiliate Gao Qiu. They all rose to their feet and said: "Excellent, excellent! Let us watch the wrestling!" Everyone noisily poured down from the hall. Song Jiang was also drunk and could not make a firm decision.

The two men stripped off their clothes. On the steps of the hall, Song Jiang ordered soft bedding to be spread out. The two faced each other on the cut-felt carpet and assumed their stances. Gao Qiu rushed in, but with a movement of Yan Qing's hands, Gao Qiu was seized firmly and with a single throw was flipped onto the bedding, pressed flat into a heap, and for a long while could not get up. This throw was called the "Life-Grasping Throw."

Song Jiang and Lu Junyi hastily helped Grand Marshal Gao to his feet, and after he had put his clothes back on, they all laughed and said: "Your Excellency is drunk—how could you wrestle successfully? We humbly beg your forgiveness!" Gao Qiu was filled with boundless dread, yet he returned to the banquet and drank deep into the night, then was escorted to the rear hall to rest.

The next day, another feast was arranged to calm Grand Marshal Gao's nerves. Gao Qiu then wished to take his leave and bid farewell to Song Jiang and the others. Song Jiang said: "We have detained a great noble here for so long, but we harbor no ulterior motives. If we have been deceitful or treacherous, may Heaven and Earth strike us dead!"

Gao Qiu said: "If the righteous men are willing to let Gao return to the capital, I will gladly speak on behalf of you righteous men before the Son of Heaven and secure an amnesty and enlistment for you, and the state will employ you with honor. But if you change your minds again, may Heaven not shelter you and Earth not bear you, and may you die beneath spears and arrows!"

When Song Jiang heard this, he kowtowed and bowed in thanks. Gao Qiu added further: "If the righteous men do not trust Gao's words, you may keep some of our generals here as a pledge." Song Jiang said: "Your Excellency is a great noble—how could you break your word? Why detain our generals? Allow us a few days to prepare horses and saddles, and we will all escort you back to camp."

Grand Marshal Gao thanked them: "Since you have entertained me so generously and I feel your deep kindness, I shall take my leave now." Song Jiang and the others earnestly urged him to stay. That day another great feast was laid out, where old ties were renewed and new matters discussed, and the banquet did not break up until deep into the night.

On the third day, Grand Marshal Gao insisted on descending the mountain. Song Jiang and the others could not detain him, so they held another farewell feast. Gold, silver, and colored silks were brought out—some thousand ounces in value—to present exclusively to the Grand Marshal as a parting gift. The military commissioners below him also received separate offerings. Grand Marshal Gao could not decline and had no choice but to accept them all. In the middle of the drinking, Song Jiang once again brought up the matter of amnesty and enlistment. Gao Qiu said: "Let the righteous men send a shrewd and capable man to accompany me. I will lead him directly to have an audience with the Son of Heaven and memorialize him regarding the true situation at Liangshan Marsh, after which an imperial edict can be issued forthwith."

Song Jiang's heart was set entirely on amnesty and enlistment, so he conferred with Wu Yong and sent the "Sage Brush" Xiao Shun to accompany the Grand Marshal. Wu Yong said: "Also send the 'Iron Whistle' Yue He to go with him—the two can travel together." Grand Marshal Gao said: "Since the righteous men entrust me with this, I will leave the Staff Advisor Wen here as a pledge." Song Jiang was overjoyed.

On the fourth day, Song Jiang and Wu Yong, leading some twenty horsemen, escorted Grand Marshal Gao and the military commissioners down the mountain. They saw them off with a farewell banquet some twenty li beyond the Golden Sands Beach, bowed in farewell to Grand Marshal Gao, and returned to the stronghold, there to await the news of amnesty and enlistment.

Now, when Grand Marshal Gao and his party of horses were heading back to Jizhou, word was sent ahead to report their coming. The Jizhou vanguard Zhou Ang, Wang Huan, Xiang Yuanzhen, Zhang Kai, and Prefect Zhang Shuye all came out of the city to welcome them. Grand Marshal Gao entered the city and stayed for several days, then gathered his troops and instructed each of the military commissioners to lead their soldiers back to their garrisons to rest and await further orders. Grand Marshal Gao himself took Zhou Ang, along with the greater and lesser officers and commanders, leading the three armies together with Xiao Shun and Yue He, and with his entire retinue departed Jizury, winding his way toward the Eastern Capital.

It was not for nothing that Grand Marshal Gao brought two men from Liangshan Marsh back with him. As the story goes—a man of outstanding charm meets the sovereign deep in the bridal chamber; a cunning agent of intelligence finds a hero in the gardens of the prime minister's estate. But how did Grand Marshal Gao, upon returning to the capital, memorialize the throne to secure amnesty and enlistment for Song Jiang and the others? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.