Chapter 88

Chapter 88

It is said that at that time, Song Jiang, having observed from the high ground that the Khitan forces were vast in strength, hastily rode back to his own formation and ordered his generals and cavalry to withdraw and encamp at the mountain pass of Yongqing County. Then, in his tent, he conferred with Lu Junyi, Wu Yong, and Gongsun Sheng, saying, "Although we won a battle today and killed two of their vanguard commanders, I observed from the high ground that the Khitan army is immense, covering the sky and spreading across the earth. This is the main force of the barbarian army. Tomorrow they will surely come to engage us in a great battle, and I fear that our small numbers cannot withstand theirs. What shall we do?"

Wu Yong said, "In ancient times, those skilled in the use of troops could make the few contend with the many. In the past, Xie Xuan of Jin, with fifty thousand soldiers, routed Fu Jian's million-strong army. Why should our vanguard fear? You may issue orders to all the generals and the three armies: tomorrow, they must ensure that banners and flags are arrayed in strict order, crossbows are strung, swords are drawn, abatis are firmly planted, and the camp is guarded vigilantly. Moats and trenches must be fully prepared, and all military implements employed. Cloud-ladders and catapult stones must be arranged beforehand. We shall deploy the formation of the 'Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams.' If they come to assault our formation, we shall respond in sequence. Even if they number a million, how dare they break through?"

Song Jiang said, "The Military Adviser speaks most wisely." He then issued the orders, and all the generals and the three armies obeyed. They prepared food at the fifth watch, broke camp at dawn, and advanced to the boundary of Changping County, where they deployed their troops and encamped. The cavalry was arrayed in the front, still organized as the Tiger Army: General Qin Ming in the front, Hu Yanzhuo in the rear; Guan Sheng on the left, Lin Chong on the right; Suo Chao to the southeast, Xu Ning to the northeast, Dong Ping to the southwest, and Yang Zhi to the northwest. Song Jiang commanded the central army; the remaining generals each maintained their original posts. Behind them, the infantry formed a separate formation, with Lu Junyi, Lu Zhishen, and Wu Song as the three commanders. Among the tens of thousands of men, every one was a veteran general, all rolling up their sleeves and preparing to fight. The formation was set, and they waited only for the barbarian army.

Before long, the Khitan troops were seen approaching from afar. In the front were six columns of barbarian soldiers, each column numbering five hundred. Three columns were positioned on the left and three on the right, circling back and forth in unpredictable movements. These six columns of mobile troops were also called "scouting patrols" and "rear guards." Behind them came the great mass of the army, covering the earth. The vanguard all bore black banners. In one generation there were seven banner gates, each gate having a thousand horsemen, each commanded by a great general. How were they attired? They wore black helmets on their heads, black armor on their bodies, black robes as upper garments, and rode black horses. They carried the same weapons, corresponding to the northern constellations: Dou, Niu, Nü, Xu, Wei, Shi, and Bi. Within the seven gates, there was established a single supreme commander, corresponding to the "Northern Black Tortoise Star of Water" in the heavens above. How was he attired? His hair hung in fine black silk threads, bound tightly with a yellow headband and golden hoop; he wore a short-sleeved black robe, his dark armor closely layered with silver mail. He rode a black-maned horse that could gallop a thousand li, and in his hand he held a three-pointed blade with a black handle. This was the barbarian general Quliuquqing, who led three thousand soldiers with disheveled hair and black armor, corresponding to the "Five Lords of the North Star." The soldiers under the black banners were beyond counting. Truly, frozen clouds cut off the eastern sun, and dark vapors swallowed the northern sea wind.

The left army all bore green dragon banners. In one generation there were also seven banner gates, each gate having a thousand horsemen, each commanded by a great general. How were they attired? They wore four-seamed helmets on their heads, willow-leaf armor on their bodies, emerald-colored robes as upper garments, and rode horses with green manes. They carried the same weapons, corresponding to the eastern constellations: Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, and Ji. Within the seven gates, there was established a single supreme commander, corresponding to the "Eastern Green Dragon Star of Wood" in the heavens above. How was he attired? He wore a lion helmet on his head, a suanni-scale armor on his body, an embroidered green robe of piled jade color, and a belt of threaded gold with jade clasps. In his hand was a crescent axe with a golden-wire shaft, and he rode a dragon-foal horse of jade-green hue. This was the barbarian general Zhijianfolang, who led three thousand troops with green jeweled banners, corresponding to the "Nine Lords of the Eastern Thunder." The soldiers surrounding the green banners on both sides were beyond counting. Truly, emerald hues opened the yellow road, and green mists severed the roots of purple clouds.

The right army all bore white tiger banners. In one generation there were also seven banner gates, each gate having a thousand horsemen, each commanded by a great general. How were they attired? They wore water-polished helmets on their heads, tarnished silver armor on their bodies, plain silk robes as upper garments, and rode snow-white horses. Each carried their respective weapons, corresponding to the western constellations: Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, and Shen. Within the seven gates, there was established a single supreme commander, corresponding to the "Western Xianchi Star of Metal" in the heavens above. How was he attired? He wore a phoenix-winged helmet on his head, a double-hooked armor of flowered silver on his body, a jade belt at his waist radiating cold light, and a white robe that flew like snowy silk. He rode a jade suanni horse that shone through the night, and wielded a pure steel silver jujube spear. This was the barbarian general Wulike'an, who led three thousand troops with white-tasseled plain banners, corresponding to the "Seven Lords of the Western Dui." The soldiers guarding the white banners before and behind were beyond counting. Truly, war camels swept up the snow of Yin Mountain, and barbarian generals draped themselves slantwise with ice from the Jade Well.

The rear army all bore crimson banners. In one generation there were also seven banner gates, each gate having a thousand horsemen, each commanded by a great general. How were they attired? They wore vermilion-painted lacquered helmets on their heads, battle robes stained with orangutan blood, and peach-red locked armor showing fish-scale patterns; their charging steeds were named Red Hare. Each carried their respective weapons, corresponding to the southern constellations: Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, and Zhen. Within the seven gates, there was established a single supreme commander, corresponding to the "Southern Vermilion Bird Star of Fire" in the heavens above. How was he attired? He wore a crimson crown on his head, its tassels brilliantly resplendent; a scarlet robe on his body, glowing with madder-red light; his armor was a sheet of red clouds, his boots studded with several floral seams. A jeweled belt of red at his waist, a hard bow and long arrows on his arm. In his hand he held an eight-foot fire-dragon blade, and he rode a rouge-red horse. This was the barbarian general Dongxianwenrong, who led three thousand troops with red gauze jeweled banners, corresponding to the "Three Lords of the Southern Li." The soldiers with crimson tassels and scarlet robes under the red banners were beyond counting. Truly, the Li Palace drove away the Six Ding gods, and thunderclaps shattered the Samadhi fire.

On the left side of the front line stood a force of five thousand fierce troops, all wearing gold-threaded caps, gilded bronze armor, vermilion robes with crimson tassels, and flame-red banners, their horses caparisoned in crimson saddles and red coats. They surrounded a great general who wore a gold-threaded crown adorned with clustered hibiscus and auspicious patterns, a chain-linked gold beast-faced armor, a fiery crimson embroidered robe, and a seven-jade-inlaid gold belt. He wielded a pair of twin swords—one for the sun, one for the moon—and rode a five-colored red steed. This was the Liao State's Imperial Uncle, the Grand Prince Yelü Dezhong, who corresponded to the Upper Realm's "Star Lord of the Sun." He was like the golden crow emerging from the land of Fusang, the fiery parasol just departing from the eastern sea.

On the right side of the front line stood a force of five thousand female troops, all wearing silver-flower caps, silver-hook chain armor, plain white robes and white tassels, white banners and white horses, with silver-shafted spears and swords. They surrounded a female general. Phoenix hairpins adorned her black silk hair, a red forehead band was scattered with pearls and kingfisher feathers, cloud-patterned shoulder guards skillfully set off her brocade skirt, and a richly embroidered jacket concealed her silver armor. Small flower-patterned boots sat steady in golden stirrups, and graceful jade-green sleeves held a light jade whip. She wielded a seven-star precious sword and rode a silver-maned white horse. This was the Liao State's Princess of Heavenly Longevity, Dalibuo, who corresponded to the Upper Realm's "Star Lord of the Moon." She was like the jade rabbit rounding full beyond the horizon, the icy wheel shining bright upon the jade terrace.

Within the two flanking formations, encircling them all, were yellow banners in a great ring. The clustered soldiers all rode yellow horses and wore golden armor. Their armored robes raised a mass of yellow clouds, their embroidered head-scattered yellow mist across half the sky. Within the Yellow Army stood four great generals, each commanding three thousand troops, positioned at the four corners. At each corner, a great general stood guarding on all sides. In the southeast corner stood a general in a green robe and golden armor, holding a precious spear, riding a powder-blue horse, positioned at the front of the formation, corresponding to the Upper Realm's "Star Lord of Luo"—this was the Liao State's imperial nephew Yelü Derong. In the southwest corner stood a general in a purple robe and silver armor, wielding a precious saber, riding a sea-spotted horse, positioned at the front of the formation, corresponding to the Upper Realm's "Star Lord of Jidu"—this was the Liao State's imperial nephew Yelü Dehua. In the northeast corner stood a general in a green robe and silver armor, holding a halberd with a painted crescent blade, riding a five-colored yellow horse, positioned at the front of the formation, corresponding to the Upper Realm's "Star Lord of Ziqi"—this was the Liao State's imperial nephew Yelü Dezhong. In the northwest corner stood a general in a white robe and bronze armor, wielding a seven-star precious sword, riding a black horse that kicked at the clouds, positioned at the front of the formation, corresponding to the Upper Realm's "Star Lord of Yuebo"—this was the Liao State's imperial nephew Yelü Dexin.

Within the Yellow Army formation, a supreme general was surrounded. On his left, soldiers held green banners; on his right, white battle-axes; in front, vermilion pennons were raised; behind, black canopies were spread. The encircling banners corresponded to the twenty-four solar terms and the sixty-four hexagrams, the Southern Dipper and the Northern Dipper, flying dragons and flying tigers, flying bears and flying leopards—clearly distinguishing yin and yang, left and right, secretly matching the celestial mechanism of the Jade Balance, the primal chaos of heaven and earth. That supreme general wielded a vermilion-painted halberd with a crescent blade. How was he attired? He wore a seven-gem purple-gold crown, a tortoise-shell-patterned golden armor, a Western Sichuan red brocade embroidered robe, and a blue-field exquisite jade belt. On his left hung a gold-painted iron-core bow; on his right were phoenix-feather whistled arrows. He wore eagle-beaked cloud-root boots and rode a silver-maned horse with an iron spine. His brocade-carved saddle sat firmly over golden stirrups, purple silk reins firmly fastened to the crupper. At his waist hung a sword to drive the barbarian generals; in his hand he waved a whip to command the great army. This host of soldiers shone brilliantly on all sides, entirely golden, corresponding to the Upper Realm's "Central Palace Star Lord of Earth, the Heavenly Sovereign"—this was the Liao State's Supreme Commander of the Armies, Wuguang.

Behind the yellow banners, the central command was a phoenix palanquin and dragon chariot. Before and behind, left and right, seven layers of swords, halberds, spears, and blades surrounded it. Within the ninefold enclosure, thirty-six pairs of yellow-turbaned strongmen pushed and supported the imperial carriage. Nine golden-saddled steeds drew the shafts in front, while eight pairs of guards in brocade uniforms followed the formation. Upon the palanquin sat the Liao State's Lord: he wore a sky-soaring Tang-style turban, a nine-dragon yellow robe, a blue-field jade belt at his waist, and vermilion court boots on his feet. Two great ministers flanked him: on the left, Prime Minister Youxi Beijin; on the right, Grand Preceptor Chu Jian. Both wore caps adorned with sashes and kingfisher feathers, robes of fiery red, purple ribbons and gold seals, ivory tablets and jade belts. On either side of the dragon throne, golden youths and jade maidens held ivory tablets and jade scepters. Before and behind, left and right of the dragon chariot, surrounded and protected the Heavenly soldiers guarding the imperial carriage. The Liao State's Lord himself corresponded to the Upper Realm's "Polaris, the Great Emperor of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure," commanding the Star of Earth. The two prime ministers on his left and right corresponded to the Upper Realm's "Left Assistant" and "Right Assistant" Star Lords. Indeed, the stars of heaven departed from the Qian position, and the myriad phenomena descended into the world. A poem attests to this:

The stars and constellations arrayed suitably in eight directions,

With the virtue of Earth further guarding the center.

The barbarians from times past had no connection with celestial signs—

Why do they so profusely offend the heavens above?

The Liao barbarian troops had now fully arranged their celestial formation, shaped like an egg, resembling an inverted bowl—banners at the four corners, spears at the eight directions, cycling without fixed pattern, advancing and retreating with established rules. Song Jiang saw this and ordered strong bows and crossbows to hold the formation's edge. In the center of his army he erected a cloud ladder and observation platform, summoning Wu Yong and Zhu Wu to ascend and survey the scene. Song Jiang looked and was filled with astonishment. Zhu Wu looked and recognized the celestial formation. He said to Song Jiang and Wu Yong, "This is the 'Grand Unity Celestial Formation of Taiyi'!" Song Jiang asked, "How do we attack it?" Zhu Wu said, "This celestial formation is infinitely changing and its mechanisms unfathomable—we must not rashly assault it." Song Jiang said, "If we cannot break the formation, how can we make their army retreat?" Wu Yong said, "We do not yet know the realities within their formation—how can we attack it in haste?"

While they were still deliberating, Commander Wanyan passed orders from the central army: "Today belongs to the element Metal. Dispatch the four generals 'Gold Dragon of Kang' Zhang Qi, 'Golden Ox of Niu' Xuelong, 'Golden Dog of Lou' Alayi, and 'Gold Sheep of Gui' Wang Jing, to follow the 'Great White Star' General Wu Lik'e'an and attack the Song forces from outside the formation." Song Jiang's generals watched from before their own lines as the seven right-flank gates of the opposing formation opened and closed in turn. Thunderous sounds rang out from within the army, and the formation wheeled round and round. The guiding banner inside the formation turned from east to north, from north to west, and from west toward the south. Zhu Wu, observing from horseback, said: "This is the image of Heaven's Plate turning leftward. Today belongs to Metal, and Heaven's Plate moves left—troops will surely come." Before he had finished speaking, five cannons fired in unison, and already soldiers surged forth from the opposing formation. In the center was the 'Metal Star,' flanked by the four constellations, setting five columns of troops in motion. They rolled forward like a mountain collapsing, irresistible in their force. Song Jiang's troops, caught off guard, retreated in haste. The main force held the line to steady the formation, but the Khitan soldiers attacked from two sides. Song Jiang suffered a great defeat and withdrew quickly back to his camp. The Khitan soldiers did not pursue. When the army's leaders were counted, Kong Liang had been wounded by a blade, Li Yun struck by an arrow, Zhu Fu hit by cannon fire, and Shuang Yong pierced by a spear. The number of injured common soldiers was beyond count. They were immediately loaded onto wagons and sent to the rear camp to be treated by An Daoquan. Song Jiang ordered the vanguard to scatter caltrops before the gate and plant deep rows of abatis, and to defend the camp entrance firmly.

Song Jiang sat troubled in the central tent, consulting with Lu Juny and the others: "Today we lost a battle—what is to be done? If we do not go out to fight again, they will surely come to attack us." Lu Junjun said: "Tomorrow let two columns of troops engage and pin down their reserve forces. Dispatch two more columns to strike at those seven northern gates. Then send infantry through the middle to break in and see what the situation is inside." Song Jiang said: "That will do." The next day they acted on Lu Junjun's plan. They broke camp and advanced to before the formation, threw open the camp gate, and led the army forward. From a distance they saw the Khitan forces not far off—six columns of Khitan reserve troops were approaching in reconnaissance. Song Jiang then sent Guan Sheng on the left and Hu Yanzhuo on the right, each leading his own troops, to drive back the Khitan reserve forces. The main force advanced and engaged the Khitan army. Song Jiang further dispatched Hua Rong, Qin Ming, Dong Ping, and Yang Zhi on the left, and Lin Chong, Xu Ning, Suo Chao, and Zhu Tong on the right—two columns of troops to strike at the seven black-banner gates. They indeed broke open the black-banner formation, scattered its troops, and the seven banner gates to the north fell into disarray. From Song Jiang's formation, Li Kui, Fan Rui, Bao Xu, Xiang Chong, and Li Gun advanced with five hundred shield-bearers. Behind them came Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, Shi Zhen, and Shi Bao, leading all the infantry commanders they were to bring, crashing in to fight. Inside the "Mixed Heaven Formation," cannon fire was heard from all four sides. The two armies to east and west, and the yellow-banner troops from the front, charged forward to engage. Song Jiang's troops could not withstand them and turned to flee. The rear could not hold the line, and the army was utterly routed, retreating to the original camp. When the troops were hastily counted, more than half had been lost. Du Qian and Song Wan had also suffered severe wounds. Among them, "Black Whirlwind" Li Kui was nowhere to be found. It turned out that Li Kui, carried away by the fury of battle, had charged recklessly into the enemy formation, where he was hooked by grappling irons and taken alive. When Song Jiang heard this in the camp, his heart grew heavy with worry. He gave orders to send Du Qian and Song Wan first to the rear camp for An Daoquan to treat, and had the injured horses led away to be cared for by Huangfu Duan.

Song Jiang again took counsel with Wu Yong and the others: "Today we have lost Li Kuigai and suffered this defeat. What are we to do if things continue like this?" Wu Yong said, "The young general we captured the other day is the son of Grand Marshal Wanyan. We can use him to exchange for our man." Song Jiang said, "Once we make this exchange, if we lose another commander later, how will we be able to rescue him?" Wu Yong said, "Why is my elder brother so obstinate? We must deal with the present situation first." Before he finished speaking, a junior officer came to report that a Liao officer had arrived under a flag of truce. Song Jiang summoned him to the headquarters tent. The Liao emissary entered and exchanged courtesies with Song Jiang, saying, "By order of our Grand Marshal, we have captured one of your commanders. Our Governor-General has given strict orders that he is not to be harmed; he has been treated well with food and wine. The Grand Marshal wishes to send him back to you in exchange for his son, the young general. If the Commander agrees, we will return your man." Song Jiang said, "Very well then. Tomorrow I will bring the young general to the battlefield, and we will make the exchange." The Liao emissary received Song Jiang's reply and rode away. Song Jiang again conferred with Wu Yong: "We have no plan to break their formations. We might as well take the young general and propose a truce on this matter, with both sides ceasing hostilities." Wu Yong said, "For now, let the troops rest. We can devise another strategy later to defeat the enemy—it is not too late." At daybreak, he sent men by night to fetch the young Wanyan general, and also dispatched an envoy directly to Grand Marshal Wanyan to explain the situation. Now Grand Marshal Wanyan was seated in his tent when a soldier came to report that Song Jiang's vanguard had sent an emissary to parley. The Grand Marshal gave orders to have the man brought in. When the envoy arrived before the tent, he addressed Grand Marshal Wanyan, saying: "My Commander Song Jiang respectfully sends his greetings to the Grand Marshal. He is returning your son, the young general, in exchange for our captured commander. Now the weather is bitterly cold and the soldiers are exhausted. Both sides should suspend hostilities for the time being. Let us deliberate again in the spring, so that neither side's men and horses suffer from the frost. I await the Grand Marshal's decision." Grand Marshal Wanyan heard this and roared in fury: "You witless, shameful brat—you were taken alive! Even if you are spared, how could you show your face before me? There will be no exchange. Seize him and execute him on my order. If you wish to suspend hostilities, tell Song Jiang to surrender unconditionally, and I may spare your lives. If you do not do this, I will lead my great army forth, and not a blade of grass will be left standing!" He shouted, "Be gone!" The envoy galloped back to the camp and reported these words to Song Jiang. Song Jiang was alarmed, fearing that Li Kuigai could not be saved. He struck camp at once, took the young Wanyan general, and rode straight to the front lines. Shouting across the battlefield, he called, "Release my commander to me, and I will return your young general. If you will not cease hostilities, so be it—we will fight each other!" From within the Liao ranks, in no time at all, Li Kuigai was sent out on horseback from the formation. Song Jiang's side likewise led out a horse and sent the young Wanyan general across. Both sides agreed to this and confirmed the terms. They released their prisoners simultaneously: General Li returned to camp, and the young general rode back to his own side. That day, neither side fought. Song Jiang withdrew his troops and returned to camp, where he congratulated Li Kuigai on his safe return.

In his tent, Song Jiang consulted with his commanders: "The Liao forces are too powerful. We have no plan to defeat them. This weighs on me like a millstone—the days drag on like years. What can we do?" Hu Yanzhuo said, "Tomorrow, we can divide our forces into ten columns: two to hold off their reserve troops, and eight to charge together and fight this decisive battle." Song Jiang said, "I rely entirely on all of you, my brothers, to unite your strength and fight as one. We will carry this out tomorrow." Wu Yong said, "We have already charged twice without breaking through. Perhaps we should wait for them to come to us." Song Jiang said, "Waiting for them is no good strategy either. We must meet them with force—how can we suffer defeat after defeat?" That day he issued orders for the troops to break camp at dawn. They divided into ten columns and advanced swiftly. The two flanking columns cut off the enemy's rear reserves, while the eight central columns charged straight into the "Chaotic Heaven Formation" without a word, shouting and waving their banners. Inside the formation, they heard thunderous sounds rise on all sides. The twenty-eight gates opened simultaneously and reformed into a "Single-File Serpent" formation, then surged out to attack. Song Jiang's troops were caught off guard. He hastily ordered a retreat, but they were routed in disorder—their spears in disarray, their drums and gongs sounding at cross purposes—and fell back in haste. By the time they reached their own camp, they had lost many men and horses along the way. Song Jiang commanded his officers to guard the mountain passes and stockade closely, to dig deep moats and trenches, to plant rows of sharpened stakes firmly, and to keep the gates shut tight. They would wait out the winter cold.

Meanwhile, Vice Privy Councilor Zhao Anfu had repeatedly dispatched documents to the capital requesting winter coats and padded garments for the troops. In response, the court specially appointed the imperial instructor of spear and staff techniques for the Eight Hundred Thousand Forbidden Army, currently serving as Prefectural Militia Commander of Zhengzhou, a man surnamed Wang, given name Wenbin—a man of both civil and martial talents—respected throughout the court. He was to lead over ten thousand men from the capital, requisition carts and laborers, and escort five hundred thousand winter coats to deliver them to Commander Song Jiang's army. He was also to urge the officers and soldiers to press forward into battle and achieve an early victory.

Wang Wenbin received the imperial edict and documents, gathered his personal weapons, packed his armor and saddle, and hastened the laborers and troops. He set out with the transport carts from the Eastern Capital, heading toward Chenqiao Post Station. He supervised some two hundred carts bearing yellow banners inscribed with "Imperial Gift of Winter Garments," advancing in a long procession. Along the way, local officials were responsible for supplying provisions. After more than a day on the road, he arrived at the frontier and paid his respects to Vice Privy Councilor Zhao, presenting the documents from the Secretariat-Chancellery.

Zhao Anfu was overjoyed upon reading them. "General, your arrival is most timely! At present, Commander Song Jiang has been defeated several times by the Liao general Yuanyan Tongjun, who has deployed his troops in the 'Heaven-Confounding Formation.' Many of our officers and men have been wounded and are being nursed here, treated by An Daoquan. Commander Song Jiang has encamped at Yongqing County and does not dare to engage in battle—he is deeply troubled."

Wang Wenbin replied, "It was for this reason that the court sent me to urge the troops forward and achieve victory quickly. Since we have suffered repeated defeats, if I return to the capital, I would have difficulty reporting to the Secretariat-Chancellership. Though I am unworthy, I have studied military texts since childhood and have some knowledge of formations. Allow me to go to the front and employ a small stratagem. I wish to fight a battle to share Commander Song Jiang's burden. I await Your Excellency's command."

The Vice Privy Councilor was delighted. He hosted a feast and rewarded the laborers and escorts who had accompanied the carts. He ordered Wang Wenbin to transfer the winter coats and deliver them to Song Jiang's army for distribution. Zhao Anfu first sent a messenger to inform Commander Song Jiang.

Meanwhile, Song Jiang sat troubled in his central army tent. He learned that Vice Privy Councilor Zhao had sent word that the court had dispatched the militia instructor and Prefectural Militia Commander of Zhengzhou, Wang Wenbin, escorting five hundred thousand winter coats, and that he would soon arrive at the front to urge an advance. Song Jiang sent men to escort him to the camp, where he dismounted and was invited into the tent. After wine was served and the formalities of welcome were observed, Song Jiang inquired about the situation.

Song Jiang said, "Since the court sent me to the frontier, relying on the Emperor's great fortune, I have captured four major prefectures. Now, having reached Youzhou, I did not expect the Liao general Yuanyan Tongjun to devise this 'Heaven-Confounding Formation,' with two hundred thousand troops arrayed in perfect order according to the celestial constellations, and to invite the Liao emperor himself to lead the expedition in person. I have been defeated several times and can find no strategy. I have encamped here and dare not move rashly. Now that you have graciously arrived, I hope you will offer your guidance."

Wang Wenbin replied, "This so-called 'Heaven-Confounding Formation' is nothing remarkable! Though I am unworthy, let me go to the front and observe it—I have my own ideas."

Song Jiang was overjoyed. He first ordered Pei Xuan to distribute the winter coats to the officers and men. After they had put them on, they faced south and gave thanks for the imperial favor. That day, a feast was held in the headquarters tent, and the troops were generously rewarded.

The next day, all five armies set out. Wang Wenbin took out the helmet and armor he had brought, fully armed himself, mounted his horse, and rode to the front. The opposing Liao soldiers saw the Song troops advancing and reported this to their headquarters. Drums and gongs sounded, and shouts rose as six columns of cavalry rode out to scout the formation. Song Jiang divided his forces and drove them back.

Wang Wenbin ascended the observation tower to survey the formation himself, then descended the ladder and said, "This formation is nothing out of the ordinary—I see nothing particularly startling about it."

But Wang Wenbin, failing to truly understand the formation, sought to deceive others and win false acclaim. He ordered the vanguard to beat the drums and challenge the enemy. The opposing Liao army also beat their drums and sounded their gongs. Song Jiang, mounted on his horse, shouted loudly, "Do any of you worthless fellows dare to come out and fight?"

Before he had finished speaking, from within the fourth gate of the black banner ranks, a general burst forth. The Liao officer had disheveled hair, a yellow silk band across his brow, wearing a black oil-tanned armor with a gold band, a black-sleeved robe, riding a black charger, and wielding a three-bladed sword as he rode to the front. Behind him were countless banner officers. On the black banner leading his troops, silver characters named the general: Qu Liuching. He spurred his horse forward and issued the challenge.

Wang Wenbin thought to himself, "If I do not display my abilities here, where else shall I show them?" He leveled his spear, spurred his horse, and rode out to meet the Liao officer. Without a word, they charged at each other. Wang Wenbin thrust his spear, and the Liao general swung his sword to meet him. After fewer than twenty exchanges, the Liao general turned and fled. Wang Wenbin, seeing this, spurred his horse and gave chase with his spear leveled.

In truth, the Liao general had not been defeated—he deliberately revealed a flaw to lure Wang Wenbin into pursuit. The Liao general raised his sword, watched until Wang Wenbin was close, then turned and struck with a backhanded slash, cleaving Wang Wenbin from shoulder to chest in two. He fell dead from his horse.

Song Jiang, seeing this, urgently ordered a retreat. The Liao soldiers surged forward, and the Song army suffered another defeat. In haste and confusion, they withdrew to the camp. The officers and men, seeing Wang Wenbin cut down in an instant, looked at each other in dismay, all struck with terror.

Song Jiang returned to camp and drafted a document to report to Vice Privy Councilor Zhao, stating that Wang Wenbin had voluntarily engaged in battle and died, and that his accompanying attendants were being sent back to the capital. When Vice Privy Councilor Zhao learned of this, he was deeply troubled and distressed. He could only write a memorial to the court and notify the Secretariat-Chancellership to send the accompanying attendants back to the capital.

A poem bears witness to this:

Zhao Kuo could only recite his father's military texts—

Wang Wenbin's death was equally foolish.

In peacetime, a thousand men he boasted he could command;

On the battlefield, not a single victory did he achieve.

Here Song Jiang sat in his camp, sunk in melancholy, turning over in his mind a hundred plans but finding no way to break the Liao forces. He could neither eat nor sleep, and even in his dreams he found no peace. That night, in the depths of winter, the bitter cold was severe. Song Jiang closed the tent flap and sat brooding by candlelight. The second watch had already passed; his spirits were heavy with fatigue, and he lay down fully dressed, resting his head on the arm of his chair. Suddenly he felt a wild wind rise in the camp, and a piercing cold invaded his bones. Song Jiang got up and saw a young girl in blue robes approach and greet him with a Daoist salute.

Song Jiang asked, "Whence comes this child?"

The girl replied, "This humble child bears an order from the Divine Mother requesting the General's presence. Please trouble yourself to come."

Song Jiang said, "Where is the Divine Mother now?"

The girl pointed and said, "Not far from here."

Song Jiang followed the girl out of the tent. He saw above and below a single radiance of heavenly light, gold and jade shimmering together, a delicate fragrant breeze, and auspicious mist drifting on the air—just as in the mild weather of the second or third month of spring. They had gone no more than two or three *li* when they came to a great forest, with lush green pines, dark cypresses standing tall, and purpling osmanthus rising gracefully, half-hidden among stone railings. On both sides grew dense groves of fine trees and tall bamboo, weeping willows and peach blossoms in luxuriant curves, winding balustrades, and beyond a stone bridge stood a vermilion lattice-star gate. Looking up on all four sides, he saw whitewashed walls and painted beams, carved rafters and gilded door-studs, red doors and layered eaves of green silk-tile; on all sides the curtains were rolled up like shrimp whiskers, and the front windows were crossed like a tortoise shell. The girl led Song Jiang in through the left corridor to a pavilion on the east. She pushed open the red door and asked Song Jiang to sit inside for a moment. He looked around: on all four sides, cloud-patterned windows in stillness, rainbow colors filling the steps, celestial flowers drifting in profusion, and a rare fragrance curling through the air.

The girl went inside, then came out again with a message: "The Divine Mother requests the Star Lord to come forthwith." Song Jiang had scarcely warmed his seat when he rose at once. Then two celestial maidens entered from outside, wearing lotus-and-jade crowns and robes of crimson silk threaded with gold. They bowed to Song Jiang. Song Jiang did not dare look up at them.

The two maidens said, "Why does the General show such modesty? The Divine Mother will change her robes and come out presently. She invites the General to discuss great matters of the state. Please come with us."

Song Jiang followed meekly. He heard the sound of golden bells and the chime of jade chimes from the hall above. The girl in blue invited Song Jiang up to the hall. The two maidens went ahead, leading Song Jiang up the eastern steps. They came before a beaded curtain. From behind the curtain Song Jiang heard a faint tinkling and the clinking of jade pendants. The girl in blue invited Song Jiang inside the curtain, where he knelt before an incense altar.

He looked up toward the hall: auspicious clouds drifted thickly, purple mists swirled and rose. On a nine-dragon throne in the center sat the Divine Mother of the Nine Heavens. She wore a crown of nine flying dragons and phoenixes, a robe of crimson silk threaded with gold and embroidered with seven treasures and dragon-phoenix designs, a skirt patterned with mountains, rivers, sun, and moon, shoes of cloud-and-radiance precious pearls, and in her hand she held a flawless white jade *gui* scepter. On either side stood some twenty or thirty attendant celestial maidens.

The Divine Mother said to Song Jiang: "It has been some years since I transmitted the Heavenly Book to you! You have remained steadfast in loyalty and righteousness and have never slackened. Now the Song Emperor commands you to destroy the Liao. How goes the battle?"

Song Jiang prostrated himself on the ground and answered: "Since your humble subject received the Heavenly Book from the Divine Mother, I have never treated it lightly or revealed it to others. Now I bear the Emperor's sacred command to destroy the Liao, but I did not foresee that the Commander Wanyan would devise this 'Chaotic Heaven Formation.' I have been defeated again and again. I can find no stratagem, and we are in the gravest peril."

The Divine Mother said: "Do you understand the method of the 'Chaotic Heaven Formation'?"

Song Jiang bowed again and said: "Your subject is but a foolish man of the dust below; I do not comprehend this method. I beg the Divine Mother to instruct me."

The Divine Mother said: "The method of this formation gathers the forces of yang. If you attack it directly, you can never break it. If you wish to break it, you must employ the principle of mutual generation and mutual conquest. For instance, within the black-flagged cavalry in the front, the Water Star is established, corresponding to the Northern Five Morning Stars of the upper realm. From your Song forces, select seven great generals bearing yellow banners, yellow armor, yellow robes, and yellow horses, to smash through the seven black-flagged gates of the Liao army. Then send a fierce general wearing yellow robes directly against the Water Star—this is the principle of earth conquering water. Next, with white-robed cavalry, select eight generals to break through the green-flagged formation on their left—this is the principle of metal conquering wood. Then with red-robed cavalry, select eight generals to break through the white-flagged formation on their right—this is the principle of fire conquering metal. Then with black-flagged cavalry, select eight generals to break through the red-flagged formation at their rear—this is the principle of water conquering fire. Then dispatch a green-flagged cavalry force with nine generals to strike directly at the yellow-flagged commander in the center—this is the principle of wood conquering earth. Select two further cavalry forces: one with embroidered banners and flowered robes, disguised as *Rahu*, to break the Liao army's 'Sun' formation alone; and one with plain white banners and silver armor, disguised as *Ketu*, to break the Liao army's 'Moon' formation directly. Then construct twenty-four Thunder Charges, corresponding to the twenty-four solar terms, loaded with fire-stones and fire-cannons, and push them straight into the Liao army's central force. Have Gongsun Sheng deploy the Correct Method of Wind and Thunder and the Heavenly Gang, and advance straight to the Liao sovereign's carriage. If you carry out this plan, total victory is assured. You must not deploy troops by day; you must advance only under the cover of night. You yourself must lead the central force, take command of the army, and press the troops forward—succeed in one drumbeat. Keep my words secret. Protect the state and the people; do not waver or retreat. The time allotted for heaven and earth is limited; from this moment we part forever. In days to come, in jade towers and golden palaces, we shall meet again. You must return at once; do not linger."

She then commanded the girl in blue to offer tea. Song Jiang drank, and the girl in blue was ordered to escort the Star Lord back to his camp.

Song Jiang bowed again and earnestly thanked the Divine Mother, then left the hall. The girl in blue led him down the western steps, past the lattice-star red gate, and back along the way they had come. As they crossed the stone bridge and the pine path, the girl in blue pointed and said: "There are the Liao forces—you must destroy them!" Song Jiang turned to look, and the girl in blue pushed him with her hand. He started awake with a shock—it had all been a dream in his tent.

Listening quietly to the watch drums within the army, the fourth watch had already been struck. Song Jiang then asked that the military advisor be invited to interpret the dream. Wu Yong arrived at the central army tent, and Song Jiang said, "Do you have any plan, Military Advisor, to break the 'Chaotic Heaven Formation'?" Wu the Scholar replied, "I have no good strategy to offer." Song Jiang said, "I have already dreamt that the Dark Maiden transmitted a secret method to me. I have pondered it and arrived at a decision, and I have specially asked you to discuss it with me. We can now assemble all the generals and assign them their tasks." Truly, it was a case of moving to reach celestial secrets and deploying wondrous strategies, of arraying the stars to smash through the bewildering pass. As to how Song Jiang proceeded to assault the formation, let us listen to the explanation in the next chapter.