Chapter 108: Qiao Daoqing Creates Fog to Take the City; Xiao Xuanfeng Uses Hidden Cannons to Strike the Rebels

Chapter 108: Qiao Daoqing Raises Fog to Capture the City; Xiao Xuanfeng Conceals Cannon to Strike the Rebels

Let us speak of Yang Zhi, Sun An, and Bian Xiang, who were pursuing Xi Sheng. When they reached the side of Yique Mountain, they were unprepared for an ambush of rebel generals hiding behind the mountain slope, who led ten thousand cavalrymen in a sudden charge and engaged in fierce combat with Yang Zhi and his men. Xi Sheng managed to escape and led his defeated remnants into the city. Sun An fought bravely, killing two rebel generals, but in the end he was outnumbered. That cavalry force of over a thousand fully armored men was all driven by the rebel soldiers into a deep valley. The valley was surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs with no way out, and the rebels carried timber and stones to block the mouth of the valley. The rebels entered the city and reported to Gong Duan. Gong Duan sent two thousand soldiers to guard the valley mouth, so that even if Yang Zhi, Sun An, and their men grew wings, they could not fly out.

Let us set aside the trap of Yang Zhi and his men and speak instead of Lu Junyi and his forces breaking Xi Sheng’s Six-Flower Formation. Much of the credit went to Ma Ling, who used his golden brick technique to knock down many rebel soldiers. Combined with the valor of the other generals, they achieved a complete victory, killing three fierce rebel generals in the process. Taking advantage of the momentum, they drove their troops forward and captured the Dragon Gate Pass, beheading over ten thousand men and seizing countless horses, armor, and war drums. The rebel soldiers retreated into the city. Lu Junyi reviewed his troops and found that only the vanguard force of Yang Zhi, Sun An, and Bian Xiang, with their thousand cavalrymen, was missing. He immediately ordered Xie Zhen, Xie Bao, Zou Yuan, and Zou Run each to lead a thousand men and search in four directions. By evening, there was still no news.

The next day, Lu Junyi kept his troops stationary and again ordered Xie Zhen and the others to continue the search. Xie Bao, leading a contingent, climbed over mountains and ridges by grasping vines and pulling creepers until he reached the highest peak east of Yique Mountain. From there, he looked west and saw, in the deep valley below, faint traces of a cluster of men and horses, obscured by dense forests so that they could not be seen clearly. Moreover, the height and distance were such that no sound could be heard. Xie Bao led his soldiers down the mountain to find a local resident to ask. There was one household, but its inhabitants had all fled because of the chaos of war and rebellion. Eventually, they came to a remote and secluded mountain hollow, flat and open, where a few impoverished village farmers lived. When these farmers saw so many soldiers and horses, they were thrown into panic. Xie Bao said, “We are imperial troops, here to suppress and capture the rebels.” When the farmers heard that they were government soldiers, they became even more flustered. Xie Bao calmed them with kind words: “Our generals are subordinates of Marshal Song.” The farmers asked, “Is that the Marshal Song who killed the Tatars, captured Tian Hu, and never plundered the people?” Xie Bao replied, “Exactly.” The village farmers knelt and bowed, saying, “No wonder you generals do not seize our chickens or tie up our dogs! The year before last, government troops also came here to suppress the rebels, but those soldiers plundered like bandits. That is why we fled to this place. Today, with your arrival, we can see the light of day again.” Xie Bao then inquired about the whereabouts of Yang Zhi’s thousand-man force and the location of the deep valley west of the ridge. The farmers all said, “This valley is called Anjiao Xian, and there is only one path leading into it.” The farmers then guided Xie Bao and his men to the valley mouth, where they happened to meet Zou Yuan and Zou Run’s two contingents, who had also searched their way there. They joined forces, scattered the rebel guards, and advanced together to move away the timber and stones. Xie Bao and Zou Yuan led their troops into the valley. It was now late autumn, and indeed it was a deep, secluded valley. One could see:

Frost-withered leaves strew the maple woods deep;

In the deep gorge the air is chill and bleak.

Mists from the ridge-tops surge to merge with the sky;

Sheer cliffs darken where pines and bamboos lie.

Yang Zhi, Sun An, and Bian Xiang, along with their thousand soldiers, were exhausted, both men and horses, and sat under the trees awaiting death. When they saw Xie Bao and his men, everyone rejoiced, leaped up, and cheered loudly. Xie Bao distributed the dry rations he had brought, first to satisfy their hunger. After eating, the entire force left the valley together. Xie Bao asked the village farmers to accompany them to the main camp to meet Marshal Lu. Lu Junyi was overjoyed. He took out silver and grain to relieve the impoverished commoners. The farmers kowtowed in gratitude, expressed endless thanks, and departed. Then Xie Zhen’s contingent also returned to camp. That evening, they rested, and there was nothing to report through the night.

The next morning, Lu Junyi was just conferring with Zhu Wu about deploying troops to attack the city when a swift scout reported that Wang Qing had sent the bogus commander-in-chief Du Xue, leading twelve generals and twenty thousand troops, to come to the rescue, and that they were already within thirty li. Upon hearing this, Lu Junyi ordered Zhu Wu, Yang Zhi, Sun Li, Shan Tinggui, Wei Dingguo, along with Qiao Daoqing and Ma Ling, to lead twenty thousand troops and form a battle line before the main camp to block any rebel sortie from the city. He ordered Xie Zhen, Xie Bao, Mu Chun, and Xue Yong to command five thousand troops and guard the stockade. Lu Junyi himself led the remaining generals and officers with thirty-five thousand troops to meet Du Xue in battle. At this time, Yan Qing, the Prodigal, reported, “Master, it is not suitable for you to go to the front in person today.” Lu Junyi asked, “Why is that?” Yan Qing said, “Last night, your humble servant had an ominous dream.” Lu Junyi replied, “Dreams and sleep—how can they be trusted? Since I have dedicated myself to the state, I cannot consider personal gain or loss.” Yan Qing said, “If you are determined to go, I beg you to allocate five hundred infantrymen to me, and let me handle my own affairs.” Lu Junyi laughed and said, “Xiao Yi, what do you intend to do?” Yan Qing said, “Master, do not ask; just grant them to me.” Lu Junyi said, “Very well, I will grant them to you, and we shall see what you can accomplish!” He then assigned five hundred infantrymen to Yan Qing. Yan Qing took them and left. Lu Junyi sneered repeatedly. He then led the generals and troops, leaving the main camp and passing by Pingquan Bridge. There were many strange stones in the level spring, which was the old estate of Li Deyu of the Tang Dynasty. He saw Yan Qing leading his men, felling trees there. Though Lu Junyi found it amusing in his heart, he was busy with the battle and had no time to ask about it. The troops crossed the Dragon Gate Pass and marched ten li west, where they formed a battle line and waited. After about an hour, the rebel forces arrived. The two armies faced each other, beating drums and shouting. On the western side, the partial general Wei He brandished a large-bladed saber and spurred his horse forward. From the Song side, Shan Shiqi galloped out with his spear raised, and without a word, engaged him. The two horses fought for thirty bouts before the line. Shan Shiqi thrust his spear and hit the hind leg of Wei He’s warhorse. The horse’s hind leg gave way, throwing Wei He off. Shan Shiqi then thrust again and killed him. On the western side, Feng Tai grew furious. Brandishing two iron maces, he spurred his horse straight toward Shan Shiqi. The two generals fought for over ten bouts. Bian Xiang saw that Shan Shiqi could not overcome Feng Tai, so he gripped his spear and urged his horse forward to help. Feng Tai let out a great shout and, with a single mace stroke, knocked Shan Shiqi from his horse. With another mace stroke, he ended his life. Feng Tai then turned his horse, brandished his sword, and came to meet the enemy. But Bian Xiang was even more fierce. As soon as Feng Tai’s horse came near, Bian Xiang gave a great shout and thrust his spear into Feng Tai’s heart, killing him on the spot. The two armies raised a great clamor. The western commander, Du Xue, seeing that he had lost two generals in succession, burned with rage, his anger rising like smoke. He hefted a long, eight-span snake spear and galloped out personally. The Song commander, Lu Junyi, also rode out personally. He fought with Du Xue for fifty bouts, with neither gaining the upper hand. Du Xue’s snake spear was both elusive and deadly. When Sun An saw that Marshal Lu could not win, he swung his sword and spurred his horse to help. The rebel general Zhuo Mao brandished a wolf-tooth club and galloped out to meet him. After no more than four or five bouts, Sun An displayed his divine might and, with one stroke of his sword, cut Zhuo Mao from his horse. He turned his horse, galloped forward, and swung his sword to strike Du Xue. Seeing that Sun An had killed Zhuo Mao, Du Xue was caught off guard. Sun An raised his sword and brought it down, cutting off Du Xue’s right arm. Du Xue fell from his horse, and Lu Junyi thrust once more with his spear, killing him. Lu Junyi and his men then drove their troops forward, sweeping and slaughtering. The rebel army suffered a great defeat.

Suddenly, from a small path slanting off to the southwest, a troop of cavalry burst forth. At the head, on horseback, was a general with a coarse, dark, and hideous appearance. He had a head of tangled, short hair and wore an iron Daoist crown and a battle-worn robe. Riding a red coal-like horse, he brandished a sword, directing his troops, and came charging forward with twisting and leaping movements. Lu Junyi and his men, seeing the enemy’s uniform insignia, urged their horses and soldiers forward to charge and engage. That general did not come to fight; he muttered a few words under his breath, then slashed his sword toward the due south, the Li position. In an instant, fire shot from the enemy general’s mouth. Before long, on the flat ground, flames rose fiercely and smoke billowed, sweeping toward the Song army. Lu Junyi could not escape in time, and the Song army suffered a great defeat, abandoning war drums, gongs, and horses as they fled in chaos. Those who ran slowly were scorched with charred heads and blackened brows. Over five thousand soldiers died. The generals protected Lu Junyi as they fled to Pingquan Bridge. The soldiers scrambled to cross the bridge, and it immediately collapsed under the crush. Fortunately, Yan Qing had cut down trees and hastily built floating bridges on both sides of the bridge, allowing the soldiers to cross, with about twenty thousand surviving. Lu Junyi and Bian Xiang, on horseback, lagged behind. When they reached the bridge, the enemy general caught up and spat fire at Bian Xiang. Bian Xiang was engulfed in flames, burned, and fell from his horse, where he was killed by the enemy troops. Lu Junyi, thanks to the floating bridge, managed to flee away.

The enemy general led his troops in pursuit, but the forward army reported this to Qiao Daoqing. Qiao Daoqing, alone on horseback and wielding a sword, faced the enemy general. When the enemy general saw Qiao Daoqing approaching, he slashed his sword southward again, and the fire blazed even more fiercely than before. Qiao Daoqing formed a hand seal, chanted a spell, pointed his sword toward the Kan position, and unleashed the “Three Flavors Divine Water” technique. In an instant, thousands of black vapors flew forward, transforming into a waterfall and flying spring, like billions of gallons of jade beads and jade shavings, dousing the enemy general and extinguishing the demon fire. Seeing his sorcery broken, the enemy general wheeled his horse to flee, but the steed stepped on a wet stone, slipped on its hind legs, and threw the general to the ground. Qiao Daoqing galloped up, swung his sword, and cut him in two. Of the five thousand cavalry, over five hundred were thrown or injured. Qiao Daoqing raised his sword and roared, “If you are willing to surrender, keep your donkey heads!” The enemy troops, witnessing Qiao Daoqing’s immense power, all dismounted, threw down their weapons, and knelt, begging for mercy. Qiao Daoqing then comforted them with kind words, cut off the enemy general’s head, and led the surrendered troops to report the victory to Lu Junyi. Lu Junyi expressed endless gratitude and praised Yan Qing’s merit. When the generals questioned the surrendered soldiers, they learned that the demonic man was surnamed Kou and named Mie, skilled in using demon fire to burn people. Because of his ugly appearance, he was called the “Poison Flame Ghost King.” He had helped Wang Qing rebel years ago, then disappeared for two years, and recently returned to Nanfeng, saying, “The Song army is powerful; let me go and annihilate them.” Thus, Wang Qing sent him here overnight. Gong Duan and Xi Sheng, seeing the relief troops defeated, dared not come out to fight and only reinforced the city’s defenses.

At that moment, Qiao Daoqing said, “The city here has deep moats and strong walls; we cannot break it quickly. Tonight, let me, a poor Daoist, use a small art to help the commander achieve success and repay the great kindness of the two commanders.” Lu Junyi said, “I would like to hear of the divine art.” Qiao Daoqing whispered in his ear, “Do this, do this.” Lu Junyi was overjoyed and immediately deployed the generals, each to carry out their tasks and prepare to attack the city. Meanwhile, he ordered the soldiers to bury Shan Shiqi and Bian Xiang with proper rites, and Lu Junyi personally conducted the sacrifices.

That night, at the second watch, Qiao Daoqing came out, raised his sword, and performed his magic. In no time, a mist arose, enveloping the entire city of Xijing. The defending soldiers on the walls could not see each other even at close range, and none could coordinate. Taking advantage of the darkness, the Song troops climbed up the parapets using rapidly spinning windlasses. Then, with a single cannon blast, the thick mist suddenly cleared. On all four sides of the city walls, Song soldiers appeared. Each took out tinder from their persons, lit torches, and illuminated everything above and below as if it were broad daylight. The defending soldiers were first struck numb with shock and could not move. The Song troops drew their weapons and cut them down; countless enemy soldiers fell from the walls to their deaths. Gong Duan and Xi Sheng, caught off guard by the sudden change, hastily led troops to rescue, but the Song army had already seized all four gates. Lu Junyi drove his main force into the city. Gong Duan and Xi Sheng were both killed by the chaotic troops. The remaining junior officers and leaders all surrendered, with thirty thousand soldiers capitulating. The common people were left untouched.

At dawn, Lu Junyi issued proclamations to reassure the people and recorded Qiao Daoqing’s great merit. He heavily rewarded the three armies and sent Ma Ling to report the victory to Song Jiang. Ma Ling followed the order and left. By evening, he returned to report, saying, “Song Jiang and the others have been attacking Jingnan for days, fighting the enemy daily. They heavily defeated the relief troops from Nanfeng, and the enemy commander Xie Ning was captured. Song Jiang, troubled by military affairs and exhausted, has fallen ill in camp. For the past few days, military matters have been managed by Military Advisor Wu.” Upon hearing this, Lu Junyi grew despondent. He hastily attended to military affairs, entrusting the defense of Xijing to Qiao Daoqing and Ma Ling. The next day, Lu Junyi bid farewell to Qiao Daoqing and Ma Ling, and led twenty generals, including Zhu Wu, away from Xijing, hurrying toward Jingnan. Within a day, the troops arrived at the main camp north of Jingnan city. Lu Junyi and the others entered the camp to pay their respects. Thanks to the treatment of the “Divine Doctor” An Daoquan, Song Jiang’s illness had already diminished by sixty or seventy percent. Lu Junyi and the others were greatly delighted and relieved. As they were discussing the military affairs of various routes, a fleeing soldier suddenly reported, “Tang Bin was escorting Xiao Rang and the others. When they were thirty li from the camp, they were ambushed by the Jingnan enemy generals Mi Sheng and Ma Qiang, leading ten thousand elite troops, who cut them off from a side path. Taking advantage of the commander’s illness, they intended to raid the rear of the camp. They ran right into our men. Tang Bin fought hard against the two generals, but outnumbered and overwhelmed, especially by Mi Sheng’s ferocity, Tang Bin was killed by Mi Sheng. Xiao Rang, Pei Xuan, and Jin Dajian were all captured alive. They were about to raid the camp, but when they heard that your main force had arrived, the enemy only abducted Xiao Rang and the others and fled.” Upon hearing this, Song Jiang could not help crying out, “Xiao Rang and the others are done for!” His illness then became even more serious. Lu Junyi and the other generals all came to comfort him. Lu Junyi asked, “Where did Xiao Rang and the others go?” Song Jiang sobbed, “Xiao Rang knew I was ill and came specially to visit me, after taking leave from Chen Anfu. He also bore Chen Anfu’s orders to fetch Jin Dajian and Pei Xuan to Wanzhou, to have them inscribe a stone stele and examine documents. Today, I specially sent Tang Bin with a thousand men to escort the three of them. Unexpectedly, they were captured by the enemy; the three will surely be killed!” Song Jiang then instructed Lu Junyi to assist Wu Yong in attacking the city, capture Mi Sheng and Ma Qiang for revenge. Lu Junyi and the others obeyed the order and arrived at the front north of the city. After the group exchanged greetings with Wu Yong, Lu Junyi quickly reported the capture of Xiao Rang and the others. Wu Yong was greatly alarmed and said, “How terrible! Those three are lost!” He ordered the generals to besiege the city and attack with all their strength. The generals obeyed and assaulted the city from all sides. Wu Yong also ordered soldiers to ascend scaling ladders and shout loudly toward the city, “Quickly send out Xiao Rang, Jin Dajian, and Pei Xuan! If there is any delay, when we break through the city, we will slaughter everyone, soldiers and civilians alike!”

Now the defending commander in the city, Liang Yong, who had been falsely appointed as the (garrison commander), was defending the town together with his regular and auxiliary officers. Mi Sheng and Ma Qiang, both defeated in battle, had fled here. That day, after capturing Xiao Rang and the other two, since the Song army had not yet besieged the city, Mi Sheng called for the city gate to be opened and entered, then took Xiao Rang and the others to the marshal’s residence to present their captives and claim merit. Liang Yong had heard quite a bit of the reputation of the “Sacred Hand Scholar,” so he ordered the soldiers to release them from their bonds and wanted them to surrender. Xiao Rang, Pei Xuan, and Jin Dajian opened their eyes wide and cursed loudly: “Ignorant rebel dogs! What sort of men do you take us for? Rebel dogs, just cut us into two pieces with one stroke! As for these six kneecaps, don’t ever think a single one of them will touch the ground! Soon the Song vanguard will break through the city, capture you pack of rat vermin, and chop you into ten thousand pieces!” Liang Yong was furious and ordered the soldiers: “Beat these three slave dogs until they kneel!” The soldiers picked up clubs and beat them, knocking them to the ground, but not one of them would kneel. The three men cursed without ceasing. Liang Yong said: “You want a quick death with one stroke? I prefer to torment you slowly.” He shouted to the soldiers: “Put these three slave dogs in standing cangues outside the camp gate, and keep beating their legs until their donkey legs are broken; then they’ll naturally kneel down.” The soldiers received the order and came to put on the cangues, bind them, and carry out the punishment.

Before the marshal’s residence, the soldiers and townspeople had all come to see these figures from the Song army. Among them, one truly manly, spirited man was already angered. This man was surnamed Xiao, and his given name was Jiasui. He lodged in the south street of the city, next to a paper shop. His great-great-grandfather, Xiao Dan, styled Sengda, was a man of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and served as the governor of Jingnan. When the Yangzi River’s dikes burst, Xiao Dan personally led his officers and men, braving the rain to repair them. The rain was heavy and the water deep; his officers asked him to take shelter briefly, but Xiao Dan said: “Wang Zun once thought to block the river with his own body—how could I have a different heart?” As he finished speaking, the waters receded and the dikes stood firm. That year, a bountiful grain grew with one stalk bearing six ears; hence Xiao Jiasui was given his name. Xiao Jiasui happened to be traveling in Jingnan, and the people of Jingnan, remembering the virtue of his ancestor, held Xiao Jiasui in great respect. Xiao Jiasui was open-hearted and unrestrained, lofty in ambition, broad-minded, surpassing others in strength, and skilled in martial arts—a man of great courage. Whenever he met a man of true mettle, whether noble or base, he would befriend him. It happened that Wang Qing started a rebellion and seized cities. Xiao Jiasui offered a plan to defend against the rebels, but those in power would not use his strategy, and so the city fell. The rebels ordered that the common people were only allowed to enter the city and not a single one was permitted to leave. Xiao Jiasui, inside the city, thought day and night of how to plot against the rebels, but a single strand of silk cannot make a thread. That day, seeing the rebels bind Xiao Rang and the others, and hearing that the Song army was pressing the attack on the city because of them, with both soldiers and civilians showing signs of panic, Xiao Jiasui thought to himself: “Here is my opportunity. With this one move, I can save many living souls in the city.” He hurried back to his lodging. It was already the hour of shen (late afternoon). He quickly told his servant boy to grind a bowl of ink, bought several sheets of thick cotton paper from the paper shop next door, and under lamplight, dipped his brush and wrote boldly in large characters:

Xiao Jiasui finished writing all those sheets of paper, then quietly went to listen for news. He heard only the common people weeping in their homes. Xiao Jiasui said: “With the people’s hearts like this, my plan is accomplished!” He waited until the hour of dawn, slipped out of his lodging, and threw the written sheets of paper into the bustling streets before the marshal’s residence.

After a short while, day broke. Soldiers and common people, here picking up one sheet to read, there having someone else pick up another, soon gathered in several groups of soldiers and civilians to look at them. Soon a patrolling soldier snatched one and galloped off to report to Liang Yong. Liang Yong was greatly startled and hastily sent an order-issuing officer out of the residence to transmit orders, commanding the soldiers to strictly guard the camp gate and all encampments, while also strictly searching for spies.

Xiao Jiasui, concealing a precious sword on his person, squeezed into the crowd and also came to look, reading the words on the paper aloud twice. The soldiers and civilians all stared at each other in shock. The order-issuing officer, bearing the commander’s orders, rode on horseback, with five or six soldiers following, to transmit the orders to the various encampments. Xiao Jiasui rushed forward, gave a great roar, and with one stroke cut the horse’s leg. The order-issuing officer tumbled off the horse, and Xiao Jiasui, with one blow of his sword, cut off his head. Xiao Jiasui, holding the head in his left hand and the sword in his right, shouted loudly: “All who wish to preserve your lives, follow Xiao Jiasui to kill the rebels!” The soldiers before the marshal’s residence all knew Xiao Jiasui in peacetime, and knowing he was a man of iron, in an instant five or six hundred men crowded around him, forming a single mass. Seeing the soldiers gathering, Xiao Jiasui shouted again in a loud voice: “Commoners with courage, come and help!” His voice resounded for several hundred paces. At that moment, responses came from all sides; the commoners all grabbed clubs, pulled up thorny stakes, broke off table legs, and in the blink of an eye there were five or six thousand men. With a single shout, Xiao Jiasui took the lead and led the crowd charging into the marshal’s residence.

Liang Yong, who had customarily tyrannized the soldiers and commoners and flogged his underlings, was so hated by the guarding officers and men that they were bitter to the bone. Hearing that a rebellion had broken out, they all came to help, rushing in and killing Liang Yong’s entire family, old and young. Xiao Jiasui led the multitude of soldiers and commoners surging out of the marshal’s residence, by now more than twenty thousand men. They released Xiao Rang, Pei Xuan, and Jin Dajian from their bonds, removing all their fetters. Xiao Jiasui selected three men of strength to carry Xiao Rang and the others on their backs. Xiao Jiasui took the lead, holding Liang Yong’s head, and hurried to the north gate. There they killed the gate-guarding general Ma Qiang, scattered the gate-guarding soldiers, opened the city gate, and lowered the drawbridge.

At that time, Wu Yong was exactly at the north gate personally directing the officers and men in attacking the city. Hearing the shouting within the city and seeing the city gate open, he thought the rebels were coming out to attack, so he hastily ordered his troops to retreat three or four bowshots’ distance and form ranks to meet the enemy. Then he saw Xiao Jiasui holding a head, with three soldiers behind him carrying Xiao Rang and the others across the drawbridge, hurrying forward. Wu Yong was just marveling when Xiao Rang and the others called out loudly: “Military Advisor Wu, it is entirely thanks to this stout fellow. He inspired and gathered the people, killed the rebel general, and rescued us.” When Wu Yong heard this, he was both startled and delighted. Xiao Jiasui said to Wu Yong: “The matter was urgent; there was no time for formalities. I beg the military advisor to quickly lead the troops into the city!” By the drawbridge there were already many soldiers and commoners, all shouting together: “Invite the Song vanguard into the city!” Seeing that all sorts of people were among them, Wu Yong then issued orders for the officers to lead the troops into the city, decreeing that if anyone killed a single person indiscriminately, his comrades in the same unit would all be executed.

The soldiers guarding the city wall on the north side, seeing how matters stood, all threw down their weapons and descended from the wall. The soldiers guarding the east, west, and south sides, hearing this news, all bound the rebel generals guarding their gates, threw open the city gates, and welcomed the Song troops into the city with incense, flowers, lamps, and candles. Only that fellow Mi Sheng was so fierce that no one could get near him; he broke through the encirclement from the west gate and fled.

Wu Yong sent a man to gallop and report to Song Jiang. When Song Jiang heard the report, the illness born of worrying about the state and weeping for his brothers subsided by nine parts and nine tenths. Overjoyed and leaping with delight, he and all the officers struck camp and set out in full force. The great army arrived in the city of Jingnan. Song Jiang ascended to sit in the marshal’s residence, pacified the soldiers and commoners, and consoled and rewarded the officers. Song Jiang invited Xiao Jiasui to the marshal’s residence, asked his name, and urged him to take the seat of honor. Song Jiang bowed his head and made an obeisance, saying: “Your stout-hearted deed—slaying the rebels, preserving the living souls, taking the city without bloodying a blade, and rescuing three of my brothers—for this, Song Jiang must bow.” Xiao Jiasui repeatedly returned the bow, saying: “This is not Xiao’s doing; it is all the strength of the multitude of soldiers and commoners!” Hearing these words, Song Jiang admired and respected him even more. All the officers from Song Jiang on down performed the rites.

The soldiers in the city brought the rebel general forward. Song Jiang asked those who were willing to surrender, and all were pardoned and released. Thus, the city resounded with cheers, and tens of thousands surrendered. Just then, the naval leader Li Jun and others arrived with their fleet at the Han River and came to pay their respects. Song Jiang ordered a feast to be prepared in honor of the scholar Xiao. Song Jiang personally raised his cup and urged him to drink, saying, “Sir, with your great talent and high virtue, after I return to court, I will report this to the Son of Heaven, and you will surely be promoted handsomely.” Xiao Jiasui said, “There is no need for that. What I did today was not for fame or fortune. In my youth, I had an unrestrained nature, and as I grew older, I received no praise from my village; I am merely a reclusive and ignorant man. Now, slanderers and flatterers hold high positions, while worthy men have no reputation. Even if one possessed talents like the Sui Hou pearl or the He family jade, and a character as pure as Xu You or Bo Yi, in the end, they cannot reach the emperor. I have seen many ambitious heroes who risked life and limb to answer the nation’s call, but if their actions were slightly improper, those who protect themselves and their families would seize the chance to fabricate faults, leaving their lives and fortunes in the hands of powerful villains. As for me today, without official duties, I am like a wild cloud or a crane in the sky—where can I not soar high?” These words moved everyone below Song Jiang deeply. Among the seated were Gongsun Sheng, Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, Yan Qing, Li Jun, Tong Wei, Tong Meng, Dai Zong, Chai Jin, Fan Rui, Zhu Wu, Jiang Jing, and about a dozen others, who nodded and pondered this speech.

That evening after the feast, Xiao Jiasui took his leave and left the command post. The next morning, Song Jiang sent Dai Zong to report the victory to Commissioner Chen. Song Jiang personally went to Xiao’s lodging to pay a special visit, but found it empty. A neighbor from the paper shop said, “Xiao Jiasui packed his zither, sword, book bag, and luggage before dawn today, bid me farewell, and left—I do not know where he went.” Later, someone wrote a poem praising the virtues of Xiao Dan and his grandson:

In the rain, Xiao Sengda repaired the dike;

Waves raged and torrents roared, but his heart did not quail.

With sincere resolve, he stopped the flood and completed the work;

Six ears of fine grain sprouted from one stalk.

His worthy grandson, a hero matching his grandfather, commanded the people to seize the rebel chief.

He brought grace to all living beings and wisely preserved himself,

Like a wild cloud or a crane—truly transcendent.

Song Jiang returned to the command post and told the chieftains that Xiao Jiasui had drifted away, and all sighed in regret. That evening, Dai Zong reported back that the remaining counties in Wanzhou and Shannan that had not been captured had been pacified by Commissioner Chen and Advisor Hou, who had given strategies to Luo Jian, Lin Chong, Hua Rong, and others. The court had sent several new officials, and all had completed their handovers. Commissioner Chen had already led the generals and set out, due to arrive soon. Song Jiang discussed with Wu Yong, saying, “We will wait for Commissioner Chen to garrison here, then we can raise a great army to eradicate the rebel leader.” Song Jiang rested and recuperated in Jingnan for five or six days until his illness was cured.

One day, word came that Commissioner Chen and his force had arrived. Song Jiang and the others welcomed them into the city. After the formalities, Commissioner Chen generously rewarded the three armies. Then, the Shannan defender Shi Jin and the others had handed over the prefecture’s affairs to the new officials and also arrived. Song Jiang invited Commissioner Chen to manage the prefecture’s affairs. Song Jiang and the others bid farewell to Commissioner Chen and led the main army, advancing by both land and water, with cavalry marching together, to destroy the rebel lair at Nanfeng. At this time, all one hundred and eight heroes were together, plus eleven surrendered generals from Hebei, such as Sun An, with over two hundred thousand troops. They won battle after battle, their military might grew greatly, and wherever they went, rebels surrendered at the sight of them. Song Jiang reported the recovered prefectures and counties to Commissioner Chen. Chen Guan sent Luo Jian to lead officers and troops to garrison them.

Song Jiang’s land and water forces drove straight ahead until they reached the territory of Nanfeng. Scouts reported that the rebel Wang Qing had made Li Zhu the supreme commander and had selected fifty thousand land and naval troops on the spot. He also mobilized twenty thousand troops from each of the three routes of Yun’an, Dongchuan, and Ande, all commanded by the local rebel military governors Liu Yijing and Shangguan Yi. Dozens of fierce generals and one hundred ten thousand elite troops came to oppose them, with Wang Qing personally overseeing the battle. Hearing this, Song Jiang discussed with Wu Yong, “The rebel army has come with all its strength; they will surely fight to the death. What strategy can we use to defeat them?” Wu Yong said, “The art of war only says, ‘Use many methods to confuse the enemy.’ Now that all our officers and men are gathered in one place, we should send several detachments to attack, so they cannot respond to all fronts.” Song Jiang agreed and issued orders, dividing and deploying the troops.

The day before, Li Ying, the Sky Soaring Eagle, and Chai Jin, the Little Whirlwind, received orders from Song Jiang the vanguard. They led cavalry and infantry leaders Shan Tinggui, Wei Dingguo, Shi En, Xue Yong, Mu Chun, and Li Zhong, with five thousand soldiers, escorting a convoy of grain wagons, along with silk, cannon, and carts, behind the main army. They arrived at a place called Dragon Gate Mountain. At the southern foot of the mountain was a village, surrounded by high earthen ridges like a walled city, with three roads for entry and exit. The villagers had left behind several hundred thatched and tiled houses, but they had fled due to the turmoil. That night, a strong northeast wind blew, and clouds were as black as ink. Seeing that it was late and fearing rain would soak the grain, Li Ying and Chai Jin had the soldiers dismantle doors and push the carts into the houses. As the soldiers were about to light fires to cook and rest, suddenly Xue Yong, the Sick Tiger, who was on patrol, captured a spy and reported to Chai Jin, saying, “After interrogating the spy, we learned that the rebel Mi Sheng is leading ten thousand elite troops and plans to attack and burn our grain at the second watch tonight. They are now lying in ambush in Dragon Gate Mountain.” Dragon Gate Mountain had two cliffs facing each other like a gate, with a passage for boats in between, and dense woods. Hearing this, Li Ying said to Chai Jin, “Let me go to the front of the village and wait for those damned rebels to kill them down to the last man.” Chai Jin said, “Mi Sheng is extremely fierce; we cannot fight him head-on. Besides, we have few troops. Let me use a small trick: set off five or six cannon carts and a hundred carts of firewood to avenge Tang Bin and the others. Kill that spy.” He ordered the soldiers to have Li Ying lead three thousand troops, all equipped with bows, crossbows, and fire arrows, to guard the grain carts. At dusk, they all withdrew from the earthen ridge and marched south first, leaving behind a hundred or so firewood carts, scattered and arranged at the southwest downwind side near the thatched eaves of the houses. They also arranged a hundred or so empty carts in groups of five or six, with a small amount of grain on top. They hid cannon in various places and spread dry firewood soaked in sulfur and saltpeter. They had Shi En, Xue Yong, Mu Chun, and Li Zhong lead two thousand troops, ambushed at the east earthen ridge crossroads. Shan Tinggui was to lead a thousand cavalry to wait at the south village crossroads for the rebels to arrive, all following the plan. Chai Jin, along with Wei Dingguo, the God of Fire General, led three hundred infantry, all carrying fire-starting materials and weapons, to ambush in the dense forest on the mountain.

At the second watch, the rebel general Mi Sheng indeed arrived with two subordinate generals and over ten thousand troops. The soldiers wore soft armor, the warhorses had their bells removed, banners were furled, and drums silenced, as they galloped to the south earthen gate. When Shan Tinggui saw the rebels coming, he ordered his soldiers to light torches and engage in battle. Shan Tinggui fought Mi Sheng for no more than four or five rounds, then turned his horse and led his troops back into the village. Mi Sheng, a man of courage but no strategy, led his troops straight in. Xue Yong and Shi En saw the southern road lit up with fire, so they had Li Zhong and Mu Chun divide a thousand troops and gallop to the south of the village to block the crossroads. By then, the rebels had charged in with shouts reaching the sky, heading only toward the northeast upwind direction, but they found empty houses and no grain. Mi Sheng led his troops to search in all directions and saw a hundred or two hundred grain carts downwind, guarded by five or six hundred soldiers. When these guards saw the rebels, they shouted and scattered in all directions. Mi Sheng said, “So there isn’t much grain!” He ordered his soldiers to light torches and look; among the carts in the middle, each group had two carts of silk. When the rebels saw this, they scrambled to loot. Mi Sheng hurried to stop them, but then rockets and torches from the mountain rained down wildly, setting the thatched houses and firewood carts ablaze. The rebels screamed and tried to flee, but the cannon fuses had already ignited the fire, spreading rapidly like thunder and exploding forth. Rebels who couldn’t escape were killed by the cannon blasts. In an instant, flames roared, smoke billowed, and it seemed:

Wind followed the fire, fire relied on the wind’s might;

Thousand rockets darted like golden serpents, ten thousand peals of thunder shook the flames.

On the summit of Mount Li, one would imagine Baosi showing her prowess;

At the mouth of the Yangzi River, it rivaled Zhou Yu’s clever stratagem.

Dense purple mist rose to the heavens, flickering red clouds poured down to earth.

Crackling and popping sounds ceaselessly came, just like setting off firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.

The fire was now raging fiercely, the roar of the cannon thunderous, like the sound of heaven and earth splitting apart. In a moment, over a hundred thatched huts became billowing smoke and blazing fireballs. Mi Sheng was killed by the cannon fire, more than half the rebel soldiers were killed, and countless others were scorched and battered. Dan Tinggui, Shi En, and the others then pursued with three columns, and both rebel lieutenants were slain. Of the ten thousand troops, only a little over a thousand managed to crawl out over the earthen ridge and escape with their lives. By daybreak, Chai Jin and the others had joined forces with Li Ying and his men, and they transported the grain and fodder to the main camp. Song Jiang, the vanguard, had just taken his seat in the tent to dispatch troops to fight the rebels when the cavalry were seen saddling their horses and the infantry preparing their weapons. Truly:

Crimson banners unfurled like a sunset glow spreading across the sky;

Swords and blades spread out like a thousand li of snow.

How Song Jiang and the others would fight, you must listen to the next chapter to find out.