Chapter 109: Wang Qing Crosses the River and Is Captured; Song Jiang Suppresses the Rebels and Achieves Success

Chapter 109: Wang Qing Captured While Crossing the River; Song Jiang Succeeds in Suppressing the Bandits

It is said that on that day, Song Jiang ascended his command tent, and all the various generals stood with folded hands, awaiting orders. Cannon fire was set off, gongs and drums were beaten, banners were raised, and then the camp-silencing cannon was fired. The heads of each camp and post came in turn to the tent, stood in orderly silence, and awaited commands. The drummers beat the drums; the herald transmitted the orders. When the orders were completed, the camp and post heads kowtowed in sequence, rose, and stood on either side. The patrolling blue-flag bearers knelt to receive their instructions; anyone whose shouting was not orderly, whose ranks were confused, who made noise and violated orders, or who retreated before the enemy would be seized and severely punished. There were also twenty flag-and-seal officers on the left and right. Song Jiang personally instructed them: "When you go down to establish the camp and oversee the battle line, if any soldier encounters the enemy and does not advance, or retreats and disobeys orders, you may seize them and deal with them." The flag officers obeyed the order, each went to his post, sounded the gongs and bugles, returned to their units, and awaited the order to march. Song Jiang then transmitted his commands, deploying the water and land generals in their proper order. After this, the trumpeter sounded the first bugle to form ranks, the second to raise the flags, and the third for each camp to begin marching toward the enemy. The metal-edged gongs were struck, the five-direction banners were brought out, and cannon were fired. The bugle sounded to hasten the march, and each camp set out its battle formation. Truly it was:

The war drums shook the mountains and hills;

The sunlit banners made ghosts and spirits flee.

Now, as for the rebel Wang Qing, he deployed his troops to resist. Apart from the water force generals, such as Wenren Shichong, who had already been dispatched, he appointed Liu Yijing, the fake cavalry and infantry commander of Yun'an Prefecture, as the vanguard commander; Shangguan Yi, the fake cavalry and infantry commander of Dongchuan, as the deputy vanguard commander; Li Xiong and Bi Xian, the fake commanders of Nanfeng, as the left wing; Liu Yuan and Pan Zhong, the fake commanders of Ande, as the right wing; the fake commander-in-chief Duan Wu as the rear guard; the fake imperial camp commissioner Qiu Xiang as the deputy rear guard; and the fake privy councilor Fang Han as the wings of the central army. Wang Qing held command of the central army. There were many fake ministers, imperial camp guards, imperial escort generals, colonels, and so on, as well as the various subordinate generals, adjutants, and staff officers under each man, totaling several dozen. Li Zhu was the field marshal. The army was extremely orderly, and Wang Qing supervised personally. The horses wore leather armor, the men donned iron mail, the crossbows were strung, and war drums sounded three times. All troops began to march. After traveling no more than ten li, dust rose, and soon Song scouts drew near. The sound of bridle bells rang out, and about thirty or more scout riders appeared. All wore green general's hoods and green battle robes; their horses were adorned with red tassels, and on each side hung dozens of copper bells. Behind each rider was a pheasant tail, and they carried fine silver-inlaid long spears, light bows, and short arrows. The leading general was the Tiger Galloping General, "Featherless Arrow" Zhang Qing, who had been restored to his original post by imperial decree. He wore a turban of gold-wrapped green silk, an embroidered green battle robe, a purple velvet sash, soft leather boots, and rode a silver-saddled horse. On his left was the woman granted the title of Chaste and Filial Lady, "Jade Arrow" Qiongying. She wore a purple-gold phoenix crown inlaid with pearls, an embroidered purple battle robe, a multicolored silk sash, red embroidered little phoenix-head shoes, and rode a silver-maned steed. On the right, slightly behind, holding the banner, was the loyal servant granted the rank of Adjutant, Ye Qing. They scouted all the way to Li Zhu's army, and when they were not far apart, only a hundred paces away, they reined in their horses and turned back. The vanguard generals Liu Yijing and Shangguan Yi spurred their horses and drove their troops forward to attack. Zhang Qing slapped his horse, grasped his white pear-blossom spear, and came to fight the two generals. Qiongying galloped forward, brandishing her halberd, to assist. The four generals fought for about a dozen rounds; then Zhang Qing and Qiongying parried the rebels' weapons, turned their horses, and retreated. Liu Yijing and Shangguan Yi drove their troops in pursuit, but those on left and right shouted, "Deputy vanguard, do not pursue! In the brocade pouches behind their saddles are stones; they never miss when they throw them!" When Liu Yijing and Shangguan Yi heard this, they reined in their horses. Just then, from behind Longmen Mountain, war drums resounded, and five hundred infantry emerged. At the head were four infantry leaders: "Black Whirlwind" Li Kui, "Demon King of Chaos" Fan Rui, "Eight-Armed Nezha" Xiang Chong, and "Great Sage Flying in the Sky" Li Gun. They charged forward. The five hundred infantry spread out in a line at the foot of the mountain slope, with shields on both sides set firmly in place. Liu Yijing and Shangguan Yi drove their troops to attack; Li Kui and Fan Rui led their infantry in two separate groups, all carrying their shields upside down, and disappeared around the mountain slope. By then, Wang Qing’s and Li Zhu's main army had arrived and charged forward together. Li Kui and Fan Rui all ran swiftly up the mountain, crossed the ridges, and vanished into the forest. Li Zhu ordered the army to form a battle formation on this open plain. Then a cannon sounded from behind the mountain, and from the south side of the mountain, a column of troops surged out, surrounding three generals. In the middle was "Short-Legged Tiger" Wang Ying, on the left was "Junior Marshal" Sun Xin, and on the right was "Gardener" Zhang Qing. They commanded five thousand cavalry and infantry and charged forward. Wang Qing was about to send generals to meet them when another cannon sounded from behind the mountain. From the north side, a column of troops surged out, surrounding three female generals. In the middle was "Ten Feet of Steel" Hu Sanniang, on the left was "Mother Tiger" Gu Dasao, and on the right was "Female Yaksha" Sun Erniang. They commanded five thousand cavalry and infantry and charged forward, colliding with the rebel right wing under Liu Yuan and Pan Zhong, and they joined battle. Wang Ying and his men encountered the rebel left wing under Li Xiong and Bi Xian, and they also joined battle. Both sides fought for about a dozen rounds, then the southern group—Wang Ying, Sun Xin, and Zhang Qing—turned their horses and led their troops eastward. The northern group—Hu Sanniang, Gu Dasao, and Sun Erniang—also turned their horses and led their troops eastward. Wang Qing watched and laughed, saying, "Song Jiang's men are all these useless fellows. How is it that my generals have lost so many times?" He then drove his main army in pursuit. After advancing no more than five or six li, they suddenly heard a sound of gongs. It was Li Kui, Fan Rui, Xiang Chong, and Li Gun, the four infantry leaders who had just left, turning back from the forest on the left side of the mountain. They were joined by "Flowery Monk" Lu Zhishen, "Pilgrim" Wu Song, "Faceless" Jiao Ting, and "Red-Haired Devil" Liu Tang, four more infantry officers, along with five hundred infantrymen. All carried round shields and short weapons and charged straight ahead. The rebel deputy vanguard Shangguan Yi hastily sent two thousand infantry to counterattack. Li Kui and Lu Zhishen fought the rebels for a few rounds, then pretended they could not hold their ground, turned their shields, split into two groups, and fled into the forest. The rebels pursued, but Li Kui and his men ran fast; in the blink of an eye, they scattered in all directions and disappeared. When Li Zhu saw this, he quickly said to Wang Qing, "Great king, you should not pursue. This is a trick to lure us. For now, let us form our battle array and meet the enemy."

Li Zhu ascended the command platform to arrange the formation, but before it was complete, a thunderous blast of cannon fire echoed from beyond the hillside. A large force of troops surged out from behind the slope, rushing forward swiftly to occupy the center and begin forming their own battle array. Wang Qing ordered his attendants to hold his warhorse steady while he himself climbed the platform to observe. He saw the southern contingent, all bearing red banners, red armor, red robes, red tassels, and red horses. At the front was a gilded red banner leading the troops. As the banner fluttered, a great general emerged from amidst the red—"Thunderclap" Qin Ming. To his left was "Holy Water General" Shan Tinggui, and to his right was "Divine Fire General" Wei Dingguo. These three generals, weapons in hand, all rode red horses, standing at the front of the formation.

The eastern contingent was entirely of blue banners, blue armor, blue robes, blue tassels, and blue horses, with a gilded blue banner at the forefront. When it waved, a great general emerged from the blue ranks—"Great Blade" Guan Sheng. To his left was "Hideous Consort" Xuan Zan, and to his right was "Celestial Wolf" Hao Siwen. These three generals, weapons in hand, all rode blue horses, standing at the front of the formation.

The western contingent was wholly of white banners, white armor, white robes, white tassels, and white horses, with a gilded white banner leading. As it unfurled, a great general emerged from the white—"Leopard Head" Lin Chong. To his left was "Subduer of Three Mountains" Huang Xin, and to his right was "Sick Yuchi" Sun Li. These three generals, weapons in hand, all rode white horses, standing at the front of the formation.

The rear contingent was all of black banners, black armor, black robes, black tassels, and black horses, with a gilded black banner at the lead. When it flapped, a great general emerged from the black—"Twin Whip General" Huyan Zhuo. To his left was "Hundred Victories General" Han Tao, and to his right was "Heavenly Eye General" Peng Qi. These three generals, weapons in hand, all rode black horses, standing at the front of the formation.

Within the shadow of the southeastern gate banner, a unit of troops with blue banners and red armor appeared. When the embroidered leading banner waved, a great general emerged—"Twin Spear General" Dong Ping. To his left was "Cloud Scraping Golden Wing" Ou Peng, and to his right was "Fiery-Eyed Lion" Deng Fei. These three generals, weapons in hand, all rode warhorses, standing at the front of the formation.

Within the shadow of the southwestern gate banner, a unit of troops with red banners and white armor appeared. When the embroidered leading banner waved, a great general emerged—"Vanguard" Suo Chao. To his left was "Brilliant-Fur Tiger" Yan Shun, and to his right was "Iron Flute Immortal" Ma Lin. These three generals, weapons in hand, all rode warhorses, standing at the front of the formation.

Within the shadow of the northeastern gate banner, a unit of troops with black banners and blue armor appeared. When the embroidered leading banner waved, a great general emerged—"Nine-Dragon" Shi Jin. To his left was "Gorge-Leaping Tiger" Chen Da, and to his right was "White-Flowered Serpent" Yang Chun. These three generals, weapons in hand, all rode warhorses, standing at the front of the formation.

Within the shadow of the northwestern gate banner, a unit of troops with black banners and black armor appeared. When the embroidered leading banner waved, a great general emerged—"Blue-Faced Beast" Yang Zhi. To his left was "Spotted Leopard" Yang Lin, and to his right was "Little Overlord" Zhou Tong. These three generals, weapons in hand, all rode warhorses, standing at the front of the formation.

The eight directions were arranged like an iron bucket. Within the formation gates, cavalry followed cavalry, infantry followed infantry, each holding steel sabers, great axes, broadswords, and long spears. The banners were orderly, and the ranks were imposing. At the center of the eight-fold formation were all apricot-yellow banners, interspersed with sixty-four long-pennant flags. On these were embroidered in gold thread the sixty-four hexagrams, also divided into four gates. The southern gate was all cavalry. Within the shadow of the yellow banner in the exact south, two top generals emerged: the higher-ranking was "Beautiful Beard" Zhu Tong, and the lower was "Winged Tiger" Lei Heng. Their troops were all yellow banners, yellow robes, bronze armor, yellow tassels, and yellow horses.

At the eastern gate of the central formation was "Golden-Eyed Tiger" Shi En; at the western gate was "White-Faced Gentleman" Zheng Tianshou; at the southern gate was "Cloud-Dwelling Vajra" Song Wan; at the northern gate was "Sick Tiger" Xue Yong. Behind the yellow banners stood a cluster of cannon mounts, with the artilleryman "Thunderer" Ling Zhen, leading over twenty assistants surrounding the mounts. Behind the cannon mounts were arranged grappling hooks and lassos for capturing generals. Behind the hooks was another ring of multicolored banners, with the twenty-eight lunar mansions standing on all four sides. Amidst the gilded embroidered banners stood a goose-yellow marshal's banner, made of piled embroidery, bordered with pearls, topped with golden bells, and adorned with pheasant feathers at the peak. A guardian giant, wearing a fish-tail crown and dragon-scale armor, towering ten feet tall and awe-inspiring—this was "Dangerous Path God" Yu Bao Si. Beside the banner stood two protecting generals, both mounted on warhorses, identically equipped, holding steel spears. One was "Comet Star" Kong Ming, the other was "Solitary Spark" Kong Liang. Before and after the horses were arrayed twenty-four armored soldiers wielding wolf-teeth clubs. Behind them, two battle-leading embroidered banners, flanked by twenty-four halberds, held two valiant generals. On the left was "Little Marquis of Wen" Lü Fang, on the right was "Second Rengui" Guo Sheng. Each held a halberd and stood on either side. Amidst the halberds, a cluster of steel tridents accompanied two infantry valiant generals, identically attired—one was "Two-Headed Serpent" Xie Zhen, the other was "Twin-Tailed Scorpion" Xie Bao. Each held a three-pronged lotus trident, guarding the central army. Behind them, on two brocade-saddled horses, rode on the left "Divine Hand Scholar" Xiao Rang, and on the right "Iron-Faced Magistrate" Pei Xuan. Behind these two horses were arrayed purple-robed standard-bearers and hemp-wrapped saber soldiers. Amidst the forest of hemp sabers stood two executioners: the higher-ranking was "Iron Arm" Cai Fu, the lower was "One Flower" Cai Qing. On both sides of the formation's rear were arranged gold-spear and silver-spear units, each led by a general. In the gold-spear unit was "Gold Spear" Xu Ning; in the silver-spear unit was "Little Li Guang" Hua Rong. Behind them were pairs of brocade robes and flowered caps, clusters of red gowns and quilted jackets. On both sides were emerald canopies and indigo curtains, vermilion banners and pole canopies, golden axes and white yak tails, green lotus leaves and green lightning. Amidst two rows of battle-axes, whips, and maces, beneath three gilded umbrellas, on three brocade-saddled fine horses, sat three heroes: on the right was the star-crowned, crane-robed, wind-and-rain-summoning "Dragon in the Clouds" Gongsun Sheng; on the left was the turbaned, feather-fan-wielding, martial and civil complete "Wise Star" Wu Yong; and in the center, on a Night-Shining Jade Lion with a golden saddle, sat the benevolent and righteous, barbarian-expelling and bandit-quelling Western Expedition Vanguard, Shandong's "Timely Rain" and "Calling-for-Justice" Song Jiang, fully armed, personally wielding his Kunwu treasured sword, overseeing the battle in the formation and commanding the central army. Before his horse on the left stood "Divine Traveler" Dai Zong, exclusively in charge of rapid military intelligence and troop deployment; on the right stood "Wanderer" Yan Qing, solely responsible for protecting the central army and handling confidential matters. Behind the horse were grand halberds and long lances, brocade saddles and fine horses, neatly arrayed—thirty-five adjutant generals, all riding warhorses, holding long spears, fully equipped with bows and arrows. Behind the horses were signal horns, with a full band of drums and music. Behind the formation were placed two units of roving troops, hidden on both flanks, serving as wings to protect the central army: on the left, "Stone General" Shi Yong, together with "Nine-Tailed Turtle" Tao Zongwang, commanding three thousand cavalry and infantry; on the right, "Unstoppable" Mu Hong, leading his brother "Little Unstoppable" Mu Chun, commanding three thousand cavalry and infantry, lying in ambush on both sides. That formation was arranged with utmost precision. Truly:

The strategist's plans were vast, the commander's vision broad;

Soldiers surged like beasts, horses bestrode dragons.

His commands aimed to achieve western pacification;

His shouts sought to accomplish bandit-suppressing feats.

That rustic "Heavenly King" Wang Qing, together with Li Zhu on the command platform in the formation, stared fixedly at Song Jiang's troops. In the blink of an eye, they had formed a Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams battle array. The soldiers were fierce, the generals heroic, the military bearing orderly, the blades and spears razor-sharp. Wang Qing was so terrified that his soul seemed to leave his body, his heart and gall both failing. He could not stop muttering, "No wonder our troops and generals have suffered repeated defeats—so that crew is truly this formidable!"

From the Song army, war drums thundered without cease. Wang Qing and Li Zhu descended from the command platform, mounted their warhorses, flanked by the Golden Guard and other attendants, while many eunuchs crowded behind him. Wang Qing issued an order, commanding the vanguard to charge out and engage. At that moment, the two sides formed battle lines on the east and west; the day’s celestial stem belonged to Wood. From the Song formation, the western gate banner opened, and Leopard-headed Lin Chong galloped out from beneath the pennant, both armies raising a simultaneous shout. Lin Chong reined in his horse, gripping his eight-foot serpent spear crosswise, and shouted in a stern voice: “Ignorant rebels, treacherous madmen! The Heavenly Army has arrived—why not surrender? Wait until your bones and flesh turn to dust—how then will you regret it?” Among the rebel ranks, Li Zhu, originally a fortune-teller well-versed in the principles of mutual generation and restraint, hastily ordered the right-wing sentries Liu Yuan and Pan Zhong to lead the Red Banner troops in an assault. Liu Yuan and Pan Zhong obeyed, leading their Red Banner troops, spurring their horses to charge. The two formations shouted in unison, war drums beating together. Lin Chong engaged Liu Yuan in combat; four arms moved in a frenzy, eight horses’ hooves churned in chaos. The two generals, amid the dust of battle and the thick aura of slaughter, circled left and right, exchanging over fifty rounds without a decision. Liu Yuan was a fierce general among the rebels. Seeing Liu Yuan could not prevail, Pan Zhong whipped his horse, raised his blade, and charged to assist. Lin Chong struggled mightily against the two, then bellowed once, unleashing his divine might, and thrust his spear through Liu Yuan, sending him tumbling from his horse. Lin Chong’s lieutenants, Huang Xin and Sun Li, galloped out from the formation. Huang Xin swung his Death’s-Head Sword and chopped at Pan Zhong: a flash of blood and flesh, and his golden helmet fell beside the horse. Pan Zhong died beneath his steed; his troops scattered, already breaking the formation’s front line. The rebel soldiers flew to report to the central command. Wang Qing, hearing that two generals had been lost in an instant, hastily issued an order to retreat. A cannon blast sounded from the Song army; troops swarmed in confusion, white leading black, black leading green, green leading red, transforming into a long snake formation, closing in like a winnowing fan or a wicker basket, encircling them tightly. Wang Qing and Li Zhu deployed generals and troops to break out in separate directions, but the enemy was like walls of bronze and iron—they could not break free in time. The fierce battle between the imperial army and the rebel troops—how was it seen?

Weapons clashed, troops and horses crossed. Spear breaks saber: the saber comes cleaving the head, the spear must respond with a hooking thrust. The saber rises from below, the spear must meet it with a sweeping parry; the saber drags back in a feint, the spear guards with a skirt block. Saber defeats spear: the spear thrusts at the heart, the saber uses the five-flower pattern to defend; the spear strikes at the eye, the saber uses the probing horse to parry. Bamboo lance breaks shield: the shield may roll in to advance, the lance sweeps like wind to counter; the shield may pursue from the side, the lance waits with an oblique thrust; the shield may push to close in, the lance retreats to stab. Shield defeats bamboo lance: if the lance comes level with the chest, the shield uses a slight crouch to dodge; if the lance presses in a cluster, the shield follows with a shredding method. The single saber hangs and twists, feigning defeat; the iron fork thrusts up and down, side-stepping and dodging. Sleeve arrows aim at foes from horseback; hook-scythes wait by the chariot for horses. Whips, maces, clubs, hammers, swords, halberds, spears, shields: on that side, countermoves are endless; on this side, changes are unfathomable. In a moment, blood flows into rivers; in an instant, corpses pile like mountains.

After a prolonged and bloody battle, the rebel army suffered a great defeat, and the imperial army won a great victory. Wang Qing ordered a temporary retreat into Nanfeng’s inner palace to decide what to do next. Then, cannon fire sounded from the rear army, and a scout galloped in to report: “Great King, another Song army is attacking from behind!” That force, with a heroic general at the vanguard on horseback, was none other than the deputy vanguard, the Jade Unicorn of Hebei, Lu Junyi, gripping a steel-tipped spear. On his left was the stout-blade-wielding hero, Sick Guan Suo, Yang Xiong; on his right was the stout-blade-wielding leader, the Impulsive One, Shi Xiu. Leading ten thousand elite troops, they roused their spirits and scattered the rebel rear guards, both regular and deputy. Yang Xiong cut down Duan Wu; Shi Xiu stabbed Qiu Xiang to death, and together they charged in. Wang Qing, in panic and urgency, heard another cannon blast. On the left, eight fierce leaders—Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, Li Kui, Jiao Ting, Xiang Chong, Li Gun, Fan Rui, and Liu Tang—led a thousand infantry, wielding monk’s staffs, butcher’s knives, axes, broadswords, Death’s-Head Swords, flying knives, javelins, and round shields, killing Li Xiong and Bi Xian, slicing through like cutting melons and greens, charging straight in. On the right, four pairs of heroic couples—Zhang Qing, Wang Ying, Sun Xin, Zhang Qing, Qiongying, Hu Sanniang, Gu Dasao, and Sun Erniang—led a thousand cavalry, brandishing Pear-Blossom Spears, whip-steel spears, square-tipped halberds, paired sun-moon sabers, steel spears, and short blades, scattering the left-wing rebel troops, smashing through like crushing dry weeds, charging straight in. They slaughtered the rebel soldiers until they were scattered in all directions, broken into fragments, scattered like rain and stars, fleeing in chaos. Lu Junyi, Yang Xiong, and Shi Xiu charged into the central command and collided with Fang Han; Lu Junyi pierced him dead with a single spear thrust, scattering the central command’s flanking troops, and went straight to capture Wang Qing, but encountered the Golden Sword Scholar, Li Zhu. Li Zhu had sword skills; his blade danced like lightning. Lu Junyi was struggling to hold his ground when the Song central army arrived. On the right side, the Dragon in the Clouds, Gongsun Sheng, muttered incantations and shouted: “Hasten!” Li Zhu’s sword suddenly left his hand and fell to the ground. Lu Junyi spurred his horse forward, lightly twisting his ape-like arm and turning his wolf-like waist, grabbed Li Zhu with one pull, lifted him alive across his horse, and ordered the soldiers to bind him. Lu Junyi grasped his spear, whipped his horse, and charged again to seek and capture Wang Qing, like a falcon chasing a swallow or a tiger devouring a lamb. The rebel soldiers abandoned their gold and drums, cast aside their halberds and spears, searching for fathers and sons, calling for brothers and children. Of the over one hundred thousand rebel troops, more than half were killed. Corpses littered the fields, blood flowed like rivers. Thirty thousand surrendered; aside from those who fled, the rest were nine dead and one alive, seven wounded and eight broken, tumbling to the ground, trampled by men and horses, their bones and flesh ground to mud—countless. The two fierce generals Liu Yijing and Shangguan Yi were both knocked from their horses by Jiao Ting, who then killed them. Li Xiong was struck from his horse by Qiongying’s flying stone and stabbed dead with a halberd. Bi Xian was fleeing when the Quick-Spark Wang Dingliu suddenly emerged, stabbed him from his horse with a broadsword, then thrust again into his chest, ending his life. Those false ministers, privy councilors, palace commanders, golden guards, and generals all failed to escape; only the chief rebel Wang Qing was missing. The Song army won a great victory. Song Jiang ordered the gongs to sound, signaling the troops to withdraw, and marched toward Nanfeng City. He ordered Zhang Qing and Qiongying to lead five thousand cavalry to scout ahead. He also sent the Marvelous Traveler Dai Zong to first investigate Sun An’s news about his surprise attack on Nanfeng. Dai Zong obeyed, activated his Divine Travel skill, overtook Zhang Qing and Qiongying, and returned in a short while to report: “Sun An, following the vanguard’s orders, disguised soldiers as Western troops to trick the city into opening. The rebels detected the ruse, dug a pit trap inside the city gate, and opened the east gate to let the troops in. Sun An’s seven lieutenants—Mei Yu, Jin Zhen, Bi Jie, Pan Xun, Yang Fang, Feng Sheng, and Hu Mai—rushed into the city ahead, along with five hundred soldiers; both men and horses fell into the pit trap. Ambushers on both sides struck simultaneously, using long spears and sharp halberds to stab all five hundred-plus to death. Fortunately, Sun An was behind and, seizing the momentum, fought his way into the city gate, ordering soldiers to fill the pit. Sun An, riding alone at the forefront, led his troops into the city; the rebels could not hold him back. Sun An seized the east gate, but then the rebels responded from all sides, blocking Sun An’s forces at the east gate. I learned this news and raced back to report. On the way, I met General Zhang and Lady Zhang and told them; they urged their troops forward at full speed.” Upon hearing this, Song Jiang urged the main army forward at a gallop and surrounded Nanfeng City. By then, Zhang Qing and Qiongying had entered the east gate, ordering Sun An to hold it. Zhang Qing and Qiongying were locked in fierce battle with the rebel army. Thus, Song Jiang and his officers and troops rushed into the east gate, seized the city, scattered the rebel soldiers, and raised Song army banners at all four gates. All the many false civil and military officials in the city, including Fan Quan, were killed. The false consort, Duan Sanniang, hearing that the army had entered the city—she had always been strong, could ride a horse, and had prepared herself—tied up her gear, led over a hundred strong eunuchs, all armed, left the palace, exited the rear garden, and tried to break out of the west gate to reach the Yun’an Army. She happened to encounter Qiongying leading troops into the rear garden. Duan Sanniang spurred her horse, brandished a treasured saber, and fought desperately to break through. Qiongying’s flying stone struck Duan Sanniang’s face; blood gushed out, and she fell from her horse, landing feet up. Soldiers rushed forward, captured her, and bound her. Those eunuchs were all killed by Song soldiers. Qiongying led her troops into the rear palace. The palace maids and concubines, hearing that the Song army had entered the city, either hanged themselves, jumped into wells, cut their own throats, or dashed their heads against steps; most committed suicide. The rest were bound by Qiongying’s soldiers and taken to Song Jiang’s tent. Song Jiang was overjoyed. He imprisoned Duan Sanniang and her group, waiting to capture Wang Qing and then escort them all to the capital. He then dispatched troops and generals in all directions to pursue Wang Qing.

Let us now tell of Wang Qing, who, leading a few hundred ironclad cavalry, broke through the heavy encirclement and fled to the east of Nanfeng City. Seeing soldiers fighting within the city, he was terrified out of his wits. When the main army behind him also arrived, he fled north without pausing. Looking back at his side, he had only a hundred or so horsemen; the rest, though usually his most trusted, had all deserted him in this moment of defeat. Wang Qing, with his hundred or so followers, fled toward Yunan. On the road, he said to his attendant eunuchs: "We still hold the three cities of Yunan, Dongchuan, and Ande. Is it not said that though Jiangdong be small, it is still enough to be a king? I only resent those officials who fled and scattered earlier—they enjoyed great salaries and emoluments from Us in peacetime, yet when trouble came, they all departed. When We raise an army to drive back the Song troops and capture those fugitives, We will mince them into meat paste." Wang Qing and his men, neither pausing their horses nor resting their feet, traveled until daybreak. Fortunately, they could see the city of Yunan in the distance. Wang Qing, delighted on horseback, said: "The officers and soldiers in the city are also cautious. Look how neat the banners are, how dense and orderly the weapons!" As Wang Qing spoke, they approached the city wall. Among his followers, one who could read said: "Great King, this is bad! Why are all the city walls hung with Song army flags?" Wang Qing heard this and stared intently. Sure enough, on the east gate, far off, a signal flag fluttered, bearing large golden characters: "Forward Commander of the Imperial Western Song, Water Forces General, Hunjiang..."—the last three characters were obscured by the wind blowing the flag's hem and were unclear. Seeing this, Wang Qing was struck numb, his whole body paralyzed, unable to move for a long time. Truly, the Song troops seemed to have descended from heaven. At that moment, one of Wang Qing’s clever attendant eunuchs said: "Great King, there is no time to delay! Please quickly remove your robes and hasten to Dongchuan, lest the city's people see us and cause trouble." Wang Qing said: "My beloved minister speaks most fittingly." Wang Qing immediately took off his gold-embossed, horn-turned turban, shed his sun-and-moon cloud-shouldered python-embroidered robe, removed his gold-inlaid, gem-studded jade belt, and pulled off his gold-stitched cloud-soled court boots, replacing them with a plain headcloth, ordinary clothes, and soft leather boots. The rest of his attendants also stripped off their outer garments. Hurried as a stray dog, frantic as a fish that has escaped the net, they took a small path to bypass Yunan City, fleeing toward Dongchuan. They traveled until men were exhausted and horses weary, and their bellies were empty with hunger. The common people, long ravaged by the rebels, and hearing of the great army's battles, had abandoned all major roads and thoroughfares; there was not a single soul, and it was so silent that not even the crow of a rooster or bark of a dog was heard. They could not even find a drop of water to drink, let alone wine or food. At that time, Wang Qing’s trusted followers, pretending to go to the latrine or to urinate, slipped away again, losing sixty or seventy men. Wang Qing, leading over thirty horsemen, traveled until evening before reaching the Kaizhou area, subordinate to Yunan. There, a river blocked their path. This river was called the Qingjiang; its source came from Wanqing Pond in Dazhou. The river water was exceptionally clear, hence its name. Wang Qing then said: "How can we get a boat to cross?" One attendant eunuch behind him pointed and said: "Great King, on the southern bank, among the sparse reeds where wild geese land, there is a cluster of fishing boats." Wang Qing looked and, with his men, went to the riverbank. It was early winter, the weather clear and mild. They saw several dozen fishing boats—some fishing, some drying nets. Among them, several boats were anchored midstream, where men were playing finger-guessing games and drinking wine from large bowls. Wang Qing sighed and said: "These fellows are so happy! Today, I am worse off than them! They are all my subjects, yet they do not know how distressed I am." The attendant eunuch called out loudly: "You fishermen! Row a few boats over to ferry us across the river, and we will pay you generously." Two fishermen put down their wine bowls, and one small fishing skiff, creaking and groaning, was rowed close to the shore. The fisherman at the bow took a bamboo pole from the side of the boat to push it ashore. He stared at Wang Qing from head to foot and said: "Joyful! More drinking companions are here. Get on the boat! Get on the boat!" The attendant eunuch helped Wang Qing dismount. Wang Qing looked at the fisherman: he was tall and large, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, a ruddy face, a beard like iron wire, and a voice like a bronze bell. The fisherman, holding the bamboo pole in one hand, helped Wang Qing aboard with the other, then gave a single push with the pole against the shore, and the boat was already over ten feet from land. The attendant rebels on the bank became flustered and shouted in unison: "Hurry and row the boat back! We also need to cross the river!" The fisherman glared and barked: "Coming! Where’s the rush?" He then set down the bamboo pole, grabbed Wang Qing by the chest, pressed him down with both hands, and with a splash, forced him flat onto the cabin deck. As Wang Qing struggled, the oarsman aboard let go of his oar, jumped over, and together they seized him. The fishermen on the net-drying boat, seeing Wang Qing captured, all leaped ashore and rushed forward, capturing the thirty-some attendant rebels one by one.

It turned out that the boat-poling fisherman was "Hunjiang Long" Li Jun, and the oarsman was "Chudong Jiao" Tong Wei. All the fishermen were water forces. Li Jun, under orders from Commander Song Jiang, commanded the water-borne boats to engage the rebel navy. Li Jun and his men had fought a great battle with the rebel navy at Qutang Gorge, killing their commander, the Water Forces Governor Wen Renshichong, and capturing his deputy, Hu Jun. The rebel army was utterly defeated. Seeing that Hu Jun was of unusual appearance and bearing, Li Jun magnanimously released him; Hu Jun, grateful, joined Li Jun in tricking open the water gate of Yunan, capturing the city, and killing the rebel garrison commander Shi Jun and others. "Hunjiang Long" Li Jun, calculating that the rebels, after their defeat by the main army, would surely flee to their lair, had ordered Zhang Heng and Zhang Shun to guard the city while he, together with Tong Wei and Tong Meng, led the water forces disguised as fishermen to patrol and scout here. He also sent the three Ruan brothers, also disguised as fishermen, to set up ambushes and scouts at various points like Yanyu Duij, Minjiang River, and Yufu Pu. Just now, Li Jun saw Wang Qing leading on horseback, with many others clustered behind him, and guessed he was a rebel leader, though he did not know he was the arch-criminal himself. After Li Jun interrogated the followers and learned it was Wang Qing, he clapped his hands and laughed with joy. He had Wang Qing bound and delivered to Yunan City. Meanwhile, he sent men to recall the three Ruan brothers and the two Zhangs to guard the city. Li Jun, along with the surrendered general Hu Jun, escorted Wang Qing and his party to Commander Song Jiang’s camp. On the way, they heard that Song Jiang had already captured Nanfeng, so Li Jun and his men went directly into the city and delivered Wang Qing to the command headquarters. Song Jiang, frustrated that his generals had been unable to capture Wang Qing, was overjoyed at the report. Li Jun entered headquarters and paid his respects to Commander Song Jiang. Song Jiang praised him: "Virtuous brother, this merit is no small thing." Li Jun then introduced the surrendered general Hu Jun to Commander Song Jiang. Li Jun said: "The credit for this achievement belongs to this man." Song Jiang asked Hu Jun his name and about the trick to take Yunan. After Song Jiang had comforted and rewarded him, he immediately discussed with his generals the plan to attack the two cities of Dongchuan and Ande. Then the newly surrendered general Hu Jun reported: "Commander, there is no need for you to trouble yourself. I have a plan that will make both cities fall as easily as turning over one’s hand!" Song Jiang was overjoyed and quickly rose from his seat, bowing to Hu Jun and asking for his strategy. Hu Jun, bowing respectfully, spoke a few words to Song Jiang. As a result, cities would be recovered without a single arrow being shot, and the three armies would be calm as the rebels surrendered. In the end, what words did Hu Jun speak? Let us listen to the explanation in the next chapter.