Chapter 115: Zhang Shun's Spirit Captures Fang Tianding; Song Jiang Takes Ninghai Army by Strategy

CHAPTER 115

Zhang Shun’s Spirit Captures Fang Tianding; Song Jiang Wins Ninghai Command by Strategy

It is told: Song Jiang and Dai Zong were just offering sacrifices to Zhang Shun on the West Ridge Bridge, when someone had already reported to Fang Tianding. He dispatched ten leading generals, divided into two columns, to come out of the city and capture Song Jiang. The five generals on the Southern Mountain were Wu Zhi, Zhao Yi, Chao Zhong, Yuan Xing, and Su Jing; the Northern Mountain route also sent five leading generals: Wen Kerang, Cui Yu, Lian Ming, Mao Di, and Tang Fengshi. These two routes, north and south, with a total of ten leading generals, each commanded three thousand troops. Around midnight, they opened the city gates, and both columns of soldiers charged out together.

Song Jiang was just burning paper money and pouring libations with Dai Zong when they heard a great clamor rising from beneath the bridge. On the left, Fan Rui and Ma Lin, and on the right, Shi Xiu, each leading five thousand men in ambush, saw the fire signals ahead, and simultaneously lit their own torches. The two columns split up, pursuing and striking the troops on the Southern and Northern Mountains. The southern soldiers, seeing that the Song forces were prepared, hastily retreated along their original path, with the Song troops from both sides in pursuit. Wen Kerang led his four generals, rushing to cross the river and return, but unexpectedly, from behind Baoshu Pagoda Hill, Ruan Xiao’er, Ruan Xiaowu, and Meng Kang burst out with five thousand troops, cutting off their retreat. They captured Mao Di alive, and Tang Fengshi was stabbed to death by a flurry of spears. On the Southern Mountain, Wu Zhi also led his four generals, meeting the pursuing Song troops, and hastily fell back. Unexpectedly, at Dingxiang Bridge, they ran straight into Li Kui, Bao Xu, Xiang Chong, and Li Gun, who led five hundred infantrymen charging out. The two shield-bearers rushed straight into their midst, brandishing their barbarian shields, and with flying daggers drawn from their sheaths, they quickly cut down Yuan Xing. Bao Xu’s blade killed Su Jing, and Li Kui’s axe split Zhao Yi. Most of the soldiers were driven into the lake and drowned. By the time relief troops came out from the city, Song Jiang’s forces had already entered the hills. They all assembled at Lingyin Temple, each reporting their merits to receive rewards. From both routes, they captured over five hundred fine horses. Song Jiang ordered Shi Xiu, Fan Rui, and Ma Lin to stay and assist Li Jun and the others in managing the West Lake mountain stronghold, preparing to attack the city. Song Jiang himself, taking only Dai Zong, Li Kui, and others, returned to the stronghold at Gaoting Mountain.

Wu Yong and the others welcomed him into the central tent and took their seats. Song Jiang said to the military adviser, “Using this stratagem of mine, we have also obtained the heads of four of their generals and captured Mao Di alive. He will be escorted to General Zhang’s camp for execution by beheading.”

While in the camp, Song Jiang was anxious because he had no news from either Dusu Pass or Deqing. He sent Dai Zong to scout and report back quickly. After several days, Dai Zong returned to the camp, paid his respects to the vanguard, and informed him that Lu Junyi’s vanguard had already taken Dusu Pass and would arrive here soon, morning or evening. Hearing this, Song Jiang was both worried and pleased, and asked about the troops and officers. Dai Zong replied, “I know all the details of the fighting there, and I have an official dispatch with me. Vanguard, please do not be troubled.” Song Jiang said, “Surely we haven’t lost another of my brothers? Do not hide anything from me; tell me the truth of the matter.” Dai Zong said, “Since Lu Vanguard went to take Dusu Pass, the pass is flanked on both sides by high mountains, with only a single path through the middle. On the mountain stands the pass structure. Beside the pass is a grove of trees, some dozens of zhang tall, from which one can see in all directions. Below are dense, tangled pine trees. The three rebel generals guarding the pass were, first, Wu Sheng, second, Jiang Yin, and third, Wei Heng. At first, for several days, they came down from the pass and fought with Lin Chong, but Lin Chong’s snake-spear wounded Jiang Yin, so Wu Sheng dared not descend again and only guarded the pass. Later, Li Tianrun led four more generals to reinforce the pass: Li Dayou, Zhang Jian, Zhang Tao, and Yao Yi. The next day, they came down to fight. Among the rebel troops, Li Dayou was the first to ride out and engaged Lü Fang. After about fifty or sixty exchanges, Lü Fang killed Li Dayou with a single thrust of his halberd. The rebel troops then went back up to the pass and did not come down again. For several days, they waited below the pass. Because the mountain ridges were steep and perilous, Lu Vanguard sent Ou Peng, Deng Fei, Li Zhong, and Zhou Tong up the mountain to scout the path. Unexpectedly, Li Tianrun, seeking revenge for his brother, led rebel troops charging down from the pass. With the first stroke of his sword, he cut down Zhou Tong. Li Zhong was wounded and fled; if reinforcements had been slower, all would have been lost. They rescued the other three generals and returned to camp. The next day, ‘Double Spears’ Dong Ping, in his impatience for revenge, reined in his horse below the pass and cursed the rebel generals. Unexpectedly, a cannon was fired from the pass, and the blast wounded Dong Ping’s left arm. When he returned to camp, he could no longer wield his spear, and his arm was bound up with splints. The following day, he insisted on going to take revenge, but Lu Vanguard stopped him and did not let him go. After a night, thinking his arm had healed, without letting Lu Vanguard know, he discussed it with Zhang Qing. The two of them, not taking horses, went up to the pass on foot. From the pass came Li Tianrun and Zhang Tao to engage them. Dong Ping wanted to capture Li Tianrun and fought on foot with his spear. Li Tianrun also met him with a long spear. They fought for ten exchanges. Dong Ping’s mind was only on the fight, but his left hand could not handle the spear smoothly, and he had to retreat. Li Tianrun pursued him down from the pass. Zhang Qing then thrust his spear at Li Tianrun. Li Tianrun dodged behind a pine tree, and Zhang Qing’s spear lodged fast in the trunk. When he tried to pull it out, it was stuck and would not come free. Li Tianrun thrust back with his spear, hitting him square in the belly and knocking him to the ground. Dong Ping, seeing Zhang Qing fallen, rushed to fight with his double spears, but did not guard against Zhang Tao, who came from behind and cut Dong Ping in two with a single sword stroke across the waist. When Lu Vanguard learned of this, he hurried to send reinforcements, but the rebel troops had already gone back up the pass, and there was no way to attack from below. Then Sun Xin and his wife Gu Dasao, disguising themselves as refugees fleeing disaster, went deep into the mountains and found a small path. They led Li Li, Tang Long, Shi Qian, and Bai Sheng, four men, through the small path to the pass. In the middle of the night, they crept up to the pass and set a fire. The rebel generals, seeing the blaze on the pass and knowing that Song soldiers had already broken through, all abandoned the pass and fled. When Lu Vanguard went up to the pass to muster his troops, Sun Xin and Gu Dasao had captured Wu Sheng, the original defender of the pass, alive; Li Li and Tang Long captured Jiang Yin, the original defender, alive; Shi Qian and Bai Sheng captured Wei Heng, the original defender, alive. These three men were all escorted to General Zhang’s camp. The corpses of Dong Ping, Zhang Qing, and Zhou Tong were gathered and buried at the pass.

Lu Vanguard pursued the rebels forty-five li beyond the pass, caught up with them, and engaged Li Tianrun in combat. After more than thirty exchanges, Lu Vanguard killed Li Tianrun. Only Zhang Jian, Zhang Tao, and Yao Yi remained, leading the defeated remnants. They put up a feeble resistance, then took the opportunity to retreat. They should arrive here soon, morning or evening. If the chieftain does not believe me, he may look at the official dispatch.” Song Jiang read the dispatch, and his heart grew even more troubled; tears gushed forth like a spring.

Wu Yong said, “Since Lu Vanguard has won, we can deploy troops to attack from both sides. The southern troops will surely be defeated. We should then go to support Hu Yanzhuo’s column at Huzhou.” Song Jiang replied, “Very well said!” He then dispatched Li Kui, Bao Xu, Xiang Chong, and Li Gun, leading three thousand infantry, to go by the mountain road to provide support. The “Black Whirlwind” took command of the troops and set off, overjoyed.

Meanwhile, Song Jiang’s forces were attacking the East Gate. The main general, Zhu Tong, and others had originally been assigned five thousand cavalry and infantry. They advanced from the villages along Tangzhen Road to outside Caishimen, to attack the East Gate. At that time, the eastern route along the river was all villages, shops, and houses, surpassing the city itself—a vast, sprawling area of fields and plots. When they reached the city wall, they deployed their troops. Lu Zhishen was the first to take the field, advancing on foot to challenge the enemy. Carrying his iron staff, he went straight to the foot of the city wall and shouted curses: “You barbarian scoundrels! Come out and fight me!” When the men on the wall saw a monk issuing a challenge, they hastily reported it to the prince’s palace. The Precious Light National Preceptor, Deng Yuanjue, hearing that a monk was challenging them, rose and addressed the prince: “I have heard that Liangshan Marsh has a monk named Lu Zhishen, who is skilled with an iron staff. I beg Your Highness to come to the East Gate wall and watch me fight several exchanges with him on foot.” Fang Tianding was overjoyed and issued an order. He then led eight fierce generals, together with Marshal Shi Bao, to the wall at Caishimen to watch the National Preceptor engage the enemy. Presently, Fang Tianding and Shi Bao seated themselves on the tower, flanked by the eight battle generals, all watching the Precious Light National Preceptor prepare for battle. How was the Precious Light monk dressed? Behold:

He wore a crimson monk’s robe, the color of blazing fire,

Girt with a round belt woven from tiger sinews,

Hung with a string of prayer beads adorned with seven precious gems,

On his feet were deerskin monk’s shoes with nine rings.

Beneath his robe was a breastplate of gold-embossed fragrant incense thread,

And in his hands he wielded a gleaming, solid iron staff.

At that moment, the city gates were opened, the drawbridge lowered, and the Precious Light National Preceptor, Deng Yuanjue, led five hundred sword-wielding infantrymen rushing out. When Lu Zhishen saw him, he said, “So the southern army also has this bald scoundrel. Let me teach him to taste a hundred blows of my staff!” Without exchanging a word, he whirled his staff and charged forward. The Precious Light National Preceptor also brandished his staff to meet him. The two of them clashed, both using their iron staves. But see:

Lu Zhishen was furious, utterly without a calm heart; Deng Yuanjue was enraged, how could he have any thought of compassion? One never revered the Buddha’s way, only killed on moonless nights; the other never studied scriptures, only delighted in setting fires on windy nights. One, at the assembly on Vulture Peak, angered the Tathagata for idly sitting on the lotus throne; the other, before the Hall of Good Dharma, forced the Guardian to turn back his golden club. One never in his life practiced the Liangwu Repentance; the other never knew the Patriarch’s Chan in his lifetime.

Lu Zhishen and Precious Light National Master fought for over fifty rounds without a victor. Fang Tianding watched from the enemy tower and said to Shi Bao: “I only heard that Liangshan Marsh had a ‘Flowery Monk’ Lu Zhishen, but I never imagined he was so formidable—his reputation is well-deserved! Fighting for so long, he hasn’t let Precious Light gain the slightest advantage.” Shi Bao replied: “I was also stunned watching; I’ve never seen such a matched pair of foes.” As they spoke, they heard a fast horse report again: “At the North Pass Gate, more troops have arrived at the city walls.” Shi Bao hurriedly rose and left.

Meanwhile, below the city, among the Song army, the “Pilgrim” Wu Song saw that Lu Zhishen could not overcome Precious Light and, fearing a mishap, grew impatient. He brandished his paired monk’s knives, charged out of the formation, and went straight for Precious Light. Seeing the two fighting him one against two, Precious Light dragged his iron staff and fled back into the city. Wu Song, emboldened, gave chase. Suddenly, a fierce general charged out of the city gate—it was Bei Yingkui, one of Fang Tianding’s commanders. He leveled his spear, spurred his horse, and engaged Wu Song in battle. The two met on the drawbridge. Wu Song dodged aside, let go of his knife, seized the spear shaft, gave a single tug, and dragged both man and horse to the ground. With a kacha stroke, he chopped off Bei Yingkui’s head. Lu Zhishen then came up to support him. Fang Tianding urgently ordered the drawbridge raised, withdrew his troops into the city, while Zhu Tong on the other side also ordered the army to retreat ten li and set up camp, sending a messenger to report the victory to Song Jiang.

That day, Song Jiang led the army to challenge at the North Pass Gate. Shi Bao mounted his horse, carrying his meteor hammer, and crossed his Wind-Splitting Saber as the city gate opened for him to meet the enemy. From the Song ranks, “Great Saber” Guan Sheng rode out to fight Shi Bao. After more than twenty rounds, Shi Bao wheeled his horse and fled. Guan Sheng quickly reined in and returned to his own formation. Song Jiang asked: “Why didn’t you pursue?” Guan Sheng replied: “Shi Bao’s saber skill is not inferior to mine. Though he turned back, it must be a trick.” Wu Yong said: “Duan Kai once said this man is skilled with the meteor hammer; he pretends to flee to lure people deep into danger.” Song Jiang said: “If we had pursued, we would certainly have fallen into his trap. For now, withdraw the troops to camp and send someone to reward Wu Song.”

Then Li Kui and others led the infantry to support Lu Junyi. As they entered the mountain paths, they ran into Zhang Jian and his defeated troops. They joined forces and charged in, killing Yao Yi in the melee. Zhang Jian and Zhang Tao fled back along the road to the pass, where they encountered Lu Junyi. After a great battle, they escaped into deep mountain trails. Pursued closely, they abandoned their horses and fled on foot to the foot of the mountain. Unexpectedly, two men sprang out from the bamboo grove, each holding a steel fork. Zhang Jian and Zhang Tao, caught off guard, were knocked down by the fork-wielders and captured, then brought down the mountain. It turned out that the men who captured Zhang Jian and Zhang Tao were Xie Zhen and Xie Bao. When Lu Junyi saw the two prisoners brought in, he was overjoyed. He united his forces with Li Kui and the others, and together with the assembled commanders, they arrived at the main camp on Gaoting Mountain to pay respects to Song Jiang and the others. They recounted the loss of Dong Ping, Zhang Qing, and Zhou Tong, and all felt sorrow. The commanders came to bow before Song Jiang, and the armies were combined into one camp. The next day, Zhang Jian was sent to the army of Commissioner Zhang in Suzhou to be beheaded as a warning. Zhang Tao was disemboweled and his heart cut out before the camp as a remote sacrifice to Dong Ping, Zhang Qing, and Zhou Tong.

Song Jiang discussed with Wu Yong: “I ask that Commander Lu lead his troops to meet Hu Yanzhuo’s forces on the road from Deqing County and bring them here, where we can plan together to take the city.” Lu Junyi received the order, mustered his troops, and set out on the road toward Fangkou Town. On the march, they reached Fangkou, where they encountered the remnants of Si Xingfang’s defeated army. Lu Junyi engaged them, killing many in a great battle, and Si Xingfang fell into the water and drowned; the rest scattered and fled. Hu Yanzhuo paid respects to Lu Junyi, and the forces combined, then returned to the main camp at Gaoting Mountain to meet Song Jiang and the others. The commanders assembled to discuss. Seeing that both armies had arrived at Hangzhou, and that Xuanzhou, Huzhou, and Dushu Pass were already under the command of Commissioner Zhang and Counselor Cong, who had dispatched officers to guard the areas and pacify the people, Song Jiang took no further action on these matters.

Song Jiang noticed that among Hu Yanzhuo’s troops, Lei Heng and Gong Wang were missing. Hu Yanzhuo reported: “Lei Heng fought Si Xingfang south of Deqing County’s outer gate. After thirty rounds, Si Xingfang cut him down from his horse. Gong Wang, while battling Huang Ai, pursued him across a stream, but both horse and rider fell into the water, where he was stabbed to death by the southern troops’ spears. Mi Quan was split in two by Suo Chao’s axe. Huang Ai and Xu Bai were captured alive by the commanders. Si Xingfang was chased until he drowned. Xue Dounan fled in the chaos and his whereabouts are unknown.” Hearing that another two brothers, Lei Heng and Gong Wang, had been lost, Song Jiang’s tears fell like rain. He said to the commanders: “The other day, when Zhang Shun appeared to me in a dream, I saw three or four figures with blood-stained clothes standing on my right, manifesting before me. They were the spirits of Dong Ping, Zhang Qing, Zhou Tong, Lei Heng, and Gong Wang. When I take Hangzhou and Ninghai Army, I will generously invite monks to hold a vegetarian feast and perform rites to deliver and elevate the souls of all the brothers.” Huang Ai and Xu Bai were sent to Commissioner Zhang’s army to be beheaded.

That day, Song Jiang ordered cattle and horses slaughtered to feast and reward the troops. The next day, after discussing with Wu Yong, he divided the chief and deputy commanders to attack Hangzhou.

Deputy Commander Lu Junyi led twelve chief and deputy commanders to attack the Rear Tide Gate:

Lin Chong, Hu Yanzhuo, Liu Tang, Xie Zhen, Xie Bao, Shan Tinggui, Wei Dingguo, Chen Da, Yang Chun, Du Qian, Li Yun, Shi Yong.

Hua Rong and fourteen chief and deputy commanders attacked the Gen Mountain Gate:

Hua Rong, Qin Ming, Zhu Wu, Huang Xin, Sun Li, Li Zhong, Zou Yuan, Zou Run, Li Li, Bai Sheng, Tang Long, Mu Chun, Zhu Gui, Zhu Fu.

Mu Hong and eleven chief and deputy commanders went to the West Mountain Camp to assist Li Jun and others in attacking the Lake-Leaning Gate:

Li Jun, Ruan Xiao’er, Ruan Xiaowu, Meng Kang, Shi Xiu, Fan Rui, Ma Lin, Mu Hong, Yang Xiong, Xue Yong, Ding Desun.

Sun Xin and eight chief and deputy commanders went to the East Gate Camp to assist Zhu Tong in attacking the Vegetable Market and Jian Bridge gates:

Zhu Tong, Shi Jin, Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, Sun Xin, Gu Dasao, Zhang Qing, Sun Erniang.

From the East Gate Camp, eight deputy commanders were recalled to join Li Ying and others in managing reconnaissance at each camp and responding to various situations:

Li Ying, Kong Ming, Yang Lin, Du Xing, Tong Wei, Tong Meng, Wang Ying, Hu Sanniang.

Chief Commander Song Jiang led twenty-one chief and deputy commanders to attack the main route at the North Pass Gate:

Wu Yong, Guan Sheng, Suo Chao, Dai Zong, Li Kui, Lü Fang, Guo Sheng, Ou Peng, Deng Fei, Yan Shun, Ling Zhen, Bao Xu, Xiang Chong, Li Gun, Song Qing, Pei Xuan, Jiang Jing, Cai Fu, Cai Qing, Shi Qian, Yu Baosi.

Thus Song Jiang assigned the commanders to attack the four city gates.

Song Jiang led the main force directly to the North Pass Gate city walls to challenge. From the city, gongs sounded, the gates opened wide, and the drawbridge was lowered. Shi Bao was the first to ride out and fight. From the Song ranks, “Impetuous Vanguard” Suo Chao, ever impatient, swung his great axe without a word and charged out to duel Shi Bao. The horses crossed, and the two fought fiercely. In less than ten rounds, Shi Bao feigned a flaw, turned his horse, and fled. Suo Chao pursued. Guan Sheng urgently called out not to go, but Suo Chao was struck in the face by a hammer and knocked from his horse. Deng Fei rushed to save him, but Shi Bao’s horse arrived, and Deng Fei, caught off guard, was cut in two by Shi Bao’s saber. From the city, Precious Light National Master led several fierce generals in a charge, and the Song army suffered a great defeat, fleeing north. But Hua Rong, Qin Ming, and the others attacked from the flank, driving back the southern troops and rescuing Song Jiang back to camp. Shi Bao, victorious, returned to the city in high spirits.

When Song Jiang and the others returned to the main camp at Gaoting Mountain, he took his seat at the command tent, feeling deeply troubled by the loss of the two generals Suo Chao and Deng Fei. Wu Yong advised, "With such fierce generals in the city, we can only take it with strategy, not through direct confrontation." Song Jiang said, "With losses like this, what strategy can we use to capture it?" Wu Yong replied, "First, the vanguard should deploy troops at each gate properly, then lead the army to attack the North Gate. The city’s forces will surely come out to meet us. We feign retreat, luring the rebel troops away from the city, then fire a signal cannon, and all gates will attack simultaneously. If any gate’s army breaks in, set fires as a signal, and the rebels will be unable to tend to everything, allowing us to achieve a great victory." Song Jiang then ordered Dai Zong to relay the orders to all units. The next day, he sent Guan Sheng with some troops to challenge the enemy at the North Gate. Drums sounded on the city wall, and Shi Bao led his forces out to engage Guan Sheng. After less than ten exchanges, Guan Sheng quickly withdrew. Shi Bao’s troops pursued, and Ling Zhen fired the cannon. When the signal cannon sounded, all gates erupted in shouts and attacked simultaneously.

Meanwhile, the second-in-command Lu Junyi led Lin Chong and others to attack the Chaohou Gate. As the army approached the city, they saw the gate open and the drawbridge lowered. Liu Tang, eager to claim the first merit, charged alone on horseback with his blade straight into the city. Those on the wall saw Liu Tang galloping in and cut the rope with an axe, dropping the portcullis. Alas, the brave Liu Tang, horse and man, perished together under the gate. The city of Hangzhou was built when King Qian made it his capital, with three layers of gates: an outer portcullis, two iron-sheet doors in the middle, and an inner palisade gate. As Liu Tang reached the gate, the portcullis was already dropped from above. Ambushing troops were hidden on both sides—how could Liu Tang survive! Lin Chong and Huyan Zhuo, seeing Liu Tang lost, led their troops back to camp and reported to Lu Junyi. No gate could be breached, so they temporarily withdrew, sending a fast rider to inform the main camp of Song Jiang. When Song Jiang heard that Liu Tang had been crushed by the portcullis at Chaohou Gate, he wept bitterly, saying, "This brother has died unjustly! From the time we swore brotherhood in Yuncheng County, following the Heavenly King Chao Gai to Liangshan Marsh, he endured many years of hardship without ever enjoying comfort. In over a hundred battles, large and small, he escaped death nine times out of ten, never losing his edge. Who would have thought he would die here today!" Military advisor Wu Yong said, "This plan is no good; it failed and cost us a brother. Let all gates temporarily withdraw, and we will think of another strategy."

Song Jiang was anxious, eager for vengeance, sighing incessantly. His subordinate, the "Black Whirlwind," said, "Brother, rest assured. Tomorrow, with Bao Xu, Xiang Chong, and Li Gun—the four of us—I will surely capture that scoundrel Shi Bao!" Song Jiang said, "That man is a formidable hero; how can you get close to him?" Li Kui replied, "I don’t believe it. If I don’t catch him tomorrow, I won’t come to see you again." Song Jiang said, "Just be cautious and careful; don’t take it lightly." The "Black Whirlwind" Li Kui returned to his tent, poured large bowls of wine and set out platters of meat, inviting Bao Xu, Xiang Chong, and Li Gun to drink. He said, "We four have always fought side by side. Today, I boasted before the vanguard brother; tomorrow, we must capture that scoundrel Shi Bao. Don’t you two slack off." Bao Xu said, "Brother, you let the cavalry advance today, and you’ll let them advance tomorrow. Tonight, let’s agree—tomorrow, we must advance with one heart and capture Shi Bao. Let all four of us strive for honor!" The next morning, Li Kui and the other three, drunk and full, took their weapons and left the camp, asking the vanguard brother to watch them fight. Song Jiang, seeing them half-drunk, said, "You four brothers, don’t treat your lives as a joke!" Li Kui said, "Brother, don’t underestimate us!" Song Jiang said, "I only hope you live up to your words!" Song Jiang mounted his horse, leading the four cavalry generals Guan Sheng, Oupeng, Lü Fang, and Guo Sheng to the North Gate, where they beat drums and waved flags in challenge. Li Kui, burning with fury, gripped his double axes, standing before the horses; Bao Xu, brandishing his broadsword, glared, ready for battle; Xiang Chong and Li Gun each held a round shield, with twenty-four flying knives inserted, clutching iron spears and crouching on either side. Then, gongs and drums sounded from the city wall. Shi Bao, riding a melon-yellow horse and wielding a wind-splitting blade, led two subordinate generals out to meet them: on the upper side was Wu Zhi, on the lower side Lian Ming. As the three generals emerged, Li Kui, a man who feared nothing, let out a great roar, and the four of them charged straight to the front of Shi Bao’s horse. Shi Bao raised his wind-splitting blade to meet them, but the blade was already at his chest. Li Kui chopped off the horse’s leg with an axe, and Shi Bao jumped down, dodging into the cavalry ranks. Bao Xu quickly cut Lian Ming off his horse with a single stroke. The two shield-bearers had already thrown their flying knives, which danced in the air like jade fish, crisscrossing like silver leaves. As Song Jiang’s cavalry pressed toward the city wall, timbers and stone missiles rained down from above. Fearing mishap, Song Jiang hastily ordered a retreat, but Bao Xu had already charged into the city gate. Song Jiang could only cry out in distress. Shi Bao, lying in ambush inside the gate, saw Bao Xu rush in and, with a single diagonal stroke, cut him in two. Xiang Chong and Li Gun quickly shielded Li Kui and retreated. Song Jiang’s army withdrew to their camp, and with the loss of Bao Xu, his gloom deepened. Li Kui also ran back to camp, weeping. Wu Yong said, "This plan was also no good. Though we killed one of their generals, we lost Li Kui’s deputy."

Just as everyone was troubled, Xie Zhen and Xie Bao arrived at camp to report. When Song Jiang asked for details, Xie Zhen stated, "Your younger brother and Xie Bao scouted more than twenty li south of the south gate to a place called Fan Village, where we saw a line of several dozen boats moored by the river. When we went down to ask, it turned out to be grain boats escorted by Yuan Pingshi of Fuyang County. Your younger brother was about to kill him, but the man wept and said, ‘We are all good people of the Great Song, repeatedly oppressed by Fang La with irregular taxes. Anyone who disobeys has their whole family killed. Now that the heavenly troops have come to eradicate them, we only hope to see peaceful days again. Who would have thought we’d meet a violent death?’ Your younger brother saw his sincerity and could not bear to kill him. I asked him, ‘Why have you come here?’ He said, ‘Because recently, by Fang Tianding’s decree, orders were sent to all counties to purge the villages and levy fifty thousand shi of white grain. I, old man, took the lead, collected five thousand shi, and came ahead to deliver it. Now that I’m here, with the great army besieging the city and fighting, I dare not go forward and am moored here.’ Your younger brother got the full story and came specially to report to the commander." Wu Yong was overjoyed and said, "This is a gift from Heaven! These grain boats will surely bring us merit. Please, vanguard, issue orders: let you two brothers take the lead, with artilleryman Ling Zhen and Du Qian, Li Yun, Shi Yong, Zou Yuan, Zou Run, Li Li, Bai Sheng, Mu Chun, Tang Long. Wang Ying, Hu Sanniang, Sun Xin, Gu Dasao, Zhang Qing, Sun Erniang—three couples—disguise as boatmen and boatwomen, all keep silent, mingle at the stern of the boats, and infiltrate the city together. Then fire a linked signal cannon, and we will deploy troops from here to respond." Xie Zhen and Xie Zhen called Yuan Pingshi ashore and relayed the vanguard’s words: "Since you are good people of the Song, you may follow this plan. When the deed is done, you will be heavily rewarded."

At this time, Magistrate Yuan had no choice but to agree, and many of the generals had already boarded the boats. They kept the boatmen and others on the vessels for miscellaneous tasks, but stripped off the boatmen’s clothes and dressed Wang Ying, Sun Xin, and Zhang Qing in them, disguising them as boatmen. Hu Sanniang, Gu Dasao, and Sun Erniang, the three female generals, dressed as boatwomen, while the junior officers and others were made to pose as oarsmen. The weapons of all the generals were hidden in the cabins, and the boats were all brought to the riverbank. At this time, the Song troops laying siege and keeping watch at the various city gates were not far off. Magistrate Yuan went ashore, followed by Xie Zhen, Xie Bao, and the several boatmen, and went straight to the city wall to call out for the gate to be opened. Those on the wall learned of this, inquired about the details, and reported it to the prince’s palace. Fang Tianding then sent Wu Zhi to open the city gate and go directly to the riverbank, where he counted the boats and returned to the city to report to Fang Tianding. Fang Tianding dispatched six generals, leading ten thousand troops out of the city, to block the northeast corner, and ordered Magistrate Yuan to transport the grain into the city for delivery. At this time, all the generals and others mingled among the boatmen and oarsmen, and together they moved the grain into the city. The three female generals also entered the city with them. The five thousand piculs of grain were all moved within a short time. The six commanding generals then led their troops into the city. The Song troops came in separate groups, again surrounded the city wall, and deployed their formations two or three li from the city. That night, during the second watch, Ling Zhen took out nine boxes of sub-mother-and-son cannons and went directly to the top of Wu Mountain to set them off. The generals each took torches and set fires everywhere. Within the city, chaos erupted in no time, and no one knew how many Song troops were inside. Fang Tianding, in his palace, was greatly alarmed by the news and hastily donned his armor and mounted his horse, but the soldiers at the various city gates had already fled for their lives. The Song troops’ momentum greatly increased, each vying for merit in capturing the city.

Now let us speak of Li Jun and the others in the mountains west of the city. Having received the orders, they led their troops to attack Jingci Harbor, captured the boats, and sailed across the lake, landing at Yongjin Gate. The generals split up to seize the various water gates, with Li Yun and Shi Xiu being the first to scale the city wall. That night, a chaotic battle raged within the city, with only the south gate left unbesieged; the defeated troops all fled through that gate. As for Fang Tianding, he mounted his horse, but could find not a single general anywhere, only a few infantrymen following him as he fled out the south gate, as frantic as a stray dog, as desperate as a fish that has slipped the net. When he reached the foot of Wuyun Mountain, a man emerged from the river, a knife held in his mouth, and leaped naked onto the bank. Fang Tianding, seeing the fierce approach from his horse, spurred his mount to flee. But the horse, strangely, would not move no matter how much he whipped it, as if someone were holding its bit and bridle. The man rushed to the horse, dragged Fang Tianding down, and with one stroke cut off his head. Then he mounted Fang Tianding’s horse, carrying the head in one hand and the knife in the other, and galloped back toward Hangzhou city. When Lin Chong and Huyan Zhuo led their troops to the Liuhe Pagoda, they happened to meet this man. The two generals recognized him as “Boatman” Zhang Heng and were startled. Huyan Zhuo called out, “Virtuous brother, where have you come from?” Zhang Heng did not answer but rode straight into the city.

By this time, the main force of Song Marshal’s troops had already entered the city, and Fang Tianding’s palace was used as the command headquarters, with all the generals and officers guarding the temporary palace. When they saw Zhang Heng riding in on a single horse, everyone was startled. Zhang Heng went directly before Song Jiang, dismounted from the horse, threw the head and the knife on the ground, bowed twice, and then began to weep. Song Jiang hastily embraced Zhang Heng and said, “Brother, where have you come from? And where is Ruan Xiaoqi?” Zhang Heng said, “I am not Zhang Heng.” Song Jiang said, “If you are not Zhang Heng, then who are you?” Zhang Heng said, “Your little brother is Zhang Shun. Because I was killed by a hail of spears and arrows outside Yongjin Gate, my lonely soul never left the waters, drifting about, until I moved the Dragon Lord of Zhenze of West Lake, who took me in as the Golden Flower Guardian and kept me as a deity in the Water Mansion Dragon Palace. Today, when you, big brother, broke through the city, my soul clung to Fang Tianding and followed him out of the city at midnight. Seeing my elder brother Zhang Heng on the great river, I borrowed his body and flesh, galloped ashore, followed to the foot of Wuyun Mountain, killed this bandit, and came straight here to see you, big brother.” After saying this, he suddenly collapsed. Song Jiang personally helped him up. Zhang Heng opened his eyes, looked at Song Jiang and the assembled generals, saw the forest of swords and spears and the throngs of soldiers, and said, “Am I not in the underworld, seeing you, big brother?” Song Jiang wept and said, “Just now you were possessed by your brother Zhang Shun and killed the bandit Fang Tianding. You are not dead—all of us here are people of the living world. You must be careful.” Zhang Heng said, “If that is so, then my brother is already dead!” Song Jiang said, “Zhang Shun, wishing to feel his way through the water from West Lake to the water gate and enter the city to set fires, was unexpectedly detected when he tried to scale the wall outside Yongjin Gate and was killed by a hail of spears and arrows there.” When Zhang Heng heard this, he let out a loud cry, “Brother!” and suddenly collapsed. When everyone looked at Zhang Heng, his limbs were limp, his eyes were dim, his seven ethereal spirits were adrift, and his three souls were obscured. Truly: Not yet gone to the Five Paths General, surely the two messengers of death were urging him on. As to whether Zhang Heng’s collapse would cost him his life, listen to the next chapter for the explanation.