Chapter 56: Wu Yong Sends Shi Qian to Steal the Armor; Tang Long Coaxes Xu Ning to Join the Band

Chapter 56: Wu Yong Sends Shi Qian to Steal the Armor; Tang Long Coaxes Xu Ning Up the Mountain

At that time, Tang Long said to the assembled chieftains, "I come from a family that has forged weapons for generations. My late father, through this craft, met the old Governor Jinglüe and was made the garrison commander of Yan’an. In former dynasties, this 'Linked Armor Cavalry' formation was used to win battles. To break this formation, one must use the 'Hook-and-Sickle Spear.' I have the ancestral blueprints here; if you wish to forge them, we can begin. Though I know how to make them, I do not know how to use them. As for one who can use them, it would be none other than my maternal cousin. The only person who can wield the Hook-and-Sickle Spear technique is that one instructor. His family has practiced it for generations and does not teach outsiders. Whether on horseback or on foot, there are rules, and when truly used, it is as elusive as gods and demons!" Before he finished, Lin Chong asked, "Is it not Xu Ning, the current instructor of the Golden Spear Guard?" Tang Long replied, "It is indeed that man." Lin Chong said, "If you hadn't mentioned him, I would have forgotten. Xu Ning's Golden Spear technique and Hook-and-Sickle Spear technique are truly unmatched in the world. When I was in the capital, I often met him and competed in martial arts, and we respected and admired each other. But how can we get him to come up the mountain?"

Tang Long said, "Xu Ning has a heirloom treasure, the only one of its kind in the world, and it is the family's protective treasure. When I was young, I often saw it when I followed my late father, the garrison commander, to the Eastern Capital to visit my aunt. It is a suit of golden armor inlaid with wild goose feathers. This armor, when worn, is both light and stable; swords, arrows, and spears cannot pierce it easily, and people call it 'Surpassing the Tangni.' Many noble sons want to see it, but he is reluctant to show it. This armor is his very life. It is kept in a leather box, always hung from the beam in his bedroom. If we can first get hold of this armor, he will have no choice but to come here."

Wu Yong said, "If that's the case, what's so difficult? We have a skilled brother here; this time we'll use the Flea on a Drum, Shi Qian, to make a trip." Shi Qian immediately responded, "I'm only afraid if that thing isn't there; if it truly is, I'll surely find a way to take it." Tang Long said, "If you can steal the armor, I'll guarantee I can coax him up the mountain."

Song Jiang asked, "How will you coax him up the mountain?" Tang Long whispered a few words in Song Jiang's ear, and Song Jiang laughed, saying, "This plan is excellent!" Wu the Scholar said, "We'll use three more people to go together to the Eastern Capital. One will go to the capital to buy fireworks, medicinal ingredients, and materials for cannon shells; two will go to fetch Commander Ling's family." Peng Qi saw this and stood up to report, "If someone can go to Yingzhou to fetch my family up the mountain, I would truly be grateful for your help in this." Song Jiang then said, "Rest assured, Colonel. Please write letters, and I will send people." He then called for Yang Lin, who took gold, silver, and letters, and led attendants to go to Yingzhou to fetch General Peng Qi's family. Xue Yong was to disguise himself as a medicine seller performing with staves and spears, and go to the Eastern Capital to fetch Commander Ling's family. Li Yun was to disguise himself as a merchant and go with them to the Eastern Capital to buy fireworks, medicinal ingredients, and other items. Le He was to travel with Tang Long, and also accompany Xue Yong back and forth. First, Shi Qian was sent down the mountain. Afterward, Tang Long was temporarily instructed to forge a sample of the Hook-and-Sickle Spear, while Lei Heng was put in charge of supervision. Lei Heng's ancestors were also blacksmiths. Then Tang Long forged the Hook-and-Sickle Spear sample, and the mountain stronghold's weapon smiths were ordered to forge according to the sample, with Lei Heng overseeing the work—this need not be detailed. A farewell feast was held at the main stronghold, and Yang Lin, Xue Yong, Li Yun, Le He, and Tang Long took their leave and went down the mountain. The next day, Dai Zong was also sent down the mountain to go back and forth gathering news. This matter is hard to describe fully for now.

Let us speak now of Shi Qian, who left Liangshan Marsh, hiding concealed weapons and various gear on his person. Along the winding road, he arrived at the Eastern Capital and settled into an inn. The next day, he entered the city and inquired about the home of Xu Ning, the instructor of the Golden Spear Guard. Someone pointed and said, "Enter the guard gate, and the fifth black-painted door on the east side is his home." Shi Qian went through the guard gate and first looked at the front door; then he turned around and looked at the back door, seeing a high wall, and within the wall, two small, delicate two-story buildings, with a supporting pillar beside them. Shi Qian observed for a while, then asked a neighbor, "Is Instructor Xu at home?" The person replied, "He's probably on duty at the palace and hasn't returned yet." Shi Qian asked again, "Do you know when he'll return?" The person answered, "He won't be back until evening, and he goes to the palace for duty at the fifth watch." Shi Qian said, "Sorry to bother you," and returned to the inn for the time being. He took his gear, hid it on his person, and instructed the innkeeper, "I might not return tonight, so look after my room." The innkeeper said, "Go ahead and rest assured, nothing will go wrong."

Shi Qian re-entered the city, bought some dinner, ate it, and then turned back to the Golden Spear Guard's Xu Ning's home. Looking left and right, there was no good place to hide. As the sky grew dark, Shi Qian slipped through the guard gate. That night was a cold winter day, with no moonlight. Shi Qian saw a large cypress tree behind the Earth God shrine, so he clamped his legs around it, climbed up branch by branch to the top of the tree, and sat astride a branch like riding a horse. Peering quietly, he saw Xu Ning return and go into his house. He also saw two men from the guard come out with lanterns to close the gate, lock it with a lock, and then each went home. Soon, he heard the watch drum from the watchtower—it was already the first watch. The clouds were cold, the stars dim, and the dew scattered frost flowers gradually turning white. Seeing that the guard area was completely quiet, Shi Qian slid down from the tree, turned to the back door of Xu Ning's house, and climbed over the wall without any effort. Looking inside, he saw a small courtyard. Shi Qian crouched outside the kitchen and peered in, seeing a lamp lit in the kitchen, with two maids still tidying up. Shi Qian then climbed from the supporting pillar up to the eaves board, lying flat like a tile, and looked up at the upper floor. He saw the Golden Spear Hand Xu Ning and his wife sitting facing each other by a stove, warming themselves, with a six- or seven-year-old child in his arms. Looking into the bedroom, Shi Qian saw a large leather box tied to the beam. A bow and arrows and a waist sword hung by the door. Various clothes hung on the clothes rack. Xu Ning called out, "Meixiang, come and fold my clothes." A maid came up from below and, on the spring bench, first folded a purple embroidered round-collar robe, then a official green lined inner jacket, along with a multicolored embroidered kick-string below, a protective neckpiece of colorful brocade, a red and green knot, and a bundle of handkerchiefs. Another small yellow cloth wrapped a gold belt with double otter tails and lychee design, also placed in the bundle, and set it on the drying basket. Shi Qian took note of all this. Around the second watch, Xu Ning prepared for bed, and his wife asked, "Are you on duty tomorrow?" Xu Ning said, "Tomorrow is when the Son of Heaven goes to the Dragon Charm Palace; I must get up early at the fifth watch to attend." Upon hearing this, his wife instructed Meixiang, "The master needs to get up at the fifth watch tomorrow and go on duty. You get up at the fourth watch to boil water and prepare some snacks." Shi Qian thought to himself, "That leather box on the beam must contain the armor. It would be best if I could strike in the middle of the night. But if there's an uproar, I won't be able to leave the city tomorrow—wouldn't that ruin the whole plan? ... I'll wait until the fifth watch to make my move—it won't be too late."

He heard Xu Ning and his wife go to bed on the upper floor, while the two maidservants set up their bedding outside the bedroom door. On the table in the room, a single lamp was burning. All five people were asleep. The two maids, having served all day long, were weary and also fell asleep. Shi Qian slipped down, took a reed pipe from his person, and blew through the lattice of the window, extinguishing the lamp. He waited until about the fourth watch, when Xu Ning rose and called for the maids to heat water. The two maids, roused from sleep, saw there was no lamp in the room and cried out, "Ah! There's no lamp tonight!" Xu Ning said, "If you don't go to the back to fetch a lamp, when will you?" One maid opened the door of the upper floor, and her footsteps sounded on the stairs. Hearing this, Shi Qian slid down from a pillar and crouched in the shadows near the back door. He heard the maid open the back door and go out, then she opened the wall gate. Shi Qian slipped into the kitchen and pressed himself under the kitchen table. The maid, having fetched a lamp and come in, closed the door again, then went to the stove to light the fire. The other maid also got up, lit a charcoal fire, and went upstairs. After a while, the water boiled; she carried up hot water for washing the face. Xu Ning washed and rinsed his mouth, then called for some warm wine to be heated. The maids prepared meat dishes and steamed cakes and brought them up. After Xu Ning had eaten, he ordered that food be given to the guards on duty outside. Shi Qian heard Xu Ning come downstairs, order his attendants to eat, then shoulder a bundle, take his golden spear, and leave the house. The two maids lit a lamp and saw Xu Ning out. Shi Qian then came out from under the kitchen table, went upstairs, moved along by the window to the beam, and lay flat there. The two maids closed and barred the doors, extinguished the lamp, went upstairs, took off their clothes, and lay down to sleep.

When Shi Qian heard that the two maids were asleep, he took his reed pipe from the beam, blew toward the lamp, and it went out again. Then he gently untied the leather case from the beam. Just as he was about to come down, Xu Ning's wife woke up and, hearing a noise, called to the maids, "What is that sound on the beam?" Shi Qian imitated a rat's squeak. A maid said, "Madam, didn't you hear it was a rat squeaking? They were fighting each other, that's why it made such a noise." Shi Qian then made a sound like rats fighting and slipped down. He quietly opened the door of the upper floor, slowly carried the leather case on his back, descended the stairs, and went from the inner door straight to the outer gate. He reached the entrance of the guardhouse. By then, some of the guards on duty were already going out; at the fourth watch, the locks had been opened. Shi Qian, having obtained the leather case, mingled with the crowd and slipped out, ran straight out of the city in one breath, and arrived at the inn. The sky was not yet light. He knocked on the inn door, went to his room, took out his luggage, bundled it into a load on a carrying pole, settled his bill, paid the room rent, left the inn, and went eastward.

When he had gone forty li, he stopped at a food shop to light a fire and cook some rice. Just then, a man burst in. Shi Qian looked and saw it was none other than the "Magic Messenger" Dai Zong. Seeing that Shi Qian had already obtained the item, the two exchanged a few words in secret. Dai Zong said, "I'll take the armor to the stronghold first. You and Tang Long come along slowly." Shi Qian opened the leather case, took out the suit of wild-goose-feather chain mail, and wrapped it into a bundle. Dai Zong tied it onto his body, left the shop, and, using his magic traveling technique, set off for Liangshan Marsh alone.

Shi Qian, on the other hand, tied the empty leather case conspicuously to his carrying pole, ate his meal, paid for the firewood, shouldered his load, and left the shop. After walking twenty li, he met Tang Long, and the two of them went into a wineshop to discuss matters. Tang Long said, "Just follow this road as I tell you. Whenever you pass a wineshop, restaurant, or inn along the way, if you see a white chalk circle on the door, you may buy wine and meat there and stay at the inn. Deliberately place this leather case where it can be seen. Wait for me a day's journey ahead." Shi Qian went off according to the plan. Tang Long slowly drank some wine for a while, then set off for the city of Dongjing.

Meanwhile, at Xu Ning's home, when day broke, the two maids got up. They saw that the door of the upper floor was open and that the inner and outer gates downstairs were all unbarred. They hurriedly searched the house and found that all the items were still there. The two maids went upstairs and said to the mistress, "We don't know how all the doors came to be open, but nothing has been stolen." The mistress said, "At the fifth watch, I heard a noise on the beam, and you said it was rats fighting. Go and see if that leather case is all right." The two maids looked and cried out in dismay, "The leather case is gone—we don't know where!" Hearing this, the mistress got up hastily and said, "Quickly send someone to the Dragon Talisman Palace to tell my husband, and ask him to come back early to search!" The maids hurriedly sent someone to the Dragon Talisman Palace to report to Xu Ning. They sent three or four messengers in succession, but all returned saying, "The Golden Spear Guard has accompanied the Emperor to the inner garden. The place is guarded by the Imperial Bodyguard. Who can get in? We can only wait for him to come back on his own." Xu Ning's wife and the two maids were as frantic as ants on a hot pan, at their wit's end. They neither drank tea nor ate, utterly panicked.

Xu Ning did not return until dusk, when he took off his official robes and had his attendant carry his golden spear. He went straight home. When he reached the guardhouse gate, a neighbor said, "Your wife's house was burgled while you were away. She has been waiting for you, Officer, but you did not return." Xu Ning was startled and hurried home. The two maids greeted him at the door and said, "You left at the fifth watch, Officer, but a thief slipped in and stole only the leather case that was on the beam." When Xu Ning heard this, he cried out in bitter anguish, the pain rising from the pit of his stomach to his mouth. His wife said, "That thief must have hidden in the house—we don't know when." Xu Ning said, "Nothing else matters, but this suit of wild-goose-feather armor has been a family heirloom for four generations and was never lost. The 'Flower' Grand Marshal Wang once offered me thirty thousand strings of cash for it, but I couldn't bear to sell it. I feared that someday it might be needed on the battlefield, and I was afraid something might happen to it, so I hung it on the beam. Many people wanted to see it, but I always said it was gone. Now if this becomes known, it will only bring ridicule. And now it's lost—what can I do!" Xu Ning couldn't sleep all night, thinking, "I wonder who stole it! It must be someone who knew I had this armor." His wife thought and said, "Could it be that when the lamp went out last night, the thief was already hiding in the house? Surely someone coveted it, and when they couldn't buy it with money, they hired this expert thief to steal it. You should quietly have someone investigate and find out, then we can discuss it further. Don't alarm the thief." Xu Ning listened, and when dawn came, he got up and sat at home in gloom. It was like:

The spring sorrow of the King of Shu, the autumn grief of Song Yu. Lü Qian lost the sword at his waist; Lei Huan lost the sword in the prison. The jewel that lit the chariot was gone; the jade that was worth a city was shattered. Wang Kai's coral was destroyed, beyond recompense; Pei Hang's jade pestle was not yet found, making harmony hard to achieve. Truly, the phoenix fell on a barren slope, its fine feathers ruined; the dragon dwelt in shallow waters, losing its bright pearl.

That day, Xu Ning was sitting at home feeling troubled. Around breakfast time, he heard someone knocking at the door. The servant went out to ask the caller’s name, then came back and reported: “There is a Tang Long, son of Governor Tang of Yan’an Prefecture, who has come especially to pay his respects.” Hearing this, Xu Ning ordered him to be invited into the guest hall for a meeting. When Tang Long saw Xu Ning, he bowed his head to the ground and said, “Has my elder brother been at ease all this time?” Xu Ning replied, “I heard that my uncle had passed away. One reason was that official duties kept me bound, and another was the great distance; I could not come to offer my condolences. I have had no news of you, younger brother. Where have you been all this while? And where do you come from now?” Tang Long said, “It is a long story. Ever since my father died, my luck has been bad, and I have been wandering the rivers and lakes all this time. Now I have come directly from Shandong to the capital to visit my elder brother.” Xu Ning said, “Younger brother, sit for a while.” Then he ordered food and drink to be prepared as hospitality. Tang Long took out two ingots of garlic-clove gold, weighing twenty taels, from his bundle and gave them to Xu Ning, saying, “On the day my father lay dying, he left these things behind and told me to send them to you, elder brother, as a keepsake. Because there was no trustworthy person, I never sent them. Now, younger brother has come specially to the capital to return them to you, elder brother.” Xu Ning said, “I am deeply grateful that my uncle thought of me so fondly. I have never shown him even half a bit of filial devotion; how can I ever repay this!” Tang Long said, “Elder brother, do not speak thus. While my father was alive, he often thought of your martial skills. He only regretted that mountains and rivers separated you, and he could not see you face to face. Therefore, he left these things as a keepsake for you, elder brother.” Xu Ning thanked Tang Long, accepted the gold, and then arranged for wine to be served to entertain him. As Tang Long and Xu Ning drank together, Xu Ning kept his brows knit and wore a worried expression. Tang Long rose and said, “Elder brother, why does your countenance show displeasure? You must have some troubling matter weighing on your mind that is hard to resolve.” Xu Ning sighed and said, “Younger brother, you do not know. It is a long story. Last night, my house was burgled.” Tang Long said, “May I ask what was lost?” Xu Ning said, “Only that suit of wild-goose-feather chain mail armor left by my ancestors, also called the ‘Surpassing Tang Ni,’ was stolen. Last night, I lost this thing, and so my heart is uneasy.” Tang Long said, “Elder brother, I have seen that suit of armor before. It is truly incomparable. My father often praised it without end. Where was it kept when it was stolen?” Xu Ning said, “I stored it in a leather box, tied and fastened to the beam in my bedroom. I have no idea when the thief entered and stole it.” Tang Long asked, “What kind of leather box was it stored in?” Xu Ning said, “It was a red sheep-leather box, with fragrant cotton padding inside.” Tang Long pretended to be surprised and said, “A red sheep-leather box? Isn’t it the one with white thread embroidered with green cloud-heads and a lion playing with a ball in the middle?” Xu Ning said, “Younger brother, where have you seen it?” Tang Long said, “Last night, forty li from the city, I stopped at a village inn to buy some wine. I saw a dark, thin man with bright eyes carrying a load on a pole. When I saw it, I thought to myself, ‘What could be in this leather box?’ As I was leaving, I asked him, ‘What do you use this leather box for?’ The fellow answered, ‘It was originally for storing armor, but now I just put some clothes in it.’ It must be that man. I noticed he seemed to have injured his leg, limping along as he carried the load. Why don’t we chase after him?” Xu Ning said, “If we can catch up, wouldn’t that be a heaven-sent convenience!” Tang Long said, “If that’s the case, let’s not delay. Let’s go after him at once.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Ning quickly changed into hemp sandals, took his waist knife, grabbed a halberd, and together with Tang Long, the two left through the East Gate and, quickening their pace, set off in pursuit. Ahead, they saw a tavern with a white circle painted on its wall. Tang Long said, “Let’s have a bowl of wine before we continue, and we can ask for information here.” Tang Long entered and sat down, then asked, “Shopkeeper, let me ask you: has a thin, dark man with bright eyes passed by here, carrying a red sheep-leather box on a pole?” The shop owner said, “Last night, there was such a man carrying a red sheep-leather box who passed by. It seemed he had hurt his leg, limping along as he walked.” Tang Long said, “Elder brother, do you hear that?” Xu Ning was speechless.

The two quickly paid for the wine and left. Ahead, they saw another inn, also with a white circle on its wall. Tang Long stopped and said, “Elder brother, I can’t walk any further. Let’s rest at this inn for a while. We can chase after him again early tomorrow morning.” Xu Ning said, “But I am an official on duty. If I am not present at roll call, the authorities will certainly punish me. What can be done?” Tang Long said, “Don’t worry about that, elder brother. Your wife can make some excuse.” That night, they inquired again at the inn. The innkeeper’s assistant replied, “Last night, a thin, dark man with bright eyes stayed at my inn for a night. He slept until noon today before leaving. He kept asking the way to Shandong.” Tang Long said, “Then we can catch up. Let’s get up at the fourth watch tomorrow. We’ll surely overtake him, seize that fellow, and get to the bottom of it.” That night, the two rested. The next day, they rose at the fourth watch, left the inn, and continued the pursuit. Whenever Tang Long saw a white chalk circle on a wall, he would buy wine and food, eat and drink, and ask for directions. Everywhere, the answers were the same. Xu Ning, eager to recover his armor, simply followed Tang Long on the road. As dusk fell again, they saw an ancient temple ahead. Beneath a tree in front of the temple, Shi Qian had set down his load and was sitting there. Tang Long saw him and shouted, “Good! Isn’t that the box with elder brother’s armor under the tree ahead?” When Xu Ning saw it, he rushed forward and grabbed Shi Qian, shouting, “You bold villain! How dare you steal my armor!” Shi Qian said, “Hold on, hold on! Don’t shout! I did steal your armor. What do you want to do about it now?” Xu Ning roared, “Insolent beast! You ask me what I want to do!” Shi Qian said, “First, take a look and see if the armor is in the box.” Tang Long opened the box to look, but it was empty. Xu Ning said, “You scoundrel! Where have you taken my armor!” Shi Qian said, “Listen to me. My surname is Zhang, and I am the eldest in my family. I am a native of Tai’an Prefecture. There is a wealthy man in our prefecture who wants to ingratiate himself with General Old Zhong. He knew you had this suit of wild-goose-feather chain mail armor and wouldn’t sell it. So he specially sent me and a man named Li San to steal it from your house, promising us ten thousand strings of cash. Unfortunately, I fell from a pillar in your house and twisted my leg, so I couldn’t walk. I let Li San take the armor first, leaving only the empty box here. If you want to deal with me, take me to the authorities. I’ll fight to the death; even if they beat me to death, I won’t confess, and don’t expect me to name anyone else. But if you are willing to spare me and not go to the authorities, I will go with you to get that armor back for you.” Xu Ning hesitated for a long time, unable to make up his mind. Tang Long then said, “Elder brother, don’t worry that he might fly away! Just go with him to demand the armor! If the armor isn’t there, we can naturally file a complaint with the local authorities.” Xu Ning said, “What you say, younger brother, is reasonable.” The three of them set off together and stopped at another inn to rest. Xu Ning and Tang Long kept watch, staying in the same room as Shi Qian. In fact, Shi Qian had deliberately bound his leg with some silk fabric, pretending to have twisted it. Seeing that he still couldn’t walk, Xu Ning was only half on his guard against him. The three rested another night. The next morning, they got up and set off again. Along the way, Shi Qian bought wine and meat to apologize and make amends. They traveled another day.

The next day, as Xu Ning grew anxious on the road, wondering whether the armor was there or not, while they were traveling, they saw three or four horses pulling an empty cart by the roadside, with a man driving behind and a traveler beside him. Seeing Tang Long, the traveler bowed his head and knelt. Tang Long asked, "Brother, how did you get here?" The man replied, "I did some business in Zhengzhou and am returning to Taizhou." Tang Long said, "Perfect. The three of us want to hitch a ride; we're also heading to Taizhou for a trip." The man said, "Not just three people; even if there were more, I wouldn't mind." Tang Long was delighted and called him over to meet Xu Ning. Xu Ning asked, "Who is this?" Tang Long replied, "Last year, while burning incense in Taizhou, I befriended this brother, surnamed Li, named Rong, a man of honor." Xu Ning said, "In that case, since Zhang Yi can't walk anymore, let's all sit in the cart." He only told the driver to drive the cart forward. The four of them sat in the cart, and Xu Ning asked, "Zhang Yi, you might as well tell me the name of that wealthy man." Shi Qian, pressed and unable to avoid it, after much evasion, had to say casually, "He's the well-known Squire Guo." Xu Ning then asked Li Rong, "Has there ever been a Squire Guo in your Taizhou?" Li Rong replied, "That Squire Guo in my prefecture is a wealthy householder who especially likes to associate with officials, keeping many idle men under his patronage." Xu Ning thought to himself, "Since there's such a person, there won't be any trouble." He also saw Li Rong talking about staffs and spears along the way, singing a few ditties, and before they knew it, another day passed. There's no need to go into detail. As they drew within just over two days' journey of Liangshan, Li Rong told the driver to fetch some wine with a gourd and buy some meat, and they drank three cups in the cart. Li Rong took out a ladle, first poured a ladleful to urge Xu Ning, who drank it all in one gulp. Li Rong called for more wine, but the driver pretended to slip, spilling the entire gourd of wine on the ground. Li Rong scolded the driver to go get more. Xu Ning's mouth began to drool, and he fell flat in the cart. Who was Li Rong? He was "Iron Whistle" Le He. The three of them jumped down from the cart, drove it straight to the tavern of "Dry Land Crocodile" Zhu Gui. The men then carried Xu Ning onto a boat and all went ashore at Golden Sand Bank. Song Jiang had already been informed by someone and came down the mountain with the other chieftains to welcome him. By then, Xu Ning had recovered from the anesthetic, and the others administered an antidote. Xu Ning opened his eyes, saw the crowd, was startled, and asked Tang Long, "Brother, how did you trick me into coming here?" Tang Long said, "Brother, listen to me. Your younger brother recently heard that Song Gongming is recruiting heroes from all corners, so in Wugang Town I acknowledged 'Black Whirlwind' Li Kui as my elder brother and joined the stronghold. Now, since Huyan Zhuo uses linked armored cavalry to charge formations, and there's no way to break them, I offered the 'Hook-Sickle Spear' technique, which only you know how to use. That's why I devised this plan: I had Shi Qian first steal your armor, then tricked you onto the road, and later had Le He pretend to be Li Rong. When crossing the mountain, we administered a knockout drug and invited you up the mountain to take a seat of honor." Xu Ning said, "So it's you, brother, who has ruined me!" Song Jiang raised a cup and stepped forward to apologize: "Now, I, Song Jiang, am temporarily dwelling in the marsh, waiting only for the court's amnesty, to serve my country with all loyalty and strength. I dare not be greedy for wealth or fond of killing, nor do I practice unrighteous or unjust deeds. I earnestly hope, Inspector, that you will take pity on this sincerity and join us in acting on Heaven's behalf." Lin Chong also raised his cup and added, "I too have come here, and I have often heard of your noble virtue. Please do not refuse." Xu Ning said, "Brother Tang Long, you've tricked me into coming here. What about my wife and children at home? They'll surely be seized by the authorities!" Song Jiang said, "That's no problem. Inspector, rest assured; it's my responsibility. I'll have your family brought here to reunite soon." Chao Gai, Wu Yong, and Gongsun Sheng all came to apologize to Xu Ning and arranged a feast to celebrate. They selected strong young soldiers to learn the "Hook-Sickle Spear" technique and sent Dai Zong and Tang Long that very night to the Eastern Capital to fetch Xu Ning's family. Within ten days, Yang Lin brought Peng Qi's family from Yingzhou, Xue Yong brought Ling Zhen's family from the Eastern Capital, and Li Yun bought five cartloads of fireworks and gunpowder and returned to the stronghold. A few days later, Dai Zong and Tang Long brought Xu Ning's family up the mountain.

When Xu Ning saw his wife arrive, he was startled and asked how she had come there. His wife replied, "After you left, when the authorities called your name and you didn't appear, I spent some gold and silver jewelry, claiming you were ill in bed, so they didn't summon me. Suddenly, I saw Uncle Tang carrying the Wild Goose Feather Armor and saying, 'The armor has been recovered. Brother has fallen ill on the road and is about to die in an inn. He told me to bring you and the child to see him quickly.' So he tricked me into getting on a cart. I didn't know the way, and after many twists and turns, I ended up here." Xu Ning said, "Brother, it's fine as it is. It's just a pity I left that armor at home." Tang Long laughed and said, "To cheer you up, brother, after sending my sister-in-law onto the cart, I turned back and tricked them into giving me the armor, lured away those two maids, gathered all the valuables from the house, and carried them here in one load." Xu Ning said, "In that case, we can't return to the Eastern Capital." Tang Long said, "Let me tell you one more thing, brother. On the road, I met a group of travelers. I put on your Wild Goose Feather Armor, smeared my face, gave your name, and robbed them of their goods. By now, the Eastern Capital has issued warrants everywhere to arrest you." Xu Ning said, "Brother, you've done me no small harm!" Chao Gai and Song Jiang both came to apologize: "If not for this, how would the Inspector be willing to stay here?" They immediately allocated a house for Xu Ning to settle his family. The chieftains then discussed how to break the linked armored cavalry.

By then, the "Hook-Sickle Spears" that Lei Heng had overseen the forging of were all ready. Song Jiang, Wu Yong, and others invited Xu Ning to teach the soldiers the method of using the "Hook-Sickle Spear." Xu Ning said, "I will now do my utmost to demonstrate and train the military leaders, selecting tall and sturdy men." The chieftains all watched from the Loyalty Hall as Xu Ning selected soldiers and explained the "Hook-Sickle Spear" technique. And as a result: Three thousand armored cavalry were soon broken, and one hero's surrender was imminent. After all, how would Xu Ning of the Golden Spear drill the "Hook-Sickle Spear" method? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.