Chapter 77: Liangshan Marsh Springs an Ambush on All Sides; Song Jiang Twice Defeats Tong Guan
Chapter 77: Liangshan Marsh's Ten-Sided Ambush; Song Jiang Wins Twice Against Tong Guan
It is said that on that day, the vanguard of Song Jiang's formation, three columns of cavalry, charged across the battlefield, wielding broadswords and long axes, utterly defeating Tong Guan's three armies, scattering them like stars and clouds, with seven parts injured and eight parts wounded. The soldiers abandoned gold and drums, discarded halberds and spears, searched for sons and fathers, called for brothers and kin, losing over ten thousand troops, and retreated thirty li to encamp. Wu Yong, from within the formation, sounded the gong to recall the troops and issued the order: "Do not pursue them to the utmost; merely send them a message." The Liangshan Marsh forces all returned to the stronghold, each presenting their merits and requesting rewards.
Let us now speak of Tong Guan, who, having lost a battle and suffered casualties, had already set up camp and rested, feeling deeply troubled. He gathered his generals to discuss matters. The two commanders Feng Mei and Bi Sheng said, "Your Excellency, do not worry. These rebels, knowing the imperial army was coming, set up this formation in advance. The imperial troops, newly arrived, did not know the real situation, and thus fell into the bandits' treacherous scheme. These grass-bandits merely rely on the mountain for advantage, deploying many troops to bluff. They have momentarily lost the advantage of terrain. Let us reorganize and train our cavalry and infantry, rest for three days to build up our sharp morale and let the warhorses recover. After three days, we will divide the entire army into a Long Snake Formation, all infantry charging forth. This formation is like a snake on a long mountain—strike its head, and the tail responds; strike its tail, and the head responds; strike its middle, and both head and tail respond—all linked without break. With this one decisive formation, we are sure to achieve great success." Tong Guan said, "This plan is excellent and exactly matches my thoughts." He immediately issued orders to the generals, rectified the three armies, and completed the training.
On the third day, they prepared meals at the fifth watch. The troops ate their fill; the horses wore leather armor, and the men donned iron mail. Broadswords and long axes were readied, and bows and crossbows were strung. Truly, spears and swords flowed like water, and men and horses moved like the wind. The generals Feng Mei and Bi Sheng led the vanguard, advancing in a vast and mighty force, charging straight toward Liangshan Marsh. The eight columns of cavalry were divided left and right. Ahead, three hundred armored scouts were sent to reconnoiter. They returned to report to Tong Guan's central command, saying, "On the battlefield of a few days ago, not a single soldier is seen." Tong Guan, hearing this, grew suspicious and personally went to the front to ask Feng Mei and Bi Sheng, "What about retreating?" Feng Mei replied, "Do not entertain thoughts of retreat; just press forward. With the Long Snake Formation set, what is there to fear?" The imperial army advanced slowly, straight to the edge of the lake, but still saw no troops. They only saw the vast, misty expanse of water, covered with reeds and smoke. In the distance, they could see the summit of the Liangshan stronghold, where a apricot-yellow flag was fluttering, but there was no sign of movement. Tong Guan, Feng Mei, and Bi Sheng reined in their horses before the myriad troops and saw, on the opposite shore, amid the reeds on the water, a small boat. On the boat was a man, wearing a green bamboo hat and a green coir raincoat, leaning against the boat, facing away from the shore to the west, alone, fishing. Tong Guan's infantry, from across the shore, called out to the fisherman, asking, "Where are the bandits?" The fisherman did not respond. Tong Guan ordered skilled archers to shoot. Two cavalrymen rode straight to the shore, stopped their horses by the water, drew their bows, and aimed at the fisherman's back. With a swish, an arrow flew, striking the bamboo hat with a clang, and fell into the water. Another cavalryman shot an arrow, hitting the coir raincoat with a clang, and that arrow also fell into the water. These two cavalrymen were the finest archers in Tong Guan's army. Startled, they reined in their horses and reported to Tong Guan, saying, "Both arrows hit, but they could not pierce through. We do not know what he is wearing." Tong Guan then deployed three hundred scouts skilled in using strong bows, who lined up on the shore and shot arrows at the fisherman all at once. The volley of arrows flew, but the fisherman remained unfazed. Many arrows fell into the water, some struck the boat, and those that hit the coir raincoat or bamboo hat all dropped into the water.
Seeing that he could not be shot dead, Tong Guan ordered soldiers skilled in swimming to remove their armor and cross the water to capture the fisherman. Soon, thirty or fifty men waded into the water. Hearing the sound of water at the stern of his boat, the fisherman knew someone was coming. Unhurriedly, he put down his fishing rod, picked up a pole, and kept it at hand. As each swimmer approached the boat, he struck them with the pole—one on the temple, one on the head, one on the face—and all were knocked into the water. Those behind, seeing several sink, turned back to shore to retrieve their armor. Tong Guan, enraged, ordered five hundred soldiers to go into the water, determined to capture the fisherman. Anyone who returned would be cut in two. The five hundred soldiers removed their armor, shouted a war cry, and all leaped into the water, swimming toward him. The fisherman turned his boat around and, pointing at Tong Guan on the shore, cursed loudly, "Treacherous ministers who ruin the state, beasts who harm the people! You come here to offer your lives, yet you still do not know your doom!" Tong Guan, furious, ordered the cavalry to shoot arrows. The fisherman laughed heartily and said, "Look, there are troops arriving over there!" He pointed with his finger, cast aside his coir raincoat and bamboo hat, flipped over, and dove into the water. The five hundred soldiers had just reached the boat when they began screaming in the water and all sank. The fisherman was none other than "White Strip in the Waves" Zhang Shun. His bamboo hat was wrapped in reed leaves on the outside and made of copper on the inside; his coir raincoat was lined with a sheet of wrought copper, worn like a turtle shell—thus arrows could not penetrate. Zhang Shun dove to the bottom, drew his waist knife, and began stabbing everyone in his path. All sank, and the water churned with blood. The clever ones swam away and escaped with their lives. Tong Guan, stunned on the shore, had a general beside him point and say, "That yellow flag on the summit is waving."
Tong Guan stared fixedly, not understanding what it meant, and the generals could make nothing of it either. Feng Mei said, "Divide the three hundred armored scouts into two groups and send them to scout behind the mountains on both sides to see what happens." Just as they reached the foot of the mountain, a thunderous cannon blast erupted from the reeds, sending smoke and flames swirling. The scouts on both sides returned to report that ambush troops had arrived. Tong Guan was greatly startled on his horse. Feng Mei and Bi Sheng sent orders on both sides for the troops not to stir recklessly. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers all drew their swords. Cavalrymen galloped back and forth shouting, "Anyone who flees first will be beheaded!" They held the three armies in check. Tong Guan and the generals reined in their horses to look. From behind the mountain, drumbeats shook the earth, and shouts of battle filled the sky. A unit of cavalry burst forth, all bearing yellow flags, led by two brave generals. What did that disciplined troop look like?
Yellow flags emerged from myriad mountains,
Blazing golden light pierced the azure sky.
Horses like angry waves crashing against stone walls,
Men like raging fire shaking the wind.
Drumbeats shook the Palace of the King of Hell,
Cannon fire overturned the Taihua Palace.
Sword formations concealed "Winged Tiger,"
Spear forests unleashed "Beautiful Beard."
On two yellow-maned horses rode two heroic chieftains: the first, "Beautiful Beard" Zhu Tong, and the second, "Winged Tiger" Lei Heng, leading five thousand troops, charging straight at the imperial army. Tong Guan ordered the generals Feng Mei and Bi Sheng to meet the enemy head-on. Receiving the order, the two spurred their horses, raised their spears, and rode out, cursing, "Reckless grass-bandits! Why not surrender now? What are you waiting for?" Lei Heng laughed from his horse and shouted, "You wretches are at death's door and still do not know it! How dare you fight me?" Bi Sheng, enraged, charged with his spear straight at Lei Heng, who also advanced with his spear. The two horses met, their weapons clashed, and they fought for over twenty rounds without a clear victor. Seeing that Bi Sheng could not gain the upper hand after a prolonged fight, Feng Mei spurred his horse, brandished his blade, and came to assist. Zhu Tong, seeing this, bellowed, flew his horse, and swung his blade to engage Feng Mei. Four horses, two pairs, dueled before the formation. Tong Guan watched and could not stop applauding. As the fight continued into the thick of it, Zhu Tong and Lei Heng feigned a flaw, turned their horses, and fled back to their own formation. Feng Mei and Bi Sheng, unwilling to let them go, spurred their horses in pursuit. The opposing troops shouted and fled toward the mountain. Tong Guan ordered a full pursuit over the mountain. But then, from the mountaintop, bugles sounded in unison. The generals looked up and saw two cannons fire straight into the air. Tong Guan, knowing there was an ambush, halted his troops and ordered them not to pursue further.
Only then did the banner with the apricot-yellow field flash out atop the mountain peak, embroidered with the words "Act in Heaven's Behalf." When Tong Guan turned to look beyond the mountain, he saw the summit crowded with banners of many colors; as the banners parted, there appeared the peerless hero of Yuncheng County, Shandong's "Protector of Righteousness" Song Jiang. Behind him were the military strategist Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, Hua Rong, Xu Ning, the Gold Spear and Silver Spear experts, and many other gallant men. Tong Guan was enraged at the sight and immediately sent men up the mountain to capture Song Jiang. The great army split into two columns and was about to ascend the mountain when they heard drumming and music shaking the heavens from the summit, and all the gallant men burst into laughter. Tong Guan grew even angrier, gnashing his teeth, and roared: "How dare these rebels mock me! I will personally seize this scoundrel." Feng Mei remonstrated, saying: "Grand Councilor, he must have a scheme. Do not venture into danger yourself. Please withdraw the army for now, and tomorrow we can reconnoiter the situation before advancing." Tong Guan replied: "Nonsense! Matters have come to this—how can we retreat! I order that we engage the rebels day and night. Now that we have seen the rebel army, the situation does not permit retreat..." Before he finished speaking, shouting arose from the rear army, and a scout reported: "A force has suddenly emerged from behind the western mountain and split our rear army in two." Tong Guan, greatly alarmed, led Feng Mei and Bi Sheng to hurry back and rescue the rear army. At that moment, the sound of drums echoed from beyond the eastern mountain, and another mounted force flew out. Half bore red flags, half blue flags, clustering around two great generals who led five thousand troops charging forward. The red-flag troops followed the red flags, the blue-flag troops followed the blue flags, and the formation was extremely orderly. Observe:
Pair after pair of red flags amid green robes, warhorses vying to circle the mountainside. Sunlight scorched the banners, revealing azure dragons; wind swayed the pennants, shaking vermilion birds. Two elite corps were all fierce and brave, two commanders displayed their heroic might. Qin Ming brandished his wolf-tooth club, Guan Sheng wielded his reclining moon blade sideways.
The leader of the red-flag unit was "Thunderclap" Qin Ming; the leader of the blue-flag unit was "Great Blade" Guan Sheng. The two commanders charged on horseback, shouting loudly: "Tong Guan, quickly surrender your head!" Tong Guan, furious, ordered Feng Mei to fight Guan Sheng and Bi Sheng to engage Qin Ming. Hearing the rear army's urgent shouts, Tong Guan ordered the gongs to sound for withdrawal, telling the troops not to linger in battle but to fight while retreating. Zhu Tong and Lei Heng then led the yellow-flag force in an attack, and with pressure from both sides, Tong Guan's army fell into chaos. Feng Mei and Bi Sheng protected Tong Guan, fleeing for their lives. As they went, a force suddenly flew out from an oblique angle to block their path and join the fray. That force was half white flags and half black flags; among the white and black flags were two tiger-like generals leading five thousand troops, cutting off the route. This force was extremely orderly:
Cannons like thunder split mountains and rocks; amidst deep green forests spears and halberds appeared. White-robed troops emerged like a surging Milky Way; black-armored forces came like floating black vapor. Two whips flew with the sound of wind and rain; a single spear arrived to make ghosts and gods grieve. The left general was Huyan Zhuo; the right hero was "Leopard Head."
The leader of the black-flag unit was Huyan Zhuo with his double whips; the leader of the white-flag unit was "Leopard Head" Lin Chong. The two generals shouted from horseback: "Treacherous minister Tong Guan, where do you think you're going? Come and die!" They charged straight into the army. The Suizhou military inspector Duan Pengju engaged Huyan Zhuo in combat, while the Ruzhou military inspector Ma Wanli fought Lin Chong. Ma Wanli and Lin Chong had exchanged no more than a few moves when Ma Wanli, lacking strength, tried to flee. But Lin Chong gave a great shout, and Ma Wanli, panicked, missed his footing and was pierced by Lin Chong's spear, falling beneath his horse. Duan Pengju, seeing Ma Wanli killed by Lin Chong, lost his will to fight; he parried Huyan Zhuo's double whips, abruptly turned his horse, and fled. Huyan Zhuo pursued fiercely, and the two armies engaged in a chaotic melee. Tong Guan shouted only for a path to be opened so he could temporarily withdraw. Then loud cries arose from the forward army, and from behind the mountain flew out an infantry force, charging straight into the center of the battle. Leading the troops were a monk and a pilgrim, who shouted: "Don't let Tong Guan escape!" The monk did not recite scriptures but excelled at killing; he was known solely as "Flowery Monk," with the given name Lu Zhishen. The pilgrim had once beaten a tiger on Jingyang Ridge and was the most heroic figure in the Water Margin stronghold, known as "Pilgrim" Wu Song. These two charged into the formation. How did it appear? The evidence is in the poem "Moon over West River":
Lu Zhishen's iron staff, Wu Song's pair of steel blades. The steel blades flew, sparks of fire swirling; the iron staff came like a cannon blast. The staff smashed heads; the blades cut bodies in two. These two weapons showed no mercy, shining forth among a million troops.
Tong Guan's troops, struck by the infantry charge led by Lu Zhishen and Wu Song, were already scattered and broken. The government forces, with no way forward and no retreat behind, could only rely on Feng Mei and Bi Sheng to break through the encirclement, cutting a bloody path as they fled to the other side of the mountain. Just as they caught their breath, they heard a great blast of cannon fire and the beating of war drums. Looking, they saw two fierce generals leading a band of infantry blocking the road. How did it appear?
"Two-headed Snake" with its foul wind hard to approach, "Double-tailed Scorpion" spewing venom. A pair of steel forks unmatched in the world, their sound shaking the hunting grounds. On the left, Xie Zhen stood out; on the right, Xie Bao excelled. Thousands of ironclad tiger-wolf troops crushed the long serpent formation.
The infantry leaders who came were Xie Zhen and Xie Bao, each twirling a five-pronged steel fork as they led their foot soldiers into the formation. Tong Guan's men could not hold them back and broke through the encirclement to flee. The five columns of cavalry and infantry pursued together, chasing the government troops until they scattered like stars and clouds. Feng Mei and Bi Sheng strained every nerve to protect Tong Guan in his flight. Then Xie Zhen and Xie Bao, the two brothers, raised their steel forks and charged straight to the horses' front. Tong Guan quickly spurred his horse away at an angle, with Feng Mei and Bi Sheng rushing to his rescue. Joined by Tangzhou military inspector Han Tianlin and Dengzhou military inspector Wang Yi, the four of them together fought their way out of the encirclement. Just as they advanced, still gasping for breath, dust rose ahead, shouts of slaughter filled the sky, and from a thicket of green trees another force flew out, with two fierce generals leading the way, blocking the path. Who were those two? Observe:
One wielded a broad axe with ornamental patterns, the other a gleaming silver spear. The spear stretched out like a venomous serpent; the axe rose like a divine general splitting mountains. One had a handsome, refined bearing; the other a fierce, unyielding nature. Dong Ping was a peerless knight; "Hasty Charge" Suo Chao yielded to none.
These two fierce generals, "Double Spears" Dong Ping and "Hasty Charge" Suo Chao, without a word, charged directly at Tong Guan. Wang Yi raised his spear to meet them, but Suo Chao, with a swing of his axe, cut him down from his horse. Han Tianlin came to his aid, but Dong Ping killed him with a single spear thrust. Feng Mei and Bi Sheng desperately protected Tong Guan, fleeing on horseback. Everywhere, gold and drums clanged chaotically, and it was impossible to tell from where the troops were coming. Tong Guan reined in his horse and climbed a slope to look; in all four directions, four columns of cavalry and two flanking infantry units formed a circle like a winnowing basket. The great army of Liangshan Marsh advanced in full force, and Tong Guan's troops scattered like wind-blown clouds, strewn east and west. As he watched, a cluster of men and horses emerged from below the slope; he recognized the banners as those of Chenzhou military inspector Wu Bingyi and Xuzhou military inspector Li Ming. These two were leading some troops with broken spears and shattered halberds, a defeated remnant, trying to take cover around the Línláng Mountains. As they saw the signal and were about to ascend the slope, they hastily redeployed their men. Then shouts rose from the mountain flank, and a force galloped out in pursuit, with two identifying banners fluttering. On horseback, two fierce generals, each gripping weapons, raced toward the government troops. Who were these two? There is a lyric to "Immortal by the River" as evidence:
On their helmets, long tassels flamed like fire, scattering a mass of scarlet; the heroic spirit in their breasts exhaled a long rainbow. Their war robes were cut from Shu brocade; their armor was plated with gold and copper. Two treasured blades like snowdrifts of practice, shaking their might in the heart of battle, charging left and right, displaying their heroism. Among the military ranks, "Blue-Faced Beast"; among the gallant men, "Nine-Dragoned."
These two fierce generals were precisely Yang Zhi and Shi Jin. Two horses, two blades—they now blocked Wu Bingyi and Li Ming, the two military officers, for combat. Li Ming raised his spear and charged forward to fight Yang Zhi. Wu Bingyi used his halberd to engage Shi Jin. The two pairs battled back and forth below the slope, circling and maneuvering, each displaying their lifelong martial skills. Tong Guan reined in his horse on the slope, unable to watch steadily. The four men fought for about thirty exchanges. Wu Bingyi thrust his halberd at Shi Jin's heart; Shi Jin merely dodged, and the halberd passed by his ribs. Wu Bingyi and his horse pressed forward, but Shi Jin, with a swing of his blade, sent a flash of blood and flesh flying. The golden helmet fell beside the horse, and Wu Bingyi died at the foot of the slope. Li Ming, seeing one comrade already lost, was about to turn his horse and flee when Yang Zhi gave a great shout. Startled out of his wits, his heart trembling with fear, Li Ming could no longer control his spear. Yang Zhi brought his blade down from above Li Ming's head. Li Ming dodged, and the blade struck the horse's hindquarters. The horse's hind legs gave way, throwing Li Ming from the saddle. He dropped his spear and tried to escape, but Yang Zhi, quick with his hands, followed up with another blow that struck true. Alas! Li Ming, a military officer for half a lifetime, ended up as nothing but a dream. Both officers died at the foot of the slope. Yang Zhi and Shi Jin pursued the defeated troops, cutting them down like splitting melons and gourds.
Tong Guan, Feng Mei, and Bi Sheng watched from the hillside, not daring to descend, utterly at a loss. The three discussed among themselves: “How can we fight our way out like this?” Feng Mei said, “Your Excellency, please be at ease for now. I see a large force of government troops still encamped to the due south, their banners still standing, which can come to our rescue. Commander Bi, guard His Excellency here on the hilltop. I will cut a path through and bring that force back to protect His Excellency’s escape.” Tong Guan said, “It is nearly dusk. Act as you see fit, and go quickly, returning soon.” Feng Mei, wielding a large-bladed saber, galloped his horse down the hill, smashed through a path, and reached the southern side. When he looked at that troop of cavalry, it was Zhou Xin, the military inspector of Songzhou, who had his army arrayed in a tight circle, desperately holding their ground in the encirclement’s core. Seeing Feng Mei arrive, he let him into the formation and asked, “Where is His Excellency?” Feng Mei said, “He is right on the hillside ahead, waiting specifically for your force to rescue him and break out. There is no time to lose; move out with all speed.” Upon hearing this, Zhou Xin ordered the command passed down: cavalry and infantry must look out for one another, not break formation, and unite their strength with one mind. The two generals took the lead, the troops raised a shout, and they charged toward the hillside. They had not gone a bowshot’s distance when a force emerged from an oblique angle. Feng Mei flourished his saber and rode straight out to meet the enemy, recognizing it as Duan Pengju, the military inspector of Suizhou. The three all met, combined their forces, and advanced to the foot of the hill. Bi Sheng came down the slope to greet them, and once they saw Tong Guan, they conferred together: “Shall we break out tonight, or wait until tomorrow morning?” Feng Mei said, “The four of us will defend His Excellency to the death. Let us smash through the encirclement tonight and escape the bandits.”
As night approached, shouts rang out unceasingly on all sides, and golden drums clamored in chaos. Around the second watch, under the light of the stars and moon, Feng Mei took the lead, and all the officers clustered around Tong Guan in the center, charging down the hillside with united strength. From all directions came the cry, “Don’t let Tong Guan escape!” The government troops charged straight toward the southern route. The melee continued until about the fourth watch, when they broke out of the encirclement’s core. Tong Guan, on horseback, raised his hand to his forehead, bowing in thanks to heaven and earth and the gods, saying, “Thank fortune! I have escaped this great calamity!” He urged the troops forward, crossing the boundary and racing toward Jizhou.
But hardly had his joy settled when he saw ahead, at the base of a hill, a line of countless torches, and shouts arose again from behind. In the torchlight, two bold fellows, each gripping a broadsword, led forth a heroic general on a white horse, who held a fine steel spear horizontally across his mount. Who was that man? A poem to the tune “Immortal by the River” attests:
Among horse and foot, he is ranked first; within the Heavenly Stars, he holds the highest place. An evil star descended from the heavens. His eyes are like dots of black lacquer; his face is like carved silver. A twelve-foot steel spear, peerless; he rides a swift horse that treads the clouds. His talents and martial skills are both supreme. Liangshan’s Lu Junyi, the “Jade Qilin” of Hebei.
That heroic general on horseback was none other than the “Jade Qilin” Lu Junyi. Before his horse, the two bold fellows wielding broadswords were “Sick Guan Suo” Yang Xiong and “The Reckless Third” Shi Xiu, who, in the torchlight, led over three thousand men, rousing their spirits and blocking the path. Lu Junyi shouted from his horse, “Tong Guan, why not dismount and submit to capture? What are you waiting for?” Hearing this, Tong Guan said to his men, “Ambush ahead, pursuers behind—what can we do?” Feng Mei said, “I will sacrifice my life to repay Your Excellency. All you officers, guard His Excellency tightly and force a way toward Jizhou. I will hold this bandit off myself.” Feng Mei spurred his horse, whirled his saber, and charged straight at Lu Junyi. The two horses met; they fought for only a few exchanges before Lu Junyi, with a thrust of his spear, forced the saber aside, closed in, grabbed Feng Mei by the waist, kicked his warhorse away, and captured him alive. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu then came to support, and the troops swarmed forward, dragging Feng Mei away in a tumble. Bi Sheng, Zhou Xin, and Duan Pengju risked their lives to protect Tong Guan, fighting their way through the blocking troops, battling as they retreated. Lu Junyi pursued from behind. Tong Guan’s routed army scurried like stray dogs and fled like fish slipping through the net. At dawn, they escaped the pursuers and headed toward Jizhou.
As they were marching along, a force of infantry suddenly charged out from behind a hill ahead. These troops wore iron chest-protecting armor and crimson red headcloths. At the front were four infantry leaders—who were they?
“Black Whirlwind” wields double battle-axes; “Funeral Gate God” wields a single dragon sword. Xiang Chong and Li Gun stand at his side, their hands dancing with round shields, their bodies stalwart. To slay a tiger, one must seek its lair; to slay a dragon, one must go to the deep abyss. The army’s might shakes the azure sky; evil ghosts manifest before the eyes.
Li Kui brandished his two battle-axes, Bao Xu wielded a precious sword, and Xiang Chong and Li Gun each danced with barbarian shields for cover, like a ball of fire rolling across the ground, scattering the government troops in all directions. Tong Guan and his generals fought and fled, caring only for their lives. Li Kui cut straight into the cavalry ranks, slashed the legs of Duan Pengju’s horse, toppling him, then with one axe blow split his head, and with another, severed his throat. Clearly, Duan Pengju was dead. The defeated remnants of the government troops, nearing Jizhou, were truly a sight: helmets tilted over ears, neck guards half-covering jaws; horse and foot had lost all strength, men weary and horses spent. They rushed to a stream, and the troops all stopped to drink. Suddenly, a cannon shot sounded from across the stream, and arrows flew like locusts. The government troops scrambled back to the bank, and from the edge of the woods a force of cavalry emerged. Who were the three heroes at the head?
One wields a jade-like serpent, scattering ten thousand shooting stars. The crack rider of Dongchang is Zhang Qing; who dares approach the “Featherless Arrow”? The spear-thrower’s spear never misses; the fork-thrower’s fork shows no mercy. The two tiger-like generals charge with abandon, flanking left and right.
These were Zhang Qing, the “Featherless Arrow,” along with Gong Wang and Ding Desun, leading over three hundred cavalry. That troop of elite horsemen all wore bronze bell masks and pheasant-tail red tassels, bearing light bows and short arrows, with embroidered banners and flowered spears. The three generals charged straight ahead. Zhou Xin, the military inspector of Songzhou, seeing that Zhang Qing’s force was small, advanced to meet them; Bi Sheng shielded Tong Guan as they fled. Zhou Xin spurred his horse and raised his spear to engage, but Zhang Qing, gripping his spear with his left hand, made a gesture with his right like a treasure-summoning deity, and shouted, “Strike!” A stone struck Zhou Xin right on the nose, toppling him from his horse. Gong Wang and Ding Desun galloped over to assist, driving their two forks into his throat—like frost withering grass on the border, rain beating flowers in the imperial garden—and Zhou Xin died beneath his horse. Tong Guan fled with only Bi Sheng, not daring to enter Jizhou. Leading the remnants of his defeated army, he hurried through the night toward the Eastern Capital, stopping along the way to gather the scattered troops and set up camp.
Now, Song Jiang was benevolent and virtuous, and had long harbored the intention to submit to the court. Unwilling to pursue and kill to the utmost, and fearing that his commanders would not restrain themselves in chasing Tong Guan, he urgently sent Dai Zong to deliver orders, announcing to all the chieftains that they should gather the various army units and infantry and return to the stronghold to report their merits. In every direction, gongs sounded to recall the troops. The horsemen tapped their golden stirrups, the foot soldiers sang victory songs in unison. All entered Liangshan Marsh in a steady stream, each returning to Wanzicheng.
Song Jiang, Wu Yong, and Gongsun Sheng first arrived at the Water Margin Stronghold. They took their seats in the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness and ordered Pei Xuan to verify each person’s merits and rewards. Lu Junyi, having captured Feng Mei alive, brought him up to the stronghold, where he knelt in the hall. Song Jiang personally untied his bonds, invited him to sit in a place of honor, and personally raised a cup to him, speaking soothing words and offering wine to calm his nerves. All the chieftains gathered in the hall. That day, they slaughtered cattle and horses, richly rewarded the three armies, and kept Feng Mei for two days, preparing a saddle and horse before sending him down the mountain. Feng Mei was overjoyed. Song Jiang spoke conciliatorily: “General, on and off the battlefield, I have offended your dignity; I beg your forgiveness. Song Jiang and his men have never had any other intention—we only wish to submit to the court and exert ourselves for the nation. But we have been forced to this pass by these unjust and lawless men. I hope that when you return to court, you will speak well of us. If, in the future, we are once again blessed with the imperial grace, we will never forget your great kindness, living or dead.” Feng Mei bowed in thanks for sparing his life, then set off down the mountain. Song Jiang had him escorted all the way to the border, and he returned to the capital—no more of this.
Song Jiang returned to the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness and discussed matters again with Wu Yong and the other chieftains. Now, this time, the strategy of the ten-sided ambush had all been Wu Yong’s plan and arrangement. It had so terrified and shattered Tong Guan that he was afraid even in his dreams, and two-thirds of his great army had been lost. Wu Yong said, “When Tong Guan returns to the capital and reports to the emperor, how can he not raise another army? We must send someone straight to the Eastern Capital to spy out the situation and bring back information, so we can prepare in advance.” Song Jiang said, “Military Advisor, this opinion matches my own thoughts. Among our brothers, who dares to go?” Then someone from among the assembly responded, “I am willing to go.” Everyone looked and said, “It must be him to accomplish this great task.”
If it were not for this man’s going, it would not have led to the application of new strategies and the defeat of the government forces again; nor would it have happened that horses charging the battle lines perished beneath the green cliffs, or boats playing among the waves sank into the green rushes. After all, who was the one from Liangshan Marsh who went to gather intelligence? Wait and hear the next chapter for the resolution.