Explore Chapter 38 of '水浒新传' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
It is said that a scout on a fast horse came into the commander's tent and reported to Commander Yao Pingzhong, "Nianmohan, Marshal of the Western Route for the Jin army, has come with over three hundred light cavalry to a spot five li southwest of the city. There stands an ancient temple called the Golden Radiance Temple, where they have now encamped. Their purpose remains unclear." Yao Pingzhong, half in doubt, dispatched another scout posthaste. Within the hour, three reports arrived in succession, all confirming the same news. At this juncture, Vice Commander Wu Ge entered the tent for counsel. "Nianmohan," said he, "commands a hundred thousand troops as Marshal of the Western Route. Why should he venture to the very outskirts of Bianjing with a mere three hundred riders? Spies within our walls must have lured him hither to spy on our defenses." Yao Pingzhong replied, "Even for reconnaissance, a marshal should not expose himself thus. Could it be these spies have brought false tidings?" Wu Ge countered, "In the annals of war, there are instances where a commander-in-chief ventures to the front lines. Since Nianmohan dares approach with three hundred riders, he must be relying on some stratagem, affecting this guise of leisure to lull our vigilance. I beg to lead five hundred horsemen out of the city to take him alive, and show the Jin that the Southern Court still breeds men of mettle." Yao Pingzhong cautioned, "The Jin are fierce, their cavalry and infantry both formidable. Since Nianmohan comes in person, he cannot be unprepared. General Wu, take care not to fall into a feint to draw us out." Wu Ge retorted, "With twenty thousand picked troops within the city, even if he has legions lying in ambush, our relief can sally forth at any moment. What have we to fear?" Seeing his resolve, Yao Pingzhong relented, "If it must be so, take a thousand men. I shall station three thousand at the city gate to support you. But be not reckless." Overjoyed at his commander's consent, Wu Ge immediately donned his helmet and armor, made ready, mustered a thousand cavalry, opened the West Gate, and galloped straight for the Golden Radiance Temple. The countryside beyond the walls, ravaged repeatedly by the Jin, lay deserted. For twenty li around, not a soul remained, nor was there a sound of fowl or hound. By now the sun slanted westward, and a westerly wind whipped yellow dust into the heavens, shrouding the vast plain like mist. Wu Ge led the charge. Reaching the temple, he found its gates thrown wide, but within, all was still. Reining in his horse, he did not advance at once. He ordered his men to surround the temple on all sides, then sent a few careful junior officers charging inside. Before long, they emerged and reported, "No Jin troops are within, but there are two to three hundred straw pallets where they must have slept. From their disordered state, they cannot have left long ago. Under the Buddha's shrine in the rear hall lies a golden banner on a red field, like a Jin standard." Hearing this, Wu Ge spurred his horse into the temple, rode straight to the rear hall, dismounted, and himself picked up the banner to examine. It was some five feet long and one foot wide, of red silk embroidered with gold thread. Across its top ran a line of script like tadpoles. In its center was embroidered a bird in flight, and below it, a foreign character. Though he could not read the script, he had heard that the commander's standard of the Jin Western Route bore the image of a northern goshawk, which this seemed to match. He thought to himself that Nianmohan must have been careless and left his standard behind. If they pursued now, they might yet capture him. Accordingly, he ordered an officer to take the standard to Yao Pingzhong and report a victory, while he himself led his men forward in pursuit.
After a chase of seven or eight li, they came to a small hillock. Ahead, a line of villages showed several threads of blue smoke rising. Halting his horse within a grove of barren trees, Wu Ge looked out and saw, behind the villages, a rolling cloud of yellow dust on the plain, clustering around a troop of Jin cavalry retreating toward the northwest. The force numbered some three to four hundred, likely Nianmohan's personal guard. His heart swelled with triumph. Brandishing his long spear, he urged his cavalry onward and charged into the cloud of dust. The plain, its harvest gathered, was a clean expanse of earth, fit for battle. Wu Ge had covered but two or three li when he caught up with the Jin rear guard. Strangely, the Jin troops did not turn to fight but lashed their horses to greater speed. Wu Ge, his mind fixed on capturing a Jin marshal alive, pressed the pursuit. After another five or six li, the Jin force was less than half a li ahead. Suddenly, a watchman's clapper sounded, and a hail of arrows came whistling toward them. Wu Ge, quick of hand, deflected the shafts with his spear-point. But behind him, a dozen or more soldiers were struck and fell from their mounts. In the midst of his astonishment, the Jin formation wheeled about and arrayed itself for battle. A Jin general, wearing a red-tasseled helmet and a green silk war-robe and wielding a great broadsword, galloped forth from the ranks. In the Han tongue he roared, "Song dog, declare thy name! Under the blade of Wuteli, General of Bohai, no nameless ghost dies!" Hearing this, Wu Ge started in surprise-how did this Jin general know Chinese? But he paid no heed and, levelling his spear, charged straight at Wuteli. Wuteli raised his blade to meet him. They fought a dozen passes. The Jin general was mighty of strength and skilled in his blade-work; Wu Ge found himself hard pressed. From his own ranks, a deputy general wielding twin bronze maces flew out on horseback to aid him. Wuteli showed no fear, battling both generals at once. After another dozen passes, a drum beat behind him, and two more Jin generals rushed forth-one with a spear, one with an axe-their horses abreast, charging directly at Wu Ge. From the Song lines two more horsemen galloped out. Four now fought three, locked in a tangled melee. Suddenly, from a copse of trees in the southwest corner came the mournful wail of a nomadic reed pipe. With the sound, several hundred Jin cavalry charged from the flank. Seeing the Jin had laid an ambush, Wu Ge dared not prolong the fight. Feinting a thrust with his spear, he pulled his horse around and fled. The Song soldiers, seeing their commander retreat, likewise fell back. But before they had gone a li, they faced a village of crumbling walls. From within came the crack of a watchman's clapper and a thousand arrows shot forth. Wu Ge took an arrow in the shoulder and toppled from his horse. His personal guard fell into chaos, trampling one another. The three Jin generals, seeing the Song line waver, attacked from both sides. In less than half an hour, the thousand cavalry were routed utterly, only a small band escaping to carry word back to the city. Wu Ge, grievously wounded, lay upon the ground and was taken alive by the Jin.
Upon receiving the Jin commander's standard sent by Wu Ge, Yao Pingzhong rode in person to the city tower to observe. Before long, the defeated soldiers returned with news that Wu Ge had been struck by an arrow and captured, and the thousand cavalry annihilated. He was struck with alarm. As he was about to open the gates and send troops to rescue them, he saw a great cloud of yellow dust rising in the northwest: several thousand Jin horsemen were charging straight for the West Gate, their momentum irresistible. He had no choice but to order the gates shut, muster archers and rolling logs, and defend the city desperately. The Jin army, seeing the Song forces would not come out, shouted for a time, then withdrew and set up camp. Then scouts reported that the Western Route Jin army had taken Zhengzhou, and its vanguard would reach the city walls by tomorrow. So it was that Nianmohan's coming outside the city had been to survey the terrain and, by the way, lure the Song forces out for a test of their strength. Yao Pingzhong had fallen into his trap, losing a thousand men and horses and a fine general besides. His regret was boundless. Seeing night was falling and judging the Jin would not attack the city that day, he ordered a strict guard on all four gates and hastened to the imperial palace to see Zhong Shidao and report his failure.
By now, Zhong Shidao had been bedridden for two days. The urgent dispatches arriving from all quarters made him sigh and lament upon his sickbed. Hearing Yao Pingzhong had come, he immediately summoned him there. Entering the inner hall, Yao Pingzhong saw the old lord minister covered with a cotton quilt, reclining upon a brocade cushion. He still wore a robe of purple silk, with a cloth wrapped around his head. His countenance was gaunt and weary, his beard and hair tangled and unkempt. A pang of sorrow pierced Yao Pingzhong's heart. Approaching the bed, he bowed and said, "I have come to report my fault and accept blame." Zhong Shidao looked at him. "What fault has Commander Yao?" Yao Pingzhong then recounted how he had been tricked and lost troops. Zhong Shidao shook his head upon the pillow several times and sighed. "Long have I known the cunning of the Jin, and I have repeatedly ordered you all to hold fast, not to give battle. Now the city is besieged, with no relief outside and provisions dwindling within. If we lose more men and horses, how can we hold this city? This cannot be laid wholly at your door. I, as commander-in-chief, also bear blame for errors in deployment. But do you know? The Bureau of Military Affairs has sent men twice today to ask why the Jin are allowed to come and go freely outside the city. I have instructed them not to speak the truth of our situation, lest they unsettle the people's hearts. Return to your camp and guard the city with even greater care. Engage no more. The hour grows late; you may go." Seeing the lord minister speak in short gasps, Yao Pingzhong said, "Lord Minister, preserve your strength." As he turned to leave, Zhong Shidao beckoned him back to the bedside and asked in a low voice, "Do you believe this capital can be held?" Yao Pingzhong bowed. "With the Lord Minister here, a million soldiers and civilians will live or die with the city. How can it not be held?" Zhong Shidao shook his head twice. "A desperate situation, truly desperate! I have pondered this deeply. Unless a surprise force strikes the Jin rear and diverts their strength, this siege of the capital cannot be lifted. Commander Yao, your father, Yao Gu, is now Military Commissioner of Hedong, with a hundred thousand troops under his command. If he were to march out from Jingxing Pass and drive straight for Zhending, the Jin Western Route forces would have to turn back to save themselves. Have you any means to notify your father?" Yao Pingzhong said, "I am willing to break through the encirclement myself and rush to Hedong to request troops." Hearing this, Zhong Shidao fixed his gaze upon Yao Pingzhong's face. "You are the Commander, responsible for the city's defense. How can you go? The Jin now encircle us tightly; not even a bird could fly out." Yao Pingzhong replied, "Though I lack talent, I possess some martial skill. Breaking through camps and charging lines I hold as nothing. I beg but the Senior Grand Councilor's order. I shall return to camp, make ready, and break out of the city tonight." Zhong Shidao nodded. "Since you have such courage, I shall grant it. Yet you must know that the road to Hedong is a thousand li of hardship, and Jin troops blanket the land. How can you go alone and on horseback?" Yao Pingzhong said, "If I can but break through the siege, I shall travel by night and hide by day. I have ways to slip through to Hedong. I ask only that the Senior Grand Councilor grant me some token of authority, that I may go to Hedong to muster troops." Seeing no one else present, Zhong Shidao lowered his voice. "If you go to Hedong and tell others that I, Zhong Shidao, ordered the troops, how will your honored father believe it? Here I have a memorial to the throne, submitted in my illness. Say that I am gravely ill and cannot go myself, so I send you in my stead. The memorial already pleads for the deployment of Hedong's forces. When your father sees it, he will surely comply." So saying, he felt by his pillow and brought out a small bundle wrapped in yellow silk, which he handed over. Yao Pingzhong received it with both hands, knelt before the bed, and said with tears, "If I fail to bring the Hedong army back, may I share the fate of this arrow." As he spoke, he drew an arrow and broke it in two. Zhong Shidao waved his hand. "Rise, General. The survival of the nation rests upon this move. Go, and do your utmost. It grows late. Once you depart to muster troops, there is no need to bid me farewell again. Best to break out early. I shall write another personal order for your Vice Commander to act in your stead."
Yao Pingzhong bowed several times, stood, and withdrew respectfully. Returning to camp, he conveyed Zhong Shidao's order to the Vice Commander, gathered his weapons, mounted a swift horse, and rode alone to the West Gate. The guards, seeing it was Commander Yao himself, opened the gate and let him pass. Once outside the city, he looked back at the tower. Lanterns and torches blazed bright as day, with shadowy figures passing to and fro on patrol. He thought, "If I return without troops, what face have I to see the old lord minister again?" With that, he laid on the whip and galloped straight for the Jin camp. The Jin had pitched their tents in the western suburbs, their lines stretching a full ten li. Beyond the tents they had dug deep trenches and set dense abatis. As Yao Pingzhong charged to the trench edge, a Jin patrol closed around him. Swinging his great blade, he cut down a dozen men and hacked a bloody path through. The Jin, seeing but a single rider, thought little of it and loosed a storm of arrows. Yao Pingzhong parried the forest of shafts with his blade-tip and plunged into the Jin camp. Hearing the clamor outside, the Jin soldiers within seized their weapons and rushed from their tents. Yao Pingzhong charged east and west. He took three or four arrow wounds yet fought on desperately, felling a hundred or more Jin troops before fighting his way clear. Severely wounded and bleeding profusely, his head swam with dizziness. He slumped forward on the saddle and let the horse carry him onward. He knew not how much time had passed. When he opened his eyes, dawn had broken, and the horse had borne him to a village. His strength failing, he rolled from the saddle. This stretch of villages, though not yet ravaged by the Jin, stood empty, its folk all fled. Dismounting, Yao Pingzhong hid in a grove of withered trees. He removed his war-robe, bound his wounds, found some cold rice in a deserted house to eat, then fetched a bucket of water to wash the horse clean and feed it fodder. He himself rested half the day. Seeing the sun's shadow slant westward, he mounted again and rode toward the northwest. Before he had gone ten li, a great cloud of dust rose ahead: several thousand defeated Song troops came fleeing toward him. Halting his horse by the roadside, Yao Pingzhong inquired of their situation. They were troops under Deputy Military Commissioner Zhong Shizhong, routed by the Jin. Yao Pingzhong thought to himself, "Deputy Commissioner Zhong commanded fifty or sixty thousand men, yet even he has been utterly defeated. Clearly, the Jin have thrown their full force against the capital. Raising relief from Hedong grows harder still." So he mingled with the fleeing soldiers and marched with them. The defeated troops were all fleeing north toward Hedong. At a fork in the road, Yao Pingzhong turned his horse, left the column, and whipped his steed eastward. His original intent was to reach the lands south of the Yangtze and devise another plan. But after twenty or thirty li, he saw refugees on the road, old and young, weeping and wailing, all crying, "The Jin are coming, what shall we do?" Hearing this, Yao Pingzhong thought, "I am a commanding general, unable to save the nation's crisis, yet mingling with common folk in flight. What face shall I have to meet men hereafter?" Then he reflected and sighed aloud, "I meant to summon Hedong's troops to lift the siege of the capital. Now Hedong's forces can hardly protect themselves. Plainly, the capital must fall sooner or later. What is my death? A trifle. Yet to perish thus, without purpose or glory, seems a worthless end." With this thought, he reined in his horse, uncertain where to turn.
Raising his head, he saw the sun had sunk behind the western hills. Dusk shrouded the land in vast gloom. An evening wind rose, whipping yellow sand into the air where it whirled in eddies. The trees upon the plain stood stripped and bare, their withered branches stretching toward the sky like countless ghostly hands. In the distance, three or five farmhouses with earthen walls and thatched roofs lay buried in the dusty haze. Doors and windows were locked fast. No sound of fowl or dog, not a gleam of lamplight, not a thread of cooking smoke. In this vast universe, he could find no place of refuge. It was a desolation to crush the very soul. Yao Pingzhong, alone with his horse, stood between heaven and earth, and unbidden, a few heroic tears fell. Suddenly he thought, "The old lord minister, in the flickering candle of his years, defends the city in sickness. How can I betray him? Though I may not raise troops from Hedong, can I not raise them from south of the Yangtze? With my martial skill, alone on horseback, I shall cut my way to the south, muster a force, and make the Jin dare not look squarely upon the Central Plains." With this resolve, he laid on the whip once more and rode eastward.
He already bore several grievous wounds and had lost much blood; his body was utterly spent. Moreover, for two days he had eaten little, and now hunger and cold assailed him. Jolting on horseback half the night had left him faint. He dismounted in a grove of barren trees, tethered his horse to a trunk, and sat leaning against a root. Looking up, he saw the half-moon veiled by scudding clouds; only a few sparse stars glittered overhead. An icy wind moaned across the plain, setting the dry branches creaking. "To think," he mused, "that I, Yao Pingzhong, a commander of men, should come to such a pass." He sighed, and weariness pressed upon him heavier still. Unawares, he fell into a troubled sleep. He knew not how long he slept before he was roused by the sound of voices and the neighing of horses. Opening his eyes, he found the sky bright. Beyond the grove, several dozen horses surrounded a group passing by. Their speech held the accents of the Central Plains, but they wore Jin attire-likely Han turncoats who had surrendered to the Jin, passing through. Yao Pingzhong dared not stir them and hid behind a withered tree until they had gone. Only when the group was far off did he lead his horse from the grove. Standing by the roadside in a daze, he thought, "With such traitors on the road, traveling alone holds many perils. Better to take bypaths, hiding by day and traveling by night, for greater safety. But I am weaponless and starving. I must first find food and drink." So leading his horse, he followed a small path seeking a dwelling. After two or three li, he spied a sparse wood with two thatched huts within. Pushing the door open, he entered. The place was empty but for a pile of dry straw, as if used for a cattle pen. In a corner lay a broken urn with some cold water. Parched with thirst, Yao Pingzhong cared not for cleanliness but scooped it up and drank. He sat upon the straw, tethered his horse inside, and rested. He thought, "To reach the lands south of the Yangtze and raise troops is a journey of thousands of li. How can I arrive in time? Even if I do, by the time troops are brought, the old lord minister may no longer hold out." With this, he took out the yellow silk bundle Zhong Shidao had given him. Finding it indeed contained a memorial to the throne, he drew it forth and, by the thin sunlight filtering through the broken wall, read it carefully. The memorial read in essence: "Your servant Zhong Shidao, trembling with fear and kowtowing a hundred times, respectfully memorializes Your Majesty. With this frail, sickly frame, I have wrongly received the heavy charge of defending the city. Day and night I am filled with dread, deeply fearing I may fail Your Majesty's grace. Now the Jin, with their whole nation's strength, numbering a million, besiege our capital. Though I lead a million soldiers and civilians, pledged to defend unto death, yet with no relief outside and provisions lacking within, this solitary city sits trapped. This is no lasting strategy. The only course now is to swiftly summon loyal troops from all quarters, marching day and night to our aid, that the capital may have security firm as bedrock. It is found that Yao Gu, Military Commissioner of Hedong, commands a hundred thousand troops now stationed in Hedong. If ordered to march from Jingxing Pass straight for Zhending, the Jin forces coming from the west will surely turn back to save themselves, and the capital's siege will lift without a battle. I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict with all speed, to deliver us from this dire strait. Your servant is old and ill, his life hanging by a thread, awaiting Your command in utmost urgency." Having read the memorial, Yao Pingzhong thought, "The old lord minister is truly loyal and devoted. In such sickness, his thoughts never leave the affairs of state. If I fail to bring the Hedong troops, how shall I face him?" A fierce tide of loyalty and duty surged within him, burning away his pain and hunger. He sprang to his feet and paced the hut. At last, standing in the center, he cried out, "I must bring the Hedong troops! I must bring the Hedong troops!" Then, feeling somewhat foolish, he laughed aloud. That laugh startled a man outside. The man pushed the door open and, seeing Yao Pingzhong in tattered armor and covered in blood, started in fright and turned to flee. Yao Pingzhong barked, "Who are you? What brings you here?" Hearing his Central Plains accent, the man turned back. "I am but a commoner from this village. Fearing the Jin, I fled to the hills. Today I returned to fetch some grain, never thinking to find a general here. Has the General been fighting the Jin and come here wounded?" Yao Pingzhong saw he was a man of middle years, his clothes worn but his mien honest. "Ask not of me," said Yao. "Tell me, are there Jin troops nearby?" The man replied, "The Jin are now besieging the capital. This area has none. Only a few dozen Jin horsemen patrol here daily." Yao Pingzhong asked, "If there are patrols, how dare you return?" "The Jin patrol at fixed hours," said the man. "From the hills I have watched them often and know when they come and go. So I seize the chance to return for grain." Yao Pingzhong said, "Have you any dried provisions? Sell me some." Seeing Yao Pingzhong's commanding presence, the man said, "I have no dried food, only some rice and wheat stored away. If the General needs, I shall cook some." "Good," said Yao Pingzhong. "Cook it quickly, and I shall reward you well." The villager left and soon returned with an earthen pot of gruel. Yao Pingzhong, ravenous, took the pot and drank heartily. The man said, "The General is wounded. I have some wound medicine stored at home. Shall I fetch it to dress your injuries?" "That would be a kindness," said Yao Pingzhong. The man fetched a packet of medicinal powder. Yao Pingzhong opened his robe, bared his wounds, and let him apply it. As he worked, the man saw the wounds and shook his head. "The General is badly hurt." Yao Pingzhong smiled. "A true man serves his country; death itself is fitting, let alone wounds." "The General is truly loyal," said the man. When the dressing was done, Yao Pingzhong took from his person a silver ingot, weighing about five liang, and handed it over. "I have nothing else. Take this as thanks." The man bowed. "You're fighting for our country, General. How could a humble man like me take your silver?" Yao Pingzhong said, "Keep it. I have more to ask. From here to Hedong, are there small paths to travel?" The man thought a moment. "Northwest from here lie the Taihang Mountains. There are many mountain paths, but they are treacherous. To reach Hedong, the General must cross the Yellow River. Now every ferry on the river is held by Jin troops. How can you cross?" Yao Pingzhong fell silent, pondering. The man said, "Does the General go to Hedong to raise troops?" "How do you know?" asked Yao Pingzhong. "The capital is besieged-who does not know? The General, alone here, must be seeking reinforcements. If bound for the lands south of the Yangtze, you should head south, not northwest." Yao Pingzhong nodded. "You are a man of sense. I will tell you truly. I am Yao Pingzhong, defender of the capital. By order of Senior Military Commissioner Zhong Shidao, I go to Hedong to muster Commissioner Yao's troops and lift the siege. The roads are thick with Jin patrols, and I am alone. I fear I may never reach Hedong. Have you any means to help me slip past the Jin camps?" Hearing this, the man knelt and kowtowed. "So it is Commander Yao! This humble one failed to show respect. My surname is Wang, third in my family; folk call me Wang San. Generations have lived in this village, farming for our bread. Now the Jin have come, and I too wish to serve my country, but have found no way. If the General has use for me, I would not refuse ten thousand deaths." Overjoyed, Yao Pingzhong helped him up. "Do you know hidden paths to skirt the Jin camps?" Wang San said, "I have a kinsman in Mengzhou. From Mengzhou, cross the Yellow River, and it is Huaizhou, within Commissioner Yao's jurisdiction. I have traveled there twice and know the byways. But Jin troops swarm the roads; we must travel by night." "Night travel is best," said Yao Pingzhong. "I have two horses. Will you guide me?" Wang San replied, "I have a donkey at home that can serve. If the General goes, I shall guide you. But in that attire, how can you pass the Jin lines? You must disguise yourself as a commoner." Yao Pingzhong looked down at himself-indeed, his armor was conspicuous. "I have no weapons. What then?" "I have some old clothes at home," said Wang San. "If the General does not scorn them, please change. As for a weapon, I have a firewood axe. Could the General use it?" Yao Pingzhong smiled. "A weapon is needless. But what of this horse I ride?" "That horse is too fine," said Wang San. "Anyone can see it is a warhorse. I have a lean nag at home. Ride that, and you will look like a traveler." Yao Pingzhong said, "This horse has been with me for years, sharing many deeds. To abandon it grieves my heart." Wang San said, "If the General wishes to keep it, I have a cellar where it can be hidden, to be retrieved later." Yao Pingzhong thought, then said, "It must be so." Wang San fetched the clothes. Yao Pingzhong removed his armor, changed, and hid the yellow bundle next to his skin. Wang San led him home, hid the horse in the cellar and fed it fodder, then brought out his donkey. Yao Pingzhong mounted the lean nag, and the two set out. Wang San led the way, choosing only small paths. Where Jin troops were, they detoured. When they could not, they hid in woods. Two days passed without incident. On the third day, reaching a hillock, Wang San pointed ahead. "There lies Mengzhou territory, not far from the Yellow River." Yao Pingzhong looked up and saw in the distance a vast, pale expanse-the Yellow River. His heart leapt with hope. Suddenly, from below the hillock emerged a troop of Jin soldiers, a hundred or more, charging straight at them. Wang San, aghast, tried to hide, but it was too late. From the Jin ranks, an officer on horseback, holding a great blade, shouted, "Those two are spies! Seize them!" Seeing trouble, Yao Pingzhong said to Wang San, "Flee! I will hold them." So saying, he jumped down, snatched up two stones from the ground, and hurled them at the Jin. The officer, caught unawares, took a stone to the forehead and tumbled from his horse. The Jin fell into disarray. Seizing the moment, Yao Pingzhong pulled Wang San and ran up the hillock. The Jin gave chase. Yao Pingzhong threw more stones, felling three or four. Seeing the pursuers close, he said to Wang San, "We part ways. Go now." Wang San cried, "I would die with the General!" "Speak not so," said Yao Pingzhong. "Go to my father. Tell him I was unfilial, that I shall not see him again." With that, he pushed Wang San into a thicket of wild grass and himself took another path, drawing the Jin after him. The Jin, seeing but one man, loosed their arrows. Yao Pingzhong took several shafts but ran on. He came to a precipice-no way forward, the enemy behind. Steeling his heart, he leaped over the edge. The Jin rushed to the cliff and peered down. Below, clouds and mist hung heavy; the depth was unfathomable. Judging him dead, they turned back to claim their reward.
It is said that Wang San, hidden in the thicket, dared emerge only after the Jin had gone. Finding the spot where Yao Pingzhong had leaped, he wept aloud. He thought, "Commander Yao died for me. If I do not deliver his last command, how can I face him?" So he found a path down the mountain, crossed the Yellow River, and came to Huaizhou. Meeting Yao Gu, he tearfully recounted all that had befallen Yao Pingzhong, and presented Zhong Shidao's memorial. Yao Gu, upon reading the memorial and hearing of his son's death, wept bitterly. Straightway he mustered his troops and marched toward Zhending. Truly: The son gave his life, his debt to the throne repaid; The father, though aged, as a tiger-warrior arrayed.