Explore Chapter 44 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.
Now, Lu Zhishen was staying at the Xiangguo Temple in the Eastern Capital. He saw that corrupt officials were in power and the people were living in misery. This filled him with indignation. One day, he heard that the Jin troops were moving south and Bianjing was in danger. Yet powerful ministers like Cai Jing and Gao Qiu only cared for pleasure, with no thought of resisting the enemy. Zhishen's anger burned within him. He thought to himself, "These scoundrels bring disaster to the country and suffering to the people. What use are they?"
That night, under a dark and moonless sky with high winds, Zhishen sneaked into the rear hall of the Xiangguo Temple. He found that the temple stored treasures bribed by corrupt officials. Moreover, the monks colluded with the powerful to commit numerous evils. He then took out a fire starter and set fires everywhere. In an instant, flames soared into the sky, lighting up half of the Eastern Capital city. Seizing the chaos, Zhishen fought his way out and headed straight for Liangshan Marsh to deliver the message.
Meanwhile, Jade Qilin Lu Junyi, under the orders of Song Jiang, led troops to garrison Linqing City to prevent the Jin troops from advancing eastward. Junyi learned that a detachment of Jin troops intended to take Linqing. He deployed his forces and set up an ambush at a strategic point outside the city. He personally led elite soldiers to guard the waterways and cut off the enemy's supply lines.
The Jin troops general Helise led his army and arrived. Seeing that Linqing City was heavily defended, he dared not advance rashly. Junyi sent Yan Qing, Shi Qian, and others to harass the enemy's rear and burn their tents. Helise found himself in a dilemma. He had to retreat thirty li to set up camp. Junyi took advantage of the situation to attack, killing and capturing hundreds. The Jin troops lost their courage.
The news of victory reached Liangshan Marsh, and Song Jiang was overjoyed, rewarding Lu Junyi heavily. However, the incident of Lu Zhishen burning the Xiangguo Temple also shook the capital. Cai Jing was furious and petitioned the court to send troops to suppress them. Thus: A wild fire burns the temple, startling the corrupt minister. Brave troops block the city, repelling the foreign cavalry. To know what happens next, listen to the next chapter.