Explore Chapter 45 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, at that time, the Jin troops Marshal Helise of the Southern Hebei Circuit, having defeated the Song army at Daming and captured the cities of Cangzhou, Jizhou, and Enzhou, joined forces with the Western Route Marshal Nianmohan and the Eastern Route Marshal Wolibu at Taiyuan. Together, their three armies laid siege to Bianliang. Although Tong Guan held the Yellow River with a large force, the Jin troops crossed in ten separate columns, setting fires and raising war cries everywhere. Within the Eastern Capital, its millions of soldiers and civilians were jumpy at the sound of the wind and the cry of cranes, seeing the enemy in every blade of grass and every tree. In less than ten days, the city was completely isolated, and its supply lines severed. The defending officers and soldiers began to panic. Moreover, the court was filled with cowardly civil and military officials; none were willing to step forward to shoulder the responsibilities of the state. On the eighth day of the siege by Wolibu, Emperor Qinzong, his courage already shattered, followed the treacherous advice of ministers Zhang Bangchang and Li Bangyan. He dispatched envoys to the Jin camp to sue for peace. Seeing how easily the Song Emperor could be bullied, Wolibu made the peace terms exceedingly harsh. He demanded five million taels of gold, fifty million taels of silver, ten thousand head of cattle and horses, and a million bolts of silk. He also demanded the cession of the three strategic prefectures of Zhongshan, Taiyuan, and Hejian. Furthermore, a royal prince was to be sent to the Jin camp as a hostage. Pitifully, Emperor Qinzong, caring only for his own life, agreed to every condition. Not content with capturing cities, the Jin plundered all the gold and silver from the Song government and private treasuries. Nianmohan and Wolibu, seeing the wealth of Bianliang, simply lingered in the city, refusing to leave. They claimed they would withdraw only after the Song clearly handed over the three prefectures. Coincidentally, the soldiers and civilians in places like Taiyuan refused to submit to Jin rule. Nianmohan therefore led his troops to Hebei and Hedong to suppress them. Wolibu also diverted part of his force to attack Luoyang. Marshal Helise of the Jin troops held the fort alone, stationed at Daming to oversee the situation. The Song ruler and his ministers, still living in a fool's paradise, remained unaware of the greater calamity looming ahead. Even the common people of the Eastern Capital were lost in a drunken stupor, each seeking their own way out. They had completely forgotten the repeated Jin invasions. Thus, for the Song empire, two-thirds of its territory from south to north was already gone.
Now stationed at Daming, Helise thought to himself that since the various prefectures and counties in Hebei had surrendered, it was time to repair and fortify the cities here, to serve as a permanent foothold for the Jin troops. He thus dispatched a hundred thousand troops to repair city walls, clear roads, and establish outposts across Hebei. For every county or prefecture where repairs were made, he appointed one Jin general and one surrendered Song prefect or magistrate to oversee it. Originally, the Jin people followed nomadic customs. They lived in tents, ate the meat of cattle and sheep, wore animal skins, and traveled on horseback, skilled in archery; they were strangers to the comforts of the Central Plains cities. Now, having fought their way to Bianjing, they saw its magnificent palaces and cities, its bustling streets filled with merchants and goods beyond their wildest dreams. Once in possession, they considered it a heaven-sent treasure trove. They drove Song officials like cattle, forcing them to hand over gold, silver, silks, and brocades, while they themselves indulged in the newfound pleasures. Consequently, the Jin commanders were eager to stay longer in the cities, reluctant to return to the harsh winds and sands beyond the frontier. Only Helise felt that Daming was far inferior to Bianliang. He recalled that during the battles with the Song troops, every city was a fortified stronghold. Capturing one had required tremendous effort. Now that these cities were under Jin control, their walls should be properly rebuilt to guard against future Song attacks. That day, in his headquarters, he received an edict from the Jin Emperor Wuqimai. It ordered him to repair and strengthen any damaged city walls in the Hebei counties, stockpile provisions, and prepare for a Song counteroffensive. This aligned perfectly with his own thoughts. He immediately issued orders to expedite the repairs. However, most of these counties had suffered multiple raids. Their able-bodied men had fled, and building materials like bricks, stones, and timber were plundered. Some counties were left with nothing but an empty shell of a wall, housing only thirty or fifty households. Where would they find the manpower and resources for repairs? The surrendered officials, eager to please their new masters, had no choice but to obey the orders. Having no better ideas, they conscripted laborers and confiscated materials within and outside the cities, driving the common people to utter misery. Although repairs were undertaken everywhere, the Jin troops commanders were beyond the reach of their authority to supervise each project closely. Some counties merely went through the motions and let the matter slide.
At noon that day, having nothing urgent to attend to, Helise took a few dozen cavalry guards and rode out of the city to inspect the area. Traveling about seventy li northeast of Daming, he saw a high ridge. On it stood a ruined city. Though much of its wall had collapsed, its strategic position was exceptionally formidable. He sent someone to inquire about the city's name. The messenger returned and reported, "This is called Sunset City. The city was built on this ridge, facing southwest. At sunset, the entire city is bathed in sunlight, hence the name." Helise rode towards the city wall. He saw it was about thirty feet high and fifteen or sixteen feet thick, constructed from rammed earth and stones. The wall was overgrown with brambles and wild grass, even obscuring the battlements. The moat was silted up, leaving only a shallow ditch. Only two stone frames remained of the city gates. A small tree grew atop one gatehouse, swaying precariously. The gates themselves were long lost. Within the city enclosure, the faint outlines of building foundations and walls were visible amidst the tall grass. Even the traces of streets were hard to discern. Beside the wall lay a stone stele, half-buried in the earth. Helise ordered it dug up. After cleaning off the mud, he examined the inscription. Although it was in Chinese characters, he could recognize some of it. It was erected during the reign of Emperor Taizu of Song. It stated that Sunset City was originally a fort built by Xue Rengui of the Tang Dynasty during his eastern campaigns, later falling into ruin. When Emperor Taizu of Song pacified Liu Jun in Hedong, he had the city repaired and garrisoned with troops. Its location was strategic: to the northeast lay Jizhou, to the northwest Zhending, and to the southeast Puyang, all connected by flat roads. It could control the main approaches from all directions, hence the decision to fortify it. Later, during times of peace, it served little purpose and gradually fell into disrepair. After reading this, Helise returned to his headquarters and immediately summoned his officers for discussion. He said, "During my inspections, I've seen many cities, but none match the strategic advantage of this Sunset City. Moreover, it's not far from Daming, perfect for forming a pincer position. If we repair and fortify this city and garrison it with ten thousand troops, any enemy force approaching from any direction would find no peace. Tomorrow, we shall assign five thousand men to begin the repairs. We must also appoint a senior general to command its defense." The campaign advisor Hajile, a trusted confidant of Helise, stepped forward and said, "Marshal, repairing this city is indeed a good plan. However, manpower and resources are scarce throughout Hebei. Building a city from scratch will likely not succeed quickly. There are no commoners inside or outside the city. Even if repaired, it would be of little use. In my humble opinion, we should first conduct rudimentary repairs, making it merely habitable for troops. After the Marshal completes the repairs on other cities in the Southern Hebei Circuit, we can then redirect manpower and resources to properly construct Sunset City." Helise replied, "What do you understand of this? Sunset City must be built to be imposing and strong, serving as an example for all the surrendered prefectures and counties. They must understand that our Great Jin is not here temporarily, but intends to stay forever. If they grasp this, they will not harbor thoughts of rebellion. Have you not seen how many surrendered local officials are merely going through the motions, not sincerely repairing their cities? I intend to use this Sunset City as a warning to them. I will assign a senior general to oversee the repairs. If the work is not done properly, he will answer to military justice with his head. How many heads do those local officials think they have, to dare disobey?" Hearing this, Hajile dared not argue further and simply assented. Helise then issued an order: the campaign commander Aliban was to take five thousand infantry and repair Sunset City. All surrendered officials in the counties near Daming were to obey Aliban's commands in conscripting laborers and transporting timber, stone, bricks, and tiles. Anyone who resisted would be beheaded under military law. Aliban received the order and set to work. Two days later, Helise personally went to Sunset City to survey the site. Aliban was supervising soldiers clearing brambles and wild grass from the walls and digging the moat. The place was a hive of activity. Helise looked around and was very pleased. He pointed out a few areas needing attention and then returned to Daming. A few days later, he suddenly received an edict from the Jin Emperor Wuqimai. It ordered him to lead troops to Shaanxi to join Nianmohan in attacking the Tong Pass. Though Helise had to obey and prepare to depart, he could not put Sunset City out of his mind. He left twenty thousand troops under the command of Deputy Marshal Puluhe to guard Daming and supervise the Sunset City project. He himself took thirty thousand men and headed for Shaanxi.
Puluhe was a rough and crude man. He knew only drinking, hunting, and extorting the common people, understanding nothing of military or state affairs. Upon taking charge of Daming, his first act was to gather all the singing girls in the city to his headquarters for daily drinking and revelry. Aliban, repairing Sunset City, faced shortages of manpower and resources. He sought instructions from Puluhe several times, but the latter always said, "Just get on with it. Take whatever you need by requisitioning from the counties yourself." Receiving no real guidance, Aliban had no choice but to negotiate with the county magistrates himself. These magistrates were local scholars who had surrendered under duress when the Jin troops arrived. Seeing the Jin generals' behavior, they secretly lamented their fate and were hardly willing to exert themselves sincerely. When Aliban demanded conscripted laborers, they always excused themselves: "Our county has suffered years of warfare. The able-bodied men have all fled. We truly have no one to send." When Aliban requested bricks, tiles, timber, or stone, they said, "The houses in the city are all burnt down. There's nowhere to find such materials." Aliban grew anxious and threatened, "If you don't send the laborers and materials, I'll send troops to your counties to search and seize them." Hearing this, the magistrates, fearful, reluctantly rounded up some old and weak commoners from the countryside to send as a token effort. Aliban knew full well these officials were merely going through the motions. If he were to seriously punish or execute them, he would have no one to manage affairs temporarily, so he had to endure it for the time being. After about ten days, Puluhe suddenly remembered the Sunset City project and wondered about its progress. He took a hundred cavalry and rode to Sunset City to inspect. Upon arrival, he saw only that the brambles and wild grass on the walls had just been cleared. The moat was dug to a depth of less than ten feet. Bricks, tiles, and timber were piled haphazardly. Only a few hundred old and weak laborers were listlessly working. Puluhe flew into a rage and summoned Aliban, berating him: "You lazy wretch! Why is the progress so slow?" Aliban replied, "How dare I be lazy? But the counties refuse to send laborers and materials. I have no means to press them." Puluhe said, "Do they dare disobey military orders? Tell me, which county is the most obstinate?" Aliban said, "The magistrate of Neihuang County, Cui Wei, is the most cunning. He has made excuses every time I pressed him." Puluhe asked, "How far is this Neihuang County from here?" Aliban said, "About fifty li." Puluhe declared, "Today, I'll go and arrest that damned magistrate. I'll have him publicly beheaded as a warning to the others!" With that, he ordered Aliban to muster five hundred infantry and set off together for Neihuang County.
Neihuang County lay southeast of Sunset City, a medium-sized county with two or three thousand households. The magistrate, Cui Wei, was originally a Song Dynasty Jinshi scholar, a man of integrity and loyalty. When the Jin troops attacked, he had intended to flee with his family. However, the Jin advance was too swift. Unable to escape, he was forced by the Jin generals to surrender. For the sake of the county's populace, he reluctantly accepted the post. Yet, witnessing the Jin troops' atrocities—rape, plunder, and every conceivable evil—filled his heart with anguish. He spent his days hiding in his yamen, chanting Buddhist prayers, hoping the Song army would soon return. That day, he was speaking with his wife in the inner chambers when a sudden uproar erupted in the streets. A yamen runner rushed in, panic-stricken, and reported, "The Jin troops Marshal Puluhe has brought soldiers and surrounded the county town. He demands Your Honor go out and speak with him." Hearing this, Cui Wei turned pale as ashes. He said to his wife, "This Jin visit bodes no good. If I go out, I will likely meet disaster. But if I refuse, the Jin troops will storm the city, and all its inhabitants will suffer. So be it! I, Cui Wei, having received the state's grace, failed to defend the city and surrendered to the Jin. For that, I deserve death a thousand times over. Now, for the sake of the county's people, I will risk my head and go to see him." His wife wept, "If you must go, I wish to die with you." Cui Wei said, "My dear, what are you saying? If I am killed by the Jin troops, you must escape to our hometown, raise our children, and continue the Cui family line. If you go with me, you would die in vain, leaving my soul restless even in death." His wife continued to sob, clutching his robe and refusing to let go. Cui Wei gritted his teeth, cut the robe with a knife, and strode out of the inner chambers. The yamen servants and runners, witnessing their magistrate's resolve, also shed tears. Cui Wei entered the main hall, straightened his official hat, adjusted his court robes, and bowed four times to the north, in the direction of the captive emperor, and then four times to the south, toward his ancestral homeland. Then he walked out of the yamen, mounted a horse, and rode to the city gate. He ordered the soldiers to open it and rode out alone. He saw the Jin troops arrayed in battle formation. In the center was a general in golden helmet and armor, riding a black horse. It was Puluhe. Cui Wei dismounted, approached Puluhe's horse on foot, bowed, and said, "Your humble servant, Neihuang County Magistrate Cui Wei, pays his respects to the Marshal. May I inquire the purpose of your esteemed visit?" Puluhe glared and said, "So you are Cui Wei? I ordered the repair of Sunset City and demanded laborers and materials from your county. Why have you repeatedly made excuses?" Cui Wei replied, "The Marshal's discernment is keen. Our county has suffered successive raids. Seven or eight out of ten able-bodied men are dead or have fled. Those who remain, the old and weak, are too starved to walk. As for bricks, tiles, timber, and stone, everything inside and outside the city has been burnt to ashes. We truly have no men to send, no materials to provide. It is not that I deliberately make excuses." Puluhe said, "You cunning rogue! Daring to disobey a military order is a capital offense. Guards, bind him!" The Jin troops roared. Four or five fierce soldiers pounced and tied up Cui Wei. His complexion unchanged, Cui Wei lifted his head and said, "If the Marshal wishes to execute me, I dare not resist. I only beg the Marshal not to harm the people within the city." Puluhe paid no heed. He ordered Cui Wei dragged to an empty space beside the city wall to be beheaded as a public example. Cui Wei offered his neck to the blade, meeting it with an unflinching gaze. After killing Cui Wei, Puluhe ordered the Jin troops into the city to plunder gold, silver, and women. Pitifully, the entire county suffered this great calamity.
Upon returning to Daming, Puluhe summoned all the county magistrates under his jurisdiction to his headquarters. Seated high in the hall, he sternly declared, "Neihuang County Magistrate Cui Wei disobeyed military orders and refused to assist in repairing Sunset City. I have already executed him. If any of you dare make excuses again, you will meet the same fate." The magistrates trembled in fear, not daring to utter a word of refusal. Puluhe then instructed Aliban to set specific quotas of manpower and resources for each county, demanding everything be delivered within ten days. Failure would result in troops being sent to obliterate the county. The magistrates returned to their posts and had no choice but to desperately extort their people, sending the conscripted laborers and materials to Sunset City. With sufficient manpower and resources, Aliban supervised the work day and night. In less than a month, he miraculously restored Sunset City to a brand-new state. The walls were raised to forty feet high and twenty feet thick. The moat was dug to a depth of over twenty feet and a width of thirty to forty feet, filled with water. Hundreds of barracks were built inside the city, along with fully equipped storehouses and stables. The gate towers on all four sides were constructed impressively. Puluhe inspected it and was greatly pleased. He recommended Aliban for promotion to garrison commander of Sunset City, assigning him ten thousand troops for its defense. After assuming his post, Aliban issued proclamations, calling on displaced commoners to settle in the city. He opened all four gates, allowing merchants and civilians to come and go freely. Within two months, over a thousand households had moved in, and the streets and markets gradually grew lively. Fearing an attack from the Song army, Aliban ordered the construction of a watchtower every ten li around Sunset City, each garrisoned with troops. Furthermore, thirty li northeast of the city, at a place called White Horse Slope, he established a large forward camp as an outpost. The defenses were meticulously arranged.
This news reached the Liangshan Marsh. Song Jiang and Wu Yong were discussing with the chieftains how to take advantage of the Jin troops' dispersal to Shaanxi and the resulting weakness in Hebei to recapture Daming. Hearing that Sunset City had been so solidly repaired and heavily garrisoned by the Jin troops, they were both startled. Wu Yong said, "Sunset City lies directly on the vital route northeast of Daming. If we don't capture this city first, our army's rear could be cut off when we attack Daming." Song Jiang agreed, "The Military Strategist speaks wisely. But this city is so well fortified, and the Jin troops have a garrison of ten thousand. I fear it cannot be taken quickly." Wu Yong said, "I have made thorough inquiries. The garrison commander, Aliban, is brave but lacks strategy. He has two deputy generals under him, one named Tuobatu and the other Heifengtuo, both foreign commanders. Only the campaign advisor Hajile is Helise's confidant, a very cunning man. To take this city, we must first eliminate this Hajile. Then we can proceed." Song Jiang asked, "How do we eliminate him?" Wu Yong replied, "This humble one has already conceived a plan here." He leaned close to Song Jiang's ear and whispered a few sentences. Song Jiang was delighted and agreed to follow the plan.
Meanwhile, in Sunset City, Aliban, having become the garrison commander, carried himself with great authority. He spent his days drinking and enjoying himself in the yamen, leaving military affairs to Hajile. Hajile was a meticulous man. Seeing how solidly fortified Sunset City was and that the Jin troops had ten thousand men, he reasoned that the Song army would not dare attack. However, he considered that among the newly settled commoners, Song spies might have infiltrated. He thus ordered strict inspections. Anyone suspicious was arrested and interrogated. This plunged the city's inhabitants into a state of fear, and few dared venture outside. Hajile also thought about the forward camp at White Horse Slope, thirty li from the city. If the Song army attacked, the city might not be able to send reinforcements in time. He therefore requested Aliban to assign another two thousand troops to reinforce White Horse Slope. Aliban agreed and sent Deputy General Heifengtuo with two thousand men to garrison White Horse Slope.
One day, Hajile was interrogating several suspected spies in the yamen when a guard from the city wall came to report: "There's a man outside the city who calls himself the Liangshan Marsh hero Flea on a Drum Shi Qian. He requests an audience with the General, claiming to have vital secrets to disclose." Hajile was startled and ordered the man brought in. Shortly after, the guards led in a man of slender build. Hajile observed him: a pointed mouth, sunken cheeks, and eyes that darted about shrewdly. He was clearly an astute character. The man approached the hall, bowed, and said, "Your humble servant, Shi Qian, pays his respects to the General." Hajile said, "So you are the Liangshan Marsh's Flea on a Drum Shi Qian? You have great nerve coming here." Shi Qian said, "Although I am from Liangshan Marsh, the stronghold has now disbanded. Having nowhere else to go, I have come specifically to surrender to you, General, hoping you will accept me." Hajile asked, "How did Liangshan Marsh disband?" Shi Qian replied, "General, you may not know. Ever since Song Gongming accepted the amnesty and recruitment and went to campaign against Fang La, the brothers of Liangshan Marsh have either died or scattered. Only a few remain. Later, when the Jin troops attacked, Song Gongming took some men to join Zhang Shuye. They are now in the Jiangnan region, fighting the Jin troops. Only Lu Junyi, Wu Yong, and a few dozen brothers remain in the mountain stronghold, guarding the lair. Recently, Lu Junyi and Wu Yong clashed over who should hold the first seat of authority in the stronghold. Lu Junyi killed Wu Yong, and then Wu Yong's loyal followers killed Lu Junyi. Now the mountain stronghold is in chaos. Everyone is fleeing for their lives. I seized the opportunity to escape, thinking to seek my fortune with the Jin in Hebei. Passing through here, I heard the General is recruiting talented men. Hence, I risked my life to come." Hajile listened, half-believing, half-doubting. He said, "Is this story true?" Shi Qian said, "How dare I lie? If the General doubts me, you can send someone to Liangshan Marsh to verify." Hajile said, "Since you come to surrender, do you have any tribute to offer?" Shi Qian said, "I am a poor man with no gold, jewels, or treasures to present. But I do have one vital secret to disclose." Hajile asked, "What vital secret?" Shi Qian said, "When I fled Liangshan Marsh, I heard that Song Jiang has already dispatched the Marvelous Traveler Dai Zong to Hebei to contact local heroes. They plan to rise up simultaneously on the Mid-Autumn Festival to attack the cities held by the Jin troops. In Daming Prefecture alone, several hundred heroes are already lying in wait. On the night of the festival, they will set fires as a signal, coordinating from within and without to seize the city. I've also heard that there are Liangshan Marsh heroes mixed into Sunset City. You must be careful, General." Hajile was greatly alarmed, thinking to himself, "Better to believe this than not." He asked Shi Qian, "Do you know who the infiltrators in Sunset City are?" Shi Qian said, "That I do not know clearly. But I do know there is a Liangshan Marsh hero named Shi En, the Golden-Eyed Panther. He is excellent at disguise, often posing as a merchant, a doctor, or a fortune-teller to move about. If you arrest anyone suspicious in the city, General, you must interrogate them carefully." Hajile nodded and ordered his guards to take Shi Qian away for proper treatment. Simultaneously, he ordered the entire city placed under martial law and a search for spies.
That evening, Hajile was pondering Shi Qian's words when the city wall guards came to report again: "We have captured a spy outside the city. He calls himself Shi En, the Golden-Eyed Panther of Liangshan Marsh. He claims to have vital secrets and demands to see the General personally." Hajile's heart stirred, and he ordered the man brought in. Shortly, the guards pushed a burly man forward. Hajile saw he was tall and sturdy, with thick brows and large eyes—truly the look of a hero. Seeing Hajile, the man stood without kneeling and declared loudly, "I am Shi En, the Golden-Eyed Panther of Liangshan Marsh. Captured today, kill me if you will. No need for questions." Hajile said, "Since you are a Liangshan Marsh hero, why have you come here?" Shi En said, "I came to scout the strength of your Jin troops and report back." Hajile asked, "What have you learned?" Shi En said, "Your Jin troops may be fierce, but your morale is scattered. Sooner or later, our Song army will destroy you." Hajile sneered, "You face death yet still boast. Let me ask you: has your Liangshan Marsh disbanded?" Hearing this, Shi En's expression changed. He said, "How do you know?" Hajile said, "I not only know Liangshan Marsh has disbanded, I also know Song Jiang and Lu Junyi fought over the first seat, killing each other. Now the mountain stronghold is in chaos, is it not?" Shi En lowered his head and remained silent. Hajile continued, "If you are willing to surrender, I will spare your life and reward you handsomely." Shi En raised his head, looked at Hajile, and said, "If the General truly spares me, I am willing to surrender." Hajile was delighted and ordered the guards to untie Shi En and offer him a seat. He asked, "How many troops does Liangshan Marsh still have?" Shi En replied, "Originally, the stronghold had thirty to fifty thousand men. After accepting the amnesty and recruitment and following Song Jiang to campaign against Fang La, more than half were killed or wounded. The remainder followed Song Jiang to join Zhang Shuye. Now the stronghold has only three to five thousand old and weak remnants, guarded by Lu Junyi's brother, Lu Junbao." Hajile asked, "Where is Song Jiang now?" Shi En said, "Song Jiang is in Jiangnan with Zhang Shuye, fighting the Jin troops. But he has only a few thousand men and cannot achieve anything significant." Hajile asked, "Does he have plans to fight back to Hebei?" Shi En said, "Although Song Jiang wishes to return to Hebei, the Jin troops are too powerful. He dares not act rashly. However, he has sent many spies to Hebei to contact local heroes. They plan to rise up simultaneously on the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Daming Prefecture, men are already lying in wait in several places. I've also heard our people have mixed into Sunset City." Hajile asked, "Who are the infiltrators in Sunset City?" Shi En said, "That I do not know clearly. But I heard there is a Liangshan Marsh hero named Yang Xiong recently active in Sunset City." Hajile said, "Yang Xiong? Is that the sworn brother of Rash Third Brother Shi Xiu?" Shi En said, "Exactly. He was originally a prison officer in Jizhou before joining Liangshan Marsh. This man possesses high martial skills and considerable cunning. You must be careful, General." Hajile asked, "Do you know where he is now?" Shi En said, "I heard he disguised himself as a traveling medicine peddler, setting up a stall in the city. But with the city under martial law, he has probably gone into hiding." Hajile nodded and ordered the guards to take Shi En away and imprison him with Shi Qian. He then ordered a city-wide search to capture Yang Xiong at all costs.
In truth, this Shi En was sent by Wu Yong. Wu Yong had anticipated that the cunning and suspicious Hajile might not believe Shi Qian alone. Therefore, he also sent Shi En, deliberately allowing the Jin troops to capture him. His story matched Shi Qian's, making it hard for Hajile to disbelieve. As for Yang Xiong, he had indeed infiltrated Sunset City on Wu Yong's orders. Disguised as a traveling doctor, he set up a stall selling ointments and pills, secretly befriending local heroes in preparation for coordinating from within to seize the city. That day, he was speaking with a few trusted brothers in his lodgings when they heard shouts and the neighing of horses in the streets. It was said the Jin troops were searching for spies. Yang Xiong knew things had taken a bad turn. He told everyone to scatter and hide immediately. He himself took his weapons, leaped over the back wall, and fled to the home of an acquaintance named Wang, an honest man who had previously received favors from Yang Xiong. Wang hid him in a cellar. The Jin troops searched several times but found nothing. Hearing that Yang Xiong had escaped heightened Hajile's suspicions. He ordered the arrest of all traveling doctors in the city for interrogation. Over a dozen were arrested, but none was Yang Xiong. Growing anxious, Hajile devised a plan. He had Aliban post a proclamation stating that Yang Xiong had been captured and would be publicly beheaded at the city's central square at noon the next day. Secretly, he dispatched many soldiers disguised as civilians to lie in wait around the square, waiting for Yang Xiong to attempt a rescue, at which point they would capture him.
This news reached Yang Xiong's ears. He thought to himself, "How can Hajile's trick fool me? If he had truly captured Yang Xiong, why issue a proclamation? This is clearly a trap to lure me out. But if I don't go, will I not be mocked by heroes everywhere? Moreover, my sworn brothers Shi En and Shi Qian are still in their hands. If I don't rescue them, how can I face the deep bond of our brotherhood?" Having reached this conclusion, he resolved to attempt the rescue. The commoner named Wang urged him, "Hero, this is obviously a Jin troops trick. Wouldn't going be walking into a trap?" Yang Xiong said, "I appreciate your good intentions, brother. But throughout my life, I have upheld the principle of righteousness. Now my brothers are in peril. If I do not go to their aid, I am no true man. If I die in this attempt, it will be in loyalty to our country and in righteousness to my friends—a worthy death." With that, he asked Wang for a bowl of wine and drank it in one gulp. Then, taking his saber, he leaped out of the cellar and strode towards the city's central square. Truly, it was a case of: well aware the mountain housed tigers, yet he strode straight for the tiger's den. Whether Yang Xiong survived this venture or not will be told in the next chapter.