Explore Chapter 47 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 Junyi in the city of Yizhou had kept his troops idle for several days, only sending spies to gather news of Sun Hao. On this day, he received a report that Sun Hao's army had returned to the border of Yizhou but was encamping without advancing. Lu Junyi then discussed with Wu Yong, saying, "Sun Hao has rushed back from afar; his morale is exhausted. If we strike now while he is vulnerable, we can achieve a complete victory." Wu Yong waved his hand and said, "Sir, you are mistaken. Although Sun Hao is weary, his forces still number over ten thousand, and they are thinking of their families, so they will fight to the death. Now that we have taken Yizhou, it is better to wait at ease for the fatigued enemy and observe the court's movements."
Lu Junyi said, "Strategist, your words are wise, but holding the city for too long, though we have provisions, is not a long-term strategy. It would be better to make a tactical move to relax their vigilance." He then called over a junior officer and ordered him to bring one of the captured officers from the other day, choosing a seasoned veteran. Before long, a prisoner was brought forward, kneeling before the tent. Lu Junyi looked at him and saw that he was a banner officer under Yin Luo, the infantry commander of Yizhou, named Chen Gui.
Lu Junyi ordered his attendants to remove the bonds and offered wine to calm his fears. Then he spoke gently, saying, "We, the Liangshan heroes, execute the Way on Heaven's behalf and do not kill the innocent. Now I release you to return. You can convey to Sun Hao that the people of Yizhou are living in peace as before, so he need not worry about his family. If he withdraws his troops, I will not pursue him." Chen Gui kowtowed and thanked him, saying, "I, a humble man, have received the grace of the righteous for sparing my life. How dare I not speak the truth? My lord Sun Hao hesitates to advance because his family is in the city, and he fears harming them. If he receives news of your kindness, it might resolve the siege."
Lu Junyi laughed and said, "I never intended to be enemies with Sun Hao. It was only the treacherous court officials who forced me to this point. Go back and persuade him with kind words. If he is willing to withdraw, I will guarantee the safety of the entire city of Yizhou." He then gave Chen Gui ten taels of silver and a pack of dry provisions, personally seeing him out of the city. Chen Gui bowed in gratitude and left, heading straight for Sun Hao's camp.
Sun Hao was discussing strategies of advance or retreat with Dou Yi and Yin Luo when suddenly it was reported that Chen Gui had returned. He urgently called him into the tent. Chen Gui detailed Lu Junyi's words, and Sun Hao pondered in silence. Dou Yi angrily said, "This bandit is clearly using a delaying tactic. We cannot trust him!" Yin Luo however said, "Lu Junyi has released the prisoner and conveyed this message. It might be sincere. Now that the families of our troops are all in the city, if we attack forcefully, I fear the bandits will harm them."
Sun Hao sighed and said, "How could I not know? But without the court's explicit order, retreating on my own would be no small crime." Just as he was hesitating, a fast horse from the Eastern Capital suddenly brought a secret letter. It was a handwritten order from Gao Qiu, instructing Sun Hao to fight and retreat gradually, preserving his strength to wait for Zhang Shuye's army. Sun Hao read it and felt somewhat relieved. He then ordered the camp to be struck and slowly retreated toward Xuzhou.
Lu Junyi, upon learning that Sun Hao had retreated, smiled and said to Wu Yong, "This tactical move has indeed taken effect." Wu Yong said, "Although Sun Hao has retreated, his heart is not subdued. He will surely wait for an opportunity to return. Now that we have taken Yizhou, we should strengthen the city's defenses to guard against unexpected events." He then ordered the soldiers to reinforce the city walls and prepare more arrows and stones.
Now, the Jin Kingdom marshal Helise, stationed in the Ji'nan Circuit, heard that the forces of Liangshan Marsh had occupied Yizhou and sent spies to investigate. This Helise was greedy for wealth and fond of women. He had long harbored intentions to defect to the Song, but was restrained by the Jin ruler's strict orders and did not dare act rashly. On this day, he received heavy gifts from a secret envoy of Liangshan Marsh: a thousand taels of gold, a hundred bolts of brocade, and a peck of pearls. Helise was overjoyed and thought to himself, "Liangshan Marsh is powerful. It would be better to curry favor with them."
He then called his trusted generals to discuss, intending to exchange the two Song generals Xuan Zan and Hao Siwen, captured earlier, with the Jin generals held captive by Liangshan Marsh. The secret envoy reported back to Lu Junyi, and Lu Junyi discussed with Wu Yong, saying, "Xuan Zan and Hao Siwen are our brothers. We must rescue them. But Helise is cunning. We must guard against treachery." Wu Yong said, "We can send Guan Sheng to lead troops for support, and then laid out his scheme."
Lu Junyi followed the plan and wrote a letter agreeing to the exchange. It was agreed to take place on a desolate slope thirty li north of Yizhou. At the appointed time, both sides brought five hundred troops each, arrayed opposite each other. Guan Sheng held his Green Dragon Blade and sat astride his steed at the head of the formation, while Helise, also in golden armor on a white horse, personally escorted Generals Xuan and Hao.
After the exchange was completed, Helise suddenly said, "I have long heard of the hero Guan Sheng of Liangshan Marsh. It is a great fortune to meet you today. I have something to say, but I wonder if I should speak." Guan Sheng said, "Marshal, speak freely." Helise said, "The Great Jin ruler is wise. If the Liangshan heroes are willing to submit, they would surely be granted high office and great honors." Guan Sheng was enraged and shouted, "We of Liangshan Marsh are loyal only to the Great Song. How could we surrender to a foreign state!" Helise retreated sheepishly.
Xuan Zan and Hao Siwen returned to the camp and bowed in gratitude to Lu Junyi. After comforting them, Lu Junyi addressed all the chieftains, saying, "Although Helise has exchanged generals, his intentions are unfathomable. We should sharpen our weapons and feed our horses to prepare for a great battle." Thus it was: A shrewd release of prisoners won a psychological fight; A heavy bribe accepted hid a calamitous blight. What happened next will be told in the following chapter.