Explore Chapter 50 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, as the Jin troops marched south to invade the Central Plains, the heroes of Liangshan rose up one after another to resist them. Among them was Blue-Faced BeastYang Zhi, who, bearing a deep-seated hatred for the Jin for the harm they had inflicted upon his ancestors, vowed to exact vengeance.
On that very day, the Jin troops general Basema led three thousand iron-clad cavalry on a three-day, extensive search through the territory of Yizhou, intent on capturing any remaining partisans of Liangshan Marsh. When Yang Zhi heard the news, he flew into a rage. "How dare this scoundrel stir up trouble right under the nose of the mighty!" he thundered. "I shall teach him the true meaning of consequence!"
Yang Zhi at once took up his ancestral treasured blade, mounted his steed, and charged alone into the heart of the Jin encampment. Basema, seeing Yang Zhi's ferocious approach, hurriedly met him in battle. Their horses crossed, blades and spears clashed and rang out, and the two fought for more than thirty furious rounds.
As the combat raged, Yang Zhi grew ever more valiant, while Basema gradually weakened and faltered. Suddenly, Yang Zhi let loose a mighty roar, raised his blade high, and with a single, swift stroke, struck Basema down from his saddle. Seeing their commander slain, the Jin troops broke ranks and scattered in panic.
Yang Zhi took Basema's head and offered it in solemn sacrifice to the spirits of his ancestors, his vengeance swift and his wrath appeased. Thus it was: The Blue-Faced Beast, alone, swiftly wrought revenge; Basema's three-day search proved all in vain.