第五十一章 小兄弟聚首惊盲词 老宣慰释俘遣细作 (Chapter Fifty-One: Young Brothers Converge, Startled by Blind Minstrels' Words; The Veteran Commander Releases Prisoners and Dispatches Spies)

Now, the heroes of Liangshan Marsh had returned from Eastern Capital, each recounting their achievements. In the mountain stronghold, a grand feast was laid out, and they celebrated for several days. On this day, Song Jiang, Wu Yong, and Lu Junyi were discussing affairs in the Hall of Righteousness and Loyalty. Suddenly, a scout came to report, saying that because Hou Meng had died, the court's plan of amnesty and recruitment was temporarily suspended. However, Gao Qiu, Cai You, and others deeply hated Liangshan Marsh. They had secretly ordered the troops in Qingzhou, Yizhou, and Daming Prefecture to drill, intending to divide and attack after autumn. Upon hearing this, Song Jiang frowned and said, "The treacherous ministers in the court will surely not leave us alone. Previously, Brother Chai Jin obtained news in Eastern Capital, so our mountain stronghold has long been prepared. But Fang La is powerful in Jiangnan. The court does not first quell the internal rebellion, but comes to trouble us. I fear the common people will suffer."

Wu Yong, fanning himself with a feather fan, pondered and said, "Elder brother's concerns are entirely justified. However, our Liangshan Marsh has elite troops and ample provisions, with advantageous positions on land and water. Even if three routes of government troops come together, we have nothing to fear. What is worrisome is that if the court colludes with the Jin people and brings foreign soldiers to invade the Central Plains, then even with our loyal and righteous hearts, we may find it difficult to handle both." Before he finished speaking, suddenly Dai Zong hurried into the hall, saluted and said, "Reporting to elder brother, I have discovered something quite strange in Qingzhou." Song Jiang said, "Brother, please sit down and explain in detail."

Dai Zong said, "The Qingzhou Militia Commander, Dou Yi, has been yearning day and night to avenge his brother since Dou Jian died of severe wounds in Eastern Capital. Recently, I heard he has been recruiting desperadoes and drilling soldiers. He is also in close contact with his sworn brother, the Yizhou Commandant Sun Hao. That Sun Hao was originally a pirate, brave and skilled in warfare. Now, having received a secret order from the Bureau of Military Affairs, he is reorganizing the naval forces in Yizhou. The combined troops from these two places number no less than twenty thousand. If they join forces to attack, we must not underestimate them." Lu Junyi slammed the table and said, "If these scoundrels want to come to their deaths, we should strike first and break Yizhou, so they cannot coordinate with each other."

Wu Yong smiled and said, "Do not be hasty, Squire. I have already devised a plan that can make them suspect each other and collapse without a fight." He then whispered into Song Jiang's ear. Song Jiang was delighted and said, "The Military Strategist's ingenious plan, please proceed with it." Wu Yong then called over Bai Sheng and Shi Qian, instructing them, "You two should disguise yourselves as itinerant blind minstrels and go to the areas around Yizhou and Qingzhou to spread rumors. Just say that because Fang La is powerful, the court intends to transfer all Shandong troops to Jiangnan, ordering Dou Yi and Sun Hao's forces to go first. If they hear this news, they will surely be reluctant to leave their bases lightly. By then, their military morale will dissipate, and I will have my own arrangements." Bai Sheng and Shi Qian accepted the order. That very day, they packed their lutes and drums and went down the mountain."

Now, the Yizhou Commandant Sun Hao was in his yamen discussing military affairs with his deputy. Suddenly, a guard came to report that two blind minstrels were singing in the marketplace, saying that the court wanted to transfer Shandong troops south to campaign against Fang La, causing panic among soldiers and civilians. Sun Hao angrily said, "Where did these troublemakers come from, daring to spread rumors and confuse the public?" He ordered his men to arrest the blind minstrels. Before long, Bai Sheng and Shi Qian were brought to the hall. Sun Hao saw their tattered clothes and blind eyes, and asked, "Where did you hear such talk?" Bai Sheng kowtowed and said, "We small folk travel to various places and overheard passersby chatting. They said it was news spreading from the capital. We dare not conceal it." Sun Hao pondered for a while, then ordered the two to be temporarily imprisoned pending investigation."

Who would have thought that the rumor would spread from ten to a hundred? In a few days, it had spread throughout Yizhou. Many soldiers in the army had families locally. Hearing that they were to be transferred far away, each grew anxious and fearful. Although Sun Hao repeatedly issued notices to dispel the rumors, unfortunately, people's hearts were already in turmoil. On this day, he suddenly received a letter from the Qingzhou Dou Yi, inviting him to discuss joint defense against Liangshan Marsh. Sun Hao wanted to probe the situation in Qingzhou, so he took dozens of trusted followers and galloped there."

Upon arriving in Qingzhou, Dou Yi welcomed him into the yamen, dismissed the attendants, and whispered, "Brother, have you heard the rumor that the court intends to transfer our troops south?" Sun Hao said, "Exactly, this is what troubles me. Now rumors are rampant, and military morale is unstable. What can we do?" Dou Yi sneered and said, "This must be a cunning trick by the Liangshan Marsh bandits to disrupt our morale. I have received secret news from Eastern Capital that Grand Commandant Gao has ordered us to intensify drilling, to jointly attack Liangshan Marsh after autumn. There is no talk of southern transfer." Sun Hao suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. But the Liangshan Marsh bandits are full of deceit. We must be on guard."

While they were discussing, urgent news arrived that Liangshan Marsh's Lu Junyi had led a group of men disguised as merchants, bypassing county and prefecture defenses, and had reached the border of Yizhou. Sun Hao was greatly alarmed and urgently wanted to return to his troops. Dou Yi said, "Brother, wait. Liangshan Marsh's move must be a feint, intending to lure me away from Qingzhou. I have a plan to make them fall into a trap." He then whispered into Sun Hao's ear. Sun Hao praised the idea. That night, he led his trusted followers quietly back to Yizhou."

Now, Lu Junyi led Yan Qing, Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, and others, with five hundred elite soldiers disguised as horse traders, and camped in a village thirty li outside Yizhou city. Learning that Sun Hao had returned, he discussed with everyone. Yan Qing said, "That scoundrel Sun Hao is quite resourceful. Now that he has hurried back, he must be prepared. We should take advantage of his unstable footing and raid the camp tonight." Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu said in unison, "We younger brothers are willing to serve as the vanguard."

Lu Junyi said, "Raiding the camp is one plan, but since Sun Hao knows we are here, he must be prepared. I heard there is a Commander officer in his camp named Zhao Geng. He originally came from the greenwood and only serves the court because Sun Hao promoted him. This man has a sense of righteousness. We can try to recruit him." He then wrote a secret letter and ordered Shi Xiu to disguise himself as a night watchman and sneak into the camp to deliver it. Shi Xiu accepted the order and, at dusk, infiltrated the government troops' camp."

That night, the moon was dark and the wind high. Shi Xiu bypassed the sentry posts and found himself outside Zhao Geng's tent. He saw the lamp still lit inside, with Zhao Geng sitting alone reading a book. Shi Xiu slipped in and said softly, "Commander, this humble one is sent by Liangshan Marsh's Squire Lu with a letter for you." Zhao Geng was startled and gripped his sword, saying, "Who are you?" Shi Xiu handed over the letter. Zhao Geng opened it and read. The letter detailed how treacherous ministers held sway in the court, harming loyal and good men, and urged him to abandon the darkness for the light, joining in the great righteousness. After reading, Zhao Geng pondered in silence."

Originally, Zhao Geng was a man of the rivers and lakes, forced into military service due to legal troubles. Recently, hearing that the court intended to transfer troops south, he was already displeased. Now, seeing the Liangshan heroes show such righteousness, he felt his heart stir. He said to Shi Xiu, "Squire Lu's kind intentions are appreciated by Zhao. However, Sun Hao has treated me well, and I cannot bear to betray him. Please tell Squire Lu that within three days, I will surely respond." Shi Xiu said, "Commander's deep sense of loyalty is admirable. But the court is corrupt. Even with Sun Hao's patronage, it cannot last. I hope the Commander will reconsider." With that, he cupped his hands and departed."

Shi Xiu reported back to Lu Junyi, recounting Zhao Geng's words. Lu Junyi said, "Since this man is unwilling to join immediately, he has left room. We can retreat ten li temporarily and observe his movements." He then ordered the camp to be struck and retreated to a hidden spot in the mountains."

Now, after Sun Hao returned to camp, he indeed strengthened defenses and patrolled day and night. Suddenly, a scout reported that the Liangshan Marsh forces had retreated. Sun Hao said suspiciously, "The bandit troops retreat without fighting. There must be a trick." He called Zhao Geng to discuss. Zhao Geng said, "The Liangshan Marsh bandits are accustomed to using feints. They are likely luring us out to pursue. This general is willing to lead a troop to follow and scout, to guard against ambushes." Sun Hao agreed."

Zhao Geng led five hundred cavalry out to investigate. After traveling ten li, he saw the mountains and forests quiet, with no trace of troops. Just as he was puzzled, suddenly a person flashed out from the roadside-it was Shi Xiu. Zhao Geng dismissed his attendants and spoke secretly with Shi Xiu. Shi Xiu said, "Squire Lu knows the Commander is a man of honor, so he specifically ordered me to wait here. Now, a word: if the Commander is willing to defect, then tonight, light a fire as a signal, and we will come to support. If not, we will not force you." Zhao Geng thought for a moment and said resolutely, "A true man should choose his master wisely. Please report back to Squire Lu. Tonight at the third watch, I will light a fire in the camp and serve as an inside agent."

That night, Zhao Geng returned to camp and secretly ordered his trusted officers and soldiers to prepare. At the third watch, he set a fire in the southeast corner of the camp. Lu Junyi saw the fire rise and immediately led his troops to attack. The government troops were caught off guard and fell into chaos. Sun Hao woke from his dream in alarm, hastily donned his armor, and mounted his horse. He encountered Zhao Geng. Zhao Geng shouted, "Sun Hao, the court is corrupt, and treacherous ministers hold sway. Why not join Liangshan Marsh together?" Sun Hao was furious and charged with his spear. They fought over ten rounds. Sun Hao saw the camp was breached and dared not linger. He turned his horse and fled toward Qingzhou."

Lu Junyi gathered the surrendering troops, counted his men, and found only Sun Hao had escaped. Zhao Geng led the generals to bow and prostrate on the ground. Lu Junyi hurriedly helped them up, saying, "Commander's abandoning darkness for light is truly a blessing for the people of Shandong." He then ordered the camp to be set up, the horses rested, and the army rewarded. Thus: Cunningly sowing discord, startled by blind minstrels' words; Righteously releasing a surrendering general, dispatching a spy. After Lu Junyi captured Yizhou, what happened next? Listen to the next chapter for details."