Explore Chapter 52 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.
As the Jin troops pushed south, the heart of the empire was shaken. Song Jiang and the other Liangshan heroes, following Zhang Shuye to relieve the imperial court, fought battles across the land. One day, the great army camped in Hangzhou. Lu Zhishen, weary from days of fierce battle, suddenly felt a strange quiet arise within his soul.
Now, Geng Nanzhong was a minister at court who advocated for peace. Seeing the men from Liangshan Marsh repeatedly distinguishing themselves in battle, he feared the growing power of those of the martial path would be to his own detriment. Thus, he whispered slander to the Song Emperor Qinzong, saying that while Song Jiang and his men claimed to relieve the court, they truly harbored rebellious intentions and should be guarded against. He further claimed that having monks like Lu Zhishen mingling in the ranks of soldiers was ill-omened for the state.
In his camp, Lu Zhishen suddenly awoke in the night to the sound of the Qiantang River tide thundering like a roar, surging and crashing. His heart was jolted into clarity. He recalled the prognostic verse his master, Abbot Zhizhen, had given him when he left Mount Wutai: "Captured in summer, seized in winter, with the tide heard you shall find completion, upon seeing the message you shall enter stillness." Now, stationed in Hangzhou, he was hearing the tide. Could it be the great summons was near?
That very night, Lu Zhishen lustrated himself and changed into fresh clothes. He went to the Liuhe Temple by the river and asked the temple monks to prepare the incense-laden water. After paying his respects before the incense burner, he sat cross-legged upon the meditation couch. He summoned the Chieftain assigned to his camp and gave him meticulous instructions regarding his personal effects, his monk's certificate, and other belongings.
Song Jiang, hearing the news, rushed over with Wu Yong and Lin Chong. They found Lu Zhishen serene and clear of countenance. He smiled faintly and said, "Brothers, my mind has achieved perfect clarity today. I have answered the tide's call and must now depart. May you all take good care of yourselves and strive to serve our country." With these words, he closed his eyes, pressed his palms together, and sitting upright, entered nirvana. On the river, the tidal bore thundered, sounding like a Buddhist hymn.
Song Jiang and the others wept bitterly as they touched the body. All throughout the army, there was none who did not mourn. They immediately ordered a Buddhist cremation to be held on the hill behind Liuhe Temple. His relics were gathered, and a pagoda was built to enshrine them. Thus it was: In life, I cultivated no virtuous karma, only delighting in slaughter and arson. Suddenly, the golden shackles were thrown off, and here the jade chains were snapped. When the tide of the Qiantang River came, only today do I truly know myself.