Explore Chapter 53 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, it is told that Song Jiang, in the Hall of Righteousness and Loyalty, having received the decree of amnesty and recruitment, felt his heart swell with immense joy. Returning to his chambers, he took counsel with Wu Yong and Lu Junyi, saying: "Now that the court has granted us amnesty and recruitment, we must achieve some merit to be worthy of our lifelong aspirations. At present, the Jin troops invade southward; it is the very hour for men to serve their country. I intend to bid all our brothers lead their respective troops and go to the aid of the emperor. What think you two?"
Wu Yong said: "Elder brother, your insight is most profound. Yet we have but newly received amnesty and recruitment; the court may not place full trust in us. Should we dispatch all our forces, we risk leaving our rear undefended. Better to first select a few chief commanders to lead a picked force and go to reinforce them. Thus may we demonstrate our loyalty while also observing the court's disposition."
The next day, Song Jiang ascended the Hall of Righteousness and Loyalty and assembled all the Chieftains, declaring: "Now the nation is in peril, with the Jin troops invading our borders. It is the time for us to offer our lives in service. I wish to choose a few brothers to lead troops and go to the emperor's aid. Let those willing to go step forth."
Song Jiang was greatly pleased. He appointed Guan Sheng as the vanguard, Huyan Zhuo as the rear guard, and Lin Chong and Qin Ming as the left and right wings, leading five thousand horse and foot soldiers, and they set out that very day. He also dispatched Dai Zong to carry messages back and forth.
With the assignments settled, all the Chieftains returned to their camps to prepare. Only Black Whirlwind Li Kui was sullen and resentful. He returned to his room and drank alone.
It so happened that Li Kui, seeing Song Jiang had not appointed him, felt deeply wronged and thought to himself: "In battles past, it was always I, Iron Ox, who led the charge. Now that there is glory to be won, he bars me from it. It's plain he thinks little of me!" The more he mused, the angrier he grew. He drank a dozen bowls of wine in succession and was already well in his cups.
Just as he was brooding, Wanderer Yan Qing entered and said with a laugh: "Brother Iron Ox, why do you drink in solitude here?"
Li Kui glared and said: "Brother Yan, come and judge this fairly! Why did elder brother not name me, Iron Ox, today? Does he take me for a man who cannot fight?"
Yan Qing said: "Brother, calm your wrath. Elder Brother Song Gongming has his reasons for not choosing you. Consider that your temper is as fierce as fire. This mission to aid the emperor is of grave import. Were you to cause some mishap, would it not ruin the great endeavor?"
Li Kui said in anger: "Even you speak thus! I, Iron Ox, have always hated to be slighted. Since I am not wanted, what use is there in my staying here?" With that, he seized his battle-axe and strode out.
Li Kui said: "None of your concern! I shall go and reason with elder brother myself!" Shoving Yan Qing aside, he marched out of the room.
By now, night had fallen. Li Kui, emboldened by wine, paid no heed to the path and wandered aimlessly forward. Unwittingly, he came to the bank of the Yellow River. There he beheld the muddy waves surging and flowing eastward.
Li Kui stood upon the bank and pondered many things: "Since I joined Liangshan Marsh, elder brother has treated me as his own flesh and blood. Now that we have received amnesty and recruitment, he keeps me at a distance. Today, when appointing commanders, all brothers had their share, but I, Iron Ox, was left alone. What point is there in living like this!"
The more he thought, the more incensed he became. Gazing at the roaring Yellow River, he cried out: "Brother! How unjust you are!" And with a leap, he plunged into the river.
The current of the Yellow River was swift and fierce. Though Li Kui was no skilled swimmer, he struggled in the waves by sheer strength. In this moment of peril, behold, a small boat came rowing down from upstream. At the prow stood a fisherman with a bamboo pole, who hauled Li Kui aboard.
Li Jun sighed: "Brother, how foolish you are! Elder Brother Song Gongming did not send you precisely out of love for you. Had you drowned from this leap, would it not have been a vain waste of life?"
Song Jiang was in his tent conferring with Wu Yong when it was suddenly reported that Li Jun had brought Li Kui back. Song Jiang was greatly alarmed and hurried forth. Seeing Li Kui drenched and despondent, he inquired the cause.
Li Jun related the incident of Li Kui's leap into the river. Upon hearing this, Song Jiang felt a pang in his heart. He grasped Li Kui's hand and said: "Brother, why did you take such a desperate view? I did not send you because you are impetuous, and I feared you might bring disaster. If any harm had befallen you, how could this elder brother ever go on?"
Song Jiang raised Li Kui up and said to all the Chieftains: "Though Brother Li Kui is rash, his heart is utterly true and loyal. Now, the aid of the emperor is pressing; we must not lose the greater for the lesser. Let the order be passed: tomorrow, prepare meals at the third watch and depart at the fifth. Let there be no delay!"
All the Chieftains assented as one. And thus it was that the Liangshan heroes together stretched forth their hands to aid the emperor; the warriors of the marsh joined in pouring out their hearts to serve the nation.