Explore Chapter 61 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, the heroes of Liangshan Marsh, since the amnesty and recruitment, had followed Zhang Shuye in loyal service to the throne, battling north and south. On this day, Song Jiang conferred with Lu Junyi, Wu Yong, and others. The Jin troops were formidable, so they must bolster morale and unite to defeat the foe. He then ordered an incense altar set up in the Hall of Martial Virtue to summon the old brothers and swear a blood pact.
Inside the Hall of Martial Virtue, incense smoke curled upward. Led by Song Jiang, the one hundred and eight men—including Lu Junyi, Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, Guan Sheng, Lin Chong, Qin Ming, Huyan Zhuo, Hua Rong, Lu Zhishen, and Wu Song—stood in solemn rows. Each pricked his arm to draw blood, dripping it into wine. They drank the blood wine together, vowing to unite their hearts and strength, resist the Jin unto death. Should any betray this bond, heaven would strike them down.
After the oath, Song Jiang said, "Now the Jin troops hold Zhuxian Town, gripping our very throat. We must first breach it to bolster our army's prestige." Wu Yong said, "The Jin commander at Zhuxian Town, Wanyan Wuda, is valiant and skilled in war. The town is well-stocked with provisions. We should employ a clever stratagem." He then ordered Shi Qian and Bai Sheng to first enter the town and scout the situation.
Shi Qian and Bai Sheng accepted the order. Disguised as merchants, they slipped into Zhuxian Town. They observed the Jin troops' defenses were tight, but the soldiers grew arrogant and lax. Reporting back to Song Jiang, Wu Yong devised a plan. He commanded Lin Chong and Wu Song to lead five hundred death warriors in a night assault on the town gate. Guan Sheng and Qin Ming would bring the cavalry as reinforcements. Song Jiang himself would follow with the main force.
That night at the third watch, the moon was dark and the wind howled. Lin Chong and Wu Song led the death warriors stealthily to the town's edge. They hacked through the barricades and charged inside. The Jin troops startled from sleep, fighting in disarray. Wanyan Wuda seized his blade and mounted his horse. He encountered Wu Song. After more than twenty clashes, Wu Song struck him down from his steed with a single slash.
The cavalry under Guan Sheng and Qin Ming arrived, setting fires all around. The Jin troops fell into chaos. Song Jiang's main army pressed forward, breaching Zhuxian Town in one swift move and seizing countless supplies and steeds. In this battle, the death warriors of Liangshan Marsh fought with utmost bravery at the forefront, overcoming greater numbers with fewer. The Jin troops scattered, and the remnants fled toward Bianjing.
Song Jiang recalled the troops, issued proclamations to pacify the people, and rewarded the armies. The brothers gathered in the Hall of Martial Virtue to celebrate the victory. Song Jiang said, "Though we have won this battle, the Jin troops remain powerful. We must not underestimate the enemy. We should reorganize and train our forces, aiming to restore the Central Plains." All voiced their agreement.