Explore Chapter 8 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.
It is told that after Song Jiang recruited soldiers and bought horses, the forces on Liangshan Marsh grew strong and formidable, their might and prestige soaring.
One day, as Song Jiang was discussing important matters with Wu Yong and Gongsun Sheng in the Hall of Righteousness and Loyalty, a scout suddenly arrived to report that the court had mobilized three armies, setting out from Daming Prefecture, Qingzhou, and Yizhou respectively, preparing to converge and encircle Liangshan Marsh.
Wu Yong stroked his beard and pondered. "Elder Brother speaks wisely. In my humble opinion, we can divide our forces to defend against the enemy. For the army from Daming Prefecture, Brother Guan Sheng can lead troops to block them in the area around Shouzhang County. For the route from Qingzhou, Brother Lin Chong can command an ambush near Yuncheng County. As for the route from Yizhou..."
Before he could finish, Lu Junyi rose and clasped his hands. "For the Yizhou route, I am willing to go."
Song Jiang was greatly pleased. "With Squire Lu taking the field, victory is assured. However, we still need to ascertain which of these three official armies is the main force."
Wu Yong said, "I have already dispatched Shi Qian and Bai Sheng down the mountain to investigate. They should report back shortly."
Just as they spoke, it was suddenly announced that the three Chieftains, Ruan Xiao'er, Ruan Xiaowu, and Ruan Xiaoqi, requested an audience.
Song Jiang ordered them admitted. The three Ruans entered the hall and bowed. Ruan Xiao'er said, "Reporting to Brother Gongming, while training the naval forces on the lake recently, we have uncovered a significant matter."
Ruan Xiaowu continued, "While patrolling the lake, we captured some passing merchants. According to them, Fang La in the south is now in rebellion, with vast momentum. The court is busy suppressing it, leaving the defenses along Haizhou Prefecture weak. Especially around Dengzhou and Laizhou, sea vessels come and go, and the region is exceedingly wealthy."
Ruan Xiaoqi eagerly interjected, "Brother, why not send a force east by sea? Firstly, we could avoid the court's military pressure, and secondly, we could establish a new stronghold. Wouldn't that be far better than struggling against the official troops here in this marsh?"
Wu Yong said, "Our three brothers' proposal shows great foresight. However, a cross-sea expedition is no small matter. It requires Chieftains of extraordinary courage and mastery of aquatic skills."
Lu Junyi said, "I wish to recommend two men. One is the White Stripe in the Waves, Zhang Shun, whose skills in the water are unmatched under heaven. The second is the River Dragon, Li Jun, a seasoned veteran of the rivers and lakes, fully capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility."
Song Jiang nodded. "Squire's recommendation is apt. But this matter is of great importance and requires careful deliberation. For now, the most urgent task is to respond to the three invading enemies. Since Squire Lu is willing to go to Yizhou, please muster your troops and descend the mountain promptly. Brothers Guan Sheng and Lin Chong should also make their preparations. As for the three Ruan brothers' proposal regarding the sea exploration, we shall discuss it later."
To speak solely of Lu Junyi: he returned to his quarters and summoned Yan Qing, instructing, "We shall descend the mountain for Yizhou tomorrow. Go quickly and prepare provisions, fodder, and equipment. Do not fail."
Lu Junyi sighed. "How could I not know? But although Liangshan Marsh is good, it is no place to dwell forever. We, one hundred and eight, gathered here in righteousness, originally to act on Heaven's behalf and await the court's amnesty and recruitment, to win titles and honors for our wives and children. Now, with treacherous ministers in power pressing us relentlessly, we have no choice but to stop war with war and carve a bloody path out."
At dawn the next day, before the Golden Sand Beach of Liangshan Marsh, banners fluttered and flags waved. Lu Junyi, fully armored, sat astride his horse. Behind him were Yan Qing, Shi Xiu, Yang Xiong, and other Chieftains, along with five thousand elite cavalry and infantry.
Song Jiang grasped Lu Junyi's hand and said, "Brother, this journey carries great responsibility. That Commandant Sun Hao of Yizhou is quite strategic; do not underestimate him. In all matters, consult the strategies left in the silk pouch by Military Strategist Wu. Caution above all."
Lu Junyi said, "Brother, set your mind at ease. I know my limits. I only hope that you and Brothers Lin Chong and Guan Sheng will soon repel the official troops. I shall await the news of victory in Yizhou."
The two parted with tears. Lu Junyi urged his forces forward, the great host marching grandly toward Yizhou.
After traveling for days, they reached the borders of Yizhou. A scout soon reported that Sun Hao's army had set up camp thirty *li* from the city.
Lu Junyi said, "Brother's courage is commendable. But you must be careful; Sun Hao is skilled in warfare and may have ambushes prepared."
After half a day of taunts, there was no movement from the official camp. Shi Xiu, growing suspicious, was about to order a withdrawal when suddenly a cannon sounded. The gate swung open, and a general in a golden helmet and armor, holding a long spear, charged out at the head of a contingent of troops.
Lu Junyi said, "If that is the case, we cannot rely on brute force but must use wisdom to overcome him. Before departure, Military Strategist Wu gave me a silk pouch. Let me examine it now."
Lu Junyi suddenly understood. He said to the Chieftains, "The Military Strategist means for us to avoid Sun Hao's main force and instead attack a place he is compelled to defend. Sun Hao's foundation lies in Yizhou City. Why don't we bypass his main camp and strike directly at the prefectural city?"
Yan Qing said, "This plan is excellent. However, if Sun Hao learns the city is under siege, he will surely lead his army back to rescue it. We can divide our forces into two routes. One feigns an attack on the city, while the other sets an ambush halfway along the road. This could achieve total victory."
Lu Junyi was delighted. He immediately ordered Shi Xiu and Yang Xiong to lead three thousand troops, with many banners, drums, and gongs to create a great show of force, and go to challenge beneath the walls of Yizhou City. He himself, with Yan Qing and others, led the main force to ambush the road that Sun Hao would have to take to return to the rescue.
As they marched into a valley, suddenly a cannon sounded. Logs and stones rained down from the hillsides on both sides, cutting the official army in two.
After fighting only a few rounds, Sun Hao realized he had fallen into a trap and dared not prolong the engagement. Fighting fiercely, he broke out of the encirclement and fled toward Yizhou City.
The letter stated that both Guan Sheng and Lin Chong had achieved victories; the official armies from Daming Prefecture and Qingzhou had already retreated. Hearing that Brother was locked in a stalemate with Sun Hao in Yizhou, he had specially dispatched the three Ruan heroes along with Zhang Shun, Li Jun, and others to lead naval forces north by sea. They would arrive at Dengzhou shortly, forming a pincer position.
After reading the letter, Lu Junyi felt greatly reassured. Smiling, he said to the Chieftains, "Brother Gongming employs troops like a deity. With advances by both land and sea, why worry about Sun Hao remaining unbroken? We need only hold our camp tightly. When the Ruan brothers arrive, we can take the city in one stroke."
Now, the three brothers Ruan Xiao'er, Ruan Xiaowu, and Ruan Xiaoqi, having received Song Jiang's orders, along with Zhang Shun and Li Jun, mustered five hundred naval troops. Manning thirty swift boats, they left Liangshan Marsh, entered the Jishui River via the Qinghe River, and journeyed eastward.
Ruan Xiao'er pondered and said, "We are ordered to go to Dengzhou, and should not stir up unnecessary trouble. However, if they are indeed official troops, they might pose a threat to us, so we must investigate clearly."
As they were discussing, a scout boat emerged from the official fleet. An officer stood at its bow, shouting loudly, "What boats are ahead? How dare you approach the naval fleet!"
When the two boats connected, Li Jun suddenly lunged forward, grabbed the officer, and dragged him over. Drawing his waist knife, he pressed it against the man's neck, shouting, "Don't move! Move and I'll take your life!"
Ruan Xiao'er and Ruan Xiaowu, each wielding weapons, jumped onto the scout boat. With a few punches and kicks, they knocked all the soldiers into the sea.
The official fleet, seeing the scout boat captured, fell into confusion. They hurriedly turned their ships around to come to the rescue.
The official ships, large and bulky, could not catch up. Watching the Liangshan Marsh fleet disappear into the boundless sea mist, they could only return grudgingly.
The officer trembled with fear and confessed that his surname was Zhao, and he was a scout officer of the Dengzhou naval forces. This time, he was ordered by the Prefect to lead the fleet south, nominally to patrol the sea, but in reality to rendezvous with ships transporting Flower and Stone Tributes from the south.
Ruan Xiaowu said angrily, "Again with the Flower and Stone Tributes! These things waste the people's resources and ruin their lives. Fang La's rebellion in the south has its very roots here!"
Scout Officer Zhao said, "According to the schedule, it should be on the sea three hundred *li* away. There are ten large ships, escorted by trusted agents of the Hangzhou Prefect. Besides exotic flowers and stones, the ships carry heavy gifts for Grand Tutor Cai and Commander-in-Chief Tong."
Ruan Xiao'er said, "This is truly a heaven-sent opportunity. If we seize these Flower and Stone Tributes, firstly, we can vent the people's anger; secondly, we can obtain countless gold, jewels, and treasures to fund our army; and thirdly, we can shock the court, letting them know that we Liangshan heroes are everywhere!"
After sailing for a day and a night, sure enough, the next afternoon, they saw in the distance on the sea a large fleet slowly moving north.
Li Jun ordered the fleet to lower their sails and hide behind islands, dispatching only two small boats disguised as fishing vessels to scout ahead.
Soon the scout boats returned with a report: the fleet consisted of ten double-masted large ships, heavily laden and moving slowly. Each ship had about twenty or thirty soldier escorts; by their attire, they were Xiang Army troops from Hangzhou Prefecture.
The thirty swift boats of Liangshan Marsh, their lights extinguished, stealthily approached the Flower and Stone Tributes fleet under cover of darkness.
When the third watch arrived, at Ruan Xiao'er's command, the heroes gave a great shout. Brandishing swords and spears, they leaped onto the large ships.
The escorting soldiers awoke from their sleep in panic and fought back hastily. How could they be a match for the Liangshan heroes? Within half an hour, all ten large ships were captured. The transporting officers and soldiers were either dead or had surrendered.
Ruan Xiao'er ordered the ships inspected. The holds were piled high with Taihu rocks, Lingbi stones, and various potted plants and flowers. There were also over ten large chests. Opening them revealed gold, silver, jewels, antiques, and jade artifacts, dazzlingly brilliant.
Thereupon, Ruan Xiao'er assigned ships to sail the entire Flower and Stone Tributes fleet to a secluded bay for hiding, keeping only some of the lighter, more portable treasures loaded on the swift boats to continue north to Dengzhou and rendezvous with Lu Junyi.
This sea raid was executed cleanly and efficiently, without gods knowing or ghosts noticing. By the time the Hangzhou Prefect received word, the Liangshan Marsh fleet was already long gone.
Thus it was: Vast sea and sky allow free roaming; clever seizure delights the heart. The fame of Liangshan heroes endures, not merely displayed by heroes on land?