Explore Chapter 11 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, as Sun Hao retreated to the border of Yizhou and encamped without advancing, he was at a loss for a plan. Suddenly, a fast horse arrived with urgent news. Guan Sheng had mobilized all troops from Dongping and was in close pursuit, only thirty-some li away. Sun Hao was greatly alarmed upon hearing this. He hastily convened a council in his tent and gathered his generals for discussion.
Yin Luo advised, "Since the bandit forces are attacking from both front and rear, our army is weary from the long march, and many of our families are in enemy hands, morale is low. In my humble opinion, it would be better to retreat temporarily to Xuzhou, join forces with General Zhang Shuye, and then plan a recovery."
Sun Hao sighed, "Do I not know this? But without an order from the Bureau of Military Affairs, leaving my post without authorization would be no light offense. Moreover, that scoundrel Guan Sheng commands troops with divine skill. If we retreat, he will surely seize the opportunity to attack. How can we withdraw with our entire force intact?"
By then, the sky was turning dark. Dark clouds gathered from all sides, and a north wind began to blow. Sun Hao sensed the situation was turning dire. He urgently ordered the entire army to break camp and head southeast along a small path. They had traveled only ten-some li when suddenly crimson clouds covered the sky. A heavy snowfall began.
At first, the snow fell like scattered salt and torn cotton, then like goose feathers swirling. In less than half an hour, the fields were all white, and the paths became hard to discern. The soldiers braved the wind and snow. Their clothes and armor soaked through. Their hands and feet grew numb with cold, and they cried out incessantly in misery.
Sun Hao, on horseback, looked around and saw only a vast expanse of white. He was unable to tell east from west. In his panic, he suddenly heard the report of a cannon. From behind the left hillside, a troop of soldiers charged out. At their forefront was a red banner inscribed with 'Featherless ArrowZhang Qing'.
It turned out that Wu Yong had long calculated that Sun Hao would be caught in a dilemma and would take this route. Thus, he had ordered Zhang Qing and Huyan Zhuo each to lead three thousand troops and lie in ambush here for some time. Now, with attacks from both sides, the government troops fell into chaos.
Seeing their commander flee first, the government troops became even more disorganized. They trampled each other in the chaos, with countless casualties. The snow fell heavier and heavier. The wind cut like knives. As the defeated soldiers fled, those who froze to death along the way were beyond count.
Leading his remaining defeated troops, Sun Hao rushed to a mountain hollow. Upon counting his men, he found that seven out of ten had been lost. Just as they were about to set up camp and cook, suddenly, shouts erupted from all sides. Torches blazed brightly, and the hollow was completely surrounded.
Lu Junyi rode forth from the ranks and declared loudly, "General Sun, you are now tightly surrounded with no way to escape. Considering you are also an official of the court, if you are willing to dismount and surrender, our Liangshan Marsh can join you in pursuing great righteousness."
Sun Hao looked up to the sky and sighed, "I, Sun Hao, have received great favor from the state. How could I willingly join bandits? Today, I have only death to face!" Turning to look around, he saw only Yin Luo and some three to five hundred personal guards. All were suffering from hunger and cold, their faces pale.
Seeing that persuasion to surrender had failed, Lu Junyi waved his spear. The Liangshan Marsh forces from all sides gradually closed in, tightening the encirclement. The government troops huddled together. Their bows and arrows were soaked, their blades and spears frozen. Their will to fight was gone.
Just at this moment of extreme peril, suddenly, from the northwest corner, war cries shook the heavens. A breach was torn open in the encirclement. A troop of government soldiers swept in like a swift wind. At their head was a general in golden armor and red robe. He wielded a great sword, cutting down all in his path with unstoppable bravery.
It turned out that Zhang Shuye had received a secret order from the Bureau of Military Affairs. He had already led ten thousand elite troops, marching day and night to provide aid. Upon learning that Sun Hao was besieged, he specifically ordered Zhou Ang to lead three thousand iron cavalry. They advanced through the night to break the siege.
Zhou Ang fought his way to the core and, upon seeing Sun Hao, shouted, "Commander Sun, do not panic! Prefect Zhang's main force will arrive shortly!" He then ordered his men to split into two teams. One team protected Sun Hao's remaining troops, and the other guarded the rear, fighting while retreating.
Zhou Ang showed no fear and met him with his sword. The two fought on the snowy ground, spear against sword, for over fifty bouts without a clear winner. It was a sight to behold. The spear moved like a monstrous python, the sword like flying frost. Horse hooves trampled jade-like snow, and weapons shook pear blossoms loose. The soldiers on both sides watched, stunned.
Hua Rong, seeing the situation was not good, secretly took his carved bow and shot an arrow. It hit Xu Jing's mount. The horse, in pain, threw Xu Jing to the ground. Just as Guan Sheng was about to raise his sword to strike, Zhou Ang leaped up from the snow. He snatched a long spear, forced Guan Sheng back several steps, and saved Xu Jing.
By then, Zhang Qing and Huyan Zhuo had also led their troops to join the fight. Seeing that the Liangshan Marsh forces were numerous, Zhou Ang dared not prolong the battle. Protecting Sun Hao and Xu Jing, he cut a bloody path through and headed north. Lu Junyi and the others pursued for a while. But due to the deep snow and slippery paths, fearing an ambush, they had no choice but to withdraw.
In this snowy night battle, Sun Hao's main force was nearly wiped out. He led only a few hundred remaining troops and escaped with Zhou Ang. Although Liangshan Marsh was victorious, they had let Sun Hao get away. Moreover, seeing that Zhang Shuye's reinforcements had arrived, Lu Junyi followed Wu Yong's earlier plan. He did not pursue a defeated foe. He sounded the gongs to recall the troops and returned to Yizhou to garrison.
Zhou Ang protected Sun Hao and traveled over twenty li before meeting Zhang Shuye's main army. Sun Hao saw Zhang Shuye, prostrated himself on the ground, and tearfully recounted the reasons for his defeat. Zhang Shuye comforted him, saying, "Victory and defeat are common in war. General, go to Haizhou to rest and recover. It is not too late to regroup and rally." Then they combined their forces, retreated to defend strategic passes, and made new plans.
Later generations had a poem lamenting: The north wind sweeps the ground, snowflakes run wild; Besieging heroes, their momentum not displayed. A lone rider charges the array, showing divine bravery; The golden sword still reflects the cold light.