Explore Chapter 9 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 Liangshan heroes, having received the ingenious stratagem from Wu Yong, the Military Strategist, Lu Junyi led Gongsun Sheng, Guan Sheng, Lin Chong, Huyan Zhuo, Lu Zhishen, Wu Song, Li Kui, Yang Zhi, Xu Ning, Suo Chao, Zhang Qing, Zhu Tong, Shi Jin, Mu Hong, Lei Heng, Li Jun, Ruan Xiao'er, Zhang Heng, Ruan Xiaowu, Zhang Shun, Ruan Xiaoqi, Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, Xie Zhen, Xie Bao, Yan Qing, Huang Xin, Sun Li, Xuan Zan, Hao Siwen, Han Tao, Peng Qi, Shan Tinggui, Wei Dingguo, Ling Zhen, Du Qian, Song Wan, Zhu Gui, Zhu Fu, Li Yun, Shi Yong, Sun Xin, Madame Gu, Zhang Qing, Sun Erniang, Wang Dingliu, Yu Baosi, Bai Sheng, Shi Qian, Duan Jingzhu, and fifty-nine other Chieftains, along with eight thousand infantry, cavalry, and naval troops. They crossed Golden Sand Beach and headed straight for Yizhou. All along the way, Lu Junyi followed Wu Yong's plan, making a grand display and openly flying the banner of Liangshan Marsh. The army marched majestically toward the borders of Yizhou.
The prefect of Yizhou, Jia Juxin, was a disciple of Cai Jing. Relying on the large army of Sun Hao outside, he initially did not take the forces of Liangshan Marsh seriously. Only when scouts repeatedly reported that the troops of Liangshan Marsh were not far from the city did he panic. He urgently summoned the infantry commander left in charge, Yin Luo, to discuss. Yin Luo said, "The bandits have come from afar. Their advantage lies in a swift battle. We should only deepen the moats and heighten the ramparts, hold firm and not venture out. When General Sun hears the news, he will surely lead his army back to rescue. Then, with an attack from both inside and outside, the bandits can be defeated." Jia Juxin thought this was very reasonable. He ordered Yin Luo to supervise the soldiers and guard the four gates tightly day and night.
In less than a day, Lu Junyi's army arrived and surrounded Yizhou city. Lu Junyi ordered soldiers to build earthen mounds and set up scaling ladders outside the walls. They attacked day and night. Yin Luo personally supervised the defense. Arrows and stones rained down from the city walls. The soldiers of Liangshan Marsh suffered many casualties. After attacking for two days straight, they could not gain any ground. Seeing the city's sturdy defenses, Lu Junyi consulted Gongsun Sheng. Gongsun Sheng said, "Our purpose in this campaign is to lure the tiger from the mountain and draw Sun Hao's army back. We are not truly aiming to seize the city. Brother, you can feign a retreat and lure the enemy out of the city." Lu Junyi nodded in agreement.
The next day, in the camp of Liangshan Marsh, the war drums fell silent and the banners were half-furled, giving the appearance of a retreat. Yin Luo watched from the city wall, feeling suspicious. Suddenly, he saw a great cloud of dust rising from the southwest corner. A contingent of troops charged forth, flying the banner of Sun Hao, the Commandant of Yizhou. They directly assaulted the rear of the Liangshan Marsh formation. The forces of Liangshan Marsh scattered in disarray. The troops besieging the city's northern and eastern gates simultaneously lifted the siege. Yin Luo was overjoyed and said, "General Sun has returned to rescue us!" He prepared to open the city gates to join forces. A deputy general advised, "Commander, wait! It might be a trick by the bandits." Yin Luo replied, "General Sun's banner is clear. Moreover, the bandits are in chaos. This does not look like a feigned defeat. If we do not go out to attack together, we will miss a great opportunity and be blamed by General Sun." Disregarding the warning, he rallied three thousand elite soldiers, opened the western gate wide, and charged out.
Yin Luo charged ahead, leading the way into the formation of Liangshan Marsh. The soldiers of Liangshan Marsh fought briefly and then scattered in all directions. As Yin Luo pursued and killed, suddenly, a cannon shot rang out. Ambushers emerged from all sides. On the left was Guan Sheng, on the right Lin Chong, in front Huyan Zhuo, and behind Qin Ming. They surrounded Yin Luo tightly at the core. Yin Luo was greatly alarmed and realized he had fallen into a trap. He tried to turn his horse back, but the retreat route was already cut off. The troops flying the Sun Hao banner were actually the Liangshan heroes Li Jun, Ruan Xiao'er, Zhang Heng, Ruan Xiaowu, Zhang Shun, and Ruan Xiaoqi, leading the charge. While Yin Luo was out fighting and Jia Juxin was unprepared, they pressed straight to the city walls. On the wall, Jia Juxin saw the "Sun Hao" banner and observed Yin Luo pursuing victoriously. Suspecting nothing, he ordered the gates opened. Li Jun and others swarmed in and immediately seized the city gate.
Yin Luo charged left and right within the encirclement but could not break out. His soldiers were nearly all dead or wounded. At this critical moment, thanks to his officers fighting desperately to protect him, Yin Luo carved out a bloody path and broke through the encirclement. He fled into the wilderness. Looking back, he had only about a hundred cavalry left. When he tried to return to the city, he saw the walls already adorned with the banners of Liangshan Marsh. Jia Juxin was also tied up on the watchtower. Yin Luo had no choice but to gather the remnants of his troops and escape by small paths. He went to join Sun Hao's army.
After capturing Yizhou, Lu Junyi posted notices to reassure the people and maintained strict discipline, not harming them in the slightest. He had the treasury's money and grain all loaded onto carts. He detained Jia Juxin and other officials, interrogated them thoroughly, and dealt with those guilty of corruption and harming the people according to the law. The rest who were coerced were all released. The city's residents saw the strict military discipline of Liangshan Marsh and felt at ease. Lu Junyi ordered the city gates opened at scheduled times daily, allowing people to come and go for shopping. Those unwilling to stay were free to leave. At the same time, he ordered soldiers to set up a fortified camp outside the city, forming a mutual support with the city.
Now, Sun Hao was in Dongping. Upon hearing that Yizhou had fallen, he turned pale with shock. Fearing imperial blame and with many soldiers' families in Yizhou, causing unrest among the troops, he had no choice but to break camp and rush back overnight to rescue. Guan Sheng learned of Sun Hao's retreat but did not pursue. He only ordered soldiers to make a show of force, pretending to chase to disrupt enemy morale. Sun Hao journeyed anxiously, deeply afraid of ambushes. He proceeded cautiously and slowly.
On this day, as they reached the area of Teng County, the vanguard reported encountering the defeated general Yin Luo from Yizhou. Sun Hao quickly summoned him before his horse to inquire. Yin Luo prostrated himself on the ground and tearfully recounted the story of falling into the trap and losing the city. After hearing this, Sun Hao stamped his foot and sighed, "Indeed, we have fallen into the bandits' plan to lure the tiger from the mountain!" He also heard that after the Liangshan Marsh forces entered the city, they did not massacre indiscriminately and allowed people to come and go. This made him even more suspicious and uncertain. Seeing his own army exhausted from days of travel and hearing of their hometown's fall, morale plummeted. Sun Hao had no choice but to issue orders to set up camp at the border of Yizhou. He dispatched many scouts to gather intelligence on the city's situation. He also prepared urgent documents and sent them swiftly to the Eastern CapitalBureau of Military Affairs for instructions on strategy.
In Yizhou, Lu Junyi daily discussed military affairs with Gongsun Sheng and the other Chieftains. They learned that Sun Hao's army had returned and encamped at the border, not daring to advance rashly. Gongsun Sheng said, "Sun Hao has come from afar and is weary. He also worries about his soldiers' families. He will certainly not dare to attack hastily. Our army can hold his main force here. Wait until Brother Gongming and General Guan defeat the imperial troops from Dongping and Daming. With Sun Hao's army isolated and deep in enemy territory, his supply lines stretched long, he will fall into disorder without a fight." Lu Junyi thought this very reasonable. He instructed all Chieftains to diligently guard the city and camp, conserve strength, and wait at leisure for the weary enemy.
For several days in a row, both sides remained at peace. Seeing military affairs somewhat idle, Lu Junyi after dinner one evening took Yan Qing and went out incognito to inspect the defenses outside the camp. It was late September. The night grew cool, and a bright moon cast its clear light on the ground. The two strolled up a high slope. They saw the camp's lanterns scattered like stars, mirroring the sky's constellations. In the distance, the watchtower of Yizhou stood majestic and dark under the moonlight. The fields were silent, with only the intermittent sound of watchtower bells and the soft whinnies of warhorses.
Lu Junyi gazed for a long time and could not help but sigh. He said to Yan Qing, "Little Brother Yi, look at this moonlit landscape, how magnificent it is. It is hateful that treacherous ministers hold power, causing people to wander displaced, so that heroes rise everywhere and conflict never ceases. We brothers of Liangshan Marsh are committed to acting on Heaven's behalf, but with all this endless campaigning, when will it ever end? I wonder what the final outcome will be." Yan Qing replied, "Why say such things, Master? We brothers share deep loyalty and are united in heart and purpose. As long as we can sweep away the treacherous and clear the world, we will not fail our lifelong aspirations. As for success or failure, gain or loss, that is determined by Heaven. Why trouble yourself with it now?" Lu Junyi nodded and said, "What you say is right. But recently, I have been thinking of Prefect Hou Meng, such a loyal and good man, who was angered to death by Cai You. Upright people in the court are dwindling day by day, while the faction of villains is deeply entrenched. Our path to amnesty and recruitment may become even more difficult." After speaking, he sighed deeply.
While they were talking, they suddenly saw several riders gallop out of the camp and head straight for the central command tent. Lu Junyi said, "There must be urgent military news. Let us return quickly." He and Yan Qing hurried down the slope and returned to the tent. They saw Dai Zong, covered in dust, waiting. Upon seeing Lu Junyi, he quickly saluted and presented a letter from Song Jiang. Lu Junyi opened and read it. The gist was: The imperial troops from Daming and Dongping had been repelled. General Guan Sheng would soon move camp to provide support. It was also heard that the court had appointed Zhang Shuye from Haizhou, preparing army and naval forces to plot an attack on the base of Liangshan Marsh. The letter advised Lu Junyi to act according to circumstances. If Sun Hao's army morale was already shaken, he could devise a plan to defeat them and return to the mountain early to discuss grand strategies.
After reading the letter, Lu Junyi shared it with Gongsun Sheng, Yan Qing, and others. Gongsun Sheng said, "Zhang Shuye is a famous general of the Song Dynasty, deeply versed in military tactics, not comparable to Gao Qiu or Cai You. If he leads troops to attack, it would indeed be a great threat. We must finish off Sun Hao's army early and return to the mountain to prepare." Once the plan was decided, he ordered all Chieftains to intensify the training and reorganization of their troops and prepare for battle. Thus: Just alarmed by the hasty return of the tiger-like legions, they heard of the dragon-like general gathering strength for his advance. How exactly Lu Junyi would deal with Sun Hao will be told in the next chapter.