Explore Chapter 7 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.
At this moment, *Dou Yi*, fearing to dampen his own troops' morale, forced himself to remain composed. He ordered his men to hurl insults at the enemy camp gate while he himself, spear in hand, rode back and forth across the open ground. After about the time it takes to eat a meal, three rolls of drums boomed from the opposite side. Banners fluttered within the camp's wooden walls, and its main gate swung wide open. Some thirty to fifty swordsmen escorted a man out. The drawbridge before the camp remained raised. Those who had emerged stood firm on the far side of the moat. The man on horseback wore green mantis-like armor and a lion-head helmet. His face was ruddy like a date, framed by a long beard. He held a Green Dragon Crescent Blade across his saddle and urged his horse right up to the moat's edge. Behind him, two long flags streamed in the wind. One read: "Righteous Warrior of Liangshan Marsh, Broadsword *Guan Sheng*", the other: "Liangshan Marsh's Flying Tiger General". *Dou Yi* saw he had no intention of crossing to engage. Gripping his spear, he shouted, "*Guan Sheng*, you are a court official! How dare you betray your sovereign and rebel?" *Guan Sheng*, holding his blade in his left hand and stroking his beard with his right, laughed. "Lackeys of treacherous ministers, household slaves of the powerful! The people of the entire realm long to see you brought to justice. We aim to cleanse the court of evil and restore order to the land. And you prattle of loyalty and country on the battlefield?" *Dou Yi* cried, "I have deployed my ranks. Do you dare to cross and fight? I will not waste words with you!" *Guan Sheng* laughed again. "You ignorant fool, standing on the brink of ruin and still thinking to face me? I tell you plainly: I have two forces lying in ambush outside Dongping City to strike your rear. Your main army faces annihilation, yet here you strut and bluster." Upon hearing this, *Dou Yi* was torn between belief and doubt. Soon, several scouts came galloping in quick succession to report that Liangshan Marsh troops were attacking from the rear in two columns, north and south, and the distant clash of gongs and drums could already be heard. *Dou Yi* hesitated, still issuing no orders. *Guan Sheng*, observing this, shouted again from his saddle, "Withdraw for now. I shall not press you." *Dou Yi*, not daring to prolong the engagement, spurred his horse back to his lines. He immediately ordered the rear guard to become the vanguard, directing the cavalry of both wings to advance first and meet the enemy. At that moment, the ambushing forces from the Liangshan stronghold, upon hearing three signal cannons, charged forth. Cavalry Chieftain *Xu Ning* and Infantry Chieftain *Xue Yong* led five hundred horse and foot soldiers attacking from the southern road. Cavalry Chieftain *Hao Siwen* and Infantry Chieftain *Liu Tang* led another five hundred attacking from the north. Though the government troops had turned to face the threat, their formation was already in disarray, having lost a third of their fighting spirit from the outset. As their left and right wings clashed with the enemy, a great tumult of gongs and drums erupted from behind. The troops from *Guan Sheng*'s camp pushed aside the abatis and charged forward as one. *Dou Yi*'s men, caught between enemies to the front and rear, split to fight on the eastern and western flanks. Trapped on the Pingyuan flatlands with no defensible terrain, panic spread through their ranks. Fortunately, the Liangshan force from the north road charged only briefly before retreating to a stretch of high ground, from where they unleashed a fierce volley of arrows, leaving a gap in the center. The government troops' right-wing cavalry surged desperately toward this opening. The rear guard, seeing the right wing give way, followed in a headlong rush. *Gao Yun*, the military supervisor within Dongping City, watched the battle from the walls. Horrified to see the two Liangshan ambush forces attacking *Dou Yi*'s rear, he immediately dispatched a contingent from the city to their rescue. The Liangshan troops tasked with intercepting them opened a path, allowing *Dou Yi*'s forces to pass through. Thus, the government troops, pressured from three sides, burst forth like water through a breached dike, retreating in rout toward the vicinity of Dongping City. The Liangshan troops pursued only for a short distance before sounding the gongs to recall their men, not chasing all the way to the city walls.
*Dou Yi*'s forces retreated into the city in dribs and drabs. A count revealed they had lost one-third of their number. He felt utterly dejected. *Sun Hao*'s main army in the rear received swift reports and learned that *Dou Yi*'s rash advance had fallen into an ambush. He dispatched a lieutenant general with three thousand cavalry to provide support as the situation warranted. Upon receiving further reports that *Dou Yi* had retreated into the city, he ordered his camp established at the city's southeast corner, forming a pincer position from a distance.
That evening, *Gao Yun* and *Dou Yi* went out of the city together to *Sun Hao*'s command tent to apologize. *Sun Hao* addressed *Dou Yi*: "Fortunately, General Dou exercised some caution, leading only a few dozen light cavalry to challenge them. Had the main army directly pressed the rebel camp, their reinforcements are close while our line of retreat is long. Our losses might have been far greater. That rogue *Guan Sheng* was originally a celebrated commander, skilled in both civil and martial arts. Had we gained some initial advantage, the battle could still be fiercely contested. But as it is, he has dampened our morale from the start-a great pity." As he spoke, he kept tapping the edge of the table softly, sighing repeatedly. *Dou Yi* sat to one side in silence. *Gao Yun* rose and bowed. "In my humble opinion," he reported, "the Liangshan bandits have just descended from their mountain lair; their morale is at its peak. Our army has marched from afar; there is a disparity in fatigue and readiness. Having just arrived today, we immediately challenged the bandits-that was our mistake." *Sun Hao* stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and nodded. "The Supervisor speaks sense. Are you suggesting we adopt a defensive posture first, then attack?" *Gao Yun* said, "I have been stationed at Dongping for some time and am well aware the bandits are fierce and cunning. It is best to reverse the roles of host and guest, letting the enemy's morale wane before we act according to the opportunity." *Sun Hao* said, "Let the troops rest a day. We shall decide tomorrow." After Gao and Dou withdrew, *Sun Hao* ordered the entire camp to be on high alert and not to engage in battle.
The next morning, taking only a few attendants, he entered the city to inspect the troops and warehouses. From the city wall, he gazed into the distance toward the Liangshan camp. All he saw was a vast, desolate expanse, devoid of any human or animal trace. Amidst the haze of clouds, the faint shadow of banners was just discernible. Simultaneously, spies returned to report that the Liangshan soldiers were busy digging moats and building ramparts, bustling with activity. *Sun Hao*, leaning on the battlements, turned to see *Dou Yi* and *Gao Yun* standing nearby. "The bandits do not intend to storm the city," he said. "They merely wish to confront us and hold their ground." *Gao Yun* replied, "That rogue *Guan Sheng* is skilled in warfare and full of stratagems. I fear he openly adopts a defensive posture to lull our vigilance, then attacks the city when we are unprepared." *Sun Hao* said, "If that is truly their plan, it suits my intentions perfectly. When the troops from Daming arrive, we can launch a pincer attack against these bandits who have left their mountain. Should General Zhang's forces from Haizhou also arrive-they are crack troops-we can encircle and annihilate them from three sides. Let us see how many men their den can muster to resist! Of course, once the Liangshan bandits learn of this, they will certainly not hole up in defense without fighting." Having finished his observation, he ordered *Gao Yun* to stockpile more arrows and catapult stones and to focus solely on defending the city. He instructed *Dou Yi* to lead his own troops to the high ground north of the city, so that his camp, Dongping City, and that position could support each other. He himself returned to his main camp outside the city.
Having suffered that earlier defeat, *Dou Yi* dared not underestimate *Guan Sheng*'s forces. He too kept strictly to his camp, supervising his soldiers in digging moats and building ramparts all day. For five consecutive days, there was not the slightest movement from the Liangshan camp. When *Sun Hao* sent men to investigate, they reported that *Guan Sheng* had constructed three large camps whose gates remained tightly shut all day. However, carts and horses transporting provisions kept coming and going from a riverside marketplace connected to the Liangshan lakes via a small stream. Upon hearing that the escorts for these provisions were all old or weak soldiers, *Sun Hao* laughed heartily. Soon, *Gao Yun* and *Dou Yi* came to the main tent for a council. "*Guan Sheng* keeps his camp shut and won't come out-it's maddening!" they said. "He constantly ships provisions to his rear. Is he trying to trick us?" *Sun Hao* chuckled. "Since General Dou realizes this, why trouble yourself with him? If he seeks to lure us into battle, he must be growing impatient. We shall hold firm for a few more days and see what he does. I wager within three days those bandits will surely come to provoke us. Simply ignore them, no matter what." *Dou Yi* said, "If he sends a small detachment to challenge us, I fear a trick. But if he launches a full-scale attack, we must not let the opportunity slip." *Sun Hao* laughed again. "Do not be hasty, General. In a few more days, I shall let you fight to your heart's content." Seeing his confident tone, *Dou Yi* thought he must have some insight and did not argue further. And just as *Sun Hao* had guessed, from *Guan Sheng*'s camp, *Xuan Zan* and *Hao Siwen* led about five hundred men to challenge outside Dongping City. As they approached, the city defenders merely showered them with random stones and arrows. The Liangshan troops did not attempt to scale the walls. After shouting for a while, they withdrew. Witnessing this, *Sun Hao* became even more convinced the Liangshan forces could not endure a protracted stand and were only sending troops to draw him out. How could he be so easily tempted?
They remained locked in this stalemate for ten days when a scout came galloping with urgent news. A force of over ten thousand men, flying the banner of Liangshan Marsh's *Lu Junyi*, was advancing east and had already reached the borders of Teng County. *Sun Hao* was greatly alarmed. He immediately summoned *Gao Yun* and *Dou Yi* to his tent for a meeting. Upon hearing that a large Liangshan force was marching east, clearly to raid Yizhou, Dou and Gao looked at *Sun Hao*, speechless. *Sun Hao* slapped the table. "This must be *Wu Yong*'s vicious scheme. In the past, Liangshan bandits marched masquerading under government banners to avoid trouble along the way. This time, they openly and brazenly fly their own flag. They must have calculated that the prefectures around Yizhou are vulnerable and are deliberately letting us know. If we do not return to rescue it, our soldiers' families are mostly in Yizhou; they will lose heart for battle. If I do turn back, *Guan Sheng* will harass us every step of the way. *Guan Sheng*'s refusal to engage was not to draw us into battle-he wants us to also remain tightly on the defensive. I never expected *Wu Yong* to disregard the three-pronged siege forces and dare to divide his own strength for a long-distance raid on Yizhou." As he spoke, he clasped his hands behind his back and paced back and forth before the tent, sometimes raising his head to gaze at the sky for long moments.
*Dou Yi* could not help asking, "I once considered using the strategy of 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao' to attack Liangshan Marsh. You said it was unfeasible. Now *Lu Junyi* goes to raid Yizhou-clearly the same stratagem. How can he make it work?" *Sun Hao* stamped his foot. "We are far from Yizhou, and the city is vulnerable. Naturally, it is unfeasible for us. *Guan Sheng* is not far from Liangshan Marsh, and their stronghold is not undefended. Naturally, it works for him." He then walked into the tent, took *Gao Yun*'s hand, and said, "I see you are prudent in military affairs, Supervisor, and will not fall into the Liangshan bandits' trap. I shall leave General Dou's troops here to defend Dongping together with you. My main force must withdraw by forced night marches. Should Yizhou be lost, not only would I, a minor commander, bear the crime of losing territory while absent from my post, but even the Bureau of Military Affairs and the other two ministries, having acted without imperial sanction, could not bear the responsibility for unauthorized troop movements and flawed command." *Gao Yun* said, "Dongping lacks men of talent. Guarding the city is my duty. With General Dou here to assist, I am all the more reassured. If *Guan Sheng* learns you are returning to rescue Yizhou, he will surely attack the city with one hand and dispatch troops in pursuit with the other. We should first defeat him in one engagement to avoid getting entangled." *Sun Hao*, sitting gloomily in the tent, nodded. "We shall deal with it later."
Dou and Gao, not yet having received their orders, endured the harsh conditions in the main camp. That day, scouting reports came thick and fast: *Lu Junyi*'s troops were advancing toward Yizhou's borders unhindered. *Sun Hao* then arranged with Dou and Gao to withdraw that night. *Gao Yun* said, "Your judgment is sound, General. Our scouting reports came like shooting stars; clearly *Lu Junyi* unfurled his banners on the road, deliberately alerting our scouts. If people put on such a show, how could they not inform *Guan Sheng*? I suspect *Guan Sheng* must have forces lying in ambush southeast of Dongping to block our path. If we retreat at night, would we not be walking straight into his snare?" *Sun Hao* lowered his head in thought and saw the logic. He passed down orders: prepare the meal at the first watch, march at the second. At the second watch, he sent only a small detachment to probe southeastward, advancing five to seven li before retreating. The main army would break camp at the third watch, withdrawing toward the northeast and then making a wide detour east via Xuzhou. By dawn, scouts from the rear guard came galloping to report that the southeast detachment had indeed encountered a Liangshan ambushing force. Without engaging, they had retreated to Dongping. Only then did *Sun Hao* realize the Liangshan troops were not only fierce and cunning but had set ambushes at every turn.
He dispatched numerous scouts along the way to inquire about the Liangshan forces' movements. The day they reached the borders of Teng County, the vanguard reported the arrival of *Yin Luo*, the Infantry Commander left to guard Yizhou. *Sun Hao*, mounted on his horse, slapped the saddle. "Yizhou is lost." A junior officer led *Yin Luo* before the horse to pay his respects. "You are not in Yizhou," *Sun Hao* said. "I suppose the city has fallen?" *Yin Luo* replied, "I have committed a capital offense. I let the bandits masquerade under government banners and tricked their way into the city." With that, he prostrated himself on the ground. *Sun Hao* pointed his horsewhip at him. "Rise and report. *Lu Junyi* was hundreds of li away, yet he came charging here, displaying banners and beating war drums. How could you be so foolish as not to heed it at all?" *Yin Luo* stood up and bowed. "Precisely because the bandits were advancing in full force, I sent word to report to you, General, while strengthening the city's defenses. Two days ago, *Lu Junyi* completely surrounded Yizhou, attacking day and night. The situation was extremely critical. At dawn yesterday, a force bearing your banner attacked from the southwest corner. The bandits fell back in disarray, and those besieging the north and east walls simultaneously lifted the siege. Seeing the enemy's disorganized state, I believed it was a genuine retreat and opened the gates to pursue them. The bandits had ambushes lying in wait on all sides and surrounded me, cutting off my advance and retreat. The troops bearing your banner were also bandits in disguise. Seizing the moment of my distraction, they pretended to be retreating government soldiers and returned to the city. Prefect Jia, not knowing the true situation, opened the gates and let them in. I fought desperately with about a hundred men to break out of the tight encirclement. When I raced back to the city walls, the Liangshan Marsh banner was already raised above them. I could only lead my remaining troops and fight my way out via side paths. Fortunately, the bandits did not pursue." *Sun Hao* sighed. "*Lu Junyi*, having taken the city, is no doubt happily plundering the warehouses and seizing the gold and silk. Why would he bother to chase you? Forget the rest, but this Prefect Jia is Prime Minister Cai's favorite protégé. How could the Liangshan bandits possibly spare him?" He finished speaking and sighed repeatedly.
By now, the ten thousand troops *Sun Hao* had brought had marched hard for many days and were utterly exhausted. Suddenly meeting *Yin Luo*'s hundred or so defeated soldiers, and with news of Yizhou's fall spreading like wildfire, the men's spirit broke, and their morale grew even weaker. *Sun Hao* observed this situation. That day, they marched only half the usual distance before reaching Yizhou's borders, where he ordered them to set up camp and watch for further developments.
By the next day, refugees fleeing Yizhou began to pass by. *Sun Hao* ordered his soldiers to find a few steady, elderly commoners and bring them to his tent for questioning. They said that after the Liangshan troops entered the city, they issued proclamations to reassure the populace; there had been no killings or injuries. Only *Lu Junyi* remained in the city with two or three hundred men; the main force still camped outside. They stipulated that the city gates be opened twice daily, allowing people to gather firewood and provisions. Commoners wishing to leave Yizhou were also permitted to do so. Otherwise, with the city fallen, how could they have gotten out? Hearing this, *Sun Hao* was secretly perplexed. Later, encountering more refugees and questioning them, they all said the same. *Sun Hao* advanced another stage, making camp twenty li from Yizhou. That same day, he drafted urgent dispatches and sent messengers day and night to the Bureau of Military Affairs in the Eastern Capital. About seventy or eighty percent of *Sun Hao*'s officers had families inside Yizhou City. Hearing that the Liangshan troops had entered without bloodshed, they were temporarily relieved. Yet they feared that attempting to recapture the city would infuriate *Lu Junyi* and bring retaliation upon their families. Thus, they whispered among themselves, all showing a marked reluctance to advance.
How could *Sun Hao*, sharing his officers' predicament, fail to understand this? He could only keep the camp tightly shut and await an edict from the Bureau of Military Affairs in the Eastern Capital before making further plans. Meanwhile, in Yizhou City, *Lu Junyi*, having opened the brocade pouch given by *Wu Yong*, was carrying out its instructions step by step. He had learned through scouts that *Sun Hao* had returned with over ten thousand troops and was watching his movements day and night. Seeing *Sun Hao* encamped without advancing for several days, he summoned his Military Strategist Chieftain, *Gongsun Sheng*.