Explore Chapter 17 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, Magistrate Xi, seeing the forces of Liangshan Marsh growing formidable and harassing the prefectures, was consumed with anxiety. Having no other recourse, he drafted a letter overnight and dispatched a trusted envoy to nearby military officers, pleading for troops to come to his aid. At the same time, he rallied the city's soldiers and horses, strengthening the defenses to guard against sudden attacks by the bandits.
Meanwhile, in the city of Eastern Capital, Grand Commandant Gao was deeply mired in corrupt governance, engrossed only in forming factions for personal gain. Upon hearing of the border prefectures' distress, not only did he not consider sending aid, but he colluded with palace attendants, accepting bribes and engaging in private schemes to consolidate his power. The loyal and upright officials at court all sighed in despair over this.
Magistrate Xi awaited the reinforcements, restless day and night. scout came one after another with reports that the forces of Liangshan Marsh were gradually pressing toward the city walls. The common people in the city were in a panic, and the soldiers' morale was low. Magistrate Xi had no choice but to dispatch swift horses once more, urging the advance of the troops.
In his residence, Grand Commandant Gao held secret discussions with the palace attendants, utterly neglecting the urgent matters of the border prefectures. He busied himself only with scheming how to eliminate his rivals and amass bribes. For a time, the court's discipline fell into disarray, and the people's hearts grew alienated.
Thus it was: the local official was as anxious as a shooting star, while the central minister was as corrupt as a deep abyss. Whether Magistrate Xi would manage to wait for the reinforcements or not, let us hear in the next chapter.