Explore Chapter 12 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, on Liangshan MarshHall of Righteousness and Loyalty, since Guan Sheng led troops to attack Dongping and Lu Junyi captured Yizhou, the mountain Chieftains had been taking turns descending to gather news. On this day, Dai Zong returned to the mountain and reported to Song Jiang and Wu Yong, "I have learned that Zhang Shuye has led the troops from Haizhou and is advancing from the southern route. That Zhang Shuye is no ordinary general. He is upright and deeply versed in strategy. His soldiers are well-trained and truly formidable." Song Jiang listened, frowned deeply, and discussed with Wu Yong, "Previously, Gao Qiu devised a three-pronged attack plan. The routes from Daming and Yizhou have already been thwarted by us. Now that Zhang Shuye's main force is coming, how should we respond?" Wu Yong said, "Brother, do not worry. Although Zhang Shuye is a talented general, the court is corrupt. Cai, Gao, and their ilk are jealous of the worthy and able, so they may not allow him to fully deploy his skills. Let us wait at our ease while the enemy labors. We shall see what his intentions are and then make plans."
Not many days later, scouts came one after another to report that Zhang Shuye's army had passed Xuzhou and was advancing toward Jizhou. Along the way, they did not harm a single hair or offend anyone, maintaining strict military discipline. Song Jiang said to Wu Yong, "Observing Zhang Shuye's march, it is not comparable to Gao Qiu or Tong Guan. If we fight him head-on, even if we can win, we will lose many of our brothers." Wu Yong said, "Brother, your feeling is absolutely right. I have heard that Zhang Shuye has always had a loyal and righteous heart. Perhaps we can send an eloquent person to first persuade him, stating our Liangshan Marsh's intention to submit to the court and jointly defend against foreign invasion. This might avoid this battle." Song Jiang said, "The Military Strategist's words align perfectly with my thoughts. But who should we send?" Wu Yong said, "For this matter, none other than the Master Calligrapher Xiao Rang and the Iron-faced Judge Pei Xuan will do. Xiao Rang excels in literary talent, and Pei Xuan is upright and impartial. With both of them going together, it will show the sincerity of our mountain stronghold." Song Jiang was greatly pleased and immediately summoned Xiao Rang and Pei Xuan to the Hall of Righteousness and Loyalty. He explained the matter in detail, gave them letters and gifts, and ordered them to descend the mountain at once to meet Zhang Shuye.
Xiao Rang and Pei Xuan accepted the order. Disguised as merchants, they took the road to Jizhou. After two days of travel, as they neared Zhang Shuye's camp, they were captured by patrolling soldiers and brought before the commander's tent. Zhang Shuye sat upright in the tent. Seeing that the two men had an extraordinary demeanor, unlike ordinary traders, he demanded, "Where are you two from? What business brings you here? Are you not Liangshan Marshspy?" Xiao Rang bowed and replied, "I am Xiao Rang, and this is Pei Xuan. To be frank, we have been sent by Brother Song Jiang of Liangshan Marsh. We have a letter to present to the general, along with heartfelt words." With that, he presented Song Jiang's personal letter. Zhang Shuye took it and read it. The letter was sincere in tone, detailing how the Liangshan heroes had been forced onto the mountain out of necessity. Now they only wished to accept the court's amnesty and recruitment, to resist the Liao and Jin in the north and pacify Fang La in the south, fulfilling loyalty and righteousness without any intention of rebellion. Zhang Shuye pondered for a while and said, "I fully understand Song Gongming's intentions. However, you have repeatedly resisted imperial troops, killed and wounded soldiers, and plundered prefectures. How can a mere letter cover that up? I am commissioned to suppress bandits. How can I neglect public duty for private reasons?" Pei Xuan declared loudly, "General, please judge fairly! The brothers of Liangshan Marsh were mostly driven to desperate straits by corrupt officials and local tyrants before gathering in the mountains. We act on Heaven's behalf, only killing the unjust. Have we ever harmed the innocent? Previously, when three routes of troops came, our mountain stronghold fought back out of self-preservation, yet we did not exterminate them completely. Now, hearing that you are a pillar of the court and a bulwark of the state, we dare to come risking death to express our true feelings. If you can understand our circumstances and report to the emperor, allowing us to serve the court, even if we are torn limb from limb, we would have no regrets!" Zhang Shuye saw that the two spoke with passion and composure. Upon further reflection on Song Jiang's letter, he was moved and said, "You two may return. Inform Song Gongming that I, Zhang Shuye, am not one who fails to recognize loyalty and righteousness. But if he truly has the intention to submit, he must show concrete evidence. In three days, let him come personally before my army. I will have words for him." Xiao Rang and Pei Xuan bowed in thanks and departed.
Upon receiving the report, Song Jiang discussed with Wu Yong and the other Chieftains. Li Kui jumped up and said, "Brother, do not trust that fellow! How many among the officials are good? Is he not luring you there to harm you?" Wu Song, Lu Zhishen, and others also advised against it. Song Jiang said, "Brothers, do not doubt. I observe that Zhang Shuye is different from the likes of Gao Qiu and Cai Jing. He is a man of integrity. If I do not go, it will show a lack of sincerity. Even if there is risk, for the future of our mountain stronghold brothers, Song Jiang does not spare himself." Lu Junyi said, "If brother insists on going personally, I am willing to lead a contingent of troops to provide support from behind." Wu Yong said, "Master Lu's words are correct. Let us order cavalry Chieftains like Hua Rong, Lin Chong, and Xu Ning to each take elite soldiers and ambush nearby, in case of unforeseen events." The plan was thus settled.
On the third day, Song Jiang took only Yan Qing, Lyu Fang, and Guo Sheng on horseback and went directly to Zhang Shuye's camp. Five li from the camp, he saw Zhang Shuye with only a few dozen attendants, who had set up a banquet by the roadside to wait for him. Song Jiang hurriedly dismounted and stepped forward to bow. Zhang Shuye also dismounted and returned the courtesy, taking Song Jiang's hand and saying, "Righteous Master Gongming, you are indeed a man of your word!" After exchanging pleasantries, they sat as host and guest. Zhang Shuye personally poured wine and said, "Shuye has long heard of Gongming and the Liangshan Marsh heroes' Daming. Meeting you today fulfills a lifelong wish. What Xiao and Pei said earlier, Shuye deeply believes without doubt. However, amnesty and recruitment is no ordinary matter. It requires an explicit imperial decree. I have already written a memorial expressing Gongming's intentions and Liangshan Marsh's desire to serve the state, sending it by six-hundred-li urgent dispatch to Eastern Capital. In the meantime, Gongming may return to the mountain stronghold to reorganize the troops and await the court's order. I will station my army here, restraining my subordinates and absolutely not offending your stronghold." Song Jiang listened, moved to tears, rose from his seat, and bowed again, saying, "Song Jiang and the brothers of the mountain stronghold, given any path forward, would not wish to dwell long in the marsh. Now, receiving such deep affection and kindness from the general, who is willing to assist us fully, you are truly our reborn parents! Henceforth, we will follow your commands. Even if we must go through fire and water, we will not utter a word of dissent!" Zhang Shuye helped him up and said, "Gongming, please rise. This is the time for men to serve their country. In days to come, fighting side by side against the enemy and building achievements together will not betray this meeting today." The two drank and conversed freely until dusk. Song Jiang saw that Zhang Shuye treated him with utmost sincerity, without any intent to harm, and the heavy stone in his heart fell away. He then took his leave and returned to the mountain.
Song Jiang returned to the Hall of Righteousness and Loyalty and recounted in detail his meeting with Zhang Shuye to everyone. The Chieftains saw that Zhang Shuye indeed possessed profound righteousness and were all delighted. Wu Yong said, "Since General Zhang has already submitted the memorial, the court's decree will arrive soon. We must make preparations early." He then ordered the Chieftains of each camp to reorganize the troops and equipment, tally the provisions and funds, and temporarily furl the banner "Act on Heaven's Behalf," replacing it with the flag "Submit to Heaven and Protect the State." The mountain, top and bottom, bustled with activity.
More than ten days later, a court envoy arrived with an imperial decree. It turned out that when Zhang Shuye's memorial reached the capital, the Jin troops were invading south, the border was in crisis, and the court urgently needed personnel. Emperor Huizong Emperor reviewed the memorial and discussed it with his ministers. Although Cai Jing, Gao Qiu, and others opposed Liangshan Marsh's amnesty and recruitment, hindered by Zhang Shuye's recommendation and the pressing need for manpower, they had to approve. The decree was issued, pardoning Song Jiang and the 108 individuals, along with the Liangshan Marsh forces, of all crimes. Song Jiang was appointed as Vanguard General of the Northern Pacification, Lu Junyi as Deputy Vanguard, under Zhang Shuye's command, to march north immediately to resist the Jin troops. The decree also encouraged everyone to serve the state, promising rewards based on future merits.
After the envoy finished reading the decree, Song Jiang led the Chieftains in shouting "Long live the emperor" and received the decree. A grand banquet was immediately arranged to entertain the imperial envoy. During the feast, Song Jiang raised his cup and addressed the brothers, "I, Song Jiang, have received Heaven's grace above and the unwavering support of you brothers below. We have trusted each other with our lives and united in great righteousness. Today, obtaining amnesty and recruitment is truly a blessing of ten thousandfold! From now on, we are imperial troops. We must change our mindset, unite in heart and strength, sweep away the barbarians, protect the borders and pacify the people, repaying the state above and bringing peace to the masses below. Only then can we live up to the words 'loyalty and righteousness'!" Everyone responded in unison, "We respectfully follow brother's orders! We will serve the country with utmost loyalty, following you through life and death!" Their voices shook the rafters, filled with heroic spirit.
The next day, Song Jiang ordered Pei Xuan to write a proclamation, informing the people around Liangshan Marsh of their submission to the court, and rewarded the three armies. He also had Xiao Rang draft a manifesto to declare their great righteousness, preparing to march with Zhang Shuye. Within Liangshan Marsh, oxen and horses were slaughtered as offerings to heaven, earth, and the deities, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and excitement. Henceforth, the 108 heroes of Liangshan Marsh ended their days of gathering in the mountains and embarked on a new journey of fighting for the state. Truly: Villains must eventually reveal their true forms; the loyal and good can naturally express deep affection. From now on, washing away the aura of the mountains and forests, they devote their red hearts to the wise sage.