Explore Chapter 20 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, Lin Chong had slain Wang Lun. Grasping a sharp knife, he pointed at the assembled men and declared, "Though I, Lin Chong, am but a banished imperial guardsman who ended up here, today we have gathered, heroes all. Yet Wang Lun, narrow-minded and envious of talent, made excuses to reject us. Thus I have dealt with this scoundrel. It is not that I seek this position for myself. With my courage and resolve, how could I dare to oppose government troops and eliminate the chief villains at the emperor's side? Now, Brother Chao, who is righteous and generous, wise and brave, is known throughout the land, and all submit to his name. Today, placing righteousness above all, I propose we make him the master of the mountain stronghold. Is that not good?" The crowd replied, "The Chieftain speaks most fittingly." Chao Gai said, "That cannot be. Since ancient times, 'a strong guest should not oppress the host.' I, Chao Gai, am but a newcomer from afar. How dare I presume to take the lead?" Lin Chong stepped forward, pushed Chao Gai onto the armchair, and cried, "Today matters have come to a head. Do not refuse. Should anyone disobey, let Wang Lun serve as an example!" Again and again, he helped Chao Gai to sit. Lin Chong then ordered the men to pay homage before the pavilion. At once, he sent junior outlaws to prepare a feast in the main stronghold, had others carry away Wang Lun's corpse, and dispatched messengers to summon all the minor chiefs from the front and back of the mountain to gather in the main stronghold for a righteous assembly.
Lin Chong and his companions invited Chao Gai to mount a sedan horse, and they all proceeded to the main stronghold. Upon reaching the Hall of Gathering Heroes, they dismounted and entered the hall. The crowd supported Chao the Heavenly King and seated him in the central first armchair. Incense was lit in the middle. Lin Chong stepped forward and said, "I, Lin Chong, am but a rough and simple man, skilled only with spear and staff. I have no learning, talent, wisdom, or strategy. Today, by heaven's grace, heroes have gathered at the mountain stronghold, and great righteousness is clear. It is not like the haphazard days of old. Since Scholar Wu is here, let him serve as Military Strategist, holding military authority, deploying officers and troops. He must take the second seat." Wu Yong replied, "I, Wu Yong, am merely a village scholar, without the talent to govern the world. Though I have read some Sun and Wu strategies, I have not achieved the slightest merit. How dare I presume?" Lin Chong said, "Matters have come to a head. There is no need for modesty." Wu Yong had no choice but to take the second seat. Lin Chong said, "Master Gongsun, please take the third seat." Chao Gai said, "That won't do. If we continue yielding like this, I, Chao Gai, must step down." Lin Chong said, "Brother Chao, you are mistaken. Master Gongsun is renowned throughout the rivers and lakes, adept at military affairs, with unfathomable strategies and methods to summon wind and rain. Who can match him?" Gongsun Sheng said, "Though I have some minor methods, I lack the talent to aid the world. How dare I presume? The Chieftain should take the seat." Lin Chong said, "Just now, in defeating the enemy, your wonderful methods were evident. It is like a tripod with three legs, none can be missing. Do not refuse, Master." Gongsun Sheng had no choice but to take the third seat. When Lin Chong tried to yield further, Chao Gai, Wu Yong, and Gongsun Sheng all refused. The three said together, "As the Chieftain just said, it is a tripod with three legs, so we dare not disobey. If the Chieftain yields again, we, Chao Gai and the others, will have to withdraw." The three supported Lin Chong, and he had no choice but to take the fourth seat. Chao Gai said, "Now we must invite the two Chieftains, Song and Du, to take seats." Du Qian and Song Wan, seeing that Wang Lun had been killed, thought to themselves, "Our own abilities are lowly. How can we approach them? Better to show goodwill." They earnestly urged Liu Tang to take the fifth seat, Ruan Xiao'er the sixth, Ruan Xiaowu the seventh, Ruan Xiaoqi the eighth, Du Qian himself the ninth, Song Wan the tenth, and Zhu Gui the eleventh. Thus, eleven heroes were seated in Liangshan Marsh. From the front to the back of the mountain, about seven or eight hundred men all came to pay homage before the hall, dividing and standing on both sides.
Chao Gai said, "All of you are here. Today, Instructor Lin has supported me as master of the mountain stronghold, with Scholar Wu as Military Strategist, and Master Gongsun sharing military authority. Instructor Lin and others will jointly manage the mountain stronghold. The rest of you, keep to your original duties, overseeing affairs from the front to the back of the mountain, guarding the stockades and beaches, and ensuring nothing goes amiss. Everyone must strive with one heart to uphold great righteousness." He then ordered the housing on both sides to be arranged, settling the Ruan family's elders and children. Next, he had the loot from the Birthday Tribute Convoy-gold, pearls, treasures-along with the gold, silver, and valuables from his own manor brought out and distributed right in the hall to the minor chiefs and numerous junior outlaws. Oxen and horses were slaughtered to offer sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth, celebrating the renewed righteous gathering. The Chieftains drank until midnight before dispersing. The next day, another feast was held, continuing for several days. Chao Gai consulted with Wu Yong and the other Chieftains, taking stock of granaries, repairing stockades, forging weapons-spears, knives, bows, arrows, armor, helmets-and preparing to face government troops. They arranged boats large and small, training soldiers and sailors in naval combat, making thorough preparations. Of this, no more need be said.
One day, Lin Chong, observing how Chao Gai acted with generosity, benevolence, and care for the families settled on the mountain, suddenly thought of his own wife in the capital, uncertain of her fate. He confided his heart's worries to Chao Gai, saying, "Since coming up the mountain, I have wished to bring my wife here. But seeing Wang Lun's unreliable nature made life difficult, so I delayed. Now she is stranded in the Eastern Capital, alive or dead, I know not." Chao Gai said, "Since you have precious family in the capital, why not fetch them for reunion? Write a letter quickly, and I will send someone down the mountain to bring them up by starlight. That would be best." Lin Chong immediately wrote a letter and dispatched two trusted junior outlaws down the mountain.
Within two months, the junior outlaws returned to the stronghold and reported, "We went straight to Instructor Zhang's house in front of the Marshal's mansion in the Eastern Capital city. We heard that the lady, pressured by Grand Commandant Gao to marry, hanged herself half a year ago. Instructor Zhang, overcome with grief, fell ill and passed away half a month ago. Only the maid Jin'er remains, having taken a husband and living at home. The neighbors confirmed this. After verifying the truth, we came back to report to the Chieftain." Upon hearing this, Lin Chong shed tears, from then on cutting off all thoughts of his牵挂. Chao Gai and the others, upon learning this, sighed with sorrow. In the mountain stronghold, nothing more was said. Each day, they simply drilled troops, preparing to resist government forces.
Suddenly one day, while the Chieftains were discussing matters in the Hall of Gathering Heroes, a junior outlaw rushed up the mountain to report, "Officers dispatched from Jizhou Prefecture, leading about a thousand men with four or five hundred boats large and small, are now stationed in the lake marshes of Stone Tablet Village. I specially come to inform you." Chao Gai was greatly alarmed and summoned Military Strategist Wu Yong to discuss, saying, "Government troops are approaching. How shall we face them?" Wu Yong laughed and said, "There is no need for brother to worry. I have arrangements. As the ancients said, 'When water comes, earth blocks it; when soldiers arrive, generals meet them.'" He immediately called the three Ruan brothers, whispering in their ears, "Do thus and thus..." Then he summoned Lin Chong and Liu Tang, imparting plans, "You two shall do such and such..." He also instructed Du Qian and Song Wan. Truly, as if welcoming Xiang Yu's three thousand formations, today they would achieve their first merit.
Meanwhile, the prefect of Jizhou Prefecture dispatched Militia Commander Huang An and a local arrest officer, leading over a thousand men. They gathered local boats and deployed them in the lake marshes of Stone Tablet Village, dividing the vessels into two routes to attack the marsh.
Meanwhile, Militia Commander Huang An, leading his men onto boats, waved flags and shouted, charging toward Golden Sand Beach. As they drew near the beach, they heard mournful horn sounds blowing over the water. Huang An said, "Is that not the sound of a painted horn?" He ordered the boats to moor and look. They saw three boats approaching from afar. Each boat held only five men: four rowing with double oars, and one standing at the bow, wearing a crimson headscarf, all dressed in red embroidered silk jackets, each holding a hooked pole. The men on the three boats were similarly attired. Someone who recognized them said to Huang An, "These three men on the boats are Ruan Xiao'er, Ruan Xiaowu, and Ruan Xiaoqi." Huang An said, "All of you, charge forward together and capture these three!" About forty or fifty boats on both sides shouted and rushed ahead. The three boats whistled and turned back in unison. Militia Commander Huang brandished his spear and urged forward, calling, "Just kill these bandits! I will reward you heavily." The three boats fled ahead, while government troops on pursuing boats shot arrows. The three Ruans each took a piece of blue fox skin from the cabin to shield against the arrows. The rear boats chased relentlessly.
After chasing for two or three li through the waterways, a small boat from behind Huang An rowed up swiftly and reported, "Do not chase further! Our boats that went to attack have all been overturned, and the boats seized." Huang An asked, "How did they fall into the bandits' hands?" The man on the small boat replied, "As we were advancing, we saw two boats approaching from afar, each with five men. We charged to pursue them. After three or four li on the water, seven or eight small boats emerged from all sides. Arrows from crossbows flew like locusts. We hurriedly turned back. At a narrow inlet, about thirty men on shore pulled a large bamboo cable across the water. Just as we tried to inspect the cable, they hurled lime bottles and stones like rain from the shore. The government troops had to abandon their boats and flee for their lives in the water. Those of us who escaped reached the dry road and saw that the men and horses on shore had vanished, the horses led away, and the horse guards all killed in the water. We found this small boat by the reed marshes and came straight to report to the Militia Commander."
Huang An, upon hearing this, groaned in distress. He waved a white flag, ordering all boats not to chase but to return at once. Just as the boats turned around, before they could move, the three boats from behind led a dozen more, each with only three to five men, waving red flags and whistling, chasing swiftly. As Huang An tried to deploy his boats to face the enemy, cannon fire sounded from the reed thickets. Huang An looked and saw red flags waving all around, panicking. Boats chasing from behind shouted, "Huang An, leave your head behind and go back!" Huang An rowed desperately toward the reed shore, but forty or fifty small boats emerged from small inlets on both sides, shooting arrows like rain. Huang An fought his way through the arrow hail, with only three or four small boats left. He leaped onto a fast boat. Looking back, he saw his men plunging into the water one by one. Those whose boats were captured were mostly killed. As Huang An sped away in his small fast boat, he saw Liu Tang standing on a boat by the reed marshes. With a hooked pole, Liu Tang caught Huang An's boat, jumped over in an instant, grabbed him by the waist, and shouted, "Do not struggle!" Other soldiers who could swim were shot dead in the water. Those afraid to enter the water were captured alive in their boats.
Huang An was dragged ashore by Liu Tang. From afar, Chao Gai and Gongsun Sheng, mounted on horses with swords drawn, led fifty or sixty men and twenty or thirty horses to meet them. They captured one or two hundred men alive and seized all the boats, which were settled in the southern water stronghold. All the Chieftains, great and small, gathered at the mountain stronghold. Chao Gai dismounted and took his seat in the Hall of Gathering Heroes. The Chieftains removed their armor and weapons, sitting in a circle. They bound Huang An to the general's pillar and distributed gold, silver, and silks to reward the junior outlaws. An inventory showed over six hundred fine horses captured, credited to Lin Chong's merit. The eastern inlet was credited to Du Qian and Song Wan. The western inlet to the three Ruan brothers. Capturing Huang An was credited to Liu Tang.
The Chieftains were overjoyed. They slaughtered oxen and horses, feasting in the mountain stronghold. They had homemade fine wine, fresh lotus roots and fish from the marsh, and seasonal fruits like peaches, apricots, plums, loquats, jujubes, persimmons, and chestnuts from the southern mountain trees. They also had self-raised chickens, pigs, geese, ducks, and other provisions, too numerous to detail. The Chieftains focused on celebration. Having newly arrived at the mountain stronghold and achieved a complete victory, it was no small matter. As they drank, a junior outlaw reported, "Chieftain Zhu has sent a man to the stronghold." Chao Gai called him to ask what was the matter. The junior outlaw said, "Chieftain Zhu has learned of a group of merchants, several dozen traveling together, who will pass by the dry road tonight. He specially reports this." Chao Gai said, "Just when we lack gold and silks for use, who will lead men to intercept them?" The three Ruans said, "We brothers will go." Chao Gai said, "Good brothers, be careful and return swiftly." The three Ruans went down the hall, changed clothes, girded waist knives, took hooked poles, spears, and tridents, mustered over a hundred men, bid farewell to the Chieftains, descended the mountain, and boarded boats at Golden Sand Beach to cross to Zhu Gui's wine shop. Fearing the three Ruans might be overwhelmed, Chao Gai sent Liu Tang with over a hundred men to reinforce them, instructing, "Only take gold and goods gently. Do not harm the merchants' lives." Liu Tang departed. By the third watch, with no news, Chao Gai sent Du Qian and Song Wan with fifty men down the mountain as further reinforcements.
Chao Gai, Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and Lin Chong drank until dawn. A junior outlaw reported joyfully, "The three Ruan Chieftains have obtained over twenty cartloads of gold, silver, and goods, along with forty or fifty mules and donkeys." Chao Gai asked further, "Did they kill anyone?" The junior outlaw replied, "Those merchants, seeing our fierce approach, abandoned their carts, animals, and luggage to flee for their lives. Not a single one was harmed." Chao Gai was delighted and said, "We have newly come to the mountain stronghold and must not harm people." He rewarded the junior outlaw with a silver ingot, then had wine and fruit brought down the mountain straight to Golden Sand Beach. There, he saw the Chieftains carrying the carts ashore, and he ordered boats to ferry the animals and horses. The Chieftains rejoiced. After toasting, he sent someone to invite Zhu Gui up the mountain for a feast.
All the Chieftains, including Chao Gai, ascended to the Hall of Gathering Heroes in the mountain stronghold, sitting in a circle like a winnowing basket. Junior outlaws carried in the many seized goods. Bundles were opened, with colored silks and clothes piled on one side, merchandise on another, and gold, silver, and treasures in the center. Seeing the plundered wealth, the Chieftains were pleased. They ordered the storekeeper minor chiefs to take half of each category, storing it in the treasury for future use. The other half was divided into two portions: one equally shared among the eleven Chieftains in the hall, and the other equally distributed among all on the mountain, high and low. The newly captured soldiers had characters tattooed on their faces. The strong were assigned to feed horses and cut firewood in various stockades. The weak were set to watch carts and chop grass. Huang An was locked in a prison cell in the rear stronghold.
Chao Gai said, "We have newly arrived at the mountain stronghold. Originally, we only hoped to escape disaster, seeking refuge under Wang Lun as minor chiefs. Thanks to Instructor Lin's kindness in yielding leadership to me, unexpectedly we have gained two joyous events. First, we defeated government troops, capturing many men, horses, and boats, and seizing Huang An. Second, we obtained considerable wealth, gold, and silver. Is this not all due to the abilities of our brothers?" The Chieftains said, "It all relies on elder brother's blessed fortune, thus we prosper." Chao Gai further said to Wu Yong, "The lives of us seven brothers were saved by Clerk Song and Chief Zhu. The ancients said, 'To know kindness and not repay it is to be less than human!' From where does our present wealth and peace come? Soon, we must send someone with gold and silver to Yuncheng County. This is the foremost urgent task. Also, Bai Sheng is imprisoned in the Jizhou jail. We must rescue him." Wu Yong said, "Elder brother need not worry. I have plans. Clerk Song is a righteous man who does not expect reward. Still, etiquette cannot be lacking. Once the mountain stronghold is somewhat settled, a brother must go in person. For Bai Sheng's matter, we can send a stranger there to spend money, bribing above and below to ease his conditions and facilitate his escape. Meanwhile, let us plan for storing grain, building boats, making weapons, arranging stockades and walls, adding buildings, preparing robes and armor, forging spears, knives, bows, and arrows, to prepare for facing government troops." Chao Gai said, "In that case, we rely entirely on the Military Strategist's brilliant strategies for guidance." Wu Yong then assigned the Chieftains to various tasks, of which no more need be said.
Let us not dwell on how Liangshan Marsh prospered greatly after Chao Gai ascended the mountain. Meanwhile, the prefect of Jizhou Prefecture, upon hearing from soldiers who escaped from Huang An's forces about the killing of government troops and capture of Huang An by Liangshan Marsh, and how the heroes of Liangshan Marsh were exceedingly formidable, with none able to approach them, making suppression difficult-moreover, the waterways were confusing, with many intricate inlets, so victory was impossible-the prefect could only lament. He said to an official from the Grand Tutor's mansion, "He Tao first lost many men, escaping alone with his life, and had both ears cut off. He is resting at home, still not recovered. Of the five hundred sent, not one returned. Then we dispatched Militia Commander Huang An and a local arrest officer with troops to pursue and capture them, but all were lost. Huang An was captured alive up the mountain, and countless government troops were killed. We cannot win. What is to be done?" The prefect, filled with dread and without a solution, saw a clerk report, "At the East Gate reception pavilion, a new official has arrived. News flies here." The prefect hurriedly mounted a horse and went to the East Gate pavilion. Seeing dust rise, the new official had already dismounted before the pavilion. The prefect greeted him on the pavilion, and after meeting, the new official presented the replacement document from the Secretariat. The prefect read it, then accompanied the new official to the prefectural office to hand over seals, treasury funds, grain, and all items. A feast was arranged to host the new official. The old prefect detailed the great banditry of Liangshan Marsh and the killing of government troops. Upon hearing this, the new official turned ashen, thinking to himself, "Grand Tutor Cai promoted me to this post, but it is such a place, such a prefecture! With no strong soldiers or fierce generals, how can we capture these bandits? If they come to the city for grain, what can be done?" The next day, the old prefect packed his belongings and returned to the Eastern Capital to await punishment, of which no more need be said.
After the new prefect took office, he summoned a newly transferred officer to garrison Jizhou. They discussed recruiting soldiers, buying horses, gathering fodder, storing grain, enlisting brave civilians, and wise strategists to prepare for capturing the heroes of Liangshan Marsh. On one hand, they reported to the Secretariat, ordering nearby prefectures and counties to jointly suppress them. On the other, they issued documents to subordinate counties, notifying them of the suppression and instructing them to defend their territories. Of this, no more need be said.
Meanwhile, the prefectural clerk sent a document down to subordinate Yuncheng County, ordering defense against the bandits of Liangshan Marsh. The magistrate of Yuncheng County, after reading the document, had Song Jiang draft an official notice to be issued to all villages for joint defense. Song Jiang, upon seeing the document, thought to himself, "Chao Gai and the others have done such great deeds-robbing the Birthday Tribute Convoy, killing officers, injuring Inspector He, and destroying many government troops, even capturing Huang An alive. Such crimes warrant extermination of nine clans. Though forced by circumstances, they cannot be pardoned by law. If there is any negligence, what then?" He felt troubled. He instructed his clerk Zhang Wenyuan to formalize the document into an official notice for distribution to all villages and districts, then handled the files himself.
Song Jiang strolled out of the county office and sat in a tea house opposite to drink tea. He saw a large man wearing a white Fanyang felt hat, a black-green silk jacket, leggings and kneepads, eight-strap hemp shoes, a waist knife at his side, and carrying a large bundle, sweating profusely and panting heavily, turning his face to look at the county office. Song Jiang, noticing the man's suspicious demeanor, hurriedly rose and followed him from the tea house. After twenty or thirty paces, the man turned to look at Song Jiang but did not recognize him. Song Jiang found the man somewhat familiar, thinking, "Have we met somewhere?" but could not recall. The man gazed at Song Jiang for a while, also seeming to recognize him, stopped, and stared, but dared not ask. Song Jiang thought, "This man is strange. Why does he keep looking at me?" He too dared not inquire. The man went to a roadside barber shop and asked, "Brother, who is that clerk ahead?" The barber replied, "That is Clerk Song." The man, holding a spear, approached, made a deep bow, and said, "Does the clerk recognize me?" Song Jiang said, "Your face seems familiar." The man said, "May we speak in private?" Song Jiang followed the man into a quiet alley. The man said, "This wine shop is good for talking." They went upstairs to a secluded room. The man leaned his spear, untied his bundle, tossed it under the table, and prostrated himself in worship. Song Jiang hastily returned the courtesy and said, "May I ask your honorable name?" The man said, "Great benefactor, have you forgotten me?" Song Jiang said, "Who are you, elder brother? Truly somewhat familiar, but I have forgotten." The man said, "I am Liu Tang, the Red-Haired Demon, who once paid respects at Chao the Guardian's manor and had my life saved by your grace." Song Jiang was shocked and said, "Brother, you are too bold! Luckily no officers saw you, or there would be trouble!" Liu Tang said, "Grateful for your great kindness, I fear not death and have come specially to repay you." Song Jiang said, "How are Chao the Guardian and the brothers lately? Who sent you?" Liu Tang said, "Chieftain Chao brother repeatedly pays respects to the great benefactor. Having been saved, how can we not repay? He is now the chief Chieftain of Liangshan Marsh, with Scholar Wu as Military Strategist, and Gongsun Sheng sharing military authority. Lin Chong firmly supported, eliminating Wang Lun. Originally in the mountain stronghold were Du Qian, Song Wan, and Zhu Gui, plus us seven brothers, making eleven Chieftains. Now the mountain stronghold has gathered seven or eight hundred men, with grain beyond count. Thinking of elder brother's great kindness and having no way to repay, I was specially sent with a letter and one hundred taels of gold to thank the clerk, and Chiefs Zhu and Lei." Liu Tang opened the bundle, took out the letter, and handed it over. Song Jiang read it, lifted his robe's front flap, took out his document bag, and opened it. Liu Tang placed the gold on the table. Song Jiang took one bar of gold, wrapped it with the letter, inserted it into the document bag, lowered his robe, and said, "Brother, repack the gold and leave it on the table. Sit for now." He then called for wine, ordered a large plate of meat, laid out vegetables and fruits, and had wine poured for Liu Tang to drink.
As evening approached, Liu Tang, after drinking, opened the gold bundle on the table to take it out. Song Jiang hurriedly stopped him and said, "Brother, listen. You seven brothers have newly come to the mountain stronghold and need gold and silver for use. My household has some means. Keep it in your mountain stronghold, and when I lack travel funds, I will send my brother Song Qing to fetch it. Today, not to stand on ceremony, I have accepted one bar. Zhu Tong has some wealth of his own and does not need it. I will personally convey the sentiment to him. As for Lei Heng, he does not know I reported to the Guardian, and besides, he is fond of gambling. If he takes some to gamble, it may cause trouble and is not safe. Do not give him the gold. Brother, I dare not invite you home to stay. If someone recognizes you, it would be no jest. Tonight the moon will surely be bright. You should return to the mountain stronghold and not linger here. I repeatedly convey regards to all Chieftains, unable to come congratulate them. I beg forgiveness for this offense." Liu Tang said, "Elder brother's great kindness is beyond repayment. I was specially sent to offer some gratitude to the clerk, a small token of respect. Guardian brother is now a Chieftain, and Scholar Wu the Military Strategist issues strict orders, unlike before. How dare I take it back? I would be punished in the mountain stronghold." Song Jiang said, "Since orders are strict, I will write a reply for you to take back." Liu Tang earnestly urged Song Jiang to accept, but he refused. Song Jiang then took a piece of paper, borrowed brush and ink from the wine shop, wrote a detailed reply, and gave it to Liu Tang to store in his bundle. Liu Tang, being straightforward, seeing Song Jiang's refusal, thought he would not accept, and repacked the gold as before.
As night fell, Liu Tang said, "Since elder brother has a reply, I will depart immediately." Song Jiang said, "Brother, I cannot keep you. Let our hearts understand each other." Liu Tang bowed four times again. Song Jiang called the wine server and said, "This gentleman leaves one tael of silver here. Keep it for now, and I will settle the account tomorrow." The wine server took the silver and thanked him. Liu Tang shouldered his bundle, took his spear, and followed Song Jiang downstairs. Leaving the wine shop, they reached the alley mouth. The sky was dusky, it being mid-autumn, with the moon rising. Song Jiang held Liu Tang's hand and instructed, "Brother, take care. Do not come again. There are many officers here. It is no jest. I will not escort you further. Farewell here." Liu Tang, seeing the bright moon, strode away toward the west road, returning to Liangshan Marsh overnight.
After parting with Liu Tang, Song Jiang slowly walked back to his quarters. As he went, he pondered, "Luckily no officers saw us, or we might have stirred up great trouble!" He also thought, "That Chao Gai has turned bandit, making such a commotion!" Turning a couple of corners, he heard someone call from behind, "Clerk, where have you been? I have searched everywhere for you!" Had this person not come to find Clerk Song, it might have led to: Song Jiang's small courage turning to great boldness, and good heart becoming evil intent. Truly, words are like hooks and lines, fishing out trouble from the start. Who exactly called Clerk Song? Listen to the next chapter for explanation.