Saying Yue Quan Chuan (Illustrated Edition)

Author: (Qing) Qian Cai / Country:
Publisher:
Publishing Time: 2004-04-01
Features: And so, Yue Daye and the other four set off on the road, talking on horseback about the kindness of Zong Ze: "Truly rare! Because of us, he was dismissed from his post, and I wonder when we can repay him?" Just as they were speaking, Wang Gui suddenly shouted and fell off his horse. In an instant, his face turned deathly pale, his jaws clenched tight. All were greatly startled and quickly dismounted, some helping, some calling, and Yue Daye burst into tears, shouting, "Dear brother, do not be like this! Quickly regain consciousness!" He called several times, but there was no response. Yue Daye wept, "Dear brother, your ambitions were unfulfilled, and returning to your hometown empty-handed is already an injustice. If anything happens to you again, how can I face your parents?" After saying this, he wept even more bitterly. The others were also in a panic. Niu Gao said, "Do not cry, I have an idea myself. If you cry, I will have no idea at all." Yue Daye stopped crying and asked, "Dear brother, what is your idea? Please speak quickly!" Niu Gao said, "You do not know, Wang Ge was not sick. He probably ate too much last night and drank several bowls of cold tea, causing his stomach to. Let me try to treat him." He then rubbed Wang Gui's belly for a while. Only to hear Wang Gui's stomach rumbling like thunder for a while, suddenly releasing a lot of foul water. After rubbing a few more times, he actually defecated, the stench unbearable. Wang Gui gradually regained consciousness, groaning incessantly. The others quickly helped him change his clothes. Yue Daye said, "Let us rest here for a while. Brother Tang, you may go to Zhao Feng Town first to arrange a place to stay so that we can recuperate." Tang Huai agreed, mounted his horse, and arrived at the town. He saw a bustling town with several inns hanging lanterns. On the left, a innkeeper saw Tang Huai looking around on horseback and approached to greet him, "Sir, do you need to light a fire?" Tang Huai jumped off his horse, extended his hand, and said, "May I ask, what is your surname?" The innkeeper said, "My surname is Fang, known as the honest Fang in Zhao Feng Town, never deceiving anyone." Tang Huai said, "We have five brothers who are entering the military academy. One of our brothers caught a cold and cannot walk. We would like to stay for a few days to recover before leaving. Is that acceptable?" The honest Fang said, "I run an inn, so what's the problem? I have plenty of clean rooms at home. Please come as you please. If you need a doctor, there is one in this town, no need to go into the city to call one." Tang Huai said, "That would be wonderful, I will go and invite him to come with us." He mounted his horse and returned to tell the brothers. They helped Wang Gui onto the horse and slowly rode to the town, staying at Fang's inn. That day, they asked Fang to invite a doctor to come. The doctor said it was due to poor diet and a slight cold, but it would be fine if he dispelled the cold and digested properly. He prescribed two doses of decoction. Yue Daye gave him some silver in thanks, and the doctor left. The brothers rested and cared for Wang Gui, but this part is omitted.
Now, let us say that Jin Dao Wang Shan from Taihang Mountain learned that King Liang was killed by Yue Fei and that Zong Ze was dismissed from his post and the military academy was closed. He gathered all the generals, strategists, and bandits, and said, "Now, traitors are in power, and the soldiers are disloyal. Although King Liang is dead, Zong Ze was dismissed, and there is no capable person in the court. I intend to seize the opportunity to raise an army and attack Bianjing, seizing the Song dynasty. What do you think?" At that moment, the strategist Tian Qi said, "The current emperor is indulging in construction, causing the people to suffer. He uses traitors instead of the talented, and the civil and military officials are at odds. Now is the time to take advantage of the lax defense and seize the opportunity." Wang Shan was overjoyed and immediately appointed Ma Bao as the vanguard, with、 and others leading 30,000 soldiers, disguised as officials, divided into three teams, and set off in advance. He traveled with Tian Qi and the army behind them. Along the way, they headed towards Bianjing without any obstacles. As they approached the Southern Xun Gate, fifty miles from the city, they set up camp. The guards in the city heard the news and were greatly alarmed. They quickly closed all the city gates, reinforced the defenses, and reported to the court. Emperor Huizong hurriedly summoned the Golden Hall, gathered all the officials, and issued an edict, "Now, the bandits from Taihang Mountain have raised an army and invaded the capital. Who will lead the army to drive back the enemy?" The officials looked at each other, and no one dared to answer. The emperor was furious and turned to Zhang Bangchang, saying, "As the saying goes, 'Train an army for a thousand days and use it in one.' You have been nurtured by the state for many years. Now that the enemy is at the city gates, no one has come up with a plan to drive them back. Have you not fulfilled the state's trust in raising scholars for centuries?" Before his words were finished, a censor named Li Gang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Wang Shan is a powerful and brave general with long-standing ambitions. He dared not act recklessly because he feared Zong Ze. If we want to drive back the enemy, we must recall Zong Ze to lead the army to ensure safety." The emperor agreed and ordered Li Gang to summon Zong Ze to the court to lead the army against the enemy.
Li Gang received the order, returned to Zong Ze's mansion, where his son Zong Fang greeted him. Li Gang said, "Where is your father? He should come to receive the imperial decree." The son said, "My father is bedridden and cannot come to receive the decree. He deserves death!" Li Gang asked, "What illness does your father have? Where is he now?" The son said, "Ever since the military academy incident, he was frightened and contracted a case of palpitations. He is now lying in his study." Li Gang said, "If so, let us place the imperial decree in the main hall and lead me to the study to see how your father is." The son said, "It is not proper to trouble you." Li Gang said, "That is fine." At that moment, Zong Fang led Li Gang to the study door. Inside, he could hear snoring like thunder. Li Gang said, "Thank goodness I came. If someone else came, they would say I was deceiving the emperor." The son said, "It is indeed a real illness, not an act." Just then, Zong Ze shouted, "You treacherous villain!" and turned to sleep again. Li Gang said, "Since your father is truly ill, I will go back and report to the emperor." He then withdrew. The son saw him out. Li Gang returned to the court and knelt, reporting, "Zong Ze is ill and cannot accept the decree." The emperor said, "What illness does Zong Ze have? We will send a doctor from the Imperial Medical College to treat him." Li Gang reported, "Zong Ze's illness was caused by the recent incident at the military academy, where he was frightened and dismissed from his post, filling him with anger and leading to palpitations. It may take some time for medicine to heal him. I saw him cursing the traitors in his dreams, which is the root of his illness. Only a 'heart medicine' can cure it. If Your Majesty issues an edict to arrest the traitors, Zong Ze's illness will naturally be cured without medicine." The emperor asked, "Who are the traitors?" Li Gang was about to answer when Zhang Bangchang knelt on the golden steps and reported first, "Wang Fo, the Minister of War, is a traitor." The emperor agreed and ordered that Wang Fo be arrested and handed over to the Ministry of Justice for detention.
You ask, why did Zhang Bangchang report Wang Fo and have him arrested? It is because traitors must be talented to do so. He feared that if Li Gang exposed the three of them, they would all be arrested and unable to turn things around. Now, he reported Wang Fo first, locked him in the prison, and could find an opportunity to free him later. Li Gang thought, "This traitor is indeed clever. Well, I suppose he will change his ways." He then left the court and went to Zong Ze's mansion. Zong Ze, upon hearing that Li Gang had returned to report, quickly sent someone to inquire about the situation. They soon learned that the court had arrested Wang Fo and that Li Gang had come again to summon him. He had no choice but to come out to receive the decree and arrived at the main hall. Li Gang told him everything about Zhang Bangchang reporting Wang Fo first. Zong Ze said, "This is too lenient on this traitor." The two then left the mansion and went to the court to see the emperor. The emperor reinstated Zong Ze to his original position and ordered him to lead the army out to drive back the enemy. Zhang Bangchang reported, "Wang Shan's forces are undisciplined. Your Majesty need only send 5,000 soldiers with Zong Ze, and it will be successful." The emperor agreed and ordered the Ministry of War to send 5,000 soldiers with Zong Ze to quickly drive back the enemy. Zong Ze was about to report further, but the emperor had already rolled up the and entered the palace. He had no choice but to leave the court and said to Li Gang, "I have lost the fight but been hurt by the beast. What can I do?" Li Gang said, "Now that things have come to this, General, you must lead the army first. I will report to the emperor tomorrow and ask for more troops to support you." They bid farewell and returned to their respective homes. The next day, Zong Ye arrived at the training ground, gathered the troops, and led Zong Fang out of the city. They arrived at Mouluo Ridge and saw the enemy army, numbering about. He thought, "Our army has only 5,000, how can we fight against them?" He ordered the troops to set up camp on Mouluo Ridge. Zong Fang reported, "The enemy army is large, and ours is small. Father has ordered us to camp on the ridge. If the enemy surrounds the ridge, how can we escape?" Zong Ze wiped away his tears and said, "My child, do not think I do not know the advantages of heaven and earth. But I have been envied by traitors, and I doubt that 5,000 soldiers can defeat this of bandits. Now that we are camping here, you must hold the ridge firmly. I will go alone with my sword and horse to attack the enemy camp. If I am lucky and defeat the enemy, you must lead the troops down the ridge to assist. If I fail and die in battle, I will die with honor, and you can take your mother and family back to your homeland and not linger in the capital." After giving the order, he rode out alone to attack Jin Dao Wang Shan's camp.
Zong Ze, as a general, was always kind to his soldiers. When he wanted to go alone to attack the enemy camp, the accompanying officers, including the captain,,, and team leader, blocked his horse and said, "General, where are you going? The enemy is powerful. How can you go alone into the tiger's den? If you must go, we will naturally die for you and will not let you go alone." Zong Ze said, "Do you not know the enemy is numerous? Even if you go with me, it will be useless. Better that I sacrifice myself to save you." The soldiers repeatedly pleaded with him, but Zong Ze refused and charged into the enemy camp, shouting, "Those who oppose me will die! Those who avoid me will live! Here comes Zong Ze to attack the camp!" The bandits heard this and looked up to see Zong Ze: wearing an iron helmet, clad in black armor, with a black robe underneath, riding a black horse, holding an iron rod spear, with a face like a pot and a white beard like a god descending. Zong Ze raised his spear and charged into the camp, killing and wounding as he went. The bandits could not withstand him and hurriedly reported to the headquarters, saying, "Sir, it is bad! Zong Ze has come alone and is very fierce, and no one can stop him. Please make a decision." Wang Shan thought, "Zong Ze is a famous general of the Song dynasty and a loyal minister. Now that he has come alone to attack, he must have been plotted against by traitors and has no choice but to fight desperately. If I can bring him over, what worry will there be about seizing the Song dynasty?" He ordered the five camps to quickly come out to fight, but only to capture him alive and not harm him! The generals replied, "Yes!" and surrounded Zong Ze heavily, shouting, "Zong Ze, why don't you come down now?"
It is said that heroes in low spirits suffer humiliation, and sharp weapons without light cannot fight tired horses. A proud fox is stronger than a tiger, and a defeated parrot is worse than a chicken. But it is unknown whether Zong Ze will survive or not. Let us wait and see in the next chapter.
But in the camp of the general, there was a Jiaohua Jiedushi named Cao Rong, who was a of Liu Yu. He personally saw the general sending the middle officer to lure Liu Yu: "His eldest son Liu Lin is my. The lives of father and son are in danger, and what will happen to my daughter?" He quietly came out of the camp and sent a trusted messenger on horseback to report to Liu Yu's camp. At that time, Liu Yu was in the camp, waiting for the messenger to report his achievements, but he did not come back. Suddenly, a messenger was sent to report, "The Jiaohua Jiedushi Cao has an urgent matter to see the general." Liu Yu immediately ordered the messenger to enter. The messenger entered the camp, hurriedly knelt and said, "Sir, I could not write a letter in time. Please accept my respects: The general has heard that you have claimed the achievements of Yue Feng. He has sent a middle officer to ask you to come to the camp for a meeting, and there is a life-and-death matter. Please take action quickly." Liu Yu was greatly shocked and took fifty taels of silver to reward the messenger, saying, "Please go and tell your lord that I am deeply grateful for saving my life and will surely repay you handsomely." The messenger bowed and left. Liu Yu thought for a while, went to the rear camp, released Xian Wenlang, sat down, and said, "I have long heard that the general is a famous general of Jin. You were wronged by Yue Fei. I see that the Song dynasty is already at its end and that Jin will rise. I intend to release you and join Jin. Do not know what you think?" Xian Wenlang said, "A captured person considers death inevitable. If I am reborn, I will surely repay you. My wolf master loves talent and respects the worthy, and if you go to our country, I will do my best to recommend and employ you." Liu Yu was overjoyed and ordered to prepare wine and food, while sending orders to pack up his troops and supplies. Just as they were about to set off, a flag bearer returned to report, saying, "The general has ordered that the captured foreign general be brought to the camp and the emperor be asked for a decision." Liu Yu laughed and ordered the drums to be beaten to gather the generals. After the ceremony, Liu Yu ordered, "The new emperor is young and incompetent, and Zhang's rewards and punishments are unclear. Now, the wolf master of Jin values talent and respects the worthy. I have already invited the Jin general to join Jin. You should quickly pack up and go together to seek wealth and fortune." Before he finished speaking, a crowd of people shouted from the steps, "We each have parents and wives here and do not want to surrender to Jin." In an instant, they all left. Liu Yu was stunned, and only a few personal attendants remained. He had no choice but to lead these few people on horseback. Fearing that Yue Fei's troops would block the way in front, he had to take a detour and travel a long way. Suddenly, a horseman rushed up and called, "Sir, where are you going?" Liu Yu looked back and saw the middle officer. He asked, "Why are you here?" The middle officer said, "The general has an order arrow here and specially asks the general to go to the camp for a meeting." Liu Yu smiled and said, "I already know. If I kill you, no one will report it. Leave you to go back and tell the old traitor Zhang that I, Liu Yu, am a man of honor and not a frog in a well. I will join Jin now and hang this donkey head around his neck. I will come to take it away in a few days." The middle officer was scared and said nothing, turned around and rode away. It is unknown who leaked the news. The messenger ran back to the camp and reported to General Zhang. General Zhang immediately wrote a memorial and was about to send an officer to report to the court when an imperial decree arrived. Zhang Suo accepted the decree and read it, which ordered Zhang Suo to defend the Yellow River and enfeoffed Yue Fei as the Commander-in-Chief. Zhang Suo thanked the emperor and handed over the memorial stating that Liu Yu had surrendered to Jin and that Yue Fei had achieved merits. He ordered Yue Fei to lead the army forward and defend the Yellow River. This part is omitted for now.
Let us say that Nianhan was defeated by Yue Fei in Qinglong Mountain and led the remaining troops back to Hejian Prefecture to see Wuzhu. Wuzhu said, "Brother, you had 100,000 soldiers, yet you were defeated by the Song troops?" Nianhan said, "There is a Yue Nanman called Yue Fei, who is truly formidable!" He recounted how he had come alone to attack the camp and how he had been trapped by water and fire. Wuzhu said, "I have not heard of any Yue Fei in the Central Plains who is so powerful." Nianhan said, "If it were not for Tong Xian Wenlang replacing me, my life would have been lost on the Jia Mountain road!" Wuzhu listened and was furious. He said, "Brother, you can rest assured. I will personally lead an army to cross the Yellow River, capture Yue Fei, and avenge you. I will attack Jinling and crush the Song dynasty to vent my anger!" Wuzhu was furious and wanted to capture Yue Fei. At that moment, a small Tartar reported, "Tong Xian Wenlang is waiting for orders." Wuzhu said, "Brother, he said he was captured by the South Barbarians, how did he come back?" He ordered him to come in!
Let us say that Tong Xian Wenlang, along with Liu Yu, turned to the Jin camp and said, "General, please wait outside the camp door. I will go first to report and then invite you to see me." Liu Yu said, "Thank you for your help!" Tong Xian Wenlang entered the camp and came straight to Wuzhu.