第五十七回

第五十七回 徐宁教使钩镰枪 宋江大破连环马

诗曰：

人生切莫恃英雄，术业精粗自不同。

猛虎尚然逢恶兽，毒蛇犹自怕蜈蚣。

七擒孟获奇诸葛，两困云长羡吕蒙。

珍重宋江真智士，呼延顷刻入囊中。

话说晁盖、宋江、吴用、公孙胜与众头领就聚义厅上启请徐宁教使钩镰枪法。众人看徐宁时，果然一表好人物：六尺五六长身体，团团的一个白脸，三牙细黑髭髯，十分腰细膀阔。曾有一篇《西江月》，单道着徐宁模样：

臂健开弓有准，身轻上马如飞。弯弯两道卧蚕眉，凤翥鸾翔子弟。 战铠细穿柳叶，乌巾斜带花枝。常随宝驾侍丹墀，神手徐宁无对。

当下徐宁选军已罢，便下聚义厅来，拿起一把钩镰枪自使一回，众人见了喝采。徐宁便教众军道：“但凡马上使这般军器，就腰胯里做步上来，上中七路，三钩四拨，一搠一分，共使九个变法。若是步行使这钩镰枪，亦最得用。先使八步四拨，荡开门户，十二步一变，十六步大转身，分钩、镰、搠、缴；二十四步，那上攒下，钩东拨西；三十六步，浑身盖护，夺硬斗强。此是钩镰枪正法。”就一路路敷演，教众头领看。众军汉见了徐宁使钩镰枪，都喜欢。就当日为始，将选拣精锐壮健之人，晓夜习学。又教步军藏林伏草，钩蹄拽腿，下面三路暗法。不到半月之间，教成山寨五七百人。宋江并众头领看了大喜，准备破敌。有诗为证：

四拨三钩通七路，共分九变合神机。

二十四步那前后，一十六翻大转围。

破锐摧坚如拉朽，搴旗斩将有神威。

闻风已落高俅胆，此法今无古亦稀。

却说呼延灼自从折了彭玘、凌振，每日只把马军来水边搦战。山寨中只教水军头领牢守各处滩头，水底钉了暗桩。呼延灼虽是在山西、山北两路出哨，决不能勾到山寨边。梁山泊却叫凌振制造了诸般火炮，尽皆完备，克日定时下山对敌。学使钩镰枪军士已都学成本事。宋江道：“不才浅见，未知合众位心意否？”吴用道：“愿闻其略。”宋江道：“明日并不用一骑马军，众头领都是步战。孙吴兵法却利于山林沮泽。却将步军下山，分作十队诱敌，但见军马冲掩将来，都望芦苇荆棘林中乱走。却先把钩镰枪军士埋伏在彼，每十个会使钩镰枪的，间着十个挠钩手。但见马到，一搅钩翻，便把挠钩搭将入去捉了。平川窄路也如此埋伏。此法如何？”吴学究道：“正如此藏兵捉将。”徐宁道：“钩镰枪并挠钩，正是此法。”

宋江当日分拨十队步军人马：刘唐、杜迁引一队，穆弘、穆春引一队，杨雄、陶宗旺引一队，朱仝、邓飞引一队，解珍、解宝引一队，邹渊、邹润引一队，一丈青、王矮虎引一队，薛永、马麟引一队，燕顺、郑天寿引一队，杨林、李云引一队。这十队步军先行下山，诱引敌军。再差李俊、张横、张顺、三阮、童威、童猛、孟康九个水军头领，乘驾战船接应。再叫花荣、秦明、李应、柴进、孙立、欧鹏六个头领，乘马引军，只在山边搦战。凌振、杜兴专放号炮。却叫徐宁、汤隆总行招引使钩镰枪军士。中军宋江、吴用、公孙胜、戴宗、吕方、郭盛，总制军马，指挥号令。其馀头领俱各守寨。宋江分拨已定，是夜三更，先载使钩镰枪军士过渡，四面去分头埋伏已定。四更，却渡十队步军过去。凌振、杜兴载过风火炮架上高埠去处，竖起炮架，阁上火炮。徐宁、汤隆各执号带渡水。平明时分，宋江守中军人马，隔水擂鼓，呐喊摇旗。

呼延灼正在中军帐内，听得探子报知，传令便差先锋韩滔先来出哨，随即锁上连环甲马。呼延灼全身披挂，骑了踢雪乌骓马，仗着双鞭，大驱军马杀奔梁山泊来。隔水望见宋江引着许多军马，呼延灼教摆开马军。先锋韩滔来与呼延灼商议道：“正南上一队步军，不知是何处来的？”呼延灼道：“休问他何处军，只顾把连环马冲将去。”韩滔引着五百马军飞哨出去。又见东南上一队军兵起来，却欲分兵去哨，只见西南上又有起一队旗号，招颭呐喊。韩滔再引军回来，对呼延灼道：“南边三队贼兵，都是梁山泊旗号。”呼延灼道：“这厮许多时不出来厮杀，必有计策。”说犹未了，只听得北边一声炮响。呼延灼骂道：“这炮必是凌振从贼，教他施放。”众人平南一望，只见北边又拥起三队旗号。呼延灼道：“此必是贼人奸计。我和你把人马分为两路，我去杀北边人马，你去杀南边人马。”正欲分兵之际，只见西边又是四路人马起来，呼延灼心慌。又听的正北上连珠炮响，一带直接到土坡上；那一个母炮周回[1]接着四十九个子炮，名为子母炮，响处风威大作。呼延灼军兵不战自乱，急和韩滔各引马步军兵四下冲突。这十队步军，东赶东走，西赶西走，呼延灼看了大怒，引兵望北冲将来。宋江军兵尽投芦苇中乱走，呼延灼大驱连环马，卷地而来。那甲马一齐跑发，收勒不住，尽望败苇折芦之中、枯草荒林之内跑了去。只听里面唿哨响处，钩镰枪一齐举手，先钩倒两边马脚，中间的甲马便自咆哮起来。那挠钩手军士一齐搭住，芦苇中只顾缚人。呼延灼见中了钩镰枪计，便勒马回南边去赶韩滔。背后风火炮当头打将下来。这边那边，漫山遍野，都是步军追赶着。韩滔、呼延灼部领的连环甲马，乱滚滚都入荒草芦苇之中，尽被捉了。二将情知中了计策，纵马去四面跟寻马军，夺路奔走时，更兼那几条路上麻林般摆着梁山泊旗号，不敢投那几条路走，一直便望西北上来。行不到五六里路，早拥出一队强人，当先两个好汉拦路，一个是没遮拦穆弘，一个是小遮拦穆春，拈两条朴刀，大喝道：“败将休走！”呼延灼忿怒，舞起双鞭，纵马直取穆弘、穆春。略斗四五合，穆春便走，呼延灼只怕中了计，不来追赶，望正北大路而走。山坡下又转出一队强人，当先两个好汉拦路，一个是两头蛇解珍，一个双尾蝎解宝，各挺钢叉，直奔前来。呼延灼舞起双鞭，来战两个。斗不到五七合，解珍、解宝拔步便走，呼延灼赶不过半里多路，两边钻出二十四把钩镰枪，着地卷将来。呼延灼无心恋战，拨转马头望东北上大路便走，又撞着王矮虎、一丈青夫妻二人截住去路。呼延灼见路径不平，四下兼有荆棘遮拦，拍马舞鞭，杀开条路直冲过去。王矮虎、一丈青赶了一直，赶不上，自回山听令。呼延灼自投东北上去了。杀的大败亏输，雨零星散。有诗为证：

十路军兵振地来，将军难免剥床灾。

连环铁骑如烟散，喜得孤身出九垓。

话分两头。且说宋江鸣金收军回山，各请功赏。三千连环甲马，有停半被钩镰枪拨倒，伤损了马蹄，剥去皮甲，把来做菜马[2]食；二停多好马，牵上山去喂养，作坐马。带甲军士，都被生擒上山。五千步军，被三面围得紧急，有望中军躲的，都被钩镰枪拖翻捉了；望水边逃命的，尽被水军头领围裹上船去，拽过滩头，拘捉上山。先前被拿去的马匹并捉去军士，尽行复夺回寨。把呼延灼寨栅尽数拆来，水边泊内，搭盖小寨。再造两处做眼酒店房屋等项，仍前着孙新、顾大嫂、石勇、时迁两处开店。刘唐、杜迁拿得韩滔，把来绑缚解到山寨。宋江见了，亲解其缚，请上厅来，以礼陪话，相待筵宴，令彭玘、凌振说他入伙。韩滔也是七十二煞之数，自然义气相投，就梁山泊做了头领。宋江便教修书，使人往陈州搬取韩滔老小来山寨中完聚。宋江喜得破了连环马，又得了许多军马、衣甲、盔刀添助，每日做筵席庆喜，仍旧调拨各路守把，提防官兵，不在话下。

却说呼延灼折了许多官军人马，不敢回京，独自一个骑着那匹踢雪乌骓马，把衣甲拴在马上，于路逃难。却无盘缠，解下束腰金带，卖来盘缠。在路寻思道：“不想今日闪得我有家难奔，有国难投。却是去投谁好？”猛然想起：“青州慕容知府旧与我有一面相识，何不去那里投奔他，却打慕容贵妃的关节，那时再引军来报仇未迟。”

在路行了二日，当晚又饥又渴，见路旁一个村酒店，呼延灼下马，把马拴在门前树上，入来店内，把鞭子放在桌上，坐下了，叫酒保取酒肉来吃。酒保道：“小人这里只卖酒。要肉时，村里却才杀羊，若要，小人去回买。”呼延灼把腰里料袋解下来，取出些金带倒换的碎银两，把与酒保道：“你可回一脚羊肉与我煮了，就对付草料喂养我这匹马。今夜只就你这里宿一宵，明日自投青州府里去。”酒保道：“官人，此间宿不妨，只是没好床帐。”呼延灼道：“我是出军的人，但有歇处便罢。”酒保拿了银子自去买羊肉。呼延灼把马背上捎的衣甲取将下来，松了肚带，坐在门前。等了半晌，只见酒保提一脚羊肉归来，呼延灼便叫煮了，回三斤面来打饼，打两角酒来。酒保一面煮肉打饼，一面烧脚汤与呼延灼洗了脚，便把马牵放屋后小屋下。酒保一面切草煮料，呼延灼先讨热酒吃了一回。少刻肉熟，呼延灼叫酒保，也与他些酒肉吃了，分付道：“我是朝廷军官，为因收捕梁山泊失利，待往青州投慕容知府。你好生与我喂养这匹马，是今上御赐的，名为踢雪乌骓马。明日我重重赏你。”酒保道：“感承相公，却有一件事教相公得知。离此间不远有座山，唤做桃花山。山上有一伙强人，为头的是打虎将李忠，第二个是小霸王周通，聚集着五七百小喽啰，打家劫舍，如常来搅扰村坊。官司累次着仰捕盗官军来收捕他不得，相公夜间须用小心省睡。”呼延灼说道：“我有万夫不当之勇，便道那厮们全伙都来，也待怎生！只与我好生喂养这匹马。”吃了一回酒肉饼子，酒保就店里打了一铺，安排呼延灼睡了。一者呼延灼连日心闷，二乃又多了几杯酒，就和衣而卧，一觉直睡到三更方醒，只听得屋后酒保在那里叫屈起来。呼延灼听得，连忙跳将起来，提了双鞭，走去屋后问道：“你如何叫屈？”酒保道：“小人起来上草，只见篱笆推翻，被人将相公的马偷将去了。远远地望见三四里火把尚明，一定是那里去了。”有诗为证：

舟横瀚海摧残舵，车入深山坏却辕。

不日呼延须入伙，降魔殿里有因缘。

且说呼延灼道：“那里正是何处？”酒保道：“眼见得那条路上，正是桃花山小喽啰偷得去了。”呼延灼吃了一惊，便叫酒保引路，就田塍上赶了二三里，火把看看不见，正不知投那里去了。呼延灼说道：“若无了御赐的马，却怎地是好？”酒保道：“相公明日须去州里告了，差官军来剿捕，方才能勾这匹马。”呼延灼闷闷不已，坐到天明，早叫酒保挑了衣甲，径投青州来。

到城里时，天色已晚了，不敢见官，且在客店里歇了一夜。次日天晓，径到府堂阶下，参拜了慕容知府。知府大惊，问道：“闻知将军收捕梁山泊草寇，如何却到此间？”呼延灼只得把上项诉说了一遍。慕容知府听了道：“虽是将军折了许多人马，此非慢功之罪，中了贼人奸计，亦无奈何。下官所辖地面多被草寇侵害，将军到此，可先扫清桃花山，夺取那匹御赐的马，却收伏二龙山、白虎山，未为晚矣。一发剿捕了时，下官自当一力保奏，再教将军引兵复仇如何？”呼延灼再拜道：“深谢恩相主监[3]！若蒙如此复仇，誓当效死报德。”慕容知府教请呼延灼去客房里暂歇，一面更衣宿食。那挑甲酒保，自叫他回去了。

一住三日，呼延灼急欲要这匹御赐马，又来禀复知府，便教点军。慕容知府传点马步军二千，借与呼延灼，又与了一匹青鬃马。呼延灼谢了恩相，披挂上马，带领军兵前来报仇，径往桃花山进发。

且说桃花山上打虎将李忠与小霸王周通，自得了这匹踢雪乌骓马，每日在山上庆喜饮酒。当日有伏路小喽啰报道：“青州军马来也！”小霸王周通起身道：“哥哥守寨，兄弟去退官军。”便点起一百小喽啰，绰枪上马，下山来迎敌官军。却说呼延灼引起二千军马，来到山前，摆开阵势。呼延灼当先出马，厉声高叫：“强贼早来受缚！”小霸王周通将小喽啰一字摆开，便挺枪出马。怎生打扮？有诗为证：

身着团花宫锦服，手持走水绿沉枪。

面阔体强身似虎，尽道周通小霸王。

当下呼延灼见了周通，便纵马向前来战，周通也跃马来迎。二马相交，斗不到六七合，周通气力不加，拨转马头往山上便走。呼延灼赶了一直，怕有计策，急下山来扎住寨栅，等候再战。

却说周通回寨里，见李忠诉说：“呼延灼武艺高强，遮拦不住，只得且退山上。倘或他赶到寨前来，如之奈何？”李忠道：“我闻二龙山宝珠寺，花和尚鲁智深在彼，多有人伴，更兼有个甚么青面兽杨志，又新有个行者武松，都有万夫不当之勇。不如写一封书，使小喽啰去那里求救。若解得危难，拚得投托他大寨，月终纳他些进奉也好。”周通道：“小弟也多知他那里豪杰，只恐那和尚记当初之事，不肯来救。”李忠笑道：“他那时又打了你，又得了我们许多金银酒器去，如何倒有见怪之心？他是个直性的好人，使人到彼，必然亲引军来救应。”周通道：“哥哥也说得是。”就写了一封书，差两个了事的小喽啰，从后山踅将下去，取路投二龙山来。行了两日，早到山下，那里小喽啰问了备细来情。

且说宝珠寺里大殿上坐着三个头领：为首是花和尚鲁智深，第二是青面兽杨志，第三是行者二郎武松。前面山门下坐着四个小头领：一个是金眼彪施恩，原是孟州牢城施管营的儿子，为因武松杀了张都监一家人口，官司着落他家追捉凶身，以此连夜挈家逃走在江湖上；后来父母俱亡，打听得武松在二龙山，连夜投奔入伙。一个是操刀鬼曹正，原是同鲁智深、杨志收夺宝珠寺，杀了邓龙，后来入伙。一个是菜园子张青，一个是母夜叉孙二娘，这是夫妻两个，原是孟州道十字坡卖人肉馒头的，亦来投奔入伙。曹正听得说桃花山有书，先来问了详细，直去殿上禀复三个大头领知道。智深便道：“洒家当初离五台山时，到一个桃花村投宿，好生打了那周通撮鸟一顿。李忠那厮却来，认得洒家，却请去上山吃了一日酒，结识洒家为兄，留俺做个寨主。俺见这厮们悭吝，被俺卷了若干金银器撒开他。如今来求救，且看他说甚么。放那小喽啰上关来。”曹正去不多时，把那小喽啰引到殿下，唱了喏，说道：“青州慕容知府近日收得个征进梁山泊失利的双鞭呼延灼，如今慕容知府先教扫荡俺这里桃花山、二龙山、白虎山几座山寨，却借军与他收捕梁山泊复仇。俺的头领今欲启请大头领将军下山相救，明朝无事了时，情愿来纳进奉。”杨志道：“俺们各守山寨，保护山头，本不去救应的是。洒家一者怕坏了江湖上豪杰，二者恐那厮得了桃花山便小觑了洒家这里。可留下张青、孙二娘、施恩、曹正看守寨栅，俺三个亲自走一遭。”随即点起五百小喽啰，六十馀骑军马，各带了衣甲军器，下山径往桃花山来。

却说李忠知二龙山消息，自引了三百小喽啰下山策应。呼延灼闻知，急引所部军马拦路列阵，舞鞭出马，来与李忠相持。怎见李忠模样？有诗为证：

头尖骨脸似蛇形，枪棒林中独擅名。

打虎将军心胆大，李忠祖是霸陵生。

原来李忠祖贯濠州定远人氏，家中祖传靠使枪棒为生，人见他身材壮健，因此呼他做打虎将。当时下山来与呼延灼交战，李忠如何敌得呼延灼过，斗了十合之上，见不是头，拨开军器便走。呼延灼见他本事低微，纵马赶上山来。小霸王周通正在半山里看见，便飞下鹅卵石来。呼延灼慌忙回马下山来，只见官军迭头[4]呐喊。呼延灼便问道：“为何呐喊？”后军答道：“远望见一彪军马飞奔而来。”呼延灼听了，便来后军队里看时，见尘头起处，当头一个胖大和尚，骑一匹白马。那人是谁？正是：

自从落发闹禅林，万里曾将壮士寻。臂负千斤扛鼎力，天生一片杀人心。欺佛祖，喝观音，戒刀禅杖冷森森。不看经卷花和尚，酒肉沙门鲁智深。

鲁智深在马上大喝道：“那个是梁山泊杀败的撮鸟，敢来俺这里唬吓人？”呼延灼道：“先杀你这个秃驴，豁我心中怒气！”鲁智深轮动铁禅杖，呼延灼舞起双鞭，二马相交，两边呐喊，斗四五十合，不分胜败。呼延灼暗暗喝采道：“这个和尚倒恁地了得！”两边鸣金，各自收军暂歇。呼延灼少停，再纵马出阵，大叫：“贼和尚，再出来！与你定个输赢，见个胜败！”鲁智深却待正要出马，侧首恼犯了这个英雄，叫道：“大哥少歇，看洒家去捉这厮。”那人舞刀出马。来战呼延灼的是谁？正是：

曾向京师为制使，花石纲累受艰难。虹霓气逼斗牛寒。刀能安宇宙，弓可定尘寰。虎体狼腰猿臂健，跨龙驹稳坐雕鞍。英雄声价满梁山。人称青面兽，杨志是军班。

当时杨志出马来与呼延灼交锋，两个斗到四十馀合，不分胜败。呼延灼见杨志手段高强，寻思道：“怎地那里走出这两个来？好生了得，不是绿林中手段。”杨志也见呼延灼武艺高强，卖个破绽，拨回马跑回本阵。呼延灼也勒转马头，不来追赶。两边各自收军。鲁智深便和杨志商议道：“俺们初到此处，不宜逼近下寨，且退二十里，明日却再来厮杀。”带领小喽啰，自过附近山岗下寨去了。

却说呼延灼在帐中纳闷，心内想道：“指望到此势如劈竹，便拿了这伙草寇，怎知却又逢着这般对手。我直如此命薄！”正没摆布处，只见慕容知府使人来唤道：“叫将军且领兵回来，保守城中。今有白虎山强人孔明、孔亮，引人马来青州借粮，怕府库有失，特令来请将军回城守备。”呼延灼听了，就这机会，带领军马，连夜回青州去了。

次日，鲁智深与杨志、武松又引了小喽啰摇旗呐喊，直到山下来，看时，一个军马也无了，倒吃了一惊。山上李忠、周通引人下来，拜请三位头领上到山寨里，杀牛宰马，筵席相待，一面使人下山，探听前路消息。

且说呼延灼引军回到城下，却见了一彪军马正来到城边，为头的乃是白虎山下孔太公儿子毛头星孔明、独火星孔亮。两个因和本乡一个财主争竞，把他一门良贱尽都杀了，聚集起五七百人，占住白虎山，打家劫舍。因为青州城里有他的叔叔孔宾，被慕容知府捉下，监在牢里，孔明、孔亮特地点起山寨小喽啰来打青州，要救叔叔孔宾，正迎着呼延灼军马。两边撞着，敌住厮杀，呼延灼便出马到阵前。慕容知府在城楼上观看，见孔明当先挺枪出马。怎生模样？有诗为证：

白虎山中间气生，学成武艺敢相争。

性刚智勇身形异，绰号毛头是孔明。

当时孔明便挺枪出马，直取呼延灼。两马相交，斗到二十馀合，呼延灼要在知府面前显本事，又值孔明武艺不精，只办得架隔遮拦，斗到间深里，被呼延灼就马上把孔明活捉了去。孔亮只得引了小喽啰便走。慕容知府在敌楼上指着，叫呼延灼引军去赶，官兵一掩，活捉得百十馀人。孔亮大败，四散奔走，至晚寻个古庙安歇。

却说呼延灼活捉得孔明，解入城中，来见慕容知府。知府大喜，叫把孔明大枷钉下牢里，和孔宾一处监收。一面赏劳三军，一面管待呼延灼，备问桃花山消息。呼延灼道：“本待是瓮中捉鳖，手到拿来，无端又被一伙强人前来救应。数内一个和尚，一个青脸大汉，二次交锋，各无胜败。这两个武艺不比寻常，不是绿林中手段，因此未曾拿得。”慕容知府道：“这个和尚便是延安府老种经略帐前军官提辖鲁达，今次落发为僧，唤做花和尚鲁智深。这一个青脸大汉亦是东京殿帅府制使官，唤做青面兽杨志。再有一个行者，唤做武松，原是景阳冈打虎的武都头，也如此武艺高强。这三个占住二龙山，打家劫舍，累次抵敌官军，杀了三五个捕盗官，直至如今，未曾捉得。”呼延灼道：“我见这厮们武艺精熟，原来却是杨制使和鲁提辖，名不虚传。恩相放心，呼延灼已见他们本事了，只在早晚，一个个活捉了解官。”知府大喜，设筵管待已了，且请客房内歇，不在话下。

却说孔亮引领败残人马，正行之间，猛可里树林中撞出一彪军马，当先一筹好汉。怎生打扮？ 有《西江月》为证：

直裰冷披黑雾，戒箍光射秋霜。额前剪发拂眉长，脑后护头齐项。 顶骨数珠灿白，杂绒绦结微黄。钢刀两口迸寒光，行者武松形像。

孔亮见了是武松，慌忙滚鞍下马，便拜道：“壮士无恙！”武松连忙答礼，扶起问道：“闻知足下弟兄们占住白虎山聚义，几次要来拜望，一者不得下山，二乃路途不顺，以此难得相见。今日何事到此？”孔亮把救叔叔孔宾陷兄之事，告诉了一遍。武松道：“足下休慌。我有六七个弟兄，见在二龙山聚义。今为桃花山李忠、周通被青州官军攻击得紧，来我山寨求救。鲁、杨二头领引了孩儿们先来与呼延灼交战，两个厮并了他一日，呼延灼夜间去了。山寨中留我弟兄三个筵宴，把这匹御赐马送与我们。今我部领头队人马回山，他二位随后便到。我叫他去打青州，救你叔兄如何？”孔亮拜谢武松。等了半晌，只见鲁智深、杨志两个并马都到。武松引孔亮拜见二位，备说：“那时我与宋江在他庄上相会，多有相扰。今日俺们可以义气为重，聚集三山人马，攻打青州，杀了慕容知府，擒获呼延灼，各取府库钱粮，以供山寨之用，如何？”鲁智深道：“洒家也是这般思想。便使人去桃花山报知，叫李忠、周通引孩儿们来，俺三处一同去打青州。”杨志便道：“青州城池坚固，人马强壮，又有呼延灼那厮英勇。不是俺自灭威风，若要攻打青州时，只除非依我一言，指日可得。”武松道：“哥哥，愿闻其略。”

那杨志言无数句，话不一席，有分教：青州百姓，家家瓦裂烟飞；水浒英雄，个个摩拳擦掌。直教同声相应归山寨，一气相随聚水滨。毕竟杨志对武松说出怎地打青州，且听下回分解。

[1] 周回——同“周围”。

[2] 菜马——专供食用的马。

[3] 主监——照顾。

[4] 迭头——连续不断。

CHAPTER 56. Xu Ning Drills the Brigands; Song Jiang Gains a Victory

ONE day after choosing his men for the use of the hooked spears Xu Ning entered the hall and took a hooked spear himself, and showed the assembled leaders some of his tricks. They applauded his skill. He then said to his men, “On horseback there are nine ways of handling the hooked spear, but on foot there are changes in every twelve paces.” He then went through all these movements, and explained them. The leaders were much pleased at the exhibition and arrangements were made for a special company to be drilled in these methods from early morning till night. Within a fortnight there were fully five hundred men who could use the hooked spear.

During this time General Huyan Zhuo marched his men daily to the banks of the lake without meeting any opposition.

The bandits were in hiding watching these movements without showing themselves. Song Jiang said, “Friends, I have a plan, but do not know whether you will approve of it. I propose that tomorrow we should attack on foot, not a single man should be mounted on horseback. The men will be divided into ten companies and when the enemy advances our men must retreat into the reeds and brambles. Then as the enemy is close our men must use their halberds and hooked spears, and drag them off their horses, and make them prisoners. We must select an open plain with many narrow paths leading off on all sides into grass. What do you think of my plan?”

“It is a good idea,” said Wu Yong.

Xu Ning also agreed with this. That day Song Jiang divided his men into ten companies, and they all left the mountain and crossed the lake. By 3 A.M. the following morning they had all found their hiding places. The cannons had also been transported and stationed on high ground.

The next day about 10 A.M. Song Jiang gave the signal, and all the men showed themselves with flags, and much beating of drums and gongs. General Huyan Zhuo was duly informed of this display, and sent Colonel Han Tao forward to attack. The horses were covered with armor. General Huyan Zhuo mounted his horse, and held an iron bludgeon in each hand. He ordered a general advance as he wished to annihilate the bandits. Colonel Han Tao came to have a final talk before the attack. He said, “On the south side there are many bandits on foot.”

“Never mind how many there are,” replied General Huyan; “attack them at once with the cavalry.”

Colonel Han Tao led five hundred cavalry to the attack, but before he had gone far he saw two large bodies of men on foot towards the southeast and west. He therefore halted, and dividing his cavalry into three, gave each body its objective. He himself, however, returned to General Huyan Zhuo, and reported the position. The General said, “These bandits have not faced us for a long time, and they may employ some strategem.” While he was saying this the bandits’ artillery began to boom. “Those guns must be the work of Ling Zhen who has surrendered to the bandits.” Looking round they now saw many bandits towards the north. He continued, “This must be a trick of the bandits, I will divide our troops with you. I will take half to the north while you take the rest towards the south.” Again looking round he saw many brigands on the west side, and was surprised. There were booms on the north side, which sent shots quite near where they were then standing.

The shells exploded with great noise and about nine shots were thrown in all directions. Orders were given for a divided attack in all four directions, but as the troops advanced the bandits retreated on all sides. General Huyan Zhuo was annoyed at this, and galloped off towards the north side. He urged his cavalry to pursue the retreating bandits. When they reached a place full of reeds and bushes the cavalry became split up to follow the small paths. When they had gone some distance like this the troops heard a whistle blown in their rear, and immediately men sprang from hiding places, armed with hooked spears. The troops on the two wings were surrounded, and dragged off their horses in less than no time.

General Huyan Zhuo seeing the position extracted himself, and galloped off towards the south side of the plain. Upon reaching there he found that Colonel Han Tao had met with the same fate. The two saw brigands on all the roads, but seeing a weak spot towards the northwest they galloped off in that direction followed by a few of their cavalry. However they had only gone about two li when they found further progress blocked by a body of bandits in charge of two leaders who shouted out, “Defeated generals cannot pass!” General Huyan Zhuo was angry, and dashed forward to attack the two leaders. After about five bouts one leader retreated, but General Huyan Zhuo suspecting a trick did not pursue him. Instead he galloped off towards the north. Soon however he met another body of bandits with two leaders, and again he galloped to engage in combat. After about five bouts both leaders retreated. Huyan Zhuo pursued them, and he had only gone about a quarter of a li when he was attacked on both sides by about twenty-four men with hooked spears. General Huyan had no mind to fight with them so he turned his horse and galloped off. He, however, found that Wang Ying and Hu San Niang now blocked the road he had come. He saw that on either hand were many brambles so that there was no way of escape. He therefore urged the horse forward, and whirled aloft his two iron bludgeons.

He dashed past the two leaders who followed him. General Huyan Zhuo was now looking out for some of his men, but could not see a single one.

Just then Song Jiang gave the signal for a general return to Liangshan Marsh. About fifteen hundred horses had been wounded, and these were killed, and flesh used as food. An equal number of horses were captured, and were added to the bandits stock. About five thousand soldiers were taken prisoners. The camps of General Huyan Zhuo were all destroyed, and the new buildings were erected as inns at the foot of the mountain. When Song Jiang saw the prisoners he at once released Colonel Han Tao and many officers and he got Peng Qi and Ling Zhen to persuade them to join the bandits. Colonel Han Tao agreed to this, as he was destined to be one of the seventy-two leaders at Liangshan Marsh.

General Huyan Zhuo had escaped but having lost all his men he was very despondent as he rode by himself. He realized that he could not return to the capital. He thought, “I never expected to be in such an awful predicament. Where can I go now? The only place is Qingzhou where my old friend Prefect Murong may assist me. He may arrange the matter with the government, and then I may be able to find means of getting my revenge for this defeat.”

He traveled in that direction for two days, and then in the evening he came to an inn by the roadside. He was both hungry and thirsty so he tied up his horse, and entered the inn. He sat down, placed his whip on the table, and ordered food. The waiter said that they had only wine, but if Huyan Zhuo would give him the money he would go into the village and buy some meat and food.

Huyan Zhuo did so, and asked him to buy some mutton. He also asked him to give his horse some fodder. He would stay there for the night, and go to Qingzhou in the morning.

“Sir, we have no beds here either,” replied the waiter.

“That does not matter as I am an old soldier, and can sleep anywhere,” said Huyan Zhuo.

The waiter went to buy the food, and Huyan Zhuo went to look after his horse. He then sat down outside the inn waiting for the waiter to return. Soon the waiter came, and Huyan Zhuo sat down for his evening meal. He told the waiter who he was, and said that he would depart for Qingzhou Prefecture the following day.

“Sir, I will tell you something. Not far from here is Taohua Mountain where there are some bandits named Li Zhong, nicknamed ‘Tiger Fighting General,’ and his company. There are about five hundred men in that band, and they are always raiding the surrounding villages. In fact they come here often so that tonight you must be wary.”

“That will not upset me,” said Huyan Zhuo, “I should not be afraid even if all of them came. You just take care of my horse.”

As Huyan Zhuo had now finished his supper, the waiter prepared a temporary bed for him. That day he had been very melancholy, and in addition he had drunk rather a lot of wine so that he lay down to sleep without taking off his clothing. About 4 A.M. he was awakened, and heard the waiter complaining at the back of the inn. He jumped up, and taking his two whips he went to the door, and called out, “Why are you complaining like that?”

“I came out to feed your horse,” replied the waiter, “and saw that a part of the fence had been broken down. I found that your horse had been taken away. I saw a torchlight about a li away, and it must have been the man stealing your horse.”

“What place is in that direction?”

The waiter said it was Taohua Mountain, and Huyan Zhuo insisted upon his going with him to find the road. After they had gone a li the light in front vanished.

“This is a great disaster to me,” said Huyan Zhuo, “as that horse was presented to me by the Emperor himself.”

“Sir, we cannot do anything further tonight, so we must go back. Tomorrow you can go on to Qingzhou Prefecture, and there get soldiers to recapture the horse for you.”

So they returned to the inn, but Huyan Zhuo could not sleep. Early the next morning he asked the waiter to accompany him, and carry his armor. They both set out for Qingzhou Prefecture where they reached after dusk.

Early the next morning General Huyan Zhuo went to the yamen of the Prefect Murong who was surprised to see him, and said, “I have heard that you went to attack the bandits at Liangshan Marsh. How is it that you come here?”

General Huyan Zhuo told the Prefect what had happened, and the latter said, “It was evidently not your fault that your army was defeated and destroyed, but was due to the vile strategy of the bandits. In this district there are many bandits. I want to use you against the brigands at Taohua Mountain, and there you can recover your horse as well. After that I shall ask you to clear the bandits from the Lianglong Mountain, and also the Baihu Mountain. Then if successful I will report the whole matter to the Emperor, and reestablish your command in the army, Then you can take your revenge on the bandits at Liangshan Marsh. What do you say to my proposal?”

“I am deeply grateful for Your Excellency’s kind consideration, and shall be much pleased to undertake the task,” replied General Huyan Zhuo. “I will pledge my life to repay you.”

The Prefect gave him a room in his quarters, and supplied food and clothing. The waiter returned to the inn. After about three days General Huyan Zhuo got three thousand troops from Prefect Murong, and advanced upon Taohua Mountain.

The bandits at Taohua Mountain were delighted at having captured a general’s horse, and they celebrated the event with several days’ feasting. One day a bandit scout reported that a great many soldiers were approaching. The second leader in command Zhou Tong offered to meet the army, and he took about a hundred men and went down the mountain to meet the opposing army.

General Huyan Zhuo upon seeing the bandits, halted his soldiers and rode forward. He called out to the brigands, “Robbers, be quick to surrender.” Upon hearing this challenge Zhou Tong arranged his men, and then riding forward engaged General Huyan Zhuo in conflict. After about seven bouts, however, Zhou Tong realized his own weakness, and retreated giving his men orders to retire to the stronghold on the mountain. General Huyan Zhuo seeing the bandits retiring, remembered his previous experience, and he ordered his army to stop pursuit.

Upon seeing Li Zhong, Zhou Tong explained what had happened, and asked what must be done if the soldiers advanced upon the stronghold. Li Zhong said, “We must get assistance from Lu Da, Yang Zhi, and Wu Song who are famous heroes at the Lianglong Mountain. I will write a letter at once, and send it by messenger. I will tell them that we will compensate them for any losses, and amply reward them for a success.”

“I know there are many heroes there,” said Zhou Tong, “but I am afraid that the leader Lu Da has an old grudge against us.”

Li Zhong laughed at this, “Lu Da is a very straightforward man, and he may not treat us like that. I think that he will come and assist us when the position is fully explained by our messenger.” He wrote the letter forthwith, and sent two men with it.

The letter reached the Lianglong Mountain within two days, and the leaders had a conference at the headquarters. The messenger explained that General Huyan Zhuo had been defeated at Liangshan Marsh, and was now endeavoring to retrieve his fortunes by attacking Taohua Mountain and other brigand’s strongholds.

After listening to the full statement Yang Zhi spoke, “We are independent and each protects his own stronghold. But it is true that if Huyan Zhuo destroys the Taohua Mountain stronghold it will be our turn next. We should therefore go with all our men, and fight together in this common cause.”

This was agreed to, and that day five hundred bandits set out for Taohua Mountain.

When Li Zhong at Taohua Mountain heard of the arrival of the reenforcements he marched to meet them with three hundred men. General Huyan Zhuo being informed of this movement assembled his men on the main road. When the two forces met he rode forward to challenge Li Zhong to single combat. Li Zhong was a descendant from military ancestors, and he rode forward to keep up his reputation. After about ten bouts, however, he knew that General Huyan Zhuo was more than his equal, and therefore retired. Huyan Zhuo, however, pursued him up the mountain as he was confident of victory. Zhou Tong, however, seeing this gave orders to his men to throw stones at General Huyan Zhuo, and this hail of stones forced General Huyan to retire also. As he rode back, however, he was surprised to hear loud shouts from the rear of his own army. He then saw there was a large cloud of dust under which a troop of bandits were advancing. He rode forward, and saw that in front of the bandits rode a big fat monk. It was Lu Da, who shouted out, “Where is that prick that was defeated by the heroes at Liangshan Marsh? How dare you come here to disturb us?”

“I will first kill you bald-headed donkey,” replied General Huyan Zhuo. “That will appease my anger.”

Lu Da advanced flourishing his iron monk’s staff, and was met by the General. They fought for about fifty bouts without either gaining an advantage, and at last General Huyan recognized that he had a skillful opponent. Gongs were sounded on both sides as a signal for an interval of rest for both combatants. After a brief rest General Huyan Zhuo dashed forward again, shouting, “Come on, you priestly thief.”

Lu Da was on the point of returning to fight when Yang Zhi called out, “Brother, take a rest and I will engage this man.” He then urged his horse forward, and met General Huyan Zhuo. They fought for about fifty bouts without either gaining any advantage, and then General Huyan thought, “This is the second man I cannot beat. But where do they come from? They do not look like brigands.”

Yang Zhi seeing the skill of his opponent turned his horse to retire. General Huyan did not pursue him, and also retired.

Lu Da spoke to Yang Zhi, “We have just come and cannot encamp so close to this opposing army. Let us withdraw about seven li, and come again tomorrow.” This was agreed to, and the bandits retired.

General Huyan Zhuo in his tent felt disappointed, as he had expected to deal with these bandits just as one breaks a piece of bamboo, but he had actually met his equals. He must be ill-fated to get such results. But what could he do just then? However a messenger came from Prefect Murong ordering him to bring the troops back to guard the town. The brigands from Baihu Mountain had arrived and were threatening the town. General Huyan gave orders immediately for a general retreat, and that night all the troops arrived near Qingzhou Prefecture.

The next day when Lu Da, Yang Zhi, and Wu Song led their bandits to the foot of Taohua Mountain, they were very surprised to find that the troops had all gone. It was not long however before Li Zhong and Zhou Tong arrived, and invited the three leaders to go to their stronghold on Taohua Mountain. There a feast was prepared, and matters discussed.

When General Huyan Zhuo reached Qingzhou Prefecture he saw a large body of men was approaching outside the town. They were the brigands from the Baihu Mountain under the leadership Kong Ming and Kong Liang. These two leaders had had a dispute with a wealthy man whom they had killed, and had then escaped to Baihu Mountain where they assembled about five hundred bandits. Because of this murder the Prefect Murong had arrested Kong Bin, the uncle of Kong Ming, and had put him in prison. Kong Ming therefore took the brigands against Qingzhou Prefecture to try to release his uncle from prison.

When General Huyan Zhuo arrived with his army he at once led them against the bandits. Prefect Murong having been informed of the arrival of the troops had taken up his position in a tower gate to watch the battle. General Huyan Zhuo rode out in front of the army, and his challenge was accepted by Kong Ming. The general soon found that his opponent was not very skillful, and soon succeeded in unhorsing him, and taking him prisoner. Upon seeing this Kong Liang gave orders for all the bandits to retreat.

Prefect Murong sent orders for the troops to pursue the brigands, and this was done, capturing about a hundred of them. The other brigands were scattered in all directions, and at last Kong Liang found himself alone, and slept that night in an old temple he came across.

Prefect Murong was much pleased that Kong Ming had been captured, and sent him to prison to join his uncle. The prefect rewarded the troops, and then sat down with General Huyan Zhuo to hear the news of the Taohua Mountain expedition. General Huyan Zhuo said, “The bandits at Taohua Mountain were cornered like a tortoise in a jar, but a strange thing happened. Another body of brigands arrived to attack us. They were led by a big fat monk, and a sallow complexioned man with both of whom I fought, but without success. Their military skill was quite unusual, and the were quite capable of defending themselves.”

“I know that monk,” said Prefect Murong; “He is Lu Da, who was previously a Major in the army, but afterwards became a monk and then a bandit. The other leader is Yang Zhi who was also previously an officer in the army. There is also another leader Wu Song, an ex-army man also, who is famous for having killed a tiger on Jingyang Ridge. They are now at the Lianglong Mountain, and although we have tried to dislodge them, our troops have failed, and have always been defeated.”

“I also have heard of those men,” said General Huyan Zhuo, “and certainly they are equal to their reputation. But I am here now, and will see to it that those men are captured.”

The next morning when Kong Liang was riding in a forest, he met a body of bandits in charge of Wu Song. He dismounted, saluted, and inquired after his health. The two exchanged compliments and related what had happened on both sides.

At last Wu Song suggested that Kong Liang and his men should join with the bandits of Taohua Mountain in an attack on the government troops. Kong Liang agreed to this, and was taken and introduced to Lu Da and Yang Zhi.

When discussing the proposed attack on Qingzhou Prefecture by the combined bandits from the three mountains Yang Zhi said, “The town is strongly fortified, and has a General like Huyan Zhuo in charge of the defense so it will not be easy for us to take. But I have a plan that I think will succeed.” He then explained how to take the town, and they were highly pleased with his proposal.

Tiles are broken; town in flames;

Pity the people of Qingzhou.

Smashing fists and crushing blows,

Admire the bandits and heroes.