At Muzhou City an Arrow Shoots Deng Yuanjue; At Wulong Ridge a God Helps Song Gongming

A poem says: This renegade monk called Baoguang Ran wild and wrought havoc by crooked ways. Heretical paths can never become the true Way; With a shallow foundation, sooner or later he must perish. Wu Yong’s stratagems were truly wondrous; Hua Rong’s archery was unmatched in the world. Through the ages how many heroes have risen and fallen— Reading this Qingxi episode truly makes one grieve. The story tells that Song Jiang, in order to recover the bodies of Xie Zhen and Xie Bao, came beneath Wulong Ridge and fell straight into Shi Bao’s ambush. Ambush troops rushed out on all sides: Shi Bao’s men in front, Deng Yuanjue blocking the retreat behind. Shi Bao shouted loudly, “Song Jiang, why do you not dismount and surrender? How long will you wait?” Guan Sheng flew into a rage, spurred his horse, raised his blade, and closed with Shi Bao. Before the two could decide victory, shouts arose again behind them. It was the four naval commanders who had come ashore together and joined Wang Ji and Chao Zhong in charging down from the ridge. Hua Rong at once went forward to......