Liu Tang Sets Fire to the Warships; Song Jiang Defeats Grand Commandant Gao Twice

There is a lyric to the tune of Xijiangyue: Gentleness is the foundation for settling down in the world; stubbornness is the root of inviting disaster. He who strives for nothing and covets no gain is truly worthy. What harm is there if others slight me a little? A dull axe striking bricks will shatter easily; a sharp blade cleaving running water can never cut it apart. See how a man’s hair turns white and his teeth fall out in old age, yet only his tongue remains unharmed. Now, when Grand Commandant Gao saw the state of his naval forces, he knew the tide had turned against him. He was about to order a retreat when cannon blasts rang out on all sides. Hastily summoning his generals, he sought a way to break out. In truth, the Liangshan outlaws had only fired signal cannons and laid no ambush. Even so, Gao Qiu was terrified and fled in panic like a rat or a wild beast, leading his army back to Jizhou that same night. His infantry had suffered moderate losses, but his navy was nearly wiped out, and not a single warship returned. Liu Menglong barely escaped with his......