Song Gongming Attacks Jizhou with His Army; Lu Junyi Fights a Great Battle at Yutian County

There is a poem: Heroic spirit soared straight to the clouds, Vowing to pacify all the Liao invaders. The Liao generals at Tanzhou were all frightened to the marrow, And the great Liao army wept in streams. In the frontier gales stood forests of swords and spears; Beneath the cold moonlight gleamed halberds and lances. Most worthy of praise were the officers and men who rode to war, And with a laugh won great merit and pacified the realm. Now to tell the story: Vice Minister Dongxian saw that Tanzhou could not be held, so he had no choice but to lead his men out of the city and flee. He hurried along with Ya’er Weikang, and halfway met Lin Chong and Guan Sheng. The two sides fought a battle. Vice Minister Dongxian did not dare fight for long at all; he led his men in a desperate break through the side and escaped. Guan Sheng and Lin Chong were bent on taking Tanzhou, so they did not pursue. They led their troops straight into the city. Song Jiang brought the main army into Tanzhou, scattered the Liao troops, and posted notices to soothe the people. He strictly......