Song Gongming Crosses the Yellow River with His Army; Lu Junyi Tricks a City in the Dark Night

Now to tell the story: Dai Zong and Shi Xiu saw that the fellow was dressed like a government runner and looked flustered. Dai Zong asked, “What urgent official business is it, after all?” The man put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said to Dai Zong, “Do you know that Tian Hu has rebelled in Hebei?” Dai Zong said, “We have heard something of it.” The man said, “Tian Hu and his band are seizing prefectures and counties everywhere, and the government troops cannot hold them off. Recently they took Gaizhou and will soon attack Weizhou. The people in the city live in daily fear, and those outside the city have all fled as refugees. The prefecture sent me to the Privy Council with an urgent document.” With that, he rose, put the bundle on his back, took his umbrella and staff, hurriedly paid the bill, and left. At the door he sighed: “When you serve as a government runner, you are not your own master! My family is still inside Weizhou city. May Heaven protect us and send relief troops quickly!” Then he strode off toward the capital. When Dai Zong and Shi Xiu......