The Living Yama Scuttles the Boat and Steals the Imperial Wine; Black Whirlwind Tears Up the Edict and Reviles Huizong

There is a poem that says: Fortune and misfortune are hard to foresee; Hidden in darkness, they are not easily seen. These two men acted far too recklessly: Secretly replacing the imperial wine the emperor bestowed—a wicked deed; Openly tearing up the edict of amnesty—audacious beyond measure. Eat too many delicacies, and in the end you will fall ill; Carry too far whatever pleases you, and disaster is sure to follow. They had meant to win great merit by siege engines, But in the end it became no more than a farce manipulated by others. Now Chen Zongshan received the edict of amnesty and returned to his mansion to pack and prepare for departure. Many people came to congratulate him: “This journey by the Grand Commandant will, first, be service to the court, and second, relieve the people of trouble by removing a scourge from the army and the populace. The men of Liangshan Marsh value loyalty and righteousness and are waiting for the court’s amnesty. If the Grand Commandant speaks good words and soothes them well, he will leave a fine name that will be handed down......