Wang Qing Is Captured Crossing the River; Song Jiang Succeeds in Suppressing the Rebels

Now Song Jiang ascended the central army tent. The generals stood on both sides awaiting orders. Cannon were fired in the camp, drums beaten, the great banner raised, and then the “quiet-camp” cannon fired again. The leaders of each unit came forward in order to the tent, stood quietly, and waited for orders. The drummers and buglers sounded the drums, the herald read out the military command, and the leaders of each unit knocked their heads one by one, rose, and stood to either side. The blue-flag officer in charge of inspection knelt to receive instructions: any soldier who shouted out of unison, broke ranks, made a clamor and disobeyed orders, or fled backward in battle was to be seized and severely punished. In addition there were flag-and-table officers, twenty on the left and twenty on the right. Song Jiang personally instructed them: “Go to each camp and supervise the fighting. If any soldier, on meeting the enemy, dares not advance, fears death, shrinks back, or disobeys command, seize him and bring him back for punishment.” The flag-and-table officers......