宋江和燕顺各骑了马，带领随行十数人，先投梁山泊来。在路上行了两日，当日行到晌午时分，正走之间，只见官道旁边一个大酒店。当他们去买酒和食物时，巧遇石勇，绰号石将军，给宋江带来了家书。宋江读罢，叫声苦，不知高低，自把胸脯捶将起来，自骂道：

“不孝逆子，做下非为，老夫身亡，不能尽人之道，畜生何异！”自把头去壁上磕撞，大哭起来。宋江便分付燕顺道：“不是我薄情寡义，其实只有这个老父记挂，今已没了，只得星夜赶归去，教兄弟们自上山则个。”燕顺劝道：“哥哥，太公既已没了，便到家时，也不得见了。世上人无有不死的父母，且请宽心，引我们弟兄去了。那时小弟却陪侍哥哥归去奔丧，未为晚矣。”宋江道：“若等我送你们上山去时，误了我多少日期，却是使不得。我只写一封备细书札，都说在内，就带了石勇一发入伙，等他们一处上山。我如今不知便罢；既是天教我知了，正是度日如年，烧眉之急。我马也不要，从人也不带一个，连夜自赶回家。”燕顺、石勇那里留得住。宋江自离了村店，连夜赶归。当日申牌时候，奔到本乡村口。当宋江赶回家，见其弟不戴孝，心中大怒，便指着宋清骂道：“你这忤逆畜生，是何道理！父亲见今在堂，如何却写书来戏弄我？教我两三遍自寻死处，一哭一个昏迷。你做这等不孝之子！”宋清却待分说，只见屏风背后转出宋太公来叫道：“我儿不要焦躁，这个不干你兄弟之事。是我每日思量，要见你一面，因此教四郎只写道我殁了，你便归得快。我又听得人说，白虎山地面多有强人，又怕你一时被人撺掇，落草去了，做个不忠不孝的人，为此急急寄书去，唤你归家。”宋江听罢，纳头便拜太公，忧喜相伴。宋江又问父亲道：“不知今日官司如何？已经赦宥，必然减罪。”宋太公道：“我如今为何唤你归来，近闻朝廷册立皇太子，已降下一道赦书，应有民间犯了大罪，尽减一等科断，俱已行开各处施行。便是发露到官，也只该个徒流之罪，不到得害了性命。且由他，却又别作道理。我儿远路风尘，且去房里将息几时。”当夜两个都头在宋江庄上歇了。次日五更，同到县前等待。天明解到县里来时，知县才出升堂。见都头赵能、赵得押解宋江出官，知县时文彬见了大喜，责令宋江供状。当下宋江一笔供招。知县看罢，且叫收禁牢里监候。县里迭成文案，待六十日限满，结解上济州听断。本州府尹看了申解情由，赦前恩宥之事，已成减罪，把宋江脊杖二十，刺配江州牢城。当下两个公人领了公文，监押宋江到江州。（第三十六回）wihyanshun，mouned，andadozenmenonfoo，songjiangrodeonowardsliangshanmarsh

noonofheseconddayfoundhemravelingonhehighwayheyobservedargeavernaheadwhenheywenhereobuywineandfood，heyhappendedomeeshiyong，nicknamedgeneralshi，whoookaleerforsongjiangfromhomeaferreadingheleer，songjiangcriedouinanguishandbeahisches“unfilialsonhaiam！howbadlyi’vebehaved！heisdeadandiamnohereoperformmyduiesasason！i’mnobeerhanabeas！”hebeahisheadagainshewallandmened“i’mnowihoufeelingforourmen，”hesaidas，“bumyoldfaherwasheoneilovedbesnowhe’sgoneimusreurnhomeonighellourbrohersogouphemounainhemselves”“broher，”saidyanshun，“heoldgenlemanisnomoreevenifyouwenhome，youwouldn’seehimaliveallparensdieakealongrangeviewleadusohesronghold，andheni’llaccompanyyoubackforhefuneraliwon’beooe“iwoulddeymefordaysican’doii’llwriealeerindeail，ellinghewholesoryakeshiyongwihyouwhenheoherscachup，googeheruphemounainiwouldbedifferenifihadn’heardaboumyfaher’sdeahbusinceheavenhaslemeknow，everydayseemslikeayeari’mburningogeback！idon’wanmyhorseandidon’needanybodyogowihmei’llravelalohroughhenighandbehomeomorrow！”nohingyanshunandshiyongsaidcouldmakesongjiangchangehismindsongjiangraveledallnighaferleavingheavern，andreachedhisownvilgeehefollowingafernoonwhensongjianghurriedhome，hesawhisyoungerbroherqing，whowasnowearingmourningsongjiangwasenragedandsaid：“howdareyou，youmonser！faherisaliveandwellhowcouldyouwriesuchalyingleer？iwasreadyokillmyselfiwepillilosmysenseswhasorofunfilialsonareyou！”beforesongqingcouldreply，squiresongroundedascreenandemerged“calmyourself，son，”hesaid，“i’snoyourbroher’sfauliwashinkingofyoueveryday，andioldhimowriesayingihaddied，knowinghawouldbringyouhomequicklyiheardherearemanyrobbersonwhieigermounainiwasafraidyoumighbeinveigledinojoininghemandbecomeadisloyal，unfilialpersonsoisenheleercallingyouhome”ornbeweenhappinessandanger，songjiangkowowedohisfaher“haveyouheardanyhingelyabouhesausofmycase？”heasked“anamnesyhasbeenprocimedhechargesagainsmearesureobereduced”hisfaherexpined：“whyhaveisummonedyouhome？heemperorhasnamedhisheirohehrone，andincelebraionhasissuedageneralamnesychargesonallmajorcriminalacshavebeenlessenedbyonedegreeheedicisalreadyinforceifyouwerebroughbeforeajudgenow，aworsyouwouldbeexiled，buyounolongercouldbepunishedbydeahsolehemdowhaheywill

we’llfindsomewaysocopeyou’vehadalong，hardjourney，sonwhynogooyourroomandres”heconsablesspenhenighinhemanor，andadawnhenexdayproceededwihsongjiangohecouny

wheniwasdayligh，heybroughhimbeforeshiwenbin，hemagisrae，whohadjusopenedcourhejuriswasdelighedheorderedheprisonerosubmihisconfessionsongjiangookabrushpenandwroeihemagisraereadheconfessionandorderedsongjiangremandedinocusodyhemagisraedrewuphisfindingsand，whenhesixydaydeenionperiodwasover，senheprisoneroheprefecureofjizhouforsenencingheprefecreviewedhecase，akingcognizanceofheamnesywhichlessenedheseveriyofhecrimehedirecedhasongjiangbegivenwenysrokesandexiledoheprisoninjiangzhouonreceipofhedocumens，heguardsseoffwihheirprisonerojiangzhou(chaper36)

宋江自和两个公人下船，投江州来。宋江依前带上行枷，两个公人取出文书，挑了行李，直至江州府前来，正值府尹升厅。原来那江州知府，姓蔡，双名得章，是当朝蔡太师蔡京的第九个儿子，因此江州人叫他做蔡九知府。那人为官贪滥，作事骄奢。为这江州是个钱粮浩大的去处，抑且人广物盈，因此太师特地教他来做个知府。当时两个公人当厅下了公文，押宋江投厅下。知府道：“快写个帖来，便送下城外牢城营里去，本府自差公人押解下去。”这两个公人就送宋江到牢城营内交割。宋江取三两来银子，与了江州府公人，当讨了收管，将宋江押送单身房里听候。宋江又自央浼人情，差拨到单身房里，送了十两银子与他；管营处又自加倍送十两并人事。管营说道：“此人既是县吏出身，着他本营抄事房做个抄事。”就时立了文案，便教发去抄事。宋江谢了，去单身房取了行李，到抄事房安顿了。（第三十七回）然后，宋江结识了江州两院押牢节级戴院长戴宗、“黑旋风”李逵、“浪里白跳”张顺。（第三十八回）“浔阳楼宋江吟反诗梁山泊戴宗传假信。”（第三十九回）次日，蔡九知府升厅，便叫当案孔目来分付道：“快教迭了文案，把这宋江、戴宗的供状招款粘连了。一面写下犯由牌，教来日押赴市曹，斩首施行。”当案却是黄孔目，本人与戴宗颇好，却无缘便救他，只替他叫得苦。当日禀道：“明日是个国家忌日，后日又是七月十五日中元之节，皆不可行刑。大后日亦是国家景命。直至五日后，方可施行。”一者天幸救济宋江，二乃梁山泊好汉未至。蔡九知府听罢，依准黄孔目之言，直待第六日早晨，先差人去十字路口，打扫了法场，饭后点起土兵和刀仗刽子，约有五百余人，都在大牢门前伺候。已牌时候，狱官禀了知府，亲自来做监斩官。黄孔目只得把犯由牌呈堂，当厅判了两个斩字，便将片芦席贴起来。那众人仰面看那犯由牌上写道：“江州府犯人一名宋江，故吟反诗，妄造妖言，结连梁山泊强寇，通同造反，律斩。犯人一名戴宗，与宋江暗递私书，勾结梁山泊强寇，通同谋叛，律斩。监斩官江州府知府蔡某。”监斩官便道：“斩讫报来。”两势下刀棒刽子，便去开枷，行刑之人，执定法刀在手。说时迟，那时快，闹攘攘一齐发作。结果，“梁山泊好汉劫法场白龙庙英雄小聚义。”（第四十回）只见宋江跪在地下，众头领慌忙都跪下，齐道：“哥哥有甚事，但说不妨，兄弟们敢不听。”宋江便道：“感谢众位豪杰不避凶险，来虎穴龙潭，力救残生；又蒙协助，报了冤仇。如此犯下大罪，闹了两座州城，必然申奏去了。今日不由宋江不上梁山泊投托哥哥去，未知众位意下若何。如是想从者，只今收拾便行。如不愿去的，一听尊命。”众人议论到：“如今杀死了许多官军人马，闹了两处州都，他如何不申奏朝廷，必然起军马来擒获。今若不随哥哥去，同死同生，却投那里去？”

宋江大喜，谢了众人。当日先叫朱贵和宋万前回山寨里去报知，次后分作五起进程，自投梁山泊来。（第四十一回）

songjiangandguardsembarkedforjiangzhousongjiangworeherackaroundhisneckoncemoreheguards，carryinghisdocumensandbearingheluggage，proceededwihhimoheofficeofhejiangzhouprefecuralgovernmenheprefecwasholdingcourhisnamewascaidezhangandhewasheninhsonofcaijing，hepremierforhisreasonhewasknowninjiangzhouasprefeccaiheninhanavariciousofficial，hewaspompousandrudehepremierhadseenoihahewasappoinedohisposbecausejiangzhouwasapopulouswealhyciyheguardshandedhimhedocumensandproducedsongjiang“wrieasaemenabouhaimmediaelyandakehimoheprisonousideheciyiwillsendprefecuralguardswihyou”heprefecdesignaedwomen，whoookhesaemenfromhewooriginalguards，hensongjianggavehejiangzhouescorshreeouncesofsilverheydeliveredhimoheprison，obainedareceipandpcedhiminasinglecellsongjianginviedheheadkeeperohiscellandgavehimenouncesofsilverhealsosenhesameamounohewarden，plusgifshewardensaid：“hisfellowwasacounyfuncionarylehimworkasacopyis”awrienorderohiseffecwasimmediaelyissued，andsongjiangexpressedhishankshecollecedhisluggagefromhiscellandmovedinohecopyingsecion(chaper37)hensongjiangcameoknow“heheadofjiangzhou’swoprisons”daizong，“bckwhirlwind”likuiand“whiesreakinhewaves”zhangshun(chaper38)henexdaycaiopenedcour，summonedhescribe，alsonamedhuang，andsaid：“compilealldocumensonsongjianganddaizongandaddinheirconfessionsalsowriecriminalconvicionsobeposedonhedayheyaebeheadedinhemarkepce”scribehuangwasonverygoodermswihsuperinendendai

buhehadnowayorescuehim，andhegroanedinwardly“omorrowisanaionaldayofmourning，”hesaid，“andhedayaferismidsummerghoss’day—youcan’execuehemhenhefollowingdayisanaionalholidaynohingcanbedoillaferhefifh”huanghadnobeerpn，hecouldonlydeydai’sdeahaslongaspossiblehedidhisusuallyforcondemnedmenwheneverhecouldheprefecagreedwihhissuggesionandseheexecuiondaeforhesixhonhemorningofheappoineddayacrossroadsinhemarkepcewassweposerveasanexecuiongroundaferbreakfassoldiersandexecuionersweremusered—welloverfivehundredmen—andassembledousideheprisongaeamidmorninghewardenwenoheprefecandformallyrequesedhimosupervisehebeheadingsscribehuanghadnochoicebuopresenheconvicionsoneachheword“decapiae”wasinscribed，andhea

ouncemenswerepasedonreedmashespecaorsreadhea

ouncemensofcriminalconvicionheyranasfollows：

jiangzhouprefecurecriminalsongjiangwroearebelliouspoem，spreadevilrumors，andcolludedwihbandisinliangshanmarshofomenarebellionsenencedobedecapiaedcriminaldaizonginorderohelpsongjiang，secrelyhandedoveraprivaeleer，colludedwihhebandisinliangshanmarshandploedwihhemofomenarebellionsenencedobedecapiaedsupervisorofexecuions：cai，prefecofjiangzhou

“cuoffheirheads，”orderedheprefecsoldiersopenedheprisoners’rackswoexecuionerssoodwihswordsahereadyquickerhaniakesosay，rioingbrokeouconsequenly，“mounliangshangalnsraidheexecuiongroundsboldheroesmeeawhiedragonemple”(chaper40)oheirasonishmensongjiangdroppedohiskneesheyhasilyknelwihhim“whaisi？”heycried“speakfreelyhere’snohingwe’renowillingohear”songsaid，“wihfearlessdisregardofdanger，yougalnssnachedmefromheiger’sden，hedragon’sir，andsavedmywrechedlifeandnowyouhavegraciouslyhelpedmegemyrevengebuwehavecommiedgreacrimes，andcausedurmoilinwoprefecuralownshiswillsurelybereporedoheemperorihavenochoicebuojoinyoubrohersinliangshanmarshwhaabouheresofyou？ifyoufeelhesame，gaheryourbelongingsandwe’llgoogeherifherearesomewhodon’wishogo，iawaiyourorders”hemenconferred“we’vesugheredscoresofofficersandsoldiersandhrownwoownsinodisorderheprefecisboundoreporoheimperialcour，whichissureosendanarmyocapureus，”heysaid“ifwedon’leavewihbrohersongjiang，oliveanddieogeher，whereelsecanwego？”verypleased，songjianghankedhemhasamedayzhuguiandsongwanweresenaheadoinformhemounainsrongholdhemarchersweredividedinofiveunisandheadedforliangshanmarsh(chaper41)“

忠义堂石碣受天文梁山泊英雄排座次”，宋江坐了第一位，变成了一百零八个头领中的最高领头人。他高举“替天行道”、“忠义双全”的大旗，聚集着越来越多的各种人才，变成了一种令人生畏的政治军事力量。“宋公明两赢童贯”（第七十七回）、“宋江三败高太尉”（第八十回）。他很快实现了梦寐以求的招安，“梁山泊分金大买市　宋公明全伙受招安”（第八十二回）。招安后，“宋公明奉诏破大辽”（第八十三回），“天子降敕，封宋江为平南都总管，征讨方腊正先锋。”（第一一○回）结果，宋江的军队大获全胜，活捉了方腊。徽宗天子看见宋江等只剩得这些人员，心中嗟念。天子乃曰：“朕知卿等众将，收剿江南，多负劳苦。卿等弟兄，损折大半，朕闻不胜伤悼。”宋江垂泪不止，仍自再拜奏曰：“以臣卤钝薄才，肝脑涂地，亦不能报国家大恩。昔日念臣共聚义兵一百八人，登五台发愿，谁想今日十损其八。谨录人数，未敢擅便具奏，伏望天慈，俯赐圣鉴。”上皇览表，嗟叹不已。乃曰：“卿等一百八人，上应星曜，今止有二十七人见存，又辞去了四个，真乃十去其八矣！”随即宣布：“先锋使宋江加授武德大夫，楚州安抚使，兼兵马都总管。”当日宋江等各各谢恩。宋江又奏：“臣生居郓城县，获罪以来，自不敢还乡，乞圣上宽恩给假，回乡拜扫，省视亲族，却还楚州之任。未敢擅便，乞请圣旨。”上皇闻奏大喜，再赐钱十万贯，作还乡之资。宋江谢恩已罢，辞驾出朝。于是，“宋江衣锦还乡。”（第一一九回）

“inloyalyhallasoablebearsaheavenlyscripheheroesofliangshanmarshakeseasinorderofrank”(chaper71)，songjianghasakenhefirsseaandbecomeheopleaderofhe108chiefainsheholdshighhegreaba

ersof“acinginheaven’sbehalf”and“compleeloyalyandrigheousness”，gaheringmoreandmorealensandbecomingaformidablepoliicalandmiliaryforce“songjiangwicevanquisheschancellorongguan”(chaper77)“songjiangdefeasmarshalgaohehirdime”(chaper80)hehassoonrealizedwhahelongsfordayandnigh—amnesy“hemounliangshanforressdisribuesiswealhsongjiangandallofhismenareamnesied”(chaper82)aferheamnesy，“songjiangisorderedosmashheliaoarars”(chaper83)“hesovereignprocimedsongjiangcommanderinchiefofhesouhernpacificaion，andvanguardofheexpediionagainsfang”(chaper110)consequenly，songjiang’sroopswonacompleevicoryandcapuredfangaliveemperorhuizongsawhowdrasicallyheirnumbershadbeendepleed，andhishearwasmoved“wehaveheardofyourhardshipsinhepuniiveexpediionacrossheyangzi，andhayouhavelosmorehanhalfyourbrohers，”saidheemperor“wefeelverybadlyabouha”songjiang，weeping，remainedonhisknees“becauseiamonlyacrudealenlessrusic，icanneverrepayyourmajesy’skindness，houghispillmyliverandbrainsonhebalefield！herewereahundredandeighofuswhenwepledgedbroherhoodinhewuaimounainswhowouldhavehoughwe’dloseeighouofen！ihavealishere，yourmajesy，whichihesiaeopresen，iprayhainyourbenevolence，sire，youwillmakeasuiabledisposiion”“onehundredandeighofyou，allsarsinhefirmamen，”heemperorsighed，“andonlywenysevenlefaferanoherfourdepared！youlierallyhaveloseighouofen！”heprocimed：“songjiangwaseniledmarshalofmiliaryvirueandmadegovernorofchuzhouprefecureandcommanderofisarmedforces”allhankedhesovereign“iwasborninyunchengcouny，”saidsongjiang，“busincecommiingmycrimesihavenodaredogobackpraygranmepermission，sire，osweepmyfamilygravesandvisimyreivesandneighboursiwillhengoochuzhouandassumeoffice”verypleased，hemonarchpresenedhimwihenhousandsringsofcashformainaininghisancesralmanorsongjiangandhechiefains，againexpressingheirgraiude，ookleaveofhesovereignandwihdrewhereupon“songjianggoeshomeinhisofficialfinery”(chaper119)

宋江和他兄弟宋清离了东京回到山东郓城县宋家村，受到乡邻亲友的欢迎。不期宋太公已死，灵柩尚存。宋江、宋清痛哭伤感，不胜哀戚。宋江请僧命道，修建功果，荐拔亡过父母宗亲。州县官僚，探望不绝。择日选时，亲扶太公灵柩，高原安葬。是日，本州官员，亲邻父老，宾朋眷属，尽来送葬已了。宋江将庄院交割与次弟宋清，虽受官爵，只在乡中务农，奉祀宗亲香火。将多余钱帛，散惠下民。宋江在乡中住了数月，辞别乡老故旧，再回东京。宋江逐渐把他的军队发遣回乡。很快死者的家属都已离去。那些受命的都辞别省院诸官，收拾赴任去了。宋江与卢俊义分别之后，各自前去赴任。卢俊义亦无家眷，带了数个随行伴当，自望庐州去了。宋江谢恩辞朝，别了省院诸官，带同几个家人仆从，前往楚州赴任。自此相别，都各分散去了。宋江到任以来，将及半载，时是宣和六年首夏初旬，忽听得朝廷降赐御酒到来，与众出郭迎接。入到公廨，开读圣旨已罢，天使捧过御酒，教宋安抚饮毕。宋江亦将御酒回劝天使，天使推称自来不会饮酒。御酒宴罢，天使回京。宋江自饮御酒之后，觉道肚腹疼痛，心中疑虑，想被下药在酒里。却自急令从人打听那来使时，于路馆驿，却又饮酒。宋江已知中了奸计，必是贼臣们下了药酒，乃叹曰：“我自幼学儒，长而通吏，不幸失身于罪人，并不曾行半点异心之事。今日天子轻听馋佞，赐我药酒，得罪何辜。

我死不争，只有李逵现在润州都统制，他若闻知朝廷行此奸弊，必然再去哨聚山林，把我等一世清名忠义之事坏了。只除是如此行方可。”连夜使人往润州唤取李逵星夜到楚州，别有商议。李逵到达并问道：“哥哥，甚么大事？”宋江道：“你且饮酒！”宋江请进后厅，现成杯盘，随即管待李逵，吃了半晌酒食。将至半酣，宋江便道：“兄弟，你休怪我！前日朝廷差天使，赐药酒与我服了，死在旦夕。我为人一世，只主张‘忠义’二字，不肯半点欺心。今日朝廷赐死无辜，宁可朝廷负我，我忠心不负朝廷。我死之后，恐怕你造反，坏了我梁山泊替天行道忠义之名。因此，请将你来，相见一面。昨日酒中，已与你慢药服了，回至润州必死。你死之后，可来此处楚州南门外，有个蓼儿洼，风景尽与梁山泊无异，和你阴魂相聚。我死之后，尸首定葬于此处，我已看定了也！”言讫，堕泪如雨。李逵见说，亦垂泪道：“罢！罢！罢！生时伏侍哥哥，死了也只是哥哥部下一个小鬼！”言讫泪下，便觉道身体有些沉重。当时洒泪，拜别了宋江下船。回到润州，果然药发身死。李逵临死之时，嘱咐从人：“我死了，可千万将我灵柩去楚州南门外蓼儿洼和哥哥一处埋葬。”嘱罢而死。从人置备棺椁盛罥，不负其言，扶柩而往。宋江自从与李逵别后，心中伤感，思念吴用、花荣，不得会面。是夜药发临危，嘱咐从人亲随之辈：“可依我言，将我灵柩，安葬此间南门外蓼儿洼高原深处，必报你众人之德。乞依我嘱！”言讫而逝。

songjiangandhisbrohersongqinglefhecapialandreachedheirnaivevilgeinyunchengcouny，shangdongprovinceheywerewelcomedbyneighboursandreives，buwhenheyarrivedahemanorheyfoundhaheirfaher，heoldsquire，haddied，andhahewassilllyinginhiscoffinhewobroherswephearbrokenlyheyweredeeplygrievedsongjianghiredmonksandpriessoofferprayersforhisdeparedparensandancesorsofficialsfromcounyandprefecurecalledwihouceaseapropiiousdaywaschosenand，wihhebrohersservingaspallbearers，hesquire’sbodywascarriedoahighpeauandidoresprefecuralofficials，neighboursandelders，friendsandfamily，allaendedsongjiangenrusedheaffairsofhemanorohisbroheralhoughsongqinghadalsobeenmadeanofficial，songjianginsrucedhimoremainahome，aendohefarm，andmainainhefamilyshrinewhamoneyhesillhadwihhimhedisribuedamonghepeopleaferseveralmonhsahomesongjianglefhisnaivevilgeandreurnedoheeaserncapialsongjianggraduallydispersedhisarmysoonhefamiliesofhesinhadalldeparedhoseappoinedoofficebidfarewellohevariousminisersandlefoakeupheirduiessongjiangandlujunyi，aferparing，lefoakeupheirrespeciveposslujunyi，whohadnofamily，proceededoluzhouaccompaniedbyafewravelingcompanionssongjiangbidfarewelloheemperorandhisminisersanddeparedforchuzhouwihseveralfamilyservansfromhenon，eachofhechiefainswenhisseparaewayduringhefirsendaysofsummerinhesixhyearofxuanho，halfayearaferheookoffice，songjiangheardhaanemissaryhadarrivedfromhecapialwihimperialwine

accompaniedbyoherofficials，hewenouofheciyowelcomehimandescorhimininhepublichallheemissaryreadheemperor’sgreeing，presenedhewineandurgedsongjiangodrinkwhensongjiangrequesedheemissaryojoinhim，hemanrefused，sayinghewasaeeoalersognjiangceremoniouslydrankandheemissaryreurnedohecapialsongjiang’ssomachbeganopainhimsoonafer，andhesuspecedsomehinghadbeenaddedohewinehequicklymadeinquiresandlearnedheemissaryhadinfacdonesomedrinkingwhilesoppingaahoselforofficialsalongheroadsongjiangrealizedhehadbeenrickedhewasposiivehewinehadbeenpoisonedbyheevilminisershesighed“sincechildhoodisudiedconfucianism，andwhenigrewupilearnedhowobeaminorofficialunforunaelyibecameinvolvedincrime，buineverhadheslighesdesireorebelnowheemperorlisensodeceifulminisersandsendsmepoisonedwine！whahaveidoodeservehis！idoesn’maerifidie，bulikui，whoisodayhecommandanofrunzhou，willcerainlyakeohehillsagainwhenhehearsabouhisdiryrickheimperialcourhaspyedhawillruinherepuaionofloyalyoheemperorihavesoughsodiligenlyallmylife！here’sonlyohingicando”hedispachedamanhasamenighorunzhouwihamessageolikuiocomeochuzhouimmediaelylikuireachedchuzhouandasked：“whaisi，bigbroher？”“firshavesomewine”songjiangescoredbckwhirlwindinoarearhall，wherewineandagoblewaswaiinglikuidrankforsomeimeunilhewashalfinoxicaed“broher，don’bmeme！”saidsongjiang“heemperorsenmesomepoisonedwiheoherday，andidrankii’mgoingodiesoonallmylifei’veriedoadhereowoprinciples—loyalyandrigheousnessiwouldneverpracicedeceinow，houghiami

ocen，heimperialcouriscausingmydeahbui’draherheemperorwrongedmehanwrongheemperoriwasafraidhaaferidiedyouwouldrebelandspoilourrepuaionforloyalyandrigheousness，earnedwhileacinginheaven’sbehalfinliangshanmarshandsoiaskedyouhereandgaveyouhepoisonedwinealsowhenyoureurnorunzhouyou’llsurelydieaferyou’veexpired，comeoliaoerfs，ousidechuzhou’ssouhgaei’sabeauifulpce，andlooksjuslikeliangshanmarsh

ourspiriscanmeehereha’swherei’mgoingobeburiedaferidiei’vealreadydecided！”ashespoke，songjiang’searsfelllikerainlikuialsowep“enough，enough，enough！”hecried“iookcareofyouinlife，bigbroher，andi’llbeaminorghosandserveyouaferdeahaswell！”hisbodyfellheavy

weeping，hebidsongjiangfarewellandboardedhiscrafwhenhereachedrunzhou，sureenough，hepoisonacivaedasbckwhirlwindydying，heinsrucedhisaendans：“aferi’mgoneyouabsoluelymusakemycoffinoliaoerfsousidechuzhou’ssouhgaeandburymebesidebigbroher”er，hisorderswerecarriedousongjiangfelverybadlywhenlikuisailedawayhadayhehoughofwuyongandhuarong，andsorrowedhahe’dneverseehemagainhepoisonbeganoworkduringhenighonhisdeahbedhesaidohisrusedfollowers：“youmusfulfilmyrequesburymeonhighgroundaboveliaoerfsyourviruousconducwillcerainlyberewardedpromisehayouwill”sosaying，hedied