Water Margin: Liangshan Not Subjugated

In the late Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Huizong was fatuous, treacherous ministers held sway, and the people lived in misery. Chao Gai was killed by an arrow at Zengtou City, and on his deathbed he vowed, "Whoever captures Shi Wengong shall be the master of Liangshan." Lu Junyi, wrongfully accused, went up the mountain, swept thousands of troops with his staff, captured his enemy alive, and Liangshan changed hands. Song Jiang took over the banner of the Loyalty Hall but made a decision that shook the world—no submission! Rebel! He sent envoys to contact Fang La in Jiangnan, Tian Hu in Hebei, and Wang Qing in Huai West, swearing blood brotherhood and rising together across the land. Four rebel armies, a million strong, marched straight on the capital Bianjing. Hua Rong's divine arrows broke enemy morale, Wu Song's iron fists shattered city gates, Lu Zhishen's staff swept through thousands like rolling up mats, and Lin Chong on his white horse with silver spear trampled twelve enemy camps. The Liangshan heroes were no longer mere bandits but the last unquenchable flame in a troubled world. Yet when the flame burned brightest, it was near its end. On the day the capital fell, cracks appeared in the alliance. Fang La's ambition to be emperor was clear, Tian Hu secretly colluded with the court and turned traitor, and Wang Qing was assassinated, causing the alliance to collapse. The Jin cavalry broke through the Great Wall and joined with the remnants of the court to besiege Liangshan. Brothers who had sworn blood brotherhood now turned their weapons on each other. This was a road of no return. — Description from novelcodex.org