Author: John Zhu

If you can’t beat them, join them. Yang Zhi embarks on his life outside the law with a little dine-and-dash action.

Yang Zhi’s approach to convoy duty: Try to rest before I tell you? That’s a whipping. Try to get on the road before I tell you? That’s a whipping. Look at me funny? That’s a whipping. Complain about the excessive whippings? That’s definitely a whipping.

Wu Yong reels in some eager helpers for Chao Gai’s planned heist.

Chao Gai sends a confidant to a fishing village in search of a few good men with no compunctions about theft.

Our story shifts to rural village life, which apparently includes receiving uninvited visitors from near and far, some of whom hit you up for food and wine in the middle of the night while others come bearing presents, of a sort.

A quick look at currencies, income, and living expenses during the Northern Song.

It slices. It dices. It probably shouldn’t be sold on a busy street in the capital. But wait, there’s more!

Lin Chong really wants to join the bandits on Liangshan, but the initiation is murder.

Meet the new Lin Chong, stabber of hearts, remover of heads, and burner of old men’s beards.

A look at the growth of Buddhism during the Northern Song and the religion’s relationship with the imperial government.