a letter from Song Qing which falsely claims that their father has passed away. Exile to Jiangzhou Song Jiang returns to Yuncheng to find his father alive. The old man has faked death to lure him back to prevent him from falling into bad company. Alerted to his return, Yuncheng's authorities arrest Song over the killing of Yan Poxi. Due to his past service at the magistrate office, Song is spared the death penalty. He is tattooed on the face and exiled to Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi). On the way, Song Jiang and his two escorts pass by Jieyang Ridge and are nearly butchered by the innkeeper Li Li after being drugged. He is saved by Li Jun, another of his admirers. Informed of Song's exile, Li Jun has been waiting by the Xunyang River expecting to meet him. He happens to come to Li Li's inn for refreshment. They revive Song after confirming his identity through the official document on the escorts. They treat him with hospitality before seeing him off. At Jieyang Town, Song generously tips Xue Yong, a street performer of martial arts, seeing that no onlooker awards him for his show. In doing that he offends the brothers Mu Hong and Mu Chun, who wield immense influence over the town. Because Xue, who is from out of town, has not gone to pay them respects, the Mus have ordered the townsfolk to not give him a cent. That night Song and his escorts happen to be offered accommodation in the Mus' house by their kindly father. When he discovers they are in danger, the three flee. Pursued by the Mus, they desperately board the boat of pirate Zhang Heng at Xunyang River. Midway across the river, Zhang wants to kill them. Song is again saved by Li Jun, who passes by in his boat. Zhang and the Mu brothers are shocked to learn that the man is Song Jiang. Song receives warm treatment from his new friends before proceeding on to Jiangzhou. At Jiangzhou, Song Jiang meets the chief warden Dai Zong, who is a friend of Wu Yong, the chief strategist of Liangshan, and jailer Li Kui. He and Li take to each other as Song is generous and Li straightforward. Song also meets the fishmonger Zhang Shun, Zhang Heng‘s younger brother. As Song is allowed to move freely in and out of jail