Song Jiang is a close friend of Yuncheng's chief constables, Zhu Tong and Lei Heng, as well as Chao Gai, the headman of Yuncheng's Dongxi Village. After Chao and his six confederates hijacked valuables from a conveyance to the Grand Tutor Cai Jing in the imperial capital Dongjing, the government of Jizhou is under pressure to solve the case as Yellow Mud Ridge, the site of the robbery, is within its jurisdiction. He Tao, the chief constable of Jizhou, is tasked with tracking down the robbers. Song runs into He at the magistrate office of Yuncheng, who tells him he has identified Chao Gai as the mastermind. Upon hearing this, Song excuses himself and rushes to Dongxi Village to warn Chao. The robbers thus manage to pack up in time and escape. They seek refuge in the outlaw stronghold at Liangshan Marsh. But Wang Lun, the chief of Liangshan, does not welcome them. Chao is elected in his place after Lin Chong kills Wang.