Trusting Wu Yong‘s word, Lu Junyi sets out in the southeast direction for a temple in Shandong with his steward Li Gu and some servants. The group pass by Liangshan Marsh, where Lu deems it his duty as a subject of the Song empire to catch some bandits. He shows his fighting prowess when a number of Liangshan's chieftains come to block his way. But he soon discovers Liangshan is a daunting force with many tough warriors. As he flees, he loses his way among reeds along the marsh and boards a boat found there. The boatman turns out to be Li Jun. Lu lunges at Li when the latter reveals his identity. Just then Zhang Shun pops up from under water and overturns the vessel. Captured, Lu is taken to Song Jiang, who treats him with utmost respect and allays his hostility. But Lu refuses to join the stronghold. His captors nevertheless retain him for months, treating him as an honoured guest. They release Li Gu first, who is secretly told that his master has joined Liangshan, with the poem at his house as strong proof.