Duan Jingzhu steals a rare swift steed called Jade Lion at the northern frontier of the Song Empire, which he intends to present to Song Jiang, then second-in-command of the bandit stronghold of Liangshan Marsh. But while on his way, the horse is seized by the Zeng Family Fortress, which also verbally insults Liangshan. Mad over the humilitation, Chao Gai, the chief of Liangshan, personally leads a military attack on the fortress. But he is shot dead by Shi Wengong, the martial arts instructor of the fortress.