Song Jiang passes by Jieyang Town where he offends the Mu brothers (Mu Hong and Mu Chun) by giving money to street performer Xue Yong, who has neglected to pay respect to the Mus. After unknowingly finding accommodation at the house of the Mus thanks to the kindness of the brothers' father, Song and his two escorts have to sneak away when they realise they are close to danger. Pursued by the Mus, the three scramble on to the boat of the pirate Zhang Heng when they come to the bank of Xunyang River. Halfway across the waters, Zhang draws out his knife and asks them whether they would rather be knifed or drowned. Just when the three are resigned to jumping into the river, Li Jun, who is out on the river that night feeling restless, passes by Zhang's boat. Zhang Heng is shocked to learn that the exile is Song Jiang, whom he has heard so much about from Li Jun. He apologises to Song. The Mu brothers, who linger at the bank, are also admirers of Song under the influence of Li. They say sorry to Song for the distress they caused him. Song enjoys their hospitable treatment before continuing on to Jiangzhou.