Wang Zuo came out of the tent alone. Xiaoxiao arrived at the camp and said there was an urgent military matter and requested to see General Yue. General Yue, troubled and unable to sleep, immediately invited Wang Zuo into the tent for a meeting.
Yue Fei saw that Wang Zuo’s face was pale yellow and covered in fresh blood, and he could not help but be greatly surprised. Wang Zuo explained that he planned to use the ‘self-harm strategy’ to deceive the Jin camp and facilitate carrying out important tasks from within to repay the country.
Yue Fei was deeply moved by Wang Zuo’s patriotic actions and couldn’t help but cry out loud. He encouraged Wang Zuo to be careful and mindful when dealing with the Jin camp and to accomplish the task for the country.
Wang Zuo bid farewell to Yue Fei and left the Song camp, braving the wind and snow throughout the night as he headed towards the Jin camp. He hurried along the way, arriving at the Jin camp by dawn, where he requested an audience with Jin Wushu.
Jin Wushu received Wang Zuo and asked why he had come. Wang Zuo, suppressing his hatred for the enemy, pretended to cry bitterly and said he defected from Yue Fei to join the Jin kingdom. To make his story convincing, he showed the wounds inflicted on him by Yue Fei. After saying this, he unwrapped his bandages, revealing his injuries.
Upon hearing this, Jin Wushu was furious and said, ‘If Yue Fei is so disrespectful, he must want me to know his cunning!’ After speaking, he conferred the title of ‘bitter person’ upon Wang Zuo, allowing him to move freely within the camp.
With the special permission to move freely, Wang Zuo roamed the camp every day. The lower-ranking Jin soldiers welcomed him and enjoyed his company as he shared stories about the Central Plains.
One day, Wang Zuo came to Lu Wenlong’s tent and saw an old woman happily sitting there. After Wang Zuo greeted her courteously, he realized she was from the same hometown as him.
As they spoke about their plans, the old woman revealed to Wang Zuo that Lu Wenlong’s father was the former envoy of Puzhou (located in present-day Changzhi, Shanxi). Thirteen years ago, when Jin Wushu attacked Puzhou City, Lu Wenlong’s father died in battle.
The old woman was Lu Wenlong’s wet nurse. That year, Jin Wushu took her and the three-year-old Lu Wenlong captive to the Jin kingdom.