Jin Wushu took Lu Wenlong as his adopted son and taught him martial arts from a young age. Lu Wenlong was intelligent and skillful, quickly mastering the techniques and becoming a formidable martial artist.
A few days later, Lu Wenlong returned from the front lines. Seeing Wang Zuo behind him on horseback, he beckoned, ‘Bitter Person, come, let me treat you to a meal.
While Wang Zuo dined with Lu Wenlong, Lu Wenlong asked Wang Zuo to tell a story from the Central Plains for entertainment. Wang Zuo then began to narrate a story from the Spring and Autumn Period, ‘The Homing of the Yu Bird.
During the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Yue was defeated by the State of Wu. To cause the Wu King to neglect state affairs, Goujian sent a beautiful woman, Xishi, to the Wu King.
Xishi brought a beautiful Yu bird to the State of Wu. At first, Xishi taught the bird many poems and songs. However, when they arrived in the State of Wu, the bird refused to sing.
Later, when King Goujian had amassed enough strength, he took advantage of the corrupt Wu court to defeat Wu. Xishi brought the bird back to the southern homeland, where it happily recited the poems and songs it had learned.
After hearing this, Lu Wenlong clapped and sighed, ‘What a great story of the Yu bird returning home! Even a bird yearns for its homeland. Good story, good story!’ Wang Zuo bid farewell, and Lu Wenlong promised to tell him more stories when they had time.
Some days later, Jin soldiers transported a new weapon called the ‘iron floating cannon,’ a very powerful artillery piece, intending to use it against the Song camp. When Wang Zuo received this news, he was extremely anxious.
At this critical moment, Wang Zuo and the wet nurse told Lu Wenlong about his family history. Lu Wenlong listened, tears streaming down his face, and said, ‘Even the Yu bird understands returning home. How could I not love my country?
Seeing Lu Wenlong’s awakening, Wang Zuo asked him to quickly send the message about the ‘iron floating cannon’ to the Song camp. Lu Wenlong disguised himself as an observer and quietly shot an arrow with the message into the Song camp.