Late that night, some of the Yuyuan Army leaders quietly withdrew from outside Puzhou with their men. These were the ones who refused to accept the amnesty.
There were many reasons for their refusal. Some felt the official ranks offered were too low, others felt the pay was insufficient, and some simply believed the policies were poor.
Were the ranks low? Not at all. A fifth-rank battalion commander is a significant position. One must remember that in *Water Margin*, Song Jiang held no official title after accepting amnesty; it was only after his campaign against Fang La that he was granted the titles of Military Virtue Grandee, Pacification Commissioner of Chuzhou, and Superintendent of Infantry and Cavalry. (A newly surrendered force that has not yet rendered service cannot be granted titles immediately. One must wait for future campaigns and meritorious deeds to be assessed before bestowing rewards...)
Chapter 891