by Shi Nai-An
But after a short time his spirits gradually revived, and he continued his walk. He was, however, still short of breath, and began again to complain of the hardness of the way. He muttered, "The Emperor gave me a very hard task," but before he had finished this a very noxious wind burst forth. He stared round, and saw an enormous speckled snake rattling among some bamboos. He was startled and throwing away his bowl, fell down near a large stone, exclaiming, "I shall certainly die this time!" The snake glided towards him, and coiled up at his side. It showed a yellow light in its eyes, opened wide its mouth, and blew a poisonous vapor in his face. This so frightened him that he fainted, but the snake soon left him.
When he regained consciousness he saw that his body was as chilly as having been thrown into an ice river. He soliloquized, "I was almost frightened to death I never suspected that priest of deceiving me. What a shook I had! If I don't find the Head Taoist, I shall have something to say to that priest when I get back." He, however, picked up his incense bowl, put on his headdress, straightened his garments, and prepared to try again. He had taken only a few steps when he heard the sound of a flute which was being played somewhere among the trees. Looking round he saw an acolyte riding on a yellow cow playing a flute, with a smiling countenance.
Hung spoke to him, "Where do you come from? Do you recognize me?"
The boy did not reply, but continued playing the flute.
Hung asked the same questions several times, and at last the boy laughed and pointing his flute at him replied, "Have you come here to see the Head Taoist?"
"As you are only a cowherd how is it that you know my affairs?
"Early this morning I waited upon the Head Taoist, and he told me that you had been commissioned by the Emperor to bring an edict here inviting him to go to the Capital to offer prayers to Heaven to stop the pestilence. He said that he was going to mount his stork, and fly off to the Capital at once. So I think he may have gone, and may not be at the temple. You need not go up the mountain as there are many poisonous reptiles and fierce beasts on this mountain, which might endanger your life."
"You cannot lie to me," said Hung, but the acolyte did not reply to this, and went on his way playing his flute.
The envoy thought, "How can the boy know as much as he says, it may be that the Head Taoist has told him to say this so as to test my perseverance. But as I have already met so many frightful things perhaps it would be better if I now get back." So he retraced his steps.
Upon reaching the temple at the foot of the mountain he was asked by the priests whether he had seen the Head Taoist. He told them what frightful experiences he had had, and said he suspected them of merely trifling with an Imperial envoy.
"How dare we poor Taoists treat you disrespectfully," replied the superintendent. "These trials might have been arranged by the Head Taoist to test your perseverance. The snakes and tigers on this mountain do not injure people."
"As I was going to struggle up the mountain, I saw a cowherd coming out of a pine forest on a yellow cow, playing a flute who told me that the Head Taoist had flown away on a crane this morning to the Eastern Capital, and so I returned."
"What a pity that you missed such a fine opportunity! That cowherd was the Head Taoist himself!"
"In that case why did he appear in such a strange way?"
"Because he is not an ordinary man. He is only young, but his supernatural power is unbounded. He is not a common person. His power is omnipotent. The people all praise him as the Patron Saint of Absolute Perception."
"I am so ignorant that I have failed to deliver the edict."
"Never mind! As the Head Taoist meant to go, I think the prayers may have been over and the pestilence already vanished when you get back to the Eastern capital."
The Imperial edict was replaced in the cover, and put in the Superior Purity Hall. A feast was then prepared for the envoy.
After breakfast the following morning the superintendent suggested that they should stroll round the monastery for a sight-seeing. They did so, and spent some time going round all the temple buildings. One of these attracted Hung's attention. It was surrounded by a red mud wall; the entrance had a large red door with two leaves which were fastened by a very big lock. There were about ten strips of paper sealing the door, and these were all stamped with red seals; above the door was a board with four gilt characters, "The Subdued Fiends Hall." The envoy asked what the Hall was used for, and was informed that a previous Head Taoist had subdued many fiends, and imprisoned them there.
"But why are there so many seals on the door?"
"During the T'ang dynasty the Head Taoist Tung Hsuan subdued the king of the devils, and locked him up inside this Hall. The succeeding generations have each added another seal so that is may never be opened. If those devils ever got out there would be a great calamity. Now about nine generations have passed, and no one ever attempted to tamper with this arrangement. Molten copper has been poured into the lock so that it is impossible to unlock the door. I have lived here for thirty years, and this is all that I have heard of but nobody knows what is inside.
Hung felt very curious at this, and had a desire to investigate so he said to the superintendent, "Please open the door, and I will see what this king of the devils is like."
"We dare not do that. Our former masters enjoined us not to open it and cannot presume to disobey the order."
The imperial envoy laughed, and said, "Nonsense! You only falsely declare there is something strange, in order to deceive the innocent people. You purposedly arrange such places and tell people that devils are locked up inside so as to show off your spiritual powers. I have read hundreds of volumes of books, and yet have never read of the king of the devils being imprisoned here. There is no way by which man can know about the supernatural. I do not believe that the king of the devils is inside here. Quickly open the door, and I want see what this devil is."
The superintendent still declined to do this, as he was afraid that somebody would be injured.
The Imperial envoy became angry, and pointing at the taoists, said, "As you will not open the door I shall first report that you refused to obey the imperial orders, and not allow me to see the Head Taoist. Also I will say that you are falsely declaring that the king of the devils is imprisoned here, in order to deceive decent people. Your license will be canceled, and you will all be banished to some distant places."
The priests were all afraid of his great influence, and therefore they summoned servants to tear off the seals, and break the big lock. This was done, and when the door was opened they all went inside, but could not see anything because it was pitch dark there. So Hung ordered the servants to light about ten torches, and with these he made a close examination. There was not a single thing except a stone tablet in the center of the hall. It was about six feet in height, and was resting on a stone tortoise which was almost half in the soil. On the tablet were characters of the very ancient style, and they could not make out any of them. But upon examining the other side of the tablet they found four characters which read, "Open when Hung comes." The Imperial Envoy Hung was much pleased at this, and turning to the taoists said, "You tried to obstruct me, but many hundred years ago they wrote my name here, and predicted that I would come here, and open the door. The fiends, I see, are imprisoned under this tortoise. Dig out the stone tortoise for me!"
The taoists were terrified at the order, and said that it was not safe to do such a thing.
Hung was angry at this continuous obstruction, and abused them as ignorant. He insisted upon the excavation being begun immediately. As on the stone tablet it was stated that he would open the place so although the taoists still objected they at last gave way, and told the workmen to dig. The men removed the soil and the tortoise. After digging about three feet down they unearthed a square slab of stone. Hung told them to lift it out, and in spite of objections from the taoists, the stone was raised, and carried out of the hole.
It was evident that the slab was the cover
of a very deep well. Now that the cover was removed a loud strange noise was heard far down in the I cavity, and instantly a black cloud shot out from, below, breaking a corner of the roof of the hall, and escaped through the aperture. The cloud ascended very high in the sky, and then burst forth into more than a hundred rays of light and disappeared in all directions.
All the spectators were astounded and rushed away from the hall. Even Envoy Hung was thunderstruck, and his countenance changed to a pale yellow color. He went out to the veranda where he met the superintendent who lamented the result. Upon his asking what the devil was which had escaped the superintendent replied, "You do not understand. The fact is that our former master Tung Hsuan imprisoned here the thirty-six heavenly spirits, and seventy-two baneful stars which make a total of 108 fiends. The names of these fiends are inscribed on the stone in ancient writing. As they have now all been released they will bring calamity to the people. What are you going to do in the matter?"
Upon hearing this Hung was covered with cold perspiration and trembled with fear. Without saying a word he went to pack his baggage and calling together his retinue he quickly departed down the mountain on his way back to the Capital.
On the way Envoy Hung told his suite that they, must not mention to anybody what had happened as he was afraid that if the Emperor heard of it he would be punished. They traveled both night and day, and soon reached the Capital, Pien Liang (the modern Kaifeng). There he found that the Taoist Head had arrived, and had held seven days' service against the pestilence and had written magical spells for the sick people and as the pestilence had abated the Head Taoist had flown back on his stork to the mountain.
The following morning Envoy Hung attended the early audience, and addressed the Emperor, "The Taoist Head traveled by crane, and as I could only travel by horse relays he had been here and returned before I could arrive."
The Emperor did not reply, but rewarded him for his work.
After this the Emperor reigned for forty-two years, and upon his death as he had no children the son of an illustrious prince succeeded to the throne with the title Ying Tsung. This emperor reigned for four years, and was followed by his son who reigned as Emperor Shen Tsung for eighteen years. Then after this Emperor Che Tsung reigned, and during his reign there was peace in the empire. But if there had been nothing but peace, what this book are going to relate? My good reader, rest assured that this is merely a prelude; and in the following chapters we have:
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WATER MARGIN
CHAPTER 1
INSPECTOR WANG GOES STEALTHILY TO YEN
AN FU; SHIH CHIN DEFENDS HIS VILLAGE
DURING the reign of the emperor Cho Tsung of the Sung dynasty there lived at the capital, Kaifeng, a loose profligate, named Kao. He could handle well either spear or cudgel, and was an extremely good player at football. He was the second son of a Kao family, but instead of calling him Kao, the Second, people gave him the nickname of Kao Chiu (High Ball). Later on, however, he adopted a character Chiu (a name only).
He could play well on wood or string instruments, but was no good at poetry or literature. If there was a discussion of benevolence, justice, propriety, wisdom or virtue he was unable to take part. He wasted his time in the company of the son of a wealthy man, and every day these two spent their time in pleasure resorts. His conduct became so bad that at last the wealthy man lodged a complaint before the governor who had him arrested, punished with twenty blows of the bamboo, and then banished from the capital.
Kao Chiu went to Hwai Hsi in Lin Hwai Chou where he found refuge in a gambling den, which afforded shelter to all the lazy rascals from all places. Three years after this, however, the emperor granted an amnesty so as show his benevolence. Upon hearing of this, Kao Chiu decided to return to the capital, and got an introduction to a man named Tung Chiang-shih who kept a drug store at the Golden Girder Bridge. Upon reading the letter, this man remembered the bad reputation of Kao Chiu, and was afraid that if he lived at his house he might have an evil influence on his children. So after about ten days Tung spoke to Kao
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Chiu, "Here we can offer you little help. I will however recommend you to a certain Mr. Su, who may assist you in cutting a fine career. What do you think of that?"
Kao Chiu was much pleased at this and thanked Tung Chiang-shih. Tung, wrote a note and sent this with Kao Chiu to the residence of the high official. The doorkeeper announced the arrival, and the official Su came out to see Kao Chiu. He also remembered that Kao Chiu was a profligate and decided to get rid of him by recommending him to the emperor's son-in-law, Wang Chin-ching as a steward.
The following day Su sent Kao Chiu with a servant to Colonel Wang Chin-ching. This Colonel Wang was the husband of the younger sister of the emperor Che Tsung, and son-in-law of the emperor Shen Tsung. He took pleasure in meeting gay, stylish men, and when he received the introduction he was glad, and he made Kao Chin his personal attendant.
An ancient saying is: "Remoteness begets neglect; nearness brings about intimacy." It happened that on his birthday Colonel Wang suddenly gave orders to prepare a feast, and specially invited his maternal uncle Prince Tuan who was the eleventh son of the late emperor Shen Tsung, and the younger brother of the emperor Che Tsung. He controlled the affairs of the emperor's eastern palaces where he was known as the ninth Prince. He was intelligent and handsome -- but his taste was not so -- he preferring profligacy. However, he was a good performer on the lute, he could play chess, paint pictures, and was an excellent footballer. On the day mentioned Prince Tuan took the seat of honor at the feast prepared. When the wine being brought in they drank several cups, and after the second course Prince Tuan took leave for the toilet. He then retired to the library for a rest and there he happened to see on the reading table a pair of lions made of white jade used as paper weights. They were of elegant workmanship, and he admired them very much. Colonel Wang saw that Prince Tuan was fond of them -- so he said, "There is also a jade brush rack with a dragon design made by the same hand, but it is not here now. I will get it to-morrow and send both of them to you." Prince Tuan was much pleased and said, "I am much obliged for your generosity. I think
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the brush rack must be very fine." The two men then returned to the banquet and feasted until the evening -- when they were very intoxicated they separated, and Tuan Wang returned to the palace.
The following day Colonel Wang packed the two jade-lion paper weights and the jade brush rack in a golden box, wrote a letter and sent Kao Chiu off with them. Upon reaching Prince Tuan's palace the doorkeeper reported his arrival to the courtyard attendant who inquired his business and then said, "My master is playing football with the eunuchs in the courtyard. You may go in by yourself." The courtyard attendant accompanied him to the gate, and there Kao Chin saw Prince Tuan wearing as a cap, a soft gauze towel of the Tang dynasty style, and arrayed in a purple gown embroidered with a dragon and a waist belt with two tassels. The gown was folded up and tucked in the belt. His boots were inlaid with golden thread in the design of a Phoenix. There were three or five eunuchs playing football with him.
Kao Chiu dared not to intrude -- so he took up his position behind the servants. Now good luck had come to Kao Chiu. The ball rebounded from the ground and Prince Tuan failed to kick it -- it bounced into the crowd of spectators and landed at the side of Kao Chiu. He saw the ball and instantly had courage. He used the mandarin-duck twist (one leg behind the other) and kicked the ball back to Prince Tuan. Prince Tuan saw th is and being pleased with the exhibition, asked who he was.
Kao Chin knelt down and said, "I am a confidential servant of Colonel Wang and by his orders, I have brought two jade curios to present to Your Highness," so saying, he offered the letter with both hands.
Prince Tuan hearing this, laughed and said that Colonel Wang was very obliging. He opened the box and after examining the curios handed them to an attendant. He then asked Kao Chiu, "Can you play football? 'Who are you?" Ka
o Chiu clasping his bands and kneeling down said, "I am called Kao Chiu. I was punishable for kicking that football." Prince Tuan said, "Good! come into the playground and again try." Kao Chiu saluted with folded arms, and said, "What kind of man I am to dare play with Your Highness." Prince Tuan replied, "This is the Society of
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'Gathering of Clouds,' also known as the 'World's Horizon' meaning, there is plenty of room for you). It does no matter if you play." Kao Chiu again saluted; saying, "Icannot do it." He begged leave to depart time and again, but as Prince Tuan insisted upon his playing, Kao Chiu had no escape -- so he kotowed, and confessed his inability, he then untied the garters round his knees and moved towards the center of the ground. Kao Chiu kicked a few times, and Prince Tuan applauded . Kao Chiu had to use all his skill to please the prince. He played the ball as though it stuck to his body like glue or paste. (He never missed it.) Prince Tuan was highly amused and was unwilling to let Kao Chiu return, so he kept him there for the night. Next day Prince Tuan ordered a banquet and sent a special invitation to Colonel Wang. The latter had become anxious at the absence of Kao Chiu but upon receipt of this invitation he mounted a horse and went to Prince Tuan's palace. Upon entering the banquet hall Tuan expressed his gratitude for the curios and then said "This man Kao Chiu kicks equally well with both feet. I should like to have him for my personal attendant - what do you say?" Colonel Wang answered, "If you have any use for him, you may keep him." Prince Tuan was pleased and offering a glass of wine thanked him. The two men chatted until evening.
From that time Prince Tuan had Kao Chiu as a special servant and the latter did his work well. Every day he accompanied Prince Tuan and was always close at his hand. In less than two months the emperor Che Tsung died without an heir. A large number of civil and military officials Petitioned Prince Tuan to become emperor. He ascended the throne with the reign title of Hui Tsung, Head of the Yu Ching religion, and the posthumous title of Wei Miao To Chun -- (abstruse and reasonable prince).
