by Shi Nai-An
Upon ascending the throne he did nothing remarkable. One day he said to Kao Chiu, "I want to make you an official. But I cannot promote you unless you have shown your merit. Now I will first tell the grand council to record your name as an imperial attendant." Within six months Kao, Chiu was raised to Minister for War.
Before proceeding to his new post he selected afortunate hour and a lucky day to begin his duties. All the lower
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officials of various military ranks -- both cavalry and infantry -- visited him to pay their respects -- present their credentials with details of their records. Kao Chiu, the Minister for War, examined these reports one by one and noticed one was missing, that is of Wang Chin, the drill inspector of the imperial guard. About two weeks before Wang Chin had been sick and had not been able to attend business at his yamen. Kao Chiu was very angry at this and shouted, "What nonsense! His credentials are here but he himself has not come. This is disobedience, yet he pretends to be sick at home. Men, have him brought here at once." He forthwith sent men to arrest Wang Chin.
Now this Wang Chin had no wife and lived with his mother who was over sixty years of age. The sergeant spoke to Wang Chin, "Kao Chiu, the Minister for War, has assumed his post but has not yet seen you. The Chun Cheng Szu (staff officer) reported that you were sick at home but Kao Chiu did not believe this and has sent me to arrest you -- you had better go and see him. If you do not go, I shall be implicated." Wang Chin hearing this saw no alternative but to go, in spite of his sickness.
Upon entering the door of the war office he saw the minister at the other end of the hall and kotowed four times, then bowing -- he called "ngo" (a sound to attract attention almost equivalent to saying "waiting your order"), then lifting his head he stood at one side.
Kao, Chiu asked, "Are you not the son of Wang Sheng who used to be a drill inspector of the whole army?" Wang Chin admitted this.
Kao Chin then shouted at him, "So it is you -- your father used to sell medicine and exercise the fencing stick to attract a crowd on the street. What military skills have you? But don't be supercilious because I can court-martial you -- you must not dare to presume on your rank and differ from my point of view. On whose influence are you depending? What excuse have you for resting at home?" Wang Chin answered, "I speak the truth. I am certainly sick and have not yet recovered." Kao Chiu used abusive language and said, "You banished thief! If you were sick bow could you come here?" Then Wang Chin said "You summoned me here so I had to come." Kao Chiu, theMinister for War, was very angry and
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shouted an order to the attendants to seize Wang Chin and beat him severely. Among the minor officers there were many who were friendly with Wang Chin, they therefore joined to plead to Kao Chiu, "To-day is your inauguration day it is a lucky day, please forgive this man, this time."
Kao Chin spoke in a loud voice, "You banished thief! These minor officers want me to forgive you. I will speak to you again tomorrow." Wang Chin confessed his guilt. Holding up his head he recognized that he was Kao Chiu. He left the war office and heaving a sigh said, "Just now my life is insecure; this Kao Chiu was previously at the capital known as Kao Erh -- head of a gang of lazy men. At that time he was learning to use the cudgels, and my father hit him, and for three or four months he could not get up from a sick bed. Now he has fortunately become Minister for War, and is eager for revenge. I did not know that he was my superior officer. From ancient times it has been said: "There is no fear for the government, but rather fear to be governed." There is no help for me. He returned home in a very melancholy mood.
He told his mother about the affair, and they held together and cried: "My son, of thirty-six ways of doing a thing going is only one that is the best. I am afraid there is no safe place for us." Wang Chin said, "What you say, mother, is true. Your son has also thought of this plan. There is at Yen An Fu a governor who guards the frontier and controls many military officers, who used to come to the capital to see me fence. Why should we not now fly to him for refuge? At that place I could get employment and settle down to a quiet life."
Mother and son discussed this matter and after deciding, she said, "My son, I must go with you secretly: but I am afraid of the sentinels who are stationed outside the door by the war office, and we certainly will not be able to get away if they hear of our plans." Wang Chin said, "Never mind, don't worry, mother, I will arrange matters satisfactorily with them." Before the sun set Wang Chin called the sentry Chang to come inside. He gave him an order -- "After you have had your supper I want you to go to a place to do something for me." The sentry inquired where he was to go. Wang Chin said, "Because of my sickness, I once took a vow
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to offer sacrifice at the Yueh Temple outside the Shuan Tsao Gate -- I wish to be there to-morrow morning and be the first person to burn incense -- I want you to go this evening and inform the head priest of this matter. Tell him to have the doors open early to-morrow morning and wait until I come to burn the first incense. There I shall present three animals to the gods Liu, Li, and Wang. You must stay at the temple till I come."
Chang, the sentry replied, "I have already had my supper and will now go to the temple to arrange matters."
That night the mother and son packed their baggage -- making two loads for carrying on a pole. They filled two bags with fodder to be tied on the horse, and waited until nearly dawn. Then Wang Chin awakened Li, the other sentry, and giving him silver told him to go to the temple and buy the three animals for the sacrifices, as he himself would buy some yellow candles and would arrive later. Li, the sentry, took the money and departed. Wang Chin saddled the horse and led it out of the stable, fastening the fodder on with ropes. and making all tight -- he assisted his mother to mount. The furniture, etc., was abandoned. Locking the door he shouldered his load and followed the horse. It was the fifth watch about 4 a.m. and was still dark -- so availing themselves of this, they left by the Hsi Hwa Gate -- and traveled quickly toward Yen An Fu, Shensi province.
The two sentries at the temple bought the animals for the sacrifices, cooked them, and then waited until about 11 a.m. without seeing Wang Chin. Sentry Li became anxious and returned to the house to look for Wang Chin. He found that the doors were locked, and he could not enter. After half a day he saw nobody come. Sentry Chang stayed at the temple until evening and then returned to the house. They both watched the house during the night without seeing Wang Chin or his mother. The following day they inquired of Wang's relatives but no one could be found. They did not wish to be implicated, and therefore reported the matter to the Ministry of War.
Kao Chin upon hearing the report was very angry and wrote a dispatch instructing the officials in every chou and fu to arrest Wang Chin. The two sentries were free from all blame.
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Wang Chin and his mother traveled a good distance from the capital taking their meals on the way as chance permitted. They had been on the way over a month, when one evening Wang Chin remarked to his mother who was riding the horse in front, "May Heaven have pity on us and we are now beyond the reach of legal punishment, as although Kao Chin has ordered my arrest, Yen An Fu is not far away." They both felt contented but they were not aware that they had passed the only available inn. As it grew dusk, however, they saw the glimmer of a light in a forest a good distance away. Wang Chin decided to investigate as to whether they could stay there for the night. He went into the forest, and saw a farmyard which was surrounded by a mud wall, with about three hundred willow trees outside. He knocked at the gate, and when a servant came he saluted with folded hands. He explained the situation, and asked for a night's lodging for his mother and himself for which they would pay.
The servant went inside to report the matter, and upon his return said the farmer wished to see them. Wang Chin requested his mother to dismount and tied the horse to a tree. He put his load on the threshing floor, and then they followed the servant into the house.
The farmer was over sixt
y years of age, and his hair was all white. He was wearing a warm cap to protect his head from the dust; a loose fitting gown with a black sash round the waist, and dressed leather boots. Wang Chin saluted, but the farmer said, "Friend, don't stand on ceremony. You are travelers in distress. Please be seated."
Wang Chin and his mother, observing the rules of propriety, sat down, and in answer to the farmer's questions Wang Chin explained, "My name is Chang, and I lived in the capital. Business was bad so I sold all my things, and am now on my way to Yen An Fu where I hope to stay with my relatives. To-day we have traveled a good distance, but have unfortunately missed the inn. We now wish to stay for the night at your honorable house."
The farmer said, "Never mind! No men of this world carry houses about with them. Have you dined? " He then ordered a servant to bring food. The servants soon arranged a table, and carried in trays with four dishes of
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vegetables, and dishes of beef. They placed theme on the table, and then poured out wine. After exchanging complimentary phrases they sat down, and after several glasses of wine, rice was brought in. When they had finished the meal, the farmer conducted them to the guest chamber. Wang Chin said, "My mother has ridden the horse a long way, and I suppose that it will be well fed."
"That does not matter," said the farmer. "Here we have many animals, horses and mules, and I have already instructed the servants to look after your horse and feed it well."
Wang Chin thanked him, and then brought his bundles into the chamber. The servants lit a lamp, and brought in a tub of hot water for the guests to wash their feet. When the farmer and servants had withdrawn Wang Chin and his mother retired to rest. They slept till well after daybreak the next day. The farmer came to the door of their room to make inquiries, and heard Wang Chin's mother groaning so he asked what was the matter. Wang Chin told him, "I certainly will not deceive you. My mother was very tired last night, and she became sick. "
"This being the case, you must not worry," said the farmer. "Tell your mother that she can rest here for a few days. I have a prescription for her sickness, and will send a servant into the town for the medicine. Tell her that she will soon be well again." Wang Chin expressed his thanks. His mother took the medicine and in about five days she was quite well again.
On that day Wang Chi wished to leave and went to the stables to look at the horse. In the yard he saw a young man with naked body, tattooed all over with nine dragons and with sleeves turned up. His face was as white as a silver plate. He was about eighteen years old and was exercising with a cudgel. Wang Chin watched him for some time and then soliloquized, "You use your cudgels very well but I think it could be improved, as there are better men than you."
The young man was angry upon hearing this and said in loud voice, "Who are you? How dare you sneer at my display -- I have been trained by about eight well-known teachers, and I do not think you are their equal. Would you care to fence with me?" While he was speaking the
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farmer came on the scene and said, "Young man, you are ill-mannered." He replied, "He should not have laughed at my display."
“Can our guest use the cudgel?" asked the farmer. "I know a little about it. May I ask who is this young man?" The farmer replied. "He is my son." "As he is a young man of this house I will give him a few lessons if he likes." "That's very good," said the farmer. He then summoned his son to come and pay respects to the guest, but he was unwilling to do this and instead he became very angry -- He said, "Father, do not listen to his stupid talk -- If he beats me with the cudgel, then I will pay respects to him as a teacher."
"If you do not believe that I can do this, let us have a contest with the cudgels." The young man walked to the middle of the yard and picking up a cudgel whirled it round. He addressed Wang Chin, "Come on! If afraid, you will be a coward." Wang Chin only laughed, and was unwilling to move. "If you are willing to instruct my son, what objection have you to using the cudgel?" said the farmer. Wang Chin laughed, "I am afraid that I may hurt your son, and that will not do." "That does not matter. Even if you break his arm or leg, that will be his own fault," said the farmer. Wang Chin said, "Forgive me if I make a mistake." He then went to the arms rack, and taking a cudgel, went to the center of the yard and stood on guard. The young man seeing this, seized his cudgel and went to strike at him. Wang Chin retreated, trailing his cudgel on the ground. The farmer's son flourished his weapon and pursued him. Wang Chin suddenly turned round and delivered a downward blow. Seeing the blow descending, the farmer's son met it with an upward thrust. Wang Chin stayed his blow, drew his cudgel away, and then with a sudden thrust, struck the young man on the breast and with a twist, knocked the young man's cudgel out of his hand. He fell down on his back, and Wang Chin immediately advanced to lift him, saying; "Do not blame me! Do not get offended!" The farmer's son scrambled up brought a stool and requested Wang Chin to be seated. He saluted Wang Chin, saying: "I have wasted my time with other teachers; but they prove to be unworthy half a cash. Now I have to ask you to be my teacher."
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"My mother and I have given much trouble to your house for many days," said Wang Chin. "I have no favors to give you but I can compensate. by teaching you." The farmer was much pleased and told the servants to kill a sheep -- prepare a feast with wine and fruit. He also invited Wang Chin's mother to attend the banquet. All four sat down and drank wine together. The farmer stood up with a cup of wine and addressing Wang Chin, said, "Teacher, you are so skillful; you must be an inspector. My son, you have eyes, but have failed to see this eminent person." Wang Chin laughed, I will not deceive you. I am not Chang; I am Wang Chin, drill inspector of the army at Kaifeng. Just now a new minister of war has arrived -- Kao Chiu -- and because my father once knocked him down with a cudgel he still harbors resentment, against me. As I am his subordinate I cannot dispute with him, so I take my mother to Yen An Fu. It was by chance that I came here and met you. You have treated me well -- cured my mother, entertained us, so I felt uneasy of your generosity. If your son is willing to learn I can teach him. At present, his fencing is only showy and spectacular, but in a real contest it would be of no use. I will instruct him properly from the beginning." The farmer insisted upon his son paying respects to his new teacher, and said, "You are a first-class instructor. My ancestors lived in this district of Hwa Yin Hsien, close to Shao Hwa Shan. This is the Shih family village, and contains about four hundred families of the surname Shih. My son takes interest in playing with lances and cudgels instead of doing farm work. When his mother remonstrated with him, he paid no heed and she became angry and died. I am unable to control him and do not know how much money he has spent. He engaged a man to teach him and also employed a workman to tattoo nine dragons on his body, so that the people about here call him "Shih Chin with nine dragons." Inspector, you have come here to-day and completed his training very well. I will amply reward you."
Wang Chin began his lessons from that day and Shih Chin asked to be taught the eighteen subjects of athletics in detail. In a little over half a year he had mastered these: (1) use of the lance; (2) the long-handled mallet;
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(3) the bow; (4) the crossbow; (5) the jingal; (6) the iron whip; (7) the iron truncheon; (8) the two-edged sword; (9) the chain; (10) the hooks; (11) the ax; (12) the battle-ax; (13) the three-pronged spear; (14) the halberd; (15) the shield; (16) the cudgel; (17) the spear; (18) the rake.
He learned these one by one and became proficient.
Wang Chin thought that he could not stay there any longer although the conditions were suitable. One day he told them that he wished to leave. Shih Chin replied, "Master, you must not think of leaving; I will keep both you and your mother here till your dying days; will that not be better?" "Worthy sir, I have received many favors from you but I am afraid that Kao Chiu's men may arrive and you will be implicated. I must go to Yen An Fu, where men are needed: there I can rest and settle." Shih Chin spoke to his father and it was ag
reed that Wang Chin must stay until they had prepared a farewell feast. They presented him two rolls of silk and one hundred ounces of silver. When he left, Shih Chin told one of his men to carry Wang Chin's baggage and ac. company him for ten li, where they parted with tears.
Drill Inspector Wang again shouldered up his load and mother and son traveled along the road to the west pass (Tung Kwan).
We will now leave Wang Chin and return with Shih Chin to his home. There he continued his drill. In the middle of the night he would practice for two hours, and during the day, ride his horse outside the village. In less than six months Shih Chin's father died. He prepared a coffin and engaged priests to conduct the usual memorial services for seven days. He also asked a Taoist to erect an altar; repeat the funeral services; pray for the safe passage of the soul to heaven; attend at the altar for ten days and select a lucky and fortunate time for the funeral and burial.
About four hundred members of the Shih clan came to the funeral in white mourning clothes and they buried the dead in the ancestral graveyard in the hills to the west of the village. After this there was no one at home to manage the property as Shih Chin only wanted to practice fencing.
Three or four months after the death of the farmer on a hot day in the sixth month Shih Chin was idling away his time. He placed a bedstead outside on the threshing floor,
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