by Shi Nai-An
The two men then said, "Father, we dare not ask you at what temple you live?"
Lu Ta laughed and said, "You rascals! If I tell you what will you do? I suppose you would just go and report it to Kao, Minister for War. Some men fear him, but I do not. If I met him I should give him three hundred blows with my staff."
After that the two men dared not open their mouths. After they had finished their meal, and paid the innkeeper they left the village, and on the road Lin Ch'ung asked, "Elder brother, where are you going to?"
Lu Ta said, "A murderer must see some blood, and so a rescuer must see that his man is quite safe. I am not yet quite easy in my mind about you so I will go with you as far as Tsangchou."
The two constables upon hearing this muttered to themselves, "Here is more trouble! Our business is entirely spoiled! What can we say when we get back? But we cannot do anything except follow them."
[page 94]
After that they were so afraid that Lu Ta might kill them that they immediately agreed to whatever he wanted to do. If things were all right he cursed them, or if anything was wrong he hit them without the least protest from them. After about two days they got a cart for Lin Ch'ung to sit in. The two constables were still so afraid and suspicious that they decided to follow Lu Ta in order to preserve their own lives. On the way Lu Ta paid for the food and wine for the party. Every day they stopped at inns quite early in the afternoon, and departed late the following morning. The two constables cooked the rice for the party, and also did whatever they were told to do. They discussed matters privately, and Tung Chao said, "We are under the close supervision of this priest, and when we go back Kao, Minister for War, will blame us for our failure in carrying out his order."
Hsueh Pa said, "I heard that a priest called Lu Ta had recently been placed in charge of the vegetable garden at the branch temple of the Ta Hsiang Kwo Temple, and I think this priest must be that person. So when we get back we must tell the truth, that we really tried to kill Lin Ch'ung in the Wild Boar Forest, but this priest stopped us from doing so, and then took us with him on the road to Tsangchou. In this way we shall escape punishment. We must return the ten ounces of silver we received, and then Lu Ch'ien will himself go and search for this priest. We shall thus be free from blame."
Tung Chao said, "What you say is quite right."
But Lu Ta never let them get out of his sight, and after traveling for about eighteen days like this they were within twenty-three miles of Tsangchou. Lu Ta inquired and found out that there was no desolate spot about there as there were houses all along the road, and then decided to have a rest in a forest of fir trees nearby.
Lu Ta spoke to Lin Ch'ung, "Younger brother, we are now close to Tsangchou. I have made inquiries, and find that there are many houses on the way, and no unfrequented places. So I will leave you now, and see you again some other day.
Lin Ch'ung, said, "Elder brother, when you return, you can report my safety to my father-in-law. If I live I will certainly reward you liberally for your benevolent protection."
[page 95]
Lu Ta took twenty ounces of silver, and gave them to Lin Ch'ung. He also gave three ounces of silver to the two constables, and said, "If I had been by myself I would have decapitated both of you before now, but as my younger brother has pleaded for you I will let you off this time. Now your destination is not far away so you must not harbor your original vile plan."
The constables said, "We will not do so. It was Kao, Minister for War, who deputed us to kill him."
They received the silver, and just before they separated on their different ways, Lu Ta spoke to the constables, "Are your heads as hard as the fir trees?"
The men replied, "Our heads are as they were at birth."
Lu Ta swung his staff and hit a tree with it leaving a gash two inches deep -- and causing the top part to fall down. He then shouted, "If you two rascals have vile intentions I will treat your heads in the same way as that tree." He then turned to Lin Ch'ung, and said to him: "Younger brother, you had better be on your guard against these two men. I must now leave you."
The two constables were so frightened that their tongues hung out for a long time.
Lin Ch'ung said at last, "Well, we had better go."
The constables said, "What brute strength that priest has! He broke a tree with just one blow of his staff."
Lin Ch'ung said, "That is only a small affair. At the Ta Hsiang Kwo Temple he tore a tree up by its roots."
The two men shook their heads upon learning that this priest was the very Lu Ta they had supposed.
The three men then left the forest, and about noon they came to an inn which they entered, and Lin Ch'ung requested the constables to take the seat of honor. After seven hours the two constables began to feel that they recovered their spirits. There were many men in the inn drinking wine, and five waiters attending to their wants. The waiters were very busy bringing first one thing and then another, Lin Ch'ung and the two constables sat waiting for an hour, without a waiter coming to attend to them. Lin Ch'ung's patience was exhausted, so he rapped the table and called out, "I suppose the proprietor of this inn despises us because I am a criminal,
[page 96]
and therefore he does not attend to us. But as I can pay for the wine, your conduct is most unreasonable."
The proprietor replied, "You evidently do not understand why we do this."
"As you do not supply us with food and wine what else is there to understand?"
The innkeeper said, "You evidently do not know that in this village we have a very wealthy man named Ch'ai Chin who is also known as Squire Ch'ai; he has been nicknamed by the robbers as Small Whirlwind. He is the descendant of Ch'ai Shih-tsang, of the later Chou dynasty, who at Chen Chiao abdicated in favor of the emperor Wu Te, founder of the Sung dynasty and the latter bestowed on him a charter made in iron that all men must respect him and his offspring for all future time. In his home there are generally about fifty brave men who have come from all parts of the empire at his invitation. He has given us a general order that should any banished criminals pass this way they can go to his home, and he will assist them with money. If I supply you with wine and food your face would be red, and when he sees you in that condition he would assume that you are not short of money and would not assist you."
Lin Chung upon hearing this turned to the two constables, and said, "While I was in the army at Kaifeng I often heard about this Squire Ch'ai, but I never knew that he lives here. So why should we not go, and ask him to help us?"
The two constables saw no objection to this so they asked the proprietor of the inn where Squire Ch'ai lived. The proprietor told them that they must follow the road in front of the inn for about a mile till they came to a large stone bridge, and there turning off the road they would come to the village where Squire Ch'ai lived.
Lin Ch'ung thanked the proprietor of the inn, and leaving the inn they found the bridge. From there stretched a fine road leading to a clump of willow in which was situated the village they were looking for. The village was surrounded by a white wall, and also a very broad moat on the banks of which were many big weeping willows. Upon reaching the moat they found there were about five men sitting on the bridge enjoying the cool air. The three men saluted,
[page 97]
and then Lin Ch'ung said, "Excuse me troubling you, but will you please inform your master that a criminal, named Lin, who is being escorted to the prison wishes to see him."
The rustics replied, "You are unfortunate, as if our master had been at home he would have given you wine, food, and money. But today he went out hunting, and has not returned yet."
Lin Ch'ung asked, "When will he come back?"
The rustics replied, "We are not sure about that as he may have stopped at the Eastern Village for a rest."
Lin Ch'ung said, "It is evident that I cannot see him, and that is unfortunate; so we will go." The three men were very much disappointed, but they had not gone more than a quarter of a mi
le when they saw a long way off a large body of horsemen emerge from a dense forest, and gallop towards the village. In front of the horsemen was the leader who was riding a white horse. He had long eyebrows, long slit eyes, pearly white teeth, crimson lips, with a minute beard hanging from his lower lip, and a flowing mustache. He was about thirty-five years of age, and on his head he wore a black turban. He wore a brown silk gown embroidered with flowers in circular designs, and round his waist was an elegant silk girdle with a large circular jade buckle. His boots were of black silk embroidered with a design in gold and green. On his back hung a bow, and at his side was a quiver full of arrows.
When Lin Ch'ung saw him he thought that this might be Squire Ch'ai, but still he was not quite sure about it. When the horse got near, the rider asked, "Who is this man wearing a cangue?"
Lin Ch'ung quickly bowed, and said, "I am Lin Chung, drill inspector in the imperial guards at Kaifeng. I was in ill favor with Kao, Minister for War, who sent me to be tried, branded and banished to Tsangchou. At the inn I heard that here is a fine man named Ch'ai who likes to meet all celebrated scholars, and therefore I came specially to ask for his help. But unfortunately he was not at home."
The man jumped off his horse, and walking rapidly towards Lin Ch'ung said, "Ch'ai has lost the opportunity of welcoming you." He then saluted.
Lin Ch'ung immediately returned the compliment. Ch'ai
[page 98]
then took Lin Ch'ung by the hand, and led him towards the village. When the rustics saw them coming they opened the gate. Ch'ai conducted Lin Ch'ung to the guest chamber where he observed the usual courtesies.
Squire Ch'ai Chin then said, "I heard of your fame some time ago, so that your opportune arrival at this insignificant spot fills me with entire satisfaction."
Lin Ch'ung replied, "This insignificant person has heard of your fame in all quarters, and everybody respects you. Because I have been banished as a criminal I did not expect to meet you but I have been extremely fortunate." After having been much pressed Lin Ch'ung sat down in the guest's seat, and the two constables sat down near him. We need not say anything here about the other horsemen who had taken their horses to the stables at the back of the house.
Squire Ch'ai Chin ordered the servants to bring wine, and they brought it, in with meat, cakes, and a peck of unboiled rice on the top of which were ten strings of cash. When he saw this Ch'ai Chin in an apologetic tone said that the servants were not aware that he was entertaining a drill inspector, and that was why they had brought such small quantities of things. He then told the servants to take them away, and bring the best of fruit, and wine, and kill a sheep at once.
Lin Ch'ung rose, and expressed his thanks, and requested Ch'ai Chin not to go to such trouble as what they had brought was quite ample.
Ch'ai Chin objected to this, as the visit of a drill inspector was such a rare event that he could not treat it lightly.
The servants carried out his instructions, and soon brought in the better wine, and fruit, and Ch'ai Chin then poured out three cups of wine for Lin Ch'ung. After Lin Ch'ung had drunk the wine, and expressed his thanks, Ch'ai Chin asked to be excused as he wished to retire and take off his bow, and his quiver full of arrows. He asked the two constables to drink wine with Lin Ch'ung while he was away. Upon returning he sat down as the host and Lin Ch'ung again sat in the guest's seat, with the two constables behind him.
They discussed matters relating to bravoes and were not aware that evening was drawing nigh. On the table
[page 99]
were spread all kinds of food, fruit, and delicacies of the sea. Ch'ai Chin poured out the wine three times, and then sat down, and told the servants to bring in the soup. They had just eaten the soup, and drunk about seven glasses of wine each, when a village rustic entered, and said the drill inspector had arrived.
Ch'ai Chin told the servant to go and request him to come, and sit down at the table with them. When the drill inspector entered, Lin Ch'ung saw that he was not wearing his cap straight, and was strutting like a bully. He thought that the man must be the athletic teacher for Ch'ai Chin so he rose, bowed, and after calling attention by saying 'Ingo," he said, "Lin Ch'ung salutes with all respect."
The man took no notice of Lin Ch'ung, and did not return his salute.
Lin Ch'ung dared not raise his head.
Ch'ai Chin pointing to Lin Ch'ung said to the Drill Inspector Hung, "This gentleman is Lin Ch'ung, drill inspector of the imperial guards at the Eastern Capital, and I want you to make his acquaintance."
Upon hearing this Lin Ch'ung again saluted Drill Inspector Hung, and the latter did not wish to bow so he only said, "You need not salute me. Get up."
When Ch'ai Chin saw and beard this he was annoyed.
Lin Ch'ung however saluted again twice, and then got up and requested Hung to be seated. Without returning this compliment Hung simply sat down in the chief guest seat. This further annoyed Ch'ai Chin. Lin Ch'ung had to take his seat in the lower position and the two constables also sat down.
Drill Inspector Hung asked Mr. Ch'ai, "Why do you treat a banished soldier with such great respect?"
Ch'ai Chin said, "This gentleman is drill inspector of the imperial guards so how can you despise him?"
"Sir," said Hung, "I know that you like to exercise with a cudgel, and that is why when these army men arrive they always say they can also exercise with the cudgel. They all say that they are drill inspectors and so cheat you into giving them wine, rice, food, and money. Why do you always believe that they are speaking the truth?"
Lin Ch'ung upon hearing this suppressed his desire to
[page 100]
speak. Chai Chin said, "It is not anybody who can recognize ability by appearances and so we cannot treat him lightly."
Drill Inspector Hung did not like Ch'ai Chin suggesting that he could not recognize ability by appearance so he jumped up, and said, "I have no faith in him! If he will have a bout with me with the cudgels then I shall be able to say whether he is a genuine drill inspector."
Ch'ai Chin laughed and said that that was a fine idea. He then asked Lin Ch'ung whether he agreed to the proposal. But Lin Ch'ung declined the offer. After thinking the matter over Drill Inspector Hung came to the conclusion that Lin Ch'ung was afraid, and also was perhaps unable to fence. So he decided to provoke Lin Ch'ung to fence with him.
Ch'ai Chin wanted to see Lin Ch'ung display his ability and also to see him beat Hung and so close the latter's mouth. So he said to the servants, "Bring the wine, and we will wait till the moon rises." After they had drunk about seven glasses of wine the moon rose and it was then as bright as daylight in the hall where they were drinking.
Ch'ai Chin got up, and said, "Now you two drill inspector just have a trial with the cudgels."
Lin Ch'ung saw that Hung was teaching Ch'ai Chin to drill with the cudgels so he thought that Ch'ai Chin would not like it if he knocked his drill teacher down.
Ch'ai Chin saw that Lin Ch'ung was in a quandary so he said, "Drill Inspector Hung has not been coming to my house for very long. No one has fought with him here, so you must not refuse to do so. I want to see which of you two is the beat man." Ch'ai Chin said this because he thought that perhaps Lin Ch'ung would not do his best out of consideration for his (Ch'ai Chin's) feelings in the matter.
Lin Ch'ung felt more satisfied when he heard Ch'ai Chin explain the position in this way. Hung got up, and called out, "Come on! Come on! Come on! I will have a bout with YOU
So all three adjourned to an open space outside, and the servants brought a bundle of cudgels and placed them on the ground.
Drill Inspector Hung took off his clothes, and tucked up In's short underskirt in his belt. He then dragged a cudgel
[page 101]
out of the bundle, and raised it above his head, He again called out, "Come on! Come on! Come on!"
Ch'ai Chin said, "Now, Lin, let me see what you can do."
Lin Ch'ung asked His Excellency Ch'ai not to laugh at him.
He then picked up a cudgel, and said, "Master, please give me a lesson."
At this Hung was so angry that he would have liked to swallow Lin Ch'ung at one gulp.
Lin Ch'ung raised his cudgel above his head and brought it down with a blow in "Shantung style." At the same time Hung brought his cudgel down in a horizontal sweeping motion. The two men fought about five bouts in the moonlight, and then Lin Ch'ung suddenly jumped clear of the cudgel, and called out for a rest.
Ch'ai Chin asked why he was not using all his ability.
Lin Ch'ung said, "I have lost."
Ch'ai Chin said, "I have not seen any display of skill so how can you be defeated? "
Lin Ch'ung said, "But I am wearing this cangue so I must lose."
Ch'ai Chin said, "Ah! I had quite overlooked that." He laughed loudly and said, "That is soon remedied." He then told the servants to bring ten ounces of silver. He also told the two constables to take off the cangue, and he would be entirely responsible for it should there be any inquiry at the prison the following day. He then gave the two constables the ten ounces of silver.
The two constables saw that Ch'ai Chin had such a splendid appearance that they did not care to oppose his will. They were also not afraid of Lin Ch'ung running away so they took off the cangue.
Ch'ai Chin was pleased and said, "Now you two drill inspectors can try again."
Drill Inspector Hung thought that Lin Ch'ung was weak in his use of the cudgel so he despised him. He raised his cudgel, and waited for an opportunity of using it.
Ch'ai Chin called out, "Wait for a moment." He then instructed the servants to bring an ingot of silver which they did immediately and set it before him. It weighed twenty-five ounces. He then said, "You two drill inspectors can now continue your practice. I have here an ingot of silver which
