by Shi Nai-An
I'll kill the cruel underlings,
As I've sworn to Emperor Ch'ao.
Ho T'ao was surprised at hearing this, and just then he saw the singer in the distance sculling a small boat.
A soldier recognized the man and called out, "That is Yuan the Fifth."
Ho T'ao beckoned with his hand for his men to move forward, and all the boats advanced.
When Yuan the Fifth saw this movement he laughed and cursed them saying, "You are thieves who oppress the people! How dare you attack me! You come here to pull the tiger's whiskers!"
The soldiers took their bows, and let fly a large number of arrows.
Yuan the Fifth seeing this seized a tool used in fishing, made a somersault, and dived into the water. The soldiers rushed to the spot, but could not find anyone there. They punted their boats towards two tracks in the reeds, and heard someone in the reeds whistle. The boats spread out, as they saw another boat approaching
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them yaolued or sculled by two men. A man was standing in the boat, wearing a bamboo conical bat, and a grass raincoat, and was holding a spear in his hand. He was singing:
I was born at the village of Shih Chieh,
And I long to slake my thirst for blood
Let me only behead the sheriff and Ho T'ao,
And present their heads to the Emperor Ch'ao.
Both Ho T'ao and his men were startled upon hearing this. A man called out, "This man is Yuan the Seventh."
"Let all of you advance and seize this thief," shouted Ho T'ao. "He must not escape."
Yuan the Seventh laughed upon hearing this and said, "You crook!" He then pressed his spear and the boat turned round towards a nook in the reeds.
The soldiers seeing this, yelled out and chased him. But Yuan the Seventh and his two oarsmen sculled briskly so that the small boat seemed to fly. He also whistled with his fingers as the boat wound its way through the devious turnings.
The soldiers quickly followed down the narrow channels, but Ho T'ao called out ordering them to stop and anchor close to a bank there. Ho T'ao got on the bank and looking round saw nothing but a vast expanse of reeds and rushes without any trace of a footpath on the bank. He was suspicious, so he asked the fisherman they had arrested whether he knew the place. The fisherman replied, "Although I live here yet I do not know all these numerous tracks through the reeds."
Ho T'ao sent some three of his men in a small boat to go forward, and examine the tracks. As they had not returned after four hours Ho T'ao said, "Those men are not good scouts." He then sent five more of his men in two small boats to reconnoiter the tracks. But after another hour had passed those men also had not returned. Ho T'ao said, "Those men were well experienced so how is it that they have not returned to report to me? I never thought there is not a single man of the soldiers who can get out of a scrape by himself." As it was now getting dusk he thought that it would not do to stop in that spot, but he decided to first investigate matters himself. He selected a quick boat
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and six of his reliable men who were armed, to pull the oars and then seating himself at the bow of the boat went towards one of the numerous tracks in the reeds. They went about two miles, and now as the sun was setting in the west he saw a man on the bank carrying a hoe. He asked him, "Who are you? What place is this!"
The man replied, "I live at this village. It is called the Cut off the Head Ditch. There are no thoroughfares hero."
"Have you seen two boats pass this way?" asked Ho T'ao.
"Are they the boats that were sent to arrest Yuan the Fifth?" asked the man.
"How do you know that they come to arrest Yuan the Fifth?" asked Ho T'ao.
"They are fighting in the forest over there," said the man.
"How far is it from here?" asked Ho T'ao.
"'It is just over there -- not far away," replied the man.
Ho T'ao gave orders for the boat to stop at the bank, and then told two of his best men to arm themselves and come ashore. But the man took his hoe and struck the two soldiers with it, knocking them down into the water. Upon seeing this Ho T'ao was startled, and was thinking of going on the bank himself. Just at that moment the boat was moved away from the bank, and a man suddenly emerging from the water seized his legs and pulled him off the boat into the water. The men on the boat seeing this were thinking of retreating, but the man on the bank used his, hoe and brained them all one by one. The man in the water dragged Ho T'ao to the bank, stripped him of his belt and bound him with it. Then Ho T'ao saw that the man who had jerked him into the water was Yuan the Seventh and that the other man on the bank was Yuan the Second.
The brothers cursed Ho T'ao, "We three brothers always like to kill men, and set houses on fire. What a cur you are! How dare you bring your men here to arrest us!"
"Heroes!" said Ho T'ao, "I was sent here by my superiors -- It was not my own will. How dare I come here to arrest you? But pray have pity on me and spare my life because
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at home I have a mother who is eighty years of age, and depends entirely upon me for her support."
One of the brothers said, "Bind him tightly like a dumpling (tsung tzu), and put him in the hulk of the boat." They then threw the bodies of the soldiers, who had been killed, into the water. The brothers then whistled with their fingers and immediately about five men emerged from the reeds and rushes and came on the boat. They then all departed.
The officer who had been left in charge of the soldiers on the boats thought, "Ho T'ao thought that his men did not know how to carry out his order so he went himself to explore the tracks, but so far he has not returned." It was then about 9 p.m. and the sky was studded with stars. The soldiers were all taking a cooling on the boats as it had been a hot day. Suddenly a strong wind sprung up and struck the boats in the stern. The men covered their faces with their hands and bemoaned their luck. The wind snapped the mooring ropes, and the boats were soon in disorder. Just then the soldiers heard a whistle, and looking in its direction they saw at the side of the reeds an outbreak of fire. The men cried out, "We cannot escape from that." There were about one hundred boats, both small and big, and these were now all bumping against each other. The fire approached quickly. They now saw that there was a fleet of small boats fastened together in pairs, and loaded with reeds and grass which was all ablaze and the wind was blowing this mass of flames towards them. Their boats were all mixed up in a disorderly mass, and the channel was so narrow that they could not escape. There were about ten of the big boats all together in one spot, and these pairs of small boats with the fire got between them. In the water beside these small boats were men who guided the boats to their destination. The soldiers on the big boats leaped on shore to escape. But there was no dry ground there, and the fire soon caught the reeds so that there was no way to escape in any direction. They stood in the mud, The wind was strong, and the flames were dangerous. In the fire they now saw a small boat sculled by a man, and with a man seated in it who held a two-edged sword and shouted, "Do not allow even a single one escape." The soldiers standing in the mud shivered with fear. Instantly they saw
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on one side came two men leading about five fishermen armed with spears and swords, and on another also advanced two men who were leading four fishermen who were also armed. These men now commenced to attack the soldiers, and in a very short time all the soldiers were killed.
The four leaders were Ch'ao Kai and the three brothers Yuan. The man seated on the boat was Kung-Sun Sheng who had prayed to Heaven for a wind and had obtained it. These five men had led ten fishermen in the attack on the soldiers, and had succeeded in killing them all in the reeds, or in the water. There was only one man left and that was Ho T'ao, the thief catcher, who was lying in the bottom of a boat, tightly bound like a dumpling. Yuan the Second picked him up, and put him on the bank. He then cursed him saying, "You stupid reptile! You have deceived and injured the people of Chi Chou Fu. At first I thought of cutting your corps
e into ten thousand pieces. But now I want you to return to Chi Chou Fu, and tell that thief, the governor, that the three brothers Yuan, or even Ch'ao Kai are not to be alighted with. We do not go to your town to borrow grains, but if he comes to our village it will result in his death.
"We are not afraid of a small governor, who has an order from the royal tutor to arrest us, because if Ts'ai himself comes here we shall only cut about thirty holes in his body. If we release you, you must not attempt to come here again. You must tell that sham official that he had better not have another dream like this one. There are no roads here, but I will get my younger brother to show you a way."
Yuan the Seventh got a small light boat, and placing Ho T'ao on board took him to a place where a road started, and then said to him, "You can get away by this road. All the men who came with you have been killed so is it not nice for us to let you go in this way? When the governor sees you that asinine thief will laugh at our weakness. I now beg that you will let me have your two ears as a keepsake."
Yuan the Seventh took his sword and cut off both ears of thief catcher Ho T'ao. He then cut his bonds, and left him on the bank.
Ch'ao Kai, Kung-Sun Sheng, the three brothers Yuan, and the ten fishermen embarked on seven small boats and
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left the anchorage of the Shih Chieh Village, and went to the Li Family Village. There they found the boats that had brought Wu Yung and Liu Tang. Wu Yung asked how the affair with the soldiers had terminated, and Ch'ao Kai told him all the details. Wu Yung and all the men were very much pleased on hearing the news. They then placed their boats together in one place, and went to the inn to find Chu Kwei, the Speedy Courier. When Chu Kwei saw so many people arriving and assuming that they wanted to join the bandits he went out to meet them. When Wu Yung had told him the news Chu Kwei was much pleased, and saluted each person individually. He then invited them to come into the main hall where he told the servants to bring wine and wait upon the guests. He then took his bow and shot an arrow, that had a whistle attached to it, into the reeds. As soon as the whistling arrow reached its destination a boat carrying a number of bandits came forth, and was sculled towards the inn. He then wrote a letter giving the names and number of the heroes who wished to join the bandits, and handing this to the boatmen, told them to take it at once to the stronghold. A sheep was then slaughtered, and cooked for the assembled men.
They passed the night there, and early the following morning Chu Kwei ordered a big boat, and invited his guests to embark. They also took the boats that had brought Ch'ao Kai and his party, and set off for the bandits' stronghold. In a short time they neared the landing place, when they heard drums and gongs beating. Four small boats came out to meet them, and after the boatmen had saluted by exclaiming "ngo," they retreated.
Upon reaching the landing place called the Golden Sand Bund, all the fishermen and other men were told to remain in that place. About ten bandits were there to conduct the leaders to the stronghold. At the barrier Wang Lun with the other chiefs was awaiting them, and they all saluted Ch'ao Kai and his fellow leaders.
Wang Lun said, "I have heard the great fame of Ch'ao Kai, the Heavenly King, like the sound of thunder in my ears. To-day I am greatly honored by you entering our straw stockade."
"I am quite uneducated," said Ch'ao Kai, "and am very
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rough. To-day I want to hide my incapability and willing to be a subordinate follower of yours, and I hope you won't reject my application."
"Don't talk like that," said Wang Lun. "Please come into our stronghold where we can discuss matters."
They all went up the mountain. Upon arriving at the assembly hall Wang Lun invited them to enter. Ch'ao Kai and his six companions stood in a row on the right-hand side, while Wang Lun and his subordinate leaders stood on the left side. They then each individually pressed each other to be seated. Wang Lun instructed the lower officers standing near the door to salute the guests also, and he then gave orders for the men outside to beat the drums and play the music. He then told some of his men, to go down the mountain and conduct the other followers of Ch'ao Kai to the stronghold and entertain them in the guest chamber where they could stay for the night. He also ordered that two oxen, ten sheep, and five pigs were to be killed and a big feast provided. While they were drinking the wine Ch'ao Kai told them all about his affair from beginning to the end. While listening to this Wang Lun was much upset and very perplexed. He made no remark or comment, but muttered to himself.
The feast lasted until the evening when Ch'ao Kai and his men were shown by the chiefs to a guest hall where the former could stay.
Ch'ao Kai was much pleased with the arrangements, and spoke to Wu Yung and the other five men, "We have committed a serious crime and should Wang Lun not treat us so well, we could find no safe place to stay. So we cannot forget to repay his kindness."
Wu Yung gave a sneering laugh.
"Why do you sneer in that way?" asked Ch'ao Kai. "If you know anything you had better tell me."
"You have an honest disposition," said Wu Yung. "But do you believe that Wang Lun is really willing to receive us here? You cannot read his heart, but you should carefully notice his conduct."
"What do you see in his actions?" asked Ch'ao Kai.
"Did you not notice," said Wu Yung, "that in the early stage of the feast he spoke with you in a friendly manner, but afterwards
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when you had stated how we had killed many soldiers, policemen, and how we released Ho T'ao, and what splendid heroes the brothers Yuan are, Wang Lun then changed his countenance, and his answers to you were not sincere. If he had really intended to keep us here, he could have decided upon your position in the band early this morning. The two leaders Tu Chien and Sung Wan are rather rough characters, so how can they understand how to treat guests? Only the other leader Lin Ch'ung was previously a drill inspector at the Eastern Capital, he understands everything. Just now he has no alternative but to remain as the fourth in command. At the beginning when Wang Lun was discussing matters with you I noticed that Lin Ch'ung did not seem very comfortable, and was always looking at Wang Lun. I saw that Lin Ch'ung might do something for us. I shall speak a few words which might produce a conflict between them."
"I have to depend entirely on your admirable scheming," said Ch'ao Kai.
The seven men slept soundly that night. Early next morning they were informed that Lin Chung wanted to see them.
"That man," said Wu Yung, "is come to have a talk with us; he has fallen in my trap."
The seven men went to the door to invite Lin Ch'ung to enter, and Wu Yung being in front said to him, "We are deeply indebted to you for the grand reception we had last night."
"I am afraid that I did not pay you sufficient respect," said Lin Ch'ung. "Although I should like to have treated you much better yet I am not in a position to do so."
"Although our talents are negligible," said Wu Yung, “yet we can appreciate your intentions. We are extremely obliged to you."
Ch'ao Kai pressed Lin Ch'ung three times to take the seat of honor, but Lin Ch'ung declined the honor. At last Ch'ao Kai gave way and agreed to take the premier seat, and Lin Ch'ung took the second seat. The other six men took their seats in a row.
"I have heard of your fame," said Ch'ao Kai, "but I did not expect to meet you to-day." "When I was in the Eastern
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Capital," said Lin Ch'ung, "I never treated my friends lightly. But now as I cannot treat you as I would like to, so I came here to beg your pardon."
Ch'ao Kai expressed his thanks for the great favor bestowed upon him.
"I heard previously," said Wu Yung, "that you were noted at the Eastern Capital as a great hero. But I never heard how you fell out with Kao Chiu, minister for war, and how it happened that you incurred his displeasure. Afterwards I heard of the military fodder depot at Tsangchou being burnt down, and that it was part of Kao Chiu's plot to aggravate your misfortune, but I h
ave not heard who it was that introduced you to these bandits."
"The mention of Kao Chiu," said Lin Ch'ung, "makes my hair stand on end. Yet I am not able to have my revenge. It was Squire Ch'ai who introduced me to this place."
"Is not that Squire Ch'ai," said Wu Yung, "the man whom we know as Ch'ai Chin, the Small Whirlwind."
Lin Ch'ung said that that was the person.
"I have heard," said Ch'ao Kai, "that Squire Ch'ai distributes wealth in a good cause. He is known to entertain heroes from all quarters. It is said that he is the descendant of the Emperor of Ta Chou. It would be very nice if I could meet him some time."
"According to what people say," said Wu Yung, "the fame of Squire Ch'ai is known everywhere, and it is heard of by all men. I think that if your military skill had been only ordinary he would not have recommended you to the bandits here. Without exaggeration I think that it would have been proper for Wang Lun to have made you the head chief here. Everybody in fact agrees with that, and moreover it would have been in accordance with Squire Ch'ai's recommendation."
"I am flattered by your great praise," said Lin Ch'ung. "It is not Wang Lun who would not have me remain at his home. I have really committed a great crime, and I was really afraid of implicating Squire Ch'ai. I myself was willing to come here instead of staying at his home. But I never expected that I am to-day held on a dilemma. It is not that I am dissatisfied with my position, but Wang Lun has no fixed idea, and his word cannot be
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depended upon and that makes it very difficult to work with him."
"In dealing with men," said Wu Yung, "he appears to be very amiable but who knows that at his heart he is so narrow-minded."
"Just now," said Lin Ch'ung, "it is very fortunate that many heroes have come to our mountain stronghold to help and assist us in many ways. Your presence is like dressing an embroidery with flowers or like a welcome shower on a parched rice field. But Wang Lun is jealous and envious of capable men, and is afraid that the influence of the heroes will result in his overthrow. Last evening when you told him about your having killed many soldiers I could see that he was uncomfortable, and that was why he did not want you to stay, but asked you to pass the night outside the barrier."
