by Shi Nai-An
"Do not be surprised at my being sent here to arrest you," said inspector Chu Tung. In the past we have always been on good terms with each other, and you confided in me with everything. You will perhaps remember that once when we
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were drinking wine together you told me of this hidden cellar with the entrance under the altar in front of the shrine. You also said that if I got into trouble I could always find a safe refuge there. When the magistrate ordered me and inspector Lei Heng to come here and arrest you I remembered what you had told me before, but I took care not to let anyone know about it. The magistrate himself wanted to hush the matter up but Mrs. Yen and the clerk of the court Chang San both threatened to appeal to a higher court if something definite was not done and therefore the magistrate reluctantly issued this warrant for your arrest. I was afraid that inspector Lei Heng would not have the tact to let you go when he sees you but would arrest you according to the literal meaning of the warrant. So I induced him to stay at the front gate while I could come here, and have a talk with you. This cellar is a good hiding place, but not quite safe enough for you. If any one knows about it, and come here to search for you what escape have you?"
"I have been thinking about that myself," said Sung Chiang. "If it had not been for your great tact I should have been arrested, and bound as a prisoner."
"You should not talk like that," said Chu Tung. "But have you thought of any place where you can go to?"
"I have thought of three places which would be safe for me to go to," said Sung Chiang. "The first would be at Ch'ai Chin, the Small Whirlwind's house at Heng Hai Chun, in Tsangchou. The second would be at Hwa Jung, nicknamed the Small Li Kwang's house at the Pure Wind Stronghold on a mountain in Ching Chou. The third would be at Sire Kung's village near the White Tiger Mountain. He has two sons -- the eldest called Kung Ming, nicknamed Restless Star, and the second called Kung Liang, nicknamed Fiery Star - and I once met both of them in the town. Of these three places I cannot make up my mind which to go to."
"Then you must make up your mind at once," said Chu Tung, "because you must get away from here this night."
"I hope that you will do your best to settle the case for me," said Sung Chiang. "You can come here again, and take
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whatever money you require for making arrangement with the officials."
"You need not worry about that," said Chu Tung, "because I will be responsible for everything. You had better now get things ready for your departure."
Sung Chiang thanked Chu Tung, and then descended into the cellar.
Chu Tung replaced the board over the entrance, put back the altar in its former position, opened the door, took up his sword, and said, "He is not in the farmhouse. How would it be if we arrest Sire Sung instead?"
Inspector Lei Heng thought, "How is it that he wants to arrest Sire Sung when he is on very good terms with Sung Chiang? He evidently means the contrary. So if he says that again I shall speak in favor of Sung Chiang." The two inspectors then summoned the soldiers and went to the main hall. Old Sung prepared the wine and served au the men. But inspector Chu Tung said, "Do not serve us with wine and food, but instead I think it would be better if you and your son Sung Ching would have a visit with us to the yamen."
"But why have we not seen Sung Ching?" asked, inspector Lei Heng.
"I sent him to a neighboring village to get an agricultural implement made," said Old Sung. "As you know, I have the official document confirming that I disowned my son, Sung Chiang, three years ago."
"What is the use of telling us that again?" asked inspector Chu Tung. "We have to carry out the orders from the yamen, and we must therefore arrest both you and your son Sung Ching."
"Inspector Chu," said Lei Heng, "listen to me! It is very probable that Sung Chiang had some reason for murdering the girl, and his punishment may be not necessarily death. Now we have the undoubted official document that Sung Chiang was disowned by his father, and we both knew Sung Chiang very well, we should not be so strict in our duty but should make a copy of the official document, and report the matter at the yamen."
"That is my own idea," thought Chu Tung, "but I do not want him to suspect it." He therefore said, "As you
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to like that I shall have to let you have your own way." "I shall be greatly indebted to you two inspectors for your generous treatment," said Old Sung. He then spread food and wine on the table, and invited all present to partake of a meal. He also got twenty ounces of silver, and presented them to the inspectors. But the inspectors refused to accept the money, and gave it to be divided among the forty soldiers.
When they had made a copy of the document referred to, the two inspectors took leave of Old Sung, and returned to the yamen with their soldiers.
The magistrate was sitting on the bench when they arrived, and he asked them at once for the result of their search.
The inspectors reported that they had made two searches in every part of the house and also the village without finding any trace of the criminal. Old Sung was seriously ill on his bed and could not get up. His son, Sung Ching, had gone last month to some other place, and had not returned yet. Therefore they had made this copy of an official document.
Having heard this, the magistrate wrote a dispatch to his superior official reporting the case, and giving all particulars. He also issued orders to all in his district to arrest Sung Chiang.
Now Sung Chiang had many friends, and they called on Chang San, and urged him to let the matter drop. Yen Po-hsi was dead, and Chang San remembered that Sung Chiang had previously helped him in many ways, and now that many people pressed him to let the matter drop, he at last agreed to do so.
Inspector Chu Tung also collected together quite a lot money and things and presenting them to Mrs. Yen asked her not to appeal to the higher court, but to let the matter drop. To which Mrs. Yen at last agreed as she saw nothing would be gained by proceeding further. Inspector Chu Tung also got a lot of money and sent it by one of his men to Chi Chou Fu to bribe the officials there to allow the case to pass.
The magistrate also offered a reward of a thousand strings of cash for the arrest of Sung Chiang and then delivered his judgment that T'ang Niu-erh had committed a serious offense in helping Sung Chiang to escape, and ordered that he should
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receive twenty blows with the bamboo, should be branded, and banished to some place more than one hundred and fifty miles from his home. He then released all the witnesses.
Now why had they the hidden cellar at the Sung family residence? During the Sung dynasty (A. D. 960-1127) the official duties were easy, but the clerical work in the yamens was accompanied with difficulties. Why were the official duties easy? This was because the emperor's ministers were corrupt, villainous, and crafty. If an official had no friend at court and was poor, there was no prospect of promotion.
But why were the clerical duties so difficult? Because for the slightest fault one was to be branded, and banished to distant military post. If the crime was serious not only was the man executed, but all his family's property would be confiscated. Because of this many yamen clerks had such hiding places for refuge from the officials. Being afraid that some fault of the sons at the yamen might bring disaster on the whole family it was a common practice for parents to disown their sons who were clerks in the yamens. But although the clerk lived by himself he always kept his money secretly at home.
When Sung Chiang at last emerged from his biding place he spoke to his father and brother, "If it had not been for the protection of inspector Chu Tung I should have been arrested. We must not forget to repay him for his benevolent action. I must now escape and take my brother with me. If Heaven is gracious perhaps the emperor will grant an amnesty, and then we can return home to meet our father again. I hope, father, that you will secretly send money to Chu Tung, and ask him to bribe all the yamen officials to let the matter drop, and also send smaller amounts to Mrs. Yen and su
ggest that it would be better for her to withdraw the accusation."
"You need not be anxious about such matters," said Old Sung. "You and your brother Sung Ching must be careful when traveling. When you reach your destination you must find a reliable man to bring a letter here."
The two brothers packed up what they wished to carry with them, and arising from their beds about 3 a.m. they washed their mouths and faces, took breakfast, and prepared to start. Sung Chiang wore a Fanyang felt hat, a white silk
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gown, a plum-colored girdle, puttees round his calves, and hempen shoes. Sung Ching was dressed as a servant, and carried the bundles for both. Upon leaving the grass hut they saluted their father.
Mr. Sung burst into tears unceasingly, and he said, "You two have now a very long road in front of you, but you must not grieve on the way."
Sung Chiang and Sung Ching addressed the farm servants, "You must always diligently attend to our father, and see that he always has plenty to eat and drink." They then placed swords in their belts, and carrying short swords in their hands they left the Sung Family Village The two brothers then started. Now it was just between the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. When they had traveled some distance Sung Chiang asked, "From whom shall we find refuge!"
"I have heard people say that Squire Ch'ai Chin, of Heng Hai Chun in Tsangchou, is a descendant of an emperor of the later Chou dynasty, but we do not know him. Yet I see no reason why we should not go and seek refuge with him. Everybody says that he distributes wealth in good cause and is always assisting good men from all over the empire. He even assists criminals and is very similar to Meng Ch'ang-chun (B.C. 279). We had better go and seek refuge with him."
"I have also had that idea," said Sung Chiang. "I kept up correspondence with him, yet I had no opportunity of meeting him before."
They therefore took the road to Tsangchou. They traveled through prefectures and districts; traversed mountains and waded through rivers. They rested at inns on the way, but there were two objectionable things which they, as well as other travelers, had to put up with -- they had to use cups and bowls that might have been also used by lepers, and second they sometimes had to sleep on beds where some person might have died some time before.
The brothers however at last reached the border of Tsangchou where they inquired where Squire Ch'ai lived. Upon arriving at Chai's village, they inquired if Squire Ch'ai was at home, and were informed that he was at Eastern Village
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collecting some rice in lieu of rents. They were also informed that Eastern Village was thirteen miles from there. When Sung Chiang asked to be shown the way the informant inquired for his "elevated" name.
"I am Sung Chiang and come from Yun Cheng Hsien," he replied.
"Are you the chief clerk known as the Welcome Rain?" inquired the servant.
When he admitted this the servant said, "Squire Ch'ai often talked about your great reputation, and was very sorry that he had never had the opportunity of meeting you. But as you have now arrived I myself will conduct you to Mr. Ch'ai at the other village." They all three started off at once, and in about six hours reached Eastern Village. The servant asked the two brothers to sit down in an arbor while he went to announce their arrival. The servant had not been gone long when the central gate of the farmstead was opened, and the squire emerged accompanied by about five servants. They hurried to the arbor and saluted the two brothers.
"I have thought of you a very great deal," said Ch'ai. "But what favorable wind has blown you here. I am exceedingly pleased to meet you. What great luck! How fortunate!"
Sung Chiang kotowed and replied, "I am only a common clerk, and I have come to seek a refuge with you."
Ch'ai Chin raised up Sung Chiang, and spoke softly, "Last night the lamplight was bright, and this morning the magpies were calling, but it never occurred to me that you were so near." While he said this his face was wreathed with smiles.
Sung Chiang saw that Ch'ai Chin wished to treat him very liberally, and was much pleased at this. He then introduced his brother.
Ch'ai Chin then ordered the servants to prepare a guest chamber for the brothers, and take their baggage there. Then taking Sung Chiang by the hand he conducted him to the hall where they sat down as host and guest. Ch'ai Chin then said, "I do not wish to appear impertinent, but what has led you to leave your duties, and come to such a desolate place as this?"
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"Your fame has long resounded in my ears like thunder," replied Sung Chiang. "I was the mean recipient of your letters, but I never had the leisure to come and visit you. I have no ability, but I did a thing which caused me to come here with my brother. We hope to find a shelter here as we have heard that you distribute wealth in good cause."
"Sir, never mind that," laughed Ch'ai Chin. "You need not be sorry. But what was this great crime which forced you to flee to this place? I will not boast, but whatever official thief catcher comes here he dare not act as a spy."
Sung Chiang then told Ch'ai Chin all the particulars of his murder of Miss Yen Po-hsi.
Upon hearing this Ch'ai Chin laughed and said, "Never mind, sir. Because even if a man has killed a high official, or stolen things from the imperial treasury I would dare to conceal him here." He then invited both brothers to take a bath, and also presented them with two new suits of clothes, new caps, new silken shoes, and new socks, and asked them to leave their old clothes in the bathhouse. They did this, and the bath attendant sent their old clothes to their room. This done, Ch'ai Chin asked the brothers to dine with him in a private room at the back, and they took their seats there according to the rules of etiquette. At the meal the three were waited upon by about ten of the chief stewards who kept them supplied with wine and food. Ch'ai Chin many times pressed Sung Chiang to take wine, and the latter thanked him repeatedly. All three expressed their pleasure at meeting, and stated how many times they had looked forward to this.
When it was getting dark Sung Chiang pointed out that they had drunk enough wine, but Ch'ai Chin would not agree to this. So they went on until it was about 8 p.m. when Sung Chiang withdrew to the toilet. Ch'ai Chin sent a man with him bearing a lamp. But as Sung Chiang had had quite enough wine he intentionally walked very slowly, and went by the longest way. He was nearly tipsy and walked unsteadily. He was going to the eastern veranda, but there was a man there who had the ague, and being afraid of cold, had a charcoal brazier to keep him warm. The man was stooping over the fire, and as Sung Chiang
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staggered along the veranda he trampled upon the handle of the brazier and this threw the burning charcoal in the face of the sick man. The man was startled, and perspired freely. He was very angry, and seizing hold of Sung Chiang's collar shouted out, "What a stupid fellow! But who are you trying to play with!" Sung Chiang too, was surprised and fuddled to speak, but the servant carrying the lamp spoke to the man, "You must not talk like that as this gentleman is the honored guest of our master."
The man replied, "Honored guest! Honored guest! And wasn't I also an honored guest at one time? Our master treated me well then, but now he listens to all the tittle-tattle of the servants who have turned him against me. The saying puts it, 'Men cannot be friends for very long.' The man attempted to strike Sung Chiang, but the servant threw down his lamp and interposed. He did not succeed in separating the two men, but just then three lamps came flying along the veranda. They accompanied Ch'ai Chin who rushing up asked what the row was about. The servant explained how Sung Chiang had accidentally trodden over the charcoal brazier, and this made Ch'ai Chin laugh. He said, "Man, don't you know this celebrated chief clerk?"
"A celebrated chief clerk, hey!" replied the man. "Then perhaps you will ask him how he compares with Sung Chiang, the magistrate's secretary, at Yun Cheng Hsien?"
"Do you know Sung Chiang?" asked Ch'ai Chin laughingly.
"I have not met him," said the man, "but all people talk about him, and call him Sung Kung-m
ing, the Welcome Rain. He is the most famous man in the whole country."
"But how do you know he is a good man?" asked Ch'ai Chin.
"I cannot recite all the details," said the man, “but he is a celebrated person because everything he does is well done from start to finish. When I am better I intend to go and seek refuge with him."
"Would you like to see him then?" asked Ch'ai Chin.
"If I did not want to see him why should I talk like this?" said the man.
"Man," said Ch'ai Chin, "instead of being six hundred miles away, he is here now." He pointed at Sung Chiang and said, "This is Sung Kung-ming, the Welcome Rain."
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"Is this really true?" asked the man.
"I am that man," replied Sung Chiang.
The man looked at him closely, and then kotowed and saluted saying, "I did not expect to meet you, my elder brother, to-day."
"You must have made a mistake in holding such an opinion about me," said Sung Chiang.
"I have blundered seriously," said the man, "and must ask for your forgiveness. Although I have eyes yet I failed to recognize a great man." Thereupon he knelt on the ground, and would not get up.
Sung Chiang hurried to raise him up saying, "Honored sir, what is your name?"
A man who frightened tigers
Made brigands' hearts to throb.
If this man's name was mentioned,
The stars and moon grew dim.
If only seen in distance,
The rivers changed their course.
We will now see who this man was.
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