by Shi Nai-An
Wu Sung called out, "I am being wrongly accused." But the soldiers would not allow him to say anything more. They took Wu Sung away, and locked him up in a cell. Chang sent a messenger that same night to report the affair to the prefect, and also offered bribes to all the lower officials. Early the next morning the prefect took his seat on the bench, and was surrounded by all the minor officials, yamen runners, and policemen. Wu Sung was brought into court under arrest, and the sealed packages of the stolen goods were also brought in. A confidential secretary of lieutenant Chang handed to the prefect a dispatch stating the details of the case against Wu Sung. The jailers placed before Wu Sung the instruments for punishment, but before Wu Sung could utter a single word, the prefect said, "This fellow was banished from a distant place, and how could he help becoming a thief. He has evidently seen valuables about, and so has harbored evil thoughts. Since the booty has been discovered in his possession so that there is no need for us to listen to his stupid talk, and we will give him a severe beating."
The jailer took the split bamboo, and dealt Wu Sung a perfect downpour of blows. Wu Sung knew that there was something underhand in all this, but as he saw no means of escape he confessed as follows: "On the fifteenth day of this month I saw many silver drinking cups in the yamen, and that was when I got the idea of stealing them." This forced confession was duly recorded, and handed to the prefect who
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said, "This fellow was evidently led astray upon seeing so many valuables, but we won't go into that. Bring the cangue here, nail it on his neck, and take him to prison for execution. The jailer fastened on Wu Sung an oblong cangue, and took him off to the jail where prisoners await execution. Upon arriving there Wu Sung thought matters over. He could see no other explanation, but that colonel Chang had arranged this trick to get him into trouble. He thought however if he could survive this infliction he would take the matter in hand and look for revenge. In the prison Wu Sung's both legs and bands were locked with chains so that he could hardly move at all.
Now Shih En heard of this affair and went to discuss it with his father. His father said, "Evidently this is the revenge of Chiang, the Door God, who must have heavily bribed lieutenant Chang, and then both of them have arranged this plot. They must have bribed everybody so that no one want to hear his defense, but all hope to kill him. I think that he is not so guilty as deserving of death so we had better send money and bribe the jailers. They may alleviate the punishments, and allow him to live. Besides we must find other ways to save him."
"There is a minor officer in the prison named Kang who is my intimate friend," said Shih En, " so I have to go and talk to him."
"You are under an obligation to Wu Sung so if you do not go who else would go?" said his father.
So Shih En took about two hundred ounces of silver, and went to Kang's house, but the jailer had not returned from the prison. Shih En sent a servant to the prison, and in a short time Kang arrived. Shih En told him all about Wu Sung.
Kang replied "The matter has really been arranged between lieutenant Chang and his friend Captain Chang. Chiang, the Door God, has been staying with Captain Chang and requested him to bribe his friend lieutenant Chang for him to do this vile thing. Every official concerned has been bribed as well. In the prison every jailer has been paid to do this. The prefect is willing to take the responsibility for the killing of Wu Sung, but the prison superintendent Yeh does not agree. Yeh is a very honest and upright man, and
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would not punish innocent persons, so Wu Sung is in no danger at present. Now that I have heard your version of the case I will see that Wu Sung is well treated in the prison. You had better however send someone to explain the case to superintendent Yeh, and ask him to arrange for Wu Sung's release."
Shih En gave Kang one hundred ounces of silver, and after some declination Kang accepted it. Shih En then returned home, and found a man who was a personal friend of superintendent Yeh. He explained the matter, and gave him one hundred ounces of silver to approach Yeh about the matter.
Now superintendent Yeh already knew that Wu Sung was a hero, and he had already a mind to save him although the prefect had personally given him instructions to deal with the prisoner harshly. Examining the accusations he saw that even if Wu Sung had stolen goods he was not deserving of death. Taking everything into consideration he decided to exempt Wu Sung from the crime, especially as he had now received one hundred ounces of silver through a friend of the prisoner.
The next day Shih En took a large quantity of wine and food to the prison, and was allowed by Kang to give it personally to Wu Sung. Shih En also gave the jailers about thirty ounces of silver and they loosened the chains binding Wu Sung. Shih En told Wu Sung that he had spoken to superintendent Yeh about his case, and he (Wu Sung) would be treated much better and that when the sentence had been served he would be released. At that time Wu Sung's bonds had not been so tight so that he had even begun to think of escaping from the prison, but now that Shih En had held out hope of other arrangements he gave up that idea. Shih En spoke many comforting words to Wu Sung before he left for home.
Two days later Shih En took a further supply of wine, food, and money to the prison, and after seeing the jailer Kang he was allowed to interview Wu Sung again. Upon returning home he engaged a man again to visit the officials concerned, and urged them to settle the case of Wu Sung as soon as possible. After a few days more Shih En again visited the prison and distributed more money,
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wine, and food to the jailers, and begged them still to treat Wu Sung with leniency. He also brought new clothes for Wu Sung to change. Altogether Shih En visited the prison three times in this way.
Now it happened that a confidential servant of Captain Chang iaw Shih En visiting the prison, and reported the matter to his master. Captain Chang conveyed this information to his friend lieutenant Chang who passed it to the prefect with a present of money. The prefect was a corrupt official, and received the bribe. He deputed a man to visit the prison, and keep a watch there as to what was happening. Whenever the spy saw an outsider there he would arrest him. But Shih En got to know of this so he kept away for some time. The jailers continued to treat Wu Sung well. Shih En now had to visit the home of Kang, the prison official, where he got all the necessary news.
Superintendent Yeh, who had the case in hand, had already made up his mind as to what should be done and reported to the prefect all the underhand management of the two Changs. The prefect himself was now well aware that lieutenant Chang and his friend Captain Chang had received plenty of money from Chiang, the Door God, and that was why they both were trying to injure Wu Sung. The prefect thought, "Those fellows have got the money, and expect me to do the dirty work." Accordingly he was determined not to press the case any further. At the end of the second month Wu Sung was taken before the prefect who ordered the cangue be removed. Superintendent Yeh read out the confessions of Wu Sung's guilt, and the prefect gave judgment that he be given twenty blows with the bamboo, and be sent to the prison at En Chow. The stolen goods were to be restored to the owner, and they were duly delivered to the messenger from colonel Chang. The blows were duly inflicted on Wu Sung, then his face was branded with characters, and a cangue weighing about ten pounds was fastened round his neck. A dispatch was written, and handed to two strong men who had been selected to convey Wu Sung to En Chow.
Now Shih En's father had bribed the men not to give heavy blows. Both the prefect and superintendent Yeh knew that Wu Sung was wronged and so condoned the punishment.
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Wu Sung suppressed his anger. After the punishment the escort set off with Wu Sung walking in front. They had not gone a quarter of a mile when they passed an inn at the side of the road where Shih En came out and spoke to Wu Sung: "I have been waiting here for some time in order to see you before you go."
Wu Sung saw that Shih En had a bandage round his head, and his hand was suspended from his neck. So he a
sked, "I have not seen you for a long time, but how is it that you dress like this?"
"After I visited you in the prison the third time the prefect got to know it, and sent a spy to keep watch in the prison, and lieutenant Chang also had another spy outside the prison to watch my movements. Therefore it was not advisable for me to visit you again in the prison. So I only went to the house of jailer Kang's house to get news.
"About a month ago Chiang, the Door God, accompanied by a number of men, came to the inn at the Delightful Forest and assaulted me. They also insisted upon me paying obeisance to Chiang, the Door God, in the presence of mediators. He then took the inn and the furniture from me again. To-day I heard that you are to be banished to En Chow, so I bring two suits of cotton clothes here so that I can give them to you personally. I have also prepared two roasted geese which I hope you will partake of before starting on your long journey." He also invited the escort to enter the inn, and dine with them. But the two men declined because Wu Sung was a thief, and if the officials got to know of this affair they would be complicated. They continued that if Shih En did not want a beating he must get away at once. Shih En did not like this talk so he offered the escort ten ounces of silver. They angrily declined the money, and pressed Wu Sung to start. Shih En bought two cups of wine, and offered them to Wu Sung. He also strapped the bundle of clothing round his waist, and fastened the two roasted geese to his cangue. He then whispered to Wu Sung, "Inside the bundle are some bits of silver which you can use for your expenses on the journey. There are also two pairs of hempen shoes for you. On the way you must beware of these two ruffians."
"You need not say anything more," said Wu Sung. "I
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understand. Even if there were four such men I should not be afraid. You go back now, and don't worry about me. I already have a plan."
Shih En wept as he departed.
Wu Sung and his escort resumed their journey, but they had gone only a few miles when the two soldiers conversed in an undertone, "Those two men have not arrived yet." But Wu Sung heard this remark, and laughed to himself and thought, "Those two fellows evidently will be unfortunate if they come and fight with me. One of Wu Sung's hands was fastened to the cangue, but the other hand was free. With the free hand he took the roasted geese off the cangue, and ate them as he walked. He had eaten both of them before they had gone a couple of miles more. They were barely three miles from the town when he saw two men at the side of the road. They both had swords in their hands, and short swords in their belts. As the escort came up they fell in behind without saying a word. But as they went along Wu Sung noticed that they were winking to each other, and he almost got their meaning. They had hardly traveled another mile before they came to a rapid flowing river with a large pool.
There was a broad wooden bridge across the river with an arch at one end on which were three characters, "Flying Cloud Pool." Pretending not to see this he asked his escort, "What is this place called?"
The two men replied, "As you are not blind you ought to be able to see the characters on the pai-lou that this is the Flying Cloud Pool."
Wu Sung stopped on the bridge, and said, "I should like to release my bowels here."
The two armed with swords had barely come one step nearer when Wu Sung cried out "go down," and with one kick he knocked one into the water. The other turned to escape, but Wu Sung kicked him in the back, and he turned a somersault into the water as well. The two other men escorting him were excited at this, and turned to get off the bridge, but Wu Sung shouted out, "Where are you going?" At the same time he wrenched the cangue into two parts, and pursued the men. On leaving the bridge one man fell, but Wu Sung ignored him and catching up
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to the other one hit him with his fist, and knocked him down. One of the swords had not fallen in the water so Wu Sung got this, and killed both men. Both of the men whom he had kicked into the river had by now swum to the bank, but Wu Sung overtook them, and killed one of them at once. He seized hold of the other, and said, "If you tell me the truth I will not kill you."
The man said, "We are both followers of Chiang, the Door God. He and lieutenant Chang sent us to accompany your escort, and to kill you at the first opportunity."
"Where is Chiang, the Door God, just now?"
"When we started off he was with captain Chang at lieutenant Chang's house, drinking wine in the Mandarin Duck Tower, and. they told us to go there, and report the result of the plot."
"Under these circumstances I cannot forgive you," said Wu Sung, and taking the sword he killed that man also. He selected the best of the swords, and threw the men's bodies into the river. He stayed on the bridge for some time looking round, and thought, "I have killed these four men, but I shall not be satisfied until I have also killed lieutenant Chang, Chiang, the Door God, and Captain Chang."
He at last started off to return to Meng Chou.
Red lamp shines in drawing-room,
Sudden death has stained the floor.
We will now relate what occurred when Wu Sung reached Meng Chou.
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CHAPTER 30
BLOOD SPILT AT THE MANDARIN DUCK TOWER;
A NIGHT WALK TO THE CENTIPEDE RANGE
WU SUNG reached Meng Chou in the evening, and went to lieutenant Chang's house. He found no one in the yard, and hid himself there. In a short time he heard a door open, and saw a groom enter the yard holding a lighted lamp. The groom hung up the lamp, and fed the horses with hay. He then took the lamp and returned to his room where he undressed, and went to bed. Just then a watchman outside struck his drum four times indicating that it was about 10 p.m. Wu Sung went to the door of the man's room, and pushed the door a little. The groom heard the noise and called out, "I am just going to sleep' and it is still a little early for you to steal my clothes."
Wu Sung placed his long sword at the side of the door, and drawing another sword from his belt he again pushed the door. The groom could not stand this noise, so he sprang from his bed, seized a stick, and went to the door. Immediately Wu Sung threw the door open and stepping forward he seized the groom by the hair. The groom was surprised, and was about to cry out, but seeing the sword in Wu Sung's hand could only beg for mercy.
"Do you know me?"
The groom recognized the voice of Wu Sung, and said, "Elder brother, I had nothing to do with it. Please spare me."
"Tell me the truth, where is lieutenant Chang now?"
"Lieutenant Chang has been drinking wine all day with Chiang, the Door God, and captain Chang, and they are still drinking in the Mandarin Duck Tower."
"Is that really so?"
"If I do not speak the truth may I be seized by the foulest disease."
"Then I cannot spare your life," said Wu Sung, and he killed the man straightway. He then changed his clothes,
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and put on the new suit that Shih En had given him. He took a blanket off the groom's bed, wrapped his silver inside it, and placed it near the door of the room. He next lifted a door out of its socket, and placed it against the wall. He blew out the lamp in the room, and taking his sword he climbed up the door and over the wall.
It was a bright moonlight night. He soon found the door, and opened it from inside. He took the door reared against the wall, and put it back in its place. He then returned to the garden, and went toward the place when he saw many lamps. The light came from the kitchen, and looking inside he saw two women servants round the stove, and heard them grumbling, "We have been waiting on them all day, and yet there is no sign of their going to bed. The guests too have no sense of shame. They are almost drunk, and yet they would not go to sleep." While they were still murmuring, Wu Sung drew his sword, and pushing the door open, entered the kitchen. He seized one of the women by her hair, and cut off her head. The other woman seeing this was paralyzed with fear -- her legs could not move, and she could not even scream. Wu Sung killed her also, and then blew out the lamps. The moonlight shining thr
ough the windows enabled him to find his way about, and he crept towards the guest chamber. He knew the way. He found the ladder leading up to the Mandarin Duck Tower, and stealthily ascended. The men servants had already departed as they were tired of having been on duty continuously all day long. Listening at the door Wu Sung could hear the three men talking together inside.
He heard Chiang, the Door God, say, "I am obliged to you for taking avenge in my behalf, and I shall fully recompense you."
"Who would like to do this but for my younger brother captain Chang?" said lieutenant Chang. "Though you have spent much money, yet you have well disposed of that fellow. He must be dead by now. When those four men come back early to-morrow morning we shall know how the deed was done at the Flying Cloud Pool."
"Four men ought to be enough to kill one man," said captain Chang.
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"Well, I told those two followers of mine that they must get it done there, and report to us as soon as possible," said Chiang, the Door God.
Upon hearing all this Wu Sung's anger was enough to burst the sky, and pushing open the door he entered the room. There were about five lamps burning, and the moonlight entered the room through windows, so there was plenty of light. On the table were many drinking vessels. When Chiang, the Door God saw Wu Sung he was so thunderstruck that his spirit flew away to heaven. Before he could stir Wu Sung struck him in the face with his sword, and he fell down. Quickly turning round Wu Sung struck at colonel Chang, who tried to evade the blow, and was out in the neck. Captain Chang had military training, and although he was almost drunk, yet when he saw these two men struck down he sprang to action, and seizing a chair raised it above his head, and advanced. But as he struck Wu Sung took hold of the chair, and pushing it back upset the balance of Captain Chang who fell on the floor. In a second Wu Sung was on top of him, and cut off his head. Chiang the Door God, made an effort to get up, but Wu Sung kicked him so that he turned a somersault, and Wu Sung taking a sword cut off his head. Wu Sung then cut off colonel Chang's head.
