by Shi Nai-An
When the wine served Huang Hsin took a cup, and offering it to magistrate Liu said, "The prefect feels uneasy to hear that you two magistrates here do not see eye to eye, so he instructed me to come here as mediator. We must always understand that imperial affairs are of the first importance, and discuss matters amicably."
"I have not much ability," said magistrate Liu, "but I understand a little of the rules of propriety. It is my fault indeed, if I have given the prefect any cause for anxiety. We two have had no disputes, so somebody must have circulated false statements about us."
"Splendid!" said colonel Huang Hsin.
Magistrate Liu drank his wine, and colonel Huang Hsin then handed another cup of wine to Hwa Jung, and said, "As magistrate Liu says this there must be somebody that have made these false reports. In that case, please drink this wine."
Hwa Jung took the wine, and drank it. Magistrate Liu then poured out some wine, and offered it to Huang Hsin saying, "I am sorry to have troubled you to come so far to this our humble place. Please drink this wine."
Colonel Huang Hsin took the cup, and looked around. Instantly several soldiers came to the hall. He threw the cup on the floor, and at once there arose a shout. Soldiers from all sides entered the hall, and arrested Hwa Jung. Colonel Huang Hsin ordered them to bind Hwa Jung's hands, and the latter called out, "What is the charge against me?”
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Colonel Huang Hsin laughed, and said, "You need not shout! You have joined the bandits of Pure Wind Mountain to plot rebel against the government. You know what the charge will be. But because of our previous acquaintance, I will not implicate your family."
"But where is the proof of what you say?" asked Hwa Jung.
"You shall see the proof," said colonel Huang Hsin. "I will not be unjust to you." Turning round, he ordered, "Bring the man here!" In a short time, a prisoner's cart was wheeled into the hall, and Hwa Jung saw Sung Chiang therein, Hwa Jung was startled, and could not say another word.
"This has nothing to do with me," called out Huang Hsin. "Magistrate Liu made the accusation against you."
"Never mind!" said Hwa Jung. "This man is a relative of mine. He is a native of Yun Cheng Hsien. You accuse him of being a bandit, so he will answer that charge in the proper court where there will be discrimination."
"I am going to take you both to Ching Chou Fu," said Huang Hsin, "and there the matter will be thoroughly gone into." He then asked magistrate Liu to provide an escort of a hundred soldiers.
Hwa Jung spoke to colonel Huang Hsin, "Colonel, you tricked me to come here, and have me arrested, but I may even at the Imperial Court have explanation about this matter. I must ask you to allow me to retain my military uniform while I am being conveyed in the prisoner's cart."
"I can easily agree to that;" said Huang Hsin. He then told magistrate Liu that he also had to proceed to China Chou Fu, and state his accusation there. The two then mounted their horses, set out for Ching Chou Fu, accompanying the two prisoners in two captive carts, and with an escort of about a hundred and fifty soldiers.
As you have prepared the bed,
You must lie on it contented.
We will now relate how this affair caused a hundred houses to be burnt down, and two thousand people to be killed in an armed conflict.
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CHAPTER 33
THE GUARDIAN OF THE THREE MOUNTAINS
MAKES A GREAT STIR IN THE CHING CHOU
PREFECTURE; THE THUNDERER WANDERS
IN THE DARK AMIDST THE
DEVASTATED VILLAGE
THE soldiers escorting the prisoners were armed with spears, cudgels, knives, and swords, and were morally supported further by a band of drums and gongs. They had barely covered fourteen miles when as they were approaching a big forest the soldiers in the advance halted and reported that they saw spies among the trees. But the unconvinced Huang Hsin merely growled at the column for having stopped, and ordered that they should march on, and take no further notice of the supposed spying. The column had to obey, and the wood was now close at hand when suddenly about thirty gongs were sounded simultaneously among the trees, with the natural consequence that the soldiers were frightened out of their wits, and began to scatter. Huang Hsin's shout, however, stopped them. "Stand firm! Fall into ranks! Magistrate Liu! You guard the prisoners."
Already, magistrate Liu on his horse had got the wind up, and exclaimed, "May we be saved by the god of mercy from a calamity! Ai Ya! Ai Ya! I will offer a lao of prayers, at thirty altars for the benefit of those in hell. Save us! Save us!" His face became the color of a green pumpkin, and then turned yellow.
Huang Hsin, being a military officer, had no fear. He whipped his horse, and dashed to the front. There he could see that there were about five hundred brigands among the trees. They were all tall, and had fierce appearances. They all wore red turbans, and short jackets, and had swords in their belts, and long spears in their hands. They had by this time surrounded his column. Then three big men sprang out of the forest. Their dress was blue, green, and red respectively, and on their turbans was the swastika sign
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in gold. They each carried a big sword and a scimitar in hand -- barring the road. These were the bandit chiefs, namely Sleek Tiger, Stunted Tiger, and the White Faced Squire. They bellowed out, "You can go no further unless you give us three thousand ounces of gold."
Colonel Huang Hsin shouted, "You fellows are not going to treat us in this way. The Guardian of Three Mountains is here."
The three bandit chiefs glared at him, and shouted, "Even if you guarded ten thousand mountains you would have to pay just the same. You shall not pass here without payment."
"I am a colonel on official business, so why should you expect me to pay the money?"
The chiefs laughed, "Even if the emperor himself came this way, he would have to pay the toll. If you have no money, then you can leave the man who transacts official business as ransom with us until you raise the cash."
Huang Hsin was highly infuriated by such insolence, shouted back, "You brigands! How dare you be so impudent!" Ordering the drums and gongs to be beaten so as to have a martial air, he whipped his horse and charged with his sword in hand. The chiefs defended themselves, but although Huang Hsin used all his available skill and strategy he could not hold himself against the three even after ten bouts.
Magistrate Liu was at the back shivering in his shoes, and instead of helping he was seriously thinking of running away.
Huang Hain at last realized that he was in danger of being captured by these men; so turning his horse, galloped back to his soldiers with the three brigand chiefs following at his heels.
Huang Hsin had no time to care his own soldiers, but rode off by himself towards the town whence they had just come. When the soldiers saw Huang Hsin leaving them there was confusion, and they left the prisoner's cart, and scattered in all directions. Magistrate Liu was soon left by himself, and seeing the hopeless position of affairs whipped his horse, and followed the rabble. But some of the brigands seeing magistrate Liu escaping drew a rope across his track brought his horse down, and took him prisoner.
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Having released Hwa Jung and Sung Chiang from the cage on the cart, they stripped the clothes from magistrate Liu and gave them to Sung Chiang. The band then set out for their stronghold on the mountain with the horses as their booty, and the magistrate as their prisoner.
Now before this conflict the brigands had sent spies into Pure Wind Town, and they had duly reported that Hwa Jung had been arrested, and that Huang Hsin had captured Sung Chiang on the road. So every road had been watched, and the ambush cleverly arranged.
The bandits reached their camp about 10 p.m. that evening, and the chiefs assembled in the hall to discuss matters. They all sat down to take dinner with Sung Chiang and Hwa Jung in the central seats of honor.
"I and my elder brother Sung are deeply indebted to you for saving our lives and revenging our wrong. In the town
however are my wife and my sister, and I am afraid that Huang Hsin will now arrest them. How can we save them?"
"Magistrate Hwa, do not worry about that," said Yen Shun. "I think that colonel Huang Hsin will not dare touch your family. We know that even if he does, he will still have to pass along this road again. We three will go to-morrow, and bring your family here." He then ordered some of his men to go into the town, and spy what was being done there.
Hwa Jung expressed his gratitude for this action.
"Let us now have the prisoner Liu Kao here," said Sung Chiang.
"He is bound to a pillar on the veranda," said Yen Shun. "We will out open his bosom, and present you with his heart."
"I will do that myself," said Hwa Jung.
They all went outside to the veranda. There Sung Chiang reviled Liu Kao. "Previously I had no quarrel with you, so why did you foolishly listen to your wife's false statements. Now that we have caught you, what have you to say?"
"Don't ask him any questions," said Hwa Jung. He opened the prisoner's breast with his sword, and cutting out the heart presented it to Sung Chiang. The soldiers took away the corpse.
"We have disposed of this vile scoundrel," said Sung
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Chiang, "but as we have not yet got his hellhound wife my hatred of her still exists."
"Never mind, brother," said Stunted Tiger, "I will go to-morrow, and get her, and she will then belong to me."
They all laughed at this. They soon finished their feast, and went to sleep.
Early the next morning they again discussed an attack on Pure Wind Town. Yen Shun said, "Our men are all tired out after yesterday's work so we had better let them rest to-day."
They all agreed to this as there was no particular urgency about the proposed actions.
Upon reaching Pure Wind Town colonel Huang Hsin issued an order that foot soldiers and cavalry should strengthen the guards at the four barriers outside the town. It was not a walled town. He also wrote a dispatch to prefect Mu-jung, and sent two express messengers with it. They reached the prefectural town during the night, but when the prefect was informed that an urgent dispatch had arrived he at once went to the court to receive it. The dispatch read: "Hwa Jung has rebelled, and joined the bandits on Pure Wind Mountain. It is extremely important that a reenforcement should be dispatched at once to safeguard the town."
The prefect was surprised at the news, and at once sent for general Chin Ming, commander-in-chief of the troops in that area. Now the general was a native of Kaichou in Chihli province, and had an excitable nature. He always spoke in a very loud voice, and therefore he got the nickname, The Thunderer.
For two generations his forefathers had been in the army. He was skilled in the use of the mace with which he could overcome even ten thousand soldiers. When he heard the prefect's summon he at once went to the yamen. After they had exchanged the usual salutations the prefect handed him the dispatch to read. General Chin Ming was very angry, and said, "How dare the fellow do such a thing! Your Excellency need not worry. I will send soldiers at once. I swear that if I do not arrest those bandits I will not see you again."
"I am afraid," said prefect Mu-jung, "that if we delay the bandits will attack Pure Wind Town."
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"I will see that action is taken immediately," replied general Chin Ming. "I will give orders this very night, and the soldiers will march off early in the morning."
The prefect was much pleased, and at once gave orders that wine and rations for the troops should be sent outside the town, and distributed to the soldiers the following morning.
General Chin Ming went to his headquarters, and issued orders mustering one hundred horsemen and four hundred infantry for the expedition the following morning outside the town.
The prefect went himself to a temple outside the city, and there supervised the distribution for each soldier of two loaves of bread, two pounds of meat, and three bowls of wine. When this had been prepared he saw the soldiers leaving the town with a red flag bearing the name, "General Chin Commander-in-chief of infantry and cavalry." General Ching was with them, wearing his helmet and mail armor. His appearance indeed was a fine spectacle. As soon as he saw the prefect he rode forward, and dismounted. After the usual ceremony of saluting the prefect presented the general with a cup of wine, and said, "Take due precautions, and quickly return with victories."
When the rations had been distributed to the troops a signal cannon was fired, and they marched off on the road to Pure Wind Town.
The bandits on Pure Wind Mountain were duly informed by their scouts of the departure of these troops, and were rather surprised at this sudden move. Hwa Jung said, "Gentlemen, don't worry. There is an ancient saying, 'Urgent report of the arrival of troops demands a determination to face them even unto death.' We had better order our men to take enough food and wine, and afterwards act according to my instructions. We must first use force, and then stratagems." He then whispered his plan.
"Your plan is good," said Sung Chiang. "Let it be carried out."
"The men were ordered accordingly, and that day Sung Chiang and Hwa Jung arranged their plan. Hwa Jung selected one of the best horses for himself, and put on his mailed armor and helmet. He also got in good condition his bow, arrows and spears.
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Now general Chin Ming, the Thunderer, marched with his army until he was a few miles from Pure Wind Mountain where he encamped for the night. When his troops had had their meal about 4 a.m. next morning, he ordered a cannon to be fired as a signal for a forward march. He selected an open space where the troops were spread out accompanied by the rolling of drums. Just then, however, he heard gongs being sounded on the mountain, and saw a large body of mounted bandits galloping down the mountain path. He recognized Hwa Jung among the brigands, and pulling up his horse he seized his "Wolves Teeth Mace." Upon reaching the foot of the mountain a gong was again sounded, and all the mounted bandits formed themselves into ranks. Hwa Jung on his horse saluted the Thunderer.
"Hwa Jung," shouted the Thunderer, "your ancestors were military officers, and you yourself received your commission from the emperor. You were given a salary, and commanded to guard this district, so where have you got dissatisfied? Now you join these bandits, and openly rebel against the government. I have come here to arrest you. If you are intelligent, just dismount, and be bound by ropes, and so a dirty business may be avoided."
Hwa Jung laughed at this, and said, "Sir, please listen! How dare I rebel? Magistrate Liu Kao has concocted false charges against me. As he was persecuting me I had no other place for refuge than this. I request that you personally investigate the charges, and so help to clear me of the accusation."
"How long will it be before you dismount?" asked the Thunderer. "You have made a sophisticated speech in order to demoralize my troops." He ordered the drums to be sounded, and raising his mace he advanced towards Hwa Jung.
Hwa Jung laughed again, "Chin Ming! Do you not understand the forbearance of a decent man? I have treated you as my superior officer, but please do not think that I am afraid of you." Thereupon he urged his horse forward, and held his spear ready for action.
They both engaged in conflict, but after about fifty rounds neither of them gained any advantage. So Hwa Jung decided to make a feint, and turning his horse he galloped
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away down the road. The Thunderer was very angry at this and pursued him. Hwa Jung put his spear aside, took his bow, and reined in his horse. Turning round in the saddle he shot an arrow which severed the tassel on the Thunderer's helmet, and it fell to the ground. This served as a warning, and the Thunderer being startled dared not go any further. He pulled up his horse, and turned round with the idea of dealing with the followers who had come with Hwa Jung. But the bandits had all turned, and were in retreat up the mountain. Hwa Jung had also now turned off the road, and was also heading for the mountain by another path.
This escape of the enemy made ge
neral Chin Ming, the Thunderer, more angry, and he said, "These rascals are detestable." He at once gave orders for a general advance up the mountain, and the drums and gongs were beaten accordingly. The soldiers shouted as they advanced. They had not gone very far when they were assailed from above by stink pots, dust bottles, large bowlders, and logs of wood rolled down the slope. About fifty men were killed at once, and the rest realizing their danger turned, and fled. General Chin Ming was now extremely angry, but also had to retreat. About noon many gongs were beaten on another hill to the west, and he saw there another body of bandits with red flags. He led a number of his cavalry in that direction, but when they got there they could not see the flags and brigands. There was only a small track there for woodcutters, and even that was obstructed by a heap of timber and bushes. He gave order that the trees be removed, but just as his soldiers were going to do this, they heard gongs sounded on another hill to the east side, and looking across they saw bandits there with red flags.
General Chin Ming immediately rushed his cavalry to the eastern hill, but upon arriving there, there were no bandits or red flags. Again there was only a small track obstructed by loose trees and bushes. Just then a scout reported to him that there were bandits with red flags again on the western hill. General Chin Ming again galloped his cavalry to the western hill, but upon arriving there there was not a single bandit to be seen. The Thunderer was now mad with rage, and ground his teeth with passion. Again he heard the brigands sounding
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their gongs on the eastern hill, but upon going there again there was only the same result. He gave orders that a road up the mountain must be found, and one of his soldiers stepped forward, and spoke respectfully, "There is evidently no proper road here, but on the southeast side there is a good road up the mountain. If we try to find a way here I am afraid we shall be entrapped."
