by Guo Xiaoting
Li Guoyuan and Zhao Wenhui both asked at once: “How much did he want?”
The monk replied, “He wanted five strings of cash. I offered him five hundred cash.”
Li Guoyuan said, “Five strings of cash is not so much.”
The monk said, “That was his first price. That did not mean anything. He actually wanted two strings of cash, and he would not go for anything less. I said, ‘Now you have come down a little. If you will take off a bit more, I will increase from the five hundred cash I offered. It is not very much cash either way, now.’ He still said he would not go for less.
“After that the bargaining broke up and we parted. I left that temple and went to the Big Buddha temple, and there I bumped into its Wei Tuo. He asked me where I was going. I said, ‘I have some business for you. Will you do it or not?’ He asked what it was. I replied that it was to go and do something. He asked, ‘Haven’t you talked to the Wei Tuo in your own temple about it?’ I explained that our Wei Tuo wanted too much money. The Big Buddha temple Wei Tuo wanted three strings of cash, and again I said I would give five hundred cash. Without blinking an eye he said, ‘I also will not come down on my price. If I do it for less, I will offend the other Wei Tuo.’ I said that if I spent more, it would be wrong, too. Because of this, we also parted.”
When Li Guoyuan heard that all of this had been fruitless, he asked what should be done.
The monk said, “Well, I kept on going until I came to the Purple Bamboo Forest. In the temple there, the Wei Tuo was so hungry that he was pounding on the entry screen in the gateway. He called to me as soon as he caught sight of me. As soon as I mentioned business, he said he wanted to do it. He said he would be here in just a little while, and he accepted my first offer as payment.”
Li Guoyuan asked, “When will he be here?”
The monk replied, “As soon as we have finished eating. Have the table set in the courtyard. As soon as I call, he will come.”
Li Guoyuan busily set about getting dinner out of the way, calling upon the household people to prepare whatever was needed and serve it in the courtyard.
The monk said, “There is no need to panic. In a twinkling of an eye, the stars will all be out, and at that time I will invite the Wei Tuo join us.”
At last the monk called out, “I am here, the monk Ji Dian from the West Lake Monastery of the Soul’s Retreat.”
The Wei Tuo had still not arrived, but after a little while they heard a shout that seemed to come from the air above.
“I am here—the spirit has come.”
CHAPTER 6
Zhao Bin attempts to visit the Great Pavilion; a fearless hero is sent upon a horrible errand
Not like a warrior in armor astride a valiant steed.
Not riding through the flames.
We contest for fame and wealth in the tiny space between the antennae of a snail
In the flash of a moment—less than a spark of light—we live this light
Whether rich or poor—let us just seek happiness
If you can’t laugh out loud, you’re an idiot.
WHEN Ji Gong had lighted the incense and called out his invitation to Wei Tuo, the monk was still following heavenly principles. He had summoned neither heavenly spirits nor infernal demons, and there was nothing supernatural involved. He who replied, therefore, was not the true and genuine Wei Tuo. He was, in fact, Zhao Bin, a hero of the kind that could startle heaven and move earth.
Zhao Bin’s father, Zhao Jijou, who was also called Majestic Bright Moon, had been a man of Jenjiang, the provincial capital in Tanyang prefecture. Over the five main roads to the north, south, east, and west from this central area he had a reputation as the most important bodyguard and escort for travelers. His wife was from the Mei family, and they had only one son, Zhao Bin.
At that time, the country had truly fallen upon evil times. The roads were lonely and dangerous. These conditions were fortunate for the father, who was much in demand. The experienced man taught his profession to two followers and his son. The first of these followers was Fang Yangming, an awe-inspiring man from the Jade Mountain country in Jiangsi. The second was Yin Shixiong, who had previously been an employee of an escort group in the East Road.
When Zhao Jijou fell sick, he called his wife and said, “After I am dead, whatever you do, do not let Zhao Bin work as an escort. He is too proud and headstrong for such work. Let me then carry my reputation into the afterworld.” With this as his last cry, he died.
When mother and son had finished with the funeral ceremonies, the two passed their days as best they could. The little property the father had left them was sufficient for their daily needs. Zhao Bin liked to amuse himself and made several friends in the neighborhood. One of them was Jin Yuanliang, nicknamed “The Fiery Father Who Flies Through the Air.” There was another named Ma Zhaoshiang, whom people called “The God of Pestilence.” The two were both men of the Green Forest, and understood Zhao Bin rather well.
One day while the three were together eating a meal, Jin Yuanliang said, “Dear brother Zhao, do you know what we do for a living?”
Zhao Bin replied, “No, I do not know what trade my elder brothers follow.”
Jin Yuanliang said, “We are both robbers, but we are not those licentious robbers who break into houses and mistreat women. We take from the rich and give to the poor. We kill vicious and oppressive officials and cut down the ringleaders of crime who bribe them. We do away with cruelty and restore good practices. We concern ourselves with the inequalities that we find everywhere. This is what is meant by a hero who fights for right. Dear brother, it is because we think highly of your abilities that we would like you to enter into a partnership with us. I have here a suit of clothing to give you. It is made especially for going out at night with us.”
As Jin Yuanliang spoke, he handed over a package to Zhao Bin. When Zhao Bin opened it, he saw that it contained a complete set of black clothing. From this day on Zhao Bin frequently went out with these two men during the night, robbing the rich and giving to the poor.
One day Zhao Bin left the bundle of clothing at home, and his mother opened it. She immediately realized that it was the kind of clothing that was worn by robbers when they went out in the darkness. Her eyes opened wide at what she saw.
Just at this time Zhao Bin came into the house. As soon as his mother saw him, she became furiously angry, saying, “Zhao Bin, your father was a hero among the armed escorts. You have cheapened his memory by daring to become a robber. A good son you are! You have killed me and may you also die quickly!”
Zhao Bin said, “Mother, do not be angry. If you do not want me to, I will not be a robber.”
His mother said, “Burn this clothing and break your sword.”
Then she thought to herself that they could no longer live in their present home and that the friendships he had made would have to be broken. If not, she feared that he would be captured. She thought of the mother of Mencius, the philosopher second only to Confucius, she who three times, once, then again, and yet again moved with her son Mencius to a new home, so that he might grow up a worthy person. Zhao Bin’s mother wished to follow that example. As quickly as she could, she sold their household possessions and changed their money into fine gold and silver. Together with Zhao Bin she came to Linan. Here they rented a place in the fourth lane past the Green Bamboo Nunnery, in the home of a fruit seller named Wang Xing.
Still Zhao Bin had no occupation to which he could turn. After a while, Wang Xing’s mother, known as Old Mother Wang, spoke to his mother, saying, “Madame Zhao, why not ask your son to sell fruit? He feels sad sitting around the house, and he eats a mountain of food.”
Zhao Bin’s mother replied, “He is still young with no experience and no understanding.”
But Old Mother Wang countered: “You can ask him to go with my son to the wholesale fruit market. There, he can buy a little fruit and take it to sell elsewhere for a profit. In that way he can practice and see how it goes.”
Zhao Bin’s mother thought that this would be a good idea. When she discussed it with Zhao Bin, he wanted to try it.
The following day, taking two strings of cash, he went with Wang Xing to the fruit market and bought fresh fruit from the north. Wang Xing said to him: “You bought this fruit quite cheaply. Fifty per cent of your price must be profit. When you earn two strings of cash, you buy again. Think about this when you sell.”
After Zhao Bin had had something to eat at home, he left, carrying the fruit in a small wicker case. Yet when he saw people, he did not have the courage to hawk his produce. He walked through several lanes, but everyone who saw him thought that he was taking a gift from one house to another instead of trying to sell something. Of course, no one bought anything. When Zhao Bin came to Phoenix Hill Street, he saw on the north side of the street a great gateway with a large wooden tablet above. It appeared to be the home of a national official of high rank.
Zhao Bin put his case on the ground and sat down beside the gate. Just as he was sitting there looking at his fruit and feeling unenthusiastic, he saw a yuanwai come out to say goodbye to some guests who were leaving. He was a tall, bearded man with piercing eyes named Zheng Xiong, nicknamed the “King of Heaven with the Iron Face.” He belonged to a family in which there had been many generations of officials. He himself was a high military official, well known for his integrity in office and in private life, and for his delight in good works.
After having said goodbye to his guests, he noticed Zhao Bin sitting dejectedly beside the gate. Zheng Xiong, who enjoyed speaking to people, asked him, “My friend, what are you doing here?” Zhao Bin explained that he was selling fruit, that he had bought it for two strings of cash, and that he wanted to sell it for four strings.
Zheng Xiong called a servant and had him empty the case of fruit into a large bowl and bring four strings of cash to give the young man. Zheng Xiong questioned him, and Zhao Bin explained that it was his first attempt at buying and selling.
The next day he went to the market with Wang Xing and again with two strings of cash bought some northern fresh fruit.
After returning home and having something to eat, he took the case of fruit and without going elsewhere went straight to the Zheng mansion on Phoenix Hill Street. He put down the case, sat down, and waited until noon. When Zheng Yuanwai started to leave the house, Zhao Bin said, “Don’t go. I have brought you some fresh fruit.”
Zheng Xiong asked, “Who told you to bring it?”
Zhao Bin said, “Take it inside. I did not bring it to sell.”
Zheng Xiong said, “That is your wish, but not my wish. I would prefer simply to give you two strings of cash every day. How would that work?”
Zhao Bin replied, “Good!”
When Zheng Xiong heard this, he was amused and said, “How easily you gave up the idea of becoming a merchant. I will take them today, but tomorrow when you come, do not bring any more.” Then he told the servant to give Zhao Bin four strings of cash for the fruit, and Zheng Xiong and Zhao Bin went their separate ways.
Zhao Bin took the money home and from that time became more skilled in buying and selling. Sometimes he lost money and at other times he made up his losses. Occasionally he saw Zheng Yuanwai.
One day, Zhao Bin was at the West Lake looking at the girls passing over the causeway when a gang of toughs attacked him. The gang had nearly killed him when Ji Gong rescued him and saved his life. From then on Zhao Bin recognized Ji Gong as his teacher.
Now when Ji Gong had left the home of Li Guoyuan, he met Zhao Bin as he was selling fruit. The monk said, “Zhao Bin, come and have a drink of wine with me.” Zhao Bin went with the monk to a wine shop for a few drinks.
The monk said, “Today you will take on the role of Wei Tuo for me.”
Zhao Bin asked, “How will I act as Wei Tuo?”
Ji Gong explained how Li Guoyuan had lost the prince’s tally scroll and how it had found its way into the upper room of a pavilion in the flower garden of the prime minister’s estate. Ji Gong then asked Zhao Bin to steal it unseen and unheard and get it back to the home of Li Guoyuan while pretending to be Wei Tuo.
Zhao Bin said, “But I do not know Li Guoyuan.”
The monk said, “I will take you there.”
After they had finished eating and drinking, he gave Zhao Bin the money he had received from Li Guoyuan and took him to the gate of the Li family home.
The monk said, “Come tonight,” and then gave him some further instructions.
Zhao Bin nodded his head. Then he went home and told his mother: “My teacher, Ji Gong, wants me to act as Wei Tuo tonight.”
His mother asked, “What is acting as a Wei Tuo?”
Zhao Bin replied, “My teacher wants me to go to the prime minister’s estate and find a five-thunder, eight-trigram scroll for someone while pretending to be a Wei Tuo.”
His mother knew that Ji Gong was a good man. If it had been anyone but Ji Gong, she would not have let Zhao Bin venture out at night.
Zhao Bin changed his clothing and took a large knife used for chopping vegetables. When it grew dark, he climbed out over the wall, telling his mother to keep the gate fastened. He then went over the rooftops to the Li home and waited there above in the darkness. When he heard Ji Gong say that Wei Tuo had not yet arrived, Zhao Bin waited for a short time and then answered: “I am here! The spirit has come!”
The monk said, “Old Wei, go to the upper room of the pavilion in the flower garden of the prime minister’s estate. Get the prince’s tally scroll and bring it here.”
Zhao Bin said, “I will obey!” Then he turned and dashed nimbly off across the roofs.
He quickly arrived at the neighborhood of the prime minister’s estate and hastened on to the flower garden. When he looked around, he saw that the garden was very large. He could not immediately identify the pavilion for which he was looking. There was a little pavilion over the water, a pagoda in a miniature forest, flowers for the four seasons, and foliage for the eight festivals. He leapt down and began to search about until he came to the northeast corner of the garden, where there was a small courtyard. The largest building there was a house of three sections on the north side. To the east and west were two smaller matching buildings.
In a room of the north building, the light of a lamp shone dimly, and the shadows of people passed across the paper windows. Zhao Bin moved closer. From outside he moistened the paper of the window with the tip of his tongue and made a small hole. When he looked inside, he saw along one wall a bed and on the north side a square table with two chairs. A sharp-edged saber hung on that wall. There was a candle in the lantern on the table.
Two men sat in the chairs facing each other and drinking tea. The man on the east side was at least sixty years old. The skin of his face had a sickly pallor. His two eyebrows were like spear points and his eyes like a pair of triangles. His hair was as white as a white flower. On his head he wore a blue kerchief, and around his body a blue silk robe with a pattern of seal characters.
The man to the west was about thirty. He wore a dark green cloth hat and a black silk jacket. Around his waist was tightly tied a wide silk sash, while over his shoulders was carelessly thrown a dark cloak of the kind commonly called a hero’s cloak.
Zhao Bin could hear the older man saying, “Now, my brave young man, I have sheltered and taken care of you well. If you perform the business that I have asked you to do and if you really do it properly, I will give you a hundred ounces of silver. You may take it to the faraway places of heaven and the edges of the seas, where you will be beyond men’s powers to try you for taking a man’s life.” As he spoke, the older man reached into his clothing, took out two packages of silver, and placed them on the table. It was truly silver of the finest quality.
The younger man said, “I have learned so much from your kindness, venerable sir. You have granted me favors often when it would have been rude to refuse and embarrassing to accept. They have been such that now it would be
a sin to refuse your request.”
The older one said, “Young man, carrying out an order is worth much more than being respectful.”
Zhao Bin then saw the younger man take the silver and place it inside the front of the upper part of his jacket. The man then reached out and took down the saber hanging on the wall, saying, “Venerable sir, whatever you hear moving outside, I say one thousand times ten thousand times, pay no attention. In a little while a man’s head will come to see you.” With this he went out of the building.
Zhao Bin quickly concealed himself and watched where the young man went. Zhao followed him, thinking to himself: “He must be going somewhere to kill a man. I will go along and watch!” He observed the man walk west through two courtyards, until on the west side there was a screen decorated with wooden placards covered with characters. Following the man through the gate beyond the screen, Zhao Bin saw a flickering light in a building of three parts to the north. There was a sound, as if someone were reading aloud to himself from a book. After he saw the man holding the saber go into the building, Zhao Bin made a hole in the paper window and saw a square table and two chairs. Seated in one of the chairs was a refined and studious-looking young man, while nearby was an old manservant.
The man who had just come in struck the table with the saber and said, “Whoever is the master, quickly speak for yourself. I have come here to put an end to your life.”
The young gentleman, who had been intimidated by the sight of the armed intruder, prostrated himself on the floor together with the servant, and spoke: “Spare our lives, good man! Since you ask, let me tell you why I am here.”
As he heard this, Zhao Bin began to burn with anger at the would-be assassin. He grasped his vegetable chopper and was about to burst into the room and intervene.
CHAPTER 7
Reunited heroes rescue a studious young man; Han Dianyuan reforms his ways with Ji Gong’s help