by Shi Nai-An
"It is very intolerable to think that that brute Lu
[page 75]
Ch'ien who used to address me as his brother should have deceived me. Now I am only afraid that I shall not meet that Master Kao, and get my revenge."
His wife strongly appealed to him not to go out.
Lu Ch'ien hid in the private quarters of the Minister for War, as he dared not go home. Lin Ch'ung waited for three days without seeing Lu Ch'ien. On the fourth day Lu Ta called on Lin Ch'ung, and remarked that he had not seen him for several days. Lin Ch'ung explained, "I have been somewhat busy these few days so that I have not been able to see you, but as you have favored me by visiting my little hut you should drink three cups of wine with me. Unfortunately I have no wine here so how will it be if we go for a stroll and call at some inn?"
Lu Ta agreed and they went out. They were drinking wine for the whole day, and then agreed to meet again the following day. They even did this every day until at last the affair of Master Kao was almost obliterated from Lin Ch'ung's mind.
After escaping from Lu Ch'ien's house, Master Kao did not dare to mention the matter to his adopted father, and remained at home sick. Lu Ch'ien and Fu An came to see him, and noticed that he still seemed to be depressed. Upon their asking why he was not well, he replied, "I will not deceive you in any way. It is because I have twice failed to get hold of that woman, and have been scared by her husband. My lovesickness is more acute than ever. I think I shall be like this for a long time, and that even my life is in danger."
The two men said, "Master, do not worry! We will take this matter in hand, and will be responsible for bringing you and her together. She can only escape by committing suicide."
While they were talking the steward came in to see how his master's sickness was progressing. When he had made the usual inquiries Lu Ch'ien and Fu An asked him to go with them for a private conversation. Upon reaching a quiet spot they said to him, "If you want Master Kao to recover you must report the affair to his father, the Minister for War, and put an end to Lin Ch'ung's life. Then we can get hold of the woman and take her to Master Kao who
[page 76]
will recover. If you do not do this your master will certainly die."
"That is an easy thing," replied the steward, "and I will inform Kao Chiu this very evening."
"We have already the plan," said the two men, "but we will wait until you tell us what's Kao Chiu's idea."
The steward went to see the Minister for War that evening, and told him, "Your adopted son is melancholy because he cannot have the wife of Drill Inspector Lin Ch'ung. He met her at the Yueh Temple, more than a month ago, and ever since he has become lovesick." He then explained Lu C h'ien's plan for curing Master Kao.
Kao Chin thought the matter over, but could not see how he could damage the prospects of Lin Ch'ung, and said so. He agreed however to hear what plan Lu Ch'ien bad, and sent for him. Upon their arrival they called out "ngo!" in the usual way, and Kao Chiu asked what plan they had to cure his son. Lu Ch'ien explained the plot, and the minister approved of it, and ordered them to carry it out the next day.
Lin Ch'ung had been drinking with Lu Ta every day so that he had quite forgotten about the affair of Master Kao. It happened, however, on one day as they were walking near Yue'h Wu Fang they saw a big man with a splendid sword on which was a tuft of grass to indicate that it was for sale. He called out, "I have not yet met a man who knows the value of this sword." But Lin Ch'ung and Lu Ta paid no attention, and strolled along. The man followed them calling out, "A good sword! What a pity that nobody knows its value!" The two friends still paid no attention so the man called out as they entered an alley, "This capital is a very big place, and yet there is no one who knows about military weapons."
Lin Ch'ung could not help but hear this, and turned round. The man drew the sword out of its scabbard, and displayed its dazzling brightness. Lin Ch'ung was not aware that this sword would doom his fate as he asked to look at it. The man handed it over for inspection, and Lin Ch'ung exclaimed, "What a fine sword! How much do you want for it? "
[page 77]
The man said it was worth three thousand strings of cash, but he would take two thousand.
"It is worth two thousand," said Lin Ch'ung, "but nobody here knows its value. If you will take one thousand I will buy it."
"I am hard up for ready money," said the man, "and as you want it I will make a reduction of five hundred."
But Lin Ch'ung would offer only one thousand so the man heaved a sigh; saying, "Now gold is for sale at the price of scrap iron. But enough! But don't give me a single cash less."
Lin Ch'ung said he would pay him at his home, and so departed with Lu Ta, promising to see him again the following day. He duly paid for the sword, and then asked where he got it from.
"It is a family heirloom, and I sell it because we are very hard up," replied the man.
"Who was your ancestor?"
"If I told you I should be ashamed."
Lin Ch'ung did not press the point, and the man departed. He examined the sword, turning it this way and that, and saying to himself, "This is certainly an excellent Sword. Kao Chiu, Minister for War, has a sword like this, but he does not let anybody see it. I have asked him several times to let me see it, but have been refused. By and by I will take this sword and compare it with his." He continued examining the sword till it was evening. At night he hung it on the wall, but got up long before daybreak to have another look at it.
The following day he heard two minor officials at the door calling out, "Drill Inspector Lin Ch'ung, the Minister for War, Kao Chiu, has heard that you have bought a sword, and he orders you to bring it for his inspection. He is specially waiting for you in his yamen." Upon hearing this. Lin Ch'ung wondered who could have reported the purchase to the minister. The two men waited until he was dressed, then he took the sword and went with them.
On the way he said, "I have not seen you at the headquarters."
"We have been appointed quite recently," they replied.
Upon reaching the headquarters they entered while Lin
[page 78]
Ch'ung remained in the courtyard. The two men then came back and said that the Minister for War was in the hall at the back. Upon going there they passed round the screen before the door of the hall and then saw that the minister was not inside. Lin Ch'ung stopped there but the men said that the minister had instructed them to take him inside. So he went with them through three doors, until they came to a building surrounded by green railings. There they asked him to wait while they were going to announce his arrival. They went inside and Lin Ch'ung stood under the eaves of the hall for so long a time that it would take to drink a cup of tea, but the men still had not returned. Such a delay and silence made him suspicious. He lifted up the door curtain and peeping inside saw an honorary tablet with four black characters, "White Tiger's Private Hall." He understood immediately that this was the hall where councils of war were held, and that he was trespassing. He quickly turned round to go away, but just then he heard the sound of footsteps behind him, and looking back saw the minister himself. He stepped forward, and called out, "ngo" (awaiting your attention).
Kao Chiu shouted, "Lin Ch'ung! How dare you enter the White Tiger's Private Hall, seeing that I have not summoned you? Moreover you have a sword in your hand, and evidently intended to kill me. I have heard that you have been hanging about these headquarters for several days with a sword so you evidently have bad intentions."
Lin Ch'ung bowed his head, and said, "Your Benevolent Excellency! I was favored by a visit of two minor officers who told me to bring my sword here to compare it with yours."
Kao Chin shouted, "Where are those minor officers?"
"Your Benevolent Excellency, they went inside this hall."
"Nonsense! No minor officer dare enter my rooms! Seize this person!"
Before he had finished saying this, about thirty men rushed out of the building on both sides, and arrested him.
Kao Chiu pretended to be angry, and said, "You are a drill inspector, and yet you do not know the law. Why you enter the White Tiger's Private Hall with a sword in your hand, and try to kill me?"
[page 79]
This event was to lead to much trouble in the empire.
Marks inscribed on farmer's backs;
Fishing boats studded with flags.
We will now see what happened to Lin Ch'ung.
[page 80]
CHAPTER 7
LIN CH'UNG IS BRANDED AND BANISHED TO
TSANGCHOU TAO; LU TA HAS A BIG
ROW IN THE BOAR'S FOREST
WHEN the bodyguard of the Minister for War seized Lin Ch'ung, and were going to behead him on the spot. Lin Ch'ung called out that he was being wronged.
The Minister for War said, "What business had you to come to this private hall with a sharp sword in your hand? Did you not come to kill me?"
Lin Ch'ung beseechingly said, "If you had not ordered me to come here, how could I have dared to enter? The two petty officers who just went inside the hall brought me here."
The Minister for War said, "Nonsense! What petty officers are there at my headquarters? Why don't you accept my word!" He then told his bodyguard to take the prisoner to Kaifeng Fu, and he would instruct the governor there to examine the case very minutely, and after a clear investigation he could execute the prisoner. He told them to wrap up the sword, and seal it.
The bodyguard obeyed the orders, and took Lin Ch'ung under arrest to Kaifeng Fu, and fortunately upon arriving there they found that the governor was still sitting in the court hearing cases. Kao's officers took Lin Ch'ung into the court, and they knelt down at the steps in front of the bench. The governor's officer got the particulars of the case, and then reported the matter to the governor Tung. He then took the sword which was still sealed up, and placed it in front of the prisoner.
The governor said, "Lin Ch'ung, you are a drill inspector of the imperial army so how is it that you did not know the rules of the army, and entered the Private Hall with a sword in your hand? That is a crime to be punished by death."
[page 81]
Lin Ch'ung said, "Most benevolent and wise official, I am falsely accused, and seriously wronged. Although I am a stupid army officer I understand a few of the rules, How dared I enter the Private Hall? The fact of the matter is, that on the twenty-eighth day of last month I went with my wife to the Yueh Temple to sacrifice, and there we met the adopted son of Kao, the Minister for War, who attempted to trifle with my wife, and I interfered and separated them. Afterwards Lu Ch'ien cheated me by asking me to go to drink wine with him, while he employed Fu An to deceive my wife, and told her to go to Lu Ch'ien's home where they had arranged to trifle with her. As soon as I heard of this I went there at once, and smashed up all the furniture. Thus although they had twice tried to ravish my wife, they had not succeeded, and I have a witness to bear that out. The following day I bought this sword, and to-day the Minister for War sent two petty officers to my home to tell me to take the sword to his yamen. So I went with those two men to the Private Hall. They went inside the Hall, and I thought that the Minister for War was inside there. Those men had contrived this plot to injure me, and I hope that you, the benevolent official, will give me justice."
The governor listened to Lin Ch'ung's statement, and then gave instructions for a dispatch to be prepared for the Minister for War. He gave instructions for the gangue and handcuffs to be placed on Lin Ch'ung who was to be taken to the prison. Lin Ch'ung's family supplied him with food and money while he was in prison. Lin Chung's father-in-law bribed many court officials to try to arrange matters for him. Fortunately in the court was a secretary named Sun Ting, who was a very honest and exceedingly good man, and was always trying to help people in distress. Because of his character everybody called him "Sun, the Buddha." He understood the case, and spoke to the governor several times about it. He said, "I think this case has been brought up simply to injure Lin Ch'ung, and it would be better for you to show mercy to him."
The governor said, "He has committed a grave offense and the Minister for War has instructed me to question him as to (1) why he had a sword in his hand; (2) why he entered
[page 82]
the Private Hall; (.3) why he intended to kill the Minister of War. How can I help him?"
Sun Ting spoke sarcastically "This yamen does not receive its authority from the Imperial Court, but evidently from Kao, the Minister for War.
"Nonsense!" said the governor.
Sun Ting said, "Does not everybody know that the Minister for War, Kao, uses his great influence to oppress people? and moreover, those under him do the same thing? And if a man unintentionally breaks the least fraction of the law Kao sends him to Kaifeng. If he wants him killed he is killed, if he wants him hacked to pieces that is done. So does it not appear that this yamen belongs to him?"
The governor said, "Assuming that what you say is correct how could this case of Lin Ch'ung be settled in any other way?
Sun Ting said, "According to Lin Ch'ung's evidence he is quite innocent, but the difficulty is that we cannot arrest the two petty officials. Now you had better tell him to admit that he ought not to have unintentionally entered the Private Hall with his sword in his belt. And having branded him you can banish him to a distant military outpost."
Governor Tung thought the plan a good one, and decided to go to see Kao, Minister for War, and repeat to him the evidence of Lin Ch'ung. Kao was aware of the weakness of his case, and had to agree to the sentence of the governor. Straightway he returned to the judgment hall and gave an order for the cangue to be taken off Lin Ch'ung, and that he was to receive twenty blows on his back. He then told the workman who branded prisoners to brand Lin Ch'ung on his cheek. He was to be banished to the prison at Tsangchou.
A cangue was at once made weighing ten pounds with round corners, and strips of metal nailed to it, and with a paper pasted on to seal the two halves together. A document giving particulars of the case was then handed to two constables who were to escort the prisoner to Tsangchou. The two men were named Tung Chao and Hsueh Pa, and as soon as they got the official documents they left the yamen.
[page 83]
At the gate of the yamen a large number of neighbors with Drill Inspector Chang (Lin Ch'ung s father-in-law) were assembled and they conducted Lin Ch'ung and the two constables to a wine shop near the Chou Bridge where they all sat down.
Lin Ch'ung said, "Fortunately I have been helped by the secretary Sun, and although I was beaten with a bamboo yet I can walk without pain."
Drill Inspector Chang told the waiters to bring wine and fruit, and treat the two constables well. After they had drunk a few cups of wine Drill Inspector Chang took out some silver, and presented it to the constables.
Lin Ch'ung raising his handcuffed hands to his father-in-law said, "Please listen to what I say. This year I have had misfortunes, and since I offended Master Kao I have been wrongly prosecuted. To-day I wish to speak to you, and request your attention. I am indebted to you for your kindness. Three years ago you gave me your daughter, and since that time we have had no quarrels. Although she has not had any children, yet we have not had the least bit of dispute about, it. But now this calamity has resulted in me being banished to Tsangehou, and now even my life is uncertain. My wife remains at home, but I shall always be thinking of her. I am very much afraid that Master Kao will press his suit very strongly. As my wife is quite young I do not want to stand in her way of being happy. It is my own will, not influenced by any outside pressure at all. Now in the presence of all my neighbors I will write a bill of divorcement so that she may marry another husband as she will and there will be no dispute. In this way I shall be contented, and she will avoid any injury from Master Kao."
Inspector Chang said, "My worthy son-in-law! What are you talking about? You have been unlucky, and have encountered a calamity which was arranged by your enemy. You are going to Tsangchou to-day to avoid the coming trouble. When hea
ven have pity on you, and allow you to come back, you will be reunited to your wife. At my home there is plenty of money, and your wife, and her maid Chin Erh, can both live at my home and whether they are there for three or five years I will look after them. So
[page 84]
Master Kao shall not get the opportunity to see your wife. I will be responsible for this, and you need not worry about it. While you are in the prison at Tsangchou I will write you letters, and send you clothes frequently. You can go with a contented mind, and must not be anxious."
Lin Ch'ung replied, "I am extremely grateful for your kindness. But I cannot rid myself of concern about my wife in the present state and any delay would only be a sorrow to each of us. I hope you will accept my wishes, and then I shall die with a peaceful mind."
Inspector Chang was unwilling to agree to do this. All the neighbors who were there also said that it could not be done.
Lin Ch'ung said, "If you will not do as I wish I swear on my oath that when I return from prison I shall not live with my wife."
Inspector Chang said, "As it is that way then even if you write down such a wish I shall certainly not take your wife, and marry her to another man. He then told the waiter to buy a sheet of paper and then find a man who could write a letter. Upon the arrival of the letter writer Lin Ch'ung dictated the following: