Water Margin, Volume One

by Shi Nai-An

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  I will give to the winner." He purposely put the ingot of silver on the ground so that Lin Ch'ung seeing it would exert all his skill in fencing.

  Drill Inspector Hung was very jealous that Lin Ch'ung had come there. He wanted the money, but was afraid that he might be defeated and lose his reputation. But he raised his cudgel above his head in readiness to strike downwards.

  Lin Ch'ung thought that Ch'ai Chin wanted him to win. He took his cudgel, and held it horizontally in readiness to repel a downward stroke of his opponent.

  Drill Inspector Hung again shouted out, "Come on! Come on! Come on!" and so saying, he brought down his cudgel. But Lin Ch'ung avoided the blow by taking a stop back. Hung raised his cudgel again, and taking a step forward again struck at Lin Ch'ung. Again he missed, and Lin Ch'ung now saw that Hung was not placing his feet in the best position, so he quickly raised his cudgel, and making a sweeping horizontal motion struck Hung on his ankle just as the latter tried to move away. Hung fell down, and his cudgel also lay on the ground.

  Ch'ai Chin was much pleased to see this, and told the servants to bring the wine. The onlookers all laughed when they saw Drill Inspector Hung fall down. As Hung did not get up they came forward and raised him up. Hung was so extremely ashamed of himself that he just walked away.

  Ch'ai Chin took Lin Ch'ung by the hand, and lead him into the hall to drink wine. He then told the servants to bring the ingot of silver, and give it to Lin Ch'ung, but the latter declined to receive it. But after being much pressed he agreed to take it.

  After that Lin Ch'ung stayed with Ch'ai Chin for several days, and was well treated with wine and food. But after seven days the constables were urging Lin Ch'ung to depart so Ch'ai Chin prepared a feast for their final leave taking, and wrote a letter. He said, "The Taoyin at Tsangchou is a friend of mine, and I am on intimate terms with the superintendent of the jail there. So you can present this letter to them, and they will treat you well." He then gave Lin Ch'ung another ingot of silver. He also gave each of the constables five ounces of silver.

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  The following day soon after breakfast Ch'ai Chin ordered men to carry the three men's baggage. Lin Ch'ung put the cangue on again and bid good-by to Squire Ch'ai Chin. The latter accompanied them as far as the gate of the village, and there said to Lin Ch'ung, "After a few days I will send a man with some winter clothing for you."

  Lin Ch'ung expressed his thanks, and said, "How can I ever repay you?"

  I The three men then departed, and reached Tsangchou about noon the same day. The porters who had carried the baggage were sent back. The official dispatch was presented and the official took Lin Ch'ung to the magistrate. The latter then sealed an order confining Lin Ch'ung to the prison, and also a reply to Kaifeng which was handed to the two constables to take back.

  At the jail Lin Ch'ung was placed by himself in a cell where he awaited inspection. A great number of the prisoners came to his room to talk with him. They said, "The head jailer at this place is an awful fellow, and demands money and things from the prisoners. If you give him your money and things he will treat you well. But if you do not give him money he will confine you in a hole in the ground and he will be absolutely indifferent whether you live or die. If you give him money he will not beat you with the bamboo, and if you say you are ill the punishment will be postponed. If you do not give him money he will beat you until you are almost dead."

  Lin Ch'ung said, "Brothers, thanks for your information. But if he asks for money how much should I give him."

  The prisoners said, "It will be best if you give both the head jailer and the prison superintendent, five ounces of silver each."

  Just as they were saying this the head jailer came and said, "Where is that soldier who has been banished?"

  Lin Ch'ung replied, "I am the man."

  As the head jailer did not see Lin Ch'ung get his money ready he changed his countenance, and cursed him saying, "You banished thief! Why don't you kneel when you see me instead of replying in that way. Do you know what trouble you have brought about at the Eastern Capital? Now you are still so proud to me. I see that you are a banished

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  thief with all your face wrinkled with starvation, and that you will never have good luck during the remainder of your life. You are a stupid prisoner whom beating and torture could not kill. But your bones will soon be in my hands, and then I will grind them to powder, and chop up your body. It won't be long before you get your desserts!"

  This abuse made Lin Ch'ung so frightened that he did not even raise his head or reply. The prisoners listened to it all, and then went away Lin Ch'ung waited until he had finished saying this and then took out fire ounces of silver, and smiling said "Elder brother, and head jailer, I offer you this trifling present."

  The head jailer said, "Is this to be divided between me and the superintendent?"

  Lin Ch'ung said, "That is for you, and I will also trouble you to give the superintendent this ten ounces of silver."

  The head jailer laughed and said, "Drill Inspector Lin, I have heard of your good name. You are really a fine fellow. I think that Kao, Minister for War, wishes to injure you. But although you are in trouble now, you will certainly have luck after this. Having heard of your great name and now judging by your appearance I am sure that you are not an average person, and soon you must become an official."

  Lin Ch'ung laughed, "Well, I will look forward for your assistance." The head jailer said, "But you need not worry." Lin Ch'ung then took out the two letters he had received from Ch'ai Chin, and said, "Elder brother, may I trouble you to send these two letters for me."

  The head jailer said, "As you have letters from His Excellency Ch'ai you need not be anxious. A letter like this is worth an ingot of gold. I will take it for you with pleasure. And when the superintendent comes, and orders a hundred blows with the bamboo for you, you must say that you were nick on the way here, and have not quite recovered yet. I shall be there, and offer excuses, and so deceive the people who are not in the secret."

  Lin Ch'ung said, "Many thanks for your advice."

  This head jailer took the silver and the letters, and left the cell.

  Lin Ch'ung heaved a sigh and said, "Money can move even the gods. That is a true saying, as without money there is always a difficulty."

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  The head jailer took the silver, and gave five ounces to the superintendent. He also presented the letter and said, "This man, Lin Ch'ung, is a fine fellow, and has brought this letter from His Excellency Ch'ai who speaks highly of him. He was falsely accused by Kao, Minister for War, who had him banished to this place. It was only a slight offense."

  The superintendent said, "As he has brought this letter from, Squire Ch'ai we must look after him well. Bring him here to see me."

  Lin Ch'ung was sitting in silence in his cell, when the head jailer returned and told him that the superintendent wanted to see him, and check his name off. He was taken to the hall where the superintendent spoke to him, "The Emperor, Wu Te, issued a law that anybody who was banished to this place should receive one hundred blows with the bamboo. You have just arrived so I must administer that punishment." He then told his guard to put the prisoner on the ground.

  Lin Ch'ung said, "On the way I caught a severe cold, and have not quite recovered yet. I request that the punishment be postponed."

  The head jailer said, "This man certainly is sick, and I suggest that you take pity of him."

  The superintendent said, "As he is sick we will not beat him now, but wait until he is better."

  The head jailer said, "The man who attends to the Lord of Heaven's Shrine has been there quite a long time and I suggest that Lin Ch'ung should supersede him."

  The superintendent wrote an order accordingly, and Lin Ch'ung was taken to his cell to get his baggage, and then taken to the shrine where he took over his duties.

  The head jailer said that he had done his best for Lin Ch'ung.
"This job is the lightest in the prison, and all that you have to do is to sweep the floor, and bum incense. You must see that none of the other prisoners are spared from early morning till late at night. People who have no references and assistance as you have are confined to the prison, and whether they want to live or die make no difference."

  Lin Ch'ung said that he was much obliged for the help. He then gave the head jailer three more ounces of silver, and asked him to take off his cangue. The head jailer said

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  he would attend to that, and put the matter before the superintendent. Upon his return he took off the cangue. So Lin Ch'ung stayed by himself at the Lord of Heaven's Shrine and every day swept the floor and burnt incense. The first fifty days soon passed over without him noticing the time. The superintendent and the head jailer became quite friendly to Lin Ch'ung, and allowed him great liberty.

  Ch'ai Chin sent winter clothing and also money for Lin Ch'ung. The other prisoners also received money from Lin Ch'ung.

  One day about 10 a.m. Lin Ch'ung was strolling outside the prison when he heard someone behind him call out, "What are you doing here, Drill Inspector Lin?" Turning round he saw a man whom we will now introduce.

  Lin Ch'ung nearly lost his life,

  First in fire, and then in snow.

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  CHAPTER 9

  DURING A SNOWSTORM LIN CH'UNG SEEKS REFUGE

  IN THE TEMPLE OF THE MOUNTAIN SPIRIT;

  LU CH'IEN SETS FIRE TO THE FODDER DEPOT

  ONE day Lin Ch'ung was taking a stroll when he heard someone behind him calling out, and upon turning round he recognized the man as Li Hsiao-erh, who used to be a waiter m an inn, at the Eastern Capital. While there Lin Ch'ung treated him well. Afterwards this waiter stole money belonging to the proprietor of the inn for which he was arrested. But Lin Ch'ung intervened, and begged that the boy not be sent to the Yamen, and gave money to make up the loss. As the waiter could not stay in the Eastern Capital Lin Ch'ung gave him money, to go to some other place. It was quite accidental that he met Lin Ch'ung on that day.

  “Li Hsiao-erh, what are you doing here?"

  Li Hsiao-erh saluted and replied, "After you had assisted me I traveled in many directions without meeting with any assistance and happened to come to Tsangchou where I met a man named Wang, who was proprietor of an inn here and he employed me as a waiter. I was very good at preparing food, and made such delicious dishes that the visitors appreciated them and this led to a successful business. I married the daughter of the proprietor, and when the latter and his wife died I was in sole charge, and opened a restaurant just opposite the barracks. I happen to meet you as I return from collecting some bills, and wish to inquire what you are doing here."

  Lin Ch'ung pointed to his face, and said, "I incurred the enmity of Kao, the Minister for War, who plotted against me, and had me tried, branded and then banished to this place. I have been appointed to look after the Lord of Heaven's Shrine, but I cannot say what I may do next. I did not expect to meet you here."

  Li Hsiao-erh asked Lin Ch'ung to come and sit down in his

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  home. Upon arrival there the former introduced his wifwho saluted, and expressed her pleasure in meeting her husband's benefactor.

  Li Hsiao-erh said, "We have no relatives here so that for our benefactor to visit us to-day is just like a gift from heaven.”

  "I am a criminal," said Lin Ch'ung, "and I am afraid that my visit may disgrace you in the eyes of your neighbors.”

  "Don't talk like that because everybody is aware of your fame. We shall be very pleased to wash, starch, and mend your clothes."

  They all had dinner and wine together, and in the evening Lin Ch'ung went back to the temple. After that he went very often to Li Hsiao-erh's home, and the latter often sent soup and tea to the temple for him. He however always paid them with money, because these two treated him so well.

  The time quickly passed in this way until it was winter. Li Hsiao-erh's wife always washed and repaired Lin Ch'ung's cotton gowns and jackets.

  One day as Li Haiao-erh was preparing a salad two men entered his restaurant, and sat down. One of them was wearing a military uniform, and was accompanied by a soldier. Li Hsiao-erh asked them whether they wanted any wine, and the officer took out an ounce of silver and said, "Put this money in your till, and bring us three or four bottles of wine. When our guests arrive I do not want you to ask questions, but just bring us fruit, vegetables, and wine."

  Li Hsiao-erh asked, "Who will be your guests?"

  The officer replied, "I must trouble you to go to the jail, and request the superintendent and the head jailer to come here to discuss a matter with me." Li Hsiao-erh agreed to do this, and went straightway to the jail, and very soon returned with the two men.

  Upon meeting, the superintendent of the jail said that he was not aware having met the officer before, and asked for his name.

  The officer replied that he had a letter which would explain matters, but suggested that they should first have a drink.

  Li Hsiao-erh opened the bottles of wine, and placed vegetables, fruit and wine on the table. The officer poured out the wine, and offered it to the guests, and they then all sat

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  down. Li Hsiao-erh bustled about as busy as a shuttle in a loom. The soldier who was with the officer asked Li to bring some hot water, so that he could warm the wine himself. But after they had drunk about ten cups of wine they again summoned Li Hsiao-erb to bring some more wine. The officer also told him that they would keep the wine warm themselves, and that be need not come again unless summoned, as they had some private business to discuss. Li Hsiao-erh therefore went to the door, and talked with his wife. He told her that the two men who had just arrived were not quite straightforward.

  His wife asked what had given him that impression.

  Li Hsiao-erh said, "According their pronunciation these men are evidently from the Eastern Capital, but the superintendent has not met them before. And when I served them with wine I heard the officer mention the name of Kao, Minister for War. I therefore think that their business has something to do with Lin Ch'ung. So I will stand at the door here, and watch them while you go behind the partition where they sit and listen to their conversation."

  His wife said, "You had better go to the jail, and tell Lin Ch'ung to come here, and see whether he knows the officer."

  Li Hsiao-erh said, "You do not know that Lin Ch'ung is very quick-tempered, and he might want to kill the man, or bum the place down. And if it is that officer Lu Ch'ien whom he told us about a few days ago how could he keep quiet? If there was any row we should be implicated. So you go and listen, and afterwards we will decide what to do."

  His wife agreed to this, and went off to listen. After a while she returned and said, "Those four men are exchanging Confidential whispers so that I cannot make out what they Are talking about. But the officer took a bundle and handed it to the superintendent. That might be some silver or gold. The superintendent then said, "I will be responsible for this affair, and see that he is killed."'

  Just then the men called out for more soup. Li Hsiao-erh hurried forward and supplied fresh soup and rice. While doing this he saw that the superintendent had a letter in his hand. When the bills had been settled the superintendent and the head jailer departed, and the officer and his soldier soon followed suit.

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  Very soon afterwards Lin Ch'ung entered the restaurant, and asked Hsiao-erh how business had been during the last few days. Li Hsiao-erh asked him to sit down as he had a very important matter to speak to him about. He said, "Just now an officer has arrived from the Eastern Capital who does not appear to be straight, and he invited the jail superintendent and head jailer to have wine with him here. While they were here I heard the officer mention the name of Kao, Minister for War, and that made me suspicious, and I told my wife to listen behind the partition. But they whispered in each others' ears so much that my wife cou
ld not hear what they said. But she did hear the superintendent of the jail say that he would be responsible and would see that the man was killed. The officer also handed a bundle of silver or gold to the jail superintendent and head jailer, and after drinking some more wine they departed. Do you know who the officer is? I suspect and am also afraid that this will result in some trouble for you."

  Lin Ch'ung asked what the officer's appearance was like.

  "He is a man of short build, has a fair complexion, no mustache, and looks about thirty years of age. The soldier with him is also short of stature, but has a swarthy complexion."

  Lin Ch'ung upon hearing this was startled. "That officer is certainly Lu Ch'ien, and that mean rascal has come here to injure me. But should I meet him I will beat his bones and flesh into pulp."

  "But you must be on your guard against him. Have you not heard that ancient saying, 'When eating beware of belching; when walking beware of failing'?"

  Lin Ch'ung was very angry, went to the street and bought a dagger which he hid on his person, and searched for that officer in all the streets and alleys.

  Both Li Hsiao-erh and his wife were quite alarmed, but that evening nothing happened. But the next morning Lin Ch'ung rose very early, and after washing and cleaning his teeth, took his dagger, and again searched for Lu Ch'ien in all the lanes and alley ways both inside and outside of Tsang-chou city. All was quiet inside the jail.

  Lin Ch'ung spoke to Li Hsiao-erh, "Nothing has happened to-day."

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  Li Hsiao-erh said, "My benefactor, we hope that things will remain like this but you must still be extremely careful."

  Lin Ch'ung returned to the Lord of Heaven Shrine for the night. During the next five days he continued his search for Lu Ch'ien without success, and his keenness for revenge gradually disappeared.