Water Margin, Volume One

by Shi Nai-An

  CHAPTER 22

  SQUIRE CH'AI CHIN DETAINS A GUEST;

  WU SUNG KILLS A TIGER

  WE have already related how Sung Chiang, in order to avoid drinking more wine, went outside to the toilet and while on the veranda he upset the charcoal brazier, and burnt a man, and how this resulted in Sung Chiang's name being disclosed to the man. When the man heard Sung Chiang's name how could he get up after kotowing! He said, "I failed to recognize your eminence and I hope that you will forgive me for that blunder."

  Sung Chiang raised him up and asked who he was.

  "This man," said Ch'ai Chin, "is Wu Sung of Ching Ho Hsien, and he is a second son. He has lived here for a year."

  "I have often heard of Wu Erh-lang, but I did not expect to meet him here to-day. What a good luck!" said Sung Chiang.

  "It is very unusual for heroes to meet in this way. I request you both to come and have some wine with me," said Ch'ai Chin.

  Sung Chiang was much pleased at this and taking Wu Sung by the hand conducted him to the hall where he summoned Sung Ching and introduced him to Wu Sung. Ch'ai Chin then invited Wu Sung to be seated, and Sung Chiang strongly urged him to take the premier position at the table. But Wu Sung was unwilling to take the place of honor, and after politely declining for a long time he at last took his seat in the third position. Ch'ai Chin ordered the servants to spread a feast with wine, and when ready he strongly pressed his guests to partake the same.

  Sung Chiang was exceedingly pleased with the manner and bearing of Wu Sung, and at last he asked him why he was staying there.

  "While I was at Ching Ho Hsien I got drunk and had a fight with some official. I struck him with my fist while I

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  was in a very hot temper, and knocked him nearly insensible I thought I had killed him, so in order to avoid being arrested I ran away to this place for refuge where I have stayed for more than a year. Afterwards I heard that the man I had struck had not died -- he was still alive. I would have liked to return home and found my elder brother, but I felt ill and was unable to go. When you overturned the charcoal brazier on the veranda I was very much alarmed, and had a heavy cold perspiration, but I think that had cured my sickness."

  Sung Chiang was much pleased upon hearing this. The feast lasted till nearly midnight. Then Sung Chiang took Wu Sung to a very comfortable room on the west side where they both slept that night. The next day Ch'ai Chin arranged another feast at which a sheep and a pig were served.

  After a few days Sung Chiang gave Wu Sung some money to buy clothing. When Ch'ai Chin heard of this he wondered how he could let it be done. So he took some rolls of silk and satin, and told his own family tailor to make three suits for them. But Ch'ai Chin had not made such a present before so why did he do it now?

  The reason was that when Wu Sung first came there for refuge he had been treated as a guest, but he was often drunk. Whenever the servants did not treat him well he would become angry and beat them, and therefore there was not a single servant who had a good word for him. They all hated him, and often complained to Ch'ai Chin about his conduct. But Ch'ai Chin would not speak to him about this and only became more distant in his manner towards his guest. When Sung Chiang came he sought out Wu Sung, and they used to drink wine in each other's company every day." Soon Wu Sung's bad temper had vanished. After about ten days of this mutual friendship Wu Sung thought of returning to Ching Ho Hsien to visit his elder brother. He was pressed not to go by Ch'ai Chin and Sung Chiang, but after a little time he spoke to them saying," I have not heard from my elder brother for a long time so I must go and see him."

  "As you want to go," said Sung Chiang, "we do not wish to upset you by detaining you. But I hope that we shall meet again at some future date."

  Wu Sung expressed his thanks, and Ch'ai Chin gave him

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  some gold and silver. Wu Sung again expressed his thanks, and regretted that he had given them so much trouble. After a parting cup Wu Sung made up his bundle, and slung it on his back. He wore a red-silk-quilted coat similar to those worn by priests, and had a white felt cap which was made in Fanyang style. He carried a cudgel in his hand.

  Just as he was about to depart Sung Chiang asked him to wait a bit, and then went into his own room, and taking some silver met Wu Sung at the gate saying, "I will accompany you for a short distance." Sung Ching also came with his brother Sung Chiang and as the three were taking leave of Ch'ai Chin, Sung Chiang said, "Sir, I shall be gone only for a short distance."

  When the three had traveled about a couple of miles Wu Sung urged the brothers to return as Ch'ai Chin would undoubtedly be getting anxious.

  "What objection can there be for us to go a few steps further?" said Sung Chiang.

  So they went on for about a mile more chatting on the way, and then Wu Sung took Sung Chiang by the hand and said, "You must not come any further. People often say, 'Even if you accompany a guest three hundred miles you must at last come to the parting place."'

  "I will go a few steps further," said Sung Chiang. "Just over there, there is a small inn where we can drink a few cups of wine before parting."

  When they reached the inn Sung Chiang took the seat of honor, and Wu Sung took the lower position after placing his cudgel by his chair. Sung Ching sat at the side of the table. They told the waiter to bring fruit and vegetables which were duly supplied. After they had been drinking wine for some time they noticed the red hues of sunset, and Wu Sung said, "It is getting late and we had better separate and I will give you four salutations as my adopted elder brother." Sung Chiang was much pleased. Wu Sung kotowed four times, and Sung Chiang then told his brother Sung Ching to take ten ounces of silver and presented it to Wu Sung. But Wu Sung declined to accept it, and asked them to reserve it for they themselves were guests at another's home.

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  "You must not be so anxious about us, younger brother," said Sung Chiang. "If you decline it I cannot recognize you as my younger brother."

  So Wu Sung took the money. He then shouldered his bundle, and taking his cudgel the three walked hand in hand to the door where they separated with tears in the eyes. The brothers stood at the door of the inn until Wu Sung could no longer be seen, and then they departed for home. When they had gone less than two miles they met Ch'ai Chin riding a horse, and leading two spare ones to welcome them home.

  They were highly delighted at this, and mounted. They soon reached the village. Upon dismounting they all went into a hall at the back where they drank wine, and after this the two brothers stayed with Ch'ai Chin.

  When Wu Sung left the brothers he traveled some distance, and then rested for the night at an inn. The next morning after an early breakfast he started on the road again. As he walked he ruminated that all men had said that the Welcome Rain, Sung Chiang, was truly a fine man, and he had certainly been well treated by him. After a few days he was approaching Yang Ku Hsien about noon when he felt very hungry and thirsty.

  Just then he happened to see an inn with a signboard over the door with five characters, meaning, "If you drink three cups of our wine you will be unable to cross the mountain ridge."

  Wu Sung entered the inn, took his seat, placed his cudgel by his side, and called the proprietor to bring some wine. The proprietor put before him three cups, a tray with some cooked vegetables, and a pair of chopsticks. The proprietor then slowly fill a cup with wine. Wu Sung picked up the cup and drank the wine off saying, "This wine is very strong. I wish to have some food, to take with more wine."

  "I have some roast beef," said the proprietor.

  "That is fine. Bring me about four pounds of beef."

  The proprietor soon brought in a plate of beef and setting it before Wu Sung, he again poured out a cup of wine. Wu Sung drank the wine and again praised it. The proprietor filled another cup, and then left him.

  As the proprietor had not returned Wu Sung banged the

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  table and called out, "Proprietor, w
hy do you not serve more wine?"

  "If you want more beef I can let you have some," said the man.

  "I want wine as well as beef."

  "I can give you beef, but no more wine," said the man.

  "That is strange!" said Wu Sung. "Why don't you give me wine while I can pay for it?"

  "Did you not see the signboard over the door of this inn?" asked the man.

  "What is the idea of such a signboard?" asked Wu Sung.

  "Although our wine is made here yet it has a very delicate flavor," said the man. "Whenever a guest arrives and drinks three cups of this wine he always gets drunk so that he cannot go over the mountain ridge, and that is why I put up that signboard. When guests stop here they never ask for more than three cups of wine."

  "That is the case," said Wu Sung laughingly. "But how is it that I am not drunk after three cups.

  "Our wine is called 'T'ou Ping Hsiang' (the aroma penetrates the bottle), and also has another name, which means 'upon leaving the door you will fall down.' While drinking, it has a fine flavor, but in a short time afterwards you will fall down."

  "Don't talk nonsense," said Wu Sung. "I won't cheat you; I'll pay you, so bring me three more cups of wine."

  The proprietor saw that he was not in the least affected by the wine so he filled three more cups.

  After drinking Wu Sung said, "It is really very fine. I want you to keep on pouring out the wine, and I will pay you for each cup I drink."

  "Sir, please give up the idea of drinking any more or you will undoubtedly be drunk, and there is no medicine to prevent it."

  "You need not speak such rubbish," said Wu Sung. "If you put some drug in the wine I should soon detect it."

  The innkeeper could find no answer to this so he poured out three more cups of wine.

  Wu Sung ordered a further four pounds of beef. The inn keeper brought in the cold beef and again poured out three cups of wine. Wu Sung drank the wine, but still wanted

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  more. So he took out his silver and showing it to the innkeeper asked, "Look at this. Is it enough for your wine and beef?"

  "More than enough!" said the innkeeper. "Let me have it and I will give you the balance."

  "I do not want any change," said Wu Sung. "You can pay me the balance in wine."

  "Sir," said the innkeeper, "you have had a lot of wine, but I still have five or six cups full left. But I am afraid that you will not be able to drink so much."

  "As you have about five cups of wine more you can let me have the whole lot," said Wu Sung.

  "You, are a very big man," said the innkeeper, "and how am I going to lift you up when you fall down dead drunk?"

  "I should not be a man, should I want you to help me up," said Wu Sung.

  But the innkeeper was unwilling to pour out any more wine, so Wu Sung spoke in an angry tone, "Have I not paid you for the wine! Do not provoke me to anger or I shall smash the whole room into atoms, and turn your inn upside down."

  The innkeeper saw that Wu Sung was drunk so he decided not to oppose him and poured out all the six cups of wine. Altogether Wu Sung drank eighteen cups of wine, and then picking up his cudgel he got up and said, "I am not drunk yet!" He walked to the door laughing, and proceeded on his way.

  The innkeeper however called after him, "Sir, where are you going?"

  "Why do you call me?" replied Wu Sung. "Have I not paid you for the wine?"

  "I have a good intention for you," said the innkeeper. "I want you to come to my home and look at a copy of an official proclamation."

  "What is the proclamation about?" asked Wu Sung.

  "Just now there is, on Ching Yang Ridge, a large animal with a white forehead and protruding eyes. It comes out in the evening, and has already killed about thirty men, and injured many others. The magistrate has enjoined upon the hunters to catch the animal by a certain time. At all crossroads there is a notice warning travelers of the danger,

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  and ordering them to band themselves together when crossing the ridge. Travelers must cross the ridge only between the hours of 9 a. m. and 3 p. m. and not at any other time. So that, as you are by yourself you must wait and join with some other travelers before you can cross the ridge. It is now well past three o'clock and yet I see you walking off without asking anyone to go with you, and evidently you are running the risk of your life. It will be better if you stay here for the night, and go over the ridge to-morrow in the company of about thirty men."

  "I am a Ching Ho Hsien man," laughed Wu Sung, "and although I have been across the Ching Yang Ridge about twenty times I have never seen or heard of a big animal there. So you need not talk like this just to frighten me. And even if there is a beast I am not afraid of it."

  "I only wanted to save your life," said the innkeeper "If you do not believe what I say then come inside and read the official proclamation."

  "You need not say anything further," said Wu Sung. "Even if there is a tiger I shall not be afraid. I suppose if I pass the night at your inn you may try to get my money during the night, and perhaps kill me. That is why you now make up this story to frighten me and keep me here."

  "Look here!" said the innkeeper. "I am taking good care of you, yet you think I have bad intention. If you do not believe what I say then go your own way." While saying this he shook his head with regret, and entered his inn.

  Wu Sung picked up his cudgel and started off for the Ching Yang Ridge. After walking about two miles he reached the foot of the ridge, and there he saw a large tree which had had its bark taken away, and on the white timber were two columns of characters written. It was to the same effect as the official proclamation.

  On reading it Wu Sung laughed and said, "This is the artful intimidation of that innkeeper who wants to frighten travelers so that they will stay at his inn. But I am not afraid." Dragging his cudgel along the ground he proceeded on his way. It was about four o'clock, and the sun was slowly sinking behind the ridge, setting the sky in a red evening

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  glow. The large quantities of wine he had drunk had driven all fear away so he proceeded on his way. He had only gone a little distance when he saw a ruined temple, and on the door was another notice so he went forward and read it. It warned travelers of the danger of crossing the ridge.

  So Wu Sung at last realized that there was a tiger to be faced, and his first thought was to return to the inn. But he saw in that case the innkeeper would only laugh at him, and regard him as a coward -- so that would not do. But after a second thought., he said to himself, "Why be afraid? Why not face the danger?" He went on, but soon vomited the wine he had taken. He then took his cap, and pushed it on his back suspended by the tapes. He put his cudgel under his arm, and slowly, ascended the ridge. Turning his head he saw that the sun had now sunk to the west. It was now the tenth moon so that the days were short, the nights long, and the sunset was soon followed by darkness.

  He soliloquized, "Where is that tiger that men are so afraid of that they dare not cross the ridge?," He went a little further, and now felt the effect of the wine. So taking the cudgel in one hand he unloosened his coat with the other hand. Staggering along he entered the forest. He came across a large block of smooth green stone against which he put his cudgel. He then reclined on the stone with the intention of sleeping there. Just then a strong wind sprang up, and he heard a sound among the trees, and at the same moment a large tiger sprang out. With an exclamation he rolled off the stone, seized his cudgel, and slipped to one side of the stone. The tiger was both hungry and thirsty, and crouched on the ground ready for a spring. As the tiger sprang forward Wu Sung was startled, and was covered with a cold sweat, but slipping to one side he escaped. The tiger immediately turned round, and roared like thunder, so that the ridge almost quaked.

  The tiger's tail was erect and stiff as a poker, and was lashed from side to side in rage. Wu Sung did not keep still, but kept moving about irregularly. In fact the tiger had only three methods of killi
ng men, a crouch, a leap, and a blow with its tail. If these three failed, the tiger at once lost all courage or spirit. In such cases it always turned round, and gave a loud roar. When Wu Sung saw it turning round

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  seized his cudgel with both hands, and using the utmost of his strength he whirled it aloft, and brought it down with a crash. There was a great noise followed by a fall of leaves and twigs from the dense undergrowth. Wu Sung saw that he had missed the tiger, and simply in his haste had hit the undergrowth. As his long cudgel was broken in half, he threw a part away. The tiger roared again, crouched, and again leapt at Wu Sung. Wu Sung again swiftly stepped to one side. The tiger whirled round and came just in front of Wu Sung and planted its fore paws on the ground. Wu Sung threw the remaining half of the cudgel away, and seized the tiger's forehead skin with both hands, and pressed the tiger down on the ground. The tiger struggled to get up, but Wu Sung exerted all his strength, and would not let it go the least bit. He kicked it in the eyes. This made the tiger roar, and scoop out holes in the yellow soil with its front paws. Wu Sung now pressed the tiger's snout into the hole in the ground, and it had to endure this disgrace as it was losing its strength. Wu Sung now grasped the loose skin on the tiger's head in his left hand, and taking his right fist hit the tiger severely. After about seventy blows blood streamed out of the tiger's eyes, mouth, nose, and ears, and the beast lay panting for breath. Wu Sung left it for a moment, and went to get 9, part of his cudgel. As he was afraid that the tiger was not yet dead he dealt the tiger some blows for some time until he saw evidently that it was no longer alive. He thereupon threw away his cudgel and wondered whether he should drag the tiger down the mountain. The body lay in a pool of blood, and using both hands he tried to move it, but he found that it was too heavy. He had used up all his strength so that he now felt weak in hand and foot. So he sat down on the green smooth stone for a short rest, and meditated that the night was quite dark now, and what could he do if another tiger were to attack him. So he decided to leave the ridge and return the following day for the tiger's body. He looked around and found his felt cap, and then started down the mountain.