Water Margin, Volume One

by Shi Nai-An

  Shih En embraced Wu Sung and paid his respects kneeling to Wu Sung, and said, "Elder brother, you are an extraordinary man. You have supernatural powers."

  The prisoners standing round also knelt down, and saluted Wu Sung saying, "You really have supernatural powers."

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  Shih En took Wu Sung to his private apartment, where they sat down. Wu Sung said, "Now, I hope,sir, that you will tell me what that business is."

  "Wait a little, until my father comes, when I will tell you all about it," replied Shih En.

  "If you want to tell me to do a thing, then don't act in such a childish way," said Wu Sung. "This does not look manly. Even if it is a matter of the sword I can do it. If I refuse to do a man's job then I am no longer a man."

  Shih En clasped his hands over his heart, and told Wu Sung about the affair which involved killing of men, and equaled in grandeur the killing of a tiger.

  He raised his fists -- the thunder roared,

  And wind and rain were shaken.

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  CHAPTER 28

  SHIH EN REESTABLISHES HIMSELF AT MENG

  CHOU; WU SUNG WHILE DRUNK STRIKES

  CHIANG, THE DOOR GOD

  "ELDER brother, please be seated," said Shih En, "and I will tell you all the details of my grievances."

  "Sir, please select the more important part, and tell me that at once without any attempt at literary skill," said Wu Sung.

  "In my youth I had a teacher who trained me so well that I got the nickname in the Meng Chou district of the Golden Eyed Tiger's Cub. Just outside the East Gate of this town there is a market place called 'Delightful Forest.' The merchants there all come from Shantung and Hopei provinces. At that spot there are over one hundred inns and about thirty gambling dens, besides many money-changing shops. Previously I relied upon my athletic skill and opened an inn there where I employed about eighty criminals as assistants, and supplied all the gambling dens, shops, and inns with meat and wine. Moreover, all the prostitutes who came to that place had to see me first, and I controlled their affairs. I made plenty of money, and every month my income was about three hundred taels of silver.

  "Recently a drill inspector named Chang came here with a man named Chiang Chung from Tung Lu Chou. The latter is a tall fellow -- over six feet high, and because of this, people give him the nickname Chiang, the Door God. He is quite skilled with lance and cudgel, and also at boxing. He used to boast that no man is his equal in those matters, that for three years he has established himself with no rivalry and that no one throughout the empire can contend with him. He once fought with me for the hegemony over the Forest and gave me such a beating that I was confined to my bed for two months. When you arrived here I had my head bandaged, and my arm in a sling, and even now I have not

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  quite recovered. I was waiting until I could find a man who would fight him, because he has the soldiers from drill inspector Chang who would easily repulse any attack that I could make. I am extremely annoyed because I cannot avenge myself. I have heard that you are a great hero, and if I could get you to help me against this boastful fellow and get my hatred satisfied, I would be contented even on my death. I was afraid that after your hard journey you would not be in good health so I gave instructions that you were to be fed and treated well. I would wait until you recover your full strength, and then we can discuss the matter. I did not expect that my servant would have broached the matter so soon, but as he has told you, I cannot conceal the real situation from you."

  "How many heads and arms has this Chiang, the Door God?" asked Wu Sung laughingly.

  "Of course," replied Shih En, "he has only one head and two arms. How could he have more?"

  Wu Sung laughed again and said, "I thought that perhaps he had three heads and six arms, like No Cho, son of Li Ching, but as he is only an ordinary man why should I be afraid of him?"

  "As I have no particular skill I cannot oppose him successfully," said Shih En.

  "I do not wish to boast, but I am always confident in my own skill to fight the strong but evil men of the empire. Now this being the case why should I remain here? I will go straightway without waiting for another drink. You come with me, and see how I crash that beast. I will forfeit my life if I happen to kill him with my fist."

  "Elder brother, please wait a bit," said Shih En, "until my father arrives. If he approves of our plan you can go. We must not be reckless in this matter. We had better send a man to-morrow to inquire whether Chiang the Door God is at home, and if he is there then we can go the following day, and if he is not there then of course we shall have to wait. If we went there without preparation it would only scare him out of his cover, and he would be on his guard hereafter."

  Wu Sung was anxious to go, and said, "Sir, do you think he would try to hit me if I went there? Is this a man's job?

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  Let us go at once and not wait for any to-morrow. If we are decided then we must go at once, and not be afraid of any preparation he may make."

  Shih En could not induce him to alter his mind, and just as he had given up the idea, an official came from behind a screen close to where they were sitting, and said, "Hero, I have been eavesdropping for some time. To-day I am very fortunate in meeting such a hero. My son is as enlightened as beholding the sun blazing forth from a cloudy sky. I request you to come with me to an inner room where we can have a chat for a short time."

  They accordingly adjourned to the inner room where the warden asked Wu Sung to be seated, but the latter declined as he was a criminal, and dared not be seated in the presence of an official.

  "Do not talk like that," replied the official. "Hero, my stupid son has been extremely fortunate in meeting you so why should you be so polite?"

  Wu Sung begged to, be excused, and then sat down, but asked why Shih En should not also sit down.

  "My father is sitting with you, please do not worry about me.”

  "If you remain standing I shall not feel comfortable," said Wu Sung.

  "Hero," said the old warden, "as you take things like this I will ask my son to be seated, seeing that there is no other person present."

  The servant brought in wine, food, and fruit, and the old man personally offered a cup of wine to Wu Sung, and said, "Hero, who would not pay respect to such a brave man as you? Previously my son was engaged in some business at the Delightful Forest, not for coveting wealth and profits, but to improve the prospects of the town, and add something to the standard of chivalry there. It was unexpected that such a man as Chiang, the Door God, relying solely on his brutal strength, could have taken the trade from him. This injury and wrong would never be avenged without such a hero and chivalrous knight as you. I hope that you will not forsake my son, and if you will pledge me by drinking this cupful of wine, my son will give you four kotows, and respect you as his elder brother."

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  "I am not skillful in arms so how dare I receive your son's respects? I should vainly ruin my chances of old age." He however drank the wine, and Shih En kotowed to him four times. Wu Sung hurriedly returned the respects, and made a sign of their brotherhood.

  That day Wu Sung was very happy, and so drunk that he had to be led to his room by a servant.

  The next day the old official spoke to his son, Shih En, "Yesterday Wu Sung got quite intoxicated so how can we ask him to start on that errand? We had better get a man to tell him that Chiang, the Door God, is away from home just now, and that he (Wu Sung) had better wait for a day or two."

  So Shih En went himself to Wu Sung, and spoke to that effect. He said they might start off the following day.

  "To-morrow will do just as well," said Wu Sung. "But I have to keep my anger for one day."

  So after they had had breakfast they went together for a stroll in front of the hall. They discussed matters relating to military drill, fencing, and fighting. At noon they had their meal together, and Shih En noticed that Wu Sung was liable to get drunk agai
n before the day was out so he served few cups of wine. After lunch they both retired to their own quarters. Two servants brought hot water for Wu Sung to have a bath. Wu Sung asked them, "How is it that at lunch there was such a lot of food and so little wine?"

  "We dare not deceive you," replied the servants. "This morning the old warden and his son were talking about you. They noticed that you had drunk a lot of wine, and they were afraid that if you had plenty of wine to-day it might delay the business they have in view for you. Therefore they did not offer you much wine. To-morrow they will certainly ask you to undertake that affair."

  "It means that if I get drunk the matter will be spoiled?"

  "That is what they thought," replied the servant.

  That night Wu Sung awaited the daybreak with impatience. As soon as it was daylight he got up, and after a wash, put on a turban with a swastika decoration; a coat of yellow color with a waist belt of red silk; hempen shoes, with puttees folded up to the knees. He told the servant to bring

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  him a plaster which he put on his face to cover the branded mark there indicating that he was a criminal.

  Shih En soon came, and invited him to have breakfast with them. After the meal Shih En told him that there was a horse standing at a trough at the back, ready for him to ride.

  "My feet are not small," said Wu Sung, "so why should I ride? There is one matter however that I should like you to attend to."

  "Elder brother, speak plainly, as there is nothing that I would not do for you."

  "When you go with me outside the town I want you to give me a 'without-three-cannot-go.'"

  "What is that?" asked Shih En. "I do not understand you.”

  Wu Sung laughed and replied, "I will tell you. When you want me to fight Chiang, the Door God, you will invite me to drink three cups of wine at each inn we pass by on our way. If I do not get three cups of wine then I shall not be able to go any further. That is the meaning of 'without-thre-cannot-go.'"

  Shih En said, "From here to the Delightful Forest is about five miles, and on the way there are about twelve inns. So if you have three cups at each inn that will be thirty-six cups of wine before we get there. You will get drunk, and that will make you unable to succeed in the matter."

  Wu Sung laughed, and said, "Are you afraid that I will get drunk, and then not be able to do the work? But if I get no wine I shall be unable to act. If I have only a little wine I cannot do much business; if I get only half I can do only half; but if I get a full quantity I can exert all my strength and skill and do anything. If I get drunk I have great courage. If I had not been drunk how could I have killed the tiger on Ching Yang Ridge? When I fight with Chiang, the Door God, I must be drunk, and then I shall be able to exert my power to the full."

  "I did not know that you were like this," said Shih En. "We have plenty of good wine here, but I was afraid that if you get drunk, you would not be able to attend to business. Therefore last night I did not offer you, my elder brother, much wine. But as things are as you say, then I will

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  tell two servants to get a good supply of wine, and eatables, and take them ahead so that you can partake of them stage by stage on our journey."

  "That is just my idea," said Wu Sung, "and it will encourage me in fighting against Chiang, the Door God. If I had no wine how could I exert all my skill? Now let me give him a good beating to-day so that many people will have a loud cheer."

  So Shih En prepared a lot of wine and food, and also plenty of cash, and sent two servants with them in advance. His father also secretly selected about twenty stout men to form a rear guard in case of need.

  Shih En started off with Wu Sung, and when they were about three hundred paces from the East Gate of Meng Chou they saw an inn at the side of the road. There they found the two servants, who spread the food and wine on a table. Shih En invited Wu Sung to sit down and partake of the feast.

  "I do not want small cups," said Wu Sung. "Bring me three big bowls."

  The servants brought three large cups, and filled them with wine. Wu Sung without any ceremony drank the wine, and immediately got up. The servants hurriedly packed up the things, and went off again ahead of Wu Sung.

  Wu Sung laughed, and said that he now felt much better in his stomach. They started off again. It was then the month of July, and the weather was very hot, with refreshing breezes. They loosened their coats. They had not gone a third of a mile when they came to a few houses on the roadside, and there among some trees was another inn. Upon coming closer they saw that it was a small inn which sold home-made wine.

  Shih En stopped and asked, "This is only a very small inn -- shall we stop here?"

  "It will do. I will drink only three cups of wine," said Wu Sung. "If I cannot get three cups of wine we cannot go on."

  They entered the inn, and the servants again spread the food and wine on the table. Wu Sung again drank three cups of wine. The servants packed up the things, and went on ahead.

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  The two men resumed their journey, but they had not gone a mile before they came to another inn. There again Wu Sung drank three large cups of wine. We need not recite how many times they went through this process of drinking wine, but after about ten inns Shih En saw to his surprise that Wu Sung was by no means drunk.

  Wu Sung at last asked how far they were from the Delightful Forest Village. Shih En replied that it was in the forest which they could now see in the distance. Wu Sung asked Shih En to wait for him in some other place as he would go himself and find his man. Shih En agreed to this, but he asked Wu Sung not to treat his opponent too lightly.

  "Never mind," said Wu Sung. "Let these two servants go with me, and show me the way. If we come to any more inns however, I will still stop and drink wine."

  Shih En instructed the servants accordingly, and he then departed.

  In the next mile Wu Sung drank about ten cups of wine. It was getting near noon, and the day was very hot with only a little cooling breeze. Wu Sung was beginning to feel the effect of the wine, and he unloosened his clothes. He was not quite drunk, but pretended to be intoxicated and staggered along. When they reached the forest the servants pointed out the inn belonging to Chiang, the Door God, which was at a crossroad.

  Wu Sung told the servants to hide themselves some distance away, and that they were only to come for him when he had given Chiang a good beating. He then entered the forest by the back entrance. He came across a very big man, dressed in a white silk gown, with a fly whisk in his hand. He was seated in a chair in the shade of an ash tree. Wu Sung exaggerated his stumbling gait, but did not omit to steal glances at the man whom he thought must be Chiang, the Door God. Wu Sung however continued on his way, and he had not gone more than about fifty strides when he came to the crossroad where there was an inn with a long pole sticking out from the eaves flying a cloth flag bearing four characters meaning, "Delectable Snuggery." As he came to the front he saw a green varnished railing, with two flags on which were golden characters, reading:

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  "When drunk the universe seems big,

  In the pot there is plenty of time."

  On the one hand inside the railing was a stall with meat, and a large chopping block, with knives, choppers, etc. On the other side was a stall with bread on it, and a steam stove. Further inside were three big jars arranged in a line half sunk into the ground and half full of wine. In the center of the room there was a counter with a young woman sitting behind it. She was Chiang, the Door God's concubine, and had previously been a singsong girl. Looking askance at the girl Wu Sung entered the room, and sat down on a chair just opposite to the counter. He placed both hands on the table, and deliberately stared at the girl. She turned her head away. Wu Sung saw that there were about seven waiters in the inn. He tapped the table and called out, "Where is the proprietor of this establishment?"

  A waiter came forward and asked Wu Sung how much wine he wanted.

  "I want four cu
ps of wine," replied Wu Sung, "just to see what it tastes like."

  The water went to the counter, and got the wine from the girl, and placed it in a pan of hot water over a fire to warm. When quite warm he served it to Wu Sung who smelt at it, shook his head and said, "Bad! Bad! Bad! Bring some better stuff!"

  The waiter thought that Wu Sung was drunk, and he went to the counter again, and whispered to the girl, "Please change this wine for him." The girl changed the wine for a better quality, and the waiter warmed it at the fire as before. When he served it Wu Sung tasted it, and said, "This is also bad! Change it at once, and I will let you off this time."

  The waiter smothered his rising anger, and went to the counter and said to the girl, "Please change this wine again and don't be captious with him. He is evidently drunk, and is in a quarrelsome mood." The girl changed it for a still better quality, and the waiter heated it on the fire as before. He served it to Wu Sung who drank it, and said that it was much better. He then asked the waiter what was the name of his master. When Wu Sung heard that it was Chiang, he asked why it was not Li. The girl hearing this called

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  out: "Where did this man get drunk, and comes here to try and make trouble?"

  The waiter remarked, "He is evidently a barbarian from some other village, and won't know that he is breaking wind."

  "What do you say?" asked Wu Sung.

  The waiter replied: "We are just talking between ourselves. Guest, take no notice, and just drink your wine."

  "Waiter, tell that girl at the counter to come here and drink wine with me."