Water Margin, Volume One

by Shi Nai-An

  Taking a cup of wine from the table Wu Sung drank it off at one draft. He then cut pieces of cloth from the clothing of the dead men, and dipping them in the blood that was covering the floor he wrote eight characters on the white wall: "The murderer is Wu Sung, the Tiger Slayer." He then took the silver utensils from the table, flattened them out with his foot, and placed them in his bosom. He prepared to descend the tower, but just then he heard the mistress below call out, "The officials are evidently drunk, so you two go upstairs and assist them down." As two servants came up the ladder Wu Sung hid at one side of the door, and as they entered he saw that they were the same confidential servants who had arrested him a few days before. He was in the shade, and allowed them to pass, and then stepped out behind them. The servants were so astounded upon seeing the decapitated bodies lying there in pools of blood that they could not utter a sound. The hair on their heads stood on end, and they felt as though a bucket of icy water had been

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  poured over them. As they turned to run away they faced Wu Sung who instantly killed one of them. The other one knelt down and begged for mercy, but Wu Sung declined to pardon him, and killed him also. The dead were lying all about the room, and blood had been spattered over everything, Wu Sung thought, "It is the same whether one kills only one or a hundred -- the penalty of death is not more." He sheathed his sword, and went down the ladder. The mistress below asked what the noise upstairs was about. When she saw a big man advancing towards her she called out, "Who is that?"

  Without saying a word Wu Sung struck her a blow with his sword, and she screamed as she fell down. Wu Sung was surprised that his blow had not been effective, but upon examining his sword in the moonlight he saw that the blade had been dulled. It was no wonder that it would not cut any more. So he went into the kitchen, and exchanged the sword for another one. Upon returning to the tower he saw the singsong girl Orchid with two other girls, and they were examining the corpse of their mistress. She called out in astonishment. He took his sword, and drove it into Orchid's breast, and then also killed the other two girls. Opening the door he entered the private apartments, and finding three women there he killed them also. Wu Sung soliloquized, "I have killed enough, and will now get away." He went to the stable where he had left his things, and taking the silver cups from his bosom he made them into a bundle with his other things. Holding his sword in his hand he strode towards the city gate. But before he reached there he thought, "If I wait for them to open the gate they may try to arrest me so I had better try, and get over the wall." So he went and got on the city wall. It was an earth wall faced with bricks, and not very high. He jumped down and landed at the side of the most. In the moonlight he could see that the water was only a few feet deep. It was then the month of October so there was not much water in the moat. He took off his boots, puttees, and socks, and lifting up his clothes he waded through the water to the opposite bank. He remembered that Shih En had given him a new pair of hempen shoes so taking these out of his bundle he now put them on. Just then he heard the watchman inside the city strike the hour of 4 a.m. He had been very angry, but

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  now he found that his temper had all vanished. He felt no hankering to stay near that place so he set off at a good pace along the eastern road.

  He walked until about 5 a.m. when he began to feel tired, and also felt the pain in his legs from the blows he had received some days ago. Just then he saw an old temple in a grove of trees, so he entered and finding it vacant he lay down to sleep with his bundle as a pillow. He was on the point of closing his eyes when he saw two hooked sticks reaching out to catch his clothes. At the same moment two men rushed in, seized hold of him, and bound him with cords. One man said, "This man is very fat so we can send him to our elder brother." Wu Sung struggled, but could not release himself. The four persons took charge of his sword and bundle. They led him off, and took him to a near village. On the way the four persons spoke, "See! there is blood on this man. Where can he have come from? He must be a wounded bandit." Wu Sung listened to their conversation, but kept quiet.

  After about a mile they came to a straw hut, and pushed Wu Sung inside. On one side of the room was a small door leading to another room where a lamp was burning. The four persons stripped the clothes from Wu Sung, and bound him to one of the pillars supporting the roof.

  Looking upwards, Wu Sung saw two human legs hanging from a rafter. He thought, "These people are evidently murderers, and they have me entirely in their power. If I had known of this I would rather have admitted my guilt in Meng Chou Fu, and submitted to execution, than have such a fate as this."

  The persons examined Wu Sung's bundle, and called out, "Brother and sister-in-law, come here! We have got some first-class booty." A voice in the inner room replied, "I am coming, and will open the bundle. Leave it alone." Before you could have drunk a cup of tea, the small door opened, and two persons entered. In front was a woman, and behind her a man. They stared at Wu Sung, and the woman said, "Is not this our brother?" The man said, "Yes, he is my brother." Wu Sung upon looking at them closely recognized the man as Chang Ch'ing, the Vegetable Gardener, and the woman was Mrs. Chang, the Night Ogre.

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  When the four persons saw that Chang Ch'ing knew Wu Sung they hurriedly untied the ropes, and gave clothes for him to dress. They had torn his turban so they found a felt cap for him. Chang Ch'ing invited Wu Sung to go to the inner room, where he saluted him. When he saw the blood on Wu Sung's clothes Chang Ch'ing was surprised, and asked, "What has happened to you?"

  "That is a long story," said Wu Sung. He then recited to them all the experiences he had had since he last met Chang Ch'ing at the Cross Road, and also related how he had been captured in the little old temple in the woods. When they heard all this the four assistants knelt and begged Wu Sung for forgiveness, saying that they went to the woods to look for some booty because they had lost all their money in gambling.

  Then Chang Ch'ing and his wife both laughed, and said, "We have been anxious for some time that these four assistants should not kill people, but rather get them alive. How could they understand our arrangement? If our younger brother had not been tired forty people of your sort would not have been able to get access to him."

  "Well, never mind," said Wu Sung. "As these four assistant have no money to gamble I myself will give them some money." He opened his bundle, and divided ten ounces of silver between them. The four rascals thanked him for this. Chang Ch'ing seeing this also gave them about three ounces of silver.

  Chang Ch'ing said, "My brother, since your departure I have thought that you would escape and come here again. So I instructed my men that they were to take captive alive. As we were afraid that they would kill people, so I did not supply them with swords, but only hooks on sticks with which they could capture men. Just now when I heard that they had captured something valuable I was afraid that they might kill you so I told them to wait until I had inspected the booty. But still I never imagined that it was really you."

  "We heard that you had beaten Chiang, the Door God," said Mrs. Chang, "and whosoever heard the news were quite startled. The merchants from the Delightful Forest who passed here could not however give us any news as to what

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  had happened to you after that affair. But you must be very tired just now, so please go to our guest chamber, and take a rest before you tell us all about it."

  So Wu Sung took this advice, and went to sleep. Chang Ch'ing and his wife prepared food for Wu Sung in the kitchen. It was all ready in a short time, and they then waited for Wu Sung to eat the same.

  The following morning when the servants who had not been killed found out what had happened in lieutenant Chang's quarters they did not dare to raise the alarm. It was quite daylight when they went to the governor's yamen, and gave the information there. The governor was greatly surprised at the news, and sent men to investigate the case. The reports stated how Wu Sung had killed altogether f
ifteen persons, and had written his name in blood on the wall. The police were then instructed to closely watch the city gates, and to search for Wu Sung.

  The next day a report came that four men had been killed at the Flying Cloud Pool, and the bodies thrown in the water. He sent an official to investigate that case also, who duly reported that two of the men were the official escort for Wu Sung, and the other two were servants.

  For three days a careful search was made in every house in the city, and for every ten houses a letter had to be written pledging that the culprit was not hidden there. All this did not furnish any clue however. The governor also issued orders to all the surrounding districts and villages, giving details of the case, describing Wu Sung's appearance and dress, and offering a reward of three thousand strings of cash for those who might arrest him. Anyone harboring Wu Sung would be treated as a fellow criminal.

  Wu Sung stayed with Chang Ch'ing for five days, and heard the rumors and reports from outside sources. Chang Ch'ing also heard the news, and therefore spoke to Wu Sung, "Brother, as you are aware, the officials are giving your case most urgent attention, and are searching every house in the district. I am afraid that they will at last visit this house, and then we shall all be involved. I have found a safe place for you to go to -- in fact I mentioned the place to you some time ago -- but I do not know whether you would care to go there."

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  "I have been thinking of the same thing for the last few days," said Wu Sung, "and have been aware that I cannot stay here in safety. But now that my only brother is dead and I have no relatives so if you know of a safe place why should I not go there? Where is this place?"

  "It is at the Two Dragons Mountain in Ching Chou Fu. There are my brothers Lu Ta and Yang Chih who are at the head of a gang of brigands. The officials at Ching Chow are afraid of interfering with them. If you went there, there would be no danger of your being arrested again, but if you went to any other place there would be that danger. They have frequently sent me letters asking me to join them, but so far I have not been able to do so. I can write a letter stating your abilities, and they would admit you to their band."

  "What you say is quite true," replied Wu Sung. "I had that idea myself, but to my regret I found no opportunity of going there. Now that I have killed these people I must find a safe refuge, and your plan is an excellent one. If you will write the letter now I will leave here today."

  Chang Ch'ing wrote a letter, handed it to Wu Sung, and prepared a meal for the final leave-taking.

  Mrs. Chang pointed at her husband and asked, "Why do you ask him to go in this way? If he leaves here he will meet somebody, and be arrested."

  "Why should I not go?" asked Wu Sung. "How do you know that I should be arrested?"

  "The full details of your case have been published, and are posted everywhere offering a reward for your arrest. Your face is branded with characters so that on the way you would be detected very easily."

  "We can put a plaster on his face to cover those characters," said Chang Ch'ing.

  Mrs. Chang laughed, "You are the smartest man in the world, but you have now uttered a very foolish remark. How would a plaster deceive those officials? I have a plan, but I think our brother would not care to try it."

  "I want to escape, so what is there that I would not try?

  Mrs. Chang again laughed. "Well, if I tell you, you must not misunderstand me."

  "Whatever you say I will do," replied Wu Sung.

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  Mrs. Chang said, "Two years ago a wandering priest passed this way, and I killed him and made his flesh into dumplings. I keep all his clothing, his iron head ring, his string of beads which were all carved out of human bones, and also his sword made of the best steel, with a fine fish skin sheath. Now you can wear these things, and arrange your hair so as to hide the branded characters. There is also a priest's certificate which will be equal to a talisman for you. His age and appearance were about the same as yours. Would not this be a splendid disguise? You can also adopt his name, and on the road nobody would ask questions. Will you try this?"

  Chang Ch'ing clapped his hands to show approval and said. "Sister, a good plan. I have forgotten all about that. Brother, what do you think about it?"

  "It will do," said Wu Sung. "I am only afraid that I should not look like a priest."

  "Well, let me disguise you and then we shall see," said Mr.Chang.

  Mrs. Chang went into another room, and brought a bundle. Opening it she spread out a priest's clothes, and asked Wu Sung to put them on.

  He looked at them, and thought they would fit him nicely. He put the clothes on, rearranged his hair, and encased it with the priest's iron head ring and donned the string of beads. Both Chang Ch'ing and his wife applauded, and said that he looked true to life.

  Wu Sung took a mirror, and upon examining himself he burst into laughter.

  "Why do you laugh so loudly?" asked Chang Ch'ing.

  "I am so strange. I never expected to become a priest. Elder brother, please cut my hair."

  Chang Ch'ing took the scissors, and cut his hair. Wu Sung realized that his position was getting serious so he got his bundle ready for departure.

  "Now please listen to what I say," said Chang Ching. "You had better leave here the silver cups, etc. you took from colonel Chang's house, and in exchange for them I will give you silver to cover your traveling expenses."

  "That is a very good suggestion," said Wu Sung. He then exchanged the cups for silver, and put it in his belt.

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  He buckled on his two swords, and was ready to start. Mrs. Chang handed him the priest's certificate with a cover to carry it in. She asked him to suspend this from his neck, and wear it next to his skin. Wu Sung bade them farewell, and Chang Ch'ing asked him to take every care on his journey. "Be sparing with wine, and avoid quarrels with people. Act like a priest. In all transactions avoid haste, or a display of temper, or people will suspect you. When you reach the Two Dragons Mountain please give us a letter. We shall not be staying here a long time as we may shortly go to that mountain retreat ourselves. Brother! Be careful! Be careful! Give our respects to Lu Ta and Yang Chih."

  So Wu Sung rolled up his sleeves (for comfort in walking), and set out with big strides.

  When he left the Cross Roads it was November, and the days were getting short. He had traveled about sixteen miles when he was close to a high mountain range. It was evening, but as the moon was shining bright he continued his way up to the mountain. When he reached the top of the pass it was about 9 p.m. and he stopped to admire the beauty of the scene in the moonlight. In the silence he beard someone in the forest laughing. He thought, "That is strange! This is a very lonely spot, so where can the laughter come from?" He walked towards the trees and saw a temple surrounded by fir trees, on the side of the hill. The temple was small with about ten rooms, and one of the windows was open. Standing at the window and admiring the moonlight view was a man who was holding a woman in his arms. This provoked Wu Sung's anger, because it was improper for a priest to have a woman in a temple. He got out his swords, and soliloquized, "These are the best of swords, but now I am going to test your quality." He rolled up his sleeves, and sheathed one sword, but held the other sword in his hand. He went to the door of the temple and knocked. As soon as the priest heard this he closed the window. Wu Sung picked up a stone, and hurled it at the door. A small door at the side opened, and a small acolyte came out and shouted, "Who are you? Why do you come and disturb us at midnight? Why do you knock at the door like this?"

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  Wu Sung opened wide his big round eyes and shouted, "Let this acolyte sacrifice my sword!"

  So saying he slashed the boy's head off. The priest instantly appeared on the scene, and called out, "Who has dared to kill my acolyte?" He leapt out towards Wu Sung brandishing a pair of double-edged swords.

  Wu Sung laughed loudly. "I am quite ready! I do not keep my skill in a box. This is scratching
me at the itch." So saying he drew the second sword out of its scabbard, and advanced towards the priest. In the bright moonlight their swords flashed in all directions as they fought.

  One of these will lose his head,

  Red blood spattered on the ground.

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  CHAPTER 31

  WHILE DRUNK WU SUNG BEATS KUNG LIANG;

  THE SLEEK TIGER RELEASES SUNG CHIANG

  WHILE the two men were fighting Wu Sung suddenly made a feint, and his opponent lunged forward. Wu Sung stepped to one side avoiding the blow, and at the same moment brought down his sword, and out off his opponent's head. He shouted, "You, woman, inside there come here! I will not kill you. I only want to ask you a few questions."

  The woman came forward and kneeling down saluted Wu Sung.

  "You need not salute me," said Wu Sung. "What is this place called? Who is this man.

  The woman cried, "I am the daughter of Sire Chang who lives at the foot of the hill. This temple is our family graveyard. I do not know where this man came from, but he came to our house and asked us to let him stay there for the night. He said that he was skilled in the arts of geomancy, and had good knowledge of the condition of land situation. My father and mother did not want him to stay with us, so they asked him to come to this temple and examine the spiritual nature of the surroundings. One day he saw me, and so was unwilling to depart. He stayed here for three months, and killed my parents, my brother, and my sister-in-law. He then coerced me to stay here with him. The boy here was kidnapped by him from some other place. These hills are the Centipede Range. This man thought that the land situation here was auspicious. He said his name was Wang, a Taoist priest, and gave himself the nickname, 'The Flying Centipede.'"