Water Margin, Volume One
Page 55
"We must goat once by that road," said the general. The troops were rushed in that direction, but when they reached their objective it was growing dusk so they encamped there, and went to prepare their evening meal. Just then they happened to see lighted torches upon the hill, and many gongs were being beaten.
General Chin Ming was so angry that he led about fifty cavalry men up the mountain. They were met by a storm of arrows, and several of his men were wounded. He returned to the camp, and ordered his soldiers to get the evening meal finished as quickly as possible. The cooking fires had just been lighted when they saw about ninety bandits on the mountain who had many torches, and were blowing whistles. General Chin Ming quickly got some of his soldiers ready, and was on the point of starting when the bandits extinguished their torches. It was a cloudy night so that there was not much moonlight. General Chin Ming was still angry, and he now gave his officers orders to set the forest on fire. But before this could be done there was a sound of flutes and drums, and he saw about ten torches blazing on the top of a hill. Mounting his horse he went towards the light, and there saw Hwa Jung and Sung Chiang seated at a table eating and drinking. General Chin Ming reined in his horse, and shouted insults to them.
Hwa Jung laughed, and said, "General Chin, you need not be so hot-tempered. Go back and rest yourself. Tomorrow we will fight again, and either you or I will be victorious."
"Rebellious thief!" thundered general Chin Ming. "Come down, here! I will have a few hundred bouts with you now and afterwards we can discuss matters."
Hwa Jung laughed, and said, "General Chin, you must be tired after to-day's exertions, so if I defeat you now it would not be much to my credit. Go back, and come again to-morrow."
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General Chin was angrier than ever, and continued to insult them. He would have gone to look for a road up the mountain but for the fear of the arrows from Hwa Jung's bow. While he was still cursing them, however, he heard a noise in his camp below. He turned his horse, and galloped back to his camp, but upon reaching there he saw that the bandits were attacking the camp with fire balls and fire arrows. In the shadows at the rear of the camp many brigands let fly a shower of crossbows. His soldiers seeing their danger were leaving the camp, and seeking shelter in the deep ditches.
It was now about 1 a.m. While his men were hiding in all kinds of hollow there was a rush of water, and they were in danger of being drowned in a mountain torrent. The bandits occupied the banks of the stream, seized the soldiers by iron hooks, and many of the latter were drowned in the water. General Chin Ming was almost crazy with anger at this, but just then he noticed a small footpath. He turned his horse into it, and went forward. He had not gone more than about fifty paces when his horse stumbled and fell into a pit. Immediately about fifty brigands armed with iron hooks appeared, and lifted up the general. They stripped him off his mail, helmet, and weapons, and binding him with ropes took him up the mountain.
All this was in accordance with the plans of Hwa Jung. He had divided his men so as to entice general Chin to gallop backwards and forwards, and so exhaust his men and horses without obtaining any result. He had filled bags with earth, and dammed up the mountain stream, and then during the night forced the enemy into the stream and then released the water. Of general Chin Ming's troops about half were drowned in this way, and about two hundred were captured alive. Also about eighty fine horses were seized.
When the bandits reached their stronghold with general Chin Ming, day was just breaking. The five leaders were already seated in the main building when the brigands arrived, and brought general Chin to the hall. Hwa Jung immediately jumped up from his seat, and leaving the hall went and untied the ropes binding the general. He conducted the Thunderer into the hall, and there kotowed to him. The general returned the courtesy, and questioned,
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"I am your prisoner and you may now kill me. But why do you treat me like this?"
Hwa Jung knelt down, and said, "Our men did not recoganize your eminence, and have illtreated you, we ask for your forgiveness."
General Chin Ming was presented with new uniform, and he then asked Hwa Jung, "Who is this leader of these heroes?"
"This is Sung Chiang, formerly a secretary in the magistrate's yamen at Yun Cheng Hsien. These other three are the leaders of this stronghold -- Yen Shun, Wang Ying and Cheng Tien-Shou."
"I know these three gentlemen," said general Chin Ming. "Is Sung Chiang also known in Shantung province as 'Welcome Rain?"
"That is I," interposed Sung Chiang.
General Chin Ming saluted, and said, "I have heard of your illustrious name for a long time, but I never anticipated meeting you here today."
Sung Chiang quickly returned the salute, but in his doing so general Chin Ming noticed that he limped a little so he asked what was the cause of it. Thereupon Sung Chiang told him in detail his adventures from the time he lived at Yun Cheng Hsien.
General Chin Ming wagged his head, and said, "What a great many mistakes are made by listening to only one side of a case! Let me get back and tell the prefect Mu-jung all about this affair."
Yen Shun requested the general to stay with them for a few days. Now they at once started feasting with goat and horse meat. After a few rounds of drinking, the general arose and said, "Gentlemen and heroes, as you are so good as not to kill me I now request you to return to me my helmet, and mail, my horse, and sword, and allow me to go back to Ching Chou Fu."
"You are mistaken, sir," said Yen Shun. "You must remember that you have lost all your soldiers so how can you return to Ching Chou Fu? Would not the prefect bring an accusation against you? It would be better if you stayed here for a few days. It is true that the accommodation at this wild spot is rather rough, but we will divide our gold and silver with you, and give you whatever clothes you require, and
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you will be quite safe here from the wrath of your superior officer."
General Chin Ming stepped out of the hall, and said, "While living, I am a subject of imperial Sung dynasty, and when dead I shall be an imperial devil. I received my commission as a general from the emperor, and as I have been well and fairly treated how can I become a bandit, and rebel against the emperor? You gentlemen can kill me at any time that suits your convenience."
Yen Shun came forward and persuaded general Chin Ming, "Elder brother, please listen to what I say, I am also the son of an official who received his appointment direct from the court, but have been forced by circumstances to become a bandit. As you are unwilling to join us we request you to stay with us at least for a little time until the feast is over. I will return to you the mailed clothes, helmet, your horse and arms, and you can then go if you like."
General Chin Ming was unwilling to stay, so Hwa Jung again spoke to him, "When you arrived, you were extremely tired with your previous exertions, and your, horse was also wearied so that you must at least give it time to eat its fodder before you depart."
General Chin Ming thought that this was quite true, so he sat down at the feast. The five men acted as hosts, and saw that he was well supplied with wine. They treated general Chin Ming so well that it was not long before he was drunk, and they then conducted him to a room where he lay down to sleep.
He awoke about 9 a.m. the next morning, and after toilet he wished again to leave the mountain. After breakfast they gave him his mailed armor and helmet. Men were also sent down the mountain with his arms and horse with instructions to wait there for him. The five brigand chiefs accompanied him down the mountain, and before leaving, handed him his arms and horse. General Chin Ming mounted, and rode off at great speed towards Ching Chou Fu.
He was only about four miles from his destination, and it was about 11 a.m. when he saw clouds of smoke and dust in the distance. When he saw this he became suspicious as he had not met a single person on the road. As he approached the town of Ching Chou Fu, he saw that the
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suburbs were in flam
e. The houses were all in ruins, and among the debris were the corpses of men, women, and children.
He made his way through the ruins, but when he reached the city gate he found that the drawbridge was up, and that there were numerous soldiers on the wall armed with logo and huge bowlders. He reined in his horse, and shouted, "Let down the bridge as I wish to enter the city."
The soldiers had seen him coming, and recognizing him they raised a shout, and beat their drums.
The Thunderer shouted, "I am general Chin Ming. Why do you not let me into the city?" Just then he noticed the prefect Mu-jung was standing at the breastwork of the wall gazing at him, and saying, "Rebellious thief! Why are you not ashamed of yourself? Last night you came here with soldiers and attacked our town; killed many innocent people, and burnt many houses. And yet to-day you come again, and by deception try to get the gates opened. The emperor has treated you well, but now you act in this ungrateful way. I have however written a memorial to the court about your affair. Sooner or later you will be arrested, and cut into pieces."
"Your worship," shouted general Chin Ming, "I took soldiers to attack the bandits, but was defeated, and taken up the mountain as prisoner. I have just been released so how could I be here and attack the city last night?"
"Do you think that I did not recognize you by your mail, your arms, your helmet, and your horse? All the men here saw you last night directing the bandits to kill the people and burn the houses. So why do you prevaricate now? Even if you were defeated how is it that not a single one of your men returned to report the matter? Do you try to deceive my men and get the gate open so that you can see your family again? If so let me tell you that your wife and all your family were killed this morning. If you do not believe this I will have your wife's head brought here for you to look at."
The soldiers immediately putting the head on a spear held it aloft for general Chin Ming to gaze at. He was a hot-tempered man and the depth of his misery made him unable to utter a word. The archers now commenced to shoot a shower of arrows at him so he turned his horse and retreated
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for safety. As he returned the houses all around were still burning, and amid all this destruction he could not find a place where he could put an end to his own life. He was buried in deep thought as he rode along. He had not gone more than four, miles when he saw a troop of cavalry emerging from a forest and they were led by five heroes in front. He recognized them as the five chieftains of the bandits. Sung Chiang rose in his stirrups, and saluting said, "Why you return from Ching Chou Fu, sir? You are by yourself, but where are you going?"
General Chin Ming was very angry at this, and said, "I should like to know who has been in my disguise in an attack on the town, and has so many people killed, so many houses destroyed, and my own family wiped out. He is deserving of death. He has made my situation so terrible that I cannot find a way in heaven or earth to end my misery. If I find that man I will smash him into atoms with my mace."
"Sir, do not be angry," said Sung Chiang. "I have a proposal to make, but this is not a suitable place to discuss it. I request you to accompany us to our mountain stronghold where I can explain it to you."
General Chin Ming saw no other way but to follow them. They said nothing on the road, but when they reached the stronghold they all dismounted, and entered the main hall where a feast was soon spread. The chiefs requested general Chin Ming to take the seat of honor. They then knelt down before him, but he immediately did the same to them.
"Sir, please excuse us," said Sung Chiang. "Yesterday we tried to detain you on our mountain. But as you were determined to go so we thought of a plan, and dressed one of our bandits in your mail and helmet, gave him your mace and horse, and instructed him to lead our men to attack Ching Chou Fu, and killed the people there. These men were reenforced by Yen Shun and Stunted Tiger who each led about fifty men, and acted as if you yourself wanted to get your wife and family out of Ching Chou Fu. The object of this destruction was to put an end to your desire to go back. We now confess our faults."
Upon hearing this general Chin Ming boiled with rage. He would have liked to fight with Sung Chiang at once, but
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on second thought he knew that he was destined by fate to join them. Further he could not fight when they were all in such a submissive attitude, and again he was entirely by himself, and was powerless against so many. Therefore he suppressed his anger, and replied, "Though it was kind of you to detain me here yet it resulted in a great injury to me as all the members of my family were killed."
"If we had not done that," said Sung Chiang, "you would not have been willing to give up all thought of returning to your family. As, however, you have no wife, now Hwa Jung is willing to marry his younger sister who would make an excellent wife for you. What do you say to that?"
General Chin Ming was persuaded as he saw that they all meant so much respect and care for him.
They then all sat down with Sung Chiang in th place of honor, and partook of the feast provided. During the meal they discussed their plans for an attack on Pure Wind Town.
General Chin Ming said, "It will be an easy task, and you need not worry about it. Hnuang Hsin is my subordinate, and I trained him in all military matters. Also we are on good terms with each other. So to-morrow I will go, and get the town barriers opened. I will talk matters over with him, and induce him to come with me and join your band. I will bring all Hwa Jung's family here, and will also arrest magistrate Liu Kao's wife so that you will be revenged for what she did to you."
That will be most excellent," said Sung Chiang.
The following morning general Chin Ming mounted his horse, and taking his mace, went down the mountain to Pure Wind Town.
At the town the barricades were well and strongly guarded by soldiers and although many scouts had been sent out, yet no news arrived of any reenforcement from Ching Chou Fu. When general Chin Ming arrived and demanded admittance a messenger was sent to Huang Hsin who mounted his horse and hurried to the barricade. There he saw general Chin Ming by himself without even an orderly. He at once gave orders for the drawbridge to be lowered, and when general Chin Ming rode over it Huang Hsin conducted him
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to his quarters. After the usual salutations Huang Hsin asked how it happened that the general had returned by himself and unaccompanied.
The general then told him how he had been defeated, and that he had now joined the bandits who were led by Sung Chiang of whom he spoke very highly. He argued strongly that Huang Hsin should also join the bandits, and so avoid the anger of the civil authorities.
"As you my benefactor have joined the bandits, said Huang Hsin, “I will go with you.”
They discussed the whole situation, and were on the point of rising when a soldier reported that large bodies of men and horses were marching upon the town. Ching Ming and Huang Hsin immediately mounted their steeds, and galloped to the barricades where they saw the cloud of dust raised by the movement of large troops.
The town is invaded with troops,
While four chiefs descend a mountain.
NOTES
1) The new name was Lu Chih-shen, but we will continue with the old name Lu Ta.
2) An old custom like our "Kissing of the Book."
3) This phrase is from the Book of Changes and means that even gold can be broken, when two hearts are united.
4) This is the name by which he was popularly known. So we use it instead of Wu Ta.
5) Here there is a play on the words "mai fu" -- bran. When a man's wife has committed adultery, people tell him politely that at home he has bran, meaning that he
keeps a gander (Hsuing O) at home as the gander is fed on bran.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: Inspector Wang goes stealthily to Yen An Fu; Shih Chin defends his village
CHAPTER 2: Shih Chin leaves during the night; Major Lu Ta assaults Butcher Cheng
CHAPTER 3: Squire Chao rebuilds Wen Chu Templ
e; Lu Ta makes a row at Wu Tai Shan
CHAPTER 4: Little Tyrant when drunk goes inside the bed curtains; Lu Ta, the priest, has a fight at Tao Hwa Tsun
CHAPTER 5: Shih Chin acts as as a highwayman in a pine forest; Lu Ta sets fire to the Wa Kwan Temple
CHAPTER 6: Lu Ta uproots a willow tree; Leopard's Head makes a mistake in entering the White Tiger Hall
CHAPTER 7: Lin Ch'ung is branded and banished to Tsang Chou Tao; Lu Ta has a big row in the Boar's Forest
CHAPTER 8: Ch'ai Chin offers hospitality; Lin Ch'ung hits drill inspector Hung with his cudgel
CHAPTER 9: During a snowstorm Lin Ch'ung seeks refuge in the Temple of the Mountain's Spirit; Lu Ch'ien sets fire to the fodder depot
CHAPTER 10: Chu Kwei shoots a whistling arrow from an arbor; Lin Ch'ung arrived at Liang Shan Po in the night during a heavy snowstorm
CHAPTER 11: Lin Ch'ung becomes a bandit at Liang Shan Po; Yang Shih sells a sword at Kaifeng
CHAPTER 12: The hasty scout strives for merit at the Eastern Suburb; the Sallow Faced Brute takes part in the military sports
CHAPTER 13: The Red-Haired Devil has a drunken sleep at the Ling Kwan Temple; Ch'ao Kai, the Heavenly King, administers justice at the Ting Chi Village
CHAPTER 14: Wu Yung, Inquisitive Scholarm induces the Three Yuans to join; Kung-Sun Sheng throws in his lot, and forms the Seventh Star of the dipper
CHAPTER 15: Yang Chih in charge of the convoy of silver and gold; Wu Yung schemes how to get the birthday presents