第八回

第八回 林教头刺配沧州道 鲁智深大闹野猪林

诗曰：

头上青天只恁欺，害人性命霸人妻。

须知奸恶千般计，要使英雄一命危。

忠义萦心由秉赋，贪嗔转念是慈悲。

林冲合是灾星退，却笑高俅枉作为。

话说当时太尉喝叫左右排列军校，拿下林冲要斩，林冲大叫冤屈。太尉道：“你来节堂有何事务？见今手里拿着利刃，如何不是来杀下官？”林冲告道：“太尉不唤，如何敢见！有两个承局望堂里去了，故赚林冲到此。”太尉喝道：“胡说！我府中那有承局。这厮不服断遣！”喝叫左右：“解去开封府，分付滕府尹好生推问，勘理明白处决。就把宝刀封了去。”左右领了钧旨，监押林冲投开封府来，恰好府尹坐衙未退。但见：

绯罗缴壁，紫绶卓围。当头额挂朱红，四下帘垂斑竹。官僚守正，戒石上刻御制四行；令史谨严，漆牌中书低声二字。提辖官能掌机密，客帐司专管牌单。吏兵沉重，节级严威。执藤条祗候立阶前，持大杖离班分左右。庞眉狱卒挈沉枷，显耀狰狞；竖目押牢提铁锁，施逞猛勇。户婚词讼，断时有似玉衡明；斗殴相争，判断恰如金镜照。虽然一群宰臣官，果是四方民父母。直使囚从冰上立，尽教人向镜中行。说不尽许多威仪，似塑就一堂神道。

高太尉干人把林冲押到府前，跪在阶下。府干将太尉言语对滕府尹说了，将上太尉封的那把刀，放在林冲面前。府尹道：“林冲，你是个禁军教头，如何不知法度，手执利刃，故入节堂？这是该死的罪犯！”林冲告道：“恩相明镜，念林冲负屈衔冤。小人虽是粗卤的军汉，颇识些法度，如何敢擅入节堂。为是前月二十八日，林冲与妻到岳庙还香愿，正迎见高太尉的小衙内把妻子调戏，被小人喝散了。次后，又使陆虞候赚小人吃酒，却使富安来骗林冲妻子到陆虞候家楼上调戏，亦被小人赶去，是把陆虞候家打了一场。两次虽不成奸，皆有人证。次日，林冲自买这口刀。今日，太尉差两个承局来家呼唤林冲，叫将刀来府里比看，因此林冲同二人到节堂下。两个承局进堂里去了，不想太尉从外面进来，设计陷害林冲。望恩相做主！”府尹听了林冲口词，且叫与了回文，一面取刑具枷杻[1]来枷了，推入牢里监下。林冲家里自来送饭，一面使钱。林冲的丈人张教头亦来买上告下，使用财帛。

正值有个当案孔目，姓孙名定，为人最鲠直，十分好善，只要周全人，因此人都唤做孙佛儿。他明知道这件事，转转宛宛在府上说知就里[2]，禀道：“此事果是屈了林冲，只可周全他。”府尹道：“他做下这般罪，高太尉批仰定罪，定要问他‘手执利刃，故入节堂，杀害本官’，怎周全得他？”孙定道：“这南衙开封府不是朝廷的，是高太尉家的？”府尹道：“胡说！”孙定道：“谁不知高太尉当权，倚势豪强，更兼他府里无般不做，但有人小小触犯，便发来开封府，要杀便杀，要剐便剐，却不是他家官府？”府尹道：“据你说时，林冲事怎的方便他，施行断遣？”孙定道：“看林冲口词，是个无罪的人，只是没拿那两个承局处。如今着他招认做‘不合腰悬利刃，误入节堂’，脊杖二十，刺配远恶军州。”滕府尹也知这件事了，自去高太尉面前，再三禀说林冲口词。高俅情知理短，又碍府尹，只得准了。

就此日，府尹回来升厅，叫林冲除了长枷，断了二十脊杖，唤个文笔匠刺了面颊，量地方远近，该配沧州牢城。当厅打一面七斤半团头铁叶护身枷钉了，贴上封皮，押了一道牒文，差两个防送公人监押前去。两个人是董超、薛霸。二人领了公文，押送林冲出开封府来。只见众邻舍并林冲的丈人张教头，都在府前接着，同林冲两个公人，到州桥下酒店里坐定。林冲道：“多得孙孔目维持，这棒不毒，因此走得动掸。”张教头叫酒保安排案酒果子，管待两个公人。酒至数杯，只见张教头将出银两，赍发他两个防送公人已了。林冲执手对丈人说道：“泰山在上，年灾月厄，撞了高衙内，吃了一场屈官司。今日有句话说，上禀泰山。自蒙泰山错爱，将令爱嫁事小人，已经三载，不曾有半些儿差池。虽不曾生半个儿女，未曾面红面赤，半点相争。今小人遭这场横事，配去沧州，生死存亡未保。娘子在家，小人心去不稳，诚恐高衙内威逼这头亲事；况兼青春年少，休为林冲误了前程。却是林冲自行主张，非他人逼迫，小人今日就高邻在此，明白立纸休书，任从改嫁，并无争执。如此，林冲去的心稳，免得高衙内陷害。”张教头道：“林冲，甚么言语！你是天年不齐[3]，遭了横事，又不是你作将出来的。今日权且去沧州躲灾避难，早晚天可怜见，放你回来时，依旧夫妻完聚。老汉家中也颇有些过活，明日便取了我女家去，并锦儿，不拣怎的，三年五载，养赡得他。又不叫他出入，高衙内便要见也不能勾。休要忧心，都在老汉身上。你在沧州牢城，我自频频寄书并衣服与你。休得要胡思乱想，只顾放心去。”林冲道：“感谢泰山厚意，只是林冲放心不下，枉自两相耽误。泰山可怜见林冲，依允小人，便死也瞑目。”张教头那里肯应承，众邻舍亦说行不得。林冲道：“若不依允小人之时，林冲便挣侧得回来，誓不与娘子相聚！”张教头道：“既然如此行时，权且由你写下，我只不把女儿嫁人便了。”当时叫酒保寻个写文书的人来，买了一张纸来，那人写，林冲说，道是：

“东京八十万禁军教头林冲，为因身犯重罪，断配沧州，去后存亡不保。有妻张氏年少，情愿立此休书，任从改嫁，永无争执。委是自行情愿，即非相逼。恐后无凭，立此文约为照。年月日。”

林冲当下看人写了，借过笔来，去年月下押个花字，打个手模。正在阁里写了，欲付与泰山收时，只见林冲的娘子号天哭地叫将来，女使锦儿抱着一包衣服，一路寻到酒店里。林冲见了，起身接着道：“娘子，小人有句话说，已禀过泰山了。为是林冲年灾月厄，遭这场屈事，今去沧州，生死不保，诚恐误了娘子青春，今已写下几字在此。万望娘子休等小人，有好头脑[4]，自行招嫁，莫为林冲误了贤妻。”那妇人听罢，哭将起来，说道：“丈夫！我不曾有半些儿点污，如何把我休了？”林冲道：“娘子，我是好意，恐怕日后两下相误，赚了你。”张教头便道：“我儿放心，虽是林冲恁的主张，我终不成下得[5]将你来再嫁人。这事且由他放心去。他便不来时，我也安排你一世的终身盘费，只教你守志便了。”那妇人听得说，心中哽咽，又见了这封书，一时哭倒，声绝在地。未知五脏如何，先见四肢不动。但见：

荆山玉损，可惜数十年结发成亲；宝鉴花残，枉费九十日东君匹配。花容倒卧，有如西苑芍药倚朱栏；檀口无言，一似南海观音来入定。小园昨夜春风恶，吹折江梅就地横。

林冲与泰山张教头救得起来，半晌方才苏醒，也自哭不住。林冲把休书与教头收了。众邻舍亦有妇人来劝林冲娘子，搀扶回去。张教头嘱付林冲道：“你顾前程去，挣扎回来厮见。你的老小，我明白便取回去养在家里，待你回来完聚。你但放心去，不要挂念。如有便人，千万频频寄些书信来。”林冲起身谢了，拜辞泰山并众邻舍，背了包裹，随着公人去了。张教头同邻舍取路回家，不在话下。

且说两个防送公人把林冲带来使臣房里寄了监。董超、薛霸各自回家，收拾行李。只说董超正在家里拴束包裹，只见巷口酒店里酒保来说道：“董端公，一位官人在小人店里请说话。”董超道：“是谁？”酒保道：“小人不认的，只叫请端公便来。”原来宋时的公人都称呼“端公”。当时董超便和酒保径到店中阁儿内看时，见坐着一个人，头戴顶万字头巾，身穿领皂纱背子，下面皂靴净袜。见了董超，慌忙作揖道：“端公请坐。”董超道：“小人自来不曾拜识尊颜，不知呼唤有何使令？”那人道：“请坐，少间便知。”董超坐在对席。酒保一面铺下酒盏，菜蔬果品案酒都搬来摆了一桌。那人问道：“薛端公在何处住？”董超道：“只在前边巷内。”那人唤酒保问了底脚[6]：“与我去请将来。”酒保去了一盏茶时，只见请得薛霸到阁儿里。董超道：“这位官人请俺说话。”薛霸道：“不敢动问大人高姓？”那人又道：“少刻便知，且请饮酒。”三人坐定，一面酒保筛酒。酒至数杯，那人去袖子里取出十两金子，放在桌上，说道：“二位端公各收五两，有些小事烦及。”二人道：“小人素不认得尊官，何故与我金子？”那人道：“二位莫不投沧州去？”董超道：“小人两个奉本府差遣，监押林冲直到那里。”那人道：“既是如此，相烦二位。我是高太尉府心腹人陆虞候便是。”董超、薛霸喏喏连声，说道：“小人何等样人，敢共对席。”陆谦道：“你二位也知林冲和太尉是对头。今奉着太尉钧旨，教将这十两金子送与二位，望你两个领诺，不必远去，只就前面僻静去处把林冲结果了，就彼处讨纸回状回来便了。若开封府但有话说，太尉自行分付，并不妨事。”董超道：“却怕使不的。开封府公文只叫解活的去，却不曾教结果了他。亦且本人年纪又不高大，如何作的这缘故？倘有些兜答[7]，恐不方便。”薛霸道：“董超，你听我说。高太尉便叫你我死，也只得依他，莫说使这官人又送金子与俺。你不要多说，和你分了罢，落得做人情，日后也有照顾俺处。前头有的是大松林猛恶去处，不拣怎的与他结果了罢。”当下薛霸收了金子，说道：“官人放心，多是五站路，少只两程，便有分晓。”陆谦大喜道：“还是薛端公真是爽利，明日到地了时，是必揭取林冲脸上金印回来做表证，陆谦再包办二位十两金子相谢。专等好音，切不可相误。”原来宋时，但是犯人徒流迁徙的，都脸上刺字，怕人恨怪，只唤做“打金印”。三个人又吃了一会酒，陆虞候算了酒钱。三人出酒肆来，各自分手。

只说董超、薛霸将金子分受入已，送回家中，取了行李包裹，拿了水火棍[8]，便来使臣房里取了林冲，监押上路。当日出得城来，离城三十里多路歇了。宋时途路上客店人家，但是公人监押囚人来歇，不要房钱。当下董、薛二人带林冲到客店里，歇了一夜。第二日天明起来，打火吃了饮食，投沧州路上来。时遇六月天气，炎暑正热。林冲初吃棒时，倒也无事，次后三两日间，天道盛热，棒疮却发，又是个新吃棒的人，路上一步挨一步，走不动。董超道：“你好不晓事！此去沧州二千里有馀的路，你这样般走，几时得到。”林冲道：“小人在太尉府里折了些便宜[9]，前日方才吃棒，棒疮举发，这般炎热，上下[10]只得担待一步。”薛霸道：“你自慢慢的走，休听咭咶。”董超一路上喃喃咄咄的，口里埋冤叫苦，说道：“却是老爷们晦气，撞着你这个魔头。”看看天色又晚，但见：

红轮低坠，玉镜将明。遥观樵子归来，近睹柴门半掩。僧投古寺，疏林穰穰鸦飞；客奔孤村，断岸嗷嗷犬吠。佳人秉烛归房，渔父收纶罢钓。唧唧乱蛩鸣腐草，纷纷宿鹭下莎汀。

当晚三个人投村中客店里来。到得房内，两个公人放了棍棒，解下包裹。林冲也把包来解了，不等公人开口，去包里取些碎银两，央店小二买些酒肉，籴些米来，安排盘馔，请两个防送公人坐了吃。董超、薛霸又添酒来，把林冲灌的醉了，和枷倒在一边。薛霸去烧一锅百沸滚汤，提将来倾在脚盆内，叫道：“林教头，你也洗了脚好睡。”林冲挣的起来，被枷碍了，曲身不得。薛霸便道：“我替你洗。”林冲忙道：“使不得！”薛霸道：“出路人那里计较的许多。”林冲不知是计，只顾伸下脚来，被薛霸只一按，按在滚汤里。林冲叫一声：“哎也！”急缩得起时，泡得脚面红肿了。林冲道：“不消生受。”薛霸道：“只见罪人伏侍公人，那曾有公人伏侍罪人。好意叫他洗脚，颠倒嫌冷嫌热，却不是好心不得好报。”口里喃喃的骂了半夜，林冲那里敢回话，自去倒在一边。他两个泼了这水，自换些水去外边洗了脚收拾。睡到四更，同店人都未起，薛霸起来烧了面汤，安排打火做饭吃。林冲起来，晕了，吃不得，又走不动。薛霸拿了水火棍，催促动身。董超去腰里解下一双新草鞋，耳朵并索儿却是麻编的，叫林冲穿。林冲看时，脚上满面都是潦浆泡，只得寻觅旧草鞋穿，那里去讨，没奈何，只得把新鞋穿上。叫店小二算过酒钱，两个公人带了林冲出店，却是五更天气。

林冲走不到三二里，脚上泡被新草鞋打破了，鲜血淋漓，正走不动，声唤不止。薛霸骂道：“走便快走，不走便大棍搠将起来。”林冲道：“上下方便，小人岂敢怠慢，俄延程途，其实是脚疼走不动。”董超道：“我扶着你走便了。”搀着林冲，又行不动，只得又挨了四五里路。看看正走动了，早望见前面烟笼雾锁，一座猛恶林子。但见：

层层如雨脚，郁郁似云头。杈枒如鸾凤之巢，屈曲似龙蛇之势。根盘地角，弯环有似蟒盘旋；影拂烟霄，高耸直教禽打捉。直饶胆硬心刚汉，也作魂飞魄散人。

这座猛恶林子，有名唤做“野猪林”，此是东京去沧州路上第一个险峻去处。宋时，这座林子内，但有些冤仇的，使用些钱与公人，带到这里，不知结果了多少好汉在此处。今日这两个公人带林冲奔入这林子里来。董超道：“走了一五更，走不得十里路程，似此沧州怎的得到。”薛霸道：“我也走不得了，且就林子里歇一歇。”

三个人奔到里面，解下行李包裹，都搬在树根头。林冲叫声：“呵也！”靠着一株大树便倒了。只见董超说道：“行一步，等一步，倒走得我困倦起来，且睡一睡却行。”放下水火棍，便倒在树边，略略闭得眼，从地下叫将起来。林冲道：“上下做甚么？”董超、薛霸道：“俺两个正要睡一睡，这里又无关锁，只怕你走了。我们放心不下，以此睡不稳。”林冲答道：“小人是个好汉，官司既已吃了，一世也不走。”董超道：“那里信得你说。要我们心稳，须得缚一缚。”林冲道：“上下要缚便缚，小人敢道怎地。”薛霸腰里解下索子来，把林冲连手带脚和枷紧紧的绑在树上。两个跳将起来，转过身来，拿起水火棍，看着林冲，说道：“不是俺要结果你，自是前日来时，有那陆虞候传着高太尉钧旨，教我两个到这里结果你，立等金印回去回话。便多走的几日，也是死数。只今日就这里，倒作成我两个回去快些。休得要怨我弟兄两个，只是上司差遣，不由自己。你须精细着，明年今日是你周年。我等已限定日期，亦要早回话。”林冲见说，泪如雨下，便道：“上下！我与你二位，往日无仇，近日无冤。你二位如何救得小人，生死不忘。”董超道：“说甚么闲话！救你不得。”薛霸便提起水火棍来，望着林冲脑袋上劈将来。可怜豪杰，等闲来赴鬼门关；惜哉英雄，到此翻为槐国梦[11]。万里黄泉无旅店，三魂今夜落谁家？毕竟看林冲性命如何，且听下回分解。

[1] 枷杻——刑具：枷，套在颈上的；杻，铐住双手的。

[2] 就里——这里是内情、原因的意思。

[3] 天年不齐——命运不好，犹如说流年不利。

[4] 头脑——人物。

[5] 下得——忍心、硬心肠，犹如现在说舍得。

[6] 底脚——住址。

[7] 兜答——原意是勾引、诱惑、攀附、包围，这里作周折、麻烦解释。也写作“兜搭”。

[8] 水火棍——役吏所用一半红色、一半黑色的硬木短棍。

[9] 折了些便宜——折，作亏损解释。折了些便宜，犹如说吃了些亏。

[10] 上下——本是指天地而言，古人多用做父母的代用语，宋时则用做对“公人”的尊称。

[11] 槐国梦——出自唐代李公佐的传奇小说《南柯太守传》。说的是广陵淳于棼醉后梦入右槐树下蚁穴内的大槐安国，被招为驸马，任南柯郡太守三十年，享尽荣华富贵的故事。后世多用这个故事比喻人生如梦、富贵无常。又写作“槐安梦”、“南柯梦”。

CHAPTER 7. Lin Chong Is Branded and Banished to Cangzhou District; Lu Da Has a Big Row in Yezhu Forest

WHEN the bodyguard of the Marshal Gao Qiu seized Lin Chong, and were going to behead him on the spot, Lin Chong called out that he was being wronged.

Marshal Gao said, “What business had you to come to this Private Hall with a sharp sword in your hand? Did you not come to kill me?”

Lin Chong beseechingly said, “If you had not ordered me to come here, how could I have dared to enter? The two junior officers who just went inside the hall brought me here.”

Marshal Gao said, “Nonsense! What junior officers are there at my headquarters? Why don’t you accept my word!” He then told his bodyguard to take the prisoner to the Kaifeng Prefectural yamen, and he would instruct the Prefect there to examine the case very minutely, and after a clear investigation he could execute the prisoner.57 He told them to wrap up the sword, and seal it.

The bodyguard obeyed the orders, and took Lin Chong under arrest to Kaifeng Prefectural yamen, and fortunately upon arriving there they found that the Prefect was still sitting in the court hearing cases. Marshal Gao’s officers took Lin Chong into the court, and they knelt down at the steps in front of the bench. The Prefect’s officer got the particulars of the case, and then reported the matter to Prefect Teng. He then took the sword which was still sealed up, and placed it in front of the prisoner.

The Prefect said, “Lin Chong, you are a Drill Instructor of the Imperial Guard so how is it that you did not know the rules of the army, and entered the Private Hall with a sword in your hand? That is a crime to be punished by death.”

Lin Chong said, “Most benevolent and wise official, I am falsely accused, and seriously wronged. Although I am a stupid army officer I understand a few of the rules. How dared I enter the Private Hall? The fact of the matter is, that on the twenty-eighth day of last month I went with my wife to the Yue Temple to sacrifice, and there we met the adopted son of Marshal Gao Qiu of the Imperial Guard, who attempted to trifle with my wife, and I interfered and separated them. Afterwards Lu Qian cheated me by asking me to go to drink wine with him, while he employed Fu An to deceive my wife, and told her to go to Lu Qian’s home where they had arranged to trifle with her. As soon as I heard of this I went there at once, and smashed up all the furniture. Thus although they had twice tried to ravish my wife, they had not succeeded, and I have a witness to bear that out. The following day I bought this sword, and today the Marshal of the Imperial Guard sent two junior officers to my home to tell me to take the sword to his yamen. So I went with those two men to the Private Hall. They went inside the Hall, and I thought that the Marshal was inside there. Those men had contrived this plot to injure me, and I hope that you, the benevolent official, will give me justice.”

The Prefect listened to Lin Chong’s statement, and then gave instructions for a dispatch to be prepared for the Marshal of the Imperial Guard. He gave instructions for the cangue and handcuffs to be placed on Lin Chong who was to be taken to the prison. Lin Chong’s family supplied him with food and money while he was in prison. Lin Chong’s father-in-law bribed many court officials to try to arrange matters for him. Fortunately in the court was a secretary named Sun Ding, who was a very honest and exceedingly good man, and was always trying to help people in distress. Because of his character everybody called him “Sun, the Buddha.” He understood the case, and spoke to the Prefect several times about it. He said, “I think this case has been brought up simply to injure Lin Chong, and it would be better for you to show mercy to him.”

The Prefect said, “He has committed a grave offense and the Marshal of the Imperial Guard has instructed me to question him as to(1)why he had a sword in his hand;(2)why he entered the Private Hall;(3)why he intended to kill the Marshal. How can I help him?”

Sun Ding spoke sarcastically, “This yamen does not receive its authority from the Imperial Court, but evidently from the Marshal of the Imperial Guard.”

“Nonsense!” said the Prefect.

Sun Ding said, “Does not everybody know that the Marshal Gao Qiu, uses his great influence to oppress people? and, moreover, those under him do the same thing? And if a man unintentionally breaks the least fraction of the law, Gao sends him here under arrest. If he wants him killed he is killed, if he wants him hacked to pieces that is done. So does it not appear that this yamen belongs to him?”

The Prefect said, “Assuming that what you say is correct how could this case of Lin Chong be settled in any other way?”

Sun Ding said, “According to Lin Chong’s evidence he is quite innocent, but the difficulty is that we cannot arrest the two junior officers. Now you had better tell him to admit that he ought not to have unintentionally entered the Private Hall with his sword in his belt. And having branded him you can banish him to a distant military outpost.”

Prefect Teng thought the plan a good one, and decided to go to see Marshal Gao Qiu, and repeat to him the evidence of Lin Chong. Marshal Gao was aware of the weakness of his case, and had to agree to the sentence of the Prefect. Straightway he returned to the judgment hall and gave an order for the cangue to be taken off Lin Chong, and that he was to receive twenty blows on his back. He then told the workman who branded prisoners to brand Lin Chong on his cheek. He was to be banished to the prison at Cangzhou.

A cangue was at once made weighing ten pounds with round corners, and strips of metal nailed to it, and with a paper pasted on to seal the two halves together. A document giving particulars of the case was then handed to two constables who were to escort the prisoner to Cangzhou. The two men were named Dong Chao and Xue Ba, and as soon as they got the official documents they left the yamen.

At the gate of the yamen a large number of neighbors with Drill Instructor Zhang (Lin Chong‘s father-in-law) were assembled and they conducted Lin Chong and the two constables to a wine shop near the Zhou Bridge where they all sat down.

Lin Chong said, “Fortunately I have been helped by the secretary Sun, and although I was beaten with a bamboo yet I can walk without pain.”

Drill Instructor Zhang told the waiters to bring wine and fruit, and treat the two constables well. After they had drunk a few cups of wine Drill Instructor Zhang took out some silver, and presented it to the constables.

Lin Chong raising his handcuffed hands to his father-in-law said, “Please listen to what I say. This year I have had misfortunes, and since I offended Master Gao I have been wrongly prosecuted. Today I wish to speak to you, and request your attention. I am indebted to you for your kindness. Three years ago you gave me your daughter, and since that time we have had no quarrels. Although she has not had any children, yet we have not had the least bit of dispute about it. But now this calamity has resulted in me being banished to Cangzhou, and now even my life is uncertain. My wife remains at home, but I shall always be thinking of her. I am very much afraid that Master Gao will press his suit very strongly. As my wife is quite young I do not want to stand in her way of being happy. It is my own will, not influenced by any outside pressure at all. Now in the presence of all my neighbors I will write a bill of divorcement so that she may marry another husband as she will and there will be no dispute. In this way I shall be contented, and she will avoid any injury from Master Gao.”

Drill Instructor Zhang said, “My worthy son-in-law! What are you talking about? You have been unlucky, and have encountered a calamity which was arranged by your enemy. You are going to Cangzhou today to avoid the coming trouble. When heaven have pity on you, and allow you to come back, you will be reunited to your wife. At my home there is plenty of money, and your wife, and her maid Jin Er, can both live at my home and whether they are there for three or five years I will look after them. So Master Gao shall not get the opportunity to see your wife. I will be responsible for this, and you need not worry about it. While you are in the prison at Cangzhou I will write you letters, and send you clothes frequently. You can go with a contented mind, and must not be anxious.”

Lin Chong replied, “I am extremely grateful for your kindness. But I cannot rid myself of concern about my wife in the present state and any delay would only be a sorrow to each of us. I hope you will accept my wishes, and then I shall die with a peaceful mind.”

Drill Instructor Zhang was unwilling to agree to do this. All the neighbors who were there also said that it could not be done.

Lin Chong said, “If you will not do as I wish I swear on my oath that when I return from prison I shall not live with my wife.”

Drill Instructor Zhang said, “As it is that way then even if you write down such a wish I shall certainly not take your wife, and marry her to another man. He then told the waiter to buy a sheet of paper and then find a man who could write a letter. Upon the arrival ot the letter writer Lin Chong dictated the following:

“I, Drill Instructor Lin Chong of the Imperial Guards of Eastern Capital, am banished to Cangzhou because I have committed a serious crime, and as it is uncertain whether I shall die there or not I write this letter to express my willingness to give my young wife (family name Zhang) full liberty to marry a second husband, so that there shall be no dispute about it afterwards. This is certainly my wish, and there shall be no obstacle in the way of this being done. I have therefore written this document so that hereafter it may be proof of my desire.”

Lin Chong saw that the date had been inserted, and then affixed his seal, and impressed his fingerprint on the document. When this had been completed he went to hand the document to Drill Instructor Zhang, but the former’s wife just then arrived, bewailing loudly. With her was the maidservant Jin Er who was carrying a bundle of clothes. Lin Chong rose to receive her, and said, “Wife, I have something to tell you which I have already imparted to your father. I have had to submit to a serious injustice. I have to go to Cangzhou, and whether I shall survive is uncertain. I am very much afraid that this will spoil the days of your youth and therefore I have signed this document expressing my fervent hope that you will not wait for my return, but if there is a suitable man you will marry him, and not allow me to stand in the way of such a virtuous wife.”

His wife wept upon hearing this and said, “Husband, I have not the slightest stain on my character, so why do you dismiss me in this way?”

“Wife, I have the best of intentions, but I am afraid that they cannot be realized, and I do not want to deceive you.”

Drill Instructor Zhang said, “My daughter, be contented. Although my son-in-law wants to arrange your affairs in this way I will promise you that I shall not press you to remarry. If we do this business in the way suggested he will depart with a contented mind, and if he does not return then I will provide for you at my home for the remainder of your life so that you can maintain your chastity.”

His daughter listened to this and continued to sob, but when she saw the sealed document she fell down in a faint. Lin Chong and Zhang raised her up, and after a long time she regained consciousness, but still continued to weep.

Lin Chong took the document, and handed it to Zhang. The wives of the neighbors had now arrived, and they gave advice to Lin Chong’s wife, and supported her back to her home.

Drill Instructor Zhang bade farewell to Lin Chong; saying, “Now be carefree and proceed on your journey, and try to come back as soon as possible. Tomorrow I will take your wife to my home, and provide for her, and she can wait there until you are reunited. You go now, and do not worry about her. And if there is anybody coming here, never fail to send a letter by that person.”

Lin Chong rose and expressed his thanks. He then saluted Zhang and all the neighbors, shouldered his bundle, and departed in the company of the two constables. Inspector Zhang and the neighbors went back to their homes, and we will not say anything more about them.

The two constables took Lin Chong to the jail and there left him for the night. They then went to their homes, to get their baggage. While one of them named Dong Chao was packing up his bundle, a waiter from a wine shop in the same alley came, and said to him, “There is an official in our wine shop who wishes to speak to you.”

Dong Chao asked who he was, and the waiter replied that he did not know him. The man, he said, had simply asked him to invite him.

Dong Chao went with the waiter to the inn, and there he saw a man sitting in a small room with the character “Wan” on his turban, wearing a short black crape coat, and a pair of black shoes with white socks. When he saw Dong Chao he immediately saluted with folded hands, and asked the constable to be seated.

Dong Chao said, “I have never had the pleasure of knowing you, and do not know what business you have for me.”

“Sit down, and you will soon know about that.”

Dong Chao sat down opposite the official, and the waiter laid upon the table cups and wine, vegetables and fruits.

The official asked, “Where does Xue Ba, the other constable, live?”

Dong Chao said, “He lives in the alley over there.”

The official then told the waiter to go and bring Xue Ba. The waiter went off, and very soon Xue Ba arrived.

Dong Chao said, “This official has something to say to us.”

Xue Ba said, “I dare not ask for his name.”

The official said, “You will soon find that out. Please drink some wine.”

The three men sat down, and very soon the waiter brought them some warm wine. After they had drunk a few cups of wine the official took ten taels of silver out of his sleeve, and placed them on the table. He said, “I have a little troublesome business for you two men to do, and you can have five taels each.”

The men said, “We have not seen you before, so why do you offer us money?”

“Are you not going to Cangzhou?” asked the official.

Dong Chao said, “We have received an order from the yamen to escort a prisoner, Lin Chong, to Cangzhou.”

“That being the case, I shall have to trouble you. I am Lu Qian, the confidential steward in the family of Marshal Gao Qiu of the Imperial Guard.”

Dong Chao and Xue Ba made many salutations and said, “We should not be sitting at the same table with you.”

Lu Qian said, “Are you two men aware that Lin Chong has offended the Marshal of the Imperial Guard? You must now observe the order of the Marshal. He told me to give you these ten taels of silver, and say that you are not to take Lin Chong very far away. When you reach some quiet deserted spot you must kill Lin Chong, and then get an official near there to give you a report about his death. If any questions are raised when you get to Kaifeng you will be free from blame as the Marshal will deal with the matter himself.”

Dong Chao said, “I am afraid that we cannot do that. Our order from the Prefect of Kaifeng says that we must escort the prisoner, and says nothing about killing him. Moreover, I am not very old, so how can we do such a vile thing? We are also afraid that we should be blamed if anybody got to know of the affair.”

Xue Ba said, “Old Dong, you just listen to me. You must not forget that even though Marshal Gao Qiu, condemns us both to death we have to obey him. Moreover he has sent this official to give us this money. Let us talk no more about it, but just divide the money. When we have done the deed Marshal Gao will be grateful to us, and will find us something to do. There is a wild deserted forest—let us dispatch him there.” Xue Ba took his part of the silver and then said, “We shall do this after we have traveled not less than fifty li, or not more than one hundred li.”

Lu Qian was much pleased at this and said, “That will be very well. Don’t forget that after you have murdered Lin Chong you must tear off the skin of his face, bearing the brand mark, and bring it back as an evidence that you have killed him.” He also promised to give them an extra ten taels of silver when they returned. He would wait anxiously for their report, and he also urged them to get the matter done without delay.

During the Song Dynasty it was the practice to brand criminals on their faces when they were sentenced to banishment. But as the branding was disgustful to the people, it was called, “Fixing Golden Seals.”

The three men finished their wine, and then separated. Lu Qian paid for the wine.

Dong Chao and Xue Ba divided the bribe between them, and took the money to their homes. There each man made up a bundle of necessary things for his journey, and carried this on a stick over his shoulder. They got Lin Chong out of the jail, and escorted him out of the city. That day they traveled about ten li before they stopped for the night.

During the Song Dynasty it was a rule that all inns were to give shelter to an escort in charge of criminals without charging for the room, but would receive payment for food or wine taken.

The next day the three men rose early, and after breakfast they started out again on the road to Cangzhou. It was the sixth lunar month, and the weather was very hot. Previously Lin Chong had felt no pain from the blows he had got at Kaifeng, but under the heat of the day he now felt pains, and limped along slowly.

Xue Ba said, “You do not seem to realize that we have to go about seven hundred li to Cangzhou, and that it will take a very long time to get there if you walk like this.”

Lin Chong said, “While I was at Kaifeng I did not feel uncomfortable, but, owing to the hot weather I now feel pains resulting from being beaten with the bamboo the day before yesterday. I beg you to walk a little slower.”

Dong Chao said, “You can walk slower, and take no notice of what we say.”

Xue Ba resented this kind of talk, and muttered to himself as he walked along. “We two are unlucky as we meet such a demon as this prisoner.”

It was getting late in the evening when they got to an inn. When they got inside they all three took off their bundles. Lin Chong did not wait for the two constables to speak, but taking some silver out of his bundle he gave it to waiter, and told him to bring some meat, rice, and wine for dinner. He then asked the two constables to dine with him.

The two constables purchased some more wine, and they gave Lin Chong so much that he became drunk, and lay down on the floor with the cangue still round his neck.

Xue Ba then went, and boiled some water, and when it was extremely hot he poured it into a tub. He then roused Lin Chong, and said to him, “Just wash your feet, and afterwards you will sleep better.”

Lin Chong struggled to get up, but the cangue prevented him from doing this.

“I will wash your feet for you,” said Xue Ba.

Lin Chong would not agree to this, but Xue Ba insisted that as they were traveling together they need not be too particular.

Lin Chong did not suspect anything, and therefore put forward his feet, which Xue Ba seized and thrust them into the boiling water. Lin Chong yelled with the pain, and quickly withdrew his feet, but they had already been scalded, and covered with red blisters. He said that it was awfully painful.

Xue Ba said, “Before this I have seen prisoners waiting upon us, but now we have apparently to wait upon a prisoner. We had the best of intentions in telling you to wash your feet, but you are so fastiduious and would complain that the water was too cold if it was only a little cold and too hot if only a little hot. So we get no thanks for our labor.”

Xue Ba continued muttering about this for a long time, and as Lin Chong dared not reply to his remarks he lay down on one side and tried to sleep. The two constables threw the boiling water away, and getting fresh water washed their own feet, and then went to bed. Early the next morning long before any of the people of the inn were out of bed Xue Ba got up, and after washing himself he lit the fire, and cooked some rice. But Lin Chong could neither get up, nor eat his breakfast. Xue Ba seized his stick, and told Lin Chong to get up. Dong Chao seeing the difficulty unloosened a pair of new straw sandals from his belt, and told Lin Chong to put them on.

But Lin Chong seeing the huge blisters on his feet would have preferred to wear his old shoes as being more comfortable, but as he could not find them he put on the new straw sandals.

They then paid for the wine they had had, and escorted Lin Chong out of the inn about five A.M. After walking about a li the blisters on Lin Chong’s feet, caused by the new straw sandals burst, and the blood oozed out. Walking was extremely painful, and he could not suppress his groans.

Xue Ba abused him, saying; “If you can walk, then walk quickly, and if you don’t walk quickly I shall have to use this stick to make you get on.”

Lin Chong said, “Have pity on me. I dare not go slow and so delay our journey. But the fact is that my feet are very painful, and I cannot walk quickly.”

Dong Chao said, “I will support you a little, and that will make it easier for you to walk.” He assisted him in this way for about two li. They then saw in the distance the gloomy, dense forest, called “Yezhu Forest.” On the road between the Eastern Capital and Cangzhou, this was well known as the most dangerous place. In the Song Dynasty it often occurred that when somebody owed a grudge to a person the latter was accused, and banished, and then the escort was bribed so as to put him to death when passing through this forest. It is unknown how many innocent people were killed in this way.

On this day when the escort with Lin Chong entered the forest Dong Chao said, “We have been traveling for two hours, but have not covered three li. If we keep on like this how can we get to Cangzhou?”

Xue Ba said, “Well, I cannot walk any further, and must have a rest in this forest.”

The three men then left the road, and went into the forest where they threw down their bundles. Lin Chong cried out with the pain and fell down.

Dong Chao said to Xue Ba, “I am quite tired so we must rest a while here, and have a sleep before going on.”

They then put down their sticks, and lay down at the foot of a tree. After closing their eyes for a short time they got up, and shouted at Lin Chong.

Lin Chong asked, “What is the matter with you?”

“There is no place here where we can lock you up, so we do not care to sleep as you might escape.”

Lin Chong replied, “I am a brave man. As I have already been condemned I will never run away.”

Xue Ba said, “We do not believe that. In order to feel safe we must tie you up.”

“If you want to tie me up, of course I must agree.”

Xue Ba thereupon took a rope, and tied Lin Chong to a tree—both hands, feet, and also the cangue. As soon as he had done this he turned round, picked up his stick and looking at Lin Chong said, “We do not wish to kill you, but the fact is that the day before yesterday Lu Qian told us that Marshal Gao Qiu of the Imperial Guard had given an order that we must kill you at this place. We must also quickly bring to him your brand mark as proof that we have done the deed. So it does not matter how many days we should travel you would eventually be killed. So today we have come here to finish the matter, and to get back as soon as possible. You must not bear resentment against us two as we are only obeying orders. If you think the matter over you will see that it is not our arrangement. A year from today will be the anniversary of your death. We have decided upon today for the deed, and we must return at once to report the matter.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Chong burst into tears, and said, “Gentlemen, I have had no grudge against you. So if you two will save my life on this occasion I shall never forget your gracious action.”

“We cannot do that, and it is a waste of time to talk about it.” So saying the two men took their sticks to hit Lin Chong on the head.

How pitiful to see a hero bound up and killed in this way!

On the way to Hell no inn is found

Lin Chong’s soul will now be roaming round.

We will now relate what eventually happened to Lin Chong’s life.

Footnote

57 In Imperial China, positions in the Imperial civil service held dual administrative and judicial roles. These positions are conventionally translated as governor, prefect, and magistrate, at the provincial, prefectural city, and county town levels of responsibility respectively.