第十五回

第十五回 吴学究说三阮撞筹 公孙胜应七星聚义

诗曰：

英雄聚会本无期，水浒山涯任指挥。

欲向生辰邀众宝，特扳三阮协神机。

一时豪侠欺黄屋，七宿光芒动紫微。

众守梁山同聚义，几多金帛尽俘归。

话说当时吴学究道：“我寻思起来，有三个人，义胆包身，武艺出众，敢赴汤蹈火，同死同生，义气最重。只除非得这三个人，方才完得这件事。”晁盖道：“这三个却是甚么样人？姓甚名谁？何处居住？”吴用道：“这三个人是弟兄三个，在济州梁山泊边石碣村住，日常只打鱼为生，亦曾在泊子里做私商勾当。本身姓阮，弟兄三人：一个唤做立地太岁阮小二，一个唤做短命二郎阮小五，一个唤做活阎罗阮小七。这三个是亲弟兄，最有义气。小生旧日在那里住了数年，与他相交时，他虽是个不通文墨的人，为见他与人结交，真有义气，是个好男子，因此和他来往。今已二三年有馀，不曾相见。若得此三人，大事必成。”晁盖道：“我也曾闻这阮家三弟兄的名字，只不曾相会。石碣村离这里只有百十里以下路程，何不使人请他们来商议？”吴用道：“着人去请，他们如何肯来。小生必须自去那里，凭三寸不烂之舌，说他们入伙。”晁盖大喜道：“先生高见，几时可行？”吴用答道：“事不宜迟，只今夜三更便去，明日晌午可到那里。”晁盖道：“最好。”当时叫庄客且安排酒食来吃。吴用道：“北京到东京也曾行到，只不知生辰纲从那条路来？再烦刘兄休辞生受，连夜去北京路上探听起程的日期，端的从那条路上来。”刘唐道：“小弟只今夜也便去。”吴用道：“且住。他生辰是六月十五日，如今却是五月初头，尚有四五十日。等小生先去说了三阮弟兄回来，那时却叫刘兄去。”晁盖道：“也是。刘兄弟只在我庄上等候。”

话休絮烦。当日吃了半晌酒食，至三更时分，吴用起来洗漱罢，吃了些早饭，讨了些银两，藏在身边，穿上草鞋。晁盖、刘唐送出庄门，吴用连夜投石碣村来。行到晌午时分，早来到那村中。但见：

青郁郁山峰叠翠，绿依依桑柘堆云。四边流水绕孤村，几处疏篁沿小径。茅檐傍涧，古木成林。篱外高悬沽酒旆，柳阴闲缆钓鱼船。

吴学究自来认得，不用问人，来到石碣村中，径投阮小二家来。到得门前看时，只见枯桩上缆着数只小渔船，疏篱外晒着一张破鱼网，倚山傍水，约有十数间草房。吴用叫一声道：“二哥在家么？”只见一个人从里面走出来，生得如何？但见：

眍兜脸两眉竖起，略绰口四面连拳。胸前一带盖胆黄毛，背上两枝横生板肋。臂膊有千百斤气力，眼睛射几万道寒光。人称立地太岁，果然混世魔王。

那阮小二走将出来，头戴一顶破头巾，身穿一领旧衣服，赤着双脚，出来见了是吴用，慌忙声喏道：“教授何来？甚风吹得到此？”吴用答道：“有些小事，特来相浼二郎。”阮小二道：“有何事，但说不妨。”吴用道：“小生自离了此间，又早二年。如今在一个大财主家做门馆，他要办筵席，用着十数尾重十四五斤的金色鲤鱼，因此特地来相投足下。”阮小二笑了一声，说道：“小人且和教授吃三杯却说。”吴用道：“小生的来意，也欲正要和二哥吃三杯。”阮小二道：“隔湖有几处酒店，我们就在船里荡将过去。”吴用道：“最好。也要就与五郎说句话，不知在家也不在？”阮小二道：“我们一同去寻他便了。”两个来到泊岸边，枯桩上缆的小船解了一只，便扶这吴用下船坐了。树根头拿了一把划楸[2]，只顾荡，早荡将开去，望湖泊里来。正荡之间，只见阮小二把手一招，叫道：“七哥曾见五郎么？”吴用看时，只见芦苇丛中，摇出一只船来。那汉生的如何？但见：

疙疸脸横生怪肉，玲珑眼突出双睛。腮边长短淡黄须，身上交加乌黑点。浑如生铁打成，疑是顽铜铸就。休言岳庙恶司神，果是人间刚直汉。村中唤作活阎罗，世上降生真五道。

这阮小七头戴一顶遮日黑箬笠，身上穿个棋子布背心，腰系着一条生布裙，把那船只荡着，问道：“二哥，你寻五哥做甚么？”吴用叫一声：“七郎，小生特来相央你们说话。”阮小七道：“教授恕罪，好几时不曾相见。”吴用道：“一同和二哥去吃杯酒。”阮小七道：“小人也欲和教授吃杯酒，只是一向不曾见面。”

两只船厮跟着在湖泊里，不多时，划到一个去处，团团都是水，高埠上有七八间草房。阮小二叫道：“老娘，五哥在么？”那婆婆道：“说不得。鱼又不得打，连日去赌钱，输得没了分文，却才讨了我头上钗儿，出镇上赌去了。”阮小二笑了一声，便把船划开。阮小七便在背后船上说道：“哥哥正不知怎地，赌钱只是输，却不晦气。莫说哥哥不赢，我也输得赤条条地。”吴用暗想道：“中了我的计。”

两只船厮并着，投石碣村镇上来。划了半个时辰，只见独木桥边一个汉子，把着两串铜钱，下来解船。阮小二道：“五郎来了。”吴用看时，但见：

一双手浑如铁棒，两只眼有似铜铃。面皮上常有些笑容，心窝里深藏着鸩毒。能生横祸，善降非灾。拳打来狮子心寒，脚踢处蚖蛇丧胆。何处觅行瘟使者，只此是短命二郎。

那阮小五斜戴着一顶破头巾，鬓边插朵石榴花，披着一领旧布衫，露出胸前刺着的青郁郁一个豹子来；里面匾扎起裤子，上面围着一条间道棋子布手巾。吴用叫一声道：“五郎得采么？”阮小五道：“原来却是教授，好两年不曾见面。我在桥上望你们半日了。”阮小二道：“我和教授直到你家寻你，老娘说道：‘出镇上赌钱去了。’因此同来这里寻你。且来和教授去水阁上吃三杯。”阮小五慌忙去桥边，解了小船，跳在舱里，捉了划楫，只一划，三只船厮并着。划了一歇，早到那个水阁酒店前。看时，但见：

前临湖泊，后映波心。数十株槐柳绿如烟，一两荡荷花红照水。凉亭上四面明窗，水阁中数般清致。当垆美女，红裙掩映翠纱衫；涤器山翁，白发偏宜麻布袄。休言三醉岳阳楼，只此便为蓬岛客。

当下三只船撑到水亭下荷花荡中，三只船都缆了。扶吴学究上了岸，入酒店里来，都到水阁内拣一副红油桌凳。阮小二便道：“先生，休怪我三个弟兄粗俗，请教授上坐。”吴用道：“却使不得。”阮小七道：“哥哥只顾坐主位，请教授坐客席，我兄弟两个便先坐了。”吴用道：“七郎只是性快。”四个人坐定了，叫酒保打一桶酒来。店小二把四只大盏子摆开，铺下四双箸，放下四般菜蔬，打一桶酒放在桌子上。阮小七道：“有甚么下口？”小二哥道：“新宰得一头黄牛，花糕也相似好肥肉。”阮小二道：“大块切十斤来。”阮小五道：“教授休笑话，没甚孝顺。”吴用道：“倒来相扰，多激恼你们。”阮小二道：“休恁地说。”催促小二哥只顾筛酒，早把牛肉切做两盘，将来放在桌上。阮家三兄弟让吴用吃了几块，便吃不得了。那三个狼餐虎食，吃了一回。

阮小五动问道：“教授到此贵干？”阮小二道：“教授如今在一个大财主家做门馆教学。今来要对付十数尾金色鲤鱼，要重十四五斤的，特来寻我们。”阮小七道：“若是每常，要三五十尾也有，莫说十数个，再要多些，我弟兄们也包办得。如今便要重十斤的也难得。”阮小五道：“教授远来，我们也对付十来个重五六斤的相送。”吴用道：“小生多有银两在此，随算价钱。只是不用小的，须得十四五斤重的便好。”阮小七道：“教授，却没讨处。便是五哥许五六斤的，也不能勾，须是等得几日才得。我的船里有一桶小活鱼，就把来吃酒。”阮小七便去船内取将一桶小鱼上来，约有五七斤，自去灶上安排，盛做三盘，把来放在桌上。阮小七道：“教授，胡乱吃些个。”

四个又吃了一回，看看天色渐晚，吴用寻思道：“这酒店里须难说话。今夜必是他家权宿，到那里却又理会。”阮小二道：“今夜天色晚了，请教授权在我家宿一宵，明日却再计较。”吴用道：“小生来这里走一遭，千难万难，幸得你们弟兄今日做一处，眼见得这席酒不肯要小生还钱。今晚借二郎家歇一夜，小生有些须银子在此，相烦就此店中沽一瓮酒，买些肉，村中寻一对鸡，夜间同一醉如何？”阮小二道：“那里要教授坏钱，我们弟兄自去整理，不烦恼没对付处。”吴用道：“径来要请你们三位，若还不依小生时，只此告退。”阮小七道：“既是教授这般说时，且顺情吃了，却再理会。”吴用道：“还是七郎性直爽快。”吴用取出一两银子，付与阮小七，就问主人家沽了一瓮酒，借个大瓮盛了，买了二十斤生熟牛肉，一对大鸡。阮小二道：“我的酒钱一发还你。”店主人道：“最好，最好。”

四人离了酒店，再下了船，把酒肉都放在船舱里，解了缆索，径划将开去，一直投阮小二家来。到得门前，上了岸，把船仍旧缆在桩上，取了酒肉，四人一齐都到后面坐地，便叫点起灯烛。原来阮家弟兄三个，只有阮小二有老小，阮小五、阮小七都不曾婚娶。四个人都在阮小二家后面水亭上坐定。阮小七宰了鸡，叫阿嫂同讨的小猴子[3]在厨下安排。约有一更相次，酒肉都搬来摆在桌上。

吴用劝他弟兄们吃了几杯，又提起买鱼事来，说道：“你这里偌大一个去处，却怎地没了这等大鱼？”阮小二道：“实不瞒教授说，这般大鱼只除梁山泊里便有。我这石碣湖中狭小，存不得这等大鱼。”吴用道：“这里和梁山泊一望不远，相通一派之水，如何不去打些？”阮小二叹了一口气道：“休说。”吴用又问道：“二哥如何叹气？”阮小五接了说道：“教授不知，在先这梁山泊是我弟兄们的衣饭碗，如今绝不敢去。”吴用道：“偌大去处，终不成官司禁打鱼鲜？”阮小五道：“甚么官司敢来禁打鱼鲜，便是活阎王也禁治不得！”吴用道：“既没官司禁治，如何绝不敢去？”阮小五道：“原来教授不知来历，且和教授说知。”吴用道：“小生却不理会得。”阮小七接着便道：“这个梁山泊去处，难说难言！如今泊子里新有一伙强人占了，不容打鱼。”吴用道：“小生却不知，原来如今有强人，我那里并不曾闻得说。”阮小二道：“那伙强人，为头的是个秀才，落科举子，唤做白衣秀士王伦；第二个叫做摸着天杜迁；第三个叫做云里金刚宋万；以下有个旱地忽律[4]朱贵，见在李家道口开酒店，专一探听事情，也不打紧。如今新来一个好汉，是东京禁军教头，甚么豹子头林冲，十分好武艺。这伙人好生了得，都是有本事的。这几个贼男女聚集了五七百人，打家劫舍，抢掳来往客人。我们有一年多不去那里打鱼。如今泊子里把住了，绝了我们的衣饭，因此一言难尽！”吴用道：“小生实是不知有这段事。如何官司不来捉他们？”阮小五道：“如今那官司，一处处动掸便害百姓。但一声下乡村来，倒先把好百姓家养的猪羊鸡鹅，尽都吃了，又要盘缠打发他。如今也好，教这伙人奈何，那捕盗官司的人，那里敢下乡村来。若是那上司官员差他们缉捕人来，都吓得尿屎齐流，怎敢正眼儿看他。”阮小七道：“我虽然不打得大鱼，也省了若干科差[5]。”吴用道：“恁地时，那厮们倒快活。”阮小五道：“他们不怕天，不怕地，不怕官司，论秤分金银，异样穿绸锦，成瓮吃酒，大块吃肉，如何不快活！我们弟兄三个空有一身本事，怎地学得他们。”吴用听了，暗暗地欢喜道：“正好用计了。”

阮小七又道：“人生一世，草生一秋。我们只管打鱼营生，学得他们过一日也好。”吴用道：“这等人学他做甚么！他做的勾当，不是笞杖五七十的罪犯，空自把一身虎威都撇下。倘或被官司拿住了，也是自做的罪。”阮小二道：“如今该管官司没甚分晓，一片糊突，千万犯了迷天大罪的倒都没事。我弟兄们不能快活，若是但有肯带挈我们的，也去了罢！”阮小五道：“我也常常这般思量。我弟兄三个的本事，又不是不如别人，谁是识我们的？”吴用道：“假如便有识你们的，你们便如何肯去？”阮小七道：“若是有识我们的，水里水里去，火里火里去。若能勾受用得一日，便死了开眉展眼。”吴用暗地想道：“这三个都有意了，我且慢慢地诱他。”吴用又劝他三个吃了两巡酒。正是：

只为奸邪屈有才，天教恶曜下凡来。

试看小阮三兄弟，劫取生辰不义财。

吴用又说道：“你们三个敢上梁山泊捉这伙贼么？”阮小七道：“便捉的他们，那里去请赏？也吃江湖上好汉们笑话。”吴用道：“小生短见，假如你们怨恨打鱼不得，也去那里撞筹却不是好。”阮小二道：“先生你不知，我弟兄们几遍商量，要去入伙，听得那白衣秀士王伦的手下人，都说道他心地窄狭，安不得人。前番那个东京林冲上山，呕尽他的气。王伦那厮不肯胡乱着人，因此我弟兄们看了这般样，一齐都心懒了。”阮小七道：“他们若似老兄这等慷慨，爱我弟兄们便好。”阮小五道：“那王伦若得似教授这般情分时，我们也去了多时，不到今日。我弟兄三个便替他死也甘心！”吴用道：“量小生何足道哉！如今山东、河北多少英雄豪杰的好汉。”阮小二道：“好汉们尽有，我弟兄自不曾遇着。”吴用道：“只此间郓城县东溪村晁保正，你们曾认得他么？”阮小五道：“莫不是叫做托塔天王的晁盖么？”吴用道：“正是此人。”阮小七道：“虽然与我们只隔得百十里路程，缘分浅薄，闻名不曾相会。”吴用道：“这等一个仗义疏财的好男子，如何不与他相见？”阮小二道：“我弟兄们无事，也不曾到那里，因此不能勾与他相见。”吴用道：“小生这几年也只在晁保正庄上左近教些村学。如今打听得他有一套富贵待取，特地来和你们商议，我等就那半路里拦住取了，如何？”阮小五道：“这个却使不得。他既是仗义疏财的好男子，我们却去坏他的道路[6]，须吃江湖上好汉们知时笑话。”吴用道：“我只道你们弟兄心志不坚，原来真个惜客好义。我对你们实说，果有协助之心，我教你们知此一事。我如今见在晁保正庄上住，保正闻知你三个大名，特地教我来请你们说话。”阮小二道：“我弟兄三个，真真实实地并没半点儿假。晁保正敢[7]有件奢遮[8]的私商买卖，有心要带挈我们，以定是烦老兄来。若还端的有这事，我三个若舍不得性命相帮他时，残酒为誓，教我们都遭横事，恶病临身，死于非命。”阮小五和阮小七把手拍着脖项道：“这腔热血，只要卖与识货的！”吴用道：“你们三位弟兄在这里，不是我坏心术来诱你们，这件事，非同小可的勾当。目今朝内蔡太师是六月十五日生辰，他的女婿是北京大名府梁中书，即日起解十万贯金珠宝贝与他丈人庆生辰。今有一个好汉姓刘名唐，特来报知。如今欲要请你们去商议，聚几个好汉，向山凹僻静去处，取此一套富贵，不义之财，大家图个一世快活。因此特教小生只做买鱼，来请你们三个计较，成此一事。不知你们心意如何？”阮小五听了道：“罢，罢！”叫道：“七哥，我和你说甚么来？”阮小七跳起来道：“一世的指望，今日还了愿心，正是搔着我痒处。我们几时去？”吴用道：“请三位即便去来。明日起个五更，一齐都去晁天王庄上去。”阮家三弟兄大喜。有诗为证：

壮志淹留未得伸，今逢学究启其心。

大家齐入梁山泊，邀取生辰宝共金。

当夜过了一宿。次早起来，吃了早饭，阮家三弟兄分付了家中，跟着吴学究，四个人离了石碣村，拽开脚步，取路投东溪村来。行了一日，早望见晁家庄，只见远远地绿槐树下晁盖和刘唐在那里等。望见吴用引着阮家三兄弟，直到槐树前，两下都厮见了。晁盖大喜道：“阮氏三雄，名不虚传。且请到庄里说话。”六人却从庄外入来，到得后堂，分宾主坐定。吴用把前话说了，晁盖大喜，便叫庄客宰杀猪羊，安排烧纸。阮家三弟兄见晁盖人物轩昂，语言洒落，三个说道：“我们最爱结识好汉，原来只在此间。今日不得吴教授相引，如何得会！”三个弟兄好生欢喜。当晚且吃了些饭，说了半夜话。次日天晓，去后堂前面，列了金钱纸马，摆了夜来煮的猪羊、烧纸。三阮见晁盖如此志诚，排列香花灯烛面前，个个说誓道：“梁中书在北京害民，诈得钱物，却把去东京与蔡太师庆生辰，此一等正是不义之财。我等六人中，但有私意者，天地诛灭，神明鉴察。”六人都说誓了，烧化钱纸。

六筹好汉正在后堂散福饮酒，只见一个庄客报说：“门前有个先生[9]要见保正化斋粮。”晁盖道：“你好不晓事！见我管待客人在此吃酒，你便与他三五升米便了，何须直来问我。”庄客道：“小人把米与他，他又不要，只要面见保正。”晁盖道：“以定是嫌少，你便再与他三二斗米去。你说与他，保正今日在庄上请人吃酒，没工夫相见。”庄客去了多时，只见又来说道：“那先生，与了他三斗米，又不肯去；自称是一清道人，不为钱米而来，只要求见保正一面。”晁盖道：“你这厮不会答应。便说今日委实没工夫，教他改日却来相见拜茶。”庄客道：“小人也是这般说。那个先生说道：‘我不为钱米斋粮，闻知保正是个义士，特求一见。’”晁盖道：“你也这般缠，全不替我分忧。他若再嫌少时，可与他三四斗米去，何必又来说。我若不和客人们饮时，便去厮见一面，打甚么紧。你去发付他罢，再休要来说。”庄客去了没半个时，只听得庄门外热闹，又见一个庄客飞也似来报道：“那先生发怒，把十来个庄客都打倒了。”晁盖听得，吃了一惊，慌忙起身道：“众位弟兄少坐，晁盖自去看一看。”便从后堂出来，到庄门前看时，只见那个先生，身长八尺，道貌堂堂，威风凛凛，生得古怪，正在庄门外绿槐树下，打那众庄客。晁盖看那先生时，但见：

头绾两枚鬅松双丫髻，身穿一领巴山短褐袍，腰系杂色彩丝绦，背上松纹古铜剑。白肉脚衬着多耳麻鞋，绵囊手拿着鳖壳扇子。八字眉一双杏子眼，四方口一部落腮胡。

那先生一头打庄客，一头口里说道：“不识好人！”晁盖见了叫道：“先生息怒。你来寻晁保正，无非是投斋化缘，他已与了你米，何故嗔怪如此？”那先生哈哈大笑道：“贫道不为酒食钱米而来。我觑得十万贯如同等闲，特地来寻保正有句话说。叵耐村夫无礼，毁骂贫道，因此性发。”晁盖道：“你曾认得晁保正么？”那先生道：“只闻其名，不曾会面。”晁盖道：“小子便是。先生有甚话说？”那先生看了道：“保正休怪，贫道稽首。”晁盖道：“先生少请到庄里拜茶如何？”那先生道：“多感。”两人入庄里来。吴用见那先生入来，自和刘唐、三阮一处躲过。

且说晁盖请那先生到后堂吃茶已罢，那先生道：“这里不是说话处，别有甚么去处可坐？”晁盖见说，便邀那先生又到一处小小阁儿内，分宾坐定。晁盖道：“不敢拜问先生高姓？贵乡何处？”那先生答道：“贫道复姓公孙，单讳一个胜字，道号一清先生。小道是蓟州人氏，自幼乡中好习枪棒，学成武艺多般，人但呼为公孙胜大郎。因为学得一家道术，亦能呼风唤雨，驾雾腾云，江湖上都称贫道做入云龙。贫道久闻郓城县东溪村保正大名，无缘不曾拜识。今有十万贯金珠宝贝，专送与保正作进见之礼，未知义士肯纳否？”晁盖大笑道：“先生所言，莫非北地生辰纲么？”那先生大惊道：“保正何以知之？”晁盖道：“小子胡猜，未知合先生意否？”公孙胜道：“此一套富贵，不可错过！古人有云：当取不取，过后莫悔。保正心下如何？”

正说之间，只见一个人从阁子外抢将入来，劈胸揪住公孙胜，说道：“好呀！明有王法，暗有神灵，你如何商量这等的勾当？我听得多时也。”吓得这公孙胜面如土色。正是：机谋未就，争奈窗外人听；计策才施，又早萧墙祸起。直教七筹好汉当时聚，万贯资财指日空。毕竟抢来揪住公孙胜的却是何人，且听下回分解。

[1] 撞筹——古人用算筹计数。撞筹，就是凑数、入伙。后文常有几筹好汉一语，就是几个好汉的意思。

[2] 划揪——桨。后文的“划楫”，也指桨。

[3] 小猴子——这里指小男孩。

[4] 忽律——鳄鱼。有时也写作“”。

[5] 科差——缴纳捐税和承当差役。

[6] 道路——这里作生意、买卖解释。

[7] 敢——这里是莫非、大约的意思。

[8] 奢遮——了得、了不起的意思。

[9] 先生——宋时对道士的称呼之一。有时也用以称呼以医、卜、星、相为职业的人。

CHAPTER 14. Wu Yong, Inquisitive Scholar, Induces the Three Ruans to Join; Gongsun Sheng Throws in His Lot, and Forms the Seventh Star Of the Dipper

WU YONG, the “Inquisitive Scholar,” said, “I think that there are three men who have such a brave disposition, and such fine military training that they would not be afraid of ‘jumping into hot water, or walking through fire.’ If we do not have them with us our matter will not succeed.”

Chao Gai asked who the men were, and where they lived.

Wu Yong said, “They are three brothers who live at Shijie village, near Liangshan Marsh, in Jizhou. They are fishermen but previously were smugglers at Liangshan Marsh. Their name is Ruan, and the second one has the nickname ‘Heavenly King Who Stands His Ground’;60 the other is ‘Ruan the Fifth’ who has a nickname, ‘Short Lived Second Brother’ (the name of a demon); the third is ‘Ruan the Seventh,’ who is nicknamed ‘Living King Yama.’61 I lived at their village for several years some time ago. They were not scholars, but were very generous and hospitable. They were fine fellows, and therefore I made their acquaintance. I have not seen them during the last two years, but if we get them this big job can be well finished.”

“I have heard of these three brothers,” said Chao Gai, but so far I have not met them. The village of Shijie is not quite thirty-six li from here, so how would it be if we send a man there to ask them to come here to discuss the matter with us?”

Wu Yong said, “If you send a man they will not come. I must go there myself, and you can depend on my ‘three-inch pliable tongue’ in inducing them to join our band.”

Chao Gai was much pleased at this and said, “We accept your good advice, but when can you go?”

“This matter must not be delayed, and therefore I will start tonight at midnight. I shall reach there before noon tomorrow.”

Chao Gai said, “That is very fine.” He then ordered the servants to bring in food and wine.

Wu Yong said, “I know the roads between the Northern and Eastern Capitals but I do not know by which way these birthday gifts will be dispatched. If it won’t be inconvenient I suggest that our brother Liu Tang should go this night to the road for Northern Capital, and makes inquiries as to when the presents will be sent and by what route.”

Liu Tang said, “I will go this evening.”

Wu Yong said, “Wait a bit. The birthday of the Prime Minister is on the fifteenth day of the sixth month, but now is only the beginning of the fifth month so that there are still about forty days before the birthday. You had better wait until the three brothers arrive here, and then brother Liu Tang can depart.”

Chao Gai said, “All right. Brother Liu Tang will stay here.”

We need not weary you with details of how they dined for a long while. At midnight Wu Yong washed; ate his breakfast; got some silver and put it in his pockets; and put on sandals. Then Chao Gai and Liu Tang accompanied Wu Yong to the gate, and the latter departed on his journey to the village of Shijie. He reached his destination before noon the next day. He knew the place, and therefore had no need to ask his way. Upon arriving there he went straight to the home of the brothers Ruan.

At the door of the house he saw many fishing boats moored to posts; the fishing nets were hanging on the rough bamboo fence to dry; between the water and the hill there were more than ten grass huts.

Wu Yong shouted out, “Is the second brother home?” A person came out of a hut in his bare feet, wearing a torn cap, and some old clothes. When he saw Wu Yong he saluted and said, “Why has the tutor come? What wind has blown you here?”

“I have been absent for nearly two years. Just now I am teaching at the house of a wealthy man who wants to give a big feast so I came to see whether you could supply about ten carp each weighing at fifteen jin.”

Ruan the Second laughed and said, “Come and have a drink then we can discuss this matter.”

“In coming here,” said Wu Yong, “I had the idea that I could get a drink.”

“There are several wine shops on the other side of the lake, so we will go there by boat.”

“Very good,” said Wu Yong. “But I should like to have a talk with your younger brother as well, if he is at home.”

“We will go together and find him.”

They then went to the side of the lake, untied one of the boats, and got on board. Taking a pole resting at the foot of a tree, they punted the boat through the reeds into the center of the lake. Ruan the Second had been punting for some time when he raised his hand and shouted, “Seventh Brother, have you seen my younger brother?”

A boat issued from the reeds with Ruan the Seventh in it, wearing a black straw hat, a sleeveless coat made of cloth with a chessboard pattern; and a short skirt made of undyed yarn. As he rowed he shouted, “What do you want your younger brother for?”

Wu Yong shouted, “I came specially to have a talk with you three brothers.”

Ruan the Seventh said, “Please forgive me for it is a long time since I saw you.”

Wu Yong said, “I will go with you two brothers for a drink of wine.”

Ruan the Seventh said, “I will go and have a drink with you because I have not seen you for a long time.”

The two boats were then rowed into the center of the lake where there was a small mound with about eight straw huts on it. Upon arriving there Ruan the Second called out, “Mother, is Fifth Brother there?”

His mother replied, “That I cannot say. He has not been fishing, but has been gambling for several days instead, and has lost everything. He asked me to let him have my hairpins so that he could go and gamble again.”

Ruan the Second laughed at this, and rowed his boat away. His brother in the boat behind said, “You do not know what he has done. He has lost at gambling, and evidently has had bad luck. You should not say that he has not won, because I have also gambled and lost everything.”

Wu Yong thought this would suit his plans.

The two boats at last came to the side of the lake where there was the village of Shijie, and there close to a single plank bridge they saw a man who was carrying two strings of cash and was coming down to untie the rope that fastened his boat. Ruan the Second said that that was his brother. Wu Yong saw that Ruan the Fifth was wearing a battered cap, with a pomegranate flower under it; he was wearing an old shirt which was unbuttoned and displayed the figure of a leopard tattooed on his breast. In his belt he had placed his handkerchief made of cloth with a chessboard pattern.

Wu Yong called out, “Ruan the Fifth, have you won?”

Ruan the Fifth said, “Hello! Here you are, tutor, but I have not seen you for nearly two years. I have been watching you from this bridge for a long time.”

Ruan the Second said: “I went with our teacher to our home, and our mother said that you had gone to the village to gamble there, so we came along here to look for you. Come with us to the inn where we can have a drink together.” Ruan the Fifth immediately got into his boat, untied the rope, and rowed his boat after the other two. The three boats were rowed across the lake to a booth where they were duly tied up in a lotus pond. The brothers assisted the tutor to the bank, and then took him into an inn built upon piles in the water, where there were a set of red varnished chairs and a table.

Ruan the Second said, “You must not be offended at our coarseness, but we request you our tutor to take the seat of honor.” Wu Yong declined the offer, and Ruan the Seventh said, “Elder brother, do you mind taking the seat as a host, and we will ask our tutor to take the seat as a guest. We two younger brothers will take our seats first.”

Wu Yong said, “Seventh brother, you are indeed quick tempered.” The four men then all sat down, and the waiter was told to bring the wine. The waiter arranged four wine cups on the table, four pairs of chopsticks, four plates of vegetables, and a flagon of wine on the table.

Ruan the Seventh asked the waiter what nice dish they had got. The waiter replied that they had lovely beef from a fat ox that had just been killed.

Ruan the Second told him to bring in about ten jin of beef.

Ruan the Fifth said, “Teacher, you must not laugh at us, because we have not much to offer you.”

Wu Yong said, “On the other hand I must ask you to excuse me for giving much trouble to you.”

Ruan the Second said, “Don’t mention that!” He then told the waiter to be quick and bring the meat which was done at once. The brothers then pressed Wu Yong to drink several cups of wine, and meanwhile they ate their food like wolves and tigers.

After eating a while Ruan the Fifth asked, “What is the business that has brought you here?”

Ruan the Second said that Wu Yong was now teaching in a rich family and had come here to buy about ten large carp which have to weigh at fifteen jin each.”

Ruan the Seventh said, “Generally we catch about fifty fish and ordinarily we could let you have more, not to say a dozen, but just now we have not got even fifteen jin weight of fish.”

“As you have come from a distance,” said Ruan the Fifth, “we must catch for you about ten fish, and each of them to be weighed at six jin.”

“I have brought money with me,” said Wu Yong, “so you can tell me what the price is, but I must have fish weighing about fifteen jin each.”

“Teacher,” said Ruan the Seventh, “there are no fish of that size anywhere. My fifth brother says we ought to catch about ten fish of six jin each, but I am afraid we cannot even do that just now. So you must wait a few days, when we may have them. In my boat I have a tub of small living fish which we can get for a meal.”

Ruan the Seventh then went to the boat, and brought back the tub of fish weighing about six jin altogether. He took them to the stove, cooked them, placed them in three trays and served them up. He invited Wu Yong to partake of the food without any ceremony. They all “fell to” and by the time they had finished eating the fish it was growing dark.

Wu Yong thought that that inn was not a suitable place to talk matters over, that night he must sleep at their homes, and there discuss matters.

“It is now getting dark,” said Ruan the Second, “and we shall be pleased if you would come and sleep at our house. Tomorrow we can arrange matters.”

“I have come from a long distance,” said Wu Yong, “and it is very fortunate that I have met you all in this way. I see that I am not to be allowed to pay for this meal. I will stay at your house tonight, but as I have some money I will buy a jar of wine and some meat, and perhaps in the village we can get a pair of chickens. So let us have a feast tonight, and get a drink.”

“But we do not want you to spend money,” said Ruan the Second, “and we will arrange that matter ourselves so you need not worry.”

“I have come to invite you three gentlemen,” said Wu Yong, “and if you do not allow me to pay the cost I must leave.”

“In that case,” said Ruan the Seventh, “we will allow you, our teacher, to have your own way.”

“Our seventh brother, you are really very straightforward,” said Wu Yong. He then took a tael of silver, and gave it to Ruan the Seventh. He asked the innkeeper to lend them a large jar, and fill it with wine, and make up twenty jin of beef, and a pair of chickens.

“I will pay you now for the wine we have just had,” said Ruan the Second.

The innkeeper agreed to this proposal.

The four friends took the wine and meat and stowed it in the boat, then cast off the rope, and rowed to the house of Ruan the Second. Upon arriving there they tied the boat to a post, took the wine and meat into a room at the back of the house, and told the servants to light the lamps. Of the three brothers only Ruan the Second was married.

They all took their seats. Ruan the Seventh killed the chickens, and giving it to the wife of Ruan the Second told her to get the cook to prepare it for them. At about 8 P.M. all the food and wine was ready and was placed on the table. Wu Yong then invited the brothers to drink wine with him, and in order to introduce again the question of the fish he asked, “How is it that there are no large fish here, seeing that you have such a large lake?”

Ruan the Second replied, “We will not deceive you. The fact is that all the big fish are only found near Liangshan Marsh and as our lake is very small there are no big fish here.”

“This lake is not far from Liangshan Marsh, and is connected by a stream. Why do you not go there to fish?”

Ruan the Second sighed and said, “Don’t mention that!”

“But why do you sigh?” asked Wu Yong.

Ruan the Fifth interposed saying, “Teacher, you do not understand. Formerly even our clothes and food come from Liangshan Marsh but now we dare not go there.”

“But surely the magistrate in this large county has not prohibited you from catching fresh fish?” said Wu Yong.

Ruan the Fifth said, “No official dares come here, and prohibits us from catching fresh fish, and even King Yama dares not do that.”

“But if there is no prohibition,” said Wu Yong, “why don’t you go there?”

“Sir, you do not know all the circumstances of the case,” said Ruan the Fifth, “but I will explain matters.”

“As you have not told me so far,” said Wu Yong, “of course I do not understand.”

Ruan the Seventh interposed, “It is not easy to talk about this Liangshan Marsh. Recently a band of brigands have seized the island in the lake so we cannot catch fish there.”

Wu Yong said, “I did not know that there are robbers there, and have never heard of such a state of affairs.”

“The chief of the bandits,” said Ruan the Second, “is a man who has failed to pass the examination as a juren (M. A.),62 and he is called Wang Lun, ‘White Clothes Scholar’; and the second-in-command is Du Qian, ‘Sky Feeler,’ and the third in command is Song Wan, the ‘Diamond in the Clouds,’ there is also Zhu Gui, ‘Dry Land Crocodile,’ who has an inn at the Liji District entrance, where he acts as a spy and gathers information. Recently a man named Lin Chong, ‘Leopard’s Head,’ has joined them from the Eastern Capital, and he is noted for his military skill. There are about seven hundred men in this gang of bandits, and they loot and rob in every direction. We have not been there fishing for quite a year. They are the terror of this district; and have deprived us of our food and clothing, but this is not the whole of what they have done.”

“I did not know that matters are like this,” said Wu Yong. “Why does the magistrate not arrest them?”

“Whenever the officials act in those affairs,” said Ruan the Fifth, “the people suffer for it. As soon as they come into the village they first seize the people’s pigs, sheep, fowls, and geese, and eat them, and then demand money to cover the traveling expenses of their soldiers. Just now the officials do not know what to do, so how dare they come here? If the officials come here to arrest the bandits they would be so frightened that they would be rendered useless, and would not even dare to look for the bandits.”

“Yet as we do not catch fish now,” said Ruan the Second, “we can avoid their extortion.”

“This being the case,” said Wu Yong, “these thieves are indeed leading a happy life!”

“They fear neither Heaven, nor Earth, nor the officials,” said Ruan the Fifth, “they weigh and divide among themselves the silver, gold, and silks they have looted. They have big jars of wine to drink, and large quantities of meat to eat so why should they not be happy? In vain we three brothers have skill; how can we compare with them?”

Upon hearing this, Wu Yong was much pleased and thought it would fit in well with his plans.

Ruan the Seventh said, “Man lives just a generation, and grass exists just for a year. We follow the livelihood of fishermen, but if we learnt their ways of earning a living our life would not be so bad even a day.”

“Why, should we follow these bandits!” said Wu Yong, “Is not their criminal way of living deserving of severe punishment, so what would be the advantage for you to throw aside your present respectability by joining them? If you were arrested by the soldiers it would be your own crime that would be tried.”

“But the soldiers,” said Ruan the Second, “do not know anything, and are a stupid lot. Although the bandits commit great crimes yet they are not punished. We are very much distressed on account of our poverty. If somebody would only assist us in this matter we would go and become bandits ourselves.”

“I always come to the same conclusion,” said Ruan the Fifth. “Our abilities are quite as good as other men’s, but nobody seems to be aware of it.”

“If somebody knew of your ability,” said Wu Yong, “would you then be willing to go?”

“If somebody knew of our ability,” said Ruan the Seventh, “and asked us to go through water or fire we would not hesitate a moment in doing so. If we were only employed for a day and were killed, we should still die contented.”

Wu Yong was highly delighted at this, and thought that the three brothers had ideas, and he could gradually induce them to fall in with his plans. He pressed them to drink more wine, and after they had drunk two cups he asked, “Are you three willing to go to Liangshan Marsh and arrest these bandits?”

“If we did that,” said Ruan the Seventh, “where could we get the reward? If there was no reward the bandits would laugh at us.”

“I am rather inexperienced,” said Wu Yong, “but would it not be a good plan for you to go to that place and throw in your lot with the bandits seeing that you do not like to catch fish?”

“Teacher,” said Ruan the Second, “you do not know we have even discussed that plan but we have heard that Wang Lun, ‘White Clothes Scholar,’ is regarded by his followers as a very narrow-minded man, and does not care to get many other men. Sometime ago Lin Chong from the Eastern Capital joined them at Liangshan Marsh and suffered much at his hand. Wang Lun would not forgive others and such being the case, we are disinclined to approach him.”

“If they would treat us as generously you do,” said Ruan the Seventh, “that would be nice.”

“If Wang Lun were as friendly to us as you,” said Ruan the Fifth, “we should have gone there a long time ago, and would not wait until now. We should even have been willing to die for him.”

“I am not worth mentioning,” said Wu Yong. “In both Shandong and Hebei provinces there are many brave heroes.”

“There may be many brave heroes,” said Ruan the Second, “but so far we have not met them.”

“Do you know a man in this vicinity named Chao Gai, who is the chief of the Dongxi village, in Yuncheng County?” asked Wu Yong.

“Is he not the man known as the ‘Heavenly King’ or ‘Pagoda Carrier’?” asked Ruan the Fifth.

“That is the man,” said Wu Yong.

“Although he lives at a distance of only thirty-five li from here yet our fate has not allowed us to meet him even though we have heard of his fame,” said Ruan the Seventh.

“As he is a man who distributes wealth in a good cause how is it that you have not tried to meet him?” asked Wu Yong.

“We have had no business at that place,” said Ruan the Second, “and therefore we have not been able to meet him.”

“For several years,” said Wu Yong, “I have been teaching at a village close to his home. I have heard that just now he has a matter in hand which will bring in much wealth and that is really what I came here to discuss with you. How would it be if we intercepted this treasure, and took it ourselves?”

“We cannot do that,” said Ruan the Fifth. ‘‘He is a man who distributes wealth in a good cause; we cannot intercept his treasure. Besides that, should the brave heroic bandits hear of it they would laugh at us.”

“Before you said this,” said Wu Yong, “I thought that you were not firm in purpose but now I see that you are really chivalrous and would treat your friends well. As you really are willing to assist me I will tell you the truth about this matter. Just now I am living at Chao Gai’s home. The chief Chao Gai has heard of your fame, and specially instructed me to come here and discuss a matter with you.”

“We three brothers,” said Ruan the Second, “are quite straight, and have no fraction of falsity about us. I think Chao Gai must have an extremely secret and illegal affair in hand which requires our assistance and that is why he sent you here. If it is true that there is such business then let us take our oath with this remaining cup of wine that if we do not assist you with our utmost ability then let calamity fall upon us, disastrous disease attack us, and let us die an unnatural death.”

Ruan the Fifth and also Ruan the Seventh patted their necks with their hands and the former said, “This warm blood we will offer to the one that appreciates us.”

“You three brothers are here,” said Wu Yong. “It is not I, who have any bad intention in inducing you. This matter is extremely important. The birthday of Prime Minister Cai at the court, is on the fifteenth day of the sixth month. His son-in-law is Grand Secretary Liang of Daming, the Northern Capital. Very soon the latter will dispatch presents of gold articles, pearls, and other valuables worth one hundred thousand strings of cash to his father-in-law on the birthday. A splendid fellow named Liu Tang has just come and reported this matter. They want you to go there and discuss with them the question of collecting men together who will go to some lonely pass in the mountains and there seize these ill-gotten gains so that everybody will enjoy a rich and happy life. Therefore they told me to come here under pretext of buying fish, but really to request you to go there to discuss this affair. What do you think of the matter?”

“Ho! Ho!” said Ruan the Second, “Brother, did I not tell you that it would come?”

Ruan the Seventh jumped up and said, “We have hoped for this a long time, and today we get our desires fulfilled. Your words scratch us at the place that itches. But when shall we go?”

“As you are willing to go,” said Wu Yong, “I propose that we start tomorrow morning about 5 A.M., and go to the village of Chao, the ‘Heavenly King.’”

The three brothers were much pleased at this. They all went to bed. Early next morning they ate their breakfast, and after leaving instructions at their home, they departed on the road to Dongxi Village. In the afternoon they came in sight of the farmhouse of Chao Gai. In the distance they saw Chao Gai and Liu Tang waiting for them under a green ash tree. When they reached the tree Chao Gai expressed his pleasure at seeing them and said, “I previously heard of your fame, but now I find that it is quite true. I request you to come inside my home to discuss matters.” All the six then went into a room at the back of the farm where they took their seats according to their status.

Wu Yong explained all that had happened, and Chao Gai was much pleased and instructed his servants to kill and roast a pig and a sheep, and prepare some paper offerings for worship. The three brothers saw that Chao Gai’s personal appearance was fair and noble and his conversation was free and easy, so they said, “We are fond of making friends with fine fellows, but we never supposed that we can find them here. We should not have had the pleasure of meeting you today if it had not been for Wu Yong who brought us here.” The brothers were exceedingly pleased. They ate their evening meal, and talked with their host until midnight.

The next morning when they got up they went again to the chamber at the back where the paper joss money, paper horses, incense, flowers, candles and lamps, the roasted pig and sheep; and other worshiping materials were ready. They were pleased to see that Chao Gai was so sincere. So they all took an oath saying, “Grand Secretary Liang at the Northern Capital has injured the people, and has used his ill-gotten gains to buy presents and send them to his father-in-law, Prime Minister Cai at the Eastern Capital as birthday presents. They certainly represent wealth unjustly obtained. If in our band of six men there be one who has a selfish purpose Heaven and Earth will exterminate him. May the gods take note of our vows.” They then burnt the paper money, and had a feast. While eating and drinking a farm servant entered and said, “There is a man at the door begging for some rice.”

Chao Gai said, “You do not know your own business. As I am drinking wine here with my guests you should have given him about a quart of rice, and not come here to ask me about it.”

The servant said that he had offered him rice, which he refused, as he wanted to speak to the chief himself.

Chao Gai said, “He must have not been satisfied. You go and offer him about three pecks of rice. Also tell him that the chief is entertaining some guests, and has no time to see him.”

The servant went away, but after some time returned and said, “I gave that man three pecks of rice, but he still refuses to go away. He tells me that he is a Taoist and does not want either rice or money, but begs to be allowed to see you.”

“Cannot you give him a suitable reply?” said Chao Gai. “Tell him that I really have no time to see him today, and ask him to call again in a few days when I will talk with him.”

“I have told him that already,” said the servant, “but he says that he has not come to beg for rice or money; but has heard that you are a just man and that is why he requests an interview.”

Chao Gai said, “You are giving me lots of trouble. You do not even help me to deal with this matter. If he is still unsatisfied with the rice you can give him about five pecks of rice, and yet you need not come here again to speak. Tell him that if there were no guests here I would have gone and spoken to him. You now go and send him away, and don’t come here again to mention this matter.”

The servant withdrew, but after about an hour they heard a row outside of the front gate. Another servant rushed into the room and said, “That man has become angry, and has assaulted about ten of your servants.”

Chao Gai was startled upon hearing this, and hurriedly rising said, “Will you gentlemen please remain seated. I will go and investigate this matter myself.” Upon leaving the guest chamber, he went to the gate and there he saw a tall man about eight feet high, who had a very dignified but strange appearance. He was outside the gate near the ash tree, and as he struck the servants he said, “You do not recognize a good man.”

“Do not be angry,” said Chao Gai. “You came here to see Chao Gai, the chief, for perhaps some contributions. They have already given you rice so why do you feel so much provoked?”

The man laughed loudly and said, “I, a poor priest, did not come here for either wine, food, money, or rice. In my eye, one hundred thousand strings of cash seem to be quite an ordinary thing. I just came here to have a little talk with the chief. I cannot bear these villagers who had no decency, and abused me, and that was why I lost my temper.”

“Do you know the chief?” asked Chao Gai.

“I have heard of his great reputation,” said the man, “but so far I have not met him.”

“I am the chief,” said Chao Gai. “What do you want to speak to me about?”

The man looked closely at Chao Gai, and said, “Chief, do not blame me for this, and kindly allow a poor Taoist to kneel down to you.”

“Do not be too polite,” said Chao Gai, “come inside and have a drink of tea.”

“Many thanks,” said the man. They went into the house, and when Wu Yong and the three brothers saw him enter they withdrew from the room.

When Chao Gai and the man had drunk tea for a little time the latter said, “This is not a good place for us to discuss matters. Is there a better place where we can go?”

Chao Gai took him to a small room where they both sat down.

Chao Gai said, “May I venture to inquire as to your name and the place you come from?”

The man replied, “My family name is Gongsun, and my single personal name is Sheng. My Taoist religious name is Yi Qing (First in Purity). I am a Jizhou man. When I was young I practiced much with the cudgel and spear. I was very good at all kinds of military drill so that people called me Gongsun Sheng, the ‘Big Brother.’ I then studied the arts of Taoism so that I could command the wind and rain, ride on the mists and clouds. Everybody calls me ‘Cloud Dragon.’ I heard of your great reputation, but had not the opportunity to meet you and pay my respects. Now there are gold articles, pearls, and other valuables worth a hundred thousand strings of cash, and I wish to give them to you as a present for introducing myself to you. I do not know if you will accept them or not.”

Chao Gai laughed and asked, “Are not these birthday presents from the north?”

The man was startled at this and asked how he knew about them.

“I just guessed that,” said Chao Gai. “Does it agree with your ideas?”

“This great riches,” said Gongsun Sheng, “we must not let pass amiss. The ancients had a saying, ‘If you do not take what you ought to take, you must not regret it afterwards.’ Chief, what do you think about it?”

Just then, while they were talking, a man rushed into the room, and taking hold of Gongsun Sheng, he said, “Well! In the visible world there is the Emperor’s law, in the invisible there is the gods’, and now you discuss the matters like this. I have been listening to you for a long time.”

This interruption frightened Gongsun Sheng so much that his face became pale.

Plans in project will leak through walls,

Lonely walls may hide calamity.

We will now relate who the man was that took hold of Gongsun Sheng.

Footnote

60 Tai Sui or “Heavenly Kings,” the “patron” year gods of Chinese astrology.

61 King Yama (Yan Luo Wang), The God of Death of the Buddhist hells in Chinese Buddhism.

62 Juren (“recommended man”), a graduate of the provincial level Imperial Civil Service exams.