第十九回

第十九回 林冲水寨大并火 晁盖梁山小夺泊

诗曰：

独据梁山志可羞，嫉贤傲士少优柔。

只将富贵为身有，却把英雄作寇仇。

花竹水亭生杀气，鹭鸥沙渚落人头。

规模卑狭真堪笑，性命终须一旦休。

话说当下何观察领了知府台旨下厅来，随即到机密房里与众人商议。众多做公的道：“若说这个石碣村湖荡，紧靠着梁山泊，都是茫茫荡荡芦苇水港。若不得大队官军，舟船人马，谁敢去那里捕捉贼人。”何涛听罢，说道：“这一论也是。”再到厅上禀复府尹道：“原来这石碣村湖泊，正傍着梁山水泊，周回尽是深港水汊，芦苇草荡。闲常时也兀自劫了人，莫说如今又添了那一伙强人在里面。若不起得大队人马，如何敢去那里捕获得人。”府尹道：“既是如此说时，再差一员了得事的捕盗巡检，点与五百官兵人马，和你一处去缉捕。”何观察领了台旨，再回机密房来，唤集这众多做公的，整选了五百馀人，各各自去准备什物器械。次日，那捕盗巡检领了济州府帖文，与同何观察两个点起五百军兵，同众多做公的一齐奔石碣村来。

且说晁盖、公孙胜自从把火烧了庄院，带同十数个庄客来到石碣村，半路上撞见三阮弟兄，各执器械，却来接应到家。七个人都在阮小五庄上。那时阮小五已把老小搬入湖泊里。七人商议要去投梁山泊一事，吴用道：“见今李家道口，有那旱地忽律朱贵在那里开酒店，招接四方好汉，但要入伙的，须是先投奔他。我们如今安排了船只，把一应的物件装在船里，将些人情送与他引进。”大家正在那里商议投奔梁山泊，只见几个打鱼的来报道：“官军人马飞奔村里来也！”晁盖便起身叫道：“这厮们赶来，我等休走！”阮小二道：“不妨，我自对付他！叫那厮大半下水里去死，小半都搠杀他。”公孙胜道：“休慌，且看贫道的本事。”晁盖道：“刘唐兄弟，你和学究先生且把财赋老小装载船里，径撑去李家道口左侧相等。我们看些头势，随后便到。”阮小二选两只棹船，把娘和老小，家中财赋，都装下船里；吴用、刘唐各押着一只，叫七八个伴当摇了船，先投李家道口去等。又分付阮小五、阮小七撑驾小船，如此迎敌。两个各棹船去了。

且说何涛并捕盗巡检带领官兵，渐近石碣村，但见河埠有船，尽数夺了，便使会水的官兵且下船里进发。岸上人马，船骑相迎，水陆并进。到阮小二家，一齐呐喊，人马并起，扑将入去，早是一所空屋，里面只有些粗重家伙。何涛道：“且去拿几家附近渔户。”问时，说道：“他的两个兄弟阮小五、阮小七，都在湖泊里住，非船不能去。”何涛与巡检商议道：“这湖泊里港汊又多，路径甚杂，抑且水荡坡塘，不知深浅。若是四分五落去捉时，又怕中了这贼人奸计。我们把马匹都教人看守在这村里，一发都下船里去。”当时捕盗巡检并何观察一同做公的人等，都下了船。那时捉的船非止百十只，也有撑的，亦有摇的，一齐都望阮小五打鱼庄上来。行不到五六里水面，只听得芦苇中间有人嘲歌。众人且住了船听时，那歌道：

“打鱼一世蓼儿洼，不种青苗不种麻。

酷吏赃官都杀尽，忠心报答赵官家。”

何观察并众人听了，尽吃一惊。只见远远地一个人，独棹一只小船儿，唱将来。有认得的，指道：“这个便是阮小五！”何涛把手一招，众人并力向前，各执器械，挺着迎将去。只见阮小五大笑，骂道：“你这等虐害百姓的赃官！直如此大胆，敢来引老爷做甚么，却不是来捋虎须！”何涛背后有会射弓箭的，搭上箭，拽满弓，一齐放箭。阮小五见放箭来，拿着划楸，翻筋斗钻下水里去。众人赶到跟前，拿个空。又行不到两条港汊，只听得芦花荡里打唿哨。众人把船摆开，见前面两个人，棹着一只船来。船头上立着一个人，头戴青箬笠，身披绿蓑衣，手里拈着条笔管枪，口里也唱着道：

“老爷生长石碣村，禀性生来要杀人。

先斩何涛巡检首，京师献与赵王君！”

何观察并众人又听了吃一惊。一齐看时，前面那个人，拈着枪，唱着歌，背后这个，摇着橹。有认得的说道：“这个正是阮小七！”何涛喝道：“众人并力向前，先拿住这个贼，休教走了！”阮小七听得，笑道：“泼贼！”便把枪只一点，那船便使转来，望小港里串着走。众人发着喊，赶将去。这阮小七和那摇船的，飞也似摇着橹，口里打着唿哨，串着小港汊只顾走。众官兵赶来赶去，看见那水港窄狭了，何涛道：“且住！把船且泊了，都傍岸边。”上岸看时，只见茫茫荡荡，都是芦苇，正不见一些旱路。何涛心内疑惑，却商议不定，便问那当村住的人。说道：“小人们虽是在此居住，也不知道这里有许多去处。”何涛便教划着两只小船，船上各带三两个做公的，去前面探路。去了两个时辰有馀，不见回报。何涛道：“这厮们好不了事！”再差五个做公的，又划两只船去探路。这几个做公的划了两只船，又去了一个多时辰，并不见些回报。何涛道：“这几个都是久惯做公的，四清六活[2]的人，却怎地也不晓事，如何不着一只船转来回报？不想这些带来的官兵，人人亦不知颠倒[3]。天色又看看晚了，在此不着边际，怎生奈何？我须用自去走一遭。”拣一只疾快小船，选了几个老郎做公的，各拿了器械，桨起五六把划楫，何涛坐在船头上，望这个芦苇港里荡将去。

那时已自是日没沉西，划得船开，约行了五六里水面，看见侧边岸上一个人提着把锄头走将来。何涛问道：“兀那汉子，你是甚人？这里是甚么去处？”那人应道：“我是这村里庄家。这里唤做断头沟，没路了。”何涛道：“你曾见两只船过来么？”那人道：“不是来捉阮小五的？”何涛道：“你怎地知得是来捉阮小五的？”那人道：“他们只在前面乌林里厮打。”何涛道：“离这里还有多少路？”那人道：“只在前面，望得见便是。”何涛听得，便叫拢船前去接应，便差两个做公的，拿了叉上岸来。只见那汉提起锄头来，手到，把这两个做公的，一锄头一个，翻筋斗都打下水里去。何涛见了吃一惊，急跳起身来时，却待奔上岸，只见那只船忽地搪将开去，水底下钻起一个人来，把何涛两腿只一扯，扑桶地倒撞下水里去。那几个船里的却待要走，被这提锄头的赶将上船来，一锄头一个，排头打下去，脑浆也打出来。这何涛被水底下这人倒拖上岸来，就解下他的搭膊来捆了。看水底下这人，却是阮小七；岸上提锄头的那汉，便是阮小二。弟兄两个看着何涛骂道：“老爷弟兄三个，从来爱杀人放火，量你这厮直得甚么！你如何大胆，特地引着官兵来捉我们？”何涛道：“好汉，小人奉上命差遣，盖不由己。小人怎敢大胆要来捉好汉！望好汉可怜见，家中有个八十岁的老娘，无人养赡，望乞饶恕性命则个！”阮家弟兄道：“且把他来捆做个粽子，撇在船舱里。”把那几个尸首都撺去水里去了。两个胡哨一声，芦苇丛中钻出四五个打鱼的人来，都上了船。阮小二、阮小七各驾了一只船出来。

且说这捕盗巡检领着官兵，都在那船里，说道：“何观察他道做公的不了事，自去探路，也去了许多时不见回来。”那时正是初更左右，星光满天，众人都在船上歇凉。忽然只见一阵怪风起处，那风，但见：

飞沙走石，卷水摇天。黑漫漫堆起乌云，昏邓邓催来急雨。满川荷叶，半空中翠盖交加；遍水芦花，绕湖面白旗缭乱。吹折昆仑山顶树，唤醒东海老龙君。

那一阵怪风从背后吹将来，吹得众人掩面大惊，只叫得苦，把那缆船索都刮断了。正没摆布处，只听得后面胡哨响。迎着风看时，只见芦花侧畔射出一派火光来。众人道：“今番却休了！”那大船小船约有四五十只，正被这大风刮得你撞我磕，捉摸不住，那火光却早来到面前。原来都是一丛小船，两只价帮住，上面满满堆着芦苇柴草，刮刮杂杂烧着，乘着顺风直冲将来。那四五十只官船，屯塞做一块，港汊又狭，又没回避处。那头等大船也有十数只，却被他火船推来，钻在大船队里一烧。水底下原来又有人扶助着船烧将来，烧得大船上官兵都跳上岸来逃命奔走。不想四边尽是芦苇野港，又没旱路，只见岸上芦苇又刮刮杂杂也烧将起来，那捕盗官兵两头没处走。风又紧，火又猛，众官兵只得钻去，都奔烂泥里立地。火光丛中，只见一只小快船，船尾上一个摇着船，船头上坐着一个先生，手里明晃晃地拿着一口宝剑，口里喝道：“休教走了一个！”众兵都在烂泥里，只得忍气。说犹未了，只见芦苇东岸，两个人引着四五个打鱼的，都手里明晃晃拿着刀枪走来；这边芦苇西岸，又是两个人，也引着四五个打鱼的，手里也明晃晃拿着飞鱼钩走来。东西两岸四个好汉并这伙人一齐动手，排头儿搠将来，无移时，把许多官兵都搠死在烂泥里。

东岸两个是晁盖、阮小五；西岸两个是阮小二、阮小七；船上那个先生，便是祭风的公孙胜。五位好汉引着十数个打鱼的庄家，把这伙官兵都搠死在芦苇荡里，单单只剩得一个何观察，捆做粽子也似，丢在船舱里。阮小二提将上船来，指着骂道：“你这厮是济州一个诈害百姓的蠢虫！我本待把你碎尸万段，却要你回去与那济州府管事的贼驴说：俺这石碣村阮氏三雄、东溪村天王晁盖，都不是好撩拨的。我也不来你城里借粮，他也休要来我这村中讨死！倘或正眼儿觑着，休道你是一个小小州尹，也莫说蔡太师差干人来要拿我们，便是蔡京亲自来时，我也搠他三二十个透明的窟窿。俺们放你回去，休得再来！传与你的那个鸟官人，教他休要讨死！这里没大路，我着兄弟送你出路口去。”当时阮小七把一只小快船载了何涛，直送他到大路口，喝道：“这里一直去，便有寻路处。别的众人都杀了，难道只恁地好好放了你去，也吃你那州尹贼驴笑。且请下你两个耳朵来做表证！”阮小七身边拔起尖刀，把何观察两个耳朵割下来，鲜血淋漓，插了刀，解下搭膊，放上岸去。何涛得了性命，自寻路回济州去了。

且说晁盖、公孙胜和阮家三弟兄并十数个打鱼的，一发都驾了五七只小船，离了石碣村湖泊，径投李家道口来。到得那里，相寻着吴用、刘唐船只，合做一处。吴用问道拒敌官兵一事，晁盖备细说了。吴用众人大喜。整顿船只齐了，一同来到旱地忽律朱贵酒店里来相投。朱贵见了许多人来，说投托入伙，慌忙迎接。吴用将来历实说与朱贵听了，大喜。逐一都相见了，请入厅上坐定，忙叫酒保安排分例酒来管待众人。随即取出一张皮靶弓来，搭上一枝响箭，望着那对港芦苇中射去。响箭到处，早见有小喽啰摇出一只船来。朱贵急写了一封书呈，备细说众豪杰入伙来历缘由，先付与小喽啰赍了，教去寨里报知，一面又杀羊管待众好汉。过了一夜，次日早起，朱贵唤一只大船，请众多好汉下船，就同带了晁盖等来的船只，一齐望山寨里来。行了多时，早来到一处水口，只听的岸上鼓响锣鸣。晁盖看时，只见七八个小喽啰划出四只哨船来，见了朱贵，都声了喏，自依旧先去了。

再说一行人来到金沙滩上岸，便留老小船只并打鱼的人在此伺候。又见数十个小喽啰下山来，接引到关上。王伦领着一班头领出关迎接。晁盖等慌忙施礼，王伦答礼道：“小可王伦，久闻晁天王大名，如雷灌耳。今日且喜光临草寨。”晁盖道：“晁某是个不读书史的人，甚是粗卤。今日事在藏拙，甘心与头领帐下做一小卒，不弃幸甚。”王伦道：“休如此说，且请到小寨再有计议。”一行从人都跟着两个头领上山来。到得大寨聚义厅下，王伦再三谦让晁盖一行人上阶。晁盖等七人在右边一字儿立下，王伦与众头领在左边一字儿立下。一个个都讲礼罢，分宾主对席坐下。王伦唤阶下众小头目声喏已毕，一壁厢动起山寨中鼓乐。先叫小头目去山下管待来的从人，关下另有客馆安歇。诗曰：

西奔东投竟莫容，那堪造物挫英雄。

敝袍长铗飘蓬客，特地来依水泊中。

且说山寨里宰了两头黄牛、十个羊、五个猪，大吹大擂筵席。众头领饮酒中间，晁盖把胸中之事，从头至尾都告诉王伦等众位。王伦听罢，骇然了半晌，心内踌躇，做声不得。自己沉吟，虚应答筵宴。至晚席散，众头领送晁盖等众人关下客馆内安歇，自有来的人伏侍。晁盖心中欢喜，对吴用等六人说道：“我们造下这等迷天大罪，那里去安身！不是这王头领如此错爱，我等皆已失所，此恩不可忘报！”吴用只是冷笑。晁盖道：“先生何故只是冷笑？有事可以通知。”吴用道：“兄长性直，只是一勇。你道王伦肯收留我们？兄长不看他的心，只观他的颜色动静规模。”晁盖道：“观他颜色怎地？”吴用道：“兄长不看他早间席上，王伦与兄长说话，倒有交情。次后因兄长说出杀了许多官兵捕盗巡检，放了何涛，阮氏三雄如此豪杰，他便有些颜色变了，虽是口中应答，动静规模，心里好生不然。他若是有心收留我们，只就早上便议定了坐位。杜迁、宋万这两个，自是粗卤的人，待客之事如何省得。只有林冲那人，原是京师禁军教头，大郡的人，诸事晓得，今不得已而坐了第四位。早间见林冲看王伦答应兄长模样，他自便有些不平之气，频频把眼瞅这王伦，心内自已踌躇。我看这人倒有顾眄之心，只是不得已。小生略放片言，教他本寨自相火并。”晁盖道：“全仗先生妙策良谋，可以容身。”当夜七人安歇了。

次早天明，只见人报道：“林教头相访。”吴用便对晁盖道：“这人来相探，中俺计了。”七个人慌忙起来迎接，邀请林冲入到客馆里面。吴用向前称谢道：“夜来重蒙恩赐，拜扰不当。”林冲道：“小可有失恭敬。虽有奉承之心，奈缘不在其位，望乞恕罪。”吴学究道：“我等虽是不才，非为草木，岂不见头领错爱之心，顾眄之意，感恩不浅。”晁盖再三谦让林冲上坐，林冲那里肯。推晁盖上首坐了，林冲便在下首坐定。吴用等六人一带坐下。晁盖道：“久闻教头大名，不想今日得会。”林冲道：“小人旧在东京时，与朋友交，礼节不曾有误。虽然今日能勾得见尊颜，不得遂平生之愿，特地径来陪话。”晁盖称谢道：“深感厚意。”吴用便动问道：“小生旧日久闻头领在东京时，十分豪杰，不知缘何与高俅不睦，致被陷害？后闻在沧州亦被火烧了大军草料场，又是他的计策。向后不知谁荐头领上山？”林冲道：“若说高俅这贼陷害一节，但提起，毛发直立，又不能报得此仇！来此容身，皆是柴大官人举荐到此。”吴用道：“柴大官人，莫非是江湖上人称为小旋风柴进的么？”林冲道：“正是此人。”晁盖道：“小可多闻人说，柴大官人仗义疏财，接纳四方豪杰，说是大周皇帝嫡派子孙，如何能勾会他一面也好。”吴用又对林冲道：“据这柴大官人，名闻寰海，声播天下的人，教头若非武艺超群，他如何肯荐上山？非是吴用过称，理合王伦让这第一位头领坐。此合天下之公论，也不负了柴大官人之书信。”林冲道：“承先生高谈。只因小可犯下大罪，投奔柴大官人，非他不留林冲，诚恐负累他不便，自愿上山。不想今日去住无门，非在位次低微。且王伦心术不定，语言不准，失信于人，难以相聚。”吴用道：“王头领待人接物，一团和气，如何心地倒恁窄狭？”林冲道：“今日山寨天幸得众多豪杰到此相扶相助，似锦上添花，如旱苗得雨。此人只怀妒贤嫉能之心，但恐众豪杰势力相压。夜来因见兄长所说众位杀死官兵一节，他便有些不然，就怀不肯相留的模样，以此请众豪杰来关下安歇。”吴用便道：“既然王头领有这般之心，我等休要待他发付，自投别处去便了。”林冲道：“众豪杰休生见外之心，林冲自有分晓。小可只恐众豪杰生退去之意，特来早早说知。今日看他如何相待，若这厮语言有理，不似昨日，万事罢论；倘若这厮今朝有半句话参差时，尽在林冲身上。”晁盖道：“头领如此错爱，俺弟兄皆感厚恩。”吴用便道：“头领为我弟兄面上，倒教头领与旧弟兄分颜[4]。若是可容即容，不可容时，小生等登时告退。”林冲道：“先生差矣！古人有言：惺惺惜惺惺，好汉惜好汉。量这一个泼男女，腌畜生，终作何用！众豪杰且请宽心。”林冲起身别了众人，说道：“少间相会。”众人相送出来，林冲自上山去了。正是：

惺惺自古惜惺惺，谈笑相逢眼更青。

可恨王伦心量狭，直教魂魄丧幽冥。

当日没多时，只见小喽啰到来相请，说道：“今日山寨里头领，相请众好汉去山南水寨亭上筵会。”晁盖道：“上复头领，少间便到。”小喽啰去了。晁盖问吴用道：“先生，此一会如何？”吴学究笑道：“兄长放心，此一会倒有分做山寨之主。今日林教头必然有火并王伦之意，他若有些心懒，小生凭着三寸不烂之舌，不由他不火并。兄长身边各藏了暗器，只看小生把手来拈须为号，兄长便可协力。”晁盖等众人暗喜。辰牌已后，三四次人来催请。晁盖和众头领身边各各带了器械，暗藏在身上，结束得端正，却来赴席。只见宋万亲自骑马又来相请。小喽啰抬过七乘山轿，七个人都上轿子，一径投南山水寨里来。到得山南看时，端的景物非常。直到寨后水亭子前下了轿，王伦、杜迁、林冲、朱贵都出来相接，邀请到那水亭子上，分宾主坐定。看那水亭一遭景致时，但见：

四面水帘高卷，周回花压朱阑。满目香风，万朵芙蓉铺绿水；迎眸翠色，千枝荷叶绕芳塘。画檐外阴阴柳影，琐窗前细细松声。一行野鹭立滩头，数点沙鸥浮水面。盆中水浸，无非是沉李浮瓜；壶内馨香，盛贮着琼浆玉液。江山秀气聚亭台，明月清风自无价。

当下王伦与四个头领杜迁、宋万、林冲、朱贵坐在左边主位上，晁盖与六个好汉吴用、公孙胜、刘唐、三阮坐在右边客席。阶下小喽啰轮番把盏。酒至数巡，食供两次，晁盖和王伦盘话，但提起聚义一事，王伦便把闲话支吾开去。吴用把眼来看林冲时，只见林冲侧坐交椅上，把眼瞅王伦身上。

看看饮酒至午后，王伦回头叫小喽啰：“取来。”三四个人去不多时，只见一人捧个大盘子里放着五锭大银。王伦便起身把盏，对晁盖说道：“感蒙众豪杰到此聚义，只恨敝山小寨是一洼之水，如何安得许多真龙。聊备些小薄礼，万望笑留。烦投大寨歇马，小可使人亲到麾下纳降。”晁盖道：“小子久闻大山招贤纳士，一径地特来投托入伙。若是不能相容，我等众人自行告退。重蒙所赐白金，决不敢领。非敢自夸丰富，小可聊有些盘缠使用。速请纳回厚礼，只此告别。”王伦道：“何故推却？非是敝山不纳众位豪杰，奈缘只为粮少房稀，恐日后误了足下，众位面皮不好，因此不敢相留。”

说言未了，只见林冲双眉剔起，两眼圆睁，坐在交椅上大喝道：“你前番我上山来时，也推道粮少房稀。今日晁兄与众豪杰到此山寨，你又发出这等言语来。是何道理？”吴用便说道：“头领息怒！自是我等来的不是，倒坏了你山寨情分。今日王头领以礼发付我们下山，送与盘缠，又不曾热赶[5]将去。请头领息怒，我等自去罢休。”林冲道：“这是笑里藏刀，言清行浊的人！我其实今日放他不过！”王伦喝道：“你看这畜生！又不醉了，倒把言语来伤触我，却不是反失上下！”林冲大怒道：“量你是个落第腐儒，胸中又没文学，怎做得山寨之主！”吴用便道：“晁兄，只因我等上山相投，反坏了头领面皮。只今办了船只，便当告退。”晁盖等七人便起身要下亭子，王伦留道：“且请席终了去。”林冲把桌子只一脚，踢在一边，抢起身来，衣襟底下掣出一把明晃晃刀来，搦[6]的火杂杂[7]。吴用便把手将髭须一摸，晁盖、刘唐便上亭子来，虚拦住王伦，叫道：“不要火并！”吴用一手扯住林冲，便道：“头领不可造次！”公孙胜假意劝道：“休为我等坏了大义！”阮小二便去帮住杜迁，阮小五帮住宋万，阮小七帮住朱贵，吓得小喽啰们目瞪口呆。林冲拿住王伦，骂道：“你是一个村野穷儒，亏了杜迁得到这里。柴大官人这等资助你，周给盘缠，与你相交，举荐我来，尚且许多推却。今日众豪杰特来相聚，又要发付他下山去。这梁山泊便是你的？你这嫉贤妒能的贼，不杀了要你何用！你也无大量之才，也做不得山寨之主！”杜迁、宋万、朱贵本待要向前来劝，被这几个紧紧帮着，那里敢动。王伦那时也要寻路走，却被晁盖、刘唐两个拦住。王伦见头势不好，口里叫道：“我的心腹都在那里？”虽有几个身边知心腹的人，本待要来救，见了林冲这般凶猛头势，谁敢向前。林冲拿住王伦，骂了一顿，去心窝里只一刀，肐察地搠倒在亭上。可怜王伦做了半世强人，今日死在林冲之手，正应古人言：量大福也大，机深祸亦深。晁盖见杀了王伦，各掣刀在手。林冲早把王伦首级割下来，提在手里，吓得那杜迁、宋万、朱贵都跪下说道：“愿随哥哥执鞭坠镫！”晁盖等慌忙扶起三人来。吴用就血泊里拽过头把交椅来，便纳[8]林冲坐地，叫道：“如有不伏者，将王伦为例！今日扶林教头为山寨之主。”林冲大叫道：“差矣，先生！我今日只为众豪杰义气为重上头，火并了这不仁之贼，实无心要谋此位。今日吴兄却让此第一位与林冲坐，岂不惹天下英雄耻笑！若欲相逼，宁死而不坐。我有片言，不知众位肯依我么？”众人道：“头领所言，谁敢不依。愿闻其言。”

林冲言无数句，话不一席，有分教：聚义厅上，列三十六员天上星辰；断金亭前，摆七十二位世间豪杰。正是：替天行道人将至，仗义疏财汉便来。毕竟林冲对吴用说出甚言语来，且听下回分解。

[1] 并火——自己一伙人相拼。

[2] 四清六活——机灵干练的意思。

[3] 不知颠倒——不明事理。

[4] 分颜——翻脸。

[5] 热赶——立即驱赶。

[6] 搦（nuò）——握，持。有时也作挑、惹解释。

[7] 火杂杂——十分有力的样子。

[8] 纳——这里同“捺”。

CHAPTER 18. Lin Chong Fights Fiercely in Their Stronghold; Chao Gai Seizes Liangshan Marsh

THE Inspector He Tao left the court with the signed order and went into a private chamber to discuss matters with a number of his men. They unanimously said, “As you want us to go to the Shijie Village, we must not forget that that place is quite close to Liangshan Marsh. The lake is very extensive, and there are numerous anchorages for boats among the reeds and rushes. Unless we have a large number of soldiers, boats, and horses, who dare go there to try and arrest the thieves?”

“What you say is correct,” said He Tao. He left and entering the hall again spoke to the Prefect, “The village of Shijie is quite close to Liangshan Marsh, and on the lake there are numerous anchorages and narrow tracks in all directions in the reeds and rushes. There have always been thieves in that spot, and recently their numbers have increased. If you do not give me a very large number of soldiers and horses how dare we attempt to arrest the bandits there?”

“As things are like that,” said the Prefect, “I will send an officer with five hundred soldiers to go with you to arrest the bandits.”

The Inspector He Tao, after receiving these orders, went back to the private room and summoning all the soldiers he carefully selected five hundred of the best men, and then ordered them to go and equip themselves for the expedition. The next morning the military officer with his five hundred soldiers, and He Tao with his men left for the Shijie Village.

After Chao Gai and Gongsun Sheng had set fire to the farm buildings they left with about ten of the farm laborers for the Shijie Village. About halfway there they met the three brothers Ruan, who were armed, and had come to conduct them to their village. Ruan the Second had already sent his family, both young and old, to a place of safety on the lake and now the seven men discussed whether they should all go to the brigands’ stronghold at Liangshan Marsh.

“Just now,” said Wu Yong, “at the Li Family Village there is a man named Zhu Gui, ‘Dry Land Crocodile,’ who keeps an inn there, and offers shelter to brave men. Those who want to join the bandits must first go to him. We had better load all our possessions on a boat, and go there. We can make a present to him, and request him to arrange for us to join the bandits.”

While they were discussing the matter several fishermen entered and reported that a large body of soldiers had arrived at the village.

Chao Gai stood up and said, “As they have come we must stay here.”

“Never mind,” said Ruan the Second, “I will go and meet them. I will cause more than half of them to be drowned, and the rest killed.”

“Do not get excited,” said Gongsun Sheng. “This is my affair, so you just watch how I deal with them.”

Chao Gai said, “Let brother Liu Tang and Wu Yong load all our possessions and also the young and old people on a boat, and then row to the Li Family Village, and wait for us there. We will stay behind to see what the soldiers will do, and then we will follow.”

Ruan the Second loaded two large boats accordingly, and Wu Yong went in one, and Liu Tang in the other. About eight men sculled the boats to the Li Family Village. Chao Gai then told Ruan the Fifth and Ruan the Seventh to get some small boats, and fight with the enemy in a certain way.

Inspector He Tao and the military officer upon arriving at the Shijie Village seized all the boats that were moored there. The soldiers who knew how to handle boats were then placed in the boats, and the others were mounted on horseback on the bank. They then all moved towards the village. Upon reaching Ruan the Second’s home they raised a loud shout and rushed into the house. But it had already been vacated, and there were only few heavy furnitures left behind.

He Tao instructed his men to arrest some of the fishermen who were neighbors. When the neighbors were brought before him they said, “The two brothers, Ruan the Fifth and Ruan the Seventh, are living at another anchorage, and we cannot get there without boats.” He then said to the officer, “This lake has numerous tracks and nooks through the reeds, and where there is open water we do not know how deep the water is. If we divide our forces I am afraid that we may fall into some villainous trap. I think we had better leave our horses here with a few men to guard this village and send all the other soldiers on the boats.” This was agreed to and He Tao and the officer then embarked with the bulk of their men. They had seized more than one hundred boats, some for rowing and others for sculling. They all started off for Ruan the Second’s house on the lake. They had not gone five li when they heard a man in the reeds and rushes singing, and all the boats were stopped. The man was singing:

For long I’ve caught fish at Liao Er,

Neither corn nor hemp do I plow;

I’ll kill the corrupt officials,

I’m loyal to Emperor Zhao.64

64 Zhao was the family name of the ruling house of the Song Dynasty.

He Tao was surprised at hearing this, and just then he saw the singer in the distance sculling a small boat.

A soldier recognized the man and called out, “That is Ruan the Fifth.”

He Tao beckoned with his hand for his men to move forward, and all the boats advanced.

When Ruan the Fifth saw this movement he laughed and cursed them saying, “You are corrupt thieves who oppress the people! How dare you attack me! You come here to pull the tiger’s whiskers!”

The soldiers took their bows, and let fly a large number of arrows.

Ruan the Fifth seeing this seized a tool used in fishing, made a somersault, and dived into the water. The soldiers rushed to the spot, but could not find anyone there. They punted their boats towards two tracks in the reeds, and heard someone in the reeds whistle. The boats spread out, as they saw another boat approaching them sculled by two men. A man was standing in the boat, wearing a bamboo conical hat, and a grass raincoat, and was holding a spear in his hand. He was singing:

I was born at the village of Shijie,

And I long to slake my thirst for blood;

Let me only behead the deputy and He Tao,

And present their heads to the Emperor Zhao.

Both He Tao and his men were startled upon hearing this. A man called out, “This man is Ruan the Seventh.”

“Let all of you advance and seize this thief,” shouted He Tao. “He must not escape.”

Ruan the Seventh laughed upon hearing this and said, “You crook!” He then pressed his spear and the boat turned round towards a nook in the reeds.

The soldiers seeing this, yelled out and chased him. But Ruan the Seventh and his two oarsmen sculled briskly so that the small boat seemed to fly. He also whistled with his fingers as the boat wound its way through the devious turnings.

The soldiers quickly followed down the narrow channels, but He Tao called out ordering them to stop and anchor close to a bank there. He Tao got on the bank and looking round saw nothing but a vast expanse of reeds and rushes without any trace of a footpath on the bank. He was suspicious, so he asked the fisherman they had arrested whether he knew the place. The fisherman replied, “Although I live here yet I do not know all these numerous tracks through the reeds.”

He Tao sent some three of his men in a small boat to go forward, and examine the tracks. As they had not returned after four hours He Tao said, “Those men are not good scouts.” He then sent five more of his men in two small boats to reconnoiter the tracks. But after another hour had passed those men also had not returned. He Tao said, “Those men were well experienced so how is it that they have not returned to report to me? I never thought there is not a single man of the soldiers who can get out of a scrape by himself.” As it was now getting dusk he thought that it would not do to stop in that spot, but he decided to first investigate matters himself. He selected a quick boat and six of his reliable men who were armed, to pull the oars and then seating himself at the bow of the boat went towards one of the numerous tracks in the reeds. They went about two li, and now as the sun was setting in the west he saw a man on the bank carrying a hoe. He asked him, “Who are you? What place is this?”

The man replied, “I live at this village. It is called the Decapitation Creek. There are no thoroughfares here.”

“Have you seen two boats pass this way?” asked He Tao.

“Are they the boats that were sent to arrest Ruan the Fifth?” asked the man.

“How do you know that they come to arrest Ruan the Fifth?” asked He Tao.

“They are fighting in the forest over there,” said the man.

“How far is it from here?” asked He Tao.

“It is just over there—not far away,” replied the man.

He Tao gave orders for the boat to stop at the bank, and then told two of his best men to arm themselves and come ashore. But the man took his hoe and struck the two soldiers with it, knocking them down into the water. Upon seeing this He Tao was startled, and was thinking of going on the bank himself. Just at that moment the boat was moved away from the bank, and a man suddenly emerging from the water seized his legs and pulled him off the boat into the water. The men on the boat seeing this were thinking of retreating, but the man on the bank used his hoe and brained them all one by one. The man in the water dragged He Tao to the bank, stripped him of his belt and bound him with it. Then He Tao saw that the man who had jerked him into the water was Ruan the Seventh and that the other man on the bank was Ruan the Second.

The brothers cursed He Tao, “We three brothers always like to kill men, and set houses on fire. What a cur you are! How dare you bring your men here to arrest us!”

“Heroes!” said He Tao, “I was sent here by my superiors— It was not my own will. How dare I come here to arrest you? But pray have pity on me and spare my life because at home I have a mother who is eighty years of age, and depends entirely upon me for her support.”

One of the brothers said, “Bind him tightly like a ‘zongzi’ rice dumpling and put him in the hulk of the boat.” They then threw the bodies of the soldiers, who had been killed, into the water. The brothers then whistled with their fingers and immediately about five men emerged from the reeds and rushes and came on the boat. They then all departed.

The officer who had been left in charge of the soldiers on the boats thought, “He Tao thought that his men did not know how to carry out his order so he went himself to explore the tracks, but so far he has not returned.” It was then about 9 P.M. and the sky was studded with stars. The soldiers were all taking a cooling on the boats as it had been a hot day. Suddenly a strong wind sprung up and struck the boats in the stern. The men covered their faces with their hands and bemoaned their luck. The wind snapped the mooring ropes, and the boats were soon in disorder. Just then the soldiers heard a whistle, and looking in its direction they saw at the side of the reeds an outbreak of fire. The men cried out, “We cannot escape from that.” There were about one hundred boats, both small and big, and these were now all bumping against each other. The fire approached quickly. They now saw that there was a fleet of small boats fastened together in pairs, and loaded with reeds and grass which was all ablaze and the wind was blowing this mass of flames towards them. Their boats were all mixed up in a disorderly mass, and the channel was so narrow that they could not escape. There were about ten of the big boats all together in one spot, and these pairs of small boats with the fire got between them. In the water beside these small boats were men who guided the boats to their destination. The soldiers on the big boats leaped on shore to escape. But there was no dry ground there, and the fire soon caught the reeds so that there was no way to escape in any direction. They stood in the mud. The wind was strong, and the flames were dangerous. In the fire they now saw a small boat sculled by a man, and with a man seated in it who held a two-edged sword and shouted, “Do not allow even a single one to escape.” The soldiers standing in the mud shivered with fear. Instantly they saw on one side came two men leading about five fishermen armed with spears and swords, and on another also advanced two men who were leading four fishermen who were also armed. These men now commenced to attack the soldiers, and in a very short time all the soldiers were killed.

The four leaders were Chao Gai and the three brothers Ruan. The man seated on the boat was Gongsun Sheng who had prayed to Heaven for a wind and had obtained it. These five men had led ten fishermen in the attack on the soldiers, and had succeeded in killing them all in the reeds, or in the water. There was only one man left and that was Inspector He Tao who was lying in the bottom of a boat, tightly bound like a dumpling. Ruan the Second picked him up, and put him on the bank. He then cursed him saying, “You stupid reptile! You have deceived and injured the people of Jizhou. At first I thought of cutting your corpse into ten thousand pieces. But now I want you to return to Jizhou Prefecture, and tell that thief, the Prefect, that the three brothers Ruan, or even Chao Gai are not to be slighted with. We do not go to your town to borrow grains, but if he comes to our village it will result in his death.

“We are not afraid of a piddly Prefect, who has an order from the Prime Minister to arrest us, because if Cai himself comes here we shall only cut about thirty holes in his body. If we release you, you must not attempt to come here again. You must tell that prick the Prefect that he had better not have another dream like this one. There are no roads here, but I will get my younger brother to show you a way.”

Ruan the Seventh got a small light boat, and placing He Tao on board took him to a place where a road started, and then said to him, “You can get away by this road. All the men who came with you have been killed so is it not nice for us to let you go in this way? When the Prefect sees you that asinine thief will laugh at our weakness. I now beg that you will let me have your two ears as a keepsake.”

Ruan the Seventh took his sword and cut off both ears of Inspector He Tao. He then cut his bonds, and left him on the bank.

Chao Gai, Gongsun Sheng, the three brothers Ruan, and the ten fishermen embarked on seven small boats and left the anchorage of the Shijie Village, and went to the Li Family Village. There they found the boats that had brought Wu Yong and Liu Tang. Wu Yong asked how the affair with the soldiers had terminated, and Chao Gai told him all the details. Wu Yong and all the men were very much pleased on hearing the news. They then placed their boats together in one place, and went to the inn to find Zhu Gui, the “Dry Land Crocodile.” When Zhu Gui saw so many people arriving and assuming that they wanted to join the bandits he went out to meet them. When Wu Yong had told him the news Zhu Gui was much pleased, and saluted each person individually. He then invited them to come into the main hall where he told the servants to bring wine and wait upon the guests. He then took his bow and shot an arrow, that had a whistle attached to it, into the reeds. As soon as the whistling arrow reached its destination a boat carrying a number of bandits came forth, and was sculled towards the inn. He then wrote a letter giving the names and number of the heroes who wished to join the bandits, and handing this to the boatmen, told them to take it at once to the stronghold. A sheep was then slaughtered, and cooked for the assembled men.

They passed the night there, and early the following morning Zhu Gui ordered a big boat, and invited his guests to embark. They also took the boats that had brought Chao Gai and his party, and set off for the bandits’ stronghold. In a short time they neared the landing place, when they heard drums and gongs beating. Four small boats came out to meet them, and after the boatmen had saluted by exclaiming “nuo,” they retreated.

Upon reaching the landing place called the Jinsha Bank, all the fishermen and other men were told to remain in that place. About ten bandits were there to conduct the leaders to the stronghold. At the barrier Wang Lun with the other chiefs was awaiting them, and they all saluted Chao Gai and his fellow leaders.

Wang Lun said, “I have heard the great fame of Chao Gai, the ‘Heavenly King,’ like the sound of thunder in my ears. Today I am greatly honored by you entering our humble ‘straw stockade.’”

“I am quite uneducated,” said Chao Gai, “and am very rough. Today I want to hide my incapability and am willing to be a subordinate follower of yours, and I hope you won’t reject my application.”

“Don’t talk like that,” said Wang Lun. “Please come into our stronghold where we can discuss matters.”

They all went up the mountain. Upon arriving at the assembly hall Wang Lun invited them to enter. Chao Gai and his six companions stood in a row on the right-hand side, while Wang Lun and his subordinate leaders stood on the left side. They then each individually pressed each other to be seated. Wang Lun instructed the lower officers standing near the door to salute the guests also, and he then gave orders for the men outside to beat the drums and play the music. He then told some of his men, to go down the mountain and conduct the other followers of Chao Gai to the stronghold and entertain them in the guest chamber where they could stay for the night. He also ordered that two oxen, ten sheep, and five pigs were to be killed and a big feast provided. While they were drinking the wine Chao Gai told them all about his affair from beginning to the end. While listening to this Wang Lun was much upset and very perplexed. He made no remark or comment, but muttered to himself.

The feast lasted until the evening when Chao Gai and his men were shown by the chiefs to a guest hall where the former could stay.

Chao Gai was much pleased with the arrangements, and spoke to Wu Yong and the other five men, “We have committed a serious crime and should Wang Lun not treat us so well, we could find no safe place to stay. So we cannot forget to repay his kindness.”

Wu Yong gave a sneering laugh.

“Why do you sneer in that way?” asked Chao Gai. “If you know anything you had better tell me.”

“You have an honest disposition,” said Wu Yong. “But do you believe that Wang Lun is really willing to receive us here? You cannot read his heart, but you should carefully notice his conduct.”

“What do you see in his actions?” asked Chao Gai.

“Did you not notice,” said Wu Yong, “that in the early stage of the feast he spoke with you in a friendly manner, but afterwards when you had stated how we had killed many soldiers, policemen, and how we released He Tao, and what splendid heroes the brothers Ruan are, Wang Lun then changed his countenance, and his answers to you were not sincere. If he had really intended to keep us here, he could have decided upon your position in the band early this morning. The two leaders Du Qian and Song Wan are rather rough characters, so how can they understand how to treat guests? Only the other leader Lin Chong was previously a Drill Instructor at the Eastern Capital, he understands everything. Just now he has no alternative but to remain as the fourth-in-command. At the beginning when Wang Lun was discussing matters with you I noticed that Lin Chong did not seem very comfortable, and was always looking at Wang Lun. I saw that Lin Chong might do something for us. I shall speak a few words which might produce a conflict between them.”

“I have to depend entirely on your admirable scheming,” said Chao Gai.

The seven men slept soundly that night. Early next morning they were informed that Lin Chong wanted to see them.

“That man,” said Wu Yong, “is come to have a talk with us; he has fallen in my trap.”

The seven men went to the door to invite Lin Chong to enter, and Wu Yong being in front said to him, “We are deeply indebted to you for the grand reception we had last night.”

“I am afraid that I did not pay you sufficient respect,” said Lin Chong. “Although I should like to have treated you much better yet I am not in a position to do so.”

“Although our talents are negligible,” said Wu Yong, “yet we can appreciate your intentions. We are extremely obliged to you.”

Chao Gai pressed Lin Chong three times to take the seat of honor, but Lin Chong declined the honor. At last Chao Gai gave way and agreed to take the premier seat, and Lin Chong took the second seat. The other six men took their seats in a row.

“I have heard of your fame,” said Chao Gai, “but I did not expect to meet you today.” “When I was in the Eastern Capital,” said Lin Chong, “I never treated my friends lightly. But now as I cannot treat you as I would like to, so I came here to beg your pardon.”

Chao Gai expressed his thanks for the great favor bestowed upon him.

“I heard previously,” said Wu Yong, “that you were noted at the Eastern Capital as a great hero. But I never heard how you fell out with Marshal Gao Qiu, and how it happened that you incurred his displeasure. Afterwards I heard of the military fodder depot at Cangzhou being burnt down, and that it was part of Gao Qiu’s plot to aggravate your misfortune, but I have not heard who it was that introduced you to these bandits.”

“The mention of Gao Qiu,” said Lin Chong, “makes my hair stand on end. Yet I am not able to have my revenge. It was Squire Chai who introduced me to this place.”

“Is not that Squire Chai,” said Wu Yong, “the man whom we know as Chai Jin, the ‘Small Whirlwind’?”

Lin Chong said that that was the person.

“I have heard,” said Chao Gai, “that Squire Chai distributes wealth in a good cause. He is known to entertain heroes from all quarters. It is said that he is the descendant of the former Zhou royal house. It would be very nice if I could meet him some time.”

“According to what people say,” said Wu Yong, “the fame of Squire Chai is known everywhere, and it is heard of by all men. I think that if your military skill had been only ordinary he would not have recommended you to the bandits here. Without exaggeration I think that it would have been proper for Wang Lun to have made you the head chief here. Everybody in fact agrees with that, and moreover it would have been in accordance with Squire Chai’s recommendation.’’

“I am flattered by your great praise,” said Lin Chong. “It is not Wang Lun who would not have me remain at his home. I have really committed a great crime, and I was really afraid of implicating Squire Chai. I myself was willing to come here instead of staying at his home. But I never expected that I am today held on a dilemma. It is not that I am dissatisfied with my position, but Wang Lun has no fixed idea, and his word cannot be depended upon and that makes it very difficult to work with him.”

“In dealing with men,” said Wu Yong, “he appears to be very amiable but who knows that at his heart he is so narrow-minded.”

“Just now,” said Lin Chong, “it is very fortunate that many heroes have come to our mountain stronghold to help and assist us in many ways. Your presence is like dressing an embroidery with flowers or like a welcome shower on a parched rice field. But Wang Lun is jealous and envious of capable men, and is afraid that the influence of the heroes will result in his overthrow. Last evening when you told him about your having killed many soldiers I could see that he was uncomfortable, and that was why he did not want you to stay, but asked you to pass the night outside the barrier.”

“As Wang Lun has that kind of disposition,” said Wu Yong, “we need not wait until he asks us to go, but must ourselves seek refuge in some other place.”

“You heroes,” said Lin Chong, “must not look at things in that way, because I have another plan. I was afraid that you had the idea of leaving here, and that was why I came early to discuss matters with you. You had better wait and see how he treats you today. If he is reasonable and quite different from yesterday, then we need not discuss matters any further. But if there is only half a sentence which is doubtful then everything that follows will rest upon my shoulders.”

“As you display such kindness,” said Chao Gai, “we shall be grateful to you forever.”

“In that case,” said Wu Yong, “you will break up the old brotherly association for our sake. If we are allowed to remain then we will stay, but if we must go then let us depart.”

“You are mistaken,” said Lin Chong. “There is an ancient proverb: ‘One ape will pity another ape, and a good man will have compassion for his fellow men.’ I think he must be the offspring of a couple of rotters, as he is a vile brute, and we cannot therefore regard him as a brother. But you heroes need not be troubled about him.” Lin Chong then rose to make his departure, and said that he would see them again very soon. He then left after being duly saluted by all the men present.

Shortly afterwards one of the bandits came, with an invitation from the chief Wang Lun for them to dine with him at an arbor on the south side of the mountain. Chao Gai told him to tell Wang Lun that they would soon be there, and he then asked Wu Yong, “What do you think of this meeting with Wang Lun?”

Wu Yong laughed and said, “Sir, you need not worry, as you will soon be in command of this stronghold. I think that today Lin Chong will fight Wang Lun, and if he hesitates then you will find that my three-inch tongue will not be useless, and I can make him risk his life. We must be prepared, and conceal weapons on our bodies. When you see me stroking my mustache you can use your united strength.”

Chao Gai and the others were quite pleased at hearing this. After 9 A.M. four times a man came to request them to go to the feast. They all carried weapons, but their dress gave no indication of them. Song Wan came to conduct them to the feast, and he was riding a horse. He brought seven sedan chairs carried by bandits, and the party went there and were ushered to the feast. Upon arrival at the arbor they were met by Wang Lun, Du Qian, Lin Chong, and Zhu Gui who conducted them inside where they all took their seats. Wang Lun and his four leaders sat on the left while Chao Gai and his six companions sat on the right. Many bandits served them with wine. After drinking wine and partaking of about two courses of food, Chao Gai attempted to start a conversation with Wang Lun about their joining the band, but every time Wang Lun diverted the conversation to some other subject. Wu Yong was watching Lin Chong who sat with his arm over the back of his chair and kept his eyes on Wang Lun’s body. Thus the feast went on till after midday when Wang Lun turning round ordered his bandits to bring in a thing, and shortly afterwards a bandit entered carrying in both hands a large tray on which were five ingots of silver. Wang Lun rising with a cup of wine in his hand addressed Chao Gai, “We are greatly honored by you heroes wishing to join our band, but unfortunately our stronghold in the midst of these waters is so small that it cannot accommodate many dragons. As a manifestation of my feelings I wish to present you these gifts, and I hope that you will accept them with a smile. Also should you find a larger stronghold where you can stay, I shall have much pleasure in surrendering myself to you there.”

Chao Gai said, “We heard that you were always inviting virtuous men to enter your band, and that was why we came here. But if it is not convenient for you we will of course retire to some other place. We are extremely honored by your offering us these ingots of silver, but we cannot accept them. I do not care to boast of the wealth that we have, but we really have enough for our present requirements. I request you to take these presents back, and we will then take our leave.”

“But why won’t you take the presents?” asked Wang Lun. “It is not that we do not wish you heroes to stay here, but because our food supplies and housing accommodation are so scanty that we are afraid that you would soon be dissatisfied with them.”

While he was saying this Lin Chong raised his eyebrows and his eyes expressed anger. Leaning back in his chair he shouted out, “When I first came here you falsely said that your food supplies and housing accommodation were scanty, and now that Chao Gai and his heroes have arrived you make the same pretext. How unreasonable you are!”

“Do not get angry,” said Wu Yong. “The fault is on our side as our arrival has evidently upset the amiable relations in your mountain stronghold. Wang Lun, your chief, has today diplomatically suggested that we should go, and has even provided us with our traveling expenses. He did not try to drive us away. So I request you to appease your anger as we are quite willing to depart.”

“There is a hidden dagger behind his smiling face,” said Lin Chong. “His words are nice, but his actions are dirty enough. Indeed today I cannot bear with him.”

Addressing Chao Gai, Wang Lun said, “Just look at this brute! He is not drunk, and yet he hurts my feelings by this kind of rebellious language.”

“You are evidently a poor scholar who has failed in the official examinations,” said Lin Chong. “You have no learning so how can you be the leader at this stronghold?”

“Brother Chao Gai,” said Wu Yong, “our seeking refuge at this mountain has resulted in causing the chief to ‘lose face.’ We had better get a boat and depart immediately.”

Chao Gai and his six companions rose from their seats in order to leave the arbor. But Wang Lun urged them to finish their meal before going. Lin Chong, however, kicked the table over, and taking a sword from his clothes he flashed it about. Wu Yong stroked his mustache, and seeing this Chao Kai and Liu Tang gathered round Wang Lun, and pretended to urge him not to have any fighting.

Wu Yong plucked at Lin Chong’s dress, and said, “Do not be rash!”

Gongsun Sheng addressing both parties said, “Do not break your friendly relations on our account.”

Ruan the Second was pressing Du Qian to remain passive; Ruan the Fifth was pretending to persuade Song Wan; Ruan the Seventh to persuade Zhu Gui; while the bandit soldiers were too afraid to speak a word but looked on with surprise.

Lin Chong seized hold of Wang Lun and cursed him saying, “You village bumpkin! You are very lucky in having Du Qian to help here. Squire Chai helped you and gave you plenty of money. But when he recommended me to you, you were not willing to allow me to stay here. Again today you wanted to send these heroes away. This mountain surely is yours! But how jealous you are of capable men! As you are such a useless customer I must kill you. You are so narrow-minded and incapable that you certainly cannot be the chief of this stronghold.”

Du Qian, Song Wan, and Zhu Gui all wanted to intervene, but were surrounded by the three pretending peacemakers. Wang Lun would have escaped at this time had not Chao Gai and Liu Tang prevented him from doing so. He saw that the position was bad and called out, “Where are my intimate followers?” There were several of his intimates at one side, but although they had a desire to help him yet dared not come forward when they saw Lin Chong’s fierce aspect. Now Lin Chong caught hold of Wang Lun, and after further cursing he stabbed him in the breast. Seeing this Chao Gai and his men drew their broad swords. Lin Chong cut off Wang Lun’s head, and held it aloft in his hand. Seeing this Du Qian, Song Wan, and Zhu Gui were much afraid, and kneeling down they said to Lin Chong, “We are quite willing to ‘hold your stirrup and reins’ and be your servants.” Chao Gai and his followers immediately raised them up on to their feet again. Wu Yong took the chair that was standing in a pool of blood, and placing it at one side said to the assembly, “If you do not submit you will suffer the same fate as Wang Lun. Today we recognize Lin Chong as the chief headman of this stronghold.”

Lin Chong shouted, “You are making a mistake. Today I desired justice to reign, and that is why I killed this bad thief. I certainly do not want to occupy the position as your chief. Wu Yong has asked me to occupy this seat, but should I do so I should be a laughing stock of all the heroes in the empire. Should you press me any further in this matter I would rather die than submit. But will you listen to just one sentence I wish to say to you?”

The men replied, “We shall of course listen to what you, our chief, have to say.”

Lin Chong did not say much, but the result was that many men of one heart were admitted to the Broken Gold Pavilion,65 and many meetings of righteous brothers would be held at the Hall of Righteous Brotherhood.

The administrator of heaven’s justice is coming,

The wealth distributor in good cause is approaching.

We will now relate what Lin Chong actually said to Wu Yong.

Footnote

65 “Broken Gold” Pavilion. This phrase is from the Book of Changes and means that even gold can be broken, when two hearts are united. (J. H. Jackson)