第二十八回

第二十八回 武松威镇安平寨 施恩义夺快活林

诗曰：

功业如将智力求，当年盗跖合封侯。

行藏有义真堪羡，富贵非仁实可羞。

乡党陆梁施小虎，江湖任侠武都头。

巨林雄寨俱侵夺，方把平生志愿酬。

话说当下张青对武松说道：“不是小人心歹，比及都头去牢城营里受苦，不若就这里把两个公人做翻，且只在小人家里过几时。若是都头肯去落草时，小人亲自送至二龙山宝珠寺，与鲁智深相聚入伙，如何？”武松道：“最是兄长好心顾盼小弟，只是一件却使不得：武松平生只要打天下硬汉，这两个公人于我分上只是小心，一路上伏侍我来，我跟前又不曾道个不字，我若害了他，天理也不容我。你若敬爱我时，便与我救起他两个来，不可害了他性命。”张青道：“都头既然如此仗义，小人便救醒了。”当下张青叫火家便从剥人凳上搀起两个公人来，孙二娘便去调一碗解药来，张青扯住耳朵灌将下去。没半个时辰，两个公人如梦中睡觉的一般，爬将起来，看了武松，说道：“我们却如何醉在这里？这家甚么好酒，我们又吃不多，便恁地醉了！记着他家，回来再问他买吃。”武松笑将起来，张青、孙二娘也笑，两个公人正不知怎地。那两个火家自去宰杀鸡鹅，煮得熟了，整顿杯盘端正。张青教摆在后面葡萄架下，放了桌凳坐头，张青便邀武松并两个公人到后园内。武松便让两个公人上面坐了，张青、武松在下面朝上坐了，孙二娘坐在横头。两个汉子轮番斟酒，来往搬摆盘馔。张青劝武松饮酒至晚，取出那两口戒刀来，叫武松看了，果是镔铁打的，非一日之功。两个又说些江湖上好汉的勾当，却是杀人放火的事。武松又说：“山东及时雨宋公明，仗义疏财，如此豪杰，如今也为事逃在柴大官人庄上。”两个公人听得，惊得呆了，只是下拜。武松道：“难得你两个送我到这里了，终不成有害你之心？我等江湖上好汉们说话，你休要吃惊，我们并不肯害为善的人。我不是忘恩负义的，你只顾吃酒，明日到孟州时，自有相谢。”当晚就张青家里歇了。

次日，武松要行，张青那里肯放，一连留住，管待了三日。武松因此感激张青夫妻两个厚意，论年齿，张青却长武松五年，因此武松结拜张青为兄。武松再辞了要行，张青又置酒送路，取出行李、包裹、缠袋来交还了，又送十来两银子与武松，把二三两零碎银子赍发两个公人。武松就把这十两银子一发送了两个公人，再带上行枷，依旧贴了封皮。张青和孙二娘送出门前，武松作别了，自和公人投孟州来。未及晌午，早来到城里，直至州衙，当厅投下了东平府文牒。州尹看了，收了武松，自押了回文与两个公人回去，不在话下。随即却把武松帖发本处牢城营来。当日，武松来到牢城营前，看见一座牌额，上书三个大字，写着道“安平寨”。公人带武松到单身房里，公人自去下文书，讨了收管，不必得说。

武松自到单身房里，早有十数个一般的囚徒来看武松，说道：“好汉，你新到这里，包裹里若有人情的书信并使用的银两，取在手头，少刻差拨到来，便可送与他，若吃杀威棒时，也打得轻。若没人情送与他时，端的狼狈。我和你是一般犯罪的人，特地报你知道。岂不闻兔死狐悲，物伤其类。我们只怕你初来不省得，通你得知。”武松道：“感谢你们众位指教我。小人身边略有些东西，若是他好问我讨时，便送些与他；若是硬问我要时，一文也没。”众囚徒道：“好汉，休说这话！古人道：不怕官，只怕管。在人矮檐下，怎敢不低头。只是小心便好。”

说犹未了，只见一个道：“差拨官人来了！”众人都自散了。武松解了包裹，坐在单身房里。只见那个人走将入来，问道：“那个是新到囚徒武松？”武松道：“小人便是。”差拨道：“你也是安眉带眼的人，直须要我开口说。你是景阳冈打虎的好汉，阳谷县做都头，只道你晓事，如何这等不达时务？你敢来我这里，猫儿也不吃你打了！”武松道：“你倒来发话，指望老爷送人情与你，半文也没！我精拳头有一双相送！金银有些，留了自买酒吃，看你怎地奈何我！没地里倒把我发回阳谷县去不成？”那差拨大怒去了。又有众囚徒走拢来说道：“好汉，你和他强了，少间苦也！他如今去和管营相公说了，必然害你性命！”武松道：“不怕。随他怎么奈何我，文来文对，武来武对。”正在那里说言未了，只见三四个人来单身房里叫唤新到囚人武松。武松应道：“老爷在这里，又不走了，大呼小喝做甚么？”那来的人把武松一带，带到点视厅前。那管营相公正在厅上坐，五六个军汉押武松在当面。管营喝叫除了行枷，说道：“你那囚徒，省得太祖武德皇帝旧制，但凡初到配军，须打一百杀威棒。那兜拕的，背将起来！”武松道：“都不要你众人闹动。要打便打，也不要兜拕。我若是躲闪一棒的，不是好汉。从先打过的都不算，从新再打起！我若叫一声，也不是好男子！”两边看的人都笑道：“这痴汉弄死！且看他如何熬。”武松又道：“要打便打毒些，不要人情棒儿，打我不快活！”两下众人都笑起来。那军汉拿起棍来，却待下手，只见管营相公身边立着一个人，六尺以上身材，二十四五年纪，白净面皮，三柳髭须，额头上缚着白手帕，身上穿着一领青纱上盖，把一条白绢搭膊络着手。那人便去管营相公耳朵边略说了几句话。只见管营道：“新到囚徒武松，你路上途中曾害甚病来？”武松道：“我于路不曾害！酒也吃得，肉也吃得，饭也吃得，路也走得。”管营道：“这厮是途中得病到这里，我看他面皮才好，且寄下他这顿杀威棒。”两边行杖的军汉低低对武松道：“你快说病。这是相公将就你，你快只推曾害便了。”武松道：“不曾害，不曾害！打了倒干净。我不要留这一顿寄库棒，寄下倒是钩肠债，几时得了！”两边看的人都笑。管营也笑道：“想是这汉子多管害热病了，不曾得汗，故出狂言。不要听他，且把去禁在单身房里。”

三四个军人引武松依先送在单身房里，众囚徒都来问道：“你莫不有甚好相识书信与管营么？”武松道：“并不曾有。”众囚徒道：“若没时，寄下这顿棒，不是好意，晚间必然来结果你。”武松道：“他还是怎地来结果我？”众囚徒道：“他到晚把两碗干黄仓米饭，和些臭鲞鱼来与你吃了，趁饱带你去土牢里去，把索子捆翻，着一床干藁荐把你卷了，塞住了你七窍，颠倒竖在壁边，不消半个更次，便结果了你性命。这个唤做盆吊。”武松道：“再有怎地安排我？”众人道：“再有一样，也是把你来捆了，却把一个布袋，盛一袋黄沙，将来压在你身上，也不消一个更次便是死的。这个唤土布袋压杀。”武松又问道：“还有甚么法度害我？”众人道：“只是这两件怕人些，其馀的也不打紧。”众人说犹未了，只见一个军人，托着一个盒子入来，问道：“那个是新配来的武都头？”武松答道：“我便是，有甚么话说？”那人答道：“管营叫送点心在这里。”武松看时，一大旋酒，一盘肉，一盘子面，又是一大碗汁。武松寻思道：“敢是把这些点心与我吃了，却来对付我？我且落得吃了，却又理会。”武松把那旋酒来一饮而尽，把肉和面都吃尽了。那人收拾家火回去了。武松坐在房里寻思，自己冷笑道：“看他怎地来对付我！”看看天色晚来，只见头先那个人又顶一个盒子入来。武松问道：“你又来怎地？”那人道：“叫送晚饭在这里。”摆下几般菜蔬，又是一大旋酒，一大盘煎肉，一碗鱼羹，一大碗饭。武松见了，暗暗自忖道：“吃了这顿饭食，必然来结果我。且由他！便死也做个饱鬼，落得吃了，恰再计较。”那人等武松吃了，收拾碗碟回去了。不多时，那个人又和一个汉子两个来，一个提着浴桶，一个提一大桶汤来，看着武松道：“请都头洗浴。”武松想道：“不要等我洗浴了来下手？我也不怕他，且落得洗一洗。”那两个汉子安排倾下汤，武松跳在浴桶里面洗了一回，随即送过浴裙手巾，教武松拭了，穿了衣裳。一个自把残汤倾了，提了浴桶去。一个便把藤簟纱帐将来挂起，铺了藤簟，放个凉枕，叫了安置，也回去了。武松把门关上，拴了，自在里面思想道：“这个是甚么意思？随他便了，且看如何。”放倒头便自睡了，一夜无事。

天明起来，才开得房门，只见夜来那个人提着桶洗面汤进来，教武松洗了面，又取漱口水漱了口；又带个篦头待诏来替武松篦了头，绾上髻子，裹了巾帻。又是一个人将个盒子入来，取出菜蔬下饭，一大碗肉汤，一大碗饭。武松道：“由你走道儿，我且落得吃了。”武松吃罢饭，便是一盏茶。却才茶罢，只见送饭的那个人来请道：“这里不好安歇，请都头去那壁房里安歇，搬茶搬饭却便当。”武松道：“这番来了！我且跟他去，看如何！”一个便来收拾行李被卧，一个引着武松离了单身房里，来到前面一个去处，推开房门来，里面干干净净的床帐，两边都是新安排的桌凳什物。武松来到房里看了，存想道：“我只道送我入土牢里去，却如何来到这般去处？比单身房好生齐整！”

定拟将身入土牢，谁知此处更清标。

施恩暗地行仁惠，遂使生平夙恨消。

武松坐到日中，那个人又将一个大盒子入来，手里提着一注子酒。将到房中，打开看时，排下四般果子，一只熟鸡，又有许多蒸儿。那人便把熟鸡来撕了，将注子里好酒筛下，请都头吃。武松心里忖道：“由他对付我，我且落得吃了。”到晚，又是许多下饭，又请武松洗浴了，乘凉歇息。武松自思道：“众囚徒也是这般说，我也这般想，却是怎地这般请我？”到第三日，依前又是如此送饭送酒。武松那日早饭罢，行出寨里来闲走，只见一般的囚徒都在那里，担水的，劈柴的，做杂工的，却在晴日头里晒着。正是五六月炎天，那里去躲这热。武松却背叉着手，问道：“你们却如何在这日头里做工？”众囚徒都笑起来，回说道：“好汉，你自不知，我们拨在这里做生活时，便是人间天上了，如何敢指望嫌热坐地！还别有那没人情的，将去锁在大牢里，求生不得生，求死不得死，大铁链锁着，也要过哩！”武松听罢，去天王堂前后转了一遭，见纸炉边一个青石墩，是插那天王纸旗的，约有四五百斤。武松看在眼里，暂回房里来坐地了，自存想，只见那个人又搬酒和肉来。

话休絮烦。武松自到那房里，住了三日，每日好酒好食搬来请武松吃，并不见害他的意。武松心里正委决不下，当日晌午，那人又搬将酒食来。武松忍耐不住，按定盒子，问那人道：“你是谁家伴当？怎地只顾将酒食来请我？”那人答道：“小人前日已禀都头说了，小人是管营相公家里梯己[1]人。”武松道：“我且问你，每日送的酒食，正是谁教你将来？请我吃了怎地？”那人道：“是管营相公的家里小管营教送与都头吃。”武松道：“我是个囚徒，犯罪的人，又不曾有半点好处到管营相公处，他如何送东西与我吃？”那人道：“小人如何省得。小管营分付道，教小人且送半年三个月，却说话。 ”武松道：“却又作怪！终不成将息得我肥胖了，却来结果我？这个鸟闷葫芦教我如何猜得破！这酒食不明，我如何吃得安稳？你只说与我，你那小管营是甚么样人？在那里曾和我相会？我便吃他的酒食。”那个人道：“便是前日都头初来时，厅上立的那个白手帕包头，络着右手那人，便是小管营。”武松道：“莫不是穿青纱上盖，立在管营相公身边的那个人？”那人道：“正是老管营相公儿子。”武松道：“我待吃杀威棒时，敢是他说救了我，是么？”那人道：“正是小管营对他父亲说了，因此不打都头。”武松道：“却又跷蹊！我自是清河县人氏，他自是孟州人，自来素不相识，如何这般看觑我？必有个缘故。我且问你，那小管营姓甚名谁？”那人道：“姓施，名恩，使得好拳棒，人都叫他做金眼彪施恩。”武松听了道：“想他必是个好男子。你且去请他出来，和我相见了，这酒食便可吃你的。你若不请他出来和我厮见时，我半点儿也不吃你的！”那人道：“小管营分付小人道：‘休要说知备细。’教小人待半年三个月，方才说知相见。”武松道：“休要胡说！你只去请小管营出来和我相会了便罢。”那人害怕，那里肯去。武松有些焦躁起来，那人只得去里面说知。

多时，只见施恩从里面跑将出来，看着武松便拜。武松慌忙答礼，说道：“小人是个治下的囚徒，自来未曾拜识尊颜，前日又蒙救了一顿大棒，今又蒙每日好酒好食相待，甚是不当。又没半点儿差遣，正是无功受禄，寝食不安。”施恩答道：“小弟久闻兄长大名，如雷灌耳，只恨云程阻隔，不能勾相见。今日幸得兄长到此，正要拜识威颜，只恨无物款待，因此怀羞，不敢相见。”武松问道：“却才听得伴当所说，且教武松过半年三个月，却有话说。正是小管营要与小人说甚话？”施恩道：“村仆不省得事，脱口便对兄长说知道。却如何造次说得！”武松道：“管营恁地时，却是秀才耍，倒教武松鳖破肚皮，闷了怎地过得！你且说正是要我怎地？”施恩道：“既是村仆说出了，小弟只得告诉。因为兄长是个大丈夫，真男子，有件事欲要相央，除是兄长便行得。只是兄长路远到此，气力有亏，未经完足。且请将息半年三五个月，待兄长气力完足，那时却对兄长说知备细。”

武松听了，呵呵大笑道：“管营听禀：我去年害了三个月疟疾，景阳冈上酒醉里打翻了一只大虫，也只三拳两脚便自打死了，何况今日！”施恩道：“而今且未可说。且等兄长再将养几时，待贵体完完备备，那时方敢告诉。”武松道：“只是道我没气力了！既是如此说时，我昨日看见天王堂前那个石墩，约有多少斤重？”施恩道：“敢怕有四五百斤重。”武松道：“我且和你去看一看，武松不知拔得动也不。”施恩道：“请吃罢酒了同去。”武松道：“且去了回来吃未迟。”两个来到天王堂前，众囚徒见武松和小管营同来，都躬身唱喏。武松把石墩略摇一摇，大笑道：“小人真个娇惰了，那里拔得动！”施恩道：“三五百斤石头，如何轻视得他。”武松笑道：“小管营也信真个拿不起？你众人且躲开，看武松拿一拿。”武松便把上半截衣裳脱下来，拴在腰里，把那个石墩只一抱，轻轻地抱将起来，双手把石墩只一撇，扑地打下地里一尺来深。众囚徒见了，尽皆骇然。武松再把右手去地里一提，提将起来，望空只一掷，掷起去离地一丈来高。武松双手只一接，接来轻轻地放在原旧安处，回过身来，看着施恩并众囚徒。武松面上不红，心头不跳，口里不喘。施恩近前抱住武松便拜道：“兄长非凡人也！真天神！”众囚徒一齐都拜道：“真神人也！”施恩便请武松到私宅堂上请坐了。武松道：“小管营今番须同说知，有甚事使令我去？”施恩道：“且请少坐，待家尊出来相见了时，却得相烦告诉。”武松道：“你要教人干事，不要这等儿女相，颠倒恁地，不是干事的人了！便是一刀一割的勾当，武松也替你去干。若是有些谄佞的，非为人也！”

那施恩叉手不离方寸，才说出这件事来。有分教：武松显出那杀人的手段，重施这打虎的威风，来夺一个有名的去处，翻那厮盖世的英雄。正是：双拳起处云雷吼，飞脚来时风雨惊。毕竟施恩对武松说出甚事来，且听下回分解。

[1] 梯己——这里是心腹、亲信的意思。后文第六十二回“来日宋江梯己聊备小酌”的梯己，是私下、私自的意思。

CHAPTER 27. Wu Song Astonishes the Prisoners; the Kuaihuo Forest Is Restored to Shi En

ZHANG QING said, “As you are on your way to be imprisoned we can kill your escort, and then you can stay here for some time. If you are willing to become a bandit I will go with you to the “Lianglong Mountain’ where we can make the acquaintance of Lu Da and join his band.”

“It is very good of you to arrange for me this way but there is another matter. I have always been keen on fighting against strong men, but those two soldiers have treated me quite well on the road, so that if I now ill-treat them Heaven will not tolerate it. If you admire me I hope you will at once help them to recover instead of injuring them.”

“Drill Instructor, you are an upright man, and I must save these men’s lives,” said Zhang Qing. He thereupon ordered two waiters to release the soldiers lying on the bench. Sun Er Niang, the Night Witch, prepared the antidote, and gave it to Zhang Qing, who forced it down the throats of the unconscious soldiers. In less than an hour the soldiers recovered as from a dream and got up. They recognized Wu Song and asked him, “How did we get drunk in this place? The wine must have been so good! We did not drink much so how did we get drunk? We must remember this place so that we can have some more of this wine on our way home.”

Wu Song, Zhang Qing, and Sun Er Niang all laughed upon hearing this, but the two soldiers did not understand why. The two waiters killed a chicken and a goose, and after cooking them brought them in with wine and other food. Zhang Qing told the servants to arrange a table under the vine frame in the garden at the back, and then requested Wu Song and the two soldiers to go there and partake of the feast. Wu Song asked the two soldiers to take the seats of honor, and he and Zhang Qing sat down opposite to them while Sun Er Niang took her seat at the side of the table.

The two servants served the wine and food. It was evening before they had finished the meal, and then Zhang Qing brought out the monk’s swords for Wu Song to inspect. It was indeed made of excellent steel, and must have taken a long time in making. The two men talked about bandit adventures, killing of men, and incendiarism.

“There is a Shandong man called Song Jiang, nicknamed ‘Welcome Rain,’” said Wu Song, “who has sought refuge just now with Squire Chai.”

The two soldiers upon hearing such talk were astonished, and rising kowtowed to Wu Song. Wu Song spoke to them, “You two treated me well on the road, so I will never ill-treat you. We are only speaking about bandits and robbers so you need not be afraid. We certainly would not injure good men like you. Take no notice of what we say, but just drink your wine, and tomorrow when we reach Mengzhou I will reward you.”

They stayed at that place for the night, but next morning when Wu Song wanted to depart, Zhang Qing was not willing to let him go. He gave way and stayed there for three days more. At last he recognized the generosity of Zhang Qing and his wife. Zhang Qing was nine years older than Wu Song, and therefore he adopted the latter as his younger brother. At last when Wu Song decided to depart Zhang Qing prepared the parting cup of wine, and bade him farewell, and gave him about ten taels and the two soldiers about three taels of silver. Wu Song gave his silver to the soldiers, and put on again his cangue. Upon leaving Wu Song could not avoid shedding tears at the kindness received from Zhang Qing and his wife.

Wu Song and his escort reached Mengzhou the following morning. They went straight to the yamen, and presented the dispatch from Dongping Prefecture. After the magistrate had perused the dispatch, he wrote a reply, handed it to the soldiers who returned to Dongping. Wu Song was sent to the prison, but just as he got to the entrance he noticed a signboard with the three characters, “Anping Stockade.” He was put in a cell by himself. He had not been there long before about ten men in the adjoining cell came to speak to him saying, “Kind sir, if you have any letters of recommendation or any money, you must not forget to hand them to the man who will come to search you. If you give him money he will see that the blows with the bamboo are only light, but if he gets no money the blows will be extremely severe. We are criminals like yourself, and therefore tell you what to expect. Do you not know the saying, ‘When the hare dies the fox mourns; and so animals grieve for their kind.’ As you have only just arrived we thought it better to tell you about this.”

“I am much obliged to you for the information,” said Wu Song. “I have something at my side, and if the man is polite to me I will give it to him. But if he demands anything I will not give him a cent.”

A prisoner said, “Sir, you should not talk like that. There is an ancient saying, ‘Fear not the authorities, except those that have authority over you.’ When you are under the eaves of a low house you have to bend your head. It would be better if you took a little care.” While he was saying this another prisoner called out, “Here comes the head jailer!” At this all the prisoners dispersed. Wu Song fastened his belt, and sat down in his cell. Soon the head jailer entered and asked, “Where is that new prisoner?”

“I am the man,” replied Wu Song.

“Well, you seem to have eyes, ears, and yet you have got to be told,” said the head jailer. “You are the man who killed a tiger on Jingyang Ridge and was a Drill Instructor at Yanggu County, so I suppose you know how matters are arranged. How dare you come here where I am! There is not even a cat here that you dare beat.”

“Did you come here to talk and expect me to give you something?” asked Wu Song. “But I have not got anything to give you except my two fists. I have, however, a little silver, but I shall want that to buy food and wine for myself. So what shall you do? How would it do if you took me back to Yanggu County?”

The head jailer retired in an angry mood, and immediately the prisoners crowded forward, and said, “Sir, you treated him roughly, and it won’t be long before you are in trouble. He will certainly go and speak to the warden of the jail and put an end to your life.”

“I am not afraid,” replied Wu Song, “let him try and do his worst. Civility meets civility; violence meets violence.”

While he was saying this about four jailers came and entering his cell called out in a loud voice, “Now, where is that new prisoner Wu Song?”

To which Wu Song replied, “I am here! I will not go away! But why do you shout like that?”

The men did not reply to this, but took him away to the Inspection Office where the warden was seated. About six soldiers took charge of him, and placed him in front of the warden who ordered that the cangue be removed. The warden then addressed him. “Prisoner, are you aware of the old decrees of the Emperor Taizu, that the newly arrived exile should receive one hundred severe blows with the bamboo?”

“There is no need for many men to be employed in that,” said Wu Song. “If you want to beat me there will be no need for men to hold me down. If I flinch from a single blow I forfeit my reputation of being a tiger-killer. You need not be too careful in keeping a count of the blows as it won’t matter if there are a few extra. If I make any noise I forfeit my name of being the brave man of Yanggu County.”

The bystanders laughed at this, and one said, “This foolish fellow is looking for death! We shall see how he can stand the torture.”

Wu Song continued, “Make the blows as hard as you like, show no kindness to me. I shall not be pleased if you show me any favor.”

The audience on both sides again laughed. Two men seized the bamboo, and shouted as he advanced. Standing at the side of the Prefect, however, was a very tall man of about twenty-five years of age. He had a fair complexion and a small beard of three tufts. He wore a white crape girdle round his waist. That man whispered something into the warden’s ear who then spoke, “Prisoner Wu Song, what illness had you on the way to this place?”

“I had no illness at all but just drank and ate on the journey.”

“This man must have been taken ill on the road, judging by his appearance,” said the warden, “so perhaps I ought to postpone beating him with the bamboo.”

The two men who were ordered to beat him whispered to Wu Song, “You say at once that you are sick. The warden wishes to show mercy to you. You better offer an excuse.”

“I am not sick,” said Wu Song. “I do not want to stop them from beating me. Let them beat me and so finish the matter. If they don’t do it now, I shall always be expecting it.”

The audience and also the warden laughed at this, and the latter said, “I think that he must have a fever, and he is talking in this delirious way because he has not had a good sweat to get the fever out. We will not listen to what he says now, and put him in solitary confinement.”

About four soldiers took him back to his cell, where all the other prisoners crowded outside and asked, “Did your friend write a letter to the warden?” Wu Song denied this and they continued, “In that case it is not good, because they will now come in the night and kill you.”

“How will they kill me?”

“They will bring you two big bowls of rice, and after you have eaten that, they will take you inside the prison. There they will swathe you tightly in cordage, stop up your nostrils, ears, and mouth, and then turn you upside down and leave you against the wall. In less than an hour you will be dead.”

“What else might they do?”

The prisoners replied, “They might bind you with ropes, and then get a sandbag and press it tightly on your body. Again, if they do that you will die in less than an hour.”

“Have they any other way of killing me?” asked Wu Song.

“Those two are what most men are afraid of, and the others are not as bad.” While they were speaking a soldier came bearing a basket and asked where Drill Instructor Wu Song was. Wu Song laughed and said, “Here I am! What have you to say?”

The man replied that the warden had sent some refreshment for him. Wu Song looked and saw a bowl of wine, a plate of meat, a bowl of vermicelli, and a bowl of soup. He wondered what their plan was in sending him such food. He thought it better to partake of the meal, and wait for developments. He did this, and had soon finished the food. The soldier took all the vessels away, and then Wu Song sat down and soliloquized, “I wonder what they will do next.” When it was nearly dark the head jailer came with a round box, and said, “I am sent here with your supper.” Wu Song saw that there was vegetable, wine, meat, fish soup, and rice. He thought, “Surely they will kill me after I have eaten this meal! If I eat all this and then die I shall at least be a well-fed ghost. Let they do what they may. After supper I will think of some scheme.”

The soldier waited until Wu Song had finished the meal, and then removed the dishes. But he soon came back with another soldier, one carrying a tub, and the other a bucket full of hot water, and they asked Wu Song to take a bath. Wu Song thought that they would kill him after the bath. “But I am not afraid of them, so I will take my bath.” The soldiers emptied the hot water in the tub, and Wu Song had his bath. When finished he was supplied with a towel, and told to dress. One soldier emptied the water, and took the tub and towel back. The other soldier spread the gauze silk mosquito net, arranged the cool bedding and pillow, and then withdrew. Wu Song put the bar across the door, and then sat down to think matters over. “What is their intention in all this? Let them do as they like. I will watch the proceedings?” So he went to sleep and nothing happened during the night.

He was awake quite early and opening the door of his cell he saw the same soldier who had waited on him the previous night, and he had now brought a basin of water for Wu Song to wash his face. He had also brought a cup of cold water with which Wu Song rinsed his mouth. A barber came and dressed Wu Song’s long hair into a knot on the top of his head, and then inclosed the knot in a small hood. Still another man entered with his breakfast of rice, meat-soup, and vegetables. He ate his breakfast, and then drank a cup of tea. Just then the man who brought the food asked him to remove to another cell which was much more convenient, and would save time at meal. He agreed to this, and the servant took him to another room and when the door was opened he saw that the apartment was very clean and the bed nice and tidy. The furniture appeared to be quite new. But Wu Song was still perplexed as to why they had brought him to such a comfortable place. The room was very much better than the place he had been in. He sat down there until noon, when a man brought him a jug of wine with four kinds of fruit, roasted chicken, and some steamed buns. The man took the chicken in his hands, and tore it into small pieces. He poured out the wine, arranged the chopsticks, and invited Wu Song to dine. Wu Song was however still perplexed as to the mystery of all this fine treatment.

In the evening they brought his supper, and allowed him to enjoy the cool in the open. He could not help but think of what the other prisoners had predicted, so this treatment made him more and more perplexed.

During the third day he was treated in the same way, and he even went for a stroll in the prison yard after breakfast. He saw many prisoners in the sun cutting firewood, carrying water, and doing various odd jobs. It was a very hot day in the sixth lunar month, and he was sorry that they had no shade from the heat of the sun’s rays. Walking up to them with his hands behind his back he asked why they worked in the sun. They laughed at the question and one man replied, “Sir, we have been sent here to work, and this place is like heaven compared with some other places. We should not care to think that this place is too hot. Many prisoners are not so well treated, but remain chained up in cells, and whether they wish to live or die makes no difference.”

Wu Song walked away to the prison shrine to the King of Heaven where by an urn for burning papers he noticed a large stone block which had a hole in the center to hold a staff. He took his seat on it for some time and then returned to his apartment, where a servant brought his food again.

But we need not go into the details of his daily life. For several days he got his food and wine, and he was still doubtful as to the outcome of it. But one day he could not endure this suspicion any longer so when the servant brought his food he asked him who was his master, and how it was that he sent him nice food every day. The man replied that he had previously told Wu Song that he was the confidential servant of the warden.

“But who tells you to bring me this food and wine every day?”

“It is the warden’s son who instructs me to do this.”

“But I am a criminal and I have not done anything for the warden’s son so why does he treat me in this way?”

“That I do not know. But he told me that after three months like this he would explain matters fully.”

“How strange! It seems to me that they are just feeding me so as to fatten me ready for killing. It is quite a riddle, and how can I guess its real meaning? How can I eat the food with ease, if the matter is not explained clearly? What kind of man is your young master, and where did we meet before? If I knew that, I might eat the food with contentment.”

“He is the same man who stood on the right of the warden with his forehead wrapped in white cloth when your case first came into court.”

“So he is that man? When I was on the point of being beaten he said something to the warden, and thus saved me from that, I suppose.”

“That is so,” said the man.

“How strange! I am a Qinghe County man, whereas he is a Mengzhou man, and as we are not acquainted with each other how is it that he treats me like this? I think he must have a reason for this, but what is it? But I ask you one more question: What is his name?”

“He is Shi En with the nickname, ‘Golden Eyed Tiger Cub.’ He is skillful with the cudgels.”

“He must be a good fellow. You go and request him to come here, and have an interview with me. When he does that then I will partake of his food. If you won’t go and ask him to meet me then I won’t eat any more.”

“But he told me also that I was not to speak with you much, as after about three months he would come and explain matters to you himself.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! You go and ask him to come here now, and that will settle the matter.”

The man was afraid, and was unwilling to do this. Seeing this Wu Song was vexed, and sprang up. The man at once withdrew to carry out the request.

After quite a long time Shi En came hurriedly, and upon seeing Wu Song knelt down. Wu Song ran forward to raise him up, and said, “I am a criminal, and have not had the honor of meeting you before. A few days ago I was beholden to you for saving me from a beating, and since then I have been honored by your kindly sending me food and wine. This you ought not to have done. You have not given me any work to do, so I am a useless fellow, and in eating your food I feel guilty and uneasy.”

“I have long heard of your name like a crash of thunder,” said Shi En. “But unfortunately we have ever been separated by impassable roads so that I could not meet you. Fortunately we meet today and I must pay you respect. I am sorry that as I had no suitable presents for you, I did not dare to approach you before.”

“Your servant told me that in about three months you would have something definite to say to me. Now, what is it you wish to say?”

“My servant was simply outspoken to your question, but he did not know anything about the matter. How could he talk in that reckless manner?”

“You evade my question with literary skill! But why not tell me now instead of leaving me in a melancholy frame of mind? Please speak outright! Do you want me to do something?”

“As the servant has said this, I will tell you. As you are a great hero and a straightforward man, I have one thing to request you to do for me, which nobody else can do. But you came from a good distance, and must have been tired upon your arrival here, and have not had time to regain your strength. So if you will now rest for a few months to restore your strength, I will tell you something when you are in better form.”

Wu Song burst into loud laughter upon hearing this, and said, “Last year I was very ill with fever for three months, but when passing Jingyang Ridge I being somewhat tipsy killed a tiger with only three blows of my fist and a couple of kicks. Am I not better today than on that occasion?”

“I cannot tell you about the affair just now. We had better wait until you are quite in good health, and then I will tell you.”

“But why do you think that I am not strong now? Well, yesterday I was at the King of Heaven’s Shrine, and saw there a large boulder. What is the weight of that?”

“I am afraid that it may be about four hundred jin in weight,” said Shi En.

“I will go there with you to see whether I can lift it or not.”

“Let us finish our wine, and then I will go with you,” said Shi En.

“I would rather go first, and drink the wine when we come back,” replied Wu Song.

So they both went to the King of Heaven’s Shrine, and when they arrived the prisoners there stood to attention, and gave salutations.

Wu Song took hold of the boulder, and moved it. He laughed and said, “I am now so delicate that I cannot move it?”

“That is a very heavy stone, and you cannot make little of it,” said Shi En.

“So you really think I cannot lift it up? All of you get out of the way, and watch me lift it.” He then took off his upper garments, and tied them round his waist, and easily lifted the stone up. He threw it away, and it fell with a thud on the ground making a hole about a foot deep. All the bystanders were thunderstruck at this. But Wu Song had not finished. He now seized the stone with one hand, drew it out of the hole, and hurled it about ten feet high. As it fell he caught it in both hands, and gently placed it in its original place. He immediately turned round and faced the crowd of spectators, and they could see that his face was not red; his heart was not palpitating, and that he was not out of breath from his exertion.

Shi En embraced Wu Song and paid his respects kneeling to Wu Song, and said, “Elder brother, you are an extraordinary man. You have supernatural powers.”

The prisoners standing round also knelt down, and saluted Wu Song saying, “You really have supernatural powers.”

Shi En took Wu Song to his private apartment, where they sat down. Wu Song said, “Now, I hope, sir, that you will tell me what that business is.”

“Wait a little, until my father comes, when I will tell you all about it,” replied Shi En.

“If you want to tell me to do a thing, then don’t act in such a childish way,” said Wu Song. “This does not look manly. Even if it is a matter of the sword I can do it. If I refuse to do a man’s job then I am no longer a man.”

Shi En clasped his hands over his heart, and told Wu Song about the affair which involved killing of men, and equaled in grandeur the killing of a tiger.

He raised his fists—the thunder roared,

And wind and rain were shaken.