第三十八回

第三十八回 及时雨会神行太保 黑旋风斗浪里白跳

诗曰：

心安茅屋稳，性定菜羹香。

世味薄方好，人情淡最长。

因人成事业，避难遇豪强。

他日梁山泊，高名四海扬。

话说当时宋江别了差拨，出抄事房来，到点视厅上看时，见那节级掇条凳子坐在厅前，高声喝道：“那个是新配到囚徒？”牌头指着宋江道：“这个便是。”那节级便骂道：“你这矮黑杀才！倚仗谁的势要，不送常例钱来与我？”宋江道：“人情，人情，在人情愿。你如何逼取人财，好小哉相！”两边看的人听了，倒捏两把汗。那人大怒，喝骂：“贼配军，安敢如此无礼，颠倒说我小哉！那兜驮的，与我背起来，且打这厮一百讯棍[1]！”两边营里众人，都是和宋江好的，见说要打他，一哄都走了，只剩得那节级和宋江。那人见众人都散了，肚里越怒，拿起讯棍，便奔来打宋江。宋江说道：“节级，你要打我，我得何罪？”那人大喝道：“你这贼配军是我手里行货，轻咳嗽便是罪过！”宋江道：“你便寻我过失，也不计利害，也不到的该死。”那人怒道：“你说不该死，我要结果你也不难，只似打杀一个苍蝇。”宋江冷笑道：“我因不送得常例钱便该死时，结识梁山泊吴学究的却该怎地？”那人听了这声，慌忙丢了手中讯棍，便问道：“你说甚么？”宋江又答道：“自说那结识军师吴学究的，你问我怎地？”那人慌了手脚，拖住宋江问道：“足下高姓？你正是谁？那里得这话来？”宋江笑道：“小可便是山东郓城县宋江。”那人听了大惊，连忙作揖，说道：“原来兄长正是及时雨宋公明。”宋江道：“何足挂齿。”那人便道：“兄长，此间不是说话处，未敢下拜。同往城里叙怀，请兄长便行。”宋江道：“好。节级少待，容宋江锁了房门便来。”

宋江慌忙到房里，取了吴用的书，自带了银两出来，锁上房门，分付牌头看管，便和那人离了牢城营内，奔入江州城里来，去一个临街酒肆中楼上坐下。那人问道：“兄长何处见吴学究来？”宋江怀中取出书来，递与那人。那人拆开封皮，从头读了，藏在袖内，起身望着宋江便拜。宋江慌忙答礼道：“适间言语冲撞，休怪，休怪！”那人道：“小弟只听得说有个姓宋的发下牢城营里来。往常时，但是发来的配军，常例送银五两。今番已经十数日不见送来，今日是个闲暇日头，因此下来取讨，不想却是仁兄。恰才在营内，甚是言语冒渎了哥哥，万望恕罪。”宋江道：“差拨亦曾常对小可说起大名。宋江有心要拜识尊颜，又不知足下住处，亦无因入城，特地只等尊兄下来，要与足下相会一面，以此耽误日久。不是为这五两银子不舍得送来，只想尊兄必是自来，故意延挨。今日幸得相见，以慰平生之愿。”

说话的，那人是谁？便是吴学究所荐的江州两院押牢节级戴院长戴宗。那时故宋时，金陵一路节级都称呼“家长”，湖南一路节级都称呼做“院长”。原来这戴院长有一等惊人的道术：但出路时，赍书飞报紧急军情事，把两个甲马[2]拴在两只腿上，作起神行法来，一日能行五百里；把四个甲马拴在腿上，便一日能行八百里。因此人都称做神行太保戴宗。更看他生的如何？但见：

面阔唇方神眼突，瘦长清秀身材。皂纱巾畔翠花开。黄旗书令字，红串映宣牌。两只脚行千里路，罗衫常惹尘埃。程途八百去还来。神行真太保，院长戴宗才。

当下戴院长与宋公明说罢了来情去意，戴宗、宋江俱各大喜。两个坐在阁子里，叫那卖酒的过来，安排酒果肴馔菜蔬来，就酒楼上两个饮酒。宋江诉说一路上遇见许多好汉，众人相会的事务。戴宗也倾心吐胆，把和这吴学究相交来往的事，告诉了一遍。两个正说到心腹相爱之处，才饮得两杯酒过，只听楼下喧闹起来。过卖连忙走入阁子来对戴宗说道：“这个人只除非是院长说得他下，没奈何烦院长去解拆则个。”戴宗问道：“在楼下作闹的是谁？”过卖道：“便是如常同院长走的那个唤做铁牛李大哥，在底下寻主人家借钱。”戴宗笑道：“又是这厮在下面无礼，我只道是甚么人。兄长少坐，我去叫了这厮上来。”戴宗便起身下去，不多时引了那个人上楼来。宋江看见了吃一惊。看那人生得如何？但见：

黑熊般一身粗肉，铁牛似遍体顽皮。交加一字赤黄眉，双眼赤丝乱系。怒发浑如铁刷，狰狞好似狻猊。天蓬恶煞下云梯。李逵真勇悍，人号铁牛儿。

宋江见了那人，便问戴宗道：“院长，这大哥是谁？”戴宗道：“这个是小弟身边牢里一个小牢子，姓李名逵，祖贯是沂州沂水县百丈村人氏。本身一个异名，唤做黑旋风李逵。他乡中都叫他做李铁牛。因为打死了人，逃走出来，虽遇赦宥，流落在此江州，不曾还乡。为因酒性不好，多人惧他。能使两把板斧，及会拳棍。见今在此牢里勾当。”李逵看着宋江，问戴宗道：“哥哥，这黑汉子是谁？”戴宗对宋江笑道：“押司，你看这厮恁么粗卤，全不识些体面！”李逵便道：“我问大哥，怎地是粗卤？”戴宗道：“兄弟，你便请问‘这位官人是谁’便好，你倒却说‘这黑汉子是谁’，这不是粗卤，却是甚么？我且与你说知，这位仁兄便是闲常你要去投奔他的义士哥哥。”李逵道：“莫不是山东及时雨黑宋江？”戴宗喝道：“咄！你这厮敢如此犯上，直言叫唤，全不识些高低！兀自不快下拜，等几时！”李逵道：“若真个是宋公明，我便下拜；若是闲人，我却拜甚鸟。节级哥哥不要瞒我拜了，你却笑我。”宋江便道：“我正是山东黑宋江。”李逵拍手叫道：“我那爷！你何不早说些个，也教铁牛欢喜！”扑翻身躯便拜。宋江连忙答礼，说道：“壮士大哥请坐。”戴宗道：“兄弟，你便来我身边坐了吃酒。”李逵道：“不奈烦小盏吃，换个大碗来筛。”宋江便问道：“恰才大哥为何在楼下发怒？”李逵道：“我有一锭大银，解[3]了十两小银使用了。却问这主人家那借十两银子，去赎那大银出来，便还他，自要些使用。叵耐这鸟主人不肯借与我，却待要和那厮放对，打得他家粉碎，却被大哥叫了我上来。”宋江道：“只用十两银子去取，再要利钱么？”李逵道：“利钱已有在这里了，只要十两本钱去讨。”宋江听罢，便去身边取出一个十两银子把与李逵，说道：“大哥，你将去赎来用度。”戴宗要阻当时，宋江已把出来了。李逵接得银子，便道：“却是好也！两位哥哥只在这里等我一等。赎了银子，便来送还，就和宋哥哥去城外吃碗酒。”宋江道：“且坐一坐，吃几碗了去。”李逵道：“我去了便来。”推开帘子，下楼去了。戴宗道：“兄长休借这银与他便好。恰才小弟正欲要阻，兄长已把在他手里了。”宋江道：“却是为何，尊兄说这话？”戴宗道：“这厮虽是耿直，只是贪酒好赌。他却几时有一锭大银解了！兄长吃他赚漏了这个银去。他慌忙出门，必是去赌。若还赢得时，便有的送来还哥哥；若是输了时，那里讨这十两银来拜还兄长。戴宗面上须不好看。”宋江笑道：“院长尊兄，何必见外。量这些银两，何足挂齿，由他去赌输了罢。若要用时，再送些与他使。我看这人倒是个忠直汉子。”戴宗道：“这厮本事自有，只是心粗胆大不好。在江州牢里，但吃醉了时，却不奈何罪人，只要打一般强的牢子。我也被他连累得苦。专一路见不平，好打强的人，以此江州满城人都怕他。”有诗为证：

天性由来太恶粗，江州人号李凶徒。

他时大展屠龙手，始识人中大丈夫。

宋江道：“俺们再饮两杯，却去城外闲玩一遭。”戴宗道：“小弟也正忘了，和兄长去看江景则个。”宋江道：“小可也要看江州的景致，如此最好。”

且不说两个再饮酒，只说李逵得了这个银子，寻思道：“难得宋江哥哥，又不曾和我深交，便借我十两银子，果然仗义疏财，名不虚传。如今来到这里，却恨我这几日赌输了，没一文做好汉请他。如今得他这十两银子，且将去赌一赌，倘或赢得几贯钱来，请他一请也好看。”当时李逵慌忙跑出城外小张乙赌房里来，便去场上，将这十两银子撇在地下，叫道：“把头钱过来我博。”那小张乙得知李逵从来赌直，便道：“大哥，且歇这一博，下来便是你博。”李逵道：“我要先赌这一博。”小张乙道：“你便傍猜也好。”李逵道：“我不傍猜，只要博这一博。五两银子做一注。”有那一般赌的，却待要博，被李逵劈手夺过头钱[4]来，便叫道：“我博兀谁？”小张乙道：“便博我五两银子。”李逵叫一声，肐地博一个叉[5]，小张乙便拿了银子过来。李逵叫道：“我的银子是十两！”小张乙道：“你再博我五两快，便还了你这锭银子。”李逵又拿起头钱，叫声：“快[6]！”肐的又博个叉。小张乙笑道：“我教你休抢头钱，且歇一博，不听我口。如今一连博了两个叉。”李逵道：“我这银子是别人的。”小张乙道：“遮莫是谁的，也不济事了。你既输了，却说甚么！”李逵道：“没奈何且借我一借，明日便送来还你。”小张乙道：“说甚么闲话！自古赌钱场上无父子，你明明地输了，如何倒来革争！”李逵把布衫拽起在前面，口里喝道：“你们还我也不还？”小张乙道：“李大哥，你闲常最赌的直，今日如何恁么没出豁？”李逵也不答应他，便就地下掳了银子，又抢了别人赌的十来两银子，都搂在布衫兜里，睁起双眼说道：“老爷闲常赌直，今日权且不直一遍。”小张乙急待向前夺时，被李逵一指一跤。十二三个赌博的，一发齐上，要夺那银子，被李逵指东打西，指南打北。李逵把这伙人打得没地躲处，便出到门前。把门的问道：“大郎那里去？”被李逵提在一边，一脚踢开了门便走。那伙人随后赶将出来，都只在门前叫道：“李大哥，你恁地没道理，都抢了我们众人的银子去！”只在门前叫喊，没一个敢近前来讨。

李逵正走之时，只见背后一人赶上来，扳住肩臂喝道：“你这厮如何却抢掳别人财物？”李逵口里应道：“干你鸟事！”回过脸来看时，却是戴宗，背后立着宋江。李逵见了，惶恐满面，便道：“哥哥休怪！铁牛闲常只是赌直，今日不想输了哥哥的银子，又没得些钱来相请哥哥，喉急了，时下做出这些不直来。”宋江听了大笑道：“贤弟但要银子使用，只顾来问我讨。今日既是明明地输与他了，快把来还他。”李逵只得从布衫兜里取出来，都递在宋江手里。宋江便叫过小张乙前来，都付与他。小张乙接过来说道：“二位官人在上：小人只拿了自己的；这十两原银虽是李大哥两博输与小人，如今小人情愿不要他的，省的记了冤仇。”宋江道：“你只顾将去，不要记怀。”小张乙那里肯。宋江便道：“他不曾打伤了你们么？”小张乙道：“讨头的，拾钱的，和那把门的，都被他打倒在里面。”宋江道：“既是恁的，就与他众人做将息钱。兄弟自不敢来了，我自着他去。”小张乙收了银子，拜谢了回去。宋江道：“我们和李大哥吃三杯去。”戴宗道：“前面靠江有那琵琶亭酒馆，是唐朝白乐天古迹。我们去亭上酌三杯，就观江景。”有诗为证：

白傅高风世莫加，画船秋水听琵琶。

欲舒老眼求陈迹，孤鹜齐飞带落霞。

宋江道：“可于城中买些肴馔之物将去。”戴宗道：“不用，如今那亭上有人在里面卖酒。”宋江道：“恁地时却好。”当时三人便望琵琶亭上来。到得亭子上看时，一边靠着浔阳江，一边是店主人家房屋。琵琶亭上，有十数副座头。戴宗便拣一副干净座头，让宋江坐了头位。戴宗坐在对席，肩下便是李逵。三个坐定，便叫酒保铺下菜蔬果品海鲜按酒之类。酒保取过两樽玉壶春酒，此是江州有名的上色好酒，开了泥头。宋江纵目一观，看那江上景致时，端的是景致非常。但见：

云外遥山耸翠，江边远水翻银。隐隐沙汀，飞起几行鸥鹭；悠悠别浦，撑回数只渔舟。红蓼滩头，白发公垂钩下钓；黄芦岸口，青髻童牧犊骑牛。翻翻雪浪拍长空，拂拂凉风吹水面。紫霄峰上接穹苍，琵琶亭畔临江岸。四围空阔，八面玲珑。栏杆影浸玻璃，窗外光浮玉璧。昔日乐天声价重，当年司马泪痕多。

当时三人坐下，李逵便道：“酒把大碗来筛，不奈烦小盏价吃。”戴宗喝道：“兄弟好材！你不要做声，只顾吃酒便了。”宋江分付酒保道：“我两个面前放两只盏子，这位大哥面前放个大碗。”酒保应了下去，取只碗来，放在李逵面前，一面筛酒，一面铺下肴馔。李逵笑道：“真个好个宋哥哥，人说不差了！便知我兄弟的性格！结拜得这位哥哥，也不枉了！”

酒保斟酒，连筛了五七遍。宋江因见了这两人，心中欢喜，吃了几杯，忽然心里想要鱼辣汤吃，便问戴宗道：“这里有好鲜鱼么？”戴宗笑道：“兄长，你不见满江都是渔船。此间正是鱼米之乡，如何没有鲜鱼！”宋江道：“得些辣鱼汤醒酒最好。”戴宗便唤酒保，教造三分加辣点红白鱼汤来。顷刻造了汤来，宋江看见道：“美食不如美器。虽是个酒肆之中，端的好整齐器皿。”拿起箸来，相劝戴宗、李逵吃，自也吃了些鱼，呷了几口汤汁。李逵也不使箸，便把手去碗里捞起鱼来，和骨头都嚼吃了。宋江看见忍笑不住，再呷了两口汁，便放下箸不吃了。戴宗道：“兄长，已定这鱼腌了，不中仁兄吃。”宋江道：“便是不才酒后，只爱口鲜鱼汤吃。这个鱼真是不甚好。”戴宗应道：“便是小弟也吃不得，是腌的，不中吃。”李逵嚼了自碗里鱼，便道：“两位哥哥都不吃，我替你们吃了。”便伸手去宋江碗里捞将过来吃了，又去戴宗碗里也捞过来吃了，滴滴点点，淋一桌子汁水。宋江见李逵把三碗鱼汤和骨头都嚼吃了，便叫酒保来分付道：“我这大哥，想是肚饥。你可去大块肉切二斤来与他吃，少刻一发算钱还你。”酒保道：“小人这里只卖羊肉，却没牛肉。要肥羊尽有。”李逵听了，便把鱼汁劈脸泼将去，淋那酒保一身。戴宗喝道：“你又做甚么？”李逵应道：“叵耐这厮无礼，欺负我只吃牛肉，不卖羊肉与我吃！”酒保道：“小人问一声，也不多话！”宋江道：“你去只顾切来，我自还钱。”酒保忍气吞声，去切了二斤羊肉，做一盘将来，放在桌子上。李逵见了，也不谦让，大把价挝来，只顾吃，拈指间把这二斤羊肉都吃了。宋江看了道：“壮哉，真好汉也！”李逵道：“这宋大哥便知我的鸟意，吃肉不强似吃鱼！”

戴宗叫酒保来问道：“却才鱼汤，家生甚是整齐，鱼却腌了，不中吃。别有甚好鲜鱼时，另造些辣汤来与我这位官人醒酒。”酒保答道：“不敢瞒院长说，这鱼端的是昨夜的。今日的活鱼，还在船内，等鱼牙主人不来，未曾敢卖动，因此未有好鲜鱼。”李逵跳起来道：“我自去讨两尾活鱼来与哥哥吃。”戴宗道：“你休去，只央酒保去回几尾来便了。”李逵道：“船上打鱼的，不敢不与我，直得甚么！”戴宗拦当不住，李逵一直去了。戴宗对宋江说道：“兄长，休怪小弟引这等人来相会，全没些个体面，羞辱杀人！”宋江道：“他生性是恁的，如何教他改得！我到敬他真实不假。”两个自在琵琶亭上笑语说话取乐。诗曰：

湓内烟景出尘寰，江上峰峦拥髻鬟。

明月琵琶人不见，黄芦苦竹暮潮还。

却说李逵走到江边看时，见那渔船一字排着，约有八九十只，都缆系在绿杨树下。船上渔人，有斜枕着船梢睡的，有在船头上结网的，也有在水里洗浴的。此时正是五月半天气，一轮红日将及沉西，不见主人来开舱卖鱼。李逵走到船边，喝一声道：“你们船上活鱼，把两尾来与我。”那渔人应道：“我们等不见鱼牙主人来，不敢开舱。你看那行贩都在岸上坐地。”李逵道：“等甚么鸟主人！先把两尾鱼来与我。”那渔人又答道：“纸也未曾烧，如何敢开舱？那里先拿鱼与你！”李逵见他众人不肯拿鱼，便跳上一只船去，渔人那里拦当得住。李逵不省得船上的事，只顾便把竹笆篾一拔，渔人在岸上只叫得：“罢了！”李逵伸手去艎板底下一绞摸时，那里有一个鱼在里面。原来那大江里渔船，船尾开半截大孔，放江水出入，养着活鱼，却把竹笆篾拦住，以此船舱里活水往来，养放活鱼，因此江州有好鲜鱼。这李逵不省得，倒先把竹笆篾提起了，将那一舱活鱼都走了。李逵又跳过那边船上，去拔那竹篾。那七八十渔人都奔上船，把竹篙来打李逵。李逵大怒，焦躁起来，便脱下布衫，里面单单系着一条棋子布捎儿，见那乱竹篙打来，两只手一驾，早抢了五六条在手里，一似扭葱般都扭断了。渔人看见，尽吃一惊，却都去解了缆，把船撑开去了。李逵忿怒，赤条条地拿两截折竹篙，上岸来赶打，行贩都乱纷纷地挑了担走。

正热闹里，只见一个人从小路里走出来。众人看见，叫道：“主人来了！这黑大汉在此抢鱼，都赶散了渔船！”那人道：“甚么黑大汉，敢如此无礼？”众人把手指道：“那厮兀自在岸边寻人厮打！”那人抢将过去，喝道：“你这厮吃了豹子心，大虫胆，也不敢来搅乱老爷的道路！”李逵看那人时，六尺五六身材，三十二三年纪，三柳掩口黑髯，头上裹顶青纱万字巾，掩映着穿心红一点儿，上穿一领白布衫，腰系一条绢搭膊，下面青白袅脚多耳麻鞋，手里提条行秤。那人正来卖鱼，见了李逵在那里横七竖八打人，便把秤递与行贩接了，赶上前来，大喝道：“你这厮要打谁！”李逵也不回话，轮过竹篙，却望那人便打。那人抢入去，早夺了竹篙，李逵便一把揪住那人头发。那人便奔他下三面，要跌李逵，怎敌得李逵水牛般气力，直推将开去，不能勾拢身。那人便望肋下躅得几拳，李逵那里着在意里。那人又飞起脚来踢，被李逵直把头按将下去，提起铁锤大小拳头，去那人脊梁上擂鼓也似打。那人怎生挣扎！

李逵正打哩，一个人在背后劈腰抱住，一个人便来帮住手，喝道：“使不得！使不得！”李逵回头看时，却是宋江、戴宗。李逵便放了手，那人略得脱身，一道烟走了。戴宗埋冤李逵道：“我教你休来讨鱼，又在这里和人厮打。倘或一拳打死了人，你不去偿命坐牢！”李逵应道：“你怕我连累你，我自打死了一个，我自去承当！”宋江便道：“兄弟休要论口，坏了义气。拿了布衫，且去吃酒。”李逵向那柳树根头拾起布衫，搭在胳膊上，跟了宋江、戴宗便走。行不得十数步，只听的背后有人叫骂道：“黑杀才！今番来和你见个输赢！”李逵回转头来看时，便是那人脱得赤条条地，匾扎起一条水裩儿，露出一身雪练也似白肉，头上除了巾帻，显出那个穿心一点红俏儿来，在江边独自一个，把竹篙撑着一只渔船赶将来，口里大骂道：“千刀万剐的黑杀才！老爷怕你的不算好汉，走的不是好男子！”李逵听了大怒，吼了一声，撇了布衫，抢转身来。那人便把船略拢来凑在岸边，一手把竹篙点定了船，口里大骂着。李逵也骂道：“好汉便上岸来。”那人把竹篙去李逵腿上便搠，撩拨得李逵火起，托地跳在船上。说时迟，那时快，那人只要诱得李逵上船，便把竹篙望岸边一点，双脚一蹬，那只渔船一似狂风飘败叶，箭也似投江心里去了。李逵虽然也识得水，却不甚高，当时慌了手脚。那人也不叫骂，撇了竹篙，叫声：“你来！今番和你定要见个输赢！”便把李逵胳膊拿住，口里说道：“且不和你厮打，先教你吃些水。”两只脚把船只一晃，船底朝天，英雄落水，两个好汉扑桶地都翻筋斗撞下江里去。宋江、戴宗急赶至岸边，那只船已翻在江里，两个只在岸上叫苦。江岸边早拥上三五百人在柳阴树下看，都道：“这黑大汉今番却着道儿，便挣扎得性命，也吃了一肚皮水。”宋江、戴宗在岸边看时，只见江面开处，那人把李逵提将起来，又淹将下去。两个正在江心里面，清波碧浪中间，一个显浑身黑肉，一个露遍体霜肤。两个打做一团，绞做一块。江岸上那三五百人贪看，没一个不喝采。论这两个好汉时，但见：

一个是沂水县成精异物，一个是小孤山作怪妖魔。这个似酥团结就肌肤，那个如炭屑凑成皮肉。一个是色依壬癸，一个体按庚辛。那个如三冬瑞雪重铺，这个似半夜阴云轻罩。一个是马灵官白蛇托化，一个是赵元帅黑虎投胎。这个似万万锤打就银人，那个如千千火炼成铁汉。一个是五台山银牙白象，一个是九曲河铁甲老龙。这个如布漆罗汉显神通，那个似玉碾金刚施勇猛。一个盘旋良久，汗流遍体迸真珠；一个揪扯多时，水浸浑身倾墨汁。那个学华光藏教主，向碧波深处现形骸；这个像黑煞天神，在雪浪堆中呈面目。正是玉龙搅暗天边日，黑鬼掀开水底天。

当时宋江、戴宗看见李逵被那人在水里揪住，浸得眼白，又提起来，又纳下去，何止淹了数十遭。宋江见李逵吃亏，便叫戴宗央人去救。戴宗问众人道：“这白大汉是谁？”有认得的说道：“这个好汉便是本处卖鱼主人，唤做张顺。”宋江听得猛省道：“莫不是绰号浪里白跳的张顺？”众人道：“正是，正是！”宋江对戴宗说道：“我有他哥哥张横的家书在营里。”戴宗听了，便向岸边高声叫道：“张二哥不要动手，有你令兄张横家书在此。这黑大汉是俺们兄弟，你且饶了他，上岸来说话。”张顺在江心里见是戴宗叫他，却也如常认得，便放了李逵几分，早到岸边，扒上岸来，看着戴宗，唱个喏道：“院长，休怪小人无礼！”戴宗道：“足下可看我面，且去救了我这兄弟上来，却教你相会一个人。”张顺再跳下水里，赴将开去。李逵正在江里探头探脑价挣扎水，张顺早到分际，带住了李逵一只手，自把两条腿踏着水浪，如行平地，那水浸不过他肚皮，淹着脐下，摆了一只手，直托李逵上岸来。江边看的人个个喝采。宋江看得呆了半晌。张顺、李逵都到岸下，各自扒将起来。戴宗见李逵喘做一团，口里只吐白水。戴宗道：“且都请你们到琵琶亭上说话。”

张顺讨了布衫穿着，李逵也穿了布衫，四个人再到琵琶亭上来坐下。戴宗便对张顺道：“二哥，你认得我么？”张顺道：“小人自识得院长。只是无缘，不曾拜会。”戴宗指着李逵问张顺道：“足下日常曾认得他么？今日倒冲撞了你。”张顺道：“小人如何不认的李大哥，只是不曾交手。”李逵道：“你也淹得我勾了。”张顺道：“你也打得好了。”李逵道：“恁么，便和你两折过了。”戴宗道：“你两个今番却做个至交的弟兄。常言道：不打不成相识。”李逵道：“你路上休撞着我。”张顺道：“我只在水里等你便了。”四人都笑起来，大家唱个无礼喏。戴宗指着宋江对张顺道：“二哥，你曾认得这位兄长么？”张顺看了道：“小人却不认得，这里亦不曾见。”李逵跳起身来道：“这哥哥便是黑宋江。”张顺道：“莫非是山东及时雨郓城宋押司？”戴宗道：“正是公明哥哥。”张顺纳头便拜道：“久闻大名，不想今日得会。多听的江湖上来往的人说兄长清德，扶危济困，仗义疏财。”宋江答道：“量小可何足道哉！前日来时，揭阳岭下混江龙李俊家里，住了几日。后在浔阳江上，因穆弘相会，得遇令兄张横，修了一封家书寄来与足下，放在营内，不曾带得来。今日便和戴院长并李大哥来这里琵琶亭吃三杯，就观江景。宋江偶然酒后思量些鲜鱼汤醒酒，怎当的他定要来讨鱼，我两个阻他不住。只听得江岸上发喊热闹，叫酒保看时，说道：‘是黑大汉和人厮打。’我两个急急走来解劝，不想却与壮士相会。今日得遇三位，岂非天幸。且请同坐，菜酌三杯。”再唤酒保重整杯盘，再备肴馔。张顺道：“既然哥哥要好鲜鱼吃，兄弟去取几尾来。”宋江道：“最好。依例纳钱。”张顺道：“既然得遇仁兄，事非偶然。兄长何故见外，如此说钱！”李逵道：“我和你去讨。”戴宗喝道：“又来了！你还吃的水不快活！”张顺笑将起来，绾了李逵手说道：“我今番和你去讨鱼，看别人怎地。”两个下琵琶亭来，到得江边，张顺略哨一声，只见江面上渔船都撑拢来到岸边。张顺问道：“那个船里有金色鲤鱼？”只见这个应道：“我船上来。”那个应道：“我船里有。”一霎时却凑拢十数尾金色鲤鱼来。张顺选了四尾大的，把柳条穿了，先教李逵将来亭上整理。张顺自点了行贩，分付小牙子去把秤卖鱼。张顺却自来琵琶亭上陪侍宋江。宋江谢道：“何须许多，但赐一尾，也十分勾了。”张顺答道：“些小微物，何足挂齿。兄长食不了时，将回行馆做下饭。”两个序齿，李逵年长，坐了第三位，张顺坐第四位。再叫酒保讨两樽玉壶春上色酒来，并些海鲜按酒果品之类。四人正饮酒间，张顺分付酒保，把一尾鱼做辣汤，用酒蒸一尾，教酒保切鲙[7]。四人饮酒中间，各叙胸中之事。正说得入耳，只见一个女娘，年方二八，穿一身纱衣，来到跟前，深深的道了四个万福。宋江看了那个女子时，生的如何？但见：

冰肌玉骨，粉面酥胸。杏脸桃腮，酝酿出十分春色；柳眉星眼，妆点就一段精神。花月仪容，蕙兰情性。心地里百伶百俐，身材儿不短不长。声如莺啭乔林，体似燕穿新柳。正是：春睡海棠晞晓露，一枝芍药醉春风。

那女娘道罢万福，顿开喉音便唱。李逵正待要卖弄胸中许多豪杰的事务，却被他唱起来一搅，三个且都听唱，打断了他话头。李逵怒从心上起，恶向胆边生，跳起身来，把两个指头去那女娘子额上一点，那女子大叫一声，蓦然倒地。众人近前看时，只见那女娘子桃腮似土，檀口无言。未知五脏如何，先见四肢不举。那酒店主人一发向前拦住四人，要去经官告理。正是：只因一念错，现出百般形。且看这女子性命如何？古云：好句有情怜夜月，落花无语怨东风。毕竟宋江等四人在酒店里怎地脱身，且听下回分解。

[1] 讯棍——官吏用来打罪犯逼供的棍子。

[2] 甲马——一种画有神佛图像的纸。第五十五回“宋江阵上虽有甲马”的“甲马”，指披甲的战马。

[3] 解——这里作抵押、典当解释。后文第六十一回“解库”，就是押铺、当铺。

[4] 头钱——一种赌具：摊若干钱在手掌上，向外簸出，看有几个正面、几个背面，以定输赢，那钱就叫做“头钱”。

[5] 叉——头钱全是正面，叫做“叉”。

[6] 快——头钱全是背面，叫做“快”。

[7] 鲙（kuài）——这里指的是鱼片。

CHAPTER 37. Welcome Rain Meets the Divine Traveler Black Whirlwind Fights with White Fish

WHEN Song Jiang reached the inspection room he saw the head jailer there sitting on a stool. The latter immediately called out, “Is this the prisoner who recently came here?”

A messenger standing there agreed to this.

“So you are the ‘Black Dwarf,’ who deserves death. Upon whose influence are you relying that you disdain to give me any money?”

“Presents are made when people are on friendly footing,” said Song Jiang. “Why do you demand a present? You are a mean-souled fellow.”

The men standing about perspired with fear when they heard this. The head jailer was very angry and replied, “Banished thief! You are very impudent. How dare you call me a mean-souled fellow? Now, executioners, seize this fellow, and give him a hundred blows with the bamboo.”

But the men standing about were all on friendly terms with Song Jiang, and when they heard this order they all sneaked out of the room. Seeing this movement the head jailer was very much annoyed, and taking a stick he advanced to beat Song Jiang.

“Sir!” said Song Jiang, “for what crime are you going to beat me?”

“You are a criminal, and are entirely in my hands. Even if you only cough in my presence that would be a crime.”

“But even if I have a small fault I am not deserving of death.”

“You say that you are not deserving of death,” said the head jailer who was now very angry, “but if I decide to even kill you that can be easily done. I could kill you just like a fly.”

Song Jiang, spoke in a sneering manner, “Because I have not given you money you think I am deserving of death, but what should a friend of Wu Yong at Liangshan Marsh deserve?”

Upon hearing this the man hastily dropped his stick and asked, “What is that you say?”

“I said that Wu Yong may have a friend here.”

The man was startled, and seizing hold of Song Jiang asked, “Who are you? Why you talk like this?”

Song Jiang laughed and said, “I am Song Jiang of Yuncheng County, in Shandong.”

The man was surprised and saluted saying, “So you are Song Jiang, ‘Welcome Rain.’ But this is not a good place for us to talk, and I cannot kowtow to you here. I request you to accompany me to a place in the town where we can talk matters over.”

Song Jiang agreed to this and returned to his room. He took Wu Yong’s letter and some silver. He then locked the door, and told a messenger to look after his room. They left the prison, and going into the town entered an inn, and sat down in an upper room.

“Sir, when did you last see Wu Yong?” asked the head jailer.

Song Jiang took the letter and handed it to the man who after reading it placed it in his sleeve. He then knelt down and kowtowed to Song Jiang.

Song Jiang also kowtowed, and said, “What I said has upset you. Please forgive me.”

The jailer said, “I was informed that a criminal named Song was being sent to my prison, and I expected to get the usual five taels of silver. But although I waited more than ten days no money was sent to me, so today as I had a little leisure I went to investigate the matter. I never suspected that you were the man. I am afraid that my manner was rather offensive, and I ask you to overlook it kindly.”

“I heard of you through the jailer, and wished to meet you, but as I was not certain where you lived I thought it better to wait until you came to see me. So I had to wait a good few days. It was not that I did not intend to give you these five taels of silver, but simply that I wished to meet you personally. I am much pleased that we have fortunately met here today.”

Now who was this head jailer? He was no other than Dai Zong. Now in that period of the Song Dynasty, head jailers at Jinling were called “Master,” whereas in Hunan they were called “Superintendent.” This Superintendent Dai Zong had a very supernatural power. Whenever he had to travel on some extremely urgent matter he wrapped a puttee bearing a picture of a divine horse over his legs. He then by magic could travel a hundred and sixty li a day. If he doubled the number of puttees then by magic he could travel two hundred seventy li daily. That was why people called him the “Divine Traveler.”

These two men talked matters over, and became much pleased with each other. They summoned the waiter to their private compartment, and ordered a big dinner to be prepared. Song Jiang told Dai Zong all that had occurred on the journey, and the latter laid bare his heart and told Song Jiang all his intimate relations with Wu Yong. They had been drinking for some time, and were quite intimate when they heard a row down below.

The waiter rushed into their compartment, and said, “There is a man below making a row, and nobody but you, sir, can stop him.”

“Who is the man,” asked Dai Zong.

“He is the man Li, the ‘Iron Ox,’ who always accompanies you on your trips, and he wants to borrow money from our manager.”

Dai Zong laughed and said, “I know the fellow. He is very unruly. I request you, sir, to stay here, and I will go and bring him upstairs.”

Dai Zong went downstairs, and soon returned with a big wild-looking man.

Song Jiang was surprised at seeing him, and asked, “Sir, who is this?”

“This is my assistant, Li Kui, the ‘Black Whirlwind,’ and he comes from Yishui County, in Yizhou Prefecture, Shandong province. In his own village he is called Li, the ‘Iron Ox.’ There he killed a man and escaped here. The government issued a pardon afterwards, but he then had not enough money to take him back home. He is a great drunkard, and when drunk he is a dangerous man. He is skilled in the use of the battle-axe and the cudgels. At present he occupies a minor post in this prison.”

Li Kui looking at Song Jiang asked Dai Zong, “Who is this black fellow?”

Dai Zong laughed and remarked to Song Jiang, “Sir, you will understand that this fellow is rather vulgar and has no manners.”

“I only ask for his name,” said Li Kui, “so why do you say I am vulgar?”

“Younger brother,” said Dai Zong, “you ought to speak to me like this, ‘Who is this gentleman?’ But instead you asked, ‘Who is this black fellow?’ and that is not a nice expression. I will however tell you who he is. He is the hero whom you have often said you would try to meet.”

“Can he be Dark Song Jiang, ‘Welcome Rain,’ of Shandong?”

Dai Zong exclaimed, “Hey! How dare you refer to him in that coarse manner? And why don’t you immediately kowtow to him, instead of delaying so long?”

“If he is Song Jiang I will of course kowtow to him. But if he is some other fellow why should I kowtow? Sir, do not deceive me or laugh at me about this matter.”

“I am Dark Song Jiang of Shandong,” interposed Song Jiang.

Li Kui clapped his hands and said, “Master, why did you not say this before, and so enable the ‘Iron Ox’ to have the pleasure a little sooner.” He knelt on the floor and kowtowed.

Song Jiang raised him up and said, “Good fellow, please be seated.”

Dai Zong invited him to sit by his side, and drink wine with them.

“Very well,” said Li Kui, “but I shall want a large bowl of wine, and not one of these little cups.”

“Brother,” asked Song Jiang, “what was that row about down below?”

“I had a big ingot of silver in a pawn shop on which they had advanced me ten taels of silver, and today when I asked the innkeeper to loan me ten taels of silver to redeem the pledge at the pawn shop he declined to advance any loan so I got angry, and broke up many of the things in the shop. Just then you summoned me up here.”

“Was there any interest to be paid for the loan of the silver?” asked Song Jiang.

“Yes, there was interest to be paid on the redemption of ingot.”

Song Jiang put his hand in his pocket and drew an ingot of ten taels of silver. Handing this to Li Kui he said, “Here is some silver which will enable you to redeem the ingot from the pawn shop.”

Li Kui took the silver, and said, “Thank you. Please wait here until I come back from the pawn shop. When I have redeemed my ingot of silver I can change it, and repay you. Then we will all go and drink wine outside the town.”

“Please sit down, and drink wine with us now, and then go there afterwards,” said Song Jiang.

“I will go now, but be back very soon,” said Li Kui. He opened the curtains and departed.

“It would have been better if you had not lent him that money,” said Dai Zong.

“Why not?”

“Although he is straightforward yet he has a weakness for wine and gambling. When did he ever have an ingot of silver? He has cheated you to get the money. You noticed how quickly he left us when he had got the money. He has probably gone gambling, and if he wins he will return your loan. But if he loses how can he repay the loan? I shall then feel ashamed as he is my assistant.”

Song Jiang laughed, “But we are not strangers! Don’t talk about such small things. If he wants to gamble then never mind. My opinion is that he is a loyal and straightforward man.”

“He is a skilled athlete, and is very brave, but has a very coarse nature. In the prison when he is drunk he never hits the prisoners, but is always fighting with the brave jailers. I have had a lot of trouble with him. He always takes up the cudgels on behalf of the weaker brothers, and for this reason the people of this town are afraid of him.”

“Let us have another drink,” said Song Jiang, “and then go for a stroll outside the town.”

“I had forgotten,” said Dai Zong, “that I have not yet shown you the scenery round here.”

When Li Kui had left with the silver he thought, “Song Jiang is not a common man. We are not old friends, and yet he immediately advanced me this money. He is a hero who despises wealth and stands for justice—of that there is no shadow of doubt. These few days I have lost all my money in gambling so that I have not even a cash, and cannot invite him to dine with me. Now that I have the money I will gamble again, and when I have won I will then go and invite him to a feast.” Li Kui went outside the town, and entering the gambling den of Little Zhang Yi, he took his seat at the table, and put down his money. He called out, “Give me the dice box. I will be banker this time.”

The proprietor knew that Li Kui had always been fair in his gambling, so he said, “Elder brother, let us just finish this round, and then you can have the dice box.”

“But I want to gamble now.”

“You had better watch us on one side, and do the guessing,” said Little Zhang Yi.

“I am not going to guess. I want to gamble, and here is my stake five taels of silver.” He took the dice box, and asked, “Now what is your stake?”

“I will stake five taels also,” said Little Zhang Yi.

Li Kui threw the dice, but only low numbers turned up. Little Zhang Yi reached across for the money, but Li Kui said, “I have ten taels here.”

“But you staked five taels, and if you had won I would have paid you that amount.”

Li Kui did not answer, but threw the dice again, and again only low numbers turned up.

Little Zhang Yi laughed and said, “Do not be in such a hurry. You have shaken twice with bad luck. You had better rest a bit now.”

“But this money belongs to another man,” said Li Kui.

“That makes no difference. You will pay just the same. You have lost so we need not discuss anything else.”

“Very well,” said Li Kui. “But please lend me some money, and I will repay you tomorrow.”

“That is nonsensical talk,” said Little Zhang Yi. “There is an old saying, ‘In gambling there are no duties (to parents or brothers) observed.’ You have lost, so why wrangle about the money?”

“Will you give me the money or not?” asked Li Kui.

“Li Kui! You have always been straight in gambling, so how is it that today you wrangle about such a clear case?”

But Li Kui did not reply. Instead he grabbed the money, and also all the other’s silver on the table, and put it in his coat. He then said, “I have always been straight, but today I cannot observe the usual procedure.”

Little Zhang Yi now advanced to attempt to recover the money, but Li Kui struck him a blow, and knocked him to the ground, while all the other gamblers rushed forward to recover their money, but Li Kui hit on every side, and kept them off. He then rushed away to escape. The gatekeeper tried to stop him saving, “Where are you going?” but Li Kui pushed him on one side, opened the gate, and went out. The gamblers were following him and as they reached the gate they called out, “Li Kui, you are quite unfair to take all our money.” There was not one who was brave enough to pursue him, but as Li Kui was running, a man took hold of him and called out, “Why do you take other people’s money?”

“What has it got to do with you?” asked Li Kui. Turning his head he saw that the man was Dai Zong, and behind him was Song Jiang. He was surprised at seeing them there, and said, “Brothers, please excuse me. Previously the ‘Iron Ox’ has always been fair and square in gambling but today I have lost the money you gave me. I wished to invite you to a feast, but as I had no money I got annoyed, and grabbed other people’s money.”

Song Jiang laughed at this. “If you are short of money you can always come and ask for it from me. As you have lost all your money to him today, you had better give him the money.”

Li Kui took all the money out of his coat, and placed it in Song Jiang’s hands. The latter summoned Little Zhang Yi and handed him the money.

Little Zhang Yi said, “Li Kui lost ten taels of silver to me, but although he took it by force I will not take it back from him I have no desire to make him my enemy.”

“You can take the money,” said Song Jiang, “without being afraid of him in the future.”

Little Zhang Yi was however still unwilling to take the money.

“Has he already injured any of you?” asked Song Jiang.

“He struck the ‘banker,’ the other gamblers, and the gatekeeper,” said Little Zhang Yi.

“Then, take this ten taels of silver from Li Kui and distribute it among those men as compensation for their wounds. I will take Li Kui away, and he will not trouble you again.”

Little Zhang Yi took the money, and after expressing his thanks went his way.

Song Jiang asked the other two to go with him, and drink wine.

“On the riverside there is the Pipa Pavilion. It is the ruins of a building of the Tang Dynasty. We can drink wine there, and enjoy the view of the river.”

“We can buy some eatables in the town, and take them there with us,” suggested Song Jiang.

“There is no need for that,” said Dai Zong. “We can get all we want at the inn.”

“All right,” said Song Jiang. They all proceeded to the Pipa Pavilion, and entering they found about ten tables arranged. They selected a clean one, and sat down according to the rules of propriety—Song Jiang in the place of honor, Dai Zong facing him, and Li Kui at the side. They called for wine and food. The proprietor brought them large jars of the best wine, and Li Kui said, “Let us have big bowls, as I do not like these small cups.”

“What a rude fellow you are!” said Dai Zong. “You just drink your wine and keep quiet.”

“We two will have the small cups,” said Song Jiang to the proprietor, “but you can let this gentleman have a big bowl.”

The proprietor did this, and Li Kui laughingly said, “What a splendid fellow you are. People spoke well and truly of you. How well you have met my desires! Life will not be unworth to live when I have you as my sworn brother.”

After they had drunk about six cups of wine, Song Jiang saw that they were getting merry and he thought it would be nice to have some hot chilli fish soup. He asked Dai Zong whether they could get fresh fish at the inn.

Dai Zong laughed, “Have you not noticed that all the boats on the river are fishing boats? This is just the place to get abundant fish.”

“Well, how would it be if we had some fresh hot chilli fish soup?”

Dai Zong called the waiter and ordered fish for three. Very soon it was served, and when Song Jiang saw it he said, “Excellent food served in a superb dish. Although the inn is small yet the dishes are extremely fine.” He took up his chopsticks and invited the others to partake with him. He ate a little of the fish and tasted the soup. Li Kui, however, did not use his chopsticks, but took the fish in his hand, and ate it including the bones. Song Jiang could hardly suppress his laughter, and after taking a little more soup put down his chopsticks, and said:

“It is just a habit of mine to drink a little fish soup after drinking wine. This fish does not seem to be very nice.”

“I also do not like it,” said Dai Zong, “salted fish does not suit my taste.”

Li Kui finished the fish in his own bowl, and then remarked, “As you two elder brothers do not like it I will eat it for you.” So he reached across the table, and with his hand took the fish from Song Jiang’s bowl and ate it. He then did the same with Dai Zong’s bowl of fish. When he had finished the table was covered with the soup which had dripped from the fish.

Song Jiang summoned the waiter and told him, “Our brother here is very hungry so please bring plenty of meat for him, and I will pay for it.”

The waiter said they had only mutton—no beef. Upon hearing this Li Kui took the bowl of soup and threw it in the waiter’s face and clothes.

“Why do you do that?” asked Dai Zong.

“Because that fellow is so unreasonable,” replied Li Kui. “He insults me by saying that I can eat beef only.”

“I just asked you what meat you would like,” said the waiter.

“Go and bring what you have got,” said Song Jiang.

The waiter smothered his anger, and soon returned with a tray of mutton which he placed on the table. Li Kui without saying a word reached out his hands, and took the mutton. He had very soon eaten the whole lot.

“What a robust fellow!” exclaimed Song Jiang. “He is really a strong man.”

“How well you understand my nature!” replied Li Kui. “The mutton is much better than the fish.”

Dai Zong spoke to the waiter, “You have especially fine dishes, but the fish you served in them was not of the best. If you have any better fish please bring some for my friend here.”

The waiter laughed and said, “I dare not deceive you, gentlemen. The fish was caught yesterday. The live fish caught today is still on the boats and we cannot buy it until the wholesale dealer begins to sell. For this reason we cannot supply you with fresh fish today.”

Li Kui jumped up, “I myself will go, and buy a pair of live fish for my elder brothers.”

“You must not go,” said Dai Zong. “The waiter can go himself and ask for some fish.”

“The fishermen will let me have the fish at once,” said Li Kui. “It is a small thing.” He went off at once although Dai Zong tried to stop him.

Dai Zong spoke to Song Jiang, “I hope that you will excuse me for introducing that kind of man to you. He is not a respectable man, and I am somewhat ashamed of his manners.”

“That is his natural disposition, and how can you help it? I think he is a very sincere and honest man.”

They stayed in the Pipa Pavilion joking and talking for some time.

Li Kui arrived at the river bank, and there he saw about ten fishing boats all tied up in a line along the quay, under overhanging willow trees. Most of the fishermen were asleep on board, but there were a few repairing the nets, and some bathing in the river. That time was about the middle of June, and the sun was just setting in a red western sky. The wholesale merchant who sold the fish was not there.

Li Kui shouted out, “Bring me two fresh fish.”

A fisherman replied, “The wholesale merchant has not come, and we dare not sell any fish without him. You see that all the fish dealers are waiting for him over there.”

“Why should I wait for any damned fish merchant?” said Li Kui. “Let me have two fish at once.”

“We have not yet burnt the joss paper for the spirits, so how can we let you have any fish?” replied the fisherman.

Li Kui saw that they would not give him the fish so he jumped on to the boat. The fish was in tanks in the holds and although Li Kui did not understand the arrangements of the boat he removed a bamboo screen. The fishermen could not stop him, and the spectators on the bank were astounded. Li Kui groped inside the water, but could not find a single fish. These boats had a hole at the stern which kept the tanks supplied with fresh water. There was a small bamboo screen which although admitting the water prevented the fish from leaving the tank. Because of this arrangement the fish was always fresh when sold at Jiangzhou. When Li Kui had removed the bamboo screen all the fish in the tank had escaped. As he could find no fish Li Kui jumped on to another boat, and did the same thing again. About eighty fishermen now rushed at Li Kui with bamboo poles to beat him. He, seeing the advancing crowd, immediately stripped off his coat and shirt, and seizing about six of the nearest bamboo poles in both hands he broke them into pieces at once. The fishermen were astonished at his strength, and immediately unloosened the moorings of the other boats and sculled them away from the wharf. Li Kui was now very angry and taking one of the broken bamboo poles he leapt ashore, but the fish merchants there immediately put down their loads, and ran away. In the noise and confusion a man arrived on the scene, and the men called out, “Here comes the merchant. This black man has been trying to seize the fish, and so has frightened away all the fishing boats.”

“Who has dared to do this crazy thing?” asked the merchant.

The men pointed to Li Kui, “There he is. He threatens to beat us.”

“You fellow with a leopard’s heart and a tiger’s gall,” said the merchant, “how dare you come here, and upset my affairs like this?”

Li Kui saw that the merchant was big sized, and of about thirty-three years of age; he had a black moustache, and wore a blue turban with a red ribbon entwined in his hair; his shirt was of white cloth and he had a silk girdle; his hempen sandals were fastened with black and white strings; in his hand he carried a balance. He handed the balance to another man, and, advancing, shouted at Li Kui, “Whom are you going to fight?”

Li Kui did not answer, but lifted his bamboo pole to strike the man. The man stepped forward and seized hold of the pole. Li Kui seized hold of the man’s hair. The man raised his foot, and kicked Li Kui who, however, still held on to his opponent’s hair. The man struck several blows with his fist, but Li Kui did not mind these at all, but when the man kicked him, he pulled the man down to the ground, and hit him with his fist—his blows were like iron mallets and sounded like the beating of a drum. The man had no means of escape, but a bystander seized hold of Li Kui by the waist, and another man took hold of Li Kui’s hand, and they called out, “Stop this! Stop this!” Li Kui turning his head saw that the men holding him were Song Jiang and Dai Zong. He at once released his hold, and the man immediately rushed away.

Dai Zong complainingly said to Li Kui, “I told you not to come here for fish, and now I find you fighting. If you had killed the man would you not have had to answer for it in prison?”

“You are afraid that I would implicate you. If I had killed a man I would answer the charge of murder, and not you.”

“Brother, do not discuss the matter any further,” said Song Jiang. “Let us go and drink some more wine.”

Li Kui got his coat and shirt and throwing them over his arm he accompanied the other two. They had gone hardly ten steps when they heard a man behind cursing them. “You deserve death! I want to fight with you, and we will see who will win this time.” Li Kui turned round, and saw it was the very man he had just fought with. He was now stripped naked except for a small pair of drawers. His hair was bound up with red tapes on top of his head without a turban. He was by himself and carried a bamboo pole such as are used on boats. He was quickly approaching on a small boat and shouted, “You, rascal, deserving of hacking into a thousand pieces. If I were afraid of you I should not be brave. If you walk away, you are coward.”

Li Kui roared with rage at this, and throwing down his clothing he stepped forward. He and the man cursed each other and as Li Kui was standing on the bank the man threatened to strike his leg with the bamboo pole. Li Kui leapt on to the boat, and what happened occurred quicker than we can relate. The man had inveigled Li Kui to come on the boat, for as soon as Li Kui was on board he pushed the boat away from the wharf and it floated off into the current. Li Kui could swim only a little, so this movement filled him with fear. The man put down his pole, and addressed Li Kui, “Now we will fight and see who will win.” He seized Li Kui’s arm. “But before we fight I am going to give you a drink of water.” He was standing with both legs outstretched, and all at once he moved his weight onto one leg, turned the boat upside down and threw them both into the river.

Song Jiang and Dai Zong had watched all this from the bank, and were excited when both men fell into the river with a mighty splash. There was a big crowd of men also watching this, and one of them said, “That black man has now got his deserts. Even if he does not drown he will get a bellyful of water.” Now they could see both men in the water, and the boatman caught hold of Li Kui, and ducked him into the water again. They struggled together in the water, but there was not a single man on the wharf who did not applaud the spectacle. It was evident that Li Kui was getting the worst as he was frequently pushed down underneath the water. Song Jiang asked Dai Zong to get some one to act as peace-maker.

Dai Zong asked the crowd who the boatman was, and a man replied, “He is Zhang Shun, and is the wholesale dealer in fish here.”

Song Jiang was startled upon hearing this. “Surely can he not be Zhang Shun, the ‘White Fish’?”

“Yes, that is so.”

“I have a letter from his brother Zhang Heng in my quarters,” said Song Jiang.

Dai Zong hearing this shouted at the top of his voice; “Brother Zhang! Stop this fighting! Here is a letter from your elder brother. That man is one of us, and you can forgive him, and come here to talk matters over.”

Zhang Shun heard this, and also recognized Dai Zong so he released Li Kui and swam to the wharf. He saluted and said, “Sir, please excuse me.”

“In my behalf I will ask you to go and save that man’s life,” said Dai Zong. “When you return with him I will introduce you to somebody.”

Zhang Shun without a word dived into the river, and soon reached Li Kui who was in difficulties. Zhang Shun took hold of Li Kui with one hand, and treading the water, and swimming with the other hand drew Li Kui towards the wharf. Upon their landing all the crowd applauded. Song Jiang was filled with admiration at this fine display by Zhang Shun. Li Kui was alternately vomiting water and taking in deep drafts of breath.

“Let us all go to the Pipa Pavilion and talk matters over there,” suggested Dai Zong.

Li Kui and Zhang Shun put on their clothes, and all four set off for the inn. When they had all taken their seats Dai Zong spoke to Zhang Shun, “Brother, do you know me?”

“Yes, I know you, but I have had no opportunity of meeting you before this,” said Zhang Shun.

Dai Zong pointed at Li Kui and said, “He has offended you today, but surely you also know him.”

“Of course I know brother Li Kui. Only we have never been at loggerheads previously.”

“But you nearly drowned me today,” interposed Li Kui.

“You gave me a good beating too,” responded Zhang Shun.

“Well, I hope that you will both turn out to be good friends,” said Dai Zong. “Remember the saying, ‘Friends are often made after a fight.’”

“You avoid meeting me on the road,” said Li Kui.

“Well, I prefer to meet you in the water,” said Zhang Shun.

They all laughed at this joke, and agreed not to talk about that affair again.

Dai Zong pointing at Song Jiang asked Zhang Shun whether he knew who that was.

Zhang Shun said he did not. He did not remember having met him before.

Li Kui got up and said, “This elder brother is Song Jiang.”

“Can he be ‘Welcome Rain’ of Shandong—Song Jiang?”

“Yes, it is he,” said Dai Zong.

Zhang Shun kowtowed and said, “I have heard of your great fame for a long time, but have never expected to meet you. All travelers speak highly of you—your great generosity and your distribution of wealth in good cause.”

“Do not mention my small affairs,” said Song Jiang. “A few days ago I was at Jieyang Mountain, and stayed with Li Jun, ‘Muddy Water Dragon,’ and afterwards at Xunyang River I met your brother, Zhang Heng, who gave me a letter to hand to you. It is in my baggage at my lodgings.” He then explained how they had come to the Pipa Pavilion to drink wine and how Li Kui had gone to get some fresh fish against their wishes. How they had heard a row, and had come to see what had happened. He said he had been exceedingly fortunate in meeting three heroes in one day. He asked them all to drink three cups of wine with him to celebrate the auspicious occasion.

“If you wish fresh fish,” said Zhang Shun, “I myself will go and get some.”

Li Kui offered to go with him, but Dai Zong objected, “Have you not had enough river water for today?”

Zhang Shun laughed and taking Li Kui by the hand said, “You come with me for the fish, and we will see how the fishermen will look upon us.” So they both set off, and upon reaching the wharf Zhang Shun whistled and all the fishing boats in the river came at once to the wharf. Zhang Shun called out, “Which boat has caught golden carp today?”

Two men on different boats called out that they had the fish, and they soon brought about ten big carp to the wharf. Zhang Shun selected four of the biggest, strung them on a willow twig, and handing them to Li Kui told him to take them to the pavilion. He stayed behind to see the fish weighed and sold to the various dealers. When he got back to the Pipa Pavilion Song Jiang said to him, “Why do you send so many fine fish? One would have been enough.”

“These are only small things, and not worth mentioning,” said Zhang Shun; “you can take what you like, and any left over you can take along to your lodgings.”

They all sat down in order of seniority. The waiter was told to boil the fish, and to steam another one in wine. While this was being done they drank wine and chatted together about their respective affairs. They then saw a girl about sixteen years of age, wearing crepe clothes who came to their table, gave them the usual woman’s salutations, and commenced to sing. Now it happened that Li Kui was just then in the midst of relating a story of his own exploits, and found it interrupted by the song, and that the other three were only listening to the music. He was annoyed and jumping up he flipped the girl’s forehead with two fingers. The girl made an exclamation and fell down. She lay there without moving. The waiter was frightened and told the four guests that they must not attempt to leave until the matter had been investigated by the proper officials.

The unforeseen may sometimes end

Conditions which are perfect.

We will now relate how Song Jiang and his friends escaped from the pavilion.