第四十六回

第四十六回 病关索大闹翠屏山 拚命三火烧祝家庄

诗曰：

古贤遗训太叮咛，气酒财花少纵情。

李白沉江真鉴识，绿珠累主更分明。

铜山蜀道人何在？争帝图王客已倾。

寄语缙绅须领悟，休教四大日营营。

话说当下众邻舍结住王公，直到蓟州府里首告。知府却才升厅，一行人跪下告道：“这老子挑着一担糕粥，泼翻在地下。看时，却有两个死尸在地下，一个是和尚，一个是头陀，俱各身上无一丝。头陀身边有刀一把。”老子告道：“老汉每日常卖糕糜营生，只是五更出来赶趁。今朝起得早了些个，和这铁头猴子只顾走，不看下面，一跤绊翻，碗碟都打碎了。只见两个死尸，血碌碌的在地上，一时失惊叫起来，倒被邻舍扯住到官。望相公明镜，可怜见辨察。”知府随即取了供词，行下公文，委当方里甲带了仵作行人，押了邻舍、王公一干人等，下来检验尸首，明白回报。众人登场看检已了，回州禀复知府：“为被杀死僧人，系是报恩寺阇黎裴如海。傍边头陀，系是寺后胡道。和尚不穿一丝，身上三四道搠伤致命方死。胡道身边见有凶刀一把，只脖项上有勒死痕伤一道。想是胡道掣刀搠死和尚，惧罪自行勒死。”知府叫拘本寺首僧，鞫问缘故，俱各不知情由。知府也没个决断。当案孔目禀道：“眼见得是这和尚裸形赤体，必是和那头陀干甚不公不法的事，互相杀死，不干王公之事。邻舍都教召保听候，尸首着仰本寺住持，即备棺木盛殓，放在别处，立个互相杀死的文书便了。”知府道：“也是。”随即发落了一干人等，不在话下。

蓟州城里，有些好事的子弟们，亦知此事，在街上讲动了，因此做成一只曲儿来，道是：

“叵耐秃囚无状，做事只恁狂荡。暗约娇娥，要为夫妇，永同鸳帐。怎禁贯恶满盈，玷辱诸多和尚。血泊内横尸里巷，今日赤条条甚么模样。立雪齐腰，投岩喂虎，全不想祖师经上。目连救母生天，这贼秃为娘身丧。”

后来蓟州城里书会们备知了这件事，拿起笔来，又做了这只《临江仙》词，教唱道：

“破戒沙门情最恶，终朝女色昏迷。头陀做作亦跷蹊。睡来同衾枕，死去不分离。 小和尚片时狂性起，大和尚魄丧魂飞。长街上露出这些儿。只因胡道者，害了海阇黎。”

这件事满城里都讲动了，那妇人也惊得呆了，自不敢说，只是肚里暗暗地叫苦。杨雄在蓟州府里，有人告道杀死和尚、头陀，心里早瞧了七八分，寻思：“此一事准是石秀做出来了，我前日一时间错怪了他。我今日闲些，且去寻他，问他个真实。”正走过州桥前来，只听得背后有人叫道：“哥哥那里去？”杨雄回过头来，见是石秀，便道：“兄弟，我正没寻你处。”石秀道：“哥哥且来我下处，和你说话。”把杨雄引到客店里小房内，说道：“哥哥，兄弟不说谎么？”杨雄道：“兄弟，你休怪我。是我一时愚蠢不是了，酒后失言，反被那婆娘瞒过了，怪兄弟相闹不得。我今特来寻贤弟负荆请罪。”石秀道：“哥哥，兄弟虽是个不才小人，却是顶天立地的好汉，如何肯做这等之事！怕哥哥日后中了奸计，因此来寻哥哥，有表记教哥哥看。”将过和尚、头陀的衣裳：“尽剥在此。”杨雄看了，心头火起，便道：“兄弟休怪。我今夜碎割了这贱人，出这口恶气！”石秀笑道：“你又来了！你既是公门中勾当的人，如何不知法度？你又不曾拿得他真奸，如何杀得人？倘或是小弟胡说时，却不错杀了人？”杨雄道：“是此怎生罢休得？”石秀道：“哥哥只依着小弟的言说，教你做个好男子。”杨雄道：“贤弟，你怎地教我做个好男子？”石秀道：“此间东门外有一座翠屏山，好生僻静。哥哥到明日，只说道：‘我多时不曾烧香，我今来和大嫂同去。’把那妇人赚将出来，就带了迎儿同到山上。小弟先在那里等候着，当头对面，把这是非都对得明白了，哥哥那时许与一纸休书，弃了这妇人，却不是上着？”杨雄道：“兄弟何必说得！你身上清洁，我已知了。都是那妇人谎说。”石秀道：“不然，我也要哥哥知道他往来真实的事。”杨雄道：“既然兄弟如此高见，必不差了。我明日准定和那贱人来，你却休要误了。”石秀道：“小弟不来时，所言俱是虚谬。”

杨雄当下别了石秀，离了客店，且去府里办事。至晚回家，并不提起，亦不说甚，只和每日一般。次日天明起来，对那妇人说道：“我昨夜梦见神人叫我，说有旧愿不曾还得。向日许下东门外岳庙里那炷香愿，未曾还得。今日我闲些，要去还了，须和你同去。”那妇人道：“你便自去还了罢，要我去何用？”杨雄道：“这愿心却是当初说亲时许下的，必须要和你同去。”那妇人道：“既是恁地，我们早吃些素饭，烧汤洗浴了去。”杨雄道：“我去买香纸，雇轿子。你便洗浴了，梳头插带了等我。就叫迎儿也去走一遭。”杨雄又来客店里相约石秀：“饭罢便来，兄弟休误。”石秀道：“哥哥，你若抬得来时，只教在半山里下了轿。你三个步行上来，我自在上面一个僻处等你。不要带闲人上来。”

杨雄约了石秀，买了纸烛归来，吃了早饭。那妇人不知有此事，只顾打扮的齐齐整整。迎儿也插带了。轿夫扛轿子，早在门前伺候。杨雄道：“泰山看家，我和大嫂烧香了便回。”潘公道：“多烧香，早去早回。”那妇人上了轿子，迎儿跟着，杨雄也随在后面。出得东门来，杨雄低低分付轿夫道：“与我抬上翠屏山去，我自多还你些轿钱。”不到一个时辰，早来到那翠屏山上。但见：

远如蓝靛，近若翠屏。涧边老桧摩云，岩上野花映日。漫漫青草，满目尽是荒坟；袅袅白杨，回首多应乱冢。一望并无闲寺院，崔嵬好似北邙山。

原来这座翠屏山，却在蓟州东门外二十里，都是人家的乱坟，上面并无庵舍寺院，层层尽是古墓。当下杨雄把那妇人抬到半山，叫轿夫歇下轿子，拔去葱管，搭起轿帘，叫那妇人出轿来。妇人问道：“却怎地来这山里？”杨雄道：“你只顾且上去。轿夫只在这里等候，不要来，少刻一发打发你酒钱。”轿夫道：“这个不妨，小人自只在此间伺候便了。”

杨雄引着那妇人并迎儿，三个人上了四五层山坡，只见石秀坐在上面。那妇人道：“香纸如何不将来？”杨雄道：“我自先使人将上去了。”把妇人一扶，扶到一处古墓里。石秀便把包裹、腰刀、杆棒都放在树根，前来道：“嫂嫂拜揖！”那妇人连忙应道：“叔叔怎地也在这里？”一头说，一面肚里吃了一惊。石秀道：“在此专等多时。”杨雄道：“你前日对我说道，叔叔多遍把言语调戏你，又将手摸着你胸前，问你有孕也未。今日这里无人，你两个对的明白。”那妇人道：“哎呀！过了的事，只顾说甚么。”石秀睁着眼来道：“嫂嫂，你怎么说这般闲话！正要哥哥面前说个明白。”那妇人道：“叔叔，你没事自把儿提做甚么！”石秀道：“嫂嫂，你休要硬诤，教你看个证见。”便去包裹里取出海阇黎并头陀的衣服来，撒放地下，道：“你认得么？”那妇人看了，飞红了脸，无言可对。石秀飕地掣出腰刀，便与杨雄说道：“此事只问迎儿，便知端的。”

杨雄便揪过那丫头，跪在面前，喝道：“你这小贱人，快好好实说，怎地在和尚房里入奸？怎生约会把香桌儿为号？如何教头陀来敲木鱼？实对我说，饶你这条性命；但瞒了一句，先把你剁做肉泥。”迎儿叫道：“官人，不干我事，不要杀我！我说与你。”却把僧房中吃酒，上楼看佛牙，赶他下楼来看潘公酒醒说起，“两个背地里约下，第三日教头陀来化斋饭，叫我取铜钱布施与他。娘子和他约定，但是官人当牢上宿，要我掇香桌儿放出后门外，便是暗号。头陀来看了，却去报知和尚。当晚海阇黎扮做俗人，带顶头巾入来。五更里，只听那头陀来敲木鱼响，高声念佛为号，叫我开后门放他出去。但是和尚来时，瞒我不得，只得对我说了。娘子许我一副钏镯、一套衣裳，我只得随顺了。似此往来，通有数十遭，后来便吃杀了。又与我几件首饰，教我对官人说石叔叔把言语调戏一节。这个我眼里不曾见，因此不敢说。只此是实，并无虚谬。”迎儿说罢，石秀便道：“哥哥得知么？这般言语，须不是兄弟教他如此说。请哥哥却问嫂嫂备细缘由。”杨雄揪过那妇人来，喝道：“贼贱人！丫头已都招了，便你一些儿休赖，再把实情对我说了，饶了你贱人一条性命！”那妇人说道：“我的不是了！你看我旧日夫妻之面，饶恕了我这一遍！”石秀道：“哥哥，含糊不得，须要问嫂嫂一个明白备细缘由。”杨雄喝道：“贱人，你快说！”那妇人只得把偷和尚的事，从做道场夜里说起，直至往来，一一都说了。石秀道：“你却怎地对哥哥倒说我来调戏你？”那妇人道：“前日他醉了骂我，我见他骂得跷蹊，我只猜是叔叔看见破绽说与他。到五更里，又提起来问叔叔如何，我却把这段话来支吾。实是叔叔并不曾恁地。”石秀道：“今日三面说得明白了，任从哥哥心下如何措置。”杨雄道：“兄弟，你与我拔了这贱人的头面，剥了衣裳，我亲自伏侍他。”石秀便把那妇人头面首饰衣服都剥了。杨雄割两条裙带来，亲自用手把妇人绑在树上。石秀也把迎儿的首饰都去了，递过刀来说道：“哥哥，这个小贱人留他做甚么，一发斩草除根。”杨雄应道：“果然。兄弟把刀来，我自动手！”迎儿见头势不好，却待要叫，杨雄手起一刀，挥作两段。那妇人在树上叫道：“叔叔劝一劝！”石秀道：“嫂嫂，哥哥自来伏侍你。”杨雄向前，把刀先斡出舌头，一刀便割了，且教那妇人叫不的。杨雄却指着骂道：“你这贼贱人，我一时间误听不明，险些被你瞒过了！一者坏了我兄弟情分，二乃久后必然被你害了性命，不如我今日先下手为强。我想你这婆娘，心肝五脏怎地生着？我且看一看！”一刀从心窝里直割到小肚子上，取出心肝五脏，挂在松树上。杨雄又将这妇人七事件分开了，却将头面衣服都拴在包裹里了。

杨雄道：“兄弟你且来，和你商量一个长便。如今一个奸夫，一个淫妇，都已杀了，只是我和你投那里去安身立命？”石秀道：“兄弟已寻思下了，自有个所在，请哥哥便行，不可耽迟。”杨雄道：“却是那里去？”石秀道：“哥哥杀了人，兄弟又杀人，不去投梁山泊入伙，却投那里去？”正是：

奸淫妇女说缘因，顷刻尸骸化作尘。

若欲避他灾与祸，梁山泊里好潜身。

杨雄道：“且住！我和你又不曾认得他那里一个人，如何便肯收录我们？”石秀道：“哥哥差矣。如今天下江湖上皆闻山东及时雨宋公明招贤纳士，结识天下好汉。谁不知道！放着我和你一身好武艺，愁甚不收留！”杨雄道：“凡事先难后易，免得后患。我却不合是公人，只恐他疑心，不肯安着我们。”石秀笑道：“他不是押司出身？我教哥哥一发放心，前者哥哥认义兄弟那一日，先在酒店里和我吃酒的那两个人，一个是梁山泊神行太保戴宗，一个是锦豹子杨林。他与兄弟十两一锭银子，尚兀自在包里，因此可去投托他。”杨雄道：“既有这条门路，我去收拾了些盘缠便走。”石秀道：“哥哥，你也这般兜搭。倘或入城事发拿住，如何脱身？放着包裹里见有若干钗钏首饰，兄弟又有些银两，再有三五个人也勾用了，何须又去取讨。惹起是非来，如何救解？这事少时便发，不可迟滞，我们只好望山后走。”

石秀便背上包裹，拿了杆棒，杨雄插了腰刀在身边，提了朴刀。却待要离古墓，只见松树后走出一个人来，叫道：“清平世界，荡荡乾坤，把人割了，却去投奔梁山泊入伙。我听得多时了。”杨雄、石秀看时，那人纳头便拜。杨雄却认得这人，姓时名迁，祖贯是高唐州人氏，流落在此，则一地里做些飞檐走壁，跳篱骗马的勾当。曾在蓟州府里吃官司，却得杨雄救了他。人都叫他做鼓上蚤。怎见得时迁的好处？有诗为证：

骨软身躯健，眉浓眼目鲜。

形容如怪族，行步似飞仙。

夜静穿墙过，更深绕屋悬。

偷营高手客，鼓上蚤时迁。

当时杨雄便问时迁：“你说甚么？”时迁道：“节级哥哥听禀：小人近日没甚道路，在这山里掘些古坟，觅两分东西。因见哥哥在此行事，不敢出来冲撞，却听说去投梁山泊入伙。小人如今在此，只做得些偷鸡盗狗的勾当，几时是了。跟随的二位哥哥上山去，却不好！未知尊意肯带挈小人么？”石秀道：“既是好汉中人物，他那里如今招纳壮士，那争你一个！若如此说时，我们一同去。”时迁道：“小人却认得小路去。”当下引了杨雄、石秀，三个人自取小路下后山，投梁山泊去了。

却说这两个轿夫在半山里等到红日平西，不见三个下来。分付了，又不敢上去。挨不过了，不免信步寻上山来，只见一群老鸦，成团打块在古墓上。两个轿夫上去看时，原来却是老鸦夺那肚肠吃，以此聒噪。轿夫看了，吃那一惊，慌忙回家报与潘公，一同去蓟州府里首告。知府随即差委一员县尉，带了仵作行人，来翠屏山检验尸首已了。回复知府，禀道：“检得一口妇人潘巧云，割在松树边。使女迎儿，杀死在古墓下。坟边遗下一堆妇人、头陀衣服。”知府听了，想起前日海和尚、头陀的事，备细询问潘公。那老子把这僧房酒醉一节，和这石秀出去的缘由，都说了一遍。知府道：“眼见得是此妇人与这和尚通奸，那女使、头陀做脚。想这石秀那厮路见不平，杀死头陀、和尚。杨雄这厮今日杀了妇人、女使无疑。定是如此，只拿得杨雄、石秀，便知端的。”当即行移文书，出给赏钱，捕获杨雄、石秀；其馀轿夫人等，各放回听候。潘公自去买棺木，将尸首殡葬，不在话下。

再说杨雄、石秀、时迁离了蓟州地面，在路夜宿晓行，不则一日，行到郓州地面。过得香林洼，早望见一座高山，不觉天色渐渐晚了。看见前面一所靠溪客店，三个人行到门前看时，但见：

前临官道，后傍大溪。数百株垂柳当门，一两树梅花傍屋。荆榛篱落，周回绕定茅茨；芦苇帘栊，前后遮藏土炕。右壁厢一行书写：门关暮接五湖宾；左势下七字句道：庭户朝迎三岛客。虽居野店荒村外，亦有高车驷马来。

当日黄昏时候，店小二却待关门，只见这三个人撞将入来。小二问道：“客人来路远，以此晚了。”时迁道：“我们今日走了一百里以上路程，因此到得晚了。”小二哥放他三个入来安歇，问道：“客人不曾打火么？”时迁道：“我们自理会。”小二道：“今日没客歇，灶上有两只锅干净，客人自用不妨。”时迁问道：“店里有酒肉卖么？”小二道：“今日早起有些肉，都被近村人家买了去，只剩得一瓮酒在这里，并无下饭。”时迁道：“也罢，先借五升米来做饭，却理会。”小二哥取出米来与时迁，就淘了，做起一锅饭来。石秀自在房中安顿行李。杨雄取出一只钗儿，把与店小二，先回他这瓮酒来吃，明日一发算帐。小二哥收了钗儿，便去里面掇出那瓮酒来开了，将一碟儿熟菜放在桌子上。时迁先提一桶汤来，叫杨雄、石秀洗了脚手，一面筛酒来，就来请小二哥一处坐地吃酒。放下四只大碗，斟下酒来吃。

石秀看见店中檐下插着十数把好朴刀，问小二哥道：“你家店里怎的有这军器？”小二哥应道：“都是主人家留在这里。”石秀道：“你家主人是甚么样人？”小二道：“客人，你是江湖上走的人，如何不知我这里的名字？前面那座高山便唤做独龙冈山。山前有一座另巍巍冈子，便唤做独龙冈，上面便是主人家住宅。这里方圆三百里，却唤做祝家庄。庄主太公祝朝奉[1]，有三个儿子，称为祝氏三杰。庄前庄后有五七百人家，都是佃户，各家分下两把朴刀与他。这里唤作祝家店，常有数十个家人来店里上宿，以此分下朴刀在这里。”石秀道：“他分军器在店里何用？”小二道：“此间离梁山泊不远，地方较近，只恐他那里贼人来借粮，因此准备下。”石秀道：“我与他些银两，回与我一把朴刀用，如何？”小二哥道：“这个却使不得，器械上都编着字号。我小人吃不得主人家的棍棒，我这主人法度不轻。”石秀笑道：“我自取笑你，你却便慌。且只顾饮酒。”小二道：“小人吃不得了，先去歇了。客人自便，宽饮几杯。”

小二哥去了，杨雄、石秀又自吃了一回酒，只见时迁道：“哥哥要肉吃么？”杨雄道：“店小二说没了肉卖，你又那里得来？”时迁嘻嘻的笑着，去灶上提出一只老大公鸡来。杨雄问道：“那里得这鸡来？”时迁道：“小弟却才去后面净手，见这只鸡在笼里。寻思没甚与哥哥吃酒，被我悄悄把去溪边杀了，提桶汤去后面，就那里挦得干净，煮得熟了，把来与二位哥哥吃。”杨雄道：“你这厮还是这等贼手贼脚！”石秀笑道：“还不改本行。”三个笑了一回，把这鸡来手撕开吃了，一面盛饭来吃。只见那店小二略睡一睡，放心不下，扒将起来，前后去照管。只见厨桌上有些鸡毛，都是鸡骨头，却去灶上看时，半锅肥汁。小二慌忙去后面笼里看时，不见了鸡，连忙出来问道：“客人，你们好不达道理！如何偷了我店里报晓的鸡吃？”时迁道：“见鬼了耶耶！我自路上买得这只鸡来吃，何曾见你的鸡？”小二道：“我店里的鸡却那里去了？”时迁道：“敢被野猫拖了？黄猩子吃了？鹞鹰扑了去？我却怎地得知。”小二道：“我的鸡才在笼里，不是你偷了是谁？”石秀道：“不要争，值几钱，赔了你便罢。”店小二道：“我的是报晓鸡，店内少他不得。你便赔我十两银子也不济，只要还我鸡！”石秀大怒道：“你诈哄谁，老爷不赔你便怎地？”店小二笑道：“客人，你们休要在这里讨野火吃。只我店里不比别处客店，拿你到庄上，便做梁山泊贼寇解了去。”石秀听了大骂道：“便是梁山泊好汉，你怎么拿了我去请赏！”杨雄也怒道：“好意还你些钱，不赔你怎地拿我去！”小二叫一声：“有贼！”只见店里赤条条地走出三五个大汉来，径奔杨雄、石秀来，被石秀手起，一拳一个都打翻了。小二哥正待要叫，被时迁一掌打肿了脸，作声不得。这几个大汉都从后门走了。杨雄道：“兄弟，这厮们一定去报人来。我们快吃了饭走了罢。”三个当下吃饱了，把包裹分开腰了，穿上麻鞋，跨了腰刀，各人去枪架上拣了一条好朴刀。石秀道：“左右只是左右，不可放过了他。”便去灶前寻了把草，灶里点个火，望里面四下焠着。看那草房被风一搧，刮刮杂杂火起来，那火顷刻间天也似般大。三个拽开脚步，望大路便走。正是：

小忿原来为攘鸡，便教兵燹及黔黎。

智多星用连环计，祝氏庄园作粉齑。

三个人行了两个更次，只见前面后面火把不计其数，约有一二百人，发着喊赶将来。石秀道：“且不要慌，我们且拣小路走。”杨雄道：“且住，一个来杀一个，两个来杀一双，待天色明朗却走。”说犹未了，四下里合拢来。杨雄当先，石秀在后，时迁在中，三个挺着朴刀来战庄客。那伙人初时不知，轮着枪棒赶来，杨雄手起朴刀，早戳翻了五七个。前面的便走，后面的急待要退，石秀赶入去，又搠翻了六七人。四下里庄客见说杀伤了十数人，都是要性命的，思量不是头，都退了去。三个得一步，赶一步。正走之间，喊声又起，枯草里舒出两把挠钩，正把时迁一挠钩搭住，拖入草窝去了。石秀急转身来救时迁，背后又舒出两把挠钩来，却得杨雄眼快，便把朴刀一拨，两把挠钩拨开去了，将朴刀望草里便戳，发声喊，都走了。两个见捉了时迁，怕深入重地，亦无心恋战，顾不得时迁了，且四下里寻路走罢。见东边火把乱明，小路上又无丛林树木，两个便望东边来。众庄客四下里赶不着，自救了带伤的人去，将时迁背剪绑了，押送祝家庄来。

且说杨雄、石秀走到天明，望见前面一座村落酒店。石秀道：“哥哥，前头酒肆里买碗酒饭吃了去，就问路程。”两个便入村店里来，倚了朴刀，对面坐下，叫酒保取些酒来，就做些饭吃。酒保一面铺下菜蔬按酒，盪将酒来。方欲待吃，只见外面一个人奔将入来，身材长大，生得阔脸方腮，眼鲜耳大，貌丑形粗，穿一领茶褐绸衫，戴一顶万字头巾，系一条白绢搭膊，下面穿一双油膀靴，叫道：“大官人教你们挑担来庄上纳。”店主人连忙应道：“装了担，少刻便送到庄上。”那人分付了，便转身又说道：“快挑来。”却待出门，正从杨雄、石秀面前过。杨雄却认得他，便叫一声：“小郎，你如何却在这里？不看我一看？”那人回转头来看了一看，却也认得，便叫道：“恩人如何来到这里？”望着杨雄、石秀便拜。

不是杨雄撞见了这个人，有分教：梁山泊内，恼犯了那个英雄；独龙冈前，乱杀下一堆尸首。直教祝家庄上三番闹，宛子城中大队来。毕竟杨雄、石秀遇见的那人是谁，且听下回分解。

[1] 朝奉——唐时的官名，到宋时一般用做对绅豪尊称。

CHAPTER 45. Yang Xiong Murders His Wife; Shi Xiu Sets Fire to an Inn

UPON reaching the yamen the neighbors went into the court, and the magistrate soon came and took his seat. The neighbors all knelt down, and made a statement: “This hawker fell down with his load of cakes and congee. When we came we saw two corpses on the ground—one was a monk, and the other a traveling monk—and they were both naked. There was a monk by the side of the traveling monk.”

The hawker then stated: “I always go out early every morning selling my cakes and congee. This morning as I was going along I stumbled over something at that spot, and all my food was spilt, and my cups and plates broken. Sir, please have pity on me! I was surprised to see the two dead bodies. When the neighbors came they arrested me, and brought me to your yamen. I request your honor to have the matter carefully investigated.”

The magistrate had this statement duly recorded, and issued an order for the neighborhood chief and the coroner to examine the case and report. These men held a post-mortem and duly made their report in detail. They gave their opinions that the traveling monk for some unknown reason had murdered the monk Hai, and then being conscious of his guilt had committed suicide. The magistrate summoned all the monks of that temple to come to court, but when he explained to them the conclusions of the coroner there was not a single one who could throw any light on the mystery.

The magistrate released the neighbors on bail and ordered the temple to arrange for the burial.

On this strange amorous affairs some neighbors composed a song:

We laugh at the monk of Baoen Monastery,

Who loved a woman willing,

And risked their lives for pleasures gay,

The idle moments filling.

For pleasure which was uncontrolled,

The blind, dumb Gods consented,

For well they knew the sin unfold,

They’d both be unlamented.

They should have waited and avoid

The trial—who was stronger;

The ground from blood would have been free,

And they had lived much longer.

Other neighbors listening to this song also composed one as follows:

Lust invites murder,

Without failure;

And lays down the cleaver,

By a naked figure.

Big baldhead died today.

With little baldhead lusty;

Pursued by bosom comrade,

In all faith mighty.

These two songs were sung in every street in that neighborhood. The wife of Yang Xiong heard them with a distracted stare, but she dared not say a word and felt much worried.

Yang Xiong heard of the two murders, and understood who had done the deed. He thought, “I had unjustly condemned him on insufficient evidence. I have leisure today, so I will go and find Shi Xiu, and ask him what he knows about the case.”

Yang Xiong left the yamen, and had just crossed the bridge when he heard someone behind him calling out, “Elder brother, where are you going?” Upon turning round he saw that it was Shi Xiu and said, “Younger brother, I was looking for you.”

“Elder brother, please come to my place where we can talk matters over.” They both went to Shi Xiu’s inn where they sat down in a small room. There Shi Xiu asked, “Elder brother, did I not tell you the truth?”

‘‘Younger brother, please excuse me for the mistake I made. I got drunk that day, and accused my wife, and she turned round and said many bad things about you. I was now coming to find you, and was going to confess my fault.”

“Elder brother, I may not be without a fault, but I am a perfectly honest man so how could you think of me as capable of doing such things? I was afraid that you had been deceived by some ruse, and therefore, I came to find you, and show you a proof of my innocence.” He thereupon spread out the monks’ robes.

When Yang Xiong saw the robes he became excited, and said, “Younger brother, excuse me. Tonight I will hack that woman into small pieces, and so appease my wrath.”

Shi Xiu laughed, “You are getting angry again. As you work in the yamen you are supposed to know all about the law. How could you kill her when you have not caught her in the act? Also if I have been telling you nonsense, you would make a mistake in killing her.”

“Then what should I do?”

“It would be better if you follow my advice. Outside the East Gate there is Cuibing Mountain, a very lonely spot. Tomorrow you can tell your wife that you want her to accompany you to sacrifice at a temple. She can also take her maidservant with her. I will go there beforehand and when you arrive you can confront her with me, and we will go over the whole matter. Then you can sign a bill of divorcement and release her. Would not that be better?”

“You need not go into details. I know your innocence. That woman is the liar.”

“Of course I want you to know all that has passed between those two.”

“Your plan is admirable,” said Yang Xiong. “I will go tomorrow with that slut, and I hope that you must not fail to come.”

“If I do not turn up tomorrow then you can assume that I am the liar,” said Shi Xiu.

The two friends then took leave of each other, and Yang Xiong returned to his work at the yamen. Upon reaching home that evening he did not say a word, but let everything be as usual. The following morning when he got up he, however, said to his wife, “Last night I dreamt that a spirit accused me of having overlooked some vow. I now remember that I once took a vow at a temple outside the East Gate, and have not yet fulfilled my oath. As I have leisure today, I will go there and would like you to come with me.”

“Why not go alone,” replied his wife. “What is the use for me to go with you?”

“My oath concerned our marriage so that it is necessary for both of us to go.”

“In that case we will get away immediately after breakfast,” said his wife.

“I will go and hire a sedan chair, and buy some incense,” said Yang Xiong. He also told the maidservant to get ready, and go with them. He then went to the inn and spoke to Shi Xiu of the arrangements made. Shi Xiu asked him to leave the sedan chairs when halfway up the hill, and walk the remainder of the distance, as it was not advisable to have outsiders about the temple. Yang Xiong agreed to this, and then went to buy the incense and paper. When he got back he found that his wife and servant were dressed up in their best. The wife got in the sedan chair, and Yang Xiong and the maidservant walked behind. When outside the East Gate Yang Xiong quietly told the carriers that they were to go to Cuibing Mountain, and that he would pay them well. They duly reached the mountain in about two hours as the place was only about seven li from the town. The mountain was covered with green grass, and tall poplars, but there was no temple there. When halfway up the mountain Yang Xiong stopped, and told the chair carriers to rest at that place while the three of them would walk the rest of the way.

His wife asked, “Why have we come to such a place as this?”

But Yang Xiong told her not to ask useless questions. The three then started off, and soon reached the top of the mountain where they met Shi Xiu.

The wife then asked, “How is it you did not bring the paper and incense up here?”

“I told one of the men to bring that up here,” replied Yang Xiong. He took his wife towards an ancient grave that was there. Shi Xiu put his bundle and sword and stick against the trunk of a tree after which he saluted Pan Qiaoyun.

She hurriedly asked, “How is it that you have come here?” As she spoke she stared with fear.

“I have been waiting here for you for a long time,” he replied.

Yang Xiong turned to his wife, “A few days ago you made some serious charges against my sworn brother that he laid his hand on your breasts. There is nobody about here so you two can now discuss that matter, and make things clear.”

The wife exclaimed, “Ai Ya! Why talk about bygone matters?”

Shi Xiu stared at her, “Madame, why not?”

“There is nothing to talk about unless you yourself have said something,” she replied.

“Madame! Is that so?” He then opened his bundle and spread out on the ground the dead monks’ clothes. “Do you recognize this clothing?” asked Shi Xiu.

Qiaoyun blushed scarlet, and did not reply.

Shi Xiu seized the sword, and handed it to Yang Xiong, saying, “You had better ask the maidservant.”

Yang Xiong seized the girl, and made her kneel down before him. He spoke in a loud voice, “Now you speak the truth and I will forgive you for what you have done. But if you speak only one lie I shall most certainly kill you on the spot.”

“Sir,” replied the maidservant, “this is not an affair of mine. Do not kill me, and I will speak the truth.” She then told him all that had occurred between his wife and the monk, and how she had been bribed to do her part of the plot.

Yang Xiong now seized his wife and called out, “Now bitch, tell me the truth, and if you say no falsehood I will not kill you.”

“It was my mistake,” said his wife. “As we are man and wife, I beg for your forgiveness.”

“We cannot pass this over so easily, elder brother,” said Shi Xiu. “Why should she not give a full explanation?”

“I agree! Bitch, give me the whole truth!” shouted Yang Xiong.

The woman then confessed completely, and told all that had been arranged and carried on with the monk.

Yang Xiong then told Shi Xiu to strip his wife naked which was done. Yang Xiong then took his sash and tied her to the tree. Shi Xiu took the ornaments out of the servant’s hair, and said to Yang Xiong while he handed him the sword, “Why should we spare this little plotter. If she remains there will always be a source from which trouble might grow.”

“That is so,” said Yang Xiong; “I will kill her myself.”

The maidservant saw that she was in a dangerous position, and attempted to shriek, but Yang Xiong, with one blow, cut her in two.

The woman tied to the tree called out, “Brother-in-law, please intervene!”

“This is not my affair,” replied Shi Xiu.

Yang Xiong stepped up to the tree, took hold of the woman’s tongue, and cut it off with his sword. He then pointed at her and said, “You whore! I have almost been deceived by you. You nearly estranged me from my sworn brother, and might have put an end to my life some day. I think you must have some strange heart inside you so I am going to have a look at it.” He plunged his sword into her breast, ripped open her belly. He took out her heart, spleen, liver, kidneys, and lungs, and hung them up on the tree, and then cut her into seven parts. He then asked Shi Xiu to come near and discuss matters. He said, “Now we have killed the adulterer and the adulteress too. But where shall we now go for safety?”

“We have both committed murder,” said Shi Xiu, “and the only thing left for us is both to join the brigands at Liangshan Marsh.”

“Stop a bit! Neither of us know a single person at that place so it is unlikely that they will accept us.”

“You overlook the fact, elder brother, that Song Jiang is in charge there, and he is famous everywhere as a man who is always on the lookout for heroes. We both have military skill so how could he turn us away?”

“When things are difficult at first and quite easy afterwards there will be no regret. But as I am an official I am afraid that I should arouse their suspicions, and that they would not be willing to welcome us.”

Shi Xiu laughed and asked, “Was he not a clerk in a yamen himself at one time? But you must not forget that on the day we first drank in an inn I had been with two men, and they were leaders from Liangshan Marsh. They even gave me a present of silver, and they will remember me.”

“Very well, younger brother, you go on the road to Liangshan Marsh, and I will return home and get some money to cover our traveling expenses.”

“That will not do, because if you enter the town you would have a difficulty in getting out if they hear of what has happened today. People would undoubtedly inquire about your wife’s absence. I have however enough money in this bundle to cover all our traveling expenses. So we had better both go together straightway by the road on the other side of the mountains.”

They both then packed up their things and set forth. They had only gone a short distance when they heard a voice behind them, and turning round saw a man emerging from the trees. He called, “I have been listening to all that you have said, and after committing murder in broad daylight you are now escaping to Liangshan Marsh.” Yang Xiong recognized the man as Shi Qian, a native of Gaotang Prefecture, who however had lived in that neighborhood for many years. He was well known as a housebreaker, and was particularly good in scaling walls. He was known as the ‘Flea on the Drum.’

“What are you doing here?” asked Yang Xiong.

“Nowadays I have nothing to do,” replied Shi Qian, “so I came here to open some ancient grave and take the things. I happened to see you arrive, and was a witness of what happened but I dared not intervene. I heard you two talking about going to Liangshan Marsh and joining the bandits. For a long time I have been stealing all kinds of things even chickens, cats, and dogs so I thought I had better join you. Would you mind if I go along with you?”

“I think they would be pleased to have you at Liangshan Marsh,” said Shi Xiu. “You can accompany us if you like.”

Shi Qian knew a small footpath, and led the other two.

The two sedan chair carriers waited until evening without seeing the three persons return. Although Yang Xiong had told them not to go up the mountain yet at last they went to see what was the cause of the delay. They saw a flock of crows on a grave making a great noise, and upon approaching they saw that the crows were eating the viscera hanging from the tree. They were startled, and immediately hurried down the mountain, and informed Old Pan who went with them to the yamen to report the case. The magistrate heard the reports, and ordered the coroner to investigate the case on the spot.

Upon his return he reported all that he had seen, and gave the names of the victims. The magistrate at once recollected the murder of the two monks, and cross-examined Old Pan who told him all that he knew of the seducing affairs. The magistrate correctly summed up the case that Shi Xiu had killed the monks, and Yang Xiong had killed his wife and the girl servant. He issued summons for the arrest of those two men.

Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, and Shi Qian continued on their way, and one evening, at dusk when near Xianglin Hollow they stopped at an inn near a stream. They told the waiter that they had walked about thirty li that day and were hungry. The waiter said there were no other guests at the inn, and if they liked they could cook the food themselves as the pans were quite clean.

“Have you any meat here?” asked Shi Qian.

“We had some meat early this morning, but people in the surrounding villages have bought it all during the day,” replied the waiter. “We have a little wine left, and also some vegetables.”

“All right, that will do,” replied Shi Qian. “Give us also some rice and we will do our own cooking.”

This was done, and while Shi Qian did the cooking, Shi Xiu arranged their baggage and spread out their beddings. Yang Xiong took a woman’s silver hairpin, and gave it to the waiter as payment for the food, etc. Shi Qian got a bucket of water for them to wash their feet and hands. When the wine was ready they asked the waiter to drink with them. Shi Xiu noticed that there were many halberds hanging on the wall under the eaves of the inn so he asked the waiter why they had so many arms.

“Those belong to the landlord of this inn,” replied the waiter.

“What kind of man is your master?”

“As you are travelers, why do you not know the name of this place?” replied the waiter. “The mountain here is called the Dulong Mountain. The high ridge is the Dulong Ridge. Our master lives on the top of that ridge. Within a radius of about five li round this place is the Zhu Family Village. Our headman is Zhu Chaofeng, and he has three sons who are known as the three heroes. In this area there are about five hundred laborers who all work for our headman, and he supplies them with these halberds. This inn is called the Zhu Family Inn, and we generally have about ten men staying here who act as a guard, and those are their halberds.”

“But what do they use the halberds for in such a quiet place as this?” asked Shi Xiu.

“This place is not very far from Liangshan Marsh, so that we are always afraid of those bandits coming here to borrow grain from us.”

“If I give you some money will you sell me one of those halberds?” asked Shi Xiu.

“I cannot do that,” said the waiter. “All the halberds are numbered, and I have to account for the lot. If one was missing I should be beaten with sticks. Our master has very severe rules about such matters.”

“I was only joking,” said Shi Xiu laughingly. “You must not be afraid of us.”

“I have now had enough, and will now retire, and go to sleep. You gentlemen can go on drinking,” said the waiter.

When the waiter had gone the three men went on drinking, but Shi Qian suddenly asked, “Wouldn’t you like some meat with this?”

“The waiter said they had sold all the meat so that there is none left,” replied Yang Xiong.

Shi Qian laughed loudly at this, and going to the kitchen came back with a large chicken.

“When I went outside to relieve bowels I noticed this bird in the roost,” said Shi Qian. “As I could find no meat, I went and killed this chicken, plucked it and cooked it. So that is how we can have it now.”

“You are still a thief when you take things like this,” answered Yang Xiong.

“He evidently has not reformed his old habits,” said Shi Xiu laughingly.

The three still laughing set to, and soon tore up the whole bird for their meal.

But the waiter could not go to sleep, and very soon he took a stroll round. He saw on the table the bones and feathers, and going to the roost found that the bird was missing. So he hurried back into the room, and asked, “Gentlemen, you seem to have no manners. Why did you steal our rooster?”

“No! No!” exclaimed Shi Qian. “We bought a bird on the way here, and have not seen yours.”

“Then where has our bird gone to?”

“Perhaps a stray cat, a weasel or a kite has taken it. But we know nothing about it,” said Shi Qian.

“The bird was in the roost when I left you,” said the waiter, “so if you have not stolen it who has?”

“We will not wrangle any further,” said Shi Xiu; “we will pay for what you have lost.”

“But the cock was our dawn announcer so all our affairs will be upset now that it has gone. Even ten taels of silver would not be enough, and I must ask you to return us our cock.”

“Who are you trying to fool?” asked Shi Xiu in a temper. “If we do not make up for your loss what would you do?”

The waiter laughed and replied, “You should not make trouble here, as this inn is unlike others, and you might be arrested on a charge of being bandits from Liangshan Marsh.”

Shi Xiu cursed the man saying, “Even if we were from Liangshan Marsh how could you arrest us, and get a reward from your village chief?”

The waiter without replying called out, “Robbers,” and immediately about five men rushed into the room. But Shi Xiu met them, and one by one he knocked the men down with his fist. As the waiter was still complaining, Shi Qian slapped his face, and stopped his noise. The five men picked themselves up, and retreated through the back door.

“Those men will soon bring others, so we better have a big meal and get away,” said Yang Xiong.

The three friends after a hearty eating, picked up their things, and helped themselves to a halberd each from the inn’s stock.

Shi Xiu said, “If we are going to be hung we might as well be hung for a house as for a cock,” so saying he rushed into the kitchen, lit a torch, and began to set fire to the inn. Very soon the whole place was in flames. The three friends set off, but they had not gone far when they found themselves surrounded in the distance on all sides by many hundreds of men with torchlights.

Shi Xiu said, “Let us keep cool, and try to find a footpath somewhere.”

Yang Xiong said, “It would better to stop in one place, and kill these men one by one as they come up to us. We may not go until daybreak.” While he was speaking, some of the men were quite close, and they were armed with sticks. Yang Xiong attacked them, and soon killed about seven men, when the rest retreated. Shi Xiu had done the same thing in another direction with the same result. The three friends continued on their way, but did not notice the men hidden in the grass until one of them grabbed hold of Shi Qian with a hooked pole, and pulled him down into the tall grass. Shi Xiu went to his assistance, but another pole grabbed hold of him. Yang Xiong saw this, and struck the pole with his halberd, and freed his friend. He then stabbed in the grass at the hidden men, and shouting in pain they soon all ran away. But Shi Qian was missing, and the two friends saw no means of rescuing him. They therefore continued on their way, and following any small path they saw they went towards the east. They soon found themselves outside the circle of flaming torches. They walked during that night, and early the following morning they stopped at an inn. There they had just finished their breakfast when they noticed a man outside who had big eyes and ears. He had a rough appearance, wearing brown silk clothes, with a white belt.

He called out to the waiter, “Our master tells you to go to his village with a load.”

Yang Xiong recognized the man, and asked him what he was doing there. The man then recognized Yang Xiong and saluted.

Union, ‘twixt three hamlets broken,

Roaring tigers make much sorrow.