第四十九回

第四十九回 解珍解宝双越狱 孙立孙新大劫牢

《西江月》：

忠义立身之本，奸邪坏国之端。狼心狗幸滥居官，致使英雄扼腕。 夺虎机谋可恶，劫牢计策堪观。登州城郭痛悲酸，顷刻横尸遍满。

话说当时吴学究对宋公明说道：“今日有个机会，却是石勇面上一起来投入伙的人，又与栾廷玉那厮最好，亦是杨林、邓飞的至爱相识。他知道哥哥打祝家庄不利，特献这条计策来入伙，以为进身之报，随后便至。五日之内可行此计，却是好么？”宋江听了，大喜道：“妙哉！”方才笑逐颜开。说话的，却是甚么计策？下来便见。

看官牢记这段话头，原来和宋公明初打祝家庄时，一同事发。却难这边说一句，那边说一回，因此权记下这两打祝家庄的话头，却先说那一回来投入伙的人乘机会的话，下来接着关目。原来山东海边有个州郡，唤做登州。登州城外有一座山，山上多有豺狼虎豹出来伤人。因此登州知府拘集猎户，当厅委了杖限文书，捉捕登州山上大虫。又仰山前山后里正之家也要捕虎文状，限外不行解官，痛责枷号不恕。

且说登州山下有一家猎户，弟兄两个，哥哥唤做解珍，兄弟唤做解宝。弟兄两个都使浑铁点钢叉，有一身惊人的武艺，当州里的猎户们都让他第一。那解珍一个绰号唤做两头蛇，这解宝绰号叫做双尾蝎。二人父母俱亡，不曾婚娶。那哥哥七尺以上身材，紫棠色面皮，腰细膀阔。曾有一篇《临江仙》，单道着解珍的好处：

虽是登州搜猎户，忠良偏恶奸邪。虎皮战袄鹿皮靴。硬弓开满月，强弩蹬车。 浑铁钢叉无敌手，纵横谁敢拦遮。怒时肝胆尽横斜。解珍心性恶，人号两头蛇。

那个兄弟解宝，更是利害，也有七尺以上身材，面圆身黑，两只腿上刺着两个飞天夜叉，有时性起，恨不得腾天倒地，拔树摇山。也有一篇《西江月》，单道着解宝的好处：

性格忘生拚命，生来骁勇英豪。赶翻麋鹿与猿猱，杀尽山中虎豹。 手执莲花铁镋，腰悬蒲叶尖刀。腰间紧束虎筋绦，双尾蝎英雄解宝。

那弟兄两个，当官受了甘限文书[1]，回到家中，整顿窝弓、药箭、弩子、叉，穿了豹皮裤、虎皮套体，拿了铁叉，两个径奔登州山上，下了窝弓。去树上等了一日，不济事了，收拾窝弓下去。次日，又带了干粮，再上山伺候，看看天晚，弟兄两个再把窝弓下了，爬上树去，直等到五更，又没动静。两个移了窝弓，却来西山边下了。坐到天明，又等不着，两个心焦，说道：“限三日内要纳大虫，迟时须用受责，却是怎地好！”

两个到第三日夜，伏至四更时分，不觉身体困倦，两个背厮靠着且睡。未曾合眼，忽听得窝弓发响。两个跳将起来，拿了钢叉，四下里看时，只见一个大虫，中了药箭，在那地上滚。两个拈着钢叉向前来。那大虫见了人来，带着箭便走。两个追将向前去，不到半山里时，药力透来，那大虫当不住，吼了一声，骨渌渌滚将下山去了。解宝道：“好了！我认得这山是毛太公庄后园里，我和你下去他家取讨大虫。”解宝当时弟兄两个，提了钢叉，径下山来投毛太公庄上敲门。此时方才天明，两个敲开庄门入去。庄客报与太公知道。多时，毛太公出来，解珍、解宝放了钢叉，声了喏，说道：“伯伯，多时不见，今日特来拜扰。”毛太公道：“贤侄如何来得这等早？有甚话说？”解珍道：“无事不敢惊动伯伯睡寝。如今小侄因为官司委了甘限文书，要捕获大虫，一连等了三日。今早五更射得一个，不想从后山滚下在伯伯园里，望烦借一路取大虫则个。”毛太公道：“不妨。既是落在我园里，二位且少坐。敢弟兄肚饥，吃些早饭去取。”叫庄客且去安排早膳来相待，当时劝二位吃了酒饭。解珍、解宝起身谢道：“感承伯伯厚意，望烦引去取大虫还小侄。”毛太公道：“既是在我庄后，却怕怎地？且坐吃茶，却去取未迟。”解珍、解宝不敢相违，只得又坐下，庄客拿茶来教二位吃了。毛太公道：“如今和贤侄去取大虫。”解珍、解宝道：“深谢伯伯。”

毛太公引了二人，入到庄后，叫庄客把钥匙来开门，百般开不开。毛太公道：“这园多时不曾有人来开，敢是锁簧锈了，因此开不得。去取铁锤来打开了罢。”庄客便将铁锤来，敲开了锁。众人都入园里去看时，遍山边去看，寻不见。毛太公道：“贤侄，你两个莫不错看了，认不仔细，敢不曾落在我园里？”解珍道：“我两个怎地得错看了！是这里生长的人，如何不认得！”毛太公道：“你自寻便了，有时自抬去。”解宝道：“哥哥，你且来看，这里一带草滚得平平地都倒了，又有血路在上头，如何得不在这里？必是伯伯家庄客抬过了。”毛太公道：“你休这等说！我家庄上的人如何得知有大虫在园里，便又抬得过？却你也须看见方才当面敲开锁来，和你两个一同入园里来寻。你如何这般说话！”解珍道：“伯伯，你须还我这个大虫去解官。”毛太公道：“你这两个好无道理！我好意请你吃酒饭，你颠倒赖我大虫！”解宝道：“有甚么赖处！你家也见当里正，官府中也委了甘限文书，却没本事去捉，倒来就我见成。你倒将去请功，教我兄弟两个吃限棒！”毛太公道：“你吃限棒，干我甚事！”解珍、解宝睁起眼来，便道：“你敢教我搜一搜么？”毛太公道：“我家比你家，各有内外。你看这两个教化头倒来无礼！”解宝抢近厅前，寻不见，心中火起，便在厅前打将起来。解珍也就厅前搬折阑干，打将入去。毛太公叫道：“解珍、解宝白昼抢劫！”那两个打碎了厅前椅桌，见庄上都有准备，两个便拔步出门，指着庄上骂道：“你赖我大虫，和你官司理会！”

解氏深机捕获，毛家巧计牢笼。

当日因争一虎，后来引起双龙。

那两个正骂之间，只见两三匹马投庄上来，引着一伙伴当。解珍听得是毛太公儿子毛仲义，接着说道：“你家庄上庄客，捉过了我大虫。你爹不讨还我，颠倒要打我弟兄两个。”毛仲义道：“这厮村人不省事，我父亲必是被他们瞒过了。你两个不要发怒，随我到家里，讨还你便了。”解珍、解宝谢了。毛仲义叫开庄门，教他两个进去。待得解珍、解宝入得门来，便教关上庄门，喝一声：“下手！”两廊下走出二三十个庄客，并恰才马后带来的都是做公的。那兄弟两个措手不及，众人一发上，把解珍、解宝绑了。毛仲义道：“我家昨夜自射得一个大虫，如何来白赖我的？乘势抢掳我家财，打碎家中什物，当得何罪！解上本州，也与本州除了一害！”

原来毛仲义五更时先把大虫解上州里去了，却带了若干做公的来捉解珍、解宝。不想他这两个不识局面[2]，正中了他的计策，分说不得。毛太公教把他两个使的钢叉并一包赃物，扛了许多打碎的家火什物，将解珍、解宝剥得赤条条地，背剪绑抬了，解上州里来。本州有个六案孔目，姓王名正，却是毛太公的女婿，已自先去知府面前禀说了。才把解珍、解宝押到厅前，不由分说，捆翻便打，定要他两个招做“混赖大虫，各执钢叉，因而抢掳财物”。解珍、解宝吃拷不过，只得依他招了。知府教取两面二十五斤的死囚枷来枷了，钉下大牢里去。毛太公、毛仲义自回庄上商议道：“这两个男女却放他不得！不若一发结果了他，免致后患。”当时子父二人自来州里，分付孔目王正：“与我一发斩草除根，萌芽不发。我这里自行与知府的打关节[3]。”

却说解珍、解宝押到死囚牢里，引至亭心上来见这个节级。为头的那人姓包名吉，已自得了毛太公银两，并听信王孔目之言，教对付他两个性命，便来亭心里坐下。小牢子对他两个说道：“快过来跪在亭子前！”包节级喝道：“你两个便是甚么两头蛇、双尾蝎，是你么？”解珍道：“虽然别人叫小人们这等混名，实不曾陷害良善。”包节级喝道：“你这两个畜生！今番我手里教你两头蛇做一头蛇，双尾蝎做单尾蝎！且与我押入大牢里去！”

那一个小牢子把他两个带在牢里来，见没人，那小节级便道：“你两个认得我么？我是你哥哥的妻舅。”解珍道：“我只亲弟兄两个，别无那个哥哥。”那小牢子道：“你两个须是孙提辖的兄弟？”解珍道：“孙提辖是我姑舅哥哥。我却不曾与你相会，足下莫非是乐和舅？”那小节级道：“正是。我姓乐名和，祖贯茅州人氏。先祖挈家到此，将姐姐嫁与孙提辖为妻。我自在此州里勾当，做小牢子。人见我唱得好，都叫我做铁叫子乐和。姐夫见我好武艺，教我学了几路枪法在身。”怎见得？有诗为证：

玲珑心地衣冠整，俊俏肝肠语话清。

能唱人称铁叫子，乐和聪慧是天生。

原来这乐和是个聪明伶俐的人，诸般乐品尽皆晓得，学着便会；作事见头知尾；说起枪棒武艺，如糖似蜜价爱。为见解珍、解宝是个好汉，有心要救他，只是单丝不成线，孤掌岂能鸣，只报得他一个信。乐和说道：“好教你两个得知，如今包节级得受了毛太公钱财，必然要害你两个性命。你两个却是怎生好？”解珍道：“你不说起孙提辖则休，你既说起他来，只央你寄一个信。”乐和道：“你却教我寄信与谁？”解珍道：“我有个房分姐姐，是我爷面上的[4]，却与孙提辖兄弟为妻，见在东门外十里牌住。原来是我姑娘[5]的女儿，叫做母大虫顾大嫂，开张酒店，家里又杀牛开赌。我那姐姐有三二十人近他不得，姐夫孙新这等本事也输与他。只有那个姐姐和我弟兄两个最好。孙新、孙立的姑娘，却是我母亲，以此他两个又是我姑舅哥哥。央烦的你暗暗地寄个信与他，把我的事说知，姐姐必然自来救我。”乐和听罢，分付说：“贤亲，你两个且宽心着。”先去藏些烧饼肉食来牢里，开了门，把与解珍、解宝吃了。推了事故，锁了牢门，教别个小节级看守了门，一径奔到东门外，望十里牌来。早望见一个酒店，门前悬挂着牛羊等肉，后面屋下，一簇人在那里赌博。乐和见酒店里一个妇人坐在柜上。用眼看时，生得如何？但见：

眉粗眼大，胖面肥腰。插一头异样钗环，露两臂时兴钏镯。红裙六幅，浑如五月榴花；翠领数层，染就三春杨柳。有时怒起，提井栏便打老公头；忽地心焦，拿石碓敲翻庄客腿。生来不会拈针线，正是山中母大虫。

乐和入进店内，看着顾大嫂唱个喏道：“此间姓孙么？”顾大嫂慌忙答道：“便是。足下却要沽酒？却要买肉？如要赌钱，后面请坐。”乐和道：“小人便是孙提辖妻弟乐和的便是。”顾大嫂笑道：“原来却是乐和舅，数年不曾拜会。尊颜和姆姆[6]一般模样。舅舅且请里面拜茶。”乐和跟进里面客位里坐下，顾大嫂便动问道：“闻知得舅舅在州里勾当，家下穷忙少闲，不曾相会。今日甚风吹得到此？”乐和答道：“小人无事也不敢来相恼。今日厅上偶然发下两个罪人进来，虽不曾相会，多闻他的大名。一个是两头蛇解珍，一个是双尾蝎解宝。”顾大嫂道：“这两个是我的兄弟，不知因甚罪犯下在牢里？”乐和道：“他两个因射得一个大虫，被本乡一个财主毛太公赖了，又把他两个强扭做贼，抢掳家财，解入州里来。他又上上下下都使了钱物，早晚间要教包节级牢里做翻他两个，结果了性命。小人路见不平，独力难救。只想一者占亲，二乃义气为重，特地与他通个消息。他说道，只除是姐姐便救得他。若不早早用心着力，难以救拔。”顾大嫂听罢，一片声叫起苦来，便叫火家：“快去寻得二哥家来说话！”这几个火家去不多时，寻得孙新归来，与乐和相见。怎见得孙新的好处？有诗为证：

军班才俊子，眉目有神威。

鞭起乌龙见，枪来玉蟒飞。

胸藏鸿鹄志，家有虎狼妻。

到处人钦敬，孙新小尉迟。

原来这孙新，祖是琼州人氏，军官子孙，因调来登州驻扎，弟兄就此为家。孙新生得身长力壮，全学得他哥哥的本事，使得几路好鞭枪，因此多人把他弟兄两个比尉迟恭，叫他做小尉迟。有顾大嫂把上件事对孙新说了，孙新道：“既然如此，教舅舅先回去。他两个已下在牢里，全望舅舅看觑则个。我夫妻商量个长便道理，却径来相投舅舅。”乐和道：“但有用着小人处，尽可出力而行，当得向前。”顾大嫂置酒相待已了，将出一包金银，付与乐和：“望烦舅舅将去牢里散与众人并小牢子们，好生周全他两个弟兄。”乐和谢了，收了银两，自回牢里来，替他使用，不在话下。

且说顾大嫂和孙新商议道：“你有甚么道理，救我两个兄弟？”孙新道：“毛太公那厮，有钱有势。他防你两个兄弟出来，须不肯干休，定要做翻了他两个，似此必然死在他手。若不去劫牢，别样也救他不得。”顾大嫂道：“我和你今夜便去。”孙新笑道：“你好粗卤！我和你也要算个长便，劫了牢也要个去向。若不得我那哥哥和这两个人时，行不得这件事。”顾大嫂道：“这两个是谁？”孙新道：“便是那叔侄两个最好赌的邹渊、邹润，如今见在登云山台峪里聚众打劫。他和我最好，若得他两个相帮助，此事便成。”顾大嫂道：“登云山离这里不远，你可连夜去请他叔侄两个来商议。”孙新道：“我如今便去。你可收拾下酒食肴馔，我去定请得来。”顾大嫂分付火家，宰了一口猪，铺下数般果品按酒，排下桌子。

天色黄昏时候，只见孙新引了两筹好汉归来。那个为头的姓邹名渊，原是莱州人氏。自小最好赌钱，闲汉出身，为人忠良慷慨，更兼一身好武艺，气性高强，不肯容人，江湖上唤他绰号出林龙。怎见得？有诗为证：

平生度量宽如海，百万呼卢一笑中。

会使折腰飞虎棒，邹渊名号出林龙。

第二个好汉名唤邹润，是他侄儿，年纪与叔叔仿佛，二人争差不多，身材长大，天生一等异相，脑后一个肉瘤，以此人都唤他做独角龙。那邹润往常但和人争闹，性起来，一头撞去。忽然一日，一头撞折了涧边一株松树，看的人都惊呆了。怎见得？有诗为证：

脑后天生瘤一个，少年撞折涧边松。

大头长汉名邹润，壮士人称独角龙。

当时顾大嫂见了，请入后面屋下坐地，却把上件事告诉与他说了，商量劫牢一节。邹渊道：“我那里虽有八九十人，只有二十来个心腹的。明日干了这件事，便是这里安身不得了。我却有个去处，我也有心要去多时，只不知你夫妇二人肯去么？”顾大嫂道：“遮莫甚么去处，都随你去，只要救了我两个兄弟。”邹渊道：“如今梁山泊十分兴旺，宋公明大肯招贤纳士。他手下见有我的三个相识在彼，一个是锦豹子杨林，一个是火眼狻猊邓飞，一个是石将军石勇，都在那里入伙了多时。我们救了你两个兄弟，都一发上梁山泊投奔入伙去，如何？”顾大嫂道：“最好。有一个不去的，我便乱枪戳死他！”邹润道：“还有一件，我们倘或得了人，诚恐登州有些军马追来，如之奈何？”孙新道：“我的亲哥哥见做本州兵马提辖。如今登州只有他一个了得，几番草寇临城，都是他杀散了，到处闻名。我明日自去请他来，要他依允便了。”邹渊道：“只怕他不肯落草。”孙新说道：“我自有良法。”当吃了半夜酒。歇到天明，留下两个好汉在家里，却使一个火家，带领了一两个人，推一辆车子：“快走城中营里请我哥哥孙提辖并嫂嫂乐大娘子，说道：‘家中大嫂害病沉重，便烦来家看觑。’”顾大嫂又分付火家道：“只说我病重临危，有几句紧要的话，须是便来，只有一番相见嘱付。”火家推车儿去了。孙新专在门前伺候，等接哥哥。

饭罢时分，远远望见车儿来了，载着乐大娘子，背后孙提辖骑着马，十数个军汉跟着，望十里牌来。孙新入去报与顾大嫂得知，说：“哥嫂来了。”顾大嫂分付道：“只依我如此行。”孙新出来，接见哥嫂：“且请嫂嫂下了车儿，同到房里看视弟媳妇病症。”孙提辖下了马，入门来，端的好条大汉：淡黄面皮，落腮胡须，八尺以上身材，姓孙名立，绰号病尉迟；射得硬弓，骑得劣马，使一管长枪，腕上悬一条虎眼竹节钢鞭，海边人见了，望风而降。怎见得？有诗为证：

胡须黑雾飘，性格流星急。

鞭枪最熟惯，弓箭常温习。

阔脸似妆金，双睛如点漆。

军中显姓名，病尉迟孙立。

当下病尉迟孙立下马来，进得门，便问道：“兄弟，婶子害甚么病？”孙新答道：“他害得症候，病得跷蹊。请哥哥到里面说话。”孙立便入来。孙新分付火家着这伙跟马的军士去对门店里吃酒，便教火家牵过马，请孙立入到里面来坐下。良久，孙新道：“请哥哥、嫂嫂去房里看病。”孙立同乐大娘子入进房里，见没有病人。孙立问道：“婶子病在那里房内？”只见外面走入顾大嫂来，邹渊、邹润跟在背后。孙立道：“婶子，你正是害甚么病？”顾大嫂道：“伯伯拜了！我害些救兄弟的病！”孙立道：“却又作怪！救甚么兄弟？”顾大嫂道：“伯伯，你不要推聋妆哑！你在城中岂不知道他两个是我兄弟？偏不是你的兄弟？”孙立道：“我并不知因由。是那两个兄弟？”顾大嫂道：“伯伯在上，今日事急，只得直言拜禀。这解珍、解宝被登云山下毛太公与同王孔目设计陷害，早晚要谋他两个性命。我如今和这两个好汉商量已定，要去城中劫牢，救出他两个兄弟，都投梁山泊入伙去。恐怕明日事发，先负累伯伯，因此我只推患病，请伯伯、姆姆到此，说个长便。若是伯伯不肯去时，我们自去上梁山泊去了。如今朝廷有甚分晓，走了的倒没事，见在的便吃官司！常言道：近火先焦。伯伯便替我们吃官司坐牢，那时又没人送饭来救你。伯伯尊意若何？”孙立道：“我却是登州的军官，怎地敢做这等事？”顾大嫂道：“既是伯伯不肯，我们今日先和伯伯并个你死我活！”顾大嫂身边便掣出两把刀来，邹渊、邹润各拔出短刀在手。孙立叫道：“婶子且住！休要急速，待我从长计较，慢慢地商量。”乐大娘子惊得半晌做声不得。顾大嫂又道：“既是伯伯不肯去时，即便先送姆姆前行，我们自去下手。”孙立道：“虽要如此行时，也待我归家去收拾包裹行李，看个虚实，方可行事。”顾大嫂道：“伯伯，你的乐阿舅透风与我们了！一就去劫牢，一就去取行李不迟。”孙立叹了一口气，说道：“你众人既是如此行了，我怎地推却得开，不成日后倒要替你们吃官司。罢，罢，罢！都做一处商议了行。”先叫邹渊去登云山寨里，收拾起财物人马，带了那二十个心腹的人来店里取齐。邹渊去了。又使孙新入城里来，问乐和讨信，就约会了，暗通消息解珍、解宝得知。

次日，登云山寨里邹渊收拾金银已了，自和那起人到来相助。孙新家里也有七八个知心腹的火家，并孙立带来的十数个军汉，共有四十馀人。孙新宰了两个猪，一腔羊，众人尽吃了一饱。教顾大嫂贴肉藏了尖刀，扮做个送饭的妇人先去。孙新跟着孙立，邹渊领了邹润，各带了火家，分作两路入去。正是：

捉虎翻成纵虎灾，赃官污吏巧安排。

乐和不去通关节，怎得牢城铁瓮开。

且说登州府牢里包节级得了毛太公钱物，只要陷害解珍、解宝的性命。当日乐和拿着水火棍正立在里门里狮子口边，只听得拽铃子响。乐和道：“甚么人？”顾大嫂应道：“送饭的妇人。”乐和已自瞧科了，便来开门，放顾大嫂入来，再关了门，将过廊下去。包节级正在亭心坐着看见，便喝道：“这妇人是甚么人？敢进牢里来送饭！自古狱不通风。”乐和道：“这是解珍、解宝的姐姐，自来送饭。”包节级喝道：“休要教他入去！你们自与他送进去便了。”乐和讨了饭，却来开了牢门，把与他两个。解珍、解宝问道：“舅舅，夜来所言的事如何？”乐和道：“你姐姐入来了，只等前后相应。”乐和便把匣床与他两个开了。只听的小牢子入来报道：“孙提辖敲门，要走入来。”包节级道：“他自是军官，来我牢里有何事干？休要开门！”顾大嫂一踅，踅下亭心边去。外面又叫道：“孙提辖焦躁了打门。”包节级忿怒，便下亭心来。顾大嫂大叫一声：“我的兄弟在那里？”身边便掣出两把明晃晃尖刀来。包节级见不是头，望亭心外便走。解珍、解宝提起枷从牢眼里钻将出来，正迎着包节级。包节级措手不及，被解宝一枷梢打重，把脑盖劈得粉碎。当时顾大嫂手起，早戳翻了三五个小牢子，一齐发喊，从牢里打将出来。孙立、孙新两个把住牢门，见四个从牢里出来，一发望州衙前便走。邹渊、邹润早从州衙里提出王孔目头来。街市上大喊起，行步的人先奔出城去。孙提辖骑着马，弯着弓，搭着箭，压在后面。街上人家都关上门，不敢出来。州里做公的人认得是孙提辖，谁敢向前拦当。众人簇拥着孙立奔出城门去，一直望十里牌来，扶搀乐大娘子上了车儿，顾大嫂上了马，帮着便行。

解珍、解宝对众人道：“叵耐毛太公老贼冤家，如何不报了去！”孙立道：“说得是。”便令：“兄弟孙新与舅舅乐和，先护持车儿前行着，我们随后赶来。”孙新、乐和簇拥着车儿先行去了。孙立引着解珍、解宝、邹渊、邹润并火家伴当，一径奔毛太公庄上来，正值毛仲义与太公在庄上庆寿饮酒，却不提备。一伙好汉呐声喊，杀将入去，就把毛太公、毛仲义并一门老小尽皆杀了，不留一个。去卧房里搜检得十数包金银财宝，后院里牵得七八匹好马，把四匹捎带驮载。解珍、解宝拣几件好的衣服穿了，将庄院一把火齐放起烧了。各人上马，带了一行人，赶不到三十里路，早赶上车仗人马，一处上路行程。于路庄户人家又夺得三五匹好马，一行星夜奔上梁山泊去。

不一二日，来到石勇酒店里。那邹渊与他相见了，问起杨林、邓飞二人。石勇答言说起：“宋公明去打祝家庄，二人都跟去，两次失利。听得报来说，杨林、邓飞俱被陷在那里，不知如何。备闻祝家庄三子豪杰，又有教师铁棒栾廷玉相助，因此二次打不破那庄。”孙立听罢，大笑道：“我等众人来投大寨入伙，正没半分功劳。献此一条计策，打破祝家庄，为进身之报，如何？”石勇大喜道：“愿闻良策。”孙立道：“栾廷玉那厮，和我是一个师父教的武艺。我学的枪刀，他也知道；他学的武艺，我也尽知。我们今日只做登州对调来郓州守把经过，来此相望，他必然出来迎接。我们进身入去，里应外合，必成大事。此计如何？”正与石勇说计未了，只见小校报道：“吴学究下山来，前往祝家庄救应去。”石勇听得，便叫小校快去报知军师，请来这里相见。说犹未了，已有军马来到店前，乃是吕方、郭盛并阮氏三雄，随后军师吴用带领五百人马到来。石勇接入店内，引着这一行人都相见了，备说投托入伙献计一节。吴用听了大喜，说道：“既然众位好汉肯作成山寨，且休上山，便烦请往祝家庄行此一事，成全这段功劳如何？”孙立等众人皆喜，一齐都依允了。吴用道：“小生今去也。如此见阵，我人马前行，众位好汉随后一发便来。”

吴学究商议已了，先来宋江寨中，见宋公明眉头不展，面带忧容。吴用置酒与宋江解闷，备说起：“石勇、杨林、邓飞三个的一起相识，是登州兵马提辖病尉迟孙立，和这祝家庄教师栾廷玉是一个师父教的。今来共有八人，投托大寨入伙。特献这条计策，以为进身之报。今已计较定了，里应外合，如此行事，随后便来参见兄长。”宋江听说罢，大喜，把愁闷都撇在九霄云外，忙叫寨内置酒，安排筵席等来相待。

却说孙立教自己的伴当人等跟着车仗人马投一处歇下，只带了解珍、解宝、邹渊、邹润、孙新、顾大嫂、乐和，共是八人，来参宋江。都讲礼已毕，宋江置酒设席管待，不在话下。吴学究暗传号令与众人，教第三日如此行，第五日如此行。分付已了，孙立等众人领了计策，一行人自来和车仗人马投祝家庄进身行事。

再说吴学究道：“启动戴院长到山寨里走一遭，快与我取将这四个头领来，我自有用他处。”

不是教戴宗连夜来取这四个人来，有分教：打破了祝家庄，壮观得梁山泊。直教天罡龙虎相逢日，地煞风云际会时。毕竟军师吴学究取那四个人来，且听下回分解。

[1] 甘限文书——在限期内完成差役，否则“甘心”受责罚的文书字据。

[2] 不识局面——不明情势、不看风头。

[3] 打关节——贿赂官吏。

[4] 爷面上的——属于父系的、共祖父的。

[5] 姑娘——姑母。

[6] 姆姆——宋时，妯娌之间，兄妇呼弟妇做婶婶，弟妇呼兄妇做母母；原是照着自己孩子的口吻称呼对方。后来把母母的母字加了女字旁，写成“姆姆”。

CHAPTER 48. Xie Zhen and Xie Bao Escape from Prison; Sun Li and Sun Xin Rescue Men from Prison

“THE favorable opportunity lies in this,” said Wu Yong, “that our Shi Yong has introduced to our band a man who is a personal friend of Luan Tingyu of the Zhu Family Village. This new recruit knows that you did not succeed in attacking this village, and has suggested a plan of attack. He is now on his way here and in five days his plan will be carried out. What do you think of that?”

Song Jiang was much pleased upon hearing this.

Now at Dengzhou in Shandong there were two hunters Xie Zhen and Xie Bao who were very skillful in the use of the trident. Of all the hunters in that district they were the best. Xie Zhen was known as “Double Headed Snake,” while Xie Bao had a nickname “Double Tailed Scorpion.” Both of them had neither father, mother, or wife. They were both over seven feet in height, had broad shoulders, small ordinary waists, and brown complexions. Xie Bao had a rough temper, and at times would “shake heaven and earth.”

The officials had issued a proclamation that the hunters would be held responsible for killing the tigers in Dengzhou, and if they did not kill the tigers in due time they would be punished. These two hunters had received the order and had prepared poisoned arrows, and then proceeding to the mountains where the tigers were known to be they hid themselves in a tree to wait for the tiger. After waiting there a whole day they returned home without having seen or even heard the tiger. They did this again the following day with the same result. At about 3 A.M. on the third day they again waited in a tree and were so tired that they leaned against each other and fell asleep. They had not yet closed their eyes when they were awakened by a sound of their trap, and springing up they looked around, and saw a big tiger writhing on the ground with the poisoned arrow sticking in its body. Seizing their tridents they ran forward, but the tiger seeing the hunters ran off carrying the poisoned arrow in its body. They followed it. The poison however was taking effect, and very soon the tiger roared loudly and sinking to the ground rolled down the hillside.

Xie Bao recognized the place down below as the garden of an Old Mao. They went down the hillside, and knocked at the door of the farmstead. It was now daylight and upon being admitted they explained to Old Mao that they had come to take the tiger in his garden they had shot that morning. Old Mao agreed to this, but as he was afraid they were hungry after their nights work he invited them to take food and wine with him, and then go and look for the wounded tiger. They agreed to this and after the meal Old Mao took two of his men, and went with the hunters into the garden, but although they looked everywhere they found no tiger. Old Mao suggested that the hunters had made a mistake as there was no tiger. Xie Bao, however, pointed to a spot where the grass had all been leveled, and there were marks of blood of the tiger on the ground. “It looks as though someone had moved away the tiger,” he said.

“Do not make such statements,” said Old Mao. “My farm servants did not know anything about a tiger being here, so how could they have had anything to do in the matter? You noticed that when we entered the garden the lock on the gate was rusty and we had to break open the gate. I also came with you to look for the tiger.”

“Sir, you must hand the tiger over to us so that we can take it to the yamen and get the reward.”

“What you say is quite unreasonable,” said Old Mao. “Your statements are not correct in suggesting that I have taken the tiger away.”

“Why should we make false charges?” asked Xie Bao. “Evidently you have taken the tiger, and sent it to the yamen so as to get the reward yourself. We shall be beaten by the magistrate.”

“That is not my business,” said Old Mao.

“Well, will you let us search your buildings?”

“I cannot agree to that. You, a couple of beggars, now have no decency,” said Old Mao.

The brothers became angry, and began to damage his things by force.

Old Mao called out: “The Xies are plundering in broad daylight!” Seeing that an ambush was lying in the farmstead, the brothers left the yard saying that they would bring a charge against him in the yamen. They had not gone far when they saw the son of Old Mao on horseback with a group of men, and upon their explaining what had happened he said that some mistake had been made, and asked them to go back to the farmstead with him. They agreed to do this, but upon getting inside the gate of the farmyard the brothers were seized by the farm laborers by order of the son.

The son then said that the previous day they had shot a tiger themselves. He would hand the hunters over to the yamen for making false claims and trying to make trouble.

Old Mao had the brothers bound with ropes, and sent them to the yamen for trial. At the yamen the case was dealt with by a recorder named Wang Zheng who was a son-in-law of Old Mao, and he reported the case to the Prefect who ordered the two brothers to be beaten for making false claims. In order to avoid the punishment the brothers made a forced confession. They were then put under heavy cangues and sent to prison. Old Mao and his son talked matters over, and agreed that they could not feel safe until the hunters died in prison so they went to see Wang Zheng, and said they wished the case dealt with more thoroughly, and were willing to bribe the Prefect themselves.

The jailer Bao Ji was also bribed with the request to kill the two prisoners. But the under-jailer was a cousin by marriage to the Xies and disclosed the plot against the brothers, although they had never met before. The name of the jailer was Yue He, and his nickname was “Iron Flute.” He was well skilled in all military drill, and also in the use of the spear. He knew that the prisoners were good men suffering from gross injustice, so he decided to assist them in escaping. He told them that the head jailer had received a bribe to put them to death. Xie Zhen then asked the under-jailer to take a letter to his aunt’s daughter, married to Sun Xin, who was called Gu Dasao,76 and who kept an inn outside the East Gate. She was very kind to both the prisoners, and upon the matter being explained to her she would make arrangements to rescue them.

Yue He agreed to do this and asking another under-jailer to take his duty he slipped out of the prison, and duly told Gu Dasao, the “Tigress,” the story, and asked her to rescue the two prisoners.

She considered the situation bad, and sent a servant for her husband Sun Xin whose nickname was “Young General.” This was a powerful man, very skillful with the iron bludgeon and the spear. He soon arrived, and upon being informed of the trouble he asked Yue He to return to the jail, and they would think of some plan of helping the prisoners to escape. He gave Yue He some money to distribute among the other jailers, and the latter then went back to the jail.

Sun Xin said that to rescue the prisoners he must go to bring two of his friends. He went straight away, and that evening returned with them. One was Zou Yuan, noted for his honesty and generosity. Because of his fearless disposition he was called the “Forest Dragon.” The other one was Zou Run, the “Horned Dragon,” and he got this nickname through once having knocked down a fir tree with his head. Zou Run upon hearing the details said he had only twenty loyal followers and after attacking the jail and releasing the two prisoners, the district would not be safe for them to stay in and they must all of them make straight for the refuge at Liangshan Marsh. He said he knew the leaders at that place.

Gu Dasao thought it an excellent plan, and said she would kill any man who would not go with them.

“But there is still one doubtful point,” said Zou Run. “If we are pursued by cavalry what shall we do?”

Sun Xin said he had a plan and the next day he went to see his elder brother Major Sun Li who had charge of the cavalry in the town, and by threatening to use force Gu Dasao, the “Tigress,” made him agree to join with them in their plots, and afterwards go with them to Liangshan Marsh.

The following day Yue He was near the entrance to the jail when he heard the doorbell ringing. He asked who was there, and Gu Dasao gave her name, and said she had brought some food for a prisoner. He knew her object, and admitted her. The jailer Bao Ji had been liberally bribed by Old Mao, and when he was told by Yue He that the woman was a relative of Xie Zhen and Xie Bao, and had brought food for them, he said the food must be left at the gate to be sent in to the prisoners. So Yue He took the food into the inner prison, and handed it to the two prisoners. He told them who had brought it, and said they would soon meet her. He then unlocked the bolt which fastened them to their beds. Just then he heard at the gate an attendant jailer report that Major Sun was at the gate waiting to enter. The jailer Bao Ji replied, “He is in command of troops. What does he want in my prison? Don’t open the door.”

Now Madame Sun had got near Bao Ji. Again a voice outside the room called out, “Major Sun is outside, and insists upon being admitted.”

Jailer Bao Ji was very annoyed at this, and came out of the room. Gu Dasao asked him in a loud voice, “Where are my brothers?” She took two swords out of her belt, and threatened jailer Bao Ji. He understood the situation, and walked away. He had not gone far before he met the two prisoners Xie Zhen and Xie Bao who had both got rid of their cangues. Jailer Bao Ji was unarmed, and picking up a piece of cangue Xie Bao hit him on the head, and brained him. Gu Dasao had already killed about three jailers and now joined the two prisoners and Yue He. Going to the prison gate they opened it, and they all set off. The people closed their doors, and those policemen or soldiers who were about, seeing Major Sun in charge of the party, did not dare even ask a question. The party duly left the town, and reached Major Sun’s home.

There Major Sun’s wife got in a cart, and Gu Dasao mounted a horse. Sun Xin and Yue He went with the women as guard while Major Sun, Xie Zhen, Xie Bao, Zou Yuan, Zou Run, and the men went off in another direction to have revenge on Old Mao who was the cause of all this trouble. Upon reaching the farm they killed him and his son, and then took all the valuables available. They found eight horses in the stables, and loaded four of them with the valuables, and saddled the others for riding. They then set fire to the farm buildings.

They soon caught up to the cart, and all proceeded on their way to Liangshan Marsh.

Upon reaching the inn kept by Shi Yong they were told of the defeat at the Zhu Family Village and that the enemy had three great warriors on their side.

When Major Sun heard this he laughed, and said, “We are going to join these heroes, but we have not done any meritorious service yet. But if we now go and help in the attack on that village we shall be in a much better position to be admitted to Liangshan Marsh. Now I know all the same military drill as Luan Tingyu, as he and I were taught by the same teacher in those matters. I will go and say that I was just passing his village on official business, and he will admit me. While inside we can easily act in concert with the heroes outside.” He had hardly finished saying this when a man reported that Wu Yong was leaving Liangshan Marsh to go to join Song Jiang. Shi Yong at once told the man to ask Wu Yong to come immediately to that inn as there was a very important matter for discussion. This was done, and very soon Wu Yong arrived with about five hundred men.

After the strangers had been introduced by Shi Yong and their object explained, Wu Yong was pleased, and urged that they should at once join with them in an attack on the Zhu Family Village. As they agreed to this he said that he would ride in advance, and announce the arrangement to Song Jiang and the other leaders. Upon arriving at the camp he found Song Jiang with a melancholy expression. He told him of the new recruits, and mentioned that one of them Major Sun was taught by the same teacher as Luan Tingyu of the opponent village, and that he was prepared to enter that village as a friend, but would act in concert with the attackers outside.

Song Jiang was much pleased to hear of this, and ordered a feast for the new recruits.

Wu Yong arranged the plans, and explained them to the leaders under strict secrecy. Having received the instructions, Major Sun departed with the new recruits for the Zhu Family Village while Dai Zong was instructed to go to Liangshan Marsh to bring four other leaders.

The eagle old on Liangshan Marsh

Receives new wings to help its flight;

At the mountain stronghold

A renovation will be in sight.

Footnote

76 An honorific title: Sister-in-law.