第五十六回

第五十六回 吴用使时迁盗甲 汤隆赚徐宁上山

诗曰：

雁翎铠甲人稀见，寝室高悬未易图。

寅夜便施掏摸手，潜行不畏虎狼徒。

河倾斗落三更后，烛灭灯残半夜初。

神物窃来如拾芥，前身只恐是钱驴。

话说当时汤隆对众头领说道：“小可是祖代打造军器为生，先父因此艺上遭际老种经略相公，得做延安知寨。先朝曾用这连环甲马取胜，欲破阵时，须用钩镰枪可破。汤隆祖传已有画样在此，若要打造便可下手。汤隆虽是会打，却不会使。若要会使的人，只除非是我那个姑舅哥哥。他在东京，见做金枪班教师。这钩镰枪法，只有他一个教头，他家祖传习学，不教外人。或是马上，或是步行，都有法则，端的使动神出鬼没。”说言未了，林冲问道：“莫不是见做金枪班教师徐宁？”汤隆应道：“正是此人。”林冲道：“你不说起，我也忘了。这徐宁的金枪法、钩镰枪法，端的是天下独步。在京师时，多与我相会，较量武艺，彼此相敬相爱。只是如何能勾得他上山来？”汤隆道：“徐宁先祖留下一件宝贝，世上无对，乃是镇家之宝。汤隆比时曾随先父知寨往东京视探姑姑时，多曾见来，是一副雁翎砌就圈金甲。这一副甲，披在身上，又轻又稳，刀剑箭矢急不能透，人都唤做赛唐猊[1]。多有贵公子要求一见，造次不肯与人看。这副甲是他的性命，用一个皮匣子盛着，直挂在卧房中梁上。若是先对付得他这副甲来时，不由他不到这里。”吴用道：“若是如此，何难之有。放着有高手弟兄在此，今次却用着鼓上蚤时迁去走一遭。”时迁随即应道：“只怕无有此一物在彼，若端的有时，好歹定要取了来。”汤隆道：“你若盗的甲来，我便包办赚他上山。”宋江问道：“你如何去赚他上山？”汤隆去宋江耳边低低说了数句，宋江笑道：“此计大妙！”

吴学究道：“再用得三个人，同上东京走一遭：一个到京收买烟火药料并炮内用的药材，两个去取凌统领家老小。”彭玘见了，便起身禀宋江道：“若得一人到颍州取得小弟家眷上山，实拜成全之德。”宋江便道：“团练放心，便请二位修书，小可自教人去。”便唤杨林，可将金银书信，带领伴当前往颍州取彭玘将军老小；薛永扮作使枪棒卖药的，往东京取凌统领老小；李云扮作客商，同往东京收买烟火药料等物。乐和随汤隆同行，又帮薛永往来作伴。一面先送时迁下山去了。次后且叫汤隆打起一把钩镰枪做样，却叫雷横提调监督。原来雷横祖上也是打铁出身。

再说汤隆打起钩镰枪样子，教山寨里打军器的照着样子打造，自有雷横提督，不在话下。

大寨做个送路筵席，当下杨林、薛永、李云、乐和、汤隆辞别下山去了。次日又送戴宗下山，往来探听事情。这段话一时难尽。

这里且说时迁离了梁山泊，身边藏了暗器、诸般行头，在路迤逦来到东京，投个客店安下了。次日，踅进城来，寻问金枪班教师徐宁家。有人指点道：“入得班门里，靠东第五家黑角子门便是。”时迁转入班门里，先看了前门；次后踅来相了后门，见是一带高墙，墙里望见两间小巧楼屋，侧手却是一根戗柱。时迁看了一回，又去街坊问道：“徐教师在家里么？”人应道：“敢在内里随直未归。”时迁又问道：“不知几时归？”人应道：“直到晚方归来，五更便去内里随班。”时迁叫了“相扰”，且回客店里来，取了行头，藏在身边，分付店小二道：“我今夜多敢是不归，照管房中。”小二道：“但放心自去干事，并不差池。”

再说时迁入到城里，买了些晚饭吃了，却踅到金枪班徐宁家左右看时，没一个好安身去处。看看天色黑了，时迁捵入班门里面。是夜，寒冬天色，却无月光。时迁看见土地庙后一株大柏树，便把两只腿夹定，一节节扒将上去树头顶，骑马儿坐在枝柯上。悄悄望时，只见徐宁归来，望家里去了。又见班里两个人提着灯笼出来关门，把一把锁锁了，各自归家去了。早听得谯楼禁鼓，却转初更。但见：

角韵才闻三弄，钟声早转初更。云寒星斗无光，露散霜花渐白。六街三市，但闻喝号提铃；万户千家，各自关门闭户。对青灯学子攻经史，秉画烛佳人上绣床。

这时迁见班里静悄悄地，却从树上溜将下来，踅到徐宁后门边，从墙上下来，不费半点气力，扒将过去，看里面时，却是个小小院子。时迁伏在厨房外张时，见厨房下灯明，两个丫嬛兀自收拾未了。时迁却从戗柱上盘到博风板[2]边，伏做一块儿。张那楼上时，见那金枪手徐宁和娘子正对坐炉边向火，怀里抱着一个六七岁孩儿。时迁看那卧房里时，见梁上果然有个大皮匣拴在上面。卧房门口挂着一副弓箭、一口腰刀，衣架上挂着各色衣服。徐宁口里叫道：“梅香，你来与我折了衣服。”下面一个丫嬛上来，就侧手春台上先折了一领紫绣圆领，又折一领官绿衬里袄子，并下面五色花绣踢串，一个护项彩色锦帕，一条红绿结子，并手帕一包。另用一个小黄帕儿，包着一条双獭尾荔枝金带，也放在包袱内，把来安在烘笼上。时迁都看在眼里。

约至二更以后，徐宁收拾上床。娘子问道：“明日随直[3]也不？”徐宁道：“明日正是天子驾幸龙符宫，须用早起五更去伺候。”娘子听了，便分付梅香道：“官人明日要起五更出去随班，你们四更起来烧汤，安排点心。”时迁自忖道：“眼见得梁上那个皮匣子，便是盛甲在里面。我若趁半夜下手便好，倘若闹将起来，明日出不得城，却不误了大事！且捱到五更里下手不迟。”听得徐宁夫妻两口儿上床睡了，两个丫嬛在房门外打铺，房里桌上却点着碗灯。那五个人都睡着了。两个梅香一日伏侍到晚，精神困倦，亦皆睡了。时迁溜下来，去身边取个芦管儿，就窗棂眼里只一吹，把那碗灯早吹灭了。

看看伏到四更左侧，徐宁觉来，便唤丫嬛起来烧汤。那两个使女从睡梦里起来，看房里没了灯，叫道：“阿呀，今夜却没了灯！”徐宁道：“你不去后面讨灯，等几时。”那个梅香开楼门下胡梯响，时迁听得，却从柱上只一溜，来到后门边黑影里伏了。听得丫嬛正开后门出来，便去开墙门，时迁却潜入厨房里，贴身在厨桌下。梅香讨了灯火入来看时，又去关门，却来灶前烧火。这个女使也起来生炭火上楼去。多时汤滚，捧面汤上去，徐宁洗漱了，叫盪些热酒上来。丫嬛安排肉食炊饼上去，徐宁吃罢，叫把饭与外面当直的吃。时迁听得徐宁下楼，叫伴当吃了饭，背着包袱，拕了金枪出门。两个梅香点着灯送徐宁出去，时迁却从厨桌下出来，便上楼去，从槅子边直踅到梁上，却把身躯伏了。两个丫嬛又关闭了门户，吹灭了灯火，上楼来，脱了衣裳，倒头便睡。

时迁听那两个梅香睡着了，在梁上把那芦管儿指灯一吹，那灯又早灭了。时迁却从梁上轻轻解了皮匣，正要下来，徐宁的娘子觉来，听得响，叫梅香道：“梁上甚么响？”时迁做老鼠叫，丫嬛道：“娘子不听得是老鼠叫？因厮打，这般响。”时迁就便学老鼠厮打，溜将下来，悄悄地开了楼门，款款地背着皮匣，下得胡梯，从里面直开到外门。来到班门口，已自有那随班的人出门，四更便开了锁。时迁得了皮匣，从人队里趁闹出去了。有诗为证：

狗盗鸡鸣出在齐，时迁妙术更多奇。

雁翎金甲逡巡得，钩引徐宁大解危。

且说时迁奔出城外，到客店门前，此时天色未晓。敲开店门，去房里取出行李，拴束做一担儿挑了，计算还了房钱，出离店肆，投东便走。行到四十里外，方才去食店里打火做些饭吃，只见一个人也撞将入来。时迁看时，不是别人，却是神行太保戴宗。见时迁已得了物，两个暗暗说了几句话，戴宗道：“我先将甲投山寨去，你与汤隆慢慢地来。”时迁打开皮匣，取出那副雁翎锁子甲来，做一包袱包了。戴宗拴在身上，出了店门，作起神行法，自投梁山泊去了。

时迁却把空皮匣子明明的拴在担子上，吃了饭食，还了打火钱，挑上担儿，出店门便走。到二十里路上，撞见汤隆，两个便入酒店里商量。汤隆道：“你只依我从这条路去，但过路上酒店、饭店、客店，门上若见有白粉圈儿，你便可就在那店里买酒买肉吃。客店之中，就便安歇，特地把这皮匣子放在他眼睛头。离此间一程外等我。”时迁依计去了。汤隆慢慢地吃了一回酒，却投东京城里来。

且说徐宁家里，天明两个丫嬛起来，只见楼门也开了，下面中门大门都不关，慌忙家里看时，一应物件都有。两个丫嬛上楼来对娘子说道：“不知怎地门户都开了，却不曾失了物件。”娘子便道：“五更里听得梁上响，你说是老鼠厮打，你且看那皮匣子没甚么事？”两个丫嬛看了，只叫得苦：“皮匣子不知那里去了！”那娘子听了，慌忙起来道：“快央人去龙符宫里报与官人知道，教他早来跟寻！”丫嬛急急寻人去龙符宫报徐宁，连连央了三替人，都回来说道：“金枪班直随驾内苑去了，外面都是亲军护御守把，谁人能勾入去？直须等他自归。”徐宁妻子并两个丫嬛如热鏊子上蚂蚁，走投无路，不茶不饭，慌做一团。

徐宁直到黄昏时候，方才卸了衣袍服色，着当直的背了，将着金枪，径回家来。到得班门口，邻舍说道：“娘子在家失盗，等候得观察不见回来。”徐宁吃了一惊，慌忙奔到家里。两个丫嬛迎门道：“官人五更出去，却被贼人闪将入来，单单只把梁上那个皮匣子盗将去了！”徐宁听罢，只叫那连声的苦，从丹田底下直滚出口角来。娘子道：“这贼正不知几时闪在屋里？”徐宁道：“别的都不打紧，这副雁翎甲乃是祖宗留传四代之宝，不曾有失。花儿王太尉曾还我三万贯钱，我不曾舍得卖与他，恐怕久后军前阵后要用。生怕有些差池，因此拴在梁上。多少人要看我的，只推没了。今次声张起来，枉惹他人耻笑。今却失去，如之奈何？”徐宁一夜睡不着，思量道：“不知是甚么人盗了去？也是曾知我这副甲的人。”娘子想道：“敢是夜来灭了灯时，那贼已躲在家里了。必然是有人爱你的，将钱问你买不得，因此使这个高手贼来盗了去。你可央人慢慢缉访出来，别作商议，且不要打草惊蛇。”徐宁听了，到天明起来，在家里纳闷。怎见得徐宁纳闷？正是：

凤落荒坡，尽脱浑身羽翼；龙居浅水，失却颔下明珠。蜀王春恨啼红，宋玉悲秋怨绿。吕虔亡所佩之刀，雷焕失丰城之剑。好似蛟龙缺云雨，犹如舟楫少波涛。奇谋勾引来山寨，大展擒王铁马蹄。

当日金枪手徐宁正在家中纳闷，早饭时分，只听得有人扣门。当直的出来问了姓名，入去报道：“有个延安府汤知寨儿子汤隆，特来拜望哥哥。”徐宁听罢，教请汤隆进客位里相见。汤隆见了徐宁，纳头拜下，说道：“哥哥一向安乐！”徐宁答道：“闻知舅舅归天去了，一者官身羁绊，二乃路途遥远，不能前来吊问。并不知兄弟信息，一向正在何处？今次自何而来？”汤隆道：“言之不尽。自从父亲亡故之后，时乖命蹇，一向流落江湖。今从山东径来京师，探望兄长。”徐宁道：“兄弟少坐。”便叫安排酒食相待。汤隆去包袱内取出两锭蒜条金，重二十两，送与徐宁，说道：“先父临终之日，留下这些东西，教寄与哥哥做遗念。为因无心腹之人，不曾捎来。今次兄弟特地到京师纳还哥哥。”徐宁道：“感承舅舅如此挂念。我又不曾有半分孝顺之心，怎地报答？”汤隆道：“哥哥休恁地说。先父在日之时，只是想念哥哥这一身武艺，只恨山遥水远，不能勾相见一面，因此留这些物与哥哥做遗念。”徐宁谢了汤隆，交收过了，且安排酒来管待。

汤隆和徐宁饮酒中间，见徐宁眉头不展，面带忧容。汤隆起身道：“哥哥如何尊颜有些不喜？心中必有忧疑不决之事。”徐宁叹口气道：“兄弟不知，一言难尽。夜来家间被盗！”汤隆道：“不知失去了何物？”徐宁道：“单单只盗去了先祖留下那副雁翎锁子甲，又唤做赛唐猊。昨夜失了这件东西，以此心下不乐。”汤隆道：“哥哥那副甲，兄弟也曾见来，端的无比，先父常常称赞不尽。却是放在何处来，被盗了去？”徐宁道：“我把一个皮匣子盛着，拴缚在卧房中梁上，正不知贼人甚么时候入来盗了去。”汤隆问道：“却是甚等样皮匣子盛着？”徐宁道：“我是个红羊皮匣子盛着，里面又用香绵裹住。”汤隆假意失惊道：“红羊皮匣子？不是上面有白线刺着绿云头如意、中间有狮子滚绣球的？”徐宁道：“兄弟，你那里见来？”汤隆道：“小弟夜来离城四十里，在一个村店里沽些酒吃，见个鲜眼睛黑瘦汉子担儿上挑着。我见了，心中也自暗忖道：‘这个皮匣子却是盛甚么东西的？’临出门时，我问道：‘你这皮匣子作何用？’那汉子应道：‘原是盛甲的，如今胡乱放些衣服。’必是这个人了。我见那厮却是闪肭了腿的，一步步捱着了走。何不我们追赶他去？”徐宁道：“若是赶得着时，却不是天赐其便！”汤隆道：“既是如此，不要担阁，便赶去罢。”

徐宁听了，急急换了麻鞋，带了腰刀，提条朴刀，便和汤隆两个出了东郭门，拽开脚步，迤逦赶来。前面见有白圈壁上酒店里，汤隆道：“我们且吃碗酒了赶，就这里问一声。”汤隆入得门坐下，便问道：“主人家，借问一问：曾有个鲜眼黑瘦汉子挑个红羊皮匣子过去么？”店主人道：“昨夜晚是有这般一个人，挑着个红羊皮匣子过去了。一似腿上吃跌了的，一步一走。”汤隆道：“哥哥你听，却何如？”徐宁听了，做声不得。有诗为证：

汤隆诡计赚徐宁，便把黄金表至情。

诱引同归忠义寨，共施威武破雄兵。

且说两个人连忙还了酒钱，出门便去。前面又见一个客店，壁上有那白圈，汤隆立住了脚，说道：“哥哥，兄弟走不动了，和哥哥且就这客店里歇了，明日早去赶。”徐宁道：“我却是官身，倘或点名不到，官司必然见责，如之奈何？”汤隆道：“这个不用兄长忧心，嫂嫂必自推个事故。”当晚又在客店里问时，店小二答道：“昨夜有一个鲜眼黑瘦汉子，在我店里歇了一夜，直睡到今日小日中，方才去了。口里只问山东路程。”汤隆道：“恁地可以赶了。明日起个四更，定是赶着，拿住那厮，便有下落。”当夜两个歇了。次日起个四更，离了客店，两个又迤逦赶来。汤隆但见壁上有白粉圈儿，便做买酒买食，吃了问路，处处皆说得一般。徐宁心中急切要那副甲，只顾跟随着汤隆赶了去。

看看天色又晚了，望见前面一所古庙，庙前树下，时迁放着担儿在那里坐地。汤隆看见叫道：“好了，前面树下那个，不是哥哥盛甲的匣子？”徐宁见了，抢向前来，一把揪住时迁，喝道：“你这厮好大胆！如何盗了我这副甲来？”时迁道：“住，住，不要叫！是我盗了你这副甲来，你如今却是要怎地？”徐宁喝道：“畜生无礼，倒问我要怎地！”时迁道：“你且看匣子里有甲也无。”汤隆便把匣子打开看时，里面却是空的。徐宁道：“你这厮把我这副甲那里去了？”时迁道：“你听我说。小人姓张，排行第一，泰安州人氏。本州有个财主，要结识老种经略相公，知道你家有这副雁翎锁子甲，不肯货卖，特地使我同一个李三两人来你家偷盗，许俺们一万贯。不想我在你家柱子上跌下来，闪肭了腿，因此走不动。先教李三把甲拿了去，只留得空匣在此。你若要奈何我时，我到官司，只是拚着命，就打死我也不招，休想我指出别人来。若还肯饶我官司时，我和你去讨这副甲还你。不知尊意如何？”徐宁踌躇了半晌，决断不下。汤隆便道：“哥哥，不怕他飞了去，只和他去讨甲。若无甲时，须有本处官司告理。”徐宁道：“兄弟也说的是。”三个厮赶着，又投客店里来歇了。徐宁、汤隆监住时迁一处宿歇。原来时迁故把些绢帛扎缚了腿，只做闪肭了脚，徐宁见他又走不动，因此十分中只有五分防他。三个又歇了一夜，次日早起来再行。时迁一路买酒买肉陪告，又行了一日。次日，徐宁在路上心焦起来，不知毕竟有甲也无。有诗为证：

宝铠悬梁夜已偷，谩将空匣作缘由。

徐宁不解牢笼计，相趁相随到水头。

三人正走之间，只见路旁边三四个头口，拽出一辆空车子，背后一个人驾车；旁边一个客人，看着汤隆，纳头便拜。汤隆问道：“兄弟因何到此？”那人答道：“郑州做了买卖，要回泰安州去。”汤隆道：“最好。我三个要搭车子，也要到泰安州去走一遭。”那人道：“莫说三个搭车，再多些也不计较。”汤隆大喜，叫与徐宁相见。徐宁问道：“此人是谁？”汤隆答道：“我去年在泰安州烧香，结识得这个兄弟，姓李名荣，是个有义气的人。”徐宁道：“既然如此，这张一又走不动，都上车子坐地，只叫车客驾车了行。”四个人坐在车子上，徐宁问时迁道：“你且说与我那个财主姓名。”时迁吃逼不过，三回五次推托，只得胡乱说道：“他是有名的郭大官人。”徐宁却问李荣道：“你那泰安州曾有个郭大官人么？”李荣答道：“我那本州郭大官人，是个上户财主，专好结识官宦来往，门下养着多少闲人。”徐宁听罢，心中想道：“既有主坐，必不碍事。”又见李荣一路上说些枪棒，唱几个曲儿，不觉的又过了一日。

话休絮烦。看看到梁山泊只有两程多路，只见李荣叫车客把葫芦去沽些酒来，买些肉来，就车子上吃三杯。李荣把出一个瓢来，先倾一瓢来劝徐宁，徐宁一饮而尽。李荣再叫倾酒，车客假做手脱，把这一葫芦酒都倾翻在地下。李荣喝骂车客再去沽些，只见徐宁口角流涎，扑地倒在车子上了。李荣是谁？却是铁叫子乐和。三个从车上跳将下来，赶着车子，直送到旱地忽律朱贵酒店里。众人就把徐宁扛扶下船，都到金沙滩上岸。宋江已有人报知，和众头领下山接着。

徐宁此时麻药已醒，众人又用解药解了。徐宁开眼见了众人，吃了一惊，便问汤隆道：“兄弟，你如何赚我来到这里？”汤隆道：“哥哥听我说。小弟今次闻知宋公明招接四方豪杰，因此上在武冈镇拜黑旋风李逵做哥哥，投托大寨入伙。今被呼延灼用连环甲马冲阵，无计可破。是小弟献此钩镰枪法，只除是哥哥会使。因此定这条计，使时迁先来盗了你的甲，却教小弟赚哥哥上路，后使乐和假做李荣，过山时下了蒙汗药，请哥哥上山来坐把交椅。”徐宁道：“都是兄弟送了我也！”宋江执杯向前陪告道：“见今宋江暂居水泊，专待朝廷招安，尽忠竭力报国，非敢贪财好杀，行不仁不义之事。万望观察怜此真情，一同替天行道。”林冲也来把盏陪话道：“小弟亦在此间多说兄长清德，休要推却。”徐宁道：“汤隆兄弟，你却赚我到此，家中妻子必被官司擒捉，如之奈何？”宋江道：“这个不妨，观察放心，只在小可身上，早晚便取宝眷到此完聚。”有诗为证：

钩镰枪法古今稀，解破连环铁马蹄。

不是徐宁施妙手，梁山怎得解重围？

晁盖、吴用、公孙胜都来与徐宁陪话，安排筵席作庆。一面选拣精壮小喽啰学使钩镰枪法，一面使戴宗和汤隆星夜往东京搬取徐宁老小。

话休絮繁。旬日之间，杨林自颍州取到彭玘老小，薛永自东京取到凌振老小，李云收买到五车烟火药料回寨。更过数日，戴宗、汤隆取到徐宁老小上山。徐宁见了妻子到来，吃了一惊，问是如何便得到这里。妻子答道：“自你转背，官司点名不到，我使了些金银首饰，只推道患病在床，因此不来叫唤。忽见汤叔叔赍着雁翎甲来说道：‘甲便夺得来了，哥哥只是于路染病，将次死在客店里，叫嫂嫂和孩儿便来看视。’把我赚上车子。我又不知路径，迤逦来到这里。”徐宁道：“兄弟，好却好了，只可惜将我这副甲陷在家里了。”汤隆笑道：“我教哥哥欢喜，打发嫂嫂上车之后，我便复翻身去赚了这甲，诱了这两个丫嬛，收拾了家中应有细软，做一担儿挑在这里。”徐宁道：“恁地时，我们不能勾回东京去了。”汤隆道：“我又教哥哥再知一件事来：在半路上撞见一伙客人，我把哥哥的雁翎甲穿了，搽画了脸，说哥哥名姓，劫了那伙客人的财物。这早晚，东京已自遍行文书捉拿哥哥。”徐宁道：“兄弟，你也害得我不浅！”晁盖、宋江都来陪话道：“若不是如此，观察如何肯在这里住。”随即拨定房屋与徐宁安顿老小。众头领且商议破连环马军之法。

此时雷横监造钩镰枪已都完备，宋江、吴用等启请徐宁教众军健学使钩镰枪法。徐宁道：“小弟今当尽情剖露，训练众军头目，拣选身材长壮之士。”众头领都在聚义厅上看徐宁选军，说那个钩镰枪法。

不争山寨之人学了这件武艺，有分教：三千甲马，斗时脑裂蹄崩；一个英雄，见后魂飞魄丧。正是：撺掇天罡来聚会，招摇地煞共相逢。毕竟金枪徐宁怎地敷演钩镰枪法，且听下回分解。

[1] 唐猊（ní）——古代传说中的一种猛兽，用它的皮来制甲，非常坚厚。后来便用来作为良甲的代称。也写作“唐夷”。

[2] 博风板——就是封檐板，封闭檐口的木板。博风，应作“搏风”，本指屋翼，屋檐角端向上的那一部分。

[3] 随直——班直是宋时最接近皇帝的卫兵之一种；随直，就是班直随班执行警卫任务。

CHAPTER 55. Shi Qian Steals Armor; Tang Long Inveigles Xu Ning

“MY forefathers earned a living by making weapons,” said Tang Long addressing the assembled leaders. “Because my father was skilled in that work he was employed at Yanan Prefecture by the General Old Zhong, Guardian of the Frontier. At that time the battle horses were protected by armor, which was a great success. The only way of defeating such cavalry was by the use of hooked spear. I know how to make those hooked spears, but am not experienced in their use. I have a cousin, however, who understands how to use the hooked spears, and he is a Drill Instructor in the army. He however has kept this knowledge to himself, and his marvelous methods are equally effective either with cavalry or infantry.”

Lin Chong asked, “Is that man not Drill Instructor Xu Ning?”

“Yes, that is the man,” replied Tang Long.

“If you had not mentioned it I should have forgotten all about him,” said Lin Chong. “His skill is undoubtedly the most marvelous. I knew him well in the capital where we often compared our various methods. Only how can we get him to come here?”

“He has a most valuable heirloom at home of which there is no equal anywhere,” said Tang Long. “I once went to the capital with my late father, and saw it with my own eyes. It was armor made of gold rings coated with swan feather. This armor is both light and strong, neither sword nor arrow can penetrate it. It was called “Sai Tang Lion.” Many senior officials wanted to have a look of it, but he would not let them see it. It is as dear to him as his life, and he kept it locked up in a leather box on the beam of his house. If we could get that armor he would follow us here.”

“In that case we can easily arrange matters,” said Wu Yong. “We have a capable man here, and for this work we have use of Shi Qian, the ‘Flea on the Drum.’”

Shi Qian said, “If the armor is still there I could of course soon get it.”

“If you steal the armor,” said Tang Long, “I will undertake to bring the man here.”

“How could you induce him to come here?” asked Song Jiang.

Tang Long walked across to Song Jiang, and whispered something in his ear. Song Jiang laughed and said, “An excellent plan!”

“For this we must send three men to the Capital,” said Wu Yong. “One of them is to purchase gunpowder, and the other two can bring the family of Ling Zhen here.”

Upon hearing this Peng Qi stood up and said, “Why should not one man go to Yingzhou and bring my family here?”

“Do not worry about that,” said Song Jiang. “We will send a man for your family.” He then instructed Yang Lin to go to Yingzhou to do that work. He also deputed Xue Yong and Li Yun to accompany Yue He and Tang Long to the capital; the former to bring Ling Zhen’s family and the latter to buy gunpowder. Shi Qian after making preparations departed by himself for the capital. The other four followed some time afterwards.

Shi Qian duly reached the capital, and stayed at an inn. The next day he inquired for Xu Ning’s residence and one man told him, “Go through the barracks gate, and you will find his house; it is the fifth house on the east side; it has a black door.” Shi Qian did so, and duly found the house. He first examined it both the front and the back door. There was a high wall all round the house with a two-storied tower inside, besides which was a large beam. He then went to the neighborhood, and asked whether Xu Ning was at home and was informed that he attended his duties about 5 A.M. and would not return until evening.

Shi Qian returned to the inn, and changed his dress. He told the innkeeper that he might not return that night, and asked him to look after his room. He went and had his evening meal at another inn. He then went to Xu Ning’s house, and prowled around outside. It was soon dark, and became quite cold. It was a bright moonlight night. He saw a big tree in the grounds of a temple for the local earth god, and climbed up and hid himself in the branches. From this vantage point he saw Xu Ning arrive and enter his house. The servant soon came out with a lamp, and fastened the gate. He waited until he heard the drum in the tower sounded for the first watch of the night (9 P.M.). It was very cold, and hoar frost was forming on the tree. Everything was now quiet so he got down the tree, and went to the back door of Xu Ning’s house where he climbed over the wall. He found himself in a very small courtyard. He went to the kitchen, where there was a light. Looking through the window he saw two maid servants cleaning and washing the dishes. He went to the tower, and climbed up the beam to a window on the second floor. Looking inside he saw Xu Ning, his wife, and a boy of about seven years of age sitting round a fire. On the rafter of the bedroom where he saw a leather box. He also saw a sword, a bow with arrows, and some clothes hanging on a clotheshorse. At last he heard Xu Ning call to the servant, “Meixiang, fold up the clothes for me.” One of the maid servants came upstairs, folded the clothes, and put them away in a wardrobe. About 11 P.M. Xu Ning went to bed and his wife asked him, “Do you attend to duty tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow the Emperor goes to the Dragon Palace and I must go at 5 A.M.”

His wife then told the servant, “My husband must be on duty by 5 A.M. tomorrow. You must have breakfast ready by 4 A.M.”

Shi Qian had seen and heard all this, and was quite confident that he would get the leather box without any difficulty that night. If he get it too soon he might disturb his people and could not get out of the city so he would wait till nearly 5 A.M. Very soon, everybody in the house was asleep, but there was a lamp still left burning on the table. Breaking a hole in the paper window he took a reed, and blew out the light. About 4 A.M. Xu Ning got up, and called to the maid servant to get breakfast ready. When the servant came they were surprised to find that the lamp had gone out. Xu Ning told them to go to the back chamber and get a light, The woman servant went downstairs, and Shi Qian slid down the beam on which he had been perched so long. He went to the back door, and hid there in the shade. The maid opened the door, and went to the other chamber. Shi Qian slipped into the kitchen, and hid under a table. The maid soon returned with the lamp, shut the door, and lit the fire. The other servant soon took the coal stove upstairs. Very soon the water was boiling, and some was taken upstairs for Xu Ning to wash his face. Breakfast was soon served and finished. Xu Ning came downstairs, and left for his duty. Shi Qian now left his hiding place, went straight upstairs, and took his position on the rafter. The maidservants returned after fastening the gate, and went to bed again. Shi Qian waited until they were asleep, and then taking his reed he blew out the lighted lamp. Shi Qian very quietly got down from the rafter taking the leather box with him when Xu Ning’s wife awoke, and hearing the noise called out, “What is that noise?” Shi Qian made a noise like a rat chattering, and one of the servants replied, “It is the rats. They are only fighting.” Shi Qian now made a noise like rats fighting to cover his movements with the box. Slowly he got down the stairs, and at last reached the door, and then the outer gate which he opened, and was soon outside. He hurried off with the leather box, through the city gate as it was then nearly 5 o’clock and was open, and soon reached his inn. He immediately packed up his things, paid the innkeeper, and started off on the east road. After he had gone about ten li he stopped at an inn for breakfast. While eating a man entered, and Shi Qian recognized him as Dai Zong. They held a whispered conversation, and Dai Zong then said he would take the “Sai Tang Lion” armor to Liangshan Marsh while Shi Qian could follow and take his time. Shi Qian opened the box, wrapped the armor in a parcel, and handed it to Dai Zong who donned his magic puttees started off for Liangshan Marsh.

Shi Qian continued on his way, and after going about seven li met Tang Long, and explained the position to him. Tang Long told Shi Qian to continue on his way, and that he must only stop at inns where there was a white circle chalked on the door. At those inns he must display the leather box so that everybody could see it. Shi Qian agreed to do this, and started off while Tang Long went on his way to the capital.

Early in the morning when the maidservants in Xu Ning’s house got up they found the house door open, and also the outside gate unfastened. They did not notice anything missing, and going back upstairs said to Madame Xu Ning, “It is strange that the gate is unfastened, but there does not seem to be anything missing.”

“About 5 A.M. I heard a noise on the rafter, but you said it was some rats fighting. Go to see if the leather box is still there?”

The servants looked up, and were astonished. “We do not know where it has gone to!”

The wife upon hearing this got up quickly and said, “We must send a messenger to the palace to ask my husband to come back as soon as possible.”

The maidservant found a messenger and sent him off. When he returned he said that Xu Ning was on duty inside the palace. Outside were guards who would not allow anyone to enter. The servants were very much upset, and hunted all round the house for the leather box like a lot of ants in a hot pan.

When the Emperor had retired from the palace, Xu Ning took off his uniform and returned home. When he was near the house a neighbor said, “There has been a thief in your house. They sent a messenger to tell you, but you did not come back immediately.” Xu Ning was surprised at this, and hurried to his home. At the gate he met the servants who said, “You left home at 5 A.M. and presently a thief secretly entered the house, and stole the leather box on the rafter. He did not take anything else.”

Xu Ning was dumbfounded at the loss. His wife said, “We do not know at what time the thief got into the house.”

“Other things do not matter,” said Xu Ning. “Only our precious family heirloom has been stolen. Marshal Hua Erwang offered me 30,000 strings of cash for that, but I refused to sell. I was so afraid of losing it that I hid it away on the rafter. Many men came to get a look at it, but I always said I had not got it. Now if people hear that it has been stolen, they will laugh at us. What shall we do?” Xu Ning could not sleep, but was continuously thinking the matter over. “Who could have stolen it?”

“I think it was stolen by someone who coveted the armor,” said his wife. “Perhaps he stole it because you would not sell it. You had better make inquiries in all directions, and see if we can get a clue as to who has stolen it. At present, ‘we must not beat the grass to startle the snake.’”

The next day Xu Ning was very downcast and stayed at home. After breakfast he heard someone knocking at the outer gate. A servant answered the door, and then announced that a man named Tang Long of Yanan Prefecture wished to see Xu Ning. Xu Ning told the servant to show him into the guest chamber. Upon meeting there they saluted each other. Xu Ning said, “I heard of the death of your father, but owing to my official duties I could not come to see you. Your place was also such a long way off, and I could not go. Where have you been working, and what brings you here today?”

“I cannot tell you all that has happened since in one sentence,” replied Tang Long. “After my father’s death I was very hard up, and in fact was at a loose end. I have just come from Shandong on a visit to you.”

Xu Ning ordered the servant to bring in food and wine. Tang Long opened his bundle, and gave Xu Ning two ingots of silver weighing about twenty taels, saying, “Just before his death my father told me to hand you this silver. I had no intimate friend whom I could have asked to bring this present to you, so I had to keep it until I could give it you myself.”

“I am extremely grateful to your late father for remembering me, and making such a valuable present,” replied Xu Ning. “I have been very undutiful to your father, and shall never be able to recompense him.”

“Never mind that,” said Tang Long. “Before his death my father often spoke to me of your great skill. He could not come to see you as you lived so far away, so he decided to send you this thing as a memento.”

Xu Ning thanked Tang Long, and asked him to dine with him. During the meal Xu Ning several times looked troubled, and even frowned. At last Tang Long said, “I see that you are worrying about something. What has upset you?”

Xu Ning sighed, “Younger brother, you do not know, but last night a thief got into this house.”

“Did you miss anything?” asked Tang Long.

“He took the armor which is our great heirloom. Because of that I am rather annoyed.”

“I remember seeing it some time before,” said Tang Long. “It was a very rare thing. My father often spoke of it as a splendid work of art. Have you any clue as to who took it?”

“The armor was in a box which I hid on the rafter of my own bedroom. I have no idea who can have stolen it.”

“What kind of box was it?” asked Tang Long.

“It was red deerskin box, and the armor was wrapped in fine silk inside.”

Tang Long was startled. “A red deerskin box! Outside covered with white silk embroidered with a design of clouds in green, and lions playing with a ball!”

“Younger brother! Where did you see it?” asked Xu Ning.

“Elder brother, last night I stopped at an inn about thirteen li from here, and there I saw an old man with a sallow complexion who was carrying such a box on a pole. At the time I particularly noticed the box, and wondered what was inside. I even asked the man what was in the box. He replied that originally there was armor stored in it, but now there was only some clothes. That must be the thief with your box. I noticed that the man limped, and walked along very slowly. We must pursue him at once.”

“If we succeed in arresting him it will be by Heaven’s assistance,” said Xu Ning.

“We had better waste no time, but get away at once,” said Tang Long.

Xu Ning quickly put on his boots and weapons, and left immediately with Tang Long. When they had gone some distance on the road they came to an inn with a white circle on the door, and Tang Long suggested that they might make inquiries there. They entered and sat down. Tang Long asked the innkeeper whether he had noticed a man with a red deerskin box. The innkeeper remembered the man well, and said he had been there the previous night.

The two men started off again, and that evening they stopped at an inn which also had a white circle on the door. Xu Ning wished to push on, but Tang Long said he was too tired. There again they made inquiries, and the waiter remembered the man, and even told them that the man had said he was going to Shandong.

“Then we shall overtake him,” said Tang Long.

After sleeping there the two men started off again early the next morning.

Again they made inquiries at the inns on the way, and always got news of the deerskin box. As it grew dark they came to an old temple, and there they saw a man resting with a load under a tree. Xu Ning ran forward and seized hold of Shi Qian (for he was the man). “How brave you are! Why did you steal that box from my home?”

“Wait a bit!” said Shi Qian. “Do not get excited! I stole the box, but what do you want me to do now?”

“You have no decency,” said Xu Ning. “How can you ask such a question?”

“Well, look in the box, and see whether the armor is there,” replied Shi Qian.

Xu Ning opened the box, but found it empty. “Where is the armor?” he asked.

“I will tell you,” said Shi Qian. “My name is Zhang Da, and I am a Taian Prefecture man. In our town is a wealthy man who is a friend of General Old Zhong, Guardian of the Frontier. He knew of the armor you had, and wished to present it to the General. But he knew that you would not sell it, and therefore engaged me and another man named Li San to go to your home and steal it. In getting the box I had a fall and hurt my leg so that I could not walk very quickly. So Li San took the armor away, and left me behind to bring the empty box. If you now beat me, or send me to the yamen I will not say a word as to where the armor has gone to. If you will forgive me I will go with you to get back the armor.”

Xu Ning was undecided how to act, and did not speak for some time. Tang Long interposed and said, “Elder brother, you need not be afraid of him running away. We can go with him, and get the armor. If we cannot get the armor we can send him to the yamen.”

Xu Ning agreed to this. All three then went on the road, and stayed that night at an inn. Xu Ning and Tang Long were careful that Shi Qian did not escape. Shi Qian’s leg was not injured, he only wrapped much silk round his leg. Because Shi Qian limped Xu Ning at last decided that it was not necessary to watch him closely. The following day they traveled far. They came at last to a place where the road divided, and there they met two men pushing a barrow, accompanied by a man who simply walked. They stopped and saluted Tang Long who asked them what they were doing at that spot.

The man replied, “I have been trading at Zhengzhou, and am now on my way back to Taian.”

“That is fine,” said Tang Long. “We are also going to Taian and wish to hire a barrow.”

“Our barrow could carry all three of you,” replied the man.

Tang Long then introduced Xu Ning, and told him that last year he had been to Taian on a pilgrimage, and while there had met this merchant, Li Rong. He knew him as a chivalrous man.

“In that case,” said Xu Ning, “our man Zhang Da can ride on the barrow, and we can make haste.” This was done. On the way Xu Ning asked Li Rong whether he knew a wealthy man, named Guo at Taian. Li Rong said he knew him, and this settled Xu Ning’s mind as he felt that now he was sure to get the armor.

That day they were not far from Liangshan Marsh, and they stopped on the road while Li Rong sent his men to buy wine and food and bring it to them. When it arrived Li Rong took a gourd off the barrow, and filling it with wine offered it to Xu Ning who drunk it off. Li Rong was filling the gourd a second time for the others when apparently the jug slipped, and fell to the ground, and all the wine was lost. Li Rong shouted to his man to go and buy some more wine. Before the man returned Xu Ning was foaming at the mouth, and was lying down on the barrow. Who was this man Li Rong? He was Yue He from Liangshan Marsh. The men now wheeled the barrow off with Xu Ning, and soon reached Zhu Gui’s inn. There they put Xu Ning on a boat, rowed him across the lake, and carried him up the mountain. There they were met by Song Jiang and the other leaders. A drug was now administered to Xu Ning who recovered his consciousness. Seeing such a crowd of men all around, Xu Ning asked Tang Long, “Brother, why did you deceive me and bring me to this place?”

“Elder brother, I will explain,” replied Tang Long. “I heard that Song Jiang, the chief of these heroes, is always looking out for heroes to join his band. For this reason I came here and joined him. We have been attacked by troops under General Huyan Zhuo, and defeated. It was then I thought of the armor you had.” He explained fully how the armor had been stolen, and brought to Liangshan Marsh. He also invited him to join the bandits as a leader.

“Brother, you have seriously injured me.”

Song Jiang now stepped forward and spoke to Xu Ning. “I, Song Jiang, wait here with my men for the Emperor to admit us to citizenship. We are quite loyal, and will devote our life to our country. We do not covet riches, and have no desire to kill anybody. Our motives are of the best, and will stand your closest scrutiny. We request you to join us to act as agents for Heaven.”

Xu Ning however again addressed Tang Long, “You deceived me in bringing me here, and have exposed my wife and family to arrest.”

“That is already arranged,” said Song Jiang. “You need not worry. I will be responsible, and see that no trouble happens to your family. I will see that they are all safely brought here.”

Within a few days Xu Ning’s wife and family arrived. Xu Ning was surprised, and asked his wife how she came there. She replied, “When you had left, there were many inquiries as to why you had not turned up for duty. I said that you were sick, and gave them money to silence the matter. Then some days afterwards Tang Long came, and said that you had fallen sick in an inn on the road. He told us all to go with him quickly in order to see you before you died. He induced us to start at once, and brought us here.”

Xu Ning was pleased to see them, but said that now he could not go back to the capital.

Chao Gai and Song Jiang both pressed him to stay with them, and gave him a separate house for his family.

The leaders held a conference regarding further military operations, and they asked Xu Ning to instruct their men how to use the hooked spears, or halberds.

He agreed to do this, and selected the strongest men for his purpose.

Three thousand troops defeated at one battle,

A great hero surrendered on the spot.

We will now see how Xu Ning instructed the use of the hooked spear.