第六十一回

第六十一回 吴用智赚玉麒麟 张顺夜闹金沙渡

《满庭芳》：

通天彻地，能文会武，广交四海豪英。胸藏锦绣，义气更高明。潇洒纶巾野服，笑谈将、白羽麾兵。聚义处，人人瞻仰，四海久驰名。 韵度同诸葛，运筹帷幄，殚竭忠诚。有才能冠世，玉柱高擎。遂使玉麟归伏，命风雷驱使天丁。梁山泊军师吴用，天上智多星。

话说这篇词，单道着吴用的好处。因为这龙华寺僧人，说出此三绝玉麒麟卢俊义名字与宋江，吴用道：“小生凭三寸不烂之舌，尽一点忠义之心，舍死忘生，直往北京说卢俊义上山，如探囊取物，手到拈来。只是少一个粗心大胆的伴当，和我同去。”说犹未了，只见阶下一个人高声叫道：“军师哥哥，小弟与你走一遭！”吴用大笑。那人是谁？却是好汉黑旋风李逵。宋江喝道：“兄弟，你且住着！若是上风放火，下风杀人，打家劫舍，冲州撞府，合用着你。这是做细的勾当，你性子又不好，去不的。”李逵道：“你们都道我生的丑，嫌我，不要我去。”宋江道：“不是嫌你。如今大名府做公的极多，倘或被人看破，枉送了你的性命。”李逵叫道：“不妨，我定要去走一遭。”吴用道：“你若依的我三件事，便带你去；若依不的，只在寨中坐地。”李逵道：“莫说三件，便是三十件，也依你！”吴用道：“第一件，你的酒性如烈火，自今日去便断了酒，回来你却开；第二件，于路上做道童打扮，随着我，我但叫你，不要违拗；第三件最难，你从明日为始，并不要说话，只做哑子一般。依的这三件，便带你去。”李逵道：“不吃酒，做道童，却依的；闭着这个嘴不说话，却是鳖杀我！”吴用道：“你若开口，便惹出事来。”李逵道：“也容易，我只口里衔着一文铜钱便了！”宋江道：“兄弟，你若坚执要去，恐有疏失，休要怨我。”李逵道：“不妨，不妨！我这两把板斧不到的只这般教他拿了去，少也砍他娘千百个鸟头才罢。”众头领都笑，那里劝的住。

当日忠义堂上做筵席送路，至晚各自去歇息。次日清早，吴用收拾了一包行李，教李逵打扮做道童，挑担下山。宋江与众头领都在金沙滩送行，再三分付吴用小心在意，休教李逵有失。吴用、李逵别了众人下山，宋江等回寨。

且说吴用、李逵二人往北京去，行了四五日路程，却遇天色晚来，投店安歇，平明打火上路。于路上，吴用被李逵呕的苦。行了几日，赶到北京城外店肆里歇下。当晚李逵去厨下做饭，一拳打的店小二吐血。小二哥来房里告诉吴用道：“你的哑道童，我小人不与他烧火，打的小人吐血。”吴用慌忙与他陪话，把十数贯钱与他将息，自埋怨李逵，不在话下。过了一夜，次日天明起来，安排些饭食吃了。吴用唤李逵入房中，分付道：“你这厮苦死要来，一路上呕死我也！今日入城，不是耍处，你休送了我的性命！”李逵道：“不敢，不敢！”吴用道：“我再和你打个暗号：若是我把头来摇时，你便不可动掸。”李逵应承了。两个就店里打扮入城。怎见的？

吴用戴一顶乌绉纱抹眉头巾，穿一领皂沿边白绢道服，系一条杂采吕公绦，着一双方头青布履，手里拿一副赛黄金熟铜铃杵。李逵戗几根蓬松黄发，绾两枚浑骨丫髻，黑虎躯穿一领粗布短褐袍，飞熊腰勒一条杂色短须绦，穿一双蹬山透土靴，担一条过头木拐棒，挑着个纸招儿，上写着“讲命谈天，卦金一两”。

吴用、李逵两个打扮了，锁上房门，离了店肆，望北京城南门来。行无一里，却早望见城门，端的好个北京！但见：

城高地险，堑阔濠深。一周回鹿角交加，四下里排叉密布。敌楼雄壮，缤纷杂采旗幡；堞道坦平，簇摆刀枪剑戟。钱粮浩大，人物繁华。千百处舞榭歌台，数万座琳宫梵宇。东西院内，笙箫鼓乐喧天；南北店中，行货钱财满地。公子跨金鞍骏马，佳人乘翠盖珠軿。千员猛将统层城，百万黎民居上国。

此时天下各处盗贼生发，各州府县俱有军马守把。惟此北京是河北第一个去处，更兼又是梁中书统领大军镇守，如何不摆得整齐。

且说吴用、李逵两个，摇摇摆摆，却好来到城门下。守门的左右约有四五十军士，簇捧着一个把门的官人在那里坐定。吴用向前施礼，军士问道：“秀才那里来？”吴用答道：“小生姓张名用，这个道童姓李。江湖上卖卦营生，今来大郡与人讲命。”身边取出假文引[1]，交军士看了。众人道：“这个道童的鸟眼，恰像贼一般看人。”李逵听道，正待要发作，吴用慌忙把头来摇，李逵便低了头。吴用向前与把门军士陪话道：“小生一言难尽！这个道童又聋又哑，只有一分蛮气力，却是家生的孩儿[2]，没奈何带他出来。这厮不省人事，望乞恕罪！”辞了便行。李逵跟在背后，脚高步低，望市心里来。吴用手中摇着铃杵，口里念四句口号道：

“甘罗发早子牙迟，彭祖颜回寿不齐。

范丹贫穷石崇富，八字生来各有时。”

吴用又道：“乃时也，运也，命也。知生知死，知因知道。若要问前程，先请银一两。”说罢，又摇铃杵。北京城内小儿，约有五六十个，跟着看了笑。却好转到卢员外解库门首，自歌自笑，去了复又回来，小儿们哄动。

卢员外正在解库厅前坐地，看着那一班主管收解，只听得街上喧哄，唤当直的问道：“如何街上热闹？”当直的报复员外：“端的好笑，街上一个别处来的算命先生，在街上卖卦，要银一两算一命。谁人舍的！后头一个跟的道童，且是生的渗濑，走又走的没样范，小的们跟定了笑。”卢俊义道：“既出大言，必有广学。当直的，与我请他来。”也是天罡星合当聚会，自然生出机会来。当直的慌忙去叫道：“先生，员外有请。”吴用道：“是何人请我？”当直的道：“卢员外相请。”吴用便唤道童跟着转来，揭起帘子，入到厅前，教李逵只在鹅项椅上坐定等候。吴用转过前来，见卢员外时，那人生的如何？有《满庭芳》词为证：

目炯双瞳，眉分八字，身躯九尺如银。威风凛凛，仪表似天神。义胆忠肝贯日，吐虹蜺志气凌云。驰声誉，北京城内，元是富豪门。 杀场临敌处，冲开万马，扫退千军。殚赤心报国，建立功勋。慷慨名扬宇宙，论英雄播满乾坤。卢员外双名俊义，河北玉麒麟。

这篇词单道卢俊义豪杰处。吴用向前施礼，卢俊义欠身答礼，问道：“先生贵乡何处？尊姓高名？”吴用答道：“小生姓张名用，自号谈天口。祖贯山东人氏。能算皇极先天数，知人生死贵贱。卦金白银一两，方才算命。”卢俊义请入后堂小阁儿里，分宾坐定；茶汤已罢，叫当直的取过白银一两，放于桌上，权为压命之资：“烦先生看贱造[3]则个。”吴用道：“请贵庚月日下算。”卢俊义道：“先生，君子问灾不问福。不必道在下豪富，只求推算目下行藏则个。在下今年三十二岁，甲子年乙丑月丙寅日丁卯时。”吴用取出一把铁算子来，排在桌上，算了一回，拿起算子桌上一拍，大叫一声：“怪哉！”卢俊义失惊，问道：“贱造主何凶吉？”吴用道：“员外若不见怪，当以直言。”卢俊义道：“正要先生与迷人指路，但说不妨。”吴用道：“员外这命，目下不出百日之内，必有血光之灾，家私不能保守，死于刀剑之下。”卢俊义笑道：“先生差矣！卢某生于北京，长在豪富之家，祖宗无犯法之男，亲族无再婚之女；更兼俊义作事谨慎，非理不为，非财不取，又无寸男为盗，亦无只女为非，如何能有血光之灾？”吴用改容变色，急取原银付还，起身便走，嗟叹而言：“天下原来都要人阿谀谄佞。罢，罢！分明指与平川路，却把忠言当恶言。小生告退。”卢俊义道：“先生息怒，前言特地戏耳。愿听指教。”吴用道：“小生直言，切勿见怪。”卢俊义道：“在下专听，愿勿隐匿。”吴用道：“员外贵造，一向都行好运。但今年时犯岁君，正交恶限。目今百日之内，尸首异处。此乃生来分定，不可逃也。”卢俊义道：“可以回避否？”吴用再把铁算子搭了一回，便回员外道：“则除非去东南方巽地上[4]一千里之外，方可免此大难。虽有些惊恐，却不伤大体。”卢俊义道：“若是免的此难，当以厚报。”吴用道：“命中有四句卦歌，小生说与员外，写于壁上，后日应验，方知小生灵处。”卢俊义道：“叫取笔砚来。”便去白粉壁上写，吴用口歌四句：

“芦花丛里一扁舟，俊杰俄从此地游。

义士若能知此理，反躬逃难可无忧。”

当时卢俊义写罢，吴用收拾起算子，作揖便行。卢俊义留道：“先生少坐，过午了去。”吴用答道：“多蒙员外厚意，误了小生卖卦，改日再来拜会。”抽身便起。卢俊义送到门首，李逵拿了拐棒儿走出门外。吴学究别了卢俊义，引了李逵，径出城来，回到店中，算还房宿饭钱，收拾行李包裹。李逵挑出卦牌。出离店肆，对李逵说道：“大事了也！我们星夜赶回山寨，安排圈套，准备机关，迎接卢俊义。他早晚便来也。”

且不说吴用、李逵还寨，却说卢俊义自从算卦之后，寸心如割，坐立不安。当夜无话，捱到次日天晓，洗漱罢，早饭已了，出到堂前，便叫当直的去唤众多主管商议事务。少刻都到。那一个为头管家私的主管，姓李名固。这李固原是东京人，因来北京投奔相识不着，冻倒在卢员外门前。卢俊义救了他性命，养他家中。因见他勤谨，写的算的，教他管顾家间事务。五年之内，直抬举他做了都管，一应里外家私都在他身上，手下管着四五十个行财管干，一家内都称他做李都管。当日大小管事之人，都随李固来堂前声喏。卢员外看了一遭，便道：“怎生不见我那一个人？”说犹未了，阶前走过一人来。看那来人怎生模样？但见：

六尺以上身材，二十四五年纪，三牙掩口细髯，十分腰细膀阔。戴一顶木瓜心攒顶头巾，穿一领银丝纱团领白衫，系一条蜘蛛斑红线压腰，着一双土黄皮油膀胛靴。脑后一对挨兽金环，护项一枚香罗手帕，腰间斜插名人扇，鬓畔常簪四季花。

这人是北京土居人氏，自小父母双亡，卢员外家中养的他大。为见他一身雪练也似白肉，卢俊义叫一个高手匠人与他刺了这一身遍体花绣，却似玉亭柱上铺着软翠。若赛锦体，由你是谁，都输与他。不则一身好花绣，那人更兼吹的、弹的、唱的、舞的，拆白道字[5]，顶真续麻[6]，无有不能，无有不会。亦是说的诸路乡谈[7]，省的诸行百艺的市语。更且一身本事，无人比的。拿着一张川弩，只用三枝短箭，郊外落生[8]，并不放空，箭到物落，晚间入城，少杀也有百十个虫蚁[9]。若赛锦标社[10]，那里利物管取都是他的。亦且此人百伶百俐，道头知尾。本身姓燕，排行第一，官名单讳个青字。北京城里人口顺，都叫他做浪子燕青。曾有一篇《沁园春》词，单道着燕青的好处。但见：

唇若涂朱，睛如点漆，面似堆琼。有出人英武，凌云志气，资禀聪明。仪表天然磊落，梁山上端的驰名。伊州古调，唱出绕梁声。 果然是艺苑专精，风月丛中第一名。听鼓板喧云，笙声嘹亮，畅叙幽情。棍棒参差，揎拳飞脚，四百军州到处惊。人都羡英雄领袖，浪子燕青。

原来这燕青是卢俊义家心腹人。都上厅声喏了，做两行立住。李固立在左边，燕青立在右边。卢俊义开言道：“我夜来算了一命，道我有百日血光之灾，只除非出去东南上一千里之外躲避。我想东南方有个去处，是泰安州，那里有东岳泰山天齐仁圣帝金殿，管天下人民生死灾厄。我一者去那里烧炷香消灾灭罪，二者躲过这场灾悔，三者做些买卖，观看外方景致。李固，你与我觅十辆太平车子，装十辆山东货物，你就收拾行李，跟我去走一遭。燕青小乙[11]看管家里库房钥匙，只今日便与李固交割。我三日之内便要起身。”李固道：“主人误矣。常言道：贾卜卖卦，转回说话。休听那算命的胡言乱语。只在家中，怕做甚么？”卢俊义道：“我命中注定了，你休逆我。若有灾来，悔却晚矣。”燕青道：“主人在上，须听小乙愚见。这一条路去山东泰安州，正打从梁山泊边过。近年泊内是宋江一伙强人在那里打家劫舍，官兵捕盗，近他不得。主人要去烧香，等太平了去，休信夜来那个算命的胡讲。倒敢是梁山泊歹人，假装做阴阳人来扇惑，要赚主人那里落草。小乙可惜夜来不在家里，若在家时，三言两句，盘倒那先生，倒敢有场好笑。”卢俊义道：“你们不要胡说，谁人敢来赚我！梁山泊那伙贼男女打甚么紧，我观他如同草芥，兀自要去特地捉他，把日前学成武艺显扬于天下，也算个男子大丈夫。”

说犹未了，屏风背后走出娘子来，乃是卢员外浑家，年方二十五岁，姓贾，嫁与卢俊义才方五载，琴瑟谐和。娘子贾氏便道：“丈夫，我听你说多时了。自古道：出外一里，不如屋里。休听那算命的胡说，撇了海阔一个家业，耽惊受怕，去虎穴龙潭里做买卖。你且只在家内，清心寡欲，高居静坐，自然无事。”卢俊义道：“你妇人家省得甚么！宁可信其有，不可信其无。自古祸出师人[12]口，必主吉凶。我既主意定了，你都不得多言多语。”

燕青又道：“小人托主人福荫，学的些个棒法在身。不是小乙说嘴，帮着主人去走一遭，路上便有些个草寇出来，小人也敢发落的三五十个开去。留下李都管看家，小人伏侍主人走一遭。”卢俊义道：“便是我买卖上不省的，要带李固去，他须省的，又替我大半气力，因此留你在家看守。自有别人管帐，只教你做个桩主[13]。”李固又道：“小人近日有些脚气的症候，十分走不的多路。”卢俊义听了大怒道：“养兵千日，用在一朝。我要你跟我去走一遭，你便有许多推故。若是那一个再阻我的，教他知我拳头的滋味！”李固吓的面如土色，众人谁敢再说，各自散了。

李固只得忍气吞声，自去安排行李，讨了十辆太平车子，唤了十个脚夫，四五十拽车头口，把行李装上车子，行货拴缚完备。卢俊义自去结束。第三日，烧了神福给散了，家中大男小女一个个都分付了，当晚先叫李固引两个当直的尽收拾了出城。李固去了，娘子看了车仗，流泪而去。

次日五更，卢俊义起来，沐浴罢，更换一身新衣服，取出器械，到后堂里辞别了祖先香火，出门上路。看卢俊义时怎生打扮？但见：

头戴范阳遮尘毡笠，拳来大小撒发红缨，斜纹缎子布衫，查开五指梅红线绦，青白行缠抓住袜口，软绢袜衬多耳麻鞋。腰悬一把雁翎响铜钢刀，海驴皮鞘子，手拿一条搜山搅海棍棒。端的是山东驰誉，河北扬名。

当下卢俊义拜辞家堂已了，分付娘子：“好生看家，多便三个月，少只四五十日便回。”贾氏道：“丈夫路上小心，频寄书信回来，家中知道。”说罢，燕青在面前拜了。卢俊义分付道：“小乙在家，凡事向前，不可出去三瓦两舍打哄。”燕青道：“主人在上，小乙不敢偷工夫闲耍。主人如此出行，怎敢怠慢！”卢俊义提了棍棒，出到城外。有诗一首，单道卢俊义这条好棒。有诗为证：

挂壁悬崖欺瑞雪，撑天拄地撼狂风。

虽然身上无牙爪，出水巴山秃尾龙。

李固接着，卢俊义道：“你可引两个伴当先去。但有干净客店，先做下饭，等候车仗脚夫到来便吃，省的担阁了路程。”李固也提条杆棒，先和两个伴当去了。卢俊义和数个当直的，随后押着车仗行。但见途中山明水秀，路阔坡平，心中欢喜道：“我若是在家，那里见这般景致！”行了四十馀里，李固接着主人。吃点心中饭罢，李固又先去了。再行四五十里，到客店里，李固接着车仗人马宿食。卢俊义来到店房内，倚了棍棒，挂了毡笠儿，解下腰刀，换了鞋袜，宿食皆不必说。次日清早起来，打火做饭，众人吃了，收拾车辆头口，上路又行。

自此在路夜宿晓行，已经数日，来到一个客店里宿食。天明要行，只见店小二哥对卢俊义说道：“好教官人得知，离小人店不得二十里路，正打梁山泊边口子前过去。山上宋公明大王，虽然不害来往客人，官人须是悄悄过去，休得大惊小怪。”卢俊义听了道：“原来如此！”便叫当直的取下衣箱，打开锁，去里面提出一个包袱，内取出四面白绢旗；问小二哥讨了四根竹竿，每一根缚起一面旗来。每面栲栳大小几个字，写道：

“慷慨北京卢俊义，远驮货物离乡地。

一心只要捉强人，那时方表男儿志！”

李固等众人看了，一齐叫起苦来。店小二问道：“官人莫不和山上宋大王是亲么？”卢俊义道：“我自是北京财主，却和这贼们有甚么亲！我特地要来捉宋江这厮。”小二哥道：“官人低声些，不要连累小人，不是耍处！你便有一万人马，也近他不的！”卢俊义道：“放屁！你这厮们都和那贼人做一路！”店小二叫苦不迭，众车脚夫都痴呆了。李固跪在地下告道：“主人可怜见众人，留了这条性命回乡去，强似做罗天大醮！”卢俊义喝道：“你省的甚么！这等燕雀，安敢和鸿鹄厮并！我思量平生学的一身本事，不曾逢着买主，今日幸然逢此机会，不就这里发卖，更待何时！我那车子上叉袋里，已准备下一袋熟麻索。倘或这贼们当死合亡，撞在我手里，一朴刀一个砍翻，你们众人与我便缚在车子上。撇了货物不打紧，且收拾车子捉人。把这贼首解上京师，请功受赏，方表我平生之愿！若你们一个不肯去的，只就这里把你们先杀了！”

前面摆四辆车子，上插了四把绢旗；后面六辆车子，随从了行。那李固和众人，哭哭啼啼，只得依他。卢俊义取出朴刀，装在杆棒上，三个丫儿扣牢了，赶着车子奔梁山泊路上来。李固等见了崎岖山路，行一步怕一步。卢俊义只顾赶着要行。从清早起来，行到巳牌时分，远远地望见一座大林，有千百株合抱不交的大树。却好行到林子边，只听的一声唿哨响，吓的李固和两个当直的没躲处。卢俊义教把车仗押在一边。车夫众人都躲在车子底下叫苦。卢俊义喝道：“我若搠翻，你们与我便缚！”说犹未了，只见林子边走出四五百小喽啰来。听得后面锣声响处，又有四五百小喽啰截住后路。林子里一声炮响，托地跳出一筹好汉。怎地模样？但见：

茜红头巾，金花斜袅。铁甲凤盔，锦衣绣袄。血染髭髯，虎威雄暴。大斧一双，人皆吓倒。

又诗曰：

铁额金睛老大虫，翻身跳出树林中。

一声咆吼如雷震，万里传名黑旋风。

当下李逵手搦双斧，厉声高叫：“卢员外认得哑道童么？”卢俊义猛省，喝道：“我如常有心要来拿你这伙强盗，今日特地到此！快教宋江那厮下山投拜！倘或执迷，我片时间教你人人皆死，个个不留！”李逵呵呵大笑道：“员外，你今日中了俺的军师妙计，快来坐把交椅。”卢俊义大怒，搦着手中朴刀，来斗李逵。李逵轮起双斧来迎。两个斗不到三合，李逵托地跳出圈子外来，转过身望林子里便走。卢俊义挺着朴刀，随后赶将入来。李逵在林木丛中，东闪西躲，引得卢俊义性发，破一步抢入林来。李逵飞奔乱松丛里去了。卢俊义赶过林子这边，一个人也不见了。却待回身，只听得松林傍边转出一伙人来，一个人高声大叫：“员外不要走！认得俺么？”卢俊义看时，却是一个胖大和尚，身穿皂直裰，倒提铁禅杖。卢俊义喝道：“你是那里来的和尚？”鲁智深大笑道：“洒家是花和尚鲁智深。今奉哥哥将令，着俺来迎接员外上山。”卢俊义焦躁，大骂：“秃驴，敢如此无礼！”拈手中朴刀，直取那和尚。鲁智深轮起铁禅杖来迎。两个斗不到三合，鲁智深拨开朴刀，回身便走，卢俊义赶将去。正赶之间，喽啰里走出行者武松，轮两口戒刀，直奔将来。卢俊义不赶和尚，来斗武松。又不到三合，武松拔步便走。卢俊义哈哈大笑：“我不赶你，你这厮们何足道哉！”说犹未了，只见山坡下一个人在那里叫道：“卢员外，你如何省得！岂不闻人怕落荡，铁怕落炉？哥哥定下的计策，你待走那里去？”卢俊义喝道：“你这厮是谁？”那人笑道：“小可便是赤发鬼刘唐。”卢俊义骂道：“草贼休走！”挺手中朴刀，直取刘唐。方才斗得三合，刺斜里一个人大叫道：“好汉没遮拦穆弘在此！”当时刘唐、穆弘两个，两条朴刀，双斗卢俊义。正斗之间，不到三合，只听的背后脚步响，卢俊义喝声：“着！”刘唐、穆弘跳退数步。卢俊义便转身斗背后的好汉，却是扑天雕李应。三个头领丁字脚围定，卢俊义全然不慌，越斗越健。正好步斗，只听得山顶上一声锣响，三个头领各自卖个破绽，一齐拔步去了。卢俊义又斗得一身臭汗，不去赶他。再回林子边来寻车仗人伴时，十辆车子、人伴、头口，都不见了，口里只管叫苦。有诗为证：

避灾因作泰山游，暗里机谋不自由。

家产妻孥俱撇下，来吞水浒钓鱼钩。

卢俊义便向高阜处四下里打一望，只见远远地山坡下一伙小喽啰，把车仗头口赶在前面，将李固一干人连连串串缚在后面，鸣锣擂鼓，解投松树那边去。卢俊义望见，心如火炽，气似烟生，提着朴刀，直赶将去。约莫离山坡不远，只见两筹好汉喝一声道：“那里去！”一个是美髯公朱仝，一个是插翅虎雷横。卢俊义见了，高声骂道：“你这伙草贼，好好把车仗人马还我！”朱仝手拈长髯大笑，说道：“卢员外，你还恁地不晓得，中了俺军师妙计，便肋生两翅，也飞不出去。快来大寨坐把交椅。”卢俊义听了大怒，挺起朴刀，直奔二人。朱仝、雷横各将兵器相迎。三个斗不到三合，两个回身便走。卢俊义寻思道：“须是赶翻一个，却才讨得车仗。”舍着性命，赶转山坡，两个好汉都不见了，只听得山顶上鼓板吹箫。仰面看时，风刮起那面杏黄旗来，上面绣着“替天行道”四字。转过来打一望，望见红罗销金伞下盖着宋江，左有吴用，右有公孙胜，一行部从二百馀人，一齐声喏道：“员外别来无恙！”卢俊义见了越怒，指名叫骂。山上吴用劝道：“兄长且须息怒。宋公明久闻员外清德，实慕威名，特令吴某亲诣门墙，赚员外上山，一同替天行道。请休见责。”卢俊义大骂：“无端草贼，怎敢赚我！”宋江背后转过小李广花荣，拈弓取箭，看着卢俊义喝道：“卢员外休要逞能，先教你看花荣神箭！”说犹未了，飕地一箭正中卢俊义头上毡笠儿的红缨。吃了一惊，回身便走。山上鼓声震地，只见霹雳火秦明、豹子头林冲，引一彪军马，摇旗呐喊，从东山边杀出来；又见双鞭将呼延灼、金枪手徐宁，也领一彪军马，摇旗呐喊，从山西边杀出来，吓得卢俊义走投没路。看看天色将晚，脚又疼，肚又饥，正是慌不择路，望山僻小径只顾走。约莫黄昏时分，烟迷远水，雾锁深山，星月微明，不分丛莽。正走之间，不到天尽头，须到地尽处，看看走到鸭嘴滩头，只一望时，都是满目芦花，茫茫烟水。卢俊义看见，仰天长叹道：“是我不听好人言，今日果有凄惶事！”正烦恼间，只见芦苇里面一个渔人，摇着一只小船出来。正是：

生涯临野渡，茅屋隐晴川。

沽酒浑家乐，看山满意眠。

棹穿波底月，船压水中天。

惊起闲鸥鹭，冲开柳岸烟。

那渔人倚定小船叫道：“客官好大胆！这是梁山泊出没的去处，半夜三更，怎地来到这里？”卢俊义道：“便是我迷踪失路，寻不着宿头。你救我则个！”渔人道：“此间大宽转，有一个市井，却用走三十馀里向开路程；更兼路杂，最是难认。若是水路去时，只有三五里远近。你舍得十贯钱与我，我便把船载你过去。”卢俊义道：“你若渡得我过去，寻得市井客店，我多与你些银两。”那渔人摇船傍岸，扶卢俊义下船，把铁篙撑开。约行三五里水面，只听得前面芦苇丛中橹声响，一只小船飞也似来。船上有两个人，前面一个赤条条地拿着一条水篙，后面那个摇着橹。前面的人横定篙，口里唱着山歌道：

“生来不会读诗书，且就梁山泊内居。

准备窝弓射猛虎，安排香饵钓鳌鱼。”

卢俊义听得，吃了一惊，不敢做声。又听得右边芦苇丛中，也是两个人摇一只小船出来。后面的摇着橹，有咿哑之声；前面的横定篙，口里也唱山歌道：

“乾坤生我泼皮身，赋性从来要杀人。

万两黄金浑不爱，一心要捉玉麒麟。”

卢俊义听了，只叫得苦。只见当中一只小船，飞也似摇将来，船头上立着一个人，倒提铁锁木篙，口里亦唱着山歌道：

“芦花丛里一扁舟，俊杰俄从此地游。

义士若能知此理，反躬逃难可无忧。”

歌罢，三只船一齐唱喏。中间是阮小二，左边是阮小五，右边的是阮小七。那三只小船一齐撞将来。卢俊义听了，心内转惊，自想又不识水性，连声便叫渔人：“快与我拢船近岸！”那渔人呵呵大笑，对卢俊义说道：“上是青天，下是绿水。我生在浔阳江，来上梁山泊，三更不改名，四更不改姓，绰号混江龙李俊的便是！员外若还不肯降时，送了你性命！”卢俊义大惊，喝一声，说道：“不是你，便是我！”拿着朴刀，望李俊心窝里搠将来。李俊见朴刀搠将来，拿定棹牌，一个背抛筋斗，扑同的翻下水去了。那只船滴溜溜在水面上转，朴刀又搠将下水去了。只见船尾一个人从水底下钻出来，叫一声，乃是浪里白跳张顺，把手挟住船梢，脚踏水浪，把船只一侧，船底朝天，英雄落水。未知卢俊义性命如何？正是：铺排打凤牢龙计，坑陷惊天动地人。毕竟卢俊义落水性命如何，且听下回分解。

[1] 文引——证明文书。这里指通行证。

[2] 家生的孩儿——卖身的奴仆所生的孩子。省称家生的，或家生子。

[3] 贱造——谦称自己的生辰八字。

[4] 巽（xùn）地上——按照八卦排列的方向，乾是西北，巽是东南。

[5] 拆白道字——宋时流行的文字游戏之一种：把一个字拆作两个字，成句子说出来。例如黄山谷的《两同心词》：“你共人女边着子，争知我门里挑心。”就是拆的“好”、“闷”两字。

[6] 顶真续麻——宋时流行的文字游戏之又一种：下一句的头一字，就是上一句的末一字。例如：“断肠人寄断肠词，词写心间事，事到头来不由自……”。

[7] 乡谈——方言土语，地方掌故。

[8] 落生——射猎。

[9] 虫蚁——这里指小的鸟雀。

[10] 锦标社——比赛射弩的团体组织。

[11] 小乙——对排行第一的年轻男子的俗称。

[12] 师人——指占卜、星相术士。

[13] 桩主——店里当家的大管事。

CHAPTER 60. Wu Yong Schemes to Get Hold of the Jeweled Qilin; Zhang Shun Upsets a Boat at Jinsha Bank

“I rely on my small tongue,” said Wu Yong, “to go to the Northern Capital and get the ‘Jade Qilin’ to join us here just as easily as I take an article out of my pocket. But it would be necessary that a man of strange appearance should accompany me there.”

Li Kui heard this, and said, “Elder brother, I am willing to go with you.”

“You keep quiet,” said Song Jiang. “I shall need you if there is any arson, murder, or looting to be done. But this requires artfulness, and your nature is not suitable for such work.”

“But am I not an ugly strange person?” said Li Kui. “Why not make use of my strange appearance?”

“I do not dislike you,” said Song Jiang, “but if you go to the Northern Capital and they found out your name, your life would be in danger.”

“Never mind that,” said Li Kui, “I think that Wu Yong will see that I am suitable.”

“You must listen to my three conditions,” said Wu Yong. “If you do not agree to them then you must stay here.”

“Three conditions will not stop me,” replied Li Kui. “If there were thirty conditions I would agree to them.”

“The first condition,” said Wu Yong, “is that you should abstain from wine because when you take it you have a violent temper. Second condition, you must dress as a Taoist acolyte, and obey my orders implicitly. The third is difficult. From tomorrow you must not speak a single word, but act like a mute. If you will observe these three conditions you may go with me.”

“The first two I can observe, but the third is very hard,” said Li Kui.

“If you open your mouth mischief is bound to happen,” said Wu Yong.

“I shall have to do it,” said Li Kui. “I can keep my mouth closed by having a copper cash on my tongue.”

There was general laughter at this. It was agreed to let Li Kui go, and that evening a farewell banquet was held in the Loyalty and Justice Hall.

Early the next morning Li Kui donned the priest’s garb, and left the mountain with Wu Yong. For five days these two traveled along the road to the Northern Capital, Daming, and rested each night at inns on the way. Li Kui kept his word, but found it very difficult at times to keep quiet when he had lost his temper. Upon reaching the capital they stayed at an inn, and one evening when Li Kui was in the kitchen cooking food he lost his temper and struck one of the servants. The servant went and complained to Wu Yong of this. Wu Yong offered apologies, and gave the servant ten strings of cash in compensation.

The next morning after breakfast Wu Yong called Li Kui and said, “You have begun to annoy me with your temper. Let us have no more of this. Today you must accompany me and keep out of mischief. If there is any trouble today you may endanger my life. I will now give you a secret signal. When I wag my head you must not move.”

They both then left the inn and went into the city. Wu Yong was dressed as a priest, and carried a small bell; Li Kui was dressed as an acolyte, and carried a stick over his shoulder to which was attached a piece of paper with a text written on it, “Tell fortunes, and give advice on any matter for one tael of silver.”

At that time there were many soldiers in Daming Prefecture because in the country around were many bandits and thieves. It was also the headquarters of Grand Secretary Liang, the commander in chief of the armies north of the Yellow River. Wu Yang and Li Kui came to the city gate where there was an officer of the guard. Wu Yang saluted him, and the officer asked, “Sir, where are you from?”

“My name is Zhang Yong,” replied Wu Yong, “and this is my assistant named Li. I am a fortune teller.”

An inspector of passports was looking at Wu Yong’s paper, when a soldier remarked, “This acolyte has the appearance of a thief.” Li Kui was angry and would have hit the fellow, but Wu Yong wagged his head, and so Li Kui curbed his temper and hung down his head.

Wu Yong offered apologies for his assistant’s quick temper, and then all being in order they went their way. As he went along the street Wu Yong rattled his bell and sang a ballad:

Gan Luo a mandarin, when young

Zi Ya when old;

Unlucky Yan Hui died in youth,

Peng Zu when old;

Fan Dan was always poor from birth,

Shi Chong was rich.

Some men just prosper, smiling,

Seem destined for the best of fate;

For others, graves are yawning,

Unlucky and unfortunate.

From me nothing is hidden,

Of life and death or poverty;

Beware of fatal omen,

Consult me now, avoid delay.

Having finished this he rang his bell again. He was soon followed by a crowd of boys who laughed at him. When he reached Lu Junyi’s house he walked backwards and forwards there, singing the funny song, and ringing his bell, and being ridiculed by the crowd of boys.

Lu Junyi heard the noise, and asked a servant what it was about.

“It is very funny!” said the servant. “There is a fortune teller who asks for a tael of silver to tell one’s horoscope. He is accompanied by a strange-looking acolyte who is very uncouth, and his antics amuse the people.”

“As he asks for so much he must be a well-educated man,” said Lu Junyi. “You go and ask him to come here.”

The servant went and asked Wu Yong to come to his master. “What is your master’s name?” asked Wu Yong. The servant told him, and then Wu Yong agreed to go. Upon reaching the room the servant gave Li Kui a chair on the veranda and asked him to wait there. He then lifted the door curtain, and showed in Wu Yong who saluted Lu Junyi.

“What is your honorable village and name?” asked Lu Junyi.

“I am Zhang Yong, and my nickname is ‘Heaven’s Mouth,’ and I am a Shandong man. I am familiar with the book on ‘Nativity and Fate,’ and can foretell the future. My fee is one tael of silver.”

Lu Junyi asked him to enter a smaller room at the back, and there sat down.

The host ordered tea, and also a tael of silver to be given to Wu Yong. He then asked Wu Yong to tell his fortune.

Wu Yong asked for the date, hour, etc. of his birth, but Lu Junyi said he did not want to know much of his good fortune but whether any mishap would happen to him. “This year I am thirty-two years old, and was born in the last month of the year.”

Wu Yong shook his box, and throwing out the cash exclaimed, “How strange!”

Lu Junyi was startled and asked, “Is it auspicious or inauspicious?”

“I cannot be straight with you,” replied Wu Yong, “because you would not like it.”

“If I have gone astray I hope that you will tell me,” said Lu Junyi, “and never mind what I say.”

“In the near future,” said Wu Yong, “you will meet some bloody disaster, and you will be killed. Your family possessions will all be lost.”

Lu Junyi laughed at this and said, “I am afraid that you have made a mistake. I was born in this town, and have always had plenty of money. In our family we have never had a lawbreaker, nor have we had a criminal. Our widows have never re-married. Moreover my affairs have always been well done; nothing irregular, and no ill-gotten gain. How could I now get into some bloody disaster?’’

Wu Yong changed his countenance, handed back the money he had received, and said, “Everywhere people like to be flattered. Enough! I speak the truth and yet my words are taken in an ill purpose. I must go now.”

“Do not be annoyed at what I said,” replied Lu Junyi, “I was only jesting. Please tell me exactly what yon think will happen.”

“It is always hard to believe unpleasant truths,” said Wu Yong.

“I ask you to conceal nothing from me, and I will hear the worst,” said Lu Junyi.

“Your fate has been propitious up to now,” said Wu Yong, “but this year there will be a change for the worst. Within a hundred days your body will lose its head. Your fate has been fixed by Heaven, and there is no way of escape.”

“Is it not possible to avoid this trouble?” asked Lu Junyi.

Wu Yong again shook the cash in his box, and throwing them out examined them with apparently great care. He said, “It appears that if you went from here about three hundred li to the southeast you might get out of the reach of this coming disaster. You might still have some trouble there, but it would not be so serious.”

“If you help me to escape this coming disaster I will recompense you liberally,” said Lu Junyi.

“I will express your fate in four lines of poetry which you may write down on the wall,” said Wu Yong, “and when things happen to you, you will realize the accuracy of my prognostication.’’

Lu Junyi summoned a servant to get a writing brush, and wrote on the white wall of the room the following stanzas as Wu Yong dictated:

On bank a gallant hero strolls,

His boat is hidden in the reeds;

The end is destined by fate

No sorrow if he takes rest.

After Lu Junyi had written this Wu Yong picked up his box and was about to depart but Lu Junyi requested him to wait a little. Wu Yong, however, said he had some business to attend to, but he would come again some other day. Lu Junyi accompanied him to the door, and both Wu Yong and Li Kui departed. Upon reaching the inn they packed up their baggage, paid their bills, and left at once. When they were on the road again, Wu Yong said, “That business is finished. We can now quickly go back to Liangshan Marsh, and await there for the arrival of Lu Junyi.”

When Wu Yong had left, Lu Junyi kept going over what he had said. He kept looking at the sky and was restless. One day he sent for all his employees to discuss matters. His chief steward was named Li Gu, and was an Eastern Capital man. Previously he had come to the Northern Capital to see a friend, but as that man had left he found himself stranded. One winter day he was starving, and Lu Junyi saw him, and took pity on him, and gave him employment. He had proved his abilities in his work, and very soon he was promoted. Step by step he had become chief steward, and managed all the affairs of the estate. Under him were about fifty servants.

When all the employees had assembled Lu Junyi did not notice another confident steward so he asked where he was. Just as he spoke a big man presented himself. He was about twenty-five years of age, but had a moustache. He had broad shoulders, but a slim waist. He wore a white silk gown, and had a hat shaped like a melon. He had a red decorated belt, and wore yellow leather boots. A metal ring was hanging at the back of his head, and a flower was stuck in the side of his hat. He was a native of the town, and had been succored by Lu Junyi as he had neither father nor mother. His skin was quite white, and had been tattooed all over with numerous designs. He played well on the flute and the lute, and was also good at singing and acting. In fact there was hardly anything he could not do, and do well. He knew all dialects, and spoke them fluently. He also knew the expressions used in every trade and profession. A skilled archer and good at all games, he was always a successful champion in whatever he took up. His name was Yan Qing, and he was known by his nickname ‘The Prodigy.’ He was the confident of his master Lu Junyi. It was he who now entered the room along with Li Gu, the steward.

When he saw them enter Lu Junyi spoke, “The other day I had my fortune told, and within a hundred days I shall meet a bloody disaster. In order to avoid that fate I must go about three hundred li to the southeast. The likely place I know is Mount Tai in Taian Prefecture, Shandong, where there is a temple dedicated to the Supreme Heavenly Emperor, who controls the births, deaths, and calamities of the people. I will go there and offer incense to redeem my sins. I can take refuge there until this threatening danger has passed by. While there I can buy and sell things, and also see the views. Li Gu, I want you to get ten carts for me, and load them with suitable goods for sale there. You can accompany me on this trip. You can hand over today all my household affairs to Yan Qing who will take your place. I want to start in three days from now.”

“Sir, I am afraid that you are making a mistake,” replied Li Gu. “There is a saying, ‘Divinations can be forged in any form.’ You better not believe what fortune tellers say. If you remain here there will be no fear of any danger.”

“My life is decided by fate,” said Lu Junyi. “Do not hinder my movements, because if the calamity happened it would be too late for regret.”

“Sir, will you please listen to me,” interposed Yan Qing. “If you go to Mount Tai you must pass close to Liangshan Marsh, and there the brigands are very powerful under a leader named Song Jiang. Soldiers have failed to suppress the brigands. If you must go to offer incense at Mount Tai, it would be better if you waited here until the affairs in that quarter are more settled. You need not believe what that fortune teller told you. It may be that he was sent by the brigands to delude you, and so get you into their net. I am sorry that the other day I was not here and did not see the man. I could have found out his game after asking him a few questions.”

“Do not talk nonsense,” said Lu Junyi. “Who can cheat me? I do not care a rap for those fellows at Liangshan Marsh because they are hardly worth a straw, and I myself could easily arrest them. Since my youth I have practiced all kinds of military drill, and am well known everywhere as a skilled fighter.”

When he had finished speaking his wife came from behind the screen and said to him: “Husband, I have been listening to all you have said. There is an ancient saying, ‘One li away from home, and things are not like home.’ Do not listen to what the fortune teller said. Stay at home and look after our own affairs instead of going to places where you will meet with danger. It would be better to prepare another room where you can purify your heart and diminish the passion. Live there in solitude and nothing will of course happen to you.”

“You woman do not understand affairs,” replied Lu Junyi. “I have decided what I must do, and it is useless for you to interfere.”

“I will go with you. I will not boast of my skill,” said Yan Qing, “but if on the way we are attacked by brigands I will stand by you. I can defeat fifty such men myself.”

“I do not understand trading matters,” said Lu Junyi, “and that is why I want Li Gu to accompany me. You can stay behind and take care of the house.”

“In the last few days I have been suffering from some foot trouble,” said Li Gu, “and I cannot very well go with you.”

Lu Junyi was angry at this, and said, “‘Maintain troops for a thousand days, and use them only one day,’ I want you to accompany me, and yet you offer excuses. If anyone places obstacles in my way I shall have to land out with my fist.”

Li Gu was afraid, and looked helplessly at the wife who seeing the position withdrew behind the screen. Yan Qing even did not care to say another word. All the servants took their leave. Li Gu smothered his annoyance, and left the room to make arrangements for the journey. He got ten carts and fifty men to pull them.

Three days later all was ready, and after sacrificing to the family ancestors they took leave of all the household who assembled to see them off. After the first day Lu Junyi arranged for Li Gu and two men to go in advance, and make arrangements for the party to stay in the inns.

On the journey Lu Junyi enjoyed the scenery and the pleasure of traveling. He said that if he had stayed at home he would have missed all this.

They had traveled for several days without any untoward incident happening. One morning, however, as they were about to leave, a waiter of the inn spoke to Lu Junyi, “Sir, I have something to tell you. You are only seven li from Liangshan Marsh, and your road will take you close to that place. The chief of the brigands there is Song Jiang, and though he does not wish to injure travelers yet you must go quietly on your way without any anxiety.”

Upon hearing this Lu Junyi had a box unlocked, and taking out four white flags wrote seven characters on each, “The Generous Lu Junyi of the Northern Capital.” He then displayed these on sticks, and stuck them on the carts. His men upon seeing these flags were downcast as they were afraid. The inn waiter also was surprised and asked, “Are you a relative of Song Jiang at Liangshan Marsh?”

“No!” replied Lu Junyi, “I am a wealthy man from the Northern Capital; I come here to capture that fellow.”

“Don’t speak so loudly here,” said the waiter, “because I do not want to be implicated in your affairs. I am not joking. If you had a thousand men with you, you could not capture any brigands here.”

“Shut up!” said Lu Junyi, “I expect that you are in league with them.”

The waiter covered his ears and ran away. Lu Junyi’s men were now almost frightened out of their wits. Li Gu knelt down, and said, “Master, have pity on us. If you would let us go home alive, it will be very kind of you.”

“What are you talking about!” said Lu Junyi. “Should an eagle be afraid of a sparrow? I have been well trained in physical drill since my youth, and I have never yet met a man who could defeat me. Today I shall perhaps have an opportunity of showing off my skill. I have placed on the top of that cart a sack of ropes. While I kill the men with swords you can pick them up and bind them on the barrows. Then we can cart them off to the capital, and the Emperor will reward us for our enterprise. If any of you are unwilling to go with me I will kill you on the spot.”

Without any further objection all the carts moved forward, but the men were very mortified at being forced to go. Lu Junyi tied his halberd to one of the flag sticks on a cart. As they approached Liangshan Marsh the road became steeper, and the men took each step with fear. Lu Junyi urged them forward.

About 10 A.M. they saw in the distance a forest in which were monstrous trees. As they got near the forest they heard a whistle. Li Gu and two men were in front as usual, and upon hearing this they looked round for a hiding place. Lu Junyi gave orders for the carts to be placed at one side of the road. This was done, and the men took cover under the carts. Lu Junyi shouted out, “As I capture these brigands I want you to bind them with the ropes.” As he was saying this he saw about five hundred men coming round the corner of the forest. Many gongs were also sounding behind him, and turning round he saw another body of five hundred men also approaching. A shell in the forest was fired off, and at the same time a man leapt out of the forest close to him. The man carried an axe in each hand, and shouted, “Do you recognize the fortune teller’s acolyte?”

Lu Junyi was startled. He replied, “I have always had a desire to capture you brigands, so I intentionally come here to meet you. Tell Song Jiang to come here at once, and pay respects to me. If he delays his arrival I shall kill the whole lot of you.”

Li Kui laughed at this and said, “Sir, our fortune teller predicted that you would be in danger, so I request that you come and join us as a leader.”

Lu Junyi was angry at this, and seizing his halberd advanced. Li Kui did the same, holding his two axes aloft. After three bouts of fighting, however, Li Kui jumped apart, and retreated to the forest. Lu Junyi followed him, but Li Kui hid himself from place to place as Lu Junyi came near. At last Li Kui saw a chance, and escaped entirely into the forest. Lu Junyi looked round, but could not see a single man near that spot. As he was returning, however, he heard men behind him, and someone called out, “You need not go away. You surely will recognize me.”

Lu Junyi looked round, and saw a big monk with a large iron staff in his hand. “Where are you from?” he asked.

The monk, Lu Da laughed and replied, “I am the monk Lu Da. I have been instructed to come and request you to take refuge at our stronghold.”

Lu Junyi was more angry still and cursed, “You bald-headed donkey! How dare you talk in this impudent way!” He then advanced with his halberd in hand, and Lu Da stood on defense ready to receive the attack. After three bouts, however, Lu Da ran away with Lu Junyi in pursuit. They had not gone far when Wu Song armed with two swords stepped out of the trees, and faced Lu Junyi. He said, “Sir, if you will follow me there will be no bloody disaster.”

But Lu Junyi would not listen to this, and attacked Wu Song. After three bouts, however, Wu Song also ran away.

Lu Junyi laughed at this, and called out, “I am not going to run after you, because evidently you fellows are of no importance.”

He had hardly finished saying this when he saw a man at the foot of the hill who called out to him, “Lu Junyi, you need not boast! Have you not heard of the saying, ‘Man fears falling into a trap; iron fears being cast into the fire.’ Our commander-in-chief has a plot, and however you try to get away where there is no means of escape.”

“Who are you, fellow?” shouted out Lu Junyi.

The man laughed and replied, “I am Liu Tang, the ‘Red Haired Demon.’”

Lu Junyi reviled him, “You petty thief! Don’t you also run away.” He advanced and fought three bouts with Liu Tang who was then joined by another brigand, Mu Hong, the “Unrestrained,” and they both attacked Lu Junyi. But after three bouts another voice was heard, and these two withdrew a few steps. Turning round Lu Junyi found his third opponent, Li Ying, the “Striking Hawk.” He was now almost surrounded, but as he advanced each man retreated in turn. He did not pursue them as he was feeling quite warm, but returned to the spot where he had left his men, and the ten handcarts, but there was not a single one left. He therefore climbed a small eminence, and looked all round. In the distance he saw both his carts and men in charge of a party of brigands. His steward Li Gu was bound with ropes. Lu Junyi was extremely annoyed at this, and seizing his halberd he started off to try to catch up with them. On his way, however, he met two leaders of the brigands who shouted, “Where are you going?” One was Zhu Tong, the “Beautiful Whiskers,” and the other was Lei Heng, the “Winged Tiger.”

“You brigands!” replied Lu Junyi, “go at once, and return to me those carts and men.”

Zhu Tong stroked his beard, and with a smile replied, “Do you not understand yet? Our wise leader has often said, ‘In our galaxy of stars, some come, but none go!’ As you cannot get away from here you better join us as a leader.”

Lu Junyi was again angry, and advanced to attack them. They fought for about three bouts, and then the two leaders retired. When he saw this Lu Junyi thought that he must pursue them before he could get back his carts and men. But as he ran round the hill, his two opponents had disappeared. Up the hill, a number of drums were beating, and looking there he saw a yellow flag bearing four characters, “Executor of Heaven’s Wish.” Under a large red silk umbrella stood Song Jiang with Wu Yong and Gongsun Sheng on either side. Behind them stood about seventy leaders who all saluted him, and called, “Sir, how are you?”

Lu Junyi paid no attention to this and simply cursed them.

“Sir, do not be angry,” interposed Wu Yong. “Our commander Song Jiang has wished to meet you for a long time, and he sent me to your house to get you to come to our mountain. He wants you to join us here and not remain an outsider.”

Lu Junyi replied, “You are only brigands, and how dare you try to deceive me!”

Hua Rong fixed an arrow in his bow, and called out, “Lu Junyi, don’t be too confident in your skill, just watch my arrow.” He then shot the arrow which took the red tassel off Lu Junyi’s cap. Lu Junyi was startled, and beat a retreat down the mountain. He saw thousands of men to the east and west, so he went towards the north. It was now evening, and he felt both tired and hungry. Mists were covering the ground, and there was no moonlight. He could not find even a small path in the increasing darkness. He tried several times, but was always forced to stop by some obstacle. He soon found himself in tall reeds, with water on all sides. He stopped, and gazing towards Heaven he said, “Because I would not listen to advice, so now I am in trouble.” While in this flight he saw a fisherman rowing a boat among the reeds. The man called out to him, “How brave you are! This is close to Liangshan Marsh, and it is now nearly midnight. Why have come to such a place?”

“I have lost my way,” said Lu Junyi, “and cannot find a resting place. Please help me.”

“There is a market village about ten li from here,” replied the fisherman, “but the road is hard to follow unless you have been that way before. You could, however, get there easily by boat, and that way would only be about two li. If you will pay me ten strings of cash I will take you there on my boat.”

“If you will convey me there,” said Lu Junyi, “and find me an inn, I will pay you liberally.”

The fisherman brought his boat to the side, Lu Junyi stepped on board, and the man pushed off. They had gone about two li when they heard another boat approaching. On that boat they soon saw two men, one of whom was stripped naked, and was punting the boat along with a pole. The other man at the stern was sculling. The first named man was singing:

For books a hero has no need,

As brigand bold his life’s secured;

With crossbow tiger fierce is shot,

By baited hook the fish is lured.

Lu Junyi was afraid, and dared not utter a sound. He just then saw another boat emerging from among the reeds on his left, on which were also two men just as in the first boat. One also began to sing:

I’m not of violent nature,

But Qilin in my boat,

I’m sure of being victor,

Take brigands by the throat.

Lu Junyi now realized his danger especially as he saw a third boat sculled by one man who also began to sing:

On bank a gallant hero strolls,

His boat is hidden in the reeds;

The end is destined by fate,

No sorrow if he takes rest.

When the song was ended the men on the three boats all saluted Lu Junyi, and called out “nuo.” They were the three brothers Ruan, Lu Junyi being unaccustomed to swimming asked the fisherman to take him to the bank at once. But the fisherman only laughed, and replied, “Above is the blue sky; below is the green water. I was born at Xunyang River, but afterwards went to Liangshan Marsh, I am Li Jun, the ‘Muddy Water Dragon.’ If you, Lu Junyi, do not submit now, your end is very near.”

Lu Junyi was surprised at this, but said, “Then one of us two must die.” He took his halberd, and thrust it at Li Jun who seeing this evaded the blow by turning a back somersault into the water. Soon the boat began to move round in a circle, and Lu Junyi’s halberd had been thrown into the water. Just then he saw a head emerge from the water, and it said, “I am Zhang Shun, the ‘White Fish.’” He seized hold of the rudder, and kicking the water, he overturned the boat, and threw Lu Junyi overboard.

A plot to capture the phœnix and dragon,

A trap to hold an extraordinary man.