第六十五回

第六十五回 托塔天王梦中显圣 浪里白跳水上报冤

诗曰：

岂知一夜乾坤老，卷地风严雪正狂。

隐隐林边排剑戟，森森竹里摆刀枪。

六花为阵成机堑，万里铺银作战场。

却似玉龙初斗罢，满天鳞甲乱飞扬。

话说宋江军中，因这一场大雪，吴用定出这条计来，就下雪陷坑中捉了索超。其馀军马，都逃回城中去了，报说索超被擒。梁中书听得这个消息，不由他不慌，传令教众将只是坚守，不许相战。

且说宋江到寨，中军帐上坐下，早有伏兵解索超到麾下。宋江见了大喜，喝退军健，亲解其缚，请入帐中置酒相待，用好言抚慰道：“你看我众兄弟们，一大半都是朝廷军官。盖为朝廷不明，纵容滥官当道，污吏专权，酷害良民，都情愿协助宋江，替天行道。若是将军不弃，同以忠义为主。”索超本是天罡星之数，自然凑合，降了宋江。当夜帐中置酒作贺。

次日商议打城。一连打了数日，不得城破，宋江好生忧闷。当夜帐中伏枕而卧，忽然阴风飒飒，寒气逼人，宋江抬头看时，只见天王晁盖欲进不进，叫声：“兄弟，你不回去，更待何时！”立在面前。宋江吃了一惊，急起身问道：“哥哥从何而来？屈死冤仇不曾报得，中心日夜不安。前者一向不曾致祭，以此显灵，必有见责。”晁盖道：“非为此也。兄弟靠后，阳气逼人，我不敢近前。今特来报你：贤弟有百日血光之灾，则除江南地灵星可治。你可早早收兵，此为上计。回军自保，免致久围。”宋江却欲再问明白，赶向前去说道：“哥哥阴魂到此，望说真实。”被晁盖一推，撒然觉来，却是南柯一梦。便叫小校请军师圆梦。吴用来到中军帐上，宋江说其异事。吴用道：“既是晁天王显圣，不可不依。目今天寒地冻，军马难以久住，权且回山守待，冬尽春初，雪消冰解，那时再来打城，未为晚矣。”宋江道：“军师言之甚当，只是卢员外和石秀兄弟陷在缧绁，度日如年，只望我等兄弟来救。不争我们回去，诚恐这厮们害他性命。此事进退两难。”计议未定。

次日，只见宋江觉道神思疲倦，身体酸疼，头如斧劈，身似笼蒸，一卧不起。众头领都在面前看视。宋江道：“我只觉背上好生热疼。”众人看时，只见鏊子一般赤肿起来。吴用道：“此疾非痈即疽。吾看方书[1]，菉豆粉可以护心，毒气不能侵犯。便买此物，安排与哥哥吃。”一面使人寻药医治，亦不能好。只见浪里白跳张顺说道：“小弟旧在浔阳江时，因母得患背疾，百药不能治，后请得建康府安道全，手到病除。向后小弟但得些银两，便着人送去与他。今见兄长如此病症，此去东途路远，急速不能便到。为哥哥的事，只得星夜前去，拜请他来救治哥哥。”吴用道：“兄长梦晁天王所言，百日之灾，则除江南地灵星可治，莫非正应此人？”宋江道：“兄弟，你若有这个人，快与我去，休辞生受，只以义气为重。星夜去请此人，救我一命。”吴用教取蒜条金一百两与医人，再将三二十两碎银作为盘缠，分付与张顺：“只今便行，好歹定要和他同来，切勿有误！我今拔寨回山，和他山寨里相会。兄弟可作急快来。”张顺别了众人，背上包裹，望前便去。

且说军师吴用传令诸将，权且收军罢战回山。车子上载了宋江，连夜起发。北京城内曾经了伏兵之计，只猜他引诱，不敢来追。次日，梁中书见报，说道：“此去未知何意？”李成、闻达道：“吴用那厮诡计极多，只可坚守，不宜追赶。”

话分两头。且说张顺要救宋江，连夜趱行，时值冬尽，无雨即雪，路上好生艰难；更兼慌张，不曾带得雨具。行了数千里，早近扬子江边。是日北风大作，冻云低垂，飞飞扬扬，下一天大雪。张顺冒着风雪，要过大江，舍命而行。虽是景物凄凉，江内别是几般清致。有《西江月》为证：

嘹唳冻云孤雁，盘旋枯木寒鸦。空中雪下似梨花，片片飘琼乱洒。 玉压桥边酒旆，银铺渡口鱼艖。前村隐隐两三家，江上晚来堪画。

那张顺独自一个，奔至扬子江边，看那渡船时，并无一只，只叫得苦。绕着这江边行走，只见败苇折芦里面，有些烟起。张顺叫道：“梢公，快把渡船来载我。”只见芦苇里簌簌地响，走出一个人来，头戴箬笠，身披簑衣，问道：“客人要那里去？”张顺道：“我要渡江去建康干事至紧，多与你些船钱，渡我则个。”那梢公道：“载你不妨，只是今日晚了，便过江去也没歇处。你只在我船里歇了，到四更风静月明时，我便渡你过去。多出些船钱与我。”张顺道：“也说的是。”便与梢公钻入芦苇里来，见滩边缆着一只小船，见篷底下一个瘦后生在那里向火。梢公扶张顺下船，走入舱里，把身上湿衣服都脱下来，叫那小后生就火上烘焙。张顺自打开衣包，取出棉被，和身上卷倒在舱里，叫梢公道：“这里有酒卖么？买些来吃也好。”梢公道：“酒却没买处，要饭便吃一碗。”张顺吃了一碗饭，放倒头便睡。一来连日辛苦，二来十分托大，到初更左侧，不觉睡着。那瘦后生向着炭火烘着上盖的衲袄，看见张顺睡着了，便叫梢公道：“大哥，你见么？”梢公盘将来，去头边只一捏，觉道是金帛之物，把手摇道：“你去把船放开，去江心里下手不迟。”那后生推开篷，跳上岸，解了缆索，上船把竹篙点开，搭上橹，咿咿哑哑地摇出江心里来。梢公在船舱里取缆船索，轻轻地把张顺捆缚做一块，便去船梢艎板底下取出板刀来。张顺却好觉来，双手被缚，挣挫不得。梢公手拿大刀，按在他身上。张顺道：“好汉，你饶我性命，都把金子与你。”梢公道：“金银也要，你的性命也要。”张顺连声叫道：“你只教我囫囵死，冤魂便不来缠你。”梢公放下板刀，把张顺扑咚的丢下水去。那梢公便去打开包来看时，见了许多金银，便没心分与那瘦后生，叫道：“五哥，和你说话。”那人钻入舱里来，被梢公一手揪住，一刀落时，砍的伶仃，推下水去。梢公打并了船中血迹，自摇船去了。有诗为证：

宋江偶尔患疮痍，张顺江东去请医。

烟水芦花深夜后，图财致命更堪悲。

却说张顺是在水底下伏得三五夜的人，一时被推下去，就江底下咬断索子，赴水过南岸时，见树林中闪出灯光来。张顺扒上岸，水渌渌地转入林子里看时，却是一个村酒店，半夜里起来榨酒，破壁缝透出灯光。张顺叫开门时，见个老丈，纳头便拜。老儿道：“你莫不是江中被人劫了，跳水逃命的么？”张顺道：“实不相瞒老丈，小人来建康干事，晚了，隔江觅船，不想撞着两个歹人，把小子应有衣服金银，尽都劫了，撺落江中。小人却会赴水，逃得性命。公公救度则个。”老丈见说，领张顺入后屋下，把个衲头[2]与他，替下湿衣服来烘，盪些热酒与他吃。老丈道：“汉子，你姓甚么？山东人来这里干何事？”张顺道：“小人姓张，建康府安太医是我弟兄，特来探望他。”老丈道：“你从山东来，曾经梁山泊过？”张顺道：“正从那里经过。”老丈道：“他山上宋头领不劫来往客人，又不杀害人性命，只是替天行道。”张顺道：“宋头领专以忠义为主，不害良民，只怪滥官污吏。”老丈道：“老汉听得说，宋江这伙端的仁义，只是救贫济老，那里似我这里草贼。若得他来这里，百姓都快活，不吃这伙滥污官吏薅恼。”张顺听罢，道：“公公不要吃惊，小人便是浪里白跳张顺。因为俺哥哥宋公明害发背疮，教我将一百两黄金来请安道全。谁想托大在船中睡着，被这两个贼男女缚了双手，撺下江里。被我咬断绳索，到得这里。”老丈道：“你既是那里好汉，我叫儿子出来和你相见。”不多时，后面走出一个后生来，看着张顺便拜道：“小人久闻哥哥大名，只是无缘不曾拜识。小人姓王，排行第六，因为走跳的快，人都唤小人做霍闪婆[3]王定六。平生只好赴水使棒，多曾投师，不得传受，权在江边卖酒度日。却才哥哥被两个劫了的，小人都认得：一个是截江鬼张旺，那一个瘦后生却是华亭县人，唤做油里鳅孙三。这两个男女，如常在这江里劫人。哥哥放心，在此住几日，等这厮来吃酒，我与哥哥报仇。”张顺道：“感承兄弟好意。我为兄长宋公明，恨不得一日奔回寨里。只等天明便入城去，请了安太医回来相会。”王定六把自己衣裳都与张顺换了，连忙置酒相待，不在话下。

次日，天晴雪消，把十数两银子与张顺，且教入建康府来。张顺进得城中，径到槐桥下，看见安道全正在门前货药。张顺进得门，看着安道全纳头便拜。古人有首诗，单题安道全好处。道是：

肘后良方有百篇，金针玉刃得师传。

重生扁鹊应难比，万里传名安道全。

这安道全祖传内科外科尽皆医得，以此远方驰名。当时看了张顺，便问道：“兄弟多年不见，甚风吹得到此？”张顺随至里面，把这闹江州跟宋江上山的事一一告诉了；后说宋江见患背疮，特地来请神医，扬子江中险些儿送了性命，都实诉了。安道全道：“若论宋公明天下义士，去走一遭最好。只是拙妇亡过，家中别无亲人，离远不得，以此难出。”张顺苦苦求告：“若是兄长推却不去，张顺也难回山。”安道全道：“再作商议。”张顺百般哀告，安道全方才应允。

原来这安道全却和建康府一个烟花娼妓，唤做李巧奴，如常往来。这李巧奴生的十分美丽，安道全以此眷顾他。有诗为证：

蕙质温柔更老成，玉壶明月逼人清。

步摇宝髻寻春去，露湿凌波步月行。

丹脸笑回花萼丽，朱弦歌罢彩云停。

愿教心地常相忆，莫学章台赠柳情。

当晚就带张顺同去他家，安排酒吃。李巧奴拜张顺做叔叔。三杯五盏，酒至半酣，安道全对巧奴说道：“我今晚就你这里宿歇，明日早和这兄弟去山东地面走一遭。多则是一个月，少是二十馀日，便回来望你。”那李巧奴道：“我却不要你去！你若不依我口，再也休上我门。”安道全道：“我药囊都已收拾了，只要动身，明日便去。你且宽心，我便去也，又不担阁。”李巧奴撒娇撒痴，倒在安道全怀里说道：“你若还不依我，去了，我只咒的你肉片片儿飞！”张顺听了这话，恨不得一口水吞吃了这婆娘。看看天色晚了，安道全大醉倒了，搀去巧奴房里，睡在床上。巧奴却来发付张顺道：“你自归去，我家又没睡处。”张顺道：“只待哥哥酒醒同去。”以此发遣他不动，只得安他在门首小房里歇。

张顺心中忧煎，那里睡得着。初更时分，有人敲门。张顺在壁缝里张时，只见一个人闪将入来，便与虔婆说话。那婆子问道：“你许多时不来，却在那里？今晚太医醉倒在房里，却怎生奈何？”那人道：“我有十两金子，送与姐姐打些钗环。老娘怎地做个方便，教他和我厮会则个。”虔婆道：“你只在我房里，我叫女儿来。”张顺在灯影下张时，却见是截江鬼张旺。原来这厮但是江中寻得些财，便来他家使。张顺见了，按不住火起。再细听时，只见虔婆安排酒食在房里，叫巧奴相伴张旺。张顺本待要抢入去，却又怕弄坏了事，走了这贼。约莫三更时分，厨下两个使唤的也醉了。虔婆东倒西歪，却在灯前打醉眼子[4]。张顺悄悄开了房门，踅到厨下，见一把厨刀明晃晃放在灶上，看这虔婆倒在侧首板凳上。张顺走将入来，拿起厨刀，先杀了虔婆。要杀使唤的时，原来厨刀不甚快，砍了一个人，刀口早卷了。那两个正待要叫，却好一把劈柴斧正在手边，绰起来，一斧一个砍杀了。房中婆娘听得，慌忙开门，正迎着张顺，手起斧落，劈胸膛砍翻在地。张旺灯影下见砍翻婆娘，推开后窗，跳墙走了。张顺懊恼无极，随即割下衣襟，蘸血去粉壁上写道：“杀人者，安道全也。”连写数十处。捱到五更将明，只听得安道全在房中酒醒，便叫巧奴。张顺道：“哥哥不要则声！我教你看两个人。”安道全起来，看了四个死尸，吓得浑身麻木，颤做一团。张顺道：“哥哥，你见壁上写的么？”安道全道：“你苦了我也！”张顺道：“只有两条路从你行：若是声张起来，我自走了，哥哥却用去偿命；若还你要没事，家中取了药囊，连夜径上梁山泊救我哥哥。这两件随你行。”安道全道：“兄弟忒这般短命见识！”有诗为证：

久恋烟花不肯休，临行留滞更绸缪。

铁心张顺无情甚，白刃横飞血漫流。

到天明，张顺卷了盘缠，同安道全回家，敲开门，取了药囊出城来，径到王定六酒店里。王定六接着，说道：“昨日张旺从这里过，可惜不遇见哥哥。”张顺道：“我自要干大事，那里且报小仇。”说言未了，王定六报道：“张旺那厮来也！”张顺道：“且不要惊他，看他投那里去。”只见张旺去滩头看船。王定六叫道：“张大哥，你留船来载我两个亲眷过去。”张旺道：“要趁船快来。”王定六报与张顺。张顺道：“安兄，你可借衣服与小弟穿，小弟衣裳却换与兄长穿了，才去趁船。”安道全道：“此是何意？”张顺道：“自有主张，兄长莫问。”安道全脱下衣服与张顺换穿了。张顺戴上头巾，遮尘暖笠影身。王定六背了药囊。走到船边，张旺拢船傍岸，三个人上船。张顺扒入后梢，揭起艎板看时，板刀尚在。张顺拿了，再入船舱里。张旺把船摇开，咿哑之声，直到江心里面。张顺脱去上盖，叫一声：“梢公快来，你看船舱里漏入水来。”张旺不知中计，把头钻入舱里来，被张顺肐地揪住，喝一声：“强贼！认得前日雪天趁船的客人么？”张旺看了，则声不得。张顺喝道：“你这厮谋了我一百两黄金，又要害我性命。你那个瘦后生那里去了？”张旺道：“好汉，小人得了财，无心分与他，恐他争论，被我杀死，撺入江里去了。”张顺道：“你认得我么？”张旺道：“不识得好汉，只求饶了小人一命。”张顺喝道：“我生在浔阳江边，长在小孤山下，作卖鱼牙子，谁不认得！只因闹了江州，上梁山泊随从宋公明，纵横天下，谁不惧我！你这厮漏我下船，缚住双手，撺下江心，不是我会识水时，却不送了性命！今日冤仇相见，饶你不得！”就势只一拖，提在船舱中，把手脚四马攒蹄，捆缚做一块，看着那扬子大江，直撺下去：“也免了你一刀。”张旺性命，眼见得黄昏做鬼。有诗为证：

盗金昔日沉张顺，今日何期向水撺。

终须一命还一命，天道昭昭冤报冤。

这张顺将船户贼人张旺捆缚，沉下水去。王定六看了，十分叹息。三人棹船到岸，张顺对王定六道：“贤弟恩义，生死难忘。你若不弃，便可同父亲收拾起酒店，赶上梁山泊来，一同归顺大义。未知你心下何如？”王定六道：“哥哥所言，正合小弟之心。”说罢分别。张顺和安道全就北岸上路；王定六作辞二人，复上小船，自回家去，收拾行李赶来。

且说张顺与同安道全上得北岸，背了药囊，移身便走。那安道全是个文墨的人，士大夫出身，不会走路，行不得三十馀里，早走不动。张顺请入村店，买酒相待。正吃之间，只见外面一个客人走到面前，叫声：“兄弟，如何这般迟误？”张顺看时，却是神行太保戴宗，扮做客人赶来。张顺慌忙教与安道全相见了，便问宋公明哥哥消息。戴宗道：“如今哥哥神思昏迷，水米不吃，看看待死，不久临危。”张顺闻言，泪如雨下。安道全问道：“皮肉血色如何？”戴宗答道：“肌肤憔悴，终日叫唤，疼痛不止，性命早晚难保。”安道全道：“若是皮肉身体得知疼痛，便可医治。只怕误了日期。”戴宗道：“这个容易。”取两个甲马拴在安道全腿上。戴宗自背了药囊，分付张顺：“你自慢来，我同太医前去。”两个离了村店，作起神行法先去了。有诗为证：

将军发背少宁安，千里迎医道路难。

四腿俱粘双甲马，星驰电逐奔梁山。

当下且说这张顺在本处村店里，一连安歇了两三日，只见王定六背了包裹，同父亲果然过来。张顺接见，心中大喜，说道：“我专在此等你。”王定六问道：“安太医何在？”张顺道：“神行太保戴宗接来迎着，已和他先行去了。”王定六却和张顺并自父亲，一同起身投梁山泊来。

且说戴宗引着安道全，作起神行法，连夜赶到梁山泊，并不困倦。寨中大小头领接着，引到宋江卧榻内，就床上看时，口内一丝两气。安道全先诊了脉息，说道：“众头领休慌。脉体无事，身躯虽见沉重，大体不妨。不是安某说口，只十日之间，便要复旧。”众人见说，一齐便拜。安道全先把艾焙引出毒气，然后用药，外使敷贴之饵，内用长托之剂。五日之间，渐渐皮肤红白，肉体滋润，饮食渐进。不过十日，虽然疮口未完，饮食复旧。只见张顺引着王定六父子二人，拜见宋江并众头领，诉说江中被劫、水上报冤之事。众皆称叹：“险不误了兄长之患。”

宋江才得病好，便与吴用商量，要打北京，救取卢员外、石秀，以表忠义之心。安道全谏道：“将军疮口未完，不可轻动，动则急难痊可。”吴用道：“不劳兄长挂心，有伤神思，只顾自己将息，调理元阳真气。吴用虽然不才，只就目今春初时候，定要打破北京城池，救取卢员外、石秀二人性命，擒拿淫妇奸夫。不知兄长意下如何？”宋江道：“若得军师如此扶持，宋江虽死瞑目。”

吴用便就忠义堂上传令。言不过数句，话不尽一席，有分教：北京城内，变成火窟枪林；大名府中，翻作尸山血海。正是：谈笑鬼神皆丧胆，指挥豪杰尽倾心。毕竟军师吴用设出甚么计来，且听下回分解。

[1] 方书——讲医学和药案的书。

[2] 衲头——指破旧的衣服。衲，补缀。

[3] 霍闪婆——神话传说中“雷公、电母”的电母。一写作“活闪婆”。

[4] 打醉眼子——打瞌睡。

CHAPTER 64. Chao Gai Appears in a Dream; White Fish Has His Revenge

SUO CHAO’S soldiers did not follow his mad dash, but returned to the city and reported the matter to the Grand Secretary who was much upset by the news. He gave orders for all soldiers to stand on defense, but not go outside the city. He realized now that he could not execute Lu Junyi or Shi Xiu without aggravating Song Jiang for another attack. As the Imperial troops had been defeated he saw disaster facing him. He sent an urgent messenger to the Eastern Capital reporting the position and appealing for help.

Suo Chao was taken to the brigand’s camp as a prisoner, and was brought before the assembled leaders in Song Jiang’s tent. Song Jiang was much pleased at seeing him, dismissed the guard, untied the prisoner’s bonds, and then addressed him, “You will have noticed that among our leaders here more than half have previously served in the Imperial army. If you do not disdain us we request you to join us to execute the Will of Heaven.”

Yang Zhi now stepped forward, and greeted Suo Chao as an old friend. They talked and wept together at this meeting.

Since this was the position Suo Chao accepted Song Jiang’s proposal. Song Jiang was very glad at this, and ordered a feast to be prepared to celebrate the occasion.

On the following day the attack on Daming continued, and was repeated for several days without any success. One night when Song Jiang was sitting in his tent in a melancholy mood, suddenly a very cold wind sprang up, and his lamp was almost extinguished by the icy blast. Looking up he saw in the dim light the form of a man who looked very like his late commander Chao Gai. The figure did not enter his tent, but spoke, “Younger brother, what are you doing here?”

Song Jiang was startled, but standing up, he replied, “Elder brother, where have you come from? I am very sorry that since you left I have not been able to avenge your death. Just now we have urgent business here so that I have not been able to sacrifice to you for some time. Today your spirit has appeared, and I am quite prepared to be reproved for my faults.”

“Brother, you do not understand,” said Chao Gai. “We were bosom friends, so I have now come to help you. There is a propitious star ‘Di Ling Xing’ in Jiangnan which will relieve you of your load of trouble. Of many plans sometimes the best and only one is to leave. Why do you not clear out at once? What keeps you here? If a calamity is approaching how can you avoid it? By that time you must not blame me for giving you no help.”

Song Jiang wished for further information and took a step forward. He asked, “Spirit of my Elder Brother! I beg you to speak clearly and truthfully.”

“You need not speak any further,” said Chao Gai. “Arrange your affairs and depart without any delay. I must go now.”

The figure vanished, and Song Jiang thought he had only had a dream. But he sent for Wu Yong to come and see him at once. Upon the latter’s arriving Song Jiang told him of his dream.

“We cannot doubt that Chao Gai’s spirit has actually conveyed that message to you,” said Wu Yong. “It is very cold here, and our men cannot stand these hard conditions very long. We must send them all back to Liangshan Marsh. We can come again in spring and attack this town with greater chances of success.”

“What you say is quite true,” said Song Jiang. “But Lu Junyi and Shi Xiu are still in prison, and they are expecting us to save them. I am afraid that they will be executed if we leave now. What shall we do?”

They talked the matter over for a long time, but came to no decision.

The following day Song Jiang was feverish, and also had a splitting headache. He felt very tired, and did not get up. The leaders came to see what was the matter, and Song Jiang told them that he had a pain in his back. Upon examining the spot they found a big red swelling. Wu Yong said, “I have read in a medicine book that the poison in these swellings can be kept away from the heart by a diet of green beans. We have no doctor on our strength, so that is the best thing for the remedy.”

“Previously my mother had the same complaint,” said Zhang Shun, “and although we tried a hundred medicines she got no better. At last we got a doctor named An Daoquan from Jiankang Prefecture79 who knew the disease and cured her. I was very grateful to him, and whenever I got some money I sent it to him as gifts. I will ask him to come here and cure Song Jiang. But it is a long journey, and will take some time to get the doctor here.”

Wu Yong then mentioned Song Jiang’s dream of Chao Gai the previous night, and said how Chao Gai had suggested that a propitious star in Jiangnan, south of the Yangtze River could relieve him of a coming calamity. “Can it be that this doctor, An Daoquan, is that very star?”

“Younger brother,” said Song Jiang, “send for this man at once, and save my life. There must not be the least delay in this matter.”

Wu Yong got about one hundred taels of silver for the doctor and handed them to Zhang Shun. He also told him, “Today we are all going back to Liangshan Marsh, so you must bring the doctor there without any delay.”

Zhang Shun started off immediately.

Wu Yong then issued orders for a return to Liangshan Marsh, and they started that very day, Song Jiang being carried on his bed in a cart.

When Grand Secretary Liang heard of the departure of the brigands he discussed matters with his Generals, and decided not to pursue them as they considered this move might be some new plot of the brigands to get them out of Daming Prefecture.

Zhang Shun traveled day and night with all possible speed, but he found it somewhat difficult owing to the snow on the ground. He braved both wind and snow without regard for his own safety. At last he reached the Yangtze River, but there was no boat available. He was very disappointed at this, but continued his way along the northern bank. He soon came to many reeds amid which he saw some smoke. He called out, “Hey brother! Quickly get your boat ready to take me across.” A man emerged from the reeds wearing a broad straw hat and a grass raincoat. He asked, “Where do you want to go?”

“I want to go to Jiankang Prefecture, on urgent business,” replied Zhang Shun, “and I will pay you much money to row me across the river quickly.”

“I can take you across,” said the man, “but it is getting rather dark now, and there is no place on the opposite bank for you to sleep. You had better sleep in my boat here, and I will take you across tomorrow morning at daybreak.”

Zhang Shun agreed to this, and followed the man through the reeds to the bank where there was a boat with a young fellow on board warming himself at a fire. They went under cover on the boat, and Zhang Shun took off his wet clothing, and the boatman handed it to his assistant to dry at the fire. Zhang Shun undid his baggage, took his quilt, and wrapping it round himself lay down. He then asked the boatman whether it was possible to get some wine, and was informed there was none. Zhang Shun ate some rice, and then lay down again. He had had such a hard day traveling that he was very tired and soon fell asleep.

The assistant, seeing this, pulled his lips awry towards Zhang Shun, and whispered to the boatman, “Brother, do you see?” The boatman crept forward silently and felt at Zhang Shun’s bundle. He then went back, and told his assistant to quietly row the boat into the middle of the river where they would kill the passenger. The assistant jumped ashore, and untied the boat. Then pushing with a bamboo pole and then sculling, he took the boat into the middle of the river. While this was being done the boatman had quietly bound the sleeper with cords, and now carried him from underneath the cover on to the open deck. Zhang Shun was now awake, but found himself bound hand and foot. The boatman took a knife in one hand, and put the other hand on Zhang Shun.

“Please spare my life,” appealed Zhang Shun. “I will give you all the money I have.”

“I want both your money and your life,” replied the boatman.

“Then do not kill me, but only drown me,” appealed Zhang Shun, “and then my spirit will not trouble you afterwards.”

“That I can do,” said the boatman. He then took Zhang Shun and threw him into the water. Taking the bundle he opened it and was surprised to find such a lot of money. He frowned at this, and called his assistant. When the latter came inside, the boatman seized him, and taking the knife killed him on the spot. He then threw the body overboard. He washed the blood from the deck, and then sculled back to the bank.

When Zhang Shun was in the water he soon bit the cords tying his hands, then freed his feet, and swam to the southern bank of the Yangtze River. There he saw a light among some trees, and going near he found that it was an inn where they were distilling wine in the night. He called out, and pushing open the door entered, and saluted an old man who was inside.

The old man said, “I can see that you have been robbed on the river, and have escaped by jumping into the water, and swimming ashore.”

“I will be quite straight with you,” said Zhang Shun. “I am from Shandong, and am on my way to Jiankang Prefecture on urgent business. Last evening I got on a boat to cross the river, and did not suspect that the boatmen were bad fellows. They took all my silver and clothes, and threw me into the water. But I swam across to this side, and so saved my life. I appeal for your assistance.”

The men led Zhang Shun into a room at the back, and gave him dry clothes for a change. He then produced food and wine. He asked for Zhang Shun’s name and his business.

Zhang Shun gave his name, and explained that he wished to see an old friend Dr. An at Jiankang.

“On your way here did you pass Liangshan Marsh?” asked the man.

Zhang Shun admitted this, and the man remarked, “At that place there is a man named Song Jiang who does not molest travelers, but acts as the ‘agent of Heaven.’”

“Yes,” said Zhang Shun, “he is a very honest and upright man. He does not injure the people, but is opposed to all corrupt officials.”

“I have heard the same. His followers help the poor, and the old, and are quite different to the brigands about here. If he came to this place he would be welcomed by all the people.”

Zhang Shun then disclosed that he was one of the leaders at Liangshan Marsh. That Song Jiang was seriously ill with a boil on the back, and that he had been given a hundred taels of silver to go quickly for Dr. An. It was a misfortune that he had fallen asleep on the boat and been robbed.

The old man said, “As you are one of those leaders I will introduce my son to you.” In a short time a young man came from the back room, and saluted Zhang Shun. He said, “I am Wang Dingliu, but the people call me, ‘Lightning Goddess,’ because I walk very quickly. I like swimming, but so far have not been able to get a good instructor to teach me the use of sticks, and have had to earn a living at this inn. I know those two thieves who assaulted you. One is Zhang Wang, the ‘River Devil,’ and the other is Sun the Fifth, the ‘Oily Eel.’ They are always robbing travelers. If you would stay here for a few days you would see them come here, and then you could have your revenge.”

“I am grateful for your offer,” said Zhang Shun, “but I cannot delay my important affair. So tomorrow I will go to the town, and after finding Dr. An I will see you again on my way back.”

This was agreed to, and the following day Wang Dingliu gave Zhang Shun new clothes and ten taels of silver. It was a fine day, and the snow had stopped. Zhang Shun soon reached the town, and found Dr. An’s place close to the Huaishu Bridge. He entered the dispensary, and saluted Dr. An Daoquan.

Immediately Dr. An remembered him, and said, “I have not seen you for many years. What wind has blown you here?”

Zhang Shun went into the inner room, and there told the doctor his business. He explained how he had been robbed in crossing the Yangtze River, and therefore arrived without money.

“As Song Jiang, the uprighteous hero, is sick, it is important that he should be cured quickly,” said Dr. An. “But unfortunately my wife died recently, and as I have no relative to look after my business here I cannot go to any distant place.”

Zhang Shun pleaded earnestly for a long time for the doctor to go, and at last said he would not return without the doctor. Thus after much discussion Dr. An agreed to go.

In the town was a prostitute named Li Qiaonu who was on very familiar terms with Dr. An, and the latter took Zhang Shun to see her. Food and wine were provided, and during the meal Dr. An spoke, “I will sleep here tonight, but early tomorrow morning I will start on my journey to Shandong. I will return however in about a month.”

“I do not like you to leave me,” said the woman. “If you do not listen to me now you need not trouble to come here again to see me.”

“I have made all preparations to start tomorrow,” said Dr. An, “and I will come back as quickly as possible, so you must not worry.”

The woman threw all discretion on one side, and leaning on his breast said, “If you go and forget me, I will curse the flesh from your body!”

Zhang Shun was very much annoyed with the woman. As it was now late in the evening, Dr. An was drunk, and he went into the woman’s room, and lay down. The woman spoke to Zhang Shun, “You can go now, as I have no place here for you to sleep.”

“I will wait here until the doctor is sober,” said Zhang Shun, “and then we will depart together.”

As she could not get him to go, the woman at last gave him a small room to sleep in.

Zhang Shun was annoyed at what had happened, and could not sleep. Shortly afterwards he heard a knock at the house door, and looking through a crack in his own room, he saw the door open and a man enter. The man spoke something to the old woman that ran the house, who opened the door for him and she asked him, “Where have you been lately? I have not seen you for a long time. The doctor is drunk inside, so you cannot stay here tonight.”

“I have ten taels of gold here to be made into hairpins for your mistress. Please ask her to come here and talk with me now,” said the man.

“Come into my room,” said the old woman, “and I will bring her there.”

Zhang Shun now recognized the man as Zhang Wang, the “River Devil,” who had robbed him, and became excited. But he still watched what was happening as he did not want to delay his own affair by attacking this thief. The prostitute came, and sat drinking wine with Zhang Wang. About midnight the woman and two servants in the kitchen were quite drunk. Then Zhang Shun left his room, and went into the kitchen where he found a meat cleaver there. He killed the woman, but although he wanted to kill the two servants he found that the edge of the cleaver was not sharp enough after hacking up the old woman. He took a wood axe and killed them with that as they were going to call out. The prostitute in the inner room hearing the noise, opened the door, and met Zhang Shun with the wood axe in his hand. He dealt her a blow with it, and killed her on the spot. Zhang Wang, the robber, seeing this happen, jumped up, opened a window, and escaped that way. Zhang Shun was annoyed at this as the man might raise an alarm. He, however, tore a strip of cloth from the woman’s clothing and dipping it in the pool of blood he wrote on the wall, “I, Dr. An, have killed these people.” He wrote this in several places with the blood. About daybreak Dr. An awoke, and Zhang Shun said to him, “Please keep quiet but look at your lover here.” Dr. An got up, and seeing the four corpses he was dumbfounded and trembled with fear.

“Brother, do you see what you have written on the walls?” asked Zhang Shun.

“You have seriously implicated me and endangered my life,” said Dr. An.

“There are two ways lying before you,” said Zhang Shun. “You can cry out for help in which case I shall run away, and leave you to your fate. Or you can ignore this affair, go to your shop for your medicines, and escape with me to Liangshan Marsh to cure Song Jiang. Which do you prefer?”

“You have been too malicious in your actions,” said Dr. An, but he agreed to go.

It was still dark, and they both left the house. Upon reaching the doctor’s shop they opened the door, got the medicines and bundle, and started off at once. They left the town, and duly reached the inn owned by Wang Dingliu on the bank of the Yangtze River. When he saw Zhang Shun he said, “It was a pity that you were not here yesterday when Zhang Wang happened to come here.”

“I saw him yesterday,” said Zhang Shun, “but I was too busy to attend to him. My business is so pressing that I have no time even for revenge.”

Just as he finished saying this Wang Dingliu exclaimed, “Why, here is Zhang Wang coming now!”

“Do not alarm him! We will just see where he goes,” said Zhang Shun.

Zhang Wang walked to the bank of the river, and was evidently looking around for his boat. So Wang Dingliu called out, “Brother, wait a little, and you can take two of my guests across who are waiting here now.”

“I want to cross at once,” said Zhang Wang. “Tell your guests to come quickly.”

Wang Dingliu informed Zhang Shun of this, and Zhang Shun asked Dr. An to change clothes with him. “What is your idea?” asked Dr. An. “That is my affair,” said Zhang Shun, “and you had better not ask any questions.”

They exchanged clothing, and then went with Wang Dingliu to the bank where Zhang Wang’s boat was waiting. They all three got in the boat. Zhang Shun went to the stern, and lifting up a plank took out a knife that was there. He hid himself under the cover of the boat. Zhang Wang shoved the boat off, and sculled towards the middle of the river. Zhang Shun now took off his clothes and called out, “Hey brother, come here! There are stains of blood on the planks.”

“Sir, please do not joke with me,” replied Zhang Wang. So saying he left the oar, and went towards the center of the boat. Then Zhang Shun seized hold of him, and said, “Thief! Don’t you recognize me? Don’t you remember the passenger who came on your boat the other night when it was snowing?”

Zhang Wang looked up, but could not speak.

“You took all my money,” said Zhang Shun, “and tried to kill me. Where is your assistant now?”

“Sir,” said Zhang Wang, “when I saw such a lot of money I was afraid that he would want an equal share, so I killed him and threw his body in the river.”

“Previously I lived at Jiangzhou,” said Zhang Shun, “and earned a living as a wholesale fish dealer. But now I live at Liangshan Marsh under our leader Song Jiang, and we are feared everywhere. You falsely decoyed me on your boat, and while asleep you bound me, and threw me into the river. If I had not been an expert swimmer I should have been drowned. We are now enemies, and I must kill you.” He then pulled Zhang Wang onto the deck, bound him hand and foot, and threw him into the river.

Wang Dingliu heaved a sigh at this. Zhang Shun found where his money was stored, and took it back. They brought the boat to the northern bank, and there Zhang Shun spoke to Wang Dingliu, “You have been very good to me, and I shall never forget it. But if you do not think yourself above us, we should be very glad if you and your father would come and join us at Liangshan Marsh.”

“What you say is just my own idea,” said Wang Dingliu.

They then took leave of each other, and Zhang Shun and Dr. An continued on their way. But Dr. An was a literary man, and was not accustomed to traveling, so after walking about ten li he could not go any further. Zhang Shun found an inn, and they went inside to rest a while. While they were eating a meal they noticed a man coming in who spoke to Zhang Shun, “Brother, how is it that you are so late?” Zhang Shun recognized the man as Dai Zong, the “Divine Traveler.” Zhang Shun introduced Dr. An, and then asked about Song Jiang.

“He is still very sick,” said Dai Zong, “and cannot take any food. It looks as though he might die.”

Zhang Shun weeped at this. Dr. An asked what was the state of the patient’s complexion.

Dai Zong replied, “His skin is quite dry and wrinkled. He cries out with pain, and we are afraid that he is about to die.”

“As he feels the pain I think we can cure him,” said Dr. An. “But we must not delay our journey, but get there quickly.”

“That is easy,” said Dai Zong. He took two of his magic puttees, and fastened them on Dr. An’s legs. He then shouldered the Doctor’s satchel and spoke to Zhang Shun, “I will go with Dr. An first, and you may follow us slowly.” They then went outside the inn, and the two flew away.

Zhang Shun stayed at the inn for three days, and then he was joined by Wang Dingliu and his father. They traveled together to Liangshan Marsh.

Dai Zong and Dr. An reached the mountain stronghold that night, and were at once taken in to see Song Jiang. The doctor found the patient breathing very feebly, and felt his pulse. Dr. An spoke to the leaders, “You need not be afraid, as it is not a serious illness, and I think I can cure him, so that he will be all right again in about ten days.” The doctor then took some artemisia, and spread it on the boil to draw out the poisonous matter. He also gave him some medicine to take. After about ten days of this treatment Song Jiang’s skin looked quite rosy, and was not so dry and warm as before. He also began to take nourishment.

As he got better, however, he began to worry and weep about Shi Xiu and Lu Junyi being still prisoners in Daming. Dr. An, however, objected to his being moved, or doing anything as he was only convalescent.

“Brother,” said Wu Yong, “you can leave matters in my hands while you yourself obey the doctor’s orders. It is now springtime, and I will undertake an attack on Daming Prefecture, and release our brothers from prison.”

“If you avenge the wrong done to our brothers,” said Song Jiang, “I shall die in peace.”

All the leaders were summoned to the Loyalty and Justice Hall where Wu Yong announced his plans for an attack on Daming Prefecture.

City changed to fiery furnace,

Mass of spears like forest trees;

Corpses piled up high as mountain.

Blood in pools as wide as seas;

Loyal heroes with their laughter

Make the devils turn and flee.

Footnote

79 Modern Nanking.