第十六回

第十六回 杨志押送金银担 吴用智取生辰纲

《鹧鸪天》：

罡星起义在山东，杀曜纵横水浒中。可是七星成聚会，却于四海显英雄。 人似虎，马如龙，黄泥冈上巧施功。满驮金贝归山寨，懊恨中书老相公。

话说当时公孙胜正在阁儿里对晁盖说：“这北京生辰纲是不义之财，取之何碍。”只见一个人从外面抢将入来，揪住公孙胜道：“你好大胆！却才商议的事，我都知了也。”那人却是智多星吴学究。晁盖笑道：“先生休慌，且请相见。”两个叙礼罢，吴用道：“江湖上久闻人说入云龙公孙胜一清大名，不期今日此处得会。”晁盖道：“这位秀士先生，便是智多星吴学究。”公孙胜道：“吾闻江湖上多人曾说加亮先生大名，岂知缘法却在保正庄上得会贤契。只是保正疏财仗义，以此天下豪杰都投门下。”晁盖道：“再有几位相识在里面，一发请进后堂深处见。”三个人入到里面，就与刘唐、三阮都相见了。

众人道：“今日此一会，应非偶然，须请保正哥哥正面而坐。”晁盖道：“量小子是个穷主人，又无甚罕物相留好客，怎敢占上。”吴用道：“保正哥哥，依着小生且请坐了。”晁盖只得坐了第一位，吴用坐了第二位，公孙胜坐了第三位，刘唐坐了第四位，阮小二坐了第五位，阮小五坐第六位，阮小七坐第七位，却才聚义饮酒。重整杯盘，再备酒肴，众人饮酌。

吴用道：“保正梦见北斗七星坠在屋脊上，今日我等七人聚义举事，岂不应天垂象。此一套富贵，唾手而取。我等七人和会，并无一人晓得。想公孙胜先生江湖上仗义疏财之士，所以得知这件事，来投保正。所说央刘兄去探听路程从那里来，今日天晚，来早便请登程。”公孙胜道：“这一事不须去了，贫道已打听知他来的路数了，只是黄泥冈大路上来。”晁盖道：“黄泥冈东十里路，地名安乐村，有一个闲汉，叫做白日鼠白胜，也曾来投奔我，我曾赍助他盘缠。”吴用道：“北斗上白光，莫不是应在这人？自有用他处。”刘唐道：“此处黄泥冈较远，何处可以容身？”吴用道：“只这个白胜家，便是我们安身处，亦还要用了白胜。”晁盖道：“吴先生，我等还是软取，却是硬取？”吴用笑道：“我已安排定了圈套，只看他来的光景，力则力取，智则智取。我有一条计策，不知中你们意否？如此如此。”晁盖听了大喜，着脚道：“好妙计！不枉了称你做智多星，果然赛过诸葛亮。好计策！”吴用道：“休得再提。常言道：隔墙须有耳，窗外岂无人。只可你知我知。”晁盖便道：“阮家三兄且请回归，至期来小庄聚会。吴先生依旧自去教学。公孙先生并刘唐，只在敝庄权住。”当日饮酒至晚，各自去客房里歇息。

次日五更起来，安排早饭吃了。晁盖取出三十两花银送与阮家三兄弟道：“权表薄意，切勿推却。”三阮那里肯受。吴用道：“朋友之意，不可相阻。”三阮方才受了银两。一齐送出庄外来。吴用附耳低言道：“这般这般，至期不可有误。”阮家三弟兄相别了，自回石碣村去。晁盖留住吴学究与公孙胜、刘唐在庄上，每日议事。

话休絮繁。却说北京大名府梁中书，收买了十万贯庆贺生辰礼物完备，选日差人起程。当下一日在后堂坐下，只见蔡夫人问道：“相公，生辰纲几时起程？”梁中书道：“礼物都已完备，明后日便用起身。只是一件事在此踌躇未决。”蔡夫人道：“有甚事踌躇未决？”梁中书道：“上年费了十万贯收买金珠宝贝，送上东京去，只因用人不着，半路被贼人劫将去了，至今无获。今年帐前眼见得又没个了事[1]的人送去，在此踌躇未决。”蔡夫人指着阶下道：“你常说这个人十分了得，何不着他委纸领状送去走一遭，不致失误。”梁中书看阶下那人时，却是青面兽杨志。梁中书大喜，随即唤杨志上厅说道：“我正忘了你。你若与我送得生辰纲去，我自有抬举你处。”杨志叉手向前禀道：“恩相差遣，不敢不依。只不知怎地打点？几时起身？”梁中书道：“着落大名府差十辆太平车子[2]，帐前拨十个厢禁军监押着车，每辆上各插一把黄旗，上写着‘献贺太师生辰纲’，每辆车子再使个军健跟着。三日内便要起身去。”杨志道：“非是小人推托，其实去不得。乞钧旨别差英雄精细的人去。”梁中书道：“我有心要抬举你，这献生辰纲的札子内另修一封书在中间，太师跟前重重保你，受道敕命回来。如何倒生支调[3]，推辞不去？”杨志道：“恩相在上：小人也曾听得上年已被贼人劫去了，至今未获。今岁途中盗贼又多，甚是不好。此去东京，又无水路，都是旱路，经过的是紫金山、二龙山、桃花山、伞盖山、黄泥冈、白沙坞、野云渡、赤松林，这几处都是强人出没的去处。更兼单身客人，亦不敢独自经过。他知道是金银宝物，如何不来抢劫？枉结果了性命。以此去不得。”梁中书道：“恁地时，多着军校防护送去便了。”杨志道：“恩相便差五百人去，也不济事。这厮们一声听得强人来时，都是先走了的。”梁中书道：“你这般地说时，生辰纲不要送去了？”杨志又禀道：“若依小人一件事，便敢送去。”梁中书道：“我既委在你身上，如何不依你说。”杨志道：“若依小人说时，并不要车子，把礼物都装做十馀条担子，只做客人的打扮行货，也点十个壮健的厢禁军，却装做脚夫挑着。只消一个人和小人去，却打扮做客人，悄悄连夜送上东京交付。恁地时方好。”梁中书道：“你甚说的是。我写书呈，重重保你，受道诰命回来。”杨志道：“深谢恩相抬举。”

当日便叫杨志一面打拴担脚，一面选拣军人。次日，叫杨志来厅前伺候，梁中书出厅来问道：“杨志，你几时起身？”杨志禀道：“告复恩相，只在明早准行，就委领状。”梁中书道：“夫人也有一担礼物，另送与府中宝眷，也要你领。怕你不知头路，特地再教奶公谢都管并两个虞候，和你一同去。”杨志告道：“恩相，杨志去不得了。”梁中书道：“礼物多已拴缚完备，如何又去不得？”杨志禀道：“此十担礼物都在小人身上，和他众人都由杨志，要早行便早行，要晚行便晚行，要住便住，要歇便歇，亦依杨志提调。如今又叫老都管并虞候和小人去，他是夫人行的人，又是太师府门下奶公，倘或路上与小人鳖拗起来，杨志如何敢和他争执得？若误了大事时，杨志那其间如何分说？”梁中书道：“这个也容易，我叫他三个都听你提调便了。”杨志答道：“若是如此禀过，小人情愿便委领状。倘有疏失，甘当重罪。”梁中书大喜道：“我也不枉了抬举你，真个有见识。”随即唤老谢都管并两个虞候出来，当厅分付道：“杨志提辖情愿委了一纸领状，监押生辰纲十一担金珠宝贝赴京，太师府交割，这干系都在他身上。你三人和他做伴去，一路上早起晚行住歇，都要听他言语，不可和他鳖拗。夫人处分付的勾当，你三人自理会。小心在意，早去早回，休教有失。”老都管一一都应了。当日杨志领了。

次日早起五更，在府里把担仗都摆在厅前，老都管和两个虞候又将一小担财帛，共十一担，拣了十一个壮健的厢禁军，都做脚夫打扮。杨志戴上凉笠儿，穿着青纱衫子，系了缠带行履麻鞋，跨口腰刀，提条朴刀。老都管也打扮做个客人模样，两个虞候假装做跟的伴当。各人都拿了条朴刀，又带几根藤条。梁中书付与了札付[4]书呈。一行人都吃得饱了，在厅上拜辞了梁中书。看那军人担仗起程，杨志和谢都管、两个虞候监押着，一行共是十五人，离了梁府，出得北京城门，取大路投东京进发。五里单牌，十里双牌。此时正是五月半天气，虽是晴明得好，只是酷热难行。昔日吴七郡王有八句诗道：

玉屏四下朱阑绕，簇簇游鱼戏萍藻。

簟铺八尺白虾须，头枕一枚红玛瑙。

六龙惧热不敢行，海水煎沸蓬莱岛。

公子犹嫌扇力微，行人正在红尘道。

这八句诗单题着炎天暑月，那公子王孙在凉亭上水阁中，浸着浮瓜沉李，调冰雪藕避暑，尚兀自嫌热。怎知客人为些微名薄利，又无枷锁拘缚，三伏内只得在那途路中行。今日杨志这一行人，要取六月十五日生辰，只得在路途上行。自离了这北京五七日，端的只是起五更趁早凉便行，日中热时便歇。五七日后，人家渐少，行客又稀，一站站都是山路。杨志却要辰牌起身，申时便歇。那十一个厢禁军，担子又重，无有一个稍轻，天气热了，行不得，见着林子便要去歇息。杨志赶着催促要行，如若停住，轻则痛骂，重则藤条便打，逼赶要行。两个虞候虽只背些包裹行李，也气喘了行不上。杨志也嗔道：“你两个好不晓事！这干系须是俺的！你们不替洒家打这夫子，却在背后也慢慢地挨，这路上不是耍处。”那虞候道：“不是我两个要慢走，其实热了行不动，因此落后。前日只是趁早凉走，如今怎地正热里要行？正是好歹不均匀。”杨志道：“你这般说话，却似放屁。前日行的须是好地面，如今正是尴尬去处，若不日里赶过去，谁敢五更半夜走？”两个虞候口里不道，肚中寻思：“这厮不直得便骂人。”

杨志提了朴刀，拿着藤条，自去赶那担子。两个虞候坐在柳阴树下等得老都管来。两个虞候告诉道：“杨家那厮，强杀只是我相公门下一个提辖，直这般做大[5]！”老都管道：“须是我相公当面分付，道休要和他鳖拗，因此我不做声。这两日也看他不得，权且奈他。”两个虞候道：“相公也只是人情话儿，都管自做个主便了。”老都管又道：“且奈他一奈。”当日行到申牌时分，寻得一个客店里歇了。那十个厢禁军雨汗通流，都叹气吹嘘，对老都管说道：“我们不幸做了军健，情知道被差出来。这般火似热的天气，又挑着重担，这两日又不拣早凉行，动不动老大藤条打来，都是一般父母皮肉，我们直恁地苦！”老都管道：“你们不要怨怅，巴到东京时，我自赏你。”众军汉道：“若是似都管看待我们时，并不敢怨怅。”又过了一夜。次日天色未明，众人起来，趁早凉起身去。杨志跳起来喝道：“那里去！且睡了，却理会。”众军汉道：“趁早不走，日里热时走不得，却打我们。”杨志大骂道：“你们省得甚么！”拿了藤条要打。众军忍气吞声，只得睡了。当日直到辰牌时分，慢慢地打火，吃了饭走。一路上赶打着，不许投凉处歇。那十一个厢禁军口里喃喃讷讷地怨怅，两个虞候在老都管面前絮絮聒聒地搬口。老都管听了，也不着意，心内自恼他。

话休絮繁。似此行了十四五日，那十四个人，没一个不怨怅杨志。当日客店里，辰牌时分，慢慢地打火，吃了早饭行。正是六月初四日时节，天气未及晌午，一轮红日当天，没半点云彩，其日十分大热。古人有八句诗道：

祝融南来鞭火龙，火旗焰焰烧天红。

日轮当午凝不去，万国如在红炉中。

五岳翠干云彩灭，阳侯海底愁波竭。

何当一夕金风起，为我扫除天下热。

当日行的路，都是山僻崎岖小径，南山北岭。却监着那十一个军汉，约行了二十馀里路程。那军人们思量要去柳阴树下歇凉，被杨志拿着藤条打将来，喝道：“快走！教你早歇。”众军人看那天时，四下里无半点云彩，其时那热不可当。但见：

热气蒸人，嚣尘扑面。万里乾坤如甑，一轮火伞当天。四野无云，风穾穾波翻海沸；千山灼焰，剥剥石烈灰飞。空中鸟雀命将休，倒入树林深处；水底鱼龙鳞角脱，直钻入泥土窖里。直教石虎喘无休，便是铁人须汗落。

当时杨志催促一行人在山中僻路里行，看看日色当午，那石头上热了，脚疼走不得。众军汉道：“这般天气热，兀的不晒杀人。”杨志喝着军汉道：“快走！赶过前面冈子去，却再理会。”正行之间，前面迎着那土冈子。众人看这冈子时，但见：

顶上万株绿树，根头一派黄沙。嵯峨浑似老龙形，险峻但闻风雨响。山边茅草，乱丝丝攒遍地刀枪；满地石头，碜可可睡两行虎豹。休道西川蜀道险，须知此是太行山。

当时一行十五人奔上冈子来，歇下担仗，那十四人都去松阴树下睡倒了。杨志说道：“苦也！这里是甚么去处，你们却在这里歇凉！起来，快走！”众军汉道：“你便剁做我七八段，其实去不得了。”杨志拿起藤条，劈头劈脑打去。打得这个起来，那个睡倒，杨志无可奈何。只见两个虞候和老都管气喘急急，也巴到冈子上松树下坐了喘气。看这杨志打那军健，老都管见了，说道：“提辖，端的热了走不得，休见他罪过。”杨志道：“都管，你不知，这里正是强人出没的去处，地名叫做黄泥冈。闲常太平时节，白日里兀自出来劫人，休道是这般光景，谁敢在这里停脚！”两个虞候听杨志说了，便道：“我见你说好几遍了，只管把这话来惊吓人。”老都管道：“权且教他们众人歇一歇，略过日中行如何？”杨志道：“你也没分晓了，如何使得！这里下冈子去，兀自有七八里没人家，甚么去处，敢在此歇凉！”老都管道：“我自坐一坐了走，你自去赶他众人先走。”杨志拿着藤条喝道：“一个不走的，吃俺二十棍。”众军汉一齐叫将起来。数内一个分说道：“提辖，我们挑着百十斤担子，须不比你空手走的。你端的不把人当人！便是留守相公自来监押时，也容我们说一句。你好不知疼痒，只顾逞办！”杨志骂道：“这畜生不呕死俺，只是打便了。”拿起藤条，劈脸便打去。老都管喝道：“杨提辖且住，你听我说。我在东京太师府里做奶公时，门下官军见了无千无万，都向着我喏喏连声。不是我口浅，量你是个遭死的军人，相公可怜，抬举你做个提辖，比得草芥子大小的官职，直得恁地逞能。休说我是相公家都管，便是村庄一个老的，也合依我劝一劝，只顾把他们打，是何看待！”杨志道：“都管，你须是城市里人，生长在相府里，那里知道途路上千难万难。”老都管道：“四川、两广也曾去来，不曾见你这般卖弄。”杨志道：“如今须不比太平时节。”都管道：“你说这话该剜口割舌，今日天下怎地不太平？”

杨志却待再要回言，只见对面松林里影着一个人在那里舒头探脑价望。杨志道：“俺说甚么，兀的不是歹人来了！”撇下藤条，拿了朴刀，赶入松林里来，喝一声道：“你这厮好大胆，怎敢看俺的行货！”只见松林里一字儿摆着七辆江州车儿[6]，七个人脱得赤条条的在那里乘凉。一个鬓边老大一搭朱砂记，拿着一条朴刀，望杨志跟前来。七个人齐叫一声：“呵也！”都跳起来。杨志喝道：“你等是甚么人？”那七人道：“你是甚么人？”杨志又问道：“你等莫不是歹人？”那七人道：“你颠倒问，我等是小本经纪，那里有钱与你。”杨志道：“你等小本经纪人，偏俺有大本钱。”那七人问道：“你端的是甚么人？”杨志道：“你等且说那里来的人？”那七人道：“我等弟兄七人，是濠州人，贩枣子上东京去，路途打从这里经过。听得多人说，这里黄泥冈上如常有贼打劫客商。我等一面走，一头自说道：‘我七个只有些枣子，别无甚财赋。’只顾过冈子来。上得冈子，当不过这热，权且在这林子里歇一歇，待晚凉了行。只听得有人上冈子来，我们只怕是歹人，因此使这个兄弟出来看一看。”杨志道：“原来如此，也是一般的客人。却才见你们窥望，惟恐是歹人，因此赶来看一看。”那七个人道：“客官请几个枣子了去。”杨志道：“不必。”提了朴刀，再回担边来。

老都管道：“既是有贼，我们去休。”杨志说道：“俺只道是歹人，原来是几个贩枣子的客人。”老都管道：“似你方才说时，他们都是没命的。”杨志道：“不必相闹，俺只要没事便好。你们且歇了，等凉些走。”众军汉都笑了。杨志也把朴刀插在地上，自去一边树下坐了歇凉。没半碗饭时，只见远远地一个汉子，挑着一副担桶，唱上冈子来。唱道：

“赤日炎炎似火烧，野田禾稻半枯焦。

农夫心内如汤煮，楼上王孙把扇摇。”

那汉子口里唱着，走上冈子来，松林里头歇下担桶，坐地乘凉。众军看见了，便问那汉子道：“你桶里是甚么东西？”那汉子应道：“是白酒。”众军道：“挑往那里去？”那汉子道：“挑去村里卖。”众军道：“多少钱一桶？”那汉子道：“五贯足钱。”众军商量道：“我们又热又渴，何不买些吃，也解暑气。”正在那里凑钱，杨志见了，喝道：“你们又做甚么？”众军道：“买碗酒吃。”杨志调过朴刀杆便打，骂道：“你们不得洒家言语，胡乱便要买酒吃，好大胆！”众军道：“没事又来鸟乱。我们自凑钱买酒吃，干你甚事，也来打人。”杨志道：“你这村鸟理会的甚么！到来只顾吃嘴，全不晓得路途上的勾当艰难。多少好汉，被蒙汗药麻翻了。”那挑酒的汉子看着杨志冷笑道：“你这客官好不晓事，早是我不卖与你吃，却说出这般没气力的话来。”

正在松树边闹动争说，只见对面松林里那伙贩枣子的客人，都提着朴刀走出来问道：“你们做甚么闹？”那挑酒的汉子道：“我自挑这酒过冈子村里卖，热了在此歇凉。他众人要问我买些吃，我又不曾卖与他。这个客官道我酒里有甚么蒙汗药。你道好笑么？说出这般话来！”那七个客人说道：“我只道有歹人出来，原来是如此。说一声也不打紧，我们倒着买一碗吃。既是他们疑心，且卖一桶与我们吃。”那挑酒的道：“不卖，不卖！”这七个客人道：“你这鸟汉子也不晓事，我们须不曾说你。你左右将到村里去卖，一般还你钱，便卖些与我们，打甚么不紧。看你不道得[7]舍施了茶汤，便又救了我们热渴。”那挑酒的汉子便道：“卖一桶与你不争，只是被他们说的不好。又没碗瓢舀吃。”那七人道：“你这汉子忒认真，便说了一声打甚么不紧。我们自有椰瓢在这里。”只见两个客人去车子前取出两个椰瓢来，一个捧出一大捧枣子来。七个人立在桶边，开了桶盖，轮替换着舀那酒吃，把枣子过口，无一时，一桶酒都吃尽了。七个客人道：“正不曾问得你多少价钱？”那汉道：“我一了[8]不说价，五贯足钱一桶，十贯一担。”七个客人道：“五贯便依你五贯，只饶我们一瓢吃。”那汉道：“饶不的，做定的价钱。”一个客人把钱还他，一个客人便去揭开桶盖，兜了一瓢，拿上便吃。那汉去夺时，这客人手拿半瓢酒，望松林里便走。那汉赶将去，只见这边一个客人从松林里走将出来，手里拿一个瓢，便来桶里舀了一瓢酒。那汉看见，抢来劈手夺住，望桶里一倾，便盖了桶盖，将瓢望地下一丢，口里说道：“你这客人好不君子相！戴头识脸的[9]，也这般啰唣。”

那对过众军汉见了，心内痒起来，都待要吃。数中一个看着老都管道：“老爷爷，与我们说一声。那卖枣子的客人买他一桶吃了，我们胡乱也买他这桶吃，润一润喉也好。其实热渴了，没奈何，这里冈子上又没讨水吃处。老爷方便！”老都管见众军所说，自心里也要吃得些，竟来对杨志说：“那贩枣子客人已买了他一桶酒吃，只有这一桶，胡乱教他们买了避暑气。冈子上端的没处讨水吃。”杨志寻思道：“俺在远远处望，这厮们都买他的酒吃了，那桶里当面也见吃了半瓢，想是好的。打了他们半日，胡乱容他买碗吃罢。”杨志道：“既然老都管说了，教这厮们买吃了便起身。”众军健听了这话，凑了五贯足钱来买酒吃。那卖酒的汉子道：“不卖了，不卖了！”便道：“这酒里有蒙汗药在里头。”众军陪着笑说道：“大哥，直得便还言语。”那汉道：“不卖了，休缠！”这贩枣子的客人劝道：“你这个鸟汉子，他也说得差了，你也忒认真，连累我们也吃你说了几声。须不关他众人之事，胡乱卖与他众人吃些。”那汉道：“没事讨别人疑心做甚么。”这贩枣子客人把那卖酒的汉子推开一边，只顾将这桶酒提与众军去吃。那军汉开了桶盖，无甚舀吃，陪个小心，问客人借这椰瓢用一用。众客人道：“就送这几个枣子与你们过酒。”众军谢道：“甚么道理。”客人道：“休要相谢，都是一般客人，何争在这百十个枣子上。”众军谢了，先兜两瓢，叫老都管吃一瓢，杨提辖吃一瓢。杨志那里肯吃。老都管自先吃了一瓢，两个虞候各吃一瓢。众军汉一发上，那桶酒登时吃尽了。杨志见众人吃了无事，自本不吃，一者天气甚热，二乃口渴难熬，拿起来，只吃了一半，枣子分几个吃了。那卖酒的汉子说道：“这桶酒吃那客人饶两瓢吃了，少了你些酒，我今饶了你众人半贯钱罢。”众军汉把钱还他。那汉子收了钱，挑了空桶，依然唱着山歌，自下冈子去了。

只见那七个贩枣子的客人，立在松树旁边，指着这一十五人说道：“倒也，倒也！”只见这十五个人，头重脚轻，一个个面面厮觑，都软倒了。那七个客人从松树林里推出这七辆江州车儿，把车子上枣子都丢在地上，将这十一担金珠宝贝，却装在车子内，叫声：“聒噪！”一直望黄泥冈下推了去。杨志口里只是叫苦，软了身体，扎挣不起。十五人眼睁睁地看着那七个人都把这金宝装了去，只是起不来，挣不动，说不的。

我且问你：这七人端的是谁？不是别人，原来正是晁盖、吴用、公孙胜、刘唐、三阮这七个。却才那个挑酒的汉子，便是白日鼠白胜。却怎地用药？原来挑上冈子时，两桶都是好酒。七个人先吃了一桶，刘唐揭起桶盖，又兜了半瓢吃，故意要他们看着，只是教人死心塌地。次后，吴用去松林里取出药来，抖在瓢里，只做赶来饶他酒吃，把瓢去兜时，药已搅在酒里，假意兜半瓢吃，那白胜劈手夺来，倾在桶里。这个便是计策。那计较都是吴用主张。这个唤做“智取生辰纲”。

原来杨志吃的酒少，便醒得快，爬将起来，兀自捉脚不住。看那十四个人时，口角流涎，都动不得。正应俗语道：“饶你奸似鬼，吃了洗脚水。”杨志愤闷道：“不争你把了生辰纲去，教俺如何回去见得梁中书！这纸领状须缴不得！”就扯破了。“如今闪得俺有家难奔，有国难投，待走那里去？不如就这冈子上寻个死处！”撩衣破步，望黄泥冈下便跳。正是：虽然未得身荣贵，到此先须祸及身。正是：断送落花三月雨，摧残杨柳九秋霜。毕竟杨志在黄泥冈上寻死，性命如何，且听下回分解。

[1] 了事——这里是能干、会办事的意思。

[2] 太平车子——可以载重几十石、用四五匹到十多匹牲口拉的大车。

[3] 支调——支吾搪塞。

[4] 札付——公文。也写作“扎付”。

[5] 做大——摆架子。

[6] 江州车儿——手推的独轮小车。

[7] 不道得——岂不是的意思。有时也作不至于、不见得、岂肯、难道解释。又写作“不道的”。

[8] 一了——一向、一直、向来、本来。

[9] 戴头识脸的——有面子的、有身分的。

CHAPTER 15. Yang Zhi in Charge of the Convoy of Silver and Gold; Wu Yong Schemes How to Get the Birthday Presents

WHILE Gongsun Sheng was stating that it was not improper to seize the birthday presents from the Northern Capital as they had been bought with ill-gotten gains, a man rushed into the room, took hold of him and said, “I know what you are discussing. But how bold you are to talk about it!” The man was Wu Yong. Chao Gai laughed and said, “Teacher, stop this fooling, and let me introduce you to this man.”

When the man had been introduced, Wu Yong said, “I have heard of the fame of Gongsun Sheng, the ‘Cloud Dragon,’ but I never expected to meet him here in this way.”

Chao Gai introduced Wu Yong, and Gongsun Sheng then said, “Everywhere men speak highly of Wu Yong. But I did not expect to meet you at the village of this chief at the present time. It is simply because the chief distributes wealth in a good cause that all the heroes in the country come to him.”

Chao Gai said there were some friends in the hall at the back whom he would also like to introduce.

They then all went into the hall where Liu Tang and the three brothers Ruan were duly introduced.

They all asked the chief to take the seat of honor, as their meeting there that day was not a casual affair.

“I am only a poor host,’’ said Chao Gai, “so how dare I take the seat of honor?”

“Chief and elder brother,” said Wu Yong, “you are much older than us, so I hope that you will comply with our requests, and take the seat of honor.”

So Chao Gai sat down, Wu Yong took the second seat, Gongsun Sheng, the third seat, Liu Tang, the fourth seat, Ruan the Second, the fifth seat, Ruan the Fifth, the sixth seat, Ruan the Seventh, the seventh seat, and they all ate and drank the food and wine which was placed on the table.

Wu Yong said, “Chief, you had a dream, and saw the seven stars of the Dipper descending from the sky, and settling on the ridge of the roof. Today we seven men have assembled here to transact some business, and does it not mean that our meeting fulfills the forecasts of Heaven? I am sure that we shall succeed easily in this business. But previously we agreed that Brother Liu should make inquiries as to which way the presents are being sent so I suggest that he will start early tomorrow morning.”

“There is no need for him to go,” said Gongsun Sheng, “because I already know that the presents are being sent via Huangni Ridge.”

“That place is not far from the village of Anlo which is about three li apart in an easterly direction. At that village there is a man of leisure named Bai Sheng, nicknamed ‘Daylight Rat,’ who previously came here when I helped him with some money.”

“Does not this man answer the white light that was forecast in the dream?” said Wu Yong. “I think we ought to make use of him.”

“This place is rather a long way from Huangni Ridge,” said Liu Tang, “but is there a place there where we can rest?”

“We can stop at Bai Sheng’s house,” said Wu Yong, “and also make use of him.”

“Mister Wu, shall we use force or not to get these presents?” asked Chao Gai.

Wu Yong laughed as he replied, “I have already prepared a trap for them. We need only to see how they arrive. If they are armed we must use force, and if they are on their guard we must use strategy. I have a plan but I do not know whether you will approve of it.” He then explained his plan. When Chao Gai understood the plan he was so filled with glee that he stamped with his feet, and said, “A splendid idea! No wonder they call you ‘Clever Star.’ You are really better than Zhuge Liang!63 A splendid plot!”

“You must not mention it,” said Wu Yong. “There is a saying, ‘Walls have ears, and outside the window is there not a man?’ This plan must be kept between you and me only.”

“You three brothers of the Ruan family can now return to your home,” said Chao Gai, “and you can come again when the time arrives. Tutor Wu can also go back, and resume your teaching. Gongsun Sheng and Liu Tang can stay at this farmhouse.”

On that day they all dined together, and afterwards retired to their separate rooms. The next morning they were all getting up about five o’clock, and after eating their breakfast Chao Gai took thirty taels of silver and giving it to the three brothers Ruan, he said, “This little silver is only a slight expression of what I think of you, and I hope that you will accept it.”

But the three brothers Ruan refused to take the silver, and Wu Yong said, “As we are friends you should not raise any objection.” The three brothers then agreed to accept the silver. The brothers were escorted outside the gate of the farmhouse where Wu Yong whispered to them as to what was going to be done, and that when the suitable opportunity arose there would be no delay. The brothers then departed for their home at Shijie Village. Chao Gai, Gongsun Sheng, and Liu Tang stayed behind at the farm where they had frequent conferences with Wu Yong.

Now we shall relate how Grand Secretary Liang at the Northern Capital, having purchased the birthday gifts for one hundred thousand strings of cash, selected a day on which to dispatch them. It happened that one day as he was sitting in the private apartments his wife Madame Liang asked him, “On what day are you thinking of dispatching the birthday presents?”

Liang replied, “The presents are now all ready, and they will be dispatched either tomorrow or the day after. But there is one thing that I cannot decide.”

“What is that?” asked his wife.

“This year I am unable to find a servant whom I can intrust with these valuables, and that is the difficulty.”

Madame Liang pointed to a man standing at the bottom of the steps to the hall, and said, “You have always said that that man was very strong so why don’t you give him the order for this work? I think that he will not make a mistake.”

Grand Secretary Liang saw that the man she was pointing to was Yang Zhi, “Blue Faced Brute.” Although he had not made up his mind what to do, he summoned Yang Zhi and said to him, “I have almost forgotten you. If you will escort some valuable birthday presents for me without mishap I will see that you will be duly promoted.”

Yang Zhi saluted with his folded hands, and said, “If Your Excellency tell me to go I must obey you. But I do not know yet what arrangements have been made, and when you want me to start.”

Liang said, “I want to dispatch ten carts from Daming Prefecture, in charge of ten soldiers from my headquarters. On each cart there, will be a yellow flag, with the inscription, ‘Birthday Presents for the Prime Minister,’ I will also send a soldier for each cart to guard it. These will be dispatched within the next three days.”

Yang Zhi said, “I am not trying to excuse myself but really I cannot go. I suggest that you should send the best of your able heroes.”

“I have been thinking of promoting you,” said Liang. “With the presents I will dispatch a letter for the Prime Minister recommending you for promotion, and when you have received the Imperial appointment you can return here. What is your objection to going?”

“I have heard,” said Yang Zhi, “that last year the presents were seized by brigands who have not been arrested so far. This year there are more brigands about than last year. We shall have to go by road to the Eastern Capital as there is no water route. The road is via Mount Zijin, Mount Lianglong, Mount Taohua, Mount Sangai, Huangni Ridge, Baisha Wharf, Yeyun Ferry, and Chisong Forest. But at all those places there are bandits so that even a merchant with no valuables dare not travel there by himself. If the bandits get to know of the presents being sent they will certainly try to seize them. I do not want to lose my life just now so I am afraid that I cannot go.”

“In that case,” said Liang, “I will let you have more soldiers to accompany you.”

“‘Even if you let me have ten thousand soldiers,” said Yang Zhi, “they will be of no use, because as soon as they hear of the coming of bandits they will all run away.”

“Then do you think that I had better not to send the presents?” asked Liang.

“I will go if you will promise me one thing,” replied Yang Zhi.

“Since I ask you to do this business,” said Liang, “I of course have confidence in you. What promise do you want?”

“I want you to leave the matter in my hands, and I shall not use carts, but will pack the presents in ten loads as traveler’s baggage to be carried on poles over the shoulders. The ten soldiers shall be dressed as porters to carry the loads, and another man in traveler’s costume without a load can accompany me. We should travel stealthily during the night until we reached the Eastern Capital.”

“What you say is fine,” said Liang. “I will write a dispatch recommending you for promotion, and when you have received your new rank you can return here.”

“Thanks very much for your favor,” said Yang Zhi.

The same day Yang Zhi packed the presents, and selected soldiers to go with him. The following day he was told to wait in the hall, and when Grand Secretary Liang came there he said to him.

“Yang Zhi, when do you propose to start?”

Yang Zhi replied that he thought of starting early the following morning, and asked for his orders.

Liang said that his wife had also some presents which she was sending to Cai’s family, and these would also be intrusted to Yang Zhi. “As she is afraid that you do not know the person to whom the present must be delivered she will send with you the husband of one of her nurses, Chief Steward Xie, and also two servants.”

Yang Zhi said, “Sir, I am afraid that I cannot go.”

“The presents are now all packed ready for dispatch,” said Liang, “so why do you now refuse to go?”

Yang Zhi saluted and said, “I will be responsible for the presents carried by the soldiers, and they will obey my orders as to when we must travel, whether early or late, and when we must stop or rest. But what can I do if these three extra men who have been deputed by your wife will not obey my orders on the road? If in this way any mishap happens to the convoy what explanation can I offer?”

“That is easily arranged,” said Liang. “I will give them definite orders that they must follow your instructions.”

“In that case,” said Yang Zhi, “I will undertake the job, and if the things are lost I am willing to bear severe punishment.” Grand Secretary Liang said, “I am not mistaken in employing you, you are indeed an experienced man.” He forthwith summoned Xie and the two servants from his private apartments, and gave them orders saying, “Major Yang Zhi is willing to take charge of the convoy of the birthday presents made up in eleven loads, and will see that they are duly delivered to the Prime Minister at the Eastern Capital. He is responsible for everything. You three men will go with him, and on the road you must carefully follow his orders at all times as to when you are to stop or rest, and you must not dispute his authority. You will of course carry out the commissions my wife told you to execute for her. You must also be careful and not lose anything, and also get the business finished as soon as possible.”

The three men agreed to do this, and the same day Yang Zhi took charge of the presents. The following morning about five o’clock Yang Zhi had the eleven loads of presents placed in front of the hall, and gave them to the eleven robust soldiers who were dressed like coolies. Yang Zhi was wearing a cool summer hat, a black crape gown, hempen shoes, with puttees wound round his legs, a sword in his belt, a halberd carried in his hand. Xie was dressed like a traveler, and his two servants accompanied him. Each man wore a halberd, and carried a cane. Grand Secretary Liang gave Yang Zhi the dispatches he had prepared. The men who had eaten their meals, saluted Liang in the hall before their departure, and he then watched them start on their journey. Including Yang Zhi, Xie, and the two servants there were altogether fifteen men in the convoy who left the Northern Capital and started on the road towards Eastern Capital.

That time was the middle of the fifth lunar month, and the weather was very hot so that traveling was unpleasant.

Yang Zhi was determined to reach the Eastern Capital by the fifteenth day of the following month, so he made forced marches on the road. During the first seven days from the Northern Capital they started about five o’clock each morning when it was quite cool, and rested at midday. After the first week, they passed through a scarcely populated district and met few people on the way. The road was hilly, and therefore Yang Zhi decided to start every day about 8 A.M. The eleven soldiers acting as porters found their loads quite heavy in that district, and whenever they saw a wood they wanted to stop there and rest. If the men stopped for a short time Yang Zhi cursed them as lazy hounds, but if they stayed a long time he even went so far as to strike them in order to get them to move. The two servants carried only their own baggage, but still they panted for breath and walked very slowly. Yang Zhi spoke to them strongly saying, “You do not seem to understand this business! I am responsible for the whole thing! You do not beat these men for me, yet you walk slowly behind them. This is not a place for passing the time idly.”

The two servants replied, “We do not wish to walk slowly, but the weather is so hot that it is impossible to walk quickly, and that is why we get behind them. Previously we started early when it was cool, but now the travel in so hot weather makes us walk slowly. Your orders are hardly fair.”

Yang Zhi replied, “You’re just farting, not speaking! Previously we traveled through fairly quiet places, but now we are passing a dangerous locality. If it is hard to walk during the day who would dare walk here during the night?”

The servants did not reply to this, but they thought in their minds, “This fellow ought not to go to the extent of using abusive language.”

Yang Zhi took his halberd in one hand, and a cane in the other, and went to urge the men on. The two servants however sat down in the shade of a willow tree, and waited there until Xie caught up to them when they spoke to him. “This fellow Yang Zhi, although he is only a Major yet tries to pass himself off as a more important person. He puts on too much side.”

Xie replied, “Grand Secretary Liang told us definitely that we must obey Yang Zhi, and that is why I have not said anything although these last few days I have noticed that he has been very severe, and we have had to endure it.”

The two servants said, “What Liang said was simply to give Yang Zhi a little face but now you ought to decide matters yourself.”

Xie replied, “Let us put up with him for the time being.”

That evening about five o’clock they found an inn where they could stop. The eleven porters were dripping with perspiration, and panting for breath. They said to Xie, “We were very unfortunate to ever become soldiers. We are of course aware that we have been sent to do this work. But the heat has been so oppressive and our loads are exceptionally heavy. These last few days we have not even been walking in the cool of the morning. It has been very fatiguing, and Yang Zhi has beaten us with his cane. Our flesh and blood is the same as his, so why should we have this bitterness?”

“You must not be discontented,” said Xie. “When we reach Eastern Capital I myself will give you a reward.”

“If he treat us as you do,” said a soldier, “we should have no cause for complaint.”

They passed the night there, and before daybreak they all got up as they wanted to avail of the morning cool to start. Yang Zhi hastily got up and shouted out, “Where are you going? Go to sleep again, and wait until I give you the order.”

The men said, “If we do not start when it is early, it will be so hot during the day that you will beat us with your cane.”

“What do you know about it?” asked Yang Zhi. He seized his cane and was trying to strike them.

The men restrained their anger, and lay down to sleep. That day they got up about 8 A.M., slowly cooked their breakfast, and then started off. Again on the road Yang Zhi used his cane, and would not allow the porters to rest where there was a cool place. The men muttered their discontent to themselves as they plodded along. The two servants frequently spoke to Xie about the matter. Xie listened to what they said, and in his heart he harbored disgust with Yang Zhi.

We need not describe in detail the journey, but after traveling like this for about a fortnight there was not a single man of the fourteen who did not hate Yang Zhi.

On the fourth day of the sixth month they got up as usual at 8 A.M. and prepared their breakfast in a leisurely manner. That morning there was not the smallest speck of cloud in the sky, the sun was glaringly bright, and it was exceedingly hot. There was only a very narrow footpath to follow, and it led through a lonely shaggy area among the mountains. After they had traveled about seven li the porters felt tired and wished to rest a while in the shade of some willow trees. But Yang Zhi came up with his cane, and shouted at them, “Hurry up! I will give you a rest by and by!” The porters looked at the sky but could not see a cloud anywhere, and as the day was so hot they could not stand in the heat any longer. But Yang Zhi continued to press them forward along the deserted footpath. It was almost noon, and the stones on the road were as hot as to burn their feet. They said, “It is very hot, and we shall be burnt to death.”

Yang Zhi shouted, “Hurry up! When you get over this mountain ridge we will then discuss matters.”

The men continued on their way, and when they reached the summit of the hill they rushed to the shade of a pine forest to sleep.

Yang Zhi said, “What kind of a place is this to rest in. Get up at once!”

The men replied, “Even if you threatened to cut each of us up with your sword into seven pieces we could not go any further just now.”

Yang Zhi belabored the men with his cane, and got a few to stand up, but the others all lay down to sleep. Yang Zhi saw that it was impossible to do anything more. The two servants and Xie just then also reached the top of the pass, panting for breath, and they also lay down under the pine trees.

Xie spoke to Yang Zhi, “Major, it is too hot to walk any further just now. Do not beat the men any more.”

“You do not understand,” said Yang Zhi. “This is a place well-known for bandits and is called the Huangni Ridge. Even in time of peace they often committed their robberies in broad daylight. Now the times are so full of troubles, how can we stop here?”

The two servants upon hearing this said, “We have heard you say that several times before, and you only frighten us with that.”

“Would it not be better,” said Xie, “if you let these men rest now, and they can proceed on their way after noon has passed?”

“You also do not understand,” said Yang Zhi. “How can we do that? In the next three li going down from this pass there are no houses. This is an awful place so how dare we stop here?”

“I will rest here a while before I go on,” said Xie. “You tell the men to go forward, and not wait for me.”

“If any one does not go forward,” said Yang Zhi, “I will give him twenty blows with my cane.”

The men cried out and expressed their disapproval of this. One of them said, “Major, each of us is carrying a load of about one hundred and forty pounds, whereas you carry nothing. You are not treating us as human beings. If Grand Secretary Liang was in your place he would willingly listen to what we say. You do not know the pain we have to bear. You are only trying to enforce your own order.”

“You brutes are enough to make me die from anger,” said Yang Zhi, “I must beat you.” So saying he struck them on their heads with his cane.

“Major, stop,” shouted Xie. “Listen to me! When my wife was acting as wetnurse in the home of the Prime Minister I saw many officers in the army, and they always did what I asked them without a murmur. I do not wish to offend you, but previously you were only a banished soldier and only through the kindness of the Grand Secretary did you get your present position as a Major. At present your rank is about the size of a mustard seed, how can you carry matters with such a high hand? Even if I am a village elder you should listen to my one advice, to not say that I am a steward in the household of the Grand Secretary. Now you insist on beating them, what is this treatment?”

“Steward Xie,” said Yang Zhi, “you are brought up in town and have passed your time in the house of the Prime Minister, you naturally know nothing of the enormous difficulties of traveling by road.”

The steward replied, “I have traveled in both Sichuan, Guangdong, and Guangxi provinces, but I never saw a man who put on such airs as you do.”

“The country at present is not so peaceful as that in your time,” said Yang Zhi.

“As you talk like this,” said steward Xie, “your tongue ought be cut out. Where is the place that is not peaceful just now?”

Yang Zhi was just on the point of answering the steward when looking into the pine forest he saw the shadow of a man who was evidently spying on them. He then said, “What are you saying? Just here comes the bad man.” He then threw down his cane, picked up his halberd, and striding into the forest he shouted out, “What a brigand you are! How dare you look at our things like that?” Going forward he saw among the trees seven Jiangzhou style handcarts and arranged in a line. There were also six men with them who had stripped off all their clothes and were resting in the shade. One of the men had a big red birthmark on his temple, and he had a halberd in his hand. When the men saw Yang Zhi approaching them they all exclaimed, “Ai Ya!” and got up.

“Who are you?” shouted Yang Zhi.

“Who are you?” asked the men.

“Are you not all bandits?” asked Yang Zhi.

“You talk nonsense,” said the men. “We are only petty traders, so where can we have the money to give you?”

“You are only petty traders,” said Yang Zhi, “where can I have the money to give you?”

“Then tell us who you are,” asked the seven men.

“You first tell me where you come from,” said Yang Zhi.

The seven men replied, “We seven brothers are from Haozhou. We are on our way to the Eastern Capital to sell our dates there, and happen to pass this way. We have heard many people say that at this Huangni Ridge there are bandits who may attack us and seize our goods. But as we have only dates, and no other valuable goods, we came this way in spite of the warning. When we got to the top of this ridge we found the heat was so hot that we decided to have a little rest in the shade of these trees, and proceed further when it is a little cooler. While we were resting we heard you coming along and as we were afraid that you might be bandits, we sent a man to see who you were.”

“Then it appears,” said Yang Zhi, “that you are travelers just like us. When I saw this man spying I was afraid that he was a bandit, and so I came forward to investigate matters.”

The seven men then asked Yang Zhi to partake of some of their dates, but Yang Zhi declined the offer, and with his halberd in his hand went back to his own men.

The steward Xie, who was resting under the trees, said, “As there are bandits here we had better get along.”

“At first,” said Yang Zhi, “I also thought that they were bandits, but I have found out that they are only traders with some dates.”

“If it had been as you said previously all our men would have been killed,” said Xie, looking towards the men.

“We need not quarrel any more. The only thing that I am anxious about is our safety,” said Yang Zhi. “You can now have a rest, and when it is cooler we will go on.”

All the men laughed upon hearing this. Yang Zhi stuck his halberd in the ground, and then went and sat under a tree for a rest.

In a very short time they saw a man approaching carrying a couple of buckets from a pole over his shoulder. As he reached the summit of the ridge he sang:

The sun pours down its glowing heat.

Parching the growing corn;

The farmer’s heart melts in the glow,

The rich fan to and fro,

While I sweat here forlorn.

The man put down his buckets, and also sat down under a tree to rest. The soldiers asked him what he had got in the buckets, and he told them it was white wine. They then asked where he was going to, and the man replied that he was going to sell it in the village. The soldiers inquired the price of a bucket, and were informed that the lowest price was five strings of cash.

The soldiers talked the matter over among themselves saying that as they were all hot and thirsty why should they not buy the wine and have a drink. They then got out their money to see how much they had altogether.

Yang Zhi seeing this shouted out, “What are you doing?”

The men replied that they were going to buy some wine for a drink. Yang Zhi took hold of his halberd by the blade, and beat them with the shaft saying, “You have not even asked me whether you can do this or not. How dare you buy wine without my permission. How brave you are!”

The soldiers replied, “Without any justification you try to stir up troubles. We are going to buy some wine by our own money so what have you got to do with that? And yet you beat us.”

Yang Zhi said, “You clodhoppers! What do you know? You want to drink wine, and yet you do not understand the great difficulties of the road. Many heroes have drunk drugged wine, and become unconscious.”

The man who had carried the wine grinned at Yang Zhi, and said, “You evidently do not know much. I will certainly not sell any of the wine to you yet you talk so unreasonably.” While they were so wrangling the seven men came towards him with halberds in their hands. They asked him, “What is the row about?”

The man with the wine said, “I am carrying this wine to a village to sell it, and being hot I sat down to rest here. These men asked me to sell them some wine, but before I could do so this traveler said that the wine might be drugged. Wasn’t that funny?”

“Pooh!” said one of the seven men. “We thought that some bad man had come, but it appears now that your talk was hardly worthwhile. There is no need for a quarrel. We are very thirsty, and although he is suspicious, we will buy a bucket of wine ourselves.”

The wine seller said that he would not sell.

“You stupid fellow,” said one of the seven men, “you evidently do not understand that we have not condemned your wine. If you take it to the village you will only get the same price that we shall pay so why not sell it to us? We think that if you had only tea or water you would give it to us to assuage our thirst.”

“I would not mind selling you a bucket of wine,” said the wine seller, “if he had not said that it might be bad. But you have no ladles or cups to drink the wine with.”

You are too particular,” said one of the seven men, “what he said was not very important. We have a coconut shell which we can use as a ladle.” Two men went to their carts, and one brought back two coconut shells, and the other as many dates as he could carry in his hands. The seven men then stood round the bucket, and taking off the cover they helped themselves to the wine, and ate the dates. In a short time they had finished the bucket of wine. One of the men pointed out that they had not asked what the cost of the wine was.

The wine seller said, “I have not mentioned the price, but each bucket costs five strings of cash.”

“We will pay you five strings of cash,” said one of the seven men, “but you might now give us a ladle of wine free.”

“I cannot give you wine free, the price is fixed,” said the wine seller.

One man gave him the money, but another man took off the cover of the other bucket, and took a ladle full of wine. The wine seller objected to the latter’s conduct but the man drank half of the wine, and went towards the pine forest. The wine seller followed him, and then saw another man come out of the forest with a ladle, which he dipped into the wine. The wine seller hurried back and seizing the ladle emptied the contents into the bucket. He threw the ladle down on the ground, and put the cover on the bucket again. He said, “You have not the manners but are dressed as gentleman and yet make so much trouble?”

The soldiers had seen all this happening, and as they also would have liked a drink of the wine they became dissatisfied. One of them said to steward Xie, “Sir, will you speak for us? Those merchants selling dates have bought a bucket of wine and drunk it. We must buy the other bucket of wine, and moisten our throats a little. We are very thirsty, and there is no other way. At this place there is not a drop of water anywhere so we hope you will do this good action.”

Steward Xie wanted a drink himself and upon the soldier’s request he spoke to Yang Zhi, “These dates traders have bought and drunk a bucket of wine, so would it not be as well to let our men buy some wine to assuage their thirst? Here there is no water.”

Yang Zhi thought the matter over, “I have noticed from a distance that the men who have bought a bucket of wine have taken also one ladle from the other bucket, and drank it, and it appears to be all right. As I have been beating my soldiers I will now allow them to buy the wine just as they please.” He said, “Steward, as you have requested me you may now tell our men to buy wine and drink it. Then they must start without further delay.”

The soldiers upon hearing this soon collected five strings of cash to buy the wine with. But the wine seller declined to sell it, as he had said that it was drugged.

The soldiers coaxed him and said, “Brother, is it worthwhile saying that?”

“I won’t sell,” said the wine seller. “You need not say anything more.”

The man who was selling dates interposed and said, “You foolish fellow! That man (Yang Zhi) was wrong, but you are so particular and refused to sell to us before, but I think you had better let them have a drink because they have not spoken against you.” “How can it be that suspicion is aroused without cause?” asked the wine seller.

The trader of dates gently pushed the wine seller to one side, and then gave the soldiers the remaining bucket of wine.

The soldiers took the lid off the bucket, but as they had no ladle, they asked the trader to lend them the coconut ladle. The trader lent them the ladle, and also gave them some dates to eat with the wine.

The porters expressed their thanks.

“You need not thank me,” said the trader, “nor mention the hundred dates I have given you, as we are both travelers.”

The soldier porters again expressed their thanks, and then offered a ladle of wine to the Steward Xie, and also another one to Yang Zhi.

But Yang Zhi would not drink the wine so the two servants drank it. The soldier porters then all drank, and it was not long before the bucket was quite empty.

Yang Zhi saw that his men had no ill effects from drinking the wine, so as the day was so hot, and besides that he was very thirsty, he himself took and drank half a ladle of the wine, and also took some of the dates.

The wine seller said, “There was a ladle of wine stolen from that bucket, so I will make a discount for it of half a string of cash.”

The soldiers paid him accordingly, and as soon as he had received the money the wine seller shouldered his two empty buckets, and left the place singing his song. The seven traders of dates sitting under the pine trees pointed their fingers at the soldiers and said, “They are now falling down.” The soldiers, in fact, felt “their heads heavy and their feet fight,” and after looking at each other slyly had lain down.

The seven traders left the shade of the pine trees, and unloaded their carts of the dates, and then reloaded them with the valuable presents, and covered the loads. They then went straight down the Huangni Ridge making a loud noise on their way.

Yang Zhi saw this happen, but although he struggled to get up he could not do so as his body was so weak. He fully realized the bitterness of his position. Also the fifteen men stared at these proceedings but they were equally helpless.

Now I want to ask you who those seven men were. They were none other than Chao Gai, Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, Liu Tang, and the brothers Ruan. The wine seller who had just gone before was Bai Sheng, the “Daylight Rat.”

When and how had they drugged the wine? At the time the wine arrived at the Huangni Ridge it was quite good wine. The wine that the seven traders drank was also good, and Liu Tang opened the bucket and took half a ladle to drink just to show the soldiers that this wine was also good. Afterwards Wu Yong put some drug in a ladle, and bringing it from the pine forest he put it into the wine bucket pretending that he wanted to get a drink free, but Bai Sheng (the wine seller) prevented him from doing so by knocking the ladle on the ground. All these plots had been conceived by Wu Yong, and are now known as seizing the birthday presents by craft.

Yang Zhi had not drunk much of the wine so that he soon recovered, and crawled, as he could not yet stand up. Approaching his men he saw that spittle was dripping from the corners of their mouths, and they could not get up. Yang with a sorrowful heart said to himself: “I need not quarrel with you seven men who stole the birthday presents, but will you tell me how I can return and face the Grand Secretary Liang? As I cannot return these dispatches I had better destroy them. Now I have a home whereto I cannot go; I have a country whereto I cannot return. But where must I go to? Had I not better find a place here where I can commit suicide?” Raising his gown, he staggered along until he came to a steep place where he would jump down.

April showers made the blossoms fall;

Autumn frosts have killed the willow leaves.

We will now relate what was the result of Yang Zhi’s attempt at suicide on the Huangni Ridge.

Footnote

63 Famed strategist of the Three Kingdoms period.