第十八回

第十八回 美髯公智稳插翅虎 宋公明私放晁天王

诗曰：

亲爱无过弟与兄，便从酒后露真情。

何清不笃同胞义，观察安知众贼名。

玩寇长奸人暗走，惊蛇打草事难成。

只因一纸闲文字，惹起天罡地煞兵。

当时何观察与兄弟何清道：“这锭银子是官司信赏的，非是我把来赚你，后头再有重赏。兄弟，你且说这伙人如何在你便袋里？”只见何清去身边招文袋[1]内摸出一个经折儿[2]来，指道：“这伙贼人都在上面。”何涛道：“你且说怎地写在上面？”

何清道：“不瞒哥哥说，兄弟前日为赌博输了，没一文盘缠。有个一般赌博的，引兄弟去北门外十五里，地名安乐村，有个王家客店内，凑些碎赌。为是官司行下文书来，着落本村，但凡开客店的，须要置立文簿，一面上用勘合印信。每夜有客商来歇宿，须要问他那里来，何处去，姓甚名谁，做甚买卖，都要抄写在簿子上。官司查照时，每月一次去里正处报名。为是小二哥不识字，央我替他抄了半个月。当日是六月初三日，有七个贩枣子的客人，推着七辆江州车儿来歇。我却认得一个为头的客人，是郓城县东溪村晁保正。因何认得他？我比先曾跟一个闲汉去投奔他，因此我认得。我写着文簿，问他道：‘客人高姓？’只见一个三髭须白净面皮的抢将过来答应道：‘我等姓李，从濠州来，贩枣子去东京卖。’我虽写了，有些疑心。第二日，他自去了。店主带我去村里相赌，来到一处三叉路口，只见一个汉子挑两个桶来。我不认得他，店主人自与他厮叫道：‘白大郎，那里去？’那人应道：‘有担醋，将去村里财主家卖。’店主人和我说道：‘这人叫做白日鼠白胜，他是个赌客。’我也只安在心里。后来听得沸沸扬扬地说道：‘黄泥冈上一伙贩枣子的客人，把蒙汗药麻翻了人，劫了生辰纲去。’我猜不是晁保正却是兀谁！如今只捕了白胜，一问便知端的。这个经折儿是我抄的副本。”何涛听了大喜，随即引了兄弟何清径到州衙里，见了太守。府尹问道：“那公事有些下落么？”何涛禀道：“略有些消息了。”

府尹叫进后堂来说，仔细问了来历。何清一一禀说了。当下便差八个做公的，一同何涛、何清，连夜来到安乐村，叫了店主人作眼，径奔到白胜家里。却是三更时分，叫店主人赚开门来打火。只听得白胜在床上做声，问他老婆时，却说道：“害热病不曾得汗。”从床上拖将起来，见白胜面色红白，就把索子绑了，喝道：“黄泥冈上做得好事！”白胜那里肯认。把那妇人捆了，也不肯招。众做公的绕屋寻赃寻贼，寻到床底下，见地面不平，众人掘开，不到三尺深，众多公人发声喊，白胜面如土色，就地下取出一包金银。随即把白胜头脸包了，带他老婆，扛抬赃物，都连夜赶回济州城里来。却好五更天明时分，把白胜押到厅前，便将索子捆了，问他主情造意[3]。白胜抵赖，死不肯招晁保正等七人。连打三四顿，打的皮开肉绽，鲜血迸流。府尹喝道：“告的正主招了赃物，捕人已知是郓城县东溪村晁保正了。你这厮如何赖得过？你快说那六人是谁，便不打你了。”白胜又捱了一歇，打熬不过，只得招道：“为首的是晁保正。他自同六人来纠合白胜与他挑酒，其实不认得那六人。”知府道：“这个不难。只拿住晁保正，那六人便有下落。”先取一面二十斤死枷枷了白胜；他的老婆也锁了，押去女牢里监收。随即押一纸公文，就差何涛亲自带领二十个眼明手快的公人，径去郓城县投下，着落本县，立等要捉晁保正并不知姓名六个正贼。就带原解生辰纲的两个虞候作眼拿人，一同何观察领了一行人，去时不要大惊小怪，只恐怕走透了消息。星夜来到郓城县，先把一行公人并两个虞候都藏在客店里，只带一两个跟着来下公文，径奔郓城县衙门前来。

当下巳牌时分，却值知县退了早衙，县前静悄悄地。何涛走去县对门一个茶坊里坐下，吃茶相等。吃了一个泡茶，问茶博士道：“今日如何县前恁地静？”茶博士说道：“知县相公早衙方散，一应公人和告状的都去吃饭了未来。”何涛又问道：“今日县里不知是那个押司直日？”茶博士指着道：“今日直日的押司来也。”何涛看时，只见县里走出一个吏员来。看那人时，怎生模样？但见：

眼如丹凤，眉似卧蚕。滴溜溜两耳垂珠，明皎皎双睛点漆。唇方口正，髭须地阁轻盈；额阔顶平，皮肉天仓饱满。坐定时浑如虎相，走动时有若狼形。年及三旬，有养济万人之度量；身躯六尺，怀扫除四海之心机。上应星魁，感乾坤之秀气；下临凡世，聚山岳之降灵。志气轩昂，胸襟秀丽。刀笔敢欺萧相国，声名不让孟尝君。

那押司姓宋名江，表字公明，排行第三，祖居郓城县宋家村人氏。为他面黑身矮，人都唤他做黑宋江；又且于家大孝，为人仗义疏财，人皆称他做孝义黑三郎。上有父亲在堂，母亲丧早，下有一个兄弟，唤做铁扇子宋清，自和他父亲宋太公在村中务农，守些田园过活。这宋江自在郓城县做押司。他刀笔精通，吏道纯熟，更兼爱习枪棒，学得武艺多般。平生只好结识江湖上好汉：但有人来投奔他的，若高若低，无有不纳，便留在庄上馆谷[4]，终日追陪，并无厌倦；若要起身，尽力资助，端的是挥霍，视金似土。人问他求钱物，亦不推托。且好做方便，每每排难解纷，只是周全人性命。如常散施棺材药饵，济人贫苦，周人之急，扶人之困。以此山东、河北闻名，都称他做及时雨，却把他比的做天上下的及时雨一般，能救万物。曾有一首《临江仙》赞宋江好处：

起自花村刀笔吏，英灵上应天星。疏财仗义更多能。事亲行孝敬，待士有声名。 济弱扶倾心慷慨，高名冰月双清。及时甘雨四方称。山东呼保义，豪杰宋公明。

当时宋江带着一个伴当[5]，走将出县前来。只见这何观察当街迎住，叫道：“押司，此间请坐拜茶。”宋江见他似个公人打扮，慌忙答礼道：“尊兄何处？”何涛道：“且请押司到茶坊里面吃茶说话。”宋公明道：“谨领。”两个入到茶坊里坐定，伴当都叫去门前等候。宋江道：“不敢拜问尊兄高姓？”何涛答道：“小人是济州府缉捕使臣何观察的便是。不敢动问押司高姓大名？”宋江道：“贱眼不识观察，少罪。小吏姓宋名江的便是。”何涛倒地便拜，说道：“久闻大名，无缘不曾拜识。”宋江道：“惶恐！观察请上坐。”何涛道：“小人是一小弟，安敢占上。”宋江道：“观察是上司衙门的人，又是远来之客。”两个谦让了一回，宋江坐了主位，何涛坐了客席。宋江便叫：“茶博士，将两杯茶来。”没多时，茶到。两个吃了茶，茶盏放在桌子上。

宋江道：“观察到敝县，不知上司有何公务？”何涛道：“实不相瞒押司，来贵县有几个要紧的人。”宋江道：“莫非贼情公事否？”何涛道：“有实封公文在此，敢烦押司作成。”宋江道：“观察是上司差来该管的人，小吏怎敢怠慢。不知为甚么贼情紧事？”何涛道：“押司是当案的人，便说也不妨。敝府管下黄泥冈上一伙贼人，共是八个，把蒙汗药麻翻了北京大名府梁中书差遣送蔡太师的生辰纲军健一十五人，劫去了十一担金珠宝贝，计该十万贯正赃。今捕得从贼一名白胜，指说七个正贼都在贵县。这是太师府特差一个干办，在本府立等要这件公事，望押司早早维持。”宋江道：“休说太师府着落，便是观察自赍公文来要，敢不捕送。只不知道白胜供指那七人名字？”何涛道：“不瞒押司说，是贵县东溪村晁保正为首。更有六名从贼，不识姓名，烦乞用心。”

宋江听罢，吃了一惊，肚里寻思道：“晁盖是我心腹弟兄。他如今犯了迷天之罪，我不救他时，捕获将去，性命便休了。”心内自慌。宋江且答应道：“晁盖这厮奸顽役户，本县内上下人没一个不怪他。今番做出来了，好教他受！”何涛道：“相烦押司便行此事。”宋江道：“不妨，这事容易，瓮中捉鳖，手到拿来。只是一件：这实封公文须是观察自己当厅投下，本官看了，便好施行发落，差人去捉，小吏如何敢私下擅开！这件公事非是小可，勿当轻泄于人。”何涛道：“押司高见极明，相烦引进。”宋江道：“本官发放一早晨事务，倦怠了少歇。观察略待一时，少刻坐厅时，小吏来请。”何涛道：“望押司千万作成。”宋江道：“理之当然，休这等说话。小吏略到寒舍分拨了些家务便到，观察少坐一坐。”何涛道：“押司尊便，请治事。小弟只在此专等。”

宋江起身，出得阁儿，分付茶博士道：“那官人要再用茶，一发我还茶钱。”离了茶坊，飞也似跑到下处，先分付伴当去叫直司在茶坊门前伺候：“若知县坐衙时，便可去茶坊里安抚那公人道：‘押司便来。’叫他略待一待。”却自槽上鞁[6]了马，牵出后门外去。宋江拿了鞭子，跳上马，慢慢地离了县治。出得东门，打上两鞭，那马不剌剌的望东溪村撺将去，没半个时辰，早到晁盖庄上。庄客见了，入去庄里报知。正是：

有仁有义宋公明，交结豪强秉志诚。

一旦阴谋皆外泄，六人星火夜逃生。

且说晁盖正和吴用、公孙胜、刘唐在后园葡萄树下吃酒。此时三阮已得了钱财，自回石碣村去了。晁盖见庄客报说宋押司在门前，晁盖问道：“有多少人随从着？”庄客道：“只独自一个飞马而来，说快要见保正。”晁盖道：“必然有事。”慌忙出来迎接。宋江道了一个喏，携了晁盖手，便投侧边小房里来。晁盖问道：“押司如何来的慌速？”宋江道：“哥哥不知，兄弟是心腹弟兄，我舍着条性命来救你。如今黄泥冈事发了！白胜已自拿在济州大牢里了，供出你等六人。济州府差一个何缉捕，带领若干人，奉着太师府钧帖并本州文字来捉你等七人，道你为首。天幸撞在我手里！我只推说知县睡着，且教何观察在县对门茶坊里等我，以此飞马而来报你。哥哥，三十六计，走为上计。若不快走时，更待甚么！我回去引他当厅下了公文，知县不移时便差人连夜下来。你们不可担阁，倘有些疏失，如之奈何！休怨小弟不来救你。”晁盖听罢，吃了一惊，道：“贤弟，大恩难报！”宋江道：“哥哥，你休要多说，只顾安排走路，不要缠障。我便回去也。”晁盖道：“七个人：三个是阮小二、阮小五、阮小七，已得了财，自回石碣村去了；后面有三个在这里，贤弟且见他一面。”宋江来到后园，晁盖指着道：“这三位：一个吴学究；一个公孙胜，蓟州来的；一个刘唐，东潞州人。”宋江略讲一礼，回身便走，嘱付道：“哥哥保重，作急快走！兄弟去也。”宋江出到庄前，上了马，打上两鞭，飞也似望县里来了。

且说晁盖与吴用、公孙胜、刘唐三人道：“你们认得进来相见的这个人么？”吴用道：“却怎地慌慌忙忙便去了？正是谁人？”晁盖道：“你三位还不知哩，我们不是他来时，性命只在咫尺休了！”三人大惊：“莫不走漏了消息，这件事发了？”晁盖道：“亏杀这个兄弟，担着血海也似干系来报与我们！原来白胜已自捉在济州大牢里了，供出我等七人。本州差个缉捕何观察，将带若干人，奉着太师钧帖来，着落郓城县立等要拿我们七个。亏了他稳住那公人在茶坊里挨候，他飞马先来报知我们。如今回去下了公文，少刻便差人连夜到来捕获我们。却是怎地好？”吴用道：“若非此人来报，都打在网里。这大恩人姓甚名谁？”晁盖道：“他便是本县押司，呼保义宋江的便是。”吴用道：“只闻宋押司大名，小生却不曾得会。虽是住居咫尺，无缘难得见面。”公孙胜、刘唐都道：“莫不是江湖上传说的及时雨宋公明？”晁盖点头道：“正是此人。他和我心腹相交，结义弟兄。吴先生不曾得会。四海之内，名不虚传。结义得这个兄弟，也不枉了。”

晁盖问吴用道：“我们事在危急，却是怎地解救？”吴学究道：“兄长，不须商议。三十六计，走为上计。”晁盖道：“却才宋押司也教我们走为上计，却是走那里去好？”吴用道：“我已寻思在肚里了。如今我们收拾五七担挑了，一齐都走，奔石碣村三阮家里去。”晁盖道：“三阮是个打鱼人家，如何安得我等许多人？”吴用道：“兄长，你好不精细。石碣村那里，一步步近去，便是梁山泊。如今山寨里好生兴旺，官军捕盗，不敢正眼儿看他。若是赶得紧，我们一发入了伙！”晁盖道：“这一论正合吾意。只恐怕他们不肯收留我们。”吴用道：“我等有的是金银，送献些与他，便入了伙。”晁盖道：“既然恁地，商量定了，事不宜迟！吴先生，你便和刘唐带了几个庄客，挑担先去阮家安顿了，却来旱路上接我们。我和公孙先生两个打并了便来。”吴用、刘唐把这生辰纲打劫得金珠宝贝做五六担装了，叫五六个庄客一发吃了酒食。吴用袖了铜链，刘唐提了朴刀，监押着五七担，一行十数人，投石碣村来。晁盖和公孙胜在庄上收拾。有些不肯去的庄客，赍发他些钱物，从他去投别主；愿去的，都在庄上并叠财物，打拴行李。有诗为证：

太师符督下州来，晁盖逡巡受祸胎。

不是宋江潜往报，七人难免这场灾。

再说宋江飞马去到下处，连忙到茶坊里来，只见何观察正在门前望。宋江道：“观察久等。却被村里有个亲戚，在下处说些家务，因此担阁了些。”何涛道：“有烦押司引进。”宋江道：“请观察到县里。”两个入得衙门来，正直知县时文彬在厅上发落事务。宋江将着实封公文，引着何观察，直至书案边，叫左右挂上回避牌。宋江向前禀道：“奉济州府公文，为贼情紧急公务，特差缉捕使臣何观察到此下文书。”知县接来拆开，就当厅看了，大惊，对宋江道：“这是太师府差干办来立等要回话的勾当。这一干贼便可差人去捉。”宋江道：“日间去只怕走了消息，只可差人就夜去捉。拿得晁保正来，那六人便有下落。”时知县道：“这东溪村晁保正，闻名是个好汉，他如何肯做这等勾当？”随即叫唤尉司并两个都头：一个姓朱名仝，一个姓雷名横。他两个非是等闲人也！

当下朱仝、雷横两个来到后堂，领了知县言语，和县尉上了马，径到尉司，点起马步弓手并土兵一百馀人，就同何观察并两个虞候作眼拿人。当晚都带了绳索军器，县尉骑着马，两个都头亦各乘马，各带了腰刀、弓箭，手拿朴刀，前后马步弓手簇拥着，出得东门，飞奔东溪村晁家来。到得东溪村里，已是一更天气，都到一个观音庵取齐。朱仝道：“前面便是晁家庄。晁盖家有前后两条路：若是一发去打他前门，他望后门走了；一齐哄去打他后门，他奔前门走了。我须知晁盖好生了得，又不知那六个是甚么人，必须也不是良善君子。那厮们都是死命，倘或一齐杀出来，又有庄客协助，却如何抵敌他。只好声东击西，等那厮们乱撺，便好下手。不若我和雷都头分做两路，我与你分一半人，都是步行去，先望他后门埋伏了，等候唿哨响为号，你等向前门只顾打入来，见一个捉一个，见两个捉一双。”雷横道：“也说得是。朱都头，你和县尉相公从前门打入来，我与你截住后路。”朱仝道：“贤弟，你不省得。晁盖庄上有三条活路，我闲常时都看在眼里了。我去那里，须认得他的路数，不用火把便见。你还不知他出没的去处，倘若走漏了事情，不是耍处。”县尉道：“朱都头说得是，你带一半人去。”朱仝道：“只消得三十来个勾了。”朱仝领了十个弓手，二十个土兵，先去了。县尉再上了马，雷横把马步弓手都摆在前后，帮护着县尉。土兵等都在马前，明晃晃照着三二十个火把，拿着叉、朴刀、留客住、钩镰刀，一齐都奔晁家庄来。到得庄前，也兀自有半里多路，只见晁盖庄里一缕火起，从中堂烧将起来，涌得黑烟遍地，红焰飞空。又走不到十数步，只见前后门四面八方，约有三四十把火发，焰腾腾地一齐都着。前面雷横拿着朴刀，背后众土兵发着喊，一齐把庄门打开，都扑入里面看时，火光照得如同白日一般明亮，并不曾见有一个人。只听得后面发着喊，叫将起来，叫前面捉人。原来朱仝有心要放晁盖，故意赚雷横去打前门。这雷横亦有心要救晁盖，以此争先要来打后门，却被朱仝说开了，只得去打他前门。故意这等大惊小怪，声东击西，要催逼晁盖走了。

朱仝那时到庄后时，兀自晁盖收拾未了。庄客看见，来报与晁盖说道：“官军到了！事不宜迟。”晁盖叫庄客四下里只顾放火，他和公孙胜引了十数个去的庄客，呐着喊，挺起朴刀，从后门杀将出来，大喝道：“当吾者死，避我者生！”朱仝在黑影里叫道：“保正休走，朱仝在这里等你多时。”晁盖那里顾他说，与同公孙胜舍命只顾杀出来。朱仝虚闪一闪，放开条路，让晁盖走了。晁盖却叫公孙胜引了庄客先走，他独自押着后。朱仝使步弓手从后门扑入去，叫道：“前面赶捉贼人。”雷横听的，转身便出庄门外，叫马步弓手分头去赶。雷横自在火光之下，东观西望，做寻人。朱仝撇了土兵，挺着刀去赶晁盖。晁盖一面走，口里说道：“朱都头，你只管追我做甚么？我须没歹处。”朱仝见后面没人，方才敢说道：“保正，你兀自不见我好处。我怕雷横执迷，不会做人情，被我赚他打你前门，我在后面等你出来放你。你见我闪开条路让你过去。你不可投别处去，只除梁山泊可以安身。”晁盖道：“深感救命之恩，异日必报。”有诗为证：

捕盗如何与盗通，只因仁义动其衷。

都头已自开生路，观察焉能建大功。

朱仝正赶间，只听得背后雷横大叫道：“休教走了人！”朱仝分付晁盖道：“保正，你休慌，只顾一面走，我自使转他去。”朱仝回头叫道：“有三个贼望东小路去了。雷都头，你可急赶。”雷横领了人，便投东小路上，并土兵众人赶去。朱仝一面和晁盖说着话，一面赶他，却如防送的相似。渐渐黑影里不见了晁盖，朱仝只做失脚扑地，倒在地下。众土兵向前扶起，急救得朱仝，答道：“黑影里不见路径，失脚走下野田里，滑倒了，闪挫了左腿。”县尉道：“走了正贼，怎生奈何？”朱仝道：“非是小人不赶，其实月黑了，没做道理处。这些土兵全无几个有用的人，不敢向前！”县尉再叫土兵去赶，众土兵心里道：“两个都头尚兀自不济事，近他不得，我们有何用。”都去虚赶了一回，转来道：“黑地里正不知那条路去了。”雷横也赶了一直[7]回来，心内寻思道：“朱仝和晁盖最好，多敢是放了他去，我没来由做甚么恶人。我也有心亦要放他，今已去了，只是不见了人情。晁盖那人也不是好惹的。”回来说道：“那里赶得上，这伙贼端的了得！”

县尉和两个都头回到庄前时，已是四更时分。何观察见众人四分五落，赶了一夜，不曾拿得一个贼人，只叫苦道：“如何回得济州去见府尹！”县尉只得捉了几家邻舍家，解将郓城县里来。

这时知县一夜不曾得睡，立等回报。听得道：“贼都走了，只拿得几个邻舍。”知县把一干拿到的邻舍当厅勘问。众邻舍告道：“小人等虽在晁保正邻近住居，远者三二里田地，近者也隔着些村坊。他庄上如常有搠枪使棒的人来，如何知他做这般的事？”知县逐一问了时，务要问他们一个下落。数内一个贴邻告道：“若要知他端的，除非问他庄客。”知县道：“说道他家庄客也都跟着走了。”邻舍道：“也有不愿去的，还在这里。”知县听了，火速差人，就带了这个贴邻作眼，来东溪村捉人。无两个时辰，早拿到两个庄客。当厅勘问时，那庄客初时抵赖，吃打不过，只得招道：“先是六个人商议，小人只认得一个是本乡中教学的先生，叫做吴学究。一个叫做公孙胜，是全真[8]先生。又有一个黑大汉，姓刘。更有那三个，小人不认得，却是吴学究合将来的。听的说道：他姓阮，他在石碣住，他是打鱼的，弟兄三个。只此是实。”知县取了一纸招状，把两个庄客交割与何观察，回了一道备细公文，申呈本府。宋江自周全那一干邻舍，保放回家听候。

且说这众人与何涛押解了两个庄客，连夜回到济州，正值府尹升厅。何涛引了众人到厅前，禀说晁盖烧庄在逃一事，再把庄客口词说一遍。府尹道：“既是恁地说时，再拿出白胜来。”问道：“那三个姓阮的端的住在那里？”白胜抵赖不过，只得供说：“三个姓阮的，一个叫做立地太岁阮小二，一个叫做短命二郎阮小五，一个是活阎罗阮小七，都在石碣湖村里住。”知府道：“还有那三个姓甚么？”白胜告道：“一个是智多星吴用，一个是入云龙公孙胜，一个叫做赤发鬼刘唐。”知府听了便道：“既有下落，且把白胜依原监了，收在牢里。”随即又唤何观察，差去石碣村缉捕这几个贼人。

不是何涛去石碣村去，有分教：大闹山东，鼎沸河北。天罡地煞，来寻际会风云；水浒寨中，去聚纵横人马。直使三十六员豪杰聚，七十二位煞星临。毕竟何观察怎生差去石碣村缉捕，且听下回分解。

[1] 招文袋——挂在腰带上的小袋，古人用它做文件袋、公事包。

[2] 经折儿——手折，古人用它做记事册、笔记本。

[3] 主情造意——主谋的，出主意的。

[4] 馆谷——供给客人的住宿和膳食。

[5] 伴当——伙计、仆从。

[6] 鞁（bèi）——把鞍辔之类的东西套在马身上。

[7] 一直——指行路的时间和途程，犹如说一阵。

[8] 全真——宋时对道士的称呼之一。

CHAPTER 17. The Handsome Whiskers Devises a Scheme to Secure the Flying Tiger; Song Gongming Secretly Enables Chao Gai to Escape

THE Inspector, He Tao, spoke to his younger brother, He Qing, “These ingots of silver are the reward offered by the yamen, and when we capture the brigands there will be much greater reward. I would not attempt to cheat you. But why did you say that you had put the brigands in your trouser’s pocket?”

He Qing put his hand in his breast pocket, and drew forth a folding notepaper with cover, and pointing to it said, “All those brigands are here.”

He Tao asked, “But how have their names got written there?”

“I won’t deceive you,” said He Qing. “The day before yesterday I lost every cash at gambling, and a fellow gambler took me to the Anlo village, about five li outside the North Gate, to an inn owned by a man named Wang, where there were many men assembled who were gambling with small stakes. The magistrate had issued an order that at every inn they must keep a register of the guests who stayed there, and should record their names, where they came from, where they were going to, and what was their business. The register must be sent every month through the chief to the local magistrate for inspection. The waiter at the inn did not know how to write so he asked me to stay there for half a month and keep that register for him.”

“It happened that on the third day of the sixth month, seven traders pushing Jiangzhou-made handcarts stopped at the inn to rest. I recognized the leader of them as Chao Gai, the chief of the Dongxi village, in Yuncheng County. Now how did I know that it was him? Because some time before I went to that village with a fellow gambler who sought refuge there. When I took the register and asked for their names a man stepped forward who had a mustache and a small beard, with a white face. He said, “We are all called Li, and have come from Haozhou, with dates, and are going to sell them at the Eastern Capital.” I wrote this down although I doubted the statement made. They departed the next day. The proprietor of the inn took me into the village to gamble, and upon passing the corner of a street I saw a man carrying two buckets on a pole over his shoulder. I did not know him, but the proprietor of the inn called out to him, ‘Mister Bai, where are you going?’ The man replied, ‘I am taking some vinegar to sell to the wealthy people of the village.’

“The inn proprietor told me that the man was Bai Sheng, and had a nickname ‘Daylight Rat.’ He was a gambler. At that time I took notice of the matter but afterwards I heard everybody talking that seven traders of dates had captured some birthday presents at the Huangni Ridge by means of some drugged wine. I at once jumped to the conclusion that Chao Gai had done this. So we may arrest Bai Sheng and find out what he knows about the matter. This notebook is my copy of the register.”

He Tao was much pleased at this, and took his brother to the Prefecture yamen where the Prefect asked him, “Have you any information about that matter?”

He Tao replied that he now had a slight clue. The Prefect asked them to go with him to the inner apartments to discuss the matter. There He Qing gave him all the details he knew.

The Prefect then ordered eight policemen to accompany He Tao and He Qing to the inn at Anlo village where they got the proprietor to conduct them to the house of Bai Sheng where they arrived by midnight. The proprietor of the inn induced them to open the door, but when they struck a light they heard Bai Sheng making a noise on the bed. Upon asking Bai Sheng’s wife she said that her husband had a fever. The men seized hold of Bai Sheng and bound him with cords. They saw that his face was very red. They shouted out, “You have done a fine business at the Huangni Ridge!” But Bai Sheng did not confess this. Even when they bound his wife with cords she also remained silent. The men searched the whole house, and they noticed that the ground under the bed was uneven. So they dug there, and about three feet down they found a quantity of gold and silver, which discovery excited them. Bai Sheng’s face had now turned pale. They then blindfolded him, and his wife, and with the police carrying the booty they set off for Jizhou where they arrived about 5 A.M. They went into the yamen with the prisoners. The Prefect asked who had planned the bandits’ raid, but Bai Sheng would not say, and even if in danger of death he would not confess and implicate Chao Gai and the other six men. He was then beaten with bamboo about four times until his flesh was broken and his blood was flowing.

The Prefect shouted, “The police have found out that the head of the bandits is Chao Gai, the chief at the Dongxi Village in Yuncheng County, so it is useless for you to screen them. If you will say who the other six men are we will not beat you any more.”

Bai Sheng hesitated a little, but as he could not endure any more beating with the bamboo he at last confessed, “The chief of the bandits is Chao Gai. He himself came with six other men to get me to carry some wine for them, but I do not know who the other six men are.”

“That will not matter,” said the Prefect. “Go now and arrest Chao Gai, the chief, and we can soon find out where the other six men are.” He then ordered that Bai Sheng should be fitted with a large cangue weighing at twenty jin, and that the woman should be chained and confined to the women’s jail. He then ordered a dispatch to be prepared and handed to He Tao who was to take with him twenty of the best policemen to arrest Chao Gai and the others. The magistrate at Yuncheng County must also send the two servants of Grand Secretary Liang to try and identify the six men. He Tao, the chief inspector, and his men must be careful as he was afraid that the news of their departure might reach Chao Gai first.

They traveled to Yuncheng County during the starlit night, and upon arriving there, He Tao put his men in an inn with orders to wait there until he came back. He then took two men with him to the yamen. He reached the yamen about 11 A.M. but the magistrate had retired from the early court, and everything was very quiet. He Tao therefore went to a tea-house where he got some tea, and rested a while. After he had drunk a cup of tea he asked the waiter, “How is it that everything is so quiet here today?”

“The magistrate had an early court,” said the waiter, “and all the litigants went away also to get some food and have not returned yet.”

“Who is on duty today?” asked He Tao.

The waiter pointed to a man and said, “That clerk is on duty today.”

He Tao saw that the clerk was leaving the yamen.

The clerk was called Song Jiang, and his style was Gongming. He was the third brother in his family, and his forefathers had always resided at the Song Family Village, in Yuncheng County district. Because he had a dark complexion people called him “Black Song Jiang,” and because he had a great reputation for filial piety and for distributing wealth in a good cause he was nicknamed, “Filial and Just Black the Third.” His father was living, but his mother had died some time before. He had a younger brother Song Qing, who had been nicknamed “Iron Fan,” and stayed at home with his father cultivating the fields and supporting the family. Song Jiang earned a living as a clerk in the Yuncheng County yamen. He was a calligraphist and was quite familiar with all the routine of office work. He liked exercising with the lance and cudgel, and was quite good at all kinds of military exercises. He took a great interest in the doings of all bandits and they often came to him for help. No matter what kind of bandit there was, he would help him and keep him at the farmhouse. He kept company with them the whole day, and felt quite satisfied with their friendship. If they wanted to leave at any time he assisted them with money as though it was dirt. He never refused to give money when people asked for it. He was always charitable. He settled disputes and always assisted people in difficulties. He was always buying coffins for the poor, and medicine for sick people.

He always assisted those in distress, and raised those who had been crushed down in life. The result was that his fame was known in all Shandong and Hebei provinces, where he was also known as “Welcome Rain” because his influence was like the falling of rain on parched soil.

Song Jiang was accompanied by an attendant, and as they were leaving the yamen, He Tao, the Inspector, came out and saluted them, saying “Sir, I request you to come and have tea with me.”

Song Jiang saw that the man was dressed in uniform, and quickly saluting, said, “Brother, where do you come from?”

He Tao replied that they could talk matters over when they were seated inside drinking tea. Song Jiang agreed to this and they thereupon entered the tea-house, and the attendant was told to wait outside.

“I take leave to inquire your name,” said Song Jiang.

He Tao replied, “I am Inspector He Tao, and I come from Jizhou Prefecture. I also beg to inquire your name.”

“You must not blame me for not recognizing you,” said Song Jiang. He then gave his name and position in the yamen.

He Tao knelt down, and saluted. “I have heard of your fame, but I had no opportunity of meeting you before.”

“I am afraid,” said Song Jiang, “but will you please take the seat of honor?”

“I dare not occupy such a position,” said He Tao.

“You come from a higher yamen than this one, and you are also a guest from a distant place,” said Song Jiang. After both men pressing each other to take the seat of honor they finally sat down—Song Jiang as host, and He Tao as guest in the seat of honor. Song Jiang then ordered the waiter to bring the tea, and it was soon served. After they had drunk some tea he asked, “What business has brought you here?”

“I won’t deceive you. I have come here to arrest some very important persons in this district.”

“Is it connected with the bandits business?” asked Song Jiang.

“I have a sealed dispatch here, and I hope that you will help me to get the business done.”

“As you are appointed by superiors I must of course help you,” said Song Jiang. “But what bandit affairs is it about?”

“It is a matter that you will have to deal with so I will tell you all about it: A party of eight bandits at the Huangni Ridge drugged some wine, and sold it to an escort of fifteen soldiers who were conveying some birthday gifts from Grand Secretary Liang at the Northern Capital for Prime Minister Cai. They seized the eleven loads of presents, which were worth about one hundred thousand strings of cash. We have arrested one of the brigands named Bai Sheng, and he confessed that the other seven bandits were in this district.

“There is an officer from the Prime Minister waiting at our head yamen for the completion of this business, so I hope that you will give it immediate attention.”

“We must of course arrange for the arrest of the bandits,” said Song Jiang, “even though you yourself have brought a dispatch here, not to say about the instruction from the Prime Minister. But I should like to know who are the seven persons that Bai Sheng named.”

“I will tell you. The head of the bandits is Chao Gai, the chief of the Dongxi Village in this district. But so far we have not found out the names of the other six men, so I must ask for your assistance.”

Song Jiang was surprised at hearing this, and thought, “This Chao Gai is my bosom friend. Now he has committed this serious crime. But if I do not save him he will certainly be arrested.” He was very anxious about the matter, but replied, “That Chao Gai is evidently a rascal. Everybody in this district say that he is not a good man. Now that he has committed this crime it will be better for him to suffer for it.”

“I hope that you will take the matter in hand,” said He Tao.

“That will be easy. ‘A tortoise in a wine jar is easy to catch.’ But you must present the dispatch at the yamen yourself so that after it has been read men can be deputed to arrest the bandits. I dare not presume to open the letter myself. It concerns a very important matter, and it would not do to let the contents leak out, and be known to other men.”

“As you understand the matter so well will you accompany me into the yamen?”

“The magistrate has had an early court,” said Song Jiang “and being tired he is now taking a rest. You had better wait until the magistrate holds a later court when I will come and inform you.”

“I hope that you will help me,” said He Tao.

“It is my duty, you need not talk like that. I will now go to my home where I have a few matters to attend to, and you can rest here until I come back.”

“All right,” said He Tao. “You attend to your affairs, and I will stay here till you come back.”

Song Jiang rose, and going into another room told the waiter that He Tao was to be supplied with tea which he would pay for. Upon leaving the tea-house he went with all speed. He however first told his attendant to go into the yamen, and get another man to stand at the door of the tea-house. Should the magistrate hold a second court the man must immediately tell He Tao and say, “The clerk, Song Jiang, is busy just now, but he requests you to wait a little longer.” He then went to the troughs where the horses were, saddled one, concealed a whip in his sleeve, and led a horse to the back door where he quickly mounted. After leaving the east gate, Song Jiang used his whip, and the horse galloped along towards the Dongxi Village. In less than an hour he drew up at the door of Chao Gai’s house. A servant had seen him coming, and had already announced his approach.

At that time Chao Gai, Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and Liu Tang were drinking wine under the vines in the garden. The brothers Ruan had returned to their home at Shijie Village when they had got the money. When Chao Gai heard that the clerk Song Jiang had arrived he asked, “How many men are with him?”

The servant said, “He has come by himself on a horse galloping at full speed, and wants to see you immediately.”

“There must be some urgent business,” said Chao Gai. He went at once, and upon meeting and saluting Song Jiang they took each other by the hand, and walked into a small room at one side.

“Why do you come here in such haste?” asked Chao Gai.

“Elder brother,” said Song Jiang, “we are bosom friends, and therefore I came to save your life at great risk to myself. The affair at the Huangni Ridge has been disclosed. Bai Sheng was arrested and is now in prison at Jizhou Prefecture. He has confessed about the other seven men. An Inspector from Jizhou has arrived with a dispatch, and another order from the Prime Minister, for your immediate arrest, and you are mentioned as the head of the gang of bandits. Fortunately the matter is in my hands. I have told Inspector He Tao, that the magistrate is asleep just now, and told him to wait for me in a tea-house just opposite the entrance to the yamen. Therefore I came flying here on horseback to report the matter to you. Out of thirty-six plans you must select the best and get away at once. What is there to keep you here instead of going away at once? I must go back now and take the Inspector to the yamen, where he will deliver his orders, and as soon as the magistrate sees them you may be sure that he will immediately dispatch men to effect your arrest. So you had better not delay your escape. If there is any failure in your departure you must not blame me.”

Chao Gai was surprised at hearing this. He said, “Worthy brother, how can I ever repay you?”

“You need not say much,” said Song Jiang. “Get ready at once, and let nothing stand in your way. I must return at once.”

Chao Gai said, “Of the seven, the three brothers Ruan have received their share of the booty, and have gone back to their home at Shijie Village. At the back of this room are however three others, and you might come and see them.”

Song Jiang went to the back garden, and Chao Gai pointing to the three men there said, “These three men are Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and Liu Tang.”

Song Jiang slightly bowed to them, and then turned round and said to Chao Gai, “Now take care of yourself, and get away at once. I must go now.” He went to the door, mounted his horse, and using his whip, galloped off to the town.

“Do you know the man whom I just introduced to you?” asked Chao Gai to the three men.

“Who is he? And why did he depart so hastily?” asked Wu Yong.

“You do not know, but had he not come here our lives would be cut short very soon.”

The three men were startled at this statement. One of them asked, “But has our affair been disclosed?”

Chao Gai said, “It is very lucky for us that he has taken a bloody risk in coming here to report to me. Bai Sheng has been arrested, thrown into prison, and has confessed about us. An Inspector named He Tao has arrived with orders from the Prime Minister for the magistrate here for our arrest. He got Inspector He Tao to wait for him in a tea-house, and in the interval he has galloped here to tell me. He has returned, and when the dispatches are delivered the magistrate will immediately send men to arrest us. What shall we do?”

“Had he not told us,” said Wu Yong, “we would be caught like fish in a net. But what is the name of our benefactor?”

“He is a clerk in the district yamen,” said Chao Gai. He is called Song Jiang, nicknamed ‘The Protector.’”

“I have heard of him,” said Wu Yong, “but have not met him. Although we live so close together I have never had any chance for meeting him.”

Gongsun Sheng and Liu Tang both asked, “Is he not the man whom people call the ‘Welcome Rain,’ Song Gongming?”

Chao Gai nodded his head in assent and said, “That is the man. We are on the best of terms, and we are sworn brothers. Wu, have you really not met him? His fame is well assured within the four seas. It is not useless to have this man for my sworn brother. But we are certainly in serious danger, what shall we do?”

“My brother, you need not discuss the matter,” said Wu Yong. “Of the thirty-six plans the best is to get away at once.”

“That was Song Jiang’s idea,” said Chao Gai. “But where shall we go?”

“I have already formed an idea,” said Wu Yong. “We must pack up the booty into five or seven loads for carrying on our shoulders, and then depart for the Shijie Village, and go to the family of the brothers Ruan. But we must immediately send a man in advance to advise them of the matter.”

“But how can so many men stay with the brothers Ruan, who are only fishermen?” asked Chao Gai.

“Elder brother,” said Wu Yong, “you are not very shrewd. That place is quite close to Liangshan Marsh. That stronghold is very prosperous just now, and the soldiers dare not even go to look at the place. If we are closely pressed by the soldiers we can go there and join the band at once.”

“What you say is fine,” said Chao Gai, “but I am afraid that they may not admit us.”

“As we have plenty of gold and silver,” said Wu Yong, “we can send some to them, and then they will admit us.”

“As we have agreed to do this,” said Chao Gai, “then we had better not delay our departure. Teacher Wu, you had better go with Liu Tang and get servants to carry the booty for you, and when you have safely deposited it with the brothers Ruan you can come back along the road to meet us. I, with Gongsun Sheng will go as soon as everything is well arranged.” Wu Yong and Liu Tang went to get about six servants, and as soon as the latter had had their food, they carried the bundles containing the booty and departed. Wu Yong hid a copper wire up his sleeve, whereas Liu Tang carried a halberd in his hand. Altogether there were about ten men in their party.

Chao Gai and Gongsun Sheng stayed behind to arrange other matters. Those servants who did not want to go with them were paid off, and told to go to some other place. All the others who were willing to go with Chao Gai packed up many things, and then also departed.

Song Jiang galloped his horse to the town, and upon arriving at the tea-house he found He Tao at the door looking out for him. He said, “Inspector, you have waited a long time. There was a relative at my home who kept discussing many matters, and that has delayed me a little.”

“Clerk Song Jiang, I must ask you to introduce me at once,” said He Tao.

Song Jiang did so, and they entered the yamen, and went into the court where the magistrate Shi Wenbing was transacting business. Upon reaching the official desk Song Jiang told the aide of the magistrate to hang up outside of the court the boards with the two characters “Hui Bi” (withdraw, do not disturb), upon seeing which all people would refrain from entering the court. Song Jiang then presented the dispatches from Jizhou Prefecture, and explained in a low tone that He Tao had just brought them under urgent instruction. When the magistrate read the dispatches he was startled and said to Song Jiang, “There is an officer from the Prime Minister who is waiting for our immediate reply. We must send men at once to arrest the bandits.”

“I am afraid,” said Song Jiang, “that if we dispatch men in the broad daylight the matter will become divulged, and therefore I think that we had better send men in the night to arrest the bandits.”

“That chief Chao Gai at the Dongxi Village is well known as a respectable person,” said Magistrate Shi, “so why should he take part in such a disgraceful affair?” He then told his attendant to summon Inspectors Zhu Tong and Lei Heng. Upon their arrival he gave them orders, and they got together more than one hundred men, and set off with the magistrate’s deputy to arrest the seven men. They were all fully armed with bows and arrows, halberds, swords, and ropes for binding the prisoners, and they reached the Dongxi Village about eight o’clock the same evening. They all stopped at the Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy Temple.

Zhu Tong said, “Ahead is the farmhouse of Chao Gai. There are two roads leading to the house—one at the back and one in front. If we all went to the front gate they might escape by the back door. So we will divide—half will go to the back entrance and the other half to the front entrance. I know that Chao Gai is well trained in military skills, but I suppose the other six men may not be decent men. And all the farm servants may help them so how shall we overcome the whole lot? The only plan is that the soldiers on the east side will make a loud noise to frighten them and put them in confusion while those on the west side will fight and arrest them. I will go with half the soldiers and hide near the back entrance and there await your signaling with the whistle. The others will go to the front entrance, and arrest everyone they meet.”

Lei Heng said, “That is all right, but I think it would be better if you went to the front gate with the deputy magistrate and I will go to the gate at the back.”

“You do not understand the position,” said Zhu Tong. “There are three roads to this village, and I have noticed them many times before. If I go to the gate at the back I know which road to guard without using torches. You do not know the road by which he will try to escape. If he knows our object he will escape. This is not a matter to be trifled with.”

The deputy magistrate said that Inspector Zhu Tong had spoken quite clearly, and that he must take half the soldiers with him.

Zhu Tong said that thirty men would be enough for him. So he took ten archers and twenty foot soldiers.

The deputy magistrate mounted his horse, and Lei Heng put his men some before and some behind so as to protect the magistrate’s representative. In front were the foot soldiers with about thirty torches lit, others with swords, hooks, and halberds and they rushed to Chao Gai’s farm. Before they were about a few hundred yards to the front entrance of Chao Gai’s house, they saw flames leaping from the buildings, and dense clouds of smoke everywhere. They had not proceeded more than ten steps further when they saw fire break out at about forty places in all parts of the buildings. The soldiers shouted and Lei Heng with the vanguard took his halberd, and forced open the front gate. Inside the flames illuminated the yards as clear as daylight, but there not even a single man was seen inside. Just then they heard the great shout raised by the soldiers at the back entrance. Now Zhu Tong really had the intention of letting Chao Gai escape, and that was why he had arranged for Lei Heng to go to the front gate. But Lei Heng himself had the same desire, and that was why he wanted to go to the entrance at the back. But owing to Zhu Tong’s arguments he had given way and went to the front gate. There he purposely made a great noise, so that this would act as a warning to Chao Gai to escape at once.

When Zhu Tong and his men reached the back entrance, Chao Gai had not finished packing up the movable articles, and when his servants told him of the arrival of the soldiers and urged him to escape at once, Chao Gai told the servants to set the building on fire everywhere, and then with Gongsun Sheng he took about ten other servants and arming themselves with halberds they went to the gate at the back shouting as they went. Chao Gai shouted, “Those who oppose me shall die; those who avoid me shall live.”

Inspector Zhu Tong was hiding in a dark place, and upon hearing this called out, “Chief, get away quickly! I have been waiting here a long time.”

Chao Gai did not hear this, and was quite prepared to fight to the death. Inspector Zhu Tong, however, was making a way through his men for Chao Gai to escape. Gongsun Sheng was in front of the small band of servants whereas Chao Gai was bringing up the rear. Zhu Tong instructed his archers to go and force open the gate. He shouted out, “Go to the front gate and arrest the thieves.” Inspector Lei Heng hearing this went outside the front gate, and told his archers on foot and on horseback to pursue and arrest the thieves. Lei Heng was standing in the light of the fire and was anxiously looking in all directions as though trying to find men. Zhu Tong left his soldiers, and ran after Chao Gai who was now outside the gate. As Chao Gai ran he looked round and shouted to Zhu Tong, “Inspector Zhu! What do you want to arrest me for? I have done no wrong.”

Inspector Zhu Tong looked behind, and seeing none of his men he replied, “Chief, you did not understand my object. I was afraid that Inspector Lei Heng would not fall in with my plans so I got him to go to the front gate with some men while I came to this back door so that I could let you escape. Did you see that I made a way through my men for you to pass through? You should go at once to Liangshan Marsh, not any other place for safety.”

“I am deeply grateful to you for your kindness,” said Chao Gai, “and some day I will certainly recompense you.”

Just then Zhu Tong heard Lei Heng calling behind him, “Do not allow him away.”

“Chief,” said Zhu Tong, “do not get upset, but just go straight on your way, and I will try to get Lei Heng to go another way.” He then turned his head round, and said to Lei Heng, “There are three men who are getting away by the eastern road. You had better run after them at once.”

Lei Heng immediately took many of his soldiers, and led them to the eastern road.

Zhu Tong followed Chao Gai talking with him as they proceeded, and helping him in every manner to escape. When they had got beyond the range of the light from the burning farmstead Zhu Tong missed Chao Gai and in the dark he purposely fell down as though he had stumbled against something, when a number of his soldiers came up and assisted him to rise. Zhu Tong said to them, “In the dark I lost my way, and getting into this wild field I slipped and fell down. I have sprained my leg.”

“The thieves have got away,” said the deputy magistrate, “so what shall we do?”

“That was not due to our not trying to catch them,” said Zhu Tong, “but because it is such a dark night. Among these soldiers there are very few capable men for such a job, as they are afraid of advancing.”

The deputy magistrate sent the soldiers away to arrest the thieves, but the soldiers thought that the two Inspectors had not been very brave in getting into close touch with the bandits, and therefore they (the soldiers) were not of much use. So they ran off, pretending to do as ordered, but they soon came back and said that it was so dark that they could not see the roads.

Just then Lei Heng also returned, and he was saying to himself, “Zhu Tong and Chao Gai were evidently close friends and Zhu Tong has assisted him to escape, while I could not show my friendship.” Upon reaching Zhu Tong and the deputy magistrate he said, “Who could catch up to them. The thieves are so smart!”

The two Inspectors and the deputy magistrate returned to the farmyard. It was then about 3 A.M. He Tao had remained inside the yard, and now saw the soldiers returning in batches of fours or fives without having captured a single man although they had been in pursuit nearly the whole night long. He said in a bitter tone, “How can I face the Prefect at Jizhou?”

The deputy magistrate could do nothing but arrest a number of the neighbors, and take them to the magistrate at Yuncheng County.

The magistrate had not slept that night, but was waiting to hear the result of the expedition. When he was informed that the bandits had all escaped, but that a number of the neighbors had been arrested, he went into the court, and there cross-examined the men who were under arrest.

The neighbors said, “Though we are the neighbors of Chao Gai, yet the remote of us live almost a li away from his farm while the nearer are several houses apart. Usually many men visited Chao Gai who were always practicing with the spear and cudgel, but how could we know that they were engaged in this kind of business?”

The magistrate, however, examined them individually trying to find out whether they knew where the bandits had gone to. At last he found a man who had lived quite close to Chao Gai. This man said, “If you want to know about the affairs of Chao Gai you should cross-examine his farm servants.”

The magistrate replied, “But I am informed that all the servants have escaped.”

The man replied, “There were some servants who did not wish to leave, and they remained behind at the farm.”

With the speed of fire the magistrate dispatched men to arrest the farm servants, and in about an hour they returned with two farm servants under arrest.

The magistrate cross-examined them, and at first they declared that they knew nothing, but after a severe beating they confessed and said, “There were six men at the farm who were always discussing some matter. One of them was a teacher at a village close by, and was called Wu Yong; another was Gongsun Sheng, a Taoist priest, and still another was a dark-skinned man called Liu. There were three others whom we did not know, but they were brought there by Wu Yong. We, however, heard that they were all called Ruan and came from the Shijie Village. They were all three brothers, and were fishermen.”

The magistrate had all this evidence written down by his secretary, and he then wrote a dispatch to accompany it to Jizhou Prefecture. He handed these documents, and also the two farm servants, to He Tao and told him to deliver them to the Prefect. Song Jiang arranged for some person to come forward, and stand as guarantor for the neighbors who were to return to their homes.

He Tao escorted the two farm servants with all speed to Jizhou Prefecture, and upon arriving there he found that the Prefect was sitting in court transacting business. He entered the court, and reported the Prefect how Chao Gai and the bandits had all escaped, and the farm buildings had been burnt down. He also brought forward the two prisoners, and repeated their confession.

The Prefect after hearing all this gave an order for Bai Sheng to be again brought forward. Upon his arrival he asked him, “Where do those three Ruans live?”

Bai Sheng saw that he could not get out of the difficult position in any way so he said:

“One of the Ruans is known as the ‘Heavenly King Who Stands His Ground,’ he is Ruan the Second; another is called ‘Short Lived Second Brother’ and he is Ruan the Fifth; the other is called ‘Living King Yama’ and he is Ruan the Seventh. They all live at the Shijie Village.”

The Prefect asked, “Who are the other three?”

Bai Sheng replied, “One is Wu Yong, another is Gongsun Sheng, and the other is Liu Tang.”

The Prefect sent Bai Sheng back to the prison. He then ordered Inspector He Tao to proceed at once to Shijie Village to arrest the three brothers Ruan, and so get some further clue.

Crowds of devils act in concert;

Armed horsemen now are gathered.

We will now relate what happened to the Inspector He Tao on his journey to the Shijie Village.