第二十七回

第二十七回 母夜叉孟州道卖人肉 武都头十字坡遇张青

诗曰：

平生作善天加福，若是刚强受祸殃。

舌为柔和终不损，齿因坚硬必遭伤。

杏桃秋到多零落，松柏冬深愈翠苍。

善恶到头终有报，高飞远走也难藏。

话说当下武松对四家邻舍道：“小人因与哥哥报仇雪恨，犯罪正当其理，虽死而不怨。却才甚是惊吓了高邻。小人此一去，存亡未保，死活不知。我哥哥灵床子就今烧化了。家中但有些一应物件，望烦四位高邻与小人变卖些钱来，作随衙用度之资，听候使用。今去县里首告，休要管小人罪重，只替小人从实证一证。”随即取灵牌和纸钱烧化了。楼上有两个箱笼，取下来，打开看了，付与四邻收贮变卖。却押那婆子，提了两颗人头，径投县里来。此时哄动了一个阳谷县，街上看的人不记其数。知县听得人来报了，先自骇然，随即升厅。武松押那王婆在厅前跪下，行凶刀子和两颗人头放在阶下。武松跪在左边，婆子跪在中间，四家邻舍跪在右边。武松怀中取出胡正卿写的口词，从头至尾告说一遍。知县叫那令史先问了王婆口词，一般供说。四家邻舍，指证明白。又唤过何九叔、郓哥，都取了明白供状。唤当该仵作行人，委吏一员，把这一干人押到紫石街检验了妇人身尸，狮子桥下酒楼前检验了西门庆身尸，明白填写尸单格目，回到县里，呈堂立案。知县叫取长枷，且把武松同这婆子枷了，收在监内。一干平人，寄监在门房里。

且说县官念武松是个义气烈汉，又想他上京去了这一遭，一心要周全他，又寻思他的好处，便唤该吏商议道：“念武松那厮是个有义的汉子，把这人们招状从新做过，改作：‘武松因祭献亡兄武大，有嫂不容祭祀，因而相争。妇人将灵床推倒。救护亡兄神主，与嫂斗殴，一时杀死。次后西门庆因与本妇通奸，前来强护，因而斗殴。互相不伏，扭打至狮子桥边，以致斗杀身死。’”写了招解送文书，把一干人审问相同，读款状与武松听了。写一道申解公文，将这一干人犯解本管东平府，申请发落。这阳谷县虽然是个小县分，倒有仗义的人。有那上户之家都资助武松银两，也有送酒食钱米与武松的。武松到下处，将行李寄顿土兵收了，将了十二三两银子，与了郓哥的老爹。武松管下的土兵，大半相送酒肉不迭。当下县吏领了公文，抱着文卷并何九叔的银子、骨殖、招词、刀仗，带了一干人犯上路，望东平府来。众人到得府前，看的人哄动了衙门口。且说府尹陈文昭，听得报来，随即升厅。那官人但见：

平生正直，禀性贤明。幼年向雪案攻书，长成向金銮对策。常怀忠孝之心，每行仁慈之念。户口增，钱粮办，黎民称德满街衢；词讼减，盗贼休，父老赞歌喧市井。攀辕截镫，名标青史播千年；勒石镌碑，声振黄堂传万古。慷慨文章欺李杜，贤良方正胜龚黄。

且说东平府府尹陈文昭，已知这件事了。便叫押过这一干人犯，就当厅先把阳谷县申文看了，又把各人供状招款看过，将这一干人一一审录一遍。把赃物并行凶刀仗封了，发与库子，收领上库。将武松的长枷换了一面轻罪枷枷了，下在牢里。把这婆子换一面重囚枷钉了，禁在提事都监死囚牢里收了。唤过县吏，领了回文，发落何九叔、郓哥、四家邻舍：“这六人且带回县去，宁家听候；本主西门庆妻子，留在本府羁管听候。等朝廷明降，方始结断。”那何九叔、郓哥、四家邻舍，县吏领了，自回本县去了。武松下在牢里，自有几个土兵送饭。西门庆妻子，羁管在里正人家。

且说陈府尹哀怜武松是个有义的烈汉，如常差人看觑他，因此节级牢子都不要他一文钱，倒把酒食与他吃。陈府尹把这招稿卷宗都改得轻了，申去省院详审议罪；却使个心腹人，赍了一封紧要密书，星夜投京师来替他干办。那刑部官多有和陈文昭好的，把这件事直禀过了省院官，议下罪犯：“据王婆生情造意，哄诱通奸，立主谋故武大性命，唆使本妇下药毒死亲夫；又令本妇赶逐武松，不容祭祀亲兄，以致杀伤人命：唆令男女故失人伦，拟合凌迟处死。据武松虽系报兄之仇，斗杀西门庆奸夫人命，亦则自首，难以释免：脊杖四十，刺配二千里外。奸夫淫妇虽该重罪，已死勿论。其馀一干人犯释放宁家。文书到日，即便施行。”东平府尹陈文昭看了来文，随即行移，拘到何九叔、郓哥并四家邻舍和西门庆妻小，一干人等都到厅前听断。牢中取出武松，读了朝廷明降，开了长枷，脊杖四十。上下公人都看觑他，止有五七下着肉。取一面七斤半铁叶团头护身枷钉了，脸上免不得刺了两行金印，迭配孟州牢城。其馀一干众人，省谕发落，各放宁家。大牢里取出王婆，当厅听命。读了朝廷明降，写了犯由牌，画了伏状，便把这婆子推上木驴[1]，四道长钉，三条绑索，东平府尹判了一个剐字，拥出长街。两声破鼓响，一棒碎锣鸣，犯由前引，混棍后催，两把尖刀举，一朵纸花摇，带去东平府市心里，吃了一剐。

话里只说武松带上行枷，看剐了王婆。有那原旧的上邻姚二郎，将变卖家私什物的银两交付与武松收受，作别自回去了。当厅押了文帖，着两个防送公人领了，解赴孟州交割。府尹发落已了。只说武松自与两个防送公人上路，有那原跟的土兵付与了行李，亦回本县去了。武松自和两个公人离了东平府，迤逦取路投孟州来。那两个公人知道武松是个好汉，一路只是小心去伏侍他，不敢轻慢他些个。武松见他两个小心，也不和他计较，包裹内有的是金银，但过村坊铺店，便买酒买肉，和他两个公人吃。

话休絮繁。武松自从三月初头杀了人，坐了两个月监房，如今来到孟州路上，正是六月前后，炎炎火日当天，烁石流金之际，只得赶早凉而行。约莫也行了二十馀日，来到一条大路，三个人已到岭上，却是巳牌时分。武松道：“两个公人，你们且休坐了，赶下岭去，寻买些酒肉吃。”两个公人道：“也说得是。”三个人奔过岭来，只一望时，见远远地土坡下约有十数间草屋，傍着溪边，柳树上挑出个酒帘儿。武松见了，把手指道：“兀那里不有个酒店！离这岭下只有三五里路，那大树边厢便是酒店。”两个公人道：“我们今早吃饭时五更，走了这许多路，如今端的有些肚饥。真个快走，快走！”三个人奔下岭来，山冈边见个樵夫，挑一担柴过来。武松叫道：“汉子，借问你，此去孟州还有多少路？”樵夫道：“只有一里便是。”武松道：“这里地名叫做甚么去处？”樵夫道：“这岭是孟州道。岭前面大树林边，便是有名的十字坡。”武松问了，自和两个公人一直奔到十字坡边看时，为头一株大树，四五个人抱不交，上面都是枯藤缠着。看看抹过大树边，早望见一个酒店，门前窗槛边坐着一个妇人，露出绿纱衫儿来，头上黄烘烘的插着一头钗环，鬓边插着些野花。见武松同两个公人来到门前，那妇人便走起身来迎接。下面系一条鲜红生绢裙，搽一脸胭脂铅粉，敞开胸脯，露出桃红纱主腰，上面一色金钮。见那妇人如何？

眉横杀气，眼露凶光。辘轴般蠢坌腰肢，棒槌似桑皮手脚。厚铺着一层腻粉，遮掩顽皮；浓搽就两晕胭脂，直侵乱发。红裙内斑斓裹肚，黄发边皎洁金钗。钏镯牢笼魔女臂，红衫照映夜叉精。

当时那妇人倚门迎接，说道：“客官，歇脚了去。本家有好酒好肉，要点心时，好大馒头。”两个公人和武松入来，那妇人慌忙便道万福。三个人入到里面，一副柏木桌凳座头上，两个公人倚了棍棒，解下那缠袋，上下肩坐了。武松先把脊背上包裹解下来，放在桌子上，解了腰间搭膊，脱下布衫。两个公人道：“这里又没人看见，我们担些利害，且与你除了这枷，快活吃两碗酒。”便与武松揭了封皮，除下枷来放在桌子底下。都脱了上半截衣裳，搭在一边窗槛上。只见那妇人笑容可掬道：“客官，打多少酒？”武松道：“不要问多少，只顾盪来。肉便切三五斤来，一发算钱还你。”那妇人道：“也有好大馒头。”武松道：“也把二三十个来做点心。”那妇人嘻嘻地笑着，入里面托出一大桶酒来，放下三只大碗，三双箸，切出两盘肉来。一连筛了四五巡酒，去灶上取一笼馒头来放在桌子上。两个公人拿起来便吃。

武松取一个拍开看了，叫道：“酒家，这馒头是人肉的，是狗肉的？”那妇人嘻嘻笑道：“客官休要取笑。清平世界，荡荡乾坤，那里有人肉的馒头，狗肉的滋味？自来我家馒头，积祖是黄牛的。”武松道：“我从来走江湖上，多听得人说道：‘大树十字坡，客人谁敢那里过？肥的切做馒头馅，瘦的却把去填河。’”那妇人道：“客官那得这话！这是你自捏出来的。”武松道：“我见这馒头馅内有几根毛，一像人小便处的毛一般，以此疑忌。”武松又问道：“娘子，你家丈夫却怎地不见？”那妇人道：“我的丈夫出外做客未回。”武松道：“恁地时，你独自一个须冷落。”那妇人笑着寻思道：“这贼配军却不是作死，倒来戏弄老娘！正是灯蛾扑火，惹焰烧身。不是我来寻你。我且先对付那厮！”这妇人便道：“客官，休要取笑。再吃几碗了，去后面树下乘凉。要歇，便在我家安歇不妨。”武松听了这话，自家肚里寻思道：“这妇人不怀好意了，你看我且先耍他！”武松又道：“大娘子，你家这酒好生淡薄，别有甚好的，请我们吃几碗。”那妇人道：“有些十分香美的好酒，只是浑些。”武松道：“最好，越浑越好吃。”那妇人心里暗喜，便去里面托出一旋浑色酒来。武松看了道：“这个正是好生酒，只宜热吃最好。”那妇人道：“还是这位客官省得。我盪来你尝看。”妇人自忖道：“这个贼配军正是该死。倒要热吃，这药却是发作得快。那厮当是我手里行货！”盪得热了，把将过来筛做三碗，便道：“客官，试尝这酒。”两个公人那里忍得饥渴，只顾拿起来吃了。武松便道：“大娘子，我从来吃不得寡酒，你再切些肉来与我过口。”张得那妇人转身入去，却把这酒泼在僻暗处，口中虚把舌头来咂道：“好酒！还是这酒冲得人动！”

那妇人那曾去切肉，只虚转一遭，便出来拍手叫道：“倒也，倒也！”那两个公人只见天旋地转，强禁了口，望后扑地便倒。武松也把眼来虚闭紧了，扑地仰倒在凳边。那妇人笑道：“着了！由你奸似鬼，吃了老娘的洗脚水。”便叫：“小二，小三，快出来！”只见里面跳出两个蠢汉来，先把两个公人扛了进去。这妇人后来，桌上提了武松的包裹并公人的缠袋，捏一捏看，约莫里面是些金银。那妇人欢喜道：“今日得这三头行货，倒有好两日馒头卖，又得这若干东西。”把包裹缠袋提了入去，却出来看。这两个汉子扛抬武松，那里扛得动，直挺挺在地下，却似有千百斤重的。那妇人看了，见这两个蠢汉拖扯不动，喝在一边，说道：“你这鸟男女，只会吃饭吃酒，全没些用，直要老娘亲自动手！这个鸟大汉却也会戏弄老娘，这等肥胖，好做黄牛肉卖。那两个瘦蛮子，只好做水牛肉卖。扛进去先开剥这厮。”那妇人一头说，一面先脱去了绿纱衫儿，解下了红绢裙子，赤膊着便来把武松轻轻提将起来。武松就势抱住那妇人，把两只手一拘，拘将拢来，当胸前搂住，却把两只腿望那妇人下半截只一挟，压在妇人身上。那妇人杀猪也似叫将起来。那两个汉子急待向前，被武松大喝一声，惊的呆了。那妇人被按压在地上，只叫道：“好汉饶我！”那里敢挣扎。只见门前一人挑一担柴歇在门首，望见武松按倒那妇人在地上，那人大踏步跑将进来叫道：“好汉息怒！且饶恕了，小人自有话说。 ”

武松跳将起来，把左脚踏住妇人，提着双拳，看那人时，头带青纱凹面巾，身穿白布衫，下面腿系护膝，八搭麻鞋，腰系着缠袋；生得三拳骨叉脸儿，微有几根髭髯，年近三十五六。看着武松，叉手不离方寸，说道：“愿闻好汉大名。”武松道：“我行不更名，坐不改姓，都头武松的便是。”那人道：“莫不是景阳冈打虎的武都头？”武松回道：“然也。”那人纳头便拜道：“闻名久矣，今日幸得拜识。”武松道：“你莫非是这妇人的丈夫？”那人道：“是。小人的浑家有眼不识泰山，不知怎地触犯了都头。可看小人薄面，望乞恕罪。”正是：

自古嗔拳输笑面，从来礼数服奸邪。

只因义勇真男子，降伏凶顽母夜叉。

武松见他如此小心，慌忙放起妇人来，便问：“我看你夫妻两个也不是等闲的人，愿求姓名。”那人便叫妇人穿了衣裳，快近前来拜了都头。武松道：“却才冲撞阿嫂，休怪。”那妇人便道：“有眼不识好人，一时不是，望伯伯恕罪。且请去里面坐地。”武松又问道：“你夫妻二位高姓大名？如何知我姓名？”那人道：“小人姓张名青，原是此间光明寺种菜园子。为因一时间争些小事，性起把这光明寺僧行杀了，放把火烧做白地。后来也没对头，官司也不来问，小人只在此大树坡下剪径。忽一日，有个老儿挑担子过来。小人欺负他老，抢出去和他厮并，斗了二十馀合，被那老儿一匾担打翻。原来那老儿年纪小时专一剪径，因见小人手脚活便，带小人归去到城里，教了许多本事，又把这个女儿招赘小人做了女婿。城里怎地住得？只得依旧来此间盖些草屋，卖酒为生。实是只等客商过往，有那入眼的，便把些蒙汗药与他吃了，便死。将大块好肉，切做黄牛肉卖，零碎小肉，做馅子包馒头，小人每日也挑些去村里卖，如此度日。小人因好结识江湖上好汉，人都叫小人做菜园子张青。俺这浑家姓孙，全学得他父亲本事，人都唤他做母夜叉孙二娘。他父亲殁了三四年，江湖上前辈绿林中有名，他的父亲唤做山夜叉孙元。小人却才回来，听得浑家叫唤，谁想得遇都头！小人多曾分付浑家道：‘三等人不可坏他：第一是云游僧道，他又不曾受用过分了，又是出家的人。’则恁地，也争些儿坏了一个惊天动地的人。原是延安府老种经略相公帐前提辖，姓鲁名达，为因三拳打死了一个镇关西，逃走上五台山落发为僧。因他脊梁上有花绣，江湖上都呼他做花和尚鲁智深，使一条浑铁禅杖，重六十来斤，也从这里经过。浑家见他生得肥胖，酒里下了些蒙汗药，扛入在作坊里，正要动手开剥，小人恰好归来，见他那条禅杖非俗，却慌忙把解药救起来，结拜为兄。打听得他近日占了二龙山宝珠寺，和一个甚么青面兽杨志霸在那方落草。小人几番收得他相招的书信，只是不能勾去。”武松道：“这两个，我也在江湖上多闻他名。”张青道：“只可惜了一个头陀[2]，长七八尺一条大汉，也把来麻坏了，小人归得迟了些个，已把他卸下四足。如今只留得一个箍头的铁戒尺，一领皂直裰，一张度牒在此。别的都不打紧，有两件物最难得：一件是一百单八颗人顶骨做成的数珠，一件是两把雪花镔铁打成的戒刀。想这头陀也自杀人不少，直到如今，那刀要便半夜里啸响。小人只恨道不曾救得这个人，心里常常忆念他。又分付浑家道：‘第二等是江湖上行院妓女之人，他们是冲州撞府，逢场作戏，陪了多少小心得来的钱物。若还结果了他，那厮们你我相传，去戏台上说得我等江湖上好汉不英雄。’又分付浑家道：‘第三等是各处犯罪流配的人，中间多有好汉在里头，切不可坏他。’不想浑家不依小人的言语，今日又冲撞了都头，幸喜小人归得早些。却是如何了起这片心？”母夜叉孙二娘道：“本是不肯下手，一者见伯伯包裹沉重，二乃怪伯伯说起风话，因此一时起意。”武松道：“我是斩头沥血的人，何肯戏弄良人？我见阿嫂瞧得我包裹紧，先疑忌了，因此特地说些风话，漏[3]你下手。那碗酒我已泼了，假做中毒。你果然来提我，一时拿住。甚是冲撞了嫂子，休怪！”张青大笑起来，便请武松直到后面客席里坐定。武松道：“兄长，若是恁地，你且放出那两个公人则个。”张青便引武松到人肉作坊里看时，见壁上绷着几张人皮，梁上吊着五七条人腿；见那两个公人一颠一倒，挺着在剥人凳上。武松道：“大哥，你且救起他两个来。”张青道：“请问都头，今得何罪？配到何处去？”武松把杀西门庆并嫂的缘由一一说了一遍。张青夫妻两个称赞不已，便对武松说道：“小人有句话说，未知都头如何？”武松道：“大哥，但说不妨。”

张青不慌不忙，对武松说出那几句话来，有分教：武松大闹了孟州城，哄动了安平寨。倚八九分美酒神威，仗千百斤英雄气力。直教打翻拽象拖牛汉，倒擒龙捉虎人。毕竟张青对武松说出甚言语来，且听下回分解。

[1] 木驴——古代使用的一种惨酷刑具：在执行死刑之前，把罪人钉在这种刑具上，游街示众。后文第四十回又写作“利子”。

[2] 头陀——指行脚乞食的留发僧人。

[3] 漏——行骗、引逗的意思。

CHAPTER 26. The Night Witch Sells a Man’s Flesh at Mengzhou; Wu Song Meets Zhang Qing at the Crossroads

WU SONG spoke to the four neighbors, “I have revenged my brother’s injury and I should feel no resentment if I had to die for it. I am sorry for having frightened you. I must leave now but I do not know whether I shall live or die. I had better now get my brother’s mourning curtain burnt. I however want you to sell all the furniture here, as I can make use of the money in the yamen when the case comes up. But whether the case is taken seriously or lightly I hope that you will be my witnesses and speak only the whole truth.” He then took his brother’s tablet and burnt it. Upstairs were two boxes which were accordingly brought below, and opened, and he requested the neighbors to sell the contents. He then took the heads, and escorted Grandma Wang to the yamen. The news of the murder had spread all over the town so that the streets were crowded with people. When the magistrate heard about the murder he was surprised, and got ready to hear the case.

Upon Wu Song entering the court with Grandma Wang under arrest, he knelt down in front of the bench, and placed the two heads and his sword just below the steps leading to the bench. He knelt on the left, Grandma Wang in the center and the four neighbors on the right. Wu Song took the signed document from his breast, and read it all out. The magistrate instructed the clerk of the court to cross-examine Grandma Wang, and her evidence agreed with the document. The four neighbors, and also He Jiushu, and the boy Yun Ge, who had also entered, gave their evidence quite straightforwardly. The magistrate then deputed an officer to go with the coroner, and take all the persons concerned to the house on the Zishi Street and make a careful investigation there. They went to Wu the Elder’s house and afterwards to the wine shop near the Shizi Bridge, and examined the bodies of Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing. All the details were recorded and, upon their return to the yamen the same were duly reported to the magistrate. That official then ordered that large cangues be put on Wu Song and also Grandma Wang, and that they be both sent to the jail, while the witnesses were to be detained in the waiting room near the entrance.

Seeing that Wu Song had been moved by his righteous spirit, and that he had done the business in the capital in a proper manner, the magistrate wished to save him from the trouble. So he consulted with his secretary. “From the evidences I see that Wu Song acted from a keen sense of justice so I want you to rewrite those documents to the effect that as Wu Song was paying homage to his late elder brother’s memorial tablet Pan Jinlian not only refused to let him worship, but knocked over the sacrificial table. Because of this Wu Song was very angry, and attacked her and in his passion he killed her. Also that Ximen Qing was a lover of Pan Jinlian and when he heard of this he took the opportunity of meeting Wu Song near the Shizi Bridge, and there they fought. And in this fight Wu Song killed his opponent.”

The secretary did this, and read the new documents to both the prisoners and also the witnesses who were then sent to the Prefect with a dispatch asking him to give judgment.

Now Yanggu County was only a small place, but the inhabitants were very upright, so that many subscribed money to present to Wu Song, while others sent wine and food to him in prison.

Before his departure he was allowed to go to his quarters and pack up his things, and place them in charge of his orderlies. He also sent about twelve taels of silver to Yun Ge’s old father. His soldiers even sent him food and wine as presents.

The yamen officials took the necessary dispatches, and then sent them with the prisoners and witnesses to Dongping Prefecture. Upon reaching that place they found large crowds around the entrance to the yamen. The Prefect having been informed of the affair took his seat on the bench. The Prefect Chen Wenzhao was a very intelligent official, and after reading the dispatches and cross-examining the witnesses he had the bones, dagger, and other material evidences sealed up and locked up in the storeroom. He ordered that Wu Song’s cangue should be replaced by a much lighter one, and that he be remanded to prison. But on the other hand he ordered that Grandma Wang should have a much heavier cangue fastened round her neck, and that she be sent to the prison where criminals were awaiting execution. He then told the official from Yanggu County that he could return, and that the witnesses also could return to their homes. The wife of Ximen Qing had also come to watch affairs, and she was ordered to remain in the Prefect’s yamen until the Imperial authorities’ decision was known.

Prefect Chen knew that Wu Song was a righteous and honest man, and from time to time he deputed men to look after him. For the same reason the jailers gave him food and wine without asking for any money.

The Prefect in making his report to the Provincial Governor made the case as trivial as possible. He then dispatched a confidential clerk to the capital with private letters, with instructions to arrange for the case to be settled. The official in charge of the Imperial Board of Punishments was on good terms with the Prefect Chen Wenzhao, and he talked the case over with the Provincial Governor: Regarding Grandma Wang she had beguiled them to commit adultery, and had instigated Pan Jinlian to poison her husband. She had told Pan Jinlian to send Wu Song away so that he could not sacrifice to his elder brother’s spirit, and that was why he had killed Pan Jinlian. Grandma Wang had interfered between husband and wife, upsetting the harmony of married life, and should therefore suffer death by being sliced to death.70 Regarding Wu Song—he had killed the adulterer Ximen Qing out of revenge for his brother’s death, but he could not be acquitted for his crime. He should be beaten forty times with the bamboo and then banished to the frontier. Both the adulterer and the adulteress had committed a grievous crime, and they deserved their deaths. The witnesses should all be allowed to return to their homes. The Provincial Governor wrote a judgment in accordance with the above, and dispatched it to the Prefect, and the latter carried out the sentence accordingly.

Grandma Wang was brought from her cell to hear her fate. The reason for execution was written on a signboard and she was made to sign her acknowledgement. She was then seated on a wooden frame known as the “donkey,” tied to it with three ropes and had four nails hammered through her limbs to the frame. The Prefect gave the order to slice her, and she was paraded through the streets to the pounding of drums and the crash of gongs. Carried by bearers, with the signboard in front and with a pair of sharp swords raised high and with a bunch of paper flowers, she was taken to the square in the center of Dongping market square where she was sliced to death.

Wu Song was beaten with forty strokes, but the jailer saw to it that only six or seven blows actually broke the skin. He was branded on the face, and sent to the prison at Mengzhou. He was escorted by two men who treated him well on the road as they knew that he was a good man. Wu Song saw that they were taking care of him, so he did not find fault with them. He had silver and gold in his bundle, from the sale of his possessions by the neighbor Yao Wenqing, and when they stopped at inns in villages on the way he paid all the expenses out of his purse. He had committed the murder at the beginning of the third month, and after remaining under arrest for more than two months, it was now about the middle of the year, and the blazing sun was hot enough even to melt the gold in the quartz. Therefore they always walked during the early morning when it was a little cool. After about twenty days on the way the three men got on a big road which took them over a mountain range. When they had reached the top of the pass it was about 10 A.M., and as they were all tired Wu Song told his escort to take it easily, and to have a drink at the first inn when they got down the hill. They agreed to this, and hurried down the hill. They soon saw in the distance a hillock with a number of straw huts on it. There were some willow trees by the side of a stream, and flying from the top branches was a wine-shop flag. They all hurried their steps down the road, and when they were near the bottom they met a woodcutter carrying a bundle of firewood.

Wu Song asked him what was the name of that place, and the man replied that it was called the Cross Road. When they reached the village they saw a gigantic tree with a trunk that five men could not have encircled, and hanging from it were dead creepers that had twined round its branches. A few steps away from the tree was an inn, and a woman was sitting inside near an open window. Her coat was of green gauze, and in her hair was a golden-colored hairpin. At both of her temples were flowers in the hair. When she saw the three men arriving she got up to receive them at the door. They then saw that her short skirt was of brilliant red silk, and that she had red and white powder on her face. Her dress was open exposing an inner pink cotton waist belt. On her dress were golden buttons. She welcomed them, saying, “Guests, please come inside and take rest. We have good wine, good meat, and excellent refreshment.” The three men entered and sat down. The tables and stools were made of cedar wood. Wu Song took off his bundle, and placed it on the table. He removed his belt and outer garments, and put them in the same place.

The two soldiers saw that there was no man about to see what they were doing, and so they removed the cangue from Wu Song’s neck, and placed it under the table. They then also removed their outer garments, and placed them on the windowsill.

Now the woman with a smiling face, asked how much wine they wanted. “You need not ask how much,” replied Wu Song. “You just keep on bringing it, and also bring about five jin of meat. I will pay you when we have finished.”

“We have also very good dumplings.”

“Then bring us about forty.”

She gladly went inside and soon brought out a large jar of wine, with three large cups, three pairs of chopsticks, two dishes of meat, and a basket of dumplings. The two soldiers partook of the meal, but Wu Song took one dumpling and opening it looked inside and called out, “Is this human flesh, or dog’s flesh?”

The woman laughed, and replied, “Please do not make me laugh so much. In this peaceful empire and general tranquillity how could there be human flesh, or dog’s flesh in the dumplings. In our house we have never put anything in dumplings except beef.”

“I have traveled extensively,” replied Wu Song, “and I have heard that very few people dare pass the tree at this Cross Road, that fat men are cut up for making the dumplings, whereas thin men are just killed and used for filling up the river.”

“Where did you hear that nonsense? It must be your own fabrication.”

“I see human hair in this dumpling, that look a lot like pubic hair, so I still have my doubts. How is it that there is no man in this place?”

“My husband has gone to visit a friend and has not returned yet” she replied.

“Then you must feel lonely in this dismal place.”

She laughed at this, and said to herself. “Is this exile not to find death? He likes to flirt with me! You are really the moth that flies into flame only to get yourself burnt to death. I would not make trouble with you, but now I have a plan to deal with you.” So she replied, “Don’t try to flirt with me. Drink your wine, and then go and cool yourself under the tree. Or if you want to rest, you can rest in the inn.”

When Wu Song heard this he came to the conclusion that the woman had some bad intention and he decided to put her to the test. So he remarked, “Woman, this wine is rather weak. If you have better wine let us have it.”

“I have excellent wine with a lovely taste, but it does not look quite clear.”

“Splendid! The duller it is the better.”

The woman was laughing at this in secret and going inside she took out a jug of dark colored wine on a tray. Seeing this, Wu Song said, “This is really good wine, but it would taste better when warmed.” The woman said, “This gentleman is indeed an experienced drinker; I will warm it for you.” Laughingly she added to herself, “That banished thief ought to die now, as he wishes to drink hot wine which will make the medicine soon produce the desired effect. That fellow will soon be in my hands.” When the wine was warmed she took it in, and poured out three cups full. Laughingly she said, “Gentlemen, please try this wine.”

How could those two soldiers restrain their thirst? They fell to the wine immediately. Wu Song said, “I am not used to drinking pure wine. Please bring us some meat to eat with this wine.” When the woman had gone to do this, he scattered the wine on the floor in a place where it could not be seen, and then making the sound of drinking, he said, “What good wine! It certainly has a ‘kick’ in it.”

But the woman had not gone to bring the meat, and just then returning she clapped her hands and called out, “At last! At last!” when she saw that the two soldiers who had drunk the wine had fallen backwards with tightly closed mouths. Wu Song then closed his eyes, and intentionally fell off his stool, and he heard the woman laugh and say, “That’s all right! I am not afraid of you cunning devils now that you have drunk the water in which I washed my feet. Come, Small Two and Small Three!” He then heard two stupid fellows rush in, and seize the two soldiers and carry them into the inner room. The woman came and took the bundles and belts lying on the table. She felt the silver inside, and laughingly said, “I have got three men today so that I shall be able to make plenty of dumplings; I get plenty of booty too!” She took the belts and bundles away, and upon returning she ordered the two stupid fools to carry Wu Song inside also. But Wu Song lay rigidly flat on the ground so that they could not move him. The woman seeing this abused them, “What stupid clowns! You eat and drink, but are of no use for anything else! Do you expect me to pick him up? Does this big fellow expect to play with me? Such stout flesh will sell as yellow beef, but those two soldiers are so thin that they can only be put to vend as water-buffalo beef. But we must carry this man inside as I will kill him first.” So saying she took off her coat of green gauze and skirt of red silk so that she was entirely naked above the waist, and she took hold of Wu Song to lift him up. But as she stooped down Wu Song embraced her, and pressed her to his breast. He twined both his legs round the lower part of her body, and held her tight. She squealed like a pig going to be slaughtered. The two fellows were on the point of coming to her assistance, but Wu Song shouted at them in such a loud voice that they could not move. The woman feeling helpless called out, “Sir, please forgive me!” But he would not release her. Just then he saw a man set down a load of firewood at the door, to rest a while. When he saw the pair on the floor he sprang forward and said, “Sir, restrain your anger! Forgive her, and I will say something to you,” At this Wu Song got up, planted his left foot on the woman, and placed himself on the defensive with his two fists ready. He saw that the man was wearing a black crape cap, a white coat, puttees round his legs, hempen sandals; a money purse was round his waist and his cheek bones were prominent. He had a small beard; and appeared to be about thirty-five years of age. He clasped his hands over his heart, and addressed Wu Song, “May I inquire what is your name?”

“Whether I travel or stay at home I do not change my name, I am Drill Instructor Wu Song.”

“So are you the man who killed a tiger on Jingyang Ridge?”

“Certainly.”

The man knelt down, and kowtowed saying, “I have heard of your fame for a long time, and today I fortunately meet you.”

“Are you the husband of this woman?”

“Yes, I am sorry that I did not recognize you. I do not know how my wife offended you, but I hope that you will forgive her.”

Wu Song lifted the woman up and said, “I see that you two, husband and wife, are not average people. What is your name?”

The woman went and put on her dress again and then came and kowtowed to Wu Song who said to her, “Excuse my intrusion! Please do not blame me!”

“I did not notice that you are a fine man. It was my mistake of a moment. I hope that you will forgive me. I request you to come inside and take a seat.”

“But what is your name, and how do you get to know my name?”

“My name is Zhang Qing,” said the man, and previously I was in charge of the vegetable garden of the Guangming Monastery near here. At one time in a fit of temper I killed the monks, and burnt down the monastery. After that I had no enemies, and as the officials did not come here to investigate the matter I started business as a highwayman. One day an old man passed here carrying a load of fuel, and I attacked him. We had about twenty bouts, but at last that old man knocked me down. As a matter of fact that man had himself been a highwayman some time before, and he took me to his home in the town and there taught me all the tricks of the trade. While there he induced me to marry this woman who was his daughter. But I did not care to live in the town so I came here, erected this house, and opened it as an inn. But in fact I am on the lookout for the rich people to intoxicate them with a drug and when they are unconscious I cut off their flesh, and sell it as beef, and mince the smaller bits to put inside the dumplings. Every day I take the flesh to the village for sale, and this has been going on for a long time. I am on intimate terms with many brigands, and they call me Market Gardener Zhang Qing. My wife has the surname Sun, but people always call her, ‘Sun the Night Witch.’ Upon returning to my home just now I heard my wife shrieking, but did not expect to meet you Drill Instructor. I have repeatedly told my wife that there were three types of men whom she must not harm. First—traveling monks: they lead a thrifty life, and moreover are homeless, how can we harm such poor people? Once we nearly destroyed a celebrated man. This was Major Lu Da who was in the army of the General Old Zhong at Yanan Prefecture, and who killed the butcher Zheng Guanxi, and became a monk at Mount Wutai. He had figures tattooed on his back, and is therefore known by brigands and others as the ‘Tattooed Monk’ Lu Da Zhishen. He carried an iron monk staff of sixty jin weight, and passed here at one time. My wife seeing that he was a big man and very stout, put a drug in his wine, and was going to have him carried into the next room to be killed when I just arrived. I at once saw by the huge staff who he was, and administered a counter-remedy so that he recovered, and I adopted him as my elder brother. I have heard that he is now at the Baozhu Monastery on the Lianglong Mountain with Yang Zhi, the ‘Blue Faced Brute,’ where they act as brigands. He has written me many letters inviting me to go and join them, but so far I have not been able to go.”

“I have often heard of the fame of those two men,” said Wu Song.

There was another monk, that my wife drugged.“What a pity that a giant monk should have died! I came back too late when his legs and arms had been cut off. But I kept his iron crown, his monk’s gown, and his monk’s certificate. But these are of no importance when compared with the two other things I have kept. I have his string of beads made from the bones of the one hundred and eight skulls, and also his two wonderful broad swords. Because of these things I think that monk must have killed a good many people and even now his sword makes a hissing sound in the night. I was sorry that I could not save his life, and I often still think of him. Secondly, there are the journeying prostitutes who wander about from place to place, and carefully adapt themselves to the company they meet. Their money is hard earned, if we kill them then many people are bound to get to know about it, and we should have the reputation of not being very brave men. So I instructed my wife not to kill such women. Thirdly, there are the banished prisoners among whom there are often very fine men and they also must not be killed. I never thought that my wife would not pay attention to what I said, and so she commit the fault of seizing you Drill Instructor, and fortunately I came back in time to save your life.” Turning to his wife he asked, “How is it that you had such an idea today?”

“At first I did not intend to hurt this man,” said the Night Witch. “But I saw that he had a very heavy bundle, and also he talked as though he had the intention of flirting with me.”

“I killed vile people and shed their blood,” said Wu Song, “so how could I dally with an honest woman? I saw that you were taking a keen interest in my bundle, so I became suspicious, and intentionally spoke lightly so that you would think I should easily fall into your hands. I poured the wine on the ground, and pretended to be poisoned, and you quickly came and seized hold of me. So I took hold of you at the same time. I hope that you will pardon me.”

Upon hearing this Zhang Qing burst into loud laughter, and then invited Wu Song to come and sit down in an inner room. Wu Song however asked that his escort should be released. Upon going into the kitchen where men’s flesh was prepared, he saw men’s skin stretched out on the walls. Hanging from the rafters were several men’s legs, and the two soldiers were stretched out on a bench.

Wu Song said, “Brother, please enable these two men to get up.”

“What was your crime, and to what place are you going?” asked Zhang Qing.

Wu Song then told him in detail how he had killed both Ximen Qing and Pan Jinlian.

Both Zhang Qing and his wife were pleased upon hearing the details, and the former said, “I should like to tell you something, but I wonder if you would like to listen to it.” Wu Song asked him to proceed, and Zhang Qing spoke slowly and deliberately what we will now recount.

A man with strength of elephant’s,

By tiger slayer defeated.

Footnote

70 Ling chi, or “slicing” was more commonly known in the West as the “death by a thousand cuts.”