第三十一回

第三十一回 张都监血溅鸳鸯楼 武行者夜走蜈蚣岭

词曰：

神明照察，难除奸狡之心。国法昭彰，莫绝凶顽之辈。

损人益己，终非悠远之图；害众成家，岂是久长之计。

福缘善庆，皆因德行而生；祸起伤财，盖为不仁而至。

知廉识耻，不遭罗网之灾；举善荐贤，必有荣华之地。

行慈行孝，乃后代之昌荣；怀妒怀奸，是终身之祸患。

广施恩惠，人生何处不相逢；多结冤仇，路逢狭处难回避。

话说这篇言语，劝人行善逢善，行恶逢恶。话里所说，张都监听信这张团练说诱嘱托，替蒋门神报仇，贪图贿赂，设出这条奇计，陷害武松性命。临断出来，又使人买嘱两个防送公人，却教蒋门神两个徒弟相帮公人，同去路上结果他性命。谁想四个人倒都被武松搠死在飞云浦了。当时武松立于桥上，寻思了半晌，踌躇起来，怨恨冲天：“不杀得张都监，如何出得这口恨气！”便去死尸身边解下腰刀，选好的取把将来跨了，拣条好朴刀提着，再径回孟州城里来。进得城中，早是黄昏时候，只见家家闭户，处处关门。但见：

十字街荧煌灯火，九曜寺香霭钟声。一轮明月挂青天，几点疏星明碧汉。六军营内，呜呜画角频吹；五鼓楼头，点点铜壶正滴。四边宿雾，昏昏罩舞榭歌台；三市寒烟，隐隐蔽绿窗朱户。两两佳人归绣幕，双双士子掩书帏。

当下武松入得城来，径踅去张都监后花园墙外，却是一个马院。武松就在马院边伏着，听得那后槽却在衙里，未曾出来。正看之间，只见呀地角门开，后槽提着个灯笼出来，里面便关了角门。武松却躲在黑影里，听那更鼓时，早打一更四点。那后槽上了草料，挂起灯笼，铺开被卧，脱了衣裳，上床便睡。武松却来门边挨那门响，后槽喝道：“老爷方才睡，你要偷我衣裳，也早些哩。”武松把朴刀倚在门边，却掣出腰刀在手里，又呀呀地推门。那后槽那里忍得住，便从床上赤条条地跳将起来，拿了搅草棍，拔了拴，却待开门，被武松就势推开去，抢入来把这后槽劈头揪住。却待要叫，灯影下见明晃晃地一把刀在手里，先自惊得八分软了，口里只叫得一声：“饶命！”武松道：“你认得我么？”后槽听得声音，方才知是武松，便叫道：“哥哥，不干我事，你饶了我罢！”武松道：“你只实说，张都监如今在那里？”后槽道：“今日和张团练、蒋门神他三个吃了一日酒，如今兀自在鸳鸯楼上吃哩。”武松道：“这话是实么？”后槽道：“小人说谎，就害疔疮。”武松道：“恁地却饶你不得！”手起一刀，把这后槽杀了，砍下头来，一脚踢过尸首。武松把刀插入鞘里，就灯影下去腰里解下施恩送来的绵衣，将出来，脱了身上旧衣裳，把那两件新衣穿了，拴缚得紧凑，把腰刀和鞘跨在腰里。却把后槽一床絮被包了散碎银两，入在缠袋里，却把来挂在门边。又将两扇门立在墙边，先去吹灭了灯火，却闪将出来，拿了朴刀，从门上一步步爬上墙来。

月却明亮，照耀如同白日。武松从墙头上一跳，却跳在墙里，便先来开了角门，掇过了门扇，复翻身入来，虚掩上角门，拴都提过了。武松却望灯明处来看时，正是厨房里。只见两个丫嬛正在那汤罐边埋怨，说道：“伏侍了一日，兀自不肯去睡，只是要茶吃！那两个客人也不识羞耻，得这等醉了，也兀自不肯下楼去歇息，只说个不了。”那两个女使正口里喃喃讷讷地怨怅，武松却倚了朴刀，掣出腰里那口带血刀来，把门一推，呀地推开门，抢入来，先把一个女使髽角儿揪住，一刀杀了。那一个却待要走，两只脚一似钉住了的，再要叫时，口里又似哑了的，端的是惊得呆了。休道是两个丫嬛，便是说话的见了，也惊得口里半舌不展。武松手起一刀，也杀了，却把这两个尸首拖放灶前，去了厨下灯火，趁着那窗外月光，一步步挨入堂里来。

武松原在衙里出入的人，已自都认得路数，径踅到鸳鸯楼胡梯边来。捏脚捏手摸上楼时，早听得那张都监、张团练、蒋门神三个说话。武松在胡梯口听，只听得蒋门神口里称赞不了，只说：“亏了相公与小人报了冤仇。再当重重地答报恩相。”这张都监道：“不是看我兄弟张团练面上，谁肯干这等的事！你虽费用了些钱财，却也安排得那厮好。这早晚多是在那里下手，那厮敢是死了。只教在飞云浦结果他。待那四人明早回来，便见分晓。”张团练道：“这一夜四个对付他一个，有甚么不了！再有几个性命也没了。”蒋门神道：“小人也分付徒弟来，只教就那里下手，结果了快来回报。”正是：

暗室从来不可欺，古今奸恶尽诛夷。

金风未动蝉先觉，暗送无常死不知。

武松听了，心头那把无明业火高三千丈，冲破了青天。右手持刀，左手叉开五指，抢入楼中。只见三五枝画烛高明，一两处月光射入，楼上甚是明朗，面前酒器，皆不曾收。蒋门神坐在交椅上，见是武松，吃了一惊，把这心肝五脏都提在九霄云外。说时迟，那时快，蒋门神急待挣扎时，武松早落一刀，劈脸剁着，和那交椅都砍翻了。武松便转身回过刀来，那张都监方才伸得脚动，被武松当时一刀，齐耳根连脖子砍着，扑地倒在楼板上。两个都在挣命。这张团练终是个武官出身，虽然酒醉，还有些气力，见剁翻了两个，料道走不迭，便提起一把交椅轮将来。武松早接个住，就势只一推，休说张团练酒后，便清醒白醒时，也近不得武松神力，扑地望后便倒了。武松赶入去，一刀先剁下头来。蒋门神有力，挣得起来，武松左脚早起，翻筋斗踢一脚，按住也割下头。转身来，把张都监也割了头。见桌子上有酒有肉，武松拿起酒锺子，一饮而尽，连吃了三四锺，便去死尸身上割下一片衣襟来，蘸着血，去白粉壁上大写下八字道：

“杀人者，打虎武松也！”

把桌子上银酒器皿踏匾了，揣几件在怀里。却待下楼，只听得楼下夫人声音叫道：“楼上官人们都醉了，快着两个上去搀扶。”说犹未了，早有两个人上楼来。武松却闪在胡梯边看时，却是两个自家亲随人，便是前日拿捉武松的。武松在黑处让他过去，却拦住去路。两个入进楼中，见三个尸首横在血泊里，惊得面面厮觑，做声不得。正如分开八片顶阳骨[1]，倾下半桶冰雪水。急待回身，武松随在背后，手起刀落，早剁翻了一个。那一个便跪下讨饶，武松道：“却饶你不得。”揪住，也砍了头。杀得血溅画楼，尸横灯影。武松道：“一不做，二不休。杀了一百个，也只是这一死。”提了刀下楼来。夫人问道：“楼上怎地大惊小怪？”武松抢到房前，夫人见条大汉入来，兀自问道：“是谁？”武松的刀早飞起，劈面门剁着，倒在房前声唤。武松按住，将去割时，刀切头不入。武松心疑，就月光下看那刀时，已自都砍缺了。武松道：“可知割不下头来。”便抽身去后门外去拿取朴刀，丢了缺刀，复翻身再入楼下来。只见灯明，前番那个唱曲儿的养娘玉兰，引着两个小的，把灯照见夫人被杀死在地下，方才叫得一声：“苦也！”武松握着朴刀，向玉兰心窝里搠着。两个小的亦被武松搠死，一 朴刀一个，结果了。走出中堂，把拴拴了前门，又入来寻着两三个妇女，也都搠死了在房里。武松道：“我方才心满意足。”有诗为证：

都监贪婪甚可羞，谩施奸计结深仇。

岂知天道能昭鉴，渍血横尸满画楼。

武松道：“走了罢休。”撇了刀鞘，提了朴刀，出到角门外来。马院里除下缠袋来，把怀里踏匾的银酒器，都装在里面，拴在腰里，拽开脚步，倒提朴刀便走。到城边，寻思道：“若等开门，须吃拿了，不如连夜越城走。”便从城边踏上城来。这孟州城是个小去处，那土城苦不甚高。就女墙[2]边，望下先把朴刀虚按一按，刀尖在上，棒梢向下，托地只一跳，把棒一拄，立在濠堑边。月明之下看水时，只有一二尺深。此时正是十月半天气，各处水泉皆涸。武松就濠堑边脱了鞋袜，解下腿絣护膝，抓扎起衣服，从这城濠里走过对岸。却想起施恩送来的包裹里，有两双八搭麻鞋，取出来穿在脚上。听城里更点时，已打四更三点。武松道：“这口鸟气今日方才出得松[3]。梁园虽好，不是久恋之家，只可撒开。”提了朴刀，投东小路，便走了一五更。天色朦朦胧胧，尚未明亮。

武松一夜辛苦，身体困倦，棒疮发了又疼，那里熬得过。望见一座树林里一个小小古庙，武松奔入里面，把朴刀倚了，解下包裹来做了枕头，扑翻身便睡。却待合眼，只见庙外边探入两把挠钩，把武松搭住。两个人便抢入来，将武松按定，一条绳索绑了。那四个男女道：“这鸟汉子却肥了，好送与大哥去。”武松那里挣扎得脱，被这四个人夺了包裹、朴刀，却似牵羊的一般，脚不点地，拖到村里来。

这四个男女于路上自言自说道：“看这汉子一身血迹，却是那里来？莫不做贼着了手来？”武松只不做声，由他们自说。行不到三五里路，早到一所草屋内，把武松推将进去。侧首一个小门里面，点着碗灯，四个男女将武松剥了衣裳，绑在亭柱上。武松看时，见灶边梁上，挂着两条人腿。武松自肚里寻思道：“却撞在横死人手里，死得没了分晓！早知如此时，不若去孟州府里首告了，便吃一刀一剐，却也留得一个清名于世。”那四个男女提着那包裹，口里叫道：“大哥、大嫂快起来，我们张得一个好行货在这里了。”只听得前面应道：“我来也！你们不要动手，我自来开剥。”没一盏茶时，只见两个人入屋后来。武松看时，前面一个妇人，背后一个大汉。两个定睛看了武松，那妇人便道：“这个不是叔叔武都头？”那大汉道：“快解了我兄弟。”武松看时，那大汉不是别人，却正是菜园子张青，这妇人便是母夜叉孙二娘。这四个男女吃了一惊，便把索子解了，将衣服与武松穿了。头巾已自扯碎，且拿个毡笠子与他戴上。便请出前面客席里，叙礼罢，张青大惊，连忙问道：“贤弟如何恁地模样？”武松答道：“一言难尽。自从与你相别之后，到得牢城营里，得蒙施管营儿子唤做金眼彪施恩，一见如故，每日好酒好肉管顾我。为是他有一座酒肉店，在城东快活林内，甚是趁钱，却被一个张团练带来的蒋门神那厮，倚势豪强，公然白白地夺了。施恩如此告诉，我却路见不平，我醉打了蒋门神，复夺了快活林。施恩以此敬重我。后被张团练买嘱张都监，定了计谋，取我做亲随，设智陷害，替蒋门神报仇。八月十五日夜，只推有贼，赚我到里面，却把银酒器皿预先放在我箱笼内，拿我解送孟州府里，强扭做贼，打招了监在牢里。却得施恩上下使钱透了，不曾受苦。又得当案叶孔目仗义疏财，不肯陷害平人。又得当牢一个康节级，与施恩最好。两个一力维持，待六十日限满，脊杖二十，转配恩州。昨夜出得城来，叵耐张都监设计，教蒋门神使两个徒弟和防送公人相帮，就路上要结果我。到得飞云浦僻静去处，正欲要动手，先被我两脚把两个公人踢下水里去。赶上这两个鸟男女，也是一朴刀一个搠死了，都撇在水里。思量这口鸟气怎地出得，因此再回孟州城里去。一更四点进去，马院里先杀了一个养马的后槽。扒入墙内去，就厨房里杀了两个丫嬛。直上鸳鸯楼上，把张都监、张团练、蒋门神三个都杀了，又砍了两个亲随。下楼来，又把他老婆、儿女、养娘都戳死了。连夜逃走，跳城出来，走了一五更路。一时困倦，棒疮发了又疼，因行不得，投一小庙里权歇一歇，却被这四个绑缚了来。”

那四个捣子便拜在地下道：“我们四个都是张大哥的火家，因为连日赌钱输了，去林子里寻些买卖。却见哥哥从小路来，身上淋淋漓漓都是血迹，却在土地庙里歇，我四个不知是甚人。早是张大哥这几时分付道：‘只要捉活的。’不分付时，也坏了大哥性命。因此我们只拿挠钩、套索出去。正是有眼不识泰山，一时误犯着哥哥，恕罪则个！”张青夫妻两个笑道：“我们因有挂心，这几时只要他们拿活的行货。他这四个如何省的，那里知我心里事。若是我这兄弟不困乏时，不说你这四个男女，更有四十个也近他不得。因此我叫你们等我自来。”武松道：“既然如此，他们没钱去赌，我赏你些。”便把包裹打开，取十两银子把与四人将去分。那四个捣子拜谢武松。张青看了，也取三二两银子，赏与他们四个自去分了。

张青道：“贤弟不知我心。从你去后，我只怕你有些失支脱节，或早或晚回来。因此上分付这几个男女，但凡拿得行货，只要活的。那厮们慢仗些的，趁活捉了；敌他不过的，必致杀害。以此不教他们将刀仗出去，只与他挠钩、套索。方才听得说，我便心疑，连忙分付等我自来看，谁想果是贤弟。我见一向无信，只道在孟州快活了，无事不寄书来，不期如此受苦。”孙二娘道：“只听得叔叔打了蒋门神，又是醉了赢他，那一个来往人不吃惊。有在快活林做买卖的客商，只说到这里，却不知向后的事。叔叔困倦，且请去客房里将息，却再理会。”张青引武松去客房里睡了。两口儿自去厨下安排些佳肴美馔酒食，管待武松。不移时，整治齐备，专等武松起来相叙。有诗为证：

逃生潜越孟州城，虎穴狼坡暮夜行。

珍重佳人识音语，便开绑缚叙高情。

却说孟州城里张都监衙内，也有躲得过的，直到五更，才敢出来。众人叫起里面亲随，外面当直的军牢，都来看视，声张起来。街坊邻舍，谁敢出来。捱到天明时分，却来孟州府里告状。知府听说罢大惊，火速差人下来，检验了杀死人数，行凶人出没去处，填画了图样格目，回府里禀复知府道：“先从马院里入来，就杀了养马的后槽一人，有脱下旧衣二件。次到厨房里，灶下杀死两个丫嬛，后门边遗下行凶缺刀一把。楼上杀死张都监一员并亲随二人，外有请到客官张团练与蒋门神二人。白粉壁上，衣襟蘸血，大写八字道：‘杀人者，打虎武松也！’楼下搠死夫人一口。在外搠死玉兰并奶娘二口，儿女三口。共计杀死男女一十五名，掳掠去金银酒器六件。”知府看罢，便差人把住孟州四门，点起军兵等官并缉捕人员，城中坊厢里正，逐一排门搜捉凶人武松。

次日，飞云浦地里保正人等告称：“杀死四人在浦内，见有杀人血痕在飞云浦桥上，尸首俱在水中。”知府接了状子，当差本县县尉下来，一面着人打捞起四个尸首，都检验了。两个是本府公人，两个自有苦主，各备棺木，盛殓了尸首，尽来告状，催促捉拿凶首偿命。城里闭门三日，家至户到，逐一挨查。五家一连，十家一保，那里不去搜寻。眼见得施管营暗地使钱，不出城里，捉获不着。知府押了文书，委官下该管地面，各乡各保各都各村，尽要排家搜捉，缉捕凶首。写了武松乡贯年甲，貌相模样，画影图形，出三千贯信赏钱。如有人知得武松下落，赴州告报，随文给赏；如有人藏匿犯人在家宿食者，事发到官，与犯人同罪。遍行邻近州府，一同缉捕。

且说武松在张青家里将息了三五日，打听得事务篾刺一般紧急，纷纷攘攘，有做公人出城来各乡村缉捕。张青知得，只得对武松说道：“二哥，不是我怕事不留你安身。如今官司搜捕得紧急，排门挨户，只恐明日有些疏失，必须怨恨我夫妻两个。我却寻个好安身去处与你，在先也曾对你说来，只不知你中心肯去也不？”武松道：“我这几日也曾寻思，想这事必然要发，如何在此安得身牢？止有一个哥哥，又被嫂嫂不仁害了。甫能来到这里，又被人如此陷害。祖家亲戚都没了。今日若得哥哥有这好去处叫武松去，我如何不肯去？只不知是那里地面？”张青道：“是青州管下一座二龙山宝珠寺，花和尚鲁智深和一个青面兽好汉杨志，在那里打家劫舍，霸着一方落草。青州官军捕盗，不敢正眼觑他。贤弟只除去那里安身立命，方才免得这罪犯。若投别处去，终久要吃拿了。他那里常常有书来取我入伙，我只为恋土难移，不曾去的。我写一封书去，备细说二哥的本事，于我面上，如何不着你入伙。那里去做个头领，谁敢来拿你！”武松道：“大哥也说的是。我也有心，恨时辰未到，缘法不能凑巧。今日既是杀了人，事发了，没潜身处，此为最妙。大哥，你便写书与我去，只今日便行。”

张青随即取幅纸来，备细写了一封书，把与武松，安排酒食送路。只见母夜叉孙二娘指着张青说道：“你如何便只这等叫叔叔去？前面定吃人捉了！”武松道：“阿嫂，你且说我怎地去不得？如何便吃人捉了？”孙二娘道：“阿叔，如今官司遍处都有了文书，出三千贯信赏钱，画影图形，明写乡贯年甲，到处张挂。阿叔脸上见今明明地两行金印，走到前路，须赖不过。”张青道：“脸上贴了两个膏药便了。”孙二娘笑道：“天下只有你乖，你说这痴话！这个如何瞒得过做公的。我却有个道理，只怕叔叔依不得。”武松道：“我既要逃灾避难，如何依不得？”孙二娘大笑道：“我说出来，阿叔却不要嗔怪。”武松道：“阿嫂，但说的便依。”孙二娘道：“二年前，有个头陀打从这里过，吃我放翻了，把来做了几日馒头馅。却留得他一个铁戒箍，一身衣服，一领皂布直裰，一条杂色短繐绦，一本度牒，一串一百单八颗人顶骨数珠，一个沙鱼皮鞘子插着两把雪花镔铁打成的戒刀。这刀如常半夜里鸣啸的响。叔叔既要逃难，只除非把头发剪了，做个行者，须遮得额上金印，又且得这本度牒做护身符，年甲貌相又和叔叔相等，却不是前缘前世。阿叔便应了他的名字，前路去谁敢来盘问。这件事好么？”张青拍手道：“二嫂说得是，我倒忘了这一着。”正是：

缉捕急如星火，颠危好似风波。

若要免除灾祸，且须做个头陀。

张青道：“二哥，你心里如何？”武松道：“这个也使得，只恐我不像出家人模样。”张青道：“我且与你扮一扮看。”孙二娘去房中取出包袱来打开，将出许多衣裳，教武松里外穿了。武松自看道：“却一似与我身上做的！”着了皂直裰，系了绦，把毡笠儿除下来，解开头发，折叠起来，将戒箍儿箍起，挂着数珠。张青、孙二娘看了，两个喝采道：“却不是前生注定！”武松讨面镜子照了，也自哈哈大笑起来。张青道：“二哥为何大笑？”武松道：“我照了自也好笑，我也做得个行者！大哥便与我剪了头发。”张青拿起剪刀，替武松把前后头发都剪了。武松见事务看看紧急，便收拾包裹要行。张青又道：“二哥，你听我说。不是我要便宜，你把那张都监家里的酒器留下在这里，我换些零碎银两与你去路上做盘缠，万无一失。”武松道：“大哥见的分明。”尽把出来与了张青，换了一包散碎金银，都拴在缠袋内，系在腰里。武松饱吃了一顿酒饭，拜辞了张青夫妻二人，腰里跨了这两口戒刀，当晚都收拾了。孙二娘取出这本度牒，就与他缝个锦袋盛了，教武松挂在贴肉胸前。武松拜谢了他夫妻两个。临行，张青又分付道：“二哥于路小心在意，凡事不可托大。酒要少吃，休要与人争闹，也做些出家人行径。诸事不可躁性，省得被人看破了。如到了二龙山，便可写封回信寄来。我夫妻两个在这里也不是长久之计，敢怕随后收拾家私也来山上入伙。二哥，保重，保重！千万拜上鲁、杨二头领。”

武松辞了出门，插起双袖，摇摆着便行。张青夫妻看了，喝采道：“果然好个行者！”但见：

前面发掩映齐眉，后面发参差际颈。皂直裰好似乌云遮体，杂色绦如同花蟒缠身。额上戒箍儿灿烂，依稀火眼金睛；身间布衲袄斑斓，仿佛铜筋铁骨。戒刀两口，擎来杀气横秋；顶骨百颗，念处悲风满路。神通广大，远过回生起死佛图澄；相貌威严，好似伏虎降龙卢六祖。直饶揭帝也归心，便是金刚须拱手。

当晚武行者辞了张青夫妻二人，离了大树十字坡，便落路走。此时是十月间天气，日正短，转眼便晚了。约行不到五十里，早望见一座高岭。武行者趁着月明，一步步上岭来，料道只是初更天色。武行者立在岭头上看时，见月从东边上来，照得岭上草木光辉。看那岭时，果然好座高岭。但见：

高山峻岭，峭壁悬崖。石角棱层侵斗柄，树梢仿佛接云霄。烟岚堆里，时闻幽鸟闲啼；翡翠阴中，每听哀猿孤啸。弄风山鬼，向溪边侮弄樵夫；挥尾野狐，立岩下惊张猎户。好似峨嵋山顶过，浑如大庾岭头行。

当下武行者正在岭上看着月明，走过岭来，只听得前面林子里有人笑声。武行者道：“又来作怪！这般一条净荡荡高岭，有甚么人笑语？”走过林子那边去，打一看，只见松树林中，傍山一座坟庵，约有十数间草屋，推开着两扇小窗，一个先生搂着一个妇人，在那窗前看月戏笑。武行者见了，怒从心上起，恶向胆边生，便想道：“这是山间林下出家人，却做这等勾当！”便去腰里掣出那两口烂银也似戒刀来，在月光下看了道：“刀却自好，到我手里不曾发市，且把这个鸟先生试刀！”手腕上悬了一把，再将这把插放鞘内，把两只直裰袖结起在背上，竟来到庵前敲门。那先生听得，便把后窗关上。武行者拿起块石头，便去打门。只见呀地侧首门开，走出一个道童来，喝道：“你是甚人？如何敢半夜三更，大惊小怪，敲门打户做甚么？”武行者睁圆怪眼，大喝一声：“先把这鸟道童祭刀！”说犹未了，手起处，铮地一声响，道童的头落在一边，倒在地下。只见庵里那个先生大叫道：“谁敢杀了我道童！”托地跳将出来。那先生手轮着两口宝剑，竟奔武行者。武松大笑道：“我的本事不要箱儿里去取，正是挠着我的痒处！”便去鞘里再拔了那口戒刀，轮起双戒刀，来迎那先生。两个就月明之下，一来一往，一去一回，两口剑寒光闪闪，双戒刀冷气森森。斗了良久，浑如飞凤迎鸾；战不多时，好似角鹰拿兔。两个斗了十数合，只听得山岭傍边一声响亮，两个里倒了一个。但见：月光影里，纷纷红雨喷人腥；杀气丛中，一颗人头从地滚。正是：三寸气在千般用，一旦无常万事休。毕竟两个里厮杀倒了一个的是谁，且听下回分解。

[1] 顶阳骨——天灵盖。

[2] 女墙——这里指城墙上的矮墙。

[3] 松（sǎnɡ）——轻松、舒服、痛快的意思。

CHAPTER 30. Blood Spilt at the Yuanyang Tower; a Night Walk to the Wugong Ridge

WU SONG reached Mengzhou in the evening, and went to Colonel Zhang’s house. He found no one in the yard, and hid himself there. In a short time he heard a door open, and saw a groom enter the yard holding a lighted lamp. The groom hung up the lamp, and fed the horses with hay. He then took the lamp and returned to his room where he undressed, and went to bed. Just then a watchman outside struck his drum four times indicating that it was about 10 P.M. Wu Song went to the door of the man’s room, and pushed the door a little. The groom heard the noise and called out, “I am just going to sleep, and it is still a little early for you to steal my clothes.”

Wu Song placed his halberd at the side of the door, and drawing a sword from his belt he again pushed the door. The groom could not stand this noise, so he sprang from his bed, seized a stick, and went to the door. Immediately Wu Song threw the door open and stepping forward he seized the groom by the hair. The groom was surprised, and was about to cry out, but seeing the sword in Wu Song’s hand could only beg for mercy.

“Do you know me?”

The groom recognized the voice of Wu Song, and said, “Elder brother, I had nothing to do with it. Please spare me.”

“Tell me the truth, where is Colonel Zhang now?”

“Colonel Zhang has been drinking wine all day with Jiang the ‘Door God,’ and Captain Zhang, and they are still drinking in the Yuanyang Tower.”

“Is that really so?”

“If I do not speak the truth may I be seized by the foulest disease.”

“Then I cannot spare your life,” said Wu Song, and he killed the man straightway. He then changed his clothes, and put on the new suit that Shi En had given him. He took a blanket off the groom’s bed, wrapped his silver inside it, and placed it near the door of the room. He next lifted a door out of its socket, and placed it against the wall. He blew out the lamp in the room, and taking his halberd he climbed up the door and over the wall.

It was a bright moonlight night. He soon found the door, and opened it from inside. He took the door reared against the wall, and put it back in its place. He then returned to the garden, and went toward the place when he saw many lamps. The light came from the kitchen, and looking inside he saw two women servants round the stove, and heard them grumbling, “We have been waiting on them all day, and yet there is no sign of their going to bed. The guests too have no sense of shame. They are almost drunk, and yet they would not go to sleep.” While they were still murmuring, Wu Song leaned his halberd against the wall, drew his bloody sword, and pushing the door open, entered the kitchen. He seized one of the women by her hair, and cut off her head. The other woman seeing this was paralyzed with fear—her legs could not move, and she could not even scream. Wu Song killed her also, and then blew out the lamps. The moonlight shining through the windows enabled him to find his way about, and he crept towards the guest chamber. He knew the way. He found the ladder leading up to the Yuanyang Tower, and stealthily ascended. The men servants had already departed as they were tired of having been on duty continuously all day long. Listening at the door Wu Song could hear the three men talking together inside.

He heard Jiang the “Door God,” say, “I am obliged to you for taking revenge in my behalf, and I shall fully recompense you.”

“Who would like to do this but for my younger brother Captain Zhang?” said Colonel Zhang. “Though you have spent much money, yet you have well disposed of that fellow. He must be dead by now. When those four men come back early tomorrow morning we shall know how the deed was done at the Feiyun Pool.”

“Four men ought to be enough to kill one man,” said Captain Zhang.

“Well, I told those two followers of mine that they must get it done there, and report to us as soon as possible,” said Jiang the “Door God.”

Upon hearing all this Wu Song’s anger was enough to burst the sky, and pushing open the door he entered the room. There were about five lamps burning, and the moonlight entered the room through windows, so there was plenty of light. On the table were many drinking vessels. When Jiang the ‘Door God’ saw Wu Song he was so thunderstruck that his spirit flew away to heaven. Before he could stir Wu Song struck him in the face with his sword, and he fell down. Quickly turning round Wu Song struck at Colonel Zhang, who tried to evade the blow, and was cut in the neck. Captain Zhang had military training, and although he was almost drunk, yet when he saw these two men struck down he sprang to action, and seizing a chair raised it above his head, and advanced. But as he struck Wu Song took hold of the chair, and pushing it back upset the balance of Captain Zhang who fell on the floor. In a second Wu Song was on top of him, and cut off his head. Jiang the “Door God,” made an effort to get up, but Wu Song kicked him so that he turned a somersault, and Wu Song taking a sword cut off his head. Wu Song then cut off Colonel Zhang’s head.

Taking a cup of wine from the table Wu Song drank it off at one draft. He then cut pieces of cloth from the clothing of the dead men, and dipping them in the blood that was covering the floor he wrote eight characters on the white wall: “The murderer is Wu Song, the Tiger Slayer.” He then took the silver utensils from the table, flattened them out with his foot, and placed them in his bosom. He prepared to descend the tower, but just then he heard the mistress below call out, “The officials are evidently drunk, so you two go upstairs and assist them down.” As two servants came up the ladder Wu Song hid at one side of the door, and as they entered he saw that they were the same confidential servants who had arrested him a few days before. He was in the shade, and allowed them to pass, and then stepped out behind them. The servants were so astounded upon seeing the decapitated bodies lying there in pools of blood that they could not utter a sound. The hair on their heads stood on end, and they felt as though a bucket of icy water had been poured over them. As they turned to run away they faced Wu Song who instantly killed one of them. The other one knelt down and begged for mercy, but Wu Song declined to pardon him, and killed him also. The dead were lying all about the room, and blood had been spattered over everything, Wu Song thought, “It is the same whether one kills only one or a hundred—the penalty of death is not more.” He sheathed his sword, and went down the ladder. The mistress below asked what the noise upstairs was about. When she saw a big man advancing towards her she called out, “Who is that?”

Without saying a word Wu Song struck her a blow with his sword, and she screamed as she fell down. Wu Song was surprised that his blow had not been effective, but upon examining his sword in the moonlight he saw that the blade had been dulled. It was no wonder that it would not cut any more. So he went into the kitchen, and exchanged the sword for his halberd. Upon returning to the tower he saw the singsong girl Yulan with two children, and they were examining the corpse of their mistress. She called out in astonishment. He took his halberd, and drove it into Yulan’s breast, and then also killed the other two children. Opening the door he entered the private apartments, and finding three women there he killed them also. Wu Song soliloquized, “I have killed enough, and will now get away.” He went to the stable where he had left his things, and taking the silver cups from his bosom he made them into a bundle with his other things. Holding his halberd in his hand he strode towards the city gate. But before he reached there he thought, “If I wait for them to open the gate they may try to arrest me so I had better try and get over the wall.” So he went and got on the city wall. It was an earth wall faced with bricks, and not very high. He jumped down and landed at the side of the moat. In the moonlight he could see that the water was only a few feet deep. It was then the tenth lunar month, the time when spring is dry, so there was not much water in the moat. He took off his boots, puttees, and socks, and lifting up his clothes he waded through the water to the opposite bank. He remembered that Shi En had given him a new pair of hempen shoes so taking these out of his bundle he now put them on. Just then he heard the watchman inside the city strike the hour of 4 A.M. He had been very angry, but now he found that his temper had all vanished. He felt no hankering to stay near that place so he set off at a good pace along the eastern road.

He walked until about 5 A.M. when he began to feel tired, and also felt the pain in his legs from the blows he had received some days ago. Just then he saw an old temple in a grove of trees, so he entered and finding it vacant he lay down to sleep with his bundle as a pillow. He was on the point of closing his eyes when he saw two hooked sticks reaching out to catch his clothes. At the same moment two men rushed in, seized hold of him, and bound him with cords. One man said, “This man is very fat so we can send him to our elder brother.” Wu Song struggled, but could not release himself. The four persons took charge of his sword and bundle. They led him off, and took him to a near village. On the way the four persons spoke, “See! There is blood on this man. Where can he have come from? He must be a wounded bandit.” Wu Song listened to their conversation, but kept quiet.

After about a li they came to a straw hut, and pushed Wu Song inside. On one side of the room was a small door leading to another room where a lamp was burning. The four persons stripped the clothes from Wu Song, and bound him to one of the pillars supporting the roof.

Looking upwards, Wu Song saw two human legs hanging from a rafter. He thought, “These people are evidently murderers, and they have me entirely in their power. If I had known of this I would rather have admitted my guilt in Mengzhou Prefecture, and submitted to execution, than have such a fate as this.”

The persons examined Wu Song’s bundle, and called out, “Brother and sister-in-law, come here! We have got some first-class booty,” A voice in the inner room replied, “I am coming, and will open the bundle. Leave it alone.” Before you could have drunk a cup of tea, the small door opened, and two persons entered. In front was a woman, and behind her a man. They stared at Wu Song, and the woman said, “Is not this our brother?” The man said, “Yes, he is my brother.” Wu Song upon looking at them closely recognized the man as Zhang Qing, the “Market Gardener,” and the woman was Sun Er Niang, the “Night Witch.” When the four persons saw that Zhang Qing knew Wu Song they hurriedly untied the ropes, and gave clothes for him to dress. They had torn his turban so they found a felt cap for him. Zhang Qing invited Wu Song to go to the inner room, where he saluted him. When he saw the blood on Wu Song’s clothes Zhang Qing was surprised, and asked, “What has happened to you?”

“That is a long story,” said Wu Song. He then recited to them all the experiences he had had since he last met Zhang Qing at the Cross Road, and also related how he had been captured in the little old temple in the woods. When they heard all this the four assistants knelt and begged Wu Song for forgiveness, saying that they went to the woods to look for some booty because they had lost all their money in gambling.

Then Zhang Qing and his wife both laughed, and said, “We have been anxious for some time that these four assistants should not kill people, but rather get them alive. How could they understand our arrangement? If our younger brother had not been tired forty people of your sort would not have been able to get access to him.”

“Well, never mind,” said Wu Song. “As these four assistants have no money to gamble I myself will give them some money.” He opened his bundle, and divided ten taels of silver between them. The four rascals thanked him for this. Zhang Qing seeing this also gave them about three taels of silver.

Zhang Qing said, “My brother, since your departure I have thought that you would escape and come here again. So I instructed my men that they were to take captives alive. As we were afraid that they would kill people, so I did not supply them with swords, but only hooks on sticks with which they could capture men. Just now when I heard that they had captured something valuable I was afraid that they might kill you so I told them to wait until I had inspected the booty. But still I never imagined that it was really you.”

“We heard that you had beaten Jiang the ‘Door God,’” said Sun Er Niang, “and whosoever heard the news was quite startled. The merchants from the Kuaihuo Forest who passed here could not however give us any news as to what had happened to you after that affair. But you must be very tired just now, so please go to our guest chamber, and take a rest before you tell us all about it.”

So Wu Song took this advice, and went to sleep. Zhang Qing and his wife prepared food for Wu Song in the kitchen. It was all ready in a short time, and they then waited for Wu Song to eat the same.

The following morning when the servants who had not been killed found out what had happened in Colonel Zhang’s quarters they did not dare to raise the alarm. It was quite daylight when they went to the Prefect’s yamen, and gave the information there. The Prefect was greatly surprised at the news, and sent men to investigate the case. The reports stated how Wu Song had killed altogether fifteen persons, and had written his name in blood on the wall. The police were then instructed to closely watch the city gates, and to search for Wu Song.

The next day a report came that four men had been killed at the Feiyun Pool, and the bodies thrown in the water. He sent an official to investigate that case also, who duly reported that two of the men were the official escort for Wu Song, and the other two were servants.

For three days a careful search was made in every house in the city, and for every ten houses a letter had to be written pledging that the culprit was not hidden there. All this did not furnish any clue however. The Prefect also issued orders to all the surrounding counties and villages, giving details of the case, describing Wu Song’s appearance and dress, and offering a reward of three thousand strings of cash for those who might arrest him. Anyone harboring Wu Song would be treated as a fellow criminal.

Wu Song stayed with Zhang Qing for five days, and heard the rumors and reports from outside sources. Zhang Qing also heard the news, and therefore spoke to Wu Song, “Brother, as you are aware, the officials are giving your case most urgent attention, and are searching every house in the district. I am afraid that they will at last visit this house, and then we shall all be involved. I have found a safe place for you to go to—in fact I mentioned the place to you some time ago—but I do not know whether you would care to go there.”

“I have been thinking of the same thing for the last few days,” said Wu Song, “and have been aware that I cannot stay here in safety. But now that my only brother is dead and I have no relatives so if you know of a safe place why should I not go there? Where is this place?”

“It is at the Lianglong Mountain in Qingzhou Prefecture. There are my brothers Lu Da and Yang Zhi who are at the head of a gang of brigands. The officials at Qingzhou are afraid of interfering with them. If you went there, there would be no danger of your being arrested again, but if you went to any other place there would be that danger. They have frequently sent me letters asking me to join them, but so far I have not been able to do so. I can write a letter stating your abilities, and they would admit you to their band.”

“What you say is quite true,” replied Wu Song. “I had that idea myself, but to my regret I found no opportunity of going there. Now that I have killed these people I must find a safe refuge, and your plan is an excellent one. If you will write the letter now I will leave here today.”

Zhang Qing wrote a letter, handed it to Wu Song, and prepared a meal for the final leave-taking.

Sun Er Niang pointed at her husband and asked, “Why do you ask him to go in this way? If he leaves here he will meet somebody, and be arrested.”

“Why should I not go?” asked Wu Song. “How do you know that I should be arrested?”

“The full details of your case have been published, and are posted everywhere offering a reward for your arrest. Your face is branded with characters so that on the way you would be detected very easily.”

“We can put a plaster on his face to cover those characters,” said Zhang Qing.

Sun Er Niang laughed, “You are the smartest man in the world, but you have now uttered a very foolish remark. How would a plaster deceive those officials? I have a plan, but I think our brother would not care to try it.”

“I want to escape, so what is there that I would not try?”

Sun Er Niang again laughed. “Well, if I tell you, you must not misunderstand me.”

“Whatever you say I will do,” replied Wu Song.

Sun Er Niang said, “Two years ago a wandering monk passed this way, and I killed him and made his flesh into dumplings. I keep all his clothing, his iron head ring, his string of beads which were all carved out of human bones, and also his broad swords made of the best steel, with fine fish-skin sheaths. Now you can wear these things, and arrange your hair so as to hide the branded characters. There is also a monk’s certificate which will be equal to a talisman for you. His age and appearance were about the same as yours. Would not this be a splendid disguise? You can also adopt his name, and on the road nobody would ask questions. Will you try this?”

Zhang Qing clapped his hands to show approval and said. “Wife, a good plan. I have forgotten all about that. Brother, what do you think about it?”

‘It will do,” said Wu Song. “I am only afraid that I should not look like a monk.”

“Well, let me disguise you and then we shall see,” said Zhang Qing.

Sun Er Niang went into another room, and brought a bundle. Opening it she spread out monk’s clothes, and asked Wu Song to put them on.

He looked at them, and thought they would fit him nicely. He put the clothes on, rearranged his hair, and encased it with the monk’s iron head ring and donned the string of beads. Both Zhang Qing and his wife applauded, and said that he looked true to life.

Wu Song took a mirror, and upon examining himself he burst into laughter.

“Why do you laugh so loudly?” asked Zhang Qing.

“I am so strange. I never expected to become a monk. Elder brother, please cut my hair.”

Zhang Qing took the scissors, and cut his hair. Wu Song realized that his position was getting serious so he got his bundle ready for departure.

“Now please listen to what I say,” said Zhang Qing. “You had better leave here the silver cups, etc. you took from Colonel Zhang’s house, and in exchange for them I will give you silver to cover your traveling expenses.”

“That is a very good suggestion,” said Wu Song. He then exchanged the cups for silver, and put it in his belt. He buckled on his two knives, and was ready to start. Sun Er Niang handed him the monk’s certificate with a cover to carry it in. She asked him to suspend this from his neck, and wear it next to his skin. Wu Song bade them farewell, and Zhang Qing asked him to take every care on his journey. “Be sparing with wine, and avoid quarrels with people. Act like a monk. In all transactions avoid haste, or a display of temper, or people will suspect you. When you reach the Lianglong Mountain please give us a letter. We shall not be staying here a long time as we may shortly go to that mountain retreat ourselves. Brother! Be careful! Be careful! Give our respects to Lu Da and Yang Zhi.”

So Wu Song rolled up his sleeves for comfort in walking, and set out with big strides.

When he left the Crossroads it was the tenth lunar month, and the days were getting short. He had traveled about sixteen li when he was close to a high mountain range. It was evening, but as the moon was shining bright he continued his way up to the mountain. When he reached the top of the pass it was about 9 P.M. and he stopped to admire the beauty of the scene in the moonlight. In the silence he heard someone in the forest laughing. He thought, “That is strange! This is a very lonely spot, so where can the laughter come from?” He walked towards the trees and saw a temple surrounded by fir trees in a cemetery, on the side of the hill. The temple was small with about ten rooms, and one of the windows was open. Standing at the window and admiring the moonlight view was a Taoist priest who was holding a woman in his arms. This provoked Wu Song’s anger, because it was improper for a priest to have a woman in a temple. He got out his broad swords, and soliloquized, “These are the best of swords, but now I am going to test your quality.” He rolled up his sleeves, and sheathed one sword, but held the other sword in his hand. He went to the door of the temple and knocked. As soon as the priest heard this he closed the window. Wu Song picked up a stone, and hurled it at the door. A small door at the side opened, and a small acolyte came out and shouted, “Who are you? Why do you come and disturb us at midnight? Why do you knock at the door like this?”

Wu Song opened wide his big round eyes and shouted, “Let this stinking acolyte christen my sword!”

So saying he slashed the boy’s head off. The priest instantly appeared on the scene, and called out, “Who has dared to kill my acolyte?” He leapt out towards Wu Song brandishing a pair of double-edged swords.

Wu Song laughed loudly. “I am quite ready! I do not keep my skill in a box. This is scratching me at the itch.” So saying he drew the second sword out of its scabbard, and advanced towards the priest. In the bright moonlight their swords flashed in all directions as they fought.

One of these will lose his head,

Red blood spattered on the ground.