第三十七回
第三十七回 没遮拦追赶及时雨 船火儿夜闹浔阳江
诗曰：
壮士当场展艺能，虎驰熊扑实堪惊。
人逢喜事精神爽，花借阳和发育荣。
江上不来生李俊，牢城难免宋公明。
谁知颠沛存亡际，翻使洪涛纵巨鲸。
话说当下宋江不合将五两银子赍发了那个教师，只见这揭阳镇上众人丛中，钻过这条大汉，搦起双拳来打宋江。众人看那大汉时，怎生模样？但见：
花盖膀双龙捧项，锦包肚二鬼争环。
浔阳岸英雄豪杰，但到处便没遮拦。
那大汉睁着眼喝道：“这厮那里学得这些鸟枪棒，来俺这揭阳镇上逞强！我已分付了众人休采他，你这厮如何卖弄有钱，把银子赏他，灭俺揭阳镇上的威风！”宋江应道：“我自赏他银两，却干你甚事？”那大汉揪住宋江喝道：“你这贼配军，敢回我话！”宋江说道：“做甚么不敢回你话？”那大汉提起双拳劈脸打来，宋江躲个过，那大汉又追入一步来。宋江却待要和他放对，只见那个使枪棒的教头从人背后赶将来，一只手揪住那大汉头巾，一只手提住腰胯，望那大汉肋骨上只一兜，踉跄一跤，颠翻在地。那大汉却待挣扎起来，又被这教头只一脚踢翻了。两个公人劝住教头，那大汉从地上扒将起来，看了宋江和教头，说道：“使得使不得，教你两个不要慌！”一直望南去了。
宋江且请问：“教头高姓？何处人氏？”教头答道：“小人祖贯河南洛阳人氏，姓薛名永。祖父是老种经略相公帐前军官，为因恶了同僚，不得升用，子孙靠使枪棒卖药度日。江湖上但唤小人病大虫薛永。不敢拜问恩官高姓大名？”宋江道：“小可姓宋名江，祖贯郓城县人氏。”薛永道：“莫非山东及时雨宋公明么？”宋江道：“小可便是，何足道哉！”薛永听罢，便拜道：“闻名不如见面，见面胜似闻名。”宋江连忙扶住道：“少叙三杯如何？”薛永道：“好，正要拜识尊颜，小人无门得遇兄长。”慌忙收拾起枪棒和药囊，同宋江便往邻近酒肆内去吃酒。只见酒家说道：“酒肉自有，只是不敢卖与你们吃。”宋江问道：“缘何不卖与我们吃？”酒家道：“却才和你们厮打的大汉，已使人分付了：若是卖与你们吃时，把我这店子都打得粉碎。我这里却是不敢恶他。这人是此间揭阳镇上一霸，谁敢不听他说！”宋江道：“既然恁地，我们去休。那厮必然要来寻闹。”薛永道：“小人也去店里算了房钱还他，一两日间也来江州相会。兄长先行。”宋江又取一二十两银子与了薛永，相辞了自去。宋江只得自和两个公人也离了酒店，又自去一处吃酒，那店家说道：“小郎已自都分付了，我们如何敢卖与你们吃！你枉走，干自费力，不济事，他尽着人分付了。”宋江和两个公人都则声不得。连连走了几家，都是一般话说。三个来到市梢尽头，见了几家打火小客店，正待要去投宿，却被他那里不肯相容。宋江问时，都道他已着小郎连连分付去了，“不许安着你们三个。”当下宋江见不是话头，三个便拽开脚步，望大路上走。看看见一轮红日低坠，天色昏晚。但见：
暮烟迷远岫，寒雾锁长空。群星拱皓月争辉，绿水共青山斗碧。疏林古寺，数声钟韵悠扬；小浦渔舟，几点残灯明灭。枝上子规啼夜月，园中粉蝶宿花丛。
宋江和两个公人见天色晚了，心里越慌。三个商量道：“没来由看使枪棒，恶了这厮。如今闪得前不巴村，后不着店，却是投那里去宿是好？”只见远远地小路上，望见隔林深处射出灯光来。宋江见了道：“兀那里灯火明处，必有人家。遮莫怎地陪个小心，借宿一夜，明日早行。”公人看了道：“这灯光处，又不在正路上。”宋江道：“没奈何，虽然不在正路上，明日多行三二里，却打甚么不紧！”三个人当时落路来，行不到二里多路，林子背后闪出一座大庄院来。宋江看那庄院时，但见：
前临村坞，后倚高冈。数行杨柳绿含烟，百顷桑麻青带雨。高陇上牛羊成阵，芳塘中鹅鸭成群。正是：家有稻粱鸡犬饱，架多书籍子孙贤。
当晚宋江和两个公人来到庄院前敲门。庄客听得，出来开门道：“你是甚人，黄昏夜半来敲门打户？”宋江陪着小心答道：“小人是个犯罪配送江州的人，今日错过了宿头，无处安歇，欲求贵庄借宿一宵，来早依例拜纳房金。”庄客道：“既是恁地，你且在这里少待，等我入去报知庄主太公，可容即歇。”庄客入去通报了，复翻身出来，说道：“太公相请。”宋江和两个公人到里面草堂上，参见了庄主太公。太公分付教庄客领去门房里安歇，就与他们些晚饭吃。庄客听了，引去门首草房下，点起一碗灯，教三个歇定了；取三分饭食羹汤菜蔬，教他三个吃了。庄客收了碗碟，自入里面去。两个公人道：“押司，这里又无外人，一发除了行枷，快活睡一夜，明日早行。”宋江道：“说得是。”当时依允，去了行枷，和两个公人去房外净手，看见星光满天，又见打麦场边屋后是一条村僻小路，宋江看在眼里。三个净了手，入进房里，关上门去睡。宋江和两个公人说道：“也难得这个庄主太公，留俺们歇这一夜。”正说间，听得庄里有人点火把，来打麦场上一到处照看。宋江在门缝里张时，见是太公引着三个庄客，把火一到处照看。宋江对公人道：“这太公和我父亲一般，件件都要自来照管，这早晚也未曾去睡，一地里亲自点看。”
正说之间，只听得外面有人叫：“开庄门！”庄客连忙来开了门，放入五七个人来，为头的手里拿着朴刀，背后的都拿着稻叉棍棒。火把光下，宋江张看时，“那个提朴刀的，正是在揭阳镇上要打我们的那汉”。宋江又听得那太公问道：“小郎，你那里去来？和甚人厮打？日晚了，拖枪拽棒！”那大汉道：“阿爹不知。哥哥在家里么？”太公道：“你哥哥吃得醉了，去睡在后面亭子上。”那汉道：“我自去叫他起来，我和他赶人。”太公道：“你又和谁合口？叫起哥哥来时，他却不肯干休，又是杀人放火。你且对我说这缘故。”那汉道：“阿爹你不知，今日镇上一个使枪棒卖药的汉子，叵耐那厮不先来见我弟兄两个，便去镇上撇呵卖药，教使枪棒，被我都分付了镇上的人，分文不要与他赏钱。不知那里走出一个囚徒来，那厮好汉出尖[1]，把五两银子赏他，灭俺揭阳镇上威风！我正要打那厮，堪恨那卖药的脑揪翻我，打了一顿，又踢了我一脚，至今腰里还疼。我已教人四下里分付了酒店客店，不许着这厮们吃酒安歇，先教那厮三个今夜没存身处。随后吃我叫了赌房里一伙人，赶将去客店里，拿得那卖药的来，尽气力打了一顿，如今把来吊在都头家里。明日送去江边，捆做一块抛在江里，出那口鸟气！却只赶这两个公人押的囚徒不着，前面又没客店，竟不知投那里去宿了。我如今叫起哥哥来，分投赶去，捉拿这厮。”太公道：“我儿，休恁地短命相！他自有银子赏那卖药的，却干你甚事！你去打他做甚么？可知道着他打了，也不曾伤重，快依我口便罢休。教哥哥得知你吃人打了，他肯干罢？又是去害人性命。你依我说，且去房里睡了，半夜三更莫去敲门打户，激恼村坊，你也积些阴德。”那汉不顾太公说，拿着朴刀，径入庄内去了。太公随后也赶入去。
宋江听罢，对公人说道：“这般不巧的事，怎生是好？却又撞在他家投宿！我们只宜走了好，倘或这厮得知，必然吃他害了性命。便是太公不肯说破，庄客如何敢瞒，难以遮盖。”两个公人都道：“说的是。事不宜迟，及早快走。”宋江道：“我们休从大路出去，掇开屋后一堵壁子出去。”两个公人挑了包裹，宋江自提了行枷，便从房里挖开屋后一堵壁子，三个人便趁星月之下，望林木深处小路上只顾走。正是慌不择路，走了一个更次，望见前面满目芦花，一派大江，滔滔浪滚，正是来到浔阳江边。有诗为证：
撞入天罗地网来，宋江时蹇实堪哀。
才离黑煞凶神难，又遇丧门白虎灾。
只听得背后大叫：“贼配军休走！”火把乱明，风吹胡哨赶将来。宋江只叫得苦道：“上苍救一救则个！”三人躲在芦苇丛中，望后面时，那火把渐近。三人心里越慌，脚高步低，在芦苇里撞。前面一看，不到天尽头，早到地尽处。定目一观，看见大江拦截，侧边又是条阔港。宋江仰天叹道：“早知如此的苦，悔莫先知，只在梁山泊也罢。谁想直断送在这里，丧了残生！”
后面的正吹风胡哨赶来，前面又被大江阻当，宋江正在危急之际，只见芦苇丛中，悄悄地忽然摇出一只船来。宋江见了，便叫：“梢公，且把船来救我们三个，俺与你十两银子。”那梢公在船上问道：“你三个是甚么人，却走在这里来？”宋江道：“背后有强人打劫，我们一昧地撞在这里。你快把船来渡我们，我与你些银两。”那梢公听得多与银两，把船便放拢来到岸边。三个连忙跳下船去，一个公人便把包裹丢下舱里，一个公人便将水火棍捵[2]开了船。那梢公一头搭上橹，一面听着包裹落舱有些好响声，心里暗喜欢，把橹一摇，那只小船早荡在江心里去。岸上那伙赶来的人，早赶到滩头，有十数个火把。为头两个大汉，各挺着一条朴刀，随从有二十馀人，各执枪棒，口里叫道：“你那梢公，快摇船拢来！”宋江和两个公人做一块儿伏在船舱里，说道：“梢公，却是不要拢船！我们自多与你些银子相谢。”那梢公点头，只不应岸上的人，把船望上水咿咿哑哑摇将去。那岸上这伙人大喝道：“你那梢公不摇拢船来，教你都死！”那梢公冷笑几声，也不应。岸上那伙人又叫道：“你是那个梢公，直恁大胆不摇拢来？”那梢公冷笑应道：“老爷叫做张梢公，你不要咬我鸟！”岸上火把丛中那个长汉说道：“原来是张大哥！你见我弟兄两个么？”那梢公应道：“我又不瞎，做甚么不见你！”那长汉道：“你既见我时，且摇拢来和你说话。”那梢公道：“有话明朝来说，趁船的要去得紧。”那长汉道：“我弟兄两个正要捉这趁船的三个人！”那梢公道：“趁船的三个都是我家亲眷，衣食父母，请他归去吃碗板刀面了来。”那长汉道：“你且摇拢来，和你商量。”那梢公又道：“我的衣饭，倒摇拢来把与你，倒乐意？”那长汉道：“张大哥，不是这般说。我弟兄只要捉这囚徒，你且拢来！”那梢公一头摇橹，一面说道：“我自好几日接得这个主顾，却是不摇拢来，倒吃你接了去。你两个只得休怪，改日相见！”宋江在船舱里悄悄的和两个公人说：“也难得这个梢公，救了我们三个性命，又与他分说。不要忘了他恩德！却不是幸得这只船来渡了我们！”
却说那梢公摇开船去，离得江岸远了。三个人在舱里望岸上时，火把也自去芦苇中明亮。宋江道：“惭愧！正是好人相逢，恶人远离。且得脱了这场灾难！”只见那梢公摇着橹，口里唱起湖州歌来。唱道：
“老爷生长在江边，不怕官司不怕天。
昨夜华光[3]来趁我，临行夺下一金砖。”
宋江和两个公人听了这首歌，都酥软了。宋江又想道：“他是唱耍。”三个正在舱里议论未了，只见那梢公放下橹，说道：“你这个撮鸟，两个公人，平日最会诈害做私商的人，今夜却撞在老爷手里！你三个却是要吃板刀面？却是要吃馄饨？”宋江道：“家长休要取笑，怎地唤做板刀面？怎地是馄饨？”那梢公睁着眼道：“老爷和你耍甚鸟！若还要吃板刀面时，俺有一把泼风也似快刀在这艎板底下，我不消三刀五刀，我只一刀一个，都剁你三个人下水去。你若要吃馄饨时，你三个快脱了衣裳，都赤条条地跳下江里自死！”宋江听罢，扯定两个公人说道：“却是苦也！正是福无双至，祸不单行！”那梢公喝道：“你三个好好商量，快回我话！”宋江答道：“梢公不知，我们也是没奈何犯下了罪，迭配江州的人。你如何可怜见，饶了我三个！”那梢公喝道：“你说甚么闲话，饶你三个？我半个也不饶你！老爷唤做有名的狗脸张爹爹，来也不认得爷，去也不认得娘！你便都闭了鸟嘴，快下水里去！”宋江又求告道：“我们都把包裹内金银财帛衣服等项，尽数与你，只饶了我三人性命！”那梢公便去艎板底下摸出那把明晃晃板刀来，大喝道：“你三个要怎地？”宋江仰天叹道：“为因我不敬天地，不孝父母，犯下罪责，连累了你两个！”那两个公人也扯住宋江道：“押司，罢，罢！我们三个一处死休！”那梢公又喝道：“你三个好好快脱了衣裳，便跳下江里去！跳便跳，不跳时，老爷便剁下水里去！”
宋江和那两个公人抱做一块，恰待要跳水，只见江面上咿咿哑哑橹声响，宋江探头看时，一只快船飞也似从上水头摇将下来。船上有三个人，一条大汉手里横着托叉，立在船头上；梢头两个后生，摇着两把快橹，星光之下，早到面前。那船头上横叉的大汉便喝道：“前面是甚么梢公，敢在当港行事？船里货物，见者有分！”这船梢公回头看了，慌忙应道：“原来却是李大哥，我只道是谁来！大哥又去做买卖？只是不曾带挈兄弟。”大汉道：“是张大哥。你在这里又弄得一手，船里甚么行货？有些油水么？”梢公答道：“教你得知好笑。我这几日没道路，又赌输了，没一文。正在沙滩上闷坐，岸上一伙人赶这三头行货来我船里，却是鸟两个公人，解一个黑矮囚徒，正不知是那里人。他说道迭配江州来的，却又项上不带行枷。赶来的岸上那伙人，却是镇上穆家哥儿两个，定要讨他。我见有些油水吃，我不还他。”船上那大汉道：“咄！莫不是我哥哥宋公明？”宋江听得声音厮熟，便舱里叫道：“船上好汉是谁？救宋江则个！”那大汉失惊道：“真个是我哥哥！早不做出来！”宋江钻出船上来看时，星光明亮，那立在船头上的大汉，不是别人，正是：
家住浔阳江浦上，最称豪杰英雄。眉浓眼大面皮红。
髭须垂铁线，语话若铜钟。凛凛身躯长八尺，能挥利剑霜锋。冲波跃浪立奇功。庐州生李俊，绰号混江龙。
那船头上立的大汉正是混江龙李俊；背后船梢上两个摇橹的，一个是出洞蛟童威，一个是翻江蜃童猛。这李俊听得是宋公明，便跳过船来，口里叫苦道：“哥哥惊恐！若是小弟来得迟了些个，误了仁兄性命！今日天使李俊在家坐立不安，棹船出来江里赶些私盐，不想又遇着哥哥在此受难！”那梢公呆了半晌，做声不得，方才问道：“李大哥，这黑汉便是山东及时雨宋公明么？”李俊道：“可知是哩！”那梢公便拜道：“我那爷！你何不早通个大名，省得着我做出歹事来，争些儿伤了仁兄！”宋江问李俊道：“这个好汉是谁？高姓何名？”李俊道：“哥哥不知，这个好汉却是小弟结义的兄弟，原是小孤山下人氏，姓张名横，绰号船火儿，专在此浔阳江做这件稳善的道路。”宋江和两个公人都笑起来。当时两只船并着摇奔滩边来，缆了船，舱里扶宋江并两个公人上岸。李俊又与张横说道：“兄弟，我常和你说：天下义士，只除非山东及时雨郓城宋押司。今日你可仔细认看。”张横扑翻身，又在沙滩上拜道：“望哥哥恕兄弟罪过！”宋江看那张横时，但见：
七尺身躯三角眼，黄髯赤发红睛。浔阳江上有声名。冲波如水怪，跃浪似飞鲸。恶水狂风都不惧，蛟龙见处魂惊。天差列宿害生灵。小孤山下住，船火号张横。
那梢公船火儿张横拜罢，问道：“义士哥哥为何事配来此间？”李俊便把宋江犯罪的事说了，今来迭配江州。张横听了说道：“好教哥哥得知，小弟一母所生的亲弟兄两个，长的便是小弟；我有个兄弟，却又了得，浑身雪练也似一身白肉，[4]得四五十里水面，水底下伏得七日七夜，水里行一似一根白条，更兼一身好武艺，因此人起他一个名，唤做浪里白跳张顺。当初我弟兄两个只在扬子江边做一件依本分的道路。”宋江道：“愿闻则个。”张横道：“我弟兄两个，但赌输了时，我便先驾一只船，渡在江边静处做私渡。有那一等客人，贪省贯百钱的，又要快，便来下我船。等船里都坐满了，却教兄弟张顺也扮做单身客人，背着一个大包，也来趁船。我把船摇到半江里，歇了橹，抛了钉，插一把板刀，却讨船钱。本合五百足钱一个人，我便定要他三贯。却先问兄弟讨起，教他假意不肯还我，我便把他来起手，一手揪住他头，一手提定腰胯，扑同地撺下江里。排头儿定要三贯。一个个都惊得呆了，把出来不迭。都敛得足了，却送他到僻净处上岸。我那兄弟自从水底下走过对岸，等没了人，却与兄弟分钱去赌。那时我两个只靠这件道路过日。”宋江道：“可知江边多有主顾来寻你私渡。”李俊等都笑起来。张横又道：“如今我弟兄两个都改了业，我便只在这浔阳江里做些私商[5]，兄弟张顺他却如今自在江州做卖鱼牙子。如今哥哥去时，小弟寄一封书去，只是不识字，写不得。”李俊道：“我们都去村里，央个门馆先生来写。”留下童威、童猛看了船。
三个人跟了李俊、张横，五个人投村里来。走不过半里路，看见火把还在岸上明亮。张横说道：“他弟兄两个还未归去。”李俊道：“你说兀谁弟兄两个？”张横道：“便是镇上那穆家哥儿两个。”李俊道：“一发叫他两个来拜见哥哥。”宋江连忙说道：“使不得！他两个赶着要捉我。”李俊道：“仁兄放心，他弟兄不知是哥哥，他亦是我们一路人。”李俊用手一招，胡哨了一声，只见火把人伴都飞奔将来面前。看见李俊、张横都恭奉着宋江做一处说话，那弟兄二人大惊道：“二位大哥却如何与这三人厮熟？”李俊大笑道：“你道他兀谁？”那二人道：“便是不认得。只见他在镇上出银两赏那使枪棒的，灭俺镇上威风，正待要捉他。”李俊道：“他便是我日常和你们说的，山东及时雨郓城宋押司公明哥哥。你两个还不快拜！”那弟兄两个撇了朴刀，扑翻身便拜道：“闻名久矣！不期今日方得相会。却才甚是冒渎，犯伤了哥哥，望乞怜悯恕罪！”宋江扶起二位道：“壮士，愿求大名。”李俊便道：“这弟兄两个富户，是此间人，姓穆名弘，绰号没遮拦；兄弟穆春，唤做小遮拦。是揭阳镇上一霸。我这里有三霸，哥哥不知，一发说与哥哥知道。揭阳岭上岭下便是小弟和李立一霸；揭阳镇上是他弟兄两个一霸；浔阳江边做私商的却是张横、张顺两个一霸：以此谓之三霸。”宋江答道：“我们如何省得！既然都是自家弟兄情分，望乞放还了薛永。”穆弘笑道：“便是使枪棒的那厮？哥哥放心。”随即便教兄弟穆春：“去取来还哥哥。我们且请仁兄到敝庄伏礼请罪。”李俊说道：“最好，最好。便到你庄上去。”
穆弘叫庄客着两个去看了船只，就请童威、童猛一同都到庄上去相会；一面又着人去庄上报知，置办酒食，杀羊宰猪，整理筵宴。一行众人等了童威、童猛，一同取路投庄上来。却好五更天气，都到庄里，请出穆太公来相见了，就草堂上分宾主坐下。宋江看那穆弘时，端的好表人物。但见：
面似银盆身似玉，头圆眼细眉单。威风凛凛逼人寒。灵官离斗府，佑圣下天关。武艺高强心胆大，阵前不肯空还。攻城野战夺旗幡。穆弘真壮士，人号没遮拦。
宋江与穆太公对坐说话。未久，天色明朗，穆春已取到病大虫薛永进来，一处相会了。穆弘安排筵席，管待宋江等众位饮宴。当日众人在席上，所说各自经过的许多事务，至晚都留在庄上宿歇。次日，宋江要行，穆弘那里肯放，把众人都留庄上，陪侍宋江去镇上闲玩，观看揭阳市村景一遭。又住了三日，宋江怕违了限次[6]，坚意要行。穆弘并众人苦留不住，当日做个送路筵席。次日早起来，宋江作别穆太公并众位好汉，临行分付薛永：“且在穆弘处住几时，却来江州，再得相会。”穆弘道：“哥哥但请放心，我这里自看顾他。”取出一盘金银送与宋江，又赍发两个公人些银两。临动身，张横在穆弘庄上央人修了一封家书，央宋江付与张顺。当时宋江收放包裹内了。一行人都送到浔阳江边。穆弘叫只船来，取过先头行李下船，众人都在江边，安排行枷，取酒食上船饯行。当下众人洒泪而别。李俊、张横、穆弘、穆春、薛永、童威、童猛一行，都回穆家庄，分别各自回家，不在话下。
只说宋江自和两个公人下船，投江州来。这梢公非比前番，拽起一帆风篷，早送到江州上岸。宋江依前带上行枷，两个公人取出文书，挑了行李，直至江州府前来，正直府尹升厅。原来那江州知府，姓蔡，双名德章，是当朝蔡太师蔡京的第九个儿子，因此江州人叫他做蔡九知府。那人为官贪滥，作事骄奢。为这江州是个钱粮浩大的去处，抑且人广物盛，因此太师特地教他来做个知府。当时两个公人当厅下了公文，押宋江投厅下。蔡九知府看见宋江一表非俗，便问道：“你为何枷上没了本州的封皮？”两个公人告道：“于路上春雨淋漓，却被水湿坏了。”知府道：“快写个帖来，便送下城外牢城营里去。本府自差公人押解下去。”这两个公人就送宋江到牢城营内交割。当时江州府公人赍了文帖，监押宋江并同公人出州衙前，来酒店里买酒吃。宋江取三两来银子，与了江州府公人。当讨了收管，将宋江押送单身房里听候。那公人先去对管营、差拨处替宋江说了方便，交割讨了收管，自回江州府去了。这两个公人也交还了宋江包裹行李，千酬万谢，相辞了入城来。两个自说道：“我们虽是吃了惊恐，却赚得许多银两。”自到州衙府里伺候，讨了回文，两个取路往济州去了。
话里只说宋江又自央浼人情。差拨到单身房里，送了十两银子与他；管营处又自加倍送银两并人事；营里管事的人并使唤的军健人等，都送些银两与他们买茶吃，因此无一个不欢喜宋江。少刻，引到点视厅前，除了行枷参见。管营已得了贿赂，在厅上说道：“这个新配到犯人宋江听着：先皇太祖武德皇帝圣旨事例，但凡新入流配的人，须先吃一百杀威棒。左右，与我捉去背起来。”宋江告道：“小人于路感冒风寒时症，至今未曾痊可。”管营道：“这汉端的似有病的。不见他面黄肌瘦，有些病症？且与他权行寄下这顿棒。此人既是县吏出身，着他本营抄事房做个抄事。”就时立了文案，便教发去抄事。宋江谢了，去单身房取了行李，到抄事房安顿了。众囚徒见宋江有面目，都买酒来与他庆贺。次日，宋江置备酒食与众人回礼。不时间又请差拨、牌头递杯，管营处常常送礼物与他。宋江身边有的是金银财帛，自落的结识他们。住了半月之间，满营里没一个不欢喜他。
自古道：世情看冷暖，人面逐高低。宋江一日与差拨在抄事房吃酒，那差拨说与宋江道：“贤兄，我前日和你说的那个节级常例人情，如何多日不使人送去与他？今已一旬之上了，他明日下来时，须不好看，连我们也无面目。”宋江道：“这个不妨。那人要钱不与他，若是差拨哥哥但要时，只顾问宋江取不妨。那节级要时，一文也没！等他下来，宋江自有话说。”差拨道：“押司，那人好生利害，更兼手脚了得。倘或有些言语高低，吃了他些羞辱，却道我不与你通知。”宋江道：“兄长由他。但请放心，小可自有措置。敢是送些与他，也不见得；他有个不敢要我的，也不见得。”正恁的说未了，只见牌头来报道：“节级下在这里了，正在厅上大发作，骂道：‘新到配军如何不送常例钱来与我！’”差拨道：“我说是么！那人自来，连我们都怪。”宋江笑道：“差拨哥哥休罪，不及陪侍，改日再得作杯。小可且去和他说话，容日再会。”差拨也起身道：“我们不要见他。”宋江别了差拨，离了抄事房，自来点视厅上见这节级。那差拨也自去了。
不是宋江来和这人厮见，有分教：江州城里，翻为虎窟狼窝；十字街头，变作尸山血海。直教撞破天罗归水浒，掀开地网上梁山。毕竟宋江来与这个节级怎地相见，且听下回分解。
[1] 出尖——出人头地、异乎寻常，这里还有特别出风头的意思。
[2] 捵（tiǎn）——撑、推。
[3] 华光——神话传说：有一妖神，名叫华光，他使用的法宝（武器）是金砖。
[4] （fù）——同“洑”，在水里游。
[5] 私商——这里指做强盗，劫财害命。
[6] 限次——期限。
CHAPTER 36. The Unrestrained Pursues Song Jiang; the Boatman Makes a Night Row on Xunyang River
THE big man said, “I have ordered the people not to give any money to this man, so how dare you offer him money without my consent.”
Song Jiang replied, “I gave him money, but that is not your business.”
The fellow took hold of Song Jiang and said, “You banished thief! How dare you reply to me?”
“Why should I not answer you?” asked Song Jiang.
The man raised his fist to strike Song Jiang, but the latter stepped back to avoid the blow. The man however advanced a step, and was in the act of striking when the medicine seller seized him, and lifting him up threw him to the ground. The big fellow was getting up when the medicine seller knocked him down again with his foot. The escort with Song Jiang now intervened to persuade the medicine seller not to go any further.
The man had now got up, and spoke, “Wait a little. We will soon see who is who.” He then went away.
Song Jiang turned to the medicine seller, and asked for his name.
“I am a Luoyang man. My name is Xue Yong, and my grandfather was an officer in the army, but owing to intrigues of his fellow officers he got no further promotion. My father and myself have had to sell medicine for a living. Abroad I have got the nickname of the ‘Sick Tiger.’ I beg to ask your name.”
“I am Song Jiang of Yuncheng County.”
The man knelt down when he heard this. Song Jiang raised him up and said, “Let us find a place where we can drink wine together.” He agreed, and gathering his things together went with Song Jiang to an inn near by.
The innkeeper, however, said, “Although I have both wine and meat yet I dare not supply you with them.”
“Why not?” asked Song Jiang.
“Because you have had a row with that big man. He told the people that if anybody supply you with wine or food he would smash up our places. We dare not offer any resistance to him. He is the bully of this town, and we all have to do as he says.”
“In that case we shall have to go,” said Song Jiang.
“I should like to go now to the inn where I live, and settle my bill,” said Xue Yong. “I will come to Jiangzhou to see you in a few days.”
Song Jiang agreed to this, and gave him twenty taels of silver. They then went their own ways.
Song Jiang and his escort tried to get food at several inns, but they could not get refreshment anywhere. They at last left the town, and traveled until it was nightfall without being received by any inn. They discussed matters, and could not understand why they should have provoked the big fellow by giving the medicine vendor money. Just then however they happened to see a light in a forest in the distance and they decided to go and ask for a night’s lodging.
It was not on the main road, but they agreed that it was the only place for a rest. When they had gone about half a li off the road they came to a large farmhouse. They knocked at the gate, and the farm laborers asked, “Who are you, and why do you come after dark like this?”
“I am a prisoner on the way to Jiangzhou,” said Song Jiang. “We cannot find an inn to stop at, and I beg you to allow us to stay here for the night. We shall leave early tomorrow, and pay you for the lodging.”
The servant asked them to wait there while he went, and reported the matter to his master. He soon returned and admitted them. The master gave orders that they were to have rooms and also food. When they had finished their meal, and the things had been cleared away the escort said that as there were no strangers in the room Song Jiang could remove his cangue, and have a peaceful sleep that night. He did this, and then they went outside to lavatory before retiring for the night. It was a clear starlit night, and looking round they saw that there was a footpath at the side of the wheat stacks leading behind the room in which they were housed. When they returned to their room Song Jiang said that it was very fortunate for them to get such a place for the night. Just then they heard men light a torch, and come searching round the wheat stacks. Looking through a crack in the door Song Jiang saw that it was the host with three laborers who bore torches. Song Jiang said, “This farmer reminds me of my father who could never sleep until he had been all round the premises at night.” Just then however they heard someone knocking at the farm gate. The farm laborer opened the gate, and about seven men came in the farmyard. The leader held a halberd in his hand, and his men were armed with sticks. Song Jiang recognized the leader in the light of the torches, as the bully of Jieyang Town. The old host asked, “Where have you come from, and whom are you looking for?”
The leader replied, “You do not know, father. Is my elder brother at home?”
“Your brother became drunk, and is sleeping in the room at the back.”
“I will go and call him,” said the leader. “He will go with me to drive a fellow out of this district.”
“With whom have you had a dispute? Your brother would not put up with the dispute. You had better tell me all about this matter.”
The leader then recited all that had happened on the street that morning, and that he had given orders to all the innkeepers not to supply food or lodging to the prisoner who was passing. They had captured the medicine seller and the following day they would take him to the river, bind him with ropes, and throw him into the water. “As regards the prisoner and his escort we have not been able to find them yet. I want my brother to go with me now and search everywhere for those three fellows.”
“My son!” said the farmer. “This is not a creditable affair. If the prisoner gave some money what has that got to do with you? Why do you now wish to attack him? You listen to me, and let the matter drop. You must not speak to your elder brother about this. If he hears that you have been ill-treated he will certainly want to support you. I am afraid that you will kill someone. Listen to me now, and go to bed. Do not attempt to disturb other people’s rest this night.”
But the son would not listen to his father’s advice, and entered the yard with a halberd in his hands, followed by his father.
Song Jiang had heard all this, and spoke to his escort, “This is an unfortunate position. What shall we do? We had better go on our way for if this man gets to know that we are here he will kill us. The farmer may not say anything about us, but how dare the servants conceal us from him?”
The escort agreed, and wanted to go at once. Song Jiang said, “We cannot leave by the gate so we will get through a wall at the back of this building.” They got their baggage, and having got through the wall they found a footpath leading into the forest, and they went that way. They had been walking about an hour when they came to a river bordered by reeds. It was the Xunyang River. Just then they heard behind them a great noise and many whistles being blown. It was a critical moment, and they all prayed to Heaven for assistance. They hid themselves in the reeds, and watched the flaming torches approach. They were all afraid, and went further into the depth of the reeds until they reached the edge of the reeds facing the swift running river.
Song Jiang had given up all hope when he saw a small boat emerge from the reeds. He called out, “Sir, please come here, and save us three men. We will give you money.”
“Who are you, and how did you get in such a place?”
“There are men pursuing us, and we came here just to escape from them. Bring your boat here at once, and you will be rewarded.”
The boatman forced his boat through the reeds, and the three men were soon on board. The baggage was thrown into the boat, and the boatman heard the noise it made and knew it contained silver, and was pleased. He sculled the boat out into the river. Looking back they saw about ten men standing on the bank of the river with lighted torches. The pursuers saw the boat, and there was much shouting for the boat to return. The three men lay down in the bottom of the boat, and the boat proceeded on its way. The pursuers called out, ‘If you do not return we shall kill you later on.” The boatman only laughed at this threat and replied, “My name is Zhang the Boatman. Stop goddamn yelling at me.”
A voice from the bank said, “Zhang, do you not recognize us?”
“I am not blind,” replied Zhang. “Of course I can see you.”
“Then come here as I have something to say to you,” the voice replied.
“You can speak to me tomorrow,” replied Zhang the boatman. “My passengers are in great haste.”
“But we want to arrest your passengers,” said the voice.
“These three men are relatives of mine,” said Zhang, “and I depend on them for a living. I invited them to eat a bowl of ‘deck knife’ noodles and when that is finished I will come back. Do you think I shall give you my livelihood for you to enjoy?”
“Zhang! That is not our idea. We only want to arrest the criminal. Come here!”
“I have had no customer for several days so that I am not going to give you now what I have just got. Do not take this ill, and I will meet you again in a few days.”
Song Jiang was stupefied and though he had heard all this, he did not understand it at all. But he decided that they would always be beholden to this man for saving their fives. They had narrowly escaped a great danger.
As the boatman rowed he sang a Huzhou song:
Alone I live on the river’s bank;
Not a friend but money do I adore.
Last night the moon helped me fine;
I saw some gold and captured it.
Song Jiang and his escort were terrified when they heard this song. But on second thoughts Song Jiang considered that the boatman might be singing in a playful or jesting manner. They were discussing the question in the bottom of the boat, when the boatman lay down his scull and said, “You fellows! I know that you have cheated us people, and now I have you in my hands. Do you three fellows want to eat ‘deck knife noodles,’ or would you prefer to eat ‘dumplings in soup’?”
“Do not joke with us, sir,” said Song Jiang. “What do you mean by ‘deck knife noodles’ and ‘dumplings in soup?’”
The boatman glared and said, “I am not joking. If you want to eat ‘deck knife noodles,’ I have a sword here, and I can quickly mince your bodies, and throw the pieces into the water. If you prefer ‘soup pies’ then you quickly strip off your clothes, and jump into the river.”
“We are in a tight corner,” said Song Jiang to his escort. “There is a saying, ‘Blessings do not come in pairs; calamities never come singly.’”
“You three had better turn the matter over, and let me have your answer quickly,” said the boatman.
“You do not understand,” replied Song Jiang. “We have no escape. I am a criminal and am being conducted to Jiangzhou by these two policemen. Please take pity on us, and spare our lives.”
“This is nonsensical language,” the boatman said. “Spare three of you! I will not let even one escape. I am sometimes known as ‘Dog-faced Zhang,’ I do not make any difference even with my own father or mother. Shut your stinking mouths and get into the water!”
“We have much silver, gold, clothes, and other valuables in our baggage, and we will give them all to you. Please spare our lives,” begged Song Jiang.
The boatman picked up a bright sword with a very broad blade from the bottom of the boat, and shouted, “Now you three! Which is it to be?”
Song heaved a sigh as he looked towards heaven. “Because I have failed in showing respect to Heaven, and have been unfilial to my parents, I have committed a crime, and implicated both of you two men.”
The men took hold of Song Jiang, “Sir, enough! We three will all die together.”
The boatman called out, “Now you three, get your clothes off, and jump into the water.”
The three men embraced each other, and gazed at the water. Just then they heard the sound of sculling on another boat, and the boatman turned his head to listen. A boat was quickly approaching from up river, and was soon alongside. There were three men in the boat, and one of them was a big man and was standing with a pitchfork in his hands. The other two were young men, and they were sculling. The big man called out, “Who are you and how dare you do business here? You will have to divide with us all that you have in your boat.”
The boatman quickly replied, “Ah! Is that brother Li? I thought it might be someone else. Where are you going to do business? You have not got brothers with you this time?”
“Younger brother Zhang, what is your game?” asked the tall man. “What things have you got in your boat? Have you any valuables?”
“If I told you, you would only laugh,” said the boatman. “These last few days I have had no business—have lost all my money in gambling, and have not even a single cash. I was in a melancholy mood when these three men came to my boat with their baggage. Two were policemen and the other a small-sized criminal with a sallow complexion. I do not know who they are, but they are going to Jiangzhou. The prisoner however was not wearing a cangue. A number of men came to the river’s bank with the two brothers Mu who wanted to capture the three men. As I judged that the escort had plenty of money I declined to hand them over.”
“Ah! Can this be my brother Song Jiang?” asked the tall man.
Song Jiang seemed to recognize the voice and called out from his hiding place. “Who are you? I request you to save Song Jiang’s life.”
The tall man was startled at this and replied, “You really are my brother! Why not get up?”
Song Jiang crept out. It was a bright starlit night, and he immediately recognized the man as Li Jun, the “Muddy Water Dragon.” Behind him he could make out the two men who were sculling as Tong Wei, the ‘Cave Dragon,’ and the other as Tong Meng, the ‘River Churning Clam.’
Li Jun also recognized Song Jiang, and jumped across to the other boat saying, “Brother, you have been frighted. Had I not just happened to arrive in the nick of time you would have been killed. Today fate decided that I should be very fidgety at home, so that I got my boat to try to intercept some salt smugglers. I had not the slightest idea that I would save your life.”
The boatman had listened to all this with great surprise, and now asked, “Can this man be Song Jiang, ‘Welcome Rain,’ of Shandong?”
“Of course it is.”
The boatman knelt down, and kowtowed saying, “My God! Why did you not mention your name before, and so stopped me from attempting your life? I was nearly to murder you.”
“Who is this boatman?” asked Song Jiang.
“He is my sworn brother,” replied Li Jun. “He comes from the Xiaogu Hill, and his name is Zhang Heng. He is known as the ‘Boatman,’ and he lives as a virtuous pirate on the river.”
Song Jiang and his escort laughed at this. The two boats were soon brought to the side of the river and moored.
Li Jun addressed the boatman Zhang Heng, “Today you are favored by Heaven to meet the greatest hero in the world, Song Jiang, ‘Welcome Rain.’ Take a good look at him, and never forget him.” Zhang Heng took a flint and steel and striking a light lit a lamp, and had a good look at Song Jiang. He then knelt down, and said, “I hope that you will overlook my serious mistake. How did you come to be banished to the prison at Jiangzhou?”
Li Jun explained the whole situation, and then Zhang Heng said to Song Jiang, “Brother, I have something to say. I have a younger brother of the same mother. He is a big muscular fellow, can swim about fifteen li, and can stay in the water for seven days at a time. In the water he swims in a straight line. He is also a skilled gymnast. Because of this he has received the nickname the ‘White Fish.’ His name is Zhang Shun. Previously we lived on the Yangtze River very peacefully and orderly, but the time came when we had no money, and then we took our boat to a quiet solitary place to do some illicit business. Those people who like to save money and at the same time get quick ferrying came to us. I arranged for my brother to pretend to be a traveler, and also to come to our boat with his baggage. When the boat was full I would push off, but would soon drop the anchor, and taking a sword demand the fares. The proper fare was five hundred cash, but I would demand three thousand cash. I would first ask my brother, and when he refused to pay I would take his head in one hand, and the seat of his trousers in the other and throw him overboard. The other passengers would then willingly pay the amount demanded without raising the least objection. I would then row them to a quiet part of the bank, and they would quickly disembark and disappear. My brother would swim underneath the water to the side of the river, and emerge when nobody was about. We would soon meet, and divide the money. We earned a good living by this means for some time.”
“I suppose you had plenty of patrons who looked out for your boat,” said Song Jiang.
The men all laughed at this wit.
“We soon found another business,” said Zhang Heng. “I came here to help in salt smuggling whereas my brother started in business at Jiangzhou as a wholesale fishmonger. I should like to write a letter to him, but unfortunately I do not know characters.”
“We will go into the village here, and find a man to write the letter for you,” said Li Jun.
They set off to the village, but they had not gone half the distance to that place when they saw many lighted torches on the riverbank.
“I see that the brothers Mu have not yet gone back,” said Zhang Heng.
“Let us bring them here,” said Li Jun.
“That will never do,” said Song Jiang, “as they want to arrest me.”
“They are our friends,” said Li Jun. He then whistled and the torches immediately approached. When they arrived they were surprised to see Song Jiang with Li Jun and Zhang Heng, and asked, “Do you know these three men? How is it you are with them?”
Li Jun laughed loudly and said, “Who do you think he is?”
“We do not know his name. But we saw him give money to a medicine vendor in the market town, and so undermined our influence there. So we tried to arrest him.”
‘This is Song Jiang, ‘Welcome Rain,’ from Shandong, of whom I have spoken to you many times. Quickly pay your obeisance.”
The two brothers kowtowed and said, “We have heard of your fame for a long time, but we did not expect to meet you this day. We have treated you badly, and hope that you will forgive us.”
Song Jiang raised them up, and said, “I beg that you will give me your name.”
Li Jun interposed, “These brothers are of a rich family in this town. This one is Mu Hong, and his nickname is the ‘Unrestrained’ and his younger brother is Mu Chun nicknamed ‘Slightly Restrained.’ They are the tyrants of Jieyang Town. There are two other groups of tyrants whom you will have heard of. On the Jieyang Mountain I myself and Li Li are the tyrants. On the banks of this river are two tyrants, namely, Zhang Heng and Zhang Shun. These form the three groups of tyrants.”
“I have not heard of these men before,” said Song Jiang, “but as we are all brothers I hope that you will now release Xue Yong.”
“Do you refer to that medicine vendor?” asked Mu Hong laughingly. “Do not worry about him. I will send my brother to release him, and bring him here. We now beg you to come to our home where we can offer suitable apologies for our blunder.”
‘They agreed to this, and messengers were dispatched with an order to prepare a feast for the coming guests. Two men were sent to summon the two boatmen to join them also at the feast.
It was about 4 A.M. when they all reached the farmhouse, and were welcomed by Old Mu. It was almost dawn when Xue Yong arrived. They feasted together all that day. On the following day Song Jiang wished to continue on his way but Mu Hong would not agree to this. They all went for a stroll viewing the sights in the town; thus they stayed at Mu’s house for three more days, and then Song Jiang insisted upon departure as he was afraid that the time limit would be over.
At last they agreed to his departure. Upon his departure Zhang Heng got a letter written introducing Song Jiang to his brother at Jiangzhou. They all shed tears as he embarked on the boat. The boat had sails, and as the wind was favorable it soon reached Jiangzhou. They went straight to the yamen, and presented their dispatch to the Prefect.
The Prefect Cai Dezhang, the ninth son of the Prime Minister Cai Jing, was a proud man with an overbearing manner, and he was addicted to taking secret commissions. His father appointed him here because the prefecture was a very wealthy place. He saw that Song Jiang did not look like an average man so he asked him, “How is it that there is no written statement on your cangue?”
The escort stated that on the journey there had been much rain which had washed the written statement away.
The escort was dismissed and Song Jiang was sent to the prison where he was put in a small house separate from the main building.
Song Jiang duly bribed the attendants and the warden with ten taels of silver each, so that they were all pleased. When he was called to the inspection room the warden said, “Song Jiang, listen to me. The founder of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Taizu, made a law that criminals who had been transferred to a prison should receive one hundred blows with the bamboo. Now, those on my left and right, take the prisoner and inflict the usual punishment.”
“On the journey here, sir,” said Song Jiang, “I caught a cold, and have not quite recovered from it.”
“I can see that you are not quite well,” replied the official, “so we will postpone the blows today. He was previously a clerk in a yamen so that we will use him in that capacity in this yamen.” He thereupon wrote out an order to that effect.
Song Jiang expressed his thanks, and returning to his quarters took his baggage to the office where he was to work as a writer. The prisoners realized that Song Jiang was a man with influence. They bought wine, and invited him to drink with them, and he received their congratulations. The next day Song Jiang invited the prisoners to wine in the same way. He also often asked the lower officials to dine with him, and sent presents to the warden. The result was that he had many friends. Within a fortnight they were all pleased to have made his acquaintance. An ancient says, “Human relations vary—sometimes friendship, sometimes the opposite. Some fawn upon the wealthy and avoid the poor.”
One day when Song Jiang was entertaining one of the turnkeys the latter said, “The other day I told you that you must not overlook giving the head jailer some money, but how is it that you have not yet done so? It is now nearly ten days since you came here. He will certainly come to see you tomorrow, and then it will be too late to offer money.”
“Never mind that,” said Song Jiang. “If he wants money I will not give him any. But if you turnkeys want money and ask me for it I will certainly supply the same. That superintendent shall not have a single cash. When he comes here I shall have something to say to him.”
“Sir, but that man is a stern disciplinarian, and he is over us,” said the turnkey. “If you have a disagreement with him he will certainly abuse you. In that case do not say that I did not warn you.”
“Don’t worry about that,” said Song Jiang. “It may be of course that I shall give him something, and it may be that he does not want anything.”
While they were talking about this a messenger came in, and reported that the head jailer was coming. He was evidently in a temper as he called out, “How is it that the newly arrived prisoner has not given me regular money?”
The turnkey said, “Did I not tell you so?”
Song Jiang laughed and said, “I will go to meet him and will see you later.” He did this.
Seas of blood, and heaps of corpses,
At the crossroads in the town;
Mand’rin nets were spread on all sides,
But the bandits broke them down.