第四十三回
第四十三回 假李逵剪径劫单人 黑旋风沂岭杀四虎
诗曰：
家住沂州翠岭东，杀人放火恣行凶。
因餐虎肉长躯健，好吃人心两眼红。
闲向溪边磨巨斧，闷来岩畔斫乔松。
有人问我名和姓，撼地摇天黑旋风。
话说李逵道：“哥哥，你且说那三件事，尽依。”宋江道：“你要去沂州沂水县搬取母亲，第一件，径回，不可吃酒；第二件，因你性急，谁肯和你同去，你只自悄悄地取了娘便来；第三件，你使的那两把板斧，休要带去，路上小心在意，早去早回。”李逵道：“这三件事有甚么依不得！哥哥放心。我只今日便行，我也不住了。”当下李逵拽扎得爽利，只跨一口腰刀，提条朴刀，带了一锭大银，三五个小银子，吃了几杯酒，唱个大喏，别了众人，便下山来，过金沙滩去了。
晁盖、宋江并众头领送行已罢，回到大寨里聚义厅上坐定。宋江放心不下，对众人说道：“李逵这个兄弟，此去必然有失。不知众兄弟们谁是他乡中人，可与他那里探听个消息？”杜迁便道：“只有朱贵原是沂州沂水县人，与他是乡里。”宋江听罢，说道：“我却忘了。前日在白龙庙聚会时，李逵已自认得朱贵是同乡人。”宋江便着人去请朱贵。小喽啰飞报下山来，直至店里，请的朱贵到来。宋江道：“今有李逵兄弟前往家乡搬取老母，因他酒性不好，为此不肯差人与他同去。诚恐路上有失，我们难得知道。今知贤弟是他乡中人，你可去他那里探听走一遭。”朱贵答道：“小弟是沂州沂水县人，见在一个兄弟，唤做朱富，在本县西门外开着个酒店。这李逵，他是本县百丈村董店东住，有个哥哥，唤做李达，专与人家做长工。这李逵自小凶顽，因打死了人，逃走在江湖上，一向不曾回归。如今着小弟去那里探听也不妨，只怕店里无人看管。小弟也多时不曾还乡，亦就要回家探望兄弟一遭。”宋江道：“这个无人看店，不必你忧心，我自教侯健、石勇替你暂管几日。”朱贵领了这言语，相辞了众头领下山来，便走到店里，收拾包裹，交割铺面与石勇、侯健，自奔沂州去了。这里宋江与晁盖在寨中每日筵席，饮酒快乐，与吴学究看习天书，不在话下。
且说李逵独自一个离了梁山泊，取路来到沂水县界。于路李逵端的不吃酒，因此不惹事，无有话说。行至沂水县西门外，见一簇人围着榜看。李逵也立在人丛中，听得读道：榜上第一名正贼宋江，系郓城县人；第二名贼戴宗，系江州两院押狱；第三名从贼李逵，系沂州沂水县人。李逵在背后听了，正待指手画脚，没做奈何处，只见一个人抢向前来，拦腰抱住，叫道：“张大哥！你在这里做甚么？”李逵扭过身看时，认得是旱地忽律朱贵。李逵问道：“你如何也来在这里？”朱贵道：“你且跟我来说话。”
两个一同来西门外近村一个酒店内，直入到后面一间静房中坐了。朱贵指着李逵道：“你好大胆！那榜上明明写着赏一万贯钱捉宋江，五千贯捉戴宗，三千贯捉李逵，你却如何立在那里看榜？倘或被眼疾手快的拿了送官，如之奈何？宋公明哥哥只怕你惹事，不肯教人和你同来；又怕你到这里做出怪来，续后特使我赶来探听你的消息。我迟下山来一日，又先到你一日。你如何今日才到这里？”李逵道：“便是哥哥分付，教我不要吃酒，以此路上走得慢了。你如何认得这个酒店里？你是这里人，家在那里住？”朱贵道：“这个酒店便是我兄弟朱富家里。我原是此间人，因在江湖上做客，消折了本钱，就于梁山泊落草，今次方回。”便叫兄弟朱富来与李逵相见了。朱富置酒管待李逵。李逵道：“哥哥分付，教我不要吃酒，今日我已到乡里了，便吃两碗儿，打甚么鸟紧！”朱贵不敢阻当他，由他吃。当夜直吃到四更时分，安排些饭食，李逵吃了，趁五更晓星残月，霞光明朗，便投村里去。朱贵分付道：“休从小路去。只从大朴树转湾，投东大路，一直望百丈村去，便是董店东。快取了母亲来，和你早回山寨去。”李逵道：“我自从小路去，却不近？大路走，谁奈烦！”朱贵道：“小路走，多大虫，又有乘势夺包裹的剪径贼人。”李逵应道：“我却怕甚鸟！”戴上毡笠儿，提了朴刀，跨了腰刀，别了朱贵、朱富，便出门投百丈村来。约行了数十里，天色渐渐微明，去那露草之中，赶出一只白兔儿来，望前路去了。李逵赶了一直，笑道：“那畜生倒引了我一程路！”有诗为证：
山径崎岖静复深，西风黄叶满疏林。
偶逢双斧喽啰汉，横索行人买路金。
正走之间，只见前面有五十来株大树丛杂，时值新秋，叶儿正红。李逵来到树林边厢，只见转过一条大汉，喝道：“是会的留下买路钱，免得夺了包裹！”李逵看那人时，带一顶红绢抓儿头巾，穿一领粗布衲袄，手里拿着两把板斧，把黑墨搽在脸上。李逵见了，大喝一声：“你这厮是甚么鸟人，敢在这里剪径！”那汉道：“若问我名字，吓碎你心胆！老爷叫做黑旋风！你留下买路钱并包裹，便饶了你性命，容你过去。”李逵大笑道：“没你娘鸟兴！你这厮是甚么人？那里来的？也学老爷名目，在这里胡行！”李逵挺起手中朴刀来奔那汉。那汉那里抵当得住，却待要走，早被李逵腿股上一朴刀，搠翻在地，一脚踏住胸脯，喝道：“认得老爷么？”那汉在地下叫道：“爷爷！饶恕孩儿性命！”李逵道：“我正是江湖上的好汉黑旋风李逵便是！你这厮辱没老爷名字！”那汉道：“小人虽然姓李，不是真的黑旋风。为是爷爷江湖上有名目，提起好汉大名，神鬼也怕，因此小人盗学爷爷名目，胡乱在此剪径。但有孤单客人经过，听得说了黑旋风三个字，便撇了行李奔走了去，以此得这些利息，实不敢害人。小人自己的贱名叫做李鬼，只在这前村住。”李逵道：“叵耐这厮无礼，却在这里夺人的包裹行李，却坏我的名目，学我使两把板斧，且教他先吃我一斧！”劈手夺过一把斧来便砍。李鬼慌忙叫道：“爷爷！杀我一个，便是杀我两个！”李逵听得，住了手问道：“怎的杀你一个便是杀你两个？”李鬼道：“小人本不敢剪径。家中因有个九十岁的老母，无人养赡，因此小人单题爷爷大名唬吓人夺些单身的包裹，养赡老母，其实并不曾敢害了一个人。如今爷爷杀了小人，家中老母必是饿杀。”李逵虽是个杀人不眨眼的魔君 ，听的说了这话，自肚里寻思道：“我特地归家来取娘，却倒杀了一个养娘的人，天地也不佑我。罢罢，我饶了你这厮性命！”放将起来。李鬼手提着斧，纳头便拜。李逵道：“只我便是真黑旋风。你从今已后，休要坏了俺的名目。”李鬼道：“小人今番得了性命，自回家改业，再不敢倚着爷爷名目，在这里剪径。”李逵道：“你有孝顺之心，我与你十两银子做本钱，便去改业。”李鬼拜谢道：“重生的父母！再长的爹娘！”李逵便取出一锭银子，把与李鬼，拜谢去了。李逵自笑道：“这厮却撞在我手里！既然他是个孝顺的人，必去改业。我若杀了他，也不合天理。我也自去休。”拿了朴刀，一步步投山僻小路而来。走到巳牌时分，看看肚里又饥又渴，四下里都是山径小路，不见有一个酒店饭店。
正走之间，只见远远地山凹里露出两间草屋。李逵见了，奔到那人家里来。只见后面走出一个妇人来，髽髻鬓边插一簇野花，搽一脸胭脂铅粉。李逵放下朴刀，道：“嫂子，我是过路客人，肚中饥饿，寻不着酒食店。我与你一贯足钱，央你回些酒饭吃。”那妇人见了李逵这般模样，不敢说没，只得答道：“酒便没买处，饭便做些与客人吃了去。”李逵道：“也罢，只多做些个，正肚中饥出鸟来。”那妇人道：“做一升米不少么？”李逵道：“做三升米饭来吃。”那妇人向厨中烧起火来，便去溪边淘了米，将来做饭。李逵却转过屋后山边来净手，只见一个汉子，手脚，从山后归来。李逵转过屋后听时，那妇人正要上山讨菜，开后门见了，便问道：“大哥，那里闪肭了腿？”那汉子应道：“大嫂，我险些儿和你不厮见了。你道我晦鸟气么！指望出去寻个单身的过，整整的等了半个月，不曾发市。甫能今日抹着一个，你道是谁？原来正是那真黑旋风！却恨撞着那驴鸟，我如何敌得他过！倒吃他一朴刀，搠翻在地，定要杀我。吃我假意叫道：‘你杀我一个，却害了我两个。’他便问我缘故，我便告道：‘家中有个九十岁的老娘，无人赡养，定是饿死。’那驴鸟真个信我，饶了我性命，又与我一个银子做本钱，教我改了业养娘。我恐怕他省悟了赶将来，且离了那林子里，僻净处睡了一回，从后山走回家来。”那妇人道：“休要高声！却才一个黑大汉来家中，教我做饭，莫不正是他？如今在门前坐地，你去张一张看。若是他时，你去寻些麻药来，放在菜内，教那厮吃了，麻翻在地。我和你却对付了他，谋得他些金银，搬往县里住去，做些买卖，却不强似在这里剪径！”
李逵已听得了，便道：“叵耐这厮！我倒与了他一个银子，又饶了性命，他倒又要害我。这个正是情理难容！”一转踅到后门边。这李鬼却待出门，被李逵劈揪住，那妇人慌忙自望前门走了。李逵捉住李鬼，按翻在地，身边掣出腰刀，早割下头来。拿着刀，却奔前门寻那妇人时，正不知走那里去了。再入屋内来，去房中搜看，只见有两个竹笼，盛些旧衣裳，底下搜得些碎银两并几件钗环，李逵都拿了。又去李鬼身边搜了那锭小银子，都打缚在包裹里。却去锅里看时，三升米饭早熟了，只没菜蔬下饭。李逵盛饭来，吃了一回，看着自笑道：“好痴汉！放着好肉在面前，却不会吃！”拔出腰刀，便去李鬼腿上割下两块肉来，把些水洗净了，灶里扒些炭火来便烧，一面烧，一面吃。吃得饱了，把李鬼的尸首拖放屋下，放了把火，提了朴刀，自投山路里去了。那草屋被风一扇，都烧没了。有诗为证：
劫掠资财害善良，谁知天道降灾殃。
家园荡尽身遭戮，到此翻为没下场。
李逵赶到董店东时，日已平西。径奔到家中，推开门，入进里面，只听得娘在床上问道：“是谁入来？”李逵看时，见娘双眼都盲了，坐在床上念佛。李逵道：“娘！铁牛来家了！”娘道：“我儿，你去了许多时，这几年正在那里安身？你的大哥只是在人家做长工，止博得些饭食吃，养娘全不济事！我如常思量你，眼泪流干，因此瞎了双目。你一向正是如何？”李逵寻思道：“我若说在梁山泊落草，娘定不肯去。我只假说便了。”李逵应道：“铁牛如今做了官，上路特来取娘。”娘道：“恁地却好也！只是你怎生和我去得？”李逵道：“铁牛背娘到前路，却觅一辆车儿载去。”娘道：“你等大哥来，却商议。”李逵道：“等做甚么，我自和你去便了。”
恰待要行，只见李达提了一罐子饭来。入得门，李逵见了，便拜道：“哥哥，多年不见。”李达骂道：“你这厮归来则甚？又来负累人！”娘便道：“铁牛如今做了官，特地家来取我。”李达道：“娘呀！休信他放屁！当初他打杀了人，教我披枷带锁，受了万千的苦。如今又听得他和梁山泊贼人通同劫了法场，闹了江州，见在梁山泊做了强盗。前日江州行移公文到来，着落原籍追捕正身，却要捉我到官比捕。又得财主替我官司分理，说：‘他兄弟已自十来年不知去向，亦不曾回家，莫不是同名同姓的人冒供乡贯？’又替我上下使钱，因此不吃官司杖限追要。见今出榜，赏三千贯捉他。你这厮不死，却走家来胡说乱道！”李逵道：“哥哥不要焦躁，一发和你同上山去快活，多少是好。”李达大怒，本待要打李逵，却又敌他不过，把饭罐撇在地下，一直去了。李逵道：“他这一去，必然报人来捉我，却是脱不得身，不如及早走罢。我大哥从来不曾见这大银，我且留下一锭五十两的大银子放在床上。大哥归来见了，必然不赶来。”李逵便解下腰包，取一锭大银放在床上，叫道：“娘，我自背你去休。”娘道：“你背我那里去？”李逵道：“你休问我，只顾去快活便了。我自背你去，不妨！”李逵当下背了娘，提了朴刀，出门望小路里便走。
却说李达奔来财主家报了，领着十来个庄客，飞也似赶到家里看时，不见了老娘，只见床上留下一锭大银子。李达见了这锭大银，心中忖道：“铁牛留下银子，背娘去那里藏了？必是梁山泊有人和他来。我若赶去，倒吃他坏了性命。想他背娘，必去山寨里快活。”众人不见了李逵，都没做理会处。李达却对众庄客说道：“这铁牛背娘去，不知往那条路去了。这里小路甚杂，怎地去赶他？”众庄客见李达没理会处，各自回去了，不在话下。
这里只说李逵怕李达领人赶来，背着娘，只奔乱山深处僻静小路而走。看看天色晚了。但见：
暮烟横远岫，宿雾锁奇峰。慈鸦撩乱投林，百鸟喧呼傍树。行行雁阵坠长空，飞入芦花；点点萤光明野径，偏依腐草。茅荆夹路，惊闻更鼓之声；古木悬崖，时见龙蛇之影。卷起金风飘败叶，吹来霜气布深山。
当下李逵背娘到岭下，天色已晚了。娘双眼不明，不知早晚。李逵却自认得这条岭唤做沂岭，过那边去，方才有人家。娘儿两个趁着星明月朗，一步步捱上岭来。娘在背上说道：“我儿，那里讨口水来我吃也好。”李逵道：“老娘，且待过岭去，借了人家安歇了，做些饭吃。”娘道：“我日中吃了些干饭，口渴的当不得。”李逵道：“我喉咙里也烟发火出。你且等我背你到岭上，寻水与你吃。”娘道：“我儿，端的渴杀我也！救我一救！”李逵道：“我也困倦的要不得！”李逵看看捱得到岭上，松树边一块大青石上，把娘放下，插了朴刀在侧边，分付娘道：“奈心坐一坐，我去寻水来你吃。”李逵听得溪涧里水响，闻声寻将去，扒过了两三处山脚，到得那涧边看时，一溪好水。怎见得？有诗为证：
穿崖透壑不辞劳，远望方知出处高。
溪涧岂能留得住，终归大海作波涛。
李逵扒到溪边，捧起水来自吃了几口，寻思道：“怎地能勾得这水去把与娘吃？”立起身来，东观西望，远远地山顶上见个庵儿。李逵道：“好了！”攀藤揽葛，上到庵前。推开门看时，却是个泗州大圣祠堂，面前有个石香炉。李逵用手去掇，原来却是和座子凿成的。李逵拔了一回，那里拔得动，一时性起来，连那座子掇出前面石阶上一磕，把那香炉磕将下来。拿了再到溪边，将这香炉水里浸了，拔起乱草，洗得干净，挽了半香炉水，双手擎来，再寻旧路，夹七夹八走上岭来。到得松树里边，石头上不见了娘，只见朴刀插在那里。李逵叫娘吃水，杳无踪迹，叫了几声不应。李逵定住眼，四下里看时，寻不见娘。走不得三十馀步，只见草地上一段血迹。李逵见了，心里越疑惑。趁着那血迹寻将去，寻到一处大洞口，只见两个小虎儿在那里舐一条人腿。李逵心里忖道：“我从梁山泊归来，特为老娘来取他。千辛万苦背到这里，却把来与你吃了！那鸟大虫拖着这条人腿，不是我娘的是谁的！”心头火起，赤黄须竖立起来，将手中朴刀挺起，来搠那两个小虎。这小大虫被搠得慌，也张牙舞爪，钻向前来，被李逵手起，先搠死了一个。那一个望洞里便钻了入去，李逵赶到洞里，也搠死了，却钻入那大虫洞内。李逵却便伏在里面张外面时，只见那母大虫张牙舞爪，望窝里来。李逵道：“正是你这业畜吃了我娘！”放下朴刀，胯边掣出腰刀。那母大虫到洞口，先把尾去窝里一剪，便把后半截身躯坐将入去。李逵在窝内看得仔细，把刀朝母大虫尾底下，尽平生气力，舍命一戳，正中那母大虫粪门。李逵使得力重，和那刀靶也直送入肚里去了。那老大虫吼了一声，就洞口带着刀，跳过涧边去了。李逵却拿了朴刀，就洞里赶将出来。那老虎负疼，直抢下山石岩下去了。李逵恰待要赶，只见就树边卷起一阵狂风，吹得败叶树木如雨一般打将下来。自古道：云生从龙，风生从虎。那一阵风起处，星月光辉之下，大吼了一声，忽地跳出一只吊睛白额虎来。李逵看那大虫，但见：
一声吼叫轰霹雳，两眼圆睁闪电光。
摇头摆尾欺存孝，舞爪张牙啖狄梁。
那大虫望李逵势猛一扑，那李逵不慌不忙，趁着那大虫的势力，手起一刀，正中那大虫颔下。那大虫不曾再展再扑，一者护那疼痛，二者伤着他那气管。那大虫退不勾五七步，只听得响一声如倒半壁山，登时间死在岩下。那李逵一时间杀了子母四虎，还又到虎窝边，将着刀复看了一遍，只恐还有大虫，已无有踪迹。李逵也困乏了，走向泗州大圣庙里，睡到天明。次日早晨，李逵却来收拾亲娘的两腿及剩的骨殖，把布衫包裹了，直到泗州大圣庵后掘土坑葬了。李逵大哭了一场。有诗为证：
沂岭西风九月秋，雌雄猛虎聚林丘。
因将老母身躯啖，致使英雄血泪流。
手执钢刀探虎穴，心如烈火报冤仇。
立诛四虎威神力，千古传名李铁牛。
这李逵肚里又饥又渴，不免收拾包裹，拿了朴刀，寻路慢慢的走过岭来。只见五七个猎户，都在那里收窝弓弩箭。见了李逵一身血污，行将下岭来，众猎户吃了一惊，问道：“你这客人莫非是山神土地？如何敢独自过岭来？”李逵见问，自肚里寻思道：“如今沂水县出榜赏三千贯钱捉我，我如何敢说实话？只谎说罢。”答道：“我是客人。昨夜和娘过岭来，因我娘要水吃，我去岭下取水，被那大虫把我娘拖去吃了。我直寻到虎巢里，先杀了两个小虎，后杀了两个大虎。泗州大圣庙里睡到天明，方才下来。”众猎户齐叫道：“不信你一个人如何杀得四个虎？便是李存孝和子路，也只打得一个。这两个小虎且不打紧，那两个大虎非同小可。我们为这两个畜生，正不知都吃了几顿棍棒。这条沂岭，自从有了这窝虎在上面，整三五个月没人敢行。我们不信！敢是你哄我？”李逵道：“我又不是此间人，没来由哄你做甚么！你们不信，我和你上岭去，寻讨与你，就带些人去扛了下来。”众猎户道：“若端的有时，我们自得重重的谢你。却是好也！”众猎户打起胡哨来，一霎时，聚起三五十人，都拿了挠钩枪棒，跟着李逵，再上岭来。此时天大明朗，都到那山顶上，远远望见窝边果然杀死两个小虎，一个在窝内，一个在外面；一只母大虫死在山岩边；一只雄虎死在泗州大圣庙前。
众猎户见了杀死四个大虫，尽皆欢喜，便把索子抓缚起来，众人扛抬下岭，就邀李逵同去请赏。一面先使人报知里正上户，都来迎接着，抬到一个大户人家，唤做曹太公庄上。那人原是闲吏，专一在乡放刁把滥，近来暴有几贯浮财，只是为人行短。当时曹太公亲自接来，相见了，邀请李逵到草堂上坐定，动问那杀虎的缘由。李逵却把夜来同娘到岭上要水吃，因此杀死大虫的话，说了一遍。众人都呆了。曹太公动问：“壮士高姓名讳？”李逵答道：“我姓张，无讳，只唤做张大胆。”曹太公道：“真乃是大胆壮士！不恁的胆大，如何杀的四个大虫！”一壁厢叫安排酒食管待，不在话下。
且说当村里得知沂岭杀了四个大虫，抬在曹太公家，讲动了村坊道店，哄的前村后村，山僻人家，大男幼女，成群拽队都来看虎。入见曹太公相待着打虎的壮士在厅上吃酒。数中却有李鬼的老婆，逃在前村爹娘家里，随着众人也来看虎，却认得李逵的模样，慌忙来家对爹娘说道：“这个杀虎的黑大汉，便是杀我老公，烧了我屋的。他正是梁山泊黑旋风李逵。”爹娘听得，连忙来报知里正。里正听了道：“他既是黑旋风时，正是岭后百丈村打死了人的李逵，逃走在江州，又做出事来，行移到本县原籍追捉。如今官司出三千贯赏钱拿他，他却走在这里！”暗地使人去请得曹太公到来商议。曹太公推道更衣，急急的到里正家。里正说：“这个杀虎的壮士，便是岭后百丈村里的黑旋风李逵。见今官司着落拿他。”曹太公道：“你们要打听得仔细。倘不是时，倒惹的不好。若真个是时，却不妨。要拿他时，也容易；只怕不是他时，却难。”里正道：“只有李鬼的老婆认得。他曾来李鬼家做饭吃，杀了李鬼。”曹太公道：“既是如此，我们且只顾置酒请他，却问他：今番杀了大虫，还是要去县请功，只是要村里讨赏？若还他不肯去县里请功时，便是黑旋风了。着人轮换把盏，灌得醉了，缚在这里，却去报知本县，差都头来取去，万无一失。”众人道：“说得是。”里正说与众人，商量定了。有《浣溪沙》词为证：
杀却凶人毁却房，西风林下路匆忙，忽逢猛虎聚前冈。
格杀虽除村岭患，潜谋难免报仇殃，脱离罗网更高强。
曹太公回家来款住李逵，一面且置酒来相待，便道：“适间抛撇，请勿见怪。且请壮士解下腰间包裹，放下朴刀，宽松坐一坐。”李逵道：“好，好！我的腰刀已搠在雌虎肚里了，只有刀鞘在这里。若是开剥时，可讨来还我。”曹太公道：“壮士放心，我这里有的是好刀，相送一把与壮士悬带。”李逵解了腰间刀鞘，并缠袋包裹，都递与庄客收贮，便把朴刀倚在壁边。曹太公叫取大盘肉来，大壶酒来。众多大户并里正猎户人等，轮番把盏，大碗大锺只顾劝李逵。曹太公又请问道：“不知壮士要将这虎解官请功，只是在这里讨些赍发？”李逵道：“我是过往客人，忙些个。偶然杀了这窝猛虎，不须去县里请功，只此有些赍发便罢。若无，我也去了。”曹太公道：“如何敢轻慢了壮士！少刻村中敛取盘缠相送。我这里自解虎到县里去。”李逵道：“布衫先借一领与我换了上盖。”曹太公道：“有，有。”当时便取一领细青布衲袄，就与李逵换了身上的血污衣裳。只见门前鼓响笛鸣，都将酒来与李逵把盏作庆。一杯冷，一杯热，李逵不知是计，只顾开怀畅饮，全不记宋江分付的言语。不两个时辰，把李逵灌得酩酊大醉，立脚不住。众人扶到后堂空屋下，放翻在一条板凳上，就取两条绳子，连板凳绑住了。便叫里正带人飞也似去县里报知，就引李鬼老婆去做原告，补了一纸状子。
此时哄动了沂水县里，知县听的大惊，连忙升厅问道：“黑旋风拿住在那里？这是谋叛的人，不可走了！”原告人并猎户答应道：“见缚在本乡曹大户家。为是无人禁得他，诚恐有失，路上走了，不敢解来。”知县随即叫唤本县都头去取来，就厅前转过一个都头来声喏。那人是谁？有诗为证：
面阔眉浓须鬓赤，双睛碧绿似番人。
沂水县中青眼虎，豪杰都头是李云。
当下知县唤李云上厅来分付道：“沂岭下曹大户庄上拿住黑旋风李逵。你可多带人去，密地解来，休要哄动村坊，被他走了。”李都头领台旨下厅来了，点起三十个老郎土兵，各带了器械，便奔沂岭村中来。这沂水县是个小去处，如何掩饰得过。此时街市上讲动了，说道：“拿着了闹江州的黑旋风，如今差李都头去拿来。”朱贵在东庄门外朱富家听得了这个消息，慌忙来后面对兄弟朱富说道：“这黑厮又做出来了！如何解救？宋公明特为他诚恐有失，差我来打听消息。如今他吃拿了，我若不救得他时，怎的回寨去见哥哥？似此怎生是好！”朱富道：“大哥且不要慌。这李都头一身好本事，有三五十人近他不得。我和你只两个同心合意，如何敢近傍他？只可智取，不可力敌。李云日常时最是爱我，常常教我使些器械。我却有个道理对他，只是在这里安不得身了。今晚煮了三二十斤肉，将十数瓶酒，把肉大块切了，却将些蒙汗药拌在里面。我两个五更带数个火家，挑着去半路里僻静处等候他，解来时，只做与他把酒贺喜，将众人都麻翻了，却放李逵，如何？”朱贵道：“此计大妙。事不宜迟，可以整顿，及早便去！”朱富道：“只是李云不会吃酒，便麻翻了，终久醒得快。还有件事：倘或日后得知，须在此安身不得。”朱贵道：“兄弟，你在这里卖酒也不济事。不如带领老小，跟我上山，一发入了伙，论秤分金银，换套穿衣服，却不快活！今夜便叫两个火家，觅了一辆车儿，先送妻子和细软行李起身，约在十里牌等候，都去上山。我如今包裹内带得一包蒙汗药在这里，李云不会吃酒时，肉里多糁些，逼着他多吃些，也麻倒了。救得李逵，同上山去，有何不可。”朱富道：“哥哥说得是。”便叫人去觅下了一辆车儿，打拴了三五个包箱，捎在车儿上，家中粗物都弃了，叫浑家和儿女上了车子，分付两个火家跟着。车子只顾先去，救了李逵，后面随即便来。有诗为证：
杀人放火惯为非，好似於菟插翅飞。
朱贵不施邀截计，定担枷锁入圜扉。
且说朱贵、朱富当夜煮熟了肉，切做大块，将药来拌了，连酒装做两担，带了二三十个空碗，又有若干菜蔬，也把药来拌了，恐有不吃肉的，也教他着手。两担酒肉，两个火家各挑一担，弟兄两个自提了些果盒之类，四更前后，直接将来僻静山路口坐等。到天明，远远地只听得敲着锣响，朱贵接到路口。
且说那三十来个土兵，自村里吃了半夜酒，四更前后，把李逵背剪绑了解将来。后面李都头坐在兜轿儿上。看看早来到面前，朱富便向前拦住，叫道：“师父且喜！小弟将来接力。”桶内舀一壶酒来，斟一大锺，上劝李云。朱贵托着肉来，火家捧过果盒。李云见了，慌忙下轿，跳向前来说道：“贤弟，何劳如此远接！”朱富道：“聊表徒弟的孝顺之心。”李云接过酒来，到口不吃。朱富跪下道：“小弟已知师父不饮酒，今日这个喜酒，也饮半盏儿，见徒弟的孝顺之意。”李云推却不过，略呷了两口。朱富便道：“师父不饮酒，须请些肉。”李云道：“夜间已饱，吃不得了。”朱富道：“师父行了许多路，肚里也饥了。虽不中吃，胡乱请些，也免小弟之羞。”拣两块好的递将过来。李云见他如此殷勤，只得勉意吃了两块。朱富把酒来劝上户里正并猎户人等，都劝了三锺。朱贵便叫土兵庄客众人都来吃酒。这伙男女那里顾个冷热好吃不好吃，酒肉到口，只顾吃，正如这风卷残云，落花流水，一齐上来抢着吃了。李逵光着眼，看了朱贵弟兄两个，已知用计，故意道：“你们也请我吃些！”朱贵喝道：“你是歹人，有何酒肉与你吃！这般杀才，快闭了口！”李云看着土兵，喝道：“叫走！”只见一个个都面面厮觑，走动不得，口颤脚麻，都跌倒了。李云急叫：“中了计了！”恰待向前，不觉自家也头重脚轻，晕倒了，软做一堆，睡在地下。当时朱贵、朱富各夺了一条朴刀，喝声：“孩儿们休走！”两个挺起朴刀来赶这伙不曾吃酒肉的庄客并那看的人。走得快的走了，走得迟的就搠死在地。李逵大叫一声，把那绑缚的麻绳都挣断了，便夺过一条朴刀来杀李云。朱富慌忙拦住，叫道：“不要害他！是我的师父，为人最好。你只顾先走。”李逵应道：“不杀得曹太公老驴，如何出得这口气！”李逵赶上，手起一朴刀，先搠死曹太公并李鬼的老婆，续后里正也杀了。性起来，把猎户排头儿一昧价搠将去，那三十来个土兵都被搠死了。这看的人和众庄客，只恨爹娘少生两只脚，却望深村野路逃命去了。
李逵还直顾寻人要杀，朱贵喝道：“不干看的人事，休只管伤人！”慌忙拦住。李逵方才住了手，就土兵身上剥了两件衣服穿上。三个人提着朴刀，便要从小路里走。朱富道：“不好，却是我送了师父性命！他醒时，如何见的知县？必然赶来。你两个先行，我等他一等。我想他日前教我的恩义，且是为人忠直，等他赶来，就请他一发上山入伙，也是我的恩义，免得教回县去吃苦。”朱贵道：“兄弟，你也见的是。我便先去跟了车子行，留李逵在路傍帮你等他。只有李云那厮吃的药少，没一个时辰便醒。若是他不赶来时，你们两个休执迷等他。”朱富道：“这是自然了。”当下朱贵前行去了。
只说朱富和李逵坐在路傍边等候，果然不到一个时辰，只见李云挺着一条朴刀，飞也似赶来，大叫道：“强贼休走！”李逵见他来的凶，跳起身，挺着朴刀来斗李云，恐伤朱富。正是，有分教：梁山泊内添双虎，聚义厅前庆四人。毕竟黑旋风斗青眼虎，二人胜败如何，且听下回分解。
CHAPTER 42. The False Li Kui Commits Highway Robbery; the Black Whirlwind Kills Four Tigers on Yiling
LI KUI had asked for the three conditions, and Song Jiang replied, “When you go to Yishui County, in Yizhou Prefecture, Shandong province to bring your mother here you must not drink wine on the way. That is the first condition. Secondly, you must go by yourself, because you have a hasty disposition and I am afraid that nobody wants to go with you. Thirdly, you must not take those axes with you, and on the way you must be discreet, and quickly get back here.”
“I can easily comply with those conditions,” said Li Kui. “You need not worry. I should like to leave today.” On that day he got his baggage ready, armed himself with swords. He took one large ingot, and about five small pieces of silver. He drank a few cups of wine, took leave of his companions, and then went down the hill and across the lake.
After his departure the leaders were assembled in the main hall when Song Jiang spoke, “I am afraid that our younger brother Li Kui will get into trouble. I do not know whether there is any man here from his village. If so he might follow him, and report to us what happens on the way.”
“Zhu Gui comes from the same village as Li Kui,” said Du Qian.
“I had forgotten that,” said Song Jiang. “Of course they recognized each other as such at the Bailong Temple near Jiangzhou.” He immediately sent a man to summon Zhu Gui, and soon the latter arrived from his inn.
“Our brother, Li Kui, has just gone to Yishui County to bring his mother here. No man was sent to accompany him on account of his bad temper when drunk. I understand that you are from his native district, and therefore I should be glad if you would follow him, and watch what might happen to him.”
“I am a Yishui County man,” said Zhu Gui. “I have a younger brother who keeps a wine shop in that town just outside the West Gate. This man Li Kui lived near a village called Baizhang in that district. He has an elder brother named Li Da who is in regular employment. Li Kui is a fierce and stupid man. Some time ago he committed murder at his village, and had to leave home, and dared not return. I have no objection to follow him, and look after him, but who will look after my inn while I am away? I have not been home for a long time, and should very much like to meet my brother again.”
“You need not worry about your inn as I will send Hou Jian and Shi Yong to look after it during your absence,” said Song Jiang.
This was all arranged, and Zhu Gui started off on his way to Yishui County.
Li Kui traveled by himself, and duly reached his destination. He had stuck to the conditions laid down by Song Jiang, and had not taken any wine on the way. At the West Gate he saw a big crowd of men reading a proclamation posted on the wall. He entered the crowd and listened to a man who was reading the proclamation for the information of the illiterate crowd. It read as follows: “(1)There is a thief called Song Jiang of Yuncheng County;(2)Also a jailer named Dai Zong, from the prison at Jiangzhou;(3)Also another thief named Li Kui, of Yishui County.” As soon as he heard his own name Li Kui got excited, and did not know what to do when a man embraced him saying, “Elder brother Zhang, what are you doing here?” Upon looking at the man he recognized him as Zhu Gui, the “Dry Land Crocodile,” and asked, “And what are you doing here?”
“Come with me and we will discuss matters,” said Zhu Gui. They went together outside the town, and stopped at an inn in a small hamlet, where they entered a small room at the back of the premises.
Zhu Gui pointed at Li Kui, “What a nerve you have! That proclamation was offering a reward of ten thousand strings of cash for the arrest of Song Jiang; five thousand strings for Dai Zong, and three thousand strings of cash for your arrest. Why did you stop there looking at such a notice? Should any man recognize you you would be arrested at once. Song Jiang was afraid that you would get into trouble, and sent me here to watch over you. I left the mountain a day after your departure, and arrived here a day before you. What has delayed you?”
“It is due to Song Jiang ordering me not to drink wine,” said Li Kui. “I walked slowly because of that. Do you know anyone at this inn? Where is your home in this place?”
“This inn belongs to my younger brother, Zhu Fu, and I used to live here. I was once a merchant, but lost all my capital, and so went to Liangshan Marsh. I have not been here since that time.” He called for his brother, and introduced Li Kui to him. Zhu Fu then brought in some wine and invited them to partake of same.
‘Our elder brother gave me an order not to drink wine,” said Li Kui. “But as I am no longer on the road and have reached my destination, I may drink two cups of wine now.”
Zhu Gui raised no objection to this, and they stayed eating and drinking there until nearly 2 A.M. It was a bright moonlight night and Li Kui wished to go, but Zhu Gui said, “You had better avoid the byroad, but turn round to the east when you come to a clump of trees and that will bring you to your home at Baizhang Village. You must bring your mother here, without delay, and we will set off at once for Liangshan Marsh.”
“I will go along the byroads, and will lose no time,” replied Li Kui.
“By that unfrequented road there are tigers and also bandits,” said Zhu Gui.
“What am I afraid of?” asked Li Kui. He then armed himself with his two weapons, and left the two brothers. When he had gone about three li it was getting daylight, he saw a hare leap out of the grass at the side of the path, and race off along the road. He pursued his way, and in about two li came to the clump of trees, with leaves of red autumn tints. As he turned round the trees he met a big man who shouted, “You will be aware that if you pay us money we will not interfere with your baggage.”
The man wore a coat of rough cloth and had a red silk turban. His face was sallow, and he held an axe in each hand.
Li Kui shouted, “Who are you that dare commit highway robbery here?”
“If I told you my name you would be frightened. I am called the ‘Black Whirlwind.’ If you pay our toll we will spare your life.”
Li Kui laughed loudly, “How dare you use my own name in this way? Who are you, and where do you come from, you barefaced rascal?” He took his halberd and advanced towards the man.
The man saw that he had a very strong opponent and tried to retreat, but Li Kui struck him with his halberd so that he fell to the ground. Li Kui put his foot on the man’s breast and asked, “Do you know me now?”
The man on the ground said, “Please forgive me, sir.”
“I am Li Kui, the ‘Black Whirlwind.’ Why do you use my name in this way?”
The man replied, “My name is Li, but I am not the ‘Black Whirlwind.’ You have a great name, and if I use it people are afraid of me. It was because I found out the power of your name that I became a highwayman. I only stop single individuals, and as soon as they hear your name they drop their baggage and run away. I do not kill people, and yet I make a little profit. My name is Li Gui, and I live at the village a little up the road.”
Li Kui said, “You are a real prick. You seize traveler’s baggage, and also carry axes in both hands like me, so that you injure my reputation. You can taste one of my axes,” so saying he seized an axe out of the man’s hand.
Li Gui , called out, “Sir, if you kill me you will kill two persons.”
“How do you make that out?” asked Li Kui, staying the blow.
“At home I support my mother who is ninety years of age, and this is my only means of helping her in her old age,” said Li Gui. “I never injure people, but only make them afraid. If you kill me, my old mother will die of starvation.”
Li Kui who never twinkled his eyes in chopping off people’s heads, paused and thought when he heard this. “Here am I trying to succour my old mother, and yet killing a man who supports his old mother. Heaven will not allow me to live if I do this. No! No! I will forgive this man.” He took his foot off Li Gui, who saluted him. “I will let you off,” said Li Kui, “but in future you must not make use of my name.”
“As you have spared my life,” said Li Gui, “I will give up this kind of life and earn an honest living in some other way.”
“You are a filial son,” said Li Kui, “so I will give you ten taels of silver to enable you to start a business.” He did this, and then went on his way.
Li Kui could not help laughing. “That fellow was quite in my hands, and yet I have started him on a fresh life.” He walked on, and about 10 A.M. he was both thirsty and hungry. The footpath was quite isolated without a single house within sight. But after going some distance he saw two small straw huts a long way off. He went towards the huts, and when near he saw a woman come from behind the hut. She had a flower in her hair, and was well rouged. He spoke to her, “Sister, I am a traveler, and cannot come across an inn. I am very hungry. If you can supply me with food and wine I will pay you well.”
The woman dared not refuse this when she saw the build of Li Kui. “I have no wine, but can find you a little food.”
“That will do,” said Li Kui. “Let me have a good meal as I am damned hungry.”
“Will a peck of rice be enough?” she asked.
“Three pecks would be better.”
The woman took the rice, washed it in the stream, and then boiled it. While she was doing this Li Kui went to the back of the house to relieve his bowels and there saw a man trudging along. Just then the woman came out of the back door to get some vegetables, and she asked the man, “What is the trouble with your leg?”
“You very nearly saw the last of me,” replied the man. “Of all the damned luck. I went to that place, and waited nearly a fortnight for a traveler to pass, but there was nothing doing. Today, however, a traveler arrived, but do you think who it was? It was Li Kui, the REAL ‘Black Whirlwind’! Of all people it had to be that donkey’s prick. He knocked me down with a blow of his halberd, and intended to kill me. But I deceived him by saying, ‘If you kill me, you will kill two.’ He asked me for an explanation, and I told him falsely that I had an old mother at home who depended on my support. If I was killed she would die of hunger. The fool believed me, and spared my life. He even gave me money to turn over a new leaf. So when he let me go I did not come straight here as he might have found me out, but instead I went up the hills and made a long detour.”
“Don’t talk so loudly!” the woman said. “A man came here, and asked for some food and it may be the same man. He is sitting outside the front door. You go and have a look at him. If he is the same man then go and get some drug to put in his food, and when it takes effect we can kill him. We can then get his money, which will enable us to live in the town and enter into trade—much better than being mere highwayman here.”
Li Kui thought, “What a rascal! I spared his life, and even gave him money, and yet he plans to kill me. Heaven cannot allow such man to live!” He went round the corner to the back door where they were talking. As soon as Li Gui saw Li Kui he tried to escape, but Li Kui seized hold of him. The woman saw this, and went through the house to the front door. Li Kui knocked Li Gui on the ground, and then taking his sword cut off the man’s head. He then went inside the house to seize the woman, but she had disappeared. He however searched in the rooms, found the place where they kept the money and woman’s ornaments, and he took these. He noticed that the rice was well boiled, but there were no vegetables. Li Kui thought, “There’s perfectly good meat here!”, and cut off two pieces of meat from Li Gui’s leg and roasted them over the stove, eating as he cooked. When he had eaten enough, he placed the corpse in the house and set the whole place on fire. He then continued on his way, and reached his village of East Dongdian about 5 P.M. He soon found his home, pushed open the door and entered. His mother called out from her bed, “Who is that?” Li Kui saw that his mother was blind, and was sitting on the bed reciting her prayers. He called out, “Mother! Your ‘Iron Ox’ has returned!”
“My boy, you have been absent for a long time. Where have you been employed? Your elder brother works as a servant but the wages he gets are hardly enough to support us. I have often thought of you, and have weeped so much that I have become blind in both eyes. What are you doing now?”
Li Kui thought, “If I tell her that I am a brigand from Liangshan Marsh she will not go with me. I must tell her some fibs.” So he said, “Mother, I am in government employment, and have come to take you away with me.”
“Splendid! But how can I go?”
“I will carry you on my back to the road where we can find a cart.”
“Well, wait until your elder brother comes, and then we will discuss the matter.”
“Why wait?” asked Li Kui. “I am going with you.”
Just then it happened that his elder brother Li Da entered the room carrying an earthenware jar containing rice for his mother. When Li Kui saw his brother he kowtowed and said, “Brother, I have not seen you for years.”
Li Da spoke abusively, “Why have you returned? Much trouble you will bring here again?”
His mother answered, “Your brother is now in government employment, and has specially come to take me away with him.”
“Mother! Don’t believe his farts,” said Li Da. “Some time ago he killed a man, and I was arrested, and wore a cangue for it. I have had much suffering for him. I have heard that he has joined the brigands at Liangshan Marsh, and recently rescued some of them from an execution ground at Jiangzhou. A warrant is out for his arrest, and as they have not found him they wanted to arrest me. My master pleaded for me at the yamen, and said that my brother Li Kui left home ten years ago, and we have not heard anything of him since then. He thought that perhaps the bandits were using the name of Li Kui falsely. My master gave money to the officials at the yamen, and that is why they have not arrested me. A proclamation has been issued offering a reward of three thousand strings of cash for the arrest of my brother, Li Kui. Now, he returns home, and talks nonsense to you.”
“Do not worry,” replied Li Kui. “How would it be if we all went to Liangshan Marsh, and had a good time there?”
Li Da was angry at this, and tried to strike his brother, but was aware that he could not overcome him. He then threw the earthenware jar on the floor, and ran out of the room.
“He has gone to report my arrival,” said Li Kui to himself, “so I must leave at once before they arrive to arrest me. My brother has never seen much money so I will leave fifty taels of silver on the bed for him. When he sees it he will not be so keen to witness my arrest.” He did this and said, “Mother! I will now carry you on my back.”
“Where are you going to?” she asked.
“You need not ask, anyhow it is a much better place than this,” said Li Kui. He then lifted his mother on his back, and left the house with her.
Now Li Da had run and informed his master of the return of his brother, and soon came back with about ten farm laborers. When he entered the room he found nothing but a piece of silver on the bed. He then considered, “My brother has left this money for me. Where can he hide now? He may come with other men from Liangshan Marsh. If I try to overtake him I shall only get into trouble.”
As the laborers could not find Li Kui they did not know what to do, but Li Da told them, “My brother has evidently gone, and carried off my mother. There are many byroads about here, but how can we find which way he has gone.” The men saw that Li Da did not know what to do so after a rest they all returned to the farm.
Li Kui, carrying his mother on his back, chose the quietest paths, and towards evening arrived at the foot of a range of mountains. He recognized the place as Yiling, and knew that if he crossed the range there were farmhouses on the other side. The moonlight was bright, and he had no difficulty in slowly ascending the mountain path. His mother asked him to find some water as she was quite thirsty, and Li Kui assured her that as soon as they had crossed the mountain he would find a house where they could rest and get food. His mother replied that at the last meal she had had only dry rice without any liquid, and so was very thirsty. He replied, “My throat also burns like a fire, and my breath is like smoke issuing from my mouth. You wait until I get to the summit when I will have a look around for some water.”
“I feel as though I must die. I am so thirsty,” said his mother.
“I am getting very tired, mother,” replied Li Kui.
When he reached the summit he put his mother down by the side of a big green boulder, and left his sword there, and went off to look for water. He soon heard the sound of running water, and after a few turns he came to a small stream. He had a good drink, using his hands as a cup, and then thought, “How can I carry some water to my mother?” He looked around on all sides, and at last espied a temple in the distance. He made his way there through the dense bushes. At last he reached the temple, and saw that it was called, “The Great Sage Temple of Sizhou.” In front of it was a stone incense urn, and he seized hold of it with the idea of using it to carry the water. But the stone urn was one solid piece with the base, and he could not move it. At this he got angry and using his full strength at last rooted the stone out of the ground. He then lifted it, and broke the top part from the base on the stone steps leading up to it.
He carried the stone urn off to the stream where he thoroughly washed it, and cleaned it out with grass. He then half filled it with water, and carried it off in both hands. He followed the same way back, but had great difficulties in making his way with such an awkward load. When he reached the big green boulder, however, he was astounded not to see his mother although his sword was still there. He called out aloud for her, but there was no response. He became very anxious, as although he looked all around carefully he could find no traces or clue of her departure. But when he had gone a distance of about thirty steps he found the grass covered with blood. He trembled with fear now, but followed the marks. These at last brought him to a cave where he saw two tiger cubs inside eating a human leg. Shaking with anger he thought, “I came from Liangshan Marsh to take my mother, and carried her here on my back, but it seems that she has been eaten by the tigers.” His mind was inflamed with passion, and his face glared with a fierce look—his moustaches standing out like porcupine’s quills. Seizing his sword he slashed at the tiger cubs. They growled, showed their teeth and claws as they reared on their hind legs, and rushed at him. He killed one with a single cut of his sword, and the other cub retreated to the cave. Li Kui followed with sword in hand and killed the second cub. He then turned round and saw the tigress outside racing towards the cave. He said, “So you are the damned beast who has devoured my mother.” He threw down his long sword, and took the dagger from his waist. The tigress stopped at the entrance, lashing its tail from side to side, and not having seen Li Kui, turned round facing outside. Li Kui jumped forward, and stabbed the beast in its rear, driving the dagger in to the hilt and penetrating its stomach—a mighty lunge typical of the rage that he felt. The tigress roared, and leapt away with the dagger sticking in her body, and galloped away. Li Kui picked up his sword and left the cave. As the tigress had galloped off wounded a strong wind sprung up, shook the trees as in a big storm. There is an ancient saying, “Clouds originate with dragons, whereas winds originate with tigers.” At that spot the moonlight was quite bright, and suddenly there was a tremendous roar, and a tiger leapt forth. It rushed at Li Kui, who deliberately and without fear, slashed with his sword, and cut its throat as it sprang at him. The tiger feeling the pain, and finding breathing difficult, retreated a few steps, and then as it expired gave forth its last roar which sounded something like a landslide of half a mountain. Li Kui had now killed four tigers, and he now entered the tigers’den in the cave, looking carefully to see whether there was still another one. Having found nothing there and being tired, he made his way back to the temple, and slept there that night. The next day he collected the remains and torn clothing of his mother, and buried them behind the temple. He could not avoid crying while doing this. He felt very hungry now, and continued his way across the range of mountains. He soon met five hunters armed with crossbows and arrows. Li Kui’s clothes were all covered with blood, and this sight startled the hunters. They asked, “Are you a guardian spirit of this mountain? How otherwise dare you cross the range?”
Li Kui thought, “I cannot tell them who I am because there is a reward offered for my arrest.” So he replied, “I’m a traveler, and last night I was crossing the mountain with my mother. While I went to get some water for her a tiger attacked and ate her. So I found the tiger’s den, and there killed two cubs, and afterwards two fully grown tigers. I slept last night in the Great Sage Temple and have just come from there.”
“We don’t believe that,” cried the hunters. “How could one man kill four tigers? We might believe you killing two cubs, but to kill two fully grown tigers is really a big achievement. We have been beaten by the officials for not killing those two tigers. Those tigers have been on the mountains for a long time, and during the last five months nobody has dared go that way. We do not believe what you say! You need not try to humbug us.”
“I do not belong to this district,” said Li Kui. “Why should I humbug you? If you don’t believe me then I will go and show you the dead tigers, and you can get them carried down the mountain.”
“If this is true we shall be much indebted to you,” said the hunters. They blew whistles, and soon about fifty men had assembled at that spot. They got poles and ropes, and then all accompanied Li Kui up the mountain. There sure enough they found the bodies of the four tigers, and carried them down the mountain. The hunters reported the matter to the head of the first village they came to, and they then all adjourned to the big house of the local wealthy man—Old Cao. This man was a clerk in the county yamen, and had made his wealth by extortion in his own village. He was disliked and also feared by his own neighbors. Yet he was always talking of loyalty and filial piety so that he was well known as a hypocrite. As soon as he heard what had happened he invited Li Kui into the hall where he asked for full details of the remarkable event. Aftert his had all been recited he asked for the name and home address of Li Kui.
“My name is Zhang,” replied Li Kui, “but people generally call me ‘Courageous Zhang.’”
“You are certainly courageous,” said Old Cao, “if you had not a large gall you could not have killed four tigers.” He then gave orders for a big feast to be provided in honor to the “Courageous Zhang.”
It was soon known in the villages around that four tigers had been killed by one man and in no time the people were crowding into the village, and into Cao’s house to see the tigers There they gazed at the great hero who was being entertained in the hall by Cao. Among the people was the wife of Li Gui, whose husband Li Kui had killed a few days ago. She had run away to her parents’ home and when she heard the news about the tigers she followed the crowd. She recognized Li Kui and immediately returned home and reported the matter to her parents. They went at once to the village chief who was given to know that Li Kui was the criminal for whose arrest a reward had been offered. He secretly sent a messenger asking Old Cao to come and discuss a very urgent matter. When Cao received the message he decided not to tell Li Kui, but merely said that he wished to retire and change his clothes, but when outside the room he hurried straight off to the other village.
“This man who has killed the tigers,” said the village chief, “is Li Kui, the ‘Black Whirlwind’ of Baizhang Village, and there is a summon out for his arrest.”
“In that case you must make careful inquiries among the people, and make sure of the matter before we act. It will be an easy matter to arrest him when we are sure about his identity. If he is not the man then we should only make trouble by arresting him.”
“There is a woman here, Madame Li, who recognizes him,” said the chief. “He came to her house and later he killed her husband.”
“As that appears to be conclusive,” said Cao, “we had better entertain him at the feast, and then ask him whether he prefers to go to the magistrate and ask for a reward for killing the tigers, or whether he prefers to receive the reward in our village. If he objects to go to the magistrate for the reward we can assume that he is guilty. Then we must press him to take plenty of wine and get him drunk when we can easily tie him up. Then we can go to the magistrate’s yamen and ask them to send a police inspector to arrest him and so there can be no failure.”
The village chief agreed to this and made arrangements accordingly with his men. Cao returned home and there resumed his seat at the table with Li Kui. He said, “I hope you are not offended at my leaving you. Please make yourself quite at home. Loosen your dress and put your dagger at one side.”
“I left my dagger in the belly of one of the tigers,” said Li Kui, “and only have the scabbard here. When they cut the tiger open I hope they will find my dagger and return it to me.”
“Never mind that!” said Old Cao. “I have a very good dagger here which I will present to you.”
Li Kui thereupon took off the scabbard, and belt and handed them to a servant. Cao ordered a fresh supply of food and wine. The village chief, the hunters, and several other men were present at the feast, and they each in turn toasted Li Kui. During the feast Old Cao asked Li Kui whether he would prefer to receive the reward for killing the tigers at the magistrate yamen or in that village.
“I am only a traveler,” said Li Kui, “and have hardly time to go to the magistrate. I just happened to kill the tigers on my way, and do not care to go to the magistrate. I will receive the reward here, but even if there is no reward I can leave without it.”
“We do not care to treat you disrespectfully,” said Cao, “so you must at least wait until we have collected the money to present you. We will send the tigers to the magistrate yamen.”
“Could you first give me a change of clothing,” asked Li Kui, “as these clothes are rather soiled.”
Old Cao agreed to this and ordered a servant to bring a suit of blue cloth. Li Kui took the new clothes, and when he had changed he was met outside the door of the hall by many men who also wished to drink a cup of wine with him. One cup of wine was warm, another was cold, and so on. Li Kui did not suspect any plot, and drank freely with great joviality. He had now quite forgotten Song Jiang’s order that he was not to drink wine. It was not very long before he was dead drunk. The men then removed him to a small empty room at the back where they stretched him on a bench, and then bound him to the bench with ropes. The village chief then sent urgent messengers to report the matter to the magistrate’s yamen. He also had an accusation drawn up for Madame Li who accompanied the messenger to the yamen.
When the magistrate heard the report he was startled and asked, “Where has the ‘Black Whirlwind’ been arrested? We must not allow this rebel to escape!”
The messenger and the hunters told him that Li Kui was imprisoned in Old Cao’s house in their village. They were afraid that he might escape, and did not dare to try to bring him to the yamen. The magistrate summoned Inspector Li Yun to the court, and instructed him to take a large body of policemen to Old Cao’s house and arrest the prisoner Li Kui, the “Black Whirlwind.” He was to exercise great care, and be sure that the prisoner did not escape.
Inspector Li Yun got together about thirty of his most trusted men, armed them and departed for the village. The county was only a small place so that everybody knew what was happening. Now the news soon reached the village on the east side of the town where Zhu Gui was living with his brother. Zhu Gui spoke to his brother, “That fellow Li Kui is evidently in trouble. What shall we do to save him? I was specially deputed by Song Jiang to come here, and watch the proceedings, Li Kui will be arrested, but if I do not save his life how can I go back and face our elder brother Song Jiang? What shall we do?”
“Do not get excited,” said Zhu Fu. “This Inspector Li Yun is a skilled military man, and fifty men cannot rival him. You and I are no match against him although we worked together on the same plan. We must use strategy and not force. Now Inspector Li Yun is a close personal friend of mine, and every day he has been training me in the use of military weapons. I have a plan, but it will prevent our living in this place any more. We must boil about twenty pounds of meat and cut it up into large pieces and prepare about ten jars of wine. In both of these we must, mix some sleeping drug. About 4 A.M. we must start off with our assistants carrying the food and wine and wait in a quiet spot on the road for Li Yun. When he arrives we must offer him and his men the food and wine as a gift, and get them all senseless. Then we can release Li Kui and escape.”
“That is a splendid plan,” said Zhu Gui, “and we will get things ready at once.”
“Inspector Li Yun does not drink wine,” said Zhu Fu, “and as he will only take the drugged meat he will probably recover consciousness before the others. As soon as he finds out how we have deceived him it will not be safe for any of us to stay here.”
“You are an innkeeper here,” said Zhu Gui, “but you do not make much money. It would be better if you can go with me to Liangshan Marsh and join the brigands there, and get much money and new clothing and enjoy life generally. We can tell two of your servants to get a cart, load up your valuables with your wife, and send them on in advance to wait for us at a village called Shilipai.”
“Brother, that is a good idea,” replied Zhu Fu. He arranged matters accordingly, and it was not long before the cart had started on its way.
That evening the two brothers boiled the meat and mixed the drug in same. They also prepared the wine in the same way. The whole supply was made up into two loads, and they also took about thirty cups with them. The two servants and the two brothers divided the loads. They got away about 4 A.M. and halted when they came to a quiet desolate spot on the road. It was just dawn when they heard the sound of gongs approaching, and Zhu Gui went forward by himself to meet the party. It was Inspector Li Yun with his men escorting the prisoner Li Kui, the “Black Whirlwind,” to the town. Inspector Li Yun was riding a horse in the rear of his party. As they came up to Zhu Fu he called out, “Sir, I request you to stop, and accept a little refreshment.” He at once offered Li Yun wine while Zhu Gui passed round the meat. Upon seeing this Inspector Li Yun quickly dismounted and hurrying to the front spoke to Zhu Fu, “Friend, why have you come so far as this to entertain us?”
“I wish to give you a little comfort,” replied Zhu Fu. He saw that Inspector Li Yun was not drinking the wine so he continued, “I am aware that you are a teetotaler but I particularly request you to take a little liquor this time.”
Inspector Li Yun did not like to refuse this pressing offer so he took a few sips. Zhu Fu then pressed him to take a little meat, but Inspector Li Yun declined this as he said he had had a big dinner last night.
“But you have a long way to go,” replied Zhu Fu, “and you will be hungry before you reach your destination. Please take a little at least and so save my face with your men.”
Here again Inspector Li Yun did not like to cause annoyance by declining the offer, so he ate some of the meat. All the policemen also partook of the wine and the meat, and Zhu Gui even offered it to all the villagers who were following the party. Without making inquiries as to whether it was hot or cold they all set to and had a good feed. They all took it in a happy-go-lucky style and no questions were raised.
Li Kui seeing Zhu Gui and his brother knew that this was some trick so he said, “Are you not going to give me some of this stuff?”
“Why should we? You are only a mere criminal,” replied Zhu Gui. “You had better shut your mouth as you have not long to live.”
Just then Inspector Li Yun saw that his men were looking at each other stupidly and could not move so he exclaimed, “We have been fooled by a ruse.” He tried to move, but instead he also fell down and was soon asleep.
Zhu Gui and Zhu Fu seizing their halberds now shouted out, “Let no man depart!” Some men however tried to get away, but they were soon caught and killed on the spot. Li Kui seeing this burst asunder the ropes and taking a halberd went up to Inspector Li Yun to kill him. But Zhu Fu stopped him, “Do not kill him! He is my teacher, and is an extremely good man.”
“Then let me at least kill that ass, Old Cao,” said Li Kui. He went forward and found Old Cao and the wife of Li Gui, he killed both of them. He also killed the hunters, the vilage chief, and all the soldiers. He then stripped a soldier of his uniform and put it on himself. The three men then left the scene by a small side path. But Zhu Fu soon stopped and said, “How can I leave like this? Inspector Li Yun was my teacher, but how can he face the magistrate alone when all his men have been slaughtered? He must come to pursue us when he recovers consciousness, and I will wait for him and suggest to him to escape with me and join the bandits at Liangshan Marsh.”
Zhu Gui said, “Younger brother, what you say is quite true. I will go forward and join the cart. Li Kui will stop here with you and wait for him. But if Inspector Li Yun will not come with you then you must not insist on waiting for him.”
“I agree,” said Zhu Fu. Zhu Gui then departed.
Zhu Fu and Li Kui sat down and after about two hours they saw Inspector Li Yun rushing towards them with a halberd in his hand and shouting, “You brigands shall not escape.” Li Kui saw that Inspector Li Yun was furious and fearing that he might strike Zhu Fu, stood up, with his halberd to fight with Inspector Li Yun.
Liangshan Marsh gains two tigers,
And welcomes and fetes four men.