第六十回

第六十回 公孙胜芒砀山降魔 晁天王曾头市中箭

诗曰：

背后之言不可谌，得饶人处且饶人。

虽收芒砀无家客，殒却梁山主寨身。

诸将缟衣魂欲断，九原金镞恨难伸。

可怜盖世英雄骨，权厝荒城野水滨。

话说公孙胜对宋江、吴用献出那个阵图道：“是汉末三分，诸葛孔明摆石为阵的法。四面八方，分八八六十四队，中间大将居之。其像四头八尾，左旋右转，按天地风云之机，龙虎鸟蛇之状。待他下山冲入阵来，两军齐开，如若伺候他入阵，只看七星号带起处，把阵变为长蛇之势。贫道作起道法，教这三人在阵中，前后无路，左右无门。却于坎地上掘下陷坑，直逼此三人到于那里，两边埋伏下挠钩手，准备捉将。”宋江听了大喜，便传将令，叫大小将校依令如此而行。再用八员猛将守阵，那八员：呼延灼、朱仝、花荣、徐宁、穆弘、孙立、史进、黄信。却叫柴进、吕方、郭盛权摄中军。宋江、吴用、公孙胜带领陈达磨旗，叫朱武指引五个军士，在近山高坡上看对阵报事。

是日巳牌时分，众军近山摆开阵势，摇旗擂鼓搦战。只见芒砀山上有三二十面锣声，震地价响，三个头领一齐来到山下，便将三千馀人摆开。左右两边，项充、李衮。中间马上，拥出那个为头的好汉，姓樊名瑞，祖贯濮州人氏，幼年学作全真先生，江湖上学得一身好武艺，马上惯使一个流星锤，神出鬼没，斩将搴旗，人不敢近，绰号作混世魔王。怎见得樊瑞英雄？有《西江月》为证：

头散青丝细发，身穿绒绣皂袍。连环铁甲晃寒霄，惯使铜锤更妙。好似北方真武，世间伏怪除妖。云游江海把名标，混世魔王绰号。

那个混世魔王樊瑞，骑一匹黑马，立于阵前。上首是项充，下首是李衮。那樊瑞虽会使神术妖法，却不识阵势。看了宋江军马，四面八方，摆成阵势，心中暗喜道：“你若摆阵，中我计了。”分付项充、李衮道：“若见风起，你两个便引五百滚刀手杀入阵去。”项充、李衮得令，各执定蛮牌，挺着标枪飞剑，只等樊瑞作用。只见樊瑞立在马上，左手挽定流星铜锤，右手仗着混世魔王宝剑，口中念念有词，喝声道：“疾！”只见狂风四起，飞沙走石，天愁地暗，日月无光。项充、李衮呐声喊，带了五百滚刀手杀将过去。宋江军马见杀将过来，便分开做两下。项充、李衮一搅入阵，两下里强弓硬弩射住来人，只带得四五十人入去，其馀的都回本阵去了。宋江在高坡上望见项充、李衮已入阵里了，便叫陈达把七星号旗只一招，那座阵势，纷纷滚滚，变作长蛇之阵。项充、李衮正在阵里，东赶西走，左盘右转，寻路不见。高坡上朱武把小旗在那里指引。他两个投东，朱武便望东指；若是投西，便望西指。公孙胜在高埠处看了，便拔出那松文古定剑来，口中念动咒语，喝声道：“疾！”只见风尽随着项充、李衮脚跟边乱卷。两个在阵中，只见天昏地暗，日色无光，四边并不见一个军马，一望都是黑气，后面跟的都不见了。项充、李衮心慌起来，只要夺路回阵，百般地没寻归路处。正走之间，忽然地雷大振一声，两个在阵叫苦不迭，一齐搨[1]了双脚，翻筋斗下陷马坑里去。两边都是挠钩手，早把两个搭将起来，便把麻绳绑缚了，解上山坡请功。宋江把鞭梢一指，三军一齐掩杀过去。樊瑞引人马奔走上山，走不迭的，折其大半。

宋江收军，众头领都在帐前坐下，军健早解项充、李衮到于麾下。宋江见了，忙叫解了绳索，亲自把盏，说道：“二位壮士，其实休怪，临敌之际，不如此不得。小可宋江久闻三位壮士大名，欲来礼请上山，同聚大义，盖因不得其便，因此错过。倘若不弃，同归山寨，不胜万幸。”两个听了，拜伏在地道：“已闻及时雨大名，谁不知道。只是小弟等无缘，不曾拜识。原来兄长果有大义，我等两个不识好人，要与天地相拗。今日既被擒获，万死尚轻，反以礼待。若蒙不杀收留，誓当效死报答大恩。樊瑞那人，无我两个，如何行得？义士头领，若肯放我们一个回去，就说樊瑞来投拜，不知头领尊意若何？”宋江便道：“壮士，不必留一人在此为当，便请二位同回贵寨，宋江来日专候佳音。”两个拜谢道：“真乃大丈夫！若是樊瑞不从投降，我等擒来奉献头领麾下。”有诗为证：

八阵神机世最难，雄才诸葛许谁攀！

多谋喜见公孙胜，樊瑞逡巡便入山。

宋江听说大喜，请入中军，待了酒食，换了两套新衣，取两匹好马，叫小喽啰拿了枪牌，送二人下山回寨。两个于路在马上感恩不尽。来到芒砀山下，小喽啰见了大惊，接上山寨。樊瑞问两个来意如何，项充、李衮道：“我等逆天之人，合该万死。”樊瑞道：“兄弟如何说这话？”两个便把宋江如此义气说了一遍。樊瑞道：“既然宋公明如此大贤，义气最重，我等不可逆天，来早都下山投拜。”两个道：“我们也为如此而来。”当夜把寨内收拾已了。次日天晓，三个一齐下山，直到宋江寨前，拜伏在地。宋江扶起三人，请入帐中坐定。三个见了宋江没半点相疑之意，彼各倾心吐胆，诉说平生之事。三人拜请众头领，都到芒砀山寨中，杀牛宰马，管待宋公明等众多头领，一面赏劳三军。饮筵已罢，樊瑞就拜公孙胜为师。宋江立主教公孙胜传授五雷天心正法与樊瑞，樊瑞大喜。数日之间，牵牛拽马，卷了山寨钱粮，驮了行李，收聚人马，烧毁了寨栅，跟宋江等班师回梁山泊，于路无话。

宋江同众好汉回转梁山泊来。戴宗于路飞报，听得回山，早报上山来。宋江军马已到梁山泊边，却欲过渡，只见芦苇岸边大路上，一个大汉望着宋江便拜。宋江慌忙下马扶住，问道：“足下姓甚名谁？何处人氏？”那汉答道：“小人姓段，双名景住。人见小弟赤发黄须，都呼小人为金毛犬。祖贯是涿州人氏，平生只靠去北边地面[2]盗马。今春去到枪竿岭北边，盗得一匹好马，雪练也似价白，浑身并无一根杂毛，头至尾长一丈，蹄至脊高八尺。那马又高又大，一日能行千里，北方有名，唤做照夜玉狮子马，乃是大金王子骑坐的，放在枪竿岭下，被小人盗得来。江湖上只闻及时雨大名，无路可见，欲将此马前来进献与头领，权表我进身之意。不期来到凌州西南上曾头市过，被那曾家五虎夺了去。小人称说是梁山泊宋公明的，不想那厮多有不秽的言语，小人不敢尽说。逃走得脱，特来告知。”宋江看这人时，虽是骨瘦形粗，却甚生得奇怪。怎见得？有诗为证：

焦黄头发髭须卷，盗马不辞千里远。

强夫姓段涿州人，被人唤做金毛犬。

宋江见了段景住一表非俗，心中暗喜，便道：“既然如此，且同到山寨里商议。”带了段景住，一同都下船，到金沙滩上岸。晁天王并众头领接到聚义厅上，宋江教樊瑞、项充、李衮和众头领相见，段景住一同都参拜了。打起聒厅鼓来，且做庆贺筵席。

宋江见山寨连添了许多人马，四方豪杰望风而来，因此叫李云、陶宗旺监工，添造房屋并四边寨栅。段景住又说起那匹马的好处，宋江叫神行太保戴宗，去曾头市探听那匹马的下落消息，快来回报。且说戴宗前去曾头市探听，去了三五日之间，回来对众头领说道：“这个曾头市上，共有三千馀家。内有一家唤做曾家府。这老子原是大金国人，名为曾长者[3]，生下五个孩儿，号为曾家五虎。大的儿子唤做曾涂，第二个唤做曾参，第三个唤做曾索，第四个唤做曾魁，第五个唤做曾升。又有一个教师史文恭，一个副教师苏定。去那曾头市上，聚集着五七千人马，扎下寨栅，造下五十馀辆陷车，发愿说他与我们势不两立，定要捉尽俺山寨中头领，做个对头。那匹千里玉狮子马，见今与教师史文恭骑坐。更有一般堪恨那厮之处，杜撰几句言语，教市上小儿们都唱，道：

‘摇动铁铃，神鬼尽皆惊。铁车并铁锁，上下有尖钉。扫荡梁山清水泊，剿除晁盖上东京。生擒及时雨，活捉智多星。曾家生五虎，天下尽闻名。’”

晁盖听了戴宗说罢，心中大怒道：“这畜生怎敢如此无礼！我须亲自走一遭，不捉的此辈，誓不回山！”宋江道：“哥哥是山寨之主，不可轻动，小弟愿往。”晁盖道：“不是我要夺你的功劳，你下山多遍了，厮杀劳困，我今替你走一遭。下次有事，却是贤弟去。”宋江苦谏不听。晁盖忿怒，便点起五千人马，请启二十个头领相助下山，其馀都和宋公明保守山寨。

晁盖点那二十个头领：林冲、呼延灼、徐宁、穆弘、刘唐、张横、阮小二、阮小五、阮小七、杨雄、石秀、孙立、黄信、杜迁、宋万、燕顺、邓飞、欧鹏、杨林、白胜。共是二十一个头领，部领三军人马下山，征进曾头市。宋江与吴用、公孙胜众头领就山下金沙滩饯行。饮酒之间，忽起一阵狂风，正把晁盖新制的认军旗半腰吹折。众人见了，尽皆失色。吴学究谏道：“此乃不祥之兆，兄长改日出军。”宋江劝道：“哥哥方才出军，风吹折认旗，于军不利。不若停待几时，却去和那厮理会，未为晚矣。”晁盖道：“天地风云，何足为怪。趁此春暖之时，不去拿他，直待养成那厮气势，却去进兵，那时迟了。你且休阻我，遮莫怎地要去走一遭！”宋江那里违拗得住，晁盖引兵渡水去了。宋江悒怏不已，回到山寨，再叫戴宗下山去探听消息。

且说晁盖领着五千人马二十个头领来到曾头市相近，对面下了寨栅。次日，先引众头领上马去看曾头市。众多好汉立马看时，果然这曾头市是个险隘去处。但见：

周回一遭野水，四围三面高岗。堑边河港似蛇盘，濠下柳林如雨密。凭高远望绿阴浓，不见人家；附近潜窥青影乱，深藏寨栅。村中壮汉，出来的勇似金刚；田野小儿，生下的便如鬼子。僧道能轮棍棒，妇人惯使刀枪。果然是铁壁铜墙，端的尽人强马壮。交锋尽是哥儿将，上阵皆为子父兵。

晁盖与众头领正看之间，只见柳林中飞出一彪人马来，约有七八百人。当先一个好汉，戴熟铜盔，披连环甲，使一条点钢枪，骑着匹冲阵马，乃是曾家第四子曾魁，高声喝道：“你等是梁山泊反国草寇，我正要来拿你解官请赏，原来天赐其便！如何不下马受缚，更待何时！”晁盖大怒，回头一观，早有一将出马去战曾魁。那人是梁山初结义的好汉豹子头林冲。两个交马，斗了三十馀合，不分胜败。曾魁斗到二十合之后，料道斗林冲不过，掣枪回马，便往柳林中走。林冲勒住马不赶。晁盖领转军马回寨，商议打曾头市之策。林冲道：“来日直去市口搦战，就看虚实如何，再作商议。”

次日平明，引领五千人马，向曾头市口平川旷野之地，列成阵势，擂鼓呐喊。曾头市上炮声响处，大队人马出来，一字儿摆着七个好汉：中间便是都教师史文恭，上首副教师苏定，下首便是曾家长子曾涂，左边曾参、曾魁，右边曾升、曾索，都是全身披挂。教师史文恭弯弓插箭，坐下那匹却是千里玉狮子马，手里使一枝方天画戟。三通鼓罢，只见曾家阵里推出数辆陷车，放在阵前。曾涂指着对阵骂道：“反国草寇，见俺陷车么？我曾家府里，杀你死的不算好汉。我一个个直要捉你活的，装载陷车里，解上东京，碎尸万段！你们趁早纳降，再有商议。”晁盖听了大怒，挺枪出马，直奔曾涂。众将怕晁盖有失，一发掩杀过去，两军混战。曾家军马一步步退入村里。林冲、呼延灼紧护定晁盖，东西赶杀。林冲见路途不好，急退回来收兵。看得两边各皆折了些人马。晁盖回到寨中，心中甚忧。众将劝道：“哥哥且宽心，休得愁闷，有伤贵体。往常宋公明哥哥出军，亦曾失利，好歹得胜回寨。今日混战，各折了些军马，又不曾输了与他，何须忧闷！”晁盖只是郁郁不乐。在寨内一连了三日，每日搦战，曾头市上并不曾见一个。

第四日，忽有两个和尚直到晁盖寨里来投拜。军人引到中军帐前，两个和尚跪下告道：“小僧是曾头市上东边法华寺里监寺僧人，今被曾家五虎不时常来本寺作践啰唣，索要金银财帛，无所不为。小僧已知他的备细出没去处，特地前来拜请头领，入去劫寨，剿除了他时，当坊有幸。”晁盖见说大喜。有诗为证：

间谍从来解用兵，陈平昔日更专精。

却惭晁盖无先见，随着秃奴暮夜行。

晁盖便请两个和尚坐了，置酒相待。林冲谏道：“哥哥休得听信，其中莫非有诈？”和尚道：“小僧是个出家人，怎敢妄话！久闻梁山泊行仁义之道，所过之处，并不扰民，因此特来拜投，如何故来啜赚将军？况兼曾家未必赢得头领大军，何故相疑？”晁盖道：“兄弟休生疑心，误了大事。今晚我自去走一遭。”林冲道：“哥哥休去，我等分一半人马去劫寨，哥哥在外面接应。”晁盖道：“我不自去，谁肯向前？你可留一半军马在外接应。”林冲道：“哥哥带谁入去？”晁盖道：“点十个头领，分二千五百人马入去。十个头领是：刘唐、阮小二、呼延灼、阮小五、欧鹏、阮小七、燕顺、杜迁、宋万、白胜。”

当晚造饭吃了，马摘銮铃，军士衔枚，黑夜疾走，悄悄地跟了两个和尚，直到法华寺内看时，是一个古寺。晁盖下马入到寺内，见没僧众，问那两个和尚道：“怎地这个大寺院没一个僧众？”和尚道：“便是曾家畜生薅恼，不得已各自归俗去了。只有长老并几个侍者，自在塔院里居住。头领暂且屯住了人马，等更深些，小僧直引到那厮寨里。”晁盖道：“他的寨在那里？”和尚道：“他有四个寨栅，只是北寨里便是曾家弟兄屯军之处。若只打得那个寨子时，别的都不打紧，这三个寨便罢了。”晁盖道：“那个时分可去？”和尚道：“如今只是二更天气，再待三更时分，他无准备。”初时听得曾头市上整整齐齐打更鼓响，又听了半个更次，绝不闻更点之声。和尚道：“军人想是已睡了，如今可去。”和尚当先引路。晁盖带同诸将上马，领兵离了法华寺。跟着和尚行不到五里多路，黑影处不见了两个僧人，前军不敢行动。看四边路杂难行，又不见有人家，军士却慌起来，报与晁盖知道。呼延灼便叫急回旧路。走不到百十步，只见四下里金鼓齐鸣，喊声振地，一望都是火把。晁盖众将引军夺路而走，才转得两个湾，撞出一彪军马，当头乱箭射将来。不期一箭，正中晁盖脸上，倒撞下马来。却得呼延灼、燕顺两骑马，死并将去。背后刘唐、白胜救得晁盖上马，杀出村中来。村口林冲等引军接应，刚才敌得住。两军混战，直杀到天明，各自归寨。

林冲回来点军时，三阮、宋万、杜迁水里逃得性命；带入去二千五百人马，止剩得一千二三百人，跟着欧鹏，都回到帐中。众头领且来看晁盖时，那枝箭正射在面颊上；急拔得箭出，血晕倒了。看那箭时，上有“史文恭”字。林冲叫取金枪药敷贴上。原来却是一枝药箭，晁盖中了箭毒，已自言语不得。林冲叫扶上车子，便差三阮、杜迁、宋万先送回山寨。其馀十五个头领在寨中商议：“今番晁天王哥哥下山来，不想遭这一场，正应了风折认旗之兆。我等只可收兵回去，这曾头市急切不能取得。”呼延灼道：“须等宋公明哥哥将令来，方可回军。”有诗为证：

威镇边陲不可当，梁山寨主是天王。

最怜率尔图曾市，遽使英雄一命亡。

当日众头领闷闷不已，众军亦无恋战之心，人人都有还山之意。当晚二更时分，天色微明，十五个头领都在寨中纳闷。正是蛇无头而不行，鸟无翅而不飞，嗟咨叹惜，进退无措。忽听的伏路小校慌急报来：“前面四五路军马杀来，火把不计其数！”林冲听了，一齐上马。三面山上火把齐明，照晃如同白日，四下里呐喊到寨前。林冲领了众头领，不去抵敌，拔寨都起，回马便走。曾家军马背后卷杀将来。两军且战且走，走过了五六十里，方才得脱。计点人兵，又折了五七百人，大败输亏。急取旧路，望梁山泊回来。退到半路，正迎着戴宗，传下军令，教众头领引军且回山寨，别作良策。

众将得令，引军回到水浒寨上山，都来看视晁天王时，已自水米不能入口，饮食不进，浑身虚肿。宋江等守定在床前啼哭，亲手敷贴药饵，灌下汤散。众头领都守在帐前看视。当日夜至三更，晁盖身体沉重，转头看着宋江，嘱付道：“贤弟保重。若那个捉得射死我的，便叫他做梁山泊主。”言罢，便瞑目而死。

宋江见晁盖死了，比似丧考妣一般，哭得发昏。众头领扶策宋江出来主事。吴用、公孙胜劝道：“哥哥且省烦恼。生死人之分定，何故痛伤。且请理会大事。”宋江哭罢，便教把香汤沐浴了尸首，装殓衣服巾帻，停在聚义厅上。众头领都来举哀祭祀。一面合造内棺外椁，选了吉时盛放，在正厅上建起灵帏，中间设个神主，上写道：“梁山泊主天王晁公神主”。山寨中头领，自宋公明以下，都带重孝；小头目并众小喽啰，亦带孝头巾。把那枝誓箭，就供养在灵前。寨内扬起长幡，请附近寺院僧众上山做功德，追荐晁天王。宋江每日领众举哀，无心管理山寨事务。

林冲与公孙胜、吴用并众头领商议，立宋公明为梁山泊主，诸人拱听号令。次日清晨，香花灯烛，林冲为首，与众等请出保义宋公明，在聚义厅上坐定。吴用、林冲开话道：“哥哥听禀：治国一日不可无君，于家不可一日无主。今日山寨晁头领是归天去了，山寨中事业，岂可无主？四海万里疆宇之内，皆闻哥哥大名，来日吉日良辰，请哥哥为山寨之主，诸人拱听号令。”宋江道：“却乃不可忘了晁天王遗言。临死时嘱道：‘如有人捉得史文恭者，便立为梁山泊主。’此话众头领皆知，亦不可忘了。又不曾报得仇，雪得恨，如何便居得此位？”吴学究又劝道：“晁天王虽是如此说，今日又未曾捉得那人，山寨中岂可一日无主？若哥哥不坐时，谁敢当此位？寨中人马如何管领？然虽遗言如此，哥哥权且尊临此位坐一坐，待日后别有计较。”宋江道：“军师言之极当。今日小可权当此位，待日后报仇雪恨已了，拿住史文恭的，不拘何人，须当此位。”黑旋风李逵在侧边叫道：“哥哥休说做梁山泊主，便做了大宋皇帝却不好！”宋江喝道：“这黑厮又来胡说！再休如此乱言，先割了你这厮舌头！”李逵道：“我又不教哥哥做社长，请哥哥做皇帝，倒要割了我舌头！”吴学究道：“这厮不识尊卑的人，兄长不要和他一般见识。且请哥哥主张大事。”

宋江焚香已罢，权居主位，坐了第一把椅子。上首军师吴用，下首公孙胜；左一带林冲为头，右一带呼延灼居长。众人参拜了，两边坐下。宋江乃言道：“小可今日权居此位，全赖众兄弟扶助，同心合意，同气相从，共为股肱，一同替天行道。如今山寨人马数多，非比往日，可请众兄弟分做六寨驻扎。聚义厅今改为忠义堂。前后左右立四个旱寨，后山两个小寨，前山三座关隘，山下一个水寨，两滩两个小寨，今日各请弟兄分投去管。”有诗为证：

英雄晁盖已归天，主寨公明在所先。

从此又颁新号令，分兵授职尽恭虔。

“忠义堂上，是我权居尊位，第二位军师吴学究，第三位法师公孙胜，第四位花荣，第五位秦明，第六位吕方，第七位郭盛。左军寨内，第一位林冲，第二位刘唐，第三位史进，第四位杨雄，第五位石秀，第六位杜迁，第七位宋万。右军寨内，第一位呼延灼，第二位朱仝，第三位戴宗，第四位穆弘，第五位李逵，第六位欧鹏，第七位穆春。前军寨内，第一位李应，第二位徐宁，第三位鲁智深，第四位武松，第五位杨志，第六位马麟，第七位施恩。后军寨内，第一位柴进，第二位孙立，第三位黄信，第四位韩滔，第五位彭玘，第六位邓飞，第七位薛永。水军寨内，第一位李俊，第二位阮小二，第三位阮小五，第四位阮小七，第五位张横，第六位张顺，第七位童威，第八位童猛。六寨计四十三员头领。山前第一关令雷横、樊瑞守把，第二关令解珍、解宝守把，第三关令项充、李衮守把。金沙滩小寨内令燕顺、郑天寿、孔明、孔亮四个守把，鸭嘴滩小寨内令李忠、周通、邹渊、邹润四个守把。山后两个小寨，左一个旱寨内令王矮虎、一丈青、曹正，右一个旱寨内令朱武、陈达、杨春六人守把。忠义堂内：左一带房中，掌文卷萧让，掌赏罚裴宣，掌印信金大坚，掌算钱粮蒋敬；右一带房中，管炮凌振，管造船孟康，管造衣甲侯健，管筑城垣陶宗旺。忠义堂后两厢房中管事人员：监造房屋李云，铁匠总管汤隆，监造酒醋朱富，监造筵宴宋清，掌管什物杜兴、白胜。山下四路作眼酒店，原拨定朱贵、乐和、时迁、李立、孙新、顾大嫂、张青、孙二娘，已自定数。管北地收买马匹：杨林、石勇、段景住。分拨已定，各自遵守，毋得违犯。”梁山泊水浒寨内，大小头领，自从宋公明为寨主，尽皆欢喜，人心悦服，诸将都皆拱听约束。

异日，宋江聚众商议，欲要与晁盖报仇，兴兵去打曾头市。军师吴用谏道：“哥哥，庶民居丧，尚且不可轻动，哥哥兴师，且待百日之后，方可举兵，未为迟矣。”宋江依吴学究之言，守住山寨居丧，每日修设好事，只做功果，追荐晁盖。一日，请到一僧，法名大圆，乃是北京大名府在城龙华寺僧人。只为游方来到济宁，经过梁山泊，就请在寨内做道场。因吃斋之次，闲话间，宋江问起北京风土人物，那大圆和尚说道：“头领如何不闻河北玉麒麟之名？”宋江、吴用听了，猛然省起，说道：“你看我们未老，却恁地忘事！北京城里是有个卢大员外，双名俊义，绰号玉麒麟，是河北三绝。祖居北京人氏，一身好武艺，棍棒天下无对。梁山泊寨中若得此人时，何怕官军缉捕，岂愁兵马来临！”吴用笑道：“哥哥何故自丧志气？若要此人上山，有何难哉！”宋江答道：“他是北京大名府第一等长者，如何能勾得他来落草？”吴学究道：“吴用也在心多时了，不想一向忘却。小生略施一计，便教本人上山。”宋江便道：“人称足下为智多星，端的是不枉了，名不虚传。敢问军师用甚计策，赚得本人上山？”

吴用不慌不忙，叠两个指头，说出这段计来。有分教：北京城内，黎民废寝忘餐；梁山泊中，好汉驱兵领将。正是：计就水乡添虎将，谋成市井赚麒麟。毕竟吴学究怎地赚卢俊义上山，且听下回分解。

[1] 搨（tà）——跌。

[2] 北边地面——指当时金国地界。

[3] 长者——古人称德高、年长的人为长者。宋元人对做大官和有钱人稍有几岁年纪的，也称长者，犹如后来称老太爷。

CHAPTER 59. Gongsun Sheng Captures a Wizard; Chao Gai Is Wounded by an Arrow

GONGSUN SHENG explained his strategy. He said, “At the time when the Han Dynasty was declining, General Zhuge Liang worked out his plans by means of stones. He formed a square, and divided each side into two. Each of these eight sections had eight companies so that there were altogether sixty-four companies. His headquarters was in the middle of the square. There were four “heads” or advance companies, and they could turn either to right or left, and lead the whole square. The result was that the whole square moved as one body (like a tiger) just according to the conditions faced. When an enemy was approaching the two leading companies separated, and opened the square. When the enemy was inside the wings he was in the coils of an encircling snake. I will adopt the same method, and when our three opponents are in our midst they will find no means of escape. I will have a concealed pitfall ready, and we will slowly drive them towards it until they fall into it. There they can be easily arrested by men with hooked sticks.”

Song Jiang was pleased, and approved of the suggested plan. He issued orders placing Gongsun Sheng in charge of the forthcoming encounter, and dividing the bandits into eight parts.

The following day the brigands started on their march with much beating of drums and gongs, and when nearing Mount Mangdan they heard the sound of gongs. There were about three thousand bandits under the command of the three leaders. The two wings were in charge of Xiang Chong and Li Gun, with Fan Rui in the center. Fan Rui was without any skill as a general, and depended on his black arts for success. Upon seeing the opposing large army from Liangshan Marsh arrayed in the form of a square, he was quite pleased, and said to himself, “Song Jiang, you have arranged your men exactly as I have wanted you to do, but you will soon be caught by my ruse. So he sent orders to the other two leaders on the wings that when a strong wind arose they must advance with five hundred men rushing forward with their swords. Those leaders upon receiving this order put on their shields, and armed themselves with spears and throwing knives which could be hurled a long distance, and awaited the wind to be started by Fan Rui. The latter was seated on his black horse with a copper mace in his left hand, and with a sword in his right hand. He was muttering a spell, and then called out, “Quickly.” Immediately a strong wind raged, hurling loose stones and sand about. The sky darkened, and the sunlight was obscured. Upon seeing this Xiang Chong and Li Gun gave orders and their five hundred men rushed forward.

Upon seeing the enemy advancing, Song Jiang gave the signal, and the front part of the square opened out on both sides. The five hundred men rushed into the square, and were fired upon from the remaining three sides with arrows. Most of them could not face this, and beat a hasty retreat. Only fifty men were left with the two leaders Xiang Chong and Li Gun. They dashed first one way and then another without a way out, Gongsun Sheng standing on a high mound had controlled the wind, and wherever the two leaders went they found the fierce wind with them hindering their movements. The two leaders could not see their followers, and were nonplused by the wind and darkness. At last their horses fell into the hidden trap, and there they were seized by men with hooked sticks, who took them to the camp at the base.

Song Jiang now dashed forward on his horse, and was followed by all his men. Fan Rui, seeing the advancing body of men, realized that his plan had failed, and at once retreated up the mountain with the remainder of his men—about half of the original force. Seeing this Song Jiang gave orders for the pursuit to stop, and returned to the camp at the base with all his men.

Upon seeing the two prisoners he unloosened their bonds, and offered them wine saying, “I hope you two heroes will excuse me. This has happened only owing to our fighting in opposite forces. I hope that you will now join us at Liangshan Marsh, and help us to seek justice. I am sorry that I have not had the opportunity before of meeting you and making this offer.”

The two leaders kowtowed and replied, “We have heard of your celebrated name for a long time, but we have not had the fortune of meeting you. We now know for certain that you are a very just person. Had we known before of your goodness we would not have been your opponents. Today we are your prisoners, and expected to die, and never expected to be treated in this way. If you do not kill us we shall certainly be under a great obligation to you. As we have left Fan Rui, he will now be helpless without us, and if you would allow us to return we would explain to him who you really are, and probably get him to also join your force.”

“I agree to your proposal,” said Song Jiang, “and both of you may go. I will trust you, and will expect you both to come here tomorrow, and report the result of your journey.”

They both kowtowed again, “We realize that you are really great. If Fan Rui will not listen to our pleadings, then we will seize him and bring him here by force.”

Song Jiang was very glad, and invited them to dine with him. He then gave them new clothes, good horses, and sent two men to accompany them on their trip. On their horses the two leaders meditated on Song Jiang’s generosity. Upon reaching Mount Mangdan the outposts were astonished upon seeing the return of their leaders, and sent the information up the mountain. Upon reaching the camp Fan Rui received them, and after explaining how they had been kindly treated by Song Jiang and then released, Fan Rui agreed that they could no longer oppose “The Will of Heaven,” but must go and join forces with such a just man.

The following day they set out for Song Jiang’s headquarters, where they were gladly welcomed. Their men and everything were duly brought to Liangshan Marsh, and the two bands of bandits were now united.

On the day that Song Jiang and the new adherents were arriving at Liangshan Marsh, and were on the point of crossing the lake a man saluted him. Upon being inquired for his name the man replied, “I am Duan Jingzhu, but because of my light-colored hair the people call me ‘Golden Haired Dog.’ I am a Zhuozhou Prefecture man, and get a living by stealing horses. This spring I stole a horse at Qianggan Ridge, and it was pure white without a single hair of any other color. It was very swift, and was well known as ‘Jade Lion that Glows in the Night.’ It previously belonged to a prince of the Jurchen Tartars. I have heard of your great reputation so I decided to present it to you. On the way, however, I was attacked at the village Zengtou where the horse was taken from me. I told them that it was your horse, but they only cursed you so badly that I dare not to go into details. I came to inform you of the matter.”

Song Jiang saw from the man’s appearance that he was not a ruffian, and replied, “As matters are like this I request you to come to our stronghold where we can discuss the case.”

They then crossed the lake by a boat, and upon reaching the mountain all the leaders were summoned to attend the Assembly Hall where dinner was served. There Duan Jingzhu again recited how the horse had been stolen, and Song Jiang dispatched Dai Zong, the Divine Traveler, to the village Zengtou to find out where the horse was. Within five days Dai Zong returned, and reported that in the village there were about seven thousand men with many horses and about fifty carts. The headman named Zeng was a Tartar from the land of the Jurchens, and he had five sons. They had great influence there, and would not allow any opponent to exist. They declared they would crush Liangshan Marsh. The stolen horse was now in the possession of a drill instructor there named Shi Wengong. There was a very detestable poem recited on the streets of that village. It was as follows:

Startle all the spirits,

Capture all the brigands;

Arrest Chao Gai and Song Jiang,

Put them all in prison.

Strong and mighty are we,

Zeng has many tigers;

They are known throughout the empire,

There are none their equal.

“There is not a single person who does not sing that, and I found it unbearable.”

Chao Gai was very angry and said, “Those animals have no sense of decency. I must go myself. If I do not capture them I shall not return. I only want five thousand men, and about twenty leaders to accompany me. The others will stop here under Song Jiang to guard our stronghold.”

That day Chao Gai selected his twenty leaders, and they left the mountain with their men divided into three contingents. Song Jiang and the other leaders descended the mountain, and while they were drinking a parting cup there arose a strong wind which snapped Chao Gai’s flagpole into two parts. When they saw this they were all astounded.

Wu Yong remonstrated with Chao Gai. “It is evident that the wind disapproves of our military preparations, and I therefore think that it would be better to delay our expedition for some time.”

“It is nothing unusual for the wind to do such a thing,” said Chao Gai. “The weather is favorable, and if we do not go now it will only enable them to prepare their defenses, and that might lead to our defeat. I ask you not to obstruct me in this matter as I intend to proceed at all costs.”

Wu Yong saw that it would be useless to urge delay, and Chao Gai ordered his troops to cross the lake. Song Jiang and his men returned to the mountain, but Dai Zong was dispatched to watch the proceedings and report results.

Chao Gai and his men duly reached the vicinity of the village of Zengtou without any trouble, and encamped there. The following day he and the leaders mounted their horses and went to survey the land. They had stopped at a certain place, and while looking round they saw a large body of men emerge from a forest. In front of them rode a man who was Zeng Kui, the fourth son of the head Tartar of the village. When he got near he shouted, “You brigands are from Liangshan Marsh, and are outlaws. For a long time I have the idea to capture you, and now Heaven has given me that opportunity. You had better dismount at once, and become my prisoners.”

Chao Gai was highly provoked at this insolent speech, but before he could reply one of his leaders dashed past him on horseback. It was Lin Chong, the “Leopard’s Head.” He engaged with Zeng Kui for about twenty bouts, and then the latter realized that he had an opponent whom he could not overcome so he withdrew to the forest. Lin Chong did not pursue him.

Chao Gai ordered that his fellow leaders should return to camp where they held a meeting to discuss matters. Lin Chong suggested that they should attack the village the following day, and then they would see how the enemy fought. This was agreed to, and the next morning their five thousand men took up their position on an open ground in front of the entrance to the village. Soon they heard the guns in the village fired, and a large number of men emerged from the village, led by seven men on horseback. These leaders wore armor. In the center was Shi Wengong, the teacher, riding the stolen white horse, and armed with a halberd, and bow and arrows. A drum was beaten three times, and at this signal the villagers opened their ranks to allow several prisoner’s carts to pass through. (These were fashioned with dragon’s heads in front.) Pointing to the carts one of the seven leaders, Zeng Tu, shouted, “You rebels! Do you see these carts? We do not wish to kill you, but only take you alive as prisoners so that we can send you to the Eastern Capital. That is how we, the Five Tigers, wish to display our skill. You had better submit at once.”

Upon hearing this Chao Gai was very angry, and dashed forward. He was immediately followed by all his twenty leaders and the whole of their men. The two armies met, and a fierce struggle ensued. The villagers could not repulse the attack, and slowly fell back towards their village. Lin Chong and Huyan Zhuo saw that the ground near the village was uneven, and suspecting a trap they ordered a general retreat. On both sides there had been many casualties.

Upon reaching their camp Chao Gai felt very sad, but his leaders said, “Brother, set your mind at ease, and do not grieve too much about our many losses today. You must not forget that our brother Song Jiang has had many defeats. We shall be victorious before we go back.”

But Chao Gai still remained depressed.

For the next three days the brigands challenged the village to fight, but the villagers did not show themselves. But on the fourth day two monks came to Chao Gai’s camp, where they said, “We are from the Fahua Monastery to the east of the village of Zengtou here. We have been frequently disturbed by the Five Tigers, sons of the Zeng family, who have demanded money from us. We know all their defenses, and are willing to show them to you so that you will relieve us of their trouble.”

Chao Gai was pleased to hear this, and invited them to be seated and take refreshments. But Lin Chong exhorted Chao Gai, “Do not listen to these men, as this may be only a plot.”

“I think we can depend upon them as they are both monks,” replied Chao Gai. “We men of Liangshan Marsh are always willing to assist people in distress, and now that we are here, we must not miss this opportunity. These monks have no grudge against us, so why should they try to deceive us? You should not be so suspicious, and hinder our affairs. There is no reason why we should not win the next time. This evening we must try again.”

“As you have decided to do so,” said Lin Chong, “let us divide our men in half, and I will take one half into the village, while you remain in charge of the other half outside.”

“If I do not go into the village I am afraid our men will hold back,” replied Chao Gai. “You had better take charge of our men outside the village.”

“Whom do you want to accompany you?” asked Lin Chong.

“I want ten leaders and two thousand five hundred men.” He then named the ten leaders.

This was agreed to, and after the evening meal they set out. No bells were allowed on the horses, and each man carried a gag in his mouth so that nobody should utter a word. It was growing dark, and they followed the two monks to the Fahua Monastery outside the village. Chao Gai saw that it was a very old monastery. He dismounted, and entering the building saw that there was nobody inside. So he asked the monks how it was that the place was so empty. The monks replied that most of the monks had long since left the monastery on account of the trouble caused by the Zeng family. There was only the Abbot left, with a few acolytes, and they lived in the room near the pagoda. They said that Chao Gai and his men had better stay there till the third watch (11 A.M.) when the monks would take them to the village.

“Where is the stronghold of the village?” asked Chao Gai.

“There are four camps in the village, and the Zeng brothers are in the northern one. If you can get the northern camp the others will give no trouble,” replied the monk.

“At what time can we go?” asked Chao Gai.

“Just now is about the second watch (9 P.M.), and it would be better to go about 11 P.M.”

Just then the drums in the village signaled the time as the second watch. But after some time the drums were not beaten again, and the monks thought that that watchmen had gone to sleep. So they decided to start off at once, and the monks led the way. Chao Gai gave the order for an advance, and his leaders and their men silently followed him. They had gone about two li when Chao Gai missed the two monks who had been acting as guides. So a halt was called. They searched all around in the dark, but could not find the road. There were no houses there. The men were getting nervous so Huyan Zhuo shouted an order for a general retreat. They had only gone about a hundred steps when they heard drums beaten on all sides around them in the dark. Soon there were sounds of men shouting, and torches were lit all around them. Chao Gai and his men had not gone much farther when they met a body of men who discharged arrows at them. One of these hit Chao Gai in the face, and he fell off his horse. Five of the leaders lifted Chao Gai on to his horse again, and retreated. Lin Chong who had half the men in reserve saw the light, and heard the drums, and at once ordered an advance of his men. The fight continued during the night. Orders were not given for a general retreat to their camp until daybreak.

In camp Chao Gai was bleeding badly from the wound in his face, and Lin Chong applied a medicine to the wound. They examined the arrow, and found on it the name of Shi Wengong. They did not notice however that it was a poisonous arrow. A cart was obtained, and in this Chao Gai was sent back to Liangshan Marsh with an escort.

The leaders left behind held a conference. The general opinion was that the mishap to Chao Gai’s flag when they started on the expedition was an omen, and now that Chao Gai was wounded they had better stop operations against the village and wait until Song Jiang’s order for withdrawal. They were still in a nervous condition when a scout arrived, and reported that a large body of men with numerous torches was advancing towards the camp by five different roads. Upon going outside they saw torchlights on the hills all around their camp. Lin Chong suggested that they must not fight again in the dark, and this being agreed to, orders were issued for camp to be struck, and an orderly retreat to be undertaken. As the opposing army came up a general rear-guard fight took place as the bandits retreated step by step. They retreated about twenty li before the army of the Zengs stopped pursuit. Now the leaders saw that they had only about six hundred men left, all the rest having been captured, wounded, or killed. They went on towards Liangshan Marsh where they duly arrived.

There they found that Chao Gai was much worse, his body having swollen considerably, and he was no longer capable of either eating or drinking. Song Jiang stayed by the bedside attending to his chief, and about midnight the latter spoke, “Do not be surprised at what I am going to say. I wish that the person who captures the man who shot me with that arrow, should become chief of our men in my place.” As soon as he had said this he died. All the leaders heard Chao Gai’s will. After Chao Gai’s death the leaders decided to ask Song Jiang to become their chief. A general meeting took place in the General Assembly Hall with Lin Chong in the chair. He opened the proceeding, “In the state and family a single day cannot pass without an Emperor or master respectively. Chao Gai has gone to Heaven, so that our affairs are now without a chief. We think that you, our elder brother, Song Jiang, should now fill the vacant position, and as tomorrow is a lucky day we propose to install you as our chief.”

Song Jiang replied, “Upon his death-bed our chief Chao Gai told me that he wished the post be given to the man who would capture Shi Wengong. The death-dealing arrow is still there so how can we forget his dying command? We have not yet avenged the injury so how can we make any other arrangement?”

“Nobody has yet captured the enemy and carried out Chao Gai’s command,” said Wu Yong, “but still we cannot remain any longer without a chief. There is nobody here equal to you so we cannot appoint anyone else. We are all intimately known to you, and nobody would object to your order. We request you to occupy the post at least temporarily, and we can talk the matter over again at some future date.”

“Your arguments are well reasoned,” replied Song Jiang, “and I will agree to your proposal. But should any one if you capture Shi Wengong that man must be our chief.”

“Elder brother,” interposed Li Kui, “you need not talk of being chief here, because you would be ideal as the Emperor of the Song Dynasty!”

Song Jiang was angry and said, “If you talk of that nonsense again I shall have your tongue cut off.”

“I did not ask you to be our chief,” replied Li Kui. “I said you should be the Emperor and yet you want to cut off my tongue!”

“This man does not understand how affairs should be conducted,” said Wu Yong. “We need not regard his sayings, but proceed with our business.”

Wu Yong and Lin Chong stepped forward, and assisted Song Jiang to the chair placed in the central position, and there he took his seat.

The leaders on both sides saluted their new chief, and then also took their seats.

Song Jiang spoke, “Today I temporarily occupy this position, and beg for your support. We must be united, and work together as one body. We have all been appointed our work by Heaven. Now our forces are very great, and I propose to divide same into six parts so that we can live in six strongholds. I propose to rename this hall as the Loyalty and Justice Hall. On the four sides of it will be four big fortresses. Behind it will be two small fortresses. In front will be three strategic barriers with a fortress on the lake and two fortresses on the shores.” He then divided the leaders into six parts, and gave them their respective new positions. Everything worked smoothly under the new arrangements, and during the hundred days of mourning for Chao Gai all new buildings were completed.

One day a traveling monk was passing near Liangshan Marsh, and the leaders asked him to stay at their stronghold and assist in the memorial prayers for Chao Gai. His name was Dayuan, and he came from the Longhua Monastery in the Northern Capital, Daming. One day Song Jiang asked him for the news of the Northern Capital, and in reply the monk said, “Sir, have you not heard about the ‘Jade Qilin’ at the Northern Capital?”

“I am so forgetful of affairs,” replied Song Jiang. “It is true that in Daming Prefecture there is an official named Lu Junyi who has a nickname, ‘Jade Qilin.’ He has a very good reputation. His military skill is good, and in use of spear is unexcelled in the land. If we could get him to join us I should feel satisfied.”

Wu Yong laughed at this and said, “Elder brother, how is it that you have not more confidence in your present staff? If however you want him here it is easy to get him to come.”

“He is the leading literary scholar of the Northern Capital,” replied Song Jiang. “How can we induce him to come here?”

“I often thought of bringing him here,” said Wu Yong, “but owing to other affairs I forgot about him. I will find a means of getting him to join us.”

“Your reputation as a ‘Clever Star’ rests upon a firm foundation,” said Song Jiang. “But how can you induce him to join us here?”

Wu Yong then explained his plans in detail.

A hero leaves his comforts,

Meets dangers face to face.