第六十二回
第六十二回 放冷箭燕青救主 劫法场石秀跳楼
诗曰：
烟水茫茫云数重，罡星应合聚山东。岸边埋伏金睛兽，船底深藏玉爪龙。 风浩荡，月朦胧。法华开处显英雄。麒麟谩有擎天力，怎出军师妙计中。
话说这卢俊义虽是了得，却不会水，被浪里白跳张顺排翻小船，倒撞下水去。张顺却在水底下拦腰抱住，又钻过对岸来，抢了朴刀。张顺把卢俊义直奔岸边来。早点起火把，有五六十人在那里等，接上岸来，团团围住，解了腰刀，尽换下湿衣服，便要将索绑缚。只见神行太保戴宗传令高叫将来：“不得伤犯了卢员外贵体！”随即差人将一包袱锦衣绣袄与卢俊义穿着。八个小喽啰抬过一乘轿来，扶卢员外上轿便行。只见远远地早有二三十对红纱灯笼，照着一簇人马，动着鼓乐，前来迎接。为头宋江、吴用、公孙胜，后面都是众头领，一齐下马。卢俊义慌忙下轿。宋江先跪，后面众头领排排地都跪下。卢俊义亦跪下还礼道：“既被擒捉，愿求早死。”宋江大笑说道：“且请员外上轿。”众人一齐上马，动着鼓乐，迎上三关，直到忠义堂前下马，请卢俊义到厅上，明晃晃地点着灯烛。宋江向前陪话道：“小可久闻员外大名，如雷灌耳。今日幸得拜识，大慰平生！却才众兄弟甚是冒渎，万乞恕罪！”吴用上前说道：“昨奉兄长之命，特令吴某亲诣门墙，以卖卦为由，赚员外上山，共聚大义，一同替天行道。”
宋江便请卢员外坐第一把交椅。卢俊义答礼道：“不才无识无能，误犯虎威，万死尚轻，何故相戏？”宋江陪笑道：“怎敢相戏！实慕员外威德，如饥如渴，万望不弃鄙处，为山寨之主，早晚共听严命。”卢俊义回说：“宁就死亡，实难从命。”吴用道：“来日却又商议。”当时置备酒食管待。卢俊义无计奈何，只得饮了几杯，小喽啰请去后堂歇了。次日，宋江杀羊宰马，大排筵宴，请出卢员外来赴席；再三再四谦让，在中间里坐了。酒至数巡，宋江起身把盏陪话道：“夜来甚是冲撞，幸望宽恕！虽然山寨窄小，不堪歇马，员外可看‘忠义’二字之面。宋江情愿让位，休得推却！”卢俊义答道：“头领差矣！小可身无罪累，颇有些少家私。生为大宋人，死为大宋鬼，宁死实难听从。”吴用并众头领一个个说，卢俊义越不肯落草。吴用道：“员外既然不肯，难道逼勒？只留得员外身，留不得员外心。只是众弟兄难得员外到此，既然不肯入伙，且请小寨略住数日，却送还宅。”卢俊义道：“小可在此不妨，只恐家中知道这般的消息，忧损了老小。”吴用道：“这事容易，先教李固送了车仗回去，员外迟去几日却何妨。”正面上交椅坐定，都放了心。吴用道：“李都管，你的车仗货物都有么？”李固应道：“一些儿不少。”宋江叫取两个大银把与李固，两个小银赍发当直的，那十个车脚共与他白银十两。众人拜谢。卢俊义分付李固道：“我的苦，你都知了。你回家中，分付娘子不要忧心，我过三五日便回也。”李固只要脱身，满口应说：“但不妨事。”辞了，便下忠义堂去。吴用随即便起身，说道：“员外宽心少坐，小生发送李固下山便来也。”有诗为证：
梁山人马太喽啰，生赚卢公入网罗。
抵死不为非理事，未知终始果如何。
吴用这次起身，已有计了，只推发送李固，先到金沙滩等候。少刻，李固和两个当直的并车仗头口人伴，都下山来。吴用将引五百小喽啰，围在两边，坐在柳阴树下，便唤李固近前说道：“你的主人已和我们商议定了，今坐第二把交椅。此乃未曾上山时，预先写下四句反诗在家里壁上。我教你们知道，壁上二十八个字，每一句包着一个字：‘芦花荡里一扁舟’，包个‘卢’字；‘俊杰那能此地游’，包个‘俊’字；‘义士手提三尺剑’，包个‘义’字；‘反时须斩逆臣头’，包个‘反’字。这四句诗，包藏‘卢俊义反’四字。今日上山，你们怎知！本待把你众人杀了，显得我梁山泊行短。今日放你们星夜自回去，休想望你主人回来。”李固等只顾下拜。吴用教把船送过渡口，一行人上路奔回北京。正是：鳌鱼脱却金钩去，摆尾摇头更不回。
话分两处。不说李固等归家，且说吴用回到忠义堂上，再入酒席，用巧言令色说诱卢俊义，筵会直到二更方散。次日，山寨里再排筵会庆贺。卢俊义说道：“感承众头领好意相留在下，只是小可度日如年，今日告辞。”宋江道：“小可不才，幸识员外。来日宋江梯己聊备小酌，对面论心一会，勿请推却。”又过了一日。明日宋江请，后日吴用请，大后日公孙胜请。话休絮繁，三十馀个上厅头领，每日轮一个做筵席。光阴荏苒，日月如梭，早过一月有馀。卢俊义寻思，又要告别。宋江道：“非是不留员外，争奈急急要回。来日忠义堂上，安排薄酒送行。”
次日，宋江又梯己送路。只见众头领都道：“俺哥哥敬员外十分，俺等众人当敬员外十二分。偏我哥哥筵席便吃！砖儿何厚，瓦儿何薄！”李逵在内大叫道：“我舍着一条性命，直往北京请得你来，却不吃我弟兄们筵席！我和你眉尾相结，性命相扑！”吴学究大笑道：“不曾见这般请客的，甚是粗卤！员外休怪，见他众人薄意，再住几时。”不觉又过了四五日，卢俊义坚意要行。只见神机军师朱武，将引一般头领直到忠义堂上，开话道：“我等虽是以次弟兄，也曾与哥哥出气力，偏我们酒中藏着毒药？卢员外若是见怪，不肯吃我们的，我自不妨，只怕小兄弟们做出事来，悔之晚矣！”吴用起身便道：“你们都不要烦恼，我与你央及员外，再住几时，有何不可。常言道：将酒劝人，终无恶意。”卢俊义抑众人不过，只得又住了几日，前后却好三四十日。自离北京是四月的话，不觉在梁山泊早过了四个月有馀。但见金风淅淅，玉露泠泠，又早是中秋节近。卢俊义思量归期，对宋江诉说。宋江见卢俊义思归苦切，便道：“这个容易，来日金沙滩送别。”卢俊义大喜。有诗为证：
一别家山岁月赊，寸心无日不思家。
此身恨不生双翼，欲借天风过水涯。
次日，还把旧时衣裳刀棒送还员外，一行众头领，都送下山。宋江托一盘金银相送，卢俊义推道：“非是卢某说口，金帛钱财家中颇有，但得到北京盘缠足矣。赐与之物，决不敢受。”宋江等众头领直送过金沙滩，作别自回，不在话下。
不说宋江回寨，只说卢俊义拽开脚步，星夜奔波。行了旬日，到得北京，日已薄暮，赶不入城，就在店中歇了一夜。次日早晨，卢俊义离了村店，飞奔入城。尚有一里多路，只见一人，头巾破碎，衣裳蓝缕，看着卢俊义纳头便拜。卢俊义抬眼看时，却是浪子燕青，便问燕青：“你怎地这般模样？”燕青道：“这里不是说话处。”卢俊义转过土墙侧首，细问缘故。燕青说道：“自从主人去后，不过数日，李固回来对娘子说道：‘主人归顺了梁山泊宋江，坐了第二把交椅。’如今去官司首告了。他已和娘子做了一路，嗔怪燕青违拗，将我赶逐出门，将一应衣服尽行夺了，赶出城外。更兼分付一应亲戚相识，但有人安着燕青在家歇的，他便舍半个家私和他打官司，因此无人敢着。小乙在城中安不得身，只得来城外求乞度日，权在庵内安身。主人可听小乙言语，再回梁山泊去，别做个商议。若入城中，必中圈套。”卢俊义喝道：“我的娘子不是这般人，你这厮休来放屁！”燕青又道：“主人脑后无眼，怎知就里。主人平昔只顾打熬气力，不亲女色。娘子旧日和李固原有私情，今日推门相就，做了夫妻。主人若去，必遭毒手！”卢俊义大怒，喝骂燕青道：“我家五代在北京住，谁不识得！量李固有几颗头，敢做恁般勾当！莫不是你做出歹事来，今日倒来反说？我到家中问出虚实，必不和你干休！”燕青痛哭，拜倒地下，拖住主人衣服。卢俊义一脚踢倒燕青，大踏步便入城来。
奔到城内，径入家中，只见大小主管都吃一惊。李固慌忙前来迎接，请到堂上，纳头便拜。卢俊义便问：“燕青安在？”李固答道：“主人且休问，端的一言难尽！只怕发怒，待歇息定了却说。”贾氏从屏风后哭将出来，卢俊义说道：“娘子休哭，且说燕小乙怎地来？”贾氏道：“丈夫且休问，慢慢地却说。”卢俊义心中疑虑，定死要问燕青来历。李固便道：“主人且请换了衣服，吃了早膳，那时诉说不迟。”一边安排饭食与卢员外吃。方才举箸，只听得前门后门喊声齐起，二三百个做公的抢将入来。卢俊义惊得呆了，就被做公的绑了，一步一棍，直打到留守司来。
其时，梁中书正坐公厅，左右两行，排列狼虎一般公人七八十个，把卢俊义拿到当面。贾氏和李固也跪在侧边。厅上梁中书大喝道：“你这厮是北京本处百姓良民，如何却去投降梁山泊落草，坐了第二把交椅！如今到来，里勾外连，要打北京。今被擒来，有何理说？”卢俊义道：“小人一时愚蠢，被梁山泊吴用假做卖卦先生来家，口出讹言，扇惑良心，掇赚到梁山泊软监，过了四个月。今日幸得脱身归来，并无歹意。望恩相明镜。”梁中书喝道：“如何说得过！你在梁山泊中，若不通情，如何住了许多时？见放着你的妻子并李固出首，怎地是虚？”李固道：“主人既到这里，招伏了罢。家中壁上见写下藏头反诗，便是老大的证见，不必多说。”贾氏道：“不是我们要害你，只怕你连累我。常言道：一人造反，九族全诛！”卢俊义跪在厅下，叫起屈来。李固道：“主人不必叫屈。是真难灭，是假易除。早早招了，免致吃苦。”贾氏道：“丈夫，虚事难入公门，实事难以抵对。你若做出事来，送了我的性命。自古丈夫造反，妻子不首，不奈有情皮肉，无情杖子。你便招了，也只吃得有数的官司。”李固上下都使了钱。张孔目厅上禀说道：“这个顽皮赖骨，不打如何肯招！”梁中书道：“说的是。”喝叫一声：“打！”左右公人把卢俊义捆翻在地，不由分说，打的皮开肉绽，鲜血迸流，昏晕去了三四次。卢俊义打熬不过，仰天叹曰：“是我命中合当横死，我今屈招了罢。”张孔目当下取了招状，讨一面一百斤死囚枷钉了，押去大牢里监禁。府前府后，看的人都不忍见。当日推入牢门，吃了三十杀威棒，押到亭心内，跪在面前。狱子炕上坐着那个两院押牢节级，带管刽子，把手指道：“你认的我么？”卢俊义看了，不敢则声。那人是谁？有诗为证：
两院押牢称蔡福，堂堂仪表气凌云。
腰间紧系青鸾带，头上高悬垫角巾。
行刑问事人倾胆，使索施枷鬼断魂。
满郡夸称铁臂膊，杀人到处显精神。
这两院押狱兼充行刑刽子，姓蔡名福，北京土居人氏。因为他手段高强，人呼他为铁臂膊。傍边立着一个嫡亲兄弟，姓蔡名庆。亦有诗为证：
押狱丛中称蔡庆，眉浓眼大性刚强。
茜红衫上描，茶褐衣中绣木香。
曲曲领沿深染皂，飘飘博带浅涂黄。
金环灿烂头巾小，一朵花枝插鬓傍。
这个小押狱蔡庆，生来爱带一枝花，河北人氏顺口都叫他做一枝花蔡庆。那人拄着一条水火棍，立在哥哥侧边。蔡福道：“你且把这个死囚带在那一间牢里，我家去走一遭便来。”蔡庆把卢俊义自带去了。
蔡福起身出离牢门来，只见司前墙下转过一个人来，手里提着饭罐，面带忧容。蔡福认的是浪子燕青。蔡福问道：“燕小乙哥，你做甚么？”燕青跪在地下，擎着两行珠泪，告道：“节级哥哥，可怜见小人的主人卢员外，吃屈官司，又无送饭的钱财！小人城外叫化得这半罐子饭，权与主人充饥。节级哥哥怎地做个方便，便是重生父母，再长爷娘！”说罢，泪如雨下，拜倒在地。蔡福道：“我知此事。你自去送饭把与他吃。”燕青拜谢了，自进牢里去送饭。蔡福转过州桥来，只见一个茶博士叫住唱喏道：“节级，有个客人在小人茶房内楼上，专等节级说话。”蔡福来到楼上看时，却是主管李固。各施礼罢，蔡福道：“主管有何见教？”李固道：“奸不厮瞒，俏不厮欺。小人的事都在节级肚里。今夜晚间，只要光前绝后[1]。无甚孝顺，五十两蒜条金在此，送与节级。厅上官吏，小人自去打点。”蔡福笑道：“你不见正厅戒石[2]上刻着‘下民易虐，上苍难欺’？你的那瞒心昧己勾当，怕我不知？你又占了他家私，谋了他老婆，如今把五十两金子与我，结果了他性命。日后提刑官下马[3]，我吃不的这等官司！”李固道：“只是节级嫌少，小人再添五十两。”蔡福道：“李固，你割猫儿尾拌猫儿饭。北京有名恁地一个卢员外，只直得这一百两金子？你若要我倒地他，不是我诈你，只把五百两金子与我！”李固便道：“金子有在这里，便都送与节级，只要今夜晚些成事。”蔡福收了金子，藏在身边，起身道：“明日早来扛尸。”李固拜谢，欢喜去了。
蔡福回到家里，却才进门，只见一人揭起芦帘，随即入来。那人叫声：“蔡节级相见。”蔡福看时，但见那一个人生得十分标致。有诗为证：
身穿鸦翅青团领，腰系羊脂玉闹妆。
头戴冠一具，足蹑珍珠履一双。
规行矩步端详士，目秀眉清年少郎。
礼贤好客为柴进，四海驰名小孟尝。
那人进得门，看着蔡福便拜。蔡福慌忙答礼，便问道：“官人高姓？有何说话？”那人道：“可借里面说话。”蔡福便请入来一个商议阁里，分宾坐下。那人开话道：“节级休要吃惊，在下便是沧州横海郡人氏，姓柴名进，大周皇帝嫡派子孙，绰号小旋风的便是。只因好义疏财，结识天下好汉，不幸犯罪，流落梁山泊。今奉宋公明哥哥将令，差遣前来打听卢员外消息。谁知被赃官污吏淫妇奸夫通情陷害，监在死囚牢里，一命悬丝，尽在足下之手。不避生死，特来到宅告知：如是留得卢员外性命在世，佛眼相看，不忘大德；但有半米儿差错，兵临城下，将至濠边，无贤无愚，无老无幼，打破城池，尽皆斩首！久闻足下是个仗义全忠的好汉，无物相送，今将一千两黄金薄礼在此。倘若要捉柴进，就此便请绳索，誓不皱眉。”蔡福听罢，吓的一身冷汗，半晌答应不的。柴进起身道：“好汉做事，休要踌躇，便请一决。”蔡福道：“且请壮士回步，小人自有措置。”柴进拜谢道：“既蒙语诺，当报大恩。”出门唤过从人，取出黄金一包，递在蔡福手里，唱个喏便走。外面从人，乃是神行太保戴宗，——又是一个不会走的！
蔡福得了这个消息，摆拨[4]不下，思量半晌，回到牢中，把上项的事却对兄弟说了一遍。蔡庆道：“哥哥平生最会决断，量这些小事，有何难哉！常言道：杀人须见血，救人须救彻。既然有一千两金子在此，我和你替他上下使用。梁中书、张孔目都是好利之徒，接了贿赂，必然周全卢俊义性命。葫芦提配将出去，救的救不的，自有他梁山泊好汉，俺们干的事便了也。”蔡福道：“兄弟这一论，正合我意。你且把卢员外安顿好处，牢中早晚把些好酒食将息他，传个消息与他。”蔡福、蔡庆两个商议定了，暗地里把金子买上告下，关节已定。
次日，李固不见动静，前来蔡福家催并。蔡庆回说：“我们正要下手结果他，中书相公不肯，已有人分付要留他性命。你自去上面使用，嘱付下来，我这里何难。”李固随即又央人去上面使用，中间过钱人去嘱托，梁中书道：“这是押牢节级的勾当，难道教我下手？过一两日，教他自死。”两下里厮推。张孔目已得了金子，只管把文案拖延了日期。蔡福就里又打关节，教及早发落。张孔目将了文案来禀，梁中书道：“这事如何决断？”张孔目道：“小吏看来，卢俊义虽有原告，却无实迹。虽是在梁山泊住了许多时，这个是扶同诖误[5]，难问真犯。脊杖四十，刺配三千里。不知相公意下如何？”梁中书道：“孔目见得极明，正与下官相合。”随唤蔡福牢中取出卢俊义来，就当厅除了长枷，读了招状文案，决了四十脊杖，换一具二十斤铁叶盘头枷，就厅前钉了，便差董超、薛霸管押前去，直配沙门岛。原来这董超、薛霸自从开封府做公人，押解林冲去沧州，路上害不得林冲，回来被高太尉寻事刺配北京。梁中书因见他两个能干，就留在留守司勾当。今日又差他两个监押卢俊义。当下董超、薛霸领了公文，带了卢员外，离了州衙，把卢俊义监在使臣房里，各自归家收拾行李包裹，即便起程。有诗为证：
贾氏奸淫最不才，忍将夫主搆刑灾。
若非柴进行金谍，俊义安能配出来。
且说李固得知，只叫得苦，便叫人来请两个防送公人说话。董超、薛霸到得那里酒店内，李固接着，请至阁儿里坐下，一面铺排酒食管待。三杯酒罢，李固开言说道：“实不相瞒上下，卢员外是我仇家。如今配去沙门岛，路途遥远，他又没一文，教你两个空费了盘缠，急待回来，也得三四个月。我没甚的相送，两锭大银，权为压手。多只两程，少无数里，就便的去处，结果了他性命，揭取脸上金印回来表证，教我知道，每人再送五十两蒜条金与你。你们只动得一张文书，留守司房里，我自理会。”董超、薛霸两两相觑，沉吟了半晌，见了两个大银，如何不起贪心。董超道：“只怕行不得。”薛霸便道：“哥哥，这李官人也是个好男子。我们也把这件事结识了他，若有急难之处，要他照管。”李固道：“我不是忘恩失义的人，慢慢地报答你两个。”
董超、薛霸收了银子，相别归家，收拾包裹，连夜起身。卢俊义道：“小人今日受刑，杖疮疼痛，容在明日上路！”薛霸骂道：“你便闭了鸟嘴！老爷自悔气，撞着你这穷神！沙门岛往回六千里有馀，费多少盘缠，你又没一文，教我们如何布摆！”卢俊义诉道：“念小人负屈含冤，上下看觑则个。”董超骂道：“你这财主们，闲常一毛不拔，今日天开眼，报应得快！你不要怨怅，我们相帮你走。”卢俊义忍气吞声，只得走动。行出东门，董超、薛霸把衣包雨伞，都挂在卢员外枷头上。况是囚人，无计奈何。那堪又值晚秋天气，纷纷黄叶坠，对对塞鸿飞，心怀四海三江闷，腹隐千辛万苦愁，忧闷之中，只听的横笛之声。俊义吟诗一首：
“谁家玉笛弄秋清，撩乱无端恼客情。
自是断肠听不得，非干吹出断肠声。”
两个公人一路上做好做恶，管押了行。看看天色傍晚，约行了十四五里，前面一个村镇，寻觅客店安歇。旧时客店，但见公人监押囚徒来歇，不敢要房钱。当时小二哥引到后面房里，安放了包裹。薛霸说道：“老爷们苦杀是个公人，那里倒来扶侍罪人？你若要饭吃，快去烧火！”卢俊义只得带着枷来到厨下，问小二哥讨了个草柴，缚做一块，来灶前烧火。小二哥替他淘米做饭，洗刷碗盏。卢俊义是财主出身，这般事却不会做，草柴火把又湿，又烧不着，一齐灭了；甫能尽力一吹，被灰眯了眼睛。董超又喃喃讷讷地骂。做得饭熟，两个都盛去了，卢俊义并不敢讨吃。两个自吃了一回，剩下些残汤冷饭，与卢俊义吃了。薛霸又不住声骂了一回，吃了晚饭，又叫卢俊义去烧脚汤。等得汤滚，卢俊义方敢房里去坐地。两个自洗了脚，掇一盆百煎滚汤，赚卢俊义洗脚。方才脱得草鞋，被薛霸扯两条腿纳在滚汤里，大痛难禁。薛霸道：“老爷伏侍你，颠倒做嘴脸！”两个公人自去炕上睡了。把一条铁索将卢员外锁在房门背后，声唤到四更。两个起来，叫小二哥做饭，自吃了出门，收拾了包裹要行。卢俊义看脚时，都是潦浆泡，点地不得，寻那旧草鞋，又不见了。董超道：“我把一双新草鞋与你。”却是夹麻皮做的，穿上都打破了脚，出不的门。当日秋雨纷纷，路上又滑，卢俊义一步一，薛霸拿起水火棍拦腰便打，董超假意去劝，一路上埋冤叫苦。
离了村店，约行了十馀里，到一座大林。卢俊义道：“小人其实捱不动了，可怜见权歇一歇！”两个公人带入林子来，正是东方渐明，未有人行。薛霸道：“我两个起得早了，好生困倦，欲要就林子里睡一睡，只怕你走了。”卢俊义道：“小人插翅也飞不去！”薛霸道：“莫要着你道儿，且等老爷缚一缚！”腰间解麻索下来，兜住卢俊义肚皮，去那松树上只一勒，反拽过脚来，绑在树上。薛霸对董超道：“大哥，你去林子外立着，若有人来撞着，咳嗽为号。”董超道：“兄弟，放手快些个。”薛霸道：“你放心去看着外面。”说罢，拿起水火棍，看着卢员外道：“你休怪我两个，你家主管李固，教我们路上结果你。便到沙门岛也是死，不如及早打发了，你阴司地府不要怨我们。明年今日，是你周年。”卢俊义听了，泪如雨下，低头受死。
薛霸两只手拿起水火棍，望着卢员外脑门上劈将下来。董超在外面只听得一声扑地响，慌忙走入林子里来看时，卢员外依旧缚在树上，薛霸倒仰卧倒树下，水火棍撇在一边。董超道：“却又作怪！莫不是他使的力猛，倒吃一跤？”仰着脸四下里看时，不见动静。薛霸口里出血，心窝里露出三四寸长一枝小小箭杆。却待要叫，只见东北角树上，坐着一个人，听的叫声：“着！”撒手响处，董超脖项上早中了一箭，两脚蹬空，扑地也倒了。
那人托地从树上跳将下来，拔出解腕尖刀，割断绳索，劈碎盘头枷，就树边抱住卢员外放声大哭。卢俊义开眼看时，认得是浪子燕青，叫道：“小乙，莫不是魂魄和你相见么？”燕青道：“小乙直从留守司前，跟定这厮两个。见他把主人监在使臣房里，又见李固请去说话，小乙疑猜这厮们要害主人，连夜直跟出城来。主人在村店里被他作贱，小乙伏在外头壁子缝里都张得见。本要跳过来杀公人，却被店内人多不敢下手。比及五更里起来，小乙先在这里等候，想这厮们必来这林子里下手。被我两弩箭，结果了他两个，主人见么？”这浪子燕青那把弩弓，三枝快箭，端的是百发百中。但见：
弩桩劲裁乌木，山根对嵌红牙。拨手轻衬水晶，弦索半抽金线。背缠锦袋，弯弯如秋月未圆；稳放雕翎，急急似流星飞迸。绿槐影里，娇莺胆战心惊；翠柳阴中，野鹊魂飞魄散。好手人中称好手，红心里面夺红心。
卢俊义道：“虽是你强救了我性命，却射死这两个公人，这罪越添得重了。待走那里去的是？”燕青道：“当初都是宋公明苦了主人，今日不上梁山泊时，别无去处。”卢俊义道：“只是我杖疮发作，脚皮破损，点地不得。”燕青道：“事不宜迟，我背着主人去。”便去公人身边搜出银两，带着弩弓，插了腰刀，拿了水火棍，背着卢俊义，一直望东边行。走不到十数里，早驮不动，见一个小小村店，入到里面，寻房安下，买些酒肉，权且充饥。两个暂时安歇这里。
却说过往人看见林子里射死两个公人在彼，近处社长报与里正得知，却来大名府里首告。随即差官下来检验，却是留守司公人董超、薛霸。回复梁中书，着落大名府缉捕观察，限了日期，要捉凶身。做公的人都来看了，“论这弩箭，眼见得是浪子燕青的。事不宜迟。”一二百做公的，分头去一到处贴了告示，说那两个模样，晓谕远近村房道店，市镇人家，挨捕捉拿。
却说卢俊义正在村店房中将息杖疮，又走不动，只得在那里且住。店小二听得有杀人公事，村坊里排头说来，画两个模样。小二见了，连忙去报本处社长：“我店里有两个人，好生脚叉[6]。不知是也不是？”社长转报做公的去了。
却说燕青为无下饭，拿了弩子去近边处寻几个虫蚁吃，却待回来，只听得满村里发喊。燕青躲在树林里张时，看见一二百做公的枪刀围定，把卢俊义缚在车子上，推将过去。燕青要抢出去救时，又无军器，只叫得苦。寻思道：“若不去梁山泊报与宋公明得知，叫他来救，却不是我误了主人性命！”当时取路，行了半夜，肚里又饥，身边又没一文。走到一个土岗子上，丛丛杂杂，有些树木，就林子里睡到天明，心中忧闷。只听得树枝上喜雀咶咶噪噪，寻思道：“若是射得下来，村房人家讨些水煮瀑得熟，也得充饥。”走出林子外，抬头看时，那喜雀朝着燕青噪。燕青轻轻取出弩弓，暗暗问天买卦，望空祈祷说道：“燕青只有这一枝箭了！若是救的主人性命，箭到处灵雀坠空；若是主人命运合休，箭到灵雀飞去。”搭上箭，叫声：“如意不要误我！”弩子响处，正中喜雀后尾，带了那枝箭，直飞下岗子去。燕青大踏步赶下岗子去，不见了喜雀。正寻之间，只见两个人从前面走来。怎生打扮？但见：
前头的，带顶猪嘴头巾，脑后两个金裹银环，上穿香皂罗衫，腰系销金搭膊，穿半膝软袜麻鞋，提一条齐眉棍棒。后面的，白范阳遮尘笠子，茶褐攒线绸衫，腰系绯红缠袋，脚穿踢土皮鞋，背了衣包，提条短棒，跨口腰刀。
这两个来的人，正和燕青打个肩厮拍。燕青转回身看了这两个，寻思道：“我正没盘缠，何不两拳打倒两个，夺了包裹，却好上梁山泊。”揣了弩弓，抽身回来。这两个低着头，只顾走。燕青赶上，把后面带毡笠儿的后心一拳，扑地打倒。却待拽拳再打那前面的，反被那汉子手起棒落，正中燕青左腿，打翻在地。后面那汉子扒将起来，踏住燕青，掣出腰刀，劈面门便剁。燕青大叫道：“好汉！我死不妨，着谁上梁山泊报信？”那汉便不下刀，收住了手，提起燕青问道：“你这厮上梁山泊报甚么音信？”燕青道：“你问我待怎地？”那前面的好汉，把燕青手一拖，却露出手腕上花绣，慌忙问道：“你不是卢员外家甚么浪子燕青？”燕青想道：“左右是死，率性说了，教他捉去和主人阴魂做一处。”便道：“我正是卢员外家浪子燕青。今要上梁山泊报信，教宋公明救我主人则个。”二人见说，呵呵大笑，说道：“早是不杀了你，原来正是燕小乙哥。你认得我两个么？”穿皂的不是别人，梁山泊头领病关索杨雄；后面的便是拚命三郎石秀。杨雄道：“我两个今奉哥哥将令，差往北京打听卢员外消息。”燕青听得是杨雄、石秀，把上件事都对两个说了。杨雄道：“既是如此说时，我和燕青上山寨报知哥哥，别做个道理。你可自去北京打听消息，便来回报。”石秀道：“最好。”便把包裹与燕青背了。跟着杨雄，连夜上梁山泊来。见了宋江，燕青把上项事备细说了一遍。宋江大惊，便会众头领商议良策。
且说石秀只带自己随身衣服，来到北京城外，天色已晚，入不得城，就城外歇了一宿。次日早饭罢，入得城来，但见人人嗟叹，个个伤情。石秀心疑，来到市心里，只见人家闭户关门。石秀问市户人家时，只见一个老丈回言道：“客人你不知。我这北京有个卢员外，等地[7]财主，因被梁山泊贼人掳掠前去，逃得回来，倒吃了一场屈官司，迭配去沙门岛。又不知怎地路上坏了两个公人，昨夜拿来，今日午时三刻解来这里市曹上斩他。客人可看一看。”石秀听罢，走来市曹上看时，十字路口是个酒楼。石秀便来酒楼上，临街占个阁儿坐下。酒保前来问道：“客官还是请人，只是独自酌杯？”石秀睁着怪眼，说道：“大碗酒，大块肉，只顾卖来，问甚么鸟！”酒保倒吃了一惊。打两角酒，切一大盘牛肉，将来只顾吃。石秀大碗吃了一回，坐不多时，只听得楼下街上热闹。石秀便去楼窗外看时，只见家家闭户，铺铺关门。酒保上楼来道：“客官醉也！楼下出公事，快算了酒钱，别处去回避。”石秀道：“我怕甚么鸟！你快走下去，莫要讨老爷打吃！”酒保不敢做声，下楼去了。不多时，只见街上锣鼓喧天价来。但见：
两声破鼓响，一棒碎锣鸣。皂纛旗招展如云，柳叶枪交加似雪。犯由牌前引，白混棍后随。押牢节级狰狞，仗刃公人猛勇。高头马上，监斩官胜似活阎罗；刀剑林中，掌法吏犹如追命鬼。可怜十字街心里，要杀含冤负屈人。
石秀在楼窗外看时，十字路口，周回围住法场，十数对刀棒刽子，前排后拥，把卢俊义押到楼前跪下。铁臂膊蔡福拿着法刀，一枝花蔡庆扶着枷梢，说道：“卢员外，你自精细看。不是我弟兄两个救你不的，事做拙了！前面五圣堂里，我已安排下你的坐位了，你可一魂去那里领受。”说罢，人丛里一声叫道：“午时三刻到了！”一边开枷，蔡庆早拿住了头，蔡福早掣出法刀在手。当案孔目高声读罢犯由牌，众人齐和一声。楼上石秀只就那一声和里，掣着腰刀在手，应声大叫：“梁山泊好汉全伙在此！”蔡福、蔡庆撇了卢员外，扯了绳索先走。石秀从楼上跳将下来，手举钢刀，杀人似砍瓜切菜，走不迭的，杀翻十数个。一只手拖住卢俊义，投南便走。原来这石秀不认得北京的路，更兼卢员外惊得呆了，越走不动。
梁中书听得报来，大惊，便点帐前头目，引了人马，分头去把城四门关上；差前后做公的，合将拢来。快马强兵，怎出高城峻垒？且看石秀、卢俊义走向那里出去。正是：分开陆地无牙爪，飞上青天欠羽毛。毕竟卢员外同石秀当下怎地脱身，且听下回分解。
[1] 光前绝后——这里指把人暗杀了，干干净净，不留一点痕迹。
[2] 戒石——宋时，每个官厅里都竖有一块石碑，上刻着做官的诫条，称为戒石。
[3] 提刑官下马——宋时，皇帝派到各地查勘司法情况的官，名为提点刑狱官，省称提刑官。下马，就是停留在此地。
[4] 摆拨——同摆布。
[5] 扶同诖（ɡuà）误——扶同，是牵连的意思；扶同诖误，是被人牵连因而做错了事的意思。
[6] 脚叉——来路不明、陌生。
[7] 等地——当地。
CHAPTER 61. By Shooting an Arrow from Ambush Yan Qing Saves the Life of His Master; Shi Xiu Jumps from an Upper Room and Saves Life on the Execution Ground
WHEN Lu Junyi was thrown overboard he was rescued by Zhang Shun, who brought him to the bank, where there were many men with torches who seized Lu Junyi, disarmed him, removed his wet clothes, and were going to bind his hand with ropes. Just then Dai Zong appeared, and called out, “Do not injure Lu Junyi in any way!” He took some new embroidered clothes from a man, and handed them to Lu Junyi. A sedan chair was there, and Lu Junyi was asked to take his seat in same. In the distance were about forty men with red silk lanterns illuminated and beating drums who were to conduct Lu Junyi to the mountain. With them were Song Jiang, Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and all the other leaders. When near, the chair was set down, and Lu Junyi got out. The leaders all dismounted, and knelt down. Lu Junyi also knelt down, and said, “I am your prisoner, and request a quick dispatch.”
Song Jiang laughed and replied, “Sir, I request you to be seated in the chair.”
Lu Junyi did this, and all the leaders again mounted their horses. They then all moved off up the mountain, and upon halting before the Loyalty and Justice Hall Song Jiang pressed Lu Junyi to enter the hall. There was a blaze of lanterns on all sides. In the hall Song Jiang addressed Lu Junyi, “I have heard of your fame for a long time, and today I am gratified to be fortunate enough to meet you. I am afraid that we have annoyed you just now, and I ask you to forgive us.”
“I was instructed by our commander,” said Wu Yong, “to go to your house as a fortune teller, and by some means get you to come and join us here.”
Song Jiang requested Lu Junyi to occupy the second seat of honor, but the latter only laughed, and said, “At home I had no conduct deserving capital punishment, and now here I do not think of living. You want to kill me, then kill me at once. Do not joke with me.”
Song Jiang laughed, “How dare I joke with you? Your virtue is abundant, and we have been longing for a long time to meet you. So we thought out a plan to get you to come here, and now we will obey your orders.”
“Stay!” said Lu Junyi. “For me to die is easy, but to follow your wishes is very difficult.”
“We had better discuss matters further tomorrow,” said Wu Yong.
Food and wine were now brought in, and they all sat down. Lu Junyi saw no way of avoiding this so he ate and drank with the rest, and then was conducted to a bedroom.
The next day a feast was prepared, and Song Jiang pressed Lu Junyi to join them. When they entered the hall Lu Junyi was pressed to take the premier seat. During the feast Song Jiang stood up, filled Lu Junyi’s cup with wine, and then said, “Last night we spoke rather abruptly, and now ask you to forgive us. Though our stronghold is small, and is not a suitable place for a great man, yet I ask you look at that inscription, ‘Loyalty and Justice,’ and become our commander-in-chief, and I will make room for you.”
“Tut, tut!” exclaimed Lu Junyi. “You are wrong. I have committed no fault! Whether I live or die, I shall still be loyal to the Great Song Dynasty. I would prefere to die than to join you.”
“If you are unwilling to join us,” said Wu Yong, “we cannot force you to do so. We might detain your body, but we could not keep your spirit. Only it has been very difficult for us to get you come here. If you will not join us, we hope that you will stay with us for at least a few days.”
“As you cannot keep me here, why should you not let me leave at once?” asked Lu Junyi. “I am afraid that my people at home will be very much upset at not hearing of me.”
“That can be easily arranged,” said Wu Yong. “We can send your steward Li Gu back with your carts and goods so that you can rest here for a few days.” He then summoned Li Gu, and upon his arrival asked him, “Have you got all your goods and carts?”
“There are none missing,” replied Li Gu.
Song Jiang sent for some silver, and distributed it among Li Gu and his subordinates.
Lu Junyi then spoke to Li Gu, “You know all my trouble. I want you to tell my wife everything, and urge her not to be downcast. If I am not killed here I will certainly come back.”
“The men here like you,” said Li Gu, “so that it won’t matter if you stay here for one or two months.” He and his men then withdrew.
“Sir, I hope that you will make yourself at home here,” said Wu Yong. “I will go and see that Li Gu departs without any difficulty.” He then left the hall, mounted his horse, and went down the mountain to wait for Li Gu. When he met him he said, “Li Gu, we have settled every thing with your master, and he has agreed to occupy the second seat in our assembly. While he was at home he wrote on the wall of a room a poem of twenty-eight characters, seven in each line, and along the top of the four lines are four characters, ‘Lu’ ‘Jun’ ‘Yi’ ‘Rebels’. The poem is as follows:
‘On bank a gallant hero strolls,
His boat is hidden in the reeds;
A long sword he holds,
To kill the traitorous ministers.’
“Today your master has arrived here, but you do not understand the reason. He asked us to kill all you men so that nobody would know where he was, but that would represent us heroes at Liangshan Marsh as being unjust. So you can now return and tell his people that he will never come back.”
Li Gu and his men saluted. Wu Yong got a boat, and the party was rowed across the lake. Wu Yong took leave of them, and they departed on their way to the Northern Capital.
The next day another feast was held in the Loyalty and Justice Hall, and there Lu Junyi spoke, “As you have not killed me yet my stay here seems very long. Today I must take my leave of you.”
“I have no ability,” said Song Jiang, “but today I am aware of your greatness. Tomorrow I will arrange a private feast for us two then we can discuss matters fully. I must ask you not to decline the invitation.”
The next day Song Jiang gave the feast, and the day afterwards Wu Yong also had a special private feast for Lu Junyi. Then Gongsun Sheng did the same, and he was followed by all the other thirty leaders so that Lu Junyi had a special feast every day for a whole month. At last Lu Junyi decided to depart at all costs, and Song Jiang agreed to this. He arranged for a parting feast, and drank wine with Lu Junyi. But the other leaders complained because Lu Junyi would not also drink wine with them. They used the proverb, “Why is the brick thick and the tile thin,” i.e., why do you treat him intimately and treat us coldly?
Li Kui also called out, “I went through a lot of trouble in my journey to and from the Northern Capital to induce him to come here, but now he would not drink a parting cup with me. Let me fight with him to settle the affair.”
Wu Yong laughed at this, but pointed out to Lu Junyi how much he was liked. At last Lu Junyi agreed to stay five days more. But after that he was again induced to stay until nearly another month had passed. It was then near the end of autumn, and the days were getting cold. At last Lu Junyi spoke personally to Song Jiang about his departure, but the latter only laughed, and said, “This can be easily arranged. I will accompany you across the lake tomorrow.” The next day Lu Junyi put on his sword and clothes for journey, and all the bandit leaders came down the mountain to see him off. He accepted from them only enough money to cover his expenses on the way.
Lu Junyi had no adventure on his journey, and duly reached the Northern Capital. As it was evening when he arrived he decided to pass the night in an inn just outside the gate. The next morning he entered the city, and happened to meet a man who had a tattered turban and shabby clothes. Upon seeing Lu Junyi he began to cry. Upon looking at the man closely he recognized him as his employee Yan Qing, and therefore asked him what was the matter.
“This is no place to talk,” replied Yan Qing. So they both went off the road to a quiet corner where Yan Qing said, “Sometime after you had gone Li Gu returned and told your wife that you had joined the brigands at Liangshan Marsh, and had become the second-in-command. So they both went to the yamen, and made an accusation against you. They then went away and lived together. As I objected to that arrangement they dismissed me, and then prevented me from getting other employment so that I have been reduced to begging for a bare living. I knew that you would not join the brigands, and therefore waited here for your return. Now if you will take my advice you will at once return to Liangshan Marsh, because if you stay here there will be danger for you.”
“My wife is not the kind of woman who would do such a thing,” replied Lu Junyi.
“As you have no eyes at the back of your head,” said Yan Qing, “how could you know what has happened here? Previously you were so engaged in your military drills that you had no time for your wife’s desires, and it was at that time that your wife had Li Gu as her lover. They now live together as man and wife, and if you interfere there it will lead you to trouble.”
Lu Junyi was angry and said, “Our family has been in this town for five generations, and I am well known here. I know Li Gu dares not do this kind of thing. I think you may be deceiving me for some reason. I will go myself to make inquiries at my home, and then I will deal with you.”
Yan Qing cried again, and seized hold of Lu Junyi’s clothes, but the latter kicked him, and getting free he hurried off towards his home.
Upon arriving there all the servants were surprised to see him. Li Gu hurried forward, saluted, and requested him to enter the main hall. Lu Junyi asked for Yan Qing, and Li Gu replied, “That is a long story, and you had better not ask about him just now. You just take a rest and then I will tell you all about him.”
Just then Lu Junyi’s wife stepped from behind the screen, and he spoke to her: “How do you do, wife? Now can you tell me about Yan Qing?”
His wife replied, “You need not ask, as that is a long story. You may take a rest and then I will tell you all about him.”
Lu Junyi was now very suspicious, and wanted to pursue his inquiries about Yan Qing. But Li Gu said, “Please change your clothes; then worship at your ancestral tablets; get your breakfast, and then we can discuss matters fully.” He then went and ordered the food.
As Lu Junyi sat down to eat there arose a great noise at the gates, and about two hundred yamen aides entered. They seized Lu Junyi, bound him, and took him off to the yamen beating him on the way with their staves. The commander-in-chief of the garrison, Grand Secretary Liang took his seat on the bench. Lu Junyi was taken in front of the bench, and the yamen aides stood in ranks on both sides. Li Gu and Lu Junyi’s wife had also arrived, and they knelt down at one side.
Grand Secretary Liang, addressed the prisoner in a loud voice: “How is it that you, a highly respected citizen of Daming Prefecture, the Northern Capital, went and joined the brigands at Liangshan Marsh, and became second-in-command there? Do you now return to the Northern Capital to devise schemes to attack us with the brigands? What explanation have you to offer?”
“I was rather stupid,” replied Lu Junyi. “One of the brigand leaders, Wu Yong, came to my house in the disguise of a fortune teller. He instigated me to go to Liangshan Marsh, where I was kept as a prisoner for two months. By lucky chance I escaped and returned home here, really I have had no bad intentions. I request that you go into this matter fully.”
“It is useless for you to say you have no bad intention,” said the Grand Secretary Liang. “If you were not on very intimate terms with the brigands how could you stay there for two months? The accusation against you was made by your own wife and your steward Li Gu. It cannot be false.”
“Master,” said Li Gu, “if I were you I would make a full confession. On the wall of a room at your house we found a rebellious poem so that it is useless trying to hide anything.”
“We do not wish to injure you,” said Lu Junyi’s wife, “but we are afraid of being implicated. There is a saying, ‘If one man rebels, his family is exterminated.’”
Lu Junyi felt deeply wronged, knelt down, and denied the accusation.
“Master, do not deny the charge,” said Li Gu. “If you now speak the truth you may get off more easily than if you speak falsely. If you do not confess very soon they will force a confession by torture.”
The wife also said, “Husband! If there was nothing definite you would not be here, and if you speak the truth it will be easier to get your release. If you have done this, my own life will be endangered. Your flesh is sensitive, but the bamboo has no feelings. If you confess you will only be punished according to the law.”
As Li Gu had bribed all the officials high and low, so the clerk of the court Zhang addressed the bench, “This is an obstinate man, and he will not confess without torture.”
“That is so,” said the Grand Secretary. He then gave an order for the accused to be beaten.
The court aides seized the prisoner, forced him on the ground, and beat him on the buttocks with the bamboo until blood flowed freely. Lu Junyi fainted several times. He could not endure this torture, and at last said, “My fate is evidently to meet with an untimely death so I will now confess.”
The clerk of the court wrote down his confession, and afterwards the accused had a cangue fastened round his neck, and was sent to the prison.
Most of the public present considered that the prisoner had merely confessed in order to escape further torture.
In the prison Lu Junyi was in charge of a jailer Cai Fu, nicknamed, the “Iron Arm,” who had his younger brother, Cai Qing, nicknamed the “Flower,” as his assistant. Cai Fu was the chief executioner, and never took two strokes, his younger brother always wore a flower in his cap—hence the nicknames. Cai Fu told his younger brother to take the prisoner to a cell, as he wished to go home. This was done. As Cai Fu left the prison he was accosted by a man at the door who was crying and also carrying a can of food. Cai Fu recognized him as Yan Qing and asked what he was doing. Yan Qing knelt down with his tears falling to the ground like pearls and beans. He said, “Elder brother, I ask you to have pity on my master Lu Junyi as he was innocent, although now a prisoner. I have been begging for food, and have now brought a little for him. Do not refuse me.” He could not control his sorrow or say another word, but burst into tears.
Cai Fu replied, “I know about the case. You can go inside and give the prisoner the food.”
Yan Qing saluted, and entered the jail.
Cai Fu went on his way, but soon met a tea boy who called out, “There is a guest in our tea-house who wishes to speak to you.” Cai Fu went upstairs with the man, and found Li Gu waiting for him. After saluting each other Li Gu spoke, “You know all about my affairs so I will not attempt to deceive you. Tonight I want you to extinguish his life. I wish to present you fifty taels of silver for this. If the officials make inquiries I will ‘square’ them.”
Cai Fu laughed and said, “Have you not noticed the stone tablet on the wall of the court with the inscription, ‘It is easy to deceive persons, but difficult to deceive heaven.’ You may deceive yourself, but you may be sure that I shall know all about it. You have got hold of his wealth, and also his wife, and now you offer me a bribe to kill him. If I commit a crime I shall suffer for it when it is discovered.”
“You think fifty taels are too small, so I will double that amount,” replied Li Gu.
“Li Gu,” said Cai Fu, “‘you cut off the cat’s tail, and then mix it with the cat’s food.’ Lu Junyi is a very wealthy man, and your offer is not enough. I might do it, however, for five hundred taels.”
“I have the money here,” said Li Gu, “and I will hand it to you, if you will kill him this very night.”
Cai Fu took the money, hid it in his clothes, and then said, “You come early tomorrow morning for the corpse.”
Li Gu thanked him, saluted, and took his departure. Cai Fu went on his way, and upon reaching his home was met at the entrance by a man, who was good looking, well dressed, with a jeweled belt, and embroidered silk shoes.
They saluted each other, and then Cai Fu asked for the man’s name and business.
“Let us go inside and then we can talk,” replied the man.
They did so, and took their seats in a small private room.
“Do not be alarmed at what I say,” commenced the man. “I am a Henghai County man, and my name is Chai Jin. I am a descendant of the Emperor of Later Zhou Dynasty, and I am known as the ‘Small Whirlwind.’ I am just and upright and distribute wealth in good cause. By a misfortune I committed a crime, and therefore had to fly for safety to Liangshan Marsh. Our commander there is Song Jiang who instructed me to come here, and watch carefully the affairs of Lu Junyi. Who could know that the venal officials, avaricious subordinates, an adulterous wife, and a fornicating villain would join together to injure an innocent man. You hold the life of the innocent man in your hand. I have come to see about this matter, and have scorned the danger I run in doing so. If the prisoner survives we shall never forget your virtue. If the slightest error occurs in this matter then when the heroes of Liangshan Marsh enter this city they will kill everyone, whether good or bad, young or old. We have heard that you are a very upright man, so I will present you a thousand taels of silver. If you wish to arrest me please do so, and I will not resist you.”
Cai Fu while listening to this was covered with goose flesh, and was so paralyzed that he could not utter a word.
So Squire Chai Jin continued, “Sir, do not hesitate, but give me an immediate answer.”
“I request you, sir, to go back,” replied Cai Fu. “I will arrange matters as you wish.”
“As you agree to do this I will see that you are duly recompensed,” said Squire Chai Jin.
He then took the money from his companion who was standing outside the gate, and handing it to Cai Fu took his leave.
Cai Fu was undecided what to do in view of what Squire Chai Jin had said. He however returned to the jail, and told his younger brother what had passed. His brother said, “You generally have no difficulty in deciding what to do, and as this is only a small matter where is the difficulty? There is a saying, ‘In killing a man we must see his blood, in saving a man, we must save him out of trouble.’ As we have a thousand taels of silver we can make presents to our superior and inferior men in his name. Both Grand Secretary Liang, and clerk Zhang are fond of bribes, and they can be bought to spare the life of Lu Junyi. We can easily arrange for him to be banished to another place, and so avoid trouble from Liangshan Marsh.”
“What you say is just what I think,” said Cai Fu. “Take Lu Junyi and put him in a decent cell, and see that he has good food and wine. You can also tell him what has happened.”
The money was duly distributed among the various officials, and the matter was explained to them. The following day as Li Gu got no further news he went to Cai Fu’s house to find out the reason. Cai Qing, the younger brother, was at home, and he told Li Gu, “We wanted to get rid of the prisoner as you proposed, but unfortunately we got orders from Grand Secretary Liang that the prisoner’s life must be saved. So you had better go to the Grand Secretary and bribe him. As soon as he issues orders to us our work will soon be done.”
Li Gu sent another man to bribe the officials, and an intermediary reported that the Grand Secretary declined to have anything to do with killing the prisoner. But perhaps after a few days the prisoner might commit suicide.
Clerk Zhang had been bribed by Cai Fu, so he put up the case purposely. Cai Fu also urged him that something should be done at once, and Clerk Zhang consulted Grand Secretary Liang as to how the case should be dealt with. “They had a clear accusation, but there was little proof of the crime. Though he stayed at Liangshan Marsh for some time, there was no evidence that he was really a bandit. We can beat him, and then banish him to some place about three hundred li away. What do you think of that?”
The Grand Secretary agreed to this proposal, so sentence was made that Lu Junyi was to receive forty blows with the bamboo, to have a smaller cangue, and be banished to Shamen Island.
This was done, and Lu Junyi was placed in charge of an escort of two men, Dong Chao and Xue Ba. Now these men were the same who had tried to kill Lin Chong when on his journey of banishment but were prevented by Lu Da. Upon receipt of the signed order they took charge of Lu Junyi, and placed him temporarily in a small room while they went home to get their traveling kit ready. Li Gu heard of the new arrangement, and sent a messenger to request Dong Chao and Xue Ba to come and see him before starting off. They duly met Li Gu in an inn where they all sat down in a private room to eat some food and drink wine. After drinking three cups of wine Li Gu spoke to them, “I will be straight with you. Lu Junyi is my enemy. He has no money now, and on this long journey to Shamen Island you will have to pay all the expenses yourself. It will be at least three months before you can get back. Just now I have only these two ingots of silver to give you. If however, when on the way you kill the prisoner, and upon your return you show me the skin bearing his brand mark, then I will give each of you fifty taels of silver. Then you can bring a report back that the prisoner died on the way and I will fix matters up all right for you at the yamen.”
Dong Chao and Xue Ba looked at each other, and then Dong Chao replied, “I am afraid this is hard for us to do.”
But Xue Ba said, “Our friend Li Gu is a well-known man, has a good name, and perhaps we can do this thing for him. If there is any difficulty he can arrange matters for us.”
“I am not ungrateful, and I can certainly compensate you well,” said Li Gu.
So Dong Chao and Xue Ba took the money, went home for their baggage, and departed that night with the prisoner.
They placed their baggage on Lu Junyi’s cangue. They treated the prisoner very harshly on the way. Towards evening of the second day they had gone about five li, and they stopped at an inn, just on the outskirts of a forest. They were shown by the waiter into a room at the back, and Xue Ba spoke to Lu, “We are minor officials so how can we wait upon you. If you want a meal you must go and cook it yourself.”
So Lu Junyi went into the kitchen, and getting some fuel from the waiter he lit the fire. The waiter also gave him clean rice to boil. But as Lu Junyi had been brought up in a wealthy family he did not know how to cook food. The fire he had lit soon went out, and upon his blowing the embers to revive the flame he got the ashes in his eyes. Dong Chao was annoyed at the delay, and cursed him. When the rice was cooked Dong Chao took it all away, and Lu Junyi dared not even ask for some. When they had finished there was a little left which they gave to Lu Junyi, but it was cold. Xue Ba now told Lu Junyi to boil some water to wash their feet. When he had done this Lu Junyi went into a room and sat down. When they had finished they filled a tub full of very hot water, and summoned Lu Junyi to come and wash his feet. When he had taken off his shoes they seized his legs, and thrust both feet into the boiling water. He shrieked with the pain.
Xue Ba said, “We wait upon you but you are so fastidious.” They took a chain and fastened Lu Junyi to the door. They then went to sleep.
About 3 A.M. they got up, and called for the waiter to get their breakfast ready. When they had dined they picked up their bundles to leave the inn. Lu Junyi saw that his feet were all scalded, and he could not walk. Outside it was raining heavily, and the path slippery. Lu Junyi attempted to walk, but fell down. Xue Ba took a stick and thrashed him. Lu Junyi struggled on, while they cursed him. They had gone about three li like this when they came to a forest, and Lu Junyi said, “I cannot really go any further, and I hope you will take pity on me and allow me to rest here.” They agreed to this, and they all entered the forest. It was now daybreak, and there were no people about. Xue Ba said, “We got up very early this morning, and as we are a bit tired we will rest here. We would like to sleep, but are afraid that you will try to escape.”
“Even if I had wings I could not get away just now,” said Lu Junyi.
“We will not trust you,” said Xue Ba, “and will tie you up.”
He took a hempen cord from around his waist, and tied Lu Junyi to a pine tree. He then asked Dong Chao to act as sentry some distance away, and to cough if he saw anyone coming.
“Brother, please get it done as quickly as possible,” said Dong Chao.
Xue Ba took his stick, and said to Lu Junyi, “you must not think ill of us but your steward, Li Gu, asked us to kill you on the way. In any case you would soon have died at Shamen Island, so it would be better if you died here. When you get to the afterlife do not blame us.”
Lu Junyi wept, but did not speak a word. Xue Ba lifted the stick to strike Lu Junyi on the head when Dong Chao at his post heard a noise, and assumed that the deed had been done. He hurried back to see the result, and there Lu Junyi was still tied to the tree, but evidently none the worse. Xue Ba, however, was lying at the foot of the tree, and his stick was some distance away. “How strange!” said Dong Chao. “You must have over-exerted yourself, and so have fainted.” He stooped down to raise his companion, but could not move him. He now saw blood issuing from Xue Ba’s mouth, and looking more closely he saw an arrow sticking in Xue Ba’s breast. He was startled at this, and quickly looking round espied a man sitting in a tree. At the same moment the man shot an arrow which struck Dong Chao in the neck, and he fell down dead.
The man jumped down from the tree, and taking his sword cut the cord binding Lu Junyi to the tree. When Lu Junyi opened his eyes he saw that the man was Yan Qing, his servant, and exclaimed, “You! Surely we are both dead, and are now both spirits.”
“I have followed you all the way from the town,” said Yan Qing, “because I thought that they would try to murder you. But I have succeeded in killing them. See, here they are.”
“You saved my life,” said Lu Junyi, “but you have killed those yamen guards so that I am now implicated in a serious crime. Where can we go?”
“Song Jiang certainly did you an injury when he tricked you into leaving your home, but now there is no other place than Liangshan Marsh for us to go to.”
“But I am still suffering from the beatings I got in the prison, and my feet were scalded so how can I walk, or go anywhere?” said Lu Junyi.
“We cannot delay matters, so I will carry you on my back.” Yan Qing was feeling very perturbed, he kicked the corpses aside and then took Lu Junyi on his back, and started off in an easterly direction. But after going about three li like this Yan Qing felt tired, and therefore he stopped at an inn for the night.
Now it happened that some travelers passing near the forest saw the two corpses, and told the chief at the next village, who reported the matter to the officials at Daming, the Northern Capital. When the coroner arrived he recognized Xue Ba and Dong Chao. The officials duly issued an order for the arrest of the murderer within a fixed time. Upon examining the arrows it was found out that they belonged to Yan Qing, so another proclamation was issued giving description of that man, and also Lu Junyi, and ordering their immediate arrest.
Lu Junyi and Yan Qing were now staying at an inn. The waiter at the inn heard of the murder, and as everybody was talking about it, he had suspicions about them. So he went to the village, and told the chief there who sent a report at once to the local yamen.
As Yan Qing had no dish for the meal, he took his bow and arrows and went out to shoot some birds. As he was returning to the inn he heard a hubbub in the village so he hid in some trees to see what was happening. Soon he saw a large number of police with a cart on which Lu Junyi was bound a prisoner again. Yan Qing’s first desire was to rush out, and rescue Lu Junyi, but he realized that this would be useless as he was not well armed. So he thought, “The only way now is for me to go to Liangshan Marsh, and beg Song Jiang to come and rescue Lu Junyi.”
So he started off at once, and traveled all that night. He was very hungry, as he had not a cash to buy food. He crossed a ridge, but as the trees were very dense he could not find his way very well, so he lay down among the bushes and slept there. At daybreak he was aroused by a magpie chattering in a tree just over his head. He thought, “If I shoot that bird I can take it into a village, and get it cooked.” When he got up, the magpie, seeing him, began to chatter again. He took his bow and an arrow, and prayed to Heaven, “I have only one arrow, but this shot must hit the bird if my master is to live. If my master’s fate is death then this shot will fail.” He fixed the arrow and addressed it. “Dart, do not fail!” He pulled the string, and the arrow flew and hit the magpie’s tail. The bird flew away towards the foot of the ridge with the arrow sticking in its tail. Yan Qing ran in the direction the bird had gone, but instead of seeing the magpie he ran into two men. The first man wore a cap, in the shape of a pig’s snout and had two rings hanging from the cap at the back of his head. He wore a brown silk gown and an engraved metal girdle. His cloth boots came up to his knees. He carried a long staff. The second man wore a big broad brimmed cloth cap and a tea-colored gown. His belt was red, and contained pockets for money, etc. He had leather boots. He carried a bundle on his back, a small stick in his hand, and a sword in his belt. Yan Qing passed the two men close by before he could stop. He looked round and thought, “Why should I not attack these man, and take their money, and so have enough to take me to Liangshan Marsh?” He stuck his bow in his clothes, and turned on the men. The two men, however, seeing his action went on as before. Yan Qing pursued them, and upon catching up, struck one in his back with his fist and knocked him down. The other man, however, took his stave, and swinging it struck Yan Qing on the leg so that he fell down. Before he could get up the other man put his foot on Yan Qing’s back, drew his sword to kill him. At this, Yan Qing called out, “Good sir! I do not mind death, but I ask you to have pity on me, as there would be no man to carry the news.” The man stayed his hand, and asked what the news was.
“Why do you ask for the news?” asked Yan Qing.
The man seized hold of Yan Qing’s arm, and seeing the tattoo marks asked, “Are you not Yan Qing, the employee of Lu Junyi?”
Yan Qing was face to face with death so he thought, “As these men know me I had better tell them the whole truth.” He replied, “Yes, I am Yan Qing.”
The man said, “It was very lucky that we did not kill you. Do you not recognize us? We are from Liangshan Marsh. I am Yang Xiong and this man is Shi Xiu. We were deputed to come here, and find out what has happened to Lu Junyi. Wu Yong and Dai Zong will come very soon.”
Yan Qing then told them all that had happened.
Yang Xiong said, “As that is the position I must go at once to Liangshan Marsh with Yan Qing, and ask for instructions. Meanwhile Shi Xiu had better go to Daming and watch what happens there.”
Shi Xiu agreed to this, and gave Yan Qing some of their spare food, and also his bundle. They went their separate ways.
When Shi Xiu reached Daming it was just dark, and as the gates were closed he could not enter that night so he slept at an inn outside the gate. Early the next morning after breakfast he entered the city, and found the people very depressed about something. When he reached the market place he asked an old man whether there had been any trouble. The man replied, “Stranger! Do you not know about the case of Lu Junyi? Today he is to be beheaded about noon so that you can see the affair.”
When Shi Xiu heard this his blood ran cold. He went to the place of execution, and entered an inn overlooking the ground. There he sat down and ordered wine and food.
The waiter asked, “Are you alone, or have you invited others to join you here?”
Shi Xiu was now very angry and shouted, “Bring me large bowls of wine and plenty of food. Don’t ask stupid questions!”
The waiter was startled at this gust of temper, but hurried off, and soon brought the refreshments. Shi Xiu quickly ate a hearty meal, but just as he had finished he heard a row down below. Looking out of the window he saw that all the shops were closing doors. Just then the waiter entered, and asked if he had had enough and said, “An execution is taking place so would you please pay now and leave.”
“What should I be afraid of?” asked Shi Xiu. “You get off at once before I hit you.”
The waiter beat a hasty retreat. Soon afterwards drums and gongs were sounded in the street below, and looking out again Shi Xiu saw Lu Junyi being taken to the execution ground which was just in front of the inn where he was. The head jailer Cai Fu was there with his executioner’s sword, and also his brother Cai Qing who spoke to Lu Junyi, “You must understand that it is not us who do not try to help you, but you have done wrong. Over there is a temple, and we have prepared there a proper seat for your soul to rest there in peace.”
The crowd standing round now called out, “It is well afternoon now.” So Cai Qing took off the cangue, and held the prisoner’s head in position. Cai Fu raised the sword to strike the deadly blow. The clerk held aloft the sentence and read it aloud. The waiting crowd gasped in anticipation.
Shi Xiu now drawing out his sword shouted out, “All the brigands from Liangshan Marsh are here,” and jumped down to the ground. Upon hearing and seeing this Cai Fu and Cai Qing deserted. Shi Xiu killed every man within reach, and in no time ten men lay on the ground. He seized Lu Junyi, and took him off down the south street. Shi Xiu did not know the roads, and Lu Junyi was too dazed to notice anything.
As soon as the news reached Grand Secretary Liang, he ordered all the city gates to be closed, and dispatched large numbers of soldiers to search the whole city for the escaped prisoners.
How could any hero escape from a city under such conditions?
A man cannot burrow through earth without claws;
Nor fly into the sky without wings.