Chapter 9

Chapter 9

It was then that Xue Ba raised both hands and brought his club down upon Lin Chong's head. But as the saying goes, "What seems slow is swift"—just as Xue Ba's club was poised in the air, there came a thunderous roar from behind the pine tree. An iron staff flew through the space and knocked the club of wood and water clear into the ninth heaven. Out leaped a stout monk, shouting, "This old monk has been listening to you from within the grove for quite some time!" When the two guards looked at the monk, they saw him wearing a dark-brown straight-cut robe, a sabre strapped across his back, and he raised his staff and swung it at the two guards.

Only now did Lin Chong step aside and open his eyes to look. He recognized Lu Zhishen. Lin Chong quickly called out, "Brother, you must not strike them down! I have something to say." Zhishen heard this and halted his staff. The two guards stood dazed for a long while, unable to move. Lin Chong said, "These two are not to blame. It was all Grand Marshal Gao who ordered Lu, the palace attendant, to command these two guards to take my life. How could they disobey him? If you kill them, it would be an injustice."

Lu Zhishen drew his sabre and cut through all the ropes. Then he helped Lin Chong to his feet and said, "Brother, ever since the day we parted after buying the saber, this old monk has been worried sick about you ever since. Since you fell into trouble with the law, I had nowhere to go to rescue you. I heard you had been sentenced to exile in Cangzhou, but when I went looking for you before the Kaifeng prefecture office, I could not find you. Then I heard someone say you were being held in the quarters of the imperial envoy. Later I saw a wine shop waiter come to invite the two guards, saying, 'An official at the shop wishes to speak with you.' This made me suspicious and I could not put my mind at ease. I feared these scoundrels would harm you on the road, so I followed you specially. I saw these two worthless birds lead you into the inn, and I too stopped there for the night. In the night I heard the two of them muttering incantations and scalding your feet with boiling water. At that moment I wanted to kill these two worthless birds, but there were too many people at the inn and I feared they might rescue you. I saw these fellows bore no good intentions, and I became even more unable to put my mind at ease. When you set out before the fifth watch, I came ahead to this grove to wait for these two worthless birds. They came here to harm you—just the right moment to kill the two of them." Lin Chong urged, "Since you have saved me, Brother, please do not take their lives." Lu Zhishen roared, "You two worthless birds! Had I not considered my brother's face, I would have chopped you both into mincemeat! But for my brother's sake, I will spare your two lives." He thrust his sabre back into its place and shouted, "You two worthless birds, quickly help my brother up and follow this old monk." He took up his staff and walked ahead. The two guards did not dare say a word in reply. They only cried out, "Instructor Lin, save us two!" As before, they shouldered their bundles, took up their clubs of wood and water, and supported Lin Chong. They also carried his bundle for him, and together they followed him out of the grove.

After traveling three or four *li*, they came across a small tavern at the entrance to a village. The four men went in and sat down. Looking at the inn, they saw:

Before it lay the post road; behind it, a village by the stream.

Several peach and green willow trees cast deep shade; here and there, sunflowers and pomegranates blazed with red.

Beyond the door, hemp and wheat grew thick and lush; by the window, lotus flowers swayed gracefully.

A light wine banner danced in the warm breeze; short reed blinds shielded against the scorching sun.

By the wall, earthen jars held the village brew, crystal-clear and full;

On the shelf, ceramic bottles emitted fragrant steam—freshly opened festival wine.

A white-haired old farmer himself washed the cups; a rosy-cheeked village girl smiled behind the counter.

Then Zhishen, Chong, Chao, and Ba sat down together at the village tavern. They called the tavern keeper to buy five or seven *jin* of meat, pour two measures of wine, and bring some flour to make pancakes. The tavern keeper busied himself preparing the food and poured the wine. The two guards said, "May we not ask which monastery you preside over, Master?" Zhishen laughed and said, "You two worthless birds, what do you want to know my abode for? Are you going to tell Gao Qiu so he can do something to trouble this old monk? Others fear him, but I do not. If I run into that scoundrel, I will make him taste three hundred blows of my staff." The two guards did not dare open their mouths again. They ate some meat and wine, gathered their luggage, paid the wine bill, and left the village inn. Lin Chong asked, "Brother, where shall we go now?" Lu Zhishen said, "To kill, one must see blood; to save, one must save completely. Since I cannot put my mind at ease about you, I will escort you all the way to Cangzhou." When the two guards heard this, they muttered to themselves, "Woe is us! He has ruined our scheme. How will we report back when we return? We have no choice but to go along with him and travel together." A poem bears witness:

Most hateful are treacherous schemes that cheat the bright sun;

Alone, righteous spirit scorns gold.

Undaunted by a thousand leagues of weary road,

All hardship is endured for the sake of one loyal heart.

From that point on, Lu Zhishen decided when to move and when to rest along the road, and the two constables dared not contradict him in the slightest. If things pleased him, he would curse; if not, he would strike. The two constables did not dare raise their voices, fearing the monk might fly into a rage. After traveling two stages, they obtained a cart. Lin Chong climbed aboard to recover, and the three followed the cart on foot. The two constables harbored dark thoughts in their hearts, each wanting to preserve his own life, so they had no choice but to follow along with care and compliance. Along the way, Lu Zhishen bought wine and meat to help Lin Chong recover, and the two constables ate as well. When they came to an inn, they rested early and set out late, and it was always the two constables who lit the fire and cooked the meals—who dared defy him? The two men secretly conferred: "We are under this monk's watch and control. When we return tomorrow, Marshal Gao will surely make things hard for us." Xue Ba said, "I heard that a new monk has arrived at the vegetable garden quarters of the Xiangguo Temple, called Lu Zhishen—this must be him. When we return, we will tell the truth: that we tried to finish him off in the Wild Boar Forest, but this monk rescued him and escorted him all the way to Cangzhou, so we had no chance to act. We will return his ten taels of gold and let Lu Qian go find this monk himself. As for us, we just need to keep ourselves clean." Dong Chao said, "That makes sense too." The two men settled their secret plan, but no more of that.

But let us not dwell on trivialities. With Lu Zhishen watching over them without a moment's absence, they traveled for seventeen or eight days. They were now within seventy *li* of Cangzhou. All along the road there were inhabited houses—no more desolate or secluded places. Having confirmed this for certain, Lu Zhishen rested for a while among the pine trees. Zhishen said to Lin Chong, "Brother, Cangzhou is not far from here. The road ahead is all populated—there are no more secluded places. I have confirmed this. I will part with you now; we will meet again another day." Lin Chong said, "When you return, brother, please tell my wife what has happened. The kindness of your protection—if I survive, I will repay it richly." Lu Zhishen then took out twenty or so taels of silver and gave them to Lin Chong. He gave two or three taels to the two constables and said, "You two wretched birds—on the road I should have chopped off both your heads. But for my brother's sake, I spare your worthless lives. There is not much road left now—do not harbor evil thoughts." The two said, "How would we dare? We were only acting on the Marshal's orders." They took the silver and were about to part when Lu Zhishen looked at the two constables and said, "Are your two wretched heads as hard as this pine tree?" The two replied, "Our heads are our parents' flesh and skin, wrapped around some bones." Zhishen swung his monk's staff and struck the pine tree with a single blow, gashing it two inches deep and snapping it clean across. He roared, "You two wretched birds—if you harbor any evil thoughts, I will make your heads like this tree." He waved his hand, dragged his monk's staff, and called out, "Brother, take care of yourself." Then he left. Dong Chao and Xue Ba both stuck out their tongues and for a long while could not pull them back in. Lin Chong said, "Sirs, let us be on our way." The two constables said, "What a reckless monk—he broke a tree with a single blow." Lin Chong said, "What is so remarkable about that? At the Xiangguo Temple, he uprooted an entire willow tree, roots and all." The two men only shook their heads—now they knew it was true.

The three left the pine forest and traveled until noon, when they spotted a wine shop on the official road ahead. They saw:

An ancient road, a lonely village, a wine shop beside the way.

By the willow bank, brocade banners hang at dawn;

Over the lotus pond, green curtains stir in the wind.

Liu Ling lies sprawled before his painted bed;

Li Bai sleeps in drunkenness upon the painted wall.

Brave country wine emboldens the farmer's heart;

Rustic brew lends color to the old rustic's face.

Immortals' jade pendants have been left here before;

Ministers' golden marten caps will come here too.

The three entered the wine shop. Lin Chong invited the two constables to sit in the seats of honor. Dong and Xue did not feel at ease until quite a while had passed. They saw several tables in the shop, and three or five wine-pouring attendants bustling about, moving things here and there. Lin Chong and the two constables sat for half a watch, but the attendants did not come to take their order. Lin Chong grew impatient, rapped the table, and said, "Your shopkeeper is a fine one to mistreat guests! Seeing that I am an exile, he ignores me. I am not eating for free—what kind of reasoning is this?" The shopkeeper said, "You do not yet understand my good intentions." Lin Chong said, "You won't sell me wine or meat—what good intentions could you have?" The shopkeeper said, "You don't know—there is a great man of wealth in this village, named Chai Jin, known here as the Honorable Master Chai, and called 'Little Whirlwind' on the rivers and lakes. He is a descendant of Chai Rong, Emperor of the Great Zhou. Since the abdication at the Chen Bridge, the Martial Emperor Taizu issued him a sworn document and iron tally at his home, granting him protection—who would dare bully him? He specializes in receiving wandering heroes from all under the sky, keeping three to fifty of them in his household. He often instructs us at the wine shop: 'If any exiled convicts come through, send them to my manor—I will support them myself.' Now if I sell you wine and meat and your face turns flushed, he will say you have your own traveling money and will not help you. This is my good intention." Lin Chong, hearing this, said to the two constables, "When I was a drill instructor in the Eastern Capital, I often heard the soldiers speak of the Honorable Master Chai Jin's name—so he is here. Why don't we go together to seek his protection?" Dong Chao and Xue Ba thought this over and said, "Since this is so, what harm is there to us?" They gathered their bundles and asked Lin Chong, "Shopkeeper, where is the Honorable Master Chai Jin's manor? We wish to find him." The shopkeeper said, "It is just ahead—after about two or three *li*, at the large stone bridge, turn the corner, and that great manor is the place."

Lin Chong and the others thanked the innkeeper and the three of them set out. Sure enough, after two or three li they came upon a large stone bridge. Crossing the bridge, they found a broad, level road, and soon saw a manor house standing revealed among the shade of green willows. All around it on every side wound a stream, and on both banks grew great drooping willows, with a stretch of whitewashed wall showing among the tree shadows. Turning a bend, they reached the front of the manor, and when they looked, what a magnificent estate it was! Behold:

The gates faced the Yellow Way, the hills joined the Azure Dragon.

Ten thousand peach blossoms bloomed like those by the stream of Wuling; a thousand trees flowered like the gardens of the Golden Valley.

In the Hall of Gathered Worthies, there were strange flowers that never faded through the four seasons; before the Pavilion of a Hundred Blossoms, the fine scenery rivaled eternal spring in every one of the eight periods.

From the hall hung a golden plaque bearing an imperial decree; in the house were the sworn covenant and the iron-bound diploma.

Red rafters and green tiles concealed and revealed a lofty hall of nine tiers; painted pillars and carved beams truly made it a refined retreat of the highest order.

If not the mansion of a meritorious noble of the present dynasty, then surely the home of an emperor of a former age.

The three men arrived at the manor and saw sitting on the broad plank bridge four or five of the estate's men, all enjoying the cool there. The three approached the bridge and, having exchanged courtesies with the men, Lin Chong said, "I trouble you, brothers, to report to the Master: there is a convict from the capital being sent to a prison-city garrison. One surnamed Lin requests an audience."

The men all said, "You have no luck. If the Master were at home, he would give you money and food and drink for the road. But early this morning he went out hunting."

Lin Chong said, "When will he return?"

The men said, "It's hard to say. He may have gone to the East Village to rest—who can tell? We can't promise you anything."

Lin Chong said, "Then it seems I have no fortune and cannot meet him. We'll be on our way."

They took leave of the men and the two guards, and retraced their old road. In his belly Lin Chong felt thoroughly dejected.

They had gone somewhat more than half a li when they saw in the distance, from deep within the woods, a cluster of riders galloping toward the manor. Behold:

Every man handsome, every man heroic.

Several dozen fine horses snorted in the wind; two or three embroidered banners fluttered in the sun.

Powder-green felt hats, held high like upturned lotus leaves;

crimson tassels, stuck in like riotous blooming lotus flowers.

In the flying-fish pouches were inserted delicate gilded bows painted with finches; in the lion-shaped quivers were neatly arranged straight arrows tipped with kingfisher feathers.

They led several fine hounds for chasing roe deer, and held in their arms a number of pairs of gray goshawks for catching hawks.

Cloud-piercing falcons wore knotted silk tassels; jacketed hawks sought their hoods when freed from their caps.

The lances were sharp and wind-swift, their cold gleam faintly showing beside the saddles; the painted drums were round and full, their resounding beats heard from time to time on horseback.

Tied to the saddles were nothing but birds that flew in from beyond the skies; held up on horseback were all beasts that roamed the mountains.

It was like the King of Jin arriving at the Purple Frontier, or even like Emperor Wu of Han reaching Changyang.

That cluster of riders came galloping toward the manor, and in their midst they escorted a gentleman riding a horse with snow-white curly hair. The man on horseback had dragon-like brows and phoenix-like eyes, white teeth and red lips, a mustache that covered his mouth in three points, and was about thirty-four or thirty-five years of age. He wore on his head a black gauze cap with turned-up corners and clustered flowers; on his body a purple embroidered round-collared robe with embroidered flowers; around his waist a delicately wrought jade-inlaid belt; on his feet a pair of black court boots trimmed with gold thread and green accents. He carried a single bow and a quiver of arrows, and led his attendants all to the manor.

Lin Chong looked at him and thought, "Could this be the Honorable Chai?" But he did not dare ask, and only hesitated within himself. He saw the young gentleman on horseback ride forward and ask, "Who is this man wearing the cangue?"

Lin Chong hastily bowed and replied, "This petty one is an instructor of the Palace Guard of the capital, surnamed Lin, named Chong. Because I offended Grand Marshal Gao, he found a pretext and had me sent to the Kaifeng prefecture, where I was tried, sentenced, and tattooed for exile here to Cangzhou. I heard at the inn ahead that here lives a good man, the Honorable Chai, who welcomes worthy heroes, and so I have come to seek his protection. It was not to be—we have not had the fortune to meet."

That gentleman dismounted from his saddle, came forward quickly, and said, "Chai Jin has been remiss in his welcome." Right there on the grass he bowed. Lin Chong hastily returned the courtesy. The gentleman took Lin Chong's hand, and together they went to the manor. When the men of the estate saw this, they threw wide open the manor gate. Chai Jin invited them straight to the hall. After the two had exchanged courtesies, Chai Jin said, "I have long heard the instructor's great name, and did not expect that today you would honor my humble place with your presence—it truly fulfills the longing I have cherished all my life."

Lin Chong replied, "This insignificant Lin Chong has heard your honorable name, spread throughout the world—who does not revere it? I did not imagine that today, having committed a crime and been sent here in exile, I would have the fortune to meet your honored countenance—this is the greatest blessing of many lifetimes."

Chai Jin humbly protested again and again. Lin Chong took the guest's seat; Dong Chao and Xue Ba sat together as well. Chai Jin's attendants each led their horses to the rear courtyard to rest—no more of that.

Chai Jin then called to the men of the estate and told them to bring wine. Before long, several of the men brought out a platter of meat, a platter of cakes, and warmed a pot of wine; another tray held a bushel of white rice, and on the rice lay ten strings of cash—all of it brought out at once.

Chai Jin, seeing this, said, "These country folk do not know what is proper. The instructor has come to this place, and how can you treat him so lightly? Take this away at once. Bring out the fruit trays and wine first, and immediately have a sheep slaughtered for a proper meal—make haste and prepare it!"

Lin Chong rose and said, "Great Master, there is no need for so much—this is already more than enough."

Chai Jin said, "Do not speak so. It is a rare thing that the instructor has come here—how could we treat him with anything less than full courtesy?"

The men dared not disobey; they first brought out the fruit trays and wine. Chai Jin rose, and with his own hands he presented three cups. Lin Chong thanked Chai Jin and drank, and the two guards drank as well. Chai Jin said, "Instructor, please come inside and sit for a while." Chai Jin then unslung his bow and quiver, and invited the two guards to join him in drinking.

At the feast, Chai Jin took the seat of honor, while Lin Chong sat as the guest, with the two guards seated behind him. They exchanged casual talk and stories of the rivers and lakes. Before they knew it, the red sun had sunk in the west. Wine, food, fruits, and seafood were laid out on the table and placed before each person. Chai Jin personally raised his cup and poured three rounds. Then he sat down and called out, "Bring soup for us to eat." After one course of soup and five or seven cups of wine, a servant came to report, "The Instructor has arrived." Chai Jin said, "Please invite him to sit with us. Quickly, bring another table." Lin Chong rose to look. He saw the Instructor enter—wearing his hat tilted to one side, chest thrust out—and walk into the back hall. Lin Chong thought to himself, "The servants call him 'Instructor'; he must be His Honor's martial arts teacher." He quickly bowed and said, "Lin Chong pays his respects." The man paid him no heed at all and did not return the greeting. Lin Chong did not dare raise his head. Chai Jin pointed at Lin Chong and said to Hong the Instructor, "This is the Instructor of Spears and Staves of the Eight Hundred Thousand Forbidden Troops of the Eastern Capital, Martial Instructor Lin Chong. Please make his acquaintance." Upon hearing this, Lin Chong looked at Hong the Instructor and bowed. The Instructor said, "Don't bow. Get up." But he did not bow in return. Chai Jin watched and was greatly displeased. Lin Chong bowed twice more, then rose and offered Hong the Instructor a seat. Hong the Instructor made no show of deference and went straight to the upper seat. Chai Jin watched and was again displeased. Lin Chong had no choice but to sit behind him, and the two guards sat as well.

Hong the Instructor then asked, "Why does Your Honor today treat this exile with such generous hospitality?" Chai Jin replied, "This man is not like the others. He is an instructor of the Eight Hundred Thousand Forbidden Troops. How can you treat him with such disrespect?" Hong the Instructor said, "It is only because Your Honor is fond of martial arts that exiled soldiers often come clinging to you, claiming to be martial arts instructors, seeking shelter in your manor to get some food and money. Why does Your Honor take them so seriously?" Lin Chong heard this but said nothing. Chai Jin said, "One should not judge a person too easily. Do not underestimate him." Hong the Instructor took offense at Chai Jin's words "Do not underestimate him," and leaped to his feet, saying, "I don't believe it. Let him face me with a staff, and if he dares, then I'll acknowledge he is a true instructor." Chai Jin laughed heartily and said, "Very well! Very well! Martial Instructor Lin, what do you say?" Lin Chong said, "This humble one would not dare." Hong the Instructor thought to himself, "That man surely cannot do it and is already intimidated at heart." So he pressed Lin Chong all the more to fight with staves. Chai Jin, for his part, wanted to see Lin Chong's skill, and also wanted Lin Chong to defeat Hong and silence his arrogance. Chai Jin said, "Let us drink our wine and wait for the moon to rise."

After another five or seven cups of wine, the moon soon rose, illuminating the hall as brightly as daylight. Chai Jin stood up and said, "Let the two instructors compete with staves." Lin Chong thought to himself, "This Hong the Instructor must be Master Chai Jin's teacher. If I knock him down with one blow, it will be embarrassing." Seeing Lin Chong hesitate, Chai Jin said, "This Instructor Hong has not been here long, and there is no one else here to match him. Martial Instructor Lin, do not decline. I too wish to see the skills of you two instructors." Chai Jin said this because he feared Lin Chong would hold back out of consideration for Chai Jin's face. When Lin Chong heard Chai Jin speak so plainly, he was at ease at last. Then Hong the Instructor stood up first and said, "Come, come, come! Let me see you wield a staff!" They all poured out into the open ground behind the hall. The servants brought a bundle of staves and laid them on the ground. Hong the Instructor first took off his clothes, tucked up his robe, drew out a staff, assumed a stance, and shouted, "Come, come, come!" Chai Jin said, "Martial Instructor Lin, please compete with a staff." Lin Chong said, "Your Honor, please do not laugh at me." He picked up a staff from the ground and said, "Instructor, please instruct me." Hong the Instructor looked at him as if he could swallow him alive. Lin Chong raised his staff and launched the "Great Shandong Charge," striking forward. Hong the Instructor swept his staff along the ground and thrust it forward to seize Lin Chong. The two instructors fought beneath the moon—it truly was a splendid sight. What is the Great Shandong Charge? Observe:

The Great Shandong Charge, the Hebei Thrusting Staves.

The Great Shandong staff erupts from the loach's lair; the Thrusting staff bursts from the python's nest.

The Great Shandong staff is like uprooting a monstrous tree; the Thrusting staff is like sweeping up withered vines across the ground.

Two dragons contending for a pearl within the sea, a pair of tigers fighting for prey before the rocks.

The two instructors fought on the moonlit ground. After four or five exchanges of staff blows, Lin Chong suddenly leaped out of the circle and called out, "A short rest!" Chai Jin said, "Instructor, why not show your true skill?" Lin Chong said, "This humble one has lost." Chai Jin said, "I have not yet seen the two of you compete fully. How can you have lost already?" Lin Chong said, "I am burdened with this cangue, so I concede defeat." Chai Jin said, "That was a thoughtless oversight on my part." He laughed and said, "This is easily remedied." He called for a servant to bring ten taels of silver, which was immediately brought forward. Chai Jin said to the two guards escorting Lin Chong, "I am presumptuous, but I ask the favor of you two: please remove Instructor Lin's cangue for the time being. Tomorrow, whatever matters arise in the prison camp, the responsibility will fall on me. I present you with ten taels of silver." Dong Chao and Xue Ba saw that Chai Jin was an impressive figure and dared not refuse him. Besides, they could do him a favor and gain ten taels of silver in the process, and they were not afraid that Lin Chong would escape. Xue Ba immediately removed the cangue from Lin Chong's body. Chai Jin was delighted and said, "Now let the two instructors try again with their staves."

Hong the instructor saw that his technique seemed timid, and inwardly looked down on him. He raised his staff, ready to strike. But Chai Jin called out, "Wait!" He ordered a servant to bring out a silver ingot weighing twenty-five taels. In no time it was placed before them. Chai Jin said, "This contest between two instructors is no ordinary matter. Let this silver serve as the prize. Whoever wins may take it away."

Chai Jin's sole desire was for Lin Chong to show his true skill, so he deliberately let the silver fall to the ground. Hong the instructor deeply resented Lin Chong's presence, yet he wanted to compete for this large sum of silver, and at the same time feared losing face. He brandished his staff with all his might, forming a stance and presenting a guard, calling it the "Fire Burning Up to Heaven" posture.

Lin Chong thought to himself: Master Chai wants me to defeat him. He too leveled his staff, formed a guard, and presented a stance, calling it the "Parting Grass to Seek the Snake" posture. Hong the instructor roared, "Come on! Come on! Come on!" and swept his staff down at him. Lin Chong stepped back. Hong pressed forward, raised his staff, and struck down again. Lin Chong saw that his footwork was already in disorder. He flipped his staff up from the ground. Hong was caught off guard. In that single leap, Lin Chong turned his whole body, and the staff swept straight across Hong's shinbone. Hong let go of his staff and fell flat on the ground.

Chai Jin was overjoyed and called for wine to be brought quickly for a toast. Everyone burst into laughter. How could Hong the instructor scramble to his feet? The servants, laughing all the while, helped him up. His face burning with shame, he fled the estate on his own.

Chai Jin took Lin Chong by the hand and led him back to the rear hall for wine. He had the prize brought out and offered it to the instructor. Lin Chong at first refused to accept it, but after much pressing, he finally took it. Truly it is said:

The spirit of bullying others is hard to endure;

Even a cold-eyed onlooker cannot bear it.

See the wounded and the losses sustained,

And you will know that pride leads to shame.

Chai Jin kept Lin Chong at his estate, where he stayed for several days, treated to fine food and wine every day. After another five or two days, the two guards pressed him to continue the journey. Chai Jin again hosted a farewell banquet. He also wrote two letters and instructed Lin Chong, "The prefect of Czhou and I are on good terms, as are the superintendent and the jailers of the prison camp. Take these two letters, and they will surely look after you." Then he presented a large silver ingot of twenty-five taels and gave it to Lin Chong, and also gave five taels of silver to the two guards. They drank through the night. The next morning, after breakfast, servants were ordered to carry the three travelers' luggage. Lin Chong, still wearing his cangue, took leave of Chai Jin and set off. Chai Jin escorted him to the gate of the estate and said farewell, instructing him, "In a few days I will send someone to bring winter clothes for you, instructor." Lin Chong said gratefully, "How can I ever repay your kindness, Great Sir?" The two guards also offered their thanks.

The three men took the road to Czhou. By the time of the noon bell, they had already arrived in the city of Czhou. Though it was a small place, it too had its markets and thoroughfares. They proceeded directly to the prefectural office and submitted the documents. Lin Chong was brought before the prefect in the main hall, received, and a reply document was issued. A notice was sent down, and he was sentenced to be sent to the prison camp. The two guards took the reply documents, bid farewell, and returned to Dongjing—no more of them.

Let us speak only of Lin Chong, who was delivered to the prison camp. When he looked upon the prison camp, he saw:

Tall gates, stout walls, broad grounds, and deep moats.

By the天王堂, two rows of slender willows trailed green mist;

Before the inspection hall, a cluster of tall pines gleamed blue-black.

Those who came and went were men who could bite nails and chew iron;

Those who entered and exited were men who could drain their blood and cut out their hearts.

Lin Chong was received into the Czhou prison camp and assigned to a single man's cell, awaiting inspection. The other convicts all came to see him and said, "The superintendent and the jailers here are most vicious—they only want to swindle people of their money and goods. If you give them gifts, they treat you well. If you have no money, they throw you into the earth prison, where you cannot live and cannot die. If you win their favor, they will not give you the hundred strokes of the 'killing the awe' cane upon entering—they will say you are ill and postpone the beating. But if you fail to win their favor, those hundred strokes will leave you half dead."

Lin Chong said, "Brothers, since you give me such advice, how much money should I give them?" The others replied, "If you want things to go well, give the superintendent five taels of silver, and give the jailer another five taels. That will be quite enough."

Even as they spoke, the jailer came over and asked, "Which one is the new convict?" Lin Chong, seeing himself addressed, stepped forward and replied, "This insignificant one is he." The jailer, seeing that he produced no money, changed his expression and, pointing at Lin Chong, cursed, "You damned convict! Why don't you bow before me? You only offer a song! You wretch—you know you committed some crime in Dongjing, yet before me you are so arrogant! I can see from your damned face that you are covered with hunger lines—you will never amount to anything in this life! A stubborn prisoner who can't be beaten to death or tortured to death! You damned bag of bones, if you fall into my hands, I will grind you to powder and crush your bones. In a moment you will see my methods."

He cursed Lin Chong so fiercely that Lin Chong dared not even lift his head to reply. The others, seeing the cursing, dispersed on their own.

Lin Chong waited until he had finished his outburst, then took five taels of silver, put on a placating smile, and said, "Brother Clerk, this is a small token of respect—please don't think too little of it." The clerk looked at it and said, "You mean for me to give this both to the warden and to keep some for myself—it's all in here?" Lin Chong said, "This is for Brother Clerk alone. Here are another ten taels—I would trouble you to pass them along to the warden." When the clerk saw this, he looked at Lin Chong and smiled. "Instructor Lin, I have heard your good name—truly a fine man! I suppose it was Grand Marshal Gao who framed you. Though you suffer for the time being, in the long run you will surely rise. Given your great name and such a bearing, you are no common man—in time you will surely hold high office." Lin Chong said with a smile, "All thanks to your kind care." The clerk said, "Just set your mind at ease." Then he produced the letter from Honorable Chai. "I would trouble you, elder brother, to deliver these two letters." The clerk said, "With a letter from Honorable Chai, what difficulty can there be? This one letter is worth a whole gold ingot. I will deliver the letters for you. When the warden comes shortly to assign you your hundred strokes of the punishment rod, simply tell him you 'have been ill along the road and have not yet recovered.' I will come myself and make excuses for you—we must deceive the eyes of strangers." Lin Chong said, "Many thanks for your guidance." The clerk took the silver and the letter, left the solitary cell, and went on his way. Lin Chong sighed and said, "'Money can move the spirits'—how true that saying is. Truly, there are such bitter hardships in this world."

Now the clerk had kept back the five taels of silver for himself. He took only the other five taels along with the letter to see the warden. He explained that Lin Chong was a fine man, that Honorable Chai had written a letter of recommendation, and presented it here. He added that Grand Marshal Gao had framed him and had him sent here, but that it was no great matter. The warden said, "Moreover, since Honorable Chai has written a letter, we must look after him." He then ordered that Lin Chong be summoned.

Now Lin Chong had been sitting gloomily in the solitary cell when a guard called out, "The warden summons the new convict Lin Chong to the hall to be registered." Lin Chong heard the summons and came before the hall. The warden said, "You are a new convict. The old regulations left by Emperor Taizu Wude require that every newly assigned soldier receive a hundred strokes of the punishment rod. Men, lift him up." Lin Chong pleaded, "This man caught a cold and fever on the road and has not yet recovered—I beg permission to defer the beating." The guard said, "This man is ill at present—I beg you to show mercy." The warden said, "If he truly has symptoms of illness, we will defer it for now and administer the beating once he has recovered." The clerk said, "The watch at Heavenly King Hall is nearly full—we can have Lin Chong replace the man there." A note was drawn up at the hall, and the clerk led Lin Chong to the solitary cell to collect his belongings, then went to Heavenly King Hall to make the exchange. The clerk said, "Instructor Lin, I have done everything I can for you. When you are assigned to watch Heavenly King Hall, this is the easiest task in the whole camp—morning and evening you need only burn incense and sweep the floor. Look at the other convicts—they work from dawn to dusk without respite. And there are some with no human feeling at all who are put in the earth jail, where they cannot live and cannot die." Lin Chong said, "I thank you for your care." He then took out two or three more taels of silver and gave them to the clerk, saying, "I would trouble you to be so kind as to have the cangue removed from my neck as well." The clerk took the silver and said, "Leave it all to me." He went at once to report to the warden, and the cangue was removed as well.

From then on, Lin Chong lodged in Heavenly King Hall. Each day he only burned incense and swept the floor, and before he knew it, forty or fifty days had passed. The warden and the clerk had taken their bribes, and as time went on and they grew familiar with him, they let him do as he pleased and no longer restrained him. Honorable Chai also sent someone to bring him winter clothes and gifts. The other convicts in the camp also received Lin Chong's help.

But enough of this. As the depths of winter drew near, one day around mid-morning, Lin Chong happened to stroll out in front of the camp. As he was walking, he suddenly heard someone behind him call out, "Instructor Lin, how is it that you are here?" Lin Chong turned around and looked—and there he saw that man. It came to pass that Lin Chong, amid smoke and fire, nearly lost his remaining life; on a road of wind and snow, he came close to having his life destroyed. Who was the man that Lin Chong saw? Listen to the next chapter.