第010回

Chapter 10

Now it must be told that Lin Chong, while strolling idly one day, suddenly heard someone call out behind him. He turned and recognized the voice as that of Li Xiao'er, a tavern keeper. Back in the Eastern Capital, Lin Chong had often looked after him. This Li Xiao'er had previously stolen money from his innkeeper in the Eastern Capital, been caught, and faced being handed over to the authorities for punishment. Lin Chong had spoken on his behalf and saved him from being sent to court, then gave him money so he could escape. Unable to remain in the capital, he was again indebted to Lin Chong, who provided him for his journey so he could seek refuge with someone along the road. Who would have thought they would meet here today?

Lin Xiao said, "Second Brother, how did you end up here?"

Li Xiao'er bowed and said, "Ever since my benefactor rescued me and gave me money for my travels, I wandered about but found no one to take me on. I drifted along and eventually came to Cangzhou, where I found a wine shop run by a man surnamed Wang. He kept me on to help with the shop. Because I was diligent, prepared fine dishes, and mixed excellent sauces, everyone who came to eat praised the food, and the business prospered. The shopkeeper had a daughter, and he took me as his son-in-law. Now both my father-in-law and mother-in-law have passed away, and only my wife and I remain. We have opened a tea and wine shop in front of the military camp. I came to collect a debt and happened upon my benefactor. May I ask, sir, what brings you here?"

Lin Chong pointed to his face and said, "I offended Grand Marshal Gao, who stirred up trouble to frame me. I was sentenced and sent here as an exile. Now I've been put in charge of the Hall of the Heavenly Kings. What will become of me in the long run, I don't know. I never expected to run into you here today."

Li Xiao'er invited Lin Chong to his home and seated him, then called his wife out to bow to their benefactor. The couple said joyfully, "We two have had no family to rely on. Now that our benefactor has come to us, it's as if he's descended from heaven."

Lin Chong said, "I'm a condemned prisoner. I'm afraid I might bring shame upon you both."

Li Xiao'er said, "Who doesn't know your great name? Don't say such things. Whenever you have clothes, just bring them to our house to be washed and mended."

They treated Lin Chong to food and wine, and that night escorted him back to the Hall of the Heavenly Kings. The next day they came to invite him again. From then on, Lin Chong became a regular guest at the tavern keeper's home, and from time to time Li Xiao'er would bring soup and water to the camp for him to eat. Seeing the couple's respect and devotion, Lin Chong often gave them silver to use as capital for their business.

Let us set aside idle talk and return to the main story. Time passed swiftly, and soon winter arrived. Lin Chong's padded garments and padded jacket were all mended and cared for by Li Xiao'er's wife.

One day, Li Xiao'er was arranging vegetables and side dishes in front of his shop when a man darted in and sat down in the tavern. Then another man slipped in after him. The first was dressed as an officer, and the second looked like a servant. He came in and sat down too.

Li Xiao'er came over and asked, "Would you like some wine?"

The officer took out a tael of silver and said to Xiao'er, "Put this behind the counter. Bring three or four bottles of good wine. When the guests arrive, just keep bringing fruit, food, and wine. No need to ask."

Li Xiao'er said, "Sir, who are you entertaining?"

The man said, "Please go to the camp and ask the commandant and the sergeant to come speak with me. When you ask, just say there's an officer who wishes to speak with them, to discuss some matters. They must come at once."

Li Xiao'er agreed and went to the prison camp, where he first invited the sergeant. Together they went to the commandant's house and invited him as well. They all went to the tavern. The officer exchanged courtesies with the commandant and sergeant.

The commandant said, "We've never met before. May I ask your honorable name?"

The officer said, "I have a letter here. You'll know shortly. But bring the wine first."

Li Xiao'er hurriedly opened the wine and laid out fruits, vegetables, and dishes. The officer asked for a wine-pouring tray, poured the cups, and they sat down after exchanging courtesies. Xiao'er alone bustled about like a shuttle, too busy to rest. The man who had come with the officer fetched a warming bucket and heated the wine himself. After they had drunk perhaps ten cups or more, they ordered additional dishes, which were laid on the table.

Then the officer said, "I have my own attendant to warm the wine. Don't come over anymore. We need to talk among ourselves."

Li Xiao'er withdrew and went to the door, where he called to his wife, "Elder Sister, these two men look suspicious."

His wife said, "What's suspicious about them?"

Xiao'er said, "Their speech and accent mark them as men from the Eastern Capital. At first they didn't seem to know the commandant. But after I brought in the dishes, I heard the sergeant mutter the words 'Grand Marshal Gao.' Could this man have some connection to Instructor Lin? I'll keep watch at the door. You go behind the partition and listen to what they say."

His wife said, "Why not go to the camp and bring Instructor Lin here to identify them?"

Li Xiao'er said, "You don't understand. Instructor Lin is a man of quick temper—if provoked, he'll kill and set fires. If we call him and it turns out to be that Lu Houchou we heard about, would he let it go? If he acts, it will drag you and me down too. Just go and listen first, then we'll decide."

His wife said, "That makes sense." She went in and listened for about an hour, then came out and said, "The three or four of them were whispering to each other, and I couldn't make out what they were saying. I did see that officer take something wrapped in a cloth from his attendant's arms and hand it to the commandant and the sergeant. What was inside the cloth—could it have been gold or silver? Then I heard the sergeant say, 'Leave it to me. One way or another, I'll finish him off.'"

Just then, someone in the back room called for hot water. Li Xiao'er hurried inside to change the water and saw that the commandant was holding a letter in his hand. Xiao'er changed the water, added some side dishes, and they ate for another half hour. When the bill was settled, the commandant and sergeant left first. Afterward, the other two men left with their heads bowed.

Not long after, Lin Chong walked into the inn and said, "Little Brother, good business these past few days."

Li Xiao'er hurried over. "Benefactor, please sit down. I was just about to look for you—there's something important I need to tell you."

A poem attests to this:

A man's malicious thoughts shake the heavenly gates,

Whispered words reach the ears of all six armies.

Not only do walls have ears—

Before him, gods and spirits alike hear and know everything.

At that moment Lin Chong asked, "What important matter?"

Li Xiao'er invited Lin Chong inside to sit, and said, "Just now, a suspicious man from the Eastern Capital came here and invited the warden and the jailer to drink for half a day. The jailer let slip the three characters 'Grand Marshal Gao,' and my heart became suspicious. I also had my wife listen for an hour, but they were talking head to head, whispering—nothing could be heard. At the end, the jailer was heard to say, 'It rests with the two of us—we must finish him off, one way or another.' Those two then handed a packet of gold and silver to the warden and the jailer. They drank another round and then parted ways. I don't know what sort of men they were, but my heart is suspicious. I'm afraid there may be some trouble for you, Benefactor."

Lin Chong said, "What did this man look like?"

Li Xiao'er said, "Short stature, fair-skinned, not much beard, about thirty years old. The one who followed him wasn't tall either—purplish-brown complexion."

Lin Chong was greatly alarmed and said, "This thirty-year-old man must be Lu Yuhou. That wretched scoundrel—daring to come here to harm me! If I run into him, I'll grind his flesh and bones to mud!"

Li Xiao'er said, "Just be on your guard against them. Haven't you heard the old saying: 'While eating, guard against choking; while walking, guard against stumbling'?"

Lin Chong flew into a rage and left Li Xiao'er's house. He first went to the street and bought a sharp knife for cutting tendons, which he carried on his person. Up one street and down another, he searched everywhere. Li Xiao'er and his wife were both sweating with anxiety. That evening nothing happened. The next day at dawn, Lin Chong rose, washed his face, took the knife, and went out again to search every corner of Cangzhou city—inside and outside the walls, down small streets and side lanes—searching the whole day. In the prison camp, there was no movement. Lin Chong returned to Li Xiao'er and said, "Again, nothing happened today."

Li Xiao'er said, "Benefactor, I hope it stays this way. Just keep your guard up." Lin Chong returned to the Hall of the Heavenly King and spent another night. He searched the streets for three or four days, saw nothing suspicious, and gradually his vigilance slackened.

On the sixth day, the warden summoned Lin Chong to the inspection hall and said, "You've been here a long time. For the sake of Lord Chai's reputation, I haven't promoted you yet. Fifteen li east of the city there's a large military fodder depot. Every month they receive grain and fodder, and there's a customary fee for managing it. Originally an old soldier was in charge of it. Now I'm promoting you to replace the old soldier—you'll come back to guard the Hall of the Heavenly King, and you can earn some money there. Go with the jailer to take over."

Lin Chong replied, "This humble one will go at once."

He left the camp and went directly to Li Xiao'er's house, where he said to the couple, "Today the winner assigned me to manage the large military fodder depot. What do you make of that?"

Li Xiao'er said, "This assignment is just like the Hall of the Heavenly King. When they receive fodder there, there's a customary fee. In the past, without paying money, one couldn't get this post."

Lin Chong said, "He's not harming me—he's giving me a fine assignment. I just don't understand his meaning."

Li Xiao'er said, "Benefactor, don't be suspicious. As long as nothing happens, all the better. It's just that my house is far away—I'll come to visit you when I have the chance."

They prepared a few cups of wine at home and drank with Lin Chong.

Without further ado, the two parted. Lin Chong went to the Hall of the Heavenly King, took his bundle, brought the sharp knife, and carrying a spear, went with the jailer to bid the warden farewell. The two set out for the fodder depot.

It was the depths of winter. Dark clouds filled the sky, the north wind began to rise, and soon thick flakes of snow came swirling down in a great blizzard. The snow fell heavily. Observe:

The cold and gloom congeal the misty air,

From the sky auspicious snow descends in profusion.

In an instant, the four directions blur—roads cannot be told apart;

In a moment, a thousand mountains leave no trace.

A world of silver, a universe of jade,

In the distance, faintly, it joins with Mount Kunlun.

If it keeps falling past the third watch,

It seems it would fill the Jade Emperor's gates.

Lin Chong and the jailer had found no place to buy wine along the way. They soon arrived outside the fodder depot. They saw it was surrounded by earthen walls, with two large doors. Pushing them open, they found seven or eight thatched sheds serving as granaries, piles of horse fodder all around, and two thatched halls in the center.

When they reached the hall, they saw the old soldier warming himself by the fire. The jailer said, "The warden has sent this Lin Chong to replace you and return to guard the Hall of the Heavenly King. You can hand over the post at once."

The old soldier took the keys and led Lin Chong around, instructing him, "Inside the granaries there are official seals. These piles of fodder—each pile has a recorded count." The old soldier showed him every pile. Then he led Lin Chong to the thatched hall, packed his belongings, and at last said, "The brazier, the pot, the bowls and dishes—I'll lend them to you."

Lin Chong said, "At the Hall of the Heavenly King, I already have these things. If you want them, take them."

The old soldier pointed to a large gourd hanging on the wall and said, "If you want to buy wine, just go out of the fodder depot, head east on the main road for two or three li, and you'll find a market town."

The old soldier and the jailer returned to the camp together.

Let me tell only of Lin Chong. He placed his bedding roll on the bed and sat down to build up a fire. There was a pile of firewood and charcoal by the house, and he took several pieces to put in the brazier on the floor. Looking up at the thatched cottage, he saw it was falling apart on all sides, and the north wind shook and rattled it. Lin Chong said, "How could this house last through a winter? When the snow clears, I'll go into the town to fetch a plasterer to repair it." After warming himself for a while, he felt cold in his body and thought, "Didn't that old soldier say there's a marketplace about two li from here? Why not go and buy some wine to drink?" He took some loose silver from his pack, shouldered his flower-tipped spear with the wine gourd hanging from it, covered the burning coals, put on his felt hat, took his key, and came out, pulling the door of the thatched hall shut. Going out to the main gate, he pulled the two doors of the fodder yard shut, locked them, and pocketed the key. He set off eastward at a leisurely pace. He trod on the scattered shards of jade through the snow, trudging along with his back to the north wind. The snow was falling thick and fast. Before he had gone half a li, he saw an ancient temple. Lin Chong bowed reverently and said, "O divine spirits, protect me—I shall come another day to burn paper money in your honor." He walked on a while longer and saw a cluster of houses. Lin Chong stopped to look and noticed a broom made of straw hanging out in the open through the wattle fence. He went straight to the inn and the master asked, "Where does the guest come from?" Lin Chong said, "Do you recognize this gourd?" The master looked at it and said, "This gourd belongs to the old soldier at the fodder depot." Lin Chong said, "So it does." The innkeeper said, "Since you are the captain from the fodder depot, please sit a while. The weather is cold—let me pour you three cups to welcome you." The innkeeper sliced a plate of cooked beef and warmed a pot of wine, and invited Lin Chong to eat. Lin Chong also bought some beef himself and drank several more cups. Then he bought another gourd of wine, wrapped up the two pieces of beef, and left some loose silver. He shouldered his spear with the wine gourd hanging from it, tucked the beef inside his jacket, called out his thanks, and went out through the wattle gate, still heading into the north wind. The snow was falling ever more heavily as evening approached. In ancient times a scholar wrote a verse on the theme of the snow's cruelty to the poor:

The bitter wind sweeps the earth from every side,

And this snow falls at just the perfect time.

It twists and pulls like silk and floss,

Cutting out pieces big as a fist.

It presses down on bamboo huts and thatched cottages,

Nearly crushing them to the ground.

But the wealthy and the great complain

That even this is not enough to suppress the miasma.

They sit by red stoves of animal charcoal,

Dressed in padded silks and quilted coats.

Their fingers toy with plum blossoms,

Singing of the nation's auspicious omens,

Never giving a thought to the poor.

The recluse lies at ease,

Composing and reciting poetry.

To return to Lin Chong. Treading on the auspicious snow, facing the north wind, he sped like the wind to the gate of the fodder depot, opened the lock, and went inside—only to cry out in dismay. But the ways of Heaven are clear and just, protecting the good and the righteous. By means of this great snowstorm, Lin Chong's life was saved. The two thatched rooms had been crushed by the snow. Lin Chong thought, "What shall I do?" He set down his flower-tipped spear and the gourd in the snow. Fearing that there might still be live coals in the brazier that could spread a fire, he pushed aside the broken wall, leaned in halfway, and felt about inside—the fire in the brazier had been completely doused by the snow water. He felt about on the bed and managed to pull out only one quilted blanket. He crawled out and saw that the sky was darkening. He thought, "There's no way to make a fire—how shall I manage?" Then he remembered, "Half a li from here there is an ancient temple where I can shelter. I'll go there for the night and sort things out at dawn." He rolled up the blanket, shouldered his spear with the wine gourd, pulled the door shut as before, and locked it. Then he made his way toward the temple. Entering the temple gate, he closed the door behind him. Beside the door there was a large stone, which he rolled over to prop against the door. Going inside, he saw that on the main hall stood a gilded-armored mountain god, with a judge on one side and a little demon on the other. To the side was a pile of paper money. Looking all around, he saw there were neither neighbors nor temple keeper. Lin Chong set his spear and wine gourd on the pile of paper, unrolled the quilted blanket, first took off his felt hat and shook the snow from his body, then took off his white outer jacket—it was already half wet—and placed it with his felt hat on the offering table. He pulled the blanket over the lower half of his body. Then he took up the gourd of cold wine and drank it slowly, washing it down with the beef from his jacket.

Just as he was eating, he heard a loud crackling and popping outside. Lin Chong leapt to his feet and peered through a crack in the wall. He saw that the fodder depot had caught fire, burning with a roar. He beheld:

The snow presses down the fire's force, the grass feeds the fire's power.

Most grievous that there is wind atop the grass, and stranger still that charcoal is sent amid the snow.

The red dragon leaps and struggles—how the white armor scatters!

The pink butterflies vie in flight—can they hide the blazing lotus flames?

At first one suspects the Fire God has released his divine steeds to graze here;

Then one guesses the Vermilion Bird of the South has built its nest everywhere.

Who knew disaster would arise from bare ground? Believe too that lightning eyes open in dark rooms.

This fire can make the righteous hero's hair stand on end;

This snow should make the treacherous and evil tremble with fear.

Then Lin Chong took up his flower-spear and was about to open the door to go fight the fire, when he heard voices speaking outside. He pressed himself against the door to listen. Footsteps—three people—came rushing straight toward the temple. They pushed at the door, but the stone had wedged it shut; they could not force it open. The three stood beneath the temple eaves and watched the flames.

One of them said, "Wasn't this a fine plan?"

Another answered, "Truly it owes everything to the earnest efforts of the superintendent and the jailer! Once we return back to the capital and report to the Grand Marshal, both of you will be guaranteed high promotion. This time Instructor Zhang can find no excuse to refuse."

That one said, "This time Lin Chong has truly been dealt with by us. Young Master Gao's illness will surely be cured now."

Another said, "That fellow Instructor Zhang—again and again people interceded on our behalf, saying, 'Your son-in-law is dead.' But the more they said it, the less Zhang would agree. That is why Young Master's sickness grew worse and worse. The Grand Marshal specially sent the two of us to entreat you two to handle this matter. Who would have thought it would be so thoroughly accomplished?"

Another said, "I climbed right over the wall and set a dozen or so torches to the haystacks all around. Where could he possibly escape?"

That one said, "By now the fire must have burned through eighty percent."

Yet another said, "Even if he manages to escape with his life, burning down the army's forage depot will earn him a capital crime."

Another said, "Let us go back to the city."

One said, "Let us look around a little more. If we can pick up a bone or two to take back to the capital, when we see the Grand Marshal and Young Master at the prefecture office, they will know we are capable men."

When Lin Chong heard the three voices, he recognized them: one was the jailer, one was Lu Yihu, and one was Fu'an. He thought to himself: "Heaven has pity on Lin Chong! Had the forage shed not collapsed, I would surely have been burned to death by these wretches."

Gently he moved the stone aside, raised his flower-spear, threw open the temple door with his left hand, and gave a great shout: "Where do you think you're going, you scoundrels?"

The three turned to flee, but they were so startled they froze and could not move.

Lin Chong stepped forward and with a single thrust of his spear struck down the jailer. Lu Yihu cried out, "Spare my life!"—his hands and feet trembled so that he could not walk. Fu'an had not gone ten paces before Lin Chong overtook him and drove his spear through his back, felling him as well.

Lin Chong turned back. Lu Yihu had only managed three or four steps. Lin Chong roared: "You villain, where do you think you're going?" He seized him by the chest, lifted him, and hurled him down onto the snow. He planted his spear in the ground, set his foot on Lu Yihu's chest, drew the knife from his side, laid it against Lu Yihu's face, and shouted: "You scoundrel—from the beginning I have had no quarrel with you. How could you plot against me like this? Even if killing could be forgiven, what you have done defies all decency and right."

Lu Yihu pleaded: "It was nothing to do with me. The Grand Marshal sent me—I dared not refuse."

Lin Chong cursed him: "You treacherous villain! We have known each other since youth, and today you come to destroy me—how can you say it is nothing to do with you? Taste my blade!" He tore open Lu Yihu's upper garments, drove the sharp knife straight into his heart, and blood burst from his seven orifices. He ripped out the heart and liver and held them in his hand.

Turning back, he saw the jailer crawling to his feet, trying to escape. Lin Chong pressed him down and shouted: "So you are cut from the same cloth! Taste my blade as well." He quickly cut off the head and impaled it on his spear.

He returned and cut off the heads of Fu'an and Lu Yihu as well. He sheathed the knife, bound the three men's hair together, and carried them into the temple, where he laid them on the altar before the mountain god. Then he put on his white cloth jacket, tied his sash, pulled on his felt hat, and drank all the cold wine in his gourd. He cast off the blanket and the gourd—he wanted nothing more of them—took up his spear, and went out through the temple gate heading east.

He had not gone three or five li before he saw people from the nearby village carrying buckets and hooks, coming to fight the fire. Lin Chong said: "Hurry and go help. I will report to the authorities." He went on, spear in hand.

A poem bears witness:

The ways of Heaven are clear and cannot be defied—

Do not mistake treachery for a righteous design.

Had it not been for the wine bought in a village amid the snow,

He would surely have been burned to ash and dust.

They thought their secret plot was deadly and sure,

But who knew Heaven's unseen hand would guard him still?

Most admirable—this man who escaped ten thousand deaths,

A truly extraordinary and mighty hero.

The snow fell ever more fiercely. Lin Chong walked east for about four hours, his body shivering from the cold, unable to endure it. Looking around in the snow, he saw that he had already traveled far from the fodder depot. Ahead, deep among sparse woods where trees grew tangled together, several thatched huts stood in the distance, weighed down by snow, with firelight seeping through cracks in the broken walls. Lin Chong went straight to the hut and pushed open the door. Inside, an old farmhand sat in the middle, surrounded by four or five young farmhands warming themselves by the fire. In the earthen hearth, firewood blazed brightly. Lin Chong walked up to them and said, "Greetings to you all. I am a messenger from the prison camp. The snow has soaked my clothes—may I borrow your fire to dry them? I ask your kindness."

The farmhand said, "Dry them yourself—what harm is there?"

Lin Chong dried his wet clothes, and they were somewhat less damp. Then he noticed a clay jar warming beside the cask, from which the fragrance of wine wafted. Lin Chong said, "I have some small pieces of silver on me—could I trouble you to sell me a little wine to drink?"

The old farmhand said, "We take turns watching the rice storehouse every night. Now it's the fourth watch and the bitter cold of the night—what we have isn't even enough for the few of us to drink. How could we spare any for you? Don't hope for it!"

Lin Chong said, "Just spare me three or two bowls to fend off the cold."

The old farmhand said, "You there—stop pestering us!"

But catching the scent of the wine, Lin Chong only wanted it more. "I have no choice—spare me some!"

The farmhands said, "We kindly let you dry your clothes by our fire, and now you come asking for wine! Go, or stay—but if you don't go, we'll hang you right here."

Lin Chong said angrily, "You fellows have no decency at all!" He thrust his spear at a blazing stick of firewood and flicked it straight at the old farmhand's face. Then he plunged the spear into the fire and stirred it. The old farmhand's whiskers caught fire and blazed up. The farmhands all leaped to their feet. Lin Chong swung his spear wildly. The old farmhand fled first; the others could not move quickly enough and were beaten soundly by Lin Chong before they all ran off.

Lin Chong said, "All gone—now His Lordship can drink in peace." On the earthen kang lay two coconut-shell ladles. He took one down and poured wine from the jar, drinking for a while until half remained. Then he picked up his spear and went out the door. One step high, one step low, he staggered and stumbled, unable to keep his footing. He had gone no more than half a mile when a blast of northern wind struck him, and he collapsed along the edge of a mountain stream, unable to get up. As a rule, once a drunk man falls, he cannot rise. And so Lin Chong lay drunk in the snow.

Now, the farmhands had gathered more than twenty men, dragging spears and carrying clubs. They all rushed to the hut and looked—Lin Chong was nowhere to be found. Following his trail, they pursued him and found him lying in the snow, his flowered spear discarded to one side. The farmhands rushed forward together, seized Lin Chong on the ground, and bound him with a rope. Taking advantage of the fifth watch, they dragged him away to a certain place.

It was no other place. As the story would have it: in Lia'er Wa, before and behind, would be arrayed thousands of mighty warships; in the stronghold on the Water Margin, to left and right, would stand hundreds of heroic warriors. Truly, when this tale is told, the killing chill seizes men's hearts; where this story is spoken, the bitter wind pierces to the bone.

But where did the farmhands drag Lin Chong? Listen to the next chapter.