الفصل الحادي عشر

الفصل الحادي عشر

It was said that "Leopard Head" Lin Chong, having fallen drunk upon the snow-covered ground that night, struggled but could not rise. The estate servants bound him and escorted him to a manor compound. Just then a servant emerged from the courtyard and said, "The Master has not yet risen. Let us hang this fellow from the gatehouse eaves for now." As day broke and the sky grew light, Lin Chong sobered up. He looked about him and saw that it was indeed a splendid great manor. Lin Chong shouted, "Who dares hang me here?" The servant, hearing the cry, came out the gate carrying a white wooden staff and roared, "You still have the gall to talk back!" The old servant whose whiskers had been burned off said, "No need with him—just keep beating him! When the Master rises, we'll get to the bottom of it and send him to the magistrate." The servants all set upon Lin Chong. Unable to struggle free, he could only cry, "Don't beat me—I have an explanation!" Then a servant came calling, "The Master is here!" Lin Chong looked and saw an official figure walking out, hands clasped behind his back. Coming to the corridor, he asked, "What man are you beating here?" The servants replied, "Last night we caught a rice thief." The official stepped forward to look and recognized Lin Chong. Hastily he drove the servants away, untied Lin Chong himself, and asked, "Instructor, how did you come to be hung here?" The servants, seeing this, scattered at once.

Lin Chong looked again—it was none other than "Whirlwind" Chai Jin. He quickly called out, "Master, save me!" Chai Jin said, "Instructor, how did you end up here, humiliated by these rustics?" Lin Chong said, "It's a long story!" The two went inside and sat down, and Lin Chong told Chai Jin every detail of the burning of the fodder depot. When Chai Jin had heard it through, he said, "Elder Brother, such ill fortune! Heaven has sent you my way today. Set your heart at ease. This is my East Manor. Stay here for a few days, and we'll make plans." He had a servant bring out a set of clothes and had Lin Chong change from inner to outer garments. He invited Lin Chong to sit in the warm chamber and had food and drink prepared to entertain him. From that day Lin Chong stayed at Chai Jin's East Manor for five or six days—but no more of this.

Now it must be told that the superintendent of the Cangzhou prison camp reported that Lin Chong had killed Superintendent Diffu, the attendant Lu Yuhou, and Fu An, and had set fire to burn the army's great fodder depot. The prefect was greatly alarmed and at once issued official warrants, ordering patrol officers to take constables through every village and town, posting notices at every inn, shop, village, and hamlet. A reward of three thousand strings of cash was offered for the capture of the principal offender Lin Chong. The manhunt grew more pressing by the day, and the alarm spread to every village.

While Lin Chong was at the Great Lord Chai's East Manor, he received urgent news. When Chai Jin returned to the manor, Lin Chong said, "It is not that you, Master, are unwilling to keep me, but the officials are hunting me so closely and searching house by house. If they should trace me to your manor, I fear I would bring trouble upon you. Since you, Master, are so generous and righteous, I beg you to lend me a little traveling money so I can find refuge elsewhere. If I survive, I will repay your kindness as faithfully as a dog or a horse." Chai Jin said, "Since you wish to go, I know of a place. I will write a letter of introduction for you." Truly it was said:

*A hero, down on his luck, his fortune yet unproved,*

*In every move he makes, by cages he is moved.*

*Had not Chai Jin penned a letter to commend his name,*

*How then would he be famed within the Water Margin's frame?*

Lin Chong said, "If you are so generous as to help me find a place to settle, I only ask—where should I go?" Chai Jin said, "It is a water-bound district under the jurisdiction of Jizhou in Shandong, called Liangshan Marsh. It stretches over eight hundred *li*, with Wanzi City and Liaowa at its heart. Three good men have made a stronghold there. The chief is called 'the White-Robed Scholar' Wang Lun; the second is Du Qian, known as 'Touching the Heavens'; the third is Song Wan, called 'Golden Cloud Vajra.' These three good men have gathered seven or eight hundred bandits and rob the wealthy to help the poor. Many who have committed monstrous crimes have fled there to escape disaster, and they are all taken in. These three good men are close friends of mine and have often sent me letters. I will now write a letter for you to take there and join them. What do you say?" Lin Chong said, "If you can arrange such a thing, that would be best of all!" Chai Jin said, "But the roads out of Cangzhou are now covered with official notices, and two officers have been stationed there to inspect travelers and guard the pass. You would have to go through there." Chai Jin thought for a moment and said, "I have another plan to get you through." Lin Chong said, "If you can arrange it, I will remember it until death."

That day Chai Jin first had a servant carry the bundle out through the gate and wait. Then Chai Jin prepared some twenty or thirty horses, took bows and arrows, flags and spears, and with hawks, falcons, and hunting hounds, he and his party all dressed for the hunt. Lin Chong was mixed in among them, and they all mounted and rode for the pass. The officers guarding the pass, seated at the gate, saw that it was the Great Lord Chai and recognized him well. It happened that before these officers had inherited their posts, they had visited Chai Jin's manor and knew him intimately. The officer rose and said, "The Master goes out for sport again!" Chai Jin dismounted and asked, "What brings you two officers here?" The officer said, "The prefect of Cangzhou has sent down official documents with a portrait, ordering the arrest of the criminal Lin Chong. He has specially assigned us to guard this pass. Every merchant and traveler who passes is thoroughly questioned before being allowed through." Chai Jin laughed and said, "Lin Chong is hidden right here among my party. How is it you didn't recognize him?" The officer also laughed and said, "The Master is a man of law—surely you wouldn't smuggle him out? Please, mount your horse and go." Chai Jin laughed again and said, "Since you put it that way, I'll trust you. I'll bring back some game for you when I return." With that they took leave, mounted their horses, and rode out through the pass together.

They had gone some fourteen or fifteen li when they found the servants who had gone ahead waiting for them there. Chai Jin told Lin Chong to dismount, take off his hunting clothes, and put on his own garments that the servants had brought. He fastened his waist sword, put on his red-tasseled felt hat, shouldered his bundle, took up his rolling blade, bade Chai Jin farewell, and set off. As for Chai Jin and his party, it is only said that they mounted their horses and went off hunting themselves, returning only in the evening. As before, they passed through the checkpoint and presented some game to the officers, then returned to the manor. No more of this.

Now let us speak of Lin Chong after he parted from Lord Chai. He traveled on the road for more than ten days, when he encountered late winter weather. Thick dark clouds massed in the sky, the north wind rose sharply, and then, flake upon flake, a great snow filled the heavens. He had not gone more than twenty li when the ground was silver all around. In former times, Prince Wanyan Liang of the Jin dynasty composed a lyric to the tune of "Hundred-Character Song," devoted entirely to a great snow, to give vent to the killing spirit in his breast:

Heaven's warders shake with fury,

overturning the silver sea, scattering the pearl blinds in chaos.

Six-petaled strange flowers fly tumbling and rolling,

leveling the hills and valleys in the mountains.

The white tiger rampages madly,

the pale unicorn runs rampant, snapping the strands of pearls.

The jade dragon fights in drunken frenzy,

his scales and armor drifting down across the sky.

Who thinks of the ten thousand li of frontier passes,

where the congealed soldiers stand frozen, white ribbons clinging to the flag's hem?

The gleam reflects off spears and halberds,

the light shivers on swords and battle-axes,

killing energy stretching across the military camp.

Fierce tigers among the heroes,

valiant and bold among the lieutenants,

together they discuss the arts of war.

One must drink to the dregs,

and gaze upon the vast emptiness of the azure sky.

Let us tell of Lin Chong trudging through the snow, pressing on without pause. The sky grew bitterly cold and gradually darkened. In the distance he saw a wineshop nestled against a stream and lake, buried beneath the drifting snow. He observed:

The thatched cottages were lost in silver, the reed eaves reflected jade.

Scores of old trees spread their gnarled branches, three or four small windows were shut tight.

The sparse thorny fence was spread smooth as powdered cream;

the yellow earth encircling the wall seemed painted with white lead.

A thousand clusters of willow floss drifted across the curtains,

ten thousand swan feathers danced around the wine banner.

Lin Chong saw it and ran into the wineshop. He lifted the reed curtain, brushed the snow from himself, and entered. Turning sideways, he saw that all the tables were occupied. He chose a spot and sat down, leaned his rolling blade against the wall, loosened his bundle, took off his felt hat, and hung up his waist sword. Presently a wine waiter came and asked, "How much wine would you like, sir?" Lin Chong said, "Bring me two measures first." The waiter drew two measures with a ladle and set it on the table. Lin Chong then asked, "What do you have to go with the wine?" The waiter replied, "We have raw and cooked beef, fat geese, and tender chickens." Lin Chong said, "Bring me two catties of cooked beef to start." The waiter went off and presently returned, setting down a large platter of beef, several plates of vegetables, a big bowl, and pouring wine. After Lin Chong had drunk three or four bowls, he noticed a man in the shop standing with his hands clasped behind his back, who came out to the front of the door to watch the snow. The man asked the wine waiter, "Who is drinking?" Lin Chong looked the man over. He wore a deep-brimmed warm hat and a marten fur jacket, with a pair of narrow-topped roe-deer-skin boots on his feet. He was tall and large of frame, powerfully built, with bony fists for a face, a three-pronged yellow beard, and he kept raising his head to gaze at the snow. Lin Chong told the waiter to keep pouring. He said, "Waiter, come have a bowl yourself." The waiter drank a bowl. Lin Chong asked, "How far is it from here to Liangshan Marsh?" The waiter replied, "From here to Liangshan Marsh is only a few li, but it is all water route—there is no land path at all. If you wish to go there, you must take a boat; only then can you cross." Lin Chong said, "Can you find me a boat?" The waiter said, "In this heavy snow and with the sky already growing dark, where would one find a boat?" Lin Chong said, "I'll give you extra money—please find me a boat and ferry me across." The waiter said, "There is simply nowhere to get one." Lin Chong thought to himself, "What am I to do then?" He drank several more bowls, and melancholy welled up within him. Suddenly it came to him: "I was once an arms instructor in the capital, roaming the six streets and three markets drinking wine every day. Who could have expected that today this scoundrel Gao Qiu would ruin me so—tattooed my face, exiled me straight to this place, leaving me with a home I cannot flee to and a country I cannot turn to, enduring this loneliness!" Stirred by these feelings, he asked the waiter for brush and inkstone. Seized by a moment of wine-inspired passion, he wrote eight lines on the whitewashed wall:

"Lin Chong acts with righteousness, in character most loyal and true.

His fame resounds through the rivers and lakes, his valor shines in the capital's view.

His life drifts like a floating weed, his glory like tumbleweed blown free.

If one day he achieves his ambition, his might shall awe Mount Tai's eastern sea."

He put down the brush and took up his wine again.

They were drinking when the man in the leather jacket strode up, seized Lin Chong by the waist, and said, "You've got some nerve! You committed a sky-high crime in Cangzhou, and here you are! The authorities have put up a three-thousand-string reward for your capture. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Who do you think I am?" Lin Chong asked.

"Aren't you 'Leopard Head' Lin Chong?" the man said.

"My surname happens to be Zhang," Lin Chong replied.

The man laughed. "Don't try to lie. Your name's written on the wall, and you've got a gold brand on your face. How can you talk your way out of that?"

"So you really intend to arrest me?"

The man laughed again. "What would I want to arrest you for? Come inside with me. I want to talk to you." He released his grip, and Lin Chong followed him to a waterside pavilion in the back. He told the waiter to light a lamp, bowed to Lin Chong, and the two sat down across from each other.

"I noticed just now," the man said, "that my elder brother kept asking the way to Liangshan Marsh, wanting to find a boat to get there. That's a stronghold of bandits. What did you want to go there for?"

"I'll be frank with you," Lin Chong said. "The authorities are hot on my trail and I have nowhere to hide. I've come to join the good men in that stronghold, and that's why I want to go there."

"If that's the case," the man said, "someone must have recommended you."

"An old friend in Henghai Prefecture, Cangzhou, recommended me."

"Could it be 'Little Whirlwind' Chai Jin?"

"How did you know?"

"The Honorable Chai is on close terms with the Grand Chief of the stronghold. They correspond regularly." It turned out that when Wang Liang had first failed in his career, he had fled to Chai Jin with Du Qian. Chai Jin had kept them on his estate for quite some time, and when they were about to leave, he had given them traveling money and silver. That was how the debt of gratitude arose.

Lin Chong bowed. "I had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. May I ask your name?"

The man hastily returned the bow. "I'm an agent under Chief Wang. My surname is Zhu, given name Gui. I'm from Yishui County in Yizhou. The rivers and lakes know me as 'Sounding Thunder on Dry Land.' The stronghold has me running a wineshop here under that cover, mainly to keep track of travelers passing through. If anyone's carrying valuables, I report it to the stronghold. Lonely travelers with no money are let through. Those carrying valuables—if it's a light case we dose them with knockout powder, and if it's serious we finish them on the spot. The lean meat we slice into dried strips, and the fat we render for lamp oil. When I saw you asking the way to Liangshan Marsh just now, I held off. Then I saw your name written out, and I'd heard people from the Eastern Capital praising your heroic reputation. I never expected to meet you today. Since you have a letter of recommendation from the Honorable Chai, and your fame resounds throughout the world, Chief Wang is sure to give you an important post."

He immediately arranged for fish, meat, and dishes of food and wine to be brought out. The two men drank through half the night at the waterside pavilion.

"How can I get a boat to cross over?" Lin Chong asked.

"There are boats here. Don't worry, elder brother. Stay the night, and at the fifth watch I'll wake you and we'll go together."

They each went to rest.

When the fifth watch came, Zhu Gui himself came to wake Lin Chong. After washing and rinsing, they had three or five more cups of wine and ate some meat. It was still dark. Zhu Gui opened the window of the pavilion, took out a magpie-painted bow, nocked a whistling arrow, and shot it toward the broken reeds and withered rushes on the opposite shore.

"What does that mean?" Lin Chong asked.

"That's the stronghold's signal arrow. A boat will come shortly."

Before long, five or six small bandits were seen rowing a fast boat across from the reed marsh on the opposite side, straight to the pavilion. Zhu Gui then led Lin Chong down into the boat, taking his weapons and luggage. The little bandits rowed out, heading into the marsh toward Golden Sand Beach. Lin Chong looked at the vast expanse of the eight-hundred-li Liangshan waters and saw that it was truly a place that swallowed men whole! For there:

Mountains ranked like giant waves, waters joined the distant sky.

Wild reeds massed like ten thousand squads of spears and lances; strange trees stood in a thousand tiers of swords and halberds.

By the moat, deer antlers were heaped from accumulated bones;

In the stronghold, bowls and ladles were all fashioned from skulls.

Stripped human hides were stretched over war drums;

Severed hair was braided into bridle reins.

To block government troops, there were countless culs-de-sac and blind alleys;

To trap bandits, there were many pathless forests and peaks.

Goose-egg stones piled mountain upon mountain;

Bitter bamboo spears bristled dense as rain.

Over the Pavilion of Severed Gold, gloomy clouds rose;

Before the Hall of Gathered Righteousness, killing miasma billowed.

The little bandits rowed the boat to the shore at Golden Sand Beach. Zhu Gui and Lin Chong went ashore. The bandits shouldered the bundles and took the weapons, and the two heroes headed up toward the stronghold. The little bandits rowed the boat back to the small harbor. Lin Chong looked at the shore and saw great trees on both sides thick enough to embrace, and halfway up the mountain a Pavilion of Severed Gold. Turning further, they came to a great gate, before which were arrayed spears, swords, halberds, bows, crossbows, dagger-axes, and lances, with battering logs and catapult stones on all sides. A little bandit ran ahead to announce them. The two men passed through the gate, with ranks of banners and pennants lining the road on both sides. They crossed two more mountain passes before reaching the stronghold's entrance. Lin Chong saw high mountains on all sides, three imposing passes enclosing them in a tight ring, and in the middle a flat plain smooth as a mirror, some three or five hundred paces across. At the mouth of the mountain pass was the main gate, with side rooms on either side.

Zhu Gui led Lin Chong to the Hall of Assembly, where a chief sat in the middle chair—none other than the "White-Robed Scholar" Wang Lun. To the left sat Du Qian, called "Touching the Sky," and to the right sat Song Wan, known as "Golden Diamond in the Clouds." Zhu Gui and Lin Chong stepped forward and saluted. Lin Chong stood beside Zhu Gui, and Zhu Gui said, "This man is a drill instructor of the eight hundred thousand Imperial Guards of the Eastern Capital. His surname is Lin, his given name is Chong, and his nickname is 'Leopard Head.' He was framed by Grand Marshal Gao and was sent to Cangzhou in penal servitude. There the army's fodder depot was set ablaze. After killing three men in the dispute, he fled and took refuge with Lord Chai, who treated him with the greatest respect. Lord Chai has therefore sent a letter of recommendation requesting that he join us."

Lin Chong took the letter from his breast and handed it over. Wang Lun received it, broke the seal, and read it, then invited Lin Chong to sit in the fourth chair, while Zhu Gui took the fifth. He ordered his men to bring wine and they drank three rounds. Wang Lun inquired after Lord Chai's health of late. Lin Chong replied, "He hunts in the countryside every day and enjoys himself." After some further questions, Wang Lun suddenly thought to himself: "I am merely a failed scholar who came here to become an outlaw in a fit of anger, along with Du Qian; Song Wan joined later, and we have gathered all these men and followers. I myself have no great abilities, and Du Qian and Song Wan's martial skills are only average. Now if we add this man, an Imperial Guards instructor from the capital, he must surely be a formidable fighter. If he sees through our limitations, he will certainly try to dominate us—how could we resist? It would be better to raise some objection, find an excuse, and send him away down the mountain to avoid future trouble. But Lord Chai's reputation will suffer, and I will have forgotten the kindness he has shown me before—though now I cannot afford to worry about that." Truly it was as the verse says:

*"Without shared heroic spirit, how can one seek fellowship?*

*Even meeting a true hero, he refuses to let him stay.*

*The scholar is ever prone to jealousy—*

*The Leopard Head sighs in vain, seeking in vain a lordly way."*

Wang Lun then had his men prepare food and arrange a feast, inviting Lin Chong to the table while all the chiefs drank together. As the feast was drawing to a close, Wang Lun had a servant bring out a tray bearing fifty ounces of silver and two bolts of ramie silk. Wang Lun rose and said, "Lord Chai recommended that the instructor join our humble stronghold. Unfortunately, our grain is scarce, our buildings are in disrepair, and our manpower is thin. I fear that in the future we might let you down, which would reflect poorly on us. Here is a small token of respect—please accept it with good grace. Seek out a larger stronghold to settle in, and do not take offense." Lin Chong said, "Chieftains, hear my plea: 'A man travels a thousand li to pledge himself, ten thousand li to join a lord.' I have relied on Lord Chai's good name to come directly to your stronghold and ask to join. Though I am unworthy, I beg you to accept me. I will go forward with my life in my hands, without flattery or deceit—this would be the greatest fortune of my life. I have not come for silver and silk. I ask the chieftain to understand." Wang Lun said, "This is a small place—how could we accommodate you? Forgive me, forgive me." Zhu Gui stepped forward and remonstrated: "Elder Brother, do not blame me for speaking out. Though grain is scarce in the mountain stronghold, we can borrow from nearby villages and towns. The forests and waters of the marsh are vast—we could build a thousand dwellings without difficulty. This man was recommended by Lord Chai himself—how can we send him elsewhere? Moreover, Lord Chai has always shown kindness to this stronghold. If he learns we refused this man, he will think poorly of us. Besides, this man is skilled—he will certainly contribute his strength." Du Qian said: "What difference does one man make in the stronghold? If you refuse him, Lord Chai will take offense, and it will appear that we are ungrateful and disloyal. He has helped us many times before. Now that he has recommended someone, how can we make excuses and send him away?" Song Wan also urged: "For Lord Chai's sake, we could at least let him stay as a chieftain. Otherwise, we will be seen as lacking honor, and the good men of the rivers and lakes will mock us." Wang Lun said: "Brothers, you do not understand. Though he committed a capital crime in Cangzhou, now that he has come up the mountain, we do not know his true intentions. What if he has come to spy on our strengths and weaknesses? What then?" Lin Chong said: "I have committed a capital crime and have therefore come to join you—why do you suspect me?" Wang Lun said: "In that case, if you truly wish to join us, bring us a 'tribute offering.'" Lin Chong said: "I can read and write—please bring me paper and a brush, and I will write one." Zhu Gui laughed and said: "Instructor, you are mistaken. When any man joins our band, he must present a tribute offering—that is, he must go down the mountain, kill a man, and present the head as proof. Only then will there are no doubts about his loyalty. This is what is called a tribute offering." Lin Chong said: "That is not difficult. I will go down the mountain and wait—I only fear no one will pass by." Wang Lun said: "I give you three days. If within three days you bring a tribute offering, you may join us. If within three days you have none, you must forgive us." Lin Chong agreed and returned to his quarters for the night, his heart heavy. Truly it was as the verse says:

*"Sorrow and gloom weigh heavy, hard to dispel—*

*Hateful Wang Lun, how he twists and plays his game.*

*Tomorrow I shall seek the mountain path—*

*I know not whose head will be sent to me."*

That night, when the feast ended, Zhu Gui took his leave and went back down the mountain to keep his inn.

That evening, Lin Chong collected his weapons and luggage, and a young lout led him to a guest room where he spent the night. Early the next morning, after tea and a meal, he girded on his waist saber, took up his broadsword, and asked a young lout to guide him down the mountain. They crossed by boat and waited along a secluded path for travelers to pass. From dawn until dusk they waited a full day, but not a single solitary traveler came by. Lin Chong was downhearted. He crossed back with the young lout and returned to the stronghold. Wang Lun asked, "Where is your proof of initiation?" Lin Chong replied, "Not a single person passed today, so I was unable to obtain it." Wang Lun said, "If you have no proof of initiation tomorrow, you will find it hard to remain here." Lin Chong dared not answer. Dispirited, he went to his room, begged some food, and spent another night.

Early the next morning, after breakfast with a young lout, he took up his broadsword and went down the mountain again. The young lout said, "Let us wait on the southern mountain road today." The two went into the woods to lie in ambush, but no travelers appeared. They waited until noon, when a party of about three hundred travelers passed by in a group. Lin Chong dared not act and watched them go. After waiting a while longer and seeing the sky grow dark, still no traveler appeared. Lin Chong said to the young lout, "How wretched my luck is! Two days I've waited, and not a single solitary traveler has passed. What am I to do?" The young lout said, "Brother, take heart. You still have one more day. The elder brother and I will wait on the eastern mountain road." That evening they returned to the stronghold as before. Wang Lun said, "How did the proof of initiation go today?" Lin Chong dared not answer and only sighed with a long face. Wang Lun smiled and said, "I suppose there is none again. I gave you three days; two are already gone. If there is none tomorrow, we need not meet again. You may move down the mountain and seek a home elsewhere."

Back in his room, Lin Chong was truly suffocated with grief. He composed a poem to the tune of " Riverside Fairy":

Trouble—like a dragon stranded off the isle;

Grief—like a tiger trapped on the waste;

Song Yu weeps in autumn, tears a-dry.

Jiang Yan has just parted with his pen,

Xiang Yu raged that he had no boat.

At Gaoyang, Gaozu met with disaster;

At Zhaoguan, Wu Zixu was consumed with care;

At Red Cliff, fire linked the sky for Cao Cao;

On Li Ling's tower, he gazed—

Su Wu was trapped in Juyan.

That evening Lin Chong looked up at the sky and sighed: "Who would have thought that today, framed by that scoundrel Gao Qiu, I would be driven to this—Heaven and Earth will not suffer me. My fate is so twisted, my hour so cursed!" He passed the night. The next morning, after some food, he bundled up his pack and left it in his room. He girded on his waist saber, took up his broadsword, and went down the mountain again with a young lout, crossing over to the eastern mountain road. Lin Chong said, "If I still cannot obtain the proof of initiation today, I will have to seek a living elsewhere." The two went into the woods to lie in ambush on the eastern road below the mountain. By the time the sun was high, still no one had come.

It happened that the last snow had just cleared and the sun was bright. Lin Chong said to the young lout, holding his broadsword, "It's plain nothing will come of this. We'd better go while there's still daylight, get our luggage, and find a place elsewhere." The young soldier pointed and said, "Good! Isn't that a man coming?" Lin Chong looked and cried out, "How fortunate!" He saw the man approaching from far off on the hillside. When he came closer, Lin Chong flourished his broadsword and sprang out. The man saw Lin Chong, cried "Ah!" dropped his load, and turned to flee. Lin Chong gave chase but could not catch him; the man slipped over the hill. Lin Chong said, "You see how wretched my luck is! Three days I've been here, and at last one man comes—and I let him get away." The young soldier said, "Though we haven't killed anyone, this load of goods will serve instead." Lin Chong said, "You carry it up the mountain first; I'll wait a while longer."

Then from the foot of the hill strode a huge fellow. Lin Chong saw him and said, "Heaven has provided." The man brandished his broadsword and roared like thunder: "Scoundrel bandits, you murderous thieving crew—where have you taken my baggage? This fellow was just about to catch the likes of you, and you come to pull a tiger's whiskers!" He charged forward like a whirlwind. Lin Chong, seeing him come with such ferocity, advanced to meet him.

It was this man who came to fight with Lin Chong. And it came to pass that in Liangshan Marsh, several white-browed tigers that ride the wind were added; in the stronghold by the marshes, a few golden-eyed beasts that leap ravines were gathered. Who, after all, was this man who came to fight with Lin Chong? Listen to the explanation in the next chapter.