الفصل السادس عشر

الفصل السادس عشر

It will be related that Gongsun Sheng was just then in the study speaking to Chao Gai about the "Birthday Convoy" from Daming Prefecture, saying that it was wealth gained by injustice and there could be no harm in taking it. Suddenly, a man burst in from outside, seized Gongsun Sheng, and said, "You have some nerve! I know all about the plot you were just discussing." The man was none other than "The Resourceful Star," Wu Yong. Chao Gai said with a smile, "Don't be alarmed, Professor, and allow me to make introductions." The two exchanged courtesies. Wu Yong said, "For a long time I have heard men of the rivers and lakes speak of 'The Azure Dragon Among the Clouds,' the great name of the Pure One, Gongsun Sheng. I never expected to meet you here today." Chao Gai said, "This scholar is 'The Resourceful Star,' Wu Yong, the Academician." Gongsun Sheng said, "I have long heard that many in the martial world speak of the great name of Master Jia Liang. Who would have thought that fate would bring me to the village headman's estate to meet you? It is only because the village headman is generous and upholds righteousness that heroes from all under heaven come to his gate." Chao Gai said, "There are several other acquaintances inside. Let me invite you all into the inner chambers to meet."

The three men went inside and met Liu Tang and the three Ruan brothers. Truly:

Gold and silk stored in abundance—disaster has its roots;

The gathering of heroes was never planned by fate.

For a time, bold spirits defied the imperial house;

Seven stars' light stirred the Purple Planet.

The men said, "Today's meeting is no accident. We must ask Elder Brother Chao Gai to sit in the seat of honor." Chao Gai said, "I am but a poor master of a small estate. How dare I take the highest seat?" Wu Yong said, "Elder Brother Chao Gai is the senior among us. In my humble opinion, you should take the seat." Chao Gai then had no choice but to sit in the first seat. Wu Yong sat in the second, Gongsun Sheng in the third, Liu Tang in the fourth, Ruan the Second in the fifth, Ruan the Fifth in the sixth, and Ruan the Seventh in the seventh. They had just begun their sworn gathering and were drinking wine when the cups and plates were rearranged and more food and wine prepared, and all drank together. Wu Yong said, "The village headman dreamed that the seven stars of the Big Dipper fell upon his roof ridge. Today the seven of us gather in sworn brotherhood to undertake this enterprise—is this not a response to Heaven's portent? This fortune is within our grasp, ready to be taken with no effort at all. The other day we spoke of asking Elder Brother Liu to go and find out which route they would take. It is late today, but tomorrow at first light, please set out." Gongsun Sheng said, "There is no need for that now. I have already made inquiries and know the route they will take. They will come by the main road across Yellow Ridge Ridge." Chao Gai said, "Ten li east of Yellow Ridge Ridge, at a place called Anle Village, there is a loafer called 'White Rat' Bai Sheng. He once came to join me, and I gave him traveling money." Wu Yong said—"The white light above the Big Dipper—could it be an omen pointing to this man? He will certainly have his use." Liu Tang said, "Yellow Ridge Ridge is rather far from here. Where can we find shelter?" Wu Yong said, "Bai Sheng's house will be our hiding place, and we shall need Bai Sheng himself as well." Chao Gai said, "Master Wu, shall we take it by soft means or by force?" Wu Yong smiled and said, "I have already arranged the trap. We shall see how matters unfold—if by force, then by force; if by wit, then by wit. I have a plan. I do not know whether it meets with your approval. Thus and so." Chao Gao was overjoyed. Stamping his foot, he said, "What a splendid plan! You are well named 'The Resourceful Star'! You truly rival Zhuge Liang! What a magnificent strategy!" Wu Yong said, "Speak of this no more. As the saying goes: 'Beyond the wall there must be ears; outside the window, is there no one?' Only you and I may know of this." Chao Gai then said, "The three Ruan brothers, please return to your homes for now. Come to my humble estate when the time arrives. Master Wu, return to your teaching as usual. Master Gongsun and Liu Tang, stay at my estate for the time being." That day they drank until late, and each retired to his guest room to rest.

The next day they rose at the fifth watch and ate an early breakfast. Chao Gao took out thirty ounces of silver and presented it to the three Ruan brothers, saying, "A small token of my regard—please do not refuse." The three Ruan would not accept it. Wu Yong said, "The feeling of friends cannot be refused." Only then did the three Ruan accept the silver. They all escorted them outside the estate. Wu Yong whispered in their ears, "Thus and so. When the time comes, there must be no mistake." The three Ruan took their leave and returned to Stone Tablet Village. Chao Gao kept Gongsun Sheng and Liu Tang at his estate. Wu Yong often came to discuss plans. Truly:

To take what is not yours—officials are all robbers;

To take from excess—robbery is justice.

The plan is made; we need only wait in ease,

And laugh as the treasure-laden convoy hurries by.

Let us cease this tedious narration. We speak instead of Liang Zhongshu of Daming Prefecture in the north, who had gathered a hundred thousand strings of cash as birthday tribute gifts and was selecting a day to dispatch men to set out. One day he was seated in his rear hall when Lady Cai asked, "My lord, when will the 'Birthday Convoy' set out?" Liang Zhongshu said, "The gifts are all prepared, and they will start the day after tomorrow. There is only one matter on which I am still deliberating." Lady Cai said, "What matter is giving you pause?" Liang Zhongshu said, "Last year I spent a hundred thousand strings of cash to acquire gold, pearls, and treasures to send to the Eastern Capital, but because I employed the wrong men, they were robbed by bandits along the way, and to this day nothing has been recovered. This year, I plainly see that I have no reliable man among my officers to escort the convoy. That is what gives me pause." Lady Cai, pointing to a man at the foot of the steps, said, "You often say this man is exceedingly capable. Why not entrust him with the task, give him the official commission and documents, and send him on the journey? Then there will be no mishap."

When Liang Zhongshu looked at the man below the steps, it was none other than "Blue-Faced Beast" Yang Zhi. Liang Zhongshu was overjoyed. He immediately called Yang Zhi up to the hall and said, "I had quite forgotten about you. If you deliver the Birthday Tribute for me, I shall certainly find a way to promote you."

Yang Zhi clasped his hands and stepped forward to report, "Your Honor's orders—how could I dare refuse? Only, I do not know how the preparations should be made, or when I should set out."

Liang Zhongshu said, "I will arrange for the Prefecture of Daming to provide ten flatbed carts. From my headquarters I will assign ten soldiers of the Palace Guard to escort the carts. On each cart a yellow flag will be planted, inscribed with the words 'Birthday Tribute for Grand Tutor Cai.' Each cart will also have a soldier following behind. You must depart within three days."

Yang Zhi said, "It is not that I wish to decline, but truly I cannot go. I humbly beg Your Honor's leave to send another man of skill and judgment."

Liang Zhongshu said, "It is my intention to promote you. Within the official document for this Birthday Tribute, I will enclose a personal letter recommending you strongly to the Grand Tutor, so that upon your return you will receive an imperial commission. How then can you raise objections and refuse to go?"

Yang Zhi said, "Your Honor, last year's tribute was already robbed by bandits—and the culprits have not been caught to this day. This year, too, there are many bandits along the road. Moreover, from here to the Eastern Capital there is no water route—all of it is overland. The route passes through Purple Gold Mountain, Two-Dragon Mountain, Peach Blossom Mountain, Umbrella Canopy Mountain, Yellow Mud Ridge, White Sand Bank, Wild Cloud Ford, and Red Pine Forest. All these places are where strongmen roam. Even lone travelers dare not pass through by themselves. When they learn it is gold and silver and precious goods, how can they not come to rob it? It would be to no avail—only one's life would be wasted. For these reasons, I cannot go."

Liang Zhongshu said, "In that case, I will assign more soldiers to escort you."

Yang Zhi said, "Even if Your Honor sent five hundred men, it would be of no use. The moment these fellows hear that bandits are coming, they will all flee first."

Liang Zhongshu said, "From what you say, then, the Birthday Tribute should not be sent at all?"

Yang Zhi reported again, "If Your Honor grants me one thing, I will dare to go."

Liang Zhongshu said, "Since I have placed this matter in your hands, how could I refuse what you ask?"

Yang Zhi said, "If I may have my way, we should not use carts at all. The gifts should be packed into a dozen or so loads and disguised as ordinary merchandise. We will select ten sturdy soldiers of the Palace Guard, but dress them as porters to carry the loads. Only one other man need accompany me, and he too will be dressed as a traveling merchant. We will set out quietly by night and deliver the goods to the Eastern Capital. That is the proper way."

Liang Zhongshu said, "What you say is exactly right. I will write a letter strongly recommending you, so that upon your return you will receive an imperial commission."

Yang Zhi said, "I am deeply grateful for Your Honor's promotion." That same day, Yang Zhi was instructed to prepare the loads and select the soldiers.

The next day, Yang Zhi was summoned to the hall. Liang Zhongshu came out and asked, "Yang Zhi, when will you set out?"

Yang Zhi reported, "Replying to Your Honor, I shall be ready to depart tomorrow morning. I am prepared to sign the bond of receipt."

Liang Zhongshu said, "The Lady also has a load of gifts to send to the household of the Grand Tutor's family, which you are to take as well. Fearing you might not know the route, I have specially assigned Old Steward Xie, the Lady's foster-father, and two officers to accompany you."

Yang Zhi reported, "Your Honor—Yang Zhi cannot go after all."

Liang Zhongshu said, "The gifts have all been packed and secured. How can you now say you cannot go?"

Yang Zhi reported, "These ten loads of gifts rest entirely on my shoulders. As for the others, they are all under my command—if I wish to start early, we start early; if I wish to start late, we start late; if I wish to stop, we stop; if I wish to rest, we rest—all according to my direction. Now you are also sending the old steward and the officers with me. They are the Lady's men, and the old steward is the Grand Tutor's own foster-father. If on the road they clash with me, how could I dare to argue with them? And if the great enterprise is thereby delayed, how could I explain my position?"

Liang Zhongshu said, "This too is easily managed. I will tell the three of them to obey your direction."

Yang Zhi replied, "If this is so ordered, I am willing to sign the bond. If there is any failure, I accept the heaviest punishment."

Liang Zhongshu said with great satisfaction, "I have not promoted you in vain—you truly have insight!" He then summoned Old Steward Xie and the two officers and instructed them before the hall: "Captain Yang Zhi has willingly signed a bond of receipt to escort the Birthday Tribute—eleven loads of gold, pearls, and treasures—to the Grand Tutor's mansion in the capital for delivery. The entire responsibility rests on him. You three are to accompany him. On the road, whether starting early, traveling late, stopping, or resting, you must all heed his words and not cross him. As for the Lady's instructions, you three will handle those yourselves. Be careful and attentive. Go early and return early. See that nothing goes wrong."

The old steward assented to everything.

That day Yang Zhi received his orders. The next morning, before dawn, he arranged the load poles in the courtyard. The old steward and the two military inspectors also prepared a small load of valuables, making eleven loads in all. They selected eleven sturdy soldiers from the provincial garrison and dressed them as porters. Yang Zhi put on a cool straw hat, wore a blue gauze shirt, bound on his leg wrappings and hemp shoes, hung a waist saber at his side, and carried a broad-bladed sword. The old steward also dressed himself as a traveling merchant; the two inspectors pretended to be his attendants. Each man carried a broad-bladed sword and several rattan canes. Liang Zhongshu gave them the official documents and letters. After eating their fill, the whole party took their leave of Liang Zhongshu in the courtyard. They watched the soldiers shoulder their loads and set out. Yang Zhi, the chief steward, and the two inspectors supervised the procession—fifteen men in all. They left the Liang mansion, passed through the gates of Daming Prefecture, and took the main road toward Tokyo. It was now the middle of the fifth month. Though the sky was clear, the heat was unbearable. The Prince of Wu Qi had once written eight lines of poetry:

Jade screens on all sides with red railings wound,

Clusters of playful fish among duckweed found.

Eight-foot mat of white shrimp whiskers spread,

A red agate pillow beneath the head.

The six dragons fear the heat and dare not go,

The sea boils and bubbles on Penglai's isle below.

The prince still finds his fan's power slight,

While travelers trudge the dusty road in light.

These eight lines speak of the scorching summer months. The sons of princes and nobles, cooling themselves in pavilions and waterside towers, soaking floating fruits in cold water, or chilling lotus root and ice to escape the heat, still complain of the warmth. How could they know the lot of travelers who, for the sake of a little fame and trifling profit, with no canes to bind them, must journey on during the dog days of summer? Today, Yang Zhi's party had to deliver the birthday gifts by the fifteenth of the sixth month and could only travel along the road. For five or six days after leaving Daming, they rose before dawn, set out while the morning was cool, and rested when the midday grew hot.

After five or six days, houses grew scarce, the road more desolate, and every stage was mountain terrain. Yang Zhi insisted on starting at mid-morning and resting only in the afternoon. The eleven soldiers, their loads heavy and none of them light, could not march in the heat. Whenever they saw a grove of trees, they wanted to rest. Yang Zhi drove them on, urging them forward. If he anyone stopped, he was scolded at the least, or beaten with rattan canes at the worst—driven onward without mercy. The two inspectors, though they carried only bundles and luggage, were panting and could not keep up. Yang Zhi glared at them angrily: "You two have no sense! This responsibility falls on me. You won't help me drive these porters, yet you dawdle behind at your leisure. This is no place for such nonsense!" One inspector said: "It's not that we want to go slowly—it's simply too hot to move, so we fall behind. Before, we traveled while the morning was cool. Now you want us to march in the heat of the day. It's hardly fair." Yang Zhi snapped: "Talk like that is no better than passing wind! The road we traveled before was easy country. Now we are in a dangerous stretch. If we don't push through during the day, who would dare travel at midnight?" The inspectors said nothing aloud, but thought to themselves: "This fellow has no right to curse people like that."

Yang Zhi took his broad-bladed sword and rattan cane and went off to drive the porters himself. The two inspectors sat beneath the shade of a willow tree and waited for the old steward. When he arrived, they told him: "That fellow Yang—he's only a captain in our lord's service, yet he puts on such airs!" The steward said: "Our lord gave orders personally that we should not cross him, so I held my tongue. These past two days I've watched him and can't stand him either. Let's bear with him for now." One inspector said: "The lord was only being polite. You, sir, should take charge." The old steward replied: "Let's endure him a while longer."

That day they reached an inn in the afternoon and stopped to rest. The ten soldiers were drenched in sweat, sighing and blowing. They said to the old steward: "We soldiers are unlucky—we knew we'd be sent out. In this fire-hot weather, carrying heavy loads, and now not even traveling in the cool of the morning—we get beaten with big rattan canes for no reason. We're all flesh and blood, and we suffer so!" The steward said: "Don't complain. When we reach Tokyo, I'll reward you." The soldiers said: "If you treat us well, sir, we won't complain." Another night passed.

The next day, before dawn, the men rose and wanted to set out while it was cool. Yang Zhi leaped up and shouted: "Where are you going? Go back to sleep! We'll talk about it later." The soldiers said: "If we don't leave early, we can't travel in the heat of the day, and then you beat us." Yang Zhi cursed: "What do you know?" He raised his rattan cane to strike. The soldiers swallowed their anger and went back to sleep. That day they did not start until mid-morning. They slowly prepared a fire, ate, and set out. All along the road Yang Zhi drove them on, not allowing them to stop at any cool place to rest. The eleven soldiers muttered their resentment under their breath. The two inspectors complained incessantly to the old steward. The steward listened but paid no attention, nursing his own anger in silence.

Without further ado, they traveled some fourteen or fifteen days in this fashion, and not one of the fourteen men failed to resent Yang Zhi. That day at the inn, they slowly prepared a fire at mid-morning, ate breakfast, and set out. It was now the fourth day of the sixth month. Before noon, a red sun hung in the sky without a single cloud—the heat was tremendous. An ancient poet wrote eight lines:

Zhurong comes from the south, whipping his fire dragon,

His banners of flame blaze red across the sky.

The sun at noon stands still and will not move,

All the nations seem in a red furnace to lie.

The five sacred mountains' green withers, the clouds are destroyed,

The Dragon King beneath the sea grieves that his waves are dried.

When will the golden wind rise one evening for me,

And sweep away the heat of the world far and wide?

That day they traveled along rough, winding mountain paths, south of the hills and north of the ridges, with Yang Zhi keeping watch over the eleven soldiers. They had gone perhaps twenty *li* or so when the men began thinking of resting in the shade of some willow trees. But Yang Zhi struck out at them with his rattan stick and shouted, "Move! I'll have you resting early enough!" The soldiers looked up at the sky—there wasn't a wisp of cloud anywhere. The heat was beyond bearing. One could see:

Steam rising to choke the men, dust blowing into their faces.

The vast world was a steaming cauldron, a fiery parasol hung overhead.

No clouds in any direction; the wind lay dead, trees scorched and streams cracked.

A thousand hills blazed with flame; rocks split and ashes flew.

Birds in mid-air gave up their lives, tumbling deep into the woods;

Fish and dragons in the water shed their scales, burrowing straight into the mud.

Even stone tigers would gasp without cease; even an iron man would have sweat streaming down.

At that time Yang Zhi urged the party on along the secluded mountain road. As the sun reached its peak, the stones grew too hot to walk on, and their feet ached unbearably. The soldiers said, "In heat like this, won't it just roast us alive?" Yang Zhi barked at them, "Move! Once we're over that ridge ahead, we'll see about it." As they pressed on, the earthen ridge came into view before them. When the men looked upon it, they saw:

Ten thousand green trees crowning its top, a stretch of yellow sand at its base.

Jagged and towering like an ancient dragon, its steepness echoed with wind and rain.

Mountain-edge grasses, tangled and strewn like spears and lances across the ground;

Stones everywhere, jagged enough to make two rows of sleeping tigers and leopards.

Don't speak of Sichuan's roads as perilous—know that this is the Taihang Mountain.

At that time, all fifteen men rushed up onto the ridge, set down their loads, and the fourteen others collapsed to sleep beneath the pine trees. Yang Zhi said, "This is the end! What sort of place do you think this is, that you rest here? Get up! Move!" The soldiers said, "You could chop me into seven or eight pieces—I simply cannot go on!" Yang Zhi raised his rattan stick and struck them over the head and face. He roused one, and another fell back asleep. Yang Zhi could do nothing about it.

The two escorts and the old steward came panting up to the ridge and sat beneath a pine tree to catch their breath. Watching Yang Zhi beating the soldiers, the old steward said, "Commandant, it's truly too hot to walk. Spare them their offense." Yang Zhi said, "Steward, you don't know it, but this is precisely where bandits appear. The place is called Yellow Mud Ridge. In ordinary peaceful times, they'd come out broad daylight to rob people—let alone on a day like this. Who would dare stop here?" When the two escorts heard Yang Zhi say this, they remarked, "We've heard you say this several times now. You keep using these words to frighten people!" The old steward said, "Let them rest a while, and we'll travel after the sun passes its peak. What do you say?" Yang Zhi said, "You have no sense either! How can we do that? Once we descend this ridge, there are still seven or eight *li* with no houses in sight. What sort of place is this to rest?" The old steward said, "I'll sit a while and then walk. You go ahead and hurry the others on first."

Yang Zhi brandished his rattan stick and shouted, "Anyone who doesn't move gets twenty blows from me!" The soldiers all cried out at once. One of them spoke up: "Commandant, we're carrying loads of a hundred *jin* or more—it's not like you walking empty-handed. You truly don't treat us like men! Even when Lord Liu himself came to supervise us, he'd allow us a word. You don't know a thing about anyone's feelings!" He went on arguing. Yang Zhi cursed, "This beast will be the death of me! I'll just give him a beating!" He raised the stick and struck the man across the face. The old steward shouted, "Commandant Yang, stop! Listen to me. When I was nurse-governor at the Grand Marshal's mansion in the Eastern Capital, officers and soldiers beyond number—thousands upon thousands—all addressed me with repeated bows. Not to boast, but you are a soldier fit for execution. Out of pity, the Marshal promoted you to commandant—a position no bigger than a mustard seed—and you carry on like this! Don't forget, I'm the Marshal's own steward. Even if I were just an old man from some village, you ought to take my advice. What kind of treatment is it to just keep beating them?" Yang Zhi said, "Steward, you're a city man, raised in a marshal's mansion. You have no idea of the thousand hardships and ten thousand difficulties of the road." The old steward said, "I've been to Sichuan and to both Guang provinces, and I've never seen you show off like this." Yang Zhi said, "These are not peaceful times." The steward said, "You ought to have your tongue cut out for saying that. Is the world really so unpeaceful these days?"

Yang Zhi was about to retort when he noticed a figure shadowed among the opposite pine trees, peering out and craning his neck to look. Yang Zhi said, "What did I say? Isn't that a villain coming!" He dropped his rattan stick, seized his saber, and rushed into the pine grove, shouting, "You scoundrel, how dare you spy on our goods!" Truly:

Speak of ghosts and ghosts appear; speak of thieves and thieves arrive.

Yet they were of one family—face to face, they could not recognize each other.

When Yang Zhi hurried up to look, he saw seven Jiangzhou carts drawn up in a line among the pine trees, with seven men stripped stark naked, cooling themselves there. One of them, with a large birthmark the color of cinnabar at his temple, held a broad-bladed sword and came toward Yang Zhi. The seven men cried out together in surprise and all jumped to their feet.

Yang Zhi shouted, "What sort of people are you?"

The seven replied, "What sort of person are you?"

Yang Zhi asked again, "You're not bandits, are you?"

The seven said, "You've got it backwards! We're small-time traders. Where would we have money to give you?"

Yang Zhi said, "You may be small-time traders, but I've got big capital!"

The seven asked, "Just who are you, exactly?"

Yang Zhi said, "You first—where are you from?"

The seven replied, "We seven brothers are from Haozhou. We're taking dates to sell in Dongjing and happen to be passing through here. We've heard many people say that bandits often rob merchants on Yellow Mud Ridge up ahead. As we walked along, we said to ourselves, 'We seven have nothing but some dates—no other goods of value at all.' So we just went on over the ridge. Once we were up on it, we couldn't stand the heat, so we decided to rest a bit in this grove and travel on once it cooled down in the evening. Then we heard someone coming up the ridge. We were afraid it might be bandits, so we sent this brother out to take a look."

Yang Zhi said, "I see. So you're travelers too, just like us. A moment ago I saw you peeking about and feared you might be bandits, so that's why I came to have a look."

The seven men said, "Honored guest, have some dates."

Yang Zhi said, "No need." He took up his broad-bladed sword and went back to his load.

The old steward said, "Since there are bandits, we should leave."

Yang Zhi said, "I thought they were bandits too, but it turns out they're just some date merchants."

The old steward said, "From what you said earlier, they sounded like men with nothing to lose!"

Yang Zhi said, "Stop quarreling. As long as nothing goes wrong, that's good enough. You all rest here and we'll go on once it's cooler."

The soldiers all laughed. Yang Zhi planted his broad-bladed sword in the ground and sat down under a tree to cool himself.

Before half a bowl of rice could have been eaten, they saw a man in the distance carrying a pair of buckets on a pole, singing as he came up the ridge:

"The red sun blazes like a fire,

The fields of grain half withered and dry.

The farmers' hearts boil like broth,

While lords and princes wave their fans high."

The man sang as he walked up the ridge, then rested his buckets under the pine trees and sat on the ground to cool himself. The soldiers saw him and asked, "What's in your buckets?"

The man answered, "White wine."

The soldiers asked, "Where are you taking it?"

The man said, "To sell in the village."

The soldiers asked, "How much a bucket?"

The man said, "Five strings of cash, full count."

The soldiers discussed among ourselves: "We're hot and thirsty—why don't we buy some to cool ourselves down?"

They were just gathering the money when Yang Zhi saw them and shouted, "What are you doing now?"

The soldiers said, "Buying some wine to drink."

Yang Zhi swung the shaft of his broad-blided sword and struck them, cursing, "You don't listen to a word this officer says! You want to buy wine on your own—what nerve!"

The soldiers said, "Nothing's wrong and you're still making trouble! We're pooling our own money to buy wine—what's it to you? Why come hitting people?"

Yang Zhi said, "You village fools, what do you understand! You come here and all you think about is stuffing your faces! You have no idea how hard the road is—how many good men have been knocked out by drugged wine!"

The wine seller looked at Yang Zhi and said with a cold smile, "You, sir, really don't know what's what! It's a good thing I wasn't going to sell you any, and yet you go and say such feeble things!"

Just as they were arguing and making a commotion by the pine trees, they saw the date merchants emerge from the grove opposite, all carrying their broad-bladed swords. They came out and asked, "What are you all making a fuss about?"

The wine seller said, "I was taking this wine over the ridge to sell in the village. It was hot, so I stopped here to cool off. These men wanted to buy some from me, but I never sold them any. Then this gentleman said there's drugged wine in my buckets—isn't that laughable? What a thing to say!"

The seven merchants said, "We thought bandits had come out, but that's all it was. No harm in saying that. We were just wanting some wine to quench our thirst. Since they're suspicious, sell us a barrel and we'll drink it."

The wine seller said, "I won't sell! I won't sell!"

The seven merchants said, "You fool of a man, you don't understand anything. We never said anything about you. You're going to sell it in the village anyway—we'll pay you the same price. Just sell us some, what's the harm? You'd think from the way you act that you'd already given us tea, and that would save us from the heat and thirst."

The wine seller said, "Selling you a bucket is no problem, but what they said makes it awkward. Besides, I haven't any bowls or ladles to drink from."

The seven men said, "You're too fussy! Just a few words were said—what's the harm? We have our own coconut-shell ladles right here." Two of the merchants went to the front of their carts and took out two coconut-shell ladles, while another brought out a big handful of dates. The seven men stood by the bucket, opened the lid, and took turns ladling out the wine to drink, eating dates as they did. In no time at all, the entire bucket of wine was gone.

The seven men said, "We never asked you how much it costs." The man said, "I won't haggle over the price. Five strings of cash per bucket, ten strings per load." The seven men said, "Five strings, then. Five strings it is. Just let us have a ladleful to taste." The man said, "No can do. The price is fixed." One of the men gave back his money, and another lifted the lid of one bucket, scooped up a ladleful, and drank it at once. When the man tried to snatch it away, this man, still holding half the ladleful of wine, ran off toward the pine grove, and the man chased after him.

Then a man came out from the pine grove on this side, ladle in hand, and scooped up a ladleful of wine from the bucket. The man saw this and rushed up, snatched it from his hand, poured it back into the bucket, replaced the lid, and flung the ladle to the ground. "You, sir," he said, "are no gentleman! You have a head and a face, yet you carry on like this!"

The soldiers watching from across the way felt a craving stir in their hearts. Every one of them wanted a drink. One of them looked at the old steward and said, "Old grandpa, speak to them for us. The men who sell dates bought a whole bucket and drank it. Let us buy this bucket too, just to wet our throats. We're truly parched and suffering, and there's no water to be had anywhere on this ridge. Be so kind, sir." The old steward saw that the soldiers all wanted it, and he himself felt the craving too. He went to Yang Zhi and said, "The date merchants have already bought one bucket and drunk it. There's only this one bucket left. Let the men buy a drink to beat the heat. There's truly no water to be had anywhere on this ridge." Yang Zhi thought to himself: "I watched from a distance, and all of them drank his wine. I also saw half a ladleful drunk right before my eyes. It must be good. They've been working hard all day. Let them have a bowl or so." Yang Zhi said, "Since the old steward says so, let them buy a drink, and then we'll be on our way."

When the soldiers heard this, they pooled five strings of cash and came to buy the wine. The wine seller said, "I won't sell! I won't sell! There's knockout drug in this wine!" The soldiers said with a smile, "Big brother, there's no need to be so sharp with us!" The man said, "I won't sell! Don't pester me!" The date merchant interceded: "You foolish fellow, he's got it wrong, and you're taking it too seriously. You've dragged us into it and made us hear you say it several times. It has nothing to do with these men. Just sell them some and have done with it." The man said, "Why should I invite suspicion for no reason?" The date merchant pushed the wine seller aside and went on offering the bucket of wine to the soldiers. The soldiers opened the bucket lid, but had nothing to scoop with. They humbly asked the men to borrow a coconut-shell ladle. The men said, "Here, take these few dates to go with your wine." The soldiers said, "How can we thank you enough?" The men said, "No need for thanks. We're all travelers—why quibble over a hundred or so dates?" The soldiers thanked them, scooped two ladlefuls, and had the old steward drink one and Commander Yang drink one. Yang Zhi would not touch it. The old steward drank a ladleful himself first, and the two guards each drank one. Then all the soldiers fell upon the bucket, and the wine was gone in an instant.

Yang Zhi saw that nothing had happened to the others. He had not intended to drink at all, but the weather was terribly hot and his throat was parched beyond enduring. He picked it up and drank only half a ladleful, and shared a few dates among them. The wine seller said, "That man helped himself to a ladleful from this bucket, so you've had less wine. I'll let you off half a string of cash." The soldiers pooled the money and paid him. The man collected the money, shouldered his empty buckets, and still singing his mountain song, went down the ridge.

The seven date merchants stood beside the pine trees, pointed at the fifteen men, and said: "Down they go! Down they go!" They saw the fifteen men, heads heavy and legs weak, staring helplessly at one another, all collapsing in a heap. The seven men pushed out seven Jiangzhou carts from the pine grove, dumped the dates from the carts onto the ground, loaded the eleven loads of gold, pearls, and treasure into the carts, covered them well, and with a cry of "Farewell!" pushed the carts straight down from Yellow Mud Ridge. Truly:

They drained the people's blood and sweat to celebrate a birthday,

Caring nothing whether the common folk lived or died.

It has always been proved that greed invites robbers—

A guilty conscience surely brings its own retribution.

Yang Zhi could only groan in misery. His body went limp and he struggled in vain to rise. The fifteen men watched with wide-open eyes as the seven men carried off all the gold and treasure, but they could not rise, could not move, could not speak a word.

Now let me ask you—who were these seven men? They were no others but Chao Gai, Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, Liu Tang, and the three Ruan brothers. And the man who had carried the wine was "White Rat" Bai Sheng. But how had they used the drug? When the buckets were first carried up the ridge, both contained good wine. The seven men drank one bucket first. Then Liu Tang lifted the lid and scooped half a ladleful to drink, deliberately letting the others see, so that they would set their minds completely at ease. Afterward, Wu Yong went into the pine grove, took out the drug, and shook it into the ladle. He only pretended to come and ask for more wine. As he scooped with the ladle, the drug was already stirred into the wine. He then pretended to scoop half a ladleful to drink, and Bai Sheng snatched it from his hand and poured it back into the bucket. This was the scheme. The whole plan was Wu Yong's idea, and it was called the "Clever Seizure of the Birthday Gifts."

Since Yang Zhi had drunk less wine, he woke more quickly. He scrambled to his feet, but his legs could barely hold him. He looked at the other fourteen men—saliva running from their mouths, utterly unable to move. As the old saying goes: "Be you ever as cunning as a ghost, you'll still drink the wash-water."

Yang Zhi said in bitter frustration: "It's no use — you've made off with the birthday gifts convoy. How can I go back and face Liang Zhongshu now? This warrant paper cannot be returned — I'll tear it up. Now I find myself with no home to flee to, no country to seek refuge in. Where can I go? I might as well end it right here on this ridge." He pulled up his robe and strode forward, about to hurl himself down from Yellow Mud Ridge. Truly:

*A March rain that sends the fallen flowers to their ruin,*

*An autumn frost that withers the willows and breaks them.*

What became of Yang Zhi's life as he sought death on Yellow Mud Ridge — that, reader, you shall hear in the chapter that follows.