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He Tao, the Imperial Observer, received the prefect's orders and left the hall. He immediately went to the secret chamber to discuss the matter with his men. The assembled constables said, "That Shi Lake village lies right next to Mount Liang, nothing but vast stretches of waterways and reed marshes. Without a large force of soldiers, boats, and men, who would dare go there to capture the bandits?" He Tao listened and said, "That makes sense." He went back to the hall and reported to the prefect: "It turns out that Shi Lake sits right beside the waters of Mount Liang, surrounded entirely by deep inlets, water channels, and reed-covered marshes. Even in ordinary times, they've been known to rob people—let alone now that a band of strongmen has joined them there. Without raising a large force, how could we dare go there to capture anyone?" The prefect said, "Since that's the case, I'll assign a capable bandit-suppression inspector, provide five hundred soldiers and horses, and send him with you to make the arrest." He Tao received the prefect's orders, returned to the secret chamber, gathered the constables, and selected over five hundred men, each of whom went to prepare his own equipment and weapons. The next day, the bandit-suppression inspector received the prefecture's orders from Jizhou and, together with He Tao, mustered five hundred soldiers along with the constables, and they all set out for Shi Lake village.

Now, Chao Gai and Gongsun Sheng had burned their manor and, accompanied by a dozen or so retainers, had arrived at Shi Lake village. Along the way they met the three Ruan brothers, each carrying weapons, who had come to escort them home. The seven men gathered at Ruan Xiaowu's manor. By then Ruan Xiao'er had already moved his family into the lake. The seven discussed going to join the band at Mount Liang. Wu Yong said: "At present, at the road crossing by Li's Landing, there is a man called 'Dry Land Alligator' Zhu Gui who runs an inn there, receiving heroes from all directions. Anyone who wants to join the band must first seek him out. Let's arrange boats, load all our belongings onto them, and send along some gifts to win his recommendation."

They were just discussing how to join Mount Liang when several fishermen came rushing in to report: "Government soldiers are speeding toward the village!" Chao Gai stood up and shouted: "Those scoundrels are coming after us—we must not flee!" Ruan Xiao'er said: "No need to worry! I'll handle them myself. I'll make most of them drown in the water and spear the rest." Gongsun Sheng said: "Don't panic! Watch what this priest can do!" Chao Chao Gai said: "Brother Liu Tang, you and the scholar load the valuables and families onto the boats and paddle directly to the left side of Li's Landing road crossing and wait there. We'll assess the situation and join you shortly." Ruan Xiao'er selected two sculling boats, loaded his mother, the family members, and the household goods onto them. Wu Yong and Liu Tang each took charge of a boat, and several retainers rowed them ahead to wait at Li's Landing road crossing. He also instructed Ruan Xiaowu and Ruan Xiaoqi to man small boats... to meet the enemy in this way. The two each took a boat and set off.

Meanwhile, He Tao and the bandit-suppression inspector led the soldiers toward Shi Lake village. When they saw boats at the river landing, they seized them all all. They ordered the soldiers who could swim to board the boats and advance, while the troops on land and the boat-borne forces advanced together, by water and land. Arriving at Ruan Xiao'er's house, they all shouted, soldiers and men rising up together and rushing in—but it was already an empty house, containing only some heavy household goods. He Tao said: "Let's go arrest some of the nearby fishing families." When questioned, they said: "His two brothers—Ruan Xiaowu and Ruan Xiaoqi—live out on the lake. You can't reach them without boats." He Tao discussed with the inspector: "This lake has so many inlets and channels, and the routes are extremely confusing. What's more, the waterways and embankments are of unknown depth. If we scatter to capture them, we might fall into these bandits' trap. Let's have someone guard the horses here in the village, and we'll all go by boat." The bandit-suppression inspector, He Tao, and all the constables boarded boats.

They commandeered well over a hundred boats—some sculled, some rowed—and all headed toward Ruan Xiaowu's fishing village. They had traveled no more than five or six li across the water when they heard someone singing mockingly from among the reeds. Everyone stopped their boats to listen, and this was the song:

All my life I've fished in Lia'er Hollow,

I plant no seedlings, I grow no hemp.

I've killed every cruel official and corrupt magistrate,

Loyal and true, I repay the House of Zhao!

He Tao and all his men were utterly shocked. They saw, far in the distance, a single man sculling a small boat toward them, singing as he came. Those who recognized him pointed and said: "That's Ruan Xiaowu!" He Tao beckoned with his hand, and all his men pressed forward together, weapons raised, to meet him. Ruan Xiaowu just laughed and cursed: "You scoundrel of an official who oppresses the people—how dare you be so bold! What do you want with this old man? You're just asking to have your whiskers plucked!" Behind He Tao, soldiers who could shoot arrows nocked their arrows, drew their bows, and all released at once. When Ruan Xiaowu saw the arrows coming, he grabbed a wooden shield, turned a somersault, and dove beneath the water. The men rushed forward but found nothing.

They advanced no further than two inlets when they heard a whistle blow from among the flowering reeds. The men spread their boats apart and saw two people sculling a single boat toward them from ahead. Standing at the bow was a man wearing a green bamboo-leaf hat and a green straw raincoat, twirling a brush-gun spear in his hands, singing:

This old man was born at Shi Lake Village,

By nature I was born to kill men.

First I'll cut off He Tao's head, and the inspector's too,

And present them at the capital to the King of Zhao!

He Tao and his men, hearing this, were again startled. They looked together: the man in front was twirling a spear and singing a song, while the one behind was working the oars. Someone who recognized them said, "That's Ruan Xiaoqi!" He Tao shouted, "Everyone, press forward with all your strength! Seize this bandit first! Don't let him get away!" Ruan Xiaoqi heard this and laughed, "Damnable scoundrels!" He touched the water with his spear tip, and the boat swung around, darting into a narrow inlet. The men raised a shout and gave chase. Ruan Xiaoqi and the oarsman flew along, pulling at the oars, whistling through their teeth as they sped through the little channels.

The soldiers pursued them back and forth, until they saw the waterway growing narrow. He Tao said, "Hold up! Moor the boats and pull them to the shore." They went ashore and looked around—nothing but vast stretches of reeds, with no dry path in sight. He Tao felt uneasy inside but could not decide on a course of action. He asked the local villagers, who said, "Though we live here ourselves, we don't know how many paths there are in this place." He Tao then ordered two small boats to be rowed out, each carrying two or three of his men, to scout ahead. They went for more than four hours without returning. He Tao said, "These fellows have botched it!" He sent another five men in two boats to reconnoiter. These men, too, rowed out in two boats and were gone for over an hour, but nothing was heard from them. He Tao said, "These are all experienced, capable men—how can they be so senseless? Why hasn't a single boat come back with a report? I suppose all the soldiers I brought are equally addled!"

The sky was growing dark again. He Tao thought to himself, "Stuck here with no way forward, what am I to do? I'll have to go myself." He picked a swift small boat, chose several seasoned men, each armed with weapons, and had them ply five or six oars. He Tao sat at the bow as they rowed out into the reed channels.

By then the sun had already sunk in the west. They rowed on for about five or six li across the water when they saw a man on the bank ahead, carrying a hoe and walking toward them. He Tao called out, "You fellow there, who are you? What place is this?" The man replied, "I'm a farmer from this village. This is called 'Decapitation Gully'—there's no road beyond." He Tao asked, "Have you seen two boats pass by?" The man said, "Haven't they come to catch Ruan Xiaowu?" He Tao said, "How do you know they've come to catch Ruan Xiaowu?" The man said, "They're fighting each other up ahead in the Black Forest." He Tao said, "How far is it from here?" The man said, "Just up ahead—you can see it from here." Hearing this, He Tao ordered the boat to pull ashore and go to their aid. He sent two men ashore with forked spears. The farmer raised his hoe and struck each of the two men with a single blow, sending them tumbling head over heels into the water. He Tao was alarmed. He sprang to his feet and was about to dash ashore when the boat suddenly lurked away from the bank. A man burst up from beneath the water, grabbed He Tao's legs, and yanked him over. He crashed into the water with a splash. The men in the boat tried to flee, but the farmer with the hoe leaped aboard and struck each of them with a single blow of his hoe, one after another, caving in their skulls and scattering their brains. Meanwhile, the man in the water dragged He Tao ashore, untied his sash, and bound him. The man in the water turned out to be Ruan Xiaoqi. The farmer with the hoe on the bank was Ruan Xiao'er.

The two brothers glared at He Tao and cursed: "We three brothers have always loved killing and burning. What are you worth? How dare you, leading soldiers to try and capture us!" He Tao said, "Good sirs! I was sent on orders from above—I had no choice. How would I dare come to capture you? I beg you to take pity—I have an eighty-year-old mother at home with no one to care for her. Please spare my life!" The Ruan brothers said, "For now, truss him up like a dumpling and toss him in the cabin." They threw the bodies into the water. Then they whistled, and four or five fishermen emerged from the reeds and climbed aboard. Ruan Xiao'er and Ruan Xiaoqi each took a boat and rowed out.

Now, the bandit-suppressing inspector and the soldiers, still in their boats, were saying, "Inspector He said his men had botched things and went to scout the way himself. He's been gone for quite some time and hasn't come back." It was around the first watch of the night, and the sky was full of stars. Everyone had settled on the boats to cool off. Suddenly a strange wind rose, and what they saw was this:

Sand flew and stones tumbled; water churned and the heavens shook.

Inky masses of dark clouds piled up; dimly, urgently, the rain came pelting down.

Lotus leaves were overturned—across the waves, green canopies tumbled together.

Reed flowers swirled—around the lake, white banners fluttered in confusion.

It blew down trees on the summit of Mount Kunlun and roused the Old Dragon King of the Eastern Sea.

A strange wind blew up from behind, driving the men to cover their faces in alarm and cry out in distress. The mooring ropes were snapped before they could do anything about it. Just then, they heard whistling from behind. Looking into the wind, they saw a sheet of firelight shoot out from among the reed flowers. "We're done for this time!" the men cried. The large and small boats—some forty or fifty in all—were being tossed by the gale, crashing and colliding with one another, impossible to control. The flames were already upon them. It turned out to be a cluster of small boats, lashed together in pairs, piled high with reeds and firewood, burning fiercely, driven straight at them by the following wind. The forty or fifty government vessels were jammed together in a narrow channel with nowhere to flee. There were a dozen or so large ships, but the fire boats bore down on them, wedging into the fleet and setting everything ablaze. Under the water, men were pushing the fire boats forward. The soldiers on the big ships leaped ashore and fled for their lives, only to find themselves surrounded on all sides by reed marshes and wild inlets, with no road to escape by. Then the reeds on shore began to crackle and burn as well. The soldiers sent to catch the bandits were trapped with nowhere to go on either side. The wind howled, the flames raged, and the soldiers had no choice but to plunge into the mud and stand there.

Amid the blaze, a small swift boat appeared. At the stern a man worked the oar, and at the bow sat a scholar, holding a gleaming sword in his hand. "Don't let a single one escape!" he shouted. The soldiers huddled in the mud in a panic. Before he had finished speaking, two men appeared on the eastern bank of the reeds, leading four or five fishermen, all with gleaming knives and spears in their hands. On the western bank, two more men led another four or five fishermen, carrying flying fish-hooks. On both banks, the four heroes and their men fell upon the soldiers together, thrusting at them in a line. In no time, they had stabbed many of the soldiers to death in the mud.

On the eastern bank were Chao Gai and Ruan Xiaowu; on the western bank were Ruan Xiaoer and Ruan Xiaqi. The scholar in the boat was Gongsun Sheng, who had summoned the wind. The five heroes, with a dozen or so fishermen from the village, had slaughtered the entire force of soldiers in the reed marshes. Only one man remained—Inspector He, bound and trussed like a dumpling and tossed into the hold. Ruan Xiaoer hauled him ashore and cursed him: "You scoundrel, you're nothing but a pest that cheats and oppresses the people of Jizhou! I ought to cut you to pieces, but I'm going to let you go back and tell that donkey of an official who runs Jizhou: the Three Heroes of Ruan from Shijie Village and 'Heavenly King' Chao Gai from Dongxi Village are not to be trifled with! We won't come to your city to beg for grain, and he'd better not come to our village to seek his death! If he so much as looks our way, let alone a mere prefect—even if Grand Tutor Cai sends men to arrest us, or even if Cai Jing himself comes, I'll stab thirty or forty transparent holes in him! We're letting you go—don't come again! Tell that bird official of yours not to come looking for death! There's no road here, so I'll have a brother take you to the crossroads." Then Ruan Xiaqi put Inspector He on a small boat and escorted him all the way to the main road. "Go straight ahead and you'll find your way," he barked. "We've killed all the others—do you think we'd just let you go in one piece, to be laughed at by that donkey of a prefect of yours? Let me take your two ears as proof!" Ruan Xiaqi drew a sharp knife and cut off both of Inspector He's ears, blood streaming down. He sheathed the knife, untied the rope, and shoved him ashore.

As the poem says:

The soldiers were sent to the ditch of severed heads,

Yet letting He Tao go was not without purpose.

They kept his ears to hear with,

And took the donkey's ears in place of the donkey's head.

He Tao, having gotten his life back, found his way back to Jizhou.

Now Chao Gai, Gongsun Sheng, the three Ruan brothers, and the dozen or so fishermen all set out in five or seven small boats, leaving the lake at Shijie Village and making straight for the road by Li's Landing. When they arrived, they found Wu Yong and Tang Liu's boats and joined them. Wu Yong asked about the battle with the soldiers, and Chao Gai told him every detail. Wu Yong and the others were overjoyed. When all the boats were assembled, they went together to the inn run by "Dry Land Monitor" Zhu Gui to offer their services. Zhu Gui, seeing so many men come to join, hurried out to welcome them. Wu Yong explained the full story to Zhu Gui, who was delighted. They were all introduced and invited to sit in the main hall. Zhu Gui quickly told the waiter to prepare the customary feast to entertain the guests. Then he took out a leather-backed bow, fitted a whistling arrow, and shot it toward the reeds in the opposite inlet. Where the arrow landed, a small boat at once appeared, rowed by a soldier. Zhu Gui hastily wrote a letter giving in detail the names and number of the heroes who wished to join, and gave it to the soldier to carry back to the stronghold to report. At the same time, he had a sheep slaughtered to feast the heroes.

After spending the night, early the next morning Zhu Gui called for a large boat, invited the heroes aboard, and together with the boats that had brought Chao Gai and the others, they all set off for the stronghold. After sailing for some time, they reached a landing place where drums and gongs were sounding on the shore. When Chao Gai looked, he saw seven or eight soldiers rowing out four scout boats. They saluted Zhu Gui and then went on ahead as before.

Then the party arrived at Golden Sand Beach and went ashore, leaving the old and young, the boats, and the fishermen there to wait. Several dozen lesser lads came down from the mountain to escort them to the pass. Wang Lun led a group of chieftains out from the pass to welcome them. Chao Gai and the others hurriedly bowed in greeting. Wang Lun returned the courtesy and said, "This humble Wang Lun has long heard of the great name of 'Heavenly King Chao'—it has thundered in my ears. Today I am honored by your presence at our humble stockade."

Chao Gai said, "Chao is an unlettered man, quite coarse and rough. Today I prefer to hide my inadequacies and would gladly serve as a mere foot soldier under your command. I would be most grateful if you did not cast me aside."

Wang Lun said, "Say no more of this. Please come to our humble stronghold, where we can discuss matters further." All the attendants followed the two chieftains up the mountain. When they reached the Great Stronghold and the Hall of Righteous Assembly, Wang Lun repeatedly and humbly urged Chao Gai and his party to ascend the steps. Chao Gai and his seven men lined up in a row on the right. Wang Lun and the other chieftains lined up in a row on the left. After they had all exchanged courtesies, host and guest sat down facing each other in paired seats. Wang Lun called for the lesser officers on the steps to make their salutations, and on one side the music and drums of the stronghold began to play. He first ordered the lesser officers to go down the mountain to entertain those who had come as attendants, while others were lodged in guest quarters below the pass. As the poem says:

The company is clearly a band of men;

When minds meet, goodwill must follow of its course.

But if they are treated only as honored guests,

I fear the host may lose his mastery.

Now, within the stronghold, two yellow oxen, ten sheep, and five pigs were slaughtered, and a great feast was laid on with much drumming and blowing. As the chieftains drank, Chao Gao laid out everything that had happened, from beginning to end, to Wang Lun and the others. When Wang Lun heard it all, he was alarmed for a long while. His mind wavered; he could not bring himself to speak. He murmured to himself and responded to the feast only with empty courtesies. When the banquet broke up at evening, the chieftains escorted Chao Gai and his men to the guest quarters below the pass to rest, where their own attendants waited upon them.

Chao Gai was overjoyed and said to Wu Yong and the other five, "We have committed such a monstrous crime—where could we find refuge? Had not Chieftain Wang shown us such gracious favor, we would all have been left without a home. This kindness must never be forgotten!"

Only Wu Yong gave a cold laugh. Chao Gai said, "Why does our counselor only laugh coldly? If something is amiss, you should tell me."

Wu Yong said, "Elder Brother, you are straightforward by nature. Do you really think Wang Lun is willing to take us in? You have not read his heart—only watch his countenance, his movements, and his bearing."

Chao Gai said, "What did you see in his countenance?"

Wu Yong said, "Did you not notice, Elder Brother, that during this morning's feast, when he spoke with you, he seemed quite friendly? But then when you told him how you had killed so many soldiers and patrol officers, released He Tiao, and how the 'Three Heroes of the Ruan Family' are such outstanding men—his expression changed. Though he responded with words, his bearing and manner showed that deep within he was far from pleased. If he truly wished to keep us, he would have settled the seating arrangements that very morning. Du Qian and Song Wan are rough, uncultured men—how could they understand the ways of hospitality? Only that man Lin Chong, who was originally a drill instructor of the imperial guards in the capital, a man from a great city who understands all matters—he sits in fourth place now because he has no choice. This morning, I watched Lin Chong observing the way Wang Lun responded to you, and he clearly showed some indignation. He kept glancing at Wang Lun with restless eyes, and within himself he was troubled. I can see this man has ambitions and looks for an opportunity, but he has no choice at present. If I drop a few well-chosen words, I can bring about a clash within this stronghold itself."

Chao Gai said, "We rely entirely on your wise counsel and clever strategy to find a place to rest." That night the seven men retired.

The next morning, at first light, a man came to report: "Instructor Lin has come to call." Wu Yong said to Chao Gai, "This man has come to pay a visit—he has fallen into our plan." The seven men hastily rose to greet him and invited Lin Chong into the guest quarters. Wu Yong stepped forward and said, "Last night we received your generous favor—we were most unworthy of the trouble you took."

Lin Chong said, "This humble one was remiss in his courtesy. Though I wished to pay my respects, I am not in a position to do so. I beg your forgiveness."

The scholar Wu said, "Though we are men of no great talent, we are not insensible like grass and wood. Could we not see the chieftain's gracious regard and favorable regard for us? We are deeply grateful."

Chao Gai repeatedly and humbly urged Lin Chong to take the seat of honor, but Lin Chong would not hear of it. He insisted that Chao Gai take the upper seat, and he himself sat in the lower seat. Wu Yong and the other five sat in a row beside them. Chao Gai said, "I have long heard of the Instructor's great name—I did not expect to meet you today."

Lin Chong said, "When I was in the Eastern Capital, I was always courteous to my friends and never failed in propriety. Though I am honored to gaze upon your august countenance today, I cannot fulfill the wish of a lifetime. I have come specially to keep you company."

Chao Gai expressed his thanks, saying, "I am deeply moved by your generous sentiments."

Wu Yong then ventured to ask, "This humble scholar has long heard that when the Chieftain was in the Eastern Capital, he was a man of great valor. I do not know why he fell out with Gao Qiu and was framed by him. Later I heard that in Cangzhou, the army's fodder depot was set on fire—that was also his scheme. After that, who recommended the Chieftain to come to this mountain?"

Lin Chong said, "As for the villain Gao Qiu and his persecution—merely speaking of it makes my hair stand on end, yet I cannot avenge this wrong! I came here to find refuge entirely on the recommendation of Master Chai."

Wu Yong said, "Master Chai—could this be the man known in the rivers and lakes as 'Little Whirlwind' Chai Jin?"

Lin Chong said, "The very same."

Chao Gai said, "This humble one has often heard people say that Master Chai is generous and open-handed, that he welcomes valiant men from all directions, and that he is a direct descendant of the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. How wonderful it would be to meet him face to face."

Wu Yong said to Lin Chong again, "This Lord Chai is a man whose fame fills the world and whose name is known throughout the realm. Unless you, Instructor, surpass all others in martial arts, how could he have recommended you to come to this mountain? I do not exaggerate when I say that by all reason Wang Lun should yield the position of chief to you. This is the judgment of all under heaven, and it would do justice to Lord Chai's letter." Lin Chong said, "I am grateful for your generous words, but I fled to Lord Chai because of a great crime I committed. It is not that he would not keep me—I feared I would only be a burden to him, so I volunteered to come to the mountain. I never imagined I would find myself in a position where I can neither stay nor leave! It is not that I care about my low rank. It is just that Wang Lun is fickle of heart and unreliable in his words—it is difficult to associate with him." Wu Yong said, "Chief Wang Lun is amiable and gracious in his dealings with people—how can his heart be so narrow?" Lin Chong said, "Today it is heaven's fortune that so many brave heroes have come to our mountain stronghold, supporting and aiding one another. It is like adding flowers to brocade or rain to parched seedlings. But this man harbors only the heart of one who envies the worthy and is jealous of the capable. He fears that the power of so many heroes might overshadow him. Last night when he heard the elder brother speak of how our men killed the government soldiers, he showed displeasure and made it clear he was reluctant to keep us. That is why he lodged all the heroes at the pass below." Wu Yong said, "Since Chief Wang Lun has such intentions, let us not wait for him to make arrangements for us—we will simply go elsewhere on our own." Lin Chong said, "Let no hero think himself an outsider. Lin Chong knows what to do. I only fear the heroes might think of leaving, so I came to inform you early. Today we shall see how he treats us. If his words are reasonable and unlike yesterday, then all is well. But if this fellow utters even half a word amiss today, it will all fall on Lin Chao." Chao Gai said, "The chief is too kind to us—we brothers are all deeply grateful." Wu Yong said, "For the sake of us brothers, the chief risks falling out with his old comrades. If we can be accommodated, then stay; if not, we will leave at once." Lin Chong said, "You are mistaken, sir. As the ancients said: 'The wise cherish the wise, and heroes cherish heroes.' What use can this worthless creature, this filthy beast, ever be? Let all the heroes set their minds at ease." Lin Chong rose, took leave of the group, and said, "I shall see you shortly." The others escorted him out, and Lin Chong went up the mountain alone. Truly:

How can it be that this place will not keep a man?

Do not say that there are always places that will.

Those who should keep people fear being kept by them,

And when the body is in hardship, it struggles to keep guests who wish to stay.

Before long, a small bandit came to invite them, saying, "The chiefs of the mountain stronghold today request the presence of all the heroes at a feast by the waterside pavilion on the southern slope." Chao Gai said, "Reply to the chief that we shall be there shortly." The little bandit departed.

Chao Gai asked Wu Yong, "Master, how will this meeting go?" The Scholar Wu smiled and said, "Elder brother, rest assured. This meeting will determine who becomes the lord of the mountain stronghold. Today Instructor Lin Chong will certainly have the intention of overthrowing Wang Lun. If he shows any hesitation, with my three-inch tongue that never rots, I will make it impossible for him not to act. Each of you by the elder brother's side should conceal a weapon. When I give the signal by stroking my beard, you may join forces." Chao Gai and the others were secretly pleased.

After the hour of the dragon, messengers came three or four times to urge them. Chao Gai and the other chiefs each armed themselves, concealing weapons on their persons, dressed properly, and went to the feast. They saw Song Wan himself come on horseback to invite them, and the little bandits carried seven mountain sedan chairs. The seven men all mounted the chairs and proceeded directly to the southern waterside stronghold. When they arrived at the southern slope, the scenery was truly magnificent. They reached the waterside pavilion behind the stronghold and alighted from their chairs. Wang Lun, Du Qian, Lin Chong, and Zhu Gui all came out to greet them and invited them into the waterside pavilion, where they took their seats as host and guest. The scenery surrounding the pavilion was thus:

On all sides water curtains hung high,

And flowers pressed upon vermilion railings all around.

Fragrance filled the eyes—

Ten thousand lotus blossoms spread upon green water;

Gazing afar, emerald hues—

A thousand lotus leaves encircled the fragrant pond.

Beyond the splendid eaves, the shady shadows of willows;

By the latticed window, the soft murmur of pines.

The elegant spirit of rivers and hills filled the pavilion,

As a company of heroes gathered here for a meeting.

At that time Wang Lun and the four chiefs Du Qian, Song Wan, Lin Chong, and Zhu Gui sat in the host's seats on the left, while Chao Gai and the six heroes Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, Liu Tang, and the three Ruans sat in the guest seats on the right. Below the steps, the small bandits took turns pouring wine. After several rounds and two courses of food, Chao Gai and Wang Lun conversed. But whenever the matter of gathering for a righteous cause was mentioned, Wang Lun deflected the talk with idle words. Wu Yong glanced at Lin Chong and saw him sitting sideways in his chair, his eyes fixed on Wang Lun. As the drinking continued into the afternoon, Wang Lun turned and called for the small bandits to bring something.

Three or four men went off and were not long in returning. One man carried a large tray on which lay five big ingots of silver. Wang Lun then rose, raised his cup, and said to Chao Gai, "I am deeply honored that so many heroes have come here to join our righteous cause. I only regret that our humble mountain stronghold is but a puddle of water—how can it accommodate so many true dragons? I have prepared some small tokens of respect, which I hope you will graciously accept. I would suggest you seek lodging at a larger stronghold, and I will send men personally to submit to your leadership." Chao Gai said, "I have long heard that this great mountain welcomes the worthy and recruits the talented, and I came specifically to join you. If you cannot accept us, we will take our leave on our own. We dare not accept the generous gift of silver you offer. It is not that we boast of being wealthy—we simply have enough traveling expenses for our needs. Please take back this generous gift, and with that we will take our leave." Wang Lun said, "Why do you refuse? It is not that our mountain does not wish to accept you heroes. It is only that our grain is scarce and our quarters few. I fear that in the future we might let you down, and all your faces would suffer. For this reason I dare not keep you."

Before he had finished speaking, Lin Chong's twin brows shot upward and his two eyes blazed wide. From his chair of state he bellowed: "When I first came to this mountain stronghold, you also pleaded shortage of grain and lack of quarters. Now that Brother Chao and these gallant heroes have arrived at the bandit camp, you spew such words again. What is the reason for this?" Wu Yong said: "O Chieftain, calm yourself. It was we who came here wrongly, and we have spoiled the good relations of your stronghold. Today Chieftain Wang has sent us down the mountain with courtesy, given us travelling money, and has not even driven us out in a hot pursuit. Please calm yourself, Chieftain. We shall simply depart." Lin Chong said: "This is a man who hides a knife behind his smile, whose words are pure but whose deeds are foul! Today I will not let him off!" Wang伦 shouted: "Look at this beast! He is not even drunk, yet he wounds me with his words. Is this not a violation of proper order?" Lin Chong flew into a rage: "For all I can see, you are a failed scholar from the backwoods, with no learning in your breast. How can you be the master of a mountain stronghold?" Wu Yong said: "Brother Chao, it is because we came to join the mountain that we have damaged the Chieftain's face. Let us now prepare our boats and take our leave."

Chao Gai and the six others rose to their feet, ready to leave the pavilion. Wang伦 said: "Please, stay until the banquet ends." Lin Chong kicked the table aside with one foot, sprang forward, and drew from beneath his robe a gleaming, bright knife, brandishing it furiously. Wu Yong stroked his beard with his hand. Chao Gai and Liu Tang stepped up onto the pavilion and made a show of restraining Wang伦, crying: "No fighting among ourselves!" Wu Yong seized Lin Chong by the arm and said: "Chieftain, do not act rashly!" Gongsun Sheng pretended to counsel: "Do not, for our sake, destroy the great principle of brotherhood." Ruan the Second moved to pin down Du Qian, Ruan the Fifth pinned down Song Wan, and Ruan the Seventh pinned down Zhu Gui, while the lesser bandits stood frozen in dumb terror.

Lin Chong seized Wang伦 and berated him: "You are a poor rustic scholar. It was only through Du Qian that you came to be here. Lord Chai supported you so generously, gave you money for your expenses, and befriended you. He recommended me to you, and yet you refused me many times. Today these gallant heroes have come expressly to join you, and you would send them down the mountain. Is this Liangshan Marsh your personal property? You envious, jealous villain—if I do not kill you, what use are you? You have no great capacity or talent; you cannot be the master of a stronghold!" Du Qian, Song Wan, and Zhu Gui had been about to step forward and intervene, but they were held fast by the others and dared not move. Wang伦 tried to find a way to escape, but Chao Gai and Liu Tang blocked his path. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Wang伦 cried out: "Where are my trusted men?" He had several close attendants nearby who had been about to come to his aid, but when they saw how ferociously Lin Chong bore down upon them, none dared advance. Lin Chong seized Wang伦 on the spot, heaped abuse upon him, and drove a single knife thrust into his heart. Wang伦 toppled across the pavilion. Pitiful Wang伦—for years he had been lord of the stronghold, and today he died by Lin Chong's hand. Truly it is said by the ancients: "Great capacity brings great fortune; deep cunning brings deep calamity." A poem bears witness:

To claim Liangshan alone—how shameful the ambition,

Jealous of the able, proud toward the learned, seldom showing generosity.

Treating the lordship as his own private possession,

And treating all heroes as bandits and foes.

At the height of the feast, murderous fury arose;

Among the clatter of cups and plates, a man's head fell.

A narrow, intolerant heart—truly to be despised:

He would not keep the worthy, and so he kept not his life.

When Chao Gai saw that Wang伦 was dead, each man drew his knife. Lin Chong at once cut off Wang伦's head and held it in his hand. Du Qian, Song Wan, and Zhu Gui were so terrified that they fell to their knees and said: "We are ready to follow you, to hold your bridle and stirrup!" Chao Gai and the others hastily raised them to their feet. Wu Yong dragged the chair of the first seat across the pool of blood and pressed Lin Chong to sit in it, crying: "Anyone who does not submit will suffer the same fate as Wang伦! Today we install Chieftain Lin as the master of the stronghold!" Lin Chong cried out loudly: "Sir, you are mistaken! Today I acted solely out of loyalty to these gallant heroes when I struck down this unprincipled villain. I have no desire whatsoever to seize this position. Now Brother Wu would offer me the first seat—would that not make all the heroes of the world laugh at us? If you try to force me, I would rather die! I have a few words to say. Will you all consent to hear them?" The others said: "Whatever the Chieftain says, who would dare refuse? We are eager to hear."

Lin Chong spoke many words in a single breath. And it came to pass that at the Pavilion of Severed Gold, many who would sever gold were drawn to join; before the Hall of Gathered Righteousness, several gatherings of the righteous were convened. Truly:

Those who act in Heaven's name shall soon arrive;

The generous and the just shall presently come.

But what words Lin Chong spoke to Wu Yong—of that, listen to the next chapter.