الفصل الثاني والعشرون

الفصل الثاني والعشرون

It was then that the officers seized Tang Niu'er and hauled him into the county yamen. When the magistrate learned that a murder was involved, he hurried out to hold court. The officers crowded Tang Niu'er before the hall. The magistrate looked and saw an old woman kneeling on the left and a man kneeling on the right.

The magistrate asked, "What is this murder matter?"

The old woman said, "This old woman's surname is Yan. I have a daughter called Po Xi, who was pledged to Song Jiang, the magistrate's clerk, as his concubine. Last night my daughter was drinking with Song Jiang when this Tang Niu'er came looking for a quarrel and cursed them out of the house—all the neighbors know of it. This morning Song Jiang went out for a while and came back and killed my daughter. This old woman bound him and brought him before the county office, but this Tang Er beat him and snatched Song Jiang away. I beg Your Honor to see justice done."

The magistrate said, "You—how dare you have beaten the murderer and taken him away?"

Tang Niu'er said, "This humble one does not know the full story. Last night I went looking for Song Jiang to beg a bowl of wine, and this old woman Yan shoved me out. This morning I was out selling pickled ginger when I saw Old Woman Yan dragging Magistrate's Clerk Song before the county office. I saw this and, improperly, went to intervene, and he ran off. But I do not know his reason for killing her."

The magistrate shouted, "Nonsense! Song Jiang is an upright and honest man. How would he commit murder rashly? This matter of a human life must involve you. Where are the attendants?" He called for the clerks in the hall.

At that moment, Clerk Zhang Wenyuan came forward. When he heard that Old Woman Yan had accused Song Jiang of killing her daughter—she was his own kept woman—he immediately took down the statements from each party, wrote up the complaint for Old Woman Yan, and assembled a case file. Then he summoned the local coroner and inspectors, along with the neighborhood headmen, block leaders, and neighbors, and they went to Old Woman Yan's house. They opened the door, brought out the body, and conducted an examination. A knife lay beside the body—the murder weapon. After careful inspection that day, it was determined that the woman had been strangled at the neck with a knife while still alive. When the examination was complete, the body was placed in a coffin and stored at a temple, and all the people involved were brought to the county office.

The magistrate, however, was on the best of terms with Song Jiang and was determined to get him off. He kept pressing Tang Niu'er with repeated questioning. Tang Niu'er said, "This humble one knows nothing of the full story."

The magistrate said, "How dare you have gone to her house causing trouble last night? You must have been involved!"

Tang Niu'er said, "This humble one happened to drop in to beg a bowl of wine..."

The magistrate said, "Nonsense! Beat him!" The officers on either side, fierce as wolves and tigers, threw Tang Niu'er down and bound him with ropes, beating him thirty to fifty blows. His story remained the same throughout. The magistrate knew perfectly well that he was innocent, but being determined to save Song Jiang, he kept interrogating Tang Niu'er. He ordered a cangue to be brought out and locked on him, and threw him into jail.

Then Zhang Wenyuan came up to the hall and reported, "Even so, the knife found is Song Jiang's own pressing-iron knife. Song Jiang himself must be brought in for questioning—then the truth will come out."

The magistrate put off his repeated reports three or five times, but could no longer cover it up, and had to send men to Song Jiang's lodgings to arrest him. Song Jiang had already fled. They only managed to bring back several neighbors, who reported, "The murderer Song Jiang has fled. His whereabouts are unknown."

Zhang Wenyuan further reported, "Since the criminal Song Jiang has fled, his father Song Taigong and his younger brother Song Qing are now living in Songjia Village. They can be summoned to the office and required to track down Song Jiang and bring him to justice for questioning."

The magistrate was reluctant to issue the order. He wanted to handle the matter vaguely by pinning it on Tang Niu'er and gradually freeing Song Jiang later. But Zhang Wenyuan insisted on managing the paperwork and urged Old Woman Yan to come to the hall to press her complaint. The magistrate knew he could not hold out any longer, so he issued a warrant and sent two or three officers to Songjia Village to summon Song Taigong and his son Song Qing.

The officers received the warrant and went to Song Taigong's manor in Songjia Village. The old man came out to greet them, and they sat down in the thatched reception hall. The officers produced the document and handed it to him. Song Taigong said, "Please sit, sirs, and allow this old man to explain. My family has farmed for generations and lived off this land. My unfilial son Song Jiang was disobedient from youth—he would not follow an honest livelihood but insisted on becoming a clerk. I argued with him a hundred times to no avail. Therefore, several years ago, I filed a complaint with the county magistrate for his disownment and had him struck off the family register. He lives in the county town on his own. This old man and my son Song Qing live in this desolate village, tending a few acres of land. He and I have no dealings whatsoever—we share neither rice nor water, and there is nothing between us. This old man feared he might do something that would bring trouble upon us, so I filed a complaint with the former magistrate and obtained a certificate, which is kept here as record. Let me fetch it for you to see." The officers were all friends of Song Jiang and knew full well this was a prepared escape route. They were reluctant to make an enemy of him no matter what. They said, "Since Your Honor has the certificate, show it to us so we may copy it and report back to the county." The old man then slaughtered some chickens and geese, set out wine to entertain them, and gave them a dozen or so taels of silver. He produced the certificate and had them copy it. The officers took their leave of Song Taigong and returned to the county to report to the magistrate, saying, "Three years ago Song Taigong had Song Jiang struck off the family register and filed a certificate. A copy is here. It is difficult to summon him."

The magistrate, who also wanted to get Song Jiang off, said, "Since there is a certificate on record and he has no other relatives, we will offer a reward of a thousand strings of cash and issue notices to all jurisdictions for a general arrest."

Then Sān again instigated Old Woman Yan to go to the hall, her hair disheveled, and lodge a complaint. "Song Jiang is actually being hidden at home by Song Qing and not handed over to the authorities. Why doesn't Your Honor act on this old woman's behalf and arrest Song Jiang?"

The magistrate shouted, "His father filed a charge of unfilial conduct against him with the authorities three years ago and had him struck off the household register. There is an official document on file as proof. How can we arrest his father or brother to compel his surrender?"

Old Woman Yan pleaded, "Your Honor, who doesn't know he's called the Dark Third Son, the Filial and Righteous One? That document is a forgery. It's up to Your Honor to take charge of this matter!"

The magistrate said, "Nonsense! An official document sealed and signed by the previous magistrate—how could it be a forgery?"

Old Woman Yan wailed and wept bitterly below the hall, sobbing as she petitioned the magistrate: "A human life weighs heavier than heaven itself! If Your Honor refuses to act on this old woman's behalf, I shall have no choice but to take my case to the prefecture. My daughter died such a bitter death!"

Then Sān again came up to the hall and submitted a report on her behalf: "If Your Honor does not issue an order to arrest the man, this Old Woman Yan will take her case to a higher authority, and that would be serious trouble. If questions are sent down, this humble clerk would find it difficult to respond."

The magistrate knew there was sense in this. He had no choice but to issue an official document and assigned the two chief constables, Zhū Tóng and Léi Héng, to the case, instructing them in the hall: "You may take a number of men and go to the Zhuāng of the Sòng household in Sòngjiā Village to search for and arrest the fugitive Song Jiang." A poem bears witness to this:

He who minds not the affairs of the world lets them pass—

Who on the road bemoans the plucking of flowers?

For the sake of a flower-like woman, Póxī, who died,

A charming enemy became a vile enemy.

The two chief constables, Zhū and Léi, having received the official document, mustered over forty local soldiers and headed straight for the Sòng family Zhuāng. Sòng Taìgōng learned of their arrival and hurried out to greet them. Zhū Tóng and Léi Héng said, "Old Sire, do not blame us. We are under orders from our superiors and have no choice. Where is your son, the yá-sī, now?"

Sòng Taìgōng said, "Honored Chief Constables, this unfilial son of mine, Song Jiang, has nothing to do with this old man. The previous magistrate already filed a petition to have him separated from the household, and the official document of that petition is here. Song Jiang and I have been on separate household registers for over three years now. He does not live with this old man's family, nor has he returned to the Zhuāng."

Zhū Tóng said, "Even so, we have been sent with a written summons and an official warrant to apprehend him. We cannot simply take your word that he is not in the Zhuāng. You must allow us to conduct a search so that we can report back."

He then ordered the thirty or forty soldiers to surround the Zhuāng compound. "I will guard the front gate myself. Chief Léi, you go in and search first."

Léi Héng went inside and searched everywhere, front and rear of the Zhuāng, then came out and said to Zhū Tóng, "He is definitely not in the Zhuāng."

Zhū Tóng said, "I just can't rest easy. Chief Léi, you and the brothers guard the gate. I will search every corner myself."

Sòng Taìgōng said, "This old man knows the law. How would I dare hide him in the Zhuāng?"

Zhū Tóng said, "This is a matter of human life. You must not take offense at what we are doing."

Taìgōng said, "Do as you see fit, Chief Constable. Search as thoroughly as you wish."

Zhū Tóng said, "Chief Léi, keep the Old Sire here under watch. Don't let him move."

Zhū Tóng went into the Zhuāng himself, leaned his pōdāo against the wall, and barred the gate. He entered the Buddha hall, moved the offering table to one side, and lifted up that section of the floorboards. Beneath the boards was a rope end. He gave the rope a single tug, and a copper bell rang once. Song Jiang crawled out from the underground chamber. He saw Zhū Tóng and was greatly startled.

Zhū Tóng said, "Elder Brother Gōngmíng, do not blame your younger brother for coming to arrest you today. In ordinary times, we have been the closest of friends, and there is nothing I would keep from you. One day, over wine, you once told me: 'Beneath the Buddha seat in my home there is an underground chamber. The Three Buddhas of the past, present, and future are placed above it, and a section of floorboards in the Buddha hall covers it, with an offering table set on top. If you ever find yourself in urgent trouble, you can come here to hide.' Your younger brother heard that and kept it in mind. Today the county magistrate sent Léi Héng and me. I had no choice—I needed to deceive prying eyes. The magistrate himself has some regard for you, but Sān and this old woman kept pressing their case in the hall, saying that if the county did not act, they would definitely take their case to the prefecture. That is why he sent the two of us to search your Zhuāng. I was only afraid that Léi Héng, being rigid in his ways, would not know how to protect a man. If he saw you, he might not be able to handle the situation smoothly. So I tricked him into staying at the front of the Zhuāng while I came straight here to speak with you. Although this place is well concealed, it is no place to settle permanently. If someone finds out and comes to search here, what then?"

Song Jiang said, "I have been thinking the same thing. If not for your brotherly protection, Song Jiang would surely have fallen into the misfortune of chains and prison."

Zhū Tóng said, "Say no more. But where would it be best for you to go?"

Song Jiang said, "I have been considering three places where I might find refuge: first, the Zhuāng of Chái Jìn, the 'Little Whirlwind,' in HéngHǎi Commandery in Cāngzhōu; second, the Qīngfēng Zhài where Huā Róng, the 'Little Lǐ Guǎng,' is stationed in Qīngzhōu; and third, the Zhuāng of Kǒng Taìgōng on Báihǔ Mountain. He has two sons—the elder is called Kǒng Míng, the 'Hairy Star,' and the younger is called Kǒng Liàng, the 'Lone Fire Star.' They have often come to visit at the county seat. I have been hesitating among these three places and cannot decide which to go to."

Zhū Tóng said, "Elder Brother, you must decide quickly and act at once. You should set out tonight. Do not delay and bring disaster upon yourself."

Song Jiang said, "The whole matter of the authorities pursuing me depends entirely on your support. If you need gold or silk for expenses, just come and take it."

Zhū Tóng said, "Put your mind at ease. It is all in my hands. Elder Brother, just focus on arranging your escape route."

Song Jiang thanked Zhū Tóng and went back down into the underground chamber.

Zhu Tong replaced the floorboards as before, covered them with the altar bed, opened the door, took up his broad saber, and came out saying, "He really isn't in the manor." He called out, "Constable Lei, why don't we just take Song Jiang's father instead?" Lei Heng, hearing that they should take the elder Song, thought to himself, "Zhu Tong and Song Jiang are the best of friends—why would he suddenly want to arrest the old man?... This must be said in reverse. If he brings it up again, I'll seize the chance to do him a favor."

Zhu Tong and Lei Heng gathered the militiamen and all went up into the thatched hall. Old Master Song hurriedly prepared wine to entertain them. Zhu Tong said, "Don't bother with food and drink. Please, old sir, and Fourth Master, come with us to the county yamen for a while." Lei Heng said, "Where is Fourth Master?" Old Master Song said, "I sent him to a nearby village to buy some farm tools—he isn't in the manor. That scoundrel Song Jiang, ever since three years ago, formally disowned this unfilial son before the magistrate. I have the official document of disownment here as proof." Zhu Tong said, "How can you talk your way out of this? We two have received the county magistrate's orders to arrest both father and son. You'll have to come to the county yamen and answer for yourselves." Lei Heng said, "Constable Zhu, hear me out: Magistrate Song has committed an offense, but there must be reasons behind it—it doesn't necessarily warrant the death penalty. Since the old gentleman already has the official document of disownment, which bears the official seal and is no forgery, let us consider Magistrate Song's past friendship and make things easier for him. We'll just copy the document and take it back to report." Zhu Tong thought to himself, "I said it in reverse precisely so he wouldn't suspect." Zhu Tong said, "Since my brother speaks this way, I have no reason to play the villain." Old Master Song thanked them, saying, "I am deeply grateful to you two constables for your consideration." He then laid out food and wine to reward the men. He produced twenty taels of silver and offered it to the two constables. Zhu Tong and Lei Heng firmly refused and instead distributed it among the men—forty militiamen in all. They made a copy of the disownment document, took leave of Old Master Song, and departed from Songjia Village. The two constables, Zhu and Lei, led their men back to the county.

The county magistrate was just holding court when he saw Zhu Tong and Lei Heng return and asked for their report. The two reported: "We searched the manor front and back, and the surrounding villages, twice over. The man simply isn't there. Song Jiang's father is bedridden with illness, unable to move, and may pass away at any time. Song Qing left on a journey last month and has not yet returned. Therefore we have only copied the disownment document here." The magistrate said, "In that case, we will send a report to the prefecture on the one hand, and issue a wanted notice on the other." ... But no more of this. Among the county's residents, those who were on good terms with Song Jiang all went to speak on his aunt Zhang's behalf with one Zhang San. That Zhang San could not withstand the pleas of so many people, and besides, his woman had died anyway, and he had also received favors from Song Jiang in the ordinary course of things, so he had no choice but to let the matter drop. Zhu Tong gathered some money and gave it to Yan Po, telling her not to go to the prefecture to lodge a complaint. The old woman received some money and goods, and having no alternative, could only agree. Zhu Tong also gave several taels of silver to have someone go to the prefecture to grease palms, so the official document would not be sent back with objections. He also learned that the county magistrate took it upon himself to advocate for the matter, offering a thousand strings in reward money and issuing a wanted notice across the region. Only Tang the Butcher was charged with "deliberately allowing a criminal to escape," given twenty strokes of the bamboo rod, and sentenced to penal servitude five hundred li away. All those implicated were released on bail to their homes. But this is a later matter. There is a verse that testifies to it:

A man in desperate straits for a woman's sake,

Hiding in an underground cellar—yet still they came.

Parting words of caution to guide him on his bearded lord,

Truly worthy of the Zhu family name.

Now as for Song Jiang—he came of a farming family. How could he have had such an underground cellar? In the old days of the Song dynasty, it was easy to be an official but hardest to be a clerk. Why was it easy to be an official? Because at that time, treacherous ministers controlled the court and flatterers monopolized power—unless you were a relative, you were not employed; unless you offered money, you were not accepted. Why was it hardest to be a clerk? Because a magistrate's clerk who committed an offense would, at the lightest, be sentenced to penal servitude in a remote and malarial prefecture, and at the worst, have his family property confiscated and his life brought to a ruinous end. For this reason, he had prepared such a hiding place in advance. Fearing also that his parents might be implicated, he had his father and mother formally accuse him of unfilial conduct before the magistrate, had his name struck from the household register, and had them live as a separate household. The official document of disownment was kept on file, and they had no contact with one another, though the family property remained in the house. In the Song dynasty, many people made such calculations.

Now, when Song Jiang came out of the underground cellar, he discussed with his father and brother: "This time, if not for Zhu Tong's consideration, we would have been dragged into court. This kindness must not be forgotten. Now my brother and I will go into exile. If Heaven takes pity and shows mercy, and a general amnesty is declared, we will return then and see each other again, father and son. Father, you can secretly send some gold and silver to Zhu Tong, and ask him to use it to smooth things over at the yamen, and also give some to the old woman Yan, so she won't go to the higher authorities to make trouble." The elder Song said, "Don't you worry about this. You and your brother Song Qing be careful on the road. When you arrive there, find someone trustworthy to send a letter back."

That evening the two brothers packed their bundles. At the fourth watch they rose, washed, ate breakfast, and dressed for the journey. Song Jiang wore a white felt hat of Fanyang style, a white silk jacket, a plum-red braided silk sash at his waist, and many-eared hemp shoes bound with foot-wraps. Song Qing dressed as a servant and carried the bundles. They both came out before the thatched hall and took leave of their father, Old Master Song. The three of them shed tears without cease. The elder Song admonished them: "You two have a long road ahead—do not grieve." Song Jiang and Song Qing in turn instructed the household servants to take good care of the manor and to attend to the elder Song morning and evening with diligence, and not let him want for food or drink. The two brothers each strapped on a waist saber and took up a broad saber, and departed straight out of Songjia Village.

The two of them set out on their journey, just as autumn was yielding to winter. They encountered:

Lotus stalks, every one withered; plane leaves, every one fallen.

Crickets chirping amid rotting grass; wild geese alighting on level sands.

Fine rain soaking the maple groves; heavy frost in the chill weather.

Had you not been a traveller on the road, how could you know the taste of autumn?

Now it must be told that the Song Jiang brothers travelled several stages along the way, and as they went Song Jiang pondered: "Whom can we turn to?" Song Qing replied: "I have only heard men of the rivers and lakes speak of a certain Master Chai of Haimen Prefecture in Cangzhou. They say he is a direct descendant of the Great Zhou emperors, though I have never had the honour of meeting him. Why not go to him? They say he is generous and liberal with his wealth, that he befriends all the gallant men of the land, that he aids those who have been sent into exile—a present-day Lord Mengchang. Let us two go to him." Song Jiang said: "That is just what I have been thinking myself. Though we often exchange letters, fate has never granted us a meeting." Having settled the matter between them, they headed straight for the road to Cangzhou. Along the way they could not avoid climbing mountains and fording rivers, passing through prefectures and districts. As with all travellers on the road, when they rested at nightfall or at dawn, two things were unavoidable: eating from chipped bowls, and sleeping on beds where others had lain.

But let us set aside idle talk and return to the main story. In due course the Song Jiang brothers arrived at the border of Cangzhou. They asked a man, "Where is Master Chai's manor?" Having learned the place, they made straight for the manor and asked a steward, "Is Master Chai at home?" The steward replied, "The Master is at the East Manor collecting his rents. He is not here." Song Jiang then asked, "How far is it from here to the East Manor?" The steward said, "Some forty li or more." Song Jiang said, "Which road should we take?" The steward said, "May I venture to ask the honourable surnames of you two gentlemen?" Song Jiang said, "I am Song Jiang of Yuncheng County." The steward said, "Could you be 'Timely Rain' the Assistant Magistrate Song?" Song Jiang said, "I am he." The steward said, "The Master often speaks of your great name, and only regrets that he cannot meet you. Since it is the Assistant Magistrate, this humble one will lead you there." The steward hastily led Song Jiang and Song Qing straight to the East Manor. In less than three watches' time they had arrived at the East Manor. When Song Jiang looked at it, he saw a truly fine estate, exceedingly well kept. He observed:

A broad inlet before it, a lofty peak behind it.

Several thousand locust and willow trees forming a groves; three or five reception halls for entertaining guests.

Around the corner of the house, cattle and sheep covered the ground; on the threshing floor, geese and ducks gathered in flocks.

The fare was lavish, rivalling even the guests of Lord Mengchang;

His estate stewards were not fewer than the household servants of Cheng Zheng.

Truly: "Where the household has surplus grain, the chickens and dogs are well-fed; where the household is free of corvée labour, the sons and grandsons are at ease."

The steward then said, "If the two gentlemen would be pleased to sit for a moment in this pavilion, this humble one will go and announce you, so that the Master may come out to receive you." Song Jiang said, "Very well." He and Song Qing went into the mountain pavilion, leaned their podao swords against the wall, unbuckled their waist swords, set down their bundles, and sat down on the bench. The steward had not been gone long when the central manor gate was flung wide open and Master Chai came hurrying out of the pavilion with three or five attendants, to meet Song Jiang.

When Master Chai saw Song Jiang, he bowed to the ground and said, "I have indeed been longing for you to the point of death! Heaven has granted that today a fortunate wind has blown you here, greatly satisfying the yearning of a lifetime. How fortunate! How fortunate!" Song Jiang also bowed to the ground and replied: "Song Jiang is an obscure and uncouth petty official. I have come today especially to seek your shelter." Chai Jin raised Song Jiang to his feet, saying as he did so, "Last night the lamp wick formed a flower; this morning the magpies chattered—little did I know it was you, brother, coming!" His face was wreathed in smiles. Song Jiang saw that Chai Jin received him with such warmth and respect, and his heart was greatly pleased. He then called his brother Song Qing forward to be presented as well. Chai Jin ordered his attendants to carry Assistant Magistrate Song's luggage to quarters in the west chamber of the rear hall. Chai Jin took Song Jiang by the hand and led him inside to the main hall, where they took their seats as host and guest. Chai Jin said, "May I not presume to ask—I had heard that you were serving in Yuncheng County. How have you found the leisure to come to this desolate countryside?" Song Jiang replied, "I have long heard of your great name, Master, as loud as thunder. Though I have repeatedly received your honoured letters, I have only regretted that my humble duties left me no leisure, and we could never meet. Today Song Jiang, unworthy as he is, has committed a deed that leaves him with no way out. My brother and I considered where we could find shelter, and remembering your generosity and your readiness to aid others, we have come to seek your protection." When Chai Jin heard this, he laughed and said, "Rest assured, brother. Even if you had committed the Ten Abominations, once you have arrived at my humble manor, you need have no worry. I do not boast, but not even the officers and soldiers of the arrest patrols would dare to cast a glance at my little estate." Song Jiang then told Chai Jin the whole story of killing Yan Poxi. Chai Jin laughed aloud and said, "Rest assured, brother. Even if you had killed an officer of the court or plundered the treasury of a prefecture, Chai Jin would dare to hide you in my manor." Having said this, he invited the Song Jiang brothers to bathe. He then produced two complete sets of clothing—robes, headcloths, silk shoes, and clean stockings—and had the Song Jiang brothers change out of their old garments from the bath. After bathing, both put on their new clothes. A steward carried their old garments to their quarters. Chai Jin invited Song Jiang to the deepest part of the rear hall, where food and wine had already been prepared. He had Song Jiang sit in the seat of honour, with Chai Jin facing him. Song Qing, since Song Jiang was above him, sat at the side.

The three men settled in, and a dozen or so senior retainers along with several stewards took turns pouring wine and urging them to drink. Chai Jin repeatedly urged Song Jiang and his brother to set aside their worries and drink a few cups, and Song Jiang thanked him profusely. When the wine was half gone, each of the three men spoke of their long-standing affection for one another. As the sky grew dark, lamps and candles were lit. Song Jiang rose to take his leave, saying, "Let us stop drinking." But Chai Jin would not hear of it, and they kept drinking until the first watch of the night. Song Jiang got up to wash his hands.

Chai Jin called a retainer to lead the way with a lantern and guide Song Jiang to the far end of the eastern corridor to wash his hands. Song Jiang said, "I'll just slip away for a moment to avoid a few cups." He made his way around through the front corridor. He dawdled along and then turned to the front of the eastern corridor. By now Song Jiang was eight-tipsy, his steps unsteady, and he walked straight ahead without looking. There was a large man in the corridor who, suffering from ague, could not bear the brazier's cold, and had set a brazier with burning coals to warm himself. Song Jiang walked with his face raised, not watching where he was going, and stepped squarely on the handle of the brazier, knocking the hot coals all over the man's face. The man started up in alarm, and the fright broke out in a cold sweat.

Enraged, the man seized Song Jiang by the chest and roared, "What kind of knave are you? How dare you trifle with me!" Song Jiang was also startled.

Before they could explain, the retainer carrying the lantern cried out in alarm, "This is no way to behave! This gentleman is the Master's most honored guest." The man snapped, "Guest, guest! When I first arrived, I too was a 'guest,' and I was treated generously. Now I hear the retainers gossip, and I'm cast aside—truly, 'a man has no thousand good days, a flower has no hundred red ones.'" He was about to strike Song Jiang when the retainer dropped his lantern and rushed forward to intervene. As he was trying to separate them, two or three lanterns came flying toward them. Lord Chai himself hurried up and said, "I couldn't find the Marshal—how is it there's a brawl here?"

The retainer then explained what had happened with the brazier. Chai Jin laughed and said, "Big fellow, don't you know what an extraordinary Marshal this is?" The man said, "Extraordinary, extraordinary! He can't possibly compare with Marshal Song of Yuncheng—or can he?" Chai Jin laughed loudly and said, "Big fellow, do you know Marshal Song?" The man said, "I've never met him, but I've long heard on the rivers and lakes that he is Song Gongming, the 'Seasonable Rain.' He is generous with his wealth, upholds justice, and aids those in distress—a hero known throughout the land." Chai Jin asked, "How do you know he is a hero known throughout the land?" The man said, "I've been saying it—he is a true man, complete from head to tail, with a beginning and an end! As soon as I recover from my illness, I intend to go and join him." Chai Jin said, "You want to meet him?" The man said, "How I wish I could!" Chai Jin said, "Big fellow, he may be eighty thousand miles away—or he may be right before your eyes." Pointing at Song Jiang, Chai Jin said, "This is the 'Seasonable Rain,' Song Gongming." The man said, "Is it truly him?" Song Jiang said, "This humble one is Song Jiang." The man stared hard, then dropped to his knees and bowed, saying, "Am I dreaming? To meet you, brother!" Song Jiang said, "Why such great regard?" The man said, "I was just now extremely rude—I beg your forgiveness. I had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai!" He knelt on the ground and would not rise. Song Jiang quickly helped him up and said, "May I ask your honored name?"

Chai Jin pointed to the man and told his name and courtesy name. It would be told—the fierce tiger of the mountain, upon seeing him, would scatter its soul and lose its spirit; the bold man of the forest, upon encountering him, would tremble in fear and terror. Truly, when the stars and moon are spoken of, they lose their light; when the rivers and mountains are revealed, their waters flow backward. But who was this man that Lord Chai named? Listen to the next chapter.