الفصل السادس والعشرون

الفصل السادس والعشرون

Now it must be told how Jiu Shu the coroner had fallen to the ground, and the other morticians helped him up. Old Mother Wang said, "He's been struck by some foul influence! Quick, bring water!" They splashed two mouthfuls on him, and Jiu Shu gradually stirred and began to revive. Old Mother Wang said, "Take Jiu Shu home first, and we'll sort things out later." Two of the morticians fetched a plank door and carried Jiu Shu home on it. His wife and children received him and put him to bed. His wife wept and said, "He went out smiling—how has he come back like this? I never knew he could be struck by a foul influence." She sat by the bed and sobbed. Jiu Shu saw that the morticians were not around, and nudged his wife with his foot. "Don't you worry," he said. "I'm all right. Just now I went to old Wu's house to prepare the body for burial. When I reached the mouth of his lane, I ran into Ximen Qing, who runs the pharmacy in front of the county office. He invited me to a banquet and gave me ten taels of silver. He said, 'Whatever you do, cover up the body you're preparing.' When I got to old Wu's house, I saw that his wife was no good. I was already about eighty or ninety percent suspicious. When I lifted the funeral banner to look at the body, I saw that Old Wu's face was purple-black, blood was oozing from his seven orifices, and tooth marks were faintly visible on his lips. He had certainly died from poison. I was about to make a fuss, but I was afraid he had no one to back him up, and if I offended Ximen Qing, that would be like poking a hornet's nest or provoking a scorpion. If I just went ahead and put him in the coffin without saying anything, Old Wu has a brother—the one who killed the tiger on Jingyang Ridge, the garrison commander Wu Song. He's a man who kills without batting an eye. If he comes back sooner or later, this matter will surely come to light."

His wife said, "I also heard someone say the other day that 'Young Yun Ge, the old Qiao's son from the back lane, went to Purple Stone Street to help Old Wu catch his wife in adultery, and made a scene at the teahouse.' That must be the same affair. You should question him quietly. Now what's difficult about this matter? Just have the morticians go and prepare the body themselves, and ask when the funeral is to be held. If they keep the body at home and wait for Wu Song to return for the burial, then there's no thread of evidence connecting anyone. If they go ahead and bury it, that's all right too. But if they want to take it out and burn it right away, there must be something suspicious. When the time comes, you just go to the funeral, and while people aren't watching, take two pieces of bone and keep them along with these ten taels of silver. That will be solid evidence. If he comes back, whether he asks about it or not, it's fine—but if he doesn't, you'll have saved Ximen Qing's face, and it would be awkward to make trouble over a bowl of rice."

Jiu Shu said, "A wise wife in the house sees things most clearly." He immediately called the morticians and gave them orders: "I've been struck by a foul influence and can't go. You go and prepare the body yourselves. Ask them when the funeral is to be held, and come back quickly to report. Whatever money and silk you get, divide it among yourselves, but make it clean. If they offer me money or silk, don't take it." The morticians went to old Wu's house to prepare the body, and after the funeral rites were completed and the spirit tablet was set up, they reported back to Jiu Shu. "The eldest lady of the house said, 'The funeral will be in just three days, and the body will be burned outside the city.'" The morticians divided the money among themselves and dispersed. Jiu Shu said to his wife, "What you said was exactly right. When the time comes, I'll just go and secretly take the bones."

Now it must be told how Old Mother Wang urged the matter on with all her might, and that woman kept vigil by the body that very night. The next day they invited four monks to recite some sutras. Early on the third day, the morticians came on their own to carry the coffin, and several neighbors and people from the street came to see them off. The woman put on mourning clothes and along the way pretended to weep for her household. When they reached the cremation ground outside the city, she had them set the fire. Jiu Shu was seen carrying a bundle of paper money as he came to the ground. Old Mother Wang and the woman greeted him and said, "Jiu Shu, we're glad to see you've recovered." Jiu Shu said, "The other day I bought a basket of steamed cakes from your husband and never paid for them. I've brought this paper money specially to burn for him." Old Mother Wang said, "Jiu Shu is indeed a man of devotion." Jiu Shu burned the paper money and then urged them to go ahead with the cremation. Old Mother Wang and the woman thanked him and said, "We're grateful to Jiu Shu for his help. When you get home, we'll thank you further." Jiu Shu said, "I'm always ready to help wherever I go. The lady and the old mother should go to the refectory and entertain the neighbors and people from the street. I'll keep watch here myself." This got the woman and the old mother to leave. He took the fire tongs and selected two pieces of bone, took them to the bone-washing pool and dipped them in for a moment. He saw that the bones were black and brittle. Jiu Shu kept them, and then went to the refectory to join in for a while. After the coffin had been burned and the fire was put out, the bones were collected and scattered in the pool. The neighbors dispersed one by one. Jiu Shu took the bones home, wrote the date and the names of those who had attended the funeral on a piece of paper, wrapped them up together with the silver, put them in a cloth bag, and placed it in his room.

Now it must be told how the woman returned home and set up a spirit tablet in front of the partition, on which was written "The Deceased Husband Wu Dalang." In front of the spirit bed, she lit a glass lamp, and inside she pasted some sutra banners, money piles, gold and silk ingots, and colored silk. Every day she and Ximen Qing amused themselves upstairs to their hearts' content. This was no longer like the furtive pleasure they had enjoyed in Old Mother Wang's room, stealing chickens and dogs as it were. Now there was no one in the house to hinder them, and they could sleep together as long as they liked. From then on, Ximen Qing would stay three or five nights in a row without going home, and the servants in his household were none of them pleased. For it is ever thus with the pit of feminine charms—where there is success, there must also be ruin. There is a poem that proves it:

If you see through the two words "romance and lust,"

A good marriage match is a bad marriage match.

A wife and concubines are just everyday food—

They cause no longing and cost no money.

Now it must be told how Ximen Qing and that woman amused themselves all day long, singing and drinking as they pleased. As they became more intimate, they stopped caring whether outsiders knew about it. The people far and near on this street—there was not a single one who didn't know about the affair. But they all feared that Ximen Qing was a scoundrel and a rascal, and who would dare to meddle?

As the saying goes: "Extreme joy begets sorrow; when at the worst, things will mend." Time flew swiftly, and some forty days had passed. Now Wu Song, having received the magistrate's orders, had escorted the carts and goods to his relatives in the Eastern Capital, delivered the letter, and handed over the trunks and boxes. He strolled about the streets for several days, obtained the reply letter, and then set out with his men to return to Yanggu County. The entire journey there and back took almost two months. He had set out in the early days of spring and returned at the beginning of the third month. Along the way he felt restless and distracted in both mind and body, hurrying back to see his elder brother. He went first to the county office to deliver the reply letter. The magistrate was greatly pleased when he saw him. After reading the reply letter and confirming that the gold, silver, and valuables had been properly delivered, he rewarded Wu Song with a large ingot of silver and entertained him with food and wine—of course, no need to elaborate.

Wu Song returned to his lodgings, changed his clothes, shoes, and socks, put on a new head cloth, locked his room, and made straight for Purple Stone Street. When the neighbors on both sides saw that Wu Song had returned, they were all alarmed. Everyone broke into a cold sweat and said to themselves in hushed tones, "This time real disaster will strike! This fierce god of war has returned—how could he let it go? Trouble is certain to follow!"

Now when Wu Song arrived at the door, he lifted the curtain and stepped inside. Before him he saw a memorial tablet bearing the seven characters "The Deceased Husband, Dalang of the Wu Family." He stood transfixed, opened his eyes wide, and said, "Am I seeing things?" He called out, "Sister-in-law, Wu Song has returned!"

That very moment, Ximen Qing was upstairs with the woman, enjoying themselves. When they heard Wu Song's voice, Ximen Qing was so frightened that he lost all control and fled through the straight to the back gate, escaping through the Wang Woman's house. The woman answered, "Brother, sit for a moment. I will come shortly." The fact was that ever since this woman had poisoned Dalang to death, she had refused to wear mourning at all. Every day she painted her face and adorned herself, spending her time in pleasure with Ximen Qing. When she heard Wu Song call out "Wu Song has returned," she hurried to the washbasin to remove her makeup, took off her jewelry and hairpins, pinned up her hair in a loose bun, slipped off her red skirt and embroidered jacket, and quickly put on mourning clothes. Then she came downstairs from above, sobbing and weeping as if in grief.

Wu Song said, "Sister-in-law, stay your tears. When did my brother die? What illness did he have? Whose medicine did he take?" The woman wept as she spoke: "Your brother, about twenty days after you left, suddenly came down with a sharp pain in his heart. He was sick for eight or nine days—he prayed to the gods, consulted fortune-tellers, and tried every kind of medicine, but nothing could cure him. He died. He has left me in such misery!" The old woman Wang next door, hearing this, feared that something might give way, so she came over at once to help make excuses. Wu Song said again, "My brother never had such an illness before—how could a heartache kill him?" The old woman Wang said, "Now, Captain, why do you say such things? 'The heavens hold unpredictable storms; men face sudden turns of fortune.' Who can remain free of trouble forever?" The woman said, "I am indebted to this godmother of mine. I am like a crab with no legs—without this godmother, which of my neighbors would have been willing to help me?" Wu Song said, "Where is he buried now?" The woman said, "I was all alone—where could I find a burial plot? There was no choice; after three days, I took him out and cremated him." Wu Song said, "How many days has it been since my brother died?" The woman said, "In two more days, it will be the end of the seven-week mourning period."

Wu Song was silent for a long while. Then he went out and made straight for the county office. He unlocked his door, went to his room, and changed into plain white mourning clothes. He had a soldier bring a hemp cord, which he tied around his waist. He concealed on his person a sharp, short-handled, thick-backed, thin-bladed knife, and took some silver with him. He told a soldier to lock his door, then went to the market in front of the county office and bought rice, flour, pepper and spices, as well as incense, candles, and spirit paper. In the evening he returned home and knocked on the door.

The woman opened the door. Wu Song told the soldier to prepare the food. Before the memorial table, he lit the candles and set out the wine and dishes. By the second watch of the night, everything was arranged properly. Wu Song threw himself to the ground and bowed, saying, "Brother, your departed soul is not far away! In life you were gentle and weak, and now that you have died, nothing is clear. If you have been wronged and unjustly harmed, send me a dream, and your brother will avenge you." He poured out the wine as an offering, burned the spirit paper, and then wept aloud. His weeping moved all the neighbors deeply, filling them with sorrow. The woman inside also put on a show of weeping. When Wu Song had finished weeping, he ate the food and wine with the soldier. He got two reed mats and told the soldier to sleep by the middle gate. Wu Song took a mat and slept before the memorial table. The woman went upstairs, and below, she closed the downstairs door and slept by herself.

Around the third watch of the night, Wu Song tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He glanced at the soldier, who lay there snoring like a dead man. Wu Song crawled up, looked at the colored glass lamp before the spirit couch—it flickered, half bright, half dim. He listened carefully to the night watch drum: it was striking the third watch, the third beat. Wu Song sighed, sat down on the mat, and muttered to himself, "My elder brother was weak and timid in life, but in death he has become remarkably clear-sighted." Before he finished speaking, a cold gust of wind swirled up from beneath the spirit couch—truly it was a chill that pierced to the bone, a biting cold that seeped through the flesh. Dismally and darkly, the lamp before the spirit table lost its light; grimly and ghostly, the paper money on the walls scattered in disarray. That cold gust made every hair on Wu Song's body stand on end. He fixed his eyes and saw a figure crawl out from under the spirit couch, crying out, "Brother, I died a bitter death!" Wu Song could not see clearly. He was about to step forward and ask further when the cold gust dissipated, and the figure vanished. Wu Song toppled backward, landing on the mat, and wondered whether it had been a dream or not. He looked back at the soldier—still fast asleep. Wu Song thought to himself, "My brother's death must have been unjust. ... He was just about to tell me, but my own spirit energy scattered his soul. ..." He kept this thought to himself and decided to wait until daylight to sort it out. A poem says:

Strange, they called him "Three-Inch Cedar,"

Muddled in life, a spirit in death.

Were it not for the bond of shared breath,

How could an unjust ghost appear at night?

As the sky gradually brightened, the soldier got up and heated water. Wu Song washed himself. The woman also came downstairs and said to Wu Song, "Did you have a troubled night, brother-in-law?" Wu Song said, "Sister-in-law, what exactly did my elder brother die of?" The woman said, "How can you have forgotten, brother-in-law? I already told you last night—he died of a heartache ailment." Wu Song said, "Whose medicine was purchased?" The woman said, "There's a medicine prescription here." Wu Song said, "Who bought the coffin?" The woman asked the neighbor, Madame Wang, to buy it." Wu Song said, "Who carried him out?" The Wu Song said, "It was He Jiu-shu, the local headman here. He managed everything." Wu Song said, "So that's how it was. I'll go to the county office to report for roll call, then come back." He got up, took the soldier with him, and walked to the corner of Purple Stone Street. He asked the soldier, "Do you know Headman He Jiu-shu?" The soldier said, "Has the captain forgotten? He came to congratulate the captain some time ago. He lives on Lion Street." Wu Song said, "Take me there." The soldier led Wu Song to He Jiu-shu's door. Wu Song said, "You go on ahead." The soldier left. Wu Song lifted the door curtain and called out, "Is He Jiu-shu home?" He Jiu-shu had just gotten up. Hearing that Wu Song had come looking for him, he was thrown into a panic—he could barely get his turban on. He hastily took the silver and the bone remains and hid them on his person, then came out to greet him. "When did you return, Captain?" Wu Song said, "I only got back yesterday. I have something to discuss—please, come with me." He Jiu-shu said, "I'll come right away. But please, have some tea first." Wu Song said, "No need. Don't trouble yourself."

The two of them went together to a wine shop at the street corner and sat down. Wu Song told the wine server to bring two measures of wine. He Jiu-shu stood up and said, "I haven't even welcomed you back, Captain. Why do you treat me instead?" Wu Song said, "Sit down." He Jiu-shu already guessed eight or nine parts of the truth. As the wine server poured the wine, Wu Song said nothing and just kept drinking. Seeing that he would not speak, He Jiu-shu broke out in a cold sweat and tried to draw him out with small talk. Wu Song still said nothing and did not take the bait. After several cups, Wu Song lifted his garment, and with a swift motion pulled out a sharp knife and planted it on the table. The wine server was so frightened he dared not come near. He Jiu-shu's face turned pale and yellow; he dared not breathe. Wu Song rolled up his sleeves, gripped the knife, and pointed it at He Jiu-shu. "I may be rough, but I know that 'every grievance has its source, every debt has its owner.' Don't be afraid—just tell me the truth: explain to me exactly how my elder brother Wu Da died, and I won't trouble you! If I harm you, I'm not a true man! But if there's even a single word of falsehood, this knife will certainly add three or four hundred transparent holes to your body! Enough said—just tell me directly, what did my elder brother's corpse look like?" Having spoken, Wu Song pressed both hands on his knees, his eyes glaring fiercely at He Jiu-shu.

He Jiu-shu then took a small bag from his sleeve and placed it on the table. "Captain, calm down. This bag is a major piece of evidence."

Wu Song opened it with his hand. Inside were two pieces of charred black bone and a ten-tael ingot of silver. He asked, "How is this a major piece of evidence?"

He Jiu said, "This worthless one knew nothing of the circumstances before or after. Then on the twenty-second day of the first month, I was at home when Old Mother Wang, who keeps a teahouse, came to summon me to prepare the corpse of Wu Dalang for burial. On the appointed day, as I reached the mouth of Zishi Street, I encountered Ximen Qing—the Ximen Qing who keeps an apothecary shop in front of the county offices. He stopped me and invited me to a wineshop, where we shared a bottle of wine. Ximen Qing produced these ten taels of silver and gave them to me, instructing me: 'When you prepare the corpse, cover up everything in every way.' I had always known that this man was a scoundrel, and I dared not refuse. After eating and drinking, and receiving the silver, I went to Dalang's house. When I lifted the funeral banner, I saw that there was congealed blood in the seven orifices and tooth marks on the lips—signs that the corpse had been poisoned while alive. I was on the point of raising an outcry, but there was no one to press the charge; Dalang's wife herself claimed he had died of a heart ailment. So I dared not speak out. I bit my own tongue until it bled, pretended I had been seized by an evil spirit, and was carried home. The funeral men went to prepare the body themselves, and I did not accept a single coin. On the third day, I heard the body had been carried out to be cremated. I bought a sheaf of paper and went to the hilltop to make a pretense of paying respects. I turned Old Mother Wang and the young wife around, and secretly gathered these two pieces of bone, which I kept at home. These bones are charred black—evidence that death came from poison. This paper bears the year, month, day, and hour, along with the names of those who attended the funeral—it is my testimony. I ask the chief inspector to examine it carefully."

Wu Song said, "Who was the adulterer?"

He Jiu said, "I do not know who it was. But this worthless one heard it said that a certain pear seller named Yun'ge—that boy once went with Dalang to the teahouse to catch the adulterer. Everyone on this street knows it. If the chief inspector wants the details, he can question Yun'ge." Wu Song said, "Very well. Since this man exists, let us go to him together." Wu Song sheathed his sword, hid the bones and silver, paid for the wine, and set out with He Jiu toward Yun'ge's house.

They had just reached his door when they saw the little rascal carrying a willow basket, returning from buying rice. He Jiu called out, "Yun'ge, do you recognize this chief inspector?" Yun'ge said, "I recognized him when he was escorting the tiger. What do you two want with me?" The boy had already sized them up pretty well and said, "There's one thing: my old father is sixty years old and has no one to support him. It would be hard for me to accompany you two through a court case for fun." Wu Song said, "Good brother." He took five taels of silver from his person and said, "Yun'ge, take this to your father for traveling expenses, and come speak with me." Yun'ge thought to himself, "Five taels of silver—enough to live on for three or five months. Even if I have to accompany him through a court case, it would do no harm." He gave the silver and rice to his old father, and followed the two men to a wineshop just outside the lane. Wu Song told the waiter to bring three portions of food. He said to Yun'ge, "Brother, though you are young, you have a heart that cares for your family and honors your elders. I have given you this silver for your expenses for now. I have a use for you. When this business is finished, I will give you another fifteen or sixteen taels of silver as capital. Tell me everything: how exactly did you go with my brother to the teahouse to catch the adulterer?"

Yun'ge said, "I will tell you, but do not let it anger you. On the thirteenth day of this year's first month, I had a basket of pears. I went to find the great Ximen Qing to do some business, but I could not find him anywhere. When I asked, people said, 'He is at Old Mother Wang's teahouse on Zishi Street, with the wife of Wu the cake seller—the one who sells steamed bakers. He has taken up with her and is there every day.' When I heard this, I went straight to find him. But that old sow Old Mother Wang blocked the door and would not let me into the room. I taunted her and exposed her scheme, and that sow beat me with her fists and shoved me out, spilling all my pears into the street. I was furious, so I went to find your elder brother and told him everything. He wanted to go catch them in the act. I said, 'You won't manage it. That Ximen Qing is a formidable fighter. If you fail to catch him, he might accuse you instead, and that would be bad. Tomorrow I'll meet you at the mouth of the lane. You take out fewer cakes than usual. When I see Ximen Qing enter the teahouse, I'll go in first. You leave your carrying pole and wait. When you see me toss my basket out, you rush in to catch them.' So that day I took another basket of pears and went straight to the teahouse. I cursed that old sow. The old woman came at me, but I threw my basket into the street first and pinned that old dog against the wall with my head. When Wu Dalang rushed in, the old woman tried to stop him, but I held her fast, shouting, 'Wu Dalang is here!' It turned out they had both been holding the door shut. Dalang could only shout from outside the door. He did not expect that scoundrel Ximen Qing to open the door and rush out, kicking Dalang to the ground. I saw the woman come out afterward and try to help Dalang up, but he could not move. I was terrified and fled. Five or seven days later, I heard Dalang had died. I do not know how he died." Wu Song asked, "Is what you say true? Do not lie to me." Yun'ge said, "Even if I were brought before the authorities, this is what I would say." Wu Song said, "Well said, brother." He ordered food, they ate, paid the bill, and the three of them went downstairs. He Jiu said, "This worthless one takes his leave." Wu Song said, "Come with me. I need you both to bear witness for me." He led them both straight to the county yamen.

The magistrate asked, "What is the constable's complaint?" Wu Song reported, "My elder brother Wu Da was murdered by Ximen Qing, who committed adultery with my sister-in-law and poisoned him. These two men are witnesses. I beg Your Honor to take up this case."

The magistrate first took the depositions of He Jiushu and Young Ying, then consulted with the county clerks that day. Now all the clerks were in league with Ximen Qing, not to mention the magistrate himself. They therefore conspired together and said, "This matter is difficult to adjudicate." The magistrate said, "Wu Song, you are a constable of this county yourself. Do you not know the law? Since ancient times it has been said: 'Catch adultery in pairs, catch a thief with the stolen goods, see wounds on a murder victim.' Your brother's body is gone, and you never caught them in the act of adultery. Now you want to bring a murder charge based solely on these two men's words. Aren't you being too one-sided? Do not act rashly. You must think this through yourself. When it's right, act."

Wu Song took from his breast two blackened pieces of bone, ten taels of silver, and a document, and said, "I report again to Your Honor: this is not something I fabricated." The magistrate examined them and said, "Stand up for now. I will deliberate at length. When it is feasible, I will have them arrested." He Jiushu and Young Ying were both detained by Wu Song in the room. That day, when Ximen Qing learned of this, he sent trusted men to the county office to bribe the magistrate and clerks with silver.

The next morning, Wu Song appeared at the court to press for the arrest of the suspects. Who would have expected that this official, greedy for bribes, returned the bones and silver and said, "Wu Song, do not listen to outsiders stirring up enmity between you and Ximen Qing. This matter is unclear and difficult to adjudicate. The sage said: 'What one sees with one's own eyes may still not be true; words spoken behind one's back — how can they be wholly believed?' You must not act rashly." The prison clerk then said, "Constable, in all cases of homicide, one must have the five elements — the corpse, the wound, the illness, the weapon, and the tracks — all five present before an inquiry can proceed."

Wu Song said, "Since Your Honor does not grant my petition, I will see to it myself, then." He took back the silver and bones and gave them into He Jiushu's keeping. He left the hall and went to his own quarters, told the soldiers to prepare a meal for He Jiushu and Young Ying, and said, "Stay in this room and wait for me. I will be back shortly."

He himself took two or three soldiers, left the county office, and brought an inkstone, a brush, and ink, and bought five or six sheets of paper, which he kept on his person. He had the soldiers buy a pig's head, a goose, a chicken, a load of wine, and some fruit and the like, and arranged everything at home. Around the hour of the Snake, he brought the soldiers and arrived home. The woman, having already learned that the petition had not been accepted, was at ease and unafraid, and watched him boldly to see what he would do.

Wu Song called out, "Sister-in-law, come down. I have something to say to you." The woman slowly came downstairs and asked, "What do you have to say?"

Wu Song said, "Tomorrow is the end of your brother-in-law's seven-week mourning period. The other day you angered all the neighbors and街坊. Today I have come specially to offer a cup of wine on your behalf to thank them all." The woman said brazenly, "What need is there to thank them?"

Wu Song said, "The courtesy must not be omitted." He told the soldiers to go first to the spirit table and light two bright candles, burn a censer of incense, set out a string of paper money, arrange the sacrificial offerings before the spirit table, lay out a full spread of dishes, and set out the wine and fruit and other food. He told one soldier to pour the wine from behind, two soldiers to arrange tables and benches at the front door, and two others to guard the front and back doors. When Wu Song had given all these instructions, he said, "Sister-in-law, come and receive the guests. I will go invite them."

First he invited the neighbor across the way, Old Mother Wang. The old woman said, "There is no need for such trouble. Let the constable do the thanking himself." Wu Song said, "We have troubled you too much, Godmother, but there is a reason. A cup of wine has been prepared — you must not refuse." The old woman took her signboard, shut up her house, and came around through the back door. Wu Song said, "Sister-in-law, take the host's seat. Godmother, sit opposite."

The old woman already knew that Ximen Qing had sent word, so she ate and drank without worry. Both of them thought to themselves, "Let's see what he'll do."

Wu Song then invited Yao Wulang, Yao Wenqing, who ran the silver shop in the house next door. Yao Wulang said, "This humble man is busy. I cannot trouble the constable." Wu Song seized him and said, "Just a cup of light wine — it won't take long. Please come to my house." Yao Wulang had no choice but to come along, and Wu Song had him sit below Old Mother Wang.

He then went across the street to invite two households — one was Zhao Silang, Zhao Zhongming, who ran the paper goods shop. Zhao Silang said, "I cannot leave my business. I cannot join you." Wu Song said, "How can that be? All the esteemed neighbors are already there." He gave him no choice; Wu Song dragged him home and said, "You are like an elder in my family. Please sit below my sister-in-law."

He also invited across the street Hu Zhengqing, who ran the cold-wine shop. This man had been a clerk by background, and he sensed something awkward about the situation. He absolutely refused to come. Wu Song paid him no mind and dragged him over, seating him below Zhao Silang.

Wu Song said, "Old Mother Wang, who lives next door to you?" The old woman said, "It is Old Man Zhang, who sells geda dumplings." As it happened, he was at home. When he saw Wu Song enter, he was startled and said, "Constable, is there something you wish to say?"

Wu Song said, "I have troubled the neighborhood at home and would like to invite you for a cup of light wine." The old man said, "Goodness! I have never paid any courtesy to the constable's home. Why should the constable invite me to drink?"

Wu Song said, "It is but a small token of respect. Please come to my house." The old man was dragged over by Wu Song and seated below Yao Wulang.

Now, you may ask: why did those who had already taken their seats not leave? It was because soldiers stood guard at the front and back doors on all sides, and they were all as if imprisoned.

Now let it be told that Wu Song invited four neighboring households, along with Wang Po and his sister-in-law, making six people in all. Wu Song dragged over a bench and sat himself at the head, then ordered the soldiers to bar the front and back doors. The soldiers in the rear busied themselves pouring wine. Wu Song made a deep bow and said, "Honored neighbors, forgive this humble fellow for his rudeness in summoning you all so casually."

The neighbors said, "We never even washed off your dust or gave you a welcome feast as the chief constable, and now instead we're imposing on you."

Wu Song laughed, "It's nothing worth mentioning. I hope you good neighbors won't laugh at me."

The soldiers kept pouring wine. The guests harbored secret dread and did not know what was afoot. After three cups had been drunk, Hu Zhengqing tried to rise, saying, "I'm rather busy."

Wu Song called out, "You may not leave! Since you've come here, even if you're busy you must sit a while."

Hu Zhengqing felt like fifteen buckets drawing water in his heart—seven going up, eight going down—and he thought secretly to himself, "If he means well in inviting us to drink, why does he treat us this way, not letting anyone leave?" He had no choice but to sit back down.

Wu Song said, "Pour more wine." The soldiers poured the fourth cup. By the time seven rounds of wine had passed, the guests felt as though they had attended a thousand banquets hosted by Empress Lü.

Then Wu Song shouted to the soldiers to clear away the cups and plates for now—they would eat again later. Wu Song wiped the table. The neighbors were about to rise when Wu Song threw out both hands and blocked them, saying, "I have something to say. All you honored neighbors are here—which among you knows how to write?"

Yao Er-lang said, "This gentleman Hu Zhengqing writes extremely well."

Wu Song bowed deeply and said, "I must trouble you, then." He rolled up his sleeves, reached beneath his robe, and with a flash drew out a sharp knife. His right hand wrapped four fingers around the handle, his thumb pressed down on the guard, and his two round, fierce eyes blazed as he said, "All you honored neighbors are here: every wrong has its source, every debt its debtor. I only ask you all to serve as witnesses."

Then Wu Song seized his sister-in-law with his left hand and pointed at Wang Po with his right. The four neighboring households were so shocked their eyes gaped and their mouths hung open—they were at a loss, glancing at one another, not daring to make a sound.

Wu Song said, "Honored neighbors, don't take offense and don't be alarmed. Wu Song may be a rough fellow, but he fears death not at all. He knows well that wrongs must be repaid with wrongs and vengeance repaid with vengeance, and he will not harm any of you. I only ask you honored neighbors to serve as witnesses. If a single one of you tries to leave first, Wu Song will turn on him without mercy and send him off with five or seven knife strokes first—and Wu Er wouldn't mind paying with his own life either."

The neighbors were all struck dumb and wide-eyed and dared not move.

Wu Song glared at Wang Po and roared, "You listen, you old pig-dog! My elder brother's life rests in your hands—I'll question you about it slowly!" He turned back and cursed the woman, "You listen, that wanton wife of yours! How did you plot to take my brother's life? Confess the truth and I'll spare you."

The woman said, "Brother-in-law, you have no reason at all! Your brother died of a heartache illness of his own—what has it got to do with me?..."

Before she finished speaking, Wu Song planted the knife on the table, seized the woman's hair bun with his left hand, and grabbed her by the front of her robe with his right. He kicked over one leg of the table, reached across, lifted the woman lightly over it, threw her down before the spirit bier, pinned her with both feet, drew out the knife with his right hand, and pointed it at Wang Po. "Old pig-dog, speak the truth!"

The old woman tried to escape but could not, so she said, "There's no need for the chief constable to be angry—I'll tell it myself."

Wu Song ordered the soldiers to bring paper, ink, stick, and inkstone and set them on the table. He pointed the knife at Hu Zhengqing and said, "I trouble you to listen to each phrase and write it down."

Hu Zhengqing, trembling, said, "This humble man will write." He added some water to the inkstone and ground the ink. Hu Zhengqing picked up the brush, smoothed out the paper, and said, "Wang Po, speak the truth!"

The old woman said, "It has nothing to do with me—what would you have me say?"

Wu Song said, "Old pig-dog, I already know it all—who are you trying to shift the blame to? If you won't speak, I'll first carve up this wanton wife, then kill you, this old dog."

He raised the knife and slashed twice toward the woman's face. The woman cried out in panic, "Brother-in-law, spare me! Let me up and I'll speak."

Wu Song hauled her up and forced the woman to kneel before the spirit bier. Wu Song roared, "Speak quickly, wanton wife!"

The woman was so terrified that her very soul seemed to leave her body. She had no choice but to confess everything truthfully: how lowering the curtain pole had led to striking Xi Menqing, making clothes, entering the horse and committing adultery—she told it all. Then how she had kicked Wu Da, why she had devised the scheme to poison him, and how Old Mother Wang had instigated and arranged everything—she recounted it from beginning to end. Wu Song made her speak one sentence at a time, while Hu Zhengqing wrote down each sentence. Old Mother Wang said, "You biting bug! You've confessed first—how can I deny it now? Only this old woman suffers for it!" Old Mother Wang had no choice but to confess as well. Her testimony was also written down by Hu Zhengqing. From beginning to end, it all was recorded there. He made both of them press their fingerprints and sign their names, then had the four neighboring households write their names and sign as well. He ordered the soldiers to undo their carrying sashes, tied the old bitch's hands behind her back, rolled up the written confessions, and tucked them inside his robe. He told the soldiers to bring a bowl of wine, which he offered before the spirit table. Then he dragged the woman over and made her kneel before the spirit tablet, and ordered the old woman to kneel there as well. Wu Song said, "Brother, your spirit is not far away. Your brother Wu Er avenges your wrong and washes away your hatred!" He told the soldiers to light the paper money. The woman, seeing how the situation was turning against her, tried to cry out, but Wu Song seized her by the hair and forced her down, pressed both arms under his two feet, tore open the clothes on her chest. What happened next was swift as lightning—he took the sharp knife and cut once into her chest, held the knife between his teeth, used both hands to tear open her chest cavity, and gouged out her heart, liver, and five organs, which he offered before the spirit tablet. With one chop he cut off the woman's head, and blood flowed across the ground. The four neighboring households were greatly startled and covered their eyes. Seeing his ferocity, they dared not move and could only go along with him. Wu Song ordered the soldiers to fetch a quilt from upstairs, wrapped the woman's head in it, wiped the knife clean, sheathed it, washed his hands, and bowed saying, "I have troubled you, good neighbors—please do not take offense. Now please go upstairs and wait a moment; Wu Er will come shortly." The four neighbors looked at one another and dared not disobey him; they could only go upstairs and sit down. Wu Song instructed the soldiers to take the old woman upstairs as well. They closed the upstairs door and posted two soldiers to guard it below.

Wu Song wrapped the woman's head and went straight to Xi Menqing's herbal medicine shop. He looked at the shop manager, bowed, and asked, "Is the master here?" The manager replied, "He just went out." Wu Song said, "May I have a word with you in private?" The manager recognized Wu Song somewhat and dared not refuse to come out. Wu Song led him to a quiet side alley. Then Wu Song turned on him and said, "Do you want to die, or do you want to live?" The manager, flustered, said, "Sir, this humble one has never offended you." Wu Song said, "If you want to die, don't tell me where Xi Menqing went. If you want to live, tell me truthfully where Xi Menqing is." The manager said, "He just went—with an acquaintance—to the great wine tower under the Lion's Bridge—to drink." Wu Song heard this and turned to leave. The manager was so alarmed he stood rooted to the spot for a long while, then left on his own.

Now then, Wu Song went straight to the wine tower under the Lion's Bridge and asked the tavern keeper, "Who is drinking with Master Xi Menqing?" The tavern keeper said, "With a wealthy gentleman, drinking in the upper-floor street-side alcove." Wu Song charged straight upstairs. When he peered through the window of the alcove, he saw Xi Menqing seated in the host's position, with a guest sitting opposite, and two courtesans seated on either side. Wu Song unwrapped the bundle and shook it out—that human head rolled out, dripping with blood. Wu Song held the head in his left hand, drew the sharp knife with his right, pushed aside the curtain, and plunged inside, hurling the woman's head straight into Xi Menqing's face. Xi Menqing recognized Wu Song and cried out in alarm: "Aiya!" He leaped onto the stool, put one foot on the windowsill, and tried to find a way to escape. But seeing the street below, he could not jump down, and his mind was in turmoil. Swift as lightning, Wu Song pressed down slightly and sprang onto the table, kicking over cups and dishes. The two courtesans were too frightened to move. The wealthy gentleman panicked and collapsed. Xi Menqing, seeing the ferocity of the attack, made a feint with his right hand and quickly kicked with his right foot. Wu Song rushed straight in; seeing the foot coming, he dodged slightly—but that kick landed squarely on Wu Song's right hand, sending the knife flying out and falling straight down to the street below. Xi Menqing, seeing the knife knocked away, was no longer afraid. He feinted with his right hand, then threw a left fist straight at Wu Song's chest. But Wu Song barely dodged it, seized the opportunity to dart forward under the arm, grabbed Xi Menqing's head with his left hand and lifted him by the shoulder with one heave, seized Xi Menqing's left foot with his right hand, and shouted: "Down with you!" Xi Menqing—first, haunted by the vengeful spirit; second, for the heavenly principle could not tolerate him; third, unable to withstand Wu Song's strength—was seen with his head down and feet up, crashing upside down into the middle of the street, falling so hard he was knocked senseless—more dead than alive. The people on both sides of the street were greatly startled.

Wu Song reached over to the stool and grabbed the adulteress's head, then climbed out through the window and leaped down into the street. He seized the knife that had fallen there first. Ximen Qing had already been thrown down and lay half-dead on the ground, perfectly still except for his eyes, which still moved. Wu Song pinned him down and with one stroke cut off Ximen Qing's head. He bound the two heads together and took them in his hand, then carrying the knife, he made straight back to Zishi Street. He called to the soldiers to open the gate and set up the two heads before the spirit tablet. He poured the cold wine as an offering and said, "Brother, your soul is not far away—ascend early to the heavens above! Your brother has avenged you, killing the adulterer and the adulteress. Today I will carry out the cremation." He then ordered the soldiers upstairs to invite the neighbors down and had the old woman brought forward under guard.

Wu Song held the knife and carried the two heads, and once more addressed the four neighboring households: "I have one more thing to say to you four worthy neighbors." The four households, hands clasped, stood respectfully and said in unison, "Please speak, Commander—we all await your command." What Wu Song said next had this consequence: the hero of Jingyang Ridge became a prisoner; the chief constable of Yanggu County turned into a wandering monk. It made his name famous through the ages and his renown spread for ten thousand years. What exactly did Wu Song say? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.