الفصل الثامن والعشرون

الفصل الثامن والعشرون

Now at this time, Zhang Qing said to Wu Song: "It is not that my heart is wicked, but rather than have you, Marshal, suffer in the prison camp, why not kill these two escorts right here and stay a few days at my humble home? If you are willing to join the outlaw brotherhood, I will personally escort you to the Baozhu Temple on Mount Erlong, where you can band together with Lu Zhishen—what do you think?" Wu Song replied: "Your concern for me is most generous, brother. But this much I must say: all my life, Wu Song has only struck down hard men of this world. These two escorts have been nothing but careful and attentive to me along the way, serving me well. If I were to harm them, Heaven's law would not permit it. If you truly respect me, then revive the two of them—do not harm them." Zhang Qing said: "Since you are so righteous, Marshal, I will revive them at once."

Zhang Qing then ordered his men to help the two escorts up from the butchering bench. Sun Erniang prepared a bowl of the antidote. Zhang Qing held them by the ears and poured it down their throats. In less than half a watch, the two escorts stirred as if waking from a dream and rose to their feet. Seeing Wu Song, they said, "How did we get so drunk here? What fine wine this house serves! We didn't drink much, yet we're so drunk! We must remember this place and come back to buy more." Wu Song burst out laughing. Zhang Qing and Sun Erniang also laughed. The two escorts had no idea what had happened. The two helpers went off to slaughter chickens and geese, cooked them, and arranged the cups and dishes properly.

Zhang Qing had everything set up beneath the grape arbor in the back, with tables and stools laid out. Then he invited Wu Song and the two escorts into the rear garden.

Wu Song insisted that the two escorts take the seats of honor above, while Zhang Qing and Wu Song sat below facing upward, and Sun Erniang sat at the side. The two men took turns pouring wine and bringing dishes back and forth. Zhang Qing urged Wu Song to drink. When evening fell, he brought out the two monk's sabers and had Wu Song examine them. They were indeed forged of refined steel—no work of a single day. The two men then spoke of the deeds of gallant heroes on the rivers and lakes—matters of killing and burning. Wu Song also said, "There is Song Jiangong, the 'Timely Rain' of Shandong, a man of righteousness and generosity, such a hero, who has also fled to the estate of Squire Chai because of some trouble." The two escorts listened, struck dumb with astonishment, and could only bow. Wu Song said: "It is rare that you two have escorted me this far—would I ever harbor thoughts of harming you? When we men of the rivers and lakes speak, do not be alarmed. We would never harm those who do good. Just drink your wine. When we reach Mengzhou tomorrow, you shall have your reward." That night they lodged at Zhang Qing's house. The next day, Wu Song wished to leave, but Zhang Qing would not hear of it. He kept him for three days in a row, treating him generously. Wu Song was deeply grateful for the kindness of Zhang Qing and his wife. In years, Zhang Qing was five years Wu Song's senior, so Wu Song swore brotherhood with Zhang Qing as his elder brother. Wu Song again took his leave, and Zhang Qing laid on a farewell feast. He returned Wu Song's luggage, bundles, and traveling purse, gave him ten ounces of silver, and handed two or three ounces of loose silver to the two escorts. Wu Song then gave the ten ounces of silver entirely to the two escorts. He put his cangue back on once more and had the seals reattached. Zhang Qing and Sun Erniang saw him to the gate. Wu Song bade them farewell and set off for Mengzhou with the escorts. A poem says:

Sworn brothers, their bond as close as kin,

He urged him to join the outlaws—yet he held back.

Know that he would rage and kill the lechers and the wicked,

But never break the law or transgress the code.

Before noon, they arrived in the city. They went straight to the prefectural office and submitted the documents from Dongping Prefecture at the main hall. The prefect reviewed them, took Wu Song into custody, sealed his own reply, and sent the two escorts back—no more of that. Then Wu Song was assigned to the local prison camp. That day, Wu Song arrived before the prison camp and saw a placard bearing three large characters: "Anping Stockade." The escorts took Wu Song to a single room, then went to deliver the documents and secure his admission—no need to dwell on that.

Once Wu Song was alone in his room, a dozen or so prisoners came to see him. They said, "Good man, you are newly arrived. If you have letters of introduction or silver in your bundles in the hands of friends, get them ready now. When the sergeant arrives, give them to him. If you take the beating staff, it will be lighter. If you have no gifts for him, you'll be in a sorry state! We are all criminals like you, so we tell you this of our own accord. Have you not heard: 'When the dead, the living grieve; when one of their kind suffers, all feel it'? We feared you might not know the ways of this place, so we let you know." Wu Song replied, "I thank you all for your guidance. I have a small amount with me. If he asks me nicely for it, I will give him some. If he demands it by force, he won't get a single coin." The prisoners said, "Good man, don't talk like that. The ancients said: 'Fear not the official, fear only the overseer.' 'Under another's low eaves, how can you hold your head high?' Just be careful, that's all." Before they had finished speaking, someone called out: "The sergeant is coming!" The prisoners scattered at once.

Wu Song undid his bundle and sat down in the solitary cell. Presently the man came in and asked, "Who is the new prisoner?" Wu Song replied, "I am." The guard said, "You look like a man with eyes and brows of your own—you should know better than to need me to spell things out. You're the hero who killed the tiger on Jingyang Ridge, the chief constable of Yanggu County. I thought you were a sensible fellow, but how can you be so thick-headed! If you'd come to my place, even a cat wouldn't dare mess with you!" Wu Song said, "You come here spouting off, hoping your old man will give you a gift—not a single copper from me. I've got a pair of hard fists to offer instead! I do have some gold and silver, but I'm keeping it to buy wine for myself. See what you can do about that! You can't just send me back to Yanggu County!" The guard left in a fury. Then several other prisoners came up and said, "Brother, you've crossed him—you'll suffer for it! He's gone to report you to the warden, and he'll surely try to take your life!" Wu Song said, "I'm not afraid! Whatever he tries, I'll answer force with force and wits with wits!"

They were still talking when three or four men came to the solitary cell and called out for the new prisoner, Wu Song. Wu Song shouted back, "Your lordship is right here—I haven't gone anywhere. What's all the yelling about?" The men seized Wu Song and dragged him before the inspection hall, where the warden was seated. Five or six soldiers pushed Wu Song forward to face him. The warden ordered the cangue removed and said, "You prisoner, remember the old rule set by Emperor Taizu of Martial Virtue: every newly arrived convict must receive one hundred strokes of the intimidation rod. Now turn around and present your back." Wu Song said, "Don't any of you make a fuss. If you're going to hit me, just hit me—no need to turn me around. If I dodge a single stroke, I'm no hero. Forget any blows already given—start fresh from the beginning. If I cry out, I'm no true man!" The onlookers on both sides laughed. "This fool is courting death—let's see how he endures it!" Wu Song said again, "If you're going to beat me, do it hard and proper—no half-hearted mercy strokes, or I won't be happy." The crowd on both sides laughed again. The soldier raised his staff and was about to strike when a man standing beside the warden caught the eye—he was over six feet tall, about twenty-four or twenty-five years of age, with a fair face, a wispy three-pointed beard, a white cloth wrapped around his forehead, wearing a blue silk outer robe with a white silk sash tied around his hands. He leaned over and whispered a few words in the warden's ear. The warden then said, "New prisoner Wu Song, did you fall ill at all on your journey here?" Wu Song replied, "I was never sick on the road. I drank wine, I ate meat, I ate rice, I walked—all without trouble." The warden said, "This fellow must have fallen ill on the road and arrived here in this state. He looks well enough to me—let's put off his intimidation rod for now." The soldiers administering the beating whispered to Wu Song, "Quick, say you're sick! The warden is doing you a favor—just claim you've been ill." Wu Song said, "I haven't been sick, I haven't been sick—go ahead and beat me, it would be a relief! I don't want this rod stored up for later—a deferred debt like that is a hook in my guts. When would I ever be free of it?" The onlookers laughed. The warden also laughed and said, "This fellow must be suffering from some feverish illness, unable to sweat it out, and that's why he's talking like a madman. Pay him no mind—take him back and lock him in the solitary cell."

Three or four soldiers led Wu Song back to the solitary cell as before. The other prisoners all came and asked, "Don't you have some letter of introduction from a friend to the warden?" Wu Song said, "I have nothing of the sort." The prisoners said, "If you don't, having that rod put off is no good thing—tonight they'll surely come and finish you off!" Wu Song said, "How would they finish me off?" The prisoners said, "In the evening they'll bring two bowls of dry yellow granary rice and some salted stinky fish, feed you your fill, then take you to the underground cell, tie you up with ropes, roll you in a dry straw mat, plug up your seven orifices, and stand you upside down against the wall. In less than half a watch, your life will be over. This is called the 'pot-hanging.'" Wu Song said, "What other methods do they have?" The others said, "There's another one—they'll tie you up, then take a cloth bag filled with yellow sand and press it down on your body. Again, in less than a watch, you're dead. This is called the 'earth-cloth-bag.'" Wu Song asked, "What other ways are there to harm me?" The others said, "These two are the ones to really fear—the rest aren't worth worrying about."

The others had hardly finished speaking when a soldier came in carrying a tray and asked, "Which is the newly assigned Constable Wu?" Wu Song answered, "That's me. What is it?" The man said, "The warden has sent refreshments here." Wu Song looked—there was a large flask of wine, a plate of meat, a plate of noodles, and a big bowl of broth. Wu Song thought to himself, "Could it be that they want me to eat all this and then use it against me? ... I'll eat it first and deal with the rest later." Wu Song drained the entire flask of wine in one go and finished all the meat and noodles. The man gathered up the dishes and left.

Wu Song sat in his room, pondering. He said to himself with a cold laugh, "Let's see how he intends to deal with me!" As evening approached, he saw the same man as before enter carrying a box. Wu Song asked, "What do you want now?" The man said, "I've been told to bring your evening meal here." He laid out several plates of vegetables, a large pot of heated wine, a plate of fried fish, a bowl of fish broth, and a large bowl of rice. When Wu Song saw this, he thought to himself, "After eating this meal, they'll surely come to finish me off. ... But let them come. Even if I die, I'll die a full man. I might as well eat, and then figure out what to do next." After Wu Song had eaten, the man cleared away the dishes and left.

Before long, that same man returned with another fellow. One carried a bathing tub, the other a large bucket of hot water. They looked at Wu Song and said, "The chief inspector invites you to bathe." Wu Song thought, "Could they be waiting until I've bathed before making their move? ... But I'm not afraid of them. I might as well have a wash." The two men poured out the hot water. Wu Song climbed into the tub and bathed himself. Then they brought him a bathrobe and a towel. He dried himself and got dressed. One man poured out the leftover water and carried the tub away. The other hung up a rattan mat and a mosquito net, spread out the mat, placed a cool pillow on it, said goodnight, and left.

Wu Song closed the door, bolted it, and sat inside thinking, "What does this mean? Let them do as they please. I'll just wait and see." He lay down and went to sleep. Nothing happened all night.

When dawn broke and he opened the door, there was the same man from the night before, carrying a bucket of water for washing his face. He had Wu Song wash his face, then brought mouth-rinse water for him to gargle. He also brought a barber, who combed Wu Song's hair, tied it into a topknot, and wrapped it in a turban. Then another man came in with a box, laid out vegetables and side dishes, a large bowl of meat broth, and a large bowl of rice. Wu Song thought, "Let them go about their schemes. I'll just eat." After finishing his meal, he was served a cup of tea. No sooner had he finished his tea than the man who had brought the food came and said, "This is not a good place to rest. Please come to the room across the way. It will be more convenient for serving tea and meals." Wu Song said, "So here it comes! ... I'll go with him and see what happens." One man gathered up his bedding, while the other led Wu Song out of the solitary cell to a place up front. They opened the door, and inside he found clean bed curtains and bedding, with newly arranged tables and benches on either side. Wu Song looked around the room and thought, "I expected them to throw me into an underground prison, but how did I end up in a place like this? It's far better furnished than the solitary cell!"

The rooster crowing, the dog stealing—do not mock them;

Once they helped Lord Mengchang escape through the pass.

Today a transported convict is treated as an honored guest,

And Mengzhou wins fame and renown.

Wu Song sat there until midday, when that same man came again carrying a box and a flask of wine. When he reached the room and opened it, he laid out four kinds of fruit, a cooked chicken, and many steamed rolls. He tore the chicken apart, poured the good wine from the flask, and invited the chief inspector to eat. Wu Song thought to himself, "What on earth is going on? ..." In the evening, more side dishes were brought, and again Wu Song was invited to bathe, then rest in the cool air. Wu Song reflected, "The other prisoners all said the same thing, and I thought the same way—so why are they treating me like this?"

On the third day, the same routine of meals and wine continued. After breakfast that day, Wu Song walked out of the compound for a stroll. He saw the ordinary prisoners carrying water, splitting firewood, and doing odd jobs, all working under the bright sun. It was the height of summer—the fifth or sixth month—and there was nowhere to escape the heat. Wu Song stood with his hands clasped behind his back and asked, "How can you work under this sun?" The prisoners all laughed and replied, "Good sir, you don't know. When we're assigned to work here, it's already heaven on earth! How could we dare complain about the heat and sit idle? There are the unlucky ones who get locked up in the main jail, unable to live or die, shackled in heavy iron chains—they have to get through it too!"

After hearing this, Wu Song walked around the Hall of the Heavenly King. By the paper furnace he saw a large green stone block with a hole in it, used for tethering a flagpole. It was a fine big rock. Wu Song sat on it for a while, then returned to his room and sat down to think. Presently, that same man came again with wine and meat.

Enough of this idle chatter. Wu Song had been lodged in that room for several days now, and every day fine wine and food were brought to him for his enjoyment. There was no sign that anyone intended him harm, yet Wu Song remained deeply uncertain in his mind. That day at noon, the man brought another spread of wine and food, and Wu Song could no longer contain himself. He pressed down on the lid of the box and demanded, "Whose servant are you? Why do you keep bringing me wine and food?" The man replied, "This humble one already reported to you the other day, Marshal. I am a trusted servant in the house of the Superintendent." Wu Song said, "Let me ask you this: who is it that has instructed you to bring me these daily offerings? What is the purpose of all this?" The man said, "It is the Junior Superintendent in the Superintendent's household who ordered me to bring them for the Marshal to eat." Wu Song said, "I am a convicted prisoner. I have done nothing of benefit to the Superintendent whatsoever. Why would he send me things to eat?" The man said, "How would this humble one know? The Junior Superintendent instructed me to keep bringing them for half a year or three months, and then we would talk." Wu Song said, "How strange! Could it be that he means to fatten me up, and then do away with me? — This blasted riddle of a gourd — how am I supposed to guess what's in it? Since the purpose of this wine and food is unclear, how can I eat them in peace? Just tell me: what sort of man is this Junior Superintendent? Where and when have I met him before? Only then will I accept his offerings." The man said, "He is the one who was standing in the hall when the Marshal first arrived — the one with a white cloth wrapped around his head and his right arm bound up. That was the Junior Superintendent." Wu Song said, "Could it be the one in the blue gauze canopy coat who stands beside the Superintendent?" The man said, "Yes, that is the son of the old Superintendent." Wu Song said "When I was about to receive the beating with the rod, was it he who spoke up and saved me?" The man said, "Indeed it was. The Junior Superintendent said something to his father, and so you were not beaten." Wu Song said, "How peculiar! I am a man of Qinghe County, and he is a man of Mengzhou. We have never known each other before. Why should he treat me with such regard? There must be some reason. Let me ask you: what is the Junior Superintendent's name?" The man said, "His surname is Shi, given name En. He is skilled with the fist and staff, and people call him 'Golden-Eyed Leopard' Shi En." When Wu Song heard this, he said, "He must be a fine man. Go and ask him to come out and meet me. If I see him, I will accept your wine and food. But if you do not bring him out to meet me, I will not eat a single bite." The man said, "The Junior Superintendent instructed me on no account to reveal the details, and told me to wait half a year or three months before arranging a meeting." Wu Song said "Nonsense! Just go and ask the Junior Superintendent to come out and meet me, and that will be the end of it." The man was afraid and would not go. Wu Song grew impatient, and the man had no choice but to go inside and inform his master.

After some time, Shi En came rushing out from within and bowed to Wu Song upon seeing him. Wu Song hastily returned the bow and said, "I am a prisoner under your authority. I have never had the honor of meeting you before. The other day you saved me from a severe beating, and now I am daily treated to fine wine and food — it is far more than I deserve. I have not been given any task in return. To receive such benefits without merit makes me unable to eat or sleep in peace." Shi En replied, "I have long heard of your great name, elder brother, as though the thunder itself spoke it. My only regret was that the distance between us was too great, and I could not meet you. Now that you have come here, I have been longing to pay my respects to you. It is only that I had nothing worthy to offer you, and so I was too ashamed to present myself." Wu Song asked, "Just now I heard your servant say something about waiting half a year or three months before there would be something to discuss. What is it that the Junior Superintendent wishes to say to me?" Shi En said "My rustic servant has no sense of what should be kept secret. He blurted it all out to you — how could such a thing be spoken of so rashly?" Wu Song said "If the Superintendent is going to be like this, he is behaving like a bookish scholar playing games! He is going to burst my belly with this maddening mystery — how am I to endure it? Just tell me plainly: what is it you want from me?" Shi En said "Since my servant has already let it out, I have no choice but to tell you. The reason is this: because you are a great man, a true man of valor, there is a matter I wish to entrust to you — one that only you could carry out. But you have come a great distance, and your strength is not yet fully restored. I ask you to rest and recover for half a year or three to five months, and when your strength is completely restored, then I will tell you the full details." When Wu Song heard this, he laughed loudly and said "Let the Superintendent hear me: last year I suffered three months of malarial fever. On Jingyang Ridge, in a drunken state, I struck down a great tiger — and with just three punches and two kicks I beat it to death. How much more am I capable of now!" Shi En said "But this is not yet the time to speak of it. Please rest a little longer, Marshal, until your honored body is fully recovered, and then I will dare to tell you." Wu Song said "So you think I have no strength left. Since you put it that way, tell me: yesterday I saw a certain stone block in front of the Heavenly King Hall. How much would you say it weighs?" Shi En said "I dare say it weighs four or five hundred jin." Wu Song said "Let me go and have a look at it with you. I don't know whether I can budge it or not." Shi En said "Please, let us go after we have finished the wine." Wu Song said "No, I will go now and come back to eat later."

The two men arrived before the Hall of the Heavenly King. When the prisoners saw Wu Song coming with the junior warden, they all bowed and greeted him with clasped hands. Wu Song gave the stone pillar a slight shake and laughed loudly: "This young fellow has truly grown soft — I can't budge it at all!" Shi En said, "A stone block weighing three or five hundred catties — how could you take it so lightly?" Wu Song smiled. "Junior Warden, do you really think I can't lift it? You men stand back and watch me give it a try." Wu Song then took off his upper garment and tied it around his waist. He simply hugged the stone pillar and lifted it up with ease. With both hands he gave it a single thrust, and it sank into the ground a foot deep. When the prisoners saw this, they were all filled with dread. Wu Song then reached down with his right hand, pulled it up from the earth, and hurled it into the air — it flew up over ten feet high. Wu Song caught it with both hands and gently set it back in its original place. He turned around and looked at Shi En and the prisoners. Wu Song's face was not flushed, his heart did not pound, and his breathing was not labored. Shi En stepped forward, embraced Wu Song, and bowed to him, saying: "Brother, you are no ordinary man! A true god among men!" The prisoners all bowed together and said: "Truly a god among men!" A poem says:

His divine power startles the hearts and chills the courage of men,

All because his righteous spirit fills the air with valor.

Heroic hands that could overturn heaven and earth —

Uprooting a stone should be to him no harder than playing with a pellet.

Shi En then invited Wu Song to his private residence and seated him in the main hall. Wu Song said, "Junior Warden, you must tell me plainly this time. What business do you have for me?" Shi En said, "Please sit for a moment. Wait until my father comes out to meet you, and then I will trouble you to explain." Wu Song said, "If you want a man to do a job, don't act like a woman, going roundabout like this — that's no way to get things done. Even if it were a matter of knife and blade, I would do it for you! But if there is any flattery or sycophancy about it, that is not the conduct of a true man!" Shi En, keeping his hands clasped and his demeanor respectful, then finally brought up the matter. And so it came about that Wu Song displayed his deadly skills and once again unleashed the fearsome might of the man who fought the tiger. Indeed:

Where his twin fists rise, thunder roars among the clouds;

When his flying feet arrive, wind and rain startle the world.

As for what Shi En said to Wu Song, you will have to listen to the next chapter to find out.