الفصل السابع والثلاثون

الفصل السابع والثلاثون

Song Jiang had, unfortunately, given five taels of silver to that itinerant instructor. No sooner had he done so than a big fellow pushed through the crowd in Jieyang Town, eyes blazing, and bellowed, "Where did this scoundrel learn those paltry spear-and-staff tricks, that he should come swaggering about in our Jieyang Town? I've already told everyone to pay him no mind—and here you are, flaunting your money and rewarding him, making our Jieyang Town look like a joke!" Song Jiang replied, "I gave him silver of my own accord. What business is it of yours?" The big fellow seized Song Jiang by the collar and roared, "You ex-convict, how dare you talk back to me!" Song Jiang said, "And why shouldn't I talk back?" The big fellow raised both fists and lunged at Song Jiang's face. Song Jiang dodged the blow. The big fellow pressed forward another step, and Song Jiang was about to engage him when the spear-and-staff instructor came charging up from behind. With one hand he grabbed the big fellow by the headband, with the other he seized him by the waist, and with a single twist sent the man stumbling and crashing to the ground. The big fellow tried to scramble up, but the instructor kicked him down with one foot. The two escorts restrained the instructor. The big fellow picked himself up off the ground, looked at Song Jiang and the instructor, and said, "Right or wrong, I'll have the two of you know better than to panic." Then he headed straight south and was gone.

Song Jiang turned to the instructor and asked, "May I ask your honored surname and where you hail from?" The instructor replied, "This humble one's ancestral home is Henan, in Luoyang. My surname is Xue, given name Yong. My grandfather served as an officer under Old Zhong, the Military Commissioner of the Jinglai region. Having offended a fellow officer, he was never promoted. Since then my family has made a living selling medicine and performing with spear and staff. Men of the rivers and lakes call me 'Sick Tiger' Xue Yong. May I inquire, honored sir, your distinguished name?" Song Jiang said, "My name is Song Jiang, and my ancestral home is in Yuncheng County." Xue Yong said, "Could you be the 'Timely Rain' Song Gongming of Shandong?" Song Jiang said, "I am he." When Xue Yong heard this, he at once bowed in homage. Song Jiang quickly raised him and said, "Shall we have three cups together?" Xue Yong said, "Splendid! I have long wished to meet your honored countenance—I never dreamed I might encounter you, brother." He hastily gathered up his spear and staff and his medicine pouch, and together with Song Jiang went into a nearby wineshop to drink. But the innkeeper said, "We have meat and wine, but I dare not sell them to you." Song Jiang asked, "Why won't you sell to us?" The innkeeper said, "That big fellow you just scuffled with has already sent word: if I sell anything to you, he'll smash my place to pieces. I dare not cross him. He's the tyrant of this whole Jieyang Town—who would dare disobey him?" Song Jiang said, "If that's how it is, then let us be off. That fellow will surely come looking for trouble." Xue Yong said, "I'll go settle my room and board, too. In a day or two I'll come to Jiangzhou to meet you. You go ahead, brother." Song Jiang gave Xue Yong another ten or twenty taels of silver, took his leave, and went on his way.

Song Jiang, with no choice, left the inn together with his two escorts and went elsewhere to drink. But that innkeeper said, "The young master has already given his orders everywhere—how would we dare sell to you? You're wasting your time and energy for nothing." Song Jiang and his two escorts could not utter a word in reply. They went to several other establishments in a row, and all said the same thing. The three of them came to the far end of the market, where they saw a few small roadside inns, and were just about to seek lodging when those places refused to take them in. When Song Jiang asked why, they all said, "The young master has sent word repeatedly—we are not to shelter the three of you." Seeing that things looked hopeless, Song Jiang and his two escorts struck out at a brisk pace along the main road. A red sun was sinking low, and the sky was growing dim. They saw:

Evening mist veiled the distant peaks; cold fog locked the long sky.

A host of stars vied in brilliance with the bright moon; green waters and blue hills rivaled each other in beauty.

An ancient temple amid sparse woods—several notes of its bell drifting softly on the air;

Fishing boats on a small inlet—a few dying lamps flickering in the dusk.

A cuckoo crying in the branches under the night moon; powdery-winged butterflies sleeping among the garden flowers.

Song Jiang and his two escorts, seeing the day grow late, grew ever more anxious. The three of them conferred: "We had no business watching that spear-and-staff display and offending that fellow! Now we find ourselves with no village ahead and no inn behind—where on earth shall we spend the night?" Then, far off along a small path, they saw lamplight shining from deep within a grove of trees. Song Jiang said, "Where there is lamplight, there must be a house. We'll swallow our pride and ask to stay the night—we can set out again tomorrow morning." The escorts observed, "That lamplight isn't on the main road." Song Jiang said, "We have no choice. Even if it's not on the main road, what does it matter if we walk an extra mile or two tomorrow?" The three of them turned off the road then and walked less than two miles when, from behind the woods, a great manor house appeared.

Song Jiang and the two escorts came to the gate of the manor and knocked. A servant heard them and came out to open the door. "Who are you," he demanded, "knocking on doors and rattling gates at this hour of the night?" Song Jiang humbly replied, "I am a convicted man being escorted to Jiangzhou. Today I missed the lodging and have nowhere to spend the night. I beg the honor of your manor to put me up for one night—tomorrow morning I will gladly pay for the room." The servant said, "In that case, wait here a moment. I will go inform the old master whether he is willing to let you stay." The servant went in to report, then came back out and said, "The old master invites you in." Song Jiang and the two escorts went inside to the thatched hall and paid their respects to the old master. The old master ordered the servants to take them to the gatehouse to rest and to give them some supper. The servants led them to a thatched room by the gate, lit a lamp, and settled the three of them. They brought three portions of rice, soup, and vegetables, and let the three men eat. The servants then cleared the dishes and went back inside.

One of the escorts said, "Marshal, there are no outsiders here—let's take off the cangue too and sleep in comfort tonight, then set off early tomorrow." Song Jiang said, "Good idea." They removed the cangue, and the three went outside the room to wash their hands. Song Jiang saw the sky full of stars, and noticed that behind the threshing ground and the back of the house there was a narrow village path. He took note of this. After washing their hands, the three went back into the room, closed the door, and lay down to sleep. Song Jiang said to the escorts, "It's not easy to find such a kind old master as this, who gives us shelter for the night." Even as they spoke, they heard someone in the manor lighting torches and coming to the threshing ground, shining the light everywhere. Song Jiang peered through a crack in the door and saw the old master leading three servants, carrying torches and inspecting everything. Song Jiang said to the escorts, "This old master is just like my own father—he has to see to everything himself. It's late now and he still hasn't gone to bed, personally going around with his torch."

Even as they were talking, they heard someone outside calling for the manor gate to be opened. The servants hurried to open it, and five or seven men came in. The leader carried a broad saber, and the others carried pitchforks and clubs. In the torchlight, Song Jiang peered at them and said, "That fellow with the broad saber is the same man who tried to beat us in Jieyang Town." Song Jiang then heard the old master ask, "My son, where have you been? Who have you been fighting? It's late—why are you dragging spears and waving clubs?" The big fellow said, "Father, you don't know—is my brother at home?" The old master said, "Your brother is drunk and has gone to sleep in the pavilion out back." The fellow said, "I'll go wake him up. I'll go with him to chase some men down." The old master said, "Who have you quarreled with now? If you wake your brother, he won't let it rest. Tell me what happened." The fellow said, "Father, you don't know. Today there was a fellow in town who sold medicines and gave a spear-and-staff display—the scoundrel didn't come to pay his respects to us two brothers first, but went straight to the town to perform and sell his medicines, showing off his spear-and-staff skills. I told everyone in town not to give him a single coin of reward. But then some convict came along—that fellow played the hero and put himself forward, and gave the medicine-seller five ounces of silver, disgracing the reputation of us in Jieyang Town. I was just about to beat that fellow, but damn it, the medicine-seller grabbed me by the back of the head and beat me soundly, then kicked me besides—my back still hurts. I've already told people at every inn and tavern not to let these fellows drink or stay the night. First I made sure those three had nowhere to shelter tonight. Then I called a bunch of men from the gambling houses and chased them to the inn. We caught the medicine-seller and beat him with all our strength. Now we've got him hanging up at the constable's house. Tomorrow we'll take him to the river, tie him up in a bundle, and throw him in the river to vent our rage. But we couldn't catch the two escorts and the convict they're escorting—there are no inns ahead, and we have no idea where they've gone to spend the night. Now I'm going to wake my brother, and we'll search in different directions to catch that fellow." The old master said, "My son, don't be so reckless with people's lives. He had his own silver to reward the medicine-seller—what business is it of yours? Why go beating him? You know full well that even though he beat you, he didn't seriously hurt you. Do as I say and let it go. Don't let your brother know—if he finds out you've been beaten, he'll never let it rest. And then you'll be taking someone's life! Listen to me and go to your room and sleep. In the middle of the night, don't go knocking on doors and rattling gates, angering the villagers. Accumulate some merit for yourself." The fellow paid no heed to the old master, but took his broad saber and went straight into the manor. The old master followed after him in haste.

When Song Jiang had heard all this, he said to the escorts, "How could we have such bad luck? What are we to do? We've stumbled right into their house to spend the night. We'd better get away as soon as possible. If that fellow finds out, he'll surely take our lives. Even if the old master keeps quiet, how could the servants keep it secret?" The both escorts said, "You're right. No time to lose—let's leave quickly." Song Jiang said, "We won't go out by the main road. Let's break through the back wall of the house and get out that way." The two escorts shouldered the bundles, and Song Jiang took up the cangue himself. They broke through the back wall of the room, and the three of them, by starlight and moonlight, made their way along a narrow path into the deep woods. In their panic they took no care which way they went. After walking for a watch, they saw before them a vast expanse of reed flowers, and a great river with rolling waves—they had come to the bank of the Xunyang River. A poem bears witness:

Inthe snares of heaven and earth they fell,

Song Jiang's hard fortune one could tell.

Scarce escaped the Black Demon's dreadful might,

They met the White Tiger's doom this night.

From behind them came shouts and the chaotic glow of torches, with whistling and whooping as the pursuers closed in. Song Jiang could only cry out in anguish, "Heaven above, save us, I pray!" The three of them hid among the reeds and looked back. The torches drew ever nearer. Their hearts grew ever more panicked as they stumbled through the reeds, feet catching and tripping. When they looked ahead, they saw no end to the sky but soon reached the end of the earth—a great river blocked their path, and to one side lay a broad inlet. Song Jiang looked up to heaven and sighed, "Had I known such suffering awaited me, I would have stayed at Liangshan Marsh. Who would have thought it would end my life here?"

Just as Song Jiang found himself in this desperate strait, a boat suddenly and silently emerged from among the reeds. Song Jiang saw it and called out, "Boatman, bring your boat here and rescue the three of us. I'll give you several taels of silver." The boatman, from his vessel, called back, "Who are three people, and how did you come to be here?" Song Jiang said, "There are bandits behind us robbing us, and we stumbled blindly into this place. Quickly bring your boat and ferry us across. I'll give you extra silver." The boatman, hearing of extra silver, brought his boat closer. The three of them hastily leaped aboard. One of the guards tossed his bundle into the cabin, and the other pushed the boat away with his water-and-fire stick. The boatman took up the scull with one hand and, hearing the bundle land in the cabin with a satisfyingly heavy sound, felt a secret thrill of pleasure. He worked the scull, and the little boat soon drifted to the middle of the river.

The men who had been chasing them from the shore had already reached the bank. There were a dozen or more torches. At the front, two large men each carried a broad saber, and behind them came twenty or more, each wielding a spear or staff. They shouted, "You there, boatman, row your boat back to shore!" Song Jiang and the two guards huddled together in the cabin and said, "Boatman, whatever you do, don't bring us to shore. We'll give you extra silver in gratitude." The boatman nodded but made no reply to the men on the shore. He rowed the boat upstream, the scull creaking and groaning.

The men on the shore roared, "You boatman, if you don't row back to shore, we'll kill you all!" The boatman gave a few cold laughs but said nothing. The men on the shore shouted again, "Who is this boatman? How dare you be so bold! Row back here!" The cold boatman replied, "This old fellow is called Zhang the Boatman. Stop barking at me!" Among the torches on the shore, a tall man said, "So it's Big Brother Zhang. Can you see the two of us?" The boatman replied, "I'm not blind. How could I not see you?" The tall man said, "Since you see us, row back here and let's talk." The boatman said, "If you have something to say, come talk tomorrow morning. The ones I'm ferrying are in a hurry." The tall man said, "My brother and I want to catch the three people on that boat." The boatman said, "The three on this boat are my relatives—my livelihood. I'm taking them home to have a nice bowl of broad-saber noodles." The tall man said, "Just row back here and let's discuss it." The boatman replied again, "My livelihood—you want me to row back and hand it over to you? You'd like that, wouldn't you!" The tall man said, "Big Brother Zhang, it's not like that. My brother and I only want to catch these prisoners. Please row back." The boatman kept working the scull and said, "I've had this customer for several days now. I won't row back and let you take them. You two will just have to forgive me. We'll meet another day."

Song Jiang did not understand the hidden meaning in the boatman's words. He whispered to the two guards in the cabin, "This boatman has saved the three of us—it's no small thing. We must remember his kindness and not forget him. What fortune that this boat came to ferry us across!"

Now, the boatman rowed the boat away until they were far from the riverbank. The three men in the cabin looked back toward shore, where the torches could still be seen glowing among the reeds. Song Jiang said, "What a relief! As the saying goes, 'Good people meet, bad people keep their distance.' We've escaped this calamity." They watched the boatman working his scull as he sang a Huzhou song. He sang:

This old fellow was born by the river,

He fears not the law and fears not heaven.

Last night Hua Guang came to rob me,

And as he fled, I snatched a golden brick from him!

Hearing this song, Song Jiang and the two guards all turned to jelly. Song Jiang thought to himself, "He's just singing for fun." But before the three of them had finished their discussion, the boatman laid down his oar and said, "You wretched bird! These two guards have always been the sort to swindle and prey upon honest merchants, and today they've fallen right into my hands! Now then—do you three want to eat 'cleaver noodles'? Or do you want to eat 'wonton'?" Song Jiang said, "Sir, please don't jest! What exactly are 'cleaver noodles'? And what's 'wonton'?" The boatman glared at him and said, "What am I playing with you for, damn it? If you want 'cleaver noodles,' I have a wind-splitting sharp blade hidden beneath this plank. I won't need three or five cuts—just one stroke each, and I'll chop all three of you into the river. If you want 'wonton,' then strip off your clothes, all three of you, and jump naked into the river to drown yourselves." When Song Jiang heard this, he seized the two guards and said, "This is bitter indeed! Truly, 'blessings never come in pairs, but disasters never come alone.'" The boatman barked, "You three discuss it properly and give me your answer quickly." Song Jiang replied, "Boatman, you don't understand—we too committed crimes against our will and are being exiled to Jiangzhou. How can you not take pity on us and spare the three of us?" The boatman roared, "What idle chatter is that? Spare the three of you? I won't spare even one of you. Old Zhang here is known far and wide as Old Man Zhang the Dog-Faced—I don't recognize my father when I come, and I don't recognize my mother when I go. Shut your damn mouths and get into the water!" Song Jiang pleaded again, "We'll give you everything in our bundles—all the gold, silver, silks, and clothing—just spare the three of our lives." The boatman then reached beneath the plank and drew out a gleaming cleaver, bellowing, "What do you three want?" Song Jiang looked up to heaven and sighed, "Because I did not reverence heaven and earth, because I was unfilial to my parents, I committed crimes and brought trouble upon you two." The two guards also clutched at Song Jiang and said, "Escort, enough, enough! Let the three of us die together." The boatman shouted again, "You three strip off your clothes quickly and jump into the river. Jump, or I'll chop you into the water!"

Song Jiang and the two guards clung to one another, just about to leap into the water, when they heard the creak and rattle of oars on the river. Song Jiang craned his neck to look and saw a fast boat racing down from upstream like a bird in flight. On the boat were three men: a big fellow holding a trident across his chest stood on the bow, while two young men amidships worked two swift oars. In the starlight, they were upon them in no time. The big fellow with the trident on the bow shouted, "What boatman is that ahead, daring to ply his trade in this channel? Whatever cargo is in that boat, those who see it have a share." The boatman of Song Jiang's boat looked back and hastily replied, "So it's Brother Li! I had no idea who it was. Big Brother's out trading again, but you didn't think to bring your brother along." The big fellow said, "Brother Zhang, you're pulling this stunt here too! What cargo is in the boat? Is there any profit in it?" The boatman answered, "You'll laugh when I tell you. I haven't had any luck these days, and I lost all my money gambling—not a single coin left. I was sitting glumly on the sandbank when a bunch of people drove three pieces of 'cargo' onto my boat. They're two wretched guards escorting a dark, short prisoner—I don't know where they're from. They said they were being exiled to Jiangzhou, but the prisoner isn't even wearing a cangue. The people who drove them onto my boat were the two Mu brothers from town, and they demanded them back. But I saw there was some profit in it, so I didn't give them up." The big fellow on the boat said, "Now then—could that be my brother Song Jiangong?" Song Jiang, hearing a familiar voice, called out from the cabin, "Who is the hero on that boat? Save Song Jiang!" The big fellow exclaimed in shock, "It really is my brother! If I'd come any later, I would have cost you your life. Heaven sent me out today—I couldn't sit still at home, so I took my boat onto the river to smuggle some salt, and I never expected to find my brother in trouble here!" Song Jiang crawled out onto the boat to look. In the bright starlight, the big fellow standing on the bow was none other than:

A native of the Xunyang River's banks,

Most renowned among bold heroes.

Thick brows, large eyes, a ruddy face,

Whiskers hanging like iron wires,

A voice resonant as a bronze bell.

A towering frame eight feet tall,

Wielding a sharp sword that gleams like frost,

Who braved the waves and leapt the billows, winning wondrous deeds.

Born in Luzhou—Li Jun,

Nicknamed "Dragon Stirs the River."

The big fellow standing on the bow was indeed Li Jun, the "Dragon Stirs the River." The two oarsmen in the stern were Tong Wei, the "Emerging Cave Python," and Tong Meng, the "River-Turning Giant Clam."

When Li Jun heard that it was Song Jiangong, he leaped across to the boat, crying out in distress, "Brother, what a fright you've given me! If I'd arrived any later, I would have cost you your life. Heaven sent me out today—I couldn't sit still at home, so I took my boat onto the river to smuggle some salt, and I never expected to find my brother in trouble here!" The boatman stood dumbstruck for a long time, unable to make a sound. Finally he asked, "Brother Li, is this dark fellow really the 'Timely Rain' Song Jiangong of Shandong?" Li Jun said, "Yes, indeed it is!" The boatman at once bowed and said, "My lord, why didn't you tell me your great name earlier? I nearly did something terrible and almost harmed our brother." Song Jiang asked Li Jun, "Who is this hero? What is his honored name?" Li Jun said, "Brother, you don't know him? This hero is my sworn brother. He's originally from Xiaogushan, surnamed Zhang, given name Heng, nicknamed 'Boat Flame.' He makes his honest living on the Xunyang River." Song Jiang and the two guards all laughed.

At that time the two boats were poled side by side toward the shore. Having moored the boats, they helped Song Jiang and the two escorts from the cabin onto the bank. Li Jun said to Zhang Heng, "Brother, I've told you many times that the one true hero in all the world is none other than the 'Timely Rain' of Yuncheng, Magistrate's clerk Song Jiang of Shandong. Today you can have a good look at him." Zhang Heng struck his flint, lit a lamp, and shone it on Song Jiang. He threw himself down and bowed on the sand. "I hope you'll forgive my offense!" Song Jiang looked at Zhang Heng and saw a man of seven feet with triangular eyes, a yellow beard, red hair, and crimson pupils. He was a man of great renown on the Xunyang River. He cut through the waves like a water monster and leaped the swells like a flying whale. Fierce winds and raging waters held no terror for him, and even dragons trembled when they saw him. He was a star sent down to prey on the living. He dwelt at the foot of Little Orphan Mountain, known on the boats as Zhang Heng the Boatman.

When Zhang Heng had finished bowing, he asked, "Why has my lord been exiled here?" Li Jun then told him of Song Jiang's crime and his current exile to Jiangzhou. Zhang Heng said, "Let me tell you something, brother. I have a full brother, younger than me, who is quite something himself. His skin is as white as bleached silk. He can swim over forty or fifty li on the water and stay submerged for seven days and seven nights. He moves through the water like a streak of white, and on top of that he's a fine fighter. So people gave him a nickname: 'White Streak in the Waves,' Zhang Shun. In the days when my brother and I were together, we used to ply our trade along the Yangtze." Song Jiang said, "I'd like to hear about it." Zhang Heng said, "Whenever my brother and I lost at gambling, I would take a boat and ferry it to a quiet spot along the river to run an unofficial crossing. There were travelers who wanted to save a few hundred cash and get across quickly, and they would come aboard my boat. Once the boat was full, my brother Zhang Shun would disguise himself as a lone traveler carrying a big bundle and come aboard too. When I'd rowed us out to midstream, I'd rest the oars, drop anchor, pull out a broad knife, and demand the fare—five hundred cash per person by the old rate, but I'd insist on three strings. I'd start by collecting from my brother, who would put up a show of refusing. Then I'd grab him by the head with one hand and by the waist with the other and throw him into the river with a splash. I'd go down the line, demanding three strings from each one. They'd all be too frightened to resist and would pay up in a hurry. Once I had the full amount, I'd put them ashore at a secluded spot. My brother would have swum underwater to the opposite bank, and when no one was around, we'd split the money and go gambling. That's how my brother and I used to make our living." Song Jiang said, "No wonder there are plenty of customers along the river looking for your unofficial ferry!" Li Jun and the others all laughed. Zhang Heng went on, "Now my brother and I have changed trades. I deal in some private commerce on the Xunyang River, while my brother Zhang Shun is running a fish brokerage in Jiangzhou. If you're going there, brother, I'll send a letter by you, but I can't write—I'm illiterate." Li Jun said, "We'll find a village schoolmaster to write it for us." They left Tong Wei and Tong Meng to watch the boats. The three men followed Li Jun, with Zhang Heng carrying the lamp, and headed toward the village.

They had gone no more than half a *li* when they saw the torches still burning brightly on the shore. Zhang Heng said, "Those two brothers haven't gone back yet." Li Jun asked, "Which two brothers do you mean?" Zhang Heng said, "The two Mu brothers from the town." Li Jun said, "Let's call them both over to pay their respects to our elder brother." Song Jiang quickly said, "That won't do—they're hot on my trail trying to capture me." Li Jun said, "Don't worry, elder brother. They don't know who you are. They're our own people." Li Jun beckoned with his hand and gave a whistle. At once, the men with the torches came running up. When they saw Li Jun and Zhang Heng both treating Song Jiang with deference and speaking with him as one of them, the two brothers were greatly startled. "How do you two great elder brothers know these three men so well?" they asked. Li Jun laughed loudly. "Who do you think he is?" The two said, "We don't recognize him. We only know he was the one in town who put up silver to reward the spear-and-staff fighter, putting our town's reputation to shame. We were just about to seize him." Li Jun said, "This is the very man I've told you about time and again—the 'Timely Rain' of Shandong, Constable Song Jiang of Yuncheng, Brother Ming. Quickly, pay your respects." The two brothers threw aside their broad knives and prostrated themselves, saying, "We have long admired your fame. We never expected to meet you today. Our behavior just now was outrageous—we offended and wounded you. We beg your mercy and forgiveness." Song Jiang raised them both to their feet. "Brave gentlemen, may I ask your names?" Li Jun said, "These two brothers are wealthy men from this area. Their surname is Mu. The elder is Mu Hong, nicknamed 'No Obstacle.' His younger brother is Mu Chun, called 'Little Obstacle.' They are the overlords of Jieyang Town. There are actually three groups of overlords here. Elder brother doesn't know this, so let me tell you. On and around Jieyang Ridge, it's me and Li Li. In Jieyang Town, it's these two brothers. Along the Xunyang River, the smugglers are Zhang Heng and Zhang Shun. Together we are called the Three Overlords." Song Jiang replied, "How would we have known? Since we are all brothers, I ask you to release Xue Yong." Mu Hong laughed and said, "You mean the fellow with the spear and staff? Have no fear, elder brother. I'll have my younger brother Mu Chun fetch him at once and return him to you. But first, please come to our humble manor so we may make amends." Li Jun said, "Excellent, excellent! Let's go to your manor." Mu Hong ordered two of his servants to watch the boats, then invited Tong Wei and Tong Meng to come to the manor together to meet everyone. He also sent someone ahead to the manor to make arrangements, prepare food and wine, slaughter sheep and pigs, and set out a feast.

The whole party waited for Tong Wei and Tong Meng, then set out together for the manor. It was just the fifth watch when they arrived. They invited the elder Master Mu out to meet them, and in the thatched hall they sat down as host and guests. When Song Jiang looked at Mu Hong, he was indeed a magnificent figure. Observe:

His face was like a silver basin, his body like jade;

His head was round, his eyes slender, his brows single,

His awesome presence struck cold into men's hearts.

He was the Spirit Official leaving the Dipper Palace,

The Guardian Sage descending from Heaven's Gate.

His martial arts were superb, his heart was bold,

He would not return empty-handed from the battlefield;

In storming cities and fighting in the wild, he seized enemy banners.

Mu Hong was a true warrior,

Men called him "No Obstacle."

Song Jiang sat opposite the elder Master Mu. They had not been talking long when the light of dawn broke. Mu Chun had already brought "The Sick Tiger" Xue Yong in, and they all met together. Mu Hong arranged a feast and entertained Song Jiang and the others. That evening they all stayed the night at the manor. The next day, Song Jiang wished to leave, but Mu Hong would not hear of it. He kept everyone at the manor to accompany Song Jiang on excursions through the town, to enjoy the scenery of Jieyang's marketplace and countryside. They stayed three more days, but Song Jiang, fearing he would miss his deadline, insisted on going. Mu Hong and the others urged him to stay but could not prevail. That day they held a farewell feast. The next morning, Song Jiang took leave of the elder Master Mu and all the heroes. Before departing, he instructed Xue Yong to stay with Mu Hong for the time being and come to Jiangzhou later to meet again. Mu Hong said, "Have no worry, elder brother. I will look after him here." He brought out a tray of gold and silver and gave it to Song Jiang, and also provided some silver for the two guards. Just before they departed, Zhang Heng had someone at Mu Hong's manor write a letter for him and asked Song Jiang to deliver it to Zhang Shun. Song Jiang put it in his bundle. The whole party escorted them to the bank of the Xunyang River. Mu Hong called for a boat, and they brought the luggage aboard. Everyone gathered on the shore to arrange the traveling cangue, bring food and wine aboard for the farewell, and then they parted with tears flowing. Li Jun, Zhang Heng, Mu Hong, Mu Chun, Xue Yong, Tong Wei, and Tong Meng each returned home. But enough of that.

The narrative follows only Song Jiang as he descends from the boat with two constables to head for Jiangzhou. The boatman was not like the ones before; he raised a full sail and the wind carried them swiftly to the shore at Jiangzhou. Song Jiang still wore his cangue as before. The two constables produced the documents, gathered their luggage, and proceeded straight to the Jiangzhou prefectural yamen, just as the prefect was ascending to the hall. Now the prefect of Jiangzhou was named Cai Dezhang, the ninth son of Grand Tutor Cai Jing of the reigning court. For this reason the people of Jiangzhou called him Prefect Cai Nine. This man was greedy and corrupt in his office, arrogant and extravagant in his conduct. Since Jiangzhou was a place of vast revenue and abundant resources, with a large population and plentiful goods, the Grand Tutor had specially sent him there to serve as prefect. At that moment, the two constables submitted the official documents at the hall and brought Song Jiang before it. Prefect Cai Nine observed that Song Jiang had a most extraordinary appearance and asked, "Why does your cangue lack the seal of this prefecture?" The two constables reported, "On the road, the spring rain was so heavy that it became soaked and damaged." The prefect said, "Quickly write a note and have him sent to the prison camp outside the city. I will send my own constables to escort him down." The two constables then escorted Song Jiang to the prison camp to hand him over. At that time, the Jiangzhou prefectural constables carried the official note. They delivered Song Jiang together with the accompanying constables, left the prefectural offices, and went to a wine shop to buy wine to drink. Song Jiang took out about three ounces of silver and gave it to the Jiangzhou prefectural constables. They then obtained custody and escorted Song Jiang to a solitary room to await further orders. The constables first went to the superintendent and the overseer to speak on Song Jiang's behalf, completed the handover, obtained custody, and returned themselves to the Jiangzhou prefectural office. The two constables also returned Song Jiang's baggage and luggage, thanked him profusely, took their leave, and entered the city. The two said to ourselves, "Although we suffered a fright, we made a good deal of silver." They went to the prefectural yamen to await their assignment, obtained a reply document, and the two set off on the road back to Jizhou.

The story relates only that Song Jiang further entreated favors from various people. He was assigned to a solitary room by the overseer, and gave him ten ounces of silver. To the superintendent he sent double that amount, plus additional gifts. The camp administrators and the soldiers who served him—he gave all of them some silver to buy tea. Consequently, there was not a single person who did not take a liking to Song Jiang. Shortly after, he was led before the inspection hall, the cangue was removed, and he paid his respects to the superintendent. The superintendent, having received his bribe, declared in the hall, "This newly assigned convict Song Jiang, hear this: By the sacred precedent of Emperor Taizu, the Martial and Virtuous Emperor of the former dynasty, every newly arrived exile must first receive one hundred beating rods to establish authority. Seize him on both sides and lay him face-down on his back!" Song Jiang pleaded, "This one has caught a wind-cold illness along the way and has not yet recovered." The superintendent said, "This fellow does indeed appear ill. I can see his face is sallow and thin—he does show signs of illness. For now, let us defer this beating. Since this man was originally a county clerk, let him serve as a copyist in the copy office of this camp." He immediately drew up the documents and ordered Song Jiang to be sent to the copying office. Song Jiang thanked him, went to the solitary room to collect his luggage, and settled into the copying office. The convicts, seeing that Song Jiang had connections, all bought wine to celebrate with him. The next day, Song Jiang prepared wine and food to return their courtesy to the group. From time to time, he also invited the overseer and the platoon leader to share cups, and the superintendent often sent him gifts. Song Jiang had gold, silver, silk, and wealth at his disposal, and naturally he made their acquaintance. After living there half a month, there was not a single person in the entire camp who did not take a liking to him. As the old saying goes, "The world watches warmth and cold; men's faces follow high and low."

One day Song Jiang was drinking wine with the overseer in the copying office. The overseer said to Song Jiang, "Brother, regarding the customary gift for the warden that I mentioned to you the other day—why have you not sent it to him for so many days? It has already been more than ten days. When he comes down tomorrow, it will not look good." Song Jiang said, "This is of no concern. That man wants money, but I will not give him any. If Elder Brother the overseer needs anything, just ask Song Jiang for it—that is no problem. But when the warden asks, not a single coin will be forthcoming. Wait until he comes down; Song Jiang will have something to say to him." The overseer said, "Magistrate's Clerk, that man is truly formidable, and moreover his hands and feet are skilled. If there should be some verbal dispute and he humiliates you, he will say I did not warn you." Song Jiang said, "Elder Brother, let him be. Please rest assured—this humble one has my own arrangements. Even if I were to give him something, that is not certain. And there is also the possibility that he would not dare to accept anything from me." Just as they were speaking, a platoon leader came to report, "The warden is here now. He is making a great scene in the hall, cursing: 'A newly arrived exile—how dare he not send the customary money to me!'" The overseer said, "Didn't I tell you? That man has come of his own accord, and he even blames us." Song Jiang smiled and said, "Elder Brother the overseer, forgive my offense. I could not attend to you properly; another day we shall share a cup. This humble one will go and speak with him." The overseer also rose and said, "We do not wish to see him." Song Jiang took leave of the overseer, left the copying office, and went himself to the inspection hall to see this warden.

It was not that Song Jiang came to meet this man without consequence. It came to pass that within the city of Jiangzhou, it became a tiger's den and a wolf's lair; at the crossroads, it was transformed into a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. It would directly cause the shattering of Heaven's net to return to Water Margin, and the tearing open of Earth's web to ascend Mount Liang. As for how Song Jiang came to meet this warden, let us listen to the explanation in the next chapter.

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Water Margin (100-Chapter Edition)