Chapter 72

Chapter 72

It was on that very day that Song Jiang, in the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, divided the men who would go to see the lanterns: "I will go with Shi Jin; Lu Zhishen with Wu Song; Zhu Tong with Liu Tang. Only these four parties are to go; the rest will remain to guard the stronghold." Li Kui at once said, "They say the lanterns in Dongjing are fine. I want to go and see them for myself." Song Jiang said, "How can you go?" Li Kui insisted stubbornly on going, and there was no way to dissuade him. Song Jiang said, "Since you are determined to go, you must not cause trouble. Disguise yourself as my attendant and come with me." He also ordered Yan Qing to go along, to keep Li Kui company.

Let it be told to the reader: Song Jiang was a man with a tattooed face—how could he go to the capital? It was only after the divine physician An Daoquan had joined the band that he applied a drug to remove the ink, and afterward treated him with fine medicine, so that red scars formed. Then he took precious gold and beautiful jade, ground them to a fine powder, and had it applied daily, so that the marks naturally faded away. The medical texts say: "Beautiful jade erases blemishes"—this is precisely the meaning.

That day they first had Shi Jin and Mu Hong disguise themselves as traveling merchants and depart. Next they had Lu Zhishen and Wu Song disguise themselves as itinerant monks and depart. After that, Song Jiang, Zhu Tong, and Liu Tang also disguised themselves as traveling merchants and departed. Each man wore a sword at his waist, carried a broad-blade knife, and concealed weapons on his person—there is no need to dwell on this.

Now Song Jiang and Chai Jin disguised themselves as leisurely officials. They also had Dai Zong disguise himself as a dispatch-bearer and go along, so that in case of any urgent news he could fly back with a report. Li Kui and Yan Qing disguised themselves as attendants, each carrying luggage as they descended the mountain. The other chieftains all saw them off at Golden Sands Beach with a farewell banquet. The military advisor Wu Yong gave repeated instructions to Li Kui: "When you usually go down the mountain, you always manage to cause trouble. This time you are going with our brother to see the lanterns in Dongjing—it is not like ordinary times. On the road you must not drink wine. Be extremely careful and mindful, and you must not act according to your usual temperament. If you cause any offense, it will be hard for your brothers to meet, and we will find it difficult to gather together again." Li Kui said, "You need not trouble yourself, Military Advisor. This time I will not cause trouble at all."

They parted and set out on their way, passing through Jizhou, Tengzhou, Shanzhou, and Caozhou, until ahead they looked toward the Wanshou Gate of Dongjing. There they found an inn and settled in for the night. Song Jiang and Chai Jin discussed their plans. It was now the eleventh day of the first month. Song Jiang said, "Tomorrow during the day, I absolutely dare not enter the city. Not until the night of the fourteenth day of the first month, when the crowds are bustling and noisy, will it be possible to enter the city." Chai Jin said, "Tomorrow I and Yan Qing will first enter the city to scout the way." Song Jiang said, "Excellent." The next day, Chai Jin put on a neat and proper set of clothes, a fresh scarf on his head, and clean shoes and socks on his feet. Yan Qing was dressed even more handsomely. The two left the inn and, observing the households outside the city, saw that every family was bustling and every home was noisy, all making arrangements to celebrate the Lantern Festival, each creating scenes of peace and prosperity. When they reached the city gate, no one stopped them. Truly it was a magnificent sight, this place called Dongjing. And what was it like?

The prefecture was called Bian Water; the city was named Kaifeng.

It wound along the lands of Wu and Chu, stretching across the borders of Qi and Lu.

Its mountains and rivers formed a strategic position, a vital crossing between water and land.

Yu the Great mapped it as Yuzhou; the Zhou kings enfeoffed it as the land of Zheng.

It lay in layers like the form of a crouching ox, occupying the central position of Wu and Ji in the heavens above;

It rose towering like the shape of a crouching tiger, resembling the twenty-eight constellations of the celestial sphere.

On Golden Bright Pool stood the three-spring willows; by the Little Garden City grew the four-season flowers.

It was a land where ten thousand li of dragons transformed and changed, a place where four hundred prefectures converged.

Hazy auspuous clouds enveloped the purple pavilions; warm and gentle fortunate vapors shone upon the towers and terraces.

Chai Jin and Yan Qing entered the city and walked along the Imperial Street, strolling about to take in the sights. They passed the East China Gate and saw people in brocaded robes and flowered caps coming and going in great numbers, each wearing distinctive garments, seated in teahouses and wine shops. Chai Jin led Yan Qing to a small wine shop along the street, where they took a private room overlooking the street. Leaning on the railing, they observed that many palace guards came and went from within the palace, each wearing a sprig of emerald leaf flowers tucked into their hair beside their caps. Chai Jin called Yan Qing over and whispered in his ear: "Do exactly as I tell you." Yan Qing was the sort who needed no further explanation. He hurried downstairs at once. Just as he came out of the shop, he happened to encounter an older palace guard. Yan Qing greeted him with a bow. The man said, "You're a stranger to me. I don't believe we've met." Yan Qing said, "My master is an old friend of the Inspector. He sent me to invite you." The guard's surname happened to be Wang. Yan Qing said, "Could it be that you are Inspector Zhang?" The man said, "My surname is Wang." Yan Qing replied without missing a beat, "That's right—I was sent to invite Inspector Wang. In my haste and confusion, I forgot the name." Inspector Wang followed Yan Qing upstairs. Yan Qing raised the curtain and said to Chai Jin, "I've brought Inspector Wang." Yan Qing took the ceremonial object from him. Chai Jin invited him into the private room, and they exchanged courtesies. Inspector Wang looked at Chai Jin for a long time but did not recognize him. He said, "Forgive my poor eyesight—I've forgotten you. Since you've been kind enough to send for me, may I ask your name?" Chai Jin smiled and said, "We were childhood friends, but I cannot say more for now. Think carefully, brother." He then ordered wine and meat to be brought so they could drink together. The waiter laid out dishes, fruits, and delicacies. Yan Qing poured the wine and urged him to drink with warm hospitality. After they had drunk several cups, Chai Jin asked, "What is the meaning of that sprig of emerald flowers on your head?" Inspector Wang replied, "His Majesty is celebrating the Lantern Festival. We palace guards, both inner and outer, number twenty-four companies, some five thousand seven or eight hundred men in all. Each of us has been given a padded jacket and a sprig of emerald leaf gold flowers, with a small gold plaque engraved with the four words 'Rejoice with the People.' For this reason, we wait here daily to be inspected. If one has the palace flower and the brocaded jacket, one may enter the inner palace." Chai Jin said, "I did not know that." After a few more cups, Chai Jin called to Yan Qing, "Go and fetch me a cup of hot wine." Before long, the wine arrived. Chai Jin then rose and raised a cup to Inspector Wang, saying, "After you drink this toast from me, I shall reveal my name." Inspector Wang said, "Truly I cannot recall you. I beg you to tell your name." Inspector Wang took the cup and drained it. No sooner had he finished than saliva ran from his mouth, his feet left the ground, and he toppled over onto the bench. Chai Jin quickly removed his own cap, clothes, boots, and socks, then stripped Inspector Wang of his brocaded jacket, leggings, shoes, and the like. He put them all on himself, donned the flowered cap, took the ceremonial object, and instructed Yan Qing, "When the waiter comes, just say the Inspector is drunk and the official has not yet returned." Yan Qing said, "No need to instruct me—I'll think of something to say."

Now, Chai Jin left the wine shop and went straight to the East China Gate to view the inner palace. Truly it was a paradise on earth. He saw:

Auspicious clouds enshrouding the phoenix towers,

Blessed mists veiling the dragon halls.

Glazed tiles laid like mandarin ducks,

Tortoise-shell curtains hung with emeralds.

The Zhengyang Gate opens straight to the Imperial Way,

The Long Court Palace bows reverently to the Purple Wall.

The Armillary Sphere Terrace charts the stars and constellations,

The Waiting Court separates the civil and martial officials.

The walls are coated with pepper-powder plaster,

And slender green willows brush the soaring eaves;

The halls are ringed with balustrades,

And clusters of purple flowers greet the imperial carriage.

One might suspect oneself on Penglai Island,

Or imagine one's spirit roaming the Tusita Heaven.

Chai Jin went into the inner precincts. Whenever he passed a gate, because of his proper attire, no one stopped him. He went straight to the Purple Palace Court and then past the Literary Virtue Hall. The doors of each hall were locked with golden locks, and he could not enter. He then passed the Gathering Radiance Hall and turned in from the side of the hall to reach a smaller hall. Above the door, in gold characters, was inscribed "Hall of Wise Reflection"—this was the place where His Majesty read books. On the side, a vermilion-painted lattice window stood open. Chai Jin slipped inside and saw that directly before him was spread the imperial throne, and on the tables on either side lay the four treasures of the study: ivory brush tubes, flowered paper, dragon ink, and Duan inkstones. The bookshelves were filled with volumes of every kind, each tagged with ivory labels. On the screen directly ahead, painted in layered blues and greens, was a map of the unified realm of mountains and rivers. He turned behind the screen and saw, on a plain white screen, the names of the Four Great Bandits written in His Majesty's own hand:

Song Jiang of Shandong

Wang庆 of Huai西

Tian Hu of Hebei

Fang La of Jiangnan

Chai Jin looked at the names of the four great bandits and thought to himself, "The state has been harassed by us, so they bear us in mind and have written the names here." He then drew a hidden weapon from his side and began to carve out the four characters "Shandong Song Jiang." Hastily he left the hall, and soon people came in pursuit. Chai Jin then departed the inner garden, exited the Donghua Gate, and returned to the wine shop. When he looked at Wang Banzhi, he had not yet awakened. As before, he placed the brocade garment, flowered cap, and other items of dress inside the compartment. Chai Jin put his own clothes back on, called for Yan Qing and the tavern keeper to settle the wine bill, and gave the remaining dozen strings of cash to the tavern keeper as a tip. As he was about to descend the stairs, he instructed, "His Honor Wang and I are brothers. Just now he was drunk, so I went to the inner palace in his place to answer the roll call and have returned. He is not yet awake. I live outside the city wall and fear I may miss the closing of the city gate. The remaining money is all for you. His official garments and numbered clothes are all here." The tavern keeper said, "Sir, please rest assured. We men and women will attend to him ourselves." Chai Jin and Yan Qing left the wine shop and went straight out through the Wanshou Gate. Wang Banzhi did not get up until late in the evening. He found his garments and flowered cap all there, but did not know what it meant. The tavern keeper relayed what Chai Jin had said. Wang Banzhi was dazed as if still drunk and returned home. The next day someone came to tell him: "The four characters 'Shandong Song Jiang' have disappeared from the Ruisi Palace. Today all the gates are guarded as tightly as an iron bucket. Everyone passing in and out is being interrogated thoroughly." Wang Banzhi knew in his heart what had happened, but he dared not speak of it.

Now let us return to Chai Jin, who went back to the inn and told Song Jiang in detail how he had gone into the inner palace and taken the imperial inscription of the four characters "Shandong Song Jiang," the great bandit. After showing them to Song Jiang, Song Jiang sighed without end. On the evening of the fourteenth, the bright moon rose from the east, and there were not a single cloud in the sky. Song Jiang and Chai Jin dressed as idle officials, Dai Zong dressed as a clerk, and Yan Qing dressed as a page boy. They left Li Kui to watch the room. The four of them mingled with the community fire procession and made their way noisily through the Fengqiu Gate. They strolled through all six streets and three markets, and indeed the night was warm and the breeze gentle—perfect for recreation. Turning onto Horse Street, they found every household had erected lantern stands in front of their doors, competing to hang lanterns and torches that shone as brightly as daylight. Indeed, above and below the towers, fire illuminated fire; among the passing horses and carriages, people watched people. The four turned onto Imperial Street and saw rows of signs advertising music and pleasure houses on both sides. Coming to the middle, they saw a house with a green cloth curtain hung outside and a mottled bamboo screen inside, flanked by windows of green silk gauze on both sides. Outside hung two placards, each bearing five characters, which read: "A goddess of song and dance, a queen of romance and moonlight." When Song Jiang saw this, he entered a nearby teahouse to have some tea and asked the tea master, "Whose house is the courtesan at ahead?" The tea master replied, "This is the head of the Imperial Music Bureau of the Eastern Capital, called Li Shishi." Song Jiang said, "Could she be the one who is on intimate terms with the Emperor?" The master said, "Do not speak so loudly. Ears and eyes are near." Song Jiang then called Yan Qing and whispered in his ear, "I wish to see Li Shishi and conduct some business in secret. You must find a subtle way to get inside. I will wait here drinking tea for you." Song Jiang then drank tea with Chai Jin and Dai Zong in the teahouse.

Now let us tell of Yan Qing, who went straight to Li Shishi's door, lifted the green cloth curtain, raised the mottled bamboo screen, and entered the middle gate. He saw a mandarin duck lamp hanging, and below it an elephant-hide incense table on which stood an ancient bronze hill censer of the Bo Shan type, from which incense smoke issued in a fine stream. On the two walls hung four landscape paintings by famous masters, with four elephant-hide folding chairs arranged beneath. Seeing no one come out, Yan Qing turned into the inner chamber, which was a large reception room furnished with three small beds of carved fragrant nanmu wood inlaid with flowers, covered with purple brocade mattresses patterned with falling flowers and flowing water, hung with a fine jade-framed lamp, and adorned with rare curios of every kind. Yan Qing gave a light cough, and from behind a screen emerged a maid. She saw Yan Qing, made a curtsy, and asked, "What is your honorable surname, sir, and where do you come from?" Yan Qing said, "I would trouble you, sister, to ask your mistress to come out. I have something to say to her." The maid, Mei Xiang, went inside and after a while the old madam, Mother Li, came out. Yan Qing invited her to sit and bowed four times to the ground. Mother Li asked, "What is your honorable surname, young man?" Yan Qing replied, "You have forgotten me, Mother. I am the son of Zhang Yi, called Zhang Xian. I have been away from home since childhood and have only just returned." Now in this world, the surnames Zhang, Li, and Wang are the most common. The old procuress pondered for a long while, and moreover it was by lamplight, so she could not look at people clearly. Suddenly she remembered and cried out, "Are you not Little Zhang Xian from under the太平 Bridge? Where have you been all this time? You have not come to visit for ages." Yan Qing said, "I have been away from home all this while and unable to come pay my respects. Now I serve a guest from Shandong who possesses great wealth beyond reckoning. He is the foremost rich man from south of the Yan Mountains to north of the Yellow River. He has come here for four reasons: first, to enjoy the Lantern Festival; second, to visit relatives in the capital; third, to conduct trade with his goods here; and fourth, to request an audience with your lady. I would not presume to speak of going in and out of your house. I only beg that he might share a cup of wine with her and be satisfied. I do not boast, but that man truly possesses thousands of taels of gold and silver, which he wishes to present to your household." The old procuress was a greedy woman who loved nothing but gold and silver. Hearing Yan Qing's speech, her interest was aroused at once. She hastily called Li Shishi to come out and be introduced to Yan Qing. Seen by lamplight, her beauty was truly exquisite. When Yan Qing saw her, he bowed to the ground at once. There is a poem as proof:

In the prime of her years, her fame and price top the pleasure quarters,

Her jade-like features and flower-like face have few equals.

All admire that the Supreme One has once pressed her body,

Why should a brave man hesitate to bow his head?

The old madam told her the whole story. Li Shishi asked, "Where is the gentleman now?" Yan Qing replied, "Just across the street in the teahouse." Li Shishi then said, "Please invite him over for some tea." Yan Qing said, "Without your permission, I would not presume to bring him in." The old madam said, "Go quickly and bring him." Yan Qing went straight to the teahouse and whispered the news to them. Zong Dai paid the tea master what they owed, and the three of them followed Yan Qing directly to Li Shishi's residence. They entered through the middle gate and were received, then ushered into the main guest seat. Li Shishi came forward with her hands clasped and inquired after their health, saying, "Earlier, Zhang Xian spoke much of great culture, and now you honor me with your presence—my humble chamber is graced by your light." Song Jiang replied, "We are but rustic villagers from the mountains, ignorant and uncultured; to behold your beauty is the greatest fortune of my life." Li Shishi then invited them to be seated. She looked at Chai Jin and asked, "Who is this gentleman?" Song Jiang said, "This is my cousin, Ye Xunjian." He then told Zong Dai to pay his respects to Li Shishi. Song Jiang and Chai Jin sat on the left as guests, while Li Shishi sat on the right as host. A serving woman brought tea, and Li Shishi personally changed the cups for Song Jiang, Chai Jin, Zong Dai, and Yan Qing. Needless to say, the tea was exquisite in fragrance. After the tea was finished and the cups and trays were cleared, they were about to speak freely when the serving woman came to announce: "His Majesty has arrived at the rear." Li Shishi said, "Truly, I cannot keep you here any longer. Tomorrow His Majesty will visit the Shangqing Palace and is certain not to come. Please all of you come here again, and we shall share a few cups together." Song Jiang assented repeatedly and took his three companions out. They left Li Shishi's residence, passed through the Little Imperial Street, and went straight to the Tianhan Bridge to view the Ao Tower. As they passed in front of Fan Tower, they heard the blaring of reed pipes and the thunderous clamor of drums and music from above, the dazzling lights catching every eye, and the crowds of revelers thick as ants. Song Jiang and Chai Jin also went up into Fan Tower, found a private room, and ordered some wine and food. They too enjoyed the lanterns and drank wine upstairs. After only a few cups, they heard someone singing in the next room:

"A heroic spirit soars piercing the Dipper and Ox stars,

Yet great deeds remain unrewarded.

With the three-foot Dragon Spring sword in hand,

I swear I shall not rest till the wicked are struck down!"

Song Jiang, upon hearing this, hurried over to look and found "Nine-Dragon" Shi Jin and "No Barriers" Mu Hong in the room, heavily drunk and shouting wild words. Song Jiang stepped forward and scolded them: "You two brothers nearly frightened me to death! Quickly settle the wine bill and get out at once! It is only by luck that I found you—if the constables had heard you, this would have been a disaster of no small measure. Who would have thought that you two brothers could be so reckless and crude! Leave the city at once, do not delay. Tomorrow, after viewing the main lanterns, return through the night. That would be best—do not let things come to ruin!" Shi Jin and Mu Hong said nothing. They called the innkeeper and paid the wine bill. The two of them went downstairs and made straight for the city gates. Song Jiang and his four companions drank a few more cups, slightly adding to their pleasure. Zong Dai settled the wine bill, and the four of them brushed their sleeves and went downstairs. They went straight to Wan Shou Gate and knocked on the door of the inn. Li Kui opened his bleary eyes and said to Song Jiang, "Big brother, if you weren't going to bring me along, so be it. But since you did, you left me here to watch the room—I'm bored out of my mind! You all went off to have a good time!" Song Jiang said, "It is because of your unruly nature and ugly face. If I had brought you into the city, I feared it would bring disaster." Li Kui said, "If you weren't going to take me, then don't! When have I ever frightened anyone's children or elders?" Song Jiang said, "I will take you in tomorrow night, the fifteenth, to see the main lanterns. After that, we return through the night." Li Kui laughed heartily.

After a night had passed, the next day was the Lantern Festival, and the sky was beautifully clear. As evening approached, those celebrating the Lantern Festival were beyond counting. An ancient poet wrote a song to the tune of "Spring in the Crimson Capital" describing the Lantern Festival scene:

The season of harmony is first announced,

As auspicious mist clears and bright colors return,

And the Star Capital welcomes spring early.

Green canopies race each other in flight,

Jade bridles contend in their gallop,

All saying the Ao Tower's colored lights are woven like the Isle of Immortals.

As evening falls, twin dragons bear the radiance aloft.

Upon the crimson cloud tower, beneath the red mushroom canopy,

All gaze upward toward the imperial countenance.

Faintly on the wind come the strains of the emperor's music,

Celebrating the jade palace's shared delight, where the immortals gather together.

The imperial fragrance drifts in winding waves,

And the world below breaks into laughter and joy.

A single small star ball,

Gradually the whistling sound fades into silence.

The revelers return beneath the moon,

While the immortal realm remains unawakened by dawn.

That night, together with Chai Jin, Song Jiang once again disguised himself as an idle, carefree official. Leading Dai Zong, Li Kui, and Yan Qing, the five of them made their way straight through the Wanshou Gate. Although there was no curfew that night, the soldiers and officers at every gate were fully armed and armored, their caps and sashes in proper military fashion, bows strung with arrows, swords drawn from their sheaths—arrayed with the utmost discipline. Grand Marshal Gao personally led five thousand armored cavalry to patrol the city walls. Song Jiang and his companions pushed and squeezed their way through the crowds until they entered the city. First, Song Jiang called Yan Qing aside and whispered in his ear: "Do thus and so for me, and wait for me at the tea house that night."

Yan Qing went straight to Li Shishi's house and knocked on the door. Granny Li and the head of the Li household both came out to receive him and said, "Please convey our apologies to the gentleman. The Emperor comes here privately from time to time, and how could our family dare to be remiss?" Yan Qing said, "My master has repeatedly asked me to convey his respects to you, Madam, and to engage the services of the Flower Champion. Our land in Shandong is remote and out of the way, and we have nothing of particular rarity. Even if we produce some local goods, they would likely not be to your liking. He merely instructed me to deliver first a hundred taels of gold as a preliminary gift. Later, there will be rare items to present as further tribute." Granny Li asked, "Where is the gentleman now?" Yan Qing said, "He is waiting at the lane entrance for me to deliver the gift, and then we will go together to view the lanterns." Now, a procuress of this world loves nothing more than money and wealth. When Yan Qing produced two ingots of gold glowing like red-hot coals and placed them before her, how could her heart not be moved? She said, "Tonight is the Lantern Festival, and we mother and daughter were just about to have a few cups at home. If the gentleman would not think it beneath him, he is most welcome to our humble home for a brief visit." Yan Qing said, "I will go invite him—he will surely come." Having said this, he turned back to the tea house, reported these words to Song Jiang, and then they all proceeded to Li Shishi's house.

Song Jiang told Dai Zong and Li Kui to wait at the gate. The three of them entered and sat in the main reception hall. Li Shishi received them and bowed in thanks, saying, "Since we first met, sir, why have you bestowed such generous gifts? To refuse would be discourteous, yet to accept is too much." Song Jiang replied, "In our remote village, we have nothing of rarity. These are merely small tokens to express my feelings—surely not worthy of thanks from the Flower Champion." Li Shishi invited them into a small chamber, where they sat as guest and host. Nursemaids and serving girls brought out rare and precious fruits, exquisitely prepared vegetables, unusual side dishes, and sumptuous delicacies, all served on wrought-metal vessels, spread across a spring banquet table. Li Shishi raised her cup and bowed, saying, "It must be fate from a former life that we meet tonight, two gentlemen. These humble cups and dishes are offered to honor you." Song Jiang said, "Though in my mountain village I have had considerable wealth, I have never seen such opulence. The Flower Champion's grace and fame resound throughout the world; to request even a single audience is as difficult as ascending to heaven—how much more to receive food and wine from your own hand." Li Shishi said, "The gentleman flatters me too much—how could I deserve such praise?" After they had urged each other through several rounds of wine, the nursemaid was called to pour the rounds in small golden cups. Whenever Li Shishi spoke of clever and fashionable things on the streets, it was Chai Jin who responded, while Yan Qing stood to the side, chiming in with laughter.

After several rounds of wine, Song Jiang grew loose-tongued, rolling up his sleeves and gesturing about, revealing the manners of Liangshan Marsh. Chai Jin laughed and said, "My cousin has always been like this after drinking—please do not laugh, madam." Li Shishi said, "Each person has their own nature—what harm is there?" A maidservant said, "There are two attendants at the gate. One has a yellow beard and looks so frightfully fierce—he is muttering and cursing outside." Song Jiang said, "Call those two in." Dai Zong then led Li Kui into the chamber. Li Kui saw Song Jiang and Chai Jin sitting face to face drinking with Li Shishi, and already he was half-consumed with rage. He glared at the three of them with his round, fierce eyes. Li Shishi asked, "Who is this fellow? He looks exactly like the little demon standing before the Judge in a temple of the Earth God." Everyone laughed. Li Kui did not understand what she had said. Song Jiang replied, "This is my household servant, Little Li." Li Shishi smiled and said, "It does not matter to me, but I fear I have insulted the great scholar Li Bai." Song Jiang said, "This fellow does have martial skill—he can carry a load of two or three hundred catties and fight off thirty or fifty men." Li Shishi called for large silver cups of reward wine, and each was given three cups. Dai Zong also drank three cups. Yan Qing, fearing Li Kui might say something inappropriate, first arranged for him and Dai Zong to go and sit outside the gate. Song Jiang said, "A great man drinks wine—why use small cups?" He took the large reward cup and drank several cups in succession. Li Shishi sang softly a lyric by Su Dongpo, "The great river flows east." Riding the excitement of the wine, Song Jiang asked for paper and brush, ground the ink thick, dipped the brush full, spread open the decorated stationery, and said to Li Shishi, "This unworthy one has rashly composed a lyric to pour out the pent-up feelings in his bosom, and presents it to the Flower Champion for her esteemed hearing." At that moment, Song Jiang set brush to paper and composed a lyric in the yuefu style, which read:

From the south of heaven to the north of earth,

I ask: in all the universe, where can a wild guest find a place?

I have borrowed the misty waters of Shandong's stronghold

To come and buy the spring splendor of the phoenix city.

Fragrant sleeves enclose her perfume,

Silken gauze veils her snow-white skin—

A single smile is worth a thousand pieces of gold.

With the form of an immortal,

How could a fickle heart ever deserve her?

I think of the reed-leaf shoals,

The smartweed-flowering islets,

Where the bright moon shines in vain upon the azure sky.

Six rows of six wild geese, joined by eight or nine more—

All awaiting the golden rooster's message.

A righteousness that envelops the sky,

A loyalty that covers the land,

Yet no one in the four seas knows me.

Ten thousand kinds of sorrowful longing—

In a single night in the land of wine, my hair turns white.

Having finished, he handed it to Li Shishi, who read it over and over but could not grasp its meaning. Song Jiang only waited for her to ask the details, intending to confide his innermost feelings to her, when the nursemaid came to report: "His Majesty has arrived by the secret passage and is at the back gate." Li Shishi said hastily, "I cannot see you off far—please forgive me." She went herself to the back gate to receive the Emperor. The nursemaid and the maidservants hurriedly cleared away the cups and dishes, carried off the table, and swept the pavilion clean. Song Jiang and the others had not yet come out; they had slipped into the shadows and watched as Li Shishi bowed before the Emperor and inquired after his health, saying that the Son of Heaven must be fatigued. The Emperor, wearing a soft silk Tang turban and a robe embroidered with coiled dragons, said: "We returned just now from the Palace of Upper Purity. We have ordered the Crown Prince to bestow the imperial wine upon the populace at the Tower of Proclaimed Virtue, and have directed our younger brother to make purchases at the Thousand-Step Corridor. We had arranged to meet Commandant Yang, but he has long failed to appear, so We have come in person. Let Your Ladyship come forward and speak with Us." Song Jiang said in the darkness, "This is a missed opportunity—another chance will be hard to come by. Why don't the three of us seize this moment to request an amnesty edict?" Chai Jin said, "How can that be done? Even if he agrees now, he may change his mind later." The three were still conferring in the shadows when it was reported that Li Kui, seeing Song Jiang and Chai Jin drinking wine with that beautiful woman while he and Dai Zong were left to guard the door, felt the hairs on his head stand on end and his belly seethed with fury, looking for an outlet. Just then Commandant Yang lifted the curtain, pushed open the door, and walked straight in. Seeing Li Kui, he shouted, "Who are you, fellow? How dare you be here?" Li Kui did not answer. He seized a folding chair and hurled it at Commandant Yang's face. Yang was caught off guard and could not react in time; the two chairs crashed to the floor. Dai Zong tried to intervene, but there was no stopping Li Kui. He tore down a hanging scroll, lit it from the candle, and set fires left and right, smashing the incense stands, tables, chairs, and stools to pieces. Song Jiang and the other two, hearing the commotion, rushed out to see "Black Whirlwind" stripped to the waist, wreaking havoc. The four of them dragged him out the door, but Li Kui snatched a staff from the street and fought his way straight out onto the Imperial Avenue. Seeing his fury was fully roused, Song Jiang had no choice but to leave with Chai Jin and Dai Zong, rushing ahead out of the city for fear the gates would be closed and they would be trapped, leaving only Yan Qing to keep watch over him. The fire at Li Shishi's house sent His Majesty fleeing like a wisp of smoke. The neighbors rushed to put out the fire and to rescue Commandant Yang—of this, no more need be said. The cry of killing rose throughout the earth-shakingly. Grand Marshal Gao, on patrol at the North Gate, heard the news and led his troops in pursuit. As Yan Qing fought alongside Li Kui, they ran into Mu Hong and Shi Jin. The four of them, each wielding spear or staff, fought side by side all the way to the city wall. The gate soldiers were about to close the gate when Lu Zhishen outside swung his massive iron monk's staff, Wu Song brandished his twin monk's sabers, Zhu Tong and Liu Geng drew their broad-bladed swords, and they charged into the city, rescuing the four inside. They had barely passed through the gate when Grand Marshal Gao's troops arrived outside the city. The eight chieftains, not seeing Song Jiang, Chai Jin, and Dai Zong, were growing anxious.

In fact, the strategist Wu Yong had long known this would happen—he had planned the great rampage in the Eastern Capital. Having fixed the hour and the day, he had dispatched five tiger generals leading a thousand armored cavalry. They arrived outside the Eastern Capital that very night, just in time to meet Song Jiang, Chai Jin, and Dai Zong. The horses that had been brought along were empty, so they mounted at once, and the others arrived shortly after. Just as they were all mounting, Li Kui was nowhere to be seen. Grand Marshal Gao's troops charged out. Song Jiang's five tiger generals—Guan Sheng, Lin Chong, Qin Ming, Hu Yanzhuo, and Dong Ping—galloped to the city wall and halted their horses at the moat's edge, shouting at the top of their lungs: "The outlaws of Liangshan Marsh are here in full force! Surrender the city at once, and we will spare your lives!" Grand Marshal Gao, hearing this, did not dare to sally forth. In haste he ordered the drawbridge lowered, and his troops manned the walls in defense. Song Jiang then called Yan Qing and instructed him: "You and the dark fellow are the best of friends—wait for him a little, and come along with him afterwards. I and the army generals will return at once, marching through the night back to the stronghold, lest there be other complications on the road."

Let us leave Song Jiang and his army. Yan Qing stood beneath the eaves of a house and watched as Li Kui took his luggage from the inn, seized his twin axes, let out a great roar, leaped out the door, and set off alone to attack the city of the Eastern Capital. Indeed—his voice was thunder leaving the inn, his great axe raised to split the city gates. How exactly "Black Whirlwind" Li Kui went to attack the city, let us listen to the next chapter.