Chapter 81

Chapter 81

The Liangshan heroes had thrice defeated Gao Qiu in naval battles, capturing his entire force. Song Jiang, unwilling to harm them, released every man. When the Grand Marshal returned to the capital with his remaining troops, he took Xiao Rang and Yue He along to await the matter of amnesty, leaving the advisor Wen Huanzhang behind at Liangshan. While still at Liangshan, Gao Qiu had declared with his own mouth: "When I return to court, I shall personally present Xiao Rang and the others before the Emperor and petition earnestly for your swift amnesty, sending envoys without delay." For this reason he took Yue He as a companion, and the two departed together with Xiao Rang. Enough of this.

Meanwhile, the Liangshan chieftains held council. Song Jiang said, "I fear Gao Qiu's return may not be what it seems." Wu Yong smiled. "I have observed that man—his eyes are those of a wasp and his frame like a snake. He is the type to turn his face and forget every kindness. He has lost so many troops and wasted so much of the court's wealth; once back in the capital, he will surely claim illness and refuse to appear, muddling his report to the Emperor while keeping his soldiers in rest. Xiao Rang and Yue He will be held as soft prisoners in his residence. If we wait for amnesty, we waste our strength in vain!"

Song Jiang said, "If so, what can be done? Amnesty is still desirable, but two of our men are now trapped."

Wu Yong said, "Brother, select two clever men again and send them to the capital with abundant gold and treasure to gather intelligence. Let them work their way through every channel and bring our true feelings to the Emperor's attention, so that Grand Marshal Gao cannot hide the matter. This is the best plan."

At this, Yan Qing rose and said, "When we caused that uproar in Tokyo last year, it was I who entered the house of Li Shishi. Because of that great disturbance, she already suspects eight parts of the truth. But there is one thing—she is the Emperor's beloved, and His Majesty would not suspect her. She will certainly report: 'The men of Liangshan knew Your Majesty had gone out in secret and came to frighten you.' That matter is already covered. Now if I take plenty of gold and pearls there and gain entry through her, the quickest way to work the channels is at the pillow. I can adapt to any situation and act as opportunity serves."

Song Jiang said, "Brother, if you go, you must bear the responsibility!"

Dai Zong then said, "I will go with him on this mission."

"The Wizardly Strategist" Zhu Wu said, "Elder Brother, when you attacked Huazhou, you once did a kindness to Grand Marshal Su Yuanjing. He is a good-hearted man. If he could petition the Emperor day after day on our behalf, it would smooth the way."

Song Jiang remembered the words of the Goddess of the Nine Heavens: "You will meet with repeated blessings upon encountering Su." Could this man be the one? He invited Advisor Wen to sit with him in the hall.

Song Jiang said, "Sir, do you know Grand Marshal Su Yuanjing?"

Wen Huanzhang replied, "He is a former classmate of mine and now attends the Sacred One at every step. He is exceedingly kind and generous, treating everyone with perfect warmth and harmony."

Song Jiang said, "I will not deceive you, sir. I suspect that when Grand Marshal Gao returns to the capital, he will certainly not report the matter of amnesty. Grand Marshal Su once came to Huazhou on a pilgrimage and had a single meeting with Song Jiang. Now I wish to send someone to work through him, asking him to add his efforts and petition the Emperor day after day to bring this matter to completion."

Advisor Wen replied, "Since the general wishes it, I shall write a letter to him."

Song Jiang was overjoyed. Paper and brush were brought at once. He burned fine incense, withdrew the Goddess's divination text, prayed toward the empty sky, and obtained a most auspicious omen of the highest order. A farewell feast was prepared for Dai Zong and Yan Qing.

They packed gold, pearls, and valuables into two large chests. The letter was concealed on their persons, and they still carried the official seal and documents of Kaifeng Prefecture. Disguised as government men, they took leave of the chieftains, descended the mountain, crossed the Golden Sand Beach, and made for Tokyo. Dai Zong carried an umbrella over his shoulder and a bundle on his back. Yan Qing bore the chests on a water-and-fire staff, his dark jacket belted tight, a money pouch at his waist, and his legs wrapped in cloth bindings with knee guards, wearing eight-laced hemp shoes.

Along the road they ate when hungry and drank when thirsty, lodging at night and traveling by day. In due course they arrived in Tokyo. Instead of entering by the direct route, they turned and approached the Gate of Longevity. When they reached the gate, the guards blocked their way.

Yan Qing set down the chests and spoke in country dialect: "What are you stopping me for?"

The soldiers said, "The Palace Command Headquarters has issued orders: persons of every sort from Liangshan Marsh may attempt to enter the city concealed. Therefore all gates are instructed to question thoroughly any out-of-town visitors who come and go."

Yan Qing laughed. "You are supposed to be an official man, yet you interrogate your own folk. We two have served in Kaifeng Prefecture since childhood—we have passed through this gate tens of thousands of times, and now you turn things upside down and question us endlessly. Men from Liangshan Marsh you let through with your eyes wide open."

He produced a forged document from his robes and flung it toward them: "Look—is this not an official document from Kaifeng Prefecture?"

The gate commander, upon hearing this, barked: "If it is an official document from Kaifeng Prefecture, why question them further? Let them enter!"

Yan Qing snatched the document back, tucked it into his breast, shouldered the chests, and walked on. Dai Zong also gave a cold laugh. The two made straight for Kaifeng Prefecture and found an inn to rest.

The next day, Yan Qing put on a cloth shirt, tied his waist sash, changed his headscarf, and wore it tilted to one side, disguising himself as a common idler. He took a parcel of gold and pearls from the cage and said to Dai Zong, "Brother, today I'm going to Li Shishi's house to take care of some business. If things go wrong, you hurry back on your own." After instructing Dai Zong, he set out straight for Li Shishi's house.

When he arrived at the gate and looked, he saw the same curved railings and carved balustrades, green windows and vermilion doors—better kept than before. Yan Qing lifted the mottled bamboo curtain and slipped in through the side. Immediately a strange fragrance greeted his nostrils. Entering the guest hall, he saw the walls hung all around with paintings and calligraphy by famous sages. Beneath the steps stood twenty or thirty pots of strange rocks and ancient pines. The couches were all carved sandalwood scented with flowers, and the small bed's cushions were covered with brocade and embroidery.

Yan Qing gave a soft cough, and a maid came out, saw him, and announced him to Mother Li. She came out, recognized Yan Qing, and was startled. "How dare you come here again?" she said.

"Please send the young lady out," Yan Qing replied. "I have something to say."

"You got my house in trouble last time and ruined it. Say what you have to say."

"The young lady must come out first."

Li Shishi had been listening behind the window for some time and now stepped forward. When Yan Qing looked at her, she possessed an entirely different charm: her face seemed like a haitang flower moistened with morning dew, her waist like a willow swaying in the eastern breeze—she was like a jade maiden from the celestial gardens, far surpassing even the goddesses of the Cassia Palace.

Li Shishi now moved forward with lotus steps, her silk skirt swaying gracefully, and entered the guest hall. Yan Qing rose, placed the parcel on the table, bowed four times to Mother Li, then bowed twice to the courtesan. Li Shishi modestly protested: "No need for ceremony! I am too young and small to receive such bows."

When the bows were finished, Yan Qing stood and said, "We were terrified before and had nowhere to shelter."

Li Shishi said, "Don't deceive me. You said that time: 'Zhang Xian, those two are guests from Shandong.' Then a great ruckus broke out. If I hadn't cleverly explained to the Emperor, everyone in this house would have been doomed! He left two lines in his poem: 'Six-six geese in formation join eight-nine, only awaiting the golden rooster's message.' I was already suspicious and wanted to ask, but then His Majesty arrived. Then came the second uproar, and I never got to ask. Now I'm glad you've come. Set my mind at rest. Don't hide anything—tell me the truth. If you don't speak plainly, I won't let this go!"

Yan Qing said, "I will tell you the truth, Flower Champion—don't be alarmed! The short, dark fellow who sat in the seat of honor last time was 'Protector of Righteousness' Song Jiang. The second one, with the fair complexion and three tufts of beard, was Chai Jin, direct descendant of Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou, 'Little Whirlwind.' The one dressed as a yamen runner standing before you is 'Divine Traveler' Dai Zong. The one who fought Marshal Yang at the door was 'Black Whirlwind' Li Kui. I am a man from the Daming Prefecture in the north, and people call me 'Rogue' Yan Qing. When my brother came to the Eastern Capital to see you, he had me pretend to be Zhang Xian and enter your household. My brother wished to see your honored face—not to seek pleasure or revelry, but because he had long heard that you have the Emperor's favor, and he came personally to convey his earnest wishes. He hoped to convey his heart's desire to 'Act for Heaven's Way and protect the people and the nation' to the Emperor's ear, to obtain an amnesty early and spare the people from suffering. If this were accomplished, then you would be the benefactress of tens of thousands on Mount Liangshan! But now treacherous ministers block the way, flatterers hold power, and the path of the worthy is closed—so grievances from below cannot reach above. That's why we came seeking this path, never meaning to frighten you. Now my brother has nothing to offer in tribute except these few humble treasures—I hope you will graciously accept them."

Yan Qing opened the parcel and spread its contents on the table: gold, pearls, and precious vessels. The old procuress loved money, and her face lit up at the sight. She quickly called a maid to put them away, then invited Yan Qing into a small inner pavilion to sit, where she laid out fine refreshments, tea, and fruit, treating him with great solicitude. In Li Shishi's house, the Emperor visited from time to time, so what prince, noble son, or wealthy young master would dare come to her door asking for tea?

And so the dishes, wine, and fruit were laid out, and Li Shishi herself attended to him. Yan Qing said, "I am a man who deserves death—how dare I sit facing the 'Flower Champion'?"

Li Shishi said, "Don't say such things! Your band of righteous men has long been renowned. It's only that there has been no good person among us to bring you all together—that's why you have been forced to languish at the watery stronghold."

Yan Qiang said, "The first time Marshal Chen came with an amnesty edict, the document contained no words of comfort or care, and besides, the imperial wine was tampered with. The second time the edict was read, it was deliberately misread at the crucial passage: 'Excepting Song Jiang, Lu Junyi and all the rest, their offenses shall be pardoned.' And so we did not submit. Grand Marshal Tong led his army and was routed in two battles—not a single soldier returned alive. After that, Grand Marshal Gao conscripted laborers from all over the realm to build ships and advance against us. In just three battles, more than half his men and horses were lost. Grand Marshal Gao himself was captured alive by my brother and taken up the mountain. My brother would not kill him but treated him with great honor and sent him back to the capital. All the captured soldiers were released. He swore a solemn oath at Mount Liangshan that once he returned to the court and reported to the Emperor, he would come with an amnesty. That's why he brought two men from Mount Liangshan: one is the scholar Xiao Rang, and the other is the musician Yue He. As you can see, he has kept both of them hidden here in your house and will not let them come out. With so many troops lost and generals defeated, he must be keeping it from the Emperor."

Li Shishi said, "With all that wasted money and grain, those lost soldiers and generals—how would he dare report it? I understand all this now. Let's drink a few cups and then discuss what to do next."

Yan Qing said, "It is not in my nature to drink wine."

Li Shishi said,

"The road was long, the wind and frost severe. Now that you have arrived, let your heart be light and drink a few cups." Yan Qing could not refuse her entreaties, and after a cup or two, he had to keep her company. Now, Li Shishi was a woman of the pleasure quarters, fickle by nature. When she saw that Yan Qing was such an impressive figure, quick-witted and glib-tongued, she took a fancy to him in her heart. During the banquet, she used certain words to tease and provoke him. After several cups of wine, a remark or two would come, trying to entice him. Yan Qing was a man of a hundred wits and a thousand cleverness—how could he not understand? But he had the heart of a true hero, fearing he might ruin his elder brother's great enterprise. How would he dare to respond to her advances? Li Shishi said, "I have long heard that my brother excels in all manner of music and arts. I would be happy to listen while we drink, if you would be willing." Yan Qing replied, "This humble one has learned a few skills, but how would I dare to show off before you, my lady?" Li Shishi said, "Then let me play a tune first, and you listen, brother!" She called for her maid to bring the xiao. From a brocade bag she produced that phoenix xiao, took it in her mouth, and blew gently—truly the sound could pierce the clouds and split stone. Yan Qing listened and praised her without end. After Li Shishi had finished one piece, she handed the xiao to Yan Qing and said, "Brother, play a tune for me as well!" Yan Qing, wishing to please the woman, had no choice but to display his skill. He took the xiao and blew a mournful, plaintive melody. Li Shishi listened and cried out in praise without ceasing: "Brother, I had no idea you played the xiao so wonderfully!" Li Shishi then took up the ruan and plucked a short little tune for Yan Qing to hear. Indeed, it sounded like jade pendants chiming in unison and orioles singing in duet, with lingering notes floating far and wide. Yan Qing bowed and thanked her: "This humble one will also sing a song to serve you, my lady." He opened his throat and sang—truly his voice was clear and his tones beautiful, every word precise and every note true. When he finished, he bowed again. Li Shishi raised her cup and personally poured Yan Qing a return toast to thank him for the song. From her lips she let slip a few bewitching, coquettish sounds to entice him. Yan Qing kept his head firmly lowered, merely nodding in acknowledgment. After several cups, Li Shishi said with a smile, "I have heard that my brother has fine tattoos on his body. Might I have a look?" Yan Qing laughed and said, "This humble body, though it bears some tattoos, how would I dare to bare my flesh before you, my lady?" Li Shishi said, "A member of the Embroidered Body Society—where is the question of baring one's flesh!" Again and again she insisted on seeing them. Yan Qing had no choice but to bare his arms. Li Shishi looked and was overjoyed. With her delicate jade-white hands, she reached out to touch his body. Yan Qing hurriedly put his clothes back on. Li Shishi again poured a cup for Yan Qing and used words to flirt with him. Yan Qing, fearing she would become even more forward and that he would have no way to avoid her, devised a plan in his heart and asked, "How many years has my lady seen?" Li Shishi replied, "Shishi is twenty-seven this year." Yan Qing said, "This humble one is twenty-five, two years younger. Since my lady has taken a fancy to me, I would gladly call you elder sister!" Yan Qing then rose, pushed down the golden mountain and toppled the jade pillar, bowing eight times. These eight bows were to pin down that woman's wayward heart, so that he might accomplish his great enterprise in the midst of it. Had it been any other man, lost in wine and women, he would have ruined the great enterprise as well. Thus it was that Yan Qing alone showed a heart like iron and stone—truly a man among men. At that moment Yan Qing also invited Mother Li to come and bowed to her as well, making her his adoptive mother. Yan Qing took his leave, and Li Shishi said, "Young brother, stay at my house. Do not go back to the inn to sleep." Yan Qing said, "Since you have favored me so, this humble one will go back to the inn, fetch some things, and return." Li Shishi said, "Do not make me wait here in vain." Yan Qing said, "The inn is not far from here. I will be back shortly." Yan Qing took temporary leave of Li Shishi and went straight to the inn, where he related the whole matter to Dai Zong. Dai Zong said, "That is best! I only fear that your mind may leap like a monkey and gallop like a horse, and you may not be able to restrain yourself." Yan Qing said, "When a great man acts in the world, if he forgets his true purpose for the sake of wine and women, how does he differ from a beast? If Yan Qing ever harbors such a thought, let him die beneath ten thousand swords!" Dai Zong laughed and said: "We are both heroes—why speak such oaths?" Yan Qing said: "How can I not speak an oath? Otherwise, elder brother would surely harbor doubts!" Dai Zong said: "You must go back quickly, watch for the right opportunity, accomplish the matter, and return without delay. Do not make me wait long. The letter from Grand Commandant Su is also waiting for you to deliver it." Yan Qing packed a bundle of miscellaneous gold, pearls, and valuables, and returned to Li Shishi's house. He gave half to Mother Li and distributed the rest among the entire household, and not a single person was displeased. They cleared a room by the guest quarters and had Yan Qing rest there. The whole household called him "Uncle." By fate's arrangement, that very evening someone came to report that the Son of Heaven would arrive tonight. When Yan Qing heard this, he went to Li Shishi and said, "Elder sister, do me a kindness tonight. Let this younger brother have an audience with His Sacred Majesty and present a petition for an imperial pardon, that my crimes might be forgiven—all through your virtue!" Li Shishi said, "Tonight I will certainly arrange for you to see the Emperor. If you use your talents to move the imperial countenance, why worry that a pardon will not be granted?" As evening approached, the moonlight was hazy, the fragrance of flowers rich and sweet, and the scent of orchids and musk heavy in the air. Then they saw the Daojun Emperor, accompanied by a young eunuch dressed as a scholar in plain white, come by a secret passage straight to the back gate of Li Shishi's house. He arrived at the inner chamber and sat down, and orders were given to close the doors and windows front and back. Brightly gleaming lamps and candles were lit. Li Shishi arranged her hair, put on her ornaments, tidied her robes, and came forward to receive the imperial visit. She performed the courtesies and greetings, and when the formal pleasantries were done, the Emperor ordered her to remove her formal attire and attend upon him. Li Shishi obeyed the imperial command, took off her formal clothes, and ushered the Emperor into the inner room. The household had already prepared all manner of fine fruits and rare delicacies, arranged before them. Li Shishi raised a cup and offered it to the Emperor. The Emperor was greatly pleased and called out: "My beloved, come closer and sit beside me!" Li Shishi saw that the Emperor's dragon countenance was greatly delighted, and she stepped forward to report: "Your humble servant has a cousin—"

"My cousin-brother," she said, "has been drifting in distant lands since childhood, and only today has returned. He wishes to see Your Majesty, but did not dare to presume without permission—I humbly beg Your Majesty's sacred judgment."

The Emperor said, "Since he is your brother, let him be summoned to appear before me. What harm could there be?"

The madam then called Yan Qing straight into the chamber to have an audience with the Emperor. Yan Qing bowed his head and prostrated himself. The Emperor observed that Yan Qing was a man of remarkable bearing, and was greatly pleased from the very first glance.

Li Shishi asked Yan Qing to play the xiao flute and attend upon His Majesty with wine. After a while, she had him play a tune on the ruan lute, and then asked him to sing. Yan Qing bowed again and said, "All I know are lewd verses and licentious songs—how dare I presume to perform them before Your Majesty?"

The Emperor said, "I have come in private to this pleasure house. My very purpose was to hear such amorous tunes to relieve my boredom. You need not hesitate."

Yan Qing took up the ivory clappers, bowed once more, and said to Li Shishi, "If my pitch or tone should go astray, I beg you, elder sister, to correct me." Then Yan Qing opened his throat, took the ivory clappers in hand, and sang a tune to the pattern "Pride of Fishermen":

"Since parting from my homeland—no news, no trace,

A hundred kinds of longing break my heart—when will it end?

The swallows have not returned, and the flowers have grown old;

This whole spring I have wasted away, my waist grown slender.

When will that faithless lord arrive?

Thinking back to the beginning, better we had never met!

A good dream was about to form—then I woke instead;

By the green window, I only hear the orioles singing at dawn."

When Yan Qing finished singing, it was truly like a young oriole's first warble, clear and melodious, floating far and wide. The Emperor was greatly delighted and ordered him to sing again.

Yan Qing prostrated himself on the ground and said, "Your subject has a tune to the pattern 'Shortened Magnolia' to lay before the imperial ear."

The Emperor said, "Excellent! I wish to hear it!"

Yan Qing bowed again, and then sang a tune to the pattern "Shortened Magnolia":

"Hear my grievous plea, hear my grievous plea!

Who knows where this humble body has been cast astray—

Who knows—

From the farthest heavens to the broadest earth,

My sins and wrongs are so tangled, I cannot tell them apart!

Someone pulled me from the fiery pit,

My heart and liver ever loyal and true,

Ever loyal and true—

One day I must repay my great benefactor!"

When Yan Qing finished singing, the Emperor was startled and asked, "Why do you have such a song?" Yan Qing burst into loud weeping and prostrated himself on the ground.

The Emperor grew suspicious and said, "Tell me what is in your heart, and I shall hear your case."

Yan Qing said, "Your subject has sins as vast as heaven itself—I dare not lay them before Your Majesty!"

The Emperor said, "I pardon you of all guilt. Speak freely—there is nothing to fear!"

Yan Qing said, "Your subject has wandered the rivers and lakes since youth, drifting to Shandong. While traveling with merchants and passing by Mount Liang, I was captured and taken up the mountain, where I remained for three years. Only this year did I manage to escape with my life and make my way back to the capital. Although I have found my elder sister, I dare not walk the streets. If anyone should recognize me and report me to the constables, how could I explain myself?"

Li Shishi then interceded, saying, "This is the only torment in my brother's heart. I beg Your Majesty to act on his behalf!"

The Emperor laughed and said, "This is a simple matter. You are Li Xingou's brother—who would dare seize you?"

Yan Qing cast a meaningful glance at Li Shishi. Li Shishi pouted and coaxed, saying to the Emperor, "I only ask that Your Majesty personally write an edict of pardon for my brother. Only then will he be at ease."

The Emperor said, "I have no imperial seal here—how can I write it?"

Li Shishi pressed on: "Your Majesty's own handwriting is more powerful than the Jade Seal or the Heavenly Talisman. If it serves as a protective talisman to save my brother, it would also be this lowly woman's fortune to have encountered a sacred age."

The Emperor could not refuse her insistence any longer and ordered paper and brush to be brought. The madam immediately presented the four treasures of the study. Yan Qing ground the ink until it was thick, and Li Shishi handed over a purple-haired ivory brush. The Emperor spread open a sheet of flowered yellow paper and wrote a large line across it.

Just as he was about to write, he asked Yan Qing, "I have forgotten your surname and given name."

Yan Qing said, "This man is called Yan Qing."

The Emperor then wrote the imperial edict:

"The True Master of the Divine Firmament Palace, the Daoist of Pure Tranquillity, Emperor of the Xuanyuan and Harmonious Way—hereby specially pardons Yan Qing of all crimes committed by his person. No office or authority is permitted to arrest or question him!"

Having finished writing, the Emperor affixed his imperial seal below with his personal cipher. Yan Qing bowed again, kowtowed, and received the command. Li Shishi raised a cup and offered thanks for the favor. The Emperor then asked, "Since you were at Liangshan Marsh, you must know the details of that place." Yan Qing replied, "This band of Song Jiang's has written in large characters on their banners, 'Enacting Heaven's Way,' and their hall is named 'Loyalty and Righteousness.' They dare not seize prefectures or harm good people. They only kill corrupt officials, wicked ministers, and slanderous persons. They merely hope early for amnesty and wish to exert their strength for the country." The Emperor said, "When we previously issued two edicts and sent men to offer amnesty, why did they resist and refuse to submit?" Yan Qing replied, "The first amnesty edict contained no words of comfort or persuasion, and furthermore the imperial wine was replaced with coarse village brew, so the matter went awry. The second time the edict was read with deliberately broken phrasing, intending to eliminate Song Jiang and concealing malicious schemes, so the matter went awry again. When Grand Marshal Tong Guan led his army, after only two engagements he was routed with not a single soldier remaining. When Grand Marshal Gao Qiu commanded the troops and conscripted laborers from across the empire to build warships for the campaign, he did not obtain a single broken arrow from Liangshan Marsh. After only three engagements, his hands and feet were thrown into confusion, three-tenths of his army were lost, and he himself was captured alive and taken up the mountain. Only after he promised amnesty was he released and sent back. He also brought two men from the mountain here, while leaving Envoy Wen there as a hostage." When the Emperor heard this, he sighed and said, "How could I have known of this! When Tong Guan returned to the capital, he reported, 'The soldiers cannot endure the summer heat, so we have temporarily withdrawn our troops and ceased fighting.' When Gao Qiu returned to the capital, he reported, 'Being ill, I cannot advance, so we have temporarily ceased fighting and returned to the capital.'" Li Shishi said, "Although Your Majesty is sagacious and wise, dwelling in the ninefold palace, yet you are blocked by wicked ministers from the path of worthy men. What can be done about this?" The Emperor sighed without end. It was nearly the second watch. Yan Qing took the pardon document, kowtowed, and put it away securely, then went himself to rest. The Emperor and Li Shishi retired to bed together. That night at the fifth watch, the inner eunuchs came to escort him away. Yan Qing rose and, claiming he had business early in the morning, went straight to the inn and recounted everything that had been said to Dai Zong. Dai Zong said, "Since things are so, this is mostly fortunate news. Let us go and deliver the letter to Grand Marshal Su." Yan Qing said, "We'll go after breakfast." The two ate some breakfast, packed a cage of gold, pearls, and valuables, took the letter, and went straight to Grand Marshal Su's residence. When they asked people on the street, they were told the Grand Marshal had not yet returned from the palace. Yan Qing said, "At this hour he should be returning from court. How can he not have returned?" The people on the street said, "Grand Marshal Su is a close attendant official whom the Emperor dearly loves. Morning and evening he is at the Emperor's side without a step's separation. Whether he returns early or late cannot be determined." Even as they spoke, someone reported, "Here comes the Grand Marshal!" Yan Qing was overjoyed and said to Dai Zong, "Brother, you wait here before the yamen. I will go see the Grand Marshal myself." Yan Qing approached and saw a cluster of attendants in brocade garments and flowered hats carrying a sedan chair. Yan Qing knelt in the street and said, "This humble one has a letter to present to the Grand Marshal." Grand Marshal Su saw him and called out, "Bring him in!" Yan Qing followed him to the hall. The Grand Marshal alighted from his sedan chair and went to sit in the academy on the side. The Grand Marshal called Yan Qing in and asked, "Where are you from, fellow?" Yan Qing said, "This humble one comes from Shandong. I have a letter from Envoy Wen to present to you." The Grand Marshal said, "Which Envoy Wen?" Yan Qing then took the letter from his bosom and presented it. Grand Marshal Su saw the envelope and said, "I wondered which Envoy Wen this was—it turns out to be Wen Huanzhang, my childhood schoolmate!" He then opened the letter and read:

Your pupil Wen Huanzhang, having washed his hands, bows a hundred times and presents this letter to the venerable Grand Marshal, my esteemed benefactor: Since childhood, your pupil has passed in and out of your school—already thirty years ago! Yesterday I was summoned by Grand Marshal Gao to his army to serve as a strategic adviser. However, my admonitions went unheeded and my loyal counsel was unheard. After three successive defeats, it is most shameful to speak of it. Grand Marshal Gao and your pupil were both taken captive and bound in chains. The righteous leader Song Jiangkuan is generous and benevolent and would not bring harm. Now Grand Marshal Gao is leading Liangshan's Xiao Rang and Le He to the capital to seek amnesty, leaving your pupil here as a hostage. I earnestly hope that your esteemed benefactor will not spare your words and will petition the Emperor morning and evening to quickly issue an amnesty decree, so that the righteous leader Song Jiangkuan and his men may early receive pardon for their crimes and gain favor, establish merit and achieve great deeds. The country would be most fortunate! The world would be most fortunate! To rescue your pupil would truly be a gift of rebirth. With earnest sincerity upon this paper, I trust you will graciously examine this. On a day in the first month of the first year of the Xuanhe reign, Huanzhang bows again and presents this letter.

Upon reading the letter, Grand Marshal Su was greatly startled and asked, "Who are you?"

Yan Qing replied, "This man is 'The Rover' Yan Qing of Liangshan Marsh." He then stepped out and retrieved the chest, proceeding directly to the study. Yan Qing reported, "When Your Excellency went to offer incense in Huazhou, I served you on many occasions. How could you have forgotten, Your Excellency? Brother Song Jiang has some small tokens to present, merely to express his humble heart. Every day in his divination, he only petitions for Your Excellency's promotion and deliverance. Brother Song Jiang and the others look only to Your Excellency for an amnesty. If Your Excellency could bring this matter before the Son of Heaven from time to time, then the one hundred thousand souls of Liangshan Marsh would all feel boundless gratitude! My brother has set a deadline for my return, so I must take my leave."

Yan Qing bowed and departed, leaving the residence. Grand Marshal Su had the gold, pearls, and treasures accepted, and he had already made up his mind.

Meanwhile, Yan Qing returned with Dai Zong to the inn and deliberated: "These two matters are both progressing, but how can we get Xiao Rang and Yue He out of Grand Marshal Gao's residence?"

Dai Zong said, "Let us disguise ourselves as mountain hermits once more and wait outside Grand Marshal Gao's residence. When someone comes out, we can offer them some gold and silver as a bribe to arrange a meeting, get a message through, and then we can make our plans."

The two of them changed their attire at once, took the gold and silver, and made their way straight to Taiping Bridge. They watched the yamen for a while, and then they saw a young officer of the guard swaggering out. Yan Qing stepped forward and bowed to him.

The officer said, "Who are you?"

Yan Qing said, "May I invite you to speak with me at the teahouse?"

The two went into a private room, where they met with Dai Zong, and all sat down to drink tea. Yan Qing said, "I will not deceive you, sir. The two men whom the Grand Marshal brought back from Liangshan Marsh—one of them is named Yue He, who is a relative of my brother. We wish to see him, and that is why I have come to ask for your help."

The officer said, "You two had better not speak of this. Who would know what goes on in the inner chambers?"

Dai Zong then drew a large silver ingot from his sleeve and placed it on the table. He said to the officer, "If you would just bring Yue He out for a single meeting—without leaving the yamen—this ingot of silver is yours."

The man, seeing his property, was momentarily overcome by greed. He said, "Indeed, those two men are inside. The Grand Marshal's orders are for them to rest only in the back garden. I will call him out, and after you have spoken, do not go back on your word—give me the silver."

Dai Zong said, "Naturally."

The man then rose and instructed them, "You two wait for me right here in this teahouse." He then hurried back into the yamen.

Dai Zong and Yan Qing waited in the teahouse for less than half a watch before they saw the young officer rush out in a flurry. He said, "Give me the silver first. I have already called Yue He into the side room."

Dai Zong whispered into Yan Qing's ear, laying out their plan, and then handed over the silver. The officer, having received the silver, led Yan Qing to the side room to meet Yue He.

The officer said, "You two, speak quickly and then leave!"

Yan Qing said to Yue He, "I am here with Dai Zong. We have devised a plan to get you two out."

Yue He said, "They have kept us in the back garden. The walls are high, and there is no way out—the flower-picking ladders have all been hidden away. How can we possibly get out?"

Yan Qing said, "Are there trees near the wall?"

Yue He said, "All along one side, there are large willow trees."

Yan Qing said, "Tonight, listen for a cough as the signal. Outside, I will throw two ropes over. You will secure the ropes to the nearest willow tree. We two will be outside the wall, each holding one end of the ropes. Then you two can climb out along the ropes. The time is set for the fourth watch—do not fail."

The officer said, "What are you two talking about? Leave quickly!"

Yue He went back in and secretly informed Xiao Rang. Yan Qing hurried to tell Dai Zong, and from that day they waited through the night.

Now, Yan Qing and Dai Zong had purchased two coarse ropes on the street and hidden them on their persons. They first went to the back of Grand Marshal Gao's residence to scout the landing place. It turned out that behind the residence was a river, and by the riverbank two empty boats were moored, not far from the shore. The two of them hid in the empty boats. When they heard the night watch drum strike the fourth watch, they came ashore and circled behind the wall, coughing. From inside the wall came an answering cough—both sides understood the signal. Yan Qing then threw the ropes over. Inside, they apparently secured them firmly. The two outside pulled and braced the ropes tightly. They saw Yue He climb out first, followed by Xiao Rang. Both slid down, and then they tossed the ropes back over the wall.

They went and knocked open the door of the inn, retrieved their luggage from their room, and lit a fire in the inn to prepare breakfast. They paid their lodging bill. The four of them then went to the city gate and waited for it to open. When it did, they rushed out together, heading back to Liangshan Marsh to report the news.

Had these four not returned, it would have been a different story. But as it turned out, Grand Marshal Su would present the matter alone, and Liangshan Marsh would receive the full amnesty. How exactly did Grand Marshal Su present his memorial to the emperor to obtain the imperial edict? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.