Chapter 10: Instructor Lin Shelters in the Mountain Spirit Temple; Captain Lu Burns the Hay Depot
Chapter 10: Instructor Lin’s Spirit Temple in the Snow, Adjutant Lu’s Burning of the Hay Depot
As Lin Chong was idly walking along that day, he suddenly heard someone call out from behind. Turning to look, he recognized the wine seller Li Xiao’er. Back in the Eastern Capital, Li Xiao’er had often received Lin Chong’s care. This Li Xiao’er, when previously in the Eastern Capital, had wrongfully stolen his shopkeeper’s money. He was caught and was about to be sent to the authorities for punishment. But Lin Chong intervened, pleaded on his behalf, and saved him from being taken to court. He also compensated the shopkeeper with some money, allowing Li Xiao’er to escape. Unable to settle in the capital, and thanks to Lin Chong’s support with travel expenses, he had wandered, seeking refuge, never expecting to meet him here today.
Lin Chong said, “Brother Xiao’er, how do you come to be here?”
Li Xiao’er bowed and said, “Ever since you, my benefactor, rescued and supported me, I wandered everywhere but could find no one to take me in. After many twists and turns, I ended up in Cangzhou, where I sought shelter in a tavern run by a man named Wang. He kept me on as a helper in the shop. Because he saw I was diligent and careful, and that I prepared good dishes and brewed fine soup, all the customers praised me, and business prospered. The master had a daughter, and he took me as his son-in-law. Now both my father-in-law and mother-in-law have died, leaving only my wife and me. For the time being, we’ve opened a tea-and-wine shop just outside the camp. I was out collecting a debt when I met you, my benefactor. I wonder for what reason you are here?”
Lin Chong pointed to his face and said, “I offended Marshal Gao. He stirred up trouble, framed me, and I suffered a lawsuit. I was tattooed and exiled here. Now I’m assigned to oversee the Heavenly King’s Shrine. I don’t know how things will turn out in the end. I never expected to meet you here today.”
Li Xiao’er then invited Lin Chong into his home and had him sit down. He called his wife out to pay respects to their benefactor. The couple said happily, “We two had no relatives. Today, with your arrival, it’s as if you’ve descended from heaven.”
Lin Chong said, “I am a convicted criminal. I fear I might bring shame upon you two.”
Li Xiao’er replied, “Who doesn’t know your great name, benefactor? Don’t say such things. If you have any clothes, just bring them here for washing, starching, and mending.”
That day they entertained Lin Chong with wine and food, and at night they escorted him back to the Heavenly King’s Shrine. The next day they invited him again. Thus, Lin Chong frequented Li Xiao’er’s shop, and from time to time they brought him soup and water to the camp. Seeing how respectful and filial the couple was, Lin Chong often gave them some silver as capital.
Let us set aside these trivial matters and speak only of the main story. Time passed swiftly, and winter soon arrived. Lin Chong’s cotton-padded clothes and trousers were all washed, mended, and sewn by Li Xiao’er’s wife.
One day, Li Xiao’er was setting out vegetables and side dishes in front of his shop when a man slipped in and sat down in the tavern. Another man followed, slipping in as well. Looking at them, the one in front was dressed as a military officer, and the one behind looked like a lackey, who also came in and sat down.
Li Xiao’er entered and asked, “Would you like some wine?”
The man produced a tael of silver and gave it to Li Xiao’er, saying, “Put this on the counter for now. Bring me three or four bottles of good wine. When my guests arrive, just bring out the fruits, snacks, and wine without asking.”
Li Xiao’er asked, “Sir, what guests are you expecting?”
The man said, “I’ll trouble you to go to the camp and invite the Camp Commander and the Warden to come speak with me. If they ask, just say an official invites them for a talk to discuss some business. I’ll be waiting specifically for them.”
Li Xiao’er agreed and went to the prison camp. First, he invited the Warden, then together they went to the Camp Commander’s home and invited him. Both came to the tavern. The official and the Camp Commander and Warden exchanged greetings. The Camp Commander said, “We’ve never met before. May I ask your distinguished name, sir?”
The man replied, “I have a letter here. You’ll know in a moment. First, bring the wine.”
Li Xiao’er quickly opened the wine and laid out vegetables, fruits, and other dishes. The man called for a wine tray, poured a cup, and gestured for them to sit. Li Xiao’er busied himself like a shuttle, waiting on them tirelessly. The man who had followed along asked for a hot-water bucket and heated the wine himself. After they had drunk about a dozen cups, he called for more snacks and laid them on the table. Then the man said, “I have my own attendant to heat the wine. Don’t come unless I call you. We need to talk privately.”
Li Xiao’er acknowledged this and went to the door, where he said to his wife, “Wife, those two men are up to no good.”
His wife asked, “What do you mean, up to no good?”
Li Xiao’er said, “Those two speak with the accent of the Eastern Capital. At first, they didn’t know the Camp Commander, but later, when I brought in the snacks, I heard the Warden mutter the words ‘Marshal Gao.’ Could this have something to do with Instructor Lin? I’ll keep watch here at the door. You go behind the partition and listen to what they say.”
His wife said, “You go to the camp and find Instructor Lin to come and identify them.”
Li Xiao’er replied, “You don’t understand. Instructor Lin is a hot-tempered man. If he gets the wrong idea, he might kill or set fires. If we call him here and he sees it’s that Adjutant Lu we heard about before, would he let it go? If trouble breaks out, we’ll be implicated. You just go listen, and we’ll decide what to do later.”
His wife said, “That makes sense.” So she went in and listened for an hour. When she came out, she said, “Those three or four were whispering with their heads together, and I couldn’t make out what they said. I only saw that officer-like man take a cloth bundle from his attendant’s arms and hand it to the Camp Commander and the Warden. What was inside the bundle—could it be gold or silver? Then I heard the Warden say, ‘Leave it to me. One way or another, I’ll finish him off.’”
Just as she was speaking, a call came from the inner room for hot soup. Li Xiao’er hurried in to change the soup and saw the Camp Commander holding a letter. He changed the soup, added some side dishes, and after another half-hour, they settled the bill. The Camp Commander and the Warden left first. Shortly after, the other two also left with their heads down.
No sooner had they turned their backs than Lin Chong walked into the shop and said, “Brother Xiao’er, how’s business been lately?”
Li Xiao’er said hurriedly, “Please sit, benefactor. I was just about to look for you. I have something urgent to tell you.” There is a poem as testimony:
When schemers stir, Heaven’s gates shake;
Whispered words command armies to wake.
Not only do walls have ears, you see,
But gods and ghosts know all, unfree.
Lin Chong asked, “What urgent matter is it?”
Li Xiao’er invited Lin Chong inside to sit and said, “Just now, some suspicious people from the Eastern Capital came here and invited the Camp Commander and the Warden for half a day’s drinking. The Warden muttered the words ‘Marshal Gao,’ and I became suspicious. I had my wife listen for an hour, but they whispered with their heads together, and we couldn’t hear what was said. In the end, I only heard the Warden reply, ‘Leave it to us two. One way or another, we’ll finish him off.’ Those two handed a bundle of gold and silver to the Camp Commander and the Warden. After another round of drinking, they all dispersed. I don’t know what kind of men they are, but I’m worried, fearing they might cause trouble for you.”
Lin Chong asked, “What did those men look like?”
Li Xiao’er said, “The one was short of stature, with a fair complexion and little beard, about thirty years old. The one who followed was also not tall, with a dark purple complexion.”
Lin Chong was greatly startled and said, “That thirty-year-old is none other than Adjutant Lu. That vile scoundrel dares to come here to harm me! If I don’t run into him, so be it, but if I do, I’ll grind his bones to mud!”
Li Xiao’er said, “Just be on your guard against him. Haven’t you heard the old saying: ‘When eating, beware of choking; when walking, beware of falling’?”
Lin Chong, in a great rage, left Li Xiao’er’s house. He first went to the street and bought a sharp dagger, which he carried on his person. He searched up and down the streets and alleys everywhere. Li Xiao’er and his wife were sweating with anxiety. That night, nothing happened.
The next day, at dawn, he got up, washed, and, armed with his knife, searched again through the city of Cangzhou, inside and out, through every small street and alley for an entire day. In the prison camp, nothing stirred. Lin Chong returned to Li Xiao’er and said, “Still nothing today.”
Li Xiao’er said, “Benefactor, I hope it stays that way. Just be very careful yourself.”
Lin Chong went back to the Heavenly King’s Shrine and spent the night there. He searched the streets for three or four days but found no trace, and gradually his vigilance slackened.
On the sixth day, the garrison commander summoned Lin Chong to the inspection hall and said, "You've been here quite a few days now. Out of respect for Squire Chai, I haven't yet promoted you. Fifteen li outside the East Gate there's a large military hay depot. Every month, by collecting the hay, you can get some customary fees. An old soldier was in charge there, but now I'm promoting you to replace him and have him guard the Heavenly King Hall. There you can earn some travel money. Go with the warden to take over." Lin Chong replied, "I'll go at once." He left the camp immediately and went straight to Xiao'er Li's house, where he said to the couple, "Today the garrison commander has sent me to manage the military hay depot. What do you think of that?" Xiao'er Li said, "This job is even better than the Heavenly King Hall. When you collect the hay there, there are some customary fees. In the past, if you didn't bribe anyone, you couldn't get this post." Lin Chong said, "He isn't harming me but giving me a good job instead. I really don't know what his intentions are." Xiao'er Li said, "Benefactor, don't be suspicious. Just be glad if nothing happens. It's just that my home is far away now; I'll find time to visit you later." He then prepared some wine at home and invited Lin Chong to drink.
Without further ado, the two parted. Lin Chong went to the Heavenly King Hall, got his bundle, took his dagger, and picked up his flower-spear. Together with the warden, he took leave of the garrison commander, and the two set off for the hay depot. It was the depths of winter; dark clouds gathered thick, a north wind began to blow, and soon a heavy snow came swirling down. The snow fell densely, as seen:
Bitterly cold, the haze hung thick; auspicious flakes descended in profusion. In an instant, the fields blurred, paths lost; soon a thousand hills vanished without trace. A world of silver, a realm of jade, stretching vaguely to the Kunlun Mountains. If it fell until after midnight, it would seem to fill the Jade Emperor's gate.
Lin Chong and the warden walked along the road, with no place to buy wine, and soon arrived outside the hay depot. Looking at it, they saw some yellow earth walls and two large gates. Pushing them open and looking inside, there were seven or eight thatched huts serving as storehouses, with haystacks scattered all around, and two thatched halls in the middle. Entering one, they saw the old soldier warming himself by a fire inside. The warden said, "The garrison commander has sent this Lin Chong to relieve you and have you return to guard the Heavenly King Hall. Hand over the post immediately." The old soldier took the keys and led Lin Chong around, instructing him: "The storehouses are sealed by the authorities. These haystacks each have their count." He checked the stacks one by one, then led Lin Chong to the thatched hall. The old soldier packed his belongings and, before leaving, said, "The brazier, pot, and bowls and dishes—I'll lend them to you." Lin Chong said, "I have some at the Heavenly King Hall too. If you want them, take them." The old soldier pointed to a large gourd hanging on the wall and said, "If you want to buy wine, just go out of the depot, head east on the main road for two or three li, and you'll find a market." The old soldier then left with the warden and returned to the camp.
Now, Lin Chong placed his bundle and bedding on the bed and sat down to light a fire. There was a pile of charcoal and firewood by the hut; he took a few pieces and lit them in the earthen stove. Looking up at the thatched hut, he saw it was falling apart on all sides, shaken and swayed by the north wind. Lin Chong said, "How can this hut survive a whole winter? When the snow clears, I'll go to town and get a mason to repair it." After warming himself by the fire for a while, he felt cold and thought, "The old soldier said there's a market two li away. Why not go buy some wine to drink?" He took some loose silver from his bundle, put the wine gourd on his flower-spear, covered the embers, put on his felt hat, picked up the keys, and went out, pulling the thatched hall door shut. At the main gate, he locked the two doors behind him, took the keys, and strolled eastward. He trod through the snow like crushed jade, winding his way against the north wind. The snow was falling heavily. Before he had gone half a li, he saw an ancient temple. Lin Chong bowed and said, "Gods, protect me. Another day I'll come and burn paper money." He walked a bit further and saw a cluster of houses. Stopping to look, he saw a straw broom hanging outside among the hedges. Lin Chong went straight into the shop. The owner asked, "Where does the guest come from?" Lin Chong said, "Do you recognize this gourd?" The owner looked at it and said, "This gourd belongs to the old soldier at the hay depot." Lin Chong said, "I see." The shopkeeper said, "Since you're the brother in charge of the hay depot, please sit a while. The weather is cold; have three cups as a welcome." The shopkeeper sliced a plate of cooked beef, heated a pot of wine, and invited Lin Chong to drink. Lin Chong also bought some beef himself and had a few more cups. Then he bought another gourd of wine, wrapped up the two pieces of beef, and left some loose silver. He put the wine gourd on his flower-spear, tucked the beef into his bosom, said "Sorry for the trouble," and went out through the hedge gate, heading back against the north wind. The snow fell even more heavily as evening came. In ancient times, a scholar wrote a lyric poem on the hardship of poverty and hatred of snow:
The bitter wind scraped the earth; this snow fell just right. Like torn fluff and picked silk, some flakes cut as large as winnowing baskets. The bamboo huts and thatched cottages in the woods were nearly crushed by it. Wealthy families and grand houses, however, said it wasn't enough to suppress miasma. They burned fine charcoal in red stoves and wore padded clothes and quilted coats. Picking plum blossoms, they sang of the nation's good fortune, unmindful of the poor. Recluses lay high in their beds, composing many poems.
Now, Lin Chong trod through the auspicious snow, facing the north wind, and raced like flying to the depot gate. He unlocked it and went inside, only to cry out in dismay. Heaven's principles were clear, protecting the good and righteous. Because of this heavy snow, Lin Chong's life was saved. The two thatched halls had collapsed under the snow. Lin Chong thought, "What to do?" He set down his flower-spear and gourd in the snow. Fearing that embers from the brazier might spread and start a fire, he pushed aside a broken wall plank, reached in halfway, and felt around. The fire in the brazier had been extinguished by the melted snow. Lin Chong felt the bed with his hand and only pulled out a quilted blanket. He crawled out, saw that it was dark, and thought, "There's no place to light a fire. What arrangement can I make?" He remembered, "Half a li away, there's an ancient temple where I can take shelter. I'll go and spend the night there, and wait until dawn to decide what to do." He rolled up the blanket, put the wine gourd on his flower-spear, closed the gate again, locked it, and headed toward the temple. Entering the temple gate, he closed it behind him. Beside it was a large stone; he moved it over and propped it against the door. Going inside, he saw a statue of a golden-armored mountain god, with a judge on one side and a little devil on the other, and a pile of paper offerings stacked nearby. Looking all around, there were no neighbors and no temple keeper. Lin Chong placed his spear and wine gourd on the paper pile, spread out the quilted blanket, first took off his felt hat, shook the snow from his clothes, and removed his outer white cloth shirt, which was already half wet. He put it and the felt hat on the offering table, then pulled the blanket over the lower half of his body. He took the cold wine gourd and slowly began to drink, eating the beef from his bosom as an accompaniment.
As he was eating, he suddenly heard a crackling and popping sound outside. Lin Chong jumped up and looked through a crack in the wall. He saw the hay depot on fire, burning fiercely with a roaring noise. It appeared:
The snow defied the fire's power; the hay fed the flames. They feared the wind over the hay even more, and marveled at how the snow brought fuel to the fire. Crimson dragons leaped and fought, scattering jade scales; white butterflies vied in flight, covering the blazing lotus flames. At first, one might think the Fire Emperor had loosed his divine steed to graze here; then, guess that the Southern Vermilion Bird had built its nests everywhere. Who knew this disaster would strike on open ground? One must believe that in dark rooms, lightning eyes open. Behold this fire: it could make a righteous man's anger blaze; face this snow: it should chill the hearts of treacherous villains.
At that moment, Lin Chong, grasping his flower-spear, was about to open the door and go to put out the fire when he heard voices outside. He crouched by the door and listened. It was the sound of three men’s footsteps, heading straight for the shrine. They pushed at the door with their hands, but it was blocked by the stone and would not open. The three men stood under the eaves of the shrine watching the fire. One of them said: “Isn’t this plan excellent?” Another replied: “It’s really all thanks to the efforts of the Superintendent and the Warden! When we return to the capital and report to the Grand Marshal, we will both recommend you two for high office. This time Instructor Zhang will have no excuse left.” The first man said: “This time Lin Chong is truly finished by our hand, and Junior Captain Gao’s illness will surely be cured.” Another said: “That villain Instructor Zhang—time and again we sent people to plead with him, saying ‘Your son-in-law is dead,’ but he became even more adamant in refusing his consent. That’s why the Junior Captain’s illness has grown worse and worse. The Grand Marshal specially dispatched the two of us to beg you two to handle this matter, and now it’s been accomplished.” Another said: “I myself climbed straight over the wall and set fire to a dozen torches on the haystacks all around—where could he flee?” The first man said: “By now it’s already more than eighty percent burned.” Another voice said: “Even if he escapes with his life, burning the army’s fodder depot will still earn him a death sentence.” Another said: “Let’s go back to town.” One said: “Wait a little longer—let’s pick up a bone or two of his to take back to the capital. When we see the Grand Marshal and the Junior Captain at the mansion, it will show how capable we are in handling this affair.”
As Lin Chong listened to these three men, he recognized one as the Warden, one as Captain Lu Qian, and one as Fu An. He thought to himself: “Heaven has pity on me, Lin Chong! If the thatched hall hadn’t collapsed, I would surely have been burned to death by these villains.” Gently he moved the stone aside, gripped his flower-spear, pulled open the shrine door with his left hand, and roared: “Where do you scoundrels think you’re going?” All three tried to flee in panic, but they were so terrified they stood frozen, unable to move. Lin Chong raised his hand—kacha—and with one thrust of his spear, first struck down the Warden. Lu Qian cried out: “Spare my life!” He was so frightened his hands and feet went limp, and he could not run. Fu An had not gone more than ten paces when Lin Chong caught up with him and, with a thrust through the back, struck him down too. Turning back, he found Lu Qian had taken only three or four steps. Lin Chong shouted: “Treacherous villain, where do you think you’re going?” He grabbed him by the chest, threw him down onto the snowy ground, planted his spear in the snow, stepped on his chest with his foot, and drew the knife from his belt. Placing it against Lu Qian’s face, he thundered: “You scoundrel, I never had any grudge against you—why did you scheme to harm me like this? Truly, murder may be forgiven, but such treachery is intolerable!” Lu Qian pleaded: “It’s not my fault—the Grand Marshal ordered me, and I dared not disobey.” Lin Chong cursed: “Treacherous villain! We grew up together as friends, and now you come to harm me—how can it not be your doing? Take this blow!” He tore open Lu Qian’s upper garments, plunged the dagger straight into his heart, and ripped it out. Blood spurted from every orifice. He lifted the heart and liver in his hand. Looking back, he saw the Warden struggling to get up and flee. Lin Chong pinned him down and roared: “So you, too, are this vicious! Take this blow!” He cut off his head and hoisted it on his spear. Then he went back and cut off the heads of Fu An and Lu Qian. He sheathed the dagger, tied the heads together by their hair, carried them into the shrine, and placed them all on the altar table before the Mountain Spirit. Then he put on his white linen shirt, fastened his sash, donned his felt hat, drained the cold wine from the gourd, and threw away both the quilt and the gourd. Taking up his spear, he left the shrine and headed east. He had gone no more than three or five li when he saw villagers from the nearby settlement, carrying buckets and hooks, coming to put out the fire. Lin Chong said: “Go quickly and help—I’m going to report this to the authorities.” Spear in hand, he hurried on. There is a poem to attest:
Heaven’s justice is clear and cannot be deceived;
Do not take villainy for a good plan.
If not for the wind and snow that sent him to buy wine,
He would surely have been burned to rotting bones.
They thought in the dark they had laid a poisonous scheme,
Little knowing that in the shadows a god lent aid.
Most pitiable—escaping death ten thousand times,
He was truly a stalwart and heroic man.
The snow fell ever more fiercely. Lin Chong walked east for two watches of the night. His clothes were thin, and the cold was unbearable. Looking around in the snowy wilderness, he saw that he was far from the fodder depot. Ahead, in the sparse woods where trees tangled together, stood a few thatched huts, pressed down by the snow, with firelight flickering through cracks in the broken walls. Lin Chong headed straight for the huts. Pushing open the door, he saw an old farm steward sitting in the middle, surrounded by four or five younger farmhands warming themselves by the fire. In the earthen stove, flames crackled as they burned firewood. Lin Chong stepped forward and said: “Greetings to all. I am a man sent on errands from the prison camp. My clothes are soaked by the snow—I beg your convenience to let me dry myself by this fire.” The farm steward said: “Go ahead and dry yourself—what harm is there?” Lin Chong dried his wet clothes until they were somewhat dry, and noticed a jar warming by the charcoal fire, from which the aroma of wine wafted. Lin Chong said: “I have some loose silver on me—I wonder if you could spare me some wine to drink.” The old steward said: “We take turns every night watching the grain bins. It’s the fourth watch now and bitterly cold. Even what we have here isn’t enough for us—how can we spare any for you? Don’t count on it!” Lin Chong said again: “Just give me a few bowls, any amount, to ward off the cold.” The old steward said: “Stop pestering us, man.” The smell of the wine made Lin Chong want it all the more, and he said: “I can’t help it—spare a little, please.” The farmhands said: “We were kind enough to let you dry your clothes and warm yourself—and now you want wine! Leave now—if you don’t, we’ll hang you up right here.” Lin Chong said angrily: “You fellows have no sense of decency!” He took his spear and, spotting a burning ember in the flames, flicked it straight at the old steward’s face. Then he thrust the spear into the fire and stirred it. The old steward’s beard burst into flames, and all the farmhands leaped to their feet. Lin Chong lashed out wildly with the spear shaft. The old steward fled first; the others could not move and were beaten and driven away by Lin Chong.
“They’re all gone,” Lin Chong said. “Now I can drink in peace.” On the earthen kang lay two coconut dippers. He took one down, poured the wine from the jar, and drank for a while, leaving half. Then, spear in hand, he went out the door and set off. He staggered and stumbled, one step high, one step low, unsteady on his feet. He had walked less than a li when the north wind blew him over by the side of a mountain stream. He could not get up. As a rule, a drunk man, once fallen, cannot rise. And so Lin Chong lay drunk in the snow.
Now the farmhands gathered more than twenty men, dragging spears and clubs, and rushed back to the thatched hut. When they saw Lin Chong was not there, they followed his tracks and found him lying in the snow, his flower-spear discarded to one side. The farmhands swarmed over him, picked him up on the spot, and bound him with a rope. In the hour before dawn, they escorted Lin Chong to a certain place. That place was none other than—as the tale will tell—within Liao’er Marsh, where thousands of warships and great vessels would line up before and behind; within the Water Margin stronghold, a hundred heroes and bold men would stand in ranks left and right. Truly, speaking of it, the killing aura chills one to the bone, and the telling of it brings a mournful wind that pierces the marrow. In the end, where was Lin Chong taken by the farmhands? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.