Chapter 16: Yang Zhi Escorts the Birthday Gifts; Wu Yong Cleverly Seizes the Birthday Convoy

CHAPTER 16: Yang Zhi Escorts the Birthday Gifts; Wu Yong Cleverly Seizes the Birthday Outfit

Just then, as Gongsun Sheng was talking with Chao Gai in the pavilion about the birthday gifts from Beijing being ill-gotten wealth that could be taken without concern, a man burst in from outside, seized Gongsun Sheng, and said, "How dare you! I know all about the matter you were just discussing." The man was none other than Wu Yong, the Wizard. Chao Gai laughed and said, "Professor, do not be alarmed; please come and meet him." The two exchanged formal greetings. Wu Yong said, "I have long heard of the great reputation of Gongsun Sheng, the ‘Cloud-Riding Dragon,’ in the gallant fraternity; I never expected to meet you here today!" Chao Gai said, "This scholar here is Professor Wu Yong, the ‘Wizard.’" Gongsun Sheng said, "I have heard many in the gallant fraternity speak of your great name, Master Jia Liang; who would have thought fate would bring us together at Squire Bao’s manor? It is only because the squire is generous with his wealth and upholds justice that all the heroes under heaven flock to his gate." Chao Gai said, "There are a few more acquaintances inside; let us invite them to the rear hall for a meeting."

The three went inside, where they met Liu Tang and the three Ruan brothers. Truly:

When gold and silk are hoarded, disaster has its root;

Heroes gather together, though their meeting is not fixed in time.

For a moment, the gallant deceive the imperial house;

Seven stars’ radiance stirs the Purple Tenuity.

All the men said, "This meeting today cannot be by chance; we must ask Brother Squire Chao to take the seat of honor." Chao Gai said, "I am but a poor host; how dare I presume to take the highest seat!" Wu Yong said, "Brother Squire Chao is the eldest; if you follow my advice, please take the seat." Chao Gai had no choice but to take the first seat, Wu Yong took the second, Gongsun Sheng the third, Liu Tang the fourth, Ruan Xiao-er the fifth, Ruan Xiao-wu the sixth, and Ruan Xiao-qi the seventh. Then they gathered together to drink in fellowship, rearranging the cups and dishes and preparing more wine and food for all to enjoy. Wu Yong said, "The squire dreamed of the Big Dipper’s seven stars falling onto the ridge of the roof; now today we seven gather to undertake this affair—how could this not correspond to the celestial omen! This fortune is within easy reach. As for what we discussed earlier—sending Brother Liu to scout the route from which they will come—today is late; tomorrow morning, please set out." Gongsun Sheng said, "There is no need to go for that. I have already found out the route they will take; they will come by the main road through Yellow Mud Ridge." Chao Gai said, "Ten miles east of Yellow Mud Ridge, there is a place called Peaceful Village, where lives a loafer named Bai Sheng, the ‘Daytime Rat.’ He once came to seek me out, and I helped him with travel expenses." Wu Yong said, "The white light on the Big Dipper—could it correspond to this man? He will have his use." Liu Tang said, "This place at Yellow Mud Ridge is rather far; where can we find a hiding place?" Wu Yong said, "That Bai Sheng’s home will be our shelter, and we will also need his help." Chao Gai said, "Master Wu, should we take it by stealth or by force?" Wu Yong laughed and said, "I have already set a trap; we will see how things develop. If force is needed, we use force; if cunning is needed, we use cunning. I have a plan—I wonder if it meets your approval? It goes like this, like this." When Chao Gai heard it, he was overjoyed, stamped his foot, and said, "What a brilliant plan! No wonder they call you the ‘Wizard’! You truly surpass Zhuge Liang! What a plan!" Wu Yong said, "Say no more; as the saying goes, ‘Walls have ears, and outside the window there are always people.’ This must be known only to you and me." Chao Gai then said, "Brothers Ruan, please return for now; when the time comes, come back to my manor for the gathering. Master Wu, you may go back to teaching as usual. Master Gongsun and Liu Tang will stay here at my humble abode for the time being." They drank until evening, then each retired to their rooms to rest.

The next morning, they arose at the fifth watch, prepared breakfast, and ate. Chao Gai took out thirty taels of silver and gave them to the three Ruan brothers, saying, "A small token of my regard; please do not refuse." The Ruan brothers were reluctant to accept. Wu Yong said, "It is a gesture of friendship; do not hinder it." Only then did the three Ruan brothers accept the silver. They all saw them off outside the manor. Wu Yong whispered in their ears, "Do this and that; when the time comes, there must be no mistake." The three Ruan brothers took their leave and returned to Stone Tablet Village. Chao Gai kept Gongsun Sheng and Liu Tang at the manor. Wu Yong often came to discuss matters. Truly:

Taking what is not theirs, officials are all thieves;

Depriving the surplus, the thieves act justly.

The plan is set; one need only wait calmly,

Laughing as the treasure-laden burden hurries away.

But enough of this digression. Let us speak of the prefect of Beijing, Daming Prefecture, Liang Zhongshu. Having purchased gifts worth a hundred thousand strings of cash to celebrate the birthday, he selected a day to dispatch someone to deliver them. One day, as he sat in the rear hall, Lady Cai asked, "Husband, when will the ‘birthday outfit’ be sent off?" Liang Zhongshu said, "The gifts are all prepared, and we should set out the day after tomorrow. But there is one matter I am still undecided about." Lady Cai asked, "What matter are you undecided about?" Liang Zhongshu said, "Last year, we spent a hundred thousand strings to buy gold, pearls, and treasures to send to the Eastern Capital, but because we did not employ the right person, they were robbed on the way by bandits, and we have yet to recover them. This year, I see no capable man before me to deliver them, which is why I am still undecided." Lady Cai pointed to someone at the foot of the steps and said, "You often say this man is extremely capable; why not entrust him with a written guarantee and send him to deliver them? That way, there should be no mistake."

Liang Zhongshu looked at the man at the foot of the steps—it was Yang Zhi, the Blue-Faced Beast. Liang Zhongshu was greatly pleased and immediately summoned Yang Zhi to the hall, saying, "I had forgotten about you. If you deliver the ‘birthday outfit’ for me, I will surely promote you." Yang Zhi stepped forward with cupped hands and reported, "I dare not disobey your command! But I do not know how you plan to prepare it, and when should we set out?" Liang Zhongshu said, "I will have Daming Prefecture dispatch ten peace carts, and assign ten garrison soldiers from my command to escort each cart. On each cart, plant a yellow flag inscribed with ‘Birthday Gifts for the Grand Tutor.’ Each cart will also have a soldier accompanying it. We must set out within three days." Yang Zhi said, "It is not that I am making excuses, but it is truly impossible. I beg you to assign another capable and careful man." Liang Zhongshu said, "I intend to promote you. In the memorial presenting the ‘birthday outfit,’ I will include a separate letter strongly recommending you to the Grand Tutor, so you may return with an imperial appointment. Why do you make excuses and refuse to go?" Yang Zhi said, "Your Excellency, I have heard that last year the gifts were robbed by bandits, and they have yet to be caught. This year, there are even more bandits on the road. The route to the Eastern Capital has no waterways; it is entirely overland. It passes through Purple Gold Mountain, Two-Dragon Mountain, Peach Blossom Mountain, Umbrella Mountain, Yellow Mud Ridge, White Sand Hollow, Wild Cloud Ferry, and Red Pine Forest—all places where bandits lurk. Even lone travelers dare not pass through alone. When they know there are gold and silver treasures, how could they not come to rob? It would only cost me my life. That is why I cannot go." Liang Zhongshu said, "If that is the case, I will send more soldiers to guard the convoy." Yang Zhi said, "Even if you send five hundred men, it would be useless. As soon as those scoundrels hear bandits are coming, they will all flee first." Liang Zhongshu said, "If you say that, should we not send the ‘birthday outfit’ at all?" Yang Zhi replied, "If you agree to one condition, I will dare to deliver it." Liang Zhongshu said, "Since I am entrusting this to you, how could I not agree to what you say?" Yang Zhi said, "If you follow my advice, do not use carts. Pack the gifts into about ten loads, disguised as a merchant’s goods. Also select ten strong garrison soldiers to act as porters carrying the loads. I need only one assistant to go with me, dressed as a merchant, and we will travel quietly day and night to deliver them to the Eastern Capital. That would be the best way." Liang Zhongshu said, "What you say is very sensible. I will write a letter strongly recommending you, so you may return with an official appointment." Yang Zhi said, "I deeply thank you for your promotion." That same day, Liang Zhongshu ordered Yang Zhi to prepare the loads and select the soldiers.

The next day, Yang Zhi was summoned to wait before the hall. Liang Zhongshu came out and asked, "Yang Zhi, when do you set out?" Yang Zhi reported, "I report to Your Excellency, I will depart on time tomorrow morning. I now request the official writ." Liang Zhongshu said, "My wife also has a load of gifts, to be sent separately to the Preceptor's household. You must also take charge of escorting them. Fearing you might not be familiar with the situation, I have specially ordered the old steward, Xie Duguan, along with two adjutants, to go with you." Yang Zhi replied, "Your Excellency, I cannot go." Liang Zhongshu said, "The gifts are already bound and prepared. Why can you not go?" Yang Zhi reported, "These ten loads of gifts fall upon me, and with all these men, Yang Zhi is to arrange everything: whether to leave early or late, to stop or rest, all must follow my orders. Now, if you also send the old steward and the adjutants with me, they are men close to my lady and the Preceptor's household. If they cause trouble on the road, how dare I argue with them? If the great matter is delayed, how will Yang Zhi explain it then?" Liang Zhongshu said, "That is easy. I will order the three of them to obey your commands." Yang Zhi replied, "If that is so declared, I am willing to take the writ. If any mishap occurs, I willingly accept severe punishment." Liang Zhongshu was greatly pleased and said, "I have not raised you in vain; you truly have insight!" He then summoned old Steward Xie and the two adjutants, and before the hall instructed them: "Commander Yang has willingly taken the writ to supervise the escort of the Birthday Convoy—eleven loads of gold, silver, and precious items—to be delivered to the Preceptor's mansion in the capital. The responsibility rests entirely on him. You three are to accompany him as companions. On the road, whether rising early, traveling late, or stopping to rest, you must all heed his words and not cause trouble. Matters my wife has instructed, you three will handle yourselves. Be careful and attentive, go early and return quickly, and let there be no mishap." The old steward agreed to everything.

That day, Yang Zhi received his orders. The next morning, before the fifth watch, the loads were laid out before the hall in the mansion. The old steward and the two adjutants brought out another small load of valuables, making eleven loads in total. They selected eleven sturdy garrison soldiers, all dressed as porters. Yang Zhi donned a cool bamboo hat, wore a green gauze shirt, tied a sash, put on traveling hempen sandals, carried a waist sword at his side, and held a long sword. The old steward also dressed as a merchant; the two adjutants pretended to be attendants. Each took a long sword and carried several rattan whips. Liang Zhongshu handed over the official documents and letters. The whole party ate their fill, then took leave of Liang Zhongshu in the hall. They watched the soldiers lift the loads and set out. Yang Zhi, Steward Xie, and the two adjutants supervised the escort. The group of fifteen left the Liang mansion, exited the city gates of the Northern Capital, and took the main road toward the Eastern Capital. It was the middle of the fifth month. Though the weather was clear and fine, the heat was unbearable for travel. In olden times, Prince Wu of the Seventh Commandery wrote a poem of eight lines:

Jade screens all around, red railings enclose,

Fish in clusters play amid duckweed and rushes.

An eight-foot mat of white shrimp whiskers spread,

A pillow of red agate rests the head.

Six dragons, fearing heat, dare not advance,

The sea boils and surges around Penglai Isle.

Even nobles find their fans too weak,

While travelers toil on the dusty road.

These eight lines describe the scorching summer months. Those sons of nobles, on cool pavilions and waterside pavilions, soaking melons and plums in iced water, cooling themselves with lotus roots, still complain of the heat. How could they know that travelers, for a paltry name or meager profit, without even the restraint of shackles, must endure the dog days and walk these roads? Now Yang Zhi’s party, eager to reach the birthday on the fifteenth of the sixth month, could only press on. For the first five or six days after leaving the Northern Capital, they indeed rose before the fifth watch to travel in the cool of the morning and rested when the heat peaked at noon.

After five or six days, settlements grew sparse, and fellow travelers became few. Every stage led through mountain paths. Yang Zhi now insisted on setting out at the hour of the Dragon (7–9 a.m.) and stopping at the hour of the Monkey (3–5 p.m.). The eleven garrison soldiers, their loads heavy—none of them lighter than the others—found the heat unbearable and could not walk. Whenever they saw a grove, they wanted to rest. Yang Zhi drove them forward, urging haste. If they stopped, he would either revile them harshly or, for worse offenses, strike them with his rattan whip, forcing them on. The two adjutants, though carrying only bundles of luggage, also panted and struggled to keep up. Yang Zhi scolded them, "You two are so ignorant! This responsibility is mine. You don't help me drive these porters, but instead lag behind slowly. This road is no place for fooling around!" The adjutants said, "It's not that we want to walk slowly. It's just that the heat makes it impossible to move, so we fall behind. In previous days, we traveled only in the early cool. Why now, in the full heat, must we walk? This is truly unfair." Yang Zhi said, "Your words are like farting! In previous days, we traveled on good ground. Now we are in dangerous places. If we don't get through in daylight, who dares to travel in the dead of night?" The two adjutants said nothing aloud, but thought to themselves, "This fellow is not worth the trouble of cursing."

Yang Zhi, holding his long sword and rattan whip, went ahead to drive the load-bearers. The two adjutants sat under a willow's shade, waiting for the old steward to arrive. When he did, they told him, "That Yang fellow, no matter how tough, is only a commander under our lord. Yet he puts on such airs!" The old steward said, "Our lord instructed us face to face not to quarrel with him. That's why I've kept silent. These past two days, I've found him unbearable too, but let's endure him for now." The two adjutants said, "Our lord only spoke out of politeness. You, Steward, can do as you see fit." The old steward added, "Let's endure him for a while longer."

That day, they reached the hour of the Monkey (3–5 p.m.) and stopped at an inn to rest. The ten garrison soldiers, sweating like rain, sighed and gasped for breath. They said to the old steward, "We are unfortunate to be soldiers, and we know we've been sent on this duty. In this fire-hot weather, carrying heavy loads, and these past two days not traveling in the cool of dawn, we get beaten with a big rattan whip at the slightest thing. We all have skin and flesh born of parents. Why must we suffer so?" The old steward said, "Don't complain. When we reach the Eastern Capital, I will naturally reward you." The soldiers said, "If you treat us like this, Steward, we would never dare to complain." Another night passed.

The next day, before dawn, everyone got up, wanting to set out in the cool. Yang Zhi jumped up and shouted, "Where are you going! Go back to sleep first, then we'll talk." The soldiers said, "If we don't go now in the cool, we won't be able to walk in the daytime heat, and you'll beat us." Yang Zhi cursed loudly, "What do you know?" He grabbed his rattan whip as if to strike. The soldiers swallowed their anger and had to lie down again. That day, they did not set out until the hour of the Dragon (7–9 a.m.), slowly lit a fire, ate their meal, and then departed. Along the way, he drove them on, forbidding them to rest in any cool spot. The eleven garrison soldiers muttered and grumbled under their breath. The two adjutants, before the old steward, gossiped and sowed discord incessantly. The old steward listened but paid no heed, though he grew inwardly angry at Yang Zhi.

To be brief, they traveled thus for fourteen or fifteen days, and not one of the fourteen men did not resent Yang Zhi. That day, at the inn, they slowly lit a fire at the hour of the Dragon (7–9 a.m.), ate breakfast, and set out. It was the fourth day of the sixth month. Before noon had even arrived, a red sun blazed directly overhead, with not a wisp of cloud. The heat that day was fierce. The ancients had a poem of eight lines:

The Fire God drives a fire-dragon from the south,

Flame banners blaze, burning the sky red.

The sun-wheel at noon hangs motionless,

The whole world seems in a red-hot furnace.

The Five Peaks' green dries up, clouds vanish,

The Sea God at the ocean's bottom dreads the waves' drought.

When will an autumn wind arise,

To sweep away the world's heat?

That day, the road wound through remote, rugged mountain paths, crossing northern peaks and southern ridges. They drove the eleven soldiers onward, covering about twenty li or more. The soldiers wanted to rest in the shade of willow trees, but Yang Zhi struck out with his rattan whip and shouted, "Hurry! I told you to rest early!" The soldiers looked at the sky; there was not a trace of cloud anywhere. The heat was unbearable. It was like:

Steaming heat assails men, choking dust fills the face. The whole world is a steamer, a fiery umbrella hangs in the sky. No clouds in the four directions; wind still, trees burning, streams dry. A thousand mountains blaze with flame, crackling, stones split, ashes fly. Birds in the air are near death, plummeting headlong into deep forests; fish and dragons in the water shed their scales, diving straight into mud pits. It would make a stone tiger gasp without pause, and even an iron man would sweat and fall.

At that time Yang Zhi urged the group to walk along the mountain paths. Seeing that the sun was directly overhead at noon, the stones became hot, and their feet ached so much they could not move. The soldiers said, “With weather this hot, isn’t it enough to scorch a man to death?” Yang Zhi scolded the soldiers, saying, “Hurry up and get past that ridge ahead, then we’ll deal with it.” As they walked, they encountered a earthen ridge ahead. When the group looked at this ridge, they saw:

At the top, ten thousand green trees; at the base, a stretch of yellow sand. It rose high and wound like the shape of an old dragon; steep and perilous, only the sound of wind and rain was heard. By the mountain side, thatched grass tangled like countless scattered swords and spears; all over the ground, stones lay densely like two rows of crouching tigers and leopards. Do not speak of the dangers of the western Sichuan road; know that this is the Taihang Mountains.

At that moment, the fifteen people hurried up to Yellow Mud Ridge, set down their loads, and the fourteen soldiers all lay down in the shade of the pine trees. Yang Zhi said, “What a hardship! What place is this, and you rest in the shade here? Get up! Hurry on!” The soldiers said, “Even if you chop us into seven or eight pieces, we truly cannot walk anymore!” Yang Zhi picked up a rattan stick and struck them on the head and face, beating this one up while that one lay back down. Yang Zhi was at his wit’s end.

Then the two lieutenants and the old steward, panting heavily, struggled up to the ridge and sat under the pine trees to catch their breath. Seeing Yang Zhi beating the soldiers, the old steward said, “Captain, it’s truly too hot to walk on; don’t blame them.” Yang Zhi said, “Steward, you don’t know that this is exactly where bandits come out, a place called Yellow Mud Ridge. In ordinary peaceful times, they rob people in broad daylight, let alone in conditions like this. Who dares to stop here!” The two lieutenants, hearing Yang Zhi’s words, said, “We’ve heard you say this several times; you keep using this talk to scare people!” The old steward said, “Let them rest a while; what about moving on after noon has passed a bit?” Yang Zhi said, “You are too muddled! How can that be allowed? From here down the ridge, there are still seven or eight li with no houses. What kind of place is this to dare rest in the shade!” The old steward said, “I’ll sit a while and then go myself; you go ahead and drive the others on first.”

Yang Zhi, holding the rattan stick, shouted, “If there’s one who doesn’t move, he’ll get twenty strokes from me.” The soldiers all cried out together, and one of them argued, “Captain, we’re carrying loads of a hundred jin; after all, it’s not like you walking empty-handed. You really don’t treat people as human! Even if the Marshal himself came to supervise, he would allow us to say a word. You have no sense of pain or itch!” They kept arguing. Yang Zhi cursed, “You beast, you’ll anger me to death! I’ll just keep beating!” He picked up the rattan stick and struck them across the face. The old steward shouted, “Captain Yang, hold on! Listen to me. When I served as the wet nurse’s husband in the Grand Marshal’s residence in the Eastern Capital, I saw thousands and tens of thousands of officers and soldiers, and they all responded to me with respectful murmurs. It’s not that I’m quick-tongued, but you are nothing more than a condemned soldier whom the Marshal pitied and promoted to be a captain—a rank no bigger than a mustard seed! Is it worth putting on such airs? Not to mention that I am the steward of the Marshal’s household; even if I were just an old man in a village, you should listen to my advice. To keep beating them—what kind of reasoning is that?” Yang Zhi said, “Steward, you are a city dweller, raised in the Marshal’s mansion; how would you know the countless hardships of the road?” The old steward said, “I have been to Sichuan and Guangdong; I have never seen you show off like this.” Yang Zhi said, “Nowadays, it’s truly not like peaceful times.” The steward said, “Saying such words deserves a slit mouth and cut tongue; how is the realm not peaceful today?”

Yang Zhi was about to reply when he saw, from the pine forest opposite, a man faintly peering out, looking around. Yang Zhi said, “What did I say? Isn’t that a villain coming!” He threw down the rattan stick, grabbed his broadsword, and rushed into the pine forest, shouting, “You scoundrel, how dare you spy on my goods!” Truly:

Speak of ghosts, and ghosts come; speak of thieves, and thieves appear; they were of one family, but face to face could not recognize each other.

Yang Zhi rushed over to look and saw, lined up in a row in the pine forest, seven Jiangzhou carts. Seven men, stripped naked, were resting in the shade. One man had a large vermilion birthmark at his temple, holding a broadsword, and came forward toward Yang Zhi. The seven men all cried out, “Ah!” and jumped up. Yang Zhi shouted, “Who are you?” The seven said, “Who are you?” Yang Zhi asked again, “Are you villains?” The seven said, “You ask us? We are small-time traders; where would we have money to give you?” Yang Zhi said, “You are small-time traders, but I happen to have big capital!” The seven asked, “Who are you, after all?” Yang Zhi said, “You first say where you’re from.” The seven said, “We seven brothers are from Haozhou, transporting dates to the Eastern Capital, passing through here on the road. We heard many people say that on Yellow Mud Ridge here, thieves often rob merchants. As we walked, we said to ourselves: ‘We seven only have some dates, no other goods.’ So we just crossed the ridge. After coming up, we couldn’t bear the heat, so we stopped for a rest in this grove, planning to go on when it’s cooler at night. We heard someone coming up the ridge, and fearing they might be villains, we sent this brother out to have a look.” Yang Zhi said, “So that’s it—you’re fellow merchants as well. Just now, seeing you peeping, I was afraid you were villains, so I came to check.” The seven said, “Sir, please have a few dates before you go.” Yang Zhi said, “No need.” He picked up his broadsword and returned to the side of the loads.

The old steward said, “Since there are thieves, let’s go.” Yang Zhi said, “I thought they were villains, but they turned out to be date merchants.” The old steward said, “Just as you said earlier, they are all reckless with their lives!” Yang Zhi said, “No need to argue; as long as nothing happens, it’s fine. You all rest for a while, and go when it’s cooler.” The soldiers all laughed. Yang Zhi also stuck his broadsword into the ground and went to sit in the shade under a tree.

Before half a bowl of rice had passed, they saw a man far off, carrying a pair of buckets on a pole, singing as he came up the ridge. He sang: “The blazing sun is like fire burning; the field crops are half wilted and scorched. The farmer’s heart is like boiling soup; the nobles and lords wave their fans.” The man sang as he walked up the ridge, set down the buckets in the pine grove, and sat on the ground to rest in the shade. The soldiers saw him and asked the man, “What’s in your buckets?” The man replied, “It’s white liquor.” The soldiers said, “Where are you taking it?” The man said, “Taking it to the village to sell.” The soldiers said, “How much per bucket?” The man said, “Five strings of cash, full price.” The soldiers discussed among themselves, “We’re hot and thirsty; why not buy some to drink and relieve the heat?”

They were just pooling their money when Yang Zhi saw them and shouted, “What are you doing now?” The soldiers said, “Buying a bowl of liquor to drink.” Yang Zhi swung the shaft of his broadsword and struck, cursing, “Without my permission, you recklessly want to buy liquor to drink—how dare you!” The soldiers said, “Nothing’s happening, and you’re making a fuss! We’re pooling our own money to buy liquor; what business is it of yours? And you hit us!” Yang Zhi said, “You village fools, what do you know? You only think of indulging your greed! You have no idea of the difficulties and dangers of the road. How many good men have been knocked out by knockout drops!” The liquor vendor, looking at Yang Zhi, sneered and said, “Sir, you really don’t understand reason! It’s a good thing I’m not selling to you, and you come out with such feeble talk!”

Just as they were quarreling and arguing by the pine trees, the group of date merchants from the opposite pine grove all came out, carrying their broadswords, and asked, “What are you all arguing about?” The liquor vendor said, “I’m just carrying this liquor across the ridge to sell in the village. It’s hot, and I rested here in the shade. These men wanted to buy some from me to drink, but I haven’t sold them any. This gentleman says my liquor has knockout drops in it—isn’t that laughable? To say such things!”

Those seven guests said, “We thought some villain was coming out. So that’s all it was—a word is nothing to get worked up over. We were just wanting some wine to quench our thirst. Since they’re suspicious, go ahead and sell us one bucket to drink.” The wine carrier said, “No sale! No sale!” The seven guests replied, “You damned fellow, you don’t understand anything. We never said a word about you. You’re going to take it into the village to sell anyway, and we’ll pay you the same price. What harm is there in selling us a little? You’re too stingy to spare a bit of tea or soup, and here you could relieve our heat and thirst.” The wine-carrying fellow then said, “Selling you one bucket is nothing, but they’ve made it sound bad. Besides, I have no ladle or gourd to scoop it with.” The seven said, “You’re taking it too seriously! What’s a single word matter? We have our own coconut ladles here.” Then two of the guests went to the cart and took out two coconut ladles, and one brought out a large handful of dates. The seven men stood around the bucket, opened its lid, and took turns scooping the wine to drink, using the dates as appetizers. In no time, one bucket of wine was finished.

The seven guests said, “We were just about to ask how much it costs?” The fellow said, “I’ve always had a fixed price—five strings of cash a bucket, ten strings for the whole load.” The seven guests said, “Five strings it is, then, but just let us have one extra ladle to drink.” The fellow said, “No can do; that’s the set price.” One guest handed him the money, while another went and lifted the bucket lid, scooped up a ladle, and raised it to drink. As the fellow moved to snatch it, the guest, holding half a ladle of wine, ran off into the pine grove, and the fellow chased after him. Then a guest from the pine grove came out, holding a ladle, and scooped some wine from the bucket. The fellow saw him, rushed over, snatched the ladle away, poured the wine back into the bucket, covered it, threw the ladle to the ground, and said, “You guests have no decency! With all your dignity, you still make trouble like this!”

The soldiers opposite saw this and their mouths watered; they all wanted to drink. One of them looked at the old steward and said, “Old sir, speak a word for us. Those date-selling guests bought a bucket and drank it. Let us just buy this bucket and drink it too, to wet our throats. We’re truly hot and thirsty, with no choice. There’s no place to beg for water on this ridge. Please, old sir, do us this favor.” When the old steward heard the soldiers say this, he himself felt like drinking too, so he went over to Yang Zhi and said, “Those date peddlers have already bought and drunk one bucket. There’s only this one left. Let them buy some to drink and relieve the heat. There really is no place to get water on this ridge.” Yang Zhi thought to himself, “I saw from a distance that all those men bought his wine and drank it, and I saw that half ladle drunk right from that bucket, so it must be fine. I’ve scolded them enough; I might as well let them buy a bowl to drink.” Yang Zhi said, “Since the old steward has spoken, let these fellows buy it and drink, then we’ll move on.”

When the soldiers heard this, they pooled five strings of cash and came to buy the wine. The wine seller said, “No sale! No sale! This wine has knockout drops in it!” The soldiers smiled apologetically and said, “Brother, why talk like that!” The fellow said, “No sale! Don’t pester me!” The date-selling guests urged him, “You damned fellow, his words were a bit off, but you’re taking it too seriously! You’ve dragged us into your scolding too. This has nothing to do with these men; just sell them some to drink.” The fellow said, “Why stir up suspicion for no reason?” The date-selling guests pushed the wine seller aside and took the bucket to give to the soldiers to drink. The soldiers opened the lid but had nothing to scoop with, so they politely asked the guests to lend them the coconut ladle. The guests said, “We’ll give you these dates to go with the wine.” The soldiers thanked them, saying, “How can we accept this?” The guests said, “No need to thank us; we’re all travelers on the road. Why fuss over a hundred or so dates?” The soldiers thanked them, first scooped two ladles, offering one to the old steward and one to Commander Yang. Yang Zhi refused to drink. The old steward drank one himself, and the two adjutants each drank one. Then the soldiers all crowded in, and that bucket of wine was finished in no time.

When Yang Zhi saw that everyone had drunk and nothing happened, he originally didn’t intend to drink, but first, the weather was too hot, and second, his thirst was unbearable, so he picked up a ladle and drank only half, eating a few dates with it. The wine seller said, “This bucket had a ladle taken by that guest, so you’re short some wine. I’ll knock half a string off the price for you.” The soldiers pooled the money and paid him. The fellow took the money, shouldered the empty buckets, and still singing his mountain song, went down the ridge by himself.

Those seven date-selling guests stood by the pine trees, pointed at the fifteen men, and said, “Down! Down!” Then those fifteen men, with heads heavy and feet light, stared blankly at each other and all collapsed limply. The seven guests pushed out seven Jiangzhou carts from the pine grove, dumped the dates on the ground, loaded all eleven loads of gold, silver, and jewels onto the carts, covered them up, shouted, “Sorry for the trouble!” and pushed them straight down Huangnigang Ridge. Truly:

They scraped the people’s fat and marrow to celebrate a birthday,

Caring nothing for the people’s lives, neighbor to death.

Only then believe that plunder has always been invited,

A guilty conscience must have its reasons.

Yang Zhi could only cry out in anguish, his body limp, unable to struggle up; the fifteen men watched with their own eyes as the seven men loaded all the gold and silver valuables and took them away, but they could not rise, could not move, could not speak.

Let me ask you, who were these seven men? None other than Chao Gai, Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, Liu Tang, and the three Ruan brothers. The fellow who carried the wine was “Daylight Rat” Bai Sheng. But how was the drug used? When they carried it up the ridge, both buckets were good wine. The seven men drank one bucket first. Liu Tang lifted the lid and scooped out half a ladle to drink, deliberately letting them see it, just to make them feel secure. Then Wu Yong went into the pine grove, took out the drug, shook it into the ladle, and pretended to come asking for an extra drink. When he scooped with the ladle, the drug was already stirred into the wine. He faked taking half a ladle to drink, and Bai Sheng snatched it away and poured it back into the bucket. That was the plan. The scheme was all Wu Yong’s idea, and this is called the “Taking of the Birthday Convoy by Strategy.”

Since Yang Zhi drank less wine, he sobered up faster. He struggled to his feet but still couldn’t stand steady. Looking at the other fourteen, their mouths were drooling, and they couldn’t move at all, just as the saying goes: “Though you be as sly as a ghost, you’ll still drink the foot-washing water.”

Yang Zhi said bitterly, “How can I let you take the ‘Birthday Convoy’ like this? How can I go back to see Secretary Liang? This receipt is useless now; I might as well tear it up. Now I have no home to return to, no country to flee to. Where can I go? I might as well find a place to die on this ridge.” He lifted his clothes, took a long stride, and leaped toward the bottom of Huangnigang Ridge. Truly:

The third month’s rain destroys the falling flowers,

The autumn frost withers the willow trees.

After all, whether Yang Zhi’s life ended on Huangnigang Ridge, listen to the next chapter for the explanation.