Chapter 51: The Winged Tiger Beats Bai Xiuying to Death with a Cangue; The Beautiful Beard Accidentally Loses Young Master Ya Nei

Chapter 51: The Winged Tiger Wears the Cangue and Beats Bai Xiuying; The Beautiful Beard Unwittingly Loses Young Master Ya

It is said that Song Jiang arranged for “Ten Feet of Steel” to marry Wang Ying, making them husband and wife. Everyone praised Song Gongming’s benevolence and virtue, and that day a feast was also laid to celebrate. While they were in the midst of drinking and feasting, they saw a man sent up the mountain from Zhu Gui’s tavern, who reported: “A party of travelers is passing by on the main road in front of the grove. Our junior bandits went out to intercept them, and one of them claimed to be Lei Heng, the constable of Yuncheng County. Chief Zhu detained him. He is now drinking the customary wine and food in the tavern, and we were first sent to report.” Chao Gai and Song Jiang were overjoyed upon hearing this, and immediately went down the mountain with the military advisor, Wu Yong, to welcome him. Zhu Gui had already ferried him ashore at Golden Sand Beach. When Song Jiang saw him, he hurriedly bowed and said, “It has been long since I saw your honored face, and I have often thought of you. Why are you passing by my place today?” Lei Heng hastily returned the courtesy and said, “I was sent by our county on official business to Dongchang Prefecture and am now returning. Passing by the crossroad, my junior bandits blocked the way and demanded a toll. I mentioned my humble name, and Brother Zhu insisted on detaining me.” Song Jiang said, “This is truly a stroke of Heaven-sent fortune!” He invited him to the great stronghold and had him meet all the chieftains. They laid out wine to entertain him. He stayed for five days in a row, spending each day in idle conversation with Song Jiang. Chao Gai asked about Zhu Tong’s whereabouts. Lei Heng replied, “Zhu Tong is now a jail warden in our county. The new magistrate is very fond of him.” Song Jiang tactfully broached the subject of Lei Heng joining the band on the mountain. Lei Heng declined, saying his aged mother was far along in years and he could not follow them; he would come to join after he had seen his mother to her end. Lei Heng then took his leave and went down the mountain. Song Jiang and the others tried repeatedly to detain him but could not. All the chieftains gave him gifts of gold and silk. Song Jiang and Chao Gai naturally did so as well. Lei Heng received a large bundle of gold and silver and went down the mountain. All the chieftains saw him off at the crossroad, ferried him across the main road, and he returned alone to Yuncheng County; this is no longer part of our story.

Let us now speak of Chao Gai and Song Jiang returning to the great stronghold’s Assembly Hall. They invited the military advisor, Wu Xuejiu, to discuss the appointments for the mountain stronghold. Wu Yong had already settled the matter with Song Gongming, and the next day they assembled all the chieftains to hear their orders. First, they assigned the chieftains to guard the taverns outside. Song Jiang said, “Sun Xin and Sister Gu originally ran a tavern. Let the husband and wife replace Tong Wei and Tong Meng, who will be used elsewhere.” He also ordered Shi Qian to help Shi Yong, Le He to help Zhu Gui, and Zheng Tianshou to help Li Li. These four taverns, facing east, west, south, and north, would sell wine and meat and welcome good fellows from all directions to join the band. Two chieftains were assigned to each tavern. “Ten Feet of Steel” and Wang the Stumpy Tiger would camp at the foot of the rear mountain to supervise the horses. At the small stockade of Golden Sand Beach, the brothers Tong Wei and Tong Meng would guard it. At the small stockade of Duck Beak Beach, the uncle and nephew Zou Yuan and Zou Run would guard it. On the main road before the mountain, Huang Xin and Yan Shun would lead a cavalry unit to camp and guard it. Xie Zhen and Xie Bao would guard the first pass before the mountain. Du Qian and Song Wan would guard the second pass at Wanzicheng. Liu Tang and Mu Hong would guard the third pass at the great stronghold’s entrance. The three Ruan brothers would guard the water stockade south of the mountain. Meng Kang would continue to supervise the construction of warships. Li Ying, Du Xing, and Jiang Jing would be in charge of the stronghold’s grain, money, gold, and silk. Tao Zongwang and Xue Yong would supervise the construction of the fortress walls and the rostrum within Liangshan Marsh. Hou Jian would be specially in charge of supervising the manufacture of robes, armor, banners, and battle jackets. Zhu Fu and Song Qing would manage the preparation of feasts. Mu Chun and Li Yun would supervise the building of houses and stockade fences. Xiao Rang and Jin Dajian would be in charge of all correspondence, guest letters, and official documents. Pei Xuan would be in sole charge of the military justice bureau, rewarding merits and punishing faults. The remaining chieftains—Lü Fang, Guo Sheng, Sun Li, Ou Peng, Ma Lin, Deng Fei, Yang Lin, and Bai Sheng—were assigned to rest in the eight directions of the great stronghold. Chao Gai, Song Jiang, and Wu Yong lived in the stronghold atop the mountain. Hua Rong and Qin Ming lived in the left stronghold on the mountain. Lin Chong and Dai Zong lived in the right stronghold on the mountain. Li Jun and Li Kui lived before the mountain. Zhang Heng and Zhang Shun lived behind the mountain. Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu guarded both sides of the Assembly Hall. This group of chieftains having been thus assigned, each day one chieftain took turns hosting a celebratory feast. The stronghold’s organization was very orderly. There is a poem as proof:

The lofty stronghold stands in the water’s midst,

Each assigned a post, each using his skill.

Only because the court lacks the reins to hold,

The marshes are allowed to let eagles unfold.

Let us speak again of Lei Heng, who left Liangshan Marsh, carrying his bundle and a halberd, and took the road back to Yuncheng County. He went home to see his aged mother, changed his clothes, took the official reply document, and went straight to the county office to pay his respects to the magistrate. He reported on his mission, handed in the official documents and permits, and was allowed to go home to rest for a while. As before, he reported for roll call every day at the county office and awaited assignments. One day, as he walked to the east end of the county office, he heard someone call from behind: “Constable, when did you return?” Lei Heng turned his head to look and saw it was Li Xiao’er, a loafer from the same county. Lei Heng replied, “I only returned home the day before yesterday.” Li Xiao’er said, “You’ve been away for so long, Constable. You don’t know that recently a new traveling courtesan from the Eastern Capital has arrived. She is unparalleled in both looks and skill, and her name is Bai Xiuying. That girl came to pay her respects to you, Constable, but you happened to be away on business. Now she is singing all kinds of tunes in the theater. Every day there are performances—sometimes plays and dances, sometimes instrumental music, sometimes singing—and she draws crowds like a sea of people. Constable, why don’t you go take a look? She is truly a first-rate whore!” Lei Heng heard this, and being free at the time, went straight with Li Xiao’er to the theater. They saw that the entrance was hung with many gold-lettered banners and streamers, and a life-sized backdrop was suspended from the flagpole. Going inside, he sat in the foremost seat on the “Green Dragon” side. On the stage, a comic play was being performed. Li Xiao’er slipped away from Lei Heng in the crowd and went outside to have a bowl of brain soup. When the play ended, an old man appeared, wearing a headband that covered his head, a tea-brown silk gown, a black belt, and carrying a fan. He came on stage to open the performance, saying: “I am a man from the Eastern Capital, and my name is Bai Yuqiao. Now that I am old, I rely only on my daughter Xiuying’s singing, dancing, and playing to serve all you patrons throughout the land.” At the sound of gongs, Bai Xiuying had already come on stage. She bowed to the four directions, picked up the gong stick, tapped it like scattering beans, struck the wooden clapper once, and recited a four-line seven-character poem. Then she said, “Today Xiuying’s signboard clearly states that this story is a refined and romantic style, called ‘Shuang Jian Overtakes Su Qing in Yuzhang City’.” After speaking the opening words, she sang, and after singing, she spoke. The entire theater audience applauded without ceasing. Lei Heng, sitting above, looked at the woman and saw that she was indeed unmatched in both looks and skill. Observe:

Her gauze robe piled like snow, her jeweled coiffure heaped like clouds.

A cherry mouth, apricot face and peach cheeks;

A willow waist, orchid heart and iris nature.

Her singing voice, melodious and turning, sounded like an oriole’s cry on a branch;

Her dancing postures, light and whirling, cast shadows like a phoenix turning among flowers.

Her tunes followed ancient modes, her notes came from nature,

High and low, urgent and slow, she followed the scale;

Heavy and light, fast and slow, she adhered to the standard.

The purple bamboo flute played piece after piece of brocade,

And the red sandalwood clappers beat out word after word of freshness.

At the climax of White-Standard-Brocade's song, White-Jade-Wood raised his hand and called out: "Though lacking the skill to buy horses or win gold, I move the wise and discerning. The audience has already given their applause, my child; take a turn and come back down—this is the interlude piece that sets the drumbeat." White-Standard-Brocade picked up the tray, pointed, and said: "Start at the gate of wealth, stop on profitable ground, pass over auspicious land, walk on thriving soil; when it comes before your hand, do not let it pass empty." White-Jade-Wood said: "My child, make a round; the patrons all intend to reward you." White-Standard-Brocade, holding the tray, first approached Lei Heng. Lei Heng reached into the pouch at his side, but to his dismay, there was not a single coin. Lei Heng said: "Today I forgot; I didn't bring any out. I'll give you a reward together with tomorrow's." White-Standard-Brocade laughed and said: "'If the first brew of vinegar isn't strong, the whole lot will be thin.' Sir, you sit in this principal seat—you should give the first share of the reward." Lei Heng's face flushed red as he said: "I simply didn't bring any with me at the moment; it's not that I'm being stingy." White-Standard-Brocade said: "Since you came to hear the singing, sir, how could you forget to bring money?" Lei Heng said: "Giving you three or five taels of silver wouldn't be a problem; I only regret forgetting to bring it today." White-Standard-Brocade said: "Today, sir, you haven't a single coin to show—what talk of three or five taels of silver? You're just making us 'quench thirst by looking at plums and satisfy hunger by drawing cakes.'" White-Jade-Wood called out: "My child, you have no eye for people; you can't tell a city dweller from a country bumpkin. Why keep pestering him for a tip? Go over and ask some discerning benefactor for the first reward." Lei Heng said: "How am I not discerning?" White-Jade-Wood said: "If you understood the ways of these gentlemen, a dog would grow horns on its head." The crowd chimed in with laughter. Lei Heng flew into a rage and cursed: "You slave, how dare you insult me?" White-Jade-Wood said: "What harm is there in cursing you, a plow-ox driver from a three-village backwater?" Someone who recognized him shouted: "Don't do that—this is the county's Captain Lei." White-Jade-Wood said: "I'm afraid it's more like 'Donkey-Tendon Head.'" Lei Heng could no longer contain himself; he leaped straight from his seat onto the stage, grabbed White-Jade-Wood, and with a punch and a kick, split his lips and knocked out his teeth. Seeing the violence, the crowd rushed to separate them and urged Lei Heng to go home. The people in the theater all scattered in confusion.

Now this White-Standard-Brocade had had dealings with the newly arrived magistrate when they were both in the Eastern Capital; today she had come specially to Yuncheng County to open her theater. Seeing her father beaten by Lei Heng and seriously injured, the courtesan called for a sedan chair and went straight to the magistrate's yamen to file a complaint, saying that Lei Heng had assaulted her father, disrupted the theater, and deliberately bullied her. The magistrate, upon hearing this, flew into a rage and said: "Write out the complaint at once." This is what is called "the pillow's power." He had White-Jade-Wood write the complaint, had the injuries examined, and designated witnesses. All the people of the county were on good terms with Lei Heng and tried to bribe the magistrate on his behalf, but the woman stayed in the yamen, acting spoiled and coquettish, so the magistrate had no choice but to comply. He immediately had officers arrest Lei Heng and bring him before the court, where he was beaten, made to confess, and fitted with a cangue, then paraded through the streets as a public example. The woman, wanting to flaunt her power, went to the magistrate again and insisted that Lei Heng be displayed at the entrance of the theater. The next day, when the woman resumed her performance, the magistrate ordered Lei Heng to be put on display at the theater gate. The jailers and their assistants were all fellow officers of Lei Heng's—how could they be willing to tie him up? The woman thought for a moment; since she had already made a public example of him, there was only one thing left. She stepped out of the theater, went to a teahouse, sat down, and summoned the jailer, saying: "You're all in league with him, letting him take it easy. The magistrate ordered you to tie him up, but you're trying to do him a favor. Wait till I tell the magistrate—let's see what he can do to you!" The jailer said: "Madam, do not be angry; we'll tie him up ourselves." White-Standard-Brocade said: "In that case, I'll reward you with money myself." The jailers had no choice but to go to Lei Heng and say: "Brother, there's no help for it; we'll have to tie you up for now." So they bound Lei Heng in the street.

In the crowd, Lei Heng's mother happened to come to bring him food. Seeing her son tied up there, she began to weep and cursed the jailers, saying: "All of you men who come and go in the yamen just like my son—is money so powerful? Who can guarantee they'll never have trouble?" The jailer replied: "My old mother, listen to me. We wanted to show consideration, but the plaintiff is right here watching us tie him up; we had no choice. Otherwise, she'd go to the magistrate and make trouble for us, so we couldn't save face." The old woman said: "When has it ever been seen that the plaintiff herself watches the defendant being displayed?" The jailers lowered their voices and said: "Old lady, she's on good terms with the magistrate; one word from her and we're done for. That's why we're in a bind." The old woman, while untying the ropes herself, cursed: "This thieving, shameless slut thinks she can throw her weight around! I'll untie this rope first, and let's see what she can do about it!" White-Standard-Brocade, hearing this from the teahouse, came over and said: "You old serving-wench, what were you just saying?" The old woman, with no good temper left, pointed at her and cursed: "You thousand-ridden, ten-thousand-pressed, every-man-entered bitch of a dog—how dare you curse me instead?" White-Standard-Brocade, upon hearing this, her willow-leaf eyebrows shot up and her starry eyes widened as she cursed back: "You old biting insect, beggar hag,—how dare you curse me?" The old woman said: "What if I do curse you? You're not the magistrate of Yuncheng County!" White-Standard-Brocade, in a fury, rushed forward and slapped the old woman, making her stagger. As the old woman tried to steady herself, White-Standard-Brocade went at her again, slapping her repeatedly. Now Lei Heng was a man of great filial piety; seeing his mother beaten, rage surged from his heart. He lifted his cangue and brought it down on White-Standard-Brocade's skull. That single blow from the cangue struck her square on, splitting open her skull, and she fell forward to the ground. When the crowd looked, White-Standard-Brocade's brains were oozing out, her eyes bulging, and she lay motionless—they knew she was dead.

Seeing that White-Standard-Brocade had been killed, the people seized Lei Heng and together went to the county office to report the matter. They saw the magistrate and recounted the whole affair in detail. The magistrate immediately ordered Lei Heng to be taken into custody, summoned the coroner, and called in the village head and neighbors. After the corpse was examined, all were brought back to the county office. Lei Heng confessed to everything without any sign of reluctance. His mother stood bail for him to be released to her custody pending a decision. Lei Heng was placed in the cangue and locked in the jail. The prison warden on duty was none other than "Beautiful-Beard" Zhu Tong. Seeing Lei Heng sent down, he had no choice but to arrange some wine and food for him and ordered a junior jailer to clean out a quiet cell and settle Lei Heng in. After a while, Lei Heng's mother came to the prison to bring food and, weeping, begged Zhu Tong: "I am over sixty years old, and I have only this one son to look to. I beg you, Brother Warden, for the sake of your daily brotherhood, to take pity on my child and look after him." Zhu Tong said: "Old lady, please rest assured and go home. From now on, there's no need to bring food; I will take care of him myself. If there is an opportunity, I may be able to save him." Lei Heng's mother said: "If you, Brother, can save my son, you will be his reborn parents. If anything happens to him, my old life will be finished." Zhu Tong said: "I will keep this firmly in mind, old lady; do not worry." The old woman bowed in thanks and left. Zhu Tong thought for a whole day but could not devise a way to save him. He himself sent someone to bribe the magistrate and used influence on Lei Heng's behalf up and down the yamen. Although the magistrate was fond of Zhu Tong, he hated Lei Heng for killing his mistress, White-Standard-Brocade, and would not listen to him. Moreover, White-Jade-Wood kept pressing the case, so the documents were compiled, and the magistrate ordered that Lei Heng must pay with his life. Thus, after sixty days in prison, the time limit was up and the case was decided; it was to be sent up to Jizhou. The chief clerk took the documents and left first, while Zhu Tong was ordered to escort Lei Heng.

Zhu Tong led more than a dozen jailers, escorting Lei Heng out of Yuncheng County. After they had traveled about ten li, they saw a tavern. Zhu Tong said, “Let’s all stop here and have a couple of bowls of wine.” Everyone entered the tavern to drink. Zhu Tong alone took Lei Heng aside, pretending to go to the latrine, and brought him to a secluded spot in the rear. There he unlocked the cangue, released Lei Heng, and instructed him, “Brother, go back yourself, quickly fetch your old mother, and flee into exile tonight to some other place. I will take the blame and face the court here for you.” Lei Heng said, “If I run away, it’s no trouble for me, but it will certainly implicate you, brother.” Zhu Tong replied, “Brother, you don’t understand. The magistrate resents you for beating his mistress to death and has made the case airtight. Once you’re sent to the prefecture, they will surely demand your life in payment. By releasing you, I myself should not deserve the death penalty. Moreover, I have no parents to worry about, and my family property can all be used to pay compensation. You look to your future and go.” Lei Heng bowed in thanks, then slipped out the back gate and took a small path to his home. He packed up his valuables in a bundle, took his old mother, and that very night went straight to join the outlaws at Liangshan Marsh. No more is said of him.

Meanwhile, Zhu Tong picked up the empty cangue and threw it into the grass, then came out and said to the jailers, “Lei Heng has escaped. What are we to do?” The others said, “Let’s hurry to his house and catch him.” Zhu Tong deliberately delayed for a good while, calculating that Lei Heng was far away by then, then led the men to the county office to surrender himself. Zhu Tong reported, “I, your humble servant, was careless. On the road, Lei Heng slipped away and has not been caught. I willingly accept my guilt and have nothing to say.” The magistrate was originally fond of Zhu Tong and wished to let him off lightly, but Bai Yuqiao insisted on reporting to his superior that Zhu Tong had deliberately released Lei Heng. The magistrate had no choice but to submit a report of Zhu Tong’s offense to Jizhou. Zhu Tong’s family sent someone to the prefecture to bribe the officials, and Zhu Tong was then escorted to Jizhou. There, before the court, the case was examined and clarified, and he was sentenced to twenty strokes of the heavy rod and exile with tattooing to the Cangzhou garrison prison. Zhu Tong had to wear the traveling cangue, and two escorting officers took the documents and escorted him on the road. His family sent clothes and travel money, having first bribed the two officers. They then left Yuncheng County and journeyed all the way to Heng Hai Commandery in Cangzhou. There were no incidents on the road. When they reached Cangzhou, they entered the city and went to the prefectural office. It happened that the prefect was holding court. The two officers escorted Zhu Tong to stand at the foot of the hall steps and presented the documents. The prefect read them and saw that Zhu Tong had an extraordinary appearance—his complexion was like a dark red date, and his beautiful beard hung past his belly. The prefect was already eighty percent pleased with him. He ordered that this prisoner not be sent down to the garrison camp but be kept in the prefectural office to await orders. The traveling cangue was removed, and the receipt was issued. The two officers took their leave and returned.

Now, Zhu Tong stayed in the prefectural office, waiting every day before the hall for assignments. The officers, attendants, gatekeepers, clerks, wardens, and jailers of Cangzhou Prefecture all received some gifts from him, and because they saw that Zhu Tong was amiable, they all liked him. One day, the prefect was sitting in court, and Zhu Tong was standing in attendance at the foot of the steps. The prefect called Zhu Tong up into the hall and asked, “Why did you release Lei Heng and end up being exiled here yourself?” Zhu Tong replied, “How would I dare deliberately release Lei Heng? It was just a moment of carelessness, and he escaped.” The prefect said, “Then why were you sentenced so heavily?” Zhu Tong answered, “The plaintiff insisted that I admit to deliberately releasing him, so the sentence was severe.” The prefect asked, “How did Lei Heng come to beat that prostitute to death?” Zhu Tong then told the whole story of Lei Heng’s previous affairs in detail. The prefect said, “Was it because you saw his filial piety and released him out of a sense of honor?” Zhu Tong said, “How would I dare deceive my superior and betray the law?”

While they were still speaking, a young master emerged from behind the screen. He was only four years old, with a dignified and handsome appearance, and was the prefect’s own son, whom the prefect cherished like gold and jade. The young master saw Zhu Tong and came straight over, wanting to be picked up. Zhu Tong had no choice but to take the child in his arms. The young master grabbed Zhu Tong’s long beard with both hands and said, “I only want this bearded man to hold me.” The prefect said, “Child, let go quickly. Don’t be noisy.” The young master said again, “I only want this bearded man to hold me and play with me.” Zhu Tong reported, “I, your humble servant, will carry the young master for a stroll outside the office and play for a while, then return.” The prefect said, “Since the child wants you to hold him, go and play with him for a while, then come back.” Zhu Tong carried the young master out of the prefectural office, bought him some fine candied fruits to eat, took a turn around, and then brought him back to the office. When the prefect saw them, he asked the young master, “Child, where did you go?” The young master said, “This bearded man took me to the street to watch the excitement and bought me candy and fruit to eat.” The prefect said, “Where did you get the money to buy things for the child to eat?” Zhu Tong replied, “It is just a small token of my humble devotion. It’s not worth mentioning!” The prefect ordered wine to be brought for Zhu Tong to drink. The maidservants in the office carried a silver flagon and a plate of fruit and poured wine, giving Zhu Tong three large reward cups. The prefect said, “If the child wants you to play with him morning or evening, you may carry him out to play.” Zhu Tong said, “How would I dare disobey the gracious prefect’s orders?” From then on, Zhu Tong went out every day with the young master to stroll. Zhu Tong had money in his pockets, and since he wanted to please his superior, he was even more generous in spending on the young master.

After half a month had passed, it was the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the day of the Ullambana grand vegetarian feast. According to the annual custom, lanterns were lit and floated on the rivers everywhere, and good deeds were performed. On that evening, the maidservants and the wet nurse in the hall called out, “Captain Zhu, the young master wants to go see the river lanterns tonight. Madam has ordered that you carry him to take a look.” Zhu Tong said, “I will carry him.” The young master wore a green gauze shirt, with two strings of pearl-tipped hair ties on his topknot, and came out from inside. Zhu Tong lifted him onto his shoulders and went out of the prefectural office, heading toward the Dizang Temple to see the lit river lanterns. It was just the first watch of the night, when one could see:

The distant sound of bells, the fluttering of banners. In the incense burner burned all kinds of precious incense; on the plates were piled various vegetarian offerings. Monks held golden pestles, reciting true words to save the wandering souls; people arranged silver coins, wearing mourning clothes to speed the departed spirits. The hall was filled with merits, depicting the eight difficulties and three paths of the underworld; the temple was surrounded by splendor, displaying the four births and six destinies of hell. Pure water was sprinkled from willow branches; bright lanterns were set afloat in the lotus pond.

At that time, Zhu Tong carried the young master on his shoulders and walked around the temple. Then they went to the Water and Land Hall by the Release Life Pond to watch the lanterns being set afloat. The young master climbed onto the railing, laughing and playing as he watched. Suddenly, someone tugged at Zhu Tong’s sleeve from behind and said, “Brother, come over here and speak with me.” Zhu Tong turned his head and saw that it was Lei Heng. Startled, he said, “Little master, come down first and sit here. I’ll go buy you some candy. Don’t wander off.” The young master said, “Come back quickly. I want to go to the bridge to watch the river lanterns.” Zhu Tong said, “I’ll be right back.” Then he turned around to speak with Lei Heng.

Zhu Tong said, “Worthy brother, why have you come here?” Lei Heng pulled Zhu Tong aside to a secluded spot and bowed, saying, “Ever since you, elder brother, saved my life, I had nowhere to go with my old mother, so I had no choice but to go to Liangshan Marsh and join Song Jiang’s band. I told them of your kindness, elder brother, and Song Jiang also remembers the favor you did him in letting him go. Chief Chao Gai and all the other leaders are deeply grateful, so they specially sent Military Advisor Wu and me to visit you.” Zhu Tong said, “Where is Mr. Wu now?” From behind him, Wu Yong stepped forward and said, “Wu Yong is here.” Then he bowed. Zhu Tong hastily returned the courtesy, saying, “It’s been a long time. I hope you’ve been well all this while, sir.” Wu Yong said, “All the leaders in the stronghold send their regards. Now they have sent Wu Yong and Captain Lei here especially to invite you, sir, to come up the mountain and join us in great righteousness. We’ve been here for many days but dared not meet you. Tonight, we seized the opportunity to ask you, benevolent brother, to please come with us at once and go to the stronghold, to fulfill the wishes of Chao and Song.” Zhu Tong listened, and for a long while could not utter a word, then said, “Sir, you are mistaken! Don’t speak of such things; I’m afraid others might hear and it would not be good. Lei Heng, my brother, committed a crime worthy of death. Out of loyalty, I let him go. Since I couldn’t show my face, he went up the mountain and joined the band. I was exiled here because of him. Heaven have mercy—in a year or half a year, I’ll struggle back to my hometown and become a law-abiding citizen again. How could I ever do such a thing? You two, please go back at once. Don’t stir up trouble and gossip here—it’s not good.” Lei Heng said, “Elder brother, staying here means you’ll always be under others, serving them. That’s not the deed of a true man. It’s not that I, your younger brother, am trying to drag you into the band, but Chao and Song have long looked up to you, elder brother. Don’t delay and harm yourself.” Zhu Tong said, “Brother, what kind of talk is this? Don’t you remember that I let you go because your mother was old and your family poor? Now you come to trap me in unrighteousness!” Wu Yong said, “Since Captain refuses to go, we’ll take our leave and say goodbye.” Zhu Tong said, “Convey my humble name and give my regards to all the leaders.” They walked together to the bridge.

Zhu Tong returned, but the little was gone. He began to cry out in distress, finding no way to search in either direction. Lei Heng grabbed Zhu Tong and said, “Elder brother, don’t search. It’s probably my two companions. Hearing that you refused to go, elder brother, they took the little away. Let’s go look together.” Zhu Tong said, “Brother, this is no joking matter. This little is the very life of the prefect, and he entrusted him to me.” Lei Heng said, “Elder brother, just follow me.” Zhu Tong, Lei Heng, and Wu Yong left the Earth Treasury Temple and went straight out of the city. Zhu Tong, growing anxious, asked, “Where have your companions taken the little?” Lei Heng said, “Elder brother, just keep walking. When we get to my lodgings, I’ll surely return the little to you.” Zhu Tong said, “If it’s too late, I’m afraid the prefect will blame me.” Wu Yong said, “The two companions I brought are ignorant fellows. They must have taken him straight to our lodgings.” Zhu Tong asked, “What are the names of those companions of yours?” Lei Heng replied, “I don’t know them either. I only heard one is called ‘Black Whirlwind’ Li Kui.” Zhu Tong was startled and said, “Could it be Li Kui, the one who killed people in Jiangzhou?” Wu Yong said, “It is that very man.” Zhu Tong stamped his foot and cried out in misery, then hurriedly gave chase. When they had gone about twenty li from the city, they saw Li Kui ahead, shouting, “I’m here.” Zhu Tong rushed forward and asked, “Where have you put the little?” Li Kui made a bow and said, “Greetings, Chief Zhu. The little is here.” Zhu Tong said, “Bring out the little properly and return him to me.” Li Kui pointed to his head and said, “The little’s topknot is right here on my head.” Zhu Tong looked, then asked again where the little was. Li Kui said, “I put some numbing medicine in his mouth, dragged him out of the city, and now he’s sleeping in the woods. Go see for yourself.” Taking advantage of the bright moonlight, Zhu Tong rushed straight into the woods to search. He saw the little lying on the ground. When he reached out to help him up, he saw that the head had been split in two, and the child was already dead.

At that moment, Zhu Tong was filled with rage. He burst out of the woods, but the three men were already gone. Looking all around, he saw the “Black Whirlwind” far off, patting his double axes and shouting, “Come, come, come! Fight me for twenty or thirty rounds!” Zhu Tong’s anger surged. Forgetting his own safety, he hitched up his linen shirt and ran after him with great strides. Li Kui turned and fled, with Zhu Tong in hot pursuit. But Li Kui was a man used to crossing mountains and ridges; how could Zhu Tong catch up? He was soon panting heavily. Li Kui, ahead, called out again, “Come, come, come! Let’s fight to the death!” Zhu Tong wished he could swallow him in one gulp, but he simply could not overtake him. On and on they chased, and as dawn gradually broke, Li Kui, when pursued closely, ran fast; when pursued slowly, he walked slowly; when not pursued, he stopped. Finally, they saw him run into a large manor. Zhu Tong looked and said, “Since that fellow has a place to go, I will not rest until this is settled.”

Zhu Tong chased straight into the manor’s inner hall. Seeing many weapons lined up on both sides, he said, “This must be the home of some official.” He stopped and called out loudly, “Is anyone in this manor?” From behind a screen, a man stepped out. Who was that man? He was:

A branch of the golden royal tree, a descendant of the phoenix and dragon of former dynasties. A charter of iron and vermilion protected his house; his fame for recruiting talent spread far and wide. He entertained guests with warmth and harmony, scattering gold with a face full of spring. Adept in both letters and arms, he was a Mengchang of our times—the “Little Whirlwind,” the clever Chai Jin.

The one who appeared was “Little Whirlwind” Chai Jin. He asked, “Who is this?” Zhu Tong, seeing the man’s imposing bearing and refined features, hastily bowed and replied, “I am Zhu Tong, the jail warden of Yuncheng County. Because of a crime, I was tattooed and exiled here. Last night, while out watching the river lanterns with the prefect’s little son, the ‘Black Whirlwind’ killed the boy. Now he has fled to your honored manor. I beg you to help capture him and turn him over to the authorities.” Chai Jin said, “Since you are ‘Beautiful Beard,’ please sit for a moment.” Zhu Tong said, “I dare not presume to ask your honored name, sir.” Chai Jin replied, “My humble surname is Chai, given name Jin, and I am called ‘Little Whirlwind.’” Zhu Tong said, “I have long heard of your great name.” He immediately knelt and bowed, adding, “I never thought I would see your face today!” Chai Jin said, “I have also long heard of ‘Beautiful Beard.’ Please come to the rear hall to talk.” Zhu Tong followed Chai Jin inside. Zhu Tong said, “How dare that ‘Black Whirlwind’ fellow come straight into your manor to hide?” Chai Jin said, “Allow me to explain: I have always devoted myself to befriending bold heroes from rivers and lakes. Because my ancestor rendered meritorious service at the Chen Bridge abdication, the former emperor granted our house a charter of iron and vermilion. Anyone who commits a crime, if hidden in my home, no one dares search. Recently, a good friend, who is also an old acquaintance of yours, is now a leader at Liangshan Marsh. His name is ‘Timely Rain’ Song Jiang. He sent a secret letter, and Wu Yong, Lei Heng, and ‘Black Whirlwind’ have all been staying at my humble manor, inviting you, sir, to come up the mountain and join the fraternity. Seeing that you refused, they deliberately had Li Kui kill the little, first cutting off your retreat, so you would have to go up the mountain and take a seat among the leaders. Sir Wu and Brother Lei, why don’t you come out and apologize?” Then Wu Yong and Lei Heng emerged from a side chamber, bowed to Zhu Tong, and said, “Elder brother, we beg your forgiveness. This was all done by order of Elder Brother Song Jiang. When you reach the stronghold, all will be made clear.” Zhu Tong said, “It’s all well and good—your brotherly goodwill—but this was too cruel!” Chai Jin urged him strongly. Zhu Tong said, “I’ll go, I’ll go, but let me see that ‘Black Whirlwind’ first!” Chai Jin said, “Brother Li, come out quickly and apologize.” Li Kui also came out from the side, making a deep bow. When Zhu Tong saw him, a nameless rage flared up three thousand feet high and could not be suppressed. He rose and rushed forward, wanting to fight Li Kui to the death. Chai Jin, Lei Heng, and Wu Yong struggled to hold him back. Zhu Tong said, “If you want me to go up the mountain, agree to one condition, and then I’ll go.” Wu Yong said, “Not just one condition—even a dozen, we’ll all agree. Let us hear what that one thing is.” It was because Zhu Tong spoke these words that there would be a great disturbance in Gaotangzhou, stirring up Liangshan Marsh, leading to the punishment of a noble relative of the imperial house and the death of a hospitable imperial kinsman in a pit. After all, what did Zhu Tong say? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.