Chapter 9: Chai Jin Opens His Gates to Welcome Heroes; Lin Chong Defeats Instructor Hong with His Staff
CHAPTER 9
Chai Jin's Gate Welcomes Guests from All Under Heaven; Lin Chong Strikes Instructor Hong with His Staff
As the story goes, at that moment Xue Ba raised his staff with both hands and brought it down toward Lin Chong's head. Quick as it was, no sooner had Xue Ba lifted his staff than from behind a pine tree came a thunderous roar, and an iron monk's staff flew over, striking the water-and-fire staff aside and sending it flying into the clouds. Out leaped a fat, tall monk, who bellowed: "I have been listening to you from the woods for quite a while!" The two escorts looked at the monk—he wore a black robe, carried a ringed staff, and had a priest's sword at his waist. He raised his staff and swung it at the two escorts.
Lin Chong, now able to open his eyes and see, recognized Lu Zhishen. He quickly called out: "Brother, do not strike them. I have something to say." Upon hearing this, Zhishen stopped his staff. The two escorts stood stunned for a long time, unable to move. Lin Chong said: "This is none of their doing. It was entirely Marshal Gao who instructed Captain Lu to order these two escorts to take my life. How could they dare to disobey him? If you kill them, it would be unjust."
Lu Zhishen pulled out his sword, cut through all the ropes, and helped Lin Chong up, saying: "Brother, ever since we parted that day after buying the knife, I have been worried sick about you. After you were arrested, I had no way to rescue you. When I heard you were sentenced to exile in Cangzhou, I searched for you in front of the Kaifeng Prefecture but could not find you. Then I heard you were held in the warden's office, and later I saw a waiter invite the two escorts, saying, 'A gentleman in the inn wants to speak with you.' That made me suspicious, and I could not rest easy over you. Fearing these scoundrels might harm you on the road, I followed you specially. I saw these two bastards take you into the inn, and I lodged there too. That night I heard them playing tricks, scalding your feet with boiling water. I wanted to kill them then, but the inn was crowded, and I feared someone might come to their aid. Seeing that these fellows harbored evil intentions, I grew even more uneasy. When you left at the fifth watch, I came straight to this grove to wait and kill these two bastards. When they came here to harm you, it was the perfect chance to finish them off." Lin Chong urged: "Since you have saved me, brother, do not take their lives." Lu Zhishen roared: "You two bastards! If it weren't for my brother's sake, I would chop you both into meat paste! But for my brother's sake, I spare your lives." He sheathed his sword and shouted: "You two bastards, quickly help my brother and follow me." He picked up his staff and walked ahead. The two escorts dared not reply, only pleading: "Save us, Instructor Lin." They shouldered the bundles again, took up their water-and-fire staves, and supported Lin Chong. They also dragged his bundle along, following him out of the grove. After walking three or four li, they saw a small inn at the village entrance. The four of them entered and sat down. Looking at the inn, they saw:
In front, it bordered the post road; behind, it connected with a stream-side village. A few peach and willow trees cast dense green shade; several patches of sunflowers and pomegranates showed scattered red shadows. Outside the door, hemp and wheat grew thickly; before the window, lotus flowers swayed gracefully. A light wine banner fluttered in the warm breeze; a short reed screen shielded against the scorching sun. By the wall stood earthen jars, filled with cold, clear village wine; on the shelf were porcelain bottles, newly opened fragrant festival wine. A white-haired old farmer personally washed the cups; a rosy-cheeked village girl smiled as she sold wine at the counter.
At that moment, Shen, Chong, Chao, and Ba sat down in the village inn. They called for the waiter to buy five or seven catties of meat, two measures of wine to drink, and some flour to make cakes. The waiter prepared everything and strained the wine. The two escorts said: "May we ask, Reverend, at which temple do you serve as abbot?" Zhishen laughed: "You two bastards, why do you ask where I live? Is it to tell Gao Qiu to come and harm me? Others may fear him, but I do not. If I run into that scoundrel, I'll make him taste three hundred strokes of my staff." The two escorts dared not speak again. After eating some wine and meat, they packed their luggage, paid the bill, and left the village inn. Lin Chong asked: "Brother, where are you headed now?" Lu Zhishen said: "'To kill a man, one must see blood; to save a man, one must save him thoroughly.' I cannot rest easy over you, so I will escort you all the way to Cangzhou." The two escorts muttered to themselves: "This is terrible! It ruins our plan. How will we report back when we return? We must just go along with him and travel together." A poem testifies:
Most hateful are treacherous schemes that deceive the bright sun; alone he upholds righteousness, valuing it more than gold. He fears not the long journey of a thousand li; his only care is his loyal heart.
From then on, during the journey, whatever Lu Zhishen said—whether to walk or to rest—they dared not oppose him. If he was in a good mood, he scolded them; if not, he beat them. The two escorts dared not speak loudly, fearing the monk's temper. After two stages of travel, they hired a cart. Lin Chong rode in the cart to recover, while the three followed alongside. The two escorts, harboring secret fears, were each concerned for their own lives and had to tread carefully and obediently. Along the way, Lu Zhishen bought wine and meat to restore Lin Chong's strength, and the two escorts also partook. When they encountered an inn, they rested early and traveled late, and it was always the two escorts who lit the fire and cooked the meals—who dared to disobey him? The two discussed privately: "We are under this monk's strict supervision. When we return tomorrow, Marshal Gao will surely make trouble for us." Xue Ba said: "I heard that a new monk has come to the vegetable garden shed of the Daxiangguo Temple, named Lu Zhishen. It must be him. When we go back, we'll tell the truth—that we were about to finish him off at the Wild Boar Forest, but this monk saved him and escorted him all the way to Cangzhou, so we could not act. We'll just let him keep the ten taels of gold, and let Lu Qian deal with this monk himself. You and I just need to keep ourselves out of trouble." Dong Chao said: "That makes sense." The two discussed this in secret, but we will say no more of it.
Let us not dwell on trivialities. Under Zhishen's constant supervision, they traveled for seventeen or eighteen days, and were now only about seventy li from Cangzhou. Along the way, there were settlements everywhere, with no more secluded spots. Having confirmed this, Lu Zhishen stopped to rest in a pine grove. He said to Lin Chong: "Brother, Cangzhou is not far from here. The road ahead is all populated, with no desolate places. I have verified this. Now I must part with you, and we will meet again another day." Lin Chong said: "When you return, brother, please inform my father-in-law. For your protection, I will repay you handsomely if I survive." Lu Zhishen then took out ten or twenty taels of silver and gave them to Lin Chong, and gave three or two taels to the two escorts, saying: "You two bastards, I originally planned to cut off your heads on the road. But for my brother's sake, I spare your wretched lives. The road ahead is short—do not harbor any evil intentions." The two said: "How would we dare? It was all by the marshal's orders." They took the silver and were about to part when Lu Zhishen looked at the two escorts and said: "Are you two bastards' heads as hard as this pine tree?" They replied: "Our heads are made of our parents' flesh and skin, covering some bones." Zhishen raised his staff and struck the pine tree once, leaving a mark two inches deep and snapping it cleanly in two. He shouted: "You two bastards, if you have any evil intentions, I'll make your heads like this tree." He waved his hand, dragged his staff, and called out: "Take care, brother." Then he left. Dong Chao and Xue Ba stuck out their tongues, unable to draw them back for a long time. Lin Chong said: "Gentlemen, let us go on our own." The two escorts said: "What a fierce monk—he snapped a tree with one blow." Lin Chong said: "That's nothing. He once uprooted a willow tree at the Xiangguo Temple, roots and all." The two just shook their heads, finally realizing it was true.
The three left the pine grove and traveled until noon, when they soon saw an inn by the official road. They saw:
An ancient road by a lonely village, an inn by the roadside. By the willow bank, a brocade banner hung in the morning; by the lotus pond, the wind brushed the green curtain. Liu Ling lay reclining before a painted bed; Li Bai slept drunk on a painted wall. Festival wine emboldened the farmer's heart; village wine brightened the old rustic's face. Immortals' jade pendants had once been left here; ministers' golden sables were also pawned.
The three men entered the tavern, and Lin Chong had the two escorts take the seats of honor. Dong Chao and Xue Ba only began to feel at ease after quite some time. Inside the tavern, there were several tables, and three or five waiters were bustling about, moving things here and there. Lin Chong and the two escorts sat for half an hour, but none of the waiters came to attend to them. Growing impatient, Lin Chong rapped on the table and said, "You, tavern keeper, are a bully to your customers. Seeing that I am a convict, you ignore me. It's not as if I mean to eat without paying. What is the meaning of this?" The keeper replied, "You clearly do not understand my good intentions." Lin Chong said, "Refusing to sell me wine and meat—what kind of good intention is that?" The keeper said, "You don't know that in this village there is a wealthy squire named Chai Jin, known here as Lord Chai, and in the martial world called the 'Little Whirlwind.' He is a descendant of Chai Shizong, the last emperor of the Later Zhou. Since the abdication at Chen Bridge, the Martial Virtue Emperor Taizu granted him an iron-clad imperial pardon kept in his home. Who dares to bully him? He makes it his business to host all the brave men under heaven, keeping thirty or fifty of them at his estate. He often instructs us tavern keepers: 'If any exiled convict passes through, tell him to come to my manor, and I will support him.' If I now sold you wine and meat, and your face turned red from drinking, he would think you have your own funds and would not give you aid. That is my good intention." Upon hearing this, Lin Chong said to the two escorts, "When I was teaching troops in the Eastern Capital, I often heard soldiers speak of Lord Chai's name, and now I find he is here. Why don't we go and seek him out together?" Dong Chao and Xue Ba thought to themselves, "If that's the case, what harm can come to us?" So they packed up their bundles and asked the tavern keeper, "Where is Lord Chai's manor? We wish to find him." The keeper said, "It's straight ahead, about two or three li away. Past the big stone bridge, take a turn or two, and you will see the large manor."
Lin Chong and the others thanked the keeper and left. After walking about two or three li, they indeed saw a large stone bridge. Crossing it, they came to a level road and soon spotted the manor amidst the green willows. A stream encircled it, lined on both banks with tall weeping willows, and a whitewashed wall stood in the shade. Turning a corner, they arrived at the front of the manor. What a grand estate it was! Behold:
Its gate faced the auspicious path, its hills connected to the Azure Dragon. A myriad peach blossoms bloomed by the Wu Ling stream; a thousand trees flowered in the Golden Valley garden. In the Hall of Assembled Worthies, rare blooms never faded through the seasons; before the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, the scenery rivaled eternal spring. The hall bore an imperial plaque bestowed by decree, and the house held the iron-clad pardon. Red rafters and green tiles gleamed upon the nine-tiered hall; painted beams and carved rafters truly marked a refined retreat. It was not the mansion of a current minister or prince, but rather the abode of a former imperial line.
The three men arrived at the manor and saw four or five estate servants sitting on a wide plank bridge, cooling themselves. They came to the bridge, greeted the servants, and Lin Chong said, "May I trouble you, brother, to inform the lord: A convict from the capital, escorted to a penal garrison, named Lin, requests an audience." The servants replied together, "You are out of luck. If the lord were home, you would have wine, food, and money. But this morning he went hunting." Lin Chong asked, "Do you know when he will return?" The servants said, "Hard to say. He might stop at the eastern manor for the night—we can't be sure. We can't promise anything." Lin Chong said, "Then I have no luck and cannot meet him. Let us go." They took leave of the servants and turned back along the same road, feeling quite dejected.
After walking half a li or so, they saw in the distance, from deep within the woods, a cluster of horsemen galloping toward the manor. Behold:
Every man was handsome, every one a hero. Dozens of fine horses neighed in the wind; two or three embroidered banners fluttered in the sun. Sky-blue felt hats sat high like upturned lotus leaves; crimson tassels sprouted like blooming flowers. In the flying-fish quivers stood gold-inlaid, finely drawn bows; from the lion-shaped arrow cases protruded neatly arranged, kingfisher-feathered arrows. They led several slender hounds for chasing deer and carried pairs of grey falcons for catching hares. Swift goshawks strained at their silken leashes; hooded brocade eagles sought their gauntlets. Polished javelins gleamed coldly at the saddles; round drums occasionally rumbled on the horses. What hung from the saddles were none other than birds from beyond the sky; what was borne on the horses were all beasts from the mountains. They resembled the King of Jin approaching the Purple Frontier, or Emperor Wu of Han arriving at Changyang.
The cluster of horsemen sped toward the manor, with a young lord at their center riding a snow-white, curly-haired horse. The man on the horse had dragon-like eyebrows and phoenix eyes, white teeth and red lips, a three-tufted mustache at his mouth, and appeared about thirty-four or thirty-five years old. He wore a black silk turban with upturned corners and embroidered flowers, a purple embroidered robe with a round chest design, a belt inlaid with jade and gold rings, and black boots trimmed with gold thread and green. He carried a bow and a quiver of arrows, leading his attendants to the manor. Lin Chong saw him and thought, "Could this be Lord Chai?" But he dared not ask, only pondering to himself. The young lord on the horse rode forward and asked, "Who is this man in the cangue?" Lin Chong hastily bowed and replied, "I am Lin Chong, formerly an instructor in the Eastern Capital's Imperial Guard. Because I offended Grand Marshal Gao, he found a pretext to have me tried in Kaifeng Prefecture and sentenced to exile here in Cangzhou. I heard from a tavern keeper ahead that there is a chivalrous man, Lord Chai, who welcomes worthy men, so I came to seek him. But fate is unkind, and I did not meet him." The lord dismounted in haste, came forward quickly, and said, "Chai Jin has failed to welcome you properly." He knelt down on the grass and bowed. Lin Chong hurriedly returned the courtesy. The lord took Lin Chong by the hand and walked with him to the manor. Seeing this, the servants opened the manor gate wide, and Chai Jin invited Lin Chong straight into the hall. After they exchanged formal greetings, Chai Jin said, "I have long heard of your illustrious name, Instructor, and never expected that today you would grace my humble abode. This fulfills my lifelong admiration." Lin Chong replied, "I am but a humble man, Lin Chong. I have heard of your noble reputation, which spreads across the land. Who does not respect you? I never imagined that, having committed an offense and been exiled here, I would have the fortune to meet you in person—a blessing for many lifetimes." Chai Jin repeatedly declined the honor, and Lin Chong took the guest's seat. Dong Chao and Xue Ba also sat down in a row. Chai Jin's attendants led the horses to the rear courtyard to rest; no more need be said of them.
Chai Jin then called for the servants to bring wine. Shortly, several servants came out carrying a platter of meat, a platter of cakes, and a flask of warm wine. Another platter held a peck of white rice, with ten strings of cash placed on top. All were brought out together. Seeing this, Chai Jin said, "You country folk don't know propriety. When the Instructor arrives, how can you be so casual? Take it back at once. First bring out fruit and wine, then kill a sheep to entertain him. Hurry and prepare it." Lin Chong rose and thanked him, "Lord, you need not give so much. This is already more than enough." Chai Jin said, "Do not say such things. It is rare that the Instructor deigns to come here; how can I be remiss?" The servants dared not disobey. They first brought out fruit boxes and wine. Chai Jin stood up and personally poured three cups. Lin Chong thanked Chai Jin and drank, and the two escorts also drank. Chai Jin said, "Instructor, please come inside and sit for a while." He then removed his bow case and arrow quiver and invited the two escorts to drink together.
Chai Jin took the seat of honor at the head of the table, Lin Chong sat in the guest's seat, and the two escorts sat beside Lin Chong. They chatted about various matters and tales of the martial world, and before they knew it, the red sun had set. Food, wine, fruits, and seafood were arranged and placed before each person. Chai Jin personally raised his cup and toasted three rounds, then sat down and called out, "Bring the soup now." After one course of soup and five or seven cups of wine, a servant came to report, "The arms master has arrived." Chai Jin said, "Invite him to join us here. Quickly bring another table." Lin Chong rose to look, and saw the arms master enter, his headscarf askew, his chest thrust out, as he came into the rear hall. Lin Chong thought, "The servants call him 'arms master'—he must be the lord's teacher." He hastily bowed and said, "Lin Chong pays his respects." The man paid no attention at all and did not return the bow. Lin Chong did not dare to raise his head. Chai Jin pointed to Lin Chong and said to Arms Master Hong, "This is Instructor Lin Chong, the spear and staff instructor of the 80,000 Imperial Guards in the Eastern Capital. Please make his acquaintance." Upon hearing this, Lin Chong looked at Hong and bowed. Hong said, "No need to bow. Rise." But he did not bow in return. Chai Jin was greatly displeased. Lin Chong bowed twice, then rose and yielded his seat to Hong. Hong did not yield either but went straight to the upper seat. Chai Jin was even more annoyed. Lin Chong had no choice but to sit beside him, and the two escorts also sat down.
Hong the Instructor then asked, "Why does the lord treat a convicted soldier with such heavy courtesy today?" Chai Jin said, "This man is no ordinary person; he is a staff and spear instructor of the Eighty-Thousand Imperial Guard. How could you, Master, slight him lightly?" Hong the Instructor said, "The lord only favors staff and spear practice, so those exiled criminals all come to seek refuge, each claiming to be a staff and spear teacher, coming to the manor to cheat for wine, food, and money. Why must the lord take them so seriously?" Lin Chong heard this but said nothing. Chai Jin said, "One cannot judge a person by appearance; do not underestimate him." Hong the Instructor was displeased by Chai Jin's remark about "not underestimating him," so he jumped up and said, "I don't believe him. If he dares to spar a round with me, then I'll acknowledge him as a true instructor." Chai Jin laughed loudly and said, "Excellent! Excellent! Instructor Lin, what are your thoughts?" Lin Chong said, "I dare not presume." Hong the Instructor thought to himself, "This man surely has no skill; he's already afraid." Thus he provoked Lin Chong even more to spar with the staff. Chai Jin, on one hand, wanted to see Lin Chong's ability; on the other, he wanted Lin Chong to defeat him and dampen that fellow's arrogance. Chai Jin said, "For now, let's have some wine to drink, and wait until the moon rises before proceeding."
At that moment, they drank another five or six cups of wine, and the moon had already risen, illuminating the hall as bright as day. Chai Jin stood up and said, "Let the two instructors spar a round." Lin Chong thought to himself, "This Hong the Instructor must surely be Lord Chai's master; if I knock him over with one staff, it might look bad." Seeing Lin Chong's hesitation, Chai Jin said, "This Instructor Hong hasn't been here long, and there's no opponent for him here. Instructor Lin, do not refuse; I also wish to see the skills of both instructors." Chai Jin said this only because he feared Lin Chong would hold back his true ability out of respect for him. Lin Chong, seeing that Chai Jin had spoken plainly, finally felt at ease. Then Hong the Instructor stood up first and said, "Come, come, come! Let's have a go with the staff and see." Everyone bustled out of the hall and went to the open ground behind. The manor servants brought a bundle of staffs and placed them on the ground. Hong the Instructor first took off his outer garment, tucked up his skirt, grabbed a staff, assumed a stance, and shouted, "Come, come, come!" Chai Jin said, "Instructor Lin, please spar a round." Lin Chong said, "Lord, do not mock me." He picked up a staff from the ground and said, "Master, your instruction, please." Hong the Instructor looked at him, as if he wished he could swallow him in one gulp. Lin Chong held his staff and assumed the posture of the "Great Leopard of Shandong," advancing to strike. Hong the Instructor whipped his staff along the ground and rushed at Lin Chong. The two instructors crossed weapons under the moonlight, a truly splendid sight. How can one describe the "Great Leopard of Shandong"? Behold:
The Great Leopard of Shandong, the Northern Clutching Spear. The Great Leopard staff bursts forth like from a loach's cave; the Clutching Spear staff darts out like from a giant python's lair. The Great Leopard staff is like an uprooted strange tree; the Clutching Spear staff is like withered vines rolling across the ground. Two dragons vying for pearls within the seas, a pair of tigers fighting for prey before the cliffs.
The two instructors crossed weapons under the moonlight for four or five rounds, when suddenly Lin Chong leaped out of the circle and called out, "Hold!" Chai Jin said, "Instructor, why aren't you using your skill?" Lin Chong said, "I have lost." Chai Jin said, "We haven't seen the two of you compete yet; how can you say you've lost?" Lin Chong said, "It's just that I have this cangue on me, so for now I concede defeat." Chai Jin said, "It was my oversight." He laughed heartily and said, "This is easy." He then ordered the manor servants to bring ten taels of silver, which were fetched at once. Chai Jin said to the two escorting wardens, "I presume to ask you to do me a favor, if you would be so kind as to remove Instructor Lin's cangue. Tomorrow, whatever happens at the prison camp, I'll take responsibility. Here are ten taels of silver for your trouble." Dong Chao and Xue Ba, seeing Chai Jin's imposing manner, dared not defy him and were happy to do him a favor, especially with the ten taels of silver, and they didn't fear Lin Chong escaping. Xue Ba then removed Lin Chong's protective cangue. Chai Jin was overjoyed and said, "Now let the two masters spar another round."
Hong the Instructor, seeing that Lin Chong's staff technique had seemed timid earlier, thought little of him and raised his staff, about to strike. Chai Jin called out, "Wait!" He ordered the manor servants to bring a silver ingot, weighing twenty-five taels. Soon, it was brought before them. Chai Jin then said, "The sparring between the two instructors is no ordinary affair. This silver ingot shall serve as the prize. If one wins, he shall take this silver." Chai Jin only wanted Lin Chong to display his true skill, so he deliberately tossed the silver to the ground. Hong the Instructor deeply resented Lin Chong's arrival and also wanted to contend for this large ingot of silver, but he feared losing his edge. He exerted himself to assume a stance, revealing an opening called "The Burning Sky Posture." Lin Chong thought, "Lord Chai only wants me to defeat him." He also held his staff horizontally and assumed a stance, revealing a posture called "Parting the Grass to Seek the Snake." Hong the Instructor shouted, "Come, come, come!" and struck with his staff, swinging it over. Lin Chong stepped back, and Hong the Instructor advanced, raising his staff and striking again. Lin Chong saw that his steps were already disordered, so he flicked his staff from the ground. Hong the Instructor was caught off guard. In that flick, Lin Chong turned his body, and the staff swept straight across Hong the Instructor's shinbone. Hong the Instructor dropped his staff and fell flat on his face. Chai Jin was overjoyed and called for wine to be poured quickly. Everyone laughed aloud. Hong the Instructor could not even struggle to his feet. The manor servants, laughing, helped Hong the Instructor up. His face was flushed with shame, and he walked out of the manor on his own.
Chai Jin took Lin Chong by the hand and went back into the rear hall to drink. He ordered the prize to be brought and given back to Lin Chong. Lin Chong refused to accept it, but after much insistence, he finally took it. Truly:
Arrogance and pride always bring shame;
Even a cold-eyed onlooker finds it hard to bear.
Look at the wounded and the loss of gain;
Only then know that pride leads to disgrace.
Chai Jin kept Lin Chong at the manor for several consecutive days, treating him daily with fine wine and good food. After another five or six days, the two wardens urged them to leave. Chai Jin prepared a farewell feast. He also wrote two letters and instructed Lin Chong, saying, "The officials in Cangzhou are also friends of mine, and the prison warden and chief warden of the prison camp are on close terms with me. You can deliver these two letters to them, and they will surely look after you, Instructor." He then brought out a large silver ingot of twenty-five taels and gave it to Lin Chong, and also gave five taels to the two wardens as a tip. They drank wine all night. The next day at dawn, after breakfast, he ordered the manor servants to carry the luggage of the three men. Lin Chong put on his cangue again, bid farewell to Chai Jin, and set off. Chai Jin escorted them out of the manor gate, said goodbye, and instructed, "In a few days, I will send someone to bring winter clothes for you, Instructor." Lin Chong thanked him, saying, "How can I ever repay the lord!" The two wardens also expressed their thanks.
The three of them set out on the road to Cangzhou. Around noon, they had already entered Cangzhou city. Though it was a small place, it had its six streets and three markets. They went straight to the prefectural office to submit the documents, and Lin Chong was led before the magistrate. The magistrate received Lin Chong, stamped the return receipt, and issued an order to send him to the prison camp. The two wardens collected their return receipt, took their leave, and returned to the Eastern Capital. That is no more to be told.
Now, Lin Chong was sent to the prison camp. Looking at the prison camp, one could see:
High gates and strong walls, wide grounds and deep moats. Beside the Hall of the Heavenly King, two rows of slender willows green with hanging mist; before the Inspection Hall, a cluster of tall pines, dark blue like ink. Those who come and go are all men who bite nails and chew iron; those who enter and leave are none but men who drain blood and cut open their hearts.
The Cangzhou prison camp took Lin Chong in and placed him in a single cell, awaiting roll call and inspection. Some fellow convicts came to see him and said to Lin Chong, "The warden and chief warden here are extremely harmful; they only seek to extort money. If you give them gifts of money, they will treat you well. If you have no money, they will throw you into the earthen dungeon, where you can neither live nor die. If you gain their favor, when you enter, you won't suffer the hundred strikes of the 'killing prestige' staff; they'll say you're ill and record it temporarily. If you don't gain their favor, those hundred strikes will beat you seven parts dead and eight parts alive." Lin Chong said, "Brothers, with such guidance, if I need to spend money, how much should I give?" The men said, "To handle it well, give the warden five taels of silver, and the chief warden five taels as well. That will be quite sufficient."
Just as he was speaking, the warden came over and asked, “Which one is the new exiled convict?” Lin Chong, hearing the question, stepped forward and replied, “It is I.” When the warden saw that he did not produce any money, his expression changed, and pointing at Lin Chong, he cursed, “You thieving exiled convict, why didn’t you kneel when you saw me? You only made a bow! You wretch, I know you stirred up trouble in the Eastern Capital, and yet you still put on airs before me. I see this thieving convict’s face is full of the lines of hunger—you’ll never amount to anything in your life! A stubborn prisoner who won’t die from beating or torture! You bag of thieving bones, sooner or later you’ll fall into my hands, and I’ll smash you to pieces. In a little while, you’ll see the result.” He cursed Lin Chong until he was utterly cowed, and Lin Chong dared not raise his head to reply. When the others saw the cursing, they scattered.
Lin Chong waited until his outburst was over, then took out five taels of silver, and with a forced smile said, “Brother Warden, this is a small, humble gift—please don’t consider it too insignificant.” The warden looked at it and said, “Are you giving this to me and the superintendent to share?” Lin Chong replied, “This is only for you, Brother Warden; there are another ten taels of silver, which I’ll trouble you to deliver to the superintendent.” When the warden saw this, he looked at Lin Chong and smiled, saying, “Instructor Lin, I’ve heard of your good reputation; you are indeed a fine man! It must be that Grand Marshal Gao framed you. Though you suffer temporarily, you will surely rise in the future. With your fame and bearing, you are certainly no ordinary person, and you’ll become a high official later.” Lin Chong smiled and said, “I rely entirely on your care, Brother Warden.” The warden replied, “Just set your mind at ease.” Then Lin Chong took out Squire Chai’s letter and gifts, saying, “I trouble you, old brother, to deliver these two letters.” The warden said, “Since you have Squire Chai’s letter, why worry? This one letter is worth a gold ingot. I’ll deliver it for you, and when the superintendent comes to muster you and orders a hundred blows of the punishment stick, you just say, ‘I fell ill on the road and have not yet recovered.’ I’ll naturally come to make excuses for you and hide it from others’ eyes.” Lin Chong said, “Thank you for your guidance.” The warden took the silver and letters, left the solitary cell, and went on his way. Lin Chong sighed and said, “‘Money can move the gods’—that saying is true. There really is such hardship.”
It turned out that the warden had pocketed five taels of silver and taken only five taels along with the letters to see the superintendent, explaining in detail that Lin Chong was a good man, and that Squire Chai had a letter of recommendation, which he presented. He said it was already a case of Grand Marshal Gao framing him and sending him into exile here, and that the matter was not very serious. The superintendent said, “Moreover, since there is Squire Chai’s letter, we must look after him.” So he ordered Lin Chong to be summoned.
Meanwhile, Lin Chong was sitting gloomily in the solitary cell when the guard called out, “The superintendent is summoning the newly arrived convict Lin Chong to the hall for muster.” Hearing the call, Lin Chong went to the front of the hall. The superintendent said, “You are a new convict. The late Emperor Taizu Wu De left an old regulation: new exiled convicts must receive a hundred blows of the punishment stick. Guards, seize him and prepare.” Lin Chong pleaded, “I caught a cold on the road and have not yet recovered; I beg that the beating be temporarily postponed.” The guard said, “This man is ill; I beg your mercy to spare him.” The superintendent said, “If this man is truly ill, let it be noted temporarily, and the beating will be administered when he recovers.” The warden said, “Now the guard at the Hall of the Heavenly King has completed his term; you may order Lin Chong to replace him.” A document was signed in the hall, and the warden led Lin Chong to the solitary cell to collect his luggage, then went to the Hall of the Heavenly King for the handover. The warden said, “Instructor Lin, I have done all I can for you. Letting you guard the Hall of the Heavenly King is the easiest job in the camp—you only need to burn incense and sweep the floor morning and evening. Look at the other prisoners; they work from dawn till dusk and are still not spared. There are also those without connections who are sent to the earthen dungeon, where they can neither live nor die.” Lin Chong said, “Thank you for your care.” He then took out another two or three taels of silver and gave them to the warden, saying, “I hope you can do me another favor, brother—removing the cangue from my neck would be even better.” The warden took the silver and said, “Leave it to me.” He quickly went and reported to the superintendent, and the cangue was also removed.
From then on, Lin Chong settled his lodging and meals in the Hall of the Heavenly King. Every day he merely burned incense and swept the floor, and before he knew it, forty or fifty days had passed. The superintendent and the warden, having received bribes, became familiar with him over time and let him be, no longer controlling him. Squire Chai also sent people to bring him winter clothes and gifts. The prisoners throughout the camp also received Lin Chong’s aid.
To cut a long story short, it was the end of deep winter. One day, around the hour of the Snake (9–11 a.m.), Lin Chong happened to walk out of the camp for a stroll. As he was walking, he heard someone call from behind, “Instructor Lin, how is it that you are here?” Lin Chong turned his head to look and saw the person. As it turned out, this encounter would lead to Lin Chong nearly losing his life in a pile of flames, and almost being fatally wounded on a snowy road. Who exactly was the person Lin Chong saw? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.