Water Margin Volume Two Read online

  WATER MARGIN

  WRITTEN BY SHIH NAI-AN

  TRANSLATED BY

  J. H. JACKSON

  "Translation is a condition of order between

  nations, and therefore of places. In a still

  wider field it is the condition without which a

  common culture cannot exist." -- J. Hilaire Belloo.

  VOLUME TWO

  THE COMMERCIAL PRESS, LIMITED

  [page 479]

  CHAPTER 34

  STONE GENERAL DELIVERS A LETTER AT A VILLAGE INN; HWA JUNG SHOOTS A WILD GOOSE AT LIANG SHAN PO

  When general Chin Ming and colonel Huang Hsin surveyed the outskirts of the town they saw that Sung Chiang and Hwa Jung led one group of bandits, while Stunted Tiger and Yen Shun led another. They had about one hundred fifty men each.

  Huang Hsin gave orders that the drawbridge be lowered, and the bandits be allowed to enter the town. Sung Chiang had previously issued an order that his men were not to kill even one people in the town, that they were first to reach the southern side of the town where to exterminate the family of magistrate Liu Kao. Stunted Tiger however took his men to magistrate Liu Kao's house and seized the magistrate's wife for himself. The magistrate's house was looted, and all the valuables, horses, cattle, etc. were taken away. Hwa Jung took his men to his own house where he took all his family and their possessions on carts. He announced that any of the men at his yamen might remain in their homes, or go with the bandits to the mountain, just as they wished. When all this had been done the bandits returned to the mountain with their loot, etc. Cheng Tien-shou had remained behind in charge of the stronghold, and when he saw the bandits returning with cartloads of loot he welcomed them to the main hall. After Hwa Jung had introduced Huang Hsin and the new comrades they all sat down.

  Sung Chiang gave orders that Hwa Jung's family should be given proper quarters, and that the loot from magistrate Liu Kao's house should be equally divided among the bandits. Stunted Tiger had taken the captured woman to his own rooms.

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  In the main hall Yen Shun asked where magistrate Liu Kao's wife was and Stunted Tiger replied, "You must now let me keep her to be my wife."

  "You may keep her," said Yen Shun, "but first she must come here as I have something to say to her."

  "I also want to ask her a question or two," said Sung Chiang.

  Stunted Tiger sent a man, who soon brought in Mrs. Liu Kao who was weeping and begging pardon.

  "You vixen!" said Sung Chiang, "I saved your life on this mountain because you were the wife of the magistrate, but why did you return evil for my good? Now that you have been arrested what have you got to say for yourself?"

  Yen Shun jumped up and said, "Why do you ask questions of this adulterous woman?" So saying he drew his sword, and killed the woman on the spot. When Stunted Tiger saw this he seized a sword, and advanced to fight with Yen Shun. Sung Chiang and the others however also arose, and intervened. Sung Chiang said, "Yen Shun has done the right thing in killing this woman. I saved her life, and sent her down the mountain to rejoin her husband, and yet she caused her husband to injure me. If you keep her it would only end in trouble. I will get you a wife later on, and you will then be satisfied."

  "I am of the same opinion," said Yen Shun. "If we do not kill her she would do us further injury."

  Stunted Tiger listened to all this, and remained silent. Yen Shun ordered the servants to remove the corpse, and then spread out a feast for celebration.

  The next day Hwa Jung prepared the marriage of his sister to general Chin Ming under the auspices of Sung Chiang and Huang Hsin, Yen Shun, Stunted Tiger, and Cheng Tien-shou acting as go-between. All the dowry was prepared by Hwa Jung.

  All this was done, and after the wedding there was general feasting for about five days.

  About ten days after the wedding one of the bandit's scouts came up the mountain and reported that prefect Mujung at Ching Chou Fu had sent a memorial to the Minister of State denouncing Hwa Jung, Chin Ming, and Huang Hsin

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  as rebels, and petitioning that a large army be sent to quell the rebels and the bandits.

  Upon receiving this news, they held a general discussion and all agreed that their position on that mountain was not too secure and that if a large army had them surrounded, they could not avoid being captured.

  "I have a plan," said Sung Chiang, "but I do not know whether you, my brethren, would approve of it."

  "Let us hear it," they all cried.

  "To the south of this place there is Liang Shang Po with a circumference of two hundred miles, and in that area are the towns Wan Tzu Cheng and Liao Erh Wa. That district is now controlled by about five thousand bandits under the command of Ch'ao Kai, and the government troops dare not look them in the face. How would it be if we take all our men there, and join that gang?”

  "As there is such a place," said general Chin Ming, "your proposal admirable. But as we have nobody to recommend us would they be willing to admit us?"

  Sung Chiang laughed aloud, and related the whole story from the seizure of the birthday presents unto the sending of a letter to him through Liu Tang and how he killed the woman Yen Po-hsi, and later joined the highwaymen.

  Chin Ming was pleased at hearing this, and said, "So you are their benefactor! In that case there is no need for any delay, and we can go there at once."

  That at day all the details were discussed and arrangements made. All the women and children, valuables, clothes, stores, etc. were loaded on about ten carts. There were about three hundred horses available. All those men who did not want to go to Liang Shan Po were paid off, and allowed to go their own way. There were altogether about five hundred who agreed to go. These were divided into three companies, and they left the mountain separately, disguised as troops going to fight against Liang Shan Po. When everything was ready for departure all the buildings on the mountain were destroyed and set on fire. Sung Chiang and Hwa Jung took command of the leading company. They had flags on which was written: "Government troops for the arrest of brigands." So that on the way

  [page 482]

  no one attempted to impede the progress of such a considerable force.

  Sung Chiang and Hwa Jung rode at the head of their column; next to them were the carts containing the women, children, stores, etc., and bringing up the rear was the main force. They had gone about seven miles when they came to a place called Tui Ying Shan -- having, true to its name, two equally high mountains on both sides of a broadway. As they were proceeding they heard drums and gongs on the mountains.

  Hwa Jung said, "There are evidently brigands in front," and so saying he buckled his spear, got his bow and arrows ready for action. He gave orders that the main force should move forward, and stay with the carts in one body. The two leaders then took about twenty of the mounted bandits to make reconnaissance. They had only gone a few hundred yards when they saw about a hundred mounted men, following a youth, all in red. Balancing a halberd in his hand, this knight gave a challenge, "I will fight with you to-day, and see who must be the winner."

  Instantly another young knight in white holding another halberd also led about a hundred mounted men, clad in white, down a small mound, to meet the challenge. Each side had its respective red and white flags. The roll of drums seemed to shake the very rocks. Grimly both knights gave reins to their steeds, and engaged in a deadly combat. After about thirty bouts neither leader gained any advantage.

  Sung Chiang and Hwa Jung witnessed this contest from a distance and applauded the skill that was displayed. Hwa Jung urged his horse forward slowly until he was quite close to the combatants. He then noticed that one man had a leopard's tail on his halberd whereas the other had a spo
tted streamer of five colors, and during the contest these had become entwined so that the two weapons could not be separated. Hwa Jung reined in his horse, seized his bow, and shot an arrow, cutting the tangle and releasing the two halberds at the same moment. At this feat a shout of applause involuntarily broke from the throats of the two bodies of mounted men.

  [page 483]

  The two young knights stopped fighting, and advanced to Hwa Jung and Sung Chiang with a salute, "We request the name of the marvelous archer."

  Returning the salute Hwa Jung answered, "This is Sung Chiang, my adopted brother. I am Hwa Jung, military governor of the Pure Wind Town."

  The two young men dismounted, thrusted their halberds in the ground, and bowed down. "We have beard of your fame for a long time."

  Hwa Jung and Sung Chiang quickly dismounted, and raised the two men to their feet. "We ask for your worthy names," they said.

  The young knight in red replied, "I am Lu Fang, of Tan Chou. I am a great admirer of Lu Pu of the Three Kingdoms, and therefore I learned the skill with the halberd. People have given me the same nickname as Lu Pu, i.e., Little Marquis of Wen. Some time ago I took some unprepared medicine to Shantung, but lost all my capital in that venture, and I could not go back to my native village. Temporarily I took charge of the bandits here at Tui Ying Shan. A few days ago this worthy came, and wanted to take my stronghold by force. I proposed to let him occupy one mountain while I held the other one, but he would not agree to that. So every day, we met, and fought about that matter. By an act of Providence our fighting has resulted in our fortunately meeting you."

  Turning to the knight in white Sung Chiang asked for his name.

  That person replied, "My unworthy name is Kuo Sheng, and I am from Chialing in Szechwan province. I was a trader in quicksilver, but one day a strong wind upset my boat on the Huang Ho (Yellow River) so that I could not return to my native town. Formerly at Chialing I was trained in the use of the halberd by a major Chang, and I became so skillful that people gave me the nickname Rival of Jen Kwei. I beard that at Tui Ying Shan there was a man who had held that place against all comers by the use of the halberd so I came here to have a trial of strength with him. We have been fighting for about ten days without either of us winning. We did not anticipate meeting you, but Providence has evidently favored us."

  [page 484]

  Then Sung Chiang told them about his affairs, and he suggested that they should come to amicable terms. Both men were agreed to this, and all were pleased. By this contingents of the brigands had arrived, introduced the leaders. Lu Fang invited them all to go to his stronghold up the mountain, where he provided a banquet. On the following day Kuo Shen invited the bandits leaders to come to his mountain, and there they had another feast.

  Sung Chiang suggested that they should both go with them and join the brigands under Ch'ao Kai at Liang Shan Po. Gladly they agreed to this, and prepared their effects for an early departure. But Sung Chiang said that as they had now more than five hundred strong men their movements would be duly reported to Liang Shan Po by spies or scouts, and there they might suspect some hostile intention. So he suggested that he would go in advance with Yen Shun, and announce their proposal. They could come along afterwards, but not in one body, but divided into three contingents. The other leaders agreed to this plan as much better, and it was arranged that Sung Chiang and Yen Shun should have a start of a half day.

  These two were accompanied by about ten men when they departed for Liang Shan Po. On the third day of their journey about noon they can to an inn, and as they were all tired Sung Chiang decided to stop there for food and wine. He gave orders that the horse's girths were to be slackened, and when this had been done they all adjourned to the inn. Sung Chiang saw that there were only three large tables and a few smaller ones. One of the big tables was already occupied by a man. He noticed that the man wore a turban in the shape of a pig's snout, at the back of which were two finely wrought copper rings of Taiyuan fu make. He wore a black silk gown with a white waist sash; had puttees and hempen shoes. Leaning against the table was a short cudgel, and on the table was a bundle of clothes. The man was about eight feet high; had a sallow complexion with prominent cheek bones; the eyes were clear, there was neither mustache nor beard.

  Sung Chiang spoke to the waiter, "We have a large party, but we two will sit in your inner room. Will you

  [page 485]

  ask that customer to be so good as to change to another table and let my men dine on that big one." To this proposal the waiter assented.

  Wine was ordered; each man to have three big cups. Food was also placed on the tables. As several of Sung Chiang's men could not find seats the waiter went to the guest before mentioned, who looked like a petty officer, and said:

  "May I trouble you, my good petty officer; but would you mind moving to another table so that the followers of these other honored guests may have a seat as we are short of room?"

  The man was annoyed at being addressed in this way, and replied, "I was here first, whatever official wants me to move I won't move."

  "You see he is so rude," remarked Yen Shun to Sung Chiang.

  "Leave him alone," said Sung Chiang. "We must not follow his bad temple.

  Just then the man turned round, and seeing the two leaders, he laughed sneeringly.

  The waiter said to him, "Sir, you may render a favor to our business here, and change tables."

  The man banged the table and with an angry voice shouted, "You fool! You insult me because I am by myself, but even if the emperor himself came here I would not shift. You do not know me, but you will soon make the acquaintance of my fist."

  "Why are you so angry?" said the waiter. "I have not said any thing to insult you."

  "You dare not say any thing to me," the man roared.

  Yen Shun could not endure this, and called out, "Fellow, you have rather coarse manners. You need not move, but why threaten the poor waiter?"

  The man jumped up, and seizing his cudgel said, "I may have insulted him, but that is not your business. There are only two persons I give way to, and all others I treat like mud."

  Yen Shun was excited, and seized a bench to use as a weapon. But Sung Chiang intervened as he saw that the man was not a common vulgar person. 'Let us not have a row about this,' he said, and addressing the man he asked,

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  "I request you to tell me who are the two men whom you would give way to?"

  "If I tell you that, you would be stupefied."

  "But still I would like to know their names," insisted Sung Chiang.

  "Well, one is Ch'ai Chin, the Small Whirlwind."

  Sung Chiang nodded approvingly at this and asked who was the other one.

  "He is even greater. His name is Sung Chiang of Shantung. He is called Welcome Rain."

  A wink passed between Sung Chiang and Yen Shun at this, and the latter put down the bench.

  The man continued, "Those two men I would give way to, but I fear nobody else."

  "Stop, I know both of them," said Sung Chiang. 'But where did you meet them?"

  "As you know them I will tell you the truth. About three years ago I stayed for more than four months at Ch'ai Chin's house, but never met Sung Chiang there."

  "Do you want to know him now?"

  "I am in fact now trying to find him."

  "Who set you to do this?"

  "His own brother."

  Sung Chiang shook the man by the hands, and rejoiced. "As decreed by Providence you have met him, you might have failed although you traveled a hundred miles. I myself am Sung Chiang."

  The man looked at him closely and saluted. "Heaven has favored me by this fortunate meeting with you. I might have easily passed you by and travel to look for you in vain at Sire Kung's place."

  Sung Chiang took the man into the inner room, and asked, "Tell me the home news."

  "Ah, senior brother, let me tell you, my name is Shih Yung and I am a native of Ta Ming Fu, Chihli province, and
I was given the nickname of Stone General. Once I made a row with a person at a gambling den and killed him with my fist. I escaped to Squire Ch'ai's home for refuge. While staying there I heard so much of your fame that I set out for your home at Yun Cheng Hsien to make your acquaintance. There your younger brother

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  informed me that you had gone to Sire Kung's home at the White Tiger Mountain. As I decided to go there, your brother gave me a letter for you; and he said that if I met you, I must tell you to go back home as quickly as possible."

  Sung Chiang had a misgiving when he heard this, and asked, "How long did you stay at my home? Did you meet my father?"

  "I only stayed there one night," said Shih Yung, "and did not see your father."

  Sung Chiang then told him all about their plans of going to Liang Shan Po. The other suggested that he might be allowed to join them. Sung Chiang readily agreed to this, and then introduced him to Yen Shun. More wine was ordered as they all sat down.

  Shih Yung soon got out the letter from his bundle, and handed it to Sung Chiang. It could be at once noticed it had been addressed in an unusual way -- indicating trouble. The two characters "with peace," ordinarily used had also been omitted, Sung Chiang now had a great misgiving. Quickly he tore the letter out of the envelope, and read these in the latter part -- "Father was taken ill and died in the first month of this year. The coffin is still in the house, and we wait until you return to bury him. Return at once with all speed. I, your younger brother shedding tears and blood from my eyes in writing this letter."

  Now Sung Chiang burst into lamentations, and striking his breast he exclaimed, "Unfilial son! A wrongdoer! My father dies, and I have not done my duty. I am like an animal." He thus cried with a flood of tears, and banged his head against the wall in utter despair.