Water Margin, Volume Two, page 20
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He called out to the waiter, "Our master tells you to go to his village with a load."
Yang Hsiung recognized the man, and asked him what he was doing there. The man then recognized Yang Hsiung and saluted.
Union, 'twixt three hamlets broken,
Roaring tigers make much sorrow.
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CHAPTER 46
THE STRIKING HAWK TWICE WRITES A LETTER;
SUNG CHIANG FIRST ATTACKS THE CHU VILLAGE
Yang Hsiung raised the man and then introduced him to Shih Hsiu as Tu Hsing of Chung Shan Fu. He had a fierce face, and therefore people called him the Devil Faced Man. Previously he had come to Chi Chow Fu, and had entered into business with some other men. During a quarrel with his partner he had lost his temper and killed him. He had been arrested and tried, but Yang Hsiung, knowing that he was very skillful with the cudgel and lance, had saved his life by getting a light sentence passed.
The man asked, "On what official business do you come here, my benefactor?"
Yang Hsiung whispered in his ear, "I committed murder at Chi Chow Fu, and am now escaping to Liang Shan Po, where I shall join the brigands." He then told him about all the trouble at the inn and how Shih Ch'ien had been captured.
"You need not worry about that matter," said Tu Hsing, "because I can arrange for Shih Ch'ien to be released."
They asked him to join them at the wine. Tu Hsing then explained that at that village he was entrusted by the headman with important matters, and he had great influence there. There were three villages in close alliance, and altogether they supported an armed force of about 20,000 men. The most influential headman was Chu Chao-feng who had three valiant sons named Dragon, Tiger, and Tiger's Cub. They had a drill instructor named Luan Ting-yu, nicknamed Iron Staff, who was invincible. In the western village was a headman who had a son called Hu Cheng, nicknamed Flying Tiger, who was very courageous. His sister, Hu San-niang, nicknamed Pure One, was a skilled rider, and could fight with a sword in each hand. At the village on the east side
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was a man Li Ying, nicknamed Striking Hawk, who was his master who always carried five swords on his back, and could throw these a hundred paces, and kill men at that distance. These villages supported each other whatever the risk or danger, and were prepared to fight against the brigands of Liang Shan Po when they came to command the grain. He (Tu Hsing) offered to take them to Li Ying and get him to release Shih Ch'ien.
They accepted this offer, and settled their accounts with the innkeeper. They then followed Tu Hsing to the village. Yang Hsiung noticed that it was a big village, with a moat all round. The banks of the moat were very high, and on the top were mazy hundreds of large willows. They crossed a drawbridge and passed through a gate in a wall, They came to the principal hall in front of which were over twenty racks filled with spears, swords, etc., all of which were polished bright and in good order.
Tu Hsing asked the other two to wait outside while he went inside to announce their arrival. It was not long before Li Ying came out and after being introduced invited Yang. Hsiung and Shih Hsiu to come inside. When they had had some wine Yang Hsiung explained the object of their visit, and as a result Li Ying told his scribe to write a letter asking for the release of Shih Ch'ien, and sent a mounted messenger with it to the neighboring village. It was not long before the messenger returned and reported that the headman had at first been willing to release Shih Ch'ien. But when his three sons heard of it they objected, and insisted upon Shih Ch'ien being sent to the magistrate for trial.
Li Ying was surprised at this, and wondered what was the use of the alliance when even his urgent letter had been ignored. He asked Tu Hsing to go there himself, and try to secure the release.
Tu Hsing agreed to go, but asked Li Ying to write a letter by his own hand which he would take with him. This was done, and mounting a horse Tu Hsing galloped off.
It was almost night time before Tu Hsing returned. As he dismounted they saw that he was in a towering rage. His face was red with passion, and as he raised his lips he showed the tightly set teeth. For some time he could not speak.
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"Take your time and tell us all about it," said Li Ying at last.
Tu Hsing slowly repressed his anger, and then spoke, "I took your letter to the village and dismounted at the third gate where the three sons of Chu Chao-feng were seated. I saluted them separately and then Tiger's Cub called out, 'Well, what do you come here for?'
"I replied in a respectful manner, 'I have here a letter from my master.' I presented it. Tiger's Cub showed annoyance as he replied, 'Why does your master not understand human affairs? Early this afternoon he sent some fellow here with a letter asking for that brigand Shih Ch'ien to be released. Just now we are going to send him to the magistrate so why have you come here?'
"I replied that Shih Ch'ien was not a bandit, but was a guest on his way to visit my master. He made a mistake in setting fire to his inn. That you would go tomorrow and make full compensation for the damage done, and hoped that they would overlook the offense and accept a full apology.
"Then all replied, 'That cannot be done.' So I requested them to kindly read your letter, but Tiger's Cub simply took it from me, and tore it into bits without reading it. He then ordered me to get out of their village at once. They also warned me not to incite them to anger any further or they would . . . I would not dare to speak the whole truth -- but they said they would arrest you, sir, also as a bandit of the Liang Shan Po, and send you to the yamen. They told their servants to seize me but I jumped on the horse and galloped off. It is evident that the sworn alliance between our villages is no longer of any value, as those fellows are quite unreasonable."
While Li Ying listened to this he became more and more annoyed, and at last called out, "You men! Quickly get my horse ready."
Yang Hsiung and Shih Hsiu asked him to keep cool as they did not wish to see the peaceful relations between the villages disturbed by what they had done. But Li Ying took no notice of this, went indoors, put on his metal mail, with a large silk gown over it, put his five swords on his back, and took a spear in his hand; put on his iron helmet; and summoned three
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hundred men to accompany him. Tu Hsing also put on his mail armor, and got twenty horsemen to follow him. Yang Hsiung and Shih Hsiu took their swords, and also followed.
It was late in the afternoon when they reached the other village, and there the men stood in ranks. The village was situated on raised ground and had three protecting walls, one inside the other. The walls were built of stone, and were about twenty feet high. The village was surrounded by a moat, over which were two drawbridges in front of the north and south gates. In the towers at the gates were drums, gongs., etc. for summoning the men to fight.
Li Ying reined in his horse before the bridge, and shouted, "Why have you three sons of Mr. Chu defamed me? " At once the gate of the village was opened, and a body of about fifty horsemen galloped out. In front rode the third son, Tiger's Cub, on a roan-colored horse.
Li Ying pointing at him shouted, "You fellow still have your milk teeth and childhood's tufts of hair. Your father entered into a sworn alliance with me to defend these villages. If your family had trouble we would render unlimited assistance, or if short of something we would supply it. To-day I sent a letter which you tore up. Why did you insult my messenger in that way? Have you no decency?"
Tiger's Cub replied, "Our family entered into an alliance with you so that we could together resist the encroachments of the bandits at Liang Shan Po. But now you have become intimate with them and intended open rebellion."
"Why do you say that I am intimate with bandits? Why have you arrested an ordinary man, and falsely accused him?"
"The prisoner has already confessed that he is a thief so why do you talk in this wild disorderly manner? You cannot hide his crime. You clear off at once, or I will arrest you also."
Li Ying was now very angry, and whipping his horse he galloped forward. Tiger's Cub crossed the bridge, and did the same. They met in combat, and charged each other about eighteen times. As the Tiger's Cub could not overcome Li Ying he at last turned his horse round and retreated. Placing his spear on the horse he took his bow and arrow, and turning his body shot at Li Ying who was following close behind. Li Ying tried to avoid the arrow, but it struck
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him in the shoulder, and he fell off his horse. Tiger's Cub pulled his horse round, and rushed forward to seize Li Ying.
Yang Hsiung and Shih Hsiu seeing the danger of Li Ying shouted, seized their swords, and rushed towards Tiger's Cub, who seeing that the odds were against him retreated. As the horse turned, however, Yang Hsiung struck it, and the animal reared with the pain. Tiger's Cub was almost thrown off, but kept his seat. The villagers now rushed forward, and as Yang Hsiung and Shih Hsiu were not wearing their mail they now retreated along with Tu Hsing, Li Ying, and their followers. They were pursued for about a mile when the villagers returned to the village as it was getting dark.
Upon reaching their village Li Ying had his wound dressed, and then the four men discussed the position. Yang Hsiung expressed regret that all this trouble had arisen through their affairs, and considered that there was no way of obtaining the release of Shih Ch'ien. They thought that the best thing was for them to proceed to Liang Shan Po, where they would petition Ch'ao Kai to send an expedition to avenge the insult to Li Ying.
Li Ying agreed to this, and pressed the two men to accept some silver to cover their expenses. At last they accepted the money and left at once for Liang Shan Po. Li Ying and Tu Hsing remained behind.
Yang Hsiung and Shih Hsiu soon reached the neighborhood of Liang Shan Po, and stayed at the inn kept by Shih Yung as an outpost. When they inquired about the road to Liang Shan Po, Shih Yung asked where they came from, and what business they had at the stronghold. When Yang Hsiung said they came from Chi Chou, Shih Yung immediately asked if his name was Shih Hsiu, and when they had all been introduced Shih Yung explained that he had heard all about Shih Hsiu from Tai Tsung who had just returned, and was staying at the stronghold. Shih Yung then shot a whistling arrow across the lake, and soon a party of bandits appeared in boats. They crossed the lake, and were taken up to the stronghold where they were duly introduced to all the leaders. They explained fully all that had occurred at the Chu village, and how Li Ying had been grossly insulted.
When Ch'ao Kai had heard all the details he was angry,
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and said, "We have gathered here many loyal and brave men, and have bestowed much benefit on the people in the surrounding country. When we go on any expedition we are never deficient in valor. All our brothers here are great heroes. But these two men have been implicated in a petty theft of a chicken, and if we associate with them we shall lose our great reputation. So we must kill these two men, and send their heads to the village to show the people that we have nothing to do with robbers. Then as the people in the village have reviled us we must go there and destroy their village. Thus we shall preserve our reputation for valor."
Sung Chiang however spoke, "That will not do. These two men did not take part in the theft as that was the affair of Shih Ch'ien who was traveling with them. What they have done was not disgraceful. We have heard several times that that village has been unfriendly to us. Elder brother, restrain your anger. We have not got a big stock of grain or money, but let us not make too much of that, as they however have insulted us we can go and punish them for that. If we defeat them we shall have food supplies for at least five years. You cannot go yourself because you are our leader, but I will go and command the punitive expedition. If I fail then I will not return. I finally propose that Li Ying be admitted to our numbers."
"What you say is extremely proper," said Wu Yung. "It would not do to kill our brothers who are willing to join us."
"It would be better if you kill me instead of these men," said Tai Tsung.
All the other leaders expressed their support of those views, and Ch'ao Kai agreed. Yang Hsiung and Shih Hsiu expressed their apologies.
The following day Sung Chiang took three thousand bandits, three hundred mounted men, and nine other leaders. He also placed a similar number of men in charge of Lin Ch'ung and nine other leaders, and these were to be his reserves. They soon reached the neighborhood of the Chu village and encamped. A tent was erected for Sung Chiang, and there he discussed matters with Hwa Jung. "I have heard that round this village there are numerous small roads so that it would not be advisable to send our men there at
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present. We must first send two spies to find out all about the roads, and then we can advance with greater security."
Li K'wei offered to go as a spy, as he said he had not killed a man for a long time.
"You must not go now," said Sung Chiang, "because we shall want you when the fighting commences."
Li K'wei laughed at this. "There is no need to send spies. If you let me have two hundred men I could enter the village, and settle this matter quite easily."
"Don't talk nonsense!" shouted Sung Chiang. "You can wait outside until I call for you."
As he went out however Li K'wei called out, "Those villagers are only like flies. Why are you so nervous?”
Sung Chiang summoned Shih Hsiu, and instructed him to go into the village with Yang Lin.
"The people will already be on the qui vive as your men are here," said Shih Hsiu. "How can we enter the village without being seen?"
"I can get into the village disguised as a priest," said Yang Lin. "I will carry the prayer rings, and shake them as I go along. You (Shih Hsiu) can follow me some distance behind."
"At Chi Chou I sold firewood," said Shih Hsiu, "and I think that I may get in the village with a load of fire wood."
Yang Lin thought this a good idea, and they both agreed to start off that evening. They started off about 5 p.m. and had about three miles to go. They noticed the numerous paths and roads on all sides, and that the country was well covered with dense trees. Shih Hsiu put down his load, and spoke to Yang Lin as there was no one about. "There are so many footpaths about that I have not yet recognized the road I was on with Li Ying. As it is now getting dark we cannot make out our way very clearly."
"We need not worry about that," replied Yang Lin. "Let us follow what appears to be the main road."
They continued their way, and soon came to a place where there were shops and inns, and Shih Hsiu stopped in front of an inn. There were many men there with uniforms bearing the character Chu. He spoke to an old man, "Sir, what is the reason for these swords being staked at every door?"
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"Where do you come from?" asked the old man. "As you do not know you had better go on your way."
"I am from Shantung, and having no money I brought this firewood into the village to sell it. I do not know the customs of this place."
"You had better get away at once and seek refuge," said the old man. "It will not be long before there is big fighting here.”
"What will the fighting be about?"
"You evidently do not know, but I will tell you. This village hates the bandits of Liang Shan Po, but they are now encamped just outside the village. Our chief has summoned all the men to assemble here."
"And how many men are there in this village?"
"In this village there are about ten thousand men, but the other village would also join us in any fighting."
"Why are you afraid of Liang Shan Po brigands when you have so many men?"
"Even I myself was nearly seized when I first came here. There is an old saying that the roads round this place are so well arranged that men might enter the village, but they could not get out."
Shih Hsiu burst into tears, and bowing said, "What hard lines for me! I cannot go back even if I sell my firewood. So I will give you this firewood if you will tell me how I can get away."
"I cannot accept your offer, but I do not mind buying the firewood from you. Please come inside my house, and take a meal before returning."
Shih Hsiu thanked him for this, and followed the old man into the house. After partaking of the congee offered, Shih Hsiu again asked to be shown the way out.
"You just go your way in the village until you come to a poplar tree where you can turn. You must not turn if there is no poplar tree, or there would be death. No other trees will do take no notice of them. If you make one mistake your position will be hopeless, as on the other roads there are hidden pointed stakes and hooks."
Shih Hsiu thanked him for the information, and asked for his name. The man's name was Chungli. Shih Hsiu then departed promising to reward him for the food, and wine some other day. Just then there was a great uproar outside,
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and voices were calling out, "A spy is seized!'' Looking out Shih Hsiu saw about eighty armed men with a prisoner whom he recognized as Yang Lin. Shih Hsiu was much surprised, and turning to the old man asked, "Who is the man? Why have they bound him?"
"Have you not heard them say that he is a spy? He has evidently got in the village in the disguise of a priest, and not knowing the roads he has taken the wrong road and has been captured. Somebody has recognized him as the bandit, Yang Lin." Just then a patrol of about fifty men came up in charge, of a young man on a white horse. Shih Hsiu recognized him, but asked the old man who he was.
