Water Margin, Volume Two, page 22
Wu Yung laughed at this, and said, "The Chu Family Village ought of course to be defeated. Just now we have a fortunate opportunity and we can succeed very soon."
[page 670]
"But how can we defeat those people?" asked Sung Chiang surprisingly.
Wu Yung still laughed, and took his time to explain matters. Holding up two fingers he explained the position.
A hand stretching forth to seize a cloud,
Just helped a man enmeshed in net.
[page 671]
CHAPTER 48
HSIEH CHEN AND HSIEH PAO ESCAPE FROM PRISON;
SUN LI AND SUN HSIN RESCUE MEN FROM PRISON
THE favorable opportunity lies in this," said Wu Yung, "that our Shih Yung has introduced to our band a man who is a personal friend of Luan Ting-yu of the Chu village. This new recruit knows that you did not succeed in attacking this village, and has suggested a plan of attack. He is now on his way here and in five days his plan will be carried out. What do you think of that?"
Sung Chiang was much pleased upon hearing this.
Now at Teng Chou in Shantung there were two hunters Hsieh Chen and Hsieh Pao who were very skillful in the use of the trident. Of all the hunters in that district they were the best. Hsieh Chen was known as Double Headed Snake, while Hsieh Pao had a nickname Double Tailed Scorpion. Both of them had neither father, mother, or wife. They were both over seven feet in height, had broad shoulders, small ordinary waists, and brown complexions. Hsieh Pao had a rough temper, and at times would "shake heaven and earth."
The officials had issued a proclamation that the hunters would be held responsible for killing the tigers in Teng Chou, and if they did not kill the tigers in due time they would be punished. These two hunters had received the order and had prepared poisoned arrows, and then proceeding to the mount where the tigers were known to be they hid themselves in a tree to wait for the tiger. After waiting there a whole day they returned home without having seen or even heard the tiger. They did this again the following day with the same result. At about 3 a.m. on the third day they again waited in a tree and were so tired that they leaned against each other and fell asleep. They had not yet closed their eyes when they were awakened by a sound of their trap, and springing up they looked around, and saw a big tiger
[page 672]
writhing on the ground with the poisoned arrow sticking in its body. Seizing their tridents they ran forward, but the tiger seeing the hunters ran off carrying the poisoned arrow in its body. They followed it. The poison however was taking effect, and very soon the tiger roared loudly and sinking to the ground rolled down the hillside.
Hsieh Pao recognized the place down below as the garden of a Sire Mao. They went clown the hillside, and knocked at the door of the farmstead. It was now daylight and upon being admitted they explained to Sire Mao that they had come to take the tiger in his garden they had shot that morning. Sire Mao agreed to this, but as he was afraid they were hungry after their nights work he invited them to take food and wine with him, and then go and look for the wounded tiger. They agreed to this and after the meal Sire Mao took two of his men, and went with the hunters into the garden, but although they looked everywhere they found no tiger. Sire Mao suggested that the hunters had made a mistake as there was no tiger. Hsieh Pao, however, pointed to a spot where the grass had all been leveled, and there were marks of blood of the tiger on the ground. "It looks as though someone had moved away the tiger," he said.
"Do not make such statements," said Sire Mao. "My farm servants did not know anything about a tiger being here, so how could they have had anything to do in the matter? You noticed that when we entered the garden the lock on the gate was rusty and we had to break open the gate. I also came with you to look for the tiger."
"Sir, you must hand the tiger over to us so that we can take it to the yamen and get the reward."
"What you say is quite unreasonable," said Sire Mao. "Your statements are not correct in suggesting that I have taken the tiger away."
"Why should we make false charges?" asked Hsieh Pao. "Evidently you have taken the tiger, and sent it to the yamen so as to get the reward yourself. We shall be beaten by the magistrate."
"That is not my business," said Sire Mao.
"Well, will you let us search your buildings?"
"I cannot agree to that. You a couple of beggars, now have no decency," said Sire Mao.
[page 673]
The brothers became angry, and began to damage his things by force.
Sire Mao called out: “The Hsiehs are plundering in broad daylight!" Seeing that an ambush was lying in the farmstead, the brothers left the yard saying that they would bring a charge against him in the yamen. They had not gone far when they saw the son of Sire Mao on horseback with a group of men, and upon their explaining what had happened he said that some mistake had been made, and asked them to go back to the farmstead with him. They agreed to do this, but upon getting inside the gate of the farmyard, the brothers were seized by the farm laborers by order of the son.
The son then said that the previous day they had shot a tiger themselves. He would hand the hunters over to the yamen for making false claims and trying to make trouble.
Sire Mao had the brothers bound with ropes, and sent them to the yamen for trial. At the yamen the case was dealt with by a recorder named Wang Cheng who was a son-in-law of Sire Mao, and he reported the case to the prefect who ordered the two brothers to be beaten for making false claims. In order to avoid the punishment the brothers made a forced confession. They were then put under heavy cangues and sent to prison. Sire Mao and his son talked matters over, and agreed that they could not feel safe until the hunters died in prison so they went to see Wang Cheng, and said they wished the case dealt with more thoroughly, and were willing to bribe the prefect themselves.
The jailer Pao Chi was also bribed with the request to kill the two prisoners. But the under-jailer was a cousin of Hsieh Pao and disclosed the plot against the brothers, although they had never met before. The name of the jailer was Yueh Ho, and his nickname was Iron Flute. He was well skilled in all military drill, and also in the use of the spear. He knew that the prisoners were good men suffering from gross injustice, so he decided to assist them in escaping. He told them that the head jailer had received a bribe to put them to death. Hsieh Chen then asked the under-jailer to take a letter to his aunt's daughter, Mrs. Sun, who was called Ku Ta Sau, and who kept an inn outside the East Gate. She was very kind to both the
[page 674]
prisoners, and upon the matter being explained to -her she would make arrangements to rescue them.
Yueh Ho agreed to do this and asking another under-jailer to take his duty he slipped out of the prison, and duly told Ku Ta Sau, the Tigress, the story, and asked her to rescue the two prisoners.
She considered the situation bad, and sent a servant for her husband Sun Hsin whose nickname was Small Wei Chih. This was a powerful man, and was very skillful with the iron bludgeon and the spear. He soon arrived, and upon being informed of the trouble he asked Yueh Ho to return to the jail, and they would think of some plan of helping the prisoners to escape. He gave Yueh Ho some money to distribute among the other jailers, and the latter then went back to the jail.
Sun Hsin said that to rescue the prisoners he must go to bring two of his friends. He went straight away, and that evening returned with them. One was Tsou Yuan noted for his honesty and generosity. Because of his fearless disposition he was called the Forest Dragon. The other one was Tsou Jen, the Horned Dragon, and he got this nickname through once having knocked down a fir tree with his head. Tsou Jen upon hearing the details said he had only twenty loyal followers and after attacking the jail and releasing the two prisoners, the district would not be safe for them to stay in and they must all of them make straight for their refuge at Liang Shan Po. He said he knew the leaders at that place.
Mrs. Sun thought it an excellent plan, and said she would kill any man who would not go with them.
"But there is still one doubtful point," said Tsou Jen. "If we are pursued by cavalry what shall we do?"
Sun Hsin said he had a plan and the next day he went to see his elder brother Major Sun Li who had charge of the cavalry in the town, and by threatening to use force Mrs. Sun, the Tigress, made him agree to join with them in their plots, and afterwards go with them to Liang Shan Po.
The following day Yueh Ho was near the entrance to the jail when he heard the doorbell ringing. He asked who was there, and Ku Ta Sau gave her name, and said she had brought some food for a prisoner. He knew her object, and admitted her. The jailer Pao Chi had been liberally bribed by Sire
[page 675]
Mao, and when he was told by Yueh Ho that the woman was a relative of Hsieh Chen and Hsieh Pao, and had brought food for them, he said the food must be left at the gate to be sent in to the prisoners. So Yueh Ho took the food into the inner prison, and handed it to the two prisoners. He told them who had brought it, and said they would soon meet her. He then unlocked the bolt which fasten them to their beds. Just then he heard at the gate an attendant jailer report that Major Sun was at the gate waiting to enter. The jailer Pao Chi replied, "He is in command of troops. What does he want in my prison? Don't open the door."
Now Mrs. Sun had got near Pao Chi. Again a voice outside the room called out, "Major Sun is outside, and insists upon being admitted."
Jailer Pao Chi was very annoyed at this, and came out of the room. Mrs. Sun asked him in a loud voice, "Where are my brothers?" She took two swords out of her bolt, and threatened jailer Pao Chi. He understood the situation, and walked away. He had not gone far before he met the two prisoners Hsieh Chen and Hsieh Pao who had both got rid of their cangues. Jailer Pao Chi was unarmed, and picking up a piece of cangue Hsieh Pao hit him on the head, and brained him. Mrs. Sun had already killed about three jailers now joined the two prisoners and Yueh Ho. Going to the prison gate they opened it, and they all set off. The people closed their doors, and those policemen or soldiers who were about seeing Major Sun in charge of the party did not dare even ask a question. The party duly left the town, and reached Major Sun's home.
There Major Sun's wife got in a cart, and Ku Ta San mounted a horse. Sun Hsin and Yueh Ho went with the women as guard while Major Sun, Hsieh Chen, Hsieh Pao, Tsou Yuan, Tsou Jen, and the men went off in another direction to have revenge on Sire Mao who was the cause of all this trouble. Upon reaching the farm they killed him and his son, and then took all the valuables available. They found eight horses in the stables, and loaded four of them with the valuables, and saddled the others for riding. They then set fire to the farm buildings.
They soon caught up to the cart, and all proceeded on their way to Liang Shan Po.
[page 676]
Upon reaching the inn kept by Shih Yung they were told of the defeat at the Chu Village and that the enemy had three great warriors on their side.
When Major Sun heard this he laughed, and said, "We are going to join these heroes, but we have not done any meritorious service yet. But if we now go and help in the attack on that village we shall be in a much better position to be admitted to Liang Shan Po. Now I know all the same military drill as Luan Ting-yu, as he and I were taught by the same teacher in those matters. I will go and say that I was just passing his village on official business, and he will admit me. While inside we can easily act in concert with the heroes outside." He had hardly finished saying this when a man reported that Wu Yung was leaving Liang Shan Po to go to join Sung Chiang. Shih Yung at once told the man to ask Wu Yung to come immediately to that inn as there was a very important matter for discussion. This was done, and very soon Wu Yung arrived with about five hundred men.
After the strangers had been introduced by Shih Yung and their object explained, Wu Yung was pleased, and urged that they should at once join with them in an attack on the Chu Village. As they agreed to this he said that he would ride in advance, and announce the arrangement to Sung Chiang and the other leaders. Upon arriving at the camp he found Sung Chiang with a melancholy expression. He told him of the new recruits, and mentioned that one of them Major Sun was taught by the same teacher as Luan Ting-yu of the opponent village, and that he was prepared to enter that village as a friend, but would act in concert with the attackers outside.
Sung Chiang was much pleased to hear of this, and ordered a feast for the new recruits.
Wu Yung arranged the plans, and explained them to the leaders under strict secrecy. Having received the instructions, Major Sun departed with the new recruits for the Chu village while Tai Tsung was instructed to go to Liang Shan Po to bring four other leaders.
The eagle old on Liang Shan Po
Receives new wings to help its flight;
At the mountain stronghold
A renovation will be in sight.
[page 677]
CHAPTER 49
WU YUNG COMPLETES HIS PLANS;
SUNG CHIANG AGAIN ATTACKS THE
CHU FAMILY VILLAGE
Wu Yung sent Tai Tsung to Liang Shan Po to bring four other leaders to the camp.
That day Hu Cheng, brother of the girl Amazon, arrived in the camp, and addressed Sung Chiang, "My sister was very stupid in provoking your anger, and she deserved to be captured by you. I hope, however, that you will forgive her for her youthful rashness.''
Sung Chiang asked him to be seated, and then said, "The people of the Chu Village have no sense of decency, and have repeatedly tried to deceive us. Therefore we have had to fight them yet we are on good terms with your village. Your sister had one of our leaders arrested so we had to treat her in the same way. We might exchange the prisoners, and so settle accounts."
"But our prisoner has already been taken away to the Chu Village," said Hu Cheng. "I have no means of getting them to hand over the prisoner to you."
"In that case," said Sung Chiang, "how can we release your sister?"
"There is another way," said Wu Yung, addressing Hu Cheng. "Your village must decline further assistance to the Chu Village, and when they send a messenger to call for help you can arrest that man. If you do this then you can exchange that prisoner with us for your sister. You can now return and need not worry about her."
"We will never help them again," said Hu Cheng. He then departed.
Major Sun displayed a flag bearing his late official position, and duly arrived at the gate of the Chu Village with his retinue. His arrival was duly reported, and Luan Ting-yu at once recognized his old schoolmate. He went to the gate,
[page 678]
had it opened, and welcomed Major Sun. They all entered the village.
Luan Ting-yu asked how Major Sun came there at such a, time, and the latter explained, "I have just been appointed to take command of the troops at Yuri Chou, and guard the district against the brigands at Liang Shan Po. As I was passing quite close to your village I thought that I would call and visit you."
Luan Ting-yu then explained that the brigands had been attacking his village for several days, and that he was trying to capture the leader Sung Chiang. The arrival of Major Sun was very opportune, like rain for dry grass.
Major Sun laughed, and said that he had no special ability, but be would help them in capturing the brigands. He made arrangements for quarters for his men and the horses and carts, and then changed his dress, and went to see Sire Chu.
After the introduction and the usual salutations Major Sun said that as the village was in his district he would specially look to the advice and assistance of Sire Chu. He then inquired how their fighting against the brigands had resulted.
"We have not been very successful," said Dragon Chu. Major Sun then arranged for Ku Ta San and Yueh Ta Liang Tze to be introduced to the women's apartments. He introduced Sun Hsin, Hsieh Chen, and Hsieh Pao as younger brothers who were traveling with him. He introduced Yueh Ho as a clerk of his yamen, and Tsou Yuan and Tsou Jen as minor army officers.
Upon the third day after this an outpost reported that Mg Chiang's troops were moving for another attack upon the village.
Tiger's Cub Chu said he would go, and arrest the brigand's chief. He took about a hundred mounted men, and lowering the drawbridge left the village. He soon met a body of about five hundred brigands. He halted his men, and went forward alone. Hwa Jung also advanced by himself to engage in combat. They met, but after about fifty bouts neither had any advantage. Hwa Jung tried a ruse, and retired as though defeated. Tiger's Cub turned to pursue him when one of his men called out, "Do not pursue him as
[page 679]
he may have some secret trap for you. Your opponent is a skilled bowman." Tiger's Cub listened to this advice, and stopped to pursue, but instead ordered a retreat into the village. Hwa Jung also withdrew his men.
Upon reaching headquarters Tiger's Cub told Major Sun about the fight, and how both had retired. They then all feasted together until well into the night.
The next day about noon Sung Chiang's men were again advancing for an attack, and the three brothers Chu all went with their men to repel the attack. There was a great noise of gongs and drums and a big display of flags. Chu Chao-feng, the village headman, went on the gate tower, and sat down there with Luan Ting-yu and Major Sun. Very soon they saw Lin Ch'ung ride out from the brigands, and coming near the village gate he cursed loudly.
Dragon Chu was annoyed at this, and mounted his horse. The drawbridge being lowered, he went across supported by a loud crashing of gongs and drums. He engaged in combat with Lin Ch'ung, but after about thirty bouts neither had any advantage, and they both retired.
