Water Margin, Volume Two, page 33
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An officer came forward on the boat, and replied, "This is a boat conveying imperial envoy Hsu to the Western Sacred Mountain there to offer sacrifice, and burn incense. How can you bandits stop our passage?"
Sting Chiang still retained his stooping posture, while Wu Yung spoke, "Our hero wishes to state a case to His Excellency."
The officer replied, "What kind of man are you? How dare you be so reckless as to wish to speak to His Excellency Hsu! The men on both sides of him, however, asked the officer not to speak so loudly.
Sung Chiang still retained his attitude while Wu Yung spoke, "We request your official to disembark here, and we will discuss an important matter on the bank."
"Stupid talk! His Excellency is on imperial business. How can he talk with you?"
Sung Chiang now stood up and said, "If His Excellency will not meet me I am afraid that my men will startle him."
Chu Tung now took his spear at the top of which was a flag, and he waved this. Hwa, Jung and the other leaders seeing this signal brought all their men to the river bank. The sailors on the boat seeing this took cover, and the officer went into the cabin, and reported the matter to His Excellency Hsu who came on deck and took his seat there.
Sung Chiang again saluted, "I am afraid that I have been very disrespectful."
"Why have you stopped my boat in this way?" asked His Excellency.
"We dare not hinder you," replied Sung Chiang, "but I request you to disembark here, when I will disclose an important matter."
"I am on a special mission from the emperor," said His Excellency Hsu "and have nothing to say to you. How can a high dignitary do as you wish?"
"If Your Excellency will not disembark," said Wu Yung, "I am afraid that our men will come here to fetch you."
Li Ying now waved a flag at the top of his spear, and immediately Yang Chun, Li Chun, and Chang Shun rowed their boats towards the official boat. His Excellency was surprised at this. Li Chun and Chang Shun
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unsheathed their swords and as the boats got near they leapt across, seized two of the minor officers and threw them into the river.
"Don't do such silly things," called out Sung Chiang. "His excellency will be upset."
Li Chun and Chang Shun upon hearing this dived into the water, rescued the two men, and brought them safely on to the boat again.
"You two go away as you have frightened His Excellency," id Sung Chiang. "We will talk matters over, and request His Excellency to disembark."
"Hero!" said His Excellency Hsu. "What have you to say? You can tell me here."
"This is not a place to discuss matters," said Wu Yung. "We should prefer that you come to our stronghold on the mountain. We have no bad intentions, and if we deceive you may the spirits of the Western Sacred Mountain punish us."
As His Excellency Hsu saw no way of escape, he left his boat and went up the river bank. A man came from the forest with a horse, and His Excellency Hsu mounted it. The leaders also mounted, and they all set off for Shao Hwa Shan. The incense, bell, etc. were taken off the official boat, and conveyed up the mountain. Li Chun and Chang Shun with about a hundred men were left in charge of the boats.
Upon reaching the stronghold the leaders assembled in the main hall on both sides with His Excellency Hsu in the seat of honor in the center. Sung Chiang gave four salutations to His Excellency, knelt down, and said, "Previously I was a clerk in the magistrate yamen at Yun Cheng Hsien, but I was persecuted, and compelled to escape to Liang Shan Po where I joined the heroes there. We are quite ready and willing to help the emperor when needed. Just now two of our leaders have been unjustly sent to prison by the prefect of Hwa Chou. We wish to borrow the incense, bell, etc. and so get entrance into the town. We will relieve you of all responsibility in this trick. We hope that you will agree to our proposal."
"If you use my things in this way," replied His Excellency Hsu, "I shall be blamed."
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"When you return to the capital you may throw all the blame on me," said Sung Chiang.
His Excellency Hsu glanced round at the armed bandit leaders, and saw that there was no means of escape so he agreed.
Sung Chiang again saluted, and offered wine to His Excellency. The leaders then exchanged clothing with His Excellency Hsu and his followers. When all had been satisfactorily arranged the bandits in their new disguise left the mountain, and embarked on the official boat. But instead of going towards Hwa Chou they proceeded towards the Western Sacred Mountain. Tai Tsung went in advance to the temple on the mountain, and informed the head priest of the arrival of an Imperial Commissioner. The priests came down the mountain, and met the boat upon arrival. The presents were carried in front, many being carried by the priests' servants to the temple. Wu Yung said that His Excellency had not been well on the journey so a closed sedan chair was provided in which the false commissioner was carried up the mountain. He was assisted out of the chair upon reaching the temple.
Wu Yung again spoke to the head priest, "We have brought many presents from the emperor which are for the spirits of this mountain. But how is it that the prefect of Hwa Chou is not here to receive us respectfully?"
"I will send a man to report your arrival," said the head priest, "and he will soon be here."
Soon after this, however, a deputy from the prefect arrived with about seventy soldiers, and much fruit and wine for the Imperial Commissioner.
The bandit who was acting the part of the Imperial Com- missioner had certain likeness, but he had not the intelligence and learning, and therefore could not speak like an educated mandarin. Therefore he pretended to be sick so as to avoid conversation, and sat silently on the bed. But the prefect's deputy saw all the genuine imperial presents and the official dresses, and had no suspicion. When introduced to His Excellency, he could not hear what the false commissioner was saying. But Wu Yung asked why the prefect had not come personally, and the deputy explained how the brigands had been attacking the town, and how the prefect were afraid of leaving the town,
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and had sent him as deputy. He said, however, the prefect would come later on. The deputy then ordered wine to be served to all the men who had brought the presents.
Wu Yung went, and got the key, and opened the box containing the bell. He took the bell out, and hung it on a framework. It was made by the best workmen at the capital, and looked very fine with its precious stones inlaid. Under the bell was a lamp with a red silk shade. It was intended that this bell should be hung in front of the idol in the temple. It was a fine piece of craftsmanship such as only the emperor could obtain.
After inspection by the deputy and the priests Wu Yung locked it up again in the box. He then took out the official letters, and handing these to the deputy asked him to convey hem to the prefect who could fix a lucky time for his visit to the temple to offer the sacrifices.
The deputy and his followers then took their leave and returned to Hwa Chou to report the matter to the prefect.
"What a cute plan," thought Sung Chiang. "The prefect is sure to be deceived." As there was nothing else to do he took a stroll round the temple admiring the building which really was of exceptional rarity and beauty. As he returned to the main hall he was informed that the prefect was coining. He told Hwa Jung, Hsu Ning, Chu Tung, and Li Ying (now dressed as imperial soldiers) to take up their positions on both sides of the hall, and four other leaders with Tai Tsung to take up their positions on both sides of the supposed Royal Commissioner.
The prefect brought with him about three hundred soldiers as an escort. They dismounted at the temple gate and entered. Sung Chiang and Wu Yung saw that all the men were armed so Wu Yung called out, "As an Imperial Commissioner is here these soldiers must not come inside." The soldiers therefore halted, and the prefect went forward by himself. Wu Yung then said, "His Excellency requests the prefect to go into his room for an interview." The prefect entered the room, and saluted the brigand on the bed in the disguise of an imperial Commissioner.
"Prefect, are you not conscious of your fault?" asked Wu Yung.
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"I did not know that His Excellency had arrived, and beg him to excuse me," replied the prefect. "After the first dispatch from the government about these presents I got no further dispatch as to when you would arrive."
"Seize him," ordered Wu Yung, and immediately the four leaders standing at the side unsheathed their swords, and seizing the prefect cut off his head.
"Proceed with your work," called out Sung Chiang, and immediately all his men attacked the prefect's escort. They were taken by surprise, and most of them were killed on the spot. Some tried to escape but were met at the gate by other bandits and were soon finished. Not a single man of the three hundred soldiers escaped death. Even civilians who had followed the soldiers to see the ceremony were also killed.
Sung Chiang had all the imperial presents transferred to the boat, and set off for the town. He saw that fire had broken out in several parts of the town, as his men had got inside. He himself went straight to the jail, and released Lu Ta and Shih Chin. Lu Ta got his priest's staff, and joined in the uprising. The daughter of Wang I had previously committed suicide by jumping into a well. The brigands secured much loot, and conveyed this on carts to their boats. When all was ready they returned to Shao Hwa Shan.
The offerings were duly handed over again to His Excellency Hsu. Sung Chiang also presented him with much gold and silver, and gave much also to his guard. After a feast His Excellency Hsu and his men went down the mountain, and again embarked on their boat.
His Excellency Hsu proceeded to Hwa Chou, and there he saw the enormous amount of damage that the bandits had done. He also went to the Western Sacred Mountain, and saw the large number of dead bodies lying about. He then got the recorder in the town to write a full account of the disaster, throwing the full blame on Sung Chiang and his brigands. He then returned to the capital to report the affair.
The bandits and leaders at Shao Hwa Shan agreed to join those under Sung Chiang at Liang Shan Po. They all left for that place where they celebrated their victory and alliance by the usual feast.
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After this, however, there was a dinner provided by Shih Chin and three other leaders. At that dinner Ch'ao Kai spoke, "I have something to tell you about what happened while Sung Chiang and his men were at Hwa Chou. One day Chu Kwei came, and reported that at Mang Tan Shan in Hsuchow there are about three thousand brigands under the leadership of a man named Fan Jui, nicknamed the Devil of Disorder. He can control the wind and rain, and uses his men with great skill and strategy. He has two assistants -- Hsiang Chung and Li Kun, who are famous for throwing swords which would kill men at a hundred paces. These three are sworn brothers, and they have the intention of attacking Liang Shan Po and getting control here. When I heard of this I was very angry."
Sung Chiang was also annoyed at this report and said, "How dare they be so impudent? I must go and settle the matter."
At this point Shih Chin stood up and said, "We four brothers from Shao Hwa Shan have so far done no meritorious deed here, although we have been admitted to your band. We are willing to take our men to attack these robbers."
Sung Chiang was much pleased at this offer, and it was agreed to. The men and horses were got ready, and they left the mountain with Shih Chin, Chu Wu, Chen Ta, and Yang Chun.
It took them three days to reach Mang Tan Mountain. When Shih Chin saw the place he remembered that it was near there that Liu Pang of the Han dynasty had killed a snake. They soon reached the foot of the mountain, and an outpost went to report their arrival. Shih Chin arranged his men in ranks. He donned his armor, and rode to the front on a brown horse. He was armed with a sword with double blade. He was accompanied by the other three leaders.
They had not waited long when they saw a large number of men descending the mountain with two leaders in front Hsiang Chung and Li Kun. When they had arranged their men in ranks these two leaders without any parley rode forward to attack Shih Chin. They threw their flying swords, and Shih Chin found that he could not get near his two opponents so he gradually fell back. The other leaders also
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retreated about ten miles. Yang Chun's horse was wounded and abandoned. Half of their men had deserted. Shih Chin held a conference with his comrades, and they all agreed that help must be requested from Liang Shan Po. While they were talking, one of their scouts arrived, and reported that on the northern road there was a large body of cavalry coming towards them. Shih Chin galloped forward to see who they were, and recognized the flags of Liang Shan Po. In front rode Hwa Jung and Hsu Ning, and Shih Chin rode forward to meet them. He told them how Hsiang Chung, and Li Kun threw flying swords, and had driven him back without being able to even strike a blow. That day the Liang Shan Po forces encamped in the same spot with Shih Chin's forces.
The next morning they were all ready for marching forward when another scout arrived and reported that there was a large body of cavalry coming along the north road. Shih Chin and the other leaders rode forward to reconnoiter, and were pleased to find that they were about three thousand brigands under the leadership of Sung Chiang, Wu Yung, and Kung-Sun Sheng.
They then had a discussion, and Wu Yung was in favor of them remaining in camp that day. Sung Chiang was impatient, and wished an immediate attack. Kung-Sun Sheng pointed out that on the mountain there were blue lanterns and he thought that this indicated that the bandits there used magical spells. He advocated that they should withdraw all their men to some distance, and he would find a plan to capture the three leaders Hsiang Chung, Li Kun, and Fan Jui.
This was agreed to and all the men withdrew about six miles.
The king of devils joins the bandits;
The wounded chief surrenders to Liang Shan Po.
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CHAPTER 59
KUNG-SUN SHENG CAPTURES A WIZARD;
CH'AO KAI IS WOUNDED BY AN ARROW
Kung-Sun Sheng explained his strategy. He said, "At the time when the Han dynasty was declining, General Chu-ko Liang worked out his plans by means of stones. He formed a square, and divided each side into two. Each of these eight sections had eight companies so that there were altogether sixty-four companies. His headquarter was in the middle of the square. There were four "heads" or advance companies, and they could turn either to right or left, and lead the whole square. The result was that the whole square moved as one body (like a tiger) just according to the conditions faced. When an enemy was approaching the two leading companies separated, and opened the square. When the enemy was inside the wings he was in the coils of an encircling snake. I will adopt the same method, and when our three opponents are in our midst they will find no means of escape. I will have a concealed pitfall ready, and we will slowly drive them towards it until they fall into it. There they can be easily arrested by men with hooked sticks."
Sung Chiang was pleased, and approved of the suggested plan. He issued orders placing Kung-Sun Sheng in charge of the forthcoming encounter, and dividing the bandits into eight parts.
The following day the brigands started on their march with much beating of drums and gongs, and when nearing Mang Tan Mountain they heard the sound of gongs. There were about three thousand bandits under the command of the three leaders. The two wings were in charge of Hsiang Chung and Li Kun, with Fan Jui in the center. Fan Jui was without any skill as a general, and depended on his black arts for success. Upon seeing the opposing large army from Liang Shan Po arrayed in the form of a square, he was quite pleased, and said to himself, "You (Sung Chiang) have
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arranged your men well, but you will soon be caught by my ruse. So he sent orders to the other two leaders on the wings that when a strong wind arose they must advance with five hundred men rushing forward with their swords. Those leaders upon receiving this order put on their shields, and armed themselves with spears and swords which could be hurled a long distance, and awaited the wind to be started by Fan Jui. The latter was seated on his black horse with a copper mace in his left hand, and with a sword in his right hand. He was muttering a spell, and then called out, "Quickly." Immediately a strong wind raged, hurling loose stones and sand about. The sky darkened, and the sunlight was obscured. Upon seeing this Hsiang Chung and Li Kun gave orders and their five hundred men rushed forward.
Upon seeing the enemy advancing, Sung Chiang gave the signal, and the front part of the square opened out on both sides. The five hundred men rushed into the square, and were fired upon from the remaining three sides with arrows. Most of them could not face this, and beat a hasty retreat. Only fifty men were left with the two leaders Hsiang Chung and Li Kun. They dashed first one way and then another without a way out, Kung-Sun Sheng standing on a high mound had controlled the wind, and wherever the two leaders went they found the fierce wind with them hindering their movements. The two leaders could not see their followers, and were nonplused by the wind and darkness. At last their horses fell into the hidden trap, and there they were seized by men with hooked sticks, who took them to the camp at the base.
Sung Chiang now dashed forward on his horse, and was followed by all his men. Fan Jui, seeing the advancing body of men, realized that his plan had failed, and at once retreated up the mountain with the remainder of his men -- about half of the original force. Seeing this Sung Chiang gave orders for the pursuit to stop, and returned to the camp at the base with all his men.
Upon seeing the two prisoners he unloosened their bonds, and offered them wine saying, "I hope you two heroes will excuse me. This has happened only owing to our fighting in opposite forces. I hope that you will now join us
