Water Margin, Volume Two, page 9
Chin Ta-chien was much pleased to see the money. They invited the Tai Pao (Tai Tsung) to go with them into a wine shop where they entertained him to wine and food.
When Tai Tsung had given Hsiao Jang the money, he suggested that as a diviner had selected the day they should start on their journey that day.
"Just now the weather is hot," said Hsiao Jang, "and we cannot travel far even we set out to-day. Let us start tomorrow morning about 5 a.m."
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This was agreed to, and Hsiao Jang took Tai Tsung to stay at his house that night.
The next morning they all started off about, 5 a.m., and they had only gone a few miles when. Tai Tsung said, "I will not press you two gentlemen to go any quicker, but if you like I can go in advance, announce that you are coming to the temple." He then left them with his usual speed. The two men continued on their way slowly. By about 3 p.m. they had covered about three miles, when as they approached a hill they heard a whistle, and saw a big man with about fifty followers. The big man at the head was Wang Ying, Stunted Tiger, and he called out, "Who are you two men? Where are you going? Seize them! We will soon have their hearts to drink wine with."
"We are going to Tai An Chou," said Hsiao Jang, "to engrave an inscription on a new stone tablet there. We have only these clothes, and have no spare money."
"We do not want either your clothes or money," said Stunted. Tiger. "We shall be satisfied if we drink the wine with your hearts."
But Hsiao Jung and Chin Ta-chien were very angry on this, and seizing their cudgels they advanced to attack Stunted Tiger.
Stunted Tiger defended himself with his sword and fought for about seven bouts when he withdrew. His two opponents pursued him when they heard gongs being sounded on the mountain and on their left they saw Sung Wan, the Diamond in the Clouds, And on their right was Tu Chien, the Sky Feeler, and behind them was Cheng Tien-shou, the White Faced Squire. With each leader were about thirty men who rushed forward, seized the two men, and took them into the forest. The leaders said, ''You need not be afraid. We have been ordered by Ch'ao Kai to arrest you, and take you up the mountain where he hopes you will join our band."
"What do you want us to do in your stronghold?” asked Hsiao Jang. "We are very weak and shall only eat our rations."
"Our military leader, Wu Yung," said Tu Chien, "is your friend, and he knows that you have certain abilities. He intentionally sent Tai Tsung to induce you to come here."
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Hsiao Jang and Chin Ta-chien looked at each other in surprise at this, but could not say a word more. They soon reached the roadside inn managed by Chu Kwei, Speedy Courier. There they were treated to a meal, and were then put on a boat and taken across the lake. Upon reaching the stronghold they were met by Ch'ao Kai, and Wu Yung who entertained them to a feast. Wu Yung explained how they proposed to forge a letter from the royal tutor Ts'ai, and asked them to join in "this righteous adventure."
Both men agreed to help in this plot, but pointed out that their families would be in danger as soon as the officials found out that they had joined the bandits.
"You two gentlemen need not fear that," said Wu Yung. "To-morrow you will understand how we have safeguarded them."
Early next morning one of the men reported, "They have all arrived." Wu Yung asked the two recruits to meet their families.
When Hsiao Jang and Chin Ta-chien heard this they could hardly believe it, but when they descended half way down the mountain they saw many sedan chairs coming up the mountain carrying their families, old and young, and were very much surprised. When they asked their people for an explanation their wives said, "When you had just gone, these men came and said that you had stopped at an inn just outside the town. They added that there you were sick, and that you wanted us all to go there at once to look after you. When we got outside the town these men refused to allow us to get down, but brought us here without any stop."
Both Hsiao Jang and Chin Ta-chien upon hearing this were dumbfounded, and giving up any thought of an alternative they returned to the stronghold. When they had been assigned quarters Wu Yung came and discussed with Hsiao Jang about the matter of writing the false reply from royal tutor Ts'ai.
Chin Ta-chien said that he had previously been employed to cut the seal for the royal tutor. The two men set to work accordingly, and had soon written the false dispatch which was duly sealed. This was handed to Tai Tsung with detailed instructions, and he took his departure with his mailed armor and soon he disappeared.
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After Tai Tsung had departed the leaders sat down to another feast, when Wu Yung suddenly exclaimed, "Ai Ya! I have been confounded."
"Why, how is that?" asked the other leaders.
"That letter we sent is of no avail," said Wu Yung, "and will only result in the death of both Tai Tsung and Sung Chiang."
"What was the mistake?" asked the leaders in anxious tones.
"I have been careful at the beginning, but in the conclusion there is a serious oversight," said Wu Yung.
"I wrote exactly like Ts'ai, the royal tutor, would have written," said Hsiao Jang. "I made no mistake. I am not aware of anything being wrong."
"I am sure that there was not the slightest difference in the seal I engraved," said Chin Ta-chien.
Wu Yung then explained where the oversight was. This will lead to a bitter fight near the White Dragon Temple at Chiang Chou.
Amidst arrows lives were saved,
From throngs of swords heroes escaped.
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CHAPTER 39
THE HEROES OF LIANG SHAN PO RESCUE
MEN ON THE EXECUTION GROUND;
THE HEROES HOLD A ME ETING
AT THE WHITE DRAGON
TEMPLE
What oversight has been made in the letter?" asked Ch'ao Kai.
"In writing the letter I failed to exercise sufficient care," said Wu Yung. "I overlooked the four characters, 'Han Lin Ts'ai Ching' on the seal. That is enough to result in the arrest of Tai Tsung."
"But I know," said Chin Ta-chien, "that Ts'ai Ching always uses such a seal on all his essays and letters. There is not the slightest error, so why do you say there has been an oversights?"
"You gentlemen overlook the fact that the prefect at Chiang Chou is the son of Ts'ai Ching, the royal tutor," said Wu Yung. "Is it likely that a father writing to his son would use such a seal? There is the mistake! I overlooked that. When Tai Tsung presents the dispatch at Chiang Chou they will suspect it and cross-examine him. If he tells the truth there will be serious consequences."
"Would it not be better to send a man after him, and bring the letter back?" asked Ch'ao Kai.
"How can we do that! Is he not the Flying Prince? He will now be nearly two hundred miles on his way. We must not however have the slightest delay in this matter, but must go at once to save those two men."
"How can we save them?" asked Ch'ao Kai. "Have you any plan?
Wu Yung whispered in Ch'ao Kai's ear, and then said,
"Sir, we must do this and issue an order to our men to start at once. It permits of no delay."
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Ch'ao Kai issued the orders, and all the men went to get their arms, and very soon were on their way to Chiang Chou.
Tai Tsung arrived back at Chiang Chou within the scheduled time, and Ts'ai, the prefect, was very glad to see him back so quickly, and offered Tai Tsung three cups of wine as a reward. When the prefect received the dispatch he asked, "Did you see my father?"
"I stayed there for only one night, so I did not see the royal tutor,” replied Tai Tsung.
The prefect read the letter which began with "I have duly received your presents." Then in the middle of the letter was this, "The emperor would like to see the rebel Sung Chiang, so you must send him here in a cart well guarded, and care must be taken that he does not escape on the way," The letter concluded with this, "As regards Huang Wen-ping, his case will soon be put before the emperor, and he will be appointed to a higher post."
The prefect was highly delighted, and gave Tai Tsung twenty-five ounces of silver. He then issued an order for a prisoner's cart to be got ready for Sung Chiang, and appointed an escort to go with it.
Tai Tsung after expressing his thanks went to his quarters, bought some food, and took it to Sung Chiang in the prison.
Ts'ai, the prefect, gave orders that the cart for the prisoner must start in a day or two. Just then the gatekeeper reported that Huang Wen-ping wished to see the prefect, and was told to bring the visitor into the private apartments. Huang had brought wine and fruit which he presented to the prefect who after thanking him said, "You give me so many presents that I hardly know how to recompense you."
"Don't mention it. They are only small things from the country."
"I shall congratulate you that you will soon be appointed to a good post."
"How do you know that?"
"Yesterday I got a reply from my father in the capital, and he orders me to send that seditious man Sung Chiang there. Your name will be mentioned to the emperor and you will be promoted very soon."
"Many thanks for your recommendation. Your messenger must have flown like a spirit."
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"I will show you the reply which will convince you that I am telling you the truth."
"As it is a personal letter from your father I dare not resume to look at it. But as you have asked me to do so will beg you to let me see it."
"You are a very intimate friend of mine," said the prefect, "so why should you not read my letter?" He sent a messenger to bring the letter, and handed it to Huang Wen-ping. The latter read the letter through, and looking carefully at the seal noticed that it looked quite like the impression from a new seal. He wagged his head, and said, “This letter is not genuine."
"You are mistaken," said the prefect; "I know it is my father's handwriting. Why do you think it is false?”
"Sir, please allow me to speak. Do the letters from your father always bear this seal?"
"Other letters from my father did not bear such a seal as this, as he always signs his name. But the seal must have been at his side so he just used it for this letter."
"Please pardon me if I am too loquacious, but I think that this letter is a forgery to deceive you. As you know the styles of writing of Ts'ai, Su, Huang, and Mi are well known everywhere so that many people have teamed them. Only this seal is exactly like what your father (Ts'ai) used when he was a member of the Hanlin College. But as he is now the royal tutor why would he use this seal? Moreover, as he is writing to you, his son, why does he use a seal with his full name on? Your father is the most able and illustrious man in the empire, and would not make such a mistake as this, If, however, you do not believe me, then you can cross-examine the messenger as to what people did he see in the royal tutor's residence. If his answers are wrong then the letter must be false. You have been very kind to me in the past so I presume to talk to you in this free manner. Please excuse me.
"Never mind," said prefect Ts'ai Chiu. "The messenger has not been to Kaifeng before so I shall soon find out if he did not go there this time;" He asked Huang Wen-ping to sit behind the screen, and sent a messenger to summon, Tai Tsung as he wanted to see him about some other matter.
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Now when Tai Tsung arrived at Sung Chiang's cell in the prison he whispered to him all that had happened at Liang Shan Po. The next day Tai Tsung was invited by a friend to dine at a wine shop in the town, and while they were drinking a messenger came and told Tai Tsung that the prefect Ts'ai wanted to see him. When he reached the yamen the prefect spoke to him, "I think that I did not reward you sufficiently for the excellent service in which you carried out that commission to Kaifeng."
"I am your messenger so why dared I to be slow in executing your business."
"I have been very busy lately and have not had the opportunity of speaking to you about that matter again. When you visited the capital by which gate did you enter?
"When I reached Kaifeng it was evening and almost dark so that I could not see the name of the gate."
"Whom did you speak to at the door of my father's residence? Where did you rest while you were there?"
"I gave your letter and presents to the doorkeeper, and he told me that I had better sleep in some inn for the night. I did so, and the next morning I went to your father's residence about 4 a.m., and received the reply. As I knew the matter was urgent I did not delay by talking to the doorkeeper, and started off immediately on my return journey.”
"Could you tell me how old was the doorkeeper, was he lean or stout, tall or little, and had he a moustache or not?"
"It was dark in the evening when I was there, and the following morning it was not quite daybreak so that I could not get a clear view of the gatekeeper. He was not very tall, and had a little moustache."
The prefect became angry at this, and shouted out to his attendants, "Seize that man!'' They did this, and bound him with ropes.
"I have committed no crime," said Tai Tsung.
"You deserve death," shouted the prefect Ts'ai Chiu. "The doorkeeper Wang Kung at my father's house died a number of years ago, and that work is now done by his son who is quite young so that he cannot have a mustache as you say. Moreover, young Wang could not go inside with
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the letter. When letters and dispatches arrive his duty is to call a servant named Chang who would take the letters to the steward Li who after delivering it and finding all in order, would come to the door to receive the presents. It takes two or three days before a reply can be got. Further, the presents would not be received in an irregular manner as it is usual for a confidential clerk to receive them, and he would ask many questions. Yesterday I was so busy, that I was almost deceived by you. Now you have a chance of speaking the truth, and you must tell me where you got this letter."
"When I was on this business I did everything with the greatest speed, and therefore did not notice clearly who handed me the letter."
"Nonsense! You thief will not speak the truth unless I beat it out of you," shouted the prefect Ts'ai Chiu. “You there! Beat this fellow severely!"
The attendants did not like to do this, but they knew that if they dealt only light blows the prefect would notice it, and only be angrier. So they took Tai Tsung, and dealt heavy blows so that blood was soon flowing from the wounds. Tai Tsung could not stand the pain any longer, so he confessed, "Certainly the letter is a false one.”
"Where did you get it?" asked the prefect.
"When I was passing Liang Shan Po I was seized by some bandits who took me to their stronghold, and were, going to cut me open, and take out my heart. They found your letter in my clothes, and so they released me. I knew that I could not return here, and attempted to commit suicide. But they wrote the reply and told me that that would save my life. I was afraid that if I told you the truth you would punish me so I deceived you in this way.
"That may be so, but there is still something in your statement that means deception. It is evident that you are in complot with the bandits on Liang Shan Po, and planned to take my letter there, and then make up this tale when you returned. Beat this fellow again!"
But Tai Tsung was now determined not to admit that the bandits were his friends. When prefect Ts'ai Chiu saw that
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the beating had no effect he said, "I will not ask him anything else. Put a cangue on this man, and lock him up in the prison."
This was done, and then prefect Ts'ai expressed his thanks to Huang Wen-ping. "If it had not been for your valuable suggestion I should have made a serious blunder."
"It is evident that this fellow is in close alliance with the bandits on Liang Shan Po, and that he has planned all this deception himself. If you do not have him executed at once you will live to regret it," said Huang Wen-ping.
“I am going to cross-examine these two prisoners, and after getting their confessions will have them executed before I report the case to the emperor."
"Your measures are excellent," said Huang Wen-ping. "I am sure that the emperor will appreciate very much your capable administration. If you do this it will prevent the brigands from trying to rescue their friends from jail."
"You have been of great assistance to me and I will report the case to the emperor, and strongly recommend you for promotion."
After dining together Huang Wen-ping returned to his own home.
The next day when prefect Ts'ai Chiu entered the court he summoned the recorder, and told him to quickly write out the case, and add to it the statements made by both Sung Chiang and Tai Tsung. He was also to write out a wooden tablet stating, the crimes of both men who were to be executed at the crossroads the following day. Now it was a general rule that rebels were to be executed without delay. When they were executed there would be no further trouble.
Now the recorder, named Huang, was a personal friend of Tai Tsung, but although he would have liked to save him yet he saw no means of doing so. But he replied, "Tomorrow will be the anniversary of the late emperor's death, and the following day will be the 15th of the seventh month, the Festival of Departed Spirits, so that we cannot execute the prisoners on those days. Three days from now is also debarred as it is the anniversary of the emperor ascending the throne, but five days from now there will be no obstacle in the way." By saying this recorder Huang hoped to postpone the fatal day.
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Prefect Ts'ai Chin agreed to this, and early in the morning of the sixth day he gave orders for the execution ground to be prepared for the execution. On that day about five hundred soldiers were on parade in front of the prison about 10 a.m. with the executioner. The superintendent of the jail informed the prefect that everything was ready. Recorder Huang produced the boards with the names of the prisoners, and the prefect wrote opposite each name the character "Behead." The boards were attached to two reed mats to be suspended on the prisoners' backs. In the jail of Chiang Chou (modern Kiukiang) many jailers sympathized with the prisoners, but they could not save them. In the jail the prisoners' hands were bound; their hair was washed with glue so that it stood upright, and in it was stuck a goose quill, and a red silk flower. They were taken to the Green Faced Idol inside the prison where they partook of their final meal and wine. They then kotowed to the idol, and were conducted to the main entrance of the prison. Neither of the prisoners uttered even a word. Sung Chiang occasionally stamped with his foot while Tai Tsung hung his head and sighed. There was a huge crowd of about two thousand civilians pressing forward to see the sight. Upon reaching the execution ground at the crossroads the soldiers formed a ring. The prisoners were placed in the center, and told to sit down -- Sung Chiang facing the south, and Tai Tsung facing the north. It was about a quarter to one when the official in charge of the execution arrived.
