Wang Jin and his mother, observing the rules of propriety, sat down, and in answer to the farmer’s questions Wang Jin explained, “My name is Zhang, and I lived in the capital. Business was bad so I sold all my things, and am now on my way to Yanan Prefecture where I hope to stay with my relatives. Today we have traveled a good distance, but have unfortunately missed the inn. We now wish to stay for the night at your honorable house.”
The farmer said, “Never mind! No men of this world carry houses about with them. Have you dined?” He then ordered a servant to bring food. The servants soon arranged a table, and carried in trays with four dishes of vegetables, and dishes of beef. They placed these on the table, and then poured out wine. After exchanging complimentary phrases they sat down, and after several cups of wine, rice was brought in. When they had finished the meal, the farmer conducted them to the guest chamber. Wang Jin said, “My mother has ridden the horse a long way, and I suppose that it will be well fed.”
“That does not matter,” said the farmer. “Here we have many animals, horses and mules, and I have already instructed the servants to look after your horse and feed it well.”
Wang Jin thanked him, and then brought his bundles into the chamber. The servants lit a lamp and brought in a tub of hot water for the guests to wash their feet. When the farmer and servants had withdrawn Wang Jin and his mother retired to rest. They slept till well after daybreak the next day. The farmer came to the door of their room to make inquiries, and heard Wang Jin’s mother groaning so he asked what was the matter. Wang Jin told him, “I certainly will not deceive you. My mother was very tired last night, and she became sick.”
“This being the case, you must not worry,” said the farmer. “Tell your mother that she can rest here for a few days. I have a prescription for her sickness, and will send a servant into the town for the medicine. Tell her that she will soon be well again.” Wang Jin expressed his thanks. His mother took the medicine and in about five days she was quite well again.
On that day Wang Jin wished to leave and went to the stables to look at the horse. In the yard he saw a young man with naked body, tattooed all over with nine dragons and with sleeves turned up. His face was as white as a silver plate. He was about eighteen years old and was exercising with a cudgel. Wang Jin watched him for some time and then soliloquized, “You use your cudgels very well but I think it could be improved, as there are better men than you.”
The young man was angry upon hearing this and said in a loud voice, “Who are you? How dare you sneer at my display—I have been trained by about eight well-known teachers, and I do not think you are their equal. Would you care to fence with me?” While he was speaking the farmer came on the scene and said, “Young man, you are ill-mannered.” He replied, “He should not have laughed at my display.”
“Can our guest use the cudgel?” asked the farmer. “I know a little about it. May I ask who is this young man?” The farmer replied. “He is my son.” “As he is a young man of this house I will give him a few lessons if he likes.” “That’s very good,” said the farmer. He then summoned his son to come and pay respects to the guest, but he was unwilling to do this and instead he became very angry—He said, “Father, do not listen to his stupid talk—If he beats me with the cudgel, then I will pay respects to him as a teacher.”
“If you do not believe that I can do this, let us have a contest with the cudgels.” The young man walked to the middle of the yard and picking up a cudgel whirled it round. He addressed Wang Jin, “Come on! If afraid, you will be a coward.” Wang Jin only laughed, and was unwilling to move. “If you are willing to instruct my son, what objection have you to using the cudgel?” said the farmer. Wang Jin laughed, “I am afraid that I may hurt your son, and that will not do.” “That does not matter. Even if you break his arm or leg, that will be his own fault,” said the farmer. Wang Jin said, “Forgive me if I make a mistake.” He then went to the arms rack, and taking a cudgel, went to the center of the yard and stood on guard. The young man seeing this, seized his cudgel and went to strike at him. Wang Jin retreated, trailing his cudgel on the ground. The farmer’s son flourished his weapon and pursued him. Wang Jin suddenly turned round and delivered a downward blow. Seeing the blow descending, the farmer’s son met it with an upward thrust. Wang Jin stayed his blow, drew his cudgel away, and then with a sudden thrust, struck the young man on the breast and with a twist, knocked the young man’s cudgel out of his hand. He fell down on his back, and Wang Jin immediately advanced to lift him, saying; “Do not blame me! Do not get offended!” The farmer’s son scrambled up, brought a stool and requested Wang Jin to be seated. He saluted Wang Jin, saying: “I have wasted my time with other teachers; but they prove to be unworthy half a cash.47 Now I have to ask you to be my teacher.”
“My mother and I have given much trouble to your house for many days,” said Wang Jin. I have no favors to give you but I can compensate by teaching you.” The farmer was much pleased and told the servants to kill a sheep—prepare a feast with wine and fruit. He also invited Wang Jin’s mother to attend the banquet. All four sat down and drank wine together. The farmer stood up with a cup of wine and addressing Wang Jin, said, “Teacher, you are so skillful; you must be an instructor. My son, you have eyes, but have failed to see this eminent person.” Wang Jin laughed, “I will not deceive you. I am not Zhang; I am Wang Jin, Drill Inspector of the Imperial Guard at Kaifeng. Just now a new commander has arrived—Marshal Gao Qiu—and because my father once knocked him down with a cudgel he still harbors resentment, against me. As I am his subordinate I cannot dispute with him, so I take my mother to Yanan Prefecture. It was by chance that I came here and met you. You have treated me well—cured my mother, entertained us, so I felt uneasy of your generosity. If your son is willing to learn I can teach him. At present, his fencing is only showy and spectacular, but in a real contest it would be of no use. I will instruct him properly from the beginning.” The farmer insisted upon his son paying respects to his new teacher, and said, “You are a first-class instructor. My ancestors lived in this district of Huayin County, close to Mount Shaohua. This is the Shi family village, and contains about four hundred families of the surname Shi. My son takes interest in playing with lances and cudgels instead of doing farm work. When his mother remonstrated with him, he paid no heed and she became angry and died. I am unable to control him and do not know how much money he has spent. He engaged a man to teach him and also employed a workman to tattoo nine dragons on his body, so that the people about here call him “Shi Jin with nine dragons.” Drill Instructor, you have come here today and completed his training very well. I will amply reward you.”
Wang Jin began his lessons from that day and Shi Jin asked to be taught the eighteen subjects of athletics in detail. In a little over half a year he had mastered these: (1) use of the lance; (2) the long-handled mallet; (3) the bow; (4) the crossbow; (5) the jingal; (6) the iron whip; (7) the iron truncheon; (8) the two-edged sword; (9) the chain; (10) the hooks; (11) the axe; (12) the battle-axe; (13) the three-pronged spear; (14) the halberd; (15) the shield; (16) the cudgel; (17) the spear; (18) the rake.
He learned these one by one and became proficient.
Wang Jin thought that he could not stay there any longer although the conditions were suitable. One day he told them that he wished to leave. Shi Jin replied, “Master, you must not think of leaving; I will keep both you and your mother here till your dying days; will that not be better?” “Worthy sir, I have received many favors from you but I am afraid that Marshal Gao Qiu’s men may arrive and you will be implicated. I must go to Yanan Prefecture, where men are needed: there I can rest and settle.” Shi Jin spoke to his father and it was agreed that Wang Jin must stay until they had prepared a farewell feast. They presented him two rolls of silk and one hundred taels of silver.48 When he left, Shi Jin told one of his men to carry Wang Jin’s baggage and accompany him for ten li,49 where they parted with tears.
Drill Instructor