Malice harbored deadly dim;
Chilled to the marrow in the bones.
We will now relate what this place was where the farm laborers had brought Lin Chong.
CHAPTER 10
Zhu Gui Shoots a Whistling Arrow from an Arbor; Lin Chong Arrived at Liangshan Marsh in the Night During a Heavy Snowstorm
WHILE the “Leopard’s Head” Lin Chong was drunk he lay down in the snow, and being unable to rise was seized and bound by the farm laborers, and carried to a courtyard. A farm laborer came out of the yard and said to them, “Our master has not got up yet so you had better hang this man up by his hands under the tower at the gate. By daybreak Lin Chong had recovered from his drunkenness. Looking round he realized that he was in the yard of a big farm. He shouted out, “Who has dared to hang me up in this way?”
A farm laborer hearing him shouting came from inside the gateway, with a stick and spoke in a loud voice to him, “So your spirit is still unbroken?”
The farmer whose mustache had been singed also came on the scene and said, “Don’t ask him; just beat him! When our master gets up he will cross-examine him minutely.” The farm laborer beat him accordingly.
Lin Chong had to submit to this beating, but he said, “Never mind this! I have something to say to you.”
Just then another farm laborer came on the scene, and said that the master was coming. Lin Chong saw him strolling with his hands behind his back, and upon arriving at the veranda he heard him say, “Whom are you beating?”
The farm laborers replied, “Last night we arrested this man who was stealing our rice!”
The gentleman approaching recognized Lin Chong. He immediately told the laborers to go away, and releasing him asked, “Drill Instructor, how is it that you were hung up here”
The farm laborers all retired.
Lin Chong recognized Chai Jin the “Small Whirlwind,” and immediately said, “Sir, please save me!”
Chai Jin said, “Drill Instructor, why have you allowed these villagers to disgrace you, and bring you here?”
Lin Chong said, “That is hard to explain in a few words.”
The two men went inside and sat down. Lin Chong then related in detail what had happened at the forage depot.
After listening to this Chai Jin said, “Elder brother, you have been unfortunate. But today Heaven has taken pity and made all straight again, so that you need not worry any more. This is my eastern estate. You can rest here for a few days, and then we will discuss your affairs again.” He then told a laborer to bring a new suit of clothes for Lin Chong, and also to set out wine and food in the room which had a fire in it, as he would ask Lin Chong to dine with him. Lin Chong stayed at that place for about a week, but we need not say anything more about that.
The superintendent of the prison at Cangzhou reported to his superior officer that Lin Chong had killed the head jailer, Lu Qian, and Fu An, and had set fire to the army fodder depot. Upon hearing of this the magistrate was upset, and immediately issued an order to every district and village that all lower officials were to do their best to arrest Lin Chong. Full particulars were to be given and a full description of Lin Chong was to be placarded in every village and inn on the roads, and a reward of three thousand strings of cash was to be given to any person who gave information leading to his arrest. They were also to make a strict inquiry and search for Lin Chong in every house in their districts.
When Lin Chong heard of these measures being taken he was so afraid that he felt as though he was sitting on a carpet full of needles. He waited until Squire Chai Jin returned to that estate, and then spoke to him. “I know that you do not want me to go, but I really must depart as these officials are making careful inquiries, and a strict search for me from house to house. Should they come to your house you will, most certainly be implicated. As I am aware of your liberal-mindedness I beg you to lend me some money to cover my traveling expenses, and I will go and hide in some other place. Should I not die I will certainly recompense you, and serve you in any capacity.” Chai Jin said, “As you, elder brother, wish to go I will write a letter, and you can take it to a place I know of. How will that do?”
“As you Squire,” said Lin Chong, “will assist me in that way I will go and live in that place. But I do not know where you want me to go.”
“It is a village surrounded by water, called Liangshan Marsh with a fortress in the center called Wanzi Fortress and also Liao-er Hollow. The village has a circumference of over eight hundred li. Just now there are three fine fellows living there. The chief is Wang Lun nicknamed ‘White Clothes Scholar’; the second man is Du Qian nicknamed ‘Sky Feeler,’ and the third man is Song Wan nicknamed ‘Guardian in the Clouds.’ Those men have about eight hundred brigands who plunder the people. Most of them are men who are wanted by the officials for some serious crime or other, and they have fled to that place as a refuge. The three leaders just mentioned are fine men, and as I am intimate with them, they frequently send me letters. I will write a letter for you to take there, and you can join their band. How will that do?”
“If it is as you say,” said Lin Chong, “it will do very well.”
Squire Chai Jin said, “The officials have posted two military officers at the pass to cross-examine all persons who leave or enter Cangzhou, and have posted up the notice about you there where you will have to go.” Chai Jin bowed his head in thought, and then continued, “But I have a plan to enable you to pass them.”
Lin Chong said, “If you assist me in this matter I shall never forget your benevolence.”
The squire instructed a servant to take Lin Chong’s bundle beyond the barrier erected on the road, and wait there for him. He then summoned about thirty horsemen arrayed in their hunting dress; carrying bows, arrows, flags, and spears; with falcons on their arms, and hunting dogs in leash. He placed Lin Chong in the middle of the company. They all mounted, and left together for the barrier. Upon arrival there the military officers recognized Chai Jin and his men. These officers had been to Chai Jin’s estate before they were commissioned. They now got up from their seats and asked, “Sir, are you going to have some sport again?”
Chai Jin dismounted and asked them, “What are you doing here?”
They replied, “The Prefect of Cangzhou has issued an order, that the criminal Lin Chong must be arrested, and we have been specially appointed to watch this place. We have to closely question all travelers and merchants who pass this way before letting them pass.”
Chai Jin laughed and said, “I am smuggling Lin Chong through among this company of men, so why don’t you recognize him?”
The officers laughed. “Your Excellency knows the law so well that you would not do any smuggling. Please, sir, mount your horse again.”
Chai Jin again laughed and said, “That being the case I will get along, and should I kill some game I will make you a present of it.” So bidding them adieu Chai Jin and also his followers mounted their horses, and rode off. After riding about five li they came to the place where the farm laborer was waiting for them with Lin Chong’s bundle. Chai Jin told Lin Chong to dismount; take off the hunting dress and put on his own clothes that the farm laborer had brought along. This he did, then buckled on his sword, put on his felt cap with the red tassel, shouldered his bundle, and holding his halberd in his hand, he saluted Chai Jin, and departed.
The hunters