Zhu Gui and Lin Chong both stepped forward, saluted and called out “nuo” to attract attention, and the latter took up his position slightly at one side and behind Zhu Gui, who introduced him, “This is Drill Instructor Lin Chong of the Imperial Guards from the Eastern Capital, commonly known as ‘Leopard’s Head.’ Because of the enmity of Marshal Gao Qiu, he was branded and banished to Cangzhou, and while there the army fodder depot in his charge was burnt down. Because he had killed three men he fled to Squire Chai Jin, with whom he is on very friendly terms. The latter has written a letter of introduction for you.”
Lin Chong took the letter out of his breast pocket, and handed it to Wang Lun who requested him to be seated on the fourth chair, and Zhu Gui to be seated on the fifth chair. Wang Lun then ordered wine to be brought, and after they had drunk three cups each he asked about the health of Squire Chai Jin.
Lin Chong replied that Chai went hunting every day.
After asking the question Wang Lun thought of the time when he was only a poor scholar, and being without luck, he had come there with Du Qian to join the bandits. Afterwards they had been joined by Song Wan, with many men and horses. He had no special ability, and Du Qian and Song Wan had only common military skill. This man had been a Drill Instructor and he must have great military skill. If they admitted him he would soon see their weakness, and take advantage of it, and in case of a fight how could they overcome him? Should they decline to receive him he would be angry. But if they offered excuse, then he would go away and they would avoid any trouble. But that would look as though they had forgotten the kind treatment they had from Squire Chai Jin. However under the present circumstances they could not allow him to stay here. He therefore told his followers to prepare a feast, and invited Lin Chong to take part in it. All the five men dined together, and when they had finished Wang Lun told the servants to bring a tray with fifty taels of silver, and two rolls of coarse silk cloth. Upon their arrival he stood up and said: “Squire Chai has written us a letter introducing you, and recommending that you should join our band, but unfortunately we are short of rations, and the rooms are in disorder; our followers are very few; and I am afraid that your prospect would be spoiled by staying here. We hope you will not laugh at our small presents or be offended but we hope that you will be able to find a bigger stronghold than this where you can stay.”
Lin Chong replied, “I request you to listen to what I have to say now. I heard of your great reputation over three hundred li away, and I have come a long distance to find a refuge under your roof. Relying on the influence of Squire Chai I fled to your stronghold to join your band. Although I have no ability I hope that you will allow me to stay here as without flattering I can say that I am willing to die in case of danger. I did not come here for money, and therefore I hope the chief will take my request into favorable consideration.”
“This is only a small place, and we cannot afford to keep you here,” said Wang Lun. “Don’t think we have any other reason.”
Zhu Gui remonstrated with Wang Lun, “Elder brother, please allow me to speak on this matter. If our supply of food is small we can borrow some from the neighboring villages and distant market towns; as for dwelling, there is enough timber on this mountain and the surrounding land to build a thousand houses. This man has come here with an introduction from Squire Chai so how can we ask him to go to another place? Moreover Squire Chai previously treated us well, so if we do not receive this man here it will look bad. This man has great skill, and will use it to our advantage.”
Du Qian said, “I do not think that it is right to say that the admittance of this one man will be too much for our stronghold? But I say that if we do not receive this man, Squire Chai will be offended and will think that we are very ungrateful. As he helped us so much in the past how can we turn this man away?”
Song Wan offered his advice, “In view of the great influence of Squire Chai I suggest that we keep Lin Chong here, and make him one of our leaders. On the other hand, if we do not employ him all the other outlaws like ourselves will laugh at our lack of gratitude.”
“You are overlooking something,” said Wang Lun. “Although this man committed a great crime at Cangzhou, but you do not know yet what his real intention was in coming here. If he has bad intentions what will you do?”
Lin Chong said, “I fled to this place to join your band because I had committed a crime. Why do you suspect me?”
“It that case, if you really want to join us, you should present a ‘membership application,’ said Wang Lun.
“I know something about writing ‘characters,’” said Lin Chong, “please let me have ink and paper to write it out.”
“Drill Instructor,” said Zhu Gui, “you do not understand. When anybody joins our band, he must present an application. That means that he must go down the mountain and kill a man. Then when he returns and presents a man’s head, the chief will be satisfied. That is what we call ‘presenting an application.’”
Lin Chong said, “That won’t be difficult, and I will go at once, and get it done. But I am afraid it will be some time before anyone comes along.”
Wang Lun said, “Very well, I will allow you three days, and if you present your application in that time you can join us, but if you fail to do so then do not blame me if I don’t admit you.”
Lin Chong agreed to these conditions. He then went with the bandits to his quarters, and slept there that night. During the night Zhu Gui departed and went down the mountain to his inn.
The following morning Lin Chong got up early, and after breakfast, buckled on his short sword, and took his halberd in his hand. He then summoned one of the bandits to show him the way down the mountain, and crossing the lake by boat, he hid himself at a lonely spot on the road waiting for someone to pass. He waited there from early morning till late at night without a single individual passing that way. He was very disappointed at this, but summoning the bandit they both returned to the mountain stronghold.
Upon reaching the stronghold Wang Lun asked where the “membership application” was.
Lin Chong replied that not a single person had passed him that day so that he had not been able to get a head.
Wang Lun said that if he did not get a head the next day it would be awkward.
Lin Chong did not reply to this as he was so depressed. He went and had his meals and then went to bed.
The following morning he again summoned the bandit to go with him down the mountain.
The bandit suggested that they should go to the southern road that day. They did this, and hid in the forest on that road. About noon a large party of about three hundred people passed, but as they all kept close together Lin Chong dared not attack anyone of them. He still kept looking out, but not another person passed that way.
Lin Chong spoke to his bandit companion, “How unlucky I am! Here I have been watching for two days, and no single person has passed me.”
“Elder brother, never mind,” said the bandit. “There is still one more day left, and tomorrow I will go with you to the eastern road.”
When they got back at the stronghold Wang Lun asked where the head was. Lin Chong dared not reply, but simply heaved a sigh.
“I suppose you have not got one today,” said Wang Lun laughingly, “I gave you three days, but two have already passed without any result. If you don’t get one tomorrow you need not try to see me, but instead you must leave the mountain at once.”
Lin Chong withdrew to