Читать книгу Water Margin - Shi Naian - Страница 19

CHAPTER 7

Lin Chong Is Branded and Banished to Cangzhou District; Lu Da Has a Big Row in Yezhu Forest

WHEN the bodyguard of the Marshal Gao Qiu seized Lin Chong, and were going to behead him on the spot, Lin Chong called out that he was being wronged.

Marshal Gao said, “What business had you to come to this Private Hall with a sharp sword in your hand? Did you not come to kill me?”

Lin Chong beseechingly said, “If you had not ordered me to come here, how could I have dared to enter? The two junior officers who just went inside the hall brought me here.”

Marshal Gao said, “Nonsense! What junior officers are there at my headquarters? Why don’t you accept my word!” He then told his bodyguard to take the prisoner to the Kaifeng Prefectural yamen, and he would instruct the Prefect there to examine the case very minutely, and after a clear investigation he could execute the prisoner.57 He told them to wrap up the sword, and seal it.

The bodyguard obeyed the orders, and took Lin Chong under arrest to Kaifeng Prefectural yamen, and fortunately upon arriving there they found that the Prefect was still sitting in the court hearing cases. Marshal Gao’s officers took Lin Chong into the court, and they knelt down at the steps in front of the bench. The Prefect’s officer got the particulars of the case, and then reported the matter to Prefect Teng. He then took the sword which was still sealed up, and placed it in front of the prisoner.

The Prefect said, “Lin Chong, you are a Drill Instructor of the Imperial Guard so how is it that you did not know the rules of the army, and entered the Private Hall with a sword in your hand? That is a crime to be punished by death.”

Lin Chong said, “Most benevolent and wise official, I am falsely accused, and seriously wronged. Although I am a stupid army officer I understand a few of the rules. How dared I enter the Private Hall? The fact of the matter is, that on the twenty-eighth day of last month I went with my wife to the Yue Temple to sacrifice, and there we met the adopted son of Marshal Gao Qiu of the Imperial Guard, who attempted to trifle with my wife, and I interfered and separated them. Afterwards Lu Qian cheated me by asking me to go to drink wine with him, while he employed Fu An to deceive my wife, and told her to go to Lu Qian’s home where they had arranged to trifle with her. As soon as I heard of this I went there at once, and smashed up all the furniture. Thus although they had twice tried to ravish my wife, they had not succeeded, and I have a witness to bear that out. The following day I bought this sword, and today the Marshal of the Imperial Guard sent two junior officers to my home to tell me to take the sword to his yamen. So I went with those two men to the Private Hall. They went inside the Hall, and I thought that the Marshal was inside there. Those men had contrived this plot to injure me, and I hope that you, the benevolent official, will give me justice.”

The Prefect listened to Lin Chong’s statement, and then gave instructions for a dispatch to be prepared for the Marshal of the Imperial Guard. He gave instructions for the cangue and handcuffs to be placed on Lin Chong who was to be taken to the prison. Lin Chong’s family supplied him with food and money while he was in prison. Lin Chong’s father-in-law bribed many court officials to try to arrange matters for him. Fortunately in the court was a secretary named Sun Ding, who was a very honest and exceedingly good man, and was always trying to help people in distress. Because of his character everybody called him “Sun, the Buddha.” He understood the case, and spoke to the Prefect several times about it. He said, “I think this case has been brought up simply to injure Lin Chong, and it would be better for you to show mercy to him.”

The Prefect said, “He has committed a grave offense and the Marshal of the Imperial Guard has instructed me to question him as to (1) why he had a sword in his hand; (2) why he entered the Private Hall; (3) why he intended to kill the Marshal. How can I help him?”

Sun Ding spoke sarcastically, “This yamen does not receive its authority from the Imperial Court, but evidently from the Marshal of the Imperial Guard.”

“Nonsense!” said the Prefect.

Sun Ding said, “Does not everybody know that the Marshal Gao Qiu, uses his great influence to oppress people? and, moreover, those under him do the same thing? And if a man unintentionally breaks the least fraction of the law, Gao sends him here under arrest. If he wants him killed he is killed, if he wants him hacked to pieces that is done. So does it not appear that this yamen belongs to him?”

The Prefect said, “Assuming that what you say is correct how could this case of Lin Chong be settled in any other way?”

Sun Ding said, “According to Lin Chong’s evidence he is quite innocent, but the difficulty is that we cannot arrest the two junior officers. Now you had better tell him to admit that he ought not to have unintentionally entered the Private Hall with his sword in his belt. And having branded him you can banish him to a distant military outpost.”

Prefect Teng thought the plan a good one, and decided to go to see Marshal Gao Qiu, and repeat to him the evidence of Lin Chong. Marshal Gao was aware of the weakness of his case, and had to agree to the sentence of the Prefect. Straightway he returned to the judgment hall and gave an order for the cangue to be taken off Lin Chong, and that he was to receive twenty blows on his back. He then told the workman who branded prisoners to brand Lin Chong on his cheek. He was to be banished to the prison at Cangzhou.

A cangue was at once made weighing ten pounds with round corners, and strips of metal nailed to it, and with a paper pasted on to seal the two halves together. A document giving particulars of the case was then handed to two constables who were to escort the prisoner to Cangzhou. The two men were named Dong Chao and Xue Ba, and as soon as they got the official documents they left the yamen.

At the gate of the yamen a large number of neighbors with Drill Instructor Zhang (Lin Chong‘s father-in-law) were assembled and they conducted Lin Chong and the two constables to a wine shop near the Zhou Bridge where they all sat down.

Lin Chong said, “Fortunately I have been helped by the secretary Sun, and although I was beaten with a bamboo yet I can walk without pain.”

Drill Instructor Zhang told the waiters to bring wine and fruit, and treat the two constables well. After they had drunk a few cups of wine Drill Instructor Zhang took out some silver, and presented it to the constables.

Lin Chong raising his handcuffed hands to his father-in-law said, “Please listen to what I say. This year I have had misfortunes, and since I offended Master Gao I have been wrongly prosecuted. Today I wish to speak to you, and request your attention. I am indebted to you for your kindness. Three years ago you gave me your daughter, and since that time we have had no quarrels. Although she has not had any children, yet we have not had the least bit of dispute about it. But now this calamity has resulted in me being banished to Cangzhou, and now even my life is uncertain. My wife remains at home, but I shall always be thinking of her. I am very much afraid that Master Gao will press his suit very strongly. As my wife is quite young I do not want to stand in her way of being happy. It is my own will, not influenced by any outside pressure at all. Now in the presence of all my neighbors I will write a bill of divorcement so that she may marry another husband as she will and there will be no dispute. In this way I shall be contented, and she will avoid any injury from Master Gao.”

Drill Instructor Zhang said, “My worthy son-in-law! What are you talking about? You have been unlucky, and have encountered a calamity which was arranged by your enemy. You are going to Cangzhou today to avoid the coming trouble. When heaven have pity on you, and allow you to come back, you will be reunited to your wife. At my home there is plenty of money, and your wife, and her maid Jin Er, can both live at my home and whether they are there for three or five years I will look after them. So Master Gao shall not get the opportunity to see your wife. I will be responsible for this, and you need not worry about it. While you are in the prison at Cangzhou I will write you letters, and send you clothes frequently. You can go with a contented mind, and must not be anxious.”

Lin Chong replied, “I am extremely grateful for your kindness. But I cannot rid myself of concern about my wife in the present state and any delay would only be a sorrow to each of us. I hope you will accept my wishes, and then I shall die with a peaceful mind.”

Drill Instructor Zhang was unwilling to agree to do this. All the neighbors who were there also said that it could not be done.

Lin Chong said, “If you will not do as I wish I swear on my oath that when I return from prison I shall not live with my wife.”

Drill Instructor Zhang said, “As it is that way then even if you write down such a wish I shall certainly not take your wife, and marry her to another man. He then told the waiter to buy a sheet of paper and then find a man who could write a letter. Upon the arrival ot the letter writer Lin Chong dictated the following:

“I, Drill Instructor Lin Chong of the Imperial Guards of Eastern Capital, am banished to Cangzhou because I have committed a serious crime, and as it is uncertain whether I shall die there or not I write this letter to express my willingness to give my young wife (family name Zhang) full liberty to marry a second husband, so that there shall be no dispute about it afterwards. This is certainly my wish, and there shall be no obstacle in the way of this being done. I have therefore written this document so that hereafter it may be proof of my desire.”

Lin Chong saw that the date had been inserted, and then affixed his seal, and impressed his fingerprint on the document. When this had been completed he went to hand the document to Drill Instructor Zhang, but the former’s wife just then arrived, bewailing loudly. With her was the maidservant Jin Er who was carrying a bundle of clothes. Lin Chong rose to receive her, and said, “Wife, I have something to tell you which I have already imparted to your father. I have had to submit to a serious injustice. I have to go to Cangzhou, and whether I shall survive is uncertain. I am very much afraid that this will spoil the days of your youth and therefore I have signed this document expressing my fervent hope that you will not wait for my return, but if there is a suitable man you will marry him, and not allow me to stand in the way of such a virtuous wife.”

His wife wept upon hearing this and said, “Husband, I have not the slightest stain on my character, so why do you dismiss me in this way?”

“Wife, I have the best of intentions, but I am afraid that they cannot be realized, and I do not want to deceive you.”

Drill Instructor Zhang said, “My daughter, be contented. Although my son-in-law wants to arrange your affairs in this way I will promise you that I shall not press you to remarry. If we do this business in the way suggested he will depart with a contented mind, and if he does not return then I will provide for you at my home for the remainder of your life so that you can maintain your chastity.”

His daughter listened to this and continued to sob, but when she saw the sealed document she fell down in a faint. Lin Chong and Zhang raised her up, and after a long time she regained consciousness, but still continued to weep.

Lin Chong took the document, and handed it to Zhang. The wives of the neighbors had now arrived, and they gave advice to Lin Chong’s wife, and supported her back to her home.

Drill Instructor Zhang bade farewell to Lin Chong; saying, “Now be carefree and proceed on your journey, and try to come back as soon as possible. Tomorrow I will take your wife to my home, and provide for her, and she can wait there until you are reunited. You go now, and do not worry about her. And if there is anybody coming here, never fail to send a letter by that person.”

Lin Chong rose and expressed his thanks. He then saluted Zhang and all the neighbors, shouldered his bundle, and departed in the company of the two constables. Inspector Zhang and the neighbors went back to their homes, and we will not say anything more about them.

The two constables took Lin Chong to the jail and there left him for the night. They then went to their homes, to get their baggage. While one of them named Dong Chao was packing up his bundle, a waiter from a wine shop in the same alley came, and said to him, “There is an official in our wine shop who wishes to speak to you.”

Dong Chao asked who he was, and the waiter replied that he did not know him. The man, he said, had simply asked him to invite him.

Dong Chao went with the waiter to the inn, and there he saw a man sitting in a small room with the character “Wan” on his turban, wearing a short black crape coat, and a pair of black shoes with white socks. When he saw Dong Chao he immediately saluted with folded hands, and asked the constable to be seated.

Dong Chao said, “I have never had the pleasure of knowing you, and do not know what business you have for me.”

“Sit down, and you will soon know about that.”

Dong Chao sat down opposite the official, and the waiter laid upon the table cups and wine, vegetables and fruits.

The official asked, “Where does Xue Ba, the other constable, live?”

Dong Chao said, “He lives in the alley over there.”

The official then told the waiter to go and bring Xue Ba. The waiter went off, and very soon Xue Ba arrived.

Dong Chao said, “This official has something to say to us.”

Xue Ba said, “I dare not ask for his name.”

The official said, “You will soon find that out. Please drink some wine.”

The three men sat down, and very soon the waiter brought them some warm wine. After they had drunk a few cups of wine the official took ten taels of silver out of his sleeve, and placed them on the table. He said, “I have a little troublesome business for you two men to do, and you can have five taels each.”

The men said, “We have not seen you before, so why do you offer us money?”

“Are you not going to Cangzhou?” asked the official.

Dong Chao said, “We have received an order from the yamen to escort a prisoner, Lin Chong, to Cangzhou.”

“That being the case, I shall have to trouble you. I am Lu Qian, the confidential steward in the family of Marshal Gao Qiu of the Imperial Guard.”

Dong Chao and Xue Ba made many salutations and said, “We should not be sitting at the same table with you.”

Lu Qian said, “Are you two men aware that Lin Chong has offended the Marshal of the Imperial Guard? You must now observe the order of the Marshal. He told me to give you these ten taels of silver, and say that you are not to take Lin Chong very far away. When you reach some quiet deserted spot you must kill Lin Chong, and then get an official near there to give you a report about his death. If any questions are raised when you get to Kaifeng you will be free from blame as the Marshal will deal with the matter himself.”

Dong Chao said, “I am afraid that we cannot do that. Our order from the Prefect of Kaifeng says that we must escort the prisoner, and says nothing about killing him. Moreover, I am not very old, so how can we do such a vile thing? We are also afraid that we should be blamed if anybody got to know of the affair.”

Xue Ba said, “Old Dong, you just listen to me. You must not forget that even though Marshal Gao Qiu, condemns us both to death we have to obey him. Moreover he has sent this official to give us this money. Let us talk no more about it, but just divide the money. When we have done the deed Marshal Gao will be grateful to us, and will find us something to do. There is a wild deserted forest—let us dispatch him there.” Xue Ba took his part of the silver and then said, “We shall do this after we have traveled not less than fifty li, or not more than one hundred li.”

Lu Qian was much pleased at this and said, “That will be very well. Don’t forget that after you have murdered Lin Chong you must tear off the skin of his face, bearing the brand mark, and bring it back as an evidence that you have killed him.” He also promised to give them an extra ten taels of silver when they returned. He would wait anxiously for their report, and he also urged them to get the matter done without delay.

During the Song Dynasty it was the practice to brand criminals on their faces when they were sentenced to banishment. But as the branding was disgustful to the people, it was called, “Fixing Golden Seals.”

The three men finished their wine, and then separated. Lu Qian paid for the wine.

Dong Chao and Xue Ba divided the bribe between them, and took the money to their homes. There each man made up a bundle of necessary things for his journey, and carried this on a stick over his shoulder. They got Lin Chong out of the jail, and escorted him out of the city. That day they traveled about ten li before they stopped for the night.

During the Song Dynasty it was a rule that all inns were to give shelter to an escort in charge of criminals without charging for the room, but would receive payment for food or wine taken.

The next day the three men rose early, and after breakfast they started out again on the road to Cangzhou. It was the sixth lunar month, and the weather was very hot. Previously Lin Chong had felt no pain from the blows he had got at Kaifeng, but under the heat of the day he now felt pains, and limped along slowly.

Xue Ba said, “You do not seem to realize that we have to go about seven hundred li to Cangzhou, and that it will take a very long time to get there if you walk like this.”

Lin Chong said, “While I was at Kaifeng I did not feel uncomfortable, but, owing to the hot weather I now feel pains resulting from being beaten with the bamboo the day before yesterday. I beg you to walk a little slower.”

Dong Chao said, “You can walk slower, and take no notice of what we say.”

Xue Ba resented this kind of talk, and muttered to himself as he walked along. “We two are unlucky as we meet such a demon as this prisoner.”

It was getting late in the evening when they got to an inn. When they got inside they all three took off their bundles. Lin Chong did not wait for the two constables to speak, but taking some silver out of his bundle he gave it to waiter, and told him to bring some meat, rice, and wine for dinner. He then asked the two constables to dine with him.

The two constables purchased some more wine, and they gave Lin Chong so much that he became drunk, and lay down on the floor with the cangue still round his neck.

Xue Ba then went, and boiled some water, and when it was extremely hot he poured it into a tub. He then roused Lin Chong, and said to him, “Just wash your feet, and afterwards you will sleep better.”

Lin Chong struggled to get up, but the cangue prevented him from doing this.

“I will wash your feet for you,” said Xue Ba.

Lin Chong would not agree to this, but Xue Ba insisted that as they were traveling together they need not be too particular.

Lin Chong did not suspect anything, and therefore put forward his feet, which Xue Ba seized and thrust them into the boiling water. Lin Chong yelled with the pain, and quickly withdrew his feet, but they had already been scalded, and covered with red blisters. He said that it was awfully painful.

Xue Ba said, “Before this I have seen prisoners waiting upon us, but now we have apparently to wait upon a prisoner. We had the best of intentions in telling you to wash your feet, but you are so fastiduious and would complain that the water was too cold if it was only a little cold and too hot if only a little hot. So we get no thanks for our labor.”

Xue Ba continued muttering about this for a long time, and as Lin Chong dared not reply to his remarks he lay down on one side and tried to sleep. The two constables threw the boiling water away, and getting fresh water washed their own feet, and then went to bed. Early the next morning long before any of the people of the inn were out of bed Xue Ba got up, and after washing himself he lit the fire, and cooked some rice. But Lin Chong could neither get up, nor eat his breakfast. Xue Ba seized his stick, and told Lin Chong to get up. Dong Chao seeing the difficulty unloosened a pair of new straw sandals from his belt, and told Lin Chong to put them on.

But Lin Chong seeing the huge blisters on his feet would have preferred to wear his old shoes as being more comfortable, but as he could not find them he put on the new straw sandals.

They then paid for the wine they had had, and escorted Lin Chong out of the inn about five A.M. After walking about a li the blisters on Lin Chong’s feet, caused by the new straw sandals burst, and the blood oozed out. Walking was extremely painful, and he could not suppress his groans.

Xue Ba abused him, saying; “If you can walk, then walk quickly, and if you don’t walk quickly I shall have to use this stick to make you get on.”

Lin Chong said, “Have pity on me. I dare not go slow and so delay our journey. But the fact is that my feet are very painful, and I cannot walk quickly.”

Dong Chao said, “I will support you a little, and that will make it easier for you to walk.” He assisted him in this way for about two li. They then saw in the distance the gloomy, dense forest, called “Yezhu Forest.” On the road between the Eastern Capital and Cangzhou, this was well known as the most dangerous place. In the Song Dynasty it often occurred that when somebody owed a grudge to a person the latter was accused, and banished, and then the escort was bribed so as to put him to death when passing through this forest. It is unknown how many innocent people were killed in this way.

On this day when the escort with Lin Chong entered the forest Dong Chao said, “We have been traveling for two hours, but have not covered three li. If we keep on like this how can we get to Cangzhou?”

Xue Ba said, “Well, I cannot walk any further, and must have a rest in this forest.”

The three men then left the road, and went into the forest where they threw down their bundles. Lin Chong cried out with the pain and fell down.

Dong Chao said to Xue Ba, “I am quite tired so we must rest a while here, and have a sleep before going on.”

They then put down their sticks, and lay down at the foot of a tree. After closing their eyes for a short time they got up, and shouted at Lin Chong.

Lin Chong asked, “What is the matter with you?”

“There is no place here where we can lock you up, so we do not care to sleep as you might escape.”

Lin Chong replied, “I am a brave man. As I have already been condemned I will never run away.”

Xue Ba said, “We do not believe that. In order to feel safe we must tie you up.”

“If you want to tie me up, of course I must agree.”

Xue Ba thereupon took a rope, and tied Lin Chong to a tree—both hands, feet, and also the cangue. As soon as he had done this he turned round, picked up his stick and looking at Lin Chong said, “We do not wish to kill you, but the fact is that the day before yesterday Lu Qian told us that Marshal Gao Qiu of the Imperial Guard had given an order that we must kill you at this place. We must also quickly bring to him your brand mark as proof that we have done the deed. So it does not matter how many days we should travel you would eventually be killed. So today we have come here to finish the matter, and to get back as soon as possible. You must not bear resentment against us two as we are only obeying orders. If you think the matter over you will see that it is not our arrangement. A year from today will be the anniversary of your death. We have decided upon today for the deed, and we must return at once to report the matter.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Chong burst into tears, and said, “Gentlemen, I have had no grudge against you. So if you two will save my life on this occasion I shall never forget your gracious action.”

“We cannot do that, and it is a waste of time to talk about it.” So saying the two men took their sticks to hit Lin Chong on the head.

How pitiful to see a hero bound up and killed in this way!

On the way to Hell no inn is found

Lin Chong’s soul will now be roaming round.

We will now relate what eventually happened to Lin Chong’s life.

Footnote

57 In Imperial China, positions in the Imperial civil service held dual administrative and judicial roles. These positions are conventionally translated as governor, prefect, and magistrate, at the provincial, prefectural city, and county town levels of responsibility respectively.