quarter of a li when they saw a long way off a large body of horsemen emerge from a dense forest, and gallop towards the estate. In front of the horsemen was the leader who was riding a white horse. He had long eyebrows, long slit eyes, pearly white teeth, crimson lips, with a minute beard hanging from his lower lip, and a flowing mustache. He was about thirty-five years of age, and on his head he wore a black hat. He wore a brown silk gown embroidered with flowers in circular designs, and round his waist was an elegant silk girdle with a large circular jade buckle. His boots were of black silk embroidered with a design in gold and green. On his back hung a bow, and at his side was a quiver full of arrows.
When Lin Chong saw him he thought that this might be Squire Chai, but still he was not quite sure about it. When the horse got near, the rider asked, “Who is this man wearing a cangue?”
Lin Chong quickly bowed, and said, “I am Lin Chong, Drill Instructor in the Imperial Guards at Kaifeng. I was in ill favor with Marshal Gao Qiu of the Imperial Guard, who sent me to be tried, branded, and banished to Cangzhou. At the inn I heard that here is a fine man named Chai who likes to meet all celebrated scholars, and therefore I came specially to ask for his help. But unfortunately he was not at home.”
The man jumped off his horse, and walking rapidly towards Lin Chong said, “Chai has lost the opportunity of welcoming you.” He then saluted.
Lin Chong immediately returned the compliment. Chai then took Lin Chong by the hand, and led him towards the house. When the rustics saw them coming they opened the gate. Chai conducted Lin Chong to the guest chamber where he observed the usual courtesies.
Squire Chai Jin then said, “I heard of your fame some time ago, so that your opportune arrival at this insignificant spot fills me with entire satisfaction.”
Lin Chong replied, “This insignificant person has heard of your fame in all quarters, and everybody respects you. Because I have been banished as a criminal I did not expect to meet you but I have been extremely fortunate.” After having been much pressed Lin Chong sat down in the guest’s seat, and the two constables sat down near him. We need not say anything here about the other horsemen who had taken their horses to the stables at the back of the house.
Squire Chai Jin ordered the servants to bring wine, and they brought it in with meat, cakes, and a peck of unboiled rice on the top of which were ten strings of cash. When he saw this Chai Jin in an apologetic tone said that the servants were not aware that he was entertaining a Drill Instructor, and that was why they had brought such small quantities of things. He then told the servants to take them away, and bring the best of fruit, and wine, and kill a sheep at once.
Lin Chong rose, and expressed his thanks, and requested Chai Jin not to go to such trouble as what they had brought was quite ample.
Chai Jin objected to this, as the visit of a Drill Instructor was such a rare event that he could not treat it lightly.
The servants carried out his instructions, and soon brought in the better wine, and fruit, and Chai Jin then poured out three cups of wine for Lin Chong. After Lin Chong had drunk the wine, and expressed his thanks, Chai Jin asked to be excused as he wished to retire and take off his bow, and his quiver full of arrows. He asked the two constables to drink wine with Lin Chong while he was away. Upon returning he sat down as the host and Lin Chong again sat in the guest’s seat, with the two constables behind him.
They discussed matters relating to heroes and were not aware that evening was drawing nigh. On the table were spread all kinds of food, fruit, and delicacies of the sea. Chai Jin poured out the wine three times, and then sat down, and told the servants to bring in the soup. They had just eaten the soup, and drunk about seven cups of wine each, when a village rustic entered, and said the Drill Instructor had arrived.
Chai Jin told the servant to go and request him to come, and sit down at the table with them. When the Drill Instructor entered, Lin Chong saw that he was not wearing his cap straight, and was strutting like a bully. He thought that the man must be the athletic teacher for Chai Jin so he rose, bowed, and after calling attention by saying “nuo,” he said, “Lin Chong salutes with all respect.”
The man took no notice of Lin Chong, and did not return his salute.
Lin Chong dared not raise his head.
Chai Jin pointing to Lin Chong said to the Drill Instructor Hong, “This gentleman is Lin Chong, Drill Instructor of the Imperial Guards at the Eastern Capital, and I want you to make his acquaintance.”
Upon hearing this Lin Chong again saluted Drill Instructor Hong, and the latter did not wish to bow so he only said, “You need not salute me. Get up.”
When Chai Jin saw and heard this he was annoyed.
Lin Chong however saluted again twice, and then got up and requested Hong to be seated. Without returning this compliment Hong simply sat down in the chief guest seat. This further annoyed Chai Jin. Lin Chong had to take his seat in the lower position and the two constables also sat down.
Drill Instructor Hong asked Chai, “Why do you treat a banished soldier with such great respect?”
Chai Jin said, “This gentleman is Drill Instructor of the Imperial Guards so how can you despise him?”
“Sir,” said Hong, “I know that you like to exercise with a cudgel, and that is why when these army men arrive they always say they can also exercise with the cudgel. They all say that they are Drill Instructors and so cheat you into giving them wine, rice, food, and money. Why do you always believe that they are speaking the truth?”
Lin Chong upon hearing this suppressed his desire to speak. Chai Jin said, “It is not anybody who can recognize ability by appearances and so we cannot treat him lightly.”
Drill Instructor Hong did not like Chai Jin suggesting that he could not recognize ability by appearance so he jumped up, and said, “I have no faith in him! If he will have a bout with me with the cudgels then I shall be able to say whether he is a genuine Drill Instructor.”
Chai Jin laughed and said that that was a fine idea. He then asked Lin Chong whether he agreed to the proposal. But Lin Chong declined the offer. After thinking the matter over Drill Instructor Hong came to the conclusion that Lin Chong was afraid, and also was perhaps unable to fence. So he decided to provoke Lin Chong to fence with him.
Chai Jin wanted to see Lin Chong display his ability and also to see him beat Hong and so close the latter’s mouth. So he said to the servants, “Bring the wine, and we will wait till the moon rises.” After they had drunk about seven cups of wine the moon rose and it was then as bright as daylight in the hall where they were drinking.
Chai Jin got up, and said, “Now you two Drill Instructors just have a trial with the cudgels.”
Lin Chong saw that Hong was teaching Chai Jin to drill with the cudgels so he thought that Chai Jin would not like it if he knocked his drill teacher down.
Chai Jin saw that Lin Chong was in a quandary so he said, “Drill Instructor Hong has not been coming to my house for very long. No one has fought with him here, so you must not refuse to do so. I want to see which of you two is the best man.” Chai Jin said this because he thought that perhaps Lin Chong would not do his best out of consideration for his feelings in the matter.
Lin Chong felt more satisfied when he heard Chai Jin explain the position in this way. Hong got up, and called out, “Come on! Come on! Come on! I will have a bout with you.”
So all three adjourned to an open space outside, and
