the temple going east. After walking about a li he came to a village where the men were getting hooks and buckets of water to go and put out the fire. Lin Chong said to them, “You had better hurry up if you are going to put out the fire. I am going to report the matter to the officials.” He then proceeded on his way. The snow was still falling heavily. After walking for about an hour his body was very cold. Looking round he saw that the flames of the fodder depot were now a long way off. Where he had stopped was a dense forest and among the trees were a number of straw huts covered with heavy snow. Through the cracks gleams of light were streaming. He walked towards the huts, and pushing open the door of one, he saw inside an old farmer, and about five farm laborers sitting in a circle round a glaring fire warming their hands. He entered and standing facing the old farmer, he said, “Gentlemen, I salute you. I am employed at the fodder depot belonging to the prison, and as my clothes are wet through I request that you allow me to dry them at your fire.”
“You can dry them if you like,” said the farmer.
As Lin Chong was drying his clothes he saw at the side of the fire a jar that was being warmed, and from which came the aroma of wine. So he told them that he had some silver, and wished to buy some of their wine.
The farmer said, “We take turns during the night in guarding the rice bin, and we each take a drink of the wine as it is so cold. It is now about 4 A.M., and as there won’t be enough for us how can we let you have some? There is no chance of you getting any.”
“Just sell me only two or three cups of wine to keep out the cold.”
The farmer said, “Don’t be so greedy!”
But Lin Chong could not withstand the aroma of the wine so he said, “There is no other way. I must have some.”
All the men replied, “We have been kind enough to let you dry your clothes, and now you want to drink our wine. Get off at once, and if you don’t go we shall have to tie you up.”
Upon hearing this Lin Chong became angry, and said that they were very unreasonable. He then took his spear, and putting it under a piece of wood in the fire he flicked the wood into the face of the old farmer burning his mustache. He then scattered the remains of the fire. The farm laborers jumped up, and the farmer ran outside. Lin Chong thrust about him with his spear, and the laborers ran away, but not before they had been beaten with the spear.
Lin Chong soliloquized, “So they have all gone! Now, you sir can make merry with the wine.” Above the bed were two ladles so taking one he poured out half of the wine, and drank it off. Then picking up his spear he left the hut. But he had drunk too much, and staggered about in all directions. After walking a short distance he came to a ravine where the bitterly cold wind brought him down. It is generally the case that drunken men once fallen cannot get up again, and Lin Chong lay in the snow in his drunken sleep.
The farm laborers had got the assistance of more than twenty men, but upon reaching the straw hut they could not find Lin Chong. So they followed his footprints in the snow, and so came to the place where he was lying in the snow with his spear at his side. They tied him up with ropes, and then carried him away to another place. Afterwards, it happened that many thousands of armed boats were arranged in close order in a pool of water surrounded by high reeds, and in the middle of the pool was a fortress occupied by over a hundred valiant heroes.
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
