the army for many years, and taken part in several battles, but we have never seen such a deadly conflict between such fine men.” On the inspection platform the two Generals Li Cheng and Wen Da kept up an incessant comment, “Well done! Well done!” In fact Wen Da was so afraid that one of the two combatants would be seriously wounded that he gave the signaler an order to take the flag with the golden character “Ling” on it, and place it between the combatants as a signal that fighting was to cease. At the same time a gong on the inspection platform was sounded as a signal for the two men to stop fighting, but they were both so keen on winning that they would not rein in their horses or leave the spot. As the gong had no effect the signaling officer rushed towards the combatants, and shouted out, “You two must take a rest now! This is His Excellency’s order!”
Yang Zhi and Suo Chao upon hearing this both reined in their horses, and returned each to his respective flag to await further orders. The Generals Li Cheng and Wen Da came forward to the front of the platform, and addressed the Grand Secretary, “Sir, we think that the military skill of both these men is of high order, and their merit is worthy of reward.”
Upon hearing this Grand Secretary Liang was much pleased, and immediately summoned Yang Zhi and Suo Chao. The signaling officer transmitted the order, and both combatants came to the front of the inspection platform, where they dismounted. Two soldiers received their weapons, and the two heroes then ascended the platform where they stood in a respectful attitude.
Grand Secretary Liang gave instructions that each was to receive an ingot of silver and two suits of clothing as presents, and then instructed his adjutant that both men were to receive the rank of Major, and that an order must be issued accordingly—their commission was to take effect from that day.
The two heroes expressed thanks to the Grand Secretary, received the gifts, and leaving the platform they divested themselves of their swords, bows, armor, and put on their ordinary clothes. They then returned to the platform, and saluted the assembled officers. They saluted each other according to the instructions of Liang who then informed them that they both had the rank of Major.
The troops marched off to the accompaniment of their drums.
Grand Secretary Liang invited all the officers to dine with him. They feasted together until dusk when Grand Secretary Liang and all the other officers departed on horseback, the two Majors riding in front with red silk flowers in their caps. Upon entering the East Gate the people stood on both sides of the road, and welcomed the cavalcade.
Grand Secretary Liang on his horse asked, “Why are you people so pleased at seeing this?”
The old men in the crowd responded, “We were born and bred at Daming and never before have we seen such splendid fellows as these two. Today we have seen them on the parade ground, and know that they are equally matched. So why should we not be glad?”
Grand Secretary Liang was very pleased at hearing this. Upon arrival at the headquarters all the officers dispersed.
The comrades of Suo Chao invited him to a banquet in celebration of his feat; but as Yang Zhi had only recently arrived he had no acquaintances who would invite him to a feast; he went to his quarters to sleep. Yang Zhi after this attended to his duties very diligently all day long, but we need not say anything more about that.
We will now come to the point. After the affair at the military sports Grand Secretary Liang was fonder than ever of Yang Zhi, and they were always together.
As Yang Zhi had a monthly allowance, many persons wished to be friendly with him. Now Suo Chao had great respect for Yang Zhi because he knew that he had great military skill.
The time flew very quickly, and it was almost summer. Grand Secretary Liang and his wife Madame Liang were celebrating the Dragon Boat festival with a feast in the private apartments. When they had drunk several cups of wine, and partaken of two courses of food, Madame Liang said, “Sir, you are now commander-in-chief and control the army, but where did this great success and rank come from?”
Grand Secretary Liang replied, “I have been a student of the classics and history ever since I was a boy. I am not blockhead, and how can I be unaware of your father’s generosity? He assisted me a great deal, and I am very grateful to him.”
His wife replied, “Sir, you are aware of my father’s benevolence, but why have you forgotten his birthday?”
Liang said, “I am well aware that your father’s birthday is on the 15th day of the sixth month. A month ago I sent a man with one hundred thousand strings of cash to buy gold, pearls, and other valuables which I will send to your father as a birthday gift. That will shortly be all arranged, and then I will dispatch the presents. About that only one thing keeps me in hesitation. Last year I also bought many precious stones and jewelry and dispatched them to your father at the Eastern Capital, but when about halfway there the escort was attacked by some brigands who took away the whole presents, and up to the present time the brigands have not been captured. Who is the best man to escort the presents this year?”
Madame Liang replied, “In your employ you have plenty of soldiers from whom you can select a reliable man.”
Grand Secretary Liang said, “During the next month I will look round carefully and select a really reliable man whom I will intrust with that job. You need not worry any more about it, as I have a plan.”
They feasted together up to about ten o’clock that evening, but we need not pursue that matter any further.
At that time a new magistrate named Shi Wenbin had just been appointed to Yuncheng County at Jizhou Prefecture in Shandong province. Upon taking up his duties he at once summoned two inspectors and officers whose special work was suppression of banditry. One Inspector was in charge of mounted police consisting of twenty men armed with bows and arrows, and twenty local men. The other Inspector had twenty foot soldiers armed with spear, and also twenty local men.
The Inspector in charge of the mounted police was named Zhu Tong; he was over six feet in height; had a thick beard nearly two feet long; his face was fiery red; and he had piercing eyes. In appearance he resembled Guan Gong, the God of War very much, and he was well known everywhere as the “Beautiful Whiskers.” Previously he was a very wealthy man, and being generous he had become friendly with all the leaders of bandits from whom he had acquired great ability in using arms.
The Inspector in charge of the other platoon was named Lei Heng; he was about five and a half feet tall; had a swarthy complexion; a broad fan-like beard; and great muscular strength. He could jump a distance of twenty feet, and was known everywhere as the “Winged Tiger.” Previously he had been a blacksmith; then had changed his occupation and became a proprietor of rice grinding mills; a butcher; or even a gambler. He was sometimes a great defender of righteousness but he was not of a generous disposition. He was also versed in military skill.
These two inspectors were experts in suppressing brigandage. Now the magistrate summoned them to his yamen, and handing them his written order he said, “Since I took up my duties here I have learned a great deal of a large number of bandits at Liangshan Marsh, a village in this prefecture, who have not only robbed and looted, but have even resisted capture by our troops. I am also afraid that there are other bandits in the various villages. So I want you two to face this difficult matter with our police force—one platoon to go out through the West Gate, and the other through the East Gate. If you find any bandits then arrest them and report the matter at once. In doing this, however, you must not disturb the people. I am aware that at Dongxi village there is a tree, on the top of a hill, with red leaves and there is no other tree like that at anywhere else. I want you to pluck some of those leaves, and upon your presenting them to me I shall know that you have been at that place. If you return without the red
