called out his invitation to Wei Tuo, the monk was still following heavenly principles. He had summoned neither heavenly spirits nor infernal demons, and there was nothing supernatural involved. He who replied, therefore, was not the true and genuine Wei Tuo. He was, in fact, Zhao Bin, a hero of the kind that could startle heaven and move earth.
Zhao Bin’s father, Zhao Jijou, who was also called Majestic Bright Moon, had been a man of Jenjiang, the provincial capital in Tanyang prefecture. Over the five main roads to the north, south, east, and west from this central area he had a reputation as the most important bodyguard and escort for travelers. His wife was from the Mei family, and they had only one son, Zhao Bin.
At that time, the country had truly fallen upon evil times. The roads were lonely and dangerous. These conditions were fortunate for the father, who was much in demand. The experienced man taught his profession to two followers and his son. The first of these followers was Fang Yangming, an awe-inspiring man from the Jade Mountain country in Jiangsi. The second was Yin Shixiong, who had previously been an employee of an escort group in the East Road.
When Zhao Jijou fell sick, he called his wife and said, “After I am dead, whatever you do, do not let Zhao Bin work as an escort. He is too proud and headstrong for such work. Let me then carry my reputation into the afterworld.” With this as his last cry, he died.
When mother and son had finished with the funeral ceremonies, the two passed their days as best they could. The little property the father had left them was sufficient for their daily needs. Zhao Bin liked to amuse himself and made several friends in the neighborhood. One of them was Jin Yuanliang, nicknamed “The Fiery Father Who Flies Through the Air.” There was another named Ma Zhaoshiang, whom people called “The God of Pestilence.” The two were both men of the Green Forest, and understood Zhao Bin rather well.
One day while the three were together eating a meal, Jin Yuanliang said, “Dear brother Zhao, do you know what we do for a living?”
Zhao Bin replied, “No, I do not know what trade my elder brothers follow.”
Jin Yuanliang said, “We are both robbers, but we are not those licentious robbers who break into houses and mistreat women. We take from the rich and give to the poor. We kill vicious and oppressive officials and cut down the ringleaders of crime who bribe them. We do away with cruelty and restore good practices. We concern ourselves with the inequalities that we find everywhere. This is what is meant by a hero who fights for right. Dear brother, it is because we think highly of your abilities that we would like you to enter into a partnership with us. I have here a suit of clothing to give you. It is made especially for going out at night with us.”
As Jin Yuanliang spoke, he handed over a package to Zhao Bin. When Zhao Bin opened it, he saw that it contained a complete set of black clothing. From this day on Zhao Bin frequently went out with these two men during the night, robbing the rich and giving to the poor.
One day Zhao Bin left the bundle of clothing at home, and his mother opened it. She immediately realized that it was the kind of clothing that was worn by robbers when they went out in the darkness. Her eyes opened wide at what she saw.
Just at this time Zhao Bin came into the house. As soon as his mother saw him, she became furiously angry, saying, “Zhao Bin, your father was a hero among the armed escorts. You have cheapened his memory by daring to become a robber. A good son you are! You have killed me and may you also die quickly!”
Zhao Bin said, “Mother, do not be angry. If you do not want me to, I will not be a robber.”
His mother said, “Burn this clothing and break your sword.”
Then she thought to herself that they could no longer live in their present home and that the friendships he had made would have to be broken. If not, she feared that he would be captured. She thought of the mother of Mencius, the philosopher second only to Confucius, she who three times, once, then again, and yet again moved with her son Mencius to a new home, so that he might grow up a worthy person. Zhao Bin’s mother wished to follow that example. As quickly as she could, she sold their household possessions and changed their money into fine gold and silver. Together with Zhao Bin she came to Linan. Here they rented a place in the fourth lane past the Green Bamboo Nunnery, in the home of a fruit seller named Wang Xing.
Still Zhao Bin had no occupation to which he could turn. After a while, Wang Xing’s mother, known as Old Mother Wang, spoke to his mother, saying, “Madame Zhao, why not ask your son to sell fruit? He feels sad sitting around the house, and he eats a mountain of food.”
Zhao Bin’s mother replied, “He is still young with no experience and no understanding.”
But Old Mother Wang countered: “You can ask him to go with my son to the wholesale fruit market. There, he can buy a little fruit and take it to sell elsewhere for a profit. In that way he can practice and see how it goes.”
Zhao Bin’s mother thought that this would be a good idea. When she discussed it with Zhao Bin, he wanted to try it.
The following day, taking two strings of cash, he went with Wang Xing to the fruit market and bought fresh fruit from the north. Wang Xing said to him: “You bought this fruit quite cheaply. Fifty per cent of your price must be profit. When you earn two strings of cash, you buy again. Think about this when you sell.”
After Zhao Bin had had something to eat at home, he left, carrying the fruit in a small wicker case. Yet when he saw people, he did not have the courage to hawk his produce. He walked through several lanes, but everyone who saw him thought that he was taking a gift from one house to another instead of trying to sell something. Of course, no one bought anything. When Zhao Bin came to Phoenix Hill Street, he saw on the north side of the street a great gateway with a large wooden tablet above. It appeared to be the home of a national official of high rank.
Zhao Bin put his case on the ground and sat down beside the gate. Just as he was sitting there looking at his fruit and feeling unenthusiastic, he saw a yuanwai come out to say goodbye to some guests who were leaving. He was a tall, bearded man with piercing eyes named Zheng Xiong, nicknamed the “King of Heaven with the Iron Face.” He belonged to a family in which there had been many generations of officials. He himself was a high military official, well known for his integrity in office and in private life, and for his delight in good works.
After having said goodbye to his guests, he noticed Zhao Bin sitting dejectedly beside the gate. Zheng Xiong, who enjoyed speaking to people, asked him, “My friend, what are you doing here?” Zhao Bin explained that he was selling fruit, that he had bought it for two strings of cash, and that he wanted to sell it for four strings.
Zheng Xiong called a servant and had him empty the case of fruit into a large bowl and bring four strings of cash to give the young man. Zheng Xiong questioned him, and Zhao Bin explained that it was his first attempt at buying and selling.
The next day he went to the market with Wang Xing and again with two strings of cash bought some northern fresh fruit.
After returning home and having something to eat, he took the case of fruit and without going elsewhere went straight to the Zheng mansion on Phoenix Hill Street. He put down the case, sat down, and waited until noon. When Zheng Yuanwai started to leave the house, Zhao Bin said, “Don’t go. I have brought you some fresh fruit.”
Zheng Xiong asked, “Who told you to bring it?”
Zhao Bin said, “Take it inside. I did not bring it to sell.”
Zheng Xiong said, “That is your wish, but not my wish. I would prefer simply to give you two strings of cash every day. How would
