第74章 死亡正如出生一样自然（3）

　　过数日，杨志央人来枢密院打点，理会本等的勾当，将出那担儿内金银财物，买上告下，再要补殿司府制使职役。把许多东西都使尽了，方才得申文书，引去见殿帅高太尉。来到厅前，那高俅把从前历事文书都看了，大怒道：“既是你等十个制使去运花石纲，九个回到京师交纳了，偏你这厮把花石纲失陷了；又不来首告，倒又在逃，许多时捉拿不着。今日再要勾当，虽经赦宥，所犯罪名，难以委用。”把文书一笔都批了，将杨志赶出殿帅府来。

　　杨志闷闷不已，只到客店中，思量：“指望把一身本事，边庭上一枪一刀，博个封妻荫子，也与祖宗争口气；不想又吃这一闪。高太尉，你忒毒害，恁地刻薄！”

　　A few days later， YangZhi sent someone to the Council of Military Affairs with money and gifts to try， bydispensing largesse high and low， to get himself reinstated as palace aide. It cost him a lot， but finally he wasgranted an interview with Marshal Gao. Gao read all the documents concerning his case.“Ten of you aideswere sent to transport grotesque rock. Nine delivered their cargo. Only you， you clod， lost yours，”the marshalsaid angrily.“You didn’t even report back. Instead you ran away. We couldn’t get our hands on you for along time. Now you want a job again？ You may have been pardoned， but you still have a criminal record. Wecan’t use you！”He scrawled a refusal on Yang’s application， and had him expelled from the Imperial Guardsheadquaters. Dejectedly， Yang returned to the inn. He thought：“I hoped for a chance to distinguish myselfwith spear and sword in a border post， to win honors for my wife and opportunities for my sons， and reflectglory on my ancestors. I never expected to get such a rebuff！ Poisonous cruel Marshal Gao！”

　　高俅滥用职权，不仅打击迫害人才，如林冲、杨志，而且利用陷害人才，如宋江、卢俊义等梁山好汉。咱们来看文本最后一回吧！自太宗传太祖帝位之时，说了誓愿，以致朝代奸佞不清。至今徽宗天子，至圣至明，不期致被奸臣当道，谗佞专权，屈害忠良，深可悯念。

　　当此之时，却是蔡京、童贯、高俅、杨戬四个贼臣，变乱天下，坏国、坏家、坏民。当有殿帅府太尉高俅、杨戬两个自来商议。高说：“自古道：‘恨小非君子，无毒不丈夫！’”杨戬道：“我有一计，先对付了卢俊义，便是绝了宋江一只臂膊。这人十分英勇，若先对付了宋江，他若得知，必变了事，倒惹出一场不好。”高俅道：“愿闻妙计。”杨戬道：“排出几个庐州军汉，来省院首告卢安抚，招军买马，积草屯粮，意在造反，便与他申呈去太师府启奏，和这蔡太师都瞒了。等太师奏过天子，请旨定夺，却令人赚他来京师。待上皇赐御食与他，于内下了些水银，却坠了那人腰肾，做用不得，便成不得大事。再差天使却赐御酒与宋江吃，酒里也与他下了慢药，只消半月之间，以定没救。”高俅道：“此计大妙！”两个贼臣计议定了，着心腹人出来寻觅两个庐州土人，写与他状子，叫他去枢密院首告卢安抚，在庐州即日招军买马，积草屯粮，意欲造反，使人常往楚州，结连安抚宋江，通情起义。枢密院却是童贯，亦与宋江等有仇，当即收了原告状子，迳呈来太师府启奏。蔡京见了申文，便会官计议。此时高俅、杨戬俱各在彼，四个奸臣，定了计策，引领原告人，入内启奏天子。上皇准奏，随即降下圣旨，差一使命迳往庐州，宣取卢俊义还朝，有委用之事。时有太师蔡京、枢密院童贯、太尉高俅、杨戬，引卢俊义于偏殿，朝见上皇。上皇又问了些闲话，俄延至午，尚膳厨官奏道：“进呈御膳在此，未敢擅便，乞取圣旨。”此时高俅、杨戬已把水银暗地着放在里面，供呈在御案上。天子当面将膳赐与卢俊义。卢俊义拜受而食。卢俊义顿首谢恩，出朝回还庐州，全然不知四个贼臣设计相害。其夜因醉，要立在船头上消遣，不想水银坠下腰胯并骨髓里去，册立不牢，亦且酒后失脚，落于淮河深处而死。蔡京、童贯、高俅、杨戬四个奸臣，计较定了，将泗州申达文书，早朝奏闻天子说：“泗州申覆卢安抚行至淮河，因酒醉坠水而死。臣等省院，不敢不奏。今卢俊义已死，只恐宋江心内设疑，别生他事。乞陛下圣鉴，可差天使，御酒往楚州赏赐，以安其心。”上皇无奈，终被奸臣谗佞所惑，片口张舌，花言巧语，缓里取事，无不纳受。遂降御酒二樽，差天使一人，往楚州，限目下便行。眼见得这使臣亦是高俅、杨戬二贼手下心腹之辈，天数只注宋公明合当命尽，不期被这奸臣们将御酒内放了慢药在里面，却教天使赍擎了，迳往楚州来。宋江自饮御酒之后，觉道肚腹疼痛，心中疑虑，想被下药在酒里。不久，他死于有毒药的御酒。

　　Gao Qiu abuses his power and position not only to attack and persecute talents such as Lin Chong，Yang Zhi， etc but also make use of and frame up talents such as Song Jiang， Lu Junyi and other heroes ofMount Liangshan. Let’s read the text of the last chapter. When Tai Zong succeeded Tai Zu the first Songemperor he proclaimed his aims， but in the end he couldn’t see through the deception being practiced uponhim. Hui Zong the present sovereign was clairvoyant and wise， but corrupt ministers managed to gain controlunder him as well， to the detriment of the virtuous and loyal. It was a great pity. Cai Jing， Tong Guan， GaoQiu and Yang Jian created wide confusion and harmed the country and the people sorely. Gao said，“Wemust remember the old saying：‘Gentlemen scorn the timid， heroes must be truthless.’”“I have aplan.”Said Yang.“We’ll get rid of Lu Junyi first. It will be like cutting off Song’s right arm. The man’stremendously brave. If we dealt with Song first and Lu found out he’d surely turn on us and create a very badsituation.”“Let’s hear your plan.”“Have a couple of Luzhou military men complain to the ministry thatLu is raising an army and storing up grain and fodder with the intent to revolt. We’ll take them to the premierand they’ll ask him to report this to the emperor. Premier Cai will carry through the deception and requestthe emperor to invite Lu to the palace. When His Majesty entertains him at an imperial feast， we’ll slip somemercury into his food. It will lodge in his kidneys and he’ll be incapacitated. He won’t be able to do anythingof any importance. Then we can send an emissary to Song Jiang with imperial wine in which we’ll have puta slow-working poison. In half a month he’ll be beyond saving.”“An excellent idea，”said Gao. The twowicked ministers dispatched a confidant to fetch two local men from Luzhou. They wrote out a complaint forthem and sent them to the Council of Military Affairs. The complaint alleged that Lu Junyi was raising anarmy in Luzhou and storing fodder and grain in preparation for a revolt， also that he was in constant touchwith Song Jiang in Chuzhou and kept him informed of his scheme. Tong Guan the Chancellor of MilitaryAffairs also hated Song Jiang. He accepted the complaint and relayed it to the office of the premier. Cai readit and summoned the others to a conference. Gao and Yang proposed that the accusers be brought directlybefore the emperor. This was done. The emperor agreed. He sent an emissary with a summons to Lu Junyi toappear at the imperial court for an assignment. Premier Cai Jing， Chancellor of Military Affairs Tong Guan，Marshals Gao Qiu and Yang Jian escorted Lu Junyi before the monarch. The emperor chatted with Lu untilnearly noon. The Master of the Imperial Chefs announced that lunch for the traveler was ready if the monarchwished him to dine. Gao and Yang had already placed mercury in the food which was set upon the table. Theemperor directed the Chef Master to serve Lu Junyi. Lu bowed to the sovereign and ate. Lu Junyi respectfullyexpressed his thanks and left for Luzhou. He had no inkling of what the four wicked ministers were plotting.

　　Lu had been drinking that night， and he insisted on standing on the prow. By then mercury had seeped notonly into his kidneys but into his bones as well. He was unable to stand firmly， and his drunkenness madehim stumble. Lu fell into the Huai River and drowned. When the four plotters received the news， theyreported to the emperor：“Sizhou notifies us that Lu Junyi fell into the Huai and drowned. Song Jiang is sureto become suspicious. He may start something. We suggest Your Majesty send an emissary with imperialwine as a mark of sympathy and calm him down.”In the end he let himself be persuaded by the lies anddeceptions of the four wicked ministers. He directed an emissary to take two bottles of imperial wine toChuzhou. It happened that the man was a trusted crony of Gao and Yang. Fate had determined the day whenSong Jiang must die， but who would have thought that the four would be the instrument of his demise！ Theyput a slow-working poison in the wine and directed the emissary to go directly to Chuzhou and deliver it.

　　Song Jiang ceremoniously drank and the emissary returned to the capital. Song Jiang’s stomach began to painhim soon after， and he suspected something had been added to the wine. Soon he died of the poisonous wine.

　　高俅和所有的贪官污吏都会遗臭万年！

　　Gao Qiu and all other corrupt officials are condemned by posterity！

　　2.4　主要人物的人生（经验教训）

　　2.4　Major Characters’ Lives (Experiences and Lessons)

　　赵佶——宋徽宗：他是神宗天子第十一子，哲宗皇帝御弟，现掌东驾，排号九大王，叫端王，是个聪明俊俏的人物。这浮浪子弟门风帮闲之事，无一般不晓，无一般不会，更无一般不爱。即如琴、棋、书、画，无所不通，踢罥打弹，品竹调丝，吹弹歌舞，自不必说。

　　一天高俅向前跪下道：“小的是王都尉亲随，受东人使令，赍送两般玉玩器来，进献大王，有书呈在此拜上。”那端王且不理玉玩器下落，却先向高俅道：“你原来会踢气罥……好！

　　你便下场来踢一回耍。”高俅只得把平生本事都使出来，奉承端王。次日，排个筵会，专请王都尉宫中赴宴。端王说：“这高俅踢得两脚好气罥，孤欲索此人做亲随如何？”王都尉答道：“殿下既用此人，就留在宫中伏侍殿下。”端王欢喜，执杯相谢。高俅自此遭际端王，每日跟随，寸步不离。未及两个月，哲宗皇帝晏驾，文武百官商议，册立端王为天子，立帝号曰徽宗，便是玉清教主微妙道君皇帝。登基之后，一向无事。忽一日，与高俅道：“朕欲要抬举你，但有边功，方可升迁，先教枢密院与你入名，只是做随驾迁转的人。”后来没半年之间，直抬举高俅做到殿帅府太尉职事。（第二回）

　　Zhao Ji—Emperor Hui Zong： He is the eleventh child of Emperor Shen Zong and is a brother of thereigning emperor Zhe Zong. In charge of the imperial equipage， the Ninth Royal Prince， as he is called， is anintelligent， handsome young man， and a skilled dilettante in all forms of amusement. His accomplishmentsinclude the lute， chess， calligraphy， painting and football. He is also a good musician， singer and dancer.

　　One day， Gao fell on his knees，“I’m a retainer of Prince Consort Wang. At my master’s orders I bring YourHighness two jade gifts. I have a letter that goes with them.”“So you know how to kick a ball，”PrinceDuan said to Gao， let his majordomo take away the jade pieces.“Good， come and join the game.”Gao Qiuwas inspired to show everything he had. The next day Prince Duan ordered a feast and sent an invitation tothe Young Prince.“That Gao Qiu of yours plays a good game of football，”said Prince Duan.“I’d like tohave him as a retainer. How about it？”“If he’s of any use to Your Highness， let him serve in the palace， byall means.”Prince Duan raised his wine cup and thanked the Young Prince. After Gao went into the serviceof Prince Duan he lived and dined in the palace and accompanied the prince every day， never taking so muchas a step from his side. Before two months had elapsed， Emperor Zhe Zong died without leaving an heir. Allthe high civil and military officials conferred and made Prince Duan the emperor. He was known as EmperorHui Zong and bore the title of High Priest of Jade Purity and Taoist Sovereign of Provident Truth. Hui Zongassumed the throne and all went well. One day he said to Gao Qiu：“I’d like to raise you in rank， but you’llhave to perform some meritorious deed on the border first. I’ll have the Council of Military Affaris put youdown as available for imperial appointment.”Less than half a year later， he was able to make Gao Qiu amarshal commanding the Imperial Guards. (Chapter 2)

　　看看天晚，只见道君皇帝，引着一个小黄门，扮做白衣秀士，从地道中径到名妓李师师家后门来。天子命：“去其整妆衣服，相待寡人。”李师师承旨，去其服色，迎驾入房。

　　李师师举杯上劝天子，天子大喜，叫：“爱卿近前，一处坐地！”李师师见天子龙颜大喜，向前奏道：“贱人有个姑舅兄弟，从小流落外方，今日才归，要见圣上，未敢擅便，乞取我王圣鉴。”天子道：“既然是你兄弟，便宣将来见寡人，有何妨？”奶子遂唤燕青直到房内，面见天子。燕青纳头便拜。官家看了燕青一表人物，先自大喜。李师师叫燕青吹箫，伏侍圣上饮酒，少刻又拨一回阮，然后叫燕青唱曲。燕青再拜奏道：“所记无非是淫词艳曲，如何敢伏侍圣上？”官家道：“寡人私行妓馆，其意正要听艳曲解闷，卿当勿疑。”燕青顿开喉咽，唱渔家傲一曲。燕青唱罢，真乃是新莺乍啭，清韵悠扬。天子甚喜，命教再唱。燕青拜倒在地，奏道：“臣有一只减字木兰花，上达天听。”天子道：“好，寡人愿闻！”燕青拜罢，遂唱减字木兰花一曲，道是：听哀告！听哀告！贱躯流落谁知道，谁知道！极天罔地，罪恶难分颠倒。有人提出火坑中，肝胆常存忠孝，常存忠孝！有朝须把大恩人报！燕青听罢，天子失惊，便问：“卿何故有此曲？”燕青大哭，拜在地下。天子转疑，便道：“卿且诉胸中之事，寡人与卿理会。”燕青奏道：“臣有迷天之罪，不敢上奏！”天子曰：“赦卿无罪，但奏不妨！”燕青奏道：“臣自幼漂泊江湖，流落山东，跟随客商，路经梁山泊过，致被劫掳上山，一住三年。今年方得脱身逃命，走回京师，虽然见得姊姊，则是不敢上街行走。倘或有人认得，通与做公的，此时如何分说？”李师师便奏道：“我兄弟心中，只有此苦，望陛下做主则个！”天子笑道：“此事容易，你是李行首兄弟，谁敢拿你！”燕青以目送情与李师师。李师师撒娇撒痴，奏天子道：“我只要陛下亲书一道赦书，赦免我兄弟，他才放心。”天子便写御书道：神霄王府真主宣和羽士虚靖道君皇帝，特赦燕青本身一应无罪，诸司不许拿问。写罢，下面押个御书花字。燕青再拜，叩头受命，李师师执盏擎杯谢恩。天子便问：“汝在梁山泊，必知那里备细。”燕青奏道：“宋江这伙，旗上大书‘替天行道’，堂设‘忠义’为名，不敢侵占州府，不肯扰害良民，单杀赃官污吏才佞之人，只是早望招安，愿与国家出力。”天子乃曰：“寡人前者两番降诏，遣人招安，如何抗拒，不伏归降？”燕青奏道：“头一番招安，诏书上并无抚恤招谕之言，更兼抵换了御酒，尽是村醪，以此变了事情。第二番招安，故把诏书读破句读，要除宋江，暗藏弊幸，因此又变了事情。童枢密引军到来，只两阵，杀得片甲不回。高太尉提督军马，又役天下民夫，修造战船征进，不曾得梁山泊一根折箭；只三阵，杀的手脚无措，军马折其三停，自己亦被活捉上山，许了招安，方才放回，又带了山上二人在此，却留下闻参谋在彼质当。”天子听罢，便叹道：“寡人怎知此事！童贯回京时奏说：‘军士不伏暑热，暂且收兵罢战。’高俅回京奏道：‘病患不能征进，权且罢战回京。’”李师师奏道：“陛下虽然圣明，身居九重，却被奸臣闭塞贤路，如之奈何？”天子嗟叹不已。多么圣明的圣上啊！（第八十一回）

　　Gradually， darkness fell. Accompanied by a young eunuch， the sovereign arrived through the secrettunnel at the rear door of the courtesan’s house. He was dressed in the white garb of a scholar.“Put onsomething more comfortable and entertain me，”said the emperor. Shishi did so， and led the monarch intoher chamber.“Come， beloved，”he said happily，“sit beside me.”He was obviously in a good mood.“Acousin of mine， who has been wandering around， just arrived today，”said Shishi.“He longs to see YourMajesty， but dares not present himself. He’s asked me to make the request.”“Since he’s your cousin，why not？”The courtesan summoned Yan Qing. He dropped to his knees and kowtowed. The emperor waspleased by his handsome appearance. Shishi directed Yan Qing to entertain the sovereign with some flutemusic while he was drinking his wine. After a while she played the lute， then she told Yan Qing to sing.

　　The young man again kowtowed before the monarch.“I only know some naughty tunes， which I wouldn’tdare sing！”“Exactly what I need to cheer me，”said the emperor.“I’m here privately in this house ofpleasure. Go right ahead.”Yan Qing cleared his throat and sang a song. Yan Qing was in excellent voice，and the emperor， delighted， made him sing again. The young man kowtowed.“I have another tune that’srather special.”“Good. Let’s hear it.”With feeling， Yang Qing sang： Hear my plea， hear my plea， \/ Whoknows how I’ve wandered， \/ Who knows！ \/ In Heaven and on Earth \/ The innocent oft’ are wronged， \/ Inthe Fiery Pit，’tis said， \/ Are hearts that are loyal and true， \/ Loyal and true！ \/ Surely the day will come \/When great benevolence \/ Will be by men rapayed！“What’s the meaning of this song？”asked the startledmonarch. Weeping bitterly， Yan Qing prostrated himself on the ground. The emperor was puzzled.“If you’lltell me what’s troubling you， perhaps I can find a solution.”“I’ve committed towering crimes！ I dare notaddress my sovereign！”“I forgive you. You may speak freely.”“All my life I’ve been a wanderer. Whiletraveling with merchants in Shandong and passing by Liangshan Marsh， we were captured and taken to thebandit stronghold. There I stayed for three full years. Only recently did I escape and return to the capital.

　　Although I’ve seen Cousin Shishi， I dare not walk the streets for fear that someone will recognize me andreport me to the police. How would I be able to explain？”“He’s been miserable，”Li Shishi added.“Youmust help him， Your Majesty！”“That’s easy，”the emperor laughed.“No one would dare molest theyoung cousin of Leading Courtesan Li.”Yan Qing gave the girl a significant glance. Shishi pouted and saidto the monarch：“All I want is your written pardon. Then my cousin won’t have to worry.”“Ah.”Theemperor wrote： Xuan Ho the Taoist Sovereign does hereby pardon Yan Qing of all crimes. Let no officialarrest or question him. At the bottom， he signed his name. Yan Qing respectfully received the documentand kowtowed. Shishi raised her cup and drank her thanks.“Sine you’ve been in Liangshan Marsh， youmust know the situation there，”said the monarch.“Song Jiang and his band have Act in Heaven’s Behalfwritten on their banner and their hall is called Loyalty Hall. They never attack a government seat or harm thepeople. They kill only corrupt and slanderous officials. They long for an early amnesty so that they can devotethemselves to serving our country.”“But I sent them amnesties twice. Why did they reject them and refuseto surrender？”“The first one contained no words of comfort， and the emissary substituted cheap local brewfor the imperial wine. The second was read in a manner that excluded Song Jiang. The brigands suspected atrick， and that changed everything. Minister Tong led an army against them， but after two engagements only afew escaped with their lives. Marshal Gao organized a huge civilian force to build ships of war， and attacked，but he didn’t gain so much as a broken arrow. In three engagements the bandits slaughtered his men andcut his army in two and captured the marshal. He vowed he would get them an amnesty， and they let him go，sending two of their men with him and keeping Chief of Staff Wen as hostage.”The emperor sighed，“I knewnothing of any of this. Tong Guan said his troops couldn’t stand the summer heat； that’s why they returned.

　　Gao said he had come back to the capital temporarily because he was ill.”“Although you are a wisesovereign，”said Shishi，“you live deep the palace. How can you know when dishonest ministers conceal thetruth？”What a wise sovereign！ (Chapter 81)

　　上皇大惊，连问道：“卿等皆是何人？”只见为头一个，凤翅金盔，锦袍金甲，向前奏道：“臣乃梁山泊宋江是也。”上皇曰：“寡人已教卿在楚州为安抚使，却缘何在此？”

　　宋江奏道：“臣等谨请陛下到忠义堂，容臣细诉衷曲枉死之冤。”上皇到忠义堂前下马，上堂坐定，看堂下时，烟雾中拜伏着许多人。上皇犹豫不定。只见为首的宋江上阶，跪膝向前，垂泪启奏。上皇道：“卿何故泪下？”宋江奏道：“臣等虽曾抗拒天兵，素秉忠义，并无分毫异心。自从奉陛下敕命招安之后，先退辽兵，次平三寇，弟兄手足，十损其八。臣蒙陛下命守楚州，到任已来，与军民水米无交，天地共知。今陛下赐臣药酒，与臣服吃，臣死无憾。但恐李逵怀恨，辄起异心。臣特令人去润州唤李逵到来，亲与药酒鸩死。吴用、花荣，亦为忠义而来，在臣冢上，俱皆自缢而亡。臣等四人，同葬于楚州南门外蓼儿洼。里人怜悯，建立祠堂于墓前。今臣等阴魂不散，俱聚于此，伸告陛下，诉平生衷曲，始终无异。

　　乞陛下圣鉴。”上皇听了大惊曰：“寡人亲差天使，亲赐黄封御酒，不知是何人换了药酒赐卿？”宋江奏道：“陛下可问来使，便知奸弊所出。”上皇看见三关寨栅雄壮，惨然问曰：

　　“此是何所，卿等聚会于此？”宋江奏曰：“此是臣等旧日聚义梁山泊也。”上皇又曰：

　　“卿等已死，当往受生，何故相聚于此？”宋江奏道：“天帝哀怜臣等忠义，蒙玉帝符牒敕命，封为梁山泊都土地。众将已会于此，有屈难伸，特令戴宗屈万乘之主，亲临水泊，恳告平日衷曲。”上皇曰：“卿等何不诣九重深院，显告寡人？”宋江奏道：“臣乃幽阴魂魄，怎得到凤阙龙楼？今者陛下出离宫禁，屈邀至此。”上皇曰：“寡人可以观玩否？”宋江等再拜谢恩。上皇下堂，回首观看堂上牌额，大书“忠义堂”三字，上皇点头下阶。忽见宋江背后转过李逵，手双斧，厉声高叫道：“皇帝，皇帝！你怎地听信四个贼臣挑拨，屈坏了我们性命？今日既见，正好报仇！”黑旋风说罢，抡起双斧，径奔上皇。天子吃这一惊，撒然觉来，乃是南柯一梦，浑身冷汗。闪开双眼，见灯烛荧煌，李师师犹然未寝。上皇问曰：

　　“寡人恰在何处去来？”李师师奏道：“陛下适间伏枕而卧。”上皇却把梦中神异之事，对李师师一一说知。李师师又奏曰：“凡人正直者，必然为神。莫非宋江端的已死，是他故显神灵，托梦与陛下？”上皇曰：“寡人来日，必当举问此事。若是如果死了，必须与他建立庙宇，敕封烈侯。”李师师奏曰：“若圣上果然加封，显陛下不负功臣之德。”上皇当夜嗟叹不已。次日早朝，天子大怒，当百官前，责骂高俅、杨戬：“败国奸臣，坏寡人天下！”

　　二人俯伏在地，叩头谢罪。蔡京、童贯亦向前奏道：“人之生死，皆由注定。省院未有来文，不敢妄奏。昨夜楚州才有申文到院，臣等正欲启奏。”上皇终被四贼曲为掩饰，不加其罪，当即喝退高俅、杨戬，便教追要原赍御酒使臣。不期天使自离楚州回还，已死于路。

　　看！“上皇终被四贼曲为掩饰，不加其罪！”（最后一回）

　　The monarch was astonished.“Who are these people？”The first of them， plumes flying from hisgolden helmet， stepped forward and said：“I am Song Jiang of Liangshan Marsh.”“I appointed yougovernor of Chuzhou. What are you doing here？”“Please come to Loyalty Hall， Your Majesty， and I willtell you all about my wrongful demise.”At the hall the emperor got down from his horse， entered the buildingand was seated. He saw many people kowtowing in the mist outside. The monarch couldn’t understand.

　　Song Jiang mounted the steps and knelt， tears streaming down his face.“Why do you weep？”asked thesovereign.“Although I at one time fought against the imperial troops， I was always loyal to Your Majesty andnever had a seditious thought. After the amnesty， I drove back the Liao Tartars in the north and captured FangLa in the south， at the cost of eight out of ten of my brothers， who were like my arms and legs. In keeping withyour decree， Sire， I took office in Chuzhou. I never squeezed a penny from the army or the people. Heavenand Earth knew the purity of my heart. Your Majesty sent me poisoned wine and I drank it. I died with noregrets.”“But I was afraid Li Kui would be angry， and rebel. So I summoned him from Runzhou and killedhim with the poisoned wine. Wu Yong and Hua Rong visited my grave and hung themselves out of chivalry.

　　We four are buried above Liao Er Flats outside of Chuzhou’s South Gate. Pitying us， the villagers have built ashrine there. But although we are dead， our souls will not depart. We have remained to inform Your Majesty ofour unwavering fidelity and to beg you to determine the justice of the matter.”The monarch was amazed.“Isent an emissary with sealed imperial vintage. Who could have substituted poisoned wine？”“Ask youremissary. Then you’ll know which treacherous scoundrels were behind it！”Gazing around at the magnificentcitadel and its three fortified passes， the emperor was impressed.“What is this place？”“LiangshanMarsh， Sire， where we dwelt in the old days.”“Although you have passed on， you will be reincarnated asmen again. Why do you congregate here？”“The Jade Emperor of Heaven， moved by my righteous loyalty，designated me Deity of Liangshan Marsh. Since this is my domain， my cheiftaisns have joined me. We sentDai Zong， the Marvellous Traveller to bring you， Emperor of Ten Thousand Carriages， to our marsh， so that wemight state our grievances and assure you personally of our devotion.”“But why didn’t you appear to me inmy inner palace？”“I am a spirit of the Nether World. How could I appear amid imperial splendor？ Todayyou left your palace， so we were able to invite you.”“I’ve been sitting a long time. Is it possible for me tolook around？”Song Jiang bowed and conducted him from the building. The sovereign noted the plaqueabove the entrance. It read， in large letters， Loyalty Hall. He nodded and descended the steps. Suddenly，from behind Song Jiang， Li Kui appeared， battle-axes in hand.“Emperor， emperor！”he cried in a terriblevoice.“How could you believe your four deceitful ministers and wrongfully destroy us？ Today we’ve metand I can take vengeance！”Brandishing his axes， he rushed at the monarch. Startled， the sovereign awoke.

　　It had all been a dream. He was drenched in perspiration. Shishi was sitting alone in the lamplight.“Wherewas I just now？”he asked.“Why， you’ve been lying on the bed， Sire.”He told her of his strange dream，and she said：“The righteous become saints when they expire. Can it be that Song Jiang really has died andappeared to you in a dream？”“I’ll certainly inquire about this. If it’s true， I’ll have a temple built in hismemory and give him a posthumous title.”“A good idea. It will show that Your Majesty does not forgetyour meritorious officials.”The emperor sighed much that night. At his imperial court the next day he wasvery angry. He berated Gao and Yang in the presence of all his officials.“Traitorous liars， would you ruin myempire！’Falling to their knees the two kowtowed and begged forgiveness. Cai and Tong spoke up on theirbehalf.“Life and death are pre-ordained. The ministries have received no official notification， so they darednot report. As a matter of fact， they didn’t know. A document arrived from Chuzhou only last night. They wereintending to report to you this morning， Sire. They were just waiting for you to ask.”Again the monarch wasdeceived by the four rogues， and their crimes were concealed. He shouted for Gao and Yang to withdraw， anddirected that the emissary who delivered the wine be produced. But the fellow had unexpectedly died on thereturn trip from Chuzhou. Look！“Again the monarch was deceived by the four rogues， and their crimes wereconcealed.”(the last Chapter)

　　高俅：东京开封府汴梁宣武区一个浮浪破落户子弟，姓高，排行第二，自小不成家业，只好刺枪使棒，最是踢得好脚气罥，京师人口顺，不叫高二，却都叫他高罥。后来发迹，便将气罥那字去了“毛旁”，添作立人，便改作姓高，名俅。这人吹弹歌舞，刺枪使棒，相扑顽耍，亦胡乱学诗、书、词、赋。若论仁、义、礼、智、信、行、忠、良，却是不会。只在东京城里城外帮闲。因帮了一个生铁王员外儿子使钱，每日三瓦两舍，风花雪月，被他父亲开封府里告了一纸文状，府尹把高俅断了二十脊杖，迭配出界发放，东京城里人民不许容他在家宿食。高俅无计奈何，只得来淮西临淮州，投奔一个开赌坊的闲汉柳大郎，名唤柳世权。他平生专好惜客养闲人，招纳四方干隔涝汉子。高俅投托得柳大郎家，一住三年。

　　Gao Qiu： In Bianliang the Eastern Capital， in Kaifeng Prefecture previously called Xuanwu District，there lived a young scamp named Gao. A second son， he was quite useless. He cared only for joustingwith spear and staff， and was an excellent football player. People in the capital were fond of making quips.

　　They dubbed him Gao Qiu， or“Gao the Ball”. Later， when he prospered， he changed“Qiu”to anothercharacter with the same sound but with a less inelegant meaning. In addition to his skill with weapons， GaoQiu could play musical instruments and sing and dance. He also learned a bit about poetry and versifying.

　　But when it came to virtue and proper behaviour， he didn’t know a thing. He spent his time gadding about thecity and its environs. Thanks to him， the son of Master Wang， an iron-shop owner， dissipated a considerablesum of money in theathers， gambling dens and brothels. For this reason the father made a written complaintagainst Gao to Kaifeng Prefecture. The perfect gave Gao twenty strokes， banished him from the city， andforbade the people of the Eastern Capital from either feeding him or giving him shelter. Gao Qiu’s solutionwas to proffer his services to one Liu Shiquan， known as Liu the Eldest， who ran a gambling house in LinhuaiPrefecture， west of the Huaihe River. Liu surrounded himself with idlers and riffraff from all over. Gao Qiuremained with Liu for three years.