第75章 死亡正如出生一样自然（5）

　　后来哲宗天子因拜南郊，感得风调雨顺，放宽恩大赦天下。那高俅在临淮州，因得了赦宥罪犯，思量要回东京。这柳世权却和东京城里金梁桥下开生药铺的董将士是亲戚，写了一封书札，收拾些人事盘缠，赍发高俅回东京，投奔董将士家过活。董将士一见高俅，看了柳世权来书，自肚里寻思道：“这高俅我家如何安着得他！若是个志诚老实的人，可以容他在家出入，也教孩儿们学些好。他却是个帮闲的破落户，没信行的人；亦且当初有过犯来，被断配的人，旧性必不肯改。若留住在家中，倒惹得孩儿们不学好了，待不收留他，又撇不过柳大郎面皮。”当时只得权且欢天喜地，想留在家宿歇，每日酒食管待。住了十数日，董将士思量出一个路数，将出一套衣服，写了一封书简，对高俅说道：“小人家下荧火之光，照人不亮，恐后误了足下。我转荐足下与小苏学士处，久后也得个出身，足下意内如何？”

　　高俅大喜，谢了董将士。苏学士，出来见了高俅，看了来书，知道高俅原是帮闲浮浪的人，心下想道：“我这里如何安着得他！不如做个人情，荐他去驸马王晋卿府里，做个亲随。人都唤他做‘小王都太尉’，他便喜欢这样的人。”当时回了董将士书札，留高俅在府里住了一夜。次日，写了一封书呈，使个干人，送高俅去那小王都太尉处。这太尉乃是哲宗皇帝妹夫，神宗皇帝的驸马。他喜爱风流人物，正用这样的人。一见小苏学士差人持书送这高俅来，拜见了，便喜。随即写回书，收留高俅在府内做个亲随。自此高俅遭际，在王都尉府中出入，如同家人一般。

　　Then Emperor Zhe Zong prayed to Heaven south of the city， and this caused the winds and rains tobecome very propitious. The emperor was moved to benevolence， and he declared a general amnesty. GaoQiu was able to return to the capital. Liu the Eldest wrote a letter of introduction to Dong Jiangshi， a relativeof his who ran a medicinal herb shop near the Bridge of Golden Girders， gave Gao some traveling money，and told him Dong would take care of him. The druggist took one look at Gao， then read the letter.“Howcan I put this man up in my home？”he mused.“It would be different if he were straight and honest. Thechildren could learn from him. But he’s just a loafer， an untrustworthy fellow who’s been exiled for breakingthe law， and not the kind likely to reform. If I keep him here he’s liable to teach the children bad ways. Yet ifI don’t I’ll be offending Liu the Eldest.”He had no choice but to receive Gao into his home with pretendeddelight. Dong feasted him every day for ten days， then he got an idea. He presented Gao with a suit ofclothes and handed him a letter of introduction.“The light of my household is too feeble，”he said.“Itwould only be holding you back to keep you here. I’m turning you over to Su Junior， the Court Scholar. Withhim you’ll be able to make a start. How does that sound？”Gao thanked him gratefully. The Scholar cameout and greeted him. He saw from the letter of introduction that Gao was a scamp.“I can’t take this manin，”thought the Scholar.“As a favor to Dong I’ll send him to Wang Jinqing， the Young Prince Consort，to serve as a retainer. The Young Prince likes that sort of fellow.”He wrote Dong a reply and let Gao staythe night. The next day he wrote another letter and dispatched it with a steward who took Gao Qiu to theresidence of the Young Prince. Wang had married a younger sister of Emperor Zhe Zong before he took thethrone and while Emperor Shen Zong still reigned. The Young Prince was partial to adventurous men， andhe staffed his retinue with them. He liked Gao the moment he saw him with the Scholar’s letter-bearingservant. He wrote an immediate reply， accepting him as a retainer. From then on Gao remained with theprince， coming and going like one of the family.

　　因为高俅踢得两脚好球，端王索去做了亲随。高俅自此遭际端王，每日跟随，寸步不离。

　　不到两月，端王作了皇帝。后来没半年之间，皇帝直抬举高俅做到殿帅府太尉职事。高俅选择吉日良辰，去殿帅府里到任。高殿帅一一点过，于内只欠一名八十万禁军教头王进，半月之前，已有病状在官，患病未痊，不曾入衙门管事。高殿帅大怒，喝道：“胡说！既有手本呈来，却不是那厮抗拒官府，搪塞下官！此人即系推病在家，快与我拿来。”随即差人到王进家来，捉拿王进。王进只得捱着病来。进得殿帅府前，参见太尉，高俅道：“你那厮便是那军教头王升的儿子？”王进禀道：“小人便是。”高俅喝道：“这厮，你爷是街市上使花棒卖药的，你省的甚么武艺？前官没眼，参你做个教头，如何敢小觑我，不伏俺点视！

　　你托谁的势，要推病在家，安闲快乐！”王进告道：“小人怎敢，其实患病未痊。”高太尉骂道：“贼配军，你既害病，如何来得？”王进又告道：“太尉呼唤，安敢不来！”高殿帅大怒，喝令左右：“拿下！加力与我打这厮！”众多牙将都是和王进好的，只得与军正司同告道：“今日太尉上任，好日头，权免此人这一次。”高太尉喝道：“你这贼配军，且看众将之面，饶恕你今日，明日却和你理会。”王进谢罪罢，起来抬头看了，认得是高俅。出得衙门，叹口气道：“俺的性命，今番难保了。俺道是甚么高殿帅，却原来正是东京帮闲的‘圆社’高二。比先时曾学使棒，被我父亲一棒打翻，三四个月将息不起，有此之仇。他今日发迹，得做殿帅府太尉，正待要报仇，我不想正属他管。自古道：‘不怕官，只怕管。’俺如何与他争得？怎生奈何是好？”结果，王教头不得不私走延安府。（第二回）

　　Prince Duan would like to have Gao Qiu as a retainer， just because he could play a good game offootball. After Gao went into the service of Prince Duan， he accompanied the prince every day， never takingso much as a step from his side. Before two months had elapsed， Prince Duan was made the emperor. Lessthan half a year later， the Emperor made Gao Qiu a marshal commanding the Imperial Guards. Gao Qiuselected an auspicious day and hour to assume office. He examined the roster name by name. Only Wang Jin，an arms instructor in the Mighty Imperial Guards， had failed to appear. Half a month previous he had reportedill. Because he had not yet recovered， he hadn’t returned to duty. Marshal Gao was furious，“Nonsense，”heshouted.“Sheer insubordination！ He sent in his identification document， didn’t he？ The oaf is justpretending to be sick. Bring him here at once！”Gao dispatched an officer to Wang Jin’s house to arrest him.

　　Wang Jin had no choice but to go to headquarters， sick as he was， and report to the marshal.“Are you thechurl whose father was Wang Sheng， an arms instructor in the district garrison？”Kao demanded.“I amthat humble person，”replied Wang Jin.“Rogue，”cried Gao.“Your father was only a medicine pedlarwho twirled a staff to attract to crowd. What do you know about military arts？ The previous commander musthave been blind to appoint you arms instructor. How dare you snub me and fail to report for roll call？ Whosebacking have you got that you can feign illness and loll around at home？”“Your humble servant wouldnever dare！ I really haven’t fully recovered.”“Criminal！ If you’re sick， how could you come？”“Whenthe marshal summons me， I must obey.”Gao was enraged.“Guards，”he roared，“seize this fellow andgive him a good beating.”Many of the junior officers were friends of Wang Jin. Together with the chief ofstaff they pleaded：“Today is the lucky day the marshal is assuming office. Please let the arms instructoroff.”“As a favor to these officers I’ll excuse you today， criminal，”shouted Gao.“I’ll settle with youtomorrow.”Wang Jin thanked. Only then did he raise his head and get a good look at Gao Qiu. As he left thegate of the headquaters’ compound， Wang Jin sighed.“My life is in danger. So that’s our fine Marshal Gao.

　　Loafer and football player， Gao the Second！ When he was learning to joust with staves， my father gave himsuch a drubbing he couldn’t get out of bed for three months. He’s hated us ever since. Now that he’s come upin the world and been appointed commander of the Imperial Guards he’s sure to want revenge. Who wouldhave thought that I’d be under him？ As the old saying goes：‘Fear not officials—except those who officiateover you！”How can I stand up against him？ What am I going to do？”Consequently， Arms Instructor Wanghad to go secretly to Yanan Prefecture. (Chapter 2)

　　宋江：表字公明，排行第三，祖居郓城县宋家村人氏。为他面黑身矮，人都唤他做黑宋江；又且驰名大孝，为人仗义疏财，人皆称他做孝义黑三郎。上有父亲在堂，母亲早丧；下有一个兄弟，唤做铁扇子宋清，自和他父亲宋太公在村中务农，守些田园过活。这宋江自在郓城县做押司。他刀笔精通，吏道纯熟；更兼爱习枪棒，学得武艺多般。平生只好结识江湖上好汉，但有人来投奔他的，若高若低，无有不纳，便留在庄上馆谷，终日追陪，并无厌倦；若要起身，尽力资助，端的是挥金似土。人问他求钱物，亦不推托；且好做方便，每每排难解纷，只是周全人性命。如常散施棺材药饵，济人之急，扶人之困，因此，山东、河北闻名，都称他做及时雨。当时宋江带着一个伴当，走将出县前来。只见这何观察富街迎往，叫道：“押司，此间请坐拜茶。”他们喝茶时，何观察说：“押司是当案的人，便说也不妨：敝府管下黄泥冈上一伙贼人，共是八个，把蒙汗药麻翻了北京大名府梁中书差遣送蔡太师的生辰纲军健一十五人，劫去了十一担珍珠宝贝，计该十万贯正赃。今捕得从贼一名白胜，指说七个正贼，都在贵县。这是太师府特差一个干办，在本府立等要这件公事，望押司早早维持。”何涛道：“不瞒押司说：是贵县东溪村晁保正为首。更有六名从贼，不识姓名，烦乞用心。”宋江听罢，吃了一惊，肚里寻思道：“晁盖是我心腹。他如今犯了迷天大罪，我不救他时，捕获将去，性命便休了！”于是，“宋公明私放晁天王”。（第十八回）

　　Song Jiang： His popular given name was Gongming. A third son， he was born in the country’s SongFamily Village. Because he was short and swarthy， everyone called him Dark Song Jiang. And since hewas filial to his parents， and was a chivalrous man， generous to friends， he was also known as the Filial andGallant Dark Third Master. Above him， his father was still alive， though his mother had died early. Belowhim was a younger brother Song Qing， known as the Iron Fan who， with their father， the Venerable Song， ranthe farm in the village and lived on the fruits of their fields. Song Jiang was a clerk of the country magistrate’scourt in Yuncheng. He wrote legibly and well， and was familiar with administrative procedures. Especiallyfond of playing with weapons， he was adept at many forms of fighting. He made friends only in the gallantfraternity， but he helped anyone， high or low， who sought his aid， providing his guest with food and lodgingin the family manor， tirelessly keeping him company， and giving him traveling expenses when he wantedto leave. Song Jiang scattered gold about like dust！ He never refused a request for money. He was alwaysmaking things easy for people， solving their difficulties， settling differences， saving lives. He provided theindigent with funds for coffins and medicines， gave charity to the poor， assisted in emergencies， helped incases of hardship. And so he was famed throughout the provinces of Shangdong and Hebei， and was knownto all as the Timely Rain. As Song Jiang walked from the magistracy with an attendant， Inspector Ho crossedthe street to meet him.“Won’t you join me for some tea， Sir Clerk？”While they were drinking tea， InspectorHo said：“You’re the keeper of the official records， Sir Clerk. There’s no harm in telling you. On YellowEarth Ridge， which is under our prefect’s jurisdiction， a band of eight robbers drugged fifteen men who werebringing birthday gifts from Governor Liang of Daming， the Northern Capital， to Premier Cai and made offwith eleven loads of gold and jewels of an estimated value of a hundred thousand strings of cash. We’vecaught Bai Sheng， the accomplice. He says the other seven， the actual robbers， are all in this country. ThePremier has sent an aide to our prefecture with orders to remain until we’ve caught them. We hope you’llgive us every assistance.“Of course we’ll apprehend the criminals and turn them over. We’d do that onyour order， Inspector， to say nothing of orders from the Premier himself. Who are the seven named by BaiSheng？”“The leader is Ward Chief of East Bank. To tell you the truth， we don’t know the names of theother six. We beg your utmost diligence.”Song Jiang was shocked. He said to himself：“Chao Gai is one ofmy dearest friends！ This crime he’s committed is a capital offense！ I must save him. If they capture him he’ssure to die！”Thereupon， Song Jiang secretly helps Ward Chief Chao flee. (Chapter 18)

　　晁保正非常感激宋江救命之恩，特使刘唐赍一封书信，并黄金一百两，来感谢宋江和朱仝都头。刘唐打开包裹，取出书信，便递与宋江。宋江看罢，便拽起褶子前襟，摸出招文袋，打开包儿时，刘唐取出金子放在桌上。宋江那封书，就取了一条金子和这书包了，插在招文袋内，放下衣襟，便道：“贤弟，你听我说：你们七个兄弟初到山寨，正要金银使用；宋江家中颇有些过活，且你在放山寨里，等宋江缺少盘缠时却来取。今日非是宋江见外，于内已受了一条。”刘唐苦苦相央宋江收受，宋江那里肯接，随即取一幅纸来，借酒家笔砚，备细写了一封回书，与刘唐收在包内。看看天色晚来，刘唐道：“既然兄长有了回书，小弟连夜便去。”（第二十回）过后，他奸诈的老婆阎婆惜发现了那包金子和书信。婆惜道：

　　“好呀！我正要和张三两个做夫妻。单单只多你这厮，今日也撞在我手里！原来你和梁山泊强贼通同往来，送一百两金子与你。且不要慌，老娘慢慢地消遣你。”当宋江要她还他招文袋 时，她却说：“这封书，老娘牢牢地收着。若要饶你时，只依我三件事便罢！……第一件，你可从今日便将原典我的文书来还我；再写一纸，任从我改嫁张三，并不敢再来争执的文书。”宋江道：“这个依得。”婆惜道：“第二件，我头上带的，我身上穿的，家里使用的，虽都是你办的，也委一纸文书，不许你日后来讨。”宋江道：“这个也依得。”阎婆惜又道：“只怕你第三件依不得。”宋江道：“我已两件都依你，缘何这件依不得？”婆惜道：“有那梁山泊晁盖送与你的一百两金子，快把来与我，我便饶你这一场天字第一号官司，还你这招文袋里的款状。”宋江道：“那两件倒都依得。这一百两金子，果然送来与我，我不肯受他的，依前教他把了回去。若端的有时，双手便送与你。”婆惜道：“可知哩！常言道：‘公人见钱，如蝇子见血。’他使人送金子与你，你岂有推了转去的？这话却似放屁！做公人的，‘那个猫儿不吃腥？’”宋江道：“果然不曾有这金子。”婆惜道：

　　“明朝到公厅上，你也说不曾有这金子？”宋江听了公厅两字，怒气直起，那里按纳得住，睁着眼道：“你还也不还！”那妇人道：“你恁地狠，我便还你不迭！”宋江道：“你真个不还！”婆惜道：“不还！再饶你一百个不还！若要还时，在郓城县还你！”宋江气得没法的情况下杀了她！（第二十一回）在朱仝都头的帮助下，宋江逃到沧州横海郡藏在小旋风柴进庄里。（第二十二回）

　　Ward Chief Chao is very grateful to Song Jiang for saving his life. Liu Tang has been sent with a letterand a hundred ounces of gold as a token of their thanks to Song Jiang and Constable Zhu Tong. Liu Tangopened his pack， produced a letter and gave it to Song Jiang. The clerk read it， then drew a pouch frominside his gown. Liu Tang also took a bundle of gold from the pack and placed it on the table. Song choseonly a single gold bar， wrapped it in the letter and put both in the pouch， which he again concealed beneathhis gown.“Listen to me， brother.”he said.“You seven have just gone to the mountain stronghold. It’stime when you can use money. I have a family income I get along on. Keep the rest of this gold for me in thefortress. I’ll come for it when I need it. You see I’m not refusing—I’ve taken one bar.”No matter how LiuTang pleaded， Song Jiang remained unyielding. He had the waiter bring pen and paper， wrote a detailedletter and made Liu Tang place it in his pack. It was getting late.“Since you have a reply， brother，”saidLiu Tang，“I’ll deliver it tonight.”(Chapter 20) Later， his treacherous mistress found out the gold bar andletter.“Aha！”she said.“Song Jiang is all that prevents me and Zhang from becoming man and wife. TodayI’ve got him in the palm of my hand. So he’s in cahoots with the bandits in Liangshan Marsh， and they’vesent him a hundred ounces of gold. I’ll fix him！”When Song Jiang asked her to give him back his pouch，she said stubbornly：“I’m going to hold on to that letter！ I might return it， but you have to do three things，first， give back my contract of sale to you， and write another transferring me to Zhang in marriage， with aguarantee that you’ll never contest it.”“Agreed.”“Second， all the ornaments in my hair， the clotheson my body， the furnishings in the house， all come from you. Write another promise that you won’t ask theirreturn.”“Agreed.”“It’s the third thing I’m afraid you’ll balk at.”“I’ve already agreed to two things.

　　Why not a third？”“I want those hundred ounces of gold Chao Gai sent you from Liangshan Marsh. Inexchange， I’ll let you off your‘top-magnitude crime’， and return your purse and what’s in it.”“Your firsttwo demands I’ve already agreed to. It’s true I was sent a hundred ounces of gold， but I refused them， and toldthe man to take them back. If I still had the gold here I’d gladly present it to you with both hands.”“Finewords！‘Money to an official is like blood to a fly.’They sent you gold and you turned it down？ That’s afarting lie！ Among officials‘What cat doesn’t eat meat？’”“I don’t have any gold， I tell you！”“Is thatwhat you’re going to say when I accuse you in court this morning！”At the mention of the word“court”，Song Jiang began to turn. He glared at the girl.“Are you going to give it back or not？”“Dare I refuse，with you so fierce？”she said sarcastically.“You really won’t give it back？”“No， a hundred times no！ I’llreturn it to you in the county court！”Song Jiang killed her in a fit of anger. (Chapter 21) With Constable ZhuTong’s help Song Jiang escaped to Henghai County of Cangzhou Prefecture and lived in the manor of Chai Jinthe Small Whirlwind. (Chapter 22)

　　在柴进庄里，宋江碰见了武松，然后，他们结拜为兄弟（第二十三回）。一年后，他们在孔太公庄上又碰见了，因孔太公特地使人直来柴大官人庄上把宋江取到那儿了。自此，两个在孔太公庄上，一住过了十日之上，宋江与武松要行，孔太公父子那里肯放。又留了三五日，宋江坚执要行了，孔太公只得安排筵席送行。只说宋江和武松两个，在路上行着，于路说些闲话，走到个三岔路口，宋江便道：“兄弟，咱们在这儿分手吧！”武行者自投西去了，往二龙山投鲁智深、杨志入伙了。宋江自别了武松，转身望东，投清风山路上来。看看天色晚了，宋江心内惊慌，看不见地下，碰到了一条绊脚索。树林里铜铃响，走出十四五个伏路小喽罗来，发声喊，把宋江捉翻，一条麻索缚了，将宋江解上山来。宋江叹口气道：

　　“可惜宋江死在这里！”燕顺便起身来问道：“兀那汉子，你认得宋江？”宋江答道：“只我便是宋江。”燕顺走近跟前，又问道：“你是那里的宋江？”宋江答道：“我是济州郓城县做押司的宋江。”燕顺道：“你莫不是山东及时雨宋公明，杀了阎婆惜，逃出在江湖上的宋江么？”宋江道：“你怎得知？我正是宋三郎。”燕顺听罢，吃了一惊，便夺过小喽罗手内尖刀，把麻索都割断了；便把自身上披的枣红罥丝衲袄脱下来，裹在宋江身上，抱在中间虎皮交椅上，唤起王矮虎、郑天寿，快下来。三人纳头便拜。宋江滚下来答礼，问道：“三位壮士，何故不杀小人，反行重礼？此意如何？”亦拜在地。那三个好汉一齐跪下。燕顺道：“仁兄礼贤下士，结纳豪杰，名闻寰海，谁不钦敬！梁山泊近来如此兴旺，四海皆闻。

　　曾有人说道，尽出仁兄之赐。不知仁兄独自何来？今却到此？”宋江把救晁盖一节，杀阎婆惜一节，却投柴进同孔太公许多时，并今次要往清风寨寻小李广花荣，这几件事，一一备说了。三个头领大喜，随即取套衣服，与宋江穿了；一面叫杀羊宰马，连夜筵席。宋江自到清风山，住了五七日，每日好酒好食管待，不在话下。时当腊月初旬，山东人年例，腊日上坟。只见小喽罗山下报上来说着：“大路上有一乘轿子，七八个人跟着，挑着两个盒子，去坟头化纸。”王矮虎是个好色之徒，见报了，想此轿子，必是个妇人，点起三五十个小喽罗，便下了山。那王矮虎去了约有三两个时辰，远探小喽罗报将来，说道：“王头领直赶到半路里，七八个军汉都走了，拿得轿子里抬着的一个妇人。只有一个银香盒，别无物件财物。”燕顺问道：“那妇人如今抬到那里？”小喽罗道：“王头领已自抬到山后房中去了。”燕顺、郑天寿便引了宋江，直来到后山王矮虎房中，推开房门，只见王矮虎正搂住那妇人求欢。见了三位入来，慌忙推开那妇人，请三位坐。宋江看见那妇人，便问道：“娘子，你是谁家宅眷？这般时节，出来闲走，有甚么要紧？”那妇人含羞向前，深深地道了三个万福，便答道：“侍儿是清风寨知寨的浑家。为因母亲弃世，今得小祥，特来坟前化纸。

　　那里敢无事出来闲走？告大王垂救性命！”燕顺见宋江坚意要救这妇人，因此不顾王矮虎肯与不肯，喝令轿夫抬了去。那妇人听了这话，插烛也似拜谢宋江，一口一声叫道：“谢大王！”宋江道：“恭人你休谢我：我不是山寨里大王，我自是郓城县客人。”那妇人拜谢了下山，两个轿夫也得了性命，抬着那妇人下山来，飞也似走，只恨爷娘少生了两只脚。且说宋江自救了那妇人下山，又在山寨中住了五七日，思量要来投奔花知寨，当时作别要下山。

　　三个头领，苦留不住，做了送路筵席饯行，各送些金宝与宋江，他都打缚在包裹里。（第三十二回）

　　In Chai Jin’s manor， Song Jiang met with Wu Song. Then they joined in brotherhood (Chapter 23). Oneyear later they met again at the manor of Squire Kong who had dispatched a man to bring Song Jiang therefrom Lord Chai’s manor. The two remained at Squire Kong’s manor for ten days or more， then announcedthat they were setting forth. The old squire wouldn’t hear of it. He kept them another four or five days， butSong Jiang was determined， and he had no choice but to give them a farewell feast. Song Jiang and Wu Songchatted as they walked， and came to the fork in the road. Song Jiang turned to Wu Song and said“Brother，let’s part here.”Wu Song strode off along the western road， heading for Sagacious Lu and Yang Zhi， to jointheir band on Two-Dragon Mountain. Song Jiang took the eastern road to Clear Winds Mountain. Before herealized it darkness began closing in， and he looked around in alarm. He couldn’t see， and stumbled overa trip-cord. Immediately， a bell tinkled among the trees. Fourteen or fifteen robbers， who had been lyingin ambush， came yelling out. They seized Song Jiang and bound and escorted him up the mountain. Thecaptive sighed.“What a pity that Song Jiang should die here！”Yan rose from his chair.“You fellow. Doyou know Song Jiang？”“I am Song Jiang.”Yan came closer.“Which Song Jiang are you？”“FromJizhou Prefecture. I was clerk of the Yuncheng County magistracy.”“Not Song Jiang the Timely Rain fromShandong Province？ The one who killed Mistress Yan and fled， Song Jiang of the gallant fraternity？”“Yes.

　　But how did you know？”Astonished， Yan grabbed the knife from the robber and cut Song Jiang’s bonds，then draped over his shoulders his own date-red padded tunic， carried him to the middle chair and carefullysat him down. He shouted to Wang and Zheng， and all three knelt and kowtowed. Song Jiang hastily returnedthe courtesy.“Not only don’t you kill me， but you treat me with such decorum！ What’s the meaning ofthis？”The three remained kneeling.“You’re considerate and kind to men of talent， a companion ofcourageous men， you’re famed far and wide！ Who wouldn’t admire you？ The stronghold in LiangshanMarsh is flourishing. Everyone has heard. People say it’s due mainly to you. Why do you come here， andalone？”Song Jiang told how he rescued Chao Gai， killed Mistress Yan， how he lived with Lord Chai andSquire Kong for a long time， and why， today， he was seeking Hua Rong at Fort Clear Winds. The threechieftains listened delightedly. They presented him with clothes， ordered the slaughter of sheep and horses，and gave him a feast that very night. Song Jiang stayed six or seven days on the mountain， and they winedand dined him every day. Of that we’ll say no more. It was the beginning of the last lunar month， a time whenShandong people visit their family graves. A robber scout came up the mountain and reported：“There’sa sedan-chair on the road， with seven or eight men behind carrying two boxes. They’re on their way to acemetery to burn paper ingots. Stumpy Tiger was a lecherous fellow. A sedan-chair was almost sure to havea woman in it. He assembled forty or fifty men to go with him down the mountain. Stumpy Tiger was gonetwo or three watches. A far-ranging scout returned and said：“Chieftain Wang caught up with the party onthe road. The seven or eight soldier escorts ran away. He captured the woman in the sedan-chair. The onlything of value was a silver incense burner.”“Where has he taken the woman？”asked Yan.“To his houseon the rear of the mountain.”Yan and Zheng followed Song Jiang to Wang’s place on the rear slope of themountain. They pushed open the door. Stumpy Tiger had his arms around a woman and was pleading withher. He thrust her aside when he saw the three men enter， and invited them to be seated. Song Jiang turnedto the woman.“In whose household are you， madam？ What is it that brings you out wandering idly aroundin times like these？ Anything important？”The woma advanced shyly and curtsied to each of the three.“Iam the wife of the Commandant of Fort Clear Winds. This is the first anniversary of my mother’s death. Iwas on my way to burn paper money at her grave. I would never dare to wander idly around. I beg you， greatchieftain， save my life！”It was obvious to Yan Shun that Song Jiang was determined to save the woman.

　　Heedless of the wishes of Stumpy Tiger， Yan shouted for the sedan-chair bearers. The woman kowtowed toSong Jiang worshipfully.“Thank you， great chieftain，”she cried.“Don’t thank me， lady，”he replied.“I’mnot a chieftain here. I’m just a traveler from Yuncheng County.”The woman left the stronghold， carried bythe two bearers. Their lives spared， the men flew down the slope， regretting only that they hadn’t been bornwith two more legs each！ Song Jiang remained in the mountain stronghold another six or seven days. But hewas anxious to join Hua Rong， the military commandant. The three chieftains could not persuade him to stay.

　　They gave him a farewell feast and presented him with gold and other valuables， which he put into his pack.

　　(Chapter 32)