Explore Chapter 32 of '水浒新传' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Now, the Young Master of Tong Guan, named Tong Jiye, relied on his father's power and influence. He spent his days leading a band of arrogant servants, hunting with hawks and galloping on horses inside and outside the city of Eastern Capital, stirring up trouble. One day, he returned from hunting in the outskirts with twenty or thirty mounted followers. Finding the main road crowded with people, he took a small path to get back to the city ahead of others.
While on the way, he saw ahead on the road a group of commoners, about a hundred or so people. They supported the old and carried the young, pushing carts and carrying loads on shoulder poles. Dressed in rags, their faces bore signs of hunger-they were refugees fleeing from Hebei. At that time, although the Jin troops had not launched a large-scale invasion southward, small bands of cavalry often harassed the border. They plundered livestock and burned villages. The people near the border could not endure the suffering and fled south in droves.
An old man from among the refugees stepped forward a few paces. He bowed with hands clasped and said, "Young Master, please calm your anger. We humble folk are refugees from Hebei. Having walked for days and nights, we are exhausted and cannot move quickly. We beg Young Master's forgiveness and ask that you allow us to slowly clear the road."
Upon hearing their master's order, those arrogant servants gave a shout and were about to spur their horses forward. The refugees panicked. Their cries and wails merged into a cacophony. Those who were slow-footed stumbled and fell to the ground, on the verge of being trampled to death under the horses' hooves.
At this critical moment, a sudden roar was heard: "Stop!" The voice was like a great bell, vibrating in everyone's ears. From behind a large willow tree by the roadside emerged a burly man. This man stood eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick waist. He had bushy eyebrows and large eyes. A full beard covered his face, each strand like iron. He wore a Fanyang felt hat and an old cloth robe. Though travel-stained, he could not conceal an air of heroic vigor.
The man clasped his hands and said, "I am Shi Jin, passing through this place. Young Master, as the saying goes, 'Saving a life surpasses the merit of building a seven-story pagoda.' These commoners, displaced from their homes, are already pitiable. Why should Young Master bother with them? Give way a step, accumulate some virtue in the shadows-wouldn’t that be far better?"
Tong Jiye listened and laughed heartily. "I wondered who it was-turns out to be a wandering entertainer, trying to lecture people with grand principles! This Young Master's actions need no nagging from you. If you know what's good for you, scram quickly, or I'll trample you into mincemeat along with them!"
Upon hearing the words "wandering entertainer," Shi Jin felt displeasure. Seeing such arrogance, anger surged in him, but he restrained himself. He said, "Young Master, the road is meant for all under heaven. They move slowly because they are exhausted, not because they intend to block the way. If Young Master is in a hurry, why not wait a moment or take a detour?"
Shi Jin, seeing that reasoning was futile, sighed and said, "This is what you brought upon yourselves." Unhurriedly, as the two men charged close, he shifted his body, dodging the knife blades. Simultaneously extending both hands, he grabbed their wrists and with a twist, two cries of "Aiya!" were heard. The waist knives clattered to the ground. Shi Jin then pushed forward, sending the two servants flying like kites with broken strings. They landed over ten feet away, unable to get up.
Tong Jiye, both shocked and enraged, cursed, "You villain! How dare you strike!" He casually took the bow and arrows from his saddle. He drew the string full and without aiming, shot an arrow toward the crowd of refugees. His intention was to scare them, but the arrow, by chance, flew straight toward the back of a woman holding an infant.
Shi Jin did not even frown. With his left hand, he gripped the arrow shaft. He gritted his teeth, and with a "crack," broke the shaft, though the arrowhead remained embedded in his flesh. He raised his head, his eyes like lightning, fixed on Tong Jiye. He said coldly, "Fine archery! But you shot the wrong target. Since Young Master wishes to contend, Shi will oblige!"
Under the pressure of his gaze, Tong Jiye felt somewhat fearful. But relying on his numbers, he blustered, "You... what do you intend to do?"
Shi Jin did not answer further. Slowly, he drew the snow-patterned steel knife from his waist. The blade flashed with a chilling gleam. Dragging his injured arm, he step by step walked toward Tong Jiye's horse.
Those arrogant servants, seeing Shi Jin's awe-inspiring presence and that he did not retreat despite his injured arm, grew timid first. They only shouted menacingly but dared not approach. Tong Jiye, seated on his horse, could neither leave nor stay. His face turned pale, then red, then pale again.
Shi Jin said, "First, immediately clear the road and let these commoners pass safely, without further harassment."
Tong Jiye showed reluctance. When had he ever bowed to commoners? But seeing the cold gleam of the steel knife in Shi Jin's hand, he had no choice. He slowly dismounted and made a perfunctory bow with clasped hands toward the woman.
Shi Jin gave a cold laugh and said, "For the third thing, however much silver Young Master has brought today, take it all out. Distribute it among these refugees as compensation for their fright, and consider it your act of atonement."
Upon hearing this, Tong Jiye felt as if cutting flesh from his own body, but he dared not disobey. He could only order his followers to gather all the silver and coins they had on them. They amassed about a hundred taels of silver, which they piled on the ground.
Only then did Shi Jin sheathe his knife. He said to the refugees, "Fellow villagers, you have suffered a fright. This silver is but a small token of goodwill. Divide it among yourselves and hurry on your way."
The refugees expressed profuse thanks. They divided the silver and supporting each other, hurriedly passed by the roadside. Shi Jin watched them until they were far away before turning around. He tore off a piece of his garment and hastily bandaged the wound on his arm. Without even a glance at Tong Jiye, he strode off with great steps.
Tong Jiye stood dumbfounded for a long while. Only when Shi Jin's figure disappeared at the road's end did he dare to take a deep breath. Recalling the scene, he felt both ashamed and angry. He said resentfully, "That Shi Jin! Today's humiliation will be repaid twofold in the future!" He ordered his followers to pick up the injured men and returned to the city, covered in dust and shame.
That Shi Jin was originally from Shijia Village in Huayin County. Because he killed Li Ji, who seduced decent women and harmed the village, and befriended the heroes of Mount Shaohua, he was pursued by the authorities. His manor was burned, and he wandered the jianghu. Later, although he joined the righteous assembly at Liangshan Marsh, he often missed his homeland. This time, because Liangshan Marsh had a plan, they sent him north to scout the strength of the Jin troops. Passing through this place, he happened to encounter the tyranny of Tong Young Master and intervened in this matter. Knowing that Tong Guan's power was immense and that enmity had been incurred, he could not stay long near Eastern Capital. So, after bandaging his wound, he avoided the main roads. He specifically chose small paths and hurried northward.