Explore Chapter 5 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.
The fire alarm at the premier's mansion had by now thrown the entire Eastern Capital into an uproar. Cai You's sudden collapse upon seeing the words on the wall further alarmed everyone in the residence. Servants hastily brought forth an armchair, placed the premier upon it, and carried him into his private chambers. His wife, Lady Zhu, followed close behind, incessantly murmuring, "What is to be done?" In truth, Cai You had not fainted. As Lady Zhu drew near, he secretly grasped her hand and gave it two distinct squeezes. Having served by his side and even attended to the Emperor himself, she understood his meaning perfectly. Once inside the chamber, she gently dismissed the attendants. Cai You lay beneath a canopy of pearl silk, his eyes wide open and staring at the ceiling. Lady Zhu slipped inside the canopy and whispered, "How fares the lord minister?" Cai You replied, "My lady, you fail to comprehend. This disgraceful affair has been witnessed by everyone in the mansion, making it most difficult for me to manage. Yet that is but a trifle. The fire in our residence is certain to alert every civil and military official in the city, who will all come to pay their respects. What am I to say when I receive them? Most crucial are the words scrawled upon the wall, claiming to be from the bandits of Liangshan Marsh. Whether true or false, once this news spreads, it will further unsettle the people's hearts. Just days ago, rumors spread that Zhang Heng and Zhang Shun had infiltrated the Eastern Capital. With this incident, by tomorrow they will surely be saying Song Jiang has stormed the Cai mansion. I feigned collapse so that no one would pay heed to the writing on the wall. My lady, send someone immediately to scrub those words clean. When visitors inquire, tell them a small fire broke out in the stable's fodder room and has already been extinguished." Lady Zhu said, "Moreover, let it be known that the lord minister is feeling slightly unwell and will not receive any callers." Cai You nodded, saying, "That is precisely what I intended." Lady Zhu at once relayed these orders.
Just then, Dou Jian, the captain of the patrols in Bianjing, arrived at the head of a troop of men carrying grappling hooks, buckets, and all manner of firefighting tools, swarming to the gates of the premier's mansion. The gatekeeper met him and relayed the message from Lady Zhu, adding, "The lord minister is indisposed and needs his rest this late hour, General. Please return." Mounted on his horse, Dou Jian pondered and said, "Two men from your mansion rode to my home to report a fire. Otherwise, how would I have arrived so swiftly? Considering the many rumors circulating in Eastern Capital these past few days, how could I neglect a fire at the premier's residence?" The gatekeeper replied, "It is precisely because of the rumors that the lord minister wishes to avoid undue attention. Only half a stable burned. To make a fuss would only increase public anxiety. Please dismount, General, and rest a while at the gate. I have not heard that the mansion dispatched anyone to summon you." Dou Jian said, "How strange. Those two who came to report were indeed from the premier's mansion." He then ordered his followers to wait outside the gate, dismounted, and wandered into the gatekeeper's lodge to sit. Before long, officials residing nearby arrived one after another to inquire. The gatekeeper repeated the same excuses, and without any being admitted, they all left their calling cards and departed. Dou Jian waited there for roughly an hour. Seeing that no one, regardless of rank, gained entry, he quietly withdrew with his patrolmen. He thought to himself, deeply perplexed, "A fire breaks out at the premier's mansion, they send for me, yet when I arrive I am barred from seeing him, and the fire is already out. These past two days, rumors have run rife in Eastern Capital. We must not fall into some trap laid by the Liangshan Marsh bandits!" Little did he suspect he had already fallen right into the hands of the Liangshan heroes.
Earlier that evening, after the first watch had sounded, Chai Jin, having learned that Dou Jian had just returned from patrol, had two hampers of food and two jars of wine prepared. With Bai Sheng leading the way, he rode to Dou Jian's home. Being familiar with the route, the gatekeeper ushered him in, and Dou Jian met him in the guest chamber. Chai Jin said, "You have labored hard on patrol these past days. I have brought two jars of wine and some dishes to share a cup with you and offer some small comfort." As he spoke, he lifted the curtain and had the attendants bring in the wine and food. Dou Jian saw the two jars, their mud seals intact, bearing paper strips. One strip was inscribed "Fenyang Tribute Wine," the other "Xinfeng Fine Wine." He smiled and said, "These have come from afar. Where did the Presented Scholar procure them?" Chai Jin laughed, "I am acquainted with merchants from many places. Obtaining a couple of fine jars of wine is no great difficulty. If you find the taste agreeable, Captain, I shall send more another day." With that, he broke the mud seal on the Fen wine, releasing a wave of potent, exquisite fragrance. The attendants then opened the hampers, revealing smoked duck and other delicacies. Dou Jian was greatly pleased and immediately called for servants to bring cups and chopsticks. The dishes were divided; cold items remained on the table, while hot ones were taken to the kitchen to be warmed slowly. The servants, understanding the occasion, lit four large red candles and first ladled two flasks of wine from the jar. Host and guest sat facing each other across the laden table and drank freely. The wine was superb, the dishes exceedingly tasty, and Dou Jian, forgetting they were the guest's offerings, finding them so agreeable, kept pressing more wine.
Outside, Bai Sheng sat with the patrolmen and, spending two taels of silver, bought wine and food on the spot, treating all present to drink. When the second watch came, the candles were replaced. Dou Jian hesitated, saying, "I am most grateful for the fine wine and food the Presented Scholar has bestowed, and I have yet to drink my fill. But with the many rumors these days, I really must go out on night patrol. What is to be done?" Chai Jin smiled and said, "Captain Dou, you are overly cautious. The Eastern Capital must have nearly a hundred thousand troops within its nine wards. What manner of man would dare break the law right under the Son of Heaven's nose? If the authorities take rumors too seriously, will that not in itself stir panic?" Dou Jian, holding his wine cup, mused, "I think the same. Yet my superiors have given orders; I must patrol the streets twice daily, day and night." Chai Jin said, "Within and without the imperial city, there are other patrol captains, commanders, and Commandants. Surely the vast Eastern Capital does not rest all responsibility upon your shoulders alone. Have a few more cups with me. Even if you must patrol, leaving after the third watch will not be late." Dou Jian, enjoying the taste, was in any case reluctant to leave mid-feast. With Chai Jin thus urging him, he drank a while longer. From a deep lane beyond the corner wall came the *clang-clang* sound of the watchman's clappers and gong marking the passing of the third watch. Chai Jin then filled a large cup, held it with both hands, and saluted Dou Jian, saying, "Allow me to drink three large cups with you, Captain. I am already somewhat intoxicated, and if I return to my lodgings any later, it may not be safe." Dou Jian laughed, "If the Presented Scholar has not had enough, I shall gladly drink three cups with you." So saying, he first filled a large cup, raised it, and drank. Chai Jin, hand resting on his cup, glanced at the sky outside the window and said with a smile, "I cannot match your capacity, Captain. I shall drink this cup in three sips."
Dou Jian picked up the wine jug to refill his cup, looking at Chai Jin with a slight smile. "How strange," he said. "In the past, our friend Zhou the Presented Scholar drank with bold abandon, nothing like today's hesitance. Are you perhaps teasing me?" Hearing this, Chai Jin's heart gave two sudden leaps. Forcing a smile, he said, "Captain, do you not realize how long we have been drinking tonight? My capacity is limited, and I am near my limit." Just as he was demurring, a junior officer entered and reported a fire somewhere in the city. Following his words, the deep *dong-dong-dong* of the great bell from the drum tower echoed through the night sky. Dou Jian pushed aside his cup and stood, lifting the curtain to stride out into the courtyard, where he stood looking all around with head raised. Chai Jin followed, standing behind Dou Jian with his hands clasped behind his back. They saw, in the eastern quarter of the city, a column of flame shooting skyward, dyeing half the heavens crimson. Myriad sparks danced and flew amidst the swirling, upward-rolling fire. Chai Jin said, "Where is that fire? It seems not far from the Young Master's Residence." Dou Jian replied, "I was thinking the same." Before he could finish, Chai Jin, in secret, thrust two fingers down his own throat. At once, with a retching sound, he vomited forth all the wine and food he had consumed. Dou Jian turned and said, "What is the matter, Presented Scholar? Are you drunk? It is late now, and there is a fire alarm outside. Do not return to your lodgings. Why not rest here at my home?" Chai Jin groaned twice, leaning against the wall. "Then I beg the favor of a blanket. I shall rest on the couch in this outer guest chamber. I dare not intrude upon the inner quarters."
Dou Jian laughed, "Why stand on ceremony, Presented Scholar?" He called for attendants to assist Chai Jin to the inner study to rest. Meanwhile, he ordered servants to saddle his horse, intending to rush out immediately to fight the fire. Just then, he saw two men, led by his followers and holding lanterns inscribed with "Grand Scholar Cai" and "Equal to the Three Excellencies," stride straight into the courtyard. The newcomers, like others from the premier's mansion, halted and bowed. One gasped, somewhat breathlessly, "Respectfully reporting, Captain, there is a fire at the premier's mansion. Please quickly muster your patrolmen to fight it." A man behind him loudly added, "The lord minister commands the Captain to hasten and fight the fire!" Dou Jian bowed in acknowledgment. The two said no more and departed with their lanterns. Dou Jian, who had been about to go on patrol, now having received the premier's direct order, dared not delay. He rushed back to his inner chamber to don his gear, took up a golden lance, and led the household patrolmen first towards the premier's mansion. At the same time, he took a large command arrow and gave it to a trusted officer, ordering him to the nearby BianjingChief Inspector's yamen to mobilize the stationed patrolmen there, bringing firefighting equipment to assemble at the premier's mansion. His residence was left with only one or two elderly or weak servants and an aged gatekeeper.
Originally, the post of patrol captain, while wielding considerable authority, was rather low in official rank. To facilitate receiving bribes, Dou Jian had his family reside in a deep alley behind the yamen and received all guests at home. Thus, whenever Chai Jin called, he was always entertained at the residence. That night, in his haste to respond to the premier's messenger, Dou Jian departed in a flurry, never realizing that Chai Jin was still asleep in his house.
After his departure, Bai Sheng remained in the gatekeeper's lodge, drinking with the old gatekeeper. He mentioned wanting a bowl of hot broth. While the gatekeeper went to fetch it, Bai Sheng took out a packet of knockout powder and stealthily sprinkled it into the old man's wine cup. When the gatekeeper returned, he said the cooks had all gone to sleep, it being so late. Bai Sheng said, "The Captain is not home. Let us not indulge too much in drink. Let us finish this cup and then turn in." So saying, he first raised his own cup. The old gatekeeper drank with him and at once felt the heavens spin and the earth revolve, collapsing to the ground.
Bai Sheng extinguished the lamps and candles in the room, then slipped into the inner courtyard. He saw a figure moving quietly under the eaves of the main building. Bai Sheng first pressed himself against a corner of the wall and remained still. As the figure drew near, he recognized it as Chai Jin and softly called out, "Brother Chai." He then quietly approached and said, "I have been waiting here." Chai Jin, holding a waist saber, gestured vaguely and took two steps back, standing firm. He asked, "Did you obtain the item?" Bai Sheng replied, "I know where it is. Please keep watch, brother." With that, he headed straight for Dou Jian's inner hall. Having brought gifts here before, he knew the layout. Reaching the window, he gripped the lattice, gave a light leap, and landed on the windowsill. Through the lattice, he slid back the latch, then pushed the window open and entered. He first opened the room door. The half-moon above the roof slanted its light into the hall. He saw clearly that on the right side, upon a zither table, three command arrows stood neatly in a rack. Bai Sheng plucked out two, closed the door behind him, and went out to the courtyard. He saw Chai Jin standing quietly in the shade of a parasol tree, waist saber in hand. Whispering that he had the items, the two went straight out and opened the main gate.
With no one left in the Dou household and the late hour, they departed at their leisure. Outside the gate, in the deep alley, Zhang Heng and Zhang Shun were already waiting with over a dozen underlings, disguised as patrolmen from the Chief Inspector's yamen, each leading a horse. Bai Sheng also brought out the two horses they had ridden from Dou Jian's stable. Chai Jin opened a clothing bundle brought by the underlings and changed into a dark blue battle robe. He removed his Tang-style headscarf and donned a soft helmet. Holding the Chief Inspector's large command arrow aloft, he took the lead riding onto the main street. Behind his horse were several lanterns taken from Dou Jian's home, held high to light the way. Shi Qian and Yan Qing, having just left Cai You's house, were also waiting on horseback at the street corner. They lit their lanterns as well, and the groups merged into one, galloping headlong for the east gate.
As it happened, outside the east gate, flames soared skyward-another fire. A hundred-odd horses' hooves pounded the street stones like a mountain torrent. When they reached the city gate, several guards came forward. Shi Qian, not waiting for them to speak, first shouted, "There is a fire at the garden villa outside the Young Master's Residence! We, together with Inspector Ke from the Chief Inspector's office, are going out to fight it. Here is the large command arrow. Open the gate, quickly!" As he spoke, the cluster of lanterns and torches gathered before Chai Jin's horse. Seeing him holding the large arrow, the guards had no reason to doubt. They opened the city gate. Everyone surged out. Already, Shi Xiu and Hua Rong were there with over a dozen men to meet them. They joined forces, fortunate not to have lost a single man, and continued on together.
Chai Jin reckoned that the gold and pearls obtained from Cai You's house exceeded what they had spent in Eastern Capital by tenfold, which pleased him greatly. They traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping at scenic spots along the way to seek out taverns for wine. It was already the fifth month, the heat of summer gradually deepening. The brothers were not keen to drive themselves hard under the scorching sun and were content to rest and cool off along the road.
One day around noon, they reached the south bank of the Yellow River. At the small ferry crossing, seven or eight village shops stood scattered along the great dike. Amidst the clusters of houses grew a row of over a dozen great willow trees, their trunks thick as a man's embrace, rising both inside and outside the dike like a verdant mountain surging into the sky. The sun was directly overhead, its fiery light blazing upon the earth. Not a wisp of colored cloud marred the sky. The drone of cicadas from the willow trees, a constant *zha-zha-zha*, could be heard for miles. The party, walking under the sun, was drenched in sweat; dust and sweat mingled into a salty crust, making everyone feel most uncomfortable. Climbing the great river dike, they gazed out: yellow waves rolled on into the horizon. On the far shore, a faint bluish haze hinted at clusters of trees at the sky's edge. The view was vast and open. A southeast wind blew from behind the dike, wonderfully cool. Village shops on the dike had set up several tables beneath the willow shade, selling tea and wine. Chai Jin, leading his horse with his left hand and wielding a riding crop with his right, slowly ascended the dike. Standing in the willow shade, he exclaimed repeatedly how delightful it was. He saw that the sandy beach at the foot of the dike was submerged by the summer floodwaters. Not far down from the dike was the ferry crossing, where two or three Yellow River ferry boats lay moored side by side. A crowd of travelers, carts, and horses were boarding in some confusion.
The Yellow River ferries differed from boats on other rivers. Their holds were flat and uncovered, the better for carts and horses to remain aboard. From the dike, one could see the passengers, some holding umbrellas, some wearing hats, standing on the deck to catch the breeze. Zhang Heng said, "With so many of us and our horses, we should charter a ferry for ourselves, not rush about like common travelers. Let's first have a couple of bowls of wine to quench our thirst." The travelers, already weary, standing in the breeze and shade, were unwilling to move. At the mention of wine to quench thirst, they each sat down at the tables. A waiter from the roadside tavern came over and asked if the guests wished to eat. If they intended to cross the river, he said, the water was high now; the boat would drift downstream some ten *li* before landing, then they would have to trek back upstream that same distance to reach the north bank ferry crossing. They would not be able to eat for another two or three hours. Zhang Shun said, "The shopkeeper speaks true. The Yellow River current is fierce now; crossings are made diagonally. It is best to eat one's fill before boarding."
Hearing this, Chai Jin asked the waiter for two buckets of wine and two large platters of yellow beef. The Chieftains gathered around one table, sharing half the wine and meat, while letting the underlings eat and drink on the grass under the willow shade. Chai Jin said, "We might as well have a proper meal." He asked the waiter, "Do you have rice?" The waiter smiled apologetically, "The weather is hot, sir, we dare not prepare much in advance. We steamed several trays of buns this morning, but the travelers who just crossed ate them all. If you gentlemen wish to dine, we can only freshly cut noodles to boil." Chai Jin said, "Very well. Go and cut over ten catties of noodles. If the flavor is good, you shall have extra for your trouble." The waiter assented and went to cut the noodles.
Having finished the two buckets of wine, everyone felt refreshed and cool. They chatted and laughed while waiting for the noodles. Zhang Shun and Shi Qian strolled along the dike, admiring the Yellow River scenery. Following the willow shade for some thirty or fifty paces, Zhang Shun happened to glance toward the plain within the dike. On the main road of the Pingyuan, some three to five *li* distant, a column of yellow dust rose several *zhang* high, reaching the azure sky. The Yellow River dike stood like a small ridge, offering a clear view of the Pingyuan below. Shi Qian, seeing his focused gaze, said, "This is no ordinary dust kicked up by travelers. I fear government troops are pursuing us." Zhang Shun watched intently a while longer and saw banners faintly revealed within the dust cloud. He immediately ran back to the village shops to report.
Chai Jin said, "No matter. Even alone, I could ferry all the Chieftains across." Hua Rong was the first to rise, taking his bow and arrows from his horse. To Yan Qing he said, "Let us stand on the dike and aim down their approach. We'll shoot down the first few to dampen their spirit." Chai Jin also hastily took up his weapon. He divided the twenty-odd underlings into two groups. One, led by Zhang Heng and Zhang Shun, was to seize a ferry boat and load the horses and baggage. The other, along with the remaining Chieftains, would wait on the dike for the troops. He took out a large ingot of silver and tossed it onto the tavern table in payment. The waiter, who wanted no part of this, had long since vanished.
In less time than it takes to eat a meal, two scouts appeared, separated by three to five *zhang*, galloping towards the ferry shops. When they were less than a hundred paces away, the underlings raised a united shout: "The heroes of Liangshan Marsh are here! Who seeks death, let him come!" Hearing this cry, the two riders reined in their mounts and halted. But Hua Rong, concealed beneath the willow shade, saw clearly. He bent his bow, fitted an arrow, and aimed at the lead scout. With a *swish*, the man tumbled from his horse. The second scout, seeing this, wheeled his horse around and galloped back. In the distance, he met the main force, and they all halted and formed ranks.
Chai Jin saw about two hundred cavalrymen. Addressing the Chieftains, he said, "They pursue us with light cavalry; the soldiers must be picked men. Though each of us has a mount, they are already being led onto the ferry. We are few, and fighting on foot, we may gain little advantage. Our mission is to return to report, not to seek battle. Better to withdraw." Though Shi Xiu did not fully agree, there were only seven Chieftains including himself, and barely a dozen underlings. The dike was narrow ground; if the government cavalry charged, there would be nowhere to dodge. So he did not argue and followed the others down the dike towards the ferry crossing.
By then, Zhang Heng and Zhang Shun had commandeered a large ferry boat. They were setting the sails and oars while securing the horses. Chai Jin and his party retreated onto the boat just as preparations were complete. Zhang Heng, on the bow, directed the underlings to cast off the gangplank. Seizing a long bamboo pole, he pushed against the dike's foot, swinging the boat into the stream. When the boat was less than two *zhang* from shore, the government cavalry swarmed onto the dike. Chai Jin saw the leader: a man with a long beard and purplish complexion, clad in purple soft armor, holding a golden lance across his hands. It was none other than Match for the Door GodsDou Jian. Chai Jin bowed with hands clasped and said, "Fortunate to meet you again, Captain. I departed in haste and failed to take my leave in person. I beg your forgiveness." Dou Jian roared from his horse, "I took you for a man of letters! Never imagined you were a bandit from Liangshan Marsh! What is your name?" Chai Jin replied, "You were not mistaken, Captain. I too am of royal stock, a direct descendant of the Great Zhou Emperor-Chai Jin of Cangzhou, known as the Little Whirlwind." Dou Jian cried, "Vile traitor! Do not let a single bandit on that boat escape! Capture them, quickly!" As he spoke, he brandished his golden lance, and thirty or fifty cavalrymen charged down the dike. On the boat's bow, Zhang Heng paid no heed to the exchange, busying himself with several underlings hauling the sail lines. Suddenly turning, he saw among the horsemen by the river a man who dismounted first and rushed onto another ferry boat. It was Zhang Da. To Yan Qing he said, "That is the very villain who tricked me to his home in Eastern Capital and tried to have me reported to the authorities!" He pointed at Zhang Da boarding the ferry. Yan Qing raised his crossbow and shot where Zhang Heng pointed. Zhang Da toppled into the Yellow River.
The troops on the shore, seeing Chai Jin's ferry with its cloth sail hoisted, borne swiftly by current and wind, realized they could not give chase. They all raised their bows and shot a hail of arrows at the departing boat. The men aboard, caught off guard, soon saw Bai Sheng, Zhang Shun, and several underlings struck. They hid behind the horses, but several horses were also shot down. Hua Rong bellowed, "Dou Jian, my brothers, mindful of past acquaintance, have spared you thus far. How dare you flaunt your archery before me, Hua Rong?" Half-concealed behind the mast, he spoke, then took careful aim with his bow and shot at Dou Jian on the dike. Dou Jian, equally unprepared for return fire from the boat, still sat bolt upright in his saddle. A *swish* followed by a solid *thud*-an arrow struck his chest, and he toppled from his horse. Some soldiers leaped down to rescue him, their will to shoot at the boat gone. As the ferry drew farther from shore, the Liangshan Marsh company paid them no more mind. They set about extracting arrows from the wounded and bandaging their injuries. Zhang Shun had taken an arrow in the leg, though not seriously. Bai Sheng was shot about two inches deep in his left shoulder and had fainted from the pain.
After roughly an hour, they crossed the Yellow River. Chai Jin looked back at the south bank; no ferry carried pursuing troops across. They disembarked calmly. The severely wounded were carried on planks from the boat's hold by the younger underlings; the lightly wounded continued on horseback. Though they had met with minor setbacks, the journey had been highly successful. Upon reaching the mountain stronghold, there would naturally be great celebration and revelry.