Explore Chapter 3 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.
Within the residence of the Prime Minister, courtyard lay beyond courtyard, but the chamber graced by His Majesty's presence was naturally situated closest to the inner apartments.
Shi Qian had slipped across from the ceiling of the opposite wing. With only one major courtyard separating him, this was undoubtedly still part of the inner quarters.
Steadying his gaze, he saw a level row of delicate pavilions with latticed windows. Deep green window gauze glowed from within with the muted light of lamps.
A woman's voice answered softly, "No one comes here. It must be the striped cat our mistress keeps."
Peering upward through gaps in the flower stems, he saw the pavilion door open without a sound. A horn lantern flashed briefly in the crack as a woman peered out.
Under the starlight, he saw two small side rooms built against the wall, their lamps and candles already extinguished.
Shi Qian took a paper spill from the tinder tube he carried and lit it with a flick. In the flare, he saw two old men sleeping like besotted pigs.
Observing the old man on the bed wore a pig-snout cap and a blue cloth robe, Shi Qian judged him to be an inner-courtyard servant.
He took down a short-handled lantern from the wall, lit the candle inside, blew out the table candle, and emerged bearing the lantern.
Shi Qian recalled the Prime Minister's residence faced south. Orienting himself by the North Star, he set his course southward.
Ahead stood a grand pavilion, ablaze with light, its great doors thrown wide. From afar, he could see a magistrate's table placed centrally within, flanked by gilded ceremonial maces and battle-axes, with racks of weapons arranged in a V-formation reaching to the steps below.
The boy laughed. "Ah! You are from the Fifth Consort's courtyard. I seldom venture there. You must be Zhang...?"
The path was so brightly lit that every hair and whisker was visible, yet Shi Qian sauntered out calmly through the ranks of stern guards.
Once outside the gate, Shi Qian whispered to the page, "The door to my courtyard is ajar. The Fifth Consort's striped cat has run off, and Qingfu is sure to come looking for it. Hasten, young sir, miss not this chance."
At the alley's exit, he lit his lantern. The candlelight revealed the characters inscribed: on one side, in alternating red and black, "Kaifeng Prefecture, Equal to the Three Departments," and on the other, a large vermilion character for "Cai."
Arriving at the inn, the waiter, mistaking him for a member of the Prime Minister's household, bowed and scraped. Shi Qian laughed heartily.
Yan Qing emerged and chided him, "You vanished, to my great anxiety. With His Majesty at the Prime Minister's residence, had you provoked the guards, it would have been no trifle."
Once inside with the door shut, Shi Qian recounted all he had witnessed in the Prime Minister's mansion.
Yan Qing smiled. "Your courage is indeed excessive. Take care not to stir trouble and ruin our stronghold's greater designs."
Yan Qing replied, "He did. I performed two sets of staff drills for him. I saw the resident instructors in his employ were not truly skilled, teaching only flashy techniques for show. The fool did not comprehend and offered some nonsensical comments. Hearing I was adept at kick-ball, he had dozens of lanterns lit in the courtyard for a match. He had a few eunuch assistants, none of them particularly competent, and they lost to me. The Second Young Master was delighted and bade me move into the residence tomorrow. I think, to maneuver effectively within their household, one must first mingle closely with their retainers. Brother Shi Qian knows the layout, and with the gatekeepers willing to grant favours, we should be able to find opportunities within Cai You's mansion."
The following day around noon, Yan Qing and Shi Qian went again to Cai You's residence. The gatekeeper announced them, and Captain Wu came out smiling, leading them to the inner hall to see the Second Young Master.
Yan Qing entered and saw the Second Young Master wearing a close-fitting moon-white silk garment, his hair loose, with three comely maids clustered around an armchair, combing his hair.
The Second Young Master laughed. "Zhou Jia, your kicking last night was excellent. Under the lanterns you perhaps could not display all your skill. Today, let us see you perform again. Go and rest first."
Yan Qing said, "This humble one has a lifelong servant. Leaving him at the inn, I fear he might drink and cause mischief. Might he be permitted to enter the residence with me? He also possesses several unique skills to amuse the Young Master."
Hearing of unique skills, the Second Young Master said, "What can he do? Bring him in for me to see."
Yan Qing said, "This man is called Zhang Er. From youth skilled at wrestling, somersaults, handstands, and imitating the calls of a hundred birds and beasts. He now waits at the gate."
Yan Qing went out and led Shi Qian to the hall entrance, where they stood under the dripping eaves, separated by a curtain.
These were rare treasures presented to the Cai household by the Great Jin Kingdom. The Second Young Master laughed first.
The Second Young Master roared with laughter and ordered a large silver ingot bestowed upon Shi Qian.
Every deep night, Shi Qian would sneak into the private quarters and eavesdrop outside Cai You's rooms, gleaning much intelligence of their activities.
Wu Yong sent a verbal message to Chai Jin: Fang La was currently raising troops in Jiangnan, his momentum growing ever more formidable. They must constantly sound out the court's movements and intentions.
He said, "Apart from Hedong and Hebei, we have no troops to deploy at present. The rebel Fang La's strength grows daily-a truly precarious situation. The counsel of Grand Councilor Wang and Grand Commandant Gao differs from my own humble view. To employ Song Jiang's men against Fang La is to let bandits slaughter bandits, but one side will inevitably emerge victorious. If Song Jiang is defeated, we eradicate a fearsome menace. The court may then dispatch major armies to crush Fang La. Yet if Song Jiang is victorious, he succeeds in atoning for his crimes. What if His Majesty, pleased, does not reduce their military authority? Would that not add to our most intimate worries?"
Wang Fu then said, "I have also considered this point. However, the bandits of Liangshan Marsh have grown exceedingly brazen of late. The Senior Grand Councilor has repeatedly mobilized troops and generals from the capital region, all suffering losses without success. If the court commits its forces to Jiangnan, the Shandong bandits might take advantage of the central plains' emptiness to threaten the capital region. That would be no trifle."
Gao Qiu said, "Though the Liangshan Marsh bandits are strong, they dare not launch full-scale rebellion. Otherwise, despite the central plains being relatively empty, a single decree could summon a hundred thousand troops. Song Jiang is an exceedingly cunning villain; without absolute certainty, he would not dare such a defiant act to incur the wrath of all under heaven. What we must fear is Fang La looking north towards Jinling while Song Jiang flees south to Xu and Hai, merging their two forces. Suppression would then be difficult. That Prefect of Bozhou, Hou Meng, who petitioned to grant Song Jiang amnesty and enlist him against Fang La, is not without self-interest. He fears the two bands of bandits merging in Xu and Huai, which would inevitably invade the central plains, and his position would bear the first brunt. In my humble opinion, we should accede to Hou Meng's request, grant Song Jiang amnesty, and let him go pacify Fang La. The court need only provide scant grain and weapons, waiting for Fang La to swallow them up. Fang La is an ignorant brute; though he leads tens of thousands of rabble, deploying a crack force later will not be difficult to crush him."
Cai You laughed. "A clever scheme indeed, Grand Commandant Gao. But have you not considered that if Fang La defeats Song Jiang and absorbs the Liangshan Marsh rabble, it would be like adding wings to a tiger?"
Gao Qiu chuckled. "How could I be unaware of this? These Liangshan Marsh bandits possess something of the ancient wandering knights' ethos. Unless Song Jiang himself surrendered to Fang La, the other chieftains would not follow. Therefore, if Fang La defeats them, he could only absorb their rank-and-file ruffians, not their leaders. Killing with a borrowed blade presents an excellent opportunity for us to eradicate Liangshan Marsh. Provisions and weapons remain in our hands. Once Song Jiang takes our bait, cut off from his lair and facing a powerful enemy, we can secretly instruct local officials to act as circumstances warrant. I fear not that this pack will escape our grasp."
Wang Fu slapped the edge of the table. "Grand Commandant Gao speaks most wisely! This plan is not merely killing with a borrowed blade, but also luring the tiger from its mountain."
Cai You pondered. "Since you both put it thus, tomorrow at morning court, I shall recommend Hou Meng to be Prefect of Dongping to oversee the amnesty and recruitment of Liangshan Marsh from nearby. Since he petitioned on Song Jiang's behalf, he presumably knows Song Jiang. If he handles it well, we can decide our next steps after the Liangshan band are utterly destroyed. If he handles it poorly, we shall have no shortage of charges to bring against him."
Hua Rong was disguised as a military officer from Guanxi, staying at a nearby inn and visiting Chai Jin under the pretext of being an old acquaintance.
He said, "This Hou Meng is a man of great learning, languishing in a lowly post as Prefect of Bozhou. But he has had no dealings with men of the rivers and lakes. Why then would he petition for the amnesty and recruitment of our stronghold?"
Chai Jin said, "He has jurisdiction only over the capital. How would he know of Hou Meng's petition?"
Chai Jin followed the group's counsel. He secretly summoned Shi Xiu, wrote a detailed letter to Song Jiang informing him of the situation, and instructed Shi Xiu to take it to the mountain stronghold with all speed, travelling day and night.
Shi Xiu said, "I set out yesterday afternoon before the city gates closed and managed to cover two short stages. Today around noon, I met Brother Dai Zong on the road. We exchanged news. Since he travels with supernatural speed, I took the liberty of entrusting the letter to him to deliver back to the mountain. Now I bring the letter from the Military Strategist which he delivered..."
Chai Jin hurriedly lifted the curtain, glanced outside, then turned back, took the letter from Shi Xiu, and read it with his back to the lamplight.
The letter stated that Yan Qing's success in gaining access to the Cai residence was excellent. Dou Jian was also an extremely useful person. He should spend the gold and silver he had brought freely; the stronghold would subsequently send men to deliver more.
Chai Jin read it once more. Finding no particular phrases needing memorization, he burned it over the lamp flame.
He reconsidered: Would Dou Jian speak to him of the Liangshan Marsh amnesty? It must be regarding the official posting he had asked Wang Fu to help secure. He decided to go and see.
He ordered his attendants to saddle a horse and followed the messenger directly to Inspector Dou's residence.
Dou Jian led him to the guest chamber and immediately clasped his hands in congratulations. 'Presented Scholar, your entrusted matter has met with success, I am glad to report. Yesterday, Grand Councilor Wang asked if I wished to become Chief Inspector for Shandong. I dared not answer directly. The Grand Councilor then said the current Prefect of Bozhou, Hou Meng, has petitioned the court to grant Song Jiang amnesty and enlist him against Fang La. At yesterday's morning court, Grand Commandant Gao recommended him in a memorial, transferring Hou Meng to be Prefect of Dongping, specifically to oversee the amnesty and recruitment of Song Jiang from nearby. And since Hou Meng is a civil official, they fear the Liangshan Marsh bandit Song Jiang might look down on him, so they will also dispatch a military officer to assist.'
Dou Jian said, 'Presented Scholar, you are not aware. With Hou Meng promoted and transferred to Dongping Prefecture, his former post as Prefect of Bozhou has not yet been assigned to a successor. If Presented Scholar is willing to go, this humble official will exert his full influence to recommend you before the Grand Councilor.'
He and Chai Jin were originally sitting on a wooden couch, separated by a low table. Now he leaned half his body over and whispered into Chai Jin's ear, 'If Presented Scholar Zhou can produce twenty thousand strings' worth of gold and pearls, you can mount your horse and take up the post immediately.'
He said, 'Twenty thousand strings, this humble one can certainly raise. If matters could be arranged to my complete satisfaction, even fifty thousand strings would not be begrudged.'
However, his mention of being willing to spend fifty thousand strings if satisfied reignited Dou's interest. He said, 'The Presented Scholar's meaning is that you would prefer a posting near Gaotang or Qingzhou. Now that the situation with Liangshan Marsh points towards amnesty, you naturally wish to return home in glory.'
Chai Jin, not wishing to dampen Dou Jian's enthusiasm, spoke many words of promised gratitude before taking his leave.
Dai Zong said, 'The Military Strategist specifically sent me to investigate this matter. Let us return to the mountain together and await the Military Strategist's new instructions.'
Wu Yong smiled. 'According to the letter, what Shi Qian overheard is indeed Gao Qiu's scheme. That scoundrel's plots are most cunning, his heart most venomous. He seeks to kill with a borrowed blade, leaving us nowhere to be buried. What is your view, brother?'
Song Jiang took the letter and read it once more, then said thoughtfully, 'This unworthy brother has repeatedly proclaimed our righteous desire to await the court's amnesty, both within and without our ranks. Not only do the tens of thousands of brothers on our mountain know this, but from the court down to the heroes of the rivers and lakes, who is unaware? This Prefect Hou surely acted precisely because he knew of our intent to submit to the court, and thus dared to petition on our behalf. Moreover, from what Chai Jin has learned, his memorial clearly states that Song Jiang's talents must far exceed those of ordinary men. He may be considered a true friend to our cause. Whether by duty to the public good or by private feeling, we cannot possibly defy his offer when he comes to grant amnesty. Even if we reveal Gao Qiu's scheme of killing with a borrowed blade to our brothers, the world at large would not understand or forgive us.'
Wu Yong said, 'Since you say so, brother, we shall deal with the matter when Prefect Hou arrives in Dongping.'
Song Jiang said, 'This unworthy brother has also pondered this long. For Prefect Hou to hold such insight, he cannot be a mere pedant. When he comes to grant amnesty, we shall frankly tell him the truth of the situation. If we are to go pacify Fang La, the court must supply us with sufficient weapons and provisions. In employing men and moving troops, we must have full autonomy. My only fear is that if Gao Qiu realizes we have seen through his plot, his shame may turn to rage, and he may find another way to harm us.'
Wu Yong said, 'Your words consider every aspect, brother. Currently, our stronghold has ample grain and abundant wealth. Let our men rest for a time, so that when Prefect Hou comes to Dongping, granting us amnesty will not prove troublesome.'
At this time, the Emperor, hearing that Fang La was growing exceedingly rampant, was immediately inclined to amnesty and recruit the Liangshan Marsh forces to quell the rebellion.
When Hou Meng came to the Prime Minister's residence to seek an audience, Cai You immediately had him shown into the main hall, sitting in state behind his official desk.
Hou Meng could only stand respectfully to one side and said, 'Your Excellency's promotion of this lowly official was surely because this official memorialized requesting the amnesty and recruitment of Song Jiang to suppress Fang La and redeem their crimes, and intended for this official to carry out the amnesty in Dongping. This is but a limited view; I know not if it is correct?'
Cai You stroked his beard. 'You perceive the surface, but not the substance within. Song Jiang and his band of thieves are cunning and fierce, ten times worse than Fang La. The reason they have not yet launched a major uprising is, firstly, they lack the opportunity; secondly, their marsh lies adjacent to the capital region; and thirdly, they do not possess Fang La's vast rabble. Looking at the two bands of thieves, Fang and Song, we cannot say they are alike. Weighing the advantages and disadvantages, Fang La is a mere brute, easily captured, while Song Jiang is a deceitful villain, difficult to subdue. Fang La's rabble can be smashed by a crack force. Song Jiang's burgeoning band of thieves, even if granted amnesty, might harbour a wolf's heart and turn traitor midway.'
His mind filled with doubt, he dared not voice many of his own thoughts. Taking half a step forward, he bowed. 'This humble official begs clear instruction from Your Excellency.'
Cai You smiled. 'Hou Meng, if you wish for a bright and distant future, you must heed my words. When you reach Dongping, you may send a silver-tongued emissary to first notify Song Jiang, saying the court's major armies are needed to campaign against Liao. That bandit Fang La is of little consequence; half the strength of Liangshan Marsh should suffice to capture him. Advise Song Jiang to leave some forces behind to guard the marsh.'
Hou Meng heard this and was thunderstruck, but dared not show it on his face. Bowing, he said, 'The court's method of granting Song Jiang amnesty to campaign against Fang La may differ, but the intent to eliminate both bands of lawless men is the same. If it is as you say, Liangshan Marsh would still retain a remnant. Song Jiang, with only half his strength in Jiangnan, might not only be unable to defeat Fang La, but might instead be defeated by him. Then, Fang La's power would grow, and Liangshan Marsh would not be uprooted.'
Before he could finish, Cai You's face darkened. 'Hou Meng, are you truly ignorant of the court's intent, or are you feigning deafness and stupidity? Does the court truly intend to employ Song Jiang to pacify Fang La? It is merely using thieves to kill thieves, letting them destroy each other. Otherwise, would the court be so bereft of men?'
He took another step forward and bowed once more. 'Your Excellency's instruction, this humble official now understands. However, Song Jiang's one hundred and eight chieftains possess a full complement of civil and military talent. If they possess a genuine desire to turn towards virtue, the court would do well to employ their strength to pacify Fang La. Though Fang La leads rabble, he should not be underestimated. If the imperial armies had the strength to crush him, why has he captured commanderies and counties one after another, growing more rampant by the day? Furthermore, if this scheme of using thieves to kill thieves is seen through by Song Jiang, would it not be driving fish into deeper waters?'
Knowing Hou Meng was beaten for advocating the amnesty of Liangshan Marsh, how could his heart not burn with indignation?
Seeing they were now some distance from the main hall, he turned to the crowd and said, 'Brothers, this Prefect is a good official. Though his words offended the lord minister, he meant no great harm. Why must we insult a man of letters?'
These servants, day and night, had been treated by Shi Qian to gold, silk, wine, and meat; in their leisure time, they would go to the pleasure quarters for amusement, all at Shi Qian's expense.
Though rushing forward under a hail of blows and cudgels, Hou Meng had been aware of someone behind him secretly shielding him.
Now, seeing Shi Qian's words halt the crowd, he turned and bowed to him. 'I did not expect to find such a sense of justice here among you. Yet perhaps I deserved this beating-I came here before my imperial audience.'
Chai Jin ascertained Hou Meng's lodging place and the following day went to visit, disguised as a Presented Scholar.
A funeral director and several assistants busily went in and out. On the steps were piled funeral banners, spirit money, and paper gold and silver ingots.
The old servant looked Chai Jin up and down, tears in his eyes. 'I reply to you, sir, my master passed away last night.'
Chai Jin said, 'What illness took him? I and Prefect Hou are sworn brothers from childhood, separated for many years. I have only now come to the Eastern Capital hoping for a reunion.'
Chai Jin said, 'My surname is Zhou. Let me first pay homage at the bier. As travellers, funds may be tight. I shall immediately send someone with expenses for the funeral arrangements.'
Chai Jin bowed four times before the bier, stood and bowed once more, shedding a few tears for this man of true understanding.
From an inner room came the sound of a woman weeping softly. The old servant led out a child of four or five in mourning clothes to offer formal thanks.
Returning to his inn, he took ten large silver ingots, entrusted them to Bai Sheng, and sent him to deliver them to the Hou residence as a funeral gift.