A Door Sealed for a Thousand Years Is Opened in a Single Day; The Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Demons Escape from Their Underground Prison

A Door Sealed for a Thousand Years Is Opened in a Single Day; The Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Demons Escape from Their Underground Prison

A door sealed for a thousand years was opened in a single day. The thirty-six Heavenly Spirits and the seventy-two Earthly Demons all fled from their prison beneath the earth. The world had been at peace, yet a great disaster arose from nowhere. What was meant to wipe out a plague only brought a greater calamity. From then on the realm was thrown into turmoil, and war broke out on every side. Villains like Gao Qiu were hateful enough, but the root of this disaster had been planted by Hong Xin with his own hands.

Now, the abbot of the Daoist temple said to Marshal Hong, “Marshal, you do not know. This hall was left by the patriarch, the Perfected Man of Penetrating Mystery, with talismans and a solemn command. In this hall are imprisoned thirty-six Heavenly Spirits and seventy-two Earthly Demons—one hundred and eight demons in all. They were all locked in here. A stone tablet stood in the hall, carved with heavenly writing and talismans to keep them under control. If they were ever released into the world, they would surely bring ruin to the common people. Now you have let them go. What are we to do? In the future this will leave a terrible curse.”

When Marshal Hong heard this, cold sweat broke out all over his body, and he trembled uncontrollably. He quickly packed his luggage and, with his attendants, hurried down the mountain and back to the capital. The abbot and the Daoists saw the officials off, then returned to repair the hall and set up the stone tablet again. Of this we need not speak further.

On the road, Marshal Hong warned his attendants not to tell anyone that the demons had been released, for fear the emperor would blame him. They traveled day and night without incident and returned to Bianliang, the Eastern Capital. After entering the city, he heard people say that the Heavenly Master had already performed rites in the imperial palace for seven days and seven nights, distributing talismans everywhere to drive away sickness. The plague had completely ceased, and the soldiers and people were safe again. The Heavenly Master had taken leave of the emperor, mounted a crane, and ridden the clouds back to Dragon-Tiger Mountain. The next morning, Marshal Hong went to court to see Emperor Renzong and reported, “The Heavenly Master rode his crane and arrived in the capital first. My party came by post roads, and only now have we returned.” Emperor Renzong believed him, rewarded Hong Xin, and restored him to his former office. Of this we need not speak further.

Later, Emperor Renzong reigned for forty-two years and died without a son. The throne passed to the son of Zhao Yunrang, Prince of Puan—the grandson of Emperor Taizu. This was Emperor Yingzong. Emperor Yingzong reigned four years and passed the throne to his son, Emperor Shenzong. Emperor Shenzong reigned eighteen years and passed the throne to his son, Emperor Zhezong. In those days the world was at peace, and there was no war in the four directions.

Now in the Xuanwu Army district of Bianliang, the Eastern Capital, in Kaifeng Prefecture, there was an idle, good-for-nothing young man from a ruined family. His surname was Gao, and he was the second son. From childhood he would not manage the family property. He loved only to practice with spear and staff, and he was especially good at kicking a ball. The people of the capital, being quick with nicknames, did not call him Gao the Second, but Gao Qiu—“Qiu” meaning ball. Later, when he became successful, he dropped the “fur” radical from the character for ball and replaced it with the “person” radical, changing his name to Gao Qiu. This man could play music, sing, wrestle, and compete in martial arts. He also knew a little about poetry and writing. But kindness, loyalty, honesty, and goodness—he had none of these. All day long he roamed inside and outside the capital, keeping company with rich young men. He once helped the son of a certain Squire Wang waste his money, spending every day in gambling houses and brothels, in pursuit of pleasure. Squire Wang brought a complaint against him to the Kaifeng Prefecture. The prefect sentenced Gao Qiu to forty strokes of the rod on the back and drove him out of the capital, forbidding him to stay in the Eastern Capital. The city people were also forbidden to take him in or give him food or lodging. With nowhere to go, Gao Qiu went to Linhuai Prefecture in Huaixi and threw himself on the mercy of Liu Shiquan, an idler who ran a gambling house. Liu Shiquan had always liked to take in all sorts of wandering rascals. Gao Qiu stayed at Liu’s house for three years.

Later, Emperor Zhezong went to the southern suburbs to sacrifice, and Heaven sent favorable weather. A general amnesty was proclaimed for criminals throughout the empire. Gao Qiu was pardoned in Linhuai Prefecture. He missed his hometown and wanted to return to the Eastern Capital. Liu Shiquan had a relative in the Eastern Capital—Dong Jiangshi, who ran a medicine shop under the Golden Beam Bridge. Liu Shiquan wrote a letter of recommendation, prepared travel money and gifts, and sent Gao Qiu back to the Eastern Capital to seek a living with Dong Jiangshi.

Gao Qiu took leave of Liu Shiquan, put his bundle on his back, left Linhuai Prefecture, and after traveling by stages returned to the Eastern Capital. He went straight to Dong Jiangshi’s medicine shop at Golden Beam Bridge and handed over the letter. Dong Jiangshi met Gao Qiu, read Liu Shiquan’s letter, and thought to himself: “How can I keep this Gao Qiu in my house? If he were an honest, decent man, I could keep him and let my children learn something good from him. But he is an idle rascal with bad character. He was even once arrested and driven out of the capital by the Kaifeng Prefecture. If I keep him, I fear he will lead my children astray. But if I refuse, I cannot ignore Liu Shiquan’s kindness.” So he pretended to be pleased, kept Gao Qiu in his home, gave him food and lodging, and entertained him well every day. After more than ten days, Dong Jiangshi thought of a plan. He brought out a set of clothes, wrote a letter, and said to Gao Qiu, “My household is modest, and I fear I may hold back your future. I will recommend you to the Junior Academician Su. Perhaps you can find a way forward there. What do you think?” Gao Qiu was delighted and thanked Dong Jiangshi. Dong Jiangshi sent a servant with the letter to escort Gao Qiu to the academician’s residence.

The gatekeeper announced him to the Junior Academician Su. The academician came out, met Gao Qiu, read the letter, and knew Gao Qiu was an idle hanger-on. He thought, “I cannot keep him here. Better to do someone a favor and recommend him to the household of Prince Consort Wang Jinqing, whom everyone calls the Young Prince Consort Wang. He likes people of Gao Qiu’s sort.” So he wrote a reply to Dong Jiangshi, let Gao Qiu stay one night, and the next day wrote another letter and sent a servant to take Gao Qiu to the Young Prince Consort Wang’s mansion.

This prince consort was the brother-in-law of Emperor Zhezong and the son-in-law of Emperor Shenzong. He loved fashionable, pleasure-loving people and needed just such a follower as Gao Qiu. When he saw that Junior Academician Su had sent Gao Qiu, and after Gao Qiu bowed and paid his respects, the prince consort was very pleased. He immediately wrote a reply and kept Gao Qiu as a personal attendant. From then on Gao Qiu settled in the prince consort’s mansion, coming and going like a member of the family. As the old saying goes, the more distant the relation, the more distant the feeling; the more often people are together, the closer they become.

One day, the Young Prince Consort Wang was celebrating his birthday. He ordered a banquet in his mansion and specially invited his young brother-in-law, Prince Duan. This Prince Duan was the eleventh son of Emperor Shenzong and the younger brother of Emperor Zhezong. He was in charge of the Eastern Palace and was known as the Ninth Great King. He was handsome and clever. He was skilled in every pleasure that young nobles enjoyed, and there was nothing he did not like. He understood music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and the teachings of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. He was even better at kicking balls, shooting pellets, playing music, and singing. That day the prince consort’s mansion held a great banquet, with every delicacy of land and sea. Incense burned in precious censers, and flowers were arranged in golden vases. The musicians played new tunes, and entertainers gave wonderful performances. Crystal pots held fine wine, and amber cups were filled with good liquor. Tortoiseshell dishes were piled with fresh fruit, and glass bowls held bear paws and camel hooves. Sliced fish was fine as silver threads, and brewed tea gave off fragrance. Dancers in red moved to the music, and singing girls sang to flutes and pipes. Jeweled maids stood before the steps, and the whole hall was filled with melody.

Prince Duan came to the banquet. The prince consort arranged the seats, inviting Prince Duan to sit in the place of honor, while he sat opposite as host. After a few cups of wine and two courses, Prince Duan rose to wash his hands and took a rest in the study. Suddenly he saw on the desk a pair of paperweights carved from mutton-fat jade in the shape of lions. The workmanship was exquisite. Prince Duan picked them up and could not put them down, praising them again and again. When Prince Consort Wang saw how much he liked them, he said, “I also have a jade dragon brush rest, made by the same craftsman. It is not here now. Tomorrow I will fetch it and send it to you as well.” Prince Duan was overjoyed and thanked him warmly, guessing that the brush rest must be even finer. The prince consort said he would send it to the prince’s palace the next day. Prince Duan thanked him again. The two returned to the banquet and drank until evening, when they parted in high spirits. Prince Duan took his leave and returned to his palace.

The next day, the Young Prince Consort Wang took out the jade dragon brush rest and the two jade lion paperweights, packed them in a small golden box, wrapped them in yellow silk, wrote a letter, and sent Gao Qiu to deliver them. Gao Qiu accepted the order, took the two jade objects, put the letter in his bosom, and went straight to Prince Duan’s palace. The gatekeeper announced him to the steward. Soon the steward came out and asked, “Which household are you from?” Gao Qiu bowed and answered, “I am from Prince Consort Wang’s mansion. I have been sent to present jade objects to His Highness. I also have a letter.” The steward said, “His Highness is in the courtyard playing ball with some young eunuchs. Come with me.” Gao Qiu followed the steward into the courtyard and saw Prince Duan wearing a soft gauze cap, a purple robe embroidered with dragons, the front of the robe tucked into his belt, and gold-threaded phoenix-patterned boots, playing ball with several young eunuchs. Gao Qiu did not dare disturb him and stood behind the attendants to wait. It was Gao Qiu’s lucky day. Suddenly the ball bounced up, Prince Duan missed it, and it rolled through the crowd to Gao Qiu’s feet. Gao Qiu took courage, used a “mandarin duck kick,” and sent the ball back to Prince Duan. Prince Duan was delighted and asked, “Who are you?” Gao Qiu stepped forward and knelt. “I am a follower of Prince Consort Wang. My master ordered me to bring two jade objects to Your Highness. Here is the letter.” Prince Duan read the letter and laughed. “My brother-in-law still remembers me.” Gao Qiu presented the letter. Prince Duan opened the box, looked at the jade objects, and handed them to an attendant to put away.

Prince Duan set the jade aside for the moment and asked Gao Qiu, “So you can play ball. What is your name?” Gao Qiu bowed with hands clasped and knelt. “My name is Gao Qiu. I have only kicked a ball now and then.” Prince Duan said, “Very good. Come down and play a little.” Gao Qiu knelt and declined. “I am a man of low station. How dare I play ball with Your Highness?” Prince Duan said, “This ball game is called ‘The World Is Round.’ What harm is there in playing together?” Gao Qiu refused again and again, but Prince Duan insisted. Gao Qiu had no choice but to kowtow in apology, loosen his clothes, and enter the field. After only a few kicks, Prince Duan cried out in praise. Gao Qiu used all his skill to please the prince, and the ball seemed to stick to his body. Prince Duan was delighted and would not let Gao Qiu return to the prince consort’s mansion. He kept him overnight in the palace. The next day, Prince Duan prepared a banquet and invited Prince Consort Wang to the palace.

That night Prince Consort Wang had not seen Gao Qiu return, and he was puzzled. The next day the gatekeeper reported, “The Ninth Great King has sent someone with an invitation for Your Highness to attend a banquet in the palace.” Prince Consort Wang met the messenger, read the invitation, and at once mounted his horse and went to Prince Duan’s palace. He entered and paid his respects. Prince Duan was very happy and thanked him for the jade objects. While drinking, Prince Duan said, “This Gao Qiu is very good at ball. I would like to keep him as my attendant. What do you think?” Prince Consort Wang replied, “Since Your Highness wishes to use him, let him stay in the palace to serve you.” Prince Duan happily raised his cup in thanks. The two chatted for a while, and toward evening the banquet ended. Prince Consort Wang returned to his mansion. Of this we need not speak further.

Prince Duan kept Gao Qiu by his side, eating and living with him. From then on Gao Qiu followed Prince Duan and never left his side. Less than two months after entering the palace, Emperor Zhezong died without a crown prince. The civil and military ministers deliberated and enthroned Prince Duan, who became Emperor Huizong of Song, known by his Daoist title as the Subtle and Wondrous Lord of the Dao, Teacher of Jade Clarity. When Huizong first ascended the throne, the world was at peace. One day Huizong said to Gao Qiu, “I want to promote you, but officials must have military merit on the frontier to be promoted. First let the Bureau of Military Affairs register you, and you will rise gradually with me.” In less than half a year, Gao Qiu was directly promoted to Marshal of the Palace Command.

When Gao Qiu became marshal, he chose an auspicious day to take up office at the Palace Command. All the officials, generals, imperial guards, cavalry, and infantry under his command came to pay their respects and submit their rosters. Marshal Gao examined them one by one. Only one name was missing: Wang Jin, instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards. Half a month earlier Wang Jin had reported sick and was recuperating at home. Gao Qiu flew into a rage and shouted, “Nonsense! Since his name is on the roster, he is deliberately defying the office and making a fool of me. He must be pretending to be sick at home. Go and arrest him at once!” He sent men to Wang Jin’s house to seize him.

Wang Jin had no wife, only an old mother over sixty. The constables said to Wang Jin, “The new Marshal Gao is taking roll at his office and cannot find you. The military office reported that you are sick at home and have a medical certificate. Marshal Gao is very angry and will not believe it. He thinks you are pretending. Instructor, you must go. If you do not, you will get us into trouble, and we will be punished too.” Wang Jin had no choice but to endure his illness and go to the Palace Command. He paid his respects to the marshal, performed four bows, and stood to one side with bowed head. Gao Qiu asked, “Are you the son of Wang Sheng, the army instructor?” Wang Jin answered, “I am.” Gao Qiu scolded him: “Your father was a street performer who juggled a staff and sold medicine. What martial skill do you know? The former commander had poor judgment and promoted you to instructor. Now you dare to slight me and not appear for roll call! Whose influence are you relying on to lie at home sick and enjoy yourself?” Wang Jin explained, “I would not dare. My injury truly has not healed.” Marshal Gao cursed, “You exiled jailbird! If you were sick, how could you come here?” Wang Jin said, “When the marshal summons me, how dare I not come?” Gao Qiu was furious and ordered his men to seize Wang Jin and beat him severely. Most of the military officers present were friendly with Wang Jin and quickly joined the military office in pleading, “Today is the marshal’s auspicious first day in office. Forgive him this once.” Gao Qiu shouted, “You jailbird! For the sake of the generals, I will spare you today. Tomorrow I will settle accounts with you!”

Wang Jin apologized and rose. When he looked up, he recognized Gao Qiu. He walked out of the office and gave a long sigh. “I fear my life is finished! I thought there was some new marshal. It is that idler Gao Qiu, the ball-kicker from the Eastern Capital. Years ago he was learning staff fighting and my father knocked him down with one blow. He could not get up for three or four months. That is the grudge he holds. Now he has soared to become marshal, and I happen to be under his command. As the old saying goes, do not fear the official, fear the one who controls you. How can I argue with him? What am I to do?” He returned home in gloom and told his mother. Mother and son embraced and wept. His mother said, “My son, of the thirty-six stratagems, running away is the best. I only fear there is nowhere to run.” Wang Jin said, “Mother is right. I have thought the same. The Old General Zhong, Military Commissioner of Yan’an, guards the frontier. Many officers under him have been to the capital and admired my skill with spear and staff. We should flee there and join him. They need men there, and we can find shelter.” Mother and son discussed it and made their plan. His mother said, “If we steal away, the two constables at the gate are sent by the Palace Command to watch you. If they notice, we cannot leave.” Wang Jin said, “Do not worry, Mother. I have a way to send them off.”

Before dark, Wang Jin called Constable Zhang in and said, “Eat your dinner first. I have an errand for you.” Constable Zhang asked, “Where are you sending me, Instructor?” Wang Jin said, “I have been ill and made a vow at the Yue Temple outside Sour Jujube Gate. Tomorrow morning I must burn the first incense. Go there tonight and tell the temple keeper to open early tomorrow for my incense. Also prepare offerings of cattle and sheep to sacrifice to the kings Liu and Li. Stay at the temple and wait for me.” Constable Zhang agreed, ate dinner, and set off for the temple. That night mother and son packed their luggage, clothes, silver, and valuables into one carrying pole, and prepared two travel bags tied to the horse’s back. At the fifth watch, before dawn, Wang Jin woke Constable Li and said, “Take this silver and go to the Yue Temple. Buy the offerings with Constable Zhang, cook them, and wait there for me. I will buy incense and candles and come shortly.” Constable Li took the silver and hurried to the temple. Wang Jin saddled the horse, led it from the stable, tied the bags securely, brought it to the back gate, and helped his mother mount. They left all heavy belongings behind, locked the front and back gates, and Wang Jin followed the horse with the carrying pole. In the dim fifth-watch darkness, they slipped out the West Hua Gate and headed straight for Yan’an.

The two constables bought and cooked the offerings and waited at the temple until mid-morning, but Wang Jin did not come. Constable Li grew anxious and ran back to Wang’s house. The gate was locked. He searched everywhere, but no one had seen them all day. As evening came, Constable Zhang in the temple grew suspicious and ran back home. He and Constable Li searched all night. When darkness fell, they realized Wang Jin and his mother had not returned and had disappeared. The next day they asked at Wang Jin’s relatives’ houses, but found no trace. Afraid of being implicated, they had no choice but to report to the Palace Command: “Instructor Wang abandoned his home and fled with his mother. No one knows where they have gone.” Gao Qiu was furious when he heard. “That jailbird has actually run away! Let us see where he can hide!” He immediately issued documents ordering every prefecture and county to arrest the fugitive Wang Jin. The two constables had reported on their own, so they were pardoned. Of this we need not speak further.

Instructor Wang and his mother left the Eastern Capital. On the road they ate when hungry, drank when thirsty, lodged at night, and traveled by day. After more than a month, one day near dusk, Wang Jin, carrying the pole behind his mother’s horse, said to her, “Heaven has protected us. Mother and son have escaped this great net. We are not far from Yan’an. Even if Gao Qiu sends men after us, they cannot catch us now.” The two were very happy, but they had traveled past the last lodging place. They walked all night without finding a village, not knowing where to stay. As they worried, a faint light showed through the trees ahead. Wang Jin said, “Excellent. Even if I have to humble myself, we can beg for a night’s lodging and continue at dawn.” Entering the woods, they saw a large manor, surrounded by an earthen wall, with two or three hundred large willow trees outside. The manor faced a main road in front and backed onto a mountain stream. Willows and green pines grew thick around it. A tall thatched hall stood against the hill; low pavilions were built by the water. Cattle and sheep were everywhere in the corners, and geese and ducks filled the threshing floor. The fields were broad, with over a thousand hired laborers; the household was large, with countless servants and children. It was a house with surplus grain, where even the chickens and ducks ate their fill, and with many books, where descendants were worthy.

Wang Jin came to the front of the manor and knocked for a long time. A farmhand came out. Wang Jin put down his pole and bowed. The farmhand asked, “What business do you have at our manor?” Wang Jin said, “To tell the truth, my mother and I are traveling and missed the inn. There is no village ahead and none behind. We would like to beg a night’s lodging in your honored manor. We will leave at dawn and pay the proper fee. Please do us this kindness.” The farmhand said, “In that case, wait a moment. I will ask the master, the Old Lord. If he agrees, you may stay.” Wang Jin said, “Thank you, brother.” The farmhand went in. After a long while he came out and said, “The Old Lord says you may come in.” Wang Jin helped his mother down from the horse, carried the pole, and led the horse as he followed the farmhand to the threshing floor. He put down the pole and tied the horse to a willow. Mother and son went to the thatched hall and bowed to the Old Lord.

The Old Lord was nearly sixty, with white hair and beard. He wore a dust-proof warm cap, a loose long robe, a black silk belt, and soft leather boots. Wang Jin stepped forward and knelt. The Old Lord quickly said, “Guest, there is no need to kneel. Please rise. You have had a hard journey. Sit and rest.” Mother and son bowed and sat down. The Old Lord asked, “Where do you come from, and why did you arrive so late?” Wang Jin said, “My surname is Zhang. I am from the capital. My business failed, and I lost my capital. I have no way to make a living, so I am going to Yan’an to seek a relative. Today I traveled too long and missed the inn. I have come to beg a night’s lodging in your manor. I will leave at dawn and will certainly pay for the room.” The Old Lord said, “It is no matter. No one can carry his house on his back. You and your mother have not eaten, I suppose?” He called the farmhands to prepare food. Soon a table was set in the hall. Farmhands brought trays with four vegetarian dishes and a plate of beef. They warmed wine. The Old Lord said, “This is the countryside. The fare is simple. Do not be offended.” Wang Jin rose and thanked him. “Mother and son have troubled you without cause. We have received great kindness and will not forget it.” The Old Lord said, “Say no more. Drink first.” After five or six cups, rice was served. The two finished eating, and the dishes were cleared. The Old Lord led them to a guest room to rest. Wang Jin said, “My mother’s horse—please have it fed. I will repay the cost of fodder.” The Old Lord said, “That is no trouble. My house also has mules and horses. Tell a farmhand to take it to the stable and feed it. Do not worry about fodder.” Wang Jin thanked him, carried his pole into the guest room. A farmhand lit a lamp and brought hot water for washing feet. The Old Lord returned to the inner quarters. Mother and son thanked the farmhand, closed the door, and rested.

At dawn the next day, the two had not risen. The Old Lord passed by the guest room and heard groaning inside. He asked, “Guests, it is daylight. You may rise.” Wang Jin heard him, quickly came out, and bowed. “I have been awake for some time. We troubled you greatly last night.” The Old Lord asked, “Who is groaning?” Wang Jin said, “To tell you the truth, my old mother was exhausted from riding, and last night her heart pain acted up.” The Old Lord said, “In that case, do not worry. Let your mother stay in my manor a few more days. I have a prescription for heart pain. I will send a farmhand to the county to buy medicine for the old lady. She can rest and recover.” Wang Jin thanked him.

To make a long story short, Wang Jin and his mother stayed at the manor, taking medicine and resting. After five or seven days, his mother recovered, and Wang Jin packed to leave. One day he went to the stable to see the horse and saw a young man in the open ground, bare-chested, covered with blue dragon tattoos, fair-skinned, about eighteen or nineteen, practicing with a staff. Wang Jin watched for a while and could not help saying, “That staff work is not bad, but there is a flaw. It cannot beat a real expert.” The young man heard him and flew into a rage. “Who are you to laugh at my skill? I have studied under seven or eight famous masters. I do not believe I am inferior to you. Do you dare compete with me?” Before he finished, the Old Lord came and scolded the young man. “Do not be rude!” The young man said, “This man is mocking my staff work.” The Old Lord asked Wang Jin, “Can you use spear and staff?” Wang Jin said, “A little.” He asked, “May I ask, Old Lord, who is this young man?” The Old Lord said, “He is my son.” Wang Jin said, “Since he is your son, if he is willing to learn, I can correct his martial arts.” The Old Lord was delighted. “That would be wonderful. Tell my son to bow to you as his teacher.” The young man refused and grew angrier. “Father, do not listen to his nonsense! If he can beat me with this staff, I will take him as my teacher.” Wang Jin said, “If the young master does not mind, let us have a friendly match.” The young man stood in the open ground and whirled his staff like a windmill. He shouted to Wang Jin, “Come on! If you are afraid, you are no hero!” Wang Jin only smiled and would not move. The Old Lord said, “Since you are willing to teach my son, what harm is there in a match?” Wang Jin laughed. “I fear I may hurt your son by accident. That would not look good.” The Old Lord said, “It is nothing. Even if you break his arm or leg, he asked for it.” Wang Jin said, “Then forgive me.” He took a staff from the rack, walked to the open ground, and took a stance. The young man saw him, rushed forward with his staff. Wang Jin dragged his staff and turned to run. The young man chased him. Wang Jin turned back and raised his staff as if to strike the ground. The young man saw it coming and raised his staff to block. Wang Jin did not bring his staff down. Instead he suddenly pulled it back and thrust straight at the young man’s chest. With one blow, the young man’s staff flew from his hand and he fell backward. Wang Jin quickly threw down his staff and helped him up. “Do not be angry! Do not be angry!” The young man got up, brought a stool, asked Wang Jin to sit, and knelt. “I have studied in vain under many masters. My skill is worth nothing. Teacher, I beg you to teach me.” Wang Jin said, “Mother and son have troubled your house for days and have no way to repay you. I am willing to teach you.”

The Old Lord was very happy. He told his son to put on clothes, and they all sat in the rear hall. He ordered a farmhand to kill a sheep and prepare wine, food, fruit, and refreshments, and invited Wang Jin’s mother to join them. The four sat down. The Old Lord raised his cup and said, “Your martial skill is so high, you must be an instructor of the Imperial Guard. My son had eyes but did not recognize Mount Tai.” Wang Jin laughed. “To tell you the truth, Old Lord, my surname is not Zhang. I am Wang Jin, instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards in the Eastern Capital. I have trained with spear and staff for years. The new Marshal Gao was once knocked down by my late father. Now he has become marshal and remembers the old grudge. He wants to harm me. I am under his command and cannot fight him, so I took my mother and fled to Yan’an to join the Old General Zhong, Military Commissioner. I never expected to come here and receive such kindness from you and your son. You even healed my mother and cared for us for days. I am deeply grateful. Your son has learned only flowery staff work—good to look at, useless in battle. I will teach him anew.” When the Old Lord heard this, he said to his son, “Now you know why you lost. Come and bow to your teacher again.” The young man knelt once more to Wang Jin. The Old Lord said, “Instructor, my family has lived in Huayin County for generations. Ahead is Mount Shaohua. This village is called Shi Family Village. There are three or four hundred households here, all surnamed Shi. My son has never loved farming. He loves only spear and staff. His mother could not persuade him and died of anger. I could only indulge him and spent much money hiring teachers. I also hired a skilled tattoo artist to cover his body with tattoos. On his shoulders and chest there are nine dragons in all. The people of the county call him Nine-Tattooed Dragon Shi Jin. Since you have come, Instructor, please train him to complete his skill before you leave. I will reward you richly.” Wang Jin was delighted. “Rest easy, Old Lord. Since that is so, I will teach your son before I go.” From that day, Wang Jin and his mother stayed at the manor. Shi Jin asked Instructor Wang to teach him every day, starting from the beginning with the eighteen kinds of martial arts. These eighteen are: spear, hammer, bow, crossbow, firearm, whip, mace, sword, chain, claw, axe, halberd, dagger-axe, spear, shield, staff, lance, and fork.

Shi Jin entertained Wang Jin and his mother every day and learned martial arts from him. Old Lord Shi served as village headman in Huayin County. Of this we need not speak further. Time flew. More than half a year passed. Sunlight outside the window slipped away in a snap of the fingers, and flower shadows at the feast moved slowly. Before one cup of wine was finished, the hour had changed again.

After more than half a year, Shi Jin had mastered all eighteen kinds of martial arts. Thanks to Wang Jin’s devoted teaching, he learned the essence of every move. When Wang Jin saw that he had succeeded, he thought, “Although it is peaceful here, this is not a long-term plan.” One day he proposed to leave for Yan’an. Shi Jin would not let him go. “Teacher, stay here. I will support you and your mother to old age. Would that not be good?” Wang Jin said, “Brother, thank you for your kindness. It is indeed good here. But I fear Gao Qiu will send men to hunt me down and implicate you, bringing you into a lawsuit. That would be bad. I am determined to go to Yan’an and join the Old General Zhong. The frontier needs men, and I can find shelter there.” Shi Jin and the Old Lord pleaded with him to stay, but could not. They prepared a farewell banquet. They brought out a tray with two bolts of silk and one hundred taels of silver as a teacher’s farewell gift. The next day Wang Jin packed his pole, saddled the horse, and mother and son took leave of Old Lord Shi and Shi Jin. He helped his mother mount and set off for Yan’an. Shi Jin called a farmhand to carry the pole and personally escorted them ten li, very reluctant to part. Shi Jin bowed to his teacher, wept, and returned with the farmhand. Wang Jin again carried his own pole, followed the horse, and traveled with his mother toward the west.

We will not speak now of Wang Jin joining the frontier. Shi Jin returned to the manor and practiced hard every day. He was young and unmarried. He rose at midnight to practice martial arts and by day practiced archery and riding behind the manor. In less than half a year, Shi Jin’s father, the Old Lord, fell ill. He lay in bed for several days. They called doctors from near and far, but he did not recover. The Old Lord died. Shi Jin prepared a coffin, laid him out, invited monks to perform rites for the dead, and Daoists to hold vegetarian feasts to release the soul. More than a dozen services were held. An auspicious day was chosen for the funeral. The three or four hundred Shi family households in the village all came to mourn and wear white. He was buried in the ancestral graveyard on the western hill. Shi Jin had no one to manage the fields and would not farm. He devoted himself to finding others to compete with in spear and staff.

Three or four months after the Old Lord’s death, in mid-sixth month, the weather was very hot. One day Shi Jin had nothing to do. He set a chair under the willow shade on the threshing floor to cool off. A cool breeze blew from the pine woods opposite. Shi Jin sighed, “What a cool wind!” As he relaxed, he saw someone peeping from the woods. Shi Jin shouted, “Strange! Who is spying on my manor?” He jumped up, went behind the tree, and recognized the hunter Li Ji, known as Rabbit Sticker. Shi Jin shouted, “Li Ji, why are you spying on my manor? Are you looking for a way in?” Li Ji came forward and bowed. “Master, I came to drink with Shorty Qiu in your manor. I saw you resting here and did not dare disturb you.” Shi Jin said, “I ask you, you used to bring game to my manor to sell, and I never treated you badly. Why have you not come for so long? Do you think I have no money?” Li Ji replied, “How would I dare? Recently there has been no game on the mountain, so I did not dare come.” Shi Jin said, “Nonsense! Mount Shaohua is huge, with vast forests. How could there be no deer or rabbits?” Li Ji said, “Master, you do not know. Recently a band of brigands has come to the mountain. They have built a stronghold, gathered five or six hundred underlings, and have over a hundred fine horses. The chief is Zhu Wu, the Divine Strategist. The second is Chen Da, the Leaping Tiger. The third is Yang Chun, the White-Spotted Snake. These three lead raids and robberies. Huayin County does not dare arrest them and has offered a reward of three thousand strings of cash for them. Who would dare provoke them? We hunters do not dare go up the mountain to hunt. Where would we get game to sell?” Shi Jin said, “I have heard there are brigands on the mountain. I did not expect them to be so bold. Sooner or later they will trouble the village. Li Ji, when you have game, bring it to me.” Li Ji bowed and left.

Shi Jin returned to the hall and thought, “These brigands are growing stronger. Sooner or later they will come to the village and make trouble.” So he called his farmhands to kill two fat water buffalo, brought out the good wine stored at home, burned paper money, and summoned the three or four hundred Shi family households to the thatched hall. They sat according to age. He had the farmhands pour wine, and said to them, “I hear there are three brigands on Mount Shaohua with five or six hundred underlings, robbing everywhere. Their power is growing. Sooner or later they will come to our village. Today I have asked you here to discuss it. When the bandits come, every household must be prepared. When I sound the wooden clapper at my manor, everyone must take up spear and staff and come to help. If any family is attacked, we will help each other and guard the village together. When the bandits come, I will deal with them.” The people said, “We are farmers. We will obey you, Master. When the clapper sounds, no one will dare not come.” That night they drank and went home to prepare weapons. From then on Shi Jin repaired the walls, put the manor in order, prepared armor, weapons, and horses, and guarded against bandits.

Now at the stronghold on Mount Shaohua, the three chiefs sat in council. The chief, Zhu Wu, the Divine Strategist, was not the strongest fighter, but he was full of schemes. Zhu Wu said to Chen Da and Yang Chun, “I hear Huayin County has offered three thousand strings of cash for us. If government troops attack, we will have to fight. The stronghold lacks money and grain. We should go down the mountain and seize supplies to store up food. Then when the government troops come, we will have the means to resist.” Chen Da, the Leaping Tiger, said, “You are right. Let us go to Huayin County now and borrow grain.” Yang Chun, the White-Spotted Snake, said, “Do not go to Huayin County. Go to Pucheng County. That is safe.” Chen Da said, “Pucheng has few people and little money and grain. Better to attack Huayin County, where the people are rich and supplies are plentiful.” Yang Chun said, “Brother, you do not know. To go to Huayin County, we must pass Shi Family Village. Nine-Tattooed Dragon Shi Jin is very formidable. We must not provoke him. He will not let us pass.” Chen Da said, “Brother, you are too timid! If we cannot pass one village, how can we fight government troops?” Yang Chun said, “Brother, do not underestimate him. That man is truly powerful.” Zhu Wu said, “I have also heard he is a hero. He is indeed capable. Brother, do not go.” Chen Da shouted, “You two shut up! You praise others and lessen our own spirit. He is only a man, not a three-headed, six-armed monster. I do not believe it.” He called his underlings to saddle his horse. “First I will attack Shi Family Village, then take Huayin County.” Zhu Wu and Yang Chun pleaded with him again and again, but Chen Da would not listen. He put on armor, mounted his horse, and led one hundred and forty or fifty underlings down the mountain with gongs and drums, heading straight for Shi Family Village.

Shi Jin was in the manor arranging weapons and horses when a farmhand brought news. Shi Jin at once sounded the wooden clapper. From before and behind the manor, three or four hundred villagers heard it, took up spears and staffs, and gathered at Shi Family Manor. Shi Jin wore a single-character cap, red armor, a blue brocade jacket, green boots, a leather belt, and an iron breastplate. He carried a bow and arrows on his back and held a three-pointed, two-edged sword. A farmhand led up a red horse. Shi Jin mounted and raised his sword. With thirty or forty strong farmhands in front and villagers from every household behind, they shouted and marched to the northern crossroads, forming ranks. In the distance they saw the bandit troop: red banners fluttering, underlings carrying swords and spears, their clothes ragged, their faces fierce.

Chen Da of Mount Shaohua led his men to the slope and arrayed his underlings. Shi Jin looked at Chen Da: he wore a red headwrap, iron armor, a red cloth jacket, thick boots, a long belt, and rode a white horse, holding an eight-foot steel spear. The underlings on both sides shouted. The two leaders faced each other on horseback.

Chen Da bowed slightly in the saddle. Shi Jin shouted, “You kill and burn, rob and plunder, and have committed monstrous crimes. You deserve death! You must have heard of my reputation. How dare you come to scratch the tiger’s whiskers?” Chen Da answered from horseback, “Our stronghold lacks grain. We are going to Huayin County to borrow supplies. We are passing through your village and ask only for a road. We will not touch a blade of grass. Let us pass, and when we return we will repay you.” Shi Jin said, “Nonsense! I am the village headman, and it is my duty to arrest bandits like you. Today you want to pass through my village. If I let you go, the county will hear of it and implicate me.” Chen Da said, “All within the four seas are brothers. We beg only a road.” Shi Jin said, “Say no more! Even if I were willing, there is one thing that is not willing. Ask it, and if it agrees, I will let you pass.” Chen Da asked, “Who does the good man tell me to ask?” Shi Jin said, “Ask this sword in my hand. If it agrees, you may pass.” Chen Da flew into a rage. “Do not push a man too far! Do not show off your power!” Shi Jin also grew angry. He brandished his sword and urged his horse forward against Chen Da. Chen Da spurred his horse and raised his spear. The two fought. Back and forth they went, like dragons sporting in water; up and down, like tigers fighting on a cliff. They tangled like Zhang Fei against Lü Bu, like Yuchi Gong against Qin Qiong. Nine-Tattooed Dragon’s anger flamed to the sky, his sword thrusting at the head. Leaping Tiger’s wrath rose, his spear stabbing at the heart. The experts fought, each showing his skill.

Shi Jin and Chen Da fought for a long time. Horses neighed, sword and spear parried back and forth. At the critical moment, Shi Jin deliberately showed a flaw and lured Chen Da’s spear toward his chest. Shi Jin dodged, and Chen Da rushed forward with his spear. Shi Jin reached out, seized Chen Da, pulled him lightly from the saddle, grabbed his belt, and threw him down. The white horse ran off by itself. Shi Jin ordered his farmhands to tie Chen Da up. The underlings scattered and fled. Shi Jin returned to the manor and had Chen Da tied to a pillar in the courtyard, intending to capture the other two chiefs as well and send them all to the authorities for the reward. He spread wine to reward the people and told them to disperse for the time being. They cheered and praised Shi Jin as a hero.

While the people drank and rejoiced, Zhu Wu and Yang Chun at the stronghold were uneasy. They sent an underling to scout. The scout returned leading the empty horse and ran to the front of the mountain shouting, “Bad news! Brother Chen did not listen to advice and was captured. I fear his life is in danger.” Zhu Wu asked what had happened. The underling told the whole story of the fight and praised Shi Jin’s bravery. Zhu Wu said, “He did not listen to me, and now disaster has come.” Yang Chun said, “Let us all go down the mountain and fight to the death with him.” Zhu Wu said, “No. Chen Da was defeated. We cannot beat him. I have a bitter plan. If we cannot save Chen Da, none of us will live.” Yang Chun asked what plan. Zhu Wu whispered in his ear. Yang Chun said, “Good plan. We must go at once. There is no time to lose.”

Shi Jin was still angry in the manor when a farmhand came running to report: “The brigand chiefs Zhu Wu and Yang Chun have come in person.” Shi Jin said, “These two have delivered themselves. Tie them up too and send them to the authorities. Bring my horse.” The wooden clapper sounded, and the villagers quickly assembled. Shi Jin mounted and was about to ride out the gate when he saw Zhu Wu and Yang Chun walking to the front of the manor. Both knelt down, tears in their eyes. Shi Jin dismounted and shouted, “Why are you two kneeling? What do you want to say?” Zhu Wu wept and said, “We three were forced by the authorities and had no choice but to take to the mountains. We swore an oath that we would not ask to be born on the same day, but only to die on the same day. Though we cannot match the brotherhood of Liu, Guan, and Zhang, our hearts are the same. Today our younger brother Chen Da did not listen to advice, offended a hero, and was captured. We have no way to plead for him, so we have come to die with him. We beg the hero to send all three of us to the authorities for the reward. We will not frown. We would rather die at the hero’s hands without complaint.” When Shi Jin heard this, he thought, “They value loyalty so highly! If I arrest them and send them for reward, every hero in the world will laugh at me and say I am no hero. As the old saying goes, a fierce tiger does not eat surrendered prey.” Shi Jin said, “You two, come inside with me.” Zhu Wu and Yang Chun, without fear, followed him to the rear hall and knelt again, asking him to tie them up. Shi Jin told them several times to rise, but they would not. Heroes understand heroes. Shi Jin said, “Your loyalty is deep. If I send you to the authorities, I am no hero. I will release Chen Da and give him back to you. What do you say?” Zhu Wu said, “Do not implicate the hero. We cannot allow it. Better to send us to the authorities for the reward.” Shi Jin said, “How can I do that? Would you be willing to eat my food and drink my wine?” Zhu Wu said, “We do not fear death. Why fear wine and meat?” Shi Jin was delighted. He untied Chen Da and spread a feast in the rear hall for the three. Zhu Wu, Yang Chun, and Chen Da bowed and thanked him for saving their lives. After a few cups, evening came. The banquet ended, and the three took their leave for the mountain. Shi Jin escorted them to the gate and returned.

Zhu Wu and the others returned to the stronghold and sat down. Zhu Wu said, “Without this bitter plan, our lives would have been lost. Although we saved Chen Da, it was rare that Shi Jin valued loyalty and released us. In a few days we will prepare gifts and send them to thank him for saving our lives.”

More than ten days later, Zhu Wu and the others prepared thirty taels of gold and sent two underlings by moonlight to Shi Family Manor. At the first watch, the underlings knocked. A farmhand announced them to Shi Jin. Shi Jin quickly threw on clothes and came out. He asked why they had come. The underlings said, “The three chiefs send repeated greetings. They have specially sent a small gift to thank you for sparing our lives. Please do not refuse.” They brought out the gold. Shi Jin at first declined, then thought, “Since they have sent it, I can return the favor later.” He accepted the gold and told a farmhand to prepare wine for the underlings. They drank until midnight, and he rewarded them with small silver and sent them back. More than half a month later, Zhu Wu and the others seized a string of large pearls and again sent underlings by night to Shi Family Manor. Shi Jin accepted them. We need not tell this in detail.

Another half month passed. Shi Jin thought that the three respected him, and he should prepare gifts in return. The next day he called a tailor and went to the county to buy three bolts of red brocade. He had them made into three brocade jackets. He also boiled three fat sheep and packed them in large boxes. He sent two farmhands to deliver them. Among the farmhands was the chief one, Wang Si, who was good at dealing with officials and had a ready tongue. People called him “A Match for Wang Bodang.” Shi Jin sent him and another reliable farmhand with the carrying pole down the mountain. The underlings questioned them, then led them up to see Zhu Wu and the others. The chiefs were delighted. They accepted the brocade jackets, fat sheep, and good wine, and rewarded the farmhands with ten taels of silver. The two drank a dozen bowls of wine, went down the mountain, and returned to the manor. They reported to Shi Jin that the chiefs sent many thanks. From then on Shi Jin often exchanged visits with Zhu Wu and the others. He often sent Wang Si up the mountain with gifts, and the chiefs often sent gold and silver to Shi Jin.

Time passed, and soon it was the Mid-Autumn Festival in the eighth month. Shi Jin wanted to gather with the three, and invited them to come to the manor on the night of the fifteenth to drink and enjoy the moon. First he sent the farmhand Wang Si with a letter to Mount Shaohua to invite Zhu Wu, Chen Da, and Yang Chun. Wang Si delivered the letter and met the three chiefs. Zhu Wu read it and was delighted. The three agreed to come. They wrote a reply, rewarded Wang Si with five taels of silver, and gave him a dozen bowls of wine. Wang Si went down the mountain and met an underling he often dealt with, who pulled him into a roadside village wine shop and gave him another dozen bowls. Wang Si took his leave and returned to the manor. The mountain wind blew, the wine went to his head, and he staggered. Before he had gone ten li, he saw a grove, ran into it, and fell asleep on the grass.

The hunter Li Ji, known as Rabbit Sticker, was hunting rabbits at the foot of the slope. He recognized Wang Si from Shi Family Manor and ran into the grove to help him. He could not lift him. He saw silver showing at Wang Si’s belt and thought, “This man is drunk. Where did he get so much silver? I might as well take it.” It was also fated that the Heavenly Spirits should gather and this disaster should arise. Li Ji untied Wang Si’s belt and shook it. The letter and silver fell out. Li Ji picked them up. He knew a few characters, opened the letter, and saw the names Zhu Wu, Chen Da, and Yang Chun of Mount Shaohua. He could not understand the rest, but he recognized the three names. Li Ji thought, “I am only a hunter. When will I ever get rich? The fortune-teller said I would have a great fortune this year. So this is it! Huayin County has offered three thousand strings of cash for these three bandits. Earlier I went to Shi Family Manor, and Shi Jin suspected I was spying. So he is secretly in league with the bandits!” Li Ji took the silver and the letter and went to Huayin County to inform on them.

The farmhand Wang Si slept until the second watch. The moonlight shone on him, and he woke with a start. He jumped up. All around were pine trees. He felt at his waist. His belt and the letter were gone. He searched everywhere and found only the empty belt. Wang Si cried out in distress. He thought, “The silver is not the main thing. What am I to do about the lost reply? I do not know who took it.” He frowned and thought of a plan. “If I go back and tell the master the letter was lost, he will be furious and drive me away. Better to say that the other side did not write a reply, so there is no way to check.” He made up his mind and hurried back to the manor, arriving just at the fifth watch. Shi Jin saw him return and asked, “Why are you so late?” Wang Si said, “Thanks to my master’s fortune, the chiefs kept me drinking half the night, so I returned late.” Shi Jin asked, “Was there a reply?” Wang Si said, “The chiefs were going to write one, but I advised them that since the three chiefs have agreed to come to the banquet, there was no need for a reply. I had drunk wine, and I feared losing it on the road. That would not be good.” Shi Jin was delighted. “No wonder people call you a match for Wang Bodang. You are indeed capable.” Wang Si said, “I did not dare delay. I came back without stopping.” Shi Jin said, “Since that is so, send men to the county to buy fruit, wine, and food for the feast.”

Soon the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived, and the weather was clear. Shi Jin ordered his farmhands to kill a large sheep and slaughter a hundred or so chickens and ducks, and prepare a banquet. The sky slowly darkened, and the Mid-Autumn moon was lovely.

Zhu Wu, Chen Da, and Yang Chun of Mount Shaohua ordered their underlings to guard the stronghold. They took only a few attendants, carrying broadswords and short knives at their waists. They did not ride horses but walked down the mountain to Shi Family Manor. Shi Jin welcomed them, bowed, and invited them into the rear garden. The banquet was ready. Shi Jin asked the three chiefs to sit in the places of honor, while he sat opposite as host. He told the farmhands to lock the front and rear gates. They drank wine while farmhands took turns pouring and urging them to eat mutton. After a few cups, a bright moon rose in the east.

Shi Jin was drinking with the three chiefs in the rear garden, enjoying the moon and talking of old times, when suddenly a great shout rose outside the wall and torches flared on all sides. Shi Jin was startled. He rose and said, “You three sit here. I will go and see.” He told the farmhands not to open the gate. He climbed a ladder and looked over the wall. The county magistrate of Huayin was on horseback, with two captains and three or four hundred soldiers, surrounding the manor. Shi Jin and the three chiefs cried out in dismay. In the torchlight outside, steel forks and broadswords glittered thickly. The two captains shouted, “Do not let the bandits escape!”

It was this government force coming to arrest Shi Jin and the three chiefs that led to a great disturbance. Shi Jin would be forced to fight and wound men, then make the acquaintance of many heroes, and cause great trouble in Hebei. The stars of Heaven and Earth would gather. Troops would camp among the reeds, and warships would be built by the lotus ponds. How Shi Jin and the three chiefs escaped—listen to the next chapter for the answer.