Lin Chong Becomes an Outlaw at Liangshan Marsh; Yang Zhi Sells His Sword in Bianjing

Lin Chong Becomes an Outlaw at Liangshan Marsh; Yang Zhi Sells His Sword in Bianjing

A poem says:

The Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Demons descend into the world;  
Each is reborn for a reason of its own.  
A good man becomes an outlaw because the court persecutes the loyal;  
Selling a sword to survive, how could he wish to harm innocent people?  
In the Eastern Capital the star Tianpeng has already descended;  
In the north a black demon god has arisen.  
Panther Head Lin Chong meets Blue-Faced Beast Yang Zhi;  
Together they will stir the world.

Lin Chong looked closely. The man wore a Fanyang felt hat with a red tassel hanging from it. He had on a white battle robe tied with a thick silk belt. His calves were wrapped in blue-and-white leggings, tightly bound at the ankles. He wore roe-deer skin socks and fur-trimmed cowhide boots. A waist knife hung at his side, and he carried a broadsword in his hand. He was a tall man, and on one side of his face was a large blue birthmark. A few reddish whiskers showed on his cheeks. He had pushed his felt hat to the back of his head and thrown open his robe. Underneath he still wore a soft cloth cap. He raised his broadsword and shouted, “You villain! Where have you taken my luggage and goods?”

Lin Chong was already full of pent-up fury. How could he be willing to answer? His eyes went wide, his beard bristled, and he raised his broadsword and rushed at the big man.

The lingering snow had just cleared, and thin clouds were slowly breaking apart. Ice lay along the stream, and on both banks two killing auras faced each other. Back and forth they fought, like a dragon in the clouds battling a dragon in the water. They attacked and defended like a mountain tiger fighting a forest tiger. One was like a white jade pillar holding up the sky; the other like a purple-gold beam spanning the sea. Neither showed a flaw. Each was fierce and mighty. One thrust straight at the heart; the other watched closely and stabbed at the ribs. They blocked and dodged like Ma Chao meeting Zhang Fei, like Yuchi Gong fighting Qin Qiong. They fought for a long time without victory. After more than thirty bouts, neither could overcome the other. Even the finest painter could not paint such a fight, and ghosts and gods would be startled to see it.

Lin Chong and the man fought more than thirty bouts without deciding who was stronger. They fought a dozen more, and just as the contest was about to be decided, someone on the mountain top shouted, “Two good men, stop fighting!” Lin Chong heard and leaped out of the fight. Both men lowered their broadswords and looked up. It was Wang Lun, Du Qian, and Song Wan, leading many underlings down the mountain. They crossed the river by boat. Wang Lun said, “You two good men, your broadswords move like spirits. This is my brother Lin Chong. And you, blue-faced fellow, who are you? Tell us your name.”

The man said, “I am a descendant of the Yang family generals, the grandson of Duke Yang Ling. My surname is Yang, my name Zhi. I drifted to the Guanxi region. When I was young I passed the military examinations and served as a commissioner in the Palace Command. When Emperor Huizong was building Longevity Mountain, he sent ten commissioners to Lake Tai to transport the tribute of rare flowers and stones to the capital. But my luck was poor. The boat carrying my tribute met a great wind on the Yellow River and capsized. The whole tribute fell into the water and was lost. I did not dare return to the capital to face punishment, so I fled elsewhere to hide. Now the court has proclaimed a general amnesty and pardoned our crimes. I gathered a load of goods and was returning to the Eastern Capital to use my connections at the Bureau of Military Affairs to try to get my old post back. I was passing through here and hired a farmhand to carry my load. I never expected you to seize it. Can you return my luggage?”

Wang Lun asked, “Are you perhaps Yang Zhi, known as the Blue-Faced Beast?” Yang Zhi said, “I am.” Wang Lun said, “Since you are Commissioner Yang, please come up to the stronghold and drink three cups with us. Your luggage will certainly be returned. What do you say?” Yang Zhi said, “Since you good men know me, just return my luggage. That would be better than inviting me to drink.” Wang Lun said, “Commissioner, several years ago when I went to the Eastern Capital for the examinations, I heard your great name. Meeting you today is a rare chance. How can I let you leave empty-handed? Please come up to the stronghold and sit a while. I mean no harm.”

Yang Zhi had no choice but to follow Wang Lun and the others across the river and up Liangshan Marsh. Zhu Gui was also called up to join them. They came to the Hall of Righteousness. On the left were four chairs, where Wang Lun, Du Qian, Song Wan, and Zhu Gui sat. On the right were two chairs. Yang Zhi sat in the upper one, and Lin Chong in the lower. When everyone was seated, Wang Lun ordered a sheep killed and wine set out to entertain Yang Zhi. We need not describe it in detail.

We need not tell idle talk. After several rounds of wine, Wang Lun pointed at Lin Chong and said to Yang Zhi, “This brother is an instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards in the Eastern Capital. His nickname is Panther Head Lin Chong. Marshal Gao could not tolerate a good man, so he found a false charge and had him tattooed and exiled to Cangzhou. In Cangzhou there was more trouble, and he has just taken refuge here. Commissioner, you plan to return to the Eastern Capital to seek office. Let me advise you to think carefully. I was once a scholar too. I abandoned letters for arms and came here to become an outlaw. You still have old crimes on your record. Even with the amnesty, it will be very hard to get your old post back. Besides, Gao Qiu now holds military power. How could he tolerate you? Better to stay in our stronghold. We divide gold and silver by the big scale, drink wine from big bowls, eat meat in large pieces, and live as heroes of the rivers and lakes. What do you say, Commissioner?”

Yang Zhi answered, “Thank you, chiefs, for your kindness. But I still have relatives in the Eastern Capital. When I got into trouble years ago, I caused them trouble and have never been able to repay them. I want to return to the Eastern Capital once. I beg you to return my luggage. If you will not return it, I will set out empty-handed.” Wang Lun laughed. “Since you do not wish to stay, Commissioner, we will not force you to join us. Rest here one night, and leave early tomorrow.” Yang Zhi was very pleased. That day they drank until the second watch and then rested. Early the next morning, wine was set out again to see Yang Zhi off. After breakfast, the chiefs had an underling carry back the load from the night before. They all escorted him down the mountain and parted from him at the crossroads. They sent an underling to ferry him across and see him to the main road. The others said farewell and returned to the stronghold. Only then did Wang Lun formally give Lin Chong the fourth chair and Zhu Gui the fifth. From then on the five chiefs robbed travelers at Liangshan Marsh. Of this we need not speak further.

Now Yang Zhi went on to the main road, hired a farmhand to carry his load, and sent the underling back to the stronghold. He hurried toward the Eastern Capital. On the road he ate when hungry and lodged at night. After several days he finally reached the Eastern Capital. A poem says:

The Yang family for generations was pure and honorable;  
Yang Zhi was unwilling to step easily into danger.  
Who would have thought treacherous ministers would ruin the loyal and righteous,  
And all his hopes of office and fame would come to nothing?

Yang Zhi entered the city and found an inn. The farmhand returned the load, and Yang Zhi paid him. The farmhand went back. Yang Zhi put down his luggage in the inn, took off his waist knife and broadsword, and gave loose silver to the waiter to buy wine and meat. After a few days, he sent people to use his connections at the Bureau of Military Affairs, hoping to restore his former post as commissioner. He took out all the gold, silver, and valuables from his load and spent them on connections above and below. With great difficulty he got his documents submitted and was finally allowed to see Marshal Gao.

Gao Qiu read the old case file and flew into a rage. “At first ten commissioners were sent to transport the tribute of flowers and stones. Nine returned safely to the capital and delivered their goods. You alone lost your tribute. After the trouble, you did not turn yourself in, but fled. We searched for you a long time and could not catch you. Now you come seeking office again. Even if your crime is pardoned, you cannot be appointed.” He rejected the documents on the spot and drove Yang Zhi out of the marshal’s office.

Yang Zhi returned to the inn full of gloom. He thought, “When Wang Lun urged me to stay at Liangshan, he actually made sense. But my Yang family has been honorable for generations, and I did not want to disgrace my ancestors. I wanted to use my skills to win merit on the frontier, earn titles for my wife and children, and bring honor to the Yang family. I never expected this disaster again! Marshal Gao, your heart is too cruel and mean!” Yang Zhi was deeply depressed. He stayed a few more days at the inn, and all his travel money was gone. He thought, “What shall I do? The only thing left is this precious sword handed down by my ancestors. I have always carried it with me. Now I have no way out. I can only take it to the street and sell it for several hundred or a thousand strings of cash, use it for travel money, and go elsewhere to make a living.”

That day he took the precious sword, stuck a straw tag on it, and went out to sell it. He walked to Horse Market Street and stood for two hours, but no one asked about it. At noon he moved to the busy Tianhan State Bridge and called out his sale. He had not stood there long when all the people on the street ran into the lanes by the river to hide. Yang Zhi saw the crowd running in panic and shouting, “Quick, hide! The tiger is coming!” Yang Zhi thought it strange. How could there be a tiger in the busy capital? He stood still and watched. Far off he saw a big, dark man, half drunk, staggering over. The man was hideous:

His face looked like a demon’s, his body barely human.  
He was like a twisted old tree turned into a body,  
Or a rotting stump become a filthy monster.  
His skin was rough like shark skin; his hair curled and tangled.  
His chest was coarse, and deep wrinkles lined his forehead.

This man was a famous rogue of the capital, nicknamed the Hairless Tiger, Niu Er. He specialized in picking fights in the streets. He had been through several lawsuits, and even the Kaifeng Prefecture could not control him. All the people in the city hid when they saw him coming. Niu Er rushed up to Yang Zhi, snatched the sword, and asked, “Fellow, how much for this sword?” Yang Zhi said, “It is a precious sword handed down in my family. I want three thousand strings of cash.” Niu Er shouted, “What broken sword dares cost so much! I can buy one for three hundred coins and cut meat and bean curd with it. What can your broken sword do that makes it a precious sword?” Yang Zhi said, “This is not a common white-iron sword sold in shops. This is a precious sword.” Niu Er asked, “Why is it called a precious sword?” Yang Zhi said, “First, it can chop copper and cut iron without turning its edge. Second, it can cut a hair blown against it. Third, when it kills a man, no blood remains on the blade.”

Niu Er said, “Do you dare chop copper coins for me to see?” Yang Zhi said, “Bring them, and I will chop them for you.” Niu Er went to a spice shop under the State Bridge, got twenty three-cash coins, stacked them on the bridge railing, and said to Yang Zhi, “Fellow, if you can chop through these, I will give you three thousand strings.” The onlookers did not dare come close and watched from a distance. Yang Zhi said, “That is nothing.” He rolled up his sleeve, gripped the sword firmly, took aim, and struck. The coins were split clean in two. The crowd cheered. Niu Er scolded, “What are you cheering for! Tell me the second thing.” Yang Zhi said, “A hair blown against it will be cut. Put a few hairs on the edge, blow, and they will break.” Niu Er said, “I do not believe it.” He pulled a handful of hair from his own head and handed it to Yang Zhi. “Blow it for me to see.” Yang Zhi held the hair in his left hand, placed it on the blade, and blew hard. The hair broke into pieces and fell to the ground. The crowd cheered again, and more people gathered.

Niu Er asked again, “What is the third thing?” Yang Zhi said, “When it kills a man, no blood remains on the blade.” Niu Er pressed, “How can a sword kill a man and leave no blood?” Yang Zhi said, “One stroke cuts a man down, and no bloodstain remains on the blade, because the blade is too sharp.” Niu Er said, “I do not believe it! Kill a man for me to see.” Yang Zhi said, “In the capital, how dare I kill anyone? If you do not believe me, bring a dog and I will kill it for you.” Niu Er said, “I said kill a man, not a dog.” Yang Zhi said, “If you are not buying, then let it be. Why keep pestering me?” Niu Er said, “Hand it here and let me look.” Yang Zhi said, “You never stop! I am not someone for you to provoke.” Niu Er said, “Do you dare kill me?” Yang Zhi said, “You and I have no old grudge and no recent hatred. If the sale fails, the goods are still here. Why would I kill you for no reason?” Niu Er grabbed Yang Zhi tightly and said, “I want to buy this sword of yours.” Yang Zhi said, “If you want to buy it, bring the money.” Niu Er said, “I have no money.” Yang Zhi said, “If you have no money, why grab me?” Niu Er said, “I want this sword.” Yang Zhi said, “I will not give it to you.” Niu Er said, “If you have guts, cut me with it.”

Yang Zhi flew into a rage and pushed Niu Er to the ground. Niu Er scrambled up and rushed straight into Yang Zhi’s chest. Yang Zhi shouted, “Neighbors, all of you bear witness! I, Yang Zhi, have no money and am selling my sword in the street. This rogue wants to seize my sword by force and has even struck me.” The neighbors all feared Niu Er and no one dared come forward to stop him. Niu Er shouted, “You say I hit you? So what if I beat you to death!” As he shouted, he swung his right fist. Yang Zhi dodged sideways. With the precious sword in his hand, he thrust forward. In a moment of fury, he stabbed Niu Er in the throat. Niu Er fell to the ground at once. Yang Zhi stepped forward and stabbed him twice more in the chest. Blood flowed everywhere, and Niu Er died on the spot.

Yang Zhi shouted to the crowd, “I have killed this rogue. I will not implicate any of you! The man is dead. Come with me to the authorities, and I will surrender.” The people nearby came forward and accompanied Yang Zhi to the Kaifeng Prefecture to give himself up. It happened that the prefect was holding court. Yang Zhi took the sword, knelt with the neighbors and witnesses in the great hall, and placed the sword on the ground. Yang Zhi reported, “I was originally a commissioner in the Palace Command. Because I lost the tribute of flowers and stones, I was dismissed from office. I had no travel money, so I was selling my ancestral precious sword in the street. The rogue Niu Er tried to seize it by force and struck me. In my anger I killed him by mistake. These neighbors can testify.” The people also told the prefect what had happened. The prefect said, “Since he came forward voluntarily to surrender, excuse him from the entrance beating.” He ordered a heavy cangue put on Yang Zhi and sent two officials with the coroner to escort Yang Zhi and the witnesses to the Tianhan State Bridge to examine the corpse and prepare the case file. The neighbors all wrote statements and were allowed to go home pending summons. Yang Zhi was thrown into the death cell.

They pushed him through the prison gate. He looked up and saw the fierce prison god; he turned his head and saw the terrifying demon king. The yellow-bearded jailer held hemp rope ready to bind him; the black-faced guard prepared cangue, chains, and shackles. One blow of the authority-establishing rod made a prisoner’s back ache. With the instruments of torture before him, the prisoner’s heart trembled. No need to speak of seeing King Yama in the underworld—this place was itself hell.

When Yang Zhi was thrown into the death cell, the jailers heard that he had killed the bully Niu Er. They all admired him as a hero. They did not demand money from him and even looked after him. The people near Tianhan State Bridge, because Yang Zhi had removed a scourge from the streets, pooled money to send him food and to smooth things over above and below. The officials in charge also saw that he had surrendered voluntarily and had rid the people of a menace. Niu Er’s family had no complainant either, so they lightened the statement. After several interrogations, the case was fixed as a fight in which he had accidentally struck and killed a man. When the sixty-day limit came, the officials reported to the prefect. Yang Zhi was brought to the great hall, the long cangue was removed, and he received twenty strokes on the back. A craftsman tattooed a gold seal on his face. He was sentenced to exile and military service at the Northern Capital Daming Prefecture, under the Office of the Regent. The precious sword was confiscated and put into the treasury. The documents were completed in court, and two escorts, Zhang Long and Zhao Hu, were assigned. They put a seven-and-a-half-catty iron-leaf protective cangue on Yang Zhi and were ordered to escort him on the road. The rich households near Tianhan State Bridge pooled silver. When Yang Zhi set out, they invited the two escorts to a wine shop, gave them silver, and begged, “Yang Zhi is a hero who rid the people of a villain. On the road to Daming Prefecture, please look after him.” Zhang Long and Zhao Hu said, “We also know he is a hero. Rest easy, everyone.” Yang Zhi thanked them. The extra silver was left with Yang Zhi for travel expenses. The people dispersed.

Yang Zhi returned with the two escorts to the inn where he had been staying, settled his room and food bills, took back his luggage and clothes, prepared wine and food for the escorts, and had a doctor buy ointment for the wounds from his beating. Then the three set out for Daming Prefecture. Along the way, through every prefecture and county, Yang Zhi often bought wine and meat for Zhang Long and Zhao Hu. They traveled by day and lodged at night. Before many days had passed, they reached Daming Prefecture and found an inn. The Office of the Regent at Daming Prefecture held great power. Mounted, it commanded armies; dismounted, it governed the people. The regent was named Liang Shijie, known as Grand Secretary Liang. He was the son-in-law of the current Grand Preceptor Cai Jing. That day was the ninth day of the second month, and Grand Secretary Liang was holding court. The two escorts brought Yang Zhi to the great hall of the regent and handed over the documents from Kaifeng Prefecture. Grand Secretary Liang read them. He had known Yang Zhi in the Eastern Capital years before. He summoned him at once and questioned him in detail. Yang Zhi told him everything: how Gao Qiu refused to restore his post, how he had spent all his money, how he had sold his sword and killed Niu Er. Grand Secretary Liang was very pleased. He had the cangue opened on the spot, kept Yang Zhi in his household awaiting assignment, wrote a reply, and sent the two escorts back to the Eastern Capital. We need not describe this further.

Yang Zhi stayed in Grand Secretary Liang’s household, serving diligently morning and evening. Grand Secretary Liang saw that he was hardworking and wanted to promote him. He intended to make him a deputy commander in the army with a monthly salary. But he feared the other officers would not accept it. So he issued an order that all military officers were to assemble the next day at the drill ground outside the East Wall Gate for a contest of arms. That night Grand Secretary Liang summoned Yang Zhi to the front of the hall. He said, “I want to promote you to deputy commander in the army with a monthly salary. But I do not know how good your martial skill is.” Yang Zhi replied, “I passed the military examinations and once served as a commissioner in the Palace Command. I have practiced the eighteen kinds of martial arts since childhood. Thanks to Your Excellency’s promotion, it is like parting the clouds and seeing the sun again. If I am given a post, I will repay your kindness with my life.” Grand Secretary Liang was delighted and gave him a suit of armor. That night passed without incident. A poem says:

Yang Zhi was a hero among men;  
He sold his sword in the street and rid the people of a villain.  
Convicted and exiled to Daming,  
In the contest of arms no one could match him.

The next morning, in mid-second month, the wind was mild and the sun warm. Grand Secretary Liang ate breakfast, mounted his horse with Yang Zhi, and with many attendants rode to the drill ground outside the East Wall Gate. When they arrived, the officers, great and small, came out to welcome them. They dismounted before the reviewing hall. Grand Secretary Liang sat in the silver chair in the center of the great hall. On both sides were ranged the officials: commandants, drill masters, commissioners, commanders, colonels, and deputy commanders. More than a hundred military officers stood around. On the reviewing platform stood two inspectors: one was Li Cheng, known as Li the Heavenly King, and the other was Wen Da, known as Wen the Great Saber. Both had the courage to fight ten thousand men and commanded the great army. Together they bowed to Grand Secretary Liang. A yellow flag was raised on the platform. Dozens of pairs of drummers on both sides beat the war drums. Three blasts of the horn were blown, three rolls of the drum were struck, and the drill ground fell silent. Then a command flag was raised, and the five divisions of troops formed neat ranks. A red flag was waved from the platform, and five hundred soldiers divided into two lines, holding weapons. Then a white flag was waved, and two lines of cavalry reined in their horses before the formation.

Grand Secretary Liang ordered Deputy Commander Zhou Jin to come forward and receive orders. Zhou Jin of the right formation heard, urged his horse to the front of the hall, dismounted, planted his spear, and bowed loudly. Grand Secretary Liang said, “Zhou Jin, show your martial skill.” Zhou Jin received the order, took up his spear, mounted, and rode in circles before the reviewing hall, twirling his spear. After several spear routines, the crowd cheered. Grand Secretary Liang called again, “Bring the soldier Yang Zhi, exiled from the Eastern Capital.” Yang Zhi came to the front of the hall and bowed. Grand Secretary Liang said, “Yang Zhi, I know you were originally an officer in the Palace Command in the Eastern Capital and were exiled here for a crime. Now bandits are rising everywhere, and the court needs men. Do you dare compete in martial skill with Zhou Jin? If you win, I will let you take his post.” Yang Zhi said, “I would not dare disobey Your Excellency’s command.” Grand Secretary Liang ordered a warhorse brought out and weapons prepared from the armory. Yang Zhi was told to put on armor and mount. Yang Zhi went to the rear hall, put on his armor, helmet, bow, arrows, and waist knife, took up his long spear, and rode out. Grand Secretary Liang ordered Yang Zhi and Zhou Jin first to compete in spear technique. Zhou Jin was angry and cursed, “You exiled criminal, how dare you compete with me in spears!” This enraged Yang Zhi, and he entered the field to fight Zhou Jin.

It was because Yang Zhi fought Zhou Jin that he would make his name among ten thousand soldiers and seize a military post. Later, a great-axe hero would come to the marshes, and a long-spear hero would go up Liangshan. Just who would be drawn out by the contest between Yang Zhi and Zhou Jin? Listen to the next chapter for the answer.