Shi Jin Flees Huayin County by Night; Commandant Lu Kills the Lord of the Pass with Three Punches

Shi Jin Flees Huayin County by Night; Commandant Lu Kills the Lord of the Pass with Three Punches

A poem says:

Cold comes and heat goes, the four seasons turn;  
The sun sinks in the west, the river flows east.  
When luck arrives, wealth and honor are fated;  
When fortune fails, poverty too has its cause.  
When you meet a trap, know the moment and press forward;  
When you are riding high, know when to pull back.  
Where are the generals and warhorses of old?  
Only wild grass and idle flowers remain, a desolate sadness.

Now Shi Jin said, “What are we to do now?” Zhu Wu and the other two chiefs knelt and said, “Brother, you are an innocent man with no involvement. Do not let us three drag you down. You can tie us up and take us out to claim the reward, so we will not implicate you and make things hard for you.” Shi Jin said, “How can I do that? If I did, it would be as if I lured you here and then arrested you for reward, making the world laugh at me. If we die, we die together; if we live, we live together. Get up quickly and rest easy. We will think of another way. First let me ask what is going on.”

Shi Jin climbed the ladder and asked, “You two constables, why have you brought soldiers to attack my manor in the middle of the night?” The two constables answered, “Master, do you still deny it? The accuser Li Ji is here.” Shi Jin shouted, “Li Ji, why have you falsely accused a good man?” Li Ji answered, “I did not know at first. I found the reply letter Wang Si brought back in the woods. I showed it to people in front of the county office, and that is how it came out.” Shi Jin called Wang Si and questioned him: “You said there was no reply. Why has this letter appeared?” Wang Si said, “I was drunk that day and forgot there was a reply.” Shi Jin roared, “Beast! What are we to do now?” The constables and soldiers outside feared Shi Jin’s martial skill and did not dare rush in. The three chiefs pointed outside, signaling Shi Jin to deal with the soldiers. Shi Jin understood. Standing on the ladder, he shouted, “You two constables, do not make noise. Pull back a little for now. I will tie them up and send them out to the authorities for the reward.” The two constables feared Shi Jin and could only agree: “We will wait outside. When you have them tied, we will go together to claim the reward.” Shi Jin came down the ladder and went to the hall. First he took Wang Si to the rear garden and killed him with one stroke. Then he ordered the farmhands to pack all the valuables in the house. He lit thirty or forty torches. In the manor, Shi Jin and the three chiefs put on armor. Each took a waist knife and a broadsword from the weapon rack. When all was ready, they set fire to the thatched huts behind the manor. The farmhands tied up their bundles. The soldiers outside saw fire rising inside the manor and all ran to the rear to watch.

Then Shi Jin set fire to the main hall too, threw open the manor gate, gave a great shout, and charged out. Shi Jin led the way, Zhu Wu and Yang Chun in the middle, Chen Da bringing up the rear. With the underlings and farmhands, they cut and thrust in every direction. Shi Jin was fierce as a tiger; no one could stop him. Behind them the great fire blazed. They cut a path out and ran straight into the two constables and Li Ji. When Shi Jin saw his enemies, his anger flamed to the sky. Enemies meeting face to face are especially furious. The two constables saw the situation was bad and turned to run. Li Ji was about to turn when Shi Jin was already upon him. With one stroke of his blade, he cut Li Ji in two. The two constables tried to flee, but Chen Da and Yang Chun caught up and killed each with one stroke. The county magistrate was so frightened that he turned his horse and fled in panic. The remaining soldiers did not dare press forward. They scattered and ran, no one knew where. Shi Jin and his group fought and withdrew. The government troops did not dare pursue and all scattered. Shi Jin, Zhu Wu, Chen Da, Yang Chun, and the farmhands returned together to the stronghold on Mount Shaohua and sat down to rest. Zhu Wu and the others immediately ordered the underlings to kill cattle and slaughter horses, spread wine, and celebrate. We need not tell this in detail.

Several days passed. Shi Jin thought to himself, “In a moment of anger I saved these three and burned down my own home. Although I brought away some silver and valuables, all the heavy property is gone.” He wavered, feeling this was not a long-term plan. He said to Zhu Wu and the others, “My teacher Instructor Wang is serving in the Military Commissioner’s office in Guanxi. I originally planned to go find him, but after my father died I could not set out. Now my home and property are all destroyed. I intend to go find my teacher.” Zhu Wu and the other two urged, “Brother, do not go. Stay at our stronghold for a while and then decide. If you do not wish to become a bandit, after the trouble blows over we brothers will help you rebuild your home and live as a law-abiding man again.” Shi Jin said, “Thank you for your good intentions, but my mind is made up and cannot be kept. My property and belongings are all gone. I fear it is impossible to rebuild. This time I go to find my teacher, and I also hope to find a way out there and secure a peaceful, happy latter half of my life.” Zhu Wu said, “Brother, why not stay here as chief of the stronghold? Would that not be free and easy? Though the stronghold is small, it is enough to shelter you.” Shi Jin said, “I am an honest hero. How could I disgrace the body my parents gave me? Do not speak again of making me a bandit.”

Shi Jin stayed a few more days, then insisted on leaving. Zhu Wu and the others pleaded earnestly but could not keep him. The farmhands Shi Jin had brought all stayed at the stronghold. He packed only a little loose silver into a bundle, and left the rest of his money at the stronghold. Shi Jin wore a large white felt hat from Fanyang with a tuft of red tassel, a dark blue soft cloth wrapped under it, a bright yellow silk cord around his neck, a white ramie double-layer battle robe, a broad red woven belt at his waist, blue-and-white leggings wrapped around his calves, hemp shoes suitable for mountain climbing, a precious goose-feather saber at his side, a bundle on his back, and a broadsword in his hand. He took leave of Zhu Wu and the others. Many underlings escorted him down the mountain. Zhu Wu and the others wept and returned to the stronghold.

Now Shi Jin, carrying his broadsword, left Mount Shaohua and hurried toward the five routes of Guanxi, in the direction of Yan’an. Along the way:

Mountain roads rugged and desolate, villages cold and lonely. By night he slept in wild woods wrapped in mist; at dawn he climbed dangerous paths with the waning moon. He traveled until sunset and heard dogs bark; frost came early, and he journeyed with the crowing of cocks. Mountain shadows slowly faded; willow shadows gradually disappeared. Evening clouds reflected on the water, spreading red light; at dusk a pale blue mist rose. Fishermen by the stream returned to their villages; woodcutters in the fields carried their loads home.

On the road Shi Jin ate when hungry, drank when thirsty, traveled by day and rested by night. He walked alone for more than half a month and came to Weizhou. “There is also a Military Commissioner’s office here. Perhaps my teacher Instructor Wang is here?” Shi Jin entered the city. The streets were busy. At a corner was a small teahouse. Shi Jin went in and found a seat. The teahouse waiter asked, “What tea would you like, guest?” Shi Jin said, “Bring me a cup of brewed tea.” The waiter brought tea and set it before Shi Jin. Shi Jin asked, “Where is the Military Commissioner’s office?” The waiter said, “Just ahead.” Shi Jin asked again, “May I ask, in the Military Commissioner’s office, is there an instructor from the Eastern Capital named Wang Jin?” The waiter said, “There are many instructors in the office. Three or four are surnamed Wang. I do not know which is Wang Jin.” Before he finished, a big man strode into the teahouse. Shi Jin looked at him. He was dressed as a military officer:

On his head a sesame-patterned turban; behind his head two gold rings from Taiyuan Prefecture. He wore a parrot-green ramie battle robe, a black double-strand belt at his waist, and yellow leather boots sewn in eagle-claw style. His face was round, his ears large, his nose straight, his mouth square, and sideburns and beard around his cheeks. He was eight feet tall and thick-waisted.

The man entered and sat down. The waiter said, “Guest, if you are looking for Instructor Wang, ask this Commandant and you will know.” Shi Jin quickly rose and bowed. “Sir, please sit and have tea.” The man saw that Shi Jin was tall and strongly built, clearly a hero. He rose and returned the bow. The two sat down. Shi Jin said, “Forgive my boldness, but may I ask your honorable name?” The man said, “I am a commandant in the Military Commissioner’s office. My surname is Lu, and my name is Lu Da. May I ask, brother, what is your name?” Shi Jin said, “I am from Huayin County in Huazhou. My surname is Shi, my name Jin. May I ask, sir, I have a teacher, an instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards in the Eastern Capital named Wang Jin. Is he in this Military Commissioner’s office?” Commandant Lu said, “Brother, are you not Shi Jin, the Nine-Tattooed Dragon of Shi Family Village?” Shi Jin bowed. “I am.” Lu Da quickly returned the bow and said, “I have long heard your name. Seeing you now, I know your reputation is deserved. The Instructor Wang you seek—is he the Wang Jin who offended Marshal Gao in the Eastern Capital?” Shi Jin said, “That is he.” Lu Da said, “I have heard his name too. He is not here. I heard he is serving under the Old General Zhong, Military Commissioner of Yan’an. Weizhou is held by the Young General Zhong, Military Commissioner. Wang Jin is not here. Since you are Shi Jin, I have long heard of you. Come with me and have a drink in town.” Commandant Lu took Shi Jin by the hand and walked out of the teahouse. Lu Da turned back and said, “I will pay for the tea.” The waiter said, “Commandant, go ahead. It does not matter.”

The two walked arm in arm out of the teahouse. After thirty or fifty steps, they saw a crowd gathered around an open space. Shi Jin said, “Brother, let us take a look.” They parted the crowd and saw a man in the middle holding a dozen staffs. On the ground were a dozen plasters, and in a tray were medicine sticks. It was a wandering performer who did staff tricks and sold medicine. Shi Jin recognized him at once. It was the teacher who had first taught him martial arts, Li Zhong, the Tiger-Fighting General. Shi Jin called from the crowd, “Teacher, it has been a long time.” Li Zhong said, “Brother, how did you come here?” Commandant Lu said, “Since he is Shi Jin’s teacher, come drink three cups with me.” Li Zhong said, “Wait until I have sold my medicine and collected the money, then I will go with the commandant.” Lu Da said, “Who has patience to wait for you? If you are coming, come now.” Li Zhong said, “This is my livelihood. I have no choice. Commandant, go first. I will come find you soon. Brother, go with the commandant first.” Lu Da was impatient. He reached out and pushed, knocking the onlookers to the ground. He cursed, “You lot, get out of here! If you do not go, I will beat you!” The crowd knew it was Commandant Lu and scattered. Li Zhong saw Lu Da was fierce. He was angry but did not dare show it. He could only smile and say, “What a hot temper.” Li Zhong packed up his medicine bag, put away his staffs, and left them in storage. The three turned through streets and lanes and came to the famous Pan Family Wine Shop under the State Bridge. At the door stood a flagpole with a wine banner fluttering in the wind. The wine shop was very good. A poem says:

The wind blows thin mist, the wine banner flies; in peaceful times the day slowly lengthens. Good wine strengthens the courage of heroes and eases the sorrow in a woman’s heart. The banner hangs beneath the willows, slanting beside the apricot blossoms. A man’s ambition is not yet fulfilled; for now he sings and drinks, drowning his sorrows.

The three went up to the Pan Family Wine Shop and chose a clean private room. Commandant Lu took the seat of honor, Li Zhong sat opposite, and Shi Jin sat below. The waiter bowed, recognized Commandant Lu, and asked, “Commandant, how much wine shall I bring?” Lu Da said, “Bring four jugs first.” The waiter set out cold dishes and fruit and asked, “Sir, what dishes would you like to go with the wine?” Lu Da said, “Why ask so many questions! Bring whatever the shop has and settle the bill at the end. Do not chatter here!” The waiter went down. Soon the wine was warmed and brought up, and meat dishes and side dishes were all served, filling the table. The three drank a few cups and chatted, discussing staff techniques. They were talking happily when suddenly they heard sobbing from the next room. Lu Da became irritated and threw the dishes and cups onto the floor. The waiter ran over and saw Commandant Lu furious. The waiter bowed and asked, “Sir, if you want anything, just tell me.” Lu Da said, “What do I want? You know me well enough. Why let the people next door cry and disturb our drinking? I am not going to owe you for the wine.” The waiter said, “Calm your anger, sir. How would I dare let anyone cry and disturb your drinking? The ones crying are a father and daughter who sing for a living. They did not know you were drinking here. They were remembering their sorrows and wept.” Commandant Lu said, “Strange. Call them over.” The waiter went to call them. Soon two people came. In front was a girl of eighteen or nineteen. Behind her followed an old man of fifty or sixty, holding clappers. They came before him. The girl was not incomparably beautiful, but she was striking:

Her hair was loose, with a green jade hairpin; her slender waist was tied with a red silk skirt. A plain old white blouse wrapped her body, and pale yellow soft socks matched her small arched shoes. Her brows were tightly knitted, tears falling like pearls; her head was bowed, her skin wan. One look showed a heart full of sorrow. Even without powder or paint, she was comely.

The girl wiped her tears and came forward, bowing deeply three times. The old man also bowed. Lu Da asked, “Where are you father and daughter from? Why are you crying?” The girl said, “Sir, hear me. I am from the Eastern Capital. I came with my parents to Weizhou to seek relatives, but they had moved to Nanjing. My mother fell ill in the inn and died. My father and I drifted here and suffered. A local rich man, Zheng the Elder, known as the Lord of the Pass, took a fancy to me. He forced a matchmaker to arrange for him to take me as a concubine. At first the contract said he would give three thousand strings of cash, but it was only a piece of paper. He did not give a single coin and forcibly took my body. Before three months had passed, his principal wife, who is very fierce, beat me and drove me out. She would not let me stay in the Zheng house. She also pressured the innkeeper to demand the three thousand strings of the sale price from us. My father is weak and could not argue with him. He has money and power. We never received a single coin, and now we have no money to repay him. There was no way out. My father taught me to sing small tunes since I was young, so I sing in the wine shops to earn money. Most of what I earn each day must be given to him, leaving only a little for us to live on. These past two days there have been few customers, and we could not pay on time. We fear he will come to demand it and humiliate us. Father and daughter thought of our misery, with no place to complain, and could not help crying. We unintentionally offended you, sir. Please forgive us.” Commandant Lu asked again, “What is your name? Which inn do you stay in? Where does Zheng the Elder, the Lord of the Pass, live?” The old man answered, “My surname is Jin, and I am the second son in my family. My daughter’s childhood name is Cuilian. Zheng the Elder is Zheng the butcher under the Scholar’s Bridge, nicknamed Lord of the Pass. My daughter and I stay at the Lu Family Inn inside the East Gate ahead.” When Lu Da heard this, he cursed, “Bah! I thought he was some great official. He is just Zheng the butcher. That rascal, relying on the Young General Zhong’s power, opens a butcher shop and dares to bully people like this.” He turned to Li Zhong and Shi Jin and said, “You two wait here. I will go beat that fellow to death and come back.” Shi Jin and Li Zhong quickly held him back and urged, “Brother, calm down. Deal with it tomorrow.” The two pleaded again and again and finally restrained Lu Da.

Lu Da said again, “Old man, come here. I will give you some travel money. Tomorrow you will return to the Eastern Capital. How is that?” Father and daughter quickly thanked him. “If we can return home, you will be our rebirth parents. But the innkeeper will not let us go. Zheng the butcher will demand money from him.” Commandant Lu said, “Do not worry about that. I have a way.” He felt in his bosom and took out five taels of silver, placed them on the table, looked at Shi Jin, and said, “I did not bring much silver today. Can you lend me some? I will return it tomorrow.” Shi Jin said, “This little money need not be returned.” He took out a ten-tael silver ingot from his bundle and put it on the table. Lu Da looked at Li Zhong. “You lend me some too.” Li Zhong felt around and took out two taels of silver. Commandant Lu saw it was too little and thought him stingy. Lu Da gave the fifteen taels of silver to Old Man Jin and instructed, “You father and daughter take this for travel money and pack your luggage. Tomorrow morning I will see you off. Let us see which innkeeper dares keep you!” Old Man Jin and his daughter kowtowed and left.

Lu Da returned the two taels of silver to Li Zhong. The three drank two more jugs of wine and went downstairs, calling, “Shopkeeper, I will send the wine money tomorrow.” The shopkeeper replied again and again, “Commandant, go ahead. It does not matter.” The three left the Pan Family Wine Shop and parted in the street. Shi Jin and Li Zhong each returned to their inns. Commandant Lu returned to his quarters in front of the Military Commissioner’s office. He went to his room, did not eat dinner, and lay down holding in his anger. The innkeeper did not dare ask.

Now Old Man Jin took the fifteen taels of silver and returned to the inn. He settled his daughter, then went outside the city to arrange a cart in a distant place. He came back, packed the luggage, paid the room and fuel and rice bills, and waited for dawn. The night passed without incident. At the fifth watch the next day, father and daughter lit a fire, cooked, ate, and packed. As the sky grew light, Commandant Lu strode into the inn and shouted, “Waiter, which room is Old Man Jin in?” The waiter called, “Old Man Jin, the commandant is looking for you.” Old Man Jin opened the door and said, “Commandant, please come in and sit.” Lu Da said, “No need to sit! If you are leaving, leave quickly. What are you waiting for?” Old Man Jin took his daughter, carried the luggage, thanked Lu Da, and prepared to go out. The waiter blocked them. “Old Man Jin, where are you going?” Lu Da asked, “Does he owe you room money?” The waiter said, “The room money was paid last night. But he owes Zheng the Elder the sale money. I must keep an eye on them.” Commandant Lu said, “I will repay Zheng the butcher’s money. Let the old man go home.” The waiter refused to let them go. Lu Da flew into a rage. He opened his hand and slapped the waiter across the face, making him spit blood. Then he punched him and knocked out two front teeth. The waiter scrambled up and ran off. The innkeeper did not dare come out to stop them. Old Man Jin and his daughter hurried out of the inn and went out of the city to find the cart they had arranged.

Lu Da thought that the waiter might chase after them and stop them, so he moved a stool and sat in the shop, waiting for two hours. When he estimated that Old Man Jin and his daughter were far away, he rose and went straight to the Scholar’s Bridge.

Now Zheng the butcher had two butcher shops and two meat blocks, with several sides of pork hanging. Zheng the butcher sat inside the counter, watching a dozen assistants cut and sell meat. Lu Da walked to the door and shouted, “Zheng the butcher!” Zheng the butcher saw it was Commandant Lu. He quickly came out from behind the counter and bowed. “Forgive me, Commandant.” He called an assistant to bring a stool. “Commandant, please sit.” Lu Da sat down and said, “I have been ordered by the Military Commissioner to get ten catties of lean meat, chopped into mince, with not a bit of fat.” Zheng the butcher said, “Boys, quickly pick good meat and cut ten catties.” Commandant Lu said, “Do not let these servants do it. You cut it yourself.” Zheng the butcher said, “Fine, I will cut it myself.” Zheng the butcher chose ten catties of pure lean meat on the block and chopped it finely into mince. The waiter, with his head wrapped, was just coming to Zheng the butcher to report about Old Man Jin. When he saw Commandant Lu sitting at the door of the butcher shop, he did not dare approach and stood far away under the eaves to watch. Zheng the butcher chopped for a full half hour, wrapped it in lotus leaves, and said, “Commandant, shall I have someone deliver it to you?” Lu Da said, “No need. I also want ten catties of fat meat, with not a bit of lean, also chopped into mince.” Zheng the butcher said, “The lean meat just now must be for dumplings in the office. What use is minced fat meat?” Lu Da glared and said, “It is the Commissioner’s order. Do you dare question it?” Zheng the butcher said, “Yes, if it is needed, I will cut it.” He chose ten catties of pure fat and chopped it finely into mince, wrapped it in lotus leaves. He worked all morning until nearly breakfast. The waiter did not dare come forward, and customers buying meat did not dare approach. Zheng the butcher said, “Let someone help the commandant carry it and send it to the office.” Lu Da said, “I also want ten catties of soft bone, also finely chopped into mince, with no meat at all.” Zheng the butcher laughed. “You are deliberately making a fool of me.” When Lu Da heard this, he stood up, grabbed the two packages of mince, stared at Zheng the butcher, and said, “I came especially to make a fool of you!” He raised the two packages and threw them in Zheng the butcher’s face. The mince showered over him like rain. Zheng the butcher’s anger shot to the sky. The fire rose from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He could not hold back his rage. He grabbed a boning knife from the meat block and jumped down. Commandant Lu had already stepped out into the main street. The neighbors and butcher shop assistants did not dare come forward to stop them. Passersby stopped to watch, and the waiter was frozen with fear.

Zheng the butcher held the knife in his right hand and reached out with his left to grab Lu Da. Commandant Lu seized his left hand, stepped forward, and kicked him in the belly. Zheng the butcher fell flat in the street. Lu Da stepped forward, planted his foot on Zheng the butcher’s chest, raised a fist as big as a vinegar jar, and said to Zheng the butcher, “When I first joined the Old General Zhong, I rose to be inspector of the five routes of Guanxi. Only then did I deserve to be called Lord of the Pass. You are only a pig butcher, a dog of a man, and you dare call yourself Lord of the Pass! Why did you cheat Jin Cuilian?” He punched him on the nose. Blood spurted out, and his nose was knocked crooked, like an overturned shop of oil and sauce, with salty, sour, and spicy flavors all pouring out at once. Zheng the butcher lay on the ground unable to rise, the knife thrown aside, and cried, “Well struck!” Lu Da cursed, “Rascal! You still dare talk back!” He punched him again on the eye socket and brow bone. The socket split, and the eyeball nearly came out, like an overturned stall of colored silks, with red, black, and purple blood flowing everywhere. The onlookers feared Commandant Lu and no one dared stop him. Zheng the butcher could not bear it and begged for mercy. Lu Da shouted, “Hmph! You rascal, if you had held out to the end, I would have spared you. Now that you beg for mercy, I will not spare you!” He punched again, right on the temple. The ears rang like all the instruments of a religious rite sounding together. Lu Da looked and saw Zheng the butcher lying on the ground, only breathing out, not breathing in, motionless. Commandant Lu pretended to say, “You fellow are playing dead. I will hit you again.” He saw Zheng the butcher’s face slowly change. Lu Da thought, “I only wanted to give him a good beating. I did not expect to kill him with three punches. I will be charged and imprisoned, with no one to bring me food. Better to run away early.” He turned and left, pointing back at the corpse. “You play dead. I will settle accounts with you later.” Cursing as he went, he strode away. The neighbors and Zheng the butcher’s assistants did not dare stop him.

Commandant Lu returned to his quarters, hurriedly packed clothes, travel money, and valuable silver. He left behind old and heavy clothes. He took a short staff as tall as his eyebrows, ran out the south gate, and fled swiftly.

Now Zheng the butcher’s family tried to revive him for a long time, but he was dead. The family and neighbors went straight to the prefectural office to accuse Lu Da. It happened that the prefect was holding court. He took the complaint, read it, and said, “Lu Da is a commandant in the Military Commissioner’s office.” He did not dare arrest him casually. The prefect immediately went by sedan chair to the Military Commissioner’s office, got down, and the guards went in to announce him. The Military Commissioner heard and invited the prefect into the main hall. They bowed and sat down. The Military Commissioner asked, “What is the matter?” The prefect reported, “I report to Your Excellency, the commandant Lu Da in your office has beaten to death Zheng the butcher, who sold meat in the street, for no reason. I did not dare arrest the criminal without reporting to Your Excellency.” The Military Commissioner was greatly startled and thought, “Lu Da has good martial skill, but he is rough by nature. This time he has caused a death. I cannot protect him. He must be tried according to law.” The Military Commissioner said to the prefect, “Lu Da was originally an officer under my father, the Old Commissioner. This office lacked men, so he was transferred here as commandant. Since he has committed a capital crime, you may arrest him and try him according to law. If after trial the charge is confirmed, you must report to my father before sentencing. Otherwise, if my father later wants this man on the frontier, it will be hard to explain.” The prefect said, “I will investigate the case clearly and certainly report to the Old Commissioner before passing judgment.” The prefect took leave of the Military Commissioner, returned by sedan to the prefectural office, and held court. He immediately summoned the constables and issued documents to arrest Lu Da.

Constable Wang took the official document and with more than twenty runners went to Commandant Lu’s quarters. The landlord said, “Just now he went out with a bundle on his back and a short staff in his hand. I thought it was official business and did not dare ask.” Constable Wang had the room opened. Inside were only old clothes and bedding. Constable Wang took the landlord and searched everywhere, from the south of the city to the north, but could not find Lu Da. Constable Wang brought the landlord and two neighbors back to the prefectural office and reported, “Lu Da feared punishment and fled. His whereabouts are unknown. I have brought the landlord and neighbors.” The prefect ordered these people held in custody for the time being. At the same time he summoned Zheng the butcher’s neighbors, called the coroner, the local ward official, and the village headman, and carefully examined the corpse. The Zheng family bought a coffin and laid the body out, temporarily placing it in a temple. The case file was prepared, and a deadline was set for the arrest of the murderer. The plaintiff was allowed to go home. The neighbors were given strokes for failing to stop the fight in time. The landlord and nearby neighbors were judged to have known and not reported. Lu Da was at large, and the authorities issued a nationwide wanted notice for him. A reward of one thousand strings of cash was offered. His age and native place were written down, and his portrait was drawn and posted everywhere. The persons involved were released temporarily pending summons. Zheng the butcher’s relatives handled the funeral. We need not tell this in detail.

Now Lu Da left Weizhou and fled in all directions, like:

A lone goose separated from the flock, flying high alone in the moonlight; a fish escaped from the net, leaping with the waves. He did not care whether the road was near or far, high or low. His heart was panicked; he bumped into passersby. His steps were as swift as a warhorse charging into battle.

Commandant Lu was as frantic as a homeless dog or a fish out of the net. He passed through several prefectures and counties. As the saying goes, a fugitive does not choose his road; he can settle wherever he arrives. Since ancient times it is said: when hungry, do not choose food; when cold, do not choose clothes; in danger, do not choose the road; when poor, do not choose a wife. Lu Da hurried on in panic, not knowing where to go. He walked aimlessly for more than half a month and came to Yanmen County in Daizhou. Entering the city, he saw busy streets, dense crowds, horses and carriages coming and going, and all trades and businesses flourishing. Although it was only a county town, it was more prosperous than some prefectures. As Commandant Lu walked along the road, he saw a crowd gathered at the crossroads reading a notice.

The crowd pressed together, heads bobbing, impossible to tell good from bad, rich from poor. A fat big man could not read and could only shake his head and watch. A short man stepped on others’ feet as he pushed forward. A white-haired old man leaned on a cane. A scholar copied the notice. The notice contained government laws and orders.

Lu Da saw the crowd reading the notice, squeezed into the crossroads, and also pushed in to listen. Lu Da could not read, but he heard someone beside him read the notice: “Yanmen County in Daizhou, in obedience to the command of the Taiyuan Prefecture, has received a document from Weizhou, seeking the arrest of the criminal Lu Da, who beat Zheng the butcher to death, formerly a commandant in the Military Commissioner’s office. Anyone who shelters the criminal or lets him stay overnight will be punished as an accomplice. Anyone who captures Lu Da or comes forward to inform on him will receive a reward of one thousand strings of cash.” Just as Commandant Lu heard this, someone behind him shouted, “Brother Zhang, how did you come here?” The man threw his arms around Lu Da’s waist and pulled him straight out of the crowd.

If this man had not seen him and forcibly pulled him away, Lu Da would have had to shave his head, shave his beard, change his identity, and become a monk, making all the arhats busy on his account. Later his monk’s staff would pass through countless dangerous roads, and his monk’s knife would cut down injustice in the world. Who exactly was the one who pulled Lu Da away? We will tell in the next chapter.