Squire Chai Welcomes Heroes from All Under Heaven; Lin Chong Beats Instructor Hong with His Staff

Squire Chai Welcomes Heroes from All Under Heaven; Lin Chong Beats Instructor Hong with His Staff

A ci poem to the tune “Partridge in the Sky” says:

A thousand years of noble spirit gather in the Pavilion of Righteousness;  
Heroes and champions, each one astonishes.  
If Lu Zhishen had not saved Lin Chong’s life in Wild Boar Forest,  
How could Chai Jin have won such fame?  
Good men are brave, warhorses mighty;  
Meeting, they test their skills and discuss the finer points of technique.  
They stretch out hands that can seize tigers and dragons,  
Fighting strong men who can move mountains and cross seas.

Now Xue Ba raised his staff in both hands and brought it down toward Lin Chong’s head. Quick as a blink, just as Xue Ba lifted the staff, behind the pine tree came a thunderous shout. An iron monk’s staff flew out and knocked the guard’s staff aside, sending it flying far away. A big, fat monk jumped out and shouted, “I have been listening to you in the forest for a long time!” The two guards looked at the monk. He wore a black coarse monk’s robe, had a monk’s knife at his waist, and raised his staff to strike them. Lin Chong had just opened his eyes and recognized Lu Zhishen. Lin Chong quickly shouted, “Brother, do not strike! I have something to say.” Lu Zhishen heard and stopped his staff. The two guards were frozen with fear. Lin Chong said, “This has nothing to do with these two. Marshal Gao sent Inspector Lu to order them to kill me. They did not dare disobey. If you kill them, they will have died unjustly.”

Lu Zhishen drew his monk’s knife, cut all the ropes binding Lin Chong, and helped him up. He said, “Brother, ever since the day we parted after buying the sword, I have been worried about you. After you got into this lawsuit, I tried everywhere to save you but could find no way. I heard you were exiled to Cangzhou. I went to the Kaifeng Prefecture gate to look for you but could not find you. Someone said you were held in the messenger hostel. Later I saw a wine waiter invite these two guards, saying an official in the shop wanted to speak with them. I grew suspicious and could not rest easy about you. I feared these two would harm you on the road. So I followed all the way. I saw these two villains take you to an inn, and I stayed at the same inn. At night I heard them play their trick, using boiling water to scald your feet. I wanted to kill them then, but there were too many people in the inn, and I feared implicating others. Seeing these two meant evil, I grew even more anxious. When you left at the fifth watch, I ran ahead to this forest to wait, planning to kill these two. I never expected them to come here to murder you. It was the perfect chance to deal with them.” Lin Chong urged, “Since you have saved me, brother, do not take their lives.” Lu Zhishen shouted at the two guards, “You two villains! If not for my brother’s sake, I would chop you into mincemeat! Today, for my brother’s sake, I spare your lives.” He put the monk’s knife back in its sheath and shouted, “You two, help my brother and come with me!” He carried his staff and walked ahead. The two guards did not dare reply. They could only call, “Instructor Lin, save us!” They picked up their bundles again, took their staffs, supported Lin Chong, and helped carry his bundle as they followed him out of the forest. After three or four li, they saw a small wine shop at the village entrance. The four went in and sat down. Look at this wine shop:

In front it faced the post road, behind it joined a village by the stream.  
Several locust and willow trees gave thick green shade;  
Clumps of sunflowers and pomegranates showed scattered red flowers.  
Outside the gate, hemp and wheat grew lush;  
By the window, lotus flowers swayed in the wind.  
The soft wine banner fluttered in the warm breeze;  
A short reed curtain blocked the hot sun.  
By the wall, earthen jars were full of clear homemade rice wine;  
On the shelf, porcelain bottles held fragrant new wine.  
A white-haired old farmer washed the wine vessels himself;  
A young village girl smiled as she sold wine at the counter.

Lu Zhishen, Lin Chong, Dong Chao, and Xue Ba sat down in the country wine shop. They told the waiter to buy a few catties of meat, warm two jugs of wine, and bring rice and pancakes. The waiter busied himself and poured the wine. The two guards asked, “May we ask, Master, at which temple do you live?” Lu Zhishen laughed. “You two villains, why ask where I live? Do you want to tell Gao Qiu so he can come after me? Others fear him, but I do not. If I run into that Gao Qiu, I will give him three hundred blows of my staff.” The two guards did not dare speak again. After eating and drinking, they packed up, paid the bill, and left the shop. Lin Chong asked, “Brother, where will you go now?” Lu Zhishen said, “When you kill, you must see blood; when you save a man, save him to the end. I cannot rest easy about you. I will escort you all the way to Cangzhou.” The two guards groaned inwardly: “This is bad. We cannot complete our mission. How will we report back?” They had no choice but to go on with him.

Along the way, Lu Zhishen walked when he wanted and rested when he wanted. The two guards did not dare disobey in the least. If anything displeased him, he cursed them; if they did not obey, he raised his hand. The two guards did not dare speak loudly, fearing the monk’s anger. After two stages of the journey, they hired a cart. Lin Chong rode to rest his wounds, while the other three walked beside the cart. The two guards were full of schemes, only wanting to save their own lives, and carefully obeyed Lu Zhishen. Lu Zhishen bought wine and meat along the way to care for Lin Chong, and the two guards ate and drank with them. At inns they rested early and set out late. Lighting fires and cooking were all done by the two guards. Who dared disobey? The two spoke privately: “We are watched closely by this monk. When we go back, Marshal Gao will surely not spare us.” Xue Ba said, “I heard that a monk named Lu Zhishen has newly come to the vegetable garden of the Grand Xiangguo Monastery. It must be him. When we go back, we will report truthfully: we meant to finish Lin Chong in Wild Boar Forest, but this monk saved him and escorted him all the way to Cangzhou, so we had no chance to act. We will return the ten taels of gold and let Lu Qian deal with the monk himself. We only need to keep ourselves clean.” Dong Chao said, “You are right.” The two whispered their plan and said no more.

To make a long story short, Lu Zhishen followed them closely, never leaving them for a moment. After seventeen or eighteen days, they were only about seventy li from Cangzhou. Along this road there were houses everywhere, and no more lonely, dangerous places. Lu Zhishen found out clearly and rested a while in a pine forest. He said to Lin Chong, “Brother, we are not far from Cangzhou. Ahead the road is full of homes, with no quiet places. I have found out clearly. Now I will part with you. We will meet again another day.” Lin Chong said, “When you go back, brother, you can tell my father-in-law. For this kindness of protection, even if I die, I will repay it well in the future.” Lu Zhishen took out twenty or thirty taels of silver and gave them to Lin Chong. He also took out two or three taels and handed them to the two guards. “You two villains, I should have cut off your heads on the road. For my brother’s sake, I spare your lives. There is not much road left. Do not hatch any more evil plans.” The two quickly said, “We would not dare again. It was the marshal who ordered us.” They took the silver and prepared to part. Lu Zhishen looked at the two guards and asked, “Are your two villainous heads harder than this pine tree?” They answered, “Our heads are only skin and bone.” Lu Zhishen swung his staff and struck the pine tree. He made a dent two inches deep, and the pine broke in half at the trunk. He shouted, “You two, if you harbor any more evil thoughts, your heads will be like this tree!” He waved his hand, dragged his staff, said, “Brother, take care!” and turned to leave alone.

Dong Chao and Xue Ba were so startled that their tongues hung out and would not go back in for a long time. Lin Chong said, “Guards, let us go on.” The two guards said, “What a wild monk! One blow broke a big tree!” Lin Chong said, “What is that? At the Xiangguo Monastery he pulled a willow tree up by the roots.” The two shook their heads repeatedly. Only then did they know it was true. The three left the pine forest and walked until noon. Far ahead by the official road they saw a wine shop.

A lonely village by the old road, a wine shop open by the wayside.  
By the willows, a colored wine banner hung in the morning;  
In the apricot village, a blue door curtain fluttered in the wind.  
On the wall were painted Liu Ling drunk and lying before the bed, Li Bai asleep in wine.  
The fragrance of wine drew travelers from their horses;  
The smell reached three houses nearby;  
The flavor tempted boatmen to stop and taste; the aroma drifted ten li.  
Farmhouse wine strengthened the courage of farmers; homemade brew added color to old men.  
It was said immortals once left jade pendants here; nobles and officials would also stop.

The three entered the shop. Lin Chong asked the two guards to sit in the seats of honor. Dong Chao and Xue Ba finally relaxed a little that half day. The shop was full of wine and meat. Five or six waiters bustled about. Lin Chong and the two guards sat for half an hour, but no waiter came to serve them. Lin Chong grew impatient and knocked on the table. “You shopkeeper bully your guests. Because I am a prisoner, you ignore me. I will not eat without paying. What sort of behavior is this?” The shopkeeper said, “You do not know my good intention.” Lin Chong said, “Not selling me wine and meat—how is that a good intention?” The shopkeeper said, “You do not know. In our village there is a rich man named Chai Jin, known as Squire Chai, nicknamed Little Whirlwind. He is a direct descendant of Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou. At the Chenqiao Mutiny, the Chai family willingly yielded the empire, and Emperor Taizu granted the Chai family an iron certificate of pardon. Who dares bully him? He specially welcomes heroes from all under heaven. Often thirty or fifty men stay at his manor. He often tells us shopkeepers: if you meet an exiled prisoner in your shop, send him to my manor, and I will help him. If I sell you wine and meat now, and you eat and drink your fill, and you still have money, then Squire Chai will not help you. That is my good intention.” When Lin Chong heard this, he said to the two guards, “When I was an instructor in the Eastern Capital, I often heard soldiers speak of Squire Chai. I never expected he was here. Why not go seek him?” Dong Chao and Xue Ba thought, “Since that is so, it will do us no harm.” So they packed their bundles and asked the shopkeeper, “Where is Squire Chai’s manor? We are just going to find him.” The shopkeeper said, “Just ahead. Walk two or three li. Turn at the large stone bridge. That big compound is his.” Lin Chong and the others thanked the shopkeeper and left. After two or three li, they indeed saw a large stone bridge. Across the bridge was a broad, level road. Under the shade of willows appeared a great manor. Around the manor was a wide moat, with tall weeping willows on both banks. Outside the trees was a whitewashed wall. They turned to the manor gate. It was a great compound.

The main gate faced the road and backed onto green hills.  
Ten thousand peach trees bloomed like the Peach Blossom Spring of Wuling;  
A thousand flowers bloomed like the Golden Valley Garden.  
In the Hall of Gathering Worthies, rare flowers bloomed in all four seasons;  
Before the Hall of a Hundred Flowers, the scenery was like spring all year.  
In the great hall hung a gold plaque granted by the emperor;  
The family kept an iron certificate of pardon.  
Red walls and green tiles, high halls in tiers;  
Carved beams and painted rafters, truly an elegant mansion.  
In righteous generosity he surpassed the ancient Zhuo Mao;  
In welcoming talent he outdid Lord Mengchang of the Warring States.

The three came to the front of the manor. On the broad plank bridge sat four or five farmhands cooling off. The three went to the bridge and bowed to the farmhands. Lin Chong said, “Please, brother, announce to the squire that Lin Chong, an exiled prisoner from the Eastern Capital, has come to see him.” The farmhand said, “You are out of luck. If the squire were home, he would reward you with wine, meat, and money. But he went hunting early this morning.” Lin Chong asked, “When will he return?” The farmhand said, “No telling. He might stay at the eastern manor overnight. I cannot say.” Lin Chong said, “Then I have no luck and no chance to meet him. Let us go.” They took leave of the farmhands and went back the way they came, feeling very depressed. After more than half a li, they saw a troop of horsemen burst from the woods in the distance.

Every man looked heroic; each was a true man.  
Dozens of fine horses neighed in the wind;  
Two or three colored banners faced the sunlight.  
Blue felt caps rose like upturned lotus leaves;  
Red tassels bloomed like lotus flowers.  
In flying-fish bags were light bows with gold tracery;  
In lion quivers were neatly arranged eagle-feather arrows.  
They led several slender hounds for hunting deer;  
They carried several pairs of goshawks for catching rabbits.  
Falcons strained at their leashes; eagles waited for their masters.  
Long spears flashed cold light by the saddles;  
War drums on the saddles sounded now and then.  
Birds caught in the hunt were tied by the horses;  
Beasts taken in the hills were held in their hands.  
Their spirit was like the King of Jin going beyond the frontier,  
Or Emperor Wu of Han hunting at Changyang.

The troop galloped back to the manor. In the middle was an official riding a snow-white curly-haired horse. The rider had clear brows and fine eyes, white teeth and red lips, and three wisps of beard. He was about thirty-four or thirty-five. He wore a black gauze flowered headwrap, a purple robe with an embroidered dragon cloak, a jeweled belt at his waist, and black court boots with gold thread and green trim. He carried a bow and arrows and returned to the manor with his men. Lin Chong looked and thought, “Could this be Squire Chai?” He did not dare ask directly and hesitated. Then the young official on horseback urged his horse forward and asked, “Who is this man wearing a cangue?” Lin Chong quickly bowed and answered, “I am Lin Chong, instructor of the Imperial Guard in the Eastern Capital. I offended Marshal Gao and was sentenced by the Kaifeng Prefecture to be tattooed and exiled to Cangzhou. I heard people at the wine shop ahead say that Squire Chai here welcomes the worthy and welcomes guests. I came specially to seek him, but unfortunately did not meet him. I report this truthfully to you.” The official dismounted, stepped quickly forward, and said, “Chai Jin has failed to welcome you from afar.” There on the grass he bowed to Lin Chong. Lin Chong quickly returned the bow. Chai Jin took Lin Chong’s hand and led him into the manor. When the farmhands saw this, they opened the main gate wide. Chai Jin invited Lin Chong into the main hall. The two bowed and sat down. Chai Jin said, “I have long heard your great name, Instructor. I never expected you to come to my humble home today. At last my long admiration is satisfied.” Lin Chong answered, “I am a man of low station. I have long heard that your good name spreads throughout the world and that all men respect you. I never expected that, having been convicted and exiled here, I could meet you. It is truly a blessing from a former life!” Chai Jin repeatedly deferred and asked Lin Chong to sit in the guest seat. Dong Chao and Xue Ba also sat. Chai Jin’s attendants led the horses to the rear courtyard. Of this we need not speak. Chai Jin called the farmhands to set out wine. Before long, several farmhands brought a plate of meat, a plate of cakes, a jug of warm wine, and another plate holding a peck of white rice with ten strings of cash on top. They set it all before them. When Chai Jin saw it, he said, “The country servants do not know proper measure. The instructor has come from afar. How can we treat him so poorly! Take it back. First bring fruit and fine wine. Kill a sheep at once and prepare a feast. Hurry!” Lin Chong rose and thanked him. “Squire, there is no need for such generosity. This is already more than enough. I am very grateful.” Chai Jin said, “Do not be so polite. It is rare for the instructor to come here. How can I be stingy?” The farmhands did not dare disobey. They first brought out fruit and fine wine. Chai Jin rose and personally poured three cups. Lin Chong thanked Chai Jin and drank. The two guards also drank with them. Chai Jin said, “Instructor, please come inside and sit a while.” Chai Jin put aside his bow and arrows and invited the two guards to drink as well. Chai Jin sat in the host’s seat, Lin Chong in the guest seat, and the two guards beside Lin Chong. They talked of matters of the rivers and lakes.

Before they knew it, the sun was setting in the west. Wine, dishes, fruit, and seafood were all set out and brought to each person. Chai Jin personally raised his cup and toasted them three rounds. He sat down and said, “Bring soup.” After a bowl of soup and a few cups of wine, a farmhand reported, “Instructor Hong has come.” Chai Jin said, “Ask him to come sit with us. Bring another table quickly.” Lin Chong rose and looked. A martial instructor came in, his headwrap worn askew, chest out and belly proud, and entered the rear hall. Lin Chong thought, “The farmhands call him instructor, so he must be the squire’s teacher.” He quickly bowed and said, “Lin Chong pays his respects.” The man paid no attention at all and did not return the bow. Lin Chong did not dare raise his head. Chai Jin pointed at Lin Chong and said to Instructor Hong, “This is Lin Chong, instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards’ spear and staff in the Eastern Capital. You two should meet.” When Lin Chong heard this, he bowed to Instructor Hong. Instructor Hong said, “No need to bow. Get up.” But he did not bend or return the bow. Chai Jin saw this and was very displeased. Lin Chong bowed twice, rose, and invited Instructor Hong to the seat of honor. Instructor Hong did not decline at all and sat directly in the highest seat. Chai Jin was even more displeased. Lin Chong had to sit beside him. The two guards also sat. Instructor Hong asked, “Squire, why are you treating an exiled prisoner so well today?” Chai Jin said, “This man is different. He is an instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards. How can you, Teacher, slight him?” Instructor Hong said, “Squire, you are too fond of spear and staff. Often exiled prisoners come to attach themselves to you, all claiming to be martial arts masters, coming to the manor to cheat wine, meat, and money. Why do you take them so seriously?” Lin Chong heard this and said nothing. Chai Jin said, “You cannot judge a man only by his looks. Do not underestimate him.” When Instructor Hong heard this, he jumped up. “I do not believe he has real skill. If he dares compete with me in staff fighting, then I will acknowledge him as a true instructor.” Chai Jin laughed. “Good, good. Instructor Lin, what do you say?” Lin Chong said, “I would not dare.” Instructor Hong thought to himself, “This man surely does not know martial arts. He is afraid.” So he kept provoking Lin Chong to fight. Chai Jin, on one hand, wanted to see Lin Chong’s skill, and on the other, wanted Lin Chong to beat Instructor Hong and take down his arrogance. Chai Jin said, “Drink first. When the moon rises, we will compete.”

The others drank a few more cups. The moon had risen, and the great hall was bright as day. Chai Jin rose and said, “Two instructors, compete with staffs.” Everyone crowded into the open ground behind the hall. A farmhand brought a bundle of staffs and put them on the ground. Instructor Hong took off his outer robe, tied up his clothes, picked up a staff, took a stance, and shouted, “Come, come!” Chai Jin said, “Instructor Lin, please compete.” Lin Chong said, “Squire, do not laugh at me.” He picked up a staff from the ground and said, “Teacher, please instruct me.” Instructor Hong looked at Lin Chong as if he wanted to swallow him whole. Lin Chong held his staff, used the Shandong Great Pound technique, and attacked forward. Instructor Hong swung his staff down to meet him. The two instructors fought in the moonlight. The scene was splendid. What is the Shandong Great Pound?

Shandong Great Pound, Hebei Spear-Trap.  
The Great Pound staff rushed out as if from a fish cave;  
The Spear-Trap staff was drawn as if from a python’s nest.  
The Great Pound staff was like a strange tree pulled up by the roots;  
The Spear-Trap staff was like dry vines rolling over the ground.  
Two dragons fighting for a pearl in the sea,  
A pair of tigers fighting for food before a cliff.

The two instructors fought in the moonlight. After four or five bouts, Lin Chong suddenly jumped out of the fight and shouted, “Stop a moment!” Chai Jin said, “Instructor, why do you not use your real skill?” Lin Chong said, “I concede.” Chai Jin said, “The victory is not yet decided. Why concede?” Lin Chong said, “I am wearing a cangue, so count me as defeated for now.” Chai Jin said, “It was I who was careless.” He laughed and said, “That is easy.” He called a farmhand to bring ten taels of silver. Chai Jin said to the two escort guards, “May I trouble you two to open Instructor Lin’s cangue for now. Whatever happens later in the prison camp, I, Chai Jin, will take responsibility. Here is ten taels of white silver.” Dong Chao and Xue Ba saw Chai Jin’s extraordinary bearing and did not dare refuse. They both did him a favor and got ten taels of silver, and they were not afraid Lin Chong would escape. Xue Ba at once opened the protective cangue on Lin Chong. Chai Jin was delighted. “Now the two instructors can compete again.”

Instructor Hong had just seen Lin Chong withdraw and thought Lin Chong’s skill was poor. He looked down on him and picked up his staff for another fight. Chai Jin shouted, “Wait.” He called a farmhand to bring out a silver ingot of twenty-five taels and placed it before them. Chai Jin said, “The competition between the two instructors is no ordinary matter. This ingot of silver will be the prize. Whoever wins takes the silver.” Chai Jin wanted Lin Chong to show his true skill, so he deliberately threw the silver on the ground. Instructor Hong already hated Lin Chong and also wanted to win this big ingot of silver. He did not want to lose face. He picked up his staff and took a stance called “Setting the Fire to the Sky.” Lin Chong thought, “Squire Chai wants me to beat him.” He also raised his staff and took a stance called “Parting the Grass to Seek the Snake.” Instructor Hong shouted, “Come, come!” and brought his staff down at Lin Chong’s head. Lin Chong stepped back. Instructor Hong rushed forward and struck again. Lin Chong saw that his footwork was already disordered. He flicked his staff up from the ground. Instructor Hong could not dodge in time. Lin Chong turned with the motion, and his staff swept across Instructor Hong’s shinbone. Instructor Hong’s staff flew from his hand, and he fell flat on the ground. Chai Jin was very pleased and ordered wine poured in celebration. Everyone laughed loudly. Instructor Hong could not get up for a long time. The farmhands laughed as they helped him up. Instructor Hong, covered in shame, left the manor by himself.

Chai Jin took Lin Chong’s hand and returned to the rear hall to continue drinking. He had the prize silver given to Lin Chong. Lin Chong would not accept it, but after refusing repeatedly, he had to take it. Chai Jin kept Lin Chong at the manor for several days, entertaining him with good wine and food every day. After five or six more days, the two guards urged him to set out. Chai Jin prepared a farewell banquet. He wrote two letters and instructed Lin Chong, “The prefect of Cangzhou is on good terms with me. The camp commander and the camp officer of the prison camp are also friends of mine. Take these two letters to them, and they will certainly look after you.” He also gave Lin Chong a large silver ingot of twenty-five taels and gave five taels of silver to the two guards. They drank all night. Early the next morning, after breakfast, a farmhand carried the three men’s luggage. Lin Chong put the cangue back on and took leave of Chai Jin. Chai Jin saw them to the manor gate and said, “In a few days I will send someone with winter clothes for you, Instructor.” Lin Chong thanked him. “I do not know how to repay your kindness, Squire.” The two guards also thanked him. The three set out for Cangzhou.

At noon they reached Cangzhou city. Though the city was not large, it had markets and streets. The three went straight to the prefectural office and handed in the document. In the great hall Lin Chong paid his respects to the prefect. The authorities accepted Lin Chong, wrote a reply, and sent him to the prison camp. The two guards received the reply and took leave to return to the Eastern Capital. Of this we need not speak further. Lin Chong was sent to the prison camp. Look at this prison camp:

The gate was tall, the walls strong, the grounds broad, the moat deep.  
By the Hall of the Heavenly King, two rows of weeping willows were green as smoke;  
Before the inspection hall, a stretch of green pines was verdant.  
Those coming and going were all strong men;  
Those entering and leaving were all brave fellows.  
Here were hidden warriors like Nie Zheng and Jing Ke,  
And recluses like Zhuan Zhu and Yu Rang.

The Cangzhou prison camp took in Lin Chong and assigned him to a single cell to await roll call. Many prisoners came to see him and said, “The camp commander and the camp officer here are very cruel. They extort money. If you give them silver and favors, they treat you well. If you have no money, they throw you into the earthen prison, where you can neither live nor die. If you give them benefits, when you first arrive you need not receive the hundred blows of the authority-establishing rod. You can say you fell ill on the road and be excused for the time being. If you do not give benefits, that hundred blows will beat you half to death.” Lin Chong said, “Thank you, brothers, for your advice. If I want to give money, how much is appropriate?” They said, “To do it properly, five taels for the camp commander and five taels for the camp officer will make everything secure.” Just then the camp officer came over and asked, “Which one is the newly arrived exile?” Lin Chong stepped forward and answered, “I am.” The camp officer saw that Lin Chong did not immediately produce silver. His face changed, and he pointed at Lin Chong and cursed, “You thieving exile! Why do you not kneel when you see me? You only give a casual bow. No wonder you got into trouble in the Eastern Capital. You are still so arrogant before me. I see you have the face of poverty and will never rise. You tough prisoner who cannot be beaten to death or crushed, you thieving bone, now that you have fallen into my hands, I will have you ground to powder. I will show you what I can do soon.” Lin Chong was cursed until he could not raise his head and did not dare reply. The other prisoners saw this and scattered.

After the camp officer finished cursing, Lin Chong took out five taels of silver and said with a smile, “Brother Camp Officer, a small gift. Do not think it too little.” The camp officer looked at the silver and asked, “Is this for me, and is there also some for the camp commander?” Lin Chong said, “These five taels are for you, Brother Camp Officer. There are another ten taels. Please give them to the camp commander.” When the camp officer saw the silver, he smiled at Lin Chong. “Instructor Lin, I have long heard your great name. You are truly a hero. It must be Marshal Gao who framed you. Though you suffer for now, you will surely rise later. With your reputation and looks, you are no ordinary man. In the future you will surely become a great official.” Lin Chong laughed. “I rely on your care, Brother Camp Officer.” The camp officer said, “Rest easy.” Lin Chong also took out Squire Chai’s letters and said, “Please, brother, help deliver these two letters.” The camp officer said, “With letters from Squire Chai, what is there to worry about? One of these letters is worth an ingot of gold. I will deliver them for you. When the camp commander calls your name later and wants to give you the hundred blows of the authority-establishing rod, just say you caught an illness on the road and have not recovered. I will answer for you and fool the outsiders.” Lin Chong said, “Thank you for your guidance.” The camp officer took the silver and letters and left the single cell. Lin Chong sighed. “Money can make ghosts turn the mill. That saying is not false. The prison is truly bitter.” It turned out the camp officer secretly kept five taels of silver for himself and took only five taels and the letters to see the camp commander. He reported, “Lin Chong is a hero. Squire Chai wrote a letter recommending him. He was framed by Marshal Gao and exiled here. He has no grave crime.” The camp commander said, “Since Squire Chai has written, we must look after him.” He sent someone to summon Lin Chong.

Lin Chong was sitting gloomily in his single cell when the guard called, “The camp commander is calling the newly arrived prisoner Lin Chong for roll call in the great hall.” Lin Chong heard the summons and went to the great hall. The camp commander said, “You are a newly arrived exile. Emperor Taizu set the rule that new prisoners receive a hundred blows of the authority-establishing rod. Guards, prepare to punish him.” Lin Chong reported, “I caught a cold on the road, and my illness is not yet healed. I beg you to postpone the punishment.” The camp officer said nearby, “This man is indeed ill. I beg Your Honor to forgive him.” The camp commander said, “Since he is ill, we will record it and beat him when he recovers.” The camp officer said, “The prisoner watching the Hall of the Heavenly King has completed his term. Lin Chong can take his place.” The great hall wrote the document. The camp officer took Lin Chong back to the single cell to get his luggage and go to the Hall of the Heavenly King for the handover. The camp officer said, “Instructor Lin, I have done my best to help you. Watching the Hall of the Heavenly King is the easiest job in the camp. Morning and evening you only burn incense and sweep the floor. Look at other prisoners: they work from morning to night without rest. Prisoners with no connections are thrown into the earthen prison, where they can neither live nor die.” Lin Chong said, “Thank you for your care.” He also took out two or three taels of silver for the camp officer. “Please, brother, help me again and open the cangue on my neck.” The camp officer took the silver and said, “Leave it to me.” He immediately reported to the camp commander and had Lin Chong’s cangue removed. From then on Lin Chong lived in the Hall of the Heavenly King, burning incense and sweeping the floor every day. Before he knew it, forty or fifty days passed. The camp commander and camp officer had received benefits, and after spending time together, they let Lin Chong come and go freely and no longer guarded him strictly. Squire Chai also sent someone with winter clothes and gifts. Many prisoners in the camp also received help from Lin Chong.

To make a long story short, it was nearly deep winter. One morning Lin Chong happened to walk out of the prison camp to stroll. As he walked, someone behind him called, “Instructor Lin, how did you come to be here?” Lin Chong turned and saw this person. This meeting nearly cost Lin Chong his life in the midst of danger; on a snowy road he nearly suffered grave injury. It would lead to troops gathering at Wanzi City and a great banner rising at Liangshan Marsh. Who exactly did Lin Chong see? Listen to the next chapter for the answer.