The Beautiful Beard Wisely Restrains the Winged Tiger; Song Gongming Secretly Releases Chao the Heavenly King

The Beautiful Beard Wisely Restrains the Winged Tiger; Song Gongming Secretly Releases Chao the Heavenly King

A poem says:

No bond is closer than brothers;  
Only after wine does one speak the truth.  
If He Qing had not cared for his own brother,  
How would He Tao have learned the names of the robbers?  
To indulge bandits and encourage villainy lets the thieves slip away;  
To beat the grass and startle the snake makes the matter hard to accomplish.  
All because of one ordinary document,  
The heroes of Liangshan are drawn out.

Now Inspector He Tao said to his younger brother He Qing, “This ingot of silver is the government reward. I am not using silver to coax you. There will be a heavy reward afterward. Brother, tell me quickly: how did these robbers come to be recorded in your随身 document bag?” He Qing took out a folded little notebook from his document bag, pointed at it, and said, “All these robbers are written down in here.” He Tao asked, “Tell me how they came to be written in it.”

He Qing said, “I will not hide it from you, brother. A while ago I lost all my money gambling and had not a coin for travel. A fellow gambler took me to Peace Village, fifteen li north of the city. There is a Wang Family Inn there. I helped copy documents in the inn and gambled a little on the side. The authorities had issued an order that every innkeeper in the district must keep a register stamped by the government. Every night when travelers came to stay, the innkeeper had to ask clearly: where they came from, where they were going, their surname and name, and what business they were in, and copy it all into the register. The government checked it once a month, and the innkeeper had to report to the village headman. The waiter in the inn was illiterate, so he asked me to copy for him for half a month. On the third day of the sixth month, seven date merchants pushing seven Jiangzhou wheelbarrows came to stay. I recognized the leader. He was Squire Chao of East Creek Village in Yuncheng County. How did I know him? I had once followed an idler to seek him out, so I knew him. When I wrote in the register, I asked, ‘What is your honorable surname, guest?’ A man with three wisps of beard and a fair face answered first: ‘Our surname is Li. We come from Haozhou and are carrying dates to the Eastern Capital to sell.’ I wrote it down as he said, but I was somewhat suspicious. The next day they left. The innkeeper took me to the village to gamble. At a three-way crossroads we saw a man carrying two buckets. I did not know him, but the innkeeper greeted him: ‘Brother Bai, where are you going?’ The man answered, ‘I am carrying vinegar to sell to a rich household in the village.’ The innkeeper told me, ‘This man is Bai Sheng, the Daytime Rat. He is a gambler too.’ I kept this matter in mind. Later, rumors spread everywhere: a band of date merchants at Yellow Earth Ridge had drugged everyone with knockout powder and robbed the birthday gifts. I guessed the leader could be none other than Squire Chao. Now if we catch Bai Sheng, one interrogation will clear up the whole truth. This little notebook is my copy.” He Tao was overjoyed. He immediately took his brother He Qing to the prefectural office to see the prefect. The prefect asked, “Is there a lead in the case?” He Tao reported, “There is a slight clue.”

The prefect invited them into the rear hall and questioned them in detail. He Qing explained everything clearly. The prefect at once sent eight runners with He Tao and He Qing by night to Peace Village. They made the innkeeper lead the way and rushed straight to Bai Sheng’s house. It was already the third watch. The runners made the innkeeper trick Bai Sheng into opening the door and lighting a lamp. They heard Bai Sheng groaning on the bed. When they asked his wife, she said, “He has a fever and cannot sweat.” The runners dragged Bai Sheng up from the bed. His face was now red, now white. They tied him with ropes and shouted, “You did a fine thing at Yellow Earth Ridge!” Bai Sheng refused to confess. The runners also tied up his wife, but she too would not confess. The runners searched the house for stolen goods. Under the bed they found the ground uneven. They dug less than three feet and gave a great shout. Bai Sheng turned pale. A package of gold and silver was dug out of the earth. The runners immediately covered Bai Sheng’s head and face, took his wife, carried the stolen goods, and hurried back to Jizhou city by night. At the fifth watch, Bai Sheng was brought to the great hall, tightly bound, and questioned about who was the chief conspirator. Bai Sheng stubbornly refused to name Chao Gai and the other seven. He was beaten three or four times until his skin split and blood flowed. The prefect shouted, “The informant has already confessed, the stolen goods have been found, and the runners all know the chief criminal is Squire Chao of East Creek Village in Yuncheng County. How can you deny it? Tell us quickly who the other six are, and we will stop beating you.” Bai Sheng held out a while, but could not bear the torture, and confessed: “The leader is Squire Chao. He brought six others. They told me to carry wine. I do not really know the six.” The prefect said, “That is easy. Once we catch Squire Chao, the whereabouts of the other six can be found.” First Bai Sheng was put in a twenty-catty death-cell cangue. His wife was also chained and thrown into the women’s prison. The prefect at once wrote documents and sent He Tao with twenty capable runners straight to Yuncheng County, ordering the county to arrest Squire Chao and the other six unnamed chief criminals. He also brought the two aides who had escorted the birthday gifts to help identify the criminals. Inspector He and his party were warned not to make noise and let word leak. They hurried by night to Yuncheng County. First they hid the runners and the two aides in an inn. He Tao took only one or two men with him to deliver the documents and went straight to the Yuncheng County office.

It was already after nine in the morning. The magistrate’s morning session had just ended, and the county office was quiet. He Tao went to the teahouse opposite the county office, sat down, and waited while drinking tea. After a cup, he asked the teahouse waiter, “Why is the county office so quiet today?” The waiter said, “The magistrate’s morning session has just broken up. The runners and petitioners have all gone to eat and have not returned.” He Tao asked again, “Which clerk is on duty today?” The waiter pointed outside and said, “The clerk on duty is coming.” He Tao looked and saw a clerk come out of the county office. The man looked like this:

His eyes were like a red phoenix’s; his eyebrows like sleeping silkworms.  
His earlobes were heavy as pearls; his eyes black and bright.  
His lips were square, his beard neat; his forehead broad, his head flat, his face full.  
Seated, he had the bearing of a tiger; walking, he was like a wolf.  
He was about thirty years old, with a heart that could save ten thousand men;  
Six feet tall, with a plan in his breast to pacify the world.  
He was born to match a star in heaven, gathering the spirit of heaven and earth;  
Descended into the world, he embodied the spirit of mountains and rivers.  
His spirit was high, his breast broad.  
In writing documents he surpassed Xiao He; in fame he did not yield to Lord Mengchang.

This clerk was surnamed Song, named Jiang, courtesy name Gongming, third in his family. His home was Song Family Village in Yuncheng County. Because his skin was dark and he was short, people called him Black Song Jiang. Because he was filial to his parents, righteous, and generous with wealth, they also called him the Filial and Righteous Black Third Son. His father was still alive; his mother had died early. He had a younger brother named Song Qing, the Iron Fan, who stayed in the village with their father, Old Squire Song, farming and keeping the family property. Song Jiang served as a clerk in Yuncheng County. He was skilled in documents and familiar with office rules. He also loved spear and staff and had learned many martial arts. All his life he loved to befriend heroes of the rivers and lakes. Whenever anyone came to him, no matter high or low, he took them in, kept them at his manor with food and lodging, and accompanied them all day without impatience. When a guest wanted to leave, he did his best to give him money. He spent freely and looked on wealth as mud. When people came to borrow money or ask for things, he never refused. He was always willing to settle disputes and save people’s lives. He often gave coffins and medicine, relieved the poor, and helped people in danger. Therefore his fame was great in Shandong and Hebei. People called him the Timely Rain, like rain falling just in time from heaven to save all things. A ci poem to the tune “Immortals by the River” praises Song Jiang:

Born a village clerk and minor official,  
His spirit matched a heavenly star.  
Righteous and generous, his ability was high.  
Filial to his parents, his fame among heroes spread far.  
Generous to the weak, his good name was clear as the moon.  
Everywhere people praised this timely rain.  
In Shandong, Hu Baoyi;  
The hero Song Gongming.

At that time Song Jiang came out of the county office gate with one attendant. Inspector He met him in the street and called, “Clerk, please come have tea.” Song Jiang saw he was dressed like a runner and quickly bowed. “Where does my honored brother come from?” He Tao said, “Please, Clerk, come into the teahouse and talk.” Song Gongming said, “As you say.” The two entered the teahouse and sat down. They told their attendants to wait at the door. Song Jiang said, “May I ask my honored brother’s honorable surname?” He Tao answered, “I am He Tao, arrest inspector of Jizhou Prefecture. May I ask the clerk’s great name?” Song Jiang said, “My eyes are poor, and I do not know you, Inspector. Forgive me. I am Song Jiang.” He Tao at once bowed. “I have long heard your great name and have never had the chance to meet you.” Song Jiang said, “I do not deserve it. Inspector, please take the seat of honor.” He Tao said, “I am only a subordinate. How dare I sit above you?” Song Jiang said, “You are from a superior office and have come from afar.” After they politely declined several times, Song Jiang sat in the host seat and He Tao in the guest seat. Song Jiang ordered, “Waiter, bring two cups of tea.” Soon tea came. They drank and set the cups on the table.

Song Jiang said, “Inspector, what official business brings you to our county?” He Tao said, “To tell you the truth, Clerk, I have come to your honored county to arrest several important criminals.” Song Jiang asked, “Is it a bandit case?” He Tao said, “Here is a sealed document. I will trouble you, Clerk, to handle it.” Song Jiang said, “You are sent from a superior office on official business. How dare I delay? What important robbery is it?” He Tao said, “You are in charge of documents, Clerk, so there is no harm in telling you. At Yellow Earth Ridge in our Jizhou, a band of robbers, eight in all, drugged the fifteen soldiers escorting Grand Secretary Liang’s birthday gifts to Grand Preceptor Cai, and robbed eleven loads of gold, silver, and jewels worth one hundred thousand strings. We have now caught the accomplice Bai Sheng, and he has confessed that the seven chief criminals are all in your honored county. The Grand Preceptor’s office has sent a man to wait at Jizhou for the result. I hope you will handle it quickly.” Song Jiang said, “Never mind an order from the Grand Preceptor’s office; even if you brought the document yourself, Inspector, how would I dare not arrest them? But do you know the names of the seven Bai Sheng confessed?” He Tao said, “I will not hide it from you, Clerk. The leader is Squire Chao of East Creek Village in this county. The other six accomplices are unknown. Please take it to heart.” When Song Jiang heard this, he was greatly shocked and thought, “Chao Gai is my sworn brother. He has committed a capital crime. If I do not save him, once he is caught, his life is lost.” He was alarmed inwardly, but said outwardly, “That wicked, stubborn squire Chao Gai—no one in the county, high or low, likes him. Now that he has committed this crime, it is good that he be punished!” He Tao said, “I beg you, Clerk, to handle it at once.” Song Jiang said, “This is not hard. It is like catching a turtle in a jar. There is only one thing: this sealed document must be handed in by you in person at the great hall. Only after the magistrate reads it can he order the arrest. I dare not open it myself. This case is no small matter and must not be leaked.” He Tao said, “You are wise, Clerk. Please take me to see the magistrate.” Song Jiang said, “The magistrate has handled business all morning and is tired and resting. Wait a little, Inspector. When the magistrate holds court, I will come for you.” He Tao said, “I beg you, Clerk.” Song Jiang said, “It is my duty. No need for such thanks. I will go home and settle a little family matter, then return. Please sit here, Inspector.” He Tao said, “Please go, Clerk. I will wait here.”

Song Jiang rose, went out of the teahouse room, and told the waiter, “Put that official’s tea bill on my account.” He left the teahouse and hurried to his lodging. He told his attendant, “You go wait at the teahouse door. If the magistrate holds court, calm that runner and tell him the clerk will come soon and ask him to wait a little longer.” Song Jiang himself saddled a horse in the stable, led it out the back gate, took a whip, mounted, and rode slowly out of the county town. Once out the east gate, he whipped the horse twice, and it flew toward East Creek Village. In less than half an hour, he reached Chao Gai’s manor. A farmhand saw him and went in to announce him. Truly:

The righteous Song Gongming,  
Truly befriended heroes.  
Once the secret plot leaked,  
Six men fled by night for their lives.

Now Chao Gai was drinking with Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and Liu Tang under the grape arbor in the rear garden. The three Ruan brothers had taken their money and returned to Stone Tablet Village. The farmhand reported that Clerk Song had come. Chao Gai asked, “How many attendants did he bring?” The farmhand said, “He came alone on horseback and says he must see the squire urgently.” Chao Gai said, “Something must have happened.” He hurried out to meet him. Song Jiang bowed with hands clasped, took Chao Gai’s hand, and went into a small side room. Chao Gai asked, “Why have you come in such haste, Clerk?” Song Jiang said, “Brother, I have risked my life to save you. The Yellow Earth Ridge case has been exposed! Bai Sheng has been caught and thrown into the Jizhou death prison. He has confessed you seven. Jizhou has sent Inspector He with men, carrying the Grand Preceptor’s document and the prefectural papers, to Yuncheng County to arrest you seven, saying you are the leader. Luckily the case fell into my hands! I made the excuse that the magistrate was resting and told Inspector He to wait in the teahouse opposite. So I rode here to warn you. Brother, of the thirty-six stratagems, running away is the best. If you do not run quickly, what are you waiting for? I will go back and take him to the hall to hand in the document. The magistrate will soon send men by night to arrest you. Do not delay for a moment. If something happens, it will be beyond repair. Do not blame me for not doing my best to save you.” Chao Gai was greatly shocked and said, “Brother, this great kindness will be hard to repay!” Song Jiang said, “Say no more, brother. Pack quickly and flee. Do not delay. I must go back.” Chao Gai said, “Of the seven, Ruan the Second, Ruan the Fifth, and Ruan the Seventh have taken their share and returned to Stone Tablet Village. The other three are here. You should meet them.” Song Jiang came to the rear garden. Chao Gai pointed to the three and said, “This is Scholar Wu; this is Gongsun Sheng from Jizhou; this is Liu Tang from Donglu Prefecture.” Song Jiang bowed briefly, turned, and left, warning, “Take care, brother. Flee quickly! I am going back.” Song Jiang went out the front of the manor, mounted, whipped his horse, and hurried back to the county town.

Chao Gai said to Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and Liu Tang, “Do you know the man who just came?” Wu Yong said, “Why did he leave in such haste? Who is he?” Chao Gai said, “You three do not know. If he had not come to warn us, our lives would be lost at once!” The three were shocked. “Has the news leaked? Has the case been exposed?” Chao Gai said, “Thanks to this brother, who risked beheading to warn us! Bai Sheng is already in the Jizhou death prison and has confessed us seven. Jizhou sent Inspector He with men, carrying the Grand Preceptor’s document, to Yuncheng County to arrest us seven. He kept the runner waiting in the teahouse and rode here first to warn us. When he goes back and hands in the document, troops will soon come by night to arrest us. What shall we do?” Wu Yong said, “If he had not warned us, we would all have fallen into the net. Who is this great benefactor?” Chao Gai said, “He is the clerk of this county, Hu Baoyi Song Jiang.” Wu Yong said, “I have only heard Clerk Song’s name; I have never met him. Though he lives not far away, I have had no chance. Gongsun Sheng and Liu Tang asked together, “Is he the Timely Rain Song Gongming of whom the rivers and lakes speak?” Chao Gai nodded. “It is he. He and I are sworn brothers. Scholar Wu has not met him. Truly, throughout the four seas his reputation is deserved. To have such a brother is worth the journey.” Chao Gai asked Wu Yong, “The matter is urgent. How shall we escape?” Scholar Wu said, “Brother, there is no need to discuss. Of the thirty-six stratagems, running away is the best.” Chao Gai said, “Clerk Song also told us to flee quickly. But where shall we go?” Wu Yong said, “I have already thought it out. We will pack five or six loads of goods, set out together, and go to the three Ruan brothers at Stone Tablet Village.” Chao Gai said, “The Ruan family are only fishermen. How can they shelter so many of us?” Wu Yong said, “Brother, you are not careful enough. Beyond Stone Tablet Village is Liangshan Marsh. The stronghold is now very powerful, and government troops do not dare provoke it lightly. If the pursuers press us hard, we will go up the mountain and join them!” Chao Gai said, “That thought suits me exactly. I only fear the stronghold will not take us in.” Wu Yong said, “We have plenty of gold and silver. If we send them a share, we can join.” Chao Gai said, “Since that is so, it is settled. There is no time to lose! Scholar Wu, you and Liu Tang take several farmhands and carry the loads to the Ruan family first. Then meet us on the main road. Master Gongsun and I will finish packing and follow.” Wu Yong and Liu Tang divided the robbed gold, silver, and jewels into five or six loads and told five or six farmhands to eat and drink. Wu Yong hid his copper chains in his sleeve; Liu Tang carried his broadsword. Escorting five or six loads of goods, a dozen men hurried to Stone Tablet Village. Chao Gai and Gongsun Sheng stayed at the manor to pack. Farmhands who did not wish to flee were given some money and told to find another way. Those willing to go packed their luggage and goods. A poem says:

The Grand Preceptor’s document went down to the prefecture;  
Chao Gai was about to meet great disaster.  
If Song Jiang had not secretly sent word,  
The seven men could not have escaped this calamity.

Now Song Jiang rode back to the county town and went at once to the teahouse. Inspector He was looking out the door. Song Jiang said, “Forgive me for keeping you waiting, Inspector. A relative from the village came to my lodging with some family business, so I was delayed.” He Tao said, “I beg you, Clerk, take me to see the magistrate.” Song Jiang said, “Please enter the county office, Inspector.” The two entered. It happened that Magistrate Shi Wenbin was handling business in the great hall. Song Jiang took the sealed document and led Inspector He to the desk. He told the attendants to put up the “avoid” sign. Song Jiang came forward and reported, “Jizhou Prefecture has sent an urgent bandit-case document. They have sent Arrest Inspector He Tao to deliver it.” The magistrate took it, opened it, read it on the spot, and was greatly shocked. He said to Song Jiang, “This is a case where the Grand Preceptor’s office has sent a man to wait for a reply. These robbers must be arrested at once.” Song Jiang said, “Arresting people in daylight easily leaks news. Better to send men by night. Once Squire Chao is caught, the other six can be traced.” Magistrate Shi said, “Squire Chao of East Creek Village—I heard he is a hero. How could he do such a thing?” He at once summoned the county lieutenant and the two captains, Zhu Tong and Lei Heng. These two were no ordinary men!

Zhu Tong and Lei Heng came to the rear hall, received the magistrate’s order, and mounted with the county lieutenant. They went to the military office and gathered more than a hundred infantry, archers, and soldiers. With Inspector He and the two aides to identify the criminals, that night they all took ropes and weapons. The county lieutenant rode, the two captains rode, each with a waist knife and bow and arrows, carrying broadswords. Infantry and archers surrounded them front and back. They went out the east gate and headed straight for Chao Gai’s manor in East Creek Village. When they reached East Creek Village, it was already the first watch. The group gathered at Guanyin Nunnery. Zhu Tong said, “Ahead is Chao Gai’s manor. His house has two roads, front and back. If we all attack the front gate, he will escape by the back gate. If we all surround the back gate, he will run out the front. I know Chao Gai’s martial skill is high, and the other six must not be ordinary either. These men are desperate characters. If they all fight their way out, with the farmhands helping them, we will be hard pressed to stop them. We can only make a noise in the east and attack in the west, throw them into confusion, and then act. Better that Captain Lei and I divide into two groups. I will take half the men on foot and lie in ambush at the back gate. When you hear my whistle, rush in through the front gate and catch whoever you see.” Lei Heng said, “That will do. Captain Zhu, you and the county lieutenant go in the front gate. I will cut off the rear.” Zhu Tong said, “Brother, you do not understand. Chao Gai’s manor has three escape paths. I know them well from ordinary times. I will go to the back gate. I can find the way without a torch. You are not familiar with his escape routes. If we let the criminals go, it will be no small matter.” The county lieutenant said, “Captain Zhu is right. Take half the men.” Zhu Tong said, “About thirty men will be enough.” Zhu Tong took ten archers and twenty soldiers and set out first. The county lieutenant mounted again. Lei Heng placed archers and infantry in front and behind to protect the county lieutenant. Soldiers with steel forks, broadswords, and hook-spears raised twenty or thirty torches and rushed together toward Chao Gai’s manor. When they were still more than half a li away, they saw fire rise from Chao Gai’s manor. The great hall was burning. Black smoke filled the sky, and flames shot up. Before they had gone a few dozen steps, fires broke out at the front and back gates. The great fire blazed. Lei Heng went ahead with his broadsword, soldiers shouting, and broke open the manor gate. They rushed into the courtyard. The firelight was bright as day, but there was not a single person. They only heard shouts from the rear, calling for the front to intercept the robbers. It turned out Zhu Tong meant to let Chao Gai go. He had deliberately sent Lei Heng to attack the front gate. Lei Heng also wanted to let Chao Gai go. He had originally wanted to guard the back gate, but Zhu Tong’s words persuaded him, and he had to attack the front. He deliberately made a great noise, making a show in the east and attacking in the west, forcing Chao Gai to flee quickly.

When Zhu Tong reached the back of the manor, Chao Gai had not finished packing. The farmhands saw the government troops and reported to Chao Gai, “The soldiers are here! We cannot delay!” Chao Gai told the farmhands to set fires everywhere. He and Gongsun Sheng, with a dozen farmhands willing to follow, gave a great shout, raised their broadswords, and charged out the back gate. Chao Gai shouted, “Those who block me die; those who avoid me live!” Zhu Tong called from the shadows, “Do not run, Squire! Zhu Tong has been waiting for you a long time.” Chao Gai had no time to answer. He and Gongsun Sheng fought desperately to break out. Zhu Tong made a feint and opened a path, letting Chao Gai escape. Chao Gai told Gongsun Sheng to take the farmhands and go first, while he brought up the rear. Zhu Tong called the infantry to rush in through the back gate and shouted, “Chase the robbers forward!” Lei Heng heard the shout, turned, ran out the manor gate, and told the soldiers to split up and chase. Lei Heng stood in the firelight, looking east and west, pretending to search. Zhu Tong left the soldiers and chased Chao Gai with his sword. Chao Gai said as he ran, “Captain Zhu, why do you keep chasing me? I have done you no harm.” Zhu Tong, making sure no one was behind him, lowered his voice and said, “Squire, can you not see my intention? I feared Lei Heng would be stubborn and show no mercy, so I tricked him into attacking the front gate. I guarded the back gate and waited for you to come out, then let you go. See how I deliberately opened a path for you. Do not go elsewhere. Only Liangshan Marsh can shelter you.” Chao Gai said, “This life-saving kindness I will repay another day.” A poem says:

Why did the thief-catching officer secretly help the thief?  
Only because in his heart he respected righteousness.  
The captain had already opened a way of life;  
How could Inspector He win great merit?

Zhu Tong was still chasing when he heard Lei Heng shout behind him, “Do not let the robbers get away!” Zhu Tong told Chao Gai, “Do not panic, Squire. Just keep going. I will draw him off.” Zhu Tong turned and shouted, “Three robbers have run down the eastern path! Captain Lei, chase them quickly!” Lei Heng took his men and chased toward the eastern path. Zhu Tong kept talking to Chao Gai while following him, as if escorting him. In the darkness, Chao Gai gradually went far away and disappeared. Zhu Tong deliberately slipped and fell. The soldiers came and helped him up. Zhu Tong said, “It is too dark to see the road. I stepped into the field and slipped. My left leg is sprained.” The county lieutenant said, “The chief criminal has escaped. What shall we do?” Zhu Tong said, “It is not that I would not chase him. It is too dark at night. There is truly no way. These soldiers are few and not much use. We dare not press hard after them.” The county lieutenant again told the soldiers to chase. The soldiers thought, “Both captains could not stop the robbers. What use are we?” They pretended to chase a while and came back saying, “It is dark. We do not know which road the robbers took.” Lei Heng also chased around and came back. He thought, “Zhu Tong is friendly with Chao Gai. He most likely let him go on purpose. There is no need for me to play the villain. I also wanted to let Chao Gai go. Now that he is gone, the favor does not fall to me. Chao Gai is not a man to provoke.” So he reported, “How could we catch them? These robbers are highly skilled!”

The county lieutenant and the two captains returned to the front of the manor. It was already the fourth watch. Inspector He saw the men scattered and exhausted. They had chased all night and caught not one robber. He cried out in distress, “How can I go back and explain to the Jizhou prefect!” The county lieutenant could only arrest a few neighbors and take them back to Yuncheng County.

The magistrate had not slept all night and was waiting for the report. When he heard that all the robbers had escaped and only a few neighbors had been caught, he questioned the neighbors in court. The neighbors reported, “Although we live near Squire Chao, some of us are two or three li away, and some are separated by villages. His manor often had martial men coming and going. How could we know he was doing such a great robbery?” The magistrate questioned them one by one, insisting on the robbers’ whereabouts. One close neighbor reported, “If you want the details, you must question his farmhands.” The magistrate said, “I hear the farmhands fled with him.” The neighbor said, “There are also those who did not want to go and are still in the village.” The magistrate at once sent men with the neighbor to guide them to East Creek Village. In less than two hours, they caught two farmhands. In the great hall they were questioned. At first the farmhands denied it, but could not bear the beating and confessed: “At first six men plotted together. I only know the village teacher Scholar Wu, the Quanzhen Daoist Gongsun Sheng, and a dark-faced big man surnamed Liu. The other three were found by Scholar Wu. Their surname is Ruan, and they live in Stone Tablet Village. They are three fishing brothers. This is the truth.” The magistrate recorded the confession, handed the two farmhands to Inspector He, and wrote a detailed document to report to Jizhou Prefecture. Song Jiang worked from within to have the neighbors released on bail pending summons.

The group took the two farmhands and hurried back to Jizhou by night. It happened that the prefect was holding court. He Tao brought the men forward and reported how Chao Gai had burned his manor and escaped, and repeated the farmhands’ confession. The prefect said, “Since that is so, bring Bai Sheng up again.” He asked, “Those three surnamed Ruan—where exactly do they live?” Bai Sheng could not bear the questioning and confessed: “The three Ruan brothers—Ruan the Second, the Standing Earthly Titan; Ruan the Fifth, the Short-Lived Second Brother; and Ruan the Seventh, the Living King of Hell—all live in Stone Tablet Lake Village.” The prefect asked, “What are the names of the other three?” Bai Sheng confessed: “Wu Yong, the Resourceful Star; Gongsun Sheng, the Dragon in the Clouds; and Liu Tang, the Red-Haired Demon.” The prefect heard this and said, “Since the names are known, send Bai Sheng back to prison.” He then ordered Inspector He to take men to Stone Tablet Village to arrest these robbers.

When Inspector He went to Stone Tablet Village, it would lead to great events. Shandong would be shaken, and Hebei thrown into turmoil. The Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Demons of Liangshan would meet in wind and cloud; Liangshan Marsh would gather a great band of heroes. Thirty-six heroes would assemble, and seventy-two demons would descend. How Inspector He went to Stone Tablet Village to arrest the robbers—listen to the next chapter for the answer.