The Little Tyrant Drunkenly Enters the Gilded Bedchamber; The Flower Monk Makes a Great Scene at Peach Blossom Village

The Little Tyrant Drunkenly Enters the Gilded Bedchamber; The Flower Monk Makes a Great Scene at Peach Blossom Village

A poem says:

He has just left one monastery and is heading for another;  
When true friends meet, their bond is stronger than metal.  
For now he shows his might to frighten bandits;  
Then with subtle words he moves a meditating heart.  
This man’s nickname has long been the Flower Monk;  
His Dharma name is Lu Zhishen.  
When his worldly ties are done, he will attain the fruit;  
But for now, he meets no one who truly understands him.

That day, Elder Zhizhen said to Lu Zhishen, “Zhishen, you absolutely cannot stay here any longer. I have a junior fellow monk who is now abbot of the Grand Xiangguo Monastery in the Eastern Capital. His name is Chan Master Zhiqing. I will write you a letter and send you to him to seek a position as a monk in the monastery. I have calculated through the night and will give you four lines of verse. They will serve you for the rest of your life. Remember what I say today.” Lu Zhishen knelt and said, “I am willing to hear the four lines.” The elder said:

“Meet a forest and rise;  
Meet a mountain and prosper;  
Meet water and flourish;  
Meet a river and stop.”

After hearing these four lines, Lu Zhishen bowed nine times to the elder. He put his bundle, waist pouch, and food bag on his back, hid the letter on his person, took leave of the elder and all the monks, and left Mount Wutai. He went straight to the inn next to the blacksmith’s shop and waited for his monk’s staff and monk’s knife to be finished. When they were ready, he would set out. When the monks in the monastery heard that Lu Zhishen had gone, every one of them was delighted. The elder told the lay workers to repair the damaged guardian statues and the pavilion. Before many days had passed, Squire Zhao himself came to Mount Wutai with a great deal of money and goods. He had the guardian statues remade and the mid-mountain pavilion rebuilt. Of this we need not speak further.

Lu Zhishen stayed at the inn for several days until both weapons were finished. The scabbard was made, and the monk’s knife was put into it. The monk’s staff was painted and wrapped. He took some loose silver and rewarded the blacksmith. Then he put his bundle on his back, hung the monk’s knife at his side, picked up the staff, took leave of the innkeeper and the blacksmith, and set out. When people on the road saw him, they knew at once he was a wild monk. Look at him:

His black monk’s robe had both sleeves torn; the two ends of his blue round belt were tied slantwise. His three-foot monk’s knife shone cold as early spring ice in its sheath. His monk’s staff was like a white jade python carried across his shoulder. His calves were tightly bound with leggings. The bundle holding his clothes and alms bowl was tied firmly. The beard around his mouth was like hundreds of broken iron wires, and a patch of coarse hair showed on his chest. He had the face of a man who ate meat and fish, not at all the look of one who peacefully chanted sutras and worshipped Buddha.

Now Lu Zhishen left the Manjusri Monastery on Mount Wutai and hurried toward the Eastern Capital. He traveled for more than half a month. Along the way he did not stay in monasteries, but only at inns, where he lit a fire and cooked. By day he went to wine shops to buy wine and meat. On the road he ate when hungry, drank when thirsty, lodged at night, and continued at dawn. One day he was so busy enjoying the beautiful mountains and rivers that before he knew it, evening had come. He saw:

Mountain shadows deepening, the shadows of locust trees slowly fading. In the green willows, birds were heard returning to the woods; by the red apricot village, cattle and sheep were driven back to their pens. The setting sun rose with smoke and brought up a thin blue mist. Evening clouds reflected on the water and spread a red glow. An old fisherman by the stream pushed off in his boat; a country boy rode a calf home.

Lu Zhishen loved the scenery so much that he walked half a day longer than he should have. He could not reach the place where he had planned to stay, and there was no companion on the road. He did not know where to seek lodging. He walked another twenty or thirty li, crossed a wooden bridge, and far away saw a patch of red clouds. Among the trees appeared a manor, and behind it were layer upon layer of wild hills. Lu Zhishen thought, “I will have to ask for lodging at this manor.” He went straight to the front of the manor and saw dozens of farmhands busy carrying things. Lu Zhishen went to the gate, leaned on his staff, and bowed to a farmhand. The farmhand said, “Monk, it is already dark. What are you doing at our manor?” Zhishen said, “I am traveling and cannot reach a lodging place. I would like to stay one night at your honored manor and leave at dawn.” The farmhand said, “Our manor has business tonight. We cannot keep you overnight.” Zhishen said, “Just let me stay one night. I will leave tomorrow.” The farmhand said, “Monk, go quickly. Do not look for death here.” Zhishen said, “Strange! What is so serious about borrowing a night’s lodging? Why do you call it looking for death?” The farmhand said, “If you can go, go quickly. If you do not, we will tie you up here.” Lu Zhishen flew into a rage. “You country louts are too unreasonable. I have done nothing, and you want to tie me up.” Some of the farmhands cursed, some tried to calm things. Lu Zhishen raised his staff and was about to strike.

Just then an old man came out of the manor. He looked like this:

His beard was snow-white, and the hair at his temples was like frost. He walked bent and low, and when he sat, his ears were deaf and his eyes dim. He wore a warm three-peaked cap and loose four-seamed boots. A blue-green belt was tied at his waist, and he wore a fish-belly-white silk robe. He was like the local earth god before the mountain, or the old dragon king at the bottom of the sea.

The old man was nearly sixty. Leaning on a long staff, he came out and scolded the farmhands, “What are you arguing about?” The farmhands said, “This monk wants to beat us.” Zhishen said, “I am a monk from Mount Wutai, going to the Eastern Capital on business. Today I cannot reach lodging, so I came to your manor to ask for a night’s rest. These farmhands were rude and wanted to tie me up.” The old man said, “Since you are a master from Mount Wutai, come in with me.” Lu Zhishen followed the old man into the main room, and host and guest sat down. The old man said, “Do not blame the farmhands, Master. They did not know you came from a place of high religious practice and treated you like an ordinary traveler. I have always respected the Three Treasures—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Although my manor has business tonight, I will let you stay one night before you go.” Lu Zhishen leaned his staff aside, rose, bowed, and thanked him. “Thank you, patron. May I ask your honorable surname?” The old man said, “My surname is Liu. This place is called Peach Blossom Village. The villagers all call me Squire Liu of Peach Blossom Manor. May I ask your secular surname and Dharma name?” Zhishen said, “My teacher is Elder Zhizhen. He gave me the Dharma name Zhishen. My surname is Lu.” The squire said, “Master, will you eat dinner? I do not know whether you avoid meat.” Lu Zhishen said, “I do not avoid meat or wine. Clear wine or cloudy, I am not picky. Beef or dog meat, if you have it, I will eat it.” The squire said, “Since you do not avoid such things, I will have the farmhands bring wine and meat.” Soon the farmhands brought a table, set a plate of beef and three or four side dishes before Lu Zhishen, and laid out a pair of chopsticks. Zhishen untied his waist pouch and food bag and sat down. A farmhand warmed a pot of wine and poured it for him. Lu Zhishen did not stand on ceremony. In no time he finished the pot of wine and the plate of meat. Squire Liu sat opposite, watching him, dumbfounded for a long while. The farmhands brought rice, and he finished that too.

When the table was cleared, the squire said, “For now, arrange for the master to sleep in the side room outside. If there is any noise in the night, do not come out and peep.” Zhishen asked, “May I ask what business your honored manor has tonight?” The squire said, “This is not a matter for a monk to meddle in.” Zhishen said, “Why does the squire look so unhappy? Do you dislike my disturbing you? Tomorrow I will pay you for the room.” The squire said, “Master, hear me. My family often helps monks. We are not short one more. It is only that tonight my youngest daughter is taking a husband into the family, so I am worried.” Lu Zhishen laughed loudly. “When a boy grows up, he takes a wife; when a girl grows up, she marries. This is a great human matter and the proper rite of the five relationships. Why worry?” The squire said, “Master, you do not know. This marriage is not one we willingly agreed to.” Zhishen laughed. “Squire, you are a muddled man. If both sides are unwilling, why take a son-in-law into the family?” The squire said, “I have only this one daughter, nineteen this year. Near here is Peach Blossom Mountain. Recently two great chiefs have built a stronghold there, gathered five or six hundred men, and rob everywhere. The officials of Qingzhou sent troops to arrest them, but they cannot control them. They came to my manor to demand tribute. They saw my daughter and left twenty taels of gold and a bolt of red brocade as betrothal gifts. They chose tonight as an auspicious night and will come to the manor to marry into the family. I cannot argue with them, so I had to agree. That is why I am worried. It is not because I dislike you.” Lu Zhishen heard this and said, “So that is it! I have a way to make him change his mind and not marry your daughter. What do you think?” The squire said, “He is a killer who does not blink. How can you persuade him?” Zhishen said, “At Mount Wutai, under Elder Zhizhen, I learned to reason with people. Even a heart of iron or stone can be turned back. Tonight hide your daughter elsewhere. I will hide in your daughter’s room and reason with him, so that he changes his mind.” The squire said, “The idea is good, but I fear we will provoke a tiger and bring disaster.” Zhishen said, “Do I not value my life? Just do as I say and do not mention that I am here.” The squire said, “Excellent. My family is blessed to meet a living Buddha descended to earth!” When the farmhands heard, they were all astonished.

The squire asked Lu Zhishen, “Will you eat more?” Zhishen said, “No more rice. If you have wine, bring some more.” The squire said, “I have, I have.” He at once told a farmhand to bring a cooked goose and pour wine in a large bowl. Lu Zhishen drank freely, downing twenty or thirty bowls and finishing the whole goose. He told the farmhand to put his bundle in the room first. Then he picked up his monk’s staff, took his monk’s knife, and asked, “Squire, has your daughter been hidden away?” The squire said, “I have already sent my daughter to another manor next door.” Zhishen said, “Take me to the bride’s room.” The squire led him to the door and pointed. “Inside is the room.” Zhishen said, “All of you go and hide.” The squire and the farmhands all withdrew and prepared the banquet outside. Lu Zhishen moved the tables and chairs in the room aside, put his monk’s knife by the bed, leaned his staff against the bed, let down the gold-embroidered bed curtain, stripped off his clothes, jumped onto the bed, and sat there.

The squire watched the sky slowly darken. He told the farmhands to light bright lamps and candles everywhere and set a table on the threshing floor with incense, flowers, lamps, and candles. He also told them to bring large plates of meat and large pots of warmed wine. Around the first watch, they heard gongs and drums from the mountain. Squire Liu was uneasy, and all the farmhands were nervous. They went outside the manor gate to look. In the distance they saw forty or fifty torches, bright as day, and a band of men rushing swiftly toward the manor. They saw:

Mist wrapped the green mountain as a troop of fierce gods rushed out; smoke covered the woods as a crowd of evil spirits lined up. Every man had a fierce face and a hideous look. Their headwraps were deep red, and their short jackets were red as maple leaves. Pairs of long spears surrounded this little tyrant who ate human hearts and livers; pairs of clubs surrounded this evil monster who cared nothing for father or mother. The crowd shouted together, “Congratulations to the bridegroom!” The mountain heroes dismounted and came forward.

When Squire Liu saw them, he quickly told the farmhands to open the manor gate wide and went forward to welcome them. The men and horses crowded forward, weapons glittering. Red and green silk was tied to banners and spear shafts, and wild flowers were stuck carelessly in the underlings’ headwraps. In front were four or five pairs of red gauze lanterns, lighting up the chief on horseback. He was dressed like this:

He wore a pointed red headwrap with a fake silk flower stuck at his temple. He had a gold-embroidered green silk robe, a red bellyband, and a gold belt. He wore cowhide boots with cloud patterns and rode a tall, curly-haired white horse.

The chief dismounted before the manor gate. The underlings all congratulated him: “Your hat is bright—tonight you become a bridegroom. Your clothes fit well—tonight you become a son-in-law.” Squire Liu personally held a cup, poured good wine, and knelt on the ground. All the farmhands knelt too. The chief reached out and raised him up. “You are my father-in-law. Why do you kneel to me?” The squire said, “Do not say that. I am only a commoner under Your Lordship’s rule.” The chief was already seven or eight parts drunk. He laughed and said, “I am marrying into your family. I will not treat you badly. Your daughter is lucky to marry me. My elder brother, the head chief, did not come down the mountain. He told me to send you his regards.” Squire Liu offered him the wine of dismounting. They went to the threshing floor. Seeing the incense, flowers, lamps, and candles, the chief said, “Father-in-law, why such a grand welcome?” He drank three more cups, then went to the main hall and told the underlings to tie his horse to a poplar tree. The underlings struck up drums and music before the hall. The chief sat down in the main hall and called, “Father-in-law, where is my wife?” The squire said, “She is shy and does not dare come out.” The chief laughed. “Bring wine. I will drink with my father-in-law.” He drank a cup and said, “I will meet my wife first. It will not be too late to drink afterward.” Squire Liu was counting on the monk to persuade him, so he said, “I will personally lead Your Lordship there.” He took a candlestick and led the chief around the screen to the door of the bridal room. The squire pointed and said, “This is the room. Please go in by yourself, Your Lordship.” Then he took the candlestick and turned away, already thinking of his escape route, not knowing whether good or ill would come.

The chief pushed the door open. The room was pitch-black. The chief thought, “My father-in-law really knows how to save money. He did not even light a lamp in the room, leaving my wife to sit in the dark. Tomorrow I will tell an underling to bring a bucket of good oil from the stronghold and light the lamp.” Lu Zhishen sat inside the bed curtain and heard everything clearly. He held back his laughter and made no sound. The chief groped his way into the room and called, “Wife, why do you not come out to meet me? Do not be shy. From now on you will be the lady of the stronghold.” As he called her wife, he reached out and felt around. His hand touched the gold-embroidered curtain. He pulled it open and reached inside. He touched Lu Zhishen’s belly. Lu Zhishen seized his headwrap, pulled him down under the bed, and pinned him. The chief tried to struggle. Lu Zhishen clenched his fist, cursed, “Rascal!” and struck him hard on the neck below the ear. The chief cried, “Why are you beating your husband?” Lu Zhishen shouted, “Let me teach you to know your wife!” He dragged him to the bedside and beat him with fists and feet until the chief cried for help. Squire Liu was stunned. He had thought the monk was going to reason with the chief, but instead he heard cries for help from the room. The squire quickly raised a lamp and rushed in with the underlings. In the lamplight, they saw a fat monk, completely naked, sitting on the chief and beating him. The leading underling shouted, “Come quickly and save the chief!” The underlings rushed in with spears and clubs to rescue him. Lu Zhishen saw them, let go of the chief, grabbed his monk’s staff from the bedside, and swung it as he fought his way out. The underlings saw how fierce he was, shouted, and all fled. Squire Liu cried out in distress again and again. In the confusion, the chief crawled out of the room, ran to the front, found his horse, broke off a willow branch, jumped onto the horse, and whipped it with the branch. But the horse would not move. The chief cried, “Bad! Even the beast bullies me!” He looked closely and saw that in his panic he had not untied the reins. He quickly broke the reins and galloped away. When he reached the manor gate, he cursed Squire Liu, “Old thing, do not be proud! I am not afraid you will escape.” He whipped the horse twice with the willow branch, and the horse carried him up the mountain.

Squire Liu caught hold of Lu Zhishen and said, “Monk, you have ruined my whole family.” Lu Zhishen said, “Do not blame me for being rude. Bring my clothes and monk’s robe. I will put them on and then speak.” The farmhands went to the room and brought his clothes. Zhishen put them on. The squire said, “I had hoped you would reason with him and make him stop. Instead you beat him. He will surely return to the stronghold, bring a great crowd, and kill our whole family.” Zhishen said, “Do not panic, Squire. I will tell you: I am not anyone else. I was originally a commandant under the Old General Zhong, Military Commissioner of Yan’an. Because I killed a man, I became a monk. Do not speak of two bandits. Even if one or two thousand government troops came, I would not fear them. If you do not believe me, try to lift my monk’s staff.” The farmhands could not lift it. Lu Zhishen took it and swung it as easily as a lamp wick. The squire said, “Master, you must not leave. You must protect my family.” Zhishen said, “What are you saying? I will not leave even if I die.” The squire said, “Bring wine for the master, but do not let him get dead drunk.” Lu Zhishen said, “With one part wine I have one part skill. With ten parts wine I have ten parts strength.” The squire said, “That is best. I have plenty of wine and meat here. Let the master eat and drink as he likes.”

Now at Peach Blossom Mountain, the head chief was sitting in the stronghold. He was just about to send men down the mountain to see how the second chief’s marriage was going when several underlings ran back breathlessly, shouting, “Bad news, bad news!” The head chief quickly asked, “What has happened? Why are you so panicked?” The underlings said, “The second chief has been beaten and wounded.” The head chief was greatly startled. Just as he was about to question them in detail, someone reported, “The second chief has returned.” The head chief looked. The second chief’s red headwrap was gone, his green robe was torn to shreds, and he fell from his horse before the hall, crying, “Brother, save me!” The head chief asked, “What happened?” The second chief said, “I went down the mountain and entered the manor to go to the room. That old wretch had hidden his daughter and put a fat monk in the bride’s bed. I was not prepared. I pulled open the curtain and reached in, and the monk grabbed me and gave me a beating with fists and feet. I am bruised all over. Later the others came to save me, and he let go, took up his monk’s staff, and fought his way out. I barely escaped with my life. Brother, avenge me.” The head chief said, “So that is it. Go back to your room and nurse your wounds. I will go catch that bald donkey.” He ordered his men, “Saddle my horse quickly. All underlings are to come down the mountain.” The head chief mounted, took his long spear, and led all the underlings down the mountain with shouts.

Now Lu Zhishen was drinking when a farmhand came to report, “The head chief of the mountain has brought all his men.” Zhishen said, “Do not be afraid. Anyone I knock down, you just tie up and send to the authorities for the reward. Bring my monk’s knife.” Lu Zhishen took off his monk’s robe, tightened his clothes, hung the monk’s knife at his side, and strode out to the threshing floor with his staff. In the torchlight, the head chief rode to the front of the manor, raised his spear, and shouted, “Where is that bald donkey? Come out and fight to the death!” Lu Zhishen flew into a rage and cursed, “You villain, I will let you know me!” He swung his staff in a sweeping blow. The head chief blocked with his spear and shouted, “Monk, do not strike yet. Your voice sounds very familiar. Tell me your name.” Lu Zhishen said, “I am not anyone else. I am Lu Da, formerly a commandant under the Old General Zhong, Military Commissioner. Now I have become a monk, and my name is Lu Zhishen.” The head chief laughed loudly, dismounted, threw down his spear, and knelt. “Brother, have you been well? No wonder my second brother fell to you.” Lu Zhishen thought he was being tricked. He jumped back a few steps and held his staff. Then he looked closely. In the torchlight, he recognized him. It was none other than Li Zhong, the Tiger-Fighting General, the martial arts teacher who had wandered the rivers and lakes selling medicine. Among bandits, kneeling was not called kneeling but “cutting the dust,” a lucky phrase. After Li Zhong bowed, he rose and supported Lu Zhishen. “Brother, how did you become a monk?” Zhishen said, “Let us go inside first and talk.” When Squire Liu saw this, he began to cry out in distress again. “So this monk is one of them!”

Lu Zhishen went inside, put on his monk’s robe again, and went to the main hall with Li Zhong to talk over old times. Lu Zhishen sat in the seat of honor and called Squire Liu to come out. The old man did not dare come forward. Zhishen said, “Do not be afraid, Squire. He is my brother.” Li Zhong sat in the second seat, and the squire sat third. Lu Zhishen said, “You two, hear me. When I was in Weizhou, I killed Zheng the butcher with three punches and fled to Yanmen County in Daizhou. There I met Old Man Jin, whom I had once helped. The old man had not returned to the Eastern Capital. He was living in Yanmen County with an acquaintance. His daughter had married a local rich man, Squire Zhao. I met Squire Zhao, and he treated me very well. The authorities were hunting me closely, so Squire Zhao paid for me to be ordained under Elder Zhizhen at Mount Wutai. Twice I got drunk and made a scene in the monks’ hall. My teacher gave me a letter and sent me to the Grand Xiangguo Monastery in the Eastern Capital to seek a position under Chan Master Zhiqing. Because it grew late, I came to this manor to ask for lodging. I never expected to meet you, brother. Who was the man I beat just now? How did you end up as a bandit here?” Li Zhong said, “After that day at the wine shop in Weizhou, when you, I, and Shi Jin parted, the next day I heard you had killed Zheng the butcher. I went to find Shi Jin to discuss it, but could not find him. I heard the authorities were sending men to arrest me, so I fled in a panic. I passed by this mountain. The man you beat just now had earlier set up a stronghold on Peach Blossom Mountain. He is called Zhou Tong, the Little Tyrant. At first he brought men down the mountain and fought me. I defeated him, and he kept me on the mountain as chief, giving me the first seat. That is how I became a bandit here.” Zhishen said, “Since you are here, brother, let us not speak again of Squire Liu’s marriage. He has only this one daughter, and he relies on her to care for him in old age and to continue the family line. If you take her by force, the old man will have no support in his later years.” The squire was overjoyed and arranged wine and meat for the two. Each underling got two steamed buns, two pieces of meat, and a large bowl of wine, all they could eat. The squire brought out the betrothal gold and silk. Lu Zhishen said, “Brother Li Zhong, take these back. I will leave this matter to you.” Li Zhong said, “This is easy. Please, brother, come up to the stronghold for a few days. Squire Liu can come too.” The squire called farmhands to prepare a sedan chair to carry Lu Zhishen, along with his staff, monk’s knife, and luggage. Li Zhong rode a horse, and the squire sat in a small sedan.

By now it was daylight. They went up the mountain. Zhishen and the squire got out of the sedan, Li Zhong dismounted, and they invited Lu Zhishen into the stronghold. The three sat down in the Hall of Brotherhood. Li Zhong sent someone to call Zhou Tong out. When Zhou Tong saw the monk, he was angry. “Brother, instead of avenging me, you invite him up the mountain and let him sit in the seat of honor.” Li Zhong said, “Brother, do you recognize this monk?” Zhou Tong said, “If I had recognized him, I would not have been beaten by him.” Li Zhong laughed. “This monk is the very man I often told you about, Lu Da, who killed Zheng the butcher with three punches.” Zhou Tong felt his head and gave a great cry. “Aiya!” He turned and knelt. Lu Zhishen returned the bow and said, “I was rude just now. Do not take offense.” The three sat down, and Squire Liu stood to one side. Lu Zhishen said, “Brother Zhou, hear me. You did not understand the situation with Squire Liu’s marriage. He has only this daughter. His old age, his burial, and the continuation of his family line all depend on her. If you take her away, the old man will have no one. In his heart he was never willing. Listen to me: give up this marriage and find a suitable woman elsewhere. The betrothal gold and silk are here. What do you say?” Zhou Tong said, “I will do whatever you say, brother. I will never go to his house again.” Zhishen said, “A great man must not go back on his word.” Zhou Tong broke an arrow to swear an oath. Squire Liu bowed in thanks, took back the gold and silk, and went down the mountain alone to his manor.

Li Zhong and Zhou Tong killed cattle and horses and held a banquet for Lu Zhishen, who stayed several days. They took him all around the mountain to enjoy the scenery. Peach Blossom Mountain was indeed a dangerous place. It was steep and rugged on all sides, with only one small path up the mountain, surrounded by wild grass. After seeing it, Lu Zhishen said, “It is indeed a strategic place.” After a few days, Lu Zhishen saw that Li Zhong and Zhou Tong were not generous and were stingy in their ways. He wanted to go down the mountain. The two pleaded with him to stay, but Lu Zhishen would not. He only said, “I have already become a monk. How can I stay in a stronghold as a bandit?” Li Zhong and Zhou Tong said, “Since you are unwilling to become a bandit, brother, if you must go, tomorrow we will go down the mountain to rob. Whatever goods we seize, we will give all to you for travel money.” The next day, the stronghold killed pigs and sheep to prepare a farewell banquet, and gold and silver wine vessels were set on the table. Just as they were about to sit and drink, an underling reported, “Below the mountain there are two carts and more than a dozen people coming.” When Li Zhong and Zhou Tong heard this, they gathered many underlings, leaving only one or two to drink with Lu Zhishen. The two chiefs said, “Brother, drink in peace. We two will go down the mountain to seize the goods and come back to see you off.” After giving instructions, they went down the mountain with the men.

Lu Zhishen thought to himself, “These two are too stingy. They have plenty of gold and silver right here, but they will not give it to me. They insist on waiting until they rob others and then giving me what they seize. That is using other people’s goods to do a favor, while the travelers suffer. I will give them a scare.” He called the underlings left behind to pour wine. After only two cups, he suddenly rose, knocked down the two underlings with two punches, untied his belt, tied them together, and stuffed hemp walnuts in their mouths to gag them. He opened his own bundle, threw away what he did not need, took the gold and silver wine vessels from the table, flattened them, and packed them in his bundle. He put Elder Zhizhen’s letter in his bosom, hung the monk’s knife at his side, picked up his staff, put the bundle on his back, and walked out of the stronghold. At the back mountain he looked around. It was steep everywhere, with no deep grass to hide in. “If I go by the front mountain, I will surely run into them. Better to roll down from here.” First he tied the monk’s knife and bundle together and threw them down. He threw the staff down too. Then he rolled himself into a ball and tumbled all the way to the foot of the mountain without a scratch. Lu Zhishen stood up, found his bundle, hung the monk’s knife at his side, picked up his staff, and strode off toward the Eastern Capital.

Now Li Zhong and Zhou Tong went down the mountain and happened to meet those dozen or so travelers with weapons. Li Zhong and Zhou Tong raised their spears, and the underlings shouted and rushed forward. “Travelers, if you are smart, leave your road toll!” One of the travelers took up a broadsword and fought Li Zhong. They exchanged more than a dozen blows without victory or defeat. Zhou Tong grew angry, rushed forward with a shout, and all the underlings surrounded the travelers. The travelers could not resist and turned to flee. Seven or eight who were slow were stabbed to death. Li Zhong and Zhou Tong seized the goods from the carts and returned to the stronghold singing. When they entered the stronghold, they saw the two underlings tied to a pillar. All the gold and silver wine vessels on the table were gone. Zhou Tong untied the underlings and questioned them carefully. “Where did Lu Zhishen go?” The underlings said, “He knocked us down and tied us up, took many vessels, and fled.” Zhou Tong said, “That bald donkey is no good. We fell into his trap instead. Which way did he go?” They searched everywhere for traces and came to the back mountain. They saw a great patch of grass and trees flattened and rolled down. Zhou Tong looked and said, “This monk is truly an old hand. From such a steep slope, he rolled straight down.” Li Zhong said, “Let us chase him, demand the things back, and shame him.” Zhou Tong said, “Forget it. When the thief has already left, then you close the gate—where will you chase him? Even if we catch up, we cannot get the things back. If we fight, the two of us cannot beat him, and it will be awkward when we meet again. Better to let it go, so we can still meet in the future. Let us open the bundles seized from the carts and divide the gold, silver, and silk into three parts. You and I each take one, and the remaining part is reward for the underlings.” Li Zhong said, “It was I who brought him up the mountain and caused you to lose so many things. I will give you my share.” Zhou Tong said, “Brother, we live and die together. Do not be so calculating.” Let the reader remember: Li Zhong and Zhou Tong remained on Peach Blossom Mountain as bandits.

Now Lu Zhishen left Peach Blossom Mountain, walking at a fast pace. From morning until afternoon he walked about fifty or sixty li. He was hungry and could find no place on the road to eat. He thought, “I was in such a hurry this morning that I did not eat. Where can I find something?” He looked around and suddenly heard the sound of wind bells in the distance. Lu Zhishen thought, “Excellent! It is either a monastery or a Daoist temple. When the wind blows the eaves bells, they ring. I will go there and beg a vegetarian meal.”

The place Lu Zhishen went to would lead to great events: there he would cause the death of more than a dozen people, and one great fire would burn down a famous ancient holy site. Flames would rise from the golden hall, and black smoke would pour from the jade-green chambers. Which temple or monastery did Lu Zhishen go to? Listen to the next chapter.