Zhu Gui Shoots the Signal Arrow from the Water Pavilion; Lin Chong Goes to Liangshan on a Snowy Night

Zhu Gui Shoots the Signal Arrow from the Water Pavilion; Lin Chong Goes to Liangshan on a Snowy Night

A ci poem says:

Heaven in anger overturned the silver sea and scattered a curtain of pearls.  
Snowflakes fell thick and rolling, filling the mountain gullies.  
Like white tigers running mad, like white unicorns raging, tearing the pearl cords.  
Like jade dragons fighting one another, their scales flying everywhere.  
Who remembers the soldiers far off at the frontier, frozen stiff, white snow covering their banners?  
Snow shone on spears, cold light shook swords, and killing intent filled the camp.  
Brave soldiers together discussed military strategy.  
Simply drink deep and get drunk, looking up at the vast empty sky.

This ci is titled “Hundred-Character Song.” It was written by Wanyan Liang of the Jin dynasty, specially to describe great snow and give vent to the killing spirit in his breast. Now we continue with that hero of the Eastern Capital, surnamed Lin, named Chong, nicknamed Panther Head. Because of this great snow, he nearly lost his life.

That night Lin Chong lay drunk in the snow, unable to move. The farmhands came and tied him up, then escorted him to a certain manor. A farmhand came out from the courtyard and said, “The squire has not yet risen.” So they hung Lin Chong high under the gate tower. When dawn came and Lin Chong sobered up, he opened his eyes and saw it was a very large manor. Lin Chong shouted, “Who dares hang me here?” Hearing the shout, the farmhands came out from the gatehouse with sticks and scolded, “You fellow, you still dare talk back!” The old village elder whose beard had been burned said, “Enough talk with him. Just beat him! When the squire rises, we will question him properly.” The farmhands all set upon Lin Chong. Bound as he was, he could not fight back and could only shout, “It is all right, I have words to clear this up!” Then a farmhand ran up and called, “The squire is coming!” Lin Chong looked up and saw an official come out with his hands behind his back. Standing under the corridor, he asked, “Whom are you beating?” The farmhand answered, “Last night we caught a rice thief.” The official came closer and saw it was Lin Chong. He quickly shouted the farmhands back, untied the ropes himself, and asked, “Instructor, why are you hanging here?” When the farmhands saw this, they all scattered. Lin Chong saw it was none other than Chai Jin and quickly called, “Squire, save me!” Chai Jin said, “How did you end up here, Instructor, insulted by these country people?” Lin Chong said, “It is a long story.” The two went inside and sat down. Lin Chong told the whole story from beginning to end: the burning of the forage depot and the killing of Lu Qian and the others. After hearing it, Chai Jin sighed, “Brother, your fate is truly hard! But there is a good chance today. Rest easy. This is my eastern manor. Stay here a while, and we will think of something.” Chai Jin called a farmhand to bring a set of clothes and had Lin Chong change from head to foot. He invited him into a warm room, sat him down, and prepared wine and food. And so Lin Chong stayed at Chai Jin’s eastern manor for five or seven days.

The camp commander of the Cangzhou prison camp reported to the authorities that Lin Chong had killed the camp officer, Inspector Lu, and Fu An and had burned the great army forage depot. The prefect was greatly shocked. He at once issued documents and ordered the constables to post Lin Chong’s portrait in every village, town, inn, and hamlet, offering a reward of three thousand strings of cash for the capture of the chief criminal Lin Chong. The hunt grew tighter, and the matter spread through every village.

When Lin Chong heard this news at Squire Chai’s eastern manor, he could not sit still. When Chai Jin returned to the manor, Lin Chong said, “It is not that you are unwilling to keep me, Squire, but the authorities are hunting too closely and searching house to house. If they search your manor, it will implicate you. Thanks to your righteousness, I beg you to lend me some travel money. I will go elsewhere to find shelter. If I do not die, I will repay you like a horse or an ox.” Chai Jin said, “Since you must go, brother, I know a place. I will write a letter of recommendation for you. What do you think?”

When a hero’s luck is bad, he is trapped wherever he goes.  
If Chai Jin had not written a letter of recommendation, how could Lin Chong have made his name at Liangshan Marsh?

Lin Chong said, “If I can receive such help from you, Squire, and have a place to stay, where do you want me to go?” Chai Jin said, “It is a watery region under the jurisdiction of Jizhou in Shandong, called Liangshan Marsh. It is more than eight hundred li around. In the middle are Wanzi City and Liao’er Marsh. Three heroes now occupy the mountain and have built a stronghold there. The head chief is Wang Lun, the White-Robed Scholar. The second is Du Qian, Touch the Sky. The third is Song Wan, Cloud-Capped Vajra. These three chiefs have gathered seven or eight hundred underlings and rob travelers. Many who have committed great crimes flee there to escape disaster, and they take them all in. These three chiefs are on good terms with me, and we often exchange letters. I will write a letter now. How would it be if you went there to join them?” Lin Chong said, “If I can receive such care from you, nothing could be better. I am deeply grateful.” Chai Jin said, “Only at the Cangzhou pass the authorities have now posted a wanted notice and sent two officers to guard and question travelers. You must pass through there.” Chai Jin bowed his head and thought, then said, “I have a way to get you through the pass.” Lin Chong said, “If you can help me escape safely, I will never forget your kindness until death.” Chai Jin first arranged for a farmhand to carry the luggage and wait outside the pass. Chai Jin prepared twenty or thirty horses, took bows, arrows, swords, and spears, and brought falcons and hounds. The group dressed as hunters and put Lin Chong among them. They all mounted and rode toward the pass.

The officers guarding the pass sat above it. They all knew Squire Chai. One of them had once been a guest at Chai Jin’s manor before taking office, and they were acquainted. The officer rose and said, “Squire, you are going out hunting again.” Chai Jin dismounted and asked, “Why are you two gentlemen here?” The officer said, “The prefect of Cangzhou has issued documents and posted portraits to arrest the criminal Lin Chong. We were specially sent to guard here. All travelers must be questioned before they are allowed through.” Chai Jin laughed. “Among my group here is Lin Chong. How is it you did not recognize him?” The officer laughed too. “Squire, you understand the law. You would not secretly bring a criminal through the pass. Please mount and go.” Chai Jin laughed again. “Then I will trouble you two. When I catch some game, I will send you some.” They took leave of each other, and the group mounted and went through the pass. After fourteen or fifteen li, they saw the farmhand who had gone ahead waiting by the road. Chai Jin told Lin Chong to dismount, take off the hunting clothes, and change into his own clothes brought by the farmhand. He tied on his waist knife, put on his red-tasseled felt hat, put his bundle on his back, took up his long sword, bowed farewell to Chai Jin, and set out alone.

After parting with Squire Chai, Lin Chong traveled for more than ten days. It was deep winter. Dark clouds gathered, the north wind howled, and great snow fell thickly from the sky. Before he had gone twenty li, the earth was one sheet of silver.

Deep winter was cold and dim, and the road was hard.  
The long sky was bright with snow, and distant mountains were buried.  
The wild wind rolled up snow like cotton, flake after flake falling on the woods.  
Cold air wet the tea smoke, and boats lay still on the river.  
Towers and roofs were pressed with white snow; pine gullies coiled like jade dragons.  
Green pines were hung with snow like coral and jewels.  
Thin branches showed faintly in the wind and snow; by the water a lone boat, one man fishing alone in the great snow.  
The village was cold and desolate, with little joy anywhere.

Lin Chong pressed on through the snow. It grew colder, and the day slowly darkened. Far ahead he saw a wine shop by the lake, covered in snow.

The thatched hut was wrapped in white snow, its eaves like jade.  
Dozens of old trees were bare; several small windows tightly shut.  
The sparse fence seemed dusted with white powder; the yellow earth wall seemed painted with rouge.  
Thousands of willow catkins drifted to the door; countless goose feathers blew the wine banner.

When Lin Chong saw the wine shop, he quickly went in, lifted the reed curtain, and entered. There were seats everywhere. Lin Chong chose a place and sat down. He leaned his long sword aside, put down his bundle, took off his felt hat, and hung up his waist knife. A waiter came and asked, “How much wine would you like, guest?” Lin Chong said, “Bring two measures first.” The waiter brought two measures of wine in a bucket and set it on the table. Lin Chong asked, “What dishes do you have to go with the wine?” The waiter said, “There is raw and cooked beef, fat goose, and tender chicken.” Lin Chong said, “First cut two catties of cooked beef.” Soon the waiter brought a large plate of beef and several side dishes, set out a large bowl, and poured wine for Lin Chong. After Lin Chong had drunk three or four bowls, he saw a man in the shop walk to the door with his hands behind his back and look at the snow. The man asked the waiter, “Who is drinking here?” Lin Chong looked at him. He wore a thick-brimmed warm hat, a sable jacket, and short roe-deer skin boots. He was tall and powerfully built, with a square face and three strands of yellow beard. He was scratching his head and watching the great snow outside.

Lin Chong told the waiter to keep pouring and said to him, “You drink a bowl too.” The waiter drank a bowl. Lin Chong asked, “How far is it from here to Liangshan Marsh?” The waiter answered, “It is only a few li to Liangshan Marsh, but it is all water. There is no land route. To go there, you must take a boat.” Lin Chong said, “Can you find me a boat?” The waiter said, “In such heavy snow and with night falling, where would I find a boat?” Lin Chong said, “I will give you silver. Please find a boat to ferry me across.” The waiter said, “I truly cannot find one.” Lin Chong was worried. He drank a few more bowls, full of bitterness. Suddenly he remembered: “In the past I was an instructor of the Imperial Guard in the capital. I roamed the city, drank, and enjoyed myself. Who would have thought that today I would be framed by Gao Qiu, tattooed on the face, exiled to Cangzhou, unable to return home, with nowhere to go, so lonely and desolate?” His heart was sad. He borrowed brush and ink from the waiter and, moved by the wine, wrote eight lines of five-character verse on the white wall of the shop:

Righteousness is Lin Chong,  
Most simple and loyal in conduct.  
His fame spreads through the rivers and lakes;  
Generous, he gathers heroes.  
His life is like floating duckweed,  
His fame like a rolling tumbleweed.  
If one day he gains his will,  
His power will shake Mount Tai!

After writing the poem, Lin Chong put down the brush and went on drinking. As he drank, the man who had been watching the snow came up, seized Lin Chong by the waist, and said, “You are very bold! You committed a monstrous crime in Cangzhou and dared come here. The authorities offer three thousand strings of cash for you. What do you intend to do?” Lin Chong said, “Who do you think I am?” The man said, “You are Lin Chong!” Lin Chong said, “My surname is Zhang.” The man laughed. “Do not talk nonsense. Your name is written on the wall, and you have a tattoo on your face. How can you deny it?” Lin Chong said, “Do you really mean to arrest me?” The man laughed. “Why would I arrest you? Come inside with me and talk.” The man released him. Lin Chong followed him to a water pavilion in the back. The man told the waiter to light a lamp. He bowed to Lin Chong, and they sat facing each other. The man asked, “Just now I saw you asking about the road to Liangshan Marsh and looking for a boat. That is a stronghold of bandits. What are you going there for?” Lin Chong said, “To tell you the truth, the authorities are hunting me too closely, and I have nowhere to stay. I am going specially to join the heroes of the stronghold. That is why I want to go.” The man said, “If that is so, someone must have recommended you to the mountain.” Lin Chong said, “Squire Chai of Henghai Commandery in Cangzhou recommended me.” The man said, “Do you mean Squire Chai?” Lin Chong said, “How do you know?” The man said, “Squire Chai is deeply friendly with the chiefs of the stronghold, and they often exchange letters. When Wang Lun was down on his luck, he and Du Qian went to Chai Jin. Chai Jin kept them at his manor for a long time and gave them travel money when they left. He is a benefactor of the stronghold.” When Lin Chong heard this, he quickly bowed. “I had eyes but did not recognize Mount Tai. May I ask your great name?” The man quickly returned the bow and said, “I am one of Chief Wang’s men who gathers information. My surname is Zhu, my name Gui. I am from Yishui County in Yizhou. The stronghold sent me to open a wine shop here to watch travelers. When I meet rich merchants, I send word up the mountain. Lone travelers with no money are allowed to pass. When rich guests come, the lighter cases are drugged with knockout powder, and the heavier cases are killed outright. Good meat is dried, and fat is rendered for lamp oil. Just now I saw you asking about Liangshan Marsh, so I did not dare act. Then I saw your name written on the wall. People from the Eastern Capital have spoken of your heroic deeds before. I never expected to meet you today. Since you have a letter from Squire Chai, and your fame has spread through the rivers and lakes, Chief Wang will surely value you.” He at once told the waiter to bring the wine and food the stronghold used to entertain heroes. Lin Chong said, “How can I trouble you with such hospitality? I am truly embarrassed.” Zhu Gui said, “The stronghold prepares wine and food for heroes. Whenever a hero passes, I am told to entertain him. You have come to join us, Brother. How would I dare be neglectful?” Soon fish, meat, wine, and dishes were set out. The two drank in the water pavilion until midnight. Lin Chong asked, “How can we get a boat to ferry me up the mountain?” Zhu Gui said, “There are boats here. Rest easy, brother. Stay here tonight. At the fifth watch I will call you and we will set out together.”

The two rested separately. At the fifth watch, Zhu Gui personally woke Lin Chong. They washed and rinsed, drank a few more cups, and ate some meat. It was not yet light. Zhu Gui opened the window of the water pavilion, took out a magpie-painted bow, fitted a whistling arrow, and shot it toward the reeds opposite. Lin Chong asked, “What does that mean?” Zhu Gui said, “That is the stronghold’s signal arrow. In a moment a boat will come.” Before long, from the reeds and lake opposite, three or five underlings rowed a fast boat straight to the water pavilion. Zhu Gui took Lin Chong, his weapons, and luggage aboard. The underlings rowed toward the water marsh, heading for Golden Sand Beach. Lin Chong looked out. The eight-hundred-li Liangshan Marsh was indeed a dangerous place to hide.

The mountains raised great waves; the lake joined the sky.  
Countless reeds were like millions of spears; strange trees like layer upon layer of swords and halberds.  
The outer defenses of the water stronghold were piled from human bones;  
The bowls and ladles in the stronghold were made from skulls.  
Human skin was peeled to cover war drums; hair was cut to make reins.  
To block government troops, there were beheaded waterways everywhere;  
To stop outsiders, there were steep mountain forests.  
Pebbles were piled like mountains; bamboo spears were thick as rain.  
War boats came and went, with ambushes everywhere in the reeds;  
In deep harbors, boats hid among the grass and trees.  
Above the Broken Gold Pavilion hung sorrowful clouds; before the Hall of Righteousness was killing intent.

The underlings rowed the boat to the shore of Golden Sand Beach. Zhu Gui and Lin Chong went ashore. The underlings carried the luggage and weapons, and the two heroes walked toward the stronghold. The underlings rowed the boat back into a small harbor. Lin Chong looked at the shore. On both sides were great trees two arm-spans thick. Halfway up the mountain was the Broken Gold Pavilion. Going farther up, he saw the main gate of the stronghold. Before the gate were placed swords, spears, halberds, bows, arrows, and lances, and around it were piled rolling logs and stones. The underlings first went up to announce them. The two entered the pass. On both sides of the road were ranks of men and banners. They passed two more passes before reaching the gate of the stronghold. Lin Chong saw high mountains on all sides, three strong passes, and in the middle a level area about three or five hundred zhang wide. Against the mountain mouth was the main gate, with side rooms on both sides. Zhu Gui brought Lin Chong to the Hall of Righteousness. In the middle chair sat Wang Lun, with Du Qian on the left and Song Wan on the right. Zhu Gui and Lin Chong came forward and bowed. Lin Chong stood beside Zhu Gui. Zhu Gui said, “This is Lin Chong, instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards in the Eastern Capital. He was framed by Marshal Gao, tattooed and exiled to Cangzhou. Later the forage depot burned. He killed three men and fled to Squire Chai’s manor. Squire Chai greatly respects him and specially wrote a letter recommending him to join us.” Lin Chong took the letter from his bosom and handed it up. Wang Lun opened it and read it. He invited Lin Chong to sit in the fourth chair and Zhu Gui in the fifth. He told the underlings to pour wine and toasted them three times, asking after Squire Chai. Lin Chong answered, “Squire Chai spends his days hunting in the countryside for amusement.”

Wang Lun chatted a while, but inwardly he was calculating: “I am only a scholar who failed the examinations. In a fit of anger I came here with Du Qian and became a bandit. Later Song Wan came too, and we gathered so many men. My own skill is not great, and Du Qian and Song Wan are only average fighters. If I take in Lin Chong now, he is an instructor of the Imperial Guard and must be highly skilled. If he sees that we are not his match and seizes the stronghold, how could we resist? Better to find an excuse and send him down the mountain, lest he leave trouble behind. It is only that this wrongs Chai Jin and forgets his old kindness. But now I cannot worry about that.”

Everyone admired Instructor Lin;  
Chai Jin’s recommendation of a worthy was rare.  
Laughable was Wang Lun’s narrow heart;  
He would rather refuse Lin Chong than keep him.

Wang Lun told the underlings to prepare a banquet and invited Lin Chong to eat. The chiefs drank together. When the banquet was nearly over, Wang Lun called the underlings to bring a gift: fifty taels of silver and two bolts of silk. Wang Lun rose and said, “Squire Chai recommended you to join our stronghold, Instructor. But our stronghold lacks grain, our houses are humble, and our manpower is thin. I fear we would hold back your future. I am truly embarrassed. Please accept this small gift and seek shelter in a larger stronghold. Do not take offense.” Lin Chong said, “Three chiefs, hear me: I have come a thousand li to throw myself on your mercy, relying on Squire Chai’s face, to join your great stronghold. Though my skill is limited, I hope you will take me in. I am willing to fight and die for the stronghold with no selfish intent. That would be the luck of my life. I did not come for silver. Please consider it clearly, chiefs.” Wang Lun said, “Our place is small. How could it hold you? Do not take offense!” Zhu Gui saw this and urged, “Elder brother, forgive my bluntness. Though the stronghold’s grain is not much, the nearby villages and towns can supply it. The mountain forests and waters have plenty of timber. Even a thousand rooms could be built without difficulty. This man was strongly recommended by Squire Chai. How can we send him elsewhere? Moreover, Squire Chai has been a benefactor to the stronghold. If he later learns we did not take him in, it will be hard to face him. Lin Chong is highly skilled and will surely serve the stronghold.” Du Qian said, “The stronghold can afford one more man. If you do not take him in, Elder Brother, Squire Chai will blame us and think we are ungrateful. In the past we relied on Chai Jin’s help. Now he recommends one man, and we push him away.” Song Wan also urged, “For Squire Chai’s sake, keeping him as a chief would be good. Otherwise heroes of the rivers and lakes will laugh at us for lacking righteousness.” Wang Lun said, “Brothers, you do not know. He has committed a monstrous crime in Cangzhou. Today he comes up the mountain. We do not know whether he is sincere or false. What if he has come to spy on us?” Lin Chong said, “I have committed a capital crime and have come specially to seek shelter. Why still suspect me?” Wang Lun said, “Since that is so, if you sincerely wish to join, you must bring a token of allegiance.” Lin Chong said, “I know some characters. Bring paper and brush, and I will write it at once.” Zhu Gui laughed. “Instructor, you misunderstand. A hero’s token of allegiance is not writing. It means you go down the mountain, kill a man, and bring back his head. Then the chiefs will not suspect you. That is what is called a token of allegiance.” Lin Chong said, “That is not difficult. I will go down and wait, but I fear no one will pass.” Wang Lun said, “I give you three days. If within three days you bring the token, you may join. If not, do not blame us.” Lin Chong agreed and returned to the guest room to rest, his heart full of gloom.

His heart was full of bitterness hard to dispel;  
Hateful Wang Lun deliberately made things difficult.  
Tomorrow at dawn he would go down the mountain to find a road,  
Not knowing whose head would be sent to him.

The banquet broke up. Zhu Gui took his leave and went down the mountain to guard the wine shop. At night the underlings led Lin Chong to the guest room to rest. The next morning Lin Chong ate breakfast, took his waist knife, picked up his broadsword, and followed an underling down the mountain. They crossed the water and waited on a quiet path for travelers. From morning until evening, the whole day, no lone traveler passed. Lin Chong was depressed. He and the underling took a boat back to the stronghold. Wang Lun asked, “Did you get the token of allegiance?” Lin Chong answered, “Today there were no travelers, so I did not get it.” Wang Lun said, “If you do not get the token tomorrow, you cannot stay here.” Lin Chong did not dare reply, but he was very unhappy. He returned to his room, ate, and rested for the night.

The next morning Lin Chong and the underling ate breakfast, took the broadsword, and went down the mountain again. The underling said, “Today let us wait on the southern mountain road.” The two hid in the woods, but no travelers appeared. After noon, a group of about three hundred merchants passed together. Lin Chong did not dare attack and had to let them go. He waited until evening, but still no lone traveler. Lin Chong said to the underling, “Why is my luck so bad? I waited two days and no lone traveler came. What shall I do?” The underling said, “Brother, rest easy. There is still the last day. Tomorrow we will wait on the eastern mountain road.” That night they returned to the stronghold. Wang Lun asked, “How was the token today?” Lin Chong did not dare answer and only sighed deeply. Wang Lun laughed. “I suppose you did not get it again today. I said three days. Now two days have passed. If you do not get it tomorrow, you need not come see me again. Go down the mountain and find another place.” Lin Chong returned to his room, his heart full of sorrow. A ci to the tune “Immortals by the River” says:

Depressed like a dragon leaving the sea,  
Sorrowful like a tiger trapped in a barren field,  
Like Song Yu grieving autumn, tears streaming.  
Jiang Yan lost his brush; the Hegemon had no boat at Wujiang.  
Gaozu was trapped at Xingyang; Wu Zixu suffered at Zhaoguan;  
Cao Cao met great fire at Red Cliff.  
Li Ling looked far from the high terrace; Su Wu was trapped beyond the frontier.

That night Lin Chong looked up to heaven and sighed. “I never thought I would be framed by Gao Qiu and drift here, my fate so unlucky!” He passed the night. At dawn he ate, packed his luggage and left it in the room, hung his waist knife at his side, took his broadsword, and went down the mountain with the underling by boat to the eastern mountain road. Lin Chong thought, “If I do not get the token today, I can only find another place to stay.” The two hid in the woods below the eastern road. At noon, still no one came. The lingering snow had just stopped, and the sun was bright. Lin Chong held his broadsword and said to the underling, “It seems it will not work again. Better to take advantage of the daylight, pack my luggage, and go elsewhere to find shelter.” The underling pointed with his hand. “Good, look, someone is coming over there!” Lin Chong looked and secretly thought himself lucky. A man was coming far off down the slope. When he came closer, Lin Chong gripped his broadsword and suddenly jumped out. When the man saw Lin Chong, he gave a great cry, dropped his carrying pole, turned, and ran. Lin Chong chased him but could not catch him. The man went around the slope and escaped. Lin Chong said, “See how bitter my fate is! I waited three days, and just when one man came, he got away.” The underling said, “Although you did not kill anyone, this load of goods can count.” Lin Chong said, “You carry it up the mountain first. I will wait a little longer.” The underling carried the load up the mountain. Then from below the slope another big man came out. Lin Chong saw him and thought, “This is truly a gift from heaven!” The man raised his broadsword and roared, “Villain! Bandits who cannot be killed off! Where are you taking my luggage! I was just about to catch you, and you came to provoke me instead!” He rushed forward swiftly. Lin Chong saw his fierce momentum and went forward to meet him.

It was this man coming to fight Lin Chong that led to later events: at Liangshan Marsh another fierce tiger was added; in the Water Margin stronghold many heroes gathered. It would make heaven and earth turn over and the mountains and rivers be rearranged. Who exactly came to fight Lin Chong? Listen to the next chapter for the answer.