Now, Zhan Zhao left the garden and went quietly back to his lodgings. It was already the fifth watch. He slipped into his room without a sound, took off his close-fitting night-walker’s clothes and wrapped them up in a bundle, then lay down and was asleep at once. The next day he took leave of the innkeeper and went straight to the Governor’s yamen to spy things out in secret. In front of the screen wall1 a black horse was tethered, its saddle and bridle bright and fine. On the cords behind the saddle a small bundle was tied, with a money bag slung across it as well, and a man was sitting on the ground, whip in hand. Zhan Zhao knew then that Xiang Fu had not yet set off. He went upstairs in the tavern across the way and sat drinking alone, keeping watch. Before long, out of the Governor’s yamen came Xiang Fu. The man jumped to his feet, led the horse over and handed him the whip. Xiang Fu took it, put his foot in the stirrup and mounted, gave the horse a cut of the whip and rode off up the road.

The Southern Hero came down from the tavern and followed him without a sound. When they reached Anping Town, he saw that here too there was a tavern, on the west side of the road, with a signboard that read “Panjia Tower2.” Xiang Fu tied up his horse and went in to stop for a meal. The Southern Hero followed him in. Seeing Xiang Fu seated on the south side, Zhan Zhao picked out a table on the north side and sat down. The waiter wiped the table and asked what he would like to eat and drink. Zhan Zhao ordered a few things, nothing special, and the waiter called the order down the stairs.

Zhan Zhao looked idly about him again. On the west side sat an old man, holding his head very high. He had the air of a retired official living in the country; his manner was hateful and his vulgarity past bearing. Before long the waiter brought the wine and dishes and set them out neatly. Zhan Zhao had only just begun to drink when he heard footsteps on the stairs, and another man came up — a young man in martial dress, with fine brows and clear eyes, youthful and radiant. Zhan Zhao put down his cup in spite of himself and silently applauded. He looked the young man over carefully once more and was filled with admiration. The young man was just about to choose a table when, over on the south side, Xiang Fu hurried from his seat and bowed to him with clasped hands. “Brother Bai!” he said. “It’s been too long!” Seeing Xiang Fu, the young man hastened to return the bow. “Brother Xiang! All these years apart — what luck to meet you today.” Talking and deferring politely to each other, they settled at the same table. Xiang Fu offered the young man the seat of honour, and after no more than a token refusal, he took it.

Zhan Zhao watched, and it gave him no pleasure at all. “What a pity,” he thought, “that a man like that should know him. The two of them are as far apart as heaven and the abyss.” Meanwhile he listened closely to what they were saying. He heard Xiang Fu say, “It’s more than three years since we parted. I’ve long meant to call at your house to pay my respects, but somehow I’ve always been too busy scraping a living. How is your brother?” At this the young man frowned and sighed. “My brother has passed away.” Xiang Fu was startled. “What? My great benefactor is gone? What a loss, what a loss!” And he went on with more such idle talk, about the kindness he owed and the courtesies he had failed to pay.

Who, you may ask, was this young man? He was one of the Five Gallants of Xiankong Island3: Bai Yutang by name, known as the Sleek Rat4 (Jinmaoshu). As for Xiang Fu, he had started out as a street performer, giving shows of boxing and staff-play and selling medicated plasters5. One day, performing in the street, he came to blows with someone and killed him by mistake. Luckily for him, Bai Yutang’s elder brother, Bai Jintang, saw that he looked like a real man, and pitied him — far from home and caught up in a case like that. So he did all he could to get him off, gave him money for the road besides, and told him to go to the capital and make a career for himself. Xiang Fu had meant to look for a first step up the ladder in the capital, but as chance would have it, on the road he came upon the Marquis of Anle, on his way to Chenzhou to give out relief. Once he had found out all about him, Xiang Fu first worked his way round to befriending Pang Fu, and only then had himself recommended to Pang Yu. Pang Yu happened to be looking for a brave man to help him do his evil, and he took Xiang Fu into his household. Xiang Fu thought this the very height of glory. A man who behaves like that is low and base beyond words.

But enough idle talk. While Xiang Fu and Yutang were talking, an old man came up the stairs, his clothes in rags, his face gaunt and wasted. The moment he saw the old man on the west side, he hurried forward a few steps and fell on his knees, tears streaming from his eyes, begging and pleading with him. But the other only stuck his nose in the air and shook his head, refusing him outright. Watching from his table, Zhan Zhao could hardly bear it. He was just about to ask what the matter was when Bai Yutang came over and asked the old man, “Why are you carrying on like this in front of him? Whatever the trouble is, why not tell me?” Seeing Bai Yutang’s air and bearing, the old man guessed that he was no ordinary man. “You wouldn’t know, young sir,” he said. “I owe the squire here a private debt, and the squire wants to take my daughter in payment. That’s why I was begging him, but he won’t hear of it. I beg you, young sir, help me settle things with him.” At this Bai Yutang shot a glance at the squire. “How much silver does he owe you?” The squire turned his head and, seeing the anger all over Bai Yutang’s face, had no choice but to clasp his hands and answer, “The loan was five taels of fine silver. Last year he paid no interest, which makes thirty taels — thirty-five taels he owes me in all.” Bai Yutang gave a cold laugh. “So he borrowed five taels!” And turning back to the squire, he said, “He borrowed it two years ago, and the interest already comes to thirty taels. Rather light interest, isn’t it!” Then he turned round and told his man to weigh out thirty-five taels, and asked the squire, “Was there a written contract when he borrowed it?” Hearing that he was to be paid back on the spot, the squire was on his feet before he knew it. “There is a contract,” he said, and hurriedly pulled it out from the breast of his robe and handed it to Yutang. Yutang looked it over. When his man had weighed out the silver, Yutang took it and handed it to the squire. “Here, today, before everyone, silver and contract change hands. He owes you nothing now.” The squire took the silver, all smiles. “He owes me nothing! Nothing at all!” He cupped his hands in a quick salute and was off down the stairs at once. Yutang gave the contract to the old man. “From now on,” he said, “never borrow from him at interest like that again.” “I’d never dare,” said the old man, and with that he knocked his head on the floor. Yutang pulled him to his feet and went back to his seat. The old man went off, thanking him a thousand times over.

He had just come level with Zhan Zhao’s table when Zhan Zhao said, “Don’t hurry off, old sir. There’s wine here. Have a cup to settle your nerves before you go — there’s no rush.” “We’ve never met,” said the old man. “How could I impose on you?” Zhan Zhao laughed. “Someone else has just spent his silver on you — can’t I even run to a cup of thin wine? Don’t stand on ceremony. Please, sit down.” “Then I’m much obliged for your kindness,” said the old man, and he sat down in the lower seat. Zhan Zhao ordered a jug of wine for him, and as they drank he asked, “That old fellow just now — what’s his name, and where does he live?” “He lives at Miaojia Market,” said the old man, “and his name is Miao Xiu. Just because his son, Miao Hengyi, is a clerk in the Governor’s yamen, he carries on like an official’s honoured father6, forever bullying the neighbours and bleeding them with interest. And I don’t say these bitter things about him just because he has wronged me. If you don’t believe me, sir, ask around, and you’ll find I’m telling no lies.” Zhan Zhao kept it all in mind. The old man drank a few cups, then said goodbye and went on his way.

Then Zhan Zhao saw Bai Yutang, over at the other table, ask Xiang Fu how he had been getting on. “Your brother was kind enough to get me out of trouble that time,” said Xiang Fu, “and he gave me silver besides, and told me to go to the capital and make a career for myself. Then, who should I meet on the road but the Marquis of Anle? He was good enough to single me out and took me into his household. Now I’m on my way to Tianchang Town on his orders, to wait there and see to a very important piece of business.” “Which Marquis of Anle?” asked Bai Yutang. “How could there be two?” said Xiang Fu. “Pang Yu, the Marquis of Anle, son of Grand Preceptor Pang.” And as he said it, he looked very pleased with himself. If Yutang had not heard this, all would have been well. But hear it he did, and at once he flared up in anger and flushed red to the ears. With a thin, cold smile he said, “So you’ve gone and put yourself in his service, have you? Fine!” He called sharply for his man to settle the bill, rose to his feet, turned on his heel and went straight off down the stairs.

Zhan Zhao saw it all clearly, and could not help applauding silently. “That’s more like it!” Then he thought to himself, “Xiang Fu said just now that he’ll be waiting at Tianchang Town, and from what I’ve heard, it will be some days yet before Lord Bao reaches Tianchang. Why not use the time to take a stroll over to Miaojia Market?” His mind made up, he paid and went downstairs. Truly, a man who lives as a knight-errant and does what is right takes things as they come wherever he goes. It is not that he must always pull up the tree to search out the roots. It is only that when he sees an injustice, he cannot put it out of his mind; he treats it as though it were his own affair. That is why he deserves to be called a xia, a hero.

But enough idle talk. That evening, after the first watch had sounded, Zhan Zhao changed his clothes and stole into Miaojia Market, to Miao Xiu’s house. How he darted over roofs and leapt across ridges needs no telling. From the darkness he saw a reception hall three bays wide, bright with lamps and candles, and heard voices talking inside. Treading softly and leaving no trace, he crept up and stood silently beneath the window. Listening closely, he heard Miao Xiu asking his son, Miao Hengyi, “How did you come by so much silver? I made a little fortune myself today at the Panjia Tower — thirty-five taels of silver.” And he told the whole story of the handsome young fellow who had paid off the debt for the old man. When he had finished, he roared with laughter. Miao Hengyi laughed too. “Father, besides your principal, you got thirty taels in interest. But I haven’t spent a single cash, and I’ve got three hundred taels for nothing.” Miao Xiu grinned. “How’s that?” “Yesterday,” said Miao Hengyi, “after the Governor had dispatched Xiang Fu, he and the Marquis worked out another plan. If Xiang Fu succeeds this time, well and good. If he fails, the Marquis is to go in disguise and slip off secretly to the capital by way of Donggao Wood. He’ll hide in the Grand Preceptor’s mansion and wait to see what memorial7 Lord Bao sends up when he has inspected the relief, and then decide what to do. They’re also getting his valuables and trunks ready, and Jin Yuxian, the woman he carried off, and sending them by the fork in the road at the Guanyin Shrine8, to take a boat there and go secretly to the capital. So the Marquis asked our Governor, ‘How much silver will the boats and the expenses on the way come to? Then I can see to it.’ How would His Honour the Governor dare take the Marquis’s money? Instead he bowed low and said, ‘A mere trifle. Leave it all to this humble governor.’ So when he got back to the yamen, he had three hundred taels weighed out at once and handed them to me to see to the business. Now, the way I see it, everything the Marquis does defies both law and Heaven. Even now, on his way out, he’s having the woman he carried off sent secretly to the capital. And he has all those trunks besides. When the time comes, I’ll tell the boatmen: just load it all on, and when you reach the capital, ask him there for whatever it cost; if he won’t pay, keep his valuables as a pledge against the bill. Think about it, Father: everything the Marquis does is done in the dark. For one thing, he won’t dare make a fuss, and for another, it would be hard to look into. It was His Honour the Governor who promised the money in the first place — whether it’s paid or not, how would the Marquis ever know? So don’t these three hundred taels count as money for nothing?” Listening outside the window, Zhan Zhao said to himself, “Truly, ‘the wicked have the wicked to grind them down.’ Never was a truer word.” Suddenly glancing round, he saw another shadowy figure flicker on the far side. When he looked more closely, it seemed to be the young man in martial dress he had met at the Panjia Tower — the handsome young fellow who had paid off the old man’s debt. Zhan Zhao laughed to himself. “By day he pays off other people’s debts, and by night he comes to collect!” Suddenly a light flashed in the distance. Afraid someone was coming, Zhan Zhao crouched, shinned up a pillar and pressed himself close under the eaves. When he looked down, the man had vanished again. “He’s hiding too,” he thought. “Why doesn’t he wrap himself round that other pillar? Then the two of us could put on a show of ‘two dragons playing with a pearl9’!” He was still laughing to himself when a maid came running into the hall in a panic. “Squire, something terrible’s happened! The mistress has disappeared!” Miao Xiu and his son were startled, and both rushed off together to the back of the house. The Southern Hero slid quickly down the pillar and slipped sideways into the room. On the table lay six packets of silver, and one small packet besides. He tucked three of the packets into his clothes, thinking, “Three packets and the small one I’ll leave for the fellow who paid out the silver. Let him earn a little interest too.” Then he slipped out again and stole off toward the back of the house.

The shadowy figure had indeed been Bai Yutang. First he had seen someone eavesdropping outside the window, and then he had watched the man shin up the pillar and cling close under the eaves. He too had applauded silently, telling himself that this man’s skill was every bit as good as his own. When he saw the light, he went toward it. It was Miao Xiu’s wife, coming to the privy with a maid who carried a lamp. The maid set the lamp down and went back to fetch paper. Yutang seized his chance. He drew his knife, flashed it at the mistress and said, “One squeak, and you get the knife!” The woman was so frightened her bones turned to water — how could she cry out? Yutang reached in and hauled her out of the privy. First he tore a strip from her skirt and stuffed it into her mouth. What a ruthless man Yutang was! Next he sliced off both her ears, picked her up and tossed her into the grain bin beside the privy. Then he watched from the shadows. He saw the maid look for her mistress and, not finding her, run to the front hall with the news; and when he heard Miao Xiu and his son come rushing in from the west side, he went round by the east to the front hall. By then the Southern Hero had already pocketed his silver and gone. Yutang went into the room and looked. On the table there were only three packets of silver left, and one small packet besides. He knew at once that the man on the pillar had taken half and left half. Silently thanking him for the favour, Yutang tucked the silver into his clothes — and then, exit Yutang10.

Meanwhile Miao Xiu and his son had hurried to the back of the house. Pressing the maid with questions as they went, they searched with a lamp. When they reached the grain bin, they heard a moaning. It was the woman. They hurried to help her up and looked her over: she was covered in blood, and something had been stuffed into her mouth. They pulled it out in haste. She came round, but only after a long while could she let out an “Ow!” Then she told them how she had been attacked — and only then did they see that both her ears were gone. They quickly had the maids and serving women help her indoors, and gave her a little sugar water to drink. Suddenly Miao Hengyi remembered the three hundred taels still in the reception hall. “Oh no!” he kept saying. “We’ve fallen for the thieves’ trick of luring the tiger from the mountain11!” And with that he flew off to the front of the house. Hearing this, Miao Xiu ran after him. They reached the hall and looked — and where was the silver now? Father and son stood dumbstruck for a long while. There was nothing to be done. All they could do was grieve over the silver and seethe.

To learn how it all turned out, read the next chapter.