Now, in the tangyuan shop Bao Xing asked Old Zhang, “How much does this business of yours bring in a year?” “After food and wages,” said Old Zhang, “in a good year I clear no more than forty or fifty strings of cash1.” “Then why not go with Deng Jiuru to the Eastern Capital and see the third young master2?” said Bao Xing. “Deng Jiuru is sure to become my young master’s adopted son, and you can look after him and eat your meals ready-made. How would that be?” Old Zhang was overjoyed to hear it. He went on to tell how Han Zhang had come to leave the boy with him. “Because he left five taels of silver, I was a little flush for once and laid in a whole sack of flour. That wicked servant Ma Lu saw it, and straight away he came pressing for the debt. Who’d have dreamed it would end in such a wonderful turn of luck?” “Yes, yes,” said Bao Xing again and again, thinking to himself, “So Master Han has been here too.” Then another thought struck him: “Why don’t I go back to the magistrate and have him dress Deng Jiuru up properly? That would save a lot of trouble.” So he said to Old Zhang, “Get your things packed for the journey. I’m going to the county yamen and I’ll be right back.” With that he left the tangyuan shop, mounted his horse and, with his attendant behind him, made straight for the county yamen.

Meanwhile Old Zhang talked things over with his hired man and turned the business into a partnership of two shares, with the accounts to be settled at the end of each year: one put in the capital and the other the labour, which was very fair. Then he packed up his own savings. Before long, there was Bao Xing, leading four yamen runners and a carriage they had driven over. From the carriage they took down a bundle. When it was opened, it held a child’s clothes, brand-new — long gown, shirt and all, nothing missing. They were Magistrate Jin3’s own little son’s clothes. Told that the boy was to be the third young master’s adopted son, how could the magistrate do less than his very best? Besides, there was the business of the horse held at Taisui Village, and he wanted all the more to use this to beg Bao Xing to smooth things over for him with His Excellency. At once they dressed Deng Jiuru up. Truly, it’s the clothes that make the man: he looked more than ever as if moulded of powder and carved from jade, with white teeth and red lips. Old Zhang was so happy he waved his arms and danced. The hired man helped load the baggage; then they had Jiuru sit properly in the carriage, while Old Zhang sat on the edge beside him. At parting, Old Zhang gave the hired man his instructions all over again: “If Second Master Han comes, tell him we’ll be waiting for him at the Kaifeng yamen.” Bao Xing rode on horseback with his attendant behind him and the runners as escort — a fine, grand, lively show — all the way to Kaifeng.

Our story turns to Ouyang Chun and Elder Master Ding, drinking upstairs in the Huixian Restaurant. After Old Zhang had gone, Elder Master Ding said to the Northern Hero4, “Just now we saw with our own eyes how that wicked servant carried on, and heard with our own ears how high-handed that bully is. What do you make of it, brother?” “Brother,” said the Northern Hero, “let’s just drink our wine and leave other people’s business alone.” Elder Master Ding thought to himself, “I’ve heard the Northern Hero has no equal in the martial arts and no match for gallantry. But from the way he talks now, he means to let the whole thing go. Or perhaps he doesn’t know what I have in mind, and since we only met today, it’s natural he’d speak vaguely. I’ll just come out with it and see what happens.” So he said, “Men like you and me, who live by gallantry and justice, ought to help those in trouble and save those in danger, cut down the wicked and root out the vile. If you ask me, the right thing would be to get rid of him.” The Northern Hero quickly waved his hand. “Don’t talk like that, brother. Haven’t you heard there may be ears outside the window? If word got out, it would be very awkward. Surely you’re not drunk, brother?” Elder Master Ding laughed to himself. “Some Northern Hero! How can he be such a coward? It’s true what they say: you don’t know a man by his name till you’ve met him. What a pity I have no blade on me. If I had, I’d have the job done tonight in one stroke, and let him see what the Twin Heroes are made of.” Then another thought came to him. “I have it. Why not put up for the night in the same place as him? I’ll quietly steal his sabre and go and do the job. When it’s done, I’ll come back and have a good laugh at him — wouldn’t that be fun?” His mind made up, he said, “You’re right, I can’t hold my wine; I’m a little drunk. Won’t you have something to eat, brother?” “I’ve been hungry for some time,” said the Northern Hero. “I was only keeping you company.” “Who needs your company?” thought Elder Master Ding. He turned and called the waiter and ordered rice, dishes and pastries. Before long the waiter brought them, and when the two had eaten, they paid the bill and went downstairs. It was just noon.