Moma Liangshan

Chapter 7 Heroes Keep Their Promise, Heroes Gather

The Five Willow Sandbar is long and narrow, with shallow waters every ten paces or so along its edge. Five large willow trees stand in a row in the center of the sandbar, like giant rivets firmly anchoring it to the riverbed. Walking on the firm sand, Wang Hao said, “This place is excellent. The arena will be set up on the shallow waters upstream of the sandbar, with the referee facing west.” After a moment's thought, he continued, “A three-tiered platform will be built in the center of the arena. The first tier will have a radius of three zhang, the second two zhang, and the third one zhang, stacked one on top of the other, with a hollow center. Six rows of bamboo rafts will be connected from the platform, extending radially to a hundred paces into the lake. Each row of rafts will be anchored at its far end and connected by ropes. The area encircled by these ropes will be the fighting zone. The heroes will wait in their boats at the edge of the fighting zone. When the war drums sound, they will either seize a raft or swim across, ultimately remaining on the third tier of the platform.” "Three people will be the winners, and each will be rewarded with three hundred strings of cash. What does Chief Zhu think?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Gui said, "Young Master is wise, but the lake water is cold in winter, and those who fall in may catch a cold." Wang Hao said, "When the fine wine is delivered to you tomorrow, you will know its wonders. Half a bowl of hot wine each will surely dispel the cold from your body." Zhu Gui had heard of "strong wine dispelling the cold," but he had never tasted such a strong wine before. He said, "Young Master's fine wine, I am quite impatient." After walking around the Five Willow Sandbar, Wang Hao said, "I entrust the matter of setting up the arena to Chief Zhu!" Zhu Gui replied, "Young Master, rest assured, I guarantee it will be foolproof."

Wang Hao didn't go to the lakeside hotel again, but returned directly to Liangshan Water Village. He met Wang Lun and said, "I'm planning to set up the arena on Wuliu Sandbar, where Dongping Lake meets Liangshan Marsh. What do you think, Father?" Wang Lun pondered for a moment and said, "In that case, this grand event will be held on the water." Wang Hao nodded and replied, "Liangshan Marsh is crisscrossed by waterways, and almost everyone in the dozens of villages makes a living by fishing. Only a water-based martial arts competition can truly showcase their skills." Wang Lun pondered for a moment and said, "My son is right. I've already written the letters to Chao Gai and Song Jiang; take them with you. However, these two... [The text abruptly ends here, likely due to an incomplete translation or a missing section of the original text.] "You're incredibly bold, but I worry you won't be able to control the situation," Wang Hao comforted him. "Our Wang family is a family of farmers and scholars; in terms of strength, we naturally can't compare to those outlaws. Father, you can feign weakness and vigorously praise the fame of Chao Gai and Song Jiang. As guests, they certainly won't accept it without flattery; they'll have no choice but to join in. With these two renowned figures flattering you, the hundreds of heroes will only realize their ignorance, failing to recognize a true hero like you. In this way, Chao Gai and Song Jiang's glory will surely pale in comparison to yours, relegating them to a mere backdrop." Wang Lun slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "My son is wise! This is how it should be done!"

The next morning, Wang Hao, along with Ma Decao and Zhang Sangou, and two jars of fine wine, set off in an oxcart towards Yuncheng County. Chao Gai's residence, Dongxi Village, was located outside the east gate of Yuncheng County and was easy to find. Chao Gai was a renowned hero, so the three quickly arrived at his estate. Ma Decao knocked on the door, and the servants, hearing this, informed Chao Gai. Chao Gai opened the door to welcome him. Seeing Wang Hao's youthful appearance, he said, "I wonder what brings you here, young man?" Wang Hao presented Wang Lun's visiting card, introduced himself, and said, "I am Wang Hao, son of Wang Lun, the leader of Liangshan Marsh. I have recently brewed some excellent wine. Fine wine deserves a hero's gift. My father and I have long admired your reputation as the village head, but unfortunately, we have never met. Today, I have come to pay my respects and bring a jar of fine wine." Chao Gai glanced at the oxcart and noticed the two wine jars. Seeing this, Wang Hao explained, "Liangshan Marsh can only brew eight jars of this wine a month. My father instructed me to give the other jar on the cart to Clerk Song of Yuncheng County. Liangshan Marsh is dozens of miles from Yuncheng County, so I had to deliver both Chao Baozheng's and Clerk Song's fine wines together. Please forgive me, Baozheng." Chao Gai had heard of Wang Lun's name before, and was pleasantly surprised by Wang Hao's personal visit. He said, "I have no merit or virtue, only some empty reputation. How could I dare to trouble Chief Wang?" Wang Hao replied, "If it were ordinary money, given Chao Baozheng's reputation for generosity, I would be happy to oblige." "I really wouldn't dare send it," said Wang Hao. "This wine isn't particularly valuable, but it's certainly novel. If Liangshan Marsh can share this fine wine with Chao Baozheng and Song Yasi, it will surely become a celebrated story among the outlaws." Although young, Wang Hao spoke calmly and methodically, and Chao Gai quickly believed him, saying, "I have a past with Song Yasi. Since it's fine wine, it's meant to be drunk. Why don't we go together to Yuncheng County, find Song Yasi, and then find a tavern to drink to our hearts' content?" Upon hearing this, Wang Hao quickly replied, "If that's possible, I would be more than happy to oblige."

Chao Gai, accompanied by Wang Hao and two others, arrived at the Yuncheng County government office. He found Song Jiang and said, "Brother Song Jiang, it's been so long! I've missed you terribly!" Song Jiang replied, "Brother, I'm well. I was just about to find some free time to have a drink with you." Chao Gai laughed loudly and said, "This is Wang Hao, the son of Wang Lun, the chieftain of Liangshan. He's recently brewed some exceptional wine and has come to invite you and me to try it." Song Jiang thought to himself, "Although the white-robed scholar Wang Lun is a learned man, he's involved in murder and robbery. I'm just a clerk in the imperial court; it's not wise to befriend him too closely. I should be cautious." "I thank you for your kindness, Chief Wang!" Chao Gai said with a smile. "Brother, do you have some free time? I've come today specifically to enjoy the fine wine of Liangshan Marsh with you." Song Jiang replied, "Since you've come all this way, I'll gladly oblige." Wang Hao said, "There's a small restaurant called Xiao Fanlou in the county town. The food and wine there are exquisite. What do you think, Chief and Clerk?" Chao Gai said, "Since you approve, that's good. Let's go to Xiao Fanlou today." After saying this, Chao Gai and Song Jiang walked side by side, while Wang Hao followed the oxcart, lagging behind by about half a step. Watching the two men chatting away while he was left out, Wang Hao thought to himself, "These two are easy to meet, but difficult to befriend."

Upon entering Xiao Fanlou and ordering their dishes, Wang Hao called over a waiter and said, "Bring me a white porcelain wine pot and three white porcelain wine cups." Chao Gai, upon hearing this, said, "What kind of man uses wine cups? Bring me large bowls!" Wang Hao didn't argue, saying, "Bring both the wine cups and bowls." The waiter hesitated, but Song Jiang said, "Do as Young Master Wang says!" The waiter recognized Song Jiang as the county clerk and dared not delay, saying, "Please wait a moment, sir." A moment later, the wine cups and bowls were brought. Wang Hao picked up a wine jar, broke the seal, and placed it on a wooden table. Then he found a copper ladle for serving wine, first pouring half a bowl for Chao Gai, then filling the wine pot, pouring two cups, handing one to Song Jiang, and drinking the other himself. At this moment, the entire Xiao Fanlou was filled with an unprecedentedly strong aroma of wine, drawing astonished glances from the surrounding diners. Chao Gai picked up the wine bowl, took a slow sip amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, and after a few breaths exclaimed, "Delicious! Delicious!"

Song Jiang then picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and exclaimed in astonishment, "Is this wine truly brewed by Liangshan Marsh?" Wang Hao asked, "Sir Song, have you ever heard of such fine wine elsewhere?" Song Jiang replied, "Such fine wine! It is my great honor that you, sir, allow me to share this wine with Brother Chao Gai." Wang Hao then said, "A beauty deserves a hero, a fine horse deserves a hero, and strong liquor deserves a hero even more!" At this moment, Chao Gai had finished his wine and said, "Sir, even the emperor in Dongjing (Kaifeng) has probably never tasted this wine." "I plan to sell this wine to the capital, Tokyo, after the New Year," Wang Hao said. "Once it arrives, I'm sure His Majesty will have no trouble drinking it." He then took out another letter from his robes and handed it to Song Jiang, saying, "My father wishes to set up a martial arts arena on Wuliu Sandbar, where Dongping Lake meets Liangshan Marsh, inviting heroes from all directions to come and drink and compete. However, Liangshan Marsh is located in a remote area and its reputation is insufficient to attract heroes from all over. Therefore, my father would like to invite Chao Baozheng and Song Yashi to co-organize this event, with Liangshan Marsh covering all the necessary expenses, provisions, and manpower."

Chao Gai took the invitation but didn't have time to read it. Upon hearing this, he said, "Young master's suggestion is excellent! There's wine, meat, and brothers—wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!" Song Jiang thought to himself, "If Liangshan succeeds in this, they will surely become famous among the outlaws, and then they might raise a tiger to cause trouble. But even if I try my best to stop it, I'm afraid it will have little effect. Wang Lun has been causing trouble for many years but hasn't made a big name for himself; he shouldn't be a threat. I'll accept this offer for now and act according to the circumstances." He said, "There are countless heroes, but I have the opportunity to meet less than one in ten. This is truly the greatest regret of my life. Chief Wang's move has fulfilled the wishes of countless heroes. Song Jiang will certainly come as promised!" Wang Hao raised his cup and said, "This junior thanks Chief Chao and Chief Song on behalf of my father. I toast you both!" Chao Gai picked up his wine bowl and shouted, "Cheers!"

The wine was strong, and Wang Hao and his companions drank half a jar. As they were about to pay the bill and leave, the owner of Xiao Fanlou suddenly appeared and said, "My surname is Han, and I am the owner of this restaurant, as well as the nephew of the owner of Fanlou in Dongjing City." Seeing the owner hesitate, Song Jiang said, "Mr. Han, just say what you have to say. We are all rough men, used to being straightforward." The owner said, "Could you sell me the rest of the wine?" Song Jiang replied, "The wine was brought by Young Master Wang; Mr. Han will have to ask Young Master Wang." He then looked at Wang Hao. Wang Hao said, "These two jars of wine are gifts from Wang Hao to Chao Baozheng and Song Yashi. There's no reason to take back a gift that's already been given." At this moment, Chao Gai said, "Brother Song Jiang, consider today's feast your treat. I'll give this jar of wine to the restaurant owner, and I'll take the remaining half." Song Jiang said, "Brother, you mustn't. Give the unopened wine to Boss Han, and take the remaining half. Brother, you have many people on your estate; take it back for your brothers to try." Chao Gai was tempted and said, "In that case, brother won't stand on ceremony." Wang Hao then asked, "Is it true that Manager Han is the nephew of the owner of Fanlou Restaurant in Dongjing City?" Boss Han replied, "Absolutely true." Wang Hao then asked, "What does Boss Han think of my wine?" Boss Han answered, "Unparalleled in the world!" Wang Hao countered, "Boss Han hasn't even tasted a drop; how dare you make such a conclusion?"