Chapter Eight: Mocking Bodang at the Hall of Gathering Righteousness

Wang Bodang did not arrive today; he had already been at the stronghold for two days. His purpose today was to take his leave. He had sought an audience with Zhai Rang that morning, and their conversation had lasted until this moment.

When Shan Xiongxin and Xu Shiji entered the hall, the discussion between Wang Bodang, Zhai Rang, and the others was drawing to a close. Wang Bodang had just reiterated his request to depart when the two men walked in. Wang Bodang paused his speech to pay his respects, while Zhai Rang, seated in the main chair, and the various heroes seated on either side, all rose to greet them.

After the formalities were exchanged, Shan Xiongxin chuckled and asked, "Brother Bodang, when did you arrive?"

Wang Bodang, a man of sturdy build with a sharp, square face and two upward-curling mustaches, wore a brocade robe. His seven-ring girdle was adorned with various accessories, and he wore a jade pendant carved with dragons and phoenixes. He bowed deeply and replied, "I arrived the day before yesterday. I have already imposed upon the stronghold for two days."

Shan Xiongxin laughed. "What a pity. Brother Maogong and I were away on business for Zhai Gong these past few days and could not welcome you properly. It has been a long time since we last met; I have missed you dearly. Tonight, we must drink well together!"

Zhai Rang, from the main seat, interjected, "Xiongxin, I fear you won't be able to drink tonight. Brother Bodang just asked for my leave to depart."

(In those days, people were known by their given names or their courtesy names. Shan Xiongxin and Wang Bodang were known by their courtesy names; Xiongxin and Bodang were their respective courtesy names. Shan Xiongxin's original name was Tong, and Wang Bodang's original name was Yong.)

Shan Xiongxin asked, "Why leave as soon as you have arrived?"

When Shan Xiongxin and Xu Shiji had entered the hall, they noticed three or four unfamiliar faces among the dozen or so men seated. They did not know who they were and thought it improper to ask abruptly. Hearing Wang Bodang's words now, they finally understood the origin of these men.

After explaining to Shan Xiongxin and Xu Shiji, Wang Bodang turned to those men and said, "Gentlemen, these two are the renowned Shan Erlang and Xu Dalang of Wagang Stronghold, whose fame spreads in all directions."

Shan Xiongxin and Xu Shiji were among the most prominent leaders of Wagang. Upon hearing this, the men did not wait for formal introductions but hurriedly knelt and prostrated themselves in deep reverence. As they bowed, they each announced their names.

After returning their greetings and inviting them to resume their seats, Xu Shiji smiled and said to Wang Bodang, "Brother Bodang, since these friends are heroes from north of the Ji River, why not recruit them into your own stronghold? Why lead them all this way to our humble camp?"

Wang Bodang himself was a "bandit chieftain" who possessed his own stronghold. He was a native of Neihuang in Ji Commandery, and his base was located in Neihuang County. Neihuang was situated in the north of Ji Commandery, hence Xu Shiji’s reference to the "north of the Ji." As for "all this way," Neihuang was over a hundred *li* from Mount Dapi. It was not extremely far, but it was separated by the counties of Linhe and Liyang, so calling it "all this way" was not an exaggeration.

Wang Bodang smiled. "My lowly reputation, how could it compare to Zhai Gong and you gentlemen? From top to bottom, my stronghold has fewer than a few hundred men; it is quite shabby. How could it compare to your esteemed camp? These friends admire Zhai Gong's benevolence and your renown. I wanted to invite them to join my own, but they refused! I had no choice but to bring them to Zhai Gong."

Who does not want more followers? For Wang Bodang to act as an intermediary and introduce the "heroes" from the vicinity of his own base to Zhai Rang was truly rare.

After talking a while longer, Wang Bodang performed a sweeping bow and said, "Zhai Gong, brothers, there are matters at my own stronghold, and I must return. Since Zhai Gong has kindly accepted these friends and treated me well over the past two days, I am deeply grateful!"

Although he had been the one to bring men to join Wagang, the way he spoke made it sound as if he were the one who had received a favor from Zhai Rang. Zhai Rang, feeling pleased, stroked his beard and tried to keep him. "Brother Bodang, why the rush? Didn't you say last night that you missed Xiongxin and Maogong? They are back now. Why not stay a few more days?"

"Oh? Does your stronghold have some major event?"

Wang Bodang said, "An old friend of the Duke of Pushan, named Fang Yanzao, originally from the Fang clan of Qinghe and a former lieutenant of Songcheng, once participated in the Duke of Chu's schemes. He later changed his name and became a fugitive. He recently learned that the Duke of Pushan is currently with me, and he will soon be coming to my stronghold. As the host, I cannot afford to be unprepared for his arrival."

Wang Bodang did not even glance at the others and said with a smile, "Zhai Gong, do not underestimate me. While I do not dare compare myself to you and your brothers, I am still a man of honor. The reason I have repeatedly recommended heroes to your camp is entirely due to Zhai Gong’s far-reaching reputation. These heroes seek to join you of their own accord; I have no merit in this, at most a little labor. How could I accept your generous gifts? If I did, I would be shamed by heroes across the land."

Zhai Rang, Shan Xiongxin, and Xu Shiji escorted Wang Bodang out of the hall. Among those seated was a young man in his twenties, Zhai Rang's nephew, named Zhai Mohou. Zhai Rang ordered Zhai Mohou to escort Wang Bodang out of the stronghold.

After watching Wang Bodang and Zhai Mohou leave the courtyard and head up the mountain, Zhai Rang and the others returned to the hall. The men newly recruited by Wang Bodang were tactful; knowing that Shan Xiongxin and Xu Shiji had just returned from business and would need to report to Zhai Rang, they excused themselves and departed.

Once they were seated, Shan Xiongxin, who valued his appearance, smoothed his robes. Having been on the road for ten days, traveling and raiding ships, men like Li Shan had arrived dusty and disheveled, but Shan Xiongxin had brought changes of clothes and remained neat. He stroked his fine beard and asked, "Zhai Gong, how many followers did these men brought by Bodang have?"

A man at the head of the table chuckled before Zhai Rang could speak. "This is not his first time. You know as well as I do how many followers those heroes he brought previously had. It’s the same as before—each of these men has only a few dozen or a hundred followers." His tone was dismissive. This man resembled Zhai Rang, but was older—he was Zhai Rang's elder brother and Zhai Mohou's father, Zhai Kuan.

Xu Shiji smiled. "Brother Zhai, Zhai Gong, in my humble opinion, the number of followers is not the point. The key is that even if their numbers are small, it is a gesture of goodwill from Brother Bodang. Secondly, this helps further spread Zhai Gong's name."

Zhai Kuan nodded. "That is true."

Shan Xiongxin asked, "Bodang mentioned the Duke of Pushan earlier. Did he suggest again that you invite the Duke to move to our mountain?"

Zhai Rang replied, "Indeed. He spoke of the Duke of Pushan again, praising his great strategy, his sense of honor, and his status as an aristocrat from a prominent Guan-Zhong family. He said that if we could bring him into our stronghold, it would further enhance our fame and attract heroes from all directions."

Shan Xiongxin asked, "How did you answer him?"

(The "Duke of Pushan" was Li Mi. His father, Li Kuan, was a Pillar of State of the Sui Dynasty and the Duke of Pushan. During the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen of Sui, after Li Kuan died, Li Mi inherited the title. Although he was wanted by the imperial court for his participation in Yang Xuangan's rebellion and the title was long gone, the underworld still addressed him with that title. The "Duke of Chu" was Yang Xuangan.)

Li Mi's family had been prominent for centuries, serving every dynasty of the Northern Dynasties. His great-grandfather, Li Bi, was a key figure in the Battle of Shayuan, which decided the fate of Western Wei, and became one of the Eight Pillars of State—at that time, even the father of Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Zhong, held a lower position than Li Bi. After the establishment of Northern Zhou, Li Bi became the Grand Preceptor and Duke of Wei. Later, Li Mi's grandfather served as Grand Guardian and Duke of Xing. Zhai Rang was right to call him a "noble son of a prominent family."

A cold laugh came from the lower seats. The man who laughed was a man with a sallow complexion named Wang Ruxin, one of Zhai Rang's confidants.

Shan Xiongxin smiled. "Brother Ruxin, I am speaking with Zhai Gong; why do you laugh? Have I offended you?"

Wang Ruxin said, "It has nothing to do with you. I laugh because Wang Bodang's heart is like that of Sima Zhao—no wonder he is a fellow native of Sima Zhao! He treats us like three-year-old children! I am simply indignant and could not help but laugh."

"What do you mean, Brother Ruxin?"

Wang Ruxin's words were a frustrated expression of his dissatisfaction with Wang Bodang. Though his reasoning was a bit scattered, his meaning was clear: he believed Wang Bodang was acting out of ulterior motives. By repeatedly introducing men to Wagang, he was merely using it as a pretext to curry favor with Zhai Rang. His true purpose was to act as a lobbyist for Li Mi, hoping his "flattery" would persuade Zhai Rang to change his mind and accept Li Mi into the stronghold. (Li Mi had come to Wagang before to offer his services, but Zhai Rang had refused him.)

Several people in the hall laughed out loud. Wang Ruxin said to Zhai Rang, "My lord, in my humble opinion, Wang Bodang has ill intentions. If he comes again, you need not see him!"

Opposite Zhai Kuan sat a middle-aged man dressed as a Confucian scholar named Jia Xiong. He was skilled in divination and the study of yin and yang—it was he who had chosen the location for the Hall of Righteousness. He was deeply trusted by Zhai Rang and served as the stronghold's military strategist. Hearing Wang Ruxin, he coughed and said, "Brother Wang, one cannot say it like that."

Wang Ruxin asked, "Why not?"

In truth, the leadership of Wagang had debated the issue of whether to accept Li Mi many times. Wang Ruxin represented the opposition, while Jia Xiong was more supportive. Zhai Rang, seeing another argument brewing, raised his hand and smiled. "Regardless of what Wang Bodang's intentions are, he has brought us heroes, and he is a man of status himself. When he comes again, we must see him. Xiongxin and Maogong have just returned from their mission, so let us set aside the matter of Bodang and the Duke of Pushan for now. Tonight, we shall hold a banquet to honor their hard work."

Shan Xiongxin stroked his beard and said proudly, "I have yet to report to you, Zhai Gong, that our mission was very successful, and we have brought back much booty."

Xu Shiji took a ledger from his robe and signaled for an attendant to present it to Zhai Rang. "Zhai Gong, the spoils are all listed here for your inspection." He paused and added with a smile, "Though, I must say, the mission was not entirely smooth."

Zhai Rang did not look at the ledger, setting it aside. "I have no patience for these details. Yuanzhen returned to his hometown a few days ago and will be back soon; let him record these and put them in the storehouse." He asked, "Why? What trouble did you encounter?"

Xu Shiji replied, "When we reached our destination, we learned that the wealthy merchant had hired 'Iron Fork Zhang' as his guard. Zhang had brought over a hundred followers on the ship. The men we brought were slightly insufficient, and the situation was becoming difficult. However, before we left, a man from my county came to join us. It was thanks to a strategy he offered that we avoided trouble and completed the task successfully. That 'Iron Fork Zhang' was also killed."

Zhai Rang was surprised. "Thanks to a strategy from your fellow villager? And 'Iron Fork Zhang' was killed? Xiongxin, did you kill him?"

Shan Xiongxin waved his hand. "I hadn't even boarded the ship yet. Zhang was killed by the servant of Maogong's fellow villager."

Zhai Rang was both shocked and delighted. "That Zhang was known for his courage; he was a vicious beast. Even the Li brothers of Liang Commandery had to give him face. And he was killed by the servant of your fellow villager? Remarkable! Maogong, where are your fellow villager and his servant?"

"They are outside the courtyard."

Zhai Rang said, "Invite them in at once. I must meet them."