Water Margin: The Tale of Li Erlang of Guankou

Chapter 118 The Imperial City Guard's Mishap, The Daytime Rat's Comeback

It can be said that if "White Day Rat" Bai Sheng were to face two Imperial Guards alone, he would be in great danger.

These Imperial City Guards were ordered by Zhang Shuye to search for spies from Liangshan Marsh within Jizhou City.

After Zhang Shuye's defeat and return to Jizhou City, he realized that his approach to dealing with the Liangshan bandits was flawed. So he went back to consult the "wise strategist" Wu Yong and regarded him as his advisor.

This achieved the desired effect for Wu Yong, the "wise strategist." Wu Yong established himself as Zhang Shuye's top strategist, and even if Song Jiang, the "righteous protector," were to be recruited, Wu Yong's position would remain unshakable.

Moreover, Wu Yong, the "wise strategist," probably already understood why Zhang Shuye needed Song Jiang, the "righteous protector," because Zhang Shuye knew that Song Jiang had extensive connections, including those in both the legitimate and underworld circles, and that many people respected him.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to use such a person to recruit talent? Although Zhang Shuye did have the permission of Grand Tutor Cai to poach people from other prefectures, he offended his colleagues by poaching too much. Therefore, it would be the best option to recruit some people from the common people, or even the underworld, to work for Zhang Shuye through Song Jiang, the "Protector of Justice".

Wu Yong, the "wise strategist," first suggested that the city of Jizhou be protected from infiltration by spies from Liangshan Marsh.

As Sun Tzu's Art of War states, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." Preventing Liangshan Marsh from obtaining intelligence from Jizhou City is of paramount importance.

Therefore, Zhang Shuye sent these guards from the Imperial City Guard to do this.

That day, Chao Gai, the "Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King," came to Jizhou City to see Manager Wang Gang. He was spotted by two Imperial Guards who had accompanied the brothers Zhang Bofen and Zhang Zhongxiong to Xixi Village.

Chao Gai, the "Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King," didn't recognize the two men, but they did. Knowing they couldn't defeat Chao Gai, they decided to "cast a long line to catch a big fish."

"White-Day Rat" Bai Sheng and Manager Wang Gang acted according to plan. When Manager Wang Gang saw "White-Day Rat" Bai Sheng out of the silk shop, he was very respectful, as if he were seeing off some important person. It really gave "White-Day Rat" Bai Sheng the feeling of "a commoner meeting a county magistrate".

Bai Sheng, the "White-Day Rat," was extremely arrogant and cocky before heading to a secluded spot.

This Jeju City was a place where "White Day Rat" Bai Sheng had roamed for over twenty years; he knew it all too well. At midday, Bai Sheng strolled into a riverside tavern.

This place is right next to the river in Jeju City's "no man's land" area - Nezha Lane.

Nezha Alley is basically the "slum" area of ​​Jeju City. It is a chaotic place with a mix of people, and there are few people during the day. All sorts of people are there, including illegal gambling dens, brothels, illegal lending, and the city's gangs.

Bai Sheng, nicknamed "White Day Rat," used to frequent this place. He was very familiar with it. The environment here was complex, and the officials didn't come here often, making it an excellent place to take out those two men.

The aroma of mutton soup wafted from the private room on the second floor. Waiters carried lacquered trays, on which the roasted goose glistened with oil. "White-Day Rat" Bai Sheng chose a seat by the window, ordered a pot of wine and a plate of mutton, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw an old man squatting on the street corner, with steaming pancakes on a clay stove in front of him.

This was the first time that "White Day Rat" Bai Sheng had ever ordered food and drink in Jeju City. In the past, he had always gambled in Nezha Alley, and the gambling addict had lost everything. Where would he get the money to eat and drink?

Unexpectedly, his first time drinking and eating meat came at such a time. To be honest, Bai Sheng found it tasteless and had no appetite at all!

Halfway through the meal, a commotion suddenly erupted from the stairwell. Two rascal-like men barged in, the leader with a burly face and a centipede-like scar on his forehead. Ignoring everyone else, he headed straight for "White Day Rat" Bai Sheng.

"Yes, the fish has taken the bait!"

As Bai Sheng thought to himself, he observed the two men. They seemed to be trying their best to portray themselves as scoundrels, but unfortunately, they were full of flaws in front of "White Day Rat" Bai Sheng.

After all, when it comes to thugs, "White Day Rat" Bai Sheng was originally a thug. He could tell whether someone was a thug, a hooligan, or a rogue with just one glance!

"This gentleman looks unfamiliar."

Scarface plopped down on the bench opposite Bai Sheng, making the wine bowls clatter.

He had an iron ruler hanging from his waist, the tip of which was worn shiny.

Bai Sheng squinted his drunken eyes, pretending to be drunk. He was the type of person whose face flushed easily when he drank, and his face was now completely red. As long as he acted convincingly, no one would think he wasn't drunk.

"What is it, my two heroes?" he asked, feigning alarm.

"Lend me some money."

As the scarred man spoke, he clenched his fists so tightly they cracked. Looking at Bai Sheng's forearm, which was twice as thick as "White Rat's" arm, Bai Sheng knew that if he didn't take the money, he would be beaten first.

Bai Sheng, feigning panic, immediately pulled a deflated money pouch from his sleeve. "My money is all at the inn… all with my companion. I only brought some money for food. Please, gentlemen, please have mercy!"

As Bai Sheng spoke, he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, seemingly begging for mercy.

"Then would you please make the trip to fetch some money?"

The skinny man behind Scarface suddenly spoke, his voice shrill and grating like a mouse gnawing.

Bai Sheng noticed that his right hand was always tucked into his sleeve, with a faint glint of cold light peeking out from the cuff.

There was a fresh scab on the skinny man's neck, shaped like a crescent moon—Bai Sheng recognized it as the mark left by the copper button at the top of the constable's uniform on his flesh.

He had dealt with constables quite a bit in the past and was often bullied. Ordinary constables didn't have copper buttons on their uniforms; only constables like He Tao, who were in charge of searching for thieves in the prefecture, did.

These two are of high rank!

Bai Sheng deliberately said that the money was with some partner to lure them into a trap, making them believe that Bai Sheng had accomplices and that he could catch them all in one fell swoop, so that Bai Sheng would lead them there.

At that time, Bai Sheng led them into Nezha Alley...

As the three walked through the bustling city, Bai Sheng deliberately stumbled and knocked over a stall.

Oranges rolled all over the ground, and amidst the vendor's curses, the oranges rolled to the feet of the two men. As they jumped to avoid them, "White Day Rat" Bai Sheng caught a glimpse of a cold glint in the skinny man's sleeve.

It was an official hand crossbow! Bai Sheng even saw its gleaming bolts!

"We can't afford to give them the first chance!"

Seeing that the other party actually had a ranged attack weapon, "White Day Rat" Bai Sheng couldn't help but think of something.

Not far away, they entered Nezha Alley. The brick walls of Nezha Alley were damp. Bai Sheng's straw sandals rolled over the moss at the base of the wall, and the gourd at his waist swayed gently as he pretended to be drunk and bent over.

The clapper that announces the time on the street has just been struck; we've already gone deep enough.

He suddenly stopped in his tracks—the sound of two leather boots scraping against the bluestone slabs ceased abruptly even three feet away.

"Wow! Ugh!"

Bai Shengzheng drank too much and vomited. He leaned against the wall and secretly observed the surrounding situation.

"Can you still walk?!"

The impatient voices of the two men came from behind.

"Yes! Yes!"

As Bai Sheng answered, he moved along the wall, his hands supporting him, while the two Imperial Guards followed closely behind, like owls clinging to the wall.

Suddenly, Bai Sheng, the hunched-over drunken "White Day Rat," swiftly lunged at a low wall, leaped over it, and landed in a courtyard.

The scarred man realized that Bai Sheng had been faking it all. He saw through their act and recognized them as government officials. He grabbed his companion who was trying to rush forward and shouted, "Watch out!"

Before he could finish speaking, Bai Sheng had already thrown out a handful of rotten vegetable leaves from behind the filthy courtyard gate.

With the vegetable leaves interfering with his movements, the young, thin guard couldn't use the crossbow hidden in his sleeve at all; he could only swing his knife to cleave the leaves.

Just as the two men dodged the vegetable leaves, they saw "White Day Rat" Bai Sheng grab a bucket of swill from the corner of the wall and pour it over their heads.

This bucket doesn't contain swill, but rather the byproducts of the cycle of grains...

Hold your breath!

The scarred-faced guard blocked the way with an iron ruler. Both guards turned around at the same time and were splashed with a yellow and white substance.

At that very moment, "White Day Rat" Bai Sheng had already leaped onto the wall, grabbed a clothesline pole from who-knows-who, and swept it across.

The rusty iron hooks gleamed coldly in the moonlight. The two guards, who had just been splashed with yellow and white pubic hair, were covered in mud. The tall, thin young guard stumbled backward while dodging the clothesline pole, knocking over an empty wine jar in the corner.

Bai Sheng seized the opportunity to pick up broken tiles from above and throw them at the pursuers. These tiles could be used as hidden weapons to cause people to bleed profusely!

A piece of sharp-edged tile grazed the scalp of the scarred guard, shaving off a few strands of his hair.

"You scoundrel! Get down here!"

The shout startled the crows roosting on the eaves, but Bai Sheng grinned – three zhang away, the yellow dog belonging to Widow Liu started barking wildly, and the barking of dogs throughout the alley became a continuous chorus, instantly drowning out all other sounds in the area.

"If you've got the guts, come along!"

Bai Sheng, nicknamed "White Day Rat," uttered an extremely provocative remark, rolled into a side alley, and tore off the hemp rope hanging at the alley entrance.

A coarse cloth soaked with water was draped over their heads. The two guards had just wiped the filth off their faces when they followed, only to have their necks wrapped with a pungent foot-binding cloth.

"Your motherfucker!"

The scarred guard was clearly enraged. He raised his hand and threw the iron ruler. Bai Sheng darted through the dog hole like an eel, feeling the force of the ruler on his back, but it missed.

"Chase him! What are you using your crossbow for?!"

The scarred-faced man angrily berated the tall, thin young guard and continued chasing after him.

"Five, four, three..."

Bai Sheng, the "White Day Rat" who had been hiding in the corner, silently counted to two when the corner collapsed with a crash, thanks to the bamboo frame he had just tampered with.

Someone's salted fish, which they were drying, came crashing down on him. The scarred-faced guard cleaved the two salted fish in two with his iron ruler, and the fish bones flew like rain through the alley.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Bai Sheng climbed onto the top of the wall and, as usual, picked up a tile and threw it at the pursuers. The skinny young guard's leather boots sank into the mud, and when he pulled his foot out, a broken tile was stuck to the sole of his shoe—the wall brick that Bai Sheng had just kicked down.

Just as the older guard was about to swing his ruler to strike Bai Sheng, he suddenly felt his foot slip.

Bai Sheng had splashed a layer of dirty water on the bluestone slab at some point, turning it into a skating rink mixed with broken porcelain shards. Their leather boots were hardly better than ice skates on it, and they immediately fell over.

Bai Sheng squatted on the roof ridge, picked up the drying fishing net, and covered his head with it.

The young guard swung his sword at the net, which was mixed with copper wire and was specifically designed to catch large fish, yet sparks flew off the blade.

Bai Shengyao flipped and landed, then grabbed half a bamboo pole and poked the two people who were being held back. The first poke hit the other person's armpit, causing a numbness.

The moment the scarred guard's iron ruler was knocked out of Bai Sheng's hand, the young guard suddenly sprang up, and the crossbow bolt grazed Bai Sheng's ear and embedded itself in the brick wall.

"That was close."

When Bai Sheng saw that he had fired the crossbow bolt, he immediately stopped getting close and moved along the base of the wall, kicking the bamboo frame against the wall with his foot.

The bamboo frame held a pile of fishing rods drying on the eaves. With a whoosh, more than twenty hardwood rods transformed into a spear formation, all smashing into the two guards.

As the two guards finally managed to break free of the fishing net and raised their arms to block, Bai Sheng had already flashed behind them, picked up a broken brick, and smashed it into the back of their heads.

The scarred-faced guard, dizzy and disoriented from the beating, stumbled forward. Taking advantage of this, Bai Sheng grabbed an iron ruler from the ground and chopped it at the young guard's wrist.

The young guard's sword was knocked away from his crossbow. As soon as the weapon left his hand, Bai Sheng kicked the sword into the ditch with his left foot and the crossbow and the iron ruler with his right foot.

Just as the young guard was about to throw a punch, Bai Sheng used a clothesline to wrap around his ankle, pulled him sharply, and sent him crashing into a pile of mud.

The scarred guard who had been hit by the iron ruler struggled to get up, but Bai Sheng grabbed a broken pottery jar from the corner of the wall and smashed it against the guard's knee.

Amidst the crackling sound of the shattering earthenware pot, the guard knelt on one knee. The man was impaled on the knee by a shard of tile and could not get up. Bai Sheng seized the opportunity to pounce on him and strangle him with a clothesline.

The guard struggled desperately, pulling out another iron ruler from his robes, but he couldn't touch Bai Sheng at all, only managing to destroy it in vain, leaving deep grooves on the ground.

The young guard climbed out of the mud and grabbed a broken bamboo pole, stabbing it into Bai Sheng's back.

Bai Sheng dodged to the side, and then pushed the older guard toward his companion.

He was still in his prime and hadn't expended much energy, while these two were at their last gasp!

The bamboo pole pierced the older guard's shoulder, spurting blood. Taking advantage of the moment, Bai Sheng grabbed a shard of broken porcelain from the ground and slashed it at the younger guard's ankle.

The young guard knelt down in pain, and Bai Sheng grabbed the iron ruler that Scarface had just pulled out and chopped it at the back of the guard's neck.

With a dull thud, the young guard collapsed to the ground.

With Scarface freed from Bai Sheng's restraint, the guard struggled to get up. Bai Sheng grabbed a broken door latch from the corner of the wall and slammed it heavily into the guard's temple.

"That was so tiring!"

Although a fight broke out, everyone in the alley was distracted by the barking dogs, and no one noticed that Bai Sheng had committed murder.

Bai Sheng stood up and pulled a bronze plaque from the skinny man's pocket. The words "Imperial City Guard of the Great Song Dynasty" on the plaque were stained with blood and gleamed coldly in the dim sunlight of Nezha Alley...

At three-quarters past 7 PM, Bai Sheng stuffed the two corpses into a donkey cart carrying military provisions. The official driving the cart out of the city hummed a folk song, the copper bell on the end of his whip jingling in the night wind, completely unaware that there were two dead bodies hidden in the cart...

Bai Sheng, on the other hand, took out the loose silver he had swindled from the guards and squinted at the silver in the rising sun—the act of biting the silver coins with his teeth marks was always his habit, exactly the same as the rogue who had lost all his money that the Liangshan people found in the gambling den before they took the birthday gifts.