or the western army. Did you hearanything about that?"Chen started in surprise and wondered how he couldhave known. They had hurried south after the Lanfengincident without resting. "I understand there was suchan incident," he said. "The refugees had no clothesand no food and the local officials did nothing tohelp them. They were forced to break the law in orderto survive, an action which under the circumstances ispardonable."Dongfang was silent for a while. "I understand it wasnot quite simple as that," he said nonchalantly. "Iheard the Red Flower Society incited the refugees.""What is the Red Flower Society>" asked Chen, feigningignorance.

　　"It is rebellious underworld society. Have you neverheard of it?""I am afraid that between my lute and my chess board,I have little time for the affairs of the world.""There's no need to be ashamed. These people are inany case no great problem.""What basis do you have for saying that?""The Emperor is on the throne and the administrationof the country is enlightened and orderly. Once one ortwo men with talent are assigned to the job, the RedFlower Society will be destroyed in no time at all.""I know nothing of administration, so please do notlaugh if I should say something stupid. But in myhumble opinion, most court officials are drunkards andguzzlers. I doubt if they would be able to accomplishsuch a mission."As he spoke, Dongfang and his three attendants turnedpale.

　　"That is simply the view of a scholar," Dongfangreplied. "These friends of mine here are of more thanmediocre ability. If you were a student of the martialarts, you would know that I was not exaggerating.""I lack even the stength to tie up a chicken, but Ihave always had the greatest respect for heroicfighters," Chen said. "Are these your pupils? I wonderif you could ask them to perform a demonstration oftheir abilities?""Show this Master Lu one of your tricks," Dongfangsaid to the attendants.

　　"Thank you," said Chen.

　　One of the attendants stepped forward. "That magpie inthe tree is too noisy," he said. "I'll knock it downso we can have some peace."With a wave of his hand, a sleeve dart shot offtowards the magpie, but just as it neared the target,it suddenly veered off to one side and missed.

　　Donggang looked surprised and the attendant's facewent red with embarrassment. He threw another dart.

　　This time everyone was watching closely and saw apiece of earth knock the dart off course.

　　The old man noticed Xin Yan's hand had moved slightlyand realised he was responsible. "This young brother'skung fu is excellent. We must get to know oneanother," he said and grasped for Xin Yan's hand withfingers of steel.

　　Chen was surprised to see the old man was using GreatEagle's Claw kung fu. "There are only a handful of menas good as that," he thought. "Why would such a managree to be Dongfang's servant?"He flicked open his fan in front of Xin Yan as the oldman lunged at the boy, and the old man quicklywithdrew. As his master was treating Chen in afriendly manner, it would be extremely disrespectfulto damage one of his possessions. He glanced at Chen,wondering if he knew kung fu. Chen began fanninghimself lightly, completely relaxed as if the move asecond ago had been a pure coincidence.

　　"This boy's kung fu is very good despite his youth,"said Dongfang. "Where did you find him?""He doesn't know kung fu," replied Chen. "But he hasbeen throwing things at insects and birds since he wassmall, and he's become quite good at it."Dongfang could see this was untrue, but did not pursuethe matter. He looked at Chen's fan.

　　"Whose is the calligraphy on your fan? May I look?" heasked. Chen handed the fan over to him.

　　"A man who was not of such noble character as yourselfwould be unworthy of this object. Where did you getit?""I bought it in a bookstore for ten gold pieces.""If you had paid ten times as much, I would stillconsider it a bargain," Dongfang replied. "Possessionssuch as this are usually passed down from generationto generation in the great families. It is certainlyamazing that you were able to buy it so easily in abookstore."Chen knew Dongfang didn't believe him, but he didn'tcare. He smiled lightly.

　　"I like this fan very much," Dongfang said. "I wonderif I could ask you to sell it to me?""If you like it, I would be pleased to give it toyou," Chen replied.

　　Dongfang accepted the fan and lifted up the ancientlute and presented it to Chen. "Just as an heroicfighter should be presented with a treasured sword, soshould this lute belong to you."Chen knew the lute was extremely valuable, and hewondered why the man wanted to exchange gifts so soonafter they had met. But as the son of a high official,he had seen many treasures and was not dazzled bythem. He saluted Dongfang with his fists in thanks andtold Xin Yan to pick the lute up.

　　"If there is anything I can ever do for you in thefuture, please come to Beijing with that lute and justask for me," Dongfang said. "Why don't we walk backdown the hill together?""Fine," said Chen, and the two started off, holdinghands.

　　As they reached the Hidden Spirit monastery, severalpeople came towards them, led by a handsome-faced manwearing an embroidered gown. The man bore a strikingresemblance to Chen and was even about the same age,but he lack Chen's imposing air. Chen and he startedin surprise as they looked at each other.

　　"Isn't he like you, Brother Lu?" Dongfang said. "Kang,come and meet Master Lu."Kang bowed towards him, and Chen quickly returned thecourtesy.

　　All of a sudden, they heard a girl call out insurprise. Chen turned and saw Zhou Qi with Xu and herparents emerging from the monastery, and knew she musthave struck with surprise at the sight of two GreatHelsmen Chen's. He saw Xu hustling her away and turnedback.

　　"Brother Lu," Dongfang said. "We seem to have becomegood friends on our first meeting. We will meet again.

　　Goodbye." They bowed to each other and Dongfang walkedoff guarded by several dozen of the blue-gowned men.

　　Chen turned and nodded slightly in Xu's direction. Xuhurriedly made his apologies to Lord Zhou and to ZhouQi and followed after Dongfang and his companions.

　　Towards evening, he returned to make his report. "Thefellow spent a long time floating about on the lakeand then went to the Provincial Commander-in-chief'sYamen," he said.

　　Chen told him about his meeting with Dongfang, and thetwo decided he must be a very senior official, eitheran Imperial Inspector-General or a member of theEmperor's close family. From his appearance, he didnot look like a Manchu, and so they concluded he wasprobably an Inspector General.

　　"Could his arrival have anything to do with FourthBrother, I wonder," Chen mused. "I think I will goover to the Commander-in-chief's Yamen personally thisevening to investigate.""It would be best to take someone with you just incase," Xu replied.

　　"Ask Brother Zhao," said Chen. "He's from Zhejiangprovince so he should know something of Hangzhou."In less than a day, the heroes arrived in Xuzhou. Thelocal Red Flower Society Chief was immediately rushedoff his feet making arrangements for them. After anight's rest, they continued on south. Every placethey passed through now, big and small, had a RedFlower Society branch, but the heroes maintained theiranonymity and sped onwards. They reached Hangzhouseveral days later and took up residence in the homeof the Hangzhou Helmsman, Ma Shanjun. Ma's residencelay at the foot of Lonely Mountain beside the WestLake.

　　Ma was a merchant who owned two large silk factories.

　　About fifty years old and portly, Ma, in his floweredsilk robe and black woollen jacket, was the picture ofa wealthy man used to luxury. But the appearance wasdeceptive: he was also a brave fighter. That night ata welcoming banquet in the rear hall, the heroes toldhim of their plan to rescue Wen Tailai.

　　"I will immediately dispatch men to find out whichprison Master Wen is in, and then we can decide on aplan of action." He ordered his son Ma Dating to sendsomeone to investigate.

　　The next morning, the son reported that his men haddiscreetly asked about Wen at all the prisons andmilitary headquarters in the area, but had failed tofind any trace of him.

　　Chen called a meeting of the heroes to discuss thesituation.

　　"We have brothers in all the Yamens and in themilitary headquarters," said Ma. "If Master Wen was inan official prison, we would know about it. I amafraid the authorities are guarding him secretly.""Our first step is to find out where Brother Wen is,"said Chen. "Please continue to dispatch capable menaround all the Yamens, Brother Ma. This evening, Iwill a............