Tales of Tang People - The Legend of the White Ape Who Supplemented Jiang Zong

The women said, "We have been with your wife for nearly ten years. This is where the divine creature resides; it has the power to kill people, and even a hundred soldiers with weapons cannot subdue it. Fortunately, it has not yet returned, so it is best to flee quickly. Just procure two measures of fine wine, ten dogs, and several dozen pounds of hemp, and we will conspire to kill it. It will surely come after noon, so be careful not to be too early. Let ten days be the deadline." Then they urged him to leave. Gè also retreated hastily and, having procured the strong liquor, hemp, and dogs, went as agreed. The women said, "That creature loves wine and often gets drunk. When drunk, it exerts its strength. If we bind its hands and feet to the bed with silk, it will break them with a single leap. It once tried to tie three strips, but its strength gave out, and it could not untie them. Now, if we bind it with hemp hidden within silk, we believe it will be unable to do so. Its whole body is like iron, but only a few inches below the navel is always protected; this spot will surely not withstand weapons." Pointing to a rock nearby, they said, "This is its food storehouse. Hide here and wait quietly. Place the wine under the flowers and scatter the dogs in the forest. When our plan succeeds, we will call you out." He did as they said and waited, holding his breath.