Yanzi Li San: The Complete Saga#
(6) Shrinking Bones for Escape
This is the sixth volume of the Swallow Li San comic book series, adapted from the novel The Legend of the Great Thief Swallow Li San. Li San narrowly escaped from the Qingyun Pavilion theater, made a "flying visit" to Hanyuan, and rescued Luoxia. The next day, he went to look for Lu Jing'an, and on the way, met Zhang Lu, who pulled him into a small eatery for drinks. Zhang Lu informed him that Lu Jing'an had been arrested. Li San decided to turn himself in to exchange for Lu Jing'an. Zhang Lu, taking advantage of Li San's drunken sleep, ran to the Police Chief's house to inform on him, setting a trap that led to Li San's capture. In prison, he met Jin Yongtian, a Communist, learned many revolutionary ideals, and tragically discovered that Jinlan had hanged herself. Overwhelmed by grief and indignation, he used the "shrinking bones" technique to slip out of his handcuffs and shackles, escaping from prison. He then traveled around, performing acts of chivalry and committing robberies.
- Li San exited Little Hu Zi's courtyard gate and walked down the narrow alley. He happened to encounter the group of household registration police, who were carrying a paper lantern and singing vulgar folk tunes as they approached.
2. Li San spotted this group of "black dogs" (a derogatory term for police/soldiers), composed himself, and without hesitation, brushed past them.
3. Out of the alley, he reached the main street. As he walked, he pondered, making up his mind to go to the Rongsheng small shop on Niujie (Cow Street) to see if Big Brother Lu had returned safely.
4. Just as he reached the foot of Wupailou (Five Archway), a large hand unexpectedly grabbed his shoulder. Li San was startled and turned to see that it was Zhang Lu. "Sian (Li San's alias) brother, it's been many days, I've missed you terribly, old brother. Come, let's go have a couple of drinks."
5. Li San hesitated for a moment, but Zhang Lu's warm invitation was hard to refuse. After a thought, he followed Zhang Lu to a small eatery selling late-night snacks near Wupailou. They requested a private booth, sat down, and started drinking.
6. "Drink up, brother," Zhang Lu was unusually cheerful today. "A man lives but a lifetime, grass but an autumn. Let's enjoy ourselves while we can, drink! A good drunk solves a thousand worries, cheers!" Zhang Lu's words quickly made him forget his perilous situation, and he drank heartily.
7. Zhang Lu was now an "outside informant" for the police station. He was also a private assistant to the Japanese, and even Ma Yulin had to show him some respect. While drinking, he told Li San that Lu Jing'an had been caught by detectives at Tianxiang Library and was now imprisoned.
8. This extraordinary news left Li San stunned. He sprang to his feet, saying, "I'll turn myself in! I must get Brother Jing'an out. How can I let him go to jail for me?"
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