Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen were sworn brothers. One day, Lin's wife, a very pretty woman, suffered sexual harassment from the son of Gao Qiu, a very high official, when she was praying in a temple. At the news, Lin rushed over, give Gao Qiu's son a good beating, thus offending GaoQiu. Gao framed Lin with a false accusation, then had him flogged and banished him to Cangzhou. Gao secretly instructed the two guards to kill Lin on the way. On the way Lin had a very hard time, bruised and flogged almost every day. Seeking an occasion, the two guard Lin's feet with boiling water. Lin walked each step with unbearable pain. One day, they came to a densely wooded place, where sunshine was unable to penetrate the leaves. The two guards told Lin to stop by a tree for a rest. They tied him fast to the tree, saying that it was for safety concerns. Only after they finished did they reveal their real purpose: "We have been instructed by Gao Qiu to kill you," they said. While one of the guards lifted his cudgel and Lin lowered his head waiting for the fatal blow, Lu Zhishen jumped from nowhere and fended off the blow. Lu had heard of how Lin was framed and had followed all the way there, thus saving Lin's life. Lin asked him to spare the two guards. Lu aGREed, but instructed that they wait upon Lin attentively all the way to Cangzhou.
林冲和鲁智深是结拜兄弟。一日,林冲的妻子在庙中烧香,被权臣高俅(?——1126年)的儿子调戏,林冲得到报信后,把他们打跑,为此得罪了高俅。高俅设计陷害林冲,将林冲打二十军棍并发配沧州,还叮嘱解差董超、薛霸在路上结果林冲性命。押解的路上,董超、薛霸百般折磨林冲,林冲本来就有棒伤,二解差故意用开水将林冲的脚烫肿,林冲行走非常困难。有一天,他们来到了野猪林,这里柏树参天,老藤缠绕,林中见不到一丝阳光。二解差假意让林冲休息,说怕他逃跑又用绳子把林冲绑在树上,林冲动弹不得。这是两人露出狰狞面目说:"我们奉了太尉的命令,要杀死你。"当薛霸刚举起水火棍要打,没想到棍子被突然跳出来的鲁智深打飞。原来,鲁智深听说林冲被害,前去搭救,一问才知道已发配沧州,便一路上追赶才保住了林冲的性命。在林冲的讲情下,鲁智深饶了两个解差,要他们好好服饰林冲,并一直送到沧州。