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《西門慶偷娶潘金蓮 武都頭誤打李皂隸 - Xi Menqing Secretly Marries Pan Jinlian; Wu Doutou Accidentally Beats Li Zao li》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 西門慶偷... : | 詩曰： |
| The poem says: | ||
|
感郎耽夙愛，著意守香奩。歲月多忘遠，情綜任久淹。 於飛期燕燕，比翼誓鶼鶼。細數從前意，時時屈指尖。 | ||
| I am moved by the young man's long-standing affection, devotedly guarding his fragrant casket. Years and months often fade into forgetfulness; emotions remain entwined despite prolonged neglect. I long for the flight of swallows in pairs, vowing to be inseparable as mandarin ducks. Carefully recounting past feelings, I often bend my fingertips to count them. | ||
| 2 | 西門慶偷... : | 話說西門慶與潘金蓮燒了武大靈，到次日，又安排一席酒，請王婆作辭，就把迎兒交付與王婆看養。因商量道：「武二回來，卻怎生不與他知道六姐是我娶了才好？」王婆笑道：「有老身在此，任武二那廝怎地兜達，我自有話回他。大官人只管放心！」西門慶聽了，滿心歡喜，又將三兩銀子謝他。當晚就將婦人箱籠，都打發了家去，剩下些破桌、壞凳、舊衣裳，都與了王婆。到次日初八，一頂轎子，四個燈籠，婦人換了一身艷色衣服，王婆送親，玳安跟轎，把婦人抬到家中來。那條街上，遠近人家無一不知此事，都懼怕西門慶有錢有勢，不敢來多管，只編了四句口號，說得好： |
| After Ximen Qing and Pan Jinlian burned the funeral offerings for Wu Da, on the following day they prepared a banquet to invite Auntie Wang as a farewell guest. They then entrusted Ying'er to Auntie Wang's care and upbringing. They discussed, "When Wu Er returns, how can it be that we do not let him know that the sixth sister is now my wife?" Auntie Wang smiled and said, "With me here, no matter how Wu Er tries to press the issue, I will have my own words to reply to him." "Master, you may rest assured!" Ximen Qing, upon hearing this, was overjoyed and gave him another three taels of silver as a token of gratitude. That evening, they sent all the woman's trunks and belongings home. The remaining broken tables, damaged stools, and old clothes were given to Auntie Wang. On the following day, the eighth day of the month, a palanquin with four lanterns was prepared. The woman changed into a set of brightly colored clothes; Auntie Wang accompanied her as the bride's escort, and Dai'an followed in the palanquin. They carried the woman back to Ximen Qing's home. The people in the neighborhood, both near and far, were all well aware of this matter. They feared Ximen Qing's wealth and power and dared not interfere. Instead, they composed a four-line rhyme to describe it aptly: | ||
| 堪笑西門不識羞，先姦後娶醜名留。轎內坐著浪淫婦，後邊跟著老牽頭。 | ||
| It is pitiable that Ximen Qing lacks shame; he first committed adultery and then married, leaving a disgraceful reputation. In the palanquin sat a wanton woman, followed behind by an old matchmaker. | ||
| 3 | 西門慶偷... : | 西門慶娶婦人到家，收拾花園內樓下三間與他做房。一個獨獨小角門兒進去，院內設放花草盆景。白日間人跡罕到，極是一個幽僻去處。一邊是外房，一邊是臥房。西門慶旋用十六兩銀子買了一張黑漆歡門描金床，大紅羅圈金帳幔，寶象花揀妝，桌椅錦杌，擺設齊整。大娘子吳月娘房裡使著兩個丫頭，一名春梅，一名玉簫。西門慶把春梅叫到金蓮房內，令他伏侍金蓮，趕著叫娘。卻用五兩銀子另買一個小丫頭，名叫小玉，伏侍月娘。又替金蓮六兩銀子買了一個上竈丫頭，名喚秋菊。排行金蓮做第五房。先頭陳家娘子陪嫁的，名喚孫雪娥，約二十年紀，生的五短身材，有姿色。西門慶與他戴了鬏髻，排行第四，以此把金蓮做個第五房。此事表過不題。 |
| After bringing the woman home, Ximen Qing arranged three rooms in a pavilion within his garden for her to live in. 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔… A small private side gate led into the courtyard, where flowerpots and landscape arrangements were placed. During the day, few people came there; it was an extremely secluded place. One side was a guest room for outsiders, and the other side was their bedroom. Ximen Qing quickly spent sixteen taels of silver to buy a black lacquered bed with gilded carvings, adorned with a large red silk canopy embroidered in gold thread and decorated with peony patterns. He also purchased tables, chairs, and cushions covered in brocade, arranging everything neatly and elegantly. The first wife, Wu Yueliang, had two maidservants in her quarters: one named Chunmei and the other Yu Xiao. Ximen Qing summoned Chunmei to Jinlian's quarters, ordering her to serve Pan Jinlian and address her as "mother." He spent another five taels of silver to purchase a young girl servant, named Xiaoyu, to serve Wu Yueliang. He also spent six taels of silver for Jinlian to buy a kitchen maid, named Qiuju. Pan Jinlian was ranked as the fifth concubine in the household. Previously, a woman named Sun Xue'e had been given as part of the dowry from her family. She was about twenty years old, with a short and stocky figure but possessed some beauty. Ximen Qing gave her a bun hairstyle for married women and ranked her as the fourth concubine, thus making Jinlian the fifth. This matter has been mentioned; we will not dwell on it further. | ||
| 4 | 西門慶偷... : | 這婦人一娶過門來，西門慶就在婦人房中宿歇，如魚似水，美愛無加。到第二日，婦人梳妝打扮，穿一套艷色服，春梅捧茶，走來後邊大娘子吳月娘房裡，拜見大小，遞見面鞋腳。月娘在座上仔細觀看，這婦人年紀不上二十五六，生的這樣標緻。但見： |
| After this woman was married into the household, Ximen Qing stayed in her quarters every night. Their relationship flowed as smoothly as water and fish, filled with unmatched affection and delight. On the next day, the woman dressed and adorned herself in a set of bright-colored clothes. Chunmei carried tea as she went to visit Wu Yueliang's quarters at the back of the house, paid her respects to the senior and junior members of the household, and presented new shoes and socks as a gift for their meeting. Wu Yueliang observed her carefully from her seat; the woman was no more than twenty-five or six years old and possessed striking beauty. One could see: | ||
| 眉似初春柳葉，常含著雨恨雲愁；臉如三月桃花，暗帶著風情月意。纖腰裊娜，拘束的燕懶鶯慵；檀口輕盈，勾引得峰狂蝶亂。玉貌妖嬈花解語，芳容窈窕玉生香。 | ||
| Her eyebrows resembled the tender leaves of willows in early spring, always carrying a look of sorrow and melancholy; Her face was like peach blossoms in March, subtly exuding charm and romantic sentiment. Her slender waist swayed gracefully, as if a swallow or nightingale were too tired to move; �始 Her delicate lips were light and charming, enticing even the most composed mountain peaks and butterflies into chaos. Her jade-like face was alluring and expressive like a speaking flower; her graceful appearance exuded fragrance as if made of jade. | ||
| 5 | 西門慶偷... : | 吳月娘從頭看到腳，風流往下跑；從腳看到頭，風流往上流。論風流，如水泥晶盤內走明珠；語態度，似紅杏枝頭籠曉日。看了一回，口中不言，心內想道：「小廝每來家，只說武大怎樣一個老婆，不曾看見，不想果然生的標緻，怪不的俺那強人愛他。」金蓮先與月娘磕了頭，遞了鞋腳。月娘受了他四禮。次後李嬌兒、孟玉樓、孫雪娥，都拜見了，平敘了姊妹之禮，立在旁邊。月娘叫丫頭拿個坐兒教他坐，吩咐丫頭、媳婦趕著他叫五娘。這婦人坐在旁邊，不轉睛把眾人偷看。見吳月娘約三九年紀，生的面如銀盆，眼如杏子，舉止溫柔，持重寡言。第二個李嬌兒，乃院中唱的，生的肌膚豐肥，身體沉重，雖數名妓者之稱，而風月多不及金蓮也。第三個就是新娶的孟玉樓，約三十年紀，生得貌若梨花，腰如楊柳，長挑身材，瓜子臉兒，稀稀多幾點微麻，自是天然俏麗，惟裙下雙灣與金蓮無大小之分。第四個孫雪娥，乃房裡出身，五短身材，輕盈體態，能造五鮮湯水，善舞翠盤之妙。這婦人一抹兒都看在心裡。過三日之後，每日清晨起來，就來房裡與月娘做針指，做鞋腳，凡事不拿強拿，不動強動。指著丫頭趕著月娘，一口一聲只叫大娘，快把小意兒貼戀幾次，把月娘喜歡得沒入腳處，稱呼他做六姐。衣服首飾揀心愛的與他，吃飯吃茶都和他在一處。因此，李嬌兒眾人見月娘錯敬他，都氣不忿，背後常說：「俺們是舊人，到不理論。他來了多少時，便這等慣了他。大姐姐好沒分曉！」西門慶自娶潘金蓮來家，住著深宅大院，衣服頭面又相趁，二人女貌郎才，正在妙年之際，凡事如膠似漆，百依百隨，淫慾之事，無日無之。且按下不題。 |
| Wu Yueliang looked from head to toe, and her admiration for beauty seemed to flow downward; Looking from the feet back up to the head, her appreciation of elegance rose upward. In terms of charm, she was like a pearl rolling in a crystal plate filled with cement; Her manner and bearing were as if red apricot blossoms on a branch veiled by the morning sun. After observing her for a while, Wu Yueliang said nothing aloud but thought to herself, "When the young men came home, they only spoke of how beautiful Lady Wu Da's wife was. I had never seen her myself, and now it turns out she is indeed strikingly beautiful. No wonder my violent husband loves her so much." Jinlian first kowtowed to Yueliang and presented the new shoes and socks. Yueliang accepted her four ceremonial gifts. Afterward, Li Jiaoer, Meng Yulou, and Sun Xue'e all paid their respects, exchanging the proper courtesies as sisters, standing by on the side. Yueliang ordered a chair to be brought for her to sit and instructed the maidservants and female relatives to address her as "Fifth Madam." The woman sat on the side, stealing glances at everyone without blinking. She saw Wu Yueliang was about thirty-nine years old, with a face like a silver basin and eyes resembling apricots. Her mannerisms were gentle, composed, and she spoke little but carried herself with dignity. The second, Li Jiaoer, was a singer from the courtesan quarters. She had plump skin and a heavy body. Though she bore the title of a famous courtesan, her charm and allure paled in comparison to Jinlian's. The third was Meng Yulou, newly married, about thirty years old. She had a face as pure as pear blossoms and a waist like willow branches; she was tall and slender with an oval-shaped face and only a few faint freckles, naturally charming. Her most striking feature was her pair of well-formed feet, which were no smaller than Jinlian's. The fourth was Sun Xue'e, a servant by birth. She had a short and stocky build but a graceful posture. She could prepare delicious five-ingredient soups and skillfully perform the delicate dance with an emerald plate. The woman took in every detail of them all, noting everything in her heart. After three days, every morning she would rise early and come to Yueliang's room to sew or make shoes. She never took anything without being asked nor moved about unless necessary. She instructed the maids to address Yueliang as "Elder Madam" and repeatedly showed her affection with small gestures, delighting Wu Yueliang so much that she had no words for it. She began calling her "Sixth Sister." She gave her clothes and ornaments of her own favorite choices, and they ate meals and drank tea together. Because of this, Li Jiaoer and the others saw that Yueliang treated her with special respect. They were resentful and often muttered behind her back: "We are the old servants here; we should not be ignored." She has only been here for so long, yet they have already grown used to treating her this way. How unwise our eldest sister is!" Since Ximen Qing had brought Pan Jinlian home, they lived in a deep courtyard mansion. Their clothes and accessories matched perfectly; the woman was beautiful and the man talented, both at their prime. In every matter, they were as close as glue to lacquer, obeying each other's wishes without hesitation. Their amorous activities occurred daily without fail. We will set this aside for now and not dwell on it further. | ||
| 6 | 西門慶偷... : | 單表武鬆，八月初旬到了清河縣，先去縣裡納了回書。知縣見了大喜，已知金寶交得明白，賞了武鬆十兩銀子，酒食管待，不必細說。武鬆回到下處，換了衣服鞋襪，戴了一頂新頭巾，鎖了房門，一徑投紫石街來。兩邊眾鄰舍看見武鬆回來，都吃一驚，捏兩把汗，說道：「這番蕭牆禍起了！這個太歲歸來，怎肯干休！」武鬆走到哥哥門前，揭起帘子，探身入來，看見小女迎兒在樓穿廊下攆線。叫聲哥哥也不應，叫聲嫂嫂也不應，道：「我莫不耳聾了，如何不見哥嫂聲音？」向前便問迎兒。那迎兒見他叔叔來，嚇的不敢言語。武鬆道：「你爹娘往那裡去了？」迎兒只是哭，不做聲。正問間，隔壁王婆聽得是武二歸來，生怕決撒了，慌忙走過來。武二見王婆過來，唱了喏，問道：「我哥哥往那裡去了？嫂嫂也怎的不見？」婆子道：「二哥請坐，我告訴你。你哥哥自從你去後，到四月間得個拙病死了。」武二道：「我哥哥四月幾時死的？得什麼病？吃誰的藥來？」王婆道：「你哥哥四月二十頭，猛可地害起心疼起來，病了八九日，求神問卜，什麼藥不吃到？醫治不好，死了。」武二道：「我的哥哥從來不曾有這病，如何心疼便死了？」王婆道：「都頭卻怎的這般說？天有不測風雲，人有旦夕禍福。今晚脫了鞋和襪，未審明朝穿不穿。誰人保得常沒事？」武二道：「我哥哥如今埋在那裡？」王婆道：「你哥哥一倒了頭，家中一文錢也沒有，大娘子又是沒腳蟹，那裡去尋墳地？虧左近一個財主舊與大郎有一面之交，舍助一具棺木，沒奈何放了三日，抬出去火葬了。」武二道：「如今嫂嫂往那裡去了？」婆子道：「他少女嫩婦的，又沒的養贍過日子。胡亂守了百日孝，他娘勸他，前月嫁了外京人去了。丟下這個業障丫頭子，教我替他養活。專等你回來交付與你，也了我一場事。」武二聽言，沉吟了半晌，便撇下王婆出門去，逕投縣前下處。開了門進房裡，換了一身素衣，便叫土兵街上打了一條麻絛，買了一雙綿褲，一頂孝帽戴在頭上；又買了些果品點心、香燭冥紙、金銀錠之類，歸到哥哥家，從新安設武大靈位。安排羹飯，點起香燭，鋪設酒餚，掛起經幡紙繒，安排得端正。約一更已後，武二拈了香，撲翻身便拜，道：「哥哥陰魂不遠，你在世時，為人軟弱，今日死後，不見分明。你若負屈含冤，被人害了，托夢與我，兄弟替你報冤雪恨！」把酒一面澆奠了，燒化冥紙，武二便放聲大哭。終是一路上來的人，哭的那兩邊鄰舍無不凄惶。武二哭罷，將這羹飯酒餚和土兵、迎兒吃了。討兩條席子，教土兵房外旁邊睡，迎兒房中睡，他便自把條席子，就武大靈桌子前睡。 |
| Let us turn our attention to Wu Song, who arrived in Qinghe Xian during the first half of August and first went to the county office to submit his report. The magistrate was overjoyed upon seeing him, already aware that the matter of Jin Bao had been resolved clearly. He rewarded Wu Song with ten taels of silver and treated him to food and wine; there is no need to go into further detail. Wu Song returned to his lodging, changed into new clothes and shoes, put on a fresh headscarf, locked the door behind him, and went straight to Zishi Street. The neighbors on both sides were surprised when they saw Wu Song return, and all felt a sense of anxiety. They said to one another, "This time, trouble has come from within the family!" "This tiger-like figure is back; how could he possibly let it rest?" Wu Song walked up to his brother's house, lifted the curtain, and peered inside. He saw Ying'er, his niece, chasing a thread under the corridor of the upper floor. He called out "Brother," but there was no response; he called out "Sister-in-law," yet still no reply. He muttered, "Am I going deaf? Why can't I hear my brother and sister-in-law?" He stepped forward to ask Ying'er directly. Ying'er, seeing her uncle arrive, was frightened and dared not speak. Wu Song asked, "Where have your parents gone?" Ying'er only wept and did not speak. Just as he was asking, Auntie Wang from the next door heard that Wu Er had returned and feared her secret might be exposed. She hurried over in a panic. Wu Er, seeing Auntie Wang approach, bowed and asked, "Where has my brother gone?" "And why can't I find my sister-in-law either?" The old woman said, "Second Brother, please sit. Let me tell you." "Ever since you left, your brother fell ill in the fourth month and died of a lingering illness." Wu Er asked, "When exactly did my brother die in the fourth month?" And what illness did he have?" Whose medicine was he taking?" Auntie Wang said, "On the twentieth day of the fourth month, your brother suddenly began suffering from chest pain. He was ill for eight or nine days and tried every kind of medicine—consulting gods and fortune-tellers, what medicine did he not take?" But nothing worked; in the end, he died." Wu Er said, "My brother had never suffered from this illness before. How could chest pain alone have killed him?" Auntie Wang replied, "How can you say such a thing, Officer Wu?" "Heaven has unpredictable winds and clouds; human beings face sudden misfortunes or blessings." "One may take off one's shoes and socks tonight, but who can know whether they will be worn tomorrow morning?" "Who can guarantee that misfortune will never come?" Wu Er asked, "Where is my brother buried now?" Auntie Wang said, "After your brother passed away, the family had not a single coin left. The eldest wife was like a crab without legs—how could she possibly find a burial site?" "It was only due to the kindness of a wealthy man nearby, who had once met your elder brother briefly. He generously provided a coffin. With no other choice, they kept the body for three days and then cremated it." Wu Er asked, "Where has my sister-in-law gone now?" The old woman replied, "She is a young and inexperienced widow with no means to support herself." "She barely observed the hundred-day mourning period. Her mother urged her, and last month she married a man from another city and left." "She left behind this wretched girl for me to raise in her place." "I was waiting for you to return so I could hand the child over to you and finally put an end to this matter." Wu Er, upon hearing these words, fell into deep thought for a moment. Then he left Auntie Wang and went out the door, heading straight to his lodging in front of the county office. He opened the door and went into his room, changed into a plain set of clothes, then ordered the soldiers to fetch a hemp sash from the street. He bought a pair of cotton pants and put on a mourning cap atop his head; He also bought some fruits, pastries, incense, candles, paper money, and gold and silver 锭 (paper effigies), returned to his brother's home, and re-established the memorial tablet for Wu Da. He arranged a meal, lit incense and candles, laid out wine and delicacies, hung prayer flags and paper offerings, and everything was set in order. After about the first watch of the night, Wu Er took up incense, turned around, and bowed deeply. He said, "Brother, your spirit is not far away. When you were alive, you were a weak man; now that you are dead, there has been no clear resolution." "If you died wronged and wrongfully accused by others, appear to me in a dream. Your younger brother will take revenge for your injustice and clear your name!" He poured out the wine as an offering, burned the paper money, and Wu Er burst into loud weeping. After all, he was a man of strong character; his crying moved the neighbors on both sides to sorrow and distress. After weeping, Wu Er shared the meal of soup, food, and wine with the soldiers and Ying'er. He fetched two mats, telling the soldiers to sleep outside by the room and Ying'er to sleep inside. He himself took one mat and lay down in front of Wu Da's memorial table. | ||
| 7 | 西門慶偷... : | 約莫將半夜時分，武二翻來覆去那裡睡得著，口裡只是長吁氣。那土兵齁齁的卻似死人一般，挺在那裡。武二爬將起來看時，那靈桌子上琉璃燈半明半滅。武二坐在席子上，自言自語，口裡說道：「我哥哥生時懦弱，死後卻無分明。」說猶未了，只見那靈桌子下捲起一陣冷風來。但見： |
| Around the middle of the night, Wu Er turned and tossed about, unable to sleep, sighing deeply all the while. Wu Er saw this and became anxious. He got up, woke the soldier, and asked, "What kind of person are you?" Wu Er climbed up to look when he saw that the glass lamp on the memorial table was flickering, half lit and half extinguished. Sitting on the mat, Wu Er muttered to himself, saying, "My elder brother was timid when he was alive, and even after his death there is still no clarity." He had not yet finished speaking when a cold wind suddenly rose from beneath the memorial table. One could see: | ||
| 無形無影，非霧非煙。盤旋似怪風侵骨冷，凜冽如殺氣透肌寒。昏昏暗暗，靈前燈火失光明；慘慘幽幽，壁上紙錢飛散亂。隱隱遮藏食毒鬼，紛紛飄逐影魂幡。 | ||
| Formless and shadowless, neither mist nor smoke. It swirled like a strange wind that pierced the bones with coldness, chillingly sharp as if deadly qi penetrated to the flesh. Dusky and dim, the lamp before the spirit lost its light; Gloomy and eerie, paper money on the wall fluttered about in disorder. Faintly hidden were ghosts feasting on poison; banners bearing shadows of souls fluttered and scattered wildly. | ||
| 8 | 西門慶偷... : | 那陣冷風，逼得武二毛髮皆豎起來。定睛看時，見一個人從靈桌底下鑽將出來，叫聲：「兄弟！我死得好苦也！」武二看不仔細，卻待向前再問時，只見冷氣散了，不見了人。武二一交跌翻在席子上坐的，尋思道：「怪哉！似夢非夢。剛纔我哥哥正要報我知道，又被我的神氣衝散了。想來他這一死，必然不明。」聽那更鼓，正打三更三點。回頭看那土兵，正睡得好。於是咄咄不樂，只等天明，卻再理會。 |
| That cold wind made Wu Er's hair stand on end. Focusing his eyes, he saw a man crawling out from beneath the memorial table and calling out, "Brother!" "I died such a bitter death!" Wu Er could not see clearly. Just as he was about to step forward and ask more, the cold air dispersed, and the figure vanished from sight. Wu Er fell back onto the mat where he sat, pondering to himself, "Strange!" It was neither dream nor reality. Just now, my elder brother was about to inform me when his spirit was once again dispersed by my own energy. It must be that his death was unjust." Listening to the drum marking the hours, it struck three times at the third watch. Looking back at the soldier, he was sleeping soundly. Thus filled with frustration and unease, Wu Er waited until dawn to deal with it further. | ||
| 9 | 西門慶偷... : | 看看五更雞叫，東方漸明。土兵起來燒湯，武二洗漱了，喚起迎兒看家，帶領土兵出了門。在街上訪問街坊鄰舍：「我哥哥怎的死了？嫂嫂嫁得何人去了？」那街坊鄰舍明知此事，都懼怕西門慶，誰肯來管？只說：「都頭，不消訪問，王婆在緊隔壁住，只問王婆就知了。」有那多口的說：「賣梨的鄆哥兒與仵作何九，二人最知詳細。」這武二竟走來街坊前去尋鄆哥。只見那小猴子手裡拿著個柳籠簸羅兒，正糴米回來。武二便叫鄆哥道：「兄弟！」唱喏。那小廝見是武二叫他，便道：「武都頭，你來遲了一步兒，須動不得手。只是一件，我的老爹六十歲，沒人養贍，我卻難保你們打官司。」武二道：「好兄弟，跟我來。」引他到一個飯店樓上，武二叫貨賣造兩分飯來。武二對鄆哥道：「兄弟，你雖年幼，倒有養家孝順之心。我沒甚麼──」向身邊摸出五兩碎銀子，遞與鄆哥道：「你且拿去與老爹做盤費。待事務畢了，我再與你十來兩銀子做本錢。你可備細說與我：哥哥和甚人合氣？被甚人謀害了？家中嫂嫂被那一個娶去？你一一說來，休要隱匿。」這鄆哥一手接過銀子，自心裡想道：「這些銀子，老爹也夠盤費得三五個月，便陪他打官司也不妨。」一面說道：「武二哥，你聽我說，卻休氣苦。」於是把賣梨兒尋西門慶，後被王婆怎地打他，不放進去，又怎地幫扶武大捉姦，西門慶怎的踢中了武大，心疼了幾日，不知怎的死了，從頭至尾細說了一遍。武二聽了，便道：「你這話卻是實麼？」又問道：「我的嫂子實嫁與何人去了？」鄆哥道：「你嫂子吃西門慶抬到家，待搗弔底子兒，自還問他實也是虛！」武二道：「你休說謊。」鄆哥道：「我便官府面前，也只是這般說。」武二道：「兄弟，既然如此，討飯來吃。」須臾，吃了飯。武二還了飯錢，兩個下樓來，吩咐鄆哥：「你回家把盤纏交與老爹，明日早上來縣前，與我作證。」又問：「何九在那裡居住？」鄆哥道：「你這時候還尋何九？他三日前聽見你回，便走的不知去向了。」這武二放了鄆哥家去。 |
| As the fifth watch approached and the rooster crowed, the eastern sky gradually brightened. The soldier got up to boil water; Wu Er washed and brushed his teeth, woke Ying'er to look after the house, and led the soldiers out of the door. On the street, he asked neighbors and fellow townspeople: "How did my elder brother die?" "And to whom has my sister-in-law married away?" The neighbors and townspeople all knew about the matter, but they were afraid of Xi Menqing and none dared to get involved. They only said, "Captain Wu, there is no need to inquire further; Auntie Wang lives just next door. Ask her and you will know everything." Some gossipy ones added, "The pear-seller Yinge and the coroner He Jiu know all the details." Wu Er immediately went to the neighborhood in search of Yinge. He saw a little monkey-like man holding a willow basket, just returning from buying rice. Wu Er called out to Yinge, "Brother!" and bowed respectfully. The young man, seeing it was Wu Er calling him, said, "Captain Wu, you're a bit late. You can't do anything about it now." "Just one thing: my old father is sixty years old and has no one to support him. I can't guarantee for you if you go to court." Wu Er said, "Good brother, come with me." He led him to a restaurant upstairs and had the waiter prepare two portions of food. Wu Er said to Yinge, "Brother, although you are young, you have a filial heart for your family." "I don't have much──" he reached into his side and took out five taels of broken silver, handing it to Yinge and saying, "Take this for your old father's expenses. Once the matter is settled, I will give you another ten or so taels of silver as capital." You must tell me in detail: with whom did my elder brother have a quarrel? Who plotted to kill him?" And which man took my sister-in-law away from home? Tell me everything, don't hide anything." Yinge took the silver in one hand and thought to himself, "This amount of silver would be enough for my old father's expenses for three or five months. Even if I go with him to court, it won't matter." He said at the same time, "Brother Wu Er, listen carefully. Don't be too upset." He then recounted from beginning to end how the pear-seller had sought out Xi Menqing, and later how Auntie Wang had beaten him up and refused to let him in. He also described how Wu Da had caught a lover in the act with help, how Xi Menqing had kicked Wu Da, causing him chest pain for several days, and eventually he died under unknown circumstances. Wu Er listened and said, "Is what you just said true?" He then asked again, "To whom did my sister-in-law really marry away to?" Yinge said, "Your sister-in-law was taken home by Xi Menqing. If you want to know the truth or falsehood of it all, just go and ask him directly!" Wu Er said, "Don't lie to me." Yinge replied, "Even in front of the authorities, I would say exactly the same thing." Wu Er said, "Brother, since it is so, bring us some food to eat." In no time, they had finished their meal. Wu Er paid for the meal, and the two of them came down from the building. He instructed Yinge: "Go home and give the money to your old father. Come to the county office in front tomorrow morning to testify for me." He then asked, "Where does He Jiu live?" Yinge said, "Are you still looking for He Jiu at this time?" "He heard that you had returned three days ago and has since disappeared without a trace." Wu Er then let Yinge go home. | ||
| 10 | 西門慶偷... : | 到第二日，早起，先在陳先生家寫了狀子，走到縣門前。只見鄆哥也在那裡伺候，一直奔到廳上跪下，聲冤起來。知縣看見，認的是武鬆，便問：「你告什麼？因何聲冤？」武二告道：「小人哥哥武大，被豪惡西門慶與嫂潘氏通姦，踢中心窩，王婆主謀，陷害性命。何九朦朧入殮，燒毀屍傷。見今西門慶霸佔嫂子在家為妾。見有這個小廝鄆哥是證見。望相公作主則個。」因遞上狀子。知縣接著，便問：「何九怎的不見？」武二道：「何九知情在逃，不知去向。」知縣於是摘問了鄆哥口詞，當下退廳與佐二官吏通同商議。原來知縣、縣丞、主簿、典史，上下都是與西門慶有首尾的，因此官吏通同計較，這件事難以問理。知縣隨出來叫武鬆道：「你也是個本縣中都頭，怎不省得法度？自古捉姦見雙，殺人見傷。你那哥哥屍首又沒了，又不曾捉得他姦。你今只憑這小廝口內言語，便問他殺人的公事，莫非公道忒偏向麼？你不可造次，須要自己尋思。」武二道：「告稟相公，這都是實情，不是小人捏造出來的。只望相公拿西門慶與嫂潘氏、王婆來，當堂盡法一番，其冤自見。若有虛誣，小人情願甘罪。」知縣道：「你且起來，待我從長計較。可行時，便與你拿人。」武二方纔起來，走出外邊，把鄆哥留在屋裡，不放回家。 |
| The next day, after getting up early, he first went to Master Chen's house and wrote a petition, then walked to the front of the county office gate. He saw Yinge already waiting there; he rushed straight into the hall, knelt down, and began to plead his case. The county magistrate looked up and recognized it was Wu Song. He asked, "What are you suing for?" "Why are you pleading your case?" Wu Er petitioned, "My elder brother Wu Da was killed by the villain Xi Menqing and my sister-in-law Pan Shi, who committed adultery. He kicked him in the chest area. Auntie Wang plotted this and conspired to take his life. He Jiu faked the autopsy, obscuring the injuries on the body and burning away the evidence of wounds." Now Xi Menqing has taken my sister-in-law into his home as a concubine. There is this young man Yinge who can serve as a witness to the events." I humbly request, Sir Magistrate, that you please render justice." He then submitted the petition. The county magistrate took it and asked, "Why is He Jiu not here?" Wu Er replied, "He Jiu knows the truth but has fled; his whereabouts are unknown." The county magistrate then questioned Yinge about what he knew, and after the session ended, withdrew to confer with two assistant officials. Originally, the county magistrate, vice-magistrate, registrar, and clerk were all connected to Xi Menqing in some way. Therefore, the officials colluded together, making it difficult to pursue justice for this matter. The county magistrate then came out and called Wu Song, saying, "You are also a captain of the local guards in this county. How could you not understand the law?" "Since ancient times, catching an adulterer requires evidence of both parties; killing someone must be proven by visible injuries." Your elder brother's body is already gone, and you have not caught them in the act of adultery. Now you only rely on this young man's words to bring a murder case against him. Is it not too biased for justice?" "You must not act rashly; you should think carefully yourself." Wu Er said, "Respected Magistrate, all of this is the truth; it was not fabricated by me. I only hope that Sir Magistrate will arrest Xi Menqing, my sister-in-law Pan Shi and Auntie Wang, bring them to court for a fair trial, and the injustice will then be revealed." If there is any false accusation, I am willing to accept the punishment." The county magistrate said, "Get up for now. Let me think this over carefully. If it is feasible, I will then proceed to arrest the people involved for you." Wu Er only just got up and walked out. He left Yinge inside, not allowing him to go home. | ||
| 11 | 西門慶偷... : | 早有人把這件事報與西門慶得知。西門慶聽得慌了，忙叫心腹家人來保、來旺，身邊帶著銀兩，連夜將官吏都買囑了。到次日早晨，武二在廳上指望告稟知縣，催逼拿人。誰想這官人受了賄賂，早發下狀子來，說道：「武鬆，你休聽外人挑撥，和西門慶做對頭。這件事欠明白，難以問理。聖人雲：經目之事，猶恐未真；背後之言，豈能全信？你不可一時造次。」當該吏典在旁，便道：「都頭，你在衙門裡也曉得法律，但凡人命之事，須要屍、傷、病、物、蹤，五件事俱完，方可推問。你那哥哥屍首又沒了，怎生問理？」武二道：「若恁的說時，小人哥哥的冤讎，難道終不能報便罷了？既然相公不準所告，且卻有理。」遂收了狀子，下廳來。來到下處，放了鄆哥歸家，不覺仰天長嘆一聲，咬牙切齒，口中罵淫婦不絕。 |
| Early on, someone reported this matter to Xi Menqing. Xi Menqing, upon hearing the news, was greatly alarmed. He quickly called his trusted servants Lai Bao and Lai Wang, took some silver with him, and bribed all the officials overnight. The next morning, Wu Er was in the hall hoping to petition the county magistrate and urge him to arrest the suspects. Who could have thought that this official, having accepted the bribe, had already issued a ruling, saying: "Wu Song, do not listen to outsiders' instigation and make an enemy of Xi Menqing. This matter is unclear and cannot be adjudicated." As the sage said: Even matters witnessed with one's own eyes may still not be true; How can words spoken behind one's back be entirely trusted? "You must not act rashly at this moment." The clerk present said, "Headman, you know the law in this office. In any case involving a death, five things must be complete: corpse, injuries, medical records, physical evidence, and traces of the crime scene. Only then can an investigation proceed." "Your brother's body is already gone; how can we possibly adjudicate this?" Wu Er said, "If it's like that, does my brother's injustice mean he can never be avenged and I must just let it go? Since the magistrate has rejected my petition, there is indeed some justification." He then took back the petition and left the hall. When he arrived at his lodging, he let Yinge go home. He couldn't help but sigh long and hard to the sky, gritting his teeth and cursing the lustful woman without end. | ||
| 12 | 西門慶偷... : | 武松是何等漢子，怎消洋得這口惡氣！一直走到西門慶生藥店前，要尋西門慶廝打。正見他開鋪子的傅伙計在櫃身裡面，見武二狠狠的走來，問道：「你大官人在宅上麼？」傅伙計認的是武二，便道：「不在家了。都頭有甚話說？」武二道：「且請借一步說句。」傅伙計不敢不出來，被武二引到僻靜巷口。武二翻過臉來，用手撮住他衣領，睜圓怪眼說道：「你要死，卻是要活？」傅伙計道：「都頭在上，小人又不曾觸犯了都頭，都頭何故發怒？」武二道：「你若要死，便不要說；若要活時，對我實說。西門慶那廝如今在那裡？我的嫂子被他娶了多少日子？一一說來，我便罷休？」那傅伙計是個小膽的人，見武二發作，慌了手腳，說道：「都頭息怒，小人在他家，每月二兩銀子雇著，小人只開鋪子，並不知他們閑帳。大官人本不在家，剛纔和一相知，往獅子街大酒樓上吃酒去了。小人並不敢說謊。」武二聽了此言，方纔放了手，大叉步飛奔到獅子街來。嚇的傅伙計半日移腳不動。那武二逕奔到獅子街橋下酒樓前來。 |
| Wu Song was a man of such character; how could he possibly let this injustice go unavenged! He walked straight to the front of Xi Menqing's herbal medicine shop, determined to look for Xi Menqing and fight him. Just then, he saw Fu Huoji, the shop assistant who worked at his store, inside behind the counter. Seeing Wu Er coming in angrily, he asked, "Is your master at home?" Fu Huoji recognized it was Wu Er and said, "He is not at home. Is there anything you want to say?" Wu Er said, "Please step aside for a moment so I can speak with you." Fu Huoji dared not refuse and was led by Wu Er to a quiet alley entrance. Wu Er turned around, grabbed his collar with his hand, opened his eyes wide and said, "Do you want to die or do you want to live?" Fu Huoji said, "Respected Headman, I have not offended you in any way. Why are you so angry?" Wu Er said, "If you want to die, then don't say anything; if you want to live, tell me the truth." Where is that Xi Menqing now? How many days has my sister-in-law been married to him?" Tell me everything, and I will let it rest." Fu Huoji was a timid man. Seeing Wu Er's outburst, he panicked and said, "Headman, please calm down. I work for him at his home, earning two taels of silver per month. All I do is run the shop; I don't know anything about their private affairs. The master was not at home just now; he went to the Lion Street Grand Winehouse with a friend for drinks. I dare not lie." After hearing these words, Wu Er finally released his grip and took big strides to run quickly to Lion Street. The shop assistant Fu Huoji was so frightened that he could not move for a long time. Wu Er went straight to the winehouse at the bridge under Lion Street. | ||
| 13 | 西門慶偷... : | 且說西門慶正和縣中一個皂隸李外傳在樓上吃酒。原來那李外傳專一在府縣前綽攬些公事，往來聽氣兒撰些錢使。若有兩家告狀的，他便賣串兒；或是官吏打點，他便兩下里打背。因此縣中就起了他這個渾名，叫做李外傳。那日見知縣回出武鬆狀子，討得這個消息，便來回報西門慶知道。因此西門慶讓他在酒樓上飲酒，把五兩銀子送他。正吃酒在熱鬧處，忽然把眼向樓窗下看，只見武鬆似凶神般從橋下直奔酒樓前來。已知此人來意不善，不覺心驚，欲待走了，卻又下樓不及，遂推更衣，走往後樓躲避。武二奔到酒樓前，便問酒保道：「西門慶在此麼？」酒保道：「西門大官人和一相識在樓上吃酒哩。」武二撥步撩衣，飛搶上樓去。早不見了西門慶，只見一個人坐在正面，兩個唱的粉頭坐在兩邊。認的是本縣皂隸李外傳，就知是他來報信，不覺怒從心起，便走近前，指定李外傳罵道：「你這廝，把西門慶藏在那裡去了？快說了，饒你一頓拳頭！」李外傳看見武二，先嚇呆了，又見他惡狠狠逼緊來問，那裡還說得出話來！武二見他不則聲，越加惱怒，便一腳把桌子踢倒，碟兒盞兒都打得粉碎。兩個粉頭嚇得魂都沒了。李外傳見勢頭不好，強掙起身來，就要往樓下跑。武二一把扯回來道：「你這廝，問著不說，待要往那裡去？且吃我一拳，看你說也不說！」早颼的一拳，飛到李外傳臉上。李外傳叫聲啊呀，忍痛不過，只得說道：「西門慶才往後樓更衣去了，不乾我事，饒我去罷！」武二聽了，就趁勢兒用雙手將他撮起來，隔著樓窗兒往外只一兜，說道：「你既要去，就饒你去罷！」撲通一聲，倒撞落在當街心裡。武二隨即趕到後樓來尋西門慶。此時西門慶聽見武鬆在前樓行兇，嚇得心膽都碎，便不顧性命，從後樓窗一跳，順著房檐，跳下人家後院內去了。武二見西門慶不在後樓，只道是李外傳說謊，急轉身奔下樓來，見李外傳已跌得半死，直挺挺在地下，還把眼動。氣不過，兜襠又是兩腳，早已哀哉斷氣身亡。眾人道：「這是李皂隸，他怎的得罪都頭來？為何打殺他？」武二道：「我自要打西門慶，不料這廝悔氣，卻和他一路，也撞在我手裡。」那地方保甲見人死了，又不敢向前捉武二，只得慢慢挨上來收籠他，那裡肯放鬆！連酒保王鸞並兩個粉頭包氏、牛氏都拴了，竟投縣衙里來。此時哄動了獅子街，鬧了清河縣，街上議論的人，不計其數。卻不知道西門慶不該死，倒都說是西門慶大官人被武鬆打死了。正是： |
| Meanwhile, Xi Menqing was having drinks on the upper floor with Li Wai chuan, a county official's attendant. Originally, Li Wai Chuan specialized in picking up some official business at the front of the prefectural and county offices, eavesdropping on gossip to make a little money. If there were two parties petitioning for justice, he would play both sides; or if officials gave him some money to smooth things over, he would betray both sides. Because of this, the county gave him a nickname: Li Wai Chuan. On that day, after learning from the magistrate's rejection of Wu Song's petition and obtaining this information, he immediately came to inform Xi Menqing. Therefore, Xi Menqing let him drink at the winehouse and gave him five taels of silver. While they were drinking and enjoying themselves, Xi Menqing suddenly looked out the window and saw Wu Song coming toward the winehouse from under the bridge like a vengeful spirit. Realizing this man had ill intentions, Xi Menqing could not help but feel alarmed. He wanted to run away, but it was too late to descend the stairs; so he pretended to go change his clothes and fled to the back of the building for cover. Wu Er ran up to the front of the winehouse and asked the innkeeper, "Is Xi Menqing here?" The innkeeper said, "Master Xi Men is having drinks with a friend upstairs." Wu Er pushed through the crowd and rushed up the stairs. Xi Menqing was already gone, but a man sat in front, with two female entertainers sitting on either side. Recognizing him as Li Wai Chuan, the county's official attendant, he realized it was this man who had given the warning. Anger surged in his heart, and Wu Er stepped forward to point at Li Wai Chuan and scolded, "You wretch, where did you hide Xi Menqing?" Speak quickly, or I'll beat the living daylights out of you!" Li Wai Chuan saw Wu Er first and was stunned with fear. Then, seeing him approach angrily to press for an answer, he could not utter a word! Wu Er saw that he did not respond and became even more furious. He kicked the table over with one foot, shattering all the plates and cups into pieces. The two female entertainers were so frightened they lost their wits. Seeing the situation was getting out of hand, Li Wai Chuan struggled to his feet and tried to run downstairs. Wu Er grabbed him back and said, "You wretch! You won't answer when asked—where do you think you're going? Have a taste of my fist first and see if you'll talk or not!" With that, he threw a punch straight at Li Wai Chuan's face. Li Wai Chuan cried out in pain and, unable to endure it any longer, said, "Xi Menqing just went to the back building to change his clothes. It's not my fault—please let me go!" Wu Er, hearing this, took advantage of the moment and grabbed him by both arms. He threw Li Wai Chuan out through the window, saying, "If you want to go, then I'll let you go!" With a loud splash, he fell headfirst into the street. Wu Er immediately rushed to the back building in search of Xi Menqing. At this time, Xi Menqing had heard Wu Song causing a ruckus on the front floor and was so frightened his heart and courage shattered. Without regard for his life, he jumped from the back building window, ran along the eaves, and leapt into someone's backyard. Wu Er found Xi Menqing missing from the back building and assumed Li Wai Chuan had lied. He turned around in a hurry and rushed downstairs, where he saw that Li Wai Chuan was half-dead on the ground, eyes still moving. Unable to contain his anger, Wu Er kicked him in the crotch with two more powerful kicks, and Li Wai Chuan died on the spot. The crowd said, "This is Li Zao Li, how did he offend you, Headman? Why did you kill him?" Wu Er said, "I was after Xi Menqing myself. Unfortunately for this wretch, he happened to be with him and got caught in my hands." The local neighborhood guards, seeing the man dead and daring not to move forward to arrest Wu Er, could only slowly approach him in an attempt to contain the situation. But they certainly did not dare to let their guard down! They even detained Wang Luan, the innkeeper, and the two female entertainers Bao Shi and Niu Shi, and together they went to report to the county magistrate's office. At this time, Lion Street was in an uproar and Qinghe County was thrown into chaos; countless people were discussing the incident on the streets. Yet no one knew that Xi Menqing had not died, and instead everyone was saying that Master Xi Menqing had been killed by Wu Song. Indeed: | ||
| 李公吃了張公釀，鄭六生兒鄭九當。世間幾許不平事，都付時人話短長。 | ||
| Li Gong drank wine brewed by Zhang Gong, and Zheng Liu's son became Zheng Jiu. How many injustices exist in this world— all left to people of the time to talk about at length. |
URN: ctp:jinpingmei/ch9