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《王杏庵義恤貧兒 金道士孌淫少弟 - Wang Xing'an's Benevolence Toward a Poor Boy Jin Taoist's Lust for His Younger Brother》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 王杏庵義... : | 詩曰： |
| The poem says: | ||
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階前潛制淚，眾里自嫌身。氣味如中酒，情懷似別人。 暖風張樂席，晴日看花塵。儘是添愁處，深居乞過春。 | ||
| I suppress my tears in silence before the steps, and among the crowd I feel ashamed of myself. My feelings are like those after drinking wine, and my emotions resemble those of a stranger. Warm winds spread the music 席, and on sunny days one watches the dust of blossoms. Everywhere adds to my sorrow; I remain in deep seclusion, begging for spring to pass. | ||
| 2 | 王杏庵義... : | 話說陳敬濟，自從西門大姐死了，被吳月娘告了一狀，打了一場官司出來，唱的馮金寶又歸院中去了，剛刮剌出個命兒來。房兒也賣了，本錢兒也沒了，頭面也使了，傢伙也沒了。又說陳定在外邊打發人，克落了錢，把陳定也攆去了。家中日逐盤費不周，坐吃山空，不時往楊大郎家中，問他這半船貨的下落。一日，來到楊大郎門首，叫聲：「楊大郎在家不在？」不想楊光彥拐了他半船貨物，一向在外，賣了銀兩，四散躲閃。及打聽得他家中弔死了老婆，他丈母縣中告他，坐了半個月監，這楊大郎就驀地來家住著。聽見敬濟上門叫他，問貨船下落，一徑使兄弟楊二風出來，反問敬濟要人：「你把我哥哥叫的外面做買賣，這幾個月通無音信，不知拋在江中，推在河內，害了性命，你倒還來我家尋貨船下落？人命要緊，你那貨物要緊？」這楊二風平昔是個刁徒潑皮，耍錢搗子，胳膊上紫肉橫生，胸前上黃毛亂長，是一條直率光棍。走出來一把扯住敬濟，就問他要人。那敬濟慌忙掙開手跑出回家來。這楊二風故意拾了塊三尖瓦楔，將頭顱鑽破，血流滿面，趕將敬濟來，罵道：「我肏你娘娘！我見你家甚麼銀子來？你來我屋裡放屁，吃我一頓好拳頭。」那敬濟金命水命，走投無命，奔到家，把大門關閉如鐵桶相似，由著楊二風牽爹娘，罵父母，拿大磚砸門，只是鼻口內不敢出氣兒。又況才打了官司出來，夢條繩蛇也害怕，只得含忍過了。正是： |
| It is said that Chen Jingji, since Lady Ximen had died, was accused by Wu Yueliang and went through a lawsuit. After this legal battle, Feng Jinbao, whom he had sung for, returned to the institution. He barely escaped with his life, having been scraped out of trouble like something sharp and unpleasant. He had sold the house, lost his capital, spent all his valuables, and even lost his belongings. It was also said that Chen Ding had sent people out to collect money, but they had embezzled it. As a result, Chen Ding himself was driven away. With daily expenses at home insufficient and their resources dwindling, they had to visit Yang Dalang's house from time to time to inquire about the whereabouts of his half-ship cargo. One day, he arrived at the entrance of Yang Dalang's home and called out, "Is Yang Dalang at home or not?" Unbeknownst to him, Yang Guangyan had taken half of his cargo and had been away all along, selling it for silver and scattering in hiding. After hearing that his wife had hanged herself at home and that his mother-in-law had reported him to the county, resulting in a half-month imprisonment, Yang Dalang suddenly came back to live there. Hearing Jingji at the door calling for him and asking about the cargo ship, Yang Dalang immediately sent his brother Yang Erfeng out to confront Jingji and demand an explanation: "You called my elder brother outside to do business, but there has been no news of him these past few months. I don't know whether he was thrown into the river or pushed into the stream, causing his death. Yet you dare come to my home asking about the whereabouts of your cargo ship?" "A life is at stake; how can your goods be more important than that?" Yang Erfeng was, by nature, a cunning ruffian and a spendthrift troublemaker. Purple scars ran across his arms, and yellow hair grew haphazardly on his chest; he was a straightforward tough guy. Coming out, he grabbed Jingji by the collar and demanded to know where the person was. Jingji hurriedly struggled free and ran home in alarm. Yang Erfeng deliberately picked up a three-edged tile fragment, pierced his skull with it, and ran after Jingji with blood streaming over his face, cursing, "I'll f your mother!" "What silver did I ever see in your house?" "You came to my house and farted, so you deserved a good beating from me." Jingji, with his life in danger and nowhere to turn, rushed home and shut the front door tightly like an iron drum. As Yang Erfeng dragged his parents by the hair, cursed at them, and threw big bricks at the gate, Jingji could not even dare to breathe through his nose or mouth. Moreover, since he had just come out of a lawsuit and was still afraid even of the shadow of a snake, Jingji could do nothing but endure it. It is indeed: | ||
| 嫩草怕霜霜怕日，惡人自有惡人磨。 | ||
| Tender grass fears frost, and frost fears the sun; evildoers will naturally meet their match in other evildoers. | ||
| 3 | 王杏庵義... : | 不消幾時，把大房賣了，找了七十兩銀子，典了一所小房，在僻巷內居住。落後兩個丫頭，賣了一個重喜兒，只留著元宵兒和他同鋪歇。又過了不上半月，把小房倒騰了，卻去賃房居住。陳安也走了，家中沒營運，元宵兒也死了，止是單身獨自，傢伙桌椅都變賣了，只落得一貧如洗。未幾，房錢不給，鑽入冷鋪內存身。花子見他是個富家勤兒，生得清俊，叫他在熱炕上睡，與他燒餅兒吃。有當夜的過來教他頂火夫，打梆子搖鈴。 |
| It did not take long before he sold the main house and got seventy taels of silver, with which he rented a small house in a secluded alley to live. Later, he sold one of his two maidservants, Chongxi'er, and kept only Yuanxiaor at home to sleep with him. No more than half a month later, he sold the small house and went to rent another place to live. Chen An had also left, and with no means of support at home, Yuanxiaor died as well. Jingji was now alone, having sold all his furniture and chairs; he ended up completely destitute. Not long after, unable to pay the rent, he sneaked into a cold storage room for shelter. The beggars saw that he was the son of a wealthy family and found him handsome, so they let him sleep on the warm kang bed and gave him steamed buns to eat. Those who were on duty that night came over and taught him to serve as a fireman, beating the clappers and ringing the bell. | ||
| 4 | 王杏庵義... : |
那時正值臘月，殘冬時分，天降大雪，吊起風來，十分嚴寒。這工敬濟打了回梆子，打發當夜的兵牌過去，不免手提鈴串了幾條街巷。又是風雪，地下又踏著那寒冰，凍得聳肩縮背，戰戰兢兢。臨五更雞叫，只見個病花子躺在牆底下，恐怕死了，總甲分付他看守著，尋了把草叫他烤。這敬濟支更一夜，沒曾睡，就歪下睡著了。不想做了一夢，夢見那時在西門慶家，怎生受榮華富貴，和潘金蓮勾搭，頑耍戲謔，從睡夢中就哭醒來。眾花子說：「你哭怎的？」這敬濟便道：「你眾位哥哥，我的苦楚，你怎得知？ 頻年困苦痛妻亡，身上無衣口絕糧。馬死奴逃房又賣，隻身獨自在他鄉。 朝依肆店求遺饌，暮宿莊園倚敗牆。只有一條身後路，冷鋪之中去打梆。」 |
| At that time it was just December, in the waning winter; heavy snow fell from the sky and a cold wind blew up, making the weather extremely severe. Jingji beat his clapper for a while, sent the night watchmen on duty away, and could not help but walk through several streets and alleys with a bell in hand. With the wind and snow, and stepping on icy ground below, he was frozen stiff, hunching his shoulders and shrinking his back, trembling with cold. Just as the fifth watch of the night approached and the rooster crowed, he saw a sick beggar lying under the wall. Fearing that the man might die, the headman ordered Jingji to keep watch over him and found some straw for him to roast by. Jingji had kept his night watch without sleeping, and finally dozed off while leaning over. Unbeknownst to him, he had a dream in which he saw himself back at Ximenqing's household, enjoying wealth and honor, and how he had been involved with Pan Jinlian, playing around and joking. He woke up from the dream crying. The beggars asked, "Why are you crying?" Jingji replied, "Brothers, how could you know the bitterness and sorrow in my heart?" Years of hardship have brought me pain from my wife's death; I wear no clothes, and there is not a grain to eat. My horse has died, my servant fled, and the house was sold; now I am alone in a foreign land. By day I rely on shops for leftover food, by night I sleep at farmhouses leaning against broken walls. Now there is only one path left to me: to beat the clapper in a cold storage room. | ||
| 5 | 王杏庵義... : | 陳敬濟晚夕在冷鋪存身，白日間街頭乞食。 |
| Chen Jingji spent his nights sheltering at the cold storage and begged for food on the streets during the day. | ||
| 6 | 王杏庵義... : | 清河縣城內有一老者，姓王名宣，字廷用，年六十餘歲，家道殷實，為人心慈，仗義疏財，專一濟貧拔苦，好善敬神。所生二子，皆當家成立。長子王乾，襲祖職為牧馬所掌印正千戶；次子王震，充為府學庠生。老者門首搭了個主管，開著個解當鋪兒。每日豐衣足食，閑散無拘，在梵宇聽經，琳宮講道。無事在家門首施藥救人，拈素珠念佛。因後園中有兩株杏樹，道號為杏庵居士。 |
| In the city of Qinghe there was an old man surnamed Wang, named Xuan, courtesy name Tingyong. He was over sixty years old and had a wealthy family background. He was kind-hearted, righteous, generous with his wealth, dedicated to helping the poor and relieving suffering, and loved doing good deeds and respecting gods. He had two sons who were both mature and capable of managing their own households. His eldest son, Wang Qian, inherited the family position as the head official in charge of horse breeding at the Horse Breeding Office, holding the rank of Zheng Qianhu. His second son, Wang Zhen, was enrolled as a student at the local government school. An elderly man had set up a manager at his gate and operated a pawnshop. Every day he enjoyed abundant food and clothing, lived freely without constraints, listened to Buddhist sermons in temples, and discussed Daoist teachings at palaces. When there was nothing to do, he gave out medicine to save people at the entrance of his home and recited Buddhist mantras while holding a string of prayer beads. Because there were two apricot trees in the back garden, he was given the Daoist title Xing'an Jushi (the Apricot Hermit). | ||
| 7 | 王杏庵義... : | 一日，杏庵頭戴重檐幅巾，身穿水合道服，在門首站立。只見陳敬濟打他門首過，向前扒在地下磕了個頭。忙的杏庵還禮不迭，說道：「我的哥，你是誰？老拙眼昏，不認的你。」這敬濟戰戰兢兢，站立在旁邊說道：「不瞞你老人家，小人是賣松槁陳洪兒子。」老者想了半日，說：「你莫不是陳大寬的令郎麼？」因見他衣服襤褸，形容憔悴，說道：「賢侄，你怎的弄得這般模樣？」便問：「你父親、母親可安麼？」敬濟道：「我爹死在東京，我母親也死了。」杏庵道：「我聞得你在丈人家住來？」敬濟道：「家外父死了，外母把我攆出來。他女兒死了，告我到官，打了一場官司。把房兒也賣了，有些本錢兒，都吃人坑了，一向閑著沒有營生。」杏庵道：「賢侄，你如今在那裡居住？」敬濟半日不言語，說：「不瞞你老人家說，如此如此。」杏庵道：「可憐，賢侄你原來討吃哩。想著當初，你府上那樣根基人家。我與你父親相交，賢侄，你那咱還小哩，才扎著總角上學堂，怎就流落到此地位？可傷，可傷。你政治家甚親家？也不看顧你看顧兒。」敬濟道：「正是。俺張舅那裡，一向也久不上門，不好去的。」 |
| One day, Xing'an wore a double-eave head covering and a Daoist robe of water-green color as he stood at the gate. He saw Chen Jingji passing by his gate, who then knelt on the ground and bowed to him. Xing'an hurriedly returned the courtesy with difficulty and said, "Brother, who are you?" "My old eyes are dim; I don't recognize you." Jingji stood trembling at the side and said, "I will not hide from you, old sir. I am the son of Chen Hong, who sells pine shavings." The old man thought for a while and said, "Aren't you perhaps the son of Chen Dakuan?" Seeing that he was dressed in tattered clothes and looked worn out, the old man said, "Dear nephew, how did you come to look like this?" He then asked, "Are your father and mother safe?" Jingji said, "My father died in Dongjing, and my mother is also dead." Xing'an said, "I heard that you were living at your mother-in-law's house?" Jingji replied, "My father-in-law is dead, and my mother-in-law drove me out." Her daughter died, so she reported me to the authorities, which led to a lawsuit. They sold the house and whatever capital I had was taken by others; since then, I have been idle with no means of making a living." Xing'an said, "Dear nephew, where are you staying now?" Jingji remained silent for a while before saying, "I will not hide it from you, old sir; the situation is like this." Xing'an said, "Pitiful! So you have been begging for food, dear nephew. Thinking back to the beginning, your family was once such a well-established household." I used to be friends with your father. Dear nephew, you were still a child back then, just starting school with your hair tied in two knots; how could things have turned out so that you ended up in such a situation?" How sad, how tragic. Whose family are you related to now? You don't have any relatives left to take care of you." Jingji said, "That's exactly it. My uncle Zhang hasn't visited for a long time either; I can't go there." | ||
| 8 | 王杏庵義... : | 問了一回話，老者把他讓到裡面客位里，令小廝放桌兒，擺出點心嗄飯來，教他儘力吃了一頓。見他身上單寒，拿出一件青布綿道袍兒，一頂氈帽，又一雙氈襪、綿鞋，又秤一兩銀子，五百銅錢，遞與他，分付說：「賢侄，這衣服鞋襪與你身上，那銅錢與你盤纏，賃半間房兒住；這一兩銀子，你拿著做上些小買賣兒，也好糊口過日子，強如在冷鋪中，學不出好人來。每月該多少房錢，來這裡，老拙與你。」這陳敬濟扒在地下磕頭謝了，說道：「小侄知道。」拿著銀錢，出離了杏庵門首。也不尋房子，也不做買賣，把那五百文錢，每日只在酒店麵店以了其事。那一兩銀子，搗了些白銅頓罐，在街上行使。吃巡邏的當土賊拿到該坊節級處，一頓拶打，使的罄盡，還落了一屁股瘡。不消兩日，把身上綿衣也輸了，襪兒也換嘴來吃了，依舊原在街上討吃。 |
| After chatting for a while, the old man invited him into an inner room and had his servant set up a table. He served pastries and snacks, telling Jingji to eat as much as he wanted. Seeing that he was poorly dressed, the old man took out a dark blue cotton Daoist robe, a felt hat, a pair of felt socks and cotton shoes, weighed out one tael of silver and five hundred copper coins, handed them to him, and instructed, "Dear nephew, these clothes and shoes are for you. The copper coins will serve as your travel expenses; rent half a room to live in, and this one tael of silver, you may use to start a small business; it will help you earn your daily bread. It is better than staying in the cold storage room where no good person can be made." Whenever you need to pay rent, come here and I will give it to you," said the old man. Chen Jingji knelt on the ground, bowed his head, and thanked him, saying, "I understand, Uncle." He took the silver and coins and left Xing'an's gate. He did not look for a house or start any business, but instead spent the five hundred coins each day at wine shops and noodle houses to satisfy his needs. That one tael of silver he used to buy some white copper teapots, which he then sold on the street. While doing so, he was caught by a patrol officer and taken to the local official in charge. After being beaten severely, he lost all his money and even ended up with a sore bottom. It did not take two days before he lost his cotton clothes, sold his socks for food, and was back on the street begging as usual. | ||
| 9 | 王杏庵義... : | 一日，又打王杏庵門首所過，杏庵正在門首，只見敬濟走來磕頭，身上衣襪都沒了，止戴著那氈帽，精腳趿鞋，凍的乞乞縮縮。老者便問：「陳大官，做的買賣如何？房錢到了，來取房錢來了？」那陳敬濟半日無言可對。問之再三，方說如此這般，都沒了。老者便道：「阿呀，賢侄，你這等就不是過日子的道理。你又拈不的輕，負不的重，但做了些小活路兒，不強如乞食，免教人恥笑，有玷你父祖之名。你如何不依我說？」一面又讓到裡面，教安童拿飯來與他吃飽了。又與了他一條夾褲，一領白布衫，一雙裹腳，一弔銅錢，一鬥米：「你拿去務要做上了小買賣，賣些柴炭、豆兒、瓜子兒，也過了日子，強似這等討吃。」這敬濟口雖答應，拿錢米在手，出離了老者門，那消幾日，熟食肉面，都在冷鋪內和花子打夥兒都吃了。耍錢，又把白布衫、夾褲都輸了。大正月里，又抱著肩兒在街上走，不好來見老者，走在他門首房山牆底下，嚮日陽站立。 |
| One day, Jingji passed by Xing'an's gate again. Xing'an was just at the entrance when he saw Jingji come over to bow. Jingji had no clothes or socks left; he only wore that felt hat and walked barefoot in slippers, shivering from the cold with a hunched posture. The old man asked, "Master Chen, how is your business going?" "Has the rent come due? Have you come to collect it?" Chen Jingji remained speechless for a while, unable to respond. After being asked several times, he finally explained in this manner that everything was gone. The old man sighed and said, "Oh dear nephew, this is not the way to live your life." You are not light enough to carry nothing, nor strong enough to bear heavy burdens. If you do some small work, wouldn't that be better than begging? It would at least prevent people from looking down on you and tarnishing the name of your ancestors. "Why don't you follow my advice?" While saying this, he invited him inside again and ordered the servant An Tong to bring food for him to eat until full. He also gave him a pair of lined pants, a white cloth shirt, a pair of foot bindings, a string of copper coins, and one bushel of rice: "Take these and be sure to start some small business. Sell firewood, charcoal, beans, or melon seeds; this way you can live your life better than begging like this." Though Jingji verbally agreed, as soon as he had the money and rice in his hands, no sooner had he left the old man's gate than within a few days, all the cooked meat and noodles were eaten up at the cold storage with the beggars. Gambling away his money, he also lost the white cloth shirt and lined pants. In the middle of the first lunar month, he walked along the street with his shoulders hunched, too ashamed to visit the old man. He stood under the gable wall at the entrance of Xing'an's house, basking in the sunlight. | ||
| 10 | 王杏庵義... : | 老者冷眼看見他，不叫他。他挨挨搶搶，又到根前扒在地下磕頭。老者見他還依舊如此，說道：「賢侄，這不是常策。咽喉深似海，日月快如梭，無底坑如何填得起？你進來，我與你說，有一個去處，又清閑，又安得你身，只怕你不去。」敬濟跪下哭道：「若得老伯見憐，不拘那裡，但安下身，小的情願就去。」杏庵道：「此去離城不遠，臨清馬頭上，有座晏公廟。那裡魚米之鄉，舟船輻輳之地，錢糧極廣，清幽瀟灑。廟主任道士，與老拙相交極厚，他手下也有兩三個徒弟徒孫。我備分禮物，把你送與他做個徒弟出家，學些經典吹打，與人家應福，也是好處。」敬濟道：「老伯看顧，可知好哩。」杏庵道：「既然如此，你去，明日是個好日子，你早來，我送你去。」敬濟去了。這王老連忙叫了裁縫來，就替敬濟做了兩件道袍，一頂道髻，鞋襪俱全。 |
| The old man saw him with a cold eye but did not call him over. He hesitated and approached, then knelt on the ground at his feet to bow again. The old man saw that he was still the same as before and said, "Dear nephew, this is no way to go on. Your throat is deep like the sea; days and months pass as swiftly as a shuttle in weaving. How can you ever fill such an endless pit? "Come inside," the old man said, "I will tell you about a place where it is both peaceful and safe for your life. The only problem is that you may not want to go." Jingji knelt down and wept, saying, "If my old uncle would show me mercy, no matter where it is, as long as I can find a place to settle, I am willing to go." Xing'an said, "This place is not far from the city. At Linqing Ma Tou, there is a Yan Gong Temple." It is a land of fish and rice, a place where boats gather in great numbers. The money and grain there are abundant, and the surroundings are quiet and elegant. The temple is managed by a Taoist priest who has been very close friends with me for many years, and he also has two or three apprentices and disciples under his charge. I will prepare some gifts, send you to him as an apprentice and have you become a monk. You can study the scriptures and learn music and drumming, and offer blessings for people; this would be good for you." Jingji said, "If Uncle looks after me, it will surely be a good thing." Xing'an said, "Since that is the case, you may go. Tomorrow is a good day; come early in the morning and I will send you off." Jingji left. The old man Wang hurriedly called in a tailor, who made two Taoist robes and one Taoist hairpin for Jingji, along with complete sets of shoes and socks. | ||
| 11 | 王杏庵義... : | 次日，敬濟果然來到。王老教他空屋裡洗了澡，梳了頭，戴上道髻，裡外換了新襖新褲，上蓋表絹道衣，下穿雲履氈襪，備了四盤羹果，一壇酒，一匹尺頭，封了五兩銀子。他便乘馬，雇了一匹驢兒與敬濟騎著，安童、喜童跟隨，兩個人擔了盒擔，出城門，徑往臨清馬頭晏公廟來。止七十里，一日路程。比及到晏公廟，天色已晚，王老下馬，進入廟來。只見青松鬱郁，翠柏森森，兩邊八字紅牆，正面三間朱戶，端的好座廟宇。但見： |
| The next day, Jingji indeed came as promised. The old man Wang had him take a bath in an empty room, combed his hair, and put on the Taoist hairpin. He changed into new robes and pants, wore a silk Taoist outer robe over them, and donned cloud-patterned shoes with felt socks underneath. They also prepared four trays of soup and fruits, one jar of wine, one bolt of cloth, and sealed five taels of silver. He rode a horse, hired a donkey for Jingji to ride on, and was followed by An Tong and Xi Tong. Two men carried the boxes of gifts as they left the city gate directly toward Linqing Ma Tou's Yan Gong Temple. It was only seventy li, a one-day journey. By the time they arrived at Yan Gong Temple, it was already evening. Wang dismounted and entered the temple. He saw lush green pines, tall cypress trees, and on both sides were red walls in the shape of an "eight." Facing them was a three-bay gate with vermilion doors. It truly was a fine temple. One could see: | ||
| 山門高聳，殿閣棱層。高懸敕額金書，彩畫出朝入相。五間大殿，塑龍王一十二尊；兩下長廊，刻水族百千萬眾。旗竿凌漢，帥字招風。四通八達，春秋社禮享依時；雨順風調，河道民間皆祭賽。萬年香火威靈在，四境官民仰賴安。 | ||
| The mountain gate towered high, and the halls and pavilions rose in layers. A golden imperial plaque was hung high, inscribed with official edicts; colorful paintings depicted officials entering and leaving the court. The main hall had five bays, housing twelve statues of Dragon Kings; along both sides of the long corridor were carvings depicting countless aquatic creatures. The flagpoles pierced the sky, and banners bearing military titles fluttered in the wind. It was a place of great accessibility; throughout spring and autumn, seasonal rituals were held on schedule; the rain fell in season and the winds blew gently, with both river channels and common people offering sacrifices and holding competitions. The temple's incense and fire have lasted for generations; its divine power remains mighty, and the officials and people of all four regions rely on it for peace. | ||
| 12 | 王杏庵義... : | 山門下早有小童看見，報入方丈，任道士忙整衣出迎。王杏庵令敬濟和禮物且在外邊伺候。不一時，任道士把杏庵讓入方丈松鶴軒敘禮，說：「王老居上，怎生一向不到敝廟隨喜？今日何幸，得蒙下顧。」杏庵道：「只因家中俗冗所羈，久失拜望。」敘禮畢，分賓主而坐，小童獻茶。茶罷，任道士道：「老居士，今日天色已晚，你老人家不去罷了。」分付把馬牽入後槽喂息。杏庵道：「沒事不登三寶殿。老拙敬來有一事乾瀆，未知尊意肯容納否？」任道士道：「老居士有何見教？只顧分付，小道無不領命。」杏庵道：「今有故人之子，姓陳，名敬濟，年方二十四歲。生的資格清秀，倒也伶俐。只是父母去世太早，自幼失學。若說他父祖根基，也不是無名少姓人家，有一分家當，只因不幸遭官事沒了，無處棲身。老拙念他乃尊舊日相交之情，欲送他來貴宮作一徒弟，未知尊意如何？」任道士便道：「老居士分付，小道怎敢違阻？奈因小道命蹇，手下雖有兩三個徒弟，都不省事，沒一個成立的，小道常時惹氣，未知此人誠實不誠實？」杏庵道：「這個小的，不瞞尊師說，只顧放心，一味老實本分，膽兒又小，所事兒伶範，堪可作一徒弟。」任道士問：「幾時送來？」杏庵道：「見在山門外伺候。還有些薄禮，伏乞笑納。」慌的任道士道：「老居乾何不早說？」一面道：「有請。」於是抬盒人抬進禮物。任道士見帖兒上寫著：「謹具粗段一端，魯酒一樽，豚蹄一副，燒鴨二隻，樹果二盒，白金五兩。知生王宣頓首拜。」連忙稽首謝道：「老居士何以見賜許多重禮，使小道卻之不恭，受之有愧。」 |
| A young boy at the mountain gate had already spotted them and hurried to report inside the abbot's quarters; the Taoist priest in charge quickly straightened his robes and came out to greet them. Wang Xing'an ordered Jingji and the gifts to wait outside for a moment. In no time, the Taoist priest led Xing'an into the abbot's quarters, a pavilion called Songhe Xuan, and they exchanged greetings. The Taoist said, "Master Wang, you are honored to be seated above me—why haven't you visited our humble temple for some time now? What a great honor it is today that you have deigned to visit us." Xing'an said, "It's because I've been tied up with worldly affairs at home and haven't paid a visit for a long time." After the greetings were exchanged, they sat down according to their respective positions as guest and host. A young boy served tea. After the tea was served, the Taoist priest said, "Old layman, since it is already late today, you might as well not go back." He ordered that the horse be led into the stable behind and fed for rest. Xing'an said, "One does not visit a temple unless there is something important." "I have come with an urgent matter to trouble you. I wonder if you would be kind enough to accept me?" The Taoist priest asked, "What is it that the old layman wishes to discuss with me? "Just speak freely. Whatever you command, I will gladly obey." Xing'an said, "I have a son of an old friend, surnamed Chen and named Jingji. He is now twenty-four years old. He has a refined appearance and is quite clever." But since his parents passed away too early, he lost the opportunity to study from an early age. If we speak of his father and ancestors, they were not an obscure family; they had a certain amount of property. However, due to unfortunate legal troubles, it was all lost, leaving him with nowhere to live. Out of respect for our old friendship, I wish to send him here as your disciple. I wonder what your opinion is on this matter?" The Taoist priest replied immediately, "How could a humble monk like me dare to refuse the instructions of an elder layman? But it's just that my fate is unfortunate. Though I have two or three disciples under me, they are all careless and none of them has achieved anything. I often get annoyed by their behavior. I wonder whether this person is honest or not?" Xing'an said, "This young man, I won't hide it from you, Master. You may rest assured—this boy is always honest and well-behaved, with a timid nature. He's careful in everything he does and would make an excellent disciple." The Taoist priest asked, "When will you send him?" Xing'an said, "He is waiting outside the mountain gate now." There are also some small gifts; I humbly request you to accept them with a smile." The Taoist priest hurriedly said, "Why didn't the old layman mention this earlier?" While saying so, he added, "Please come in." With that, the gift bearers carried the presents inside. The Taoist priest saw on the gift note written: "We humbly present one piece of coarse cloth, a jar of rough wine, a pair of pig trotters, two roast ducks, two boxes of fruits, and five taels of white silver. Respectfully offered by Wang Xuan." He immediately bowed deeply and said, "How could the old layman bestow such generous gifts upon me? To refuse them would be impolite, yet to accept them makes me feel ashamed." | ||
| 13 | 王杏庵義... : | 只見陳敬濟頭戴金梁道髻，身穿青絹道衣，腳下雲履凈襪，腰系絲絛，生的眉清目秀，齒白唇紅，面如傅粉，走進來向任道士倒身下拜，拜了四雙八拜。任道士因問他：「多少青春？」敬濟道：「屬馬，交新春二十四歲了。」任道士見他果然伶俐，取了他個法名，叫做陳宗美。原來任道士手下有兩個徒弟，大徒弟姓金，名宗明；二徒弟姓徐，名宗順。他便叫陳宗美。王杏庵都請出來，見了禮數。一面收了禮物，小童掌上燈來，放卓兒，先擺飯，後吃酒。餚品杯盤，堆滿桌上，無非是雞蹄鵝鴨魚肉之類。王老吃不多酒，徒弟輪番勸勾幾巡，王老不勝酒力告辭。房中自有床鋪，安歇一宿。 |
| At that moment, Chen Jingji entered. He wore a golden beam Taoist hairpin on his head, an azure silk Taoist robe over his body, cloud-patterned shoes and clean socks on his feet, with a silk sash tied around his waist. He had clear eyebrows and bright eyes, white teeth and red lips, and a face as smooth as powdered porcelain. Bowing deeply to the Taoist priest, he performed four sets of eight bows in succession. The Taoist priest then asked him, "How old are you?" Jingji replied, "I was born in the Year of the Horse and am now twenty-four this spring." Seeing that he was indeed clever, the Taoist priest gave him a dharma name, calling him Chen Zongmei. Originally, there were two disciples under the Taoist priest: the elder disciple surnamed Jin and named Zongming; the younger one surnamed Xu and named Zongsun. He then called Chen Jingji by his dharma name, Chen Zongmei. Wang Xing'an had them all brought out and the proper courtesies were exchanged. Meanwhile, the gifts were accepted; a young boy lit the lamps and set up the table. First they had dinner, then wine was served. The table was piled high with delicacies and cups—nothing but chicken feet, goose, duck, fish, and other meats. Old Man Wang did not drink much wine; his disciples took turns urging him to take a few more rounds, but Old Man Wang, unable to hold his liquor, eventually excused himself. There were already beds and bedding in the room for them to rest overnight. | ||
| 14 | 王杏庵義... : | 到次日清晨，小童舀水凈面，梳洗盥漱畢，任道士又早來遞茶。不一時，擺飯，又吃了兩杯酒，喂飽頭口，與了抬盒人力錢。王老臨起身，叫過敬濟來分付：「在此好生用心習學經典，聽師父指教。我常來看你，按季送衣服鞋襪來與你。」又向任道士說：「他若不聽教訓，一任責治，老拙並不護短。」一面背地又囑付敬濟：「我去後，你要洗心改正，習本等事業。你若再不安分，我不管你了。」那敬濟應諾道：「兒子理會了。」王老當下作辭任道士，出門上馬，離晏公廟，回家去了。 |
| The next morning, a young boy drew water for washing; after they had washed their faces and brushed their teeth, the Taoist priest came early to serve tea. In no time at all, they had lunch and drank two more cups of wine; the horses were fed well, and money was given to those who carried the gifts. As Old Man Wang was about to leave, he called over Jingji and gave him instructions: "While you are here, study the scriptures diligently and listen carefully to your master's teachings. I will come to visit you often and send clothes, shoes, and socks seasonally." He also said to the Taoist priest: "If he disobeys your teachings, you may discipline him as you see fit. I will not interfere or protect him." In private, he also gave Jingji further instructions: "After I leave, you must reform your ways and study the proper path of discipline. If you still don't behave properly, I will no longer take care of you." Jingji responded with a nod and said, "I understand, father." Old Man Wang then took his leave of the Taoist priest. He mounted his horse and left Yan Gong Temple, heading back home. | ||
| 15 | 王杏庵義... : | 敬濟自此就在晏公廟做了道士。因見任道士年老赤鼻，身體魁偉，聲音洪亮，一部髭髯，能談善飲，只專迎賓送客。凡一應大小事，都在大徒弟金宗明手裡。那時，朝廷運河初開，臨清設二閘，以節水利。不拘官民，船到閘上，都來廟裡，或求神福，或來祭願，或設卦與笤，或做好事。也有佈施錢米的，也有饋送香油紙燭的，也有留松蒿蘆席的。這任道士將常署里多餘錢糧，都令家下徒弟在馬頭上開設錢米鋪，賣將銀子來，積攢私囊。 |
| From that day on, Jingji became a Taoist monk at Yan Gong Temple. Because he saw that the Taoist priest was an old man with a red nose, tall and strong in build, with a loud voice and a full beard, who was eloquent and fond of drinking, Jingji realized his main duty would be to entertain guests. All major and minor affairs were handled by the elder disciple Jin Zongming. At that time, the imperial court had just opened a canal; Linqing was established with two locks to regulate water resources. Whether officials or commoners, whenever their boats arrived at the locks, they would come to the temple—either to pray for divine blessings, make offerings and vows, consult divination, or perform good deeds. Some would donate money and rice; others offered incense, oil, paper, or candles; some even left pine branches, bamboo mats, or reed rush. The Taoist priest used the surplus money and grain from regular offerings to have his disciples open a shop for selling rice and grain at Ma Tou, exchanging them for silver which they then hoarded in their private pockets. | ||
| 16 | 王杏庵義... : | 他這大徒弟金宗明，也不是個守本分的。年約三十餘歲，常在娼樓包占樂婦，是個酒色之徒。手下也有兩個清潔年少徒弟，同鋪歇臥，日久絮繁。因見敬濟生的齒白唇紅，面如傅粉，清俊乖覺，眼裡說話，就纏他同房居住。晚夕和他吃半夜酒，把他灌醉了，在一鋪歇臥。初時兩頭睡，便嫌敬濟腳臭，叫過一個枕頭上睡。睡不多回，又說他口氣噴著，令他弔轉身子，屁股貼著肚子。那敬濟推睡著，不理他。他把那話弄得硬硬的，直豎一條棍，抹了些唾津在頭上，往他糞門裡只一頂。原來敬濟在冷鋪里，被花子飛天鬼侯林兒弄過的，眼子大了，那話不覺就進去了。這敬濟口中不言，心內暗道：「這廝合敗。他討得十方便宜多了，把我不知當做甚麼人兒。與他個甜頭兒，且教他在我手內納些錢鈔。」一面故意聲叫起來。這金宗明恐怕老道士聽見，連忙掩住他口，說：「好兄弟，噤聲！隨你要的，我都依你。」敬濟道：「你既要勾搭我，我不言語，須依我三件事。」宗明道：「好兄弟，休說三件，就是十件事，我也依你。」敬濟道：「第一件，你既要我，不許你再和那兩個徒弟睡；第二件，大小房門鑰匙，我要執掌；第三件，隨我往那裡去，你休嗔我。你都依了我，我方依你此事。」金宗明道：「這個不打緊，我都依你。」當夜兩個顛來倒去，整狂了半夜。這陳敬濟自幼風月中撞，甚麼事不知道。當下被底山盟，枕邊海誓，淫聲艷語，摳吮舔品，把這金宗明哄得歡喜無盡。到第二日，果然把各處鑰匙都交與他手內，就不和那兩個徒弟在一處，每日只同他一鋪歇臥。 |
| His elder disciple Jin Zongming was not a man of upright character either. In his early thirties, he often frequented brothels and kept concubines; he was a man given to wine and women. He also had two young, clean-cut apprentices under him who shared the same quarters; over time, their interactions became complicated and messy. Because he saw that Jingji had white teeth, red lips, a powdered porcelain-like face, and was handsome, clever, and expressive with his eyes, Jin Zongming began to have him live in the same room. At night he would drink late into the evening with him and get him drunk, then they would sleep together on the same mat. At first, when sleeping at opposite ends of the bed, Jin Zongming found Jingji's feet smelly and asked him to sleep on a separate pillow. After sleeping that way for only a few nights, he then complained about Jingji's breath and ordered him to turn around so his backside pressed against Jin Zongming's belly. Jingji pretended to be asleep and ignored him. He then made his member hard as a stick, smeared some saliva on the tip, and thrust it into Jingji's anus. Originally, while Jingji was in a cold lodging house, he had been molested by the vagrant Feitian Gui Hou Lin'er; his anus had become stretched and enlarged, so Jin Zongming's member slipped into it without resistance. Jingji said nothing aloud but inwardly thought to himself: "This fellow is a complete failure." He's taking advantage of me in every possible way, not knowing what kind of person I am. I'll give him a taste of sweetness first and let him pay me some money while he's under my control." At the same time, he deliberately cried out loudly. Jin Zongming, fearing that the old Taoist priest might hear them, quickly covered Jingji's mouth and said, "Good brother, be quiet!" Whatever you want, I'll do as you say." Jingji said, "Since you wish to seduce me, I won't speak out—but you must agree to three things for me." Zongming said, "Good brother, don't mention three things—whether ten or more, I will agree to them all." Jingji said: "First, since you want me, you must not sleep with those two other apprentices anymore; second, I shall be in charge of the keys to all the doors and rooms; third, no matter where I go, you must not scold me." If you agree to all these things, then I will comply with your wishes in this matter." Jin Zongming said: "That's not a problem; I'll agree to everything you say." That night, the two of them rolled around and indulged in passion all through the night. Chen Jingji had been exposed to worldly pleasures since childhood; there was hardly anything he did not know about such matters. At that moment, with vows as firm as mountains and oceans whispered in his ear, and with lewd words and seductive actions—licking, sucking, caressing—he charmed Jin Zongming into endless delight. The next day, as promised, Jin Zongming handed over all the keys to Jingji. He no longer shared a room with those two apprentices but instead slept in the same bed with Jingji every night. | ||
| 17 | 王杏庵義... : | 一日兩，兩日三，這金宗明便再三稱贊他老實。任道士聽信，又替他使錢討了一張度牒。自此以後，凡事並不防範。這陳敬濟因此常拿著銀錢往馬頭上遊玩，看見院中架兒陳三兒說：「馮金寶兒他鴇子死了，他又賣在鄭家，叫鄭金寶兒。如今又在大酒樓上趕趁哩，你不看他看去？」這小伙兒舊情不改，拿著銀錢，跟定陳三兒，徑往馬頭大酒樓上來。此不來倒好，若來，正是：五百載冤家來聚會，數年前姻眷又相逢。有詩為證： |
| After one or two days, then two or three, Jin Zongming repeatedly praised Jingji for being trustworthy. The Taoist priest believed him and even spent money to obtain a monastic certificate for him. From then on, he no longer took any precautions against anything. Because of this, Chen Jingji often took silver money to go sightseeing at Ma Tou. Seeing Tanchen Er in the courtyard, he said: "Feng Jinbao's madam has died; she was sold again to the Zheng family and is now called Zheng Jinbao." She's currently working at a big wine house, trying to make money. Why don't you go see her?" This young man still had feelings for her and, taking some silver money, followed Tanchen Er directly to the big wine house at Ma Tou. It would have been better if he had not come; but now that he has, it is truly as the saying goes: "After five hundred years of enmity, they meet again; a former marital bond from many years past reunites once more." There is a poem to attest to this: | ||
| 人生莫惜金縷衣，人生莫負少年時。有花欲折須當折，莫待無花空折枝。 | ||
| In life, do not cherish golden-threaded robes; in life, do not squander your youth. When flowers are blooming and you wish to pluck them, pluck them while they last—do not wait until there are no more blossoms, only bare branches left. | ||
| 18 | 王杏庵義... : | 原來這座酒樓乃是臨清第一座酒樓，名喚謝家酒樓。裡面有百十座閣兒，周圍都是綠欄桿，就緊靠著山岡，前臨官河，極是人煙鬧熱去處，舟船往來之所。怎見得這座酒樓齊整？但見： |
| Originally, this wine house was the most famous in Linqing; it was called Xiejia Wine House. Inside, there were dozens of pavilions with green railings all around. It was situated right next to a hill and faced the official canal in front; it was an extremely bustling place filled with people and the constant coming and going of boats. How can one describe how grand this wine house is? One could see: | ||
| 雕檐映日，面棟飛雲。綠欄桿低接軒窗，翠簾櫳高懸戶牖。吹笙品笛，盡都是公子王孫；執盞擎杯，擺列著歌嫗舞女。消磨醉眼，依青天萬疊雲山；勾惹吟魂，翻瑞雪一河煙水。樓畔綠楊啼野鳥，門前翠柳系花驄。 | ||
| Carved eaves reflected the sun, and painted beams soared like clouds. Green railings extended low to meet the pavilion windows; emerald curtains hung high above the doorways. Blowing flutes and playing dizi, all were young noblemen and aristocrats; Holding cups and serving wine, there were rows of singing concubines and dancing girls. Drunk eyes gazed into the distance, resting on a thousand layers of green mountains beneath the blue sky; lington The poetic spirit was stirred by the sight of swirling mist and snowy waters along the river. Wild birds chirped among the willows by the wine house; flowering horses were tethered to the jade-green willows at its entrance. | ||
| 19 | 王杏庵義... : | 這陳三兒引敬濟上樓，到一個閣兒里坐下。便叫店小二打抹春台，安排一分上品酒果下飯來擺著，使他下邊叫粉頭去了。須臾，只見樓梯響，馮金寶上來，手中拿著個廝鑼兒，見了敬濟，深深道了萬福。常言情人見情人，不覺簇地兩行淚下。正是： |
| Tanchen Er led Jingji upstairs and had him sit in one of the pavilions. He then called over a waiter to wipe and prepare the spring table, arranging an exquisite set of wine, fruit, and delicacies for them. After that, he went downstairs to summon a courtesan. After a short while, the staircase creaked as Feng Jinbao came up, holding a small gong in her hand. Seeing Jingji, she bowed deeply and offered her respects. As the old saying goes: "When lovers meet again, tears fall without a word." Indeed it was as if to say: | ||
| 數聲嬌語如鶯囀，一串珍珠落線買。 | ||
| A few tender words, soft as a nightingale's song; a string of pearls falling from the thread, bought with emotion. | ||
| 20 | 王杏庵義... : | 敬濟一見，便拉他一處坐，問道：「姐姐，你一向在那裡來？不見你。」這馮金寶收淚道：「自從縣中打斷出來，我媽著了驚謊，不久得病死了，把我賣在鄭五媽家。這兩日子弟稀少，不免又來在臨清馬頭上趕趁酒客。昨日聽見陳三兒說你在這裡開錢鋪，要見你一見。不期今日會見一面。可不想殺我也！」說畢，又哭了。敬濟取出袖中帕兒，替他抹了眼淚，說道：「我的姐姐，你休煩惱。我如今又好了，自從打出官司來，家業都沒了，投在這晏公廟，做了道士。師父甚是托我，往後我常來看你。」因問：「你如今在那裡安下？」金寶便道：「奴就在這橋西灑家店劉二那裡。有百十房子，四外行院窠子，妓女都在那裡安下，白日里便是這各酒樓趕趁。」說著，兩個挨身做一處飲酒。陳三兒燙酒上樓，拿過琵琶來。金寶彈唱了個曲兒與敬濟下酒，名《普天樂》： |
| Jingji, upon seeing her, immediately pulled her to sit beside him and asked, "Sister, where have you been all this time? I've missed you." Feng Jinbao wiped her tears and said, "Since I was beaten up and driven out of the county town, my mother became frightened and fell ill. She didn't last long before dying, after which I was sold to Zheng Wuma's family. With few patrons these days, I had no choice but to come back here to Linqing Ma Tou and try my luck with the wine-house customers again. I heard from Tanchen Er yesterday that you were running a money shop here, so I wanted to see you." Fate brought us together today. I never expected this at all!" After saying this, she wept again. Jingji took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped away her tears, saying, "My dear sister, do not be troubled. Since I was cleared of the case and released from court, my family's property is all gone. I have taken refuge at Yan Gong Temple and become a Taoist priest. My master treats me very well; from now on, I will often come to visit you." He then asked, "Where are you staying these days?" Jinbao replied, "I am currently staying at Liu Er's Sajia Inn on the west side of this bridge. There are dozens of rooms there, and courtesans from all over the district live in those quarters. During the day they come to these wine houses for business." As they spoke, the two of them sat close together and drank wine. Tanchen Er brought steaming hot wine upstairs and took out a pipa. Jinbao played and sang a tune for Jingji to accompany his drinking, titled "Putian Le" (Universal Joy): | ||
| 淚雙垂，垂雙淚。三杯別酒，別酒三杯。鸞鳳對拆開，折開鸞鳳對。嶺外斜暉看看墜，看看墜，嶺外暉。天昏地暗，徘徊不舍，不舍徘徊。 | ||
| Tears fall in pairs, two tears weep. Three cups of parting wine, three cups for farewell. Phoenixes once paired now torn apart, the phoenix pair broken in two. The slanting light beyond the mountain slowly sinks; slowly sinking, the light beyond the mountain. Heavens darken and earth grows dim; lingering with reluctance, reluctant to leave. | ||
| 21 | 王杏庵義... : | 兩人吃得酒濃時，朱免解衣雲雨，下個房兒。這陳敬濟一向不曾近婦女，久渴的人，今得遇金寶，儘力盤桓，尤雲殢雨，未肯即休。須臾事畢，各整衣衫。敬濟見天色晚了，與金寶作別，與了金寶一兩銀子，與了陳三兒百文銅錢，囑付：「姐姐，我常來看你，咱在這搭兒里相會。你若想我，使陳三兒叫我去。」下樓來，又打發了店主人謝三郎三錢銀子酒錢。敬濟回廟中去了。馮金寶送至橋邊方回。正是： |
| When the two had drunk heartily, Zhu Ruan undressed for love-making and led him into a private room. Chen Jingji, who had not been near a woman for some time, was like one long parched by thirst. Now that he met Jinbao, he lingered with her as much as possible, indulging in love-making and reluctant to stop. After a while, when they were done, they each put on their clothes again. Seeing that it was getting late, Jingji bid Jinbao farewell. He gave her one tael of silver and a hundred copper coins to Tanchen Er, saying: "Sister, I will come see you often; let's meet here again. If you miss me, have Tanchen Er send for me." On his way down the stairs, he also gave three qian of silver to Xiesanlang, the innkeeper, as payment for the wine. Jingji returned to the temple and went home. Feng Jinbao saw him off until they reached the bridge before returning. Indeed, it was as if to say: | ||
| 盼穿秋水因錢鈔，哭損花容為鄧通。 | ||
| Longing eyes pierced through autumn waters for silver and gold; a weeping face withered over Deng Tong. |
URN: ctp:jinpingmei/ch93