| | 湯總鎮成... : |
話說湯鎮臺同兩位公子商議，收拾回家。雷太守送了代席四兩銀子，叫湯衙庖人備了酒席，請湯鎮臺到自己衙署餞行。起程之日，闔城官員都來送行。從水路過常德，渡洞庭湖，由長江一路回儀徵。在路無事，問問兩公子平日的學業，看看江上的風景。不到兩十天，已到了紗帽洲，打發家人先回家料理迎接。六老爺知道了，一直迎到黃泥灘，見面請了安，弟兄也相見了，說說家鄉的事。湯鎮臺見他油嘴油舌，惱了道：「我出門三十多年，你長成人了，怎麼學出這般一個下流氣質！」後來見他開口就說是「稟老爺」，湯鎮臺怒道：「你這下流！胡說！我是你叔父，你怎麼叔父不叫，稱呼老爺？」講到兩個公子身上，他又叫「大爺」、「二爺」。湯鎮臺大怒道：「你這匪類！更該死了！你的兩個兄弟，你不教訓照顧他，怎麼叫大爺、二爺！」把六老爺罵的垂頭喪氣。一路到了家裏。湯鎮臺拜過了祖宗，安頓了行李。他那做高要縣知縣的乃兄已是告老在家裏，老弟兄相見，彼此歡喜，一連喫了幾天的酒。湯鎮臺也不到城裏去，也不會官府，只在臨河上構了幾間別墅，左琴右書，在裏面讀書教子。過了三四個月，看見公子們做的會文，心裏不大歡喜，說道：「這個文章，如何得中！如今趁我來家，須要請個先生來教訓他們纔好。」每日躊躕這一件事。 |
| | The story goes that Tang Zhentai discussed with his two sons and made preparations to return home. Lei Taishou gave four taels of silver as a substitute for the host, instructed the cooks in Tang's household to prepare an elaborate banquet, and invited General Tang Zhentai to his own official residence for a farewell feast. On the day of departure, officials from the entire city came to see him off. They traveled by water route through Changde, crossed Dongting Lake, and returned along the Yangtze River all the way to Yizheng. There was nothing special happening on the journey; he would inquire about his two sons' usual studies and look at the scenery along the river. Within less than twenty days, they had already arrived at Shamaozhou, where he sent his family members ahead to go home and make arrangements for the reception. Liu Laoye learned about it, and went all the way to Huangnitian to greet them. After paying respects upon meeting, the brothers saw each other again and talked about matters in their hometown. General Tang Zhentai, seeing his flattery and smooth talk, became angry and said, "I have been away for more than thirty years. You have grown into an adult—how could you develop such a vulgar character!" Later, when he heard him begin every sentence with "Reporting to Master," General Tang Zhentai angrily said, "You rascal!" Nonsense! "I am your uncle. How could you not call me 'uncle' and instead address me as 'Master'?" When it came to his two sons, he also called them "Elder Master" and "Second Master." General Tang Zhentai was furious and said, "You scoundrel!" "You deserve to die even more!" "Your two brothers, you do not discipline or take care of them—how can you call them 'Elder Master' and 'Second Master!'" He scolded Liu Laoye so severely that the latter became dejected and hung his head in shame. They continued along the way until they finally arrived home. General Tang Zhentai paid respects to his ancestors and settled his luggage. His elder brother, who had previously served as magistrate of Gaoyao Xian and was now retired at home, met with him. The old brothers were delighted to see each other and continued drinking together for several days in a row. General Tang Zhentai did not go to the city, nor did he meet with government officials. Instead, he built a few rooms for a villa by the riverbank and spent his time reading books and teaching his children, with music on one side and books on the other. After several months had passed, he saw the essays his sons had written for an examination and was not very pleased. He said, "How can such writing possibly pass!" "Now that I am home, we must hire a teacher to instruct them properly." He pondered this matter every day.
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| | 湯總鎮成... : |
那一日，門上人進來稟道：「揚州蕭二相公來拜。」湯鎮臺道：「這是我蕭世兄。我會著還認他不得哩。」連忙教請進來。蕭柏泉進來見禮。鎮臺見他美如冠玉，衣冠儒雅，和他行禮奉坐。蕭柏泉道：「世叔恭喜回府，小姪就該來請安。因這些時，南京翰林侍講高老先生告假回家，在揚州過，小姪陪了他幾時，所以來遲。」湯鎮臺道：「世兄恭喜入過學了？」蕭柏泉道：「蒙前任大宗師考補博士弟子員。這領青衿，不為希罕。卻喜小姪的文章，前三天滿城都傳遍了，果然蒙大宗師賞鑒，可見甄拔的不差。」湯鎮臺見他說話伶俐，便留他在書房裏喫飯，叫兩個公子陪他。到下午，鎮臺自己出來說，要請一位先生替兩個公子講舉業。蕭柏泉道：「小姪近來有個看會文的先生，是五河縣人，姓余，名特，字有達；是一位明經先生，舉業其實好的。今年在一個鹽務人家做館，他不甚得意。世叔若要請先生，只有這個先生好。世叔寫一聘書，著一位世兄同小姪去會過余先生，就可以同來。每年館穀，也不過五六十金。」湯鎮臺聽罷大喜，留蕭柏泉住了兩夜，寫了聘書，即命大公子，叫了一個草上飛，同蕭柏泉到揚州去，往河下賣鹽的吳家拜余先生。蕭柏泉叫他寫個晚生帖子，將來進館，再換門生帖。大爺說：「半師半友，只好寫個『同學晚弟』。」蕭柏泉拗不過，只得拿了帖子，同到那裏。門上傳進帖去，請到書房裏坐。只見那余先生頭戴方巾，身穿舊寶藍直裰，腳下朱履，白淨面皮，三綹髭鬚，近視眼，約有五十多歲的光景，出來同二人作揖坐下。余有達道：「柏泉兄，前日往儀徵去，幾時回來的？」蕭柏泉道：「便是到儀徵去看敝世叔湯大人，留住了幾天。這位就是湯世兄。」因在袖裏拿出湯大爺的名帖遞過來。余先生接著看了，放在桌上，說道：「這個怎麼敢當？」蕭柏泉就把要請他做先生的話說了一遍，道：「今特來奉拜。如蒙台允，即送書金過來。」余有達笑道：「老先生大位，公子高才，我老拙無能，豈堪為一日之長。容斟酌再來奉覆罷。」兩人辭別去了。次日，余有達到蕭家來回拜，說道：「柏泉兄，昨日的事，不能遵命。」蕭柏泉道：「這是甚麼緣故？」余有達笑道：「他既然要拜我為師，怎麼寫『晚弟』的帖子拜我？可見就非求教之誠。這也罷了。小弟因有一個故人在無為州做刺史，前日有書來約我，我要到那裏走走。他若幫襯我些須，強如坐一年館。我也就在這數日內要辭別了東家去。湯府這一席，柏泉兄竟轉薦了別人罷。」蕭柏泉不能相強，回覆了湯大爺，另請別人去了。 |
| | One day, a servant came in and reported, "Xiao Er Xianggong from Yangzhou has come to pay his respects." General Tang Zhentai said, "This is my senior cousin Xiao Shi xiong. I haven't seen him for so long that I might not even recognize him." He hurriedly ordered him to be brought in. Xiao Baiquan entered and paid his respects. General Tang Zhentai saw that he was handsome as a jade ornament, dressed in elegant scholar's attire, and treated him with courtesy by bowing and offering him a seat. Xiao Baiquan said, "Senior Uncle, congratulations on your return to the estate. I should have come earlier to pay my respects. Because recently, Master Gao Lao, a Hanlin Shijing from Nanjing, took leave to return home and passed through Yangzhou. I accompanied him for some time, so my visit was delayed." General Tang Zhentai asked, "Senior Brother, congratulations—have you already enrolled in the school?" Xiao Baiquan replied, "By grace of the former chief examiner, I was examined and appointed as a doctoral disciple. This blue collar robe is nothing extraordinary. Yet I am pleased that my nephew's essays were circulated throughout the city three days ago, and indeed received appreciation from the chief examiner. This shows that the selection process is not lacking in discernment." General Tang Zhentai, impressed by his eloquence, invited him to have a meal in the study and asked his two sons to accompany him. 략 In the afternoon, General Tang Zhentai himself came out and said that he wanted to hire a teacher to tutor his two sons in the imperial examination studies. Xiao Baiquan said, "Recently, my nephew has a teacher who reviews examination essays. He is from Wuhe Xian, surnamed Yu, named Te, courtesy name Youda; a scholar well-versed in the classics, and his knowledge of examination studies is truly excellent. This year he was teaching at a salt official's household, but he did not find it particularly satisfying. If Senior Uncle wishes to hire a teacher, there is no one better than this gentleman. Senior Uncle could write an invitation letter and have one of his senior nephews go with me to meet Master Yu. Then he can come along together. "The annual teaching fee would be no more than fifty or sixty taels of gold." After hearing this, General Tang Zhentai was overjoyed. He kept Xiao Baiquan for two nights, wrote the letter of appointment, and immediately ordered his eldest son to call a fast rider named Caoshangfei to accompany Xiao Baiquan to Yangzhou, where they would visit Master Yu at Wu's salt family in Hedie. Xiao Baiquan asked him to write a letter of introduction as a junior scholar, which would later be exchanged for a student-teacher letter upon joining the private school. The eldest son said, "Since it is half teacher and half friend, we can only write 'junior fellow student'." Xiao Baiquan could not insist further and had to take the letter with him as they went there together. The servant delivered the letter inside, and they were invited into the study to sit down. They saw Master Yu wearing a square cap, dressed in an old dark blue robe, with red shoes on his feet. He had a fair complexion and three tufts of beard, wore glasses for nearsightedness, looked to be around fifty or sixty years old, and came out to bow together with the two men before sitting down. Yu Youda asked, "Brother Baiquan, you went to Yizheng a few days ago—when did you return?" Xiao Baiquan replied, "I went to Yizheng specifically to visit my senior uncle Master Tang. I stayed there for a few days." This is Senior Brother Tang." He then took out Master Tang's letter of introduction from his sleeve and handed it over. Master Yu received the letter, looked at it, placed it on the table, and said, "How could I possibly be worthy of this?" Xiao Baiquan then explained in full about wanting to invite him as a teacher, saying, "I have come especially to pay my respects. If you would be so kind as to accept the invitation, we will immediately send over the gift of books and money." Yu Youda smiled and said, "You are a great scholar, Master, and the young master is highly talented. I am old and clumsy with no ability—how could I possibly serve as your teacher for even one day? "Please allow me to consider it before giving you a reply." The two men took their leave and left. The next day, Yu Youda came to Xiao's family for a return visit and said, "Brother Baiquan, I cannot accept the request from yesterday." Xiao Baiquan asked, "What is the reason?" Yu Youda smiled and said: "If he wishes to take me as his teacher, how could he present a letter addressed as 'junior brother'?" It is clear that this shows no genuine sincerity in seeking instruction. Well, never mind that. My younger brother has an old friend who is currently serving as a cishi in Wuwei Zhou. The other day, he sent me a letter inviting me to visit, and I would like to go there for a while. If he can give me some support, it will be better than teaching in a private school for an entire year. I also plan to bid farewell to my current employer and leave within these few days. "Then, Brother Baiquan should recommend someone else for the position at Master Tang's household." Xiao Baiquan could not force him otherwise and informed General Tang, then went to invite someone else instead.
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| | 湯總鎮成... : |
不多幾日，余有達果然辭了主人，收拾行李，回五河。他家就在余家巷。進了家門，他同胞的兄弟出來接著。他這兄弟名持，字有重，也是五河縣的飽學秀才。此時五河縣發了一個姓彭的人家，中了幾個進士，選了兩個翰林。五河縣人眼界小，便闔縣人同去奉承他。又有一家，是徽州人，姓方，在五河開典當行鹽，就冒了籍，要同本地人作姻親。初時這余家巷的余家還和一個老鄉紳的虞家是世世為婚姻的，這兩家不肯同方家做親。後來這兩家出了幾個沒廉恥不才的人，貪圖方家賠贈，娶了他家女兒，彼此做起親來。後來做的多了，方家不但沒有分外的賠贈，反說這兩家子仰慕他有錢，求著他做親。所以這兩家不顧祖宗臉面的有兩種人：一種是獃子，那獃子有八個字的行為：「非方不親，非彭不友。」一種是乖子，那乖子也有八個字的行為：「非方不心，非彭不口。」這話是說那些獃而無恥的人，假使五河縣沒有一個冒籍姓方的，他就可以不必有親；沒有個中進士姓彭的，他就可以不必有友。這樣的人，自己覺得勢利透了心，其實獃串了皮！那些奸滑的，心裏想著同方家做親，方家又不同他做。他卻不肯說出來，只是嘴裏扯謊嚇人，說：「彭老先生是我的老師。彭三先生把我邀在書房裏說了半天的知心話。」又說：「彭四先生在京裏帶書子來給我。」人聽見他這些話，也就常時請他來喫杯酒，要他在席上說這些話嚇同席喫酒的人。其風俗惡賴如此。 |
| | Not many days later, Yu Youda indeed bid farewell to his host, packed up his belongings, and returned to Wuhe Xian. His family lived in the Yu Family Lane. After entering his home, he was met by his full brothers who came out to greet him. His brother's name was Chi, courtesy name Youzhong, and he too was a well-educated xiucai from Wuhe Xian. At that time, in Wuhe Xian there was a family surnamed Peng who had produced several jinshi degree holders and selected two Hanlin scholars. The people of Wuhe Xian were narrow-minded, so the entire county's residents went together to flatter them. There was also another family, from Huizhou, surnamed Fang, who operated pawnshops and salt businesses in Wuhe. They claimed local residency and sought to form marital ties with the native families. Initially, Yu's family in Yu Family Lane and the native gentry family of Yu from an old hometown had been intermarried for generations. These two families refused to marry into Fang's family. Later, a few shameless and unworthy members of these two families, coveting the dowries from Fang's family, married their daughters, thus beginning marital ties between them. After many such marriages were arranged, Fang's family not only failed to provide extra dowries but instead claimed that these two families envied their wealth and had sought the marriage. Therefore, among these two families there were two types of people who disregarded their ancestors' honor: one type was the fools, whose behavior could be summarized in eight words: "No marriage without Fang; no friendship without Peng." The other type was the sly ones, and their behavior could also be summarized in eight words: "No loyalty without Fang; no flattery without Peng." This saying refers to those foolish and shameless people: if there had been no Fang family claiming local residency in Wuhe Xian, they would not have needed any marital ties; if there had been no Peng family member who passed the jinshi examination, they would not need to have friends. Such people think themselves extremely shrewd and worldly-wise, but in reality, their foolishness is skin-deep! Those who were cunning schemed to marry into Fang's family, but the Fangs refused to do so. Yet they did not dare to say it openly and instead lied in their words, scaring people by saying, "Master Peng is my teacher. "Master San Peng invited me into his study and we spoke for a long time about intimate matters." He also claimed, "Master Si Peng sent letters to me from the capital city." When people heard these words, they often invited him for a drink and wanted him to repeat such stories at the banquet to intimidate those seated with him. The local customs were thus corrupt and disgraceful.
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這余有達，余有重弟兄兩個，守著祖宗的家訓，閉戶讀書，不講這些隔壁帳的勢利。余大先生各府、州、縣作遊，相與的州、縣官也不少，但到本縣來總不敢說。因五河人有個牢不可破的見識：總說但凡是個舉人、進士，就和知州、知縣是一個人，不管甚麼情都可以進去說，知州、知縣就不能不依。假使有人說縣官或者敬那個人的品行，或者說那人是個名士，要來相與他，就一縣人嘴都笑歪了。就像不曾中過舉的人，要想拿帖子去拜知縣，知縣就可以叉著膊子叉出來。總是這般見識。余家弟兄兩個，品行、文章是從古沒有的。因他家不見本縣知縣來拜，又同方家不是親，又同彭家不是友，所以親友們雖不敢輕他，卻也不知道敬重他。 |
| | These two brothers, Yu Youda and Yu Youzhong, adhered to their ancestors' family precepts, shut themselves in their home to study, and did not concern themselves with such petty neighborhood interests. Master Yu Da had traveled to various prefectures, states, and counties as a guest scholar, and had many acquaintances among the local officials of these places. Yet when he came back to his own county, he always dared not speak openly about it. This was because the people of Wuhe had an unshakable belief: they always claimed that anyone who was a ju ren or jinshi was as good as a zhou zhi or xian zhi, and could enter their offices to make any request; the magistrates simply could not refuse. If someone were to say that a county official respected the character of such a person, or claimed that this individual was a famous scholar and wished to associate with him, all the people in the entire county would mock them and twist their mouths in laughter. It was as if someone who had never passed the ju ren examination tried to present a letter of introduction to visit the county magistrate, only for the magistrate to come out with his arms crossed in disdain. This was always their way of thinking. These two Yu brothers possessed a character and literary talent unseen since ancient times. Because their family did not receive visits from the county magistrate, nor were they related to the Fangs or friends of the Pongs, their relatives and friends, although daring not to look down on them, also failed to show genuine respect.
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| | 湯總鎮成... : |
那日，余有重接著哥哥進來，拜見了，備酒替哥哥接風，細說一年有餘的話。喫過了酒，余大先生也不往房裏去，在書房裏，老弟兄兩個一床睡了。夜裏，大先生向二先生說要到無為州看朋友去。二先生道：「哥哥還在家裏住些時。我要到府裏科考，等我考了回來，哥哥再去罷。」余大先生道：「你不知道。我這揚州的館金已是用完了，要趕著到無為州去弄幾兩銀子回來過長夏。你科考去不妨，家裏有你嫂子和弟媳當著家。我弟兄兩個，原是關著門過日子，要我在家怎的？」二先生道：「哥這番去，若是多抽豐得幾十兩銀子，回來把父親母親葬了。靈柩在家裏這十幾年，我們在家都不安。」大先生道：「我也是這般想，回來就要做這件事。」 |
| | On that day, Yu Youzhong received his elder brother upon his return home, paid respects to him, prepared a banquet to welcome him back, and they spoke at length about events from the past more than a year. After the banquet, Master Yu Da did not go to his room but stayed in the study with his younger brother and slept on the same bed. At night, the elder master told his younger brother that he intended to visit a friend in Wuwei Zhou. The younger master said, "Elder brother, you should stay at home for some time longer." "I am going to the prefectural examination in the capital; after I return from taking it, elder brother, you may go then." Master Yu Da said, "You don't understand." "The stipend I received in Yangzhou has already been used up, and I must hurry to Wuwei Zhou to earn a few taels of silver so we can get through the long summer." "It is fine for you to go take your examination; at home, there are your sister-in-law and my wife managing the household affairs." "The two of us have always lived a quiet life behind closed doors. What difference would it make if I were to stay at home?" The younger master said, "If you go this time and manage to raise dozens of taels of silver through your efforts, upon returning we can finally bury our father and mother." "Their coffins have remained in the house for these past ten or so years; it has made us feel uneasy living at home." The elder master said, "I was thinking exactly the same. Upon my return, I will immediately take care of this matter."
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| | 湯總鎮成... : |
又過了幾日，大先生往無為州去了。又過了十多天，宗師牌到，按臨鳳陽。余二先生便束裝住鳳陽，租個下處住下。這時是四月初八日。初九日宗師行香。初十日卦牌收詞狀，十一日掛牌考鳳陽八屬儒學生員。十五日發出生員覆試案來，每學取三名覆試。余二先生取在裏面。十六日進去覆了試，十七日發出案來，余二先生考在一等第二名，在鳳陽一直住到二十四，送了宗師起身，方纔回五河去了。 |
| | A few more days passed, and then the elder master left for Wuwei Zhou. More than ten days later, the official announcement arrived: the imperial examiner was coming to Fengyang. Master Yu Er immediately packed his belongings and went to Fengyang, where he rented a place to stay. It was the eighth day of the fourth month at that time. On the ninth day, the imperial examiner performed a ritual incense offering ceremony. On the tenth day, the official received petitions and complaints; on the eleventh day, he posted a notice to examine the Confucian scholars and students from Fengyang's eight subordinate districts. On the fifteenth day, the list of candidates for re-examination was issued, selecting three names from each school for further testing. Master Yu Er's name appeared on the list. On the sixteenth, he entered for re-examination; on the seventeenth, the results were announced. Master Yu Er ranked second in the first class. He remained in Fengyang until the twenty-fourth, when he saw off the imperial examiner before finally returning to Wuhe.
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大先生來到無為州，那州尊著實念舊，留著住了幾日，說道：「先生，我到任未久，不能多送你些銀子。而今有一件事，你說一個情罷，我准了你的。這人家可以出得四百兩銀子，有三個人分；先生可以分得一百三十多兩銀子，權且拿回家去做了老伯、老伯母的大事。我將來再為情罷。」余大先生歡喜，謝了州尊，出去會了那人。那人姓風，名影，是一件人命牽連的事。余大先生替他說過，州尊准了，出來兌了銀子，辭別知州，收拾行李回家。因走南京過，想起：「天長杜少卿住在南京利涉橋河房裏，是我表弟，何不順便去看看他？」便進城來到杜少卿家。杜少卿出來接著，一見表兄，心裏歡喜，行禮坐下，說這十幾年闊別的話。余大先生歎道：「老弟，你這些上好的基業，可惜棄了！你一個做大老官的人，而今賣文為活，怎麼弄的慣！」杜少卿道：「我而今在這裏，有山川朋友之樂，倒也住慣了。不瞞表兄說，我愚弟也無甚麼嗜好，夫妻們帶著幾個兒子，布衣蔬食，心裏淡然。那從前的事，也追悔不來了。」說罷，奉茶與表兄喫。喫過，杜少卿自己走進去和娘子商量，要辦酒替表兄接風。此時杜少卿窮了，辦不起，思量方要拿東西去當。這日是五月初三，卻好莊耀江家送了一擔禮來與少卿過節。小廝跟了禮，拿著拜匣，一同走了進來，那禮是一尾鰣魚，兩隻燒鴨，一百個粽子，二斤洋糖；拜匣裏四兩銀子。杜少卿寫回帖叫了多謝，收了。那小廝去了。杜少卿和娘子說：「這主人做得成了！」當下又添了幾樣，娘子親自整治酒肴。遲衡山、武正字住的近，杜少卿寫說帖，請這兩人來陪表兄。二位來到，敘了些彼此仰慕的話，在河房裏一同喫酒。 |
| | When Master Yu Da arrived in Wuwei Zhou, the local magistrate was indeed fond of old friends and kept him there for several days. He said, "Master, I have only recently taken office and cannot give you much silver." "There is one matter at hand now; if you make a request of me, I shall grant it to you." This family can afford four hundred taels of silver, and there are three people sharing the cost; "Master, you can receive more than one hundred thirty taels of silver. Please take it home for the funeral arrangements of your late father and mother." "I will make up for this in some other way later." Master Yu Da was delighted, thanked the magistrate, and went out to meet that person. That man's surname is Feng, given name Ying; it concerned a case involving a murder-related entanglement. Master Yu Da spoke on his behalf, the magistrate approved it, and after collecting the silver, he bid farewell to the magistrates, packed up his belongings, and returned home. As he passed through Nanjing, he suddenly thought to himself: "Du Shaoqing of Tianchang lives in the He Fang at Lishexiao Bridge in Nanjing. He is my cousin; why not visit him on the way?" He then entered the city and went to Du Shaoqing's home. Du Shaoqing came out to greet him, and upon seeing his cousin, was delighted. They bowed to each other and sat down, chatting about their long separation of more than ten years. Master Yu Da sighed and said, "Dear younger brother, it is a pity that you have abandoned such excellent prospects! "As someone who was once an important official, to now make a living by selling your writings—how can you get used to such a life!" Du Shaoqing said, "Now that I live here, enjoying the pleasure of mountains, rivers, and friends, I have actually grown accustomed to it." "I will not hide this from my cousin: I, your foolish younger brother, have no particular hobbies. With my wife and a few sons, we live in simple clothes and plain food, and our hearts remain calm and content." "As for the past, it is too late to regret anything now." After saying this, he served tea to his cousin. After drinking the tea, Du Shaoqing went in by himself and discussed with his wife about preparing a banquet to welcome his cousin. At this time, Du Shaoqing was poor and could not afford it; he had to think of ways to pawn something in order to raise the money. It happened on the third day of the fifth month, when just as he was thinking about this, Zhuang Yaojiang's family sent a whole basket of gifts to Du Shaoqing for the festival. The servant boy followed with the gifts, carrying a gift box and walked in together. The gifts included one large catfish, two roasted ducks, one hundred zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and two catties of foreign sugar; and four taels of silver were inside the gift box. Du Shaoqing wrote a reply note expressing his thanks, and accepted the gifts. The servant boy then left. Du Shaoqing told his wife, "Now the banquet can be properly arranged!" At once they added a few more items, and the wife personally prepared the wine and dishes. Chen Hengshan and Wu Zhengzi lived nearby, so Du Shaoqing sent a note inviting the two of them to accompany his cousin. The two men arrived and exchanged words expressing their mutual admiration, then drank together in the He Fang.
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喫酒中間，余大先生說起要尋地葬父母的話。遲衡山道：「先生，只要地下乾煖，無風無蟻，得安先人，足矣；那些發富發貴的話，都聽不得。」余大先生道：「正是。敝邑最重這一件事。人家因尋地艱難，每每耽誤著先人，不能就葬。小弟卻不曾究心於此道。請問二位先生：這郭璞之說，是怎麼個源流？」遲衡山歎道：「自冢人墓地之官不設，族葬之法不行，士君子惑於龍穴、沙水之說，自心裏要想發達，不知已墮於大逆不道！」余大先生驚道：「怎生便是大逆不道？」遲衡山道：「有一首詩，念與先生聽：『氣散風衝那可居，先生埋骨理何如？日中尚未逃兵解，世上人猶信《葬書》！』這是前人弔郭公墓的詩。小弟最恨而今術士托於郭璞之說，動輒便說：『這地可發鼎甲，可出狀元！請教先生：狀元官號，始於唐朝，郭璞晉人，何得知唐有此等官號，就先立一法，說是個甚麼樣的地，就出這一件東西？這可笑的緊！若說古人封拜都在地理上看得出來，試問淮陰葬母，行營高敞地，而淮陰王侯之貴，不免三族之誅，這地是凶是吉？更可笑這些俗人說，本朝孝陵乃青田先生所擇之地！青田命世大賢，敷布兵、農、禮、樂，日不暇給，何得有閒工夫做到這一件事？洪武即位之時，萬年吉地，自有術士辦理，與青田甚麼相干！」 |
| | While drinking, Master Yu Da brought up his intention to find a burial site for his parents. Chen Hengshan said, "Master, as long as the ground is dry and warm, free from wind and ants, it would be sufficient to provide a peaceful resting place for your ancestors; "Those sayings about prosperity and honor are all things we should not listen to." Master Yu Da said, "Exactly. "In my hometown, this matter is held in the highest regard." People often delay burying their ancestors because it is difficult to find a suitable burial site. "My younger brother, however, has never paid much attention to this matter." "I would like to ask the two masters: what is the origin and development of Guo Pu's theories?" Chen Hengshan sighed and said, "Since the official in charge of burial sites was abolished, and the practice of burying by clan has ceased to be followed, scholars and gentlemen have been misled by notions such as 'dragon caves' and 'sand waters.' In their hearts they desire prosperity, yet without realizing it, they have already fallen into great impiety!" Master Yu Da was startled and asked, "How can this be considered a grave violation of morality?" Chen Hengshan replied, "There is a poem; let me recite it to you: 'When the qi disperses and wind invades, how can one dwell there? Master, what principle justifies burying bones in such a place?' "Even at noon the soldiers have not yet withdrawn; still, people in this world believe in The Book of Burial!"' This is an ancient poem lamenting Guo Pu's tomb. "My younger brother most despises the present-day geomancers who falsely claim to follow Guo Pu, always saying things like: 'This site can bring top imperial examination ranks; it can produce a zhuangyuan (top scholar)!' "I would like to ask you, Master: the title of zhuangyuan originated in the Tang dynasty. Guo Pu was a man of the Jin dynasty; how could he possibly have known about such an official rank from the Tang and thus devised a method beforehand, claiming that certain types of land produce such achievements?" How absurd this is! "If it is claimed that the ancient emperors' enfeoffments and appointments could be foreseen through geomancy, then I ask you: Han Xin buried his mother in a high and open site. Yet despite becoming King of Huaiyin with noble rank, he was not spared from execution along with three generations of his family—was that burial ground auspicious or ill-omened?" "It is even more laughable for these vulgar people to claim that the imperial tomb of our dynasty was selected by Master Qingtian!" "Master Qingtian was a great scholar of his time, who devoted himself to military affairs, agriculture, rites, and music with no spare moment—how could he possibly have had the leisure to concern himself with such a matter?" "When Emperor Hongwu ascended the throne, there were already geomancers in charge of selecting an auspicious burial site for eternity; what does this have to do with Master Qingtian!"
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余大先生道：「先生，你這一番議論，真可謂之發矇振聵！」武正字道：「衡山先生之言，一絲不錯。前年我這城中有一件奇事，說與諸位先生聽。」余大先生道：「願聞，願聞。」武正字道：「便是我這裏下浮橋地方施家巷裏施御史家。」遲衡山道：「施御史家的事，我也略聞，不知其詳。」武正字道：「施御史昆玉二位。施二先生說乃兄中了進士，他不曾中，都是大夫人的地葬的不好，只發大房，不發二房。因養了一個風水先生在家裏，終日商議遷墳。施御史道：『已葬久了，恐怕遷不得。』哭著下拜求他。他斷然要遷。那風水又拿話嚇他，說：『若是不遷，二房不但不做官，還要瞎眼！』他越發慌了，託這風水到處尋地。家裏養著一個風水，外面又相與了多少風水。這風水尋著一個地，叫那些風水來覆。那曉得風水的講究，叫做父做子笑，子做父笑，再沒有一個相同的。但尋著一塊地，就被人覆了說：『用不得！』家裏住的風水急了，又獻了一塊地，便在那新地左邊，買通了一個親戚來說，夜裏夢見老太太鳳冠霞帔，指著這地與他看，要葬在這裏。因這一塊地是老太太自己尋的，所以別的風水纔覆不掉，便把母親硬遷來葬。到遷墳的那日，施御史弟兄兩位跪在那裏。纔掘開墳，看見了棺木，墳裏便是一股熱氣，直沖出來，沖到二先生眼上，登時就把兩隻眼瞎了。二先生越發信這風水竟是個現在的活神仙，能知過去未來之事，後來重謝了他好幾百兩銀子。」 |
| | Master Yu Da said, "Sir, your remarks are truly enlightening and refreshing to the ears!" Wu Zhengzi said, "What Master Hengshan has said is absolutely correct. "There was a strange incident in this city two years ago; let me tell it to all of you, the esteemed masters." Master Yu Da said, "I would be honored to hear it. Please proceed." Wu Zhengzi replied, "It was at the home of Shi Yushi in Shijia Xiang, Xiaofuqiao area here." Chen Hengshan said: "I have heard a little about the matter at Shi Yushi's family, but I do not know the details." Wu Zhengzi said: "The two sons of Shi Yushi, Kun and Yu. Shi Ersheng said that his elder brother had passed the jinshi examination, while he himself did not pass. He claimed this was because their mother's burial site was poorly chosen—only the first branch of the family prospered, but not the second." Because of this, they had hired a geomancer to stay at home and discussed relocating their ancestors' tombs day after day. Shi Yushi said: "The graves have been in place for a long time; I fear we cannot move them." He knelt and begged him with tears. He firmly insisted on relocating the graves. The geomancer then frightened him with words, saying: "If you do not move the graves, the second branch will not only fail to become officials but also go blind!" He became even more panicked and entrusted the geomancer with searching for a new site everywhere. They had one geomancer at home, and on top of that, they were connected to many other geomancers outside. The geomancer found a site and invited those other geomancers to examine it together. However, the geomancers all had their own theories—what one father believed, his son would mock; what a son proposed, the father would laugh at. No two of them ever agreed on anything. Whenever they found a piece of land, it was always rejected by others with the remark: "This cannot be used!" The geomancer living at home became very anxious and suggested another site. It happened to be on the left side of the new land, and he bribed a relative to say that during the night they had dreamed of their late grandmother in phoenix crown and embroidered robes pointing out this piece of land for burial. Since the site was supposedly chosen by the late grandmother herself, no other geomancer could object to it. Thus, they forcibly moved their mother's remains and reburied her there. On the day of relocating the grave, both brothers of Shi Yushi knelt there. As they just dug open the grave and saw the coffin, a hot vapor suddenly surged out from within. It struck Shi Ersheng's eyes directly, instantly blinding both of them. Shi Ersheng became even more convinced that this geomancer was a living immortal, capable of foreseeing both the past and future. Later on, he heavily rewarded him with several hundred taels of silver."
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余大先生道：「我們那邊也極喜講究的遷葬。少卿，這事行得行不得？」杜少卿道：「我還有一句直捷的話。這事朝廷該立一個法子：但凡人家要遷葬，叫他到有司衙門遞個呈紙，風水具了甘結：棺材上有幾尺水，幾斗幾升蟻。等開了，說得不錯，就罷了；如說有水有蟻，挖開了不是，即于挖的時候，帶一個劊子手，一刀把這奴才的狗頭斫下來。那要遷墳的，就依子孫謀殺祖父的律，立刻凌遲處死。此風或可少息了！」余有達、遲衡山、武正字三人一齊拍手道：「說的暢快！說的暢快！拿大杯來喫酒！」又喫了一會，余大先生談道湯家請他做館的一段話；說了一遍，笑道：「武夫可見不過如此！」武正字道：「武夫中竟有雅不過的！」因把蕭雲仙的事細細說了，對杜少卿道：「少卿先生，你把那卷子拿出來與余先生看。」杜少卿取了出來。余大先生打開看了圖和虞博士幾個人的詩，看畢，乘著酒興，依韻各和了一首。三人極口稱贊。當下喫了半夜酒，一連住了三日。那一日，有一個五河鄉裏賣鴨的人，拿了一封家信來，說是余二老爹帶與余大老爹的。余大先生拆開一看，面如土色。只因這一番，有分教：弟兄相助，真耽式好之情；朋友交推，又見同聲之誼。畢竟書子裏說些甚麼，且聽下回分解。 |
| | Yu Daxiansheng said, "In our area as well, people are very particular about relocating burials. Shaoqing, is this something that can be done or not?" Du Shaoqing said, "I have one straightforward thing to say. The government should establish a regulation for this matter: whenever someone wishes to relocate a burial, they must submit a petition to the local authorities. The geomancer must provide an official guarantee stating exactly how many feet of water and how many dou or sheng of termites are present in the coffin. Once it is opened, if what they said matches correctly, then that will be the end of it; But if they claim there is water and termites, yet upon digging it turns out not to be the case, then during the excavation, a executioner should be brought along and immediately chop off this slave's dog head with one stroke of the blade. As for those who wish to relocate the grave, they should be punished according to the law against descendants plotting to murder their ancestors—immediately subjected to lingchi (death by slicing). Then perhaps this custom might diminish somewhat!" Yu Youda, Chi Hengshan, and Wu Zhengzi all clapped their hands together and said, "That was a refreshing remark! What a refreshing thing to say! Bring the big cups and let's drink some wine!" After drinking for a while, Yu Daxiansheng began to talk about the story of how the Tang family had invited him to be their private tutor. He finished telling it and laughed, saying, "So much for so-called scholars!" Wu Zhengzi said, "Among common people, there are some who are even more refined than you think!" He then gave a detailed account of Xiao Yunxian's story and said to Du Shaoqing, "Master Shaoqing, please take out that scroll for Master Yu to see." Du Shaoqing took it out. Yu Daxiansheng opened it and read the map as well as the poems by Yu Boshi and several others. After finishing, inspired by his wine, he composed a response poem in the same rhyme for each of them. The three men praised him highly. They drank wine all night and stayed for three days in a row. On one of those days, a duck seller from Wuhe village arrived with a letter for the household, saying it was brought by Master Yu Er to deliver to Master Yu Da. Yu Daxiansheng tore open the letter and took one look—his face turned ashen. This incident was destined to lead to: brothers helping each other, truly embodying the finest of affection; friendship and trust, once again revealing the bond of shared ideals. What exactly was written in that letter? We shall find out in the next chapter.
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