红玉（狐媒侠肝义胆）:聊斋故事系列四合一（原著-注释-白话-英译

红玉 （狐媒侠肝义胆）聊斋故事系列四合一（原著-注释-白话-英译）

红玉


原文：

广平冯翁有一子，字相如。父子俱诸生*。翁年近六旬，性方鲠*，而家屡空*。数年间，媪
与子妇又相继逝，井臼*自操之。一夜，相如坐月下，忽见东邻女自墙上来窥。视之，美。近
之，微笑。招以手，不来亦不去。固请之，乃梯而过，遂共寝处。问其姓名，曰：“妾邻女
红玉也。”生大爱悦，与订永好。女诺之。夜夜往来，约半年许。翁夜起，闻子舍笑语，窥
之，见子，怒，唤出，骂曰：“畜产所为何事！如此落寞，尚不刻苦，乃学浮荡耶？人知
之，丧汝德；人不知，促汝寿！”生跪自投，泣言知悔。翁叱女曰：“女子不守闺戒，既自
玷，而又以玷人。倘事一发，当不仅贻寒舍羞！”骂已，愤然归寝。女流涕曰：“亲庭罪
责，良足愧辱！我二人缘分尽矣！”生曰：“父在不得自专*。卿如有情，尚当含垢为好。”
女言辞决绝。生乃洒涕。女止之曰：“妾与君无媒妁之言，父母之命，逾墙钻隙，何能白
首？此处有一佳耦*，可聘也。”告以贫。女曰：“来宵相俟*，妾为君谋之。”次夜，女果
至，出白金四十两赠生。曰：“去此六十里，有吴村卫氏，年十八矣。高其价*，故未售*也。
君重啖*之，必合谐允。”言已，别去。


注释：

1．诸生：明清时期经考试录取而进入府、州、县各级学校学习的生员。生员有增生、附生、廪生、例生等，统称诸生。2．方鲠：性情方正耿直。鲠，读“耿”。 3. 屡空:经常贫穷。语出《论语。先进》：“回也其庶乎，屡空。”4． 井臼：从井里打水，在石臼里舂米。比喻家务。5．自专：自作主张。6．耦：两人并排行走耕地。此处音义皆同“偶”，配偶。7．俟：等待。读“四”。8．高其价；聘礼要价高。9．未售：没有嫁出去。10．重啖之：多下聘礼来满足对方要求。啖，读“但”，原意为“吃”或“给别人吃”，本文借用后者，表示满足对方要求。

白话：

河北广平的冯老汉有一个儿子，取字叫相如。父子俩都是生员。老汉年近六十，性情方正耿直，家里穷得经常揭不开锅。数年之间，老伴和儿媳又都相继过世，家务事都由自己操持。一天夜晚，相如坐在月下，忽见东邻女郎从墙上偷看他。一看，这女郎挺美。相如走到她跟前，女郎面带微笑。用手招呼她，她不来也不去。经过反复请求，她才登着梯子过来，于是就和他同床共枕。问她姓名，她说：“我是你邻居的姑娘，红玉呀。”相如非常喜欢她，就要和她订下终生为伴的盟约。女郎答应了。于是夜夜往来，约半年左右。老汉夜间起来，听到儿子的房间里又说又笑，于是偷偷偷地看着，见到儿子，大怒，叫他出来，骂曰：“你这畜生干的什么好事！这么寂寞，还不刻苦读书，你这史在学坏吧？人家要是知道，就败坏了你的品德；人家要是不知道，那可就折你的寿啦！”相如跪下承认错误，哭泣说知道悔改。老汉又喝叱女方说：“女子不守闺戒，既玷污了，又玷污了别人。一旦事情败露，蒙羞的那就不仅是我们一家了！”骂完之后，就气鼓鼓地回去睡下了。女郎痛哭流涕地说：“被你老爸臭骂一顿，实在太丢面子了！我们两人的缘分已经到头！”相如说：“老爸是怪我自作主张。你如果真的有情有意，还得多担待着点，挨骂也要和我好才对。”
女郎言辞激烈，断然拒绝。相如泪流满面。女郎劝他说：“我和你没有媒妁之言，父母之命，爬墙头钻窟窿，这这么能白头到老？本地有一美人，你可以娶她。”相如说自己太穷。女郎说：“明天夜里等着，我帮你想想办法。”第二天夜里，女郎果然来了，还拿出白金四十两赠给相如。说：“离这儿六十里有个吴村，村里有个姓卫的姑娘，十八岁。因为聘礼要价太高，一直也没有嫁出去。你多下聘礼去满足她的要求，那就一定会成功。”说完就走了。


英译：

Feng Xiangru and his father were all scholars. The father was nearly sixty. Although honest by nature, they were very poor. Worse of all, Feng’s mother and wife died within a short period.
One evening, sitting in the moon light, Feng suddenly found the girl of the east neighbor looking at him at the wall. The girl was very beautiful. Feng went near, she only smiled at him. He beckoned her over, but she neither came nor left.
Feng insisted on inviting her, she climbed over the wall with the help of a ladder. These two slept together in his room.
To be asked, she said, “I’m the daughter of your neighbor. My name is Red Jade.”
Feng was delighted and suggested they should be life-long companions. Red Jade agreed.
From then on, they were together every evening. This case secretly lasted about half year.
One evening, Feng’s father got up and heard a woman laughing and speaking in his son’s room. Peeping stealthily, he found a girl. Flying in a rage, he called Feng out.
“What a pretty mess you have done!” he scolded his son. “Why don’t you study hard? Why are you so loose in conduct?” The old man said continuously. “If someone knows, your reputation is ruined. Even if no one knows, but your life will be shortened!”
Kneeling down and weeping, Feng showed repentance. Then the old man scolded the girl, stern in voice and countenance.
“As a woman, you don’t follow the women’s moral standards,” said the old man. “You not only smeared the reputation of yourself but also defamed others. If this ill news goes out, it will insult not only my family but also yours.”
After finishing his scolding, the old man angrily went to sleep.
“I’m rebuked by your father. I really feel ashamed!” the girl said in tears. “Our relationship is doom to end up here!”
“I’m sorry I cannot decide and act on my own because of my father.” He said. “But, if you really love me, you should stick to our friendly relations even if you’re put to shame.”
But the girl sternly refused. Feng wept.
Red Jade dissuaded him from crying and comforted him, “We lack not only a go-between but also your father’s approval, so we can only keep a secret relationship. How can we keep a life-long relationship like this?” she told him. “There’s a good girl. You can marry her.”
Feng said he was too poor.
“Wait for me tomorrow night,” said Red Jade. “I’ll make you a plan.”
Next evening, the girl really came, and moreover, she had also brought him some money.
“Sixty miles away from here, there’s a Wu Village.” Red Jade told him. “There’s a girl of eighteen in a Wei family. The family always wants too much money, so she still remains unmarried. So long as you give her family a large amount of money, they will agree.”
Finishing her words, Red Jade has already left.


原文：

生乘间语父，欲往相之*。而隐馈金不敢告。翁自度无资，以是故，止之。生又婉言：
“试可乃已。”翁颔之。生遂假仆马，诣卫氏。卫故田舍翁，生呼出，引与间语。卫知生望
族，又见仪采轩豁，心许之，而虑其靳*于资。生听其词意吞吐，会其旨，倾囊陈几上。卫乃
喜，浼*邻生居间，书红笺而盟焉。生入拜媪，居室幅侧，女依母自幛。微睨之，虽荆布*之
饰，而神情光艳，心窃喜。卫借舍款婿，便言：“公子无须亲迎，待少作衣妆，即合舁送
去。”生与期而归。诡告翁，言卫爱清门，不责*资，翁亦喜。至日，卫果送女至，女勤俭，
有顺德，琴瑟*甚笃。逾二年，举一男，名福儿。会清明抱子登墓，遇邑绅宋氏。宋官御史，
坐行赇免*，居林下*，大煽威虐。是日亦上墓归，见女艳之，问村人，知为生配。料冯贫士，
诱以重赂，冀可摇，使家人风示之。生骤闻，怒形于色；既思势不敌，敛怒为笑，归告翁。
翁大怒，奔出，对其家人，指天画地，诟骂万端。家人鼠窜而去。宋氏亦怒，竟遣数人入生
家，殴翁及子，汹若沸鼎。女闻之，弃儿于床，披发号救。群篡舁之，哄然便去。父子伤
残，呻吟在地。儿呱呱啼室中。邻人共怜之，扶之榻上。经日，生杖而能起，翁忿不食，呕
血寻毙。生大哭，抱子兴词*，上至督抚，讼几遍，卒不得直*。后闻妇不屈死，益悲。冤塞胸
吭*，无路可伸。每思要路刺杀宋，而虑其扈从繁，儿又罔托。日夜哀思，双睫为不交。


注释：

1．相之：相亲。2．靳：吝惜。3．浼：请托。读“美”。4．荆布：荆钗布裙，贫家女子的装束。
5．责：索取，苛求。6．琴瑟：夫妻之情。坐行赇免：因为行贿被免官。坐，因为。7．居林下：罢官居于乡间。8．兴词：递交讼词，告状。9．直：打赢（官司）。10．吭：喉咙。读“航”。


白话：

相如找机会告诉父亲，想去相亲。但是他把红玉送的金子藏起来不敢告诉他。老汉觉得没有钱，就以此为理由阻止他。相如又委婉地说：“试一试就算了。”老汉这才点头答应。相如就借了仆人的马，找到了卫家。卫老汉本是农夫，相如把他喊出来，找个僻静地方讲明来意。卫老汉知道相如家是名门望族，又见他仪表堂堂，气宇轩昂，从心里就答应了，可是忧怕对方吝惜聘金。相如听他吞吞吐吐，闪烁其词，就明白他的意思，于是把金子倾囊而出，摆在桌子上。卫老汉这才满心欢喜，托付邻居小伙作中间人，书写红笺订立婚约。相如进屋拜见卫老太太，只见女郎在居室旁边的小套间里，依偎着母亲遮挡着自己。相如略微看了一眼，女郎虽荆钗布裙，然而神情光艳，心中窃喜。卫老汉就在家里款待女婿，说：“公子无须亲自来迎娶，等略微做一点嫁妆，就派人抬着她给你送
去。”相如和卫家订好日期就回家了。假装告诉老汉，说卫家就喜欢清贫人家，不要聘金，老汉也很高兴。日子一到，卫家果然把女儿送到送，女郎十分勤俭，温存孝顺，夫妻感性很深。过两年，生一个男孩，取名福儿。不巧媳妇在清明节期间抱着儿子去扫墓，遇到乡绅宋家的人。宋家本来官至御史，因为行赇被罢官，正居住在乡下，但是淫威不减当年。当天也是扫墓归来，见到这个女人就被她的美貌迷住了，问村里人，得知是相如的妻子。料想冯家贫寒贫，只要以重金引诱，可望使相如动摇，于是就让家人去吹风。相如突然听到这件事，怒形于色；可又考虑到自己敌不过对方，就转怒为笑，回家告诉老爹。老汉一听勃然大怒，跑出去，面对宋家派来的家人，指天画地，臭骂一通。家人抱头鼠窜，跑了回去。宋家也大发雷霆之怒，竟然派了好几个人闯入相如家，殴打老汉和他的儿子，气势汹汹，不可一世。女人听到动静，把儿子扔在床上，披头散发地大声呼救。那群人趁势抬起她，哄然散去。父子伤残严重，坐在地上呻吟。小儿在屋中呱呱啼哭。邻居都觉得可怜，就把他们扶到床上。几天之后，相如能拄着棍子站起来，老汉气得不吃东西，吐血不止，每多久就死去了。相如大哭，抱着儿子去告状，一直告到督抚，打了几次官司，都没有打赢。后来听说媳妇不屈而死，越发悲痛。满腹冤屈，无处可伸。经常想着要到半路去刺杀宋家歹徒，可是考虑到他们的走狗众多，儿子又没有地方托付。日夜苦思苦想，难以成眠。



英译：


Taking a chance when his father wasn’t busy, Feng told this matter to the old man. He said to his father he wanted to go and have a look, but he didn’t have the gut to mention the money given by Red Jade.
Thinking his son had no money and taking this as a pretext, the old man didn’t agree. Feng tactfully persisted on going.
“I just want to have a try and see whether they agree,” said Feng.
The father finally agreed.
Borrowing a servant and a horse from neighborhood, Feng went to Wu Village.
The master of Wei Family was a farmer. Feng had a discussion with him. Learning Feng came from a distinguished family, and especially seeing the elegant appearance of Feng, the old man was very satisfied with him, but simultaneously afraid the young man would grudge paying much money. Finding that the old man just minced his words, Feng immediately realized his true intention and put the money onto a table.
Mrs. Wei was delighted and asked his neighbor as a go-between and then signed a marriage contract written in a large piece of red paper.
Feng went into another room and gave a kowtow to Mrs. Wei. The girl was standing together with her mother. Stealthily glancing at the girl, he found her dress was rather simple but her look was beaming and buoyant. He was delighted.
The old couple cordially entertained their son-in-law.
“You just go back home and wait. It’s unnecessary for you to come here to escort your bride to wedding,” said the old man. “I’ll take her to you whenever her wedding dress is well prepared.”
Back at home, Feng made his father a false report that the girl’s family only loved decent families and didn’t care about money. The old man was very happy.
On the very day fixed by Feng and his parents-in-law, the girl really came accompanied by her father.
The girl was not only able and virtuous but also industrious and thrifty in running their home. The young couple was congenial in feelings and interests. Two years later, they got a lovely baby-boy named Happiness.
One day, on her way back home from the tomb of her late mother-in-law. Feng’s wife met a rich man named Song. This guy was a bad higher official running amuck everywhere. He found Feng’s wife a true beauty and became infatuated with her at once. Song learnt from the villagers that she was Feng’s wife. Now that Feng was very poor, he thought he could easily buy his wife with a large amount of money. Then he sent a servant to Feng’s home to give a massage to the family.
Suddenly learning this sort of things, Feng was very angry. But thinking better of it, he was no match for Song. Feng tried hard to hold back his anger and made smiles to pacify the servant. But his father was beside himself with rage and sternly abused the servant who ran widely like a cornered rat.
Flaring up, Song sent his running dogs to Feng’s home. Feng and his father were given a good beating. A hell of mess was made in the family. Scared to death, Feng’s wife left her son on bed and ran out. With her hair hanging down loosely, she hoarsely cried for help. But at last, she was dragged away by the running dogs.
Badly wounded, the father and son were bitterly groaning on the ground. And the little baby was crying in the bedroom. Taking pity on the poor family, the neighbors supported them onto their bed.
Several days later, Feng could stand up and walk with a stick. But the old man was too angry to eat anything and shortly died of blood vomiting.
Sorrowfully crying, Feng carried his son and went to sue Song. Busy running about, but he failed at last. Later on, learning his wife dauntlessly died, he was torn by sorrow and anger. Although burning with anger, he could do nothing. He often had the idea to kill Song. But he was afraid the bad guy had too many running dogs. Beside, he feared lest there would be no one to take care of his son. Racking his brain day and night, Feng felt uneasy even when eating and sleeping.


原文：

忽一丈夫吊诸其室，虬髯阔颔*，曾与无素*。挽坐，欲问邦族。客遽曰：“君有杀父之
仇，夺妻之恨，而忘报乎？”生疑为宋人之侦*，姑伪应之。客怒眦欲裂，遽*出曰：“仆以君
人也，今乃知不足齿之伧*！”生察其异，跪而挽之，曰：“诚恐宋人餂*我。今实布腹心*；
仆之卧薪尝胆*者，固有日矣。但怜此褓中物，恐坠宗祧*。君义士，能为我杵臼*否？”客
曰：“此妇人女子之事，非所能。君所欲托诸人者，请自任之；所欲自任者*，愿得而代庖*
焉。”生闻，崩角在地*。客不顾而出。生追问姓字，曰：“不济*，不任受怨；济，亦不任受
德。”遂去。生惧祸及，抱子亡去。至夜，宋家一门俱寝，有人越重垣入，杀御史父子三人
及一媳一婢。宋家具状告官。官大骇，宋执谓相如，于是遣役捕生，生遁不知所之，于是情
益真。宋仆同官役诸处冥搜。夜至南山，闻儿啼，踪得之，系缧*而行。儿啼愈嗔，群夺儿抛
弃之。生冤愤欲绝。见邑令。问：“何杀人？”生曰：“冤哉！某以夜死，我以昼出，且抱
呱呱者，何能逾垣杀人？”令曰：“不杀人，何逃乎？”生词穷，不能置辨。乃收诸狱，生
泣曰：“我死无足惜，孤儿何罪？”令曰：“汝杀人子多矣；杀汝子，何怨？”生既褫革*，
屡受梏惨，卒无词。令是夜方卧，闻有物击床，震震有声，大惧而号。举家惊起，集而烛之，
一短刀，銛*利如霜，剁床入木者寸余，牢不可拔。令睹之，魂魄丧失。荷戈遍索，竟无踪迹。
心窃馁。又以宋人死，无可畏惧，乃详诸宪*，代生解免，竟释生。


注释：

1．虬髯阔颔：卷曲的胡须，宽阔的下巴。虬，卷曲，读“求”。颌，下巴，读“和”。2．无素：平时没有往来。素，从前的交往，旧交。3．遽：匆忙。读“巨”。4．侦：侦探，探子。5．伧：即伧夫，粗俗庸碌之辈。伧，粗野。读“仓”。6．餂：勾取，探取。读“恬”。7．实布腹心：实实在在地说出心里话。腹心，心里话。8．卧薪尝胆：刻苦自励，发誓报仇。9．坠宗祧：断了后。坠，坠落，断了线。宗祧，宗庙。祧，读“挑”，原指祭祀远祖的庙宇，后指继承上代。10．杵臼：充当杵臼的角色，指保存孤儿。杵臼，即公孙杵臼。春秋时晋国权臣屠岸贾（读“古”）欲灭赵氏全家，杀赵朔，并搜捕孤儿赵武。赵氏门客公孙杵臼同程婴定计救出孤儿，使赵嗣得以延续，报了冤仇。11．所欲自任者：想自告奋勇承担重任的人。本文的重任就是报宋家之仇。12．代庖：即越俎代庖，包办代替。13．崩角在地：在地上磕头。角，额角。崩角，就是额角在地上磕得嘣嘣响。即所谓的磕响头。14．济：成功。15．系缧：像对待犯人那样用绳子捆绑着。系，捆绑。缧，即缧绁，捆绑犯人的绳索。读“雷谢”。16．褫革：褫职，革职。褫，剥夺，读“尺”。17．銛：锋利，读“先”。18．详诸宪：把案情呈报上级。详，一种公文，专用于向上级汇报请示。宪，上级。诸，“之于”的合音。


白话：

忽然有一位男子汉大丈夫到到屋里来吊唁，卷曲的胡须，宽阔的下巴，没曾与他有过交往。冯相如挽着他的胳膊坐下，想问他的姓氏。客人匆忙地说：“你有杀父之仇，夺妻之恨，难道忘了报仇吗？”冯生怀疑他是宋家的探子，就虚虚假假地应酬他。客人怒目而视，急急忙忙地走出去说：“我还以为你是正人君子呢，今天才知道你是个不足挂齿的无能之辈！”冯生觉察到来客非同一般，就跪下挽留他说：“实在怕宋家人来打探我。今天实话对你讲吧；我一直卧薪尝胆，寻找机会报仇，可有些日子了。只是可怜这襁褓中的孩子，万一有个好歹恐怕绝了后。既然你是君子义士，那你能为我当一回公孙杵臼，保护我的孩子吗？”客人说：“这种事是女人干的，我可干不了。你想托人保护的这个孩子，还是请你自己来吧；谁想自告奋勇做这件事，那是他自愿越俎代庖。”冯生听他这么一说，立即趴在地上磕响头。客人连看都不看一眼就出去了。冯生追着问他姓甚名谁，他说：“帮你办事，办不成，受不了埋怨；办的成，也担当不起夸奖。”说完就走了。冯生害怕大祸临头，抱着儿子就逃了。到夜里，宋家全家人都在睡觉，有人爬过好几道墙进去，杀掉御史父子三人，以及一个媳妇和一个婢女。宋家立即把这件事向官方报案。县令大惊失色，宋家执意说是冯相如干的，于是就派衙役去抓他，可就不知他逃到哪里去了，于是冯生杀人之说越发显得真实。宋家仆人和官方衙役一起到处搜寻。夜间搜到南山，听到小孩啼哭，于是跟踪搜寻，终于把冯生抓住，像对犯人那样用绳子捆着他赶路。孩子哭声越来越大，有人就把他夺过去扔了。冯生悲愤欲绝。见到县令。县令问：“为何杀人？”冯生说：“冤枉啊！那个人夜间被杀死，我白天就出来了，而且还抱着个呱呱啼哭的孩子，怎么能爬墙杀人？”县令说：“没杀人，为何要逃呢？”冯生无话可说，不能为自己辩解。这样他就被关进监狱。冯生一边哭泣一边说：“我死了没什么可惜的，可是孤儿有何罪呢？”县令说：“你杀了人家那么多孩子；杀你一个孩子，有什么可抱怨的？”冯生已经被革职，屡遭酷刑，可就是不说话。县令那天夜里刚躺下，就听有东西敲击床铺，床铺被震得颤颤巍巍，还发出响声，把他吓得大喊大叫。全家都被惊动起床，聚集在一起用蜡烛照，只见一把短刀，锋利如霜，剁入床中的部分长达一寸多，而且牢不可拔。县令看了，魂飞魄散。扛着一支戈到处搜索，竟然毫无踪迹。他因此感到心灰意，冷泄了气。再加上宋御史人已死，没什么可怕的，他就将案件呈交到上级办理，随后替冯生解脱罪责，将他释放。


英译：

Suddenly, a man came to condole with Feng upon the death of his father and wife. The stranger had a broad jaw and a curly beard. He had no association with Feng. Hand in hand with the man, Feng urged him to sit down and wanted to ask his name.
“Your father was killed. Your wife was dragged away. So you have a deep-seated hatred,” said the man. “Don’t you forget to avenge their death upon the murderer?”
Doubting whether the stranger was a spy of the higher official Song, Feng had to pretend politeness and compliance.
The stranger flew in a rage and said, “I though you might be a gentleman of moral integrity. So you’re a vulgarian!”
Realizing that this man was quite different with others, Feng knelt down and dissuaded him from leaving.
“I’m really afraid Song’s running dogs will come to sound out my intention,” said Feng. “To tell the truth, I’ve long been thinking to avenge myself on the bad egg. But I’m anxious about my baby and dare not take reckless actions for fear the only successor of my family should be hurt. Since you’re a just gentleman, I’m willing to entrust my baby to you. Will you do me the favor if I die?”
“This is something for women. I can’t do it. You leave your baby to whom? It should be decided by you. The only thing I can do is to help you avenge yourself on that scoundrel.”
Hearing this, Feng was moved to tears of gratitude and knelt down immediately to give sound kowtows to the just stranger. The man walked out without saying anything. Feng hurriedly caught up with him asking his name.
“If fail, don’t blame me. If succeed, don’t praise me.”
After saying this, the man left. Feng escaped with his son for fear a disaster should befall them.
At night, Song’s whole family was fast asleep. Someone climbed over the walls and entered the bedroom and killed five people at one go, including Song, Song’s two sons, and a daughter-in-law and a maid.
Song’s family sued at law immediately. The judge was frightened. Song’s family asserted categorically that the murderer was Feng. The court sent people to catch Feng. But Feng had already fled and hid himself not leaving any traces. Feng thus seemed to be the true murderer. What was make-believe turned out to be true.
Song’s servants and the official attendants searched for Feng everywhere. In the evening, they came to the south mountains where they heard a baby crying. Feng was caught and driven forward with his arms tightly bound. His son cried loudly. They snatched over the little baby from Feng and threw him onto the ground. Feng was torn by sorrow and anger.
When they came to the court, the official asked Feng, “Why did you kill so many people?”
“You wronged an innocent person,” said Feng. “They died at night. But I ran away in daytime. Beside, I carried a crying baby. How could I climb over walls to kill people?”
“If you didn’t kill people, why did you run away?” asked the official.
Feng had nothing more to say without knowing how to justify his conduct. He was put into jail.
“Maybe my death isn’t worth mentioning,” cried Feng. “But what sort of faults did my baby commit?”
“They killed your baby only because you killed so many people.” The official said. “You have no reason to think I wronged you.”
The official ordered the attendants to tear off Feng’s clothes and put him to cruel torture. But Feng refused to plead guilty.
That night, immediately after going to bed, the official heard something loudly striking his bed. Terribly frightened, he screamed with fear. The family got up in a great panic. All members gathered and in candle light, found a sharp sword chopped into the bed half inch deep, too firmly to be pull off.
Seeing this, the official was scared to death. Weapons in hands, the servants carefully searched everywhere but found no trace to follow.
The official was secretly disappointed. But he thought there was no one worth being afraid of now that Song had already been killed. Then he submitted a report to the higher level and got rid of Feng’s charge of murder. Feng was finally released with a verdict of not guilty.



原文：


生归，瓮无升斗，孤影对四壁。幸邻人怜馈食饮，苟且自度。念大仇已报，则冁*然喜；
思惨酷之祸，几于灭门，则泪潸潸堕；及思半生贫彻骨，宗支不续，则于无人处大哭
失声，不复能自禁。如此半年，捕禁益懈。乃哀邑令，求判还卫氏之骨。及葬而归，悲怛欲
死。辗转空床，竟无生路。忽有款门者，凝神寂听，闻一人在门外，哝哝与小儿语。生急起
窥觇，似一女子。扉初启，便问：“大冤昭雪，可幸无恙？”其声稔熟，而仓卒不能追忆。
烛之，则红玉也。挽一小儿，嬉笑胯下。生不暇问，抱女呜哭。女亦惨然。既而推儿曰：
“汝忘尔父耶？”儿牵女衣，目灼灼视生。细审之，福儿也。大惊，泣问：“儿那得来？”
女曰：“实告君：昔言邻女者，妄也。妾实狐。适宵行，见儿啼谷口，抱养于秦。闻大难既
息，故携来与君团聚耳。”生挥涕拜谢。儿在女怀，如依其母，竟不复能识父矣。天未明，
女即遽起。问之，答曰：“奴欲去。”生裸跪床头，涕不能仰。女笑曰：“妾诳君耳。今家
道新创，非夙兴夜寐*会不可。”乃剪莽拥篲*，类男子操作。生忧贫乏，不自给。女
曰：“但请下帷读，勿问盈歉，或当不殍饿死。”遂出金治织具，租田数十亩，雇佣耕作。
荷镵*诛茅，牵萝补屋，日以为常。里党闻妇贤，益乐资助之。约半年，人烟腾茂，类素封家*。
生曰：“灰烬之余，卿白手再造矣。然一事未就安妥，如何？”诘之，答曰：“试期已迫，巾服*尚未复也。”女笑曰：“妾前以四金寄广文*，已复名在案。若待君言，误之已久。”生益神之。是科遂领乡荐*。时年三十六，腴田连阡，夏屋渠渠矣。女袅娜如随风欲飘去，而操作过农家妇；虽严冬自苦，而手腻如脂。自言二十八岁，人视之，常若
二十许人。


注释：

1．冁：读“产”，笑的样子。2．夙兴夜寐：早起晚睡，指勤俭持家。3．篲：读“会”，扫帚。
4．镵：读“缠”，古代铁质刨土工具。5．封家：收到帝王赐封的人家。古代帝王把爵位，甚至连同土地或称号赐给下臣，这叫封。6．广文：学官。7。巾服尚未复：秀才的资格还没有恢复。巾服，秀才的服装。这里指被罢免的秀才的资格。8。乡荐：. 由州县荐举去应试进士。



白话：

冯相如回到家里，罐里没有一点粮，只有孤独的身影对着四面墙壁。幸亏邻居可怜才送来些吃喝，凑合活着。考虑到大仇已报，倒是满心欢喜；然而想到惨遭横祸，几乎灭门，有情不自禁地潸然泪下；等再想到半辈子穷得丁当响，又断了传宗接代的烟火，就到没有人的地方痛哭失声，再也控制不住自己。就这样过了半年，拘捕他的风声逐渐减弱。于是就向县令苦苦哀求，要求判还妻子卫氏的尸骨。等妻子入葬之后回到家里，简直悲痛欲绝。躺空荡荡的床上翻来覆去睡不着，根本想不出一条活路。这时忽然有人在敲门，他屏息静听，听到有一个人在门外，嘟嘟哝哝地和小孩说话。冯生急忙起床窥视，似乎是一个女子。她一推开门就问：“天大的冤枉已经昭雪，万幸没有出什么差错吧？”听声音很熟悉，可仓促间又想不起来是谁。点上蜡烛一照，原来是红玉。她领着个小孩，那孩子在她身边嬉笑着。冯生来不及问，就合红玉抱头痛哭。红玉也很悲伤。随后推着小孩说：
“你把你爹都忘了吗？”小孩拉着红玉的衣服，目光炯炯地看着冯生。仔细一看，原来是福儿。冯生大吃一惊，哭着问：“我儿你从哪里来呀？”红玉说：“实话告诉你：从前我说是邻居的姑娘，那不是真的。我实际上是狐狸。那天夜里正行走的时候，看到一个小孩在山谷边儿上啼哭，我就把他抱给秦家收养起来。听到你的冤案已经了解，这才把他领来和你团聚。”冯生挥涕拜谢。小孩在红玉的怀里，就像在依偎自己的母亲，居然不再能认识父亲。天还没亮，红玉就急忙起身。问她，她回答说：“我想走。”冯生光着身子跪在床头，哭得抬不起头。红玉笑着说：“我是在诓骗你。你现在是白手起家，不起早贪黑地干可不行。”于是割掉荒草，拿起扫帚，像男人那样干起活来。冯生忧虑太穷，养活不了自己。红玉说：“你只管在屋里好好读书，家里的日子怎么过你就别操心，反正不会饿死。”于是拿出金子置办织布机，又租了几十亩地，雇人耕作。红玉扛着铁锹掘茅草，辛勤耕作，还自己动手修补茅屋，她已经习以为常。乡里乡亲都听说这媳妇非常贤惠，也都乐意资助。大约半年，家境大有起色，殷实得好像是被帝王封赐的人家。冯生说：“我现在就像死灰复燃，这全靠你白手起家，再创家业呀。可是我还有一件事没有安置妥当，不知道该怎么办？”红玉问他，他回答说：“考试的日期已经临近，可我的秀才资格还没有恢复。”红玉笑着说：“我前几天已经把四两黄金寄给学官，你的秀才资格已经恢复，名字也已在案。如果等你说了才办，早就耽误了。”冯生觉得她可真神乎其神。当年科考他就被荐举去应试进士。那年他三十六岁，早已是良田沃野，华屋美舍。红玉论姿色，体态轻盈，婀娜多姿，如随风欲飘，论操持家务，则非一般农妇所能企及；虽然严冬苦冷，而手指滑腻如脂玉一般。自称二十八岁，可在人们的眼里，经常像是二十岁左右的人。



英译：


Back at home, lonely facing walls, Feng had nothing to eat. Thanks to the help of his neighbors, he eked out a living. Now that he had already avenged his father’s death upon the murderer, he felt gratified at the result. But thinking of the disaster which nearly destroyed his whole family, he felt greatly sorrowful with tears streaming out. He would be chocked with tears in his empty room with no one at his side whenever thinking of his bleak prospects: he would be as poor as a church mouse and he couldn’t go down to posterity.
Half year passed over and the situation turned tranquil. Feng found and buried his wife’s body with the help of the official. After funeral, he felt too sorrowful to live any longer.
One night, someone was knocking at the door. Carefully listening, Feng heard the knocker whispering with a little boy. Getting up hurriedly and peeping through the keyhole, he found the knocker seemed to be a woman.
Immediately after he opened the door, the knocker asked, “You’ve avenged yourself on the bad egg. Everything’s O.K.?”
The voice was quite familiar but Feng, in haste, couldn’t remember who she was. Looking at her carefully in candle light, he found it was Red Jad！And the little boy was laughing and playing merrily beside her. Feng wanted to ask him something, but before he could open his mouth, the boy had started crying with his hands firmly holding Red Jade.
Red Jade felt heartbroken and pushed the boy forward.
“You’ve forgotten your father, have you?” Red Jade asked the boy.
Firmly holding her dress, the boy was gazing at Feng with sparkling eyes.
Scrutinizing, Feng found the boy was his son, Happiness. He was greatly surprised and burst into tears.
“How do you come here?” he asked his son.
“To tell the truth,” Red Jade said. “In the past, I told you I was your neighbor. That’s not true. In fact, I’m a fox.” She told him. “That night, I passed by the mountain area and found your baby crying at the foot of a hill. I took him home and looked after him for you. Learning you’ve survived the disaster, I bring him here for you to have a family reunion.”
Feng thanked her in tears. Snuggling up to Red Jade as if she was his mother, the boy Happiness should be unable to recognize his father.
Red Jade got up before daybreak and wanted to leave. Feng knelt down at bedside and couldn’t help weeping grievously.
“I’m cheating you,” said Red Jade. “How can I have the heart to leave you? I know you badly need someone to help you rebuild a new family. ”
From then on, Red Jade did her best to help Feng look after household affairs. Industrious and thrifty in running his home, she was just like a man. Feng was much anxious whenever thinking he was too poor to rely on his own.
“You may simply study hard. Nothing for you to worry about,” she said continuously. “It’s unnecessary for you to ask me about profit and loss. I can ensure enough food and clothing for you lest you should die of hunger or cold.”
Roughly half year later, there was some improvement in the family which gradually became better and better as if a dead man had been brought back to life. Especially after Feng gained position and fortune, they began to live a happy life.
There were two things to make the neighbors surprised. Firstly, this poor family should be changed so profoundly with the help of this mystical woman. Secondly, Red Jade said she was twenty-eight, but she seemed to be eighteen. And though working hard and undergoing hot summers and cold winters, her skin was still delicate as that of young girls.
These people looked at things just on the surface without going deep, so they didn’t know she was a fox.



原文：

异史氏曰：“其子贤，其父德，故其报之也侠*。非特*人侠，狐亦侠也。遇亦奇
矣！然官宰悠悠，竖人毛发，刀震震入木，何惜不略移床上半尺许哉？使苏子美读之，必浮
白曰：‘惜乎击之不中*！’


注释：

侠：本指侠客。此指得到侠客的帮助。特：仅仅。苏子美句：苏子美，宋代文学家苏舜钦，字子美。他读《汉书》张良传，读到荆轲没有刺中秦王时一边说：“惜乎击之不中！”然后饮了满满一大白。白，即浮白。浮，罚酒。后称满饮为浮白。这个故事用到此处，正好契合没有杀掉害民的贪官污吏的情况。所以说，如果苏子美如果读了这个故事，也一定会和读《汉书》张良传一样大呼：惜乎击之不中！

白话

作者感言：“儿子贤善，父亲德高，所以才有侠客来报答。不仅人有大侠，狐狸也有大侠。故事实属奇遇！那位赃官懵懵懂懂，忽忽悠悠，所作所为令人毛发倒立。那把刀虽然也砍进床的木头里，然而为何那么可惜没有再往床上靠近半尺左右呢？假如当年苏子美读到这段故事，他必定会一边饮酒，一边惊呼：可惜没有刺中！”

英译：

Author’s Commentary:
The son is a youth of prominent personage; the father is a man of high morality. Therefore, they got a chivalrous repay. Not only the human beings are chivalrous but the fox is chivalrous, too. And moreover, their meeting is also a miracle! While deciding the case, the official’s behavior is too preposterous. But he wasn’t wounded that night when they found a sharp sword chopped into the bed half inch deep, too firmly to be pull off. If Zimei Su ( a famous writer of Song Dynasty) read my story, he would say while drinking wine: “What a pity! The sword didn’t hit the stupid official in the bed.”