Ghost Story of Liaozhai

In Yin Tunan, Wuchang County, there is the first house, which is rented to a certain scholar. For half a year, he has never asked about it.

One day, Yin Tunan happened to pass by the door, and saw a scholar going out, with a handsome appearance, a sable fur and a fat horse, and a personable demeanor.Going forward to chat, the scholar is very gentle, and his conversation is extraordinary, and he is surprised.After returning home, he told his wife that his wife ordered the servant girl to secretly observe the scholar's room under the pretext of giving gifts. There was a beautiful woman in the room, who was more beautiful than fairies; all the flowers, stones and antiques were rare and rare.

Yin Tunan became more and more confused, not knowing who the scholar was.When I came to visit, it happened that the scholar was out, and the next day, he came to answer.When I opened the thorn post, I realized that the scholar's surname was Yu Mingde.When asked about its origin, Yu De's words were flickering and vague, and he said: "Friends are friends, the most important thing is to know each other. I am not a bandit of Wang Yang, why bother to ask about the origin?"

Yin Tunan hosted a banquet, and the two talked and laughed happily.At dusk, two Kunlun slaves came to pick Yu De back with horses and lanterns.

Tomorrow, the scholar will invite the master back.Yin Tunan happily went to the appointment, entered the house, and saw that the walls were all mounted with bright paper, as clean as a mirror.A golden 狻猊 incense burner is surrounded by green smoke, and the smell is very fragrant.In a jasper bottle, put two phoenix-tailed peacock feathers, each two feet long.A crystal vase with a bunch of pink flowers. I don't know the name. It is also two feet high. The weeping branches cover the table.

There are eight dishes and bowls during the banquet, and the dishes are very rich and delicious.The scholar ordered the boy to beat the drum to urge the flowers. When the drum sounded, the flowers in the vase trembled and folded, and the butterfly wings gradually opened. After the drum stopped, there was a deep sound, and the stamens fell, turning into butterflies and flying to Yin Yi.Yu De laughed and punished Yin Tunan to drink a glass.As soon as the wine was filled, the butterfly flew away.After a while, the drum beat again, and two butterflies flew down to the top of the scholar's hat. Yu De smiled and said, "If you do this, you will die." He punished himself with two cups.

After the beating of the three-way drum, the flowers fell in disorder, and the sleeves were stained on the clothes. Tong'er smiled and counted the number: Yin Tunan had nine petals on his body, and he had to drink nine cups of wine, and Yu De had to drink four cups.

Yin Tunan was half-drunk and half-awake, and couldn't finish the drink, so he drank three more cups reluctantly, and left the table, more curious about Yu De in his heart.

Scholars like to be quiet, often close their homes, and don't like to socialize.Yin Tunan publicized Yu De's deeds to everyone he met. Those who heard it were moved and rushed to pay a visit. There were many visitors in front of the gate.Yu De was impatient, so he bid farewell to his master and left.

After Yu De left, Yin Tunan entered his home, sweeping the empty courtyard, there was no dust, candles were piled up under the stone steps, rags were broken between the windows, and there were no fingerprints.There is a small white stone tank at the back of the house, which can hold a stone of water. Yin Tunan took it home to store water for raising goldfish.One year later, the water in the tank was as clear as before.Later, when a servant was carrying bricks and stones, he accidentally broke the water jar, and the clear water in the jar was accumulated without pouring out.When you look at it, the water tank is like a place, and if you touch it with your hands, it will be illusory.Even in the cold winter, the clear water does not freeze.

Overnight, the water condenses into crystals, and the fish in the crystals swim as smoothly as before.Yin Tunan was overjoyed, regarded it as a treasure, and hid the crystal in a secret room, so that non-son-in-law and close relatives were not allowed to see it.After a long time, the news leaked, and there was an endless stream of people who came to ask for a game.

On the night of the twelfth lunar month, the crystal shattered and disintegrated into water droplets, flooding the ground, and the goldfish disappeared, but the remains of the old tank were still there.Suddenly a Taoist priest came to ask for a stone, and Yin Tunan took out a fragment to show it. The Taoist said, "This is a water storage vessel in the Dragon Palace." Said: "The soul of the water tank is contained in the stone piece, so the water will not be extinguished when the stone is broken. Layman Yin, this stone piece is the most precious treasure in the world. Can you give it to the poor Taoist?" Yin Tunan asked, "What is it for?" Taoist priest Said: "Mash the stone flakes and combine them with medicine. After taking them, you can live forever." Yin Tunan gave him a piece, and the Taoist thanked him again and again, and left happily.