Ghost Story of Liaozhai

In the July [-] case, Qixia and Laiyang counties had the largest number of people who were condemned consecutively.Hundreds of people were captured in one day, and all were killed in the martial arts arena.The ground was covered with green blood, and white bones were criss-crossed.The officials were merciful and donated the coffin, and the store kept the stock and bought it out.Those who were killed were mostly buried in the southern suburbs.

During the Jiayin period, Laiyang scholar came to Jinan, and two or three of his relatives and friends were also executed.Buy incense paper by yourself, and pay homage to the dead in the tomb. Not far from the tomb, there is a temple where scholars live.

The next day, the scholar went to the city to do business, but he didn't return at dusk. Suddenly, a young man came to visit him.Seeing that the scholar was not there, he took off his hat and went to bed, put on his shoes and lay on his back.The servant asked who it was, but the boy closed his eyes and did not answer.When the scholar came back, the night was hazy, and he couldn't distinguish people, so he went to ask under the bed.The young man stared and said: "After waiting for the master for a long time, Xu Xu asked, am I a thief?" The scholar smiled and said: "The master is here."Listening to the young man's accent, he seemed to have known him before, and hurriedly held the lamp to stare, but it was Zhu Sheng from the same county, who also died of seven disasters.

The scholar was terrified and turned around to run away. Zhu Sheng grabbed him forcefully and said, "Why do I have to be so ruthless when I discuss words with the young master? Although I am a ghost, I will never forget the feelings of my old friend. Even if there is any offense, please don't be suspicious." Sit down and ask him why he came here. Zhu Sheng said: "I want to marry my niece who lives alone without a partner. I have tried to make a matchmaker many times, but all of them have been rejected. Please persuade your son on your behalf. If the marriage is successful, you will not forget your great virtue."

At the beginning, the niece lost her mother when she was young, so she lived in a scholar's house and did not return home until she was 15 years old.During the Seventh Rebellion, he was captured to Jinan, where his father was murdered and killed, crying to death.

The scholar heard the words and said: "Marriage matters are decided by the parents. She has her own father, why should she ask me?" Zhu Sheng said: "The coffin of the father was moved for the nephew, and it is not here." The scholar asked, "Who did she rely on in the past? " Zhu Sheng said: "Live with the old lady next door." The scholar thought to himself: "Humans and ghosts are different, how can we be a matchmaker?" Zhu Sheng said: "It's not too late. Please come with me." " Zhu Sheng said: "Don't ask too many questions." Hold his hand and go outside.

In the north, there is a large village, about dozens of hundreds of houses, up to a house.Zhu Sheng knocked on the door, and an old lady came out and asked, "What are you doing?" Zhu Sheng said, "Go and tell the lady that her uncle is here."Looking at Zhu Sheng, he said: "The living room is simple and narrow, please wait outside the door, sir." Zhu Sheng nodded in agreement, and said to the scholar: "You go in with her, don't forget the purpose of this trip."

The scholar followed and saw half an acre of deserted courtyard, two huts, greeted by his niece outside the door, and relatives met each other, weeping each other.The room was brightly lit, and the young girl's appearance was as beautiful as before.With tears in her eyes, she asked, "Is the whole family healthy?" The scholar said, "Everything is fine, but your aunt passed away." The girl choked up and said, "When the child was young, he was raised by his aunt, and he never repaid his kindness. I don't want her soul to return to Jiuquan." Last year, the elder brother of my uncle’s family moved away my father’s remains, leaving me here alone, and I didn’t think much of it. Hundreds of miles away, I was as lonely as an autumn swallow. Fortunately, my uncle was considerate, and I received all the gifts of gold and silk.”

The scholar begged for Zhu Sheng's marriage, but the girl bowed her head and remained silent.The old lady said: "Young Master Zhu has entrusted Old Madam Yang to come here three or five times. The old man thought he was a good match, but the young lady refused to agree hastily. Now that my uncle is the matchmaker himself, I should be satisfied."

While speaking, a girl came out. She was seventeen or eighteen years old. When she saw the scholar for the first time, she turned around and wanted to leave.The girl grabbed the corner of her skirt and said: "You don't have to do that, this is Uncle, not someone else." The scholar saluted, and the girl returned the salute.The girl introduced: "Her name is Gongsun Jiuniang, from Qixia County. She is from a wealthy family. Now that her family is in decline, she is unhappy. She will be with her sooner or later."

The scholar watched carefully, Jiuniang smiled and bent the autumn moon, ashamed and dizzy at the morning glow, as beautiful as a fairy.Said: "Sure enough, everyone is a lady. The children of the poor, how can they be so beautiful." The girl smiled and said: "He is still a bachelor, and he is proficient in poetry."

Jiuniang smiled and said: "The little girl has lost her reputation for no reason, and she called my uncle's teeth cold." The girl laughed and said, "Uncle broke his strings and never married. If I get a young lady as his wife, I will be happy." Jiuniang ran out with a smile, and said: "The little girl is going crazy." After finishing speaking, everyone dispersed.

The beautiful woman left, and the scholar was haunted by his dreams. The girl seemed to have noticed it, and said: "Jiu Niang is unparalleled in talent and appearance. If uncle doesn't think she is a ghost, I will match you up for you." Match?" The girl said: "It's okay, you two are destined to be destined." The scholar left, and the girl got up to see him off, saying: "Five days later, when the moon is bright and the people are quiet, I will send someone to pick you up."

The scholar went to the door, but Zhu Sheng was not seen.Looking to the west, the moon was hanging in the sky, identifying the path in the twilight, I saw a house in the south, Zhu Sheng sat on the stone in front of the door, got up to greet him, and said: "I have been waiting for you for a long time, this is the humble house, if you don't mind, go in and have a seat." "The two entered the house hand in hand, Zhu Sheng thanked him attentively, took out a gold cup and a hundred pearls, and said: "I have nothing on my body, this is a betrothal gift, please accept it." What is there is not enough to entertain the guests, what can I do?" The scholar thanked him and left, and Zhu Sheng sent him halfway, reluctantly saying goodbye.Back in the temple, the monk asked about his whereabouts, and said: "There are many ghosts around, don't walk around carelessly." The scholar said: "I'm going to drink at a friend's house. The monk doesn't need to worry."

Five days later, Zhu Sheng really came, with brocade clothes and quick boots, and a folding fan shaking gently, full of ambition.To the courtyard, look at the dust and worship.The scholar clasped his fists in return and invited him into the house.Zhu Sheng said with a smile: "Congratulations, the marriage is settled, and the bridal chamber is tonight, so let's go." The scholar said: "Because there has been no reply for a long time, and the dowry has not been given, how can we get married?" Zhu Sheng said: "The dowry, I will give it to you Passed." The scholar thanked again and again, and the two went to Zhu's residence, and the girl dressed up to greet her.The scholar asked: "When did you pass the door?" Zhu Sheng said: "It has been three days."

The scholar issued a gold cup and pearl as a dowry for his niece, but the girl refused to accept it, saying: "I have proposed marriage to Mrs. Gongsun for my uncle. The old lady was very happy and said: I only have one daughter, and I don't want to marry Jiuniang far away. Let you go tonight." Marriage, there is no man in the family, please accompany me." Zhu Sheng heard the words, and immediately led the scholars to go, to the end of the village, he saw a house, the gate was open, and the two of them entered the hall. After a while, someone sent a message, "The old lady is here." When the old lady came out, the scholar hurriedly kowtowed and saluted. The old lady said: "The old dragon bell can't return the gift. If you can avoid the red tape, you can avoid it." She ordered the servants to prepare a banquet to entertain the guests.The dishes during the banquet are no different from those in the Yangjian.But the old lady poured her own drink and did not persuade her to drink.

After the meal, Zhu Sheng bid farewell, and the maidservant in Tsing Yi led the scholar into the room. Seeing Jiuniang waiting in beautiful clothes, the two reunited by chance, went to bed and made love, and had a great time.

At the beginning, Jiuniang's mother and son were captured, and they planned to escort them to Beijing.When they arrived in Jinan, the mother was overwhelmed by the abuse and died, and Jiuniang also killed herself.Reminiscing about the past by the pillow, choked up and unable to sleep, wrote two poems: "The past." "Poplar wind and rain surround the lonely grave, who would want the balcony to be more cloudy? Suddenly open the gold box and look, the blood still stains the old Luo skirt."

At dawn, Jiu Niang urged the scholar to leave, saying: "Go back to the temple quietly, don't disturb the servants." Since then, the two have been in contact day and night, and their affection is endless.One night, she asked Jiuniang, "What is the name of this village?" Jiuniang said, "Laixiali. Most of the ghosts here are from Qixia and Laiyang counties, so they are named after it." Hearing this, the scholar sighed with emotion.Jiu Niang spoke sadly and said: "A thousand miles of soft soul, wandering without support. The mother and child are lonely, and the words are sad. If you miss the old relationship, please collect the bones for me and relocate them to the side of the ancestral grave, so that I will have a place to live in after a hundred generations. Dead and immortal." The scholar agreed.

Jiu Niang said: "Humans and ghosts have different paths, so you can't stay here for long." She took off her socks and gave them away, crying farewell.The scholar came out sadly, feeling lost, reluctant to return, passed by Zhu's mansion, and knocked on the door, Zhu Sheng went out to meet him barefooted, and the young girl also got up, with fluffy clouds on her temples, and asked why, the scholar was melancholy for a long time, before repeating Jiuniang's words.The girl said: "Even if my sister doesn't say it, I still think about it this way. This is not in this world, so it's better to go away." So weeping, the scholar shed tears and said goodbye.

Back at the residence, the scholar tossed and turned and couldn't sleep, and at dawn the next day, he wanted to find Jiuniang's grave, but he forgot to ask for the mark before leaving, so he had to give up.Going again at night, surrounded by thousands of graves, lost the way, sighed and returned.Open the socks and stare, see the wind shattered, rotten like ashes, helplessly pack up and go back east, can't let go for half a year.

Later, the scholar never forgot Jiuniang, and went to the outskirts of Jinan to visit. When he arrived, it was already late, so he stopped his chariot and horse at the temple and walked alone to the cemetery.Seeing continuous barren mounds, thorny thorns, will-o'-the-wisps dancing, and foxes neighing, I felt apprehensive and disappointed.

Disappointed, the scholar rode back home on horseback. While traveling eastward, he saw a girl in the distance, walking alone among the tombs.His expression and posture are exactly like Jiuniang.She stepped forward with a whip, and it was indeed her.Get off the horse and strike up a conversation. If Jiuniang doesn't know each other, she turns around and leaves.Approaching again and again, Jiuniang looked displeased and quite angry, and raised her sleeves to cover her face.The scholar kept calling his name, but Jiu Niang ignored it and disappeared.