Ghost Story of Liaozhai

There are many kinds of pigeons, such as "Kunxing" in Shanxi, "Hexiu" in Shandong, "Axillary Butterfly" in Guizhou, "Flip Tiao" in Henan, and "Zhujian" in Wuyue. These are all famous species.There are also all kinds of pigeons such as boot toe, pip, large white, black stone, couple's bird, and dog's eye. There are so many names that only experts can distinguish them one by one.

Zhang Youliang from Zouping County loves pigeons the most. He has many pigeons in his family, including various famous breeds.Zhang feeds the pigeons in small quantities with the same care as raising children. When the weather is cold, he gives the pigeons licorice powder, and when the weather is hot, he feeds the pigeons salt.Pigeons like to sleep too much. If they sleep too much, they will easily get paralysis.In order to prevent the disease, Zhang Youliang went to Guangling and bought a "Night Swimming Pigeon" for ten taels of silver. This kind of pigeon is slender and active.Every night, Zhang Youliang would put the "Night Swimming Pigeons" into the flock of pigeons. The flock of pigeons was frightened and fell asleep and woke up. The effect was remarkable.

Among the pigeon breeders in the land of Qilu, Zhang Youliang is the number one, and Zhang Youliang also prides himself on raising pigeons and is complacent.That night, Zhang Youliang was sitting quietly in his study, when suddenly a young man in white knocked on the door, but he didn't know him.Zhang Youliang asked the boy's name, and the boy said: "A wanderer, the name is nothing. Mr. Jiuwen is good at raising pigeons, and I am also a fellow. I wonder if you can open my eyes?"

Zhang Youliang said with a smile: "If you want to see pigeons, it's easy." While speaking, he led the young man to visit the pigeon house, and saw that there were all kinds of pigeons, with five colors, as brilliant as a cloud of brocade.The young man smiled and said: "The rumors are indeed true. Mister is indeed an expert at raising pigeons. I admire, admire. I also have a couple of pigeons at my next home. I wonder if Mister is interested in watching them?"

Zhang Youliang was overjoyed, nodded again and again, followed the young man on the road, only to see the dim moonlight outside the house, and the deserted wilderness, Zhang Youliang secretly became suspicious, the young man pointed in front of him, and said: "The humble house is nearby, we will be there soon." The two walked for a few more A hundred meters away, I saw a manor house. There were two tiled houses in the courtyard, and there was nothing else. The house was dark and the lights were not lit.

The young man took Zhang Youliang's palm, and the two came to the courtyard. The young man pursed his lips to make a whistle, imitating the sound of pigeons, and suddenly two pigeons flew out, with pure white fur, playing and rolling between the eaves, chirping and fighting at the same time, the young man Every time the whistle is blown, the two pigeons will roll in the void, the movements are skillful and really beautiful.Then the boy waved his arms, and the two pigeons spread their wings and left.

The young man changed his whistle, and two more pigeons flew out, the big one was like a duck, and the small one was like a fist; the two pigeons landed on the stone steps, imitating the dancing of cranes.The big one stretches its neck and spreads its wings like a peacock, singing and jumping; the small one flies up and down, jumping on the big one's head from time to time.The big one let the little one play tricks on him, he didn't dare to move, his cry became more and more urgent, like a rock hitting each other.

The two pigeons call each other, and the sound is harmonious, which is wonderful.Zhang Youliang looked at it from the sidelines, admiring him, and thought: "These two pigeons are so psychic, I can't be compared to them." Thinking of this, his heart itch, and he immediately prayed to the young man for the pigeon, but the young man refused, Zhang Youliang begged again and again, The young man smiled slightly, dismissed the two pigeons, big and small, and whistled again. The two white pigeons went back and forth, and stopped in the palm of his hand.

The young man said: "If you don't give up, sir, these two pigeons will be given to you." Zhang Youliang couldn't help but look at the pigeons intently, and saw that their eyes were transparent, their eyes were black and round, their wings were white, their muscles were crystal clear, and they were indistinct. Can see internal organs.

Zhang Youliang was secretly amazed, not satisfied, and prayed to the young man for a gift again, the young man said: "I still have two kinds of pigeons, both of which are rare and famous, and I want to ask you to appreciate them. But you are so greedy, I really dare not take them out again." .” While the two were discussing, the family members came to look for the master with torches in their hands.Zhang Youliang turned his head and saw the young man soaring into the sky, his body turned into a dove, as big as a rooster, soaring through the sky and disappearing soon.Looking at the manor house again, I don't know where to go.There is only one tomb and two pines and cypresses left.

Zhang Youliang was startled and sighed, and immediately returned home in high spirits.After returning home, Zhang Youliang took out two white pigeons to tease, very docile.Although it is not a top-notch species, it can be regarded as a rare treasure.Two years later, the white dove gave birth to six young pigeons, three males and three females.Zhang Youliang cherished these eight pigeons so much that even his closest relatives and friends would not give them away as gifts.

One day, my father brought a friend from a noble official over and asked, "How many pigeons does my grandma keep?" Zhang Youliang replied, said a few words, and then left.I thought to myself: "This high-ranking official of the imperial court has an extraordinary bearing. He must also be a pigeon lover. He is also a friend of his father. Would you like to give him two pigeons? Well, if you want to give it, you can give him the best one." So I personally selected two pigeons. Put a white pigeon in a cage and give it to the noble official.

A few days later, Zhang Youliang met the nobleman unexpectedly, and asked: "The two pigeons I gave you the day before, is it okay?" The nobleman smiled and said: "Yes, they are fat and greasy, and they taste very delicious. "Zhang Youliang was surprised: "Your Excellency ate the pigeons?" Your official said: "That's right." Zhang Youliang was shocked and said: "These two pigeons are called 'Tartar', which is a rare and famous species. Your Excellency actually used them to cook. It's a waste of money."

The nobleman smiled and said: "Really? From my point of view, these two pigeons are nothing special, they taste similar to ordinary pigeons." Zhang Youliang sighed again and again, said goodbye and went back.

That night, Zhang Youliang saw a young man coming to him in his dream, and he blamed him, "Because I am a pigeon lover, I entrusted you to feed my offspring. Who would have thought that my husband would turn a bright pearl into the dark and give away the rare and famous breed to others?" It’s really hateful. I’m so disappointed in you, now I’m going to take away all my children and grandchildren.” After speaking, he turned into a pigeon and abducted dozens of white pigeons that Zhang Youliang kept.

After this incident, Zhang Youliang was disheartened, and he was no longer interested in raising pigeons, so he sent all the pigeons at home and gave them to his confidantes and friends, and gave them away for several days before they were all finished.