Ghost Story of Liaozhai

Zhou Sheng, a native of Shuntian Prefecture, was born as an official.My friend Liu Sheng, who was taught by a different person and good at meeting people, said to Zhou Sheng: "You have no hope of fame and fame in your life, but you will be prosperous in wealth and eventually become a millionaire. But your wife is unlucky and cannot help you achieve great success." Soon, The wife did die.

Zhou Sheng's family was poor, he lived alone, and was bored, so he went to visit Liu Sheng's house and asked him to make a marriage fortune for him.Liu Sheng said: "These days, I, Riri, have been a good wife for brother Zhou. I just performed a little trick in the house, and I have pleaded for you in front of Yuelao. The red rope has been tied." Zhou Sheng was overjoyed and asked: "The woman Who is it?" Liu Sheng said, "When you entered the door just now, there was a man with a bag in his hand, did you meet him?" Zhou Sheng said, "Yes, he looks like a beggar in ragged clothes." Liu Sheng said, "He is your future Father-in-law." Liu Sheng said displeasedly: "You are joking. No matter how bad I am, I am also a son of a family, how can I marry a beggar?"

Liu Sheng said: "Otherwise, flowers can still grow in the wasteland, so what's the point of being a beggar?" Zhou Sheng asked, "Have you seen a beggar's daughter?" I don't even know his name." Zhou Sheng said, "Since you don't know the beggar, how do you know if he has a daughter?"

Liu Sheng said: "I figured it out based on his physiognomy. This man has a vicious face, and his life expectancy will not be long. But his daughter has a good life and looks like a prosperous husband. But the time has not come yet, and it is not suitable to get married for the time being. Let me take my time." planning."

A few days later, Liu Sheng came to the door in person and said, "Go to the kitchen and prepare meals, a distinguished guest is coming. This man is your savior, you must treat him well." Zhou Sheng was full of doubts, but he still cooked according to his words, and it was not too late. After the banquet was set up, a soldier stepped in. He was of medium build and ordinary appearance. Zhou Sheng only took one look at him, and he knew that this person was of low status, and he was displeased.

The soldier saluted with his fists clasped, calling himself surnamed Fu, and sat down at the table carelessly.Liu Sheng pointed at Zhou Sheng, and introduced: "This is my friend Zhou. He has heard about Brother Fu's name for a long time and admires him very much. He also heard that Brother Fu will go to war soon, so he specially prepared a banquet for you to practice. My family is poor. If there is any negligence, please forgive me."

The soldier smiled slightly, "It's easy to say, easy to say." He picked up the wine glass, drank heavily, and said, "Since Brother Zhou is a good friend, I don't have to be polite. To tell you the truth, I don't have a mount by my side for this expedition. I only have an old horse. , it is difficult to go into battle. Therefore, I want to ask Brother Zhou for a horse, I wonder if it is possible?"

Zhou Sheng was about to refuse, but Liu Sheng rushed to say: "No problem, it happens that Brother Zhou has a good Dawan horse left in his ancestors. If Brother Fu doesn't dislike it, just take it away." The soldier smiled and said, "Thank you so much." After drinking, the soldiers got up to say goodbye, led the horses, and walked away.

Zhou Sheng said displeasedly: "Brother Liu, my Dawan horse is a peerless horse. Why did you give it away?" My friend, I have been favored by you at this moment, and I will repay you in the future."

A year later, Zhou Sheng went to Jiangxi to wander around. Before leaving, he inquired about the good and bad luck of Liu Sheng. A little daughter-in-law, then I am satisfied, do you think this wish can be realized?" Liu Sheng said: "If you want to come true, it will come true."

When Zhou Sheng came to Jiangxi, he happened to catch up with bandits and bandits, and the public security was in turmoil. It lasted for three years and it was difficult to return home.Later, when the rebellion subsided, Zhou Sheng and his friends went home together. On the way, they encountered robbers. Seven or eight people with them were robbed of all their properties.Zhou Sheng was even worse. Not only was the gold and silver robbed, but he was also taken captive to the robber's den.

The bandit leader was an old man with a fierce appearance. Zhou Sheng opened his eyes and looked at him. He seemed familiar, but he couldn't remember it for a while.The old man asked: "I have a daughter who wants to marry the young master as his wife. Please agree. If not, I will serve you with swords." Zhou Sheng said: "I have no strength to restrain the chicken. It is also a burden to stay with the king. If you want me Promise to the marriage, yes. But there is one requirement. After getting married, I don’t want to stay in the cottage, and the bride must go home with me.” The old man said: “I’m worried that the little girl will stay in the cottage and get in the way. If you are willing to take her away, I can’t ask for it. .This request is not too much, yes."

At present, gongs and drums are beaten in the cottage to marry the two of them.The bride is ten or nine years old, and she is as beautiful as a fairy.Zhou Sheng was overjoyed and happy with his wife like a fish in water.Afterwards, Zhou Sheng asked his wife's name, and only then did he learn that her father was none other than the beggar back then.Zhou Sheng was amazed and thought, "No wonder I always feel that my father-in-law looks familiar. I dare say that he is an old acquaintance. Hey, brother Liu said that I would marry a beggar's daughter. He is really accurate."

Three or four days after the marriage, Zhou Sheng and his wife set off for home, and the old man came out to see them off. At this moment, the court soldiers and horses suddenly arrived and captured all the robbers, and Zhou Sheng and his wife were not spared.Three generals walked out of the soldiers and horses, and were ordered to supervise and kill the bandits.The executioner swung his knife like the wind, beheading the old man and his wife in an instant, then lifted Zhou Sheng's collar, and made a gesture of chopping with the knife in his hand.

A general shouted: "Wait a minute." He stepped out, looked at Zhou Sheng intently, and said in surprise, "Isn't this Brother Zhou?" Zhou Sheng looked up, and the general turned out to be the soldier Fu. From the official to the lieutenant general, it was really a surprise.General Fu smiled slightly, and said to his companion: "Brother Zhou is a famous scholar in the Shuntian Mansion, how could he be a robber? Come on, quickly untie him."

Reaching out to help Zhou Sheng up, he asked, "How did you get here?" Zhou Sheng lied casually, "I came down to Jiangxi to get married, and returned home with my wife, but was robbed by robbers on the way. Fortunately, the general came to help, and the kindness was reborn. It's just that My wife is being captured by the officers and soldiers, the general please hold me high and let me reunite."

General Fu nodded, released Zhou's wife immediately, and practiced it for the two of them himself, saying: "In the past, Brother Zhou gave me a horse as a gift, and I have never forgotten it. Kindness is hard to repay, so I will give you two mounts and 50 taels of gold for now, just to express my gratitude." .”

Zhou Sheng thanked again and again, waved goodbye, stepped on the horse with his wife, and left.On the way, the wife said: "Father didn't listen to the advice, he insisted on being a thief, and got my mother to be executed. This is fate. There is a huge amount of gold hidden in the cellar of the cottage. Let's sneak back and take out the gold and silver. We will not worry about food and clothing in the future."

Zhou Sheng nodded in agreement, and the two sneaked into the cottage, only to see black ash all over the ground, the house had long been burned down by officers and soldiers, leaving only a pile of rubble.The two groped, found a saber among the ashes, pried open the cellar entrance, took the gold, and put it all in the parcel.

The wife took out 100 taels of gold, bribed the officers and soldiers, redeemed the parents' corpses, and buried them in peace.The two returned to their hometown in Shuntianfu, used gold and silver to buy real estate, and ran businesses. Their wealth increased greatly in the past few years, and their wealth amounted to hundreds of thousands.