Ghost Story of Liaozhai

Chen Xiucai from Shuntian Prefecture, when he was sixteen or seventeen years old, studied in a temple, but his qualifications were mediocre, and he did nothing.There are many disciples under the name of Mr. Zhu. Among them is a scholar named Zhu who claims to be from Shandong. He studies hard day and night and works hard.He lived in the study all the year round and never went home. Asked him the reason, he replied: "My family is poor, and the opportunity to study is hard to come by. If you always go home, is it a waste of time?"

Hearing this, the scholar praised him very much and wanted to stay with him in the temple for a long time to learn from each other. The scholar said: "No, our teacher has limited knowledge and this is not a place to live for a long time. I heard that Mr. Lu is very talented. , it is better to prepare a reward and worship him as a teacher." Xiucai nodded in agreement.

Mr. Lu was originally a Confucian student in Zhejiang, living in exile, down and out, and it was difficult to return to his hometown. He was overjoyed to see the two scholars come to study as teachers.Among the two, the scholar is the most intelligent, he can read and write, and has a photographic memory.In the blink of an eye, more than a month later, the scholar suddenly asked for leave to go home, and he disappeared for more than ten days.

On this day, Xiucai went to Tianning Temple by chance, and met the scholar unexpectedly, and saw him working in the temple.The scholar asked: "Why did you drop out of school halfway?" The scholar sighed and said: "I have no money and can't afford the tuition fees, so I have to do odd jobs every few days to earn wages. Go back to the school." The scholar pondered, "It's not a solution to go on like this. You go back to study first, and I will figure out a solution for the tuition fee."

Xiucai's father opened a hotel and had little savings. Recently, the family often didn't see any silver taels. Naturally, Xiucai stole them. He was furious and scolded him severely.When the scholar heard about this, he was terrified and uneasy. He didn't want to embarrass the scholar, so he offered to drop out of school.

Mr. Lu asked him why, and the scholar told the truth. Mr. Lu was displeased and said, "Since your family is poor, why didn't you tell me earlier? Could it be that I am a person who doesn't care about people?" He immediately returned the remuneration intact and said, "Don't think about it. Study at ease in the future, I will not charge you tuition."

Half a year later, Mr. Lu's son came to Shuntian and took his father back to his hometown.After the old gentleman left, the scholar and the scholar became more diligent and focused on obtaining fame and fame in the examinations.Not long after, the scholar entered the county school and said to the scholar: "There are still a few months until the scientific examination. With my qualifications, nine times out of ten I will fail the examination. What should I do?"

The scholar said: "Don't worry, I will take the imperial examination for you, and you will be named on the gold list. It's easy." The scholar asked: "You and I are different in appearance, how can we replace you?" The scholar brought a man and said: "This is my cousin Liu Tianruo. He is a hospitable man. His home is not far away. You can go and have a seat." In an instant, his soul came out of his body, his face turned pale in shock, and he shouted, "What's going on?"

Liu Tianruo said with a smile: "Don't be afraid, come with me." The two came to a house and lived there for several days. Before they knew it, it was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Let's take a look at the excitement, and take the young master home." Immediately, he ordered Tong'er to prepare the food and drink, stood up and walked out.

Passing through a sluice, I saw a painting boat parked under the willow tree, and the two boarded the boat hand in hand.Liu Tianruo told Tong'er: "A singer came to the Plum Blossom Hall recently, you go and invite her." , the name of the capital city.

Liu Tianruo ordered her to sing a song, and Li Yeyun showed off her singing voice lightly, and sang a song "Five Changes of Acacia", with a melodious and provocative voice, and after singing the song, the host and guest applauded.The scholar asked: "I heard that the girl wrote a poem 'Huanxi Yarn', which is very interesting. Can you read it?" Li Yiyun nodded and recited: "Tearful eyes are full of eyes on the mirror platform, and suddenly I see it when I open the curtain. Sister-in-law came, lowered her head and turned to look at the bow shoes. Forced to solve the green moth's smiling face, frequently wiped the red sleeves on her cheeks, be careful for fear of being guessed." The scholar listened attentively, and at the end, praised: "Good words." Liu Tianruo said: "The word is a good word, but it is too bitter."

While talking, the ship docked, and the three of them walked through the promenade, only to see poems inscribed on the walls on both sides. The scholar was in high spirits, took the brush, and inscribed the poem "Huanxisha" on the wall.After a while, the sun was setting, Liu Tianruo said: "It's getting late, I'll send you back right now."

When he came home, Liu Tianruo said goodbye and left.Xiucai stepped into the room, only to see a person walking in, his appearance and demeanor were exactly the same as his own, and he said with a smile: "Brother Chen, are you all right?" Called: "Are you brothers?"

The man was a scholar. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "I can no longer hide it from you. At that time, I was not a human being, but a ghost. Because of my deep friendship with Brother Chen, in order to repay you, I specially borrowed your body to participate in the Scientific examination. Now that the examination is over, I should be reincarnated and return my body to you." Xiucai asked, "What's the result of this scientific examination?"

The scholar said: "It's smooth sailing, and it's no problem to pass the exam." The scholar begged: "Don't rush to leave, and finish the exam for me, and it's not too late to leave." The scholar said: "Brother Chen's blessing is too low, and the title of Jinshi , not what you deserve." The scholar remained silent, and asked for a while, "Where are you going to reincarnate?" The scholar said: "Mr. Lu and I have a father-son relationship. My cousin Liu Tianruo works in the Yin company. With his help , Pluto has approved me to go to the Lu family to reincarnate." After speaking, I fell to the ground and couldn't get up.

There was silence all around, and the scholar asked: "Brothers, are you still there?" The scholar shouted: "I am still there. Don't talk, hurry up and merge with the body." The scholar nodded, his soul entered the body, slowly stand up.At this moment, the light flashed in the room, and the scholar appeared again, stretched out his hands, and said, "Quickly take the pen and ink, and write the character 'Zhu' on each of my left and right palms, so that we can recognize each other in the future."

After the handwriting was finished, the scholar took out the wine and gave the scholar a farewell party. The scholar shook his head and said, "Don't bother. If Brother Chen doesn't forget the old good, after the list is published, please come to Zhejiang to discuss it." After finishing speaking, he disappeared.

A few days later, the scholar was indeed successful in the Juren examination, and immediately prepared his luggage and went to Lu's house in Zhejiang.Mr. Lu's wife is over fifty years old and has long been barren.On the day when Xiucai visited, a baby boy was born suddenly, and he clenched his hands tightly and refused to let go.The scholar smiled and said, "This is my friend, Brother Zhu. If you don't believe me, there is a character 'Zhu' on each of his hands." Just after he finished speaking, the child spread his hands, and there was a character "Zhu" on each of his hands.