Ghost Story of Liaozhai

Dong Sheng, a native of Xuzhou, has learned fencing for several years, and he is proud and self-righteous.On this day, I had something to go out. On the way, I met a guest who was riding a donkey. I went up to chat with him. The man talked boldly and asked his name. He said that he was from Liaoyang, and his surname was Tong. He had been out for more than 20 years and just returned from overseas.

Dong Sheng said: "I heard that there are many strangers overseas. You have traveled all over the world. I wonder if you have met them?" Tong said: "Brother, why do you ask this question?" I have grown up, so I want to ask someone else to be my teacher."

Tong said: "There are strangers everywhere, but the selection of apprentices is very strict. They are not loyal ministers and filial sons, and they don't know how to impart skills." , asked: "But I don't know how your sword skills are? Can you try it out?"

Dong Sheng nodded and said: "Okay, I'm showing my ugliness." He took out his sword and danced a set of sword skills, swinging thorns and chopping with discipline, and finally said: "This sword is as sharp as cutting a tree. Cutting tofu." Chopping, the sword edge cut a small tree, and with a click, the small tree broke in half.

Dong Sheng watched from the side, and said with a smile, "Brother's sword is just made of ordinary iron, and it is stained with the smell of sweat. It is a defective sword. Although I don't know swordsmanship, I have a sword by my side. Please appreciate it." He put his hands into his sleeves and took out a dagger, one chi long, his wrist shook, the dagger cut the iron like mud, and cut Dong Sheng's saber in two with just one blow.

Dong Sheng was so astonished that he borrowed the dagger to watch it, and he couldn't put it down, so he returned it after a long time.He also invited Tong to his home and took the opportunity to ask him about fencing.Tong said with a smile: "The way of swordsmanship, I don't know anything about it. Brother Tai is a good player, please give me some pointers." Dong Sheng was not polite, and immediately explained swordsmanship, boasting and talking, Tong was noncommittal, and listened attentively. Not a word.

One of the two explained and the other listened. Time flies, and it is late at night in a blink of an eye.Suddenly there was a noise from the next door, Dong Sheng was taken aback, and said: "The next door is my father's bedroom, it's midnight, where is the noise coming from?" He listened carefully, and vaguely heard someone shouting loudly, and said angrily: "Old man Dong, call your son quickly. Come out and be tortured, but you will not die." Then came the sound of punching and kicking, old man Dong moaning in pain, and the sound of everyone laughing, alternating with each other, endlessly.

Dong Sheng's face changed drastically, and he shouted: "No, it's a robber. My father is in distress, so I have to go to rescue him." Tong said: "Wait a minute, from the voice, there are many robbers, so they rushed to argue , but death is in vain. You have to think twice about this matter." Dong Sheng said anxiously: "What should I do?"

Tong said: "The bandits obviously have bad intentions when they want to meet you by name. My brother is a man with a family. If he dies, what will his wife do? You go back to the house first, and work out a countermeasure with your wife. I will block you for a while. Tong nodded in agreement, and immediately went to his wife's bedroom to briefly explain what had happened. When his wife heard this, she burst into tears and said, "The bandits are vicious, so don't show your face."

Dong Sheng said: "Father is in trouble, how can I stand by and watch?" His wife said: "Is it the father's life that is more important, or your own life? If you die, what should I do?" Dong Sheng sighed: "You have taught me the lesson. In your opinion, what should I do next?" The wife said: "Prepare the bow and arrow, go upstairs and stick to it. As for the safety of the father, I don't care too much."

The two were discussing, not wanting Tong to push the door in, and said with a smile: "Is this the so-called filial son? Hey, that's all." After speaking, he disappeared.Dong Sheng was shocked, and went to his father's residence to check, the room was empty, there were no robbers, they were just a few straw men.

In a short time, there was the sound of footsteps outside the house, and old man Dong returned slowly with a lantern in his hand.Dong Sheng asked: "Father, weren't you in the house just now, why are you outside the door again?" Old man Dong said: "Nonsense, I have been drinking at a friend's house from dusk to now."

When Dong Sheng heard the words, he suddenly realized, "It turns out that Tong is a stranger. Everything is to test me. It's a pity that I failed to pass the test, otherwise I can learn peerless swordsmanship. Hey, it's my own fault, who is to blame?"