Ghost Story of Liaozhai

Hou, a cattle doctor in Zouping County, went to the fields to cultivate this day, and he brought soup and rice with him.Suddenly there was a gust of wind blowing head-on, circling and refusing to leave, Hou knew that he had encountered a ghost, so he immediately threw rice on the ground to pay homage to the god.After pouring several bowls of soup in a row, the whirlwind began to leave.

Another day, Hou passed by the Town God's Temple and was walking down the corridor. He saw the statue of "Liu Quan offering melons" in the temple, which was stained with bird droppings and blinded his eyes.Hou Mou said: "Brother Liu, how can he be stained by this!" He stretched out his nails to sweep away the bird droppings.

A few years later, Hou was sick in bed and was taken away by two ghost messengers. He came to a government office. The ghost messengers asked him for bribes and forced him hard.Hou had nothing to do and was worrying about himself, when suddenly a man in green came out of the yamen, seeing Hou for the first time, he was surprised and said, "Why did Weng Hou get here?" Hou told the whole story.

The man in green blamed the two ghost messengers and said: "This is you, Mr. Hou, how dare you be rude!" .”

During the conversation, the drums in the hall were like thunder, and the man in green said: "You have been promoted." Holding Hou's palm, they walked into the official office together. , I will ask about the situation for you." Stepping forward, he waved to an official, the two whispered and said a few words, the official went to Hou, cupped his hands and said: "Brother Hou is here! It's nothing serious , a horse accuses you of killing it, and you can go back when you confront it later."

After a while, Hou's name was called in the hall, and Hou stepped forward to bow down. Besides him, there was also a horse kneeling in the hall.Pluto asked: "This horse sued you for poisoning and killed it. Is there such a thing?" Hou Mou said: "It got plague, and I cooked medicine for him to treat it. But its condition is too serious. It's hard to recover, and I die every other day, what does it matter to me?" Ma'er uttered the words, very dissatisfied.One person and one horse tried their best to argue, and they refused to give in to each other, each with its own reasons.

Pluto ordered the judge to investigate the book of life and death. The book stated the horse's birthday, the day of birth and the day of death.Pluto looked at the horse and scolded: "Your life is over, how can you accuse a good man? Get off quickly!" Instructing his men to drive the horse away, and then said to Hou: "You originally wanted to save it, and there was nothing wrong with it. , You don’t have to die, go.” With a wave of his hand, the two ghost messengers were ordered to escort Hou back to the sun, and the man in green clothes and the officials also got up to see him off, and told the two ghost messengers to treat Hou well on the way and not to neglect.

Hou Mou was very grateful and asked: "Today, I am blessed by the protection of the two, but I don't know the name of my benefactor. Can you tell me?" The man in green said: "Three years ago, I came back from Mount Tai and I was so thirsty. I passed the fields on the way, thanks Hou Weng gave me soup, and I still don't forget it." The official said: "I am Liu Quan. In the past, my eyes were covered by bird droppings, and my chest was tight and my air was blocked. Brother Hou cleaned up the dirt for me. This kind of love will always be in my heart. Yin The food and drink in the room are cold, and it is difficult to entertain guests, so I will leave."

Hou suddenly realized that when he returned home, he hosted a banquet for the two ghosts, but humans and ghosts are different.Hou woke up leisurely, and after inquiring with his family, it turned out that he had been dead for two days.

Since then, Hou has done good deeds and accumulated virtue. Every festival, he must prepare wine and food, and go to the Town God's Temple to pay homage to Liu Quan.Hou lived to be more than 80 years old, his body is still strong, and he can ride a horse without any problems.

This day, Hou went out on business and met Liu Quan on the way. He was riding a fine horse, as if he was about to go far away, and he bowed his hands and greeted each other.Liu Quandao: "Brother Hou's lifespan is over, and a document has been issued in the dark to seduce your soul. I pleaded with the ghost messenger and asked him to give him three days' grace. Brother, go back and prepare for the funeral. After three days, I will pick you up again. I I have bought an official position for you in the underworld, and after I come down, I won’t suffer any hardships.” After finishing speaking, he left.

Hou returned home, bid farewell to his wife and relatives and friends, then bought a coffin and shroud, and waited quietly for his death.At dusk on the fourth day, Hou said, "Brother Liu is here to pick me up." He stepped into the coffin, closed his eyes and passed away.