The Continuation of Huang Liang's Translation

In Fujian, there was a juren surnamed Zeng. When he was admitted to the imperial examinations, he went to the suburbs of Beijing with two or three other imperial examinations. I overheard someone say that a fortune teller lived in a Buddhist temple, so I went to ask the fortune teller to make a divination. Into the room, salute and sit down. The fortune teller flattered him when he saw his smug appearance. I once shook my fan and asked the fortune teller with a smile, "Did I wear an embroidered robe and tie a jade belt around my waist?" The fortune-teller solemnly said, "You can be Prime Minister of Taiping for twenty years." I was very happy and more proud of it. At this time, it began to rain outside, so I took shelter with my fellow travelers at the monk's house. There is an old monk in the room, with deeply sunken eyes and high nose, sitting squarely on the futon. His face was pale and he didn't take the initiative to say hello. As soon as several people greeted them, they sat on the bed and chatted together. They were all called by the Prime Minister to congratulate Zeng. At this time, Zeng was in high spirits and pointed to a fellow traveler and said, "When I was prime minister, I recommended Zhang as the governor of Nanjing; The middle cousin in the family can be a soldier or a guerrilla; The old servant at home should also be a small manager or manager, and my wish will be satisfied. " Everyone sitting here laughed.

After a while, it rained harder outside. I used to feel very tired, so I lay in bed. Suddenly, I saw two messengers in the palace send the emperor's calligraphy and ask Master Zeng to enter the palace to discuss state affairs. Once very proud, he hurried to follow and made him appear before the emperor. The emperor moved his seat forward and talked with him for a long time with gentle words; He also said that officials below the third grade should obey his appointment, dismissal and promotion without giving accurate instructions to the emperor; Give him an embroidered robe, a jade belt and a precious horse. Once dressed neatly, he knelt down to thank the emperor and went down to the DPRK. When I got home, I found that it was not the old house, but carved beams and painted buildings, which was extremely magnificent. I can't explain why it suddenly became like this. However, when the beard was twisted and called, the servants at home responded one after another, which was like thunder. After a while, ministers or ministers presented him with delicious food, and people who bowed respectfully went in and out of his door one after another. Six ministers came and greeted him before he put on his shoes. The assistant ministers came, and he just bowed and said a few words to them. Officials one level below this just nodded. The governor of Shanxi gave him ten female musicians, all of whom were beautiful women. Among them, curly hair and fairies are particularly beautiful and especially favored by him. Whenever he rests at home, he indulges in singing and dancing all day.

One day, it suddenly occurred to him that before he made his fortune, he had been helped by the gentry king of this county. Today, he is above the clouds, and Wang is still very frustrated in his career. Why not give him a hand? I got up early the next day and wrote a letter to the emperor, recommending Wang as a doctor. With the permission of the emperor, he immediately promoted the king to North Korea. I remembered that Guo Taifu had a little resentment against himself, so I immediately asked Lu to admonish and serve Chen Chang and told them his intentions. A day later, the imperial edict to impeach Guo Taifu was thrown in front of the emperor, and Guo was dismissed and driven out of the court. I used to repay kindness and hatred, and I did it clearly. I was very happy.

On one occasion, he occasionally came to the streets in the suburbs of Beijing. A drunk collided with his guard of honor, so he ordered his servant to tie him up and hand him over to Beijing officials, and was immediately killed under a wooden stick. Those rich people who are closely related to him and connected with the fields are also afraid of his power and give him their good houses and fertile fields. From then on, the wealth of his family can be compared with that of a king. Soon, Ma Dao and Xian Xian died one after another, and he missed them day and night. It suddenly occurred to me that a few years ago, I saw a girl in his east neighbor who was particularly beautiful. I often wanted to buy her as a concubine, but I couldn't because of my poor family and limited financial resources. Today, I can satisfy my wish. So she sent some capable slaves and forced the money to her home. After a while, she was carried by a cane sedan chair to see, and the woman was more beautiful than before. Looking back on my life, all my wishes have come true.

After another year, I often heard someone talking about him behind his back, but he thought it was like those ceremonial horses at the court gate. He is still too arrogant to take what others say to heart. Who knows that there is a college student in Longtuge who boldly snubbed and impeached Zeng. I think I used to be a hooligan who drank and gambled, and a common person. It's just a coincidence in words, blessed by the holy one. The father wears purple royal robes, and the son also wears red royal robes. The emperor's love has reached its peak. I once gave my body ungrateful, and I didn't think of courage to report to the emperor just in case; On the contrary, he did whatever he wanted in North Korea and usurped power without authorization. The sins he can put to death are as hard to count as hair; Important official positions in the imperial court were once regarded as exotic, and the weight of official positions was measured by price. Therefore, the officials and soldiers of the DPRK are running under his door, estimating the price of buying and selling official positions, looking for opportunities to steal space and gain benefits, just like vendors. Relying on his breath, the figures who worship the dust are immeasurable. Even if outstanding people and virtuous ministers refuse to attach themselves to him and flatter him, they will be put in a position of idleness and no real power, and even worse, they will be demoted by him. What's more, as long as you don't favor him, it's easy to infringe on his right to accuse a deer of being a horse; As long as a word offended him, he was exiled to a remote place haunted by jackals. The lofty ideals in the DPRK were chilling, and the court was isolated. And the blood of ordinary people was eaten by them at will; A good woman marries according to the situation. Fierce arrogance, victims' grievances, and darkness. As soon as his slaves arrive, the satrap and county magistrate must act according to color; When his letter arrives, even the Ministry of Justice and Douchayuan will bend the law for it. Even the son of his minions, or relatives who are slightly involved, take the bus at the post station when they go out, which is huge. If the local supply is a little slow, I'll whip you right away. He destroyed the people and enslaved the local government. Wherever he goes, the grass in the field is a light. But now, it used to be very powerful and very popular, relying on the favor of the court, there is no intention of repentance. Every time the emperor summoned him to the palace, he took the opportunity to hit people when they were down; When Ceng Gang came back from the yamen, there was a song in his back garden. He never thinks about good manners, extravagance day and night, and the national economy and people's livelihood. Is there such a prime minister in the world? If we don't kill him at once, it will inevitably lead to the disaster of seizing power like Cao Cao and Wang Mang. I worry day and night and dare not live in peace. I took the crime of beheading, listed the crimes of Zeng, and reported them to the holy family. Bow down and demand that the traitor's head be cut off and his embezzled property be confiscated. On the one hand, it can save the wrath of heaven, on the other hand, it can greatly inspire and soothe people's hearts. If the official speech is false or fabricated, please use a knife to saw the tripod and iron pan to dispose of the official. "

I was scared to death after hearing the news, like drinking a glass of cold water, and my whole body was cold. Fortunately, the holy family is tolerant and generous, so it is temporarily detained. However, ministers of all subjects, three ministries and six ministries continue to play the role of impeachment; Even the people who used to call him godfather at his door turned against him. The imperial edict confiscated his property and exiled him to Yunnan. His son, the satrap of Pingyang, Shanxi, also sent people to Beijing for interrogation. I just heard the imperial edict and was very scared. Then dozens of warriors, armed with swords and guns, came to Zeng's inner room, took off his official clothes, took off his hat and tied him and his wife together. After a while, I saw many officers carrying property from his house. There are millions of gold, silver and banknotes, as well as hundreds of pearls, emeralds, agates and precious stones. There are thousands of curtains, curtains and beds; As for the baby, women's shoes fell all over the steps. I have seen clearly one by one, and I am sad and hurt. Soon, a man dragged Zeng's beautiful concubine out. Her long hair fluttered, her voice squeaked and her beautiful face was in a trance. I was on the side, my heart was on fire, and I was too angry to say it. Soon, pavilions and warehouses were sealed up. The police officer immediately scolded Zeng for going out, and the person in charge of him put a rope around his neck and pulled him out.

Zeng and his wife walked on the road with tears in their eyes. Asked to have an old horse-drawn broken car instead of walking, the officers also refused. After walking ten miles, Zeng's wife's feet were weak and she was about to fall down. I used to hold her by the hand. I walked ten miles, and I was exhausted myself. Suddenly I saw a high mountain in front of me, towering into the sky. I was worried that I couldn't climb up, and I kept crying with my wife. When the supervisor came, he urged them with a face of lost face, and they were not allowed to stay for a while. Seeing the sun setting in the west, there is nowhere to live at night. As a last resort, I bent down and walked deeply and shallowly. Halfway up the mountain, my wife was really weak and sat on the side of the road crying. Zeng also sat down to rest for a while and let the warders scold him.

Suddenly I heard many people shouting together, and a group of robbers ran after me with sharp knives and guns. The officials sent by the prison fled in horror. Once knelt down and said, "I was banished to the frontier alone, and there was nothing valuable in my luggage." Begging for their forgiveness. These robbers all widened their eyes and said angrily, "We are wronged people who have been killed. As long as you are the head of the thief, we want nothing else!" I once said angrily, "Although I am guilty, I am still an official of the imperial court. How dare you thieves run amok! " The thieves were also very angry. They waved a huge axe and cut it at Zeng's neck, only to hear their heads fall to the ground. In shock, I immediately saw two children, tied his hands and drove him away. After walking for several hours, I arrived in a big city. After a while, I saw a palace. On the top of the temple sat an ugly face, leaning on a long case to decide the fate of the ghost. Zeng hurried forward and knelt on the ground, asking Yan to forgive him. The prince looked at the file and read only a few lines. He flew into a rage and said, "This is a crime of deceiving the monarch and committing crimes against the country. It should be fried in a frying pan! "Your highness, countless ghosts in response, sound like thunder. Immediately, a giant ghost grabbed Zeng and threw himself at the bottom of the steps. I saw a big oil pan, about seven feet high, surrounded by burning coal, and the legs of the oil pan were all red. I was shaking all over, crying and crying, and there was no way out. The giant ghost grabbed his hair with his left hand, grabbed his ankle with his right hand and threw him into the oil pan. I feel my lonely body rolling up and down with the oil flower, my skin and flesh are burning, and the pain stings my heart. Hot oil was poured into his mouth and his internal organs were cooked. I thought I was going to die soon, but I tried my best and I couldn't die right away. About a meal, the giant ghost lifted Zeng out of the oil pan with a big iron fork and made him kneel in the lobby. The prince checked his account book again and said angrily, "You were born to bully others with your power. "The ghost took him away again and saw a mountain, not very big, but very steep, with sharp blades criss-crossing like dense bamboo shoots. There are already several people hanging on their bellies, shouting and howling, which makes people unbearable. The giant ghost hurried up and shrank back in tears. The minister stabbed him in the head with a poison cone and begged for mercy. The minister was furious, grabbed Zeng and threw it into the air. I felt absent-minded and fell down in a daze, and the sharp knife stabbed him in the chest. The pain is beyond description. After a while, because he was too heavy, he pressed down and the side of the tie became bigger and bigger. Suddenly, he fell off the knife and curled up on all fours. The giant ghost drove him to death again. The prince asked him to calculate how much gold and silver he had gained by selling officials and titles, accepting bribes and perverting the law. Immediately, a man with a curly beard took the chip, bent his finger and calculated, saying, "32 1 10,000." The prince said, "since he can get it, let him drink it all." "Before long, with money piled on the steps, like a hill. Slowly put it in an iron pan and melt it with strong fire. The giant ghost asked several kids to pour spoons into his mouth in turn, and his skin stinks when it flows to his cheeks; When you pour it down your throat, your insides are like a boiling pot. When he was alive, he hated himself for looking for too little, and now he is suffering from looking for too much. It took half a day to finish. Yan ordered Zeng to be escorted to Ganzhou, Gansu Province and gave birth to a baby girl. After a few steps, I saw an iron beam on the shelf, which was several feet thick and wore a steam wheel for hundreds of miles, emitting colorful flames and shooting into the sky. The giant ghost whipped the wheel of fire. As soon as he closed his eyes, he jumped on it, and the steam wheel turned with his feet, as if he had fallen down and was cold all over.

He opened his eyes and saw that he had become a baby or a woman. Look at the parents who gave birth to him, all wearing tattered cotton-padded clothes. In the earthen house, there are broken scoops and begging sticks. Knowing that she has become a beggar's daughter. Since then, I have been begging along the street with beggars every day. I am often hungry and have not enough to eat. Dressed in rags, the wind blew me to the bone. At the age of fourteen, she was sold to a scholar named Gu as a concubine, and she was self-sufficient in food and clothing. The first wife in the family was fierce. Every day, she beat her with a whip or a board and burned her breasts with a red-hot iron. Fortunately, her husband still sympathized with her and comforted her a little. On the east side of the wall, there was a very serious and evil teenager who suddenly climbed over the wall and forced her to have sex. I think my previous sin has been punished by the devil, where can I commit it again? So he shouted for help. When the husband and the first wife got up, the bad boy ran away. Before long, the scholar went to her room to sleep and chattered on the pillow about his grievances. Suddenly there was a loud noise, the door opened wide, and two thieves came in with knives, even cut off the scholar's head, grabbed all the clothes and left. She crawled under the quilt in droves, afraid to get out of the air. The thief went and cried and ran to the first wife's room. The first wife was frightened and cried and went to see the scholar's body with her. It is suspected that she lured the adulterer to kill her husband. Therefore, I wrote a complaint to the state government secretariat. The secretariat tortured her, tortured her, and forced her to confess the case. According to the law, Ling Chi was sentenced to death and tied to the place where she was executed. Her chest was blocked by injustice, jumping and shouting injustice, feeling darker than eighteen layers of hell.

When I was crying with grief, I heard a friend who was traveling with me say, "Dude, did you have a nightmare?" I suddenly woke up. I saw the old monk sitting there cross-legged. Everyone who traveled with him asked him, "It's late, I'm hungry. Why did you sleep so long? " I just sat up with a sullen face. The old monk smiled and said, "Are you the prime minister's divination effective?" Zeng became more and more surprised and asked the old monk for advice. The old monk said, "Build a Xiu De and be kind to others. Yu Dou can grow in a pit of fire. I am a monk in Shan Ye, how can I understand the mystery! " Once came full of victory, and returned depressed, and the idea of pursuing promotion and making a fortune gradually faded. Later, he went into the mountains and disappeared.

Yi Shi said: It is an unchangeable truth that God bless those who do good and hurt those who do evil. It must not be because you know that you are going to devote yourself to this position, so when you hear that you have become prime minister, you are extremely happy. In the dream, wives and concubines in the palace are everywhere. However, dreams are illusory, and delusions are naturally not true. The evil things in his (Zeng's) dreams were rewarded by ghosts and gods. People haven't understood that life is too short, and it is inevitable to have such a dream of getting rich, so this story should be regarded as a sequel to Handan.