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夢狼（虎狼之官非夢）：聊齋故事係列四合一（原著-注釋-白話-英譯）
Dream Wolves
原文：
白翁，直隸*人。長子甲，筮仕南服*，二年無耗。適有瓜葛*丁姓造謁，翁款之。丁素走無常*。談次，翁輒問以冥事，丁對語涉幻；翁不深信，但微哂*之。
注釋：
1．直隸：舊時指現今北京、天津、河北省大部以及河南、山東小部分地區。2．筮仕南服：在南方做官。筮，讀“是”，用蓍（讀“是”）草占卜。古人出外做官前要先占卜吉凶，後人便以“筮仕”代指做官。南服，古代王畿（讀“基”），也就是國都四周每五百裏為一區劃，按照距離分五等，稱“五服”。據此，南方則被稱為“南服”。3．瓜葛：遠親。4．走無常：舊時迷信指“當陰差”。傳說陰間當差的鬼使不夠用時，就勾攝陽間的人去補充。這種人被勾魂時，突然蹦跳四下，之後倒地而亡，等陰差結束還陽再生時，因為在陰間打過一次“臨時工”，所以對陰間所曆之事記憶猶新。因此常有人請他們谘詢陰間的事情。5．哂：微笑。讀“審”。
白話：
白姓老翁，是直隸人。大兒子甲，到南方做官，去了兩年也沒有消息。正好有一位姓丁的遠房親戚來拜訪他，老翁熱情款待。丁經常當陰差。談了一會兒，老翁就向他打聽陰間的事，丁在說話間提到了一些虛幻的事情；老翁不怎麽相信，隻是報以微笑。
英譯：
There was an old man Bai in Zhili Province. His first son Jia went south to his post without giving any news to him for two years.
Bai had a remote kinsfolk Ding. One day, Ding visited him. Ding once served in the nether world. Bai asked him something about there.
Ding answered Bai with something mysterious. Not deeply believing him, Bai only smiled.
原文：
別後數日，翁方臥，見丁又來，邀與同遊。從之去，入一城闕，移時，丁指一門曰：“此間君家甥也。”時翁有姊子為晉令，訝曰：“烏*在此？”丁曰：“倘不信，入便知之。”翁入，果見甥，蟬冠豸繡*坐堂上，戟幢行列*，無人可通。丁曳之出，曰：“公子衙署，去此不遠，亦願見之否？”翁諾。少間至一第，丁曰：“人之。”窺其門，見一巨狼當道，大懼不敢進。丁又曰：“入之。”又入一門，見堂上、堂下，坐者、臥者，皆狼也。又視墀中，白骨如山，益懼。丁乃以身翼*翁而進。公子甲方自內出，見父及丁良喜。少坐，喚侍者治肴蔌*。忽一巨狼，銜死人入。翁戰惕而起，曰：“此胡*為者？”甲曰：“聊充庖廚。”翁急止之。心怔忡不寧，辭欲出，而群狼阻道。進退方無所主，忽見諸狼紛然嗥避，或竄床下，或伏幾底。錯愕不解其故，俄有兩金甲猛士努目入，出黑索索甲。甲撲地化為虎，牙齒巉，一人出利劍，欲梟其首。一人曰：“且勿，且勿，此明年四月間事，不如姑敲齒去。”乃出巨錘錘齒，齒零落墮地。虎大吼，聲震山嶽。翁大懼，忽醒，乃知其夢。心異之，遣人招丁，丁辭不至。
注釋：
1．城闕：城門兩邊的了望樓。此處泛指城。2．烏：為什麽。3．蟬冠豸繡：穿著官服。蟬冠，以貂尾蟬紋裝飾的帽子，古代官帽。豸繡，繡著獬豸的官服。獬豸，神羊。讀“謝誌”。4．戟幢行列：儀仗隊排列在堂前。戟，指用作儀仗的棨（讀“起”）戟，並非作戰的兵器。幢，讀“床”，用羽毛裝飾的儀仗旗幡。5．翼：遮蔽，掩護。6．胡：為什麽。7．肴蔌：飯菜，蔌，菜。讀“素”。8．黑索，即纆（讀“墨”）索，官府捆綁囚犯的專用繩索。姑且稱之為“囚繩”。
白話：
分別幾天之後，老翁剛躺下，見丁又來了，邀請他一同出遊。老翁跟著他，進入一座城。過一會兒，丁指著一個門說：“你的外甥就在這裏。”當時老翁姐姐有個兒子在山西做官，他很驚訝地說：“為什麽在這裏？”丁說：“如果不信，進去就知道了。”老翁進去，果然見到了外甥，戴著官帽，穿著官服坐在大堂之上，儀仗隊排列成行，誰也無法走上前去。丁把老翁拉出來，說：“你兒子的官府，離這裏不遠，也想去看看嗎？”老翁同意。片刻之後，來到一處官府，丁說：“進去。”老翁往門口一看，隻見一條狼擋住他們的去路，就驚恐萬狀地不敢進去。又進了一道門，見堂上，堂下，坐著的，臥著的，全都是狼。又看到台階前，白骨如山，越發害怕起來。丁就以身子護著老翁往裏進。他兒子甲從裏麵走出來，看到父親和丁非常高興。坐了一會兒，就叫侍者準備飯菜。忽然一頭大狼，叼著死人進來。老翁戰戰兢兢地站起身，說：“這是幹什麽？”甲說：“這是給廚房用的。”老翁急忙加以製止。心神不寧，想告辭出去，可是狼群擋道。進退兩難，忽然看到這些狼都嗥叫著躲避開了，有的竄到床底下，有的趴在桌子底下。老翁驚愕至極，不明白其中的原因。突然之間有兩名身穿鎧甲的猛士瞪著眼睛走進來，拿出黑色的囚繩把甲捆綁起來。甲倒在地上變成一隻虎，牙齒十分鋒利。有一人拿出利劍，要砍掉他的頭。另一人說：“別砍，別砍，這是明年四月的事，不如先把牙敲掉。”於是那人就拿出巨大的錘子敲牙齒，牙齒散落在地上。老虎大聲吼叫，聲震山嶽。老翁驚恐至極，忽然醒過來，才知是夢。心裏感到非常奇怪，就派人去請丁，可是丁卻推辭不來。
英譯：
Several days later, Ding came again as soon as Bai went to bed. Ding asked Bai to go for a trip with him.
Following Ding, Bai went into a town. Shortly, Ding pointed a gate to Bai.
“Your niece is here,” Ding said.
Bai’s sister really had a son. But he was at his post in Shanxi Province.
“Why here?” Bai asked.
“If you don’t believe, just go in and have a look，” Ding said to Bai.
Going into the gate, Bai really found his niece sit in the court wearing sparkling official robe. With a dignified and awe-inspiring look, the young man seemed so severe that no one dared to step up to him. Ding pulled Bai out.
“Your son is not far from here,” Ding said to Bai. “Are you willing to see him?”
Bai agreed. Shortly, they came to a government office.
“Go in,” Ding said to Bai.
Glancing at the gate, Bai found a large wolf blocking their way. Scared to death, he didn’t dare to go in.
“Go in,” Ding urged again.
Going through the first gate and then anther one, Bai found wolves everywhere, inside or outside the court, sitting or lying. In a word, he could see nothing but wolves.
Then glancing at the steps, Bai terribly found a large amount of white bones piling up like a mountain. Bai became much more frightened. He was then pushed in by Ding who was covering Bai with his own body.
His son, Jia, came out. Seeing his father and Ding, Jia was very happy. Sitting for a few minutes, Jia asked the servants to prepare a meal for these two guests.
Suddenly, a large wolf ran out holding a dead person between its lips.
Deadly scared, Bai jumped to his feet.
“What’s the use of the dead body?” asked Bai.
“For cooking,” he was told.
Bai immediately stopped them from doing so. Greatly anxious, he wanted to leave. But the wolves blocked his way.
Just at the moment of falling into an awkward situation, Bai found the wolf crowd began to roar loudly and then swiftly dispersed and finally hided under a bed or tables. Extremely astonished, he just couldn’t understand all these horrible things before his own eyes.
Suddenly, there came two fearful men in golden armors with anger looks. Taking out a black rope, they wanted to bind Jia.
Falling onto the ground, Jia immediately changed into a tiger with his teeth grinding aloud. A person drew out a sharp sword and wanted to cut off his head.
“Stop, stop,” another man cried. “He should be beheaded next April. We’d better strike off his teeth for the time being.”
Then, they took out a big hammer and violently struck his teeth which fell down onto the ground one after another. The tiger roaring loudly, the mountains shook and the earth quaked terribly.
Frightened to death, Bai was startled from his dream.
Although knowing this was only a dream, Bai still felt strange and asked someone to give a message to Ding inviting him to come. But Ding refused to appear again.
原文：
翁誌其夢*，使次子詣*甲，函戒哀切。既至，見兄門齒盡脫；駭而問之，醉中墜馬所折，考其時,則父夢之日也。益駭。出父書。甲讀之變色，間曰：“此幻夢之適符耳，何足怪。”時方賂當路者，得首薦，故不以妖夢為意。弟居數日，見其蠹役*滿堂，納賄關說者中夜不絕，流涕諫止之。甲曰：“弟日居衡茅*，故不知仕途之關竅*耳。黜陟*之權，在上台*不在百姓。上台喜，便是好官；愛百姓，何術能令上台喜也？”弟知不可勸止，遂歸,告父，翁聞之大哭。無可如何，惟捐家濟貧，日禱於神，但求逆子之報，不累妻孥*。次年，報甲以薦舉作吏部*，賀者盈門；翁惟欷歔，伏枕托疾不出。未幾，聞子歸途遇寇，主仆殞命。翁乃起，謂人曰：“鬼神之怒，止及其身，祐我家者不可謂不厚也。”因焚香而報謝之。慰藉翁者，鹹以為道路訛傳，惟翁則深信不疑，刻日*為之營兆*。而甲固*未死。
注釋：
1．誌其夢：記住他的夢。誌，記住，不忘記。如“永誌不忘”，就是說永遠記住不忘。2．詣：到某人所在的地方，到某地去看望某人，含敬意。3．蠹役：害民的役吏。蠹，蠹蟲，泛指貪瀆。4．納賄關說：收受賄賂，到處遊說，替他人打通關節。關節，舊時指暗中行賄，勾通官吏。5．衡茅：橫門茅草。指簡陋的平民居所。橫門，橫木做的門。6．關竅：訣竅。7．黜陟：官吏的廢黜及提升。黜，罷免，讀“處”；陟，提升，讀“誌”。8．上台：上級，上麵的官。9．妻孥：妻子兒女。10．吏部：明清時州縣級官員，如常說的“員外郎”之類。所謂“員外郎”，指在郎官定員之外的官職。從下文看，本處指縣令，即縣長“縣太爺”。11．刻日：成天，每天。此外，刻，有“仔細認真”、“用盡心思”之義。如“刻意求工”。12．營兆：占卜風水，尋找墓地。營，占卜。兆，墓地。13．固：原本，本來。
白話：
老翁念念不忘其夢，派二兒子去看望甲，還在信裏誠懇地囑咐他。到那裏一看，隻見哥哥的門牙都掉光了，就很害怕地問他，哥哥說是喝醉酒從馬上掉下來摔斷的，再問什麽時候,正是老父做夢的那天。弟弟越發害怕起來。拿出老父的信。甲讀了之後立即變臉，還說：“這是夢幻正巧和事實相符，有什麽奇怪的。”當時他剛剛通過賄賂當權者，成了被舉薦的首選人物，所以對妖夢邪說並不在意。弟弟住了幾天，隻見滿屋都是貪官汙吏，受賄為人打關節的說客，到夜晚還絡繹不絕，於是流著淚規勸他停止這種行為。甲說：“弟弟你成天住在破爛的茅草房裏，所以不知道官場的訣竅。罷免升遷的大權，全由上司掌握，而不在百姓手裏。上司喜歡，就是好官；光愛百姓，有什麽辦法能討上司的喜歡呢？”弟弟知道勸不住他，就回家，告訴父親，老翁聽到後大哭一場。沒有辦法，隻好拿出家裏的東西捐贈幫助窮人，天天向神禱告，隻求逆子將來遭到的報應，不連累妻小。第二年，有人報喜說甲已經被薦舉作了吏部，賀喜的人滿滿一屋子；可老翁卻一個勁兒地歎息，趴在枕頭上推說有病不出去。沒過多久，聽說兒子在回家的路上遇到了強盜，主人和奴仆都喪了命。老翁這才起來，對人說：“鬼神發怒，隻懲治他一人，保祐我家其他人，這種恩德不可說不大呀。”因此燒香拜謝神靈。寬慰老翁的人，都以為是道聽途說的假傳聞，隻有老翁深信不疑，成天為他占卜尋找墓地。而甲其實並沒有死。
英譯：
Constantly bearing the horrible dream in mind and feeling much troubled, Bai sent his second son to visit Jia with a letter exhorting him to take good care of himself.
On his arrival, the second son found that his elder brother had his two front teeth lost. Greatly frightened, he asked. Jia said that his two front teeth were broken down when falling down from his horse because of being drunk. Asking the date, the second son found his elder brother lost his teeth just on the very day his father had that horrible dream. He therefore felt much more frightened than ever before.
Then, the young brother gave his father’s letter to Jia. After reading, Jia put on a long face immediately.
“It’s only a coincidence between his dream and my condition,” said Jia. “Such a simple thing is not worth feeling strange.”
Having just been promoted to a higher position by offering bribes to higher officials, he didn’t care about his father’s dream at all.
The second son stayed with his elder brother only a few days. He found Jia’s home full of evil officials all the time. Day and night, the dregs of society came and went endlessly, busy giving or taking bribes. With tears, he did his best to dissuade his elder brother from doing evil things continuously. But Jia didn’t listen to him.
“Dear brother, you live in the thatched cottage all the time, so you don’t know anything about the knack in official carrier. Dismiss a person from office or promote him to a higher position, the right is in the hands of higher officials but not in that of ordinary people. So long as the higher officials like you, you’re a good official. If you only know how to love ordinary people, how can you make the higher officials to love you?”
Knowing unable to talk his brother into changing his mind, the second son went back home and told his father about Jia’s conditions. After learning the whole story, Bai was chocked with tears.
Without knowing what to do next, the old man had to donate what he had to the poor and prayed for his family everyday. He asked the gods not to get his family, especially his daughter-in-law and grandson into trouble when his unworthy son was punished in future.
Next year, Jia was promoted to an even higher position. Various kinds of people constantly came to congratulate the old man for his son’s great success in official carrier. But Bai hid himself in the room lying on pillow and groaning bitterly. He refused to come out to entertain these congratulators on the pretext of illness.
Shortly, he learned Jia and his servants were all killed by robbers on his way back home. Only at this news, did he get up and go out.
“Though the gods and demons were very angry, they only punished him alone,” said the old man. “The gods already did us a favor.”
Bai burned incense expressing his heartfelt thanks to the gods. All the people comforting Bai thought that the news of Jia’s death was merely hearsay. Only Bai firmly believed it without any suspect and asked a fortune-teller to help him choose a proper graveyard for his unworthy son. Yet, in fact, his son was still alive.
原文：
先是,四月間，甲解任，甫離境，即遭寇，甲傾裝以獻之。諸寇曰：“我等來，為一邑之民泄冤憤耳，寧*專為此哉！”遂決其首。又問家人*：“有司大成者誰是？”司故甲之腹心，助紂為虐者。家人共指之，賊亦殺之。更有蠹役四人，甲聚斂臣*也，將攜入都。---- 並搜決訖*，始分資入囊，騖馳而去。甲魂伏道旁，見一宰官*過，問：“殺者何人？”前驅者*曰：“某縣白知縣也。”宰官曰：“此白某之子，不宜使老後見此凶慘，宜續其頭。”即有一人掇頭置腔*上，曰：“邪人不宜使正，以肩承頜*可也。”遂去。移時複蘇。妻子往收其屍，見有餘息，載之以行；從容灌之，亦受飲。但寄旅邸，貧不能歸。半年許，翁始得確耗，遣次子致之而歸*。甲雖複生，而目能自顧其背，不複齒人數*矣。翁姊子有政聲，是年行取*為禦史*，悉符所夢。
注釋：
寧：豈，難道。讀“寧第四聲”。2．家人：本文不是指甲的老父妻兒等家裏的人，因為他是單身在外做官。此處是指平時為甲掌管飲食起居等的仆從們。3．聚斂臣:為上司搜刮民財的走狗。4．訖：完結，讀“氣”。5．宰官：宰相。輔助君主掌管國事的最高官員的通稱。6．前驅者：官員出行時開路打前站的人。7．腔：身軀空的部分。如胸腔，顱腔鄧。此處是指砍頭後脖子上出現的空洞，姑且稱之為“脖腔”。8．承頜：連接著下頜。承，承接。頜，讀“合”，構成口腔上部和下部的骨頭和肌肉組織。上部叫上頜，下部叫下頜。此處泛指嘴巴。全句意思是說，肩膀承接著嘴巴，頭臉側向而不朝前。整個一怪物。9．致之而歸：使他（甲）歸家。致，導致，使。10．不複齒人數：這句話有點麻煩。原因就是這裏有兩個關鍵字的意思比較靈活。一是“齒”；二是“數”。“齒”，除了作“牙齒；年齡”解之外，還有兩種解釋。其一，列；其二，提及，說到。如“齒及”，提及。“數”，基本意思是數目，還可由此引申為類別，比如“我也在數”，意思是說“我也在這類裏”。此外還可作動詞“數落”解，就是列舉劣跡不住地指責。如“齒數”，說起來加以數落。“數”讀“屬”。如果“齒”作“列”解，“數”作“類別”解，“不複齒人數”的意思就是“不再和人類並列在一起”，說白了就是“不再被當人看待”。如果“齒”作“提起”解，“數”作“數落”解，“不複齒人數”的意思就是“不再被人提起來加以數落”。言外之意就是早已被人遺忘。我選擇了後者。10．行取：明代升遷製度，按照規定的年限，州縣官員經地方高官保舉，可以調任京城，稱為“行取”。
白話：
此前,四月間，甲卸任還鄉，剛離開他那個縣，就遭遇到劫匪，甲把所有的東西都交了出去。劫匪們說：“我們來，是為一城的民眾泄憤申冤的，哪是專門為這個呢！”於是砍了他的頭。又問他隨行的仆從：“有個叫司大成的，誰是呀？”司大成原來是甲的心腹，是個助紂為虐的家夥。仆從們（對他恨之入骨）就一起把他指出來，劫匪也把他殺了。還有四名殘害百姓的仆役，都是幫助甲搜刮民財的歹徒，將被帶到都城去懲處。---- 劫匪們把甲的財物都收斂完畢，才開始分贓塞入私囊，繼而揮鞭躍馬，揚長而去。甲的靈魂伏臥在道旁，見到一位宰相路過，宰相問：“被殺的是什麽人？”開路的人說：“是某縣的白知縣。”宰相說：“這個人是白某的兒子，不應該讓老人家看到這麽殘酷的情形，應該把他的頭再接上。”隨即有一個人提起他的頭放到脖腔上，說：“邪人的腦袋不應該放正，用肩膀接著就可以了。”這一幹人馬隨後離開。不久甲還陽蘇醒過來。妻兒前往收屍，見他還剩一口氣，就把他放到車上往前走；慢慢給他往嘴裏灌水，他也喝。隻是寄宿在旅店裏，窮得回不了家。過去半年左右，老翁才得知確切的消息，就派二兒子把甲運回家。甲雖然活過來，但是眼睛隻能看到自己的後背，後來慢慢也就不再被人提起來加以數落。老翁姐姐的兒子為官聲譽很高，當年被擢升為禦史，這些也都和老翁的夢相符。
英譯：
In April, leaving his old post, Jia went to take up a new one. Shortly after being
on his way, he encountered some highwaymen. Emptying his purse and turning out his boxes and suitcases, he gave all he had to the highwaymen.
“How can we come here only for this?” the highwaymen said. “Our goal is to help the poor redress their grievances against the corrupt officials.”
Finishing their words, they had Jia beheaded.
The highwaymen asked, “Is there anyone named Si Dacheng?”
This henchman of Jia always did his best to help his master do evil. He was also guilty of innumerable crimes. All subordinates of Jia hated him to the bone. So he was also beheaded. As for Jia’s four other official attendants, they were also his accessories because they always helped their superior grab money from the broad masses. But they would be punished separately. After searching completely and dividing up the money, these highwaymen ran away.
Lying prostrate at the roadside, Jia’s soul found a higher official passing by.
“Who is the beheaded man?” the higher official asked.
“Jia, a county magistrate,” an attendant told him.
“He is,” the higher official said,“the son of Bai. ” He said continiouly,“ I have no heart to let the honest old man see this sort of horrible thing. Join his head to his neck.”
Picking up his head from the ground and putting it onto his neck, an attendant said: “This sort of evil doer is unworthy of having a straight head. Just put it on his shoulders. Let his shoulders support his lower jaw. His face will be slanting forever, but that’s more than enough.”
Shortly after they left, Jia came round.
His wife and son came to take his dead body. But they found he still had a weak breath left. The family decided to give special care in nursing him. Yet, because of lacking money, they could only stay in a hotel for the time being.
Only half year later, did the old man get the true information about Jia. But what he did was only to send his second son to the hotel and have a look.
Although Jia was restored to life, yet the poor man could only see his own back.
Worse of all, with passage of time, he was no longer mentioned and censured by others.
As far as Bai’s niece was concerned, the young man really became an official and enjoyed high reputation. This was also in keeping with Bai’s dream.
原文：
異史氏曰：“竊歎*天下之官虎而吏狼者，比比也。即官不為虎，而吏且將為狼，況有猛於虎者耶！夫人患不能自顧其後耳；蘇而使之自顧，鬼神之教微矣哉！”
注釋：
1．竊歎：我不禁感歎。竊，謙稱自己的意見等。如“竊以為不可”，我以為不可。2．比比：到處，到處都是。3．患：擔心，怕。4．自顧其後：首先要注意“顧”的意思。這個詞有兩種意思，其一，看到；其二，顧及，即：照顧到，考慮到。如果按第一個意思理解，“自顧其後”就是“自己看到他以後的事情”；如果按第二個意思理解，“自顧其後”就是“顧及他做事的後果”。我傾向於第二種解釋。5．微矣哉：多麽微妙啊。
白話：
作者感言：“我不禁感歎天下像虎的官，像狼的吏，到處都是啊。即使官不成為虎，可吏卻將要成為狼，何況還有比虎還凶猛的呢！人哪，就怕自己不能顧及以後的事情；先使人清醒，再提醒他們做事要顧及後果，鬼神教育人的方法是何等微妙呀！”
英譯：
Author’s Commentary:
There’re so many tiger-and-wolf government officials in the world! Even if the ones in higher position don’t behave as tigers, the ones in lower position would do evil as wolves. And worse of all, these ones were sometimes even more ferocious than tigers! The worst thing in the world is that some people only do whatever they like without thinking about the final results; but fortunately, gods and ghosts make people awaken first and then enable them to attend to the final results while doing something. How magical is it!
原文：
鄒平李進士匡九，居官頗廉明。常有富民為人羅織*，門役嚇之曰：“官索汝二百金，宜速辦；不然，敗矣！”富民懼，諾備半數。役搖手不可，富民苦哀之，役曰：“我無不極力，但恐不允耳。待聽鞫*時，汝目睹我為若白之，其允與否，亦可明我意之無他也。”少間，公按是事*。役知李戒煙，近問：“飲煙否？”李搖其首。役即趨下曰：“適言其數，官搖首不許，汝見之耶？”富民信之，懼，許如數。役知李嗜茶，近問：“飲茶否？”李頷*之。役托烹茶，趨下曰：“諧*矣！適首肯*，汝見之耶？”既而審結，富民果獲免，役即收其苞苴*，且索謝金。嗚呼！官自以為廉，而罵其貪者載道焉。此又縱狼而不自知者矣。世之如此類者更多，可為居官者備一鑒也。
注釋：
1.為人羅織：被人誣陷。羅織，虛構、誣陷。如“羅織罪名”，虛構罪名。2.聽鞫：聽審。鞫，審訊，讀“菊”。3.按是事：審理此事。按，考察、核對；審訊。是，此，這個。4.頷：點頭表示同意。頷，下巴，讀“和”或“格”。5.諧：辦妥了。6.首肯：點頭同意。7.苞苴：行賄的財物, 讀“包居”。語出《荀子。大略》：“苞苴行與？讒夫興與？”《注》：“貨賄比以物包裹，故總謂之苞苴。”
白話：
鄒平縣進士李匡九，做官非常廉潔清明。常有富人遭誣陷，（如果他們找李大人告狀，）李大人門下的差役就恐嚇他們說：“大人向你要二百金，必須趕快辦；不然，你的官司就輸啦！”（當時就有這樣一個富人，）他很害怕，但隻答應拿一半金子。差役搖手表示不行，富人苦苦哀求，差役說：“我為你辦事沒有不盡力的，但隻怕大人不答應啊。等到審訊時，你看我在他麵前為你去說情，看看他是否答應，這也可以表明我決沒有別的意思。”不久，李大人審理此事。差役知道李大人已經戒煙，故意走上前去問：“您吸煙不吸？”李大人搖搖頭。差役立即下堂來說：“剛才我說了你要拿多少金子，大人搖頭表示不同意，你見到了嗎？”富人（不知李大人搖頭的真實意思）就信以為真，很害怕，就答應如數交納金子。差役知道李大人非常愛喝茶，就走上前去問：“喝茶不喝？”李大人點頭說喝。差役就托著泡好的茶，走到大堂下說：“辦妥了！剛才他點頭同意了，你見到了嗎？”隨後此案審結完畢，富人果然獲得免罪處理，差役隨即收取他的賄賂，此外，還敲他一筆酬謝金。哎！當官的自以為廉潔，但罵他貪婪的人卻到處都有。這就是因為他放縱惡狼似的下屬而他自己卻不知道哇。世上這類人很多，這個故事可為當官的提供一個借鑒哪。
英譯：
Li Kuangjiu, an imperial scholar of Zouping County, Shandong Province, was an honest official. But there were often some rich men, framed without reason. If they sued at law, Li’s official attendants would say to them: “My superior asks you to pay two hundred dollars. You should pay the money as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’ll lose a lawsuit.”
And here was a rich man of this kind right then. But he only agreed to pay half. The attendant waved his hand indicating his disagreement. The rich man begged for pity.
“It’s not that I’m not willing to help you,” said the attendant. “I’m afraid my superior Mr. Li doesn’t agree.” He said to the rich man continuously，“When you are called in, you will see that I put in a good word for you. So long as you see my superior’s decision, you will know I have no ill attention.”
Shortly, the court began to hear the case. Knowing his superior Li didn’t smoke, the attendant stepped up and deliberately asked in a low voice, “You want to smoke?”
Li shook his head.
Back to the side of the rich man, the attendant whispered, “Just now, I told him about your half payment. He shook his head indicating his disapproval. Did you see it?”
The rich man believed his nonsense and felt much frightened. As a result, he paid two hundred dollars on the spot.
Knowing his superior Li loved tea, the attendant stepped up again and deliberately asked in a low voice, “You want to have a cup of tea?”
Li nodded his head.
The attendant asked someone to serve a cup of tea to his superior and then turned back to the side of the rich man. He whispered to the rich man, “That settles the matter. Mr. Li nodded his approval of your payment of two hundred dollars. Did you see it?”
The case was thus wound up. The rich man was really exempt from punishment. The attendant returned with satisfactory results including a remarkable amount of bribes and rewards.
Alas! Many officials consider themselves incorruptible, but there is still widespread popular resentment against them. Why? It’s only because they don’t know they have many wolf-tiger-like subordinates. And in fact, their actions usually amounted to feeding simple and unaffected babies to beasts. This sort of officials don’t amount to a small number. All officials should take warning from these stories.
原文：
又，邑宰楊公，性剛鯁，攖*其怒者必死；尤惡*隸皂，小過不宥。每凜坐堂上，胥吏之屬無敢咳者。此屬間有所白，必反而用之。適有邑人犯重罪，懼死。一吏索重賂，為之緩頰*。邑人不信，且曰：“若能之，我何靳*報焉！”乃與要盟。少頃，公鞫是事。邑人不肯服。吏在側嗬語曰：“不速實供，大人械梏死矣！”公怒曰：“何知我必械梏之耶？想其賂未到耳。”遂責吏，釋邑人。邑人乃以百金報吏。要知狼詐多端，此輩敗我陰?*，甚至喪我身家。不知居官者作何心腑，偏要以赤子飼麻胡也！
注釋：
1．攖其怒：惹人發怒。攖，觸犯。讀“英”。2．惡：痛恨，厭惡。3．吏皂：舊時衙門裏的差役。4．宥：寬恕。讀“又”。5．胥吏：小官。胥，讀“虛”。6．有所白：有說話出主意的。白，說話，這裏指提建議，出主意。7．適：正好，剛好。8．邑人：城裏人，縣裏人。邑，城；縣。9．重罪:就是平常說的“十惡不赦”裏的“十惡”，即十項大罪。北齊律所規定的重罪十條：“一曰反逆，二曰大逆，三曰叛，四曰降，五曰惡逆，六曰不道，七曰不敬，八曰不孝，九曰不義，十曰內亂”。10．緩頰：為人求情。11．靳：吝嗇。12．械梏：刑具。此處做動詞用，指上刑。就是常說的“大刑伺候”。13．責吏：處罰了小官。14．責，責備，斥責；責罰，即處罰。15．傷我：傷害我，其實這裏所指並非是我，而是泛指。因此不如翻譯成泛指一般的“人”。16．陰?：陰氣。?，音義都同“氣”。17．身家：名聲，甚至仕途官運。18．何心腑：用心何在，就是心裏怎麽想的。19．以赤子飼麻胡：用天真無邪的兒童去喂野獸。麻胡，一解是貌醜而多胡須的人。胡，指西北少數民族。 宋曾慥《高齋漫錄》：“ 毗陵有成郎中， 宣和中為省官，貌不揚而多髭。再娶之夕，嶽母陋之，曰：‘我女如菩薩，乃嫁一麻胡。’” 。二解是山西俗語，指傳說中一種凶惡的吃人怪獸。常有小孩夜間哭鬧，母親就以“麻胡”來嚇唬。
白話：
還有，縣令楊大人，性情剛烈鯁直，觸怒他的人必死無疑；尤其痛恨那些行為不端的差役，即便有小過失也不寬恕。隻要他威風凜凜地在大堂上一坐，下麵的小官沒有敢咳嗽的。這類小官中如果有人出主意，他就偏反著辦。正好有一個城裏人犯了重罪，怕被判處死刑。一名小官就向他索要一大筆賄賂金，以便為他去說情。城裏人不信，而且說：“如果能行，我為什麽要吝惜酬金呢！”於是就與小官訂立盟約。不久，楊大人審理此事。城裏人不服。小官就（故意）在一旁大聲嗬斥說：“不趕快如實招供，大人就要大刑伺候整死你啦！”楊大人憤怒地說：“你怎麽知道我就一定要對他大刑伺候呢？想必是他給你的賄賂還沒到手吧。”於是就處罰小官，釋放城裏人。城裏人事後就以百金酬報小吏。要知道豺狼狡詐多端，（豺狼似的）這種人會傷人陰氣，甚至會使人身敗名裂。不知當官的用心何在，偏偏要用小孩子去喂野獸！
英譯：
PS:
As a county magistrate with a fiery disposition, Mr. Yang was stern but honest to people. Anyone who angered him would certainly die beyond doubt. He especially hated the attendants who were up to all kinds of evil. They wouldn’t be tolerated even if having made only a minor mistake. So long as he sat in the court no subordinate of his dared to cough. If anyone among these attendants put forward a proposal, he would do exactly the opposite. There happened to be a townsman who had committed felonies but was afraid of being sentenced to death. A small official asked for a large amount of bribes so as to plead for mercy for him. Not believing this, the man said: “If this is really useful, why should I stint money?” Hence a treaty of alliance. Shortly after that, Mr. Yang hold a court and heard this case. The man pleaded no guilty. “If you don’t make a quick confession strictly according to the facts, ” the small official deliberately scolded him in a loud voice, “ the Lord’ll put you to torture and you’ll die!” “How can you know I’ll put him to torture?”asked the county magistrate.“ It must be that you haven’t got his bribes yet.” Therefore the small official was punished while the townsman was released. And later on, the townsman gave a hundred liangs( Chinese weight unit) of gold to the small official in reward for his help. You should know that all wolves are extremely sly and greedy. The wolflike evildoers not only do harm to people’s health but also make them to lose all standing and reputation. The officials’ behavior simply amounted to feeding children to wild beasts. What are they up to? I really don’t know.
Dream Wolves
原文：
白翁，直隸*人。長子甲，筮仕南服*，二年無耗。適有瓜葛*丁姓造謁，翁款之。丁素走無常*。談次，翁輒問以冥事，丁對語涉幻；翁不深信，但微哂*之。
注釋：
1．直隸：舊時指現今北京、天津、河北省大部以及河南、山東小部分地區。2．筮仕南服：在南方做官。筮，讀“是”，用蓍（讀“是”）草占卜。古人出外做官前要先占卜吉凶，後人便以“筮仕”代指做官。南服，古代王畿（讀“基”），也就是國都四周每五百裏為一區劃，按照距離分五等，稱“五服”。據此，南方則被稱為“南服”。3．瓜葛：遠親。4．走無常：舊時迷信指“當陰差”。傳說陰間當差的鬼使不夠用時，就勾攝陽間的人去補充。這種人被勾魂時，突然蹦跳四下，之後倒地而亡，等陰差結束還陽再生時，因為在陰間打過一次“臨時工”，所以對陰間所曆之事記憶猶新。因此常有人請他們谘詢陰間的事情。5．哂：微笑。讀“審”。
白話：
白姓老翁，是直隸人。大兒子甲，到南方做官，去了兩年也沒有消息。正好有一位姓丁的遠房親戚來拜訪他，老翁熱情款待。丁經常當陰差。談了一會兒，老翁就向他打聽陰間的事，丁在說話間提到了一些虛幻的事情；老翁不怎麽相信，隻是報以微笑。
英譯：
There was an old man Bai in Zhili Province. His first son Jia went south to his post without giving any news to him for two years.
Bai had a remote kinsfolk Ding. One day, Ding visited him. Ding once served in the nether world. Bai asked him something about there.
Ding answered Bai with something mysterious. Not deeply believing him, Bai only smiled.
原文：
別後數日，翁方臥，見丁又來，邀與同遊。從之去，入一城闕，移時，丁指一門曰：“此間君家甥也。”時翁有姊子為晉令，訝曰：“烏*在此？”丁曰：“倘不信，入便知之。”翁入，果見甥，蟬冠豸繡*坐堂上，戟幢行列*，無人可通。丁曳之出，曰：“公子衙署，去此不遠，亦願見之否？”翁諾。少間至一第，丁曰：“人之。”窺其門，見一巨狼當道，大懼不敢進。丁又曰：“入之。”又入一門，見堂上、堂下，坐者、臥者，皆狼也。又視墀中，白骨如山，益懼。丁乃以身翼*翁而進。公子甲方自內出，見父及丁良喜。少坐，喚侍者治肴蔌*。忽一巨狼，銜死人入。翁戰惕而起，曰：“此胡*為者？”甲曰：“聊充庖廚。”翁急止之。心怔忡不寧，辭欲出，而群狼阻道。進退方無所主，忽見諸狼紛然嗥避，或竄床下，或伏幾底。錯愕不解其故，俄有兩金甲猛士努目入，出黑索索甲。甲撲地化為虎，牙齒巉，一人出利劍，欲梟其首。一人曰：“且勿，且勿，此明年四月間事，不如姑敲齒去。”乃出巨錘錘齒，齒零落墮地。虎大吼，聲震山嶽。翁大懼，忽醒，乃知其夢。心異之，遣人招丁，丁辭不至。
注釋：
1．城闕：城門兩邊的了望樓。此處泛指城。2．烏：為什麽。3．蟬冠豸繡：穿著官服。蟬冠，以貂尾蟬紋裝飾的帽子，古代官帽。豸繡，繡著獬豸的官服。獬豸，神羊。讀“謝誌”。4．戟幢行列：儀仗隊排列在堂前。戟，指用作儀仗的棨（讀“起”）戟，並非作戰的兵器。幢，讀“床”，用羽毛裝飾的儀仗旗幡。5．翼：遮蔽，掩護。6．胡：為什麽。7．肴蔌：飯菜，蔌，菜。讀“素”。8．黑索，即纆（讀“墨”）索，官府捆綁囚犯的專用繩索。姑且稱之為“囚繩”。
白話：
分別幾天之後，老翁剛躺下，見丁又來了，邀請他一同出遊。老翁跟著他，進入一座城。過一會兒，丁指著一個門說：“你的外甥就在這裏。”當時老翁姐姐有個兒子在山西做官，他很驚訝地說：“為什麽在這裏？”丁說：“如果不信，進去就知道了。”老翁進去，果然見到了外甥，戴著官帽，穿著官服坐在大堂之上，儀仗隊排列成行，誰也無法走上前去。丁把老翁拉出來，說：“你兒子的官府，離這裏不遠，也想去看看嗎？”老翁同意。片刻之後，來到一處官府，丁說：“進去。”老翁往門口一看，隻見一條狼擋住他們的去路，就驚恐萬狀地不敢進去。又進了一道門，見堂上，堂下，坐著的，臥著的，全都是狼。又看到台階前，白骨如山，越發害怕起來。丁就以身子護著老翁往裏進。他兒子甲從裏麵走出來，看到父親和丁非常高興。坐了一會兒，就叫侍者準備飯菜。忽然一頭大狼，叼著死人進來。老翁戰戰兢兢地站起身，說：“這是幹什麽？”甲說：“這是給廚房用的。”老翁急忙加以製止。心神不寧，想告辭出去，可是狼群擋道。進退兩難，忽然看到這些狼都嗥叫著躲避開了，有的竄到床底下，有的趴在桌子底下。老翁驚愕至極，不明白其中的原因。突然之間有兩名身穿鎧甲的猛士瞪著眼睛走進來，拿出黑色的囚繩把甲捆綁起來。甲倒在地上變成一隻虎，牙齒十分鋒利。有一人拿出利劍，要砍掉他的頭。另一人說：“別砍，別砍，這是明年四月的事，不如先把牙敲掉。”於是那人就拿出巨大的錘子敲牙齒，牙齒散落在地上。老虎大聲吼叫，聲震山嶽。老翁驚恐至極，忽然醒過來，才知是夢。心裏感到非常奇怪，就派人去請丁，可是丁卻推辭不來。
英譯：
Several days later, Ding came again as soon as Bai went to bed. Ding asked Bai to go for a trip with him.
Following Ding, Bai went into a town. Shortly, Ding pointed a gate to Bai.
“Your niece is here,” Ding said.
Bai’s sister really had a son. But he was at his post in Shanxi Province.
“Why here?” Bai asked.
“If you don’t believe, just go in and have a look，” Ding said to Bai.
Going into the gate, Bai really found his niece sit in the court wearing sparkling official robe. With a dignified and awe-inspiring look, the young man seemed so severe that no one dared to step up to him. Ding pulled Bai out.
“Your son is not far from here,” Ding said to Bai. “Are you willing to see him?”
Bai agreed. Shortly, they came to a government office.
“Go in,” Ding said to Bai.
Glancing at the gate, Bai found a large wolf blocking their way. Scared to death, he didn’t dare to go in.
“Go in,” Ding urged again.
Going through the first gate and then anther one, Bai found wolves everywhere, inside or outside the court, sitting or lying. In a word, he could see nothing but wolves.
Then glancing at the steps, Bai terribly found a large amount of white bones piling up like a mountain. Bai became much more frightened. He was then pushed in by Ding who was covering Bai with his own body.
His son, Jia, came out. Seeing his father and Ding, Jia was very happy. Sitting for a few minutes, Jia asked the servants to prepare a meal for these two guests.
Suddenly, a large wolf ran out holding a dead person between its lips.
Deadly scared, Bai jumped to his feet.
“What’s the use of the dead body?” asked Bai.
“For cooking,” he was told.
Bai immediately stopped them from doing so. Greatly anxious, he wanted to leave. But the wolves blocked his way.
Just at the moment of falling into an awkward situation, Bai found the wolf crowd began to roar loudly and then swiftly dispersed and finally hided under a bed or tables. Extremely astonished, he just couldn’t understand all these horrible things before his own eyes.
Suddenly, there came two fearful men in golden armors with anger looks. Taking out a black rope, they wanted to bind Jia.
Falling onto the ground, Jia immediately changed into a tiger with his teeth grinding aloud. A person drew out a sharp sword and wanted to cut off his head.
“Stop, stop,” another man cried. “He should be beheaded next April. We’d better strike off his teeth for the time being.”
Then, they took out a big hammer and violently struck his teeth which fell down onto the ground one after another. The tiger roaring loudly, the mountains shook and the earth quaked terribly.
Frightened to death, Bai was startled from his dream.
Although knowing this was only a dream, Bai still felt strange and asked someone to give a message to Ding inviting him to come. But Ding refused to appear again.
原文：
翁誌其夢*，使次子詣*甲，函戒哀切。既至，見兄門齒盡脫；駭而問之，醉中墜馬所折，考其時,則父夢之日也。益駭。出父書。甲讀之變色，間曰：“此幻夢之適符耳，何足怪。”時方賂當路者，得首薦，故不以妖夢為意。弟居數日，見其蠹役*滿堂，納賄關說者中夜不絕，流涕諫止之。甲曰：“弟日居衡茅*，故不知仕途之關竅*耳。黜陟*之權，在上台*不在百姓。上台喜，便是好官；愛百姓，何術能令上台喜也？”弟知不可勸止，遂歸,告父，翁聞之大哭。無可如何，惟捐家濟貧，日禱於神，但求逆子之報，不累妻孥*。次年，報甲以薦舉作吏部*，賀者盈門；翁惟欷歔，伏枕托疾不出。未幾，聞子歸途遇寇，主仆殞命。翁乃起，謂人曰：“鬼神之怒，止及其身，祐我家者不可謂不厚也。”因焚香而報謝之。慰藉翁者，鹹以為道路訛傳，惟翁則深信不疑，刻日*為之營兆*。而甲固*未死。
注釋：
1．誌其夢：記住他的夢。誌，記住，不忘記。如“永誌不忘”，就是說永遠記住不忘。2．詣：到某人所在的地方，到某地去看望某人，含敬意。3．蠹役：害民的役吏。蠹，蠹蟲，泛指貪瀆。4．納賄關說：收受賄賂，到處遊說，替他人打通關節。關節，舊時指暗中行賄，勾通官吏。5．衡茅：橫門茅草。指簡陋的平民居所。橫門，橫木做的門。6．關竅：訣竅。7．黜陟：官吏的廢黜及提升。黜，罷免，讀“處”；陟，提升，讀“誌”。8．上台：上級，上麵的官。9．妻孥：妻子兒女。10．吏部：明清時州縣級官員，如常說的“員外郎”之類。所謂“員外郎”，指在郎官定員之外的官職。從下文看，本處指縣令，即縣長“縣太爺”。11．刻日：成天，每天。此外，刻，有“仔細認真”、“用盡心思”之義。如“刻意求工”。12．營兆：占卜風水，尋找墓地。營，占卜。兆，墓地。13．固：原本，本來。
白話：
老翁念念不忘其夢，派二兒子去看望甲，還在信裏誠懇地囑咐他。到那裏一看，隻見哥哥的門牙都掉光了，就很害怕地問他，哥哥說是喝醉酒從馬上掉下來摔斷的，再問什麽時候,正是老父做夢的那天。弟弟越發害怕起來。拿出老父的信。甲讀了之後立即變臉，還說：“這是夢幻正巧和事實相符，有什麽奇怪的。”當時他剛剛通過賄賂當權者，成了被舉薦的首選人物，所以對妖夢邪說並不在意。弟弟住了幾天，隻見滿屋都是貪官汙吏，受賄為人打關節的說客，到夜晚還絡繹不絕，於是流著淚規勸他停止這種行為。甲說：“弟弟你成天住在破爛的茅草房裏，所以不知道官場的訣竅。罷免升遷的大權，全由上司掌握，而不在百姓手裏。上司喜歡，就是好官；光愛百姓，有什麽辦法能討上司的喜歡呢？”弟弟知道勸不住他，就回家，告訴父親，老翁聽到後大哭一場。沒有辦法，隻好拿出家裏的東西捐贈幫助窮人，天天向神禱告，隻求逆子將來遭到的報應，不連累妻小。第二年，有人報喜說甲已經被薦舉作了吏部，賀喜的人滿滿一屋子；可老翁卻一個勁兒地歎息，趴在枕頭上推說有病不出去。沒過多久，聽說兒子在回家的路上遇到了強盜，主人和奴仆都喪了命。老翁這才起來，對人說：“鬼神發怒，隻懲治他一人，保祐我家其他人，這種恩德不可說不大呀。”因此燒香拜謝神靈。寬慰老翁的人，都以為是道聽途說的假傳聞，隻有老翁深信不疑，成天為他占卜尋找墓地。而甲其實並沒有死。
英譯：
Constantly bearing the horrible dream in mind and feeling much troubled, Bai sent his second son to visit Jia with a letter exhorting him to take good care of himself.
On his arrival, the second son found that his elder brother had his two front teeth lost. Greatly frightened, he asked. Jia said that his two front teeth were broken down when falling down from his horse because of being drunk. Asking the date, the second son found his elder brother lost his teeth just on the very day his father had that horrible dream. He therefore felt much more frightened than ever before.
Then, the young brother gave his father’s letter to Jia. After reading, Jia put on a long face immediately.
“It’s only a coincidence between his dream and my condition,” said Jia. “Such a simple thing is not worth feeling strange.”
Having just been promoted to a higher position by offering bribes to higher officials, he didn’t care about his father’s dream at all.
The second son stayed with his elder brother only a few days. He found Jia’s home full of evil officials all the time. Day and night, the dregs of society came and went endlessly, busy giving or taking bribes. With tears, he did his best to dissuade his elder brother from doing evil things continuously. But Jia didn’t listen to him.
“Dear brother, you live in the thatched cottage all the time, so you don’t know anything about the knack in official carrier. Dismiss a person from office or promote him to a higher position, the right is in the hands of higher officials but not in that of ordinary people. So long as the higher officials like you, you’re a good official. If you only know how to love ordinary people, how can you make the higher officials to love you?”
Knowing unable to talk his brother into changing his mind, the second son went back home and told his father about Jia’s conditions. After learning the whole story, Bai was chocked with tears.
Without knowing what to do next, the old man had to donate what he had to the poor and prayed for his family everyday. He asked the gods not to get his family, especially his daughter-in-law and grandson into trouble when his unworthy son was punished in future.
Next year, Jia was promoted to an even higher position. Various kinds of people constantly came to congratulate the old man for his son’s great success in official carrier. But Bai hid himself in the room lying on pillow and groaning bitterly. He refused to come out to entertain these congratulators on the pretext of illness.
Shortly, he learned Jia and his servants were all killed by robbers on his way back home. Only at this news, did he get up and go out.
“Though the gods and demons were very angry, they only punished him alone,” said the old man. “The gods already did us a favor.”
Bai burned incense expressing his heartfelt thanks to the gods. All the people comforting Bai thought that the news of Jia’s death was merely hearsay. Only Bai firmly believed it without any suspect and asked a fortune-teller to help him choose a proper graveyard for his unworthy son. Yet, in fact, his son was still alive.
原文：
先是,四月間，甲解任，甫離境，即遭寇，甲傾裝以獻之。諸寇曰：“我等來，為一邑之民泄冤憤耳，寧*專為此哉！”遂決其首。又問家人*：“有司大成者誰是？”司故甲之腹心，助紂為虐者。家人共指之，賊亦殺之。更有蠹役四人，甲聚斂臣*也，將攜入都。---- 並搜決訖*，始分資入囊，騖馳而去。甲魂伏道旁，見一宰官*過，問：“殺者何人？”前驅者*曰：“某縣白知縣也。”宰官曰：“此白某之子，不宜使老後見此凶慘，宜續其頭。”即有一人掇頭置腔*上，曰：“邪人不宜使正，以肩承頜*可也。”遂去。移時複蘇。妻子往收其屍，見有餘息，載之以行；從容灌之，亦受飲。但寄旅邸，貧不能歸。半年許，翁始得確耗，遣次子致之而歸*。甲雖複生，而目能自顧其背，不複齒人數*矣。翁姊子有政聲，是年行取*為禦史*，悉符所夢。
注釋：
寧：豈，難道。讀“寧第四聲”。2．家人：本文不是指甲的老父妻兒等家裏的人，因為他是單身在外做官。此處是指平時為甲掌管飲食起居等的仆從們。3．聚斂臣:為上司搜刮民財的走狗。4．訖：完結，讀“氣”。5．宰官：宰相。輔助君主掌管國事的最高官員的通稱。6．前驅者：官員出行時開路打前站的人。7．腔：身軀空的部分。如胸腔，顱腔鄧。此處是指砍頭後脖子上出現的空洞，姑且稱之為“脖腔”。8．承頜：連接著下頜。承，承接。頜，讀“合”，構成口腔上部和下部的骨頭和肌肉組織。上部叫上頜，下部叫下頜。此處泛指嘴巴。全句意思是說，肩膀承接著嘴巴，頭臉側向而不朝前。整個一怪物。9．致之而歸：使他（甲）歸家。致，導致，使。10．不複齒人數：這句話有點麻煩。原因就是這裏有兩個關鍵字的意思比較靈活。一是“齒”；二是“數”。“齒”，除了作“牙齒；年齡”解之外，還有兩種解釋。其一，列；其二，提及，說到。如“齒及”，提及。“數”，基本意思是數目，還可由此引申為類別，比如“我也在數”，意思是說“我也在這類裏”。此外還可作動詞“數落”解，就是列舉劣跡不住地指責。如“齒數”，說起來加以數落。“數”讀“屬”。如果“齒”作“列”解，“數”作“類別”解，“不複齒人數”的意思就是“不再和人類並列在一起”，說白了就是“不再被當人看待”。如果“齒”作“提起”解，“數”作“數落”解，“不複齒人數”的意思就是“不再被人提起來加以數落”。言外之意就是早已被人遺忘。我選擇了後者。10．行取：明代升遷製度，按照規定的年限，州縣官員經地方高官保舉，可以調任京城，稱為“行取”。
白話：
此前,四月間，甲卸任還鄉，剛離開他那個縣，就遭遇到劫匪，甲把所有的東西都交了出去。劫匪們說：“我們來，是為一城的民眾泄憤申冤的，哪是專門為這個呢！”於是砍了他的頭。又問他隨行的仆從：“有個叫司大成的，誰是呀？”司大成原來是甲的心腹，是個助紂為虐的家夥。仆從們（對他恨之入骨）就一起把他指出來，劫匪也把他殺了。還有四名殘害百姓的仆役，都是幫助甲搜刮民財的歹徒，將被帶到都城去懲處。---- 劫匪們把甲的財物都收斂完畢，才開始分贓塞入私囊，繼而揮鞭躍馬，揚長而去。甲的靈魂伏臥在道旁，見到一位宰相路過，宰相問：“被殺的是什麽人？”開路的人說：“是某縣的白知縣。”宰相說：“這個人是白某的兒子，不應該讓老人家看到這麽殘酷的情形，應該把他的頭再接上。”隨即有一個人提起他的頭放到脖腔上，說：“邪人的腦袋不應該放正，用肩膀接著就可以了。”這一幹人馬隨後離開。不久甲還陽蘇醒過來。妻兒前往收屍，見他還剩一口氣，就把他放到車上往前走；慢慢給他往嘴裏灌水，他也喝。隻是寄宿在旅店裏，窮得回不了家。過去半年左右，老翁才得知確切的消息，就派二兒子把甲運回家。甲雖然活過來，但是眼睛隻能看到自己的後背，後來慢慢也就不再被人提起來加以數落。老翁姐姐的兒子為官聲譽很高，當年被擢升為禦史，這些也都和老翁的夢相符。
英譯：
In April, leaving his old post, Jia went to take up a new one. Shortly after being
on his way, he encountered some highwaymen. Emptying his purse and turning out his boxes and suitcases, he gave all he had to the highwaymen.
“How can we come here only for this?” the highwaymen said. “Our goal is to help the poor redress their grievances against the corrupt officials.”
Finishing their words, they had Jia beheaded.
The highwaymen asked, “Is there anyone named Si Dacheng?”
This henchman of Jia always did his best to help his master do evil. He was also guilty of innumerable crimes. All subordinates of Jia hated him to the bone. So he was also beheaded. As for Jia’s four other official attendants, they were also his accessories because they always helped their superior grab money from the broad masses. But they would be punished separately. After searching completely and dividing up the money, these highwaymen ran away.
Lying prostrate at the roadside, Jia’s soul found a higher official passing by.
“Who is the beheaded man?” the higher official asked.
“Jia, a county magistrate,” an attendant told him.
“He is,” the higher official said,“the son of Bai. ” He said continiouly,“ I have no heart to let the honest old man see this sort of horrible thing. Join his head to his neck.”
Picking up his head from the ground and putting it onto his neck, an attendant said: “This sort of evil doer is unworthy of having a straight head. Just put it on his shoulders. Let his shoulders support his lower jaw. His face will be slanting forever, but that’s more than enough.”
Shortly after they left, Jia came round.
His wife and son came to take his dead body. But they found he still had a weak breath left. The family decided to give special care in nursing him. Yet, because of lacking money, they could only stay in a hotel for the time being.
Only half year later, did the old man get the true information about Jia. But what he did was only to send his second son to the hotel and have a look.
Although Jia was restored to life, yet the poor man could only see his own back.
Worse of all, with passage of time, he was no longer mentioned and censured by others.
As far as Bai’s niece was concerned, the young man really became an official and enjoyed high reputation. This was also in keeping with Bai’s dream.
原文：
異史氏曰：“竊歎*天下之官虎而吏狼者，比比也。即官不為虎，而吏且將為狼，況有猛於虎者耶！夫人患不能自顧其後耳；蘇而使之自顧，鬼神之教微矣哉！”
注釋：
1．竊歎：我不禁感歎。竊，謙稱自己的意見等。如“竊以為不可”，我以為不可。2．比比：到處，到處都是。3．患：擔心，怕。4．自顧其後：首先要注意“顧”的意思。這個詞有兩種意思，其一，看到；其二，顧及，即：照顧到，考慮到。如果按第一個意思理解，“自顧其後”就是“自己看到他以後的事情”；如果按第二個意思理解，“自顧其後”就是“顧及他做事的後果”。我傾向於第二種解釋。5．微矣哉：多麽微妙啊。
白話：
作者感言：“我不禁感歎天下像虎的官，像狼的吏，到處都是啊。即使官不成為虎，可吏卻將要成為狼，何況還有比虎還凶猛的呢！人哪，就怕自己不能顧及以後的事情；先使人清醒，再提醒他們做事要顧及後果，鬼神教育人的方法是何等微妙呀！”
英譯：
Author’s Commentary:
There’re so many tiger-and-wolf government officials in the world! Even if the ones in higher position don’t behave as tigers, the ones in lower position would do evil as wolves. And worse of all, these ones were sometimes even more ferocious than tigers! The worst thing in the world is that some people only do whatever they like without thinking about the final results; but fortunately, gods and ghosts make people awaken first and then enable them to attend to the final results while doing something. How magical is it!
原文：
鄒平李進士匡九，居官頗廉明。常有富民為人羅織*，門役嚇之曰：“官索汝二百金，宜速辦；不然，敗矣！”富民懼，諾備半數。役搖手不可，富民苦哀之，役曰：“我無不極力，但恐不允耳。待聽鞫*時，汝目睹我為若白之，其允與否，亦可明我意之無他也。”少間，公按是事*。役知李戒煙，近問：“飲煙否？”李搖其首。役即趨下曰：“適言其數，官搖首不許，汝見之耶？”富民信之，懼，許如數。役知李嗜茶，近問：“飲茶否？”李頷*之。役托烹茶，趨下曰：“諧*矣！適首肯*，汝見之耶？”既而審結，富民果獲免，役即收其苞苴*，且索謝金。嗚呼！官自以為廉，而罵其貪者載道焉。此又縱狼而不自知者矣。世之如此類者更多，可為居官者備一鑒也。
注釋：
1.為人羅織：被人誣陷。羅織，虛構、誣陷。如“羅織罪名”，虛構罪名。2.聽鞫：聽審。鞫，審訊，讀“菊”。3.按是事：審理此事。按，考察、核對；審訊。是，此，這個。4.頷：點頭表示同意。頷，下巴，讀“和”或“格”。5.諧：辦妥了。6.首肯：點頭同意。7.苞苴：行賄的財物, 讀“包居”。語出《荀子。大略》：“苞苴行與？讒夫興與？”《注》：“貨賄比以物包裹，故總謂之苞苴。”
白話：
鄒平縣進士李匡九，做官非常廉潔清明。常有富人遭誣陷，（如果他們找李大人告狀，）李大人門下的差役就恐嚇他們說：“大人向你要二百金，必須趕快辦；不然，你的官司就輸啦！”（當時就有這樣一個富人，）他很害怕，但隻答應拿一半金子。差役搖手表示不行，富人苦苦哀求，差役說：“我為你辦事沒有不盡力的，但隻怕大人不答應啊。等到審訊時，你看我在他麵前為你去說情，看看他是否答應，這也可以表明我決沒有別的意思。”不久，李大人審理此事。差役知道李大人已經戒煙，故意走上前去問：“您吸煙不吸？”李大人搖搖頭。差役立即下堂來說：“剛才我說了你要拿多少金子，大人搖頭表示不同意，你見到了嗎？”富人（不知李大人搖頭的真實意思）就信以為真，很害怕，就答應如數交納金子。差役知道李大人非常愛喝茶，就走上前去問：“喝茶不喝？”李大人點頭說喝。差役就托著泡好的茶，走到大堂下說：“辦妥了！剛才他點頭同意了，你見到了嗎？”隨後此案審結完畢，富人果然獲得免罪處理，差役隨即收取他的賄賂，此外，還敲他一筆酬謝金。哎！當官的自以為廉潔，但罵他貪婪的人卻到處都有。這就是因為他放縱惡狼似的下屬而他自己卻不知道哇。世上這類人很多，這個故事可為當官的提供一個借鑒哪。
英譯：
Li Kuangjiu, an imperial scholar of Zouping County, Shandong Province, was an honest official. But there were often some rich men, framed without reason. If they sued at law, Li’s official attendants would say to them: “My superior asks you to pay two hundred dollars. You should pay the money as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’ll lose a lawsuit.”
And here was a rich man of this kind right then. But he only agreed to pay half. The attendant waved his hand indicating his disagreement. The rich man begged for pity.
“It’s not that I’m not willing to help you,” said the attendant. “I’m afraid my superior Mr. Li doesn’t agree.” He said to the rich man continuously，“When you are called in, you will see that I put in a good word for you. So long as you see my superior’s decision, you will know I have no ill attention.”
Shortly, the court began to hear the case. Knowing his superior Li didn’t smoke, the attendant stepped up and deliberately asked in a low voice, “You want to smoke?”
Li shook his head.
Back to the side of the rich man, the attendant whispered, “Just now, I told him about your half payment. He shook his head indicating his disapproval. Did you see it?”
The rich man believed his nonsense and felt much frightened. As a result, he paid two hundred dollars on the spot.
Knowing his superior Li loved tea, the attendant stepped up again and deliberately asked in a low voice, “You want to have a cup of tea?”
Li nodded his head.
The attendant asked someone to serve a cup of tea to his superior and then turned back to the side of the rich man. He whispered to the rich man, “That settles the matter. Mr. Li nodded his approval of your payment of two hundred dollars. Did you see it?”
The case was thus wound up. The rich man was really exempt from punishment. The attendant returned with satisfactory results including a remarkable amount of bribes and rewards.
Alas! Many officials consider themselves incorruptible, but there is still widespread popular resentment against them. Why? It’s only because they don’t know they have many wolf-tiger-like subordinates. And in fact, their actions usually amounted to feeding simple and unaffected babies to beasts. This sort of officials don’t amount to a small number. All officials should take warning from these stories.
原文：
又，邑宰楊公，性剛鯁，攖*其怒者必死；尤惡*隸皂，小過不宥。每凜坐堂上，胥吏之屬無敢咳者。此屬間有所白，必反而用之。適有邑人犯重罪，懼死。一吏索重賂，為之緩頰*。邑人不信，且曰：“若能之，我何靳*報焉！”乃與要盟。少頃，公鞫是事。邑人不肯服。吏在側嗬語曰：“不速實供，大人械梏死矣！”公怒曰：“何知我必械梏之耶？想其賂未到耳。”遂責吏，釋邑人。邑人乃以百金報吏。要知狼詐多端，此輩敗我陰?*，甚至喪我身家。不知居官者作何心腑，偏要以赤子飼麻胡也！
注釋：
1．攖其怒：惹人發怒。攖，觸犯。讀“英”。2．惡：痛恨，厭惡。3．吏皂：舊時衙門裏的差役。4．宥：寬恕。讀“又”。5．胥吏：小官。胥，讀“虛”。6．有所白：有說話出主意的。白，說話，這裏指提建議，出主意。7．適：正好，剛好。8．邑人：城裏人，縣裏人。邑，城；縣。9．重罪:就是平常說的“十惡不赦”裏的“十惡”，即十項大罪。北齊律所規定的重罪十條：“一曰反逆，二曰大逆，三曰叛，四曰降，五曰惡逆，六曰不道，七曰不敬，八曰不孝，九曰不義，十曰內亂”。10．緩頰：為人求情。11．靳：吝嗇。12．械梏：刑具。此處做動詞用，指上刑。就是常說的“大刑伺候”。13．責吏：處罰了小官。14．責，責備，斥責；責罰，即處罰。15．傷我：傷害我，其實這裏所指並非是我，而是泛指。因此不如翻譯成泛指一般的“人”。16．陰?：陰氣。?，音義都同“氣”。17．身家：名聲，甚至仕途官運。18．何心腑：用心何在，就是心裏怎麽想的。19．以赤子飼麻胡：用天真無邪的兒童去喂野獸。麻胡，一解是貌醜而多胡須的人。胡，指西北少數民族。 宋曾慥《高齋漫錄》：“ 毗陵有成郎中， 宣和中為省官，貌不揚而多髭。再娶之夕，嶽母陋之，曰：‘我女如菩薩，乃嫁一麻胡。’” 。二解是山西俗語，指傳說中一種凶惡的吃人怪獸。常有小孩夜間哭鬧，母親就以“麻胡”來嚇唬。
白話：
還有，縣令楊大人，性情剛烈鯁直，觸怒他的人必死無疑；尤其痛恨那些行為不端的差役，即便有小過失也不寬恕。隻要他威風凜凜地在大堂上一坐，下麵的小官沒有敢咳嗽的。這類小官中如果有人出主意，他就偏反著辦。正好有一個城裏人犯了重罪，怕被判處死刑。一名小官就向他索要一大筆賄賂金，以便為他去說情。城裏人不信，而且說：“如果能行，我為什麽要吝惜酬金呢！”於是就與小官訂立盟約。不久，楊大人審理此事。城裏人不服。小官就（故意）在一旁大聲嗬斥說：“不趕快如實招供，大人就要大刑伺候整死你啦！”楊大人憤怒地說：“你怎麽知道我就一定要對他大刑伺候呢？想必是他給你的賄賂還沒到手吧。”於是就處罰小官，釋放城裏人。城裏人事後就以百金酬報小吏。要知道豺狼狡詐多端，（豺狼似的）這種人會傷人陰氣，甚至會使人身敗名裂。不知當官的用心何在，偏偏要用小孩子去喂野獸！
英譯：
PS:
As a county magistrate with a fiery disposition, Mr. Yang was stern but honest to people. Anyone who angered him would certainly die beyond doubt. He especially hated the attendants who were up to all kinds of evil. They wouldn’t be tolerated even if having made only a minor mistake. So long as he sat in the court no subordinate of his dared to cough. If anyone among these attendants put forward a proposal, he would do exactly the opposite. There happened to be a townsman who had committed felonies but was afraid of being sentenced to death. A small official asked for a large amount of bribes so as to plead for mercy for him. Not believing this, the man said: “If this is really useful, why should I stint money?” Hence a treaty of alliance. Shortly after that, Mr. Yang hold a court and heard this case. The man pleaded no guilty. “If you don’t make a quick confession strictly according to the facts, ” the small official deliberately scolded him in a loud voice, “ the Lord’ll put you to torture and you’ll die!” “How can you know I’ll put him to torture?”asked the county magistrate.“ It must be that you haven’t got his bribes yet.” Therefore the small official was punished while the townsman was released. And later on, the townsman gave a hundred liangs( Chinese weight unit) of gold to the small official in reward for his help. You should know that all wolves are extremely sly and greedy. The wolflike evildoers not only do harm to people’s health but also make them to lose all standing and reputation. The officials’ behavior simply amounted to feeding children to wild beasts. What are they up to? I really don’t know.
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