第四十五回

第四十五回 杨雄醉骂潘巧云 石秀智杀裴如海

偈曰：

朝看楞伽经，暮念华严咒。

种瓜还得瓜，种豆还得豆。

经咒本慈悲，冤结如何救。

照见本来心，方便多竟究。

心地若无私，何用求天佑。

地狱与天堂，作者还自受。

话说这一篇言语，古人留下，单说善恶报应，如影随形。既修二祖四缘，当守三归五戒。叵耐缁流[1]之辈，专为狗彘之行，辱莫前修，遗臭后世，庸深可恶哉！

当时潘公说道：“叔叔且住，老汉已知叔叔的意了。叔叔两夜不曾回家，今日回来，见收拾过了家火什物，叔叔一定心里只道是不开店了，因此要去。休说恁地好买卖，便不开店时，也养叔叔在家。不瞒叔叔说：我这小女先嫁得本府一个王押司，不幸没了，今得二周年，做些功果与他，因此歇了这两日买卖。今日请下报恩寺僧人来做功德，就要央叔叔管待则个。老汉年纪高大，熬不得夜，因此一发和叔叔说知。”石秀道：“既然丈丈恁地说时，小人再纳定性过几时。”潘公道：“叔叔今后并不要疑心，只顾随分且过。”当时吃了几杯酒并些素食，收过了杯盘。

只见道人挑将经担到来，铺设坛场，摆放佛像供器，鼓钹钟磬、香灯花烛，厨下一面安排斋食。杨雄到申牌时分，回家走一遭，分付石秀道：“贤弟，我今夜却限当牢，不得前来，凡事央你支持则个。”石秀道：“哥哥放心自去，晚间兄弟替你料理。”杨雄去了，石秀自在门前照管。没多时，只见一个年纪小的和尚，揭起帘子入来。石秀看那和尚时，端的整齐。但见：

一个青旋旋光头新剃，把麝香松子匀搽；一领黄烘烘直裰初缝，使沉速栴檀香染。山根鞋履，是福州染到深青；九缕丝绦，系西地买来真紫。那和尚光溜溜一双贼眼，只睃趁施主娇娘；这秃驴美甘甘满口甜言，专说诱丧家少妇。淫情发处，草庵中去觅尼姑；色胆动时，方丈内来寻行者。仰观神女思同寝，每见嫦娥要讲欢。

那和尚入到里面，深深地与石秀打个问讯。石秀答礼道：“师父少坐。”随背后一个道人挑两个盒子入来。石秀便叫：“丈丈，有个师父在这里。”潘公听得，从里面出来。那和尚便道：“干爷，如何一向不到敝寺？”老子道：“便是开了这些店面，却没工夫出来。”那和尚便道：“押司周年，无甚罕物相送，些少挂面，几包京枣。”老子道：“阿也！甚么道理教师父坏钞！”教：“叔叔收过了。”石秀自搬入去，叫点茶出来，门前请和尚吃。

只见那妇人从楼上下来，不敢十分穿重孝，只是淡妆轻抹，便问：“叔叔，谁送物事来？”石秀道：“一个和尚，叫丈丈做干爷的送来。”那妇人便笑道：“是师兄海阇黎裴如海，一个老诚的和尚。他是裴家绒线铺里小官人，出家在报恩寺中。因他师父是家里门徒，结拜我父做干爷，长奴两岁，因此上叫他做师兄。他法名叫做海公。叔叔，晚间你只听他请佛念经，有这般好声音！”石秀道：“缘来恁地！”自肚里已有些瞧科。那妇人便下楼来见和尚，石秀却背叉着手，随后跟出来，布帘里张看。只见那妇人出到外面，那和尚便起身向前来，合掌深深的打个问讯。那妇人便道：“甚么道理教师兄坏钞？”和尚道：“贤妹，些少薄礼微物，不足挂齿。”那妇人道：“师兄何故这般说。出家人的物事，怎的消受的！”和尚道：“敝寺新造水陆堂[2]，也要来请贤妹随喜[3]，只恐节级见怪。”那妇人道：“家下拙夫却不恁的计较。老母死时，也曾许下血盆愿心，早晚也要到上刹相烦还了。”和尚道：“这是自家的事，如何恁地说。但是分付如海的事，小僧便去办来。”那妇人道：“师兄多与我娘念几卷经便好。”只见里面丫嬛捧茶出来。那妇人拿起一盏茶来，把帕子去茶锺口边抹一抹，双手递与和尚。那和尚一头接茶，两只眼涎瞪瞪的只顾看那妇人身上。这妇人也嘻嘻的笑着看这和尚。人道色胆如天，却不防石秀在布帘里张见。石秀自肚里暗忖道：“莫信直中直，须防仁不仁。我几番见那婆娘常常的只顾对我说些风话，我只以亲嫂嫂一般相待，原来这婆娘倒不是个良人！莫教撞在石秀手里，敢替杨雄做个出场，也不见的！”石秀此时已有三分在意了，便揭起布帘，走将出来。那和尚放下茶盏，便道：“大郎请坐。”这妇人便插口道：“这个叔叔便是拙夫新认义的兄弟。”那和尚虚心冷气动问道：“大郎贵乡何处？高姓大名？”石秀道：“我姓石名秀，金陵人氏。因为只好闲管，替人出力，以此叫做拚命三郎。我是个粗卤汉子，礼数不到，和尚休怪！”裴如海道：“不敢，不敢！小僧去接众僧来赴道场。”相别出门去了。那妇人道：“师兄早来些个。”那和尚应道：“便来了。”妇人送了和尚出门，自入里面来了。石秀却在门前低了头只顾寻思。

看官听说：原来但凡世上的人情，惟和尚色情最紧。为何说这等话？且如俗人、出家人，都是一般父精母血所生，缘何见得和尚家色情最紧？说这句话，这上三卷书中所说潘、驴、邓、小、闲，惟有和尚家第一闲。一日三餐吃了檀越施主的好斋好供，住了那高堂大殿僧房，又无俗事所烦，房里好床好铺睡着，无得寻思，只是想着此一件事。假如譬喻说，一个财主家，虽然十相俱足，一日有多少闲事恼心，夜间又被钱物挂念，到三更二更才睡，总有娇妻美妾同床共枕，那得情趣。又有那一等小百姓们，一日价辛辛苦苦挣扎，早晨巴不到晚，起的是五更，睡的是半夜，到晚来未上床，先去摸一摸米瓮，看到底没颗米，明日又无钱，总然妻子有些颜色，也无些甚么意兴。因此上输与这和尚们一心闲静，专一理会这等勾当。那时古人评论到此去处，说这和尚们真个利害。因此苏东坡学士道：“不秃不毒，不毒不秃；转秃转毒，转毒转秃。”和尚们还有四句言语，道是：

一个字便是僧，两个字是和尚，

三个字鬼乐官，四字色中饿鬼。

且说这石秀自在门前寻思了半晌，又且去支持管待。不多时，只见行者先来点烛烧香。少刻，海阇黎引领众僧却来赴道场。潘公、石秀接着，相待茶汤已罢，打动鼓钹，歌咏赞扬。只见海阇黎同一个一般年纪小的和尚做阇黎，摇动铃杵，发牒请佛，献斋赞供诸天护法监坛主盟，“追荐亡夫王押司，早生天界。”只见那妇人乔素梳妆，来到法坛上，执着手炉，拈香礼佛。那海阇黎越逞精神，摇着铃杵，念动真言。这一堂和尚见了杨雄老婆这等模样，都七颠八倒起来。但见：

班首轻狂，念佛号不知颠倒；阇黎没乱，诵真言岂顾高低。烧香行者，推倒花瓶；秉烛头陀，错拿香盒。宣名表白，大宋国称做大唐；忏罪沙弥，王押司念为押禁。动铙的望空便撇，打钹的落地不知。敲铦子的软做一团，击响磬的酥做一块。满堂喧哄，绕席纵横。藏主心忙，击鼓错敲了徒弟手；维那眼乱，磬槌打破了老僧头。十年苦行一时休，万个金刚降不住。

那众僧都在法坛上看见了这妇人，自不觉都手之舞之，足之蹈之，一时间愚迷了佛性禅心，拴不定心猿意马。以此上德行高僧，世间难得。石秀却在侧边看了，也自冷笑道：“似此有甚功德！正谓之作福不如避罪。”少间，证盟[4]已了，请众人和尚就里面吃斋。海阇黎却在众僧背后，转过头来，看着那妇人嘻嘻的笑，那婆娘也掩着口笑。两个都眉来眼去，以目送情。石秀都看在眼里，自有五分来不快意。众僧都坐了吃斋，先饮了几杯素酒，搬出斋来，都下了衬钱[5]。潘公道：“众师父饱斋则个。”众和尚说道：“感承施主虔心，足矣了。”少刻，众僧斋罢，都起身行食[6]去了。转过一遭，再入道场。石秀心中好生不快意，只推肚疼，自去睡在板壁后了。那妇人一点情动，那里顾的防备人看见，便自去支持。众僧又打了一回鼓钹动事，把些茶食果品煎点。海阇黎着众僧用心看经，请天王拜忏，设浴召亡，参礼三宝。追荐到四更时分，众僧困倦，这海阇黎越逞精神，高声看诵。那妇人在布帘下看了，欲火炽盛，不觉情动，便教丫环请海和尚说话。那贼秃慌忙来到妇人面前。这婆娘扯住和尚袖子，说道：“师兄，明日来取功德钱时，就对爹爹说血盆愿心一事，不要忘了。”和尚道：“小僧记得。只说：要还愿，也还了好。”和尚又道：“你家这个叔叔，好生利害！”妇人应道：“这个采他则甚！又不是亲骨肉。”海阇黎道：“恁地小僧却才放心。我只道是节级的至亲兄弟。”两个又戏笑了一回，那和尚自出去判斛[7]送亡。不想石秀却在板壁后假睡，正张得着，都看在肚里了。当夜五更，道场满散[8]，送佛化纸已了，众僧作谢回去，那妇人自上楼去睡了。石秀却自寻思了，气道：“哥哥恁的豪杰，却恨撞了这个淫妇！”忍了一肚皮鸟气，自去作坊里睡了。

次日，杨雄回家，俱各不提。饭后，杨雄又出去了。只见海阇黎又换了一套整整齐齐的僧衣，径到潘公家来。那妇人听得是和尚来了，慌忙下楼出来接着，邀入里面坐地，便叫点茶来。那妇人谢道：“夜来多教师父劳神，功德钱未曾拜纳。”海阇黎道：“不足挂齿。小僧夜来所说血盆忏愿心这一事，特禀知贤妹。要还时，小僧寺里见在念经，只要都疏一道就是。”那妇人道：“好，好！”便叫丫嬛请父亲出来商议。潘公便出来谢道：“老汉打熬不得，夜来甚是有失陪侍。不想石叔叔又肚疼倒了，无人管待。却是休怪，休怪！”那和尚道：“干爷正当自在。”那妇人便道：“我要替娘还了血盆忏旧愿。师兄说道，明日寺中做好事，就附搭还了。先教师兄去寺里念经，我和你明日饭罢去寺里，只要证盟忏疏，也是了当一头事。”潘公道：“也好。明日只怕买卖紧，柜上无人。”那妇人道：“放着石叔叔在家照管，却怕怎的？”潘公道：“我儿出口为愿，明日只得要去。”那妇人就取些银子做功果钱与和尚去：“有劳师兄，莫责轻微。明日准来上刹讨素面吃。”海阇黎道：“谨候拈香。”收了银子，便起身谢道：“多承布施，小僧将去分俵众僧。来日专等贤妹来证盟。”那妇人直送和尚到门外去了。石秀自在作坊里安歇，起来宰猪赶趁。

却说杨雄当晚回来安歇，那妇人待他吃了晚饭，洗了脚手，却去请潘公对杨雄说道：“我的阿婆临死时，孩儿许下血盆经忏愿心在这报恩寺中。我明日和孩儿去那里证盟，酬了便回，说与你知道。”杨雄道：“大嫂，你便自说与我何妨。”那妇人道：“我对你说，又怕你嗔怪，因此不敢与你说。”当晚无话，各自歇了。次日五更，杨雄起来，自去画卯，承应官府。石秀起来，自理会做买卖。只见那妇人起来，浓妆艳饰，包了香盒，买了纸烛，讨了一乘轿子。石秀自一早晨顾买卖，也不来管他。饭罢，把丫嬛迎儿也打扮了。巳牌时候，潘公换了一身衣裳，来对石秀道：“相烦叔叔照管门前，老汉和拙女同去还些愿心便回。”石秀笑道：“多烧些好香，早早来。”石秀自肚里已知了。且说潘公和迎儿跟着轿子，一径望报恩寺里来。有诗为证：

眉眼传情意不分，秃奴绻恋女钗裙。

设言宝刹还经意，却向僧房会雨云。

却说海阇黎这贼秃单为这妇人，结拜潘公做干爷，只吃杨雄阻滞碍眼，因此不能勾上手。自从和这妇人结拜起，只是眉来眼去送情，未见真实的意，因这一夜道场里，才见他十分有意。期日约定了，那贼秃磨枪备剑，整顿精神，先在山门下伺候着。见轿子到来，喜不自胜，向前迎接。潘公道：“甚是有劳和尚。”那妇人下轿来，谢道：“多多有劳师兄。”海阇黎道：“不敢，不敢！小僧已和众僧都在水陆堂上，从五更起来诵经，到如今未曾住歇，只等贤妹来证盟，却是多有功德。”把这妇人和老子一引到水陆堂上，已自先安排下花果香烛之类，有十数个僧人在彼看经。那妇人都道了万福，参礼了三宝。海阇黎引到地藏菩萨面前，证盟忏悔。通罢疏头[9]，便化了纸，请众僧自去吃斋，着徒弟陪侍。海和尚却请：“干爷和贤妹去小僧房里拜茶。”一邀把这妇人引到僧房里深处，预先都准备下了，叫声：“师哥，拿茶来！”只见两个侍者捧出茶来，白雪锭器盏内，朱红托子，绝细好茶。吃罢，放下盏子，“请贤妹里面坐一坐。”又引到一个小小阁儿里，琴光黑漆春台，挂几幅名人书画，小桌儿上焚一炉妙香。潘公和女儿一带坐了，和尚对席，迎儿立在侧边。那妇人便道：“师兄，端的是好个出家人去处，清幽静乐。”海阇黎道：“娘子休笑话，怎生比得贵宅上。”潘公道：“生受了师兄一日，我们回去。”那和尚那里肯，便道：“难得干爷在此，又不是外人。今日斋食已是贤妹做施主，如何不吃箸面了去？师哥，快搬来！”说言未了，却早托两盘进来，都是日常里藏下的希奇果子，异样菜蔬，并诸般素馔之物，排一春台。那妇人便道：“师兄何必治酒，无功受禄。”和尚笑道：“不成礼数，微表薄情而已。”师哥儿将酒来斟在杯内。和尚道：“干爷多时不来，试尝这酒。”老儿饮罢道：“好酒，端的味重！”和尚道：“前日一个施主家传得此法，做了三五石米，明日送几瓶来与令婿吃。”老子道：“甚么道理！”和尚又劝道：“无物相酬贤妹娘子，胡乱告饮一杯。”两个小师哥儿轮番筛酒，迎儿也吃劝了几杯。那妇人道：“酒住，吃不去了。”和尚道：“难得贤妹到此，再告饮几杯。”潘公叫轿夫入来，各人与他一杯酒吃。和尚道：“干爷不必记挂，小僧都分付了，已着道人邀在外面，自有坐处吃酒面。干爷放心，且请开怀自饮几杯。”

原来这贼秃为这个妇人，特地对付下这等有力气的好酒。潘公吃央不过，多吃了两杯，当不住，醉了。和尚道：“且扶干爷去床上睡一睡。”和尚叫两个师哥只一扶，把这老儿搀在一个静房里去睡了。这里和尚自劝道：“娘子，再开怀饮几杯。”那妇人一者有心，二乃酒入情怀。自古道：酒乱性，色迷人。那妇人三杯酒落肚，便觉有些朦朦胧胧上来，口里嘈道：“师兄，你只顾央我吃酒做甚么？”和尚扯着口，嘻嘻的笑道：“只是敬重娘子。”那妇人便道：“我吃不得了。”和尚道：“请娘子去小僧房里看佛牙[10]。”那妇人便道：“我正要看佛牙则个。”这和尚把那妇人一引，引到一处楼上，却是海阇黎的卧房，铺设得十分整齐。那妇人看了，先自五分欢喜，便道：“你端的好个卧房，干干净净！”和尚笑道：“只是少一个娘子。”那妇人也笑道：“你便讨一个不得？”和尚道：“那里得这般施主？”妇人道：“你且教我看佛牙则个。”和尚道：“你叫迎儿下去了，我便取出来。”那妇人道：“迎儿，你且下去，看老爷醒也未。”迎儿自下的楼来，去看潘公，和尚把楼门关上。那妇人道：“师兄，你关我在这里怎的？”这贼秃淫心荡漾，向前捧住那妇人，说道：“我把娘子十分错爱，我为你下了两年心路。今日难得娘子到此，这个机会作成小僧则个！”那妇人又道：“我的老公不是好惹的，你却要骗我。倘若他得知，却不饶你。”和尚跪下道：“只是娘子可怜见小僧则个！”那妇人张着手，说道：“和尚家倒会缠人，我老大耳刮子打你！”和尚嘻嘻的笑着说道：“任从娘子打，只怕娘子闪了手。”那妇人淫心也动，便搂起和尚道：“我终不成真个打你。”和尚便抱住这妇人，向床前卸衣解带，共枕欢娱。正是：

不顾如来法教，难遵佛祖遗言。一个色胆歪斜，管甚丈夫利害；一个淫心荡漾，从他长老埋冤。这个气喘声嘶，却似牛齁柳影；那一个言娇语涩，浑如莺啭花间。一个耳边诉雨意云情，一个枕上说山盟海誓。阇黎房里，翻为快活道场；报恩寺中，反作极乐世界。可惜菩提甘露水，一朝倾在巧云中。

从古及今，先人留下两句言语，单道这和尚家是铁里蛀虫，凡俗人家岂可惹他。自古说这秃子道：

色中饿鬼兽中狨，弄假成真说祖风。

此物只宜林下看，岂堪引入画堂中。

当时两个云雨才罢，那和尚搂住这妇人，说道：“你既有心于我，我身死而无怨。只是今日虽然亏你作成了我，只得一霎时的恩爱快活，不能勾终夜欢娱，久后必然害杀小僧！”那妇人便道：“你且不要慌，我已寻思一条计了。我的老公，一个月倒有二十来日当牢上宿。我自买了迎儿，教他每日在后门里伺候。若是夜晚老公不在家时，便掇一个香桌儿出来，烧夜香为号，你便入来不妨。只怕五更睡着了，不知省觉，却那里寻得一个报晓的头陀，买他来后门头大敲木鱼，高声叫佛，便好出去。若买得这等一个时，一者得他外面策望，二乃不教你失了晓。”和尚听了这话，大喜道：“妙哉！你只顾如此行。我这里自有个头陀胡道人，我自分付他来策望便了。”那妇人道：“我不敢留恋长久，恐这厮们疑忌。我快回去是得，你只不要误约。”那妇人连忙再整云鬟，重匀粉面，开了楼门，便下楼来，教迎儿叫起潘公，慌忙便出僧房来。轿夫吃了酒面，已在寺门前伺候。海阇黎只送那妇人到山门外。那妇人作别了上轿，自和潘公、迎儿归家，不在话下。

却说这海阇黎自来寻报晓头陀。本房原有个胡道，今在寺后退居里小庵中过活，诸人都叫他做胡头陀。每日只是起五更来敲木鱼报晓，劝人念佛，天明时收掠斋饭。海和尚唤他来房中，安排三杯好酒相待了他，又取些银子送与胡道。胡道起身说道：“弟子无功，怎敢受禄。日常又承师父的恩惠。”海阇黎道：“我自看你是个志诚的人，我早晚出些钱，贴买道度牒剃你为僧。这些银子权且将去买些衣服穿着。”胡道感激恩念不尽。海阇黎日常时，只是教师哥不时送些午斋与胡道，待节下又带挈他去看经，得些斋衬钱。胡道感恩不浅，寻思道：“他今日又与我银两，必有用我处，何必等他开口。”胡道便道：“师父，但有使令小道处，即当向前。”海阇黎道：“胡道，你既如此好心说时，我不瞒你。所有潘公的女儿要和我来往，约定后门首但有香桌儿在外时，便是教我来。我却难去那里踅，若得你先去看探有无，我才可去。又要烦你五更起来叫人念佛时，可就来那里后门头，看没人便把木鱼大敲报晓，高声叫佛，我便好出来。”胡道便道：“这个有何难哉！”当时应允了。其日，先来潘公后门首讨斋饭，只见迎儿出来说道：“你这道人如何不来前门讨斋饭，却在后门里来？”那胡道便念起佛来。里面这妇人听得了，已自瞧科，便出来后门问道：“你这道人莫不是五更报晓的头陀？”胡道应道：“小道便是五更报晓的头陀，教人省睡。晚间宜烧些香，教人积福。”那妇人听了大喜，便叫迎儿去楼上取一串铜钱来布施他。这头陀张得迎儿转背，便对那妇人说道：“小道便是海阇黎心腹之人，特地使我先来探路。”那妇人道：“我已知道了。今夜晚间你可来看，如有香桌儿在外，你可便报与他则个。”胡道把头来点着。迎儿取将铜钱来与胡道去了。那妇人来到楼上，却把心腹之事对迎儿说了。自古道：人家女使，谓之奴才，但得了些小便宜，如何不随顺了，天大之事也都做了。因此人家妇人女使，可用而不可多，却又少他不得。古语不差，有诗为证：

送暖偷寒起祸胎，坏家端的是奴才。

请看当日红娘事，却把莺莺哄得来。

且说杨雄此日正该当牢，未到晚，先来取了铺盖去，自监里上宿。这迎儿得了些小意儿，巴不到晚，自去安排了香桌儿，黄昏时掇在后门外。那妇人却闪在旁边伺候。初更左侧，一个人戴顶头巾，闪将入来。迎儿问道：“是谁？”那人也不答应，便除下头巾，露出光顶来。这妇人在侧边见是海和尚，骂一声：“贼秃，倒好见识！”两个厮搂厮抱着上楼去了。迎儿自来掇过了香桌儿，关上了后门，也自去睡了。他两个当夜如胶似漆，如糖似蜜，如酥似髓，如鱼似水，快活淫戏了一夜。自古道：莫说欢娱嫌夜短，只要金鸡报晓迟。两个正好睡哩，只听得咯咯地木鱼响，高声念佛。和尚和妇人梦中惊觉，海阇黎披衣起来道：“我去也。今晚再相会。”那妇人道：“今后但有香桌儿在后门外，你便不可负约。如无香桌儿在后门，你便切不可来。”和尚下床，依前戴上头巾，迎儿开后门放他去了。自此为始，但是杨雄出去当牢上宿，那和尚便来。家中只有个老儿，未晚先自要去睡，迎儿这个丫头，已自是做一路了，只要瞒石秀一个。那妇人淫心起来，那里管顾，这和尚又知了妇人的滋味，两个一似被摄了魂魄的一般。这和尚只待头陀报了，便离寺来。那妇人专得迎儿做脚[11]，放他出入，因此快活偷养和尚戏耍。自此往来，将近一月有馀，这和尚也来了十数遍。

且说这石秀每日收拾了店时，自在坊里歇宿，常有这件事挂心，每日委决不下，却又不曾见这和尚往来。每日五更睡觉，不时跳将起来料度这件事。只听得报晓头陀直来巷里敲木鱼，高声叫佛。石秀是个乖觉的人，早瞧了八分，冷地里思量道：“这条巷是条死巷，如何有这头陀连日来这里敲木鱼叫佛？事有可疑。”当是十一月中旬之日五更，石秀正睡不着，只听得木鱼敲响，头陀直敲入巷里来，到后门口高声叫道：“普度众生救苦救难诸佛菩萨。”石秀听得叫得跷蹊，便跳将起来，去门缝里张时，只见一个人，戴顶头巾，从黑影里闪将出来，和头陀去了，随后便是迎儿来关门。石秀见了，自说道：“哥哥如此豪杰，却恨讨了这个淫妇！倒被这婆娘瞒过了，做成这等勾当！”巴得天明，把猪出去门前挑了，卖个早市。饭罢讨了一遭赊钱，日中前后，径到州衙前来寻杨雄。

却好行至州桥边，正迎见杨雄。杨雄便问道：“兄弟那里去来？”石秀道：“因讨赊钱，就来寻哥哥。”杨雄道：“我常为官事忙，并不曾和兄弟快活吃三杯，且来这里坐一坐。”杨雄把这石秀引到州桥下一个酒楼上，拣一处僻净阁儿里，两个坐下，叫酒保取瓶好酒来，安排盘馔海鲜按酒。二人饮过三杯，杨雄见石秀只低了头寻思。杨雄是个性急的人，便问道：“兄弟，你心中有些不乐，莫不家里有甚言语伤触你处？”石秀道：“家中也无有甚话。兄弟感承哥哥把做亲骨肉一般看待，有句话，敢说么？”杨雄道：“兄弟何故今日见外？有的话，但说不妨。”石秀道：“哥哥每日出来，只顾承当官府，却不知背后之事。这个嫂嫂不是良人，兄弟已看在眼里多遍了，且未敢说。今日见得仔细，忍不住，来寻哥哥，直言休怪！”杨雄道：“我却无背后眼，你且说是谁。”石秀道：“前者家里做道场，请那个贼秃海阇黎来，嫂嫂便和他眉来眼去，兄弟都看见。第三日又去寺里还血盆忏愿心，两个都带酒归来。我近日只听一个头陀直来巷内敲木鱼叫佛，那厮敲得作怪。今日五更被我起来张时，看见果然是这贼秃，戴顶头巾，从家里出去。似这等淫妇，要他何用！”杨雄听了，大怒道：“这贱人怎敢如此！”石秀道：“哥哥且息怒，今晚都不要提，只和每日一般。明日只推做上宿，三更后却再来敲门，那厮必然从后门先走，兄弟一把拿来，从哥哥发落。”杨雄道：“兄弟见得是。”石秀又分付道：“哥哥今晚且不可胡发说话。”杨雄道：“我明日约你便是。”两个再饮了几杯，算还了酒钱，一同下楼来，出得酒肆，各散了。有诗为证：

饮散高楼便转身，杨雄怒气欲沾巾。

五更专等头陀过，准备钢刀要杀人。

只见四五个虞候叫杨雄道：“那里不寻节级！知府相公在花园里坐地，叫寻节级来和我们使棒。快走，快走！”杨雄便分付石秀道：“本官唤我，只得去应答。兄弟先回家去。”石秀当下自归家里来，收拾了店面，自去作坊里歇息。

且说杨雄被知府唤去，到后花园中使了几回棒。知府看了大喜，叫取酒来，一连赏了十大赏锺。杨雄吃了，都各散了。众人又请杨雄去吃酒，至晚吃的大醉，扶将归去。那妇人见丈夫醉了，谢了众人，却自和迎儿搀上楼梯去，明晃晃地点着灯烛。杨雄坐在床上，迎儿去脱鞋[12]，妇人与他除头巾，解巾帻。杨雄看了那妇人，一时蓦上心来。自古道：醉是醒时言。指着那妇人骂道：“你这贱人！贼妮子！好歹是我结果了你！”那妇人吃了一惊，不敢回话，且伏侍杨雄睡了。杨雄一头上床睡，一面口里恨恨地骂道：“你这贱人！腌泼妇！那厮敢大虫口里倒涎！我手里不到得轻轻地放了你！”那妇人那里敢喘气，直待杨雄睡着。看看到五更，杨雄酒醒了讨水吃，那妇人便起，舀碗水递与杨雄吃了，桌上残灯尚明。杨雄吃了水，便问道：“大嫂，你夜来不曾脱衣裳睡？”那妇人道：“你吃得烂醉了，只怕你要吐，那里敢脱衣裳，只在脚后倒了一夜。”杨雄道：“我不曾说甚么言语？”那妇人道：“你往常酒性好，但吃醉了便睡。我夜来只有些儿放不下。”杨雄又问道：“石秀兄弟这几日不曾和他快活吃得三杯，你家里也自安排些请他。”那妇人也不应，自坐在踏床上，眼泪汪汪，口里叹气。杨雄又说道：“大嫂，我夜来醉了，又不曾恼你，做甚么了烦恼？”那妇人掩着泪眼只不应。杨雄连问了几声，那妇人掩着脸假哭。杨雄就踏床上，扯起那妇人在床上，务要问道为何烦恼。

那妇人一头哭，一面口里说道：“我爷娘当初把我嫁王押司，只指望一竹竿打到底，不想半路相抛。今日嫁得你十分豪杰，却又是好汉，谁想你不与我做主。”杨雄道：“又作怪！谁敢欺负你，我不做主？”那妇人道：“我本待不说，却又怕你着他道儿；欲待说来，又怕你忍气。”杨雄听了便道：“你且说怎么地来？”那妇人道：“我说与你，你不要气苦。自从你认义了这个石秀家来，初时也好，向后看看放出刺来。见你不归时，如常看了我，说道：‘哥哥今日又不来，嫂嫂自睡，也好冷落！’我只不采他，不是一日了。这个且休说。昨日早晨，我在厨下洗脖项，这厮从后走出来，看见没人，从背后伸只手来摸我胸前道：‘嫂嫂，你有孕也无？’被我打脱了手。本待要声张起来，又怕邻舍得知笑话，装你的望子。巴得你归来，却又滥泥也似醉了，又不敢说。我恨不得吃了他，你兀自来问石秀兄弟怎的！”这妇人反坐石秀。有诗为证：

可怪潘姬太不良，偷情潜自入僧房。

弥缝翻害忠贞客，一片虚心假肚肠。

杨雄听了，心中火起，便骂道：“画龙画虎难画骨，知人知面不知心。这厮倒来我面前又说海阇黎许多事，说得个没巴鼻[13]。眼见得那厮慌了，便先来说破，使个见识。”口里恨恨地道：“他又不是我亲兄弟，赶了出去便罢。”

杨雄到天明下楼来，对潘公说道：“宰了的牲口腌了罢，从今日便休要做买卖！”一霎时，把柜子和肉案都拆了。石秀天明正将了肉出来门前开店，只见肉案并柜子都拆翻了。石秀是个乖觉的人，如何不省得，笑道：“是了。因杨雄醉里出言，走透了消息，倒吃这婆娘使个见识，拟定是反说我无礼。他教杨雄叫收了肉店，我若便和他分辩，教杨雄出丑。我且退一步了，自却别作计较。”石秀便去作坊里收拾了包裹。杨雄怕他羞耻，也自去了。石秀捉了包裹，跨了解腕尖刀，来辞潘公道：“小人在宅上打搅了许多时，今日哥哥既是收了铺面，小人告回。帐目已自明明白白，并无分文来去，如有毫厘昧心，天诛地灭！”潘公被女婿分付了，也不敢留他。

石秀相辞去了，却只在近巷内寻个客店安歇，赁了一间房住下。石秀却自寻思道：“杨雄与我结交，我若不明白得此事，枉送了他的性命。他虽一时听信了这妇人说，心中怪我，我也分别不得，务要与他明白了此一事。我如今且去探听他几时当牢上宿，起个四更，便见分晓。”在店里住了两日，却去杨雄门前探听，当晚只见小牢子取了铺盖出去。石秀道：“今晚必然当牢，我且做些工夫看便了。”当晚回店里，睡到四更起来，跨了这口防身解腕尖刀，悄悄地开了店门，径踅到杨雄后门头巷内。伏在黑影里张时，却好交五更时候，只见那个头陀挟着木鱼，来巷口探头探脑。石秀一闪，闪在头陀背后，一只手扯住头陀，一只手把刀去脖子上搁着，低声喝道：“你不要挣扎！若高做声，便杀了你！你只好好实说，海和尚叫你来做怎地？”头陀道：“好汉，你饶我便说。”石秀道：“你快说！我不杀你。”头陀道：“海阇黎和潘公女儿有染，每夜来往。教我只看后门头有香桌儿为号，唤他入钹；五更里却教我来打木鱼叫佛，唤他出钹[14]。”石秀道：“他如今在那里？”头陀道：“他还在他家里睡着。我如今敲得木鱼响，他便出来。”石秀道：“你且借你衣服、木鱼与我。”头陀身上剥了衣服，夺了木鱼。头陀把衣服正脱下来，被石秀将刀就项上一勒，杀倒在地。头陀已死了，石秀却穿上直裰护膝，一边插了尖刀，把木鱼直敲入巷里来。海阇黎在床上，却好听得木鱼咯咯地响，连忙起来披衣下楼。迎儿先来开门，和尚随后从后门里闪将出来。石秀兀自把木鱼敲响，那和尚悄悄喝道：“只顾敲做甚么！”石秀也不应他，让他走到巷口，一跤放翻，按住喝道：“不要高则声！高则声便杀了你！只等我剥了衣服便罢。”海阇黎知道石秀，那里敢挣扎则声，被石秀都剥了衣裳，赤条条不着一丝，悄悄去屈膝边拔出刀来，三四刀搠死了，却把刀来放在头陀身边。将了两个衣服卷做一捆包了，再回客店里，轻轻地开了门进去，悄悄地关上了，自去睡，不在话下。

却说本处城中一个卖糕粥的王公，其日早挑着一担糕粥，点个灯笼，一个小猴子跟着，出来赶早市。正来到死尸边过，却被绊一跤，把那老子一担糕粥倾泼在地下。只见小猴子叫道：“苦也！一个和尚醉倒在这里。”老子摸得起来，摸了两手血迹，叫声苦，不知高低。几家邻舍听得，都开了门出来，把火照时，只见遍地都是血粥，两个尸首躺在地上。众邻舍一把拖住老子，要去官司陈告。正是：祸从天降，灾向地生。恰似破屋更遭连夜雨，漏船又遇打头风。王公毕竟被众邻舍拖住见官，怎地脱身，且听下回分解。

[1] 缁流——缁，黑色。僧服为浅黑色，称为缁衣，所以缁衣也就成了僧人的代称。缁流，就是僧徒、僧众的意思。

[2] 水陆堂——佛教设斋超度水中、陆地上的死者，名水陆斋（也就是前文第三回说的“水陆道场”）。水陆堂是举行水陆斋、水陆道场时用的屋子。

[3] 随喜——到庙里瞻谒。

[4] 证盟——把死者的姓名写在纸上焚烧的一种仪式。

[5] 衬钱——做佛事时散给和尚的钱。

[6] 行食——饭后散步。

[7] 判斛——给鬼吃的一种面食，叫做斛食。判斛，是说把斛食散给鬼。

[8] 满散——做佛事或道场期满时，谢神的一种仪式。

[9] 疏头——向神佛祈福的祝文。

[10] 佛牙——相传释迦牟尼去世火化后，只有牙齿完整无损，被佛教徒奉为至宝，予以供奉，称为佛牙。

[11] 做脚——做引线、内应。

[12] （wēnɡ）鞋——棉鞋。“温鞋”的变音。

[13] 没巴鼻——没来由、无缘无故的意思。

[14] 入钹、出钹——入跋、出跋，就是入门、出门；本来是娼家隐语。这里改“跋”作“钹”，故意使人联想到与和尚有关。

CHAPTER 44. Yang Xiong While Drunk Curses His Wife; Shi Xiu Plans the Killing of the Monk Hai

OLD Pan spoke to Shi Xiu, “Uncle, do not go. I understand your ideas. After an absence of two days you return, and find the butchery closed, and things cleared out, so you thought the business was finished. Even if the business was a failure you could still stay at our home. It is just two years since my daughter’s first husband, Wang, died, and she wished to have a memorial service conducted by monks. Therefore we closed the butchery and monks will come from the Baoen Monastery tomorrow. We would like you to take charge of the arrangements made. I am too old, and would be continually falling asleep in the night.”

“In that case,” said Shi Xiu, “I will stay here for sometime.”

“After this I must ask you, uncle, not to have any suspicions of what we do here,” said Old Pan.

Early the next day the monk’s assistant arrived to arrange the room for prayers. He erected an altar, arranged the drums, cymbals, gongs, and musical stone, and set out the lamps and incense. He then went into the kitchen to prepare the feast.

When Yang Xiong came he told Shi Xiu that he was on duty and would not be back that night. He must therefore not wait for him. He left all the matters in his hands.

“You need not worry about anything,” said Shi Xiu. “I will look after everything.”

Yang Xiong then departed and Shi Xiu took charge. Shortly afterwards the door curtain was raised and a young monk entered who gave Shi Xiu a Buddhist salutation. Shi Xiu also saluted, and asked the monk to be seated. He then called out to Old Pan in the next room, “Father-in-law, the monk has arrived.”

Old Pan came in, and the monk spoke to him, “My adopted father, why have you not been to our temple for such a long time?”

“We have opened a new butchery here so that I have had very little spare time,” said Old Pan.

“This is the anniversary of the death of Wang and I have not sent you any presents, but I hope that you will accept this vermicelli and some dates I have had prepared for you,” said the monk.

“Why do you spend so much money? How unnecessary!” said Old Pan. He asked Shi Xiu to take them, and the latter carried the tray with the presents into the next room. Shi Xiu soon returned with tea which he offered to the monk.

Just then Madame Yang, Pan Qiaoyun, the “Clever Cloud,” came down the staircase into the room. She was plainly dressed, and had no rouge on her face. She spoke to Shi Xiu, “Who has sent the presents?”

“They are from a monk who called your father his adopted father,” said Shi Xiu.

Pan Qiaoyun laughed and said, “I know. They are from the monk Pei Ruhai, the monk whose religious name is Master Hai. He is a monastery tutor and a very honest man. He is the son of Old Pei of the silk goods shop, and is now at the Baoen Monastery. He is two years my senior, and therefore I can address him as elder brother; uncle, you can listen to his recital of the prayers this evening, as he has a very good tone.”

“Is that so?” said Shi Xiu. In listening to her however, he suspected she had some hidden desire.

Shi Xiu did not follow her, but looked on through the bamboo curtain. He saw that the monk gave her a very elaborate salute. The woman asked the monk, “Why did you spend so much money for the presents?”

“Sister, the presents are so small that they are not worth mentioning,” replied the monk.

“As you have become a monk, how can we accept your presents?” said the woman.

“At our monastery we have just begun building a prayer hall for the dead. We should like you to honor us with a vist to see it. I hope that your husband will raise no objections to that.”

“I do not think he will mind that,” said the woman.

“When my mother was dying I made a vow that I would offer prayers to those who have died in childbirth, and sooner or later I will trouble you to fulfill my vow for me in your temple.”

“That’s my business; whatever you order me I will do as you desire,” said the monk.

“Sometime I will ask you to recite the prayers for my late mother’s benefit,” she said.

Just then a maid-servant entered with tea. The woman took the cup, wiped it clean with her sleeve, and then offered it to the monk. The monk took the cup, but at the same time he gazed amorously into her eyes. The woman returned his gaze with a smile.

Neither of them suspected that their exchange of flirtation was being closely watched by Shi Xiu behind the bamboo curtain. He now began to understand the woman a little better. He thought, “How deceptive are appearances. She always spoke to me in a very free and open manner, but I thought it was because I was a sworn brother of her husband. Now I think she cannot have been a very virtuous woman. She is now however in my hands, and I must deal with the matter for Yang Xiong.” He raised the curtain, and entered the room.

The monk immediately put down his cup of tea and said, “Brother, please be seated.”

The woman interposed, “This is the sworn brother of my husband.”

The monk had suspicions at once and hurriedly inquired, “Brother, may I ask where you are from, and also your name?”

“Me! My name is Shi Xiu. I am from Nanjing! I help other people to revenge their wrongs and therefore they call me the ‘Desperado.’ I am however only a stupid fellow, and if I intrude in your affairs I hope that you will not resent it.”

“Never mind! Never mind!” said the monk hurriedly, “I am just now going to summon the monks to come and commence the service.” He left the room at once.

That fickle woman called after him, “You must soon come back.” She then went into the inner room.

Shi Xiu stood near the door with bowed head in deep thought. It was not long before the monks arrived, lit the candles, and began to burn incense. They began their intoning of the prayers accompanied by drum beating, cymbals, etc., when Shi Xiu and Old Pan had supplied them with tea and hot soup.

Soon Pan Qiaoyun entered, lit her incense, and offered her prayers, swaying seductively as she performed the rituals. This aroused Hai the Tutor and her monk increased the sound of his intoning. The other monks were sent reeling and nudged each other as they witnessed this display of the two lovers. When the service was over the monks were asked to dine in the next room. Hai maneuvered his way to the rear of the monks, and turning his head to the woman he laughed. The woman smiled, but placed her hand over her mouth as though to avoid an explosion of laughter. They again exchanged lovers’ glances and clearly made known their passions. Shi Xiu had noticed all this and was more upset.

The monks in the other room had all sat down, and partook of the vegetarian food. Old Pan wished them all a good time, and asking to be excused he withdrew to go to sleep. After the meal the monks strolled about the rooms. Shi Xiu said he had stomach ache, and begged to be excused—he thereupon lay down on a bench and pretended to go to sleep.

The woman now felt her passions rising so to divert her own thoughts she busied herself in making tea and serving it to the monks. The service went on until about 1 A.M. when most of the monks were drowsy, but Hai still continued reading the prayers with great vigor. Pan Qiaoyun, was behind a screen, and noticing this she allowed her passions to arise. She called a maid-servant and sent her to summon Hai to come to her. The young monk continued his intoning as before but slowly made his way towards the screen. When near Qiaoyun she seized his sleeve and said, “You must come here and collect the fees, and do not forget to speak to my father about the vows I made when mother died.”

“I will not forget,” said the monk. “I will tell him that you wish to redeem your vows as soon as possible. What about your uncle—is he not an awkward man?” Qiaoyun shook her head and said, “You take no notice of him. He is not a blood relation of ours.”

“In that case I shall feel more at ease.” So saying he clasped the woman’s hand under cover of his sleeve and she moved the curtain to cover the act also. He laughed, returned to his place, and continued intoning the prayers as before. They did not realize that all this had been clearly seen by Shi Xiu who was pretending to be asleep on the bench.

About 4 A.M. the service was finished, and the monks departed. Qiaoyun went upstairs to sleep.

Shi Xiu thought, “My adopted brother, Yang Xiong, is a great hero, and it is a great pity that he married a loose woman of this kind.” He could not avoid being angry at the position of affairs.

The next day Yang Xiong returned, but Shi Xiu did not speak about the matter. As soon as he had had his meal Yang Xiong however left again. Shi Xiu saw the young monk arrive, but this time he was dressed in his best clothes. Qiaoyun hurried downstairs, received him, and ordered tea to be brought. She said, “I am afraid that we put you to a lot of trouble last night, but we have not repaid you yet.”

“That was only a very small affair. Last night we talked about your vows, and now we are reading prayers at our temple. You could just come to our temple, and get a written statement. That would be all right.”

She agreed, and sent a girl servant to ask Old Pan to come, and discuss the matter. When he arrived he saluted the young monk, and apologized for retiring so early the previous night, but he had been very tired. “Uncle Shi Xiu fell sick, and also retired early so that there was no one to look after you. I am sorry.”

“Do not be so courteous,” said the monk.

Qiaoyun now spoke, “I want to redeem the vow I made when my mother died. Our friend tells me that tomorrow there will be a service at the monastery temple, and we might avail ourselves of the opportunity, and attend to pray.”

“Very well,” said Old Pan. “But I am afraid that we might be busy at the butchery tomorrow, and there will be nobody there to attend the matters.”

“You can ask Shi Xiu to look after the business,” she said.

“Just so,” said Old Pan. “We can go to the temple tomorrow.”

Qiaoyun then got the money for the services rendered by the monks, and handed it to the young monk. After returning suitable thanks he left for the temple.

Yang Xiong again returned home, and after supper Old Pan told Yang Xiong of the proposed visit to the temple the following day. Yang Xiong asked his wife why she did not speak to him herself, to which the woman replied that she was afraid that he might refuse her.

The next day a sedan chair was obtained for Qiaoyun and she set off about 11 A.M. accompanied by Old Pan and the girl servant Ying-er, carrying the candles and incense. The young monk Hai was waiting for them at the monastery gate, and he was much pleased to see them. Qiaoyun emerged from the chair, and thanked the monk for meeting them. The monk said, “The monks have been praying in the temple since early this morning, and we have awaited your arrival. He led the way into the hall where there were still about ten monks reading the scriptures.

Qiaoyun saluted, and gave three kowtows to the Buddha. After burning incense and paper, the monks were asked to go and get their meal, and Hai requested Qiaoyun and Old Pan to go to his private apartments for tea. Tea was duly served in silver cups with red saucers. When tea was finished Hai asked them to go into the adjoining room. It was a very small room with a black lacquer couch, and many pictures on the walls. On a small table was a vase with burning incense. Old Pan and Qiaoyun took their seats on the couch with the monk facing them.

“What a nice place you have,” said Qiaoyun, “and how quiet and secluded!”

“Do not joke about my humble bare quarters,” said the monk “it is a mere barracks compared to your honorable mansion.” Old Pan said, “We have given you much trouble, we will now depart.”

“All the food has been provided because of your visit, why do you depart without taking any? He then ordered the servant to bring in the food, and this was soon done. The meal was of the best food.

“Why do you prepare food for us; we give you a lot of trouble,” remarked Qiaoyun to the monk.

“I am afraid the meal does not by any means equal my respects and feelings for you,” he replied. He then pressed Old Pan to try the wine provided.

“What a fine taste!” said Old Pan.

“Yes, the brewing method I learned from a donor of our temple and used quite five piculs of rice in making it. I will send a bottle of it to your house tomorrow as you like the flavor.”

“That is quite unnecessary,” said Old Pan.

The servants kept filling Old Pan’s cup with wine, and the girl servant who was sitting with them also drank several cups of wine. Old Pan wanted to summon the sedan-chair carriers also to drink of the wine, but Hai the Tutor, said that it was unnecessary as they had already had some with their food outside. In fact the monk had prepared this strong wine especially for Old Pan in order to further his own plans. Very soon Old Pan was drunk, and the monk suggested that he should now have a sleep. He summoned the servants to take Old Pan into another room to sleep on the bed there. Qiaoyun had also drunk some wine, and was feeling rather confused. She asked, “What was the use in getting me merely to drink the wine?”

The monk whispered, “Because I love you. Will you now come into another room to have a look at Buddha’s tooth?”

“Very well, I should like to see it,” she replied.

They went upstairs to a room which was the monk’s private apartment and was nicely furnished. She was much pleased and said, “What a nice chamber, and how clean!”

“Yes, but it is short of the adornment of a woman.”

She laughed, “Then why don’t you get one?”

“Where is the donor who would present me with one?”

“But you asked me to come here to see Buddha’s tooth.”

“Well, first send away your girl servant, and then I will show it to you.”

She told the girl to go downstairs, and see whether Old Pan had awakened. The girl went, and the monk closed the door after her.

Qiaoyun was now alone with him and she laughed. “Why do you close the door?”

“I am in love with you, and have waited for two years for this opportunity. I hope that we shall now complete our desires.” He embraced her.

“You must not forget that my husband would be annoyed. You must not try to cheat me. If he finds out he will never forgive you.”

He knelt down and said, “I hope that you will take pity on me.”

“You are so skillful in dealing with me but I like to give you big blows upon your face with my hand.” He laughed, “You would enjoy beating me.”

He then picked her up and carried her to the bed, where he undressed her and had his heart’s desire.

Thus they enjoyed themselves for a long time, after which the monk embracing her said, “If I die now I shall have no regrets. But today our pleasure has been brief and I should like to arrange a whole night’s assignation.”

“You must not worry about that. I have a plan. Twenty days out of one month my husband is on duty at the prison. I will bribe my girl servant and she will wait outside the back door. A table will be placed there with incense, and you can easily get in that way. You must arrange for a wandering monk to come at daybreak, and beat a wooden fish at our back door, and then you can depart in due time. You can, of course, bribe him to keep a lookout to see that no one is coming.”

He was much pleased at this proposal and said, “Admirable! That will do. There is a wandering monk here, named Hu, and I will arrange with him to do so.”

“I cannot stay here much longer. I am afraid that somebody will suspect me. I must go at once.” She quickly combed her hair, rouged her face again, opened the door, and went downstairs. She told the girl servant to see if Old Pan was now ready, and she went into the original room. The chair-bearers were waiting at the gate. The young monk had followed Qiaoyun, and now conducted her to the gate. She entered her chair and with Old Pan and the servant girl returned home.

Master Hai soon arranged matters with the wandering monk named Hu who lived at a small temple close by. His duty at the temple was to arise before sunrise, and beat the wooden fish to summon all the monks to prayers.

The next day the wandering monk went to Old Pan’s house, and met the girl servant who asked him, “Why do you come to the back door?”

The monk commenced to recite the prayers. Qiaoyun inside heard this, and coming out said, “Are you not the monk who announces the dawn?”

“Yes, I do that every day. You will also burn some incense to Buddha in the evening.”

She was much pleased at this, and sent the girl servant upstairs to get a string of cash for the monk. As soon as the girl had gone the monk spoke, “I am the confident of the monk Hai who asked me to come here, and keep a lookout.”

“I understand,” she said, “you must come again this evening, and have another look. If there is an incense table here you can report to him and he can visit me.”

The monk nodded his head as the girl just then returned, and handed him the money. He went his way.

Qiaoyun went upstairs, and there told the girl servant her plan, and gave her some money.

That evening Yang Xiong left for his duty in the prison. The girl servant duly placed the incense table near the back door, and shortly afterwards a man wearing a hat, contrary to clerical custom, entered the gate, and the girl asked who he was, but the man did not reply, but continued on his way. Qiaoyun who was near, however, took the cap from the man’s head, and seeing then the shining skull of the monk she exclaimed, “What an excellent disguise!” They embraced, and went upstairs. The servant took the incense table inside and closed the door. The lovers passed a happy night together. The next morning they were both aroused by the sound of the wooden fish being beaten. Hai the Tutor, quickly dressed and said, “I must go now, but I will come again this evening.”

From that day the monk visited Qiaoyun in this way every time that the husband was away from home. Old Pan was always asleep, and they had to hoodwink only Shi Xiu. This affair went on for more than a month.

Now Shi Xiu was attending to the affairs of the butchery and although he had some suspicion about the conduct of Qiaoyun he had not seen anything further to convince himself. He was a very early riser and every day he heard the wandering monk strike the wooden fish at daybreak. But Shi Xiu hearing the sound knew that it meant something.

On the 15th day of the eleventh month Shi Xiu was awake very early, and he listened to the beating of the wooden fish, and then also heard the traveling monk say, “Buddha saves everyone from trouble and difficulties.” Shi Xiu got up, and peeping through a crack in the door he saw a man wearing a cap go out by the back door, and depart with the wandering monk. A short time afterwards he saw the girl servant close the back door. He ejaculated, “Why does my adopted brother tolerate such a woman! She is evidently deceiving him, and does some underhand affair.” He went about his business in the abattoir as usual, and then in the afternoon went into the town to collect some accounts, but instead went to the yamen to see Yang Xiong. On the way he saw him who asked him, “Where are you going?”

“I came to collect accounts,” said Shi Xiu, “and then thought of finding you.”

“I have always been very busy, but now we can have a little wine together if you will come with me,” said Yang Xiong. He then took Shi Xiu to a wine shop near at hand where they sat down in a quiet corner, and Yang Xiong ordered wine and food.

They drank three cups of wine, and then Yang Xiong noticed that Shi Xiu was hanging his head down as though lost in thought.

Yang Xiong was a quick-tempered man. “I see that you have been upset by something. Is there someone at our home who has said anything against you?”

“There was nothing of that kind at our home,” said Shi Xiu. “Elder brother, you have always treated me well as your own brother, but there is something I do not dare to speak to you about.”

“Why do you talk, my younger brother, in this unusual way today? Whatever is in your mind you may tell me!”

“Elder brother, you go to your office every day so that you cannot know what is happening at home. Your wife is not a good woman, but although I have known this for some time I did not dare to tell you before this. But today all has been made quite clear so that I can tell you the truth. I hope you will excuse my straightforwardness.”

“I have no eye at my back,” said Yang Xiong, “so please tell me who the man is.”

“Some days ago when you had Buddhist prayers at your house, I noticed that the monk Hai was exchanging loving glances with your wife. Three days afterwards she and Old Pan went to the temple to fulfill a vow, and upon their return I noticed that they were both drunk. Nowadays I have heard a monk striking a wooden fish in the alley behind your house. As I thought it strange, so today I got up very early, and saw the monk Hai leave your house wearing an ordinary cap. What do you want this woman for?”

Yang Xiong was very angry at this, and said, “How dare that bitch do this?”

“Please do not lose your temper,” said Shi Xiu. “You must not mention this matter today, and tomorrow you must tell your people that you are going to the office. Then you can return about midnight, and knock at the door of your house. The monk will try to leave by the back door. I will wait there, and seize him and hand him over to you.”

“A good idea,” said Yang Xiong, “I will do as you say.”

After finishing their wine they separated. Yang Xiong spent the afternoon with some colleagues practicing with fencing sticks, and he drank so much wine that he was drunk by evening. When he returned home his wife undressed him, and assisted him to bed. When Yang Xiong saw his wife doing this he remembered what he had heard about her. There is an old saying, “When drunk, people talk of affairs.” Pointing at his wife he now said, “You deceiver! I shall kill you some day or other.”

She was startled, but did not reply. She waited upon him, and heard his rambling remarks, “You filthy whore! You deserve—deserve—deserve to be killed. I—I cannot— I cannot spare your life.”

She dare not take any notice of this, and waited until he fell asleep. About 5 A.M. Yang Xiong awoke out of his drunken sleep, and asked for water which his wife got for him. He asked her, “Wife, why did you not undress?”

“I saw that you were drunk, and being afraid that you might vomit I did not undress to sleep.”

“What did I say in my drunkenness?” asked Yang Xiong.

“Previously you have always been quiet when drunk, but last night you seemed to be cross about something.”

“For quite a few days I have not drunk with Shi Xiu so I want you to treat him to some wine.”

She did not reply to this, but sat down on a couch and cried bitterly.

“Wife, I came home drunk last evening, and yet I did not provoke you. What are you troubled about?”

She did not reply to this, but only put her hands over her eyes. He again asked the question without getting a reply, and she now pretended to cry. He thereupon took hold of her, and carried her to his bed, and repeated his question. Still crying she now answered, “When my parents married me to the clerk Wang they thought that I was settled for life, but who would have expected that in mid-life he would die, and leave me a widow. When I met you, and saw that you were a great hero I married you, but I never expected that you could not protect me.”

“You talk in a strange manner. Who has deceived you, and where did I not protect you?”

“I would not say just now, but I am afraid that you have been cheated by him, and if I told you you would only be angry.”

“You can say just what you have to say.”

“Then if I tell you, you must keep your temper. When you first brought Shi Xiu here he had good manners, but since then he has shown his true habits. Now when you stay away from home he would approach me saying, ‘Your husband will not return tonight so that you will find it very dull and cold by yourself.’ But I gave him no notice although he said that every day. But what is more important is this. Yesterday morning I was washing my face in the kitchen, and he entered by the back door. Seeing no one else about he came up and fondled my breasts with his hand. I pushed him away, but was afraid to call out as I did not want our neighbors to hear as that would have made them talk about your disgrace. I intended to tell you when you returned, but alas! you were too drunk to understand. I detest that man and yet you ask about his condition.”

Yang Xiong was very angry at this, and said, “‘In drawing a tiger, you show its skin, but not its bones; in knowing man, you may know his face, but not his heart.’ He told me that it was the young monk Hai who was doing this, but it was evidently he himself, who has been guilty. He is no longer my sworn brother, and tomorrow he shall get out.” In the morning Yang Xiong went downstairs, and spoke to Old Pan, “That butchery business is finished. I want you to close the business, and take down all the fittings and furniture at once.” This was done.

That morning when Shi Xiu came to open the abattoir he found that all the tools, etc. had been removed. But he was very understanding, and soon guessed what had happened. He laughed, “So, this is the way! Yang Xiong has let the cat out of the bag while drunk. He has told his wife what I said, and in order to protect herself, she has manufactured some slander about me, and got her husband to close the business. If I tried to defend myself it would lead to other people knowing of the trouble, and so my friend Yang Xiong would lose face. I will retreat one step and think of some other plan of clearing myself.” So he went inside the abattoir, and packed up his things.

Yang Xiong was afraid that Shi Xiu was too ashamed to come to see him, so he went off to his office.

Shi Xiu took his sword and baggage to Old Pan’s house and said, “I have given you much inconvenience, and as my sworn brother has now closed the business I will go. I have settled the accounts, and you will find everything in order. Should there be some slight mistakes in the accounts then may Heaven punish me for it.”

As Yang Xiong had told Old Pan to close the business the latter could not do anything, and so Shi Xiu departed. He soon found an inn in the town where he engaged a room. There he meditated, “I am an intimate friend of Yang Xiong, and if I do not make the whole affair clear it would ruin his life. Just now he is hoodwinked by his wife, and I am not going to raise any objection. Eventually, however, I must make the matter clear to him. In the meantime I will find out when he is on duty, and then watch what goes on at his home during the night.”

After staying in the inn for two days, he made inquiries at Yang Xiong’s neighborhood. In the evening he saw a messenger from the jail came to take Yang’s beddings so he concluded that Yang Xiong would sleep at the jail that night. He went to the inn and slept until about 3 A.M. when he got up, took his sword, quietly slipped out of the inn and going to the alley at the back of Yang Xiong’s house he hid there in a dark spot. About 4 A.M. he saw the wandering monk arrive, and begin looking around. Shi Xiu crept up behind the monk, and seizing hold of him placed the blade of his sword across the back of the monk’s neck. He said, “Keep quiet or I will kill you. Speak the truth! Why does monk Hai tell you to come here and do this?”

“Kind sir, spare my life and I will tell you the truth.”

“Be quick then! I will not kill you.”

The monk said, “The monk Hai comes here every night to stay with Yang Xiong’s wife. I come in the evening to report whether there is an incense table outside, and if so he enters the house. At 5 A.M. I come and beat the wooden fish to awaken him to leave the house.”

“Where is he now?” asked Shi Xiu.

“He is asleep in the house. If I strike the wooden fish he will come out.”

“Well, let us change clothes,” said Shi Xiu. The monk took off his clothes, and then Shi Xiu killed him on the spot. Shi Xiu put on the monk’s robes, and then struck the wooden fish. Monk Hai in bed heard the sound, dressed and quickly left the house. As Shi Xiu was still beating the wooden fish the monk Hai spoke in a low voice, “That is enough! I am here!”

Shi Xiu took no notice of this, but coming up to the monk Hai, he pushed the monk to the ground. Shi Xiu held the monk down and exclaimed, “Hold your tongue! If you make a noise I will kill you. I am going to take away your gown.” The monk now recognized Shi Xiu, and was afraid. He let Shi Xiu take all his clothes so that he was soon stark naked.

Then Shi Xiu took his sword and killed him. He then placed the sword in the hand of the first monk he had killed, wrapped up the dead men’s clothes, and made off to his inn.

He very quietly opened the door, and shut it after him and went to sleep without being seen by anyone.

That morning a hawker of cakes and congee happened to pass the dead bodies, and fell over them in the dark. The small boy who accompanied him called out, “Here is a drunken monk.” The hawker got up, and found his hands covered with blood, and was much upset. He made such a noise that the neighbors came out with lights, and disclosed the two dead bodies lying in blood. They seized the hawker, and took him to the yamen.

Misfortune dropped from Heaven,

And fell on this poor man.