話說濟公帶著蘇北山、韓文成來到一家門首叫門，祇見由裏面出來一位管家。韓文成一看，說：「不錯，找我要銀子，帶人搶我妹妹就是他。」蘇北山一看，原來是蘇福，蘇北山趕緊叫蘇祿、蘇升把他揪住。這個蘇福當初他本是金華縣人，他父親帶他逃難，把他賣給蘇員外家五十兩銀子，充當書僮。自從來到蘇員外家，老員外待他甚厚。蘇福自己很積聚兩個錢，就有一樣不好，蘇福最好喝酒，喝了酒，不是英雄仗酒雄，坐在門房不管是誰張嘴就罵。這天，同伴伙友就勸他，大眾說：「蘇福，你自己不可這樣胡鬧，你常常罵人，倘若叫員外聽見，你是自找無趣。」蘇福借著酒性說：「我告訴你們眾位，慢說是員外，我拼得一身剮，敢把皇帝打，就是打皇上一個嘴巴，也無非把我剮了，員外也是個人，叫他聽見，他敢把我怎麼樣？」正說著話，正趕上蘇北山由外面回來，聽見蘇福在門房裏大嚷大叫。蘇員外一想：「蘇福這東西，真是無法無天。」本來素常蘇福在外面胡作非為，聲名就不好，蘇員外就灌滿了耳朵。今天聽見蘇福在門房裏胡說，蘇員外氣往上沖，來到裏面，吩咐把蘇福叫進來。少時有人把蘇福叫進來，蘇北山說：「蘇福，你這廝素常在外面指著我招搖撞騙，任性胡為，喝了酒胡鬧，我早就要管你。現在如今你這樣任性，實在難容！我本應當把你送到衙門辦你，無奈我這家中乃是積善之家，我不肯做損事。祇可你們不仁，我不能不義，你這賣身的五十兩銀子的字據，我也不要了。」當時就點火燒了，叫家人「把蘇福給我趕出去，是他的東西，全叫他拿了走，永不准進我的門」。
话说济公带着苏北山、韩文成来到一家门首叫门，祇见由里面出来一位管家。韩文成一看，说：「不错，找我要银子，带人抢我妹妹就是他。」苏北山一看，原来是苏福，苏北山赶紧叫苏禄、苏升把他揪住。这个苏福当初他本是金华县人，他父亲带他逃难，把他卖给苏员外家五十两银子，充当书僮。自从来到苏员外家，老员外待他甚厚。苏福自己很积聚两个钱，就有一样不好，苏福最好喝酒，喝了酒，不是英雄仗酒雄，坐在门房不管是谁张嘴就骂。这天，同伴伙友就劝他，大众说：「苏福，你自己不可这样胡闹，你常常骂人，倘若叫员外听见，你是自找无趣。」苏福借着酒性说：「我告诉你们众位，慢说是员外，我拼得一身剐，敢把皇帝打，就是打皇上一个嘴巴，也无非把我剐了，员外也是个人，叫他听见，他敢把我怎么样？」正说着话，正赶上苏北山由外面回来，听见苏福在门房里大嚷大叫。苏员外一想：「苏福这东西，真是无法无天。」本来素常苏福在外面胡作非为，声名就不好，苏员外就灌满了耳朵。今天听见苏福在门房里胡说，苏员外气往上冲，来到里面，吩咐把苏福叫进来。少时有人把苏福叫进来，苏北山说：「苏福，你这厮素常在外面指着我招摇撞骗，任性胡为，喝了酒胡闹，我早就要管你。现在如今你这样任性，实在难容！我本应当把你送到衙门办你，无奈我这家中乃是积善之家，我不肯做损事。祇可你们不仁，我不能不义，你这卖身的五十两银子的字据，我也不要了。」当时就点火烧了，叫家人「把苏福给我赶出去，是他的东西，全叫他拿了走，永不准进我的门」。
Now, Ji Gong brought Su Beishan and Han Wencheng to the gate of a house and called out, and a steward came out from inside. Han Wencheng took one look. “That’s him, all right. He’s the one who came to me for the silver and brought men to carry off my sister.” Su Beishan looked, and it was Su Fu. He quickly told Su Lu and Su Sheng to seize him. This Su Fu had come originally from Jinhua County. His father, fleeing hard times with him, had sold him to Squire Su’s household for fifty taels of silver to serve as a page boy. Ever since he came to Squire Su’s house, the Old Squire had treated him very generously. Su Fu had put by a fair bit of money of his own. He had just one failing: Su Fu loved his drink above all, and once he had drunk, he was no hero, just a man made bold by wine. He would sit in the gatehouse and curse anybody at all the moment he opened his mouth. One day his fellow servants tried to talk him round. “Su Fu,” they all said, “you mustn’t carry on like this. You’re always cursing people. If the squire ever hears you, you’ll have only yourself to blame.” Emboldened by the drink, Su Fu said, “Let me tell you all something. Never mind the squire — ‘Ready to be cut to pieces, I dare to strike the emperor.’ Even if I slapped the emperor across the face, the worst they could do is slice me to death. The squire’s only a man. Let him hear me — what can he do to me?” Just as he was saying this, Su Beishan happened to come back from outside and heard Su Fu shouting and yelling in the gatehouse. “That creature Su Fu,” Squire Su thought, “has no regard for law or heaven.” Su Fu had long been running wild outside, and his name was bad; Squire Su’s ears had been filled with it. Today, hearing Su Fu talk such rubbish in the gatehouse, Squire Su’s anger surged up. He went inside and ordered Su Fu called in. Shortly someone brought Su Fu in. “Su Fu,” said Su Beishan, “you wretch, you’ve always gone about outside trading on my name to bully and swindle people, doing whatever you please, getting drunk and making trouble. I should have dealt with you long ago. And now you’re this unruly — it really can’t be tolerated! By rights I ought to send you to the yamen and have you dealt with, but mine is a house that does good, and I won’t do anything spiteful. You people may be heartless, but I won’t be unjust. The deed from when you were sold for fifty taels — I don’t want that either.” He set fire to it then and there and burned it, and told the servants, “Throw Su Fu out for me. Whatever belongs to him, let him take it all away, and never let him through my gate again.”
蘇福自己有幾隻箱子的衣裳，還有二百多兩銀子，由蘇宅出來，自己住店。手裏有錢，年輕人無管束，自己也沒事，遂終日遊蕩，結交一個朋友，姓餘名通，外號人稱金鱗甲，在二條衚衕住家。家裏就是夫妻兩口度日，素常就指著女人過日子，在外面說媒拉線，餘通他也往家裏引人，他還裝不知道，假充好人，見蘇福年輕又有錢，餘通就把蘇福帶了家去，跟蘇福拜盟兄弟。蘇福就在餘通家住了一年多，把錢也都花完了。餘通見蘇福沒了錢，就要往外趕，蘇福常跟餘通抬槓，口角相爭。金鱗甲妻子暗中告訴蘇福說：「你可想法弄錢，你要不想主意，餘通說了不叫你在這裏住著。說你沒錢，在我們這裏吃閑飯，養活不起你。」蘇福一聽急了，錢都花完了，沒有主意。忽然想起開錢舖的韓文成，當初借過我們員外二百銀子，是我給送了去，我找他要去。這天蘇福去找韓文成，韓文成應著賣了房給銀子，韓文成也不知道蘇北山把蘇福趕出去。
苏福自己有几只箱子的衣裳，还有二百多两银子，由苏宅出来，自己住店。手里有钱，年轻人无管束，自己也没事，遂终日游荡，结交一个朋友，姓余名通，外号人称金鳞甲，在二条胡同住家。家里就是夫妻两口度日，素常就指着女人过日子，在外面说媒拉线，余通他也往家里引人，他还装不知道，假充好人，见苏福年轻又有钱，余通就把苏福带了家去，跟苏福拜盟兄弟。苏福就在余通家住了一年多，把钱也都花完了。余通见苏福没了钱，就要往外赶，苏福常跟余通抬杠，口角相争。金鳞甲妻子暗中告诉苏福说：「你可想法弄钱，你要不想主意，余通说了不叫你在这里住着。说你没钱，在我们这里吃闲饭，养活不起你。」苏福一听急了，钱都花完了，没有主意。忽然想起开钱铺的韩文成，当初借过我们员外二百银子，是我给送了去，我找他要去。这天苏福去找韩文成，韩文成应着卖了房给银子，韩文成也不知道苏北山把苏福赶出去。
Su Fu had several trunks of clothes of his own and more than two hundred taels of silver. He left the Su residence and took a room at an inn. With money in hand, young, with no one to keep him in check and nothing to do, he spent his days idling about, and made a friend, a man surnamed Yu, given name Tong, known to people as Golden Scale Armor (Jinlinjia), who lived in Second Lane. At home there were just the two of them, husband and wife, and he had always lived off his woman. She went about outside making matches and bringing couples together, and Yu Tong brought men home too, then pretended he knew nothing and played the decent man. Seeing that Su Fu was young and had money, Yu Tong took him home and swore brotherhood with him. Su Fu stayed in Yu Tong’s house for more than a year and spent every bit of his money. When Yu Tong saw that Su Fu had no money left, he wanted to throw him out, and Su Fu was forever squabbling with him, the two of them trading words. Golden Scale Armor’s wife told Su Fu on the quiet, “You’d better find some way to get money. If you don’t come up with something, Yu Tong says he won’t let you stay here. He says you’ve got no money, you’re eating here for nothing, and we can’t afford to keep you.” At that Su Fu panicked. His money was all spent and he had no idea what to do. Then he suddenly remembered Han Wencheng, who ran a money shop. Han had once borrowed two hundred taels from the squire, and it was Su Fu himself who had taken the money over. He would go and get it back from him. So one day Su Fu went to find Han Wencheng, and Han Wencheng promised to sell his house and pay up. Han Wencheng had no idea that Su Beishan had thrown Su Fu out.
這天金鱗甲說：「蘇福，你要真打算找韓文成要錢，我倒有個主意，現在淨街羅大公子，要花二三百銀子買一位姨奶奶，咱們帶著人去找韓文成要錢，他給錢便罷，如不給錢，韓文成有一個妹子長的十分美貌，帶人把他搶了來，賣給羅公子，可以賣三二百現銀子。你想好不好？要等著韓文成賣了房給錢，知道幾時能把房賣出去？」蘇福一想也好，說：「你給約會人，明天就去。他如不給錢，就把他妹子搶來。」餘通出去，就找了些地痞光棍，有二十多位，都是不法之徒。蘇福帶著餘通，連餘通之妻馬氏，一同來找韓文成要錢。韓文成出來一看，說：「蘇管家我已然著你說，叫你回稟你家員外，等我折變產業給銀子，你怎麼又來了？」蘇福說：「我家員外說了，這麼等不行，你不給錢，我們員外叫把你妹子帶了去，就不跟你要錢了。」說著話，馬氏帶人進去，就把姑娘搶出來，擱在車上，拉起就走。韓文成一攔，這些人把韓文成打了﹔韓老丈一攔，把韓老頭推了幾個筋斗。隔壁鄰居出來，路見不平，要管閑事，這些人把鄰居也打了。大眾就把姑娘搶到餘通家中，馬氏又轉了一個媒人，跟淨街羅公子說要四百銀子，羅公子說：「回頭騎馬到餘通家看看，再還價。」餘通、蘇福眾人在家中，靜等候羅公子來瞧人。
这天金鳞甲说：「苏福，你要真打算找韩文成要钱，我倒有个主意，现在净街罗大公子，要花二三百银子买一位姨奶奶，咱们带着人去找韩文成要钱，他给钱便罢，如不给钱，韩文成有一个妹子长的十分美貌，带人把他抢了来，卖给罗公子，可以卖三二百现银子。你想好不好？要等着韩文成卖了房给钱，知道几时能把房卖出去？」苏福一想也好，说：「你给约会人，明天就去。他如不给钱，就把他妹子抢来。」余通出去，就找了些地痞光棍，有二十多位，都是不法之徒。苏福带着余通，连余通之妻马氏，一同来找韩文成要钱。韩文成出来一看，说：「苏管家我已然着你说，叫你回禀你家员外，等我折变产业给银子，你怎么又来了？」苏福说：「我家员外说了，这么等不行，你不给钱，我们员外叫把你妹子带了去，就不跟你要钱了。」说着话，马氏带人进去，就把姑娘抢出来，搁在车上，拉起就走。韩文成一拦，这些人把韩文成打了﹔韩老丈一拦，把韩老头推了几个筋斗。隔壁邻居出来，路见不平，要管闲事，这些人把邻居也打了。大众就把姑娘抢到余通家中，马氏又转了一个媒人，跟净街罗公子说要四百银子，罗公子说：「回头骑马到余通家看看，再还价。」余通、苏福众人在家中，静等候罗公子来瞧人。
One day Golden Scale Armor said, “Su Fu, if you really mean to get the money out of Han Wencheng, I’ve got an idea. Right now Young Master Luo — Street-Clearing Luo, the eldest son — wants to spend two or three hundred taels on buying a concubine. We take some men and go to Han Wencheng for the money. If he pays, well and good. If he doesn’t — Han Wencheng has a younger sister who’s a real beauty — we take men, carry her off and sell her to Young Master Luo. She’ll fetch two or three hundred in hard silver. What do you say? If you wait for Han Wencheng to sell his house and pay you, who knows when he’ll ever get it sold?” Su Fu thought it over and liked the idea. “You get the men together,” he said. “We’ll go tomorrow. If he won’t pay, we’ll carry off his sister.” Yu Tong went out and rounded up a pack of local toughs and loafers, more than twenty of them, all lawless types. Su Fu took Yu Tong, along with Yu Tong’s wife, Madam Ma, and they all went to Han Wencheng for the money. Han Wencheng came out and looked. “Steward Su, I’ve already told you: tell your squire I’ll pay the silver once I’ve sold off my property. Why have you come again?” “My squire says this waiting won’t do,” Su Fu said. “If you won’t pay, he says we’re to take your sister away, and then he won’t ask you for the money.” As he spoke, Madam Ma took men inside, dragged the girl out, put her in a cart and off they went. Han Wencheng tried to stop them, and these men beat him. Old Master Han tried to stop them, and they shoved the old man head over heels several times. Neighbours came out from next door, unable to stand by and watch such an outrage, and tried to step in, and these men beat the neighbours too. The whole crowd carried the girl off to Yu Tong’s house. Madam Ma then went through another matchmaker and told Street-Clearing Young Master Luo the price was four hundred taels. “I’ll ride over to Yu Tong’s later and take a look,” said Young Master Luo, “and then we’ll haggle.” Yu Tong, Su Fu and the rest waited quietly at home for Young Master Luo to come and look the girl over.
外面濟公叫門，蘇福祇打算是羅公子那裏有人來了，趕緊到外面一看，原來是蘇員外同著韓老丈、韓文成、濟公眾人。蘇北山一看，勃然大怒，叫蘇祿、蘇升過去，先把蘇福揪住。餘通出來要攔，蘇員外吩咐把他揪住，先叫本地面地保來，別放他二人走。蘇北山此地人傑地靈，立刻地保來把蘇福、餘通二人揪住。一面韓文成到裏面一看，韓姑娘倒捆二臂正捆著，要不捆，姑娘早就自己撞死。正在危急之際，韓文成進來把姑娘放開，帶出來找了小轎，叫韓老丈把他女兒送到家去。
外面济公叫门，苏福祇打算是罗公子那里有人来了，赶紧到外面一看，原来是苏员外同着韩老丈、韩文成、济公众人。苏北山一看，勃然大怒，叫苏禄、苏升过去，先把苏福揪住。余通出来要拦，苏员外吩咐把他揪住，先叫本地面地保来，别放他二人走。苏北山此地人杰地灵，立刻地保来把苏福、余通二人揪住。一面韩文成到里面一看，韩姑娘倒捆二臂正捆着，要不捆，姑娘早就自己撞死。正在危急之际，韩文成进来把姑娘放开，带出来找了小轿，叫韩老丈把他女儿送到家去。
Outside, Ji Gong was calling at the gate. Su Fu supposed someone had come from Young Master Luo’s and hurried out to look. It turned out to be Squire Su, together with Old Master Han, Han Wencheng, Ji Gong and the rest. Su Beishan took one look and flew into a rage. He told Su Lu and Su Sheng to go over and seize Su Fu first. Yu Tong came out and tried to stop them, and Squire Su ordered him seized as well, and sent first for the local headman (dibao), telling them not to let either of the pair get away. Su Beishan was a man of standing in these parts, and the headman came at once and laid hold of Su Fu and Yu Tong. Meanwhile Han Wencheng went inside to look. There was Miss Han, bound fast with both arms tied behind her. Had she not been tied, the girl would long since have dashed her head against something and died. At this moment of peril Han Wencheng came in, untied her, brought her out, found a small sedan chair and had Old Master Han take his daughter home.
此時天已掌燈，蘇北山說：「師父，蘇福這兩個東西，是把他們交官廳，是送到錢塘縣衙門去？」濟公說：「不必，暫為把他二人帶到你家去，我自有道理。再者，我還有事。」蘇北山深信服濟公，就吩咐蘇祿等押著他二人回家去。眾人來到蘇員外家中，天有起更以後，叫人看守著蘇福、餘通。蘇北山讓濟公來到裏面書房，濟公說：「我今天不在這屋裏坐著。」蘇北山說：「師父，要上哪屋裏坐？」濟公說：「我要到你住的臥室裏坐坐。」蘇北山一聽，說：「師父你老人家到我家，如同你自己俗家一樣，願意哪屋坐哪屋坐。」叫得福快給太太送信，把屋子騰出來，立刻太太躲避出去。
此时天已掌灯，苏北山说：「师父，苏福这两个东西，是把他们交官厅，是送到钱塘县衙门去？」济公说：「不必，暂为把他二人带到你家去，我自有道理。再者，我还有事。」苏北山深信服济公，就吩咐苏禄等押着他二人回家去。众人来到苏员外家中，天有起更以后，叫人看守着苏福、余通。苏北山让济公来到里面书房，济公说：「我今天不在这屋里坐着。」苏北山说：「师父，要上哪屋里坐？」济公说：「我要到你住的卧室里坐坐。」苏北山一听，说：「师父你老人家到我家，如同你自己俗家一样，愿意哪屋坐哪屋坐。」叫得福快给太太送信，把屋子腾出来，立刻太太躲避出去。
By now it was time to light the lamps. “Master,” said Su Beishan, “these two creatures, Su Fu and the other — do we hand them over to the ward office, or send them to the Qiantang county yamen?” “No need,” said Ji Gong. “For now, take the two of them to your house. I know what I’m about. Besides, I’ve got business of my own.” Su Beishan trusted Ji Gong completely, and told Su Lu and the others to march the two of them home under guard. They all came to Squire Su’s house. It was after the first watch had sounded, and he had men keep watch over Su Fu and Yu Tong. Su Beishan invited Ji Gong to the study inside. “I’m not sitting in this room today,” said Ji Gong. “Master, which room would you like to sit in?” said Su Beishan. “I want to go and sit in your bedroom,” said Ji Gong. At this Su Beishan said, “Master, when you come to my house, it’s just like your own family home. Sit in whichever room you please.” He told Defu to hurry and let his wife know and have the room cleared, and his wife at once went off out of the way.
和尚同著蘇員外由外面進來，剛一到房門，和尚說：「來了麼，約會？」蘇北山說：「師父，你跟誰定約會？」濟公說：「有約會，不見不散的准約會。」說著話，蘇員外同著濟公連韓文成一並讓著來屋中，陳亮一聽是濟公，隔著床幃一看，見濟公進來。這屋中地下一張八仙桌，兩邊有椅子，濟公在上首椅子坐下，韓文成也坐下了。蘇員外說：「師父，先喝酒先喝茶？」濟公說：「先坐堂，先把蘇福給我帶來。」員外吩咐家人：「把蘇福給我帶來。」濟公說：「蘇福你今天給我說實話，是誰出的主意搶人？說了實話，我和尚饒了你。你不說實話，把你送當官治罪。」蘇福一聽這話，自己也知道濟公為人，善曉過去未來之事，不敢撒謊，說：「聖僧要問，我是被主人逐出去，在店中住。金鱗甲餘通把我讓至家中去，我有衣服銀錢，他就幫著使我的，銀錢完了，他就往外逐我。他妻子告訴我說，因為我沒錢，不叫我在他家住了。我是被窮所困，想出韓文成欠我主人二百兩紋銀，是我經手給送去的，我想要過來，我先使用。不想他當時沒錢，餘通聽見，他給我出的主意，叫我搶他妹子，賣給淨街羅公子，以帳目折算人口。不想被主人知道，把我拿來，這是已往之事，並無半點虛話。」和尚一聽，說：「來人把他帶到床前頭，叫他沖床跪著。」陳亮在床底下聽的明明白白，心中暗想：「哎呀，這件事我錯了！敢情蘇北山蘇員外是好人，一概都是他這家人假傳聖旨。這件事虧得濟公他老人家前來，要不然，還許錯殺了好人。」和尚在外面用手指點說：「我叫你認准了他，明天你要報應他，無故的想要拿刀殺人，你好大膽子！你自己知道是錯了？」蘇北山一聽說：「師父，你老人家跟誰說話呢？」濟公說：「你不知道，你不要多說。來人，把餘通帶進來！」家人把餘通帶到裏面，跪到和尚面前，和尚用手指點說：「餘通你這廝好生大膽，你打算你做的事，我不知道呢？趁此說了實話，我饒你不死。要不說實話，我把你呈送到當官治罪。」餘通說：「眾位，這件事實實不怨我，實是蘇福他要找他主人家帳主要帳，與我無干。」和尚說：「雖然是蘇福他要找他主人的帳主要帳，你就不該給他出主意。」餘通自己一想：「這件事大概不說不行，莫如我實說了，央求央求和尚，倒許把我放了。」想罷，說：「聖僧，你老人家不必往下追問，這件事是我的錯，皆因蘇福他在我家住著，想起找韓文成要錢，去要不給，我們商量著，以帳目搶他的人賣錢。」和尚點了點頭，說：「叫他沖床跪著去，你可聽見了。」陳亮心中一動：「這是叫我聽。」和尚在外面答話：「可不是叫你聽。」陳亮一想，莫非濟公他老人家知道我在這裏？和尚哈哈一笑，說：「那是知道，要不知道呢，我還不來呢！我叫你認准了這兩個人，明天你好報應他們。」蘇北山道：「師父，你跟誰說話？」和尚說：「你不要管。」蘇北山這纔吩咐擺酒。酒擺上，蘇北山說：「韓賢弟，你我雖係買賣交易，總算有交情。我素常為人，大概你也知道，我焉能做這傷天害理之事？」韓文成說：「也是懵懂，我既往不咎。」蘇北山說：「給聖僧斟酒。」和尚說：「斟酒倒是小事，我聞你這有味。」蘇北山說：「甚麼味？」和尚說：「賊味。」蘇北山說：「哪裏有賊味？」和尚說：「床底下。」蘇北山趕緊吩咐拿賊，大概陳亮要想逃走，勢比登天還難。
和尚同着苏员外由外面进来，刚一到房门，和尚说：「来了么，约会？」苏北山说：「师父，你跟谁定约会？」济公说：「有约会，不见不散的准约会。」说着话，苏员外同着济公连韩文成一并让着来屋中，陈亮一听是济公，隔着床帏一看，见济公进来。这屋中地下一张八仙桌，两边有椅子，济公在上首椅子坐下，韩文成也坐下了。苏员外说：「师父，先喝酒先喝茶？」济公说：「先坐堂，先把苏福给我带来。」员外吩咐家人：「把苏福给我带来。」济公说：「苏福你今天给我说实话，是谁出的主意抢人？说了实话，我和尚饶了你。你不说实话，把你送当官治罪。」苏福一听这话，自己也知道济公为人，善晓过去未来之事，不敢撒谎，说：「圣僧要问，我是被主人逐出去，在店中住。金鳞甲余通把我让至家中去，我有衣服银钱，他就帮着使我的，银钱完了，他就往外逐我。他妻子告诉我说，因为我没钱，不叫我在他家住了。我是被穷所困，想出韩文成欠我主人二百两纹银，是我经手给送去的，我想要过来，我先使用。不想他当时没钱，余通听见，他给我出的主意，叫我抢他妹子，卖给净街罗公子，以帐目折算人口。不想被主人知道，把我拿来，这是已往之事，并无半点虚话。」和尚一听，说：「来人把他带到床前头，叫他冲床跪着。」陈亮在床底下听的明明白白，心中暗想：「哎呀，这件事我错了！敢情苏北山苏员外是好人，一概都是他这家人假传圣旨。这件事亏得济公他老人家前来，要不然，还许错杀了好人。」和尚在外面用手指点说：「我叫你认准了他，明天你要报应他，无故的想要拿刀杀人，你好大胆子！你自己知道是错了？」苏北山一听说：「师父，你老人家跟谁说话呢？」济公说：「你不知道，你不要多说。来人，把余通带进来！」家人把余通带到里面，跪到和尚面前，和尚用手指点说：「余通你这厮好生大胆，你打算你做的事，我不知道呢？趁此说了实话，我饶你不死。要不说实话，我把你呈送到当官治罪。」余通说：「众位，这件事实实不怨我，实是苏福他要找他主人家帐主要帐，与我无干。」和尚说：「虽然是苏福他要找他主人的帐主要帐，你就不该给他出主意。」余通自己一想：「这件事大概不说不行，莫如我实说了，央求央求和尚，倒许把我放了。」想罢，说：「圣僧，你老人家不必往下追问，这件事是我的错，皆因苏福他在我家住着，想起找韩文成要钱，去要不给，我们商量着，以帐目抢他的人卖钱。」和尚点了点头，说：「叫他冲床跪着去，你可听见了。」陈亮心中一动：「这是叫我听。」和尚在外面答话：「可不是叫你听。」陈亮一想，莫非济公他老人家知道我在这里？和尚哈哈一笑，说：「那是知道，要不知道呢，我还不来呢！我叫你认准了这两个人，明天你好报应他们。」苏北山道：「师父，你跟谁说话？」和尚说：「你不要管。」苏北山这才吩咐摆酒。酒摆上，苏北山说：「韩贤弟，你我虽系买卖交易，总算有交情。我素常为人，大概你也知道，我焉能做这伤天害理之事？」韩文成说：「也是懵懂，我既往不咎。」苏北山说：「给圣僧斟酒。」和尚说：「斟酒倒是小事，我闻你这有味。」苏北山说：「甚么味？」和尚说：「贼味。」苏北山说：「哪里有贼味？」和尚说：「床底下。」苏北山赶紧吩咐拿贼，大概陈亮要想逃走，势比登天还难。
The monk came in from outside with Squire Su. Just as he reached the door of the room, the monk said, “So you’re here? For our appointment?” “Master,” said Su Beishan, “who have you made an appointment with?” “I’ve got one,” said Ji Gong, “a firm one — we don’t leave till we meet.” As they talked, Squire Su showed Ji Gong, and Han Wencheng with him, into the room. When Chen Liang heard it was Ji Gong, he peered out through the bed curtains and saw Ji Gong come in. On the floor of the room stood an Eight Immortals table with chairs on either side. Ji Gong sat in the chair at the head, and Han Wencheng sat down too. “Master,” said Squire Su, “will you have wine first, or tea?” “First I hold court,” said Ji Gong. “Bring me Su Fu first.” The squire told the servants, “Bring me Su Fu.” “Su Fu,” said Ji Gong, “today you tell me the truth. Whose idea was it to carry off the girl? Tell the truth and this monk will let you off. If you don’t, you’ll be sent to the authorities and punished.” When Su Fu heard this, he knew well enough what sort of man Ji Gong was — one who could tell what had passed and what was still to come — and he did not dare lie. “Since the holy monk asks,” he said, “I was driven out by my master and was living at an inn. Golden Scale Armor, Yu Tong, invited me to his house. While I had clothes and money, he helped me spend them; once the money was gone, he started pushing me out. His wife told me that since I had no money, they wouldn’t let me stay in their house any longer. I was hard pressed by poverty, and I remembered the two hundred taels of fine silver Han Wencheng owed my master, which I’d delivered myself. I thought I’d get it back and use it myself for the time being. But it turned out he had no money just then. Yu Tong heard about it and gave me the idea: carry off his sister, sell her to Street-Clearing Young Master Luo, and take the girl in settlement of the debt. I never thought my master would find out and have me caught. That’s what happened, and there’s not half a word of a lie in it.” At this the monk said, “Someone take him to the front of the bed and make him kneel facing it.” Under the bed Chen Liang heard every word clearly. “Oh no,” he thought to himself, “I got this all wrong! So Su Beishan, Squire Su, is a good man, and it was all his servant falsely acting in his master’s name. It’s lucky Ji Gong came, or I might have killed a good man by mistake.” Outside, the monk pointed with his finger and said, “I want you to get a good look at him, so that tomorrow you can pay him back. Wanting to take a knife and kill a man for no reason — what nerve you’ve got! Do you see now that you were wrong?” Su Beishan heard this. “Master, who are you talking to?” “You don’t know,” said Ji Gong, “so don’t ask. Someone bring in Yu Tong!” The servants brought Yu Tong inside, and he knelt before the monk. The monk pointed at him. “Yu Tong, you wretch, what nerve you have! Did you think I didn’t know what you’d done? Tell the truth now and I’ll spare your life. If you don’t, I’ll hand you over to the authorities to be punished.” “Gentlemen,” said Yu Tong, “this truly isn’t my fault. It was Su Fu who wanted to collect from his master’s debtor. It’s nothing to do with me.” “It may have been Su Fu who wanted to collect from his master’s debtor,” said the monk, “but you had no business giving him ideas.” Yu Tong thought to himself, “It looks as if there’s no getting out of telling. I’d better just tell the truth and plead with the monk, and he may let me go.” With that he said, “Holy monk, there’s no need to question me further. This was my fault. Su Fu was living at my house, and he thought of getting money from Han Wencheng. He went and asked and didn’t get it, so we talked it over and decided to carry off his sister against the debt and sell her.” The monk nodded. “Make him kneel facing the bed. You heard all that, did you?” Chen Liang gave a start and thought, “That’s meant for me to hear.” Outside, the monk answered, “Of course it’s meant for you to hear.” Chen Liang thought, can Ji Gong know I’m in here? The monk laughed aloud. “Of course I know. If I didn’t, would I have come? I wanted you to get a good look at these two, so that tomorrow you can pay them back.” “Master,” said Su Beishan, “who are you talking to?” “Never you mind,” said the monk. Only then did Su Beishan order wine set out. When the wine was on the table, Su Beishan said, “Younger Brother Han, though you and I only do business together, we can still count ourselves friends. You probably know the sort of man I’ve always been. How could I do anything so wicked, such an offence against heaven?” “I was muddled too,” said Han Wencheng. “Let bygones be bygones.” “Pour wine for the holy monk,” said Su Beishan. “Pouring wine is a small matter,” said the monk. “I can smell something here at your place.” “What smell?” said Su Beishan. “The smell of a thief,” said the monk. “Where is there a smell of thief?” said Su Beishan. “Under the bed,” said the monk. Su Beishan hurriedly ordered the thief seized. If Chen Liang wanted to escape now, it would be harder than climbing to heaven.
不知該當如何，且看下回分解。
不知该当如何，且看下回分解。
To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.