且說包公審明談月，吩咐將黃寡婦母女三人帶上來。只見金香果然醜陋不堪，玉香雖則俏麗，甚是妖淫。包公便問黃寡婦：「你受了談月三百兩，在於何處？」黃寡婦已知談月招承，只得吐實，稟道：「現藏在家中櫃底內。」包公立刻派人前去起贓。將她母女每人拶了一拶，發在教坊司：母為虔婆，暗合了貪財賣奸之意；女為娼妓，又隨了倚門賣俏之心。金香自慚貌陋，無人聘娶，情願身入空門為尼。贓銀起到，償了趙國盛銀五十兩，著他另外擇娶。談明素行謹慎，即著他在通真觀為觀主。談月定了個邊遠充軍，候參奏下來，質對明白，再行起解。審判已明，包公退堂，來至書房。此時公孫先生已將摺底辦妥，請示。包公看了，又將談月的口供敘上了幾句，方叫公孫策繕寫，預備明日五鼓參奏。
且说包公审明谈月，吩咐将黄寡妇母女三人带上来。只见金香果然丑陋不堪，玉香虽则俏丽，甚是妖淫。包公便问黄寡妇：「你受了谈月三百两，在于何处？」黄寡妇已知谈月招承，只得吐实，禀道：「现藏在家中柜底内。」包公立刻派人前去起赃。将她母女每人拶了一拶，发在教坊司：母为虔婆，暗合了贪财卖奸之意；女为娼妓，又随了倚门卖俏之心。金香自惭貌陋，无人聘娶，情愿身入空门为尼。赃银起到，偿了赵国盛银五十两，着他另外择娶。谈明素行谨慎，即着他在通真观为观主。谈月定了个边远充军，候参奏下来，质对明白，再行起解。审判已明，包公退堂，来至书房。此时公孙先生已将折底办妥，请示。包公看了，又将谈月的口供叙上了几句，方叫公孙策缮写，预备明日五鼓参奏。
Now, when Lord Bao had got the truth out of Tan Yue, he ordered the Widow Huang and her two daughters brought up before him. Jinxiang, he saw, was indeed as ugly as could be, while Yuxiang, pretty as she was, had a thoroughly wanton look. Lord Bao asked the Widow Huang, “You took three hundred taels from Tan Yue. Where are they?” The Widow Huang knew that Tan Yue had already confessed, and she had no choice but to tell the truth. “They’re hidden at home, at the bottom of a chest.” At once Lord Bao sent men to recover the ill-gotten silver. He had the finger press put on mother and daughter, one squeeze each, and sent them to the Court Music Office: the mother to be a bawd, which suited, as it happened, her greed for money and her readiness to traffic in illicit love; the daughter to be a prostitute, which fell in nicely with her fondness for leaning in the doorway and selling her charms. Jinxiang, ashamed of her ugliness and sure that no one would ever ask for her hand, chose of her own accord to pass through the gate of emptiness and become a nun. When the silver was brought in, Zhao Guosheng was paid fifty taels of it in compensation and told to find another bride for his son. Tan Ming, who had always conducted himself with care, was put in charge of Tongzhen Temple. Tan Yue was sentenced to military exile on a distant frontier, but he was to wait until the impeachment had been answered and the matter thrashed out face to face; only then would he be sent off under escort. With judgment given, Lord Bao closed court and went to his study. By now Mr. Gongsun had the draft of the memorial ready and came to ask for instructions. Lord Bao read it and added a few lines setting out Tan Yue’s statement, and only then did he have Gongsun Ce write out a fair copy, ready for the impeachment at the fifth watch the next morning.
至次日，天子臨軒。包公出班，俯伏金階。仁宗一見包公，滿心歡喜，便知他病體痊癒，急速宣上殿來。包公先謝了恩，然後將摺子高捧，謹呈御覽。聖上看畢，又有桃木人兒等作證，不覺心中輾轉道：「怪道包卿得病，不知從何而起，原來暗中有人陷害。」又一轉想：「龐吉你乃堂堂國戚，如何行此小人闇昧之事？豈有此理！」想至此，即將龐吉宣上殿來，仁宗便將參摺擲下。龐吉見龍顏帶怒，連忙捧讀，不由的面目更色，雙膝跪倒，惟有俯首伏罪而已。聖上痛加申飭，念他是椒房之戚，著從寬罰俸三年。天子又安慰了包公一番，立時叫龐吉當面與包公陪罪。龐賊遵旨，不敢違背，只得向包公跟前謝過。包公亦知他是國戚，皇上眷顧，而且又將他罰俸，也就罷了。此事幸虧和事的天子，才化為烏有。二人重新又謝了恩。大家朝散，天子還宮。
至次日，天子临轩。包公出班，俯伏金阶。仁宗一见包公，满心欢喜，便知他病体痊愈，急速宣上殿来。包公先谢了恩，然后将折子高捧，谨呈御览。圣上看毕，又有桃木人儿等作证，不觉心中辗转道：「怪道包卿得病，不知从何而起，原来暗中有人陷害。」又一转想：「庞吉你乃堂堂国戚，如何行此小人暗昧之事？岂有此理！」想至此，即将庞吉宣上殿来，仁宗便将参折掷下。庞吉见龙颜带怒，连忙捧读，不由的面目更色，双膝跪倒，惟有俯首伏罪而已。圣上痛加申饬，念他是椒房之戚，着从宽罚俸三年。天子又安慰了包公一番，立时叫庞吉当面与包公陪罪。庞贼遵旨，不敢违背，只得向包公跟前谢过。包公亦知他是国戚，皇上眷顾，而且又将他罚俸，也就罢了。此事幸亏和事的天子，才化为乌有。二人重新又谢了恩。大家朝散，天子还宫。
The next day the Emperor held court. Lord Bao stepped out of the ranks and prostrated himself on the golden steps. The moment Renzong saw him, his heart filled with joy, for he could see that Lord Bao was well again, and he summoned him up into the hall at once. Lord Bao first gave thanks for His Majesty’s grace; then, raising the memorial high in both hands, he humbly presented it for His Majesty’s eyes. When His Majesty had read it, with the little peach-wood man and the rest to bear it out, he turned it over and over in his mind. “So that is why Minister Bao fell ill, and no one could tell what had brought it on! All along, someone was plotting against him in secret.” Then another thought came to him: “Pang Ji, you are Our own in-law, a man of rank and dignity. How could you stoop to such shady tricks, like some petty little man? This is outrageous!” With that, he summoned Pang Ji up into the hall and flung the memorial of impeachment down before him. Seeing the anger on His Majesty’s face, Pang Ji hastily picked it up and read it, and the colour left his face in spite of himself. He dropped to his knees and could do nothing but bow his head and own his guilt. His Majesty rebuked him severely, but mindful that he was kin of the pepper chambers, he dealt with him leniently and docked him three years’ salary. Then the Emperor spoke some words of comfort to Lord Bao and ordered Pang Ji to beg his pardon there and then, to his face. The villainous Pang dared not disobey; he had no choice but to go up to Lord Bao and apologize. Lord Bao, for his part, knew that Pang Ji was the Emperor’s in-law and enjoyed His Majesty’s favour, and besides, his salary had been docked, so he let the matter rest. Only because the Emperor was a peacemaker did the whole affair come to nothing. The two of them gave thanks for His Majesty’s grace once more. Then the court dispersed and the Emperor went back into the palace.
包公五六日未能上朝，便在內閣料理這幾日公事。只見聖上親派內輔出來宣旨道：「聖上在修文殿宣召包公。」包公聞聽，即隨內輔進內，來至修文殿，朝了聖駕。天子賜座。包公謝恩。天子便問道：「卿六日未朝，朕如失股肱，不勝鬱悶。今日見了卿家，方覺暢然。」包公奏道：「臣猝然遘疾，有勞聖慮，臣何以克當。」天子又問道：「卿參摺上義士展昭，不知他是何如人？」包公奏道：「此人是個俠士，臣屢蒙此人救護。」便說：「當初趕考時路過金龍寺，遇凶僧陷害，多虧了展昭將臣救出；後來奉旨陳州放賑，路過天昌鎮擒拿刺客項福，也是此人；即如前日在龐吉花園破了妖魔，也是此人。」天子聞聽，龍顏大悅，道：「如此說來，此人不獨與卿有恩，他的武藝竟是超群的了。」包公奏道：「若論展昭武藝，他有三絕：第一，劍法精奧；第二，袖箭百發百中；第三，他的縱躍法，真有飛簷走壁之能。」天子聽至此，不覺鼓掌大笑，道：「朕久已要選武藝超群的，未得其人。今聽卿家之言，甚合朕意。此人可現在否？」包公奏道：「此人現在臣的衙內。」天子道：「既如此，明日卿家將此人帶領入朝，朕親往耀武樓試藝。」
包公五六日未能上朝，便在内阁料理这几日公事。只见圣上亲派内辅出来宣旨道：「圣上在修文殿宣召包公。」包公闻听，即随内辅进内，来至修文殿，朝了圣驾。天子赐座。包公谢恩。天子便问道：「卿六日未朝，朕如失股肱，不胜郁闷。今日见了卿家，方觉畅然。」包公奏道：「臣猝然遘疾，有劳圣虑，臣何以克当。」天子又问道：「卿参折上义士展昭，不知他是何如人？」包公奏道：「此人是个侠士，臣屡蒙此人救护。」便说：「当初赶考时路过金龙寺，遇凶僧陷害，多亏了展昭将臣救出；后来奉旨陈州放赈，路过天昌镇擒拿刺客项福，也是此人；即如前日在庞吉花园破了妖魔，也是此人。」天子闻听，龙颜大悦，道：「如此说来，此人不独与卿有恩，他的武艺竟是超群的了。」包公奏道：「若论展昭武艺，他有三绝：第一，剑法精奥；第二，袖箭百发百中；第三，他的纵跃法，真有飞檐走壁之能。」天子听至此，不觉鼓掌大笑，道：「朕久已要选武艺超群的，未得其人。今听卿家之言，甚合朕意。此人可现在否？」包公奏道：「此人现在臣的衙内。」天子道：「既如此，明日卿家将此人带领入朝，朕亲往耀武楼试艺。」
Lord Bao had been kept from court for five or six days, so he stayed on at the Grand Secretariat to deal with the business of those days. Presently a eunuch attendant, sent by His Majesty himself, came out with a command: “His Majesty summons Lord Bao to the Xiuwen Hall.” Lord Bao at once followed the eunuch inside to the Xiuwen Hall and paid homage to His Majesty. The Emperor granted him a seat, and Lord Bao gave thanks. “For six days you have been absent from court, minister,” said the Emperor, “and We have felt as though We had lost Our right arm. We have been sorely downcast. Only today, seeing you again, do We feel at ease.” “Your servant fell ill without warning,” said Lord Bao, “and has troubled Your Majesty’s thoughts. How can your servant deserve such concern?” The Emperor asked further, “In your memorial of impeachment you mention a gallant man, Zhan Zhao. What sort of man is he?” “He is a knight-errant,” said Lord Bao, “and time and again he has come to your servant’s rescue.” He went on: “Years ago, on my way to the examinations, I passed Jinlong Temple, where murderous monks set a trap for me, and it was Zhan Zhao who got your servant out. Later, when I was sent by imperial command to give out relief in Chenzhou, it was he who caught the assassin Xiang Fu at Tianchang Town on the way. And just the other day, in Pang Ji’s garden, it was he again who broke the evil spell.” The Emperor’s face lit up with delight. “From what you say, this man has not only done you great kindness, minister; his skill at arms must be quite outstanding.” “As for Zhan Zhao’s skill at arms,” said Lord Bao, “he has three matchless arts. First, his swordsmanship is profound and subtle. Second, his sleeve arrows never miss — a hundred shots, a hundred hits. Third, his art of leaping: he can truly fly over eaves and run along walls.” At this the Emperor clapped his hands and laughed aloud. “We have long wished to find a man of outstanding martial skill, but no such man has been found. What you tell Us suits Our wishes exactly. Is he at hand?” “He is at your servant’s yamen at this moment,” said Lord Bao. “In that case,” said the Emperor, “bring him to court tomorrow, minister. We shall go to the Yaowu Tower Ourselves to try his skills.”
包公遵旨，叩辭聖駕，出了修文殿，又來到內閣。料理官事已畢，乘轎回至開封，至公堂落轎，復將官事料理一番。退堂，進了書房。包興遞茶。包公叫：「請展爺。」不多時，展爺來到書房。包公便將今日聖上旨意，一一述說。「明早就要隨本閣入朝，參見聖駕。」展爺到了此時雖不願意，無奈包公已遵旨，只是謙遜了幾句：「惟恐藝不驚人，反要辜負了相爺一番美意。」彼此又敘談了多少時，方才辭了包相，來到公所之內，此時公孫策與四勇士俱已知道展爺明日引見，一個個見了，未免就要道喜。大家又聚飲一番。
包公遵旨，叩辞圣驾，出了修文殿，又来到内阁。料理官事已毕，乘轿回至开封，至公堂落轿，复将官事料理一番。退堂，进了书房。包兴递茶。包公叫：「请展爷。」不多时，展爷来到书房。包公便将今日圣上旨意，一一述说。「明早就要随本阁入朝，参见圣驾。」展爷到了此时虽不愿意，无奈包公已遵旨，只是谦逊了几句：「惟恐艺不惊人，反要辜负了相爷一番美意。」彼此又叙谈了多少时，方才辞了包相，来到公所之内，此时公孙策与四勇士俱已知道展爷明日引见，一个个见了，未免就要道喜。大家又聚饮一番。
Lord Bao received the command, kowtowed and took his leave of His Majesty. Leaving the Xiuwen Hall, he went back to the Grand Secretariat, and when he had finished his official business there, he rode in his sedan chair back to Kaifeng. His chair was set down at the court hall, and there he dealt in turn with the business of the yamen. Then he closed court and went into his study, and Bao Xing brought him tea. “Ask Master Zhan to come,” said Lord Bao. Before long Zhan Zhao came to the study, and Lord Bao told him point by point what His Majesty had commanded that day. “Early tomorrow you are to come to court with this Academician and be presented to His Majesty.” Zhan Zhao had no wish for this, but things had gone too far: Lord Bao had already accepted the command, and there was nothing Zhan Zhao could do but make a few modest protests. “I’m only afraid my skills won’t amaze anyone, and I’ll end up letting down Your Excellency’s kind intentions.” They talked together for some while longer before he took his leave of Minister Bao and went to the officers’ hall. By now Gongsun Ce and the four brave men all knew that Zhan Zhao was to be presented at court the next day, and as each of them saw him, they could hardly help congratulating him. And so they all gathered for another round of drinks.
至次日五鼓，包公乘轎，展爺乘馬，一同入朝伺候。駕幸耀武樓，合朝文武扈從，天子來至耀武樓，升了寶座。包公便將展昭帶至丹墀，跪倒參駕。聖上見他有三旬以內年紀，氣宇不凡，舉止合宜，龍心大悅。略問了問家鄉籍貫。展昭一一奏對，甚是明晰。天子便叫他舞劍，展爺謝恩，下了丹墀，早有公孫策與四勇士俱各暗暗跟來，將寶劍遞過。展爺抱在懷中，步上丹墀，朝上叩了頭，將袍襟略為掖了一掖，先有個開門式，只見光閃閃，冷森森，一縷銀光翻騰上下。起初時身隨劍轉，還可以注目留神；到後來竟使人眼花繚亂。其中的削砍劈剁，勾挑撥刺，無一不精。合朝文武以及丹墀之下眾人，無不暗暗喝采，惟有四勇士更為關心，仰首翹望，捏著一把汗，在那裡替他用力，見他舞到妙處，不由的甘心佩服：「真不愧『南俠，二字。」展爺這裡施展平生學藝，招招用意，處處留心，將劍舞完，仍是懷中抱月的架式收住，復又朝上磕頭。見他面不更色，氣不發喘。
至次日五鼓，包公乘轿，展爷乘马，一同入朝伺候。驾幸耀武楼，合朝文武扈从，天子来至耀武楼，升了宝座。包公便将展昭带至丹墀，跪倒参驾。圣上见他有三旬以内年纪，气宇不凡，举止合宜，龙心大悦。略问了问家乡籍贯。展昭一一奏对，甚是明晰。天子便叫他舞剑，展爷谢恩，下了丹墀，早有公孙策与四勇士俱各暗暗跟来，将宝剑递过。展爷抱在怀中，步上丹墀，朝上叩了头，将袍襟略为掖了一掖，先有个开门式，只见光闪闪，冷森森，一缕银光翻腾上下。起初时身随剑转，还可以注目留神；到后来竟使人眼花缭乱。其中的削砍劈剁，勾挑拨刺，无一不精。合朝文武以及丹墀之下众人，无不暗暗喝采，惟有四勇士更为关心，仰首翘望，捏着一把汗，在那里替他用力，见他舞到妙处，不由的甘心佩服：「真不愧『南侠，二字。」展爷这里施展平生学艺，招招用意，处处留心，将剑舞完，仍是怀中抱月的架式收住，复又朝上磕头。见他面不更色，气不发喘。
At the fifth watch the next morning, Lord Bao in his sedan chair and Zhan Zhao on horseback went to court together to wait on His Majesty. The Emperor proceeded to the Yaowu Tower, attended by all the civil and military officials of the court, and when he arrived, he took his seat on the throne. Lord Bao brought Zhan Zhao to the vermilion steps, where he knelt and paid homage. His Majesty saw a man not yet thirty, of uncommon bearing and with every movement just as it should be, and his heart was glad. He asked a few questions about Zhan Zhao’s home and native place, and Zhan Zhao answered each one very clearly. Then the Emperor told him to show his swordplay. Zhan Zhao gave thanks and went down the vermilion steps, where Gongsun Ce and the four brave men, who had quietly followed him there, handed him his sword. Holding it flat against his chest, Zhan Zhao climbed the vermilion steps again and kowtowed toward the throne. He tucked up the skirts of his robe a little and began with the Opening the Gate stance — and then there was only a flashing and glittering, cold and chilling, a streak of silver light tumbling and soaring up and down. At first, while his body still turned with the sword, the eye could follow it; but by the end it dazzled everyone who watched. Paring and hacking, cleaving and chopping, hooking and flicking, parrying and thrusting: he was perfect in every one. All the civil and military officials of the court, and everyone below the vermilion steps, cheered him silently. But the four brave men were the most anxious of all. Craning their necks to watch, their palms clammy with sweat, they strained along with him as if the effort were their own; and when they saw him come to the finest passages, they could not help admiring him with all their hearts. “He truly lives up to those two words, ‘Southern Hero’!” Zhan Zhao, for his part, was putting into it every skill he had learned in his life, each move made with intent, every point attended to. When he had finished, he came to rest once more with the sword held to his breast, in the Embracing the Moon stance, and kowtowed toward the throne again. His face had not changed colour, and he was not even out of breath.
天子大樂，便問包公道：「真好劍法！怪不得卿家誇獎，他的袖箭又如何試法？」包公奏道：「展昭曾言，夜間能打滅香頭之火。如今白晝，只好用較射的木牌，上面糊上白紙，聖上隨意點上三個硃點，試他的袖箭。不知聖意若何？」天子道：「甚合朕意。「誰知包公早已吩咐預備下了，自有執事人員將木牌拿來。天子驗看，上面糊定白紙，連個黑星皺紋一概沒有，由不得提起硃筆，隨意點了三個大點，叫執事人員隨展昭去，該立於何處任他自便。因袖箭乃自己煉就的步數遠近，與別人的兵刃不同。展昭深體聖意，隨執事人員下了丹墀，斜行約二三十步遠近，估量聖上必看得見，方叫人把木牌立穩。左右俱各退後。展昭又在木牌之前，對著耀武樓遙拜。拜畢，立起身來，看準紅點，翻身竟奔耀武樓。跑來約有二十步，只見他將左手一揚，右手便遞將出去，只聽木牌上拍的一聲；他便立住腳，正對了木牌，又是一揚手，只聽那邊木牌上又是一聲拍；展爺此時卻改了一個臥虎勢，將腰一躬，脖項一扭，從胳肢窩內將右手往外一推，只聽得拍，將木牌打的亂晃，展爺一伏身，來到丹墀之下，往上叩頭。此時已有人將木牌拿來，請聖上驗看。見三枝八寸長短的袖箭，俱各釘在朱紅點上，惟有末一枝已將木牌釘透。天子看了，甚覺罕然，連聲稱道：「真絕技也！」
天子大乐，便问包公道：「真好剑法！怪不得卿家夸奖，他的袖箭又如何试法？」包公奏道：「展昭曾言，夜间能打灭香头之火。如今白昼，只好用较射的木牌，上面糊上白纸，圣上随意点上三个朱点，试他的袖箭。不知圣意若何？」天子道：「甚合朕意。「谁知包公早已吩咐预备下了，自有执事人员将木牌拿来。天子验看，上面糊定白纸，连个黑星皱纹一概没有，由不得提起朱笔，随意点了三个大点，叫执事人员随展昭去，该立于何处任他自便。因袖箭乃自己炼就的步数远近，与别人的兵刃不同。展昭深体圣意，随执事人员下了丹墀，斜行约二三十步远近，估量圣上必看得见，方叫人把木牌立稳。左右俱各退后。展昭又在木牌之前，对着耀武楼遥拜。拜毕，立起身来，看准红点，翻身竟奔耀武楼。跑来约有二十步，只见他将左手一扬，右手便递将出去，只听木牌上拍的一声；他便立住脚，正对了木牌，又是一扬手，只听那边木牌上又是一声拍；展爷此时却改了一个卧虎势，将腰一躬，脖项一扭，从胳肢窝内将右手往外一推，只听得拍，将木牌打的乱晃，展爷一伏身，来到丹墀之下，往上叩头。此时已有人将木牌拿来，请圣上验看。见三枝八寸长短的袖箭，俱各钉在朱红点上，惟有末一枝已将木牌钉透。天子看了，甚觉罕然，连声称道：「真绝技也！」
The Emperor was delighted. “Splendid swordsmanship!” he said to Lord Bao. “No wonder you sang his praises, minister. But how are we to try his sleeve arrows?” “Zhan Zhao has told me,” Lord Bao replied, “that at night he can shoot out the glowing tip of a stick of incense. As it is broad daylight now, we can only use a wooden target board of the kind used in archery contests, pasted over with white paper. If Your Majesty will put three vermilion dots on it wherever you please, we can try his sleeve arrows on those. Would that please Your Majesty?” “It suits Us exactly,” said the Emperor. Lord Bao, as it turned out, had already ordered everything made ready, and the officials in charge brought the board in. The Emperor looked it over. It was pasted over with white paper, without so much as a black speck or a wrinkle anywhere. He could not resist taking up the vermilion brush himself and putting three big dots on it wherever he pleased. Then he told the officials to go with Zhan Zhao and set the board up wherever he liked; for a man trains himself to shoot sleeve arrows at his own distance in paces, and they are not like other men’s weapons. Zhan Zhao understood exactly what His Majesty intended. He went down the vermilion steps with the officials and walked off at a slant some twenty or thirty paces, judging where His Majesty would be sure to see, and only then had the board set up firmly. Everyone round about drew back. Then Zhan Zhao, standing before the board, bowed from afar toward the Yaowu Tower. When he had bowed, he rose, fixed his eye on the red dots, then spun round and ran straight toward the Yaowu Tower. When he had run some twenty paces, he flung up his left hand, his right hand shot out — and from the board came a thwack! He stopped in his tracks, turned to face the board squarely and flung up his hand again, and again came a thwack from the board over there. This time Zhan Zhao changed to the Crouching Tiger stance: bending at the waist and twisting his neck round, he thrust his right hand out from under his armpit — thwack! — and the board rocked wildly. Then Zhan Zhao, crouching low, came to the foot of the vermilion steps and kowtowed toward the throne. Someone had already brought the board up, and His Majesty was asked to inspect it. Three sleeve arrows, each some eight inches long, were lodged in the vermilion dots, and the last had gone clean through the board. The Emperor marvelled at the sight. “A matchless feat indeed!” he exclaimed again and again.
包公又奏：「啟上吾主，展昭第三技乃縱躍法，非登高不可，須脫去長衣方能靈便。就叫他上對面五間高閣，我主可以登樓一望，看的始能真切。」天子道：「卿言甚是。」聖上起身，剛登扶梯，便傳旨：「所有大臣俱各隨朕登樓，餘者俱在樓下。」便有隨侍內監回身傳了聖旨。包公領班，慢慢登了高樓。天子憑欄入座，眾臣環立左右。
包公又奏：「启上吾主，展昭第三技乃纵跃法，非登高不可，须脱去长衣方能灵便。就叫他上对面五间高阁，我主可以登楼一望，看的始能真切。」天子道：「卿言甚是。」圣上起身，刚登扶梯，便传旨：「所有大臣俱各随朕登楼，余者俱在楼下。」便有随侍内监回身传了圣旨。包公领班，慢慢登了高楼。天子凭栏入座，众臣环立左右。
Lord Bao addressed the throne again: “May it please my sovereign, Zhan Zhao’s third art is leaping, which cannot be shown without climbing high, and he must take off his long robe to move freely. Let him go up onto the tall pavilion opposite, the one five bays wide. If my sovereign will go up into the tower to watch, you will be able to see it truly.” “What you say is quite right, minister,” said the Emperor. His Majesty rose, and he had just set foot on the stairs when he issued a command: “All the high ministers are to come up into the tower with Us. Everyone else will stay below.” The eunuch in attendance turned and passed on the command. Lord Bao, at the head of the ministers, climbed slowly up into the tower. The Emperor took his seat by the balustrade, and the ministers stood round him on either side.
展昭此時已將袍服脫卻，紮縛停當。四爺趙虎不知從何處暖了一杯酒來，說道：「大哥且飲一杯助助興，提提氣。」展爺道：「多謝賢弟費心。」接過一飲而盡。趙爺還要斟時，見展爺已走出數步。楞爺卻自己悄悄的飲了三杯，過來翹著腳兒，往對面閣上觀看。
展昭此时已将袍服脱却，扎缚停当。四爷赵虎不知从何处暖了一杯酒来，说道：「大哥且饮一杯助助兴，提提气。」展爷道：「多谢贤弟费心。」接过一饮而尽。赵爷还要斟时，见展爷已走出数步。楞爷却自己悄悄的饮了三杯，过来翘着脚儿，往对面阁上观看。
By now Zhan Zhao had taken off his robe and fastened his clothes tightly about him. Fourth Master Zhao Hu, who had got a cup of wine warmed heaven knows where, brought it over. “Have a cup, Big Brother,” he said. “It’ll put you in the mood and give you a lift.” “Thank you for your trouble, brother,” said Zhan Zhao. He took the cup and drained it at a draught. Zhao Hu was about to pour him another when he saw that Zhan Zhao had already walked off several paces. So the Madcap quietly drank three cups himself, then came over and stood on tiptoe to watch the pavilion opposite.
單說展爺到了閣下，轉身又向耀武樓上叩拜。立起來，他便在平地上鷺伏鶴行，徘徊了幾步。忽見他身體一縮，腰背一躬，嗖的一聲，猶如雲中飛燕一般，早已輕輕落在高閣之上。這邊天子驚喜非常，道：「卿等看他，如何一轉眼間就上了高閣呢？」眾臣宰齊聲誇贊。此時展爺顯弄本領，走到高閣柱下，雙手將柱一摟，身體一飄，兩腿一飛，嗤、嗤、嗤、嗤順柱倒爬而上。到了柁頭，用左手把住，左腿盤在柱上，將虎體一挺，右手一揚，作了個探海勢。天子看了，連聲贊「好」。群臣以及樓下人等無不喝采。又見他右手抓住椽頭，滴溜溜身體一轉，把眾人嚇了一跳。他卻轉過左手，找著椽頭，腳尖兒登定檁方，上面兩手倒把，下面兩腳攏步，由東邊串到西邊，由西邊又串到東邊。串來串去，串到中間，忽然把雙腳一拳，用了個捲身勢往上一翻，腳跟登定瓦隴，平平的將身子翻上房去。天子看至此，不由失聲道：「奇哉！奇哉！這哪裡是個人，分明是朕的御貓一般。」誰知展爺在高處業已聽見，便在房上與聖上叩頭。眾人又是歡喜，又替他害怕。只因聖上金口說了「御貓」二字，南俠從此就得了這個綽號，人人稱他為御貓。此號一傳不知緊要，便惹起了多少英雄好漢，人人奇材，個個豪傑。若非這些異人出仕，如何平定襄陽的大事。後文慢表。
单说展爷到了阁下，转身又向耀武楼上叩拜。立起来，他便在平地上鹭伏鹤行，徘徊了几步。忽见他身体一缩，腰背一躬，嗖的一声，犹如云中飞燕一般，早已轻轻落在高阁之上。这边天子惊喜非常，道：「卿等看他，如何一转眼间就上了高阁呢？」众臣宰齐声夸赞。此时展爷显弄本领，走到高阁柱下，双手将柱一搂，身体一飘，两腿一飞，嗤、嗤、嗤、嗤顺柱倒爬而上。到了柁头，用左手把住，左腿盘在柱上，将虎体一挺，右手一扬，作了个探海势。天子看了，连声赞「好」。群臣以及楼下人等无不喝采。又见他右手抓住椽头，滴溜溜身体一转，把众人吓了一跳。他却转过左手，找着椽头，脚尖儿登定檩方，上面两手倒把，下面两脚拢步，由东边串到西边，由西边又串到东边。串来串去，串到中间，忽然把双脚一拳，用了个卷身势往上一翻，脚跟登定瓦陇，平平的将身子翻上房去。天子看至此，不由失声道：「奇哉！奇哉！这哪里是个人，分明是朕的御猫一般。」谁知展爷在高处业已听见，便在房上与圣上叩头。众人又是欢喜，又替他害怕。只因圣上金口说了「御猫」二字，南侠从此就得了这个绰号，人人称他为御猫。此号一传不知紧要，便惹起了多少英雄好汉，人人奇材，个个豪杰。若非这些异人出仕，如何平定襄阳的大事。后文慢表。
Our story turns to Zhan Zhao. When he reached the foot of the pavilion, he turned and once more kowtowed toward the Yaowu Tower. Then he rose, and on the level ground he paced to and fro a few steps, like a crouching egret or a stalking crane. Suddenly he drew himself in, bent his back — whoosh! — and like a swallow flying through the clouds, he had already come down, light as a feather, on top of the tall pavilion. Over in the tower the Emperor was astonished and delighted. “Look at him, ministers! How did he get up onto the pavilion in the blink of an eye?” The ministers praised him with one voice. Now Zhan Zhao showed off his skills. He went to one of the pavilion’s pillars and threw both arms round it; his body seemed to float, his legs to fly, and — swish, swish, swish, swish! — up the pillar he went, upside down. When he reached the end of the great beam, he held on with his left hand, curled his left leg round the pillar, drew his powerful frame up straight, flung out his right hand and struck the Searching the Sea pose. “Bravo!” cried the Emperor again and again, and the ministers and everyone below the tower cheered. Next he caught hold of a rafter end with his right hand and swung his whole body round in a whirl, giving everyone a start. But then he brought his left hand over to another rafter end and set the tips of his toes firmly on the beam below. Shifting his grip hand over hand above and edging his feet along below, he flitted from the east end to the west, and from the west end back to the east. Back and forth he went until he reached the middle. All at once he drew up both feet, curled his body and flipped upward, planted his heels on the rows of tiles and rolled smoothly up onto the roof. At this sight the Emperor cried out in spite of himself, “Marvellous! Marvellous! That is no man — he is for all the world like Our own imperial cat!” Zhan Zhao, high up as he was, had heard him, and there on the roof he kowtowed to His Majesty. Everyone was delighted, and frightened for him at the same time. Because the words “Imperial Cat” had passed His Majesty’s golden lips, from then on the Southern Hero had a nickname: everyone called him the Imperial Cat (Yumao). No one thought it mattered, but once the name spread, it stirred up any number of heroes and bold fellows, every one a rare talent, every one a man of mettle. Had these extraordinary men not taken service with the court, how could the great affair at Xiangyang ever have been put down? But more of that later.
當下仁宗天子親試了展昭的三藝，當日駕轉還宮，立刻傳旨：「展昭為御前四品帶刀護衛，就在開封府供職。」包公帶領展昭望闕叩頭謝恩。諸事已畢，回轉開封。包公進了書房，立刻叫包興備了四品武職服色送與展爺。展爺連忙穿起，隨著包興來到書房，與包公行禮。包公哪裡肯受，遜讓多時，只受了半禮。展爺又叫包興進內在夫人跟前代白，就說展昭與夫人磕頭。包興去了多時，回來說道：「夫人說，老爺屢蒙展老爺護救，實實感謝不盡。日後還要求展老爺時時幫助相爺。給展老爺道喜，禮是不敢當的。」展爺恭恭敬敬，連連稱「是」。包公又告訴他：「明早具公服上朝，本閣替你代奏謝恩。」展爺謝道：「卑職謹依鈞命。」說罷，退出，來到公所。公孫策與四勇士俱各上前道喜。彼此遜讓一番，大家入座，不多時，擺上豐盛酒肴。這是眾人與展爺賀喜的。公孫策為首，便要安席敬酒。展爺哪裡肯依，便道：「你我皆知己弟兄，若如此，便是拿我當外人看了。」大家見展爺如此，公議共敬三杯。展爺領了，謝過眾人，彼此就座。飲酒之間，又提起今日試藝，大家贊不絕口。展爺再三謙遜，毫無自滿之意，大家更為佩服。
当下仁宗天子亲试了展昭的三艺，当日驾转还宫，立刻传旨：「展昭为御前四品带刀护卫，就在开封府供职。」包公带领展昭望阙叩头谢恩。诸事已毕，回转开封。包公进了书房，立刻叫包兴备了四品武职服色送与展爷。展爷连忙穿起，随着包兴来到书房，与包公行礼。包公哪里肯受，逊让多时，只受了半礼。展爷又叫包兴进内在夫人跟前代白，就说展昭与夫人磕头。包兴去了多时，回来说道：「夫人说，老爷屡蒙展老爷护救，实实感谢不尽。日后还要求展老爷时时帮助相爷。给展老爷道喜，礼是不敢当的。」展爷恭恭敬敬，连连称「是」。包公又告诉他：「明早具公服上朝，本阁替你代奏谢恩。」展爷谢道：「卑职谨依钧命。」说罢，退出，来到公所。公孙策与四勇士俱各上前道喜。彼此逊让一番，大家入座，不多时，摆上丰盛酒肴。这是众人与展爷贺喜的。公孙策为首，便要安席敬酒。展爷哪里肯依，便道：「你我皆知己弟兄，若如此，便是拿我当外人看了。」大家见展爷如此，公议共敬三杯。展爷领了，谢过众人，彼此就座。饮酒之间，又提起今日试艺，大家赞不绝口。展爷再三谦逊，毫无自满之意，大家更为佩服。
So Emperor Renzong tested Zhan Zhao’s three arts in person. That same day, when he had returned to the palace, he at once issued a decree: “Zhan Zhao is appointed Sword-Bearing Guard of the Imperial Presence, of the fourth rank, to serve in Kaifeng Prefecture.” Lord Bao led Zhan Zhao in kowtowing toward the palace to give thanks for the imperial grace. When everything was done, they went back to Kaifeng. Lord Bao went into his study and at once had Bao Xing make ready the robes of a fourth-rank military official and take them to Zhan Zhao. Zhan Zhao lost no time in putting them on, and he followed Bao Xing to the study to make his bows to Lord Bao. But Lord Bao would not hear of receiving them. They went back and forth politely for a long time, and in the end he accepted only half the courtesy. Zhan Zhao also asked Bao Xing to go into the inner quarters and speak for him to Lady Li: he was to say that Zhan Zhao kowtowed to her. Bao Xing was gone for some time. When he came back, he said, “My lady says that time and again the master has owed his safety to Master Zhan, and she truly cannot thank you enough. She hopes that from now on Master Zhan will always be there to help His Excellency. She congratulates Master Zhan, but as for the kowtow, she couldn’t presume to accept it.” Most respectfully, Zhan Zhao said “Yes” over and over. Then Lord Bao told him, “Tomorrow morning put on your official dress and come to court. This Academician will give thanks to the throne on your behalf.” Zhan Zhao thanked him. “Your humble subordinate will respectfully do as Your Excellency commands.” With that he withdrew and went to the officers’ hall, where Gongsun Ce and the four brave men all came forward to congratulate him. After much polite deferring to one another, they all took their seats, and before long a sumptuous spread of wine and food was laid out: the others had arranged it to celebrate with Zhan Zhao. Gongsun Ce, at their head, was about to show him to the place of honour and offer him the first cup, but Zhan Zhao would not allow it. “We’re all close friends and brothers here,” he said. “If you do this, you’ll be treating me as an outsider.” Seeing how he felt, they all agreed to drink three cups to him together. Zhan Zhao accepted them and thanked everyone, and they took their seats once more. As they drank, the talk turned again to the trial of his skills that day, and they could not praise him enough. But Zhan Zhao modestly disclaimed it again and again, without the slightest sign of conceit, and they admired him all the more.
正在飲酒之際，只見包興進來，大家讓坐。包興道：「實實不能相陪，相爺叫我來請公孫先生來了。」眾人便問何事。包興道：「方才老爺進內，吃了飯出來，便到書房，叫請公孫先生。不知為著何事。」公孫策暫向眾人告辭，同包興進內，往書房去了。這裡眾人納悶，再也測度不出是為什麼事來。不多一會，只見公孫策出來，大家便問：「相爺呼喚，有何台諭？」公孫策道：「不為別的，一來給展大哥辦理謝恩摺子；二來為前在修文殿召見之時，聖上說了一句幾天沒見咱家相爺如失股肱，相爺因想起國家總以選拔人才為要。況有太后入宮大慶之典禮，宜加一科，為國求賢。叫我打個條陳摺底兒，請開恩科。」展爺道：「這也是一件極好的事。既如此，咱們吃飯罷，不可耽擱了賢弟正事。」公孫策道：「一個摺底也甚容易，何必太忙。」展爺道：「雖則如此，相爺既然吩咐，想來必是等著看呢。你我朝夕聚首，何爭此一刻呢？」公孫策聽展爺說得有理，只得要飯來。大家用畢，離席，散坐吃茶。公孫先生得便來到自己屋內，略為思索，提筆一揮而就，交包興請示相爺看過，立刻繕寫清楚，預備明日呈遞。
正在饮酒之际，只见包兴进来，大家让坐。包兴道：「实实不能相陪，相爷叫我来请公孙先生来了。」众人便问何事。包兴道：「方才老爷进内，吃了饭出来，便到书房，叫请公孙先生。不知为着何事。」公孙策暂向众人告辞，同包兴进内，往书房去了。这里众人纳闷，再也测度不出是为什么事来。不多一会，只见公孙策出来，大家便问：「相爷呼唤，有何台谕？」公孙策道：「不为别的，一来给展大哥办理谢恩折子；二来为前在修文殿召见之时，圣上说了一句几天没见咱家相爷如失股肱，相爷因想起国家总以选拔人才为要。况有太后入宫大庆之典礼，宜加一科，为国求贤。叫我打个条陈折底儿，请开恩科。」展爷道：「这也是一件极好的事。既如此，咱们吃饭罢，不可耽搁了贤弟正事。」公孙策道：「一个折底也甚容易，何必太忙。」展爷道：「虽则如此，相爷既然吩咐，想来必是等着看呢。你我朝夕聚首，何争此一刻呢？」公孙策听展爷说得有理，只得要饭来。大家用毕，离席，散坐吃茶。公孙先生得便来到自己屋内，略为思索，提笔一挥而就，交包兴请示相爷看过，立刻缮写清楚，预备明日呈递。
They were in the middle of their drinking when Bao Xing came in, and everyone made room and urged him to sit. “I really can’t stay,” said Bao Xing. “His Excellency has sent me to ask Mr. Gongsun to come.” They all asked what it was about. “Just now the master went into the inner quarters,” said Bao Xing, “and when he came out after his meal, he went straight to the study and told me to ask Mr. Gongsun in. I don’t know what for.” Gongsun Ce excused himself to the company for the moment and went in with Bao Xing to the study. The others were left puzzling over it, but none of them could guess what it might be. Before long Gongsun Ce came out again, and they all asked him, “What did His Excellency call you for? What are his instructions?” “Nothing out of the ordinary,” said Gongsun Ce. “First, a memorial of thanks has to be drawn up for Brother Zhan. Second, the other day, when His Excellency was summoned to the Xiuwen Hall, His Majesty said that not seeing him for a few days had been like losing his right arm. That set His Excellency thinking that for the state the first thing must always be to choose men of talent. Besides, with the great celebrations for the Empress Dowager’s return to the palace, there ought to be an extra examination, to seek out worthy men for the realm. So he wants me to draft a memorial setting out the proposal, asking for a grace examination.” “That’s an excellent thing too,” said Zhan Zhao. “In that case, let’s have our rice now. We mustn’t keep you from your proper business, brother.” “One draft memorial is easy enough,” said Gongsun Ce. “What’s the hurry?” “Even so,” said Zhan Zhao, “His Excellency has given the order, so he’s sure to be waiting to see it. You and I are together morning and night — why quibble over one moment?” Gongsun Ce saw that he was right and called for the rice to be brought. When they had all eaten, they left the table and sat about here and there over tea. Mr. Gongsun took the chance to slip off to his own room. After a moment’s thought he took up his brush and dashed the draft off at one go. He gave it to Bao Xing to put before His Excellency for approval, then made a fair copy at once, ready to be presented the next day.
至次日五鼓，包公帶領展爺到了朝房，伺候謝恩。眾人見了展爺，無不悄悄議論誇贊。又見展爺穿著簇新的四品武職服色，越顯得氣宇昂昂，威風凜凜，真真令人羨慕之中可畏可親。及至聖上升殿，展爺謝過恩後，包公便將加恩科的本章遞上。天子看了甚喜，硃批依議，發到內閣，立刻出抄，頒行各省。所有各處文書一下，人人皆知。
至次日五鼓，包公带领展爷到了朝房，伺候谢恩。众人见了展爷，无不悄悄议论夸赞。又见展爷穿着簇新的四品武职服色，越显得气宇昂昂，威风凛凛，真真令人羡慕之中可畏可亲。及至圣上升殿，展爷谢过恩后，包公便将加恩科的本章递上。天子看了甚喜，朱批依议，发到内阁，立刻出抄，颁行各省。所有各处文书一下，人人皆知。
At the fifth watch the next morning, Lord Bao took Zhan Zhao to the officials’ waiting rooms to wait to give thanks. Everyone who saw Zhan Zhao whispered to one another in his praise. And now, in his brand-new robes of a fourth-rank military official, he looked all the more lofty and commanding, so that while people admired him, they found him at once a man to stand in awe of and a man to warm to. When His Majesty had taken his seat in the hall and Zhan Zhao had given thanks, Lord Bao handed up the memorial proposing the extra grace examination. The Emperor read it with great pleasure and endorsed it in vermilion: “Let it be as proposed.” It was sent down to the Grand Secretariat, copies were made and issued at once, and it was proclaimed in every province. As soon as the dispatches reached each place, everyone knew of it.
不識後文如何，且聽下回分解。
不识后文如何，且听下回分解。
To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.