且說酒保斟上一壺酒來。那人一面喝酒，一面帶有驚慌之色，舉止失宜。只見坐不多時，發了回怔，連那壺酒也未吃完，便匆匆會了錢鈔而去。包公看此光景，因問酒保道：「這人是誰？」酒保道：「他姓皮名熊，乃二十四名馬販之首。」包公記了姓名，吃完了飯，便先叫包興到縣傳諭，就說老爺即刻到任。包公隨後就出了飯鋪，尚未到縣，早有三班衙役、書吏人等迎接上任。到了縣內，有署印的官交了印信，並一切交代，不必細說。
且说酒保斟上一壶酒来。那人一面喝酒，一面带有惊慌之色，举止失宜。只见坐不多时，发了回怔，连那壶酒也未吃完，便匆匆会了钱钞而去。包公看此光景，因问酒保道：「这人是谁？」酒保道：「他姓皮名熊，乃二十四名马贩之首。」包公记了姓名，吃完了饭，便先叫包兴到县传谕，就说老爷即刻到任。包公随后就出了饭铺，尚未到县，早有三班衙役、书吏人等迎接上任。到了县内，有署印的官交了印信，并一切交代，不必细说。
Now, the waiter brought the man a jug of wine. As he drank, he looked alarmed and fidgety, as though he did not know what to do with himself. Before long he fell to staring blankly into space; then, without even finishing the jug, he hurriedly paid and left. Seeing all this, Lord Bao asked the waiter, “Who was that?” “His name is Pi Xiong,” said the waiter. “He’s the chief of the twenty-four horse dealers.” Lord Bao made a note of the name. When he had finished his meal, he first sent Bao Xing to the county yamen with word that the new magistrate would arrive to take up his post at once. Lord Bao himself left the eating house soon after, and before he had even reached the yamen, the three squads of runners, the clerks and all the rest were out to welcome their new master. At the yamen the official who had been acting magistrate handed over the seal of office and accounted for everything in his charge — there is no need to go into it all.
包公便將秋審冊籍細細稽察，見其中有個沈清伽藍殿殺死僧人一案，情節支離。便即傳出諭去，立刻升堂審問沈清一案。所有三班衙役早知消息，老爺暗自一路私訪而來，就知這位老爺的利害，一個個兢兢業業，早已預備齊全。一聞傳喚，立刻一班班進來，分立兩旁，喊了堂威。包公入座，標了禁牌，便吩咐：「帶沈清。」不多時，將沈清從監內提出，帶至公堂，打去刑具，朝上跪倒。包公留神細看，只見此人不過三旬年紀，戰戰兢兢，匍匐在塵埃，不像個行兇之人。包公看罷，便道：「沈清，你為何殺人？從實招來！」沈清哭訴道：「只因小人探親回來，天氣太晚，那日又蒙蒙下雨，地下泥濘，實在難行。素來又膽小，又不敢夜行，便在這縣南三里多地有個古廟，暫避風雨。誰知次日天未明，有公差在路，見小人身後有血跡一片。公差便問小人從何而來，小人便將昨日探親回來、天色太晚、在廟內伽藍殿上存身的話，說了一遍。不想公差攔住不放，務要同小人回至廟中一看。哎呀！太爺呀！小人同差役到廟看時，見佛爺之旁有一殺死的僧人。小人實是不知僧人是誰殺的。因此二位公差將小人解至縣內，竟說小人謀殺和尚。小人真是冤枉！求青天大老爺明察！」包公聞聽，便問道：「你出廟時，是什麼時候？」沈清答道：「天尚未明。」包公又問道：「你這衣服，因何沾了血跡？」沈清答道：「小人原在神櫥之下，血水流過，將小人衣服沾污了。」老爺聞聽，點頭，吩咐帶下，仍然收監。立刻傳轎，打道伽藍殿。包興伺候主人上轎，安好伏手。包興乘馬跟隨。
包公便将秋审册籍细细稽察，见其中有个沈清伽蓝殿杀死僧人一案，情节支离。便即传出谕去，立刻升堂审问沈清一案。所有三班衙役早知消息，老爷暗自一路私访而来，就知这位老爷的利害，一个个兢兢业业，早已预备齐全。一闻传唤，立刻一班班进来，分立两旁，喊了堂威。包公入座，标了禁牌，便吩咐：「带沈清。」不多时，将沈清从监内提出，带至公堂，打去刑具，朝上跪倒。包公留神细看，只见此人不过三旬年纪，战战兢兢，匍匐在尘埃，不像个行凶之人。包公看罢，便道：「沈清，你为何杀人？从实招来！」沈清哭诉道：「只因小人探亲回来，天气太晚，那日又蒙蒙下雨，地下泥泞，实在难行。素来又胆小，又不敢夜行，便在这县南三里多地有个古庙，暂避风雨。谁知次日天未明，有公差在路，见小人身后有血迹一片。公差便问小人从何而来，小人便将昨日探亲回来、天色太晚、在庙内伽蓝殿上存身的话，说了一遍。不想公差拦住不放，务要同小人回至庙中一看。哎呀！太爷呀！小人同差役到庙看时，见佛爷之旁有一杀死的僧人。小人实是不知僧人是谁杀的。因此二位公差将小人解至县内，竟说小人谋杀和尚。小人真是冤枉！求青天大老爷明察！」包公闻听，便问道：「你出庙时，是什么时候？」沈清答道：「天尚未明。」包公又问道：「你这衣服，因何沾了血迹？」沈清答道：「小人原在神橱之下，血水流过，将小人衣服沾污了。」老爷闻听，点头，吩咐带下，仍然收监。立刻传轿，打道伽蓝殿。包兴伺候主人上轿，安好伏手。包兴乘马跟随。
Lord Bao went carefully through the registers for the autumn assizes. Among them he found a case in which Shen Qing was charged with killing a monk at the Qielan Hall, and its facts did not hang together. At once he sent out word that he would open court and try the case of Shen Qing without delay. The three squads of runners had already heard how their new master had come along the road in secret, making his own inquiries, and they knew what a formidable magistrate he was. Every one of them was on his toes, and they had long had everything ready. The moment they were called, they filed in squad by squad, lined up on either side of the hall and gave the court cry. Lord Bao took his seat, marked the placard of court prohibitions and ordered, “Bring in Shen Qing.” Before long Shen Qing was fetched from the jail and brought into the courtroom. His fetters were knocked off, and he knelt facing the bench. Lord Bao studied him closely. The man was no more than thirty. He lay prostrate in the dust, trembling all over, and he did not look like a killer. When he had looked him over, Lord Bao said, “Shen Qing, why did you kill a man? Tell the truth!” Shen Qing wept as he told his story. “I was on my way back from visiting relatives, sir, and it had got too late. It was drizzling that day, too, and the ground was so muddy I could hardly walk. I’ve always been timid, and I didn’t dare travel by night, so I took shelter from the wind and rain in an old temple a little over three li south of the town. But before it was light the next morning, there were constables on the road, and they saw a patch of blood on the back of my clothes. They asked me where I’d come from, and I told them how I’d been on my way home from visiting relatives the day before, how it had got too late, and how I’d spent the night in the Qielan Hall of the temple. But the constables stopped me and wouldn’t let me go. They insisted I go back to the temple with them and have a look. Oh, Your Honour! When I went into the temple with them, there beside the god’s image lay a monk, murdered. I truly don’t know who killed him. But the two constables marched me off to the county town and said I’d murdered the monk. I’ve been wronged, truly I have! I beg Your Honour, clear as the blue sky, to see the truth!” At this Lord Bao asked, “What time was it when you left the temple?” “It wasn’t light yet,” Shen Qing answered. “And how did you come to get blood on your clothes?” asked Lord Bao. “I’d been lying under the altar,” Shen Qing answered, “and the blood ran over and soaked into my clothes.” His Honour nodded and ordered him taken down and returned to the jail. Then at once he called for his sedan chair and set off for the Qielan Hall, with runners clearing the way. Bao Xing helped his master into the chair and set the armrest in place for him, then followed on horseback.
包公在轎內暗思：「他既謀害僧人，為何衣服並無血跡，光有身後一片呢？再者雖是刀傷，彼時並無兇器。」一路盤算，來到伽藍殿，老爺下轎，吩咐跟役人等不准跟隨進去，獨帶包興進廟。至殿前，只見佛像殘朽敗壞，兩旁配像俱已坍塌。又轉到佛像背後，上下細看，不覺暗暗點頭。回身細看神櫥之下，地上果有一片血跡迷亂。忽見那邊地下放著一物，便撿起看時，一言不發，攏入袖中，即刻打道回衙。來至書房，包興獻茶，回道：「李保押著行李來了。」包公聞聽，叫他進來。李保連忙進來，給老爺叩頭。老爺便叫包興傳該值的頭目進來，包興答應。去不多時，帶了進來，朝上跪倒：「小人胡成給老爺叩頭。」包公問道：「咱們縣中可有木匠麼？」胡成應道：「有。」包公道：「你去多叫幾名來，我有緊要活計要做的，明早務要俱各傳到。」胡成連忙答應，轉身去了。
包公在轿内暗思：「他既谋害僧人，为何衣服并无血迹，光有身后一片呢？再者虽是刀伤，彼时并无凶器。」一路盘算，来到伽蓝殿，老爷下轿，吩咐跟役人等不准跟随进去，独带包兴进庙。至殿前，只见佛像残朽败坏，两旁配像俱已坍塌。又转到佛像背后，上下细看，不觉暗暗点头。回身细看神橱之下，地上果有一片血迹迷乱。忽见那边地下放着一物，便捡起看时，一言不发，拢入袖中，即刻打道回衙。来至书房，包兴献茶，回道：「李保押着行李来了。」包公闻听，叫他进来。李保连忙进来，给老爷叩头。老爷便叫包兴传该值的头目进来，包兴答应。去不多时，带了进来，朝上跪倒：「小人胡成给老爷叩头。」包公问道：「咱们县中可有木匠么？」胡成应道：「有。」包公道：「你去多叫几名来，我有紧要活计要做的，明早务要俱各传到。」胡成连忙答应，转身去了。
In his sedan chair Lord Bao turned it over in his mind. “If he murdered the monk, why is there no blood on his clothes except that one patch on the back? And though the wounds were made with a blade, no weapon was found at the time.” Pondering it all the way, he came to the Qielan Hall. His Honour stepped down from his chair, ordered his escort not to follow him in, and went into the temple with only Bao Xing. At the hall he saw that the main image was crumbling and rotten, and the attendant figures on either side had all fallen in. He went round behind the main image and looked it over closely from top to bottom, and he nodded quietly to himself. Then he turned and looked carefully under the altar: there on the ground, sure enough, was a smeared patch of blood. Suddenly he noticed something lying on the ground over to one side. He picked it up and looked at it, then, without a word, tucked it into his sleeve and at once set off back to the yamen. When he reached his study, Bao Xing served him tea and announced, “Li Bao is here with the baggage.” Lord Bao told him to come in, and Li Bao hurried in and knocked his head on the floor before his master. Then His Honour told Bao Xing to call in the head runner on duty. Bao Xing went off and before long brought him in. The man knelt facing his master. “Hu Cheng pays his respects to Your Honour.” “Are there any carpenters in our county?” asked Lord Bao. “Yes, sir,” answered Hu Cheng. “Go and call in a good number of them,” said Lord Bao. “I have some urgent work for them. They must all be here first thing tomorrow morning.” Hu Cheng hastily assented, turned and went.
到了次日，胡成稟道：「小人將木匠俱已傳齊，現在外面伺候。」包公又吩咐道：「預備矮桌數張，筆硯數分，將木匠俱帶至後花廳，不可有誤。去罷。」胡成答應，連忙備辦去了。這裡包公梳洗已畢，即同包興來至花廳，吩咐木匠俱各帶進來。只見進來了九個人，俱各跪倒，口稱：「老爺在上，小的叩頭。」包公道：「如今我要做各樣的花盆架子，務要新奇式樣。你們每人畫他一個，老爺揀好的用，並有重賞。」說罷，吩咐拿矮桌筆硯來。兩旁答應一聲，登時齊備。只見九個木匠分在兩旁，各自搜索枯腸，誰不願新奇討好呢！內中就有使慣了竹筆，拿不上筆來的；也有怯官的，戰戰哆嗦畫不像樣的；竟有從容不迫，一揮而就的。包公在座上，往下細細留神觀看。不多時，俱各畫完，挨次呈遞，老爺接一張，看一張，看到其中一張，便問道：「你叫什麼名字？」那人道：「小人叫吳良。」包公便向眾木匠道：「你們散去，將吳良帶至公堂。」左右答應一聲，立刻點鼓升堂。
到了次日，胡成禀道：「小人将木匠俱已传齐，现在外面伺候。」包公又吩咐道：「预备矮桌数张，笔砚数分，将木匠俱带至后花厅，不可有误。去罢。」胡成答应，连忙备办去了。这里包公梳洗已毕，即同包兴来至花厅，吩咐木匠俱各带进来。只见进来了九个人，俱各跪倒，口称：「老爷在上，小的叩头。」包公道：「如今我要做各样的花盆架子，务要新奇式样。你们每人画他一个，老爷拣好的用，并有重赏。」说罢，吩咐拿矮桌笔砚来。两旁答应一声，登时齐备。只见九个木匠分在两旁，各自搜索枯肠，谁不愿新奇讨好呢！内中就有使惯了竹笔，拿不上笔来的；也有怯官的，战战哆嗦画不像样的；竟有从容不迫，一挥而就的。包公在座上，往下细细留神观看。不多时，俱各画完，挨次呈递，老爷接一张，看一张，看到其中一张，便问道：「你叫什么名字？」那人道：「小人叫吴良。」包公便向众木匠道：「你们散去，将吴良带至公堂。」左右答应一声，立刻点鼓升堂。
The next day Hu Cheng reported, “I’ve called in all the carpenters, sir. They’re waiting outside.” Lord Bao gave further orders: “Set out several low tables and several sets of brushes and inkstones, and bring all the carpenters to the back reception hall. Mind there’s no mistake. Go.” Hu Cheng assented and hurried off to get everything ready. Meanwhile Lord Bao washed and combed his hair, then went with Bao Xing to the reception hall and ordered the carpenters brought in. In came nine men, and they all knelt. “Your Honour,” they said, “we humbly pay our respects.” “I want some flowerpot stands made, of every kind,” said Lord Bao, “and they must be of new and unusual designs. Each of you is to draw me one. I shall pick the best to use, and there will be a handsome reward.” With that, he ordered the low tables, brushes and inkstones brought in. The attendants on either side answered as one, and in no time all was ready. The nine carpenters, ranged on either side, each racked his brains — for who would not want to come up with something new and win favour? Some of them were so used to their bamboo marking pens that they could not manage a writing brush at all. Some were so overawed by the official that they trembled and shook and could not draw anything that looked right. And there were even some who, calm and unhurried, dashed theirs off in a single sweep. From his seat above, Lord Bao watched them all closely. Before long they had all finished and handed up their drawings one by one. His Honour took each sheet and looked at it in turn, and when he came to one of them he asked, “What is your name?” “My name is Wu Liang, sir,” said the man. Lord Bao turned to the carpenters. “You may go. Take Wu Liang to the courtroom.” The attendants answered as one, and at once the drum was beaten and court was opened.
包公入座，將驚堂木一拍，叫道：「吳良，你為何殺死僧人？從實招來！免得皮肉受苦。」吳良聽說，吃驚不小，回道：「小人以木匠做活為生，是極安分的，如何敢殺人呢？望乞老爺詳察。」老爺道：「諒你這廝決不肯招。左右，爾等立刻到伽藍殿將伽藍神好好抬來。」左右答應一聲，立刻去了。不多時，將伽藍神抬至公堂。百姓們見把伽藍神泥胎抬到縣衙聽審，誰不要看看新奇的事，都來。只見包公離了公座，迎將下來，向伽藍神似有問答之狀，左右觀看，不覺好笑。連包興也暗說道：「我們老爺這是裝什麼腔兒呢？」只見包公從新入座，叫道：「吳良，適才神聖言道，你那日行兇之時，已在神聖背後留下暗記。下去比來。」左右將吳良帶下去。只見那神聖背後肩膀以下，果有左手六指兒的手印；誰知吳良左手卻是六指兒，比上時絲毫不錯。吳良嚇的魂飛膽裂，左右的人無不吐舌，說：「這位大爺真是神仙，如何就知是木匠吳良呢？」殊不知包公那日上廟驗看時，地下撿了一物，卻是個墨斗；又見那伽藍神身後六指手的血印，因此想到木匠身上。
包公入座，将惊堂木一拍，叫道：「吴良，你为何杀死僧人？从实招来！免得皮肉受苦。」吴良听说，吃惊不小，回道：「小人以木匠做活为生，是极安分的，如何敢杀人呢？望乞老爷详察。」老爷道：「谅你这厮决不肯招。左右，尔等立刻到伽蓝殿将伽蓝神好好抬来。」左右答应一声，立刻去了。不多时，将伽蓝神抬至公堂。百姓们见把伽蓝神泥胎抬到县衙听审，谁不要看看新奇的事，都来。只见包公离了公座，迎将下来，向伽蓝神似有问答之状，左右观看，不觉好笑。连包兴也暗说道：「我们老爷这是装什么腔儿呢？」只见包公从新入座，叫道：「吴良，适才神圣言道，你那日行凶之时，已在神圣背后留下暗记。下去比来。」左右将吴良带下去。只见那神圣背后肩膀以下，果有左手六指儿的手印；谁知吴良左手却是六指儿，比上时丝毫不错。吴良吓的魂飞胆裂，左右的人无不吐舌，说：「这位大爷真是神仙，如何就知是木匠吴良呢？」殊不知包公那日上庙验看时，地下捡了一物，却是个墨斗；又见那伽蓝神身后六指手的血印，因此想到木匠身上。
Lord Bao took his seat, slammed down the startle block and cried, “Wu Liang, why did you kill the monk? Confess the truth and spare yourself a beating!” Wu Liang was badly shaken. “I make my living as a carpenter, sir,” he answered. “I’m a most law-abiding man. How would I dare kill anyone? I beg Your Honour to look into it.” “I can see you’ll never confess, you scoundrel,” said His Honour. “Men, go to the Qielan Hall at once and bring the god Qielan here. Carry him carefully.” The runners answered as one and went off at once. Before long they had carried the god into the courtroom. When the townsfolk saw the clay idol of Qielan being carried to the county yamen to attend a trial, who would not want to see such a novelty? They all came. Lord Bao left the bench and came down to meet the god, and he seemed to be putting questions to it and hearing its answers. The men on either side watched and could not help finding it funny. Even Bao Xing said to himself, “What sort of act is our master putting on now?” Then Lord Bao took his seat again and called out, “Wu Liang, the holy god has just told me that on the day you did the deed, you left a secret mark on his back. Go down and compare.” The runners took Wu Liang down. There on the god’s back, below the shoulder, sure enough, was the print of a six-fingered left hand — and Wu Liang, as it turned out, had six fingers on his left hand. When they held it up to the print, it matched to a hair. Wu Liang was frightened out of his wits, and everyone around stuck out their tongues in amazement. “His Honour here must be an immortal!” they said. “How did he know it was Wu Liang the carpenter?” What they did not know was that when Lord Bao went to the temple that day to examine the scene, the thing he had picked up off the ground was a carpenter’s ink marker. And he had seen the bloody print of a six-fingered hand on the back of the god Qielan. That was what had turned his thoughts to a carpenter.
左右又將吳良帶至公堂跪倒。只見包公把驚堂木一拍，一聲斷喝，說：「吳良，如今真贓實犯，還不實說麼？」左右復又威嚇，說：「快招！快招！」吳良著忙道：「太爺不必動怒，小人實招就是了。」案房書吏在一旁寫供。吳良道：「小人原與廟內和尚交好。這和尚素來愛喝酒，小人也是酒鬼。因那天和尚請我喝酒，誰知他就醉了。我因勸他收個徒弟，以為將來的收緣結果。他便說：『如今徒弟實在難收。就是將來收緣結果，我也不怕。這幾年的工夫，我也積攢了有二十多兩銀子了。』他原是醉後無心的話。小人便問他：『你這銀子收藏在何處呢？若是丟了，豈不白費了這幾年的工夫麼？』他說：『我這銀子是再丟不了的，放的地方人人再也想不到的』，小人就問他：『你到底擱在哪裡呢？』他就說：『咱們倆這樣相好，我告訴你，你可不許告訴別人。』他方說出將銀子放在伽藍神腦袋以內。小人一時見財起意，又見他醉了，原要用斧子將他劈死了。回老爺，小人素來拿斧子劈木頭慣了，從來未劈過人。乍乍兒的劈人，不想手就軟了，頭一斧子未劈中。偏遇和尚潑皮要奪我斧子。我如何肯讓他，又將他按住，連劈幾斧，他就死了。鬧了兩手血。因此上神桌，便將左手扶住神背，右手在神聖的腦袋內掏出銀子，不意留下了個手印子。今被太爺神明斷出，小人實實該死。」包公聞聽所供是實，又將墨斗拿出，與他看了。吳良認了是自己之物，因抽斧子落在地下。包公叫他畫供，上了刑具，收監。沈清無故遭屈，賞官銀十兩，釋放。
左右又将吴良带至公堂跪倒。只见包公把惊堂木一拍，一声断喝，说：「吴良，如今真赃实犯，还不实说么？」左右复又威吓，说：「快招！快招！」吴良着忙道：「太爷不必动怒，小人实招就是了。」案房书吏在一旁写供。吴良道：「小人原与庙内和尚交好。这和尚素来爱喝酒，小人也是酒鬼。因那天和尚请我喝酒，谁知他就醉了。我因劝他收个徒弟，以为将来的收缘结果。他便说：『如今徒弟实在难收。就是将来收缘结果，我也不怕。这几年的工夫，我也积攒了有二十多两银子了。』他原是醉后无心的话。小人便问他：『你这银子收藏在何处呢？若是丢了，岂不白费了这几年的工夫么？』他说：『我这银子是再丢不了的，放的地方人人再也想不到的』，小人就问他：『你到底搁在哪里呢？』他就说：『咱们俩这样相好，我告诉你，你可不许告诉别人。』他方说出将银子放在伽蓝神脑袋以内。小人一时见财起意，又见他醉了，原要用斧子将他劈死了。回老爷，小人素来拿斧子劈木头惯了，从来未劈过人。乍乍儿的劈人，不想手就软了，头一斧子未劈中。偏遇和尚泼皮要夺我斧子。我如何肯让他，又将他按住，连劈几斧，他就死了。闹了两手血。因此上神桌，便将左手扶住神背，右手在神圣的脑袋内掏出银子，不意留下了个手印子。今被太爷神明断出，小人实实该死。」包公闻听所供是实，又将墨斗拿出，与他看了。吴良认了是自己之物，因抽斧子落在地下。包公叫他画供，上了刑具，收监。沈清无故遭屈，赏官银十两，释放。
The runners brought Wu Liang back before the bench and made him kneel. Lord Bao slammed down the startle block and gave a thunderous shout: “Wu Liang, the proof is plain and the culprit caught. Will you still not tell the truth?” The runners on either side roared at him again: “Confess! Confess!” Flustered, Wu Liang said, “There’s no need for Your Honour to be angry. I’ll tell the truth, I will.” A clerk from the records office sat to one side, writing down his statement. “I’d always been friendly with the monk at the temple,” said Wu Liang. “He was fond of his drink, and I’m a drunkard myself. That day the monk asked me over for a drink, and before I knew it he was drunk. I told him he ought to take a disciple, so there’d be someone to see him to his end when the time came. And he said, ‘It’s hard to find a disciple these days. As for seeing me to my end, I’m not worried about that. These last few years I’ve put by twenty-odd taels of silver.’ It was just drunk talk; he didn’t mean anything by it. So I asked him, ‘Where do you keep this silver of yours? If it got lost, wouldn’t all those years of saving be wasted?’ He said, ‘My silver can never get lost. I keep it where nobody would ever think to look.’ So I asked him, ‘But where is it, then?’ And he said, ‘We’re such good friends, I’ll tell you — but you mustn’t tell anyone else.’ And then he told me he’d put the silver inside the head of the god Qielan. All of a sudden greed got the better of me, and seeing he was drunk, I meant to split him open with my axe. If it please Your Honour, I’ve always been used to splitting wood with an axe. I’d never split a man before. Going at a man all of a sudden like that, my hands went weak before I knew it, and the first blow missed. Then the monk, ruffian that he was, went and tried to grab my axe. I wasn’t going to let him have it. I pinned him down and hacked at him several times more, and he died. I got both hands covered in blood. Then I climbed up on the altar, steadied myself with my left hand on the god’s back, and with my right hand I fished the silver out of his head. I never thought I’d left a handprint. Now Your Honour has seen through it like a god. I truly deserve to die.” Lord Bao saw that his statement was the truth. Then he brought out the ink marker and showed it to him. Wu Liang admitted it was his: it had fallen to the ground when he pulled out his axe. Lord Bao had him put his mark to the confession, then had him put in irons and taken to the jail. Shen Qing, who had suffered a wrong through no fault of his own, was given ten taels of government silver and set free.
剛要退堂，只聽有擊鼓喊冤之聲。包公即著帶進來。但見從角門進來二人，一個年紀二十多歲，一個有四十上下。來到堂上，二人跪倒。年輕的便道：「小人名叫匡必正。有一叔父開緞店，名叫匡天佑。只因小人叔父有一個珊瑚扇墜，重一兩八錢，遺失三年未有下落。不想今日遇見此人，他腰間佩的正是此物。小人原要借過來看看，怕的是認錯了。誰知他不但不借給看，開口就罵，還說小人訛他，扭住小人不放。太爺詳察。」又只見那人道：「我姓呂名佩，今日狹路相逢，遇見這個後生，將我攔住，硬說我腰間佩的珊瑚墜子是他的。青天白日，竟敢攔路打搶。這後生實實可惡！求太爺與我判斷。」包公聞聽，便將珊瑚墜子要來一看，果然是真的，淡紅，光潤無比，便向匡必正道：「你方才說此墜重夠多少？」匡必正道：「重一兩八錢。倘若不對，或者東西一樣的極有，小人再不敢訛人。」包公又問呂佩道：「你可知道此墜重夠多少？」呂佩道：「此墜乃友人送的，並不曉得多少分兩。」包公回頭，叫包興取戥子來。包興答應，連忙取戥平了，果然重一兩八錢。包公便向呂佩道：「此墜若按分兩，是他說的不差，理應是他的。」呂佩著急，道：「噯呀！大爺呀！此墜原是我的，好朋友送我的，又平什麼分兩呢？我是不敢撒謊的。」包公道：「既是你相好朋友送的，他叫什麼名字？實說！」呂佩道：「我這朋友姓皮名熊，他是馬販頭兒，人所共知。」包公猛然聽「皮熊」二字，觸動心事，吩咐將他二人帶下去，立刻出簽，傳皮熊到案。包公暫且退堂，用了酒飯。
刚要退堂，只听有击鼓喊冤之声。包公即着带进来。但见从角门进来二人，一个年纪二十多岁，一个有四十上下。来到堂上，二人跪倒。年轻的便道：「小人名叫匡必正。有一叔父开缎店，名叫匡天佑。只因小人叔父有一个珊瑚扇坠，重一两八钱，遗失三年未有下落。不想今日遇见此人，他腰间佩的正是此物。小人原要借过来看看，怕的是认错了。谁知他不但不借给看，开口就骂，还说小人讹他，扭住小人不放。太爷详察。」又只见那人道：「我姓吕名佩，今日狭路相逢，遇见这个后生，将我拦住，硬说我腰间佩的珊瑚坠子是他的。青天白日，竟敢拦路打抢。这后生实实可恶！求太爷与我判断。」包公闻听，便将珊瑚坠子要来一看，果然是真的，淡红，光润无比，便向匡必正道：「你方才说此坠重够多少？」匡必正道：「重一两八钱。倘若不对，或者东西一样的极有，小人再不敢讹人。」包公又问吕佩道：「你可知道此坠重够多少？」吕佩道：「此坠乃友人送的，并不晓得多少分两。」包公回头，叫包兴取戥子来。包兴答应，连忙取戥平了，果然重一两八钱。包公便向吕佩道：「此坠若按分两，是他说的不差，理应是他的。」吕佩着急，道：「嗳呀！大爷呀！此坠原是我的，好朋友送我的，又平什么分两呢？我是不敢撒谎的。」包公道：「既是你相好朋友送的，他叫什么名字？实说！」吕佩道：「我这朋友姓皮名熊，他是马贩头儿，人所共知。」包公猛然听「皮熊」二字，触动心事，吩咐将他二人带下去，立刻出签，传皮熊到案。包公暂且退堂，用了酒饭。
Lord Bao was about to close the session when he heard the drum at the gate and a cry of “Injustice!” He ordered whoever it was brought in at once. Two men came in through the side gate, one in his twenties, the other about forty. When they reached the hall, they both knelt. The younger one said, “My name is Kuang Bizheng. I have an uncle named Kuang Tianyou, who keeps a satin shop. My uncle had a coral fan pendant weighing one tael and eight qian, and it went missing three years ago without a trace. Then today I ran into this man, and what should he be wearing at his waist but that very thing! I only wanted to borrow it and have a look, in case I was mistaken. But not only would he not let me look, he started cursing the moment he opened his mouth and said I was trying to swindle him, and he grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go. I beg Your Honour to look into it.” Then the other man spoke. “My name is Lü Pei. Today I came face to face with this young fellow, and he blocked my way and insisted the coral pendant I wear at my waist was his. In broad daylight he had the nerve to stop me in the street and rob me! This young fellow is a real scoundrel. I beg Your Honour to judge between us.” At this Lord Bao asked for the coral pendant and looked at it. It was genuine coral, sure enough: pale red, with a lustre beyond compare. He turned to Kuang Bizheng. “How much did you say this pendant weighs?” “One tael and eight qian,” said Kuang Bizheng. “If it doesn’t — well, there are plenty of things that look just alike, and I’ll never dare accuse anyone falsely again.” Then Lord Bao asked Lü Pei, “Do you know how much this pendant weighs?” “It was a present from a friend,” said Lü Pei. “I’ve no idea what it weighs.” Lord Bao turned and told Bao Xing to fetch a steelyard. Bao Xing assented, quickly fetched one and weighed the pendant: one tael and eight qian, exactly. Lord Bao turned to Lü Pei. “Going by the weight, what he says is correct, so the pendant ought to be his.” Lü Pei grew frantic. “Oh, Your Honour! This pendant is mine. A good friend gave it to me — why would I weigh it? I wouldn’t dare lie to you.” “If a close friend gave it to you,” said Lord Bao, “what is his name? The truth, now!” “My friend’s name is Pi Xiong,” said Lü Pei. “He’s the chief of the horse dealers — everyone knows him.” The name Pi Xiong struck Lord Bao at once and stirred something in his mind. He had the two men taken down and immediately issued a warrant tally summoning Pi Xiong to court. Then he adjourned for the time being and had his meal.
不多時，人來回話：「皮熊傳到。」包公復又升堂：「帶皮熊。」皮熊上堂跪倒，口稱：「太爺在上，傳小人有何事故？」包公道：「聞聽你有珊瑚扇墜，可是有的？」皮熊道：「有的。那是三年前小人撿的。」包公道：「此墜你可送過人麼？」皮熊道：「小人不知何人失落，如何敢送人呢？」包公便問：「此墜尚在何處？」皮熊道：「現在小人家中。」包公吩咐將皮熊帶在一邊，叫把呂佩帶來。包公問道：「方才問過皮熊，他並未曾送你此墜，此墜如何到了你手？快說！」呂佩一時慌張，方說出是皮熊之妻柳氏給的。包公就知話內有因，連問道：「柳氏她如何給你此墜呢？實說！」呂佩便不言語。包公吩咐：「掌嘴！」兩旁人役剛要上前，只見呂佩搖手，道：「老爺不必動怒，我說就是了。」便將與柳氏通姦，是柳氏私贈此墜的話，說了一遍。皮熊在旁聽見他女人和人通姦，很覺不夠瞧的。包公立刻將柳氏傳到。誰知柳氏深恨丈夫在外宿奸，不與自己一心一計，因此來到公堂，不用審問，便說出丈夫皮熊素與楊大成之妻畢氏通姦。「此墜從畢氏處攜來，交與小婦人收了二三年。小婦人與呂佩相好，私自贈他的。」包公立刻出簽，傳畢氏到案。
不多时，人来回话：「皮熊传到。」包公复又升堂：「带皮熊。」皮熊上堂跪倒，口称：「太爷在上，传小人有何事故？」包公道：「闻听你有珊瑚扇坠，可是有的？」皮熊道：「有的。那是三年前小人捡的。」包公道：「此坠你可送过人么？」皮熊道：「小人不知何人失落，如何敢送人呢？」包公便问：「此坠尚在何处？」皮熊道：「现在小人家中。」包公吩咐将皮熊带在一边，叫把吕佩带来。包公问道：「方才问过皮熊，他并未曾送你此坠，此坠如何到了你手？快说！」吕佩一时慌张，方说出是皮熊之妻柳氏给的。包公就知话内有因，连问道：「柳氏她如何给你此坠呢？实说！」吕佩便不言语。包公吩咐：「掌嘴！」两旁人役刚要上前，只见吕佩摇手，道：「老爷不必动怒，我说就是了。」便将与柳氏通奸，是柳氏私赠此坠的话，说了一遍。皮熊在旁听见他女人和人通奸，很觉不够瞧的。包公立刻将柳氏传到。谁知柳氏深恨丈夫在外宿奸，不与自己一心一计，因此来到公堂，不用审问，便说出丈夫皮熊素与杨大成之妻毕氏通奸。「此坠从毕氏处携来，交与小妇人收了二三年。小妇人与吕佩相好，私自赠他的。」包公立刻出签，传毕氏到案。
Before long someone came to report, “Pi Xiong is here.” Lord Bao opened court again. “Bring in Pi Xiong.” Pi Xiong came up into the hall, knelt and said, “Your Honour, what have you summoned me for?” “I hear you have a coral fan pendant,” said Lord Bao. “Is that so?” “It is,” said Pi Xiong. “I found it three years ago.” “Have you ever given it to anyone?” “I don’t know who lost it, sir. How would I dare give it away?” Then Lord Bao asked, “And where is the pendant now?” “At my house,” said Pi Xiong. Lord Bao had Pi Xiong taken to one side and Lü Pei brought in. “I have just questioned Pi Xiong,” he said, “and he never gave you this pendant. So how did it come into your hands? Speak up!” Thrown into a panic, Lü Pei let out that it was Pi Xiong’s wife, Madam Liu, who had given it to him. Lord Bao knew at once that there was more to this. “And how did Madam Liu come to give you the pendant?” he pressed. “The truth!” Lü Pei said nothing. “Slap his face!” Lord Bao ordered. The runners on either side were just stepping forward when Lü Pei waved his hands. “There’s no need for Your Honour to be angry. I’ll tell you.” And he told the whole story: he had been carrying on with Madam Liu, and she had given him the pendant in secret. Standing to one side, Pi Xiong heard that his woman had been carrying on with another man, and he felt thoroughly humiliated. Lord Bao had Madam Liu summoned at once. Now, Madam Liu, as it turned out, bitterly resented her husband for keeping a lover elsewhere and never being of one heart and mind with her. So when she came into court, there was no need to question her: out it all came. Her husband, Pi Xiong, had long been carrying on with Madam Bi, the wife of Yang Dacheng. “He brought this pendant from Madam Bi’s and gave it to me to keep, and I’ve had it two or three years. I was sweet on Lü Pei, so I gave it to him on the quiet.” Lord Bao at once issued a warrant tally summoning Madam Bi to court.
正在審問之際，忽聽得外面又有擊鼓之聲，暫將眾人帶在一旁，先帶擊鼓之人上堂。只見此人年有五旬，原來就是匡必正之叔匡天佑，因聽見有人將他姪兒扭結到官，故此急急趕來，稟道：「只因三年前不記日子，托楊大成到緞店取緞子，將此墜做為執照。過了幾日，小人到鋪問時，並未見楊大成到鋪，也未見此墜，因此小人到楊大成家內。誰知楊大成就是那日晚間死了，也不知此墜的下落，只得隱忍不言。不料小人姪兒今日看見此墜，被人告到太爺臺前。惟求太爺明鏡高懸，伸此冤枉！」說罷，磕下頭去。
正在审问之际，忽听得外面又有击鼓之声，暂将众人带在一旁，先带击鼓之人上堂。只见此人年有五旬，原来就是匡必正之叔匡天佑，因听见有人将他姪儿扭结到官，故此急急赶来，禀道：「只因三年前不记日子，托杨大成到缎店取缎子，将此坠做为执照。过了几日，小人到铺问时，并未见杨大成到铺，也未见此坠，因此小人到杨大成家内。谁知杨大成就是那日晚间死了，也不知此坠的下落，只得隐忍不言。不料小人姪儿今日看见此坠，被人告到太爷台前。惟求太爷明镜高悬，伸此冤枉！」说罢，磕下头去。
In the middle of the hearing, the drum sounded again outside. Lord Bao had everyone taken to one side for the time being and the man who had beaten the drum brought up first. He was about fifty, and he proved to be none other than Kuang Bizheng’s uncle, Kuang Tianyou. He had heard that someone had dragged his nephew before the magistrate, and he had come hurrying over. “Three years ago — I don’t remember the day,” he said, “I asked Yang Dacheng to go to my satin shop and fetch some satin, and I gave him this pendant to show as my token. A few days later, when I asked at the shop, they said Yang Dacheng had never come, and they’d never seen the pendant either. So I went to Yang Dacheng’s house — and it turned out he had died that very evening. No one knew what had become of the pendant, so there was nothing for it but to swallow the loss and say nothing. I never thought my nephew would see the pendant today and be hauled up before Your Honour’s bench for it. I beg only that Your Honour, the bright mirror hung on high, will right this wrong!” And with that he knocked his head on the floor.
包公聞聽，心下明白，叫天佑下去，即帶皮熊、畢氏上堂，便問畢氏：「你丈夫是何病死的？」畢氏尚未答言，皮熊在旁答道：「是心疼病死的。」包公便將驚堂木一拍，喝聲：「該死的狗才！她丈夫心疼病死的，你如何知道？明是因奸謀命。快把怎生謀害楊大成致死情由，從實招來！」兩旁一齊威嚇：「招！招！招！」皮熊驚慌，說道：「小人與畢氏通姦是實，並無謀害楊大成之事。」包公聞聽，說：「你這刁嘴的奴才！曾記得前在飯店之中，你要吃酒，神色慌張，舉止失措，酒也未曾吃完。今日公堂之上，還敢支吾！左右，抬上刑來！」皮熊只嚇得啞口無言，暗暗自思道：「這位太爺如此明察，別的諒也瞞不過他去，莫若實說，也免得皮肉受苦。」想罷，連連叩頭，道：「太爺不必動怒，小人願招。」包公道：「招來！」皮熊道：「只因小人與畢氏通姦，情投意合，惟恐楊大成知道，將我二人拆散。因此定計，將他灌醉，用刀殺死，暗用棺木盛殮，只說心疼暴病而死。彼時因見珊瑚墜，小人拿回家去，交付妻子收了。即此便是實情。」包公聞聽，叫他畫供。即將畢氏定了凌遲，皮熊定了斬決，將呂佩責四十板釋放，柳氏官賣，匡家叔姪將珊瑚墜領回無事。因此人人皆知包公斷事如神，各處傳揚，就傳到了行俠尚義的一個老者耳內。
包公闻听，心下明白，叫天佑下去，即带皮熊、毕氏上堂，便问毕氏：「你丈夫是何病死的？」毕氏尚未答言，皮熊在旁答道：「是心疼病死的。」包公便将惊堂木一拍，喝声：「该死的狗才！她丈夫心疼病死的，你如何知道？明是因奸谋命。快把怎生谋害杨大成致死情由，从实招来！」两旁一齐威吓：「招！招！招！」皮熊惊慌，说道：「小人与毕氏通奸是实，并无谋害杨大成之事。」包公闻听，说：「你这刁嘴的奴才！曾记得前在饭店之中，你要吃酒，神色慌张，举止失措，酒也未曾吃完。今日公堂之上，还敢支吾！左右，抬上刑来！」皮熊只吓得哑口无言，暗暗自思道：「这位太爷如此明察，别的谅也瞒不过他去，莫若实说，也免得皮肉受苦。」想罢，连连叩头，道：「太爷不必动怒，小人愿招。」包公道：「招来！」皮熊道：「只因小人与毕氏通奸，情投意合，惟恐杨大成知道，将我二人拆散。因此定计，将他灌醉，用刀杀死，暗用棺木盛殓，只说心疼暴病而死。彼时因见珊瑚坠，小人拿回家去，交付妻子收了。即此便是实情。」包公闻听，叫他画供。即将毕氏定了凌迟，皮熊定了斩决，将吕佩责四十板释放，柳氏官卖，匡家叔姪将珊瑚坠领回无事。因此人人皆知包公断事如神，各处传扬，就传到了行侠尚义的一个老者耳内。
Lord Bao heard him out and understood. He sent Tianyou down and at once had Pi Xiong and Madam Bi brought up. “What illness did your husband die of?” he asked Madam Bi. Before she could answer, Pi Xiong, beside her, answered for her: “Heart pains.” Lord Bao slammed down the startle block. “You damned cur!” he roared. “If her husband died of heart pains, how would you know? It’s plain you murdered him for the sake of your adultery. Out with it — the whole truth of how you murdered Yang Dacheng!” The runners on either side roared together: “Confess! Confess! Confess!” Pi Xiong was terrified. “It’s true I was carrying on with Madam Bi,” he said, “but I never murdered Yang Dacheng.” “You slippery-tongued wretch!” said Lord Bao. “I remember you in the eating house the other day. You ordered wine, then looked scared out of your wits and didn’t know what to do with yourself, and you never even finished it. And now, in open court, you still dare to hedge? Men, bring out the instruments of torture!” Pi Xiong was struck dumb with fright. He thought to himself, “This magistrate sees through everything. I don’t suppose I can hide anything else from him either. Better to tell the truth and spare myself a beating.” So he knocked his head on the floor again and again. “There’s no need for Your Honour to be angry. I’ll confess.” “Confess, then!” said Lord Bao. “Madam Bi and I were carrying on,” said Pi Xiong, “and we were sweet on each other. We were afraid Yang Dacheng would find out and part us. So we made a plan: we got him drunk and killed him with a knife, put him in a coffin on the quiet and gave out that he’d died of a sudden attack of heart pains. I saw the coral pendant then, so I took it home and gave it to my wife to keep. That’s the truth of it.” Lord Bao had him put his mark to the confession. Then Madam Bi was sentenced to death by slicing and Pi Xiong to beheading. Lü Pei was given forty strokes of the bamboo and released. Madam Liu was to be sold off by the court, and uncle and nephew Kuang took back the coral pendant and went home with no further trouble. And so everyone came to know that Lord Bao judged cases like a god. Word of it spread far and wide, until it reached the ears of an old man who lived to do gallant deeds and stand by what was right.
且說小沙窩內有一老者姓張名三，為人梗直，好行俠義，因此人都稱他為「別古」。（與眾不同謂之「別」，不合時宜謂之「古」。）原是打柴為生；皆因他有了年紀，挑不動柴草，眾人就叫他看著過秤，得了利息大家平分。這也是他素日為人拿好兒換來的。
且说小沙窝内有一老者姓张名三，为人梗直，好行侠义，因此人都称他为「别古」。（与众不同谓之「别」，不合时宜谓之「古」。）原是打柴为生；皆因他有了年纪，挑不动柴草，众人就叫他看着过秤，得了利息大家平分。这也是他素日为人拿好儿换来的。
Our story turns now to the village of Xiaoshawo, where there lived an old man named Zhang San. He was blunt and upright and loved to do gallant deeds, so people all called him the Odd Antique (Bie Gu). (To be unlike everyone else is bie, ‘odd’; to be out of step with the times is gu, ‘antique’.) He had once made his living cutting firewood. But now that he was getting on and could no longer carry a load on his shoulder pole, the other woodcutters had him mind the scales, and they all shared the profits equally. That was what his goodness to others all these years had earned him.
一日，閒暇無事，偶然想起：「三年前，東塔窪趙大欠我一擔柴錢四百文，我若不要了，有點對不過眾伙計們；他們不疑惑我使了，我自己居心實在的過意不去。今日無事，何不走走呢。」於是拄了竹杖，鎖了房門，竟往東塔窪而來。
一日，闲暇无事，偶然想起：「三年前，东塔洼赵大欠我一担柴钱四百文，我若不要了，有点对不过众伙计们；他们不疑惑我使了，我自己居心实在的过意不去。今日无事，何不走走呢。」于是拄了竹杖，锁了房门，竟往东塔洼而来。
One day, having nothing to do, he happened to remember something. “Three years ago Zhao Da over at Dongtawa owed me four hundred cash for a load of firewood. If I let it go, I’ll be letting the other fellows down. Even if they don’t suspect me of spending it myself, I could never feel easy in my own conscience. I’ve nothing to do today — why not take a walk over there?” So he took up his bamboo staff, locked his door and set off for Dongtawa.
到了趙大門首，只見房舍煥然一新，不敢敲門，問了問鄰右之人，方知趙大發財了，如今都稱「趙大官人」了。老頭子聞聽，不由心中不悅，暗想道：「趙大這小子，長處掐，短處捏，那一種行為，連柴火錢都不想著還。他怎麼配發財呢？」轉到門口，便將竹杖敲門，口中道：「趙大，趙大。」只聽裡面答應道：「是誰，這末『趙大』、『趙二』的？」說話間，門已開了，張三看時，只見趙大衣冠鮮明，果然不是先前光景。趙大見是張三，連忙說道：「我道是誰，原來是張三哥。」張三道：「你先少合我論哥兒們。你欠我的柴火錢，也該給我了。」趙大聞聽，道：「這有什麼要緊。老弟老兄的，請到家裡坐。」張三道：「我不去，我沒帶著錢。」趙大說：「這是什麼話？」張三道：「正經話。我若有錢，肯找你來要帳嗎？」正說著，只見裡面走出一個婦人來，打扮的怪模怪樣的，問道：「官人，你同誰說話呢？」張三一見，說：「好呀！趙大，你幹這營生呢，怨的發財呢！」趙大道：「休得胡說，這是你弟妹小嬸。」又向婦人道：「這不是外人，是張三哥到了。」婦人便上前萬福。張三道：「恕我腰疼，不能還禮。」趙大說：「還是這等愛頑。還請裡面坐罷。」張三只得隨著進來，到了屋內，只見一路一路的盆子堆的不少。彼此讓坐。趙大叫婦人倒茶。張三道：「我不喝茶。你也不用鬧酸款，欠我的四百多錢總要還我的，不用鬧這個軟局子。」趙大說：「張三哥，你放心，我哪就短了你四百文呢。」說話間，趙大拿了四百錢遞與張三。張三接來揣在懷內，站起身來，說道：「不是我愛小便宜，我上了年紀，夜來時常愛起夜。你把那小盆給我一個，就算折了欠我的零兒罷。從此兩下開交，彼此不認得，卻使得？」趙大道：「你這是何苦！這些盆子俱是挑出來的，沒沙眼，拿一個就是了。」張三挑了一個趣黑的烏盆，挾在懷中，轉身就走，也不告別，竟自出門去了。
到了赵大门首，只见房舍焕然一新，不敢敲门，问了问邻右之人，方知赵大发财了，如今都称「赵大官人」了。老头子闻听，不由心中不悦，暗想道：「赵大这小子，长处掐，短处捏，那一种行为，连柴火钱都不想着还。他怎么配发财呢？」转到门口，便将竹杖敲门，口中道：「赵大，赵大。」只听里面答应道：「是谁，这末『赵大』、『赵二』的？」说话间，门已开了，张三看时，只见赵大衣冠鲜明，果然不是先前光景。赵大见是张三，连忙说道：「我道是谁，原来是张三哥。」张三道：「你先少合我论哥儿们。你欠我的柴火钱，也该给我了。」赵大闻听，道：「这有什么要紧。老弟老兄的，请到家里坐。」张三道：「我不去，我没带着钱。」赵大说：「这是什么话？」张三道：「正经话。我若有钱，肯找你来要帐吗？」正说着，只见里面走出一个妇人来，打扮的怪模怪样的，问道：「官人，你同谁说话呢？」张三一见，说：「好呀！赵大，你干这营生呢，怨的发财呢！」赵大道：「休得胡说，这是你弟妹小婶。」又向妇人道：「这不是外人，是张三哥到了。」妇人便上前万福。张三道：「恕我腰疼，不能还礼。」赵大说：「还是这等爱顽。还请里面坐罢。」张三只得随着进来，到了屋内，只见一路一路的盆子堆的不少。彼此让坐。赵大叫妇人倒茶。张三道：「我不喝茶。你也不用闹酸款，欠我的四百多钱总要还我的，不用闹这个软局子。」赵大说：「张三哥，你放心，我哪就短了你四百文呢。」说话间，赵大拿了四百钱递与张三。张三接来揣在怀内，站起身来，说道：「不是我爱小便宜，我上了年纪，夜来时常爱起夜。你把那小盆给我一个，就算折了欠我的零儿罢。从此两下开交，彼此不认得，却使得？」赵大道：「你这是何苦！这些盆子俱是挑出来的，没沙眼，拿一个就是了。」张三挑了一个趣黑的乌盆，挟在怀中，转身就走，也不告别，竟自出门去了。
When he reached Zhao Da’s gate, he found the house all spruce and new. Not daring to knock, he asked the neighbours, and learned that Zhao Da had come into money and that everyone now called him Master Zhao Da. At this the old man felt put out. “That young Zhao Da,” he thought, “skimming a bit here and pinching a bit there — that’s the sort he is. He can’t even remember to pay for his firewood. What right has a man like that to get rich?” He went round to the door, knocked on it with his staff and called, “Zhao Da! Zhao Da!” A voice answered from inside: “Who’s that, yelling ‘Zhao Da’ this and ‘Zhao Er’ that?” As the voice spoke, the door opened. Zhang San looked: there stood Zhao Da in fine new clothes and a fine new hat, not at all the man he used to be. Seeing that it was Zhang San, Zhao Da said at once, “I wondered who it could be. It’s you, Brother Zhang!” “Never mind the ‘brother’ business,” said Zhang San. “It’s time you paid me what you owe for that firewood.” “What’s the hurry?” said Zhao Da. “We’re old friends, practically brothers. Come in and sit down.” “I won’t,” said Zhang San. “I haven’t brought any money.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” said Zhao Da. “Just what it says. If I had money, would I be coming to you to collect a debt?” Just then a woman came out from inside, done up in a most outlandish fashion. “Who are you talking to, husband?” she asked. At the sight of her Zhang San said, “Well, well, Zhao Da! So that’s the trade you’re in these days — no wonder you’ve got rich!” “Don’t talk rubbish,” said Zhao Da. “This is your sister-in-law.” And to the woman he said, “He’s no stranger. It’s Brother Zhang come to see us.” The woman stepped forward and curtseyed. “You’ll have to excuse me,” said Zhang San. “My back hurts. I can’t bow back.” “Still the same old joker,” said Zhao Da. “Do come in and sit down.” Zhang San had no choice but to follow him in. In the house he saw rows and rows of basins, piled up in great numbers. They each urged the other to take a seat, and Zhao Da told his wife to pour tea. “I won’t have tea,” said Zhang San. “And you needn’t bother with the fancy manners. The four hundred-odd cash you owe me — you’ll have to pay it back sooner or later, so don’t try to soft-soap me.” “Set your mind at rest, Brother Zhang,” said Zhao Da. “Would I cheat you out of four hundred cash?” And as he spoke, he fetched four hundred cash and handed them to Zhang San. Zhang San took them, tucked them into the front of his jacket and stood up. “It’s not that I like getting something for nothing,” he said, “but I’m getting on, and I often have to get up in the night to pass water. Give me one of those little basins, and we’ll call it the odd change you owe me. Then we’re quits, and from now on we don’t know each other. How about it?” “Why make such a business of it?” said Zhao Da. “These basins are all picked ones, without a pinhole among them. Just take one.” Zhang San picked out a pitch-black basin and tucked it under his arm. Then he turned and walked out of the door without so much as a goodbye.
這東塔窪離小沙窩也有三里之遙。張三滿懷不平，正遇著深秋景況，夕陽在山之時，來到樹林之中，耳內只聽一陣陣秋風颯颯，敗葉飄飄，猛然間滴溜溜一個旋風，只覺得汗毛眼裡一冷。老頭子將脖子一縮，腰兒一弓，剛說一個「好冷」，不防將懷中盆子掉在塵埃，在地下咕嚕嚕亂轉，隱隱悲哀之聲，說：「摔了我的腰了。」張三聞聽，連連唾了兩口，撿起盆子往前就走。有年紀之人如何跑的動，只聽後面說道：「張伯伯，等我一等。」回頭又不見人，自己怨恨，道：「如何白日就會有鬼？想是我不久於人世了。」一邊想，一邊走，好容易奔至草房，急忙放下盆子，撂了竹杖；開了鎖兒，拿了竹杖，拾起盆子，進得屋來將門頂好，覺得困乏已極，自己說：「管他什麼鬼不鬼的，且夢周公。」剛才說完，只聽得悲悲切切，口呼：「伯伯，我死的好苦也！」張三聞聽，道：「怎麼的竟自把鬼關在屋裡了？」別古秉性忠直，不怕鬼邪，便說道：「你說罷，我這裡聽著呢。」隱隱說道：「我姓劉名世昌，在蘇州閶門外八寶鄉居住。家有老母周氏，妻子王氏，還有三歲的孩子乳名百歲。本是緞行生理。只因乘驢回家，行李沉重，那日天晚，在趙大家借宿。不料他夫妻好狠，將我殺害，謀了資財，將我血肉和泥焚化。到如今閃了老母，拋卻妻子，不能見面。九泉之下，冤魂不安，望求伯伯替我在包公前伸明此冤，報仇雪恨，就是冤魂在九泉之下，也感恩不盡。」說罷，放聲痛哭。張三聞聽他說的可憐，不由的動了他豪俠的心腸，全不畏懼，便呼道：「烏盆。」只聽應道：「有呀，伯伯。」張三道：「雖則替你鳴冤，惟恐包公不能准狀，你須跟我前去。」烏盆應道：「願隨伯伯前往。」張三見他應叫應聲，不覺滿心歡喜，道：「這去告狀，不怕包公不信。言雖如此，我是上了年紀之人，記性平常，必須將他姓名住處記清背熟了方好。」於是從新背了一回，樣樣記明。
这东塔洼离小沙窝也有三里之遥。张三满怀不平，正遇着深秋景况，夕阳在山之时，来到树林之中，耳内只听一阵阵秋风飒飒，败叶飘飘，猛然间滴溜溜一个旋风，只觉得汗毛眼里一冷。老头子将脖子一缩，腰儿一弓，刚说一个「好冷」，不防将怀中盆子掉在尘埃，在地下咕噜噜乱转，隐隐悲哀之声，说：「摔了我的腰了。」张三闻听，连连唾了两口，捡起盆子往前就走。有年纪之人如何跑的动，只听后面说道：「张伯伯，等我一等。」回头又不见人，自己怨恨，道：「如何白日就会有鬼？想是我不久于人世了。」一边想，一边走，好容易奔至草房，急忙放下盆子，撂了竹杖；开了锁儿，拿了竹杖，拾起盆子，进得屋来将门顶好，觉得困乏已极，自己说：「管他什么鬼不鬼的，且梦周公。」刚才说完，只听得悲悲切切，口呼：「伯伯，我死的好苦也！」张三闻听，道：「怎么的竟自把鬼关在屋里了？」别古秉性忠直，不怕鬼邪，便说道：「你说罢，我这里听着呢。」隐隐说道：「我姓刘名世昌，在苏州阊门外八宝乡居住。家有老母周氏，妻子王氏，还有三岁的孩子乳名百岁。本是缎行生理。只因乘驴回家，行李沉重，那日天晚，在赵大家借宿。不料他夫妻好狠，将我杀害，谋了资财，将我血肉和泥焚化。到如今闪了老母，抛却妻子，不能见面。九泉之下，冤魂不安，望求伯伯替我在包公前伸明此冤，报仇雪恨，就是冤魂在九泉之下，也感恩不尽。」说罢，放声痛哭。张三闻听他说的可怜，不由的动了他豪侠的心肠，全不畏惧，便呼道：「乌盆。」只听应道：「有呀，伯伯。」张三道：「虽则替你鸣冤，惟恐包公不能准状，你须跟我前去。」乌盆应道：「愿随伯伯前往。」张三见他应叫应声，不觉满心欢喜，道：「这去告状，不怕包公不信。言虽如此，我是上了年纪之人，记性平常，必须将他姓名住处记清背熟了方好。」于是从新背了一回，样样记明。
Dongtawa was a good three li from Xiaoshawo. Zhang San was still fuming inside. It was late autumn, and the setting sun hung over the hills as he came into a wood. All he could hear was the soughing of the autumn wind, gust after gust, and the drift of dead leaves. Suddenly a whirlwind came spinning up, and he felt a chill go through every pore. The old man hunched his neck into his shoulders and bent his back, and he had just said, “Brr, it’s cold!” when the basin slipped from his arm and fell into the dust. It went rolling round and round on the ground, and a faint, mournful voice said, “Ow! You’ve dropped me and hurt my back!” At this Zhang San spat twice, quick, picked up the basin and hurried on. But how could a man of his years run? Then he heard a voice behind him: “Uncle Zhang, wait for me!” He looked round, but there was no one there. “Ghosts in broad daylight?” he grumbled to himself. “I must not have long left in this world.” Thinking this as he walked, he at last got home to his thatched hut. He hurriedly put down the basin and dropped his staff, undid the lock, picked up the staff, picked up the basin, went inside and propped the door shut. He felt utterly worn out. “Ghost or no ghost, never mind,” he said to himself. “Time to go and dream of the Duke of Zhou.” No sooner had he said it than he heard a voice, piteous and broken, crying, “Uncle, what a cruel death I died!” “What’s this?” said Zhang San. “Have I gone and shut the ghost in here with me?” But the Odd Antique was loyal and straight by nature and had no fear of ghosts or evil spirits. “Go on, then, speak,” he said. “I’m listening.” Faintly, the voice said: “My name is Liu Shichang. I live in Babao Township, outside the Chang Gate of Suzhou. At home I have an old mother, Madam Zhou, a wife, Madam Wang, and a little boy of three whose milk name is Baisui, ‘Hundred Years’. I was in the satin trade. I was riding home on a donkey with heavy baggage, and since it was getting late that day, I asked to stay the night at Zhao Da’s house. I never thought he and his wife could be so vicious. They murdered me and took my money and goods, and they mixed my flesh and blood with clay and burned it. Now I have left my old mother stranded and abandoned my wife and child, and I can never see them again. Down in the Nine Springs of the underworld my wronged soul can find no rest. I beg you, Uncle, take my case to Lord Bao, have this wrong set right and see me avenged. Then even in the Nine Springs this wronged soul will be grateful to you without end.” And with that the ghost burst into loud sobs. Hearing how pitiful his story was, Zhang San felt his gallant heart stir. Without a trace of fear he called, “Black Basin!” “Here, Uncle,” came the answer. “I’ll cry out for justice for you,” said Zhang San, “but I’m afraid Lord Bao won’t accept the complaint. You’ll have to come with me.” “I’ll gladly go with you, Uncle,” the basin answered. Seeing that it answered whenever he called, Zhang San was delighted. “If I go and lodge a complaint with this,” he said, “Lord Bao is bound to believe it. All the same, I’m an old man, and my memory isn’t what it was. I’d better get his name and where he lives off by heart.” So he went over the whole story again from the beginning until he had every detail fixed in his memory.
老頭兒為人心熱，一夜不曾合眼，不等天明，爬起來，挾了烏盆，拄起竹杖，鎖了屋門，竟奔定遠縣而來。出得門時，冷風透體，寒氣逼人，又在天亮之時。若非張三好心之人，誰肯衝寒冒冷，替人鳴冤。及至到了定遠縣，天氣過早，尚未開門；只凍得他哆哆嗦嗦，找了個避風的所在，席地而坐。喘息多時，身上覺得和暖。老頭兒又高興起來了，將盆子扣在地下，用竹杖敲著盆底兒，唱起什不閒來了。剛唱一句「八月中秋月照臺」，只聽的一聲響，門分兩扇，大爺升堂。
老头儿为人心热，一夜不曾合眼，不等天明，爬起来，挟了乌盆，拄起竹杖，锁了屋门，竟奔定远县而来。出得门时，冷风透体，寒气逼人，又在天亮之时。若非张三好心之人，谁肯冲寒冒冷，替人鸣冤。及至到了定远县，天气过早，尚未开门；只冻得他哆哆嗦嗦，找了个避风的所在，席地而坐。喘息多时，身上觉得和暖。老头儿又高兴起来了，将盆子扣在地下，用竹杖敲着盆底儿，唱起什不闲来了。刚唱一句「八月中秋月照台」，只听的一声响，门分两扇，大爷升堂。
The old man had a warm heart. He did not close his eyes all night. Without waiting for daylight, he got up, tucked the black basin under his arm, took up his bamboo staff, locked his door and set off straight for the county town of Dingyuan. When he stepped outside, the cold wind went right through him and the chill pressed in on every side, for it was the hour of daybreak. Who but a good-hearted man like Zhang San would brave such cold to cry out for justice on someone else’s behalf? When he reached Dingyuan it was still too early, and the yamen gates were not yet open. Shivering with cold, he found a spot out of the wind and sat down on the ground. When he had rested a good while and felt warmer, the old man’s spirits rose again. He turned the basin upside down on the ground, beat on its bottom with his bamboo staff and struck up a shibuxian ballad. He had sung just one line — “Eighth month, Mid-Autumn, the moon shines on the terrace” — when there was a loud bang, the two leaves of the gate swung apart, and His Honour opened court.
張三忙拿起盆子，跑向前來喊「冤枉」。就有該值的回稟，立刻帶進，包公座上問道：「有何冤枉？訴上來。」張三就把東塔窪趙大家討帳，得了一個黑盆，遇見冤魂自述的話，說了一遍。「現有烏盆為證。」包公聞聽，便不以此事為妄談，就在座上喚道：「烏盆。」並不見答應。又連喚兩聲，也無影響，包公見別古年老昏憒，也不動怒，便叫左右攆去便了。
张三忙拿起盆子，跑向前来喊「冤枉」。就有该值的回禀，立刻带进，包公座上问道：「有何冤枉？诉上来。」张三就把东塔洼赵大家讨帐，得了一个黑盆，遇见冤魂自述的话，说了一遍。「现有乌盆为证。」包公闻听，便不以此事为妄谈，就在座上唤道：「乌盆。」并不见答应。又连唤两声，也无影响，包公见别古年老昏愦，也不动怒，便叫左右撵去便了。
Zhang San hurriedly picked up the basin, ran forward and cried, “Injustice!” The runner on duty reported it, and he was brought in at once. From the bench Lord Bao asked, “What wrong have you suffered? State it.” Zhang San told the whole story: how he had gone to collect a debt at Zhao Da’s house in Dongtawa, how he had come away with a black basin, and how he had met a wronged ghost who had told him its tale. “And here’s the black basin to prove it.” Lord Bao did not dismiss this as idle talk. From the bench he called, “Black Basin!” There was no answer. He called twice more, and still there was no response. Seeing that the Odd Antique was old and muddle-headed, Lord Bao did not lose his temper; he simply had his men chase him out.
張老出了衙門，口呼：「烏盆。」只聽應道：「有呀，伯伯。」張老道：「你隨我訴冤，你為何不進去呢？」烏盆說道：「只因門上門神攔阻，冤魂不敢進去，求伯伯替我說明。」張老聞聽，又嚷「冤枉」。該值的出來，咳道：「你這老頭子還不走！又嚷的是什麼？」張老道：「求爺們替我回覆一聲：『烏盆有門神攔阻，不敢進見。』」該值的無奈，只得替他回稟；包公聞聽，提筆寫字一張，叫該值的拿去門前焚化，仍將老頭子帶進來，再訊二次。張老抱著盆子，上了公堂，將盆子放在當地，他跪在一旁。包公問道：「此次叫他可應了？」張老說：「是。」包公吩咐：「左右，爾等聽著。」兩邊人役應聲，洗耳靜聽。只見包公座上問道：「烏盆。」不見答應。包公不由動怒，將驚堂木一拍：「我罵你這狗才！本縣念你年老之人，方才不加責於你，如今還敢如此。本縣也是你愚弄的嗎？」用手抽籤，吩咐打責了十板，以戒下次。兩旁不容分說，將張老打了十板。鬧得老頭兒呲牙咧嘴，一拐一拐的，挾了烏盆，拿了竹杖，出衙去了。
张老出了衙门，口呼：「乌盆。」只听应道：「有呀，伯伯。」张老道：「你随我诉冤，你为何不进去呢？」乌盆说道：「只因门上门神拦阻，冤魂不敢进去，求伯伯替我说明。」张老闻听，又嚷「冤枉」。该值的出来，咳道：「你这老头子还不走！又嚷的是什么？」张老道：「求爷们替我回复一声：『乌盆有门神拦阻，不敢进见。』」该值的无奈，只得替他回禀；包公闻听，提笔写字一张，叫该值的拿去门前焚化，仍将老头子带进来，再讯二次。张老抱着盆子，上了公堂，将盆子放在当地，他跪在一旁。包公问道：「此次叫他可应了？」张老说：「是。」包公吩咐：「左右，尔等听着。」两边人役应声，洗耳静听。只见包公座上问道：「乌盆。」不见答应。包公不由动怒，将惊堂木一拍：「我骂你这狗才！本县念你年老之人，方才不加责于你，如今还敢如此。本县也是你愚弄的吗？」用手抽签，吩咐打责了十板，以戒下次。两旁不容分说，将张老打了十板。闹得老头儿呲牙咧嘴，一拐一拐的，挟了乌盆，拿了竹杖，出衙去了。
Outside the yamen, Old Zhang called, “Black Basin!” “Here, Uncle,” came the answer. “You came with me to lay your complaint,” said Old Zhang. “So why didn’t you go in?” “The door gods on the gate barred my way,” said the basin. “A wronged ghost like me dares not go in. I beg you, Uncle, explain it for me.” At this Old Zhang started shouting “Injustice!” all over again. The runner on duty came out. “Hey!” he said. “You still here, old man? What are you shouting about now?” “Please, sirs,” said Old Zhang, “take a message in for me: ‘The black basin was stopped by the door gods and dares not come in.’” The runner could do nothing but report it. When Lord Bao heard, he took up his brush, wrote a few words on a sheet of paper and told the runner to burn it in front of the gate, and then to bring the old man in again for a second hearing. Old Zhang carried the basin into the courtroom, set it down in the middle of the floor and knelt beside it. “This time, did it answer when you called it?” asked Lord Bao. “Yes, sir,” said Old Zhang. “All of you, listen,” Lord Bao ordered his men. The runners on either side answered and listened in hushed silence. From the bench Lord Bao called, “Black Basin!” There was no answer. Lord Bao could not help growing angry. He slammed down the startle block. “Confound you, you cur! This court took pity on your age and let you off before, and now you dare play the same trick again? Do you think this magistrate is someone you can make a fool of?” He drew a tally from the tube and ordered ten strokes of the bamboo, as a warning for next time. Without a word of argument the runners gave Old Zhang his ten strokes. It left the old man grimacing and baring his teeth. Limping and hobbling, the black basin under his arm and his bamboo staff in his hand, he left the yamen.
轉過影壁，便將烏盆一扔，只聽得噯呀一聲，說：「碰了我腳面了！」張老道：「奇怪！你為何又不進去呢？」烏盆道：「只因我赤身露體，難見星主。沒奈何，再求伯伯替我申訴明白。」張老道：「我已然為你挨了十大板，如今再去，我這兩條腿不用長著咧。」烏盆又苦苦哀求。張老是個心軟的人，只得拿起盆子。他卻又不敢伸冤，只得從角門溜溜秋秋往裡便走。只見那邊來了一個廚子，一眼看見，便叫：「胡頭兒，胡頭兒，那老頭兒又來了。」胡頭正在班房談論此事說笑，忽聽老頭子又來了，連忙跑出來要拉。張老卻有主意，就勢坐在地下，叫起屈來了。
转过影壁，便将乌盆一扔，只听得嗳呀一声，说：「碰了我脚面了！」张老道：「奇怪！你为何又不进去呢？」乌盆道：「只因我赤身露体，难见星主。没奈何，再求伯伯替我申诉明白。」张老道：「我已然为你挨了十大板，如今再去，我这两条腿不用长着咧。」乌盆又苦苦哀求。张老是个心软的人，只得拿起盆子。他却又不敢伸冤，只得从角门溜溜秋秋往里便走。只见那边来了一个厨子，一眼看见，便叫：「胡头儿，胡头儿，那老头儿又来了。」胡头正在班房谈论此事说笑，忽听老头子又来了，连忙跑出来要拉。张老却有主意，就势坐在地下，叫起屈来了。
Once round the screen wall, he flung the black basin down. “Ow!” came a cry. “You’ve hit my foot!” “Well, that’s strange!” said Old Zhang. “Why didn’t you go in this time?” “Because I’m stark naked,” said the basin. “I can’t appear before the Lord of the Star like this. There’s nothing else for it — I beg you once more, Uncle, plead my case for me.” “I’ve already taken ten heavy strokes of the bamboo for you,” said Old Zhang. “If I go back in now, I can say goodbye to these two legs of mine.” But the basin begged and pleaded piteously, and Old Zhang, being soft-hearted, had no choice but to pick it up. This time, though, he did not dare cry out for justice. Instead he sneaked in by the side gate. But a cook coming the other way spotted him at once and called out, “Chief Hu! Chief Hu! The old man’s back!” Chief Hu was in the guardroom, laughing and joking about the whole business. When he heard that the old man was back, he came running out to drag him away. But Old Zhang knew what to do: he plumped himself down on the ground right where he was and set up a cry of “Injustice!”
包公那裡也聽見了，吩咐帶上來，問道：「你這老頭子為何又來？難道不怕打麼？」張老叩頭道：「方才小人出去又問烏盆，他說赤身露體，不敢見星主之面。懇求太爺賞件衣服遮蓋遮蓋，他才敢進來。」包公聞聽，叫包興拿件衣服與他。包興連忙拿了一件夾襖，交與張老。張老拿著衣服出來，該值的說：「跟著他，看他是拐子！」只見他將盆子包好，拿起來，不放心，又叫著：「烏盆，隨我進來。」只聽應道：「有呀，伯伯，我在這裡。」張老聞聽他答應，這一回留上心了，便不住叫著進來。到了公堂，仍將烏盆放在當中，自己在一旁跪倒。包公又吩咐兩邊仔細聽著，兩邊答應「是」。此所謂上命差遣，概不由己。有說老頭子有了病了的，有說大爺好性兒的，也有暗笑的。連包興在旁也不由的暗笑：「老爺今日叫瘋子磨住了。」只見包公座上呼喚：「烏盆。」不想衣內答應說：「有呀，星主。」眾人無不詫異。只見張老聽見烏盆答應了，他便忽的跳將起來，恨不能要上公案桌子。兩旁眾人叱喝，他才復又跪下。包公細細問了張老。張老彷彿背書的一般：他姓甚名誰，家住哪裡，他家有何人，作何生理，怎麼遇害，是誰害的，滔滔不斷說了一回，清清楚楚。兩旁聽的無不歎息。包公聽罷，吩咐包興取十兩銀子來，賞了張老，叫他回去聽傳。別古千恩萬謝地去了。
包公那里也听见了，吩咐带上来，问道：「你这老头子为何又来？难道不怕打么？」张老叩头道：「方才小人出去又问乌盆，他说赤身露体，不敢见星主之面。恳求太爷赏件衣服遮盖遮盖，他才敢进来。」包公闻听，叫包兴拿件衣服与他。包兴连忙拿了一件夹袄，交与张老。张老拿着衣服出来，该值的说：「跟着他，看他是拐子！」只见他将盆子包好，拿起来，不放心，又叫着：「乌盆，随我进来。」只听应道：「有呀，伯伯，我在这里。」张老闻听他答应，这一回留上心了，便不住叫着进来。到了公堂，仍将乌盆放在当中，自己在一旁跪倒。包公又吩咐两边仔细听着，两边答应「是」。此所谓上命差遣，概不由己。有说老头子有了病了的，有说大爷好性儿的，也有暗笑的。连包兴在旁也不由的暗笑：「老爷今日叫疯子磨住了。」只见包公座上呼唤：「乌盆。」不想衣内答应说：「有呀，星主。」众人无不诧异。只见张老听见乌盆答应了，他便忽的跳将起来，恨不能要上公案桌子。两旁众人叱喝，他才复又跪下。包公细细问了张老。张老仿佛背书的一般：他姓甚名谁，家住哪里，他家有何人，作何生理，怎么遇害，是谁害的，滔滔不断说了一回，清清楚楚。两旁听的无不叹息。包公听罢，吩咐包兴取十两银子来，赏了张老，叫他回去听传。别古千恩万谢地去了。
Lord Bao heard it too and had him brought up. “Why have you come back, old man?” he asked. “Aren’t you afraid of another beating?” Old Zhang knocked his head on the floor. “Just now, when I went out, I asked the black basin again. It said it’s stark naked and dares not show its face before the Lord of the Star. I beg Your Honour, give it some clothes to cover itself, and then it’ll dare come in.” At this Lord Bao told Bao Xing to give him a garment. Bao Xing quickly fetched a lined jacket and handed it to Old Zhang. As Old Zhang went out with it, the runner on duty said, “Follow him! The old swindler will hobble off with it!” But Old Zhang wrapped the basin up well and picked it up. Still not easy in his mind, he called, “Black Basin, come in with me.” “Here, Uncle, I’m here,” came the answer. Now that he had heard it answer, this time he took care, calling to it all the way in. In the courtroom he set the black basin down in the middle as before and knelt beside it. Again Lord Bao told the men on either side to listen carefully, and they answered, “Yes, sir!” As the saying goes, when orders come from above, you have no say in the matter. Some said the old man was sick in the head, some said His Honour was too good-natured, and some laughed up their sleeves. Even Bao Xing, standing by, could not help laughing to himself: “The master’s got himself pestered by a madman today.” From the bench Lord Bao called, “Black Basin!” And from inside the jacket, to everyone’s surprise, came the answer: “Here, Lord of the Star!” Everyone was astounded. When Old Zhang heard the basin answer, he leapt to his feet, looking as if he would have liked to climb right up onto the judge’s desk. Only when the men on either side shouted at him did he kneel down again. Lord Bao questioned Old Zhang closely, and the old man went through it all like a schoolboy reciting his lesson: the dead man’s name, where he lived, who was in his family, what his trade was, how he had met his end and who had killed him — it all poured out in one unbroken stream, clear as could be. Everyone in the hall who heard it sighed. When Lord Bao had heard it all, he told Bao Xing to bring ten taels of silver and gave them to Old Zhang as a reward, telling him to go home and wait to be called. The Odd Antique went off, thanking him a thousand times over.
包公立刻吩咐書吏辦文一角，行到蘇州，調取屍親前來結案。即行出簽，拿趙大夫婦，登時拿到，嚴加訊問，並無口供。包公沉吟半晌，便吩咐：「趙大帶下去，不准見刁氏。」即傳刁氏上堂。包公說：「你丈夫供稱陷害劉世昌，全是你的主意。」刁氏聞聽，惱恨丈夫，便說出趙大用繩子勒死的，並言現有未用完的銀兩。即行畫招，押了手印。立刻派人將贓銀起來。復又帶上趙大，叫他女人質對。誰知這廝好狠，橫了心再也不招，言銀子是積攢的。包公一時動怒，請了大刑，用夾棍套了兩腿，問時仍然不招。包公一聲斷喝，說了一個「收」字。不想趙大不禁夾，就嗚呼哀哉了。包公見趙大一死，只得叫人搭下去，立刻辦詳，稟了本府，轉又行文上去，至京啟奏去了。
包公立刻吩咐书吏办文一角，行到苏州，调取尸亲前来结案。即行出签，拿赵大夫妇，登时拿到，严加讯问，并无口供。包公沉吟半晌，便吩咐：「赵大带下去，不准见刁氏。」即传刁氏上堂。包公说：「你丈夫供称陷害刘世昌，全是你的主意。」刁氏闻听，恼恨丈夫，便说出赵大用绳子勒死的，并言现有未用完的银两。即行画招，押了手印。立刻派人将赃银起来。复又带上赵大，叫他女人质对。谁知这厮好狠，横了心再也不招，言银子是积攒的。包公一时动怒，请了大刑，用夹棍套了两腿，问时仍然不招。包公一声断喝，说了一个「收」字。不想赵大不禁夹，就呜呼哀哉了。包公见赵大一死，只得叫人搭下去，立刻办详，禀了本府，转又行文上去，至京启奏去了。
Lord Bao at once had a clerk draw up a dispatch to Suzhou, summoning the dead man’s family so that the case could be closed. Then he issued a warrant tally for the arrest of Zhao Da and his wife. They were brought in within the hour and questioned severely, but neither would confess. Lord Bao pondered a long while, then gave orders: “Take Zhao Da away, and don’t let him see Madam Diao.” Then he had Madam Diao brought before him. “Your husband has confessed,” Lord Bao told her, “that the plot against Liu Shichang was all your idea.” Furious with her husband, Madam Diao let it out that it was Zhao Da who had strangled the man with a rope, and she said that some of the silver was still there, unspent. She put her mark to the confession then and there and pressed her fingerprint on it. Men were sent at once to recover the stolen silver. Then Zhao Da was brought back and confronted with his wife. But the wretch was a hard one: he had set his heart against confessing and would not do it, and he said the silver was his savings. Lord Bao lost his temper and called for the heavy instruments of torture. The ankle press was fitted to Zhao Da’s legs, but when he was questioned he still would not confess. Lord Bao gave a thunderous shout — a single word: “Tighten!” But Zhao Da, it turned out, could not stand the press, and — alas and alack — he breathed his last. With Zhao Da dead, Lord Bao could only have the body carried off. He at once drew up a full report and sent it to the prefecture, which passed it on up by dispatch to the capital, to be laid before the throne.
此時屍親已到。包公將未用完的銀子，俱叫他婆媳領取訖；並將趙大家私奉官折變，以為婆媳養贍。婆媳感念張老替他鳴冤之恩，願帶到蘇州養老送終。張老也因受了冤魂囑托，亦願照看孀居孤兒。因此商量停當，一同起身往蘇州去了。
此时尸亲已到。包公将未用完的银子，俱叫他婆媳领取讫；并将赵大家私奉官折变，以为婆媳养赡。婆媳感念张老替他鸣冤之恩，愿带到苏州养老送终。张老也因受了冤魂嘱托，亦愿照看孀居孤儿。因此商量停当，一同起身往苏州去了。
By now the dead man’s family had arrived. Lord Bao had all the unspent silver handed over to the mother and the wife. Zhao Da’s property was taken over by the court and sold, and the money given to them to live on. Grateful to Old Zhang for crying out for justice on their behalf, the two women wanted to take him back to Suzhou, to look after him in his old age and see him buried when he died. And Old Zhang, since the wronged ghost had placed its trust in him, was glad to look after the widow and the orphan. So it was all settled, and together they set out for Suzhou.
要知後事如何，下回分曉。
要知后事如何，下回分晓。
To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.