話說監寺廣亮聽靜明之言，他要問問活佛是誰。靜明說：「我要一說，可是你損壽十年。咱們這廟道濟，你損壽十年。」監寺一聽：「哎呀！道濟呀？」靜明說：「得二十年。」監寺說：「那個道濟不要緊哪。」靜明說：「你也三十年。」廣亮說：「你別鬧了。每日他在廟裏，也不賣狗肉，今日湊巧有人來訪他，這如何是好？哦，有了。」幾個和尚披偏衫打法器，迎到山門。那些人一看，內中沒有濟公，二位員外先惱了，說：「眾位，爾等來看，這些僧人都是妖言惑眾，裝模做樣。此處善緣不巧，你我往別處施捨去罷。」廣亮連忙說：「眾位跟我去見活佛來。」二位員外帶著眾人到山門內，祇見濟公在大雄寶殿前閉目而坐，口中還說：「狗肉六文錢一塊。」那兩位員外一看，這纔說：「爾等大家來看，這纔是活佛羅漢的氣象，你我大家上前磕頭。」監寺的廣亮一聽，把氣都氣歪了，心中大大的不悅，心說：「我等大家披偏衫，打著法器迎接他們，他說我們妖言惑眾，裝模做樣。道濟這裏賣狗肉，他們倒說是活佛羅漢。」就見眾人跪倒，給濟公磕頭，濟公揚揚不理。廣亮恐怕施主不悅，連忙過去說道：「濟公太不知事務，眾位施主來拜訪，汝怎麼不應酬？」濟公尚未回言，這兩位員外先惱了，站起來說：「你這和尚太似無禮，妝敢呼喝活佛！」嚇得監寺廣亮往後倒退，不敢回言。濟公不慌不忙，睜開二目說：「眾位施主來了。來此何幹？」就聽那穿白的員外說：「弟子久仰聖僧大名，特地前來拜訪問禪。」和尚說：「你饞了，吃一塊狗肉罷。」那員外搖頭說：「我不吃。」那邊穿藍的員外說：「我也是久聞聖僧大名，特地前來請問禪機，我來問機。」濟公道：「飢者餓也。餓了吃一塊狗肉。」那員外說：「我二人原本是來問禪機妙理，並非是饞飢。乃是音同字不同。」濟公道：「這二人原來問饞飢二字，我和尚可知道。」那二位員外說：「祇要師父說對了，我二人情願修蓋大碑樓﹔如說不對，善緣不巧，我二人往別的廟施捨去。」濟公道：「你二人聽著。
山裏有水，水裏有魚，三七共湊二十一。人有臉，樹有皮，蘿蔔筷子不洗泥。人要往東，他偏要向西，不吃乾糧盡要米。這個名字叫饞飢。」
二位員外一聽，連忙搖頭道：「我二人是問的佛門中奧妙，參禪之禪，天機之機，師傅說的這個一概不對。」和尚道：「這二人好大口氣，也敢說佛門奧妙，禪機。好好好，我和尚要說對了怎麼樣？」
话说监寺广亮听静明之言，他要问问活佛是谁。静明说：「我要一说，可是你损寿十年。咱们这庙道济，你损寿十年。」监寺一听：「哎呀！道济呀？」静明说：「得二十年。」监寺说：「那个道济不要紧哪。」静明说：「你也三十年。」广亮说：「你别闹了。每日他在庙里，也不卖狗肉，今日凑巧有人来访他，这如何是好？哦，有了。」几个和尚披偏衫打法器，迎到山门。那些人一看，内中没有济公，二位员外先恼了，说：「众位，尔等来看，这些僧人都是妖言惑众，装模做样。此处善缘不巧，你我往别处施舍去罢。」广亮连忙说：「众位跟我去见活佛来。」二位员外带着众人到山门内，祇见济公在大雄宝殿前闭目而坐，口中还说：「狗肉六文钱一块。」那两位员外一看，这才说：「尔等大家来看，这才是活佛罗汉的气象，你我大家上前磕头。」监寺的广亮一听，把气都气歪了，心中大大的不悦，心说：「我等大家披偏衫，打着法器迎接他们，他说我们妖言惑众，装模做样。道济这里卖狗肉，他们倒说是活佛罗汉。」就见众人跪倒，给济公磕头，济公扬扬不理。广亮恐怕施主不悦，连忙过去说道：「济公太不知事务，众位施主来拜访，汝怎么不应酬？」济公尚未回言，这两位员外先恼了，站起来说：「你这和尚太似无礼，妆敢呼喝活佛！」吓得监寺广亮往后倒退，不敢回言。济公不慌不忙，睁开二目说：「众位施主来了。来此何干？」就听那穿白的员外说：「弟子久仰圣僧大名，特地前来拜访问禅。」和尚说：「你馋了，吃一块狗肉罢。」那员外摇头说：「我不吃。」那边穿蓝的员外说：「我也是久闻圣僧大名，特地前来请问禅机，我来问机。」济公道：「饥者饿也。饿了吃一块狗肉。」那员外说：「我二人原本是来问禅机妙理，并非是馋饥。乃是音同字不同。」济公道：「这二人原来问馋饥二字，我和尚可知道。」那二位员外说：「祇要师父说对了，我二人情愿修盖大碑楼﹔如说不对，善缘不巧，我二人往别的庙施舍去。」济公道：「你二人听着。
山里有水，水里有鱼，三七共凑二十一。人有脸，树有皮，萝卜筷子不洗泥。人要往东，他偏要向西，不吃干粮尽要米。这个名字叫馋饥。」
二位员外一听，连忙摇头道：「我二人是问的佛门中奥妙，参禅之禅，天机之机，师傅说的这个一概不对。」和尚道：「这二人好大口气，也敢说佛门奥妙，禅机。好好好，我和尚要说对了怎么样？」
Now, when the prior Guangliang heard what Jingming said, he wanted to ask who this living Buddha was. “If I say it,” said Jingming, “it’ll cost you ten years of your life. It’s Daoji of our own temple — there go ten years of your life.” “Aiya!” said the prior. “Daoji?” “That makes twenty,” said Jingming. “Oh, that Daoji doesn’t matter,” said the prior. “And that’s thirty for you,” said Jingming. “Stop clowning,” said Guangliang. “Every other day he’s in the temple he doesn’t sell dog meat, and today, of all days, people come calling on him. What’s to be done? Ah — I’ve got it.” Several monks put on their ceremonial robes, struck up the ritual instruments and went out to the temple gate to meet the visitors. The visitors looked them over and saw no Ji Gong among them, and the two squires were the first to take offence. “Gentlemen,” they said, “come and look. These monks are all spreading lies to fool people, putting on a show. Our pious offerings aren’t fated for this place. Let’s go and give somewhere else.” “Gentlemen,” Guangliang said hastily, “come with me to see the living Buddha.” The two squires led everyone in through the temple gate, and there was Ji Gong, sitting with his eyes shut in front of the Main Hall and still calling out, “Dog meat, six coppers a piece!” The moment the two squires saw him, they said, “Everyone, come and look. Now this is what a living Buddha, an arhat, looks like. Let’s all go up and kowtow.” When the prior Guangliang heard this, he was so angry his face went crooked, and he was thoroughly put out. “We put on our robes and played our instruments to welcome them,” he said to himself, “and they say we’re spreading lies to fool people and putting on a show. Daoji sits here selling dog meat, and they call him a living Buddha and an arhat!” Then he saw the crowd kneel and kowtow to Ji Gong, and Ji Gong loftily ignored them. Afraid the patrons would be displeased, Guangliang hurried over. “Ji Gong, you really have no idea how to behave. All these patrons have come to call on you — why don’t you see to them?” Before Ji Gong could answer, the two squires took offence first. They stood up. “You monk, you’re far too rude! How dare you shout at the living Buddha!” The prior Guangliang was so frightened he backed away and did not dare say a word. Taking his time, Ji Gong opened his eyes. “So the patrons are here. What brings you?” The squire in white said, “Your disciple has long admired the holy monk’s great name, and has come especially to call on you and ask about Chan.” “Chan — craving, are you?” said the monk. “Have a piece of dog meat.” The squire shook his head. “I don’t eat it.” The squire in blue said, “I too have long heard the holy monk’s great name, and have come especially to ask about the workings of Chan. I’ve come to ask about ji.” “Ji — hungry, that is, starving,” said Ji Gong. “If you’re starving, have a piece of dog meat.” “The two of us came to ask about chanji, the subtle truths of the workings of Chan,” said the squire, “not chanji, craving and hunger. The sounds are the same, but the words are different.” “So these two came to ask about chanji, craving and hunger,” said Ji Gong. “Well, this monk knows all about that.” “Master,” said the two squires, “if only you get it right, we’ll gladly build the Great Stele Tower. If you get it wrong, our pious offerings aren’t fated for this place, and we’ll go and give at some other temple.” “Listen, you two,” said Ji Gong.
“Hills have water, water has fish, three sevens add up to twenty-one.A man has a face, a tree has bark, radish and chopsticks, mud left unwashed.Folks head east, he heads off west; won’t eat dry rations, wants nothing but rice.That’s what they call chanji, craving and hunger.”
The two squires shook their heads at once. “What we were asking about are the mysteries of the Buddhist way: chan as in sitting in meditation, ji as in the hidden workings of heaven. What you’ve said, Master, is all wrong.” “Big talk from these two,” said the monk, “daring to speak of the mysteries of the Buddhist way, of the workings of Chan! Very well, very well, very well. If this monk gets it right, what then?”
那二位員外道：「要說對了，我二人助銀子修蓋大碑樓。」和尚道：「你二人且聽來。」和尚便說道：
「須知參禪皆非禪，若問天機哪有機﹔機主空虛禪主淨，淨空空淨是禪機。」
二位員外一聽，拍掌大笑道：「羅漢爺的佛法，頓開弟子茅塞。來，監寺的看緣簿伺候。」廣亮趕緊拿過緣簿，文房四寶。那穿白的員外讓道：「賢弟先寫。」那員外道：「大水漫不過船桅去，還是兄長先寫。」那穿白的員外拿過筆來，又讓那面三百多人：「眾位寫緣簿。」眾人道：「水大漫不過鴨子去，還是員外爺先寫。」眾人哈哈大笑：「水長鴨子浮，這話更對。」那員外拿筆寫上，頭一筆是「無名氏施銀一萬兩。」穿藍的員外拿過緣簿一看，心想：「我等皆是來助濟公一臂之力，他既寫一萬，我也不能寫九千。」趕緊寫上「無名氏助銀一萬兩。」剩下眾人也有寫三十兩的，也有寫五十兩的。寫銀就給銀子，寫錢立刻就給錢。這些人原來是臨安城的紳董富戶，都是濟公平時早化下的，今天特來現場寫完了，那穿白的員外到裏面坐下，便告訴道：「我城裏關外有十六座大木廠，把大木廠也捨施在靈隱寺廟內修蓋大碑樓使用罷，蓋完為止，不拘多少。」眾人說完了話，告別而去。濟公方纔問道：「師兄，這些銀子可夠修大碑樓麼？」 監寺的廣亮一看說：「富足有餘。」濟公說：「你就叫人動工修罷，我到我的施主家住幾天去。」說完了話，濟公兜起一兜狗肉，出離了靈隱寺，逕自去了。
那二位员外道：「要说对了，我二人助银子修盖大碑楼。」和尚道：「你二人且听来。」和尚便说道：
「须知参禅皆非禅，若问天机哪有机﹔机主空虚禅主净，净空空净是禅机。」
二位员外一听，拍掌大笑道：「罗汉爷的佛法，顿开弟子茅塞。来，监寺的看缘簿伺候。」广亮赶紧拿过缘簿，文房四宝。那穿白的员外让道：「贤弟先写。」那员外道：「大水漫不过船桅去，还是兄长先写。」那穿白的员外拿过笔来，又让那面三百多人：「众位写缘簿。」众人道：「水大漫不过鸭子去，还是员外爷先写。」众人哈哈大笑：「水长鸭子浮，这话更对。」那员外拿笔写上，头一笔是「无名氏施银一万两。」穿蓝的员外拿过缘簿一看，心想：「我等皆是来助济公一臂之力，他既写一万，我也不能写九千。」赶紧写上「无名氏助银一万两。」剩下众人也有写三十两的，也有写五十两的。写银就给银子，写钱立刻就给钱。这些人原来是临安城的绅董富户，都是济公平时早化下的，今天特来现场写完了，那穿白的员外到里面坐下，便告诉道：「我城里关外有十六座大木厂，把大木厂也舍施在灵隐寺庙内修盖大碑楼使用罢，盖完为止，不拘多少。」众人说完了话，告别而去。济公方才问道：「师兄，这些银子可够修大碑楼么？」 监寺的广亮一看说：「富足有余。」济公说：「你就叫人动工修罢，我到我的施主家住几天去。」说完了话，济公兜起一兜狗肉，出离了灵隐寺，径自去了。
“If you get it right,” said the two squires, “we’ll put up the silver to build the Great Stele Tower.” “Then listen, you two,” said the monk. And the monk recited:
“Know this: to sit in Chan is never Chan;ask after heaven’s hidden workings — what workings are there?The workings rest on emptiness, Chan rests on purity;pure and empty, empty and pure: these are the workings of Chan.”
The two squires clapped their hands and laughed aloud. “Lord Arhat’s dharma has opened this disciple’s blocked mind at a stroke! Come, prior, bring the subscription book.” Guangliang hurried to fetch the subscription book and the Four Treasures of the Study. The squire in white deferred to the other. “You write first, my worthy brother.” “However high the flood, it can’t rise over the mast,” said the other. “You’re the elder brother, you write first.” The squire in white took up the brush, and then deferred to the three hundred or more people on the other side. “Gentlemen, sign the subscription book.” “However high the water, it can’t rise over the duck,” said the crowd. “You write first, squire.” Everyone roared with laughter. “When the water rises, the duck floats — that one’s even better.” The squire took the brush and wrote, and the first entry read: “The Nameless One gives ten thousand taels of silver.” The squire in blue took the subscription book and looked. “We’ve all come to lend Ji Gong a hand,” he thought. “Since he’s written ten thousand, I can hardly write nine thousand.” He hurriedly wrote, “The Nameless One contributes ten thousand taels of silver.” Of the rest of the crowd, some wrote thirty taels and some fifty. Those who pledged silver handed over silver, and those who pledged cash handed over cash on the spot. These people were the gentry, the local directors and the wealthy of Lin’an, all of them brought round long ago by Ji Gong on his alms rounds, and today they had come especially to sign up on the spot. When they had finished, the squire in white went inside, sat down and said, “I have sixteen big timber yards, in the city and outside the gates. I give the timber yards to Lingyin Temple as well, to use for building the Great Stele Tower until it’s finished, however much it takes.” When everyone had had their say, they took their leave and went. Only then did Ji Gong ask, “Brother, will this silver be enough to build the Great Stele Tower?” The prior Guangliang looked. “More than enough, and to spare.” “Then get people started on the work,” said Ji Gong. “I’m off to stay with my patrons for a few days.” With that, Ji Gong scooped up a lapful of dog meat in his robe, left Lingyin Temple and went his own way.
監寺的廣亮找瓦木作，擇黃道吉日開工動土，興夯定磉，立柱上梁。過了好些日子，磚瓦俱已齊備，抹縫灌漿，一切修理好了，就少油漆彩畫。哪想到好事多磨，那一天有人進來報告：「現有秦相府四位管家，帶著四位三爺，在山門外下馬。」監寺的廣亮一看，趕緊往外迎接。
监寺的广亮找瓦木作，择黄道吉日开工动土，兴夯定磉，立柱上梁。过了好些日子，砖瓦俱已齐备，抹缝灌浆，一切修理好了，就少油漆彩画。哪想到好事多磨，那一天有人进来报告：「现有秦相府四位管家，带着四位三爷，在山门外下马。」监寺的广亮一看，赶紧往外迎接。
The prior Guangliang hired masons and carpenters, chose a lucky day from the almanac and broke ground. They tamped the foundations and set the column bases, raised the pillars and hoisted the beams. After a good many days the bricks and tiles were all in place, the joints pointed and grouted, and everything was finished except the lacquer and the painted decoration. But who would have thought that good things never come easy? One day someone came in to report: “Four stewards from Chancellor Qin’s mansion, with four Third Masters, have just dismounted outside the temple gate.” The prior Guangliang hurried out to meet them.
書中交代：這幾位管家無事不來。祇因秦相府的花園，有五五二十五間閣天樓，前次被火燒了，打算要重修此樓，叫管家到大木廠購買大木料。十幾家木廠子都說，東家把木料施捨在靈隱寺，修蓋大碑樓。管家一回秦相，秦丞相說：「靈隱寺一座大碑樓，能使多少大木？派秦安、秦順、秦志、秦明四個人去到靈隱寺，就提我暫借些大木修樓，轉年等皇木來了，我必如數奉還。」
书中交代：这几位管家无事不来。祇因秦相府的花园，有五五二十五间阁天楼，前次被火烧了，打算要重修此楼，叫管家到大木厂购买大木料。十几家木厂子都说，东家把木料施舍在灵隐寺，修盖大碑楼。管家一回秦相，秦丞相说：「灵隐寺一座大碑楼，能使多少大木？派秦安、秦顺、秦志、秦明四个人去到灵隐寺，就提我暂借些大木修楼，转年等皇木来了，我必如数奉还。」
A word of explanation: these stewards had not come for nothing. In the garden of Chancellor Qin’s mansion stood the Getian Tower, five times five, twenty-five bays, which had burned down not long before. The Chancellor meant to rebuild it and sent his stewards to the big timber yards to buy great timbers. The dozen or more timber yards all said their owner had given the timber to Lingyin Temple to build the Great Stele Tower. When the stewards reported back, Chancellor Qin said, “How much great timber can one stele tower at Lingyin Temple use? Send Qin An, Qin Shun, Qin Zhi and Qin Ming, the four of them, to Lingyin Temple. Tell them in my name that I wish to borrow some of the great timber for a while to build my tower. Next year, when the imperial timber comes in, I shall certainly return the same amount.”
四個人答應，轉身剛要走。秦丞相說：「回來。你等到靈隱寺去，和尚借是人情，不借是本分，趕緊回來，千萬不可倚著人情勢利，欺壓和尚。」四位管家答應出來，到了門房，秦順就說：「這個苦差使派上咱們，一文錢的找項都沒有，當這個黑差使。」秦安說：「兄弟，你好糊塗。這件事咱們四個人每人有二千銀子進款。」秦順說：「大哥你窮瘋了，跟和尚借大木，他借了，咱們給相爺派人取來﹔他不借，咱們回復相爺，哪來的進項？」秦安說：「兄弟你不行，吃這碗飯，尋岔子多，到那去不提說借，就說相爺有諭，拆他的大碑樓蓋閣天樓。和尚必不叫拆，必托人見咱們，就得給咱們三千兩五千兩的。然後再跟和尚借大木，和尚借了，咱們就回相爺，說和尚賣給相爺，相爺再給幾千，咱們四個人一分，這不是兩頭剩錢。」秦順一聽，說：「還是兄長高明。」吩咐外面備馬，帶著十餘個從人，二十多匹馬，出了秦和坊，一直奔至錢塘門外，來到飛來峰靈隱寺山門下馬。門頭僧一看是秦相府的管家大人，趕緊過去行禮，往裏回話。廣亮出來迎接，讓四位管家來至裏面禪堂，吩咐小沙彌獻上茶來。廣亮說：「眾位管家大人，今天是遊山、還是逛廟？」秦安說：「並非是來遊山逛廟，奉我家相爺堂諭，叫你們把大碑樓拆了，修蓋相府花園子閣天樓。」監寺的廣亮一聽，口唸南無阿彌陀佛，說：「這大碑樓工程浩大，獨力難成，多少貴官長者，善男信女，惠助資財，共成善舉。好容易修蓋起來，尚未竣工，今再要一拆，不知何年何月才能重修？望求眾位大人在相爺跟前說幾句好言語罷。」秦安尚未回言，秦順道：「相爺堂諭，不亞如聖旨。哪個敢違背？」這不會說話的人，一句話關了門。秦安瞪了他一眼，心想：「應該說：我給你回上相爺，若是相爺答應，你也別歡喜﹔相爺不答應，你也別煩惱。等著有人來給了我們錢，就算相爺答應﹔不給錢，就說相爺不答應。」他這一句話，說出來關了門，秦安也不好再改說。監寺的廣亮一聽此話，說：「眾位大人既是要拆，我得回上老和尚。」秦順說：「你回老和尚也要拆，不回也拆。」廣亮趕緊來到後面禪堂，一見老和尚元空長老。廣亮說：「回稟老和尚，現有秦相府四位管家大人，來到咱廟說相爺有諭，要拆大碑樓修蓋相府閣天樓。我不敢自專，特來回報老和尚。」老方丈一聞此言，口唸南無阿彌陀佛，說：「廣亮，老僧已是上了年紀，這大碑樓是道濟化的，你與他商議去吧。」廣亮說：「道濟自從修樓動土那天出去，至今未見回來。」老和尚說：「你出去到山門，看道濟可曾回來。」廣亮聽老方丈之言，趕緊來至外面山門一看，見四位管家派了眾位三爺，在那裏傳相爺堂諭說：「眾工匠人等聽真，相爺有諭，拆大碑樓修蓋相府閣天樓，哪個敢說不拆，立即送交錢塘縣治罪！」瓦作、木作、油漆、土匠工人等，哪個敢違了秦相爺的堂諭？立時銑鎬亂動，塵土飛揚，眨眼之際，把一座大碑樓拆得瓦解冰消。
四个人答应，转身刚要走。秦丞相说：「回来。你等到灵隐寺去，和尚借是人情，不借是本分，赶紧回来，千万不可倚着人情势利，欺压和尚。」四位管家答应出来，到了门房，秦顺就说：「这个苦差使派上咱们，一文钱的找项都没有，当这个黑差使。」秦安说：「兄弟，你好糊涂。这件事咱们四个人每人有二千银子进款。」秦顺说：「大哥你穷疯了，跟和尚借大木，他借了，咱们给相爷派人取来﹔他不借，咱们回复相爷，哪来的进项？」秦安说：「兄弟你不行，吃这碗饭，寻岔子多，到那去不提说借，就说相爷有谕，拆他的大碑楼盖阁天楼。和尚必不叫拆，必托人见咱们，就得给咱们三千两五千两的。然后再跟和尚借大木，和尚借了，咱们就回相爷，说和尚卖给相爷，相爷再给几千，咱们四个人一分，这不是两头剩钱。」秦顺一听，说：「还是兄长高明。」吩咐外面备马，带着十余个从人，二十多匹马，出了秦和坊，一直奔至钱塘门外，来到飞来峰灵隐寺山门下马。门头僧一看是秦相府的管家大人，赶紧过去行礼，往里回话。广亮出来迎接，让四位管家来至里面禅堂，吩咐小沙弥献上茶来。广亮说：「众位管家大人，今天是游山、还是逛庙？」秦安说：「并非是来游山逛庙，奉我家相爷堂谕，叫你们把大碑楼拆了，修盖相府花园子阁天楼。」监寺的广亮一听，口念南无阿弥陀佛，说：「这大碑楼工程浩大，独力难成，多少贵官长者，善男信女，惠助资财，共成善举。好容易修盖起来，尚未竣工，今再要一拆，不知何年何月才能重修？望求众位大人在相爷跟前说几句好言语罢。」秦安尚未回言，秦顺道：「相爷堂谕，不亚如圣旨。哪个敢违背？」这不会说话的人，一句话关了门。秦安瞪了他一眼，心想：「应该说：我给你回上相爷，若是相爷答应，你也别欢喜﹔相爷不答应，你也别烦恼。等着有人来给了我们钱，就算相爷答应﹔不给钱，就说相爷不答应。」他这一句话，说出来关了门，秦安也不好再改说。监寺的广亮一听此话，说：「众位大人既是要拆，我得回上老和尚。」秦顺说：「你回老和尚也要拆，不回也拆。」广亮赶紧来到后面禅堂，一见老和尚元空长老。广亮说：「回禀老和尚，现有秦相府四位管家大人，来到咱庙说相爷有谕，要拆大碑楼修盖相府阁天楼。我不敢自专，特来回报老和尚。」老方丈一闻此言，口念南无阿弥陀佛，说：「广亮，老僧已是上了年纪，这大碑楼是道济化的，你与他商议去吧。」广亮说：「道济自从修楼动土那天出去，至今未见回来。」老和尚说：「你出去到山门，看道济可曾回来。」广亮听老方丈之言，赶紧来至外面山门一看，见四位管家派了众位三爷，在那里传相爷堂谕说：「众工匠人等听真，相爷有谕，拆大碑楼修盖相府阁天楼，哪个敢说不拆，立即送交钱塘县治罪！」瓦作、木作、油漆、土匠工人等，哪个敢违了秦相爷的堂谕？立时铣镐乱动，尘土飞扬，眨眼之际，把一座大碑楼拆得瓦解冰消。
The four of them answered and turned to go. “Come back,” said Chancellor Qin. “When you go to Lingyin Temple — if the monks lend it, that’s a favour; if they don’t, that’s their right. Come straight back. On no account trade on my name and power to bully the monks.” The four stewards answered and came out. When they reached the gatehouse, Qin Shun said, “Saddling us with a miserable errand like this — not a single copper of pickings in it. A thankless job.” “Brother, how muddle-headed you are,” said Qin An. “Out of this business, each of the four of us stands to make two thousand taels.” “Big Brother, you’re so hard up you’ve gone mad,” said Qin Shun. “We borrow timber from the monks. If they lend it, we have His Excellency send men to fetch it; if they don’t, we report back to His Excellency. Where’s the money in that?” “Brother, you’re no good at this,” said Qin An. “In our line of work you have to go looking for an angle. When we get there we don’t say a word about borrowing. We say His Excellency has ordered their Great Stele Tower pulled down to build the Getian Tower. The monks are bound not to let it be pulled down. They’re bound to get someone to come and see us, and then they’ll have to give us three thousand, five thousand taels. After that we borrow the timber from the monks after all, and if they lend it, we go back and tell His Excellency the monks sold it to him. His Excellency pays a few thousand more, and the four of us split it. Isn’t that money at both ends?” “You’re the clever one after all, Elder Brother,” said Qin Shun. They ordered horses saddled outside, and with a dozen or more attendants and over twenty horses they left Qinhe Ward, rode straight out through the Qiantang Gate and came to Lingyin Temple on Feilai Peak, where they dismounted at the temple gate. When the gate monks saw that these were the stewards of Chancellor Qin’s mansion, men to be called His Lordship, they hurried over to salute them and went in to report. Guangliang came out to meet them, invited the four stewards inside to the meditation hall and told a young novice to serve tea. “Your Lordships,” said Guangliang, “have you come today to tour the hills or to visit the temple?” “We haven’t come to tour the hills or visit the temple,” said Qin An. “On the orders of our master His Excellency, you’re to pull down your Great Stele Tower so it can go to build the Getian Tower in the garden of Chancellor Qin’s mansion.” At this the prior Guangliang chanted, “Namo Amitabha.” “This Great Stele Tower is a huge undertaking,” he said, “beyond the strength of any one man. Ever so many noble officials and worthy elders, good men and devout women, gave their money to help, and together they made this good work. With great difficulty it has been built, and it isn’t even finished. If it’s pulled down now, who knows in what year or month it can ever be rebuilt? I beg Your Lordships to put in a few good words for us with His Excellency.” Before Qin An could answer, Qin Shun said, “His Excellency’s orders are every bit as good as an imperial decree. Who dares defy them?” There was a man who did not know how to talk: with one sentence he had shut the door. Qin An glared at him. “He ought to have said,” he thought, “‘I’ll put it to His Excellency for you. If His Excellency agrees, don’t be too glad; if he doesn’t, don’t be too sorry.’ Then, if somebody came and gave us money, we’d count that as His Excellency agreeing; if nobody gave any, we’d say His Excellency wouldn’t agree.” But that one remark had shut the door, and Qin An could not very well change his tune. Hearing this, the prior Guangliang said, “Since Your Lordships are set on pulling it down, I must report to the old abbot.” “Report to the old abbot and it comes down,” said Qin Shun. “Don’t report, and it comes down just the same.” Guangliang hurried to the meditation hall at the back and saw the old abbot, Abbot Yuankong. “I beg to report, Abbot,” said Guangliang. “Four stewards from Chancellor Qin’s mansion, Their Lordships, have come to our temple and say His Excellency has ordered the Great Stele Tower pulled down to build the Getian Tower at Chancellor Qin’s mansion. I didn’t dare decide it myself, so I’ve come to report to you.” When the old abbot heard this, he chanted, “Namo Amitabha.” “Guangliang,” he said, “this old monk is getting on in years. It was Daoji who begged the alms for this Great Stele Tower. Go and talk it over with him.” “Daoji went out the day we broke ground for the tower,” said Guangliang, “and he hasn’t been seen back since.” “Go out to the temple gate,” said the old abbot, “and see whether Daoji has come back.” Guangliang did as the old abbot said and hurried out to the temple gate. There he saw that the four stewards had sent out all the Third Masters, who were proclaiming His Excellency’s orders: “All you workmen, listen well! His Excellency orders the Great Stele Tower pulled down to build the Getian Tower at Chancellor Qin’s mansion. Anyone who dares say no will be sent straight to Qiantang County to be punished!” Masons, carpenters, painters, earth-workers and the rest — which of them dared go against the orders of His Excellency Chancellor Qin? At once shovels and picks were flying and the dust rose up, and in the blink of an eye the whole Great Stele Tower had been pulled down, gone like melting ice and shattered tile.
監寺的瞧著，心中甚是難過，自己又一回想：「還幸虧瘋和尚沒在廟裏，他要在廟裏，必要惹出大禍來。」正在思想，祇見瘋和尚一溜歪斜，腳步踉蹌，直奔山門而來，要怒打四位管家大人。
监寺的瞧着，心中甚是难过，自己又一回想：「还幸亏疯和尚没在庙里，他要在庙里，必要惹出大祸来。」正在思想，祇见疯和尚一溜歪斜，脚步踉跄，直奔山门而来，要怒打四位管家大人。
The prior watched, sick at heart. Then he thought it over. “Thank goodness the mad monk wasn’t at the temple. If he had been, he’d surely have stirred up a disaster.” Just as he was thinking this, he saw the mad monk come lurching and reeling, staggering on his feet, heading straight for the temple gate in a fury, set on beating the four lordly stewards.
不知後事如何，且看下回分解。
不知后事如何，且看下回分解。
To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.