許姓，家淄之北郭，業漁。每夜，攜酒河上，飲且漁。飲則酹地，祝云：「河中溺鬼得飲。」以為常。他人漁，迄無所獲，而許獨滿筐。一夕，方獨酌，有少年來，徘徊其側。讓之飲，慨與同酌。既而終夜不獲一魚，意頗失。少年起曰：「請于下流為君驅之。」遂飄然去。少間，復返，曰：「魚大至矣。」果聞唼呷有聲。舉網而得數頭，皆盈尺。喜極，申謝。欲歸，贈以魚，不受，曰：「屢叨佳醞，區區何足云報。如不棄，要當以為常耳。」許曰：「方共一夕，何言屢也？如肯永顧，誠所甚願；但愧無以為情。」詢其姓字，曰：「姓王，無字，相見可呼王六郎。」遂別。明日，許貨魚，益沽酒。晚至河干，少年已先在，遂與歡飲。飲數杯，輒為許驅魚。
有個姓許的人，住在淄的北郭，以打魚為生。每天夜裡，他都帶著酒到河邊，一邊喝酒，一邊打魚。喝酒時，他總要往地上灑些酒，禱告說：「河裡淹死的鬼，也來喝一點吧。」這成了他的習慣。別人打魚，始終一無所獲，只有他能裝滿魚筐。一天晚上，他正在獨自喝酒，有個年輕人走來，在他身旁徘徊。他請年輕人喝酒，年輕人爽快地和他一起喝起來。可是這一夜過去了大半，他連一條魚也沒打到，心裡很失望。年輕人站起來說：「讓我到下游去，替你把魚趕過來。」說完便輕飄飄地走了。不一會兒，他回來，說：「大群的魚來了。」果然，河裡傳來了魚張嘴吞吐的聲音。許某提起漁網，撈到了好幾條魚，每條都有一尺多長。他高興極了，連連道謝。臨回家時，他送些魚給年輕人，年輕人不肯收，說：「我多次喝了你的好酒，這點小事，哪裡談得上報答。你要是不嫌棄，往後咱們就常常這樣相聚吧。」許某說：「咱們才一起喝了一夜，你怎麼說是多次呢？你要是肯常來，我實在求之不得，只是慚愧，沒什麼好東西招待你。」他問年輕人的姓名，年輕人說：「我姓王，沒有表字，見面時叫我王六郎就行。」兩人便告別了。第二天，許某賣了魚，又多買了些酒。晚上來到河邊，年輕人已經先到了，兩人便高高興興地一起喝酒。每喝上幾杯，年輕人就去替許某趕魚。
许姓，家淄之北郭，业渔。每夜，携酒河上，饮且渔。饮则酹地，祝云：「河中溺鬼得饮。」以为常。他人渔，迄无所获，而许独满筐。一夕，方独酌，有少年来，徘徊其侧。让之饮，慨与同酌。既而终夜不获一鱼，意颇失。少年起曰：「请于下流为君驱之。」遂飘然去。少间，复返，曰：「鱼大至矣。」果闻唼呷有声。举网而得数头，皆盈尺。喜极，申谢。欲归，赠以鱼，不受，曰：「屡叨佳酝，区区何足云报。如不弃，要当以为常耳。」许曰：「方共一夕，何言屡也？如肯永顾，诚所甚愿；但愧无以为情。」询其姓字，曰：「姓王，无字，相见可呼王六郎。」遂别。明日，许货鱼，益沽酒。晚至河干，少年已先在，遂与欢饮。饮数杯，辄为许驱鱼。
有个姓许的人，住在淄的北郭，以打鱼为生。每天夜里，他都带着酒到河边，一边喝酒，一边打鱼。喝酒时，他总要往地上洒些酒，祷告说：“河里淹死的鬼，也来喝一点吧。”这成了他的习惯。别人打鱼，始终一无所获，只有他能装满鱼筐。一天晚上，他正在独自喝酒，有个年轻人走来，在他身旁徘徊。他请年轻人喝酒，年轻人爽快地和他一起喝起来。可是这一夜过去了大半，他连一条鱼也没打到，心里很失望。年轻人站起来说：“让我到下游去，替你把鱼赶过来。”说完便轻飘飘地走了。不一会儿，他回来，说：“大群的鱼来了。”果然，河里传来了鱼张嘴吞吐的声音。许某提起渔网，捞到了好几条鱼，每条都有一尺多长。他高兴极了，连连道谢。临回家时，他送些鱼给年轻人，年轻人不肯收，说：“我多次喝了你的好酒，这点小事，哪里谈得上报答。你要是不嫌弃，往后咱们就常常这样相聚吧。”许某说：“咱们才一起喝了一夜，你怎么说是多次呢？你要是肯常来，我实在求之不得，只是惭愧，没什么好东西招待你。”他问年轻人的姓名，年轻人说：“我姓王，没有表字，见面时叫我王六郎就行。”两人便告别了。第二天，许某卖了鱼，又多买了些酒。晚上来到河边，年轻人已经先到了，两人便高高兴兴地一起喝酒。每喝上几杯，年轻人就去替许某赶鱼。
A man surnamed Xu lived outside the north wall of Zichuan and made his living by fishing. Every night he took wine down to the river and drank as he fished. Each time he drank, he poured some on the ground and prayed, “Drowned ghosts of the river, have a drink.” This was his habit. Other men fished and caught nothing at all, but Xu alone filled his basket. One evening, as he sat drinking alone, a young man came and wandered to and fro beside him. Xu offered him a drink, and he readily joined him. But all that night Xu did not catch a single fish, and he was rather disappointed. The young man rose and said, “Let me go downstream and drive them to you.” And off he went, light as the wind. In a little while he was back. “The fish are coming in force,” he said. Sure enough, Xu heard them smacking and gulping at the surface. He raised his net and caught several, every one more than a foot long. Overjoyed, he thanked the young man again and again. When he was ready to go home, he offered him some fish, but the young man would not take them. “I have so often enjoyed your fine wine,” he said. “This trifle is hardly worth calling a return. If you don’t mind, I should like to make it a regular thing.” “We have shared only one evening,” said Xu. “What do you mean, so often? If you will keep me company always, nothing would please me more. I am only ashamed that I have nothing to offer you.” He asked his name. “My surname is Wang. I have no courtesy name. When we meet, you can call me Wang Liulang.” And they parted. The next day Xu sold his fish and bought more wine. At evening he went to the riverbank, and the young man was already there before him, so they drank happily together. After a few cups, the young man would always go and drive the fish for Xu.
如是半載。忽告許曰：「拜識清揚，情逾骨肉。然相別有日矣。」語甚悽楚。驚問之。欲言而止者再，乃曰：「情好如吾兩人，言之或勿訝耶？今將別，無妨明告：我實鬼也。素嗜酒，沉醉溺死，數年于此矣。前君之獲魚，獨勝于他人者，皆僕之暗驅，以報酹奠耳。明日業滿，當有代者，將往投生。相聚只今夕，故不能無感。」許初聞甚駭；然親狎既久，不復恐怖。因亦欷歔，酌而言曰：「六郎飲此，勿戚也。相見遽違，良足悲惻，然業滿劫脫，正宜相賀，悲乃不倫。」遂與暢飲。因問：「代者何人？」曰：「兄于河畔視之，亭午，有女子渡河而溺者，是也。」聽村雞既唱，灑涕而別。明日，敬伺河邊，以覘其異。果有婦人抱嬰兒來，及河而墮。兒拋岸上，揚手擲足而啼。婦沉浮者屢矣，忽淋淋攀岸以出，藉地少息，抱兒徑去。當婦溺時，意良不忍，思欲奔救，轉念是所以代六郎者，故止不救。及婦自出，疑其言不驗。抵暮，漁舊處。少年復至，曰：「今又聚首，且不言別矣。」問其故。曰：「女子已相代矣；僕憐其抱中兒，代弟一人，遂殘二命，故捨之。更代不知何期。或吾兩人之緣未盡耶？」許感嘆曰：「此仁人之心，可以通上帝矣。」由此相聚如初。數日，又來告別。許疑其復有代者。曰：「非也。前一念惻隱，果達帝天。今授為招遠縣鄔鎮土地，來日赴任。倘不忘故交，當一往探，勿憚修阻。」許賀曰：「君正直為神，甚慰人心。但人神路隔，即不憚修阻，將復如何？」少年曰：「但往，勿慮。」再三叮嚀而去。
兩人這樣來往了半年。忽然有一天，年輕人對許某說：「自從有幸認識你，我們的情誼已經超過了骨肉親人。可是分別的日子已經到了。」他說得十分淒涼。許某吃了一驚，問他是怎麼回事。他兩次想說，又停住了，最後才說：「咱們兩人這樣要好，我說出來，你也許不會太驚訝吧？如今就要分別了，不妨明白告訴你：我其實是個鬼。我一向愛喝酒，有一次喝得酩酊大醉，落水淹死，已經在這裡好幾年了。從前你打到的魚總比別人多，都是我暗中趕來的，為的是報答你灑酒祭奠的情意。明天我的業報就到頭了，會有人來替代我，我就能去投胎了。我們只有今晚還能相聚，所以忍不住難過。」許某剛聽到時很害怕，但想到兩人已經親近了這麼久，也就不再恐懼。他也嘆息哽咽起來，倒了一杯酒，說：「六郎，喝了這杯酒，別難過了。我們相識不久就要分別，確實讓人傷心，可你的業報已滿，苦難已經結束，正該向你道喜，再悲傷就不合適了。」於是兩人開懷暢飲。許某又問：「替代你的是誰？」六郎說：「哥哥到河邊看著吧。正午時，會有個女子渡河淹死，就是她。」聽到村裡的雞已經叫了，兩人流著淚告別。第二天，許某鄭重地守在河邊，想看看這件奇事。果然，有個婦人抱著嬰兒走來，到了河邊便掉進水裡。孩子被拋到岸上，揮著手，蹬著腳，大聲啼哭。婦人在水裡幾次沉下去，又浮上來，忽然渾身淌著水，攀住河岸爬了上來。她在地上歇了一會兒，抱起孩子就走了。婦人落水時，許某心裡實在不忍，想跑去救她，可轉念想到，她是來替代六郎的，便停住了，沒有去救。等婦人自己爬上岸，他又懷疑六郎的話沒有應驗。傍晚，他到老地方打魚，年輕人又來了，說：「今天我們又見面了，暫且不說分別的事了。」許某問他緣故，他說：「那女子本來已經要替代我了，可我憐惜她懷裡的孩子。為了替代我一個人，就要害死兩條性命，所以我放過了她。不知道什麼時候才會再有人來替代我，也許咱們兩人的緣分還沒有盡吧？」許某感慨地說：「你這樣的仁愛之心，一定能感動上帝。」從此，兩人又像從前一樣相聚。過了幾天，六郎又來告別。許某以為又有人來替代他了。六郎說：「不是。上次那一念憐憫，果然傳到了天帝那裡。如今我被任命為招遠縣鄔鎮的土地神，明天就去赴任。你要是沒有忘記老朋友，就來那裡看我一趟，別怕路途遙遠難行。」許某向他道喜，說：「你為人正直，如今做了神，實在讓人欣慰。只是人與神相隔，就算我不怕路遠難走，到了那裡又怎麼見你呢？」年輕人說：「只管來，不必擔心。」他再三叮囑，才離去了。
如是半载。忽告许曰：「拜识清扬，情逾骨肉。然相别有日矣。」语甚凄楚。惊问之。欲言而止者再，乃曰：「情好如吾两人，言之或勿讶耶？今将别，无妨明告：我实鬼也。素嗜酒，沉醉溺死，数年于此矣。前君之获鱼，独胜于他人者，皆仆之暗驱，以报酹奠耳。明日业满，当有代者，将往投生。相聚只今夕，故不能无感。」许初闻甚骇；然亲狎既久，不复恐怖。因亦欷歔，酌而言曰：「六郎饮此，勿戚也。相见遽违，良足悲恻，然业满劫脱，正宜相贺，悲乃不伦。」遂与畅饮。因问：「代者何人？」曰：「兄于河畔视之，亭午，有女子渡河而溺者，是也。」听村鸡既唱，洒涕而别。明日，敬伺河边，以觇其异。果有妇人抱婴儿来，及河而堕。儿抛岸上，扬手掷足而啼。妇沉浮者屡矣，忽淋淋攀岸以出，藉地少息，抱儿径去。当妇溺时，意良不忍，思欲奔救，转念是所以代六郎者，故止不救。及妇自出，疑其言不验。抵暮，渔旧处。少年复至，曰：「今又聚首，且不言别矣。」问其故。曰：「女子已相代矣；仆怜其抱中儿，代弟一人，遂残二命，故舍之。更代不知何期。或吾两人之缘未尽耶？」许感叹曰：「此仁人之心，可以通上帝矣。」由此相聚如初。数日，又来告别。许疑其复有代者。曰：「非也。前一念恻隐，果达帝天。今授为招远县邬镇土地，来日赴任。倘不忘故交，当一往探，勿惮修阻。」许贺曰：「君正直为神，甚慰人心。但人神路隔，即不惮修阻，将复如何？」少年曰：「但往，勿虑。」再三叮咛而去。
两人这样来往了半年。忽然有一天，年轻人对许某说：“自从有幸认识你，我们的情谊已经超过了骨肉亲人。可是分别的日子已经到了。”他说得十分凄凉。许某吃了一惊，问他是怎么回事。他两次想说，又停住了，最后才说：“咱们两人这样要好，我说出来，你也许不会太惊讶吧？如今就要分别了，不妨明白告诉你：我其实是个鬼。我一向爱喝酒，有一次喝得酩酊大醉，落水淹死，已经在这里好几年了。从前你打到的鱼总比别人多，都是我暗中赶来的，为的是报答你洒酒祭奠的情意。明天我的业报就到头了，会有人来替代我，我就能去投胎了。我们只有今晚还能相聚，所以忍不住难过。”许某刚听到时很害怕，但想到两人已经亲近了这么久，也就不再恐惧。他也叹息哽咽起来，倒了一杯酒，说：“六郎，喝了这杯酒，别难过了。我们相识不久就要分别，确实让人伤心，可你的业报已满，苦难已经结束，正该向你道喜，再悲伤就不合适了。”于是两人开怀畅饮。许某又问：“替代你的是谁？”六郎说：“哥哥到河边看着吧。正午时，会有个女子渡河淹死，就是她。”听到村里的鸡已经叫了，两人流着泪告别。第二天，许某郑重地守在河边，想看看这件奇事。果然，有个妇人抱着婴儿走来，到了河边便掉进水里。孩子被抛到岸上，挥着手，蹬着脚，大声啼哭。妇人在水里几次沉下去，又浮上来，忽然浑身淌着水，攀住河岸爬了上来。她在地上歇了一会儿，抱起孩子就走了。妇人落水时，许某心里实在不忍，想跑去救她，可转念想到，她是来替代六郎的，便停住了，没有去救。等妇人自己爬上岸，他又怀疑六郎的话没有应验。傍晚，他到老地方打鱼，年轻人又来了，说：“今天我们又见面了，暂且不说分别的事了。”许某问他缘故，他说：“那女子本来已经要替代我了，可我怜惜她怀里的孩子。为了替代我一个人，就要害死两条性命，所以我放过了她。不知道什么时候才会再有人来替代我，也许咱们两人的缘分还没有尽吧？”许某感慨地说：“你这样的仁爱之心，一定能感动上帝。”从此，两人又像从前一样相聚。过了几天，六郎又来告别。许某以为又有人来替代他了。六郎说：“不是。上次那一念怜悯，果然传到了天帝那里。如今我被任命为招远县邬镇的土地神，明天就去赴任。你要是没有忘记老朋友，就来那里看我一趟，别怕路途遥远难行。”许某向他道喜，说：“你为人正直，如今做了神，实在让人欣慰。只是人与神相隔，就算我不怕路远难走，到了那里又怎么见你呢？”年轻人说：“只管来，不必担心。”他再三叮嘱，才离去了。
So it went on for half a year. Then one day the young man said to Xu, “Since I had the honour of knowing you, I have loved you more than my own flesh and blood. But the day of our parting has come.” His words were full of grief. Startled, Xu asked what he meant. Twice he began to speak and stopped. At last he said, “Friends as close as we are — perhaps you won’t be too shocked if I tell you. Now that we are to part, there is no harm in saying it plainly: I am a ghost. I always loved my wine. I drowned when I was dead drunk, and I have been here several years. All those fish you caught, more than anyone else — I drove them to you in secret, to repay you for the wine you poured out. Tomorrow my term is up. Someone will come to take my place, and I shall go to be born again. We have only tonight together, so I cannot help feeling it.” When Xu first heard this he was badly frightened. But they had been close for so long that his fear passed. He too sighed and sobbed, poured a cup and said, “Drink this, Liulang, and don’t be sad. To part so soon after we met is a real grief. But your term is served and your ordeal is over, and that calls for congratulations. Sorrow is out of place.” So they drank to their hearts’ content. Then Xu asked, “Who is to take your place?” “Watch from the riverbank, brother. At noon a woman crossing the river will drown. That is the one.” When they heard the village cocks crow, they parted in tears. The next day Xu waited dutifully by the river to see what strange thing would happen. Sure enough, a woman came carrying a baby, and when she reached the river she fell in. The baby was flung onto the bank, where it waved its hands, kicked its feet and cried. The woman went under and came up again and again. Then suddenly, streaming wet, she caught hold of the bank and pulled herself out. She lay on the ground to rest a little, then picked up the baby and went on her way. While she was drowning, Xu could hardly bear it and wanted to run and save her. But then he thought: this is the one who is to take Liulang’s place. So he held back and did not save her. When she got out by herself, he began to suspect that what Liulang had told him would not come true. At dusk he fished at the old spot. The young man came again. “Here we are together again,” he said, “and no more talk of parting.” Xu asked why. “The woman was to take my place. But I pitied the child in her arms. To replace one man, me, I would have destroyed two lives. So I let her go. When another will come to take my place, who knows? Perhaps the bond between the two of us is not yet used up.” Xu sighed, deeply moved. “A kind heart like this could reach the Lord on High.” From then on they met as before. A few days later the young man came again to say goodbye. Xu suspected that another substitute had come. “No,” he said. “That one moment of pity did reach Heaven after all. Now I have been appointed Earth God of Wu Town in Zhaoyuan County, and tomorrow I go to take up my post. If you don’t forget an old friend, come and see me there. Don’t be put off by the long, hard road.” Xu congratulated him. “You are upright, and so you have become a god. That is a great comfort to people. But men and gods walk different roads. Even if I don’t mind the long, hard road, what then?” “Just come,” said the young man. “Don’t worry.” He urged him again and again, and left.
許歸，即欲治裝東下。妻笑曰：「此去數百里，即有其地，恐土偶不可以共語。」許不聽，竟抵招遠。問之居人，果有鄔鎮。尋至其處，息肩逆旅，問祠所在。主人驚曰：「得無客姓為許？」許曰：「然。何見知？」又曰：「得勿客邑為淄？」曰：「然。何見知？」主人不答，遽出。俄而丈夫抱子，媳女窺門，雜沓而來，環如牆堵。許益驚。眾乃告曰：「數夜前，夢神言：淄川許友當即來，可助為資斧。祗候已久。」許亦異之，乃往祭于祠而祝曰：「別君後，寤寐不去心，遠踐曩約。又蒙夢示居人，感篆中懷。愧無腆物，僅有卮酒；如不棄，當如河上之飲。」祝畢，焚錢紙。俄見風起座後，旋轉移時，始散。夜夢少年來，衣冠楚楚，大異平時。謝曰：「遠勞顧問，喜淚交並。但任微職，不便會面，咫尺河山，甚愴于懷。居人薄有所贈，聊酬夙好。歸如有期，尚當走送。」居數日，許欲歸。眾留慇懃，朝請暮邀，日更數主。許堅辭欲行。眾乃折柬抱襆，爭來致贐，不終朝，饋遺盈橐。蒼頭稚子畢集，祖送出村。欻有羊角風起，隨行十餘里。許再拜曰：「六郎珍重！勿勞遠涉。君心仁愛，自能造福一方，無庸故人囑也。」風盤旋久之，乃去。村人亦嗟訝而返。許歸，家稍裕，遂不復漁。後見招遠人問之，其靈應如響云。或言：即章丘石坑莊。未知孰是。
許某回到家，就想收拾行李，往東出發。他妻子笑著說：「這一去有幾百里，就算真有那個地方，恐怕泥塑的神像也沒法跟你說話。」許某不聽，還是一路到了招遠。他向當地人打聽，果然有個鄔鎮。他找到那裡，在客店放下行李，歇了下來，問土地廟在哪裡。店主人吃驚地說：「客人莫非姓許？」許某說：「是。你怎麼知道？」店主人又問：「客人莫非是淄人？」許某說：「是。你怎麼知道？」店主人沒有回答，急忙走了出去。不一會兒，男人抱著孩子，婦女從門口探頭張望，眾人紛紛趕來，把他圍得像一道牆。許某越發吃驚。眾人這才告訴他：「幾天前的夜裡，土地神在夢中對我們說：『我在淄川的朋友許某就要來了，你們可以幫他湊些路費。』我們已經恭候很久了。」許某也覺得神奇，便到廟裡祭拜，禱告說：「自從與你分別，不論醒著還是睡著，我心裡都忘不了你，如今特意遠道而來，履行從前的約定。又承蒙你託夢告訴當地人，這份情意，我感激在心。慚愧沒帶什麼豐厚的禮物，只有一杯酒。你要是不嫌棄，就像從前在河邊那樣喝吧。」禱告完，他燒了紙錢。不一會兒，神座後面起了一陣風，旋轉了好一陣才散去。夜裡，他夢見年輕人來了，衣服帽子整整齊齊，和從前大不一樣。六郎向他道謝，說：「勞你遠道來看我，我高興得流下了眼淚。只是我擔任這小小的神職，不便與你當面相見。我們近在咫尺，卻像隔著山河，心裡實在難過。當地人會送你一點薄禮，略微報答我們往日的情誼。你定下回家的日子後，我還會來送你。」住了幾天，許某想回家。眾人熱情挽留，早上請，晚上邀，一天裡要輪流到好幾家做客。許某堅決推辭，堅持要走。眾人便拿著摺好的帖子，抱著包袱，爭相送來臨別的禮物。還沒到中午，他的行囊就已經裝滿了。老人孩子全都聚來，送他出村。忽然起了一陣旋風，跟著他走了十多里。許某拜了兩拜，說：「六郎，珍重！別再辛苦送這麼遠了。你心地仁愛，自然能造福一方，用不著老朋友囑咐。」那陣風盤旋了很久，才離去。村裡人也驚歎著回去了。許某回家後，家境稍稍寬裕起來，便不再打魚。後來遇到招遠人，他就問起六郎，聽說土地神有求必應，就像聲音發出便有迴響一樣。也有人說，那個地方其實是章丘的石坑莊。不知道哪種說法才對。
许归，即欲治装东下。妻笑曰：「此去数百里，即有其地，恐土偶不可以共语。」许不听，竟抵招远。问之居人，果有邬镇。寻至其处，息肩逆旅，问祠所在。主人惊曰：「得无客姓为许？」许曰：「然。何见知？」又曰：「得勿客邑为淄？」曰：「然。何见知？」主人不答，遽出。俄而丈夫抱子，媳女窥门，杂沓而来，环如墙堵。许益惊。众乃告曰：「数夜前，梦神言：淄川许友当即来，可助为资斧。祗候已久。」许亦异之，乃往祭于祠而祝曰：「别君后，寤寐不去心，远践曩约。又蒙梦示居人，感篆中怀。愧无腆物，仅有卮酒；如不弃，当如河上之饮。」祝毕，焚钱纸。俄见风起座后，旋转移时，始散。夜梦少年来，衣冠楚楚，大异平时。谢曰：「远劳顾问，喜泪交并。但任微职，不便会面，咫尺河山，甚怆于怀。居人薄有所赠，聊酬夙好。归如有期，尚当走送。」居数日，许欲归。众留慇懃，朝请暮邀，日更数主。许坚辞欲行。众乃折柬抱襆，争来致赆，不终朝，馈遗盈橐。苍头稚子毕集，祖送出村。欻有羊角风起，随行十余里。许再拜曰：「六郎珍重！勿劳远涉。君心仁爱，自能造福一方，无庸故人嘱也。」风盘旋久之，乃去。村人亦嗟讶而返。许归，家稍裕，遂不复渔。后见招远人问之，其灵应如响云。或言：即章丘石坑庄。未知孰是。
许某回到家，就想收拾行李，往东出发。他妻子笑着说：“这一去有几百里，就算真有那个地方，恐怕泥塑的神像也没法跟你说话。”许某不听，还是一路到了招远。他向当地人打听，果然有个邬镇。他找到那里，在客店放下行李，歇了下来，问土地庙在哪里。店主人吃惊地说：“客人莫非姓许？”许某说：“是。你怎么知道？”店主人又问：“客人莫非是淄人？”许某说：“是。你怎么知道？”店主人没有回答，急忙走了出去。不一会儿，男人抱着孩子，妇女从门口探头张望，众人纷纷赶来，把他围得像一道墙。许某越发吃惊。众人这才告诉他：“几天前的夜里，土地神在梦中对我们说：‘我在淄川的朋友许某就要来了，你们可以帮他凑些路费。’我们已经恭候很久了。”许某也觉得神奇，便到庙里祭拜，祷告说：“自从与你分别，不论醒着还是睡着，我心里都忘不了你，如今特意远道而来，履行从前的约定。又承蒙你托梦告诉当地人，这份情意，我感激在心。惭愧没带什么丰厚的礼物，只有一杯酒。你要是不嫌弃，就像从前在河边那样喝吧。”祷告完，他烧了纸钱。不一会儿，神座后面起了一阵风，旋转了好一阵才散去。夜里，他梦见年轻人来了，衣服帽子整整齐齐，和从前大不一样。六郎向他道谢，说：“劳你远道来看我，我高兴得流下了眼泪。只是我担任这小小的神职，不便与你当面相见。我们近在咫尺，却像隔着山河，心里实在难过。当地人会送你一点薄礼，略微报答我们往日的情谊。你定下回家的日子后，我还会来送你。”住了几天，许某想回家。众人热情挽留，早上请，晚上邀，一天里要轮流到好几家做客。许某坚决推辞，坚持要走。众人便拿着折好的帖子，抱着包袱，争相送来临别的礼物。还没到中午，他的行囊就已经装满了。老人孩子全都聚来，送他出村。忽然起了一阵旋风，跟着他走了十多里。许某拜了两拜，说：“六郎，珍重！别再辛苦送这么远了。你心地仁爱，自然能造福一方，用不着老朋友嘱咐。”那阵风盘旋了很久，才离去。村里人也惊叹着回去了。许某回家后，家境稍稍宽裕起来，便不再打鱼。后来遇到招远人，他就问起六郎，听说土地神有求必应，就像声音发出便有回响一样。也有人说，那个地方其实是章丘的石坑庄。不知道哪种说法才对。
Xu went home and at once wanted to pack and head east. His wife laughed at him. “It is hundreds of li from here. Even if there is such a place, I doubt a clay idol will make much conversation.” Xu would not listen, and went all the way to Zhaoyuan. He asked the people there, and sure enough there was a Wu Town. He found his way to it, set down his load at an inn and asked where the shrine was. The innkeeper looked startled. “Could your name be Xu, sir?” “It is,” said Xu. “How did you know?” “And could you be from Zichuan, sir?” “I am. How did you know?” The innkeeper made no answer and hurried out. In a moment the men came with children in their arms, and wives and daughters peered round the door, and they crowded in pell-mell until they stood round him like a wall. Xu was more astonished. Then they told him, “A few nights ago the god said to us in a dream, ‘My friend Xu from Zichuan will be here soon. You can help him with money for the road.’ We have been waiting for you a long time.” Xu too marvelled at this. He went to the shrine to make an offering, and prayed, “Since I parted from you, waking or sleeping, you have never left my mind, and I have come a long way to keep our old promise. And you kindly told the people here in a dream; my gratitude is engraved on my heart. I am ashamed to bring no fine gift, only a cup of wine. If you don’t scorn it, let us drink as we did by the river.” When he had prayed, he burned paper money. In a moment a wind rose behind the altar and whirled round for a long while before it died away. That night he dreamed that the young man came, finely dressed in cap and robe, very different from how he used to look. He thanked Xu: “You have come so far to see me that I am weeping for joy. But I hold a humble office, and it is not fitting for me to meet you face to face. You are only a step away, yet it is as if hills and rivers lay between us, and it grieves me deeply. The people here have a small gift for you, some return for our old friendship. When you set off for home, I will come to see you on your way.” After a few days Xu wanted to go home. The people pressed him warmly to stay. They invited him morning and evening, and he changed hosts several times a day. Xu firmly declined and insisted on leaving. Then they came with notes of farewell and bundles in their arms, vying to give him parting gifts, and before the morning was out his bags were full. Old men and children all gathered to see him off outside the village. Suddenly a whirlwind rose and followed him for more than ten li. Xu bowed twice and said, “Take care of yourself, Liulang! Don’t trouble to come so far. Your heart is kind, and you will surely bring blessings to this whole district. Your old friend need not tell you that.” The wind circled for a long while and then went away. The villagers too turned back, sighing in wonder. When Xu got home, his family was somewhat better off, and he gave up fishing. Afterwards, whenever he met someone from Zhaoyuan he asked about the god, and they said he answered prayers as surely as an echo. Some say the place is really Shikeng Village in Zhangqiu. Which is right, I do not know.
異史氏曰：「置身青雲，無忘貧賤，此其所以神也。今日車中貴介，寧復識戴笠人哉？余鄉有林下者，家綦貧。有童稚交，任肥秩。計投之必相周顧。竭力辦裝，奔涉千里，殊失所望；瀉囊貨騎，始得歸。其族弟甚諧，作月令嘲之云：『是月也，哥哥至，貂帽解，傘蓋不張，馬化為驢，靴始收聲。』念此可為一笑。」
異史氏說：「身居高位，還不忘貧賤的朋友，這就是他能成為神的緣故。如今那些坐在車裡的權貴，難道還認得戴斗笠的窮朋友嗎？我家鄉有個退隱的人，家裡十分貧窮。他有個從小相交的朋友，擔任收入豐厚的官職。他想，去投奔這個朋友，對方一定會照顧、接濟自己，於是竭盡全力備好行裝，奔波了千里，結果大失所望。他花光了盤纏，又賣掉坐騎，才得以回家。他有個同族的堂弟，很會說笑，便仿照月令的口吻，編了一段話嘲笑他：『這個月，哥哥來了，貂皮帽摘下了，傘蓋不撐開了，馬變成了驢，靴子的腳步聲也開始安靜了。』想起這件事，真能讓人一笑。」
异史氏曰：「置身青云，无忘贫贱，此其所以神也。今日车中贵介，宁复识戴笠人哉？余乡有林下者，家綦贫。有童稚交，任肥秩。计投之必相周顾。竭力办装，奔涉千里，殊失所望；泻囊货骑，始得归。其族弟甚谐，作月令嘲之云：『是月也，哥哥至，貂帽解，伞盖不张，马化为驴，靴始收声。』念此可为一笑。」
异史氏说：“身居高位，还不忘贫贱的朋友，这就是他能成为神的缘故。如今那些坐在车里的权贵，难道还认得戴斗笠的穷朋友吗？我家乡有个退隐的人，家里十分贫穷。他有个从小相交的朋友，担任收入丰厚的官职。他想，去投奔这个朋友，对方一定会照顾、接济自己，于是竭尽全力备好行装，奔波了千里，结果大失所望。他花光了盘缠，又卖掉坐骑，才得以回家。他有个同族的堂弟，很会说笑，便仿照月令的口吻，编了一段话嘲笑他：‘这个月，哥哥来了，貂皮帽摘下了，伞盖不撑开了，马变成了驴，靴子的脚步声也开始安静了。’想起这件事，真能让人一笑。”
The Historian of the Strange says: To rise to the blue clouds and not forget the poor and lowly — that is what made him a god. Of the grandees riding in carriages today, which of them still knows the man in the straw hat? In my home district there was a gentleman living in retirement whose family was very poor. A boyhood friend of his held a fat post, and he reckoned that if he went to him, his friend would be sure to look after him. He scraped together all he could for the journey and travelled a thousand li, only to be sorely disappointed. He had to empty his purse and sell his horse before he could get home. A younger cousin of his, a great wit, mocked him with a parody of the Monthly Ordinances: ‘In this month, Elder Brother arrives. The sable hat is taken off. The parasol is not raised. The horse turns into a donkey. The boots first fall silent.’ Thinking of it is good for a laugh.