青州居民范小山，販筆為業，行賈未歸。四月間，妻賀氏獨居，夜為盜所殺。是夜微雨，泥中遺詩扇一柄，乃王晟之贈吳蜚卿者。晟，不知何人；吳，益都之素封，與范同里，平日頗有佻達之行，故里黨共信之。郡縣拘質，堅不伏，慘被械梏，誣以成案；駁解往復，歷十餘官，更無異議。吳亦自分必死，囑其妻罄竭所有，以濟煢獨。有向其門誦佛千者，給以絮袴；至萬者絮襖：於是乞丐如市，佛號聲聞十餘里。因而家驟貧，惟日貨田產，以給資斧。陰賂監者使市鴆。夜夢神人告之曰：「子勿死，曩日『外邊凶』，目下『裏邊吉』矣。」再睡，又言，以是不果死。無何，周元亮先生分守是道，錄囚至吳，若有所思。因問：「吳某殺人，有何確據？」范以扇對。先生熟視扇，便問：「王晟何人？」並云不知。又將爰書細閱一過，立命脫其死械，自監移之倉。范力爭之。怒曰：「爾欲妄殺一人便了卻耶？抑將得仇人而甘心耶？」眾疑先生私吳，俱莫敢言。先生標朱簽，立拘南郭某肆主人。主人懼，莫知所以。至則問曰：「肆壁有東莞李秀詩，何時題耶？」答云：「舊歲提學按臨，有日照二三秀才，飲醉留題，不知所居何里。」遂遣役至日照，坐拘李秀。數日，秀至。怒曰：「既作秀才，奈何謀殺人？」秀頓首錯愕，曰：「無之！」先生擲扇下，令其自視，曰：「明係爾作，何詭託王晟？」秀審視曰：「詩真某作，字實非某書。」曰：「既知汝詩，當即汝友。誰書者？」秀曰：「蹟似沂州王佐。」乃遣役關拘王佐。佐至，呵之如秀狀。佐供：「此益都鐵商張成索某書者，云晟其表兄也。」先生曰：「盜在此矣。」執成至，一訊遂伏。先是，成窺賀美，欲挑之，恐不諧。念託於吳，必人所共信，故偽為吳扇，執而往。諧則自認，不諧則嫁名於吳，而實不期至於殺也。踰垣入，逼婦。婦因獨居，常以刀自衛。既覺，捉成衣，操刀而起。成懼，奪其刀。婦力挽，令不得脫，且號。成益窘，遂殺之，委扇而去。三年冤獄，一朝而雪，無不誦神明者。吳始悟「裏邊吉」乃「周」字也。然終莫解其故。後邑紳乘間請之。笑曰：「此最易知。細閱爰書，賀被殺在四月上旬；是夜陰雨，天氣猶寒，扇乃不急之物，豈有忙迫之時，反攜此以增累者，其嫁禍可知。向避雨南郭，見題壁詩與箑頭之作，口角相類，故妄度李生，果因是而得真盜。」聞者歎服。
青州居民範小山以販賣毛筆為業，出門做生意，還沒有回來。四月裡，他的妻子賀氏獨自住在家中，一天夜裡被盜賊殺了。那晚下著小雨，泥地裡留下了一把題詩的扇子，是王晟贈給吳蜚卿的。王晟不知道是什麼人；吳蜚卿是益都的富戶，和範小山住在同一鄉里，平日行為頗為輕浮放蕩，所以鄉鄰都認定兇手是他。府縣把他拘來審問，他堅決不肯認罪，遭到殘酷的刑訊，最終被誣定罪名，結成了案。這案子反覆駁回、解送，經過十多個官員，都沒有提出不同意見。吳蜚卿自己也認定必死，囑咐妻子用盡家產，救濟孤苦無依的人。凡到他家門前念一千聲佛號的，就給一條棉褲；唸到一萬聲的，就給一件棉襖。於是乞丐聚得像趕集一樣，念佛的聲音傳到十多里外。家裡因此迅速貧困下去，只能天天賣田產，維持各項開銷。吳蜚卿暗中賄賂獄卒，讓他買來毒藥。夜裡，他夢見一位神人告訴他說：「你不要死，先前是『外邊兇』，眼下是『裡邊吉』了。」他再睡著時，神人又這樣說，因此沒有自殺。不久，周元亮先生到這一道任職，巡視審查囚犯，輪到吳蜚卿時，似乎有所思索，便問：「說吳某殺人，有什麼確鑿證據？」範小山拿扇子作答。周先生仔細看過扇子，便問：「王晟是什麼人？」眾人都說不知道。他又把案卷仔細讀了一遍，立即命人卸掉吳蜚卿身上死囚的刑具，從監獄移到倉房。範小山極力爭辯。周先生生氣地說：「你是想隨便殺一個人，就把這事了結，還是想找到真正的仇人，才肯甘心？」眾人懷疑周先生偏袒吳蜚卿，卻都不敢開口。周先生用硃筆簽發拘票，立即拘來南城外某家店鋪的主人。店主十分害怕，不知道出了什麼事。到了後，周先生問：「你店裡牆上有東莞李秀題的詩，是什麼時候寫的？」店主回答：「去年提學來巡視，有兩三個日照的秀才喝醉後留了題詩，不知道他們住在哪個村。」周先生便派差役到日照，拘拿李秀。幾天後，李秀到了。周先生怒斥道：「既然是秀才，為什麼還謀殺人？」李秀驚愕不已，叩頭說：「沒有這回事！」周先生把扇子扔下，讓他自己看，說：「分明是你寫的，為什麼冒用王晟的名字？」李秀仔細看了看，說：「詩確實是我作的，字卻不是我寫的。」周先生說：「既然知道你的詩，想必就是你的朋友。是誰寫的？」李秀說：「筆跡像沂州王佐的。」於是周先生派差役，發文拘拿王佐。王佐到了，周先生像呵斥李秀一樣呵斥他。王佐供稱：「這是益都的鐵商張成請我寫的，他說王晟是他的表兄。」周先生說：「兇手就在這裡了。」張成被抓來，一經審問便認了罪。原來，張成看上賀氏的美貌，想去挑逗她，又怕不能得手。他想到假託吳蜚卿的名義，大家必定相信，便偽造了一把屬於吳蜚卿的扇子，拿著前去。若能得手，就承認自己的身份；若不能，就把名聲上的罪責推給吳蜚卿，原本並沒有想到會殺人。他翻牆進去，逼迫賀氏。賀氏因為獨自居住，常備一把刀防身。察覺有人進來後，她抓住張成的衣服，拿刀起身。張成害怕，奪過她的刀。賀氏用力拉住他，不讓他脫身，又大聲喊叫。張成更加窘迫，便殺了她，丟下扇子逃走。延續三年的冤案，一朝得以昭雪，人人都稱讚周先生斷案如神。吳蜚卿這才明白，「裡邊吉」指的是「周」字。但眾人始終不明白周先生究竟怎樣查出了真相。後來，縣裡一位鄉紳找機會向他請教。周先生笑著說：「這很容易明白。仔細看案卷，賀氏被殺是在四月上旬，那晚下著雨，天氣還冷，扇子並不是急需的東西。人在匆忙緊迫的時候，哪裡會反而帶上它，增加累贅？可見有人要嫁禍於人。我從前在南城外避雨，看見牆上題的詩，和扇上的詩遣詞語氣相近，所以試著猜測是李生，果然由此找到了真正的兇手。」聽到的人都讚歎佩服。
青州居民范小山，贩笔为业，行贾未归。四月间，妻贺氏独居，夜为盗所杀。是夜微雨，泥中遗诗扇一柄，乃王晟之赠吴蜚卿者。晟，不知何人；吴，益都之素封，与范同里，平日颇有佻达之行，故里党共信之。郡县拘质，坚不伏，惨被械梏，诬以成案；驳解往复，历十余官，更无异议。吴亦自分必死，嘱其妻罄竭所有，以济茕独。有向其门诵佛千者，给以絮袴；至万者絮袄：于是乞丐如市，佛号声闻十余里。因而家骤贫，惟日货田产，以给资斧。阴赂监者使市鸩。夜梦神人告之曰：「子勿死，曩日『外边凶』，目下『里边吉』矣。」再睡，又言，以是不果死。无何，周元亮先生分守是道，录囚至吴，若有所思。因问：「吴某杀人，有何确据？」范以扇对。先生熟视扇，便问：「王晟何人？」并云不知。又将爰书细阅一过，立命脱其死械，自监移之仓。范力争之。怒曰：「尔欲妄杀一人便了却耶？抑将得仇人而甘心耶？」众疑先生私吴，俱莫敢言。先生标朱签，立拘南郭某肆主人。主人惧，莫知所以。至则问曰：「肆壁有东莞李秀诗，何时题耶？」答云：「旧岁提学按临，有日照二三秀才，饮醉留题，不知所居何里。」遂遣役至日照，坐拘李秀。数日，秀至。怒曰：「既作秀才，奈何谋杀人？」秀顿首错愕，曰：「无之！」先生掷扇下，令其自视，曰：「明系尔作，何诡托王晟？」秀审视曰：「诗真某作，字实非某书。」曰：「既知汝诗，当即汝友。谁书者？」秀曰：「迹似沂州王佐。」乃遣役关拘王佐。佐至，呵之如秀状。佐供：「此益都铁商张成索某书者，云晟其表兄也。」先生曰：「盗在此矣。」执成至，一讯遂伏。先是，成窥贺美，欲挑之，恐不谐。念托于吴，必人所共信，故伪为吴扇，执而往。谐则自认，不谐则嫁名于吴，而实不期至于杀也。逾垣入，逼妇。妇因独居，常以刀自卫。既觉，捉成衣，操刀而起。成惧，夺其刀。妇力挽，令不得脱，且号。成益窘，遂杀之，委扇而去。三年冤狱，一朝而雪，无不诵神明者。吴始悟「里边吉」乃「周」字也。然终莫解其故。后邑绅乘间请之。笑曰：「此最易知。细阅爰书，贺被杀在四月上旬；是夜阴雨，天气犹寒，扇乃不急之物，岂有忙迫之时，反携此以增累者，其嫁祸可知。向避雨南郭，见题壁诗与箑头之作，口角相类，故妄度李生，果因是而得真盗。」闻者叹服。
青州居民范小山以贩卖毛笔为业，出门做生意，还没有回来。四月里，他的妻子贺氏独自住在家中，一天夜里被盗贼杀了。那晚下着小雨，泥地里留下了一把题诗的扇子，是王晟赠给吴蜚卿的。王晟不知道是什么人；吴蜚卿是益都的富户，和范小山住在同一乡里，平日行为颇为轻浮放荡，所以乡邻都认定凶手是他。府县把他拘来审问，他坚决不肯认罪，遭到残酷的刑讯，最终被诬定罪名，结成了案。这案子反复驳回、解送，经过十多个官员，都没有提出不同意见。吴蜚卿自己也认定必死，嘱咐妻子用尽家产，救济孤苦无依的人。凡到他家门前念一千声佛号的，就给一条棉裤；念到一万声的，就给一件棉袄。于是乞丐聚得像赶集一样，念佛的声音传到十多里外。家里因此迅速贫困下去，只能天天卖田产，维持各项开销。吴蜚卿暗中贿赂狱卒，让他买来毒药。夜里，他梦见一位神人告诉他说：“你不要死，先前是‘外边凶’，眼下是‘里边吉’了。”他再睡着时，神人又这样说，因此没有自杀。不久，周元亮先生到这一道任职，巡视审查囚犯，轮到吴蜚卿时，似乎有所思索，便问：“说吴某杀人，有什么确凿证据？”范小山拿扇子作答。周先生仔细看过扇子，便问：“王晟是什么人？”众人都说不知道。他又把案卷仔细读了一遍，立即命人卸掉吴蜚卿身上死囚的刑具，从监狱移到仓房。范小山极力争辩。周先生生气地说：“你是想随便杀一个人，就把这事了结，还是想找到真正的仇人，才肯甘心？”众人怀疑周先生偏袒吴蜚卿，却都不敢开口。周先生用朱笔签发拘票，立即拘来南城外某家店铺的主人。店主十分害怕，不知道出了什么事。到了后，周先生问：“你店里墙上有东莞李秀题的诗，是什么时候写的？”店主回答：“去年提学来巡视，有两三个日照的秀才喝醉后留了题诗，不知道他们住在哪个村。”周先生便派差役到日照，拘拿李秀。几天后，李秀到了。周先生怒斥道：“既然是秀才，为什么还谋杀人？”李秀惊愕不已，叩头说：“没有这回事！”周先生把扇子扔下，让他自己看，说：“分明是你写的，为什么冒用王晟的名字？”李秀仔细看了看，说：“诗确实是我作的，字却不是我写的。”周先生说：“既然知道你的诗，想必就是你的朋友。是谁写的？”李秀说：“笔迹像沂州王佐的。”于是周先生派差役，发文拘拿王佐。王佐到了，周先生像呵斥李秀一样呵斥他。王佐供称：“这是益都的铁商张成请我写的，他说王晟是他的表兄。”周先生说：“凶手就在这里了。”张成被抓来，一经审问便认了罪。原来，张成看上贺氏的美貌，想去挑逗她，又怕不能得手。他想到假托吴蜚卿的名义，大家必定相信，便伪造了一把属于吴蜚卿的扇子，拿着前去。若能得手，就承认自己的身份；若不能，就把名声上的罪责推给吴蜚卿，原本并没有想到会杀人。他翻墙进去，逼迫贺氏。贺氏因为独自居住，常备一把刀防身。察觉有人进来后，她抓住张成的衣服，拿刀起身。张成害怕，夺过她的刀。贺氏用力拉住他，不让他脱身，又大声喊叫。张成更加窘迫，便杀了她，丢下扇子逃走。延续三年的冤案，一朝得以昭雪，人人都称赞周先生断案如神。吴蜚卿这才明白，“里边吉”指的是“周”字。但众人始终不明白周先生究竟怎样查出了真相。后来，县里一位乡绅找机会向他请教。周先生笑着说：“这很容易明白。仔细看案卷，贺氏被杀是在四月上旬，那晚下着雨，天气还冷，扇子并不是急需的东西。人在匆忙紧迫的时候，哪里会反而带上它，增加累赘？可见有人要嫁祸于人。我从前在南城外避雨，看见墙上题的诗，和扇上的诗遣词语气相近，所以试着猜测是李生，果然由此找到了真正的凶手。”听到的人都赞叹佩服。
Fan Xiaoshan, a townsman of Qingzhou, made his living selling writing brushes, and was away on his travels. In the fourth month his wife, Mrs. He, who was living alone, was killed one night by an intruder. It had rained a little that night, and in the mud lay a fan with a poem on it, a gift from Wang Sheng to Wu Feiqing. No one knew who Sheng was. Wu was a wealthy man of Yidu who held no office. He lived in the same neighbourhood as Fan and had always been rather loose in his ways, so everyone in the neighbourhood believed he had done it. The prefecture and the county arrested him and questioned him. He refused to confess, was cruelly put in fetters, and the false charge was made into a settled case. It went up for review and came back again, through more than ten officials, and not one of them dissented. Wu himself was sure he would die. He told his wife to spend everything they had on the widowed and the orphaned. Anyone who came to their gate and chanted the Buddha’s name a thousand times was given a pair of padded trousers; ten thousand times, a padded jacket. Beggars thronged there as at a market, and the sound of the Buddha’s name could be heard more than ten li away. The family quickly grew poor, and had to sell off land day after day to meet their needs. Wu secretly bribed his jailer to buy him poison. That night he dreamed that a god said to him, “Do not die. In days past it was ‘ill without’; now it is ‘luck within.’” He fell asleep again, and the god said it again, so in the end he did not kill himself. Before long Mr. Zhou Yuanliang came to take charge of the circuit. Reviewing the prisoners, he came to Wu and seemed lost in thought. He asked, “Wu is said to have killed someone. What firm proof is there?” Fan answered with the fan. Mr. Zhou looked hard at the fan, then asked, “Who is Wang Sheng?” They all said they did not know. He read through the case record carefully once more, and at once ordered Wu’s death shackles struck off and had him moved out of the prison into the holding house. Fan protested hard. Mr. Zhou said angrily, “Do you want to kill a man, any man, and be done with it? Or will you be satisfied only when you have the man who really killed her?” Everyone suspected Mr. Zhou of favouring Wu, but no one dared say so. He wrote out a warrant in red and at once had the owner of a certain shop by the south wall arrested. The shopkeeper was frightened and had no idea why. When he was brought in, Mr. Zhou asked, “On the wall of your shop there is a poem by Li Xiu of Dongguan. When was it written there?” “Last year, when the Education Commissioner came on his tour, two or three licentiates from Rizhao got drunk and wrote it there. I don’t know where they live.” So he sent runners to Rizhao to arrest Li Xiu. In a few days Li was brought in. Mr. Zhou said angrily, “You are a licentiate. How could you plot murder?” Li knocked his head on the floor, stunned. “I did no such thing!” Mr. Zhou threw the fan down to him and told him to look for himself. “This is plainly your work. Why pass it off under Wang Sheng’s name?” Li studied it. “The poem is truly mine, but the writing is not my hand.” “If he knew your poem, he must be your friend. Who wrote it?” “The hand looks like Wang Zuo’s, of Yizhou.” So he sent a warrant to Yizhou to have Wang Zuo arrested. When Wang was brought in, Mr. Zhou shouted at him as he had at Li. Wang testified: “Zhang Cheng, an iron merchant of Yidu, asked me to write it. He said Sheng was his cousin.” “Here is our culprit,” said Mr. Zhou. Zhang Cheng was seized and brought in, and at the first questioning he confessed. It turned out that Zhang had had his eye on Mrs. He’s beauty and wanted to seduce her, but was afraid she would not have him. He reckoned that if he passed himself off as Wu, everyone would believe it, so he faked a fan to look like Wu’s and took it with him. If she gave in, he would own up; if not, he would put it on Wu’s name. He never meant it to come to killing. He climbed over the wall and forced himself on her. Since she lived alone, she always kept a knife to protect herself. When she woke she caught hold of his clothes and rose up with the knife. Zhang was frightened and wrenched the knife away. She clung to him with all her strength so that he could not get free, and screamed. More desperate than ever, Zhang killed her, dropped the fan and fled. A wrongful case of three years was cleared in a single morning, and there was no one who did not call Mr. Zhou divine. Only then did Wu understand that “luck within” meant the character Zhou. But no one could work out how it had been done. Later a gentleman of the county found a chance to ask him. He laughed. “Nothing easier. Reading the record carefully, I saw that Mrs. He was killed in the first ten days of the fourth month. It rained that night and the weather was still cold. A fan is a thing nobody needs at such a time. Who, on urgent business, would carry one along only to burden himself? So it was plain that someone meant to lay the blame elsewhere. Some time before, I had sheltered from the rain by the south wall and seen the poem on the wall, and its turn of phrase was like the poem on the fan. So I made a wild guess at Li, and sure enough it led me to the real culprit.” Those who heard it sighed in admiration.