豫人張氏者，其先齊人。明末齊大亂，妻為北兵掠去。張常客豫，遂家焉。娶于豫，生子訥。無何，妻卒，又娶繼室，生子誠。繼室牛氏悍，每嫉訥，奴畜之，啖以惡草具，使樵，日責柴一肩。無則撻楚詬詛，不可堪。隱畜以甘脆餌誠，使從塾師讀。誠漸長，性孝友，不忍兄劬，陰勸母，母弗聽。一日，訥入山樵，未終，值大風雨，避身岩下，雨止而日已暮。腹中大餒，遂負薪歸。母驗之少，怒不與食；飢火燒心，入室僵臥。誠自塾中來，見兄嗒然，問：「病乎？」曰：「餓耳。」問其故，以情告。誠愀然便去。移時，懷餅來餌兄。兄問其所自來。曰：「余竊面倩鄰婦為之，但食勿言也。」訥食之。囑弟曰：「後勿復然，事泄累弟。且日一啖，飢當不死。」誠曰：「兄故弱，烏能多樵！」次日，食後，竊赴山，至兄樵處。兄見之，驚問：「將何作？」答曰：「將助樵採。」問：「誰之遣？」曰：「我自來耳。」兄曰：「無論弟不能樵，縱或能之，且猶不可。」於是速之歸。誠不聽，以手足斷柴助兄。且云：「明日當以斧來。」兄近止之，見其指已破，履已穿，悲曰：「汝不速歸，我即以斧自剄死。」誠乃歸，兄送之半途，方復回樵。既歸，詣塾，囑其師曰：「吾弟年幼，宜閉之。山中虎狼多。」師曰：「午前不知何往，業夏楚之。」歸謂誠曰：「不聽吾言，遭笞責矣。」誠笑曰：「無之。」明日，懷斧又去。兄駭曰：「我固謂子勿來，何復爾？」誠不應，刈薪且急，汗交頤不少休。約足一束，不辭而返。師又責之，乃實告之。師嘆其賢，遂不之禁。兄屢止之，終不聽。
豫地有個姓張的人，祖上是齊地人。明朝末年，齊地大亂，他的妻子被北兵擄走。張某常到豫地經商，便在那裡安了家。他在豫地娶妻，生了兒子張訥。不久，妻子去世，他又娶了續絃，生了兒子張誠。繼妻牛氏性情兇悍，總是厭惡張訥，把他當奴僕使喚，給他吃粗劣的飯食，讓他上山砍柴，每天必須交回一擔。要是交不出來，就又打又罵，叫人無法忍受。她卻暗地裡留著甜美酥脆的食物給張誠吃，讓他跟著私塾先生讀書。張誠漸漸長大，生性孝順，愛護兄長，不忍心看哥哥這樣勞苦，私下勸母親，母親卻不聽。一天，張訥上山砍柴，還沒有砍完，就遇上大風大雨，只好躲在岩石下面。等雨停了，天已經晚了。他肚子餓得厲害，便揹著柴回家。繼母一看，嫌柴太少，生氣地不給他飯吃。張訥餓得心裡像火燒一樣，進屋直挺挺地躺下。張誠從私塾回來，看見哥哥無精打采，便問：「生病了嗎？」張訥說：「只是餓了。」張誠問他為什麼餓，張訥就把事情告訴了他。張誠神色悲傷，立刻走了。過了一會兒，他懷裡揣著餅回來，給哥哥吃。哥哥問餅是哪裡來的，張誠說：「我偷了些麵粉，請鄰居家的婦人做的。你只管吃，別告訴別人。」張訥吃了餅，叮囑弟弟說：「以後別再這樣了，事情洩露了，會連累你。再說，一天吃一頓飯，總不至於餓死。」張誠說：「哥哥本來就虛弱，怎麼能砍那麼多柴！」第二天，吃過飯，張誠偷偷跑到山上，找到哥哥砍柴的地方。哥哥看見他，吃驚地問：「你來做什麼？」他回答：「來幫你砍柴。」哥哥問：「誰讓你來的？」張誠說：「我自己來的。」哥哥說：「別說你不會砍柴，就算會，也不能來。」於是催他趕快回家。張誠不聽，用手掰、用腳踩，把樹枝弄斷，幫哥哥收柴，還說：「明天我帶斧頭來。」哥哥走近想攔住他，看見他的手指已經破了，鞋子也磨穿了，難過地說：「你要是不趕快回家，我就拿斧頭割斷自己的脖子！」張誠這才回去。哥哥送他走了半程，才返回去砍柴。回家後，張訥到私塾，對先生說：「我弟弟年紀小，應當把他留在屋裡。山中虎狼很多。」先生說：「他上午不知跑到哪裡去了，我已經打過他了。」張訥回家對張誠說：「你不聽我的話，捱打了吧。」張誠笑著說：「沒有。」第二天，他又揣著斧頭去了。哥哥吃驚地說：「我明明叫你不要來，怎麼又來了？」張誠不回答，只管趕緊砍柴，汗水沿著臉頰流下，一刻也不歇息。砍夠一捆後，他沒打招呼就回去了。先生又責罰他，他才說出實情。先生讚歎他的品行，便不再禁止他去。哥哥多次勸阻，他始終不聽。
豫人张氏者，其先齐人。明末齐大乱，妻为北兵掠去。张常客豫，遂家焉。娶于豫，生子讷。无何，妻卒，又娶继室，生子诚。继室牛氏悍，每嫉讷，奴畜之，啖以恶草具，使樵，日责柴一肩。无则挞楚诟诅，不可堪。隐畜以甘脆饵诚，使从塾师读。诚渐长，性孝友，不忍兄劬，阴劝母，母弗听。一日，讷入山樵，未终，值大风雨，避身岩下，雨止而日已暮。腹中大馁，遂负薪归。母验之少，怒不与食；饥火烧心，入室僵卧。诚自塾中来，见兄嗒然，问：「病乎？」曰：「饿耳。」问其故，以情告。诚愀然便去。移时，怀饼来饵兄。兄问其所自来。曰：「余窃面倩邻妇为之，但食勿言也。」讷食之。嘱弟曰：「后勿复然，事泄累弟。且日一啖，饥当不死。」诚曰：「兄故弱，乌能多樵！」次日，食后，窃赴山，至兄樵处。兄见之，惊问：「将何作？」答曰：「将助樵采。」问：「谁之遣？」曰：「我自来耳。」兄曰：「无论弟不能樵，纵或能之，且犹不可。」于是速之归。诚不听，以手足断柴助兄。且云：「明日当以斧来。」兄近止之，见其指已破，履已穿，悲曰：「汝不速归，我即以斧自刭死。」诚乃归，兄送之半途，方复回樵。既归，诣塾，嘱其师曰：「吾弟年幼，宜闭之。山中虎狼多。」师曰：「午前不知何往，业夏楚之。」归谓诚曰：「不听吾言，遭笞责矣。」诚笑曰：「无之。」明日，怀斧又去。兄骇曰：「我固谓子勿来，何复尔？」诚不应，刈薪且急，汗交颐不少休。约足一束，不辞而返。师又责之，乃实告之。师叹其贤，遂不之禁。兄屡止之，终不听。
豫地有个姓张的人，祖上是齐地人。明朝末年，齐地大乱，他的妻子被北兵掳走。张某常到豫地经商，便在那里安了家。他在豫地娶妻，生了儿子张讷。不久，妻子去世，他又娶了续弦，生了儿子张诚。继妻牛氏性情凶悍，总是厌恶张讷，把他当奴仆使唤，给他吃粗劣的饭食，让他上山砍柴，每天必须交回一担。要是交不出来，就又打又骂，叫人无法忍受。她却暗地里留着甜美酥脆的食物给张诚吃，让他跟着私塾先生读书。张诚渐渐长大，生性孝顺，爱护兄长，不忍心看哥哥这样劳苦，私下劝母亲，母亲却不听。一天，张讷上山砍柴，还没有砍完，就遇上大风大雨，只好躲在岩石下面。等雨停了，天已经晚了。他肚子饿得厉害，便背着柴回家。继母一看，嫌柴太少，生气地不给他饭吃。张讷饿得心里像火烧一样，进屋直挺挺地躺下。张诚从私塾回来，看见哥哥无精打采，便问：“生病了吗？”张讷说：“只是饿了。”张诚问他为什么饿，张讷就把事情告诉了他。张诚神色悲伤，立刻走了。过了一会儿，他怀里揣着饼回来，给哥哥吃。哥哥问饼是哪里来的，张诚说：“我偷了些面粉，请邻居家的妇人做的。你只管吃，别告诉别人。”张讷吃了饼，叮嘱弟弟说：“以后别再这样了，事情泄露了，会连累你。再说，一天吃一顿饭，总不至于饿死。”张诚说：“哥哥本来就虚弱，怎么能砍那么多柴！”第二天，吃过饭，张诚偷偷跑到山上，找到哥哥砍柴的地方。哥哥看见他，吃惊地问：“你来做什么？”他回答：“来帮你砍柴。”哥哥问：“谁让你来的？”张诚说：“我自己来的。”哥哥说：“别说你不会砍柴，就算会，也不能来。”于是催他赶快回家。张诚不听，用手掰、用脚踩，把树枝弄断，帮哥哥收柴，还说：“明天我带斧头来。”哥哥走近想拦住他，看见他的手指已经破了，鞋子也磨穿了，难过地说：“你要是不赶快回家，我就拿斧头割断自己的脖子！”张诚这才回去。哥哥送他走了半程，才返回去砍柴。回家后，张讷到私塾，对先生说：“我弟弟年纪小，应当把他留在屋里。山中虎狼很多。”先生说：“他上午不知跑到哪里去了，我已经打过他了。”张讷回家对张诚说：“你不听我的话，挨打了吧。”张诚笑着说：“没有。”第二天，他又揣着斧头去了。哥哥吃惊地说：“我明明叫你不要来，怎么又来了？”张诚不回答，只管赶紧砍柴，汗水沿着脸颊流下，一刻也不歇息。砍够一捆后，他没打招呼就回去了。先生又责罚他，他才说出实情。先生赞叹他的品行，便不再禁止他去。哥哥多次劝阻，他始终不听。
There was a man named Zhang, of Henan, whose forebears came from Shandong. When Shandong fell into chaos at the end of the Ming, his wife was carried off by troops from the north. Zhang had often travelled to Henan on business, so he settled there. He married a Henan woman, who bore him a son, Ne. Before long she died, and he took a second wife, who bore him a son, Cheng. The second wife, Mrs. Niu, was a shrew. She hated Ne and kept him like a slave. She fed him coarse scraps and sent him out to cut firewood, demanding a full shoulder-load every day. If he came back without it, she beat him and cursed him until he could not bear it. Meanwhile she secretly fed Cheng on dainties and sent him to study with a teacher. As Cheng grew up, he proved dutiful and loving to his brother. He could not bear to see Ne worked so hard, and spoke to his mother about it in private, but she would not listen. One day Ne went into the hills for wood, and before he had finished, a great storm of wind and rain came on. He took shelter under a cliff. By the time the rain stopped, the sun had set. He was faint with hunger, so he shouldered his wood and went home. His stepmother looked at the load, found it short, and in her anger gave him nothing to eat. Burning with hunger, he went to his room and lay there stiff. Cheng came home from school and saw his brother lying there listless. “Are you sick?” he asked. “Only hungry.” Cheng asked why, and Ne told him. Cheng looked stricken and went off. After a while he came back with cakes inside his shirt and gave them to his brother. Ne asked where they had come from. “I stole some flour and got a neighbour woman to make them. Just eat, and don’t say anything.” Ne ate them. “Don’t do this again,” he told his brother. “If it comes out, you’ll be in trouble. One meal a day — I won’t starve.” “You were never strong,” said Cheng. “How can you cut so much wood?” The next day, after the meal, Cheng slipped off to the hills, to the place where his brother was cutting wood. Ne was startled to see him. “What are you doing here?” “I’ve come to help you cut wood.” “Who sent you?” “I came on my own.” “You can’t cut wood,” said Ne, “and even if you could, you still mustn’t.” And he hurried him off home. Cheng would not listen. He broke sticks with his hands and feet to help his brother. “Tomorrow I’ll bring an axe,” he said. Ne went over to stop him and saw that his fingers were cut and his shoes worn through. “If you don’t go home this minute,” he said sadly, “I’ll cut my own throat with this axe.” So Cheng went home. Ne walked him halfway, then went back to his wood. When he came home, he went to the school and said to the teacher, “My brother is young. Keep him shut in. There are many tigers and wolves in the hills.” “He went off somewhere this morning,” said the teacher. “I’ve already caned him for it.” At home Ne said to Cheng, “You wouldn’t listen to me, and now you’ve been caned.” “No, I haven’t,” said Cheng, laughing. The next day he went again, with an axe in his shirt. “I told you not to come,” said Ne in alarm. “Why are you here again?” Cheng did not answer. He cut wood hard and fast, sweat streaming down his cheeks, and never stopped to rest. When he had cut about a bundle, he went home without a word. The teacher caned him again, and he told him the truth. The teacher sighed at his goodness and stopped forbidding him. Ne tried again and again to stop him, but he never listened.
一日，與數人樵山中，欻有虎至。眾懼而伏。虎竟銜誠去。虎負人行緩，為訥追及。訥力斧之，中胯。虎痛狂奔，莫可尋逐，痛哭而返。眾慰解之，哭益悲。曰：「吾弟，非猶夫人之弟，況為我死，我何生焉！」遂以斧自刎其項。眾急救之，入肉者已寸許，血溢如涌，眩瞀殞絕。眾駭，裂之衣而約之，群扶而歸。母哭罵曰：「汝殺吾兒，欲劙頸以塞責耶！」訥呻云：「母勿煩惱，弟死，我定不生！」置榻上，創痛不能眠，惟晝夜依壁坐哭。父恐其亦死，時就榻少哺之，牛輒詬責。訥遂不食，三日而斃。村中有巫走無常者，訥途遇之，緬訴曩苦。因詢弟所，巫言不聞。遂反身導訥去。至一都會，見一皂衫人，自城中出。巫要遮代問之。皂衫人于佩囊中檢牒審顧，男婦百余，並無犯而張者。巫疑在他牒。皂衫人曰：「此路屬我，何得差逮。」訥不信，強巫入內城。城中新鬼﹑故鬼往來憧憧，亦有故識，就問，迄無知者。忽共嘩言：「菩薩至！」仰見雲中，有偉人，毫光徹上下，頓覺世界通明。巫賀曰：「大郎有福哉！菩薩幾十年一入冥司，拔諸苦惱，今適值之。」便捽訥跪。眾鬼囚紛紛籍籍，合掌齊誦慈悲救苦之聲，哄騰震地。菩薩以楊柳枝遍灑甘露，其細如塵。俄而霧收光斂，遂失所在。訥覺頸上沾露，斧處不復作痛。巫仍導與俱歸。望見裡門，始別而去。訥死二日，豁然竟蘇，悉述所遇，謂誠不死。母以為撰造之誣，反詬罵之。訥負屈無以自伸，而摸創痕良瘥。自力起，拜父曰：「行將穿雲入海往尋弟，如不可見，終此身勿望返也。願父猶以兒為死。」翁引空處與泣，無敢留之。訥乃去。每于沖衢訪弟耗，途中資斧斷絕，丐而行。逾年，達金陵，懸鶉百結，傴僂道上。偶見十餘騎過，走避道側。內一人如官長，年四十已來，健卒怒馬，騰踔前後。一少年乘小駟，屢視訥。訥以其貴公子，未敢仰視。少年停鞭少駐，忽下馬，呼曰：「非吾兄耶！」訥舉首審視，誠也。握手大痛，失聲，誠亦哭曰：「兄何漂落以至於此？」訥言其情，誠益悲。騎者並下問故，以白官長。官命脫騎載訥，連轡歸諸其家，始詳詰之。初，虎銜誠去，不知何時置路側，臥途中經宿。適張別駕自都中來，過之，見其貌文，憐而撫之，漸蘇。言其裡居，則相去已遠。因載與俱歸。又藥敷傷處，數日始痊。別駕無長君，子之。蓋適從游矚也。誠具為兄告。言次，別駕入，訥拜謝不已。誠入內，捧帛衣出，進兄，乃置酒燕敘。別駕問：「貴族在豫，幾何丁壯？」訥曰：「無有。父少齊人，流寓于豫。」別駕曰：「仆亦齊人。貴裡何屬？」答曰：「曾聞父言，屬東昌轄。」驚曰：「我同鄉也！何故遷豫？」訥曰：「明季清兵入境，掠前母去。父遭兵燹，蕩無家室。先賈于西道，往來頗稔，故止焉。」又驚問：「君家尊何名？」訥告之。別駕瞠而視，俯首若疑，疾趨入內。無何，太夫人出。共羅拜，已，問訥曰：「汝是張炳之之孫耶？」曰：「然。」太夫人大哭，謂別駕曰：「此汝弟也。」訥兄弟莫能解。太夫人曰：「我適汝父三年，流離北去，身屬黑固山半年，生汝兄。又半年，固山死，汝兄補秩旗下遷此官。今解任矣。每刻刻念鄉井，遂出籍，復故譜。屢遣人至齊，殊無所覓耗，何知汝父西徙哉！」乃謂別駕曰：「汝以弟為子，折福死矣！」別駕曰：「曩問誠，誠未嘗言齊人，想幼稚不憶耳。」乃以齒序：別駕四十有一，為長；誠十六，最少；訥二十二，則伯而仲矣。別駕得兩弟，甚歡，與同臥處，盡悉離散端由，將作歸計。太夫人恐不見容。別駕曰：「能容則共之，否則析之。天下豈有無父之國？」於是鬻宅辦裝，刻日西發。
一天，張誠和幾個人在山中砍柴，忽然來了一隻老虎。眾人害怕，都伏在地上。老虎竟叼著張誠走了。老虎帶著人，走得慢，被張訥追上。張訥使盡力氣揮斧砍去，砍中了老虎的胯部。老虎疼得發狂，飛奔而去，再也沒法追尋。張訥痛哭著回來，眾人勸慰他，他反而哭得更傷心，說：「我的弟弟，不是一般人家的弟弟能比的。何況他是為我而死，我還怎麼活下去！」說完便拿斧頭砍自己的脖子。眾人急忙救他，可斧頭已經砍進肉裡一寸多深，鮮血湧流，他頭暈眼花，昏死過去。眾人大驚，撕開他的衣服，扎住傷口，一起把他扶回家。繼母哭著罵道：「你殺了我的兒子，想割一下脖子就抵了責任嗎！」張訥呻吟著說：「母親不要煩惱，弟弟死了，我一定不活！」眾人把他放在床上，他傷口疼得不能睡，只是日夜靠著牆坐著哭。父親怕他也死了，不時到床邊喂他一點東西，牛氏卻總是責罵。張訥便不再吃飯，三天後死了。村裡有個替陰間跑差事的巫師，張訥在路上遇見他，詳細訴說從前的苦楚，又問弟弟在哪裡。巫師說沒聽到訊息，便轉身領著張訥去找。他們來到一座大城，看見一個穿黑衣的人從城裡出來。巫師攔住他，替張訥詢問。黑衣人從腰間的袋子裡取出名冊，仔細檢視，一百多名男女犯人裡，沒有一個姓張的。巫師懷疑人在另一份名冊上。黑衣人說：「這一路歸我管，拘捕的人怎麼會有差錯？」張訥不信，硬要巫師帶他進內城。城中新鬼舊鬼來來往往，十分擁擠，其中也有他從前認識的人。他上前詢問，始終沒有人知道。忽然，大家一齊喊道：「菩薩來了！」抬頭一看，雲中有個高大的身影，放出的光芒照徹上下，頓時整個世界都明亮了。巫師向他道賀：「大郎真有福啊！菩薩幾十年才到陰間一次，解救眾人的苦難，今天恰好讓你趕上了。」說著便拉住張訥，讓他跪下。眾鬼和囚徒紛紛聚集，合掌齊聲呼求菩薩慈悲救苦，聲音喧騰，震動大地。菩薩拿著楊柳枝，把甘露灑遍眾人，甘露細得像塵埃。不久，霧氣散去，光芒消失，菩薩也不見了。張訥覺得頸上沾了甘露，被斧頭砍傷的地方不再疼痛。巫師仍領著他一同回來，望見村口後，才告辭離去。張訥死了兩天，忽然醒了過來，把遇見的事情全都說了，並說張誠沒有死。繼母認為他是編造謊話，反而罵他。張訥受了冤屈，卻沒法替自己辯白，但摸摸傷口，確實已經好了。他勉強撐著身體起來，拜見父親，說：「我就要出發去找弟弟，哪怕穿過雲山、渡過大海，也要去找。要是找不到，這一輩子您就不要盼我回來了。願父親仍當孩兒已經死了。」父親把他拉到沒有人的地方，與他一同哭泣，卻不敢留下他。張訥就這樣走了。他每到交通要道，都打聽弟弟的訊息，路上盤纏用盡，便一路乞討著走。過了一年多，他來到金陵，衣服破爛，補丁和繩結到處都是，彎著腰走在路上。偶然看見十幾個騎馬的人經過，他趕緊躲到路旁。其中一人像是官員，年紀四十歲上下，前後有健壯的兵士騎著駿馬賓士。一個少年騎著小馬，接連看了張訥好幾眼。張訥以為他是貴公子，不敢抬頭看。少年收住馬鞭，停了一會兒，忽然下馬喊道：「這不是我哥哥嗎！」張訥抬頭仔細一看，竟是張誠。他握住弟弟的手，悲痛得放聲大哭。張誠也哭著說：「哥哥怎麼流落到這地步？」張訥說了自己的經歷，張誠越發悲傷。其他騎馬的人都下馬詢問緣故，隨後稟告那位官員。官員命人讓出一匹馬給張訥，大家並騎回到他家，這才詳細詢問。原來，老虎叼走張誠後，不知什麼時候把他放在了路邊。他躺在路上，過了一夜。恰好張別駕從京城回來，路過那裡，見他相貌文雅，心生憐憫，便照料他，他才漸漸醒來。問起家鄉，才知道已經離得很遠，於是帶他一同回家，又給傷處敷藥，過了幾天才痊癒。別駕沒有兒子，就認他做了兒子。那天，他正跟著別駕出來遊覽。張誠把這些事詳細告訴了哥哥。說話間，別駕進來了，張訥不停地跪拜道謝。張誠進屋捧出綢衣，送給哥哥，隨後擺酒設宴，一邊吃喝，一邊敘談。別駕問：「你們家族在豫地，有多少成年男子？」張訥說：「沒有別的了。父親年輕時是齊地人，後來流落到豫地。」別駕說：「我也是齊地人，你們老家歸哪裡管？」張訥回答：「曾聽父親說，歸東昌管。」別駕驚訝地說：「我們是同鄉啊！為什麼遷到豫地？」張訥說：「明朝末年，清兵進入齊地，把父親的前妻擄走了。父親遭了戰亂，家產和家人都散失了。他從前在西邊經商，來往熟悉，所以在那裡住了下來。」別駕又吃驚地問：「你父親叫什麼名字？」張訥告訴了他。別駕睜大眼睛看著他，又低下頭，彷彿有些疑惑，隨即快步進了內屋。不久，太夫人出來了，大家一同跪拜。拜完後，太夫人問張訥：「你是張炳之的孫子嗎？」張訥說：「是。」太夫人大哭，對別駕說：「這是你弟弟。」張訥兄弟都不明白。太夫人說：「我嫁給你們父親三年，就被擄到北方，歸了黑固山。過了半年，生下你們的哥哥；又過了半年，黑固山死了，你們哥哥在旗下補了官職，升到如今這個職位。現在已經卸任了。我時時刻刻想念家鄉，於是脫離旗籍，恢復了原來的家族譜系。多次派人到齊地去，卻一點訊息也打聽不到，哪裡知道你們父親遷到了西邊！」她又對別駕說：「你把弟弟當成兒子，真要折盡福壽了！」別駕說：「從前問過張誠，他沒說過家裡原是齊地人，想來是年紀小，不記得了。」於是按年齡重新排行：別駕四十一歲，是長兄；張誠十六歲，最小；張訥二十二歲，從老大變成了老二。別駕得到兩個弟弟，十分歡喜，與他們一同睡在一個房間裡，聽清了全家離散的經過，便打算回鄉。太夫人擔心回去不被接納。別駕說：「能接納，我們就一起過；不能，就分開住。天下難道有哪個地方的人可以沒有父親嗎？」於是賣掉宅子，備好行裝，定了日期，向西出發。
一日，与数人樵山中，欻有虎至。众惧而伏。虎竟衔诚去。虎负人行缓，为讷追及。讷力斧之，中胯。虎痛狂奔，莫可寻逐，痛哭而返。众慰解之，哭益悲。曰：「吾弟，非犹夫人之弟，况为我死，我何生焉！」遂以斧自刎其项。众急救之，入肉者已寸许，血溢如涌，眩瞀殒绝。众骇，裂之衣而约之，群扶而归。母哭骂曰：「汝杀吾儿，欲劙颈以塞责耶！」讷呻云：「母勿烦恼，弟死，我定不生！」置榻上，创痛不能眠，惟昼夜依壁坐哭。父恐其亦死，时就榻少哺之，牛辄诟责。讷遂不食，三日而毙。村中有巫走无常者，讷途遇之，缅诉曩苦。因询弟所，巫言不闻。遂反身导讷去。至一都会，见一皂衫人，自城中出。巫要遮代问之。皂衫人于佩囊中检牒审顾，男妇百余，并无犯而张者。巫疑在他牒。皂衫人曰：「此路属我，何得差逮。」讷不信，强巫入内城。城中新鬼﹑故鬼往来憧憧，亦有故识，就问，迄无知者。忽共哗言：「菩萨至！」仰见云中，有伟人，毫光彻上下，顿觉世界通明。巫贺曰：「大郎有福哉！菩萨几十年一入冥司，拔诸苦恼，今适值之。」便捽讷跪。众鬼囚纷纷籍籍，合掌齐诵慈悲救苦之声，哄腾震地。菩萨以杨柳枝遍洒甘露，其细如尘。俄而雾收光敛，遂失所在。讷觉颈上沾露，斧处不复作痛。巫仍导与俱归。望见里门，始别而去。讷死二日，豁然竟苏，悉述所遇，谓诚不死。母以为撰造之诬，反诟骂之。讷负屈无以自伸，而摸创痕良瘥。自力起，拜父曰：「行将穿云入海往寻弟，如不可见，终此身勿望返也。愿父犹以儿为死。」翁引空处与泣，无敢留之。讷乃去。每于冲衢访弟耗，途中资斧断绝，丐而行。逾年，达金陵，悬鹑百结，伛偻道上。偶见十余骑过，走避道侧。内一人如官长，年四十已来，健卒怒马，腾踔前后。一少年乘小驷，屡视讷。讷以其贵公子，未敢仰视。少年停鞭少驻，忽下马，呼曰：「非吾兄耶！」讷举首审视，诚也。握手大痛，失声，诚亦哭曰：「兄何漂落以至于此？」讷言其情，诚益悲。骑者并下问故，以白官长。官命脱骑载讷，连辔归诸其家，始详诘之。初，虎衔诚去，不知何时置路侧，卧途中经宿。适张别驾自都中来，过之，见其貌文，怜而抚之，渐苏。言其里居，则相去已远。因载与俱归。又药敷伤处，数日始痊。别驾无长君，子之。盖适从游瞩也。诚具为兄告。言次，别驾入，讷拜谢不已。诚入内，捧帛衣出，进兄，乃置酒燕叙。别驾问：「贵族在豫，几何丁壮？」讷曰：「无有。父少齐人，流寓于豫。」别驾曰：「仆亦齐人。贵里何属？」答曰：「曾闻父言，属东昌辖。」惊曰：「我同乡也！何故迁豫？」讷曰：「明季清兵入境，掠前母去。父遭兵燹，荡无家室。先贾于西道，往来颇稔，故止焉。」又惊问：「君家尊何名？」讷告之。别驾瞠而视，俯首若疑，疾趋入内。无何，太夫人出。共罗拜，已，问讷曰：「汝是张炳之之孙耶？」曰：「然。」太夫人大哭，谓别驾曰：「此汝弟也。」讷兄弟莫能解。太夫人曰：「我适汝父三年，流离北去，身属黑固山半年，生汝兄。又半年，固山死，汝兄补秩旗下迁此官。今解任矣。每刻刻念乡井，遂出籍，复故谱。屡遣人至齐，殊无所觅耗，何知汝父西徙哉！」乃谓别驾曰：「汝以弟为子，折福死矣！」别驾曰：「曩问诚，诚未尝言齐人，想幼稚不忆耳。」乃以齿序：别驾四十有一，为长；诚十六，最少；讷二十二，则伯而仲矣。别驾得两弟，甚欢，与同卧处，尽悉离散端由，将作归计。太夫人恐不见容。别驾曰：「能容则共之，否则析之。天下岂有无父之国？」于是鬻宅办装，刻日西发。
一天，张诚和几个人在山中砍柴，忽然来了一只老虎。众人害怕，都伏在地上。老虎竟叼着张诚走了。老虎带着人，走得慢，被张讷追上。张讷使尽力气挥斧砍去，砍中了老虎的胯部。老虎疼得发狂，飞奔而去，再也没法追寻。张讷痛哭着回来，众人劝慰他，他反而哭得更伤心，说：“我的弟弟，不是一般人家的弟弟能比的。何况他是为我而死，我还怎么活下去！”说完便拿斧头砍自己的脖子。众人急忙救他，可斧头已经砍进肉里一寸多深，鲜血涌流，他头晕眼花，昏死过去。众人大惊，撕开他的衣服，扎住伤口，一起把他扶回家。继母哭着骂道：“你杀了我的儿子，想割一下脖子就抵了责任吗！”张讷呻吟着说：“母亲不要烦恼，弟弟死了，我一定不活！”众人把他放在床上，他伤口疼得不能睡，只是日夜靠着墙坐着哭。父亲怕他也死了，不时到床边喂他一点东西，牛氏却总是责骂。张讷便不再吃饭，三天后死了。村里有个替阴间跑差事的巫师，张讷在路上遇见他，详细诉说从前的苦楚，又问弟弟在哪里。巫师说没听到消息，便转身领着张讷去找。他们来到一座大城，看见一个穿黑衣的人从城里出来。巫师拦住他，替张讷询问。黑衣人从腰间的袋子里取出名册，仔细查看，一百多名男女犯人里，没有一个姓张的。巫师怀疑人在另一份名册上。黑衣人说：“这一路归我管，拘捕的人怎么会有差错？”张讷不信，硬要巫师带他进内城。城中新鬼旧鬼来来往往，十分拥挤，其中也有他从前认识的人。他上前询问，始终没有人知道。忽然，大家一齐喊道：“菩萨来了！”抬头一看，云中有个高大的身影，放出的光芒照彻上下，顿时整个世界都明亮了。巫师向他道贺：“大郎真有福啊！菩萨几十年才到阴间一次，解救众人的苦难，今天恰好让你赶上了。”说着便拉住张讷，让他跪下。众鬼和囚徒纷纷聚集，合掌齐声呼求菩萨慈悲救苦，声音喧腾，震动大地。菩萨拿着杨柳枝，把甘露洒遍众人，甘露细得像尘埃。不久，雾气散去，光芒消失，菩萨也不见了。张讷觉得颈上沾了甘露，被斧头砍伤的地方不再疼痛。巫师仍领着他一同回来，望见村口后，才告辞离去。张讷死了两天，忽然醒了过来，把遇见的事情全都说了，并说张诚没有死。继母认为他是编造谎话，反而骂他。张讷受了冤屈，却没法替自己辩白，但摸摸伤口，确实已经好了。他勉强撑着身体起来，拜见父亲，说：“我就要出发去找弟弟，哪怕穿过云山、渡过大海，也要去找。要是找不到，这一辈子您就不要盼我回来了。愿父亲仍当孩儿已经死了。”父亲把他拉到没有人的地方，与他一同哭泣，却不敢留下他。张讷就这样走了。他每到交通要道，都打听弟弟的消息，路上盘缠用尽，便一路乞讨着走。过了一年多，他来到金陵，衣服破烂，补丁和绳结到处都是，弯着腰走在路上。偶然看见十几个骑马的人经过，他赶紧躲到路旁。其中一人像是官员，年纪四十岁上下，前后有健壮的兵士骑着骏马奔驰。一个少年骑着小马，接连看了张讷好几眼。张讷以为他是贵公子，不敢抬头看。少年收住马鞭，停了一会儿，忽然下马喊道：“这不是我哥哥吗！”张讷抬头仔细一看，竟是张诚。他握住弟弟的手，悲痛得放声大哭。张诚也哭着说：“哥哥怎么流落到这地步？”张讷说了自己的经历，张诚越发悲伤。其他骑马的人都下马询问缘故，随后禀告那位官员。官员命人让出一匹马给张讷，大家并骑回到他家，这才详细询问。原来，老虎叼走张诚后，不知什么时候把他放在了路边。他躺在路上，过了一夜。恰好张别驾从京城回来，路过那里，见他相貌文雅，心生怜悯，便照料他，他才渐渐醒来。问起家乡，才知道已经离得很远，于是带他一同回家，又给伤处敷药，过了几天才痊愈。别驾没有儿子，就认他做了儿子。那天，他正跟着别驾出来游览。张诚把这些事详细告诉了哥哥。说话间，别驾进来了，张讷不停地跪拜道谢。张诚进屋捧出绸衣，送给哥哥，随后摆酒设宴，一边吃喝，一边叙谈。别驾问：“你们家族在豫地，有多少成年男子？”张讷说：“没有别的了。父亲年轻时是齐地人，后来流落到豫地。”别驾说：“我也是齐地人，你们老家归哪里管？”张讷回答：“曾听父亲说，归东昌管。”别驾惊讶地说：“我们是同乡啊！为什么迁到豫地？”张讷说：“明朝末年，清兵进入齐地，把父亲的前妻掳走了。父亲遭了战乱，家产和家人都散失了。他从前在西边经商，来往熟悉，所以在那里住了下来。”别驾又吃惊地问：“你父亲叫什么名字？”张讷告诉了他。别驾睁大眼睛看着他，又低下头，仿佛有些疑惑，随即快步进了内屋。不久，太夫人出来了，大家一同跪拜。拜完后，太夫人问张讷：“你是张炳之的孙子吗？”张讷说：“是。”太夫人大哭，对别驾说：“这是你弟弟。”张讷兄弟都不明白。太夫人说：“我嫁给你们父亲三年，就被掳到北方，归了黑固山。过了半年，生下你们的哥哥；又过了半年，黑固山死了，你们哥哥在旗下补了官职，升到如今这个职位。现在已经卸任了。我时时刻刻想念家乡，于是脱离旗籍，恢复了原来的家族谱系。多次派人到齐地去，却一点消息也打听不到，哪里知道你们父亲迁到了西边！”她又对别驾说：“你把弟弟当成儿子，真要折尽福寿了！”别驾说：“从前问过张诚，他没说过家里原是齐地人，想来是年纪小，不记得了。”于是按年龄重新排行：别驾四十一岁，是长兄；张诚十六岁，最小；张讷二十二岁，从老大变成了老二。别驾得到两个弟弟，十分欢喜，与他们一同睡在一个房间里，听清了全家离散的经过，便打算回乡。太夫人担心回去不被接纳。别驾说：“能接纳，我们就一起过；不能，就分开住。天下难道有哪个地方的人可以没有父亲吗？”于是卖掉宅子，备好行装，定了日期，向西出发。
One day, as Cheng was cutting wood in the hills with several others, a tiger suddenly appeared. They all hid in terror, and the tiger carried Cheng off in its jaws. Burdened with the boy, the tiger moved slowly, and Ne caught up with it. He struck at it with his axe with all his strength and hit it in the haunch. Mad with pain, the tiger bolted, and there was no tracking it. Ne went back weeping bitterly. The others tried to console him, but he only wept the harder. “My brother was not like other men’s brothers,” he said. “And he died for me. How can I go on living?” And he hacked at his own neck with the axe. The others rushed to stop him, but the blade had already gone in more than an inch. Blood gushed out, and he blacked out and fell senseless. Horrified, they tore up his clothes to bind the wound and carried him home between them. His stepmother wept and cursed: “You killed my son, and now you think a cut on the neck will settle it?” Ne groaned, “Don’t fret, mother. If my brother is dead, I certainly won’t live.” They laid him on his bed. The pain of the wound kept him from sleeping; day and night he only sat against the wall and wept. His father, afraid he would die too, came to the bed now and then to feed him a little, but Mrs. Niu always cursed him for it. So Ne stopped eating, and in three days he died. In the village there was a witch who ran errands for the underworld. Ne met the witch on the road and poured out all his past sufferings, then asked where his brother was. The witch had heard nothing, and turned back to lead Ne there. They came to a great city and saw a man in a black gown coming out of it. The witch stopped him and asked on Ne’s behalf. The man in black took the warrants from the pouch at his belt and looked them over: there were more than a hundred men and women, but no criminal named Zhang. The witch thought the name might be on another list. “This road is in my charge,” said the man in black. “How could anyone be arrested on it by mistake?” Ne did not believe him, and made the witch take him into the inner city. There new ghosts and old ghosts came and went in throngs. Some were people he had known, and he asked them, but none of them knew anything. Suddenly they all cried out together, “The Bodhisattva is coming!” Looking up, he saw a great figure among the clouds, shedding a radiance that pierced everything above and below; at once the whole world seemed full of light. “Dalang, you are blessed!” said the witch. “The Bodhisattva comes into the underworld only once in decades, to deliver souls from their torments, and you have arrived just in time.” And the witch seized Ne and made him kneel. The crowds of ghosts and prisoners, jostling together, put their palms together and chanted with one voice for mercy and deliverance; the roar shook the ground. With a willow sprig the Bodhisattva sprinkled sweet dew over them all, fine as dust. In a moment the mist drew in, the light faded, and the Bodhisattva was gone. Ne felt dew on his neck, and the axe wound no longer hurt. The witch led him back again, and only took leave when they came in sight of his village gate. Two days after he died, Ne suddenly came back to life. He told everything he had seen, and said that Cheng was not dead. His stepmother took it for a lie he had made up, and cursed him. Ne was wronged and had no way to clear himself; but when he felt his wound, it was well healed. He forced himself up and bowed to his father. “I am going to find my brother, though I must go through the clouds and into the sea. If I cannot find him, do not look for me back as long as I live. Think of me as dead, father.” The old man took him somewhere they would not be seen and wept with him, but dared not keep him. So Ne set out. At every crossroads he asked for news of his brother. His money ran out on the way, and he begged as he went. More than a year later he reached Jinling, his clothes hanging in knotted rags like a quail’s tail, bent double on the road. One day he saw a dozen riders coming and stepped to the side of the road out of their way. One of them looked like an official, about forty, with sturdy soldiers on spirited horses prancing before and behind him. A young man on a pony kept looking at Ne. Taking him for some noble’s son, Ne dared not look up. The young man reined in and stopped, then suddenly jumped down and cried, “Aren’t you my brother?” Ne lifted his head and looked hard: it was Cheng. He seized his hands and burst into sobs. Cheng wept too. “Brother, how did you come to drift so low?” Ne told him, and Cheng grieved the more. The other riders dismounted, asked what had happened, and reported it to the official. He ordered a horse given up for Ne, and they rode to his house side by side. Only then did he question them in detail. When the tiger carried Cheng off, it had dropped him at some point by the roadside, and he lay there all night. Just then Assistant Prefect Zhang came by on his way from the capital. Seeing that the boy had a refined face, he took pity on him and tended him, and little by little Cheng came round. When he said where he lived, it proved to be far away, so the assistant prefect took him along home. He also put medicine on the wounds, and after several days they healed. The assistant prefect had no son, and adopted Cheng as his own. Cheng had been out riding with him that day. Cheng told his brother all this. As he was speaking, the assistant prefect came in, and Ne bowed and thanked him over and over. Cheng went inside and brought out silk clothes for his brother. Then wine was set out, and they feasted and talked. “How many grown men are there in your family in Henan?” asked the assistant prefect. “None,” said Ne. “My father came from Shandong as a young man and settled in Henan as a stranger.” “I am from Shandong too,” said the assistant prefect. “Where was your home?” “I have heard my father say it was under Dongchang.” “Then we are from the same place!” said the assistant prefect, startled. “Why did he move to Henan?” “At the end of the Ming, the Qing troops came in and carried off my father’s first wife. My father lost house and family in the fighting. He had traded along the roads to the west before and knew them well, so he settled there.” Startled again, the assistant prefect asked, “What is your honoured father’s name?” Ne told him. The assistant prefect stared at him, then lowered his head as if in doubt, and hurried inside. Before long the old lady, his mother, came out. They all bowed to her. When they had done, she asked Ne, “Are you Zhang Bingzhi’s grandson?” “Yes.” The old lady wept aloud and said to the assistant prefect, “This is your brother.” Ne and Cheng could not make sense of it. “I had been married to your father three years,” the old lady said, “when I was carried off north and became the property of a banner commander named Hei. Half a year later I gave birth to your elder brother. Half a year after that the commander died, and your brother was given a post in the banner and rose to this office. Now he has left it. I was always longing for home, so we had our names taken off the banner rolls and went back to our old family register. I sent people to Shandong many times, but they never found any news. How could I know your father had moved west?” Then she said to the assistant prefect, “You made your own brother your son! That’s enough to use up all your luck and kill you!” “I asked Cheng before,” said the assistant prefect, “and he never said he was from Shandong. I suppose he was too young to remember.” Then they ranked themselves by age. The assistant prefect was forty-one, and the eldest; Cheng was sixteen, the youngest; Ne, twenty-two, had been the eldest and was now the second. The assistant prefect was delighted to have gained two brothers. He shared their room and their bed, learned the whole story of how the family had been scattered, and began planning to go home. The old lady was afraid they would not be welcome. “If they will have us, we will live together,” said the assistant prefect. “If not, we will live apart. Is there any land under heaven without fathers?” So he sold the house, got their baggage ready, and set out west on a day fixed in advance.
既抵裡，訥及誠先馳報父。父自訥去，妻亦尋卒；塊然一老鰥，形影自吊。忽見訥入，暴喜，恍恍以驚；又睹誠，喜極，不復作言，潸潸以涕。又告以別駕母子至，翁輟泣愕然，不能喜，亦不能悲，蚩蚩以立。未幾，別駕入，拜已，太夫人把翁相嚮哭。既見媼婢廝卒，內外盈塞，坐立不知所為。誠不見母，問之，方知已死，號嘶氣絕，食頃始蘇。別駕出資，建樓閣；延師教兩弟；馬騰于槽，人喧于室，居然大家矣。
到了村裡，張訥和張誠先趕去向父親報信。自從張訥離家，父親的妻子也不久就去世了，只剩下一個孤零零的老鰥夫，獨自對著自己的影子悲傷。忽然看見張訥進來，他又驚又喜，恍惚得不敢相信；又看見張誠，歡喜到了極點，再也說不出話，只是不停地流淚。兄弟倆又告訴他，別駕母子也來了。老人止住眼淚，驚愕得不知該喜還是該悲，只呆呆地站著。不久，別駕進來，拜見了父親，太夫人握住老人的手，兩人面對面哭泣。老人又看見老婦、婢女、僕人和兵士擠滿了屋裡屋外，一時不知該坐還是該站，也不知道該做些什麼。張誠沒有看見母親，問了才知道她已經去世，便號哭得昏了過去，過了一頓飯的工夫才醒來。別駕拿出錢財，修建樓閣，又請先生教兩個弟弟讀書。馬在槽邊騰躍，人在屋裡忙碌喧鬧，張家已經成為一個大家庭了。
既抵里，讷及诚先驰报父。父自讷去，妻亦寻卒；块然一老鳏，形影自吊。忽见讷入，暴喜，恍恍以惊；又睹诚，喜极，不复作言，潸潸以涕。又告以别驾母子至，翁辍泣愕然，不能喜，亦不能悲，蚩蚩以立。未几，别驾入，拜已，太夫人把翁相向哭。既见媪婢厮卒，内外盈塞，坐立不知所为。诚不见母，问之，方知已死，号嘶气绝，食顷始苏。别驾出资，建楼阁；延师教两弟；马腾于槽，人喧于室，居然大家矣。
到了村里，张讷和张诚先赶去向父亲报信。自从张讷离家，父亲的妻子也不久就去世了，只剩下一个孤零零的老鳏夫，独自对着自己的影子悲伤。忽然看见张讷进来，他又惊又喜，恍惚得不敢相信；又看见张诚，欢喜到了极点，再也说不出话，只是不停地流泪。兄弟俩又告诉他，别驾母子也来了。老人止住眼泪，惊愕得不知该喜还是该悲，只呆呆地站着。不久，别驾进来，拜见了父亲，太夫人握住老人的手，两人面对面哭泣。老人又看见老妇、婢女、仆人和兵士挤满了屋里屋外，一时不知该坐还是该站，也不知道该做些什么。张诚没有看见母亲，问了才知道她已经去世，便号哭得昏了过去，过了一顿饭的工夫才醒来。别驾拿出钱财，修建楼阁，又请先生教两个弟弟读书。马在槽边腾跃，人在屋里忙碌喧闹，张家已经成为一个大家庭了。
When they reached the village, Ne and Cheng rode ahead to tell their father. Soon after Ne left, the old man’s wife had died too, and he had lived on alone, an old widower with only his shadow to share his grief. When he suddenly saw Ne come in, he was overjoyed and dazed with shock. When he saw Cheng too, his joy was so great he could not speak, and only wept and wept. Then they told him the assistant prefect and his mother had come. The old man stopped weeping and stared. He could feel neither joy nor grief, and stood there stupefied. Soon the assistant prefect came in and bowed to him, and the old lady took the old man’s hands, and they wept face to face. Then, seeing the house filled inside and out with old women, maids, servants and soldiers, he did not know whether to sit or stand. Cheng did not see his mother and asked about her. When he learned she was dead, he howled until his breath gave out, and only came round after the time it takes to eat a meal. The assistant prefect paid to build a house of several storeys and engaged a tutor for his two brothers. Horses pranced at the trough, people bustled in the rooms: they had become a great family after all.
異史氏曰：「余聽此事至終，涕凡數墮：十餘歲童子，斧薪助兄，慨然曰：「王覽固再見乎！」於是一墮。至虎銜誠去，不禁狂呼曰：「天道憒憒如此！」於是一墮。及兄弟猝遇，則喜而亦墮；轉增一兄，又益一悲，則為別駕墮。一門團圞，驚出不意，喜出不意，無從之涕，則為翁墮也。不知後世，亦有善涕如某者乎？」
異史氏說：我把這件事聽到最後，幾次流下眼淚。一個十來歲的孩子，拿斧頭砍柴幫助哥哥，我感慨地說：「難道王覽又出現了嗎！」為此流了一次淚。聽到老虎叼走張誠，我忍不住大聲喊道：「天道竟這樣昏聵！」又流了一次淚。等到兄弟忽然相遇，我歡喜得也流了淚；後來又多了一位哥哥，也添了一份悲傷，這一次是為別駕流淚。一家人終於團聚，驚訝出乎意料，歡喜也出乎意料，那不知從何而來的眼淚，是為老翁流的。不知道後世有沒有像我這樣愛流淚的人？
异史氏曰：「余听此事至终，涕凡数堕：十余岁童子，斧薪助兄，慨然曰：「王览固再见乎！」于是一堕。至虎衔诚去，不禁狂呼曰：「天道愦愦如此！」于是一堕。及兄弟猝遇，则喜而亦堕；转增一兄，又益一悲，则为别驾堕。一门团圞，惊出不意，喜出不意，无从之涕，则为翁堕也。不知后世，亦有善涕如某者乎？」
异史氏说：我把这件事听到最后，几次流下眼泪。一个十来岁的孩子，拿斧头砍柴帮助哥哥，我感慨地说：“难道王览又出现了吗！”为此流了一次泪。听到老虎叼走张诚，我忍不住大声喊道：“天道竟这样昏聩！”又流了一次泪。等到兄弟忽然相遇，我欢喜得也流了泪；后来又多了一位哥哥，也添了一份悲伤，这一次是为别驾流泪。一家人终于团聚，惊讶出乎意料，欢喜也出乎意料，那不知从何而来的眼泪，是为老翁流的。不知道后世有没有像我这样爱流泪的人？
The Historian of the Strange says: Listening to this story to the end, I wept several times. A boy of ten or so cutting wood with an axe to help his brother — I cried out, deeply moved, ‘Here is Wang Lan come again!’ and wept once. When the tiger carried Cheng off, I could not help shouting, ‘Is the way of Heaven so blind?’ and wept again. When the brothers met by chance, I wept for joy. Then another brother turned up, and that added a sorrow, and I wept for the assistant prefect. When the whole family was together again, the surprise beyond all hope, the joy beyond all hope, I wept tears that came from nowhere, and those were for the old man. I wonder whether in later ages there will be anyone as given to weeping as I am?