且說公孫策回到開封府，仍從角門悄悄而入，來至茶房，放下藥箱招牌，找著包興，回了包公。立刻請見。公孫策見禮已畢，便將密訪的情由，如此如此，這般這般，細細述了一遍。包公聞聽歡喜，暗暗想：「此人果有才學，實在難為他訪查此事。」便叫包興與公孫策更衣，預備酒飯，請先生歇息。又叫李才將外班傳進，立刻出簽，拿尤狗兒到案。外班答應。去不多時，前來回說：「尤狗兒帶到。」
且说公孙策回到开封府，仍从角门悄悄而入，来至茶房，放下药箱招牌，找着包兴，回了包公。立刻请见。公孙策见礼已毕，便将密访的情由，如此如此，这般这般，细细述了一遍。包公闻听欢喜，暗暗想：「此人果有才学，实在难为他访查此事。」便叫包兴与公孙策更衣，预备酒饭，请先生歇息。又叫李才将外班传进，立刻出签，拿尤狗儿到案。外班答应。去不多时，前来回说：「尤狗儿带到。」
Now, Gongsun Ce returned to Kaifeng and slipped in quietly by the side gate as before. He went to the tea room, set down his medicine chest and signboard, and found Bao Xing, who took word to Lord Bao. He was asked in at once. When Gongsun Ce had made his bows, he told Lord Bao in detail all that his secret inquiries had turned up — thus and thus, and so and so. Lord Bao was delighted to hear it and thought to himself, “This man really does have talent and learning. It can’t have been easy for him, digging all this out.” He told Bao Xing to help Gongsun Ce change his clothes, to have wine and food made ready, and to ask Mr. Gongsun to rest. He also had Li Cai call in a runner from the outer office and at once issued a warrant tally to bring Gou’er before the court. The runner acknowledged the order. Before long he came back to report: “Gou’er is here.”
老爺點鼓升堂，叫帶尤狗兒，上堂跪倒。包公問道：「你就是尤狗兒麼？」回道：「老爺，小人叫驢子。」包公一聲斷喝：「唗！你明是狗兒，你為何叫驢子呢？」狗兒回道：「老爺，小人原叫狗兒來著。只因他們說狗的個兒小，改叫驢子，豈不大些兒呢？因此就改了叫驢子。老爺若不愛叫驢子，還叫狗兒就是了。」兩旁喝道：「少說！少說！」包公叫道：「狗兒。」應道：「有。」「只因張有道的冤魂告到本府台前，說你與陳大戶主僕定計，將他謀死。但此事皆是陳大戶要圖謀張有道的妻子劉氏。你不過是上人差遣，概不由己；雖然受了兩個元寶，也是小事。你可要從實招來，自有本府與你作主，出脫你的罪名便了。你不必忙，慢慢的講來。」狗兒聽見冤魂告狀，不由的心中害怕。後又見老爺和顏悅色地出脫他的罪名，與他作主，放了心了，即向上叩頭，道：「老爺既施天恩，與小人作主，小人只得實說。因小人當家的與張有道的女人有交情，可和張有道沒有交情。那一天被張有道撞見了，他跑回來就病了，總想念劉氏，他又不敢去。因此想出一個法子來，須得將張有道害了，他或上劉氏家去，或將劉氏娶到家裡來，方才遂心。故此將小人叫到跟前說：『我托付你一宗事情。』我說：『當家的，有什麼事呢？』他說：『這宗事情不容易，你須用心搜尋才有。』我就問：『找什麼呢？』他說：『這宗東西叫屍龜，彷彿金頭蟲兒，尾巴上發亮，有蠖蟲大小。』我就問：『這宗東西出在哪裡呢？』他說：『須在墳裡找。總要屍首肉都化了，才有這蟲兒。』小人一聽，就為了難了，說：『這可怎麼找法呢？』他見小人為難，便給小人兩個元寶，叫小人且自拿著：『事成之後，我給你六畝地。不論日子，總要找了來。白日也不做活，養著精神，夜裡好找』，可是老爺說的：『上人差遣，概不由己。』又說：『受人之托，當忠人之事』，因此小人每夜到墳地裡去，好容易得了此蟲，曬成了，研了末，或茶或飯灑上，必是心疼而死，並無傷痕，惟有眉攢中間有小小紅點，便是此毒。後來聽見張有道死了，大約就是這宗東西害的，求老爺與小人作主。」包公聽罷此話，大約無甚虛假。書吏將供單呈上，包公看了，拿下去，叫狗兒畫了招。立刻出簽，將陳應杰拿來。老爺又吩咐狗兒道：「少時陳大戶到案，你可要當面質對，老爺好與你作主。」狗兒應允。包公點頭，吩咐：「帶下去。」
老爷点鼓升堂，叫带尤狗儿，上堂跪倒。包公问道：「你就是尤狗儿么？」回道：「老爷，小人叫驴子。」包公一声断喝：「唗！你明是狗儿，你为何叫驴子呢？」狗儿回道：「老爷，小人原叫狗儿来着。只因他们说狗的个儿小，改叫驴子，岂不大些儿呢？因此就改了叫驴子。老爷若不爱叫驴子，还叫狗儿就是了。」两旁喝道：「少说！少说！」包公叫道：「狗儿。」应道：「有。」「只因张有道的冤魂告到本府台前，说你与陈大户主仆定计，将他谋死。但此事皆是陈大户要图谋张有道的妻子刘氏。你不过是上人差遣，概不由己；虽然受了两个元宝，也是小事。你可要从实招来，自有本府与你作主，出脱你的罪名便了。你不必忙，慢慢的讲来。」狗儿听见冤魂告状，不由的心中害怕。后又见老爷和颜悦色地出脱他的罪名，与他作主，放了心了，即向上叩头，道：「老爷既施天恩，与小人作主，小人只得实说。因小人当家的与张有道的女人有交情，可和张有道没有交情。那一天被张有道撞见了，他跑回来就病了，总想念刘氏，他又不敢去。因此想出一个法子来，须得将张有道害了，他或上刘氏家去，或将刘氏娶到家里来，方才遂心。故此将小人叫到跟前说：『我托付你一宗事情。』我说：『当家的，有什么事呢？』他说：『这宗事情不容易，你须用心搜寻才有。』我就问：『找什么呢？』他说：『这宗东西叫尸龟，仿佛金头虫儿，尾巴上发亮，有蠖虫大小。』我就问：『这宗东西出在哪里呢？』他说：『须在坟里找。总要尸首肉都化了，才有这虫儿。』小人一听，就为了难了，说：『这可怎么找法呢？』他见小人为难，便给小人两个元宝，叫小人且自拿着：『事成之后，我给你六亩地。不论日子，总要找了来。白日也不做活，养着精神，夜里好找』，可是老爷说的：『上人差遣，概不由己。』又说：『受人之托，当忠人之事』，因此小人每夜到坟地里去，好容易得了此虫，晒成了，研了末，或茶或饭洒上，必是心疼而死，并无伤痕，惟有眉攒中间有小小红点，便是此毒。后来听见张有道死了，大约就是这宗东西害的，求老爷与小人作主。」包公听罢此话，大约无甚虚假。书吏将供单呈上，包公看了，拿下去，叫狗儿画了招。立刻出签，将陈应杰拿来。老爷又吩咐狗儿道：「少时陈大户到案，你可要当面质对，老爷好与你作主。」狗儿应允。包公点头，吩咐：「带下去。」
His Honour had the drum beaten and opened court, and called for Gou’er, who was brought up into the hall and knelt. “Are you Gou’er?” asked Lord Bao. “Your Honour,” he replied, “I go by Lüzi — Donkey.” Lord Bao gave a thunderous shout: “Nonsense! You are plainly Gou’er — Little Dog. Why do you call yourself Donkey?” “Your Honour,” said Gou’er, “I was Gou’er to start with, it’s true. Only people said a dog’s a small sort of beast, and if I went by Donkey, wouldn’t that make me a bit bigger? So I changed it to Donkey. If Your Honour doesn’t care for Donkey, I’ll just go back to being Gou’er.” “Less of your chatter! Less of your chatter!” shouted the runners on either side. “Gou’er,” called Lord Bao. “Here,” he answered. “Zhang Youdao’s wronged ghost has brought a complaint before this court. He says that you and Rich Man Chen, master and man, laid a plot together and murdered him. But all this was Rich Man Chen’s doing, because he was after Zhang Youdao’s wife. You were only sent by your master; none of it was up to you. You took two silver ingots, it’s true, but that is a small matter. Tell me the whole truth, and this court will stand up for you and clear you of the charge. There’s no hurry. Take your time and tell it.” When Gou’er heard that a wronged ghost had made a complaint, he could not help being frightened. But then he saw how kindly His Honour spoke, offering to clear him and stand up for him, and his mind was put at rest. He knocked his head on the floor toward the bench and said, “Since Your Honour is so gracious as to stand up for me, I’ll have to tell the truth. My boss was on very friendly terms with Zhang Youdao’s woman — not with Zhang Youdao, mind. One day Zhang Youdao walked in on them, and the boss ran home and fell ill. He kept pining for her, but he didn’t dare go back there. So he thought up a way: he had to do away with Zhang Youdao, and then he could go round to her place, or marry her and bring her home, and have his heart’s desire. So he called me in and said, ‘I’ve got a job for you.’ I said, ‘What is it, boss?’ He said, ‘It’s not easy, this job. You’ll have to search hard to find it.’ So I asked, ‘Find what?’ He said, ‘It’s a thing called a corpse beetle. It’s something like a little gold-headed bug, with a tail that glows, about the size of an inchworm.’ So I asked, ‘And where do you find a thing like that?’ He said, ‘You have to look in the graves. The bug only comes once the flesh of a corpse has all rotted away.’ When I heard that, I didn’t know what to do. I said, ‘However am I to find it?’ Seeing me stuck, he gave me two silver ingots and told me to keep them for now. ‘When it’s done, I’ll give you six mu of land. Never mind how many days it takes, just find it. Don’t work in the daytime — rest up, so you’re fit to search at night.’ It’s just as Your Honour said: ‘Only sent by my master; none of it up to me.’ And as the saying goes, ‘When you take on a man’s errand, you do it faithfully.’ So every night I went out to the graveyards, and at long last I got hold of one of these bugs. I dried it in the sun and ground it to powder. Sprinkle that on a man’s tea or his rice and he’s sure to die of a pain in the heart, with no wound on him at all — just a tiny red spot right between the eyebrows, and that’s the poison. Later I heard Zhang Youdao had died. I expect it was this stuff that did for him. I beg Your Honour to stand up for me.” When Lord Bao had heard him out, he judged there was little that was false in it. The clerk handed up the written statement. Lord Bao read it and had it taken down for Gou’er to put his mark to the confession. At once he issued a warrant tally for the arrest of Chen Yingjie. Then His Honour told Gou’er, “When Rich Man Chen is brought in shortly, you must confront him face to face, so that I can stand up for you.” Gou’er promised he would. Lord Bao nodded. “Take him down.”
只見差人當堂跪倒，稟道：「陳應杰拿到。」包公又吩咐傳劉氏並尤氏婆媳。先將陳大戶帶上堂來，當堂上了刑具。包公問道：「陳應杰，為何謀死張有道？從實招來！」陳大戶聞聽，嚇得驚疑不止，連忙說道：「並無此事吁，青天老爺！」包公將驚堂木一拍，道：「你這大膽的奴才！在本府堂前還敢支吾麼？左右，帶狗兒。」立刻將狗兒帶上堂來，與陳應杰當面對證。大戶只嚇得抖衣而戰，半晌，方說道：「小人與劉氏通姦是實情，並無謀死有道之事。這都是狗兒一片虛詞，老爺千萬莫信。」包公大怒，吩咐：「看大刑伺候！」左右一聲喊，將三木往堂上一撂，把陳大戶嚇得膽裂魂飛，連忙說道：「願招！願招！」便將狗兒找尋屍龜，悄悄交與劉氏，叫或茶或飯灑上，立刻心疼而死，並告訴她放心，並無一點傷痕，連血跡也無有，從頭至尾，說了一遍。包公看了供單，叫他畫了招。
只见差人当堂跪倒，禀道：「陈应杰拿到。」包公又吩咐传刘氏并尤氏婆媳。先将陈大户带上堂来，当堂上了刑具。包公问道：「陈应杰，为何谋死张有道？从实招来！」陈大户闻听，吓得惊疑不止，连忙说道：「并无此事吁，青天老爷！」包公将惊堂木一拍，道：「你这大胆的奴才！在本府堂前还敢支吾么？左右，带狗儿。」立刻将狗儿带上堂来，与陈应杰当面对证。大户只吓得抖衣而战，半晌，方说道：「小人与刘氏通奸是实情，并无谋死有道之事。这都是狗儿一片虚词，老爷千万莫信。」包公大怒，吩咐：「看大刑伺候！」左右一声喊，将三木往堂上一撂，把陈大户吓得胆裂魂飞，连忙说道：「愿招！愿招！」便将狗儿找寻尸龟，悄悄交与刘氏，叫或茶或饭洒上，立刻心疼而死，并告诉她放心，并无一点伤痕，连血迹也无有，从头至尾，说了一遍。包公看了供单，叫他画了招。
Then a constable knelt in the hall and announced, “Chen Yingjie has been brought in.” Lord Bao ordered the Widow Zhang summoned as well, along with Mrs. You and her daughter-in-law. First Rich Man Chen was brought up into the hall and put in irons on the spot. “Chen Yingjie,” said Lord Bao, “why did you murder Zhang Youdao? Tell the truth!” Rich Man Chen was frightened and bewildered. “There was no such thing, Your Honour, clear as the blue sky!” he said hastily. Lord Bao slammed down the startle block. “You insolent wretch! You still dare to hedge before this court? Attendants, bring in Gou’er!” At once Gou’er was brought up into the hall to confront Chen Yingjie face to face. The rich man shook so hard that his clothes trembled. After a long while he said, “It’s true that I had an affair with Zhang Youdao’s wife, but I never murdered Youdao. It’s all lies, every word Gou’er says. Your Honour mustn’t believe him.” Lord Bao flew into a rage. “Make ready the heavy instruments of torture!” he ordered. With a great shout the attendants flung the three wooden bars of the ankle press down on the floor of the hall, and Rich Man Chen was frightened out of his wits. “I’ll confess! I’ll confess!” he cried. And he told the whole story from beginning to end: how Gou’er had searched out the corpse beetle; how he had secretly given it to Zhang Youdao’s wife and told her to sprinkle it on her husband’s tea or rice, so that he would die at once of a pain in the heart; and how he had told her not to worry, for there would be no wound at all, not even a trace of blood. Lord Bao read the statement and had him put his mark to the confession.
只見差役稟道：「劉氏與尤氏婆媳俱各傳到。」包公吩咐先帶劉氏。只見劉氏仍是洋洋得意，上得堂來，一眼瞧見陳大戶，不覺朱顏更變，形色張皇，免不得向上跪倒。包公卻不問她，便叫陳大戶與婦人當面質對。陳大戶對著劉氏哭道：「你我於此事，以為機密，再也無人知道，誰知張有道冤魂告到老爺台前。事已敗露，不能不招，我已經畫招。你也畫了罷，免得皮肉受苦。」婦人聞聽，罵了一聲：「冤家！想不到你如此膿包，沒能為！你既招承，我又如何推托呢？」只得向上叩首，道：「謀死親夫張有道情實，再無別詞。就是張致仁調戲一節，也是誣賴他的。」包公也叫畫了手印。
只见差役禀道：「刘氏与尤氏婆媳俱各传到。」包公吩咐先带刘氏。只见刘氏仍是洋洋得意，上得堂来，一眼瞧见陈大户，不觉朱颜更变，形色张皇，免不得向上跪倒。包公却不问她，便叫陈大户与妇人当面质对。陈大户对着刘氏哭道：「你我于此事，以为机密，再也无人知道，谁知张有道冤魂告到老爷台前。事已败露，不能不招，我已经画招。你也画了罢，免得皮肉受苦。」妇人闻听，骂了一声：「冤家！想不到你如此脓包，没能为！你既招承，我又如何推托呢？」只得向上叩首，道：「谋死亲夫张有道情实，再无别词。就是张致仁调戏一节，也是诬赖他的。」包公也叫画了手印。
Then a runner reported, “The Widow Zhang, and Mrs. You and her daughter-in-law, are all here.” Lord Bao ordered the Widow Zhang brought in first. She came up into the hall still looking as pleased with herself as ever — but the moment she caught sight of Rich Man Chen, her rosy face changed colour and she looked flustered. There was nothing for it but to kneel before the bench. Lord Bao asked her nothing; instead he had Rich Man Chen confront her face to face. Rich Man Chen wept as he spoke to her: “You and I thought this was our secret, that no one would ever know. Who could have guessed that Zhang Youdao’s wronged ghost would bring his complaint before His Honour? It’s all come out, and there’s no help but to confess. I’ve already put my mark to my confession. You put yours to it too, and spare your skin.” At this the woman swore at him: “You bane of my life! Who’d have thought you’d be such a gutless, useless lump? Now that you’ve confessed, how can I deny it?” She had no choice but to knock her head on the floor toward the bench. “It’s true. I murdered my husband, Zhang Youdao. I have nothing more to say. And that business of Zhang Zhiren making advances to me — that was a lie I told against him too.” Lord Bao had her put her fingerprint to the confession as well.
又將尤氏婆媳帶上堂來。婆子哭訴前情，並言毫無養贍。「只因陳大戶曾許過幾畝地，婆子恐他誣賴，托人寫了一張字兒。」說著話，從袖中將字兒拿出呈上。包公一看，認得是公孫策的筆跡，心中暗笑，便向陳大戶道：「你許給他幾畝地，怎不撥給他呢？」陳大戶無可奈何，並且當初原有此言，只得應許撥給幾畝地與尤氏婆媳。包公便飭發該縣辦理。包公又問陳大戶道：「你這屍龜的方子，是如何知道的？」陳大戶回道：「是我家教書的先生說的。」包公立刻將此先生傳來，問他如何知道的，為何教他這法子。先生費士奇回道：「小人素來學習些醫學，因知藥性。或於完了功課之時，或刮風下雨之日，不時和東人談談論論。因提及此藥不可亂用，其中有六脈八反，乃是最毒之物。才提到屍龜。小人是無心閒談，誰知東家卻是有心記憶，故此生出事來。求老爺詳察。」包公點頭，道：「此語雖是你無心說出，只是不當對匪人言論此事，亦當薄薄有罪，以為妄談之戒。」即行辦理文書，將他遞解還鄉。劉氏定了凌遲，陳大戶定了斬立決，狗兒定了絞監候。原告張致仁無事。
又将尤氏婆媳带上堂来。婆子哭诉前情，并言毫无养赡。「只因陈大户曾许过几亩地，婆子恐他诬赖，托人写了一张字儿。」说着话，从袖中将字儿拿出呈上。包公一看，认得是公孙策的笔迹，心中暗笑，便向陈大户道：「你许给他几亩地，怎不拨给他呢？」陈大户无可奈何，并且当初原有此言，只得应许拨给几亩地与尤氏婆媳。包公便饬发该县办理。包公又问陈大户道：「你这尸龟的方子，是如何知道的？」陈大户回道：「是我家教书的先生说的。」包公立刻将此先生传来，问他如何知道的，为何教他这法子。先生费士奇回道：「小人素来学习些医学，因知药性。或于完了功课之时，或刮风下雨之日，不时和东人谈谈论论。因提及此药不可乱用，其中有六脉八反，乃是最毒之物。才提到尸龟。小人是无心闲谈，谁知东家却是有心记忆，故此生出事来。求老爷详察。」包公点头，道：「此语虽是你无心说出，只是不当对匪人言论此事，亦当薄薄有罪，以为妄谈之戒。」即行办理文书，将他递解还乡。刘氏定了凌迟，陈大户定了斩立决，狗儿定了绞监候。原告张致仁无事。
Next Mrs. You and her daughter-in-law were brought up into the hall. The old woman tearfully told her story and said they had no means of support at all. “Rich Man Chen once promised us a few mu of land, and for fear he would go back on his word, this old woman got someone to write out a paper.” As she spoke, she took the paper from her sleeve and handed it up. Lord Bao looked at it and recognised Gongsun Ce’s hand. Laughing to himself, he said to Rich Man Chen, “You promised them a few mu of land. Why haven’t you made it over to them?” Rich Man Chen had no way out — and besides, he really had made that promise — so he could only agree to make over a few mu to Mrs. You and her daughter-in-law. Lord Bao issued orders for the county concerned to see to it. Then he asked Rich Man Chen, “This recipe of yours, the corpse beetle — how did you come to know of it?” “The tutor who teaches in my house told me,” said Rich Man Chen. Lord Bao had the tutor summoned at once and asked him how he knew of it and why he had taught Chen such a method. The tutor, Fei Shiqi, replied, “I have always studied a little medicine, so I know the properties of drugs. When lessons were over, or on days when it was windy or raining, I would often talk things over with my employer. I happened to mention that some drugs must never be used carelessly, that among them there are the six pulses and the eight opposites, the deadliest things there are — and that is how I came to speak of the corpse beetle. I was only chatting idly, with no thought of harm, but my employer took careful note of it, and that is how this came about. I beg Your Honour to look into it carefully.” Lord Bao nodded. “Though you said it without meaning harm, you had no business discussing such things with a bad man. You deserve some slight punishment, as a warning against loose talk.” He had the papers drawn up at once to send Fei Shiqi back to his native place under escort. The Widow Zhang was sentenced to death by slicing, Rich Man Chen to beheading without delay, and Gou’er to strangulation, held in prison to await review. The plaintiff, Zhang Zhiren, was let off without blame.
包公退了堂，來至書房，即打了摺底，叫公孫策謄清。公孫策剛然寫完，包興進來，手中另持一紙，向公孫策道：「老爺說咧，叫把這個謄清夾在摺內，明早隨著摺子一同具奏。」先生接過一看，不覺目瞪神癡，半晌方說道：「就照此樣寫麼？」包興道：「老爺親自寫的。叫先生謄清，焉有不照樣寫的理呢？」公孫策點頭，說：「放下，我寫就是了。」心中好不自在。原來這個夾片是為陳州放糧，不該中用椒房寵信之人，直說聖上用人不當，一味頂撞言語。公孫策焉有不擔驚之理呢？寫只管寫了，明日若遞上去，恐怕是辭官表一道。總是我公孫策時運不順，偏偏遇的都是這些事，只好明日聽信兒再為打算罷。
包公退了堂，来至书房，即打了折底，叫公孙策誊清。公孙策刚然写完，包兴进来，手中另持一纸，向公孙策道：「老爷说咧，叫把这个誊清夹在折内，明早随着折子一同具奏。」先生接过一看，不觉目瞪神痴，半晌方说道：「就照此样写么？」包兴道：「老爷亲自写的。叫先生誊清，焉有不照样写的理呢？」公孙策点头，说：「放下，我写就是了。」心中好不自在。原来这个夹片是为陈州放粮，不该中用椒房宠信之人，直说圣上用人不当，一味顶撞言语。公孙策焉有不担惊之理呢？写只管写了，明日若递上去，恐怕是辞官表一道。总是我公孙策时运不顺，偏偏遇的都是这些事，只好明日听信儿再为打算罢。
When Lord Bao had left the bench, he went to his study and at once drafted the memorial, and had Gongsun Ce make a fair copy. Gongsun Ce had only just finished writing when Bao Xing came in with another sheet of paper in his hand. “The master says,” he told Gongsun Ce, “you’re to make a fair copy of this and enclose it in the memorial. Tomorrow morning it goes up to the throne with the memorial.” Mr. Gongsun took it and read it, and sat staring, stunned. After a long while he said, “Am I to write it just as it stands?” “The master wrote it himself,” said Bao Xing. “He’s asked you to make a fair copy — how could you not copy it as it stands?” Gongsun Ce nodded. “Put it down. I’ll write it.” But he was very uneasy. The enclosure concerned the relief grain for Chenzhou. It said that a favourite of the pepper chambers should never have been given such a task; it told His Majesty plainly that he had chosen the wrong man, and it was defiant from beginning to end. How could Gongsun Ce not be alarmed? Write it he would — but if it went up tomorrow, it might as well be a letter of resignation. It was always the same: he, Gongsun Ce, had no luck, and this was the kind of thing he ran into every time. He would just have to wait for word tomorrow and then decide what to do.
至次日五鼓，包公上朝。此日正是老公公陳伴伴接摺子，遞上多時，就召見包公。原來聖上見了包公摺子，初時龍心甚為不悅。後來轉又一想，此乃直言敢陳，正是忠心為國，故爾轉怒為喜，立刻召見包公。奏對之下，明係陳州放賑恐有情弊，因此聖上加封包公為龍圖閣大學士，仍兼開封府事務，前往陳州稽察放賑之事，並統理民情。包公並不謝恩，跪奏道：「臣無權柄，不能服眾，難以奉詔。」聖上因此又賞了御札三道。包公謝恩，領旨出朝。
至次日五鼓，包公上朝。此日正是老公公陈伴伴接折子，递上多时，就召见包公。原来圣上见了包公折子，初时龙心甚为不悦。后来转又一想，此乃直言敢陈，正是忠心为国，故尔转怒为喜，立刻召见包公。奏对之下，明系陈州放赈恐有情弊，因此圣上加封包公为龙图阁大学士，仍兼开封府事务，前往陈州稽察放赈之事，并统理民情。包公并不谢恩，跪奏道：「臣无权柄，不能服众，难以奉诏。」圣上因此又赏了御札三道。包公谢恩，领旨出朝。
At the fifth watch the next morning, Lord Bao went to court. That day it happened to be the old eunuch Chen Lin, the Companion, who received the memorials. Some while after he had passed them in, Lord Bao was summoned. His Majesty, it turned out, had been much displeased at first when he read Lord Bao’s memorial. But on second thoughts he saw that here was a man who dared to speak his mind, the very mark of loyalty to the state, and so his anger turned to pleasure and he summoned Lord Bao at once. In the audience it became clear that there might well be malpractice in the relief at Chenzhou. So His Majesty raised Lord Bao to Grand Academician of the Longtu Pavilion, still in charge of Kaifeng Prefecture, and sent him to Chenzhou to inspect the distribution of relief and to take charge of the welfare of the people there. Lord Bao did not give thanks. Instead he knelt and said, “Your servant has no real power, and without it I cannot make others submit. I cannot carry out this command.” So His Majesty also granted him three imperial warrants. Lord Bao gave thanks, received the decree and left the court.
且說公孫策自包公入朝後，他便提心吊膽，坐立不安，滿心要打點行李起身，又恐謠言惑眾，只得忍耐。忽聽一片聲喊，以為事體不妥。正在驚惶之際，只見包興先自進來告訴：「老爺聖上加封龍圖閣大學士，派往陳州查賑。」公孫策聞聽，這一樂真是喜出望外。包興道：「特派我前來與先生商議，打發報喜人等，不准他們在此嘈雜。」公孫策歡歡喜喜，與包興斟酌妥協，賞了報喜的去後，不多時包公下朝。大家叩喜已畢。便對公孫策道：「聖上賜我御札三道，先生不可大意。你須替我仔細參詳，莫要辜負聖恩。」說罷，包公進內去了。
且说公孙策自包公入朝后，他便提心吊胆，坐立不安，满心要打点行李起身，又恐谣言惑众，只得忍耐。忽听一片声喊，以为事体不妥。正在惊惶之际，只见包兴先自进来告诉：「老爷圣上加封龙图阁大学士，派往陈州查赈。」公孙策闻听，这一乐真是喜出望外。包兴道：「特派我前来与先生商议，打发报喜人等，不准他们在此嘈杂。」公孙策欢欢喜喜，与包兴斟酌妥协，赏了报喜的去后，不多时包公下朝。大家叩喜已毕。便对公孙策道：「圣上赐我御札三道，先生不可大意。你须替我仔细参详，莫要辜负圣恩。」说罢，包公进内去了。
Our story turns to Gongsun Ce. From the moment Lord Bao left for court, his heart was in his mouth; he could neither sit still nor stand still. He longed to pack his bags and be off, but he was afraid of setting rumours flying, so he could only wait it out. Suddenly he heard a great shouting and thought that things had gone wrong. He was still in a state of alarm when Bao Xing came in ahead of his master to tell him, “His Majesty has raised the master to Grand Academician of the Longtu Pavilion and is sending him to Chenzhou to inspect the relief!” At this Gongsun Ce was overjoyed; it was more than he had dared to hope. “The master sent me specially to talk it over with you, sir,” said Bao Xing, “and to deal with the people who’ve come with the good news. They’re not to make a racket here.” Beaming, Gongsun Ce settled everything properly with Bao Xing, and when the heralds had been tipped and sent on their way, it was not long before Lord Bao came back from court. When they had all kowtowed and wished him joy, he said to Gongsun Ce, “His Majesty has granted me three imperial warrants. You mustn’t take this lightly, sir. You must think it through carefully for me, so that we do not fail His Majesty’s grace.” With that, Lord Bao went into the inner quarters.
這句話把個公孫策打了個悶葫蘆，回至自己屋內，千思萬想，猛然省悟，說：「是了！這是逐客之法，欲要不用我，又賴不過了然的情面，故用這樣難題目。我何不如此如此鬼混一番，一來顯顯我胸中的抱負，二來也看看包公膽量。左右是散伙罷咧！」於是研墨蘸筆，先度量了尺寸，注寫明白。後又寫了做法，並分上、中、下三品，龍、虎、狗的式樣。他用筆畫成三把鍘刀，故意的以「札」字做「鍘」字，看包公有何話說。畫畢，來至書房。包興回明了包公，請進。公孫策將畫單呈上，以為包公必然大怒，彼此一拱手就完了。誰知包公不但不怒，將單一一看明，不由春風滿面，口中急急稱贊：「先生真天才也！」立刻叫包興傳喚木匠。「就煩先生指點，務必連夜蕩出樣子來，明早還要恭呈御覽。」公孫策聽了此話，愣柯柯的連話也說不出來。此時就要說這是我畫著玩的，也改不過口來了。
这句话把个公孙策打了个闷葫芦，回至自己屋内，千思万想，猛然省悟，说：「是了！这是逐客之法，欲要不用我，又赖不过了然的情面，故用这样难题目。我何不如此如此鬼混一番，一来显显我胸中的抱负，二来也看看包公胆量。左右是散伙罢咧！」于是研墨蘸笔，先度量了尺寸，注写明白。后又写了做法，并分上、中、下三品，龙、虎、狗的式样。他用笔画成三把铡刀，故意的以「札」字做「铡」字，看包公有何话说。画毕，来至书房。包兴回明了包公，请进。公孙策将画单呈上，以为包公必然大怒，彼此一拱手就完了。谁知包公不但不怒，将单一一看明，不由春风满面，口中急急称赞：「先生真天才也！」立刻叫包兴传唤木匠。「就烦先生指点，务必连夜荡出样子来，明早还要恭呈御览。」公孙策听了此话，愣柯柯的连话也说不出来。此时就要说这是我画着玩的，也改不过口来了。
These words left Gongsun Ce completely in the dark. He went back to his own room and thought and thought, until suddenly it dawned on him. “That’s it!” he said. “This is his way of showing me the door. He doesn’t want to use me, but he can’t brush aside Liaoran’s good word, so he sets me a problem nobody could solve. Why don’t I play a little game with him, like so? For one thing, I’ll show what I have in me; for another, I’ll see how much nerve Lord Bao has. Either way, it’s goodbye!” So he ground his ink and dipped his brush. First he worked out the measurements and wrote them down clearly. Then he wrote out how the things were to be made, in three grades — upper, middle and lower — after the patterns of the dragon, the tiger and the dog. With his brush he drew three guillotines, deliberately taking zha, ‘warrant’, for zha, ‘guillotine’, to see what Lord Bao would have to say. When he had finished, he went to the study. Bao Xing announced him to Lord Bao, and he was asked in. Gongsun Ce presented his drawings, sure that Lord Bao would fly into a rage, and then they would bow to each other and that would be the end of it. But far from being angry, Lord Bao looked over the sheets one by one, and his face lit up like a spring breeze. “Sir, you are a genius!” he cried, praising him again and again. At once he told Bao Xing to send for carpenters. “May I trouble you to direct them, sir? They must make up models tonight, without fail. Tomorrow morning I am to present them respectfully for His Majesty’s inspection.” At this Gongsun Ce stood there dumbstruck, unable to say a word. Even if he had wanted to say now, “I only drew these for fun,” it was too late to take it back.
又見包公連催外班快傳匠役。公孫策見真要辦理此事，只得退出，從新將單子細細的搜求，又添上如何包銅葉子，如何釘金釘子，如何安鬼王頭，又添上許多樣色。不多時，匠役人等來到。公孫策先叫看了樣子，然後教他做法。眾人不知有何用處，只得按著吩咐的樣子蕩起，一個個手忙腳亂，整整鬧了一夜，方才蕩得。包公臨上朝時，俱各看了，吩咐用黃箱盛上，抬至朝中，預備御覽。
又见包公连催外班快传匠役。公孙策见真要办理此事，只得退出，从新将单子细细的搜求，又添上如何包铜叶子，如何钉金钉子，如何安鬼王头，又添上许多样色。不多时，匠役人等来到。公孙策先叫看了样子，然后教他做法。众人不知有何用处，只得按着吩咐的样子荡起，一个个手忙脚乱，整整闹了一夜，方才荡得。包公临上朝时，俱各看了，吩咐用黄箱盛上，抬至朝中，预备御览。
Then Lord Bao kept urging the outer-office runners to fetch the craftsmen quickly. Seeing that he really meant to go through with it, Gongsun Ce could only withdraw. He went over his sheets again with great care, looking for more to add: how the guillotines were to be sheathed in copper leaf, how they were to be studded with gold nails, how demon-king heads were to be fitted to them, and many more designs and colours besides. Before long the craftsmen arrived. Gongsun Ce first had them look at the drawings and then showed them how the things were to be made. None of them knew what the things were for, but they had no choice except to set to work on the models as they were told. Every one of them was rushed off his feet, and it took the whole night before the models were finished. As Lord Bao was about to leave for court, he looked them all over and ordered them packed into yellow cases and carried to court, ready for His Majesty’s inspection.
包公坐轎來至朝中，三呼已畢，出班奏道：「臣包拯昨蒙聖恩賜臣御札三道，臣謹遵旨，擬得式樣，不敢擅用，謹呈御覽。」說著話，黃箱已然抬到，擺在丹墀。聖上閃目觀瞧，原來是三口鍘刀的樣子，分龍、虎、狗三品。包公又奏：「如有犯法者，各按品級行法。」聖上早已明白包公用意，是借「札」字之音改作「鍘」字，做成三口鍘刀，以為鎮嚇外官之用，不覺龍顏大喜，稱羨包公奇才巧思，立刻准了所奏：「不必定日請訓，俟御刑造成，急速起身。」
包公坐轿来至朝中，三呼已毕，出班奏道：「臣包拯昨蒙圣恩赐臣御札三道，臣谨遵旨，拟得式样，不敢擅用，谨呈御览。」说着话，黄箱已然抬到，摆在丹墀。圣上闪目观瞧，原来是三口铡刀的样子，分龙、虎、狗三品。包公又奏：「如有犯法者，各按品级行法。」圣上早已明白包公用意，是借「札」字之音改作「铡」字，做成三口铡刀，以为镇吓外官之用，不觉龙颜大喜，称羡包公奇才巧思，立刻准了所奏：「不必定日请训，俟御刑造成，急速起身。」
Lord Bao rode to court in his sedan chair. When the three cries of ‘Long live the Emperor!’ were over, he stepped out of the ranks and addressed the throne: “Yesterday Your Majesty graciously granted your servant Bao Zheng three imperial warrants. In obedience to Your Majesty’s command, your servant has drawn up designs for them. I dare not use them on my own authority, and humbly present them for Your Majesty’s inspection.” As he spoke, the yellow cases were carried in and set out on the vermilion steps. His Majesty turned his gaze on them: they were models of three guillotines, in three grades — dragon, tiger and dog. “Should anyone break the law,” Lord Bao went on, “he will be dealt with according to his rank.” His Majesty had already grasped what Lord Bao meant. He had borrowed the sound of zha, ‘warrant’, and made it zha, ‘guillotine’, turning the warrants into three guillotines to strike fear into the officials out in the provinces. His Majesty’s face lit up with delight, and he praised Lord Bao’s rare talent and ingenuity. He granted the request at once: “There is no need to fix a day to come for Our instructions. As soon as the imperial guillotines are made, set out with all speed.”
包公謝恩，出朝上轎，剛到街市之上，見有父老十名一齊跪倒，手持呈詞。包公在轎內看得分明，將腳一跺轎底（這是暗號），登時轎夫止步打杵。包興連忙將轎簾微掀，將呈子遞進。不多時，包公吩咐掀起轎簾。包興連忙將轎簾掀起，只見包公嗤、嗤將呈子撕了個粉碎，擲於地下，口中說道：「這些刁民！焉有此事？叫地方將他們押去城外，惟恐在城內滋生是非。」說罷，起轎竟自去了。這些父老哭哭啼啼，抱抱怨怨，說道：「我們不辭辛苦奔至京師，指望伸冤報恨。誰知這位老爺也是怕權勢的，真是聞名不如見面。我等冤枉再也無處訴了。」說罷，又大哭起來。旁邊地方催促，道：「走罷，別叫我們受熱。大小是個差使，哭也無益，何處沒有屈死的呢？」眾人聞聽，只得跟隨地方出城。剛到城外，只見一騎馬飛奔前來，告訴地方道：「送他們出城，你就不必管了，回去罷！」地方連忙答應，抽身便回去了。來人卻是包興，跟定父老，到無人處，方告訴他們道：「老爺不是不准呈子，因市街上耳目過多，走漏風聲，反為不美。老爺吩咐，叫你們俱不可散去；且找幽僻之處藏身，暗暗打聽老爺多攢起身時，叫你們一同隨去。如今先叫兩個有年紀的，悄悄跟我進城，到衙門有話問呢。」眾人聞聽，俱各歡喜。其中單叫兩個父老，遠遠跟定包興，到了開封府。包興進去回明，方將兩個父老帶至書房。包公又細細問了一遍。原來是十三家，其中有收監的，有不能來的。包公吩咐：「你們在外不可聲張，俟我起身時一同隨行便了。」二老者叩頭謝了，仍然出城而去。
包公谢恩，出朝上轿，刚到街市之上，见有父老十名一齐跪倒，手持呈词。包公在轿内看得分明，将脚一跺轿底（这是暗号），登时轿夫止步打杵。包兴连忙将轿帘微掀，将呈子递进。不多时，包公吩咐掀起轿帘。包兴连忙将轿帘掀起，只见包公嗤、嗤将呈子撕了个粉碎，掷于地下，口中说道：「这些刁民！焉有此事？叫地方将他们押去城外，惟恐在城内滋生是非。」说罢，起轿竟自去了。这些父老哭哭啼啼，抱抱怨怨，说道：「我们不辞辛苦奔至京师，指望伸冤报恨。谁知这位老爷也是怕权势的，真是闻名不如见面。我等冤枉再也无处诉了。」说罢，又大哭起来。旁边地方催促，道：「走罢，别叫我们受热。大小是个差使，哭也无益，何处没有屈死的呢？」众人闻听，只得跟随地方出城。刚到城外，只见一骑马飞奔前来，告诉地方道：「送他们出城，你就不必管了，回去罢！」地方连忙答应，抽身便回去了。来人却是包兴，跟定父老，到无人处，方告诉他们道：「老爷不是不准呈子，因市街上耳目过多，走漏风声，反为不美。老爷吩咐，叫你们俱不可散去；且找幽僻之处藏身，暗暗打听老爷多攒起身时，叫你们一同随去。如今先叫两个有年纪的，悄悄跟我进城，到衙门有话问呢。」众人闻听，俱各欢喜。其中单叫两个父老，远远跟定包兴，到了开封府。包兴进去回明，方将两个父老带至书房。包公又细细问了一遍。原来是十三家，其中有收监的，有不能来的。包公吩咐：「你们在外不可声张，俟我起身时一同随行便了。」二老者叩头谢了，仍然出城而去。
Lord Bao gave thanks, left the court and got into his chair. He had only just reached the streets of the city when ten elders knelt down together, holding up a plaint. Lord Bao saw them clearly from inside his chair and stamped on its floor (this was a secret signal). At once the bearers halted and set the chair down on its props. Bao Xing hurriedly lifted the curtain a little and passed the plaint in. A little later Lord Bao ordered the curtain raised. Bao Xing quickly raised it — and there was Lord Bao tearing the plaint to shreds, rip, rip, and flinging it to the ground. “These troublemakers!” he said. “As if such a thing could be! Have the ward constable take them outside the city — I won’t have them stirring up trouble in town.” With that, his chair was lifted and he went on his way. The elders wept and wailed and grumbled. “We spared no pains to get to the capital,” they said, “hoping to have our wrongs righted and our grievances avenged. Who’d have thought this lord would be afraid of the powerful too? Truly, his fame is better than the man. Now there’s nowhere left for us to take our wrongs.” And with that they burst into tears again. The constable beside them hurried them along. “Come on, move. Don’t get us into trouble. Big or small, it’s a job we’ve been given. Crying won’t help — where in the world don’t people die wronged?” There was nothing for it; they followed the constable out of the city. They had only just got outside the walls when a rider came galloping up and said to the constable, “You’ve seen them out of the city — you needn’t bother any more. Go on back!” The constable assented and promptly turned back. The rider was Bao Xing. He kept close to the elders until they came to a place where no one else was about, and only then did he tell them, “It isn’t that the master has turned your plaint down. There were too many eyes and ears in the street, and if word got out, it would only make things worse. The master says none of you is to go away. Find somewhere out of the way to hide, and quietly find out when the master is setting out; then you’re all to come along with him. For now, two of the oldest of you are to come back into the city with me, quietly. There are things he wants to ask you at the yamen.” They were all delighted to hear it. Just two of the elders were chosen, and they followed Bao Xing at a distance to the Kaifeng yamen. Bao Xing went in to report, then brought the two elders to the study, where Lord Bao questioned them closely once more. It turned out there were thirteen families in it; some of their people were in jail, and some had been unable to come. “Out there, you are not to breathe a word,” Lord Bao told them. “When I set out, you will come along with me, that’s all.” The two old men kowtowed their thanks and went back out of the city.
且說包公自奏明御刑之後，便吩咐公孫策督工監造，務要威嚴赫耀，更要純厚結實。便派王、馬、張、趙四勇士服侍御刑：王朝掌刀，馬漢卷席捆人，張龍、趙虎抬人入鍘。公孫策每日除監造之外，便與四勇士服侍御刑，操演規矩，定了章程禮法，不可紊亂。
且说包公自奏明御刑之后，便吩咐公孙策督工监造，务要威严赫耀，更要纯厚结实。便派王、马、张、赵四勇士服侍御刑：王朝掌刀，马汉卷席捆人，张龙、赵虎抬人入铡。公孙策每日除监造之外，便与四勇士服侍御刑，操演规矩，定了章程礼法，不可紊乱。
Now, after Lord Bao had laid the imperial guillotines before the throne, he told Gongsun Ce to oversee the work and supervise their making: they were to be awe-inspiring and dazzling, and above all solid and sturdy. He assigned the four brave men, Wang, Ma, Zhang and Zhao, to attend the imperial guillotines: Wang Chao was to wield the blade, Ma Han to roll the condemned in a mat and bind him, and Zhang Long and Zhao Hu to lift him into the guillotine. Every day, besides overseeing the work, Gongsun Ce drilled the four brave men in attending the guillotines. They rehearsed the procedure, and he laid down rules and ceremonial that were never to be thrown into disorder.
不數日光景，御刑打造已成，包公具摺請訓，便有無數官員前來餞行。包公將御刑供奉堂上，只等眾官員到齊，同至公堂之上，驗看御刑。眾人以為新奇，正要看看是何制度。不多時，俱到公堂，只見三口御鍘上面俱有黃龍袱套，四位勇士雄赳赳，氣昂昂，上前抖出黃套，露出刑外之刑，法外之法。真是「光閃閃，令人毛髮皆豎；冷颼颼，使人心膽俱寒」。正大君子看了尚可支持，奸邪小人見了魂魄應飛，真算從古至今未有之刑也！眾人看畢，回歸後面。所有內外執事人等忙忙亂亂，打點起身。包公又暗暗吩咐，叫田忠跟隨公孫策同行。」到了起行之日，有許多同僚在十里長亭送別，也不細表。沿途上叫告狀的父老也暗暗跟隨。
不数日光景，御刑打造已成，包公具折请训，便有无数官员前来饯行。包公将御刑供奉堂上，只等众官员到齐，同至公堂之上，验看御刑。众人以为新奇，正要看看是何制度。不多时，俱到公堂，只见三口御铡上面俱有黄龙袱套，四位勇士雄赳赳，气昂昂，上前抖出黄套，露出刑外之刑，法外之法。真是「光闪闪，令人毛发皆竖；冷飕飕，使人心胆俱寒」。正大君子看了尚可支持，奸邪小人见了魂魄应飞，真算从古至今未有之刑也！众人看毕，回归后面。所有内外执事人等忙忙乱乱，打点起身。包公又暗暗吩咐，叫田忠跟随公孙策同行。」到了起行之日，有许多同僚在十里长亭送别，也不细表。沿途上叫告状的父老也暗暗跟随。
Within a few days the imperial guillotines had been forged. Lord Bao sent in a memorial asking to take his leave and receive His Majesty’s instructions, and officials without number came to see him off. Lord Bao had the imperial guillotines set up with all reverence in the hall and waited until all the officials had arrived, so that they could go to the court hall together and view them. Everyone thought them a novelty and was eager to see what sort of things they were. Before long they had all come to the court hall. Each of the three imperial guillotines was draped in a cover of yellow dragon cloth. The four brave men, bold and stern, strode up and whisked away the yellow covers, and there they were: a punishment beyond all punishments, a law beyond the law. Truly: ‘Gleaming bright, they make your hair stand on end; cold as a chill wind, they freeze your heart and gall.’ An upright gentleman could just about bear the sight, but a wicked, petty man would see them and his soul would fly away. Never, from ancient times to this day, had there been such an instrument of punishment! When the guests had seen them, they all went back inside. All the staff, inner and outer, bustled about getting ready for the journey. Lord Bao also quietly arranged for Tian Zhong to travel with Gongsun Ce. On the day of departure, many of his colleagues saw him off at the long pavilion ten li down the road, but of that we need not speak in detail. All along the road, the elders who had cried out their complaint followed in secret.
這日包公走至三星鎮，見地面肅靜，暗暗想道：「地方官制度有方。」正自犯想，忽聽喊冤之聲，卻不見人。包興早已下馬，順著聲音找去，原來在路旁空柳樹裡。及至露出身來，卻又是個婦人，頭頂呈詞，雙膝跪倒。包興連忙接過呈子。此時轎已打杵，上前將狀子遞入轎內。包公看畢，對那婦人道：「你這呈子上言家中無人，此呈卻是何人所寫？」婦人答道：「從小熟讀詩書，父兄皆是舉貢，嫁得丈夫也是秀才，筆墨常不釋手。」包公將轎內隨行紙墨筆硯，叫包興遞與婦人另寫一張。只見不加思索，援筆立就，呈上。包公接過一看，連連點頭，道：「那婦人，你且先行回去聽傳。待本閣到了公館，必與你審問此事。」那婦人磕了一個頭，說：「多謝青天大人！」當下包公起轎，直投公館去了。
这日包公走至三星镇，见地面肃静，暗暗想道：「地方官制度有方。」正自犯想，忽听喊冤之声，却不见人。包兴早已下马，顺着声音找去，原来在路旁空柳树里。及至露出身来，却又是个妇人，头顶呈词，双膝跪倒。包兴连忙接过呈子。此时轿已打杵，上前将状子递入轿内。包公看毕，对那妇人道：「你这呈子上言家中无人，此呈却是何人所写？」妇人答道：「从小熟读诗书，父兄皆是举贡，嫁得丈夫也是秀才，笔墨常不释手。」包公将轿内随行纸墨笔砚，叫包兴递与妇人另写一张。只见不加思索，援笔立就，呈上。包公接过一看，连连点头，道：「那妇人，你且先行回去听传。待本阁到了公馆，必与你审问此事。」那妇人磕了一个头，说：「多谢青天大人！」当下包公起轿，直投公馆去了。
One day Lord Bao came to Sanxing Town. Seeing how quiet and orderly the place was, he thought to himself, “The local officials keep good order here.” He was still turning this over when suddenly he heard a cry of “Injustice!” — yet there was no one to be seen. Bao Xing had already dismounted and gone to look where the voice came from: it was coming from a hollow willow tree by the roadside. When the person came out, it turned out to be a woman. She knelt on both knees, holding a plaint on top of her head. Bao Xing quickly took the plaint from her. By now the chair had been set down on its props, and he stepped up and passed the plaint in. When Lord Bao had read it, he said to the woman, “Your plaint says there is no one at home. Then who wrote it?” “I have read the classics since I was small,” the woman replied. “My father and brothers were all provincial graduates or tribute students, and the husband I married was a licentiate too. I have seldom had a brush out of my hand.” Lord Bao took the paper, ink, brush and inkstone that travelled with him in his chair and had Bao Xing hand them to the woman so that she could write it out again. Without stopping to think, she took up the brush, wrote it out at once and handed it up. Lord Bao took it, looked it over and nodded again and again. “Woman,” he said, “go home for now and wait to be summoned. When this Academician reaches the official guesthouse, he will hear your case without fail.” The woman knocked her head on the ground once and said, “Thank you, Your Excellency, clear as the blue sky!” Then Lord Bao’s chair was lifted, and he went straight on to the official guesthouse.
未識後事如何，下回分解。
未识后事如何，下回分解。
To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.