北平陶聖俞，名下士。順治間，赴鄉試，寓居郊郭。偶出戶，見一人負笈㑌儴，似卜居未就者。略詰之，遂釋負於道，相與傾語，言論有名士風。陶大說之，請與同居。客喜，攜囊入，遂同棲止。客自言：「順天人，姓于，字去惡。」以陶差長，兄之。于性不喜游矚，常獨坐一室，而案頭無書卷。陶不與談，則默臥而已。陶疑之，搜其囊篋，則筆研之外，更無長物。怪而問之。笑曰：「吾輩讀書，豈臨渴始掘井耶？」一日，就陶借書去，閉戶抄甚疾，終日五十餘紙，亦不見其摺疊成卷。竊窺之，則每一稿脫，輒燒灰吞之。愈益怪焉，詰其故。曰：「我以此代讀耳。」便誦所抄書，頃刻數篇，一字無訛。陶悅，欲傳其術，于以為不可。陶疑其吝，詞涉誚讓，于曰：「兄誠不諒我之深矣。欲不言，則此心無以自剖；驟言之，又恐驚為異怪。奈何？」陶固謂：「不妨。」于曰：「我非人，是鬼耳。今冥中以科目授官，七月十四日奉詔考簾官，十五日士子入闈，月盡榜放矣。」陶問：「考簾官為何？」曰：「此上帝慎重之意，無論鳥吏鱉官，皆考之。能文者以內簾用，不通者不得與焉。蓋陰之有諸神，猶陽之有守、令也。得志諸公，目不睹墳、典，不過少年持敲門磚，獵取功名，門既開，則棄去；再司簿書十數年，即文學士，胸中尚有字耶！陽世所以陋劣倖進，而英雄失志者，惟少此一考耳。」陶深然之，由是益加敬畏。一日，自外來，有憂色，歎曰：「僕生而貧賤，自謂死後可免；不謂迍邅先生相從地下！」陶請其故。曰：「文昌奉命都羅國封王，簾官之考遂罷。數十年游神耗鬼，雜入衡文，吾輩寧有望耶？」陶問：「此輩皆誰何人？」曰：「即言之，君亦不識。略舉一二人，大概可知：樂正師曠、司庫和嶠是也。僕自念命不可憑，文不可恃，不如休耳。」言已怏怏，遂將治任。陶挽而慰之，乃止。至中元之夕，謂陶曰：「我將入闈。煩於昧爽時，持香炷於東野。三呼去惡，我便至。」乃出門去。陶沽酒烹鮮以待之。東方既白，敬如所囑。無何，于偕一少年來。問其姓字。于曰：「此方子晉，是我良友。適於場中相邂逅。聞兄盛名，深欲拜識。」同至寓，秉燭為禮。少年亭亭似玉，意度謙婉，陶甚愛之。便問：「子晉佳作，當大快意？」于曰：「言之可笑！闈中七則，作過半矣；細審主司姓名，裹具徑出。奇人也！」陶扇爐進酒，因問：「闈中何題？去惡魁解否？」于曰：「書藝、經論各一，夫人而能之。策問：『自古邪僻固多，而世風至今日，奸情醜態，愈不可名，不惟十八獄所不得盡，抑非十八獄所能容。是果何術而可？或謂宜量加一二獄，然殊失上帝好生之心。其宜增與、否與，或別有道以清其源，爾多士其悉言勿隱。』弟策雖不佳，頗為痛快。表：『擬天魔殄滅，賜群臣龍馬天衣有差。』次則『瑤台應制詩』、『西池桃花賦』。此三種，自謂場中無兩矣！」言已鼓掌。方笑曰：「此時快心，放兄獨步矣；數辰後，不痛哭始為男子也。」天明，方欲辭去。陶留與同寓，方不可，但期暮至。三日，竟不復來。陶使于往尋之。于曰：「無須。子晉拳拳，非無意者。」日既西，方果來。出一卷授陶，曰：「三日失約。敬錄舊藝百餘作，求一品題。」陶捧讀大喜，一句一贊，略盡一二首，遂藏諸笥。談至更深，方遂留，與于共榻寢。自此為常；方無夕不至，陶亦無方不懽也。一夕，倉皇而入，向陶曰：「地榜已揭，于五兄落第矣！」于方臥，聞言驚起，泫然流涕。二人極意慰藉，涕始止。然相對默默，殊不可堪。方曰：「適聞大巡環張桓侯將至，恐失志者之造言也；不然，文場尚有翻覆。」于聞之，色喜。陶詢其故。曰：「桓侯翼德，三十年一巡陰曹，三十五年一巡陽世，兩間之不平，待此老而一消也。」乃起，拉方俱去。兩夜始返，方喜謂陶曰：「君不賀五兄耶？桓侯前夕至，裂碎地榜，榜上名字，止存三之一。遍閱遺卷，得五兄甚喜，薦作交南巡海使，旦晚輿馬可到。」陶大喜，置酒稱賀。酒數行，于問陶曰：「君家有閒舍否？」問：「將何為？」曰：「子晉孤無鄉土，又不忍恝然於兄。弟意欲假館相依。」陶喜曰：「如此，為幸多矣。即無多屋宇，同榻何礙。但有嚴君，須先關白。」于曰：「審知尊大人慈厚可依。兄場闈有日，子晉如不能待，先歸何如？」陶留伴逆旅，以待同歸。次日，方暮，有車馬至門，接于蒞任。于起握手曰：「從此別矣。一言欲告，又恐阻銳進之志。」問：「何言？」曰：「君命淹蹇，生非其時。此科之分十之一；後科桓侯臨世，公道初彰，十之三；三科始可望也。」陶聞，欲中止。于曰：「不然，此皆天數。即明知不可，而註定之艱苦，亦要歷盡耳。」又顧方曰：「勿淹滯，今朝年、月、日、時皆良，即以輿蓋送君歸。僕馳馬自去。」方忻然拜別。陶中心迷亂，不知所囑，但揮涕送之。見輿馬分途，頃刻都散。始悔子晉北旋，未致一字，而已無及矣。三場畢，不甚滿志，奔波而歸。入門問子晉，家中並無知者。因為父述之，父喜曰：「若然，則客至久矣。」先是陶翁晝臥，夢輿蓋止於其門，一美少年自車中出，登堂展拜。訝問所來。答云：「大哥許假一舍，以入闈不得偕來。我先至矣。」言已，請入拜母。翁方謙卻，適家媼入曰：「夫人產公子矣。」恍然而醒，大奇之。是日陶言，適與夢符，乃知兒即子晉後身也。父子各喜，名之小晉。兒初生，善夜啼，母苦之。陶曰：「倘是子晉，我見之，啼當止。」俗忌客忤，故不令陶見。母患啼不可耐，乃呼陶入。陶嗚之曰：「子晉勿爾！我來矣！」兒啼正急，聞聲輟止，停睇不瞬，如審顧狀。陶摩頂而去。自是竟不復啼。數月後，陶不敢見之；一見，則折腰索抱，走去，則啼不可止。陶亦狎愛之。四歲離母，輒就兄眠；兄他出，則假寐以俟其歸。兄於枕上教毛詩，誦聲呢喃，夜盡四十餘行。以子晉遺文授之，欣然樂讀，過口成誦；試之他文，不能也。八九歲，眉目朗徹，宛然一子晉矣。陶兩入闈，皆不第。丁酉，文場事發，簾官多遭誅遣，貢舉之途一肅，乃張巡環力也。陶下科中副車，尋貢。遂灰志前途，隱居教弟。常語人曰：「吾有此樂，翰苑不易也。」
北平的陶聖俞是個有名望的讀書人。順治年間，他去參加鄉試，住在城郊。有一次出門，看見一個人揹著書箱，徘徊不定，好像還沒找到住處。陶聖俞略問了幾句，那人便在路邊放下行李，兩人暢談起來。那人的言談很有名士風度，陶聖俞十分喜歡，邀請他同住。客人高興地提著行李進來，從此兩人住在一起。客人自稱：「我是順天人，姓於，字去惡。」因為陶聖俞稍年長些，就稱他為兄長。於去惡不喜歡出遊觀景，經常獨自坐在房裡，桌上卻沒有書。陶聖俞不跟他說話，他便默默躺著。陶聖俞心生疑惑，翻看他的行李，發現除了筆硯，再沒有別的東西，便奇怪地問他。他笑道：「我們讀書人，難道等到渴了才開始挖井嗎？」一天，他向陶聖俞借了書，關起門來飛快地抄寫，一天抄了五十多張紙，卻也沒見他把紙摺疊裝訂成冊。陶聖俞偷偷察看，發現他每抄完一張，就燒成灰吞下去，越發覺得奇怪，追問緣故。他說：「我就是用這個辦法讀書。」接著便背誦抄過的文章，一會兒背了好幾篇，一個字也沒錯。陶聖俞很高興，想學他的辦法，於去惡卻說不能傳授。陶聖俞懷疑他捨不得教，說了些責怪的話。於去惡說：「兄長實在太不體諒我了。我若不說，就沒法向你說明自己的心意；一下子說出來，又怕你吃驚，把我當成怪物。這可怎麼辦？」陶聖俞堅持說：「說出來沒關係。」於去惡說：「我不是人，是鬼。如今陰間通過科舉授予官職。七月十四日奉詔考簾官，十五日考生進場，月底放榜。」陶聖俞問：「為什麼還要考簾官？」他說：「這是上帝慎重選人的意思。不論鳥吏、鱉官，都要參加考試。會寫文章的，才能任用為內簾考官；不通文章的，就不能參與。陰間的各路神明，就像陽間的太守、縣令。那些得意的官老爺，根本不看古代典籍，不過是年輕時把文章當作敲門磚，求取功名，門一打開，就把它扔掉。再經手十幾年公文賬冊，即使原來是個文人學士，腦子裡還能剩下幾個字呢！陽間那些淺陋低劣的人能僥倖升進，才華出眾的人卻不得志，就是因為少了這樣一次考試。」陶聖俞深以為然，從此對他更加敬重。一日，於去惡從外面回來，滿臉憂愁，嘆道：「我活著時貧窮卑賤，本以為死後能擺脫，沒想到倒霉先生竟一路跟著我到了地下！」陶聖俞問他怎麼回事。他說：「文昌奉命去都羅國冊封國王，簾官的考試就取消了。那些遊蕩了幾十年的閒神廢鬼，混進來評閱文章，我們還有什麼指望呢？」陶聖俞問：「這些都是什麼人？」他說：「說出來你也不認識。隨便舉一兩個人，你就能知道大概：樂正師曠、司庫和嶠就是。我想，命運靠不住，文章也靠不住，不如算了。」說完悶悶不樂，準備收拾行李。陶聖俞挽留安慰，他才留下。到了中元節那天晚上，於去惡對陶聖俞說：「我要進考場了。麻煩你天將亮時，到城東的野地裡點一炷香，叫三聲去惡，我就來。」說罷出門去了。陶聖俞買了酒，烹好鮮魚等他。東方發白時，便恭敬地照他說的做了。不久，於去惡帶著一個年輕人來了。陶聖俞問那人的姓名，於去惡說：「這是方子晉，我的好朋友。剛才在考場裡偶然遇見。他聽說過兄長的大名，很想來拜會。」三人一起回到住處，點著蠟燭行了見面禮。年輕人身材修長，像美玉一般，舉止謙和溫雅，陶聖俞十分喜歡，便問：「子晉這次的文章，一定寫得很稱心吧？」於去惡說：「說起來可笑！考場裡要求寫的七篇文章，他已經寫完了一大半，仔細看過主考官的姓名，就收拾東西直接出來了。真是個奇人！」陶聖俞扇著爐火，斟上酒，問道：「考場出了什麼題目？去惡能不能考中第一名？」於去惡說：「四書文章和經義論各一篇，人人都能寫。策問是：『自古以來，邪惡的人和事固然很多，可是世風到了今天，奸惡的行徑、醜陋的情狀，越發無法形容。不僅十八層地獄不能把這些罪惡全部懲治，也容納不下這些惡人。究竟用什麼辦法才好？有人說，應當酌情增加一兩座地獄，可這又很違背上帝愛惜生靈的心意。究竟該增加，還是不該增加，或者另有辦法可以從根源上清除罪惡，你們這些讀書人都要把意見說清楚，不要隱瞞。』我的策文雖然算不上好，卻寫得相當痛快。表文的題目是：『擬寫一篇天魔被消滅後，按等級賞賜群臣龍馬和天衣的表文。』接下來是『奉命在瑤臺作詩』和『西池桃花賦』。這三篇，我自認考場裡沒有第二個人能比得上！」說完便拍起手來。方子晉笑道：「這會兒你正得意，我就讓你獨佔風頭吧；過幾個時辰，要是你不放聲痛哭，才算是個男子漢。」天亮後，方子晉要告辭。陶聖俞留他同住，他不肯，只約定晚上再來。可是過了三天，他也沒來。陶聖俞讓於去惡去找。於去惡說：「不用。子晉待人誠懇，不會無意再來。」太陽西斜時，方子晉果然來了，拿出一卷文章交給陶聖俞，說：「失約三天了。我恭敬地抄錄了一百多篇舊作，請你評點。」陶聖俞捧著文章讀，十分歡喜，讀一句便讚一句，大致讀完一兩篇，就把文章收進箱裡。三人談到深夜，方子晉便留下，與於去惡同床睡下。從此就成了慣例，方子晉沒有一晚不來，陶聖俞也只有見到他才高興。一天晚上，方子晉匆忙進來，對陶聖俞說：「陰間的榜已經公佈，於五哥落榜了！」於去惡正躺著，聽見這話，驚得坐起來，淚水直流。兩人盡力安慰，他才止住眼淚。但三人默默相對，實在難受。方子晉說：「剛聽說大巡環張桓侯快到了，怕是失意的人編造的訊息；要不是謠言，這次考試的結果還可能改變。」於去惡聽了，臉上露出喜色。陶聖俞問緣故。他說：「桓侯就是張翼德，每三十年巡察陰曹一次，每三十五年巡察陽間一次。陰陽兩界的不平之事，都要等這位老人來一舉掃除。」說完起身，拉著方子晉一起走了。過了兩夜，兩人才回來。方子晉高興地對陶聖俞說：「你不向五哥道喜嗎？桓侯前天晚上到了，把陰間的榜撕得粉碎，榜上的名字只保留了三分之一。他把落選的卷子全看了一遍，看到五哥的文章，十分喜歡，推薦他擔任交南巡海使，車馬隨時可能來接。」陶聖俞大喜，擺酒道賀。喝了幾輪，於去惡問陶聖俞：「你家有空房嗎？」陶聖俞問：「要做什麼？」於去惡說：「子晉孤身一人，無家可歸，又不忍心就這樣離開兄長。我想讓他借住你家，與你相伴。」陶聖俞高興地說：「這樣就太好了！即使房屋不多，同睡一張床又有什麼妨礙？只是我父親還在，得先稟告他。」於去惡說：「我確實知道令尊慈祥厚道，可以依靠。兄長進考場還有些日子，子晉要是等不及，讓他先回去怎麼樣？」陶聖俞還是留他在旅店作伴，等著一起回家。第二天傍晚，有車馬來到門前，接於去惡赴任。於去惡起身握著陶聖俞的手說：「從此就要分別了。有句話想告訴你，又怕妨礙你奮力進取的志氣。」陶聖俞問：「什麼話？」於去惡說：「你的命運艱難，生不逢時。這一科，考中的機會只有十分之一；下一科，桓侯來巡察陽間，公道剛開始顯現，機會有十分之三；到第三科，才有希望。」陶聖俞聽了，想放棄考試。於去惡說：「不能這樣，這都是天命。即使明知道不行，命裡註定的艱難，也得一一經歷。」又轉頭對方子晉說：「不要再耽擱了，今天年、月、日、時都很吉利，就用這輛有車蓋的車送你回去，我自己騎馬走。」方子晉高興地拜別。陶聖俞心裡紛亂，不知道該囑咐什麼，只流著淚送別。看見車馬分路而行，一會兒都消失了，這才後悔子晉回北方，自己竟沒寫封信讓他帶回去，可已來不及了。三場考試結束，陶聖俞覺得考得不大如意，奔波著回到家。一進門就問子晉，家裡卻沒人知道。他便向父親講了經過。父親高興地說：「這樣說來，客人早就到了。」原來，陶老翁先前白天睡覺時，夢見一輛有車蓋的車停在門前，一個俊美的年輕人從車裡出來，走到堂上行禮。老翁驚訝地問他從哪裡來。他回答：「大哥答應借我一間屋子，因為要進考場，不能一起來，我就先到了。」說完，請求進去拜見母親。老翁正在客氣推辭，恰好家裡的老婦人進來說：「夫人生了位公子！」老翁猛然醒來，覺得十分奇怪。這一天，陶聖俞所說的恰與夢境相合，才知道這個孩子就是子晉轉世。父子倆都很高興，給孩子取名小晉。孩子剛出生時，常在夜裡哭，母親為此很苦惱。陶聖俞說：「如果他是子晉，我去見他，他應該就不哭了。」當時的習俗忌諱客人衝犯嬰兒，所以不讓陶聖俞見他。後來母親實在受不了哭聲，才叫陶聖俞進去。陶聖俞輕聲哄他說：「子晉，別這樣！我來了！」孩子正哭得厲害，聽到聲音便停下來，目不轉睛地望著他，像是在仔細辨認。陶聖俞摸了摸他的頭便走了。從此，孩子再也不這樣啼哭。幾個月後，陶聖俞卻不敢輕易去見他：一見面，他就彎著身子要抱；陶聖俞一走，他就哭個不停。陶聖俞也十分親近疼愛他。四歲時，他離開母親，總要跟哥哥睡；哥哥外出，他就裝睡，等哥哥回來。哥哥在枕邊教他《毛詩》，他輕聲背誦，一夜能讀完四十多行。把子晉留下的文章給他，他便高高興興地讀，讀過一遍就能背下來；換別的文章試他，卻做不到。到了八九歲，他眉目清朗，活脫脫就是一個子晉。陶聖俞兩次進考場，都沒考中。丁酉年，科場舞弊案發，許多簾官被處死或流放，科舉取士的風氣為之一清，這正是張巡環的力量。陶聖俞下一科中了副榜，不久成為貢生。從此他放棄了求取功名的心願，隱居教弟弟讀書，常對人說：「我有這樣的樂趣，就是拿翰苑的官職來換，我也不願意。」
北平陶圣俞，名下士。顺治间，赴乡试，寓居郊郭。偶出户，见一人负笈㑌儴，似卜居未就者。略诘之，遂释负于道，相与倾语，言论有名士风。陶大说之，请与同居。客喜，携囊入，遂同栖止。客自言：「顺天人，姓于，字去恶。」以陶差长，兄之。于性不喜游瞩，常独坐一室，而案头无书卷。陶不与谈，则默卧而已。陶疑之，搜其囊箧，则笔研之外，更无长物。怪而问之。笑曰：「吾辈读书，岂临渴始掘井耶？」一日，就陶借书去，闭户抄甚疾，终日五十余纸，亦不见其折叠成卷。窃窥之，则每一稿脱，辄烧灰吞之。愈益怪焉，诘其故。曰：「我以此代读耳。」便诵所抄书，顷刻数篇，一字无讹。陶悦，欲传其术，于以为不可。陶疑其吝，词涉诮让，于曰：「兄诚不谅我之深矣。欲不言，则此心无以自剖；骤言之，又恐惊为异怪。奈何？」陶固谓：「不妨。」于曰：「我非人，是鬼耳。今冥中以科目授官，七月十四日奉诏考帘官，十五日士子入闱，月尽榜放矣。」陶问：「考帘官为何？」曰：「此上帝慎重之意，无论鸟吏鳖官，皆考之。能文者以内帘用，不通者不得与焉。盖阴之有诸神，犹阳之有守、令也。得志诸公，目不睹坟、典，不过少年持敲门砖，猎取功名，门既开，则弃去；再司簿书十数年，即文学士，胸中尚有字耶！阳世所以陋劣幸进，而英雄失志者，惟少此一考耳。」陶深然之，由是益加敬畏。一日，自外来，有忧色，叹曰：「仆生而贫贱，自谓死后可免；不谓迍邅先生相从地下！」陶请其故。曰：「文昌奉命都罗国封王，帘官之考遂罢。数十年游神耗鬼，杂入衡文，吾辈宁有望耶？」陶问：「此辈皆谁何人？」曰：「即言之，君亦不识。略举一二人，大概可知：乐正师旷、司库和峤是也。仆自念命不可凭，文不可恃，不如休耳。」言已怏怏，遂将治任。陶挽而慰之，乃止。至中元之夕，谓陶曰：「我将入闱。烦于昧爽时，持香炷于东野。三呼去恶，我便至。」乃出门去。陶沽酒烹鲜以待之。东方既白，敬如所嘱。无何，于偕一少年来。问其姓字。于曰：「此方子晋，是我良友。适于场中相邂逅。闻兄盛名，深欲拜识。」同至寓，秉烛为礼。少年亭亭似玉，意度谦婉，陶甚爱之。便问：「子晋佳作，当大快意？」于曰：「言之可笑！闱中七则，作过半矣；细审主司姓名，裹具径出。奇人也！」陶扇炉进酒，因问：「闱中何题？去恶魁解否？」于曰：「书艺、经论各一，夫人而能之。策问：『自古邪僻固多，而世风至今日，奸情丑态，愈不可名，不惟十八狱所不得尽，抑非十八狱所能容。是果何术而可？或谓宜量加一二狱，然殊失上帝好生之心。其宜增与、否与，或别有道以清其源，尔多士其悉言勿隐。』弟策虽不佳，颇为痛快。表：『拟天魔殄灭，赐群臣龙马天衣有差。』次则『瑶台应制诗』、『西池桃花赋』。此三种，自谓场中无两矣！」言已鼓掌。方笑曰：「此时快心，放兄独步矣；数辰后，不痛哭始为男子也。」天明，方欲辞去。陶留与同寓，方不可，但期暮至。三日，竟不复来。陶使于往寻之。于曰：「无须。子晋拳拳，非无意者。」日既西，方果来。出一卷授陶，曰：「三日失约。敬录旧艺百余作，求一品题。」陶捧读大喜，一句一赞，略尽一二首，遂藏诸笥。谈至更深，方遂留，与于共榻寝。自此为常；方无夕不至，陶亦无方不懽也。一夕，仓皇而入，向陶曰：「地榜已揭，于五兄落第矣！」于方卧，闻言惊起，泫然流涕。二人极意慰藉，涕始止。然相对默默，殊不可堪。方曰：「适闻大巡环张桓侯将至，恐失志者之造言也；不然，文场尚有翻覆。」于闻之，色喜。陶询其故。曰：「桓侯翼德，三十年一巡阴曹，三十五年一巡阳世，两间之不平，待此老而一消也。」乃起，拉方俱去。两夜始返，方喜谓陶曰：「君不贺五兄耶？桓侯前夕至，裂碎地榜，榜上名字，止存三之一。遍阅遗卷，得五兄甚喜，荐作交南巡海使，旦晚舆马可到。」陶大喜，置酒称贺。酒数行，于问陶曰：「君家有闲舍否？」问：「将何为？」曰：「子晋孤无乡土，又不忍恝然于兄。弟意欲假馆相依。」陶喜曰：「如此，为幸多矣。即无多屋宇，同榻何碍。但有严君，须先关白。」于曰：「审知尊大人慈厚可依。兄场闱有日，子晋如不能待，先归何如？」陶留伴逆旅，以待同归。次日，方暮，有车马至门，接于莅任。于起握手曰：「从此别矣。一言欲告，又恐阻锐进之志。」问：「何言？」曰：「君命淹蹇，生非其时。此科之分十之一；后科桓侯临世，公道初彰，十之三；三科始可望也。」陶闻，欲中止。于曰：「不然，此皆天数。即明知不可，而注定之艰苦，亦要历尽耳。」又顾方曰：「勿淹滞，今朝年、月、日、时皆良，即以舆盖送君归。仆驰马自去。」方忻然拜别。陶中心迷乱，不知所嘱，但挥涕送之。见舆马分途，顷刻都散。始悔子晋北旋，未致一字，而已无及矣。三场毕，不甚满志，奔波而归。入门问子晋，家中并无知者。因为父述之，父喜曰：「若然，则客至久矣。」先是陶翁昼卧，梦舆盖止于其门，一美少年自车中出，登堂展拜。讶问所来。答云：「大哥许假一舍，以入闱不得偕来。我先至矣。」言已，请入拜母。翁方谦却，适家媪入曰：「夫人产公子矣。」恍然而醒，大奇之。是日陶言，适与梦符，乃知儿即子晋后身也。父子各喜，名之小晋。儿初生，善夜啼，母苦之。陶曰：「倘是子晋，我见之，啼当止。」俗忌客忤，故不令陶见。母患啼不可耐，乃呼陶入。陶呜之曰：「子晋勿尔！我来矣！」儿啼正急，闻声辍止，停睇不瞬，如审顾状。陶摩顶而去。自是竟不复啼。数月后，陶不敢见之；一见，则折腰索抱，走去，则啼不可止。陶亦狎爱之。四岁离母，辄就兄眠；兄他出，则假寐以俟其归。兄于枕上教毛诗，诵声呢喃，夜尽四十余行。以子晋遗文授之，欣然乐读，过口成诵；试之他文，不能也。八九岁，眉目朗彻，宛然一子晋矣。陶两入闱，皆不第。丁酉，文场事发，帘官多遭诛遣，贡举之途一肃，乃张巡环力也。陶下科中副车，寻贡。遂灰志前途，隐居教弟。常语人曰：「吾有此乐，翰苑不易也。」
北平的陶圣俞是个有名望的读书人。顺治年间，他去参加乡试，住在城郊。有一次出门，看见一个人背着书箱，徘徊不定，好像还没找到住处。陶圣俞略问了几句，那人便在路边放下行李，两人畅谈起来。那人的言谈很有名士风度，陶圣俞十分喜欢，邀请他同住。客人高兴地提着行李进来，从此两人住在一起。客人自称：“我是顺天人，姓于，字去恶。”因为陶圣俞稍年长些，就称他为兄长。于去恶不喜欢出游观景，经常独自坐在房里，桌上却没有书。陶圣俞不跟他说话，他便默默躺着。陶圣俞心生疑惑，翻看他的行李，发现除了笔砚，再没有别的东西，便奇怪地问他。他笑道：“我们读书人，难道等到渴了才开始挖井吗？”一天，他向陶圣俞借了书，关起门来飞快地抄写，一天抄了五十多张纸，却也没见他把纸折叠装订成册。陶圣俞偷偷察看，发现他每抄完一张，就烧成灰吞下去，越发觉得奇怪，追问缘故。他说：“我就是用这个办法读书。”接着便背诵抄过的文章，一会儿背了好几篇，一个字也没错。陶圣俞很高兴，想学他的办法，于去恶却说不能传授。陶圣俞怀疑他舍不得教，说了些责怪的话。于去恶说：“兄长实在太不体谅我了。我若不说，就没法向你说明自己的心意；一下子说出来，又怕你吃惊，把我当成怪物。这可怎么办？”陶圣俞坚持说：“说出来没关系。”于去恶说：“我不是人，是鬼。如今阴间通过科举授予官职。七月十四日奉诏考帘官，十五日考生进场，月底放榜。”陶圣俞问：“为什么还要考帘官？”他说：“这是上帝慎重选人的意思。不论鸟吏、鳖官，都要参加考试。会写文章的，才能任用为内帘考官；不通文章的，就不能参与。阴间的各路神明，就像阳间的太守、县令。那些得意的官老爷，根本不看古代典籍，不过是年轻时把文章当作敲门砖，求取功名，门一打开，就把它扔掉。再经手十几年公文账册，即使原来是个文人学士，脑子里还能剩下几个字呢！阳间那些浅陋低劣的人能侥幸升进，才华出众的人却不得志，就是因为少了这样一次考试。”陶圣俞深以为然，从此对他更加敬重。一日，于去恶从外面回来，满脸忧愁，叹道：“我活着时贫穷卑贱，本以为死后能摆脱，没想到倒霉先生竟一路跟着我到了地下！”陶圣俞问他怎么回事。他说：“文昌奉命去都罗国册封国王，帘官的考试就取消了。那些游荡了几十年的闲神废鬼，混进来评阅文章，我们还有什么指望呢？”陶圣俞问：“这些都是什么人？”他说：“说出来你也不认识。随便举一两个人，你就能知道大概：乐正师旷、司库和峤就是。我想，命运靠不住，文章也靠不住，不如算了。”说完闷闷不乐，准备收拾行李。陶圣俞挽留安慰，他才留下。到了中元节那天晚上，于去恶对陶圣俞说：“我要进考场了。麻烦你天将亮时，到城东的野地里点一炷香，叫三声去恶，我就来。”说罢出门去了。陶圣俞买了酒，烹好鲜鱼等他。东方发白时，便恭敬地照他说的做了。不久，于去恶带着一个年轻人来了。陶圣俞问那人的姓名，于去恶说：“这是方子晋，我的好朋友。刚才在考场里偶然遇见。他听说过兄长的大名，很想来拜会。”三人一起回到住处，点着蜡烛行了见面礼。年轻人身材修长，像美玉一般，举止谦和温雅，陶圣俞十分喜欢，便问：“子晋这次的文章，一定写得很称心吧？”于去恶说：“说起来可笑！考场里要求写的七篇文章，他已经写完了一大半，仔细看过主考官的姓名，就收拾东西直接出来了。真是个奇人！”陶圣俞扇着炉火，斟上酒，问道：“考场出了什么题目？去恶能不能考中第一名？”于去恶说：“四书文章和经义论各一篇，人人都能写。策问是：‘自古以来，邪恶的人和事固然很多，可是世风到了今天，奸恶的行径、丑陋的情状，越发无法形容。不仅十八层地狱不能把这些罪恶全部惩治，也容纳不下这些恶人。究竟用什么办法才好？有人说，应当酌情增加一两座地狱，可这又很违背上帝爱惜生灵的心意。究竟该增加，还是不该增加，或者另有办法可以从根源上清除罪恶，你们这些读书人都要把意见说清楚，不要隐瞒。’我的策文虽然算不上好，却写得相当痛快。表文的题目是：‘拟写一篇天魔被消灭后，按等级赏赐群臣龙马和天衣的表文。’接下来是‘奉命在瑶台作诗’和‘西池桃花赋’。这三篇，我自认考场里没有第二个人能比得上！”说完便拍起手来。方子晋笑道：“这会儿你正得意，我就让你独占风头吧；过几个时辰，要是你不放声痛哭，才算是个男子汉。”天亮后，方子晋要告辞。陶圣俞留他同住，他不肯，只约定晚上再来。可是过了三天，他也没来。陶圣俞让于去恶去找。于去恶说：“不用。子晋待人诚恳，不会无意再来。”太阳西斜时，方子晋果然来了，拿出一卷文章交给陶圣俞，说：“失约三天了。我恭敬地抄录了一百多篇旧作，请你评点。”陶圣俞捧着文章读，十分欢喜，读一句便赞一句，大致读完一两篇，就把文章收进箱里。三人谈到深夜，方子晋便留下，与于去恶同床睡下。从此就成了惯例，方子晋没有一晚不来，陶圣俞也只有见到他才高兴。一天晚上，方子晋匆忙进来，对陶圣俞说：“阴间的榜已经公布，于五哥落榜了！”于去恶正躺着，听见这话，惊得坐起来，泪水直流。两人尽力安慰，他才止住眼泪。但三人默默相对，实在难受。方子晋说：“刚听说大巡环张桓侯快到了，怕是失意的人编造的消息；要不是谣言，这次考试的结果还可能改变。”于去恶听了，脸上露出喜色。陶圣俞问缘故。他说：“桓侯就是张翼德，每三十年巡察阴曹一次，每三十五年巡察阳间一次。阴阳两界的不平之事，都要等这位老人来一举扫除。”说完起身，拉着方子晋一起走了。过了两夜，两人才回来。方子晋高兴地对陶圣俞说：“你不向五哥道喜吗？桓侯前天晚上到了，把阴间的榜撕得粉碎，榜上的名字只保留了三分之一。他把落选的卷子全看了一遍，看到五哥的文章，十分喜欢，推荐他担任交南巡海使，车马随时可能来接。”陶圣俞大喜，摆酒道贺。喝了几轮，于去恶问陶圣俞：“你家有空房吗？”陶圣俞问：“要做什么？”于去恶说：“子晋孤身一人，无家可归，又不忍心就这样离开兄长。我想让他借住你家，与你相伴。”陶圣俞高兴地说：“这样就太好了！即使房屋不多，同睡一张床又有什么妨碍？只是我父亲还在，得先禀告他。”于去恶说：“我确实知道令尊慈祥厚道，可以依靠。兄长进考场还有些日子，子晋要是等不及，让他先回去怎么样？”陶圣俞还是留他在旅店作伴，等着一起回家。第二天傍晚，有车马来到门前，接于去恶赴任。于去恶起身握着陶圣俞的手说：“从此就要分别了。有句话想告诉你，又怕妨碍你奋力进取的志气。”陶圣俞问：“什么话？”于去恶说：“你的命运艰难，生不逢时。这一科，考中的机会只有十分之一；下一科，桓侯来巡察阳间，公道刚开始显现，机会有十分之三；到第三科，才有希望。”陶圣俞听了，想放弃考试。于去恶说：“不能这样，这都是天命。即使明知道不行，命里注定的艰难，也得一一经历。”又转头对方子晋说：“不要再耽搁了，今天年、月、日、时都很吉利，就用这辆有车盖的车送你回去，我自己骑马走。”方子晋高兴地拜别。陶圣俞心里纷乱，不知道该嘱咐什么，只流着泪送别。看见车马分路而行，一会儿都消失了，这才后悔子晋回北方，自己竟没写封信让他带回去，可已来不及了。三场考试结束，陶圣俞觉得考得不大如意，奔波着回到家。一进门就问子晋，家里却没人知道。他便向父亲讲了经过。父亲高兴地说：“这样说来，客人早就到了。”原来，陶老翁先前白天睡觉时，梦见一辆有车盖的车停在门前，一个俊美的年轻人从车里出来，走到堂上行礼。老翁惊讶地问他从哪里来。他回答：“大哥答应借我一间屋子，因为要进考场，不能一起来，我就先到了。”说完，请求进去拜见母亲。老翁正在客气推辞，恰好家里的老妇人进来说：“夫人生了位公子！”老翁猛然醒来，觉得十分奇怪。这一天，陶圣俞所说的恰与梦境相合，才知道这个孩子就是子晋转世。父子俩都很高兴，给孩子取名小晋。孩子刚出生时，常在夜里哭，母亲为此很苦恼。陶圣俞说：“如果他是子晋，我去见他，他应该就不哭了。”当时的习俗忌讳客人冲犯婴儿，所以不让陶圣俞见他。后来母亲实在受不了哭声，才叫陶圣俞进去。陶圣俞轻声哄他说：“子晋，别这样！我来了！”孩子正哭得厉害，听到声音便停下来，目不转睛地望着他，像是在仔细辨认。陶圣俞摸了摸他的头便走了。从此，孩子再也不这样啼哭。几个月后，陶圣俞却不敢轻易去见他：一见面，他就弯着身子要抱；陶圣俞一走，他就哭个不停。陶圣俞也十分亲近疼爱他。四岁时，他离开母亲，总要跟哥哥睡；哥哥外出，他就装睡，等哥哥回来。哥哥在枕边教他《毛诗》，他轻声背诵，一夜能读完四十多行。把子晋留下的文章给他，他便高高兴兴地读，读过一遍就能背下来；换别的文章试他，却做不到。到了八九岁，他眉目清朗，活脱脱就是一个子晋。陶圣俞两次进考场，都没考中。丁酉年，科场舞弊案发，许多帘官被处死或流放，科举取士的风气为之一清，这正是张巡环的力量。陶圣俞下一科中了副榜，不久成为贡生。从此他放弃了求取功名的心愿，隐居教弟弟读书，常对人说：“我有这样的乐趣，就是拿翰苑的官职来换，我也不愿意。”
Tao Shengyu of Beiping was a scholar of some name. In the Shunzhi reign he went to sit the provincial examination and took lodgings outside the city wall. Stepping out of his door one day, he saw a man with a book-box on his back, wandering about at a loss, like someone who had been looking for a place to stay and found none. Tao asked him a few questions. The man set his load down in the road, and they fell to talking freely. He talked like a true man of letters. Tao was delighted with him and asked him to share his lodgings. The stranger was glad to, carried his bags in, and from then on they lived together. He said of himself, “I am from Shuntian. My surname is Yu, my courtesy name Qu’e.” As Tao was a little older, Yu called him elder brother. Yu did not care for going about to see the sights. He sat alone in his room most of the time, yet there were no books on his desk. When Tao was not talking to him, he simply lay down in silence. Tao grew suspicious and searched his bags and boxes: apart from a brush and an inkstone there was nothing at all. Puzzled, he asked about it. Yu laughed. “Do people like us wait till we are thirsty to dig a well?” One day he borrowed some books from Tao, shut his door and copied very fast, more than fifty sheets in a day; yet Tao never saw him fold them into volumes. Tao peeped in secretly. Each time Yu finished a sheet, he burned it and swallowed the ashes. More puzzled than ever, Tao asked him why. “This is how I do my reading,” said Yu. And he recited what he had copied, several pieces in a moment, without a word wrong. Tao was delighted and wanted to learn the art. Yu said it could not be done. Tao suspected him of being stingy and said something reproachful. “You really do misjudge me, brother,” said Yu. “If I don’t tell you, I have no way to lay my heart open. If I tell you outright, I am afraid you will be frightened and think me some monster. What am I to do?” “Tell me,” Tao insisted. “I won’t mind.” “I am not a man,” said Yu. “I am a ghost. In the underworld now, offices are given by examination. On the fourteenth day of the seventh month, by imperial decree, the examiners are to be tested; on the fifteenth the candidates enter the examination hall; and at the end of the month the list of passes is posted.” “Why test the examiners?” asked Tao. “It shows the care of the Lord on High. Every official, bird clerk or turtle officer, is tested. Those who can write are appointed to the inner curtain; those who can’t are given no part in it. For the gods of the dark world are like the prefects and magistrates of the world of light. The gentlemen who have made their way have never set eyes on the ancient classics. In their youth they took up a brick to knock at the gate and hunted down rank and fame; once the gate opened, they threw the brick away. Then after ten years or more of handling ledgers and papers, even a real scholar — has he a single character left in his head? The reason why, in the world of the living, the base and the useless get on by luck while men of talent are thwarted, is simply that this one examination is missing.” Tao agreed with all his heart, and from then on he held Yu in still greater respect and awe. One day Yu came in looking worried and sighed. “In life I was poor and lowly. I thought I would be free of that after death. Who would have thought Master Hard Luck would follow me underground!” Tao asked what had happened. “The God of Literature has been sent to the Kingdom of Duluo to invest its king, and so the examiners’ test has been called off. Idle spirits and worthless ghosts who have drifted about for decades will be mixed in among the graders. What hope is there for people like us?” “Who are they?” asked Tao. “Even if I told you, you would not know them. I’ll name one or two and you’ll get the general idea: Shi Kuang as Master of Music, He Qiao as Keeper of the Treasury. I’ve come to think that fate can’t be counted on and writing can’t be relied on. I had better give it up.” With that he fell into a gloom and began to pack for the road. Tao held him back and comforted him, and he stayed. On the evening of the Ghost Festival, Yu said to Tao, “I am going into the examination hall. Would you take a stick of incense to the fields east of town at first light and call ‘Qu’e’ three times? I will come.” And he went out the door. Tao bought wine and cooked fish and waited for him. When the east grew pale, he did just as he had been asked. Before long Yu came with a young man. Tao asked his name. “This is Fang Zijin, a good friend of mine,” said Yu. “We met by chance in the examination grounds just now. He has heard of your great name and very much wanted to meet you.” They went back to the lodging together and greeted each other properly by candlelight. The young man was tall and fine as jade, modest and gentle in manner, and Tao took a great liking to him. “Zijin,” he asked, “your essays must have pleased you very much?” “It’s laughable!” said Yu. “Of the seven pieces in the hall, he had written more than half. Then he took a good look at the names of the chief examiners, bundled up his things and walked straight out. A strange fellow!” Tao fanned the stove and served the wine. “What were the topics?” he asked. “Will you come out first, Qu’e?” “One essay on the Four Books and one discourse on the Classics — anyone could do those. Then the policy question: ‘Since ancient times wickedness has certainly been plentiful, but the ways of the world have now come to such a pass that villainy and vileness are beyond naming. Not only can the eighteen hells not deal with all of it; the eighteen hells cannot hold it. What means will serve? Some say one or two more hells should be added as needed, but that would go sorely against the Lord on High’s love of life. Whether hells should be added or not, or whether there is some other way to cleanse the source, let all you scholars speak your minds in full and hold nothing back.’ My answer was not good, but I had a fine time letting fly. The memorial: ‘The Heavenly Demons having been wiped out, the ministers are granted dragon steeds and celestial robes, each according to rank.’ Then ‘A Poem Composed by Command on the Jasper Terrace’ and ‘A Rhapsody on the Peach Blossoms of the Western Pool’. On those three I’d say no one in the hall could match me!” With that he clapped his hands. Fang laughed. “Enjoy it now. I’ve left the field to you. A few days from now, if you don’t weep bitterly, you’re a real man.” At daybreak Fang wanted to leave. Tao asked him to stay and lodge with them, but Fang would not; he only promised to come in the evening. Three days went by and he did not come back. Tao asked Yu to go and find him. “No need,” said Yu. “Zijin is sincere. He means to come.” When the sun had gone down in the west, Fang did come. He took out a scroll and gave it to Tao. “I broke my word for three days. I have copied out more than a hundred of my old essays, and beg you to judge them.” Tao read them reverently and was delighted, praising every line; after reading one or two pieces through, he put them away in his chest. They talked late into the night, and Fang stayed and shared a bed with Yu. From then on it was always so: there was not an evening Fang did not come, and Tao was never happy without him. One evening Fang burst in in a fluster and said to Tao, “The underworld list is up, and Fifth Brother Yu has failed!” Yu was lying down. At the news he started up, and the tears ran down his face. The two of them did all they could to console him, and at last he stopped crying. But they sat facing one another in silence, which was hard to bear. “I heard just now that the Grand Inspector, Zhang, Marquis Huan, is coming,” said Fang. “It may be a rumour made up by the failed candidates. If not, the examination may still be overturned.” Yu brightened at this. Tao asked why. “Marquis Huan, Zhang Yide, tours the underworld once every thirty years and the world of the living once every thirty-five. All the injustice of both worlds waits for the old man to clear it away at a stroke.” He got up and went off with Fang. They came back only after two nights. Fang said happily to Tao, “Won’t you congratulate Fifth Brother? The marquis arrived the night before last and tore the underworld list to shreds. Of the names on it, only a third were kept. He went through all the rejected papers, and when he found Fifth Brother’s he was delighted and recommended him as Sea Inspector of Jiaonan. Any day now the carriage and horses will come for him.” Tao was overjoyed and set out wine to congratulate him. After a few rounds Yu asked, “Is there a spare room in your house?” “What for?” said Tao. “Zijin is alone and has no home to go back to, and he can’t bear to turn coldly away from you. I thought he might lodge with you and stay by you.” “That would be a great happiness,” said Tao. “Even if we haven’t many rooms, he can share my bed. But my father is living, and I must ask him first.” “I know for certain that your honoured father is kind and generous and can be relied on,” said Yu. “Your examination is still some days off. If Zijin can’t wait, why not let him go home ahead of you?” But Tao kept him at the inn for company, so that they could go home together. The next day, just at dusk, a carriage and horses came to the door to take Yu to his post. Yu rose and clasped Tao’s hands. “Here we part. There is something I want to tell you, but I fear it will blunt your eagerness to press on.” “What is it?” “Your fate is a hard one; you were born at the wrong time. This session your chance is one in ten. Next session, when Marquis Huan comes to the world of the living and fairness first begins to show, it will be three in ten. Only at the third session can you hope.” Hearing this, Tao wanted to give up. “No,” said Yu. “It is all fixed by Heaven. Even if you know for certain it cannot be done, you must still go through every hardship that is fated for you.” Then he turned to Fang. “Don’t linger. Today the year, the month, the day and the hour are all lucky. I’ll send you home in the canopied carriage and ride off on horseback myself.” Fang gladly bowed his farewell. Tao’s mind was in a whirl; he did not know what parting words to give, and only wiped away his tears as he saw them off. He watched the carriage and the horse take different roads, and in a moment both were gone. Only then did he regret that Zijin had gone north without a word from him to carry home. But it was too late. When the three sessions were over, not very pleased with himself, he hurried home. The moment he came in he asked about Zijin, but no one in the house knew anything about him. So he told his father the whole story. His father was delighted. “If that is so, the guest arrived long ago.” Some time before, old Mr. Tao had been napping in the daytime and dreamed that a canopied carriage stopped at his gate. A handsome young man stepped out of it, came up into the hall and bowed to him. Surprised, the old man asked where he came from. “Big Brother promised to lend me a room,” he answered. “He is in the examination and couldn’t come with me, so I have come ahead.” Then he asked to go in and pay his respects to the lady of the house. The old man was politely declining when a maidservant came in and said, “The mistress has given birth to a son!” He woke with a start and thought it very strange. Now what Tao told him matched the dream exactly, and they knew the baby was Zijin reborn. Father and son were both overjoyed and named him Xiaojin, Little Jin. As a newborn the baby cried a great deal at night, and his mother was worn out. Tao said, “If he is Zijin, he will stop crying when he sees me.” But custom held that a visitor could upset a newborn, so they kept Tao away. In the end the mother could no longer bear the crying and called Tao in. Tao crooned to him, “Zijin, don’t! I’m here!” The baby was crying hard, but at the sound he stopped and stared without blinking, as if looking him over. Tao stroked his head and left. From then on the baby never cried again. After a few months Tao did not dare show himself to the child: whenever he did, the baby leaned forward from the waist to be held, and when Tao went away he cried and could not be stopped. Tao, for his part, doted on him. At four the boy left his mother and slept with his brother; when his brother was out, he would lie pretending to sleep until he came home. His brother taught him the Book of Songs on the pillow. He recited in a soft murmur, getting through more than forty lines a night. Given Zijin’s old essays, he read them with delight and knew them by heart after a single reading; tried on other writing, he could not do it. At eight or nine, with his clear, bright features, he was Zijin to the life. Tao sat the examination twice and failed both times. In the dingyou year the examination scandal broke. Many examiners were executed or banished, and the road to office was swept clean at a stroke. That was Inspector Zhang’s doing. At the next session Tao was placed on the supplementary list, and soon after was made a tribute student. Then he gave up all hopes for his future, lived in retirement and taught his little brother. He often said, “I have this joy. I would not trade it for the Hanlin Academy.”