荊州彭好士，友家飲歸。下馬溲便，馬齕草路傍。有細草一叢，蒙茸可愛，初放黃花，豔光奪目，馬食已過半矣。彭拔其餘莖，嗅之有異香，因納諸懷。超乘復行。馬騖駛絕馳，頗覺快意，竟不計算歸途，縱馬所之。忽見夕陽近山，始將旋轡。但望亂山叢沓，並不知其何所。一青衣人來，見馬方噴嘶，代為捉啣，曰：「天已近暮，吾家主人便請宿止。」彭問：「此屬何地？」曰：「閬中也。」彭大駭，蓋半日已千餘里矣。因問：「主人為誰？」曰：「到彼自知。」又問：「何在？」曰：「咫尺耳。」遂代鞚疾行，人馬若飛。過一山頭，見半山中屋宇重疊，雜以屏幔，遙睹衣冠一簇，若有所伺。彭至下馬，相向拱敬。俄，主人出，氣象剛猛，巾服都異人世。拱手向客，曰：「今日客莫遠於彭君。」因揖彭，請先行。彭謙謝，不肯遽先。主人捉臂行之。彭覺捉處如被械梏，痛欲折，不敢復爭，遂行。下此者，猶相推讓，主人或推之，或挽之，客皆呻吟傾跌，似不能堪，一依主命而行。登堂，則陳設炫麗，兩客一筵。彭暗問接坐者：「主人何人？」答云：「此張桓侯也。」彭愕然，不敢復咳。合座寂然。酒既行，桓侯曰：「歲歲叨擾親賓，聊設薄酌，盡此區區之意。值遠客辱臨，亦屬幸遇。僕竊妄有干求，如少存愛戀，即亦不強。」彭起問：「何物？」曰：「尊乘已有仙骨，非塵世所能驅策。欲市馬相易，如何？」彭曰：「敬以奉獻，不敢易也。」桓侯曰：「當報以良馬，且將賜以萬金。」彭離席伏謝。桓侯命人曳起之。俄傾，酒饌紛綸。日落，命燭。眾起辭，彭亦告別。桓侯曰：「君遠來焉歸？」彭顧同席者曰：「已求此公作居停主人矣。」桓侯乃遍以巨觴酌客。謂彭曰：「所懷香草，鮮者可以成仙，枯者可以點金；草七莖，得金一萬。」即命僮出方授彭。彭又拜謝。桓侯曰：「明日造市，請於馬群中任意擇其良者，不必與之論價，吾自給之。又告眾曰：「遠客歸家，可少助以資斧。」眾唯唯。觴盡，謝別而出。途中始詰姓字，同座者為劉子翬。同行二三里，越嶺，即睹村舍。眾客陪彭並至劉所，始述其異。先是，村中歲歲賽社於桓侯之廟，斬牲優戲，以為成規，劉其首善者也。三日前，賽社方畢。是午，各家皆有一人邀請過山。問之，言殊恍惚，但敦促甚急，過山見亭舍，相共駭疑。將至門，使者始實告之；眾亦不敢卻退。使者曰：「姑集此，邀一遠客行至矣。」蓋即彭也。眾述之驚怪。其中被把握者，皆患臂痛；解衣燭之，膚肉青黑。彭自視亦然。眾散，劉即襆被供寢。既明，村中爭延客；又伴彭入市相馬。十餘日，相數十匹，苦無佳者；彭亦拚苟就之。又入市，見一馬，骨相似佳；騎試之，神駿無比。逕騎入村，以待鬻者；再往尋之，其人已去。遂別村人欲歸。村人各餽金貲，遂歸。馬一日行五百里。抵家，述所自來，人不之信，囊中出蜀物，始共怪之。香草久枯，恰得七莖，遵方點化，家以暴富。遂敬詣故處，獨祀桓侯之祠，優戲三日而返。
荊州人彭好士在朋友家喝過酒，騎馬回家。途中下馬小便，讓馬在路邊吃草。那裡有一叢細草，長得柔密可愛，剛開出黃色的花，色澤鮮豔奪目，馬已經吃掉了一大半。彭好士拔下剩餘的草莖，聞見一股奇異的香氣，便放進懷裡。他翻身上馬，繼續趕路。馬飛快地賓士，他覺得十分暢快，竟不再考慮回家的路，任由馬隨意奔跑。忽然看見夕陽已靠近山頭，他才打算掉頭回去。可是放眼望去，群山雜亂重疊，根本不知道身在何處。這時，一個穿青衣的人走來，見馬正噴氣嘶鳴，就替他抓住馬嚼子，說：「天快黑了，我家主人請您去住一晚。」彭好士問：「這裡是什麼地方？」那人說：「閬中。」彭好士大吃一驚，原來半天工夫，他已經跑出了一千多里。他又問：「你家主人是誰？」那人說：「到了那裡就知道了。」又問：「在哪裡？」那人說：「就在眼前不遠。」說著便替他牽住韁繩，飛快地往前走，人和馬都像飛起來一樣。越過一個山頭，只見半山腰房屋層層疊疊，其間設著屏風和帷幔，遠遠看見一群戴帽穿袍的人，像是在等候什麼人。彭好士到了那裡，下馬與眾人相互拱手行禮。不久，主人出來了，神情威猛，頭巾和衣服都與人間的裝束不同。他向客人們拱手說：「今天的客人，沒有比彭君來得更遠的了。」於是向彭好士作揖，請他先走。彭好士謙讓推辭，不肯馬上走在前面。主人抓住他的胳膊，拉著他往裡走。彭好士覺得被抓住的地方像上了鐵枷一樣，疼得胳膊都快斷了，不敢再爭，只得往前走。後面的客人還在相互推讓，主人有的推，有的拉，客人們都疼得呻吟，踉蹌歪倒，像是承受不住，只好全按主人的吩咐往前走。進了大廳，只見陳設華麗耀眼，每兩位客人共坐一桌。彭好士悄悄問鄰座的人：「主人是誰？」那人回答：「這是張桓侯。」彭好士驚呆了，連咳嗽也不敢再咳一聲。滿座一片寂靜。喝過一輪酒，桓侯說：「年年承蒙各位親友費心招待，今天略備薄酒，表達我的一點心意。又有遠客賞光前來，也是難得的幸事。我冒昧地有個請求，若是您稍有捨不得，我也絕不勉強。」彭好士起身問：「您想要什麼？」桓侯說：「您的坐騎已經有了仙骨，不是凡間的人所能駕馭的。我想買一匹馬來跟您交換，怎麼樣？」彭好士說：「我願恭敬地獻給您，不敢要您拿馬來換。」桓侯說：「我會用一匹好馬報答您，還要贈給您一萬金。」彭好士離開座位，伏地拜謝。桓侯叫人把他拉起來。不一會兒，各種酒菜接連送上來。太陽落山後，又吩咐點上蠟燭。眾人起身告辭，彭好士也向主人道別。桓侯說：「您從那麼遠的地方來，要到哪裡去呢？」彭好士看著同桌的人說：「我已經請這位先生留我住宿了。」桓侯便用大酒杯給每位客人斟酒，又對彭好士說：「您懷裡的香草，新鮮的可以使人成仙，乾枯的可以用來點化金子。七根草莖，就能點化出一萬金。」隨即吩咐僮僕取出方法，交給彭好士。彭好士又拜謝。桓侯說：「明天您到集市去，在馬群裡隨意挑選好馬，不必跟賣馬的人議價，我自會付錢。」又對眾人說：「遠客要回家，各位可以稍微資助些路費。」眾人連聲答應。大家喝完杯中的酒，謝過主人，告辭出來。走在路上，彭好士才詢問眾人的姓名，知道同桌的人叫劉子翬。一起走了兩三里，越過一道山嶺，就看見了村舍。眾客陪著彭好士，一同來到劉子翬家，這才說起這件奇事。原來，村裡每年都要在桓侯廟舉行祭神酬願的活動，宰殺牲畜，請戲班演戲，早已成為慣例，劉子翬是其中主要的出資人。三天前，祭神活動剛剛結束。今天中午，各家都來了一個人，請他們翻過山去。問這些人究竟怎麼回事，他們說得含糊不清，卻催促得很急。眾人越過山，見到亭臺房舍，都又驚又疑。快到門口時，使者才說出實情，眾人也不敢退回去了。使者說：「請先在這裡聚齊，我們邀請的一位遠客就快到了。」說的正是彭好士。眾人講起這些事，都覺得驚奇。其中被主人抓過胳膊的人，胳膊都疼痛不已。脫下衣服，藉著燭光一看，皮肉已經青黑。彭好士看了看自己，也是一樣。眾人散去後，劉子翬就拿出被褥，安排他睡下。天亮後，村裡人爭著請他到家裡做客，又陪他去集市挑馬。十多天裡，看過幾十匹馬，苦於沒有好馬，彭好士也打算隨便挑一匹將就算了。他又到集市上，看見一匹馬，骨架體形似乎不錯，騎上去試了試，發現它矯健神速，無可相比。他徑直騎回村裡，等賣馬的人來；再回去尋找，那人已經走了。於是，他向村裡人告辭，準備回家。村裡人各自贈送了些錢，他便上路了。這匹馬一天能走五百里。回到家，他講起自己去過的地方，大家都不相信，直到他從袋子裡拿出蜀地的物品，眾人才一起稱奇。香草早已乾枯，恰好還有七根草莖。他按照桓侯教的方法點化金子，家裡一下子富裕起來。於是，他懷著敬意重返那裡，獨自出資到桓侯廟祭祀，請戲班演了三天戲，才返回家中。
荆州彭好士，友家饮归。下马溲便，马龁草路傍。有细草一丛，蒙茸可爱，初放黄花，艳光夺目，马食已过半矣。彭拔其余茎，嗅之有异香，因纳诸怀。超乘复行。马骛驶绝驰，颇觉快意，竟不计算归途，纵马所之。忽见夕阳近山，始将旋辔。但望乱山丛沓，并不知其何所。一青衣人来，见马方喷嘶，代为捉啣，曰：「天已近暮，吾家主人便请宿止。」彭问：「此属何地？」曰：「阆中也。」彭大骇，盖半日已千余里矣。因问：「主人为谁？」曰：「到彼自知。」又问：「何在？」曰：「咫尺耳。」遂代鞚疾行，人马若飞。过一山头，见半山中屋宇重叠，杂以屏幔，遥睹衣冠一簇，若有所伺。彭至下马，相向拱敬。俄，主人出，气象刚猛，巾服都异人世。拱手向客，曰：「今日客莫远于彭君。」因揖彭，请先行。彭谦谢，不肯遽先。主人捉臂行之。彭觉捉处如被械梏，痛欲折，不敢复争，遂行。下此者，犹相推让，主人或推之，或挽之，客皆呻吟倾跌，似不能堪，一依主命而行。登堂，则陈设炫丽，两客一筵。彭暗问接坐者：「主人何人？」答云：「此张桓侯也。」彭愕然，不敢复咳。合座寂然。酒既行，桓侯曰：「岁岁叨扰亲宾，聊设薄酌，尽此区区之意。值远客辱临，亦属幸遇。仆窃妄有干求，如少存爱恋，即亦不强。」彭起问：「何物？」曰：「尊乘已有仙骨，非尘世所能驱策。欲市马相易，如何？」彭曰：「敬以奉献，不敢易也。」桓侯曰：「当报以良马，且将赐以万金。」彭离席伏谢。桓侯命人曳起之。俄倾，酒馔纷纶。日落，命烛。众起辞，彭亦告别。桓侯曰：「君远来焉归？」彭顾同席者曰：「已求此公作居停主人矣。」桓侯乃遍以巨觞酌客。谓彭曰：「所怀香草，鲜者可以成仙，枯者可以点金；草七茎，得金一万。」即命僮出方授彭。彭又拜谢。桓侯曰：「明日造市，请于马群中任意择其良者，不必与之论价，吾自给之。又告众曰：「远客归家，可少助以资斧。」众唯唯。觞尽，谢别而出。途中始诘姓字，同座者为刘子翚。同行二三里，越岭，即睹村舍。众客陪彭并至刘所，始述其异。先是，村中岁岁赛社于桓侯之庙，斩牲优戏，以为成规，刘其首善者也。三日前，赛社方毕。是午，各家皆有一人邀请过山。问之，言殊恍惚，但敦促甚急，过山见亭舍，相共骇疑。将至门，使者始实告之；众亦不敢却退。使者曰：「姑集此，邀一远客行至矣。」盖即彭也。众述之惊怪。其中被把握者，皆患臂痛；解衣烛之，肤肉青黑。彭自视亦然。众散，刘即襆被供寝。既明，村中争延客；又伴彭入市相马。十余日，相数十匹，苦无佳者；彭亦拼苟就之。又入市，见一马，骨相似佳；骑试之，神骏无比。径骑入村，以待鬻者；再往寻之，其人已去。遂别村人欲归。村人各餽金赀，遂归。马一日行五百里。抵家，述所自来，人不之信，囊中出蜀物，始共怪之。香草久枯，恰得七茎，遵方点化，家以暴富。遂敬诣故处，独祀桓侯之祠，优戏三日而返。
荆州人彭好士在朋友家喝过酒，骑马回家。途中下马小便，让马在路边吃草。那里有一丛细草，长得柔密可爱，刚开出黄色的花，色泽鲜艳夺目，马已经吃掉了一大半。彭好士拔下剩余的草茎，闻见一股奇异的香气，便放进怀里。他翻身上马，继续赶路。马飞快地奔驰，他觉得十分畅快，竟不再考虑回家的路，任由马随意奔跑。忽然看见夕阳已靠近山头，他才打算掉头回去。可是放眼望去，群山杂乱重叠，根本不知道身在何处。这时，一个穿青衣的人走来，见马正喷气嘶鸣，就替他抓住马嚼子，说：“天快黑了，我家主人请您去住一晚。”彭好士问：“这里是什么地方？”那人说：“阆中。”彭好士大吃一惊，原来半天工夫，他已经跑出了一千多里。他又问：“你家主人是谁？”那人说：“到了那里就知道了。”又问：“在哪里？”那人说：“就在眼前不远。”说着便替他牵住缰绳，飞快地往前走，人和马都像飞起来一样。越过一个山头，只见半山腰房屋层层叠叠，其间设着屏风和帷幔，远远看见一群戴帽穿袍的人，像是在等候什么人。彭好士到了那里，下马与众人相互拱手行礼。不久，主人出来了，神情威猛，头巾和衣服都与人间的装束不同。他向客人们拱手说：“今天的客人，没有比彭君来得更远的了。”于是向彭好士作揖，请他先走。彭好士谦让推辞，不肯马上走在前面。主人抓住他的胳膊，拉着他往里走。彭好士觉得被抓住的地方像上了铁枷一样，疼得胳膊都快断了，不敢再争，只得往前走。后面的客人还在相互推让，主人有的推，有的拉，客人们都疼得呻吟，踉跄歪倒，像是承受不住，只好全按主人的吩咐往前走。进了大厅，只见陈设华丽耀眼，每两位客人共坐一桌。彭好士悄悄问邻座的人：“主人是谁？”那人回答：“这是张桓侯。”彭好士惊呆了，连咳嗽也不敢再咳一声。满座一片寂静。喝过一轮酒，桓侯说：“年年承蒙各位亲友费心招待，今天略备薄酒，表达我的一点心意。又有远客赏光前来，也是难得的幸事。我冒昧地有个请求，若是您稍有舍不得，我也绝不勉强。”彭好士起身问：“您想要什么？”桓侯说：“您的坐骑已经有了仙骨，不是凡间的人所能驾驭的。我想买一匹马来跟您交换，怎么样？”彭好士说：“我愿恭敬地献给您，不敢要您拿马来换。”桓侯说：“我会用一匹好马报答您，还要赠给您一万金。”彭好士离开座位，伏地拜谢。桓侯叫人把他拉起来。不一会儿，各种酒菜接连送上来。太阳落山后，又吩咐点上蜡烛。众人起身告辞，彭好士也向主人道别。桓侯说：“您从那么远的地方来，要到哪里去呢？”彭好士看着同桌的人说：“我已经请这位先生留我住宿了。”桓侯便用大酒杯给每位客人斟酒，又对彭好士说：“您怀里的香草，新鲜的可以使人成仙，干枯的可以用来点化金子。七根草茎，就能点化出一万金。”随即吩咐僮仆取出方法，交给彭好士。彭好士又拜谢。桓侯说：“明天您到集市去，在马群里随意挑选好马，不必跟卖马的人议价，我自会付钱。”又对众人说：“远客要回家，各位可以稍微资助些路费。”众人连声答应。大家喝完杯中的酒，谢过主人，告辞出来。走在路上，彭好士才询问众人的姓名，知道同桌的人叫刘子翚。一起走了两三里，越过一道山岭，就看见了村舍。众客陪着彭好士，一同来到刘子翚家，这才说起这件奇事。原来，村里每年都要在桓侯庙举行祭神酬愿的活动，宰杀牲畜，请戏班演戏，早已成为惯例，刘子翚是其中主要的出资人。三天前，祭神活动刚刚结束。今天中午，各家都来了一个人，请他们翻过山去。问这些人究竟怎么回事，他们说得含糊不清，却催促得很急。众人越过山，见到亭台房舍，都又惊又疑。快到门口时，使者才说出实情，众人也不敢退回去了。使者说：“请先在这里聚齐，我们邀请的一位远客就快到了。”说的正是彭好士。众人讲起这些事，都觉得惊奇。其中被主人抓过胳膊的人，胳膊都疼痛不已。脱下衣服，借着烛光一看，皮肉已经青黑。彭好士看了看自己，也是一样。众人散去后，刘子翚就拿出被褥，安排他睡下。天亮后，村里人争着请他到家里做客，又陪他去集市挑马。十多天里，看过几十匹马，苦于没有好马，彭好士也打算随便挑一匹将就算了。他又到集市上，看见一匹马，骨架体形似乎不错，骑上去试了试，发现它矫健神速，无可相比。他径直骑回村里，等卖马的人来；再回去寻找，那人已经走了。于是，他向村里人告辞，准备回家。村里人各自赠送了些钱，他便上路了。这匹马一天能走五百里。回到家，他讲起自己去过的地方，大家都不相信，直到他从袋子里拿出蜀地的物品，众人才一起称奇。香草早已干枯，恰好还有七根草茎。他按照桓侯教的方法点化金子，家里一下子富裕起来。于是，他怀着敬意重返那里，独自出资到桓侯庙祭祀，请戏班演了三天戏，才返回家中。
Peng Haoshi of Jingzhou was riding home after drinking at a friend’s house. He got down to relieve himself, and his horse cropped the grass by the road. There was a clump of fine grass there, soft and lovely, just coming into yellow flower, so bright it dazzled the eye; the horse had already eaten more than half of it. Peng pulled up the stems that were left. When he smelled them they gave off a strange fragrance, so he tucked them into the front of his robe. He leapt back into the saddle and rode on. The horse broke into a headlong gallop. Peng found it exhilarating, and with no thought for the way home he gave the horse its head. Suddenly he saw the setting sun close to the hills, and only then made to turn back. But all he could see was a jumble of hills crowding one on another, and he had no idea where he was. A servant in black came up, and seeing the horse snorting and neighing, took hold of its bit for him. “It is nearly dark,” he said. “My master invites you to stay the night.” “What place is this?” Peng asked. “Langzhong.” Peng was astounded: in half a day he had come more than a thousand li. “Who is your master?” he asked. “You will know when you get there.” “And where is he?” “Only a step away.” The man took the bridle and set off at speed; man and horse seemed to fly. Over the brow of a hill Peng saw, halfway down the slope, buildings rising tier on tier, hung here and there with screens and curtains, and in the distance a cluster of gentlemen in caps and robes, as though waiting for someone. Peng rode up and dismounted, and they bowed to one another. Presently the host came out. He had a fierce, forceful air, and his headcloth and robes were quite unlike anything in the world of men. He saluted the guests. “Of all our guests today, none has come farther than Mr. Peng.” He bowed to Peng and asked him to go in first. Peng modestly declined, unwilling to take precedence so readily. The host took him by the arm and walked him in. Where he was gripped, Peng felt as if clamped in irons; the pain was so great he thought the arm would snap. He dared not protest again, and went. The guests below him still went on deferring to one another. The host pushed some and hauled others; they all groaned and stumbled as if they could not bear it, and went in just as he bid. In the hall the furnishings were dazzling, two guests to a table. Peng quietly asked the man beside him, “Who is our host?” “That is Zhang, Marquis Huan.” Peng was stunned and dared not so much as cough. The whole company sat in silence. When the wine had gone round, the Marquis said, “Year after year I impose on you, my kin and friends, so I have laid on this modest drink to show my small gratitude. That a guest from afar should honour us as well is a lucky chance. I have presumed to make a request of him, but if he is at all loath to part with it, I will not press him.” Peng rose and asked, “What is it?” “Your mount now has the bones of an immortal; it is no longer a beast the mortal world can drive. I would like to buy a horse to give you in exchange. What do you say?” “I offer it to you with respect,” said Peng. “I would not dare take anything in exchange.” “You shall be repaid with a good horse,” said the Marquis, “and I will give you ten thousand taels besides.” Peng left his seat and prostrated himself in thanks. The Marquis had him pulled to his feet. Soon wine and dishes came in profusion. At sunset he called for candles. The guests rose to take their leave, and Peng too said goodbye. “You have come so far,” said the Marquis. “Where will you go?” Peng looked at the man who shared his table. “I have asked this gentleman to put me up.” The Marquis then poured a great goblet for every guest. To Peng he said, “That fragrant herb in your robe: fresh, it can make a man an immortal; dried, it can turn things to gold. Seven stems will yield ten thousand taels.” He had a pageboy bring out a recipe and give it to Peng, and Peng bowed his thanks again. “Tomorrow go to the market,” said the Marquis, “and pick whatever good horse you like from the herds. Don’t haggle over the price; I will pay it myself.” To the company he said, “Our guest from afar has a long way home. You might help him a little with his travelling money.” They all assented. When the goblets were drained, they thanked him, took their leave and went out. Only on the road did Peng ask names: the man at his table was Liu Zihui. They went on together two or three li, crossed a ridge, and saw the houses of a village. The guests all went with Peng to Liu’s house, and only then told him the strange story. Every year the village held a thanksgiving festival at the temple of Marquis Huan, slaughtering animals and putting on plays; it was long-standing custom, and Liu was its chief patron. The festival had ended three days before. Then, at noon that day, a man had come to every household with an invitation to cross the hill. When they questioned him his answers were very vague, but he urged them most insistently. Over the hill they saw the halls and pavilions and were all alarmed and uneasy. Only as they neared the gate did the messengers tell them the truth, and none of them dared turn back. The messengers said, “Gather here for now. We have invited a guest from afar, and he is on his way.” That was Peng. They told it with wonder. All those the host had gripped had aching arms; when they bared them under a candle, the flesh was black and blue. Peng looked at his own: it was the same. When the others had gone, Liu brought out bedding and gave him a bed. At daybreak the villagers vied with one another to entertain the guest, and went with him to the market to look at horses. In ten days and more he looked at dozens, but none was any good; Peng was ready to make do with what he could get. He went to the market once more and saw a horse that looked well built. He tried riding it: it was swift and spirited beyond compare. He rode it straight back to the village to wait for the seller, but when he went back to look for him, the man had gone. So Peng took leave of the villagers to go home. Each of them gave him money, and he set off. The horse covered five hundred li a day. At home, when he told where he had been, no one believed him, until he took goods from Shu out of his bag; then they all marvelled. The herb had long since dried. There were exactly seven stems. He followed the recipe and used them to make gold, and his family grew rich overnight. Then he went back reverently to the place, held a sacrifice at the Marquis’s shrine at his own expense, put on plays for three days, and came home.