第十一回 · 通篇閱讀 — Journey to the West

開卷詩

詩shī曰yuē：诗shī曰yuē：

百bǎi歲suì光guāng陰yīn似sì水shuǐ流liú，一yì生shēng事shì業yè等děng浮fú漚ōu。百bǎi岁suì光guāng阴yīn似sì水shuǐ流liú，一yì生shēng事shì业yè等děng浮fú沤ōu。

昨zuó朝zhāo面miàn上shàng桃táo花huā色sè，今jīn日rì頭tóu邊biān雪xuě片piàn浮fú。昨zuó朝zhāo面miàn上shàng桃táo花huā色sè，今jīn日rì头tóu边biān雪xuě片piàn浮fú。

白bái蟻yǐ陣zhèn殘cán方fāng是shì幻huàn，子zǐ規guī聲shēng切qiè早zǎo回huí頭tóu。白bái蚁yǐ阵zhèn残cán方fāng是shì幻huàn，子zǐ规guī声shēng切qiè早zǎo回huí头tóu。

古gǔ來lái陰yīn騭zhì能néng延yán壽shòu，善shàn不bù求qiú憐lián天tiān自zì周zhōu。古gǔ来lái阴yīn骘zhì能néng延yán寿shòu，善shàn不bù求qiú怜lián天tiān自zì周zhōu。

魂出五鳳樓

卻què說shuō太tài宗zōng渺miǎo渺miǎo茫máng茫máng，魂hún靈líng徑jìng出chū五wǔ鳳fèng樓lóu前qián，只zhǐ見jiàn那nà御yù林lín軍jūn馬mǎ，請qǐng大dà駕jià出chū朝cháo採cǎi獵liè。太tài宗zōng忻xīn然rán從cóng之zhī，縹piāo渺miǎo而ér去qù。行xíng了le多duō時shí，人rén馬mǎ俱jù無wú。獨dú自zì一yí個gè，散sàn步bù荒huāng郊jiāo草cǎo野yě之zhī間jiān。正zhèng驚jīng惶huáng難nán尋xún道dào路lù，只zhǐ見jiàn那nà一yì邊biān，有yǒu一yì人rén高gāo聲shēng大dà叫jiào道dào：「大dà唐táng皇huáng帝dì，往wǎng這zhè裡lǐ來lái，往wǎng這zhè裡lǐ來lái。」太tài宗zōng聞wén言yán，擡tái頭tóu觀guān看kàn，只zhǐ見jiàn那nà人rén：却què说shuō太tài宗zōng渺miǎo渺miǎo茫máng茫máng，魂hún灵líng径jìng出chū五wǔ凤fèng楼lóu前qián，只zhǐ见jiàn那nà御yù林lín军jūn马mǎ，请qǐng大dà驾jià出chū朝cháo采cǎi猎liè。太tài宗zōng忻xīn然rán从cóng之zhī，缥piāo渺miǎo而ér去qù。行xíng了le多duō时shí，人rén马mǎ俱jù无wú。独dú自zì一yí个gè，散sàn步bù荒huāng郊jiāo草cǎo野yě之zhī间jiān。正zhèng惊jīng惶huáng难nán寻xún道dào路lù，只zhǐ见jiàn那nà一yì边biān，有yǒu一yì人rén高gāo声shēng大dà叫jiào道dào：「大dà唐táng皇huáng帝dì，往wǎng这zhè里lǐ来lái，往wǎng这zhè里lǐ来lái。」太tài宗zōng闻wén言yán，抬tái头tóu观guān看kàn，只zhǐ见jiàn那nà人rén：

掌案判官

頭tóu頂dǐng烏wū紗shā，腰yāo圍wéi犀xī角jiǎo。头tóu顶dǐng乌wū纱shā，腰yāo围wéi犀xī角jiǎo。

頭tóu頂dǐng烏wū紗shā飄piāo軟ruǎn帶dài，腰yāo圍wéi犀xī角jiǎo顯xiǎn金jīn廂xiāng。头tóu顶dǐng乌wū纱shā飘piāo软ruǎn带dài，腰yāo围wéi犀xī角jiǎo显xiǎn金jīn厢xiāng。

手shǒu擎qíng牙yá笏hù凝níng祥xiáng靄ǎi，身shēn著zhuó羅luó袍páo隱yǐn瑞ruì光guāng。手shǒu擎qíng牙yá笏hù凝níng祥xiáng霭ǎi，身shēn着zhuó罗luó袍páo隐yǐn瑞ruì光guāng。

腳jiǎo踏tà一yì雙shuāng粉fěn底dǐ靴xuē，登dēng雲yún促cù霧wù；脚jiǎo踏tà一yì双shuāng粉fěn底dǐ靴xuē，登dēng云yún促cù雾wù；

懷huái揣chuāi一yì本běn生shēng死sǐ簿bù，注zhù定dìng存cún亡wáng。怀huái揣chuāi一yì本běn生shēng死sǐ簿bù，注zhù定dìng存cún亡wáng。

鬢bìn髮fà蓬péng鬆sōng飄piāo耳ěr上shàng，鬍hú鬚xū飛fēi舞wǔ繞rào腮sāi旁páng。鬓bìn发fà蓬péng松sōng飘piāo耳ěr上shàng，胡hú须xū飞fēi舞wǔ绕rào腮sāi旁páng。

昔xī日rì曾céng為wéi唐táng國guó相xiàng，如rú今jīn掌zhǎng案àn侍shì閻yán王wáng。昔xī日rì曾céng为wéi唐táng国guó相xiàng，如rú今jīn掌zhǎng案àn侍shì阎yán王wáng。

崔珏接駕

太tài宗zōng行xíng到dào那nà邊biān，只zhǐ見jiàn他tā跪guì拜bài路lù旁páng，口kǒu稱chēng：「陛bì下xià，赦shè臣chén失shī誤wù遠yuǎn迎yíng之zhī罪zuì。」太tài宗zōng問wèn曰yuē：「你nǐ是shì何hé人rén？因yīn甚shén事shì前qián來lái接jiē拜bài？」那nà人rén道dào：「微wēi臣chén半bàn月yuè前qián在zài森sēn羅luó殿diàn上shàng，見jiàn涇jīng河hé鬼guǐ龍lóng告gào陛bì下xià許xǔ救jiù反fǎn誅zhū之zhī故gù，第dì一yī殿diàn秦qín廣guǎng大dà王wáng即jí差chāi鬼guǐ使shǐ催cuī請qǐng陛bì下xià，要yào三sān曹cáo對duì案àn。臣chén已yǐ知zhī之zhī，故gù來lái此cǐ間jiān候hòu接jiē。不bù期qī今jīn日rì來lái遲chí，望wàng乞qǐ恕shù罪zuì，恕shù罪zuì。」太tài宗zōng道dào：「你nǐ姓xìng甚shén名míng誰shuí？是shì何hé官guān職zhí？」那nà人rén道dào：「微wēi臣chén存cún日rì，在zài陽yáng曹cáo侍shì先xiān君jūn駕jià前qián，為wéi茲zī州zhōu令lìng，後hòu拜bài禮lǐ部bù侍shì郎láng，姓xìng崔cuī名míng珏jué。今jīn在zài陰yīn司sī，得dé受shòu酆fēng都dū掌zhǎng案àn判pàn官guān。」太tài宗zōng大dà喜xǐ，即jí近jìn前qián，御yù手shǒu忙máng攙chān道dào：「先xiān生shēng遠yuǎn勞láo。朕zhèn駕jià前qián魏wèi徵zhēng有yǒu書shū一yì封fēng，正zhèng寄jì與yǔ先xiān生shēng，卻què好hǎo相xiāng遇yù。」判pàn官guān謝xiè恩ēn，問wèn書shū在zài何hé處chù。太tài宗zōng即jí向xiàng袖xiù中zhōng取qǔ出chū遞dì與yǔ。崔cuī珏jué拜bài接jiē了le，拆chāi封fēng而ér看kàn。其qí書shū曰yuē：太tài宗zōng行xíng到dào那nà边biān，只zhǐ见jiàn他tā跪guì拜bài路lù旁páng，口kǒu称chēng：「陛bì下xià，赦shè臣chén失shī误wù远yuǎn迎yíng之zhī罪zuì。」太tài宗zōng问wèn曰yuē：「你nǐ是shì何hé人rén？因yīn甚shén事shì前qián来lái接jiē拜bài？」那nà人rén道dào：「微wēi臣chén半bàn月yuè前qián在zài森sēn罗luó殿diàn上shàng，见jiàn泾jīng河hé鬼guǐ龙lóng告gào陛bì下xià许xǔ救jiù反fǎn诛zhū之zhī故gù，第dì一yī殿diàn秦qín广guǎng大dà王wáng即jí差chāi鬼guǐ使shǐ催cuī请qǐng陛bì下xià，要yào三sān曹cáo对duì案àn。臣chén已yǐ知zhī之zhī，故gù来lái此cǐ间jiān候hòu接jiē。不bù期qī今jīn日rì来lái迟chí，望wàng乞qǐ恕shù罪zuì，恕shù罪zuì。」太tài宗zōng道dào：「你nǐ姓xìng甚shén名míng谁shuí？是shì何hé官guān职zhí？」那nà人rén道dào：「微wēi臣chén存cún日rì，在zài阳yáng曹cáo侍shì先xiān君jūn驾jià前qián，为wéi兹zī州zhōu令lìng，后hòu拜bài礼lǐ部bù侍shì郎láng，姓xìng崔cuī名míng珏jué。今jīn在zài阴yīn司sī，得dé受shòu酆fēng都dū掌zhǎng案àn判pàn官guān。」太tài宗zōng大dà喜xǐ，即jí近jìn前qián，御yù手shǒu忙máng搀chān道dào：「先xiān生shēng远yuǎn劳láo。朕zhèn驾jià前qián魏wèi征zhēng有yǒu书shū一yì封fēng，正zhèng寄jì与yǔ先xiān生shēng，却què好hǎo相xiāng遇yù。」判pàn官guān谢xiè恩ēn，问wèn书shū在zài何hé处chù。太tài宗zōng即jí向xiàng袖xiù中zhōng取qǔ出chū递dì与yǔ。崔cuī珏jué拜bài接jiē了le，拆chāi封fēng而ér看kàn。其qí书shū曰yuē：

魏徵之書

辱rǔ愛ài弟dì魏wèi徵zhēng頓dùn首shǒu書shū拜bài大dà都dū案àn契qì兄xiōng崔cuī老lǎo先xiān生shēng臺tái下xià：憶yì昔xī交jiāo遊yóu，音yīn容róng如rú在zài。倏shū爾ěr數shù載zǎi，不bù聞wén清qīng教jiào。常cháng只zhǐ是shì遇yù節jié令lìng，設shè蔬shū品pǐn奉fèng祭jì，未wèi卜bǔ享xiǎng否fǒu？又yòu承chéng不bú棄qì，夢mèng中zhōng臨lín示shì，始shǐ知zhī我wǒ兄xiōng長zhǎng大dà人rén高gāo遷qiān。奈nài何hé陰yīn陽yáng兩liǎng隔gé，天tiān各gè一yì方fāng，不bù能néng面miàn覿dí。今jīn因yīn我wǒ太tài宗zōng文wén皇huáng帝dì倏shū然rán而ér故gù，料liào是shì對duì案àn三sān曹cáo，必bì然rán得dé與yǔ兄xiōng長zhǎng相xiāng會huì。萬wàn祈qí俯fǔ念niàn生shēng日rì交jiāo情qíng，方fāng便biàn一yī二èr，放fàng我wǒ陛bì下xià回huí陽yáng，殊shū為wéi愛ài也yě。容róng再zài修xiū謝xiè。不bú盡jìn。辱rǔ爱ài弟dì魏wèi征zhēng顿dùn首shǒu书shū拜bài大dà都dū案àn契qì兄xiōng崔cuī老lǎo先xiān生shēng台tái下xià：忆yì昔xī交jiāo游yóu，音yīn容róng如rú在zài。倏shū尔ěr数shù载zǎi，不bù闻wén清qīng教jiào。常cháng只zhǐ是shì遇yù节jié令lìng，设shè蔬shū品pǐn奉fèng祭jì，未wèi卜bǔ享xiǎng否fǒu？又yòu承chéng不bú弃qì，梦mèng中zhōng临lín示shì，始shǐ知zhī我wǒ兄xiōng长zhǎng大dà人rén高gāo迁qiān。奈nài何hé阴yīn阳yáng两liǎng隔gé，天tiān各gè一yì方fāng，不bù能néng面miàn觌dí。今jīn因yīn我wǒ太tài宗zōng文wén皇huáng帝dì倏shū然rán而ér故gù，料liào是shì对duì案àn三sān曹cáo，必bì然rán得dé与yǔ兄xiōng长zhǎng相xiāng会huì。万wàn祈qí俯fǔ念niàn生shēng日rì交jiāo情qíng，方fāng便biàn一yī二èr，放fàng我wǒ陛bì下xià回huí阳yáng，殊shū为wéi爱ài也yě。容róng再zài修xiū谢xiè。不bú尽jìn。

判官許諾

那nà判pàn官guān看kàn了le書shū，滿mǎn心xīn歡huān喜xǐ道dào：「魏wèi人rén曹cáo前qián日rì夢mèng斬zhǎn老lǎo龍lóng一yí事shì，臣chén已yǐ早zǎo知zhī，甚shèn是shì誇kuā獎jiǎng不bú盡jìn。又yòu蒙méng他tā早zǎo晚wǎn看kàn顧gù臣chén的de子zǐ孫sūn，今jīn日rì既jì有yǒu書shū來lái，陛bì下xià寬kuān心xīn，微wēi臣chén管guǎn送sòng陛bì下xià還huán陽yáng，重chóng登dēng玉yù闕què。」太tài宗zōng稱chēng謝xiè了le。那nà判pàn官guān看kàn了le书shū，满mǎn心xīn欢huān喜xǐ道dào：「魏wèi人rén曹cáo前qián日rì梦mèng斩zhǎn老lǎo龙lóng一yí事shì，臣chén已yǐ早zǎo知zhī，甚shèn是shì夸kuā奖jiǎng不bú尽jìn。又yòu蒙méng他tā早zǎo晚wǎn看kàn顾gù臣chén的de子zǐ孙sūn，今jīn日rì既jì有yǒu书shū来lái，陛bì下xià宽kuān心xīn，微wēi臣chén管guǎn送sòng陛bì下xià还huán阳yáng，重chóng登dēng玉yù阙què。」太tài宗zōng称chēng谢xiè了le。

鬼門關

二èr人rén正zhèng說shuō間jiān，只zhǐ見jiàn那nà邊biān有yǒu一yí對duì青qīng衣yī童tóng子zǐ執zhí幢chuáng幡fān、寶bǎo蓋gài，高gāo叫jiào道dào：「閻yán王wáng有yǒu請qǐng，有yǒu請qǐng。」太tài宗zōng遂suì與yǔ崔cuī判pàn官guān並bìng二èr童tóng子zǐ舉jǔ步bù前qián進jìn。忽hū見jiàn一yí座zuò城chéng，城chéng門mén上shàng掛guà著zhe一yí面miàn大dà牌pái，上shàng寫xiě著zhe「幽yōu冥míng地dì府fǔ鬼guǐ門mén關guān」七qī個gè大dà金jīn字zì。那nà青qīng衣yī將jiāng幢chuáng幡fān搖yáo動dòng，引yǐn太tài宗zōng徑jìng入rù城chéng中zhōng，順shùn街jiē而ér走zǒu。只zhǐ見jiàn那nà街jiē傍páng邊biān有yǒu先xiān主zhǔ李lǐ淵yuān、先xiān兄xiōng建jiàn成chéng、故gù弟dì元yuán吉jí，上shàng前qián道dào：「世shì民mín來lái了le，世shì民mín來lái了le。」那nà建jiàn成chéng、元yuán吉jí就jiù來lái揪jiū打dǎ索suǒ命mìng。太tài宗zōng躲duǒ閃shǎn不bù及jí，被bèi他tā扯chě住zhù。幸xìng有yǒu崔cuī判pàn官guān喚huàn一yì青qīng面miàn獠liáo牙yá鬼guǐ使shǐ，喝hè退tuì了le建jiàn成chéng、元yuán吉jí，太tài宗zōng方fāng得dé脫tuō身shēn而ér去qù。行xíng不bú數shù里lǐ，見jiàn一yí座zuò碧bì瓦wǎ樓lóu臺tái，真zhēn個gè壯zhuàng麗lì。但dàn見jiàn：二èr人rén正zhèng说shuō间jiān，只zhǐ见jiàn那nà边biān有yǒu一yí对duì青qīng衣yī童tóng子zǐ执zhí幢chuáng幡fān、宝bǎo盖gài，高gāo叫jiào道dào：「阎yán王wáng有yǒu请qǐng，有yǒu请qǐng。」太tài宗zōng遂suì与yǔ崔cuī判pàn官guān并bìng二èr童tóng子zǐ举jǔ步bù前qián进jìn。忽hū见jiàn一yí座zuò城chéng，城chéng门mén上shàng挂guà着zhe一yí面miàn大dà牌pái，上shàng写xiě着zhe「幽yōu冥míng地dì府fǔ鬼guǐ门mén关guān」七qī个gè大dà金jīn字zì。那nà青qīng衣yī将jiāng幢chuáng幡fān摇yáo动dòng，引yǐn太tài宗zōng径jìng入rù城chéng中zhōng，顺shùn街jiē而ér走zǒu。只zhǐ见jiàn那nà街jiē傍páng边biān有yǒu先xiān主zhǔ李lǐ渊yuān、先xiān兄xiōng建jiàn成chéng、故gù弟dì元yuán吉jí，上shàng前qián道dào：「世shì民mín来lái了le，世shì民mín来lái了le。」那nà建jiàn成chéng、元yuán吉jí就jiù来lái揪jiū打dǎ索suǒ命mìng。太tài宗zōng躲duǒ闪shǎn不bù及jí，被bèi他tā扯chě住zhù。幸xìng有yǒu崔cuī判pàn官guān唤huàn一yì青qīng面miàn獠liáo牙yá鬼guǐ使shǐ，喝hè退tuì了le建jiàn成chéng、元yuán吉jí，太tài宗zōng方fāng得dé脱tuō身shēn而ér去qù。行xíng不bú数shù里lǐ，见jiàn一yí座zuò碧bì瓦wǎ楼lóu台tái，真zhēn个gè壮zhuàng丽lì。但dàn见jiàn：

森羅殿賦

飄piāo飄piāo萬wàn疊dié彩cǎi霞xiá堆duī，隱yǐn隱yǐn千qiān條tiáo紅hóng霧wù現xiàn。飘piāo飘piāo万wàn叠dié彩cǎi霞xiá堆duī，隐yǐn隐yǐn千qiān条tiáo红hóng雾wù现xiàn。

耿gěng耿gěng簷yán飛fēi怪guài獸shòu頭tóu，輝huī輝huī五wǔ疊dié鴛yuān鴦yāng片piàn。耿gěng耿gěng簷yán飞fēi怪guài兽shòu头tóu，辉huī辉huī五wǔ叠dié鸳yuān鸯yāng片piàn。

門mén鑽zuān幾jǐ路lù赤chì金jīn釘dìng，檻kǎn設shè一yì橫héng白bái玉yù段duàn。门mén钻zuān几jǐ路lù赤chì金jīn钉dìng，槛kǎn设shè一yì横héng白bái玉yù段duàn。

牕chuāng牖yǒu近jìn光guāng放fàng曉xiǎo煙yān，簾lián櫳lóng幌huǎng亮liàng穿chuān紅hóng電diàn。牕chuāng牖yǒu近jìn光guāng放fàng晓xiǎo烟yān，帘lián栊lóng幌huǎng亮liàng穿chuān红hóng电diàn。

樓lóu臺tái高gāo聳sǒng接jiē青qīng霄xiāo，廊láng廡wǔ平píng排pái連lián寶bǎo院yuàn。楼lóu台tái高gāo耸sǒng接jiē青qīng霄xiāo，廊láng庑wǔ平píng排pái连lián宝bǎo院yuàn。

獸shòu鼎dǐng香xiāng雲yún襲xí御yù衣yī，絳jiàng紗shā燈dēng火huǒ明míng宮gōng扇shàn。兽shòu鼎dǐng香xiāng云yún袭xí御yù衣yī，绛jiàng纱shā灯dēng火huǒ明míng宫gōng扇shàn。

左zuǒ邊biān猛měng烈liè擺bǎi牛niú頭tóu，右yòu下xià崢zhēng嶸róng羅luó馬mǎ面miàn。左zuǒ边biān猛měng烈liè摆bǎi牛niú头tóu，右yòu下xià峥zhēng嵘róng罗luó马mǎ面miàn。

接jiē亡wáng送sòng鬼guǐ轉zhuǎn金jīn牌pái，引yǐn魄pò招zhāo魂hún垂chuí素sù練liàn。接jiē亡wáng送sòng鬼guǐ转zhuǎn金jīn牌pái，引yǐn魄pò招zhāo魂hún垂chuí素sù练liàn。

喚huàn作zuò陰yīn司sī總zǒng會huì門mén，下xià方fāng閻yán老lǎo森sēn羅luó殿diàn。唤huàn作zuò阴yīn司sī总zǒng会huì门mén，下xià方fāng阎yán老lǎo森sēn罗luó殿diàn。

十王迎駕

太tài宗zōng正zhèng在zài外wài面miàn觀guān看kàn，只zhǐ見jiàn那nà壁bì廂xiāng環huán珮pèi叮dīng噹dāng，仙xiān香xiāng奇qí異yì，外wài有yǒu兩liǎng對duì提tí燭zhú，後hòu面miàn卻què是shì十shí代dài閻yán王wáng降jiàng階jiē而ér至zhì，是shì那nà十shí代dài閻yán君jūn：秦qín廣guǎng王wáng、初chū江jiāng王wáng、宋sòng帝dì王wáng、仵wǔ官guān王wáng、閻yán羅luó王wáng、平píng等děng王wáng、泰tài山shān王wáng、都dū市shì王wáng、卞biàn城chéng王wáng、轉zhuǎn輪lún王wáng。十shí王wáng出chū在zài森sēn羅luó寶bǎo殿diàn，控kòng背bèi躬gōng身shēn，迎yíng迓yà太tài宗zōng。太tài宗zōng謙qiān下xià，不bù敢gǎn前qián行xíng。十shí王wáng道dào：「陛bì下xià是shì陽yáng間jiān人rén王wáng，我wǒ等děng是shì陰yīn間jiān鬼guǐ王wáng，分fèn所suǒ當dāng然rán，何hé須xū過guò讓ràng？」太tài宗zōng道dào：「朕zhèn得dé罪zuì麾huī下xià，豈qǐ敢gǎn論lùn陰yīn陽yáng人rén鬼guǐ之zhī道dào？」遜xùn之zhī不bù已yǐ。太tài宗zōng前qián行xíng，徑jìng入rù森sēn羅luó殿diàn上shàng，與yǔ十shí王wáng禮lǐ畢bì，分fēn賓bīn主zhǔ坐zuò定dìng。太tài宗zōng正zhèng在zài外wài面miàn观guān看kàn，只zhǐ见jiàn那nà壁bì厢xiāng环huán珮pèi叮dīng当dāng，仙xiān香xiāng奇qí异yì，外wài有yǒu两liǎng对duì提tí烛zhú，后hòu面miàn却què是shì十shí代dài阎yán王wáng降jiàng阶jiē而ér至zhì，是shì那nà十shí代dài阎yán君jūn：秦qín广guǎng王wáng、初chū江jiāng王wáng、宋sòng帝dì王wáng、仵wǔ官guān王wáng、阎yán罗luó王wáng、平píng等děng王wáng、泰tài山shān王wáng、都dū市shì王wáng、卞biàn城chéng王wáng、转zhuǎn轮lún王wáng。十shí王wáng出chū在zài森sēn罗luó宝bǎo殿diàn，控kòng背bèi躬gōng身shēn，迎yíng迓yà太tài宗zōng。太tài宗zōng谦qiān下xià，不bù敢gǎn前qián行xíng。十shí王wáng道dào：「陛bì下xià是shì阳yáng间jiān人rén王wáng，我wǒ等děng是shì阴yīn间jiān鬼guǐ王wáng，分fèn所suǒ当dāng然rán，何hé须xū过guò让ràng？」太tài宗zōng道dào：「朕zhèn得dé罪zuì麾huī下xià，岂qǐ敢gǎn论lùn阴yīn阳yáng人rén鬼guǐ之zhī道dào？」逊xùn之zhī不bù已yǐ。太tài宗zōng前qián行xíng，径jìng入rù森sēn罗luó殿diàn上shàng，与yǔ十shí王wáng礼lǐ毕bì，分fēn宾bīn主zhǔ坐zuò定dìng。

三曹對案

約yuē有yǒu片piàn時shí，秦qín廣guǎng王wáng拱gǒng手shǒu而ér進jìn言yán曰yuē：「涇jīng河hé鬼guǐ龍lóng告gào陛bì下xià許xǔ救jiù而ér反fǎn殺shā之zhī，何hé也yě？」太tài宗zōng道dào：「朕zhèn曾céng夜yè夢mèng老lǎo龍lóng求qiú救jiù，實shí是shì允yǔn他tā無wú事shì。不bù期qī他tā犯fàn罪zuì當dāng刑xíng，該gāi我wǒ那nà人rén曹cáo官guān魏wèi徵zhēng處chù斬zhǎn。朕zhèn宣xuān魏wèi徵zhēng在zài殿diàn著zhuó棋qí，不bù知zhī他tā一yí夢mèng而ér斬zhǎn。這zhè是shì那nà人rén曹cáo官guān出chū沒méi神shén機jī，又yòu是shì那nà龍lóng王wáng犯fàn罪zuì當dāng死sǐ，豈qǐ是shì朕zhèn之zhī過guò也yě？」约yuē有yǒu片piàn时shí，秦qín广guǎng王wáng拱gǒng手shǒu而ér进jìn言yán曰yuē：「泾jīng河hé鬼guǐ龙lóng告gào陛bì下xià许xǔ救jiù而ér反fǎn杀shā之zhī，何hé也yě？」太tài宗zōng道dào：「朕zhèn曾céng夜yè梦mèng老lǎo龙lóng求qiú救jiù，实shí是shì允yǔn他tā无wú事shì。不bù期qī他tā犯fàn罪zuì当dāng刑xíng，该gāi我wǒ那nà人rén曹cáo官guān魏wèi征zhēng处chù斩zhǎn。朕zhèn宣xuān魏wèi征zhēng在zài殿diàn着zhuó棋qí，不bù知zhī他tā一yí梦mèng而ér斩zhǎn。这zhè是shì那nà人rén曹cáo官guān出chū没méi神shén机jī，又yòu是shì那nà龙lóng王wáng犯fàn罪zuì当dāng死sǐ，岂qǐ是shì朕zhèn之zhī过guò也yě？」

十王伏禮

十shí王wáng聞wén言yán，伏fú禮lǐ道dào：「自zì那nà龍lóng未wèi生shēng之zhī前qián，南nán斗dòu星xīng死sǐ簿bù上shàng已yǐ註zhù定dìng該gāi遭zāo殺shā於yú人rén曹cáo之zhī手shǒu，我wǒ等děng早zǎo已yǐ知zhī之zhī。但dàn只zhǐ是shì他tā在zài此cǐ折zhé辨biàn，定dìng要yào陛bì下xià來lái此cǐ，三sān曹cáo對duì案àn。是shì我wǒ等děng將jiāng他tā送sòng入rù輪lún藏zàng，轉zhuǎn生shēng去qù了le。今jīn又yòu有yǒu勞láo陛bì下xià降jiàng臨lín，望wàng乞qǐ恕shù我wǒ催cuī促cù之zhī罪zuì。」十shí王wáng闻wén言yán，伏fú礼lǐ道dào：「自zì那nà龙lóng未wèi生shēng之zhī前qián，南nán斗dòu星xīng死sǐ簿bù上shàng已yǐ注zhù定dìng该gāi遭zāo杀shā于yú人rén曹cáo之zhī手shǒu，我wǒ等děng早zǎo已yǐ知zhī之zhī。但dàn只zhǐ是shì他tā在zài此cǐ折zhé辨biàn，定dìng要yào陛bì下xià来lái此cǐ，三sān曹cáo对duì案àn。是shì我wǒ等děng将jiāng他tā送sòng入rù轮lún藏zàng，转zhuǎn生shēng去qù了le。今jīn又yòu有yǒu劳láo陛bì下xià降jiàng临lín，望wàng乞qǐ恕shù我wǒ催cuī促cù之zhī罪zuì。」

判官添壽

言yán畢bì，命mìng掌zhǎng生shēng死sǐ簿bù判pàn官guān急jí取qǔ簿bù子zi來lái，看kàn陛bì下xià陽yáng壽shòu天tiān祿lù該gāi有yǒu幾jǐ何hé。崔cuī判pàn官guān急jí轉zhuǎn司sī房fáng，將jiāng天tiān下xià萬wàn國guó國guó王wáng天tiān祿lù總zǒng簿bù，先xiān逐zhú一yī檢jiǎn閱yuè，只zhǐ見jiàn南nán贍shàn部bù洲zhōu大dà唐táng太tài宗zōng皇huáng帝dì註zhù定dìng貞zhēn觀guān一yī十shí三sān年nián。崔cuī判pàn官guān吃chī了le一yì驚jīng，急jí取qǔ濃nóng墨mò大dà筆bǐ，將jiāng「一yī」字zì上shàng添tiān了le兩liǎng畫huà，卻què將jiāng簿bù子zi呈chéng上shàng。十shí王wáng從cóng頭tóu一yí看kàn，見jiàn太tài宗zōng名míng下xià註zhù定dìng三sān十shí三sān年nián，閻yán王wáng驚jīng問wèn：「陛bì下xià登dēng基jī多duō少shǎo年nián了le？」太tài宗zōng道dào：「朕zhèn即jí位wèi，今jīn一yī十shí三sān年nián了le。」閻yán王wáng道dào：「陛bì下xià寬kuān心xīn勿wù慮lǜ，還hái有yǒu二èr十shí年nián陽yáng壽shòu。此cǐ一yì來lái已yǐ是shì對duì案àn明míng白bái，請qǐng返fǎn本běn還huán陽yáng。」言yán毕bì，命mìng掌zhǎng生shēng死sǐ簿bù判pàn官guān急jí取qǔ簿bù子zi来lái，看kàn陛bì下xià阳yáng寿shòu天tiān禄lù该gāi有yǒu几jǐ何hé。崔cuī判pàn官guān急jí转zhuǎn司sī房fáng，将jiāng天tiān下xià万wàn国guó国guó王wáng天tiān禄lù总zǒng簿bù，先xiān逐zhú一yī检jiǎn阅yuè，只zhǐ见jiàn南nán赡shàn部bù洲zhōu大dà唐táng太tài宗zōng皇huáng帝dì注zhù定dìng贞zhēn观guān一yī十shí三sān年nián。崔cuī判pàn官guān吃chī了le一yì惊jīng，急jí取qǔ浓nóng墨mò大dà笔bǐ，将jiāng「一yī」字zì上shàng添tiān了le两liǎng画huà，却què将jiāng簿bù子zi呈chéng上shàng。十shí王wáng从cóng头tóu一yí看kàn，见jiàn太tài宗zōng名míng下xià注zhù定dìng三sān十shí三sān年nián，阎yán王wáng惊jīng问wèn：「陛bì下xià登dēng基jī多duō少shǎo年nián了le？」太tài宗zōng道dào：「朕zhèn即jí位wèi，今jīn一yī十shí三sān年nián了le。」阎yán王wáng道dào：「陛bì下xià宽kuān心xīn勿wù虑lǜ，还hái有yǒu二èr十shí年nián阳yáng寿shòu。此cǐ一yì来lái已yǐ是shì对duì案àn明míng白bái，请qǐng返fǎn本běn还huán阳yáng。」

瓜果之約

太tài宗zōng聞wén言yán，躬gōng身shēn稱chēng謝xiè。十shí閻yán王wáng差chāi崔cuī判pàn官guān、朱zhū太tài尉wèi二èr人rén，送sòng太tài宗zōng還huán魂hún。太tài宗zōng出chū森sēn羅luó殿diàn，又yòu起qǐ手shǒu問wèn十shí王wáng道dào：「朕zhèn宮gōng中zhōng老lǎo少shào安ān否fǒu如rú何hé？」十shí王wáng道dào：「俱jù安ān，但dàn恐kǒng御yù妹mèi壽shòu似sì不bù永yǒng。」太tài宗zōng又yòu再zài拜bài啟qǐ謝xiè：「朕zhèn回huí陽yáng世shì，無wú物wù可kě酬chóu謝xiè，惟wéi答dá瓜guā果guǒ而ér已yǐ。」十shí王wáng喜xǐ曰yuē：「我wǒ處chù頗pō有yǒu東dōng瓜guā、西xī瓜guā，只zhǐ少shǎo南nán瓜guā。」太tài宗zōng道dào：「朕zhèn回huí去qù即jí送sòng來lái，即jí送sòng來lái。」從cóng此cǐ遂suì相xiāng揖yī而ér別bié。太tài宗zōng闻wén言yán，躬gōng身shēn称chēng谢xiè。十shí阎yán王wáng差chāi崔cuī判pàn官guān、朱zhū太tài尉wèi二èr人rén，送sòng太tài宗zōng还huán魂hún。太tài宗zōng出chū森sēn罗luó殿diàn，又yòu起qǐ手shǒu问wèn十shí王wáng道dào：「朕zhèn宫gōng中zhōng老lǎo少shào安ān否fǒu如rú何hé？」十shí王wáng道dào：「俱jù安ān，但dàn恐kǒng御yù妹mèi寿shòu似sì不bù永yǒng。」太tài宗zōng又yòu再zài拜bài启qǐ谢xiè：「朕zhèn回huí阳yáng世shì，无wú物wù可kě酬chóu谢xiè，惟wéi答dá瓜guā果guǒ而ér已yǐ。」十shí王wáng喜xǐ曰yuē：「我wǒ处chù颇pō有yǒu东dōng瓜guā、西xī瓜guā，只zhǐ少shǎo南nán瓜guā。」太tài宗zōng道dào：「朕zhèn回huí去qù即jí送sòng来lái，即jí送sòng来lái。」从cóng此cǐ遂suì相xiāng揖yī而ér别bié。

太尉引路

那nà太tài尉wèi執zhí一yì首shǒu引yǐn魂hún旛fān，在zài前qián引yǐn路lù。崔cuī判pàn官guān隨suí後hòu保bǎo著zhe太tài宗zōng，徑jìng出chū幽yōu司sī。太tài宗zōng舉jǔ目mù而ér看kàn，不bú是shì舊jiù路lù，問wèn判pàn官guān曰yuē：「此cǐ路lù差chà矣yǐ？」判pàn官guān道dào：「不bú差chà。陰yīn司sī裡lǐ是shì這zhè般bān，有yǒu去qù路lù，無wú來lái路lù。如rú今jīn送sòng陛bì下xià自zì轉zhuǎn輪lún藏zàng出chū身shēn，一yī則zé請qǐng陛bì下xià遊yóu觀guān地dì府fǔ，一yī則zé教jiào陛bì下xià轉zhuǎn托tuō超chāo生shēng。」太tài宗zōng只zhǐ得dé隨suí他tā兩liǎng個gè引yǐn路lù前qián來lái。那nà太tài尉wèi执zhí一yì首shǒu引yǐn魂hún旛fān，在zài前qián引yǐn路lù。崔cuī判pàn官guān随suí后hòu保bǎo着zhe太tài宗zōng，径jìng出chū幽yōu司sī。太tài宗zōng举jǔ目mù而ér看kàn，不bú是shì旧jiù路lù，问wèn判pàn官guān曰yuē：「此cǐ路lù差chà矣yǐ？」判pàn官guān道dào：「不bú差chà。阴yīn司sī里lǐ是shì这zhè般bān，有yǒu去qù路lù，无wú来lái路lù。如rú今jīn送sòng陛bì下xià自zì转zhuǎn轮lún藏zàng出chū身shēn，一yī则zé请qǐng陛bì下xià游yóu观guān地dì府fǔ，一yī则zé教jiào陛bì下xià转zhuǎn托tuō超chāo生shēng。」太tài宗zōng只zhǐ得dé随suí他tā两liǎng个gè引yǐn路lù前qián来lái。

背陰山

徑jìng行xíng數shù里lǐ，忽hū見jiàn一yí座zuò高gāo山shān，陰yīn雲yún垂chuí地dì，黑hēi霧wù迷mí空kōng。太tài宗zōng道dào：「崔cuī先xiān生shēng，那nà廂xiāng是shì甚shén麼me山shān？」判pàn官guān道dào：「乃nǎi幽yōu冥míng背bèi陰yīn山shān。」太tài宗zōng悚sǒng懼jù道dào：「朕zhèn如rú何hé去qù得dé？」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià寬kuān心xīn，有yǒu臣chén等děng引yǐn領lǐng。」太tài宗zōng戰zhàn戰zhàn兢jīng兢jīng，相xiāng隨suí二èr人rén，上shàng得dé山shān岩yán，擡tái頭tóu觀guān看kàn，只zhǐ見jiàn：径jìng行xíng数shù里lǐ，忽hū见jiàn一yí座zuò高gāo山shān，阴yīn云yún垂chuí地dì，黑hēi雾wù迷mí空kōng。太tài宗zōng道dào：「崔cuī先xiān生shēng，那nà厢xiāng是shì甚shén么me山shān？」判pàn官guān道dào：「乃nǎi幽yōu冥míng背bèi阴yīn山shān。」太tài宗zōng悚sǒng惧jù道dào：「朕zhèn如rú何hé去qù得dé？」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià宽kuān心xīn，有yǒu臣chén等děng引yǐn领lǐng。」太tài宗zōng战zhàn战zhàn兢jīng兢jīng，相xiāng随suí二èr人rén，上shàng得dé山shān岩yán，抬tái头tóu观guān看kàn，只zhǐ见jiàn：

背陰山賦

形xíng多duō凸tū凹āo，勢shì更gèng崎qí嶇qū。形xíng多duō凸tū凹āo，势shì更gèng崎qí岖qū。

峻jùn如rú蜀shǔ嶺lǐng，高gāo似sì廬lú巖yán。峻jùn如rú蜀shǔ岭lǐng，高gāo似sì庐lú岩yán。

非fēi陽yáng世shì之zhī名míng山shān，實shí陰yīn司sī之zhī險xiǎn地dì。非fēi阳yáng世shì之zhī名míng山shān，实shí阴yīn司sī之zhī险xiǎn地dì。

荊jīng棘jí叢cóng叢cóng藏cáng鬼guǐ怪guài，石shí崖yá磷lín磷lín隱yǐn邪xié魔mó。荆jīng棘jí丛cóng丛cóng藏cáng鬼guǐ怪guài，石shí崖yá磷lín磷lín隐yǐn邪xié魔mó。

耳ěr畔pàn不bù聞wén獸shòu鳥niǎo噪zào，眼yǎn前qián惟wéi見jiàn鬼guǐ妖yāo行xíng。耳ěr畔pàn不bù闻wén兽shòu鸟niǎo噪zào，眼yǎn前qián惟wéi见jiàn鬼guǐ妖yāo行xíng。

陰yīn風fēng颯sà颯sà，黑hēi霧wù漫màn漫màn。阴yīn风fēng飒sà飒sà，黑hēi雾wù漫màn漫màn。

陰yīn風fēng颯sà颯sà，是shì神shén兵bīng口kǒu內nèi哨shào來lái煙yān；阴yīn风fēng飒sà飒sà，是shì神shén兵bīng口kǒu内nèi哨shào来lái烟yān；

黑hēi霧wù漫màn漫màn，是shì鬼guǐ祟suì暗àn中zhōng噴pēn出chū氣qì。黑hēi雾wù漫màn漫màn，是shì鬼guǐ祟suì暗àn中zhōng喷pēn出chū气qì。

一yí望wàng高gāo低dī無wú景jǐng色sè，相xiāng看kàn左zuǒ右yòu盡jìn猖chāng亡wáng。一yí望wàng高gāo低dī无wú景jǐng色sè，相xiāng看kàn左zuǒ右yòu尽jìn猖chāng亡wáng。

那nà裡lǐ山shān也yě有yǒu，峰fēng也yě有yǒu，嶺lǐng也yě有yǒu，洞dòng也yě有yǒu，澗jiàn也yě有yǒu；那nà里lǐ山shān也yě有yǒu，峰fēng也yě有yǒu，岭lǐng也yě有yǒu，洞dòng也yě有yǒu，涧jiàn也yě有yǒu；

只zhǐ是shì山shān不bù生shēng草cǎo，峰fēng不bù插chā天tiān，嶺lǐng不bù行xíng客kè，洞dòng不bú納nà雲yún，澗jiàn不bù流liú水shuǐ。只zhǐ是shì山shān不bù生shēng草cǎo，峰fēng不bù插chā天tiān，岭lǐng不bù行xíng客kè，洞dòng不bú纳nà云yún，涧jiàn不bù流liú水shuǐ。

岸àn前qián皆jiē魍wǎng魎liǎng，嶺lǐng下xià盡jìn神shén魔mó，洞dòng中zhōng收shōu野yě鬼guǐ，澗jiàn底dǐ隱yǐn邪xié魂hún。岸àn前qián皆jiē魍wǎng魉liǎng，岭lǐng下xià尽jìn神shén魔mó，洞dòng中zhōng收shōu野yě鬼guǐ，涧jiàn底dǐ隐yǐn邪xié魂hún。

山shān前qián山shān後hòu，牛niú頭tóu馬mǎ面miàn亂luàn喧xuān呼hū；山shān前qián山shān后hòu，牛niú头tóu马mǎ面miàn乱luàn喧xuān呼hū；

半bàn掩yǎn半bàn藏cáng，餓è鬼guǐ窮qióng魂hún時shí對duì泣qì。半bàn掩yǎn半bàn藏cáng，饿è鬼guǐ穷qióng魂hún时shí对duì泣qì。

催cuī命mìng的de判pàn官guān，急jí急jí忙máng忙máng傳chuán信xìn票piào；催cuī命mìng的de判pàn官guān，急jí急jí忙máng忙máng传chuán信xìn票piào；

追zhuī魂hún的de太tài尉wèi，吆yāo吆yāo喝hè喝hè趲zǎn公gōng文wén。追zhuī魂hún的de太tài尉wèi，吆yāo吆yāo喝hè喝hè趱zǎn公gōng文wén。

急jí腳jiǎo子zi，旋xuán風fēng滾gǔn滾gǔn；急jí脚jiǎo子zi，旋xuán风fēng滚gǔn滚gǔn；

勾gōu司sī人rén，黑hēi霧wù紛fēn紛fēn。勾gōu司sī人rén，黑hēi雾wù纷fēn纷fēn。

十八層地獄

太tài宗zōng全quán靠kào著zhe那nà判pàn官guān保bǎo護hù，過guò了le陰yīn山shān。前qián進jìn又yòu歷lì了le許xǔ多duō衙yá門mén，一yí處chù處chù俱jù是shì悲bēi聲shēng振zhèn耳ěr，惡è怪guài驚jīng心xīn。太tài宗zōng又yòu道dào：「此cǐ是shì何hé處chù？」判pàn官guān道dào：「此cǐ是shì陰yīn山shān背bèi後hòu一yī十shí八bā層céng地dì獄yù。」太tài宗zōng道dào：「是shì那nǎ十shí八bā層céng？」判pàn官guān道dào：「你nǐ聽tīng我wǒ說shuō：太tài宗zōng全quán靠kào着zhe那nà判pàn官guān保bǎo护hù，过guò了le阴yīn山shān。前qián进jìn又yòu历lì了le许xǔ多duō衙yá门mén，一yí处chù处chù俱jù是shì悲bēi声shēng振zhèn耳ěr，恶è怪guài惊jīng心xīn。太tài宗zōng又yòu道dào：「此cǐ是shì何hé处chù？」判pàn官guān道dào：「此cǐ是shì阴yīn山shān背bèi后hòu一yī十shí八bā层céng地dì狱yù。」太tài宗zōng道dào：「是shì那nǎ十shí八bā层céng？」判pàn官guān道dào：「你nǐ听tīng我wǒ说shuō：

十八獄

吊diào筋jīn獄yù、幽yōu枉wǎng獄yù、火huǒ坑kēng獄yù，寂jì寂jì寥liáo寥liáo，煩fán煩fán惱nǎo惱nǎo，盡jìn皆jiē是shì生shēng前qián作zuò下xià千qiān般bān業yè，死sǐ後hòu通tōng來lái受shòu罪zuì名míng。吊diào筋jīn狱yù、幽yōu枉wǎng狱yù、火huǒ坑kēng狱yù，寂jì寂jì寥liáo寥liáo，烦fán烦fán恼nǎo恼nǎo，尽jìn皆jiē是shì生shēng前qián作zuò下xià千qiān般bān业yè，死sǐ后hòu通tōng来lái受shòu罪zuì名míng。

酆fēng都dū獄yù、拔bá舌shé獄yù、剝bō皮pí獄yù，哭kū哭kū啼tí啼tí，悽qī悽qī慘cǎn慘cǎn，只zhǐ因yīn不bù忠zhōng不bú孝xiào傷shāng天tiān理lǐ，佛fó口kǒu蛇shé心xīn墮duò此cǐ門mén。酆fēng都dū狱yù、拔bá舌shé狱yù、剥bō皮pí狱yù，哭kū哭kū啼tí啼tí，凄qī凄qī惨cǎn惨cǎn，只zhǐ因yīn不bù忠zhōng不bú孝xiào伤shāng天tiān理lǐ，佛fó口kǒu蛇shé心xīn堕duò此cǐ门mén。

磨mó捱ái獄yù、碓duì搗dǎo獄yù、車chē崩bēng獄yù，皮pí開kāi肉ròu綻zhàn，抹mǒ嘴zuǐ咨zī牙yá，乃nǎi是shì瞞mán心xīn昧mèi己jǐ不bù公gōng道dào，巧qiǎo語yǔ花huā言yán暗àn損sǔn人rén。磨mó挨ái狱yù、碓duì捣dǎo狱yù、车chē崩bēng狱yù，皮pí开kāi肉ròu绽zhàn，抹mǒ嘴zuǐ咨zī牙yá，乃nǎi是shì瞒mán心xīn昧mèi己jǐ不bù公gōng道dào，巧qiǎo语yǔ花huā言yán暗àn损sǔn人rén。

寒hán冰bīng獄yù、脫tuō殼qiào獄yù、抽chōu腸cháng獄yù，垢gòu面miàn蓬péng頭tóu，愁chóu眉méi皺zhòu眼yǎn，都dōu是shì大dà斗dòu小xiǎo秤chèng欺qī痴chī蠢chǔn，致zhì使shǐ災zāi屯tún累lèi自zì身shēn。寒hán冰bīng狱yù、脱tuō壳qiào狱yù、抽chōu肠cháng狱yù，垢gòu面miàn蓬péng头tóu，愁chóu眉méi皱zhòu眼yǎn，都dōu是shì大dà斗dòu小xiǎo秤chèng欺qī痴chī蠢chǔn，致zhì使shǐ灾zāi屯tún累lèi自zì身shēn。

油yóu鍋guō獄yù、黑hēi暗àn獄yù、刀dāo山shān獄yù，戰zhàn戰zhàn兢jīng兢jīng，悲bēi悲bēi切qiè切qiè，皆jiē因yīn強qiáng暴bào欺qī良liáng善shàn，藏cáng頭tóu縮suō頸jǐng苦kǔ伶líng仃dīng。油yóu锅guō狱yù、黑hēi暗àn狱yù、刀dāo山shān狱yù，战zhàn战zhàn兢jīng兢jīng，悲bēi悲bēi切qiè切qiè，皆jiē因yīn强qiáng暴bào欺qī良liáng善shàn，藏cáng头tóu缩suō颈jǐng苦kǔ伶líng仃dīng。

血xuè池chí獄yù、阿ā鼻bí獄yù、秤chèng杆gān獄yù，脫tuō皮pí露lù骨gǔ，折zhé臂bì斷duàn筋jīn，也yě只zhǐ為wèi謀móu財cái害hài命mìng，宰zǎi畜chù屠tú生shēng，墮duò落luò千qiān年nián難nán解jiě釋shì，沉chén淪lún永yǒng世shì不bù翻fān身shēn。血xuè池chí狱yù、阿ā鼻bí狱yù、秤chèng杆gān狱yù，脱tuō皮pí露lù骨gǔ，折zhé臂bì断duàn筋jīn，也yě只zhǐ为wèi谋móu财cái害hài命mìng，宰zǎi畜chù屠tú生shēng，堕duò落luò千qiān年nián难nán解jiě释shì，沉chén沦lún永yǒng世shì不bù翻fān身shēn。

一yí個gè個gè緊jǐn縛fù牢láo拴shuān，繩shéng纏chán索suǒ綁bǎng。一yí个gè个gè紧jǐn缚fù牢láo拴shuān，绳shéng缠chán索suǒ绑bǎng。

差chāi些xiē赤chì髮fà鬼guǐ、黑hēi臉liǎn鬼guǐ，長cháng槍qiāng短duǎn劍jiàn；差chāi些xiē赤chì发fà鬼guǐ、黑hēi脸liǎn鬼guǐ，长cháng枪qiāng短duǎn剑jiàn；

牛niú頭tóu鬼guǐ、馬mǎ面miàn鬼guǐ，鐵tiě簡jiǎn銅tóng鎚chuí：只zhǐ打dǎ得de皺zhòu眉méi苦kǔ面miàn血xiě淋lín淋lín，叫jiào地dì叫jiào天tiān無wú救jiù應yìng。牛niú头tóu鬼guǐ、马mǎ面miàn鬼guǐ，铁tiě简jiǎn铜tóng锤chuí：只zhǐ打dǎ得de皱zhòu眉méi苦kǔ面miàn血xiě淋lín淋lín，叫jiào地dì叫jiào天tiān无wú救jiù应yìng。

善惡之報

正zhèng是shì：正zhèng是shì：

人rén生shēng卻què莫mò把bǎ心xīn欺qī，神shén鬼guǐ昭zhāo彰zhāng放fàng過guò誰shuí？人rén生shēng却què莫mò把bǎ心xīn欺qī，神shén鬼guǐ昭zhāo彰zhāng放fàng过guò谁shuí？

善shàn惡è到dào頭tóu終zhōng有yǒu報bào，只zhǐ爭zhēng來lái早zǎo與yǔ來lái遲chí。」善shàn恶è到dào头tóu终zhōng有yǒu报bào，只zhǐ争zhēng来lái早zǎo与yǔ来lái迟chí。」

金銀奈河

太tài宗zōng聽tīng說shuō，心xīn中zhōng驚jīng慘cǎn。進jìn前qián又yòu走zǒu不bù多duō時shí，見jiàn一yì夥huǒ鬼guǐ卒zú各gè執zhí幢chuáng幡fān，路lù傍páng跪guì下xià道dào：「橋qiáo梁liáng使shǐ者zhě來lái接jiē。」判pàn官guān喝hè令lìng起qǐ去qù，上shàng前qián引yǐn著zhe太tài宗zōng，從cóng金jīn橋qiáo而ér過guò。太tài宗zōng又yòu見jiàn那nà一yì邊biān有yǒu一yí座zuò銀yín橋qiáo，橋qiáo上shàng行xíng幾jǐ個gè忠zhōng孝xiào賢xián良liáng之zhī輩bèi，公gōng平píng正zhèng大dà之zhī人rén，亦yì有yǒu幢chuáng幡fān接jiē引yǐn；那nà壁bì廂xiāng又yòu有yǒu一yì橋qiáo，寒hán風fēng滾gǔn滾gǔn，血xuè浪làng滔tāo滔tāo，號hào泣qì之zhī聲shēng不bù絕jué。太tài宗zōng問wèn道dào：「那nà座zuò橋qiáo是shì何hé名míng色sè？」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià，那nà叫jiào做zuò奈nài河hé橋qiáo。若ruò到dào陽yáng間jiān，切qiè須xū傳chuán記jì。那nà橋qiáo下xià都dōu是shì些xiē：太tài宗zōng听tīng说shuō，心xīn中zhōng惊jīng惨cǎn。进jìn前qián又yòu走zǒu不bù多duō时shí，见jiàn一yì伙huǒ鬼guǐ卒zú各gè执zhí幢chuáng幡fān，路lù傍páng跪guì下xià道dào：「桥qiáo梁liáng使shǐ者zhě来lái接jiē。」判pàn官guān喝hè令lìng起qǐ去qù，上shàng前qián引yǐn着zhe太tài宗zōng，从cóng金jīn桥qiáo而ér过guò。太tài宗zōng又yòu见jiàn那nà一yì边biān有yǒu一yí座zuò银yín桥qiáo，桥qiáo上shàng行xíng几jǐ个gè忠zhōng孝xiào贤xián良liáng之zhī辈bèi，公gōng平píng正zhèng大dà之zhī人rén，亦yì有yǒu幢chuáng幡fān接jiē引yǐn；那nà壁bì厢xiāng又yòu有yǒu一yì桥qiáo，寒hán风fēng滚gǔn滚gǔn，血xuè浪làng滔tāo滔tāo，号hào泣qì之zhī声shēng不bù绝jué。太tài宗zōng问wèn道dào：「那nà座zuò桥qiáo是shì何hé名míng色sè？」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià，那nà叫jiào做zuò奈nài河hé桥qiáo。若ruò到dào阳yáng间jiān，切qiè须xū传chuán记jì。那nà桥qiáo下xià都dōu是shì些xiē：

奈河橋賦

奔bēn流liú浩hào浩hào之zhī水shuǐ，險xiǎn峻jùn窄zhǎi窄zhǎi之zhī路lù。奔bēn流liú浩hào浩hào之zhī水shuǐ，险xiǎn峻jùn窄zhǎi窄zhǎi之zhī路lù。

儼yǎn如rú疋pǐ練liàn搭dā長cháng江jiāng，卻què似sì火huǒ坑kēng浮fú上shàng界jiè。俨yǎn如rú疋pǐ练liàn搭dā长cháng江jiāng，却què似sì火huǒ坑kēng浮fú上shàng界jiè。

陰yīn氣qì逼bī人rén寒hán透tòu骨gǔ，腥xīng風fēng撲pū鼻bí味wèi鑽zuān心xīn。阴yīn气qì逼bī人rén寒hán透tòu骨gǔ，腥xīng风fēng扑pū鼻bí味wèi钻zuān心xīn。

波bō翻fān浪làng滾gǔn，往wǎng來lái並bìng沒méi渡dù人rén船chuán；波bō翻fān浪làng滚gǔn，往wǎng来lái并bìng没méi渡dù人rén船chuán；

赤chì腳jiǎo蓬péng頭tóu，出chū入rù盡jìn皆jiē作zuò業yè鬼guǐ。赤chì脚jiǎo蓬péng头tóu，出chū入rù尽jìn皆jiē作zuò业yè鬼guǐ。

橋qiáo長cháng數shù里lǐ，闊kuò只zhǐ三sān㪥zhā，高gāo有yǒu百bǎi尺chǐ，深shēn卻què千qiān重chóng。桥qiáo长cháng数shù里lǐ，阔kuò只zhǐ三sān㪥zhā，高gāo有yǒu百bǎi尺chǐ，深shēn却què千qiān重chóng。

上shàng無wú扶fú手shǒu欄lán杆gān，下xià有yǒu搶qiǎng人rén惡è怪guài。上shàng无wú扶fú手shǒu栏lán杆gān，下xià有yǒu抢qiǎng人rén恶è怪guài。

枷jiā杻chǒu纏chán身shēn，打dǎ上shàng奈nài河hé險xiǎn路lù。枷jiā杻chǒu缠chán身shēn，打dǎ上shàng奈nài河hé险xiǎn路lù。

你nǐ看kàn那nà橋qiáo邊biān神shén將jiàng甚shèn兇xiōng頑wán，河hé內nèi孽niè魂hún真zhēn苦kǔ惱nǎo。你nǐ看kàn那nà桥qiáo边biān神shén将jiàng甚shèn凶xiōng顽wán，河hé内nèi孽niè魂hún真zhēn苦kǔ恼nǎo。

枒yā杈chā樹shù上shàng，掛guà的de是shì青qīng紅hóng黃huáng紫zǐ色sè絲sī衣yī；枒yā杈chā树shù上shàng，挂guà的de是shì青qīng红hóng黄huáng紫zǐ色sè丝sī衣yī；

壁bì斗dǒu崖yá前qián，蹲dūn的de是shì毀huǐ罵mà公gōng婆pó淫yín潑pō婦fù。壁bì斗dǒu崖yá前qián，蹲dūn的de是shì毁huǐ骂mà公gōng婆pó淫yín泼pō妇fù。

銅tóng蛇shé鐵tiě狗gǒu任rèn爭zhēng餐cān，永yǒng墮duò奈nài河hé無wú出chū路lù。」铜tóng蛇shé铁tiě狗gǒu任rèn争zhēng餐cān，永yǒng堕duò奈nài河hé无wú出chū路lù。」

奈河橋詩

詩shī曰yuē：诗shī曰yuē：

時shí聞wén鬼guǐ哭kū與yǔ神shén號háo，血xuè水shuǐ渾hún波bō萬wàn丈zhàng高gāo。时shí闻wén鬼guǐ哭kū与yǔ神shén号háo，血xuè水shuǐ浑hún波bō万wàn丈zhàng高gāo。

無wú數shù牛niú頭tóu並bìng馬mǎ面miàn，猙zhēng獰níng把bǎ守shǒu奈nài河hé橋qiáo。无wú数shù牛niú头tóu并bìng马mǎ面miàn，狰zhēng狞níng把bǎ守shǒu奈nài河hé桥qiáo。

枉死城

正zhèng說shuō間jiān，那nà幾jǐ個gè橋qiáo梁liáng使shǐ者zhě早zǎo已yǐ回huí去qù了le。太tài宗zōng心xīn又yòu驚jīng惶huáng，點diǎn頭tóu暗àn嘆tàn，默mò默mò悲bēi傷shāng。相xiāng隨suí著zhe判pàn官guān、太tài尉wèi，早zǎo過guò了le奈nài河hé惡è水shuǐ，血xuè盆pén苦kǔ界jiè。前qián又yòu到dào枉wǎng死sǐ城chéng，只zhǐ聽tīng哄hǒng哄hǒng人rén嚷rǎng，分fēn明míng說shuō：「李lǐ世shì民mín來lái了le，李lǐ世shì民mín來lái了le。」太tài宗zōng聽tīng叫jiào，心xīn驚jīng膽dǎn戰zhàn。見jiàn一yì夥huǒ拖tuō腰yāo折zhé臂bì、有yǒu足zú無wú頭tóu的de鬼guǐ魅mèi，上shàng前qián攔lán住zhù；都dōu叫jiào道dào：「還huán我wǒ命mìng來lái！還huán我wǒ命mìng來lái！」正zhèng说shuō间jiān，那nà几jǐ个gè桥qiáo梁liáng使shǐ者zhě早zǎo已yǐ回huí去qù了le。太tài宗zōng心xīn又yòu惊jīng惶huáng，点diǎn头tóu暗àn叹tàn，默mò默mò悲bēi伤shāng。相xiāng随suí着zhe判pàn官guān、太tài尉wèi，早zǎo过guò了le奈nài河hé恶è水shuǐ，血xuè盆pén苦kǔ界jiè。前qián又yòu到dào枉wǎng死sǐ城chéng，只zhǐ听tīng哄hǒng哄hǒng人rén嚷rǎng，分fēn明míng说shuō：「李lǐ世shì民mín来lái了le，李lǐ世shì民mín来lái了le。」太tài宗zōng听tīng叫jiào，心xīn惊jīng胆dǎn战zhàn。见jiàn一yì伙huǒ拖tuō腰yāo折zhé臂bì、有yǒu足zú无wú头tóu的de鬼guǐ魅mèi，上shàng前qián拦lán住zhù；都dōu叫jiào道dào：「还huán我wǒ命mìng来lái！还huán我wǒ命mìng来lái！」

借金一庫

慌huāng得de那nà太tài宗zōng藏cáng藏cáng躲duǒ躲duǒ，只zhǐ叫jiào：「崔cuī先xiān生shēng救jiù我wǒ！崔cuī先xiān生shēng救jiù我wǒ！」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià，那nà些xiē人rén都dōu是shì那nà六liù十shí四sì處chù煙yān塵chén、七qī十shí二èr處chù草cǎo寇kòu眾zhòng王wáng子zǐ、眾zhòng頭tóu目mù的de鬼guǐ魂hún，盡jìn是shì枉wǎng死sǐ的de冤yuān業yè，無wú收shōu無wú管guǎn，不bù得dé超chāo生shēng，又yòu無wú錢qián鈔chāo盤pán纏chán，都dōu是shì孤gū寒hán餓è鬼guǐ。陛bì下xià得dé些xiē錢qián鈔chāo與yǔ他tā，我wǒ才cái救jiù得de哩li。」太tài宗zōng道dào：「寡guǎ人rén空kōng身shēn到dào此cǐ，卻què那nǎ裡lǐ得dé有yǒu錢qián鈔chāo？」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià，陽yáng間jiān有yǒu一yì人rén，金jīn銀yín若ruò干gān，在zài我wǒ這zhè陰yīn司sī裡lǐ寄jì放fàng。陛bì下xià可kě出chū名míng立lì一yì約yuē，小xiǎo判pàn可kě作zuò保bǎo，且qiě借jiè他tā一yí庫kù，給gěi散sàn這zhè些xiē餓è鬼guǐ，方fāng得dé過guò去qù。太tài宗zōng問wèn曰yuē：「此cǐ人rén是shì誰shuí？」判pàn官guān道dào：「他tā是shì河hé南nán開kāi封fēng府fǔ人rén氏shì，姓xìng相xiàng名míng良liáng，他tā有yǒu十shí三sān庫kù金jīn銀yín在zài此cǐ。陛bì下xià若ruò借jiè用yòng過guò他tā的de，到dào陽yáng間jiān還huán他tā便biàn了le。」慌huāng得de那nà太tài宗zōng藏cáng藏cáng躲duǒ躲duǒ，只zhǐ叫jiào：「崔cuī先xiān生shēng救jiù我wǒ！崔cuī先xiān生shēng救jiù我wǒ！」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià，那nà些xiē人rén都dōu是shì那nà六liù十shí四sì处chù烟yān尘chén、七qī十shí二èr处chù草cǎo寇kòu众zhòng王wáng子zǐ、众zhòng头tóu目mù的de鬼guǐ魂hún，尽jìn是shì枉wǎng死sǐ的de冤yuān业yè，无wú收shōu无wú管guǎn，不bù得dé超chāo生shēng，又yòu无wú钱qián钞chāo盘pán缠chán，都dōu是shì孤gū寒hán饿è鬼guǐ。陛bì下xià得dé些xiē钱qián钞chāo与yǔ他tā，我wǒ才cái救jiù得de哩li。」太tài宗zōng道dào：「寡guǎ人rén空kōng身shēn到dào此cǐ，却què那nǎ里lǐ得dé有yǒu钱qián钞chāo？」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià，阳yáng间jiān有yǒu一yì人rén，金jīn银yín若ruò干gān，在zài我wǒ这zhè阴yīn司sī里lǐ寄jì放fàng。陛bì下xià可kě出chū名míng立lì一yì约yuē，小xiǎo判pàn可kě作zuò保bǎo，且qiě借jiè他tā一yí库kù，给gěi散sàn这zhè些xiē饿è鬼guǐ，方fāng得dé过guò去qù。太tài宗zōng问wèn曰yuē：「此cǐ人rén是shì谁shuí？」判pàn官guān道dào：「他tā是shì河hé南nán开kāi封fēng府fǔ人rén氏shì，姓xìng相xiàng名míng良liáng，他tā有yǒu十shí三sān库kù金jīn银yín在zài此cǐ。陛bì下xià若ruò借jiè用yòng过guò他tā的de，到dào阳yáng间jiān还huán他tā便biàn了le。」

給散餓鬼

太tài宗zōng甚shèn喜xǐ，情qíng願yuàn出chū名míng借jiè用yòng。遂suì立lì了le文wén書shū與yǔ判pàn官guān，借jiè他tā金jīn銀yín一yí庫kù，著zhuó太tài尉wèi盡jìn行xíng給gěi散sàn。判pàn官guān復fù吩fēn咐fu道dào：「這zhè些xiē金jīn銀yín，汝rǔ等děng可kě均jūn分fēn用yòng度dù，放fàng你nǐ大dà唐táng爺yé爺ye過guò去qù，他tā的de陽yáng壽shòu還hái早zǎo哩li。我wǒ領lǐng了le十shí王wáng鈞jūn語yǔ，送sòng他tā還huán魂hún，教jiào他tā到dào陽yáng間jiān做zuò一yí個gè水shuǐ陸lù大dà會huì，度dù汝rǔ等děng超chāo生shēng，再zài休xiū生shēng事shì。」眾zhòng鬼guǐ聞wén言yán，得dé了le金jīn銀yín，俱jù唯wéi唯wéi而ér退tuì。判pàn官guān令lìng太tài尉wèi搖yáo動dòng引yǐn魂hún幡fān，領lǐng太tài宗zōng出chū離lí了le枉wǎng死sǐ城chéng中zhōng，奔bēn上shàng平píng陽yáng大dà路lù，飄piāo飄piāo蕩dàng蕩dàng而ér去qù。太tài宗zōng甚shèn喜xǐ，情qíng愿yuàn出chū名míng借jiè用yòng。遂suì立lì了le文wén书shū与yǔ判pàn官guān，借jiè他tā金jīn银yín一yí库kù，着zhuó太tài尉wèi尽jìn行xíng给gěi散sàn。判pàn官guān复fù吩fēn咐fu道dào：「这zhè些xiē金jīn银yín，汝rǔ等děng可kě均jūn分fēn用yòng度dù，放fàng你nǐ大dà唐táng爷yé爷ye过guò去qù，他tā的de阳yáng寿shòu还hái早zǎo哩li。我wǒ领lǐng了le十shí王wáng钧jūn语yǔ，送sòng他tā还huán魂hún，教jiào他tā到dào阳yáng间jiān做zuò一yí个gè水shuǐ陆lù大dà会huì，度dù汝rǔ等děng超chāo生shēng，再zài休xiū生shēng事shì。」众zhòng鬼guǐ闻wén言yán，得dé了le金jīn银yín，俱jù唯wéi唯wéi而ér退tuì。判pàn官guān令lìng太tài尉wèi摇yáo动dòng引yǐn魂hún幡fān，领lǐng太tài宗zōng出chū离lí了le枉wǎng死sǐ城chéng中zhōng，奔bēn上shàng平píng阳yáng大dà路lù，飘piāo飘piāo荡dàng荡dàng而ér去qù。

六道輪迴

前qián進jìn多duō時shí，卻què來lái到dào六liù道dào輪lún迴huí之zhī所suǒ。又yòu見jiàn那nà騰téng雲yún的de，身shēn披pī霞xiá帔pèi；受shòu籙lù的de，腰yāo掛guà金jīn魚yú。僧sēng尼ní道dào俗sú，走zǒu獸shòu飛fēi禽qín，魑chī魅mèi魍wǎng魎liǎng，滔tāo滔tāo都dōu奔bēn走zǒu那nà輪lún迴huí之zhī下xià，各gè進jìn其qí道dào。唐táng王wáng問wèn曰yuē：「此cǐ意yì何hé如rú？」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià明míng心xīn見jiàn性xìng，是shì必bì記jì了le，傳chuán與yǔ陽yáng間jiān人rén知zhī。這zhè喚huàn做zuò六liù道dào輪lún迴huí：那nà行xíng善shàn的de，昇shēng化huà仙xiān道dào；盡jìn忠zhōng的de，超chāo生shēng貴guì道dào；行xíng孝xiào的de，再zài生shēng福fú道dào；公gōng平píng的de，還huán生shēng人rén道dào；積jī德dé的de，轉zhuǎn生shēng富fù道dào；惡è毒dú的de，沉chén淪lún鬼guǐ道dào。」前qián进jìn多duō时shí，却què来lái到dào六liù道dào轮lún回huí之zhī所suǒ。又yòu见jiàn那nà腾téng云yún的de，身shēn披pī霞xiá帔pèi；受shòu箓lù的de，腰yāo挂guà金jīn鱼yú。僧sēng尼ní道dào俗sú，走zǒu兽shòu飞fēi禽qín，魑chī魅mèi魍wǎng魉liǎng，滔tāo滔tāo都dōu奔bēn走zǒu那nà轮lún回huí之zhī下xià，各gè进jìn其qí道dào。唐táng王wáng问wèn曰yuē：「此cǐ意yì何hé如rú？」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià明míng心xīn见jiàn性xìng，是shì必bì记jì了le，传chuán与yǔ阳yáng间jiān人rén知zhī。这zhè唤huàn做zuò六liù道dào轮lún回huí：那nà行xíng善shàn的de，升shēng化huà仙xiān道dào；尽jìn忠zhōng的de，超chāo生shēng贵guì道dào；行xíng孝xiào的de，再zài生shēng福fú道dào；公gōng平píng的de，还huán生shēng人rén道dào；积jī德dé的de，转zhuǎn生shēng富fù道dào；恶è毒dú的de，沉chén沦lún鬼guǐ道dào。」

六道詩

唐táng王wáng聽tīng說shuō，點diǎn頭tóu嘆tàn曰yuē：唐táng王wáng听tīng说shuō，点diǎn头tóu叹tàn曰yuē：

善shàn哉zāi真zhēn善shàn哉zāi，作zuò善shàn果guǒ無wú災zāi。善shàn哉zāi真zhēn善shàn哉zāi，作zuò善shàn果guǒ无wú灾zāi。

善shàn心xīn常cháng切qiè切qiè，善shàn道dào大dà開kāi開kāi。善shàn心xīn常cháng切qiè切qiè，善shàn道dào大dà开kāi开kāi。

莫mò教jiào興xīng惡è念niàn，是shì必bì少shǎo刁diāo乖guāi。莫mò教jiào兴xīng恶è念niàn，是shì必bì少shǎo刁diāo乖guāi。

休xiū言yán不bú報bào應yìng，神shén鬼guǐ有yǒu安ān排pái。」休xiū言yán不bú报bào应yìng，神shén鬼guǐ有yǒu安ān排pái。」

判官告回

判pàn官guān送sòng唐táng王wáng直zhí至zhì那nà超chāo生shēng貴guì道dào門mén，拜bài呼hū唐táng王wáng道dào：「陛bì下xià啊a，此cǐ間jiān乃nǎi出chū頭tóu之zhī處chù，小xiǎo判pàn告gào回huí，著zhuó朱zhū太tài尉wèi再zài送sòng一yì程chéng。」唐táng王wáng謝xiè道dào：「有yǒu勞láo先xiān生shēng遠yuǎn踄bù。」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià到dào陽yáng間jiān，千qiān萬wàn做zuò個gè水shuǐ陸lù大dà會huì，超chāo度dù那nà無wú主zhǔ的de冤yuān魂hún，切qiè勿wù忘wàng了le。若ruò是shì陰yīn司sī裡lǐ無wú報bào怨yuàn之zhī聲shēng，陽yáng世shì間jiān方fāng得dé享xiǎng太tài平píng之zhī慶qìng。凡fán百bǎi不bú善shàn之zhī處chù，俱jù可kě一yī一yī改gǎi過guò。普pǔ諭yù世shì人rén為wéi善shàn，管guǎn教jiào你nǐ後hòu代dài綿mián長cháng，江jiāng山shān永yǒng固gù。」判pàn官guān送sòng唐táng王wáng直zhí至zhì那nà超chāo生shēng贵guì道dào门mén，拜bài呼hū唐táng王wáng道dào：「陛bì下xià啊a，此cǐ间jiān乃nǎi出chū头tóu之zhī处chù，小xiǎo判pàn告gào回huí，着zhuó朱zhū太tài尉wèi再zài送sòng一yì程chéng。」唐táng王wáng谢xiè道dào：「有yǒu劳láo先xiān生shēng远yuǎn踄bù。」判pàn官guān道dào：「陛bì下xià到dào阳yáng间jiān，千qiān万wàn做zuò个gè水shuǐ陆lù大dà会huì，超chāo度dù那nà无wú主zhǔ的de冤yuān魂hún，切qiè勿wù忘wàng了le。若ruò是shì阴yīn司sī里lǐ无wú报bào怨yuàn之zhī声shēng，阳yáng世shì间jiān方fāng得dé享xiǎng太tài平píng之zhī庆qìng。凡fán百bǎi不bú善shàn之zhī处chù，俱jù可kě一yī一yī改gǎi过guò。普pǔ谕yù世shì人rén为wéi善shàn，管guǎn教jiào你nǐ后hòu代dài绵mián长cháng，江jiāng山shān永yǒng固gù。」

推入渭河

唐táng王wáng一yī一yī准zhǔn奏zòu，辭cí了le崔cuī判pàn官guān，隨suí著zhe朱zhū太tài尉wèi，同tóng入rù門mén來lái。那nà太tài尉wèi見jiàn門mén裡lǐ有yǒu一yì匹pǐ海hǎi騮liú馬mǎ，鞍ān韂chàn齊qí備bèi，急jí請qǐng唐táng王wáng上shàng馬mǎ，太tài尉wèi左zuǒ右yòu扶fú持chí。馬mǎ行xíng如rú箭jiàn，早zǎo到dào了le渭wèi水shuǐ河hé邊biān。只zhǐ見jiàn那nà水shuǐ面miàn上shàng有yǒu一yí對duì金jīn色sè鯉lǐ魚yú，在zài河hé裡lǐ翻fān波bō跳tiào鬥dòu。唐táng王wáng見jiàn了le心xīn喜xǐ，兜dōu馬mǎ貪tān看kàn不bù捨shě。太tài尉wèi道dào：「陛bì下xià，趲zǎn動dòng些xiē，趁chèn早zǎo趕gǎn時shí辰chén進jìn城chéng去qù也yě。」那nà唐táng王wáng只zhǐ管guǎn貪tān看kàn，不bù肯kěn前qián行xíng。被bèi太tài尉wèi撮cuō著zhe腳jiǎo，高gāo呼hū道dào：「還hái不bù走zǒu，等děng甚shén？」撲pū的de一yì聲shēng，望wàng那nà渭wèi河hé推tuī下xià馬mǎ去qù。卻què就jiù脫tuō了le陰yīn司sī，徑jìng回huí陽yáng世shì。唐táng王wáng一yī一yī准zhǔn奏zòu，辞cí了le崔cuī判pàn官guān，随suí着zhe朱zhū太tài尉wèi，同tóng入rù门mén来lái。那nà太tài尉wèi见jiàn门mén里lǐ有yǒu一yì匹pǐ海hǎi骝liú马mǎ，鞍ān韂chàn齐qí备bèi，急jí请qǐng唐táng王wáng上shàng马mǎ，太tài尉wèi左zuǒ右yòu扶fú持chí。马mǎ行xíng如rú箭jiàn，早zǎo到dào了le渭wèi水shuǐ河hé边biān。只zhǐ见jiàn那nà水shuǐ面miàn上shàng有yǒu一yí对duì金jīn色sè鲤lǐ鱼yú，在zài河hé里lǐ翻fān波bō跳tiào斗dòu。唐táng王wáng见jiàn了le心xīn喜xǐ，兜dōu马mǎ贪tān看kàn不bù舍shě。太tài尉wèi道dào：「陛bì下xià，趱zǎn动dòng些xiē，趁chèn早zǎo赶gǎn时shí辰chén进jìn城chéng去qù也yě。」那nà唐táng王wáng只zhǐ管guǎn贪tān看kàn，不bù肯kěn前qián行xíng。被bèi太tài尉wèi撮cuō着zhe脚jiǎo，高gāo呼hū道dào：「还hái不bù走zǒu，等děng甚shén？」扑pū的de一yì声shēng，望wàng那nà渭wèi河hé推tuī下xià马mǎ去qù。却què就jiù脱tuō了le阴yīn司sī，径jìng回huí阳yáng世shì。

白虎殿舉哀

卻què說shuō那nà唐táng朝cháo駕jià下xià有yǒu徐xú茂mào公gōng、秦qín叔shū寶bǎo、胡hú敬jìng德dé、段duàn志zhì玄xuán、馬mǎ三sān寶bǎo、程chéng咬yǎo金jīn、高gāo士shì廉lián、李lǐ世shì勣jì、房fáng玄xuán齡líng、杜dù如rú晦huì、蕭xiāo瑀yǔ、傅fù奕yì、張zhāng道dào源yuán、張zhāng士shì衡héng、王wáng珪guī等děng兩liǎng班bān文wén武wǔ，俱jù保bǎo著zhe那nà東dōng宮gōng太tài子zǐ與yǔ皇huáng后hòu、嬪pín妃fēi、宮gōng娥é、侍shì長zhǎng，都dōu在zài那nà白bái虎hǔ殿diàn上shàng舉jǔ哀āi。一yí壁bì廂xiāng議yì傳chuán哀āi詔zhào，要yào曉xiǎo諭yù天tiān下xià，欲yù扶fú太tài子zǐ登dēng基jī。時shí有yǒu魏wèi徵zhēng在zài傍páng道dào：「列liè位wèi且qiě住zhù，不bù可kě，不bù可kě。假jiǎ若ruò驚jīng動dòng州zhōu縣xiàn，恐kǒng生shēng不bú測cè。且qiě再zài按àn候hòu一yí日rì，我wǒ主zhǔ必bì還huán魂hún也yě。」下xià邊biān閃shǎn上shàng許xǔ敬jìng宗zōng道dào：「魏wèi丞chéng相xiàng言yán之zhī甚shèn謬miù。自zì古gǔ云yún：『潑pō水shuǐ難nán收shōu，人rén逝shì不bù返fǎn。』你nǐ怎zěn麼me還hái說shuō這zhè等děng虛xū言yán，惑huò亂luàn人rén心xīn，是shì何hé道dào理lǐ？」魏wèi徵zhēng道dào：「不bù瞞mán許xǔ先xiān生shēng說shuō，下xià官guān自zì幼yòu得dé授shòu仙xiān術shù，推tuī算suàn最zuì明míng，管guǎn取qǔ陛bì下xià不bù死sǐ。」却què说shuō那nà唐táng朝cháo驾jià下xià有yǒu徐xú茂mào公gōng、秦qín叔shū宝bǎo、胡hú敬jìng德dé、段duàn志zhì玄xuán、马mǎ三sān宝bǎo、程chéng咬yǎo金jīn、高gāo士shì廉lián、李lǐ世shì𪟝jì、房fáng玄xuán龄líng、杜dù如rú晦huì、萧xiāo瑀yǔ、傅fù奕yì、张zhāng道dào源yuán、张zhāng士shì衡héng、王wáng珪guī等děng两liǎng班bān文wén武wǔ，俱jù保bǎo着zhe那nà东dōng宫gōng太tài子zǐ与yǔ皇huáng后hòu、嫔pín妃fēi、宫gōng娥é、侍shì长zhǎng，都dōu在zài那nà白bái虎hǔ殿diàn上shàng举jǔ哀āi。一yí壁bì厢xiāng议yì传chuán哀āi诏zhào，要yào晓xiǎo谕yù天tiān下xià，欲yù扶fú太tài子zǐ登dēng基jī。时shí有yǒu魏wèi征zhēng在zài傍páng道dào：「列liè位wèi且qiě住zhù，不bù可kě，不bù可kě。假jiǎ若ruò惊jīng动dòng州zhōu县xiàn，恐kǒng生shēng不bú测cè。且qiě再zài按àn候hòu一yí日rì，我wǒ主zhǔ必bì还huán魂hún也yě。」下xià边biān闪shǎn上shàng许xǔ敬jìng宗zōng道dào：「魏wèi丞chéng相xiàng言yán之zhī甚shèn谬miù。自zì古gǔ云yún：『泼pō水shuǐ难nán收shōu，人rén逝shì不bù返fǎn。』你nǐ怎zěn么me还hái说shuō这zhè等děng虚xū言yán，惑huò乱luàn人rén心xīn，是shì何hé道dào理lǐ？」魏wèi征zhēng道dào：「不bù瞒mán许xǔ先xiān生shēng说shuō，下xià官guān自zì幼yòu得dé授shòu仙xiān术shù，推tuī算suàn最zuì明míng，管guǎn取qǔ陛bì下xià不bù死sǐ。」

棺中大叫

正zhèng講jiǎng處chù，只zhǐ聽tīng得dé棺guān中zhōng連lián聲shēng大dà叫jiào道dào：「渰yǎn殺shā我wǒ耶yé！渰yǎn殺shā我wǒ耶yé！」諕xià得de個gè文wén官guān武wǔ將jiàng心xīn慌huāng，皇huáng后hòu嬪pín妃fēi膽dǎn戰zhàn。一yí個gè個gè：正zhèng讲jiǎng处chù，只zhǐ听tīng得dé棺guān中zhōng连lián声shēng大dà叫jiào道dào：「渰yǎn杀shā我wǒ耶yé！渰yǎn杀shā我wǒ耶yé！」諕xià得de个gè文wén官guān武wǔ将jiàng心xīn慌huāng，皇huáng后hòu嫔pín妃fēi胆dǎn战zhàn。一yí个gè个gè：

舉哀之狀

面miàn如rú秋qiū後hòu黃huáng桑sāng葉yè，腰yāo似sì春chūn前qián嫩nèn柳liǔ條tiáo。面miàn如rú秋qiū后hòu黄huáng桑sāng叶yè，腰yāo似sì春chūn前qián嫩nèn柳liǔ条tiáo。

儲chǔ君jūn腳jiǎo軟ruǎn，難nán扶fú喪sāng杖zhàng盡jìn哀āi儀yí；储chǔ君jūn脚jiǎo软ruǎn，难nán扶fú丧sāng杖zhàng尽jìn哀āi仪yí；

侍shì長zhǎng魂hún飛fēi，怎zěn戴dài梁liáng冠guān遵zūn孝xiào禮lǐ。侍shì长zhǎng魂hún飞fēi，怎zěn戴dài梁liáng冠guān遵zūn孝xiào礼lǐ。

嬪pín妃fēi打dǎ跌diē，綵cǎi女nǚ欹yī斜xié。嫔pín妃fēi打dǎ跌diē，彩cǎi女nǚ欹yī斜xié。

嬪pín妃fēi打dǎ跌diē，卻què如rú狂kuáng風fēng吹chuī倒dào敗bài芙fú蓉róng；嫔pín妃fēi打dǎ跌diē，却què如rú狂kuáng风fēng吹chuī倒dào败bài芙fú蓉róng；

綵cǎi女nǚ欹yī斜xié，好hǎo似sì驟zhòu雨yǔ沖chōng歪wāi嬌jiāo菡hàn萏dàn。彩cǎi女nǚ欹yī斜xié，好hǎo似sì骤zhòu雨yǔ冲chōng歪wāi娇jiāo菡hàn萏dàn。

眾zhòng臣chén悚sǒng懼jù，骨gǔ軟ruǎn筋jīn麻má。众zhòng臣chén悚sǒng惧jù，骨gǔ软ruǎn筋jīn麻má。

戰zhàn戰zhàn兢jīng兢jīng，痴chī痴chī啞yǎ啞yǎ。战zhàn战zhàn兢jīng兢jīng，痴chī痴chī哑yǎ哑yǎ。

把bǎ一yí座zuò白bái虎hǔ殿diàn，卻què像xiàng斷duàn梁liáng橋qiáo；把bǎ一yí座zuò白bái虎hǔ殿diàn，却què像xiàng断duàn梁liáng桥qiáo；

鬧nào喪sāng臺tái，就jiù如rú倒dào塌tā寺sì。闹nào丧sāng台tái，就jiù如rú倒dào塌tā寺sì。

開棺甦醒

此cǐ時shí眾zhòng宮gōng人rén走zǒu得de精jīng光guāng，那nǎ個gè敢gǎn近jìn靈líng扶fú柩jiù。多duō虧kuī了le正zhèng直zhí的de徐xú茂mào公gōng、理lǐ烈liè的de魏wèi丞chéng相xiàng、有yǒu膽dǎn量liàng的de秦qín瓊qióng、忒tè猛měng撞zhuàng的de敬jìng德dé，上shàng前qián來lái扶fú著zhe棺guān材cái，叫jiào道dào：「陛bì下xià有yǒu甚shén麼me放fàng不bú下xià心xīn處chù，說shuō與yǔ我wǒ等děng，不bú要yào弄nòng鬼guǐ，驚jīng駭hài了le眷juàn族zú。」魏wèi徵zhēng道dào：「不bú是shì弄nòng鬼guǐ，此cǐ乃nǎi陛bì下xià還huán魂hún也yě。快kuài取qǔ器qì械xiè來lái。」打dǎ開kāi棺guān蓋gài，果guǒ見jiàn太tài宗zōng坐zuò在zài裡lǐ面miàn，還hái叫jiào：「渰yǎn死sǐ我wǒ了le！是shì誰shuí救jiù撈lāo？」茂mào公gōng等děng上shàng前qián扶fú起qǐ道dào：「陛bì下xià甦sū醒xǐng，莫mò怕pà，臣chén等děng都dōu在zài此cǐ護hù駕jià哩li。」此cǐ时shí众zhòng宫gōng人rén走zǒu得de精jīng光guāng，那nǎ个gè敢gǎn近jìn灵líng扶fú柩jiù。多duō亏kuī了le正zhèng直zhí的de徐xú茂mào公gōng、理lǐ烈liè的de魏wèi丞chéng相xiàng、有yǒu胆dǎn量liàng的de秦qín琼qióng、忒tè猛měng撞zhuàng的de敬jìng德dé，上shàng前qián来lái扶fú着zhe棺guān材cái，叫jiào道dào：「陛bì下xià有yǒu甚shén么me放fàng不bú下xià心xīn处chù，说shuō与yǔ我wǒ等děng，不bú要yào弄nòng鬼guǐ，惊jīng骇hài了le眷juàn族zú。」魏wèi征zhēng道dào：「不bú是shì弄nòng鬼guǐ，此cǐ乃nǎi陛bì下xià还huán魂hún也yě。快kuài取qǔ器qì械xiè来lái。」打dǎ开kāi棺guān盖gài，果guǒ见jiàn太tài宗zōng坐zuò在zài里lǐ面miàn，还hái叫jiào：「渰yǎn死sǐ我wǒ了le！是shì谁shuí救jiù捞lāo？」茂mào公gōng等děng上shàng前qián扶fú起qǐ道dào：「陛bì下xià苏sū醒xǐng，莫mò怕pà，臣chén等děng都dōu在zài此cǐ护hù驾jià哩li。」

述說水厄

唐táng王wáng方fāng才cái開kāi眼yǎn道dào：「朕zhèn適shì才cái好hǎo苦kǔ：躲duǒ過guò陰yīn司sī惡è鬼guǐ難nàn，又yòu遭zāo水shuǐ面miàn喪sàng身shēn災zāi。」眾zhòng臣chén道dào：「陛bì下xià寬kuān心xīn勿wù懼jù，有yǒu甚shén水shuǐ災zāi來lái？」唐táng王wáng道dào：「朕zhèn騎qí著zhe馬mǎ，正zhèng行xíng至zhì渭wèi水shuǐ河hé邊biān，見jiàn雙shuāng頭tóu魚yú戲xì。被bèi朱zhū太tài尉wèi欺qī心xīn，將jiāng朕zhèn推tuī下xià馬mǎ來lái，跌diē落luò河hé中zhōng，幾jǐ乎hū渰yǎn死sǐ。」魏wèi徵zhēng道dào：「陛bì下xià鬼guǐ氣qì尚shàng未wèi解jiě。」急jí著zhuó太tài醫yī院yuàn進jìn安ān神shén定dìng魄pò湯tāng藥yào，又yòu安ān排pái粥zhōu膳shàn。連lián服fú一yī二èr次cì，方fāng才cái反fǎn本běn還huán原yuán，知zhī得de人rén事shì。一yí計jì唐táng王wáng死sǐ去qù，已yǐ三sān晝zhòu夜yè，復fù回huí陽yáng間jiān為wéi君jūn。有yǒu詩shī為wéi證zhèng：唐táng王wáng方fāng才cái开kāi眼yǎn道dào：「朕zhèn适shì才cái好hǎo苦kǔ：躲duǒ过guò阴yīn司sī恶è鬼guǐ难nàn，又yòu遭zāo水shuǐ面miàn丧sàng身shēn灾zāi。」众zhòng臣chén道dào：「陛bì下xià宽kuān心xīn勿wù惧jù，有yǒu甚shén水shuǐ灾zāi来lái？」唐táng王wáng道dào：「朕zhèn骑qí着zhe马mǎ，正zhèng行xíng至zhì渭wèi水shuǐ河hé边biān，见jiàn双shuāng头tóu鱼yú戏xì。被bèi朱zhū太tài尉wèi欺qī心xīn，将jiāng朕zhèn推tuī下xià马mǎ来lái，跌diē落luò河hé中zhōng，几jǐ乎hū渰yǎn死sǐ。」魏wèi征zhēng道dào：「陛bì下xià鬼guǐ气qì尚shàng未wèi解jiě。」急jí着zhuó太tài医yī院yuàn进jìn安ān神shén定dìng魄pò汤tāng药yào，又yòu安ān排pái粥zhōu膳shàn。连lián服fú一yī二èr次cì，方fāng才cái反fǎn本běn还huán原yuán，知zhī得de人rén事shì。一yí计jì唐táng王wáng死sǐ去qù，已yǐ三sān昼zhòu夜yè，复fù回huí阳yáng间jiān为wéi君jūn。有yǒu诗shī为wéi证zhèng：

死復生詩

萬wàn古gǔ江jiāng山shān幾jǐ變biàn更gēng，歷lì來lái數shù代dài敗bài和hé成chéng。万wàn古gǔ江jiāng山shān几jǐ变biàn更gēng，历lì来lái数shù代dài败bài和hé成chéng。

周zhōu秦qín漢hàn晉jìn多duō奇qí事shì，誰shuí似sì唐táng王wáng死sǐ復fù生shēng？周zhōu秦qín汉hàn晋jìn多duō奇qí事shì，谁shuí似sì唐táng王wáng死sǐ复fù生shēng？

眾臣歸寢

當dāng日rì天tiān色sè已yǐ晚wǎn，眾zhòng臣chén請qǐng王wáng歸guī寢qǐn，各gè各gè散sàn訖qì。当dāng日rì天tiān色sè已yǐ晚wǎn，众zhòng臣chén请qǐng王wáng归guī寝qǐn，各gè各gè散sàn讫qì。

次早朝門

次cì早zǎo，脫tuō卻què孝xiào衣yī，換huàn了le綵cǎi服fú，一yí個gè個gè紅hóng袍páo烏wū帽mào，一yí個gè個gè紫zǐ綬shòu金jīn章zhāng，在zài那nà朝cháo門mén外wài等děng候hòu宣xuān召zhào。次cì早zǎo，脱tuō却què孝xiào衣yī，换huàn了le彩cǎi服fú，一yí个gè个gè红hóng袍páo乌wū帽mào，一yí个gè个gè紫zǐ绶shòu金jīn章zhāng，在zài那nà朝cháo门mén外wài等děng候hòu宣xuān召zhào。

保養精神

卻què說shuō太tài宗zōng自zì服fú了le安ān神shén定dìng魄pò之zhī劑jì，連lián進jìn了le數shù次cì粥zhōu湯tāng，被bèi眾zhòng臣chén扶fú入rù寢qǐn室shì，一yí夜yè穩wěn睡shuì，保bǎo養yǎng精jīng神shén，直zhí至zhì天tiān明míng方fāng起qǐ，抖dǒu擻sǒu威wēi儀yí，你nǐ看kàn他tā怎zěn生shēng打dǎ扮bàn：却què说shuō太tài宗zōng自zì服fú了le安ān神shén定dìng魄pò之zhī剂jì，连lián进jìn了le数shù次cì粥zhōu汤tāng，被bèi众zhòng臣chén扶fú入rù寝qǐn室shì，一yí夜yè稳wěn睡shuì，保bǎo养yǎng精jīng神shén，直zhí至zhì天tiān明míng方fāng起qǐ，抖dǒu擞sǒu威wēi仪yí，你nǐ看kàn他tā怎zěn生shēng打dǎ扮bàn：

帝王儀容

戴dài一yì頂dǐng沖chōng天tiān冠guān，穿chuān一yì領lǐng赭zhě黃huáng袍páo。戴dài一yì顶dǐng冲chōng天tiān冠guān，穿chuān一yì领lǐng赭zhě黄huáng袍páo。

繫xì一yì條tiáo藍lán田tián碧bì玉yù帶dài，踏tà一yí對duì創chuàng業yè無wú憂yōu履lǚ。系xì一yì条tiáo蓝lán田tián碧bì玉yù带dài，踏tà一yí对duì创chuàng业yè无wú忧yōu履lǚ。

貌mào堂táng堂táng，賽sài過guò當dāng朝cháo；貌mào堂táng堂táng，赛sài过guò当dāng朝cháo；

威wēi烈liè烈liè，重chóng興xīng今jīn日rì。威wēi烈liè烈liè，重chóng兴xīng今jīn日rì。

好hǎo一yí個gè清qīng平píng有yǒu道dào的de大dà唐táng王wáng，起qǐ死sǐ回huí生shēng的de李lǐ陛bì下xià。好hǎo一yí个gè清qīng平píng有yǒu道dào的de大dà唐táng王wáng，起qǐ死sǐ回huí生shēng的de李lǐ陛bì下xià。

兩班問覺

唐táng王wáng上shàng金jīn鑾luán寶bǎo殿diàn，聚jù集jí兩liǎng班bān文wén武wǔ，山shān呼hū已yǐ畢bì，依yī品pǐn分fēn班bān。只zhǐ聽tīng得dé傳chuán旨zhǐ道dào：「有yǒu事shì出chū班bān來lái奏zòu，無wú事shì退tuì朝cháo。」那nà東dōng廂xiāng閃shǎn過guò徐xú茂mào公gōng、魏wèi徵zhēng、王wáng珪guī、杜dù如rú晦huì、房fáng玄xuán齡líng、袁yuán天tiān罡gāng、李lǐ淳chún風fēng、許xǔ敬jìng宗zōng等děng；西xī廂xiāng閃shǎn過guò殷yīn開kāi山shān、劉liú洪hóng基jī、馬mǎ三sān寶bǎo、段duàn志zhì玄xuán、程chéng咬yǎo金jīn、秦qín叔shū寶bǎo、胡hú敬jìng德dé、薛xuē仁rén貴guì等děng，一yì齊qí上shàng前qián，在zài白bái玉yù階jiē前qián俯fǔ伏fú啟qǐ奏zòu道dào：「陛bì下xià前qián朝cháo一yí夢mèng，如rú何hé許xǔ久jiǔ方fāng覺jué？」唐táng王wáng上shàng金jīn銮luán宝bǎo殿diàn，聚jù集jí两liǎng班bān文wén武wǔ，山shān呼hū已yǐ毕bì，依yī品pǐn分fēn班bān。只zhǐ听tīng得dé传chuán旨zhǐ道dào：「有yǒu事shì出chū班bān来lái奏zòu，无wú事shì退tuì朝cháo。」那nà东dōng厢xiāng闪shǎn过guò徐xú茂mào公gōng、魏wèi征zhēng、王wáng珪guī、杜dù如rú晦huì、房fáng玄xuán龄líng、袁yuán天tiān罡gāng、李lǐ淳chún风fēng、许xǔ敬jìng宗zōng等děng；西xī厢xiāng闪shǎn过guò殷yīn开kāi山shān、刘liú洪hóng基jī、马mǎ三sān宝bǎo、段duàn志zhì玄xuán、程chéng咬yǎo金jīn、秦qín叔shū宝bǎo、胡hú敬jìng德dé、薛xuē仁rén贵guì等děng，一yì齐qí上shàng前qián，在zài白bái玉yù阶jiē前qián俯fǔ伏fú启qǐ奏zòu道dào：「陛bì下xià前qián朝cháo一yí梦mèng，如rú何hé许xǔ久jiǔ方fāng觉jué？」

太宗自述

太tài宗zōng道dào：「日rì前qián接jiē得de魏wèi徵zhēng書shū，朕zhèn覺jué神shén魂hún出chū殿diàn，只zhǐ見jiàn羽yǔ林lín軍jūn請qǐng朕zhèn出chū獵liè。正zhèng行xíng時shí，人rén馬mǎ無wú蹤zōng，又yòu見jiàn那nà先xiān君jūn父fù王wáng與yǔ先xiān兄xiōng弟dì爭zhēng嚷rǎng。正zhèng難nán解jiě處chù，見jiàn一yì人rén烏wū帽mào皂zào袍páo，乃nǎi是shì判pàn官guān崔cuī珏jué，喝hè退tuì先xiān兄xiōng弟dì。朕zhèn將jiāng魏wèi徵zhēng書shū傳chuán遞dì與yǔ他tā。正zhèng看kàn時shí，又yòu見jiàn青qīng衣yī者zhě執zhí幢chuáng幡fān，引yǐn朕zhèn入rù內nèi，到dào森sēn羅luó殿diàn上shàng，與yǔ十shí代dài閻yán王wáng敘xù坐zuò。他tā說shuō那nà涇jīng河hé龍lóng誣wū告gào我wǒ許xǔ救jiù轉zhuǎn殺shā之zhī事shì，是shì朕zhèn將jiāng前qián言yán陳chén具jù一yí遍biàn。他tā說shuō已yǐ三sān曹cáo對duì過guò案àn了le，急jí命mìng取qǔ生shēng死sǐ文wén簿bù，檢jiǎn看kàn我wǒ的de陽yáng壽shòu。時shí有yǒu崔cuī判pàn官guān傳chuán上shàng簿bù子zi，閻yán王wáng看kàn了le，道dào寡guǎ人rén有yǒu三sān十shí三sān年nián天tiān祿lù，才cái過guò得de一yī十shí三sān年nián，還hái該gāi我wǒ二èr十shí年nián陽yáng壽shòu，即jí著zhuó朱zhū太tài尉wèi、崔cuī判pàn官guān送sòng朕zhèn回huí來lái。朕zhèn與yǔ十shí王wáng作zuò別bié，允yǔn了le送sòng他tā瓜guā果guǒ謝xiè恩ēn。太tài宗zōng道dào：「日rì前qián接jiē得de魏wèi征zhēng书shū，朕zhèn觉jué神shén魂hún出chū殿diàn，只zhǐ见jiàn羽yǔ林lín军jūn请qǐng朕zhèn出chū猎liè。正zhèng行xíng时shí，人rén马mǎ无wú踪zōng，又yòu见jiàn那nà先xiān君jūn父fù王wáng与yǔ先xiān兄xiōng弟dì争zhēng嚷rǎng。正zhèng难nán解jiě处chù，见jiàn一yì人rén乌wū帽mào皂zào袍páo，乃nǎi是shì判pàn官guān崔cuī珏jué，喝hè退tuì先xiān兄xiōng弟dì。朕zhèn将jiāng魏wèi征zhēng书shū传chuán递dì与yǔ他tā。正zhèng看kàn时shí，又yòu见jiàn青qīng衣yī者zhě执zhí幢chuáng幡fān，引yǐn朕zhèn入rù内nèi，到dào森sēn罗luó殿diàn上shàng，与yǔ十shí代dài阎yán王wáng叙xù坐zuò。他tā说shuō那nà泾jīng河hé龙lóng诬wū告gào我wǒ许xǔ救jiù转zhuǎn杀shā之zhī事shì，是shì朕zhèn将jiāng前qián言yán陈chén具jù一yí遍biàn。他tā说shuō已yǐ三sān曹cáo对duì过guò案àn了le，急jí命mìng取qǔ生shēng死sǐ文wén簿bù，检jiǎn看kàn我wǒ的de阳yáng寿shòu。时shí有yǒu崔cuī判pàn官guān传chuán上shàng簿bù子zi，阎yán王wáng看kàn了le，道dào寡guǎ人rén有yǒu三sān十shí三sān年nián天tiān禄lù，才cái过guò得de一yī十shí三sān年nián，还hái该gāi我wǒ二èr十shí年nián阳yáng寿shòu，即jí着zhuó朱zhū太tài尉wèi、崔cuī判pàn官guān送sòng朕zhèn回huí来lái。朕zhèn与yǔ十shí王wáng作zuò别bié，允yǔn了le送sòng他tā瓜guā果guǒ谢xiè恩ēn。

自述地府

自zì出chū了le森sēn羅luó殿diàn，見jiàn那nà陰yīn司sī裡lǐ不bù忠zhōng不bú孝xiào、非fēi禮lǐ非fēi義yì、作zuò踐jiàn五wǔ穀gǔ、明míng欺qī暗àn騙piàn、大dà斗dòu小xiǎo秤chèng、姦jiān盜dào詐zhà偽wěi、淫yín邪xié欺qī罔wǎng之zhī徒tú，受shòu那nà些xiē磨mó燒shāo舂chōng剉cuò之zhī苦kǔ，煎jiān熬áo弔diào剝bō之zhī刑xíng，有yǒu千qiān千qiān萬wàn萬wàn，看kàn之zhī不bù足zú。又yòu過guò著zhe枉wǎng死sǐ城chéng中zhōng，有yǒu無wú數shù的de冤yuān魂hún，盡jìn都dōu是shì六liù十shí四sì處chù煙yān塵chén的de草cǎo寇kòu、七qī十shí二èr處chù叛pàn賊zéi的de魂hún靈líng，擋dǎng住zhù了le朕zhèn之zhī來lái路lù。幸xìng虧kuī崔cuī判pàn官guān作zuò保bǎo，借jiè得de河hé南nán相xiàng老lǎo兒ér的de金jīn銀yín一yí庫kù，買mǎi轉zhuǎn鬼guǐ魂hún，方fāng得dé前qián行xíng。崔cuī判pàn官guān教jiào朕zhèn回huí陽yáng世shì，千qiān萬wàn作zuò一yì場cháng水shuǐ陸lù大dà會huì，超chāo度dù那nà無wú主zhǔ的de孤gū魂hún，將jiāng此cǐ言yán叮dīng嚀níng。自zì出chū了le森sēn罗luó殿diàn，见jiàn那nà阴yīn司sī里lǐ不bù忠zhōng不bú孝xiào、非fēi礼lǐ非fēi义yì、作zuò践jiàn五wǔ谷gǔ、明míng欺qī暗àn骗piàn、大dà斗dòu小xiǎo秤chèng、奸jiān盗dào诈zhà伪wěi、淫yín邪xié欺qī罔wǎng之zhī徒tú，受shòu那nà些xiē磨mó烧shāo舂chōng剉cuò之zhī苦kǔ，煎jiān熬áo吊diào剥bō之zhī刑xíng，有yǒu千qiān千qiān万wàn万wàn，看kàn之zhī不bù足zú。又yòu过guò着zhe枉wǎng死sǐ城chéng中zhōng，有yǒu无wú数shù的de冤yuān魂hún，尽jìn都dōu是shì六liù十shí四sì处chù烟yān尘chén的de草cǎo寇kòu、七qī十shí二èr处chù叛pàn贼zéi的de魂hún灵líng，挡dǎng住zhù了le朕zhèn之zhī来lái路lù。幸xìng亏kuī崔cuī判pàn官guān作zuò保bǎo，借jiè得de河hé南nán相xiàng老lǎo儿ér的de金jīn银yín一yí库kù，买mǎi转zhuǎn鬼guǐ魂hún，方fāng得dé前qián行xíng。崔cuī判pàn官guān教jiào朕zhèn回huí阳yáng世shì，千qiān万wàn作zuò一yì场cháng水shuǐ陆lù大dà会huì，超chāo度dù那nà无wú主zhǔ的de孤gū魂hún，将jiāng此cǐ言yán叮dīng咛níng。

傳報天下

分fēn別bié出chū了le那nà六liù道dào輪lún迴huí之zhī下xià，有yǒu朱zhū太tài尉wèi請qǐng朕zhèn上shàng馬mǎ，飛fēi也yě相xiāng似sì，行xíng到dào渭wèi水shuǐ河hé邊biān，我wǒ看kàn見jiàn那nà水shuǐ面miàn上shàng有yǒu雙shuāng頭tóu魚yú戲xì。正zhèng歡huān喜xǐ處chù，他tā將jiāng我wǒ撮cuō著zhe腳jiǎo，推tuī下xià水shuǐ中zhōng，朕zhèn方fāng得dé還huán魂hún也yě。」眾zhòng臣chén聞wén此cǐ言yán，無wú不bù稱chēng賀hè。遂suì此cǐ編biān行xíng傳chuán報bào天tiān下xià，各gè府fǔ縣xiàn官guān員yuán上shàng表biǎo稱chēng慶qìng不bù題tí。分fēn别bié出chū了le那nà六liù道dào轮lún回huí之zhī下xià，有yǒu朱zhū太tài尉wèi请qǐng朕zhèn上shàng马mǎ，飞fēi也yě相xiāng似sì，行xíng到dào渭wèi水shuǐ河hé边biān，我wǒ看kàn见jiàn那nà水shuǐ面miàn上shàng有yǒu双shuāng头tóu鱼yú戏xì。正zhèng欢huān喜xǐ处chù，他tā将jiāng我wǒ撮cuō着zhe脚jiǎo，推tuī下xià水shuǐ中zhōng，朕zhèn方fāng得dé还huán魂hún也yě。」众zhòng臣chén闻wén此cǐ言yán，无wú不bù称chēng贺hè。遂suì此cǐ编biān行xíng传chuán报bào天tiān下xià，各gè府fǔ县xiàn官guān员yuán上shàng表biǎo称chēng庆qìng不bù题tí。

大赦天下

卻què說shuō太tài宗zōng又yòu傳chuán旨zhǐ赦shè天tiān下xià罪zuì人rén。又yòu查chá獄yù中zhōng重zhòng犯fàn。時shí有yǒu審shěn官guān將jiāng刑xíng部bù絞jiǎo斬zhǎn罪zuì人rén，查chá有yǒu四sì百bǎi餘yú名míng呈chéng上shàng。太tài宗zōng放fàng赦shè回huí家jiā，拜bài辭cí父fù母mǔ兄xiōng弟dì，託tuō產chǎn與yǔ親qīn戚qī子zǐ姪zhí，明míng年nián今jīn日rì赴fù曹cáo，仍réng領lǐng應yīng得dé之zhī罪zuì。眾zhòng犯fàn謝xiè恩ēn而ér退tuì。又yòu出chū恤xù孤gū榜bǎng文wén。又yòu查chá宮gōng中zhōng老lǎo幼yòu綵cǎi女nǚ共gòng有yǒu三sān千qiān人rén，出chū旨zhǐ配pèi軍jūn。自zì此cǐ，內nèi外wài俱jù善shàn。却què说shuō太tài宗zōng又yòu传chuán旨zhǐ赦shè天tiān下xià罪zuì人rén。又yòu查chá狱yù中zhōng重zhòng犯fàn。时shí有yǒu审shěn官guān将jiāng刑xíng部bù绞jiǎo斩zhǎn罪zuì人rén，查chá有yǒu四sì百bǎi余yú名míng呈chéng上shàng。太tài宗zōng放fàng赦shè回huí家jiā，拜bài辞cí父fù母mǔ兄xiōng弟dì，托tuō产chǎn与yǔ亲qīn戚qī子zǐ姪zhí，明míng年nián今jīn日rì赴fù曹cáo，仍réng领lǐng应yīng得dé之zhī罪zuì。众zhòng犯fàn谢xiè恩ēn而ér退tuì。又yòu出chū恤xù孤gū榜bǎng文wén。又yòu查chá宫gōng中zhōng老lǎo幼yòu彩cǎi女nǚ共gòng有yǒu三sān千qiān人rén，出chū旨zhǐ配pèi军jūn。自zì此cǐ，内nèi外wài俱jù善shàn。

恩德詩

有yǒu詩shī為wéi證zhèng。詩shī曰yuē：有yǒu诗shī为wéi证zhèng。诗shī曰yuē：

大dà國guó唐táng王wáng恩ēn德dé洪hóng，道dào過guò堯yáo舜shùn萬wàn民mín豐fēng。大dà国guó唐táng王wáng恩ēn德dé洪hóng，道dào过guò尧yáo舜shùn万wàn民mín丰fēng。

死sǐ囚qiú四sì百bǎi皆jiē離lí獄yù，怨yuàn女nǚ三sān千qiān放fàng出chū宮gōng。死sǐ囚qiú四sì百bǎi皆jiē离lí狱yù，怨yuàn女nǚ三sān千qiān放fàng出chū宫gōng。

天tiān下xià多duō官guān稱chēng上shàng壽shòu，朝cháo中zhōng眾zhòng宰zǎi賀hè元yuán龍lóng。天tiān下xià多duō官guān称chēng上shàng寿shòu，朝cháo中zhōng众zhòng宰zǎi贺hè元yuán龙lóng。

善shàn心xīn一yí念niàn天tiān應yīng佑yòu，福fú蔭yìn應yīng傳chuán十shí七qī宗zōng。善shàn心xīn一yí念niàn天tiān应yīng佑yòu，福fú荫yìn应yīng传chuán十shí七qī宗zōng。

御製榜文

太tài宗zōng既jì放fàng宮gōng女nǚ，出chū死sǐ囚qiú已yǐ畢bì，又yòu出chū御yù製zhì榜bǎng文wén，遍biàn傳chuán天tiān下xià。榜bǎng曰yuē：乾qián坤kūn浩hào大dà，日rì月yuè照zhào鑒jiàn分fēn明míng；宇yǔ宙zhòu寬kuān洪hóng，天tiān地dì不bù容róng姦jiān黨dǎng。使shǐ心xīn用yòng術shù，果guǒ報bào只zhǐ在zài今jīn生shēng；善shàn布bù淺qiǎn求qiú，獲huò福fú休xiū言yán後hòu世shì。千qiān般bān巧qiǎo計jì，不bù如rú本běn分fèn為wéi人rén；萬wàn種zhǒng強qiáng徒tú，怎zěn似sì隨suí緣yuán節jié儉jiǎn。心xīn行xíng慈cí善shàn，何hé須xū努nǔ力lì看kàn經jīng；意yì欲yù損sǔn人rén，空kōng讀dú如rú來lái一yí藏zàng！太tài宗zōng既jì放fàng宫gōng女nǚ，出chū死sǐ囚qiú已yǐ毕bì，又yòu出chū御yù制zhì榜bǎng文wén，遍biàn传chuán天tiān下xià。榜bǎng曰yuē：干qián坤kūn浩hào大dà，日rì月yuè照zhào鉴jiàn分fēn明míng；宇yǔ宙zhòu宽kuān洪hóng，天tiān地dì不bù容róng奸jiān党dǎng。使shǐ心xīn用yòng术shù，果guǒ报bào只zhǐ在zài今jīn生shēng；善shàn布bù浅qiǎn求qiú，获huò福fú休xiū言yán后hòu世shì。千qiān般bān巧qiǎo计jì，不bù如rú本běn分fèn为wéi人rén；万wàn种zhǒng强qiáng徒tú，怎zěn似sì随suí缘yuán节jié俭jiǎn。心xīn行xíng慈cí善shàn，何hé须xū努nǔ力lì看kàn经jīng；意yì欲yù损sǔn人rén，空kōng读dú如rú来lái一yí藏zàng！

招賢訪相

自zì此cǐ時shí，蓋gài天tiān下xià無wú一yì人rén不bù行xíng善shàn者zhě。一yí壁bì廂xiāng又yòu出chū招zhāo賢xián榜bǎng，招zhāo人rén進jìn瓜guā果guǒ到dào陰yīn司sī裡lǐ去qù；一yí壁bì廂xiāng將jiāng寶bǎo藏zàng庫kù金jīn銀yín一yí庫kù，差chāi尉wèi遲chí恭gōng、胡hú敬jìng德dé上shàng河hé南nán開kāi封fēng府fǔ，訪fǎng相xiàng良liáng還huán債zhài。自zì此cǐ时shí，盖gài天tiān下xià无wú一yì人rén不bù行xíng善shàn者zhě。一yí壁bì厢xiāng又yòu出chū招zhāo贤xián榜bǎng，招zhāo人rén进jìn瓜guā果guǒ到dào阴yīn司sī里lǐ去qù；一yí壁bì厢xiāng将jiāng宝bǎo藏zàng库kù金jīn银yín一yí库kù，差chāi尉wèi迟chí恭gōng、胡hú敬jìng德dé上shàng河hé南nán开kāi封fēng府fǔ，访fǎng相xiàng良liáng还huán债zhài。

劉全喪妻

榜bǎng張zhāng數shù日rì，有yǒu一yí赴fù命mìng進jìn瓜guā果guǒ的de賢xián者zhě，本běn是shì均jūn州zhōu人rén，姓xìng劉liú名míng全quán，家jiā有yǒu萬wàn貫guàn之zhī資zī。只zhǐ因yīn妻qī李lǐ翠cuì蓮lián在zài門mén首shǒu拔bá金jīn釵chāi齋zhāi僧sēng，劉liú全quán罵mà了le他tā幾jǐ句jù，說shuō他tā不bù遵zūn婦fù道dào，擅shàn出chū閨guī門mén。李lǐ氏shì忍rěn氣qì不bú過guò，自zì縊yì而ér死sǐ。撇piē下xià一yì雙shuāng兒ér女nǚ年nián幼yòu，晝zhòu夜yè悲bēi啼tí。劉liú全quán又yòu不bù忍rěn見jiàn，無wú奈nài，遂suì捨shě了le性xìng命mìng，棄qì了le家jiā緣yuán，撇piē了le兒ér女nǚ，情qíng願yuàn以yǐ死sǐ進jìn瓜guā，將jiāng皇huáng榜bǎng揭jiē了le，來lái見jiàn唐táng王wáng。王wáng傳chuán旨zhǐ意yì，教jiào他tā去qù金jīn亭tíng館guǎn裡lǐ，頭tóu頂dǐng一yí對duì南nán瓜guā，袖xiù帶dài黃huáng錢qián，口kǒu噙qín藥yào物wù。榜bǎng张zhāng数shù日rì，有yǒu一yí赴fù命mìng进jìn瓜guā果guǒ的de贤xián者zhě，本běn是shì均jūn州zhōu人rén，姓xìng刘liú名míng全quán，家jiā有yǒu万wàn贯guàn之zhī资zī。只zhǐ因yīn妻qī李lǐ翠cuì莲lián在zài门mén首shǒu拔bá金jīn钗chāi斋zhāi僧sēng，刘liú全quán骂mà了le他tā几jǐ句jù，说shuō他tā不bù遵zūn妇fù道dào，擅shàn出chū闺guī门mén。李lǐ氏shì忍rěn气qì不bú过guò，自zì缢yì而ér死sǐ。撇piē下xià一yì双shuāng儿ér女nǚ年nián幼yòu，昼zhòu夜yè悲bēi啼tí。刘liú全quán又yòu不bù忍rěn见jiàn，无wú奈nài，遂suì舍shě了le性xìng命mìng，弃qì了le家jiā缘yuán，撇piē了le儿ér女nǚ，情qíng愿yuàn以yǐ死sǐ进jìn瓜guā，将jiāng皇huáng榜bǎng揭jiē了le，来lái见jiàn唐táng王wáng。王wáng传chuán旨zhǐ意yì，教jiào他tā去qù金jīn亭tíng馆guǎn里lǐ，头tóu顶dǐng一yí对duì南nán瓜guā，袖xiù带dài黄huáng钱qián，口kǒu噙qín药yào物wù。

劉全進瓜

那nà劉liú全quán果guǒ服fú毒dú而ér死sǐ，一yì點diǎn魂hún靈líng，頂dǐng著zhe瓜guā果guǒ，早zǎo到dào鬼guǐ門mén關guān上shàng。把bǎ門mén的de鬼guǐ使shǐ喝hè道dào：「你nǐ是shì甚shén人rén，敢gǎn來lái此cǐ處chù？」劉liú全quán道dào：「我wǒ奉fèng大dà唐táng太tài宗zōng皇huáng帝dì欽qīn差chāi，特tè進jìn瓜guā果guǒ與yǔ十shí代dài閻yán王wáng受shòu用yòng的de。」那nà鬼guǐ使shǐ欣xīn然rán接jiē引yǐn。劉liú全quán徑jìng至zhì森sēn羅luó寶bǎo殿diàn，見jiàn了le閻yán王wáng，將jiāng瓜guā果guǒ進jìn上shàng道dào：「奉fèng唐táng王wáng旨zhǐ意yì，遠yuǎn進jìn瓜guā果guǒ，以yǐ謝xiè十shí王wáng寬kuān宥yòu之zhī恩ēn。」閻yán王wáng大dà喜xǐ道dào：「好hǎo一yí個gè有yǒu信xìn有yǒu德dé的de太tài宗zōng皇huáng帝dì！」遂suì此cǐ收shōu了le瓜guā果guǒ。那nà刘liú全quán果guǒ服fú毒dú而ér死sǐ，一yì点diǎn魂hún灵líng，顶dǐng着zhe瓜guā果guǒ，早zǎo到dào鬼guǐ门mén关guān上shàng。把bǎ门mén的de鬼guǐ使shǐ喝hè道dào：「你nǐ是shì甚shén人rén，敢gǎn来lái此cǐ处chù？」刘liú全quán道dào：「我wǒ奉fèng大dà唐táng太tài宗zōng皇huáng帝dì钦qīn差chāi，特tè进jìn瓜guā果guǒ与yǔ十shí代dài阎yán王wáng受shòu用yòng的de。」那nà鬼guǐ使shǐ欣xīn然rán接jiē引yǐn。刘liú全quán径jìng至zhì森sēn罗luó宝bǎo殿diàn，见jiàn了le阎yán王wáng，将jiāng瓜guā果guǒ进jìn上shàng道dào：「奉fèng唐táng王wáng旨zhǐ意yì，远yuǎn进jìn瓜guā果guǒ，以yǐ谢xiè十shí王wáng宽kuān宥yòu之zhī恩ēn。」阎yán王wáng大dà喜xǐ道dào：「好hǎo一yí个gè有yǒu信xìn有yǒu德dé的de太tài宗zōng皇huáng帝dì！」遂suì此cǐ收shōu了le瓜guā果guǒ。

夫妻相會

便biàn問wèn那nà進jìn瓜guā的de人rén姓xìng名míng，那nǎ方fāng人rén氏shì。劉liú全quán道dào：「小xiǎo人rén是shì均jūn州zhōu城chéng民mín籍jí。姓xìng劉liú名míng全quán。因yīn妻qī李lǐ氏shì縊yì死sǐ，撇piē下xià兒ér女nǚ，無wú人rén看kān管guǎn，小xiǎo人rén情qíng願yuàn捨shě家jiā棄qì子zǐ，捐juān軀qū報bào國guó，特tè與yǔ我wǒ王wáng進jìn貢gòng瓜guā果guǒ，謝xiè眾zhòng大dà王wáng厚hòu恩ēn。」十shí王wáng聞wén言yán，即jí命mìng查chá勘kān劉liú全quán妻qī李lǐ氏shì。那nà鬼guǐ使shǐ速sù取qǔ來lái在zài森sēn羅luó殿diàn下xià，與yǔ劉liú全quán夫fū妻qī相xiāng會huì。訴sù罷bà前qián言yán，回huí謝xiè十shí王wáng恩ēn宥yòu。便biàn问wèn那nà进jìn瓜guā的de人rén姓xìng名míng，那nǎ方fāng人rén氏shì。刘liú全quán道dào：「小xiǎo人rén是shì均jūn州zhōu城chéng民mín籍jí。姓xìng刘liú名míng全quán。因yīn妻qī李lǐ氏shì缢yì死sǐ，撇piē下xià儿ér女nǚ，无wú人rén看kān管guǎn，小xiǎo人rén情qíng愿yuàn舍shě家jiā弃qì子zǐ，捐juān躯qū报bào国guó，特tè与yǔ我wǒ王wáng进jìn贡gòng瓜guā果guǒ，谢xiè众zhòng大dà王wáng厚hòu恩ēn。」十shí王wáng闻wén言yán，即jí命mìng查chá勘kān刘liú全quán妻qī李lǐ氏shì。那nà鬼guǐ使shǐ速sù取qǔ来lái在zài森sēn罗luó殿diàn下xià，与yǔ刘liú全quán夫fū妻qī相xiāng会huì。诉sù罢bà前qián言yán，回huí谢xiè十shí王wáng恩ēn宥yòu。

借屍還魂

那nà閻yán王wáng卻què檢jiǎn生shēng死sǐ簿bù子zi看kàn時shí，他tā夫fū妻qī們men都dōu有yǒu登dēng仙xiān之zhī壽shòu，急jí差chāi鬼guǐ使shǐ送sòng回huí。鬼guǐ使shǐ啟qǐ上shàng道dào：「李lǐ翠cuì蓮lián歸guī陰yīn日rì久jiǔ，屍shī首shǒu無wú存cún，魂hún將jiāng何hé附fù？」閻yán王wáng道dào：「唐táng御yù妹mèi李lǐ玉yù英yīng今jīn該gāi促cù死sǐ，你nǐ可kě借jiè他tā屍shī首shǒu，教jiào他tā還huán魂hún去qù也yě。」那nà鬼guǐ使shǐ領lǐng命mìng，即jí將jiāng劉liú全quán夫fū妻qī二èr人rén還huán魂hún，同tóng出chū陰yīn司sī而ér去qù。那nà阎yán王wáng却què检jiǎn生shēng死sǐ簿bù子zi看kàn时shí，他tā夫fū妻qī们men都dōu有yǒu登dēng仙xiān之zhī寿shòu，急jí差chāi鬼guǐ使shǐ送sòng回huí。鬼guǐ使shǐ启qǐ上shàng道dào：「李lǐ翠cuì莲lián归guī阴yīn日rì久jiǔ，尸shī首shǒu无wú存cún，魂hún将jiāng何hé附fù？」阎yán王wáng道dào：「唐táng御yù妹mèi李lǐ玉yù英yīng今jīn该gāi促cù死sǐ，你nǐ可kě借jiè他tā尸shī首shǒu，教jiào他tā还huán魂hún去qù也yě。」那nà鬼guǐ使shǐ领lǐng命mìng，即jí将jiāng刘liú全quán夫fū妻qī二èr人rén还huán魂hún，同tóng出chū阴yīn司sī而ér去qù。

回末

畢bì竟jìng不bù知zhī夫fū妻qī二èr人rén如rú何hé還huán魂hún，且qiě聽tīng下xià回huí分fēn解jiě。毕bì竟jìng不bù知zhī夫fū妻qī二èr人rén如rú何hé还huán魂hún，且qiě听tīng下xià回huí分fēn解jiě。

英譯 Two Strokes of the Brush

A hundred years of light and shade run on like flowing water; a lifetime's labors and affairs are but foam upon the tide. Yesterday the cheek still bore the peach-bloom's colour; today about the temples drift the flakes of snow. Only when the white-ants' battle-lines lie broken is the whole seen as a dream; while the cuckoo cries in earnest, turn back betimes. From of old, hidden merit can lengthen a man's span; do good and beg no pity, and Heaven of itself provides.

Now the story tells how Taizong, all dim and drifting, felt his soul pass straight out before the Five-Phoenix Tower, where the imperial guard and their horses stood waiting to invite His Majesty out from court to the hunt. Delighted, he went along with them and rode off into the haze. When he had travelled a good while, men and horses alike had vanished, and he wandered on alone, pacing amid desolate wilds and open grass. Just as he grew alarmed, unable to find the road, he saw off to one side a man who cried aloud, “Emperor of the Great Tang — this way, this way!” Hearing it, Taizong raised his head to look, and beheld a man of this appearance:

On his head a cap of black gauze; about his waist a belt of rhinoceros horn. The black gauze on his head trails soft streamers; the horn about his waist gleams with gold inlay. In his hands he lifts an ivory tablet wreathed in auspicious mist; on his body a gauze robe half-veils an auspicious glow. On his feet a pair of white-soled boots that mount the clouds and hasten the mist; in his bosom he tucks a single register of life and death, wherein survival and perishing stand fixed. His temple-locks, loose and unkempt, flutter above his ears; his beard, streaming and dancing, curls about his cheeks. In days gone by he served as a minister of the Tang; now he keeps the rolls in attendance upon King Yama.

When Taizong came up to him he saw the man kneeling in obeisance by the roadside. “Your Majesty,” he declared, “pardon your servant's fault in failing to greet you from afar.” “Who are you?” Taizong asked. “On what business have you come forward to meet and salute me?” “Half a month ago, in the Hall of Judgment,” the man said, “your servant saw the ghost-dragon of the Jing River accuse Your Majesty of promising rescue and then permitting the beheading; whereupon King Qinguang of the First Court dispatched a demon-runner to summon Your Majesty for the three-tribunal confrontation. Knowing this, your servant came here to await and receive you. I did not expect to be late this day — I beg your pardon, your pardon.” “What is your surname and given name?” said Taizong. “What office do you hold?” “In the days of my life I served in the world above before your late father's carriage,” the man replied. “I was magistrate of Ci prefecture, and later rose to Vice-Minister of Rites. My surname is Cui, my given name Jue. Now, in the shades below, I have received the post of Registrar-Magistrate of Fengdu.” Overjoyed, Taizong stepped near, and his imperial hand hastened to raise the man up. “You have come a long and weary way, sir. My minister Wei Zheng has a letter he would send you — how fortunate that we should meet!” The magistrate gave thanks and asked where the letter was. Taizong drew it at once from his sleeve and handed it over; Cui Jue received it with a bow, broke the seal, and read. The letter ran:

Your unworthy younger brother Wei Zheng, bowing his head, respectfully addresses this letter to his sworn elder brother, the Grand Registrar, venerable Master Cui: I recall our old companionship — your voice and face seem present still. Yet in the space of a few swift years I have heard nothing of your pure counsel. At each turning of the seasons I have only set out plain offerings in sacrifice, though I cannot tell whether you have received them. Then, of your kindness, you did not forsake me but appeared before me in a dream, and so I first learned that my elder brother had risen to high estate. But alas, the quick and the dead are sundered, each in a separate quarter of the world, and we cannot meet face to face. Now, because my sovereign, the Cultured Emperor Taizong, has suddenly passed away and must, I reckon, face the three tribunals, he will surely come to meet with my elder brother. I entreat you ten-thousand-fold: bending your thoughts upon the friendship of our living days, grant a small favour or two, and release my sovereign to return to the light — it would be a singular kindness. I shall render fuller thanks another time. Words cannot exhaust it.

When the magistrate had read the letter he said with heartfelt delight, “The matter of Minister Wei's beheading the old dragon in a dream the other day — I knew of it long since, and cannot praise it enough. What is more, he has kindly looked after my descendants morning and night. Now that his letter has come, let Your Majesty set your heart at rest: your servant will undertake to send you back to the light, to remount the Jade Towers.” Taizong voiced his thanks.

As the two were speaking they saw off to one side a pair of blue-clad boys bearing pennants and a jeweled canopy, who called aloud, “King Yama requests you — requests you!” So Taizong, together with Magistrate Cui and the two boys, stepped forward. All at once he saw a walled city, above whose gate hung a great placard inscribed with seven large golden characters: GATE OF GHOSTS, NETHER REGION OF SHADOWY GLOOM. The blue-clad boys shook their pennants and led him straight into the city, walking on down the street. Then he saw, at the roadside, his late father Li Yuan, his late elder brother Jiancheng, and his dead younger brother Yuanji, who came forward crying, “Shimin has come! Shimin has come!” Jiancheng and Yuanji rushed up to seize and beat him, demanding his life. Taizong could not dodge in time and was clutched fast in their grip. By good fortune Magistrate Cui summoned a demon-runner with blue face and jutting fangs, who with a single shout drove the two brothers back, so that Taizong won free and went on. Before he had gone a few li he came upon a tower-hall roofed in jade-green tiles, truly magnificent. Thus it appeared:

Fluttering, ten thousand folds of coloured sunset heaped high; faint and dim, a thousand strands of crimson mist appear. Gleaming, from the eaves soar the heads of monstrous beasts; glittering, in five courses lie the mandarin-drake tiles. The gates are bored with several rows of red-gold studs; the sill is set with a single bar of white jade. The lattice-windows, near to the light, breathe out a dawn-like haze; the blinds and casements, dazzling bright, are pierced by crimson lightning. The tower-hall rears high to touch the blue empyrean; the galleries range level, linked to precious courts. From beast-shaped censers, clouds of incense steep the royal robes; in crimson-gauze lamps, the firelight brightens the palace fans. On the left, fierce and glaring, Ox-Head is ranged; on the right, towering high, Horse-Face is arrayed. Receiving the dead and escorting the ghosts, they turn the golden tablets; drawing the souls and summoning the spirits, they let fall white streamers. This they call the Grand Assembly Gate of the Shadow Administration; below it lies the Hall of Judgment of aged Yama.

While Taizong stood without and gazed, he heard from a side chamber the tinkling of girdle-jades and caught a rare, unearthly incense. Two pairs of lamp-bearers came forth ahead, and behind them the Ten Kings of the Dead descended the steps — King Qinguang, King Chujiang, King Songdi, King Wuguan, King Yama, King Pingdeng, King Taishan, King Dushi, King Biancheng, and King Zhuanlun. They came out from the Hall of Judgment and, arching their backs and bowing low, went to receive him; and Taizong, all humility, did not dare to go before them. “Your Majesty is a king of men in the world of light,” the Ten Kings said. “We are kings of ghosts in the world of shade. This is but what our stations require — why yield so overmuch?” “I have given offense before you, sirs,” Taizong replied. “How should I dare to dispute the protocol of yin and yang, of men and ghosts?” — and he yielded without cease. Then he went forward, entering straight into the Hall of Judgment, and when the courtesies with the Ten Kings were done they seated themselves as host and guest.

After a little while King Qinguang, clasping his hands, came forward. “The ghost-dragon of the Jing River charges that Your Majesty promised to save him and then instead had him slain. How is this?” “I did once dream at night that the old dragon begged for rescue,” said Taizong, “and I truly promised him he would come to no harm. I did not expect that, having broken the law and being due for punishment, he should fall to be beheaded by my Registrar of the Bureau of Men, Wei Zheng. I had summoned Wei Zheng to play chess with me in the hall, and did not know that in a single dream he had carried out the beheading. This was the Registrar's own divine and hidden working; and moreover the Dragon King had transgressed and merited death. How should it be a fault of mine?” Hearing this, the Ten Kings bowed in courtesy. “Even before that dragon was born, the death-register of the Southern Dipper had already fixed that he should perish by the hand of the Bureau of Men. This we knew long ago. It was only that he came here to press his dispute and insisted that Your Majesty be brought to face the three-tribunal confrontation. We have now sent him into the Wheel of Transmigration, and he has gone off to be reborn. Now we have again put Your Majesty to the trouble of descending here; we beg your pardon for the offense of having pressed you to come.”

This said, they ordered the magistrate in charge of the life-and-death register to fetch the ledger at once, to see how many years of earthly life and heaven-granted rank His Majesty was allotted. Magistrate Cui hurried to the record-office and, taking the master-ledger of the heaven-granted tenures of all the kings of the myriad realms, examined it one by one, until he found that the Tang Taizong Emperor of the Southern Jambudvīpa Continent was set down for the thirteenth year of Zhenguan. Startled, he snatched up thick ink and a great brush and, adding two strokes atop the character for one, presented the ledger for inspection. The Ten Kings looked it over from the top and saw that under Taizong's name stood thirty-three years. “How many years has Your Majesty sat upon the throne?” King Yama asked in surprise. “Since I took the throne it is now the thirteenth year.” “Let Your Majesty be easy and untroubled,” said King Yama. “You have yet twenty years of life remaining. This visit has made the confrontation clear; pray return to your root and to the light.”

Hearing this, Taizong bowed his body in thanks, and the Ten Kings dispatched two officers, Magistrate Cui and Marshal Zhu, to escort him back to life. As he left the Hall of Judgment he raised his hands once more. “And how fare the old and young of my palace?” “All are well,” said the Ten Kings, “only we fear that the imperial sister's span may not be long.” Taizong bowed again in thanks. “When I return to the world of light I shall have nothing with which to repay you, save only to send some melons and fruit.” “Here we have winter-melons and watermelons in plenty,” said the Ten Kings gladly. “We lack only pumpkins.” “When I return I shall send them at once, at once.” And with that they bowed to one another and parted.

The marshal took up a soul-guiding banner and went before to lead the way, and Magistrate Cui followed behind, guarding Taizong, till they passed straight out of the shadow-court. Taizong lifted his eyes and saw that this was not the road by which he had come. “Is this the wrong way?” “Not wrong,” said the magistrate. “It is so in the world of shade: there is a road out, but no road back. Now we send Your Majesty out by way of the Wheel of Transmigration — for one thing, to let you tour and behold the Land of Shades; for another, to set you toward rebirth and deliverance.” Taizong could only follow the two of them as they led the way forward.

Going straight on for several li, they saw all at once a high mountain, where dark clouds hung to the ground and black mist blotted out the sky. “Master Cui, what mountain is that yonder?” “It is the Mountain of the Shaded North,” the magistrate replied, “in the realm of shadowy gloom.” “How am I ever to cross it?” said Taizong in dread. “Let Your Majesty be at ease — your servants are here to lead the way.” Trembling and fearful, Taizong followed the two of them, climbed up onto the crags, and, raising his head to look, beheld this:

Its form all hollows and swellings; its slopes yet more jagged and steep. Sheer as the ranges of Shu; lofty as the cliffs of Lu. No famed mountain of the world of light, but truly a place of peril in the shadow-realm. In thickets of bramble lurk ghosts and monsters; on glittering rock-faces hide demons and fiends. At the ear no cry of beast or bird is heard; before the eye are only ghosts and goblins moving. A shadow-wind, soughing and sighing; a black mist, spreading and vast. The soughing shadow-wind is the smoke whistled forth from the mouths of spirit-soldiers; the spreading black mist is the breath spewed out in the dark by lurking fiends. As far as one looks, high and low, there is no fair prospect; glancing left and right, all is wild desolation. There are mountains there, and peaks, and ridges, and caverns, and ravines; only the mountains grow no grass, the peaks pierce no sky, the ridges bear no traveler, the caverns hold no cloud, the ravines run no water. Before the banks, all is goblins; below the ridges, all is demon-spirits; within the caverns wild ghosts are gathered; at the bottom of the ravines lurk evil souls. Before the mountain and behind, Ox-Head and Horse-Face raise a wild clamor; half-hidden, half-revealed, hungry ghosts and destitute souls weep now and again to one another. The life-hastening magistrates, in frantic haste, pass on their summons-warrants; the soul-pursuing marshals, shouting and bawling, hurry along their official dispatches. Quick-foot runners, in whirlwinds rolling and rolling; arrest-office men, in black mist thick and thronging.

Relying wholly on the magistrate's protection, Taizong passed over the Shaded Mountain. Going on, they passed through many an office-gate, and in place after place wails of grief assailed the ear and hideous fiends struck terror to the heart. “What place is this?” Taizong asked again. “This is the Eighteen Hells, behind the Shaded Mountain.” “Which are the eighteen levels?” “Listen while I tell you:”

The Hell of Hung Sinews, the Hell of Dark Injustice, the Hell of the Fire-Pit — silent and forlorn, fretful and anguished: all who are here wrought a thousand evils in life, and after death come hither to bear the name of the guilty. The Hell of Fengdu, the Hell of Tongue-Pulling, the Hell of Flaying — sobbing and wailing, wretched and grievous: only for the unfaithful and unfilial, who wounded the bonds of Heaven, and the Buddha-mouthed but serpent-hearted, who fall through this gate. The Hell of the Grinding-Mill, the Hell of the Pestle-Pound, the Hell of the Rending Cart — skin split and flesh burst, mouths agape and teeth bared: these are they who cheated their own hearts against all justice, and with honeyed words and flowery speech did men secret harm. The Hell of Frozen Ice, the Hell of Shell-Stripping, the Hell of Gut-Drawing — grimed of face and matted of hair, brows knit and eyes drawn tight: all are those who with big measures and small scales cheated the simple, and so drew calamity down upon themselves. The Hell of the Oil-Cauldron, the Hell of Utter Darkness, the Hell of the Knife-Mountain — trembling and quaking, grieving and sorrowing: all because they used force and violence to crush the good and gentle, and now, heads tucked and necks drawn in, suffer alone and forlorn. The Hell of the Blood-Pool, the Avīci Hell, the Hell of the Scale-Beam — skin peeled and bone laid bare, arms broken and sinews snapped: all only for plotting after wealth and taking life, for slaughtering beasts and butchering the living — fallen a thousand years with no release, sunk for all eternity, never to rise again. One and all bound fast and tightly fettered, wound with cords and lashed with ropes. They dispatch red-haired ghosts and black-faced ghosts, with long spears and short swords; Ox-Head ghosts and Horse-Face ghosts, with iron truncheons and copper mallets: they beat until brows furrow and faces contort and blood runs streaming, while the tormented cry to earth and cry to Heaven with none to answer.

And truly it is said:

In life let no man cheat his own heart; gods and ghosts see all too plainly — whom would they let go free? Good and evil, in the end, are surely requited; it is only a question of coming early or late.

When Taizong heard this, his heart was struck with dread and grief. Going forward a little while, they saw a band of ghost-soldiers, each holding pennants, who knelt by the road and said, “The Bridge-Wardens have come to receive you.” The magistrate shouted at them to rise and be gone, then came forward and led Taizong across by the golden bridge. Off to one side Taizong saw a silver bridge, upon which walked several of the loyal and filial, the worthy and good, the fair and upright, with pennants likewise conducting them across; and on the other side was yet another bridge, where cold winds rolled and waves of blood surged, and the sound of wailing never ceased. “What is that bridge called?” “Your Majesty, that is called the Nai River Bridge,” said the magistrate. “When you reach the world of light, be sure to record it. Beneath that bridge are none but these:”

Waters that rush in a vast, headlong flood; a road precipitous, narrow, and strait. Solemn as a bolt of white silk flung across the Yangtze; yet like a fire-pit floating up to the world above. A shadow-vapor presses upon one, cold piercing to the bone; a reeking wind assails the nose, its stench boring to the heart. Waves overturning, billows rolling — for those who come and go there is no boat to ferry them across; Bare of foot and wild of hair, all who come and go are sin-working ghosts. The bridge is several lǐ long, only three zhā across, a hundred chǐ high, and a full thousand-fold deep. Above, no handrail or balustrade; below, fiends that snatch at men. Cangues and manacles wound about their bodies, they are driven onto the perilous road of the Nai. Behold, at the bridge's edge, the spirit-generals, how fierce and truculent; within the river, the sinful souls, how truly wretched. On the forking branches of the trees hang robes of silk in green and red, yellow and purple; before the sheer cliff-face crouch the lewd and railing shrews who cursed their husbands' parents. Copper serpents and iron dogs are left to fight over their flesh; forever fallen into the Nai, they have no way out.

And a poem says:

Now and again are heard the weeping of ghosts and the howling of spirits; the blood-waters churn in turbid waves ten thousand zhàng high. Numberless Ox-Heads and Horse-Faces, ferocious, keep guard over the Nai River Bridge.

Even as they spoke, the several Bridge-Wardens had already gone back. Taizong's heart was seized once more with dread; he nodded, sighed inwardly, and grieved in silence. Following close upon the magistrate and the marshal, he soon passed the evil waters of the Nai and the bitter realm of the blood-basin. Ahead they came to the City of the Wrongfully Dead, where a clamorous uproar of voices cried out clearly, “Li Shimin has come! Li Shimin has come!” Hearing the shout, Taizong quaked in heart and gall. He saw a throng of specters — dragging their loins, arms broken, some with feet but no heads — press forward to bar his way, all crying, “Give me back my life! Give me back my life!”

So panicked was Taizong that he shrank and dodged this way and that, crying only, “Master Cui, save me! Master Cui, save me!” “Your Majesty, those are the ghost-souls of the princes and chieftains of the sixty-four places of dust-and-smoke and the seventy-two bands of grass-bandits,” said the magistrate, “all unjustly dead, their grievances unresolved, unclaimed and unmastered, unable to win rebirth, and lacking any cash for the journey; all are destitute, forlorn hungry ghosts. If Your Majesty will give them some money, only then can I save you.” “I have come here empty-handed — where should I get any money?” “Your Majesty, there is a man in the world of light who has a certain store of gold and silver on deposit here in my shadow-office. Your Majesty may put your name to a bond, with your humble magistrate standing surety, and borrow a vault of his, to dole out to these hungry ghosts — only so can you pass through.” “Who is this man?” “He is a man of Kaifeng prefecture in Henan, surnamed Xiang and named Liang, who has thirteen vaults of gold and silver here. If Your Majesty borrows some of his, you need only repay him when you reach the world of light.”

Taizong, greatly pleased, was willing to sign his name and borrow. So he drew up a document for the magistrate, borrowed one vault of his gold and silver, and had the marshal distribute it all. “This gold and silver you may share out equally for your needs,” the magistrate charged them further. “Let your Great Tang lord pass through — his allotted span is yet far from spent. I bear the Ten Kings' august command to send him back to life, and I shall have him hold, in the world of light, a Grand Mass of Land and Water to ferry you all to rebirth. Make no more trouble.” Hearing this, the ghosts, having got the gold and silver, all withdrew with murmurs of assent. The magistrate bade the marshal wave the soul-guiding pennant, and led Taizong out of the City of the Wrongfully Dead, hastening onto the broad level road, drifting and floating away.

Going forward a long while, they came to the place of the Six Paths of Rebirth. There Taizong saw beings mounting the clouds, robed in rosy cloud-capes; and others who had received the registers, with golden fish-tallies at their waists. Monks and nuns, Daoists and laymen, running beasts and flying birds, sprites and goblins — all in a ceaseless stream rushed beneath the Wheel of Rebirth, each entering upon its own path. “What does this mean?” the Tang king asked. “Your Majesty, of clear mind and discerning nature, must surely remember this and make it known to the people of the world of light,” said the magistrate. “This is called the Six Paths of Rebirth: those who do good ascend transformed onto the path of immortals; the wholly loyal rise reborn onto the noble path; the filial are reborn onto the path of blessings; the fair-dealing return to life onto the path of men; the accumulators of virtue are reborn onto the path of wealth; and the vicious sink down onto the path of ghosts.” The Tang king heard him out, nodded, and sighed, saying:

Good indeed, and truly good! Do good, and its fruit is freedom from calamity. Let the good heart be ever earnest, and the path of goodness opens wide. Let no evil thought arise; be sure to lessen all craft and guile. Say not that there is no requital: gods and ghosts have their appointed order.

The magistrate escorted the Tang king right up to the gate of the noble path of rebirth and, bowing, called out, “Your Majesty, this is the place of emergence. Your humble magistrate begs leave to return, and has Marshal Zhu see you the rest of the way.” “I have troubled you, sir, to come so far,” the Tang king thanked him. “When Your Majesty reaches the world of light, by all means hold a Grand Mass of Land and Water to deliver the ownerless, wronged souls — do not on any account forget. If in the shadow-world there be no voice of grievance, then the world of light may enjoy the blessings of great peace. Whatever is not good in all your conduct may be reformed, point by point. Exhort all the world to do good, and I warrant your posterity shall be long, and your realm forever secure.”

The Tang king granted every point, took leave of Magistrate Cui, and, following Marshal Zhu, came in together through the gate. Within it the marshal saw a sea-bay horse, saddle and trappings all complete, and quickly bade the Tang king mount, steadying him on either side. The horse ran like an arrow, and soon reached the bank of the River Wei. There on the water's face he saw a pair of golden carp, turning the waves and leaping in play upon the river; and the Tang king, delighted at the sight, reined in his horse and could not tear himself from gazing. “Your Majesty, move along a little,” said the marshal, “that we may reach the city in good time.” But the Tang king only kept on gazing and would not go forward. So the marshal seized him by the feet and cried out, “Still not going? What are you waiting for?” — and with a splash pushed him off his horse into the River Wei. And so he slipped free of the shadow-world and returned straight to the world of light.

Now under the Tang court there were the two ranks of civil and military officers — Xu Maogong, Qin Shubao, Hu Jingde, Duan Zhixuan, Ma Sanbao, Cheng Yaojin, Gao Shilian, Li Shiji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xiao Yu, Fu Yi, Zhang Daoyuan, Zhang Shiheng, Wang Gui, and the rest — all of whom, together with the crown prince of the Eastern Palace, the empress, the consorts, the palace maids, and the senior attendants, were keeping mourning in the White-Tiger Hall. On one hand they deliberated issuing a proclamation of mourning, to make it known throughout the realm, and meant to set the crown prince upon the throne. Then Wei Zheng, standing by, said, “My lords, hold — it may not be, it may not be. Should we alarm the prefectures and districts, some mishap might arise. Let us wait one day more: my sovereign will surely return to life.” From below, Xu Jingzong stepped forth. “Prime Minister Wei speaks great nonsense. As the old saying goes, spilled water cannot be gathered up, and the departed do not return. How can you still utter such empty words, throwing men's hearts into confusion? What sense is there in it?” “I will not deceive you, Master Xu,” said Wei Zheng. “Since my youth I have been taught the immortals' arts, and my reckonings are most clear. I warrant Your Majesty will not die.”

Just as they were disputing, they heard from within the coffin a cry raised again and again: “You're drowning me! You're drowning me!” It so terrified the civil officers and military officials that their hearts quailed, and the empress and consorts trembled in their gall. Every one of them —

Their faces like yellowed mulberry leaves after autumn; their waists like tender willow-withes before spring. The heir-apparent's legs went weak, scarce able to lean on the mourning-staff and perform the full rites of grief; the senior attendants' souls flew off — how could they don the ridged cap and keep the rites of filial duty? The consorts stumbled and fell; the serving-maids reeled and swayed. The consorts, stumbling and falling, were like withered lotuses toppled by a wild wind; the serving-maids, reeling and swaying, were just like delicate lotus-buds knocked askew by a sudden rain. The assembled ministers, struck with dread, felt their bones go soft and their sinews numb. Trembling and quaking, dazed and dumbstruck, they turned the White-Tiger Hall into something like a bridge with its beam snapped through; the clamorous mourning-dais became just like a temple fallen to ruin.

By this time the palace attendants had all fled clean away, and who among them dared approach the bier to steady the coffin? Happily the upright Xu Maogong, the fierce-principled Prime Minister Wei, the stout-hearted Qin Qiong, and the headlong-bold Jingde came forward to hold it and cried, “Your Majesty, if there is anything you cannot set your heart at rest about, tell us — do not play the ghost and terrify your kin.” “It is no ghost-trick,” said Wei Zheng. “This is His Majesty returning to life. Quick, fetch tools!” They forced open the coffin-lid, and there indeed sat Taizong within, still crying, “I'm drowning! Who will pull me out?” Maogong and the others came forward to raise him. “Your Majesty is awake — have no fear; your servants are all here to guard you.”

Only then did the Tang king open his eyes. “What I have just suffered! I dodged the peril of the evil ghosts of the shadow-world, only to meet the disaster of drowning on the water's face.” “Let Your Majesty be at ease and have no fear,” said the ministers. “What water-disaster could there be?” “I was riding my horse, and just as I came to the bank of the River Wei, I saw a two-headed fish at play. Then Marshal Zhu, with malice in his heart, pushed me off my horse, and I fell into the river and all but drowned.” “Your Majesty's ghost-vapors are not yet dispelled,” said Wei Zheng, and urgently had the Imperial Medical Academy bring a decoction to calm the spirit and settle the soul, and further arranged gruel and food. After taking it once or twice, the emperor at last returned to his root and original self, and regained his awareness of the world. All told, the Tang king had been dead three full days and nights, and now returned to the world of light to be its sovereign. There is a poem in witness:

Through myriad ages, how often have rivers and mountains changed hands; down the generations, dynasties have fallen and risen. Zhou and Qin, Han and Jin knew many a strange event — but who, like the Tang king, has died and lived again?

That day, the sky already growing dark, the ministers asked the king to retire, and each and all withdrew. Early the next morning they doffed their mourning clothes and changed into colored robes — every one in red gown and black cap, every one with purple sash and golden seal — and waited outside the court gate for the summons. Now Taizong, having taken the decoction to calm his spirit and settle his soul, and swallowed several bowls of gruel, was helped by his ministers into the bedchamber, where he slept soundly through the night and nursed his strength; only at daybreak did he rise, rouse his majestic bearing, and — see how he was arrayed:

He wore a sky-piercing crown and donned a robe of ochre-yellow. He fastened a belt of Lantian green jade and trod in a pair of 'founding, care-free' boots. His countenance imposing, surpassing the courts of the age; his majesty blazing, flourishing anew this very day. What a Tang king, ruling in peace and virtue! What a Lord Li, risen from death to life!

The Tang king ascended the Golden Chimes Hall, gathered the two ranks of civil and military officers, and when the shouts of acclamation were done they took their places by grade. Then an edict was heard: “Let those with business step from the ranks and memorialize; those without, withdraw from court.” From the eastern aisle came forth Xu Maogong, Wei Zheng, Wang Gui, Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, Yuan Tiangang, Li Chunfeng, Xu Jingzong, and the rest; from the western aisle came Yin Kaishan, Liu Hongji, Ma Sanbao, Duan Zhixuan, Cheng Yaojin, Qin Shubao, Hu Jingde, Xue Rengui, and the rest — all together advanced and, prostrate before the white-jade steps, memorialized: “Your Majesty dreamed at the last audience — how is it you were so long in waking?”

“The other day, when I had received Wei Zheng's letter,” said Taizong, “I felt my soul-spirit pass out of the hall, and saw the Feathered Forest guards inviting me out to hunt. Just as I rode, men and horses vanished without a trace, and I saw my late father the king and my late brothers in noisy dispute. Just as I was at a loss, I saw a man in a black cap and dark gown — none other than the magistrate Cui Jue — who with a shout drove off my late brothers. I handed Wei Zheng's letter over to him. “As I looked on, I saw blue-clad ones bearing pennants who led me within, to the Hall of Judgment, where I sat in converse with the Ten Kings of the Dead. They spoke of how the Jing-River dragon had falsely charged me with promising rescue and then turning to slaughter; and I laid out the whole matter from the first. They said the three tribunals had already confronted the case, and quickly ordered the register of life and death fetched, to examine my allotted span. Then Magistrate Cui handed up the ledger, and when King Yama had looked, he said that I had thirty-three years of heaven-granted tenure — that only thirteen had passed, and I was still owed twenty years of life — and at once directed Marshal Zhu and Magistrate Cui to escort me back. I took my leave of the Ten Kings, and promised to send them melons and fruit in thanks for their kindness. “When I had come out of the Hall of Judgment, I saw in the shadow-world the multitudes of the disloyal and unfilial, the improper and unrighteous, the wasters of the five grains, the open cheats and secret swindlers, those of big pecks and small scales, the lewd thieves and frauds and deceivers — suffering the torments of grinding, burning, pounding, and hacking, the punishments of scalding, boiling, hanging, and flaying — thousands upon thousands, more than the eye could take in. Then, passing through the City of the Wrongfully Dead, I found countless wronged souls — all the ghost-spirits of the bandits of the sixty-four dust-storms and the rebels of the seventy-two risings — blocking the road before me. Luckily, with Magistrate Cui standing surety, I borrowed a vault of gold and silver from old Xiang of Henan, bought off the ghosts, and only so was able to go on. Magistrate Cui bade me, on my return to the world of light, by all means to hold a Grand Mass of Land and Water to deliver the masterless, ownerless souls — this he charged upon me most earnestly. “Parting from the place beneath the Six Paths of Rebirth, I had Marshal Zhu invite me to mount, and, swift as flight, we came to the bank of the River Wei, where I saw a two-headed fish at play upon the water. Just as I was delighting in it, he seized me by the feet and pushed me down into the water — and so I came to return to life.” When the ministers heard these words, there was none who did not offer congratulation. Thereupon the matter was compiled and proclaimed throughout the realm, and the officials of every prefecture and district sent up memorials of felicitation — of which no more need be said.

Now Taizong further decreed a pardon for the realm's condemned, and had the grave offenders in the prisons reviewed. The reviewing officials took the prisoners of the Board of Punishments condemned to strangling and beheading, and found upon examination some four hundred and more, whom they submitted for report. Taizong released them to go home, to take leave of their parents and brothers and entrust their property to kinsmen and nephews — and to present themselves before the court on this same day next year, still to receive the punishment due. The prisoners gave thanks and withdrew. He further issued a proclamation for the relief of orphans, and, finding some three thousand palace women, young and old, decreed that they be given out in marriage to the soldiery. From this time, within the court and without, all was good. There is a poem in witness. The poem says:

The Tang king of the great realm, his grace and virtue vast, in the Way surpassing Yao and Shun, and all his people thriving. Four hundred death-row prisoners all left the gaol; three thousand grieving women were let go from the palace. Officials throughout the realm proclaimed his long life; the ministers in court hailed the 'prime dragon.' One thought of a good heart, and Heaven surely blesses; the shade of his fortune shall pass down through seventeen reigns.

When Taizong had released the palace women and freed the condemned, he further issued an imperial proclamation, circulated throughout the realm. The proclamation ran: Vast are Heaven and Earth, and the sun and moon shine clear in their scrutiny; broad is the universe, and Heaven and Earth will not harbor the wicked and their factions. Employ scheming and cunning, and the retribution falls in this very life; spread goodness and ask little, and speak not of blessings only in a life to come. A thousand clever schemes are not so good as keeping to one's honest station as a man; ten thousand kinds of violent scoundrels — how can they compare with those who follow their lot and live frugally? If the heart practices mercy and charity, what need to labor over the sutras? But if the mind means harm to others, one reads a whole canon of the Tathāgata in vain!

From this time, there was not a soul in all the realm who did not do good. On one hand, a call for a worthy volunteer was posted, seeking someone to carry melons and fruit down to the shadow-world; and on the other, a vault of gold and silver was taken from the treasure-store, and Yuchi Gong and Hu Jingde were dispatched to Kaifeng prefecture in Henan to seek out Xiang Liang and repay the debt.

The notice had been posted some days when a worthy man came forward to answer the summons and carry the melons and fruit — a native of Junzhou, surnamed Liu and named Quan, whose household possessed ten thousand strings of cash. It was only that his wife, Li Cuilian, had at their gate drawn out a golden hairpin to give alms to a monk, for which Liu Quan railed at her a few words, saying she did not keep to a wife's proper conduct and had presumed to step beyond the women's quarters. Unable to swallow her anger, Lady Li hanged herself and died, leaving behind a pair of young children who wept day and night. Liu Quan, moreover, could not bear the sight; and so, helpless, he gave up his own life, cast off his household ties, left his children, and, willing to die in order to present the melons, tore down the imperial notice and came to see the Tang king. The king issued his command, bidding him go to the Golden Pavilion Lodge, there to balance a pair of pumpkins upon his head, to carry yellow paper-money in his sleeve, and to hold a drug in his mouth.

Liu Quan did indeed take the poison and die, and his single wisp of a soul, balancing the melons and fruit upon its head, came at once to the Gate of Ghosts. “Who are you, that you dare come to this place?” the gate-keeping demon shouted. “I come by imperial commission of the Great Tang Emperor Taizong, expressly to present melons and fruit for the Ten Kings' enjoyment.” At that the demon gladly received him and led him in. Liu Quan went straight to the Hall of Judgment, and when he had seen King Yama, presented the melons and fruit, saying, “By the Tang king's command I come from afar to present melons and fruit, in thanks for the Ten Kings' gracious clemency.” “What a faithful and virtuous Emperor Taizong!” said King Yama, greatly pleased — and thereupon accepted the melons and fruit.

He then asked the melon-bringer's name and from what region he came. “I am a registered commoner of Junzhou city, surnamed Liu and named Quan,” said Liu Quan. “Because my wife, Lady Li, hanged herself and died, leaving our children with none to care for them, I willingly forsook home and children and gave up my life to serve my country, coming expressly to offer melons and fruit at my king's command and to thank the great Kings for their bounty.” Hearing this, the Ten Kings at once ordered an inquiry into Liu Quan's wife, Lady Li. The demon quickly brought her before the Hall of Judgment, where husband and wife were reunited; and when they had told over all that had passed, they turned to thank the Ten Kings for their clemency.

When King Yama examined the register of life and death, he found that this husband and wife both had years yet due them for ascending to immortality, and quickly dispatched a demon to send them back. “Li Cuilian has dwelt in the shades a long while,” the demon reported. “Her corpse no longer survives — to what shall her soul attach?” “The Tang emperor's sister, Li Yuying, is due to die untimely this very day,” said King Yama. “You may borrow her body, and have Cuilian's soul return to life in it.” The demon received the command, and at once restored Liu Quan and his wife to life, and together they went out of the shadow-world. But how, after all, this husband and wife returned to life is not yet known — so listen to the next chapter, where it will be made clear.

札記 Notes

Two strokes and twenty years. The whole chapter turns on a clerk with a wet brush. The Chinese number one is a single horizontal line, 一; three is the same line drawn three times, 三. So when Cui Jue finds the emperor's tenure entered as year thirteen and adds two strokes, he is not forging a document so much as finishing one — the easiest fraud available in the language, and possible only because Chinese draws its first three numbers as one, two and three lines. Twenty years appear out of nothing. What makes the scene bite is that nobody questions it: the court of the dead, which has just explained that the dragon's death was recorded before he was born, reads the altered figure and accepts it. The ledger is inviolable, and a well-placed official can rewrite a life in about three seconds. Taizong then spends the rest of the chapter repeating the forged number to his own ministers in perfect good faith.

Hell has a filing system. Almost nothing in this underworld is supernatural in the way a Western hell is. It is a government. The dead are collected on warrants, escorted by marshals, processed at the 衙門 — the yamen, the compound where a Chinese magistrate held court — and filed against the 生死簿, the register of allotted lifespans. There are couriers, dispatches, ten courts with a king apiece, and a hearing at which all three parties must appear in person. Even the emperor's rescue is transacted as paperwork: a bond, a named guarantor, a disbursement. A Ming reader met this bureaucracy every time he needed a document stamped, and the joke of the chapter is how little changes after you die. The one flourish that is not office furniture is Ox-Head and Horse-Face, the two warders flanking the gate — still the phrase Chinese reaches for to mean a gallery of unsavoury characters.

The dead have to be paid. The 枉死城, the City of the Wrongfully Dead, holds the soldiers killed in the wars that put Taizong on the throne, and their cry — 還我命來, give me back my life — is the standard demand of a murdered ghost in Chinese story. They cannot be prayed past; they have to be bought off. The currency is merit-gold: money given away in charity in the world above is held on deposit below, to your credit, and a pious man in Kaifeng has thirteen vaults of it. So the emperor signs a bond, the magistrate stands surety, one vault is distributed to the crowd, and two generals are later sent to repay the loan in cash to a man who never knew he had made it. It is a merit system run as a bank, and the resurrection of a sovereign comes down to a credit transaction that clears.

The brothers at the gate. Before Taizong reaches any court he meets his father and his two brothers at the roadside, and the brothers set on him demanding his life. This is history, not invention. In 626 Li Shimin killed his elder brother Jiancheng and his younger brother Yuanji at the Xuanwu Gate and forced his father to abdicate; he took the throne two months later and reigned as one of the most admired emperors China has had. The novel does not argue about it. It simply puts the three of them at the gate of hell, has them use his personal name rather than his title, and lets a demon with a blue face clear the road — so that the reader feels the weight of the killings at the exact moment the machinery of the emperor's rescue starts to turn.

The chapter the whole novel hangs on. For the price of his return, Taizong is made to promise a 水陸大會, a Grand Mass of Land and Water — the great Buddhist rite for delivering every being, on land and in water, that nobody else is praying for. He is told about it twice, told to remember it, and told to publish what he has seen. That promise is the hinge of the entire book. The Mass will be held; at the Mass a monk will be chosen; and that monk will be sent west to fetch the scriptures, which is the journey the remaining eighty-nine chapters describe. Everything that happens in hell here — the tour, the debt, the six paths — exists to put that instruction in an emperor's mouth.

Melons, and a man who dies to deliver them. On his way out, Taizong offers the Ten Kings some fruit, the way one might promise to send flowers. The Kings' reply is a small joke on the compass: they have 東瓜, eastern melon, which is the winter melon, and 西瓜, western melon, which is watermelon — so of course what they lack is 南瓜, southern melon, the pumpkin. Having east and west, they are short of south. What follows is not a joke at all. A notice goes up, a grieving husband takes poison in order to make the delivery, and King Yama's praise is entirely serious: the emperor kept a promise most people would have treated as a polite noise. The chapter ends with the same idea turned inside out in 借屍還魂, returning to life in a borrowed body — a phrase still used in Chinese for anything discredited that comes back under a new name.

Units left in Chinese. Distances and measurements are kept in their own units rather than converted, because the numbers are doing work that metres would flatten. A 里, lǐ, is roughly half a kilometre; a 尺, chǐ, is a Chinese foot; a 丈, zhàng, is about ten of those, so the blood-waters standing ten thousand zhàng high are meant to be beyond arithmetic rather than measured. The oddest of them is on the Nai bridge, which is several lǐ long and just three 㪥 wide. That character is rare enough that both its reading, zhā, and its value are uncertain, and other editions of the novel carry a different unit in the slot. Whatever it was, it was narrow, which is the only thing the line needs it to be.