第045回

الفصل الخامس والأربعون

When Shi Xiu returned and saw that the shop had been closed up, he made ready to take his leave. But Father Pan said, "Stay a while, good sir. I know what's in your mind. You haven't been home the past two nights, and now that you've come back and see the goods and furnishings all put away, you've made up your mind that the shop is done for and that's why you want to go. Never mind how good a business it is... even if we weren't keeping the shop, we'd still keep you here in our home. I'll tell you plainly — my younger daughter was first married to a certain Wang Yasi in the prefectural office, but unhappily he passed away. This is the second anniversary, and we're preparing some meritorious rites for him, so we've suspended business these two days. Tomorrow I'll invite monks from Bao'en Temple to perform the ceremonies, and I'll need you to help entertain them. I'm getting on in years and can't keep late hours, so I wanted you to know all this." Shi Xiu said, "Since you put it that way, sir, I'll stay on a while longer." Father Pan said, "From now on, don't you entertain any doubts. Just carry on as you've been doing." They drank a few cups of wine and ate some vegetarian dishes, and then the cups and plates were cleared away.

Then a Taoist monk arrived carrying sutra loads on a pole, and they set up the altar, arranging the Buddha images, offerings, drums and cymbals, bells and chimes, flowers and incense, and lamps and candles. In the kitchen, vegetarian meals were being prepared. Around the hour of *shen*, Yang Xiong came home briefly and said to Shi Xiu, "Brother, tonight I'm on jail duty and can't come, so I'm counting on you to handle everything." Shi Xiu said, "Brother, go without worry. I'll take care of things for you this evening." Yang Xiong left, and Shi Xiu kept watch at the front of the shop. Before long, a young monk lifted the curtain and entered. When Shi Xiu looked at the monk, he was indeed quite presentable, and this is how he appeared:

A freshly shaved head, glossy and greenish-black, rubbed evenly with musk and pine seeds;

A newly sewn saffron-yellow monk's robe, dyed with aloeswood and sandalwood fragrance.

His mountain-root-dyed shoes were a deep indigo from Fuzhou;

His nine-strand silk sash was genuine purple bought from the West.

A pair of sleek, thievish eyes, always ogling the fair women of the household;

A mouth full of honeyed sweet words, specially designed to seduce young widows of ruined homes.

When lust stirs, he goes to the grass hut to seek out nuns;

When lechery swells, he comes to the abbot's quarters to look for novices.

That monk went inside and gave Shi Xiu a deep greeting. Shi Xiu returned the courtesy and said, "Master, please sit a moment." Behind him, a Taoist monk came in carrying two boxes on a pole. Shi Xiu then called out, "Father, there's a monk here." Hearing this, Father Pan came out from inside, and the monk said, "Godfather, why haven't you visited our temple lately?" The old man said, "With this shop keeping me busy, I haven't had the time to get out." The monk said, "For the anniversary of the deputy's passing, I have nothing remarkable to offer — just a little dried noodles and a few packets of capital dates..." The old man said, "Oh my! What's the idea, Master, spending your money on us?" He told his son-in-law to accept the gifts. Shi Xiu carried them inside himself and had tea brought out, inviting the monk to drink it at the front of the shop.

Then the woman came downstairs. She didn't dress too heavily in mourning, but wore light makeup, and asked, "Brother-in-law, who brought these things?" Shi Xiu said, "A monk whom Father calls his godson." The woman laughed and said, "That's my senior brother Heshangli Pei Ruhai — a thoroughly honest monk. He was the young master of the Pei family's silk-thread shop, and he took holy orders at Bao'en Temple. Because his master was a disciple of our family, he became sworn brothers with my father, who adopted him as a godson. He's two years older than me, so I call him senior brother. His dharma name is Hai Gong. — Brother-in-law, this evening just listen to him chanting sutras and reciting prayers — he has such a beautiful voice." Shi Xiu said, "So that's who he is." He already had a pretty good idea of what was going on.

The woman then came downstairs to see the monk. Shi Xiu, with his hands clasped behind his back, followed her out and peered through the bamboo curtain. He saw the woman go out, and the monk rose to his feet, joined his palms, and gave her a deep greeting. The woman said, "What's the idea, brother, spending your money on us!" The monk said, "Sister, these are trifling tokens — hardly worth mentioning." The woman said, "Why do you say that, brother? How could we accept the belongings of a man of the cloth?" The monk said, "Our temple has just built a Hall of Water and Land rites. We'd like to invite you to come and participate, only I'm afraid the bailiff might object." The woman said, "My husband at home isn't so particular. When my mother-in-law died, I made a vow to perform the Blood Basin ritual, and sooner or later I'll have to go to your temple to fulfill it." The monk said, "This is a matter of our own family — why speak of it that way? Whatever you ask of Ruhai, this humble monk will see to it." The woman said, "Brother, just recite a few extra sutras for my mother-in-law." Then a maid came out with tea. The woman picked up a cup, wiped the rim with a handkerchief, and handed it to the monk with both hands. The monk took the cup with one hand while his two eyes stared fixedly at the woman. The woman smiled back at the monk as she looked at him. They say lust knows nothing of heaven's bounds — but they didn't reckon on Shi Xiu watching through the bamboo curtain. Shi Xiu said to himself: "Don't trust the straightforward among the straightforward, beware the kind who are not so kind. Several times I've noticed this woman making suggestive remarks to me, and I always treated her as I would my own sister-in-law. So it turns out she's no decent woman after all. If she ever falls into my hands, I may just give Yang Xiu his due — you never know."

At this point, Shi Xiu was already somewhat suspicious. He lifted the cloth curtain and stepped out. The bald rascal set down his teacup and said, "Please have a seat, Great Master." The woman interjected, "This uncle is my husband's newly sworn brother." The monk, feigning humility and deference, asked with studied courtesy, "Great Master, what is your honored hometown? And your distinguished name?" Shi Xiu said, "My surname is Shi, given name Xiu, a man of Jinling. Because I love meddling in others' affairs and lending my strength, they call me 'The Desperate Third Brother.' I am a coarse and rough fellow, lacking in manners—I hope the monk will not take offense!" Pei Ruhai said, "I dare not, I dare not. This humble monk will go and fetch the other monks to attend the religious service." He took his leave and went out the door. The woman said, "Brother, come back early." The monk answered, "I shall." The woman saw the monk to the door, then went back inside. But Shi Xiu remained at the door, head bowed, lost in thought.

Dear reader, let it be known that in this world, no one is more lustful than monks. Why say this? Laymen and monks alike are born of the same father's essence and mother's blood. So why are monks considered the most lecherous? In the three preceding chapters, we spoke of "Pan, Donkey, Deng, and Little Idle"—but monks are the idlest of all. Three meals a day, they eat the fine vegetarian offerings donated by pious patrons. They dwell in lofty halls and spacious monk's quarters, unburdened by worldly affairs. With fine beds and fine bedding to sleep on, having nothing else to occupy their minds, they think of nothing but this one matter. Consider by analogy a wealthy man—though he may possess all ten blessings, each day how many idle troubles vex his heart! At night he is still preoccupied with money and possessions, not falling asleep until the second or third watch. Even if he has a beautiful wife and lovely concubines sharing his bed, where is the pleasure in that? Then there are the common folk, who toil bitterly from dawn to dusk, rising at the fifth watch and sleeping past midnight. In the evening, before even climbing into bed, they first reach out to feel the rice jar—finding not a single grain, and no money for tomorrow. Even if their wives have some beauty, they have no spirit for it at all. For these reasons, they are outmatched by the monks, whose hearts are undisturbed and who devote themselves entirely to this sort of business. The ancients, commenting on this matter, said that monks are truly formidable. Thus did Scholar Su Dongpo say: "Not bald, not venomous; not venomous, not bald. The more bald, the more venomous; the more venomous, the more bald." The monks also have four lines of verse:

One character makes "monk,"

Two characters make "monk" again,

Three characters—"ghost official of joy,"

Four characters—"hungry ghost among the fair."

Now then, Shi Xiu stood at the door pondering for a good long while, then went back to help with the hosting. Before long, a temple novice arrived first to light the candles and burn incense. Shortly after, the Hai Shali, beating his bell, led the other monks in arriving for the religious service. Pan the Old Man and Shi Xiu received them, offering them tea. When the day's tea was done, they struck the cymbals and bronze gongs, singing praises. The Hai Shali, along with another monk of similar age serving as Shali, shook the bells and pestles, issued the summons to the Buddha, and offered vegetarian fare to the great dharma protectors who supervised the altar and presided over the rite. They prayed for the departed husband, Wang the Bailiff, to be reborn early in the Heavenly Realm. The woman, dressed in plain finery and neatly groomed, came to the altar holding an incense burner, pinching incense and bowing before the Buddha. The Hai Shali redoubled his vigor, shaking the bell and pestle and reciting the true dharma words. When the monks in the hall saw Yang Xiong's wife with such an appearance, they all went topsy-turvy. Observe:

The chanting head monk, frivolous, recites the Buddha's name—knowing no right or wrong;

The Shali, in disarray, recites the true words—heeding neither high nor low.

The incense-burning novice knocks over the flower vase;

The candle-holding monk picks up the wrong incense box.

The officiant proclaiming names calls the Great Song "the Great Tang";

The confessor reciting sins reads "Wang the Bailief" as "Wang the Bailiff."

The one playing the cymbals flings them into empty air;

The one striking the gongs does not know when they hit the ground.

The one clashing the small cymbals goes soft as a lump;

The one sounding the chime stone goes limp as a piece of dough.

The whole hall is a clamor, a chaos crisscrossing the mats.

The scripture keeper, flustered, strikes the drum and hits his disciple's hand;

The weina, eyes wild, smashes the mallet against an old monk's head.

Ten years of ascetic practice undone in an instant—

Not even ten thousand Diamond Kings could restrain them.

The monks, seeing the woman at the altar, could not help but dance with their hands and prance with their feet. For a moment they were deluded in their Buddhist nature and meditative hearts, unable to tether their restless minds and unbridled desires. For this reason, truly virtuous monks are rare in this world. Shi Xiu, watching from the side, said to himself with a cold laugh, "Such as this—what merit is there? As the saying goes, 'It is better to avoid sin than to perform blessings.'" A short while later, the rite of attestation was complete, and the monks were invited inside to eat the vegetarian meal. The Hai Shali, behind the other monks, turned his head and gazed at the woman with a grinning smile. The woman covered her mouth and smiled too. The two of them exchanged glances and conveyed their feelings with their eyes. Shi Xiu saw all this and was already half displeased.

The monks all sat to eat the vegetarian meal. After drinking several cups of plain wine, the meal was brought out, and they all contributed their offerings of money. Pan the Old Man said, "May all you teachers eat your fill." Shortly after, when the monks had finished their meal, they all rose and went about their rounds. After one circuit, they returned to the altar. Shi Xiu was thoroughly displeased in his heart. He made the excuse of a stomachache and went to sleep behind the partition wall.

The woman's passion was stirred, and she gave no thought to whether anyone might see. She went herself to attend to the monks, beating the drums and cymbals once more, brewing tea and preparing fruits and refreshments. The Reverend Hai instructed the monks to recite the sutras with devotion, invited the Celestial King to perform penance, arranged the bathing ritual to summon the departed, and led them in paying homage to the Three Treasures. The memorial rites continued past the third watch, by which time the monks were weary, but the Reverend Hai grew ever more spirited, chanting the scriptures in a loud voice. The woman watched from behind the cloth curtain, her desire burning fiercely, her emotions beyond her control. She sent her maid to ask the Reverend Hai to come speak with her. The bald rascal hurried over to the woman's side. The wretch pulled the monk's sleeve and said, "Brother, when you come tomorrow to collect the merit money, be sure to speak to Father about the Blood Basin Vow, and don't forget." The monk said, "This monk remembers. Just say you wish to fulfill the vow, and it will be done." The monk added, "That uncle of yours is a fearsome fellow." The woman replied, "What does it matter? He's not even a blood relative." The Reverend Hai said, "In that case, this monk can rest easy. I thought he was Colonel Yang's own brother." The two of them exchanged more banter and laughter. Then the monk went out himself to preside over the rites for the departed. He did not know that Shi Xiu, pretending to sleep behind the partition wall, had heard everything and saw it all clearly. That night, when the rites ended at the fifth watch, the Buddha images were sent off and the paper offerings burned, the monks expressed their thanks and departed. The woman went upstairs to sleep. Shi Xiu, seething with fury, thought to himself, "My brother is such a hero, yet it galls me that he's stumbled upon this wanton woman!" He swallowed his rage and went to the workshop to sleep.

The next day, Yang Xiong returned home, and neither of them mentioned anything. After the meal, Yang Xiong went out again. The Reverend Hai, having changed into a fresh set of neat and tidy robes, went straight to old man Pan's house. The woman, hearing that the monk had come, hurried downstairs, came out to greet him, and invited him inside to sit. She called for tea. The woman said gratefully, "Last night I put Brother to much trouble with the sutras. I haven't yet presented the merit money." The Reverend Hai said, "It's nothing worth mentioning. This monk came last night to inform you, dear sister, about the Blood Basin Penance Vow. When you wish to fulfill it, the monks in my temple are now chanting sutras, and all that's needed is a written statement of intent." The woman said, "Good, good." She then sent her maid to ask her father to come out and discuss the matter. Old Pan came out and said with thanks, "This old man couldn't last the night—I failed in my hospitality. And then Uncle Shi was taken ill with a stomach ailment, so there was no one to attend to you. Please forgive me, forgive me." The monk said, "Your honor should take your ease." The woman then said, "I wish to fulfill the old Blood Basin Penance Vow I made for my mother. Brother says the temple is conducting rites tomorrow, and I can have the vow fulfilled there. Let Brother go to the temple to chant the sutras first. After we eat tomorrow, my husband and I will go to the temple to witness the written statement. That will settle the matter." Old Pan said, "Very well. But business may be brisk tomorrow—there may be no one at the shop counter." The woman said, "Uncle Shi is here to look after things. What is there to worry about?" Old Pan said, "My daughter has spoken her wish. Tomorrow we must go." The woman then took some silver for the merit money and gave it to the monk. "Thank you for your trouble, Brother. Please don't think it too meager. I'll come to your temple tomorrow to have some plain noodles." The Reverend Hai said, "I shall await your incense with reverence." He accepted the silver, rose, and said with thanks, "I am grateful for your offering. This monk will distribute it among the brothers. Tomorrow I shall await your coming to witness the vow." The woman saw the monk all the way to the gate. Shi Xiu remained in the workshop, resting, then rose to slaughter pigs and tend to business. As the poem says:

Since ancient times, strange encounters have happened in Buddha's halls,

Secret trysts kindle passion all the more intense.

Like Pei Yung, diligent with the jade pestle,

The clever clouds shift, and the magpie bridge opens.

That night, Yang Xiong returned and settled in to rest. The woman served him supper, washed his hands and feet, then told old man Pan to say to Yang Xiong: "When my mother-in-law was dying, our child made a vow to perform the Blood Basin Sutra Penance at Bao'en Temple. Tomorrow my child and I will go there to witness the fulfillment of the vow and return. I'm telling you so you'll know." Yang Xiong said, "Wife, why didn't you just tell me yourself?" The woman said, "I was afraid you'd be angry if I told you, so I didn't dare." That night, nothing more was said, and they each went to sleep.

The next day, at the fifth watch, Yang Xiong rose and went to report for duty at the government office. Shi Xiu rose and attended to his business. The woman got up, painted and adorned herself lavishly, dressed to perfection, packed a box of incense, bought paper and candles, and hired a sedan chair. Shi Xiu tended to business all morning and paid her no mind. After the meal, the maid Ying'er was dressed up as well. By the hour of the snake, old man Pan changed into fresh clothes and came to Shi Xiu, saying, "Younger brother, I must trouble you to watch the front of the house. This old man and my daughter will go fulfill the vow and return." Shi Xiu smiled and said, "I'll take care of things, sir. But you take good care of your daughter-in-law, and burn plenty of good incense, and come back early." Shi Xiu already knew full well what was happening.

Now old Pan and Ying'er followed the sedan chair straight to Bao'en Temple. The ancients composed a verse that said it well:

Morning, read the sutra of Shakyamundi;

Evening, chant the Huayan mantra.

Plant melons, reap melons;

Plant beans, reap beans.

Sutras and mantras are born of compassion—

How can they save those bound by karmic ties?

Illuminate the original mind,

And manifold means will bring true understanding.

If the heart holds no selfishness,

Why pray to heaven for blessing?

Hell and paradise—

The maker suffers his own reward.

These words, left behind by the ancients, speak solely of the retribution for good and evil—as close as body and shadow. Since one cultivates the six perfections and myriad conditions, one should uphold the three refuges and five precepts. Yet these so-called monks are unbearable—they act no better than dogs and pigs, disgracing the worthy predecessors and leaving slander for later generations. Now this bald thief Haideli had only taken this woman as a sworn sister and made Pan Gong her godfather, but was frustrated and blocked by Yang Xiong, so he could not get his way. Since he had made this woman's acquaintance, there had only been meaningful glances and exchanged affections between them—nothing truly substantive. It was only at this night's ritual gathering that they had finally set an agreement. The bald thief sharpened his dull blade and roused his spirits, first waiting at the mountain gate. When he saw the sedan chair arrive, he was overjoyed and went forward to welcome them. Pan Gong said: "Truly, much trouble for you, venerable monk." The woman stepped down from the sedan and said in thanks: "Much trouble for you, Brother." Haideli said: "I dare not, I dare not! This humble monk and all the other monks have been in the land-and-water hall, reciting sutras since the fifth watch, and have not rested even now. We only waited for dear sister to witness the oath—truly, this is a great merit." He led the woman and her father to the land-and-water hall, where fruit, flowers, incense, and candles had already been arranged. Some ten monks were there reading sutures. The woman bowed to them all and paid respects to the Three Treasures. Haideli led her before the image of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva to witness the oath and confess transgressions. After the prayer document was read through, paper money was burned, and the monks were invited to go eat their meal while his disciples remained to attend. The monk Haidi then invited his godfather and dear sister to his small monastic chamber to take tea. At once he led the woman deep into his chamber, where everything had already been prepared. He called out: "Brother, bring the tea!" Two attendants then brought out the tea—snowy white cups on vermillion trays, of the finest quality. After drinking, they set down the cups. He invited the dear sister to sit inside for a while. Then he led her to a small pavilion, where there was a glossy black lacquered spring table, several scrolls of famous paintings and calligraphy, and upon the small table, a stick of exquisite incense burning. Pan Gong and his daughter sat on one side of the table, the monk sat opposite, and Ying'er stood to one side. The woman said: "Brother, truly this is a fine place for a monk—quiet and serene, peaceful and joyful." Haideli said: "Dear sister, do not mock me. How can it compare with your noble household?" Pan Gong said: "We have imposed on you for a whole day, Brother. We should be getting back." The monk would by no means allow it. He said: "It is rare to have the godfather here, and you are no outsider. Today's vegetarian meal was provided by dear sister as patron. How can you leave without eating a bowl of noodles? Brother, bring it quickly!" Before he finished speaking, two trays were already brought in, filled with rare fruits and unusual vegetables kept in store for occasions like this, along with various vegetarian dishes, spread all across the spring table. The woman said: "Brother, why go to such trouble with wine? You will only be causing us a disturbance." The monk laughed and said: "It is not proper protocol—merely a small token of my humble feelings." The attendant poured the wine into cups. The monk said: "Godfather, it has been a long time since you last came. Try this wine." The old man drank and said: "Good wine—truly rich in flavor." The monk said: "A patron taught me this method the other day. I made five or three bushels of rice into it. Tomorrow I will send a few bottles for your son-in-law to drink." The old man said: "What is the meaning of this?..." The monk urged again: "I have nothing to repay dear sister, but I beg you to drink a cup." The two young monks took turns pouring the wine, and Ying'er was also coaxed into drinking several cups. The woman said: "Enough wine—I cannot drink any more." The monk said: "It is rare for dear sister to come here. Please drink a few more cups." Pan Gong called the sedan bearers in and had each of them given a cup of wine to drink. The monk said: "Godfather, do not worry. This humble monk has already made arrangements. I have had a Taoist invite them outside, where they have their own place to sit and drink. Godfather, rest assured and please drink freely." The truth was that this bald thief had specially prepared this potent wine for this woman. Pan Gong could not resist the urging, drank two more cups, and could not hold it—he was drunk.

The monk said, "Help the old gentleman to bed for a rest." He called two of his fellow monks, who supported the old man and helped him to a cool, quiet room to sleep. The monk then urged, "Madam, drink a few more cups and enjoy yourself." The woman had her own intentions, and the wine had worked its way into her heart. As the old saying goes, "Wine disorders the nature, and beauty bewitches the soul." After three cups, she felt a drowsiness creeping over her and said, "Brother, why do you keep pressing me to drink?" The monk grinned and said, "I simply respect you, madam." The woman said, "I can't drink any more." The monk said, "Come to my cell and see the Buddha's tooth." The woman said, "I was just wanting to see the Buddha's tooth." The monk led her upstairs to a building that turned out to be the cell of the Heshang Ashlay, furnished with great neatness. The woman was pleased at first sight and said, "What a lovely room, so clean and tidy." The monk laughed and said, "It only lacks a lady." The woman laughed too and said, "Can't you find one?" The monk said, "Where would I find such a patron?" The woman said, "Now show me the Buddha's tooth." The monk said, "Send Ying'er downstairs first, and I'll bring it out." The woman said, "Ying'er, go down and see if my father is awake." Ying'er went downstairs to check on Father Pan, and the monk shut the upstairs door. The woman said, "Brother, why are you locking me in here?" The depraved monk, his lust aroused, stepped forward and embraced the woman. "I adore you, madam," he said. "I've spent two years working toward this. Today, by good fortune, you've come here—grant this to your humble monk!" The woman said, "My husband is no fool. If you're trying to deceive me, and he finds out, he won't spare you." The monk knelt and said, "Only have pity on your humble monk!" The woman held out her hand and said, "You monks sure know how to pester a person—I ought to slap you hard!" The monk grinned and said, "Strike me all as you like, madam—just don't hurt your hand." The woman's desire was also kindled. She put her arms around the monk and said, "I can't really hit you." The monk then embraced her, and they went to the bed, undressed, and lay down together in mutual pleasure. Truly:

They cared nothing for the Buddha's teachings,

They could not follow the words of the World-Honored One.

One had a crooked lustful heart—what did she care about her husband?

The other's desire overflowed—let the old monk complain all he wished.

One panted and gasped, like an ox in the shade of a willow;

The other spoke in soft, halting words, like an oriole warbling among the flowers.

By the bedside they whispered of clouds and rain,

On the pillow they swore oaths of mountain and sea.

In Ashlay's cell, a paradise of delight;

In Bao'en Temple, truly a Western Paradise.

Alas—the sweet dew of Bodhi wisdom

Was poured out in an instant into cunning clouds.

From ancient times, our forebears left two lines of verse, speaking of how monks are like worms that bore through iron. Iron is solid and seamless, yet they bore into it—how much more so ordinary households. An ancient poem says:

A hungry ghost of lust, a beast among animals,

They pretend to be real and preach the ancestral way.

Such creatures may be viewed only among the trees—

How could they be introduced into the painted hall?

When the two had finished their lovemaking, the monk held the woman and said, "If you are sincere toward me, I would die without regret. But though you've granted me this favor today, I could only enjoy this brief moment of bliss—I cannot have a whole night of pleasure. In the end, it will surely bring ruin on me, your humble monk." The woman said, "Don't worry. I've already thought of a plan. My husband spends twenty nights out of every month on duty at the jail. I've bought Ying'er, and I'll have her watch at the back gate every day. When my husband is away at night, I'll move out an incense table and burn evening incense as a signal—then you can come without worry. If you're afraid of falling asleep at dawn and not waking up, where could you find a better solution than to buy a head-raising monk and put him at the back gate to strike the wooden fish loudly and call out the Buddha's name—then you can slip out. If we arrange all this, first, he can keep watch outside, and second, you won't miss the dawn." When the monk heard this, he was overjoyed and said, "Wonderful! You go ahead with this plan. I have a monk here, a fellow called Hu the Taoist, and I'll instruct him to keep watch." The woman said, "I dare not stay too long, or the servants will be suspicious. I'd better go quickly—just don't miss our appointment." She quickly rearranged her hair, freshened her makeup, opened the upstairs door, and went downstairs. She had Ying'er wake Father Pan, and they hurried out of the monks' quarters. The sedan-chair bearers, having eaten and drunk, were already waiting at the temple gate. Heshang Ashlay escorted the woman out the mountain gate. She took her leave and got into the chair, returning home with Father Pan and Ying'er. Of this, no more.

This Haichan had come seeking the Morning-Alert Monk. In that same quarter there lived a Taoist named Hu in a small hut in the temple's rear retreat, and everyone called him Hu the Monk. Every day he rose before dawn, struck a wooden fish to herald the morning, and urged people to chant Buddha's name; at daybreak he would collect his vegetarian meal. The Sea-Monk summoned him to his room, set out three cups of good wine for him, and gave him some silver. Hu rose and said, "Your disciple has done nothing to deserve this. How dare I accept such a gift? I have repeatedly received Your Grace's kindness." The Sea-Monk said, "I have always regarded you as a sincere man. From time to time I will put out some money to buy you an ordination certificate and tonsure you as my disciple. Take this silver for now and buy yourself some clothes." It turned out that in the past the Sea-Monk had merely had his disciple occasionally send Hu some midday vegetarian meals, and later even brought him along to recite sutras and receive offerings of money. Hu was deeply grateful and had yet to repay him. "Now he has given me silver again—he must have a use for me. Why wait for him to speak?" Hu then said, "If Your Grace has any need of this humble disciple, I shall go forward at once." The Sea-Monk said, "Hu, since you are so well-disposed, I will conceal nothing from you. Mistress Pan, old Mr. Pan's daughter, wishes to have dealings with me. She has arranged that whenever a small incense table is set up outside the back gate, that is the signal for me to come. It is difficult for me to loiter there myself. If you could first go and scout whether anyone is about, then I can go. I also need you to rise before dawn, as usual, when you are calling on people to chant Buddha's name—at that time, go to the back gate there, and if you see no one, strike your wooden fish loudly to announce the morning and call out Buddha's name in a loud voice, and then I can come out." Hu said, "What difficulty is there in that?" He agreed on the spot. That day he first went to the back gate of the Pan residence to beg for a vegetarian meal, and saw Ying'er come out and say, "Why don't you come to the front gate for your meal, Daoist? Why come to the back gate?" Hu then began to chant Buddha's name. The woman inside heard it and understood at once. She came out the back gate and asked, "Are you not the monk who heralds the dawn at the fifth watch?" Hu replied, "This humble monk is indeed the one who heralds the dawn at the fifth watch, urging people to sleep less. In the evening one should burn some incense to cultivate merit." The woman was overjoyed and told Ying'er to go upstairs and fetch a string of copper coins to give him in alms. The moment Hu saw Ying'er turn away, he said to the woman, "I am the Sea-Monk's trusted man. He specially sent me to scout the way." The woman said, "I already knew. Tonight you may come and have a look. If there is an incense table outside, you may inform him of it." Hu nodded his head. Ying'er brought the copper coins and Hu took them and left. The woman went upstairs and confided her secret affair to Ying'er. As the old saying goes, "A household's maidservant is called a mere slave." If she can gain the smallest advantage, how could she not comply? Even the greatest matters would be accomplished. Therefore, a household's maidservants may be used but not trusted, and yet one cannot do without them. There is a poem to prove it:

Warming and stealing cold, disaster is bred;

It is truly the servant who ruins the house.

Look at what Red Maid did that day—

She coaxed Miss Ying out after all.

Now on this day Yang Xiong was due at the prison. Before evening he came to fetch his bedding and went to spend the night in the jail. Ying'er, having received a small favor, could hardly wait for evening. She set up the incense table herself and, at dusk, placed it outside the back gate. The woman stood to one side keeping watch. A little past the first watch, a man wearing a head-cloth slipped in. Ying'er asked, "Who is it?" The man did not answer but removed his head-cloth, revealing his bare pate. The woman, seeing from the side that it was the Sea-Monk, softly cursed, "Damn bald-pate, quite the clever one." The two embraced and went upstairs together. Ying'er removed the incense table, closed the back gate, and went to sleep herself. The two of them that night were as close as glue and lacquer, as sweet as sugar and honey, as rich as marrow and cream, as intimate as fish in water—they indulged in wanton pleasure all night long. As the old saying goes, "Do not say that joyful nights are short; if only the golden rooster would delay his crow." The two were just sleeping soundly when they heard the clack-clack of the wooden fish and loud chanting of Buddha's name. The monk and the woman started awake from their dream. The Sea-Monk threw on his robe and rose, saying, "I must go. We will meet again tonight." The woman said, "From now on, whenever there is an incense table outside the back gate, you must not fail your appointment. If there is no incense table at the back gate, you must on no account come." The monk got out of bed, put his head-cloth back on as before, and Ying'er opened the back gate to let him out. From this point on, whenever Yang Xiong went to spend the night on duty at the prison, the monk would come to the house. Only the old man would go to bed early before evening, and the maid Ying'er had already made common cause with them. They needed only to keep Shi Xiu in the dark. The woman's lustful heart was aroused—how could she exercise any restraint? And the monk, having tasted the woman's charms, the two of them seemed as though their very souls had been captured. The monk would wait for the Morning-Alert Monk to give the signal, then leave the temple and come. The woman relied entirely on Ying'er as her accomplice to let him in and out, and so she happily carried on her secret affair with the monk. From this time on, their comings and goings continued for somewhat over a month. The monk came more than ten times.

Now Shi Xiu, having closed up the shop each day, would rest in his quarters nearby, his mind constantly on this matter. It weighed on him day after day, yet he had never seen the monk come and go. He would sleep until the fifth watch, then start up suddenly from time to time, turning the matter over in his mind. All he could hear was the head monk coming straight down the lane, striking his wooden fish and chanting Buddha's name in a loud voice. Shi Xiu was a sharp-witted man, and by now he was more than eighty percent certain. He reflected coldly to himself: "This lane is a dead end—why would this head monk come here day after day to strike his wooden fish and chant Buddha's name? Something is amiss."

It was mid-November, the fifth watch. Shi Xiu, unable to sleep, heard the wooden fish being struck. The head monk came straight into the lane and called out loudly at the rear gate: "Save all living beings! Rescue the suffering and helpless! All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!" Hearing the suspicious cry, Shi Xiu jumped up and peered through a crack in the door. He saw a man wearing a head-cloth emerge from the shadows and leave with the head monk. Then came Ying'er to close the door. Having seen this, Shi Xiu said to himself: "My brother is such a hero, yet he took this wretched woman as his wife. He's been deceived by this woman and made a cuckold through her doings."

As soon as it was light, he took the pigs out, set up his stall, and sold at the morning market. After breakfast, he collected some overdue payments, and around noon he went straight to the prefectural offices to find Yang Xiong. Just as he reached the prefectural bridge, he ran into Yang Xiong, who asked, "Brother, where have you been?" Shi Xiu replied, "Collecting overdue payments—and I've come looking for you." Yang Xiong said, "I'm always busy with official business. I haven't had a chance to enjoy three cups with you. Come, let's sit down here." Yang Xiong led Shi Xiu to a wine shop below the prefectual bridge, chose a secluded booth, and the two sat down. He called for the wine keeper to bring a good bottle and arranged dishes, seafood, and appetizers. After they had drunk three cups, Yang Xiong noticed that Shi Xiu sat with his head bowed, lost in thought. Yang Xiong was an impatient man and asked, "Brother, something seems to be troubling you. Has someone at home said something to offend you?" Shi Xiu said, "There's nothing like that at home. I'm grateful that you've treated me as your own flesh and blood. Dare I speak my mind?" Yang Xiong said, "Why so distant today? Say whatever you have to say." Shi Xiu said, "Brother, every day you go out and devote yourself to official duties, but you don't know what's happening behind your back. This sister-in-law is no virtuous woman. I've seen it many times but haven't dared to speak. Today I saw it clearly and couldn't bear it anymore, so I've come to find you. Please don't take offense at my bluntness." Yang Xiong said, "I have nothing to hide. Tell me who it is." Shi Xiu said: "When we held the Buddhist ceremony at home and invited that thieving bald-pate, the Hai Shali, sister-in-law exchanged glances with him right in front of me. On the third day, they went to the temple to fulfill the Blood Basin Vows, and both came back drunk. Lately I've heard a head monk coming into the lane to strike his wooden fish and chant—it sounded strange. This morning at the fifth watch, I got up and looked, and sure enough it was that bald-pate, wearing a head-cloth, leaving from our house. What use is such a wanton woman?"

Yang Xiong flew into a rage. "How dare this wretch do such a thing!" Shi Xiu said, "Brother, calm yourself. Say nothing tonight—act as usual. Tomorrow, pretend you've been assigned to night duty. After the third watch, come and knock on the door again. That fellow will certainly slip out through the rear gate first. I'll grab him and leave him to your disposal." Yang Xiong said, "Brother, you're right." Shi Xiu added, "Brother, be sure not to say anything rash tonight." Yang Xiong said, "I'll meet you tomorrow as planned." They drank a few more cups, settled the bill, and left the wine shop together, going their separate ways. Several guards called out to Yang Xiong: "We've been looking for you everywhere, Section Commander! The Prefect is in the garden and wants you to come show us some staff fighting. Hurry, hurry!" Yang Xiong told Shi Xiu, "The magistrate has summoned me. I have to go. Brother, go home first." Shi Xiu returned home, closed up the shop, and went to his quarters to rest.

Now Yang Xiong was summoned by the Prefect to the rear garden, where he demonstrated staff fighting several times. The Prefect was delighted and called for wine, rewarding him with ten large cups in a row. Yang Xiong drank, and the men dispersed. They then invited Yang Xiong out for more wine. By evening he was dead drunk and had to be helped home. As the poem says:

*Wine and lust are ever linked in breath,*

*The wastrel sleeps among the flowers in death.*

*But heroes nurse their grievances deep within,*

*And drunken wrath no slumber can rescind.*

When the woman saw her husband drunk, she thanked the others and helped him upstairs with Ying'er, lighting bright candles. Yang Xiong sat on the bed. Ying'er removed his boots, and the woman took off his head-cloth and headband. Looking at the woman, a sudden rage welled up in Yang Xiong's heart. As the old saying goes: "Drunken words are sober truth." He pointed at the woman and cursed: "You wretched slut! I'll make sure I finish you off!" The woman was terrified and dared not reply, attending only to putting Yang Xiong to bed. Yang Xiong lay down on one side while cursing bitterly on the other: "You filthy, shameless woman—that fellow dares to spit into the tiger's mouth. I won't let you off lightly." The woman didn't dare breathe, waiting until Yang Xiong had fallen asleep.

They watched until the fifth watch. Yang Xiong woke from his drunkenness and asked for water to drink. The woman rose, ladled a bowl of water, and handed it to him. He drank. The dying lamp on the table still gave light. After drinking the water, Yang Xiong asked, "Sister-in-law, did you not undress last night before sleeping?" The woman said, "You were dead drunk. I was afraid you might vomit—how dared I undress? I just lay down at the foot of the bed all night." Yang Xiong said, "Did I say anything?" The woman said, "You are normally good-natured when drinking, but once drunk you sleep. Last night I just felt somewhat uneasy." Yang Xiong asked again, "I haven't had a good drink with Brother Shi Xiu these past few days. You should prepare something at home and invite him." The woman made no reply. She sat herself on the foot of the bed, her eyes brimming with tears, sighing. Yang Xiong said again, "Sister-in-law, I was drunk last night and didn't provoke you—why are you troubled?" The woman covered her tearful eyes and would not answer. Yang Xiong asked several times, and the woman covered her face and pretended to weep. Yang Xiong pulled her up from the foot of the bed onto the bed, determined to make her tell him why she was troubled. The woman wept as she spoke: "My parents married me to Magistrate Wang in the beginning, hoping it would be straight as a bamboo pole from start to finish—who thought I'd be cast aside halfway? Now I've married you, a true hero and a man of courage—who'd have thought you wouldn't stand up for me!" Yang Xiong said, "What's this? Who dares bully you, and I won't stand up for you?" The woman said, "I meant not to tell, but feared you'd fall into his trap; and wanting to speak, I feared you'd swallow your anger." Yang Xiong heard this and said, "Tell me what happened." The woman said, "I'll tell you, but don't take it to heart. Since you acknowledged this Shi Xiu as your sworn brother and he came to live here, at first things were fine, but later on I could see the thorns emerging. When you didn't come home, he would often look at me and say, 'Elder Brother hasn't come today—Sister-in-law, sleeping alone must be lonely.' I ignored him—it hasn't been just one day.—But let that pass. Yesterday morning, I was washing my neck in the kitchen. This fellow came out from behind, saw no one about, and reached a hand from behind to touch my chest, saying, 'Sister-in-law, are you with child or not?' I struck his hand away. I was about to raise a cry, but feared the neighbors would hear and laugh, making a fool of you. I waited for you to come home, but you were muddily drunk again and I dared not speak. I could have devoured him—and here you are asking about Brother Shi Xiu!" Indeed:

The wanton woman is ever clever with words;

A husband with soft ears is easily led astray.

From now on Shi Xiu is driven out the front door,

And the monk is let in through the back.

When Yang Xiong heard this, anger flared in his heart and he cursed: "'You can paint a dragon or a tiger, but not their bones; you can know a man's face, but not his heart.' This wretch has come to my face and spoken all sorts of things about the monk, without a shred of proof. Clearly the fellow is panicked and came first to preempt me, showing his cunning." He muttered angrily, "He's not even my real brother—I'll just drive him out and be done with it."

When dawn came, Yang Xiong went downstairs and said to Pan the Elder, "Salt the slaughtered stock. From today, no more trading." In a moment, the counter and the butcher's block were torn down. Shi Xiu, at daybreak, had just brought meat out to open the shop in front when he saw the butcher's block and counter both overturned. Shi Xiu was a sharp-witted man—how could he not understand? He smiled to himself: "So that's it. Because Yang Xiong spoke carelessly in his drunkenness, the news leaked, and this woman used her cunning to turn it around and accuse me of impropriety. She told her husband to close the meat shop. If I argue with her now, it would make Yang Xiong lose face. I'll yield this step for now and plan something else." Shi Xiu went to the workshop and packed his bundle. Yang Xiong, afraid of shaming him, left on his own. Shi Xiu took his bundle, strapped on his sharp narrow knife, and came to take leave of Pan the Elder: "This humble one has troubled your household for a long time. Now that Elder Brother has closed the shop, I take my leave. The accounts are perfectly clear—not a single coin is owed or outstanding. If I have harbored the slightest dishonest thought in my heart, may Heaven strike me dead and the earth annihilate me." Pan the Elder, having been instructed by his son-in-law, dared not detain him. A poem bears witness:

Words by the pillow are easily heard;

Eyes behind one's back are hard to open.

The upright man is driven away,

And wickedness seeps in.

Shi Xiu took his leave and found an inn in a nearby alley to stay in, renting a room. Shi Xiu pondered to himself: "Yang Xiu and I are sworn brothers... If I do not clear this matter up, I will have failed him and cost him his life. Though he believed the woman's words for now and bears a grudge against me, I cannot simply let it be—I must make this matter clear to him. I shall find out when he takes his turn guarding the prison. If I rise at the fourth watch, the truth will be revealed." He stayed at the inn two days, then went to Yang Xiong's door to listen for news. That evening he saw the young jailer take out bedding. Shi Xiu said, "Tonight he must be on prison duty. Let me do a little work and see."

That evening he returned to the inn and slept until the fourth watch, when he rose. He strapped on this sharp wrist-cutting knife for protection, quietly opened the inn gate, and made his way stealthily to the alley behind Yang Xiong's back gate. He hid in the shadows to watch. It happened to be the fifth watch when he saw the monk carrying his wooden fish, peering and craning his neck at the mouth of the alley. Shi Xiu slipped out and appeared behind the monk, seized him with one hand, and pressed the knife against his neck with the other. He said in a low, threatening voice, "Don't struggle. If you make a loud sound, I'll kill you. Just tell me the truth—what did the Reverend Hai send you here for?"

The monk said, "Hero, spare me and I'll talk."

Shi Xiu said, "Speak quickly, and I won't kill you."

The monk said, "Reverend Heshang and Master Pan's daughter have been carrying on. Every night he comes and goes. He told me to watch for the incense table at the back gate as a signal to call him into the fold. At the fifth watch he sent me to strike the wooden fish and chant the Buddha's name to call him out of the fold."

Shi Xiu said, "Where is he now?"

The monk said, "He's still sleeping in his house. When I strike the wooden fish now, he'll come out."

Shi Xiu said, "Lend me your clothes and wooden fish." He stripped the monk and took his wooden fish. As the monk was pulling off his robe, Shi Xiu pressed the knife across his throat and killed him, letting him fall to the ground. The monk was dead. Shi Xiu then put on the monk's straight-cut robe and knee guards, tucked the sharp knife at his side, and walked straight into the alley striking the wooden fish.

Reverend Heshang was in bed and happened to hear the clack-clack of the wooden fish. He rose quickly, threw on his clothes, and came downstairs. Ying'er came first to open the gate. The monk then slipped out from the back gate. Shi Xiu continued to strike the wooden fish. The monk whispered irritably, "What are you striking that for?"

Shi Xiu made no reply. He let the monk walk to the mouth of the alley, then knocked him down in one move, pinned him, and said, "Don't make a loud sound! If you shout, I'll kill you. Just wait until I've stripped your clothes."

Reverend Heshang knew it by then—Shi Xiu. How would he dare struggle or cry out? Shi Xiu stripped all his clothes off so that he was stark naked, not a thread on him. Quietly Shi Xiu drew the knife from beside his knee and stabbed him three or four times until he was dead. He placed the knife beside the dead monk, gathered up both sets of clothing, bundled them into one package, and went back to the inn. He quietly opened the door, went inside, silently closed it, and went back to sleep himself. But no more of this.

Now, in the city there was an old man named Wang who sold cakes and congee. That morning he shouldered his pole with cakes and congee, lit a lantern, and came out to the early market with a little monkey following him. He happened to pass by the dead bodies when his foot caught on something and he stumbled, spilling the old man's entire load of cakes and congee onto the ground. The little monkey cried out, "Bitter fate! A monk lying drunk here!" The old man felt his way up and touched two hands of blood. He cried out in misery, beside himself. Several neighbors heard and opened their doors to come out. When they held up torches, they saw blood and congee everywhere, and two corpses lying on the ground. The neighbors seized the old man and wanted to drag him to the magistrate's office to file a complaint. Truly:

Disaster falls from the sky,

Calamity rises from the earth.

How exactly did Old Wang extricate himself? Listen to the explanation in the next chapter.