第097回 Squire Kou Is Robbed and the Monks Are Wrongly Accused

第097回Chapter 97

且不言唐僧等在華光破屋中苦耐夜雨存身。For now we will not speak of how Tang Seng and the others endured the night rain, taking shelter in the ruined temple of Huaguang.卻說銅臺府地靈縣城內有夥兇徒，因宿娼、飲酒、賭博，花費了家私，無計過活，遂夥了十數人做賊，算道本城哪家是第一個財主，哪家是第二個財主，去打劫些金銀用度。Instead, tell of a band of ruffians within the city of Diling County, in Tongtai Prefecture, who, through whoring, drinking, and gambling, had squandered their family fortunes and had no way to make a living, and so banded together, some ten-odd men, to turn to thievery, reckoning which household in the city was the wealthiest and which the second wealthiest, so as to go plunder some gold and silver for their expenses.內有一人道：「也不用緝訪，也不須算計，只有今日送那唐朝和尚的寇員外家十分富厚。Among them one man said, "There's no need to spy about or scheme further — there's only today's affair, the seeing-off of that Tang monk at Squire Kou's house; his family is exceedingly rich.我們乘此夜雨，街上人也不防備，火甲等也不巡邏，就此下手，劫他些貲本，我們再去嫖賭兒耍子，豈不美哉？」眾賊歡喜，齊了心，都帶了短刀、蒺藜、拐子、悶棍、麻繩、火把，冒雨前來，打開寇家大門，吶喊殺入。Let us take advantage of this night's rain, when the people in the streets are off guard and the night watchmen are not making their rounds, and strike now, seizing some of his capital, so that we may go off again to whore and gamble and amuse ourselves — would that not be splendid?" The band of thieves rejoiced, united in purpose, and all armed themselves with short blades, caltrops, cudgels, sleep-clubs, hempen ropes, and torches, and came through the rain, forcing open the great gate of the Kou household, and rushed in with shouts and cries.慌得他家裡若大若小，是男是女，俱躲個乾淨：媽媽兒躲在床底；In a panic the whole household, old and young, male and female, all scattered to hide themselves completely: the old mistress hid beneath the bed;老頭兒閃在門後；the old master slipped behind the door;寇梁、寇棟與著親的幾個兒女，都戰戰兢兢的四散逃走顧命。Kou Liang and Kou Dong, together with several sons and daughters of the family, all fled in trembling terror in every direction to save their lives.那夥賊拿著刀，點著火，將他家箱籠打開，把些金銀寶貝、首飾衣裳、器皿家火，盡情搜劫。The band of thieves, holding blades and lighting torches, broke open the household's chests and trunks, and thoroughly plundered the gold, silver, treasures, ornaments, clothing, and household vessels.那員外割捨不得，拚了命，走出門來，對眾強人哀告道：「列位大王，夠你用的便罷，還留幾件衣物與我老漢送終。」那眾強人哪容分說，趕上前，把寇員外撩陰一腳，踢翻在地。The squire could not bear to give it all up, and risking his life, went out the door and pleaded with the bandits, "My lords, if you have enough for your needs, that will do — please leave a few articles of clothing for this old man's burial." The bandits, allowing no further words, rushed forward and kicked Squire Kou in the groin, felling him to the ground.可憐三魂渺渺歸陰府，七魄悠悠別世人！Alas, his three hun-souls drifted faintly away to the underworld, and his seven po-souls dissolved, departing from the world of men!眾賊得了手，走出寇家，順城腳做了軟梯，漫城牆一一繫出，冒著雨連夜奔西而去。Having succeeded, the band of thieves left the Kou household, and along the base of the city wall made a rope ladder, letting themselves down one by one over the wall, and braving the rain, fled west through the night.那寇家僮僕見賊退了，方才出頭。The Kou household's servants, seeing the thieves withdrawn, only then dared show themselves.及看時，老員外已死在地下。When they went to look, the old squire was already dead upon the ground.放聲哭道：「天呀！They cried aloud, wailing, "Heaven!主人公已打死了！」眾皆伏屍而哭，悲悲啼啼。Our master has been beaten to death!" All of them fell upon the corpse weeping, in bitter lamentation.

且不言唐僧等在华光破屋中苦耐夜雨存身。却说铜台府地灵县城内有伙凶徒，因宿娼、饮酒、赌博，花费了家私，无计过活，遂伙了十数人做贼，算道本城哪家是第一个财主，哪家是第二个财主，去打劫些金银用度。内有一人道：「也不用缉访，也不须算计，只有今日送那唐朝和尚的寇员外家十分富厚。我们乘此夜雨，街上人也不防备，火甲等也不巡逻，就此下手，劫他些赀本，我们再去嫖赌儿耍子，岂不美哉？」众贼欢喜，齐了心，都带了短刀、蒺藜、拐子、闷棍、麻绳、火把，冒雨前来，打开寇家大门，呐喊杀入。慌得他家里若大若小，是男是女，俱躲个干净：妈妈儿躲在床底；老头儿闪在门后；寇梁、寇栋与著亲的几个儿女，都战战兢兢的四散逃走顾命。那伙贼拿著刀，点著火，将他家箱笼打开，把些金银宝贝、首饰衣裳、器皿家火，尽情搜劫。那员外割舍不得，拼了命，走出门来，对众强人哀告道：「列位大王，够你用的便罢，还留几件衣物与我老汉送终。」那众强人哪容分说，赶上前，把寇员外撩阴一脚，踢翻在地。可怜三魂渺渺归阴府，七魄悠悠别世人！众贼得了手，走出寇家，顺城脚做了软梯，漫城墙一一系出，冒著雨连夜奔西而去。那寇家僮仆见贼退了，方才出头。及看时，老员外已死在地下。放声哭道：「天呀！主人公已打死了！」众皆伏尸而哭，悲悲啼啼。

將四更時，那媽媽想恨唐僧等不受他的齋供，因為花撲撲的送他，惹出這場災禍，便生妒害之心，欲陷他四眾。As the fourth watch drew near, the old mistress, resenting that Tang Seng and the others had accepted their offering of alms, thinking that it was because of the lavish send-off given them that this calamity had been brought upon the house, conceived a malicious jealousy and wished to implicate the four pilgrims.扶著寇梁道：「兒啊，不須哭了。Supporting herself on Kou Liang, she said, "My son, there's no need to weep further.你老子今日也齋僧，明日也齋僧，豈知今日做圓滿，齋著那一夥送命的僧也。」他兄弟道：「母親，怎麼是送命僧？」媽媽道：「賊勢兇勇，殺進房來，我就躲在床下，戰兢兢的留心向燈火處看得明白。Your father fed monks today and fed monks tomorrow — who would have thought that today, on the very day of completing his vow, he should feed that band of life-taking monks." Her son said, "Mother, how do you mean, 'life-taking monks'?" The old mistress said, "The thieves came on fierce and violent, killing their way into the room; I hid beneath the bed, trembling with fear, but kept careful watch toward the lamplight and saw it clearly.你說是誰？Do you know who it was?點火的是唐僧，持刀的是豬八戒，搬金銀的是沙和尚，打死你老子的是孫行者。」二子聽言，認了真實道：「母親既然看得明白，必定是了。The one lighting the torch was Tang Seng, the one holding the blade was Zhu Bajie, the one carrying off the gold and silver was Sha Wujing, and the one who beat your father to death was Sun Xingzhe." When the two sons heard this, they took it for the plain truth and said, "Since Mother saw it so clearly, it must certainly be so.他四人在我家住了半月，將我家門戶牆垣、窗櫺巷道，俱看熟了，財動人心，所以乘此夜雨，復到我家，既劫去財物，又害了父親，此情何毒！Those four lodged in our house for half a month, and they came to know well our gates and walls, windows and lanes; wealth stirs men's hearts, and so, taking advantage of this night's rain, they came back to our house, and having plundered our wealth, they also murdered our father — how vicious this is!待天明到府裡遞失狀，坐名告他。」寇棟道：「失狀如何寫？」寇梁道：「就依母親之言。」寫道：When day breaks, let us go to the prefecture to lodge our complaint of the crime, and name them by name in our accusation." Kou Dong said, "How shall the complaint be written?" Kou Liang said, "Just as our mother has said." And so it was written:

将四更时，那妈妈想恨唐僧等不受他的斋供，因为花扑扑的送他，惹出这场灾祸，便生妒害之心，欲陷他四众。扶著寇梁道：「儿啊，不须哭了。你老子今日也斋僧，明日也斋僧，岂知今日做圆满，斋著那一伙送命的僧也。」他兄弟道：「母亲，怎么是送命僧？」妈妈道：「贼势凶勇，杀进房来，我就躲在床下，战兢兢的留心向灯火处看得明白。你说是谁？点火的是唐僧，持刀的是猪八戒，搬金银的是沙和尚，打死你老子的是孙行者。」二子听言，认了真实道：「母亲既然看得明白，必定是了。他四人在我家住了半月，将我家门户墙垣、窗櫺巷道，俱看熟了，财动人心，所以乘此夜雨，复到我家，既劫去财物，又害了父亲，此情何毒！待天明到府里递失状，坐名告他。」寇栋道：「失状如何写？」寇梁道：「就依母亲之言。」写道：

一家子吵吵鬧鬧，不覺天曉。The whole household clamored and quarreled, and before they knew it, day had dawned.一壁廂傳請親人，置辦棺木；On the one hand, they sent word to summon relatives and arranged for a coffin;一壁廂寇梁兄弟，赴府投詞。on the other hand, the brothers Kou Liang went to the prefectural office to lodge their complaint.原來這銅臺府刺史正堂大人：Now it happened that the governing magistrate of Tongtai Prefecture was a lord of great uprightness:

一家子吵吵闹闹，不觉天晓。一壁厢传请亲人，置办棺木；一壁厢寇梁兄弟，赴府投词。原来这铜台府刺史正堂大人：

當時坐了堂，發放了一應事務，即令擡出放告牌。At that time he took his seat in the hall, dispatched the routine business, and at once ordered the complaint-board brought out and displayed.這寇梁兄弟抱牌而入，跪倒高叫道：「爺爺，小的們是告強盜得財，殺傷人命重情事。」刺史接上狀去，看了這般這的，如此如彼，即問道：「昨日有人傳說，你家齋僧圓滿，齋得四眾高僧，乃東土唐朝的羅漢，花撲撲的滿街鼓樂送行，怎麼卻有這般事情？」寇梁等磕頭道：「爺爺，小的父親寇洪，齋僧二十四年。The brothers Kou Liang, clasping the board, entered and knelt, crying loudly, "Your Honor, we come to report a grave matter of robbery by bandits and the taking of a life." The magistrate took up the complaint and, having read through the particulars, this and that, said, "Yesterday it was said that your household had completed its vow of feeding monks, having fed four eminent monks — arhats of the Tang court from the Land of the East — with drums and music resounding gaily the whole length of the street as they were sent off. How could such a thing as this have happened?" Kou Liang and the others kowtowed and said, "Your Honor, our late father Kou Hong fed monks for twenty-four years.因這四僧遠來，恰足萬僧之數，因此做了圓滿，留他住了半月。Because these four monks had come from afar, and their arrival happened to complete the full number of ten thousand monks fed, he held the completion ceremony and kept them lodged for half a month.他就將路道、門窗都看熟了。They thereby came to know well the roads, gates, and windows.當日送出，當晚復回，乘黑夜風雨，遂明火執杖，殺進房來，劫去金銀財寶、衣服首飾，又將父打死在地。That very day they were sent off, and that very night they returned, and taking advantage of the dark night and wind and rain, they came with open torches and weapons, killing their way into the house, plundering the gold, silver, treasure, clothing, and ornaments, and beating our father to death besides.望爺爺與小民做主。」刺史聞言，即點起馬步快手并民壯人役，共有百五十人，各執鋒利器械，出西門，一直來趕唐僧四眾。We beg Your Honor to render justice for us commoners." Upon hearing this, the magistrate at once mustered mounted and foot constables together with local militia, some one hundred fifty men in all, each armed with sharp weapons, and went out the west gate, heading straight to pursue the four pilgrims of Tang Seng.

当时坐了堂，发放了一应事务，即令抬出放告牌。这寇梁兄弟抱牌而入，跪倒高叫道：「爷爷，小的们是告强盗得财，杀伤人命重情事。」刺史接上状去，看了这般这的，如此如彼，即问道：「昨日有人传说，你家斋僧圆满，斋得四众高僧，乃东土唐朝的罗汉，花扑扑的满街鼓乐送行，怎么却有这般事情？」寇梁等磕头道：「爷爷，小的父亲寇洪，斋僧二十四年。因这四僧远来，恰足万僧之数，因此做了圆满，留他住了半月。他就将路道、门窗都看熟了。当日送出，当晚复回，乘黑夜风雨，遂明火执杖，杀进房来，劫去金银财宝、衣服首饰，又将父打死在地。望爷爷与小民做主。」刺史闻言，即点起马步快手并民壮人役，共有百五十人，各执锋利器械，出西门，一直来赶唐僧四众。

卻說他師徒們在那華光行院破屋下挨至天曉，方才出門，上路奔西。Now tell of the master and disciples, who had endured in the ruined lodge of the Huaguang shrine until daybreak, and only then set out on the road, heading west.可可的那些強盜當夜打劫了寇家，繫出城外，也向西方大路上，行經天曉，走過華光院西去，有二十里遠近，藏於山凹中，分撥金銀等物。As it happened, the very bandits who had robbed the Kou household that night, having let themselves down outside the city wall, had likewise taken the western high road, and by the time day broke, had passed some twenty li west of the Huaguang shrine, where they hid themselves in a mountain hollow, dividing up the gold, silver, and other goods.分還未了，忽見唐僧四眾順路而來，眾賊心猶不歇，指定唐僧道：「那不是昨日送行的和尚來了？」眾賊笑道：「來得好，來得好。Before the division was finished, they suddenly saw the four pilgrims of Tang Seng coming along the road; the bandits' hearts were still restless, and pointing at Tang Seng, one said, "Isn't that the monk from yesterday's send-off?" The bandits laughed and said, "Good, they've come at just the right time.我們也是幹這般沒天理的買賣，這些和尚緣路來，又在寇家許久，不知身邊有多少東西，我們索性去截住他，奪了盤纏，搶了白馬湊分，卻不是遂心滿意之事？」眾賊遂持兵器，吶一聲喊，跑上大路，一字兒擺開，叫道：「和尚，不要走，快留下買路錢，饒你性命；We too are in this lawless trade; these monks have come a long way and stayed at the Kou house a good long while — who knows how much wealth they carry on them? We might as well go waylay them, seize their travel funds, and rob them of the white horse to add to our share — would that not be a most satisfying affair?" The bandits thereupon took up their weapons, gave a shout, and ran onto the highway, spreading out in a single line, calling out, "Monks, don't run! Quickly leave behind your toll money, and we'll spare your lives;牙迸半個『不』字，一刀一個，決不留存。」諕得唐僧在馬上亂戰，沙僧與八戒心慌，對行者道：「怎的了？let so much as half a 'no' pass your teeth, and it's one blow apiece — we'll leave none of you alive." This so frightened Tang Seng that he floundered wildly atop his horse, and Sha Seng and Bajie, hearts in a panic, said to Xingzhe, "What shall we do?怎的了？What shall we do?苦耐得半夜雨天，又早遇強徒斷路，誠所謂『禍不單行』也。」行者笑道：「師父莫怕，兄弟勿憂，等老孫去問他一問。」We barely endured half a night of rain, and now so soon we meet with bandits blocking the road — truly this is what is meant by 'misfortunes never come singly.'" Xingzhe laughed and said, "Master, do not be afraid; brothers, do not worry — let old Sun go and have a word with them."

却说他师徒们在那华光行院破屋下挨至天晓，方才出门，上路奔西。可可的那些强盗当夜打劫了寇家，系出城外，也向西方大路上，行经天晓，走过华光院西去，有二十里远近，藏于山凹中，分拨金银等物。分还未了，忽见唐僧四众顺路而来，众贼心犹不歇，指定唐僧道：「那不是昨日送行的和尚来了？」众贼笑道：「来得好，来得好。我们也是干这般没天理的买卖，这些和尚缘路来，又在寇家许久，不知身边有多少东西，我们索性去截住他，夺了盘缠，抢了白马凑分，却不是遂心满意之事？」众贼遂持兵器，呐一声喊，跑上大路，一字儿摆开，叫道：「和尚，不要走，快留下买路钱，饶你性命；牙迸半个『不』字，一刀一个，决不留存。」諕得唐僧在马上乱战，沙僧与八戒心慌，对行者道：「怎的了？怎的了？苦耐得半夜雨天，又早遇强徒断路，诚所谓『祸不单行』也。」行者笑道：「师父莫怕，兄弟勿忧，等老孙去问他一问。」

好大聖，束一束虎皮裙，抖一抖錦布直裰，走近前，叉手當胸道：「列位是做甚麼的？」賊徒喝道：「這廝不知死活，敢來問我。Behold the Great Sage: he tightened his tiger-skin skirt, shook out his brocade robe, and walked forward, and with hands clasped before his chest said, "What are you gentlemen about?" The bandits shouted roughly, "This fellow doesn't know whether he's alive or dead, daring to question us.你額顱下沒眼，不認得我是大王爺爺？Have you no eyes beneath your brow, that you don't recognize us as your lords and masters?快將買路錢來，放你過去。」行者聞言，滿面陪笑道：「你原來是剪徑的強盜。」賊徒發狠叫：「殺了。」行者假假的驚恐道：「大王，大王，我是鄉村中的和尚，不會說話，衝撞莫怪，莫怪。Quickly hand over your toll money, and we'll let you pass." Hearing this, Xingzhe, all smiles, said, "So you're highwaymen bandits, are you." The bandits, growing fierce, cried, "Kill him!" Xingzhe, feigning fright, said, "My lords, my lords, I am but a country monk, unskilled in speech; forgive me if I have given offense, forgive me, forgive me.若要買路錢，不要問那三個，只消問我。If it's toll money you want, there's no need to ask those three — just ask me alone.我是個管帳的，凡有經錢、襯錢，哪裡化緣的、布施的，都在包袱中，盡是我管出入。I am the one who keeps the accounts; whatever sutra-fees or alms-money, whatever comes from those who seek merit or give offerings, it is all in the bundle, and I alone manage what goes in and out.那個騎馬的雖是我的師父，他卻只會念經，不管閑事，財色俱忘，一毫沒有。That one on horseback, though he is my master, only knows how to recite sutras and pays no mind to worldly affairs — he has forgotten wealth and lust alike, and has not a scrap on him.那個黑臉的是我半路上收的個後生，只會養馬。That one with the dark face is a young fellow I picked up along the way; he only knows how to tend the horse.那個長嘴的是我雇的長工，只會挑擔。That one with the long snout is a hired hand I took on; he only knows how to carry the load.你把三個放過去，我將盤纏、衣缽盡情送你。」眾賊皆說：「這個和尚倒是個老實頭兒。Let the three of them pass, and I will hand over to you in full our travel funds and our robe and bowl." The bandits all said, "Now this monk is an honest sort.既如此，饒了你命，教那三個丟下行李，放他過去。」行者回頭使個眼色，沙僧就丟了行李擔子，與師父牽著馬，同八戒往西徑走。Since that's so, we'll spare your life; tell those three to drop the luggage and let them pass." Xingzhe turned his head and gave a wink, and Sha Seng at once dropped the luggage pole, and, together with Bajie, led the horse with the master and walked straight on west.

好大圣，束一束虎皮裙，抖一抖锦布直裰，走近前，叉手当胸道：「列位是做甚么的？」贼徒喝道：「这厮不知死活，敢来问我。你额颅下没眼，不认得我是大王爷爷？快将买路钱来，放你过去。」行者闻言，满面陪笑道：「你原来是剪径的强盗。」贼徒发狠叫：「杀了。」行者假假的惊恐道：「大王，大王，我是乡村中的和尚，不会说话，冲撞莫怪，莫怪。若要买路钱，不要问那三个，只消问我。我是个管帐的，凡有经钱、衬钱，哪里化缘的、布施的，都在包袱中，尽是我管出入。那个骑马的虽是我的师父，他却只会念经，不管闲事，财色俱忘，一毫没有。那个黑脸的是我半路上收的个后生，只会养马。那个长嘴的是我雇的长工，只会挑担。你把三个放过去，我将盘缠、衣钵尽情送你。」众贼皆说：「这个和尚倒是个老实头儿。既如此，饶了你命，教那三个丢下行李，放他过去。」行者回头使个眼色，沙僧就丢了行李担子，与师父牵著马，同八戒往西径走。

行者低頭打開包袱，就地撾把塵土，往上一灑，念個咒語，乃是個定身之法；Xingzhe, bowing his head, opened the bundle, scooped up a handful of dust from the ground, and cast it upward, reciting a spell — it was a body-binding technique;喝一聲：「住！」那夥賊共有三十來名，一個個咬著牙，睜著眼，撒著手，直直的站定，莫能言語，不得動身。then he shouted, "Halt!" The band of thieves, some thirty in number, each and every one gritting his teeth, staring wide-eyed, hands flung open, stood stock-still, unable to speak a word or move a step.行者跳出路口，叫道：「師父，回來，回來。」八戒慌了道：「不好，不好，師兄供出我們來了。Xingzhe leapt out of the roadway and called, "Master, come back, come back!" Bajie, alarmed, said, "This is bad, this is bad — elder brother has given us away.他身上又無錢財，包裡又無金銀，必定是叫師父要馬哩。He has no money on his own person, and there's no gold or silver in the bundle — he must surely mean to have the master hand over the horse.叫我們是剝衣服了。」沙僧笑道：「二哥莫亂說。And calling us back means they'll strip us of our clothes." Sha Seng laughed and said, "Second brother, don't talk nonsense.大哥是個了得的，向者那般毒魔狠怪，也能收服，怕這幾個毛賊？Elder brother is a most capable one — he has even subdued fierce demons and vicious monsters far worse than this; why should he fear a few petty thieves?他那裡招呼，必有話說，快回去看看。」長老聽言，欣然轉馬，回至邊前，叫道：「悟空，有甚事叫回來也？」行者道：「你們看這些賊是怎的說？」八戒近前推著他，叫道：「強盜，你怎的不動彈了？」那賊渾然無知，不言不語。If he's calling us over there, there must surely be something to it — let's hurry back and see." The elder, hearing this, gladly turned his horse about, and coming back to the spot, called out, "Wukong, why have you called us back?" Xingzhe said, "Look and see what these thieves have to say for themselves." Bajie went up close, shoving one of them, and called out, "Bandit, why don't you move?" The thief, utterly senseless, said not a word.八戒道：「好的痴啞了。」行者笑道：「是老孫使個定身法定住也。」八戒道：「既定了身，未曾定口，怎麼連聲也不做？」行者道：「師父請下馬坐著。Bajie said, "He's gone properly dumb and dazed." Xingzhe laughed and said, "It's old Sun who used a body-binding spell to hold them fast." Bajie said, "If their bodies are bound, but not their mouths, why don't they even make a sound?" Xingzhe said, "Master, please dismount and sit down a while.常言道：『只有錯捉，沒有錯放。』兄弟，你們把賊都扳翻倒綑了，教他供一個供狀，看他是個雛兒強盜，把勢強盜。」沙僧道：「沒繩索哩。」行者即拔下些毫毛，吹口仙氣，變作三十條繩索。As the saying goes, 'Better to seize wrongly than to let go wrongly.' Brothers, tie up all these thieves and make them lie flat, and have them give a full confession, so we may see whether they are green novice bandits or seasoned old hands." Sha Seng said, "We have no rope." Xingzhe at once plucked out some hairs, blew a breath of magic upon them, and transformed them into thirty ropes.一齊下手，把賊扳翻，都四馬攢蹄綑住。All together they set to work, throwing the thieves down and binding them, hands and feet trussed like a horse's four legs.卻又念念解咒，那夥賊漸漸甦醒。Then he recited the spell once more to release them, and the band of thieves gradually came back to their senses.

行者低头打开包袱，就地挝把尘土，往上一洒，念个咒语，乃是个定身之法；喝一声：「住！」那伙贼共有三十来名，一个个咬著牙，睁著眼，撒著手，直直的站定，莫能言语，不得动身。行者跳出路口，叫道：「师父，回来，回来。」八戒慌了道：「不好，不好，师兄供出我们来了。他身上又无钱财，包里又无金银，必定是叫师父要马哩。叫我们是剥衣服了。」沙僧笑道：「二哥莫乱说。大哥是个了得的，向者那般毒魔狠怪，也能收服，怕这几个毛贼？他那里招呼，必有话说，快回去看看。」长老听言，欣然转马，回至边前，叫道：「悟空，有甚事叫回来也？」行者道：「你们看这些贼是怎的说？」八戒近前推著他，叫道：「强盗，你怎的不动弹了？」那贼浑然无知，不言不语。八戒道：「好的痴哑了。」行者笑道：「是老孙使个定身法定住也。」八戒道：「既定了身，未曾定口，怎么连声也不做？」行者道：「师父请下马坐著。常言道：『只有错捉，没有错放。』兄弟，你们把贼都扳翻倒捆了，教他供一个供状，看他是个雏儿强盗，把势强盗。」沙僧道：「没绳索哩。」行者即拔下些毫毛，吹口仙气，变作三十条绳索。一齐下手，把贼扳翻，都四马攒蹄捆住。却又念念解咒，那伙贼渐渐甦醒。

行者請唐僧坐在上首，他三人各執兵器喝道：「毛賊！Xingzhe invited Tang Seng to sit in the seat of honor, while the three disciples, each grasping his weapon, shouted, "Petty thieves!你們一起有多少人？How many are in your band altogether?做了幾年買賣？How many years have you been in this trade?打劫了有多少東西？How much have you plundered in all?可曾殺傷人口？Have you ever killed or wounded anyone?還是初犯，卻是二犯、三犯？」眾賊開口道：「爺爺饒命。」行者道：「莫叫喚，從實供來。」眾賊道：「老爺，我們不是久慣做賊的，都是好人家子弟。Is this your first offense, or your second, or third?" The thieves opened their mouths and said, "Spare our lives, my lord." Xingzhe said, "No need to cry out — confess truthfully." The thieves said, "My lord, we are not old hardened thieves — we are all sons of good families.只因不才，吃酒賭錢、宿娼頑耍，將父祖家業，盡花費了，一向無幹，又無錢用。It was only because we were unworthy, given to drinking, gambling, and whoring for amusement, that we squandered entirely our fathers' and grandfathers' family fortunes, and having long had no occupation, we were also without money to spend.訪知銅臺府城中寇員外家貲財豪富，昨日合夥，當晚乘夜雨昏黑，就去打劫。Learning that Squire Kou's household in the city of Tongtai Prefecture was extremely wealthy, we banded together yesterday, and last night, taking advantage of the dark and rainy night, went to rob it.劫的有些金銀服飾，在這路北下山凹裡正自分贓，忽見老爺們來，內中有認得是寇員外送行的，必定身邊有物；We plundered some gold, silver, and clothing, and were in this mountain hollow north of the road just now dividing the spoils, when we suddenly saw you gentlemen coming; among us was one who recognized you as those Squire Kou had sent off, and reckoned you must surely be carrying valuables;又見行李沉重，白馬快走；and seeing too that your baggage was heavy and your white horse swift,人心不足，故又來邀截。our greed knew no bounds, and so we came again to waylay you.豈知老爺有大神通法力，將我們困住。Little did we know that you gentlemen possessed such great divine power, that you should trap us so.萬望老爺慈悲，收去那劫的財物，饒了我們性命也。」We beg most earnestly for your mercy, my lord — take back the property we plundered, and spare our lives."

行者请唐僧坐在上首，他三人各执兵器喝道：「毛贼！你们一起有多少人？做了几年买卖？打劫了有多少东西？可曾杀伤人口？还是初犯，却是二犯、三犯？」众贼开口道：「爷爷饶命。」行者道：「莫叫唤，从实供来。」众贼道：「老爷，我们不是久惯做贼的，都是好人家子弟。只因不才，吃酒赌钱、宿娼顽耍，将父祖家业，尽花费了，一向无干，又无钱用。访知铜台府城中寇员外家赀财豪富，昨日合伙，当晚乘夜雨昏黑，就去打劫。劫的有些金银服饰，在这路北下山凹里正自分赃，忽见老爷们来，内中有认得是寇员外送行的，必定身边有物；又见行李沉重，白马快走；人心不足，故又来邀截。岂知老爷有大神通法力，将我们困住。万望老爷慈悲，收去那劫的财物，饶了我们性命也。」

三藏聽說是寇家劫的財物，猛然吃了一驚，慌忙站起道：「悟空，寇老員外十分好善，如何招此災厄？」行者笑道：「只為送我們起身，那等彩帳花幢，盛張鼓樂，驚動了人眼目，所以這夥光棍就去下手他家。When Sanzang heard that it was property plundered from the Kou household, he was struck with sudden alarm, and rising hastily said, "Wukong, old Squire Kou was so very virtuous and kind — how could he have met with such a calamity as this?" Xingzhe laughed and said, "It was only because of the send-off given us, with all that colorful bunting and canopies and the loud beating of drums and music, catching people's eyes, that this band of scoundrels went to strike at his household.今又幸遇著我們，奪下他這許多金銀服飾。」三藏道：「我們擾他半月，感激厚恩，無以為報，不如將此財物護送他家，卻不是一件好事？」行者依言。Now, fortunately, we happened to meet them, and have seized back from them all this gold, silver, and clothing." Sanzang said, "We troubled his household for half a month, and are deeply grateful for his generous kindness, with no way to repay it — would it not be a fine deed to escort this property back to his home?" Xingzhe agreed to this proposal.即與八戒、沙僧，去山凹裡取將那些贓物，收拾了，馱在馬上。He at once went with Bajie and Sha Seng into the mountain hollow to fetch all the stolen goods, gathered them together, and loaded them upon the horse.又教八戒挑了一擔金銀，沙僧挑著自己行李。He also had Bajie carry a load of the gold and silver on a pole, while Sha Seng carried his own luggage.行者欲將這夥強盜一棍盡情打死，又恐唐僧怪他傷人性命，只得將身一抖，收上毫毛。Xingzhe wished to beat the whole band of thieves to death with a single stroke of his staff, but fearing that Tang Seng would blame him for taking human life, he had no choice but to give his body a shake and gather back his hairs.那夥賊鬆了手腳，爬起來，一個個落荒逃生而去。The band of thieves, their hands and feet freed, scrambled up and fled every which way to save their lives.這唐僧轉步回身，將財物送還員外。Tang Seng then turned back and retraced his steps, to return the property to the squire's household.這一去，卻似飛蛾投火，反受其殃。This going was just like a moth flying into the flame — instead they suffered harm for it.有詩為證。There is a poem in testimony.詩曰：The poem says:

三藏听说是寇家劫的财物，猛然吃了一惊，慌忙站起道：「悟空，寇老员外十分好善，如何招此灾厄？」行者笑道：「只为送我们起身，那等彩帐花幢，盛张鼓乐，惊动了人眼目，所以这伙光棍就去下手他家。今又幸遇著我们，夺下他这许多金银服饰。」三藏道：「我们扰他半月，感激厚恩，无以为报，不如将此财物护送他家，却不是一件好事？」行者依言。即与八戒、沙僧，去山凹里取将那些赃物，收拾了，驮在马上。又教八戒挑了一担金银，沙僧挑著自己行李。行者欲将这伙强盗一棍尽情打死，又恐唐僧怪他伤人性命，只得将身一抖，收上毫毛。那伙贼松了手脚，爬起来，一个个落荒逃生而去。这唐僧转步回身，将财物送还员外。这一去，却似飞蛾投火，反受其殃。有诗为证。诗曰：

三藏師徒們將著金銀服飾拿轉，正行處，忽見那槍刀簇簇而來。As the master and disciples of Sanzang, carrying the gold, silver, and clothing, were on their way back, they suddenly saw a dense throng of spears and blades approaching.三藏大驚道：「徒弟，你看那兵器簇擁相臨，是甚好歹？」八戒道：「禍來了，禍來了，這是那放去的強盜，他取了兵器，又夥了些人，轉過路來與我們鬥殺也。」沙僧道：「二哥，那來的不是賊勢。──大哥，你仔細觀之。」行者悄悄的向沙僧道：「師父的災星又到了，此必是官兵捕賊之意。」說不了，眾兵卒至邊前，撒開個圈子陣，把他師徒圍住道：「好和尚！Sanzang, greatly alarmed, said, "Disciples, look at those weapons crowding toward us — what ill can this mean?" Bajie said, "Trouble has come, trouble has come! These must be the bandits we released, who have gone to fetch weapons and gathered more men, and turned back along the road to fight us to the death." Sha Seng said, "Second brother, that does not look like a bandit force. — Elder brother, look closely." Xingzhe said quietly to Sha Seng, "The master's star of misfortune has struck again; this must surely be government troops come to arrest bandits." Before he had finished speaking, the troops arrived and, spreading out into a ring, surrounded the master and his disciples, saying, "Fine monks indeed!打劫了人家東西，還在這裡搖擺哩。」一擁上前，先把唐僧抓下馬來，用繩綑了；You've plundered people's property, and still you swagger about here!" They rushed forward all together, first dragging Tang Seng down from his horse and binding him with rope;又把行者三人，也一齊綑了。then they bound Xingzhe and the other two as well, all together.穿上杠子，兩個擡一個，趕著馬，奪了擔，徑轉府城。They strung them up on carrying-poles, two men to bear each one, drove the horse before them, seized the loads, and headed straight back to the prefectural city.只見那：Behold:

三藏师徒们将著金银服饰拿转，正行处，忽见那枪刀簇簇而来。三藏大惊道：「徒弟，你看那兵器簇拥相临，是甚好歹？」八戒道：「祸来了，祸来了，这是那放去的强盗，他取了兵器，又伙了些人，转过路来与我们斗杀也。」沙僧道：「二哥，那来的不是贼势。──大哥，你仔细观之。」行者悄悄的向沙僧道：「师父的灾星又到了，此必是官兵捕贼之意。」说不了，众兵卒至边前，撒开个圈子阵，把他师徒围住道：「好和尚！打劫了人家东西，还在这里摇摆哩。」一拥上前，先把唐僧抓下马来，用绳捆了；又把行者三人，也一齐捆了。穿上杠子，两个抬一个，赶著马，夺了担，径转府城。只见那：

眾官兵攢擁扛擡，須臾間，拿到城裡，徑自解上黃堂報道：「老爺，民快人等，捕獲強盜來了。」那刺史端坐堂上，賞勞了民快，檢看了賊贓，當叫寇家領去。The troops, crowding and bearing them along, in a short while brought them into the city, and went directly to report at the yellow hall, saying, "Your Honor, the constables and militia have captured the bandits and brought them in." The magistrate, seated upright in the hall, rewarded the constables and militia, examined the stolen goods taken from the bandits, and at once ordered the Kou household summoned to reclaim them.卻將三藏等提近廳前，問道：「你這起和尚，口稱是東土遠來，向西天拜佛，卻原來是些設法屣看門路，打家劫舍之賊。」三藏道：「大人容告：貧僧實不是賊，決不敢假，隨身現有通關文牒可照。Then he had Sanzang and the others brought forward before the hall, and questioned them, saying, "You band of monks, claiming to have come from afar in the Land of the East to worship Buddha in the Western Heaven, turn out instead to be thieves who scheme their way in to scout the lay of houses, and then plunder and rob." Sanzang said, "Allow this humble monk to explain, great lord: this poor monk is truly no thief, and would not dare to deceive you — I have on my person this very moment the transit rescript, which may be examined as proof.只因寇員外家齋我等半月，情意深重，我等路遇強盜，奪轉打劫寇家的財物，因送還寇家報恩，不期民快人等捉獲，以為是賊，實不是賊。It was only because Squire Kou's household fed us for half a month, with such deep and weighty kindness, that when we met bandits on the road, we seized back from them the property plundered from the Kou household, meaning to return it to the Kou family in gratitude for their kindness; we did not expect the constables and militia to seize us, taking us for bandits — but truly we are no bandits.望大人詳察。」刺史道：「你這廝見官兵捕獲，卻巧言報恩。We beg Your Honor to examine the matter closely." The magistrate said, "You rascal, seeing yourself caught by government troops, now cunningly claim to be repaying a kindness.既是路遇強盜，何不連他捉來，報官報恩？If you truly met bandits on the road, why did you not seize them too and bring them in, to report both the crime and the kindness repaid?如何只是你四眾？Why is it only the four of you here?你看，寇梁遞得失狀，坐名告你，你還敢展掙？」三藏聞言，一似大海吞舟，魂飛魄喪。Look here — Kou Liang has filed a complaint of loss, naming you by name in his accusation — and still you dare to argue your case?" Hearing this, Sanzang felt as though a great sea had swallowed a boat; his very soul and spirit fled in terror.叫：「悟空，你何不上來折辨？」行者道：「有贓是實，折辨何為？」刺史道：「正是啊，贓證現存，還敢抵賴？」叫手下：「拿腦箍來，把這禿賊的光頭箍他一箍，然後再打。」行者慌了，心中暗想道：「雖是我師父該有此難，還不可教他十分受苦。」他見那皂隸們收拾索子，結腦箍，即便開口道：「大人且莫箍那個和尚。He called out, "Wukong, why do you not come forward and argue our defense?" Xingzhe said, "The stolen goods are here as proof — what use is there in arguing?" The magistrate said, "Just so! With the stolen goods and evidence right here before us, do you still dare deny it?" He called to his attendants, "Bring the head-clamp, and clamp this bald thief's shaven head, and then beat him." Xingzhe was alarmed, and thought secretly to himself, "Although it is true my master is fated to suffer this ordeal, still he must not be made to suffer too severely." Seeing the yamen runners preparing the ropes and fastening the head-clamp, he at once spoke up, "Your Honor, do not clamp that monk just yet.昨夜打劫寇家，點燈的也是我，持刀的也是我，劫財的也是我，殺人的也是我。Last night, in the robbery of the Kou household, the one who lit the lamp was I, the one who held the blade was I, the one who plundered the wealth was I, and the one who killed the man was I as well.我是個賊頭，要打只打我，與他們無干，但只不放我便是。」刺史聞言，就教先箍起這個來。I am the ringleader of the thieves — if you must beat someone, beat only me; it has nothing to do with the others, only do not let me go free." Hearing this, the magistrate ordered that this one be clamped first.皂隸們齊來上手，把行者套上腦箍，收緊了一勒，扢撲的把索子斷了。The yamen runners all set to work together, fitting the head-clamp onto Xingzhe, and tightening it with one pull — with a snap, the cord broke.又結又箍，又扢撲的斷了。They fastened it and clamped it again, and again with a snap it broke.一連箍了三四次，他的頭皮皺也不曾皺一些兒。They clamped him thus three or four times in succession, yet not so much as a wrinkle appeared upon his scalp.

众官兵攒拥扛抬，须臾间，拿到城里，径自解上黄堂报道：「老爷，民快人等，捕获强盗来了。」那刺史端坐堂上，赏劳了民快，检看了贼赃，当叫寇家领去。却将三藏等提近厅前，问道：「你这起和尚，口称是东土远来，向西天拜佛，却原来是些设法屣看门路，打家劫舍之贼。」三藏道：「大人容告：贫僧实不是贼，决不敢假，随身现有通关文牒可照。只因寇员外家斋我等半月，情意深重，我等路遇强盗，夺转打劫寇家的财物，因送还寇家报恩，不期民快人等捉获，以为是贼，实不是贼。望大人详察。」刺史道：「你这厮见官兵捕获，却巧言报恩。既是路遇强盗，何不连他捉来，报官报恩？如何只是你四众？你看，寇梁递得失状，坐名告你，你还敢展挣？」三藏闻言，一似大海吞舟，魂飞魄丧。叫：「悟空，你何不上来折辨？」行者道：「有赃是实，折辨何为？」刺史道：「正是啊，赃证现存，还敢抵赖？」叫手下：「拿脑箍来，把这秃贼的光头箍他一箍，然后再打。」行者慌了，心中暗想道：「虽是我师父该有此难，还不可教他十分受苦。」他见那皂隶们收拾索子，结脑箍，即便开口道：「大人且莫箍那个和尚。昨夜打劫寇家，点灯的也是我，持刀的也是我，劫财的也是我，杀人的也是我。我是个贼头，要打只打我，与他们无干，但只不放我便是。」刺史闻言，就教先箍起这个来。皂隶们齐来上手，把行者套上脑箍，收紧了一勒，扢扑的把索子断了。又结又箍，又扢扑的断了。一连箍了三四次，他的头皮皱也不曾皱一些儿。

卻又換索子再結時，只聽得有人來報道：「老爺，都下陳少保爺爺到了，請老爺出郭迎接。」那刺史即命刑房吏：「把賊收監，好生看轄。They were about to change the cord and fasten it once more, when suddenly someone came to report, "Your Honor, His Excellency the Junior Guardian Chen of the Capital Inspectorate has arrived — please, Your Honor, go out beyond the walls to receive him." The magistrate at once ordered the clerk of punishments, "Take the prisoners and lock them in the jail, and guard them well.待我接過上司，再行拷問。」刑房吏遂將唐僧四眾推進監門。Wait until I have received my superior, and I will resume the interrogation afterward." The clerk of punishments thereupon pushed the four pilgrims of Tang Seng in through the prison gate.八戒、沙僧將自己行李擔進隨身。Bajie and Sha Seng carried their own luggage in with them.三藏道：「徒弟，這是怎麼起的？」行者笑道：「師父，進去，進去，這裡邊沒狗叫，倒好耍子。」可憐把四眾捉將進去，一個個都推入轄床，扣拽了滾肚、敵腦、攀胸。Sanzang said, "Disciples, how did this come about?" Xingzhe laughed and said, "Master, go on in, go on in — there's no dog barking in here, it should be rather good fun." Alas, the four of them were thus pushed inside, and each in turn was thrust into the stocks, and fastened with belly-bands, chest-clamps, and neck-braces.禁子們又來亂打。The jailers then came and beat them wildly besides.三藏苦痛難禁，只叫：「悟空，怎的好？Sanzang, unable to bear the pain, could only cry out, "Wukong, what shall we do?怎的好？」行者道：「他打是要錢哩。What shall we do?" Xingzhe said, "They beat us because they want money.常言道：『好處安身，苦處用錢。』如今與他些錢，便罷了。」三藏道：「我的錢自何來？」行者道：「若沒錢，衣物也是，把那袈裟與了他罷。」三藏聽說，就如刀刺其心。As the saying goes, 'In good times one keeps to oneself; in hard times one spends money.' Give them some money now, and it will all be settled." Sanzang said, "Where would I get money from?" Xingzhe said, "If there's no money, then some goods will do as well — give them the cassock." When Sanzang heard this, it was as though a knife had pierced his heart.一時間見他打不過，只得開言道：「悟空，隨你罷。」Seeing after a while that they could not withstand the beating, he had no choice but to say, "Wukong, do as you see fit."

却又换索子再结时，只听得有人来报道：「老爷，都下陈少保爷爷到了，请老爷出郭迎接。」那刺史即命刑房吏：「把贼收监，好生看辖。待我接过上司，再行拷问。」刑房吏遂将唐僧四众推进监门。八戒、沙僧将自己行李担进随身。三藏道：「徒弟，这是怎么起的？」行者笑道：「师父，进去，进去，这里边没狗叫，倒好耍子。」可怜把四众捉将进去，一个个都推入辖床，扣拽了滚肚、敌脑、攀胸。禁子们又来乱打。三藏苦痛难禁，只叫：「悟空，怎的好？怎的好？」行者道：「他打是要钱哩。常言道：『好处安身，苦处用钱。』如今与他些钱，便罢了。」三藏道：「我的钱自何来？」行者道：「若没钱，衣物也是，把那袈裟与了他罢。」三藏听说，就如刀刺其心。一时间见他打不过，只得开言道：「悟空，随你罢。」

行者便叫：「列位長官，不必打了。Xingzhe then called out, "Gentlemen officers, there is no need to beat us further.我們擔進來的那兩個包袱中，有一件錦襴袈裟，價值千金，你們解開拿了去罷。」眾禁子聽言，一齊動手，把兩個包袱解看。In the two bundles we carried in, there is a brocade cassock worth a thousand pieces of gold — untie the bundles and take it, and be done." Hearing this, the jailers all set to work together, untying the two bundles to look inside.雖有幾件布衣，雖有個引袋，俱不值錢。Though there were a few cloth garments and a carrying-pouch, none of these were worth much.只見幾層油紙包裹著一物，霞光焰焰，知是好物。But then they saw, wrapped in several layers of oiled paper, an object glowing with radiant, flickering light, and knew at once it must be a fine treasure.抖開看時，但只見：When they shook it open to look, behold:

行者便叫：「列位长官，不必打了。我们担进来的那两个包袱中，有一件锦襕袈裟，价值千金，你们解开拿了去罢。」众禁子听言，一齐动手，把两个包袱解看。虽有几件布衣，虽有个引袋，俱不值钱。只见几层油纸包裹著一物，霞光焰焰，知是好物。抖开看时，但只见：

眾皆爭看，又驚動本司獄官，走來喝道：「你們在此嚷甚的？」禁子們跪道：「老爹，才子提審，送下四個和尚，乃是大夥強盜。They all crowded round to look, until the commotion stirred the prison warden of that office, who came and shouted, "What is all this clamor about?" The jailers knelt and said, "Sir, just now the interrogators sent down four monks, a great band of bandits.他見我們打了他幾下，把這兩個包袱與我。Seeing that we had beaten them a few times, they gave us these two bundles.我們打開看時，見有此物，無可處置：若眾人扯破分之，其實可惜；When we opened them to look, we found this object, and knew not what to do with it: if we the crowd were to tear it apart and divide it up, that would truly be a pity;若獨歸一人，眾人無利。If it goes to one person alone, the rest gain nothing.幸老爹來，憑老爹做個劈著。」獄官見了，乃是一件袈裟；"Fortunately you've come, sir — we'll let you decide how to split it." The warden looked, and saw it was a monk's cassock;又將別項衣服，並引袋兒通檢看了。He also examined the other garments and the travel bag thoroughly.又打開袋內關文一看，見有各國的寶印花押，道：「早是我來看呀，不然，你們都撞出事來了。He opened the travel-permit document inside the bag and looked, and saw the seals and signatures of various kingdoms, saying: "It's a good thing I came to look — otherwise you would all have run into trouble.這和尚不是強盜，切莫動他衣物。This monk is no bandit — do not touch his belongings.待明日太爺再審，方知端的。」眾禁子聽言，將包袱還與他，照舊包裹，交與獄官收訖。Wait until His Honor examines the case again tomorrow, and the truth will come out." Hearing this, the jailers returned the bundle to him, wrapped it up as before, and handed it to the warden to keep.

众皆争看，又惊动本司狱官，走来喝道：「你们在此嚷甚的？」禁子们跪道：「老爹，才子提审，送下四个和尚，乃是大伙强盗。他见我们打了他几下，把这两个包袱与我。我们打开看时，见有此物，无可处置：若众人扯破分之，其实可惜；若独归一人，众人无利。幸老爹来，凭老爹做个劈著。」狱官见了，乃是一件袈裟；又将别项衣服，并引袋儿通检看了。又打开袋内关文一看，见有各国的宝印花押，道：「早是我来看呀，不然，你们都撞出事来了。这和尚不是强盗，切莫动他衣物。待明日太爷再审，方知端的。」众禁子听言，将包袱还与他，照旧包裹，交与狱官收讫。

漸漸天晚，聽得樓頭起鼓，火甲巡更。Gradually night fell; the drum sounded from the tower, and the night watch made its rounds.捱至四更三點，行者見他們都不呻吟，盡皆睡著，他暗想道：「師父該有這一夜牢獄之災。Enduring until the third point of the fourth watch, Xingzhe saw that none of them were groaning and all were fast asleep. He thought to himself: "Master was fated to suffer this one night in prison.老孫不開口折辨，不使法力者，蓋為此耳。The reason old Sun did not open his mouth to argue the case or use his magic powers was precisely for this.如今四更將盡，災將滿矣，我須去打點打點，天明好出牢門。」你看他弄本事，將身小一小，脫出轄床。Now the fourth watch is nearly over, and the disaster is about to run its course. I must go and make some arrangements, so that we can leave the prison gate at daybreak." Watch him work his skill — he shrank his body small and slipped free of the shackled bed.搖身一變，變做個蜢蟲兒，從房簷瓦縫裡飛出。He shook himself and changed into a tiny gnat, and flew out through a crack between the roof tiles.見那星光月皎，正是清和夜靜之天。He saw the stars bright and the moon clear — it was a calm, quiet night.他認了方向，徑飛向寇家門首，只見那街西下一家兒燈火明亮。He got his bearings and flew straight toward the gate of the Kou family. He saw that at the west end of the street one household had its lamps burning brightly.又飛近他門口看時，原來是個做豆腐的。He flew closer to look at the doorway, and found it was a bean-curd maker's shop.見一個老頭兒燒火，媽媽兒擠漿。He saw an old man tending the fire and an old woman pressing the soybean pulp.那老兒忽的叫聲：「媽媽，寇大官且是有子有財，只是沒壽。The old man suddenly called out: "Old woman, Squire Kou indeed had sons and wealth, but he had no long life.我和他小時同學讀書，我還大他五歲。He and I studied together as children, and I am five years older than he.他老子叫做寇銘，當時也不上千畝田地，放些租帳，也討不起。His father was named Kou Ming; in those days he had not even a thousand mu of land, and what little rent and debts he lent out he could hardly collect.他到二十歲時，那銘老兒死了，他掌著家當。By the time he was twenty, old man Ming died, and he took charge of the family property.其實也是他一步好運：娶的妻是那張旺之女，小名叫做穿針兒，卻倒旺夫，自進他門，種田又收，放帳又起，買著的有利，做著的賺錢，被他如今掙了有十萬家私。Truly it was a stroke of good fortune for him: the wife he married was the daughter of Zhang Wang, whose pet name was Chuanzhen'er, and she indeed brought her husband prosperity — from the moment she entered his household, the crops he planted brought in harvests, the money he lent out earned interest, whatever he bought turned a profit, whatever he undertook made money, so that by now he had amassed a family fortune of a hundred thousand.他到四十歲上，就回心向善，齋了萬僧，不期昨夜被強盜踢死。When he reached forty, he turned his heart to goodness and fed ten thousand monks, yet who would have expected that last night he was kicked to death by bandits.可憐！How pitiful!今年才六十四歲，正好享用。This year he was only sixty-four, just the age to enjoy his blessings.何期這等向善，不得好報，乃死於非命，可嘆，可嘆！」Who would have thought that with all his goodness he would get no good reward, but die an unnatural death — how lamentable, how lamentable!"

渐渐天晚，听得楼头起鼓，火甲巡更。挨至四更三点，行者见他们都不呻吟，尽皆睡著，他暗想道：「师父该有这一夜牢狱之灾。老孙不开口折辨，不使法力者，盖为此耳。如今四更将尽，灾将满矣，我须去打点打点，天明好出牢门。」你看他弄本事，将身小一小，脱出辖床。摇身一变，变做个蜢虫儿，从房簷瓦缝里飞出。见那星光月皎，正是清和夜静之天。他认了方向，径飞向寇家门首，只见那街西下一家儿灯火明亮。又飞近他门口看时，原来是个做豆腐的。见一个老头儿烧火，妈妈儿挤浆。那老儿忽的叫声：「妈妈，寇大官且是有子有财，只是没寿。我和他小时同学读书，我还大他五岁。他老子叫做寇铭，当时也不上千亩田地，放些租帐，也讨不起。他到二十岁时，那铭老儿死了，他掌著家当。其实也是他一步好运：娶的妻是那张旺之女，小名叫做穿针儿，却倒旺夫，自进他门，种田又收，放帐又起，买著的有利，做著的赚钱，被他如今挣了有十万家私。他到四十岁上，就回心向善，斋了万僧，不期昨夜被强盗踢死。可怜！今年才六十四岁，正好享用。何期这等向善，不得好报，乃死于非命，可叹，可叹！」

行者一一聽之，卻早五更初點。Xingzhe listened to every word of this, and by then it was already the first point of the fifth watch.他就飛入寇家，只見那堂屋裡已停著棺材，材頭邊點著燈，擺列著香燭花果，媽媽在傍啼哭；He then flew into the Kou household, and saw that in the main hall the coffin was already laid out, a lamp lit beside its head, incense, candles, flowers and fruit arranged before it, with the old wife weeping beside it;又見他兩個兒子也來拜哭，兩個媳婦拿兩盞飯兒供獻。he also saw her two sons come to bow and weep, while the two daughters-in-law brought two bowls of rice to offer.行者就釘在他材頭上，咳嗽了一聲。Xingzhe perched right at the head of the coffin and gave a cough.諕得那兩個媳婦查手舞腳的往外跑；This so frightened the two daughters-in-law that they flailed their hands and feet and ran outside;寇梁兄弟伏在地下不敢動．只叫：「爹爹！the brothers Kou Liang and Kou Dong lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to move, only crying out: "Father!嚛嚛嚛……」那媽媽子膽大，把材頭撲了一把道：「老員外，你活了？」行者學著那員外的聲音道：「我不曾活。」兩個兒子一發慌了，不住的叩頭垂淚，只叫：「爹爹！Whoo, whoo, whoo..." The old wife, being bold, gave the head of the coffin a slap and said, "Old master, have you come back to life?" Xingzhe, imitating the squire's voice, said, "I have not come back to life." The two sons grew all the more alarmed, kowtowing over and over with tears streaming down, only crying, "Father!嚛嚛嚛……」媽媽子硬著膽，又問道：「員外，你不曾活，如何說話？」行者道：「我是閻王差鬼使押將來家與你們講話的。Whoo, whoo, whoo..." Steeling her courage, the old wife asked again, "Master, if you have not come back to life, how is it you can speak?" Xingzhe said, "I am the one whom King Yama has sent a ghost-messenger to escort home to speak with you.那張氏穿針兒枉口誑舌，陷害無辜。」那媽媽子聽見叫他小名，慌得跪倒磕頭道：「好老兒啊！That woman Zhang née Chuanzhen'er has told lying, slanderous words and framed the innocent." When the old wife heard him call her by her pet name, she was so alarmed that she knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "My good old man!這等大年紀還叫我的小名兒！At such a great age, and you still call me by my pet name!我哪些枉口誑舌，害甚麼無辜？」行者喝道：「有個甚麼『唐僧點著火，八戒叫殺人。When did I ever speak lying, slanderous words, or harm any innocent person?" Xingzhe shouted, "Wasn't there something like, 'Tang Seng set the fire, Bajie cried out for murder,沙僧劫出金銀去，行者打死你父親』。Sha Seng made off with the gold and silver, and Xingzhe beat your father to death'?只因你誑言，把那好人受難。Only because of your lying words, good people were made to suffer.那唐朝四位老師路遇強徒，奪將財物，送來謝我，是何等好意！Those four Tang dynasty masters met the bandits on the road, seized back the stolen property, and brought it to return to me in gratitude — what fine intentions that was!你卻假捏失狀，著兒子們首官。Yet you falsely fabricated a complaint of robbery and had our sons report it to the authorities.官府又未細審，又如今把他們監禁。The authorities, without examining it carefully, have now thrown them into prison.那獄神、土地、城隍俱慌了，坐立不寧，報與閻王。The prison god, the local earth god, and the city god were all alarmed, unable to sit or stand in peace, and reported it to King Yama.閻王轉差鬼使押解我來家，教你們趁早解放他去；King Yama in turn dispatched a ghost-messenger to escort me home, to tell you to release them at once;不然，教我在家攪鬧一月，將合家老幼並雞狗之類，一個也不存留。」寇梁兄弟又磕頭哀告道：「爹爹請回，切莫傷殘老幼。otherwise, I will make trouble in this house for a whole month, and not leave a single one of the household, young or old, nor even the chickens and dogs." The brothers Kou Liang and Kou Dong kowtowed again and pleaded piteously, "Father, please go back, do not harm the young and old.待天明就去本府投遞解狀，願認招回，只求存歿均安也。」行者聽了，即叫：「燒紙，我去呀。」他一家兒都來燒紙。As soon as it is dawn we will go to the prefecture and submit a statement clearing them, willing to admit our fault and have them released, only begging that the living and the dead both be at peace." Hearing this, Xingzhe at once called out, "Burn the paper money, I am going now." The whole household came and burned paper money.

行者一一听之，却早五更初点。他就飞入寇家，只见那堂屋里已停著棺材，材头边点著灯，摆列著香烛花果，妈妈在傍啼哭；又见他两个儿子也来拜哭，两个媳妇拿两盏饭儿供献。行者就钉在他材头上，咳嗽了一声。諕得那两个媳妇查手舞脚的往外跑；寇梁兄弟伏在地下不敢动．只叫：「爹爹！嚛嚛嚛……」那妈妈子胆大，把材头扑了一把道：「老员外，你活了？」行者学著那员外的声音道：「我不曾活。」两个儿子一发慌了，不住的叩头垂泪，只叫：「爹爹！嚛嚛嚛……」妈妈子硬著胆，又问道：「员外，你不曾活，如何说话？」行者道：「我是阎王差鬼使押将来家与你们讲话的。那张氏穿针儿枉口诳舌，陷害无辜。」那妈妈子听见叫他小名，慌得跪倒磕头道：「好老儿啊！这等大年纪还叫我的小名儿！我哪些枉口诳舌，害甚么无辜？」行者喝道：「有个甚么『唐僧点著火，八戒叫杀人。沙僧劫出金银去，行者打死你父亲』。只因你诳言，把那好人受难。那唐朝四位老师路遇强徒，夺将财物，送来谢我，是何等好意！你却假捏失状，著儿子们首官。官府又未细审，又如今把他们监禁。那狱神、土地、城隍俱慌了，坐立不宁，报与阎王。阎王转差鬼使押解我来家，教你们趁早解放他去；不然，教我在家搅闹一月，将合家老幼并鸡狗之类，一个也不存留。」寇梁兄弟又磕头哀告道：「爹爹请回，切莫伤残老幼。待天明就去本府投递解状，愿认招回，只求存殁均安也。」行者听了，即叫：「烧纸，我去呀。」他一家儿都来烧纸。

行者一翅飛起，徑又飛至刺史住宅裡面，低頭觀看，那房內裡已有燈光，見刺史已起來了。Xingzhe rose up on a single beat of his wings and flew straight to inside the prefect's residence. Looking down, he saw that lamplight already showed within the room, and that the prefect had already risen.他就飛進中堂看時，只見中間後壁掛著一軸畫兒，是一個官兒騎著一匹點子馬，有幾個從人打著一把青傘，搴著一張校床，更不識是甚麼故事。He flew into the central hall to look, and saw that on the rear wall in the middle hung a scroll painting of an official riding a dappled horse, with several attendants holding up a blue umbrella and carrying a folding camp-bed, though he could not tell what story it depicted.行者就丁在中間。Xingzhe alighted right in the middle of it.忽然那刺史自房裡出來，彎著腰梳洗。Suddenly the prefect came out from his chamber, bending over to wash and comb his hair.行者猛的裡咳嗽一聲，把刺史諕得慌慌張張，走入房內。Xingzhe abruptly gave a cough, which so startled the prefect that he hurried back flustered into the room.梳洗畢，穿了大衣，即出來對著畫兒焚香禱告道：「伯考姜公乾一神位：孝姪姜坤三，蒙祖上德廕，忝中甲科，今叨受銅臺府刺史，旦夕侍奉香火不絕，為何今日發聲？When he had finished washing and dressing, he put on his robe and came out at once to burn incense before the painting and pray: "Spirit tablet of my late uncle, Lord Jiang Qianyi: your filial nephew Jiang Kunsan, blessed by the virtue and shelter of our ancestors, has unworthily passed the imperial examinations, and now holds the post of prefect of Tongtai Prefecture, offering incense morning and night without fail — why has your voice sounded today?切勿為邪為祟，恐諕家眾。」行者暗笑道：「此是他大爺的神子。」卻就綽著經兒叫道：「坤三賢姪，你做官雖承祖廕，一向清廉，怎的昨日無知，把四個聖僧當賊，不審來音，囚於禁內？Please do not turn into a malevolent spirit and haunt this house, lest you frighten the family." Xingzhe secretly laughed and thought, "This is the spirit tablet of his uncle." So he put on a solemn tone and called out, "Worthy nephew Kunsan, though you hold office through our ancestors' merit and have always been upright, how could you yesterday, in your ignorance, take four holy monks for bandits, and without examining the truth of the matter, throw them into prison?那獄神、土地、城隍不安，報與閻君，閻君差鬼使押我來對你說，教你推情察理，快快解放他；The prison god, the earth god, and the city god are all uneasy over this, and have reported it to King Yama. King Yama has sent a ghost-messenger to bring me here to tell you: examine the matter with reason and compassion, and release them at once;不然，就教你去陰司折證也。」刺史聽說，心中悚懼道：「大爺請回，小姪升堂，當就釋放。」行者道：「既如此，燒紙來，我去見閻君回話。」刺史復添香燒紙拜謝。otherwise, you will be summoned to the underworld court to answer for it." Hearing this, the prefect was struck with fear at heart and said, "Uncle, please return — your nephew will hold court and release them at once." Xingzhe said, "Since that is so, burn some paper money, and I will go back to report to King Yama." The prefect added more incense, burned paper money, and bowed in thanks.

行者一翅飞起，径又飞至刺史住宅里面，低头观看，那房内里已有灯光，见刺史已起来了。他就飞进中堂看时，只见中间后壁挂著一轴画儿，是一个官儿骑著一匹点子马，有几个从人打著一把青伞，搴著一张校床，更不识是甚么故事。行者就丁在中间。忽然那刺史自房里出来，弯著腰梳洗。行者猛的里咳嗽一声，把刺史諕得慌慌张张，走入房内。梳洗毕，穿了大衣，即出来对著画儿焚香祷告道：「伯考姜公干一神位：孝姪姜坤三，蒙祖上德荫，忝中甲科，今叨受铜台府刺史，旦夕侍奉香火不绝，为何今日发声？切勿为邪为祟，恐諕家众。」行者暗笑道：「此是他大爷的神子。」却就绰著经儿叫道：「坤三贤姪，你做官虽承祖荫，一向清廉，怎的昨日无知，把四个圣僧当贼，不审来音，囚于禁内？那狱神、土地、城隍不安，报与阎君，阎君差鬼使押我来对你说，教你推情察理，快快解放他；不然，就教你去阴司折证也。」刺史听说，心中悚惧道：「大爷请回，小姪升堂，当就释放。」行者道：「既如此，烧纸来，我去见阎君回话。」刺史复添香烧纸拜谢。

行者又飛出來看時，東方早已發白。Xingzhe flew back out to look, and the east was already turning pale with dawn.及飛到地靈縣，又見那合縣官卻都在堂上。By the time he flew to Diling County, he saw that all the county officials were already in the hall.他思道：「蜢蟲兒說話，被人看見，露出馬腳來不好。」他就半空中改了個大法身，從空裡伸下一隻腳來，把個縣堂屣滿。He thought to himself: "If a gnat speaks and someone catches sight of it, my true form might be exposed — that would not do." So in mid-air he transformed into a giant body, and reaching down one foot from the sky, he filled the whole county hall with it.口中叫道：「眾官聽著：我乃玉帝差來的浪蕩遊神，說你這府監裡屈打了取經的佛子，驚動三界諸神不安，教我傳說，趁早放他；From his mouth he called out: "Listen, all you officials: I am a wandering deity sent by the Jade Emperor to tell you that in this prefecture's prison you have wrongfully beaten the holy monks who are fetching scriptures, disturbing all the gods of the Three Realms into unease. I have been sent to proclaim this — release them at once;若有差池，教我再來一腳，先踢死合府縣官，後屣死四境居民，把城池都踏為灰燼。」概縣官吏人等慌得一齊跪倒，磕頭禮拜道：「上聖請回。if there is any failure to do so, I will come again with another kick, first stamping to death all the officials of the prefecture and county, then trampling to death the inhabitants of the four quarters, and treading the whole city to ashes." All the county officials and clerks were so alarmed that they all knelt down together, kowtowing and bowing, saying, "Exalted immortal, please withdraw.我們如今進府，稟上府尊，即教放出。We will now go to the prefecture, report to the prefect, and have them released at once.千萬莫動腳，驚諕死下官。」行者才收了法身，仍變做個蜢蟲兒，從監房瓦縫兒飛入，依舊鑽在轄床中間睡著。Above all, do not move your foot, or you will frighten your humble officials to death." Only then did Xingzhe withdraw his giant form, and changing back into a gnat, he flew in through a crack in the prison-house tiles and burrowed once more into the middle of the shackled bed, feigning sleep as before.

行者又飞出来看时，东方早已发白。及飞到地灵县，又见那合县官却都在堂上。他思道：「蜢虫儿说话，被人看见，露出马脚来不好。」他就半空中改了个大法身，从空里伸下一只脚来，把个县堂屣满。口中叫道：「众官听著：我乃玉帝差来的浪荡游神，说你这府监里屈打了取经的佛子，惊动三界诸神不安，教我传说，趁早放他；若有差池，教我再来一脚，先踢死合府县官，后屣死四境居民，把城池都踏为灰烬。」概县官吏人等慌得一齐跪倒，磕头礼拜道：「上圣请回。我们如今进府，禀上府尊，即教放出。千万莫动脚，惊諕死下官。」行者才收了法身，仍变做个蜢虫儿，从监房瓦缝儿飞入，依旧钻在辖床中间睡著。

卻說那刺史升堂，才擡出投文牌去，早有寇梁兄弟抱牌跪門叫喊。Now to tell of the prefect: he had just held court and had the notice-board for submitting petitions carried out, when the brothers Kou Liang and Kou Dong were already there, clasping the board and kneeling at the gate, shouting.刺史著令進來。The prefect ordered them brought in.二人將解狀遞上。The two of them submitted their statement clearing the accused.刺史見了，發怒道：「你昨日遞了失狀，就與你拿了賊來，你又領了贓去，怎麼今日又來遞解狀？」二人滴淚道：「老爺，昨夜小的父親顯魂道：『唐朝聖僧，原將賊徒拿住，奪獲財物，放了賊去，好意將財物送還我家報恩，怎麼反將他當賊，拿在獄中受苦？When the prefect saw it, he grew angry and said, "Yesterday you submitted a complaint of robbery, and we caught the culprits for you, and you even took back your stolen goods — why do you come today to submit a statement clearing them?" The two, with tears falling, said, "My lord, last night our father's spirit appeared and said: 'The holy monks of the Tang court had actually caught the bandits, seized back the stolen property, and let the bandits go, kindly returning the property to our house out of gratitude — why then were they instead taken for bandits and thrown into prison to suffer?獄中土地、城隍不安，報了閻王，閻王差鬼使押解我來教你赴府再告，釋放唐僧，庶免災咎；The earth god and city god of the prison were uneasy, and reported it to King Yama, who sent a ghost-messenger to escort me here to tell you to go to the prefecture and appeal again, to have Tang Seng released, so as to avoid calamity;不然，老幼皆亡。』因此，特來遞個解詞。otherwise, young and old alike will perish.' For this reason, we have come especially to submit this statement clearing them.望老爺方便方便。」刺史聽他說了這話，卻暗想道：「他那父親乃是熱屍，新鬼顯魂，報應猶可；We beg Your Lordship to grant us this favor." When the prefect heard this, he thought to himself: "His father is a body still warm, a newly dead ghost manifesting itself — that response is understandable enough;我伯父死去五六年了，卻怎麼今夜也來顯魂，教我審放？but my own uncle has been dead five or six years now — how is it that his spirit too appeared tonight, telling me to review the case and release them?看起來必是冤枉。」It seems this must indeed be a case of wrongful accusation."

却说那刺史升堂，才抬出投文牌去，早有寇梁兄弟抱牌跪门叫喊。刺史著令进来。二人将解状递上。刺史见了，发怒道：「你昨日递了失状，就与你拿了贼来，你又领了赃去，怎么今日又来递解状？」二人滴泪道：「老爷，昨夜小的父亲显魂道：『唐朝圣僧，原将贼徒拿住，夺获财物，放了贼去，好意将财物送还我家报恩，怎么反将他当贼，拿在狱中受苦？狱中土地、城隍不安，报了阎王，阎王差鬼使押解我来教你赴府再告，释放唐僧，庶免灾咎；不然，老幼皆亡。』因此，特来递个解词。望老爷方便方便。」刺史听他说了这话，却暗想道：「他那父亲乃是热尸，新鬼显魂，报应犹可；我伯父死去五六年了，却怎么今夜也来显魂，教我审放？看起来必是冤枉。」

正忖度間，只見那地靈縣知縣等官急急跑上堂，亂道：「老大人，不好了，不好了，適才玉帝差浪蕩遊神下界，教你快放獄中好人。Just as he was pondering this, the magistrate of Diling County and the other officials came rushing up to the hall in a fluster, crying out in confusion, "My lord, this is bad, this is bad! Just now the Jade Emperor sent a wandering deity down to the world, telling you to release the good men in the prison at once.昨日拿的那些和尚，不是強盜，都是取經的佛子。Those monks captured yesterday are not bandits at all, but holy men fetching scriptures.若少遲延，就要踢殺我等官員，還要把城池連百姓都踏為灰燼。」刺史又大驚失色，即叫刑房吏火速寫牌提出。If there is even a little delay, he will kick all us officials to death, and trample the whole city and its people to ashes besides." The prefect too turned pale with fright, and at once ordered the clerk of punishments to write out the release order at once and bring the prisoners out.當時開了監門提出。At that, the prison gates were opened and they were brought out.八戒愁道：「今日又不知怎的打哩。」行者笑道：「管你一下兒也不敢打，老孫俱已幹辦停當。Bajie said worriedly, "Who knows how we'll be beaten today." Xingzhe laughed and said, "I guarantee they won't dare strike you even once — old Sun has already arranged everything properly.上堂切不可下跪，他還要下來請我們上坐。When we go up to the hall, on no account kneel down — they will instead come down to invite us to sit in the seats of honor.卻等我問他要行李、要馬匹，少了一些兒，等我打他你看。」Just wait and watch me demand our luggage and horse back from him — if even a little is missing, watch me give him a beating."

正忖度间，只见那地灵县知县等官急急跑上堂，乱道：「老大人，不好了，不好了，适才玉帝差浪荡游神下界，教你快放狱中好人。昨日拿的那些和尚，不是强盗，都是取经的佛子。若少迟延，就要踢杀我等官员，还要把城池连百姓都踏为灰烬。」刺史又大惊失色，即叫刑房吏火速写牌提出。当时开了监门提出。八戒愁道：「今日又不知怎的打哩。」行者笑道：「管你一下儿也不敢打，老孙俱已干办停当。上堂切不可下跪，他还要下来请我们上坐。却等我问他要行李、要马匹，少了一些儿，等我打他你看。」

說不了，已至堂口。Before he had finished speaking, they had already reached the entrance of the hall.那刺史、知縣並府縣大小官員一見，都下來迎接道：「聖僧昨日來時，一則接上司忙迫，二則又見了所獲之贓，未及細問端的。」唐僧合掌躬身，又將前情細陳了一遍。As soon as the prefect, the magistrate, and all the officials great and small of the prefecture and county saw them, they all came down to welcome them, saying, "When the holy monks arrived yesterday, we were, first, pressed for time in receiving our superiors, and second, we had seen the recovered stolen goods, and so did not get to inquire into the details." Tang Seng, pressing his palms together and bowing, once again related the whole matter in detail from the beginning.眾官滿口認稱，都道：「錯了，錯了。All the officials, mouths full of admission, all said, "We were wrong, we were wrong.莫怪，莫怪。」又問獄中可曾有甚疏失。Please do not blame us, do not blame us." They also asked whether there had been any neglect in the prison.行者近前努目睜看，厲聲高叫道：「我的白馬是堂上人得了，行李是獄中人得了，快快還我。Xingzhe stepped forward, glaring with wide eyes, and shouted sternly in a loud voice, "My white horse was taken by someone in this hall, and my luggage was taken by someone in the prison — return them to me at once.今日卻該我拷較你們了：枉拿平人做賊，你們該個甚罪？」府縣官見他作惡，無一個不怕，即便叫收馬的牽馬來，收行李的取行李來，一一交付明白。Today it is my turn to interrogate you: wrongfully seizing innocent men and treating them as thieves — what crime should that carry?" Seeing him acting so fiercely, the officials of the prefecture and county were all afraid, and at once ordered whoever had taken the horse to lead it out, and whoever had taken the luggage to bring it forth, handing everything over item by item, clearly accounted for.你看他三人一個個逞兇，眾官只以寇家遮飾。Watch how the three of them each played the part of the fierce one, while the officials could only shield themselves behind the Kou family's case.三藏勸解了道：「徒弟，是也不得明白。Sanzang tried to smooth things over, saying, "Disciples, this matter is still not fully clear.我們且到寇家去，一則吊問，二來與他對證對證，看是何人見我做賊？」行者道：「說得是。Let us go to the Kou family first — first to offer our condolences, and second to confront them and find out just who it was that saw me as a thief." Xingzhe said, "Well said.等老孫把那死的叫起來，看是哪個打他？」Let old Sun call the dead man back to life, and we shall see who it was that struck him down."

说不了，已至堂口。那刺史、知县并府县大小官员一见，都下来迎接道：「圣僧昨日来时，一则接上司忙迫，二则又见了所获之赃，未及细问端的。」唐僧合掌躬身，又将前情细陈了一遍。众官满口认称，都道：「错了，错了。莫怪，莫怪。」又问狱中可曾有甚疏失。行者近前努目睁看，厉声高叫道：「我的白马是堂上人得了，行李是狱中人得了，快快还我。今日却该我拷较你们了：枉拿平人做贼，你们该个甚罪？」府县官见他作恶，无一个不怕，即便叫收马的牵马来，收行李的取行李来，一一交付明白。你看他三人一个个逞凶，众官只以寇家遮饰。三藏劝解了道：「徒弟，是也不得明白。我们且到寇家去，一则吊问，二来与他对证对证，看是何人见我做贼？」行者道：「说得是。等老孙把那死的叫起来，看是哪个打他？」

沙僧就在府堂上把唐僧撮上馬，吆吆喝喝，一擁而出。Right there in the prefectural hall, Sha Seng helped Tang Seng up onto his horse, and amid much shouting and clamor they all surged out together.那些府縣多官，也一一俱到寇家。All the many officials of the prefecture and county, too, went one by one to the Kou household.諕得那寇梁兄弟在門前不住的磕頭，接進廳。This so alarmed the brothers Kou Liang and Kou Dong that they kowtowed without stopping before the gate, and led them into the hall.只見他孝堂之中，一家兒都在孝幔裡啼哭。There in the mourning hall, they saw the whole family weeping within the mourning curtains.行者叫道：「那打誑語栽害平人的媽媽子且莫哭，等老孫叫你老公來，看他說是哪個打死的，羞他一羞。」眾官員只道孫行者說的是笑話。Xingzhe called out, "You old woman who spoke lies and framed innocent men, stop your weeping for now — let old Sun call your husband out, and hear him say who it was that beat him to death, so as to shame you a little." All the officials thought Sun Xingzhe was only joking.行者道：「列位大人，略陪我師父坐坐。Xingzhe said, "Gentlemen, please keep my master company for a while.八戒、沙僧，好生保護。Bajie, Sha Seng, guard him well.等我去了就來。」好大聖，跳出門，望空就起。Wait for me — I'll be right back." Splendid Great Sage — he leapt out of the door and rose straight up into the sky.只見那遍地彩霞籠住宅，一天瑞氣護元神。All at once colored clouds spread over the whole residence, and auspicious vapors filled the sky, guarding his true spirit.眾等方才認得是個騰雲駕霧之仙，起死回生之聖，這裡一一焚香禮拜不題。Only then did everyone realize he was an immortal who rides clouds and mist, a sage who can restore the dead to life, and they all burned incense and bowed in worship — but no more of that for now.

沙僧就在府堂上把唐僧撮上马，吆吆喝喝，一拥而出。那些府县多官，也一一俱到寇家。諕得那寇梁兄弟在门前不住的磕头，接进厅。只见他孝堂之中，一家儿都在孝幔里啼哭。行者叫道：「那打诳语栽害平人的妈妈子且莫哭，等老孙叫你老公来，看他说是哪个打死的，羞他一羞。」众官员只道孙行者说的是笑话。行者道：「列位大人，略陪我师父坐坐。八戒、沙僧，好生保护。等我去了就来。」好大圣，跳出门，望空就起。只见那遍地彩霞笼住宅，一天瑞气护元神。众等方才认得是个腾云驾雾之仙，起死回生之圣，这里一一焚香礼拜不题。

那大聖一路觔斗雲，直至幽冥地界，徑撞入森羅殿上。The Great Sage, riding his somersault cloud the whole way, went straight to the realm of the underworld, and burst directly into the Senluo Hall.慌得那：This so alarmed them that:

那大圣一路觔斗云，直至幽冥地界，径撞入森罗殿上。慌得那：

十閻王接下大聖，相見了，問及何來何幹。the Ten Kings of the underworld came out to receive the Great Sage, and after greeting him, asked what had brought him and what business he had.行者道：「銅臺府地靈縣齋僧的寇洪之鬼，是哪個收了？Xingzhe said, "The ghost of Kou Hong, the man of Diling County in Tongtai Prefecture who fed monks — who has taken him in?快點查來與我。」十閻王道：「寇洪善士，也不曾有鬼使勾他，他自家到此，遇著地藏王的金衣童子，他引見地藏也。」行者即別了，徑至翠雲宮見地藏王菩薩。Check quickly and tell me." The Ten Kings said, "That virtuous man Kou Hong — no ghost-messenger was even sent to summon him. He came here of his own accord, and met the Golden-Robed Page of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who brought him to see Ksitigarbha." Xingzhe at once took his leave and went straight to Cuiyun Palace to see the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha.菩薩與他禮畢，具言前事。After exchanging courtesies with him, the Bodhisattva related the whole previous affair in detail.菩薩喜道：「寇洪陽壽，止該卦數命終，不染床蓆，棄世而去。The Bodhisattva said with a smile, "Kou Hong's allotted span of life had, by the count of fate, simply come to its end — he passed from the world without ever taking to his sickbed.我因他齋僧，是個善士，收他做個掌善緣簿子的案長。Because he fed monks and was a man of virtue, I took him in to serve as the chief clerk in charge of the register of good deeds and good karma.既大聖來取，我再延他陽壽一紀，教他跟大聖去。」金衣童子遂領出寇洪。Since the Great Sage has come to fetch him, I will extend his earthly span by another twelve years, and let him go with the Great Sage." The Golden-Robed Page then led Kou Hong out.寇洪見了行者，聲聲叫道：「老師，老師，救我一救。」行者道：「你被強盜踢死，此乃陰司地藏王菩薩之處。When Kou Hong saw Xingzhe, he called out again and again, "Master, master, save me, please save me." Xingzhe said, "You were kicked to death by bandits, and this is the domain of the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha in the underworld.我老孫特來取你到陽世間對明此事。I, old Sun, have come especially to fetch you back to the world of the living to clear up this matter.既蒙菩薩放回，又延你陽壽一紀，待十二年之後，你再來也。」那員外頂禮不盡。Since the Bodhisattva has graciously let you return, and has extended your life-span by another twelve years, it is only after those twelve years that you need come back here." The squire bowed in gratitude without end.

十阎王接下大圣，相见了，问及何来何干。行者道：「铜台府地灵县斋僧的寇洪之鬼，是哪个收了？快点查来与我。」十阎王道：「寇洪善士，也不曾有鬼使勾他，他自家到此，遇著地藏王的金衣童子，他引见地藏也。」行者即别了，径至翠云宫见地藏王菩萨。菩萨与他礼毕，具言前事。菩萨喜道：「寇洪阳寿，止该卦数命终，不染床席，弃世而去。我因他斋僧，是个善士，收他做个掌善缘簿子的案长。既大圣来取，我再延他阳寿一纪，教他跟大圣去。」金衣童子遂领出寇洪。寇洪见了行者，声声叫道：「老师，老师，救我一救。」行者道：「你被强盗踢死，此乃阴司地藏王菩萨之处。我老孙特来取你到阳世间对明此事。既蒙菩萨放回，又延你阳寿一纪，待十二年之后，你再来也。」那员外顶礼不尽。

行者謝辭了菩薩，將他吹化為氣，掉於衣袖之間，同去幽府，復返陽間。Xingzhe thanked and took leave of the Bodhisattva, blew Kou Hong's form into a wisp of vapor, tucked it into his sleeve, and together they left the underworld court and returned to the world of the living.駕雲頭，到了寇家，即喚八戒捎開材蓋，把他魂靈兒推付本身。Riding the clouds, he arrived at the Kou household, and at once called Bajie to lift open the coffin lid, and pushed the man's soul back into his own body.須臾間，透出氣來活了。In a moment breath came through, and he came back to life.那員外爬出材來，對唐僧四眾磕頭道：「師父，師父，寇洪死於非命，蒙師父至陰司救活，乃再造之恩。」言謝不已。The squire climbed out of the coffin, and kowtowed to Tang Seng and his three disciples, saying, "Master, master, Kou Hong died an unnatural death, and thanks to you going to the underworld to revive me, I owe you the grace of a second life." He thanked them without end.及回頭，見各官羅列，即又磕頭道：「列位老爹都如何在舍？」那刺史道：「你兒子始初遞失狀，坐名告了聖僧，我即差人捕獲。When he turned and saw the various officials lined up there, he kowtowed again and said, "How is it that all you gentlemen are here in my house?" The prefect said, "At first your sons submitted a complaint of robbery, naming the holy monks in the accusation, and I at once sent men to arrest them.不期聖僧路遇殺劫你家之賊，奪取財物，送還你家。Little did we expect that the holy monks had met on the road the very bandits who had robbed and would have killed your household, seized back the property, and returned it to your home.是我下人誤捉，未得詳審，當送監禁。It was my subordinates who arrested them by mistake, and without a thorough hearing, sent them straight to prison.今夜被你顯魂，我先伯亦來家訴告，縣中又蒙浪蕩遊神下界，一時就有這許多顯應，所以放出聖僧。Tonight your spirit appeared, and my late uncle's spirit also came to my house to plead the case, and in the county besides, a wandering deity descended from heaven — with so many manifestations happening all at once, the holy monks were therefore released.聖僧卻又去救活你也。」那員外跪道：「老爹，其實枉了這四位聖僧。And now the holy monks have gone and brought you back to life as well." The squire knelt and said, "My lords, in truth these four holy monks were wronged.那夜有三十多名強盜，明火執杖，劫去家私。That night there were more than thirty bandits, torches blazing and staves in hand, who robbed us of our family's wealth.是我難捨，向賊理說，不期被他一腳，撩陰踢死。It was I who could not bear to let it go, and argued with the bandits, and unexpectedly one of them kicked me in the groin and killed me.與這四位何干？」叫過妻子來，「是誰人踢死，你等輒敢妄告？What had these four to do with it?" He then called his wife over: "Who was it that kicked me to death? How dare you all make such a reckless false accusation?請老爹定罪。」當時一家老小只是磕頭。"Please, sir, decide our punishment." At that moment the whole household, old and young alike, did nothing but kowtow.刺史寬恩，免其罪過。The prefect graciously extended mercy and pardoned their offense.寇洪教安排筵宴，酬謝府縣厚恩。Kou Hong had a banquet arranged to repay the generous kindness of the prefectural and county officials.個個未坐回衙。None of them stayed seated for long before returning to their yamen.至次日，再掛齋僧牌，又款留三藏。The next day, the sign inviting monks to a vegetarian feast was hung out again, and once more they tried to detain Tripitaka as their guest.三藏決不肯住。Tripitaka absolutely refused to stay.卻又請親友，辦旌幢，如前送行而去。So instead they invited relatives and friends, prepared banners and canopies, and saw him off just as before.咦！Ah!這正是：This is indeed:

行者谢辞了菩萨，将他吹化为气，掉于衣袖之间，同去幽府，复返阳间。驾云头，到了寇家，即唤八戒捎开材盖，把他魂灵儿推付本身。须臾间，透出气来活了。那员外爬出材来，对唐僧四众磕头道：「师父，师父，寇洪死于非命，蒙师父至阴司救活，乃再造之恩。」言谢不已。及回头，见各官罗列，即又磕头道：「列位老爹都如何在舍？」那刺史道：「你儿子始初递失状，坐名告了圣僧，我即差人捕获。不期圣僧路遇杀劫你家之贼，夺取财物，送还你家。是我下人误捉，未得详审，当送监禁。今夜被你显魂，我先伯亦来家诉告，县中又蒙浪荡游神下界，一时就有这许多显应，所以放出圣僧。圣僧却又去救活你也。」那员外跪道：「老爹，其实枉了这四位圣僧。那夜有三十多名强盗，明火执杖，劫去家私。是我难舍，向贼理说，不期被他一脚，撩阴踢死。与这四位何干？」叫过妻子来，「是谁人踢死，你等辄敢妄告？请老爹定罪。」当时一家老小只是磕头。刺史宽恩，免其罪过。寇洪教安排筵宴，酬谢府县厚恩。个个未坐回衙。至次日，再挂斋僧牌，又款留三藏。三藏决不肯住。却又请亲友，办旌幢，如前送行而去。咦！这正是：

畢竟不知見佛何如，且聽下回分解。In the end, we do not know how the audience with the Buddha turned out; listen to the next chapter for the explanation.

毕竟不知见佛何如，且听下回分解。