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-> 王孝廉村学识同科　周蒙师暮年登上第
《王孝廉村学识同科　周蒙师暮年登上第》 []
王孝廉村... :
话说山东兖州府汶上县有个乡村，叫做薛家集。这集上有百十来人家，都是务农为业。村口一个观音庵，殿宇三间之外，另还有十几间空房子，后门临著水次。这庵是十方的香火，只得一个和尚住。集上人家，凡有公事，就在这庵里来同议。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
In Xue Market, a village of Wenshang County, Shandong, there lived over a hundred families, all of whom worked on the land. At the entrance to the village was a Guanyin Temple with three halls and a dozen empty rooms. Its back door overlooked the river. Peasants from all around contributed to the upkeep of this temple, and only one monk lived there. Here the villagers would come to discuss public business.
王孝廉村... :
那时成化末年，正是天下繁富的时候。新年正月初八日，集上人约齐了，都到庵里来议闹龙灯之事。到了早饭时候，为头的申祥甫带了七八个人走了进来，在殿上拜了佛。和尚走来与诸位见节，都还过了礼。申祥甫发作和尚道：“和尚！你新年新岁，也该把菩萨面前香烛点勤些！阿弥陀佛！受了十方的钱钞，也要消受。”又叫“诸位都来看看：这琉璃灯内，只得半琉璃油！”指著内中一个穿齐整些的老翁，说道：“不论别人，只这一位荀老爹，三十晚里还送了五十斤油与你。白白给你炒菜吃，全不敬佛！”和尚陪著小心，等他发作过了，拿一把铅壶，撮了一把苦丁茶叶，倒满了水，在火上燎得滚热，送与众位吃。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
It was the last year of the Cheng Hua period of the Ming Dynasty, when the country was prosperous. One year, on the eighth of the first month, just after New Year, some of the villagers met in the temple to discuss the dragon lantern dance which is held on the fifteenth. At breakfast time the man who usually took the lead, Shen Xiang-fu, walked in, followed by seven or eight others. In the main hall they bowed to Buddha, and the monk came to wish them a happy New Year. As soon as they had returned his greeting, Shen reproved him:“Monk! At New Year you should burn more incense before Buddha! Gracious Heaven! You've been pocketing money from all sides, and you ought to spend a little of it. Come here, all of you, and take a look at this lamp: it's only half filled with oil.” Then, pointing to an old man who was better dressed than most: “Not to mention others, Mr. Xun alone sent you fifty catties of oil on New Year's Eve. But you are using it all for your cooking, instead of for the glory of Buddha.”The monk apologized profusely when Shen had finished. Then he fetched a pewter kettle, put in a handful of tea leaves, filled the kettle with water, boiled it over the fire and poured out tea for them.
王孝廉村... :
荀老爹先开口道：“今年龙灯上庙，我们户下各家，须出多少银子？”申祥甫道：“且住，等我亲家来一同商议。”正说著，外边走进一个人来，两只红眼边，一副锅铁脸，几根黄胡子，歪戴著瓦楞帽，身上青布衣服就如油篓一般；手里拿著一根赶驴的鞭子，走进门来，和众人拱一拱手，一屁股就坐在上席。这人姓夏，乃薛家集上旧年新参的总甲。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Old Mr. Xun was the first to speak.“How much do we each have to pay for the lantern dance in the temple this year?” he asked.“Wait till my relative comes,” said Shen. “We'll discuss it together.”As they were speaking, a man walked in. He had redrimmed eyes, a swarthy face, and sparse, dingy whiskers. His cap was cocked to one side, his blue cloth gown was greasy as an oil-vat, and he carried a donkey switch in one hand. Making a casual gesture of greeting to the company, he plumped himself down in the seat of honour. This was Xia, the new village head for Xue Market.
王孝廉村... :
夏总甲坐在上席，先吩咐和尚道：“和尚，把我的驴牵在后园槽上，卸了鞍子，将些草喂的饱饱的。我议完了事，还要到县门口黄老爹家吃年酒去哩。”吩咐过了和尚，把腿跷起一只来，自己拿拳头在腰上只管捶。捶著，说道：“俺如今到不如你们务农的快活了。想这新年大节，老爷衙门里，三班六房，那一位不送帖子来。我怎好不去贺节。每日骑著这个驴，上县下乡，跑得昏头晕脑。打紧又被这瞎眼的亡人在路上打个前失，把我跌了下来，跌的腰胯生疼。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Sitting there in the seat of honour, he shouted: “Monk! Take my donkey to the manger in the back yard, unsaddle it and give it plenty of hay. After my business here I have to go to a feast with Bailiff Huang of the county yamen.” Having given these orders, he hoisted one foot on to the bench, and started massaging the small of his back with his fists, saying, “I envy you farmers these days. This New Year I've got invitations from everybody in the magistrate's yamen, literally everybody! And I have to go to wish them all the season's greetings. I trot about on this donkey to the countyseat and back until my head reels. And this damned beast stumbled on the road and threw me, so that my backside is still sore.”
王孝廉村... :
申祥甫道：“新年初三，我备了个豆腐饭邀请亲家，想是有事不得来了？”夏总甲道：“你还说哩。从新年这七八日，何曾得一个闲？恨不得长出两张嘴来，还吃不退。就像今日请我的黄老爹，他就是老爷面前站得起来的班头。他抬举我，我若不到，不惹他怪？”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
“On the third I prepared a small dinner for you,” said Shen. “I suppose it was because you were so busy that you didn't come.”“You don't have to remind me,” said Village Head Xia. “Since New Year, for the last seven or eight days, what free time have I had? Even if I had two mouths, I couldn't get through all the eating. Take Bailiff Huang, who's invited me today. He's a man who can talk face to face with the magistrate. And since he honours me like this, wouldn't he be offended if I didn't go?”
王孝廉村... :
申祥甫道：“西班黄老爹，我听见说，他从年里头就是老爷差出去了。他家又无兄弟、儿子，却是谁做主人？”夏总甲道：“你又不知道了。今日的酒，是快班李老爹请。李老爹家房子褊窄，所以把席摆在黄老爹家大厅上。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
“I heard that Bailiff Huang had been sent out on some business for the magistrate since the beginning of the year,” said Shen. “He has no brothers or sons, so who will act as host?”“You don't understand,” said Xia. “Today's feast is given by Constable Li. His own rooms are small, so he is using Bailiff Huang's house.”
王孝廉村... :
说了半日，才讲到龙灯上。夏总甲道：“这样事，俺如今也有些不耐烦管了。从前年年是我做头，众人写了功德，赖著不拿出来，不知累俺赔了多少。况今年老爷衙门里，头班、二班、西班、快班，家家都兴龙灯，我料想看个不了，那得功夫来看乡里这条把灯。但你们说了一场，我也少不得搭个分子，任凭你们那一位做头。像这荀老爹，田地广，粮食又多，叫他多出些；你们各家照分子派，这事就舞起来了。”众人不敢违拗，当下捺著姓荀的出了一半，其馀众户也派了，共二三两银子，写在纸上。和尚捧出茶盘，──云片糕、红枣，和些瓜子、豆腐乾、栗子、杂色糖，摆了两桌。尊夏老爹坐在首席，斟上茶来。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Eventually they started discussing the dragon lanterns. “I'm tired of managing it for you,” said Village Head Xia. “I took the lead every year in the past, and everyone wrote down what contribution he would make, and then failed to pay up. Heaven knows how much I had to pay to make good the deficit. Besides, all the officials in the yamen are preparing lanterns this year, and I shall have too much to watch. What time do I have to look at the lanterns in the village? Still, since you've mentioned it, I shall make a contribution. Choose someone to be responsible. A man like Mr. Xun, who has broad lands and plenty of grain, should be asked to give more. Let each family pay its share, and you'll get the thing going.” Nobody dared disagree. They immediately came down on Mr. Xun for half the money, and made up the rest between them. In this way they raised two or three taels of silver, a record of the contributors being made.The monk then brought out tea, sugar wafers, dates, melon seeds, dried beancurd, chestnuts and assorted sweets. He spread two tables, and invited Village Head Xia to sit at the head. Then he poured out tea for them.
王孝廉村... :
申祥甫又说：“孩子大了，今年要请一个先生。就是这观音庵里做个学堂。”众人道：“俺们也有好几家孩子要上学。只这申老爹的令郎，就是夏老爹的令婿；夏老爹时刻有县主老爷的牌票，也要人认得字。只是这个先生，须是要城里去请才好。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
“The children are growing up,” said Shen, “and this year we must find them a teacher. This temple can be used as a school.”The others agreed.“There are a lot of families who have sons who should be in school,” said one of them. “For instance, Mr. Shen's son is Village Head Xia's son-in-law. Xia is always getting notices from the magistrate, so he needs someone who can read. But the best thing would be to find a teacher from the county-seat.”
王孝廉村... :
夏总甲道：“先生倒有一个。你道是谁？就是咱衙门里户总科提控顾老相公家请的一位先生，姓周，官名叫做周进，年纪六十多岁。前任老爷取过他个头名，却还不曾中过学。顾老相公请他在家里三个年头，他家顾小舍人去年就中了学，和咱镇上梅三相一齐中的。那日从学里师爷家迎了回来，小舍人头上戴著方巾，身上披著大红紬，骑著老爷棚子里的马，大吹大打，来到家门口。俺合衙门的人都拦著街递酒。落后请将周先生来，顾老相公亲自奉他三杯，尊在首席。点了一本戏，是梁灏八十岁中状元的故事。顾老相公为这戏，心里还不大喜欢，落后戏文内唱到梁灏的学生却是十七八岁就中了状元，顾老相公知道是替他儿子发兆，方才喜了。你们若要先生，俺替你把周先生请来。”众人都说是好。吃完了茶，和尚又下了一箸牛肉面吃了，各自散讫。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
“A teacher?” said the village head. “I can think of one. You know who? He's in our yamen, and he used to teach in chief accountant Ku's house. His name is Zhou Jin. He's over sixty. The former magistrate placed him first on the list of county candidates, but he's never yet been able to pass the prefectural examination. Mr. Gu employed him as tutor for his and his son passed the examination last year, at the same time as Mei Jiu from our village. The day that young Gu was welcomed back from the school he wore a scholar's cap and a broad red silk sash, and rode a horse from the magistrate's stable, while all the gongs and trumpets sounded. When he reached the door of his house, I and the other yamen officials offered him wine in the street. Then Mr. Zhou was asked over. Mr. Gu toasted his son's teacher three times and invited him to sit in the seat of honour. Mr. Zhou chose as entertainment the opera about Liang Hao, who won the first place in the palace examinatio and Mr. Gu was not at all pleased. But then the opera showed how Liang Hao's pupil won the same distinction at seventeen or eighteen, and Mr. Gu knew that it was a compliment to his son. That made him feel better. If you want a teacher, I'll invite Mr. Zhou for you.” All the villagers approved. When they had finished their tea the monk brought in some beef noodles, and after eating these they went home.
王孝廉村... :
次日，夏总甲果然替周先生说了，每年馆金十二两银子，每日二分银子在和尚家代饭，约定灯节后下乡，正月二十开馆。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
The next day, sure enough, Village Head Xia spoke to Zhou Jin. His salary would be twelve taels of silver a year, and it was arranged that he should eat with the monk, whom he would pay two cents a day. It was settled that he should come after the Lantern Festival, and begin teaching on the twentieth.
王孝廉村... :
到了十六日，众人将分子送到申祥甫家备酒饭，请了集上新进学的梅三相做陪客。那梅玖戴著新方巾，老早到了。直到巳牌时候，周先生才来。听得门外狗叫，申祥甫走出去迎了进来。众人看周进时，头戴一顶旧毡帽，身穿元色紬旧直裰，那右边袖子同后边坐处都破了，脚下一双旧大红紬鞋，黑瘦面皮，花白胡子。申祥甫拱进堂屋。梅玖方才慢慢的立起来和他相见。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
On the sixteenth the villagers sent in contributions to Shen Xiang-fu, who prepared a feast for the new teacher to which he also invited Mei Jiu, the new scholar of the village. Mei Jiu arrived early, wearing his new square cap, but Zhou Jin did not turn up till nearly noon. When dogs started barking outside, Shen Xiang-fu went out
and the villagers stared as Zhou Jin came in. He was wearing an old felt cap, a tattered grey silk gown, the right sleeve and seat of which were in shreds, and a pair of shabby red silk slippers. He had a thin, dark face, and a white beard. Shen escorted him in, and only then did Mei Jiu rise slowly to greet him.
王孝廉村... :
周进就问：“此位相公是谁？”众人道：“这是我们集上在庠的梅相公。”周进听了，谦让不肯僭梅玖作揖。梅玖道：“今日之事不同。”周进再三不肯。众人道：“论年纪也是周先生长，先生请老实些罢”。梅玖回顾头来向众人道：“你众位是不知道我们学校规矩，老友是从来不同小友序齿的。只是今日不同，还是周长兄请上。”原来明朝士大夫称儒学生员叫做“朋友”，称童生是“小友”。比如童生进了学，不怕十几岁，也称为“老友”；若是不进学，就到八十岁，也还称“小友”。就如女儿嫁人的：嫁时称为“新娘”，后来称呼“奶奶”、“太太”，就不叫“新娘”了；若是嫁与人家做妾，就到头发白了，还要唤做“新娘”。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
“Who is this gentleman?” asked Zhou.They told him, “He is Mr. Mei, our village scholar.”When Zhou Jin heard this, he declared it would be presumptuous on his part to allow Mei to bow to him. And although Mei Jiu said, “Today is different,” he still refused.“You are older than he is,” said the villagers. “You had better not insist.”But Mei Jiu rounded on them, “You people don't understand the rule of our school. Those who have passed the prefectural examination are considered senior to those who have not, regardless of age. But today happens to be exceptional, and Mr. Zhou must still be honoured.” Ming Dynasty scholars called all those who passed the prefectural examination “classmates,” and those who only qualified for this examination “juniors.” A young man in his teens who passed was considered senior to an unsuccessful candidate, even if the latter were eighty years old. It was like the case of a concubine. A woman is called “new wife” when she marries, and later “mistress”; but a concubine remains “new wife” even when her hair is white.
王孝廉村... :
闲话休题。周进因他说这样话，倒不同他让了，竟僭著他作了揖。众人都作过揖坐下。只有周、梅二位的茶杯里有两枚生红枣，其馀都是清茶。吃过了茶，摆两张桌子杯箸，尊周先生首席，梅相公二席，众人序齿坐下，斟上酒来。周进接酒在手，向众人谢了扰，一饮而尽。随即每桌摆上八九个碗，乃是猪头肉、公鸡、鲤鱼、肚、肺、肝、肠之类。叫一声：“请！”一齐举箸，却如风卷残云一般，早去了一半。看那周先生时，一箸也不曾下。申祥甫道：“今日先生为甚么不用肴馔？却不是上门怪人？”拣好的递了过来。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Since Mei Jiu spoke like this, Zhou Jin did not insist on being polite, but let Mei Jiu bow to him. When all the others had greeted him too, they sat down. Mei and Zhou were the only two to have dates in their tea cups — all the others had plain green tea. After they had drunk their tea two tables were laid, and Zhou Jin was invited to take the seat of honour, Mei Jiu the second place. Then the others sat down in order of seniority, and wine was poured. Zhou Jin, cup in hand, thanked the villagers and drained his cup. On each table were eight or nine dishes — pig's head, chicken, carp, tripe, liver and other dishes. At the signal to begin, they fell to with their chopsticks, like a whirlwind scattering wisps of cloud. And half the food had gone before they noticed that Zhou Jin had not eaten a bite. “Why aren't you eating anything?” asked Shen. “Surely we haven't offended you the very first day?” He selected some choice morsels and put them on the teacher's plate.
王孝廉村... :
周进拦住道：“实不相瞒，我学生是长斋。”众人道：“这个倒失于打点。却不知先生因甚吃斋。”周进道：“只因当年先母病中，在观音菩萨位下许的，如今也吃过十几年了。”梅玖道：“我因先生吃斋，倒想起一个笑话，是前日在城里我那案伯顾老相公家听见他说的。有个做先生的一字至七字诗，……”众人都停了箸听他念诗。他便念道：“呆，秀才，吃长斋，胡须满腮，经书不揭开，纸笔自己安排，明年不请我自来。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
But Zhou Jin stopped him and said, “I must explain — I am having a long fast.”“How thoughtless we have been!” exclaimed his hosts. “May we ask why you are fasting?”“On account of a vow I made before the shrine of Buddha when my mother was ill,” said Zhou Jin. “I have been abstaining from meat now for more than ten years.”“Your fasting reminds me of a joke I heard the other day from Mr. Gu in the county town,” said Mei Jiu. “It is a one character to seven character verse about a teacher.” The villagers put down their chopsticks to listen, while he recited:A foolish scholarFasted so long,WhiskerNeglecting to study the classics,He left pen and paper aside.He'll come without being invited next year.
王孝廉村... :
念罢，说道：“像我这周长兄如此大才，呆是不呆的了。”又掩著口道：“秀才，指日就是；那‘吃长斋，胡须满腮’，竟被他说一个著！”说罢，哈哈大笑。众人一齐笑起来。周进不好意思。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
After this recitation he said, “A learned man like Mr. Zhou here is certainly not foolish.” Then, putting his hand over his mouth to hide a smile, he added, “But he should become a scholar soon, and the description of the fasting and the whiskers is true to life.” He gave a loud guffaw, and everybody laughed with him, while Zhou Jin did not know which way to look.
王孝廉村... :
申祥甫连忙斟一杯酒道：“梅三相该敬一杯。顾老相公家西席就是周先生了。”梅玖道：“我不知道，该罚不该罚！但这个话不是为周长兄，他说明了是个秀才。但这吃斋也是好事。先年俺有一个母舅，一口长斋，后来进了学，老师送了丁祭的胙肉来，外祖母道：‘丁祭肉若是不吃，圣人就要计较了：大则降灾，小则害病。’只得就开了斋。俺这周长兄，只到今年秋祭，少不得有胙肉送来，不怕你不开哩。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Shen Xiang-fu hastily filled a cup with wine and said, “Mr. Mei should drink a cup of wine. Mr. Zhou was the teacher in Mr. Gu's house.”“I didn't know that,” said Mei Jiu. “I should certainly drink a cup to apologize. But this joke was not against Mr. Zhou. It was about a scholar. However, this fasting is a good thing. I have an uncle who never ate meat either. But after he passed the prefectural examination his patron sent him some sacrificial meat, and my grandmother said, 'If you don't eat this, Confucius will be angry, and some terrible calamity may happen. At the very least, he will make you fall sick.' So my uncle stopped fasting. Now, Mr. Zhou, you are bound to pass the examination this autumn. Then you will be offered sacrificial meat, and I'm sure you will stop fasting.”
王孝廉村... :
众人说他发的利市好，同斟一杯，送与周先生预贺，把周先生脸上羞的红一块，白一块，只得承谢众人，将酒接在手里。厨下捧出汤点来，一大盘实心馒头，一盘油煎的扛子火烧。众人道：“这点心是素的，先生用几个。”周进怕汤不洁净，讨了茶来吃点心。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
They all said this was a lucky omen, and drank a toast to congratulate Zhou Jin in advance, until the poor man's face turned a mottled red and white, and he could barely stammer out his thanks as he took the wine cup. Soup was carried in from the kitchen with a big dish of dumplings and a plate of fried cakes. They assured Zhou Jin that there was no animal fat in the cakes, and pressed him to eat some. But he was afraid the soup was unclean, and asked for tea instead.
王孝廉村... :
内中一人问申祥甫道：“你亲家今日在那里？何不来陪先生坐坐？”申祥甫道：“他到快班李老爹家吃酒去了。”又一个人道：“李老爹这几年在新任老爷手里著实跑起来了，怕不一年要寻千把银子。只是他老人家好赌，不如西班黄老爹，当初也在这些事里顽耍，这几年成了正果，家里房子盖的像天宫一般，好不热闹。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
While they were eating the dessert, someone asked Shen, “Where is the village head today? Why hasn't he come to welcome Mr. Zhou?”“He has gone to a feast with Constable Li,” said Shen.“These last few years, under the new magistrate, Mr. Li has done very well,” said someone else. “In one year he must make about a thousand taels of silver. But he is too fond of gambling. It's a pity he's not like Bailiff Huang. Bailiff Huang used to play too, but later he turned over a new leaf and was able to build a house just like a palace — it is very grand.”
王孝廉村... :
荀老爹向申祥甫道：“你亲家自从当了门户，时运也算走顺风。再过两年，只怕也要弄到黄老爹的意思哩。”申祥甫道：“他也要算停当的了。若想到黄老爹的地步，只怕还有做几年的梦。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
“Since your relative became the village head,” said Mr. Xun to Shen Xiang-fu, “he's been in luck. Another year or two, and I suppose he will be like Bailiff Huang.”“He's not doing badly,” said Shen. “But it'll be several years before his dream of catching up with Bailiff Huang comes true.”
王孝廉村... :
梅相公正吃著火烧，接口道：“做梦倒也有些准哩。”因问周进道：“长兄这些年考校，可曾得个甚么梦兆？”周进道：“倒也没有。”梅玖道：“就是徼幸的这一年，正月初一日，我梦见在一个极高的山上，天上的日头，不差不错，端端正正掉了下来，压在我头上，惊出一身的汗；醒了摸一摸头，就像还有些热。彼时不知甚么原故，如今想来，好不有准！”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
With his mouth full of cake, Mr. Mei put in: “There is something in dreams.” And turning to Zhou Jin he asked: “Mr. Zhou, these past years, during the examinations, what dreams have you had?”“None at all,” replied Zhou Jin.“I was fortunate,” said Mei Jiu. “Last year on New Year's Day, I dreamed that I was on a very high mountain. The sun in the sky was directly above me, but suddenly it fell down on my head! Sweating with fright, I woke up and rubbed my head, and it still seemed hot. I didn't understand then what the dream meant, but later it came true!”
王孝廉村... :
于是点心吃完，又斟了一巡酒。直到上灯时候，梅相公同众人别了回去。申祥甫拿出一副蓝布被褥，送周先生到观音庵歇宿；向和尚说定，馆地就在后门里这两间屋内。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
By this time all the cakes were finished, and they had another round of drinks. By then it was time to light the lamps, and Mei Jiu and all the others went home, while Shen Xiangfu produced blue bedding and escorted Mr. Zhou to the temple to sleep, where he settled with the monk that the two empty rooms at the back should be used for the school.
王孝廉村... :
直到开馆那日，申祥甫同著众人领了学生来，七长八短几个孩子，拜见先生。众人各自散了。周进上位教书。晚间学生家去，把各家贽见拆开来看：只见荀家是一钱银子，另有八分银子代茶；其馀也有三分的，也有四分的，也有十来个钱的，合拢了不彀一个月饭食。周进一总包了，交与和尚收著再算。那些孩子就像蠢牛一般，一时照顾不到，就溜到外边去打瓦踢球，每日淘气不了。周进只得捺定性子，坐著教导。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
When the day came to start school, Shen Xiang-fu and the other villagers took their sons, large and small, to pay their res and Zhou Jin taught them. That evening, when he opened the envelopes containing their school fees, he found there was one-tenth of a tael of silver from the Xun family with an extra eight cents for tea, while the others had given only three or four cents or a
so altogether he had not enough for one month's food. He gave what he had to the monk, however, promising to settle his account later.The children were a wild lot. The moment Zhou Jin took his eyes off them, they would slip outside to play hopscotch or kick balls. They were up to mischief every day, yet he had to sit there patiently and teach them.
王孝廉村... :
不觉两个多月，天气渐暖。周进吃过午饭，开了后门出来，河沿上望望。虽是乡村地方，河边却也有几树桃花、柳树，红红绿绿，间杂好看。看了一回，只见蒙蒙的细雨下将起来。周进见下雨，转入门内，望著雨下在河里，烟笼远树，景致更妙。这雨越下越大。却见上流头一只船冒雨而来。那船本不甚大，又是芦席篷，所以怕雨。将近河岸，看时，中舱坐著一个人，船尾坐著两个从人，船头上放著一担食盒。将到岸边，那人连呼船家泊船，带领从人，走上岸来。周进看那人时，头戴方巾，身穿宝蓝缎直裰，脚下粉底皂靴，三绺髭须，约有三十多岁光景。走到门口，与周进举一举手，一直进来。自己口里说道：“原来是个学堂。”周进跟了进来作揖。那人还了个半礼道：“你想就是先生了？”周进道：“正是。”那人问从者道：“和尚怎的不见？”说著，和尚忙走了出来道：“原来是王大爷。请坐。僧人去烹茶来。”向著周进道：“这王大爷就是前科新中的。先生陪了坐著，我去拿茶。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Soon more than two months had passed and it began to grow warm. One day after lunch, Zhou Jin opened the back gate and went out to stroll on the river bank. It was a small country place, with some peach trees and willows beside the stream, their pink and green beautifully intermingled. Zhou Jin enjoyed the scenery until it began to drizzle. Then he went back to his doorway to watch the rain falling on the river and mist shrouding the distant trees, making them look even lovelier. The rain was beginning to fall more heavily when a boat came downstream — a small craft with a matting roof which could not keep out the wet. As it approached the bank, he saw a man sitting in the middle of the boat and two servants in the stern, while in the bow were two hampers. They reached the bank and the man ordered the boatman to moor the boat, then stepped ashore followed by his servants. He was wearing a scholar's cap, a sapphire-olue gown and black slippers with white soles. His beard was combed into three tufts, and he looked a little over thirty. Coming to the temple gate he nodded to Zhou Jin, then entered saying to himself, “This seems to be a school.”“Yes,” said Zhou Jin, accompanying him in and greeting him.“And you, I suppose, are the teacher?”“That is correct.”“How is it we don't see the monk?” the stranger asked his servants.But just then the monk hurried in, saying, “Please take a seat, Mr. Wang, and I'll make tea for you.” Then he told Zhou Jin, “This is Mr. Wang Hui, a new provincial scholar. Please sit down and keep him company while I go to make tea.”
王孝廉村... :
那王举人也不谦让，从人摆了一条凳子，就在上首坐了。周进下面相陪。王举人道：“你这位先生贵姓？”周进知他是个举人，便自称道：“晚生姓周。”王举人道：“去年在谁家作馆？”周进道：“在县门口顾老相公家。”王举人道：“足下莫不是就在我白老师手里曾考过一个案首的？说这几年在顾二哥家做馆，不差不差。”周进道：“俺这顾东家，老先生也是相与的？”王举人道：“顾二哥是俺户下册书，又是拜盟的好弟兄。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
The newcomer showed no false modesty. When the servants drew up benches he promptly sat himself down in the place of honour of it, leaving the teacher to take a lower seat.“What is your name?” he demanded.Knowing that this man was a provincial scholar, Zhou Jin replied, “Your pupil is called Zhou.”“Where did you teach before?”“In the family of Mr. Gu of the county yamen.”“Aren't you the man who came first in that test which my patron, Mr. Bai, supervised? He said that you were teaching in Mr. Gu's family. That's right. That's right.”“Do you know my former employer, Mr. Gu, sir?”“Mr. Gu is one of the secretaries in our office. He is one of my sworn brothers too.”
王孝廉村... :
须臾，和尚献上茶来吃了。周进道：“老先生的朱卷是晚生熟读过的。后面两大股文章，尤其精妙。”王举人道：“那两股文章不是俺作的。”周进道：“老先生又过谦了。却是谁作的呢？”王举人道：“虽不是我作的，却也不是人作的。那时头场，初九日，天色将晚，第一篇文章还不曾做完，自己心里疑惑，说：‘我平日笔下最快，今日如何迟了？’正想不出来，不觉磕睡上来，伏著号板打一个盹。只见五个青脸的人跳进号来，中间一人，手里拿著一枝大笔，把俺头上点了一点，就跳出去了。随即一个戴纱帽、红袍金带的人，揭帘子进来，把俺拍了一下，说道：‘王公请起。’那时弟吓了一跳，通身冷汗，醒转来，拿笔在手，不知不觉写了出来。可见贡院里鬼神是有的。弟也曾把这话回禀过大主考座师，座师就道弟该有鼎元之分。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Presently the monk brought in tea, and when they had drunk it Zhou Jin said, “I read your examination essay over and over again, sir. The last two paragraphs were particularly fine.”“Those two paragraphs were not by me.”“You are too modest, sir. Who else could have written them?”“Although not by me, they were not by anybody else either,” said the scholar. “It was the first day of the examination, on the ninth, but I had still not finished the first essay, and I said to myself, 'Usually I write very quickly. What makes me so slow today?' As I was racking my brains, I dozed off on the desk. Then I saw five greenfaced men leaping into the cell. One of them made a mark on my head with a big brush which he had in his hand, then darted away. Then a man in a gauze cap, red robe and golden belt came in, who shook me and said, 'Mr. Wang, please get up!' I woke up, trembling, bathed in icy sweat, and taking the pen into my hand began to write without knowing what I was doing. From this one can see that there are spirits in the examination school. When I made this statement to the chief examiner, he said that I ought to pass the very highest examination.”
王孝廉村... :
正说得热闹，一个小学生送仿来批，周进叫他阁著。王举人道：“不妨，你只管去批仿，俺还有别的事。”周进只得上位批仿。王举人吩咐家人道：“天已黑了，雨又不住，你们把船上的食盒挑了上来，叫和尚拿升米做饭。船家叫他伺候著，明日早走。”向周进道：“我方才上坟回来，不想遇著雨，耽搁一夜。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
He was speaking with great gusto, when a small boy came in with a written exercise. Zhou Jin told him to put it down, but Wang Hui said, “You go ahead and correct it. I have other things to see to.” Then the teacher went to his desk while Wang Hui said to his servants, “Since it is dark and the rain has not stopped, bring the hampers here and tell the monk to cook a peck of rice. Order the boatman to wait. I shall leave tomorrow morning.” He told Zhou Jin, “I have just come back from visiting the graves of my ancestors, and did not expect to run into rain. I shall spend the night here.”
王孝廉村... :
说著，就猛然回头，一眼看见那小学生的仿纸上的名字是荀玫，不觉就吃了一惊。一会儿咂嘴弄唇的，脸上做出许多怪物像。周进又不好问他，批完了仿，依旧陪他坐著。他就问道：“方才这小学生几岁了？”周进道：“他才七岁。”王举人道：“是今年才开蒙？这名字是你替他起的？”周进道：“这名字不是晚生起的。开蒙的时候，他父亲央及集上新进梅朋友替他起名。梅朋友说自己的名字叫做‘玖’，也替他起个‘王’旁的名字发发兆，将来好同他一样的意思。”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
While he was speaking, he caught sight of the name Xun Mei on the little boy's exercise, and gave an involuntary start. He pursed his lips and his face was a study, but Zhou Jin could not very well question him. When Zhou Jin had finished correcting the exercise and sat down again as before, Wang Hui asked, “How old is that boy?”“Seven.”“Did he start school this year? Did you choose that name for him?”“I didn't choose the name. At the beginning of the term his father asked the new village scholar, Mei Jiu, to choose a name for him. And Mr. Mei said, 'My own name seems to be an auspicious one, so I will give it to him and hope that he will turn out like me.'”
王孝廉村... :
王举人笑道：“说起来，竟是一场笑话：弟今年正月初一日梦见看会试榜，弟中在上面是不消说了，那第三名也是汶上人，叫做荀玫。弟正疑惑我县里没有这一个姓荀的孝廉，谁知竟同著这个小学生的名字。难道和他同榜不成！”说罢，就哈哈大笑起来，道：“可见梦作不得准！况且功名大事，总以文章为主，那里有甚么鬼神！”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
“This is certainly a joke,” said Wang Hui with a short laugh. “On the first day of this year I dreamed that I was looking at the list of metropolitan examination results. My name was on it — that goes without saying. But the third name was that of another man from Wenshang County called Xun Mei, and I wondered at this, since there was no provincial scholar from my county called Xun. Fancy it's turning out to be this little student's name! As if I could be on the same list as he!” He burst out laughing, then went on, “It's obvious that dreams are unreliable. Fame and achievement depend upon study, not upon any supernatural forces.”
王孝廉村... :
周进道：“老先生，梦也竟有准的。前日晚生初来，会著集上梅朋友，他说也是正月初一日，梦见一个大红日头落在他头上；他这年就飞黄腾达的。”王举人道：“这话更不作得准了。比如他进个学，就有日头落在他头上，像我这发过的，不该连天都掉下来，是俺顶著的了？”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
“Some dreams do come true, though,” said Zhou Jin. “The day that I arrived here, Mr. Mei told me that one New Year's Day he dreamed that a great red sun fell on his head, and that year, sure enough, he passed the prefectural examination.”“That doesn't prove anything,” retorted Wang Hui. “Suppose he does pass the prefectural examination and have a sun falling on his head — what about me? I have passed the provincial examination. Shouldn't the whole sky fall on my head?”
王孝廉村... :
彼此说著闲话，掌上灯烛，管家捧上酒饭，鸡、鱼、鸭、肉，堆满春台。王举人也不让周进，自己坐著吃了，收下碗去。落后和尚送出周进的饭来，一碟老菜叶，一壶热水。周进也吃了。叫了安置，各自歇宿。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
As they were chatting, lights were brought in, and the servants spread the desk with wine, rice, chicken, fish, duck and pork. Wang Hui fell to, without inviting Zhou J and when Wang Hui had finished, the monk sent up the teacher's rice with one dish of cabbage and a jug of hot water. When Zhou Jin had eaten, they both went to bed.
王孝廉村... :
次早，天色已晴，王举人起来洗了脸，穿好衣服，拱一拱手，上船去了。撒了一地的鸡骨头、鸭翅膀、鱼刺、瓜子壳，周进昏头昏脑，扫了一早晨。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
The next day the weather cleared. Wang Hui got up, washed and dressed, bade Zhou Jin a casual goodbye and went away in his boat, leaving the schoolroom floor so littered with chicken, duck and fish bones, and melon-seed shells, that it took Zhou Jin a whole morning to clear them all away, and the sweeping made him dizzy.
王孝廉村... :
自这一番之后，一薛家集的人都晓得荀家孩子是县里王举人的进士同年，传为笑话。这些同学的孩子赶著他就不叫荀玫了，都叫他“荀进士”。各家父兄听见这话，都各不平，偏要在荀老翁跟前恭喜，说他是个封翁太老爷。把个荀老爹气得有口难分。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
When the villagers heard about Wang Hui's dream that Mr. Xun's son would pass the metropolitan examination in the same year as himself, most of them thought it a great joke, and Xun Mei's classmates took to calling him Dr. Xun. But their fathers and elder brothers were annoyed. Out of spite, they went to congratulate Mr. Xun on being the father of a metropolitan graduate, until he was so angry he could hardly speak.
王孝廉村... :
申祥甫背地里又向众人道：“那里是王举人亲口说这番话。这就是周先生看见我这一集上只有荀家有几个钱，捏造出这话来奉承他，图他个逢时遇节，他家多送两个盒子。俺前日听见说，荀家抄了些面筋、豆腐干送在庵里，又送了几回馒头、火烧。就是这些原故了！”
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Shen Xiang-fu told the villagers secretly, “Mr. Wang could never have said such a thing. It's all made up by that fellow Zhou. He saw that the Xun family was the only one in the village with money, so he spun this yarn to flatter them, in the hope that they would send him more food during festivals. Only the other day I heard that the Xuns sent some dried be and they have often sent him dumplings and cakes too. Depend on it, this is the reason.”
王孝廉村... :
众人都不喜欢，以此周进安身不牢；因是碍著夏总甲的面皮，不好辞他，将就混了一年。后来夏总甲也嫌他呆头呆脑，不知道常来承谢，由著众人把周进辞了来家。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Everyone was indignant, and Zhou Jin's position became precarious. But since he had been introduced by the village head, they c and he went on teaching as best he could for a year. At the end of that time, however, Village Head Xia also became convinced that the teacher was a fool, because Zhou Jin did not come often enough to flatter him. So Xia allowed the villagers to dismiss him.
王孝廉村... :
那年却失了馆，在家日食艰难。一日，他姊丈金有馀来看他，劝道：“老舅，莫怪我说你。这读书求功名的事，料想也是难了。人生世上，难得的是这碗现成饭，只管‘稂不稂莠不莠’的到几时？我如今同了几个大本钱的人到省城去买卖，差一个记帐的人，你不如同我们去走走。你又孤身一人，在客夥内，还是少了你吃的，穿的？”周进听了这话，自己想：“‘瘫子掉在井里，捞起也是坐。’有甚亏负我？”随即应允了。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Having lost his job, Zhou Jin went home. He was extremely hard up. One day his brother-in-law, Jin You-yu, came to see him and said, “Don't take offence at what I say, brother. But all this study doesn't seem to be getting you anywhere, and a bad job is better than none. How long can you go on like this — neither fish, flesh nor fowl? I am going to the provincial capital with some other merchants to buy goods, and we need someone to keep accounts. Why don't you come with us? You are all on your own, and in our group you won't want for food or clothes.”“Even if a paralytic falls into a well, he can be no worse off than before,” thought Zhou Jin. “It can't hurt me to go.” So he consented.
王孝廉村... :
金有馀择个吉日，同一夥客人起身，来到省城杂货行里住下。周进无事闲著，街上走走。看见纷纷的工匠都说是修理贡院。周进跟到贡院门口，想挨进去看，被看门的大鞭子打了出来。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
Jin chose an auspicious day, and they set off with a party of merchants to the provincial capital, where they stayed in a merchants' guild. Since Zhou Jin had nothing to do, he strolled through the streets until he saw a group of workmen who said that they were going to repair the examination school. He followed them to the gate of the school and wanted to go in, but the gateman cracked his whip and drove him away.
王孝廉村... :
晚间向姊夫说，要去看看。金有馀只得用了几个小钱，一夥客人都也同了去看；又央及行主人领著。行主人走进头门，用了钱的并无拦阻。到了龙门下，行主人指道：“周客人，这是相公们进的门了。”进去两边号房门，行主人指道：“这是天字号了，你自进去看看。”周进一进了号，见两块号板摆得齐齐整整，不觉眼睛里一阵酸酸的，长叹一声，一头撞在号板上，直僵僵不醒人事。只因这一死，有分教：‘累年蹭蹬，忽然际会风云；终岁凄凉，竟得高悬月旦。未知周进性命如何，且听下回分解。
Provincial Graduate Wang meets...:
That evening he told his brother-in-law how much he wanted to look over the examination school, and Jin had to tip the gateman to get him in. Some of the other merchants decided to go too, and asked the guild head to act as their guide. This time they simply sailed through the gate of the school, because the gateman, whose palm had been greased, made no attempt to stop them. When they reached the Dragon Gate, the guild head pointed to it, and said, “This is the gate for scholars.” They went into a corridor with examination cells on both sides, and the guild head told them, “This is Number One. You can go in and have a look.” Zhou Jin went in, and when he saw the desk set there so neatly, tears started to his eyes. He gave a long sigh, knocked his head against the desk, and slipped to the ground unconscious. But to know whether Zhou Jin recovered or not, you must read the next chapter.}