席方平
说明：
本文涉及到一些传说中的人物和官职，我一方面根据词典，一方面根据官职和人物的实际意义，做如下翻译。很不成熟，暂时就这样用了。阴间：nether world； 阳间：this world；阎王：Nether King；阎王府:：Residence of Nether King；灌口二郎神： God Er Lang； 城隍爷：City God；县令：county magistrate；玉皇大帝：Heaven King；差役：ghost attendant，故事中的差役都是小鬼，故而加一鬼字。
1。
原文：
席方平，东安*人。其父名廉，性戆拙。因与里中富室羊姓有隙，羊先死；数年，廉病垂危，谓人曰：“羊某今贿嘱冥使搒我矣。”俄而身赤肿，号呼遂死，席惨怛不食，曰：“我父朴讷*，今见凌于强鬼；我将赴冥，代伸冤气矣。”自此不复言，时坐时立，状类痴，盖魂已离舍。
注释：
1．东安：县名，位于今湖南省南部。2．朴讷：老实巴交，不会说话。讷，口才不好，嘴笨。读汉语拼音“ne”第四声。
白话：
席方平，湖南东安人。父亲席廉，心直口快，因此和村里富翁羊某结了仇。羊先死
了。
数年之后，席廉病危。他对人说：“姓羊的贿赂阴间的脏官，叫他们打我。”
。
很快，席父浑身红肿，呼号而死。
席方平难过得连东西都不吃。
他说：“我爹老实巴交，拙嘴笨舌。眼下他正被恶鬼欺侮。我要到阴曹地府为他伸
冤。”
从此以后，席方平不再说话，时坐时立，如痴似呆，大概早已灵魂出窍。
英译：
Xi Fangping was from Dong An County, Hunan Provinc. His father Lian was quite outspoken and therefore incurred hatred with a rich neighbor Yang.
The rich man died first. A few years later, Xi’s father was critical ill.
Xi’s father said, “Yang’s already given bribes to the officials in the nether world and asked them to beat me.”
Shortly, the old man’s body became red and swollen and at last, he died crying miserably.
Too sad to eat anything, Xi said, “My father wasn’t eloquent. Now he was bullied by the violent ghosts. I’ll go underground and redress a grievance for my father.”
From then on, saying nothing, Xi sometimes sat and sometimes stood as if he’d become dull-witted. Most likely, his soul had already left.
2。
原文：
席觉初出门，莫知所往，但见路有行人，便问城邑。少选*，入城。其父已收狱中。至狱门，遥见父卧檐下，似甚狼狈。举目见子，潸然流涕，曰：“狱吏悉受赇嘱*，日夜搒掠，胫股摧残甚矣！”席怒，大骂狱吏：“父如有罪，自有王章，岂汝等死魅所能操耶！”遂出，写状。趁城隍*早衙，喊冤投之。羊惧，内外贿通，始出质理*。城隍以所告无据，颇不直席*。席愤气无伸，冥行百余里至郡，以官役私状，告诸郡司。迟至半月始得质理。郡司扑席，仍批城隍赴案。席至邑，备受械梏，惨冤不能自舒。城隍恐其再讼，遣役押送归家。役至门辞去。
注释：
少选：同“少旋”，一会儿。2。赇嘱：同“贿嘱”，贿赂嘱托。赇，贿赂，读“求”。3。城隍：守护城池的主神。4。质理：对质审理。5。不直席：认为席方平投诉无理。
白话：
席方平觉得刚一出门不知该往哪里去。只要见到路上有人，他就打听进城的路。没多
久，他进了城。他父亲已经锒铛入狱。
到监狱门口，他远远地看到父亲躺在屋檐下，似乎很狼狈。
看到儿子，老人抬起头来，不禁潸然泪下，说：“狱官都接受贿赂，日夜不停地打我
，我的脖子和屁股被打得最厉害！”
席方平愤怒已极，大骂狱官：“我父亲如果有罪，自有王法制裁。你们这些死鬼怎么
能这么干呢？”
离开监狱，席方平找来纸笔写状子。
正赶上城隍爷早堂问事。席方平喊冤递状。
姓羊的害怕，里里外外先买通各级官吏，这才出来和席方平对薄公堂。城隍爷以没有
证据为由，对席方平案子一驳了之。
席方平非常气愤，但没有地方再去申诉。他又默默地走过一百里地，来到一个郡。他
就向郡府告城隍爷徇私舞弊。拖了半个月，席方平一案才得以处理。郡府先对席方平一
顿好打，才批转城隍爷复审。
但返回原处后，等候席方平的却是大刑侍候。席方平依然申冤无门。城隍爷怕他再提
出申诉，就派差役把他押送回家。一到家门口，差役就回去了。
英译：
Xi felt he’d come out of his home but didn’t know where to go. Seeing someone on the road, he stepped up and asked the way to town. After a while, he entered the town and learned his father had already been put in prison.
Arriving at the gate of the prison, he found, in a distance, his father lying under the eaves in a dreadful predicament.
Raising his head and seeing his son, the old man, in a flood of tears, said, “All the prison officers accepted bribes. They ordered the prison guards to beat me day and night. My neck and buttocks are badly wounded!”
Burst into anger, Xi scolded the prison officers, shouting, “If my father committed crimes, the laws will punish him. How can you dead ghosts do this sort of things?”
Leaving the prison, Xi found a pen and some paper and made a written complaint.
Now, it’s just the time for City Dod to have morning shift in office. Calling for redressing a grievance, he submitted his written complaint.
Being afraid, his deceased neighbor Yang came immediately to have a face to face argument against Xi. Having accepted bribes, City God rejected Xi’s complaint on the pretext of want of proof.
No where to express his anger, walking more than a hundred miles, Xi went to the province and told the governor that City God bended the law for the benefit of his friends. Only after half month, was his case handled. As a result, Xi was given a good beating and his case was turned back to City God for a recheck.
Back in the county, put to cruel torture, Xi was unable to redress his grievance. Afraid he’d lodge an appeal again, City God asked two ghost attendants to send him back home. When arriving at the gate of his home, the ghosts turned back and left him alone.
3.
原文：
席不肯入，遁赴冥府，诉郡邑之酷贪。冥王立拘质对。二官密遣腹心与席关说*，许以千金。席不听。过数日，逆旅主人告曰：“君负气已甚，官府求和而执不从，今闻于王前各有函进，恐事殆矣。”席犹未信。俄有皂衣人唤入。升堂，见冥王有怒色，不容置词，命笞*二十。席厉声问：“小人何罪？”冥王漠若不闻。席受笞，喊曰：“受笞允当，谁教我无钱也！”冥王益怒，命置火床。两鬼捽席下，见东墀*有铁床，炽火其下，床面通赤。鬼脱席衣，掬置其上，反复揉捺之。痛极，骨肉焦黑，苦不得死。约一时许，鬼曰：“可矣。”遂扶起，促使下床着衣，犹幸跛而能行。复至堂上，冥王问：“敢再讼乎？”席曰：“大冤未伸，寸心不死，若言不讼，是欺王也。必讼！”王曰：“讼何词？”席曰：“身所受者，皆言之耳。”冥王又怒，命以锯解其体。二鬼拉去，见立木高八九尺许，有木板二仰置其上，上下凝血模糊。方将就缚，忽堂上大呼“席某”，二鬼即复押回。冥王又问：“尚敢讼否？”答曰：“必讼！”冥王命捉去速解*。既下，鬼乃以二板夹席缚木上。锯方下，觉顶脑渐辟*，痛不可忍，顾亦忍而不号。闻鬼曰：“壮哉此汉！”锯隆隆然寻至胸下。又闻一鬼云：“此人大孝无辜，锯令稍偏，勿损其心。”遂觉锯锋曲折而下，其痛倍苦。俄顷半身辟矣；板解，两身俱仆*。鬼上堂大声以报，堂上传呼，令合身来见。二鬼即推令复合，曳使行。席觉锯缝一道，痛欲复裂，半步而踣*。一鬼于腰间出丝带一条授之，曰：“赠此以报汝孝。”受而束之，一身顿健，殊无少苦。遂升堂而伏。冥王复问如前；席恐再罹酷毒，便答：“不讼矣。”冥王立命送还阳界。
注释：
1。关说：说情。说，读“睡”。2。笞：用鞭子抽打。3。墀：台阶。读“迟”。4。辟：同“劈”。5。仆：向前跌倒，读“扑”。6。踣：跌倒，读“博”。
白话：
方平不肯进家，毅然重返阴间。 这次席方平直接找到阎王府，向阎王告那两名官员贪赃枉法。阎王立即抓捕他们，和席方平对质。
闻讯后，两名官员立即秘密派人给席方平送去千两黄金，劝他撤诉。然而席方平拒绝
了他们的无理要求。
数天后，客栈老板告诉席方平事态严重。
“你火气太大，官府找你求和，你不理这个碴儿。你把那两个当官的都得罪啦。”老
板继续说。“听说阎王爷已经接到那两名官员的信。恐怕你的案子没戏了。”
席方平认为客店老板的话只是道听途说，不可信。但几天之后，有两个黑衣人突然来
到这里，把他抓到阎王府。阎王非常气愤，不容分说，就命令小鬼先让席方平吃二十大
鞭。
“小人何罪？”席方平问。
阎王好像什么也没听到，根本不理睬他。
席方平被鞭打得直喊：“我挨抽是公平合理，谁教我没钱呢！”
阎王勃然大怒，命令小鬼把席方平架到火床上烤。他被两名小鬼推到前面一看，只见
东配殿台阶下放着一张铁床。那床已经被底下的火烤得通红。
小鬼把席方平的衣服扒下来，就把他放到床上，反复按他。席方平骨肉焦黑，疼痛已
极，恨不能去死。
“行啦。”大约一个时辰之后，小鬼说。
小鬼把席方平扶起来，叫他下床穿衣。所幸他还能瘸着走路。他又被推回到阎王面
前。 “还敢再告吗？”阎王问。
“大冤未报，寸心不死。如果说不再告，那是欺骗大王。”他说。“我一定还要告！
”
“告什么？”阎王问。
“我受的罪都要告，”他说。
阎王更气愤了。他又下一道命令，叫小鬼把他锯成两半。
他被小鬼拼命地往前拽，看到前面竖立着一根八九尺长的圆木，下面有两块血迹斑斑
的木板。
席方平正等着被捆绑在木板上，只听阎王殿上有人高喊。
“席方平！”
听到喊声，两个小鬼就把他带回到阎王面前。
“还敢再告吗？”
“必告无疑！”
阎王命令小鬼立即把席方平锯开。小鬼遵命，把他紧紧地夹在两块木板之间，然后再
绑到立木上。
锯子一动，他就觉得头顶被劈开，疼痛难忍。但他强忍不叫。只听小鬼在说话。
“这条汉子真了不起！”
锯子喀嚓喀嚓一直锯到胸口。他听一个小鬼又在说话。
“这个人是大孝子，他是无辜的。让锯稍微偏一点，别伤着他的心。”
于是席方平觉得锯尺曲折而下，不过这显得更疼。片刻之后，他的上半身就被一分为
二。解开木板，他的两半身立即倒下来。
小鬼跑到阎王殿大声秉报。殿上传令，让席方平的两半身合二为一，再去见阎王爷。
二鬼一推，席方平的上身随即复合，然后被推推搡搡往前走。他感觉那条锯缝疼痛难忍
，似乎要重新开裂，刚迈出半步，他就跌倒在地。一个小鬼从腰间拿出一条丝带交给
他。
“把这个赠给你，以表达我对你那份孝心的敬意。”小鬼说。
接过丝带绑在身上，席方平立即觉得强健如初，没有丝毫痛苦。阎王立即升堂，席方
平跪拜在地。阎王问的还是老一套。
席方平怕再遭酷刑毒打，于是答道：“不告了。”
阎王立即下令把他送回阳间。
英译：
Xi refused to go in and went underground again. This time he went to Residengce of Nether King directly and told Nether King about the brutal and greedy behavior of the two officials. Nether King arrested them immediately and wanted to confront the accused with the accuser.
Learning this, immediately and secretly, the two officials sent two henchmen to give Xi a lot of gold and persuaded him to drop his lawsuit. But Xi refused their unreasonable demands.
A few days later, Xi was told something serious by the owner of the hotel where he stayed.
“The officials pleaded with you for mercy, but you refused. Thus, you offended too many people.” He was told. “People say that Nether King has got two letters from those two officials. I’m afraid your case is hopeless.”
Xi thought the his words were merely hearsay which was unbelievable. Yet a few days later, two men in black came unexpectedly to summon him to court. Nether King was very angry and without allowing him to say anything, ordered the ghost to whip Xi twenty times.
“What’s wrong with me?” asked Xi.
Nether King had no regard for him as if hearing nothing.
Xi accepted being whipped, yet cried out with a touch of irony, “It’s quite fair for me to be whipped just because I’m penniless.”
Very angry, Nether King gave an order to put Xi on the fire bed. Pushed away by two ghosts, he saw an iron bed at the foot of the eastern flight of steps. He found the bed completely red because of being burned by a fire beneath.
Pulling off his clothes, the ghosts put Xi on the bed and pressed him repeatedly. With his flesh and bones scorched black, he felt too painful to want to live any longer.
“O.K.” the ghosts said about an hour later.
Helping him up, the ghosts urged Xi to leave the bed and put on his clothes. It’s lucky for him to be able to walk though laming. Pushed back to the court, he was forced to face Nether King again.
“Dare to sue at law again?” asked Nether King.
“My grievance hasn’t been redressed. I’ll not resign myself to a defeat. If I say no, then I must be cheating Your Majesty,” said he. “So I must sue again!”
“For what?” asked Nether King .
“For all my sufferings,” he said.
Much angrier than ever before, Nether King gave another order to saw his body into two pieces.
Pulled away, he found a log set upright about eight to nine feet in length. And under the log, there were two planks completely stained with dried blood.
Just at the moment Xi was ready to let the ghosts bind him onto the planks, someone shouted.
“Xi!” cried the man.
Hearing this, the two ghosts took him back to Nether King.
“Dare to sue again?”
“Yes, I do.”
Nether King ordered the ghosts to walk him away and saw him promptly. Accordingly, the ghosts let him tightly sandwiched between the two planks and then bound him onto the standing log.
The saw started to move, he felt the top of his head began to be cut open with a pain too terrible to bear. Yet, he forced himself to bear without shouting out and heard the ghosts speaking.
“What a brave man!” said the ghosts.
The saw rumbled to his chest. He heard one ghost saying, “This guy is devoted and innocent. Let the saw slant a bit and don’t injure his heart.”
He felt the saw go down zigzag, which made him to feel much more painful. In a few minutes his body was cut into two. The planks were unbound and the two pieces of his body fell down.
The ghosts went to the court to give a loud oral report. And an order was given to combine the two pieces into one and then walk Xi to see Nether King. The ghosts combined the two halves of his body together accordingly and dragged him forward. Xi felt that there was a seam which was terribly painful and that his body would burst open again. He fell down immediately only after half step.
One of the two ghosts took out a silk band and gave it to Xi saying, “Present this to you in order to express my respect to your filial devotion.”
Accepting and tying the band, Xi recovered his health immediately and felt no pain at all.
Escorted into the court, he bended over. Nether King questioned him as before. Afraid to suffer from a brutal torture, Xi replied, “Won’t sue at law again.” And Nether King immediately ordered the two ghosts to send him back to this world.
4。
原文：
隶率出北门，指示归途，反身遂去。席念阴曹之昧暗尤甚于阳间，奈无路可达帝听。世传灌口二郎*为帝勋戚，其神聪明正直，诉之当有灵异。窃喜二隶已去，遂转身南向。奔驰间，有二人追至，曰：“王疑汝不归，今果然矣。”捽回复见冥王。窃疑冥王益怒，祸必更惨；而王殊无厉容，谓席曰：“汝志诚孝。但汝父冤，我已为若*雪之矣。今已往生富贵家，何用汝鸣呼为。今送汝归，予以千金之产、期颐*之寿，于愿足乎？”乃注籍中，嵌以巨印，使亲视之。席谢而下。鬼与俱出，至途，驱而骂曰：“奸猾贼！频频反复，使人奔波欲死！再犯，当捉入大磨中细细研之！”席张目叱曰：“鬼子胡为者！我性耐刀锯，不耐挞楚耶！请反见王，王如令我自归，亦复何劳相送。”乃返奔。二鬼惧，温语劝回。席故蹇缓*，行数步辄憩路侧。鬼含怒不敢复言。约半日至一村，一门半开，鬼引与共坐；席便据门阈*，二鬼乘其不备，推入门中。
注释：
1．灌口二郎：传说中的二郎神杨戬（读“减”），是玉皇大帝的外甥。就是下文中的“为帝勋戚”。勋戚，有功勋的亲戚。2。若：你。3。期颐：百年，读“鸡疑”。4。蹇缓：行路时步履艰难迟缓。蹇，读“简”。5。门阈：门槛。阈，读“于”。
白话：
差役把席方平领出北门，给他指出归乡之路，就转身而回。席方平觉得阴间的黑暗愚
昧远远超过阳间。他想上告玉皇大帝，可又无路可走。
听说灌口二郎神是玉皇大帝的亲戚，又是一位有功之臣。他聪明睿智，公正不阿。求
助于他一定灵验。一想到两名差役早已离开，他心中窃喜，于是转身向南走。
他正忙着赶路，有两个人追了上来。
“大王怀疑你不回家，”小鬼说。“果然如此。”
席方平被押解再去见阎王。他心想阎王一定倍加恼怒，自己遭的祸也必定更惨。然而
阎王却和颜悦色。
“你真是大孝子。”阎王说。“可是我已经为你爹伸冤了。如今他早已托生到一个富
贵人家。哪还用的着你来喊冤。现在把你送回家，给你千两黄金和百岁的寿数，你该心
满意足了吧？”
阎王把这些话写在纸上，盖上大印，拿给席方平亲自过目。
席方平拜谢下堂。小鬼和他一起走出阎王殿，来到路上，推推搡搡，骂骂咧咧。
“老奸巨猾的*****！翻来复去地，简直把人折腾死啦！再这样下去，就把你扔到大磨
里，研成肉酱！”
“死鬼，瞧你们再敢胡作非为！老子怕打不怕锯。你们还是押着我去见阎王爷吧。如
果他让我一个人回家，何劳二位相送。”
席方平说完转身就走。二鬼害怕，就好言好语劝他回家。
席方平在回家的路上，故意拖沓，走几步就停下来在路边休息一下。小鬼憋一肚子气
，但也不敢再言语。
大约过了半天，他们来到一个村子。有一户人家半掩着门。小鬼领着席方平让他一起
坐下来。席方平就蹲在门槛上。
趁席方平不备，小鬼冷不丁把他推进门。
英译：
The ghost attendants in black led Xi out of the northern town gate and then turned back. Thinking the nether world was much darker than this world, Xi began to consider asking Heaven King for help, yet unfortunately there was no way to the heaven.
Just at this moment, it suddenly occurred to him that God Er Lang was said to be a relative of Heaven King. This god was very just and honest, it must be effective if asking him for help. The ghost attendants had left, Xi felt happy secretly and turned round walking south instead of going back home. Yet, while hie was hurry on his way, two ghosts caught up with him.
“Nether King suspects that you’d refuse to go home,” said one of the ghosts, “indeed he’s right.”
Xi was then escorted to Nether King again. Secretly thinking Nether King must be very angry and therefore would torture him more violently. Yet this time, Nether King wasn’t angry at all.
“You’re really a devoted son,” said Nether King. “But I’ve already redressed a grievance for your father. He’s got a new lease of life in a rich family. What’s the need for you to run errands for him again?” Nether King continued. “I’d like to give you a lot of gold and let you enjoy a life one hundred years long. Are you satisfied?”
With what he’d said, Nether King made a written instruction, to which his large seal was put, and which was put into a frame and then shown to Xi.
Expressing his hearty thanks, Xi left. The ghosts went along with him, pushed him, and cursed him on the way.
“What a sly guy! You blew hot and cold repeatedly and kept us constantly on the run!” the ghosts complained. “If you play the same shabby trick again, we’ll throw you into the big mill and grind you into meat sauce!”
“You dirty ghosts! How dare you act so wantonly! ” said Xi. “By nature, I’m afraid of beating but not sawing. Please go back and see Nether King. If the king allows me to go alone, what’s the need for you to escort me?”
After saying this, Xi began to run back. Being afraid, the two ghosts, in a mild tone, dissuaded him from doing so.
On the way back, Xi slowed down deliberately and took rests at roadside at intervals of a few steps. Angry, yet the ghosts didn’t dare to say anything.
After half an hour or so, they came to a village. Seeing a door half open, the two ghosts led Xi forward and asked him sit down together with them. Xi squatted on the threshold.
Taking him by surprise, the ghosts pushed him into the room.
5．
原文：
惊定自视，身已生为婴儿。愤啼不乳，三日遂殇。魂摇摇不忘灌口，约奔数十里，忽见羽葆*来，幡戟横路。越道避之，因犯卤簿*，为前马所执，絷送车前。仰见车中一少年，丰仪瑰玮。问席：“何人？”席冤愤正无所出，且意是必巨官，或当能作威福，因缅诉*毒痛。车中人命释其缚，使随车行。俄至一处，官府十余员，迎谒道左，车中人各有问讯。已而指席谓一官曰：“此下方人，正欲往愬*，宜即为之剖决。”席询之从者，始知车中即上帝殿下九王，所嘱即二郎也。席视二郎，修躯多髯，不类世间所传。
注释：
1．羽葆：仪仗队里用羽毛装饰的器物。2。卤簿：帝王贵族出行的仪仗队。卤，大盾牌。簿，簿籍。仪仗队里的人要举着盾牌，拿着簿籍，后以“卤簿”代称仪仗队。3。缅诉：追诉。4。愬：与“诉”音义皆同，诉冤。
白话：
正赶上那家女人生孩子，他惊魂平定之后朝自己一看，发现六尺之身已经变成婴儿。气得他只是啼哭，不吃奶水，三天就死了。
他的魂依旧念念不忘灌口二郎神，大约又跑了数十里路，忽然见到以羽毛作装饰的仪仗队走过来，横幡剑戟满路都是。
席方平横跨大道，想躲起来。由于冲撞了仪仗队，他当场被抓，继而被绑起来押送到
车前。
抬头一看，席方平发现车里有一位少年，仪表堂堂，玉树临风。
“你是何人？”少年问席方平。
席方平正愁有冤无处诉，他猜想这一定是个大官，或许能替他撑腰。于是他就把自己
的苦水一股脑儿都吐出来。车里人下令为他松绑，让他跟在车子后面走。
没多久，他们就来到一个地方，有十多名官员站在道路的左边迎接。车里人向他们一
个个问话，而后指着席方平对一位官员说：“下面这个人正要到你那里告状，应该马上
为他审理结案。
席方平向随从一打听，才知道车里人正是玉皇大帝的第九个儿子，也就是人们所说的
二郎神。
只见他身材高大，满脸胡子，并不象世人所传说的那种样子。
英译：
Scrutinizing himself, Xi found he’d already turned into a baby. Very angrily, he refused to suck the breast and died three days later.
Still remembering God Er Lang, his soul wafted wantonly for several decades of miles and saw a guard of honor coming to him. Every member of which was decorated with feathers. Flags and halberds could be seen everywhere on the road.
Crossing the road so as to keep out of the way, Xi bumped the guard of honor. The vanguard caught and pushed him into front of a wagon.
Raising his head, Xi found an elegant young man in the wagon.
“Who’re you?” asked the handsome youth.
Not knowing where to redress his grievance, thinking that the young man must be a big official able to punish the evil ones, Xi stepped up and poured out his grievance. The young man in the wagon gave an order to untie him and let him follow behind.
Soon they came to a certain place where about ten officials were welcoming them at the left side of the road. Asking them a few questions, the young man in the wagon pointed at Xi and spoke to an official.
“This young man comes here and just wants to redress his grievances there,” said he. “You’d better make him a quick decision.”
Asking the entourages, Xi learned the young man in the wagon was the ninth son of Heaven King, namely the so called God Er Lang.
Scrutinizing, Xie found God Er Lang was tall and strong with long beards, not like what was wildly circulated among the people.
6。
原文：
九王既去，席从二郎至一官廨*，则其父与羊姓并衙隶俱在。少顷，槛车*中有囚人出，则冥王及郡司、城隍也。当堂对勘*，席所言皆不妄。三官战栗，状若伏鼠。二郎援笔立判；顷刻，传下判语，令案中人共视之。
判云：“勘得冥王者：职膺王爵，身受帝恩。自应贞洁以率臣僚，不当贪墨*以速官谤。而乃繁缨*棨戟*，徒夸品秩*之尊；羊狠狼贪，竟玷人臣之节。斧敲斫，斫入木，妇子之皮骨皆空；鲸吞鱼，鱼食虾，蝼蚁之微生可悯。当掬江西之水，为尔湔*肠；即烧东壁之床，请君入瓮。城隍、郡司，为小民父母之官，司上帝牛羊之牧。虽则职居下列，而尽瘁者不辞折腰；即或势逼大僚，而有志者亦应强项*。乃上下其鹰鸷之手，既罔念夫民贫；且飞扬其狙狯之奸，更不嫌乎鬼瘦。惟受赃而枉法，真人面而兽心！是宜剔髓伐毛，暂罚冥死；所当脱皮换革，仍令胎生。隶役者：既在鬼曹，便非人类。只宜公门修行，庶还落蓐*之身；何得苦海生波，益造弥天之孽？飞扬跋扈，狗脸生六月之霜；隳突*叫号，虎威断九衢之路。肆淫威于冥界，咸知狱吏为尊；助酷虐于昏官，共以屠伯是惧。当以法场之内，剁其四肢；更向汤镬*之中，捞其筋骨。羊某：富而不仁，狡而多诈。金光盖地，因使阎摩殿上尽是阴霾；铜臭熏天，遂教枉死城中全无日月。余腥犹能役鬼，大力直可通神。宜籍*羊氏之家，以偿席生之孝。即押赴东岳：施行。”又谓席廉：“念汝子孝义，汝性良懦，可再赐阳寿三纪*。”使两人送之归里。
注释：
1．廨：官员的办公处，读“谢”。 2。槛车：囚车。 3。对勘：对质审讯。勘，审讯。4。贪墨：贪污。5。繁缨：古时天子诸侯的马饰。繁，读“盘”，通“鞶”，读“盘”。，马的腹带，俗称马肚带。6。棨戟：有套衣和涂漆的木戟，依仗器物。7。品秩：官阶品级。8。湔：洗，读“间”。9。强项：不低头，刚直不阿。10。落蓐：指出生，俗称落草。蓐，草席，读“入”。11。隳突：冲突。隳，读“灰”。12。汤镬：汤锅。古代烹煮囚犯的刑具。13。籍：没收。14。东岳：泰山。迷信传说东岳泰山之神统管天地人间的生死祸福，并对好人坏人分别加以赏罚。15。纪：古代以十二年为一纪。
白话：
二郎神随即离开，席方平跟着他来到一处官衙。他父亲和羊某人，以及大小官员都在
那里。不大一会儿，囚车里走出一些人，原来是阎王爷，县太爷和城隍爷。
对薄公堂，席方平所言句句属实。三位官员颤栗不止，趴在地上的酷似老鼠。
二郎神立即拿起笔写下判决书，交给涉案人看。
判决书曰：
“阎王：荣获王爵高位，承蒙玉帝皇恩，本该自身清廉，以便做群臣的表
率，而不应贪赃枉法，以至如此迅速地为自己招致百姓唾骂。你拥有玉帝赠送的良马，
具备豪华气派的仪仗队，然而对你来说，这些都不过徒有虚名。你象豺狼那样贪婪，完
全玷污了为官必备的高风亮节。对待普罗大众，无论妇女还是儿童，你都要敲骨吸髓，
如大鲸吞小鱼，小鱼吞虾米。如蝼蚁般的草民真是可怜哪。应该用长江的水为你洗肠，
烧红东配殿下的铁床，让你也上去尝尝受煎烤的滋味。
“城隍和县令，你们是百姓父母官，本该替天行道，好生管理他们的事情。虽然
官职不高，但也应该鞠躬尽瘁，克己奉公。即便上司逼迫你们为非作歹，你们如果真有
志气，也应该刚直不阿，敢于对抗。然而你们却上下勾结，就象凶猛的鹰鸷一般，罔顾
民众饥苦。对于鬼魅，你们也是飞扬跋扈，图谋不轨，即便瘦骨嶙峋，依然要扒层皮。
你们就知道贪赃枉法，真是人面兽心！按照阴间的法规，你们应该剔除骨髓，剃光毛发
，暂处死刑，以便给你们机会，脱胎换骨，再去重新投生。
“差役，你们既然身处阴曹鬼府，就不属于人类。只有在衙门内修身向善，将来
才有可能转世为人。你们怎么能在世俗的苦海中兴风作浪，造下弥天的罪孽？瞧瞧你们
的鬼德行，飞扬跋扈，象狗脸生了六月霜，张牙舞爪，象是大道来了拦路虎。你们在阴
间耀武扬威，只知道看狱吏的眼色行事，助纣为虐，滥杀无辜。你们应该被押赴刑场，
跺掉四肢，扔进大锅，煮掉皮肉，捞出筋骨。
“羊某，你为富不仁，狡猾多诈。你黄金光芒四射，让阎王殿笼罩在一片阴霾之
中。你臭钱铜臭熏天，使地狱日月无光。你虽已一败涂地，但依然能用金钱收买狱吏，
用余威买通神灵。羊家财产应该没收，用以补偿席方平的一份孝心。羊某则应立即押赴
泰山，听候泰山之神发落。
二郎神又对席廉说：“你儿子孝顺忠义，你生来善良怯弱，可再给你三十六年的寿
数。”
说完他就派两个人把席方平夫子俩送回家。
英译：
The ninth son of Heaven King leaving, Xi followed God Er Lang to a government office where he found his father, the neighbor and the officials were all there. A few moments later, some people came out of a prison wagon. He surprisingly found they were just Nether King, City God as well as the county magistrate.
During the confrontation between the accused and the accuser, what Xi said was fair and reasonable. Terribly shivering, these three officials were just like rats lying on the ground.
Soon after, God Er Lang made a written judgment and let all the people concerned to read. The full text of the judgment read as follows:
“As Nether King, you should be obliged to Heaven King for your glorious post. You should be honest in carrying out your official duties so as to set a good example for your subordinates to follow, but should not bring about censure so rapidly by taking bribe and perverting the law. While going out, you rode a horse beautifully decorated and was accompanied by a large retinue and a guard of honor. But your real behavior cannot make you live up to your high official ranking or the people’s greatest esteem for you. Cruel and vicious like a wolf, you, as an official of so high a rank, tarnished the due lofty spirit in running affairs. While treating the common people, both women and children, you are just like an evil demon crushing the bones and sucking the marrow, and like a hungry whale swallowing fishes, and like a big fish eating small shrimps. How pathetic the ordinary people are! You should take some clear water from Yangtze River and wash your dirty bowels. You should burn the iron bed and lie on it just like what you forced others to do.
“As for City God and the county magistrate, you should be good officials to your people just like their parents and should act like good herdsmen to graze sheep for Heaven King. Your ranks are not high, you should still bend your backs to your tasks till your dying days. Even if forced by high officials to do something evil, an honest man should refuse their unreasonable demands. But you worked hand in glove with each other without thinking about the sufferings of the poor people and threw your weight about even without concerning about the pitiful ghosts. Accepting bribes and perverting the law, you’re really devils with human faces! Your marrow should be removed and your hair uprooted. The court therefore sentenced you to temporary death so as for you to remove your original skin and get reborn.
“As far as the ordinary government officials are concerned, now that in the nether world, you are not human beings. You should do your best to preserve your purity and kindness, only by doing so can you be able to get reborn. But why did you behave like a trouble-maker to stir up disorder? And for what reason did you abuse your power in the nether world? You always pulled long faces which were as cold as the June frost, and you often shouted as tigers roaring on the road. Worse, you helped the prison officials to do evil. Making a big show of your power in the nether world, the only thing you know is to take your cue from the prison officials. Working in glove with each other, you cruel officials wantonly killed so many innocent people. According to what you did, your four limbs should be cut off at the execution ground, or you should be thrown into boiling water and then let people to dredge up your bones.
“Yang, as Xi’s neighbor, you’re rich but cruel, sly and tricky. With dirty gold, though bright, you even made the nether world palace completely enveloped in a dark haze. With dirty money, you created a stink reeking to high heaven. By doing all these, you’ve already transformed the jail into a dark hell. You’ve been defeated, yet your remnant force is still strong enough to force the devils to do evil and even powerful enough to drive the immortals. All the property of your family should be confiscated so as to compensate Xi for a loss and give commendation to his filial devotion and obedience. Yang should be taken to Mt. Tai indelicately and let God Mt. Tai punish him.”
Judgment pronouncement finished, God Er Lang turned round to Xi’s father.
“Your son is filial and honest. And you yourself are kind and faint –hearted,” said God Er Lang. “You can live thirty-six years more.”
After saying this, he asked two guards to send the father and the son home.
7。
原文：
席乃抄其判词，途中父子共读之。既至家，席先苏：令家人启棺视父，僵尸犹冰，俟*之终日，渐温而活。又索抄词，则已无矣。自此，家道日丰，三年良沃遍野；而羊氏子孙微矣；楼阁田产尽为席有。即有置其田者，必梦神人叱之曰：“此席家物，汝乌得有之！”初未深信；既而种作，则终年升斗无所获，于是复鬻于席。席父九十余岁而卒。
注释：
1。俟：等待，读“四”。
白话：
（启程前，）席方平把判决书抄了一份，父子俩半路上又好好看了看。
回到家，席方平先苏醒过来。他叫家人把父亲的棺材打开。老人的尸体依然冰凉僵硬
，到天黑才逐渐发热，最后终于苏醒过来。他向儿子要那份判决书，但是早已不复存
在。
从此之后，席家的日子日益红火起来。没出三年，就已经是良田遍野。而羊家的子孙
后代则日益衰败，房屋土地，都被席家囊括手中。邻里中如果有人买了羊家的田地，夜
间就梦见神仙斥责：“这是席家的财产，你不能拥有！”
有人起初不相信神仙的话，依然从羊家买地种，但是最后却颗粒不收，于是又把地卖
给了席家。席父活了九十多岁，才寿终正寝。
英译：
Before departure, Xi copied the judgment so as to read together with his father on the way back.
Back at home, Xi revived first. He asked his family to open his father’s coffin and found the father’s body was still as cold as ice. Only after a whole day, did the body gradually become warmer and warmer and then the old man revived at last. The father and the son were looking for the handwritten copy of the judgment, but it was nowhere to be found.
From then on, Xi’s life became more and more prosperous. Within three years, they got a large amount of fertile fields, while Yang family became poorer and poorer. Not long after, the neighbor’s property, both his farmland and houses, all fell into Xi’s hand. Anyone who bought the property would see immortals in dreams and was scolded, “The property belongs to Xi, you’re not allowed to possess!”
From then on, Xi’s life became more and more prosperous, while that of the neighbor poorer and poorer.
Not believing what was told by the immortals, certain people still bought some farmland and cultivated the soil but they got nothing in reaping seasons. At last, they could do nothing but sell the lands to Xi family again. Xi’s father died at the age of over ninety.
9。
原文：
异史氏曰：“人人言净土*，而不知生死隔世，意念都迷，且不知其所以来，又乌知其所以去；而况死而又死，生而复生者乎？忠孝志定，万劫不移，异哉席生，何其伟也！”
注释：
1。经图：佛教认为西天佛土清静自然，是“极乐世界”，因此称之为“净土”。
白话：
作者述评：“人人都在谈论极乐世界，岂不知生死隔世，意念迷离，谁知道是怎么回事？一个人既
不知自己从何而来，也不知到何处去。更何况死了又死，生了又生，谁又能说个究竟？忠孝节义，虽经万般劫难，依然坚贞不渝，席方平堪称异类人物，他的精神何其伟大！”
英译：
Author’s Commentary:
Everybody likes to say something about Sukhavati (Pure Land).Yet, there are two separate worlds between life and death. Everyone’s idea about this problem is confused. Who knows what on earth the matter really is? One either knows where he comes from nor where he goes. Moreover, people die repeatedly and come to life time and again. Who can make a clear explanation about this? With filial devotion and honesty, Xi Fangping never had his resolution swayed although he had undergone countless disasters. It’s simply a miracle! What a great man!
(Translated from >)
