Original Text
Before the Prince of the West, Wu Sangui, had rebelled, he once issued a proclamation to his officers and soldiers: any man who could single-handedly capture a tiger would be granted preferential treatment in salary and rank, and be awarded the title of "Tiger-Subduing General." Among these Tiger-Subduing Generals was one named Bao Zhu, who was as nimble and swift as an ape. When a tall building was being constructed in the prince's mansion, and the main beams and rafters had just been set in place, Bao Zhu climbed up along the corner of the building, reaching the top in an instant. Standing on the ridgepole, he strode briskly back and forth three or four times, then leaped down, landing upright on the ground.
The Prince of Pingxi had a beloved concubine who excelled at playing the pipa. The pipa she used had a bridge made of warm jade, and when held in one's arms, it filled the entire room with warmth. The concubine treasured the pipa so dearly that she would not show it to anyone without the Prince's express command. One evening, during a banquet, a guest requested to behold the marvel of the pipa. It happened that the Prince was feeling indolent and promised to let them see it the next day. At that moment, Bao Zuo, who was standing by, said, "Without needing the Prince's order, I can fetch the pipa." The Prince then ordered that the entire palace be swiftly alerted and put on guard, after which he dispatched Bao Zuo on his mission.
Bao Zhu leaped over more than a dozen walls before reaching the courtyard where Wu Sangui's beloved concubine resided. The room was brightly lit, but the door was tightly locked, making entry impossible. In the corridor, a parrot perched on a stand. Bao Zhu imitated a cat's meow, then mimicked the parrot, crying out, "The cat is coming!" and produced urgent sounds of flapping and struggle. The concubine was heard saying, "Green Slave, go quickly and see if the parrot has been killed!" Bao Zhu then hid himself in the shadows. Shortly after, a woman emerged carrying a lantern; as soon as she stepped away from the door, Bao Zhu squeezed inside. He saw the concubine guarding a pipa placed on a table, so he took it directly and strode out swiftly. The concubine screamed, "A thief!" The guards all rushed out, but seeing Bao Zhu fleeing with the pipa, they could not catch up and shot arrows like rain. Bao Zhu leaped up and climbed a large tree. There were originally more than thirty locust trees under the wall; Bao Zhu moved through the treetops like a bird hopping from branch to branch. After traversing the trees, he jumped onto the roof; after running across the roof, he leaped to the top of a tower; he flew among the halls and pavilions as if he had wings, vanishing in an instant. The guests were still drinking when Bao Zhu landed before the banquet table with the pipa in his arms, the door still closed, and not a sound from the chickens or dogs.
Commentary
This story recounts the tale of a warrior named Bao Zhu, who retrieves a pipa amidst heavily fortified defenses, showcasing his extraordinary courage and martial prowess, while also fully demonstrating the author's linguistic descriptive abilities. Though the narrative is brief, its structure is exquisitely crafted, with some details lightly touched upon, leaving much unsaid—such as the depiction of Bao Zhu's formidable strength—and others foreshadowed to set off the main theme, like the portrayal of his agility and swiftness. The author concentrates his efforts on vividly depicting Bao Zhu's wisdom, bravery, and lightness of foot, using rich and colorful strokes to describe the pipa retrieval. From the moment Bao Zhu is discovered and "all the guards rise up," the author employs numerous four-character phrases, employing metaphors and anadiplosis, creating vivid and picturesque imagery, where sound accompanies action, and action echoes rhythm, each link tightly interwoven, stirring and tense, yet with a bright and crisp tone, resolute and decisive. The final two lines, using level tones, leave an enduring aftertaste.