Original Text
Yan Zhong was a native of Yan'an in Shaanxi, living together with his elder brother Yan Bo, the two brothers being deeply affectionate and harmonious. Yan Bo died at the age of thirty, leaving no descendants, and his wife soon followed him in death. Yan Zhong grieved sorely for his brother and sister-in-law, often thinking that if he could have two sons, he would let one carry on his brother's lineage. But no sooner had he fathered a single son than his own wife died. Fearing that a second wife might not care well for this child, Yan Zhong resolved to take a concubine. A neighboring village had a maidservant for sale; Yan Zhong went to see her but was not quite satisfied, feeling much disheartened. By chance, he was detained by a friend for a drink and returned home thoroughly intoxicated. On the road, he encountered his former classmate Liang Sheng, and the two warmly clasped hands; Liang Sheng invited Yan Zhong to his home as a guest. Still in his cups, Yan Zhong forgot that Liang Sheng had already passed away and followed him. Upon entering Liang Sheng's gate, Yan Zhong noticed it was not his former dwelling and asked in puzzlement. Liang Sheng replied, "I have recently moved here." Once inside, Liang Sheng sought wine, but the home-brewed liquor was already exhausted; he bade Yan Zhong sit and wait while he himself took a flask to fetch more.
Yan Zhong walked out and stood waiting outside the gate, when he saw a woman riding a donkey pass before him, followed by a child of about eight or nine years whose features and expression bore a striking resemblance to his elder brother. Yan Zhong's heart stirred with a sudden pang, and he hastily followed after them. He asked the child his surname, and the child replied, "Yan." Yan Zhong was even more astonished, and asked further, "What is your father's name?" The child answered, "I do not know." As they spoke, they had already arrived at the child's home; the woman dismounted from the donkey and entered the door. Yan Zhong took the child's hand and asked, "Is your father at home?" The child assented and went inside. After a moment, a woman came out to look, and Yan Zhong saw that it was none other than his sister-in-law. She too was startled and asked how her brother-in-law had come to this place. Yan Zhong was deeply grieved and followed her into the house, where he saw the courtyard was quite neatly arranged. He then asked, "Where is my elder brother?" His sister-in-law replied, "He has gone out to collect debts and has not yet returned." He asked further, "Who is the woman riding the donkey?" She answered, "She is your brother's concubine, Gan Shi, who has already borne two sons. The elder is called A Da, who has gone to the market and not yet returned; the one you see is A Xiao." Yan Zhong sat for a long while, and as the wine gradually wore off, he came to realize that all he had seen were ghosts. Yet, because of the deep fraternal bond, his heart felt no fear. His sister-in-law warmed some wine and set out dishes, but Yan Zhong was eager to see his brother and urged A Xiao to go find him. After a long time, A Xiao came running back in tears, saying, "The Li family owes a debt and refuses to repay; instead, they have started a quarrel with Father." Upon hearing this, Yan Zhong rushed forth with A Xiao. He saw two men pushing his brother to the ground, and Yan Zhong, enraged, charged forward with clenched fists, knocking down all who tried to block him. He quickly helped his brother up, and the villains had all fled. He pursued and caught one, beating him soundly before stopping. Yan Zhong grasped his brother's hand, stamped his feet, and wept bitterly, while his brother also shed tears. They returned home, where the whole family came to offer comfort, and then prepared wine and food, and the brothers drank together in celebration.
After a short while, a young man entered, about sixteen or seventeen years of age. Uncle Yan called him A Da and bade him pay respects to his uncle. Yan Zhong helped A Da to his feet and said to his brother through tears, "Elder Brother has two sons in the underworld, but the graves above ground lie untended; your younger brother's child is still young, and I remain alone—what is to be done?" Upon hearing this, Yan Bo also felt a pang of sorrow. His wife said to Yan Bo, "Let A Xiao go with Uncle—that might serve as a remedy." Hearing this, A Xiao nestled close to his uncle's elbow, showing a reluctant attachment. Yan Zhong stroked A Xiao, his heart growing even more bitter, and asked, "Are you willing to come with me?" A Xiao replied, "I am willing." Yan Zhong thought that although A Xiao was a ghost and not a living person, he was still his brother's son, and having him was better than having none; at this thought, he felt somewhat cheered. Yan Bo said, "He may go with you, but you must not spoil him. He must eat food of flesh and blood, and let him be exposed to the midday sun, ceasing only after noon. He is now six or seven years old; after passing through spring and summer, his bones and flesh may grow anew, and in time he may marry and have children—only I fear he may not live long." As they were speaking, a young girl was eavesdropping outside the door, appearing gentle and refined. Yan Zhong suspected she might be his brother's daughter and inquired of him. His brother said, "This girl is called Xiang Qun; she is the younger sister of my concubine. She is alone and homeless, and has been fostered here for ten years." Yan Zhong asked, "Has she been betrothed?" His brother replied, "Not yet. Recently, a matchmaker was consulted about marrying her to the Tian family of the eastern village." The girl whispered outside the window, "I will not marry that cowherd of the Tian family." Yan Zhong, upon hearing this, felt a stirring of interest but found it inconvenient to speak openly. After a while, Yan Bo rose and prepared a bed in the study, keeping his younger brother for the night.
Yan Zhong was reluctant to stay, but his heart clung to Xiangqun, and he planned to sound out his elder brother's intentions. So he bade his brother goodnight and went to bed. It was early spring, and the weather was still quite cold; the study had never been heated, and Yan Zhong felt a chill that raised goosebumps on his skin. He sat alone by the candlelight, feeling desolate, and wished he could have some wine to warm himself. After a short while, A Xiao pushed open the door and entered, placing a cup of wine and a dish on the table. Yan Zhong was overjoyed and asked who had prepared it. A Xiao replied, "It was Aunt Xiang." When the wine was nearly finished, A Xiao covered the brazier with ashes and placed it under the bed. Yan Zhong asked him, "Have your parents gone to sleep?" A Xiao said, "They have been asleep for a long time." "Then where do you sleep?" A Xiao answered, "I sleep with Aunt Xiang." After seeing his uncle to bed, A Xiao closed the door and left. Yan Zhong thought that Xiangqun was not only virtuous but also considerate, and his admiration for her grew; moreover, he felt that she could care for A Xiao, which strengthened his resolve to marry her. He tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep the whole night. The next morning, when he rose, Yan Zhong said to his brother, "Your younger brother lives alone without a spouse; I beg you, elder brother, to help me find a suitable match." Yan Bo said, "Our family is not poor; if you wish to find someone, you certainly can. But even if there is a beautiful woman in the underworld, I fear it might bring harm to you." Yan Zhong said, "In ancient times, there were those who married ghost wives; what harm is there in that?" Yan Bo seemed to understand his brother's intention and said, "Xiangqun is indeed a good girl. But if you take a large needle and prick her acupoint at the temple, and if the blood does not stop flowing, then she can become a living man's wife. How can we act rashly?" Yan Zhong said again, "If I could marry Xiangqun and have her care for A Xiao, that would be excellent." Yan Bo only shook his head, but Yan Zhong persisted in his pleas. His sister-in-law said, "Let us try to bring Xiangqun here and force the needle test on her; if it fails, we can abandon the idea." So saying, she took a needle and went out the door. Outside, she happened to meet Xiangqun, and quickly seized her wrist, only to find that the bloodstain on her hand was still wet. It turned out that Xiangqun, having overheard Yan Bo's words, had already tested herself. The sister-in-law released Xiangqun's hand and returned laughing, telling Yan Bo, "It turns out this ghostly girl has long had this intention; why should we worry for her?" When Yan Bo's concubine, Gan Shi, heard this, she was furious. She rushed to Xiangqun and, pointing a finger at her eyes, scolded, "Shameless wench, have you no shame? Do you intend to elope with our younger brother? I will never let you have your way!" Xiangqun, upon hearing this, was both ashamed and angry, and wept as if she wanted to die, causing an uproar throughout the household. Yan Zhong also felt deeply embarrassed, so he took his leave of his brother and sister-in-law, and departed with A Xiao. His brother said, "Brother, go home first. Do not let A Xiao return, lest it harm his vital energy." Yan Zhong agreed.
Upon returning home, Yan Zhong added a few years to A Xiao's age, falsely claiming that he was the posthumous child born to a maidservant his elder brother had sold off. The neighbors, seeing that A Xiao's features bore a striking resemblance to Yan Bo, all believed him to be Yan Bo's posthumous son. Yan Zhong taught A Xiao to read, making him hold a scroll and recite aloud in the sunlight. At first, A Xiao found it arduous, but as time passed, he grew accustomed to it. In the sweltering heat of the sixth month, the desk was scorching to the touch, yet A Xiao played and studied simultaneously without a single complaint. A Xiao was exceptionally clever; during the day, he could finish half a scroll, and at night, sleeping foot-to-foot with his uncle, he often recited the contents from memory. Yan Zhong felt greatly comforted in his heart. Moreover, because he could not forget Xiang Qun, he no longer entertained thoughts of taking a concubine.
One day, two matchmakers came to discuss a marriage proposal for A Xiao, but Yan Zhong's household lacked a woman to manage domestic affairs, leaving him restless and anxious. Suddenly, his younger sister-in-law Gan Shi entered from outside and said, "Brother-in-law, do not blame me; I have brought Xiang Qun here. Initially, because this girl was shameless, I deliberately humiliated her. With your distinguished bearing, if she does not marry you, whom else would she wish to marry?" Yan Zhong saw Xiang Qun standing behind his sister-in-law and was overjoyed. He respectfully invited his sister-in-law to sit down, explained that there were still guests in the hall, and hurried out. When he returned after a short while, his sister-in-law Gan Shi had already left. Xiang Qun removed her makeup and went to the kitchen; soon, only the sound of chopping knives and boards could be heard. In no time, the table was laden with dishes, and the cooking was quite excellent. After the guests departed, Yan Zhong returned to the room and saw Xiang Qun once again adorned and seated there, so they bowed to each other and performed the wedding rites. That evening, Xiang Qun still wished to sleep with A Xiao. Yan Zhong said, "I intend to warm him with my yang energy; he cannot yet leave me." Having said this, he settled Xiang Qun in another room, only joining her for wine and merriment during the evening meal. Xiang Qun raised Yan Zhong's child from his former wife as if it were her own, and Yan Zhong found her all the more virtuous.
One evening, as Yan Zhong and his wife Xiang Qun were being intimate, Yan Zhong jokingly asked, "Are there beauties in the underworld?" Xiang Qun pondered for a long while before replying, "I have not seen any. Only the neighbor woman Wei Lingxian is considered quite lovely by all, but her appearance is no different from ordinary folk; she merely excels at adorning herself. She and I have been acquainted the longest, yet I secretly hold her in contempt for her wantonness. If you wish to see her, I could summon her at once. But such a woman is best left unprovoked." Yan Zhong was eager to catch a glimpse of Wei Lingxian. Xiang Qun picked up a brush as if to write a letter, but then cast it aside, saying, "No, no!" Yan Zhong pressed her repeatedly, and Xiang Qun finally relented, "You must not let yourself be beguiled by her." Yan Zhong agreed. Xiang Qun then tore a piece of paper, drew several talisman-like figures, and burned them outside the door. In a moment, the curtain rustled, and a tittering laugh was heard. Xiang Qun rose and pulled a woman inside, who wore a high chignon like a figure from a painting. Xiang Qun seated her on the edge of the bed, and they drank wine while chatting about matters since their parting. At first, when Wei Lingxian saw Yan Zhong, she covered her mouth with a red sleeve and spoke little; but after a few cups of wine, she grew unrestrained in her laughter and gradually stretched out a foot to tread on Yan Zhong's robe. Yan Zhong's mind was thrown into confusion, his soul seeming to fly away. He was only hindered by Xiang Qun's presence, and she kept a wary eye on him, never leaving his side. Suddenly, Wei Lingxian rose and slipped out through the curtain; Xiang Qun followed, and Yan Zhong trailed behind her. Wei Lingxian seized Yan Zhong's hand and swiftly ran into another room. Though Xiang Qun was furious, she could do nothing but return to her own chamber in indignation, leaving them to their folly. After a while, Yan Zhong came back, and Xiang Qun reproached him, "You did not heed my words; I fear you will never be rid of her now." Yan Zhong suspected Xiang Qun was jealous, and they parted in discord. The next night, Wei Lingxian came without being summoned. Xiang Qun loathed the sight of her and treated her rudely, yet Wei Lingxian went off with Yan Zhong regardless. This continued for several nights. Whenever Xiang Qun saw Wei Lingxian arrive, she would revile her, but it could not stop her. After more than a month, Yan Zhong fell gravely ill and was deeply remorseful. He called for Xiang Qun to stay with him, hoping thus to avoid Wei Lingxian. Though they kept watch day and night, at the slightest lapse, Wei Lingxian would again entwine with Yan Zhong in pleasure. Xiang Qun took up a stick to drive Wei Lingxian away, but she angrily fought back, and Xiang Qun, being frail, had her hands and feet injured. Yan Zhong's illness grew ever more severe, and Xiang Qun wept, saying, "How shall I face my sister?" After a few more days, Yan Zhong sank into a stupor and died.
At the start, he saw two constables entering with documents, and Yan Zhong unconsciously followed them. Halfway there, worrying about travel expenses, he invited the constables to stop by his elder brother's house. Upon seeing Yan Zhong, his brother was greatly startled and asked, "What have you been up to lately, brother?" Yan Zhong replied, "Nothing else, just caught a ghostly ailment." He then told his brother the truth. Yan Bo said, "I understand." With that, he produced a packet of silver and said to the constables, "Please accept this humble gift. My brother's sins do not warrant death; I beg you to release him, and I will send my son to accompany you, so there will be no trouble." Then he called for A Da to drink with the constables, went into the inner chamber, informed the family, and sent Gan Shi to the next house to summon Wei Lingxian. Soon, Wei Lingxian arrived, and upon seeing Yan Zhong, tried to flee. Yan Bo grabbed her back and scolded, "You lewd and vile woman! In life you were a wanton, in death a base ghost, long despised by all, and yet you dare to harm my brother again!" With that, he beat her until her hair was disheveled and her appearance changed utterly. After a long while, an old woman came, prostrated herself, and begged earnestly. Yan Bo rebuked her for indulging her daughter's licentiousness, cursed her for a good while, and then let her take her daughter away. Yan Bo then escorted Yan Zhong out, and in a trance they were already at the door of his home, going straight to the bedroom, where Yan Zhong suddenly awoke, realizing he had just been dead. Yan Bo reproached Xiang Qun, saying, "Your sister and I thought you virtuous and capable, so we let you follow my brother, but instead you sought to hasten his death! Were it not for the bounds of propriety, I would beat you!" Xiang Qun, ashamed and frightened, wept softly and knelt to apologize. Yan Bo turned and saw A Xiao, and said joyfully, "My son has become a living man!" Xiang Qun was about to prepare a meal, but Yan Bo declined, saying, "My brother's affairs are not yet settled; I have no time to stay long." A Xiao was already thirteen, and gradually understood his attachment to his father; seeing him leave, he followed with tears. Yan Bo said, "Staying with your uncle is the happiest; I will come again after I leave." With that, he turned and vanished, and from then on there was no further news.
Later, A Xiao married a wife and had a son, who also died at the age of thirty. Yan Zhong raised the orphan as if he were his own nephew. When Yan Zhong reached eighty years old, A Xiao's son was already over twenty, so Yan Zhong divided the family property and let him live independently. Xiangqun had no children of her own. One day, she said to Yan Zhong, "Let me go down to the underworld first to drive away the foxes for you, shall I?" Having said this, she changed into her finest garments, lay down on the bed, and passed away. Yan Zhong felt no grief, and half a year later, he also died.
The Chronicler of Strange Tales remarks: How few are there in this world who cherish their elder brothers with such fraternal devotion as Yan Zhong! No wonder he was not destined to die but instead had his span of years extended. Though he had no offspring in the mortal realm, a son was granted to him in the underworld—all because his sincere love for his brother moved Heaven. If such a principle does not exist among men, can it be said that such a fate is ordained in the celestial realm? A son born in the nether world, willing to carry on his ancestral legacy, must be a common occurrence; yet I fear that those good brothers who inherit the property of the childless may not be willing to adopt and care for these orphans!
Commentary
This chapter praises fraternal love from the perspective of offspring. The story tells of Yan Bo, who died at thirty without an heir. Yan Zhong "often thought that if he had two sons, he would give one to his elder brother as a successor." Unexpectedly, as soon as he fathered a son, his wife died. Learning in the underworld that Yan Bo had two children, Yan Zhong brought one of them, A Xiao, to the mortal world to raise. Later, "A Xiao married and had a son, who also died at thirty. Yan Zhong cared for his orphan as he had when his nephew was alive." The issue of offspring was a major concern in China's patriarchal society; on the surface, it pertained to ancestral incense and the upkeep of graves, but in reality, it involved the inheritance and redistribution of property. Without an heir, Yan Bo's estate would rightfully have been solely enjoyed by Yan Zhong. Yan Zhong's proactive effort to establish an heir for his brother meant that property would need to be redistributed in the future—a remarkably rare act in feudal society. Thus, Pu Songling remarked in the "Historian of the Strange says": "Those who bear sons in the underworld, hoping to inherit their forebears' legacy, are likely many, but I fear that the virtuous brothers and sisters who would inherit a childless estate are unwilling to take them in and care for them!"
In extolling the fraternal devotion between Yan Zhong and Yan Bo, the tale interweaves the rather touching romance between Xiangqun and Yan Zhong, not only praising Xiangqun's kind-heartedness, her passionate nature, and her courage in actively pursuing her own marriage, but also criticizing her foolish blind obedience to Yan Zhong, which led her to procure a prostitute for him, inviting a wolf into the fold. Raising a ghost child and marrying a ghost wife are inherently absurd matters, yet Pu Songling, drawing on his rich imagination, concocted the notion that if a ghost child is "fed with flesh and blood, driven into the sunlight to be exposed until noon has passed, then over the course of spring and summer, a child of six or seven years will regenerate flesh and bone, and can then take a wife and beget children." As for the ghost wife taken, she need only meet the condition that "if a large needle is thrust into the acupoint at the throat, and the blood flows without stopping, then she may become a living man's wife." This is nothing but a string of ghostly nonsense, yet it is told with such vivid detail and rich flavor of daily life that one is almost convinced of its truth, showcasing an extraordinary skill in the art of storytelling.