話說聘才送了富三出門，唐和尚即叫人去請他兄弟。聘才剛進屋子，只見李元茂闖將進來道：「今日才尋著你，店舖裡那一家不訪到，原來搬在這裡。」聘才道：「我也搬出來不多幾日，因為有些事情，所以還沒有來看你，並看庾香。」即問：「庾香近來可好？」元茂道：「好是好的，前月王家寫信與太老師，明年二三月間要替庾香完姻了。就是我那頭親事，孫家常來催，本來年紀都不小了。我寫稟帖與老人家，尚無回信。
半年來也不寄一個錢來，今日已是二十五了，看光景，年內有信也未必到，這便怎樣？如今有四十多弔的館子賬，零星費用也須二三十弔。衣服是當完了，也要贖出兩件好拜年。你替我想個法兒才好。」聘才道：「不瞞你說，難道你還不知道，我近來被人訛詐那件事，也費了好一堆錢。如今我又閒住在此，若說起錢，真一個也沒有。算起來，今年的錢也花得不少，誰想到今日呢。我又沒什麼衣服，除了外邊挪借，連當都沒有當的。」元茂道：「你裝什麼窮？我借了難道不還你麼？此番老人家有信來與我辦喜事，至少也有五百兩銀子。如今你借四十兩銀子與我，或是一百吊錢，就好過去。不然，我竟死了。好人，好人！你不要作難。」說罷作了兩個揖。聘才冷笑道：「這真奇了，你也不去想想，我又不曾做官，我又不曾發財，你怎麼當我是有錢的？告訴你，你不過幾十吊錢的賬，我是有幾百弔呢。你不信，我給你瞧瞧。」便從靴掖子裡取出幾篇帳貼來。李元茂接了細瞧，是裁縫帳最多，有二百幾十弔，館子、莊子的帳也有二百來弔，還有些零星帳幾十弔，算來有五百餘弔。元茂道：「怎麼一下就有這許多？這還了得！」聘才道：「還有些沒有送單子來呢。此時連帳，連寓中的澆裹，並新年的花消，總得要八百吊錢方下得去。此時兩手空空，就有幾件皮衣，又要穿的，也當不得。我實在自顧不暇，怎麼能從井救人？你或者倒替我張羅，你那兩個舅子可以商量麼？」元茂歎口氣道：「你還題這兩個寶貝，天天白吃白喝，沒有見他作過一回東。就是孫老大，也欠了好些帳，這兩天躲著不出來呢，只怕他要問我商量。」李元茂無頭無尾話講了好些，聘才只得留他吃了飯。元茂到聘才房內搜著個煙具，便要吃煙，開起燈來咕咕咚咚的，鬧得聘才心裡發煩。已到二更，聘才催他回去，元茂只是不動。聘才道：「你回去遲了，那裡關了門怎麼好。快些回去罷，此時也不早了。」元茂道：「我今天歇在這裡罷。」聘才道：「我只有一副鋪蓋，怎麼睡得兩人！」元茂道：「不妨，你蓋一牀大的，那一牀小的給我。兩人再蓋些衣服，就不冷了。我們這一年沒有同榻，今日正好談談。」聘才無奈，只得由他。元茂不知好歹，吹了煙又要吃果子，停一回又要點心，把聘才那個四兒呼來喚去，忙個不了。聘才歪躺在一邊，也不去理他。
到了三更，四兒來請聘才，說唐和尚請說話。聘才來到和尚房中，見炕上開了燈，屋中點了兩枝蠟，照得雪亮，銅爐內火燄薰人。旁邊小方桌上有幾碟殘肴，一把燒酒壺，卻不見和尚。聘才坐下等他，等了一回才來，說道：「偏偏要解手，忽然水泄起來。」叫人打了盆水，淨了手，坐了說道：「日間所說的事，方才兄弟來，我對他講了，他說可以，兩個缺是一天到的，卻是湖北在前。如今作個弊，將貴州放在前面，也無妨礙。雖然一倒轉來，也是個作弊。我兄弟說與富三爺沒什麼交情，不犯把這大情白送給他。貴州一任抵不得湖北一年，這是人人知道的。此事還要你去對他說。」聘才道：「這個自然。但不知令弟可拿得穩？」和尚道：「千穩萬穩，並不是撞木鐘。事成了才要，你能擔這擔子麼？」聘才道：「這有什麼不能，富三爺是有錢的人，且做事極爽快的。但不知令弟要多少謝儀，有個數目，我好去說。」和尚道：「這事若別人去講，就了不得，三千五千兩也不算多。我說是我的至好，這個情算在我做哥哥的身上，因此他只要三千吊錢。若說這個缺，一到任就有兩萬銀子的現成規矩，這三千吊錢算什麼，核銀子才一千二百兩。你叫他開張銀票來，橫豎這個數兒，成功了，我也不想他什麼，多吃他幾天就是了。」
聘才心內算計一番，便又問道：「適或那邊嫌多，還可以減些不可以呢？」和尚道：「這個就減而又減，除了我兄弟之外，別人也不能作主。你明早就去說，這事很快，二十九日就可引見。如今的事，要老練，恐怕事後更改。你明日就要將他這筆錢存一個舖子裡，說明日子去取方好。若事成了，長長短短起來，就不光鮮了。」聘才道：「這個我知道，明早我就去。」又坐了一坐，即自回房，見元茂和衣睡著，已經鼻息如雷，聘才叫醒了他，又另將一副鋪蓋給他睡了，自己也便安息。把富三的事想了一會，又將自己的帳算了一會，已到五更。略睡片時，即見天明，便叫起家人，吩咐套車進城。淨了臉，吃了點心，穿好衣裳，李元茂尚未睡醒。
聘才推醒了他，說道：「起來罷，我要進城去了，沒有人在家照應你。」元茂模模糊糊的應了一聲，翻一個身將被蒙了頭，又睡著了。聘才好不煩躁，看這光景是不肯起來，只得叫四兒在家看守屋子，另帶小使騎了馬出門找富三去了。
卻說元茂睡到巳正方才起來，擦擦眼睛，見四兒在房裡掃地抹桌子。元茂便問道：「你主人那裡去了？」四兒道：「到富三爺那裡去了。」元茂下炕穿了衣裳，走到外間，四兒送了臉水，泡了茶，又送上點心。元茂又吸了幾袋水煙，吐了一地的痰，四兒掃乾淨了。元茂問道：「你可知道幾時回來？」四兒道：「拿不定。」元茂道：「昨晚有幾句要緊話沒有講，就睡著了。我若去了再來，又恐遇不著他，不如在此老等罷，我也沒什麼事。」又問四兒道：「你們吃飯沒有？」四兒道：「我們是吃過了，李少爺你要吃飯，我去對廚子說。」四兒出去了。約有一刻工夫，四兒捧了一個木盤，裡頭放著幾樣菜，便問元茂道：「喝酒不喝酒？」元茂道：「二兩燒酒就夠了。」
四兒先把菜擺好，又拿了木盤出去。元茂看菜，一碟是薰雞，一碟是雞蛋，一碟是肉絲，一碟像是麵筋，看不清楚，拈了一塊嚐嚐，果然是麵筋。四兒拿了一小壺酒，一個酒杯子，替他斟了一杯，又出去了。元茂一面喝酒，一面看那鋪設，頗為精緻。兩間套房，昨晚心中有事未曾留心，日間是在外面小三間內。聘才臥房是在那院子西邊，一重門進去，另是兩間。此時元茂坐在外間炕上，喝酒喝了三四鍾，已覺微醺，飯尚未來，遂留心觀看。見炕上面掛了小小四幅工筆歲朝圖，炕几上擺一個自鳴鐘。東邊三張楠木方椅，兩張茶几，茶几上邊一盆水仙，一邊是一瓶臘梅。東邊牆上並掛著一副對子，下面靠窗一張小桌，桌上放了七八個漱盂，亮得耀眼，是銅的。中間掛著個門簾，嵌著一塊玻璃。兩邊窗子也嵌著兩方玻璃。炕上、椅上都是寶藍緞墊子。牆上掛些三弦四弦簫笛之類。元茂無心喝酒，看到裡間房裡，是一帶紗窗，中間掛個三藍縐綢綿簾子，揭開了走了進去，這間卻寬了好些。上面一張木牀，鑲著個冰紋落地罩，掛個月白綢夾幔子。牀上一頭疊著四五牀錦被，一頭放兩個衣包，中間一張花梨炕桌，鋪了大紅錦緞墊枕，裡面橫掛一幅睡美圖。房內西邊擺著四個大皮箱，上有兩個小木箱，下座兩張木櫃。中間一個大銅火盆，罩一個銅絲罩子。靠著窗一張書案，擺著兩套小書。元茂看書套簽子上寫著《金瓶梅》。
也有一個都盛盤，放著副筆硯。窗心鑲著大玻璃，東邊上手是一個小書架，放些零星物件；下手是兩張方凳，用青緞套子套著。元茂看完，想道：「這個光景豈是沒有錢的？這四個大皮箱衣裳也就不少，那兩個木箱與這兩個大櫃，定是放銀子錢的。他還裝窮哄我，今日斷不能放過他。」便走了出來。四兒又拿進兩樣菜、一錫罐飯來，一樣是羊肉，一樣是炒肝。後來廚子又送了一個小火鍋，一齊擺上。元茂吃了五碗飯，吃了些湯，把一碗羊肉吃了一大半，漱了口，吃了一袋煙，問四兒要了塊檳榔，嚼了半天，坐著不走。
再說聘才到了富三宅裡，將事必成的話說了，富三甚是歡喜。問起要多少錢，聘才道：「錢卻要的不少，他說此缺到任的規矩就有三萬，十分中給他一分不為過多，定要三千兩銀子才辦。我與和尚再三說了，只打了個八折，再要減時，他斷不肯。」富三沉吟了一回，道：「二千四百銀卻也不多，幾時要呢？」聘才道：「說二十九引見下來就要的，但今日就要票子。出三十日的票子就是了。」富三道：「票子存在誰人手裡呢？」聘才道：「我與和尚做中保，我兩人收著。」富三道：「如果不得呢？」聘才道：「包得，包得。如果不得，原票退還。你於二十九日先到舖子裡註消了就是了。」富三道：「就這麼樣。但這兩天是年底了，銀錢正緊的時候，不知銀號裡辦得齊辦不齊，我們吃了飯即同去商量。」於是就同聘才吃了飯。聘才不肯耽擱，催他就走。富三道：「就在這裡很近，我就搭你的車，到那裡去辦得齊全，你就帶了票子出去。如一家辦不齊，再找別家。」於是二人上車，不到半里路，到了一個銀號，掌櫃的招呼到裡面。送過了茶，富三道：「我有一件事特來商量，替我出一張二千四百兩的銀票，到三十日早上來取。」
掌櫃的道：「若早兩天也不難，但今天已是二十六了，這兩天也忙得很，恐怕湊不上來。」富三道：「你家湊不上來，還有誰家湊得上來？」掌櫃的道：「三爺，你難道不知道近來銀號的銀子家家都窄，而且也真少，外面的帳又歸還不進來。看這兩天能收下來，如能足數固好，不然有多少兑多少罷。」富三道：「票上寫多少呢？」掌櫃的道：「依我也不用票子，三十日三爺來兑交就是了。」富三道：「不行，不行，這我是還帳的，定要二千四百兩。你如實在湊不起，你出二千的票子也可，一千五六百也可，我再別處打算。如果用不著，我於二十九日即來註銷。」
掌櫃的只得應了，出了一千四百兩。聘才對富三說：「叫他分開了寫，兩張五百，一張四百，適或人家今年使不了這許多，留兩張明年來取呢。」富三道：「有理。」就照數開了三張。富三收了票子，別了掌櫃的，上了車，再找兩個銀號，都說不能。富三沒法，別家都是生的，沒有往來，只得回家與三奶奶商量，拿了四十兩金葉子，一對金鐲子，還有些零星金器，共有六十兩，到一個生舖子裡換了一千兩銀子，出了票子。聘才也叫分開，一張五百，一張三百，一張二百。富三將票子交與聘才。聘才心上有事，不肯耽擱，即便辭了富三，獨自上車出城去了。
回到寓中，先見了唐和尚，將說妥的事告訴了，然後取出三張票子，點過一千二百兩的數目，叫他收藏了。若二十九日不得，即將原票退還。唐和尚笑嘻嘻的道：「斷無不得之理，這二百兩是我們兩人應得的，只要給他一千就夠了。」聘才道：「我要進去換衣裳了。」一直走到自己房裡，見元茂尚在那裡，又開了燈吹煙，聘才見了，心中甚氣，便借此發作道：「你怎麼還在這裡？這樣東西豈可青天白日擺出來的，況且是個廟裡，什麼人皆可進來觀望。適或被人訛住了，不要累死我麼？怎麼這般糊塗！」元茂道：「怕什麼，這裡有誰來？我坐了大半天，沒有見一個人進來。況且有四兒在外面照應著。」聘才氣他不過，也不理他，把一套火狐腿的皮襖脫了，換了一件隨常穿的狐皮大襖，換了便帽，擦了臉，喝了茶。元茂便囉囉唦唦的要借錢，後來見聘才總不應允，便道：「你既沒有錢，你那四個大皮箱內難道衣服也沒有？況且我只借百十吊錢，似乎也不至拖累你。」聘才被他纏死了，只得拜匣內取出個扭絲金鐲子，約有三兩幾錢，與元茂道：「我所餘就這點東西，你拿去當了罷。三兩六錢重可當得一百多吊錢，家信一到就要還的。」元茂接了，方才歡喜，跳起身來，作別而去。
到二十九日，富三果然得了湖北，彼此大喜，即到寺中謝了聘才與和尚。到明日，即將銀票交與他兄弟，從一千之內又扣出二百為拉縴提纜之費，獨自得了。將所零之二百兩，分一百兩與聘才，聘才倒實得了一千三百兩。自己進城取了一半現銀回來，又在城外換了些錢，得意揚揚，十分高興，所有帳目盡行清還，過年熱鬧是不必說。晚上竟把玉天仙接到寺中，請唐和尚過來守歲，絕早關了山門。一夜的泥筒花炮放不絕聲。
唐和尚恐元旦日有人來行香，適或見了玉天仙，到底在他寺裡，有些不便。將近天明，即催聘才將車送他回去。
聘才初一日拜年，初二日聽戲，初三日寓裡大排筵席，請一班浮浪子弟如馮子佩、楊梅窗、烏大傻等，帶了一群下作相公，天天的歡呼暢飲，清曲鑼鼓，鬧得竹嘈絲雜，酒池肉林，一連五日，方才少息，也去了三百吊錢。到初九日，忽然有人高興要開賭，勸聘才做頭家。聘才自思近來財運頗好，或者可以贏些錢，即於初九日晚上開起賭來。或是搖灘，或是擲骰，又把玉天仙接了來，坐在內室與他放頭。第一日來的人還少，第二日漸漸多了，第三日便擠滿了屋子。一人傳兩，兩人傳三，引了兩個大賭客來，一個是奚十一，一個是潘三，各帶重資。
是日聘才贏了二百餘金，放了一百八十兩的頭，與玉天仙收了。
明日潘三要開賭，帶了兩叵羅的松江錠，足足一千兩，搖了五十灘，已輸了大半。及到清帳時輸完了，還添出一百餘兩。是日聘才也輸了三百兩。唐和尚贏了一百兩，馮子佩贏了四百兩。
奚十一大贏，贏了八百五十餘兩，將五十餘兩分賞眾小旦與聘才小使，自己收了八百兩。奚十一看上了小和尚，賞了他十個中錠。玉天仙又得了二百四十兩頭錢。內中有個唐經承，就是和尚的兄弟，對著和尚道：「明日我勸你們別賭了。我先前進來時，門外有兩個交頭接耳的，像是坊裡人，恐怕鬧出事來，都不穩便。」聘才已是驚弓之鳥，聽了便有些膽怯，說道：「我也乏了，歇兩天再頑罷。」唐和尚道：「若說不高興倒可以，至於怕外頭有什麼緣故，你們只管放心。」即對著聘才說道：「你的住房旁邊是個菜園，有兩三畝大，內有五六間草房，種菜的帶著家小在裡面，另有門出入。你院子裡不是有重門通的？我嫌不謹慎，故封鎖了。如外頭有什麼緣故，便開了那重門，從菜園裡出去，是個極曠野的地方，難道他起了兵馬來圍住不成？」聘才道：「雖然如此，我倒不為輸了錢，又不為怕出什麼事，實因是富三爺要起身了，我要請請他，與他餞行。後日是十四，約他出來住一宿。」並對奚十一、潘三道：「奉屈二位來敘一敘，可肯賞臉麼？」奚、潘二人應了。馮子佩道：「你倒不請我。」聘才道：「你天天在這裡，難道還要下請帖麼？」子佩道：「我將梅窗也拉來。」聘才道：「很好。」眾賭客算了帳，到五更時各散了，又送了玉天仙回去。
馮子佩即與聘才同榻，聘才道：「我看近來好虛名而不講實際的多。即如華公子、徐度香一班人，揮金如土，是大老官的脾氣。但於那些相公，未免過於看得尊貴，當他與自己一樣。
又有田春航等這一班書呆架弄，因此越抬越高，連笑話也說不得一句。可笑那些相公裝那樣假斯文，油不油，醋不醋的，不是與這個同心，又是與那個知己。我真不信，難道他們對於那些粗鹵的人，也能這樣？我看他們就是會哄這班書呆子老鬥的，身分也叫這些書呆子作壞了。他們見了，連個安也不請，說話連個奴才也不稱，也要講究字畫琴棋，真真的可惡！」馮子佩道：「可不是，若常這麼樣，還有誰叫他？難道這許多相公竟靠著徐度香諸公麼？一輩子連個有勢有利的人都不認得，真是些個糊塗蟲。」聘才道：「後日我要叫幾個相公，也做個勝會。至於那幾個假斯文的，我一概不要。你想想叫誰好？」子佩道：
「相公們總不過如此。近來有兩個人倒很好，叫他也便宜，而且你還可以常使喚他，相貌也與袁寶珠、蘇蕙芳相並。」聘才道：「叫什麼名字？」子佩道：「一個叫卓天香，一個叫張翠官。」聘才道：「現在那班裡？」子佩道：「在整容班。」聘才道：「整容班這班名很生，我竟沒有領教過。」子佩道：「是軟篷子裡小剃頭。」聘才笑道：「呸！你怎麼說這些人？」子佩道：「你別輕看他，他比相公還紅呢！你瞧那得月的腦袋怎樣？」聘才道：「好是好的，然而我不愛他，光光的頭有甚趣味！」子佩道：「可不！若說天香、翠官，比得月的相貌還要好些。你不信，明日先叫他來，你瞧瞧好就叫他。」聘才道：「也使得。」
到了明日，聘才發貼請客，請的是富三爺、貴大爺、奚十一、潘三、張仲雨、楊梅窗。是日辭了兩個，貴大爺病了，張仲雨有事不能來。即補了馮子佩、唐和尚，賓主共七位。聘才叫了蓉官來陪富三，著人到篷子裡叫了天香、翠官前來。不多一刻，兩個剃頭的也坐了大騾車，有一個人跟著，走進寺來。馮子佩是認識的，小剃頭的先與子佩請了安，然後向聘才請安。聘才仔細看他，果然生得俊俏，眉目清澄，肌膚潔白，打扮的式樣也與相公一般。天香的面色雖白，細看皮膚略粗。翠官伶俐可愛，就是面上有幾點雀斑，眉稍一個黑痣，手也生得粗黑。都是稱身時樣的衣服、靴帽，手上都有金鐲子、金戒指，腰間掛著表與零碎玉器。聘才看了一回，已有幾分喜歡。馮子佩與他們說了，要他們明日來陪酒。二人便極意慇懃，裝煙倒茶，甚至捶背捏腿的百般趨奉，聘才十分大樂，便越看越覺好了，留他吃了晚飯。天香、翠官都會唱亂彈梆子腔，胡琴、月琴咿咿啞啞鬧起來，直鬧到三更，聘才每人開發了八吊錢，道謝而去。
明日一早即來伺候，聘才、子佩方才起來。兩個剃頭的便問聘才找出梳篦，替他梳髮，梳完了又捶了一會。那一個也與子佩梳了，然後吃過早飯，開了煙燈，大家吃煙。富三爺先來，唐和尚見富三爺來了，就帶了得月進來。天香、翠官與富三、和尚都請了安。富三卻不認識，問他是誰，在那一班的，聘才就說是全福班的。隨後奚十一、潘三同來。奚十一帶了巴英官，潘三帶了個學徒弟的小伙計，拿他竟當做跟班的。大家一齊相見了。潘三見了天香、翠官，笑道：「你們怎麼也跑了來？」奚十一道：「看來，魏大爺要開篷子做掌櫃的了。」富三方曉得是剃頭的，便哈哈大笑道：「原來是他們，不是班子裡的，倒也好。」大家同坐著，頑笑了一陣。
忽聽得院中有人說：「來晚了！來晚了！」只見一人穿著皮袍褂，戴著一頂齊眉毛的大毛皮帽，進門向各人作了個揖，說：「今日有個內城朋友請我去看陽宅，鬧了一天，並邀我去給他們看地，也不過是想外放。」聘才因叫翠官、天香過來見了，說：「這就是很會看風水的楊八老爺，你們何不求他去看看你們的棚子，多會兒發財呢？」富三因接向楊八道：「你要留神呀，不要像烏家的事，看完了找到你門上去。」說罷大家大笑。馮子佩忽然皺了眉說聲不好，便到院子裡吐起來。慌得大家同來看他。吐了一會，就臉紅頭暈，滿身發熱。聘才忙叫他到炕上躺了。躺了一會，越發不好，便要回去。聘才便吩咐套車，自有他跟班的送他回去了。將近點燈時候，聘才即吩咐點燈。聘才新製了一架玻璃燈屏，擺在炕上，畫著二十四出春畫。屋內掛了八盞玻璃燈，中間掛一個彩燈，地下又點了四枝地照，兩邊生了兩個火盆，中間擺了一個圓桌。安了席，奚十一看那燈屏上的春畫，對潘三笑道：「老三，你看那挨嘴巴的很像是你。」潘三道：「那個摟著人的也像你，就只少個桶兒。」富三看到末後一幅，不覺大笑道：「豈有此理！魏老大不該不該，真是對景掛畫。你們大家來瞧，這不是兩個和尚雞奸麼？」
眾人看了，一齊大笑。奚十一對著得月道：「你師父天天這麼著嗎？」得月「呸」了一聲，漲紅了臉，扭轉頭不看。唐和尚合著掌道：「阿彌陀佛！罪過，罪過！」此時坐的是富三首席，聘才叫翠官陪了他。第二是奚十一，唐和尚知他是個闊手，且知道他愛得月，便叫得月陪了他。楊八坐了第三，聘才叫天香挨著他。潘三坐了第四，自己與唐和尚坐了主位，只不見蓉官來。飲酒之間，撒村笑罵，嘈雜到個不成樣子。還是富三穩重些，不過與翠官說些頑笑話，尚不至十分村俗。奚十一手拿了杯子灌那得月，一手伸在得月屁股後頭，鬧得得月一個腰扭來扭去，兩個肩膀閃得一高一低，水汪汪的兩隻眼睛，看著奚十一，一手推住了酒杯。奚十一道：「你若不喝這杯，我便灌你皮杯。」得月只得喝了。那楊八更為肉麻，抱了天香坐在膝上，掂著腿，把個天香簸得渾身亂顫，楊八與他一口一口的喝皮杯，又問道：「我聽見人說，你的妹子相貌很好，認識的人也很多。」卓天香臉一紅，回道：「你不要信他們一面之辭。」楊八道：「我去年看見人給他寫扇子，難道他們寫的字也是一面之辭嗎？」
說著將他臉上又聞一聞。只有潘三與聘才無人可鬧。聘才笑道：「我們今日只好輪著來鬧這個老和尚了。」便互相與唐和尚豁了幾拳。鬧了一個多時辰，奚十一癮來了，便叫巴英官拿出煙具來。燈是開現成的，奚十一躺下，叫得月陪他吹煙，兩個剃頭的也有煙癮。都聚攏來。唐和尚見了，即連打了兩個呵欠，伸了個懶腰。看得奚十一癮大，等不及，便到自己房中過癮去了。
富三歪轉身子，拉過翠官問道：「你在舖子裡做這買賣，究竟也無甚好處，不如跟我到湖北去罷，可願不願呢？」翠官聽了道：「你肯帶我去嗎，你就是我的親爸爸了。」說罷，便靠在富三懷裡，把臉挨近富三嘴邊，又說道：「我是不比相公，要花錢出師。當年講明學徒弟不過三年，如今已滿了三年了，要去就去。親爸爸，你真帶我去嗎？」富三道：「你若願意跟我，我就帶你去。」楊八聽了，因向富三道：「老三，你又胡鬧了！你與其帶他去的錢，不如幫幫我捐個分發。前日那個告幫的知單上，求你再寫一筆。」富三因說道：「我再寫三十兩就是了，你不必在旁吃醋。」楊八不但不急，並且連連道謝。
翠官一笑道：「三爺你能好造化，我才叫你能一個乾爹爹，就又給你能招了一個來了。」楊八只作未聽見，坐在一旁吃水煙。
聘才道：「你跟三爺去很好，還有什麼不願的嗎。雖然比不得相公出師，也要賞你師父幾吊錢。」富三道：「這個自然。」翠官道：「當真的了？」富三道：「當真的了。」翠官便索性扒上富三身上，將頭在富三肩上碰了幾碰，說道：「我就磕頭謝了！好三老爺，好親爸爸！」富三樂得受不得。潘三見得月躺在奚十一懷裡，天香躺在對面，楊八也想吹一口，便坐在炕沿上，歪轉身子，壓在天香身上。得月上好了一口，楊八接了過來，撥開毛冗冗的鬍子，抽了一抽，口涎直流下來，點點滴滴，煙槍上也沾了好些，他就把皮袖子擦擦嘴再抽。槍又堵住了，天香欲替他通通，身子被他壓住難動。楊八便檢了根籤子亂戳，一抬手，把個皮袖子在燈上燒了一塊，惹得大家笑起來。
楊八道：「這個我也是初學。」便勉強吸了一口，燒得很焦枯臭，放下槍。天香道：「你別壓住了我，我替你燒。」那邊得月枕在奚十一手上，奚十一又摸他的屁股。得月要起來，奚十一將一條腿壓住了他，得月無法，只好任其撫摩。奚十一一盒子煙已完了，便叫巴英官拿煙來。英官遠遠的站在一邊，正在那裡發氣。奚十一叫了兩三聲，方才答道：「沒有了。」奚十一道：「怎麼沒有？我還有個大盒子在袋裡。」英官又歇了半天，方說道：「灑了。」奚十一道：「灑了？你將盒子給我瞧。」
巴英官氣忿忿的走近來，把個大金盒子一扔，倒轉了滾到燈邊。
得月忙取時，不提防將燈碰翻，「當」的一聲，把個玻璃罩子砸破了，還濺了奚十一一臉的油。得月頗不好意思，奚十一道：「不妨。」忙將手巾抹了，坐了過來，要盆水淨了臉。一件猞獅裘上也灑了幾點，也抹乾淨了。聘才的人忙換了一盞燈，擦了盤子。得月將盒子揭開看時，果然是空的。奚十一道：「這便怎麼好？去問唐大爺要些來罷。」聘才道：「有，有，有！前日我得了幾兩老土煙。」便叫四兒到房裡去取煙。
聘才的房就在這院子西邊，一重門進去，一個小院子，一並兩間。聘才只將院門鎖了，因要伺候客，不能叫人看守屋子。
此夜月明如晝，四兒走到門邊，開了鎖，將手推門，忽然的推不開。因想此門素來鬆的，忽然今日緊了，略用些力也推不開。
放下燈罩，雙手用力一推，方推開了些，見門裡有塊石頭頂住，心中著實疑異，想道：「裡頭沒有人，這塊石頭誰來頂的？」便蹲下身子撥過了石頭，拿了燈罩，走進外間一照，不少東西，四兒略放了心。再走到裡間細細一看，又照了一照，便嚇了一大跳，只見大皮箱少了一個，炕上兩個拜匣、一個衣包也不見了。即忙嚷將出來道：「老爺！不好了，被了竊了！」聘才心中甚慌，連忙趕去，到屋裡看時，不知後事如何，且聽下回分解。
After Pin Cai saw Fu San off, Master Tang immediately sent someone to invite his brother. Just as Pin Cai entered the room, Li Yuanmao burst in, saying, “I’ve finally found you today! I searched every shop in the area, and it turns out you’ve moved here.” Pin Cai replied, “I only moved recently, and I’ve been busy with some things, so I haven’t had the chance to visit you or Yu Xiang yet.” He then asked, “How has Yu Xiang been lately?” Yuanmao responded, “He’s been well. Last month, the Wang family sent a letter to Old Master Tai, saying they plan to arrange Yu Xiang’s marriage between February and March next year. As for my own marriage, the Sun family keeps pressing me, but we’re not getting any younger. I wrote a letter to the old man, but I haven’t received a reply yet.
For half a year, they haven’t sent a single penny. Today is already the 25th, and it seems unlikely we’ll receive any news before the end of the year. What should we do? Currently, I owe over forty taels in restaurant bills, and miscellaneous expenses require another twenty or thirty taels. All my clothes have been pawned, and I need to redeem a couple of decent pieces for the New Year. Can you think of a way to help me?” Pin Cai said, “To be honest, don’t you know? I’ve recently been swindled out of a lot of money. Now, I’m just idling here. As for money, I truly have none left. I’ve spent a considerable amount this year, who would have thought it would come to this? I don’t even have any clothes left, and besides borrowing, there’s nothing left to pawn.” Yuanmao said, “Why are you pretending to be poor? Wouldn’t I repay you if I borrowed? This time, if the old man sends money for my wedding, there will be at least five hundred taels of silver. Now, if you lend me forty taels of silver or a hundred taels in cash, I’ll manage. Otherwise, I’m as good as dead. Good man, good man! Don’t make it difficult for me.” Saying this, he bowed twice. Pin Cai sneered, “This is strange. Have you forgotten? I’m neither an official nor wealthy. How could you think I have money? To tell you the truth, I have debts of several hundred taels, far more than your tens of taels. If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you.” He then took out a few pages of debt notes from inside his boot. Li Yuanmao looked closely and saw that most of them were tailoring bills, totaling over two hundred taels. Restaurant and village bills added up to another two hundred taels, plus some miscellaneous debts of several dozen taels, amounting to over five hundred taels in total. Yuanmao exclaimed, “How could you owe so much all of a sudden? This is incredible!” Pin Cai said, “There are still some bills that haven’t been submitted yet. Altogether, including debts, expenses for my lodging, and the New Year’s expenses, I need at least eight hundred taels. Right now, I have nothing in hand. Even if I had some fur clothes, I’d need them to keep warm, so I can’t pawn them. I really can’t take care of myself, let alone help others. Maybe you can find a way for me. Can you talk to your two brothers-in-law?” Yuanmao sighed, “Don’t mention those two useless fellows. They freeload every day, and I’ve never seen them contribute anything. Even Old Sun owes quite a bit of money and has been hiding for the past few days, probably because he wants to discuss it with me.” Li Yuanmao rambled on for a while without getting to the point, so Pin Cai had to invite him to dinner. Yuanmao, searching through Pin Cai’s room, found a smoking set and insisted on smoking, lighting a lamp and making quite a racket, which irritated Pin Cai. By the second watch, Pin Cai urged him to leave, but Yuanmao refused to budge. Pin Cai said, “If you leave too late and the gate is locked, what will you do? Hurry up and go, it’s already late.” Yuanmao said, “I’ll stay here tonight.” Pin Cai replied, “I only have one set of bedding. How can we both sleep?” Yuanmao said, “It doesn’t matter. You take the big quilt, and I’ll take the small one. If we cover ourselves with some clothes, we won’t be cold. We haven’t shared a bed all year, so tonight is a good time to chat.” Pin Cai had no choice but to let him stay. Yuanmao, insensitive as he was, continued smoking and then asked for fruit. After a while, he wanted snacks and kept calling on Pin Cai’s servant, Si’er, making him busy all night. Pin Cai lay to one side, ignoring him.
By the third watch, Si’er came to fetch Pin Cai, saying that Master Tang wanted to talk. Pin Cai went to the monk’s room and saw that a lamp was lit on the bed, and two candles were burning brightly in the room, casting a brilliant light. A brazier of burning coals was giving off a strong scent. There were a few plates of leftover food on a small table beside the bed, along with a jug of warm wine, but the monk was nowhere to be seen. Pin Cai sat down to wait for him, and after a while, the monk came in, saying, “Just as I was about to go, I suddenly had to relieve myself.” He called for a basin of water, washed his hands, and then sat down, saying, “About the matter we discussed earlier, I just talked to my brother about it. He said it’s possible. The two vacancies are expected to be announced on the same day, but Hubei is ahead of the other. Now, we can commit a little fraud by putting Guizhou ahead, which wouldn’t cause any issues. Although it’s a reversal, it’s still considered fraud. My brother said there’s no need to give such a big favor to Fu San, as he has no close ties with him. A single term in Guizhou can’t compare to a year in Hubei; everyone knows this. You should go and tell him.” Pin Cai said, “Of course. But can your brother be trusted?” The monk replied, “Absolutely. This isn’t some random guess. Once the matter is settled, can you handle it?” Pin Cai said, “Why not? Fu San is a wealthy man and does things swiftly. But how much does your brother want as a thank you? I need a specific number to negotiate.” The monk said, “If someone else were to handle this, it would be difficult, and even three to five thousand taels wouldn’t be too much. But since I count him as a close friend, this favor is on me as his brother, so he only wants three thousand taels. Considering that this position will bring in twenty thousand taels of regular income once he assumes office, what is three thousand taels? It’s only twelve hundred taels of silver. Tell him to issue a banknote for that amount. Once the matter is settled, I’ll just eat a few more meals with him, and that’ll be enough.”
Pin Cai calculated in his mind and then asked, “If Fu San finds the amount too high, can it be reduced?” The monk said, “This is already the lowest possible. Besides my brother, no one else can decide. You should talk to him tomorrow morning. This matter is urgent, and the 29th is the day for the audience with the emperor. Nowadays, things must be handled cautiously to avoid any changes afterward. Tomorrow, you should have him deposit the money in a reliable shop, specifying the date it will be collected. If the matter drags on and complications arise, it will be less favorable.” Pin Cai said, “I understand, I’ll go tomorrow morning.” After sitting for a while longer, he returned to his room, where he found Yuanmao asleep with his clothes still on, snoring loudly. Pin Cai woke him up and gave him another set of bedding to sleep on, then went to bed himself. He thought about Fu San’s matter for a while, then calculated his own debts, and before he knew it, it was already dawn. After a brief nap, he saw that it was morning and called his servants to prepare the carriage for a trip into the city. After washing his face, eating a light meal, and dressing properly, Li Yuanmao was still not awake.
Pin Cai shook him awake, saying, “Get up, I’m heading into the city, and no one will be here to look after you.” Yuanmao mumbled something incoherent, rolled over, pulled the quilt over his head, and went back to sleep. Pin Cai, feeling quite frustrated, saw that Yuanmao had no intention of getting up, so he instructed Si’er to stay at home and watch over the house. Then he took a servant with him and rode off to find Fu San.
Yuanmao, on the other hand, didn’t get up until the si hour (around 9-11 AM). Rubbing his eyes, he saw Si’er in the room, sweeping and dusting. Yuanmao asked, “Where did your master go?” Si’er replied, “He went to see Master Fu San.” Yuanmao got off the kang (a heated bed platform), put on his clothes, and walked to the outer room. Si’er brought him water to wash his face, brewed tea, and then served him some snacks. Yuanmao smoked a few pipes of tobacco, spitting out a lot of phlegm, which Si’er cleaned up. Yuanmao asked, “Do you know when he will return?” Si’er replied
Si’er first set the dishes on the table and then took the tray outside. Yuanmao looked at the dishes: one plate of smoked chicken, one plate of eggs, one plate of shredded meat, and one plate that looked like gluten, though he couldn’t quite tell. He picked up a piece and tasted it; indeed, it was gluten. Si’er brought in a small jug of wine and a wine cup, poured him a cup, and then left. Yuanmao drank the wine while observing the furnishings, which were quite exquisite. There were two interconnected rooms; last night, he hadn’t paid much attention because of his preoccupations. During the day, he had stayed in the smaller, outer three rooms. Pin Cai’s bedroom was on the west side of the courtyard, accessed through a separate door into another set of two rooms. At this moment, Yuanmao was sitting on the kang (heated bed platform) in the outer room, having drunk three or four cups of wine, feeling slightly tipsy. Since the meal hadn’t arrived yet, he started looking around more carefully. He noticed that above the kang were four small, finely detailed paintings of the New Year’s festivities. On the small table on the kang, there was a self-timing clock. On the east side, there were three nanmu wood chairs, two small tea tables, and a pot of narcissus on one of the tables, while a vase of plum blossoms stood on the other. A pair of couplets hung on the eastern wall, and below them, against the window, was a small table with seven or eight spittoons on it, their bright copper reflecting the light. In the middle hung a door curtain with a piece of glass embedded in it. The windows on both sides also had glass panes embedded in them. The cushions on the kang and the chairs were made of bright blue satin. The walls were decorated with various musical instruments, including three-stringed and four-stringed instruments, flutes, and the like. Yuanmao lost interest in the wine and noticed that the inner room was furnished with gauze windows, with a curtain of blue crepe silk hanging in the middle. He lifted the curtain and entered the room, which was considerably larger. In it was a wooden bed, inlaid with ice-patterned screens reaching to the floor, and draped with a light blue silk canopy. At one end of the bed were four or five folded brocade quilts, and at the other end were two clothing bundles. In the middle was a huanghuali wood kang table, covered with a bright red satin cushion and pillow, and above it hung a painting of a sleeping beauty. On the west side of the room, there were four large leather trunks, with two small wooden chests on top of them and two wooden cabinets below. In the middle stood a large brass brazier covered with a copper mesh. Against the window was a desk with two small sets of books on it. Yuanmao saw that the book covers were labeled “The Plum in the Golden Vase.”
There was also a tray holding a set of writing brushes and an inkstone. The window had large glass panes in the center, and on the east side was a small bookshelf holding various odds and ends; below it were two square stools, covered in blue satin. After Yuanmao finished looking around, he thought to himself, “How could someone with all this be without money? These four large leather trunks must hold plenty of clothes, and those two wooden chests and cabinets must be full of silver and money. He’s just pretending to be poor to deceive me. I won’t let him get away with it today.” He then walked out. Si’er brought in two more dishes and a tin pot of rice—one dish of mutton and one of stir-fried liver. Later, the cook also brought in a small hot pot, and everything was set on the table. Yuanmao ate five bowls of rice, drank some soup, and ate more than half of the mutton. After rinsing his mouth and smoking a pipe, he asked Si’er for a piece of betel nut, chewed it for a long time, and then sat there without leaving.
Meanwhile, Pin Cai arrived at Fu San’s residence and conveyed the message that the matter was practically settled, which made Fu San very pleased. When Fu San asked how much money was needed, Pin Cai said, “It’s not a small amount. He said that the official position comes with a standard income of thirty thousand taels, so it’s not unreasonable to ask for a tenth of that—he insists on three thousand taels of silver. I’ve negotiated with the monk several times and managed to get it reduced by 20%, but he absolutely won’t agree to any further reduction.” Fu San pondered for a while and said, “Two thousand four hundred taels isn’t too much. When do they need it?” Pin Cai replied, “It needs to be ready by the 29th, when the audience with the emperor takes place, but they need the banknote today. A banknote dated for the 30th will do.” Fu San asked, “In whose hands will the banknote be kept?” Pin Cai said, “The monk and I will act as guarantors; the two of us will hold onto it.” Fu San asked, “And if the deal doesn’t go through?” Pin Cai replied, “It’s guaranteed. If it doesn’t happen, the original banknote will be returned to you. You can go to the shop on the 29th to cancel the transaction.” Fu San said, “Very well, but these next two days are the end of the year, and money is tight. I’m not sure if the money shops can raise the funds. Let’s eat first, and then we’ll go discuss it.” So they ate together. Pin Cai, not wanting to delay, urged Fu San to get going. Fu San said, “It’s very close by. I’ll ride in your carriage. Once we get there and everything is arranged, you can take the banknote with you. If one shop can’t provide enough, we’ll find another.” So the two of them got into the carriage, and after less than half a mile, they arrived at a money shop. The shopkeeper greeted them and led them inside. After serving tea, Fu San said, “I have a matter to discuss. I need you to issue a banknote for two thousand four hundred taels of silver, to be collected on the morning of the 30th.”
The shopkeeper replied, “If it were two days earlier, it wouldn’t be difficult, but today is already the 26th, and we’ve been very busy. I’m afraid we might not be able to raise the funds.” Fu San said, “If your shop can’t manage it, who else can?” The shopkeeper replied, “San Ye, surely you know that recently, all the money shops have been short on silver, and there’s been very little coming in from outside debts. We’ll see what we can collect in the next two days. If we can meet the full amount, that’s great; otherwise, we’ll give you as much as we can.” Fu San asked, “What should we write on the banknote?” The shopkeeper replied, “In my opinion, you don’t even need a banknote. Just come and collect the money on the 30th.” Fu San said, “No, no, this is to settle a debt. It must be for two thousand four hundred taels. If you really can’t raise the full amount, even a note for two thousand or one thousand five or six hundred taels will do. I’ll make other arrangements. If I don’t need it, I’ll come and cancel it on the 29th.”
The shopkeeper had no choice but to comply and issued a note for one thousand four hundred taels. Pin Cai suggested to Fu San, “Ask him to write it in separate notes—two for five hundred taels each and one for four hundred—just in case the recipient doesn’t need the full amount this year and wants to collect the remaining notes next year.” Fu San agreed, saying, “That makes sense.” They had the shopkeeper write three notes accordingly. Fu San collected the notes, bid farewell to the shopkeeper, and got back into the carriage. They then visited two more money shops, but both said they couldn’t raise the funds. Fu San, having no other options and knowing the others weren’t familiar with him, had to return home to discuss it with his third wife. He took forty taels of gold leaves, a pair of gold bracelets, and some small gold items, totaling sixty taels, to a pawnshop and exchanged them for one thousand taels of silver. He had the shop issue a banknote as well. Pin Cai also asked for it to be split into three notes—one for five hundred taels, one for three hundred, and one for two hundred. Fu San handed the notes to Pin Cai. Pin Cai, having other matters on his mind, didn’t want to linger, so he quickly took his leave of Fu San, got into the carriage alone, and left the city.
When Pin Cai returned to his lodging, he first met with Tang the monk and informed him that the matter had been successfully arranged. He then took out the three banknotes, counted the sum of 1,200 taels, and asked the monk to keep them safe. If the matter wasn’t resolved by the 29th, they would simply return the original notes. Tang the monk, smiling, said, “There’s no way it won’t work out. These 200 taels are our share; we only need to give him 1,000 taels.” Pin Cai said, “I need to go in and change my clothes.” He then walked straight to his own room and found Yuanmao still there, with the lamp lit, smoking. Seeing this, Pin Cai became very angry and used the opportunity to vent his frustration, saying, “Why are you still here? How can you display such things in broad daylight? Moreover, this is a temple, and anyone could come in and see. If someone were to blackmail us, wouldn’t that cause me endless trouble? How can you be so careless!” Yuanmao replied, “What’s there to fear? Who would come here? I’ve been sitting here most of the day and haven’t seen a single person. Besides, Si’er is outside keeping watch.” Pin Cai, still upset, ignored him, took off a fur coat made of fiery fox legs, and changed into a more casually worn fox fur coat. He changed his hat, washed his face, and drank some tea. Yuanmao then began to nag about borrowing money again, and when he saw that Pin Cai still refused, he said, “If you really have no money, don’t you have any clothes in those four large trunks? I’m only asking to borrow a hundred or so taels; it shouldn’t be too much of a burden on you.” Pin Cai, tired of his pestering, finally opened a box and took out a twisted gold bracelet, weighing about three taels, and handed it to Yuanmao, saying, “This is all I have left. Take it and pawn it. At three taels and six qian, you can get over a hundred taels for it. Once I receive a letter from home, I’ll repay you.” Yuanmao, delighted, jumped up, thanked him, and left.
On the 29th, Fu San indeed secured the position in Hubei, and both he and Pin Cai were overjoyed. He went to the temple to thank both Pin Cai and the monk. The next day, Fu San handed over the banknotes to the monk’s brother, who deducted 200 taels for “towing fees,” leaving them with a clear profit. From the remaining 200 taels, Fu San gave 100 taels to Pin Cai, making Pin Cai’s total earnings 1,300 taels. Pin Cai then went into the city to exchange half of the silver for cash and also exchanged some money outside the city. He was in high spirits, paid off all his debts, and enjoyed a lively New Year celebration. That night, he even brought Yu Tianxian to the temple and invited Tang the monk to stay up all night to keep watch. They closed the mountain gate early, and the night was filled with the sound of firecrackers and fireworks.
Tang the monk was concerned that on New Year’s Day, someone might come to the temple for incense offerings and might see Yu Tianxian, which would be inconvenient since she was staying at his temple. As dawn approached, he urged Pin Cai to send her back.
On the first day of the New Year, Pin Cai paid his respects, on the second day, he went to watch a play, and on the third day, he hosted a grand banquet at his lodging, inviting a group of rowdy youths such as Feng Zipei, Yang Meichuang, and Wu Dasha, along with a group of vulgar entertainers. They spent their days drinking and celebrating, with music and drums creating a lively atmosphere. The festivities, which included plenty of food and drink, lasted for five days and cost him three hundred taels. On the ninth day, someone suggested gambling, encouraging Pin Cai to host it. Pin Cai, thinking that his luck had been good recently and that he might win some money, agreed to start gambling on the evening of the ninth day. They played various games, from rolling the dice to shaking tiles, and Pin Cai even brought Yu Tianxian over to sit in the inner room and place bets for him. On the first day, not many people came, but the number gradually increased on the second day, and by the third day, the room was packed. As word spread, two big gamblers were attracted to the scene: Xi Shiyi and Pan San, both of whom came with substantial funds.
That day, Pin Cai won over 200 taels in gold, placed a bet of 180 taels, and had Yu Tianxian collect it.
The next day, Pan San came to gamble, bringing two ingots of Songjiang silver, totaling one thousand taels. After playing fifty rounds, he had already lost more than half. By the time the accounts were settled, he had lost everything and owed an additional hundred or so taels. That day, Pin Cai also lost 300 taels. Tang the monk won 100 taels, and Feng Zipei won 400 taels.
Xi Shiyi was the big winner, taking home over 850 taels, of which he gave fifty or so taels as tips to the young performers and Pin Cai’s servant, keeping 800 taels for himself. Xi Shiyi took a liking to one of the young monks and gave him ten medium ingots. Yu Tianxian also earned 240 taels from the bets she placed. Among the people present was Tang Jingcheng, the monk’s brother, who said to the monk, “I advise you all not to gamble tomorrow. When I came in earlier, I saw two people outside whispering to each other. They looked like officials from the neighborhood, and I’m afraid there might be trouble, which would be inconvenient for everyone.” Pin Cai, already on edge, became a bit fearful upon hearing this and said, “I’m tired too. Let’s take a break for a couple of days and then have fun again.” Tang the monk said, “If you’re not feeling it, that’s fine, but there’s no need to worry about what’s happening outside. You can relax.” Then he turned to Pin Cai and said, “There’s a vegetable garden next to your house, about two or three acres in size, with five or six grass huts where the gardener and his family live. There’s a separate entrance and exit. Isn’t there a gate that connects to your courtyard? I found it unsafe, so I sealed it off. If there’s any trouble outside, you can open that gate and leave through the vegetable garden. It’s a very open area; it’s not like they’ll send troops to surround you, right?” Pin Cai said, “Although that’s true, I’m not worried about losing money or any potential trouble. It’s just that Fu San is about to leave, and I want to invite him over for a farewell dinner. The day after tomorrow is the fourteenth; I’ve invited him to stay the night.” He then asked Xi Shiyi and Pan San, “Would you two gentlemen honor us with your presence?” Both Xi and Pan agreed. Feng Zipei said, “You’re not inviting me?” Pin Cai replied, “You’re here every day; do I need to send you a formal invitation?” Zipei said, “I’ll bring Meichuang along too.” Pin Cai said, “That’s great.” The gamblers settled their accounts, and by the fifth watch, they all dispersed, with Pin Cai also sending Yu Tianxian back.
Feng Zipei shared a bed with Pin Cai and said, “Lately, I’ve noticed that many people are obsessed with superficial reputations and don’t care about substance. Take for example Hua Gongzi, Xu Duxiang, and their group—they spend money like it’s nothing, which is typical of old aristocrats. But the way they treat those young performers is almost as if they see them as equals.
Then there’s the group of bookish pedants like Tian Chunhang, who keep raising the performers’ status, so much so that you can’t even joke with them anymore. It’s ridiculous how these performers pretend to be so cultured, neither oily nor vinegary, and if they’re not in cahoots with this one, they’re best friends with that one. I can’t believe it—do they really act this way even with rough and crude people? I think they’re just fooling these bookish old men, and their status has been ruined by these pedants. When they see them, they don’t even greet them properly, and when they talk, they don’t address them as servants. Yet they insist on discussing calligraphy, paintings, and chess. It’s truly detestable!” Feng Zipei said, “Exactly! If they keep this up, who will even bother with them anymore? Do these performers really think they can rely on Xu Duxiang and the others forever? They’ve never even met anyone with power or influence in their entire lives; they’re just a bunch of fools.” Pin Cai said, “The day after tomorrow, I plan to invite a few performers and have a grand gathering. As for those pretentious ones, I won’t invite any of them. Who do you think would be good to invite?” Zipei said:
“Performers are all pretty much the same. But recently, there are two who are quite good. They’re cheap to hire, and you can always have them
at your service. They’re just as good-looking as Yuan Baozhu and Su Huifang.” Pin Cai asked, “What are their names?” Zipei replied, “One is called Zhuo Tianxiang, and the other is Zhang Cuiguan.” Pin Cai asked, “Which troupe are they with?” Zipei replied, “They’re with the Chengrong Troupe.” Pin Cai said, “The name ‘Chengrong Troupe’ sounds new to me; I’ve never experienced their performances.” Zipei said, “It’s a small private troupe under the soft canopy.” Pin Cai laughed and said, “Pfft! Why are you talking about those people?” Zipei said, “Don’t underestimate them; they’re even more popular than some of the top performers! What do you think of that Yue Yue’s head?” Pin Cai said, “It’s good, but I don’t like him. What’s so interesting about a bald head?” Zipei said, “Exactly! But if you compare Tianxiang and Cuiguan to Yue Yue, they’re even better looking. If you don’t believe me, invite them over tomorrow, and if you like them, you can keep them.” Pin Cai said, “That works.”
The next day, Pin Cai sent out invitations to guests, inviting Master Fu San, Master Gui, Xi Shiyi, Pan San, Zhang Zhongyu, and Yang Meichuang. That day, two of the guests declined: Master Gui was ill, and Zhang Zhongyu had other matters and couldn’t come. So Pin Cai substituted Feng Zipei and Tang the monk, making a total of seven people including the host. Pin Cai invited Rong Guan to accompany Fu San and sent someone to the soft canopy troupe to call for Tianxiang and Cuiguan. It wasn’t long before the two barbers arrived in a large mule cart, with someone following behind them. Feng Zipei recognized them, and the young barbers first paid their respects to him, then to Pin Cai. Pin Cai looked closely at them and found that they were indeed handsome, with clear eyes, fair skin, and a refined appearance, dressed similarly to young gentlemen. Although Tianxiang’s complexion was fair, his skin appeared somewhat rough upon closer inspection. Cuiguan was smart and charming, though he had a few freckles on his face, a small black mole on his eyebrow, and rough, dark hands. They both wore well-fitted, fashionable clothing, boots, and hats, with gold bracelets and rings on their hands, and watches and small jade ornaments hanging from their waists. After observing them for a while, Pin Cai began to like them. Feng Zipei spoke to them, arranging for them to come and serve wine the next day. The two were very attentive, serving tea, lighting pipes, and even massaging Pin Cai’s back and legs, pleasing him greatly. The more he looked at them, the more he liked them, and he invited them to stay for dinner. Tianxiang and Cuiguan both knew how to sing operatic tunes, and they played the huqin and yueqin, making music late into the night until the third watch. Pin Cai gave each of them eight strings of cash as payment, and they thanked him before leaving.
The next morning, they arrived early to serve, just as Pin Cai and Zipei were getting up. The two barbers asked Pin Cai to find combs and brushes, and they helped him comb his hair, even massaging him afterward. The other one did the same for Zipei. After they had finished breakfast, they lit the lamps and everyone started smoking. Master Fu San arrived first, and when Tang the monk saw him, he brought in Deyue. Tianxiang and Cuiguan greeted Fu San and the monk, but Fu San didn’t recognize them and asked who they were and which troupe they belonged to. Pin Cai explained that they were from the Quanfu troupe. Soon after, Xi Shiyi and Pan San arrived together. Xi Shiyi brought along Baiying Guan, and Pan San brought a young apprentice, treating him as if he were just a servant. They all greeted each other. When Pan San saw Tianxiang and Cuiguan, he laughed and said, “How did you two end up here?” Xi Shiyi joked, “It looks like Master Wei is opening a soft canopy troupe and making himself the manager.” Only then did Fu San realize they were barbers, and he burst out laughing, saying, “So they’re not really from a troupe—still, that’s good.” They all sat down and joked around for a while.
Suddenly, they heard someone in the courtyard say, “Late! I’m late!” A man entered, wearing a fur robe and a large fur hat pulled down to his eyebrows. He greeted everyone with a bow and said, “Today, a friend from the inner city invited me to inspect his property, and after spending the whole day there, they asked me to assess the land as well. They’re hoping to be posted out of town.” Pin Cai called Tianxiang and Cuiguan over to meet him and said, “This is Master Yang Ba, who’s very skilled at feng shui. Why don’t you ask him to check your canopy and see when you’ll get rich?” Fu San then joked with Yang Ba, saying, “Be careful not to end up like the Wu family case, where they came looking for you afterward.” Everyone burst into laughter. Suddenly, Feng Zipei frowned and said something was wrong, then ran to the courtyard to vomit. The others hurried over to check on him. After a while, his face turned red, his head felt dizzy, and his whole body was hot. Pin Cai quickly asked him to lie down on the kang. After resting for a bit, he felt even worse and said he wanted to go home. Pin Cai then ordered a carriage to be prepared, and his servant accompanied him home. As it approached evening, Pin Cai ordered the lamps to be lit. He had a newly made glass lamp screen set up on the kang, depicting twenty-four scenes of springtime. The room was lit by eight glass lamps, with a colorful lantern hanging in the center, and four floor lamps placed on the ground. Two braziers were lit on either side, and a round table was set in the middle. As the banquet began, Xi Shiyi looked at the spring scenes on the lamp screen and joked with Pan San, saying, “Old San, that person getting slapped looks a lot like you.” Pan San replied, “And that person hugging someone looks like you, except he’s missing a bucket.” Fu San, seeing the last scene, couldn’t help but laugh out loud, saying, “This is outrageous! Master Wei shouldn’t have done this. Truly, this painting is too fitting for the scene. Everyone, come look—aren’t these two monks committing sodomy?”
Everyone looked and burst into laughter. Xi Shiyi turned to Deyue and asked, “Does your master do this every day?” Deyue spat and turned red, refusing to look. Tang the monk clapped his hands together and said, “Amitabha! This is sinful, sinful!” At this point, Fu San sat at the head of the table, with Cuiguan accompanying him. Xi Shiyi took the second seat, and knowing that he was generous and fond of Deyue, Tang the monk asked Deyue to accompany him. Yang Ba took the third seat, with Tianxiang sitting next to him at Pin Cai’s arrangement. Pan San took the fourth seat, while Pin Cai and Tang the monk sat at the host’s table, though Rong Guan was still nowhere to be seen. As they drank, they made crude jokes and engaged in rowdy banter, causing a great commotion. Only Fu San was somewhat restrained, joking with Cuiguan without becoming too vulgar. Xi Shiyi, holding a cup of wine, forced it on Deyue, while with the other hand, he reached behind Deyue, causing Deyue to twist his waist back and forth, his shoulders rising and falling unevenly. His eyes were filled with tears as he looked at Xi Shiyi, one hand pushing away the wine cup. Xi Shiyi said, “If you don’t drink this cup, I’ll make you drink a leather cup.” Deyue had no choice but to drink it. Yang Ba was even more indecent, pulling Tianxiang onto his lap, bouncing his legs so that Tianxiang shook all over. Yang Ba took turns drinking from a leather cup with him and then asked, “I’ve heard that your sister is very beautiful and has many admirers.” Zhuo Tianxiang blushed and replied, “Don’t believe everything they say.” Yang Ba said, “Last year, I saw someone writing a fan for her. Are you saying the words they wrote were just nonsense?”
As he spoke, he sniffed Tianxiang’s face again. Only Pan San and Pin Cai were left with no one to flirt with. Pin Cai laughed and said, “Today, we can only take turns teasing this old monk.” He then exchanged a few playful punches with Tang the monk. After over an hour of rowdiness, Xi Shiyi’s craving kicked in, and he asked Baiying Guan to bring out the smoking set. The lamps were already lit, so Xi Shiyi lay down and asked Deyue to smoke with him. The two barbers also had a craving for smoke and gathered around. Seeing this, Tang the monk let out two yawns and stretched lazily. Seeing that Xi Shiyi’s craving was intense, and unable to wait, he returned to his own room to indulge.
Fu San turned on his side, pulled Cuiguan close, and asked, “You’re working in this shop, but there’s not much future in it. Why not come with me to Hubei? Are you willing?” Cuiguan responded, “If you’re willing to take me, you’ll be like a father to me.” With that, he leaned into Fu San’s arms, brought his face close to Fu San’s, and said, “I’m not like the young masters; I don’t need money to complete my apprenticeship. When I first started, it was agreed that I’d be an apprentice for only three years. Now that the three years are up, I’m ready to go. Dear father, will you really take me?” Fu San said, “If you’re willing to come with me, I’ll take you.” Yang Ba overheard this and said to Fu San, “Old San, you’re causing trouble again! Instead of spending money to take him along, why not help me with my assignment donation? The other day, the note from the petition helpers arrived—could you add another thirty taels to it?” Fu San replied, “I’ll add thirty taels; there’s no need for you to be jealous.” Yang Ba didn’t get upset; instead, he repeatedly thanked him.
Cuiguan laughed and said, “Third Master, you’re really fortunate! I just called you my dear father, and now you’ve attracted another one.” Yang Ba pretended not to hear, sitting aside and smoking a water pipe.
Pin Cai said, “It’s a good idea for you to go with Third Master. What’s there to hesitate about? Although it’s not like a young master completing his apprenticeship, you should still give your master a few strings of cash as a token of gratitude.” Fu San said, “Of course.” Cuiguan asked, “Are you serious?” Fu San replied, “I’m serious.” Cuiguan then fully embraced Fu San, bumping his head against Fu San’s shoulder a few times, and said, “I’ll kowtow to thank you! Good Third Master, good father!” Fu San was so delighted he could hardly contain himself. Pan San, seeing Deyue lying in Xi Shiyi’s arms and Tianxiang lying across from them, wanted to take a puff too, so he sat on the edge of the kang, turned on his side, and leaned on Tianxiang. Deyue took a puff, which Yang Ba then took from him, brushing aside his thick, furry beard, and took a drag, causing saliva to drip from his mouth onto the pipe. He wiped his mouth with his fur sleeve and took another puff. The pipe got clogged, and Tianxiang, pressed down by him, tried to help clear it but couldn’t move. Yang Ba grabbed a skewer and poked at the pipe, but when he raised his hand, he accidentally burned a hole in his fur sleeve on the lamp, making everyone laugh.
Yang Ba said, “I’m just a beginner at this.” He forced himself to take another puff, which burned harshly and smelled foul, so he put the pipe down. Tianxiang said, “Don’t press down on me; I’ll light it for you.” Meanwhile, Deyue was resting on Xi Shiyi’s arm, while Xi Shiyi fondled his buttocks. Deyue tried to get up, but Xi Shiyi held him down with a leg, leaving Deyue no choice but to let him continue. Xi Shiyi finished a box of opium and called for Baiying Guan to bring more. Baiying Guan stood off to the side, sulking. Xi Shiyi called him two or three times before he finally replied, “There’s none left.” Xi Shiyi asked, “How can that be? I still have a large box in my bag.” Baiying Guan sulked for a while longer before saying, “It spilled.” Xi Shiyi said, “Spilled? Show me the box.”
Baiying Guan angrily approached and threw the large gold box, which rolled over to the lamp.
Deyue quickly grabbed it but accidentally knocked over the lamp, causing the glass cover to shatter with a loud “clang,” splashing oil onto Xi Shiyi’s face. Deyue was quite embarrassed, but Xi Shiyi said, “It’s fine.” He quickly wiped his face with a towel and moved to a different seat, asking for a basin of water to wash his face. A few drops of oil had also spilled on his leopard fur coat, so he wiped it clean. Pin Cai’s servants quickly replaced the lamp and cleaned the table. When Deyue opened the box, it was indeed empty. Xi Shiyi said, “What should we do now? Go ask Master Tang for some more.” Pin Cai said, “I have some! The other day, I got a few taels of old opium.” He then called Si’er to fetch it from his room.
Pin Cai’s room was on the west side of the courtyard, through a gate into a small yard with two rooms. Pin Cai had locked the courtyard gate but couldn’t leave anyone to watch the room because he needed to attend to his guests.
That night, the moon was bright as day. Si’er walked to the gate and unlocked it, but when he tried to push the door open, it wouldn’t budge. He thought, “This gate has always been loose; why is it so tight today?” He used a bit more force, but it still wouldn’t open.
He put down the lamp cover and used both hands to push hard. The door finally opened slightly, revealing a large stone blocking it inside. Si’er was puzzled and thought, “There’s no one inside. Who put this stone here?” He squatted down, moved the stone aside, picked up the lamp cover, and walked into the outer room. Seeing that nothing was missing, he felt somewhat relieved. He then walked into the inner room and took a closer look, only to be shocked. He saw that one of the large leather trunks was missing, and two offering boxes and a clothing bundle from the kang were also gone. He immediately ran out, shouting, “Master! This is bad, we’ve been robbed!” Pin Cai was alarmed and rushed to the room to check. What happened next will be revealed in the next chapter.