During the 20th century of the Ming Dynasty, there was a servant named Zhang Heguang in Henan. He was kind-hearted and used his daily necessities to do good deeds in his spare time. People from all over the countryside regarded his elders as their respect for him.
One year, when Zhang Heguang was out, he saw a pair of down-and-out mother and daughter by the river. The mother hugged her daughter and cried bitterly, and she had the urge to jump into the river. Zhang Heguang hurriedly asked someone to stop the carriage.
walked up and asked, "Did my sister-in-law encounter any difficulties? The water flows here, and it is too dangerous to take my children here."
The woman turned her head and looked at Zhang Heguang, and said in tears: "It makes the officials laugh. I am Wang, this is my daughter Qingyue. My husband is out doing business. It has been three years since my husband went out to do business. There is no news at home. There is no need to pawn anything at home. I am ashamed to take my daughter to beg for a living. It is really better to die."
Zhang Heguang hurriedly advised, "Sister-in-law, don't say that. Even ants are greedy for life. How can you be careless? What about giving up your life? I still have some idle rooms in my house. If you don’t dislike it, you can stay for a while first and wait for your husband to come back before working as a district office. "
Wang was grateful and knelt down to Zhang Heguang with his daughter. Zhang Heguang helped them up and said, "When you are out, there will always be times when you encounter difficulties. I feel very honored to be able to help you."
then brought them back to his home. After taking care of his family for three months, Wang's husband Li Tongchen finally came back. He found out about his wife and daughter along the way, and came to the Zhang family to thank him for a lot of gratitude and took his wife and daughter back.
He went out to do business for three years and accumulated a lot of wealth. However, he has traveled around the world for many years and has no place to live. He has never contacted his family. Zhang Heguang specially set up a banquet to entertain Li Tongchen's family.
In order to express his gratitude, Li Tongchen sent many gifts. Zhang Heguang smiled and refused, saying, "I just do things based on my heart. It's not to ask for rewards, so there is no need to take out these gifts."
Li Tongchen was very moved and happened to see that Zhang Heguang's son Zhang Youren is about the same age as his daughter Qingyue, so he proposed to make a doll wedding for the two children, and Zhang Heguang also agreed.
So, after Li Tongchen returned home, he bought a piece of jadeite stone, and asked a skilled craftsman to make a pair of dragon and phoenix jade pendants, leaving the dragon-shaped jade pendants, and sending the phoenix jade pendants to the Zhang family, even if they had made a marriage contract.
A year passed, because of the business, Li Tongchen left with his family again. This time he left for ten years. At the beginning, he had frequent letters, but later it gradually became less and less.
When Zhang Youren was 16 years old, Zhang Tongguang and his wife passed away one after another, and Noda's family business fell on Zhang Youren's tender shoulders. When the old couple was alive, they were very doting on Zhang Youren and never let him get in touch with other things except studying.
parents suddenly passed away, and no one was disciplined by Zhang Youren. After passing the exam, he was attracted by the sluts on the street and tempted him into the casino in different ways. Zhang Youren was ignorant of the world, so why was the opponent of these gangsters? He soon became addicted to gambling and could not extricate himself.
you guys, gambling is absolutely not contaminated. Those who win money want to win more, and those who lose money want to make a profit. Once they go to the gambling table, it is difficult for those who don’t lose money to lose everything. Throughout history, few people who participate in gambling can protect themselves. Only those who open casinos will be the ultimate winner.
Since Zhang Youren entered the casino, he could no longer tolerate anything except those dices in his mind. He used all the antiques, jade, fields and houses in his home as gambling funds. He finally realized that he lost all his property and owed 100 taels of silver in the casino and was carried out of the casino.
Zhang Youren is willing to go out to make money, but he has no power to tie up the chicken. The casino collector is forced to force him to collect 100 taels of silver within three days, otherwise he will break his tendons.
Zhang Youren was very scared and didn't know what to do, so he walked towards the moat tremblingly. Just as he was about to die, a handsome young man suddenly called him: "This young man, an ant is still greedy for life. What's the matter?"
Zhang Youren turned his head to look at him, feeling that this person's face was like jade, his lips were as vermilion, and he couldn't say it, so he couldn't help but say it. "I owed someone 100 taels of silver. The debt collector said that I would not pay it back within three days, so I would have to break my tendons and my legs. I might as well die."
Young Master smiled and said, "What happened to me at that time? A man was actually looking for death for 100 taels of silver. It was really unconventional. I first came here and was worried about not having an identity. Let's do this. If you sell your identity to me, how about I give you fifty taels of silver?"
Zhang Youren cried and said, "I'm not a person with status. If you want it, you can take it. You can't pay off your debts if you have 50 taels of silver. You can't afford to pay off your debts. I'll die."
Young Master thought for a while, and then said, "What you said is not unreasonable. Since I want your identity, I can't ignore you. You will be with me from today. Be a 'shadow' by your side. You have no identity or name. Be a slave by my side. As long as you are obedient, I will give you another fifty taels of silver and care about your food and accommodation. How about it? "
Zhang Youren was a little puzzled, but when he heard that he could pay off his debts, eat and live, it was better than sleeping on the streets and begging for a living. He hurriedly agreed. The young master took out the paper and pen and wrote a contract. Zhang Youren pressed his handprint without hesitation.
Young Master took out a hundred taels of silver notes and handed them to Zhang Youren, saying, "You have half a day now to deal with the debt, and then go back to your ancestral home to find me." After that, he left.
Zhang Youren hurriedly returned to the casino and returned the 100 taels of silver. He felt itchy and wanted to gamble for two more, but because he had no money, he was beaten out and patted the dirt on his body. Zhang Youren sighed and left in a dusty state.
Back to the old house of Zhang family, Zhang Youren was in a daze. He was the young master inside back then, and he felt so comfortable when he was out of clothes and food. Now things have changed, and people have to be slaves when he goes in. I feel so awkward.
"What are you still standing there? Waiting for me to invite you in? There is no enlightenment at all." A sharp shout brought him back to reality from his memories. The young master was looking at him with a tense face, and Zhang Youren quickly jogged over.
Since then, the young master has regarded himself as Zhang Youren, and Zhang Youren himself is called a shadow. Neighbors all know that he lost his ancestor's surname and even the spirit of begging on the roadside looks down on him.
Shadow has to get up at five o'clock every morning, carry ten buckets of water to eat, and after meals, you have to go to the mountain to chop firewood, chop twelve loads to eat lunch, and in the afternoon, you have to help farm the land. If you don't do anything well, you will always have sticks and whips to put on your body.
Shadow has been living a rich life since childhood, but he has never done such a job. At the beginning, he was whipped a lot and was often scarred. After several months of training, he finally became diligent. Since then, Zhang Youren has been meticulous and thoughtful.
A few months later, Li Tongchen's family suddenly came back and bought land and houses locally. Yiyue became a huge wealthy person. Shadow secretly was happy: If he could get help from his father-in-law, wouldn't he be able to turn things around again?
As soon as I thought about this, Shadow took advantage of the time when I went out to chop wood, Shadow hurriedly ran to the Li family to have a visit. The doorman stopped him without saying a word. Shadow explained that he was the son-in-law of the Li family and this time he came to recognize his relatives.
The disciple said, "Our Li family's son-in-law is Zhang Youren, who is well-read and elegant. Look at you, dressed in a short dress, and he looks like a coolie. He really wants to eat swan meat."
Shadow was anxious and explained repeatedly that he was Zhang Youren. While he was clamoring, "Zhang Youren" also came to the Li family with a graceful look. As soon as Shadow saw him, he quickly fell silent. Zhang Youren said, "This is the first time you breached the contract and said that you were Zhang Youren. If there is another time, I will never spare you. "
After saying that, he took out a phoenix jade pendant from his cuff and handed it to his disciple, saying, "I am Zhang Youren, the son-in-law of the Li family. This jade pendant is the token of engagement. I will quickly take me to see Mr. Li. "
Shadow's face turned red when he saw the jade pendant. At that time, he was anxious and mortgaged the jade pendant for the engagement. It must have been redeemed by "Zhang Youren". The disciple took the jade pendant and quickly welcomed him in, leaving a shadow alone in the wind.
After that, Shadow was still doing his own groceries. Suddenly one day, all the maids and servants in the mansion were busy, and Shadow was also called to change into new red clothes.
He quietly asked the people next to him what good things were there, and the man told him: "Young Master Zhang is going to get married with Miss Li. Today is the day for the wedding. We all go to carry the sedan chair. "
As soon as this statement came out, it was like a thunderbolt. Shadow never expected that he had sold his identity and even his wife was "sold". He followed the wedding team to carry the sedan chair to the Li family. He watched Miss Li wearing a phoenix crown and a robe and sent her back to the Zhang family.
All day long, Shadow had the illusion of being in a dream. Until the second half of the night, the guests had left, and Zhang Youren also carried the bride into the bridal chamber. Shadow finally couldn't help it and ran to Houhua Crying bitterly in the garden.
After Zhang Youren got married, he lived a tangled life with his wife. On the other hand, the shadow became more and more taciturn. Sometimes he couldn't say a word for three or five days.
That day, Miss Li suddenly said, "Husband, our family is already very rich, but it's a pity that there is no scholar. It makes people laugh at us as vulgar. You are still young now. If you are willing to study hard and gain some fame, our family will become both rich and elegant. "
Zhang Youren put away the fan and said, "Okay, since my wife has such expectations, I might as well give it a try. "
The next day, Zhang Youren invited the most famous old scholar in the village to teach him to study. The shadow stared at the study room, and his eyes showed infinite desire. When he was working, he always lingered around the study room intentionally or unintentionally, remembering what his teacher taught.
This scene was seen by Zhang Youren. He called the shadow and said, "Do you want to study? "
" Want! I dream of thinking that as long as you let me study, I am willing to do anything. "The shadow nodded quickly.
" That's OK. "Zhang Youren smiled secretly and continued, "Reading is really not my expertise. From today on, you don't have to do any work, just study with your teacher. If you can pass the imperial examination with the name "Zhang Youren", I will give you an identity, give your ancestor's surname, and ask you to give another name. If you can pass the imperial examination, I will return your property to you and tell you a wife. How about it? . "
Shadow has long been fed up with this kind of life that lives in the shadows and is not recognized by others. He nodded unswervingly. Since then, Shadow has cherished the hard-won learning opportunities, and has forgotten to eat and sleep, and has never dared to delay in a minute.
After a period of hard work, it has made great progress. When it was the provincial examination, it achieved the 32nd grade, which is also considered It is on the list, and Shadow is extremely happy.
What was happier than him was Zhang Youren. He held a big banquet and sat in the main seat without hesitation. Shadow could only pour wine beside him. His joy was instantly extinguished, and he felt so awkward.
In the afternoon, Shadow found Zhang Youren and asked to restore his ancestor's surname. Zhang Youren looked at him and smiled: "Don't worry, go, let's go to a place first."
Shadow was unknown, so he followed Zhang Youren to the gambling house, and the sound of rolling dice and pushing Paijiu came from inside. The shadow turned pale and couldn't help but take two steps back. It seemed that the sound was magical and wanted to erode him.
Zhang Youren looked at the shadow and said, "I'll give you another chance. You can use 100 taels of silver as principal and go in and bet another game. Think about it, if you win, let alone your surname, your name can be redeemed, your fame can be redeemed, and your family property can be redeemed, and your reputation can be redeemed, and your family property can be redeemed. You have a noble person in front of you and a glory after you. How about it? Do you want to try it? "
Zhang Youren's voice was a sense of intrigue. His shadow shrank his head and said, "Nine out of ten gambling will lose. Long-term gambling will lose. Gambling will almost ruin my family. Life is worse than death. I have already sworn secretly that I will never bet again in this life. If I violate this vow, I will not die. "
Zhang Youren smiled and said, "It's true, don't you really want to go in and have a gamble?" Just take a gamble and win half the probability. You won’t be so lucky, right? This time I think it was my free donation capital. If I lose, I won’t pay you back the debt. If I win, it’s all your own. Whether it’s losing or winning, I will give you my surname back. What about it? "
" No, I will never bet anymore. "The shadow gritted his teeth and said word by word.
" It's really boring. "Zhang Youren shrugged and continued, "Then let's go, I said before that when you pass the Jinshi exam, I will tell you a wife. Now, seeing that you have the intention to repent, I will give you my wife first. "
Shadow was overjoyed and didn't ask when he would have his ancestral surname. After arriving at home, Zhang Youren entered the bedroom and left a shadow waiting outside alone. After a while, two women came out.
Shocked Shadow's tongue was that Zhang Youren changed into women's clothing. The original Miss Li was supporting the "Zhang Youren" in the women's clothing. Ms. Li said, "This is Miss Qingyue, I am just a maid. "The shadow was shocked for a long time and couldn't speak.
At this time, Li Tongchen also came. Looking at the son-in-law's appearance, he couldn't help but smile and said, "Your father has a life-than-living kindness to our family. You didn't learn well, but I was worried about marrying my daughter to you. I thought of giving you a lot of money, so the marriage was given up, but Qingyue, the child, insisted on coming up with this idea and pulling you out of the abyss. You must remember this lesson in the future. "
Zhang Youren was like falling into a dream, so happy that he didn't know what to do, so he agreed repeatedly. That night, under the auspices of Li Tongchen, Zhang Youren and Qingyue re-cultivated the flower candle and truly worshiped the world.
bridal night, Zhang Youren said jokingly: "My wife, you are already mine now. If I go to the gambling house again, are you afraid? "
Qingyue said with a smile: "I'm still afraid that you won't go?" If you go, I will take back your identity and let you continue to be a nameless shadow. ”
Zhang Youren shrank his head and said, “I dare not, I will never go in my life. "Then, the two began to do serious things, and the room was filled with joy.
Later, Zhang Youren continued to study hard, Jinshi and , and became a parent official who had never violated the people. He kept his promises throughout his life, never gambled again, nor took a concubine. The four big words "I will lose after gambling for a long time" were always hung in the study.
