巨星小说网 www.jxjwly.com,三言二拍合集(珍藏本)无错无删减全文免费阅读!
><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">名花绰约东风里,占断韶华都在此。芳心一片可人怜,春色三分愁雨洗。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">玉人尽日恹恹地,猛被笙歌惊破睡。起临妆镜似娇羞,近日伤春输与你。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">那花正种在草堂对面,周围以湖石拦之,四边竖个木架子,上覆布幔,遮蔽日色。花本高有丈许,最低亦有六七尺,其花大如丹盘,五色灿烂,光华夺目。众人齐赞:“好花!”张委便踏上湖石去嗅那香气。秋先极怪的是这节,乃道:“衙内站远些看,莫要上去!”张委恼他不容进来,心下正要寻事,又听了这话,喝道:“你那老儿住在我庄边,难道不晓得张衙内名头么?有恁样好花,故意回说没有。不计较就勾了,还要多言,哪见得闻一闻就坏了花?你便这说,我偏要闻。”遂把花逐朵攀下来,一个鼻子凑在花上去嗅。那秋老在傍,气得敢怒而不敢言。也还道略看一回就去。谁知这厮故意卖弄道:“有恁样好花,如何空过?须把酒来赏玩。”吩咐家人快去取。秋公见要取酒来赏,更加烦恼,向前道:“所在蜗窄,没有坐处。衙内止看看花儿,酒还到贵庄上去吃。”张委指著地上道:“这地下尽好坐。”秋公道:“志上龌龊,衙内如何坐得?”张委道:“不打紧,少不得有毡条遮衬。”不一时,酒肴取到,铺下毡条,众人团团围坐,猜拳行令,大呼小叫,十分得意。只有秋公骨笃了嘴,坐在一边。那张委看见花木茂盛,就起个不良之念,思想要吞占他的,斜著醉眼,向秋公道:“看你这蠢丈儿不出,到会种花,却也可取,赏你一杯。”秋公哪里有好气答他,气忿忿的道:“老汉天性不会饮酒,不敢从命!”张委又道:“你这园可卖么?”秋公见口声来得不好,老大惊讶,答道:“这园是老汉的性命,如何舍得卖?”张委道:“甚么性命不性命!卖与我罢了。你若没去处,一发连身归在我家,又不要做别事,单单替我种些花木,可不好么?”众人齐道:“你这儿好造化,难得衙内恁般看顾,还不快些谢恩?”秋公看见逐步欺负上来,一发气得手足麻软,也不去睬他。张委道:“这老儿可恶!肯不肯,如何不答应我?”秋公道:“说过不卖了,怎的只管问?”张委道:“放屁!你若再说句不卖,就写帖儿,送到县里去。”秋公气不过,欲要抢白几句,又想一想,他是有势力的人,却又醉了。怎与他一般样见识?且哄了去再处,忍著气答道:“衙内总要买,必须从容一日,岂是一时急骤的事。”众人道:“这话也说得是。就在明罢。”此时都已烂醉,齐立起身,家人收拾家伙先去。秋公死怕折花,预先在花边防护。那张委真个走向前,便要踹上湖石去采。秋先扯住道:“衙内,这花虽是微物,但一年间不知废多少工夫,才开得这几朵。不争折损了,深为可惜。况折去不过二三日就谢了,何苦作这样罪过!”张委喝道:“胡说!有甚罪过?你明日卖了,便是我家之物,就都折尽,与你何干!”把手去推开。委公揪住死也不放,道:“衙内便杀了老汉,这花决不与你摘的。”众人道:“这丈其实可恶!衙内采朵花儿,值甚么大事,妆出许多模样!难道怕你就不摘了?”遂齐走上前乱摘。把那老儿急得叫屈连天,舍了张委,拼命去拦阻。扯了东边,顾不得西首,顷刻间摘下许多。秋老心疼肉痛,骂道:“你这班贼男女,无事登门,将我欺负,要这性命何用!”赶向张委身边,撞个满怀。去得势猛,张委又多了几杯酒,把脚不住,翻勇斗跌倒。众人都道:“不好了,衙内打坏也!”齐将花撇下,便赶过来,要打秋公。内中有一个老成的,见秋公年纪已老,恐打出事来,劝住众人,扶起张委。张委因跌了这交,心中转恼,赶上前打得个支蕊不留,撒作遍地,意尤未足,又向花中践踏一回。可惜好花,正是:</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">老拳毒手交加下,翠叶娇花一旦休。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">好似一番风雨恶,乱红零落没人收。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">当下只气得个秋公怆地呼天,满地乱滚。邻家听得秋公园中喧嚷,齐跑进来,看见花枝满地狼籍,众人正在行凶,邻里尽吃一惊,上前劝住。问知其故,内中到有两三个是张委的租户,齐替秋公陪个不是,虚心冷气,送出篱门。张委道:“你们对那老贼说,好好把园送我,便饶了他;若说半个不字,须教他仔细著。”恨恨而去。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">邻里们见张委醉了,只道酒话,不在心上,覆身转来,将秋公扶起,坐在阶沿上。那老儿放声号恸。众邻里劝慰了一番,作别出去,与他带上篱门,一路行走。内中也有怪秋公平日不容看花,便道:“这老官儿真个忒煞古怪,所以有这样事,也得他经一遭儿,警戒下次。”内中又有直道的道:“莫说这没天理的话!自古道:种花一年,看花十日。那看的但觉好看,赞声好花罢了,怎得知种花的烦难。只这几朵花,正不知费了许多辛苦,才培植得恁般茂盛,如何怪得他爱惜!”</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">不题众人,且说秋公不舍得这些残花,走向前将手去捡起来看,见践踏得凋残零落,尘垢沾污,心中凄惨,又哭道:“花啊!我一生爱护,从不曾损坏一瓣一叶,哪知今日遭此大难!”正哭之间,只听得背后有人叫道:“秋公为何恁般痛哭?”秋公回头看时,乃是一个女子,年约二八,姿容美丽,雅淡梳妆,却不认得是谁家之女,乃收泪问道:“小娘子是哪家?至此何干?”那女子道:“我家住在左近,因闻你园中牡丹花茂盛,特来游玩,不想都已谢了。”秋公题起牡丹二字,不觉又哭起来。女子道:“你且说有甚苦情如此啼哭?”秋公将张委打花之事说出。那女子笑道:“原来为此缘故。你可要这花原上枝头么?”秋公道:“小娘休得取笑!哪有落花返枝的理?”女子道:“我祖上传得个落花返枝的法术,屡试屡验。”秋公听说,化悲为喜道:“小娘真个有这术法么?”女子道:“怎的不真?”秋公倒身下拜道:“若得小娘子施此妙术,老汉无以为报,但每一种花开,便来相请赏玩。”女子道:“你且莫拜,去取一碗水来。”秋公慌忙跳起去取水,心下又转道:“如何有这漾妙法?莫不是见我哭泣,故意取笑?”又想道:“这小娘子从不相认,岂有耍我之理?还是真的。”急舀了碗清水出来,抬头不见了女子,只见那花都已在枝头,地下并无一瓣遗存。起初每本一色,如今却变做红中间紫,淡内添浓,一本五色俱全,比先更觉鲜妍。有诗为证:</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><font face="times new roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">曾闻湘子将花染,又见仙姬会返枝。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">信是至诚能动物,愚夫犹自笑花痴。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">当下秋公又惊又喜道:“不想这小娘子果然有此妙法!”只道还在花丛中,放下水,前来作谢。园中团团寻遍,并不见影,乃道:“这小娘如何就去了?”又想道:“必定还在门口,须上去求他,传了这个法儿。”一迳赶至门边,那门却又掩著。拽开看时,门首坐著两个老者,就是左右邻家,一个唤做虞公,一个叫做单老,在那里看渔人晒网。见秋公出来,齐立起身拱手道:“闻得张衙内在此无理,我们恰往田头,没有来问得。”秋公道:“不要说起,受了这班泼男女的殴气,亏著一位小娘子走来,用个妙法,救起许多花朵,不曾谢得他一声,迳出来了。二位可看见往哪一边去的?”二老闻言,惊讶道:“花坏了,有甚法儿救得?这女子去几时了?”秋公道:“刚方出来。”二老道:“我们坐在此好一回,并没个人走动,哪见甚么女子?”秋公听说,心下恍悟道:“恁般说,莫不这位小娘子是神仙下降?”二老问道:“你且说怎的救起花儿?”秋公将女子之事叙了一遍。二老道:“有如此奇事!待我们去看看。”</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">秋公将门拴上,一齐走至花下,看了连声称异道:“这定然是个神仙。凡人哪有此法力!”秋公即焚起一炉好香,对天叩谢。二老道:“这也是你平日爱花心诚,所以感动神仙下降。明日索性到教张衙内这几个泼男女看看,羞杀了他。”秋公道:“莫要,莫要!此等人即如恶犬,远远见了就该避之,岂可还引他来?”二老道:“这话也有理。”秋公此时非常欢喜,将先前那瓶酒热将起来,留二老在花下玩赏,至晚而别。二老回去,即传合村人都晓得,明日俱要来看,还恐秋公不许。谁知秋公原是有意思的人,因见神仙下降,遂有出世之念,一夜不寐,坐在花下存想;想至张委这事,忽地开悟道:“此皆是我平日心胸褊窄,故外侮得至。若神仙汪洋度量,无所不容,安得有此!”至次早,将园门大开,任人来看。先有几个进来打探,见秋公对花而坐,但吩咐道:“坐凭列位观看,切莫要采便了。”众人得了这话,互相传开。那村中男子妇女,无有不至。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">按下此处,且说张委至次早,对众人说:“昨日反被那老贼撞了一交,难道轻恕了不成?如今再去要花园;不肯时,多教些人从,将花木尽打个稀烂,方出这气。”众人道:“这园在衙内庄边,不怕他不肯。只是昨日不该把花都打坏,还留几朵,后日看看,便是。”张委道:“这也罢了,少不得来年又发。我们快去,莫要使他停留长智。”众人一齐起身,出得庄门,就有人说:“秋公园上神仙下降,落下的花,原都上了枝头,却又变做五色。”张委不信道:“这老贼有何好处,能感神仙下降?况且不前不后,刚刚我们打坏,神仙就来?难道这神仙是养家的不成?一定是怕我们又去,故此诌这话来央人传说,见得他有神仙护卫,使我们不摆布他。”众人道:“衙内之言极是。”</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">顷刻,到了园门口,见两扇门大开,往来男女络绎不绝,都是一般说话。众人道:“原来真有这等事!”张委道:“莫管他,就是神仙见坐著,这园少不得要的。”弯弯曲曲,转到草堂前,看时,果然话不虚传。这花却也奇怪,见人来看,姿态愈艳,光采倍生,如对人笑一般。张委心中虽十分惊讶,那吞占念头,全然不改,看了一回,忽地又起一个恶念,对众人道:“我们且去。”齐出了园门。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">众人问道:“衙内如何不与他要园?”张委道:“我想得个好策在此,不消与他说得,这园明日就归于我。”众人道:“衙内有何妙算?”张委道:“见今贝州王则谋反,专行妖术。枢密府行下文书来,天下军州严禁左道,捕缉妖人。本府见出三千贯赏钱,募人出首。我明日就将落花上枝为由,教张霸到府,首他以妖术惑人。这个老儿熬刑不过,自然招承下狱。这园必定官卖。那时谁个敢买他的?少不得让与我。还有三千贯赏钱哩。”众人道:“衙内好计!事不宜迟,就去打点起来。”当时即进城,写下首状。次早,教张霸到平江府出首。这张霸是张委手下第一出尖的人,衙门情熟,故此用他。大尹正在缉访妖人,听说此事,合村男女都见的,不由不信,即差缉捕使臣带领做公的,押张霸作眼,前去捕获。张委将银布置停当,让张霸与缉捕使臣先行,自己与众子弟随后也来。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">缉捕使臣一迳到秋公园上,那老儿还道是看花的,不以为意。众人发一声喊,赶上前一索捆翻。秋公吃这一吓不小,问道:“老汉有何罪犯?望列位说个明白。”众人口口声声,骂做妖人反贼,不由分诉,拥出门来。邻里看见,无不失惊,齐上前询问。缉捕使臣道:“你们还要问么?他所犯的事也不小,只怕连村上人都有分哩。”那些愚民,被这大话一寒。心中害怕,尽皆洋洋走开,惟恐累及。只有虞公、单老,同几个平日与秋公相厚的,远远跟来观看。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">且说张委俟秋公去后,便与众子弟来锁园门,恐还有人在内,又检点一过,将门锁上,随后赶上府前。缉捕使臣已将秋公解进,跪在月台上,见傍边又跪著一人,却不认得是谁。那些狱卒都得了张委银子,已备下诸般刑具伺候。大尹喝道:“你是何处妖人,敢在此地方上将妖术煽惑百姓?有几多党羽?从实招来!”秋闻言,恰如黑暗中闻个火炮,正不知从何处起的,禀道:“小人家世住于长乐村中,并非别处妖人,也不晓得甚么妖术。”大尹道:“前日你用妖术使落花上枝,还敢抵赖!”秋公见说到花上,情知是张委的缘故,即将张委要占园打花,并仙女下降之事,细诉一遍。不想那大尹性是偏执的,哪里肯信,乃笑道;“少少慕仙的,修行至老,尚不能得遇神仙;岂有因你哭,花仙就肯来?既来了,必定也留个名儿,使人晓得,如何又不别而去?这样话哄哪个!不消说得,定然是个妖人。快夹起来!”</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">狱卒们齐声答应,如狼虎一般,蜂拥上来,揪翻秋公,扯腿拽脚。刚要上刑,不想大尹忽然一估头晕,险些儿跌下公座,自觉头目森森,坐身不住。吩咐上了枷扭,发下狱中监禁,明日再审。狱卒押著,秋公一路哭泣出来,看见张委,道:“张衙内,我与你前日无怨,往日无仇,如何下此毒手,害我性命!”张委也不答应,同了张霸和那一班恶少,转身就走。虞公、单老接著秋公,问知其细,乃道:“有这等冤枉的事!不打紧,明日同合村人,具张连名保结,管你无事。”秋公哭道:“但愿得如此便好。”狱卒喝道:“这死囚还不走!只管哭甚么!”秋公含著眼泪进狱。邻里又寻些酒食,送至门上。那狱卒谁个拿与他吃,竟接来自去受用。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">到夜间,将他上了因床,就如活死人一般,手足不能少展。心中苦楚,想道:“不知哪位神位神仙救了这花,却又被那厮借此陷害。神仙呵!你若怜我秋先,亦来救拔性命,情愿弃家入道。”一头正想,只见前日那仙女,冉冉而至。秋公急叫道:“大仙救拔弟子秋先则个!”仙女笑道:“汝欲贶离苦厄么?”上前把手一指,那枷扭纷纷自落。秋先爬起来,向前叩头道:“请问大仙姓氏。”仙女道:“吾乃瑶王母座下司花女,怜汝惜花志诚,故令诸花返本,不意反资奸人谗口。然亦汝命中合有此灾,明日当脱。张委损花害人,花神奏闻上帝,已夺其算;助恶党羽,俱降大灾。汝宜笃志修行,数年之后,吾当度汝。”秋先又叩首道:“请问上仙修行之道。”仙女道:“修仙径路甚多,须认本源。汝原以惜花有功,今亦当以花成道。汝但饵百花,自能身轻飞举。”遂教其服食之法。秋先稽首叩谢起来,便不见了仙子,抬头观看,却在狱墙之上,以手招道:“汝亦上来,随我出去!”秋先便向前攀援了一大回,还只到得半墙,甚觉吃力;渐渐至顶,忽听得下边一棒锣声,喊道:“妖人走了,快拿下!”秋公心下惊慌,手酥脚软,倒撞下来,撒然惊觉,原在囚床之上。想起梦中言语,历历分明,料必无事,心中稍宽。正是:</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">但存方寸无私曲,料得神明有主张。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><font face="times new roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">且说张委见大尹已认做妖人,不胜欢喜,乃道:“这丈儿许多清奇古怪,今夜且请在囚床上受用一夜,让这园儿与我们乐罢。”众人都道:“前日还是那老儿之物,未曾尽兴;今日是大爷的了,须要尽情欢赏。”张委道:“言之有理!”遂一齐出城,教家人整备酒肴,迳至秋公园上,开门进去。那邻里看见是张委,心下虽然不平,却又惧怕,谁敢多口。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">且说张委同众子弟走至草堂前,只见牡丹枝头一朵不存,原如前日打下时一般,纵棋满地,众人都称奇怪。张委道:“看起来,这老贼果系有妖法的,不然,如何半日上倏尔又变了?难道也是神仙打的?”有一个子弟道:“他晓得衙内要赏花,故意弄这法儿来吓我们。”张委道:“他便弄这法儿,我们就赏落花。”当下依原铺设毡条,席地而坐,放开怀抱恣饮,也把两瓶酒赏张霸到一边去吃。看看饮至月色挫西,俱有半酣之意,忽地起一阵大风。那风好利害!</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">善聚庭前草,能开水上萍。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">腥闻群虎啸,响合万松声。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">那阵风却把地下这花朵吹得都直竖起来,眨眼间俱变做一尺来长的女子。众人大惊,齐叫道:“怪哉!”言还未毕,那些女子迎风一幌,尽已长大,一个个姿容美丽,衣服华艳,团团立做一大堆。众人因见恁般标致,通看呆了。内中一个红衣女子却又说起话来,道:“吾姊妹居此数十余年,深蒙秋公珍重护惜。何意蓦遭狂奴,俗气熏炽,毒手摧残,复又诬陷秋公,谋吞此地。今仇在目前,吾姊妹曷不戮力击之!上报知己之恩,下雪摧残之耻,不亦可乎?”众女郎齐道:“阿妹之言有理!须速下手,毋使潜遁!”说罢,一齐举袖扑来。那袖似有数尺之长,如风翻乱飘,冷气入骨。众人齐叫有鬼,撇了家伙,望外乱跑,彼此各不相顾。也有被石块打脚的,也有被树枝抓面的,也有跌而复起,起而复跌的,乱了多时,方才收脚。点检人数都在,单不见了张委、张霸二人。此时风已定了,天色已昏,这班子弟各自回家,恰像检得性命一般,抱头鼠窜而去。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">家人喘息定了,方唤几个生力庄客,打起火把,复身去抓寻。直到园上,只听得大梅树下有呻今之声,举火看时,却是张霸被梅根绊倒,跌破了头,挣扎不起。庄客著两个先扶张霸归去。众人周围走了一遍,但见静悄悄的万籁无声。牡丹棚下,繁花如故,并无零落。草堂中杯盘狼籍,残羹淋漓。众人莫不吐舌称奇。一面收拾家伙,一面重复照看。这园子又不多大,三回五转,毫无踪影。难道是大风吹去了?女鬼吃去了?正不知躲在哪里。延捱了一会,无可奈何,只索回去过夜,再作计较。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">方欲出门,只见门外又有一夥人,提著行灯进来。不是别人,却是虞公、单老闻知众人见鬼之事,又闻说不见了张委,在园上抓寻,不知是真是假,合著三邻四舍,进园观看。问明了众庄客,方知此事果真。二老惊诧不已,教众庄客且莫回去,“老汉们同列还去抓寻一遍。”众人又细细照看了一下,正是兴尽而归,叹了口气,齐出园门。二老道:“列位今晚不来了么?老汉们告过,要把园门落锁,没人看守得,也是我们邻里的干系。”此时庄客们,蛇无头而不行,已不似先前声势了,答应道:“但凭,但凭。”</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">两边人犹未散,只见一个庄客在东边墙角下叫道:“大爷有了!”众人蜂拥而前。庄客指道:“那槐枝上挂的,不是大爷的软翅纱巾么?”众人道:“既有了巾儿,人也只在左近。”沿墙照去,不多几步,只叫得声:“苦也!”原来东角转弯处,有个粪窖,窖中一人,两脚朝天,不歪不斜,刚刚倒插在内。庄客认得鞋袜衣服,正是张委,顾不得臭秽,只得上前打捞起来。虞单二老暗暗念佛,和邻舍们自回。众庄客抬了张委,在湖边洗净。先有人报去庄上。合家大小,哭哭啼啼,置备棺衣入殓,不在话。其夜,张霸破头伤重,五更时亦死。此乃作恶的见报。正是:</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">两个凶人离世界,一双恶鬼赴阴司。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">次日,大尹病愈升堂,正欲吊审秋公之事,只见公差禀道:“原告张霸同家长张委,昨晚都死了。”如此如此,这般这般。大尹大惊,不信有此异事。臾间,又见里老乡民,共有百十人,连名具呈前事:诉说秋公平日惜花行善,并非妖人;张委设谋陷害,神道报应,前后事情,细细分剖。大尹因昨日头晖一事,亦疑其枉,到此心下豁然,还喜得不曾用刑。即于狱中吊出秋公,立时释放,又给印信告示,与他园门张挂,不许闲人损坏他花木。众人叩谢出府。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">秋公向邻里作谢,路同回。虞、单二老开了园门,同秋公进去。秋公见牡丹茂盛如初,伤感不已。众人治酒,与秋公压惊。秋公便同众人连吃了数日酒席。闲话休题。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">自此之后,秋公日饵百花,渐渐习惯,遂谢绝了烟火之物,所鬻果实之资,悉皆布施。不数年间,发白更黑,颜色转如童子。一日正值八月十五,丽日当天,万里无瑕。秋公正在房中趺坐,忽然祥风微拂,彩云如蒸,空中音乐嘹。异香扑鼻,青鸶白鹤,盘旋翔舞,渐至庭前。云中正立著司花女,两边幢幡宝盖,仙女数人,各奏乐器。秋公一见,扑翻身便拜。司花女道:“秋先,汝功行圆满,吾已申奏上帝,有旨封汝为护花使者,专管人间百花,令汝拔宅上升。但有爱花惜花的,加之以福;残花毁花的,降之以灾。”秋公向空叩首谢恩讫,随著众仙,登时带了花木,一齐冉冉升起,向南而去。虞公、单老和那邻里之人都看见的,一齐下拜。还见秋公在云端延头望着众人,良又方没。此地遂改名升仙里,又谓之惜花村。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">园公一片惜花心,道感仙姬下界临。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">草木同升随拔宅,淮南不用炼黄金。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span> </p>
><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">名花绰约东风里,占断韶华都在此。芳心一片可人怜,春色三分愁雨洗。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">玉人尽日恹恹地,猛被笙歌惊破睡。起临妆镜似娇羞,近日伤春输与你。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">那花正种在草堂对面,周围以湖石拦之,四边竖个木架子,上覆布幔,遮蔽日色。花本高有丈许,最低亦有六七尺,其花大如丹盘,五色灿烂,光华夺目。众人齐赞:“好花!”张委便踏上湖石去嗅那香气。秋先极怪的是这节,乃道:“衙内站远些看,莫要上去!”张委恼他不容进来,心下正要寻事,又听了这话,喝道:“你那老儿住在我庄边,难道不晓得张衙内名头么?有恁样好花,故意回说没有。不计较就勾了,还要多言,哪见得闻一闻就坏了花?你便这说,我偏要闻。”遂把花逐朵攀下来,一个鼻子凑在花上去嗅。那秋老在傍,气得敢怒而不敢言。也还道略看一回就去。谁知这厮故意卖弄道:“有恁样好花,如何空过?须把酒来赏玩。”吩咐家人快去取。秋公见要取酒来赏,更加烦恼,向前道:“所在蜗窄,没有坐处。衙内止看看花儿,酒还到贵庄上去吃。”张委指著地上道:“这地下尽好坐。”秋公道:“志上龌龊,衙内如何坐得?”张委道:“不打紧,少不得有毡条遮衬。”不一时,酒肴取到,铺下毡条,众人团团围坐,猜拳行令,大呼小叫,十分得意。只有秋公骨笃了嘴,坐在一边。那张委看见花木茂盛,就起个不良之念,思想要吞占他的,斜著醉眼,向秋公道:“看你这蠢丈儿不出,到会种花,却也可取,赏你一杯。”秋公哪里有好气答他,气忿忿的道:“老汉天性不会饮酒,不敢从命!”张委又道:“你这园可卖么?”秋公见口声来得不好,老大惊讶,答道:“这园是老汉的性命,如何舍得卖?”张委道:“甚么性命不性命!卖与我罢了。你若没去处,一发连身归在我家,又不要做别事,单单替我种些花木,可不好么?”众人齐道:“你这儿好造化,难得衙内恁般看顾,还不快些谢恩?”秋公看见逐步欺负上来,一发气得手足麻软,也不去睬他。张委道:“这老儿可恶!肯不肯,如何不答应我?”秋公道:“说过不卖了,怎的只管问?”张委道:“放屁!你若再说句不卖,就写帖儿,送到县里去。”秋公气不过,欲要抢白几句,又想一想,他是有势力的人,却又醉了。怎与他一般样见识?且哄了去再处,忍著气答道:“衙内总要买,必须从容一日,岂是一时急骤的事。”众人道:“这话也说得是。就在明罢。”此时都已烂醉,齐立起身,家人收拾家伙先去。秋公死怕折花,预先在花边防护。那张委真个走向前,便要踹上湖石去采。秋先扯住道:“衙内,这花虽是微物,但一年间不知废多少工夫,才开得这几朵。不争折损了,深为可惜。况折去不过二三日就谢了,何苦作这样罪过!”张委喝道:“胡说!有甚罪过?你明日卖了,便是我家之物,就都折尽,与你何干!”把手去推开。委公揪住死也不放,道:“衙内便杀了老汉,这花决不与你摘的。”众人道:“这丈其实可恶!衙内采朵花儿,值甚么大事,妆出许多模样!难道怕你就不摘了?”遂齐走上前乱摘。把那老儿急得叫屈连天,舍了张委,拼命去拦阻。扯了东边,顾不得西首,顷刻间摘下许多。秋老心疼肉痛,骂道:“你这班贼男女,无事登门,将我欺负,要这性命何用!”赶向张委身边,撞个满怀。去得势猛,张委又多了几杯酒,把脚不住,翻勇斗跌倒。众人都道:“不好了,衙内打坏也!”齐将花撇下,便赶过来,要打秋公。内中有一个老成的,见秋公年纪已老,恐打出事来,劝住众人,扶起张委。张委因跌了这交,心中转恼,赶上前打得个支蕊不留,撒作遍地,意尤未足,又向花中践踏一回。可惜好花,正是:</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">老拳毒手交加下,翠叶娇花一旦休。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">好似一番风雨恶,乱红零落没人收。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">当下只气得个秋公怆地呼天,满地乱滚。邻家听得秋公园中喧嚷,齐跑进来,看见花枝满地狼籍,众人正在行凶,邻里尽吃一惊,上前劝住。问知其故,内中到有两三个是张委的租户,齐替秋公陪个不是,虚心冷气,送出篱门。张委道:“你们对那老贼说,好好把园送我,便饶了他;若说半个不字,须教他仔细著。”恨恨而去。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">邻里们见张委醉了,只道酒话,不在心上,覆身转来,将秋公扶起,坐在阶沿上。那老儿放声号恸。众邻里劝慰了一番,作别出去,与他带上篱门,一路行走。内中也有怪秋公平日不容看花,便道:“这老官儿真个忒煞古怪,所以有这样事,也得他经一遭儿,警戒下次。”内中又有直道的道:“莫说这没天理的话!自古道:种花一年,看花十日。那看的但觉好看,赞声好花罢了,怎得知种花的烦难。只这几朵花,正不知费了许多辛苦,才培植得恁般茂盛,如何怪得他爱惜!”</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">不题众人,且说秋公不舍得这些残花,走向前将手去捡起来看,见践踏得凋残零落,尘垢沾污,心中凄惨,又哭道:“花啊!我一生爱护,从不曾损坏一瓣一叶,哪知今日遭此大难!”正哭之间,只听得背后有人叫道:“秋公为何恁般痛哭?”秋公回头看时,乃是一个女子,年约二八,姿容美丽,雅淡梳妆,却不认得是谁家之女,乃收泪问道:“小娘子是哪家?至此何干?”那女子道:“我家住在左近,因闻你园中牡丹花茂盛,特来游玩,不想都已谢了。”秋公题起牡丹二字,不觉又哭起来。女子道:“你且说有甚苦情如此啼哭?”秋公将张委打花之事说出。那女子笑道:“原来为此缘故。你可要这花原上枝头么?”秋公道:“小娘休得取笑!哪有落花返枝的理?”女子道:“我祖上传得个落花返枝的法术,屡试屡验。”秋公听说,化悲为喜道:“小娘真个有这术法么?”女子道:“怎的不真?”秋公倒身下拜道:“若得小娘子施此妙术,老汉无以为报,但每一种花开,便来相请赏玩。”女子道:“你且莫拜,去取一碗水来。”秋公慌忙跳起去取水,心下又转道:“如何有这漾妙法?莫不是见我哭泣,故意取笑?”又想道:“这小娘子从不相认,岂有耍我之理?还是真的。”急舀了碗清水出来,抬头不见了女子,只见那花都已在枝头,地下并无一瓣遗存。起初每本一色,如今却变做红中间紫,淡内添浓,一本五色俱全,比先更觉鲜妍。有诗为证:</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><font face="times new roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">曾闻湘子将花染,又见仙姬会返枝。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">信是至诚能动物,愚夫犹自笑花痴。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">当下秋公又惊又喜道:“不想这小娘子果然有此妙法!”只道还在花丛中,放下水,前来作谢。园中团团寻遍,并不见影,乃道:“这小娘如何就去了?”又想道:“必定还在门口,须上去求他,传了这个法儿。”一迳赶至门边,那门却又掩著。拽开看时,门首坐著两个老者,就是左右邻家,一个唤做虞公,一个叫做单老,在那里看渔人晒网。见秋公出来,齐立起身拱手道:“闻得张衙内在此无理,我们恰往田头,没有来问得。”秋公道:“不要说起,受了这班泼男女的殴气,亏著一位小娘子走来,用个妙法,救起许多花朵,不曾谢得他一声,迳出来了。二位可看见往哪一边去的?”二老闻言,惊讶道:“花坏了,有甚法儿救得?这女子去几时了?”秋公道:“刚方出来。”二老道:“我们坐在此好一回,并没个人走动,哪见甚么女子?”秋公听说,心下恍悟道:“恁般说,莫不这位小娘子是神仙下降?”二老问道:“你且说怎的救起花儿?”秋公将女子之事叙了一遍。二老道:“有如此奇事!待我们去看看。”</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">秋公将门拴上,一齐走至花下,看了连声称异道:“这定然是个神仙。凡人哪有此法力!”秋公即焚起一炉好香,对天叩谢。二老道:“这也是你平日爱花心诚,所以感动神仙下降。明日索性到教张衙内这几个泼男女看看,羞杀了他。”秋公道:“莫要,莫要!此等人即如恶犬,远远见了就该避之,岂可还引他来?”二老道:“这话也有理。”秋公此时非常欢喜,将先前那瓶酒热将起来,留二老在花下玩赏,至晚而别。二老回去,即传合村人都晓得,明日俱要来看,还恐秋公不许。谁知秋公原是有意思的人,因见神仙下降,遂有出世之念,一夜不寐,坐在花下存想;想至张委这事,忽地开悟道:“此皆是我平日心胸褊窄,故外侮得至。若神仙汪洋度量,无所不容,安得有此!”至次早,将园门大开,任人来看。先有几个进来打探,见秋公对花而坐,但吩咐道:“坐凭列位观看,切莫要采便了。”众人得了这话,互相传开。那村中男子妇女,无有不至。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">按下此处,且说张委至次早,对众人说:“昨日反被那老贼撞了一交,难道轻恕了不成?如今再去要花园;不肯时,多教些人从,将花木尽打个稀烂,方出这气。”众人道:“这园在衙内庄边,不怕他不肯。只是昨日不该把花都打坏,还留几朵,后日看看,便是。”张委道:“这也罢了,少不得来年又发。我们快去,莫要使他停留长智。”众人一齐起身,出得庄门,就有人说:“秋公园上神仙下降,落下的花,原都上了枝头,却又变做五色。”张委不信道:“这老贼有何好处,能感神仙下降?况且不前不后,刚刚我们打坏,神仙就来?难道这神仙是养家的不成?一定是怕我们又去,故此诌这话来央人传说,见得他有神仙护卫,使我们不摆布他。”众人道:“衙内之言极是。”</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">顷刻,到了园门口,见两扇门大开,往来男女络绎不绝,都是一般说话。众人道:“原来真有这等事!”张委道:“莫管他,就是神仙见坐著,这园少不得要的。”弯弯曲曲,转到草堂前,看时,果然话不虚传。这花却也奇怪,见人来看,姿态愈艳,光采倍生,如对人笑一般。张委心中虽十分惊讶,那吞占念头,全然不改,看了一回,忽地又起一个恶念,对众人道:“我们且去。”齐出了园门。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">众人问道:“衙内如何不与他要园?”张委道:“我想得个好策在此,不消与他说得,这园明日就归于我。”众人道:“衙内有何妙算?”张委道:“见今贝州王则谋反,专行妖术。枢密府行下文书来,天下军州严禁左道,捕缉妖人。本府见出三千贯赏钱,募人出首。我明日就将落花上枝为由,教张霸到府,首他以妖术惑人。这个老儿熬刑不过,自然招承下狱。这园必定官卖。那时谁个敢买他的?少不得让与我。还有三千贯赏钱哩。”众人道:“衙内好计!事不宜迟,就去打点起来。”当时即进城,写下首状。次早,教张霸到平江府出首。这张霸是张委手下第一出尖的人,衙门情熟,故此用他。大尹正在缉访妖人,听说此事,合村男女都见的,不由不信,即差缉捕使臣带领做公的,押张霸作眼,前去捕获。张委将银布置停当,让张霸与缉捕使臣先行,自己与众子弟随后也来。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">缉捕使臣一迳到秋公园上,那老儿还道是看花的,不以为意。众人发一声喊,赶上前一索捆翻。秋公吃这一吓不小,问道:“老汉有何罪犯?望列位说个明白。”众人口口声声,骂做妖人反贼,不由分诉,拥出门来。邻里看见,无不失惊,齐上前询问。缉捕使臣道:“你们还要问么?他所犯的事也不小,只怕连村上人都有分哩。”那些愚民,被这大话一寒。心中害怕,尽皆洋洋走开,惟恐累及。只有虞公、单老,同几个平日与秋公相厚的,远远跟来观看。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">且说张委俟秋公去后,便与众子弟来锁园门,恐还有人在内,又检点一过,将门锁上,随后赶上府前。缉捕使臣已将秋公解进,跪在月台上,见傍边又跪著一人,却不认得是谁。那些狱卒都得了张委银子,已备下诸般刑具伺候。大尹喝道:“你是何处妖人,敢在此地方上将妖术煽惑百姓?有几多党羽?从实招来!”秋闻言,恰如黑暗中闻个火炮,正不知从何处起的,禀道:“小人家世住于长乐村中,并非别处妖人,也不晓得甚么妖术。”大尹道:“前日你用妖术使落花上枝,还敢抵赖!”秋公见说到花上,情知是张委的缘故,即将张委要占园打花,并仙女下降之事,细诉一遍。不想那大尹性是偏执的,哪里肯信,乃笑道;“少少慕仙的,修行至老,尚不能得遇神仙;岂有因你哭,花仙就肯来?既来了,必定也留个名儿,使人晓得,如何又不别而去?这样话哄哪个!不消说得,定然是个妖人。快夹起来!”</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">狱卒们齐声答应,如狼虎一般,蜂拥上来,揪翻秋公,扯腿拽脚。刚要上刑,不想大尹忽然一估头晕,险些儿跌下公座,自觉头目森森,坐身不住。吩咐上了枷扭,发下狱中监禁,明日再审。狱卒押著,秋公一路哭泣出来,看见张委,道:“张衙内,我与你前日无怨,往日无仇,如何下此毒手,害我性命!”张委也不答应,同了张霸和那一班恶少,转身就走。虞公、单老接著秋公,问知其细,乃道:“有这等冤枉的事!不打紧,明日同合村人,具张连名保结,管你无事。”秋公哭道:“但愿得如此便好。”狱卒喝道:“这死囚还不走!只管哭甚么!”秋公含著眼泪进狱。邻里又寻些酒食,送至门上。那狱卒谁个拿与他吃,竟接来自去受用。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">到夜间,将他上了因床,就如活死人一般,手足不能少展。心中苦楚,想道:“不知哪位神位神仙救了这花,却又被那厮借此陷害。神仙呵!你若怜我秋先,亦来救拔性命,情愿弃家入道。”一头正想,只见前日那仙女,冉冉而至。秋公急叫道:“大仙救拔弟子秋先则个!”仙女笑道:“汝欲贶离苦厄么?”上前把手一指,那枷扭纷纷自落。秋先爬起来,向前叩头道:“请问大仙姓氏。”仙女道:“吾乃瑶王母座下司花女,怜汝惜花志诚,故令诸花返本,不意反资奸人谗口。然亦汝命中合有此灾,明日当脱。张委损花害人,花神奏闻上帝,已夺其算;助恶党羽,俱降大灾。汝宜笃志修行,数年之后,吾当度汝。”秋先又叩首道:“请问上仙修行之道。”仙女道:“修仙径路甚多,须认本源。汝原以惜花有功,今亦当以花成道。汝但饵百花,自能身轻飞举。”遂教其服食之法。秋先稽首叩谢起来,便不见了仙子,抬头观看,却在狱墙之上,以手招道:“汝亦上来,随我出去!”秋先便向前攀援了一大回,还只到得半墙,甚觉吃力;渐渐至顶,忽听得下边一棒锣声,喊道:“妖人走了,快拿下!”秋公心下惊慌,手酥脚软,倒撞下来,撒然惊觉,原在囚床之上。想起梦中言语,历历分明,料必无事,心中稍宽。正是:</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">但存方寸无私曲,料得神明有主张。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><font face="times new roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">且说张委见大尹已认做妖人,不胜欢喜,乃道:“这丈儿许多清奇古怪,今夜且请在囚床上受用一夜,让这园儿与我们乐罢。”众人都道:“前日还是那老儿之物,未曾尽兴;今日是大爷的了,须要尽情欢赏。”张委道:“言之有理!”遂一齐出城,教家人整备酒肴,迳至秋公园上,开门进去。那邻里看见是张委,心下虽然不平,却又惧怕,谁敢多口。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">且说张委同众子弟走至草堂前,只见牡丹枝头一朵不存,原如前日打下时一般,纵棋满地,众人都称奇怪。张委道:“看起来,这老贼果系有妖法的,不然,如何半日上倏尔又变了?难道也是神仙打的?”有一个子弟道:“他晓得衙内要赏花,故意弄这法儿来吓我们。”张委道:“他便弄这法儿,我们就赏落花。”当下依原铺设毡条,席地而坐,放开怀抱恣饮,也把两瓶酒赏张霸到一边去吃。看看饮至月色挫西,俱有半酣之意,忽地起一阵大风。那风好利害!</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">善聚庭前草,能开水上萍。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">腥闻群虎啸,响合万松声。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">那阵风却把地下这花朵吹得都直竖起来,眨眼间俱变做一尺来长的女子。众人大惊,齐叫道:“怪哉!”言还未毕,那些女子迎风一幌,尽已长大,一个个姿容美丽,衣服华艳,团团立做一大堆。众人因见恁般标致,通看呆了。内中一个红衣女子却又说起话来,道:“吾姊妹居此数十余年,深蒙秋公珍重护惜。何意蓦遭狂奴,俗气熏炽,毒手摧残,复又诬陷秋公,谋吞此地。今仇在目前,吾姊妹曷不戮力击之!上报知己之恩,下雪摧残之耻,不亦可乎?”众女郎齐道:“阿妹之言有理!须速下手,毋使潜遁!”说罢,一齐举袖扑来。那袖似有数尺之长,如风翻乱飘,冷气入骨。众人齐叫有鬼,撇了家伙,望外乱跑,彼此各不相顾。也有被石块打脚的,也有被树枝抓面的,也有跌而复起,起而复跌的,乱了多时,方才收脚。点检人数都在,单不见了张委、张霸二人。此时风已定了,天色已昏,这班子弟各自回家,恰像检得性命一般,抱头鼠窜而去。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">家人喘息定了,方唤几个生力庄客,打起火把,复身去抓寻。直到园上,只听得大梅树下有呻今之声,举火看时,却是张霸被梅根绊倒,跌破了头,挣扎不起。庄客著两个先扶张霸归去。众人周围走了一遍,但见静悄悄的万籁无声。牡丹棚下,繁花如故,并无零落。草堂中杯盘狼籍,残羹淋漓。众人莫不吐舌称奇。一面收拾家伙,一面重复照看。这园子又不多大,三回五转,毫无踪影。难道是大风吹去了?女鬼吃去了?正不知躲在哪里。延捱了一会,无可奈何,只索回去过夜,再作计较。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">方欲出门,只见门外又有一夥人,提著行灯进来。不是别人,却是虞公、单老闻知众人见鬼之事,又闻说不见了张委,在园上抓寻,不知是真是假,合著三邻四舍,进园观看。问明了众庄客,方知此事果真。二老惊诧不已,教众庄客且莫回去,“老汉们同列还去抓寻一遍。”众人又细细照看了一下,正是兴尽而归,叹了口气,齐出园门。二老道:“列位今晚不来了么?老汉们告过,要把园门落锁,没人看守得,也是我们邻里的干系。”此时庄客们,蛇无头而不行,已不似先前声势了,答应道:“但凭,但凭。”</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">两边人犹未散,只见一个庄客在东边墙角下叫道:“大爷有了!”众人蜂拥而前。庄客指道:“那槐枝上挂的,不是大爷的软翅纱巾么?”众人道:“既有了巾儿,人也只在左近。”沿墙照去,不多几步,只叫得声:“苦也!”原来东角转弯处,有个粪窖,窖中一人,两脚朝天,不歪不斜,刚刚倒插在内。庄客认得鞋袜衣服,正是张委,顾不得臭秽,只得上前打捞起来。虞单二老暗暗念佛,和邻舍们自回。众庄客抬了张委,在湖边洗净。先有人报去庄上。合家大小,哭哭啼啼,置备棺衣入殓,不在话。其夜,张霸破头伤重,五更时亦死。此乃作恶的见报。正是:</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">两个凶人离世界,一双恶鬼赴阴司。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">次日,大尹病愈升堂,正欲吊审秋公之事,只见公差禀道:“原告张霸同家长张委,昨晚都死了。”如此如此,这般这般。大尹大惊,不信有此异事。臾间,又见里老乡民,共有百十人,连名具呈前事:诉说秋公平日惜花行善,并非妖人;张委设谋陷害,神道报应,前后事情,细细分剖。大尹因昨日头晖一事,亦疑其枉,到此心下豁然,还喜得不曾用刑。即于狱中吊出秋公,立时释放,又给印信告示,与他园门张挂,不许闲人损坏他花木。众人叩谢出府。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">秋公向邻里作谢,路同回。虞、单二老开了园门,同秋公进去。秋公见牡丹茂盛如初,伤感不已。众人治酒,与秋公压惊。秋公便同众人连吃了数日酒席。闲话休题。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">自此之后,秋公日饵百花,渐渐习惯,遂谢绝了烟火之物,所鬻果实之资,悉皆布施。不数年间,发白更黑,颜色转如童子。一日正值八月十五,丽日当天,万里无瑕。秋公正在房中趺坐,忽然祥风微拂,彩云如蒸,空中音乐嘹。异香扑鼻,青鸶白鹤,盘旋翔舞,渐至庭前。云中正立著司花女,两边幢幡宝盖,仙女数人,各奏乐器。秋公一见,扑翻身便拜。司花女道:“秋先,汝功行圆满,吾已申奏上帝,有旨封汝为护花使者,专管人间百花,令汝拔宅上升。但有爱花惜花的,加之以福;残花毁花的,降之以灾。”秋公向空叩首谢恩讫,随著众仙,登时带了花木,一齐冉冉升起,向南而去。虞公、单老和那邻里之人都看见的,一齐下拜。还见秋公在云端延头望着众人,良又方没。此地遂改名升仙里,又谓之惜花村。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">园公一片惜花心,道感仙姬下界临。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">草木同升随拔宅,淮南不用炼黄金。</span>
</p>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span> </p>