Explore the enduring tale of Gongsun Jiuniang and Laiyang Sheng, where loyalty and resentment transcend the boundaries of life and death.
In the July 1st Incident, those implicated and killed were mainly from Qixia and Laiyang counties. One day, hundreds of people were captured and all of them were killed in the Yandu field. The ground was covered in blood, and the corpses piled up like mountains. Compassionate officials above donated coffins, to the point that all the coffins in the coffin shops in Jinan city were used up. Therefore, most of the unjustly executed victims from Shandong were buried in the southern outskirts of Jinan.
In the 13th year of the Kangxi reign, a man from Laiyang came to Jinan. Because he had two or three relatives who were among the executed, he bought some paper money and performed a ritual in the wilderness to pay his respects. Afterwards, he rented a room near a temple in the lower courtyard. The next day, he went into the city for some business and hadn’t returned by nightfall. Suddenly, a young man came to his room for a visit. Seeing that the man from Laiyang was not there, he took off his hat, got on the bed, and lay down with his shoes on. The servant asked him who he was, but he closed his eyes and didn’t answer. Soon, the man from Laiyang returned, and in the dim twilight, it was hard to recognize who he was. He walked up to the bed and asked the visitor who he was. The visitor stared and said, “I’m waiting for your master.” Anxiously, he kept questioning, “Am I a robber?” The man from Laiyang smiled and said, “Your master is right here.” The young man hastily got up, put on his hat, bowed, and sat down, engaging in friendly conversation. The man from Laiyang heard the visitor’s voice and felt that he had heard it before. He called for a servant to bring a lamp, and then he recognized the visitor as Zhu Sheng, a fellow townsman who had also died in the July 7th incident. The man from Laiyang was greatly shocked and turned to run away. Zhu Sheng grabbed him and said, “We had a relationship through our writings, why don’t you show some compassion? Although I am a ghost, the memories of my friends still linger in my heart, and I cannot forget them. Today, I have come to disturb you, but I hope you won’t despise me just because I am a ghost.” The man from Laiyang sat back down and asked him why he had come. Zhu Sheng said, “Your niece lives alone without a spouse. I want to marry her. I have tried to arrange a marriage through intermediaries several times, but she always refuses, citing the lack of an elder to make the decision. So, I hope you can speak on my behalf.” Earlier, the man from Laiyang had a niece who had lost her mother at a young age and was entrusted to his care. She had returned to her own family at the age of fifteen. She was captured in Jinan, heard that her father had been killed, and was filled with fear and sorrow, ultimately passing away. The man from Laiyang said, “She has her father to decide for her. Why do you request my help?” Zhu Sheng said, “Her father’s coffin has been moved away by his nephew and is not here anymore.” The man from Laiyang asked, “Who has been taking care of my niece?” Zhu Sheng replied, “She has been living with an elderly neighbor lady.” The man from Laiyang was concerned that the living cannot act as a matchmaker for the dead. Zhu Sheng said, “If you agree, you will have to make a visit.” He got up and held the man from Laiyang’s hand. The man from Laiyang repeatedly declined and asked, “Where are we going?” Zhu Sheng said, “Just follow me.” The man from Laiyang reluctantly went along with him.
After walking about a mile to the north, there was a very large village with about a hundred or so households. When they arrived at a mansion, Zhu Sheng knocked on the door, and an elderly lady came out, opening the double doors, and asked Zhu Sheng what he wanted. Zhu Sheng said, “Please tell Miss that her uncle has come.” The old lady turned and went back inside, and after a while, she came out again to invite Laiyang Sheng into the house. She looked at Zhu Sheng and said, “The two thatched huts are too narrow. I would like to ask the gentleman to wait outside for a while.” Laiyang Sheng followed the old lady into the house, and in the half-acre overgrown courtyard, there were two small houses. His niece greeted him with tears in her eyes at the door, and Laiyang Sheng also shed tears. Inside the house, the dimly lit room, his niece, with her beautiful and graceful appearance, looked just like she did when she was alive. She gazed at Laiyang Sheng with tears in her eyes and inquired about the well-being of her aunts and uncles one by one. Laiyang Sheng said, “They are all safe and sound, but my wife has passed away.” His niece sobbed and said, “When I was a child, I was cared for by my uncle and aunt. I haven’t had a chance to repay them even a bit, but unexpectedly, I ended up buried in a ditch, which is truly regrettable. Last year, my uncle from my father’s side moved my father away and left me behind, showing no concern at all. I was left hundreds of miles away, just like a lonely swallow. Now, my uncle is not abandoning me just because I am a lost soul, and he has graciously sent money and goods to me, which I have received.” So, Laiyang Sheng conveyed Zhu Sheng’s words to his niece, who lowered her head and remained silent. The old lady said, “Before, Mr. Zhu sent Yang Granny to visit three times, and I thought this matter was promising. However, Miss was unwilling to act hastily on her own. Now, with her uncle taking charge, she can finally be satisfied.”
While they were talking, a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, followed by a maidservant, suddenly pushed the door open and caught sight of Laiyang Sheng. She turned to leave. His niece grabbed her clothes and said, “No need for that! This is my uncle, not a stranger.” Laiyang Sheng bowed and saluted the girl, who also showed respect in return. His niece said, “This is Jiuniang, from the Gongsun family in Qixia County. Her father was originally from a wealthy family, but now they have fallen on hard times and are not well-off. However, we have been in contact with each other morning and night.” Laiyang Sheng took a discreet glance and saw that the girl had crescent-shaped eyebrows when she smiled and blushed with a rosy hue when she was shy, truly resembling a celestial being. He remarked, “At a glance, she is a young lady from an esteemed family. How can a girl from a modest background be so elegant and beautiful?” His niece laughed and said, “She is also a scholar of poetry, and her verses are exceptionally good. I have received some of her guidance in the past.” Gongsun Jiuniang smiled slightly and said, “This little girl is speaking ill of others for no reason, making your uncle laugh.” His niece laughed again and said, “Uncle, after losing your wife, haven’t you taken a new wife yet? Would you be satisfied with such a young lady?” Gongsun Jiuniang laughed and ran out of the door, saying, “The little girl must be going crazy.” And she walked away. Although it sounded like a joke, Laiyang Sheng was indeed very fond of Gongsun Jiuniang. His niece seemed to sense something and said, “Jiuniang is unparalleled in beauty and talent. If uncle doesn’t mind that she’s a departed soul and has doubts, I will ask for her hand in marriage with her mother’s consent.” Laiyang Sheng was very happy but also worried that a living person and a ghost could not marry. His niece said, “It’s okay, she and uncle have a predestined connection from a past life.” So, Laiyang Sheng walked out of the house. His niece followed and said, “Five days from now, when the moon is bright and everything is quiet, I will send someone to fetch you.”
Laiyang Sheng walked outside and didn’t see Zhu Sheng. He looked up to the west, where a half-moon hung in the sky. In the dim moonlight, he could still recognize the old path he had walked on. There was a mansion to the south, and Zhu Sheng was sitting on the stone foundation in front of the gate. He stood up to greet Laiyang Sheng, saying, “I’ve been waiting for you for a while. Please come into my humble abode.” He then took Laiyang Sheng’s hand and led him into the mansion, expressing his sincere gratitude. He presented a golden wine cup and a hundred pieces of Jin pearls, saying, “I don’t have any other valuable items, so please accept these as an engagement gift.” After a while, he added, “We do have some local wine at home, but as it’s from the underworld, I cannot offer it to an honored guest, so there’s nothing I can do about it.” Laiyang Sheng politely declined the offer to drink and took his leave. Zhu Sheng accompanied him partway, and they bid farewell. Laiyang Sheng returned to the temple, where the monks and servants gathered around, asking many questions. Laiyang Sheng concealed the truth and said, “The talk about seeing ghosts is nonsense. I just went to a friend’s place for a drink.”“`
Five days later, Zhu Sheng indeed arrived, dressed in new shoes and waving a fan, looking very happy and cheerful. As he entered the courtyard, he bowed and paid his respects to Laiyang Sheng from a distance. After a brief pause, he smiled and said, “Your wedding has been prepared, and the joyous occasion is tonight. Now, I must trouble you to set off.” Laiyang Sheng replied, “I haven’t sent the betrothal gifts yet due to the lack of a response. How can we rush into the wedding?” Zhu Sheng said, “I’ve already sent the betrothal gifts on your behalf.” Laiyang Sheng expressed deep gratitude and went along with him. They went to Zhu Sheng’s residence, where his niece was beautifully dressed and greeted them with a smile. Laiyang Sheng asked, “When did you become a part of this family?” Zhu Sheng replied, “It’s been three days since I became a part of this family.” Laiyang Sheng then took out the Jin pearls given by Zhu Sheng, allowing his niece to buy new clothes. She hesitated several times but eventually accepted them. She informed Laiyang Sheng, “I conveyed my uncle’s intentions to Mrs. Gongsun, who is very pleased. However, she mentioned that she is in her seventies and eighties, with no other close relatives left, and she doesn’t want Jiuniang to marry far away. She hopes that you, as Jiuniang’s uncle, can come to her house as a son-in-law tonight. There are no men in her family, so you can accompany Zhu Lang (Zhu Sheng) there.” Zhu Sheng then guided Laiyang Sheng on the way.“`
As they reached the end of the village, they saw a mansion with wide-open gates and went straight into the hall. After a while, someone reported, “Madam is here.” Two maids assisted an elderly lady up the steps. Laiyang Sheng prepared to bow, but the lady said, “I am of old age and have difficulty moving; there is no need for formalities.” She instructed the maids to set up a feast and held a grand wedding banquet. Zhu Sheng called for servants and brought out dishes, placing them in front of Laiyang Sheng. He also brought out a wine pot for pouring drinks for the guest. The dishes at the banquet were no different from those on earth, but the host poured and drank his wine without urging others to drink. Shortly after, the banquet concluded, and Zhu Sheng returned home. The maids guided Laiyang Sheng into the bridal chamber, where Gongsun Jiuniang had been waiting attentively in front of the splendid candles. The two of them expressed their affection for each other, exchanged tender glances, and enjoyed intimate moments of joy and closeness.
Originally, Gongsun Jiuniang and her mother were supposed to be escorted to the capital city. However, upon reaching Jinan Prefecture, her mother died due to suffering, and Gongsun Jiuniang took her own life. Gongsun Jiuniang lay on the bed, reminiscing about the past, choked with tears and unable to sleep. She casually composed two seven-character quatrains. One of them goes like this:
In the past, the robe and skirt turned into dust,
In vain, I regret the karma of my previous life.
Ten years, the moon in the cold maple forest,
Tonight, I first encounter spring in the painted pavilion.
Another poem is:
The white poplar sways in wind and rain around the solitary grave,
Who would have thought the Yangtai would become clouds once again?
Suddenly opening the golden box to look inside,
Bloodstains still taint the old silk skirt.
As dawn approached, Gongsun Jiuniang urged Laiyang Sheng, saying, “You should leave now, so as not to disturb the servants.” From that night onwards, Laiyang Sheng would visit during the night and return in the daytime, showing deep affection and infatuation for Gongsun Jiuniang.
One evening, Laiyang Sheng asked Gongsun Jiuniang, “What is the name of this village?” Gongsun Jiuniang replied, “It’s called Laixia Village. Most of the residents here are new ghosts from Laiyang and Qixia counties, which is why it’s named like this.” Laiyang Sheng sighed repeatedly upon hearing this. Gongsun Jiuniang also spoke with sadness, “As a wandering spirit a thousand miles away from home, with no place to call our own, my son and I lead a lonely and miserable life. It’s a heartbreaking situation. I hope you can remember the bonds of marriage and help me tidy up our remains, bury them next to our ancestral grave, and provide me with a resting place for eternity. This kindness I will never forget.” Laiyang Sheng agreed to her request.
Gongsun Jiuniang added, “Living in different worlds, humans and ghosts, you shouldn’t stay here for long.” She then gave Laiyang Sheng a pair of silk socks, tears in her eyes, urging him to leave quickly. Laiyang Sheng left with a heavy heart, filled with sorrow and grief. He felt reluctant to return immediately and went to knock on Zhu Sheng’s door again. Zhu Sheng came out barefoot to greet him, and his niece woke up as well, her disheveled hair looking surprised as she came to greet him. After much contemplation, Laiyang Sheng repeated Gongsun Jiuniang’s words. His niece said, “Even if Aunt didn’t mention it, I’ve been thinking about this day and night. This place is not suitable for long-term residence, indeed not like the mortal world.” Thus, they all wept together, tears streaming down their faces. Laiyang Sheng bid farewell with tears in his eyes.
He knocked on the temple gate and returned to his room, but he couldn’t sleep and tossed and turned until morning. He wanted to find Gongsun Jiuniang’s grave but had forgotten to inquire about the tombstone or grave marker. When he tried searching again at night, he saw countless graves piled on top of each other, and he couldn’t find the path back to the village. He could only sigh deeply and return in frustration.
He opened the silk socks to take a look, but as soon as the wind blew, the socks shattered into pieces, instantly turning into ashes. So he packed his belongings and returned to Donglu.
Half a year later, Laiyang Sheng still couldn’t forget Gongsun Jiuniang. He returned to Jinan in the hope of encountering her again. When he reached the southern outskirts, it was already late in the day. He tied his horse to a tree in the courtyard and hurried towards the chaotic cemetery. There, he saw countless graves one after another, overgrown with tangled weeds. Ghostly lights flickered, and the eerie sound of foxes crying sent shivers down his spine. Laiyang Sheng, filled with fear and sorrow, quickly returned to his lodgings.
Disappointed, he wandered aimlessly before finally turning his horse’s head and heading back to Donglu. After traveling about a mile, Laiyang Sheng spotted a young woman in the distance, walking alone among the graves. Her demeanor resembled Gongsun Jiuniang. He urged his horse forward, and upon getting closer, he indeed recognized her as Gongsun Jiuniang. He dismounted and was about to speak when Gongsun Jiuniang suddenly ran away, as if they were complete strangers.
He approached Gongsun Jiuniang again, but she appeared angry and covered her face with her sleeve. He stomped his foot and called out, “Jiuniang!” However, Gongsun Jiuniang disappeared as if she had never been there.
Yi Shi Shi said: Qu Yuan, who likened himself to fragrant herbs, sank into the Miluo River, with his fervent spirit still raging within his chest. Crown Prince Shen Sheng, who sought revenge on the Dongshan Gaoluo clan, wore a golden pendant, and his tears soaked the mud and sand. Throughout history, there have been examples of loyal ministers and filial sons who were not forgiven by their rulers or fathers even in death. Could it be that Gongsun Jiuniang believed Laiyang Sheng had betrayed the solemn duty of relocating the remains, and her resentment remained unquenchable? The heart within one’s chest cannot be extracted and shown to others; Laiyang Sheng was truly wronged!
《公孙九娘》
于七一案，连坐被诛者，栖霞、莱阳两县最多。一日俘数百人，尽戮于演武场中。碧血满地，白骨撑天。上官慈悲，捐给棺木，济城工肆，材木一空。以故伏刑东鬼，多葬南郊。
甲寅间，有莱阳生至稷下，有亲友二三人，亦在诛数，因市楮帛，酹奠榛墟。就税舍于下院之僧。明日，入城营干，日暮未归。忽一少年，造室来访。见生不在，脱帽登床，着履仰卧。仆人问其谁何，合眸不对。既而生归，则暮色蒙眬，不甚可辨，自诣床下问之。瞠目曰：“我候汝主人。絮絮逼问，我岂暴客耶？”生笑曰：“主人在此。”少年急起着冠，揖而坐，极道寒暄。听其音，似曾相识，急呼灯至，则同邑朱生，亦死于于七之难者。大骇却走。朱曳之云：“仆与君文字交，何寡于情？我虽鬼，故人之念，耿耿不去心。今有所渎，愿无以异物遂猜薄之。”生乃坐，请所命。曰：“令女甥寡居无耦，仆欲得主中馈。屡通媒妁，辄以无尊长之命为辞。幸无惜齿牙馀惠。”先是，生有甥女，早失恃，遗生鞠养，十五始归其家。俘至济南，闻父被刑，惊恸而绝。生曰：“渠自有父，何我之求？”朱曰：“其父为犹子启榇去，今不在此。”问：“女甥向依阿谁？”曰：“与邻媪同居。”生虑生人不能作鬼媒，朱曰：“如蒙金诺，还屈玉趾。”遂起握生手。生固辞，问：“何之？”曰：“第行。”勉从与去。
北行里许，有大村落，约数十百家。至一第宅，朱叩扉，即有媪出，豁开二扉，问朱何为。曰：“烦达娘子：阿舅至。”媪旋反，须臾复出，邀生入。顾朱曰：“两椽茅舍子大隘，劳公子门外少坐候。”生从之入，见半亩荒庭，列小室二。甥女迎门啜泣，生亦泣。室中灯火荧然。女貌秀洁如生时，凝眸含涕，遍问妗姑。生曰：“具各无恙，但荆人物故矣。”女又呜咽曰：“儿少受舅妗抚育，尚无寸报，不图先葬沟渎，殊为恨恨。旧年伯伯家大哥迁父去，置儿不一念，数百里外，伶仃如秋燕。舅不以沉魂可弃，又蒙赐金帛，儿已得之矣。”生乃以朱言告，女俯首无语。媪曰：“公子曩托杨姥三五返。老身谓是大好，小娘子不肯自草草，得舅为政，方此意慊得。”
言次，一十七八女郎，从一青衣，遽掩入，瞥见生，转身欲遁。女牵其裾曰：“勿须尔！是阿舅，非他人。”生揖之，女郎亦敛衽。甥曰：“九娘，栖霞公孙氏。阿爹故家子，今亦‘穷波斯’，落落不称意。旦晚与儿还往。”生睨之，笑弯秋月，羞晕朝霞，实天人也。曰：“可知是大家，蜗庐人那如此娟好。”甥笑曰：“且是女学士，诗词俱大高。昨儿稍得指教。”九娘微哂曰：“小婢无端败坏人，教阿舅齿冷也。”甥又笑曰：“舅断弦未续，若个小娘子，颇能快意否？”九娘笑奔出，曰：“婢子颠疯作也！”遂去。言虽近戏，而生殊爱好之。甥似微察，乃曰：“九娘才貌无双，舅倘不以粪壤致猜，儿当请诸其母。”生大悦，然虑人鬼难匹。女曰：“无伤，彼与舅有夙分。”生乃出。女送之，曰：“五日后，月明人静，当遣人往相迓。”
生至户外，不见朱。翘首西望，月衔半规，昏黄中犹认旧径。见南向一第，朱坐门石上，起逆曰：“相待已久。寒舍即劳垂顾。”遂携手入，殷殷展谢。出金爵一、晋珠百枚，曰：“他无长物，聊代禽仪。”既而曰：“家有浊醪，但幽室之物，不足款嘉宾，奈何！”生谢而退。朱送至中途，始别。生归，僧仆集问。生隐之曰：“言鬼者妄也，适赴友人饮耳。”
后五日，果见朱来，整履摇箑，意甚忻适，才至户庭，望尘即拜。少间，笑曰：“君嘉礼既成，庆在今夕，便烦枉步。”生曰：“以无回音，尚未致聘，何遽成礼？”朱曰：“仆已代致之矣。”生深感荷，从与俱去。直达卧所，则甥女华妆迎笑。生问：“何时于归？”朱云：“三日矣。”生乃出所赠珠，为甥助妆，女三辞乃受。谓生曰：“儿以舅意白公孙老夫人，夫人作大欢喜。但言：老耄无他骨肉，不欲九娘远嫁，期今夜舅往赘诸其家。伊家无男子，便可同郎往也。”朱乃导去。
村将尽，一第门开，二人登其堂。俄白：“老夫人至。”有二青衣扶妪升阶。生欲展拜，夫人云：“老朽龙钟，不能为礼，当即脱边幅。”乃指画青衣，置酒高会。朱乃唤家人，另出肴俎，列置生前，亦别设一壶，为客行觞。筵中进馔，无异人世，然主人自举，殊不劝进。既而席罢，朱归。青衣导生去，入室，则九娘华烛凝待。邂逅含情，极尽欢昵。初，九娘母子，原解赴都。至郡，母不堪困苦死，九娘亦自刭。枕上追述往事，哽咽不成眠。乃口占两绝云：
昔日罗裳化作尘，空将业果恨前身。
十年露冷枫林月，此夜初逢画阁春。
白杨风雨绕孤坟，谁想阳台更作云？
忽启缕金箱里看，血腥犹染旧罗裙。
天将明，即促曰：“君宜且去，勿惊厮仆。”自此昼来宵往，嬖惑殊甚。
一夕，问九娘：“此村何名？”曰：“莱霞里。里中多两处新鬼，因以为名。”生闻之欷歔。女悲曰：“千里柔魂，蓬游无底，母子零孤，言之怆恻。幸念一夕恩义，收儿骨归葬墓侧，使百世得所依栖，死且不朽。”生诺之。女曰：“人鬼路殊，君亦不宜久滞。”乃以罗袜赠生，挥泪促别。生凄然而出，忉怛若丧，心怅怅不忍归，因过叩朱氏之门。朱白足出逆，甥亦起，云鬓鬅松，惊来省问。生怊怅移时，始述九娘语。女曰：“妗氏不言，儿亦夙夜图之。此非人世，久居诚非所宜。”于是相对汍澜。生亦含涕而别。叩寓归寝，展转申旦。欲觅九娘之墓，则忘问志表。及夜复往，则千坟累累，竟迷村路，叹恨而返。展视罗袜，着风寸断，腐如灰烬，遂治装东旋。
半载不能自释，复如稷门，冀有所遇。及抵南郊，日势已晚，息驾庭树，趋诣丛葬所。但见坟兆万接，迷目榛荒，鬼火狐鸣，骇人心目。惊悼归舍。失意遨游，返辔遂东。行里许，遥见女郎，独行丘墓间，神情意致，怪似九娘。挥鞭就视，果九娘。下骑欲语，女竟走，若不相识。再逼近之，色作怒，举袖自障。顿呼九娘，则湮然灭矣。
异史氏曰：香草沉罗，血满胸臆；东山佩玦，泪渍泥沙。古有孝子忠臣，至死不谅于君父者。公孙九娘岂以负骸骨之托，而怨怼不释于中耶？脾鬲间物，不能掬以相示，冤乎哉！