The Carnal Prayer Mat (肉蒲团) - by Li Yu (清) [unfinished] [Full text]

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

The first chapter, titled "Man Ting Fang," uses lewd matters to illustrate the point, discussing lust and beginning

with the poem: "Black hair is hard to keep, rosy cheeks fade easily; life is not like a pine tree in its prime. Fame and fortune vanish like fallen petals in the wind. Regret kills the unhappiness of youth, banishing the old man to the pleasure quarters. Princes and nobles, listening to songs of gold thread, have long been tempted by fragrant herbs. The true pleasure in the world, after all, is found in the bedroom. It's not like the realm of glory, where joy begins

and sorrow ends. Enjoyment every morning, where swallows sleep soundly, fearing the morning bell. Open your eyes and see the universe, a vast palace of spring." This poem speaks of the daily toil and worries of life, devoid of any enjoyment. It is thanks to the ancient sages who created the union of men and women that people could find respite from their toil and worries, preventing them from becoming utterly worn out. According to Confucianism, a woman's lower body is the gate of life and the door of death. According to the wise, without this thing, one's hair would turn white a few years earlier and one's lifespan would be shorter. Just look at the monks of the world; how many of them don't have white hair in their forties or fifties? How many are still healthy in their seventies or eighties? Or perhaps monks, though ordained, still have ways of life, such as having affairs with women or illicit relationships, just like laypeople, unable to preserve their health and longevity. Look at the eunuchs in the capital; they not only don't have affairs with women or illicit relationships, they don't even have the means to do so. Logically, they should live a shorter life, several hundred years, yet why do they have more wrinkles and white hair than others? Why do they look like old women in name only? In the capital, there are only ordinary people with longevity plaques, not eunuchs with hundred-year-old arches.

The words "female beauty" are harmless in themselves, but because this ingredient is not recorded in the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, there is no definitive explanation. Some say it nourishes, others say it harms. If we examine it by these comparisons, it is not only nourishing, but its medicinal properties are similar to ginseng and aconite, and they can be used interchangeably. However, while ginseng and aconite are highly nourishing, they are only suitable for long-term use, not for excessive consumption; they can only be used as medicine, not as food. If consumed indiscriminately, at any time, or to the point of fullness, it will generally harm one. The benefits and harms of female sexual intercourse are similar. Long-term use has the effect of balancing yin and yang, while excessive use has the disadvantage of water and fire clashing. As medicine, it brings the joy of relieving depression; as food, it brings the worry of damaging tendons and depleting blood. If people in the world understand how to treat female sexual intercourse as medicine, they should neither be too sparse nor too frequent, neither averse to it nor overly fond of it. Before approaching female sexual intercourse, one should think, "This medicine is not poison, so why be afraid?" When approaching female sexual intercourse, one should think, "This medicine is not food, so why indulge in it?" In this way, yang will not be excessive and yin will not be stagnant; how could it not benefit people? There's only one thing: this medicine shares all the same properties as ginseng and aconite, except that their origin and method of use are somewhat opposite. Those taking this medicine must be aware of this. Ginseng and aconite are best when from their original source; locally grown ones are useless. Similarly, women are best when they are locally grown; those from the "fallen" are not only useless but can also harm. What is "locally grown"? What is "fallen"? One's own wives and concubines, without needing to seek them far or spend money, can be easily obtained—this is what is meant by "locally grown." I can sleep freely without hindrance, and I can be undisturbed by anyone knocking on the door. It neither harms my vital energy nor hinders the family line. A single act of intercourse brings complete comfort. Is this not nourishing? Beautiful women come from wealthy families, and delicate makeup requires embroidered doors. Domestic chickens taste bland compared to fresh wild ducks, and an old woman's fading beauty is no match for a young maiden—this is what is meant by "fallen." If a woman is like this, obsessed with desire and sleepless nights, she will first seduce him with affection, then shower him with gifts, or climb over walls to meet him, or sneak into holes to speak privately. Even if she is as bold as the heavens, she is terrified as a mouse, feeling as if someone is watching even when no one is around. She sweats little for pleasure but much for fear; her love for her children outweighs her courage. She tests her limits, creating unforeseen disasters, secretly damaging her virtue, openly violating the law, and ultimately being killed. If no one pays the price, the wife may still live. Even more so for women who have lost their chastity, the various consequences are unbearable. It is clear that people in this world should never abandon what is near for what is far, nor tire of the old for what is new.

The author of this novel originally had a kind heart, wanting to preach to the world, advising people to restrain their desires, not to indulge in them; to keep their lust secret, not to promote it. Readers should not misunderstand his intentions. If he wanted to teach people to restrain their lust, why not write a moral book to maintain public morals, instead of creating a novel about romance? Readers are unaware of this. The methods for changing customs and habits must be adapted to the prevailing circumstances to facilitate the acceptance of their ideas. Nowadays, people dislike reading sacred texts and sage tales, preferring instead unofficial histories and anecdotes. Even within these unofficial histories, they dislike stories of loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness, preferring erotic and absurd tales. Customs today are utterly decadent. If you were to present a book of moralistic teachings to persuade people to do good, let alone expect people to buy it, even if a philanthropic family donated scriptures to have them printed, bound, and given to them at a loss, they would either disassemble it to fill a jar or use it for smoking; they would never bother to even glance at it. It would be better to entice him with lustful desires, and when he is engrossed in them, suddenly offer a few words of criticism, making him sigh in shock, "Women are so alluring; how can one not indulge in pleasure and enjoy them, instead becoming a ghost beneath the peony flower, pursuing empty fame and abandoning reality?" Then, when he sees the clear consequences of his actions, gently offer a few words of enlightenment, making him realize, "Adultery inevitably brings retribution; how can one not keep wives and concubines for personal enjoyment, instead engaging in idle pursuits, borrowing money to pay off real debts?" Reflecting on this, he will naturally not stray from the path of evil. Not straying from the path of evil, he will naturally love his wife and she will respect him; this is the essence of the teachings of Zhou Nan and Zhao Nan. This is the method of governing people by addressing the issue at hand and governing people by people. Not only should this technique be used in unofficial histories and anecdotes, but even the sages in the classics practiced it. If you don't believe it, look at Mencius's discourse on governance to King Xuan of Qi during the Warring States period. King Xuan was a man obsessed with sensual pleasures and material gain; he disliked proper governance and merely offered a casual praise, saying, "Excellent, indeed!" Mencius asked, "If Your Majesty likes it, then why doesn't it work?" King Xuan replied, "I have a weakness: I am fond of material possessions." Mencius then used the anecdote of Duke Liu's fondness for material possessions to persuade him. King Xuan then added, "I have a weakness: I am fond of women." At this point, he was already willing to become a tyrant like Jie or Zhou, treating it as a reply to someone's failure to govern properly. If one were to consider him a moralist, one would have to earnestly and sternly admonish him against his licentiousness. Ancient emperors had a warning: "A commoner who is fond of women will perish; a high official who is fond of women will lose his position; a feudal lord who is fond of women will lose his kingdom; a Son of Heaven who is fond of women will lose the empire." If King Xuan had heard this, even if he hadn't spoken aloud, he would have thought to himself, "In that case, my illness is incurable; I have no use for you, sir." But Mencius cleverly used a famous anecdote about the king's lustful nature to entice him, captivating him and making him unable to stop listening. Consider that even when King Tai fled on horseback, he had Jiang Nu with him; it's clear he was a womanizer throughout his life. How could such a licentious ruler not have lost his life and his kingdom? Yet, he had a way of indulging his lust, causing all the men in the kingdom to flee with women. While King Tai and Jiang Nu were enjoying themselves, the men and women of the kingdom were also enjoying themselves. This is the selfless and impartial ruler of heaven and earth. Who wouldn't praise him? Who would dare to criticize him? Hearing this, King Xuan would naturally feel reassured and willing to govern, no longer using "my illness" as an excuse. This is the strength of the author of this novel. I hope all readers will purchase this book and read it as a classic text, not as a novel. Wherever the title "Reader" appears, it is either a sharp critique or a guiding remark; you must pay close attention and understand it. The descriptions of sexual intercourse and the depictions of bedroom pleasures are not without their vulgarity; however, they are meant to lead the reader to the end so that they may understand the outcome and learn a lesson. Otherwise, it would be a book about olives, leaving something to savor later. But what if it is sour and astringent at first, and no one would want to chew it? My descriptive language is like wrapping olives in dates, guiding the reader to savor the aftertaste without becoming weary.

Chapter Two: The Old Monk Opens an Empty Bag, the Apricot Scholar Receives the Flesh-Purifying Mat.

During the Zhihe era of the Yuan Dynasty, there lived a wandering ascetic in the Kuocang Mountains, whose Dharma name was Zhengyi and Daoist name was Gufeng. He was originally a renowned student at the Chuzhou Prefectural School. Because of his innate goodness, even as an infant, he would constantly babble like a student reciting texts. His parents were puzzled. A traveling monk came to their door collecting alms and saw the child being held in his arms, seemingly neither crying nor laughing. The monk, upon hearing this, said that the child was reciting the *Surangama Sutra*, and that this child was the reincarnation of a high-ranking monk. He then returned to his parents and begged to become his disciple. His parents thought it was superstition and did not believe it. They taught him to read, and he could memorize anything he read. However, officialdom was not his desire, and he repeatedly abandoned Confucianism to study Buddhism, only to be severely punished by his parents. Forced to take the imperial examinations, he entered the academy at a young age and became a tutor. After his parents passed away, he waited two years for the mourning period, then distributed all his vast wealth to his clan. He sewed a large leather bag, filled it with wooden fish drums, scriptures, and other items, shaved his head, and went into the mountains to cultivate himself. Those who knew him called him Elder Lone Peak, while those who didn't simply called him the Leather Bag Monk. Unlike other monks, he not only strictly abstained from alcohol, meat, and lewdness, but also adhered to three precepts in his monastic life: not soliciting donations, not lecturing on scriptures, and not residing on famous mountains. When asked why he didn't solicit donations, he replied, "The path to Buddhism generally begins with asceticism. One must strain one's muscles and bones, starve one's body, and let the anxieties of hunger and cold press upon one daily. When the anxieties of hunger and cold press upon one daily, lustful thoughts will not arise. When lustful thoughts do not arise, defilement will gradually disappear, and purity will gradually arise. In time, one will naturally attain Buddhahood. If one does not farm for food, nor weave for clothing, and relies on alms from benefactors all day long, then when one's belly is full, one desires leisurely walks; when one's body is warm, one desires peaceful sleep. When one strolls, one sees what is desirable; when one sleeps, one's dreams become illusions. Whether one attains Buddhahood or not, all sorts of things that lead to hell will come without one seeking them. That is why I support myself and refrain from soliciting donations." When asked why he didn't lecture on scriptures, he said, "The words in the scriptures are spoken by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; only Buddhas and Bodhisattvas can understand them. Others who speak of scriptures are like fools talking in their dreams. Tao Yuanming of the past did not seek deep understanding when reading. Even Chinese people reading Chinese books dare not seek deep understanding, let alone those who..." "Should people of my country read foreign books and then presumptuously translate them? I dare not aspire to be a meritorious official of the Bodhisattvas, but only to avoid being a sinner of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. With this, I know my foolishness and guard my simplicity, and refrain from lecturing on scriptures." Someone asked again why he did not live in a famous mountain. He said, "Those who cultivate themselves must not see what is desirable, so that their minds are not disturbed. The things that are desirable in the world are not only sensual pleasures and material gains. Even the gentle breeze that soothes the body, the bright moon that pleases the heart, the birds that delight the ear, the ferns that taste delicious, all things that are lovely and desirable are desirable. Once you live in a scenic place, mountain spirits and water monsters will lead you to seek poetry, and the moon goddess and wind goddess will disturb your meditation. Therefore, those who study in famous mountains will not achieve their studies, and those who study the Way in famous mountains will find it difficult to purify their desires. Moreover, which famous mountain does not have women burning incense and officials who are pleased with it? The story of the bright moon and green willows is a precedent. The reason I abandoned famous temples and came to live in a desolate mountain is simply to ensure that there is nothing to entice my senses." The questioner deeply admired his words, thinking that no eminent monk of ancient times had expressed such a statement. Because of these three precepts, he did not seek fame, yet his fame grew day by day. Many people from near and far wished to take refuge in him, but he refused to accept disciples lightly. He would only ordain those who truly possessed good roots and were free from worldly desires. If he had even the slightest doubt, he would refuse to accept them. Therefore, after many years of monastic life, he had very few disciples. He lived alone, building a few huts by a mountain stream, farming for food and drinking from the spring.

One day, the autumn wind was bleak, the trees were bare, and insects chirped. The monk rose early, swept the fallen leaves in front of the door, changed the water before the Buddha, prepared incense, put down his meditation cushion, and sat in meditation in the central hall. Suddenly, a young scholar entered with two servants. The scholar's appearance was as clear as autumn water and as graceful as spring clouds. His eyes shone with an unusual brilliance. He seemed to dislike direct gazes and lewd thoughts, using them only for secretly observing women. He didn't need to get close; even from dozens of feet away, a single glance was enough to tell whether someone was good or bad. If someone was attractive, he would give them a quick look. If the woman were righteous, she would lower her head and walk past, not glancing at his face; her gaze would be considered wasted. But if the woman had the same fault as him, she would glance back and forth, sending love letters through the corner of her eye, making things impossible. Therefore, regardless of whether one is a man or a woman, having such eyes is not an auspicious sign; it leads to disgrace and ruin. Readers, if your eyes resemble this, please be careful. At that moment, the scholar entered, bowed four times to the Buddha statue, and four times to the monk, then stood to the side. The monk, initially unable to return the bows while in meditation, only stepped down from his cushion after completing his meditation and returned four deep bows. After they were seated, he asked the scholar's name. The scholar said, “I am a man from afar, traveling in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and my

pen name is ‘Weiyang Sheng’. I have heard that you, Master, are a great monk and a living Buddha, so I have fasted and come here to speak with you.” You might wonder why he didn’t address the monk by name but instead used his pen name? Well, you should know that in ancient times, the scholarly customs were strange; scholars disliked using their names and addressed each other by pen names. Therefore, scholars all had a title, some called “Sheng” (生), some “Zi” (子), some “Dao Ren” (道人). Generally, the young were called “Sheng” (生), the middle-aged “Zi” (子), and the elderly “Dao Ren” (道人). The words used to represent these titles each had their own meaning, perhaps reflecting their personal feelings or inclinations. They would choose two characters to name themselves, as long as they understood it, it didn’t need to be known by everyone. This scholar, however, was fond of women, disliked the daytime but preferred the night, and disliked the latter half of the night but preferred the first half. Seeing the phrase “the night is not yet over” in the Book of Songs, he took this phrase out of context and named himself “Weiyang Sheng” (未央生).

The monk, feeling unworthy of such excessive praise, replied with a few humble words. At that moment, the vegetarian meal in the earthenware pot was ready, so the monk invited him to stay for breakfast. The two sat facing each other, discussing Zen, their insights resonating deeply. It turned out that Weiyang was exceptionally intelligent, having read widely from all schools of thought. What others couldn't grasp in a thousand words, he understood completely with just the monk's first utterance. The monk thought to himself, "What a knowledgeable man! It's a pity the Creator made a mistake in his creation; why pair a heart devoted to Buddhism with such a wicked appearance? Judging from his demeanor, he's clearly a lecherous devil. If I don't bring him into my clutches, he'll surely be sneaking around, causing trouble in women's homes. How many women in the world will suffer his poison? To see this perverse person today and not help those in need is not the way of compassion." He said to him, “Since I became a monk, I have seen many people. Those foolish men and women who refuse to do good are not worth mentioning. Even the scholars who come to meditate and the officials who come to listen to the Dharma are all laymen, and very few can understand the essence of Zen. Who would have thought that you, layman, would have such spiritual insight, and with this, you can attain samadhi in just a few years of studying Zen? In this life, what is easy to obtain is the physical body, what is hard to obtain is one's innate nature. What is easy to pass is time, what is hard to pass is calamity. You, layman, have come with the potential to become a Buddha, you must not go down the path of demons and ghosts. Why not take advantage of this time before your youthful vigor dissipates, cut off your desires, and retreat into…” "The Buddhist monk, though of mortal form, is still worthy to serve as a model for others. If one can make this great vow and exert oneself to this great cause and effect, a hundred years from now, one can be worthy of being enshrined in the Sangha, and will not be subject to the commands of the Rakshasas. What do you think, layman?" Wei Yangsheng replied, "I have long cherished the thought of returning to Chan Buddhism, and in the future, I will inevitably return to this Dharma gate. However, I still have two unfulfilled wishes, which are difficult to relinquish. I am still young now, so I will wait until I return to settle these two matters and enjoy a few years of peace. Then, I will come to take refuge and receive your blessing; it will not be too late."

The monk asked, "May I ask what your two wishes are? Could it be..." "Do you wish to gain fame in the capital and reward your learning? Or to achieve merit in foreign lands and report back to the court?" Wei Yangsheng shook his head and said, "These are not my wishes." The monk said, "If these are not your wishes, then what is it that you wish for?" Wei Yangsheng said, "What I wish for is something I can do with my own strength, not something I fantasize about. To be honest, Master, my memory for reading, my comprehension of the Way, and my writing skills are all top-notch. The famous scholars of today merely memorize things, copy them here and there, write a few drafts, and engrave a collection of poems and essays, and then they want to establish their reputations." "The altar has been a place of great influence for generations. In my opinion, that's just a facade. To be a true scholar, one must read all the rare books in the world, befriend all the extraordinary people, and travel to all the famous mountains. Then, one can retreat to a secluded room, write books, and leave a legacy for posterity. Even if one's name is listed on both the imperial examinations, one can still contribute to the court. Even if one's fortune doesn't match one's literary talent and one dies in retirement, one will still be a figure of lasting fame. Therefore, I have two private thoughts in my heart: 'I want to be the first talented scholar in the world…'" The monk said, "That's the first thought. What's the second?" Wei Yangsheng was about to speak but then hesitated, unable to say it. The monk said, "Since you're afraid to speak the second thought, let me say it for you." Wei Yangsheng said, "How could Master possibly say what's in my heart?" The monk said, "If I'm wrong, I'm willing to accept punishment. But if I am right, please don't pretend to be wrong." Wei Yangsheng said, "If Master is right, you're not only a Bodhisattva but also a deity. How could I dare to make excuses?" The monk calmly said, "It's 'I want to marry the most beautiful woman in the world.'"

Wei Yangsheng was stunned. After a long pause, he replied, "Master, you are truly extraordinary! These two whispered words have been on my mind all day long, yet you seem to have heard them and understood them instantly." The monk said, "Have you not heard that whispered words are heard by Heaven like thunder?" Wei Yangsheng said, "Logically speaking, I shouldn't speak of such things to you, Master. But since you've guessed, I dare not lie and say that my spiritual heart is still shallow, while my desires are deep. Since ancient times, the four words 'beautiful woman and talented man' have been inseparable. Where there is a talented man, there must be a beautiful woman to accompany him; where there is a beautiful woman, there must be a talented man to be his partner. My talent goes without saying, and my appearance is not bad either. I often look in the mirror, and even if Pan An or Wei Jie were alive today, I wouldn't be inferior to them. Since Heaven has given me a talented man, why not give me a woman to match him? If there are no beautiful women in the world, so be it; but if there are, those seeking a suitable partner will be numerous." "Who am I, disciple? Therefore, I am over twenty and still unmarried, not wanting to waste my talent and looks. When I return and find a beautiful wife, we will have a son to continue the family line. At that time, my good wishes will be fulfilled, and I will have no other thoughts. Not only will I turn back, but I will also persuade my wife to join me on the other shore. What do you think, Master?" The monk sneered, "It seems your thoughts are perfectly correct, but the Heavenly Father who created you is somewhat flawed. If you were given an ugly form, you might possess a clear mind and achieve enlightenment. Therefore, many people in ancient times suffered from baldness, epilepsy, broken hands and feet, and became immortals through divine punishment. Immortals are like this. You were simply spoiled by Heaven when you were born, like parents who love their children. When you were young, they feared damaging your flesh and temperament, and couldn't bear to hit or scold you. When your son grew up, he said that flesh and temperament were created by Heaven and Earth..." You were raised by your parents, so you can do whatever you want. When you commit crimes and are whipped by the government, or executed by the court, you regret your parents' excessive pampering, which led to this situation. This delicate appearance and arrogant nature are not a good omen. Layman, because of your appearance, you are the first talented man, so you should seek the first beautiful woman. Whether you can obtain her or not, even if you do, I fear that this beautiful woman doesn't have the words "first" written on her forehead. If you see someone better, you'll want to change your mind. If this beautiful woman is like you, unwilling to marry easily and waiting for the first talented man, you can take her as a concubine. But what if she finds a good man? What will you do then? If you insist on getting what you want, then all sorts of things that lead to hell will follow. Layman, do you want to go to hell or heaven? If you are willing to go to hell, then go and seek the first beautiful woman. " To go to heaven, please put aside your delusions and become a monk with me."

Wei Yangsheng said, "Master, your use of the words 'heaven and hell' is rather cliché, not the words of a high monk. The principle of Zen is simply self-realization. To stand in a state of non-birth and non-death is to become a Buddha. Is there really a heaven to ascend to? Even if one commits some transgressions, it is merely a stain on Confucianism; is there really a hell to fall into?" The monk said, "'Those who do good go to heaven, those who do evil go to hell' is indeed a cliché. It's just that you scholars can escape clichés in everything, except for self-cultivation and conduct. Heaven and hell are clearly inseparable. Even if there is no heaven, one must take heaven as a stepping stone to goodness. Even if there is no hell, one must take hell as a warning against evil. Since you clearly understand clichés, I will not speak of future retribution, but only of present retribution, which will inevitably be another cliché." Sex beer is also gray like alfalfa, instantly gray and armpit-like! 饬骄涫羌匠5奶谆埃皇鞘郎咸耙瞬辉幸桓鐾训曼兹ィ似夼天辔怂h Wei Yangsheng said, “Master, what you have said is very clear. However, because you are teaching the ignorant, you must explain everything thoroughly, so that they will be terrified and learn to be wary. If you were to
reason with us, it might not be so. Although Heaven's laws are strict, they are not without leniency. While many who commit adultery are punished, many others escape punishment.” If we were to go door-to-door searching for adulterers, and make those who commit adultery with other men's wives and daughters pay for the debts of adultery, then even Heaven would be desecrated! In short, the cycle of retribution and the principle of divine retribution are generally infallible. Those who are wicked should know this; it is a major topic for moral persuasion. Why make such a fuss?” The monk said, “According to what you say, are there any adulterers in the world who go unpunished? I'm afraid that the laws of justice have not allowed anyone to escape punishment. Perhaps you are kind-hearted and have allowed someone to slip through the net. In my humble opinion, there has never been a single adulterer who has escaped punishment, past or present. There are countless records in books and oral traditions. Please consider this: adultery with other men's wives and daughters is something that brings benefits, so people are willing to tell others, hence many know about it. The defilement of one's wife and daughters is something that brings benefits, so people are unwilling to tell others, hence few know about it. Among them, there are wives who hide it from their husbands, and daughters who hide it from their fathers, not even knowing themselves, yet they say that there is no such thing as retribution for adultery.” Only after the coffin is closed does one truly believe the ancient saying is true, and at that point, such enlightened words can no longer be uttered to others. It is not the wife and daughters of a wicked man who repay his debt of lust with their own. The moment the thought of adultery arises, the wife and daughters unconsciously forget much of their former affections. For example, if one's own wife and daughters are ugly, and one is not particularly aroused during intercourse, thinking of the beautiful women seen during the day, mistaking one's wife for them, and finding pleasure in it, who knows if the wife doesn't also find her husband ugly, thinking of the handsome men seen during the day, mistaking one's husband for them, and finding pleasure in it? Such things happen to everyone; though they do not damage one's chastity, they certainly harm one's heart. This is also the retribution for a man's lustful nature. If even the thought itself is like this, how much more so when one enters the room, physically overpowering the other, unseen by the gods and spirits, and the Creator is not angered, allowing the wife to remain chaste? This humble monk's words are not mere platitudes. Do you agree, layman? Wei Yangsheng said, “What you say makes perfect sense, but I must ask you, Master, if someone who has a wife and daughters commits adultery with another's wife and daughters, they will receive retribution. But if someone without a wife and daughters commits adultery with another's wife and daughters, how will they repay the debt? This would make the law of justice impossible. There is another saying: one person's wife and daughters are limited, but the number of women in the world is endless. For example, if one only has one or two wives and concubines, one or two children, but commits adultery with countless women in the world, even if one's wife and daughters commit adultery, the cost is small and the profit is great. How will Heaven deal with this?”

The monk, knowing that he was an unyielding person, said to him, “Layman, your words are very sharp, but I dare not accept such praise. However, such principles are not enough to be proven by words; they can only be understood through practice. Layman, please wait until you have married a beautiful woman and then contemplate the truth through the flesh-and-futon, then you will gain real insight. I see that you have the potential to transcend the ordinary and reach the pinnacle of enlightenment, and I cannot bear to abandon you. If you achieve sudden enlightenment, you will come to see me again to discuss your path back home.” "This humble monk will wait with bated breath from tomorrow onwards." Having said this, he took out a piece of paper, picked up a brush, and wrote a verse of four lines in five characters each: "

Please cast aside your leather bag, and sit on your flesh-covered cushion. Repent while you are alive,

do not lament after the coffin is closed." The monk wrote the entire verse and handed it to Wei Yangsheng, saying, "This clumsy ascetic is ignorant of taboos. Although the verse is too extreme, it truly comes from a compassionate heart. Please keep it, Layman Qu, as a test for the future." Having said the entire verse, he stood up, as if to see him off. Wei Yangsheng knew he was being rejected, but considering the monk was a high-ranking monk, he dared not leave disrespectfully. He could only bow his head and apologize, saying, "This disciple is inherently foolish and stubborn, and will not accept instruction or repentance. I hope Master will forgive me. I hope you will accept me again when I return." Having said this, he bowed four times again, and the monk returned the bow in kind, seeing him off at the door. They parted ways. The monk's origins have been fully explained; the rest only mentions Wei Yangsheng's infatuation with women, without further detailing Gu Feng's fate, which will only be revealed in the final chapter.

Commentary: Wei Yangsheng is the main character in this play, while Gu Feng is the minor one. Other writers would typically introduce Wei Yangsheng, making Gu Feng a mere passerby. This play, however, focuses solely on Gu Feng, in meticulous detail, leading the reader to suspect he might later engage in illicit affairs, only to discover otherwise. His true intention is revealed only during meditation, leaving the reader guessing. This is a variation on traditional novels, demonstrating the author's mastery of conventions. Others using this method would likely confuse the theme and create a disjointed narrative, leaving the reader unable to discern the main character from the supporting roles. This play, however, is clear and distinct, making the introduction immediately understandable. The final few words further clarify the plot, leaving the reader unsatisfied—a true masterstroke.

Chapter Three: The Moral Scholar's Mistaken Match with a Playboy; The Dignified Woman's Affection Falls for the Unfaithful Man.

Now, Wei Yangsheng, having parted from Gufeng, grumbled all the way, "How utterly unreasonable! I'm in my twenties, a flower just beginning to bloom, and he wants me to shave my head and become a monk, seeking suffering. What kind of heartless person is this? I only met him today because he's a renowned scholar who has become a monk; he must have unique insights, and I wanted to understand his Zen wisdom to aid my writing. Who would have thought I'd be treated with such disrespect, and even given him a tortoise-themed verse? How can I accept such treatment? I'm a proud husband; if I were to become an official, I would govern the world and manage the people. Can't I even manage my own wife? Now that I've met such a good woman, I'm not going to let her slip away. I'll commit a few adulterous acts to keep my household strictly guarded, so that no man can come and collect his debts. Besides, with a woman married to such a handsome husband as me, even if another man tries to seduce her, she probably won't even look at him. There's no way she'll commit adultery. That verse he just gave me should have been torn to shreds and thrown back to him!" However, since I had no proof of his poisonous words when we met later, I decided to keep the verse with me and see if he would repent later. Having made up my mind, I folded the verse and hid it in my belt.

Returning home, I instructed several servants to go and spread the word to matchmakers, seeking the most beautiful woman in the world. He came from a distinguished family and was both talented and handsome; what man wouldn't want him as a son-in-law, what woman wouldn't want him as a husband? Since the word was spread, matchmakers came to him daily to arrange marriages. He allowed himself to visit the homes of ordinary families, but for wealthy families who wanted to maintain appearances, he would arrange meetings in temples or remote areas, making sure the meeting was intentional rather than unintentional. Many young women went home heartbroken, but he didn't find any of them appealing. A matchmaker said to him, "It seems that none of the other women are a good match for you. Only the daughter of the Iron-Door Taoist, named 'Yuxiang,' is worthy of you. However, her father is eccentric and will certainly refuse to have someone assess her, and you insist on doing so, so this matter cannot be accomplished." Wei Yangsheng asked, "Why is he called 'Iron-Door Taoist'? Why do you think his daughter is so beautiful? If she is so beautiful, why won't he have someone assess her?" The matchmaker said, "This old man is a renowned scholar, a solitary and aloof man. He owns land and fields but asks nothing of others. He has no friends and studies alone at home. No matter who knocks on his door, he simply won't open it. A distinguished guest, having heard of his reputation..." He visited him, knocking on the door for half a day, but not only did the door remain unopened, it didn't even acknowledge him. The distinguished guest, having no other choice, wrote a poem on the door and left. Two lines read: "

I only knew the noble scholar used a thatched roof as his door, who would have thought the gentleman's gate was made of iron?

" Later, upon seeing the poem, he said, "The words 'iron gate' are quite apt," and thus adopted "Iron Gate Taoist" as his pseudonym. He had no sons, only a daughter, who was as beautiful as a flower, unmatched by anyone. She was also very learned, all taught by her father, and could compose poems and songs. Her family was very strict; she never went out to burn incense or attend gatherings, and at sixteen years old, she had never shown her face in public. As for gossipy relatives, they wouldn't even let her in. Because yesterday... The old man stood at the door, and seeing me approach, he called out, "Are you perhaps a matchmaker?" I replied, "Indeed." He invited me into his home, pointed to his daughter, and said, "This is my daughter. She wants to find a decent son-in-law to support her in her old age. Please keep an eye out for one for me." I then introduced him to the young man, and he said, "I've heard of his talent, but I don't know what his character is like." I continued, "He's mature beyond his years, without a single flaw. However, there's one thing: he wants to see him in person before he'll agree to the marriage." Upon hearing this, he frowned and said, "Nonsense! Only the skinny horses kept by families in Yangzhou are willing to be seen by men. What respectable daughter would agree to meet a man?" I saw... He said this and couldn't say it again, so he left on his own. Therefore, he knew this marriage was doomed.

Upon hearing this, Wei Yangsheng thought to himself, "I have no parents or brothers now. If I marry tomorrow, who will control my mind? Even if I'm imprisoned, don't I have times when I can go out? This old man is so rigid. If I marry into his family, I don't need to worry about him; his own daughter will naturally take care of her. I can go out for the rest of my life without any problem. But I'm still uneasy without meeting her in person. How can I trust a matchmaker's words?" He said to her, "According to you, the marriage is excellent. Please find a way for me to get a glimpse of the situation. As long as it's mostly correct, that's fine." The matchmaker said, "That's absolutely impossible. If you don't believe me, you can only consult the oracle and ask for divination. If it's meant to be, then do it; if not, then don't." Wei Yangsheng said, "That's true. I have a friend who consults a shaman; his predictions are very accurate. I'll ask him to make a judgment, and then I'll get back to you." "The matchmaker agreed and left.

The next day, Wei Yangsheng fasted and bathed, and invited his friend who had come to invite the immortal to his home. He burned incense, bowed, and whispered a prayer: 'This disciple has no other business than the daughter of the Iron Gate Taoist, named Yuxiang. I have heard that she is exceptionally beautiful and wish to marry her, but I have only heard of her and have never seen her in person, so I have asked the Great Immortal for her opinion. If she is indeed exceptionally beautiful, this disciple will marry her; otherwise, I will refuse. I humbly request the Great Immortal to give clear instructions, and not to give vague words that leave this disciple unable to understand.' He then bowed four more times, rose, and helped the immortal to write. Sure enough, he wrote a poem: '

The first among beauties, no need to doubt ghosts or gods. Only worry that her allure will lead to lewdness, at the crossroads of good and evil, it is good to ask for guidance.' Upon seeing this poem,

Wei

Yangsheng thought to himself: 'She does seem to be beautiful, but the last line clearly says that her allure leads to lewdness. Could it be that this woman has already been deflowered?'" The poem begins with "First Poem," implying there is another one; let's see what the latter will be like. Xianluan paused for a moment, then wrote four more lines: "

A woman's chastity is beyond reproach, but a man must manage the household well. Keep the door closed, so that no fly can enter; where would a flaw on jade come from ?"

(The second

poem is inscribed by Hui Daoren.) Upon seeing "Hui Daoren," Wei Yangsheng knew it was Lü Chunyang's pseudonym and was overjoyed. "This man is extremely knowledgeable about wine and women; if he says it's good, it's good. This next poem addresses my doubts and warns me to be cautious. I think this old-fashioned father-in-law is keeping me in check, so there's no need for further doubt. The last two lines clearly state that no one can enter through his iron gate; there's no need to doubt anymore." He bowed to Chunyang in gratitude and ordered someone to summon the matchmaker. He instructed, "The immortal's judgment is excellent; there's no need to hide it now. Go and propose marriage."

The matchmaker was delighted and went to the iron-gate Taoist's house, explaining Wei Yangsheng's intention to propose marriage. The Taoist priest said, "His initial insistence on a physical meeting shows he values beauty over virtue, and is disrespectful. I want a son-in-law of good character, not such a frivolous person." The matchmaker, wanting to make a profit, cleverly replied, "His insistence on a physical meeting isn't about beauty, but rather his fear that his frivolous behavior and lack of good fortune will prevent him from finding a wife. Therefore, he has found that the young lady in your household is very well-mannered and possesses excellent moral character, which is why he is willing to ask me to propose marriage." The Taoist priest, finding his words reasonable, agreed to the marriage and set an auspicious day for the wedding.

Although Wei Yangsheng listened to the matchmaker and believed the fairy's words, he remained hesitant because he hadn't yet met her. It wasn't until the wedding night, after the ceremony, that they entered the bridal chamber, and he finally saw her clearly and was overjoyed. How could he see the beauty of the bride? A new poem testifies:

She is graceful and charming, her whole being radiant.

They were all beautiful, their faces full of sorrow, their furrowed brows impossible to imitate.

They worried they weren't suited for marriage, their waists so slender, how could they be embraced?

How could they be embraced, so soft and boneless, so easily startled? How could

the poem "Remembering Qin'e"

possibly capture the joy of the bride and groom's wedding? A new poem testifies:

Their starry eyes met,

a hint of longing in their gazes, two peach blossom petals on the pillow. She tried to keep her mouth shut, but her tongue had already parted her lips. Her

delicate cries subsided, but her emotions were boundless, her soft breasts already damp with sweat.

They opened their eyes to look at each other, their hearts burning like charcoal in a red-hot furnace.

The poem "Jade Tower Spring"

says that while Miss Yuxiang's beauty was unparalleled, her charm was somewhat lacking, and she didn't quite meet her husband's expectations. This was because her father's discipline was strict, and her mother's conduct was dignified; she heard no lewd sounds, saw no immoral sights, and the books she read were either "Biographies of Virtuous Women" or "Classic of Filial Piety for Women," and her words contradicted Weiyang's own feelings. As for her behavior, she inevitably inherited her father's traits, and her husband gave her the nickname "Female Moralist." A single flirtatious remark from her would make her blush and walk away. Wei Yangsheng greatly enjoyed daytime intercourse, using the sight of genitals to arouse his lust. Several times, when he tried to pull down her pants, she screamed, as if he were raping her, so he had to give up. At night, although he was willing, it was always a helpless situation. His sexual techniques had to be moderate, unwilling to be innovative. If he wanted to perform "fire from across the mountain," he would say it was an act of infidelity. If he wanted to perform "pouring candles upside down," he would say it violated the husband's authority. Even lifting her legs onto his shoulders required considerable effort. As for her refusal to cry out during pleasure to enhance the man's virility, calling out to her "heart and soul" was like calling a mute woman, refusing to respond.

Wei Yangsheng, seeing that she lacked any vitality, was quite distressed. "I must now use some skillful manipulation to bring her back to life," he thought. "Tomorrow I will buy a finely crafted erotic album from a calligraphy and painting shop, the work of the scholar Zhao Zi'ang, containing thirty-six paintings, alluding to the 'thirty-six palaces' in Tang poetry, all representing spring." He would take it back and examine it with Miss Yuxiang, proving that these techniques of male-female intercourse were not his invention; the ancients had already practiced them. Now, with Zhao Wenmin's ink scroll here, he would use it as proof.

At first, Yuxiang didn't know what kind of album it was. Upon opening it, she saw the four large characters "Han Palace Portraits" written on the first two pages. Yuxiang thought, "The Han Palace had many virtuous concubines and ladies; these must be portraits. Let's see what they look like." On the third page, a man was seen embracing a woman, naked, engaging in sexual activity on a rockery. He blushed and exclaimed, "Where did you get such an ominous object? It defiles a woman's home! Quickly, have the maid take it and burn it!" Wei Yangsheng grabbed him, saying, "This is an antique, worth a hundred taels of gold. I borrowed it from a friend. If you can afford a hundred taels, take it and burn it. If not, leave it here and I'll play with it for a day or two before returning it." Yu Xiang said, "What's the use of looking at such a frivolous thing?" Wei Yangsheng replied, "If it were frivolous, painters wouldn't paint it, and collectors wouldn't pay a high price for it. It's only because it's the first frivolous thing since the beginning of time that scholars and artists have painted it, mounted it on silk, sold it in art shops, and treasured it in the world of calligraphy and painting." So that future generations may know what to follow. Otherwise, the principle of yin and yang interaction will gradually be lost, and in the future, husbands will abandon wives and wives will turn their backs on husbands, the way of life will be cut off, and it will only stop when there are no people left. Today I borrowed this not only to read it myself, but also to let my wife know this principle so that she can conceive and have children, and not be misled by your father's Taoist teachings, which would lead to a dead end for the couple. Why is my wife so angry?" Yu Xiang said, "I don't believe this is a proper matter. If it were a proper matter, why didn't the ancients who made the law teach people to do it openly in the daytime? Why do they do it in the dead of night, hiding it from everyone, like thieves? From this, it is clear that it is not a proper matter."

Wei Yangsheng laughed and said, "It's no wonder my wife is upset. It's all your father's fault. He kept you locked up at home, without..." 性谛械呐槎匀晁邓捣缜椋怨侣盐牛幌耸隆d阆耄郎系姆草弈且欢圆辉谌绽锶ジ墒拢磕歉墒虏皇敲鞴谷酥赖模咳艋狗草奕绽锊恍蟹浚饣嗽趺聪谜庑┨资吭趺疵栊吹谜庋伤疤谷艘豢淳 "Why don't my parents work during the day?" Wei Yangsheng asked. "May I ask, madam, how do you know your parents don't work during the day?" Yu Xiang replied, "If they were working, I would at least bump into them. Why haven't I ever bumped into them once in my sixteen years of life? Not only have I never seen them, but I've also never heard them." Wei Yangsheng laughed. “What a naive woman! This is something only children cannot see or hear. Besides children, which maid or servant doesn't see and hear it? They know you're not around, so they close the door before they go. If you see them, they fear it will arouse their desires, make them think of men, and cause them depression. That's why they do it behind your back.” Yu Xiang thought for a while and said, “They often close the door to sleep during the day, so it's possible they do this too. But it's so embarrassing, looking at each other like that, how can they do it?”

Wei Yangsheng said, “Daytime intimacy is ten times more pleasurable than nighttime intimacy. The beauty lies in the mutual looking, that's what arouses the passion. There are only two kinds of couples who should never do it during the day.” Yu Xiang asked, “What two kinds of couples?” Wei Yangsheng… The scholar said, "An ugly husband with a handsome wife is one kind. An ugly wife with a handsome husband is another kind." Yu Xiang asked, "Why can't these two kinds of people do things during the day?" Wei Yang Sheng replied, "Doing this requires mutual love and spiritual connection; only when our spirits and blood are intertwined can we be happy. If the wife has snow-white, delicate, and tender skin, like a piece of jade, and the husband takes off her clothes and holds her in his arms, looking at her while doing it, he will naturally be ten times happier. His penis will become hard, thick, and large without him even realizing it. But when a woman sees a man, she sees him as a monster, with dark and rough skin. She doesn't notice it when he's clothed, but now that he's undressed, his ugliness is fully exposed and cannot be concealed. Moreover, compared to snow-white skin, eight parts ugliness will seem twelve parts ugly. Wouldn't the wife feel disgusted and repulsed? Her heart will be filled with..." However, hatred and dislike inevitably lead to physical and emotional reactions. A man, seeing this, unconsciously softens his hardness and thins his large penis. He gets no pleasure, only disappointment. It's better to make love at night, where he can hide his flaws. This is how a beautiful wife and an ugly husband behave. The situation of a beautiful husband and an ugly wife is similar, needless to say. If it were a couple like you and me, white against white, red against red, tender against tender, if we didn't enjoy ourselves during the day, showing off our skin, spending our days secretly groping under the covers, wouldn't we bury our lives? What choice would we have with an ugly couple? My wife doesn't believe me? Let's try it and see how it compares to the nighttime experience.”

Yu Xiang suddenly realized something. Although she refused verbally, she wanted to comply, and felt her cheeks flush slightly, her allure already showing. Wei Yangsheng thought to himself, she's getting a little interested. I was about to make my move, but this woman's desire was only just beginning, her hunger not yet deep enough. To do it with her now would be like a glutton seeing food, swallowing it whole without chewing, ultimately without any enjoyment. I'll wait and see before taking my turn. I pulled up a grand chair, sat down myself, pulled her into my lap, and opened the erotic book, pointing out each picture to her. This book was different from other erotic books; each picture had an erotic scene on the first half and an inscription on the second half. The inscription explained the scene in the first few sentences and praised the artist's skill in the second. Wei Yangsheng taught her to visualize the expressions in the pictures so she could imitate them later, and then read them aloud to her: "

The first picture depicts butterflies seeking fragrance.

The inscription says: 'The woman sits on a Taihu rock, her legs apart. The man uses a jade whisk to penetrate her vagina, groping left and right to explore the flower's heart. At this moment, both the man and woman are in the early stages of their encounter, not yet having reached their peak, so their eyes and brows are open, not much different from their usual appearance.'"

The second painting depicts the act of teaching bees to make honey.

The inscription reads: "The woman lies supine on a brocade cushion, her hands firmly planted, her thighs dangling in the air, to receive the jade dust, so that the man may know where the flower's heart lies and not make a rash move. At this moment, the woman's expression is almost one of hunger and thirst, while the man's face seems anxious, making the viewer feel anxious on his behalf—this is the subtlety of the work."

The third painting depicts the act of a lost bird returning to its nest.

The inscription reads: "The woman leans against an embroidered bed, her feet pointing upwards, using her hands to grasp the man's thighs and thrust downwards. It seems she has entered a blissful state, yet fears she may lose herself again; both are engaged in their work, their spirits high. Truly, the brushstrokes are masterful."

The fourth painting depicts the act of a hungry horse running to its trough.

The inscription reads: "The woman lies on a couch, her hands entwined around the man, as if binding him. The man uses his shoulders to lift her feet, the jade dust completely entering her vagina, leaving no room for anything else. At this moment, both man and woman are in the trance of impending climax, their eyes half-closed yet still open, their tongues about to swallow yet still protruding—two faces, one expression." This is truly the work of a master craftsman.

The fifth painting depicts two dragons locked in a battle of wills.

The postscript reads: The woman's head rests against the pillow, her hands pressed together, soft as cotton. The man's head rests against the woman's neck, his body pressed together, also soft as cotton, after he has passed away. His fragrant soul is about to depart, a sweet dream is about to begin, a state of extreme stillness amidst movement. But the woman's feet have not yet touched the ground, [the image is unclear due to the missing text].
Upon reading this, Yu Xiang felt a surge of lust. Wei Yangsheng turned another page, about to point it out to her, when Yu Xiang pushed the book away, stood up, and said, "What a good book! It makes me uncomfortable. Get up and read it yourself; I'm going to sleep." Wei Yangsheng said, "There's more to come. Let's read the whole thing together before I go to sleep." Yu Xiang said, "Is there no tomorrow? Do we have to read the whole thing today?" Wei Yangsheng knew she was impatient, so he embraced her and kissed her. Usually, when they kissed, her teeth would be tightly closed, and she couldn't even extend her tongue. After a month of being husband and wife, he still didn't know the difference between tongue and mouth. This time, just touching her lips, her tongue had unknowingly slipped past both teeth. Wei Yangsheng said, "My darling, we don't even need to go to bed. Let's use this armchair as a rockery and imitate the scenes in the painting, how about that?" Yu Xiang feigned annoyance, saying, "Is this something a human would do?" Wei Yangsheng said, "Indeed, it's not something a human would do, but something a god would do. Let's be gods for a moment." He then began to undo her belt. Although Yu Xiang didn't agree verbally, her hands complied, and she put her arms around Wei Yangsheng's shoulders, letting him take off her pants. A large wet patch was visible in her crotch, the result of her vaginal fluids from looking at the painting. Wei Yangsheng then took off his own pants, pulled her to sit on the chair, spread her legs, inserted his jade whisk into her vagina, and then removed her upper garment. Why didn't he take off her clothes first, and only removed her upper garment after taking off her pants? You see, Wei Yangsheng was a skilled man. If he removed her upper garment first, although she would be anxious inside, she would also be shy outside, which would inevitably lead to some awkwardness. Therefore, once the vital points are secured, the rest will naturally fall into place without much effort. This is the principle of capturing the king and striking the stronghold in warfare.

Yu Xiang indeed managed to strip him naked, except for the pleated trousers on her feet. Why? Because the pleated trousers concealed her feet. When women bound their feet, they only cared about the neatness of the lower part, inevitably leaving the toes uneven and not quite perfect. Moreover, the three-inch golden lotuses only looked interesting when covered by pleated trousers. Otherwise, they were like a flower without leaves, unappealing. Therefore, Wei Yangsheng, having mastered the technique, only left this one piece of clothing on. After undressing her [the whole text], he also removed his own clothes, then, with his manhood fully erect, he spread his small feet and placed them on the chair, raising his jade whisk to explore and feel his genitals from left to right, much like the scene in the first erotic scene of exploring the flower's heart. After a while, Yu Xiang stretched out her arms and pressed them against the chair, bringing her vulva closer to meet the jade whisk. The jade whisk moved to the left, and he received it with his left hand. The jade whisk moved to the right, and he received it with his right hand. Suddenly, she pressed against a spot and felt a sensation that was neither sour nor itchy, an intense, irresistible feeling. She said to Wei Yangsheng, "That's enough for now. Don't grope around and scratch me." Wei Yangsheng knew she had won him over and complied. He focused all his strength on one spot, working from shallow to deep, from wide to tight, lifting hundreds of times. Then he saw Yu Xiang's hands unconsciously come from behind and pull her thighs upwards, naturally aligning with the second scene of the erotic scene. Wei Yangsheng then lifted her legs and placed them on his shoulders, holding her slender waist with both hands, and thrusting all the way in. At this moment, Yu Xiang felt even more intense, filling her vagina. He lifted hundreds more times, and her starry eyes were about to close, her hair about to fall, as if she were about to fall asleep. Wei Yangsheng patted her twice and said, "Sweetheart, I know you're going to lose it. This chair is too uncomfortable, let's go to the bed."

Yu Xiang was at the height of her pleasure and was afraid that going to the bed would mean taking out the jade whisk and interrupting their enjoyment. Besides, her hands and feet were sore and weak that she couldn't move, and she couldn't even get to the bed. Hearing him say this, she just closed her eyes and shook her head in response. Wei Yangsheng said, "Sweetheart, can't you walk?" Yu Xiang nodded slightly. Wei Yangsheng said, "Let me carry you up." He then put her feet on his arms. Yu Xiang hugged Wei Yangsheng with both hands, her mouth filled with his crimson tongue. Wei Yangsheng picked her up, leaving the jade whisk inside her without withdrawing, and moved it while walking, making a galloping motion. He carried her to the bed, laid Yu Xiang down, and started to do it again with her feet up. After several hundred more thrusts, Yu Xiang suddenly cried out, "My darling, I'm going to die!" She tightly embraced Wei Yangsheng, moaning and groaning like a dying person. Wei Yangsheng knew her yin essence had been generated, so he pressed his jade whisk against her clitoris and rubbed hard, also seemingly dying alongside her.

They clung to each other for a moment, then Yu Xiang woke up and said, "Did you know I just died?" Wei Yangsheng said, "Of course I knew. This isn't called dying, it's called 'losing'." Yu Xiang asked, "What does 'losing' mean?" Wei Yangsheng explained, "Men have yang essence and women have yin essence. When you reach the peak of pleasure, that essence comes. Before the end, your whole body, flesh and bones, feels numb and tingly, like falling asleep, and then the essence is released. That's 'losing.' The fifth picture in the erotic palace is like that." Yu Xiang said, "According to you, after 'losing,' you'll live again, you're immortal?" Yang Sheng said, "A man loses himself every time he has sex with a woman, but there are women who are quick to climax, and a man loses himself dozens of times. That's called pleasure, how could he die!" Yu Xiang said, "If that's the case, from now on I'll lose myself every day and every night."

Yang Sheng laughed loudly, "Isn't my advice to you good? Isn't this erotic book a treasure?" Yu Xiang said, "It really is a treasure. It would be good to buy it and keep it at home to look at it often, but I'm afraid my friend will want to take it." Yang Sheng said, "That's just to fool you, I actually bought it myself." Yu Xiang was delighted to hear this. The two got up, dressed, and looked at the erotic book again. When they reached a particularly arousing point, they did it again. From that day on, the couple became exceptionally compatible and their love grew even stronger.

After looking at the erotic book, Yu Xiang's morals turned into lust. She didn't follow the middle way in their nighttime sex and loved to be unconventional. She would pour candle water upside down and try to start a fire from across a mountain. Her wild behavior of making lewd noises to enhance the pleasure during sex gradually became more and more common. Wei Yangsheng, wanting to fuel her lust, bought many erotic books from the bookstore, such as "The Unofficial History of the Embroidered Bed," "The Tale of Ruyi Jun," and "The Tale of the Foolish Old Woman," totaling a dozen or so. He placed them on the table for her to peruse, putting away all the books she had previously read. The couple's intimate moments could be depicted in 360 erotic paintings, yet still not fully captured. Truly, even the most exquisite zither and lute could not express their harmony, and the sounds of bells and drums could not convey their joy.

Wei Yangsheng was at the height of his happiness, except for one thing: while the couple was harmonious, there was considerable discord between him and his father-in-law. Why? Because the Taoist priest Tiefei was a man of ancient virtues, preferring simplicity to extravagance, avoiding talk of romance and favoring philosophical discourse. Ever since the night Wei Yangsheng married into the family, seeing his lavish clothes and frivolous behavior, he had felt annoyed. He sighed, "This boy is all show and no substance; he's destined for nothing. My daughter has been misguided." But the betrothal gifts had already been received, the marriage agreement was made, and there was no going back. He could only accept the situation and wait until after the wedding to discipline him as a strict father, forcing him to become a righteous man. Therefore, he was ruthless in his words and actions, scolding and reprimanding him for any slips of the tongue or mistakes in his conduct. Even the slightest impropriety in his posture or movements would be subject to nagging. Wei Yangsheng, young and impetuous, orphaned at a young age and without any discipline, could hardly endure such hardship. Several times he wanted to confront him, but fearing his wife's displeasure and the disruption to their marital bliss, he had no choice but to endure. Finally, he could no longer bear it. He thought to himself, "I only admired his daughter; because he refused to let her marry and insisted on finding someone else, I went to him. How dare he try to oppress me like this? I wouldn't even try to change such a pedantic scholar; he wants to change me instead." Besides, I, a romantic and talented man, am destined to do things that will make me famous for my illicit affairs. Do you think I can be swayed by just his daughter? If I'm kept under such strict control, not allowed to move an inch or utter a word, and I still do something out of line, won't I be sentenced to death? I'm now considering this: I can't argue with him, and I can't tolerate it. There's only one way: I must entrust my daughter to him, saying I'm going away to study and travel elsewhere. Now I've already married the first beauty in the world. If I meet a second, even if I can't marry her, we can still have a few nights together to fulfill our predestined fate.

I've made up my mind. I need to tell Yuxiang first and then ask my father-in-law, but I'm afraid Yuxiang will be too attached to our intimate moments and won't let me go. If I encounter her first, it won't be good to tell my father-in-law. He had no choice but to tell his father-in-law, behind Yuxiang's back, "I live in a remote mountain village, and I am ignorant and ill-informed. I have few wise teachers and no helpful friends, so my studies have not progressed. Now I wish to bid farewell to my father-in-law and travel around to broaden my horizons and expand my mind. Wherever I find wise teachers and helpful friends, I will study there. When the examinations come around, I will go to the provincial capital to take the exams. Perhaps I can achieve success in both the provincial and provincial examinations, which would not have been in vain for my father-in-law's decision to take me in as a son-in-law. I wonder if you would allow me to go?" The Taoist priest said, "You have been my son-in-law for half a year, and this is the only thing you have to say that is acceptable. It is a very good thing that you are willing to leave home to study. Why would I not allow it?" Wei Yangsheng said, "Although my father-in-law has agreed, I am afraid that your daughter will think that I am heartless, leaving so soon after our marriage. Now, according to my wishes, I should only say that it is my father-in-law's wish and not my business, so that I will not be held back and can go as I please." The Taoist priest said, "That is very true."

Having reached an agreement, the Taoist priest, in front of his daughter, persuaded Wei Yangsheng to go on his travels. Wei Yangsheng feigned reluctance, but the priest, with a stern face, pleaded with him until Wei Yangsheng finally obeyed. Yu Xiang, just as she was enjoying herself, suddenly heard her husband was leaving. Like a child being weaned, she was overwhelmed with grief. She even had to pay off any debts incurred after his departure. Wei Yangsheng knew the long journey would be lonely, and he might not find a wife immediately, so he diligently served her. Like hosting a banquet, though it was for guests, he also had to entertain them. Several nights of intimacy were something no one else could tell; only the couple knew the details. When it was time to leave, Wei Yangsheng bid farewell to his father-in-law and wife, taking only his servant with him. Afterwards, Wei Yangsheng encountered many more extraordinary events; stay tuned for the next chapter.

Commentary:

His reasoning and persuasion are chilling; his descriptions of passion and desire are captivating. Those who are ignorant see the author's flaw as indecisiveness, but they fail to realize that the most poignant and moving parts are precisely where the author deliberately tries to persuade. Consider Yu Xiang's upright character before she saw the erotic scenes; and her lustful nature after reading the inscriptions. The difference between chastity and lewdness, nobility and baseness, is instantaneous, all due to the man's role in leading people astray. Shouldn't men be cautious?

Chapter Four: A Traveler's Heart Grieves in the Desolate Suburbs; Loneliness Grows and Falls; Thieves Speak of Romantic Affairs

. Wei Yangsheng, having parted from his husband and wife, set out to study. He followed his own path, without a fixed direction; wherever there were beautiful women, that was his home. He would stay for several days in every prefecture and county he passed through. He was a young scholar, excelling in examinations and fond of forming societies, producing numerous works. Within a thousand miles, every scholar knew him, so wherever he went, friends would invite him to join their societies. He considered writing and making friends as secondary; seeking beautiful women was his top priority. Every morning, he would rise and search every street and alley. All he saw were ordinary women; none possessed any extraordinary beauty.

One day, in a desolate inn, his two servants fell ill and were unable to leave. He wanted to go out for a walk, but without someone to accompany him, he feared it would be unseemly for women to see him, and he sat alone, feeling quite bored. Suddenly, a fellow guest from the next room approached and said, "Sir, you seem rather lonely sitting alone. I have a pot of wine over there; if you don't mind, would you please come and have a drink with me?" Wei Yangsheng replied, "We've only just met; how could I trouble you?" The man said, "I've heard that scholars greatly enjoy a carefree life. Why are you so formal, sir? Though I am a lowly person, I love making friends, but you have a bright future ahead of you, and I dare not presume to presume upon you. Since we're both in an inn, it's a rare opportunity to meet; why not sit here for a while?"

Wei Yangsheng, feeling extremely bored and eager to have someone to talk to, agreed. He went with him, and the man helped Wei Yangsheng to the upper floor, then sat down beside him. Wei Yangsheng repeatedly refused, but pulled him to sit opposite him. The man then asked his name. Wei Yangsheng told him his pseudonym and asked what his honorific title was. The man said, "I am a commoner, I have no pseudonym. I only have a nickname, 'Sai Kunlun'." Wei Yangsheng said, "This honorific title is strange. Why did you choose these three characters?" The man said, "If I were to tell you, I'm afraid you would be frightened and disdain to drink with me." Wei Yangsheng said, "I am also a chivalrous man, I am not afraid even if gods or ghosts stand before me. As for status, wealth, wisdom, or foolishness, I don't care. As long as we are of the same mind, what is there to disdain!" Sai Kunlun said, "Then I might as well speak frankly. I am a thief by day, I can fly over walls and scale walls. No matter how tall the building is, or how thick the wall is, I can easily enter his bed and steal his things. I won't let him know until the next day. People say there was once a Kunlun who could fly into Guo Linggong's mansion and steal the red silk. He spent his whole life as a thief..." " Once I did it, I don't know how many hundreds of times I've done it, hence the name 'Sai Kunlun'

(meaning 'Surpassing Kunlun')." Wei Yangsheng was greatly surprised and said, "Since you've been doing this for so long and are famous, everyone knows you, won't you get into trouble?" Sai Kunlun said, "If I get into trouble, I won't be a hero. As the saying goes, 'Catch the thief with the stolen goods.' If I can't catch the thief, I'll just tell him, and he won't dare to do anything to me. Everyone near and far flatters me, fearing that if they offend me, I'll scheme against them. I have some principles of loyalty and 'five things I won't steal from': I won't steal from those in misfortune, I won't steal from those in good fortune, I won't steal from acquaintances, I won't steal from those I've already stolen from, and I won't steal

from those who aren't on guard." Wei Yangsheng said, "These five points are interesting. Please explain them one by one." Sai Kunlun said, "If someone is in misfortune, or is sick, or is in mourning, or is facing a sudden disaster, and is in dire need, if I steal from them, it's like adding fuel to the fire. They will..." I can't afford to steal from them. That's why I won't go. If someone is celebrating a happy occasion—a wedding, a housewarming, a birth, or a birthday—they're in the midst of good fortune. If I steal from them, it will bring them bad luck and hinder their future endeavors. That's why I won't go. Stealing from a complete stranger wouldn't be wrong. But if it were someone I see every day, someone I greet with respect, they wouldn't suspect me, and I'd feel ashamed. That's why I won't go. The wealthy have so much gold and silver; if I steal from them once, it's just taking a cut—what's wrong with that? If I get a taste of the thrill and then keep bothering them, I'd be a greedy person, and I won't do that. Those people live in constant fear, always on guard against thieves, constantly talking about thieves. If they treat me with disrespect, I'll treat them with disrespect. Stealing from them once will show them my lack of understanding—that's not easy. "It's for defense. If they are generous and magnanimous, knowing that money is just an external thing and not caring about it, or if they forget to lock their doors or leave their room doors open, then if I were to steal from them, I would be seen as a bully who preys on the weak. I would never be like that. This is called the 'Five Things I Don't Steal From.' People near and far see these good qualities in me, so even though they know I'm a thief, they don't treat me like one. Instead, they associate with me without feeling ashamed. Now, if you still don't mind, let's become sworn brothers here. If I ever need anything in the future, I'll serve you without hesitation, even if it means my death."

Wei Yangsheng sighed inwardly as he listened to him. He hadn't expected there to be such a hero among thieves. He might not need him elsewhere, but if he encountered a beautiful woman like Hongxiao or Hongfu, living in a grand mansion where communication might be difficult or she might not be able to move freely, wouldn't it be terrible to entrust her to him like a Kunlun? Thinking of this, he couldn't help but dance with joy. Later, upon hearing that he was to become sworn brothers with him, he hesitated, though he verbally agreed with "Excellent," his heart not entirely eager. Sai Kunlun, knowing his thoughts, spoke up, "Sir, you've made up your mind, but your heart isn't. Are you afraid of being implicated? No matter how powerful a villain may be, I would never commit a thief. Even if I did, I would die alone, never implicating innocent people. Sir, you needn't worry." Seeing that he had seen through the scheme and dispelled his doubts, Wei Yangsheng readily agreed. The two each contributed funds for a sacrificial offering of three animals, wrote down the date, and swore an oath of brotherhood in the shop, vowing to live and die together. Sai Kunlun was older, and Wei Yangsheng was younger, so they addressed each other as brothers. They shared the sacrificial offerings, eating until midnight. When they were about to sleep separately, Wei Yangsheng said, "Sleeping in separate places will only make us both lonely. Why not stay in my bed, whisper sweet nothings, and pass the long night together?" Sai Kunlun agreed, "That makes sense." So the two took off their clothes and slept in the same bed.

As soon as Wei Yangsheng climbed into bed, he unconsciously revealed his usual behavior. He said, "How come there's no woman I like in such a good place!" Sai Kunlun asked, "Why do you say that, my good brother? Haven't you married yet? Are you going to seek a wife everywhere?" Wei Yangsheng replied, "I have married. But how can a man rely on just one woman to grow old with?" He added, "I must find a few companions besides my wife. To be honest, I have a very romantic nature. This trip, ostensibly for study, is actually for seeking out women. I've traveled through many counties, and the women I've seen either use makeup to cover their dark skin or wear jade necklaces to hide their sallow hair. Where is there a woman who is naturally beautiful without needing to be dressed up?" "So, I grew tired of seeing them and couldn't help but say these two words." Sai Kunlun said, "My good brother, you're mistaken. A truly good woman never lets anyone see her; any woman who does is definitely not a good woman. Let alone daughters of respectable families, even prostitutes, unless they are extremely ugly and unwanted, would dare to come out and sell their smiles at their door. Anyone with even a little bit of value would sit at home waiting for someone to visit them before they'd come out. How much more so would a daughter of a good family stand at her door for people to see? If you want to know what a good woman is, you'll have to come and ask me."

Upon hearing this, Wei Yangsheng raised his head and said, "That's strange. Elder brother, you don't frequent places of pleasure, so how do you know about my affairs?" Sai Kunlun said, "Although I don't frequent places of pleasure, I am the only one who can clearly see and hear about matters of pleasure. Let me ask you, are there more beautiful women in the world from wealthy families or poor families?" Wei Yangsheng said, "Naturally, from wealthy families." Sai Kunlun said, "The beautiful women from wealthy families are only clearly seen when they have applied makeup and are dressed. They are more beautiful when they have washed off their makeup..." "You can only see her clearly after she takes off her clothes?" Wei Yangsheng said, "Of course, you can only see her true colors after she washes off her clothes." Sai Kunlun said, "Now you understand. We thieves naturally don't go to poor people's homes; we frequent places full of jewelers and finery, so we see more of them. We go when it's late at night and quiet; she's either sitting under the bright moon with her clothes off, or sleeping in the lamplight with her curtains open. I was afraid she wasn't asleep and wouldn't dare pack her things, so I hid in the shadows, staring at her intently, watching her without making a sound or moving, until she..." He only acted after she fell asleep. Therefore, he observed very carefully, not only seeing her face and skin without any concealment, but also clearly discerning the height of her vulva and the amount of pubic hair. "Which women within hundreds of miles are beautiful, and which are not, I know in my heart. If you wish to do this, just ask me."

Wei Yangsheng, who had been listening intently from under the covers, unconsciously sat up, exposing his chest, and said, "That makes sense. You can't see the daughters of noble families, no matter who they are, and even if you did, you wouldn't be able to tell clearly. Only you two can know them." "Some say, 'What if you see a beautiful woman and a full vulva, and suddenly become aroused?'" Sai Kunlun replied, "When I was young, I couldn't resist such sights. I would secretly masturbate to women, just like having sex with them. But

after seeing it so often, I stopped caring. Looking at a vulva is like looking at an ordinary tool; it doesn't arouse me. But when I see her having sex with her husband, moaning and groaning, and her vulva moving, I can't help but get a little aroused."

Wei Yangsheng, seeing that he had spoken so eloquently, turned over and lay down to listen. Sai Kunlun said, "If you don't mind the profanity, let me tell you a story or two. I wonder if you'd be willing to listen?" Wei Yangsheng said, "Excellent! If it's like this, a single conversation with you is worth more than ten years of study. Tell me quickly." Sai Kunlun said, "I've seen so many things in my life, I don't know where to begin. Now, ask me any one question, and I'll tell you one."

Wei Yangsheng said, "Tell me, are there more women who like sex or those who don't?" Sai Kunlun said, "Naturally, there are more who like sex. About one or two out of a hundred women don't like sex, the rest like it. But among those who like sex, there are two kinds. Some like it in their hearts and say they want to do it. Others like it in their hearts but pretend they don't want to, waiting for their husbands to force them to do it..." Then their true colors were revealed. Of these two types of women, the first one was easier to deal with. At first, I hid in the shadows and saw her urging her husband to have sex; I thought she was an extremely lustful woman, tireless all night long. But she only lasted a few strokes before giving up, and after that, she was exhausted and just wanted to sleep, indifferent to whether her husband did it or not. Only women who pretended not to want to have sex were extremely difficult to deal with. I once went to steal a glimpse of one and saw a husband trying to get his wife to have sex, but she refused. The husband climbed on top of her, but she pushed him off. The husband only said he didn't want to, and then fell fast asleep. The woman deliberately tossed and turned, trying to wake him. Seeing that she couldn't wake him, she tried to shake him. But the husband slept soundly and wouldn't wake up. She then shouted loudly: '?a href=http://www.687bo.com target=_blank class=infotextkey>性簦舭驯鸶鲎鲈舻模戳凰抛皮恕n抑浪皇呛霸簦且颜煞颍闷鹄锤墒隆9回怀鏊希患煞蛳判阎螅职亚苫爸角溃骸讲攀敲ㄗ嚼鲜筇幌双欤椅筇耍凰凳窃簦涫挡幌哦伞！ 桶颜煞蚪艚袈

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