醒世恒言第二卷三孝廉让产立高名
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<span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">醒世恒言</span><font face="times new roman"> </font><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">第二卷</span><font face="times new roman"> </font><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">三孝廉让产立高名</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><font face="times new roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">紫荆枝下还家日,花萼楼中合被时。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">同气从来兄与弟,千秋羞咏豆萁诗。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">这首诗,为劝人兄弟和顺而作,用著二个故事,看官听在下一一分剖。第一句说:“紫荆枝下还家日”。昔时有田氏兄弟三人,小同居合爨。长的娶妻叫田大嫂,次的娶妻叫田二嫂。妯娌和睦,并无闲言。惟第三的年小,随著哥嫂过日。后来长大娶妻,叫田三嫂。那田三嫂为人不贤,恃著自己有些妆奁,看见夫家一锅里煮饭,一桌上吃食,不用私钱,不动私秤,便私房要吃些东西,也不方便,日夜在丈夫面前撺掇:“公堂钱库田产,都是伯伯们掌管,一出一入,你全不知道。他是亮里,你是暗里。用一说十,用十说百,哪里晓得!目今虽说同居,到底有个散场。若还家道消乏下来,只苦得你年幼的。依我说,不如早早分析,将财产三分拨开,各人自去营运,不好么?”田三一时被妻言所惑,认为有理,央亲戚对哥哥说,要分析而居。田大、田二初时不肯,被田三夫妇内外连连催逼,只得依允。将所有房产钱谷之类,二分拨开,分毫不多,分毫不多,分毫不少。只有庭前一捆大紫荆树,积祖传下,极其茂盛,既要析居,这树归著哪一个?可惜正在开花之际,也说不得了。田大至公无私,议将此树砍倒,将粗本分为三截,每人各得一截,其余零枝碎叶,论秤分开。商议已妥,只待来日动手。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">次日天明,田大唤了两个兄弟,同去砍树。到得树边看时,枝枯叶萎,全无生气。田大把手一推,其树应手而倒根芽俱露。田大住手,向树大哭。两个兄弟道:“此树值得甚么!兄长何必如此痛惜!”田大道:“吾非哭此树也。思我兄弟三人,产于一姓,同爷合母,比这树枝枝叶叶,连根而生,分开不得。根生本,本生枝,枝生叶,所以荣盛。昨日议将此树分为三截,树不忍活活分离,一夜自家枯死。我兄弟三人若分离了,亦如此树枯死,岂有荣盛之日?吾所以悲哀耳。”田二、三闻哥哥所言,至情感动:“可以人而不如树乎?”遂相抱做一堆,痛哭不已。大家不忍分析,情愿依旧同居合爨。三房妻子听得堂前哭声,出来看时方知其故。大嫂二嫂,各各欢喜,惟三嫂不愿,口出怨言。田三要将妻逐出。两个哥哥再三劝住。三嫂羞惭,还房自缢而死。此乃自作孽不可活。这话搁过不题。再说田大可惜那棵紫荆树,再来看其树无整理,自然端正,枝枝再活,花萎重新,比前更加烂熳。田大唤两个兄弟来看了,各人嗟讶不已。自此田氏累世同居。有诗为证:</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">紫荆花下说三田,人合人离花亦然。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">同气连枝原不解,家中莫听妇人言。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">第二句说“花萼楼中合被时”。那花萼楼在陕西长安城中,大唐玄宗皇帝所建。玄宗皇帝就是唐明皇。他原是唐家宗室,因为韦氏乱政,武三囚专权,明皇起兵诛之,遂即帝位。有五个兄弟,皆封王爵,时号“五王”。明皇友爱甚笃,起一座大楼,取</span><span lang="en-us"><font face="times new roman">)</font></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">之义,名日花萼。时时召五王登楼欢宴。又制成大幔,名为“五王帐”。帐中长枕大被,明皇和五王时常同寝其中。有诗为证:</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">羯鼓频敲玉笛催,朱楼宴罢夕阳微。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">宫人秉烛通宵坐,不信君王夜不归。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span>
span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>第四句说“千秋羞咏豆萁诗”。后汉魏王曹操长子曹丕,篡汉称帝。有弟曹植,字子建,聪明绝世。操生时最所宠爱,几遍欲立为嗣而不果。曹丕衔其旧恨,欲寻事而杀之。一日,召子建问曰:“先帝每夸汝诗才敏捷,朕未曾面试。今限汝七步之内,成诗一首。如若不成,当坐汝欺诳之罪。”子建未及七步,其诗已成,中寓规讽之意。诗曰:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>煮豆燃豆萁,豆在釜中泣。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>本是同根生,相煎何太急。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>曹丕见诗感泣,遂释前恨。后人有诗为证:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>从来宠贵起猜疑,七步诗成亦可危。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>堪叹釜萁仇未已,六朝骨肉尽诛夷。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>说话的,为何今日讲这两三个故事?只为自家要说那三孝廉让产立高名。这段话文不比曹丕忌刻,也没子建风流,胜如紫荆花下三田,花萼楼中诸李,随你不和顺的弟兄,听著在下讲这节故事,都要学好起来。正是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>要知天下事,须读古人书。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>这故事出在东汉光武年间。那时天下安,万民乐业。朝有梧凤之鸣,野无谷驹之叹。原来汉朝取士之法,不比今时。他不以科目取士,惟凭州郡选举。虽则有博学宏词、贤良方正等科,惟以孝廉为重。孝者,孝弟;廉者,廉洁。孝则忠君,廉则爱民。但是举了孝廉,便得出身做官。若依了今日事势,州县考个童生,还有几十封荐书,若是举孝廉时,不知多少分上钻刺,依旧是富贵子弟钻去了。孤寒的便有曾参之孝,伯夷之廉,休想扬名显姓。只是汉时法度甚妙,但是举过芋人孝廉,其人若困然有才有德,不拘资格,骤熬升擢,连举主俱纪录受赏;若所举不得其人,后日或贪财坏法,轻则罪黜,重则抄没,连举主一同受罪。那荐人的与所荐之人,休戚相关,不敢胡乱。所以公道大明,朝班清肃。不在话下。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>且说会稽郡阳羡县,有一人姓许名武,字长文,十五岁上,父母双亡。虽然遗下些田产童仆,奈门户单微,无人帮助。更兼有两个兄弟,一名许晏,年方九岁,一名许普,年方七岁,都则幼小无知,终日赶著哥哥啼哭。那许武日则躬率童仆,耕田种圃,夜则挑灯读书。但是耕种时,二弟虽未胜锄,必使从旁观看。但是读时,把两个小兄弟坐于案旁,将句读亲口传授,细细讲解,教以礼让之节,成人之道。稍不率教,辄跪于家庙之前,痛自督责,说自己德行不足,不能化诲,愿父母有灵,吞牖二弟,涕泣不已。直待兄弟号泣请罪,方才起身,并不以疾言倨色相加也。室中只用铺陈一副,兄弟三人同睡。如此数年,二弟俱已长成,家事亦渐丰盛。有人劝许武娶妻,许武答道:“若娶妻,便当与二弟别居。笃夫妇之爱,而忘手足之情,吾不忍也。”繇是昼则同耕,夜则同读,食必同器,宿必同床。乡里传出个大名,都称为“孝弟许武”,又传出几句口号,道是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>阳羡许季长,耕读昼夜忙。教诲二弟俱成行,不是长兄是父娘。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>时州牧郡守俱闻其名,交章荐举,朝廷徵为议郎,下诏会稽郡。太守奉旨,檄下县令,刻日劝驾。许武迫于君命,料难推阻,吩咐两个兄弟:“在家躬耕力学,一口我在家之时,不可懈废业,有负先人遗训。”又嘱咐奴仆:“俱要小心安分,听两个家主役使,早起夜眠,共扶家业。”嘱咐已毕,收拾行装,不用官府车辆,自己雇了脚力登车,只带一个童儿,望长安进发。不一日,到京朝见受职。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>忽一日,思想二弟在家,力学多年,不见州郡荐举,诚恐怠荒失业,意欲还家省视。遂上疏,其略云:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>臣以菲才,遭逢圣代,致位通显,未谋报称,敢图暇逸?但古人云:“人生百行,孝弟为先。”“不孝有三,无后为大。”先父母早背,域兆未修;臣弟二人,学业未立;臣三十未娶。五天子览奏,准给假暂归,命乘传衣锦还乡,复赐黄金二十斤为婚礼之费。许武谢恩辞朝,百官俱于郊外送行。正是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>报道锦衣归故里,争夸白屋出公卿。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>许武既归,省视先茔已毕,便乃纳还官诰,只推有病,不愿为官。过了些时,从容召二弟至前,询其学业之进退。许晏、许普应答如流,理明词畅。许武心中大喜。再稽查田宅之数,比前恢廓数倍,皆二弟勤俭之所积也。武于是遍访里中良家女子,先与两个兄弟定亲,自己方才娶妻,续又与二弟婚配。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>约莫数月,忽然对二弟说道:“吾闻兄弟有析居之义。今吾与汝,皆已娶妇,田产不薄,理宜各立门户。”二弟唯唯惟命。乃择日治酒,遍召里中父老。三爵已过,乃告以析居之事。因悉召僮仆至前,将所有家财,一一分剖。首取广宅自予,说道:“吾位为贵臣,门宜,体面不可不肃。汝辈力田耕作,得竹庐茅舍足矣。”又阅田地之籍,凡良田悉归之已,将硗薄者量给二弟,说道:“我宾客众盛,交游日广,非壮健伶俐者,说道:“吾出入跟随,非此不足以给使令。汝辈合力耕作,正须此愚蠢者作伴,老弱馈食足矣,不须多人,费汝衣食也。”</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>众父老一向知许武是个孝弟之人,这番分财,定然辞多就少。不想他般般件件,自占便宜。两个小兄弟所得,不及他十分之五,全无谦让之心,大有欺凌之意。众人心中甚是不平,有几个刚直老人气忿不过,竟自去了。有个心直口快的,便想要开口,说公道话,与两个小兄弟做乔主张。其中又有个老成的,背地里捏手捏脚,教他莫说,以此罢了。那教他莫说的,也有些见识,他道:“富贵的人,与贫贱的人,不是一般肚肠。许武已做了显官,比不得当初了。常言道:疏不间亲。你我终是外人,怎管得他家事。就是好言相劝,料未必听从,枉费了唇舌,到挑拨他兄弟不和。倘或做兄弟的肯让哥哥,十分之美,你我又呕这闲气则甚!,若做兄弟的心上不甘,必然争论。等他争论时节,我们替他做个主张,却不是好!”正是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>事非干已休多管,话不投机莫强言。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>原来许晏、许普,自从蒙哥哥教诲,知书达礼,全以孝弟为重,见哥哥如此分析,以为理之当然,绝无几微不平的意思。许武分拨已定,众人皆散。许武居中住了正房,其左右小房,许晏、许普各住一边。每日率领家奴下田耕种,暇则读书,时时将疑义叩问哥哥,以此为常。妯娌之间,也与他兄弟三人一般和顺。从此里中父老,人人薄许武之所为,都可怜他两个兄弟,私下议论道路:“许武是个假孝廉,许晏、许普才是个真孝廉。他思念父母面上,一体同气,听其教诲,唯唯诺诺,并不违拗,岂不是孝?他又重义轻财,任分多少,全不争论,岂不是廉?”起初里中传个好名,叫做“孝弟许武”,如今抹落了武字,改做“孝弟许家”,把许晏、许普弄出一个大名来。那汉朝清议极重,又传出几句口号,道是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>假孝廉,做官员;真孝廉,出口钱。假孝廉,据高轩;真孝廉,守茅檐。假孝,富田园;真孝廉,执锄镰。真为玉,假为瓦,瓦登厦,玉抛野。不宜真,只宜假。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>那时明帝即,下诏求贤,令有司访问笃行有学之士,登门礼聘,传驿至京。诏书到会稽郡,郡守分谕各县。县令平昔已知许晏、许普让产不争之事,又值父老公举他真孝真廉,行过其兄,把二人申报本郡。郡守和州牧皆素闻其名,一同举荐。县令亲到其门,下车投谒,手奉玄束帛,备陈天子求贤之意。许晏、许普谦让不已。许武道:“幼学壮行,君子本分之事,吾弟不可固辞。”</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>二人只得应诏,别了哥嫂,乘传到于长安,朝见天子。拜舞已毕,天子金口玉言,问道:“卿是许武之弟乎?”晏、普叩头应诏。天子又道:“闻卿家有孝弟之名。卿之廉让,有过于兄,朕心嘉悦。”晏、普叩头道:“圣运龙兴,辟门访落,此乃帝王盛典。郡县不以臣晏臣普为不肖,有溷圣聪。臣幼失怙恃,承兄武教训,兢兢自守,耕耘诵读之外,别无他长。弟等何能及兄武之万一。”天子闻对,嘉其谦德,即日俱拜为内史。不五年间,皆至九卿之位。居官虽不如乃兄赫赫之名,然满朝称为廉让。忽一日,许武致家书于二弟。二弟拆开看之,书曰:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>匹夫而膺辟召,仕宦而至九卿,此亦人生之极荣也。二疏有言:“知足不辱,知止不殆。”</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><font face='times new roman'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span></font></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>既无出类拔萃之才,宜急流勇退,以避贤路。晏、普得书,即日同上疏辞官。天子不许。疏三上,天子问宰相未均道:“许晏、许普壮入仕,备位九卿。朕待之不薄,而屡屡求退,何也?”未均奏道:“晏、普兄弟二人,天性孝友。今许武久居林下,而晏、普并驾天衢,其心或有未安。”天子道:“朕并召许武,使兄弟三人同朝辅政何如?”未均道:“臣察晏、普之意,出于至诚。陛下不若姑从所请,以遂其高。异日更下诏徵之。或仿先朝故事,就近与一大郡,以展其未尽之才,因使便道归省,则陛下好贤之诚,与晏、普友爱之义,两得之矣。”天子准奏,即拜许宴为丹阳郡太守,许普为吴郡太守,各赐黄金二十斤,宽假三月,以尽兄弟之情。许晏、许普谢恩辞朝,公卿俱出郭到十里长亭,相饯而别。晏、普二人,星夜回到阳羡,拜见了哥哥,将朝廷所赐黄金,尽数献出。许武道:“这是圣上恩赐,吾何敢当!”教二弟各自收去。次日,许武备下三牲祭礼,率领二弟到父母坟茔,拜奠了毕,随即设宴遍召里中父老。许氏三兄弟,都做了大官,虽然他不以富贵骄人,自然声势赫奕。闻他呼唤,不敢不来,浖獴加个请字?那时众父老来得愈加整齐。许武手捧酒卮,亲自劝酒。众人都道:“长文公与二哥三哥接风之酒,老汉辈安敢僭先!”比时风俗淳厚,乡党序齿,许武出仕己久,还叫一句“长文公”。那两个兄弟,又下一辈了,虽是九卿之贵,乡尊故旧,依旧称“哥”。许武道:“下官此席,专屈诸乡亲下降,有句肺腑言奉告。必须满饮三杯,方敢奉闻。”众人被劝,只得吃了。许武教两个兄弟次第把盏,各敬一杯。众人饮罢,齐声道:“老汉辈承贤昆玉厚爱,借花献佛,也要奉敬。”许武等三人,亦各饮讫。众人道:“适才长文公所谕金玉之言,老汉辈拱听已久,愿得示下。”许武叠两个指头,说将出来。言无数句,使听者毛骨耸然。正是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>斥鷃不知大鹏,河伯不知海若。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>圣贤一段苦心,庸夫岂能测度。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>许武当时未曾开谈,先流下泪来。吓得众人惊惶无措。两个兄弟慌忙跪下,问道:“哥哥何事悲伤?”许武道:“我的心事,藏之数年,今日不得不言。”指著晏、普道:“只因为你两个名誉未成,使我作违心之事,冒不韪之名,有玷于祖宗,贻笑于乡里,所以流泪。”遂取出一卷册籍,把与众人观看。原来田地屋宅及历年收敛米粟布帛之数。众人还未晓其意。许武又道:“我当初教育两个兄弟,原要他立身修道,扬名显亲。不想我虚名早著,遂先显达。二弟在家,躬耕力学,不得州郡徵辟。我欲效古人祁大夫内举不避亲,诚恐不知二弟之学行者,说他因兄而得官,误了终身名节。我故倡为析居之议,将大宅良田,强奴巧婢,悉据为已有。度吾弟素敦爱敬,决不争竞。吾暂冒贪饕之迹,吾弟有廉让之名。困蒙乡里公评,荣膺徵聘。今位列公卿,官常无玷,吾志已遂矣。这些田房奴婢,都是公共之物,吾岂可一人独享!这几年以来,所收米谷布帛,分毫不敢妄用,尽数开载在那册籍上。今日交付二弟,表为兄的向来心迹,也教众乡尊得知。”</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>众父老到此,方知许武先年析产一片苦心,自愧见识低微,不能窥测,齐声称叹不已。只有许晏、许普哭倒在地,有累兄长。今日若非兄长自说,弟辈都在梦中。兄长盛德,从古未有。只是弟辈不肖之罪,万分难赎。这些小家财,原是兄长苦挣来的,合该兄长管业。弟辈衣食自足,不消兄长挂念。”许武道:“做哥的力田有年,颇知生殖。况且宦情已淡,便当老于锄,以终天年。二弟年富力强,方司民社,宜资庄产,以终廉节。”晏、普又道:“哥哥为弟辈而册籍,聊减弟辈万一之罪。”</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>众父老见他兄弟三人交相推让,你不收,我不受,一齐向前劝道:“贤昆玉所言,都则一般道理。长文公若独得了这田产,不见得向来成全两位这一段苦心;两位若迳受了,又负了令兄长文公这一段美意。依老汉辈愚见,宜作三股均分,无厚无薄,这才见兄友弟恭,各尽其道。”他三个兀自你推我让。那父老中有前番那几个刚直的,挺身向前,厉声说道:“吾等适才分处,甚得中庸之道,若再推逊,便是矫情沽誉了。把这册籍来,待老汉与你分剖。”许武弟兄三人,更不敢多言,只得凭他主张,当时将田产配搭三股分开,各自管业。中间大宅,仍旧许武居住。左右屋宇窄狭,以所在粟帛之数补偿晏、普,他日自行改造。其僮婢,亦皆分派。众父老都称为公平。许武等三人施礼作谢,邀入正席饮酒,尽欢而散。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>许武心中终以前香析产之事为歉,欲将所得良田之半,立为义庄,以赡乡里,许晏、许普闻知,亦各出己产相助。里中人人叹服,又传出几句口号来,道是:真孝廉,惟许武;谁继之?晏与普。弟不争,兄不取。作义庄,赡乡里,呜呼孝廉谁可比!</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>晏、普感兄之义,又将朝廷所赐黄金,大市牛酒,日日邀里中父老与哥哥会饮。如此三月,假期已满,晏、普不忍与哥哥分别,各要纳还官诰。许武再三劝谕,责以大义,二人只得听从,各携妻小赴任。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>却说里中父老,将许武一门孝弟之事,备细申闻郡县,郡县为之奏闻。圣旨命有司旌表其门,称其里为孝弟里。后来三公九卿,交章荐许武德行绝伦,不宜逸之田野,累诏起用。许武只不奉诏,有人问其缘故,许武道:“两弟在朝居位之时,吾曾讽以知足知止。我若今日复出应诏,是自食其吾了。况方今朝廷之上,是非相激,势利相倾,恐非缙绅之福;不如躬耕乐道之为愈耳。”人皆服其高见。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>再说晏、普到任,守其乃兄之教,各以清节自励,大有政声。后闻其兄高致,不肯出仕。弟兄相约,各将印绶纳还,奔回田里,日奉其兄为山水之游,尽老百年而终。许氏子孙昌茂,累代衣冠不绝,至今称为“孝弟许家”云。后人作歌叹道:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>今人兄弟多分产,古人兄弟亦分产。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>古人分产成弟名,今人分产但嚣争。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>古人自污为义,今人自污争微利。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>孝义名高身并荣,微利相争家共倾。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>安得尽居孝弟里,却把阋墙人愧死。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">醒世恒言</span><font face="times new roman"> </font><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">第二卷</span><font face="times new roman"> </font><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">三孝廉让产立高名</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><font face="times new roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">紫荆枝下还家日,花萼楼中合被时。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">同气从来兄与弟,千秋羞咏豆萁诗。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">这首诗,为劝人兄弟和顺而作,用著二个故事,看官听在下一一分剖。第一句说:“紫荆枝下还家日”。昔时有田氏兄弟三人,小同居合爨。长的娶妻叫田大嫂,次的娶妻叫田二嫂。妯娌和睦,并无闲言。惟第三的年小,随著哥嫂过日。后来长大娶妻,叫田三嫂。那田三嫂为人不贤,恃著自己有些妆奁,看见夫家一锅里煮饭,一桌上吃食,不用私钱,不动私秤,便私房要吃些东西,也不方便,日夜在丈夫面前撺掇:“公堂钱库田产,都是伯伯们掌管,一出一入,你全不知道。他是亮里,你是暗里。用一说十,用十说百,哪里晓得!目今虽说同居,到底有个散场。若还家道消乏下来,只苦得你年幼的。依我说,不如早早分析,将财产三分拨开,各人自去营运,不好么?”田三一时被妻言所惑,认为有理,央亲戚对哥哥说,要分析而居。田大、田二初时不肯,被田三夫妇内外连连催逼,只得依允。将所有房产钱谷之类,二分拨开,分毫不多,分毫不多,分毫不少。只有庭前一捆大紫荆树,积祖传下,极其茂盛,既要析居,这树归著哪一个?可惜正在开花之际,也说不得了。田大至公无私,议将此树砍倒,将粗本分为三截,每人各得一截,其余零枝碎叶,论秤分开。商议已妥,只待来日动手。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">次日天明,田大唤了两个兄弟,同去砍树。到得树边看时,枝枯叶萎,全无生气。田大把手一推,其树应手而倒根芽俱露。田大住手,向树大哭。两个兄弟道:“此树值得甚么!兄长何必如此痛惜!”田大道:“吾非哭此树也。思我兄弟三人,产于一姓,同爷合母,比这树枝枝叶叶,连根而生,分开不得。根生本,本生枝,枝生叶,所以荣盛。昨日议将此树分为三截,树不忍活活分离,一夜自家枯死。我兄弟三人若分离了,亦如此树枯死,岂有荣盛之日?吾所以悲哀耳。”田二、三闻哥哥所言,至情感动:“可以人而不如树乎?”遂相抱做一堆,痛哭不已。大家不忍分析,情愿依旧同居合爨。三房妻子听得堂前哭声,出来看时方知其故。大嫂二嫂,各各欢喜,惟三嫂不愿,口出怨言。田三要将妻逐出。两个哥哥再三劝住。三嫂羞惭,还房自缢而死。此乃自作孽不可活。这话搁过不题。再说田大可惜那棵紫荆树,再来看其树无整理,自然端正,枝枝再活,花萎重新,比前更加烂熳。田大唤两个兄弟来看了,各人嗟讶不已。自此田氏累世同居。有诗为证:</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">紫荆花下说三田,人合人离花亦然。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">同气连枝原不解,家中莫听妇人言。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">第二句说“花萼楼中合被时”。那花萼楼在陕西长安城中,大唐玄宗皇帝所建。玄宗皇帝就是唐明皇。他原是唐家宗室,因为韦氏乱政,武三囚专权,明皇起兵诛之,遂即帝位。有五个兄弟,皆封王爵,时号“五王”。明皇友爱甚笃,起一座大楼,取</span><span lang="en-us"><font face="times new roman">)</font></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">之义,名日花萼。时时召五王登楼欢宴。又制成大幔,名为“五王帐”。帐中长枕大被,明皇和五王时常同寝其中。有诗为证:</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">羯鼓频敲玉笛催,朱楼宴罢夕阳微。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span></span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"">宫人秉烛通宵坐,不信君王夜不归。</span>
<span lang="en-us"><o:p><font face="times new roman"> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang="en-us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="times new roman"> </font></span>
span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>第四句说“千秋羞咏豆萁诗”。后汉魏王曹操长子曹丕,篡汉称帝。有弟曹植,字子建,聪明绝世。操生时最所宠爱,几遍欲立为嗣而不果。曹丕衔其旧恨,欲寻事而杀之。一日,召子建问曰:“先帝每夸汝诗才敏捷,朕未曾面试。今限汝七步之内,成诗一首。如若不成,当坐汝欺诳之罪。”子建未及七步,其诗已成,中寓规讽之意。诗曰:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>煮豆燃豆萁,豆在釜中泣。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>本是同根生,相煎何太急。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>曹丕见诗感泣,遂释前恨。后人有诗为证:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>从来宠贵起猜疑,七步诗成亦可危。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>堪叹釜萁仇未已,六朝骨肉尽诛夷。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>说话的,为何今日讲这两三个故事?只为自家要说那三孝廉让产立高名。这段话文不比曹丕忌刻,也没子建风流,胜如紫荆花下三田,花萼楼中诸李,随你不和顺的弟兄,听著在下讲这节故事,都要学好起来。正是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>要知天下事,须读古人书。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>这故事出在东汉光武年间。那时天下安,万民乐业。朝有梧凤之鸣,野无谷驹之叹。原来汉朝取士之法,不比今时。他不以科目取士,惟凭州郡选举。虽则有博学宏词、贤良方正等科,惟以孝廉为重。孝者,孝弟;廉者,廉洁。孝则忠君,廉则爱民。但是举了孝廉,便得出身做官。若依了今日事势,州县考个童生,还有几十封荐书,若是举孝廉时,不知多少分上钻刺,依旧是富贵子弟钻去了。孤寒的便有曾参之孝,伯夷之廉,休想扬名显姓。只是汉时法度甚妙,但是举过芋人孝廉,其人若困然有才有德,不拘资格,骤熬升擢,连举主俱纪录受赏;若所举不得其人,后日或贪财坏法,轻则罪黜,重则抄没,连举主一同受罪。那荐人的与所荐之人,休戚相关,不敢胡乱。所以公道大明,朝班清肃。不在话下。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>且说会稽郡阳羡县,有一人姓许名武,字长文,十五岁上,父母双亡。虽然遗下些田产童仆,奈门户单微,无人帮助。更兼有两个兄弟,一名许晏,年方九岁,一名许普,年方七岁,都则幼小无知,终日赶著哥哥啼哭。那许武日则躬率童仆,耕田种圃,夜则挑灯读书。但是耕种时,二弟虽未胜锄,必使从旁观看。但是读时,把两个小兄弟坐于案旁,将句读亲口传授,细细讲解,教以礼让之节,成人之道。稍不率教,辄跪于家庙之前,痛自督责,说自己德行不足,不能化诲,愿父母有灵,吞牖二弟,涕泣不已。直待兄弟号泣请罪,方才起身,并不以疾言倨色相加也。室中只用铺陈一副,兄弟三人同睡。如此数年,二弟俱已长成,家事亦渐丰盛。有人劝许武娶妻,许武答道:“若娶妻,便当与二弟别居。笃夫妇之爱,而忘手足之情,吾不忍也。”繇是昼则同耕,夜则同读,食必同器,宿必同床。乡里传出个大名,都称为“孝弟许武”,又传出几句口号,道是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>阳羡许季长,耕读昼夜忙。教诲二弟俱成行,不是长兄是父娘。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>时州牧郡守俱闻其名,交章荐举,朝廷徵为议郎,下诏会稽郡。太守奉旨,檄下县令,刻日劝驾。许武迫于君命,料难推阻,吩咐两个兄弟:“在家躬耕力学,一口我在家之时,不可懈废业,有负先人遗训。”又嘱咐奴仆:“俱要小心安分,听两个家主役使,早起夜眠,共扶家业。”嘱咐已毕,收拾行装,不用官府车辆,自己雇了脚力登车,只带一个童儿,望长安进发。不一日,到京朝见受职。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>忽一日,思想二弟在家,力学多年,不见州郡荐举,诚恐怠荒失业,意欲还家省视。遂上疏,其略云:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>臣以菲才,遭逢圣代,致位通显,未谋报称,敢图暇逸?但古人云:“人生百行,孝弟为先。”“不孝有三,无后为大。”先父母早背,域兆未修;臣弟二人,学业未立;臣三十未娶。五天子览奏,准给假暂归,命乘传衣锦还乡,复赐黄金二十斤为婚礼之费。许武谢恩辞朝,百官俱于郊外送行。正是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>报道锦衣归故里,争夸白屋出公卿。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>许武既归,省视先茔已毕,便乃纳还官诰,只推有病,不愿为官。过了些时,从容召二弟至前,询其学业之进退。许晏、许普应答如流,理明词畅。许武心中大喜。再稽查田宅之数,比前恢廓数倍,皆二弟勤俭之所积也。武于是遍访里中良家女子,先与两个兄弟定亲,自己方才娶妻,续又与二弟婚配。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>约莫数月,忽然对二弟说道:“吾闻兄弟有析居之义。今吾与汝,皆已娶妇,田产不薄,理宜各立门户。”二弟唯唯惟命。乃择日治酒,遍召里中父老。三爵已过,乃告以析居之事。因悉召僮仆至前,将所有家财,一一分剖。首取广宅自予,说道:“吾位为贵臣,门宜,体面不可不肃。汝辈力田耕作,得竹庐茅舍足矣。”又阅田地之籍,凡良田悉归之已,将硗薄者量给二弟,说道:“我宾客众盛,交游日广,非壮健伶俐者,说道:“吾出入跟随,非此不足以给使令。汝辈合力耕作,正须此愚蠢者作伴,老弱馈食足矣,不须多人,费汝衣食也。”</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>众父老一向知许武是个孝弟之人,这番分财,定然辞多就少。不想他般般件件,自占便宜。两个小兄弟所得,不及他十分之五,全无谦让之心,大有欺凌之意。众人心中甚是不平,有几个刚直老人气忿不过,竟自去了。有个心直口快的,便想要开口,说公道话,与两个小兄弟做乔主张。其中又有个老成的,背地里捏手捏脚,教他莫说,以此罢了。那教他莫说的,也有些见识,他道:“富贵的人,与贫贱的人,不是一般肚肠。许武已做了显官,比不得当初了。常言道:疏不间亲。你我终是外人,怎管得他家事。就是好言相劝,料未必听从,枉费了唇舌,到挑拨他兄弟不和。倘或做兄弟的肯让哥哥,十分之美,你我又呕这闲气则甚!,若做兄弟的心上不甘,必然争论。等他争论时节,我们替他做个主张,却不是好!”正是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>事非干已休多管,话不投机莫强言。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>原来许晏、许普,自从蒙哥哥教诲,知书达礼,全以孝弟为重,见哥哥如此分析,以为理之当然,绝无几微不平的意思。许武分拨已定,众人皆散。许武居中住了正房,其左右小房,许晏、许普各住一边。每日率领家奴下田耕种,暇则读书,时时将疑义叩问哥哥,以此为常。妯娌之间,也与他兄弟三人一般和顺。从此里中父老,人人薄许武之所为,都可怜他两个兄弟,私下议论道路:“许武是个假孝廉,许晏、许普才是个真孝廉。他思念父母面上,一体同气,听其教诲,唯唯诺诺,并不违拗,岂不是孝?他又重义轻财,任分多少,全不争论,岂不是廉?”起初里中传个好名,叫做“孝弟许武”,如今抹落了武字,改做“孝弟许家”,把许晏、许普弄出一个大名来。那汉朝清议极重,又传出几句口号,道是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>假孝廉,做官员;真孝廉,出口钱。假孝廉,据高轩;真孝廉,守茅檐。假孝,富田园;真孝廉,执锄镰。真为玉,假为瓦,瓦登厦,玉抛野。不宜真,只宜假。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>那时明帝即,下诏求贤,令有司访问笃行有学之士,登门礼聘,传驿至京。诏书到会稽郡,郡守分谕各县。县令平昔已知许晏、许普让产不争之事,又值父老公举他真孝真廉,行过其兄,把二人申报本郡。郡守和州牧皆素闻其名,一同举荐。县令亲到其门,下车投谒,手奉玄束帛,备陈天子求贤之意。许晏、许普谦让不已。许武道:“幼学壮行,君子本分之事,吾弟不可固辞。”</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>二人只得应诏,别了哥嫂,乘传到于长安,朝见天子。拜舞已毕,天子金口玉言,问道:“卿是许武之弟乎?”晏、普叩头应诏。天子又道:“闻卿家有孝弟之名。卿之廉让,有过于兄,朕心嘉悦。”晏、普叩头道:“圣运龙兴,辟门访落,此乃帝王盛典。郡县不以臣晏臣普为不肖,有溷圣聪。臣幼失怙恃,承兄武教训,兢兢自守,耕耘诵读之外,别无他长。弟等何能及兄武之万一。”天子闻对,嘉其谦德,即日俱拜为内史。不五年间,皆至九卿之位。居官虽不如乃兄赫赫之名,然满朝称为廉让。忽一日,许武致家书于二弟。二弟拆开看之,书曰:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>匹夫而膺辟召,仕宦而至九卿,此亦人生之极荣也。二疏有言:“知足不辱,知止不殆。”</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><font face='times new roman'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span></font></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>既无出类拔萃之才,宜急流勇退,以避贤路。晏、普得书,即日同上疏辞官。天子不许。疏三上,天子问宰相未均道:“许晏、许普壮入仕,备位九卿。朕待之不薄,而屡屡求退,何也?”未均奏道:“晏、普兄弟二人,天性孝友。今许武久居林下,而晏、普并驾天衢,其心或有未安。”天子道:“朕并召许武,使兄弟三人同朝辅政何如?”未均道:“臣察晏、普之意,出于至诚。陛下不若姑从所请,以遂其高。异日更下诏徵之。或仿先朝故事,就近与一大郡,以展其未尽之才,因使便道归省,则陛下好贤之诚,与晏、普友爱之义,两得之矣。”天子准奏,即拜许宴为丹阳郡太守,许普为吴郡太守,各赐黄金二十斤,宽假三月,以尽兄弟之情。许晏、许普谢恩辞朝,公卿俱出郭到十里长亭,相饯而别。晏、普二人,星夜回到阳羡,拜见了哥哥,将朝廷所赐黄金,尽数献出。许武道:“这是圣上恩赐,吾何敢当!”教二弟各自收去。次日,许武备下三牲祭礼,率领二弟到父母坟茔,拜奠了毕,随即设宴遍召里中父老。许氏三兄弟,都做了大官,虽然他不以富贵骄人,自然声势赫奕。闻他呼唤,不敢不来,浖獴加个请字?那时众父老来得愈加整齐。许武手捧酒卮,亲自劝酒。众人都道:“长文公与二哥三哥接风之酒,老汉辈安敢僭先!”比时风俗淳厚,乡党序齿,许武出仕己久,还叫一句“长文公”。那两个兄弟,又下一辈了,虽是九卿之贵,乡尊故旧,依旧称“哥”。许武道:“下官此席,专屈诸乡亲下降,有句肺腑言奉告。必须满饮三杯,方敢奉闻。”众人被劝,只得吃了。许武教两个兄弟次第把盏,各敬一杯。众人饮罢,齐声道:“老汉辈承贤昆玉厚爱,借花献佛,也要奉敬。”许武等三人,亦各饮讫。众人道:“适才长文公所谕金玉之言,老汉辈拱听已久,愿得示下。”许武叠两个指头,说将出来。言无数句,使听者毛骨耸然。正是:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>斥鷃不知大鹏,河伯不知海若。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>圣贤一段苦心,庸夫岂能测度。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>许武当时未曾开谈,先流下泪来。吓得众人惊惶无措。两个兄弟慌忙跪下,问道:“哥哥何事悲伤?”许武道:“我的心事,藏之数年,今日不得不言。”指著晏、普道:“只因为你两个名誉未成,使我作违心之事,冒不韪之名,有玷于祖宗,贻笑于乡里,所以流泪。”遂取出一卷册籍,把与众人观看。原来田地屋宅及历年收敛米粟布帛之数。众人还未晓其意。许武又道:“我当初教育两个兄弟,原要他立身修道,扬名显亲。不想我虚名早著,遂先显达。二弟在家,躬耕力学,不得州郡徵辟。我欲效古人祁大夫内举不避亲,诚恐不知二弟之学行者,说他因兄而得官,误了终身名节。我故倡为析居之议,将大宅良田,强奴巧婢,悉据为已有。度吾弟素敦爱敬,决不争竞。吾暂冒贪饕之迹,吾弟有廉让之名。困蒙乡里公评,荣膺徵聘。今位列公卿,官常无玷,吾志已遂矣。这些田房奴婢,都是公共之物,吾岂可一人独享!这几年以来,所收米谷布帛,分毫不敢妄用,尽数开载在那册籍上。今日交付二弟,表为兄的向来心迹,也教众乡尊得知。”</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>众父老到此,方知许武先年析产一片苦心,自愧见识低微,不能窥测,齐声称叹不已。只有许晏、许普哭倒在地,有累兄长。今日若非兄长自说,弟辈都在梦中。兄长盛德,从古未有。只是弟辈不肖之罪,万分难赎。这些小家财,原是兄长苦挣来的,合该兄长管业。弟辈衣食自足,不消兄长挂念。”许武道:“做哥的力田有年,颇知生殖。况且宦情已淡,便当老于锄,以终天年。二弟年富力强,方司民社,宜资庄产,以终廉节。”晏、普又道:“哥哥为弟辈而册籍,聊减弟辈万一之罪。”</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>众父老见他兄弟三人交相推让,你不收,我不受,一齐向前劝道:“贤昆玉所言,都则一般道理。长文公若独得了这田产,不见得向来成全两位这一段苦心;两位若迳受了,又负了令兄长文公这一段美意。依老汉辈愚见,宜作三股均分,无厚无薄,这才见兄友弟恭,各尽其道。”他三个兀自你推我让。那父老中有前番那几个刚直的,挺身向前,厉声说道:“吾等适才分处,甚得中庸之道,若再推逊,便是矫情沽誉了。把这册籍来,待老汉与你分剖。”许武弟兄三人,更不敢多言,只得凭他主张,当时将田产配搭三股分开,各自管业。中间大宅,仍旧许武居住。左右屋宇窄狭,以所在粟帛之数补偿晏、普,他日自行改造。其僮婢,亦皆分派。众父老都称为公平。许武等三人施礼作谢,邀入正席饮酒,尽欢而散。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>许武心中终以前香析产之事为歉,欲将所得良田之半,立为义庄,以赡乡里,许晏、许普闻知,亦各出己产相助。里中人人叹服,又传出几句口号来,道是:真孝廉,惟许武;谁继之?晏与普。弟不争,兄不取。作义庄,赡乡里,呜呼孝廉谁可比!</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>晏、普感兄之义,又将朝廷所赐黄金,大市牛酒,日日邀里中父老与哥哥会饮。如此三月,假期已满,晏、普不忍与哥哥分别,各要纳还官诰。许武再三劝谕,责以大义,二人只得听从,各携妻小赴任。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>却说里中父老,将许武一门孝弟之事,备细申闻郡县,郡县为之奏闻。圣旨命有司旌表其门,称其里为孝弟里。后来三公九卿,交章荐许武德行绝伦,不宜逸之田野,累诏起用。许武只不奉诏,有人问其缘故,许武道:“两弟在朝居位之时,吾曾讽以知足知止。我若今日复出应诏,是自食其吾了。况方今朝廷之上,是非相激,势利相倾,恐非缙绅之福;不如躬耕乐道之为愈耳。”人皆服其高见。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>再说晏、普到任,守其乃兄之教,各以清节自励,大有政声。后闻其兄高致,不肯出仕。弟兄相约,各将印绶纳还,奔回田里,日奉其兄为山水之游,尽老百年而终。许氏子孙昌茂,累代衣冠不绝,至今称为“孝弟许家”云。后人作歌叹道:</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>今人兄弟多分产,古人兄弟亦分产。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>古人分产成弟名,今人分产但嚣争。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>古人自污为义,今人自污争微利。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>孝义名高身并荣,微利相争家共倾。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>
<span lang='en-us'><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'><font face='times new roman'> </font></span></span><span style='font-family: 宋体; mso-ascii-font-family: "times new roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "times new roman"'>安得尽居孝弟里,却把阋墙人愧死。</span>
<span lang='en-us'><o:p><font face='times new roman'> </font></o:p></span>