Xiu Cai Wang Wen was a native of Dongchang, Shandong Province, and had been honest and loyal since childhood. He traveled to Chu to study, passing through the town of six rivers, stayed in a hotel. When he went out for a walk, he met Zhao Donglou, a fellow villager. Zhao was a big merchant, doing business outside, and often did not come home for several years. He saw Wang Wen, heart is very happy, shook hands and exchanged pleasantries for a few words, invited Wang Wen to his residence, Wang Wen came to Zhao Donglou's residence, saw a beautiful woman sitting in the house, the heart of a stunned, stopped feet do not dare to go in. Zhao Donglou did not care, enthusiastically pulled him into the house, and called the woman through the window to avoid, Wang Wen followed into. Zhao Donglou set up food and wine, and Wang Wen asked about the long and short. Wang Wen asked, "What is this place?" Zhao Donglou replied, "This is a small brothel. I've been away a lot, so I've borrowed this place for the time being." As he spoke, the beautiful woman came out and in many times. Wang Wen felt uneasy and wanted to get up to say goodbye. Zhao Donglou pulled him back and told him to sit down.
So after a while, a young girl from the door passed, when she turned her head to see Wang Wen, the watery eyes again and again to measure him, eyebrows and eyes with love, physical appearance of elegant and handsome, like a fairy down to earth. Wang Wen has always been upright and decent, to this time also do not feel the heart like flying. So asked: "Who is this beautiful girl?" Zhao Donglou said: "This is the brothel pimp's second daughter, nicknamed Crow Head, fourteen years old this year. The john has repeatedly paid a lot of money to buy the pimp, but the crow's head insisted on not obeying, so often suffered from the pimp's scolding. Crow's head repeatedly said that he was young, and begged so hard to be exempted from receiving customers, and now has not yet received customers!" Wang Wen heard this, lowered his head, sat in silence, the question and answer before and after the words. Seeing this situation, Zhao Donglou joked: "If you are interested in her, I would like to give you a matchmaker." Wang Wen bewildered, said: "This idea, I really do not dare to think." Although he said so, but it was already late, but there is no intention to go. Zhao Donglou again with matchmaking words to tease him. Only then did Wang Wen say what was in his heart: "I'm very grateful for your kindness, but my purse is empty, how can I do it?" Zhao Donglou thought that Crow Head would not agree with him because of his strong temperament, so he promised to help him with ten taels of silver in a generous manner.
Wang Wen thanked Zhao Donglou, hurried back, put together all his money, a total of five taels of silver, and insisted that Zhao Donglou go to the old woman to discuss. The old woman thought the money was too little. Crow's head, however, said to his mother, "My mother scolds me every day for not being a money-maker, but today I am willing to fulfill my mother's wish. I am just learning to be a man, and I have a long day to repay my mother! Don't mind the small amount of money he gives, and let the God of Wealth go." The old woman, because of Crow-head's obstinate nature, was very happy when anything was done in her favor. So she agreed and sent her maid to invite Wang Wen. Zhao Donglou couldn't afford to back out in the middle of the deal, so he had to add some silver and give it to the old woman.
Wang Wen and Crow Head fell in love with each other and had a lot of fun. Afterwards, Crow Head said to Wang Wen, "I am a lowly woman from a brothel, I am not worthy of you. I am a lowly woman from the streets of the brothel, I am not worthy of you, but I am grateful to you for your love and compassion, and I can say that you are very generous. You do not hesitate to take out all the money, in exchange for this night of pleasure, to tomorrow how to do?" When Wang Wen thought about it, he could not help but shed tears and weep sadly. Crow's Head hurriedly counseled, "Don't be sad. I have fallen to this state, really not willingly, just did not meet like you such a thick and honest, can be committed to life. Now I am willing to run away with you!" Hearing this, Wang Wen was very happy and got up in a hurry. Crow's Head followed suit.
At this time to listen to the city tower has played the third night, crow head hurriedly changed into men's clothing, the two hurried together out of the brothel, came to Wang Wen's residence knocked open the door of the store. When Wang Wen left home, he brought two donkeys with him, saying that he had something urgent to do, and told his servants to prepare the donkeys for departure as soon as possible. Crow Head used a few talismans to tie them to the servant's legs and the donkeys' ears, and then let go of the reins, and the donkeys flew forward. So fast that they couldn't even open their eyes, only hearing the wind whistling in their ears. Running to dawn, they have arrived in Hankou, they rented a house to live down. Wang Wen was very surprised at the strange skills of the crow's head. Crow head said: "I told the truth, you are not afraid? I am not a human being, but a fox. My mother was greedy for money, I suffered abuse every day, and my heart was full of resentment. Now, fortunately, I am out of my misery. Escaping a hundred miles away, she can no longer know my whereabouts, and I can be safe and sound in the future." Wang Wen heard, without any suspicion, said calmly: "In the face of a girl more beautiful than a lotus flower, but I have no family, it is really difficult to self relief, I am afraid that you will have to leave me after all." Crow's head said, "Why do you have to worry so much. Now do what trade can make money, three people, tea and rice, or can be self-sufficient. We can sell the donkey first to make some capital." Wang Wen followed what Crow Head said and set up a small store in front of the door, working with the servants and selling tea, wine and soybean milk. Crow Head made shawls and embroidered purses, earning some money every day, so that there was plenty to eat, drink, wear, and wear. After accumulating money in this way for more than a year, he was gradually able to hire maidservants and servants. From then on, Wang Wen did not have to operate personally, but only checked and supervised.
One day, Crow's Head suddenly became secretly sad and said, "Tonight there will be a great disaster, what should I do?" Wang Wen asked her what was the matter, and she said, "Mother already knows where I am, and will certainly force me to go back. If she sends her sister Nizi, I am not very worried, but I am afraid that mother will come herself!" In the middle of the night, Crow's Head said, "It doesn't matter, it's my sister who is coming." After a while, the woman Wang Wen saw in the guest house that year pushed the door and broke in. Crow Head greeted her with a smile. The woman scolded, "You girl really don't know how to be ashamed, how dare you follow a man to elope and hide here. Mother told me to tie you back!" With that, she took out a rope to tie Crow Head's neck. Crow Head said angrily, "I only married one man, what crime have I committed?" The woman, seeing her sister contradict her, became even angrier and seized Crow Head, her clothes tearing. At this time the servants of the house came at the sound, and the woman, being afraid, fled. As soon as Crow's Head saw his sister go, he said to Wang Wen, "When my sister goes back, my mother will surely come in person, and a great misfortune is not far off, so we must think of something quickly." So the crow's head hurriedly packed up his traveling clothes, intending to flee to a faraway place. The old woman suddenly burst in. She was full of anger, and said, "I knew that you, a girl, did not know the rules, and that I must come in person!" Crow Head hurriedly knelt down to meet her and cried and begged. However, the old woman did not even say a word, grabbed the crow's head by the hair, and ruthlessly carried her away.
Wang Wen was so anxious that he was running around the house, so sad that he didn't eat or sleep. He rushed to Six Rivers Town, hoping to spend money to redeem the crow's head. But when he got there, the courtyard was the same as before, but the tenants were not the original people. Wang Wen asked around, do not know where the crow's head family moved to. Wang Wen sadly returned to Hankou. So he dismissed the store's staff, disposed of the goods, and took the money back to his home in Shandong.
A few years later, when Wang Wen happened to go to Beijing on business, he passed by the nursery and saw a seven or eight year old child. His servant, seeing that the child looked like his master, found it very strange and couldn't stop looking at him with his eyes. Wang Wen asked, "Why do you keep looking at this child?" The servant smiled back, and Wang Wen smiled back. Looking closely at this child, he was open and generous, not at all twisted and timid. Wang Wen was worried that he did not have a son, see the child like himself, quite like him, so he took the money to buy him out. Asked the child's name, he said he was called Wang Zi. Wang Wen said, "How do you know your own name when you were abandoned right after you were born?" The child replied, "I heard my teacher say that when he picked me up, there was writing on his chest that said, 'Son of Shandong Wang Wen'." Wang Wen couldn't help but be shocked at this and said, "I am Wang Wen, where would I have a son?" On second thought, perhaps it is the same name. Heart secretly happy, the child extraordinarily loving. Back home, see the child's people, do not have to ask the name, thought it was Wang Wen's flesh and blood.
Wang Zi gradually grew up, waist thick body, strong muscles and bones, like to hunt, do not like to run crops, happy to fight and kill. Wang Wen could not control him. Wang Zi also said that he could see ghosts and foxes, but everyone did not quite believe it. Coincidentally, some people in the township were victimized by foxes, so they asked Wang Zi to go and see. As soon as Wang Zi entered the door, he pointed to the fox spirit's hiding place, and taught people to hit hard with the place he pointed to. Immediately heard the fox whimpering, shed a lot of blood, lost a pile of hair. From then on, nothing happened. Because of this incident, people more and more regarded Wang Zi as a strange character.
One day, Wang Wen was wandering in the market, and suddenly met Zhao Donglou, who was poorly dressed and had a thin, yellow face. Wang Wen was surprised and asked him where he came from. Zhao Donglou looked miserable and asked Wang Wen to find a place to talk. Wang Wen led Zhao Donglou to his home and served him with food and wine. Zhao Donglou said: "That old woman took the crow's head back, beat it without a thought, and then moved to the north, and forced her to take customers. Crow's head swore that she would not obey. So she was imprisoned. Gave birth to a little boy, was thrown in a remote alley. I heard he was raised in a nursery, so he must have grown up. He is the seedling you left behind!" Wang Wen said with tears in his eyes, "Fortunately, the heavens have opened their eyes, and this bitter child has returned to me." Wang Wen then told the situation from beginning to end. Then, Wang Wen asked, "How did you fall into this state?" Zhao Donglou sighed and said, "Only today did I realize that you can't be too infatuated with those prostitutes! What else is there to say!"
Originally, the old woman moved to the north, Zhao Donglou followed to do business, the goods that are difficult to carry all sold at a low price; on the way to spend a lot of car feet, plus all kinds of expenses, a great loss. Nizi asked for money and especially more, a few years of work, ten thousand Guan family property empty. The old woman saw him spend all his money, morning and evening even with a blank stare. At this time, the girl gradually to the rich and noble families to spend the night, often a few nights do not come back. Although Zhao Donglou was so angry that he couldn't stand it, he couldn't do anything about it. One day, it happened that the old lady went out, the crow's head called Zhao Donglou from the window, reminded him that: "There is no true love in the brothel, the reason why they make out with you, but just to figure your money. If you still stay and don't leave now, you will be in big trouble!" Zhao Donglou was scared, and then woke up as if in a dream. Before leaving, Zhao Donglou secretly went to visit Crow Head. Crow Head gave him a letter and asked him to deliver it to Wang Wen. Only then did Zhao Donglou return home. Zhao Donglou told Wang Wen what had happened to him and then took out Crow Head's letter. The letter said, "I know that Zi'er is already by your side. The disaster I suffered, Donglou thought he would give you a detailed account of it face to face. This is a sin created in a previous life, there is nothing to say! I was shut up in a gloomy hut, hardly able to see the light of day, and the whips beat me to the skin and flesh, and the hunger and fire made my life a living hell! If you have not forgotten our days in Hankow, when we were warmed by a single blanket on snowy nights and embraced each other, you should discuss with your son a way to save me from the fire. Mother and sister to me although very cruel, but after all is still flesh and blood, I hope you instructed son, do not hurt them. This is my greatest wish."
After reading the letter, Wang Wen could not help but sob uncontrollably. Taking some money and goods to Zhao Donglou, Zhao Donglou said goodbye and left.
By this time, Wang Zi was eighteen years old. Wang Wen told him the truth and took his mother's letter to show him. Wang Zi was so angry that his eyes cracked. He rushed to the capital that day. He inquired about the old woman's residence. When he got there, there was a full house of cars and horses. Wang Zi barged in, Nizi was drinking with the johns from Hukuang, and when she saw Wang Zi, she stood up in shock and was so scared that her face was colorless. Wang Zi rushed over and killed her with a knife. The guests were so shocked that they thought they were robbers. But when they looked at the body of the prostitute, they saw that she had turned into a fox. Wang Zi took the knife again, and went straight to the house, and saw the old woman urging the servants to make dishes and soup. When Wang Zi reached the door of the house, the old woman suddenly disappeared. Wang Zi looked around and hurriedly drew his bow and shot at the beams of the house, only to see a fox being shot through the heart and falling down. Wang Zi waved his hand and cut off the fox's head. Wang Zi found the house where his mother was imprisoned, and immediately smashed open the door with a stone, and mother and son met each other and wept bitterly. When the mother asked about her mother, Wang Zi said, "I've already killed her!" The mother complained, "Why didn't my son listen to me!" The mother complained, "Why didn't my son listen to me?" She had no choice but to ask her son to carry the body to the field and bury it. Wang Zi pretended to agree, but peeled off the skin of the dead fox and hid it. He also went to search the old woman's chest and cabinet, took away all the gold and silver treasures, and escorted his mother back home.
Wang Wen and his wife were reunited with a mixture of sadness and joy. Then inquiring about the whereabouts of the old woman, Wang Zi said, "It's in my back pocket." Wang Wen was surprised and asked what happened, and Wang Zi took out two fox skins from his back pocket and offered them. His mother was furious and scolded, "You disobedient son! How could you do this!" After saying this, she bawled, beat her chest, and tossed and turned, wanting to die. Wang Wen tried his best to console her, scolded his son for his nonsense, and asked him to bury the fox skin. Wang Zi said angrily, "Now that my mother has come to a place of peace and happiness, will she immediately forget the pain of being beaten?" The mother became even more angry at this and cried and cried. It was not until Wang Zi buried the fox skin and returned to tell her that her anger subsided a little. Since the return of the crow's head, Wang Wen's family business has become more and more prosperous. He was grateful to Zhao Donglou, and took a lot of gold and silver to thank him. Zhao Donglou realized that the old woman and her daughter were foxes.
Wang Zi served his parents with particular filial piety, but occasionally, when he accidentally messed with him, he would go on a rampage. Crow Head said to Wang Wen, "There is an arthritic tendon in my son's body, if I don't cut it off, I will eventually get into a fatal lawsuit and lose my family's money." One night, when Wang Zi was asleep, they secretly tied his hands and feet. Wang Zi woke up and said, "I am not guilty." The crow's head said, "To cure you of tyranny, you must endure some pain for a while." Wang Zi yelled and screamed, but he could not break the ropes. Crow Head brought a big needle and aimed it at the side of Wang Zi's ankle bone, stuck it in three or four minutes deep, and picked off the argyle with force, making a boom-boom sound. And also between the elbows and the back of the head also picked off the tendons. When he finished, he untied the rope, patted his shoulder and told him to sleep peacefully. After sunrise, Wang Zi ran to greet his parents and cried, "Last night, I recalled what I did in the past and realized that none of it was what a human being should do!" His parents were very happy to hear this. From then on, Wang Zi was as gentle as a girl, and everyone in the village praised him for his good character.