Miu Yongding, a Gongsheng from Jiangxi, was a man whose thirst for wine was legendary, terrifying all his relatives and friends. One day, Miu Yongding visited his clan uncle’s house. The uncle, a man of comical wit, excelled at telling jokes, and his guests always left in high spirits after conversing with him. They drank together, and Miu Yongding grew utterly intoxicated. In his drunken frenzy, he began to curse wildly, his sharp words offending a guest and sending the entire assembly into an uproar. The clan uncle stepped in to mediate, but Miu, accusing him of taking the guest’s side, turned his wrath upon the uncle as well. The uncle, helpless, had no choice but to summon Miu Yongding’s family. Upon hearing the news, the family arrived and helped the staggering Miu Yongding back to his home.

No sooner had they laid him on the bed than Miu’s limbs stiffened, and when one felt for his pulse, the breath was gone.

After Miu Yongding’s death, he was driven by a man in a black cap to a grand government office, its roof tiles a brilliant emerald, radiating imposing authority. The black-capped man led him beneath the dais, seemingly awaiting the County Magistrate to ascend the hall. Miu Yongding pondered: What crime had I committed? Merely cursing after drinking—was that enough to merit a trial?

He stole a glance at the black-capped man, whose eyes glared, his pupils wide and bovine, filling Miu with immediate dread, preventing him from asking about the charges. He could only think, "A mere quarrel with someone shouldn't constitute a major offense." Suddenly, an official in the hall loudly proclaimed a decree: "The plaintiff may return tomorrow morning."

The crowd below heard this and scattered like startled birds and beasts.

Miu Yongding followed the black-capped man out. Having nowhere to go, he huddled beneath the eaves of the building. The black-capped man snarled, "You wretched drunkard! It’s already dark. Everyone else is finding food and lodging; what are you loitering here for?" Miu Yongding’s body trembled, and he managed to say, "Your humble servant does not know what crime he has committed, had no chance to notify his family, and possesses no silver. I know not where to go."

The black-capped man scoffed, "Mad drunkard! You have money for wine, yet none for an inn? Dare to utter another nonsensical word, and I’ll shatter your bones with one punch." Miu Yongding kept his head down, daring not to speak. Suddenly, a man emerged from within the building. Seeing Miu, he showed great surprise and asked, "Why are you here?"

Miu Yongding looked up and recognized the man as his maternal uncle, Mr. Jia, who had been dead for several years. In an instant, realization dawned: Had he also died? This thought brought a surge of overwhelming sorrow, and he couldn't help but weep as he pleaded, "Uncle, save me." Mr. Jia looked towards the black-capped man and said, "Dongling is no outsider; please come to my humble abode to chat."

The two entered the house. Miu Yongding bowed deeply to the black-capped man, begging, "Senior official, please be merciful." Mr. Jia set out wine and dishes, and the three drank together. During the meal, Mr. Jia inquired, "What transgression did my nephew commit to warrant Mr. Dongling soul-reaping him?" The black-capped man replied, "The Great King was on a royal progress, visiting the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord, and along the way, he witnessed your nephew causing a drunken scene and cursing. He commanded me to arrest him for judgment."

Mr. Jia asked, "Have you seen the Great King?" The black-capped man shook his head. "The Great King is jointly trying the case of the Beggar with the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord and has not yet returned." Mr. Jia pressed, "But what exactly did my nephew do wrong?" The black-capped man frowned. "I do not know. However, the Great King harbors the deepest distaste for those who create drunken mayhem." Hearing this, Miu Yongding broke into a sweat that soaked him, his hands shaking so violently he couldn't even hold his chopsticks steady.

After a short while, the black-capped man stood to take his leave, saying, "I thank Brother Jia for this feast; I have imposed greatly. Now that my stomach is full and my thirst quenched, I shall temporarily entrust your nephew to your care. When the Great King returns, I shall call upon you again." He then departed the house.

Mr. Jia turned to Miu Yongding and spoke sternly, "Nephew, you were the sole male heir in the family; your parents treated you like the pearl in their palms and could not bear to say a harsh word to you. When you were sixteen or seventeen, after just three cups of wine, you would proactively stir up trouble, find fault with others, and if a word disagreed, you would immediately kick down doors and shout curses. Back then, you were young, and we didn't hold it against you. But after more than ten years apart, how could you still have learned nothing? Now you’ve entangled yourself in legal trouble—what are we to do?"

Miu Yongding prostrated himself and wept bitterly, saying, "I know my error. Please, Uncle, save me." Mr. Jia helped him up and comforted him, "Your Uncle runs a shop here and has some modest standing. The man who just left, Mr. Dongling, is an emissary who often visits my shop and with whom I share a considerable friendship. The Great King is occupied with myriad affairs and might not recall the incident of you cursing him. Perhaps I can plead on your behalf, and he might forgive you this once." He paused, then added, "However, this matter carries grave responsibility; it will be difficult to resolve without a hundred thousand coins."

Miu Yongding exclaimed, "As long as I can escape this predicament, money is no object. I will find a way." Mr. Jia replied, "That is best." That night, Miu Yongding rested at his uncle's residence.

The next morning, the black-capped man came to check in. Mr. Jia invited him inside for a private discussion that lasted a long time. Afterwards, Mr. Jia emerged and told Miu Yongding, "It is settled. He will return shortly. I have liquidated the small savings from my shop, and I will cover the silver advance for you now, establishing a contract. Once you return to the living world, you can repay it at your leisure."

Miu Yongding rejoiced, "How much silver is required in total?" Mr. Jia stated, "One hundred thousand." Miu Yongding was aghast, "So much? Where can I gather that sum?" Mr. Jia clarified, "The ten thousand liang refers to the Underworld currency. A mere hundred sheets of paper money will suffice." Miu Yongding was elated, "That is easily managed."

He waited until noon, but the black-capped man did not reappear. Bored with idleness, Miu Yongding considered visiting the marketplace. Mr. Jia cautioned him, "Do not wander far, under any circumstances." Miu Yongding casually agreed and stepped onto the main street. He saw shops lining the thoroughfare and vendors everywhere, utterly indistinguishable from the human world. He arrived at a place where thorns grew densely upon a high wall, seemingly the entrance to a prison. Across the way, a bustling restaurant saw streams of patrons coming and going. Along the front of the building ran a long stream, its water the color of ink, churning and apparently bottomless.

Miu Yongding paused by the stream's edge, peering intently, when suddenly a voice called out from within the restaurant, "Why has Young Master Miu come here?" Miu Yongding turned to see the speaker was Scholar Weng from the neighboring village, an old friend from ten years prior. They shook hands and conversed, both overjoyed by the unexpected reunion.

Scholar Weng invited Miu inside and prepared a banquet. The two exchanged stories of their long separation. Miu’s indictment had been cleared, and now he met an old friend—a double blessing! They drank heartily, until Miu was utterly insensible. During the feast, his old habits resurfaced, and he began his drunken tirade, enumerating all of Scholar Weng’s perceived faults. The scholar’s expression soured. "We haven't seen each other for years, yet why have you not shed this repulsive habit?"

Miu Yongding had always despised anyone criticizing his drinking behavior. Hearing this, he became furious, slamming the table and stomping his feet, shouting curses loudly. The scholar, driven to anger, swept his sleeve and stormed out. Miu Yongding chased him to the stream's edge and reached out to snatch his hat. The scholar erupted in rage, cursed him as a "complete boor," and shoved him into the stream.

The water was not very deep, but the bottom was thickly studded with sharp blades that pierced Miu Yongding’s waist, ribs, and calves. Unable to move his limbs, Miu Yongding cried out for help, feeling agonizing pain pierce deep into his bones. The black water was mixed with filth, and every time Miu gasped for air, the foul liquid flooded his throat, making his distress unbearable.

A crowd gathered on the bank, as dense as a city wall, merely standing open-mouthed in laughter, yet not a single person offered aid. The situation was dire, but fortunately, Mr. Jia heard the news and rushed to the scene. Seeing Miu Yongding’s perilous state, he gasped in shock, immediately pulling him out and carrying him back to his shop. He berated the soaked man, "You incorrigible brat! You are truly beyond saving. Even in death, you refuse to repent, yet you still desire to return to the living? A man like you deserves the torture of axes and saws."

Miu Yongding was terrified and wept, "I confess my sin." Mr. Jia, who had only intended to frighten him, saw that his nephew truly regretted his actions. He said, "Mr. Dongling visited just a moment ago, having waited a long time. As he is busy with official duties, he has already departed. I have secured the contract for you, paying an initial sum of one thousand coins; the remainder of the silver will be paid in ten days. Now that you are returning to the living, remember to gather funds and purchase plenty of paper money to burn in the open fields at night, calling out my name, and I will receive it."

Miu Yongding agreed to everything. Mr. Jia urged him to hurry, escorting him to the outskirts, where he warned, "Do not go back on your word and cause me trouble." He pointed out the route and told him to return home.

Three days had passed since Miu died, lying stiffly in bed, and his family was frantic. They were about to prepare for burial, but upon touching Miu’s chest, they found residual warmth, and his breath was still a mere thread, not entirely severed. As they stood bewildered, Miu Yongding suddenly awoke, vomiting violently, spewing several dou of black, foul-smelling liquid.

After vomiting, drenched in sweat, Miu Yongding felt refreshed and began recounting his experiences in the Underworld. As he spoke, the pain in his thighs became unbearable, and the agony in his waist and ribs was excruciating. After one night, the wounds festered and grew worse, though his only solace was that the injuries had not begun to rot.

Ten days later, Miu Yongding’s injuries had improved enough for him to walk with a cane. His family urged him to repay the debt owed to the Underworld. Mr. Jia calculated the expenses, which amounted to several liang of silver. Miu Yongding, naturally stingy, mused, "Perhaps the debt was merely an illusion from a drunken dream. Even if it were real, Mr. Dongling would not dare report to the King of Hell that he released me in favor of personal connection. Why should I repay this debt of over ninety thousand liang in Underworld currency?" The family pleaded with him, but Miu refused to listen. Yet, anxiety gnawed at him, and from that day forward, he dared not indulge in wine again.

His fellow villagers were happy to see his improvement and sometimes invited him for a drink, but he kept it moderate, stopping when asked. A year passed quickly, and Miu Yongding gradually forgot about the debt. His courage grew bolder, and he began to revert to his old ways. One day, Miu Yongding was drinking at a neighbor’s house. True to form, he grew drunk and started cursing. The host was furious, chased him out with a flurry of sticks, and slammed the door shut. Miu cursed outside for a long time before his son realized what was happening and rushed to help him home.

As soon as Miu entered the bedroom, he suddenly dropped to his knees facing the wall, knocking his head repeatedly, and mumbled, "I will pay the debt now, I will pay the debt now." Having spoken, he collapsed to the ground and expired.