Xiaoling always replaces dry preaching with vivid image combinations, using “results” to lead to “causes”, and using deep and heartfelt language. The entire piece is short and catchy, leaving an unforgettable impression. The images of “dog exploring soup” and “fish fishing in a net” are extremely vivid, and their painful and anxious state of leaving with lingering fear is still present in the reader’s mind. In episodic novels, there are idioms such as “panic like a lost dog, urgency like a fish escaping the net” and “a carp leaving a golden hook, wagging its tail and shaking its head is even more difficult”. The song precisely utilizes these familiar visual impressions. ‘Painful injury’ not only demonstrates the terrifying danger encountered, but also carries the meaning of heavy lessons and ‘learning from mistakes’, thus sounding the alarm for the subsequent admonition. What exactly are the metaphors of “probing soup” and “surfing the internet”. The fourth sentence reveals the answer, originally referring to the risky act of soliciting prostitutes for pleasure in flower streets and willow alleys. Although suffering for the sake of seeking flowers and willows is one’s own fault, the methods used by prostitutes to set traps and engage in “evil demons” are indeed ruthless. The word “prosperity” confirms the origin of the “urgency” and “pain” mentioned earlier. At this point, the reader hides the book and realizes the appropriateness of the first two sentences in comparison. The brilliance lies in the author’s departure from the “evil demon” and the subsequent re rendering of the “willow waist and flower appearance” on the surface. Finally, with the three words “Jun Mo Hui,” he gently captures it, which is nothing short of a wake-up call. The theme of being wary of Spring Tower’s seductive use of color was vividly portrayed by holding “willows” and “flowers” closely next to “evil spirits thriving” twice.
小令始终以生动的形象组合来代替枯燥的说教，以“果”引出“因”，语重心长。全曲篇幅短小，朗朗上口，令人过目难忘。“狗探汤”、“鱼着网”两则形象极为生动，其负痛急走、心有余悸的情态如在读者目前。章回小说中有“惶惶若丧家之犬，急急若漏网之鱼”、“鲤鱼离却金鳌钩，摆尾摇头更不来”的习语，曲中正是利用了这种为人所熟悉的视觉印象。“痛着伤”既显示了所遭危险的可怕，又有教训沉重、“吃一堑长一智”的意味，从而为引出下文的训诫敲响了警钟。“探汤”、“着网”究竟是在比喻些什么。第四句揭示了答案，原来指的是花街柳巷嫖妓寻乐的险事。为寻花问柳而痛吃苦头固然咎由自取，但妓女设圈套、行“邪魔”的手段也确实狠毒，一个“旺”字，坐实了前文“急”、“痛”的缘起。读者至此掩卷，愈觉起首两句比拟的贴切。妙在作者撇过“邪魔”，回过头来重新渲染“柳腰花貌”在外表上的娇艳，最后以“君莫赏”三字轻轻带住，不啻为当头棒喝。将“柳”、“花”两度紧挨着“邪魔旺”拈出表现，于是警惕春楼以色惑人的主旨便跃然纸上了。
曾瑞·《四块玉·警世》
狗探汤，
鱼着网，
急走沿身痛着伤。
柳腰花貌邪魔旺。
柳弄娇，
花艳妆，
君莫赏。
Admonition to Common People
To the Tune of Four Pieces of Jade
Zeng Rui
It’s a foolish dog,
Dipping its tongue into boiling pot,
It’s a silly fish,
Casting itself into fishnet,
Away with brothel, or you’ll be fatally caught.
Willow waists and good looks are nothing but a snare,
Terrible flirts you never care,
Coquettish smiles from a lewd mare,
Swallow the bait, it’ll be a nightmare.
