壺漿酬知己，犬馬戀主人：論《金瓶梅》及其二種續書中義僕／故舊形象之嬗變

Repaying the Malefactor’s Grace: The Evolution of the Portrayals of Loyal Servants and Old Friends in Jin Ping Mei and Its Qing Dynasty Sequels

在《金瓶梅》的故事中，小說家以西門慶的荒淫無度、貪贓枉法為核心，寫出無數盤根錯節的罪眚，在這位專制家長逝世後，更崩解了由上而下的凝聚作用；狡猾的僕人與奸險的損友，用各種鯨吞蠶食的方式掏空他所留下的金錢帝國，構成報應不爽的道德訓誡。然而，在穢惡的反作用力運作的同時，也有一些人選擇維繫與「混帳惡人」西門慶的生前交誼，竟因此昇華為雪中送炭的可貴情操，令人玩味。此外，《金瓶梅》的續書將故事的開端接在西門慶身故之後，也勢必要處理原作中圍繞在主人翁身邊的邊緣人物，他們是如何面對一個孤兒寡母的殘局，或者一個家聲復振的盛況。有鑑於此，本文以《金瓶梅》及《續金瓶梅》、《三續金瓶梅》中的義僕與故舊為主要的探討對象，窺視他們在小說中的形象嬗變。其中有些人保持著全始全終的品格；有些被強化了古道熱腸的知己之情；有些則是在善與惡之間游移不定，表現出道德的曖昧性。無論何者，都在西門慶十惡不赦的負面形象之餘，增添了一抹「鳥戀舊巢」的溫暖向度。

In Jin Ping Mei, Ximen Qing’s life is characterized by rampant debauchery and flagrant corruption. Following his death, unscrupulous servants and duplicitous friends exploit various means to deplete his estate, reinforcing the moral adage that evil begets evil. Yet certain characters choose to uphold their bonds with this notorious figure, thereby earning commendation for their steadfast loyalty. The two Qing Dynasty sequels, Xu Jin Ping Mei and SanXu Jin Ping Mei, continue the narrative beyond Ximen Qing’s death. Marginal characters from the original novel are depicted as confronting disparate fates―some struggle amidst the destitution faced by Ximen Qing’s abandoned wife and son, while others thrive in the bustling scenes of newfound prosperity that emerge after his downfall. This paper investigates the evolving representations of loyal servants and old acquaintances across Jin Ping Mei and its two sequels. These characters exhibit diverse trajectories: some maintain unwavering fidelity and benevolence, others vacillate between virtue and vice, while still others are imbued with heightened generosity and altruistic impulses. Despite Ximen Qing’s pervasive image as a tyrannical and morally bankrupt figure, subsequent authors introduce elements of warmth and human connection through their portrayals of those who remain loyal to him.