Notes:
lǐng dīng hīng zāu © 2025 by Roy Zuo 左若禺 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
This story is written in Latin Cantonese script, based on LSHK jyutping. Honzi (Chinese characters) are not capable of recording Cantonese accurately.
For the convenience of readers who may not be familiar with jyutping, please scroll down for different versions using Honzi.
Below is an audiobook version, allowing readers to understand the Cantonese text with ease.
(Yuetman baan2. official Latin Cantonese (yue) version.)
jit6-tau2 co1 sing1, gong1-min2 jat1-zam3 baak6-mung1-mung1 ge mou6-seoi2.
"HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP!"
"gau3-meng6 aa! neibin aa! syun4-gaa1, gau3-meng6 aa!"
fat1-jin4 gaan1, gong1 zung1-gaan1 hou2-ci5 lei4-jyun5 cyun4-lai4 jau5 jan4 daai6 aai3 gau3-meng6 ge seng1. gan6 ngon6 1 zek3 faa1-sang1-hok3 zyun2 to4, maan6-maan2 sai2 hoi1 heoi3. zi2-gin3 gong1 min2 loeng5 go3 jan4 maan1-zyu tiu4 muk6-fong1 loeng5 tau4, seon6-seoi2 piu1-lau4 ji4 haa6. zoi3 mong6 zan1 d, 1 go3 lau4-zyu faat3-bin1, ji4 ling6 1 go3 gou1 bei6 luk6 ngaan5, geoi1-jin4 hai6 sai1-joeng4-jan4. loeng5 tiu4 jau5 hou2-gwai2 long4-pui3, tai2-lok6 dak1-faan bun3 tiu4 jan4-meng6.
zek3 teng5 zaa4-zaa4-lam4 zaau6-maai-heoi, ngaam1-hou2 zit6-zyu keoidei. teng5 soeng5 1 go3 haak1-sik1 san1-jing2, san1-ceot 1 coeng4 tiu4 syun4-zoeng2.
"maan1 sat6 laa! ngo mang1 neidei soeng5-lai4!" teng1 seng1 jyun4-loi4 hai6 go3 jyu4 neoi5. jat1-san1 wu1-haak1 maa4-bou3 saam1 tung4 kwan4, 1 tiu4 haak1 sing4 ku1 sat6 tau4-soeng5 zuk1 mou6. san1-sau2 giu2-gin6, gei2 haa5 sau2-sai3 zau6 zoeng3 loeng5 tiu4 jau2 to1 ceot1 seoi2.
"haa~ haa~ nggoi saai aa-gu1~" go3 bun2-dei6-jan4 sei2-maang5 tau2-gan daai6-hei3, dat6-jin4 daai6 hot3, "nei5 zou6 mat-je! mai5 juk1! tung4 ngo5 zuk1-zyu go3 hung4-mou4-gwai2!" jat1-lou6 aai3, jat1-lou6 soeng2 kei5-hei-san, daan6-hai6 mou5 lik6.
go3 sai1-joeng4-jan4 din2 haa5 din2 haa5, suk1-maai-heoi syun4-cong1 ling6-jat1 gok3, lap1-seng1-ng4-ceot1, zing6-hai6 deoi3 ngaan5 gwat6-leoi4-ceoi4 gam2 mong6 sat6 go3 bun2-dei6-jan4, si4-bat1-si4 jau6 mong6 go3 jyu4-neoi5.
jyu4 neoi5 jat1 faak3 zi1 syun4-zoeng2, hong4 hai2 teng5 zung1-gaan1, gaak3 hoi1 loeng5 go3 jan4. "neidei hai6 me1 jan4, jan1-mat1-gaai2-gau3 lai4-dou3 neisyu?"
"ngo hai6 daai6-cing1 gwongdung seoi2-si1 seondak jing4 seoi2-bing1 lei5 koeng4, cam4-maan5 fung6-ming6 dou3 sap6-saam1-hong2 zuk1-naa4 nei d sei2 hung4-mou4-gwai2. nei5 tung4 ngo zuk1-zyu keoi5, sai2 zek3 teng5 faan2-soeng5 saang2-seng4 hoi2-gwaan1 maa5-tau4, dou3-si4 tai4-duk1 daai6-jan4 cung4-soeng2 sat6 jau5 nei5 fan2."
"sap6-saam1-hong2 lei4 neidou hou-jyun5 seoi2-lou6 bo? neidou pun1-jyu4, cin4-bin6 zau6 dou3 fu2-mun4 laa."
"cam4-maan5 ngodei fung6 seoi2-si1 tai4-duk1 tung4 loeng5-gwong2 zung2-duk1 zi1 ming6, baau1-wai4-zo sap6-saam1-hong2, zeon2-bei6 sau2-bou6 faan1-gwai2. dim2-zi1 dat6-jin4 zoek6-fo2, gei2 tiu4 gaai1 ham-baang-laang siu1-tung1-deng2."
"haa2? jyun4-loi4 cam4-maan5 fo2-gwong1 tung4 jin1 daai6 dou3 pun1-jyu4 neisyu dou1 mong6-dou2, zau6-hai6 sap6-saam1-hong2 aa?"
"mou5-co3 laa. dong1-kei4-si4, zong6 ngaam1 nei1 zek3 gwai2 cung1 ceot1-lai4, ngo zeoi1 sat6 keoi, jat1-lou6 zau2 dou3 hoi2-pei4. tiu4 sei2 gwai2-lou2 hoeng2 nei5 d dang6-gaa1 teng5-zai2 dou6 jat1-lou6 zau2 jat1-lou6 tiu3. ngo zau6 lai4 zuk1-dou2 keoi laa, dim2 zi1 keoi tiu3 lok6 seoi2, ngo gang2-hai6 gan1-maai keoi tiu3, zeot1-zi1 bei2 ngo laam2 sat6 zek3 goek3. diu2-naa5-maa1, sei2 faan1-gwai2 zan1-hai6 long1-lai2, soeng2 zou6 gwaa1 ngo, zaam2 soeng1 ngo bok3-tau4. ngo dou1 ng syu1-sit6, ngaau2 tyun5 keoi 1 zek3 goek3.
"dang2 nei5 zek3 sei2 faan1-gwai2 zung6 soeng2 zau2? hng1, bin1 jau5-dak1 gam3 ji6!" lei5 koeng4 jyu5-hei3 ting3-hei-san sap6-fan1-zi1 nau1 tung4 hing1-mit6.
lei5 koeng4 gai3-zuk6 gong2, "je6-maa1-maa1, seoi2-lau4 jau6 gap1, mou5 jan4 gau3 hei2 ngodei. hou2-coi2 daai6-ci4-daai6-bei1 pou4-saat3 bou2-jau6, geoi1-jin4 maan1-dou tiu4 muk6-fong1, ngodei zau6 gam2 bong6-zyu, piu1 zuk1 seng4 maan5."
jyu4-neoi5 hei2-san1 haang4 maai4-heoi3 go3 sai1-joeng4-jan4 dou6. sai1-joeng4-jan4 dong1-tong4 haak3 dou3 min6 dou1 ceng1, baa2 seng1 hou2 dai1-cam4 gam2 waa6, "What do you want? zou mat je? ngo hai jing2 gwok2 jan3!" jyun4-lai4 nei1 go3 sai1-joeng4-jan4 hiu2 gong2 gei2-geoi3 baak6-waa2. "zou mat je! ngo hai jing2 gwok2 jan3!" faan2-fuk1 gong2-zo gei2 wan4, jyun4-lai4 zing6 hai6 sik1 nei1 loeng5 geoi3.
"ngaam1 laa, nei5 gaa1-haa5 lo2 d sing2 zaat3 zyu6 zek3 faan1-gwai2 sin1, dang2 ling5-soeng2 laa! haa haa!" lei5 koeng4 dak1-ji3 daai6-siu3. "ji2? aa3-gu1, nei5 gei2 leng3-neoi5, san1-coi4 gei2 biu1-ceng1 gam2 wo!" zi6-gei2 gong2, zi6-gei2 siu3 dou3 kaak1 kaak1 seng1.
jyu4-neoi5 bui3-zyu lei5 koeng4, wu3 dai1 san1, sai3-sai2-seng1 man6, "Don't scare. Quiet! You leg injure?"
jing1-gwok3-jan4 go3 joeng2 hou2 ceot1-kei4 gam2 fun2, ngap6-zo haa5 go3 tau2, sai3-seng1 daap3, "Yes."
jyu4-neoi5 zi2 gin3 jing1-gwok3-jan4 1 zek3 goek3 saau2-wai4 bin3-jing4, zi1-ng-hai6 zau6-hai6 lei5 koeng4 ge git6 zok3 laa. keoi5 kei5 faan2 zik6, waa6, "ngo mou5 joek6, daan6-hai6 tung4 neidei baau1-zaat3 soeng1-hau2 sin1." keoi baai2 hou2 zek3 lou5, dang1 hoi1 gin6 faan4, zek3 teng5 maan6-maan2 jik6-lau4 ji4 soeng5. gan1-zyu gyun1 jap6 syun4-cong1, lo2-zo d bou3 tung4 maa4-sing2, sin1 laa1 lei5 koeng4 zaat3 hou2, zoi3 gung3 jap6 syun4-cong1, zaat3 hou2 jing1-gwok3-jan4 zek3 goek3.
lei5 koeng4 hot3 waa6, "lo2 sing2 bong2 zyu6 zek3 gwai2!"
"ng sai2 dou1 dak1 laa, nei5 fong1 keoi hiu2 fei1 me1."
"ngo hai6 ciu4-ting4 gun1-bing1. nei5 gam2 ng teng1 ming6-ling6?!"
"hou2 laa hou2 laa, ngo gaa1-zan2 bong2 maai4 keoi5 deoi3 sau2 lo." ling2-zyun2-san1, keoi sai3-sai2-seng1 waa6, "Don't move. I don't hurt you."
"nei5 zi4-zi1-zam4-zam4 tung4 go3 hung4-mou4-gwai2 gong2 mat1 je5?!" lei5 koeng4 jyu5-hei3 jyut6-lai4-jyut6 ngok3-sei2, ci5-fu4 bei2 keoi faat3-gok3 jyu4-neoi5 gong2 gan2 jing1-man2.
"mat1 nei5 gam3-do1 si6-gon3 gaa3? ngo5 aai3 keoi5 mai2 juk1 zaa. mou4 leon6 ngodei gong2 d mat1, hung4-mou4-gwai2 dou1 ng wui2 ming4 gaa laa, gai1 tung4 ngaap3 gong2. zaat3 hou2 zaat3 dim6 laa, ngo faan2 heoi3 caang1 teng5."
lei5 koeng4 fan3 hai2 teng5 tau4, jing1-gwok3-jan4 beng3-maai syun4-cong1 gok3-lok1-tau2, jyu4-neoi5 co5 hai2 teng5 mei5, ngou4 haa5 ngou4 haa5, teng5 zai2 jat1-lou6 hoeng3-zyu gwongzau sai2 heoi3. jat1-lou6 zing6-jing1-jing1, gwo3-zo bun3 zau3, teng5 ji5 gan6 faa3-lung4-zan3. nei1-zan6-si2 jat6-tau2 ging1-ji5 hou2 maang5, mou6-seoi2 saan3 heoi3, mong6-dou2 gong1-bin1 cing1-saan1 tung4 coi3-tin4, jat1-pin3 ceng1-luk6.
lei5 koeng4 dat6-jin4 daan6 hei2-san1, daai6-aai3, "neibin aa! ngo hai6 seoi2-si1 seon6-dak1 jing4!" zyun3-san1 hot3 waa6, "aa3-gu1, zik1-haak1 sai2 maai4 heoi3 daai6-syun4 dou6!"
jyun4-lai4 gong1-min2 jau5 zek3 seoi2-si1 ceon4-gong1-syun4. syun4 soeng5 jau5 jan4 juk1-haa5 juk1-haa5, nei5 fong1 ng hai6 teng1-dou2 giu3-haam3-seng1 mong6 gwo3-lai4 teng5-zai2 me1.
lei5 koeng4 kei5 hai2-syu5, mong6-zyu teng5 mei5, jau6 kaak1 kaak1 siu3, "gam1-pou1 zung6 ng gaa1-saan1-faat3? zuk1-dou2 zek3 faan1-gwai2, ceoi2 faan2 go3 po4-zai2, cyun4-gwan1 ngo zi3 wai1, faai3-wut6 gwo3 gu1-je4-zai2. hei hei hei!"
jing1-gwok3-jan4 gin3 keoi5 dat6-jin4 daai6-aai3 daai6-siu3, jat1-min6 wong4-hung2. ling2-zyun3 tau4 mong6-hoeng3 jyu4-neoi5, jat1-min6 oi1-kau4, sai3-seng1 waa6, "Please! Help me!"
jyu4-neoi5 ng sou1 keoi, sau2 zaa1 syun4-zoeng2, kei5 hei2-san1, haang4 jap6 cong1. jing1-gwok3-jan4 geng1 dou3 tan4 tan2 zan3.
zi2-gin3 jyu4-neoi5 jat1-go3 zin3-bou6, jat1 zoeng2 baan3 lok6 lei5 koeng4 tiu4 jiu1, daa2-zo keoi lok6 seoi2, tung4-si4 daai6-aai3, "RUDDER TO STARBOARD! FAST!"
jing1-gwok3-jan4 loeng5-sau2 jat1 fan1, tiu4 sing2 zau6 sung1-hoi1, jyun4-loi4 zi1-cin4 daa2-zo saang1-lit3. diu6-zyun2 teng5-tau4, loeng5-go3-jan4 jat1-go3 jiu4 lou5, jat1 go3 waa1-zoeng2, coet4-coet2-seng1 hoeng3-zyu haa6-jau4 tou4-zau2.
"jau5 jan4 dit3-zo lok6 seoi2 aa! faai3 gau3 hei2 keoi!" "jyun4-loi4 fo2-gei3 lai4 gaa!" "zeoi1 zek3 teng5 aa!" "hoi1 coeng1! hoi1 coeng1!" jan4-seng1 cou4-zaap6, daai6-syun4 hou2-faai3 zeoi1 gan2 gwo3-lai4.
jyu4-neoi5 tung4 jing1-gwok3-jan4 wun6-wai2, jyu4-neoi5 zoeng2-to4. faa1-sang1-hok3 hoeng3-zyu zak1-bin1 1 tiu4 aa1-caa1 sai3 seoi2-lou6 sai2 heoi3, zo2-cyun1-jau6-caap3. jan2-jan2 ting3-dou2 bui3-hau6 jan4-seng1 si4-jyun5-si4-kan5, zuk1 zuk1 gwo3-zo daai6-bun3 zau3, sin1 maan6-maan2 teng1-ng-dou zeoi1-bing1 ge seng1.
tin1-sik1 zim6 ngaan3, zik6-joeng4 faan2-ziu3, gong1-min2 tung4 tin1-hung1 jung4 wai4 jat1-tai2, jat1-pin3 zi2-hung4.
"wai mat nei bong ngo? Why? Why can you speak English?"
"jan1-wai4 ngo hai6 hoeng1-gong2-jan4. ngo zi1 neidei ng hai6 seoi1-jan4. jyu4-gwo2 nei5 bei2 keoidei zuk1-zo heoi3, sat6 meng6 dou1 mou5 aa! I come from Hong Kong. They will kill you." jyu4-neoi5 siu3-siu3-hau2, jau6 man6 jing1-gwok3-jan4, "What happened to you?"
"I come from England. I'm a captain. Last night Canton factories were set on fire. The Chinese soldiers were rounding us up. I ran for my life as much as I could. This Chinese man chased me to the riverside. I jumped into the river. He was still after me. His arms were cut. I was lucky to catch a log in the water, and reached out for him. He grabbed my leg and tried to strangle me. That's how my joint got dislocated... nei ming ng ming aa? Do you understand what I'm saying?" jing1-gwok3 syun4-zoeng2 jat1-lou6 gong2, jat1-lou6 zou6 sau2-sai3, tung4 jyu4-neoi5 gaai2-sik1 seng4 gin6 si6 dim2 faat3-sang1.
"Where are we going? Please take me to British ships. You will be rewarded."
"We going Hong Kong." jyu4-neoi5 mei4-siu3, "Tomorrow. Hong Kong!"
waa6-gam3-faai3, je6-sik1 zi1-zung1, faa1-sang1-hok3 ging1-ji5 sai2 gwo3 fu2-mun4, cek3-waan1, tyun4-mun4, jyu4-neoi5 tung4 syun4-zoeng2 gung6-dou6-zo fung1-ping4-long6-zing6, jau5-ging1-mou4-him2 ge 1 maan5.
san4-gwong1 zoi3 jin6, Victoria City kan5 zoi6 ngaan5-cin4, lei4-jyun5 mong6-dak1-dou2 gei2-go3 sou3-zi6 "1857", zi1-mai6 zau6-hai6 hing3-zuk1 sai1-jan4 san1-nin4 ge paai4-lau4. jyu4-neoi5 syun4-coeng4 bing6-paai4 co5-zyu. faa1-sang1-hok3 ceoi4 seoi2 maan6-maan6 piu1-lau4.
"Tell me, so you come from Hong Kong, but how did you end up there?"
"sap6-gei2 nin4 cin4, ngo bong1 jat1-baan1 jing1-gwok3-jan4 daai3-lou6 zi1-hau6, jau6 bong1 keoidei zou6-gung1, so2-ji5 hok6 sik1 siu2-siu2 jing1-man2. daan6-hai6 cing1-gwok3 gun1-bing1 lau4-naan4 ngo gaa1-jan4. sau1-mei1 mou5-noi2 lou5-dau6 zau6 gaa3-zo ngo5 heoi3 punjyu. gwo3 dak1 bun3 nin4, lou5-gung1 zou2 sei2." jyu4-neoi5 kei5 hei2-san1, hoi2-fung1 ceoi1-hei2 keoi kwan4-goek3, hou2-ci5 syun4-kei4 jing4-fung1 piu1-joeng4. keoi mong6-zyu Victoria City, waa6, "go2-zan6-si2 dou3 gaa1-haa5, ngo dou1 mei6 faan2 gwo3 lai4. gu2 ng dou3 hoeng1-gong2 bin3-faa3 gam3 daai6."
"maai4-ngon6 laa. faan2-dou3 jing1-gwok3-jan4 dei6-tau4, nei5 ngon1-cyun4 laa."
syun4-zoeng2 gaang3-ngaang2 kei5 hei2, soeng1-sau2 laam2-zyu6 jyu4-neoi5, man6, "What's your name? nei giu me je ming? I won't forget you!"
"ngo mou5 meng2 gaa, daan6-hai6 ngo zung1-ji3 zoek3 kwan4, d jan4 dou1 aai3 ngo zou6 aa3-kwan4. Call me Kwan."
hau6-gei6 Afterword
Partly inspired by the legend of Ah Kwan; and the Arrow incident (亞羅號事件) and the great fire of Thirteen Factories (十三行大火) in December 1856, two historical events that happened at the start of the so called Second Opium War.
(通俗深筆漢字粵文版. Common Chinese traditional Cantonese (yue-hant) version.)
熱頭初升，江面一浸白蒙蒙嘅霧水。
「HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP!」
「救命吖！呢邊吖！船家，救命吖！」
忽然間，江中間好似離遠傳來有人大嗌救命嘅聲。近岸一隻花生殼轉舵，慢慢駛開去。只見江面兩個人摱住條木方兩頭，順水漂流而下。再望真d，一個留住髮辮，而另一個高鼻綠眼，居然係西洋人。兩條友好鬼狼狽，睇落得返半條人命。
隻艇 zaa4 zaa4 lam4 棹埋去，啱好截住佢地。艇上一個黑色身影，伸出一長條船槳。
「摱實啦！我掹你哋上來！」聽聲原來係個漁女。一身烏黑麻布衫同裙，一條黑繩箍實頭上竹帽。身手矯健，幾下手勢就將兩條友拖出水。
「哈~哈~唔該晒阿姑~」個本地人死猛抖緊大氣，突然大喝：「你做乜嘢！咪郁！同我捉住個紅毛鬼！」一路嗌，一路想企起身，但係冇力。
個西洋人典下典下，縮埋去船艙另一角，粒聲唔出，净係對眼掘雷錘噉望實個本地人，時不時又望個漁女。
漁女一 faak3 支船槳，hong4 喺艇中間，隔開兩個人。「你哋係咩人，因乜解究來到呢處？」
「我係大清廣東水師順德營水兵李強，尋晚奉命到十三行捉拿呢d死紅毛鬼。你同我捉住佢，駛隻艇返上省城海關碼頭，到時提督大人重賞實有你份。」
「十三行離呢度好遠水路啵? 呢度番禺，前邊就到虎門啦。」
「尋晚我哋奉水師提督同兩廣總督之命，包圍咗十三行，準備搜捕番鬼。點知突然着火，幾條街冚唪唥燒通頂。」
「哈？原來尋晚火光同煙大到番禺呢處都望到，就係十三行呀？」
「冇錯啦。當其時，撞啱呢隻鬼衝出來，我追實佢，一路走到海皮。條死鬼佬響你d鄧家艇仔度一路走一路跳。我就來捉到佢啦，點知佢跳落水，我梗係跟埋佢跳，卒之畀我攬實隻脚。屌那媽，死番鬼真係狼戾，想做瓜我，斬傷我膊頭。我都唔輸蝕，拗斷佢一隻脚。」
「等你隻死番鬼仲想走？哼，邊有得咁易！」李強語氣聽起身十分之嬲同輕蔑。
李強繼續講：「夜媽媽，水流又急，冇人救起我哋。好彩大慈大悲菩薩保佑，居然摱到條木方，我哋就噉傍住，漂足成晚。」
漁女起身行埋去個西洋人度。西洋人當堂嚇到面到青，把聲好低沉噉話，「What do you want? 做乜嘢? 我係英國人！」原來呢個西洋人曉講幾句白話。「做乜嘢！我係英國人！」反複講咗幾勻，原來净係識呢兩句。
「啱啦，你家下攞d繩扎住隻番鬼先，等領賞啦！哈哈！」李強得意大笑。「咦? 阿姑，你幾靚女，身材幾標青噉喎！」自己講，自己笑到咔咔聲。
漁女背住李強，wu3 低身，細細聲問：「Don't scare. Quiet! You leg injure?」
英國人個樣好出奇噉款，ngap6 咗下個頭，細聲答：「Yes。」
漁女只見英國人一隻脚稍爲變形，之唔係就係李強嘅傑作啦。佢企返直，話：「我冇藥，但係同你哋包紥傷口先。」佢擺好隻櫓，dang1 開 件帆，隻艇慢慢逆流而上。跟住捐入船艙，攞咗d布同麻繩，先 laa1 李強紥好，再 gung3 入船艙，紥好英國人隻脚。
李強喝話：「攞繩綁住隻鬼！」
「唔使都得啦，你慌佢曉飛咩。」
「我係朝廷官兵。你敢唔聽命令？！」
「好啦好啦，我家陣綁埋佢對手囉。」擰轉身，佢細細聲話：「Don't move. I don't hurt you.」
「你 zi4 zi1 zam4 zam4 同個紅毛鬼講乜嘢？！」李強語氣越來越惡死，似乎畀佢發覺漁女講緊英文。
「乜你咁多事幹㗎？我嗌佢咪郁咋。無論我哋講d乜，紅毛鬼都唔會明㗎啦，鷄同鴨講。紥好紥掂啦，我返去撐艇。」
李強瞓喺艇頭，英國人柄埋船艙角落頭，漁女坐喺艇尾，ngou4 下 ngou4 下，艇仔一路向住廣州駛去。一路靜鷹鷹，過咗半晝，艇已近化龍鎮。呢陣時日頭經已好猛，霧水散去，望到江邊青山同菜田，一片青綠。
李強突然彈起身，大嗌：「呢邊吖！我係水師順德營！」轉身喝話：「阿姑，即刻駛埋去大船度！」
原來江面有隻水師巡江船。船上有人郁下郁下，你慌唔係聽到叫喊聲望過來艇仔咩。
李強企喺處，望住艇尾，又咔咔笑，「今鋪仲唔家山發? 捉到隻番鬼，娶返個婆仔，全軍我至威，快活過姑爺仔。唏唏唏！」
英國人見佢突然大嗌大笑，一面惶恐。擰轉頭望向漁女，一面哀求，細聲話，「Please! Help me!」
漁女唔騷佢，手揸船槳，企起身，行入艙。英國人驚到騰騰震。
只見漁女一個箭步，一槳 baan3 落 李強條腰，打咗佢落水，同時大嗌：「RUDDER TO STARBOARD! FAST!」
英國人兩手一分，條繩就鬆開，原來之前打咗 生 lit3。掉轉艇頭，兩個人一個搖櫓，一個划槳，coet4 coet2 聲 向住下游逃走。
「有人跌咗落水吖！快救起佢！」「原來伙記來㗎！」「追隻艇吖！」「開槍！開槍！」人聲嘈雜，大船好快追緊過來。
漁女同英國人換位，漁女掌舵。花生殼向住側邊一條丫杈細水路駛去，左穿右插。隱隱聽到背後人聲時遠時近，足足過咗大半晝，先慢慢聽唔到追兵嘅聲。
天色漸晏，夕陽返照，江面同天空融爲一體，一片紫紅。
「為乜你幫我？Why? Why can you speak English?」
「因爲我係香港人。我知你哋唔係衰人。如果你畀佢哋捉咗去，實命都冇吖！I come from Hong Kong. They will kill you.」漁女笑笑口，又問英國人，「What happened to you?」
「I come from England. I'm a captain. Last night Canton factories were set on fire. The Chinese soldiers were rounding us up. I ran for my life as much as I could. This Chinese man chased me to the riverside. I jumped into the river. He was still after me. His arms were cut. I was lucky to catch a log in the water, and reached out for him. He grabbed my leg and tried to strangle me. That's how my joint got dislocated... 你明唔明吖？Do you understand what I'm saying?」英國船長一路講，一路做手勢，同漁女解釋成件事點發生。
「Where are we going? Please take me to British ships. You will be rewarded.」
「We going Hong Kong.」漁女微笑，「Tomorrow. Hong Kong!」
話咁快，夜色之中，花生殼經已駛過虎門、赤灣、屯門，漁女同船長共渡咗風平浪靜、有驚無險嘅一晚。
晨光再現，Victoria City 近在眼前，離遠望得到幾個數字「1857」，之咪就係慶祝西人新年嘅牌樓。漁女船長並排坐住。花生殼隨水慢慢漂流。
「Tell me, so you come from Hong Kong, but how did you end up there?」
「十幾年前，我幫一班英國人帶路之後，又幫佢地做工，所以學識少少英文。但係清國官兵留難我家人。收尾冇耐老豆就嫁咗我去番禺。過得半年，老公早死。」漁女企起身，海風吹起佢裙脚，好似船旗迎風飄揚。佢望住 Victoria City，話：「嗰陣時到家下，我都未返過來。估唔到香港變化咁大。」
「埋岸啦。返到英國人地頭，你安全啦。」
船長夾硬企起，雙手攬住漁女，問：「What's your name? 你叫咩嘢名？I won't forget you!」
「我冇名㗎，但係我中意着裙，d人都嗌我做阿群。Call me Kwan。」
後記 Afterword
Partly inspired by the legend of Ah Kwan; and the Arrow incident (亞羅號事件) and the great fire of Thirteen Factories (十三行大火) in December 1856, two historical events that happened at the start of the so called Second Opium War.
(Latin汉字混写粤文版. Latin-Honzi mixed Cantonese (yue-hans) version.)
热头初升, 江面一浸白蒙蒙 ge 雾水.
"HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP!"
"救命 aa! nei1 边 aa! 船家, 救命 aa!"
忽然间, 江中间好似离远传来有人大嗌救命 ge 声. 近岸1只花生壳转舵, 慢慢驶开去. 只见江面两个人 maan1 住 条 木方两头, 顺水漂流而下. 再望真d, 1个留住发辫, 而另1个高鼻绿眼, 居然系西洋人. 两条友好鬼狼狈, 睇落得返半条人命.
只艇 zaa zaa lam 棹埋去, 啱好截住佢dei. 艇上1个黑色身影, 伸出1长条船桨.
"maan1 实 laa! 我 mang1 你die 上来!" 听声原来系个渔女. 一身乌黑麻布衫同裙, 1条黑绳箍实头上竹帽. 身手矫健, 几haa5手势就将两条友拖出水.
"haa~ haa~ 唔该 saai 阿姑~" 个本地人死猛 tau2 紧大气, 突然大喝, "你做乜 je! mai2 juk1! 同我捉住个红毛鬼!" 一路嗌, 一路想企起身, 但系冇力.
个西洋人 din2 haa5 din2 haa5, 缩埋去船舱另一角, 粒声唔出, 净系对眼掘雷锤 gam2 望实个本地人, 时不时又望个渔女.
渔女一 faak3 支 船桨, hong4 hai2 艇中间, 隔开两个人. "你dei 系 meh 人, 因乜解究来到 nei1 syu5?"
"我系大清广东水师顺德营水兵李强, 寻晚奉命到十三行捉拿 nei1 d死红毛鬼. 你同我捉住佢, 驶只艇返上省城海关码头, 到时提督大人重赏实有你份."
"十三行离 nei1 度 好远水路 bo? nei1 度 番禺, 前边就到虎门 laa."
"寻晚我dei 奉水师提督同两广总督之命, 包围zo 十三行, 准备搜捕番鬼. 点知突然着火, 几条街 ham baang laang 烧通顶."
"haa? 原来 cam4 晚 火光同烟大到番禺 nei1 syu5 都望到, 就系十三行 aa?"
"冇错 laa. 当其时, 撞 ngaam1 nei1 只鬼冲出来, 我追实佢, 一路走到海皮. 条死鬼佬响你d dang6 家 艇仔度一路走一路跳. 我就来捉到佢 laa, 点知佢跳落水, 我梗系跟埋佢跳, 卒之畀我揽实只脚. 屌那妈, 死番鬼真系 long1 lai2, 想做瓜我, 斩伤我膊头. 我都唔输蚀, 拗断佢1只脚.
"等你只死番鬼仲想走? Hng, 边有得gam3易!" 李强语气听起身十分之嬲同轻蔑.
李强继续讲: "夜妈妈, 水流又急, 冇人救起我dei. 好彩大慈大悲菩萨保佑, 居然 maan1 到条木方, 我dei 就 gam2 傍住, 漂足成晚."
渔女起身行埋去个西洋人度. 西洋人当堂吓到面到青, 把声好低沉 gam2 话, "What do you want? 做乜 je? 我系 jing2 gwok2 jan3!" 原来 nei1 个 西洋人晓讲几句白话. "做乜 je! 我系 jing2 gwok2 jan3!" 反复讲zo 几匀, 原来净系识 nei1 两句.
"ngaam1 laa, 你家下 lo2 d绳扎住只番鬼先, 等领赏 laa! haa haa!" 李强得意大笑. "ji? 阿姑, 你几靓女, 身材几标青 gam2 wo!" 自己讲, 自己笑到 kaak1 kaak1 声.
渔女背住李强, wu3 低身, 细细声问, "Don't scare. Quiet! You leg injure?"
英国人个样好出奇 gam2 款, ngap6 zo haa5 个头, 细声答, "Yes."
渔女只见英国人1只脚稍为变形, 之唔系就系李强 ge 杰作 laa. 佢企返直, 话, "我冇药, 但系同你dei 包紥伤口先." 佢摆好只橹, dang1 开 件帆, 只艇慢慢逆流而上. 跟住 gyun1 入 船舱, lo2 zo d布同麻绳, 先 laa1 李强扎好, 再 gung3 入船舱, 扎好英国人只脚.
李强喝话, "lo2 绳绑住只鬼!"
"唔使都得 laa, 你慌佢晓飞 meh."
"我系朝廷官兵. 你敢唔听命令?!"
"好 laa 好 laa, 我家阵绑埋佢对手 lo." 拧转身, 佢细细声话, "Don't move. I don't hurt you."
"你 zi zi zam zam 同个红毛鬼讲乜 je?!" 李强语气越来越恶死, 似乎畀佢发觉渔女讲紧英文.
"乜你 gam3多 事干 gaa? 我嗌佢 mai2 juk1 zaa. 无论我dei 讲d乜, 红毛鬼都唔会明 gaa laa, 鸡同鸭讲. 扎好 扎 dim6 laa, 我返去撑艇."
李强 fan3 hai2 艇头, 英国人 beng3 maai4 船舱 gok3 lok1 tau2, 渔女 坐 hai2 艇尾, ngou4 haa5 ngou4 haa5, 艇仔一路向住广州驶去. 一路 静 jing1 jing1, 过zo 半昼, 艇已近化龙镇. ni1 zan6 si2 日头经已好猛, 雾水散去, 望到江边青山同菜田, 一片青绿.
李强突然弹起身, 大嗌, "nei1 边 aa! 我系水师顺德营!" 转身喝话, "阿姑, 即刻驶埋去大船度!"
原来江面有只水师巡江船. 船上有人 juk1 haa5 juk1 haa5, 你慌唔系听到叫喊声望过来艇仔 meh.
李强企 hai2 syu5, 望住艇尾, 又 kaak1 kaak1 笑, "今铺仲唔家山发? 捉到个番鬼, 娶返个婆仔, 全军我至威, 快活过姑爷仔. hei hei hei!"
英国人见佢突然大嗌大笑, 一面惶恐. 拧转头望向渔女, 一面哀求, 细声话, "Please! Help me!"
渔女唔 sou1 佢, 手揸船桨, 企起身, 行入舱. 英国人惊到 tan4 tan2 震.
只见渔女一个箭步, 一桨 baan3 落 李强条腰, 打zo 佢落水, 同时大嗌, "RUDDER TO STARBOARD! FAST!"
英国人两手一分, 条绳就松开, 原来之前打zo 生 lit3. 掉转艇头, 两个人一个摇橹, 一个划桨, coet4 coet2 声 向住下游逃走.
"有人跌zo 落水 aa! 快救起佢!" "原来伙记来 gaa!" "追只艇 aa!" "开枪! 开枪!" 人声嘈杂, 大船好快追紧过来.
渔女同英国人换位, 渔女掌舵. 花生壳向住侧边1条丫杈细水路驶去, 左穿右插. 隐隐听到背后人声时远时近, 足足过zo 大半昼, 先慢慢听唔到追兵 ge 声.
天色渐晏, 夕阳返照, 江面同天空融为一体, 一片紫红.
"为乜你帮我? Why? Why can you speak English?"
"因为我系香港人. 我知你dei 唔系衰人. 如果你畀佢dei 捉zo 去, 实命都冇 aa! I come from Hong Kong. They will kill you." 渔女笑笑口, 又问英国人, "What happened to you?"
"I come from England. I'm a captain. Last night Canton factories were set on fire. The Chinese soldiers were rounding us up. I ran for my life as much as I could. This Chinese man chased me to the riverside. I jumped into the river. He was still after me. His arms were cut. I was lucky to catch a log in the water, and reached out for him. He grabbed my leg and tried to strangle me. That's how my joint got dislocated... 你明唔明 aa? Do you understand what I'm saying?" 英国船长一路讲, 一路做手势, 同渔女解释成件事点发生.
"Where are we going? Please take me to British ships. You will be rewarded."
"We going Hong Kong." 渔女微笑, "Tomorrow. Hong Kong!"
话 gam3 快, 夜色之中, 花生壳经已驶过虎门、赤湾、屯门, 渔女同船长共渡zo 风平浪静、有惊无险 ge 1晚.
晨光再现, Victoria City 近在眼前, 离远望得到几个数字 "1857", 之 mai6 就係庆祝西人新年 ge 牌楼. 渔女船长并排坐住. 花生壳随水慢慢漂流.
"Tell me, so you come from Hong Kong, but how did you end up there?"
"十几年前, 我帮一班英国人带路之后, 又帮佢dei 做工, 所以学识少少英文. 但系清国官兵留难我家人. sau1 mei1 冇耐 老豆就嫁zo 我去番禺. 过得半年, 老公早死." 渔女企起身, 海风吹起佢裙脚, 好似船旗迎风飘扬. 佢望住 Victoria City, 话, "go2 zan6 si2 到家下, 我都未返过来. 估唔到香港变化 gam3 大."
"埋岸 laa. 返到英国人地头, 你安全 laa."
船长 gaang3 ngaang2 企起, 双手揽住渔女, 问, "What's your name? 你叫 meh je 名? I won't forget you!"
"我冇名 gaa, 但系我中意着裙, d人都嗌我做阿群. Call me Kwan."
后记 Afterword
Partly inspired by the legend of Ah Kwan; and the Arrow incident (亞羅號事件) and the great fire of Thirteen Factories (十三行大火) in December 1856, two historical events that happened at the start of the so called Second Opium War.
(SPOILER ALERT!)
Summary (for non-speakers of Cantonese)
A Hongkonger fisherwoman, a Chinese soldier and a British captain shared the same boat, after she had rescued the two men from the Pearl River after the great fire of Thirteen Factories in December 1856. She then saved the Briton from being captured by the Chinese and sailed him to Hong Kong. On the way she learnt of two differing accounts of the men's struggle. She revealed her identity before parting with the captain in Hong Kong.
(SPOILER ALERT!)
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