一閫師，寒天夜宴，熾炭燒燭，引滿浮白，酒后耳熱，嘆曰：“今年天氣不正，當(dāng)寒而暖�！�

　　兵卒在旁跪稟曰：“較似小人們立處，天氣覺正�！�

　　——《雪濤小書》

　　Abnormal Weather

　　Ageneral was drinking in the camp in a cold winter’s night. Candles were lightedand coal was burning well in the stove. After a few bowlfuls of wine, beads ofsweat appeared on his forehead.

　　“Extraordinaryweather we’re having this year!” said the general. “When it should be old, it’swarm.”

　　Hiswords were heard by his orderly, who was standing outside in the cold. Enteringthe tent, he knelt respectfully before the general and said, “The weather seemsnormal enough where your servant was standing, sir.”

Notes of Xue Tao