作者  (1500年～1582年)

字：	汝忠
网笔号：	射阳山人
籍贯：	淮安府山阳县
 中国经典 Chinese classic： 《西游记》 《汇评证道西游记》 阅读吴承恩 Wu Chengen在小说之家的作品!!!

　　字汝忠，号射阳山人，淮安府山阳县（今江苏省淮安市楚州区）人。明代小说家。出生于一个由下级官吏沦落为小商人的家庭，他的父亲吴锐性格乐观旷达，奉行常乐哲学，为儿子取名承恩，字汝忠，意思希望他能读书做官，上承皇恩，下泽黎民，做一个青史留名的忠臣。吴承恩小时候勤奋好学，一目十行，过目成诵。他精于绘画，擅长书法，爱好填词度曲，对围棋也很精通，还喜欢收藏名人的书画法贴。少年时代他就因为文才出众而在故乡出了名，受到人们的赏识，认为他科举及第，“如拾一芥”。《淮安府志》载他“性敏而多慧，博极群书，为诗文下笔立成。”他除奋好学外，特别喜欢搜奇猎怪，爱看神仙鬼怪，狐妖猴精之类的书籍。如《百怪录》、《酉阳杂俎》之类的小说野史，这类五光十色的神话世界，潜默化中养成了搜奇猎怪的嗜好，随着年龄的增大，这种爱好有增无减，这对他创作《西游记》有着重大的影响。30岁后，他搜求的奇闻已“贮满胸中”了，并且有了创作的打算。50岁左右，他写了《西游记》的前十几回，后来因故中断了多年，直到晚年辞官离任回到故里，他才得以最后完成《西游记》的创作，历时7年。步入青年时代的吴承恩是狂放不羁、轻世傲物的年青人。社会地位的低下，贫穷困苦的处境，使这位大才子狂放不羁，招来了纷至沓来的笑声，被人交口称誉的日子一去不复返了。吴承恩约二十岁时，与同乡一位姓叶的姑娘结婚，婚后感情甚笃。吴承恩虽然狂放不羁，但他品行端正，忠于自己的妻室。嘉靖十年，吴承恩在府学岁考和科考中获得了优异成绩，取得了科举生员的资格，与朋友结伴去南京应乡试。然而才华不如他的同伴考取了，他这位誉满乡里的才子竟名落孙山。第二年春天，他的父亲怀着遗憾去世了。接受初次失败的教训，吴承恩在以后三年内，专心致意地在时文上下了一番苦功，在嘉靖十三年秋的考试中却仍然没有考中。吴承恩羞恨交加，这年冬天，竟病倒了。两次乡试的失利，再加上父亲的去世，对吴承恩的打系是沉重的。在他看来，考不取举人，不仅付资无由，而且愧对父母，有负先人。但他并不以为自己没考取是没本事，而只是命运不济，他认为“功名富贵自有命，必须得之无乃痴？”吴承恩一生不同流俗，刚直不阿。他之所以才高而屡试不第，很可能与他不愿作违心之论以讨好上官有关。他厌恶腐败的官场，不愿违背本心，对黑暗的现实持否定态度。他在《二郎搜山图歌》一诗中写道：“民灾翻出衣冠中，不为猿鹤为沙虫。坐观宋室用五鬼，不见虞廷诛四凶。野夫有怀多感激，抚事临风三叹惜。胸中磨损斩邪刀，欲起平之恨无力。救月有矢救日弓，世间岂谓无英雄？谁能为我致麟凤，长令万年保合清宁功。”认为“民灾”的形成，社会现实的丑恶，原因就在于统治者用人不善，让“五鬼”“四凶”那样的坏人当道。他想“致麟凤”，行“王道”，扭转乾坤，但是怀才不遇，壮志未酬，只能空怀慷慨，抚事临风叹息。生活困顿给吴承恩带来的压力并不小于科考的失利。父亲去世以后，他需要操持全家的所有开支，但他却没有支撑门户的能力，更没有养家活口的手段。家中生活来源，除了每月从学府里领回六斗米外，只能坐食父亲所留遗产了。品尝了社会人生酸甜苦辣的吴承恩，开始更加清醒地、深沉地考虑社会人生的问题，并且用自己的诗文向不合理的社会进行抗争。
　　
　　吴承恩家世考
　　
　　《西游记》的作者吴承恩（1506—1582），字汝忠，一字以忠，明代中叶淮安人。淮安在汉代曾叫射阳县，县的东南有一湖泊叫射阳湖，所以吴承恩以“射阳”为号，经常自署为“射阳居士”。后代亦有人称他为“射阳山人”，这大约不是他当年的自号。淮安地处淮水之南，秦汉时期为淮阴县。唐代为楚州，一度时期也曾改称过淮阴郡，故他在署名时，前面往往冠以“淮阴”二字。这是明清时代两淮文人的普通风气。
　　关于吴承恩的家世，目前人们了解的还是很少。因为资料太少了，迄今为止，可供查考的资料主要的只有《先府宾墓志铭》一种。现在，我就根据这篇墓志铭和其他一些材料，作如下一些推测。
　　吴承思先世涟水人，是后来迁到淮安的。是什么时间迁居淮安的呢？他自己没有讲，我猜想最迟不应晚于明初。其理由有二：
　　第一， 从时间上推算，应在明初之前。《先府宾墓志铭》云：
　　先世涟水人，然不如何时徙山阳。遭家穷孤，失谱牒，故三世以上莫能详也。曾祖讳鼎；祖讳铭，余姚训导；皇考讳贞，仁和教谕。
　　这里所说的曾祖、祖、皇考，均是以吴承恩的父亲吴锐的身份来说的。所谓“三世以上”，就是指的这三世，并不包括吴承恩父子，若连他们父子计算，当为五世。这五代吴承恩是清楚的，从他父亲的曾祖吴鼎向上便“莫能详也”。吴承恩生于十六世纪初，距明代开国 130余年。按通常 3 0年为一世的说法来计算，吴承恩向上四代为 12 0年，时间正好是明初。“三世以上莫能详也”的意思，明显是说吴鼎并非迁淮始祖，迁淮是他以前的一世、二位甚至几世的事，只不过是因为没有谱牒，吴承恩说不清楚罢了。所以，吴氏迁淮不当晚于明初。
　　第二，元朝末年战争频仍，淮安所遭战祸尤为严重，土著居民死散殆尽，人口锐减。据黄梨洲为淮安杨士杰作的传记，以及曹镳《淮城信今录》、杨庆之《春宵呓剩》等记载，“明初谁人存者止七家”。“淮人”大概指的是城内居民，“七家”可能是指七个姓。据说这七姓是一“节孝徐（积）、槐树李、梅花刘、切面张、面合王、裱背王、南门潘（埙）”等几家。此外，还有人说七姓中有姓吴的，但那是指的是后来中进士做过御史的吴节、吴那一家，与吴承恩并无瓜葛。吴承恩的祖先不是淮安元代遗民，而是元末明初从涟水迁入的。明初，明太祖针对江北居民稀少的状况实行移民政策。来谁的移民多迁自江南，而且多为富户或军官。至今淮安许多人还世代相传说自己老家是江南苏州或其他什么地方。吴承恩家由北向南，自然不属于这个潮流，应该是元末明初破产农民的流迁。
　　吴承恩祖先迁淮后是从事什么职业的呢？《先府宾墓志铭》中没有谈及。当时迁淮的人中有的是军籍，隶戎于淮安卫、大河卫、宽河卫等卫所；有的是商籍，从事商业活动；也有一些人是先人在淮做官而定居下来的；有些人家从事医业，如潘家、卢家；还有很多人家从事儒业，依靠读书做官吃饭，等等。吴承恩家不是军籍，也不是做大官人家的后裔，也不象一开始就是业儒的。据《先府宾墓志铭》记载，吴承恩家出过两代学官：曾祖吴铭做过浙江余姚县的训导，祖父吴贞由例贡做过浙江仁和县（今杭州市）的教谕（同治《山阳县志》卷九、光绪《杭州府志）卷一0二的记载均为训导）。训导与教谕都是官微俸薄的冷官，远离家乡，颠沛流离，妻儿往往不能团聚在一起。当吴承恩的父亲吴锐四岁时，其母梁氏，带着他一起去仁和，夫妻父子团聚以享天伦之乐。团圆的日子还未过数月，不幸的事情发生了：吴锐的父亲即吴承恩的祖父吴贞竞病逝任所。梁氏无奈，只有带着四岁的孤儿吴锐回淮。由于他家两代经营的是“九儒十丐”的“穷儒”，既无什么积蓄，更无其他收入，所以家境越来越穷。因为穷，又无亲友接济，吴锐到了上学的年龄也不能上学，比别人家孩子迟了好几年，才开始进入社学读书。因为无钱给社学先生送礼，先生就不怎么教吴锐。但是，吴锐很聪明，在旁边专心听先生给别人讲，居然学到了所有的课业，并且学得很好。吴锐的聪慧感动了社学先生，得到了先生的赞赏，推荐他到乡学去继续读书。但终因吴家家计困难而没有去成。梁夫人痛心疾首地说：“吴氏修文二世矣，若此耳，斯孤弱奈何！”先是梁夫人哭泣，接着吴锐也跟着哭，母子抱头痛哭一场了事。吴锐失学以后干些什么我们无法知道，但他到二十岁的时候，便娶了小商人徐家的女儿成了家。佛家世代卖花边花线一类小商品，吴说便承袭了他家的行业，坐在店堂里成了一个小商人。从这一段记载中，我们可以看出吴承思家的一些老底。所谓“修文二世”，大概就是指的承恩的曾祖吴铭和祖父吴贞。再进一步细细琢磨这句话，似乎吴家业儒的也仅此两代，其先世并不是读书人家。吴家先世既非业儒，又非军籍，更非官宦，此外要么就是从事农业，要么就是经营商业。两相比较，我认为他家初迁淮时经营的是小商业可能更象些。这里有两条理由。
　　一、吴承恩家并无地产收入。有人说，吴家迁淮后原住在二铺灌沟，从事的是农业。他们的根据是因为吴承恩死后葬在那里，并称那儿为“先垅”。这个证据是不足为凭的。“垅”就是墓地，“先垅”是先人墓地的意思，并不说明他家在那儿有多少土地。城里人死了总不能埋在城里，葬到乡下去是必然的，在乡下买一块土地作为墓地是正常的事情。当然，吴家一开始就置下这块地产，自然用不着再去买的。但我想那样是不大可能的。吴家由涟水迁来，如果原来就是地主富户，那他就不会放弃原有的土地，抛开家园到这儿来重置田产，如果是破产农民迁来，那他更不会有钱到淮安乡下买田。明初从江南向江北移民，是因为江北地多人稀，动员江南富户到江北垦荒，是有开发江北的目的的。当时是用行政手段“赶”来的，淮安至今农民中仍有“洪武赶散”的说法。明初涟水的经济状况不会比淮安好，吴家迁淮决不是因为是富户而被“赶”来的。
　　从另一个方面来讲，如果吴家拥有一定的地产，当做教谕的吴贞死后，吴家不至于穷到那种地步，吴承恩的父亲连个社学都上不起，迟了几年才上；上了社学又无钱给先生送礼，以致受人歧视；到了最后还是辍学了事。依我的推测，他家简直没有什么地产，他家先辈迁淮后根本不是农民。
　　二、我认为吴家来淮后就住在河下。当时河下在淮河（当时也叫黄河，黄河夺淮后，这一带淮河下游也是黄河的下游。），西边则是运河，河下处在两河之间，是一个商埠。当时从各地来的商人和各种职业的人很多，大都聚居在这里。这些人后米都逐渐入了山阳籍。他家迁淮后落脚于河下，处在一个家家经商的街市之中，从而受其影响，从事某种小商业来谋生是很自然的事情。从现在他家在河下的周围环境来看，正是这样的情况：打铜巷、钉铁巷、粉章巷、估衣街包围在他家的四周。这些巷子里的居民基本上经营着巷名中所列的行当。当经商有了余利，生活状况有所改善，就向读书做官的方向进取，并且有了一些成效，出现了两代学宫（尽管吴贞是例贡生出身，可能要出一点钱，但正好证明他家既有读书子，经济上又小有富余）。这时，他家便抛弃了原来所经营的与现在做官（虽然是不入流的小官）身份不相称的商业，生活来源就靠做学官的微薄俸禄来维持。一旦这条道路出了问题就会出现麻烦。果然，吴贞死了，没有官俸了，全家生活立即出现危机，连吴说上社学读书都困难。如果是官僚兼地主的家庭，是不会出现这样的问题的。吴家没有地产，生活艰难，是可以想见的。这时为生活所逼，“修文二世”的书香子弟，中途辍学，弄到店堂做起小生意来，一下子又退回到了小商人的地位。这对于吴家来说，祖上经营过的职业，后人重新拾起，轻车熟道，一般情况下是很自然而不突兀的。
　　吴承恩说他家的境况“穷孤”。“穷孤”是他家世的主要特征。所谓“穷”，主要是指经济上困难。如前所述，他家确实不富裕，有时比较艰难。另外，也可能兼有指命运不太好的意思，几代以来曲曲折折不发达，没有交上当大官、发大财的好运。已经做了两代小官了，结果不但没有上升，反而又回到了原来的地位，陷入艰难困境。所谓“孤”，大概指人丁不兴旺，几代单传，势单力薄，人口不多。吴家困难了，无人资助，受人欺侮了，也没有人为他撑腰；吴承恩的父亲受尽了官府胥吏的敲诈勒索，也没人为他说句公道话。这些明显看出他的家族是多么“穷孤”、寒微。家族内既没有做大官赚大钱的人可以作为他家政治上或经济上的靠山，恐怕本族中的兄弟叔伯都很少，现在还没发现他的家族中其他人的记载。种种迹象表明他家可能几代单传。
　　吴承恩的亲戚关系中，也没有什么值得炫耀的。祖上的亲，吴承恩没有谈到过，大概无足称道。祖母梁氏娘家何处不清楚，八成是淮安人。当时淮安梁家也不显耀，舅祖的情况也不知道。未见有祖姑母的记载，无从谈起。嫡母徐氏是个商人的女儿，生母张氏何许人也更一无所知。关于舅家及姑母家，竟连片言只语也未见，或者干脆就没有姑母。吴承恩的父辈以上亲属情况，简直是个谜。
　　有人乐于称道吴承恩自己这一代中的两门亲戚：一是姐夫沈家，另一是妻舅叶家。他们分别是沈翼和叶淇的后裔。沈翼和叶淇二人，分别在景泰年间和弘治年间任过南、北户部尚书，这两家在淮安都很有地位。但是，吴承恩的姐夫和妻子大概只是这两家的族人，并非这两位尚书大人的嫡传裔孙。然而总算是沾亲带故，有一点亲戚关系。现在我们就来看看这两门亲戚的情况。
　　先说姐夫沈家。《先府宾墓志铭》云：“徐夫人生一女承嘉，适同郡沈山。”据此可知，吴承恩的姐夫叫沈山。怎么知道沈山与沈翼是本家的呢？这是沈山的女儿的儿子即外孙，也就是吴承恩的表外孙丘度，为他的父母撰写的墓志铭中反映出来的。该墓志铭云。“向淮郡称大姓者，先尚书沈公之族也；吾母乃公之族，同知公之孙女也。”此墓志铭又云，其外祖母是“吴太夫人”，“射阳吴公，母舅也”。由此可知，丘度的母亲沈氏是吴承恩的外甥女，即“吴太夫人”吴承嘉的女儿。那么，吴承恩的姐夫沈山当即为“先尚书沈公之族也”。淮安当时姓沈的尚书只有沈翼一人，所以，沈山是沈翼的族人。此外，丘度的中表兄弟在沈翼的族谱中均有明确记载，而且沈氏族谱中还把丘度作为重要亲戚记载进去。这些都是确证。
　　据丘度《平涯公墓志铭》，沈氏“先世家东鲁，国初始祖七一公避兵徙山阳，遂家焉。后嗣以科目显，其占甲第有讳翼者，累宫南京户部尚书，正统间有御虏功。讳珤者，官吏科都给事中，升太仆寺少卿，直声于台剩讳纯者，累官至四川右布政，功在生民……纶音赫奕，科名蝉联，吾淮数巨姓宦族，指首屈则及沈。”这确实是一个显赫的家族。然而，此沈氏族谱中竟然没有沈山的名字，更没娶吴氏的记载。按照丘度与沈氏家族的关系，沈山应是沈 。沈 或者就是沈山的谱名、后改名。这有如下根据：
　　一、丘度撰《平涯公墓志铭》云：“夫沈族乃淮之乔木一旧家，吾母敕封赠恭人毓秀之门，而平涯公与余有表兄弟之雅者也。”平涯公名沈朴，字质夫，别号平涯，长丘度三岁。
　　二、沈倩《上林苑监署丞丕显府君行略》云：“丘公震冈（丘度字震冈），先祖中表昆弟也。”沈倩的先祖即沈朴。
　　三、沈培宽《府君行述》云：“曾王父见背时，王父完白公年十二，托孤于表兄震冈丘公。”沈培宽的曾祖父也还是沈朴。
　　以上这些记载均见沈翼的族谱。
　　按：沈朴的父亲叫沈天资，祖父叫沈 ，曾祖叫沈瑄，高汉名沈诩，诩为沈翼之二兄。既然沈朴与丘度为中表兄弟，那么，沈天资应为丘度之母舅，与丘度母亲沈氏为亲兄妹或亲姐弟，天资之父沈 当为丘度的外祖父，即吴承嘉所嫁之夫名沈山者。我想这是不可改易的推论。沈氏族谱中不名沈山而叫沈5盈，可能沈山是初用名，后来改作沈！盈的缘故。据沈氏族谱记载，沈 字朝用，配宁氏、王氏，但是没有吴氏的记载。这大概因为吴家“穷孤”，吴承嘉嫁到沈家仅仅是侧室，甚或是妾，而且可能没有生男孩子的缘故。沈山的年龄可能比吴承嘉大得多。沈翼行三，生于 1392年，其二兄沈诩的生年当更早一些。沈山为沈诩四子沈瑄之独子，是沈诩之第三代，生年当晚二世。如果以30年为一世，一二世为60年，当为1450年顷。如果再加上可能有的其他一些特殊情况，再加长一些时间，至近应为1460年或1470年顷。而他的长子沈天资生于 1500年，两者差距比较大，所以，沈山的生年可能较早，甚至与吴承恩的父亲吴锐的生年接近（吴锐生于1461年）。根据上述情况分析，沈山仅是沈尚书的侄孙，承恩的姐姐承嘉又非沈山的原配夫人，仅是族谱上无名的配偶，所以这门亲戚无足称道。加之沈氏到了沈山这一代没有出达官贵人，更没有什么可以值得炫耀的。因此，吴承恩仅在其父墓志铭中，按通常惯例提了一下沈山的名字，并未作进一步的介绍，在其他地方也绝未提及。后来丘度中了进士做了官，丘度的血管里流有沈氏的血液，所以沈氏与丘家的关系才得以增强，而连带的沈家与吴家的关系才被看重。从这里，我们也可看出、吴承恩家当初的社会地位是如何的低下。
　　吴承恩的岳父叶家的情况也有点相类似。叶氏先祖为南宋初年宰相叶衡，世居浙江之金华。叶淇曾祖叶颙，在元代以诗名世，著有《樵云独唱》，祖父叶土廉，洪武初戍淮，遂为淮安卫人。《明史》卷一八五有叶淇传。据传，淇字本清，景泰五年进土，授御史，成化中累官至大同巡抚，弘治四年为户部尚书，寻加太子太保。墓志铭为李东阳撰。据墓志，叶淇生于1426年，卒于1501年。他“长身修髯，见者知为伟器，”“配何氏，赠夫人，继阙里孔氏，封夫人，皆有内行”。何氏事不详，孔氏，即吴承恩为之撰《寿叶太老夫人八十颂》和《叶太母挽诗序》（见《射阳先生存稿》卷一、卷二）的“叶大老夫人”和“叶太母”。承恩在这两篇文章中说：“先尚书国柱臣，康乂海内，震宫保翊”，“太夫人秀锺阙里，为先师四十五代之真裔”。又说；“承恩叨忝婚姻，班太母曾孙之末”。虽然吴承恩在《先府宾墓志铭》中仅言他“娶叶氏”，未明言是出于哪一个叶家，但我们从这两篇文章便可知道叶氏是叶淇的后裔，是叶淇曾孙一辈的族人。叶太母孔氏生于1468年，比她丈夫叶淇小四十二岁，叶淇去世时她年仅三十四岁。从时间上推算，承恩妻叶氏根本不可能是孔氏亲曾孙女，仅在曾孙这一“班”中，而且又是“末”。看来承恩妻叶氏并非叶淇的嫡传子孙。李东阳所撰的叶淇墓志中关于孔氏的记载，仅在明刻本《怀麓堂文后稿》卷二十四中有之，到了此书的清刻本中，“继阙里孔氏，封夫人，皆有内行”几个字被删去了。这就使我想起吴承恩的姐姐吴承嘉来。大概妇女嫁作继室、侧室，或者未生儿子的，就是这样的命运。被封为夫人的孔氏尚且如此，平民百姓的女子吴承嘉不入沈氏族谱还有什么的可说呢？叶淇弟兄二人，其弟名叶洋。洋子叶贽，宇崇礼，天顺庚辰进土。据天启《淮安府志》卷十六记载，他“当官外和内严，庶狱缘请定法，人不敢干以私。历守三大郡，孜孜尽职，不拂情以招怨，不立异以邀名。累工、刑二部侍郎”。此叔侄二人是当时叶氏的重要人物。叶贽子叶筌，号笛溪，为承恩的叔丈人。《射阳先生存稿》卷一诗《寄笛溪叶太文》、卷四《贺笛翁太丈七帙障词》，即为他所作。叶筌家庭条件十分优越，父亲为朝廷大吏，自己承其荫为光禄寺典簿（同治《山阳县志》卷九）。叔叔叶宝很有钱，据说叶贽入官至归隐四十余年，出入供费皆出于他。障词中说，叶筌“处则为贵公子，出则为贤士夫，倦而归也则为乡耆勘。少年时喜欢交结各种人，“江湖游侠，时候于其门；异端方伎，日列于其前”。既而改变生活方式，结交皆海内名士：“悬箔而有琴棋，挥金以收书画。横长笛，撰小词，寻奇春雨之亭，避俗水西之馆”。但他终身轻财重义，“方其乏，则朝储忘乎午餐；时其丰，则食客倍于家众”。吴承恩虽然是他的侄倩，但因为是当时的名士，仍然被他“礼之为上客”。他们的友情是很好的。当叶筌在京城时，承恩作诗《寄笛溪叶太丈》，发出“物情悬旧赏，离梦绕沧波”的感概，要叶筌“应念故山萝”。其实，叶筌比吴承恩大不了几岁。障词说，隆庆四年（1570年）是叶筌的七十寿辰，那么，他当生于1501年，与吴承恩的年龄相仿佛。障词还说，“承恩缔姻门下余四十年”。这句话需要作些斟酌。“余”当为“馀”之误植，但字书说“余”、“馀”相通，古人喜欢用通假字，这可姑且置之勿论。“余四十年”在古汉语中意为“垂四十年”、“接近四十年”，因此这句话很成问题。我们将“余四十年”尽量说得大一些，为三十八、九年，到1570年吴承思才结婚三十八、九年，那么他结婚的时间当为1532年顷。这一年吴承恩父亲刚刚去世，他为他父亲撰写墓志中刚好赶上与上“娶叶氏”，这未免过于玄了些。而且，吴承恩此年已将近三十岁了，对于一个几代单传、四十多岁方得独生子的家庭来说，恐怕决不会让孩子到了三十岁，自己到了七十多接近死期才让孩子结婚成家。因此，我认为这“余四十年”当为“四十余年”之误。这样的话，承恩的结婚年龄在二十来岁，方可说得过去。
　　叶筌的儿子叶恩，为嘉清二十九年进土，官御史，孙子叶允武，中万历二十年武会试第一。这已是吴承恩身后的事了。总之，吴承恩的这门亲戚就是这样的状况，似乎要比沈氏家族好一些。
　　吴承恩有几个子女？也没有记载。他有过儿子，名叫凤毛，但很早就去世了。有没有其他子女无法知道。陈文烛为他作的《花草新编序》中说，吴承恩去世以后，吴家已“家无炊火乏矣”。根据这句话来看，吴承恩是他家最后一个去世的人，大概是没有其他子女，他死了以后，烟囱子就不冒烟了，从此便断了烟火。即使有女儿的话，那大概早已出嫁了。但是没有材料证明这一点。
　　吴凤毛的情况只有两处提到过，一是《介社颁》中说：“承 恩令子之平生肺腑交也，又重以婚姻之谊”。另一处是为沈坤父母作的墓志铭中说：“彼我既羁，贯友通家。我亡子凤毛，祭酒又尝许昏以女”。前一篇文章是嘉靖二十三年（1544）沈坤中状元满三年考，皇帝赠封其父母，适逢沈母六十四岁寿辰，作此为之庆贺的。嘉靖二十三年对于沈坤来说，是喜事连连的时期。嘉靖二十年他自己中了状元，这一年皇上诰命赠封父母及妻子，妹婿张侃此年也中了进土，他的家族正处在上升时期。此时能与吴承恩订儿女亲家，确实是沈坤不忘友情很看得起吴承恩的事情。但如果说订亲是前几年即沈坤中状元以前的事，也许更有一定的合理性。那么，凤毛生年当在嘉靖十一年至嘉靖二十年之间。第二篇文章作于嘉靖三十五年冬（1556），文章中已称凤毛为“亡子”，说明他已经死了，而且可能已经有了一段时间了。因为墓志中说沈坤父母的三个孙女，一个嫁了周学礼，另两个也许聘了人家。这三人当中，当然包括那个曾经许聘吴凤毛的沈坤的女儿在内，因为凤毛死了，便又另许了别人。但此事过去的时间似乎又不会太长，因为在承思的印象中还记忆犹新，并把这件事写到沈坤父母的墓志铭中去。也许凤毛就在此前一二年才去世。但这些都是推测，究竟吴凤毛生于何年，卒于何年，活了多大，还难以说清楚。
　　以上是对吴承恩的家世及有关情况所作的简单考述，目的是供研究《西游记》和吴承恩的学人们参考。许多地方是大胆的推测，还有待于发现新的资料来纠正和充实。

　　Word Ru Zhong, No. Sheyang Shanren, Huai House Shanyang County (now Huaian Chuzhou district) people. Ming novelist. Born in a lower-level officials reduced to a small business family, his father, Wu Rui optimistic personality help one pursue the regular music philosophy, named for his son Cheng'en, Ru Zhong word meaning hope that he can read official, deck mercy next Zeli people, to be a legacy of unnamed loyal. Wu Cheng-en studious child, Yimushihang, Guomuchengsong. He specializes in painting, good at calligraphy, love song lyrics degree, on the Go is also very proficient, but also collections of famous paintings like the paste method. Youth because of his outstanding literary talent made a name in the home, appreciated by people, that his third examination, "who finds a mustard." "Huai House" carries his "sexual sensitivity and multi-Hui, Po-polar group of books for poetry write into legislation." Excited than he was studious, the particular strange hunting like the strange, supernatural like to watch, like Fox Spirit Houjing books. Such as "Weirdo recorded", "Exposition of" unofficial history of the novel class of such bright lights of the mythological world, had formed the potential Mohua strange the strange habit of hunting, increased with age, this hobby increase, which he created "Journey to the West" has a major impact. After 30 years of age, Hunting for the anecdote that he had been "in storage Manxiong", and how has creative plans. 50 years old, he wrote "Journey to the West" back to the first dozen, and later interruptions for many years, until his resignation on the departure of old age back to hometown, he was able to finally complete the "Journey to the West," the creation, last 7 years. Wu Cheng-en into the youth, is unrestrained, light the world Aowu young people. The low social status, the situation of poverty, so that the large unrestrained wit, elicited an avalanche of laughter, be gone are the days Jiaokou reputation. Wu Cheng-en about 20 years of age, and hometown girl surnamed Ye married, marriage, very deep feelings. Although unrestrained Wu Cheng-en, but he behaved, loyal to his wife. Jiajing years in the House of Wu-year-old test and the expedition in the school received excellent results, students gained the qualification examination, and a group of friends to be examinations held in Nanjing. However, talented as his companion who has passed, the world-famous village of wit he actually Mingluosunshan. The following spring, his father died with regret. Initial failure to accept the lessons of Wu in the next three years to concentrate on the text up and down in time to pay tribute to the painstaking efforts Jiajing 10 years in the autumn is still not sitting the exam. Cross shame hate Wu Cheng-en, this winter, actually ill. Two examinations held in the defeat, coupled with his father's death, and Wu Cheng's crackdown is heavy. In his view, the test does not take lifts, not only without the payment of capital, and unworthy of their parents, have a negative ancestor. But he did not think they did not qualify is not capable, but only fate of the poor, he believes that "fame rich own life, we must have the free is crazy?" Life of Wu different prevalent custom and outspoken. Reason he was not high and repeated the first test, it may not want to make against one of his to please Shangguan of the. He was sick of corrupt officialdom, unwilling to go against the original mind, the reality of the dark negative attitude. In his "search Erlang Mountain Map Song" in a poem, wrote: "China pulls out dressed in the disaster, not to ape crane to the trouble. Sitting Song Imperial Households with Goki but not punish Si Xiong Yu Ting. Wild husband are pregnant with more grateful, honestly do lament the Wind 3. wear the chest cut the evil sword, want to hate from the level of weakness. save the day on a vector to save the bow, but does that saying no hero world? who for me To Lin Feng, long years to make security cooperation Qing Ning Gong. "that" people disaster, "the formation of the ugly social reality, reason is that the rulers of poor employment, so that" Goki "" Si Xiong, "as the bad guys in power. He wanted to "To Lin Feng," OK "kingly", to turn things around, but underappreciated, cut down, only left with generous, ask things Rinpu sigh. Live in poverty to not less than the pressure of Wu's lost expedition. After his father died, he needs to manage all the family expenses, but he did not support the portal's capabilities, nor the means to raise a family. Family life, apart from the university in a month fighting to reclaim six meters away, can only sit eating father left a legacy. Enjoy the ups and downs of the social life of Wu began to more clearly, consider the deep questions of social life, and his own poetry to the unreasonable social struggle.
　　Family history of Wu
　　"Journey to the West" author Wu Cheng (1506-1582), the word Yu Zhong, word to loyalty, in the mid Huai'an people. Huai had told Sheyang County in the Han Dynasty, the county has a lake called the South East Sheyang Lake, so as to Wu Cheng-en "Sheyang" as the number, often from the Department "Sheyang lay." Generations have called it the "Hermit Sheyang" This is not about numbers in his old self. Located south of Huai Huai Shui, the Qin and Han period Huaiyin County. Tang is Chuzhou, once the period has been renamed Huaiyin County, so he signed, the front is often dubbed "Huaiyin" word. This is the era of Ming literati general atmosphere of Salt.
　　On Wu Cheng's family background, or very few people knew about the present. Because too little information to date information available to examine the main only the "first government guest epitaph" A. Now, I am under this epitaph, and other materials, as follows some speculation.
　　Wu Chengsi Lianshui bloods who was later moved to Huai'an. What time is moved to Huai'an for? He did not say, I guess no later than not later than the early Ming. The reasons:
　　First, from the time the projections should be before the early Ming. "First the government guest epitaph," says:
　　Lianshui bloods who, however not as good as when the resettlement Sanyo. Isolated by poor families, loss of genealogy, it admitted of III above details are. Ancestor taboo Ding; ancestral taboo Ming, Yuyao discipline; August Ones taboo Chen, Ren didactic.
　　Second, the Yuan Dynasty fighting frequently, Huaian the war was particularly serious, indigenous peoples scattered dead and exhausted, the population plummeted. Pineapple Island for the Huai Yang Shijie, according to the biography, and Cao darts "Huai City recorded a letter today," Yang of "Spring Night Dreamer left" and other records, "who kept the early Ming were only seven." "Huai" and probably refers to the city residents, "seven" could refer to seven names. It is said that seven names is a "Piety Xu (product), Ash Lee, plum Liu, cut sheets, comprehensive cooperation king, mounted back the king, South Gate Pan (Xun)," and so few. In addition, there were seven names have surnamed Wu said, but that must mean that the Censor was done in the chin-shih, Wu Festival, Miss that one, and there is no connection Wu Cheng-en. The ancestors of Wu Huai Yuan Dynasty was not, but Lianshui moved in from the Yuan and Ming. Early Ming-tsu Jiangbei residents for scarce state in immigration policy. To many immigrants who move from the south, and mostly well-off or officers. Huai many generations has also said that he was born in Suzhou, or any other places south. Wu Cheng-en home from north to south, nature does not belong to this trend, Yuan and Ming bankruptcy should be the migration of farmers.
　　Huai-Wu Cheng-en ancestors moved to after it is engaged in what occupations? "First the government guest epitaph" is not mentioned. Some of those who were dishonorably discharged move Huai, attached at the Huai Wei Rong, Ho Wei, Wei Wei, wide river; Some business membership, engaged in commercial activities; also have some official and the ancestors settled in the Huai River; some people in Medical industry, such as Pan, Lu home; there are many people in Confucian industry, relying on official school meals, and so on. Wu Cheng-en home, not a military status, nor do Tai Guanren family descendants, not as the start sector and Confucianism. According to "First House guest epitaph," recorded over two generations of a family of Wu School official: Yuyao County, Zhejiang Province has Zuwu Ming did the discipline, his grandfather from the case of Gong Wu Chen did Zhejiang Renhe County (now Hangzhou) of didactic (Tongzhi "Sanyo County" Book Nine, Guang Xu, "Hangzhou government records) are recorded in Volume 0 2 discipline). Discipline and the didactic are the official micro-thin cold pension officials, far from home, displaced, his wife and children often can not join you. When the father of Wu Wu Rui-year-old, the mother Liang, took him to Ren, the couple father and son reunion with families. Happy days not several months, the unfortunate happened: Wu Rui's father or grandfather of Wu Jing Wu Chen died either by. Liang helpless, only with a sharp back-year-old orphan Wu Huai. As the two generations of his family business is "9 Ru 10" Basically the "poor Confucianism", neither have any savings, but no other income, so his family getting poorer. Because of the poor, nor friends, philanthropic, Wu Rui to school age can not go to school than children of someone's home a few years later, began to enter the social science study. Mr. money to community schools as a gift, not how to teach, Mr. Wu Rui. However, Wu Rui very smart, in the next President to concentrate on listening to others speak, actually learned all the lessons, and learn well. Wu Rui's intelligence agency moved Mr. Science, has been President of appreciation, recommended him to the village school to continue studying. But the end result of the Wu family did not go into his family difficulties. Ms. Liang said bitterly: "Wu Xiuwen II men, and if this ear, Sri defencelessness do nothing!" First, Ms. Liang cry, then cry Wu Rui also followed, mother cried a trouble. Wu Rui doing after school we can not know, but when he went to 2 years old, they married the daughter of Alex became a small business family. Buddhist generation selling lace flowers line a class of small commodities, Wu said that his family would inherit the industry, sitting in stores, became a small businessman. From this record, we can see that Wu Chengsi some tell your family. The so-called "Revised text of II", probably referring to Cheng'en and grandfather had worked Zuwu Ming Wu Zhen. Further refinement of this statement, it seems the Wu family business has only the two generations of Confucianism, his bloods are not reading people. Wu Ru-bloods neither industry, but also non-military status, more non-elite government officials, in addition to or is engaged in agriculture, or is carrying on business. Comparing the two, I think that when his family first moved to Huai business is a small business may be more like these. There are two reasons.
　　First, there is no property of Wu family income. Some say that the Wu family moved to after the origin of Huai irrigation ditch in the second shop, engaged in agriculture. They are based because of Wu's death was buried there, saying there was "the first ridge." This evidence is relied upon to. "Ridge" is the cemetery, "the first ridge," meaning the ancestors graveyard, does not mean his home, where the number of sites. The city can not bury dead in the city, buried into the country is inevitable, in the countryside to buy a piece of land as a cemetery is a normal thing. Of course, the Wu family home under the outset, this piece of property, have no need then to buy the. But I think that would be unlikely. Wu moved to the Lianshui, if the original is the well-off landlord, he will not give up their land, put aside their homes here to reset the land, if the bankrupt farmers to move to, he will not have money Tian Huai country to buy. Jiangbei from the south to the early Ming immigrants, because many rare Jiangbei to mobilize the Jiangnan Fu households to Jiangbei reclamation, is the purpose of developing Jiangbei. At that time, by administrative means "drive" to the, so far the farmers are still Huai'an "Hongwu forced out" argument. The economic situation of the early Ming Lianshui no better than the Huai, Wu Huai not move because of well-off was a "rush" to the.
　　From another perspective, it has a certain property if the Wu family, as a didactic after the death of Wu Zhen, Wu Bu Zhiyu poor to that stage, of Wu's father with a social science are not afford to go, a few years behind Only on; on the Social Studies has no money to Mr. gift, so that the subject of discrimination; to eventually drop out of school trouble. In my guess, just not what his family estate, after his family ancestors moved to the Huai is not farmers.
　　Second, I think the Wu family after living in the Huai River to the next. At that time, under the Huaihe River (then also known as the Yellow, Huai-Yellow wins after this with the Huaihe River is downstream of the Yellow River.), The west is the canal, the river under the river in between the two is a commercial port. At that time merchants from all over the many and various occupations, most live in here. After the meters are moving these people into the Sanyo membership. After moving his family settled in the Huai River, the markets are in a family was among the business, which affected, in a small business to make a living is very natural. From now on, under his home in the river around the environment, it is this: The fight copper Lane, nail iron Lane, Powder Chapter Lane, Gu Yi Street, surrounded by his family around. Basically, these residents of the alley runs Lane were listed in the line of business. When doing business with Yuli, living conditions improved, the school official to the direction of progress, and with some success, there have been two generations of science Palace (although Gong Wu Ching is the case of students origin, may be out of money, but shows that his son home to study both economically small, have surplus). At this time, he would abandon the original family business and is now an official (although it is not a small inflow official) status does not match the commercial, sources of livelihood by doing science officer on the meager Salary to maintain. Once a problem with this road there will be trouble. Sure enough, Wu Zhen dead, no official salary, and family life, a crisis immediately, Wu said that the community schools even have difficulty reading. If the landlord's family and the bureaucracy is not such a problem. Wu is not real estate, life is hard, one might guess. Then for the life force, "Revised text of II", sophisticated children, dropped out of school, start a small business to get entrance hall, once a throwback to the small business status. This is the Wu family, the ancestors ran a professional, later generations to reconstruct it, LRT familiar road, in general, is natural and not unexpected.
　　Wu Cheng-en's relative relationship, there is not much to show off. Ancestors of the pro, Wu Cheng-en is not talked about, probably not enough praise. Liang grandmother where her family is not clear Eighty per cent of people are Huai'an. Huai Ka was renowned not, uncle did not know the situation of the motherland. There was no record of ancestral aunt, out of the question. Di Mu Xu is a businessman's daughter, mother Zhang sort of person is more ignorant. About Jiu Jia and aunt's house to notice a word is observed, or simply no aunt. Of Wu's father over family situation, is simply a mystery.
　　Wu Cheng-en was happy to praise his generation in the two relatives: one brother Sim, and the other is the brother-leaf family. They are the Shen Qi's descendants wing and leaves. Ye Qi Shen wing and two, respectively, and Hongzhi Jingtai between years than any of North and South Book of the Ministry, the two are standing in the Huai. However, the husband and wife, Wu Cheng-en, only about two of the tribe, not two lineal Yi Sun Shang adults. Finally, however, is related to him, it is related. Now let's look at the situation of two relatives.
　　A, Qiu degree Piece "level career public epitaph," saying: "Fu Shen Huai family is one of the old family tree, Wumuchifeng gift Gongren Yuk Sau door, and level career public and I have cousins who are also the elegant." Ya Ping Shen Pu public name, the word quality husband, alias Ya Ping, Qiu degrees year-old.
　　Second, Shen Qian, "Pi-Cheng Shanglin Parkland Supervisor Department was Fujunxinglue" saying: "Kang Qiu public shock (Chen Gang Qiu degree word), table Kundi ancestors also." Shen Qian ancestors that Shen Pu.
　　3, Shen Pei Kuan, "Fu Jun-line state," saying: "has been Wang Fu see the back, the Wang Fu completed 12 years of white public, Tuogu cousin Chen Gang Qiu in public." Shen Pei Shen wide or great-grandfather also Park.
　　These records are see Shen wing of genealogy.
　　By: Shen Shen Pu's father called talent, his grandfather called the sink, ancestor called Shen Xuan, high Chinese name Shen Xu, Xu Shen wings for the Second Brother. Since Shen Qiu degree in Park and cousins, then Shen degree of talent should be the mother of Confucius, and Confucius degree Shen's mother, brother and sister for the pro-or pro-siblings, the father of talent Shen Qiu degrees when the grandfather, that Wu Chengjia are married to husbands who were Shen mountains. I think this is not Gaiyi inference. Shen's family tree does not name the name of Shen Shan Ying Shen 5, may be used Shen Shan is the beginning of the name was later used as Shen! The sake of profit. According to Shen's genealogical records, the Journal of the DPRK to use the word, with Ning's, Wang, but no record of Wu. This is probably because of the Wu family, "poor orphans" simply Ce Shi Shen Wu Chengjia married, or even a concubine, and may not have birth to the male's sake. Shen Shan Wu Chengjia much larger than the age. Shen-wing line of three, was born in 1392, and the second brother Shen Xu's date of birth as earlier. Shen shan Shen Xuan Shen Xu fourth son of an only child, is the third generation Shen Xu, date of birth that night II. If the 30 years I, a II 60, when the 1450 hectares. Possible if coupled with some other special circumstances, coupled with longer time to close should be in 1460 or 1470 hectares. Shen and his eldest son, was born in 1500 and talent, the gap between the two relatively large, so may be an earlier date of birth Shen Shan, and even the father of Wu Rui Wu date of birth close to the (Wu Ruisheng in 1461). Based on the above analysis, only Shen Shen Shan Shang's grandniece, Cheng'en's sister Shen Shan Cheng Ka nor the first wife, only the genealogy of the de facto spouse, so that the door was no less commendable relatives. In addition to Shen Shan Shen's not the VIPs of this generation, but nothing worth showing off. Thus, the epitaph of his father, Wu Cheng-en only by the usual practice to mention the name of a mountain sinking, not further introduction, must not mentioned elsewhere. Later, in the highest imperial examination degree hill made official, Qiu degree Shen's veins are the blood flow, so Shen's relationship with the Hill family was able to increase, while the associated relationship between Shen and Wu Cai Bei value. From here, we can see that the original home of Wu is how low social status.
　　Of Wu's father leaves home situation is somewhat similar. Yip ancestral value for the Southern Song Dynasty prime minister leaves, native of Jinhua, Zhejiang. Ye Ye Yong Ki Fifth-and Sixth, in the Yuan dynasty poetry shi, author of "Qiao Yun solo" grandfather leaves earth honest, the early Hongwu Shu Huai Huai Wei were therefore abandoned. "Ming Dynasty" with Ye Qi Chuan Volume 5 August. Reportedly, the word of the Qing Qi, Jingtai five years into the soil, Professor defying Chenghua tired rose to the rank of governor of Datong, Hongzhi four years the Ministry of Shang, Canada Prince Edward Taibao search. Li Dongyang epitaph as essays. According to epitaphs, Ye Qi, born in 1426 and died in 1501. He "long body repair bearded, see who knows the Wei device," "with Ho, gift wife, following confucius his charm, sealing his wife, there are experts." Ho matter is unknown, his charm, that of Wu whom Piece "Ode to Life Ms. Ye Tailao 80" and "Mrs Ip mother elegy sequence" (see "Sheyang first draft of survival," Volume, Volume II) of the "leaf Tate's Lady "and" Mrs Ip mother. " Cheng'en In two articles, said: "First Shangshu Guo-chu Chen, Kang Yi in at home and, shock Kung Pao Yi," "Que Chung Tai Furen show, the first division 40 Five of the true origin." Said; "Cheng'en hundred honor of the marriage ban is too great-grandson of the late mother." Although Wu Cheng-en, "the first House guest epitaph," only the words he was "Yip married", which is not explicitly a leaf out of home, but we can know from articles Ye Qi Ye is the seed, leaf Ki-great-grandchildren of a generation of Serbs. Mrs Ip said she was born in 1468 Mother his charm, than her husband, a small 40-year-old Ye Qi, Ye Qi's death, she was only 30-year-old. Calculated from the time Cheng'en wife Yip simply can not be pro-Confucianism and great granddaughter, great-grandson of this only in the "class", but also is "at the end." It seems Cheng'en wife leaves Qi Ye is not lineal descendants. Ye Qi Li Dongyang epitaph written by the records on his charm, only Ming dynasty "after the draft text of Huai Tong Lu," Volume II 14 in the, to the Qing edition of the book, "Following the palace where his charm, Mrs. closure, there are experts, "the words were deleted. This reminds me of Wu's sister Wu Chengjia to. About women married to second wife, Ce Shi, son or not there is such a fate. Been called the Kong wife like this, ordinary people would not join the women's Wucheng Jia Shen's family tree, what's to say? Ye Qi two brothers, his brother name Ye Yang. Yoko Ye Zhi, Yu Chongli, Tianshun the Dragon into the soil. According to revelation, "Huai Fu Zhi" volume 16 records, he was "an official external and internal Yan, Shu prison edge please titration, were not dried to private. Li Shou-three counties, diligently due diligence, do not whisk love to innocuous neither to stand in order to invite name. tired workers, criminal two vice-presidents. " The nephew and uncle duo Yip was an important figure. Cotyledon leaf Zhi Quan, whistle River, as Cheng'en tert wife's father. "Sheyang first draft of survival," Volume poem "Send flute River Yetai Wen", volume IV, "He Divone too Joshichi Zhi impaired word", that is, that he made. Ye Quan Family conditions are favorable, father towards Ting Dali, bearing his own shadow to guanglu Temple Code Book (chih "Sanyo County" Book Nine). Very rich uncle Ip, said that Ye Zhi into the official to return home to more than four decades, access for all expenses out of him. Impaired word said, Ye Quan "Office was your son, the Yin Kotoo was, was too tired and go Rural Society survey. A young man like a knot in all kinds of people," Wild Ranger, when its doors; heresy party trick Japan out of its front. "subsequently change the way of life, make all Haineimingshi:" hanging foil while chess, calligraphy and painting command payment to income. Transverse flute, essays and small words, look for odd spring of booths, to avoid the water west of the Museum of Folk. "Financial re-light his life meaning," side of its lack, in the direction of Chu almost forgot lunch; when their abundance, are patrons times at home the public. "Wu Cheng Qian, though his nephew, but because of the celebrities was still by his" gift of the pick-up. "Their friendship is very good. When Ye Quan in Beijing, the Cheng'en poem" Send Di River Habuto husband, "issued" material conditions reward the old hanging from a dream around the T.-P. "deep feeling, to leaf bamboo fish trap" should be read so Son La. "In fact, the leaf Quan Wu Cheng-en big deal than the old. impairment that says Khanh four years (1570) Ye Quan's 70 birthday, then he was born in 1501 when, with the age-Wu Cheng-en if. impaired word said, "I studied under Cheng'en marriage ban four years." phrase it needs to be some discretion. "I" as the "other" in misspelled, but the book says the word "I", "remaining" connected, like the ancients with interchangeable characters, which can be ignored or not throw. "More than four decades "In ancient Chinese means" hanging four years "," close to four decades, "so this sentence is problematic. we will," more than four decades, "Try to be larger for the 38, nine to marry until 1570 Wucheng Si 38, nine, he married the time when the 1532 hectares. This year, the father of Wu had just died, he wrote epitaphs for his father in just to catch up with the "married Yip" This is a bit too mysterious. Moreover, nearly three-year-old Wu Cheng-en the years has had, for a several generations of single-pass, more than 40 years of age in families may only son, I am afraid not to let the kids go to three-year-old, to their own more than 70 close to the day of his death before the child got married. So I think that "more than four years" as the "40 years" mistake. In this case, Cheng'en of marriage age in their twenties before they can justify.
　　En Ye Quan's son leaves for Ka Ching 20 hours into the soil, the official censor, grandson Yeyun Wu, Wanli twenty years in the military would try first. This is the behind of Wu things. In short, this door relatives of Wu is such a situation, it seems better than Shen's family.
　　Wu Cheng-en have several children? Not recorded. He has a son, named Feng Mao, but it is already dead. There are no other children do not know. Chen candle for him as the "New Order flowers", said since the death of Wu, Wu has been "home cooking fire no lack carry on." According to this statement of view of Wu is his family who died last is probably no other children after his death, the chimney does not smoke the child will never be off the fireworks. Even her daughter, then it probably already married. But no material proof of this.
　　Wu Feng Mao's case only the two mentioned first, "Introduction Agency awarded," said: "Cheng'en son of his life that cross the heart also, then re-marriage of friendship." The other is for parents to make the epitaph Shen Kun said: "He is my only restrain, consistent DFI home. I killed son Feng Mao, Ji Jiu You Chang Hsu faint to women." Jiajing 20 before an article is three years (1544) Shen Kun champion three years in the test, the Emperor donated letters to their parents, the mother 60-year-old birthday falls Shen, for whom this celebration. Jia Jing Shen Kun for twenty-three years, the period is the wedding again and again. Jiajing two decades a champion of his own in this year ordered the emperor Patent grant letters to parents and wife, Mei Xu Zhang Kan into this years is still in the soil, his family is in the rising. Wu Cheng-en at this time to provide their children with relatives by marriage, friendship is indeed very highly of Shen Kun Wu Cheng forget things. But if the pro is set several years ago that the former champion Shen Kun in the matter, and perhaps more certain rationality. Then, Feng Mao Birth When Jiajing 10 between one to two decades Jiajing. The second article for the winter in thirty-five years Jiajing (1556), the article has said Feng Mao as a "dead child", shows that he is dead, and may already have for some time. Shen Kun as Tablet, said the parents of three granddaughters, a married Zhouxue Li, the other two may engage the people. The three of them, including of course the man who appointed Wu Feng Xu Shen Kun Mao's daughter, because Feng Mao died, in turn another promise to others. But this past time seems not too long, because commitments also remember the impression of thinking, and this thing Shen Kun wrote the epitaph of the parents to go. Perhaps Feng Mao in 2012 had only just died. But these are all speculation, whether the Wu Feng Mao was born in what year, died in what year, live a little, it is difficult to clear.
　　Above is of Wu's family background and the circumstances described by the simple test, is intended for research, "Journey to the West" and the people of Wu's study reference. Many places are bold speculation, has yet to be discovered new information to correct and full.